Air Conditioning FAQ

Here are some of the common questions we get about air conditioning:

Why does the air conditioner run all day when it’s hot out?

It’s most likely one of two things: 1. Your system is working correctly, as its meeting all the latest energy codes and operating in the most efficient manner or 2. The unit was not designed or sized properly to begin with. Talk to your air conditioning contractor about the best way to fix this issue.

How do I know the fan or blower is working properly?

Check and see if the fan is running and you have air blowing into the rooms of your home. If you have little or no air flow and you hear the fan running, then your ducts are loose or damaged.

There’s water dripping from the copper pipe on my AC unit. Why?

The unit is probably charged improperly, as a proper charge will not cause water to form on the pipe. Call an HVAC contractor today to have the problem looked at.

Should there be ice forming?

No, and this is also an indication of an improperly charged unit.

How long do new AC systems last?

On average, around 12-15 years, if you have the system regularly maintained and serviced.

Need Hopkins MN air conditioning service? Get in touch with Abel Onsite today by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com. 

Minnesota Air Conditioning Tips

Having trouble dealing with the Minnesota summer heat because of air conditioning woes? Here are a couple of easy tips to ensure your air conditioner keeps working, and your home doesn’t fry up:

Keep your air filters clean

This cannot be stressed enough. In order for your central air or a/c unit to work properly, it must have clean air filters. Check them every 30 to 90 days to make sure, and more frequently if you have animals.

Don’t frequently turn the system on and off

Always turning the unit off and on will make you have to call for air conditioning service. Don’t shut it down, come home and expect your home to be cool. Heat will buildup in the wall and furniture, meaning your cooling unit has to work harder to remove it. It’s also never a good idea to turn off the a/c and then immediately turn it back on, as this can permanently damage the compressor.

Keep as much heat out as possible

An air conditioner removes heat and then cycles it as cooler air. The more heat in an area, the harder the unit has to work, which uses more electricity. During peak daylight hours, keep the blinds closed and curtains and shades drawn. Keep ceiling fans on to help the appliance work properly.

Have the system check regularly

Before the start of summer, an experienced HVAC contractor should inspect your system, to make sure the mechanics are intact. The tech should check the motor, bearings and blower fans, as well as the ducts, vents and pipes. Any problems should be repaired at that time, so they don’t appear when the sun beats down.

If you need help with your Minnesota air conditioning system, contact Abel Onsite by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com. 

Special Carrier Air Conditioning Service Offers from Abel Onsite!

Is the air conditioning service in your Chaska MN or Minnetonka home not up to snuff? Then this is a perfect time to take advantage of special Carrier rebates from Abel Onsite!

Until June 30, take advantage of Carrier’s Cool Choices rebate promotion by purchasing qualifying heating and cooling equipment from Carrier. The company offers this to consumers as an incentive to purchase and install heating and cooling systems.

Some other details about the promotion:

• Designed specifically for residential homeowners
• Only replacement systems or add-on equipment to existing systems qualify
• Equipment must be purchased from a participating Cool Choices dealer, like Abel Onsite, to be eligible for the rebate

To see if you can get in on this amazing deal, get in touch with Abel Onsite by visiting www.AbelOnsite.com. 

Special Lennox Heating & Cooling Offers from Abel Onsite!

Save on heating and air conditioning services and installations with these specials from Minneapolis HVAC experts, Abel Onsite!

Like money? Then save it this year with these deals from Lennox:

• Receive up to $1,200 when you purchase a qualifying Lennox Home Comfort System that includes:
• Air conditioner or heat pump
• Gas or oil furnace
• Thermostat
• Choice of air cleaner or other indoor air quality system
• Receive a $200 rebate when you buy four solar modules
• Receive up to $500 in federal tax credits
• Get up to $1,900 in savings on high efficiency products!

To learn more about these and other great deals, visit www.AbelOnsite.com today!

Abel Onsite Product Spotlight: Evergreen IM Motor

If you’re looking to save money and increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, then have Abel Onsite, Minneapolis’ and St. Paul’s HVAC specialists, install an Evergreen IM motor.

The Evergreen IM is the first high-efficiency motor created for replacing standard motors found in residential heating and cooling systems. The benefits include:

• Reduced energy consumption
• Always quiet, no abrupt switching on and off
• No quick temperature changes

With an Evergreen IM motor, you can save up to 25% - more than $200 per year - on your home energy bill, meaning extra money in your pocket.

