Archive for: Preventive Maintenance

Name: Arctic Air Inc
Address: 155 Varnfield Dr, Summerville, South Carolina, 29483, United States
Telephone: 843-821-0937

Emergency Commercial Refrigeration Repair in North Charleston, SC

By 405content

Thursday, February 8th, 2024

Arctic Air Inc. is the go-to company for commercial refrigeration repair in North Charleston, South Carolina, because we offer competitively priced, quality work! Our commitment extends beyond affordability; we provide labor warranties on our services, ensuring your peace of mind. As a locally owned and operated heating, ventilation and air conditioning specialist we understand the specific needs of the North Charleston community.

That’s why a local business owner called us for emergency repairs. Warmer temperatures in their refrigeration unit jeopardized product safety, and they knew they needed to cool things down fast! They knew they could trust our specialized heating, cooling, ventilation, and refrigeration services. Our skilled contractors addressed the issue by meticulously cleaning the refrigeration coils.

Arctic Air Inc.: Expert Commercial Refrigeration Repair in North Charleston, SC

Initially, the cooler struggled due to dirty coils. However, after our thorough cleaning, it resumed functionality without additional glitches. Keeping refrigerator coils clean is crucial for smooth operation, so regular maintenance is essential. When dust and grime build-up, the fridge has to work harder, using more energy and shortening its lifespan. Dirty coils also make the compressor wear out faster, which is an expensive part to fix. As our North Charleston business owner learned, cooling performance decreases if the coils are not cleaned, leading to higher temperatures. Regular coil cleaning is not just maintenance but a way to prevent these issues and keep your fridge working efficiently.

At Arctic Air Inc., we’re not just about commercial refrigeration repair and maintenance. We are a family-owned and locally operated business serving the Lowcountry since 1993. Specializing in Heating and Cooling, Ventilation, Air Conditioning, and Commercial Refrigeration Installation (HVACR), we have garnered an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau (BBB) since 1995.

Call Arctic Air Inc. for Expert Refrigeration Repair and Maintenance Services!

Our comprehensive services cover installation, service, repair, maintenance, and unit replacement. Experience the difference with Arctic Air Inc! Safeguard your products, enhance efficiency, and trust our experts for all your commercial refrigeration repair and maintenance needs. Contact us today for reliable solutions to your temperature problems!

commercial refrigeration repair — **BEFORE**

Categories : North Charleston, Preventive Maintenance

Filter Change Time!!

By Arctic Air, Inc.

Monday, December 1st, 2014

I hope that everyone had a great Thanksgiving with family and friends. Staci and I had a great Thanksgiving break with our family and friends. I can honestly say that we our thankful for the people in our lives!

I am also very thankful for getting back to work. With the time off, I decided to do a project that I have been contemplating for a few months. (For some reason, I think about the project, analyze the project, price out the project, and then spend more time researching the project.) This project did not need all of that thought and effort, but I did it anyway.

So what was the project? A small fire pit in the back yard. Our friends Kurt and Cindy have a fire pit in their back yard. We wanted to keep up with the “Jones’s”. (LOL) Whenever we visit them, if it is cold out, we always get together around their fire pit. It is a great way to “unplug” from tv, internet, cell phones and “social media”. In addition, you get to spend time with people that you love, while being outside.

I was able to get some time Saturday to execute the master plan. Lowe’s had the fire pit bowl that I wanted on “Black Friday Sale”, and I decided to pick up up. It was over 50% off. That was all that I was supposed to buy, but then I started looking at the pavers that I needed to make the round enclosure. Well, before I knew it, I was loading up one of those big carts with these bricks.

By the way, I am really out of shape. I realized that after picking up the first load of bricks. Each of these things weighs in at 24 lbs each.

So I loaded the first 20 pavers and the 3′ fire pit bowl into my Toyota Camry. At this time, I thought, I really need a truck!

I went home and unloaded the bricks. The dolly surely helped but it was still a lot of weight to pull. Ugh… Again I say, I am really out of shape.

I unpacked the bowl, spray painted a circle in the grass where the fire pit was going, and made the first layer. Then, I put the last 4 or 5 pavers in position on the second level.

