Who's Afraid of AC Repairs?

As a homeowner or renter, you can usually tell when your air conditioning system has a problem just by listening to how it is working or feeling a difference in your home’s comfort level. You don’t want to ignore these tell-tale signs that your AC needs a repair. If they go unchecked, you risk further damage to your unit, increased energy bills and possibly even having to replace your unit all together.

One such sign of a problem is if your air conditioner starts and stops frequently without affecting the air as much as it used to. This may be an indication that you have a refrigerant leak. Repairs such as this are often the case when you notice these changes in the performance of your air conditioner. It is a piece of machinery after all and periodic repairs come up.

Here in the Arizona desert, we rely heavily on our air conditioning units in the summer. There are certain things you can do to ensure longer efficiency of your unit, such as monthly or quarterly filter changes and having an annual inspection performed by a professional when you haven’t used the AC in a while. However, many repairs on your HVAC unit actually need to be completed by a professional repair person. Things such as replacing the refrigerant are not something any do-it-yourselfer should tackle. It takes a professional with the correct equipment to find the leak, fix it, pump more refrigerant back in the system and test the levels.

With factors such as age of equipment, SEER, and health concerns, Wolff Mechanical technicians are trained to effectively asses all of your HVAC needs prior to a repair in order to ensure that your air conditioning unit gets the attention it deserves. Upon completion of an inspection, our AC specialists will keep you informed every step of the repair process by taking into account the estimated cost of repairs, warranty concerns and potential use of an air conditioning system.

With Wolff Mechanical’s expert technicians, you can enjoy the comforts of an efficient air conditioning unit worry free and without breaking the bank. Even if you need emergency air conditioning repair, we are ready to help. We have live dispatchers to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at (602) 814-0004. To learn more about our services, please visit our website.

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Repair or Replace? That is the Question!

We know you rely heavily on air conditioning here in the valley of the sun’s legendary summers. The last thing you want to deal with is not having your AC work. Don’t panic though, it’s bound to happen at some point, even for units which receive routine professional maintenance.

Before you call in a professional, there are some things you can do yourself to see if it’s a quick fix. First, check the thermostat settings to make sure someone didn’t switch it from “cool” or “auto.” Make sure the temperature setting is correct as well. Next, make sure the unit has power by checking the circuit breaker or fuse that runs your air conditioner at the main electrical panel. You can also turn on the fan to determine if the blower is getting any power. If it starts, the blower is getting power. If the fan doesn’t turn on, the blower may be malfunctioning. Finally, always clean condenser coils and replace the air filter if you haven’t done it as preventative routine maintenance in a while.

If you determine it is time to call in an air conditioning professional such as Wolff Mechanical, here are some factors to consider that will help you further determine if it’s time to simply repair or time to replace:

• Life expectancy: Typically, most AC units last 8-12 years if properly maintained. For each additional year past that time frame, they often become more and more expensive to maintain due to worn out parts, expired warranties and discontinued internals.
• Efficiency: Assess the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of your current air conditioning system. A complete overhaul of your existing unit will only achieve the SEER rating of when it was originally manufactured.
• Current condition: Determine how your AC unit will hold up when nearing its age expectancy based on the previous conditions. If your unit has been poorly maintained or has a steady record of breaking down during peak usage months, a complete overhaul of your current system may prove a costly repair.

Wolff Mechanical’s team of air conditioning experts utilizes a 17-point scale to effectively assess your cooling needs. Our expert technicians are trained and certified to give you the most complete air conditioning evaluation and recommendation if a replacement or repair is needed.

We have many specials for AC system repairs and replacement, including financing options. Visit our website for more information on our services. We look forward to being your first choice for all of your Phoenix air conditioning needs!

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Need a New Thermostat?

Have you upgraded to a programmable thermostat? If not, there are some things you definitely need to know! Programming the temperature in your home or business to fit your needs is not only energy efficient but it saves you time and money.

With the ability to set your thermostat for specific times of the day when it is cooler, hotter or when no one will be benefiting from a comfortable climate is where a programmable thermostat contributes the most. When used as directed, “they save families an average of $300 to $400 a year on energy costs. According to Energy Star, an average household spends close to $2,200 a year on energy bills, half of which goes toward heating and cooling empty and unused spaces. In other words, people are spending too much to heat and cool their homes and are wasting energy in the process."

“If your energy bills are getting out of control, a simple, programmable thermostat may save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your heating and cooling systems. And there is more to these devices than just saving money. They make it easy to preset the best temperature for you when you sleep, wake up, go to work and come home. Using less energy means you are helping the environment.” http://programmable-thermostats-review.toptenreviews.com/

According to ENERGY.GOV, when it comes to programmable thermostats, “consider the schedules of everyone in the household. If there is a time during the day when the house is unoccupied for four hours or more, it makes sense to adjust the temperature during those periods… In the summer…keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home.”

Wolff Mechanical offers programmable thermostats, including the latest and greatest technology for Wi-Fi. Using technology such as a 7-Day Programmable thermostat with touch-screen, menu-driving programming, and more is just one of the ways we are dedicated to heating and cooling Phoenix efficiently and cost effectively. Visit our website to learn more. With free inspections, numerous specials, financing, and warrantees, we provide the best customer service guaranteed.

Stop Air Conditioning Your Attic!

A duct system that is well-designed and properly sealed can make your home much more comfortable, energy efficient and safer during our hot Arizona valley summers. Sealing and insulating ducts can help with common comfort problems, such as rooms that are too hot in the summer.

In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. Sealing those leaks in the ducts is a must to get better performance from your heating and cooling system. In addition, insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces that get especially hot or cold (such as attics, garages, or crawlspaces) can save significant energy.

So how do you know if your home has poorly performing ducts? The Energy Star website has several things to look for which are good indicators:

• you have high summer and winter utility bills;
• you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool;
• you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable;
• your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage;
• you find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system.

If you recognize any of those indicators, have a professional air conditioning company use a product such as Aeroseal in your ducts. Aeroseal allows them to find and seal any problem cracks without causing damage to your home. It only takes one application to seal undetectable holes in your ductwork with 98% effectiveness.

Have annual maintenance done on your system before hot or cold weather begins. When air is leaking out of cracks in the ducts, extra air and energy must be used to heat or cool the space causing more stress on your HVAC unit. A professional technician can find small problems before they get bigger, such as determining if your fan motor is dying; a big warning sign for an air conditioner. A technician can also check electrical connections and check your voltage and will add refrigerant to your system.

Consider installing new HVAC equipment if yours is over 10 years old. A well-designed and sealed duct system may allow you to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better service.

While you can’t eliminate all air leakage, sealing ducts and other areas where air can escape will help significantly. Wolff Mechanical is dedicated to helping your home achieve maximum efficiency, reliability and comfort. Visit our website to view the services we provide and call us today for a free in-home estimate.

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