Category: air conditioning

It’s the first warm day of the year. You flip on your AC only to find it won’t turn on. As the temperatures rise, a well-maintained air conditioner becomes a necessity, not a luxury. Don’t wait until the first heat wave hits to discover your AC isn’t working correctly! Below, our team will share some helpful tips to get your air conditioner in the best shape possible before the warm weather strikes.

Prepare Your Indoor Unit

One of the most crucial components of your unit is the air filter. A clogged filter restricts airflow, making your AC work harder and less efficiently. This can lead to higher energy bills, uneven cooling, and system breakdowns. Here’s how to keep your filters clean and maintained:

• Check, clean, and replace – Inspect your air filter monthly during peak cooling season (typically summer and early fall). Most filters need changing every 1-3 months, depending on usage and household factors like pets. 

• Choose the right filter – Not all filters are the same. Look for a MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) rating between 8 and 14 for optimal performance and dust capture. Check the filter’s size (usually printed on the side) to ensure a proper fit. Most filters list their length, width, and depth in inches.

• Easy access – Ensure your filter is easily accessible and clear of obstructions. If you’re struggling to find or remove it, consult your AC’s manual or call an expert for professional air conditioner services. 

Replacing your air filter is a simple yet essential step in AC system maintenance. It can improve efficiency, extend the lifespan of your unit, and improve indoor air quality. 

Conquer the Outdoor Unit 

The outdoor unit is the heart of your air conditioner. It expels hot air from your home, keeping you comfortable inside. However, this unit is exposed to the elements all year, making it susceptible to dirt, debris, and pest infestations. Here’s how to keep your condenser unit maintained: 

• Clear the area – Before starting anything else, turn off the power to your AC unit at the breaker box. Once safely shut down, remove any leaves, branches, or debris from the unit. Aim for around a one-foot clearance on all sides for the best airflow.

• Clean the coils – The condenser coils are responsible for releasing heat. Over time, they collect dust, dirt, and grime. Use a hose with a gentle spray setting to remove debris from the fins. The coils are delicate, so avoid using pressure washers or stiff brushes to clean them. 

• Inspect the drain line – A clogged drain line can lead to water buildup, causing rust and damage. Locate the drain line, usually at the base of the unit, and ensure it’s clear of debris. You can also pour a cup of white vinegar down the drain line to clear any clogs if you notice that no water is dripping out of it. 

Remember that while most of these tasks are manageable for homeowners, if you don’t feel comfortable working on your AC unit, don’t hesitate to call a residential AC service professional like Clay’s Climate Control. 

Test and Tune

Once you’ve checked off the cleaning tasks, it’s time to test the unit and ensure it’s running smoothly. Here’s how to do it:

• Power up – Turn your AC unit back on at the breaker box. 

• Thermostat check – Set your thermostat to cool and a comfortable temperature. 

• Listen – Pay attention to any strange sounds coming from your unit. Banging, grinding, or screeching can indicate potential problems. 

• Airflow assessment – Walk around your home and feel the air coming from your vents. It should be cool and consistent throughout your house. Uneven airflow could signify blocked vents or ductwork issues. 

If you notice issues during your testing, don’t attempt to fix them yourself. Call a qualified residential AC service professional for diagnosis and repair. 

Feeling Warm? Check This First

It’s normal for your AC to work hard during the summer when temperatures reach well over 90. Even if your home feels a little warmer than usual, as long as cool air is coming from your vents and it cools down at night, your system is likely working fine. We recommend you call us for help when:

• No cool air – If warm air or no air is coming from the vents, your AC has stopped cooling. Turn the system off immediately to prevent further damage. This will help the technician diagnose and fix the problem quickly. 

• Cool air, but still warm – After repairs, it may take some time for your home to reach your desired temperature. It can take about an hour for the system to cool down even one degree. If your home hasn’t cooled down significantly within 24 hours, contact Clay’s Climate Control for further assistance. 

Schedule Professional Maintenance

While regular cleaning and DIY maintenance are crucial, professional air conditioner services from Clay’s Climate Control are the best way to ensure your system is running at its highest efficiency. Ideally, schedule a professional service call once a year, preferably before the peak cooling season. To schedule an AC tune-up, call 609-653-2295 today.

There’s nothing better than walking out of the scorching summer heat and into your refreshingly cold home to bask in the air condition. As pleasant as it all sounds, cooling your home can become costly trying to beat the outside heat as you head deeper into the summer months. Instead of dreading the warmer season, there are a few tips and tricks you can perform before breaking the bank. The team at Clay’s Climate Control is sharing how to keep the house cool all summer long while staying within your budget!

