Air Conditioning Repair & Tune-Up Services in Virginia

Effective January 1, 2023, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) will update its efficiency and testing standards for residential and commercial HVAC equipment. All regulatory changes will differ by product type and region. Since the updated standards will result in price increases across all HVAC contractors, now is the time to buy the equipment you need for your home or business.

The minimum efficiency standards for residential and commercial air conditioners and heat pumps manufactured after January 1, 2023, will increase. This change will increase production efficiency and national energy savings while decreasing national energy consumption.

Northern U.S. & Canada

All split-system air conditioners, split-system heat pumps, and packaged units manufactured after January 1, 2023, must meet the updated standards. However, split-system air conditioners, split-system heat pumps, and packaged units manufactured before January 1, 2023, can be installed indefinitely. The efficiency rating for air conditioners will increase from 13 SEER to 15 SEER in these regions.

Southern U.S.

Split-system air conditioners manufactured before January 1, 2023, can’t be installed once the updated standards take effect. All installations of products that don’t meet the new standards must be completed by December 31, 2022. However, split-system heat pumps, single-packaged air conditioners, and single-packaged heat pumps manufactured after January 1, 2023, can be installed indefinitely. The efficiency rating for air conditioners will increase from 14 SEER to 15 SEER in both the Southwest and Southeast regions.

In addition to higher minimum efficiency standards, the M1 testing procedures used for residential and 3 to 5-ton light commercial, single-phase equipment manufactured on or after January 1, 2023, will increase. This change will produce more accurate SEER, EER, and HSPF efficiency ratings. Manufacturers will be required to re-test equipment using the new M1 Standard requirements as well as publish equipment efficiency ratings using the new efficiency metrics of SEER2, EER2, and HSPF2.

If your air conditioner is making a loud noise throughout standard operation, there may be an issue with the system.

Banging Noises

The outdoor air conditioner condenser unit may produce a banging sound if the fan becomes loose. When the fan becomes unstable, it will begin to hit and damage the interior walls, wires, and components. To avoid excessive damage to your system, we recommend scheduling an air conditioner repair with a certified professional.

Hissing Sounds

An air conditioning system will make a hissing or whistling noise when a refrigerant leak forms on a refrigerant line or coil. If you notice this type of sound, it’s important to hire a licensed air conditioning service to fix the leak before the levels become too low. Once the system loses its refrigerant, it will be unable to remove the heat from the air in your home.

Tapping Noises

While it may be normal for a central air conditioning system to produce a tapping sound at the beginning of the cooling process, a continuous tapping noise is an indicator of a moderate to severe issue. This sound may be caused by an obstruction such as a tool or a stick that is damaging the fan.

If you are unable to activate your air conditioner and hear a clicking noise, there may be an electrical issue with your system. If this type of noise is being produced by your outdoor condenser unit, this is an indicator of an issue with the compressor. Snell Heating & Air Conditioning provides dependable air conditioning repair services to homes in areas of Virginia such as Arlington, Centreville, and Alexandria. Give our team a call by phone at (703) 574-0739 or book an appointment online to receive assistance.

Buzzing Sounds

Unlike a variety of other sounds that may indicate a small issue, a buzzing noise is usually a sign of an electrical problem with the blower motor, wiring, or relay switch. If you hear a buzzing noise, immediately deactivate your air conditioning system and a professional at Snell Heating & Air Conditioning to book an air conditioning repair service appointment.

Clanking Noises

The outdoor AC unit may make a loud rattling noise due to a loose part or component. As your central air conditioning system reaches the middle of its lifespan, it is not uncommon for a screw to become loose inside the outdoor condenser unit. To avoid damage to the condenser coil, compressor, or fan, call a local air conditioning service to disassemble the system and remove the loose components.

SEER is an acronym that stands for Seaslonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This metric is utilized by professionals in the HVAC industry to measure the efficiency of an air conditioning system. A SEER rating is the ratio of the total cold air output throughout a season compared to the total electricity consumed by an air conditioner during a season. An air conditioner with a high SEER rating is more efficient when compared to a system with a low rating.

The total cooling output of a central air conditioning system is measured utilizing a key performance indicator called British Thermal Units (BTU’s) per hour. While a SEER rating can give you an idea about the efficiency of your air conditioner, it only represents the maximum level of efficiency for the system.

In order for a system to operate at maximum efficiency, the outdoor temperature is required to be above 80 degrees with an indoor humidity rate of 50%. In addition, the temperature in your house should be around 80 degrees in order for your air conditioning system to operate at maximum efficiency.

Since the interior and exterior temperatures of a home will vary on a daily basis, an air conditioning system will only operate at peak capacity a small percentage of the time. If you need assistance selecting a system with a proper SEER rating, give us a call by phone at (703) 574-0739. Our team provides dependable air conditioning repair and tune-up services to homes in Virginia.

While a majority of air conditioner issues are able to be repaired by a professional technician, it’s not always possible to fix a moderate to severe problem on an outdated system. Prior to shopping for a new air conditioner system, you should become familiar with metrics including Tonnage and British Thermal Units (BTU’s). A single BTU is the total quantity of heat required to increase the temperature of a single pound of water by a total of one degree.

Tonnage is a metric utilized in the HVAC market to measure the cooling output of central air conditioning systems. A single ton is the total amount of heat that needs to be removed to transform 2,000 lbs of water to ice in a timespan of 24 hours. It’s important to become familiar with BTU and tonnage ratings to ensure you are able to select the proper air conditioner size for your home.

