Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog

Can I Do Air Conditioning Maintenance on My Own?

May 9th, 2017

The answer to this question is a little bit of “yes” and whole lot of “no.” Let’s start with the “no” part first.

No, You Must Leave Annual AC Maintenance to HVAC Professionals

We cannot exaggerate how important regular air conditioning maintenance is to the performance and longevity of a cooling system. For every year that an AC misses its spring maintenance tune-up and inspection, it will lose around 5% of its energy efficiency and it will also be at an increased risk of suffering from malfunctions or even a complete system breakdown. Regular maintenance will prevent around 85% of repair needs and help a system work for 15 to 20 years without a major loss in efficiency.

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Alexandria, VA Air Conditioning Tip: How Air Conditioning Maintenance Protects Your Comfort and Your AC

May 6th, 2017

If you’re on the fence regarding the benefits of an air conditioning maintenance agreement, then we’d like to explain to you how it not only benefits you, but also protects your comfort and that of your AC. While a quality installation is critical to reliable cooling, your new AC will rapidly depreciate if it is not kept in solid working shape with routine maintenance. We’ve broken this down into the 3 major aspects of a professional maintenance visit: inspection, cleaning, and tune-up. Call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. for Alexandria, VA air conditioning services !

  • Inspection: Your AC technician has been trained in the science of cooling: how it works, how it doesn’t work, and how the various components and processes cooperate to give you comfort in your home. Because of the system’s complexity, and how hard it works during the cooling season, various parts need to be professionally inspected. Electrical wiring and connections, condensate drain pump, compressor contactors, air filters, fan belts, coils, and refrigerant levels all need to be checked to make sure they’re working properly. This comprehensive system check-up is key to maintaining the effectiveness and efficiency of your AC.
  • Cleaning: The next step is of course ensuring that the parts of your system are clean. During the inspection process, your tech will have noted any parts that are in need of cleaning, especially the condenser and evaporator coils, the air filter, and the condensate drain pan. Without a clean system, your AC will simply not be able to keep up with the heat and humidity. Dirt, dust, and other debris accumulate within sensitive mechanical parts and this can also lead to premature failure.
  • Tune-up: The AC tech will check to make sure that all parts of the system are adequately tuned-up. The voltage and amp draw of the compressor need to be checked so that your AC has a steady power supply. Also, if your refrigerant level is low, then your AC may need to be recharged. Low refrigerant can cause energy inefficiency and inadequate cooling.

If you’re still unsure about the protection that a routine maintenance plan can offer your home comfort, then contact an Alexandria, VA air conditioning professional at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. to learn more. Call us today! 

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Does My Water Heater Need Regular Maintenance?

May 2nd, 2017

We like to place special emphasis on routine maintenance for your air conditioning and heating systems. Right now, for example, is the time when you should schedule AC maintenance so the system is prepared to handle the rigors of the coming summer. In fall, you’ll arrange for maintenance for the heating system.

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Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Tip: Signs of Condenser Coil Problems

April 29th, 2017

Your home air conditioning system is comprised of various components that cooperate to cool the warm indoor air of your home and dissipate the heat into the outdoor air. This heat transfer process works by the radical temperature and pressure fluctuations of a refrigerant that circulates throughout the coils, compressor, and expansion valve. However, like all mechanical systems, your AC is prone to wear and tear and may require professional repair at some point. One such kind of problem concerns the condenser coil, which sits in the weatherized outdoor unit. We’d like to review some signs of condenser coil problems in this post so that you know how to identify problems when they occur. For excellent air conditioning repair services in Arlington, VA, call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today!

