Capacitor Confusion

Written by Semper Fi on November 10, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioning Repair. No Comments on Capacitor Confusion

What is a capacitor? What does it do? Why does it need to be replaced? Can I replace it myself? Questions, questions, and more questions. The HVAC experts at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling answer them all, and they can solve your capacitor problems.

What Is a Capacitor and What Does It Do?

A capacitor is something like a battery or power bank. It stores electrical energy until needed. When the capacitor is working properly, it gives the electrical motors in your heating and air conditioning system a jump start to get the motor turning, then drops off and allows the motor to run at low power as long as needed.

Without a capacitor, the electric motors would require inefficient high amperage until they overheat and stop entirely. When the capacitor is weak but still working, it takes longer for it to get the motor turning properly and wastes energy. Home electrical systems provide single-phase alternating current (AC) throughout homes, including to the HVAC system. The capacitor boosts the single-phase electrical current to perform like poly-phase current to get electrical motors turning almost instantly.

When and Why Does a Capacitor Need to Be Replaced?

Like most electrical and mechanical equipment, capacitors can fail over time, some sooner than others. If your heat exchanger is located in a room with bright sunlight, the capacitor may be damaged by the heat which could lead to early failure. If your capacitor has been replaced by one that is not properly sized or set for the wrong voltage, it is likely to fail.

Capacitors need to be replaced when they show signs of starting to fail. If they are allowed to completely fail, there is a strong probability that additional, more expensive system damage can occur. To test a capacitor, turn up the thermostat and stand next to the furnace to listen for the motor to start. If you hear a humming sound before the motor starts, that is probably an indication of a partially failing capacitor. If the motor does not start at all, that is a good indication that the capacitor has failed. A regular service check by professional technicians will identify the early signs of possible capacitor failure.

Can I Replace a Capacitor Myself?

Anyone can buy a new capacitor and replace the one on an HVAC air circulation blower. But it is dangerous and not as easy as it sounds. It isn’t like replacing the battery in a remote control, or even a battery in a car. We strongly recommend that you don’t try changing it yourself. There are many types of capacitors for different types of heating and cooling systems. Putting in the wrong capacitor can cause serious damage to a system. Most importantly, the partially or completely failed capacitor that you remove still holds a strong charge that can cause serious injury or start a fire.

Call Semper Fi Heating & Cooling

For more information about capacitor problems, annual preventative maintenance programs, or other heating and cooling problems, call the expert technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling at 480-616-3636.

Heating Season Is Coming Soon

Written by Semper Fi on November 1, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting. No Comments on Heating Season Is Coming Soon

As the long, hot summer begins fading into fall, it is time to get your furnace ready for colder weather. Furnaces are tough pieces of equipment with long life spans. They routinely continue to operate effectively for up to twice as long as some air conditioners – at times even longer. However, to keep safely, efficiently and comfortably heating homes year after year, your furnace requires maintenance and occasional repairs. Most furnace manufacturers recommend an annual preventative maintenance check. Failure to undergo annual maintenance usually invalidates warranties. The ideal time to have your furnace checked is late summer or early fall.

Preventative Maintenance Process

The objectives of furnace preventative maintenance are to keep it running efficiently, make sure that it is safe, and keep it operating for years to come. With those objectives in mind, you should expect the maintenance process to include the following 10 checks:

Check the furnace filter and see if a replacement is needed.
Run checks on all of the safety switches and confirm that they are performing as needed.
Measure and confirm gas supply pressure.
Examine the heat exchanger, looking for rust or other damage.
Check the vent to make sure there is no blockage.
Run and test the main blower and combustion blower; check for amperage draw which would indicate bearing issues and listen for bearing noise.
Test for a high carbon monoxide level; high carbon monoxide is a serious safety issue. Get a free quote for repairs needed for removing the carbon monoxide threat.
Examine burner ignition to ensure it is properly igniting.
Look for and clean or replace corroded electrical connections.
Make sure the drainage system is clean and clear.

The professional service technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling will provide you annual furnace preventative maintenance for the very low and unmatched price of $17.75.

Run Cycle

As a homeowner, there are furnace operational issues that you should be watchful for; one of the easiest to observe is the run cycle. How often does your furnace run? How long is it off before starting up again? Outside temperature will influence the run cycle, but generally only moderately. Thermostat setting will also influence the cycle. Any time you turn the thermostat up, it will run longer.

