Atlantic Refrigeration and Air Conditioning, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Dover’

Main Causes of a Failed AC Compressor

Monday, August 15th, 2022
compressor-in-outdoor-unit

Perhaps the biggest AC problem you want to avoid is a failed compressor. The reason is simple: the cost to replace a compressor (unless it’s still under warranty) is expensive enough that it’s often more cost-effective to have the whole air conditioner replaced.

What can cause a compressor to fail? There are several common sources we’re going to look at below. Understanding the ways a compressor can fail will help you avoid this problem and call for air conditioning repairs in Dover, DE, to head off a much more expensive repair or replacement in the near future.

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It’s Not Too Early to Think About AC Maintenance

Monday, March 14th, 2022
service-time

When it comes to your air conditioning unit, it’s never too early to think about maintenance. Yes, it may mean a small investment, but in the long run, it will unquestionably save you money.

Saving money is only one of the many benefits of keeping your AC maintained. In this blog, we share a few of them.

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Possible Reasons Your Electric Furnace Isn’t Working

Monday, December 6th, 2021
heating-element

Natural gas furnaces are the most common type of home heating system in our area, but not all homes have access to natural gas. For all-electric homes, the most popular option for central heating is an electric furnace. These furnaces are safer than gas-burning appliances and they can also last for five years long on average. They also need fewer repairs in general because they have a simpler design and don’t suffer from the strain of combusting gas.

But a gas furnace can still malfunction, and this winter you might need the help of our professionals for furnace repair in Dover. We’ve put together a list of several reasons for your electric furnace to quit working. Some won’t require a professional repair, only an adjustment. Anything more complex, however, needs trained experts.

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A Dying AC in September … Should You Have It Replaced Now?

Monday, September 13th, 2021
fall-checklist

A central air conditioning system that starts to fail in September. That’s almost the textbook definition of a problem you can “put off.” Or one you think you can put off.

But procrastination is rarely a virtue, and in this case, delaying doing something about an AC that’s on the way out can create serious problems. When it comes to your home comfort, it’s always best to act fast, whether you need an air conditioning repair in Dover or it’s time to have the full system replaced. 

We’ll go into more detail about why rapid response AC replacement is always best, no matter the month.

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Can’t Get Warm Enough? Don’t Keep Raising The Thermostat!

Monday, March 15th, 2021
thermostat

The thermostat for a house seems like a simple enough device. When you want the house to be warmer, you raise it. When you want it cooler, you lower it. And, in many ways, the thermostat is that basic: even with the complex “smart” thermostats available today, a thermostat still operates as a switch that turns the heater, AC, and air handler on and off as needed.

But people often mistake the thermostat as a tool to overcome a deficiency in their HVAC system. For example: let’s say you’re finding it hard to keep your house warm during the winter, so you keep pushing up the thermostat higher until you get the comfort you want. 

This isn’t how either the thermostat or the heater should work. Both are designed so you can set the thermostat to a single, steady temperature and receive the comfort you desire. If you need to push the thermostat higher than normal, it means you have a problem with your heating in Dover, DE.

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Handling Thermostat Settings the Smart Way in the Heat

Monday, June 22nd, 2020
setting-thermostat

Although there are many advanced types of thermostats available today, many equipped with special Wi-Fi technology and multiple settings, they still operate on a basic principle: raise the temperature setting for a warmer house, lower it for a cooler one.

But if you handle your thermostat during the summer as if it were something you keep changing as gets too cold and then too warm, you’ll end up consuming more energy than necessary and see larger electric bills. You’ll also put more stress on the components of your air conditioner, potentially shortening its service life and making it more likely you’ll have to call for air conditioning service in Dover, Delaware to fix it during the summer.

We’re going to give you a quick course on the smart way to set your thermostat during the summer heat so you’ll save money and give your AC a life-extending break.

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Things That May Go Wrong With a Neglected Air Conditioner

Monday, May 25th, 2020
maintenance-tools

We emphasize the importance of scheduling regular AC maintenance in Dover, DE each spring and early summer—it’s that important. And since the summer is rapidly closing in, we want to impress upon all our customers who haven’t yet arranged for their regular air conditioning service visit from our technicians to have it done as soon as possible. It’s simple when you join our Maintenance Agreement Club.

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Is Duct Testing Useful?

Monday, December 23rd, 2019

What is the condition of the ductwork in your home? Your answer is probably that you don’t know. This makes sense, because it’s difficult to see these air channels that are set within the walls and the attic of the house. Even if you could see stretches of the ductwork, you might not recognize spots where air was leaking unless you have a trained eye.

Basically, it takes a Dover, DE, HVAC contractor to determine the condition of your ducts through the process of duct testing. We offer duct testing as part of our service to care for home ventilation systems (the “V” in HVAC). This might sound like an unimportant job, but duct testing is useful. In fact, it can mean the difference in an efficient and comfortable home, and an inefficient, unevenly heated and cooled, and unhealthy home.

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You May Still Need AC Help at the End of Summer

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

sunshineWhen the weather starts to cool down as summer comes to a close, the AC in your house will run less often. There will still be some hot days during September when the cooling system will need to put in extra work, but this is the air conditioning season homestretch.

This doesn’t mean, however, that you can ignore AC issues or that you won’t need to schedule air conditioning services in Dover, DE before the fall. Procrastination on repairs can lead to serious trouble, and there are other services you may want to schedule at this time of year. There’s never a wrong time to repair or make upgrades to your AC—moving earlier is always better than too late.

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Is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?

Monday, June 10th, 2019

trane-condenser-backyardAs the summer starts, you may have concerns about the performance of your air conditioning system and whether it’s better to have a new one installed this year. You may have noticed the AC didn’t work as well as you wanted last summer, or perhaps you think that the unit is old enough that continuing with repairs will be a bigger money drain.

We’re glad you’re turning over these ideas in your head, because it shows you’re paying attention to your home’s air conditioning in Dover, DE. It’s smart to keep a watch on an air conditioner so you can have problems dealt with before they become even bigger problems—such as an emergency breakdown during one of the hottest days of the summer.

The best way to answer the question in the title is to call our professionals to consult with them about your AC’s future. Below we’ve given you some of the major warning signs of an AC ready to retire so you’ll have a better idea of what job you’ll need our technicians to do.

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