  • Inadequate cooling: Your condenser coil works by accepting the high temperature and high pressure gas refrigerant from the compressor and dissipating its heat into the outside air. Because thermal energy naturally moves into colder air, the condenser coil circulates the refrigerant as an exhaust fan pulls the much cooler outdoor air through the outdoor unit. Unfortunately, if your condenser coil is full of dust and debris, it won’t be able to dissipate this heat effectively and this can result in adequate cooling.
  • Warm air: Another effect of a clogged or dirty condenser coil is warm air. If this thermal energy cannot dissipate, the refrigerant will not adequately cool down before reaching the expansion valve, and the result may be warm air blowing your supply ductwork, rather than crisp, cool air. Your condenser coil has to work in tandem with the rest of the components for the refrigerant cycle to operate efficiently and effectively.
  • Leak: Because of the intricacy of the coils, detecting a leak in your condenser coil can often be next to impossible without the use of professional equipment and techniques. But if you do have a leak, it can lead to all sorts of system imbalances and problems within your AC. If something just isn’t right with your AC and you can’t figure out why, call for a technician, who may be able to test your condenser coil for leaks.

These are just a handful of the signs that may indicate a problem with your condenser coils. For more information, or to schedule a professional air conditioning repair in Arlington, VA, call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today! 

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Why Won’t My AC Keep My House Cool?

April 25th, 2017

During the warm spring and the hot summer months, you’ll depend a great deal on your air conditioning system to provide comfort for your entire household. But what happens if your air conditioner is running… yet the home doesn’t feel much cooler? This can be a major problem if you have infants and elderly people living in your home. Even if you don’t, it’s an uncomfortable situation that’ll you want rectified as soon as possible.

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Fairfax, VA Air Conditioning Repair Tip: Preventing Damage to Your Outdoor Unit

April 22nd, 2017

Whether you have a ductless mini split, or central air system, you need to make sure that all system components are protected from dust and other debris that can impair energy efficiency and functionality. Because it resides outdoors, your compressor/condenser unit is subject to more wear and tear than the indoor components. While it’s weatherized by design, it’s important to prevent any damage whenever possible. For more information about what you can do, or to schedule Fairfax, VA air conditioning repair, call the experts at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today!

Your outdoor compressor/condenser needs to stay clean and clear of debris. The compressor and condenser are both located in the outdoor unit, and if there is problems with air flow then they will be unable to dissipate the heat from your home and your air conditioning system will not be able to work effectively.

During the off-season, your outdoor unit may have accumulated various organic debris on its surface. As the vegetation once more becomes prevalent during the springtime, it’s all the more important that you ensure grasses and shrubs do not encroach upon the surface of the outdoor compressor/condenser. Even seemingly minor obstructions can cause significant airflow problems. By keeping your outdoor unit clean and clear, you can prevent damage to the outdoor unit.

For more information about how to keep your AC properly maintained this season, or to schedule Fairfax, VA air conditioning repair, contact the experts at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today!

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Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Question: How Is Air Conditioner Capacity Measured?

April 15th, 2017

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioner, then you may have learned that you’ll need a calculation of your living space in order to assess what size air conditioner you’ll need to cool your home effectively and efficiently. Bigger is not better when it comes to air conditioning. This is a common mistake, and such homeowners will pay for inefficient (and sometimes inadequate) cooling for the next decade as a result.

In this post, we’d like to review the question of how an air conditioner capacity is measured, so that you can stay informed about how your AC works. For more information, or to schedule Arlington, VA air conditioning service, contact the pros at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today!

Your air conditioner unit uses several measurements to determine its cooling capacity. One such unit is known as the British thermal unit (BTU). It is an international standard, and it is equal to the amount of energy required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by 1° Fahrenheit. In the world of AC terminology, a BTU stands for the amount of energy required to remove that thermal unit from the room. An associated unit of measurement is the ton. One ton of cooling capacity equals about 12,000 BTUH (BTUs per hour). Thus, if you have a 3-ton unit, it can remove about 36,000 BTUs every hour. The unit of the ton is derived somewhat roughly from how much energy it would require to melt a ton of ice uniformly over the course of 24 hours. Thus, our modern AC jargon is handed down from the days when homeowners used ice to cool their homes.

