Author: Kevin

Summer heat can be unbearable in Western Kentucky without a working air conditioner, and eventually your AC unit will experience issues like any other appliance. When that occurs, homeowners often face a choice: repair or replace? In this blog post, our experts at Chilly Ben’s will outline factors to keep in mind when making this decision and offer insight into when each option would be the most cost-effective choice.

Knowing When To Repair

AC repair in Franklin, KY can be a cost-effective solution if the unit’s issues are minor and can be fixed without significant expenses. Below are some signs that indicate your AC unit may need repair soon:

• Insufficient Cooling: If your AC unit is still blowing air but is not providing the desired cooling effects, there may be an issue with refrigerant levels, ductwork, or the compressor which needs addressing, often through repairs.
• Unusual Noises: Unexpected noises such as grinding, squealing, or rattling from your AC unit could indicate worn-out components or loose connections that need replacement, making repairs an appealing option in many instances.
• Frequent Cycling: If your air conditioning unit turns on and off frequently, this could be indicative of a malfunctioning thermostat or sensor requiring repair. Our professional AC repair technicians can assess the problem and make any necessary repairs.
• Foul Odors: Recurring unpleasant odors coming from your AC unit could be due to dirt, mold, or mildew accumulation within its system. A thorough cleaning or component replacement could often solve this issue and eliminate its unpleasant odors.

Factors To Consider For AC Repair

If you are experiencing any of the above issues or more, it is likely time for AC repair in Bowling Green, KY. However, repair and replacement signs can often look similar. Below we have listed specific factors to consider for AC repair rather than replacement.

• Cost-Effective Repairs
• Complication Of The Issue
• Overall Condition Of The Unit

Cost-Effective Repairs

When considering whether or not to repair your air conditioning unit, it’s essential to assess its cost-effectiveness of repairs. Consider both the estimated costs compared to its total value. If minor fixes can be performed at a lower cost than replacing it entirely, then repairs could be the more economical choice. Otherwise, it may be wiser financially speaking to invest in a new AC system instead.

Complication Of The Issue

Another key consideration in diagnosing air conditioner issues is their complexity. While simple issues, like clogged air filters or malfunctioning thermostats, can often be repaired quickly and affordably, more serious ones like compressor failure or extensive refrigerant leaks require more extensive and expensive fixes. Therefore, it is wise to consult a qualified AC technician who will accurately identify your specific problem and assess its scope. You can then decide if repairs or an AC replacement is a more suitable option based on their analysis.

Overall Condition Of The Unit

When considering AC repair in Bowling Green, KY, we recommend taking an overall evaluation into account. If the unit has been well-maintained with minimal breakages and reliable performance overall, and the issue at hand is isolated, then repair may be a viable option. Otherwise, replacement might be more prudent as an aging air conditioner could develop issues over time—with repair costs outweighing benefits in the long run.

When To Consider AC Replacement In Franklin, KY

While repairs can resolve many AC issues, there are situations where AC replacement is the more practical choice. Consider the following signs that indicate it may be time for AC replacement in Bowling Green, KY:

• Age of the Unit: Air conditioners typically last 10-12 years before needing replacing, but frequent breakdowns or costly repairs might indicate it’s nearing its expected lifespan. It might be worth investing in a replacement model with increased energy efficiency that saves you money over time.
• Frequent Breakdowns: If your AC unit has become increasingly unreliable over time and requires frequent repair services, its repair costs may be better spent investing in a replacement unit. Multiple breakdowns could indicate that it has reached its end of useful life.
• High Energy Bills: Older AC units tend to be less energy-efficient compared to newer models. If your energy bills have seen a significant spike despite routine maintenance and repairs, investing in an energy-efficient model might be more cost-effective in the long run.

Benefits Of AC Replacement In Bowling Green, KY

We understand replacing your air conditioner is an investment for your home and can be costly upfront. However, doing so can present various benefits for homeowners. Below we have listed five advantages of AC replacement in Smiths Grove, KY and surrounding areas.

