Finding the right temperature for your AC is important for both your wallet and your comfort. Still, given the extreme summer temperatures in Arizona, it can be hard not to go overboard with the thermostat setting since you always want the room temperature to be just the right kind of cool. So, then, at what temperature should your AC be set?

Whether it’s summer or winter, you just can’t function without your AC unit. That is why we’re here to deliver top-notch AC installation in Scottsdale, AZ and provide you with all the AC-related information you might need. Read on!

What should you set your thermostat at in the winter?

Winters in Arizona are mild, but you still don’t want to be chilly when you’re lounging in your living room. But if you want to be smart about savings, you should set your thermostat to 68°F during the day and lower your temperature settings while you’re sleeping or away by 10-15 degrees.

Why you should lower your AC temperature during winter

Lowering your thermostat settings can save you money in the winter, plain and simple. If you lower your temperature 7°–10° for 8 hours a day from your desired setting while you’re not home, you could save approximately 10% a year, according to the U.S Department of Energy. What’s more, your energy bills will be lower in mild climates if you do this, which is perfect for the winter time in Arizona.

Get a programmable thermostat

If you don’t want to worry about forgetting to set your thermostat and waking up to an uncomfortable temperature, you should think about purchasing a programmable thermostat. This way, you can preset weekly, weekend or vacation temperature schedules and save even more money.

At what temperature does air conditioning stop working?

In extreme temperatures, many homeowners start to notice that their AC is not cooling as well as it used to. Your AC unit may have a hard time when outside temperatures climb to 100°F because it needs outside temperatures to be lower than the heat released from the unit in order to work properly. Why does this happen?

Well, your air conditioner is simply not designed to work as well in extreme temperatures. In order to perform optimally in average temperatures, a typical AC is designed to be slightly less efficient in the extremes. This is why you’ll notice that you’re able to cool your home only to 80° when it’s 100° outside while your unit is usually capable of easily lowering the temperature to 70º.

However, there’s a problem here. How can you know whether your AC is less efficient because of the heat or if  there’s a problem with your AC compressor?

Here are some tips:

• If you notice that your AC starts to work better during the night or early in the morning when it’s cooler outside, the problem is probably just the extreme temperature.
• If your system manages to reach a temperature which is 20° lower than outside, it’s most likely working as well as it can in the extremes. If it is less efficient than this, you might be facing a symptom of a faulty AC compressor.
• If you notice any other issues with the unit, such as leaks or strange noises, you probably need to have your AC serviced.

What should my AC be set at in summer?

Given the extreme Arizona heat, your AC unit is surely working at full speed during the summer months. Not only is this expensive, but it can also damage your AC system if you’re not smart about it. Luckily, we’ve already covered the recommendations for winter since similar principles apply here as well.

Set your thermostat to a slightly higher temperature

Just as you would lower your temperature settings in winter, you should bump the number up a little in summer if you want to save energy. This is because your AC uses up a lot of energy if it has to maintain a much lower interior temperature.

Moreover, if you set a higher temperature, you’ll slow down the flow of heat into the house. This is why you should raise your thermostat setting to around 75-80° if the outside temp is 100° and you’ll notice a significant difference in your energy bills.  

Program your thermostat

If you have a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to set higher temperatures while you’re away and cool down the house when you return. If you spend 8 hours away from home every day, you’ll actually save more if you leave your AC running at a higher setting than if you turn it off. You’ll also find it easier to cool down if you don’t let the house overheat while you’re away.

Get superb AC installation services in Scottsdale, Arizona   

When you know how to use your AC wisely, the summer heat won’t bother you at all. You won’t even need to cool down at the McDowell Mountain Ranch Aquatic & Fitness Center every day since the temperature at your home will be perfectly pleasant and you won’t waste a dime.  

If you live in Scottsdale and you’re thinking of getting a new air conditioner, we have just what you need. Count on the expert technicians at Hughes Air to install your AC swiftly, efficiently and professionally. Call us today and see why our experienced technicians are the best in the area!

It’s unthinkable to live in Arizona without a functioning AC. Yet, no matter how bad of a situation it is, it’s one which happens all too often. If this scenario has happened to you, you must be wondering what caused your AC to stop working and what you can do about it.

Thankfully, your air conditioning will run smoothly before you know it if you entrust your AC issues to the best air conditioning repair service in Scottsdale. Before we can fix your AC, it’s necessary to understand the underlying causes which might be to blame.

What causes an AC compressor to stop working?

Since most AC failures have to do with malfunctions of the AC compressor, it is important to know what this vital part actually is and learn about some common causes for AC compressor issues.  

What is the AC compressor?

The AC compressor, often referred to as the heart of the air conditioning system, is a pump which pressurizes the refrigerant and circulates it through the AC unit within a refrigeration cycle. Without the gaseous refrigerant, the compressor and the entire AC unit can malfunction.

Common causes of AC compressor failures

Since the AC compressor is a vital component of the system, any issues related to it can be serious and possibly a nightmare to repair. Luckily, not all compressor problems are costly and irreparable. Most are preventable with correct maintenance which includes cleaning or replacing air filters, coils and choosing appropriate temperatures for your AC during summer and winter.

