THE Most Important Thing a Homeowner Can Do To Make Sure Their Air Conditioner Doesn’t Stop Working in Olathe, KS

one hour heating and air conditioning performing air conditioner maintenance

Regular maintenance for your air conditioner is the most important thing an Olathe homeowner can do to ensure your air conditioner doesn’t stop working. Here are some key maintenance tasks:

a dirty filter can cause your air conditioner to not cool enough

Clean or replace air filters:

Clogged or dirty air filters restrict airflow and reduces the efficiency of your air conditioner. Clean or replace them regularly, typically every 1-3 months. If you have a pet, you’ll want to change your furnace filter more often.

Also, dirty furnace filter can also cause the air conditioner or coil to freeze up and stop working.

Most air filter have an arrow on the outer edge. To install the filter correctly, the arrow always points toward the furnace.

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Clear debris around the outdoor unit

Ensure that the outdoor unit is free from leaves, grass, dirt, and other debris. Adequate airflow is essential for the proper functioning of the system. We recommend trimming back bushes and trees at least 6-8 feet.

Check and clean the condenser coils

Over time, the condenser coils can accumulate dust and debris, reducing their efficiency. Clean them every year or as needed to ensure optimal heat transfer. That warm air you feel coming off the top of your air conditioning unit is all the hot air from inside your home! It needs space to get rid of all that heat!

For a brief explanation of how to check if your condenser coil is dirty, view this video.

Keep the area around vents clear

Make sure your furniture, curtains, or other objects do not obstruct the vents. Obstructions can disrupt airflow and affect the cooling performance.

one hour heating and air conditioning performing air conditioner maintenance

Schedule professional residential HVAC maintenance with One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning

Consider hiring a One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Technician to inspect and service your air conditioner. They can identify potential issues, clean the system thoroughly, and perform any necessary repairs or adjustments.

Monitor refrigerant levels

With routine air conditioner maintenance, the One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Technician monitors refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant levels can indicate a leak or other issues. If you notice a decline in cooling performance that could be a sign that the refrigerant level has dropped or there may be a leak that needs to be repaired.

If you encounter any significant issues or suspect a malfunction, it’s best to contact a qualified One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning HVAC professional in Olathe for proper diagnosis and repair of your air conditioner.

The Essential Guide to Residential Air Conditioner Repair in Overland Park: Keeping Cool and Comfortable

As the summer heat intensifies, a reliable air conditioner becomes a cherished asset for homeowners seeking respite from soaring temperatures. However, even the most well-maintained air conditioning systems can encounter issues over time, requiring prompt and efficient repairs. In this comprehensive guide, we will explore common residential air conditioner problems and offer practical solutions to keep your cooling system in optimal condition.

  1. Understanding Common Air Conditioner Problems

a. Insufficient Cooling: If your air conditioner fails to cool your home adequately, several factors may be at play, such as a dirty air filter, blocked vents, refrigerant leaks, or a malfunctioning compressor. Identifying the underlying cause is crucial for effective repairs.

b. Strange Noises: Unusual sounds emitted by your air conditioner, such as rattling, buzzing, or screeching, could indicate loose components, damaged fan blades, or a malfunctioning motor. Ignoring these noises may exacerbate the problem and lead to costly repairs.

c. Frequent Cycling: When an air conditioner constantly turns on and off, it is experiencing frequent cycling. This issue may be caused by a faulty thermostat, dirty condenser coils, or an improperly sized system. Addressing this problem promptly will prevent excessive wear and tear on the unit.

d. Water Leaks: Moisture or water pooling around your air conditioning unit signifies a potential problem. It could indicate a clogged condensate drain, a damaged drain pan, or a refrigerant leak. These issues need immediate attention to prevent water damage and maintain the efficiency of your system.