As a general guideline, your furnace should run for 12 to 15 minutes per cycle. If it is running longer or shorter than that, your furnace may be developing a problem. If the cycle time changes from normal and you haven’t moved up the thermostat, that is another indication that attention is needed.

Call Semper Fi Heating & Cooling

For more information about furnace maintenance, annual preventative maintenance programs, or run time issues, call the expert technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling at 480-616-3636. If your furnace is approaching 20 years old, or if it has been requiring frequent repairs, it may be time to consider a replacement. The technicians at Semper Fi can provide good advice.

Should You Replace Both the Inside and Outside Parts of Your Air Conditioner at the Same Time?

Written by Semper Fi on October 6, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Replacement. No Comments on Should You Replace Both the Inside and Outside Parts of Your Air Conditioner at the Same Time?

Summer is winding down, and you may be hoping that your old air conditioner will keep working until cooler weather arrives. Even if your air conditioner is not cooling your home the way it should, waiting for cooler weather might work out, or it might not. One thing you can be certain of is that your air conditioner problems are not going to fix themselves over the winter. Waiting and hoping is not a good strategy.

Call the experts at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling to assess the problem. A minor repair might be all it takes to keep your air conditioner working well into the future. Fail to make the minor repair, and your air conditioner might not make it through the rest of summer and fall. The technicians will do everything they can to keep your system working, but sometimes replacement is more practical than repair. You may need to decide if an expensive repair on a system with significantly limited life expectancy is a good decision.

Inside, Outside, or Both

When you make the decision to replace your air conditioner, you have a second decision to make. The outside unit of your air conditioner, also called the condenser unit, is the most likely to be the first major repair to cause you to consider a replacement. The inside unit needs service and occasional repairs but generally is less expensive. If the compressor goes out on your outside unit, the cost of replacement is substantial. Should you replace the outside unit only or both inside and outside units?

Why You Should Consider Replacing Both

Newer systems are more energy efficient. If you replace both units, you can expect that your new air conditioner will save you money through lower utility bills in the future.
You will have a multi-year warranty on your new air conditioner. Your system will still need preventative maintenance and possibly some minor repairs, but the expensive parts will be covered by the warranty.
Replacing both inside and outside units at once is significantly less expensive than replacing outside now and inside a few years in the future.
Older air conditioners often contain older refrigerants, the kind that harm the atmosphere when released and possibly cause refrigerant poisoning if they leak. Newer refrigerants are better and significantly less harmful to the environment.
If you replace both inside and outside units at the same time, all of the components of the system are sure to be compatible. If you replace the outside unit this year and the inside unit in five years, you may end up with a system that is not perfectly compatible. An incompatible system may not cool as well as it should and may cost more to operate.

The one or both decision is much like a decision you may have faced with your car. It is expensive to replace the engine, and if you do, you have a car with a great new engine but concern about other car parts breaking down. Replace both inside and outside, and you have a new car.

Call the experts at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling at 480-616-3636 and make an appointment to discuss the options for air conditioner replacement or repair.

Finding and Fixing a Refrigerant Leak in Your Air Conditioner

Written by Semper Fi on September 27, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioning Repair. No Comments on Finding and Fixing a Refrigerant Leak in Your Air Conditioner

Water is a chemical compound that has the ability to change form. At low temperatures it is ice, at mid-range it is liquid, and at high temperatures it is steam. There is a different form-changing class of chemical compounds in air conditioning systems generally referred to as refrigerant. Refrigerant changes from liquid to gas and back, as it is used to cool the air in your home.

Without refrigerant, your air conditioner cannot cool the air. Not only do you need refrigerant, but within a fairly narrow range you need the right amount of refrigerant under the right amount of pressure. Your air conditioner does not consume refrigerant; it circulates the same refrigerant over and over.

Sometimes the pipes that contain the refrigerant in your air conditioning system develop leaks. In the normal course of operation, an air conditioning system can lose a small amount of refrigerant. Your HVAC technician may recommend a “top-up” of the refrigerant levels on your system as part of routine maintenance.

The Basics About Air Conditioning

The concept is simple: collect heat and take it outside, produce cool air and bring it inside, then distribute the cooled air around the inside. The actual work is a little more complicated. Heat from inside is collected from the air intake ducts throughout your home. The heat is absorbed by the refrigerant and moved outside where it is compressed, causing it to cool. Heat is discharged outside and the cooled air travels back inside where it is distributed and picks up more heat to keep the cycle going over and over.