• Enhancing Energy Efficiency: One of the major advantages of AC replacement is upgrading to more energy-efficient models. Newer units often incorporate advanced features like variable speed compressors, improved insulation, and airflow management which lead to greater energy savings and thus improve energy efficiency.
• Improved Cooling Performance: New AC units feature improved airflow distribution, better temperature regulation, and more accurate thermostats to create more stable indoor temperatures and provide more consistent comfort levels throughout the home.
• Advanced Features And Technology: Modern AC units come equipped with innovative features and technologies designed to maximize user comfort and convenience. These amenities may include programmable thermostats, remote control access, zone cooling features, and smart home integration.
• Reduced Repair Costs: Repair expenses can quickly add up, becoming an expensive burden. By opting for AC installation of a new unit, you can avoid these ongoing repair expenses associated with an older unit and potentially save money over time. Additionally, the manufacturer warranties on new ACs provide peace of mind as well since any future repairs within the warranty period bring potential cost savings.
• Long-Term Cost Savings: Energy-efficient units consume less electricity, leading to decreased electricity bills. Furthermore, new technology and materials could lead to longer-lasting units with fewer repairs or replacement needs in the near future.

Call Chilly Ben’s For AC Services!

As with any choice homeowners face, determining whether to repair or replace an AC unit depends on various factors. Repairs can often address minor issues, while replacement may be necessary in cases of frequent breakdowns and aging units. Before making any major decisions regarding your AC unit, always consult with a professional HVAC technician, someone who can assess its condition and offer advice tailored to your situation.

Regular maintenance services provided by Chilly Ben’s, a family-owned business for 14 years, can ensure your air conditioning unit remains in top condition for an enjoyable summer experience! Keep cool this season with an efficient air conditioning system that has been cared for properly. Give us a call today for AC replacement or AC repair in Bowling Green, KY!

Many homeowners look for effective ways to lower their energy costs this summer. Kentucky’s warmer months cause most people to run their air conditioners constantly, skyrocketing their monthly energy payments. However, there are many simple tasks homeowners can do to keep cooling costs low this summer without sacrificing their comfort. In this article, we list seven ways to reduce your AC bill in Bowling Green , KY while remaining cool and comfortable.

Chilly Ben’s Heating and A/C is one of Bowling Green, KY’s most trusted heating and cooling services. We offer exceptional AC maintenance, installation, and repair services that will help you beat the heat all summer long. If you need professional air conditioning services in Bowling Green, KY or the surrounding area, contact our professional team!

7 Ways To Reduce Your AC Bills

Summer is a wonderful season that allows us to enjoy the great outdoors and spend time with our loved ones. However, the exceedingly high temperatures can make it difficult to stay comfortable inside your home. Although your air conditioner will help your home maintain a pleasant indoor climate, the excess usage can cause your monthly energy bill to soar sky-high.

The scorching heat can also put immense strain on your AC unit and cause it to overheat in extreme temperatures. The stress can even lead to a breakdown and AC repairs in Bowling Green, KY, leaving you without cool, comfortable air for hours or longer. Fortunately, you can reduce your monthly energy bills, preserve your air conditioner, and maintain a favorable indoor climate with a few efficient tips and tricks. Below are a few ways to lower your AC costs this summer.

1. Replace Your Old AC Unit With A More Efficient Model

Older air conditioners have trouble maintaining a comfortable climate and typically require more energy to operate. This can take a toll on your energy bills over time, causing you to waste hundreds on inadequate cooling. Outdated AC units are also more prone to breaking down, making it ideal to replace them with new, more efficient models.

New air conditioners are more energy-efficient and will keep your residence cool and comfortable without wasting energy. They withstand the summer heat better and can significantly reduce your energy payments without sacrificing your comfort. Although replacing your air conditioner might set you back financially in the short term, it can save you heaps of money over time, allowing you to recover the cost very quickly. If your air conditioner is 15 years old or older, consider upgrading to a newer model as soon as possible.

2. Keep Your Air Vents And Filters Clean

Dirty air vents and filters affect your home’s interior climate more than you might think. Excess dirt and debris drastically reduce airflow, preventing chilled air from reaching your home. Failing to clean or replace your AC system’s air filter can also adversely affect its performance, preventing it from operating at its highest efficiency level.

