Air Conditioning Installation
Many factors influence the cost of an AC system. Don’t worry, we can help you navigate these variables to find out which system is best for you. What is best, and how much it costs, depends on such things as:
- The size and space of your home or business
- Your current duct work – and its compatibility
- Your budget
- Which features are most important to you
It might sound complicated and it can be. We promise we can help you determine which system is best for you. We’ve been doing that since 1979.
Which size air conditioner is right for you depends largely on the size and dimensions of your home. The right system will cool, dehumidify, and circulate air within your home as well. Our expert team of technicians can recommend the right system for your situation.
An undersized will run for too long without ever quite catching up. This causes not only higher utility bills but will make your system wearout sooner. An oversized system will blast a whole lot of cool air at once without adequately dehumidifying or circulating the air in your house
Air conditioning comfort is actually both about dehumidification AND cooling the air. And if the air isn’t circulating well, your house temperature will feel uneven with cooler and warmer spots.
Getting the right system not only provides peace of mind, but saves you money on utility bills and because it will last longer than an improperly-sized unit.
Schedule an appointment for a free, no obligation consultation to find out the just-right air conditioner size for your house.
Maintaining an efficient air conditioning system is the best, most important thing you can do to lower your AC bill. The most efficient system is a clean system. Here are three steps to optimizing system efficiency:
- Clean or replace your air filter. Regularly replacing your air filter is easy and important! A clogged air filter blocks air from circulating easily, which forces your air conditioner to run longer and harder, which means you’re paying for more energy. Buying air filters is cheaper than paying higher electricity bills (all the while running your air conditioner into the ground and needing early replacement).
- Turn on ceiling fans – or any fans. Fans help mix and distribute cool air throughout your home. Moving air makes you feel more comfortable, even at a higher temperature. Fans use less energy than your AC system, while helping circulate cool air. You’ll be more comfortable and have lower energy bills.
- Clean your condenser coils. Dirt is the silent killer of your air conditioner. Let our team of expertly trained HVAC technicians clean the condenser coils of your system. This is part of our LifeGiver service, the Peace of Mind Plan and general service call.
There are times when a bit of TLC can get you an extra season or two out of an old AC system. There are other times when a new system is the best course of action.
Our team of expert HVAC technicians can help you understand which situation is best for you. The decision generally involves considering:
- Is it worth putting additional money into an old air conditioning system?
- How long after this repair should the system last?
- What’s the next most-likely thing to fail and what are related replacement costs?
- How much will it cost to replace the unit?
Our team will likely need to inspect your existing system to give you specific answers these questions. You can trust D&M to provide you with an honest assessment– we’re from Milwaukee, after all.
The SEER rating (or SEER2 rating on newer units) is just a way of expressing efficiency of air conditioners. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the AC system is when it is brand new.
The best way to maintain the SEER rating efficiency on your system is through annual maintenance. That’s part of the reason we created the Peace of Mind Plan.
Keeping your system clean is the most important thing you can do to make it run efficiently. Just how important is a clean system? In some cases, a clean system with a lower SEER rating can be more efficient than a dirty unit with a higher rating (the SEER rating measures efficiency).
As your AC system ages, it accumulates dust, dirt, pollen and bugs. This debris can stick to condenser coils, making your system work harder and longer. Dirt and residue create insulation around the coils, making it harder for your system to diffuse heat.
The best way to fully clean your system is to schedule some time with our HVAC pros. Whether its the LifeGiver Service, the Peace of Mind Plan, or a service visit, we can set you straight.
Our technicians know what they’re doing and use special solvents designed specifically to clean and maintain your air conditioner.
Air Conditioning Maintenance
Annual service is your best bet. This keeps your system clean, keeps small problems from turning into large ones and sets you up to get the longest life span out of your AC system. Annual service can save you lots of money in the long run.
Our Peace of Mind Plan is a great place to start.
Everybody offers an AC tune-up – but only D&M can give you The LifeGiver. Designed specifically to breathe new life into existing systems, the LifeGiver includes:
- Deep system cleaning
- Condenser coil cleaning (from the inside of the unit)
- Oil, recalibrate every moving part
- Monitor all motors for voltage and amperage-draw
- Check and tighten any loose electrical connections
- Restore systems to factory-fresh specifications
Carrier makes a great air conditioner. There are plenty of great options that are made by other brands as well.
The unit that is ultimately right for your situation depends on your budget, the size of the space you need to cool and the timing of your installation. D&M’s team of expert HVAC technicians can help you navigate the variety of models and variables to find the best unit for your home.
Sometimes this means knowing where you can get rebates, other times we can tell you about upcoming sales. We can always tell you which systems – at which price points – can serve your needs.
We can explain the benefits and drawbacks of each and will support you as you make the decision that’s right for you.
