Understanding why your AC unit has been running nonstop can help prevent skyrocketing energy bills and wear and tear on the system. This constant run cycle can also indicate underlying issues that could turn into costly repairs if you don’t address them promptly. In this guide, Oasis Heating, A/C, and Refrigeration will walk you through the primary reasons your AC is constantly running and what you can do about it.
Air conditioners are a main component in keeping homes comfortable, especially during the hot summer months. However, a common issue that many homeowners face is their air conditioner suddenly blowing hot air. This problem can be frustrating and can even lead to higher energy bills and more significant repairs if homeowners don’t address it.
This guide from Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration will explore the reasons why your air conditioner is blowing hot air and provide practical solutions to help you restore your home’s comfort.
A well-functioning AC system helps many homeowners maintain a comfortable home environment. However, homeowners often face challenges when their air conditioning units fail. This guide from OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration provides everything you need to know about AC repair, ensuring you can address issues promptly and maintain your home’s comfort efficiently. We’ll cover the basics of AC systems, common issues, maintenance tips, when to call a professional, and how to find a suitable service.
While it would be wonderful if you could predict exactly when to replace your water heater, it’s rarely that simple. There are numerous variables that go into how long a water heater lasts, from its age to the type of water inside. Fortunately, with some maintenance and knowledge of replacement warning signs, you can ensure your water heater lasts as long as possible.
Keep reading to learn more about how to tell when a water heater needs to be replaced.
A residential water heater can last between 6 and 13 years before you need to replace it. This timeframe depends on the type of water running through it and whether you follow a yearly schedule of draining and flushing the tank. Since the range is so extensive, it’s crucial to keep an eye on your water heater to look for signs that you need a new one.
Understanding the signs of a broken or worn-down water heater will help you find a solution quickly. There are numerous reasons why a hot water heater may need a replacement. These indicators include:
Does the water in your water heater become cold too quickly or fail to become hot at all? There are several reasons why:
Usually, water heaters make little to no noise. If you start hearing strange or loud noises coming from your water tank, there may be an issue that requires immediate action. For example, tapping, clanging or rumbling noises mean sediment is likely gathering on the bottom of your water heater.
If you use a lot of hot water or live in an area with hard water, you’re more likely to experience this issue. Once the sediment builds up enough, it’s difficult for the machine to heat water correctly and takes longer to do so. This situation will lead to strain on the unit, wear down the metal encasement and eventually cause leaks.
If this is the case, you need to hire a professional to flush your tank. If you continue to hear strange noises coming from your water heater, it may be near the end of its life and require a replacement.
If you see water pooling around your water tank, there’s an issue that needs immediate attention. If you choose to ignore the leak, you may experience significant damage to your property.
There are a couple of reasons why your water heater may be leaking:
If you see rust on the outside of your unit near the water inlet, that’s often an indicator that rust has begun to form on the inside of the tank, as well. As a result, you’ll need to replace your unit soon or risk water damage.
Should you notice rusty water, there may be a problem with either your water heater or pipes. One way to see if it’s your water heater is by running three buckets full of hot water from a spout. If the third bucket has rust, your water heater is probably rusty. If the rust dwindles as you run the water, your pipes may be getting rusty.
Note that rust is a precursor to leaking, so replacing your water heater as soon as possible is essential.
If your water heater is getting old but still works, it’s a good idea to look for a replacement. A few reasons why it’s smart to replace your water heater before it fails are:
Ultimately, replacing your hot water heater before it becomes an issue will save you time and money.
Regular maintenance of your water heater is crucial to its longevity. It’s recommended that homeowners call a professional to have their tanks flushed once a year. This trick discharges the sediment, helping the water heater last as long as possible.
Oasis Cooling is ready to handle your water heater needs. No matter your needs, you can contact us for professional water heater installation, repair or replacement in northern Virginia. At Oasis Cooling, we have 15 years of experience working on heating and cooling systems in Northern Virginia, and we’re on call 24 hours a day ready to assist you!
