4 Things to Consider When Replacing Your Air Conditioner

Are you considering a new air conditioner for your home? If your air conditioner is old and in need of constant repairs, it may be time to look into replacing it. A new air conditioner is a big investment so you’ll want to make sure that you’re selecting the best one for your home. Here are four of the things to consider when installing a new air conditioner:

The size of your home.
The size of your new air conditioning unit is one of the biggest factors in cost and comfort. A unit that is too big will not run efficiently, leading to higher energy bills. If your air conditioner is too small, it will not be able to cool your home effectively. Your HVAC technician can help you determine what size air conditioner you need.

Your new unit's energy efficiency.
New HVAC systems require less energy to keep your home cool than older models did. A high-efficiency unit may cost a little more upfront, but it will provide lower cooling bills over time.

The extra features of a new air conditioner.
Homeowners have more options for their air conditioning than ever before. Today's "smart" thermostats can even be set right from your smartphone. A smart thermostat is a great investment if you're upgrading your air conditioner.

The maintenance your new air conditioner will need.
Many homeowners don't think about maintenance after their new air conditioner is installed. However, your new unit will need proper care in order to perform its best. After installation, check your air filters once and month and replace them when they're dirty. You should also have an annual air conditioning inspection by a qualified contractor. This will keep your unit running smoothly and allow you to address any problems quickly.

A qualified HVAC technician can work with you to select the best air conditioner for your needs. Contact us at Blackie's Heating and Air Conditioning today to learn more or to schedule your air conditioning installation.

Reasons to Call an Air Conditioning Contractor

As soon as it starts getting warm outside, you likely want to turn your air conditioning on to cool off your home. However, because your air conditioner has been turned off for several months, you may run into some issues. For this reason, you may want to consider contacting an air conditioning contractor. Here are three reasons why you may want to call an air conditioning contractor.

The Air Conditioner Stinks
If you notice that your air conditioning has somewhat of a bad smell when you turn it on, this is a sign to call an air conditioning contractor. The smell could be due to a filter that is full and clogged; however, if it smells like there is something burning, then this could be a sign that something is wrong with your motor or motor belt. In either case, an air conditioning contractor can come to your home and repair the problem for you so that you can get your system up and running again.

The Air Isn't Cold
If the air coming out of your air conditioning unit isn't cold, the first thing that you should do is check and make sure that your thermostat is turned down. If it is, then this is a sign of a deeper issue that you will likely need professional help for. An air conditioning professional will be able to determine if it is a coolant issue, if there is something wrong with the air compressor, etc.

Overall, it is in your best interest to hire an air conditioning contractor if you need a tune-up, your air conditioner stinks, or the air blowing out of your air conditioning vent isn't cold.

We encourage your to contact us!

3 Must-Haves for Heating Repair Companies

Being a home owner can be incredibly stressful, especially when things go wrong unexpectedly. When things go wrong with your heating system, it can be a huge headache.

It may be tempting to go for whichever company is the cheapest, or the quickest. However, it's actually better for your wallet, your heating system, and your sanity, to take your time and find the best HVAC company for your needs. They'll do better work that will last much longer. Here are a few things to look for:

Great Service
One of the biggest things when working with any company is their level of service. You can learn this through reviews online or by word of mouth. Whoever works on your heating system will be in your home while they work so you want to make sure you're comfortable.

Versatility 

In addition to their service, you'll want to make sure that what they offer is versatile. They should be well-versed in anything and everything with heating systems. Not only does this make them better at their job, but they'll also be able to handle any bumps along the way with efficiency.

Safety

This may be the most important thing when looking into companies to help you out. They should follow all federal and state regulations. This may seem like a given, but it should still be said. Not only should their work be done correctly to keep you and your family safe, but the company should also be committed to keeping their employees safe as well. That's the mark of a fantastic company.

We encourage you to contact us with any questions and service needs you may have. We look forward to hearing from you!

Why is Your Air Conditioner Leaking?

A dripping sound in the middle of the night is usually one of the first noticeable signs that something is wrong with your air conditioning system. Unfortunately, a leak is a common development and doesn't help narrow down what might be wrong with your HVAC system. The best short-term solution is to place a bowl lined with a towel under the source of the drip and call in an expert technician first thing in the morning. An unfixed leak can cause water damage the longer you let it drip, and it's usually a sign that your unit isn't draining or cooling properly.

What are some of the most common causes of a dripping air conditioner, and what can you do to solve it?

If your air conditioner is dripping, then the coils might be dirty. This might not be the singular cause behind the drip, but condenser coils pick up the dust, dander, and pet hair that circulate through your house and the coils aren't regularly cleaned. All of this debris acts a bit like insulation, and your machine has to work harder and harder around the obstruction, which can lead to a frozen coil and cause water to bypass the drain.

There are two ways to respond to this problem, and both steps are essential. The first is to get your HVAC system regularly serviced. A trained technician can clean the condenser coil as well as check the condensate line for clogs and the drain pans for cracks, which are the two most common causes for drips. Only when an expert checks and repairs your system can you rest assured that the problem has been solved for the season. The second step is to regularly replace your air filter. That air filter helps catch dust and debris in the air, and a lot of general repairs are caused by an air filter that isn't changed regularly.

