Air Conditioning Articles

Today’s air conditioner (AC) is based on a prototype invented in 1902 by Willis Carrier, an engineer from Buffalo, New York. Unlike earlier forms of cooling, Carrier’s model controlled the temperature by removing heat and humidity from the air.  Below are some air conditioning basics.

Can you imagine a scorching hot day here in Sudbury without air conditioning? During those dog days of summer, your air conditioning system can be your very best friend.

Should you repair or replace? That’s always the big question when it comes to major home systems like air conditioning (AC).

Though air conditioners are a major part of modern life, they hold many secrets few people know about.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This universal rating system helps you determine the efficiency of your Massachusetts air conditioning (AC) unit or heat pump. 

Our Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning professionals can help you with any questions in regard to R-22 Refrigerant.

When the temperatures are high in Massachusetts, your air conditioner may malfunction and could turn your home into a stuffy inferno. 

Chaves is here to help your decision process before you settle on the one best-suited air conditioner system for any of your needs.

Our professionals at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning understand that line of thinking but want to be sure you realize the long-term benefits of regular maintenance and tune-ups for your air conditioning system.

Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is always eager to educate our Hudson area customers on heating and cooling home care. Whether you have an AC, furnace, heat pump, or ductless mini split, we want you to get the most out of your investment.

At Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand that depending on your air conditioner to run efficiently is crucial to helping you get the good night’s sleep you deserve. We also know how critical sleep is to everyday life, so we make it a priority to provide our customers in the Sudbury MA, area a cooling system that ensures the utmost comfort all hours of the day or night.

Seasonal allergies are a burden for many. Air conditioners, or ACs, when properly maintained can noticeably reduce symptoms for allergy sufferers. Air filters catch pollen, dust, and other irritants, producing higher-quality air. Air conditioners also act as humidity regulators, easing allergy symptoms. Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning is proud to help you here in Marlborough, MA breathe easier.

Whether it’s people, appliances, or air conditioning (AC) systems, the better you know them, the better you are able to care for them. Our team at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning knows air conditioners because it’s our business. We want to share just a little of our knowledge with you so you can extend the…

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” There’s a reason why that old adage has been passed down through the years. It’s always better to be prepared for misfortunes than to have to deal with the consequences. During storm season in Hudson, that proves true for protecting your air conditioning system as…

It’s the first really hot day of summer when open windows, sun-blocking shades, and the ceiling fans just can’t cut it anymore. You resign yourself to finally turning on your air conditioner (AC)—only to find it blowing warm air, making funny noises, or simply not cooperating at all. It’s a scenario we all dread, and…

When you’re looking at how your air conditioner works, it can depend on a wide variety of factors. Most people realize that the brand you select, the size, the features, and the efficiency rating all play a role in how well an air conditioner will cool your Hudson home.  However, many environmental issues also play a…

The air conditioning system in your Hudson home is one of your biggest investments and home assets. In order to take care of it properly, as well as to communicate effectively with air conditioning (AC) professionals when needed, it’s good to understand some common air conditioning terminology.  Our professionals at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning…

Aside from the professionals, like ours at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, who really thinks about air conditioners and their components? Air conditioners keep your Hudson, MA, home or business cool and comfy when the outside temperatures are high, and that’s all you really need to know, right?  Well, air conditioners do so much more…

An air conditioner (AC), just like a car, needs regular maintenance and service to run efficiently. At Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, we recommend getting your air conditioning unit serviced and cleaned at least once a year. The optimum time is in the spring to ensure your system will run with the most efficiency during…

When you think of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, you probably think of the furnace and air conditioner (AC) equipment inside, an air conditioner component outside, and a network of ducts running throughout your Hudson home. Although many HVAC systems are designed that way, there are other alternatives. Our team at Chaves Heating…

A major part of your health relies on getting a good night’s sleep. That’s why it’s not just important to run your air conditioner during the hot summer days. You also need to keep your home comfortably cool at night as well. At Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, we understand that depending on your air…

The answer to this question is it depends. For some air conditioners, our Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning professionals recommend it. For others, we might not. Take a minute to read a little more about the process and give one of our experienced team members a call here in Hudson, MA, to discuss if this…

Maybe you have already heard of the mandates set by US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regarding your home’s air conditioner refrigerant. Or maybe you haven’t. Either way, since our Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning professionals are getting asked these questions more frequently from Massachusetts homeowners, we thought sharing them and their answers may be beneficial…

Ductless air conditioning systems can be the perfect answer for that room which is never quite cool enough or for that new addition you are building. It’s a low-maintenance and affordable option to upgrading to a newer air conditioning unit when more cooling is needed inside your Marlborough, MA, home. The ductless system works, obviously,…

