Ultimate Air Blog

We see a lot of different types of AC problems. One of the most common is related to refrigerant leaks. The refrigerant in your system has to be of a certain level if it is to be energy efficient and effective. It’s also important to take care of any problems immediately so that you don’t hamper the operation of your cooling system, especially during the cooling season when you need it most. Neglecting repairs typically allows them to fester and a minor repair today may be a major one tomorrow, or even a premature system replacement. Call Ultimate Air today for comprehensive air conditioning repair in Sarasota.

So, is your AC leaking? It’s hard to tell without a close, hands-on professional diagnosis, but there are some signs that this might be an issue:

• Hissing sound. If you hear a hissing sound in or around your ductwork, then it’s like an air leak somewhere. This can lead to airflow issues and increased energy costs. But if you hear it in or around the AC unit itself, then it could be a refrigerant leak in the coils. Even a microscopic puncture on the coils or copper lineset can lead to a significant decrease in cooling, as well as system damage caused by the system having to work harder with less charge.
• Spike in your energy bills. If you notice a sharp or even gradual increase in your energy bills without a corresponding increase in usage, you might want to have your AC inspected for a refrigerant leak. When your AC is running low on refrigerant, it means that it’s not able to operate as it should. It needs to be recharged by a professional, but before that can happen, the leak itself needs to be fixed. Whether because of a puncture or corrosion, a refrigerant leak will probably only worsen with time.

Make sure that your AC is always in top shape. If you’re in need of Sarasota air conditioning repair, call Ultimate Air today.

Now is the time to inspect, clean, adjust, maintain, and repair your AC. Before the heat sets in, take advantage of the spring to take care of any problems with your air conditioning system. One of the most common indications that something may be wrong with your air conditioner is a strange sound during operation. While our description of sounds may ultimately be subjective, there are some common sounds that indicate definite issues within your cooling system. Whatever the problem, professional assistance is just a call away. For Sarasota, FL air conditioning repair, call Ultimate Air Conditioning Inc. today!

• Hissing. If you hear hissing during the operation of your AC, then it probably means that your system is releasing gas refrigerant from a punctured hole in your coils or refrigerant lines. If it occurs in or around the ductwork, then it’s likely a loose-fitting duct or a crack therein.
• Whistling. If hissing indicates a slow leak, then whistling is the sound of the rapid passage of air. This often occurs in the air handler or ductwork, where cool air is blown throughout your home. Depending on the intensity of the sound, it could mean a very minor leak or a serious depletion of energy resources.
• Buzzing. If you hear a buzzing sound in or around one of your units, then it might indicate an electrical problem. There may be a damaged wire somewhere within the supply lines, and potentially an electrical arcing problem, which can be hazardous. Electrical problems should be handled by a qualified professional.
• Loudness. This is not a sound so much as an amplification of general operating sounds. If you notice that your AC has become significantly louder in a short span of time, then that could indicate a serious problem with the compressor motor in the outdoor unit. Alternatively, if the fan blades in your exhaust fan are at all damaged, the extra noise might be caused by their erratic rotation.

Don’t delay. If you hear something that doesn’t sound right, make sure you get it checked out before it grows into a costly repair or premature replacement. For air conditioning repair in Sarasota, FL, call Ultimate Air Conditioning Inc. today! 

One of the major factors that will determine how serious a problem with your air conditioning system will be is how quickly you respond to that problem. Ideally, you will call a professional Sarasota, FL air conditioning repair technician as soon as you discover a problem with your system. In order to be able to respond this quickly, of course, it is necessary that you understand some of the basic warning signs that you have a problem in the first place. Here are some tips from the Sarasota, FL air conditioning repair experts at Ultimate Air to help you determine if it is time to call a professional.

One of the most obvious signs that you need to call a professional air conditioning repair technician is if your air conditioner breaks down on you. If your AC will not power on or if it keeps shutting down during operation contact a repair professional right away.

Sometimes signs of an AC problem are not this obvious.  If, for instance, you notice an unexplained rise in operational costs there is probably an underlying problem causing that inefficiency.

Uneven or inconsistent cooling is another sign that it is time for professional air conditioning repair. The longer a problem goes unaddressed the more serious it is likely to become. Make sure that you alert your air conditioning repair company to any inconsistencies with the operation of your air conditioner. Even minor problems can cause real damage if you give them enough time.

Ultimate Air is always available to diagnose and resolve any problems that your air conditioning system may experience. Call today to schedule service. Our professional Sarasota, FL air conditioning repair technicians want to help keep your home cool and comfortable throughout the hottest days of the year. Contact us today to help protect your comfort.

While many homeowners and tenants in the Sarasota area depend on their air conditioners to provide cooling all summer long, most do not have a good grasp of how they work, and how their parts work together. Getting to know your home AC is important because the more you know, the better you will be able to recognize problems or issues in the cooling system. Knowing when to call for air conditioning repair is a great asset, and may help you prevent major repairs and replacements. For more information, call Ultimate Air in Sarasota today!

Here are the basic air conditioning components, and their functions:

• Compressor. As its name suggests, the compressor pressurizes the refrigerant that circulates throughout the piping. It is typically housed in the outdoor unit along with the condenser. The compressor receives the refrigerant when it is a cool gas, and under low-pressure. The function of the compressor is to pressurize that gas, making it hot and highly pressurized.
• Condenser. After being pressurized by the compressor, the hot gas reaches the condenser, which is where the heat transfer takes place. Here, the refrigerant cools, condenses, and turns into a liquid. Cool air is passed over the coils of the condenser.
• Evaporator. Next, the pressurized cool liquid reaches the evaporator. This dramatically drops the pressure, changes the refrigerant into a gas; in doing so, it extracts the heat from the surrounding air. Then it moves back through to the compressor to start the cycle all over again.
• Refrigerant. Refrigerants are chemically designed to change their phases (for example, gas to liquid) at relatively low temperatures. If you put water in the refrigerant cycle, you would need to generate a series of much greater temperature fluctuations. While the most popular refrigerant R-22 is now being phased out of production because of its ozone-depleting properties, its substitute R-410A is now available in most new air conditioning systems.

We hope this gave you a sense of the air conditioning cycle and its basic components. For air conditioning repair in Sarasota, call the experts at Ultimate Air!