Sunset Air Blog: Archive for August, 2013

Electrical Problems with Your Air Conditioning

Thursday, August 29th, 2013

While there are several different types of popular heating fuel, electricity is the only option when it comes to air conditioning. As such, your air conditioning system can develop a number of common electrical issues. Sunset Air is proud to provide our customers with quality air conditioning repair services in Puyallup, WA and we wanted to assemble a short list of some of the most common that we see. Call us today if you need any service for your AC and our experts will be able to help.

Puyallup, WA Air Conditioning Repair FAQ: Electrical Issues

Below are a few of the most common electrical repairs that we see for air conditioning systems. Call us today if you’re experiencing any of them.

  • Capacitors – A capacitor is like a booster for electric motors. Your air conditioning system uses several important motors: two fan motors and a compressor motor. Each of these has a capacitor attached to it that provides it with a boost of energy at start up and while it runs. If the capacitors stop working then your air conditioning system won’t work. If you aren’t getting any cooling or if you don’t hear your AC’s fan motor running it could be that the capacitors are bad.
  • Air conditioning won’t turn on – Obviously, if your air conditioner won’t turn on then you have a very big electrical problem. It could be one of the control panels that switches on the motors at start-up. One common problem that is often overlooked is the thermostats. If your thermostat wiring is bad or if they aren’t calibrated properly it could keep the AC from starting up.
  • Air conditioning constantly runs – This is another common problem that homeowners face. If you notice that your AC won’t shut off it likely has something to do with one of the electrical components. There are numerous control boards that interface with your thermostats to turn the system on and off. If the AC keeps running, there could be something wrong with one of the panels or with the thermostats themselves. Sometimes it happens that the thermostats are installed in a space that gets a lot of sunlight which causes them to detect a much higher temperature.

When you need air conditioning repair services, call the Puyallup air conditioning specialists at Sunset Air. We can handle any issue that you might be having and we can work on any type of system that you might have.

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How Dust Negatively Impacts Your Air Conditioning System

Wednesday, August 21st, 2013

Is your air conditioning system no longer as effective as it once was? Have your energy costs steadily gone up over the years? There are numerous signs that you may have an excessive buildup of dust or other debris in your air conditioner. When such debris builds up on your AC’s sensitive system components, it causes performance and efficiency problems. Moreover, it may actually shorten the life of your cooling system. Make sure that you keep your system as clean as possible year-round to ensure sufficient cooling performance. Let the Olympia air conditioning repair experts at Sunset Air take care of your AC. We provide routine maintenance in addition to our repair services that can keep your system on-track before it breaks down or needs to be fixed. Call us today.

Here are a few ways that dust as well as other debris can negatively impact your AC:

  • Dirty coils. You have two types of coils in an AC: the outdoor condenser and the indoor evaporator. Both of these coils need to be kept clean at all times. Your outdoor coil dissipates the thermal energy of the gaseous refrigerant exacerbated by the compressor into the outside air, but it cannot perform this function if the coils themselves are covered in debris. This could lead warm (rather than than cold) air coming through the ducts in addition to higher energy costs and wear and tear as your system attempts to make up for the lost efficiency.
  • Blower motor fault. In a central air conditioner, the blower motor has the vital role of pulling in air through your return ductwork, cooling it, and then returning it to your home through the supply ductwork. But excessive debris can get inside the motor’s parts and dry out bearings, in addition to other sensitive components. When this occurs, your system may make a loud grinding sound, and you may need to replace the entire motor if you’re not careful.
  • Dust in the ductwork.  Another consideration is dust in the ductwork itself. This not only ensures that any airborne air picks up the dust and circulates it throughout your home, but it may also reduce energy efficiency and performance in certain severe cases.

Call Sunset Air today for all of your air conditioning repair needs in Olympia. We can handle any job, big or small.

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How Does a Ductless Mini Split Work?

Friday, August 16th, 2013

In Olympia, WA, air conditioning systems serve as a key defense against the heat and humidity of the summer. When most people think of AC systems, they think of split central systems that distribute the air to the household through a series of ducts. But what about homes that can’t support ducts, or homeowners who don’t want to use ducts? What about homeowners who want to add a new room or extension onto their living space, but can’t easily extend their ductwork to match it?  In these situations, a ductless mini-split system may provide a viable alternative.

Like central air conditioning systems, ductless mini-split systems contain both indoor and outdoor components. The outdoor array contains the condenser coils and compressor elements: allowing them to release heat into the air outside. The indoor unit contains the evaporator coils, which pull heat from the surrounding air and cool the immediate area. Lines between the indoor and outdoor unit move refrigerant back and forth. The compressor transforms the refrigerant into a pressurized liquid form, which is then moved to the expansion valve and released into the evaporator coils. The evaporation process cools the nearby air, which can then be blown into your home with a fan.

The set-up is more energy efficient than central air conditioning systems while providing greater flexibility to the homeowner.   Multiple indoor units can be attached to a single outdoor unit, allowing you to tailor the temperature in each “zone.” If you’re in the living room and another family member is in the bedroom, you can each set different temperatures to match your individual comfort levels.

You can also turn off units in areas that you aren’t using, and rely on just a single indoor unit or two to keep you cool in the space you occupy. That saves you money when those monthly bills come, unlike central air conditioning systems, which must cool the entire house.

If you think a ductless mini-split system may work for you, or if you own a ductless system and need to address a problem, call on Sunset Air to help. We serve customers throughout Olympia, WA; air conditioning services are a regular part of our business. Give our Olympia air conditioning specialists a call to set up a consultation appointment or schedule a service call today.

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5 Reasons to Call a Professional Electrician

Friday, August 9th, 2013

How is the electrical supply in your home? Do you worry about flickering lights and other issues? There are numerous reasons to call on the professional service of a qualified electrician in Olympia, WA. As you know, electricity is a vital but also hazardous energy source that needs to be controlled as it moves throughout your home. Today’s equipment far exceeds its predecessors in terms of functionality and safety, but electrical wiring and fixtures must be respected. It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so call on Sunset Air for all of your electrical needs in Olympia, WA.

Here are 5 reasons to call an electrician.

  • Flickering lights. One of the most common calls for electrical repair is flickering lights. Whether your lights flicker when turning them on or off, or continuously, there is obviously a problem with the connection, either at the fixture itself or where it connects to the main circuit that leads back to the service panel. Such problems need to be addressed as soon as possible, as faulty connections can cause fires.
  • Service panel upgrade. Whether you have a fuse box and need to upgrade it to a new circuit breaker panel, or simply want your existing service panel to have greater electrical capacity, you may want to enlist the help of a professional electrician to upgrade your system. Doing so not only brings your system up to date, but may be necessary for major remodeling projects like home additions.
  • Generator installation. A whole-house generator is a great way to back up your home in the event of a power outage, whether it’s caused by a flood, storm, or grid failure. A whole-house generator uses natural gas or propane to create an electrical energy supply that feeds your home. An automatic standby model can actually sense whenever your power goes out and start-up automatically.
  • Rewiring. Rewiring your entire home is a major job, make no doubt about that . But sometimes it’s necessary, mostly for safety reasons and for bringing your home up to local codes and regulations.
  • Whole-house surge protection. If you own sensitive electronic equipment like an HD television, desktop computer, or stereo system, then you probably already understand the value of surge protection. However, portable surge protection strips are not nearly as effective as a whole-house surge protection unit that makes sure your entire home is protected.

For excellent service from a professional electrician in Olympia, WA, call Sunset Air.

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