In the hot Hudson, MA weather, we can run our air conditioning units pretty much around the clock. Along with regular maintenance and inspections, here are some tips to help with common AC-related problems: When windows and doors throughout the home are open, it allows warm, humid air inside. Make sure that windows and doors…

Does an air conditioner help with allergies? In one word, “yes.” Actually two words, “yes if…” If you properly maintain the air conditioner. Air conditioners can help filter your home’s air and control its humidity, which are both helps in the allergy world. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), it’s estimated…

When the temperatures in Hudson, MA, head to the top of the thermometer, it’s not the time for your air conditioner (AC) to be on the blink. Regular annual maintenance on your AC will go a long way in preventing that situation from happening. Just as your car requires regular maintenance to keep running smoothly…

When it comes to your air conditioner (A/C), a common term used in the HVAC business that you’re likely to see everywhere is your air conditioner’s SEER. But what exactly is SEER? SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It’s a rating system of the air conditioner’s cooling capacity to power input, i.e., it’s the…

Aside from the professionals, like ours at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, who really thinks about air conditioners and their components? Air conditioners keep your Hudson, MA, home or business cool and comfy when the outside temperatures are high, and that’s all you really need to know, right? Well, air conditioners do so much more…

When you’re faced with replacing your air conditioner, it can be daunting. It seems there’s so much to know. And even when you have your standard three quotes from contractors, how do you know which one to pick? You may be tempted to simply choose the lowest bid, but don’t do it––at least until you’ve…

When an air conditioner (AC) turns on and off in rather quick successions, without running for longer periods, this is called short cycling. It’s fairly common, but when it happens it means there’s something wrong with the AC. Do not leave these occurrences alone. They will increase your energy costs, usually indicate a larger problem,…

Air conditioning problems aren’t always predictable, but there are a few common problems that we see over and over again here in Hudson, MA. Recognizing what they are might help you to fix the problem, or might simply help you understand what your HVAC technician is referring to when they provide solutions. Open Windows One…

Summer is right around the corner, and air conditioning will be crucial for comfort in your daily life here in Hudson, MA. A well maintained AC unit, with yearly inspections and monthly filter changes, can last up to 10 or 15 years. So how do you know if you need repairs for your unit or…

The Wrong Sized Unit It is easy to buy a unit too large or too small for your space. A larger unit does not necessarily mean more cooling power. Each AC system is designed for certain sized spaces, different cooling needs, household age, etc. A unit that is too large or too small is inefficient…

The rising cost of refrigerant may leave you fearing your HVAC company is being dishonest. However, you’re not being scammed. Here’s what you need to know about today’s high cost of refrigerant. Why Has Some Refrigerant Become So Expensive? About 25 years ago, an international treaty referred to as the Montreal Protocol changed modern air-conditioning…

A freeze up is when a layer of ice forms on the outside of your AC unit. Whether you have a window unit or a central air system the causes and effects of this, as well as the solutions, are the same. The ice build up on your AC unit creates an inability to cool…

Your air conditioning unit will always make some noise when running, and older units are louder than newer ones, so consider the age of your unit before getting too concerned about the noise that it is making. At Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, we recommend a maintenance inspection at least once a year to inspect…

Your air conditioners can do several things––keep your home’s indoor air cooler than outdoor temperatures, help to keep indoor airborne allergens at bay, and help keep your home’s humidity low. But one thing it cannot do is kill mold. It can help prevent mold, but once it exists, your air conditioner cannot kill it. If…

Does an air conditioner help with allergies? Yes, if you properly maintain the unit. Air conditioners can help filter your home’s air and control humidity, and both of these things are important in the allergy world. It’s estimated there are now 50 million seasonal allergy sufferers in America. Properly maintaining your HVAC system is the…

The US Department of Energy says that air conditioning can account for up to 47% of your utility bill. At Chaves, we take energy efficiency seriously. Here in Hudson, we understand that air conditioning is crucial for comfort during the hot months, and we have advice on cutting air conditioning energy costs as well as…

Having the right sized air conditioner is a key component in cooling your space effectively. A unit that is too small has to run constantly, playing catch up all day trying to fill a space that it isn’t designed for. A unit that is too big will turn on, cool the space quickly and then…

What happens when you turn on your air conditioning unit and it blows hot or warm air? There are many reasons this might be happening. We want to keep you cool at Chaves Heating & Air Conditioning, so here are a few simple things that you can check before you call us or request service…

When the temperatures in Hudson, MA head to the top of the thermometer, it’s not the time for your air conditioner (AC) to be on the blink. Regular annual maintenance on your AC will go a long way in preventing that situation from happening. Just as your car requires regular maintenance to keep running smoothly…

Many homes still have older air conditioning units that use R-22 refrigerant. So far this year, the cost of R-22 has skyrocketed over 200% from last year! With the change in laws and the rising cost of R-22, we put together these FAQs so you can understand why the price is rising and make an…