Stand next to the outside unit and you will feel the heat being distributed outside. Stand in front of a cool air outlet inside and you will feel the cooler air coming out. Heat discharges outside, cool air is distributed inside, and the cycle is repeated over and over again.

Finding the Leak

If there is a significant refrigerant leak in your air conditioning system, you may notice symptoms like the following:

Ice buildup on the coils
Cool air coming into your home is not as cool as it should be
System running longer while the time between cycles is less
Puddles of liquid by your outside unit
Utility bills going up because your system is running longer
Unusual sounds (listen for a bubbling sound)
If the leak is bad enough, your air conditioner will stop cooling entirely

An air conditioner service technician has the skills and tools to measure refrigerant levels and determine if the refrigerant is so low that it is causing your system to not operate as it should.

Fixing the Leak

A big part of fixing the refrigerant level is finding the leak. The first place a technician will look is the coils; small cracks in the coils can cause slow leaks. Repairing a refrigerant leak is usually not a do-it-yourself task – call an expert technician. Technicians have specialized tools to find and repair leaks. Small cracks can be patched; multiple cracks and other signs of advanced wear might mean that new coils are needed.

Failure to repair a refrigerant leak can cause big damage to other parts of your air conditioning system. A refrigerant leak serious enough to develop obvious symptoms is in need of prompt attention.

The service technicians at Semper Fi can help you understand your options for repairs. They are dedicated to helping you get as much life out of your older system as practically possible and offer competitive, cost-effective system replacement options as needed.

Call Semper Fi at 480-616-3636 to make an appointment for a technician to check your system’s refrigerant level and add whatever is needed to get your system back to working like new at full efficiency.

Signs That a Heat Pump Needs to Be Replaced

Written by Semper Fi on September 13, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Blog. No Comments on Signs That a Heat Pump Needs to Be Replaced

Heating and cooling systems are complex mechanical/electrical systems. They work hard with repeated cycles day and night year-round to keep your home warm and cool. Conventional central furnace and air conditioning systems typically have a lifespan of 10 to 15 years. Heat pumps tend to have a longer life expectancy of 15 to 20 years. A few years before your heat pump needs to be replaced, you may start to see signs that it is not operating at peak efficiency. You may experience warm and cool areas within your home, or it may just take longer for it to get to the temperature you have it set for.

Repair Frequency

Initially, HVAC technicians can make repairs to get your heat pump back into good condition. Occasional repairs can be expected at any time. If your heat pump is more than 12 years old and the repair frequency begins to occur more often, you could be seeing signs that a replacement is going to be needed in the next few years. You may find that more and more worn-out parts need to be replaced. When the cost of repairs add up to half the cost of a replacement, then it is time to look seriously at replacement.

Run Cycles

Normally, your system should cycle as your thermostat tells it to turn on and off. If it is staying on longer than usual or running constantly, there is a problem. It is time to call a service technician to diagnose and repair the problem. It is possible that you have a thermostat problem, and your thermostat can be repaired or replaced. It is also possible that you have a heat pump problem that needs attention. It could be an early sign that a replacement will be needed soon.

Air Quality

Stale air and humidity are also signs of a malfunctioning heat pump. If you notice a difference in your interior air quality, your heat pump should be inspected. A heat pump that is nearing its life expectancy can cause changes in air quality.

Other Signs

Low coolant is a likely sign that there is a coolant leak that needs to be repaired. If you find that your heat pump is no longer keeping you warm in winter and cool in summer, it is probably approaching replacement time. Rising energy bills when there has not been a rate increase is a sure sign that your heat pump is becoming less energy efficient. You should seriously consider getting your heat pump replaced in order to lower your energy bills.

Are you hearing noises from your heat pump that weren’t there before—especially grinding and banging? Then, it is time to get it inspected and get a service technician’s opinion if a replacement is needed. A carbon monoxide leak is a serious potential health problem for your entire family. If your heat pump has a carbon monoxide leak, it is definitely time to make arrangements for replacement without delay.

Call Semper Fi Heating & Cooling

The professional technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling have extensive experience with servicing and installing heat pumps in Mesa and the entire Phoenix metro area. They can inspect, diagnose and repair problems. They can give good advice if your heat pump has reached the point where it needs to be replaced.

Why Is No Warm or Cold Air Coming Out of Some of My Vents?

