We’re the Team to Call for Emergency Repairs

Memorial Day weekend. It’s the unofficial start of the summer season and will be here before we know it. For some of us, that means hosting a backyard barbecue.

When we think of backyard parties, we sometimes forget that our indoor space is an important part of the festivities. From bathroom trips to respites from the heat, some guests will spend time inside of our homes. As a result, an important item on a host’s to-do list should be making sure the air conditioning system is tuned up and ready to play its part. After all, one way to ruin a Memorial Day picnic at your home is when you need to call for AC emergency repair.

However, if you do need emergency AC repair, the team at Blue Ribbon Cooling & Heating is here for you 24/7. Don’t hesitate to call us, even on holidays and weekends. At Blue Ribbon, we’ve seen all too often what can happen when homeowners don’t schedule their pre-season AC tune-ups with us. It’s during these routine checkups that we often find (and fix) small problems before they spiral out of control into major disasters.

Here are four signs your AC isn’t working properly and needs our outstanding repair services:

1. It’s blowing hot air, instead of cold. This could mean your AC compressor has failed or your system has a refrigerant leak. Whatever the problem is, our technicians have the skills and experience to diagnose it and restore your cool comfort.
2. There’s moisture or water around your AC system. This could mean your drain tube is blocked and condensation is backing up. However, it also could be something more serious, such as a refrigerant leak.
3. Your system is making strange sounds. When your AC makes a quiet, even noise, that’s normal. But when you start hearing squealing, grinding or grating, that’s not normal. Turn off your system and call for an emergency repair. When you hear any of these sounds, leaving your system on could result in the motor burning up.
4. You notice odd smells. A strange odor could be caused by mold or mildew growth. It also could mean your AC system’s insulation is burning. If you notice a burning odor, you should turn your system off immediately and call in the professionals. If you smell mold or mildew, you should clean around the drain and replace the filter. If that doesn’t solve the problem, we can inspect and professionally clean your system.  

If you notice these problems or anything else that makes you feel uneasy about your AC system, we recommend you schedule a service call. We also encourage homeowners to put pre-season air conditioning tune-ups on their calendars to prevent major problems from occurring during the hot months ahead. Of course, we’ll be there for you when you need us most.

If you do run into trouble, though, keep in mind that we offer 24-hour AC repair to get your system back up and running smoothly and efficiently. Call us at 512.866.9151 or contact us through the convenient form on our website.

And, More Importantly, Which One Is Right for Me?

Do you speak fluent HVAC? If you do, you probably already know that HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and cooling. You also might know the difference between a forced air system and a central air system.

However, if HVAC is still a foreign language for you, don’t worry! The team at Blue Ribbon is always here to translate and patiently answer your questions.

So, let’s get started with your first class in HVAC 101.

Traditionally, forced air refers to your heating system and central air refers to your AC. Keep in mind, though, that these terms are often used interchangeably because your central air system uses the forced air system’s vents and ducts to deliver cool air into your home.

Defining Each System

A forced air system starts with your furnace or heat pump, sending temperature-controlled air into your home using the air ducts and vents.

A central air system produces hot or cold air in a central location and delivers it into your home. For example, your air conditioner creates cool air in the unit located outside of your home and then uses the condenser, compressor and evaporator coils to send the air inside of your home through the ducts and vents.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Forced Air?

The Pros: Energy bills tend to be lower and comfort levels tend to be higher with a forced air system. It can easily be paired with a smart thermostat. It can also boost the value of your home because it’s in high demand.

The Cons: Forced air systems can be more expensive, especially when combined with a central AC unit. They can be noisier and require more maintenance, including changing the filter every few months and sealing and cleaning ducts every few years.

What Are the Pros and Cons of Central Air?

The Pros: Central air systems are quiet, highly efficient and require little maintenance. They also can filter out dust, allergens, harmful gases and humidity, helping to keep your air clean.

The Cons: These systems can cost more to install, especially if your home lacks the proper ductwork and furnace for the air system to work properly. They also can result in higher energy bills. And even though it requires little maintenance, a central air system should be cleaned at least once every year to prevent bacteria and mold from building up in the vents and ducts.

So, Which System Is Right for My Home?

If your home’s indoor air is extremely humid, a forced air system might be the right choice for you. If your home includes a properly functioning air duct system, a central air system might be the right call.

Of course, there are many factors you should consider, including cost. At Blue Ribbon, we have the training and expertise to assess your indoor space and other important data before giving you our professional opinion about the best choice for you. Once you decide, we’ll be more than happy to provide you with a seamless installation.

If you would like our help choosing a forced air or central air system or if you need any of our other outstanding services, call us at 512.866.9151 or contact us through the convenient form on our website.

We Can Fix This Problem—And Even Prevent It From Happening

It won’t be long before it’s blazing hot again in our area, which means we’ll all be running our air conditioners practically around the clock. When we do that, we run the risk of seeing ice start to build up on our units.