  1. Troubleshooting and DIY Fixes

Before contacting a professional technician, there are a few troubleshooting steps you can take to potentially resolve minor air conditioner issues:

a. Check and clean the air filter: A dirty filter restricts airflow, reducing cooling efficiency. Regularly cleaning or replacing the filter can improve performance.

b. Inspect and clear the condenser unit: Ensure there are no debris, leaves, or obstructions around the outdoor condenser unit, as this can hinder airflow and cause inefficiency.

c. Reset the thermostat: Sometimes, a simple reset can resolve thermostat-related issues. Refer to the manufacturer’s instructions for the appropriate steps.

d. Verify power supply and circuit breaker: Ensure that the air conditioner is receiving power and check the circuit breaker to rule out any electrical issues.

  1. When to Seek Professional Assistance

While some minor air conditioner problems can be addressed through troubleshooting, certain issues require professional expertise. Consider contacting a certified HVAC technician if you encounter the following:

a. Refrigerant leaks: Handling refrigerant requires specialized knowledge and equipment. Professional technicians can identify and repair leaks while adhering to environmental regulations.

b. Compressor malfunctions: The compressor is a vital component of an air conditioner, and its repair or replacement should be handled by trained professionals.

c. Electrical problems: Faulty wiring or electrical issues pose a safety hazard. Qualified technicians can diagnose and resolve electrical problems to ensure the system operates safely.

d. Complex mechanical repairs: If your air conditioner requires intricate mechanical repairs or component replacements, it is advisable to seek professional assistance to prevent further damage.

Regular Maintenance is Your Best Protection Against Air Conditioner Problems

Regular maintenance and prompt repairs are essential for maintaining the performance and longevity of your residential air conditioner. By understanding common problems and implementing troubleshooting steps when appropriate, you can address minor issues and potentially avoid costly repairs. However, it’s crucial to recognize the limits of your DIY abilities and seek professional assistance for complex problems. Remember, a well-functioning air conditioner not only keeps you cool and comfortable but also enhances energy efficiency and reduces utility costs during the hot summer months.

Air Conditioner Not Cooling Enough? Here Is What You Can Do

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If your air conditioner is not cooling enough, there are a few simple things you can do to make it cool better. Here are the steps to take to fix your air conditioner when it is cooling, but not enough:

  • 1. Make sure there is a clean air filter

The filter is usually something that is easily overlooked but has big impact on the performance of the air conditioner…especially if it’s a higher efficiency filter. (Higher efficiency filters block more airflow.)

  • 2. Gently clean the outdoor unit. If the outdoor coil has a layer of dirt on the surface, that can cause the air conditioner to not cool enough.
air conditioner cleaning
First turn the unit off. Then spray water (using just your regular household hose-end sprayer) and simply wash it down.

Pay close attention to the side of the unit that faces the house. The airflow is a little different and can tend to get dirtier than the other three sides.

  • 3. Trim back trees and shrubs 8-10 feet from the outdoor unit.

The HVAC system needs to breathe. The outdoor unit is trying to take all the heat from inside the house and move it to the outside. If something is blocking the airflow above or around the outdoor fan, it can cause your air conditioner to not cool enough inside.

Bonus Tip: Make sure your dampers are open for the cooling season. Learn how to find and adjust your dampers here.

If you do all of the above and your air conditioner is still not working well, we would recommend scheduling an HVAC professional to come check out your air conditioning.

LOCAL ONE HOUR FRANCHISEE HONORED WITH ANNUAL PRESIDENT’S AWARD BY DIRECT ENERGY AND CLOCKWORK, INC.

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Olathe, KS (April 26, 2019) – Direct Energy®, along with Clockwork, Inc., (Clockwork) honored Ramon Blachly of One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning® (One Hour) with its annual President’s Club Award during Clockwork’s National Convention in New Orleans, Louisiana this past week.

A multiple time President’s Club Award winner, Blachly is the owner of the local One Hour, a member of Direct Energy’s home services company, the Clockwork, Inc. family of brands.

