Fulmer Heating & Cooling Blog: Posts Tagged ‘AC Repair’

NATE Certification for HVAC Contractors: Why It Matters

Tuesday, July 11th, 2023

When you need air conditioning repair in the heat of summer, you might be tempted to just choose the first option in your search results. However, doing so can result in having someone who isn’t fully qualified to work on your AC. 

There are a lot of factors to take into consideration when choosing an HVAC company to handle your expensive home comfort systems and it pays to do a little research. Many people know that they should look for an HVAC contractor who hires technicians who are licensed, insured, and background-checked. But what other important qualifications should you be looking for?

In your search for a qualified air conditioning contractor, you may come across the terms “NATE certified.” Having this qualification is highly desirable and we’re not just saying that because our technicians are indeed NATE-certified.

Let’s look at what exactly NATE-certified means and why you can feel confident about hiring a contractor with this qualification.

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4 Common AC Problems & Their Repairs

Monday, June 12th, 2023
woman-fan

When a homeowner suspects their AC isn’t working, one of the first things they’ll try to do is Google the symptoms to see what the possible problem is. They often do this for two reasons. One, they want to see if it’s possibly a DIY fix. And two, they’re worried about how much the repair could possibly cost.

If a Google search has brought you to this blog, then we hope the info below is helpful. But more than that, we hope you’ll leave the necessary air conditioning repair to a professional HVAC company such as ours. Ignoring the problem in the hope that it’ll go away is never a good idea and could possibly lead to a minor problem becoming a major headache. 

Here are four common AC issues and their symptoms, causes, and fixes.

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5 Noises an AC Should Never Ever Make

Monday, May 3rd, 2021
woman-listening

There is nothing like a calm and quiet room that is chilled just the way you like it. But there are times when your air conditioning system starts acting up. Poor cooling is a big indicator something is wrong with your AC. One of the ways to catch an issue before your comfort is affected is to listen to hear if your AC is making weird noises. 

Although air conditioners are supposed to make some noise, which we hardly notice, unusually loud noises mean there is something wrong. So make sure you don’t ignore those strange sounds. Trying to delay addressing these noises can result in major expenses like pricey repairs or even an early replacement. Make sure that you seek help from experts like ours who provide quality services if you are looking for AC repair in Lexington, SC

But before that, let’s delve deeper and see which five noises an AC should never ever make.

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What Happens When Your Evaporator Coil Gets Dirty?

Monday, July 13th, 2020
man-on-couch-with-fan

We always encourage our customers to clean their vents and replace or clean their filters on a regular basis. This is because it helps your air quality and helps keep the interior of your air conditioning system as well. Trust us when we tell you that you don’t want dust and debris inside of your AC unit–and it’s not just because it will make you sneeze more often.

When it comes to factors that can hinder your cooling comfort during summer, there is one part of your system that is extremely important to the process: your evaporator coil. And if your evaporator coil gets dirty it will create all kinds of issues for you and your system’s wellbeing.

Learn more about the importance of your AC system’s evaporator coil and how we can help keep you comfortable this summer with our AC services.

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Do You Know How Important Your Air Filter Is?

Monday, June 15th, 2020
man-with-filter

There are a lot of different moving parts involved in the operation of your air conditioner. Now, we aren’t saying that there are any parts that aren’t important. But there are some that are underestimated in the role they play. One of these parts is the air filter for your AC.

If you haven’t checked on your air filter, or you don’t know why you should bother, we would love to give you some extra information on the role of this part of your system. You don’t want your filter to go unattended for too long because it will cause major problems for your comfort this summer.

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5 Signs That AC Repairs Are In Your Future

Monday, June 1st, 2020
AC-tools-on-top

Your air conditioner needs to be kept in good condition if you want it to be able to keep you cool this summer. The last thing you want is to come home expecting a nicely cooled home and instead walk into your own house-sized sauna. Thankfully, with regular maintenance and best practices you shouldn’t have to worry about this issue much–until you have an AC in need of repairs.

Yes, even a well-maintained air conditioner will need repair service at some point. The key is to make sure that you keep your eyes and ears peeled for any indicators that you need a repair so you can schedule an appointment right away. You don’t want to delay your AC repairs in Columbia and end up with an early system replacement in the middle of summer!

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Common End of Season AC Problems and What You Can Do About Them

Monday, October 7th, 2019
working-on-AC

Maybe you have discovered that you are looking forward to the cooler temperatures of winter with a little more gusto than usual. Why is that? Could it be because your home is feeling a little more tropical than it should be?