Air Conditioning Troubleshooting
Is your AC not cooling your home? The problem could be small and easy or large and complicated.
It could be caused by dirty condenser coils, a clogged air filter, low refrigerant, leaks in your vent, or even just a faulty thermostat.
A good first step is checking your filter. If it’s dirty, change it. Next, test your thermostat (adjust the temperature and see if that helps).
If you’re still experiencing issues, give us a call. One of our great HVAC technicians can come and give it a look.
Bonus: If it’s during business hours during the week, a real, live Milwaukeean will answer the phone.
If warm air is coming from your AC vents, it could be because of a refrigerant leak or a compressor issue. There are times when the thermostat is to blame. You could also have really dirty coils.
To know the exact cause, you’ll need a professional to come check out your system. Don’t worry, we’re here for you.
Whether you need a new system or just a good cleaning, we’ll be honest and steer you straight– we’re from Milwaukee, after all.
AC won’t turn on? Check these first:
- Your electrical panel: look for any tripped circuit breakers.
- Check your thermostat
- Check the air filter
Here’s a full list of AC troubleshooting steps.
Why check the air filter? Because a really badly clogged filter can cause a smart air conditioning system to shut itself down if it can’t get enough air flow to “breathe”.
If you checked all of that and your AC still isn’t working, it’s time to call an air conditioning professional. Or you can Schedule an appointment online if that’s easier!
When your air conditioner runs for a short time and then turns off, that’s called “short cycling.” Short cycling can happen because of thermostat problems, clogged filters, low refrigerant, or even an oversized unit.
You can test your thermostat and visually check your air filter pretty easily (and more by following our AC troubleshooting steps).
You’ll need to have an AC technician look at your unit to check your refrigerant level and determine if your unit is oversized or malfunctioning.
Typically your AC should run about 15–20 minutes at a time.
If your air conditioner run time is a lot longer or shorter than 15-20 minutes at a time, it could indicate that something’s not quite right.
Try our AC troubleshooting steps, or Schedule your air conditioning service appointment
Dirty condenser coils are the most likely reason your AC is running constantly. The condenser coils disperse heat from the unit. When they are dirty, they cannot disperse heat efficiently and your unit will run harder and longer.
Other reasons your AC is constantly running include problems with the compressor or other internal parts, or a faulty thermostat (or even just wrong thermostat settings). Whatever the reason, our expert HVAC technicians can diagnose the issue and provide you with the best course of action.
Annual maintenance is the best way to get ahead of such problems and ensure that your AC keeps your home cool when you need it to.
D&M Peace of Mind Plan Members members get an AC tune-up and a furnace tune-up every year.
Our D&M Peace of Mind Plan is the best value service we offer. It keeps your system clean and running efficiently, which keeps your energy bills lower. It also extends your AC system’s lifespan.
If your air conditioner runs for a few minutes (less than 10), then shuts off again – and your house isn’t already cool – this is a sign the system needs service.
Schedule your air conditioning repair appointment
But why is this happening? It could be:
- A faulty thermostat (or settings)
- A clogged or dirty air filter
- Low refrigerant
- An oversized system
You can try our AC troubleshooting steps, or just give us a call to schedule your AC service and repair.
If only some of your house is cool, you might have a zoning problem, ductwork issues, or blocked vents. (Or maybe you have multiple separate systems and one of them isn’t working?)
First we need to know: which kind of air conditioning system do you have?
Traditional whole house air conditioning (with air vents)
For a traditional whole-house air conditioning system, first check that your air conditioning vents are open and balanced.
Next, let’s talk about “zones”. If you have just one thermostat, your house probably doesn’t have separate zones.
If you have multiple thermostats, there’s a part in your system called a “zone control damper”. It directs air to different parts of your house depending on which thermostat is calling for cool air. If the zone control damper isn’t working, that can cause only some of your house to get cool.
Ductless mini split (heat pump)
For a ductless mini split air conditioning system, probably one of the systems isn’t working properly. You can try going through our AC troubleshooting steps, but usually split-systems need a professional to diagnose their problem.
It’s easy to figure out what kind of AC system you have. There are 3 major types:
- Traditional whole-house air conditioning
- Ductless mini split “heat pump” air conditioners
- Window air conditioners (We don’t service window units)
Traditional whole house air conditioning
Traditional whole-house air conditioning systems combine an outside compressor/condenser unit with ducts and vents to circulate air inside the house. The outside compressor/condenser unit is typically shaped more like a cube than a long rectangle, and looks something like this:
How do I check the air filter in a traditional air conditioning system?
Ductless mini split “heat pump” air conditioners
Ductless mini split units typically serve one room or area of your house. The inside unit looks something like this and is usually mounted near the top of a wall:
The exterior unit is typically shaped more like a long rectangle than a cube and looks like this:
How do I check the air filter in a ductless mini split air conditioner?
