Answers from our techs

When your heating or cooling stops working, it can be hard to know whether you need someone tonight or whether it can wait until morning. Here is a simple guide. Call right away if You smell gas. Leave the home immediately and call your gas company or 911 from outside. You smell burning or see smoke from your unit or vents. Turn the system off at the breaker. Your carbon monoxide detector is going off. Get everyone outside and call 911. Water is leaking through a ceiling from

As fall arrives in Oklahoma, your air conditioner gets a well earned break. A few simple steps now protect your system through the winter and make sure your heat is ready when the first cold front blows through. Should I cover my outdoor unit? If you have a heat pump, never cover it. A heat pump runs all winter to heat your home and needs open airflow. If you have an air conditioner only, a full plastic or vinyl cover is usually not a good idea. It can trap moisture, cause ru

Every air conditioner reaches a point where repairs stop making sense. Knowing where your system is in its life helps you make a smart decision instead of a rushed one in the middle of July. How long do AC systems last? With regular maintenance, most central air conditioners and heat pumps last around 12 to 15 years. In Oklahoma, long cooling seasons, heat, storms, and dust can be hard on equipment. Systems that were never maintained often wear out sooner. Signs it may be tim

Your air conditioner works hard through long Oklahoma summers. Like a vehicle, it needs regular care to run well and last. A little maintenance goes a long way toward lower bills, fewer breakdowns, and a longer system life. What homeowners can do Monthly Check the air filter and replace it when dirty Make sure vents and return grilles are open and not blocked by furniture Every few months during cooling season Flush the condensate drain line with about a quarter cup of white

If you only do one thing for your heating and cooling system, change the air filter. It is cheap, takes a minute, and prevents a long list of problems including poor cooling, frozen coils, high bills, and early equipment failure. How often to change it These are general guidelines. Always check the filter monthly and replace it when it looks dirty. 1 inch filters: every 1 to 3 months 4 to 5 inch media filters: every 6 to 12 months Homes with pets: lean toward the shorter end

In Oklahoma, cooling can make up a large share of your summer electric bill. Some increase is normal when temperatures climb, but a sudden jump or a bill that keeps growing year after year can point to a system that is working harder than it should. Signs your AC is wasting energy The system runs longer than it used to Some rooms are much warmer than others The house feels humid or clammy Your bill is higher than last year in similar weather The system is more than 12 to 15 y

A healthy air conditioner runs in steady cycles, usually somewhere around 10 to 20 minutes at a time depending on the weather. If your system keeps turning on and off every few minutes, or seems to run all day without ever shutting off, something needs attention. When your AC keeps turning on and off (short cycling) Dirty filter or restricted airflow. Poor airflow can cause the system to overheat or freeze and trip safety controls. Thermostat location. A thermostat near a sup

Your nose is one of the best diagnostic tools you have. Different smells coming from your vents point to different problems, and some need attention right away. Musty or moldy smell This is the most common odor we hear about. It usually comes from moisture buildup on the indoor coil, a dirty drain pan, a clogged condensate line, or mold growing in the ductwork. Changing the filter and keeping the condensate line clear helps. If the smell continues, a coil cleaning or duct ins

Your air conditioner makes a certain amount of noise during normal operation. But when a new sound shows up, it is often an early warning. Catching problems early usually means a smaller repair bill. Buzzing or humming A buzz from the outdoor unit often points to an electrical issue such as a failing capacitor, a worn contactor, or a motor that is trying to start but cannot. If the outdoor unit is humming but the fan is not spinning, turn the system off and call for service.

Your air conditioner removes a surprising amount of moisture from the air. On a humid Oklahoma day, a typical home system can pull gallons of water out of the air. That water is supposed to drain away through a small pipe called the condensate line. When something goes wrong with that drain, water ends up where it should not be. Common causes of AC water leaks A clogged condensate drain line. Algae, mold, dust, and sludge build up in the line over time and eventually block it

If you can feel air coming out of your vents but it is not cold, walk outside and listen. If the outdoor unit (the condenser) is silent or just humming, that tells us a lot about the problem. Things you can check safely The outdoor disconnect. Make sure the disconnect box on the wall next to the unit is switched on or the pull out block is fully inserted. The breaker. Your outdoor unit usually has its own breaker in the panel, separate from the indoor unit. If it is tripped,

It sounds backward, but an air conditioner can freeze solid on a 100 degree day. If you see ice on the copper line going into your outdoor unit or frost on the indoor coil, your system is telling you something is wrong. What to do right now Turn the system to OFF at the thermostat. Leave the fan on AUTO, or set it to ON to help the ice melt faster. Let it thaw completely. This can take several hours. Place towels around the indoor unit because melting ice can overflow the dra