If you have any questions or service requests, please feel free to contact us at Blackie's Heating and Air Conditioning.

Why is my Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

As the temperature outside drops, you and your family depend on your furnace to keep your home comfortably warm. Unfortunately, as reliable as your furnace is, there are times when a malfunction can turn the warm air blowing through your vents into cold air. If you're having this problem, don't panic, there may be a simple solution. Below, we've listed 4 possible reasons why your furnace is producing cold air instead of warm air.

Check Your Thermostat

If your thermostat is set to on, instead of auto, the nonstop stream of cold air from your vents is most likely caused by the fan running constantly. Switching the setting to auto ensures the fan only runs when your furnace kicks on.

The Pilot Light

Older gas furnaces are usually equipped with a standing pilot light. If the pilot light goes out, your system will blow cold air. Luckily, the instructions on how to relight the pilot are often printed directly on the furnace. While something as simple as a draft can cause a pilot light to go out, there are other more serious reasons, meaning the problem may be a bad thermocouple or low gas pressure. If you have to relight the pilot light several times during a single winter, a call to a heating technician is warranted.

Problems With Your Ducts

The warm air created by your furnace travels through your home's duct work, unfortunately, if the duct is poorly insulated, warm air will lose its heat and become cold air. That cold air will end up blowing through your vents instead of the heated air produced by your furnace. Getting a duct inspection by a HVAC technician will identify the problem areas and what improvements need to be made to your duct system.

Dirty Flame Sensor

If a dirty flame sensor is the problem, the air coming from your furnace will usually start off warm, but quickly turns cold. When this is the case, the flame sensor is prematurely signaling for the burner to turn off, which causes the air to become cold. Scheduling a yearly maintenance check-up ensures the flame sensor is inspected and cleaned before it can become an issue.

If your furnace is blowing cold air or you simply want to schedule a yearly inspection, please contact Blackie’s Heating and Cooling today for help.

3 Steps to Improving Your Home's Air Quality This Winter

During the heating season, poor indoor air quality in your home can have an adverse effect on your family's health. Thankfully, there are steps you can take to prevent bad air from infiltrating your house. To help you get started, we've listed 3 tips that will quickly improve the air quality in your home.

The Filter
A clean and regularly replaced filter is vital to the quality of your home's air. Your furnace filter removes dirt and debris from the air before it moves through your heating system and into your home. When you don't routinely change your filter, it is unable to perform its job, meaning dust, pollen, pet dander and other pollutants are not sufficiently extracted from your home's air. Luckily, poor air quality due to a dirty filter is an easy fix. By simply changing your filter every three months you can improve your home's air quality. However, if you have pets or a family member with allergies, you should consider replacing your furnace filter at a more frequent rate.

Open A Window
While opening a window in the dead of winter may seem counterproductive, it's actually beneficial to your home's air quality and the health of your family. Fresh air is key to keeping bacteria and viruses at bay. An open window a couple of minutes a day will invigorate the air in your home and help fight off many unwanted impurities or better yet, get a hrv/erv system installed. It will provide fresh air to your home will filtering and tempering it first.

Get Your Furnace Checked
Scheduling an annual maintenance check-up and cleaning will ensure your furnace is functioning properly, which will help improve your home's indoor air quality. Allowing years to pass without getting your furnace tuned-up won't only affect the air in your home, but it will also cut years off your appliance's life. When your unit is performing inefficiently due to a lack of maintenance you will notice increased energy bills and a more frequent need for repairs. All of these issues are easily avoidable with a yearly service plan.

If you would like to schedule a yearly service plan, please contact Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning and we'll be happy to help you.

3 Reasons Fall is the Perfect Time for Heating Installation

With winter around the corner, fall is the perfect time to consider having your heating system replaced. If you experienced any issues with your heater last year, having it replaced now could save you some stress in the coming months. If your furnace is in need of replacement, here are just a few of the reasons to consider having it replaced this fall.

It Will Ensure Your Comfort This Winter

If you experienced problems with your furnace last winter, and you were not as comfortable as you would like to have been, why suffer again this winter? Having your furnace replaced now will ensure the comfort of you and your family in the coming months, and it will prevent you from having to deal with furnace failure in the dead of winter.

Fall Installation Can Save You Money

If your furnace is aging then you will likely need to have it replaced in the near future. However, doing so in the fall can save you money compared to the cost of having your furnace replaced in winter. Fall, being between the busy HVAC seasons of summer and winter, is when you can find the best deals on HVAC systems. You may be surprised by how much you could save by having your system replaced in the off-season.

You Have the Convenience of Time

Fall is when you are least likely to need your HVAC system, which means that you will not be in the same hurry to have it replaced that you would be in if your system died in the dead of winter. This means that by having your system replaced in fall you can take your time to research HVAC installation companies, and you will be able to schedule to have your new system installed at a time that is convenient to you.

These factors make fall the best time to consider having your furnace, or your entire HVAC system, replaced. If you need your furnace replaced, contact Blackie’s Heating and Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment.