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How to Test Air Conditioner Efficiency

Air conditioners are a household essential. Find out how well yours works.

Your home’s air conditioner is a valuable tool. Chances are that you can’t imagine your home without it. When the warm summer air comes rolling in, you might find yourself wondering how well your air conditioner works. Is it an efficient system—or is there something that you can do to make it more efficient? Let’s explore this in more detail.

Testing Air Conditioner Efficiency

The efficiency of your air conditioner really comes down to how well it works. Air conditioner efficiency can change depending on our systems, our homes, and our personal choices. There are many factors at play here, so we will discuss a few of the more common ones.

Consider Areas Where You’re Losing Cold Air

The first consideration when determining the efficiency of your system comes down to the efficiency of your home. Factors like your windows and level of insulation can play a huge role here. Do you have windows that leak cold air? Is there a large gap under your door? How old is your home’s insulation? Consider these factors to determine the overall efficiency.

Keep a Clean Air Filter

Your filter can tell you a lot about the efficiency of your system. If your filter is filthy and clogged, your system’s efficiency will automatically drop. Be sure to look at just how clean your filter is—and clean or replace it if necessary. A dirty filter is an indicator of an inefficient system.

Clean Your Vents

Your home’s vents are another feature that can influence how efficient your system is. If you notice that your vents all look dirty and messy, you will know that your system isn’t efficient. When you see a lot of debris clogging up your vents, it is time to call in a team to get them cleaned so that cold air can easily be distributed throughout the home.

Look at How Cold Your Home is

The general temperature of your home can tell you how efficient your system is. When you feel like your home isn’t getting as cold as it used to, or if your home seems like it is hardly cooler than the outside air, this can tell you a lot about its efficiency. A home that isn’t getting cold like it should needs some work. It might be your system, or it might mean you need to make some of these other changes.

The Takeaway

An efficient air conditioner is one that will be able to effortlessly cool your home in summer—but there is more at play here than just the system. For the help with heating and air conditioning Denver residents need, we are here to help. You can have an efficient system that will keep your home cool all summer long—and during those hot fall days too!

What Causes an AC Compressor to Stop Working

Your AC compressor is an important part of your system—find out what can break it.

Your AC compressor is a valuable part of your air conditioner. Without it, the system truly cannot run. For this reason, there are times when you will find yourself looking to get your AC compressor back on track—but this means being able to find out what is wrong with it. In this article, we are going to explore a few reasons why your AC compressor might stop working.

Disrupting an AC Compressor

AC compressors are very important. In many cases, they will begin to fade before they will outright quit—but that isn’t always the case. Knowing how to spot the signs, like a system that blows warm air or visibly seems to be malfunctioning, can be helpful. Of course, in order to fix it, you have to be able to spot the problem. Let’s explore a few of the more common disruptions.

Problems with the Lines

Your air conditioning compressor has quite a few lines in it—and these lines can lead you right to trouble. Suction lines, in particular, are a point of concern. When they become blocked with debris, you will find that the AC compressor may outright fail. However, with some systems, the problem comes down to the lines being the wrong size to support AC efforts.

Electrical Issues

Electricity runs the modern world, and your air conditioning compressor is no different. If your system is experiencing electrical problems, you will find that your AC compressor is also going to struggle. This can lead to it failing in the long run.

A Lack of Lubricant

Lubrication plays a vital role in most mechanical systems. You will find that this is also the case with your AC compressor. If you don’t have the right amount of oil lubricant, you might just run into trouble. Worse, a lack of lubricant can damage any system and force you to need replacement parts.

Dirt or Contaminants

Nothing breaks a machine down quite like dirt or contaminants. When your system is dirty, it will always be less efficient. Over time, this lack of efficiency can turn into an outright failure. With any system, you always want to keep everything clean in order to keep it running smoothly. If you’re not sure how to do this, it is always a good idea to call in the professionals.

The Takeaway

When your AC compressor goes out, you might want to handle it yourself—but it’s okay if you don’t want to. We offer dedicated Denver air conditioner repair to restore your system and make sure that it is working exactly how it should. While we work, we always look for other signs of future problems, and we are happy to help with any of your needs. To get your air conditioner back online, contact us today to get started!

Why is my AC suddenly not cooling?

As record heat waves arrive this summer, it’s essential that your AC unit is properly cooling your home. There could be a number of reasons why your AC is suddenly not cooling. Read on to discover the top reasons that impact AC cooling and where to find a quick turnaround for Denver air conditioner repair.

Top 5 AC Cooling Issues

The air filter needs to be cleaned or replaced. A dirty air filter is one of the biggest reasons why your AC unit might suddenly stop cooling. Air filters help keep dust, dirt, and other debris from entering into the system. When they get too clogged, however, this blocks the pathway of air inside the ducts. AC air filters should be cleaned regularly in order to keep your unit working at full capacity. 

You need to adjust the settings. Sometimes AC unit fans can blow warmer air if they are programmed on the wrong settings. Try setting your window AC unit to “AUTO” mode so that the fan only turns on to pump cool air. You can also contact your local Denver air conditioner professional to ensure your home AC unit is on the right setting for your home size. 

