A good storage tank water heater that received a professional installation should last you more than a decade without any significant loss of heating power or hot water volume. You may need to schedule an occasional repair for it, however, and you must remember to arrange for an annual inspection and tune-up from a professional.
Oasis Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Troubleshooting’
How to Tell That You Need a New Water Heater
Thursday, June 15th, 2017Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Question: Why is My Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?
Sunday, May 21st, 2017The effectiveness and efficiency of your air conditioning system are of paramount importance during the summer months. With professional installation and routine maintenance, you can ensure that your AC works well for the years to come. But eventually due to general wear and tear and the strain and stress of the summer heat, your AC may need professional repair. One common problem that you may face during the service life of your AC occurs when your air conditioner blows warm air.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why this could happen:
- Low refrigerant: The refrigerant that circulates through your coils and components is chemically designed to produce radical fluctuations of temperature under different pressure conditions. This allows it to be an effective conductor of thermal energy, thus enabling it to efficiently remove the heat from your home as well as cool your home with conditioned air. However, if the level of refrigerant in your AC is low, then it cannot work efficiently or effectively. The most common cause for this is a leak, which should be repaired before your system can be recharged.
- Dirty condenser coils: If your outdoor condenser coils are caked in dust and debris, then they cannot perform their essential function of dissipating heat into the outdoor air. Because of their location, they are subject to higher levels of debris than your indoor coils. Your AC should be professionally maintained on a regular basis to ensure that your condenser is safely cleaned.
- Overheated compressor: Your compressor is the engine of the AC, and as such, it undergoes a lot of wear and tear, especially during the summer months. If there are airflow or low refrigerant issues, then your compressor may overheat, and not be able to work as effectively.
The cause of the warm air in your home needs to be diagnosed in person by a qualified technician. Call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today for comprehensive Arlington, VA air conditioning services.
Fairfax, VA Air Conditioing Guide: What to Do if Your Air Conditioning Makes Strange Sounds
Wednesday, May 17th, 2017Do you hear a subtle hissing sound coming from your outdoor unit? Or perhaps a banging noise from your indoor air handler? If you’re unsure what do if your AC is making a strange sound, then you need only get in touch with your local Fairfax, VA air conditioning technician. AC’s are complicated machines, full of various electrical and mechanical systems and a wide variety of components. There are numerous things that can go wrong with your air conditioner, no matter what type or brand it is. In this post, we’d like to share with some explanation about what these sounds can indicate. While you should expect a certain amount of sound from your AC during operation, unusual or loud sounds that suddenly arise should be taken as an indication that something’s not right. Call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today for comprehensive air conditioning repair services.
- Hissing: If you notice a hissing sound around your ductwork, then there’s probably an air leak in your ductwork somewhere. This will probably have to be professionally sealed in order to restore your lost energy efficiency and cooling performance. But if you hear hissing around your coils or compressor, then it could mean you have a refrigerant leak. This can cause serious problems with the operation of your AC, including compressor overheating.
- Banging: If it sounds like there is a banging sound coming from your AC, there might be a loose part knocking around inside the system. Alternatively, there could be a damaged fan blade that is banging against another part of the system. This is probably causing significant damage to the interior of your AC unit, so you should get it fixed as soon as possible.
- Grinding: This is a disturbing mechanical sound that may indicate a serious issue. Turn off your AC and call for professional repair. The bearings in your blower motor may have dried out, and further operation may cause serious damage.
We hope this gives you some idea about what sounds can mean for the operation of your air conditioner. Call OASIS Heating, Air Conditioning & Refrigeration, Inc. today for air conditioning repair services in Fairfax, VA.
Air Conditioning Trouble: Is It the Thermostat?
Thursday, May 11th, 2017There are different reasons for an air conditioner to malfunction during the period each spring and summer when it does the most work. Basic wear and tear is one common cause. Another is electrical troubles. Leaking refrigerant can trigger multiple serious problems that require fast repair before they grow worse.
Arlington, VA Air Conditioning Tip: Signs of Condenser Coil Problems
Saturday, April 29th, 2017Your 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!
Why Won’t My AC Keep My House Cool?