You don’t have to be an expert to check for a tripped circuit breaker in your electrical panel. It’s safe and not too hard.
You’ll probably find your electrical panel in a utility room, in the garage, hiding behind a piece of art hung on the wall, or sometimes outside.
Once you locate it, open the panel door and look at the breakers (they’re basically big switches).
A circuit breaker shuts off (trips) when there is a short-circuit or something plugged-in demands more power than the circuit can handle. This is a safety feature that helps prevent electrical fires.
Tripped breakers may not be obvious at first glance. Sometimes they don’t flip all the way as if it were just turned off. Instead, it will look like it’s mostly in the ON position; just a little out of place.
Because it can be hard to tell just by looking, you can press each breaker even further toward the ON position. A breaker that has tripped will wiggle a little bit and spring back after you press on it. A breaker that is actually ON won’t move at all.
Turn the breaker all the way to the off position and then back on again.
Most air vents have flaps which are adjustable – kinda like the air conditioning vents in your car.
Balancing the airflow in your house for winter or summer can make a big difference in keeping you comfortable.
Remember: Heat rises.
In the winter, all the vents in your basement and first floor should be wide open. Because heat naturally rises, second floor vents can be partially closed.
In the summer, all the vents in the second floor should be wide open. Basement and first floor vents can be partially or entirely closed because, as hot air rises, cool air will migrate lower.
Most importantly, make sure all your vents are clear and free-flowing. Do you have vents covered by furniture? Even just a pile of laundry will block air flow. Blocked vents don’t deliver air. You might have vents may be in the floor, in the ceiling, and in walls, so look around!
There are also much bigger vents – ones that air doesn’t come out of; those are your return air vents. They allow air to get back to the air handler to get cooled again.
First let’s check what kind of air conditioner you have:
Then click the right link to learn how to check the air filter in your air conditioning unit:
Filters in ductless mini split style units are located inside the indoor unit, typically mounted high on a wall.
- Turn off power to the unit
- Remove the front panel
- The filters are usually behind the front panel
- Remove the filters
- Clean the filters with water and mild soap
- Dry the filters thoroughly
- Reinsert the filters
- Replace the front panel
- Turn on power
Each unit is a little different, so we can’t give more specific instructions.
You can find the model number or, perhaps, the brand, of your unit to Google for specific instructions – especially for how to remove the front panel, that’s really the different part.
Walk-through videos on YouTube can also be really helpful.
If all that sounds intimidating, you can always call your friendly local AC repairman.
Schedule your AC service and repair
We’re happy to help!
With a traditional whole-house air conditioning system, the air filter for your AC is also the same air filter for your furnace. Both AC and heat systems use the same air handler to blow air through your ducts and into rooms through vents.
In many homes, the AC air filter is usually right next to your furnace – right in-between the air handler and your furnace.
You’re looking for a narrow slot between two big metal boxes – a little hatch / flap / door. Behind that is your air filter.
- Open it
- Slide the filter out.
- Hold it up to the light.
- Can you see through it? Is it bright white?
- If it’s dirty, it’s time to replace it. The filter will have an arrow indicating the direction of airflow.
Air filters can get dirty pretty quickly, especially if you have a lot of pets, which is why they should be changed frequently.
The easiest and best thing you can do to keep your AC bills low is to keeping your air filter clean. The next best thing is keeping your condenser coils clean – which requires a professional.
If your AC air filter is dirty or clogged, your air conditioning system has to work harder to push air around, so air flow will be lower. If the filter is really clogged, it can even cause your AC system to shut down automatically.
Checking your AC air filter regularly is the easiest & cheapest thing you can do to keep your air conditioning system running efficiently.
At least every 3-6 months. Many filters call for monthly replacement. It’s best to change (or at least check) your air filter even more often if you have pets because an air filter can clog quickly with pet hair.
First, turn the temperature up higher.
Your AC should turn off.
Next, turn the temperature down again.
Your AC should turn on.
You can try this a couple times (going back-and-forth) to be sure your air conditioner is responding.
It’s normal for experience a few minutes delay after changing the setting.
If your air conditioner doesn’t respond to the thermostat, you might have a faulty thermostat.
No matter the nature of the problem, we can help. Give us a call…
You’ll find the condenser coils inside your big air conditioning unit outside.
Using a flashlight, you can look inside the cover and see the little fins made out of metal. The condenser coils are the part of the system that dissipates heat – like your car radiator. If the coils are dirty, your air conditioning system won’t cool as well. If the coils are really dirty, your AC system might struggle to cool much at all.
That’s why it’s important to get a professional AC tune-up for your air conditioner.
Cleaning your condenser coils makes the biggest difference in how efficient (and effective!) your AC is.
Are you a member of our D&M Peace of Mind Plan? Members get AC & Furnace maintenance included each year.