Let the AC take a night off 

While AC units are made to be used at any hour of the day, they use a significant amount of energy to keep your house cool 24/7. To keep your home cool on a budget, turn the AC off at night to save some money in your pocket. Temperatures outside typically drop at night, so open the windows and let the cool summer breeze in! 

Become a fan of fans 

Fans are an affordable and easily accessible gadget to keep your house cool in extreme heat without breaking the bank. Whether it’s turning on your ceiling fans or plugging in a portable fan, you’ll begin to cut costs on your electricity bill. And when the hotter day arrives, grab a bowl of ice cubes and place them in front of the fan to create a cool ocean-like breeze that’ll be sure to cool you off! 

Blinds and curtains 

As much as we all love the natural lighting in our homes, your windows could be the culprit for the rising heat within your home. If there is nothing shading the windows, the sunlight will stream through your home, causing it to feel like a greenhouse, hot and toasty. Blinds and curtains are the perfect and cost-effective solution to keeping your house cool in extreme heat by allowing your AC unit to run less and inevitably saving you money. There are thousands of options to choose from when shading your windows, so find blinds and curtains that work best for your needs.

Furniture readjustments 

As obvious as it will sound, moving furniture that is blocking air vents within your home is an easy solution to keep the house cool on a budget. When having your home AC unit on, there should be nothing obstructing the airflow. If there are objects blocking the vents, it’s best to move them or purchase air vent redirectors to move the position of the airflow for a better quality of use. This simple task can create an evenly cooled home, so you never have to worry about freezing in one room and feeling warm in another.

Why Choose Clay’s Climate Control for Your Air Conditioning Services? 

Is the summertime heat wearing you down more than ever? Here at Clay’s Climate Control, we are ready to work with you for all your AC Services needs! We provide several AC services, including maintenance, installation, and emergency repairs. When you choose to work with our team, you can expect timely, affordable, and efficient service. No matter what type of air conditioner service you are looking for – just make the call, and Clay’s Climate Control will handle it all! Contact us today at 609-916-1106.

When you live in an area like New Jersey that experiences all four seasons, then your air conditioner is usually your best friend. One day the temperature could be cool and comfortable, then the next it is sweltering hot. Since we can experience warm temperatures even into the fall season, you never know when you’ll need to crank up the AC in your home. It is important to be aware of the most common air conditioning problems to prevent yourself from suffering through a hot day without cool air. 

A Lack of Cool Air Blowing

There’s nothing worse than running your air conditioner and not feeling that cooling sensation. Unfortunately, a lack of cold air is one of the most common AC problems. This issue is usually caused by a dirty air filter that is blocking the flow of cool air. Fortunately, all it takes to fix this frequent problem is to change the air filter in your air conditioner.

Your AC Won’t Turn On

Even more frustrating than a lack of cool air is a lack of air at all. When your air conditioner won’t turn on, try flipping your circuit to restart it. If that does not fix the issue, then loose wiring or a faulty thermostat is likely the underlying issue. When this occurs, professional air conditioning service is needed, as the wiring is not something that should be handled by someone who is inexperienced.

Strange Noises Are Coming From Your AC

Noises other than the usual hum of your air conditioning are a cause for concern. The type of sound your AC is producing relates to the root issue, which can be deciphered by an HVAC technician. Whether it’s your belt or motor bearing, once the issue is fixed, you can go back to enjoying the soothing white noise of a properly functioning air conditioner. 

Air Conditioning Leaks

Another one of the most common AC problems that people experience is refrigerant or water leakage. Leaks can lead to a number of issues in your air conditioning, ranging from low efficiency to coil freezing. Unfortunately, refrigerant leaks are hard to spot, so frequent inspections and regular air conditioning maintenance can keep those pesky leaks at bay. 

Frozen Condenser Coil

Although you may think ice on your air conditioner is making your home cooler, a frozen condenser is actually a sign that something is off. Dirty air filters, blocked ducts, and obstructed condensers can all cause an icy reaction, which needs to be addressed immediately to prevent your AC from failing. 

Clay’s Climate Control

If your air conditioner has been showing any of the signs above, then you’ll need to contact a professional for air conditioner repair service. Since 2001, the HVAC technicians at Clay’s Climate Control have been providing South Jersey with unmatched air conditioning repair service in a timely and efficient manner. Contact Clay’s Climate Control to fix your air conditioning issues so you’ll be prepared for warm weather, no matter the season!