Air Conditioning FAQs

Our Pros Answer Your Top Air Conditioner FAQs
Is my air conditioner supposed to sound like that? Why isn’t my AC cooling my house? The pros at S&R Heating & Cooling are answering your top air conditioner FAQs to help you better understand and take control of your home comfort. Still have a question about your cooling unit? Just contact us online or call 651-429-0001 to get help straight from our techs.
How Will I Know If It’s Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?
If your AC is more than 10 years old or you notice that your energy bills are sky high, it’s time to start planning for an upgrade. Even if it still runs, an older cooling system is likely working harder than it needs to in order to keep your home cool, and that extra stress can lead to high energy costs and bigger repairs down the road. Today’s air conditioners are much smoother and more efficient.
Should I Schedule Maintenance for My Air Conditioner?
Yes! It will keep your warranty intact. Regular service will also increase efficiency and performance, extend the life of your AC, and reduce energy costs. It’ll even help you avoid costly repairs because techs can detect small problems before they get worse.
Why Does My Air Conditioner Keep Shutting Off?
Contact us as soon as you notice this problem—it could mean the difference between a simple repair and an expensive replacement. You may have a defective blower motor or a low level of refrigerant that could be caused by a leaking or loose-fitting valve. It could also be caused by a dirty air filter or evaporator coil that is clogging airflow, in which case your AC just needs a tuneup.
My House Doesn’t Cool Very Well—Do I Need a Bigger Air Conditioner?
Not necessarily. Too big a unit will cool the house adequately but won’t have enough run time to properly remove humidity, which is key to your comfort. When you have S&R install your central air conditioning system, you can count on us to provide you with the correctly sized unit for your home.
Why Is There Ice on My AC?
First things first—if you see ice building on your cooling system, book an appointment with S&R right away. Either the system has low refrigerant, bad air flow, or malfunctioning parts. Whatever the problem, you can count on our experts to correct it.
How Often Do I Need to Replace My Air Filter?
Your air filter catches lots of unhealthy particulates that float around your house, so keeping it clean is crucial to its performance. We recommend changing standard filters every one to three months—or more often if you have pets, get bad allergies, or smoke.
How Can I Cool My Home If I Don’t Have Ductwork?
Ductless split systems are the perfect answer. These individual units can be placed throughout the house to provide customized heating and cooling solutions for specific areas. Whether you don’t have ductwork, are adding onto your house, or need something to even out hot or cold spaces, ask us today if a ductless system is right for you.
Should I Cover My AC in the Winter?
We don’t recommend it because it can do more harm than good. Your cooling system doesn’t typically get dirty when they aren’t being used—and people often forget to take the covers off before they turn on the air conditioning in spring. Additionally, covers also trap moisture, which could lead to damage. Rodents also like to make nests in warm, covered spots in winter, so it’s best to leave any covers off.
My House Is Still Humid With the AC Running—How Can I Fix It?
Consider pairing your cooling system with a whole-home dehumidifier—it’s designed to remove excess moisture and the problems it causes, such as allergies, mold, and mildew, from your house. These systems help you feel cooler even without you having to touch the thermostat, which can help you save on energy costs.
What Does the SEER Rating on My AC Mean?
It stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, which determines the efficiency of your unit on a scale from 10 to 20. The higher the SEER rating, the more you save on energy consumption.