Here are some basic steps to try before you call for a repair.

Check All Controls and Fuses

When your air conditioner won’t cool your home properly, always check the thermostat to see if it is on “cool” and set for the right temperature. If the air conditioner has shut down, check to make sure that the unit is receiving power by looking in the fuse box for a flipped circuit breaker and also making sure it is plugged in properly. You can also inspect the visible wires and electrical components for obvious damages. Call a TOWN NAME air conditioning technician if you see physical damage to the electrical components. Never try to fix this yourself.

Sometimes when there’s extreme weather conditions in the summer, such as very high temperatures or high humidity levels, the high-pressure switch can get flipped and turn off the air conditioner. You can easily find the switch on most AC models in the compressor’s access panel. Check your owner’s manual or call us if you don’t know how to locate or reset the limit switch.

Check for Refrigerant Problems or Condensate Pan Leaks

Refrigerant problems caused by the wrong amount of refrigerant can keep the AC unit from cooling your home properly, and you can usually tell if there’s a refrigerant issue by looking for frost or icing on the evaporator coil. When there’s excess coil icing, it means that there isn’t enough cool air being delivered to your home. If you see thick frost on the evaporator coil, a technician will most likely need to charge the refrigerant, or there could be a leak in the refrigerant line.

Condensate leaks into the condensate pan can also cause an air conditioner to fail. The condensate drip pan is installed underneath the air handler to catch condensate leaks if the drain system gets clogged. Most of the time, a small clog in the drain line can be easily cleared. Also check the condensate switch for issues; sometimes these can be defective and cause your air conditioner to shut down.

At Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning, we want to be the only Springfield air conditioning contractor you’ll ever need. Call us any time to get troubleshooting advice for your AC system.

• Urban Density:  Homeowners are opting to build in the empty space between existing homes or buildings.  These lots are desired by those who want to be closer to city-centers and hotspots.
• Green Multi-Family Homes:  An increased interest in energy-saving building options and an increase in the number of multi-family homes being built mean an increase in green multi-family homes.
• Energy Upgrades Drive Home Remodels:  Consumer preference has switched to remodeling in order to save energy in their upgrades.  Thus contractors have begun to offer these types of services as a standard option in remodeling projects. Some of these services including installing energy efficient air conditioners and furnaces.
• Development and Testing of New Materials: National labs and research departments are working with construction firms in order to produce test facilities and sensor-filled buildings which track real-time energy performance of new materials and equipment.
• Consumer-Friendly Home Energy Tracking Devices:  Sensor-based energy and water monitoring systems are being used by consumers to save money all throughout their homes and the number of companies creating these tracking devices is increasing, making them easier to come by.
• Energy Education for Commercial Tenants:  Commercial building energy disclosure is pushing building owners to be more energy efficient, this in addition to educating tenants on ways for them to contribute to saving energy means that more commercial buildings are going green.
• Transparency in Home Marketing:  Consumers who have instant access to information are more educated and can see through housing scams more easily. Real estate agents who are forthright and educate clients even further on the benefits of having energy efficient home features means more confidence in the green housing market.
• More Accurate Appraisals:  With more educated consumers looking for Certified Residential Green Appraisers, the lending community is beginning to follow suit and pay attention even further to the added value and return on investment for green homes and green remodels.
• Broader Adoption of Residential Energy Ratings for Homes:  Energy labeling systems are being put into place nationally, thus causing homeowners to be more educated regarding energy savings possibilities.  More extensive usage of residential energy ratings for homes means homeowners are undertaking more energy upgrade work.
• Smart Grid-Compatible High-Performance Homes:  More new homes are utilizing “grid-aware” appliances which monitor and report their own usage with the ability to increase or decrease electric usage remotely, thus saving energy.

For more information about how you can upgrade your Media home’s HVAC system, give Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

Cool It HVAC provides heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality services for you and your family in the Media, PA area. For a list of all our service areas in Delaware and Chester Counties, see our service areas page.

SEER

The acronym SEER is short for “seasonal energy efficiency rating” and is used most commonly to measure air conditioner efficiency or in this case, the cooling capacity of your heat pump.

