Blog

November 6, 2023

What is My Condenser

Most of us really don’t become concerned about what makes up the component of our HVAC system until something goes wrong and your AC or Heating system is not working.

We thought that it would be a good idea to let you understand what a Condenser is and what it does, so that you are aware if you have a problem with your Central Heating and Cooling system and the technician says you need a “ new condenser.”

A condenser is your outdoor unit. The condenser will collect heat when it is hot outside, or it will release heat when it is cold outside. Its main purpose is to transfer heat. When you look at the condenser you will see the fan at the top. Inside is the compressor, condenser coil and many controls. The compressor which we have discussed in another article is responsible for compressing refrigerant. It will pump this heat to the condenser coil as a gas. The condenser coil may be aluminum or a combination of copper and aluminum. The coil allows for heat transfer.

The condenser has important functions that are critical to your AC working at its best. These functions are to reject superheated refrigerant gas, condensation, and subcooling the refrigerant once it is returned to a liquid.

We will talk in another article exactly how all this works.

It is also important to keep this unit clean. You should remove dirt, dust, leaves etc. that get on your condenser. You should not plant anything or have bushes or trees within 3 feet of the unit. This is important to allow for proper air flow.

You should have annual maintenance performed on this unit, to ensure it is working properly, which can help extend its life.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hope this simple explanation gives you enough information when the HVAC system technician says you have a condenser problem.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning offer an affordable maintenance program to fit your needs and budget. Our technicians have been thoroughly trained to perform the needed services to ensure your HVAC system is working properly.

We have been serving the Mobile, Semmes, Theodore, Daphne, Fairhope, Silverhill, Foley, Robertsdale, Loxley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas in South Alabama since 1997. We are in our second generation of ownership with trained technicians that are always friendly and courteous. Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help you with any of HVAC system needs. Also, you can check out our website at https://www.callaction.net to learn about us and all the services we offer as well as some informative blogs that you may find interesting.

November 3, 2023

Heat Pump System vs. Furnaces

If you are needing to replace your HVAC system, you may need to ask the question, “Do I need a heat pump system or a furnace for heating purposes?”

When it comes to a furnace, you could have one that runs on natural gas, electricity, or oil. Typically, where we live in South Alabama most furnaces are run by natural gas. So, for argument sake, we will compare the benefits of a heat pump system with a furnace fueled with natural gas.

When you compare the 2 systems there are several factors you need to consider.

How Much Space They Take Up
Energy Efficiency
How They Work
How I would Maintain It
Unit Cost

Space

Your furnace would take up around 30 inches of clearance on all sides. The furnace is installed inside your home. On the other hand, the heat pump is installed outside your home and needs 6 inches less clearance. A heat pump system may have an indoor unit as well.

Energy Efficiency

In a warmer climate like we live in here in South Alabama, the heat pump system uses less energy source than a furnace. This would be a cost saving to you.

How They Work

Furnaces burn gas to heat your home, whereas the heat pump system runs on electricity. It draws the heat from outside. The concern would be, what if we have an unusually cold winter this year. The heat pump will not heat up your home as quickly and possibly as effectively as the furnace.

How To Maintain Each System

Both systems should have maintenance performed on them annually by a licensed HVAC technician. You will have air filters for both types of systems, and you should check your filters monthly whether it be in the winter or summer months.

Unit Cost

The upfront cost of a furnace is typically less than the heat pump system but has a higher price tag on installation. Since heat pump systems are normally more effective in warmer climates, you may possibly have a lower operating cost over the life of the system.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hopes this information was helpful to you when deciding on a new HVAC system for your home.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning have been serving the Mobile, Semmes, Theodore, Daphne, Fairhope, Silverhill, Foley, Robertsdale, Loxley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas in South Alabama since 1997. We are in our second generation of ownership with trained technicians that are always friendly and courteous. Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help you with any HVAC system needs. When needing a new HVAC system, we offer excellent finance options. Also, you can check out our website at https://www.callaction.net to learn about us and all the services we offer as well as some informative blogs that you may find interesting.

October 31, 2023

My Furnace- Shoud I Have It Checked?

My Furnace – Should I have it Checked?

Winter is right around the corner, so you may be wondering whether you should have your heating system checked out before you need it. One question that needs to be addressed is do you have a heat pump system or a furnace for heating.

If you have a furnace, here are some reasons why you should have it checked out yearly.

Safety

Even a minor crack in the furnace lines can be a safety hazard for you and your family. Faulty furnaces are one of the major causes of cardon monoxide poisoning.

Energy Efficient

If your furnace is not heating your entire home or area completely, it is not working properly which could cause higher than needed energy bills.

Warranty

Be sure and check your warranty information well, annual maintenance on your furnace may be a requirement to maintain your warranty. If you cannot locate your warranty paperwork, the company that installed the unit should be able to help.

Fire Hazards

Faulty furnaces or heating systems can cause a fire in your home. This is a huge reason to have it inspected yearly before use.

