FAQs
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What's the best air conditioner brand?
We are often asked what is the best air conditioning brand on the market, so we’ve written many articles answering this question. Here are a few of them:
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My air conditioner runs constantly and doesn’t shut off, what’s wrong with it?
There are quite a few issues that could cause an air conditioner to run all the time. Here are a few reasons that would cause your air conditioner to run constantly and not shut off:
- If the refrigerant charge is low, your ac unit will run constantly trying to reach the temperature setting of your thermostat.
- An air conditioning unit that is undersized for the space will also cause the unit to run constantly.
- Shorted thermostat wires or a miswired thermostat can cause an AC unit, heat pump, or furnace to run constantly. Older rooftop units often have thermostat wires that lose their protective casing over years of sun exposure and the metal conductors inside touch each other causing constant operation.
- ‘Stuck contactor’: A contactor is a component inside the outdoor air conditioning unit. This ‘switch’ turns the air conditioners compressor on and off. Over time, the contact points on these devices become burnt and pitted causing them to get stuck closed and not allowing the outdoor AC to shut down.
This article provides more information about why an air conditioner won’t shut off and some things you can check yourself before calling a professional:
My AC Won’t Shut Off! Here’s Why Your AC Unit Keeps Running
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Some of the rooms in my house are hotter than other rooms, how can I fix it?
While this may be a problem with the air ducts or the air conditioner itself, it may be something else entirely. Many times hot rooms are caused by insufficient attic or wall insulation in that area of the home. If you live in a warmer climate like Phoenix, installing solar sunscreens or some room-darkening drapes can sometimes solve this problem. You should consider having a professional conduct a home energy audit to pinpoint the exact problem.
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I see ice forming on my unit and/or the copper pipes that connect to it, is that a problem?
Yes, there is something wrong if you ever see ice on your air conditioner. Usually this is an indication your unit has a refrigerant leak, but there are also a few other problems that can cause this symptom. You should shut off your unit and call a professional air conditioning contractor right away.
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I had a high efficiency air conditioner installed but I still have high utility bills, was it installed wrong?
In order to get all of the benefits of a high efficiency central air conditioning system, more than just “the box” needs to be installed properly. Proper application and installation is more important than the machine itself. You should have your contractor review the installation and make sure everything is installed per manufacturer specifications. You may also benefit from having a whole home energy audit done on your home.
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Which brand air conditioner is the most reliable?
For the most part, all of the major air conditioning manufacturers are building high quality products nowadays. Many buy their components from the same places. A better word for “manufacturers” today would be “assemblers” as most are simply assembling a machine full of parts manufactured by someone else. If you want to make sure your AC and heating unit gives you long, reliable service; make sure you choose the right contractor to install it.
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What kind of AC filter should I buy for my air conditioner?
What type of air filter should I use for my home’s air conditioner is one of the most frequently asked questions we hear. Knowing which filter to use is more important than many people think so we wrote a complete article with everything you need to know about air conditioning system filters. Read more:
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How much does freon cost per pound?
The price of Freon has skyrocketed in recent years now that it can no longer be manufactured in the United States. Keep in mind Freon is a brand name for R-22 refrigerant and may not even be the refrigerant used in your AC unit. If your unit was build in the last 15 years or so, it probably uses 410a refrigerant (sometimes referred to as Puron – a brand name like Freon). Here is everything you need to know about the price of Freon, Puron and what is replacing both refrigerants in less than two years:
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Can I get a tax credit for installing a high-efficiency air conditioner?
Yes, provisions in the Inflation Reduction Act provide tax credits up to $600 for new air conditioners and up to $2,000 for new heat pump systems. For more information about tax credits and qualifying equipment check out this article:
Up To a $2,000 Tax Credit for Heat Pumps & Air Conditioners Installed in 2023
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What's included in an AC Maintenance & AC Cleaning Visit?
What’s included in an AC Maintenance is one of the most common questions we receive in the Spring. Phoenix, AZ and nearby cities endure some of the hottest summers in the world and we want our air conditioner to be ready! Click the link below for a comprehensive list of what Magic Touch Mechanical includes with our comprehensive AC Cleaning & AC Maintenance visits.
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My heater doesn’t work on really cold mornings but works fine during the rest of the day, what’s the problem?
Do you know if your unit is a heat pump? If so, your heat pump may be in defrost mode when this happens which is normal on very cold mornings. This article will help you understand what’s happening and why. There’s also some advice in the article as to how you can maintain home comfort while your unit defrosts.