Written by Semper Fi on September 6, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Blog. No Comments on Why Is No Warm or Cold Air Coming Out of Some of My Vents?

If the vent is open, and if it is properly connected to the ductwork, then the problem is probably an air intake vent. The fundamental principle of a central heating and air conditioning system is that room air is drawn into ducts where it moves to a central unit for heating and cooling. Then, it’s blown out other ducts and into your home from the air supply vents as warm or cool air. Eventually, the air is drawn back into the intake vents and the circulation cycle continues over and over. Along the way, the circulating air provides other benefits.

Filter Pollutants

As room air makes its way through air intake, ducts, heating or cooling, supply ducts and out the supply vents, it passes through a filter. The filter is your first defense in keeping harmful particles out of the air that you breathe.

There are other systems that can be installed to kill the germs that are circulating in your indoor air. The REME HALO is a highly recommended air purification system that you can install in ductwork, but it is not a replacement for the air filter. For clean air, there is no replacement for heating and cooling system air filters. Use a good filter and change it often. Once or twice a year is not enough. Use good filters, buy them in bulk, and change them frequently. The cleaner the filter, the cleaner the air in your home.

Maintain Air Pressure

Your HVAC heating and cooling system is a recirculating system. When warm or cool air comes out of the supply vents, an equal amount of air must go into the intake vents. Your home has been engineered for balanced airflow. If the intake vents are blocked or otherwise inadequate to balance the supply vents, the system will not work properly or efficiently. The heating and cooling system of your home demands balanced airflow. You may find that some are not heating and cooling as well as others.

If intake vents are blocked, your system still attempts to blow the same amount of air out of the supply vents. Pressure in the ducts will increase, causing the blower to work harder, which will increase your utility bills. Additionally, the pressure will cause ducts to leak, which will increase costs even more. Increased wear on your blower will eventually reduce the lifespan of your system.

It is important that you do not put furniture in front of air intake vents. Do not put rugs over them; do not close or obstruct them in any way. Nothing comes out of intake vents, but it is very important that unobstructed air be able to go into them.

Contact Semper Fi Heating & Cooling

With the high temperatures in Arizona, it is important that your heating and cooling system perform as it has been engineered to operate. Remember, change your filters often and do not obstruct your air intake vents. If you have questions about the operation of your system, get in touch with the expert technicians at Semper Fi.

Keeping Your Air Conditioner Operating Better and Longer

Written by Semper Fi on August 23, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Blog. No Comments on Keeping Your Air Conditioner Operating Better and Longer

Lifespan of an Air Conditioner

Your air conditioning system is one of the bigger investments you make for your home. Like other equipment you purchase, your air conditioner will eventually wear out. Questions we often hear are, “How many years should an air conditioner last before needing to be replaced? How do I get a longer life out of my air conditioner?” There are no universal guidelines. We have serviced units that are 25 years old and replaced units that are 10 years old.

Lifespan/Location

The long and scorching hot summers in Arizona mean that air conditioners work hard day and night for many months every year. Air conditioning systems in Arizona are generally on the shorter side of lifespans than they are in cooler climates. A lifespan of 10 to 12 years is about average for Arizona.

An air conditioner that has been well serviced on a regular schedule will last longer than an infrequently serviced system. Poor maintenance like not changing the filter often and not having routine tune-ups can cut the life of your air conditioner in half. If you are diligent about tune-ups ad preventive maintenance, you could increase the life of your system to double the average. A 20-year-plus lifespan for a well-maintained system is possible even in Arizona.

What YOU Can Do to Extend the Life of YOUR Air Conditioner

Change the Filter

The simplest, easiest and most important thing you can do is to change the filter often. The filter keeps dirt and grime out of your air conditioner as well as out of the home air that you breathe. A dirty filter will impede the airflow into your air conditioner, causing it to overheat. Dirty air can also cause electrical problems. Changing the filter is simple and easy, and it will reduce repair requirements and add extra life to your entire system.

Keep YOUR Condenser Clean

The condenser is the outside unit of your air conditioning system. Being outside, the condenser is exposed to the weather year-round. Leaves, grass, bushes and debris can block the clean airflow into your condenser unit. Keep the area around your condenser clean and give your entire system years of additional life.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Cooling your house when no one is home is a waste of energy and a missed opportunity to enjoy the benefits of a high-efficiency air conditioning system. A smart thermostat can adapt to your lifestyle, keep you comfortable when you are home, and extend the life of your air conditioning system.