An incorrectly sized air conditioner may lead to issues including short cycling, high humidity levels, and expensive electricity bills. To avoid dehumidification and cooling issues, we recommend talking with a professional air conditioning service technician at Snell Heating & Air Conditioning prior to performing a new system installation or replacement. Give us a call by phone at (703) 574-0739 or book an appointment online on our website to receive help.

If your air conditioner is leaking water into your house, it’s important to find the source of the issue to avoid damage to your drywalls, floors, furniture, and appliances. If you notice water near your air conditioning system, immediately walk to your thermostat to deactivate the system. This should stop additional water from entering the house.

Common repair issues that may cause your air conditioning system to leak include a clogged drain pipe, broken condensate pump, frozen evaporator coil, or detached drain pipe. Do not attempt to activate your air conditioner once the water is gone. To avoid damage to the components of your system, schedule an air conditioning repair or maintenance service appointment with the technicians at Snell Heating & Air Conditioning.

If your central air conditioner is releasing steam or smoke into the air, this is an indicator of a clogged drain pipe. A blockage in your drainage pipe will cause a collection of moisture to form in your system. The only way to fix this issue is to eliminate the clog in your pipes. Once the flow of moisture is restored in the drain pipes, your air conditioner will no longer produce steam.

Many homeowners believe that keeping a central air conditioner on throughout the day will help save money on monthly utility bills. This is a myth that has existed in the HVAC industry for years. The only way to save money on your cooling and electricity bills is to deactivate your central air conditioning system when you are not home. Keeping your air conditioner on throughout the day will use an excessive amount of energy and will cause your utility bills to increase.

The best way to decrease your energy bills is to operate your air conditioner at full capacity while you are at home. We recommend turning your central air conditioner off while you are at work or school to increase its life cycle. To receive additional savings, it’s important to invest in a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat is designed to enhance the efficiency of your system by allowing you to create operating schedules. If you are having an issue with your system, give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 to receive assistance. Our team of licensed HVAC technicians provides dependable air conditioning repair services in Arlington and other areas of Virginia.

Once the fins on a central air conditioner become bent, the airflow to the system will become restricted. To enhance the efficiency of your system, you will be required to straighten the fins. Prior to adjusting the fins on your air conditioner, it’s important to deactivate your system. Next. unfasten the access panel and grille to gain access to the damaged fins.

To prevent damage to the fan and motor, we recommend removing it prior to straightening the fins on the central air conditioning system. Unfasten the screens and carefully remove the fan and motor from the system. If the wires are long enough, you should be able to place the fan on the ground near the central air conditioner. Next, insert your tool at the base of the fins and move upwards to straighten them. If you’re worried about damaging your fan or fins, give our team a call by phone at (703) 543-9649 to receive support. Our team of certified HVAC contractors provides trustworthy and fair air conditioning repair services to households in areas of Virginia such as Arlington, Centreville, Reston, and Alexandria.

If the air in your home feels hot and humid, this is a signal of a dirty evaporator coil. As your central air conditioner becomes older, a layer of dirt will begin to form on your evaporator coils. This will reduce the efficiency of your system and will make it hard for the refrigerant to extract heat energy from the air in your house. To restore the flow of cold air in your household, follow these steps to clean your evaporator coils.

The evaporator coils of a central air conditioning system can be found in your attic, closet, or near your furnace. Prior to cleaning the coils, we recommend turning your air conditioner off. Next, you will be required to remove the screws and detach the access panel to gain access to the evaporator coils. Once the access panel is removed, we recommend performing a visual inspection of the coils to confirm if it contains dirt or debris. To clean the coils, grab a soft brush to remove the dust from your system. If you are not able to remove the dirt with a brush, we recommend using a paper towel or cloth to sanitize the evaporator coils.

To ensure the coils are clean, you may also decide to use compressed air to remove miniature particles. Another way to remove dust and debris from the evaporator coils is to apply a chemical solvent. Most hardware stores offer a foam cleaning solution that is designed to be safely applied to your evaporator coils. If you need assistance sanitizing your evaporator coils, give our team of skilled technicians a call by phone at (703) 543-9649. The staff at Snell Heating & Air offer fast and safe air conditioning services in Centreville and other areas of Virginia.

Burning Odors

If you notice a burning odor while your central air conditioner is on, this may be a sign of issues such as a malfunctioning compressor or faulty wiring. On the other hand, a weird odor from your system may be due to chemicals. To protect the health of your family, we recommend hiring a licensed HVAC technician to perform an air conditioning repair.

While a burning smell may be an indicator of an electrical issue, it is not uncommon to notice odors the first time you activate your air conditioner at the beginning of the summer season. Since your air conditioner is not used during the winter months, dirt and dust may begin to collect near your compressor and fan. As a result, you may notice a burning odor when you activate your air conditioner in May or June. This odor should take 30 minutes ro an hour to fade away. If this odor persists, this is a signal of an electrical problem.

Musty Odor

When a drain pipe in your air conditioner becomes clogged, a large amount of moisture will begin to form in your system. If this issue is not resolved quickly, the moisture will escape from your system and enter your air ducts. This will cause mold and mildew to form in your ductwork. While a musty odor may not be an indicator of a severe issue with your air conditioner, you should hire an HVAC technician to fix the blockage in your drain pipe to prevent health issues from mold. Call our staff by phone at (703) 543-9649 to receive emergency support. We provide air conditioning services in Reston, Arlington, and other areas of Virginia.

Gunpowder Odor

Issues with the circuit board or blower motor in your central air conditioning system may produce an odor that resembles gunpowder. To avoid damage to your system, it’s important to call a licensed contractor to perform the necessary repairs to your air conditioning system.