Repair vs. Replace

If you have had a problem with your ac recently, you may have been told by the service technician that it is time to replace your system.  We are asked all the time, "how do I know when it is time to replace my system".  So, we thought we would take a minute to give you some tips on Repair vs. Replacement.

Top Reason TO Replace  -  FREON LEAKS!

The Clean Air Act does not allow any refrigerant to be vented into the atmosphere during installation, service, or retirement of equipment. Therefore, R-22 must be recovered and recycled, reclaimed, or destroyed. After 2020, the servicing of R-22-based systems will rely solely on recycled or reclaimed refrigerants. Chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce, and companies will no longer be able to import, R-22 for use in new A/C equipment after 2010, but they can continue production and import of R-22 until 2020 for use in servicing existing equipment.

To add to the EPA mandated phase out, the industry has seen a major price increase of R-22.  The Charlotte Observer recently did a story discussing the increase that you can link to here.  This obviously means an major increase of pricing on R-22 to the customer. 

Bottom line - if your system has a leak, you should replace the AC and evaporator coil.  This will give you a much more efficient system with a warranty and the new refrigerant.

Repair or Replace...your system if it is over 13 years old and has a major problem - REPLACE!

The life expectancy of an air condition system is between 13-15 years.  That is if it is maintained regularly!  And we have seen units that have lasted upwards of 20 years when maintained every year.  However, once your unit is over 13 years old, the efficiency ratings have dramatically decreased.  It could be costing you 30% more to run your older system now than it did when it was new.  So, if you have a major repair arise on a system that is more than 13 years old, you should really consider replacement.

Repair or Replace...my 9 year old system could use several hundred dollars in repairs - DISCUSS WITH YOUR SERVICE TECH!

This one can truly go either way.  Your air conditioner is a machine, and as we all know, machines break.  You will more than likely have to have parts repaired on your air conditioner throughout its lifespan.  In this situation, you need to weigh out your pros and cons with your service technician.  Yes, your system may be getting older, but it could have another 5-7 years left in it.  The technician should be able to show you test readings from other major components of the system.  If those items test good, why not fix it?!  A top quality technician will give you all the information you will need to help you MAKE a decision, NOT force or scare you into a decision.

Repair or Replace...my system has the new refrigerant (R-410A) and is fairly new, but has a couple repairs that should be done - REPAIR.

If your system contains R-410A, then odds are repairs are worth it.  The age of a system normally isn't much of a deciding factor until after 10 years of operation.  Again, a good technician will give you all the information you will need to easily make the decision.


In today's economy, we all have to be smart with our money.  Our technicians will educate you, and give you all your options.  They will also provide you with consequences and scenerios that could result from the different options.  Carolina Heating & Air Design wants YOU to be able to make the decision of Repair vs. Replace confidently for yourself!

Call Us Today!  980-235-0055

FREE Second Opinion on Repairs and

FREE Estimates for Replacement

Happy 4th of July!

From Everyone at

Carolina Heating & Air Design

IT'S HOT!!!!! Are you cool?

Well, the extreme heat finally made it!  And boy are we HOT! 

We have had a lot of questions in the past couple days about the operation of AC systems.  I thought we could share with everyone some of these questions and our tips on how to deal with this heat.  Also, check out our blogs from last week to get tips on "Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without Breaking the Bank"!

The Number One Concern:
My AC isn't getting down to the temperature I have my thermostat set on.  Is it working?

Answer:
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer to this.  The State of North Carolina requires contractors to design HVAC systems to maintain at least an 18 degree temperature difference between the outside temperature and the indoor temperature.  So with that criteria, on a 105 degree day if your AC is maintaining 85 - 87 degrees, then it is performing up to design standard.

Now, that isn't to say that something isn't wrong.  Most units that we install or have maintained and are running properly maintain 78 - 82 degrees.  If the system is low on refrigerant or certain parts are going bad, you may be receiving some cooling but not enough to keep your home within those guidelines.

Bottomline:  When in doubt, give us a call.  We will be glad to take a look at the system and give you options that will keep you as cool as possible.

Question:
Is it normal for the AC to overheat and shutoff?

Answer:
No.  AC units are designed to run in extreme temperatures.  Give us a call ASAP!


