My Air Conditioner is Running but Not Cooling
Is your air conditioner running but not lowering the temperature in your home? If so, below is a list of possible culprits that you can check yourself before calling an HVAC technician. Some of these you can fix yourself, others you will need to consult a professional.
Thermostat
It might seem too simple, but always start with checking the thermostat. An adjustment could have been made without you knowing and the fix is as quick as a setting change.
Filter
A dirty filter can wreak havoc on an air conditioner. Not only will it obstruct airflow, but it will inhibit the unit from doing its only job and not clean the air before it runs through the unit. This will make the rest of the components dirty and could cause your coils to freeze. If your filter is dirty, replace it or clean it and test your air conditioner.
Evaporator coil
The evaporator coil in your AC unit absorbs the heat and any humidity evaporates from these coils. Sometimes this humidity accumulates and freezes on the coils. As mentioned above, frozen coils could be caused by a dirty filter, but that is not always the case. If your AC is running but not cooling the air, turn off the unit and check to see if the coils are frozen. If so, you will need to call an HVAC technician for a repair.
Condenser
Central air conditioners have an outdoor unit called a condenser. The condenser contains coils with closely spaced fins, making it easy for dirt and debris to build up and clog the coils. This will cause your unit to work much harder than usual to cool your home, and—if it’s bad enough—inhibit the unit from creating cold air and possibly shutdown. You can gently clean the condenser yourself with a vacuum or hose. If your air conditioner is still struggling to create cool air, call an HVAC professional.
Leaking Refrigerant
In order for the refrigerant in your air conditioner to absorb heat and cool the air, it transitions from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid and back to a low-pressure gas. If there is a refrigerant leak or the refrigerant is too low, this causes a drop in pressure allowing the refrigerant to expand more than usual and become too cold, resulting in a freeze-up and your unit will not be able to create cool air. If there is a refrigerant leak, an HVAC expert can help you fix this but may recommend investing in a new air conditioner.
Is your air conditioner running but not cooling? Grand Home Services in Aurora is here to help. We provide air conditioner maintenance, cleaning, repair, and replacement services throughout the Denver Metro Area. Call us or contact us online today!
Is an Annual AC Tune-Up Necessary?
You may hear your HVAC technician mention an air conditioner tune-up and wonder if it is even necessary. Air conditioners run just fine without annual tune-ups, and your unit(s) thus far have been just fine without them. So, is an AC tune-up really necessary?
The short answer is no—AC tune-ups are not absolutely necessary, but they are encouraged. No, your air conditioner will not burst into flames if you do not get an annual tune-up, but if you have the means to get a tune-up annually or even every few years, we strongly recommend doing so. There’s a reason this service exists in the first place, and all reliable HVAC companies offer the service.
Here are the most important reasons annual AC tune-ups are encouraged and even exist.
Saves You Money
A tune-up ensures your unit is clean and free of necessary repairs. This ensures it runs at peak efficiency, saving you money on your monthly cooling bill. Regular tune-ups also prolong the lifespan of your air conditioner. A poorly maintained unit that only gets repairs when necessary will certainly not live as long as a unit that gets regular tune-ups.
Preventative Care
Just like going to the dentist for a cleaning, AC tune-ups are a form of preventative care. During a tune-up, HVAC technicians clean the unit, check for necessary repairs, and get your air conditioner in the best condition possible before it runs for months on end. Having a technician look at your unit before it starts running consistently will prevent a broken part from causing more problems and repairs further down the road. A tune-up could even prevent a repair altogether.
Safeguarding Your Warranty
Several popular AC manufacturers—including Lennox and Trane—make it clear you need regular maintenance by an HVAC professional to retain the warranty. Without this regular maintenance, the manufacturer has the right to deny you a part replacement, forcing you to pay for the part and service out of pocket.
No, AC tune-ups are not absolutely necessary, but they are sure to save you money in the long run. If you are in the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services in Aurora would be happy to provide you with an air conditioner tune-up. Click here to learn more about our tune-up service, and call us or contact us online to get started!
