"Discover Home Air Quality Solutions with Cardinal Heating"

Signs You Need Professional Evaporator Coil Cleaning

When the house is not cooling to the desired temperature even though the air conditioner is running, it can signal the system’s evaporator coil needs to be cleaned or serviced.

A dirty evaporator coil can cause many negative effects, including causing an AC unit to overwork and leading to higher energy bills. To avoid these problems and keep their house cool and comfortable all summer, AC contractors recommend that homeowners watch for signs indicating their coil needs to be cleaned.

Loss of Cooling Function

One of the first symptoms homeowners may notice that can indicate a dirty evaporator coil is if the house seems warmer than it should be. If it fails to cool the house, homeowners might start adjusting the thermostat or fear a major issue with the air conditioner. However, this can be due to a dirty evaporator coil.

Some other signs of dirty coils homeowners should be aware of include:

There is frost or ice on the coil
The coil is damaged
There are signs of corrosion on the coil
There is dust, dirt, or debris on the coil

If homeowners notice these symptoms, they should call an AC contractor to schedule evaporator coil cleaning services.

Frost

Frost or ice on AC coils requires professional services. An expert must remove the buildup to prevent the coil and the air conditioner from malfunctioning.

If there is frost on AC evaporator coils, it can prevent air from properly flowing through the component. This can occur with a clogged air filter or a blocked vent.

When ice or frost is suspected on an evaporator coil, a professional must repair or clean it quickly to enable the air conditioner to function properly. Frozen evaporator coils should be treated immediately!

The AC Runs Longer

Another sign that an evaporator coil needs to be cleaned or repaired is if a home’s air conditioner runs longer than expected without turning off. Longer cycles can be problematic as they can cause the air conditioner to overwork and increase energy bills.

An AC system can fail to turn off properly due to a dirty coil if there are buildups of frost, dirt, or other debris. Continuous running can also be due to a problem with the heat exchange process or can signal there is a malfunctioning sensor.

Homeowners should schedule regular evaporator cleaning services to prevent an air conditioner from malfunctioning due to a dirty evaporator coil. The sooner professional services are booked, the sooner an AC system can get up and running again, and an ideal temperature can be restored in a home.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning has handled Sun Prairie’s electrical, plumbing, and HVAC needs for nearly 40 years. With their competitive up-front pricing, tailor-made solutions, money-saving membership plan, and fast turnarounds, it’s no surprise that they’ve won numerous awards – including the Angi Super Service Award for several years running. Their trustworthy, clean, licensed technicians are available 24 hours a day for emergency service. Don’t hesitate to call them today for evaporator coil cleaning and repair services in Sun Prairie, WI! Learn more about the author here.

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Have you observed a rise in allergy symptoms or other respiratory issues? Have you noticed an increase in headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, sneezing, coughing, or congestion?

These could be signs that the air quality in your home is not optimal. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the average American spends almost 90% of their time indoors. It’s really easy to overlook an invisible but important factor in the air we breathe indoor air quality.

Poor indoor air quality (IAQ) can exacerbate allergies and potentially harm your overall well-being.

What Is Indoor Air Quality?

The EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) describes IAQ as “the air quality around and within the buildings and structures as it relates to the comfort and health of people in the buildings.” It’s the air inside your home.

The quality of the air in your home is affected by many different things within your home as well as things outside of your home. Whether it’s coming from poor ventilation, mold, or other odors, IAQ impacts your everyday life, so it’s important to keep everything up-to-date.

How Do You Test for IAQ?

An indoor air quality monitor can tell you everything you need to know about your air quality; it will detect the amount of pollution in the air, and depending on which type of monitor you have or purchase, there will be various types of tests you can run on it. Most IAQ monitors will test for mold, humidity, harmful odors, and chemical pollutants. Other models can test for temperature, carbon monoxide, and beyond. The devices can cost anywhere from $70 to about $500. You can also contact your local HVAC company and determine if they can run an air quality test for you. With the results, technicians will be able to give you advice based on the readings and figure out what equipment will be best suited for you and your home’s needs.

What Are the Causes of Poor IAQ?

There are several different causes of poor indoor air quality, including VOCs, particulates, and bioaerosols.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are gases that emit chemicals or odors. VOCs make up roughly 31% of the poor indoor air quality in your home. Examples of VOCs include substances found in paints and aerosol sprays, as well as various cleaners and disinfectants.
Particulates are solid and liquid particles that hang in the air, such as dust mites, soot, smoke, and pet dander.
Bioaerosols are microorganisms such as viruses, bacteria, mold, and fungi.

