Blog | A-1 Mechanical

Boost Your AC Efficiency This Summer

July 15th, 2024

It’s important to stay comfortable in the summer. It may even be critical to your well-being to avoid extreme temperatures and keep your home cool enough! But the cost of all that energy can be shocking. Cooling and heating homes is the #1 consumer of energy in American households, and that energy can be expensive. What can you do about it?

Since being uncomfortable or unsafe in sweltering temperatures simply isn’t a reasonable option, you’ve got to find other ways to cut your electric bill without cutting your comfort. We’ve got some great tips for how to boost your AC efficiency this summer, keeping just as cool while using less energy and lowering your utility bills.

AC Not Working? Try This Troubleshooting Checklist

July 1st, 2024

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When your air conditioner is just plain not working, it seems obvious that repairs are necessary. Or who knows, maybe you need a whole new air conditioner! Here’s the thing, though: sometimes the problem isn’t as bad as it seems.

While we would never encourage anyone to DIY an AC repair—you could injure yourself, damage the system, and void your warranty—there are times when repairs are not actually necessary. Before you decide it’s time to call in the experts for an air conditioner that’s not working, go through this simple troubleshooting checklist.

Help! My AC Is Running but Not Cooling My House!

June 17th, 2024

If you can tell your air conditioner is on, you have every right to expect to feel the cool air it should be providing. But what if you don’t? You might need AC repair. Several issues can cause an air conditioner to make noises as though it’s running properly without actually cooling your home. We’ll explain the possibilities.

Is a Heat Pump an Upgrade from an Air Conditioner?

June 3rd, 2024

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If you’ve never had a heat pump, it might seem like a new-fangled gadget. It’s just in recent years that they’ve gotten so popular. But the fact of the matter is, it’s based on technology that’s over 150 years old, and they’ve been in use in some American homes about as long as air conditioners. That said, if they’re not familiar to you, you might have some questions.

How do heat pumps work? What makes them different from air conditioners? Are they better? Would a heat pump be an upgrade? We’ve got the answers for you.

Is Your Air Conditioner’s Fan Broken?

May 20th, 2024

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When you can hear your air conditioner turning on, and the compressor is humming away, but you’re still not getting the cool air you need to make your home comfortable, what in the world is going on? Chances are, you’ve got a problem with your air conditioner’s fan. What’s the problem? What should you do about it? We’ve got answers for you.

These AC Noises Mean You Need Repair

May 6th, 2024

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Oh, dear. Did you hear that? Is your air conditioner making a strange noise? An odd sound coming from your air conditioner is often the first sign that you need air conditioning repair in Holt, MI. But how can you tell if the sound you’re hearing is a sign of a problem or a perfectly normal sound for the AC to make?

Your cooling system’s noises should be low, steady, and consistent. The compressor comes on with a deep hum. The fan makes a whirring sound. Anything other than that is a sign that something is wrong. The noise you’re hearing from your AC can tell you a bit about what sort of repairs it might need. Here are some of the most common problem sounds.

Prepare for Heat Pump Installation

April 22nd, 2024

Congratulations on choosing a heat pump for your next home cooling system. It’ll be equal to a top-notch air conditioner, while also providing super-efficient heating. But once you’ve decided on your heat pump and made an appointment to have it installed, you might still have some questions.

Chances are, it’s been a decade or so since you’ve had to deal with AC installation, or perhaps you purchased your home with your current air conditioner in place and have never gone through this process. And perhaps you’ve never had a heat pump before. What should you know about heat pump installation? How long will it take? And what can you do to make sure it goes well? We’ve got the answers.

How Maintenance Prevents AC Repair Needs

April 8th, 2024

This spring, make sure you schedule air conditioner maintenance before the temps get high enough that you’ll need to run your AC. How important is maintenance for your AC system, you ask? Well, it can save you from all kinds of bother, trouble, and expense.

Want your air conditioner to run more efficiently? Get maintenance. Want to make sure it will be as effective as possible in heat waves? Get maintenance. Want to keep the system running for as many years as possible before you have to replace it? You guessed it… maintenance. And perhaps you’d like to eliminate the need for air conditioner repair. Well, maintenance cuts AC repair needs by 85%. Let us explain how it works.

Should I Replace My AC With a Heat Pump?

March 25th, 2024

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As your air conditioner ages, you will notice more and more problems with it. Troubles that require repair crop up more frequently. Maybe it sounds like it’s struggling, or just isn’t getting the job done as well as it used to, even though you’ve scheduled routine maintenance. At some point, you’ll start thinking about replacing it.

When you start to consider AC replacement, there are a lot of factors you might be considering, like the size of a new unit, the cost, and how efficient it is. There’s one thing we suggest you think about before you make any other decisions. Should I replace my air conditioner with a heat pump instead of another AC unit? There are some major benefits, and we’ll outline them for you.

Do Heat Pumps Need a Lot of Repairs?

March 11th, 2024

If you’re a new heat pump owner, or you’re considering becoming one, there may be some things you don’t know. After all, chances are, you’re much more familiar with air conditioners and furnaces, in terms of what to expect. Are there things to be aware of with your heat pump? They are pretty incredible systems. Does that mean they require more repairs than your AC or heater?

The truth of the matter is, there’s not a whole lot of difference between your heat pump and an air conditioner. Most of the basic components are the same, which means that most of the concerns and potential problems are also the same. But in order to take good care of your heat pump, there are a couple of things you should know.