AC Compressor Replacement Cost in Denver
When your air conditioner needs a new part, it’s usually an easy decision: get the part replaced. Most repairs will cost less than $500, and while that’s a lot of money, it is well worth keeping your AC unit functional. That simple repair decision, however, is not the case with an AC compressor.
The AC compressor is the most expensive part in an air conditioner. Including labor, the average cost to replace an AC compressor is $2,000 to $4,000. The compressor is a significant portion of the cost of a brand-new system. When an AC compressor needs to be replaced, the real question is whether or not to replace the entire unit. Below we break down the factors that will help you decide.
Is your unit under warranty?
If your AC unit is under warranty, you shouldn’t have to pay for a compressor replacement. Many manufacturers offer a 5 or 10-year part warranty and a 1-year labor warranty, meaning all parts of the unit are covered. If you do not have a labor warranty, you have to pay for the installation, but this is not a simple part to install. When a compressor is under warranty, they only cover the compressor itself. Other services or parts are not covered, including an acid wash, a refrigerant line flush, and the refrigerant itself. You can still expect to pay a reputable contractor around $1,500 for the labor and other parts.
Is your unit more than 10 years old?
If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, usually the best route to take is a completely new unit. When you replace an AC compressor in an older unit, you are still going to need to replace the unit in a few years. You will end up saving money in the long run with a completely new system.
Is your unit not under warranty and less than 10 years old?
This is the gray area where a licensed technician should help you make your decision. If your unit is not under warranty but your unit is not old, you will need to evaluate the condition and performance of the air conditioner. An expensive repair may or may not be worth it. Are your cooling bills increasing? Is the unit requiring more frequent repairs? Is the unit cooling your home as desired?
AC Compressor Replacement in Denver
If you need a new AC compressor in the Denver area or you would like some advice, call Grand Home Services today. We are in Aurora and provide AC replacement, installation, and repair services throughout the Denver Metro Area. Call us or contact us online today!
5 Common AC Noises and What They Mean
Nothing is worse than hearing a terrible noise from your air conditioner and having no idea what it means. Will it go away on its own? Should you turn off the unit and call for an emergency service? Is it something you can fix yourself?
Here are the most common air conditioner noises, what they mean, and what you should do next. When in doubt, always call an HVAC contractor. A loud and unfamiliar noise coming from your AC unit is never a good thing.
1. Screaming/Hissing
If you hear a loud, high-pitched hiss or scream coming from your air conditioner, you should shut off the unit immediately. A common culprit is a refrigerant leak or problem with the compressor. This should not be ignored as refrigerant can me harmful to your health and seriously damage your unit. If the leak is large enough, you may hear a gurgling noise as well.
2. Squealing
Just like cars, your air conditioner can make a squealing noise when the fan belt is damaged or misaligned. This does not inhibit the unit from cooling your home so you can keep your unit running if you hear this noise, but we recommend calling for a repair as soon as possible. This problem could lead to a domino effect of other repairs, so don’t wait!
3. Buzzing
A buzzing or humming noise could mean an issue with the compressor, electrical wiring, refrigerant line, or a loose part. Because the problem is not obvious, it is always best to call an HVAC contractor to take a look. Especially if it sounds less like a rattle and more like a buzz, it could be a very serious problem.
4. Clicking
It is normal to hear clicking when the AC unit starts, but if the clicking continues after startup, start by cleaning the outdoor AC compressor. There might be debris making this clicking or rattling noise. A clicking noise can also indicate a bent fan blade or an electrical issue, so if you do not feel comfortable fixing it yourself, call an HVAC technician.
5. Banging
A banging noise is usually a sure sign of a loose or broken part, oftentimes being the compressor, fan, connecting rod, piston pin or crankshaft. Sometimes the part simply needs to be tightened, other times the part will need to be replaced. We recommend calling an HVAC contractor to inspect the unit as a loose part banging around could be causing more damage.
If you are near us in Aurora or live anywhere in the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services would be happy to answer your questions or help you with your AC unit. Call 720-365-1187 or contact us online today!
