Peaden Air Conditioning, Plumbing & Electrical Blog: Archive for June, 2018

Sounds That Indicate It’s Time to Call a Plumber

Thursday, June 28th, 2018

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Knowing when it’s the right time to call upon the expertise of a plumber can be difficult.  While some sounds in homes are normal, it can be unnerving to hear noises that might be related to plumbing problems.  If you are unsure whether or not to its time to call a plumber, here is a list of common plumbing sounds you might hear and what they could mean.

Gurgling Noises

Gurgling noises coming from sink or tub drains could be a sign of needing plumbing repairs.  The gurgling noise happens because of a blockage in the drains that isn’t allowing water to drain properly.  This means the drain vents aren’t working properly.  Without proper venting, air bubbles get into the drain, block the water from draining correctly, and cause a gurgling sounds.  Call an experienced plumber to come out and vent your drains to remove air bubbles and allow water to drain quickly without being slowed down by blockage from an air bubble.  If necessary, a plumber can also replace drains when needed.

Shaking Sounds

Running water often causes pipes to shake, so this isn’t always an indicator of a major problem.  However, if the sound is so loud that you can hear it throughout the house, it could mean your pipes aren’t fastened securely.  Loose pipes can cause extensive damage if they were to break or require repairs.  Check the mounting straps and tighten them if necessary.  Replace any old or worn part pipes to ensure everything is in proper working order.  If you are uncomfortable performing plumbing repairs on your own, call on the experts at Peaden to tighten straps or replace parts.

Whining Sounds

Turning on a faucet only to hear a whining sound when the water comes out is never a good sign.  This sounds usually means that a part within the faucet is broken.  The best solution is to install a new faucet. If this is not your area of expertise, contact an expert to remove the broken faucet and install a new one to get rid of the whining noise that happens when the faucet is turned on.

Banging Sounds

Loud banging sounds are probably one of the most common sounds you might hear when turning on running water.  This noise is caused by the water hammer.  Water hammers open and close, stopping water from flowing.  The water hammer opening and closing often can cause damage to pipes and loosen parts which might lead to needing repairs.  If you hear a continual banging sound, it could be the water hammer banging against the pipes as it opens and closes.  To avoid more costly repairs in the future, contact a professional plumber to come and inspect the source of the banging noise and make any necessary plumbing repairs. 

Don’t let unnerving plumbing noise cause constant worry that a plumbing issue is going to arise at any moment.  Contact Peaden for all your plumbing needs.

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Signs Your Compressor Might Need to Be Replaced

Saturday, June 16th, 2018

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When your AC unit is on the fritz, it may be a quick fix or it may be something more serious, like the compressor.  The compressor is an important part of the AC unit and is critical for cooling the house properly.  It’s the job of the compressor to pressurize the refrigerant so it can absorb the heat and release it outside.  A broken compressor can be an expensive AC repair that may even require completely replacing your AC unit. If you recognize any of these signs, call a professional right away.

Improper Airflow

If your air conditioner is blowing hot air and not cold air, then this is a tell-tale sign that your compressor may be bad.  When the compressor is not able to pump refrigerant through your system, it won’t cool down the air, signaling that it is time for an AC repair.  Weak airflow is another sign that the compressor is not functioning properly.  If the air vents aren’t putting out enough airflow, the compressor may be to blame.  Should you experience any of these signs, call an AC repair technician right away to diagnose the problem so that you can have a cool, comfortable home once again. 

Loud and Unusual Noises

When the compressor is about to go out, you will begin to hear louder than normal noises coming from the unit.  If the AC vibrates when it turns on, it may be “hard starting” because it is having trouble turning on.  This is what happens right before a compressor goes out, so be aware of these vibration noises. Grinding, squealing, or any other sound that just isn’t normal means it is time to get your air conditioner looked at by an experience AC repair technician. While noises can be the result of electrical problems or even a loose fan, it is wise to have an experienced technician investigate so that you don’t risk further damage or possible compressor failure.  Unusual noises are not something to wait out or mess around with.  Waiting to have your unit fixed will lead to more expensive repairs or maybe even needing to replace the entire unit.

Temperature Change

You know your AC is set to a lower temperature, but your house is hot and won’t cool off.  A bad compressor could be to blame.  Try turning down the thermostat to get the compressor to kick on, but if it still won’t, then the compressor has more than likely already failed.  The fan could be running and you might hear noise from the unit, but the compressor will not be operating.  Any time you suspect it could be malfunctioning, call a trusted AC repair technician for an inspection.  If your AC is an older unit, then it may be wise to just replace the unit instead of investing in an expensive compressor fix.  Be aware of the signs and inform a technician right away if the compressor is not functioning properly and cooling down your home.