The causes of poor IAQ differ from room to room in your home. Bathrooms are prone to mold, mildew, odors, and pathogens. In the living room or family room, the presence of dust, dander, tobacco smoke, and VOCs originating from sources like paint and varnish can serve as indicators of poor indoor air quality. Similarly, bedrooms might contain dust mites and VOCs from products like perfumes and hairsprays, signaling potential air quality issues. Finally, kitchens can contribute to poor indoor air quality due to cooking devices and fuel oil emissions. Although the filters in your HVAC system can help with some of these issues, most filters won’t be able to catch all the issues related to poor IAQ.

Many factors influence the air quality within and around your home. If you leave windows or doors open, especially when the outdoor air is of low quality, it can negatively impact the quality of the air in your home.

How Do I Improve the IAQ of My Home?

There are numerous ways to go about improving indoor air quality in your home:

Have a professional check your ventilation systems and see if they need improvement. Proper ventilation allows the introduction of fresh air into the home and can go a long way toward improving poor air quality. Modern homes are built to be as airtight as possible, and having proper ventilation allows the introduction of fresh air into the home.
Another option is an air cleaner. This is an upgraded filter system connected to your HVAC. An air cleaner can remove up to 98% of airborne particles and catch what a normal filter can’t. If you don’t have one, it could be worth looking into for improved air quality.
Getting a duct cleaning can improve the air quality as well. Duct cleaning creates a cleaner living environment, reduces allergens and irritants, removes unpleasant smells and odors, and improves airflow efficiency, all while being cost-effective.
Adding humidifiers/dehumidifiers, UV air purification/air purification devices and air cleaners will improve your IAQ. Humidifiers and dehumidifiers will help your health by preventing respiratory problems like catching a cold or the flu and reducing the chances of getting an infection. They help preserve your home by saving your floors from cracking, walls from warping, paint from chipping, and electronics from getting damaged by moisture in the air.
A UV air purifier is a small device that can be installed directly into the supply air of your HVAC system. UV air purification cleans the air by combining UV-C light and activated carbon. Those two technologies have been proven to be the most effective at killing germs. Most, if not all, UV air purifiers don’t produce ozone, which can be harmful to your health, but it is always a good idea to do a little research to be sure before having one installed.
Finally, a whole-home air purifier, also known as an air scrubber, is another small device that can be installed directly into the supply air duct of your HVAC system. It uses positive and negative ions to actively purify the air throughout your home.

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning Is Here 24/7 to Help.

Homeowners in Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding area trust the Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning team with all their home repair and maintenance needs. They have experienced and knowledgeable technicians who will get the job done right the first time. Call Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning to get a full breakdown of what’s the best fit for you!

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Indicators the Old AC Needs Repair or Replacement

Summer is one of the worst possible times to have a broken AC. Unfortunately, due to the heavy usage during the hottest months, that is when they tend to break down. If homeowners know the symptoms that point to a need for AC repair, they can get the problem dealt with before it becomes an emergency. The signs below indicate a home may need air conditioning repair or AC replacement.

Sign #1: The House is Too Warm

This symptom can be disguised by or attributed to the heat outside. Sometimes when it is exceptionally warm, an air conditioner may have trouble keeping the home at optimal temperature. Still, it should not be hot in the home, no matter the temperatures outside. If an air conditioning unit is having significant trouble keeping the home at a comfortable temperature, there may be a need for air conditioning replacement. Even if the whole unit does not need to be replaced, several things could be wrong.

Clogged or dirty air filter
Air duct damage or obstruction
Malfunctioning blower
Coolant leak
Short cycling

Sign #2: Energy Bills are Through the Roof

Just how long has that HVAC unit been there? As any appliance or machine ages, it gains wear and tear and loses efficiency. This means the machine will work much harder to reach the same comfort level within the home. More energy use means that utility bills will spike. The unit may experience overheating issues, which can lead to other problems. Though pieces can be replaced, there is sometimes so much use that replacing all the necessary parts is more expensive than replacing the whole unit. If a homeowner has seen a significant increase in their bills without a significant increase in usage, then there is likely a problem with the system’s efficiency.

Sign #3: Unpleasant Sounds or Smells

Another indicator of a problem with the unit is when it starts making strange noises or strange smells coming from the vents. Many problems like this can be fixed by a professional fairly easily, while others may require a more significant repair or complete replacement.

Banging: A banging sound can indicate that something has come loose within the unit and may be caught in a moving part. If not dealt with, it can cause more damage within the unit.
Whistling or Hissing: This can be a sign of a leak. This can be in the air ducts or, more seriously, in the coolant tubing.
Musty Smells: If the unit is not draining properly, it can lead to moisture buildup, and mold or mildew may begin to grow. This can stem from several problems, including dirty air filters and ducts.
Burning Smells: This can be due to an electrical issue and should be dealt with immediately.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning offers professional, fast service in Sun Prairie, WI, and the surrounding areas. Call today for 24/7 emergency AC service. Learn more about the author here.