When your air conditioner or furnace stops functioning and needs repair, you put your full trust in a local HVAC contractor to fix the problem efficiently and honestly. Unfortunately there are some technicians that do not operate their business in the most ethical way.
Below are 8 of the most common HVAC repair scams that you should look out for. Click here to see the best ways you can avoid these scams.
1. Bait and switch
Dishonest HVAC companies will generate more business by making amazing offers that are hard to refuse. Once they are in the door, they will take advantage of this time to sell you on other services, or mislead you on the condition of your unit to sell you more than you expected. Whether it be a cold call offering a service you “need” or a technician offering a service that’s “free”, be weary there is a catch.
If you get a quote from an HVAC contractor that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Always get a second opinion if you think the technician is scamming you.
2. Refrigerant recharge and overpayment
If your unit is short on refrigerant, it means there is a leak. Refrigerant runs through a closed system and should never run low. The “recharging” scam is a dishonest technician’s way of unnecessarily billing you for refrigerant you shouldn’t even need. The leak is the source of your problem, and your technician should tailor their service accordingly. If the technician only tops off the refrigerant, they are putting off the repair that really needs to happen and thus you will be paying for the refrigerant more than once. They will likely call you again to offer another recharge because they know you will need it.
Another popular air conditioner scam is charging for more refrigerant than you received. If you think you are being scammed, try to supervise the process. The technician should be charging you by weight, measuring the difference in the refrigerant container before and after they filled your unit.
3. R-22 is illegal
This is a very recent scam and a hard one to decipher. Some contractors are telling customers that R-22 is illegal because it is being phased out and cannot be used anymore, and this is not true. As of January 1, 2020, it is no longer legal to produce or import virgin R-22 in the United States. That does not mean R-22 refrigerant is unavailable, more expensive, or illegal. It just means systems that use R-22 will have to rely on existing stocks of virgin refrigerant or use reclaimed refrigerant, both of which are readily available.
4. Cracked heat exchanger
Furnace heat exchangers do eventually crack if not properly maintained or installed, but this also happens to be a popular furnace repair scam. If a technician says your heat exchanger is cracked and you need to get it replaced immediately, you may want to get a second opinion or ask for proof. This repair is quite expensive and you should not give the green light without seeing the crack yourself. Also ask if your furnace is leaking carbon monoxide. A reliable HVAC technician will have combustion analyzers and ambient carbon monoxide meters with them.
5. Replacing parts unnecessarily
A service technician may tell you a part needs to be repaired or replaced when it is perfectly fine. If this is the case, chances are the part is very expensive and the cost of replacing the entire system is not far off from the repair cost. This includes a contractor saying you need to replace equipment just because it is old!
A big red flag is when a technician suggests you need to replace several parts. This is very rarely the case. In the vast majority of air conditioner and furnace failures, one defective part compromises the integrity of the whole unit. Though it is rare, you will see several parts fail if the unit is poorly maintained or the initial repair needed to happen a long time ago. Always get a second opinion!
6. Oversized unit
Bigger is not always better when it comes to air conditioners and furnaces. There are contractors who will push the biggest unit they have with no regard for the type of unit or size of your house/building. Units that are oversized are more expensive to install so the contractor can charge more for the job. They are also more expensive to run in the long term and will cost more in service and maintenance.
7. No price breakdown
A common scam we see here in Aurora, Colorado is contractors not giving a cost breakdown and saying the repair is very expensive, sometimes so expensive that the unit should be replaced. You should always confirm what is wrong with the unit, what needs to be replaced or repaired, and ask for the price breakdown (service fees included). An honest HVAC technician should be able to give you those numbers without question. If something does not seem right, do a little research and ask for a second opinion.
8. Upfront cash payment
No reputable HVAC company asks for payment before providing you with any services. If a repairman asks for payment up front, he or she might try to take your money and run. There is no reason for air conditioning or furnace repair companies to employ this policy unless they are hoping to get away with something.