Question:
Adding more refrigerant should make it colder, right?

Answer:
Refrigerant should only be added IF the system is low on refrigerant.  AC systems are designed for a specific amount of refrigerant.  Adding additional amounts will not make it colder, but it WILL make the AC run less efficient meaning, a higher power bill. 

Now, if your AC is low on refrigerant then the system has a leak.  AC systems are sealed and should not leak refrigerant.  As the refrigerant leaks out you receive less cooling, and again the AC runs less efficient meaning, a higher power bill.  Give us a call, and we will give you options!


Questions:
Will my unit running all the time make my power bill high?

Answer:
As long as your system has been maintained and is performing as efficient as that unit can, NO it will not make your power bill increase dramatically. AC units are designed to run for extended lengths of time. The AC unit uses the most "power" or amperage on startup. Therefore, a system that runs for long periods will cost less to operate than units that are not maintained and are shuting off and coming back on (short cycling) lots of times a day. Of course you are going to see some increase in your power bill this time of year, and if you do see a dramatic increase, give us a call and we will be glad to make sure your system is running at it's maximum efficiency!


Question:
Is there anything I can check?

Answer:
There are a couple things you can do.  Make sure your filters are clean and NOT stopped up.  Dirty filters cause the AC to not work properly or sometimes stop working completely.  Also, you can make sure you don't have a tripped breaker.  If you have a battery operated thermostat, be sure the batteries are good.  Otherwise, give us a call!

 

To make an appointment or get more information, give us a call!980-235-0055

Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without Breaking the Bank

Today is the last day of this series.  We wanted to give you a few more tips, as well as give you information on what to do if your AC does breakdown.

Create a Breeze

With the air circulating, you'll feel like a room's temperature has dropped up to 8°F.

• Use a portable fan in conjunction with your AC to move air without greatly increasing your power use (it'll even save money, because you can comfortably set the thermostat a few degrees higher).
• Be smart about ceiling fans. Since they don't actually cool — you need to be in their path to get the benefits — turn off all fans when you're heading out to avoid wasting energy. If you're buying a new ceiling fan, make sure it's sized right for your room (the fan's box should list its specs).

What to do if your AC breaks down

If your AC unit quits working or the air coming out feels warm:

• Turn the AC OFF!  I know it seems ridiculous to ask you to turn the system off when it is so hot outside, but it WILL save you money!  Running an AC unit that is not functioning correctly can cause additional parts to fail.  Also, if the system is frozen the technicians cannot work on the unit until it is unfrozen.  The sooner the system is shut down the better off you will be.
• Check your filter.  Your AC system does require a clean filter in order to run.  Be sure to check and replace or clean your filter on a regular basis.  Changeable filters should be replaced every month or so depending on the number of people and animals you have in the home.  The higher quality filters should be checked every month.  Just because the package says 3 to 6 months doesn’t mean it will last that long in your home.
• Check your breaker.  If there has been a power outage or surge, the breaker to your system may have tripped.  Reset the breaker and give the system about 10 minutes to restart.  Some systems have a built in time delay when the system has been shut down.  If the system continues to trip the breaker, give us a call you may have problems within the unit that is causing the breaker to trip.
• Is your power company implementing load control?  Some areas may be affected by the power company’s load control when temperatures sore and power usage becomes extremely high.  In those situations, your unit will not run due to the load control.  If you’re not sure whether your home has a load control on it, contact your power company.
• Call Your HVAC Company!  Don’t wait to see if your AC unit will start working again!  Call (980-235-0055) or email us right away to schedule a repair call.  The longer you wait, the higher the risk that more people could fill up the schedule causing you to wait longer!

What to do to stay cool until the repair man gets there:

 

• Turn the fan on your thermostat to the ON position.  Every thermostat has a fan button.  This just controls the blower portion of the AC.  When in the ON position, it will help to circulate air through the home.  It will not provide cold air, but moving air will make a difference.
• Be sure your curtains and blinds are closed.  This can lower the temperature by limiting the amount of sunlight entering the home. 
• Raise windows at night.  If the temperature outside is at least 3˚ cooler than the indoor temperature, raising windows will help!
• The ultimate chill-out:  As we said a couple days ago, get wet. A cool bath or shower with water around 75°F (lukewarm) will chill you out 25 times faster than a blast of cold air.

