Category Archives: Air Conditioning

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Common Fall AC Problems

What a long, hot summer it has been in the heat island known as the Valley of the Sun. Homeowners have been experiencing record high temperatures and high energy bills all summer long. With your AC blasting away for months and the arrival of fall, there can be some common situations that may occur before the cooling season arrives —around Halloween typically.

AC Blowing Warm Air

Is your AC running, but only warm air is blowing from the indoor vents? There are a few items to evaluate before calling for servicing. The first thing you’ll want to do is check the thermostat to see if the temperature settings are accurate. Then, check the air filter to see if it’s clogged with dust and debris. A clogged air filter can result in frozen evaporator coils which can lead to the AC pumping out warm air.

AC Leakage

A common symptom with AC units is excessive leakage which can be a sign of a wide variety of underlying issues. One of the main causes of widespread leakage is from a blocked condensate line. The condensate line, also known as the drain line, is the plastic pipe running through the AC unit draining moisture outside. It collects evaporator coil moisture with the line ending by draining into the drain pan. Line clogs can damage the AC unit, cause water damage, and even mold growth. If the drip pan is cracked, you may notice water pooling by the outside AC unit.

Air Conditioning Breaker Switch

When the AC unit is turned on and off frequently, compressor and fan controls can wear out quickly. Air conditioning systems draw a large amount of power, especially during the summer months through late October when your AC unit is running full tilt for weeks at a time. There are many reasons your breaker switch might be tripped such as power grid failure, power surges, or electrical issues due to storms. If your air conditioner stops working, always check the breaker switch first. If your breaker switch is constantly going off, that is an indication of a problem. You may have an undersized breaker, a faulty breaker switch, or a loose breaker, all of which will require replacement.

Contact Bruce’s for Reliable AC Service

For the best in AC repairs, call your professionals at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652. Bruce’s certified technicians are an ideal choice for trustworthy servicing. Our expertise is anchored in providing exceptional customer service along with affordable cooling and heating solutions.

Stressed annoyed woman using waving fan, suffering from overheating. Summer heat health hormone problem. No air conditioner at home. Sat on sofa, feeling exhaustion and dehydration. Heatstroke concept.

Why are AC Capacitors So Important?

A recent survey showed about 24,000 homes in the Valley of the Sun without air conditioning. It’s hard to imagine surviving sizzling hot summers without being able to cool down indoors. But even if you have an HVAC system, there’s always a chance of a breakdown that can leave you without cooling. This is because your AC unit has a large number of wires, components, and circuits. Normal system wear and tear can eventually lead to parts breaking down, but a unit that hasn’t been serviced on a regular basis is especially prone to failures. And capacitors are one of the leading causes of breakdowns. Let’s take a look at why capacitors are vital to your air conditioning unit and some common failures.

What Are Capacitors

Capacitors are essential to the electric motors in your air conditioner and they’re the most common part that fails. Capacitors are a small oval, square, or cylindrical shaped device inside the AC unit. The primary job of a capacitor is to produce a bolt of electricity to start or run the compressor, blower motor, or fan motor.

Why Capacitors Fail

The number one cause of capacitor failure is from overheating. A quick visual inspection will immediately show a swollen or burst capacitor. A capacitor can overheat from four main reasons:

  1. Compressors require more energy as they age, and this additional energy can overwork a capacitor.
  2. A capacitor that runs for an extended period of time due to a heat wave.
  3. Improperly charged refrigerant level in the AC unit.
  4. Power surges or lightning strikes can damage a capacitor.

What Occurs When a Capacitor Stops Working

Here are some symptoms you may notice when a capacitor goes bad:

  • The fan on the outdoor condenser unit is not spinning.
  • The air conditioning unit is very hot.
  • The AC starts and stops often.
  • The AC unit breaker has tripped in the breaker panel.

If you notice your home is warmer or cooler than the set thermostat temperature, this can be a sign of capacitor failure. Also, if you have a faulty capacitor, you may notice a clicking sound upon start up or a loud hum if the motor can’t get going. Both sounds mean you should call your local HVAC technician for servicing.

Call Bruce’s for HVAC Electrical Issues

If you’re aware of any warning signs with your AC, you’ll want to contact your professionals at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Electrical problems including capacitor issues can result in entire system breakdowns if left unfixed. Call Bruce’s today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment. We’re ready to help 24/7, including weekends and holidays.

What’s an Air Conditioning Emergency?

With daily high temperatures topping out at 110 degrees or higher this month, many homeowners in the greater Phoenix area have been dealing with AC issues. Arizona’s extreme heat results in weather-related deaths each year in our state. And heat-related disorders can happen quickly when you spend too much time in the heat, such as when air conditioning is not working or from overexertion according to the
Arizona Emergency Information Network.

So what situations are considered true air conditioning emergencies? Most AC companies claim to offer 24/7 emergency service, but when you call for servicing, they may not consider it truly an emergency. Your local professionals at Bruce’s have some guidelines to help you determine if you’re experiencing a situation that warrants emergency service.

AC Unit Failure

If your AC suddenly and completely stops functioning and the outdoor temperature is soaring over 100 degrees, do you call for emergency service or just wait a day or two for non-emergency servicing? This is considered a true air conditioning emergency situation in the Valley of the Sun. In other words, the loss of your AC will result in extreme discomfort or even a life-threatening situation.