Professional Tune-Up

The professional technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling will perform a 29-point professional tune-up that includes a complete unit inspection, light coil cleaning and a written report of findings. If repairs are needed, have them done immediately. Your investment in time, attention and professional repairs will significantly extend the life of your air conditioning system while keeping your home cool and energy efficient for many years.

All About Short Cycling

Written by Semper Fi on August 23, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioning Repair, Blog. No Comments on All About Short Cycling

If your heating and cooling system is less than 15 years old, it is very likely that you have a high-efficiency air conditioner. As an Arizona resident, you know that even with a high-efficiency system your monthly electrical charge for air conditioning can be substantial. If your monthly electrical bill is higher than you expected, your air conditioner may not be operating as efficiently as it should. It may be something you can fix yourself, or it may be time to call a heating and cooling expert.

What Is Short Cycling?

Even on the hottest days, air conditioners do not run continuously. They operate in cycles. The cycle starts when your thermostat senses that room temperature has reached the maximum temperature setting. You hear the air conditioner turn on and begin circulating cooler air inside your home. The cycle ends when the inside temperature has been reduced by a few degrees and the air conditioner turns off and waits for the temperature to rise again before starting another cycle.

All air conditioning systems and homes are different, but the cooling cycle typically lasts for 15 to 20 minutes. If the cycle time on your system is significantly lower than that, you may be experiencing short cycling.

What Causes Short Cycling?

Following the repair technician’s No. 1 rule, always check the simplest and easiest item to fix first: the air filter. A dirty filter can prevent fresh air from getting into the system, causing it to overheat and shut down. If you are experiencing short cycles, check the filter first. If replacing the filter does not eliminate the short cycling, it is time to move to the next easiest solution: checking the outside air conditioning unit to see if it is frozen. Dirty filters or other mechanical problems can cause outside units to freeze. If frozen, turn the air conditioner off and give it time to thaw.

Another cause of short cycling could be if your system is low on refrigerant. A service technician can check and add refrigerant if necessary. If refrigerant was low, there may be a leak, and a technician can repair that as well. Was your air conditioner replaced in the winter? Cold weather makes it difficult to determine the amount of refrigerant needed. The problem may be easy for a technician to repair.

Loose or corroded electrical connections can also cause short cycling. Call an HVAC technician. If your system is oversized for your home, there is a significant risk that short cycles will develop. Energy efficiency is maximized when the unit is properly sized for the home. Too big or too small of a system will cause operational problems and reduce efficiency.

If you are experiencing short cycling, your air conditioner is not operating at peak efficiency. If your filters have been replaced and short cycling continues, check for a frozen outside unit. If you allow the frozen unit to thaw and it freezes again, then it is time to call a technician. The technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling are highly qualified experts at diagnosing the problem and getting your system back to peak efficiency.

Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

Written by Semper Fi on August 2, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Blog, Featured. No Comments on Improving the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

Have you received record-high utility bills? Are you setting new records for energy costs every month? Are you looking for ways to reduce your utility costs? Take a look at the appliances and equipment in your home and get an understanding of how much each of them contributes to your overall utility costs.

Heating and Cooling Systems

In almost all homes, heating and cooling systems are the biggest users of electrical power. The motor that powers the fan that moves warm and cool air through your ducts and all through your home works day and night year-round. In warm months, the motor in the outside unit of your air conditioner also runs day and night.

By some estimates, nearly half of your home’s electrical usage goes to power your heating and cooling systems. Being the biggest user of electrical power, your heating and cooling system offers the biggest opportunity for significant savings. Newer systems are significantly more energy efficient than older systems. If you have a system that is more than 10 years old and is requiring annual repairs, it may be time to consider a replacement.

If your heating and cooling system is not keeping your home temperatures at a comfortable level, it is undersized or in need of repair. A heating and cooling system that is properly tuned will operate more efficiently. Supplemental heating and cooling appliances are often expensive to operate and a sign that your central system is not performing as it should.

Water Heaters

While much less expensive to operate than a heating and cooling system, a water heater is still a major contributor to your utility costs. Like other equipment, newer models are more energy efficient. If your water heater needs to be replaced, energy savings will help offset the cost. However, the energy savings with a new water heater is not enough to rush the purchase before a replacement is truly needed. Turning down the temperature of the hot water is a money-saving move. Dishwashers have their own means to heat water, washing machines can do their job with cold water, and most people mix hot and cold water for bathing and showering.