Give us a try!  Please call or contact us to schedule an appointment or just get additional information.  We are happy to help!

980-235-0055  or info@mycarolinahvac.com

Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without Breaking the Bank

In today's blog, we have given info on not only how to stay cool, but also how to use the hot weather to save money!

Remember: Heat Rises

Attics can reach temps of 150°F or more. Take measures to properly insulate this area from the rest of the house: Install sweeps and weather-stripping around the access door (about $10 - $8 for a roll, respectively, at hardware stores). For a hatch-style entrance, invest in a stair-insulator cover like the Attic Tent ($200 to $240; attictent.com) to seal it.  This will help keep that hot air from your attic out of your house.

Harness the Heat
Hot weather isn't all bad for your electric bill.

• Line-dry clothes outdoors — there's nothing like that fresh smell! — and skip the dryer (the costliest part of doing laundry).
• Hang towels that are soggy from a day at the beach or pool to dry in the sun over a line, a railing, or the back of a chair. Bonus, if towels will be used again before laundering: Solar rays can kill some smell-causing bacteria.

Close Your Curtains and Blinds

You can drastically cut down how much your AC runs during the day by closing your curtains and blinds.  Combined setting the thermostat to a slighly higher program, you can see some major savings!

Carolina Heating & Air Design

980-235-0055 or info@mycarolinahvac.com

Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without Breaking the Bank

Today we are going to give you tips on managine moisture in your home.  Here in the South, humidity can be horrible.  The humidity adds to the heat and creates a VERY uncomfortable environment.  Check out these tips to help you manage your indoor humidity.

Manage Moisture

An estimated 50% of U.S. homes have unhealthily high levels of moisture. What to do when "it's not the heat, it's the humidity":

• Move indoor plants outside — they produce a lot of airborne moisture.     
• Invest in a dehumidifier.  Give us a call, we can install a whole house dehumidifier.     
• Run bathroom exhaust fans for a full 20 minutes after a shower or bath to "dry" the air.     
• If your house seems extremely humid, call your HVAC contractor to see if the AC is performing properly.  Your AC unit should be designed to pull humidity out of your home.  Give us a call and we can check the unit to be sure it dehumidifying your home.
• The ultimate chill-out:  Get wet. A cool bath or shower with water around 75°F (lukewarm) will chill you out 25 times faster than a blast of cold air.
• Seal up your house.  By making sure you have a good weather seal around door and windows, you will not only keep the cold air in, but you will also keep the humidity from outside out.

By keeping the humidity in your home down, you may even find that you can raise your thermostat a degree or two!  That will create more savings on the utility bills!

Are you interested in a dehumidifier, or just want to be sure your AC system is doing all it can?

Give us a call and schedule an appointment to have a technician make sure you are getting the most out of your AC!

980-235-0055 or info@mycarolinahvac.com

Ways to Keep Your Home Cool Without Breaking the Bank

As Summer has finally arrived, we thought it would be a good time to start talking about how you can keep your home cool through the summer.  This week we will be giving you tips on how to stay cool without spending a lot of money.

Smart Ways to Save on the AC

• Have maintenance performed on your cooling system every year.  According to Goodway.com, units with dirty coils, "use 37 percent more energy than those with clean coils," and reduce cooling capacity as much as 30 percent. A less-efficient system is harmful to the environment and raises utility costs.  Dirty coils can also cause premature failure on parts and shorten the life of the entire unit.
  
• Set the thermostat at 70° to 75°F when you're home, 76 - 80°F when you're not; don't turn it off completely before leaving the house (it can cost more to cool the house back down once it overheats).
• Position electric devices like lamps, TVs, or computers at least a few feet away from your AC thermostat. Reason: The AC can sense heat from these appliances, which can cause it to run longer than necessary.
• Know when to upgrade. In terms of energy use, you may want to consider a new AC if yours is more than 10 or 12 years old — and definitely if it's not cooling as well as it used to — to shave up to 30% off your bill.

Haven't had a maintenance performed on you cooling system yet?

Give us a call to schedule a tune-up that fits your budget! 

980-235-0055 or info@mycarolinahvac.com