McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Services

The Leading Causes of Central Air Conditioning Problems

The primary cause of almost all air conditioner problems is a lack of proper maintenance. With the right care from your A/C contractor and regular maintenance at home, your air conditioner should last for many years to come while operating at peak efficiency. Many problems can be avoided by understanding what causes common A/C issues.

Insufficient service. Your air conditioner should be serviced annually by a professional A/C contractor. This service includes a thorough inspection and tune-up of all of its components. Without this service, your air conditioner can lose 5 percent efficiency for every year that it is not maintained. Over time, small problems can grow into larger issues that can even result in service interruptions and necessitate A/C repair.

Dirty condenser coils. The external unit of your air conditioner houses the compressor and condenser coils. This is where the heat is released during the refrigerant cycle, and condenser coils that are not clean, covered in dust, or otherwise compromised are not able to officially release heat. This impacts the efficiency of your air conditioner while shortening the life of the unit due to added stress.

Restricted airflow. Your ductwork is another component of your HVAC system that needs regular maintenance. While it does not need to be maintained quite as often as your air conditioner, it should be inspected every 3 to 5 years by a professional A/C contractor. Clogs or leaky ductwork make your air conditioner work harder to cool your home to the set temperature, again potentially causing problems and shortening its life.

Clogged air filters. The air filter near the return air intake of your air conditioner should be changed when it is dirty. Check it at least monthly and replace it when it is clogged with soil. This will reduce the strain on the blower motor of your internal air conditioning unit and allow you to enjoy increased efficiency and good indoor air quality.

These are just a few causes of common air conditioning problems. To learn more about maintaining your air conditioner to avoid these problems, contact McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning at (800) 788-6216. You can also visit our website for additional information.

Visit Us At The Capital Home Show This Weekend!

Visit McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning at The Capital Home Show this weekend, September 21st - 23rd! Located inside the Dulles Expo Center in Chantilly, we are at Booth 525! For more information about the show, visit this website. We look forward to seeing you this weekend!

Friday, September 21 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Saturday, September 22 10:00 AM - 9:00 PM
Sunday, September 23 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Dulles Expo Center
4368 Chantilly Shopping Center
Chantilly, VA 20153
Phone: 703-378-0910

McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning Review | "Extremely Pleased With His Professionalism"

Top 5 Sources of HVAC Energy Loss

There are several ways your air conditioner can lose efficiency, and by understanding the causes, you can help improve the efficiency of your entire system. By making a few changes at home and understanding where energy loss occurs, you can take advantage of the services your A/C contractor has to offer and increase your home's energy efficiency while lowering your utility bills.

Inadequate home sealing. As much as a quarter of the energy expended by your HVAC system can be lost through windows, doors, and other areas of air leakage in your home. You may consider having an energy audit performed upon your home to identify areas of energy loss, which in turn can help you cut your utility bills by a large margin when you make the appropriate changes.

Not enough insulation. Your building envelope depends on insulation to reduce and prevent energy loss. Without adequate insulation, heat can infiltrate your home in the summer and leak out during the winter.

Leaky ductwork. The ductwork that distributes the air from your HVAC system should be appropriately sealed. Anywhere from 20 to 30 percent of the energy expended by your air conditioner can be lost if your ductwork is not fully sealed. Compromised ductwork also allows pollutants into your HVAC system, which compromises your indoor air quality and can even present a health hazard.

Old thermostats. Traditional single-set point thermostats can’t compare to programmable versions in terms of energy efficiency. Programmable thermostats help you control your HVAC system even when you're not at home. This prevents energy waste during the day and increases your comfort level when you are present.

Poor maintenance. The top cause of HVAC energy loss is a lack of regular maintenance. Both your furnace and air conditioner need to be serviced at least once per year in order to maintain their maximum efficiency.

McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning can help you understand the value of regular maintenance and prevent energy loss in your home. Visit us online or call us at (800) 788-6216 to schedule an appointment for your energy audit today.

Every Home Deserves a Trane

Trane has a proud history in the air conditioning industry, dating back more than 100 years. With a variety of heating and cooling products to help any size of home get through the seasons in comfort, there’s a Trane for you and your family.

Trane systems meld seamlessly to provide year-round comfort. They can help keep your indoor air quality high, humidity controlled, and provide consistent temperatures to suit your comfort levels. Trane systems have been trusted in structures such as the St. Louis Arch and Statue of Liberty, and can provide the same level of quality for your home. As the most reliable brand of HVAC systems today, Trane systems can match your specific home and budget while providing the highest level of comfort available.

Enjoy the satisfaction of owning a Trane yourself when you contact McCrea Heating and Air Conditioning at (800) 788-6216. We can help you find the perfect Trane for your home, and provide installation services and maintenance for the life of your unit.