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If You Notice These Things You Need AC Repair Services Right Away

Saturday, June 9th, 2018

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Your air conditioner is designed and built to be quieter than ever.  If you notice weird noises, odors, temperature fluctuations or, even worse, high costs to simply keep you comfortable, call us.  Your air conditioner is an important, if not vital, part of your home here on the Florida Emerald Coast that includes Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City. 

If you notice any of the following coming from your air conditioner, don’t hesitate to call us for a consultation:

  • Banging, clanking, buzzing, squealing, screaming! These kinds of noises can be a definite sign that something is loose or broken, and needs repair.  Consider needing a new fan, blades, electrical parts.  In other words, something is out of balance.  A high pitch screaming sound can mean a refrigerant leak and needs immediate attention for your unit’s and your safety.  A rattling sound can be that your air conditioner is wearing down, or that it’s a simple fix such as removing leaves or twigs that have accumulated inside over time.
  • Odors like smelly socks, rotten eggs, gun powder, fumes. The mold and mildew that is so prevalent in Pensacola, Fort Walton Beach and Panama City can wreak havoc on the performance and life of your air conditioner.  “Smelly socks smell” indicate such a thing and can easily be remedied with a service and tune-up by us.  The smell of gun powder can reveal electrical issues.  Smells like fumes and rotten eggs can indicate dangerous fluid leaks or a natural gas leak that is an emergency and requires immediate attention by us.  Don’t delay in calling us for any smell coming from your air conditioner.
  • Holding a constant temperature. If your air conditioner is not staying at the set temperature for even a short period of time, it indicates that there is something not working properly.  Our air conditioner technician will not only inspect your entire unit, but ask relevant questions about your home’s insulation and how you use your electricity and air conditioner in order to optimize your air conditioner’s performance. 
  • Your air conditioning costs. Have your air conditioning monthly costs dramatically increased, but not your comfort during those hot and humid days when you need an air conditioner the most?  One of our air conditioner experts will visit your home and assess the situation from every angle, being age and use of the unit, how the environment is affecting it, how you are using the air conditioner for its maximum use and comfort, to name a few.  We also have helpful tips and guidelines to get the most from your air conditioner.

Here at Peaden, we have a staff of experts who are trained, reliable and professional.  It is our goal to keep your home safe and comfortable throughout the year.  Being aware of how your air conditioner is working — or not working — for you can save you money and inconvenience.  And by calling Peaden at the first signs of trouble, you can maintain the life and performance of your unit.

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4 Reasons Your AC Unit May Be Freezing Up

Thursday, June 7th, 2018

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As you fire up your air conditioner during the hot summer months, you may notice ice forming on your unit.  Frozen AC units won’t work properly and are a sign that something could be wrong.  A frozen unit doesn’t have enough power to properly blow air throughout the house.  Here are reasons why your unit may be freezing up.

Yearly Maintenance Checks Are Not Performed

It is recommended that each year, your AC unit gets a proper maintenance check before you turn it on for the summer.  An AC repair technician will come to your house and check all the parts, such as the air filter, fan, compressor, evaporator coils, and thermostat to ensure everything is in proper working order.  Should they notice any issue, they will repair or replace the necessary parts so that your air conditioner will run smoothly all summer long.  If you skip these maintenance checks, then you might begin to encounter problems.  Lack of air flow from a dirty air filter can cause also a unit to freeze up, so be sure to check your air filter each year and replace as needed.  Similarly, a fan that isn’t working properly will not get enough air flow to the evaporator coils.  This too can cause your air conditioner to ice over. Call an experienced AC repair technician to inspect your unit before you run it this summer to avoid costly repairs.

Refrigerant Levels Are Low

Low refrigerant levels is the main cause of frozen AC units.  Proper refrigerant levels are important for the function of your unit, as the refrigerant is essential for cooling the home.  When the refrigerant isn’t changed or checked often, then the coils will freeze up.  If you notice your unit isn’t working or ice has formed on the air conditioner, then call an AC repair technician to check refrigerant levels.

Lack of Airflow

Consistent airflow is essential for an air conditioner to function as well.  If your unit has iced up and you notice a lack of airflow from your return vents, it may be time to contact a professional.  Airflow is necessary for the hot air to be sucked up and passed through the evaporator coils and cool the home. Without the necessary air flow, a unit will freeze up not be able to keep your home cool and comfortable.  Also, be sure registers are open allowing air to pass through as closed registers affect air flow and are another reason AC units ice up.

Drainage Problems

Condensation from an AC unit drains outside, but if the coils aren’t working properly and the unit is frozen, this drain could be blocked from ice.  The unit will still run, but it will use a lot of electricity and won’t cool down the home.  The coils must be unfrozen and the drain unblocked.  Clear all debris and call a professional AC repair technician.  Running your air conditioner with frozen coils will cause larger problem, such as ruining the compressor or other vital components.  It is imperative that frozen coils are fixed to avoid more costly repairs later on down the road.

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