6 Air Conditioner Noises & What They Mean

The noises your cooling system makes on a day-to-day basis tend to fade into the background. That subtle woosh and hum, the click of the system cycling on—we hear these so often and so regularly that they pretty much amount to white noise. With that being the case, unusual noises tend to stick out quite a bit.

You can use this fact to your advantage! Odd sounds are one of the clearest indications that your air conditioning system has a problem, and if you catch them at the right time you can save yourself a lot of heartache and cost by getting an AC repair service. Even better, each noise tends to indicate a completely unique issue, making noise recognition a very faithful kind of AC troubleshooting, too.

Want to learn about common AC noises, what they mean, and what to do about them? Follow along with the experts at AccuTemp of Baton Rouge while we detail six of the most common ones!

• Clanking or clattering. Clanks, clattering, or the steady sound of metal grinding on metal are sure sounds that indicate a part has come loose or is severely damaged. The sound you’re hearing, in this case, is typically the component in question banging against the cooling system. As you might expect, you’ll want to call for AC repair ASAP on this one!
• High-pitched squealing. A loud, persistent squeal will usually mean a worn out, damaged, or out of date belt. It can also potentially be bearings that are lacking lubrication, but that sound is often a good deal more shrill.
• Vibration. Though not technically a sound, the term “vibration” is close enough to give you an idea of what we’re talking about (plus we already used “clattering”). This sound can typically pop up anywhere in the home where ducts are running, and usually indicates a duct that has come loose, causing it to vibrate and produce a weak rattling noise as air passes through the duct.
• Humming/buzzing. A hum or buzz noise is often found near electrical components, and this one can actually be really dangerous. In most cases what you have here is an electrical connection that has come loose or is experiencing some sort of short or overloading issue. We strongly recommend shutting the system down and calling for repair, and this is one of the ones we would say warrants an emergency AC repair service.
• Whistling noises. Whistling is usually the result of small amounts of air rapidly escaping a smallish hole. Most commonly this will be a pinhole air leak, usually in the ducts or near a return or supply vent. A single pinhole isn’t too much to stress over, but often where there’s one there are many, and this can result in tons of efficiency loss and poor air quality.
• Bubbling or “wet” noises. Wet gurgling or bubbling noises are similar to the whistle noise, just with water or refrigerant. Either the condensate drain line, or worse, the refrigerant line has become damaged and is leaking.

Read More: Top Signs of Bad Ductwork in Your Home

Air Conditioner Repair in Baton Rouge

If your air conditioner or furnace is making loud noises while operating, our team of professionals are available to help. Generally speaking, we would recommend that you get any odd sound checked out right away.

In most cases, an odd noise is going to point to some part of your cooling or HVAC system that is damaged, worn out, or otherwise malfunctioning. Leaving these sorts of issues alone very frequently results in bigger problems, and potentially even AC replacement.

If you need help, are unsure about what kind of action is needed, or if you’re ready to schedule an AC repair service in the Baton Rouge area, never hesitate to contact the certified HVAC pros at AccuTemp!

If you live in an older Louisiana home, you may be wondering when it’s exactly the right time to revamp your electrical system. In the case that you want to revamp your system but you don’t know where to begin, our team at AccuTemp provides quality electrical repairs and upgrades in Baker. In most cases, we would recommend a service panel upgrade.

What is a Service Panel?

If you aren’t familiar with service panels, this is the part of your home that controls your circuit breakers and helps distribute lines of power throughout your home. If you’ve seen a box in your home that has multiple controls, this is like the service panel. 

At one point or another, your service panel will near the end of its life. If you’re noticing any of the following in your home, it may be time for a service panel upgrade. 

The Age of Your Home

If your house is over 20 years old and the service panel has never been updated, it’s likely time for a replacement. The amps in older service panels range from 60-100 amps, and homes that were built in the last ~20 years are equipped with panels that have 200 amps. This plays a big role in how well your system keeps up with your family’s electrical demands. If you often experience short-circuiting or other electrical-related issues, a more updated system will be more reliable. 

