AllTech Services, Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Fairfax’

How Long Each Day Can I Run My Air Conditioner?

Monday, June 6th, 2022
clock-on-wall

A common question that our customers ask about their air conditioning use is, “How long can I actually run my air conditioner each day?” When you live somewhere that has long, hot summers, it’s natural that you want to know this. Is there a limit? What happens when your cooling system hits that limit? Will it break down?

We’re going to answer these questions and address more about your air conditioner below. But to answer the main question right away, you could technically run your air conditioner 24/7. And, depending on how long you do so, how often you have your system maintained, and how long our summer lasts, this may be fine. But, it’s not always recommended. Read on to learn more!

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How to Keep Your Tankless Water Heater in Good Shape

Monday, April 11th, 2022
tankless-water-heater-on-green-tiled-wall

Tankless water heaters are one of the most cost-effective solutions for delivering hot water into your home. They’re also efficient, compact, and use way less energy than tank water heaters. Tankless water heaters are an excellent investment—and if maintained properly, your tankless water heater can last up to 20 years!

A tankless water heater is undoubtedly an effective way to get hot water into your home. But in order to get the most out of your tankless water heater, you have to ensure that it stays in good shape. This is done through maintenance.

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The #1 Way to Prevent Heating Repair Needs

Monday, February 28th, 2022
technician-working-on-furnace

An effective heating system is what keeps your home comfortable and livable—especially in the colder months. Even in the warmer months, heat is sometimes needed to keep the house warm at night. Without a functioning heating system, your house could get uncomfortably chilly—no matter the time of year. 

You always want the sure that your furnace or heat pump can heat your home effectively and efficiently. Unfortunately, you may not even know if your heating system is on the fritz until it’s too late. If your heating system needs repairs, you may not be aware until your heat bills start rising or there’s a safety issue. So, what’s the number one way to prevent this from happening? Heating maintenance. 

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5 Reasons You Might Want to Call an Emergency Plumber

Monday, October 11th, 2021

woman-on-phone-looking-at-leaky-pipe-under-sinkIt might seem like no matter what type of plumbing problem you have, it warrants a call to an emergency plumber. This isn’t always the case, though. Of course we are here for you if you do have a plumbing emergency, but we also know that plumbing problems never happen at a convenient time, and you’d probably like to schedule repairs so you know when to expect a technician at your home. So if you’re looking at something like a leaky faucet or a dripping pipe underneath a sink, then you may want to just turn the water shut-off valve for that particular fixture for now.

Of course, there are other times that you really do have an emergency on your hands. We have five examples of those plumbing problems below. If any of these describe your scenario, please don’t hesitate to reach out!

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What Is Short-Cycling and Why Is It Bad for Your AC?

Monday, July 5th, 2021

woman-holding-hand-to-ear-to-listenOne of the most common air conditioner problems that our customers call us to deal with is short-cycling. Have you ever faced short-cycling problems with your air conditioner? That is, when your air conditioner turns on and off in rapid cycles. This issue is a symptom of several possible problems with your air conditioner, and it can cause further problems if you don’t address it immediately.

While some reasons for short-cycling could require a simple fix, other problems are too complex to deal with on your own. We recommend calling experts for air conditioning repair in Fairfax, VA to come and deal with it.

This post will discuss what short-cycling is and why it’s bad for your air conditioner to help you understand the importance of dealing with it immediately.

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The Unique Needs of a Ductless AC System

Monday, April 12th, 2021

ductless-system-air-handlerFor homeowners who want efficient and effective cooling and heating, there is a singular option that is growing in popularity: the ductless system. Rather than operating through ductwork connected to an indoor air handler and evaporator unit, a ductless mini-split breaks up the indoor unit and blower fans to independently distribute conditioned air into each room. Small air handlers are mounted—typically high up on the walls—and each one can be set to a specific temperature.

Perhaps you’ve seen these types of systems. They’re often found in newer office buildings, doctors’ offices, and hotels. There are several advantages to going ductless, including increased efficiency—especially during the cooler months. But if not installed properly, the unique needs of a ductless AC system could leave you needing repairs or even replacement. Read on to learn more!

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Does Your Tankless Water Heater Need Maintenance?

Monday, March 1st, 2021

tankless-water-heaterThe short answer to this is “yes,” but don’t worry, we’re going to explain below.

The conventional storage tank water heater is large, always pretty noticeable, and can even be a bit noisy, right? In other words, the average homeowner who has one of these systems probably knows that it needs attention and care by way of professional maintenance. After all, scaling can have a big impact on the water heater. It allows mineral buildup (calcium and magnesium mainly, but also iron in some cases), that creates problems with water pressure, temperature, and even eventual corrosion. As part of professional maintenance, tank water heaters require occasional flushing.

But a tankless system is different, right? So why does it need maintenance? Well, for the same reasons a conventional storage tank water heater does, actually. Read on as we uncover the impact of scaling on a tankless system, and therefore why tankless water heaters need maintenance.

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How to Give Your Home the Extra Efficiency Boost It Needs

Monday, February 1st, 2021

girl-huddled-in-blanket-drinking-out-of-mugWe could have also titled this post “How to Give Your Heater the Extra Efficiency Boost It Needs.” How you use your heater and how efficient your home is go hand-in-hand.

Sure, having a great heater starts with selecting the right one for your home (size matters), and having it professionally installed by trained professionals. But there are additional steps you can take to improve the cost-effectiveness of this system.

First, did you have professional maintenance done before this heating season began? If not, it’s not too late! Maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust the components of your furnace or heating system so it performs as it should, and as safely as it should. Maintenance also extends the lifespan of your heater. A well-cared for heater has the ability to last 10–15 years whereas one that skips maintenance may only last half of that.

In addition to regular tune-ups, here’s what else you can do!

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Do You Have a Plumbing Leak? Here’s How to Check

Monday, December 21st, 2020

blue-cloth-tied-around-white-pipeIt kind of goes without saying that if you have a leaky pipe in your home that’s in a spot you can’t see or access, it’s a problem. Some plumbing issues do make themselves known fairly quickly, such as a clogged toilet or a dripping faucet. But the pipes tucked away in your home—in your basement, under the sinks, behind the walls—are far less noticeable.

A problem can occur with these pipes and go unnoticed for quite a while, causing problems all that time. If you aren’t attentive, then you could wind up wasting a lot of water, spending extra money, and winding up with property damage. So, how can you tell if you do have a hidden plumbing leak like this? By looking for the following signs:

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Signs That Your Heater Is in Trouble

Monday, November 23rd, 2020

animated-checklistLook, there is no good time to be in need of heating repairs. It’s almost never in the budget and almost always right when you need your heater the most. Heating repair needs tend to crop up the most when you are actually using your heating system frequently.

Of course, the best way to fend off the worst heating repair needs is with routine heating maintenance. If you haven’t scheduled a fall tune-up yet, now is the time! During maintenance, our team will thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust any components that need it. This allows us to catch any small repair needs before they grow into bigger ones.

One thing to keep in mind though, is that even with diligent heating system care, you may still run into heater trouble. Read on as we uncover some of the most common signs that it may be time to give us a call.

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