Cleaning your air vents regularly and replacing your air filter at least every 90 days will help your home stay comfortable during the hottest days of summer. It ensures optimal airflow and distribution, keeping every room of the house feeling nice and pleasant.

3. Use Ceiling Fans And Lower Your Thermostat

Using your ceiling fans can take some stress off your air conditioner without reducing your home’s interior comfort level. They will help keep things cool by pushing air downward, creating a nice refreshing breeze that will keep a room pleasant. Try lowering your thermostat a few degrees and turning on your ceiling fans to reduce your energy cost and chill your home.

4. Install a Smart Thermostat

Smart thermostats help regulate your indoor climate by adjusting the temperature according to your busy schedule. For example, you can program a smart thermostat to automatically raise your home’s temperature while you’re at work and decrease it right before you return. This will significantly reduce your air conditioning costs, preventing your unit from operating unnecessarily.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, adjusting your thermostat 7-10 degrees for at least 8 hours each day can save as much as 10% a year on heating and cooling costs.

5. Schedule Regular AC Maintenance

Regular AC maintenance in Bowling Green, KY ensures your air conditioner functions optimally throughout the summer. Our professionals will make slight adjustments to prevent various issues that keep your unit from operating efficiently. Preventative tasks our team will perform include checking refrigerant levels, cleaning drain lines, and lubricating all moving components. These maintenance tasks will help keep your AC efficient, cooling bills low, and minimize AC repairs in Franklin, KY and surrounding areas.

Hiring professional AC maintenance services a few times a year is one of the best ways to lower your AC costs this summer while keeping your unit in pristine condition.

6. Keep Your Blinds Closed During the Day

Although natural light can decrease your energy usage during the winter, it can have the opposite effect during summer. The sun’s harsh UV rays can make your home hotter, causing your air conditioner to work harder to keep your desired room temperature. Closing your blinds will limit the amount of natural light entering your home, helping your residence stay chilled during the day.

Since less natural light will enter your home, your air conditioner won’t have to work overtime to maintain your interior climate, reducing your energy payments.

7. Limit Your Oven Use

Your oven can significantly increase your home’s indoor temperature and further heighten your energy bills. The excess heat can spread throughout your kitchen and house, elevating the climate rather quickly. Fortunately, summer is the perfect time to break out your grill and cook outside, preventing sudden spikes in your energy payments.

Contact Chilly Ben’s Heating and A/C for Professional Air Conditioning Services

If you need professional air conditioning services in South Central Kentucky, contact Chilly Ben’s Heating and A/C. Our team will teach you more ways to lower your AC costs this summer so you can beat the Kentucky heat without burdening your budget. From AC installation to routine maintenance, no job is too big or too small for Chilly Ben’s Heating and A/C. Give Chilly Ben’s Heating and A/C a call at (270) 776-3691 and see what our air conditioning specialists can do for you in South Central Kentucky today!

As you begin to dust your air conditioner off for the warmer months, it’s a good time to stop and consider scheduling an AC maintenance appointment. Air conditioning maintenance or a tune-up ensures nothing is wrong with your system before its peak season of usage. An expert technician can run tests, lubricate parts, replace worn components, and improve the stability and function of your air conditioning system.

We know how hot the summers can get in Kentucky, so preparing for the season ahead can’t hurt. In fact, you’ll feel better about turning your air conditioning on for the first use of the year if you’ve had maintenance. Fortunately, Chilly Ben’s Heating & A/C can help with that task!

Why Does AC Maintenance In Bowling Green, KY Matter?

Air conditioning maintenance is perhaps the most essential service you can schedule for your cooling system. If you’ve invested the time and effort into the installation process but don’t maintain your air conditioner, then the work is for nothing. Air conditioners work hard to keep your home cool and comfortable during rising temperatures, so you should expect some normal wear and tear and common concerns from time to time.

It’s easy to overlook an unavoidable task like maintenance, but you’ll be dealing with the consequences when your air conditioner stops working. There’s nothing quite as helpful as having a local AC technician in Bowling Green to address all areas of your unit and make them run even better. Just like you would get a tune-up for your vehicle to continue driving around, you need to schedule maintenance to keep using your air conditioner in hot weather.