 HSPF

The HSPF is short for “heating seasonal performance factor” and is a measurement of how efficient the heat pump is in producing heat during the cooler months of the year.

 The Difference Between the Two

Every heat pump will have both of these ratings, allowing you to see how efficient each is. This is important because you need to know for certain how well your heat pump will perform under certain situations – both in the winter and summer.

However, if you live in a colder climate where the summer rarely calls for air conditioner, your focus should be on the HSPF first. And if you live in a warmer climate where your heating needs are minimal, the SEER is most important. Another thing to consider is your supplemental heat. If the cost of your supplemental heating system is high, you’ll want an HSPF that is as low as possible to balance it out.

 Choosing an Efficient Heat Pump

Heat pump efficiency directly impacts the price of the device you purchase but is almost always worth the difference. The key is to find a device that provides what you need based on where you live. Keep in mind as well that, like most HVAC upgrades, you won’t immediately recoup the cost of the device in your energy savings, so if you plan on moving soon, you should purchase a more affordable device now and upgrade later.

Purchasing a heat pump is an important step in making your home more energy efficient. If you are unsure which rating you need or how to analyze their meanings, contact a Springfield heat pump professional, like Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning, to learn more.

Households throughout the US will spend somewhere between $1,200 and $2,200 per year on energy costs.  With the cost of living in many areas of life skyrocketing, it’s nice to know there are some easy ways to lower at least one household bill: the energy bill.  Of course, some of these fixes are free, and some cost a little time and energy, while others must be paid for as long-term investments.

 Free, Do-It-Yourself Energy Solutions

These quick and easy, do-it-yourself, no cost solutions produce energy saving results almost immediately!

• Adjust your Media air conditioning thermostat to higher numbers, such as 78 while at home and 85 or higher when away.  Supplement AC usage with a ceiling or room fan, as moving air feels cooler on the skin.
• Eliminate wasted energy by turning off appliances, lights, and equipment when not in use, unplug electronic chargers when not in use, and get rid of spare appliances such as refrigerators which are plugged in but not in use.
• Put those dishwashing gloves away and let the dishwasher do the dirty-work!  Dishwashers use less water than washing by hand.  In addition, let the dishes air-dry rather than running through the heat-cycle to save even more.
• Do laundry more efficiently by washing and rinsing in only cold water, and line dry instead of using the dryer.
• Use the microwave to cook and not only speed up the cooking process, but use two-thirds less energy than a stove or conventional oven.

 Low-Cost, Economical Energy Solutions

Most of these energy saving options can be procured at the local hardware store, are fairly inexpensive, and can be easily done by any competent home-owner.

• Replace HVAC filters regularly, according to manufacturer’s specifications.
• Weather-proof your home by plugging air leaks on doors and windows with weather stripping, sealant, or caulk where applicable.
• Purchase and install ENERGY STAR® certified products such as porch lights, floor and table lamps, pocket lights, and even programmable thermostats to ensure energy using items are using as little energy as possible.

 Invest in Energy Solutions

If it is important to you to save energy and money long-term and on a larger scale, there are a number of durable energy-saving investments to consider.

• Purchase new windows, a new air-conditioning unit, refrigerator, or other household appliances which use less energy than older units
• Install window and house shading such as patio covers, or strategically plant trees to shade the home during peak times of heat
• Install a whole house fan which can suck cool air into the home after sundown or in the early morning in order to cool the entire house thus reducing air conditioning usage
• Seal and insulate all household ducts in crawl spaces and attics
• Increase or upgrade attic insulation to higher than the standard grade to keep housing temperatures more constant

To save energy also means to save money, and by following any of the simple steps listed above the average consumer can save energy and save money almost immediately. For more ways to stay this summer cool  in Media, call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning

Fun Fact: Did you know the names of the streets in Riddlewood are named for the horses owned by famous racehorse owner Samuel D. Riddle, who used to own the property?

Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning is proud to support the community of Media, PA. Come out for a day full of fun and bargain shopping at the Riddlewood community wide yard sale. With over 50 years combined experience in offering quality air conditioning and heating repairs and replacements to the Delaware Valley, Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning pledges 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed to all customers. If you are in need of a heating or cooling service, repair, or installation in Southeastern Pennsylvania call Cool It today!

 How Refrigerant Makes Heating and Cooling Possible

Your heat pump has quite a few components that work with the refrigerant to transfer it from one state to another. The compressor, as the name suggests, compresses the refrigerant to its liquid state. The liquid then runs through the expansion valve to the evaporator coils, where it expands into a gas. Refrigerant evaporates at a much lower temperature than water so it rapidly moves from one state to another, drawing heat from the surrounding environment.

That’s how an air conditioner or your refrigerator cool a space. However, in the case of a heat pump, the process can work in both directions. In cooling mode, your heat pump extracts heat from the air going into your home. In the case of heating mode, the heat pump extracts heat from the outside air. Because the heat is transferred into the refrigerant, it can then be recompressed by the compressor. The heat is then is then released in the condenser coils, where the gas returns to liquid state. A blower then distributes air blown across the condenser coils into your home as heat.

 Troubleshooting the Process

Your Springfield heat pump is a complex piece of machinery, but once you know how it works, you can perform quite a bit of troubleshooting should anything go wrong with the device. For example, if you notice cold air coming from your vents, you can check to make sure it isn’t in cooling mode and that there is enough refrigerant in the device.

Keep in mind that if any service needs to be performed on the heat pump involving refrigerant, you should call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning due to the volatile nature of the chemical. In most municipalities, you must have a license to distribute or dispose of refrigerant and even if not, it can be dangerous to both you and the environment.

Rich Davis & Megan Prucnal has the following to say about Cool It:

“Cleanliness

Both Days the work Area was Cleaned up well!

Communication

Technicians were great in explaining where they were in the process when I checked with them during the day. They showed me all the new components and thermostat when they finished the job.

Value

Good Value for the Boiler installed and work they performed!

Timeliness

Very quick response when I was ready to go forward and job was scheduled with in the time frame I was given.”

Sarah Abate had the following positive comments:

“Quality

Quality of work was very satisfactory!

Cleanliness

Joe and Tom were very neat an had their shoes covered when ever coming in from outside. They also left basement in order.

Communication

Everything was explained thoroughly Joe & Tom let me know what was going on as they went along.

Value

The Heater was in line with what we priced

Timeliness

Work was completed by 4:00 pm, I don’t think they even had Lunch!”

• Outdoor Cleaning – You need to make sure that your outdoor unit is clean and clear of debris before you turn on your AC. Brush off any leaves and check under the cover to clear out anything that might have gotten beneath it. You should also take a look at the supply registers to make sure they are clear.  It is also a good idea to replace your air filters.
• Check Your Thermostat – You should make sure that your thermostat is functioning before you start using your air conditioning system. A simple way to check is to set your system to auto-cool and lower your thermostat to a few degrees below the current room temperature. Your air conditioner should turn on to cool the room; if it doesn’t, have a professional come out and take a look at your system.
• Clear Away Winter and Spring Dust – Now that your system is running, make sure you check the filters for any buildup of dust that was in the ductwork. Over the off season, your ducts might develop a layer of dust and debris, especially if your heating system doesn’t make use of them. The filters might clog quickly as a result.
• Check for Water Leaks – Your condensate overflow drain should work properly as well – check for any potential leaks during the first 48 hours of operation. Even a small leak should be checked immediately to avoid potential problems as summer cooling season kicks in.

If you notice any problems other than those listed above, you should call a service professional immediately. Ideally you will have your system inspected in early-mid spring to ensure it is ready for the summer, but even so problems can develop between inspection and first running. Electrical issues especially should be checked immediately.

Joining the Cool It team means upholding our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. The qualified professional technicians that we employ represent Cool It in the customer’s home and must provide top level customer service. All of our team members undergo extensive ongoing training, are drug tested regularly, and go through a full background check before entering customers’ homes.

If you think you would make a good addition to our team please apply using our Careers page.