Grand Home Services in Aurora has been helping homeowners and property managers throughout the Denver Metro Area for over a decade. We know an HVAC scam when we see one and we would be happy to give you a second opinion if you have any suspicions. Contact us today for all your Aurora furnace and air conditioner repair, maintenance, inspection, and installation needs!
What Causes an Air Conditioner to Freeze Up?
It almost seems counter-intuitive that an air conditioner could freeze over, especially when your air conditioner is running during hot summer days. Air conditioner freeze-ups are actually quite common and there are a number of possible culprits. Below are 4 of the most common causes of an air conditioner freeze-up.
Blocked Airflow
Air conditioners need to have constant airflow so humidity doesn’t settle on the coils and freeze. This humidity can even collect in dry climates like Colorado. Here are the common culprits of a lack of airflow in an air conditioner:
Dirty Filters
If your air filter is dirty and becomes clogged, airflow is restricted which disrupts your air conditioner’s functionality and increases the risk of an air conditioner freeze-up. Thankfully, air filters are inexpensive and keep your air conditioner running at peak performance, saving you money on your electricity bill. You should be changing your filter every month even if it says every three months.
Closed or Blocked Vents
Closing or blocking too many vents in your home is a quick way to cause an AC freeze-up. If you have something in front of a return, you want at least 6 inches of space. If you decide to close some of the vents in your home, make sure they are not near your thermostat and you are only closing a few.
A lack of airflow can also be caused by a collapsed duct, a bad blower motor, or low voltage to the fan, so if your filter is clean, you are not blocking your vents and you are still experiencing AC freeze-ups, contact an HVAC expert as soon as possible.
Overworking the System
This means a consistent runtime of more than two hours. Here are the two most common ways to overwork your air conditioner:
Setting the Temp Too Low
If you set your temperature too low and your air conditioner can’t keep up with the heat load, it will freeze over. You are making your air conditioner try to change the temperature of a large area too quickly, making it run longer than two hours. Make sure you lower your thermostat slowly to give your system a break, and don’t forget to rely on your other appliances like fans to cool the air as well.
Cool Weather
For places like Denver where the Spring and Fall seasons bring warm days and cool nights, it’s not uncommon to have an AC freeze-up when your home is a lot warmer than the temperature outside. Air conditioners are designed to function in a specific temperature range. If you are running your air conditioner for more than 2 hours when the outside air is below 62 degrees, the pressure inside of your system will drop causing your air conditioner to freeze up. Try not to rely on your air conditioner when it’s cooler outside.
Dirty Coils
Another common cause of AC freeze-ups is a dirty air conditioner coil. Air conditioners tend to dehumidify the air, and that moisture builds up on the condenser coils. When the water builds up on clean coils, it evaporates or falls into the drip pan. If the coils are dirty, that layer of dirt and dust holds onto the water causing a freeze. Bi-annual checkups from your local HVAC professional can keep your AC’s coils clean.
Low/Leaking Refrigerant
In order for the refrigerant in your air conditioner to absorb heat and cool the air, it transitions from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure liquid and back to a low-pressure gas. If there is a refrigerant leak or the refrigerant is too low, this causes a drop in pressure allowing the refrigerant to expand more than usual and become too cold. If there is a refrigerant leak, an HVAC expert can help you fix this but may recommend investing in a new air conditioner.
Though these are the most common culprits of an air conditioner freeze-up, there are a variety of other things that could cause this problem. If you are in Aurora or anywhere throughout the Denver Metro Area, Grand Home Services would love to help you with your air conditioner maintenance, cleaning, repair, or replacement needs. Contact us today!
When to Call for an Emergency Air Conditioning Repair
When your air conditioner stops working, not only does your home become uncomfortable, but it can be stressful not knowing if the system requires a minor or major repair. Knowing when you need an emergency air conditioner repair is very important and could save you money by preventing further damage.
So, what constitutes an air conditioning emergency and when should you be calling an expert for an emergency AC repair?
