Tips, information, hacks, news, recommendations, and more, from your LA area HVAC company! Are you looking for answers on why your furnace isn't working, why an air conditioning unit is leaking, or why your HVAC unit is making noise? Find the answers here. Check out our website: www.CaliforniaAC.com
In the movie ‘Juno,’ Juno’s father is an HVAC technician.
John Gorrie is considered the father of refrigeration and air conditioning. He was a doctor in Florida, and in 1842 developed a machine to make ice. He used the ice create cool air for his patients. He envisioned his ice making device could be used to cool homes and other buildings. He was granted a patent in 1851. He lost his financial backing and and died a pauper in 1855.
The concept of air conditioning was first conceived by Michael Faraday in 1820 when he discovered compressed and liquefied ammonia could chill air when it was allowed to evaporate.
Love radiant heating in your bathroom? It’s not a new concept. The Romans had something very similar where the floors were laid out as a series of stone slabs with a heat source located below the floor.
“Why is my Air Conditioner making a ______________ noise?”
You might have asked yourself this question occasionally. All HVAC units make some noise when they run, because of all the components and moving parts. However, there are certain noises that require immediate attention. Depending on what the problem is, you may be able to fix it yourself, or you can give us a call at California Air Conditioning Systems to fix it in a professional manner.
What does this noise mean, and what should I do about it?
*****Before inspecting, checking, or attempting to fix anything in your AC, turn it off first!*****
Purr / Roar – Newer units are built to be softer than older ones, and so they will be purring along in the background as they run. Older units may have a deeper or slightly louder whir as they run, but this does not necessarily mean that they are malfunctioning.
Grinding – This likely indicates a problem with the bearings and belts of the blower. The belts get worn out or cracked over time. These cost your unit its efficiency, and cost you more money. If neglected, this will break and damage the whole unit. Call an HVAC technician to replace these.
Rattling – In outdoor AC units, things such as sticks, rocks, leaves, trash, and other debris can get trapped inside the cover of the unit. In indoor systems, toys or trash may have gotten into vents or ducts. In both indoor and outdoor units, it could be some bolts or screws that are loosening. If you can, clean the unit and tighten screws. It could be more serious, such as an issue with the compressor; if the noise persists, call your HVAC company.
Clanging & Banging – This is a problem with the blower. Other symptoms of a bad blower are an AC that stops working after a few hours, or does not blow cool air when it is on. An HVAC company will help you decide if you need to replace the whole thing or just certain parts.
Humming – If your AC is just a little noisier than normal, or if it’s making a humming noise, it could just need some lubrication. There are a lot of moving parts that need to be lubricated in order for the machine to run smoothly. Humming could also indicate that a key part of the AC has failed and the unit is trying to run without it. An AC check up/tune up would be ideal.
Hissing – A refrigerant, or Freon, leak will cause a hissing noise.
“Freon” is a heat transfer fluid, which means it is capable of absorbing heat from the air indoors and transferring it outside to get cooled down. This air is then returned back indoors for everyone to enjoy. Freon is circulated over and over by your air conditioning system to cool the air. (via)
Scraping – Air Conditioners have 2 fan blades. This type of noise means these might be loose, causing them to scrape against the unit walls or other parts of the AC. An AC technician will be able to get this taken care offairly quickly.
Hopefully, this list helped you troubleshoot your Air Conditioning unit or system. As always, if you have any questions about something your AC is doing, please call us at California Air Conditioning and ask. We are here to help! 310-530-0504
(If you live in the LA/South Bay area, click here to see how you can get $10 or 10% off your diagnosis fee with California Air Conditioning Systems, Inc.)
CALIFORNIA AIR CONDITIONING: takes pride in their professional and efficient service. Hiring the best technicians in HVAC, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating, California Air delivers the best and most reliable service. With over 30 years of experience, California Air specializes in both commercial and residential calls. There is no job too big, or too small.
During winter, we spend more time indoors. This is why it is very important to make sure that the air quality inside your home is suitable. Breathing in impure air is hazardous to the health of you, your family, and your pets. Read on for 5 things you can do today to instantly improve the quality of the air inside your home. Keep your family happy and healthy!
HOW AIR INSIDE OUR HOMES GETS CONTAMINATED There are many ways air inside our homes gets polluted.
Dust, dirt, allergens, and bacteria picked up by our clothes and shoes while we’re outside
Solutions we use in cleaning our home
Having several people in a closed space without proper ventilation
Chemicals used in manufacturing common items found around our homes including paint, ink, rubber, carpet, furniture varnish, paper, etc.
Dead skin cells make up a significant portion of household dust
WHAT YOU CAN DO TO FIX THIS TODAY
There are several things you can start today, that will drastically improve the indoor air quality of your home.
1. Vacuum, mop, and dust regularly. Allergens and dust get stuck to our clothes while we are out, and then are brought inside the house when we come home. Bacteria and dirt gets tracked into the house on our shoes. Avoid these from causing sickness in your home by prompt cleaning.
5. Crack open the window. Most heating systems just recirculate air, and don’t bring in fresh air. This just causes the dust, germs, and chemicals already in the air to move around within the home. The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends bringing in outside air, if even just for a little bit. This gets rid of some of those pollutants, and brings in fresher air from the outdoors.
CALIFORNIA AIR CONDITIONING: takes pride in their professional and efficient service. Hiring the best technicians in HVAC, Air Conditioning, Refrigeration, and Heating, California Air delivers the best and most reliable service. With over 30 years of experience, California Air specializes in both commercial and residential calls. There is no job too big, or too small.
“Why is my Air Conditioner making a ______________ noise?”
