A service tech with a local heating and cooling company in Lafayette addresses the common problems he sees with air conditioning units that are not working properly.
Thursday was easily one of the hottest days of 2011 so far. It would not be the day you would want your air conditioner to stop working.
According to M&M Heating and Cooling, that was the case for many of their customers: no A/C during the most intense heat wave in 16 years.
"Very busy. A lot of service calls," said M&M service technician Sean Lewsader.
With the heat wave, our air conditioners are working more than normal.
"You get there and they say, well, just my luck... the hottest week of the year," said Lewsader about his customers' reactions.
NewsChannel 18 tagged along with Lewsader Thursday as he serviced a home in Monticello. While on the job, he told us about the most common problems customers are running into.
Some of those problems are easy fixes, like making sure the power is turned on to the unit. You will also first want to make sure your thermostat is set correctly.
Next, check your air filter. It may be time to replace it.
If you still aren't getting cool air, clear any dirt or debris around the outside unit that could be preventing air from getting in.
"If all those things check out fine, then it probably wouldn't hurt to give somebody a call and have them come out and look at it," said Lewsader.
Lewsader said a diagnostic check to find out what's wrong can cost around $55. Repairs can go up from there and he added that they do get expensive. He suggests getting on a regular maintenance plan for scheduled tune-ups to prevent a problem.
The right air conditioner can make all the difference on a hot, humid day. As the weather heats up, Haier is ready with a selection of window and portable air conditioners to make the long summer days and hot summer nights more comfortable. Take a moment to assess particular cooling needs in order to choose the best air conditioner for a space.
Q: What is the difference between a portable and window air conditioner?
A: Portable air conditioners are great for use in smaller, enclosed areas like bedrooms or offices where local cooling is required. By choosing spot cooling, consumers can save on energy and operation costs. These units are very efficient and reliable, and they have the benefit of mobility. Many units are set on casters allow the units to be easily rolled from room to room as needed. Portable units remove hot air from the room and must be vented out of a window so the hot air is released. The window exhaust kit included with Haier models makes this process quick and simple. Check out this video to learn how to install a portable AC unit such as a Commercial Cool unit.
With models that run from 5,000 BTUs through 24,000 BTUs, and most are ENERGY STAR® qualified, so it's easy to find a Haier air conditioning unit that’s perfect for each room in the home. The ESA406K and ESA412K were both rated as best buys by a leading consumer magazine.
ENERGY STAR qualified room air conditioners use about 10% less energy than conventional models, which could mean a savings of more than $60 over the lifetime of the unit.
Q: What size air conditioner is right for my room?
It’s important to choose an air conditioner with adequate BTUs for the size of the space. Two few BTUs can result in insufficient cooling, and even having too many BTUs can negatively affect cooling performance. The size of the space being cooled is the most important aspect to consider, but other factors such as the number of people normally occupying a room, and sources of additional heat like windows should also be taken into account
Window AC’s
BTUs/ Sq Ft/ Approx. Room Dimensions
5,000/ 100 - 150/ 10' x 12'
6,000/ 150 - 250/ 10' x 20'
8,000/ 250 - 350/ 15' x 20'
10,000/ 350 - 450/ 18' x 22'
12,000/ 450 - 550/ 20' x 25'
15,000/ 550 - 700/ 20' x 30'
18,000/ 700- 1000/ 22' x 40'
24,000/ 1000 - 1500/ 25' x 50'
Portable AC’s
BTUs/ Sq Ft/ Approx. Room Dimensions
8,000/ 150 - 250/ 10' x 20'
10,000/ 250 - 350/ 15' x 20'
12,000/ 350 - 450/ 18' x 22'
14,000/ 400 - 500/ 18’ x 25'
Tips- If more than two people normally occupy a room, add 600 BTU’s for each additional person.
If a room is very sunny, increase BTU’s by 10%, if it is shady, decrease BTU’s by 10%.
If the unit is for a kitchen, increase by 4,000 BTU’s.