The President’s Club Award is the company’s top honor. To achieve this distinction businesses must have a superior customer service score and show significant growth and success.

“We are extremely pleased with the Blachly team. They put their customers first, provide excellent service and quality work. We congratulate them on this achievement,” said, Mark Baker, President of Franchise. “I’m proud of what they have accomplished.”

The business was originally founded in April of 1987 and Ramon chose to join the Clockwork system in 2004. “Comments from our customers are overwhelmingly about the people and the level of service we provide,” said Blachly. “The system has taught me to focus on that and everything falls into place.”

For more information, or to schedule service please call 913-829-1505 or visit www.onehourairkc.com today.

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How To Protect Your Air Conditioner From Power Outages

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Nobody wants to replace their air conditioner before they absolutely must.

Power outages, even for a few seconds can sometimes destroy your air conditioner or severely damage it.  By installing a surge protector, upgraded contactor, and a hard start kit, your air conditioner will be protected from lightning strikes and power outages that wreck havoc on your most expensive appliance: your air conditioner.

We can get some wicked storms in the Midwest.

In 2011 our office building was struck by lightning and caught fire.  We experienced a total loss of our office and had to rebuild.  While nothing could have stopped the fire from happening, we did become aware of how often lightning and simple power outages can severely damage your furnace and air conditioner.  After our experience and realizing that many of our customers would have problems with their air conditioners after power outages, we put together a simple package of products that will protect your hvac system in case of lightning strikes or power outages.

There are three things we recommend to protect your air conditioner:

1. Surge Protector

Be honest.  Do you have a surge protector to protect your $300 television, but not to protect your $8,000 air conditioner?  We see it all the time.  Here’s what happens: it is the middle of summer with about 1000% humidity so your air conditioner is working overtime.  Your lights go off for a brief moment then come back on.  All clear?  No.  If the power outage happens while your air conditioner was running the power outage forced the hard-working air conditioner to stop suddenly then immediately turn itself back on.

2. Hard Start Kit

Starting up is hard to do.

The compressor is the heart of the air conditioner.  When it tries to start, it uses a lot of amps which is very hard on the components used to start the system. The more difficult it is for a compressor to start, the more wear and tear is happening to your air conditioner.  If a compressor fails to start altogether, no air conditioning for you.  A Hard Start Kit is a type of capacitor that gives your air conditioner extra help when it is struggling to turn on.  This is a component that does not come standard on most air conditioners so we recommend adding one to your system.

3. Upgraded Contactor

The contactor is a switch for the air conditioner that turns the system on.  Most standard contactors are not capable of monitoring the amount of power going into the air conditioner.  Your cooling system needs sufficient power to turn on and if it tries to turn on without sufficient power, this can hurt the system.  A better, upgraded contactor will automatically stop the air conditioner from trying to come on if there is not enough power to do it harmlessly.

As we said before, the hardest task you ask your air conditioner to do is to start.  The easier you make the starting process with a hard start kit, and ensure it does it with enough power by using an upgraded capacitor, your air conditioner will last longer and run better.

 

 

 

 

 

4 Simple Tips For Extreme Heat

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Residential air conditioner units are designed to achieve a 20 degree temperature drop. Therefore if it is more than 95 degrees outside, your air conditioning unit may run all day and still struggle to keep your home cooler than 75 degrees.  Here are some tips that can help:

Tips for Extreme Heat

Notice: 2017 More Expensive Than Ever To Repair a Leaking Air Conditioner

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Our distributors have informed us of more cost increases of R-22 refrigerant.  Due to the EPA mandated phaseout of one of the most commonly used refrigerants in residential air conditioners, the cost of repairing a leaking unit has gone up dramatically.  There has been a 30% price increase over the last two years and the prediction for the summer of 2017 is a 50% increase of the cost compared to 2016.