An Abundance of Extension Cords

While extension cords can be handy once in a while, they shouldn’t be all over your home. If you’re currently relying on extension cords to keep up with your electrical needs, we are happy to install additional outlets. Doing so can also help reduce the stress to your overall system. 

Flickering Lights

If you turn on your appliances only to see flickering lights, this is likely a connection to the panel. Overloaded circuits result in a diminished output of electrical force, resulting in flickering lights. The upgraded panel is better able to respond to your increased electrical needs. 

Burning Smells

Of course, if you smell something burning in your service panel or relating to an electrical outlet, you’ll want to take immediate action. The burning could be the result of your panel overheating. Our skilled team at AccuTemp will be able to step in and help as soon as possible!

Your electrical needs should always be handled by a professional. Please contact our team of qualified electricians in Baton Rouge, Louisiana to receive assistance with an outdated electrical panel.

By now, most homeowners understand the importance of changing their filters on a regular basis to help improve indoor air quality and maintain the efficiency of your system. But one thing you may not have realized is that any carpeting in your home can act as an air filter that slowly chips away at your air quality. 

Be mindful of the following information from our HVAC contractor near Denham Springs, but know that we are here to answer your questions if you have them. 

How Your Carpets Keep Air More Breathable

It’s natural for carpets to trap microscopic particles, but when they reach a certain level of saturation, carpets are no longer effective at acting as a barrier. 

This is also applicable in your office space; if you have a surplus of carpets, there’s a chance they are contributing to high levels of pollution that can lead to underlying health issues.

Does Vacuuming Help?

Your first instinct may be to pull out the vacuum. While that is helpful, it doesn’t eliminate the problem. Vacuuming still leaves pollutants behind which increases their chances of circulating throughout the air. If your home or business doesn’t have the right ventilation, these particles can cause damage.

What Can You Do?

Make sure that all of your air vents are exposed and not blocked off by furniture to help keep air flowing. Keeping up with HVAC maintenance, such as reaching out to our HVAC contractor in Denham Springs, can help you stay on top of any issues stemming from your carpet. 

Of course, getting your carpet professionally cleaned is also helpful, but make sure there is a drying method at the end of the process to ensure mold and mildew don’t form as a result. 

Contact Our Team at AccuTemp

If you want to learn more about how your carpet acts as a filter, please reach out to us at AccuTemp today. We offer trusted HVAC, indoor air quality, and plumbing services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana along with other locations. Give our team of professionals a call at (225) 238-8495 to learn more about ways to improve the air quality in your house.

With the weather finally shifting into decidedly warmer days, now is not the time for an air conditioning issue. And yet here you sit, your air conditioner kicking in just long enough to get your hopes up before it kicks right back off.

Don’t stress too much! The experts at AccuTemp are here, and we’ve seen this many times before. Follow along while we go over the possible causes, what they mean, and what to do about them.

Prefer to place it all in the hands of a pro? You can always reach out to the specialists at AccuTemp online, or give us a call, to get the fast, effective AC repair you deserve!

A Quick Intro to Air Conditioner Short Cycling

The problem you’re experiencing is called, as the header suggests, short-cycling. Your AC divides its active and inactive time into “cycling on” and “cycling off,” and in the case of a short-cycle the air conditioner is rapidly swapping between these two states. This can happen for quite a few reasons, which is why you might be a little frustrated or confused right now. The good news is that most of these problems are easily identified, and many can even be handled by you.

Was Your Air Conditioner Installed Recently?

This is probably the least common cause on the list, but it bears mentioning first because it’s easy to identify. If your system was installed within the past year or two, and especially if you’ve had this issue since installation day, then it’s possible (if not likely) that the air conditioner that was installed was simply too large for your home or that the thermostat was poorly placed.

It Might Be Air Flow!