Now it is back to Lowe’s for the second load of pavers. I picked them up, along with some drainage rock and sand. After the second layer, the third layer went on.

I did have to make an adjustment, and I didn’t have the proper tools. So, I took the back of a claw hammer and started pounding away. After about 10 – 15 hits, the paver was split and I had the final piece that I needed. I put that last paver in place then I added the rock and sand to the center, and I was finished.

Now it is time to sit back with Staci, and enjoy the fruits of my labor!

Thank you for reading my little story.

FILTER CHANGE: I would also like to remind you of a little project that you need to take care of soon. It is time to check your air filters to see if they need to be replaced.

Also, if you need to schedule your Winter Tune-up, give us a call at 843-821-0937.

Once that is done, take a moment to sit back and relax.

Categories : Preventive Maintenance

Tags : #firepit, #preventivemaintenance

“Preventive Maintenance” … What’s in it for me? Part 3

By Arctic Air, Inc.

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Happy Friday EVERYONE! …. It is definitely 5 o’clock somewhere!

Severely clogged coils!

As we continue through this series, I hope that you will begin to see how important it is to properly maintain your air conditioning and heating system. When I am out helping customers with replacing their old, broken ac equipment, I am often asked, “How often should I have my system serviced?”. Each situation is different depending on levels of dust, pet dander, and other factors. But, generally speaking, we recommend having your system tuned up every 6 months. A good rule of thumb is before summer and before winter.

Another great question about preventive maintenance is, “What is done?” I am not going to lay out in detail each item, but I will give you a general overview. This way, you will know what to expect.

• Inspect the condenser coil

• Test and adjust operating pressures

• Test starting capabilities

• Inspect the blower assembly

• Test and check safety controls

• Clean the condensate drain

• Test the voltage of the motors

• Test the amp draws on the motors

• Lubricate necessary moving parts

• Check thermostat for proper operation

• Check for proper air flow

• Measure the temperature difference at the return vs. the supply

• Check the expansion valve

• Inspect and spray evaporator with cleaner (when accessible)

• Test in a/c and/or heat mode

• Check all electrical connections

• Check all capacitors

• Clean the air handler coil

• Check mechanical components for vibration or rubbing

• Winter – check heat exchangers or electric heat strips and amps – (depending on equipment)

In addition to these items, our service technicians may recommend additional services to keep your unit running at its maximum efficiency. This can include cleaning the blower wheel, cleaning the condenser coil with a chemical, and adding condensate treatments to reduce algae growth.

Loose connections were the cause of this electrical fire.

All of these items are important to the overall care of your air conditioning and heating system. Two of these items really stands out to me. The reason is because it is a matter of life and death. The first one is “Check all electrical connections.” If the electrical connections are not tight, it is possible for an electrical fire to occur. The second one is if you have a furnace, “Check heat exchangers (for those with furnances). If you have any holes or cracks in the heat exchanger, your family could be in serious danger from carbon monoxide poisoning.

On a side note, carbon monoxide detectors are relatively inexpensive. In doing a Google search, I found that these can be purchased from $15.49 – $49.99. If you have one already, be sure that your batteries have not died.

So, what does a “PM” (aka, preventive maintenance, tune-up, winter start-up, summer start-up) cost? Right now, if you want to have us to a winter start-up, it costs $89.00 per unit (residential customers only). If you would like to join our “Discount Club”, you get a winter start-up, and a summer start-up for $159 for the first unit and $129 for each additional unit. (SPOILER ALERT …. lock in your price now, because there is a rumor going around that this is going to have to be increased next year.)

It looks like we are going to have some great weather this weekend. If you get a chance, go out and enjoy Charleston SC. We are so blessed to live in such a beautiful area that has so much to do.

TGIF!!

Categories : Preventive Maintenance

Tags : #acrepair, #airconditioningtips, #heatermaintenance, #heaterrepair, #heatertips, #hvac, #hvacrepair, #preventivemaintenance

“Preventive Maintenance” … What’s in it for me? Part 2

By Arctic Air, Inc.

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

“Preventive Maintenance”… What’s in it for me? Part 2

Happy Friday Everyone!

I wanted to remind everyone that if you didn’t check your air filter last week, to please do so now. I know that this is not a hard task, but it is one that is easily put off. Since, this is about preventive maintenance for your air conditioner and heater, it is an excellent time to talk about air filters and air quality.

