Tag: house

Is There a Ghost in the House, or Is It Just a Broken AC?

HVAC technician servicing an air conditioning unit outside a home, illustrating maintenance and repair services offered by Mid Florida A/C.

Telltale Signs the Air Conditioner Needs To Be Repaired

For many people, October is all about getting into the Halloween spirit with scary movies, spooky costumes, creepy decorations, and festive snacks. But after watching so many horror flicks and being surrounded by ghoulish aesthetics, the mind naturally tends to go straight to the supernatural when something goes bump in the night.

So when homeowners hear an eerie sound coming from the attic or feel an especially cold draft on the back of their necks, they may think their house is haunted, but the more likely explanation is that the AC is busted. And since Florida tends to stay warm and muggy up to the holidays, living with a broken AC is almost as bad as living with a vengeful ghost! This article will discuss three common signs of an air conditioner in need of repairs, so homeowners can catch problems before they turn scary!

Loud or Unusual Sounds

Woman and child sitting on a couch, covering their ears, expressing discomfort from loud or unusual sounds, relevant to air conditioner issues.One indicator of AC trouble that’s pretty hard to miss is if the air conditioner unit makes loud or strange sounds. Here are some of the most common sounds homeowners might hear and what they typically mean:

  • Banging or Clanking - This can occur if the blower fan is misaligned or out of balance, causing the blades to strike the fan housing. It may also be caused by loose parts inside the unit or a broken component in the compressor, such as a connector rod or piston pin.
  • Screeching or Squealing - This is often caused by a loose drive belt, dry fan bearing, or a faulty blower motor. But in some cases may indicate excessively high compressor pressure, particularly if it can only be heard when the unit first starts up.
  • Buzzing - This may be caused by various issues, including a failing outdoor fan motor, dirty condenser coils, frozen evaporator coils, or a faulty relay switch in the compressor.
  • Clicking - Clicking noises that persist throughout the cooling cycle may indicate a failing thermostat or an electrical issue with the compressor.
  • Rattling - This may be caused by twigs or other debris in the outdoor unit but may also indicate loose or worn parts.
  • Hissing or Whistling - These sounds typically point to either a leak in the ductwork or a leak in the refrigerant lines as pressurized gas escapes through a narrow opening.

If homeowners notice any of these noises, they should immediately contact their local HVAC company since many of these issues can seriously damage the unit and may even be dangerous.

The Thermostat Isn’t Working Properly

Hand adjusting a digital thermostat displaying temperature settings, in a home environment, related to HVAC system functionality and issues.The thermostat is the brain or control center of the entire air conditioning system, so if the thermostat begins failing, it can lead to a surprising number of major AC issues or cause the system to stop working altogether. Homeowners can avoid problems and wear and tear on the unit by understanding the symptoms of a broken thermostat and calling a technician to fix it before additional damage can occur.

If the thermostat routinely loses power or “forgets” the program schedule, there may be a loose wire or a fault with the central processor. Likewise, if homeowners try to make adjustments but the thermostat freezes or don’t respond, it probably needs to be replaced. If the AC doesn’t turn on or runs constantly and never turns off, this often indicates bad wiring between the thermostat and the unit or a calibration issue. Short cycling (when the AC turns on and off frequently) may also be caused by a thermostat reading the temperature incorrectly.

Uneven Cooling Throughout the House

If homeowners feel warm in some rooms but get chills in others, it’s probably not because ghosts are hanging out in the rooms. Instead, it’s uneven cooling, which has multiple possible causes. 

Leaky air ducts or a lack of insulation around ductwork may be to blame for uneven cooling, as cool air escapes or gets warmed on its way to certain rooms. Short cycling can also cause uneven cooling if the system doesn’t run long enough to cool every room properly. If the rooms closest to the blower unit get cool while more distant rooms stay warm, the culprit could be as simple as a dirty air filter impeding airflow. In other cases, an older AC on its way out may simply struggle to deliver air efficiently throughout the home.

