Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog

Why is My AC Running but Not Cooling?

April 4th, 2017

If you’re asking the question “why is my AC running but not cooling?” you likely have a significant problem on your hands. The good news is that such a problem is relatively common and can often be fixed by a qualified service tech. Here in Arlington VA, our air conditioning repair experts are ready to help, but you can take the first steps by understanding some of the potential causes of the problem. We’ve listed three of the biggest ones below:

  • Low refrigerant: Refrigerant is what allows your AC to cool your home, and it needs to stay at certain set levels in order to function like it should.  If a leak springs up, it can result in a lower level of cooling. You can spot the signs by checking the evaporator coil for frost. The build-up of ice on the coils acts as a further retardant for cooling your home, since it insulates the refrigerant from the air it’s intended to cool.
  • Faulty condenser fan: The condenser fan serves a vital function in the air conditioning process. Without it the refrigerant can’t undergo the transition it needs to and the cooling process will be extremely restricted. A trained technician can repair or replace the broken motor.
  • Electrical connections: An overloaded electrical component could create problems with the air conditioner without necessarily cutting off the flow of air. In order to check on the problem, shut off power to the whole AC unit from your circuit breaker, then turn it all back on again. If the issue persists, call a repair technician to assist.

If you’re asking yourself “Why is my AC running but not cooling?” then call upon the experts at OASIS Heating A/C & Refrigeration Inc. to help. We’re based in Arlington, VA, air conditioning repair services are our specialty, and we can point out the specifics of the problem before conducting thorough and professional repairs. Pick up the phone today and give us a call. You’ll be glad you did!

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Smart Thermostats and Your Heating and Cooling Systems

March 31st, 2017

Our summers in Fairfax, VA are hot and muggy, and our winters can get quite cold, which means you need a heating and cooling system that can handle all kind of extremes. Most of the time, people focus such efforts on their HVAC system: adding upgrades and improving efficiency through routine maintenance visits. But you might want to examine other aspects of the system as well: particularly thermostats. If you have an older thermostat, consider an upgrade, which is easy with the right technician and can improve your options considerably. Smart thermostats and your heating and cooling systems go hand in hand.

Like programmable thermostats, a smart thermostat system allows you to program the times when you turn your heating or cooling system off and on. That lets you automatically turn it down when you leave for work each day, then turn it back up ten minutes before you arrive home. That’s very common these days, however, and smart systems can do so much more than that. For example, many systems work with your Wi-Fi system and/or allow you to program it remotely using an app on your phone. They also monitor your heating and cooling trends over time, helping anticipate your needs and respond to them accordingly. Even more importantly, they can provide key information to help you with your heating and cooling, such as informing you how long it takes to reach your ideal temperature and letting you know how much costs you are incurring as your month moves on.

All of that means that smart thermostats and your heating and cooling systems can make for a great combination at comparatively little cost. The experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Inc. can handle all aspects of cooling and heating in your Fairfax, VA home, and we can install a new smart thermostat for you with speed and efficiency. Pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Now Is a Great Time to Install a New Air Conditioning System

March 28th, 2017

The temperatures are now starting to warm up as we move into spring. The air conditioning system in your home might not be doing much work yet—maybe an hour here and there during the middle or one of two days out of the week—but its heaviest period of use is coming up… soon!

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Is a Tankless Water Heater Worth It?

March 27th, 2017

Water_Heaters_Shower_Falling_Water_Heat_Temperature_Steam_FaucetIf you’re asking this question it’s probably because you’ve heard about the growing popularity of tankless water heaters for home installation… and your current storage tank water heater is coming to the end of its service life and you want to replace it. Is going with a tankless water heater the best next step? Or does the cost of this advanced type of water heater outweigh its usefulness?

These are good questions to ask yourself before making a decision. But the best way to find answers is to work with water heating professionals. It’s important to make the right choice for your new water heater installation in Burke, VA, and our team of experts will help steer you toward the best system to replace your old one.

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Regular Maintenance and the Air Conditioning Compressor

March 21st, 2017

A few weeks ago, we posted a reminder that now is the best time of the year to schedule annual inspection and tune-up work for your residential air conditioner. You can take advantage of the more open schedule of HVAC technicians and get your AC ready for the summer heat in plenty of time.

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The Basics of Ductless Mini Split Heat Pumps

March 20th, 2017

Heat pumps stand as viable alternatives to traditional forced-air systems, combining the features of a heater and an air conditioner in one. Here in Arlington VA, heating with them makes a lot of sense since they do well in climates with comparatively mild temperatures. Heat pumps are available as centralized units, but you can also get ductless mini split heat pump systems. Why a ductless mini split might work for you, it’s important to understand the basics.

Ductless mini split systems entail a series of individual air handling units placed around your home, each connected to the outside unit. Each one is tasked with heating or cooling a specific section: an individual room or similar area. This section arrangement allows you to tailor the temperature to whatever you want in each room, or even turn the heat or air conditioner off in parts of the home you aren’t using. The indoor units of the ductless mini split systems need to be installed on an outside wall, but otherwise their installation parameters are very flexible, allowing them to be placed wherever you decide they can do the most good.