Longer Life

Most furnaces are good for 15 to 20 years, the better it is maintained the longer life you should receive from your furnace, as well as lower repair costs.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hope this information was helpful for you as you prepare for the winter ahead whether it is mild like last year or severe like a few of years ago.

We have been serving the Mobile, Semmes, Theodore, Daphne, Fairhope, Silverhill, Foley, Robertsdale, Loxley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas in South Alabama since 1997. We are in our second generation of ownership with trained technicians that are always friendly and courteous. Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help you with any HVAC system needs. Also, you can check out our website at https://www.callaction.net to learn about us and all the services we offer as well as some informative blogs that you may find interesting.

October 25, 2023

Duct Work – Should I Be Concerned?

Well, the hot Summer appears to be over, and Fall is here. It’s time to check your HVAC system to ensure it is properly working before you need to the heating system for this winter.

But what about your Duct Work, should you be concerned about it? Here are some questions that indicate you may need your duct work checked and possibly repaired.

Are you having uneven distribution of air from your duct work?
Is your utility bill for electricity getting higher than usual?
Are your vents making an unusual noise?
Is there a low air flow coming from your air registers?

This could be an indication your duct work may need a professional HVAC expert to it out and possibly do some repairs. Your duct work should be properly installed and insulated initially. Some of the problems above may be an indication something was not properly done when the HVAC system was installed or possibly something has occurred over time to cause these problems.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hope this information was helpful. We believe that semiannual maintenance of your HVAC system can help uncover issues like those mentioned above and help fix problems before they become too costly.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning offer an affordable maintenance program to fit your needs and budget. Our technicians have been thoroughly trained to perform the needed services to ensure your HVAC system is ready for whatever winter we will have this year.

We have been serving the Mobile, Semmes, Theodore, Daphne, Fairhope, Silverhill, Foley, Robertsdale, Loxley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas in South Alabama since 1997. We are in our second generation of ownership with trained technicians that are always friendly and courteous. Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help you with any of HVAC system needs. Also, you can check out our website at https://www.callaction.net to learn about us and all the services we offer as well as some informative blogs that you may find interesting.

October 16, 2023

Cool Weather Is Here- My Heating System?

Cool Weather is Here- My Heating System? Well, we suddenly have gone from scorching hot weather to real fall weather which in South Alabama has not been seen in many years. The big question is will we really have a true winter in 2023-2024. Some people say we will have the coldest winter in years, it is still questionable.

So just to be safe, it would be a good idea to be prepared. In being prepared for winter your central heating system is a major component of being ready. So how do you ensure that our heating system is prepared for the winter ahead?

Check your outside coils. This should be done every 6 months. If your coils are not clean, the system will not absorb the heat from the atmosphere.
Always check your air filters every month to ensure they do not need to be changed. Being changed regularly if needed helps with the air flow through your system.

Some people think regular maintenance by a professional HVAC technician is over kill, but I will assure you that with regular maintenance the changes of your system failing is less likely.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning offer an affordable maintenance program to fit your needs and budget. Our technicians have been thoroughly trained to perform the needed services to ensure your HVAC system is ready for whatever winter we will have this year.

We have been serving the Mobile, Semmes, Theodore, Daphne, Fairhope, Silverhill, Foley, Robertsdale, Loxley, Gulf Shores, Orange Beach, and surrounding areas in South Alabama since 1997. We are in our second generation of ownership with well-trained technicians that are always friendly and courteous. Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help you with any HVAC system needs. Also, you can check out our website at https://www.callaction.net to learn about us and all the services we offer as well as some informative blogs that you may find interesting.

October 13, 2023

Your HVAC System-Fall is Finally Here

Fall is here and its finally time to give your HVAC system a break. Your air conditioner has been working overtime the last few months with the unbearable heat wave we have experienced this summer. With all this said it is time to consider fall maintenance to ensure your system is working well and ready for whatever winter months we experience this year.

It is always best to have a professional HVAC company have their expert technicians check your system at least twice a year, in the fall and spring times.

Here are some things you can do yourself to help your system work properly.

Change your filters often, at least every other month they need to be checked and possibly replaced.
Keep your outside units free of debris with enough open space as possible around them.
Keep your air registers and ducts free of dust and any debris.
Use fans as much as possible to give your HVAC system a break.
Listen for strange noises that may be a warning. Try to locate where they are and what the source of the noise may be. If you can’t locate the source, check the list of common HVAC noises and if it is something you can fix.

With all this said it is still a good idea to consider the semi-annual maintenance program that most quality HVAC system professionals offer. It may save you on some costly repairs down the road.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hope that this information was helpful.

We have been servicing the Mobile and Baldwin County areas since 1996, we are now in our second generation of ownership with highly trained technicians on staff. If you have a heating or cooling problem or just want a reasonable maintenance, check of your system please do not hesitate to call us at 251 272-5900 or email us at [email protected] . Our $79 service fee is one of the most reasonable in Mobile and Baldwin County.

Call Us: 251-272-5900

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