Your Air Conditioner Simply Doesn’t Work
Complete air conditioner breakdowns occur when you cannot get your AC unit to turn on or blow cool air. If your air conditioner isn’t working, you should immediately check your circuit breaker and your thermostat. If your AC unit is receiving power and the thermostat is set lower than the ambient temperature of your home, it’s a situation where you should call for an emergency AC repair. The longer you wait, the more uncomfortable your home will become in the summertime heat, especially in sunny Colorado.
Your Air Conditioner Is Causing Water Damage
Water can quickly spread and cause major property damage, damage to the unit itself, attract pests and even promote mold growth within 24 hours. The most common causes of water damage stemming from an air conditioner include:
- Clogged or disconnected drain
- Dirty condensate pump
- Clogged air filter
- Dirty evaporator coil
- Cracked drain pan
- Low refrigerant
- Condensation buildup within ductwork
All of these problems should be addressed by your emergency AC repair contractor as soon as possible.
Your Air Conditioner Is Experiencing Electrical Issues
If you suspect there is an electrical problem, you should not wait to call a professional. Some common signs of air conditioning electrical problems are a tripped breaker, a burning smell, or a flickering/dim pilot light. Electrical issues are very serious and not something you should attempt to take care of yourself as there is a risk of a serious home electrical issue like a blackout or fire. An HVAC contractor has the experience and the technical knowledge needed to identify the problem and solve it quickly to get your air conditioner back to normal.
If you are near Grand Home Services in Aurora or anywhere in the Denver Metro Area, please give us a call. We offer 24/7 air conditioning emergency repair services.
4 Most Expensive AC Repairs and How to Avoid Them
Having your air conditioner break down is inconvenient and can be very expensive to repair. A lot of these repairs can be avoided with regular inspections and cleaning. These inspections catch small problems before they become larger, more expensive problems to fix.
Here are 5 of the most expensive AC repairs and how they can be avoided. Keep in mind, that these estimates greatly depend on the manufacturer of the unit, the age of the unit, and how well the unit has been maintained.
Replacement Evaporative Coil: $2,000 – $3,500
If your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant, chances are it is due to the evaporative coil. Refrigerant runs through the coil and as air passes over it the heat is absorbed. If there is a leak or it no longer functions, it will take a long time for the system to cool your home, if at all.
Unfortunately, repair isn’t an option. Evaporative coils are large components full of tiny dips, curves, crevices, and hard-to-see, hard-to-reach areas. A leak is like a needle in a haystack.
How to avoid: annual cleaning and refrigerant recharges. If refrigerant gets low, the unit will have to work harder which will increase the risk of failure.
Compressor Replacement: $1,850 – $2,800
Your air conditioner’s compressor moves the refrigerant through your system to remove heat and humidity. When the coils are dirty, the system must work harder to expel heat which leads to overheating and a system failure.
Compressor replacement is one of the most expensive, time-consuming AC repairs. This repair could be less than $1,850 depending on the warranty of your AC unit, but unfortunately, the average repair fee lies within the above range.
How to avoid: annual cleaning. Compressor failure is usually the result of dirty coils that make the system work extra hard to expel heat.
Condenser Fan Motor: $500 – $1,500
The condensing unit fan is responsible for pulling air through the coils of the condensing unit. When the system is dirty or has been idle for too long without cleaning, the fan will not run, run intermittently, run slowly, or make unusual noises.
During the winter this fan sits idle until the air conditioner is turned back on in the spring when temperatures begin to rise. This can be a problem for the condenser fan motor. Sitting all winter without any motion, the bearings and shaft in the air conditioner motor can seize up or rust.
How to avoid: Spring inspection, cleaning, and keeping up with air filter replacements. The air conditioner motor must be inspected and cleaned to ensure it is running at full power.
Refrigerant Leak Repair: $300 – $1,500
If you are experiencing a refrigerant leak and the leak does not require a new evaporative coil, the repair is a bit cheaper but—depending on the source—can still be expensive. Sometimes the leak occurs at the end of the evaporative coil where the copper bends, other times it can be as simple as a rubber seal. No matter the source, it’s important to get a refrigerant leak repaired as soon as possible. A leak can cause further problems and quickly get expensive.