Ductless heat pumps work just like central heat pumps, they both use a closed loop system that circulates refrigerant gas just like an air conditioner. The gas passes through a compressor which subjects it to a great deal of pressure, then into condenser coils, which bleed the heat off to turn the gas into liquid. (The generated heat can be used to warm your home during the heating cycle.) The liquid then moves through an expansion valve, which releases a set amount into the evaporator coils. As the refrigerant evaporates, it pulls heat from the surrounding air, which can then be used in the system’s cooling cycle. The refrigerant then returns to the compressor valve to start the system anew.

These are just the basics of ductless mini split heat pumps. For specifics, OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. is standing by to help. We operate in Arlington, VA, heating and cooling are both a part of our service, and we can discuss the installation of a ductless mini split heat pump system with you. Call us today to make an appointment!

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Air Conditioning Maintenance: It’s Already Time!

March 13th, 2017

air-conditioning-system-outdoor-unitThere are still some cold days ahead in March and even early April in Northern Virginia. March is a notoriously unpredictable period for the weather, and we’ve already swung between highs in the 70s and lows in the 30s so far this month—and it’s not even half over.

But you can use this unpredictable time for some predictable planning, such as arranging for spring maintenance for your air conditioning system in Arlington, VA. Maintenance isn’t an optional bonus for an AC—it’s a necessity to ensure the longest system life possible with the fewest repairs and the highest energy efficiency. It’s not something only we advocate: it’s a recommendation from the U.S. Department of Energy.

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End of Winter Thoughts on Replacing Your Heating System

March 12th, 2017

With winter coming to a close, you may be considering a major step in your household comfort: replacing a heating system that is no longer functioning the way it should. The end of winter makes an ideal time for such a move, since you likely won’t need to use your heating system and can set a flexible schedule that works with your life (as opposed to scrambling around at the last minute in cases where you need a heating system asap).  Beyond that, you simply need to determine if a new system is right for this point in time, or whether you should continue to use your older system for another season or two.

Here are a few end of winter thoughts on replacing your heating system.

Start by gauging the overall efficiency of your heater. Take a look at your monthly heating bills this winter, then compare them to bills from the previous two or three winters. Are they going up? More specifically, are they going up despite the fact that you didn’t run your heater any more than normal? If so, it may mean that your heater’s efficiency is faltering and replacement may be in order.

You can continue that by consulting with a trained professional about your existing heater’s AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) rating, so see where it stands. The rating measures your heater’s efficiency, measured as a percentage. If it’s dropped off, you may want to replace it for a more efficient one before next heating season rolls around. And of course the age of your existing heater plays into all of this. If it’s running fine, there’s no need to fret, but if you’re seeing some of the symptoms mentioned above and your furnace is more than 10 years old, it may be time to install a new system.

End of winter thoughts on replacing you heating system are smart because you have the luxury of time to think about your options. Expert heating service in Springfield can be provided by the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. Call us today to set up a consultation!

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Get Ready Early for Spring and Summer Weather with AC Maintenance

March 7th, 2017

Temperatures are soon going to start rising here in Lorton, VA as we move toward the official start of spring. The heating system that has kept your family cozy during the winter will still need to do a bit more work, but the time for it go into summer hibernation is approaching. And that means it’s about time to revive your air conditioner.

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Does My Heat Pump Need a Spring Tune-Up?

March 6th, 2017

Heat pumps are hard workers. Unlike separate heating and cooling systems that get a break in off seasons, your heat pump works year-round to provide you with both heating and cooling. As such, it’s important to schedule your heat pump for maintenance at least twice a year. The ideal times of year to schedule maintenance are fall (heating) and spring (air conditioning), and with spring around the corner, this is the perfect time of year to schedule your heat pump for an AC tune-up in Arlington, VA. The professionals at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc., have been helping customers with their heat pump needs since 1998, so call us today before the hot weather arrives!

Why AC Maintenance?

You may be thinking that your heat pump was doing something totally different from cooling while it was heating, but it really wasn’t. This is because heat pumps don’t generate heating or cooling; they simply transfer heat from one location to another. As such, all the components used for cooling your home are also used to heat your home, so heat pumps work twice as hard as a separate cooling or heating system would.

Extra work means extra wear and tear, and when a system is worn down, it will be more prone to malfunction and possible breakdown. During a maintenance appointment, your heat pump will be closely inspected to check for problems, cleaned, and if needed, the air filter will be changed. One of the most important checks the technician will do during the appointment is inspect the refrigerant level to make sure there are no refrigerant leaks in your heat pump system. Electrical components will be checked, as well as the compressor.

Get Ahead for Cooling This Summer

There is nothing more frustrating than turning on your AC the first hot day only to find that it isn’t working properly.

Scheduling an AC tune-up for your heat pump system helps get you ready to have a cool, dry summer indoors, so call the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc., today!

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