Air Conditioning Articles

3 Signs It’s Time for a New AC

August 16, 2024
Male homeowner with feet in mini pool in his sunroom, trying to cool off due to needing a new AC.

Should you repair or replace? That’s always the big question when it comes to major home systems like air conditioning (AC).

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Purchasing the Right Air Conditioner

June 14, 2024
Two air conditioners outside Fishersville, VA, home, to represent information about purchasing the right air conditioner.

You decided to part ways with your old air conditioning (AC) system. It is not always an easy decision to make.

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5 Common AC Problems

May 17, 2024
Daughter showing mother iPhone in kitchen to represent information about 5 common AC problems.

When you change out a dirty filter for a clean one, your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment use up to 15 percent less energy monthly, according to the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Plus, it’s able to properly catch dust and debris, boosting your indoor air quality (IAQ).

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Air Conditioners: Things You May Not Know

August 21, 2023
Couple reading about things you may not know regarding air conditioners.

Though air conditioners are a major part of modern life, they hold many secrets few people know about.

Luckily, our team at Vailes Home Services is ready to spill the beans.

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Air Conditioners Versus Heat Pumps

July 19, 2023
Two air conditioners outside Fishersville, VA, home, to represent information about purchasing the right air conditioner.

Not only do heat pumps generate heat, but they can also pump out cool air. What’s more, a new heat pump can cut your Virginia energy costs by up to 50 percent when you make the switch from a furnace or baseboard heater, according to the US Department of Energy (DOE).

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5 Reasons You Might Need Air Conditioner Repairs

May 17, 2023
Top of running AC unit to represent info on air conditioner repairs.

When your air conditioner (AC) is running at peak efficiency, you win.

Not only will your electric bills in Virginia be cheaper––your AC system will last longer.

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AC and Allergies

April 14, 2023
Male homeowner dealing with allergies to represent info on how his air conditioner can help.

If you’re afflicted with seasonal allergies, you’re not alone. As many as 60 million Americans have allergic rhinitis part-time or year-round, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

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The Phaseout of Your AC’s R-22 Refrigerant

August 17, 2022
Couple trying to stay cool after their AC ran out of refrigerant.

Vailes Home Improvement Services can help you with this R-22 transition, but read on to gain a bigger picture of this far-reaching decision.

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How to Protect Your Air Conditioning From Storms

July 18, 2022
Lightning throughout the skies to represent info on protecting your air conditioning system from storms.

Our professionals at Vailes Home Improvement Services want you to have a reliable air conditioning system before, during, and after a storm.

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What Is the Difference Between Single-Stage and Variable-Speed ACs?

June 14, 2022
Blog Title: What Is the Difference Between Single-Stage and Variable-Speed ACs? Photo: AC Unit Fan

At Vailes Home Improvement Services, our professionals want to help keep your air conditioner operating at peak efficiency helping control the energy expenses in your Virginia home, maintain your IAQ, and reduce your carbon footprint.

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How Environmental Issues Can Affect Your AC

May 13, 2022
Blog Title: How Environmental Issues Can Affect Your AC Photo: Family Cleaning during spring

Our team of experts at Vailes Home Improvement Services wants to help increase your awareness of some of these environmental factors.

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 Listen to Your HVAC System

March 18, 2022
Listen to your HVAC system

The experts at Vailes Home Improvement Services can decipher the noise and get your system back on track. They have the knowledge and experience it takes to keep your HVAC equipment running at peak efficiency and delivering the comfort you expect in your Fishersville home. 

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Is It Normal for My AC to Turn On and Off?

June 11, 2021
thermostat adjustment

When an air conditioner (AC) turns on and off in rather quick successions, without running for longer periods, this is called short cycling. It’s fairly common, but when this happens it means there’s something wrong with your air conditioner. So what should you do?

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Surviving the Spring Temperature Swings

April 26, 2021
Happy young family relaxing on bed together||

Does this sound familiar? It’s finally mild enough outside to justify turning off the heat. Then, one particularly hot afternoon, you declare, “it’s time to turn on the air conditioning,” only to have temperatures drop overnight. You wake up shivering and have to run to the thermostat to get the house warmed up.

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What Does AC SEER Mean?

