Common Heating and Air Conditioning Repairs

Having problems finding suitable options to install an HVAC system for you home? Have a unique scenario that you can’t seem to figure out on your own? Sierra Mechanical specializes in creating custom heating and air conditioning solutions that will help lower energy costs and get your HVAC system back up an running as quickly as possible. Get in touch with a representative and discuss your inquiry.

HVAC units are usually very reliable, however problems do arise. Some of these problems can be do-it-yourself issues. However, for the more complex problems, it is best to call a trained technician. When a service call is placed for a technician to come out and check a unit because a client is not getting any heating or cooling, these are the most common things that we check:

• Blown Fuses. Fuses protect the unit's motor or compressor against overheating, and is found in the evaporator coil. When a motor is suspected of going bad, the breaker is one of the first things the technician checks.
• Worn Contactor. There are three contactors in a unit: one for the compressor, one for the condenser fan motor, and one for the blower motor. The contactors engage when there is a need for cooling or heating, making an electrical connection. This starts the compressor and motors. Arcing and pitting can form on the contactor making it hard for the electrical current to pass and start the particular motor.
• Capacitors. The run capacitor is used to help the motors of the unit run at a consistent speed, rated in microfarads. Start capacitors give the compressor a brief increase in starting torque. If either capacitor burns out, it will need to be replaced for your HVAC to work properly.
• Gas valve. The gas valve meters the gas to flow from your gas line to your unit. They are only used during the heating season. Sometimes the gas valve gets corroded. If this is the case, it will need to be replaced.
• Filters. Filters get dirty and clogged from air particles. Once this happens, the filter needs to be changed. One way to tell if the filter needs to be changed is to hold it up to the light and see if you can see light pass through it. If you cannot, the filter needs to be changed. A dirty filter will reduce the air flow to the unit causing the unit to freeze.
• Thermostat. This is the device that tells the system what to do and when to do it. Before calling an HVAC company, make sure the thermostat is on. Many times the thermostat is accidentally turned off or is on the wrong setting. 
  
• Drain lines. The drain line commonly becomes clogged with dirt or algae. If it is clogged, the drain pan will fill up and cause water to leak over and create water damage.  
• Refrigerant leak. Refrigerant leaks can happen with vibration of the unit while it is operating. Refrigerant leaks in the condenser or evaporator coils cannot be repaired. If the leak is found in another place the technician can remove what is left and charge the unit levels back to their correct amount. 
• Compressor. This is the heart of the A/C unit. The compressor is located with the condenser coil. If the unit is undercharged with refrigerant, the compressor will run hot and will eventually seize. If the unit is overcharged, your liquid refrigerant will get back to the compressor and cause liquid slugging. It is important that the A/C unit has the proper amount of refrigerant. 
• Condenser Coil. These are located outside with the compressor. They are exposed to the outdoor elements, so they often get dirty and should be cleaned at least yearly. This can be done with a water hose when the unit is not operating. If the dirt and grime get bad enough an HVAC technician will have to clean the coil with a chemical cleaner. 
• Evaporator Coil. On split systems the evaporator coil is located in the attic, but on a package unit it is located outside with rest of the unit. If the coil is located inside, cleaning will only be necessary if suggested and should only be about every three years or so. If the evaporator coil cracks, an HVAC professional will need to fix the break.

Remember, if you have any questions or concerns, it is best to call a trained HVAC technician.

Heating and Air Conditioning Repairs in O'Fallon, MO

Heating and air conditioning repairs are commonly faulty wiring issues, air ducts or faulty motors. These are some of the most common issues found in numerous homes. With our years of experience, we can often diagnose and fix the problem on the spot. Especially in the hotter areas, air conditioners tend to fail when you need them most. When your heating and air system fails it is restricting the actual cool air being generated from the unit into the home. Maybe your air conditioner is just not turning on, or it is making a strange noise, either way, call to have one of our expert repair technicians diagnose the problem with your heating and air conditioning system.

Sierra Mechanical: 636-240-8383

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15 Interesting HVAC Facts

We hope you enjoy these 15 interesting facts about your heating, ventilation & air conditioning (HVAC) system.

• In 80 AD China, an artisan named Ding Huan created a 10-foot wide rotary fan. It was comprised of 7 connected wheels. A single person could power the device by simply turning a crank. The primitive air conditioner cooled an entire hall of people.
• Air conditioning does not cool a house down. Rather, it removes heat from the house.
• The Romans were the first to utilize any type of warm-air heating system.
• John Gorrie, the father of refrigeration and air conditioning, was a medical doctor. In 1842 he developed a machine to make ice to create cool air for his patients. (He was living in Florida at the time.) He thought his ice-making machine could be used to cool down homes and other buildings. In 1851 he received a patent for his idea, but died penniless three years later after losing his financial backing.
• Air conditioning’s development gave a big boost to the movie industry. Before A/C, movie theaters got rather hot in the summertime.
• Packard was the first automobile manufacturer to use air conditioners in their cars. This practice started in 1936.
• Geothermal power can drill into the Earth’s crust and extract natural heat coming from the Earth’s core. The deepest geothermal well built to this point is called the Kola Superdeep Borehole. It is used for research and goes seven miles below the Earth’s surface.
• The first steam-heating system install occurred in England. That way the Governor of the Bank of England could grow his grapes in cooler temperatures.
• Besides giving you a cooler home, an air conditioner helps clean the air in your home. Air is drawn through return air ducts and passes through an air filter that removes items such as dust, dander and lint from the home’s atmosphere. The cleaned up air then comes back through the home.
• The item that changes resistance as heat temperatures change is called a thermistor. The thermistor alerts the thermostat to adjust itself to the right temperature.
• Since 1960, more than 50 percent of America’s economic growth can be attributed to air conditioning units in the southern and western parts of the country. It is now possible to live there year-round and work year-long in comfort.
• The gold standard of the HVAC world is the Air Standard. This means that air must be 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 degrees Celsius) with a 36% relative humidity at 14.7 psia (pounds per square inch absolute.) It’s not easy getting to that state.
• Geothermal power is definitely efficient. It drills down deep enough to extract warm thermal energy that is easy to cool and also easy to heat. This saves energy that would be used to balance warm and cold temperatures.
• Before air conditioning became common, many businesses and government office took two month long summer vacations.
• Michael Faraday, in 1820, first conceived of the modern concept of air conditioning. He discovered that compressed and liquefied ammonia could chill the air when it was allowed to evaporate. 

 For more facts on HVAC or to schedule a service, call Sierra Mechanical today. 636-240-8383

Professional HVAC Services

At Sierra Mechanical Services Inc. we know that having the right people on the job is just as important as choosing the best equipment. Our York trained professionals provide you with top quality equipment, skilled installation and an expert analysis of your comfort needs. Our recommendations will fit your budget and lifestyle needs. We're particularly proud of providing heating and air-conditioning systems that have earned the Good Housekeeping Seal. It's one more assurance that, when you choose York products and our specialized technicians, you're choosing quality.

Energy Saving Tip:

Save energy by keeping your air conditioner out of the sun. Locate the unit out of direct sunlight and avoid the south and west sides of the house. Placing the air conditioner in direct sunlight causes it to work harder to cool your home.