Your home has a long, hot day ahead of it, so it's time to turn on the air conditioner. But once you turn it on, you get nothing but warm air out of it no matter how low you turn down the thermostat. There are plenty of issues that can prevent your air conditioner from performing as it should, but the following four issues may not be as common as, say, a dirty air filter or a refrigerant leak.

With so much of the country experiencing a heat wave right now, air conditioners are being put to the test. If you're like most, your air conditioner is probably working overtime to keep you, and your family cool. If it's been a while since you air conditioner had a tuneup, it's time to take care of that. Here are just three of the reasons why your air conditioner needs a service call.

You probably know that regular maintenance of an air conditioner prevents frequent breakdowns, but did you know that cleaning is a crucial part of this regular maintenance? In fact, if there is nothing wrong with your system, you just need to inspect it for malfunctions and clean the necessary parts. Here are some of the benefits of cleaning your AC system: It Fosters Heat Transfer Cleaning the air conditioner coils (both the evaporator and condenser coils) helps to promote heat transfer.

When it comes to residential energy loss, no single problem contributes more than duct leaks. Not only do such leaks negatively impact your overall efficiency, but they also cause your system's run times to increase. As a result, your HVAC appliances suffer a much greater degree of wear and tear. For all of these reasons, it is important to be vigilant about understanding and diagnosing duct leaks. If you would like to increase your knowledge of this vital subject, keep reading.

It doesn't take long for a determined thief to make off with your air conditioning equipment. Armed with a variety of tools, it may only take a few minutes for a thief to ransack your unit for copper, aluminum and other valuable metals. In the end, you could be left with a shell of a unit that takes thousands of dollars to properly replace. Instead of spending time and money after an air conditioner theft, you can take the following proactive steps to safeguard your air conditioning unit.

Before winter arrives, the time when you will need your furnace to be functioning at it's best, is the best time to determine whether or not it's time to replace your furnace. After all, you don't want to discover that it is time to replace your furnace once you actually need to use it. It could be weeks before you can receive the furnace and have it installed in your home.

During a major renovation, dust and other debris can find its way into your home's HVAC system. The buildup could lead to a malfunctioning system and costly repairs. Before you start on your renovation, here are some steps you can take to protect your HVAC system.   Close the Registers One of the easiest ways for dust to find its way into your system is through the registers. When this occurs, the dust can settle into your ducts, and, once you turn on the system, it can be spread throughout the home and clog the rest of your system.

When hot, humid weather approaches, you'll want to do everything you can to keep your home cool and dry. With a few changes and some help from your HVAC contractor, you can do just that. Here are just some of the ways you can keep your home comfortable during steamy weather. Install A Whole-Home Dehumidifer While your air conditioning can help to keep your home cool, it can't reduce moisture in the air on its own.

Unfortunately, plumbing problems don't always occur during normal business hours. While an after-hours emergency isn't exactly a convenience, it also isn't the end of the world. This is especially the case if you have a pipe burst. Knowing what to do in this instance can help minimize damage and significantly reduce your level of stress. Turn Off The Water The best thing you can do when you have a busted pipe is to shut off the main water supply.

If you maintain your furnace properly, you can expect it to last an average of about 16 to 20 years. To avoid premature wear and tear and other problems that could lead to more headaches in the future, keep an eye and an ear out for your furnace. Make sure that you take note of any signs of wear and perform the necessary repairs before the situation worsens and gets out of control.