Tuesday, April 25th, 2017During 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.
Why is My AC Running but Not Cooling?
Tuesday, April 4th, 2017If 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!
Your Furnace Burner Won’t Stay Lit: Some Reasons Why
Saturday, March 4th, 2017The burners are an important part of your furnace system: igniting the gas that then passes through the heat exchanger to heat the air going into your ducts. When the burners don’t work, the air doesn’t get heated and your furnace won’t function. If your furnace burner won’t sty lit, there are a number of reasons why. Some of the more common are listed below. If you need heating repair in Fairfax, VA, don’t hesitate to call OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Inc. today.
- The burner is clogged with dirt. This often happens when the furnace hasn’t been maintained for some time. Dirt and grime clog the burner head, cutting off the flow of gas and snuffing out the flame. A trained technician can clean the burner as part of a regular maintenance session.
- The burner is damaged. Sometimes, damage of some other sort will prevent the burner from working as it should. In such cases, the burner will need to be replaced.
- Faulty ignition system. Burners are fed from the ignition system, which ignites the flow of gas and started the heating process. If the ignition system is faulty, the thermocouple won’t release the gas and the burners won’t light. This is good because it won’t flood your home with gas, but you’ll need to get it fixed before the furnace will work. (The same thing will happen if the thermocouple itself is damaged.)
- There’s a clog in the gas line. A reduced flow of gas can sometimes mean that your burners won’t stay lit or will be lit only fitfully. A technician can clear the clog and restore the flow of gas.
If you’re furnace burner won’t stay lit, the next step is to call the experts at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration Inc. We handle all kinds of Fairfax, VA heating repair services, and we can get your faulty burner up and running again quickly. Don’t waste time; give us a call today and let us take care of your problem!
Top Winter Heating Problems to Watch For
Wednesday, February 22nd, 2017We’ve reached the second half of February, and that means the official end of winter is only a month away. That doesn’t mean we can relax when it comes to heating our homes. The furnace, heat pump, or radiant heating system that provides your family with warmth has already put in a great deal of work, and this stress can mean it faltering when it comes close to the finish line. Don’t let late season repair needs go without attention! When you notice the following issues, it probably means the heater needs help—call our repair team right away.
Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Cold Air?
Friday, February 17th, 2017Heat pumps are incredibly useful systems for providing year-round home comfort. They improve upon the concept of the air conditioner to use the same system of heat exchange to also provide warm air. It’s as easy as turning a switch to move from heating mode to cooling mode.
But what if one day your heat pump stops doing half its job? If it’s winter, and your heat pump starts to blow out only cold air, there’s something wrong that will require professionals to investigate and repair it. If you need this sort of work on your heating in Fairfax, VA, give the technicians at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. a call, any time of the day or night.
Reasons your heat pump is staying in cooling mode
The most common reason for this occurrence is a problem with the reversing valve. This component is one of the key parts that differentiates a heat pump from a standard air conditioner. The reversing valve changes the direction that refrigerant flows through the heat pump, and this is what makes the heat pump switch from being an air conditioner to a heater and back. An electric charge to the valve controls whether it is in one mode or the other. If the heat pump malfunctions, it will remain in one mode until professionals come and replace it. Do not attempt to change a reversing valve on your own.
Another possibility for a heat pump remaining in cooling mode is a miscalibration in the thermostat or a thermostat malfunction. A miscalibrated thermostat may not know to turn the heating on because it is misreading the temperature. If trouble occurs in the thermostat wiring, the unit may lose its ability to signal to the heat pump to switch modes. Repair technicians will be able to quickly discover the source of the problem and fix it.
There are a few other possibilities that could result in a heat pump experiencing this trouble. Because of the complexity of a heat pump’s operation, you’ll need to have trained heating technicians examine the unit to diagnose the issue and how to target repairs.
Our trained repair staff at OASIS Heating, A/C & Refrigeration, Inc. is ready 24/7 for the repairs you need to keep your heating in Fairfax, VA up and running. Whether your heap pump is stuck in cooling mode or something else is stopping it from giving you the comfort you need, trust to our service to fix it.
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