What does that filter do exactly? What does it do for me? Why should I replace it on a regular basis? I am glad that you asked (LOL).

First of all, what does that piece of fiberglass or pleated filter do? Of course you know that it filters debris and contaminants out of the air. Basically, the air in our homes isn’t exactly the cleanest of air. There is pet dander, dust, dust mites, pollen, fungi, mold, soot and many other “things” that are in the air. These are the things that a filter helps to stop from being re-distributed throughout your home.

So, now you have read about how the filter helps your air quality, let’s cover what it does for your equipment. If you don’t replace your air filters on a regular basis and they get clogged, less air will pass through them. This will cause the airflow to the unit to be below safe limits. Over time, because the unit has been “starved” of air, it will cause a premature failure of your equipment. So, “what is in it for you?,” you ask. You can prevent expensive repairs and prolong the life of your equipment.

Just so you have an idea, a new unit can cost between $4,500 and $12,000n (depending on the unit and scope of work).

Well, I would like to wish everyone a great weekend. If you need to schedule your preventive maintenance, please give us a call.

Check out our internet specials for your air conditioner and heater at www.arcticairinc.com/specials.

Categories : Preventive Maintenance

“PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE”…What’s in it for me? Part 1

By Arctic Air, Inc.

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Why should we spend money on preventive maintenance for our air conditioning and heating systems? What’s in it for me?

So often, we forget the metal boxes on the outsides of our homes. Let’s face it…. as long as we are comfortable in our homes, we don’t think about it. It is hard enough to remember to check and/or replace the air filters every month. So, why is “preventive maintenance” on your air conditioning and heating unit important?

Let me start by showing you a couple of problems that could have been prevented with some preventive maintenance.

On the left you can see a typical condensate line for an air conditioner. This line is typical of most in the attic of our homes, especially if your house is built on a slab. Whenever proper preventive maintenance is done, these lines are checked to be sure they are clear. No clogs. If they do have a clog, we will blow them out with CO2 or another device used to clear the clog. If you are not having preventive maintenance done, a clog can easily develop over time. On the right, you can see the inside of the pipe on the left. This pipe had to be cut out and replaced (it looks like a rodent ate through the pipe also.) This is a very solid clump of dirt, dust, algae etc.

So, whats the big deal with a clogged condensate line? Well, when your air conditioner is pulling moisture out of the air, that vapor turns to liquid. Yep, it turns to H2O… aka, water. If that water cannot leave through these pipes, it begins to back up. It begins to back up into the “overflow” pan under the unit. Hopefully, this pan has not rusted through AND it has a device called a float sensor. If these two items are in good working order, your ac will shut off and you will be calling someone (hopefully Arctic Air) to come to the rescue. If there is not a float switch installed, then you could start seeing water flowing through your ceiling. If the pan is rusted through….YIKES, water damage! Ugh, this could result in an expensive water damage claim and/or mold remediation claim, and this is a major inconvenience.

The next photo is of the inside of a condensing unit (the outside part of an air conditioning system). This photo shows the results of an electrical fire. This could have been prevented with proper preventive maintenance also. Our air conditioning units produce a lot of vibrations. These vibrations can cause screws to come loose. That is not a big deal, right? WRONG! It is a big deal. The screws on the electrical connections came loose and caused a fire inside of this unit. Luckily, the fire was contained and there wasn’t a catastrophic loss. The entire unit had to be rewired though. Again, an expensive repair that could have been prevented with some basic, quality preventive maintenance.

Preventive maintenance could have prevented these costly repairs.

When was the last time your air conditioner and heater had any preventive maintenance? If you cannot remember, it is time… now. For a winter tune-up (preventive maintenance), it costs $89. For two inspections, one in the spring and one in the fall, the cost is $159 or $13.25 per month (which can be paid monthly).

Over the next few posts, I will give you more reasons that it is important to have preventive maintenance performed on your air conditioner and heater.

Categories : Preventive Maintenance

Tags : #hvacpreventivemaintenance, #preventivemaintenance

A/C Tips … Spring is right around the corner!

By Admin

Thursday, February 20th, 2014

A/C Tips … Spring is right around the corner!