All of these issues can be frustrating (if not downright spooky), but they can also lead to additional repairs and shorten the lifespan of the HVAC system if neglected. So if homeowners notice any of the above warning signs of a broken air conditioner, it’s time to call a professional to diagnose and fix the issue.

Compressor-related Issues

When it comes to addressing these issues, it's crucial to consider the role of the compressor in the air conditioning unit. Common compressor-related problems include misalignment, excessive pressure, or worn-out components. If any unusual sounds or issues are detected, it's recommended to consult a professional HVAC technician for compressor installations, setups, or even replacement services. Proper attention to the compressor ensures the smooth operation of the AC system.

About Mid Florida A/C

The family-owned and operated Mid Florida A/C has been DeBary’s preferred HVAC service company since 1980. As a BBB A+ rated local business with numerous 5-star reviews, they are committed to providing prompt, reliable, and personalized service from trustworthy certified technicians. They offer extended and lifetime warranties, financing, beneficial membership programs, and a 100% satisfaction guarantee. Call them today for air conditioning repairs and maintenance in DeBary, FL.

Keeping POTUS Cool in The White House

White House exterior showcasing its iconic architecture and flag, relevant to HVAC history and cooling facts.

Interesting Heating and Cooling Facts From the White House

Being the President of the United States isn’t an easy job. In order to perform the tasks, they have to be comfortable, right? On a hot summer day in Washington, D.C., temperatures can skyrocket. Just like everybody else, he likes to work in a controlled environment where they can keep tabs on the temperature. 

The white house didn’t have air conditioning installed until 1929 when Herbert Hoover was in office. He requested that a system be installed because, at that time, the outdoor temperature was what cooled down the White House. With the windows opened and the breeze blowing through, it made the chandelier very noisy. Not to mention, hot air won’t cool down a hot building. 

After that, each president had their own preferences as to how cool or warm the White House was. Teddy Roosevelt wasn’t a fan of the air conditioning and used a fan, and Barack Obama kept the Oval Office at a tropical climate like Hawaii’s where he grew up. 

Outdoor Work Space & Sleeping

William Howard Taft, 27th U.S. President, known for early air conditioning attempts in the White House, featuring a prominent mustache and formal attire.

When William Taft was in office, he attempted to install an air conditioning system in the West Wing in 1909. He used electric fans that blew over bins of ice in the attic to cool the air. The cool air was then sent through the ducts of the heating system. Unfortunately, this didn’t’ work well in his favor, so he built a sleeping porch and a screen room on the roof of the White House so he could sleep in it on cool summer nights. 

On the other hand, Woodrow Wilson didn’t even try to use Taft’s failed system. Instead, Wilson moved his office into a tent on the Southwest corner at the end of the Rose Garden. It had a desk, chairs, a telephone, and more. Wilson even continued to meet with representatives, officials, senators, and others outside in his tent. 

Richard Nixon Liked It Cold!

Some people just like to be really, really cold during the summer. Richard Nixon was one of these people. Before Nixon, Truman had part of the White House renovated to include central air conditioning, which meant the air conditioning would work throughout the entire White House off of one unit. 

Then when Lyndon Johnson got into office, he reportedly kept it so cool that he slept under an electric blanket during the summer. When it came time for Nixon to be in the office, he kept it so cold in the White House that he lit the fireplace on the second-floor hideaway office in the summertime. 

Where’s All The Heat?

White House stateroom featuring a large wooden table, elegant chairs, a chandelier, and floral centerpiece, highlighting the historic setting related to presidential air conditioning discussions.

The White House is a massive place, so how was it all heated? It wasn’t! At first, the only rooms that had heat were the staterooms and transverse hall. In 1849, gravity hot air heating systems were installed, and heat was finally brought to all of the rooms. As the White House has been renovated from time to time, the HVAC system has also been upgraded.

About Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc

Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc in Melbourne, FL, is a local HVAC company with over 30 years of experience. They offer extended warranties on their services and lifetime warranties on select parts, personalized service,  many payment options, and a variety of coupons to use for various services. Call Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc today for professional AC services in DeBary, FL.