Remember that only a professional will be able to assess adequately what type of cooling capacity in BTUH and tons you will need to cool your home effectively and efficiently. For more information, or to schedule air conditioning installation in Arlington, VA, call the experts at OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today!

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One Way to Help with Allergies in Your Home: Go Ductless!

April 13th, 2017

It’s an unfortunate fact that many homes today have too many airborne contaminants circulating through them. A small amount of dust is unavoidable, and even a large amount of pollen, dander, and other pollutants in the air won’t have a noticeable effect on people in a household—unless those people suffer from allergies. These airborne contaminants can trigger even minor allergies, and children are especially susceptible.

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Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Tip: Energy Saving Ideas for More Efficient Cooling This Summer

April 8th, 2017

If you are looking for energy saving ideas to get more efficient cooling for your home this summer, the Arlington, VA air conditioning experts at Oasis Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. can help. In this week’s blog post, we’ll discuss some ways that you can easily save energy and lower your utility bills.

First and foremost,  upgrading to a more efficient air conditioning system can save you a lot of money this summer. This will be especially important if you are facing costly repairs. It may be more cost-effective to upgrade your system to an Energy Star model than to keep on repairing failing equipment. However, make sure that your home is ready for a high-efficiency air conditioner. This includes having your ductwork checked for air leaks and insulating or sealing your home.

One of the easiest improvements you can make to save energy is to upgrade to a programmable thermostat. A programmable thermostat allows you to set the thermostat at different temperatures at different times of the day. You can set back your AC when you are at work and then program the thermostat to turn the air conditioner back on before you get home; this ensures that your home will be nice and cool when you get home and cut down on cooling costs.

Installing a ceiling fan may be another easy way to save energy, since it helps you feel cooler allowing you to turn down your AC. Depending on the size and layout of your home, a ceiling fan may help to circulate the air conditioned air inside your home as well. Attic fans are also useful and can help with ventilation and keeping your home cool without raising utility bills.

If you need air conditioning installation, repair, or maintenance service in Arlington, VA, please give OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. a call today!

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3 Reasons You Should Consider a Tankless Water Heater for Your Home

April 6th, 2017

Although tankless water heaters are not a recent invention, it is only recently that they made a large impact on the residential water heating world. After years of popularity in Europe, they are now a common option for new installation in homes across the U.S.

If you are in the market for a new water heater, whether for a new home or as a replacement for your aging current water heater, there are a number excellent reasons to put a tankless water heater high on your list of options. Although you might feel reluctant to stray away from the tried-and-true storage tank water heater, below are three reasons that our technicians you should give the tankless water some serious consideration. Call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration to learn more about the benefits of this technology.

I. They can save you money

One of the huge differences between a storage water heater and a tankless water heater is that the storage model must maintain its water at a high temperature, while a tankless model only uses heat when a tap requests hot water. This means that a storage water heater will use energy almost constantly in order to replace heat lost from the tank, consuming large amounts of energy. A tankless model only turns on as you need hot water (which is why they are also called “on demand” water heaters) and uses a smaller amount of energy. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you can achieve savings up to 34% off your water heating bills each year with a tankless unit.

II. They won’t run out of hot water

Because tankless water heaters only heats up water when you need it, they don’t have a supply of water that can run out. In other words… your household can’t use up all the hot water. You will never need to worry about someone getting stuck with a cold shower in the morning rush again.

III. They can outlast other systems

Connected to their reduced use of energy, tankless water heaters have longer lifespans than storage water heaters. The Department of Energy estimates that a standard storage water heater will last 10–15 years, while a tankless water heater can expect to endure more than 20. That means you have at least 5 years, and probably more, to enjoy the energy savings of your tankless water heater.

Tankless water heaters are not ideal for every home or budget, so please make sure you contact the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration in Arlington, VA for assistance when you’re ready for a new water heater. We will make sure that you receive the best unit for your needs.

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