Hello Everyone,

charleston spring Our weather in South Carolina is always hit or miss when it comes to the winter months. Last week, we had a terrible winter storm. Some South Carolinians still do not have electricity. And a week later, we are hitting record high temperatures. Go figure!

This week has definitely given us “Spring Fever!” The beautiful mild days with warm sunshine beaming down… I know that I love spring time in Charleston SC.

With that in mind, before you know it, the 80°- 90°F temperatures will be here. One thing that most people don’t think about is when the temperatures heat up, the A/C (air conditioner) is coming on. It is real easy to flip that switch on the thermostat, and to get that air conditioner cranking out the cool air. But, is your A/C ready to get to work?

All cars need preventive maintenance, and your a/c is no different. Your heating and air conditioning system needs some TLC (tender loving care) also. It has worked hard to keep you warm and cozy this winter. Now it is time to change gears for the warm to hot days to come.

Your A/C is in need of preventive maintenance. “Why?”, you might ask. To keep it in tip top shape and running most efficiently. One thing that Staci and I cannot stand is a high electric bill. What is worse… a high electric bill AND not being comfortable in our home! When your unit is not running efficiently, you being to pay for it … in your electric bill (ouch!)

In addition, these inspections detect potential problems before they become expensive problems. When repairs are caught early, you can avoid costly repairs, and possibly, keep your unit from having to be replaced.

A few weeks ago, Arctic Air had a customer that cal us because their heating unit was not working. When we got there, we did our usual diagnostic. This is what our service technician found. There was an electrical fire inside their unit. All of the wiring had to be fixed. If this unit had preventive maintenance done by Arctic Air, we would have found a loose electrical connection. This loose electrical connection caused the fire! This is one of the items that is on our check list to be inspected.

burnt up wires

I am not sure if you can see it in this picture, but you may notice all of the burnt wires on the lower right side of the unit. Because of the vibration from the fans and other parts, connections are bound to come loose. This is NOT what you want to see, especially at your home.

Here is what our inspections consist of:

Inspect condenser coil
Test and adjust operating pressures
Test starting capabilities
Inspect blower assembly
Test amp draws on motors
Test voltage on motors
Test and check safety controls
Clean condensate drain
Lubricate necessary moving parts
Calibrate thermostat
Check for proper air flow
Measure temperature difference
Check expansion valve
Inspect and spray evaporator coil with cleaner (accessible only)
Test in a/c cycle
Check all electrical connections and capacitors

If you join our Discount Club, you receive a Summer Tune-up and a Winter Tune-up, no overtime charges ever, priority customer service, preferred pricing on repairs. This is an affordable way to keep your unit properly maintain. We even offer a monthly payment plan… as low as $13.25/mo!

Call today to get your Air Conditioner running in tip-top shape! 843-821-0937 or submit a service request online.

Categories : Preventive Maintenance

Tags : #ac, #acrepair, #ArcticAirInc, #charlestonsc, #preventivemaintenance

Time to Change your Air Filters!

By Admin

Saturday, February 1st, 2014

Time to Change your Air Filters – Charleston SC!

Hello Everyone,

Well, February is now here. Time definitely flies! I just wanted to send out a friendly reminder….

Time to Change Your Air Filters.

I am hoping that you read this before you head out today. If you don’t have filters on hand, be sure to pick some up at your local home improvements store.

While you are there, take a look at the different options that you have, and the different price ranges. I tend to be cheap when it comes to disposable items, but I have now learned that “cheaper isn’t always better!” The same is true with air filters.

The air filter on your a/c-heater is a very important part of the system. These filters help limit dust and debris from entering your duct work, and eventually, coming in contact with the internal parts of your unit. These particles can potentially rob your unit of efficiency and cause an expensive breakdown. This breakdown could result in a repair so expensive that it is cheaper to replace your system, resulting in an expense of thousands of dollars.

Let’s get back to the filters. There are a few different types of filters on the market. Here are basically 2 types of filters that I am going to talk about ( there are more but let’s keep this simple).