September 10, 2020
Air conditioner outside

When it comes to your air conditioner (AC), a common term used in the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) business you are likely to see everywhere is your air conditioner’s SEER. But what exactly is SEER?

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Project Profile: Taylor High-Performance Home

August 19, 2020
Woman cleaning with her daughter

When the Taylor family decided to build a modern, custom home in Austin, Texas, their project team had to deliver when it came to selecting high-performance mechanical systems that didn’t interrupt their design vision. “They wanted something very comfortable, modern and livable,” said Tom Sullivan, an associate of CleanTag LLC, a local builder that specializes in building high-end residences.

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How Does Your Central Air Conditioner Cool Your Home?

July 10, 2020
Air conditioning unit behind a decorative garden wall of green leaves

Aside from the professionals, like ours at Vailes Home Improvement Services, who really thinks about air conditioners and their components? Air conditioners keep your home or business cool and comfy when the outside temperatures are high, and that’s all you really need to know, right?

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Do I Really Need an AC Tune-Up?

May 7, 2020
Technician Repairing Air Conditioner

Home ownership comes with a great deal of responsibilities and an ever-growing to-do list. Add to that the responsibilities of a career and a family, and you see why modern life runs at a constant, fast pace. It’s easy to bump things like an air conditioner tune-up down the priority list, both in terms of time and money. It’s very likely you have higher priorities requiring more urgent attention than an air conditioner that seems to be working just fine.

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How Can I Afford a New AC System (and Other HVAC Equipment)?

April 21, 2020
Summer fun at backyard lawn at hot day

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected so many lives around us, both health-wise and financially. At Vailes Home Improvement Services, we remain committed to providing the best service to all our Virginia customers during this difficult time. Let’s stick together as a community and help each other whenever we can. We can certainly understand how you…

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3 Health Benefits for Using Your AC While Sleeping

August 23, 2019
dog dachshund

A major part of your health relies on getting a good night’s sleep. That’s why it’s not just important to run your air conditioner during the hot summer days. You need to keep your home comfortably cool at night as well. At Vailes Home Improvement Services, we understand that depending on your air conditioner to…

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Why Is My Heat Pump Blowing Hot Air on the Cool Setting?

August 12, 2019
Whole family are sitting on the floor in front of fans because their heat pump is blowing hot air.

We at Vailes Home Improvement Services hope you’re enjoying the warm weather this season. Although if you’re reading this article, you might be a bit tired of it. It’s a hot day, yet your heat pump doesn’t want to cooperate and is circulating hot air throughout your house. If this is the case, you probably…

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Top Causes of AC Failure

July 31, 2019
Home Air Conditioner Condenser coil sitting in front of brick wall.

If you are a homeowner in Virginia getting ready for a scorching summer, you will want to understand the top causes of air conditioner failures and what to do to prevent or address them.

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Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing an Air Conditioner

June 12, 2019
Mistakes to Avoid When Purchasing an Air Conditioner

Purchasing an air conditioner requires effort, but it doesn’t need to be stressful! Whether you’re looking to weather the warmer seasons in Fishersville…

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Does an Air Conditioner Kill Mold?

April 26, 2019
A clean home in Fishersville

Mold thrives in damp, humid environments. Your AC is designed to help dehumidify your Fishersville home, removing excess moisture & preventing mold…

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Common Air Conditioning Problems

July 31, 2018

Air conditioning problems aren’t always predictable, but there are a few common problems that we see over and over again here in Fishersville, VA. Recognizing what they are might help you to fix the problem, or might simply help you understand what your HVAC technician is referring to when they provide solutions. Open Windows One…

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How do I Prevent Heat Gain in My Home?

July 25, 2018

One way to save money this summer is by learning how to battle heat build-up, or heat gain, in your Fishersville, VA, home. By taking a few steps you can minimize the amount of heat that gets trapped inside. This trapped heat can cause your AC to work harder and less efficiently. Here are a…

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How to Save Money on Air Conditioning and Energy

June 29, 2018

With the dog days of summer just around the corner, you may be running your AC more and more. We want to go over some of the ways that you can save money and energy with your HVAC system this season. Seasonal Service and Maintenance There is simple maintenance you can do at home, like…

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Does My Air Conditioner Help with Allergies?

