Why Is There Ice on My Air Conditioner?

July 8th, 2024
feathery-frost-pattern-in-ice

Your air conditioner’s job is to make things cold. So you might not be shocked or concerned to see that ice has started to build up on the evaporator coils of your indoor AC unit. But we’ve got something important to tell you.

Ice on your air conditioner is bad news. It’s a sign that there’s a problem. Worse, it can cause more problems to occur! What’s going on? We’ll explain.

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Benefits of Using a Consistent Commercial HVAC Contractor

June 24th, 2024
commercial-office-space-with-HVAC-vents-visible

If you own a business or a commercial property, your HVAC system or systems are absolutely critical to your continued ability to do business! Whether it’s a small shop, an apartment building, or an industrial warehouse, the HVAC system is the heart and lungs of the operation. 

You’d soon find yourself out of business, not to mention putting employees and tenants in an unsafe situation, if your HVAC system failed. What can you do to make sure that doesn’t happen? Using a consistent commercial HVAC contractor can make a big difference in keeping things running as they should. Here’s why.

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AC Problem? Try This Troubleshooting Checklist

June 10th, 2024
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It’s a terrible feeling, panicking and calling for urgent AC repairs only to find out that what you thought was a serious problem was simply that you’d left a switch in the wrong position. Of course, you don’t want to fail to get repairs when they are necessary! That could lead to a problem getting worse and the repair ending up being more costly and inconvenient when you do finally have it done.

So how can you tell whether the AC problem requires the attention of a professional HVAC technician or whether you just have a simple, minor error on your hands that you can remedy yourself? Whenever you seem to have an issue with your air conditioner, go through this quick troubleshooting checklist. Your problem might be resolved in seconds!

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Our Top HVAC Tips for Summer

May 27th, 2024
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Each season has its own unique challenges. Summer in particular can really challenge your home’s HVAC system! It’s all too easy to end up with inconvenient AC failures or expensive repair needs. What can you do to keep your air conditioner happy during its hardest-working season? Here are our top HVAC tips for summer.

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How Your Pets Might Cause Chaos for Your AC

May 13th, 2024
golden-brown-puppy

Pets bring so much positivity into our lives. Simply having them around decreases people’s levels of cortisol, a stress hormone, and increases levels of oxytocin, a hormone that gives people feelings of love and connection. But of course there are downsides to pet ownership as well.

Pet dander can trigger allergic responses in many people. Pet care is a constant need, and trips to the vet can be very expensive. And of course there’s all the cleanup they require, whether you’re emptying a litter box or following a dog around with a baggie at the ready. Pets can damage our homes and possessions, too. Did you know they can even cause problems for your air conditioner? Here’s the scoop.

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2024: The Year of the Heat Pump

April 15th, 2024
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If you don’t have a heat pump yet, 2024 is your year. This is the best time in history to make the leap from air conditioner to heat pump. There are so many benefits, and the cost is lower than ever. We’d like to tell you all about how you can spend less and get more by choosing a heat pump instead of an air conditioner. Here are the details.

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Springtime Efficiency Tips: Arlington Edition

April 1st, 2024
daffodil-blossoms

Happy springtime! In our area, it’s an incredibly gorgeous time of year. Flowers are blooming and the weather is absolutely perfect. It can be easy to just spend every possible minute outdoors and forget about your home’s springtime needs. But there are some things you should be aware of when it comes to your HVAC system this time of year.

HVAC efficiency is critical to making sure you don’t spend far more money on your utility bills than you should have to. And conserving energy is critical for the environment. So, in the Arlington area, what should you be doing during the spring to keep up your HVAC system’s efficiency? We’ll tell you.

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Old Home Guide: How to Heat an Old Home in the 21st Century

March 18th, 2024
a-victorian-home-in-the-snow

In our area, there are many homes old enough to be considered historic. But even the average home is not new. According to recent US census data, the average home in Virginia is 38 years old. Construction methods have changed a lot, and older homes have different needs from those built in the last 20 years or so. 

How does the age of your home affect your ability to keep it warm? What can you do to heat your old home more effectively and efficiently? We’ve got some information about your options, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.

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Top Furnace Problems in the DC Area

March 4th, 2024
the-capitol-building-in-washington-dc-in-winter

In Washington, DC and the surrounding area, unlike some parts of the US, we have very distinct seasons. Our summers are hot, and our winters are cold. They’re not short winters, either—in fact, we need to use our heat at least during the night throughout much of the spring and fall. This means our heating systems get a lot of use. 

When furnaces run a lot of the time for several months, certain issues are more likely to crop up. Knowing what to expect can help you to catch a problem early and get prompt repairs before the situation gets any worse. So what are the furnace problems you’re most likely to encounter in the DC area? Here are some of the ones we see all the time.

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Furnace Efficiency Ratings: What the Numbers Mean

February 19th, 2024
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When it comes to heating your home, you probably have two main concerns. First, you want your home to actually be warm—consistently, evenly warm. And second, you don’t want it to cost you an arm and a leg each month when your utility bill arrives. How can you keep those bills down? By having an efficient heating system.

But it can be hard to tell what the most efficient heating system would be. Furnaces do have efficiency ratings, but what do those numbers mean? We can explain so you’ll be able to make the right choice for your home. 

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