HOME A/C REPAIR COMPANY IN DE, MD, & PA

Call today if your home air conditioning system has stopped working and is no longer cooling your home.

Whether you own a central air conditioning unit, heat pump, or even a ductless mini-split, Hilliside’s HVAC technicians have the training, certifications, and knowledge to repair these cooling systems.

If your air conditioning system has stopped working, call us at 302-738-4144 (DE&PA) or 410-398-2146 (MD). We’ll come to your home and give you an HONEST ESTIMATE for any Central Air Conditioning/Heat Pump/Ductless A/C repair.

Common Problems with Cooling Systems

Here are some common problems with residential A/C systems. You might be able to resolve some of them yourself. If your air conditioner unit leaks refrigerant or can’t get it to work, please call us and schedule an A/C repair service.

My air conditioner won’t turn on. Check your thermostat first. Ensure your thermostat is turned on, the batteries are working, and it’s in the correct setting. If problems persist, there may be another issue. Next, take a look at your electrical panel for a tripped breaker. The breakers and fuses safeguard your A/C unit’s motor or compressor from overheating. Often, when a compressor dies, the breaker is one of the first parts the HVAC technician checks.

The air isn’t cold. Again, please check your thermostat settings. The A/C unit will not cool your house if your compressor is not working. The compressor will run hot and eventually seize if there’s insufficient refrigerant. If there’s too much, the refrigerant will return to the compressor, which can cause it to fail.

We have uneven cooling. Inconsistent temperatures are often caused by leaky ducts, insufficient insulation, or blocked registers. You can upgrade to a zoning system to manage temperatures in certain areas or invest in a ductless heating and cooling system.

My air conditioner is making strange noises. Ignoring the strange noises from your A/C may turn minor issues into major expenses. Modern cooling systems are quieter than ever with sound-dampening technology. Mysterious noises:

• Banging is usually a sure sign that there’s a loose or broken part
• Clanking is another sign of a loose or out-of-balance part.
• Constant clicking could signify a defective control or a failing thermostat.
• Buzzing noises from your outside unit could mean many things, including the fan motor being loose or about to fail.
• Squeaks and squeals could be your fan motor and indoor blower motors going bad.

The sooner you can determine the cause of the noise and resolve your AC issues, the better.

Why do I have frozen evaporator coils? Your air conditioner’s evaporator coil is filled with refrigerant and absorbs heat like a sponge. It may sound counter-intuitive, but those coils need warm air around them to work correctly. When something goes wrong with the airflow and the evaporator coil gets too cold, a layer of ice can build up outside. When that happens, you’ll get warm air or none coming from your air conditioning supply registers.  The best ways to avoid frozen coils are to change your filter every month and schedule a tune-up to test your system’s airflow and refrigerant levels and fix any problems we might discover.

Is my refrigerant leaking? Refrigerant is a liquid that absorbs the heat from your air. When you don’t have enough, your A/C can’t absorb enough heat to cool the air. A low refrigerant level means one thing: you have a refrigerant leak. How you can tell if you have a refrigerant leak, include:

• Ice buildup on the refrigerant line and the outside unit
• Bubbling or hissing noise
• A/C can’t cool the home on especially hot days but cools fine on cool days and at night

If you see these signs, turn off your A/C and call an HVAC professional ASAP. Running the A/C in this state can cause slugging in the compressor and damage it beyond repair.

What if my A/C compressor stopped working? The compressor plays an important role in your A/C system. It pumps the refrigerant through your system’s cooling coils and refrigerant lines. If it’s damaged, then the A/C can’t cool your air. If the compressor has an issue, it may need replacing. Unfortunately, the compressor is one of the most expensive parts to repair or replace. You’ll have to choose to repair or replace an entire outside unit. We’ll check to see if your unit is still under warranty.

Do you remember your annual tune-up? Hillside HVAC technicians can catch minor problems before they become major headaches—leaving you hot, uncomfortable, and spending more than necessary.

Prepare your air conditioner for the summer heat by signing up for our A/C maintenance plans. Hillside Heating & Cooling’s 15+ point A/C tune-up will remove any dirt and debris built up within the system throughout the year. We’ll have your air conditioning unit running efficiently! Not only will your A/C perform better, helping you save money on your utility bill, but this preventative maintenance will also help you avoid unexpected breakdowns.

Air conditioning that has stopped working is a comfort issue when the temperatures are in the 80s. It becomes a family health and safety issue when temperatures rise between 90˚ and 105˚F. Older adults, young children, and people with chronic medical conditions are at high risk for heat-related illness and death. The effects of extreme heat result in numerous illnesses and deaths each year.

If we’re in extreme heat, a period of high heat and humidity with temperatures above 90 degrees for at least two to three days, your body works extra hard to maintain a normal temperature, which can lead to death. Extreme heat is responsible for the highest annual deaths among all weather-related hazards.

A Heat Pump’s Cooling Mode

1. The system pulls in hot air from the home.
2. The outdoor unit squeezes heat out of the refrigerant.
3. The refrigerant becomes cold  and is sent back into the house.
4. Cool air is released back into your home.

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A HEAT PUMP AND AN AIR CONDITIONER?

While essentially identical in cooling mode, the heating mode is an entirely different story. Air conditioners do not provide heating, but heat pumps do. Thanks to a reversing valve in the outdoor unit, a heat pump can absorb heat energy from outside air, even in extremely cold temperatures, and transfer the heat inside the home, releasing heat into the air. A heat pump can heat and cool, but an air conditioner cannot, which is the primary difference between the two HVAC systems. An air conditioner is typically paired with a furnace to provide heat during the cold months. Together, an air conditioner and furnace are a complete heating and cooling system.

How long does a heat pump last?

Hillside correctly installs heat pumps in DE, PA, and MD that last an average of 15 years. Please note several factors that can impact the life of your heat pump—heat pump makes and model, heat pump usage rate, and whether or not your heat pump has been maintained. Hillside’s HVAC professionals can extend the life of your heat pump (or air conditioning system) with our annual tune-ups. 

How long does central air conditioning last?

The lifespan of a central A/C unit is, on average,10 to 15 years. It may continue operating for 20 or even 25 years if used less frequently and maintained yearly. Hillside properly installs central air conditioning units in DE, PA, and MD. Please note that several factors can impact the life of your central air conditioning—the make and model, usage rate, and whether or not your system has been maintained. Hillside’s HVAC professionals can extend the life of your central air conditioning (or heat pump) with our annual tune-ups. 

How much does a new central air conditioning system or heat pump cost?

Heat pumps and central A/C pricing depend on several factors, like the size of your home, model, and installation requirements (e.g., existing or non-existing ducts). An indoor unit heat pump system does offer lower costs. However, the outdoor unit can have a higher upfront investment than the typical air conditioner. Considering and understanding the total costs of installing a system that can heat and cool your home correctly is essential.

Call us for a FREE ESTIMATE at 302-738-4144 (DE&PA) or 410-398-2146 (MD). We’ll come to your home and give you a HONEST & FREE ESTIMATE. Some units qualify for local rebates.

Why You Can Trust Hillside