Air flow issues are probably the most common cause of short-cycling, and if handled quickly enough they’re also the easiest to fix. To start check your air filter, and then check the vents and registers around your home. A dirty filter or blocked vent can choke and over pressurize the cooling system, resulting in the AC overheating and cycling off or going into safety mode as a result.

Read More: How to Clean a Sump Pump Correctly

Did You Forget to Schedule AC Maintenance?

Filters aren’t the only place a clog can crop up, and many components failing can also cause overheating. Avoiding short cycling and similar issues is one of the most important reasons to get maintenance, since it clears away these messes and identifies component problems like a blower motor complication early on before they get out of hand.

Refrigerant Issues Can Cause Short Cycling, Too.

Or, more accurately, they’re likely to cause frost or ice to form on the unit, which will then lead to overheating or short-cycling. This one is a little more difficult for a homeowner to identify, but you might be able to spot the issue by checking for any puddles of water or excess moisture around the air conditioning unit, either indoor or outdoor. Keep in mind that puddles of water tend to mean freezing, but they don’t always mean a refrigerant leak. It’s best to call in an expert right away if you notice puddles or dripping!

Contact AccuTemp for AC Repair in Baton Rouge

We can say with fair confidence that you can handle the air filter in your home, or moving a carpet away from a vent. Although the majority of possible causes on this list should not be handled by a homeowner! 

Our team of professionals offer air conditioning and heating tune-up services in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and other areas. Let our professionals take care of it—we’ve got the tools and training necessary to fix your defective air conditioner.

Common DIY Electrical Mistakes

Homeowners face a variety of tasks that they may or may not be prepared for. While a quick Google search can often answer lingering questions about DIY home improvement, there are many scenarios that should be left to a professional, including fixes that revolve around your home’s electricity. Did you know that roughly 67,800 house fires result from electrical problems on an annual basis? Don’t take shortcuts when it comes to your home’s electrical system!

Our team of electricians in New Orleans have created a list of common electrical mistakes that homeowners make.

Not Installing a Junction Box

Junction boxes are also referred to as electrical boxes or connection boxes. They’re inexpensive yet make a huge impact when protecting your electrical connections. They help contain sparks and heat in the case of a short circuit. Make sure you aren’t skipping this simple step!

Installing the Box Behind Drywall

In order for your junction box to function at its best, it needs to be fitted so that it’s laying flush with the drywall. If you don’t do this, you are putting the box at risk of catching fire due to a spark flying and catching on the wood.

Miscutting Wires

There should be 3-6 inches of wire slack extending from the junction box. It’s always better to start with longer wires and trim off unnecessary length later. In the case that you cut your wires too short, you’ll need to splice and add an extension. Plus, wires that are too short won’t create a strong connection and are potentially hazardous to you and your family.

The intricacies of your home’s electrical system can be difficult to handle on your own. If you feel overwhelmed and want professional help, get in touch with our electricians in Baton Rouge today!

Our professionals offer a variety of reputable electrical services such as lighting installation, wiring replacement, surge detector system configuration, and electrical panel installation. Contact our team at (225) 238-8495 to receive assistance.

With spring winding down and summer beginning to wind up, the odds are high that many of you are starting to plan a great summer vacation. Maybe it’ll be nearby in local Baton Rouge, or maybe you’ll decide to seek cooler (or more beachy) climates elsewhere. Either way, you’ll be spending time away from home, and you might be asking yourself one surprisingly important question: Should you shut off your air conditioner while you’re away?

Why Shutting the System Off Is the Wrong Decision

So the idea is a sound enough one: shut off the air, save tons of energy. Makes sense at first! However, this presents multiple problems, some of which are particularly important because of our specific climate. Let’s go down the list:

You Might Not Save as Much as You Think

While killing the system outright uses zero energy at all, while you’re gone the home is going to heat up in a hurry. That means once you return the interior of your home could be 90 degrees, 100 degrees, or even more. Tack the humidity onto that and your house is now a sauna, which is not only uncomfortable for you personally but is also going to require a tremendous amount of energy to get your home back to a comfortable temperature.