What Is Involved In AC Maintenance Service?

During an AC maintenance job, we will check airflow quality and the stability of electrical connections. We also inspect the thermostat and air conditioner’s ability to maintain your desired temperatures. Other steps in this service include:

• Checking refrigerant levels and signs of leaks
• Replacing or cleaning air filters
• Lubricating internal parts
• Clearing the drain lines

Benefits of AC Maintenance With Chilly Ben’s

When homeowners avoid maintenance, and something goes wrong, they often regret not taking time for the service. Air conditioners experience heavy use night and day during the hotter months, so it’s natural that it needs a tune-up to keep it operating well. Some of the main reasons you should call our team for air conditioner maintenance, perhaps in the early springtime, are as follows:

• Extend your air conditioner’s lifespan
• Experience better indoor air quality
• Have a more energy-efficient property
• Enjoy comfortable temperatures and safety
• Save money on repairs and replacement

Extend Your Air Conditioner’s Lifespan

Since air conditioners are such significant investments, everyone wants to squeeze as much time out of them as possible. AC maintenance helps your air conditioner last as long or longer than its extended lifespan. You might need an early replacement if you never schedule maintenance.

Imagine getting several extra years out of your air conditioning system simply because you scheduled one or two maintenance appointments a year. You’ll also preserve the manufacturer’s warranty by following through with expected maintenance.

Experience Better Indoor Air Quality

From dirt and dust mites to pet dander and smoke, numerous contaminants are circulating around your home harming indoor air quality. When all these particles build up on your air conditioning filter, you’re not getting the temperatures and air quality you want. Your coils are also wearing down.

Every time you put off routine maintenance, more dirt and debris builds up on your coils and air filter. The inside and outside of your units also have a layer of dust on them, preventing warm air from entering the system and changing to cool air. You breathe better air with AC maintenance in Franklin, KY.

Have A More Energy-Efficient Property

An energy-efficient home is one that spends less on their monthly bills. Your air conditioner is less likely to strain itself trying to achieve your desired temperatures when it has maximum energy efficiency. During your maintenance service, your technician can update your system and find ways to make it run even better.

Simple tasks like cleaning clogged and dirty air filters and fixing refrigerant problems can make a significant difference in how your air conditioner runs. AC maintenance takes no more than a few hours but makes your unit last longer than its proposed lifespan. It also creates the most comfortable space. Simply put – the less energy your air conditioner uses, the more you will save!

Enjoy Comfortable Temperatures And Safety

A properly-maintained AC system is much safer than one that never gets tune-ups. HVAC problems that grow into major problems have the potential to do serious damage to your home. You could have unsafe or uncomfortable conditions and a frustrating situation to resolve, but maintenance prevents these issues before they get that far.

You decrease the likelihood of experiencing extremely humid temperatures or high temperatures indoors. Allow our technicians to see what could be causing problems with your air conditioner. We don’t miss a beat with our AC maintenance and can get to the bottom of any issue.

Save Money On Repairs And Replacement

By keeping up with maintenance as necessary, it’s unlikely you’ll experience the unexpected need for costly AC repairs or an early replacement. Lack of maintenance can lead to numerous repairs throughout the summer, which can add up and become expensive. Since your system will also be more efficient, your monthly energy bills will drop. Finally, you’ll save more money by keeping your air conditioner’s warranty intact.

Contact Chilly Ben’s To Book AC Maintenance In Bowling Green, KY

Experience peace of mind knowing you do everything you can for your air conditioning system in Kentucky by scheduling routine maintenance. You’ll have a healthier, happier home that is more energy-efficient, consistent with temperatures, and you won’t be spending big bucks on repair services. Although you may keep your air conditioning unit out of sight and out of mind, consider making it a priority for the health, well-being, and happiness of your family.

At Chilly Ben’s Heating and A/C, we proudly offer detailed and thorough AC maintenance in Bowling Green, KY. We’ll examine all parts of your system and verify everything is operating harmoniously. Call us at 270-776-3691 to speak with our staff and book a maintenance appointment today!