Why does this happen and what should you do about it? Your trusted friends at Blue Ribbon will provide you with the answers you need when you discover your AC freezing up. Ultimately, taking swift action will be the key to preventing costly repairs and keeping your system running as smoothly as possible, for as long as possible.

Here are 5 common reasons that your AC system will ice up:

1. Inadequate Airflow: This problem occurs when damaged air ducts or another issue prevent the warm air inside of your home from flowing over the evaporator coils. The result? Condensation. As your compressor continues to run, the water droplets can turn to ice. One of our trained and skilled experts can check your ductwork for leaks or blockages and fix the problem—fast.
2. A Dirty Air Filter: When you don’t clean or replace your air filter, it can become dirty and clogged. The result? You guessed it! Ice build-up on the evaporator coil. Keeping your air filter clean will prevent this problem. Standard air filters should be replaced every two to three months. If you’re a member of our Blue Ribbon Champion Plan, we’ll inspect the cleanliness of your air filter during your 21-point cooling tune-up.
3. Low Refrigerant Levels: Two more situations where ice can form: Your AC refrigerant levels are low or your system is leaking refrigerant. A leak is usually the reason your refrigerant level gets low. At Blue Ribbon, we’ll find the leak and get your system running smoothly again.
4. A Faulty Blower Fan: When the blower fan is damaged, it can restrict airflow to the point where the coil freezes up. If you think this is the problem, it’s important that you call us. A damaged blower fan can lead to other problems with your HVAC system.
5. A Clogged Condensate Drain Line: To operate properly, your AC system transfers heat from inside of your home to the outside. Moisture from this air creates condensation, which leaves your home via the condensate drain line. If the drain becomes clogged, the drip tray could overflow. And if your evaporator coil is too cold, this water could freeze. Blue Ribbon can flush and clear your condensate drain line, eliminating this problem.

Do you need our help dealing with ice build-up at your home? Use our convenient form or call us at 512.308.3515.

Here’s an added tip: You could most likely avoid ice build-up and many other repair problems when you schedule routine maintenance for your system. To make it easy and to enjoy added benefits, we encourage you to sign up for our routine maintenance plan, the Blue Ribbon Champion Plan.

Is Your AC Ready for the Hotter Seasons Ahead?

Are you sick and tired of this winter’s colder weather? If so, we have some great news for you. We’re in the home stretch. February is the final month of chillier temperatures in the Bastrop area.

The average low will climb from 44 degrees in February to 61 degrees in March. And the average high will jump from 66 degrees this month to 74 degrees next month. Aaahhh! Are you ready? And, more importantly, is your air conditioner ready? Because your AC’s busy season starts in March and won’t end until late September.

Here are 7 reasons to schedule an AC tune-up today:

1. You’ll increase your AC’s efficiency. Clogged filters. A leaky condensate line. Mold growth. Excess dust and dirt. At Blue Ribbon, our technicians are trained to look for these problems and others during our thorough pre-season air conditioning inspections and tune-ups. We’ll make any necessary adjustments so your system operates smoothly and reliably throughout the summer season.
2. You’ll lower the risk of a breakdown. You don’t want your AC system to break down in the middle of the summer season. Contractors are busier during the warmer months. Parts are harder to find. And it can take longer for a new system to arrive after it’s ordered. A tune-up now will help prevent these types of problems down the road.
3. You could experience improved indoor air. Adding a new filter, removing pollen, dust and mildew as well as making certain adjustments could result in cleaner, less humid indoor air.
4. You’ll prevent costly repairs down the line. During our pre-season tune-ups, we often identify (and fix) small problems before they spiral out of control into larger, more expensive issues. (We’ll always get your approval first before making any repairs.)
5. You’ll help your system last longer. When you take good care of your vehicle, it lasts longer. The same is true for your AC (or heating) system. Plus, regular maintenance helps keep your warranty valid.
6. You’ll make scheduling easier. The busiest seasons for HVAC contractors are summer and winter. If you schedule your tune-up during the spring for your AC and the fall for your heater, your contractor should have more open slots so you can choose a day and time that works with your schedule.
7. You’ll make your home safer. A well-maintained cooling or heating system is a safer system. We’ll remove or make you aware of items that can make your system less safe, such as dirt, dust, pests or other materials that can cause electrical outages. We’ll also look for plants, weeds or shrubbery that can grow too close to your outside unit and adversely affect its efficiency.

Some customers ask us if regular tune-ups are worth it or just a way for us to make money. Let us assure you these tune-ups are invaluable. Don’t believe us? Just ask the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and its Energy Star program. The EPA and Energy Star highly recommend regular tune-ups for homeowners to save energy and improve their indoor air quality.

Would you like to schedule your pre-season tune-up? We’ll even check your AC freon. Use our convenient form or call us at 512.308.3515 to get ahead of the game today.