Here are some of the most common causes of compressor failure:

• Clogged or dirty filters
• Dirty coils
• Clogged suction lines
• Insufficient oil lubricant
• Too much or too little refrigerant
• Broken refrigerant lines
• Electrical issues

How do I know if my home AC compressor is bad?

Your AC unit will generally show early signs and symptoms of a bad AC compressor before a more serious failure occurs. If you notice and act on these early hints, your chances to prevent compressor malfunctions will be much greater.

Some of the signs are easier to spot than others, but all of them can indicate potential compressor failures which can be prevented with these early steps.

Abnormal noises

Keep an ear out for any strange noises since they might indicate a problem with the compressor. If you don’t hear your compressor and fan running smoothly, but instead notice knocking, chattering or hissing noises coming out of the unit, your AC might be experiencing issues with a worn compressor motor, a refrigerant leak or the electrical relay switch.

Cool or lukewarm air from the outdoor unit

Cold air coming from the compressor fan is another sign of a possible failure. Although the AC is meant to cool your home, the compressor, located in the outdoor AC unit, creates heat in order to do this since it’s main job is to compress gas. So, if you notice that the air coming out is lukewarm or cool, your compressor might be malfunctioning.

Higher electricity bill

Unless you’ve been using your AC unit more in the summer season, a higher electricity bill might signal a fault with the compressor. A worn compressor runs longer and slows down the AC unit resulting in a higher than normal utility bill.

Reduced airflow

This one is a bit more hard to spot even though it is one of the first symptoms you’d be able to notice. If your compressor is weak or worn, you’ll find that less cool air is coming out of your vents since the malfunction is causing less cool air to be generated.

Find exceptional air conditioning repair in Scottsdale, AZ

We know that you just can’t imagine a summer in Arizona without your trusted AC. Sure, in this worst case scenario, you could cool off at Cactus Aquatic & Fitness Center. Still, why endure the nightmare longer than a minute when you can rely on Hughes Air Heating & Cooling to get your AC fixed in no time.

Our seasoned technicians employ utmost professionalism to install, maintain and repair your AC units to keep them fully operational throughout the year. Reach out to us today and see why we’re the best HVAC service in Scottsdale!

With high-quality air conditioning repair service in Scottsdale at your fingertips, you tend to forget that not every AC emergency can be solved. At some point, repairing it is no longer an option. When you can no longer rely on professionals to step in and bring the system back to life, it’s time to say goodbye to it. When you consider the possible reasons why your AC has stopped working and the potentially high repair costs, what other option do you have?

How many years does an air conditioner last?

Responsible homeowners treat their air conditioners with diligent care, allowing them to make the most of or even lengthen the lifespan of the system. These are some of the factors that could affect the lifespan of an AC:

• The quality of your home’s insulation
• Actions that affect your household’s energy efficiency
• Whether the system undergoes regular professional maintenance
• How long the system has been in use
• Whether the system has been overused
• Whether the system has been underused
• Whether the system was used in accordance with the user manual instructions

On average, an AC system should last you about 10-15 years. If you make sure the system undergoes regular maintenance by a reputable professional service, its lifespan could be significantly longer. In fact, it could last you over 20 years.

It’s important not to neglect the unit. Simple issues like dirty air filters tend to escalate. Likewise, do not overuse it. Avoid the common mistake homeowners make: never force the system to achieve an unreasonable difference between the temperature in your home and the temperature outside.

When is replacing my AC the way to go?

Sometimes, fixing your old AC is feasible. However, the cost is too high and cannot be justified by the few extra years the repair will buy you. If we assume that you’re not emotionally attached to your AC, you’re much better off making a rational choice.

Older generations of air conditioners are also notorious for being energy hogs, so fixing it is often not the way to go. If replacing your AC has become inevitable, focus on the silver lining. At least now you can go for an option with maximum energy efficiency.

What causes an AC compressor to stop working?

If your AC compressor has stopped working, the time to look for a brand new solution for your home’s air conditioning has probably come. In other words, the cost of repair could be staggeringly high. Worse yet, the repair could be completely impossible. Here are the potential causes:

• Electrical failure
• Presence of contaminants in the system
• Dirty coils
• Blocked lines
• Inadequate suction line size
• Low refrigerant charge
• Too much refrigerant
• Inadequate oil lubricant level

When should I replace my AC unit?

The time to replace your AC unit is when a professional AC technician determines with absolute certainty that the unit consumes too much energy without the capacity for desired performance.

Also, as we mentioned before, sometimes a replacement is simply the more reasonable option, as the cost of repair could rise to thousands of dollars, especially with the older generations. The right AC system for you home needs to have high energy efficiency, achieve top-notch performance, as well as be a budget-friendly option for your household.

Hughes Air: the solution for any and all AC services

Scottsdale, home to the marvelous Tonto National Forest, is an amazing place, but it sure tends to get hot. If you’ve decided that you’re better off buying a brand new AC system instead of paying for air conditioning repair service in Scottsdale, we’re here for you. That’s not to say we’ll give up on your old AC without putting up a fight! But we definitely want to help you make the right choice.