Proper refrigeration is essential in the foodservice industry. You need to keep a substantial amount of food items at a consistent, safe temperature for human consumption. To remain compliant with health and food safety guidelines, you need to rely on your walk-in coolers for dependable and spacious cold food storage. Oasis is a family-owned and -operated heating and cooling company you can trust with regular commercial refrigerator maintenance or repairs.
When your walk-in coolers and freezers are working correctly, you can decrease food waste, improve food safety and increase your restaurant’s energy efficiency. Regular, proactive maintenance and inspection are essential to prolonging the life of your appliance and increasing its value to you and your business. Using a preventative maintenance checklist can also prevent clogging, breakdowns, food waste and future strife.
Additionally, cleaning and avoiding common mistakes can help you make sure your walk-in cooler performs up-to-speed and meets your business’s needs!
From everyday spill cleanup to full appliance wipedowns, it is essential to disinfect your walk-in cooler thoroughly. Proper sanitation is critical in the foodservice industry. To execute appropriate maintenance practices, you’ll need to clean your entire unit at least every six months.
So, what are the best ways to go about cleaning your walk-in cooler? Follow this schedule:
In addition to checking for debris, Oasis will make sure your electrical connections are tight and in working order.
Proper walk-in cooler maintenance takes time, effort and careful observation. It is essential to keep your walk-in cooler performing at its optimal level to ensure your food stays cool and fresh. Our advice can help you avoid these common maintenance mistakes and make a difference to your customers.
If your walk-in cooler is above the required temperature to store food safely, you risk mold growth and food spoilage. Additionally, if your temperature is too low, it can cause your unit to overwork. It is best to keep food storage appliances at the proper FDA-recommended temperature and regularly check that your walk-in cooler maintains an appropriate temperature. You’ll know that your cooler is retaining its temperature if it is within several degrees of the original thermostat setting. Keeping a written or digital log of your unit’s temperatures can also help you keep track of any unexpected changes.
Another way to maintain the proper temperature for your walk-in cooler is to make sure your doors seal tightly. Damaged gaskets, the rubber material surrounding your cooler’s doors, can let in warm air, cause ice buildup and ultimately reduce your energy efficiency. Even a tiny leak from tearing or weathering can throw off your unit’s temperature balance. Note that leaving the lights on in your walk-in cooler will also increase the level of heat and cause your evaporator fan assembly to work harder to hold the appliance’s optimal temperature.
You will want to examine your unit thoroughly and take note of any potential areas of concern, as well. Check your evaporator, condensing coil and fan blades regularly, as cleaning your unit’s fan blades will reduce drag and improve your unit’s performance. Also, keep food products stacked away from the central working parts of your walk-in cooler where they could reduce overall air circulation.
Most importantly, you want to adopt a proper schedule for freezer maintenance. You want to stay ahead of and prevent future complications, so set up a regular maintenance schedule with qualified technicians. Oasis can dramatically improve your walk-in cooler’s performance and provide much-needed reassurance for any areas of uncertainty.
While warm, moist environments are a haven for mold growth, colder environments with higher moisture levels can also put your freezer’s items at risk. Walk-in coolers are most likely to grow mold due to the frequency of use and a lack of temperature regulation during shutdowns.
Constantly opening and closing a freezer causes air to become trapped. The high level of moisture combined with the abundance of food supply creates an ideal ecosystem for fungal growth. Repeated entries and exits can also throw off your unit’s internal temperature balance. For long-term shutdowns, you want to clean your unit thoroughly and leave its doors open so it can dry completely.
Here are five easy ways you can keep your walk-in cooler and its contents fresh and free of mold:
If you can keep mold from growing in your walk-in cooler, you will provide a far more healthy and hygienic environment for your employees as well as your guests.
When you need to repair your walk-in cooler, Oasis Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration will find the right equipment for you and your restaurant. We offer competitive prices for the best quality walk-in cooler repairs, servicing and installations in all of Northern Virginia. We ensure each installation and repair is up to code so you can focus on what matters: preparing delicious and safe meals for your customers. Oasis will guarantee you solutions and quality assistance for any walk-in cooler queries with our industry expertise.
