Archive for July, 2013

Common Reasons to Call for Air Conditioning Repair Service

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Whether your air conditioner makes a grinding sound or it whistles when blasting cool air throughout your home, there are numerous reasons to call for professional air conditioning repair services in Oregon City. At Clean Air Act, we have encountered a diverse range of HVAC problems over the years and have devised the following shortlist so that you know what to look for. Wen it comes to the integrity of your AC, there is truly no substitute for the expertise of a professional. Only a trained technician can know how to troubleshoot a problem and provide a viable solution. Call us today for all of your air conditioning repair services in Oregon City.

  • AC does not cool home completely. This is a common complaint amongst homeowners who have become frustrated by the lack of cooling in their homes. There is not one reason why this can happen, but rather several. The only way to diagnose the root of the problem is by hiring a professional to do so. You may have low refrigerant levels or there could be a problem with your ductwork.
  • High energy bills. Keeping an eye on your energy bills is a great way to make sure that your AC is not hampered by a problem affecting its efficiency. Our energy bills are high enough without AC faults causing them to rise. If you notice yours spikes from one month to the next, then you might want to consider professional air conditioning repair. 
  • Strange sound. You should expect your AC to make some sound during its operation, but if it begins to make a strange or unusual sound, such as buzzing, grinding, banging, hissing, whistling, or something else, then it could be an indication that something is wrong.
  • AC won’t start. Before calling a professional, make sure that your AC did not merely trip the circuit breaker. If that doesn’t help, then you should also check to make sure that the thermostat is in cooling mode and properly calling for cooling. If neither of those work, then you could have a bad capacitor or a faulty control board.

Call Clean Air Act today for professional air conditioning repair services in Oregon City, OR.

 

Amana Air Conditioning Options

Wednesday, July 24th, 2013

Are you moving into a new home and need an air conditioning system? Is it time to replace your current AC unit? Buying a new air conditioner is a huge decision that you will have to live with for a long time. But finding a good AC unit can be challenging and confusing. We wanted to share some of the options that you have and also recommend that you consider an Amana air conditioning system. Give us a call if you have any questions or if you need any kind of air conditioning services in Beaverton, OR.

Beaverton Air Conditioning Installation Services: Amana Air Conditioners

Check out a few of the options that Amana offers to its customers.

  • Air conditioners – Of course, central air conditioning systems are still the most common type of cooling system. They use a series of ducts that are in your home to push cool air throughout your house. Amana offers some incredibly high efficiency systems that reach 18 SEER. The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an indicator that lets customers know how efficient an air conditioning system is at cooling. In order to receive an Energy Star certification an AC system must meet at least a 14 SEER rating.
  • Heat pumps – Another terrific option for homeowners is a heat pump. They cool your home in exactly the same way as a central AC system. The major difference is that they can also heat your home. They are very efficient and they contain both heating and cooling capabilities in one convenient system.
  • Packaged systems – For homeowners that want the efficiency of a central air conditioning system but the comfort of a gas or electric furnace, package systems are a fantastic option. Many homes have an air conditioning system and then a separate furnace. With a package system you get both in one unit.

If you need any air conditioning installation, repair or maintenance services, call the Beaverton air conditioning technicians at Clean Air Act. We have years of experience working with all different kinds of systems and we can help you replace or install any type of new air conditioning system.

Benefits of an Amana Heat Pump

Wednesday, July 17th, 2013

Named after the Iowa birthplace of its founder, George Foerstner, in 1934, Amana began by revolutionizing the appliance industry and has retained its reputation for excellent products in the heating and cooling industry as well. In particular, an Amana heat pump is a piece of equipment that is built to last with outstanding reliability and performance. At Clean Air Act, we work a variety of system types and brands but we’re particularly proud to be able to provide Amana products to our customers. Like Amana, we have a firm commitment to the comfort of your home. Call us today to learn more about our air conditioning services in Portland.

In today’s post, we’d like to look closely at the benefits of an Amana heat pump.

  • Energy efficiency. It’s important that your new air conditioner not only be powerful to keep your home comfortable, but also energy efficient. Efficiency is the ratio between electrical energy input and cooling output, and a heat pump is one of the best around.  A heat pump has two efficiency ratings, a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) and HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor). Both are numeric scales, and the higher number the better. A heat pump runs on electricity but uses relatively little when compared to other types of systems.
  • Year-round comfort. The most unique feature of a heat pump is its ability to keep your home comfortable year-round. It functions more or less like an air conditioner. By circulating a refrigerant through the various coils, compressor, and expansion valve, the heat pump dissipates heat into the outside air during the summer and absorbs the ambient thermal energy of the air in the winter. It can do this by virtue of a reversing valve that permits the pump to circulate the refrigerant in the opposite direction, unlike an air conditioner.
  • Reliability. The Amana brand is synonymous with innovation, but also reliability. Their heat pumps are built to last. And that’s critical because the installation of a new system is a major investment in your time and resources.

Call Clean Air Act today for all of your air conditioning needs in Portland, OR. We can make sure your Amana heat pump installation runs smoothly, and we also offer comprehensive repair and maintenance services.

Summer Air Conditioning Tips

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

There is nothing better than coming home after a long day of fun in the sun and relaxing in a cool, comfortable home. Unfortunately, there are many reasons why homeowners throughout the area are not able to do so. Some people are hesitant to replace an under-performing air conditioner because it still powers on. Others find that cooling their home to desired temperatures is simply too costly. Whatever reasons you may have for putting up with discomfort, Clean Air Act can help. We’ve put together a few helpful tips for successful air conditioning in Beaverton, OR. Contact us today to learn more.

First of all, if you are thinking about investing in a new air conditioning system, it is important that you discuss all of your options with a qualified professional. There are a number of different air conditioners on the market, and determining which one is right for your home can be a challenge. Do not hesitate to ask questions, and once you’ve decided on your new AC make sure it is installed by a skilled, licensed technician. You will never get the best air conditioning performance that your system has to offer if it is not expertly installed.

Also, remember that you do not need to operate your air conditioning system constantly. In fact, it is important that you give it a rest and allow some fresh air into your home in order to maintain high indoor air quality levels. When the sun goes down and temperatures follow suit, open up your windows to let your house ventilate. Enjoy the cool night air, and close your windows before the weather heats up again the next day. By repeating this cycle whenever possible you can trap in cool night air while preventing stale conditions in your home.

The most important tip that we can give you is to schedule routine air conditioning maintenance before putting your system to use each year. Your air conditioner incurs some general wear and tear during operation and the best way to ensure that it continues to operate as effectively and reliably as possible is to have it routinely inspected and tune up by a qualified Beaverton air conditioning technician. For more tips on how to enjoy successful air conditioning, call Clean Air Act today.

Happy 4th of July!

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

There are few things more “American” than baseball, apple pie and Independence Day. On this day over 200 years ago the second Continental Congress voted to approve the Declaration of Independence. The document, which was primarily authored by Thomas Jefferson, was a written explanation of why America wanted to be free from Great Britain. This bold move by the American colonies would start the Revolutionary War where many brave women and men would give their lives for the freedom that we now hold dear.

Over the years, our celebration of Independence Day has remained largely unchanged. John Adams, the 2nd president of the United States, said this about celebrating Independence Day: “It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.” We all remember going to family barbecues, watching fireworks, attending parades, picnics and fairs, building bonfires, and playing baseball.

However you celebrate this 4th of July, make sure that you take a moment to remember why we’re celebrating.