From the moment we complete the AC installation process, you’ll never have to worry about what comes next. Owing to the industrious, professional maintenance that our trusted technicians will schedule and perform from time to time, your AC will be up and running for many happy years to come.

We’re always at your service for flawless installation, maintenance and repair. Welcome to Hughes Air!

To restore your indoor comfort as soon as possible, professionals who perform top-quality AC repair in Scottsdale on daily basis have to identify the culprits swiftly and efficiently.  No one knows more about the intricate details of the complex system that is your AC than professional teams of companies restoring the functionality of air conditioners on daily basis.

Unless they determine that your AC is beyond help, they can proceed to fix whatever is wrong with it. Although you might not always be able to troubleshoot your AC system as efficiently, you could give it a shot, especially if the problem is something as simple as the system’s air filter. Read on to learn more.

Why is my AC not blowing hard?

When an AC is not blowing hard enough, there are several potential culprits to look out for. These include:

• Blocked vents
• Kinks on your flex ducts
• Duct system leaks
• Blower fan malfunction
• Dirty evaporator coil

For now, we’ll focus on the last one.

What is an evaporator coil and how does it collect dirt?

Usually, the evaporator coil will get dirty because you’re running your AC with a dirty or non-existent air filter. Is is one of the mandatory steps of the cooling process that air blows over the evaporator coil.

If there is no air filter or if the air filter is covered in dirt, the evaporator coil becomes clogged with dirt. This blocks the airflow and causes the airflow to weaken and lose force.

What is AC filter?

An AC filter might not seem like a crucial component of the AC system to an outsider, but it most certainly plays a huge part in the system. A dirty or missing air filter will impair the system’s functionality. In fact, if you neglect your AC filter for a long period of time, it could lead to major malfunctions and, by extension, more expensive repairs.

Can I run my AC without a filter?

You can but not for a very long time. In other words, you should never do it. Running your AC without the filter will cause dirt to stick to the evaporator coil.

Why is replacing the air filter on regular basis important?

Lungs are a delicate organ and exposing them to the hazardous particles from indoor air is never a good idea. The purpose of the filter is to protect the health of everyone in the house by purifying indoor air.

Inhaling stale indoor air full of dangerous particles can have a detrimental effect on health. In the worst case scenario, it could lead to serious respiratory diseases and development or aggravation of allergy symptoms.

How often should I replace the air filter?

As a rule of thumb, the air filter should be replaced every three months or so. This will be done as part of the system’s regular maintenance so you can rely on your contractor to set up a schedule. However, if you have pets or suffer from allergies, replacing the air filter should be done more frequently. Experts recommend doing it once every 30-45 days.

Quick & efficient AC repair in Scottsdale? At your fingertips

There’s no arguing that seeing the sun shine over Scottsdale and the Sonoran Desert is a captivating image. However when the heat rises, we all want to feel that cooling sensation that only a perfectly maintained air conditioner can provide.  

Our cream-of-the-crop AC technicians will crack down on any issue affecting the performance of your AC. Using advanced diagnostic tools and state-of-the-art equipment, they will have your AC up and running in no time. Leave it to us to take good care of your AC. We’ll also help you save money and protect the environment by achieving maximum energy efficiency without sacrificing indoor comfort. Give us a call today!

Air conditioning systems require regular maintenance and effective repair services in order to provide you with the best results. If you have your air conditioner serviced and maintained regularly, you can improve its efficiency and overall performance. This will also help you ensure its long-lasting quality and the comfort of your home.

Once you notice possible problems, such as AC not cooling your house, you should book with the leading experts for air conditioning repair in Scottsdale, who will deal with any issue in a proper manner. When choosing a company for air conditioning repair, there are a few essential considerations to keep in mind. (more…)

If your AC is in urgent need of repair, you’ll want the whole ordeal to be over as quickly and efficiently as possible. However, there are many things that might prolong the process further and many factors to consider. Sure, you can try troubleshooting the AC first, as the problem could be simple enough, such as filters that ought to be replaced. But if you fail to pinpoint the culprit behind a non-functional AC by yourself, you’ll have to choose to whom to delegate the task of eliminating the issue. (more…)

An AC in your Scottsdale home that’s in urgent need of repair is no laughing matter. Not only are you in a hurry to find a reliable AC repair company because of the heat, but also because you want to know what’s causing your AC to malfunction or stop working altogether.

Once you have chosen a reliable company specializing in air conditioning repair in Scottsdale, AZ and offering reasonably-priced AC repair and maintenance services, you won’t have to worry about a thing. They will not only repair your AC but also remind you when the time comes for your AC system’s regular maintenance. But for now, let’s see what we can do about helping you try to repair the AC all by yourself! (more…)

Living in Arizona with a non-functional AC is the worst case scenario. If your AC is broken, you want to know what caused it and how it can be fixed. When it comes to air conditioning repair in Scottsdale, Arizona, you want to assign that task to the very best in the business of AC repair and maintenance. Once you find the right AC service and repair company, you’ll have nothing to worry about. But for now, let’s focus on something else entirely and take a look at what might be causing your AC to fail to operate properly or at all.

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