Air conditioners are durable machines. They’re often able to cool your home for years on end without anything but routine maintenance visits and a repair every now and then. However, just because they’re durable for the most part, doesn’t mean you can reach your hands inside the system and start making your own repairs.
Homeowners are more prone to DIY solutions rather than calling for AC service in Bucks County these days. We understand, it always feels better to make a repair yourself. DIY solutions have erupted on the internet and it’s because homeowners are constantly looking for another answer as opposed to just calling the professionals. The truth is, calling the professionals is usually the best solution you can count on. Let us explain.
Today, we are going to dive into some of the best and worst practices of AC ownership, the kinds of repairs you can make yourself, and what is best left to a pro.
Being prepared for a blackout isn’t just about having enough energy for some flashlights and your heater. What about having the energy to charge your phone in case you need to make an emergency call? Or having enough energy to power your refrigerator to keep your food from spoiling? These can be necessary when you’re trying to live your life after a blackout, especially when you don’t know the next time the power will come back on.
Heater breakdowns are no joke, and they can’t be ignored when they occur. While we do everything in our power to keep a heater breakdown from happening, sometimes they do occur. As a homeowner, you might want to be prepared for the effects that come from it. Especially in Pennsylvania, where it can get extremely cold outdoors, you could endanger yourself, your property, or your family without a functioning heater.
Showers are like any other drain in your home: sometimes they get clogged and it’s up to you and a dedicated plumbing professional to take care of it.
Why, yes, there is such a thing as a tankless water heater, in case you were asking yourself about that. Many homeowners mistakenly believe that tank water heaters are the only option for every home that’s out there—but that’s not the case. Tankless technology exists, which means that water can be heated the moment it is desired for an almost unlimited supply of hot water.
The air conditioning system keeping your home cooled down during another hot August and September in Pennsylvania is a machine, not a living creature. It can’t feel “stressed” like a person. But stress is still a good word to use when describing how an AC might suffer from malfunctions or even a complete breakdown during the heat at the end of summer. Think of all the work the AC has already done over the season, and then think about how much work is left to do. It’s natural for an air conditioner to become overly “stressed out” under these conditions.
Uneven heating is one of the major comfort hurdles homes need help to overcome. Even with powerful central air conditioning, a home will often have areas that are warmer than others—this is the unfortunate effect of several different factors. The most common uneven heating issue for homes is when a two-story house has an upper level that’s too hot. 
We can’t stress this fact enough—a household’s central air conditioner needs professional maintenance every year. These annual appointments give HVAC technicians the opportunity to inspect the air conditioner and handle basic tune-ups, cleanings, and adjustments.
This is a piece of advice we like to give out in winter—and it often surprises homeowners. “Wait, I can use the ceiling fan to help with heating?”
This is a question we often hear from customers, and we want to address it here because it helps to explain what maintenance is and why it’s vital.