That means once you get back all of that energy you saved might actually be lost again and then some, because of how long and how hard the system will have to work to recuperate proper comfortable temperatures and humidity ranges.

Humidity Is a Huge Issue

The humidity in your home will be left to present more problems than just making the home miserable, too. Furniture, paint, and wooden structures in your home need to stay below 50% relative humidity in order to stay safe and secure, meaning if you kill the air and go on vacation you could come home to:

• Bubbled, peeled, and cracked paint
• Warped furniture
• A nasty mold infestation (pretty much everywhere)
• Pests in the home
• Funky, musty odors
• Ruined dry goods in the pantry

Appliances Might Suffer Without AC

Honestly, when we’re talking Baton Rouge this one is less of a might and more of a probably will. For the same reasons mentioned above, appliances may take on some fairly serious damage. One of the worst of all is the refrigerator.

Keep in mind that your fridge uses the same refrigeration technology as your air conditioner and if the home is suddenly 100 degrees and at 70% or more humidity, the refrigerator is going to have to work very hard to keep your food in good shape. Honestly, when we’re talking Baton Rouge this one is less of a might and more of a probably will.

Don’t Shut It Off—Just Turn It Up

Don’t allow your dreams of cutting energy costs die! Yes, we very much would not recommend shutting down the unit while you’re away. But! You can turn the thermostat up to a reasonable temperature and still save loads of energy. For our area, we would suggest you could get away with setting the system to 78 degrees give or take, which will still result in considerable savings but will avoid all of the problems we’ve discussed above. It’s a win-win, and you get to go on vacation with nothing to worry about.

Looking for additional ways to save energy and protect your home this summer season? Contact the AC experts at AccuTemp of Baton Rouge today to set up a date for your AC tune-up!

Does Your Electrical Panel Need An Upgrade

When it comes to electrical services, make sure you are contacting expert electrical contractors instead of trying to fix some of the toughest jobs on your own. AccuTemp has a highly trained team that is able to install or repair electrical components in your home. We help with electrical installations near Denham Springs, especially if you think your electrical panel needs some TLC. Continue reading to discover some indications that your electrical panel is ready for an upgrade.

You Have An Older Home

Older homes are full of history and charm, but it’s possible the electrical system has outlived safety codes in your area and may need some upgrading to keep your home running to its full potential. Consider updating your electrical system as an older system can become a safety threat.

You Need Your Amps Upgraded

Many homes are receiving upgrades to have 200 amps due to the number of appliances you may have in your house. In order for everything in your home to run efficiently, you’ll need this upgrade. If you plan to sell your house in the near future, this would be a good home improvement task to consider so make sure you contact our professionals in electrical installation near Denham Springs to get this done.

It’s Time To Sell

When it comes time to put your house on the market, consider upgrading your panel if it’s outdated or not in good shape. The electrical work could help you improve the quality and desirability of your home, increasing your overall profit.

It’s Time To Move In

If you are on the flip side of selling and you’re actually ready to move into a new home, make sure all things electric are safe and inspected before you begin using anything that requires power. AccuTemp’s electricians can provide a full safety inspection on your new home to ensure your electrical panel and all electrical components are up to code.

Your Panel Is In Code Violation

It’s important to be aware of the National Electric Code and to ensure that your panel is up to date in accordance to the code rules. Sometimes you can make improvements to your home, but after the work is completed a new version of the code can be released. Codes are created to ensure your home is safe for you and your family, so call a qualified electrician to update all safety standards in your home.

The Panel’s Breakers Are Broken

Circuit breakers can prevent serious electrical issues from taking place in your home, so it’s important that they are working correctly. If you discover that you have even just one broken breaker, you need to make sure this issue is resolved sooner rather than later. At AccuTemp, we can repair your breakers and even offer a free quote for replacing your circuit breaker!