When a replacement truly is needed, look into a tankless water heater. With a traditional tank system, hot water is ready for you on demand overnight, during work hours, or while you are on vacation and it is not needed. Tankless water heaters produce hot water as you need it and only when you need it.

Refrigerators

Energy-efficient modern refrigerators use less energy than older refrigerators. Replacing an older refrigerator with a new energy-efficient one is probably not going to have a quick payback. A better option is to adjust the temperature. Increasing the freezer and refrigerator temperature by a couple of degrees will save you money on your utility bill.

Washers & Dryers

As with any appliance, newer models are more energy efficient. Washing in cold water is always a good option. Washing and drying fewer but larger loads is another choice that can save substantial money over time.

Lighting

Make a trip around your home and count the number of light bulbs you have. Count the bulbs in your refrigerator, oven, microwave, porch and patio lights, closet lights—count them all. Most homeowners would be surprised at the number of bulbs they find. Collectively, those bulbs may be using up to 10% of your total electrical energy bill. Replacing incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs will reduce energy consumption by more than half.

Smaller Appliances and Electronics

The average home has a large assortment of mostly smaller devices that collectively account for a significant portion of electrical energy usage. These may include toasters and other countertop cooking appliances, entertainment centers, televisions and cable boxes, gaming consoles, fans, computers, electric ovens, phone chargers, and much more.

While some of these devices require significant electrical energy to operate, most of them do not operate continuously, so total electrical usage is small. Computers should be set to go into sleep mode when not in use.

If you are using fans or small heaters to keep your home comfortable, there are more efficient options. Talk to the technicians at Semper Fi Heating & Cooling to learn more about what you can do to lower your utility bills.

Staying Cool in Summer Heat

Written by Semper Fi on April 21, 2022. Posted in Air Conditioner Troubleshooting, Air Conditioner Tune-Up, Blog, Featured. No Comments on Staying Cool in Summer Heat

Staying Cool in Summer Heat Improves Your Work Output and General Health

The first day of spring is just around the corner. In the Valley of the Sun that means higher temperatures are on the way. Our few months of milder temperatures are ending, and it is time to get ready for the heat. It’s time to make sure that your air conditioner is properly tuned up and ready to keep you cool through the long hot days of summer.

If your air conditioner is not keeping your home and remote workspace comfortable, your body and mind are likely not performing at peak output.

Peak Personal Performance

If you’re working from a home office, you are aware that your endurance and productivity is greater if the room temperature is in your comfort zone. A comfortable temperature not only supports good health, it makes you more efficient. A properly functioning air conditioner will keep your home comfortable, help your mind to think better and more clearly, and make your body function longer without fatigue. Whether it is remote working or doing daily home chores, you are more productive when you do your work without breaking a sweat.

There is widespread agreement among experts that a comfortable environment is important for healthy sleep. Our bodies cool down at night, and if it is too hot, we have trouble sleeping. After a night of poor sleep, we wake up tired and groggy. We move slower and have a stronger reaction to stressful situations. The ideal sleep temperature is considered to be around 65 degrees. For half of the year, the average night-time temperature in central Arizona is above 65 degrees and in the heat of summer it can easily be 15 to 25 degrees above the ideal sleep temperature.

The importance of your air conditioner to your overall health is not limited to the hot days of summer. Poor sleep conditions are bad for your health whenever they occur.

Timely Upkeep is Needed

Air conditioners are complex mechanical systems with many moving parts that need regular service to keep them in top operating condition and prevent future breakdowns. An air conditioning system that is kept in top condition will operate more efficiently, saving on utility costs. While all air conditioners have a limited lifespan, regular service will lengthen the life of a system and delay the need for replacement.

Much like the human body, an air conditioner that is not working properly should get quick attention. Small, easy-to-fix mechanical problems tend to grow into expensive breakdowns if not repaired quickly. The best way to extend the life and operating efficiency of an air conditioner is to get it serviced at least once a year. Don’t let a broken air conditioner just limp along in the early months of spring. When it gets even hotter and you really need it to work properly, the damage may be greater, the repair costs may be higher, and the availability of available HVAC technicians may be scarce.

Early spring is a good time to schedule an air conditioner tune-up. Contact Semper Fi Heating & Cooling for an air conditioner tune-up to improve your health and that of your air conditioning system.