Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Maintenance’

Benefits of Water Heater Maintenance in Arlington, VA

Sunday, September 3rd, 2017

If you own a water heater in Arlington, VA, you may rarely think about how much stress is put on your unit every day. But you use this important home convenience to take hot showers, wash your dishes, do your laundry, clean your floors, and even to wash your hands. If your water heater ever runs into problems, you may be without hot water in the middle of one of these tasks. So to keep your system vital and efficient, the technicians at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. recommend that you service your system as often as possible. And this doesn’t only mean calling for repairs. Water heater maintenance is a service that can keep your system from failing prematurely, and may even make your unit run more efficiently. We’ve detailed these benefits in the following guide.

  • Increased Efficiency: Regular water heater maintenance can actually save you some money. Storage tank water heaters consume a lot of energy as water must stay heated at all times so that you’ll have a supply on hand when you need it. But it may cost you even more to run if there is a leak or if a part is dirty or worn, problems that may be caught during a routine maintenance visit.
  • Longer Lifespan: While water heaters are designed to last for many years, without proper maintenance something as simple as a rusted through anode rod may cause your water heater to fail suddenly when you need it most. Maintenance may give you a few more good years with your water heater before it needs replacement.
  • Fewer Repairs: Finally, scheduling water heater maintenance now means that a repair need may be caught early on. If your water heater suddenly stops working in the middle of a hot shower, you’re probably already somewhat annoyed, and a repair call is just another inconvenience. A maintenance technician can catch problems early on, so you won’t have to deal with sudden repairs.

OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc., can make sure your water heater is running as smoothly as possible before we leave your home. For a longer lasting, more efficient unit, give us a call today!

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Are Maintenance Contracts Worth the Money?

Thursday, August 24th, 2017

One of the questions we hear frequently from customers is if a maintenance contract for their HVAC system is actually worth the expenditure. The simple answer is, “absolutely!” But of course, there’s more to explain. We’ll tell you exactly how a maintenance contract will end up saving your money.

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What Issues Does Air Conditioning Maintenance Address?

Tuesday, June 13th, 2017

Air conditioning maintenance isn’t the same as air conditioning repair. A repair session is designed to address a single specific problem or issue. Maintenance, on the other hand, is a bit of a catch-all, designed to keep the unit clean and efficient, as well as noting potential trouble spots for later repair. Ideally, you should plan for such a session at least once a year, and when it comes to air conditioning maintenance, Fairfax has the experts you can count on. But what issues does air conditioning address? Read on for the answers.

  • Cleaning. Dust and dirt are the enemy of an efficient air conditioner. They increase friction between moving parts, clogged filters and lines, and generally lead to more wear-and-tear on the system. A maintenance session is designed to clean off the dust and help your system operate more efficiently.
  • Refrigerant. Refrigerant makes your air conditioner function, but when leaks occur, you can lose a great deal of its cooling power, as well  as running the risk of further harm to other components in the system. A maintenance session can recharge refrigerant levels to their prescribed amounts.
  • Air filters. Filters become clogged over time, which reduces their efficiency and causes problems for the entire system. A technician can exchange old filters for new ones, and keep the air flowing smoothly.
  • Bolts and fasteners. Individual components can sometimes rattle in their housings when their bolts are loose, using a lot of unnecessary energy in the process. Tightening those bolts as a part of a regular maintenance session will prevent a lot of wear and tear.

All of that comes on top of the most important part of a maintenance session: spotting big problems while they’re still little ones and setting up an appointment to treat them without the fuss and cost of waiting for a breakdown. When it comes to air conditioning maintenance, Fairfax residents can turn to the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc.

We have the skills you need to perform a first-rate air conditioning maintenance session and address the issues that prevent your system from being as efficient as it could be. Give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Can I Do Air Conditioning Maintenance on My Own?

Tuesday, 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

Saturday, 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?

Tuesday, 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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Regular Maintenance and the Air Conditioning Compressor

Tuesday, 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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Air Conditioning Maintenance: It’s Already Time!

Monday, 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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Get Ready Early for Spring and Summer Weather with AC Maintenance

Tuesday, 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?

Monday, 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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