Contact Us Today

We are a full-scale HVAC and electrical company ready to help make sure everything functions correctly in your home. If you need an electrical installation services, do not hesitate to contact our professional electrical contractors in Baton Rouge, Louisiana by phone at (225) 244-8826, or fill out your information on our contact page. We look forward to working with you.

As the weather cools down, we want to be sure that our HVAC unit is working at its best performance. One maintenance check to consider is the quality of your air filter. When you update your air filters in Baton Rouge, it can help extend your furnace’s life, reduce energy bills, and improve indoor air quality, allowing your HVAC system to run more efficiently.

How Does An Air Filter Work?

Air filters clean the air by passing it through a filter media that removes particles such as dust, hair, pet fur, and dirt. The filter media’s fibers are able to create a tortuous passage to airflow, the particles that are larger than the holes in the sieve get caught in the media or on the surface, preventing exhaust into the clean air stream. Eventually, enough particles get trapped, leading to the impeding airflow that stops entirely. This is when you need to either clean or change your air filter.

The Benefits

There are advantages to cleaning your air filter, many of which are cost-effective and can save you money in the future. Continue reading to find out what benefits there are when it comes to regularly replacing your air filter.

HVAC Life Extension

Your heating and air conditioning system can break down due to a dirty air filter—something that’s easily repairable. When dirt accumulates, air cannot pass through or a system can overheat, creating more work for the motor. If this happens and you have an older unit, you may not be able to replace the air filter and instead will have to buy a new unit. All these costs can be avoided when you regularly replace your air filter for your unit.

Reduce Energy Costs

Clogged air filters work harder, which means that more energy is being exerted. More energy leads to a higher energy bill. Consistently changing your air filter can prevent your bills from skyrocketing, saving 5 to 15 percent on your utility costs.

Healthy Air Quality

If you or a family member suffers from allergies or asthma, having a clean air filter can help keep you and your family healthier. Dirty air filters will worsen the air quality in your home, ultimately worsening allergy or asthma symptoms. Pets can also exacerbate the symptoms as their dander will accumulate in the system and spread allergens around. Changing your filter will prevent air quality from deteriorating and keep the air in your home healthy and breathable.

Clean HVAC System

When you have an air filter that’s clogged with dirt, it can pollute the entire HVAC system. This

pollution can lead to extra repairs, service, and more unexpected payments. If you are changing your air filter as recommended, it will keep your heating and cooling system clean and in good shape.

Contact Us Today

Take control of your comfort zone today and contact us at 225.465.0790. Having clean air filters in helps to keep the air clean in your home. If you need air conditioning, heating, insulation, electrical, or plumbing repair services in Baton Rouge, LA, book your appointment with us now. Our team will help you replace your air filter along with inspecting your HVAC system.

As electricians serving Baton Rouge and the surrounding metro area, we want to help educate our amazing customers on the importance of smoke alarms and fire safety. Although you may not consider fire safety on a regular basis, it is something for which you and your family should be prepared in the case of an emergency.

Consider the Number of Smoke Alarms

Depending on the size of your home, you may need more or fewer smoke alarms in order to be effective. The National Fire Protection Association recommends having smoke alarms installed inside of every bedroom and outside of every sleeping area. For example, if you have a 2 story, 3-bedroom home, you need at least five smoke alarms in order to stay safe. Make sure that you test smoke alarms at least once a month by pressing the button. You can also opt for interconnected smoke alarms, meaning that when one goes off, they all do.

Where to Place Smoke Alarms

All smoke alarms should be placed either on the ceiling or high up on a wall. Try to avoid putting smoke alarms in the middle of your kitchen to keep false alarms to a minimum.

Create an Escape Route

You and your family should plan ahead and have some sort of established escape route to act on in the case of an emergency. Plan a meeting spot outside of your home where you can meet your family in the case of an emergency. Make sure that infants and pets are accounted for in the plan as well!

How Our Team Can Help

Our team of electricians in Baton Rouge can not only install new smoke alarms, but fix alarms that are no longer working properly. Start 2020 on a positive and safe note by calling our team to help you stay safe from fires!