The outside unit is blocked with debris. AC units located outside the home can often stop cooling correctly if blocked or damaged by tree branches, leaves, or other debris. Be sure that the AC condenser is not clogged, as this can impact how the unit transforms hot air into cool air for your home. Getting your outside AC unit maintenanced regularly ensures that it’s always cooling properly. 

There is an issue with the motor. Although older units are more susceptible to motor breakdowns, newer units can also experience sudden issues due to extreme temperatures. A faulty or broken motor fan will cause the unit to either blow out hot air – or stop working altogether. Fixing an AC motor is best left to a professional, however. Contact a Denver heating and cooling company for guidance on this issue.

The refrigerant fluid is leaking. AC refrigerant helps absorb heat and turn it into the cool air that pumps into your home. A lack of this fluid is a sure sign that your AC unit will suddenly stop cooling. Check around the unit for leaking refrigerant, a buildup of ice around the unit may be present. Be sure to listen for uncommon noises like hissing or gurgling.

Finding AC repair in Denver

If you’ve checked all of these issues and you are unsure what next steps to take to fix your air conditioning unit, consider the help of a professional. Having a functioning AC unit in extreme temperatures is important for keeping cool and comfortable. Professional technicians at Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning can help fix your AC right away when it stops cooling. 

Contact us today for more information on how we can help with AC maintenance and repair.

What is the most efficient heating system?

Heating bills are one of the most expensive utilities for U.S. residents. In fact, The Department of Energy estimates that they make up around 30-percent of overall utility bills for the average homeowner. Luckily, there are a few things you can do to invest in energy savings and lower your bills for heating and air conditioning in Denver.

One way to do this is by upgrading to an energy-efficient heating system. These systems can help save you money on your utility bills over time, all while remaining more eco-conscious (slowing down the climate change). Learn more about the most efficient heating systems and how to choose the best one for your home. 

Efficient Heating Systems Overview

Not every heating system is made with efficiency in mind. A system’s efficiency also highly depends on the climate in which it’s located. For example, homes with colder climates typically have a gas furnace installed since it’s more effective at dispersing heat to the entire home. A heat pump would not be an effective or efficient option in this case since it would need to work harder to do the same job. 

A good way to check the efficiency of your current system is by reviewing the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating. This rating will help you understand how much energy the system successfully converts into usable energy via a percentage rate. It can also tell you how much energy is going to waste each year. This information is a great way to determine if your system is wasting a lot of energy and whether an upgrade to a more efficient system is worth it. 

The Department of Energy actually requires heating systems to have an AFUE rating of at least 80-percent or higher. However, many systems that are 30-years old or more have a low rate of efficiency. If your home has an outdated heating system, you’re most likely spending more money and energy on an inefficient heating system

Types of Efficient Heating Systems 

Upgrading to a newer system is one of the easiest ways to increase the AFUE rating. Review the following heating options to find an efficient heating solution. It will 

Gas furnace. Furnaces that utilize natural gas are one of the most efficient energy options for your home. These are especially great for chillier winter climates or larger homes that require a lot of heating power. Furnaces are known for their affordability, dependability, and high efficiency ratings.

Heat pump/Hybrid system. Heat pumps are dual cooling and heating systems that are perfect for the Denver homeowner. These hybrid systems can easily switch between pumping cool or warm air into your home depending on the outside temperature. They are also much quieter and have better air filtration systems since they pull in air to pump back inside. Since it’s a two-in-one system, maintenance and billing also becomes a simpler process. 

Switching to a more energy efficient heating system has many benefits. If you’re ready to make the change, contact Go Green Heating and Air Conditioning to discuss your options.

What are the three types of heating systems?

If you are someone who gets cold, then you most likely care about your heating system. Even if you are not someone who runs cold, heat is an essential part of winter. There are many different types of heating systems, and each one has benefits and drawbacks. If you are looking for a new heating system, then the first step is to 

Forced Air Systems

One of the most common types of heating systems found in a residential home is forced air systems. They can also be found in retail stores or larger buildings. 

In these systems, the air is heated in a furnace that is then forced through ducts and to other vents. This is also known as a basic central heating system. The ductwork for the system is installed in the interior walls. It uses various fuels, depending on where you are located, including:

  • Electricity
  • Propane
  • Natural gas
  • Fuel oil

Electric Systems

This type of heating system is common in homes without access to oil or natural gas. Usually, baseboard heaters are installed and controlled with a thermostat. Individual units sometimes have a remote and can be controlled individually. The main issue with electric heaters is that the cost of electricity is usually higher than other systems.

Geothermal Systems

Known as the most energy-efficient type of heating system, it uses heat from the ground and water from wells. These systems use little electricity, which means they are good for keeping bills low when the temperature is cold outside. Setup can be a bit more costly because it is less conventional than other options.

Other Heating Options

  • Radiant Heat Systems: For homes and buildings with a boiler, you can use a radiant heating system. This is when water is heated in a boiler and then sent through tubes beneath the floor. These distribute heat throughout the home, which then “radiates” up through the floor. It can be powered by fuel oil, propane, electricity, or natural gas.
  • Steam Radiant Heat Systems: Older homes are often heated with raiders in each room. Boilers are also involved in these systems to send hot water to all the radiators. Cold water is the byproduct of this system, which goes back to the boiler unit, where it is reheated.

If you are considering any type of Heating and Air Conditioning Denver, contact us for a quote today.