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I noticed there is a vent near my gas furnace that goes to my attic or outside, can I block this vent?
NO! Your gas furnace needs to have an outside source of combustion air in order to operate. Blocking this airway is very dangerous. DON’T DO IT!
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Is it cheaper to run space heaters in the rooms I’m using rather than running my whole central heating system?
Although it would seem those tiny space heaters would be less expensive to operate than your central heating system, in most cases they are not. Space heaters draw a tremendous amount of energy. Unless your heating system is very old, it’s the most economic way to heat your home.
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How do I set my Ecobee thermostat to defrost my heat pump?
If your Ecobee thermostat seems to be stuck in the defrost cycle and not providing heat for more than 30 minutes, you can make an adjustment in settings that should solve the problem. The user manual and installation guide provided by Ecobee don’t provide clear details on this setting so we’ve created a step-by-step guide with pictures showing you how to resolve the problem. Read more: https://airconditioningarizona.com/ecobee-thermostat-heat-pump-setting/
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How much of a tax credit can I get if I install a new heat pump in Arizona?
As of 1/1/2023, you may qualify for up to a $2,000 tax credit when you install a qualifying heat pump in Arizona. New construction and rental homes do not qualify under the provisions found in the Inflation Reduction Act, however principal homes located in Arizona do!
Read more:
Up To a $2,000 Tax Credit for Heat Pumps & Air Conditioners Installed in 2023
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How long does it take for a heat pump defrost?
Check out this article for information about how long the heat pump defrost cycle lasts, how often a heat pump goes into defrost, and how to keep your home comfortable.
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What’s the best way to clean the soot build-up glass on my fireplace?
Most people are surprised to learn that one of the best ways to clean soot off the glass doors of your fireplace is with ash! Crumple up some newspaper and dip it in the gray ash in your fireplace. Then use the newspaper like you would a scouring pad in a small circular motion with a little pressure. It’s a tedious and messy job, but it usually does the trick.
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Do I need to have any maintenance done on my gas fireplace?
Every fireplace manufacturer says you should have your fireplace checked and cleaned every year before you turn it on. Your fireplace is a combustion appliance like a furnace and while a beautiful addition to any home, can be very dangerous without the proper care. There is a risk of carbon monoxide poisoning and fires with any gas appliance…always have it serviced by a licensed and trained professional.
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I think there is an animal in my chimney, should I call an exterminator or a heating contractor?
This depends on the type of chimney you have, but you may need to call both. DO NOT try to smoke the animal out. If your chimney is blocked with a nest or something else, dangerous gasses can’t escape and can be lethal. Start by calling your heating contractor and seek his or her advice on what to do next.
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Why won't my gas fireplace light?
If your gas fireplace won’t light or stay lit, the problem may be as simple as a dirty thermocouple. We wrote this article to help people whose gas fireplace won’t stay lit figure out why and even a few things you can do yourself before calling a professional. Read more:
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Can I change the log set inside my gas fireplace?
Yes, you can change the gas log set in your natural gas or propane fireplace in most cases. There are a few exceptions but a fireplace professional can determine if it can be done for your fireplace. There are actually a number of great looking options available today if you want to give your gas fireplace or fire pit a new look! Check out this article for inspiration:
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Should I shut off my air conditioner completely when I go out or set the temperature up higher?
Setting your temperature up a few degrees higher is actually more cost effective than completely shutting off your unit. When you shut off your air conditioner completely, everything in your home heats up making your air conditioner work harder to bring it all back to a comfortable temperature level. Consider installing a Wi-Fi thermostat that you can adjust from your smart phone or tablet when you leave or are coming home. Wi-Fi thermostats also make a great “remote control” when you’re sitting on your couch!
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What is a SEER rating?
SEER – Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating is a rating given to central air conditioners so consumers can determine how efficiently it operates. A higher SEER rating doesn’t mean the unit cools better, it just means that it cools more efficiently than the same size unit with a lower rating. In laymen terms, the SEER rating of an air conditioner is the equivalent to MPG (Miles Per Gallon) of a car…the higher the number, the more miles you get out of the same dollar spent.
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Does the Inflation Reduction Act provide any rebates if I install high-efficiency HVAC equipment in my home?
While the Inflation Reduction Act does not include any provisions for rebates, it does provide tax credits up to $2,000 for new HVAC equipment. For more information about HVAC specific tax credits see this article:
Up To a $2,000 Tax Credit for Heat Pumps & Air Conditioners Installed in 2023