Contact Oasis today to get an estimate and schedule your appointment for walk-in cooler maintenance!
If you notice a weird smell coming from your furnace, don’t panic! This problem doesn’t always lead to a major concern. You can often explain it by some common occurrences. That said, it’s better to be safe than sorry. Whenever you notice an odd scent from your furnace, it’s essential to figure out the potential cause.
Make sure to shut down your furnace before you take a look. Here are a few reasons why there could be a burning smell in your house.
A furnace overheating smell can come from dust burn-off. If you haven’t turned on your furnace for a while, it’s likely that dust has accumulated on the inside. This odor should disappear after your furnace runs for a few minutes.
If the scent doesn’t go away, it’s time to try another solution. Take a brush to the parts that you can reach. This approach will clear away any dust.
Sometimes, an old filter can cause a burning smell from your furnace blower. When you don’t replace your furnace’s filter, it can become clogged over time. This buildup forces your blower to work extra hard so that it can push air out. As a result, it can overheat. It’s also possible for the buildup to emit a burning odor throughout this process.
That’s when it’s time to replace your furnace’s filter. Make sure to compare the filter’s efficiency capabilities beforehand. If you still notice a specific scent, it’s time to contact a professional for service.
If you smell a sulfuric egg scent, it’s best to shut off your furnace immediately. This odor often indicates a gas leak, which could happen due to a failed ignitor. There may also be broken parts within your furnace.
In any case, it’s crucial to switch off your furnace and call in an HVAC expert. It’s always important to call when you suspect an issue — and you should never ignore a gas leak.
Do you notice a burning plastic scent? A foreign object may have entered your furnace. This could be any small plastic item. Either way, it’s imperative to turn off your furnace when you smell this scent. A foreign object can cause problems for your furnace’s functionality. It’s also smart to avoid plastic fume inhalation, as many plastic objects contain harsh chemicals.
You may notice a metallic scent. This odor often means there’s an electrical problem, like an overheated circuit board. Your furnace should shut down by itself when it overheats. If it doesn’t, there’s an issue with its safety features. It’s smart to contact an expert when you think there’s a central mechanical issue. It’s unsafe to have a furnace that doesn’t turn off when it overheats.
Don’t turn on your furnace again until a specialist can diagnose the issue for you.
Our specialists can identify and repair your furnace problems. If you live in Northern Virginia, contact us at Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration for quality, reliable services. We can narrow down the issue so that you and your family can enjoy a safe and healthy home environment.
Are you in the market for a new air conditioning system, either as a replacement for an older, ailing AC unit or as part of your new home? It’s important to have HVAC professionals involved in the process from the very beginning, not just for the actual few hours of work required to put the system in place and hook it up. You’ll want them to take the proper measurements, so you can be sure you have the correct size of unit for your home. If the air conditioner is too small, it will not provide the cooling your home needs. If it is too large, it causes its own set of problems.
The 4th of July will forever hold a very special place in the history of the United States of America. On this day in 1776, the second Continental Congress approved the Declaration of Independence.
Not only is Independence Day an important day in our nation’s history, but for many people it is a day that is filled with memories from celebrations of years past. Fireworks, barbeques, baseball games, fairs, carnivals, patriotic music and ceremonies are all scattered through our memories as we’ve participated in annual parties, get-togethers, picnics and family gatherings throughout the years. John Adams, our 2nd president, was right when he said that our Independence Day “…ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.”
The 4th of July is truly a day to enjoy but also to remember and respect the sacrifice that many brave men and women made over 200 years ago to give us the freedom that we cherish today. However you celebrate Independence Day, make sure that you take a moment to remember what this day is really about.
We wish you a safe and happy 4th of July!
If you are off and have time for preventive maintenance, feel free to call Oasis Cooling services or fill out a contact form to schedule a service!
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Lorton,
VA
22079
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