At Risk Family and Pets

With a broken AC unit, indoor temperatures can rise well above 90 degrees. If you have young children, elderly adults or pets, or immunocompromised family members sensitive to excessive heat, high temperatures inside your house are a health threat. You’ll want to call right away for emergency servicing and seek out cooler shelter.

Safety Problems

Sometimes an emergency air conditioning repair may be more to do with safety issues. If your air conditioning unit is leaking and causing water damage inside your home, it’s time to call for help. This can happen from the condenser unit not working properly or even refrigerant leaking.

When your AC unit is having electrical issues such as a constantly tripping breaker or there’s a burning electrical smell, it’s an emergency situation. If you smell burning smells, call 911 first and safely evacuate your home.

Non-Emergency AC Issues

Here are some examples of non-emergency AC issues that can be handled during normal business hours:

  • Regular maintenance and associated repairs.
  • Repairs when outdoor temperatures are below 90 degrees.
  • AC unit failure due to a localized power outage.

Bruce’s AC professionals are ready to help.

If you have an AC emergency, call Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating at 480-968-5652. Our highly trained technicians are here for you 24/7/365 including holidays and weekends with expert repair service. We’re here for you when you need trustworthy HVAC servicing all summer long.

American family celebrating Independence Day. Picnic and fireworks on 4th of July in America. USA flag. Parents and kids celebrate US holiday. Children watching firework.

Keep Your AC Running This Independence Day

It’s time for the July 4th holiday. It’s primetime for parties, parades, and outdoor gatherings with family and friends to celebrate Independence Day. If you’re having guests, you’ll want to be sure there are no unwanted surprises other than fireworks lighting up the sky. Before the celebrations begin, here are some key items to keep in mind with your air conditioning unit to run smoothly during the holiday.

Keep It Cool Indoors

Keep any sliding glass and screen doors closed to decrease indoor temperature fluctuations. Closing some of the blinds, shutters, and drapes will help keep your guests comfy.

Maintain Proper Humidity

Usually, humidity is thought of as a bad thing especially during summertime. Having some amount of humidity is important to keep your family and guests comfortable inside your house. Even though humidity levels outside can rise significantly during monsoons season to well over 50%, you’ll want to monitor your thermostat to keep the ideal range of humidity levels between 30% to 45%. If you have a smart thermostat installed, it’s easy to keep track of humidity levels in the app or on the thermostat screen.

Turn Up the Thermostat Slightly

You may want to turn up your thermostat a degree or two to take some pressure off your AC unit during this hot July 4th holiday. Frequently opening and closing outside doors can cause the unit to operate continuously. The benefit is you and your guests may not even notice the temperature difference and you’ll save some money on your next energy bill.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Having your AC unit regularly serviced is the number one way to keep your air conditioning unit running smoothly. Like everything, the AC unit needs proper care and attention to run efficiently, saving you from unexpectedly large repair bills. It’s never too late to schedule servicing to help reduce the chances of your unit breaking down during summertime.

Contact Bruce’s to Keep Your Air Conditioning Unit Running Smoothly

Bruce’s has been dedicated since 1972 to delivering the best customer service and satisfaction in the Valley of the Sun. If you think your AC unit needs to be serviced or if you have any concerns about your HVAC system, contact us. Call our HVAC technicians today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment. Our professionals are available 24/7/365 including holidays and weekends for your HVAC emergency needs. Happy Fourth of July to you and your family from Bruce’s!

Thermometer Sun 40 Degres. Hot summer day. High Summer temperatures.

Home Insulation and Protection Against Arizona’s Summer Heat

It’s the time of the year in the Valley of the Sun when daily temperatures hover around 100 degrees or more. School is out, vacations are happening, and energy bills are rising. Rather than spend the summer struggling with sky-high energy bills, you can use your home’s insulation to summer-proof your house and lessen the burden of monthly utility bills. Insulation helps block heat and prevents it from mixing with cooler air being produced by air conditioners and evaporator coolers.

Insulation Tax Credits

Did you know that insulation was included with the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act for homeowner tax credits? Certain energy efficient updates including insulation starting January 1, 2023, can qualify for up to $1,200 for the tax year the improvements are made according to the I.R.S.

The tax credit equals 30% of the qualified energy efficiency improvements. The insulation and air sealing materials or systems must meet International Energy Conservation Code (IECC) standards in effect at the start of the year two years before installation.

Insulation and Heat

It may sound counterintuitive to add insulation in your home to protect against summer heat. Yet, the better insulated your house is, the more effective your air conditioning will be to cool down your home. Costly AC air will not be leaking outside and in the long run, insulation will reduce yearly energy costs.

Additional insulation can be added to keep indoor air inside from leaking outside. Areas to focus on would be ceilings, walls, crawlspaces, floors, and attics. Insulation can be very effective to moderate the temperature inside a home when combined with sealing gaps around doors and windows. The type of building materials used in your home will be important in determining the thickness of insulation used.

Insulation R-Values

Insulation is measured in the R-values per inch of compactness and thickness. It’s the measure of your home’s insulation to resist heat moving through it. The Valley of the Sun is in Zone 4 with a higher R-value for increased thermal performance of insulation ranging from R-25 to R-60 depending on the location in your home.

Bruce’s Insulation Knowledge

Bruce’s technicians can help you determine the areas and R-values where additional insulation may be needed to help keep the heat out and the cool air in. If you’d like to learn more about the tax credit benefits of adding additional insulation, call Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment. We’re your insulation experts.