If you’re wondering, “how much does a new air conditioner cost?”, the answer is not so simple. There are many factors that will impact the cost of your new air conditioning unit and installation. Most homeowners can expect to spend between $3000 and upwards of $10,000 on their new air conditioning unit, depending on these individual factors.

Air conditioning units are complex systems that seem to provide us with comfortable, cool air as if by magic. They make hot weather more bearable and transform your home into an oasis during the long, hot days of summer.

Most of us have homes or workplaces with either room or central AC units, but do you really know how air conditioners work? In this article, we’ll take a look at the process that helps your AC deliver turn hot air into the cool air that it sends throughout your home or business.

It’s the middle of a hot summer heatwave and you start to notice that your house isn’t as cool as you’d like it to be. You ask yourself, “Why is my AC not working?” Or, “Why is my air conditioner not turning on?”

Unfortunately, getting your air conditioner up and running properly again isn’t always a simple fix. An AC unit is a complex piece of technology that requires regular maintenance and expert knowledge to repair. Wondering what to do if your air conditioner stops working altogether? Read on to discover the reasons your AC may not be working and how to start the troubleshooting process.

Summer’s here, and with that comes high temperatures and unfortunately, even higher energy bills. So, how can you take action to cut down on your utility bills while still enjoying a cool and comfortable home?
Evam Canada says the key is to avoid using your A/C unit as much as possible. If you love a nice cool home, this may seem counter-intuitive to maintaining the perfect temperature. However, you actually don’t need to run your air conditioner all the time to beat the heat. While running your AC during the summer months will naturally increase your utility bills, there are ways to reduce the impact on your wallet. The following are essential times to avoid using your air conditioner to maximize your energy savings.

When You’re at Work
Is your home typically empty from 9 to 5? Turn your thermostat up before you leave in the morning and don’t turn it on again until you get home. Experts recommend an away temperature of around 78 degrees Fahrenheit. Most A/C units only take a few minutes to start cooling your home, so it won’t be long until the air is a cool, comfortable temperature.

When You’re Away for Extended Periods
Your A/C should only run when you are actually in your home. While some believe in the theory that keeping your air conditioner running at a consistent temperature around the clock saves more energy, this is actually not true. If you’re planning on leaving for a few days or more, turn your air conditioner up as high as possible– or off.

While You’re Asleep
Your body can tolerate higher temperatures while you are asleep compared to when you are awake. Set your air conditioner to run less during the hours you are sleeping, starting around one or two hours before bedtime. If you really need a cooler temperature to fall asleep, set your programmable thermostat to stop cooling around the time you expect to be asleep.

When You’re Using a Dehumidifier
Avoid using your air conditioner and your dehumidifier at the same time. These two systems work in opposition: the dehumidifier heats the air while the A/C unit cools the air. Using your dehumidifier will increase the cooling load and therefore require your air conditioning to work harder, increasing your energy bills.

During Peak Hours
Of course, always try to avoid over-using your air conditioner during your energy provider’s peak hours. When you do turn on the A/C, don’t set it at a colder temperature than normal in the hopes of cooling your home off faster. This will not cool your home any faster and will simply result in unnecessary expense. For each degree that you turn your thermostat below 78 degrees Fahrenheit, your energy consumption will increase by an estimated 3-4%.
By avoiding using your air conditioner at certain times throughout the day, you can have a real impact on your energy bills. Do you have another tip to beat the heat while cutting back on your A/C use? Let us know in the comments below!

DIY-ing your air conditioner repairs this summer might seem like a great cost saving measure. If you’re reasonably handy, you might be tempted to take on the challenge of fixing your own A/C unit, saving yourself hundreds of dollars in the process. Seems like a no-brainer, right?
Wrong! Your air conditioner is an expensive and complex piece of machinery that shouldn’t be tampered with. Without the right experience and knowledge, attempting to fix any of the following air conditioner issues can be dangerous and lead to much more costly repairs later on:

1. Electrical Issues
As your air conditioner ages, you may start to experience electrical issues and faulty connections that cause your breakers to trip frequently. Attempting to handle this type of electrical work when it comes to your air conditioner is a definite no-go. Even if you think you have an idea of what needs to be done, repairing an electrical appliance at home is extremely dangerous.
When you try to DIY electrical problems, not only are you putting yourself in harm’s way, you may also be leaving your air conditioning unit in an unsafe condition without even realizing it. All electrical repairs and installations on your HVAC system should be performed by a licensed air conditioner repair professional or certified electrician.

2. Air Leaks
Many of us think fixing an air leak in our A/C system is as easy as pulling out that trusty roll of duct tape. Unfortunately, this DIY repair is actually not so simple. Duct tape is not the ideal way to seal any leaks that might have appeared in your ductwork. Plus, it’s incredibly difficult for homeowners to accurately detect air leaks. While you might see a gap or large hole in your duct system, there are likely hundreds of tiny leaks throughout that are contributing to your A/C’s inefficiency rather than just a single leak.
It’s recommended that a licensed HVAC company use their special equipment to detect and seal the leaks that are present in your ductwork to avoid the guesswork that comes with a do-it-yourself repair. Professional sealing of air leaks can make your system more efficient overall and help reduce your energy costs.

3. When You Don’t Know What’s Wrong
Determining precisely what is wrong with your air conditioner is a difficult job even for an experienced A/C technician. For every type of air conditioning malfunction, there are a wide range of potential causes. For example, there are dozens of reasons why your air conditioner has experienced a loss in cooling power or is making that strange noise when it starts up.
Without proper training and years of experience, it is likely that an amateur will misdiagnose the problem and apply the wrong repair, which can leave your A/C unit in a worse state than before or even cause it to fail completely. If you are having difficulty pinpointing the cause of your air conditioning issues, you should immediately stop making adjustments and DIY fixes and call in a pro instead.

Why Avoid DIY Air Conditioning Repairs?

One of the most important reasons why you should avoid a DIY air conditioner repair is your warranty. Attempting a non-professional repair such as opening the unit’s electrical components or recharging it with new refrigerant will likely void your warranty. Your DIY repair is not worth saving a few dollars now when you won’t be able to rely on your warranty when the whole unit needs replacing a few years down the road.
Safety is also important when you’re considering a DIY air conditioner repair. An A/C unit typically runs on more than 200 volts of electricity, meaning you are putting yourself at risk of electrical shock if you start to tamper with any of its electrical components. It is much safer to leave the fixes to a professional who knows which parts of your system are safe to touch, and how to properly shut off electricity to the unit.
If you run into any air conditioner issues this summer, put those tools down! Experienced and certified air conditioning repair professionals are only a phone call away to get your A/C system back up and running in no time!