To learn more about the Evergreen IM motor and how it can benefit you, visit www.AbelOnsite.com today!

Take Advantage of Abel Onsite’s Performance Program

Need seasonal maintenance of your heating & cooling unit? There’s an APP for that.

The Abel Performance Program (APP) is a seasonal maintenance program that will save you money when it comes to your Twin Cities’ home furnace and/or air conditioner. Abel Onsite is proud to offer this program, as we know our clients are thinking more and more everyday about potential costs.

With the Abel Performance Program, you get:

• Priority Service – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When you call for service, you’ll be at the top of our list.
• Our Normal Rate – You won’t be charged our emergency rates if you immediately need service. It doesn’t matter if it’s after hours or on the weekends, you’ll only be charged our normal hourly rates.
• 10% Off Parts & Labor – These discounts mean you will pay less.
• 5% Off Replacement Equipment – If our technician determines your heating and cooling unit needs replaced, you will pay less for the new system.

The APP covers furnaces, air conditioners, humidifiers, zone systems, commercial rooftop units and more.

If you live in the Minneapolis & St. Paul areas and are interested in saving money on your HVAC unit, call us today 952.446.9545 and ask about the APP.

Inspections Every Home Owner Should Make

Ah! Being a homeowner is a wonderful thing. You have total control of the way your house looks and you know that nobody can boot you out at the end of a lease. It is a wonderful sense of independence - until something breaks. That landlord was your best friend when something broke. Just call him or her up and magically the repair person showed up in a day or so to fix the problem. Now you are on your own and you have to foot the bill. How can you keep the repairman away from your house?

The best way is to keep things from breaking. Performing inspections and basic maintenance on your home at least annually will help you save bundles of money over the long term.

Here are several systems to keep in mind when tuning up your home.

First, the hot water heater. It works away for you day after day and you hardly ever think about it. Keep it lasting longer by draining the tank. During normal operation sediment accumulates at the bottom of tank. This gunk, if left alone, can corrode the bottom of the heater causing a leak and it also forces the heater to work harder. This shortens its life and runs up your gas or electric bill. Consult the owners manual for the draining procedure.

Second, blow the leaves and debris out of your air conditioner fins. Wind and lawnmowers among many things cause the spaces on your A/C fins to fill with gunk. You might be tempted to just spray the hose at it, which will work but could damage the unit. The better course is to take the top off according to the manufacturers instructions and use the hose to blow the debris from the inside out. This also gives you the opportunity to inspect the internal components for rust or wear.

Third, inspect your gutters and downspouts. Leaves in you gutters can cause water to pool inside them and wick under the drip edge. This can rot out your fascia board. Additionally, gutters filled with water are heavy and can start to pull away from the fascia and eventually rip away from the house. Also, make sure all your downspouts are in place. They prevent water from collecting next to your house which can cause basements to leak or flood.

Fourth, inspect the siding on your house. Small holes in wood, vinyl or other material can allow weather, animals or insects into the interior of the wall. These can cause substantial damage over time. If your siding is painted, be sure to keep the painting current to preserve the underlying material. Finding small problems with your siding can head off large problems down the road.

Fifth, inspect your roof. Damaged flashing or shingles can allow water to leak into your home and cause significant damage. One of the unfortunate attributes of water leaks is they can go for very long periods of before being noticed. Replace any missing nails and caulk over any exposed nail heads that might be holding down vents or other devices.

Sixth, inspect your appliances for frayed or defective electrical cords. Repair any that you find to prevent a house fire.

Finally, make sure your furnace filter is changed regularly. Doing so helps keep allergens out of the air and keeps your furnace from working harder than it has to which will extend its life and save money on monthly utility bills!

These are a just a few routine inspections a homeowner should make. Doing them will help you save on repair bills and give greater pride of ownership. Of course, if you aren't comfortable doing certain inspections, you can call the repairman. They will be happy to help and it will be at a much lower cost than if they were coming to repair that same item. Be smart - spend a little to save much more!

Read more about the HVAC products and services provided by Abel Onsite of St. Bonifacius, MN.

Article independently authored by Eric Parish. The content herein may or may not reflect the views and opinions of Abel Onsite. Click for search engine optimization and search engine marketing or visit WebDrafter.com's Blog.