Watch Out for the Burned-Out AC Compressor

September 4th, 2017

compressor-in-ac-unit

In our last post, we addressed a problem homeowners often encounter with their cooling systems as the summer approaches its close: a system that can’t seem to keep up with the heat. Whenever you have an AC that’s not doing its job, it’s vital that you call on us for air conditioning services in Syracuse, IN or elsewhere in Northern Indiana where our technicians are ready to solve your problem.

Today, we’re addressing another end-of-summer air conditioning trouble—and it’s a serious one that can make the difference between an AC with a long, productive service life, and an AC that needs to be replaced years too early. It’s the looming specter of the burnt-out compressor. When the compressor in an air conditioner fails, it is usually more cost-effective to replace the entire AC rather than the compressor… so this is definitely a malfunction you want to avoid at all costs!

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Why Won’t My AC Keep Up at the End of Summer?

August 21st, 2017
summer-vacation-dog

The Dogs Days of Summer. If only they were THIS pleasant.

Oh boy, here we are in the “dog days” of summer. (Which has nothing to do with dogs lying around on porches panting. The phrase goes back to the ancient Greeks and the position of the constellation Sirius the Dog in the morning sky. The more you know, the more… okay, this isn’t terribly useful information, but we’d thought we’d share it.)

Anyway, the late summer heat… it can be pretty bad, even with a few days of rain and some cooling now and then. Your air conditioning system in Columbia City, IN still has some heavy work ahead of it before the true cooling of fall arrives. And if your AC doesn’t seem like it’s up to battling the heat, leaving hot spots around the home and letting humidity get out of control, it’s something we recommend you investigate now. Don’t let problems linger because cooler weather is on the horizon. Delaying repair work for an air conditioner means bigger costs in the future—not to mention a possible full system breakdown.

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Are Solar Panels Effective Where I Live?

August 7th, 2017

solar-panel-on-roof-of-homeSolar is a fast-growing energy field, with more residences every year drawing part of the power used to operate appliances around the home from solar panels. Solar energy is a clean, renewable energy source—and best of all, the energy of the sun is ­­free. If you have solar panels and solar-powered systems in your home, you only have to pay for their installation and maintenance needs, and perhaps a small amount of back-up electricity from the grid. The actual power coming from the sun costs nothing and depletes nothing.

“But, what about where I live?” you’re probably asking. “Do we get enough sun here around the year to make solar panels worth the effort to install?”

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How Many Years Will Typical AC Last before It Needs Replacement?

July 24th, 2017

air-conditioning-systemThis is a question often we hear from homeowners. They want their air conditioning systems to last as long as possible, but they also know that “possible” doesn’t include “forever.” At some point, the air conditioner will age past the point where it’s pragmatic to continue fixing it. It also develops a higher risk of permanently breaking down on a hot day—and nobody wants that to happen!

However, we can’t give you a definite answer about the age at which a central air conditioning system needs to be replaced. It differs depending on the system, how much use it has seen, and if it receives regular maintenance.

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How a Dehumidifier Helps in the Summer

July 10th, 2017

woman-in-front-of-fan-hand-on-headHigh humidity is a common comfort problem people experience during the summers here in Northern Indiana. High relative humidity levels make hot days feel even hotter, but there are other troubles that high humidity can cause when it occurs inside a home, from illness to building damage.

If you’re dealing with high humidity problems in your home, the best solution is to have a whole-house dehumidifier installed. You can purchase portable dehumidifiers, but not only are these limited in how effective they are (you don’t really want to drag the unit from room to room, do you?) they can also present fire hazards. It’s easy to enjoy a whole-house dehumidifier in Fort Wayne, IN: you only need to contact our experienced indoor air quality team and arrange to have one installed.

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What Do Solar Attic Fans Do?

June 26th, 2017

thermometer-going-redWhen people hear about attic fans, they often wonder what purpose they could serve. The attic isn’t a part of the house people spend much time in, so why would it be beneficial to have fans installed up there?

But attic fans are a great way to cool down a house during the summer and reduce high air conditioning costs. They can also help during the winter at protecting the roof of a house. And solar attic fans add an extra layer of energy conservation, providing a house with all the benefits and almost no operating costs.

You must have professionals handle solar attic fan installation. Our team of experts is glad to help you with this job. Talk to a staff member today to find out more and to schedule service. Along with solar attic fans, we also install solar panels.

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Choices for a New Air Conditioning Installation for the Summer

June 12th, 2017

outdoor-air-conditioning-unit-with-catWe’ve written previously about making the choice to retire an aging air conditioner and putting a new one in before summer arrives. But we didn’t address the next question you ask once you’ve answered, “Should I replace my AC?” And that question is, “What should I replace it with?”

HVAC technology never stands still. There are new models available today superior to your current AC even when it was new. And there are different varieties of air conditioners other than the standard split system central AC and the inefficient window unit. (We don’t recommend the latter, by the way.) We’ve put together a list of some of your air conditioner options, all of which our technicians install. To find out more about these choices for a new air conditioning installation in Columbia City, IN, and throughout Northeastern Indiana, talk to our staff today.

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How Often Should I Change the HVAC System’s Air Filters?

May 29th, 2017

pleated-air-filterLast year we wrote a tutorial post about how to change the air filter in your HVAC system. As a brief reminder of why this is important, a clogged air filter can cause the following problems for your air conditioning and heating system:

  • A significant plunge in energy efficiency because the blower motor must strain harder against the obstructions in the filter.
  • Potential damage to the interior of the HVAC system because of dust and dirt infiltration.
  • A general decline in comfort around the house because there will no longer be sufficient airflow.

A question we often hear from customers is, “How often does the filter need to be changed?” We’re glad people ask this, because there’s a misleading belief—one we’ve seen too often wandering around the Internet—that the air filter only needs to be changed once a year. Nothing could be further from the truth! In some cases, an HVAC filter needs to be changed as often as once a month.

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Let’s Keep Your AC Efficient This Coming Summer

May 15th, 2017

air-conditioner-money-saverAt Collier’s, our goal is more than just being there when you need us for an air conditioning repair. We want to help you avoid air conditioning repairs and we want you to save money each time you turn on your air conditioning in Warsaw, IN or the surrounding areas. We take air conditioning efficiency seriously, and in this post we’re going to offer advice on how you can keep your AC operating at energy-saving levels over the coming summer—without sacrificing comfort.

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Replace That Old Troublesome Air Conditioner This Spring

May 1st, 2017

top-view-of-ac-grillSpring is the time to take a good look at your air conditioning system and decide if it can make it through the coming summer heat. In most cases, an AC only needs regular maintenance. But eventually, the air conditioner will be old enough that it’s more cost-effective to have it replaced with a new unit. You’ll also have better reassurance the AC will work without trouble through the summer.

If you aren’t sure about whether your aging air conditioner has reached the point where it needs to retire (or has gone past it), that’s what our professionals are here for! Make an appointment with us to look over your current cooling system and we’ll give you honest, expert advice about whether to replace it or not, and what system is best for a replacement if that’s the best option.

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