How to avoid: consistent inspection and cleaning. When an HVAC professional inspects your air conditioner, they might be able to see a leak is coming if there is deterioration. Just like visiting the dentist, it’s important to take preventative measures with your AC unit.
With all these expensive AC repairs, many can be avoided with consistent inspections and cleaning from an HVAC professional. It’s easy to forget about the unit when it’s working in the background, but you’ll wish you had taken preventative measures when a problem arises.
Are you in need of an AC inspection, cleaning, recharge, or repair in the Denver Metro Area? Grand Home Services is located in Aurora, Colorado, and provides HVAC services throughout Denver. Contact us today!
8 Warning Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair
As the days get longer and hotter, your AC unit works hard to keep your home comfortable. From old age to having a dirty filter, a number of things can keep your unit from running efficiently. It’s important to keep an eye out for signs that your unit needs repair before one problem causes another, or worse, you need to replace the AC unit. Here are 8 common warning signs you may want to look for:
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AC unit is old
If your air conditioner is older than the average life expectancy of AC units in homes today—between 15 and 20 years—it likely needs attention. It’s not a bad idea to start shopping for a replacement just in case of an emergency, but it’s important you get an older AC unit inspected and cleaned to prolong its life. If you are in the Denver Metro Area, we can help you with this.
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Your electric bill has gone up
It’s normal for utility bills to fluctuate, but a significantly higher than normal energy bill means your air conditioner is running inefficiently. This could be due to a clogged air filter, a broken motor, or something more serious. It’s best to get your AC unit inspected before the problem worsens and you continue to run up your energy bill.
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Unit is releasing a bad odor
It is not a good sign when your AC unit gives off a bad smell. An unpleasant odor can mean there is an issue with the filter, a buildup of dirt, or even mildew. No matter the culprit, the smell means something is wrong and could be bad for your health. It’s best to contact an HVAC contractor for a quick diagnostic and a full cleaning of the system.
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Warm air
If your unit is running but the air is coming out warm or your home isn’t cooling down, there is likely an issue with your refrigerant. Your homes AC system should keep your home comfortable and is designed to cool your home to the temperature you set via the thermostat. However, a loss of refrigerant can cause your system to stop cooling effectively, making your home uncomfortable.
There is also a chance the lack of cold air is due to the AC compressor. When the AC compressor stops working, your air conditioning system essentially becomes a large central fan with no ability to cool the air that flows through it. This can be a very technical and challenging fix–requiring the assistance of an HVAC professional. -
Insufficient airflow
If your air conditioning unit is not pushing out as much air as usual, this is usually a sign the air compressor is failing. It can also mean the AC air ducts are clogged. Even if the air that is coming out of the unit is cold, your air conditioner will only work overtime to compensate which can quickly lead to an AC burnout.
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Frozen AC coil
One of the most common causes of air conditioner coils needing repair or replacement is frozen pipes as a result of a dirty or blocked air filter. When your filter becomes too dirty, your air conditioner’s air flow is decreased, causing it to work harder, and occasionally, for the refrigerant coils to freeze. We can repair or replace your fan coil unit to get your air conditioning system back up and running.
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Loud and persistent noises
Loud and persistent noises can indicate a serious problem. Pay attention to the sounds you hear and, if possible, describe them to your HVAC contractor. Squealing and whistling noises may come from belt or fan issues while banging noises can mean broken and loose internal components that can cause more problems. All these noises are signs that your furnace needs to be repaired.
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Refrigerant is leaking
When your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant or freon, this can cause your system to stop cooling your home or even freeze up. These leaks can occur throughout the unit including the valve cores, weld joints, filter canisters or system’s tubing. Finding a leak in the unit can be a complicated process, so it is best to have an expert detect and perform air conditioner refrigerant leak repair on the system.
Contact us for AC repair in Denver, Colorado
Located in Aurora, we provide air conditioner repair services throughout the Denver Metro Area. If you need AC repair, inspection, cleaning, replacement, or emergency service, contact our team today.