At the end of summer, it is common to encounter some potential repair needs for your AC system. This is because your unit has been running hard all season, likely creating some wear and tear that has to be addressed.

If you have checked your thermostat and discovered your inside air temperature is closer to the air outside your front door, you are likely in need of air conditioning repair in Columbia, SC.

Dust and Dirt

Everything gets dirty, even your air conditioner. After running hard all summer there are multiple places in your cooling system that might need a little washing.

For example, your air filter could be clogged with dust and dirt after helping to keep your home clean all season. Likewise, the condenser coils located on the outside of your outdoor AC unit can collect dirt simply by being exposed to the elements. You might also have a drain that is clogged with dust and debris.

If any of these instances occur, it can affect your cooling system’s ability to run well and put it at risk of sustaining damage too.

Cleaning or replacing the air filter, or cleaning the condenser coils, will offer a solution to these issues.

Fan Trouble

You can normally hear it if you have a condenser fan or an evaporator fan that is on the fritz as this issue is characterized by a screeching noise. Problems that can arise with the fans in your AC unit include bent or broken fan blades, belt issues, or motor malfunctions.

Once a professional AC tech has diagnosed what the issue with your unit’s fan(s) is, the solution to this problem is likely as simple as replacing the broken belt or fan blade or fixing whatever is hindering the motor.

Compressor Problems

If your compressor breaks down, it means your AC won’t be cooling your home anytime soon. Because your compressor is responsible for energizing the refrigerant in your system, if it isn’t working, the refrigerant won’t be able to do its usual heat exchange.

Likewise, if you have too much or too little refrigerant, your compressor won’t be able to do its job correctly.

In either of these instances, a professional should be called to check on your compressor and replace it if needed.

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is the material that allows your air conditioner to create the cool air you love so much on hot days. Also referred to as coolant, if your unit springs a refrigerant leak, it will eventually stop working properly and, in the meantime, won’t be able to cool your home efficiently.

Finding and fixing the leak, and replacing any lost coolant, is the best way to address this. However, this is best done by a trained technician.

Why a Professional Is the Best Solution

If it seems like your air conditioner is starting to share certain characteristics with an old jalopy, it is time to reach out to a professional about repairs. Retaining the services of a professional HVAC tech means ensuring your unit is getting the best diagnostic exam and repairs possible that will keep it running efficiently.

If you are in need of air conditioning repair services, contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling. With over 30 years in business, we bring you well-trained and experienced staff that will fix your problem the first time around.

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Is It Time to Repair or Replace?

Monday, May 20th, 2019

Sometimes, it can be hard to tell what the right step to take is when you’re having trouble with your heating system. Just because you’re having trouble with the heater that you have in your home, doesn’t mean that you’re ready to get rid of the whole unit. How can you know when this is necessary? Without professional expertise, it can be hard to tell what the right move is. That’s where we come in. If you’d like assistance determining whether you’d like to repair or replace your heating system this winter, contact our team. When you need heating repair in Columbia, SC contact our team for quality service.

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Do You Know When to Call for AC Repair?

Monday, September 10th, 2018

woman-fanSummer weather is winding down and we’re transitioning into fall, but our South Carolina weather will stay hot for a considerable while longer. Knowing the right time to call for air conditioner repair can save you time and money. Time is of the essence with an HVAC system, you don’t want to wait while problems you’re experiencing continue to worsen. If you’re looking for air conditioning repair in Irmo, SC contact Fulmer Heating & Cooling for excellent service from an experienced technician.

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How Dirty Coils Cause Trouble

Monday, August 13th, 2018

woman-fanNobody wants to think about his or her air conditioning system coming up short on a hot summer day, let alone breaking down entirely. In the real world, though, there is no such thing as a 100% reliable mechanical system, air conditioner or otherwise. At some point, you are going to need AC repair in Columbia, SC, and the pros on our team will be here for you when you do. That being said, you also don’t want to invite problems with your air conditioning system.

That is why you need to have a basic understanding of some of the issues that can lead to trouble with your system. A dirty evaporator or condenser coil is one such issue, and it is a doozy. Now, we certainly don’t want you tearing apart your AC to evaluate its various components, and we understand that you are not an expert in diagnosing air conditioning problems. By having some information on how certain issues can cause problems, though, you are better equipped to contact us promptly when trouble develops.

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