June 28, 2018

Does an air conditioner help with allergies? Yes, if you properly maintain the unit. Air conditioners can help filter your home’s air and control humidity, and both of these things are important in the allergy world. It’s estimated there are now 50 million seasonal allergy sufferers in America. Properly maintaining your HVAC system is the…

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Why is My AC Blowing Hot Air?

May 24, 2018

What happens when you turn on your air conditioning unit and it blows hot or warm air? There are many reasons this might be happening. We want to keep you cool at Vailes, so here are a few simple things that you can check before you call us or request service online. Check Your Thermostat…

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The Importance of Air Conditioning Maintenance

April 17, 2018

An air conditioner, just like a car, needs regular maintenance and service for it to run efficiently. We recommend getting your AC unit serviced and cleaned once a year. You should do this in the spring, to ensure that your unit will run with the most efficiency during the hottest summer months. Why is this…

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How Does an Air Conditioner Work?

July 26, 2017

Aside from the professionals, like ours at Vailes Heating and Air, who really thinks about air conditioners and their components? Air conditioners keep your Virginia home or business cool and comfy when the outside temperatures are high, and that’s all you really need to know, right? Well, air conditioners do so much more than just…

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Why is my Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?

July 7, 2017

What happens when you turn on your air conditioning unit and it blows hot or warm air? There are many reasons this might be happening, but we know it is not acceptable here in Fishersville. At Vailes, we want to keep you cool, so here are a few simple things that you can check before…

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Making So Much Noise?

April 25, 2017

Your air conditioning unit will always make some noise when running, and older units are louder than newer ones, so consider the age of your unit before getting too concerned about the noise that it is making. At Vailes Heating & Air, we recommend a maintenance inspection at least once a year to inspect the…

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What Size AC Unit Should I Get for My Home?

April 24, 2017

Having the right sized air conditioner is a key component in cooling your space effectively. A unit that is too small has to run constantly, playing catch up all day trying to fill a space that it isn’t designed for. A unit that is too big will turn on, cool the space quickly and then…

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How to Save Money on Energy this Summer

August 10, 2016

The US Department of Energy says that air conditioning can account for up to 47% of your energy bill. At Vailes Heating & Cooling, we take energy efficiency seriously. Here in Virginia we understand that air conditioning is crucial for comfort during the hot months and our advice may help you save money on your…

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All About Your Air Conditioner

July 28, 2016

An air conditioner is a standard appliance in home comfort. The Energy Information Administration reports that 87% of homes have an AC unit and they account for almost 20% of yearly electricity consumption in the US. At Vailes, we believe that knowledge is power – the more you know about the appliances you are using,…

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Central Air Conditioning Basics

July 14, 2016

At Vailes we believe that the more you know about your HVAC system the better decisions you can make in regards to it. Here are 4 of the main parts to your central air system: Condenser This is the outside metal unit. This is where the gas from the compressor is condensed into a liquid.…

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Common AC Problems

May 25, 2016

In the summer in Virginia, we can run our AC units pretty much around the clock. Along with regular maintenance and inspections on your unit you should also keep in mind these common problems. If you keep your air conditioning unit clean and maintained regularly you shouldn’t have any problem keeping your house comfortable and…

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Ductless Cooling and Heating

May 11, 2016

Originally from Japan, ductless heating and cooling was introduced to the US about 30 years ago. Sales and popularity have been growing since then. It is an efficient and quiet alternative to traditional central AC and other traditional home heating and cooling options. Why should I install Ductless Heating and Cooling? Money and Energy Saving…

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The More You Know About Your AC

April 19, 2016

HVAC systems are much like cars, the more you know the better you can take care of them. Often your AC units or furnace can get overlooked in general home maintenance since they are mostly out of sight and run behind the scenes. Lets look at a few things about your AC unit that you…

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Why Does My Air Conditioner Freeze Up?

July 30, 2015

One of the more common and frustrating things that can happen to your Air Conditioning Unit is a freeze up. This is exactly what it sounds like, when a layer of ice forms on the outside of your AC unit. Whether you have a window unit or a central air system the causes and effects of this, as well as the solutions, are all the same.

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The Importance of AC Maintenance

May 1, 2015

An air conditioner, just like a car, needs regular maintenance and service for it to run efficiently. We recommend getting your AC unit serviced and cleaned once a year. You should do this in the spring, to ensure that your unit will run with the most efficiency during the hottest summer months.

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