Replacing your air conditioner now will be less expensive than waiting for your unit to have a problem this summer.  For the month of April we are offering new air conditioner replacement at 2016 pricing.  When April ends our prices will increase to keep up with the demands of summer.

Call 913-390-1211 now to schedule a no-obligation visit by one of our Field Advisors to give you options on replacement options that would work best for your home.

To learn more about the EPA Phaseout click here to go to the EPA website.

Savings Coupons

Heating and cooling service or repairs are often needed, but seldom much fun. That’s why we hope these savings coupons from One Hour will help you feel just a little better. Simply print out a coupon and present it to your One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Technician the next time you have a need. Or, refer a friend or family member who might have a need. They’ll owe you one!  Call 913.829.1505 to schedule an appointment.

Photo Caption Contest

Photo Caption Contest

Ok who has the best caption for this picture? We’ll kick off with: “if those trucks were red, someone’s house is on fire.” Hint: there’s a $10 starbucks card in it for whichever one makes us laugh the most.

Results:

Sue D- One Hour Parking

Sara G – how many One Hour technicians does it take to install a lightbulb..er.. a heating system?

Kenneth K – I said I needed ‘someone’ to help at Kim Kardasian’s winter system check but this is ridiculous! – Winner!  Congratulations Kenneth!

Donnie H – Our parking lot is being redone . So we had to park somewhere.

Lisa H – Practical Story Problems for 4th grade Math: If it takes one technician from OHH&AC one hour to fix a broken A/C, how quickly can they fix it if they call in 5 of their buddies? And most importantly, will they finish in time for the Chiefs game kickoff?

Mary F – My wife made pie! Come on over for a slice!  Said one OHH&AC employee to another, Word travels fast! Must be Some PIE!

Gayle A – One Hour will fix the problem no matter how big!

Don W – Those people better be REALLY comfortable AND SOON!

Richard D – Game time! Football and friends

Anne O – The word is out in our neighborhood about One Hour’s fast and reliable service!

Michael D – Sorry about this but we are only allowed to work 1 hour per truck at a time and this job is going to take at least 6 hours.

Meghan C – Excellent customer service– one benefit of keeping your french maid costume on a little after Halloween.

 

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How often should I replace the filter?

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. The frequency of filter changes is driven by how much your heating and air conditioning system operates, which is also driven by your individual climate.

Start by checking the system’s filters at least once a month. Hold the used filter up to the light and compare it to a clean “spare.” When light is obscured by captured dust and dirt particles, the old filter should be changed. Keep a record for one year and then replace the filter on that basis. At a minimum, it is always a good idea to change filters at the start of the heating and cooling seasons and then in between according to your need. Also, it is a good idea to have your heating and air system checked at the beginning of heating and cooling season to insure proper operation.

Why should I replace my working furnace or air conditioner?

Although your present furnace or air conditioner may be working, if it is more than 12 years old you should consider replacing it with a new high efficiency system. A new heating and air conditioning system could save up to 50 percent on energy costs, and save you money in the long run on heating repairs.  While these products save you money on your utility bills, they also offer a better degree of comfort within your home.

Why can’t you add coolant to my system without checking for a leak or repairing an exiting leak?

Since July 1, 1992 it is illegal to release refrigerants into the atmosphere, either intentional or accidental, because they can cause severe damage to the ozone layer. When refrigerants such as Chlorofluorocarbon’s (CFCs) are removed, they should be recycled to clean out any contaminants and returned to a usable condition.

How does the Clean Air Act impact heating and cooling systems?

The portion of the Clean Air Act that applies to the Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning (HVAC) industry encourages the development of ozone-friendly substitutes for chemicals that contain ozone destroying chlorine, which are called hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). The chemical refrigerant of choice for more than four decades, referred to as R-22, is in the HCFC category. R-22 is widely used in heat pumps and AC condensing units to heat and cool homes. Today, a refrigerant called R-410A is used because of its ozone-friendly properties.

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