These filters are rated in the industry by MERV levels. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at trapping dirt, dust, allergens and debris. I will do a post on MERV ratings in the future.

inexpensive air filter The first is your basic “Inexpensive” Filter. They usually are in a cardboard frame, blue or white in color. These filters are make of something that looks like a heavy concentration of spider webs… and, you can see through them. This is not one of my favorite filters because it let’s too many of the particles through… and hence, a very low MERV rating. Change these EVERY month without fail!

The second is a pleated filter. These filters are usually made out of a thicker white material. These filters usually have a higher MERV rating that the basic “Inexpensive” filter. Staci and I have been using these in our home for as long as I can remember. These filters are a little more expensive, but provide better trapping of those contaminants. Pleated filters can usually last a little longer than the “Inexpensive” filter, so I would recommend checking these at 45 days. If they don’t look terrible, keep them in for a little longer.

In the pleated category, I have found what I call a “MacDaddy” filter. There are two filters that I found at the local home improvement store that I shop at that I really like. The first is made by 3M, the second is made by Purolator.

filtrete air filter 3M makes the Filtrete line of air filters. Basically, the higher the number the more allergens are trapped. The Filtrete 1900 is a 3 month filter. They also have two higher levels which are the Filtrete 2200 and 2400.

Purolator makes the Purofied line of air filters. The Purofied filter is a 6 month filter.

Please note with both of these filters, I recommend checking them each month just to be sure they are not clogged. If they are getting dirty and clogged, change them more frequently. If the air flow is not good, it can make your energy efficiency go way down, and potentially harm your system (ie, the compressor).

The reason I like this type of filter is because I suffer from allergies. So, any extra contaminants that I can check at the filter, helps me. How? I don’t have to breath in as much of the irritants that cause me issues. These filters are NOT cheap. However, these filters do last longer, and the reduction of dust is amazing.

The second reason that I like these filters is because, I don’t like to dust! I am all for less frequent dusting. How about you? Our glass tables used to get a good coat of dust on them in days. Now, it takes a couple of weeks to get the same accumulation. (Note: this was a scientific test, just a personal test and observation.)

So, whatever filter you choose to use, check them today. If they are dirty, change them. This little bit of maintenance is far less expensive than potentially having to replace your entire system.

Have a GREAT weekend!

Categories : Preventive Maintenance

Tags : #acrepair, #ArcticAir, #hvac, #timetochangefilters

Happy New Year…

By Admin

Thursday, January 2nd, 2014

Friendly Reminder…. Change your air filters in your home!

Now on to the good stuff… Happy New Year Everyone! I apologize for this being a little late. I have been “a bit under the weather”, or you might also say “sick as a dog”!

2014 is here and in full swing! All of us now have a book of 365 pages that are blank and waiting to be filled. This year we all have the chance to be better than we were last year, to accomplish something that we have never accomplished before, a chance to forgive the hurts of the past, an opportunity to create precious memories with the people we love, and a chance to make a positive impact on our friends, families and co-workers.

Sadly, there are many that will do the total opposite. But, guess what? You cannot help that. You can only control yourself. Do not fret over the things that you cannot control.

So, I challenge each person who reads this, to work on accomplishing something that is positive and of value this year, and don’t let the nay-sayers get you down or hold you back.

Take a moment to write down what you would like to accomplish this year. Then, focus on those goals, and know that you can attain them. It might not be easy, but not everything is.

What are some of your goals? Write them down now.

May you be blessed in all that you seek to accomplish. Happy New Year!

Categories : Miscellaneous Tidbits, Preventive Maintenance

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David C.

I wanted to extend my sincere appreciation for the service provided by Allen today. His professionalism and efficiency to do our annual maintenance on our A/C System was…

Josephine L.

My heat pump was making loud noises, so I called Arctic Air, and they sent out a Technician by the name of Allen. He was professional, polite, and…

Josephine L.

Michael was awesome

Michael was awesome when he came to our house to complete our routine maintenance and check out why our ac kept kicking on and off. Not only did…

Good afternoon Staci and Michael

Good afternoon Staci and Michael, I just wanted to let you know that Alan did an outstanding job yesterday. I loved that his attention to detail was off…

Ted

Jerome Farris

Special thanks to Allen and the folks at Arctic Air for coming to the rescue. Called this morning and had my AC up and running by lunch. Really…

Jerome Farris