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At Pacific Air Conditioning, we get a lot of calls from people who need their AC’s repaired, but many of them could have avoided costly repairs if they had kept their units in shape. That’s why Maui air conditioner maintenance should not be left out. If you’re doing any of the following mistakes, you’re subtracting years from your AC’s lifespan. 1. Neglecting the filter An AC filter is an important part of your cooling system because it removes dust and other particulates from the air. Filters get dirty at some point. How long it takes for them to accumulate so much gunk depends on a few factors. However, any filter of any AC in any home or building builds up so much dirt after 6 months that it should be replaced. Dirt blocks airflow and causes your air conditioner to work more, thereby reducing its efficiency. Worse, your AC will circulate that dirt in your home and make you prone to allergies and illnesses. In short, not only does a dirty air filter raise your air conditioning bill but also does it make you sick. Replacing an old and dirty filter with a new one will shave off about 10% of your energy use. And make sure to check that filter after demolition or renovation. 2. Neglecting the fins and coils Just a fine coat of dust on the evaporator coil is enough to make it less efficient. Dust insulates the coil and makes it absorb less heat. Your air conditioning system then needs to run longer to cool your home. If it’s running longer, it uses up more electricity. Also, because the evaporator coil can’t absorb enough heat, the refrigerant inside fails to warm up sufficiently and causes the water vapor passing over the coils to freeze instead of condensing. Watch out for frost on the coils. It’s a sign that you need to clean them. However, a dirty filter and refrigerant leak can also cause frost on the coils. Contact our AC technicians on Maui if you notice frost on any part of your air conditioner. Also, clean your unit before summer and do an inspection after storms to make sure all of the parts are fine. 3. Failing to upgrade your thermostat We recommend programmable thermostats because they allow you to have variable temperature settings throughout the day. A uniform temperature setting eats up more energy than necessary. Smart thermostats allow you to set temperatures for specific times of the day -- for instance, at 80 degrees when you leave for work at 9 a.m. and then at 78 degrees at 5 p.m. You can lower your energy bills this way. 4. Keeping the ceiling fans turned off A ceiling fan makes you feel cooler by taking heat away from your body. When you turn on your ceiling fan, your room feels a few degrees cooler, so you can set your thermostat a few degrees higher. Again, this is another way of saving on cooling costs. 5. Disregarding the drain Many air conditioners are designed to collect condensation into a pipe that drains outside. Many homeowners don’t check the drain for clogs. A clogged drain leaks water into your unit or causes water damage to the adjacent wall or floor. When I see water leaking around the unit, the first thing I check is the drain. Be sure to clean your drain once a year to prevent the accumulation of dirt. 6. Setting the temperature too low So, on a hot day on Maui, the temperature hovers over the 90s. You go home and set your thermostat down to 65 degrees, hoping doing so will speed up your cooling system. It doesn’t. Air conditioners don’t work faster when you set them at lower temperatures. Unless 65 degrees makes you comfortable -- and I doubt it does -- then there’s no point in setting your thermostat that low. Your AC will cool your room at the same speed as when you set it at 72 degrees, and all that additional cooling will only waste electricity in making your room too chilly. 7. Overlooking the size of your house Small air conditioners are not for huge rooms, and large units are bad for small houses. Don’t even think of buying a small AC to save money if you have a big room. That small unit is surely cheaper than an AC whose size is rated for the size of your house, but it will go on overdrive trying to keep your house cool. If it’s working continuously, it will wear out faster and may even fail to cool your rooms sufficiently. On the other hand, if your air conditioner is too big for your house, it will cool your house faster than it can strip off the moisture. So you end up with that sticky feeling you probably felt in some air-conditioned houses. Also, oversized AC’s stops and starts more frequently and, thus, will deteriorate faster than an appropriately sized unit. 8. Delaying replacement We understand that replacing your air conditioner is more expensive than fixing what can be fixed. However, at some point, you will have to throw the old unit away and buy a new one. Keeping an old AC that is well past its useful life will only add unnecessary energy expenditure. Besides, old units tend to break every now and then. When your unit is past ten years, it’s time to consider investing in a new model that’s certainly more efficient than your unit when you bought it. 9. Ignoring problems Whether you’re using a room AC or a central air conditioning system, you’re dealing with a complex machine that has a number of parts that should work together harmoniously. When one part breaks down, the unit stops working properly. It may be a dirty filter, a refrigerant leak, or a duct leak. It causes your cooling system to work harder. When you notice that your rooms are getting warmer despite your AC running longer than it normally does, it’s time to call Maui air conditioner maintenance. Make sure you call an experienced and licensed technician who knows how to test an AC system for clogs and leaks and knows how to fix them. 10. Letting summer heat in Open windows may give you romantic outdoor views, but they also let sunlight in. If you’re cooling your home, it doesn’t make sense to let heat in. So shut the windows that let sunlight in. Cover them with curtains or blinds. Are you having problems with your AC? Call us at 808-244-0161 and schedule a free consultation.

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We at Pacific Air Conditioning are committed to providing HVAC maintenance on Maui and keeping HVAC systems in good condition, and we are more than happy to offer a free consultation at your convenient time. We also recommend that you call us for repairs, tune-ups, or installations. But there are instances wherein we teach homeowners how to take care of their heating and cooling systems to add years to these machines. 1) Replacing the filters While major HVAC maintenance on Maui should only be done by professionals, this can be done by the average homeowner. You should check your furnace and AC filters at least once a month. If you live in dry, dusty places, inspect the filters every week or two. Neglected filters accumulate dirt and get clogged at some point. Dirty and clogged filters reduce the efficiency of your HVAC system. They also pass some of the dirt into your indoor air. Clean the filters when they’re full of grime, but you need to change them every 2-3 months, depending on whether or not you have pets. 2) Cleaning the evaporator coils This is a basic HVAC maintenance on the Maui job that should be done annually. First, unplug the system; make sure no power is running into your air conditioner. Remove the access panel using a screwdriver. Wear safety gloves when doing this. You should see the innards after removing the panel. Look at the coils, which may have been coated with algae and mildew, things that thrive in wet places. You can use a water hose to dislodge the gunk. Also, blast the grille and fan blades with water. 3) Removing debris in, underneath, and around your unit Many homeowners neglect the spaces around and underneath their HVAC furnace or evaporator units. As a result, these places accumulate dirt and debris. You don’t need expertise or special equipment to inspect these areas every once in a while. You can also regularly clear these spaces of debris or dirt, which together with moisture become stubborn sludge. On the other hand, here is HVAC maintenance on Maui tasks that should be carried out only by HVAC technicians:

• Refrigerant charging
• Gas leak checks
• Compressor inspection
• Burner inspection
• Motor inspection

The list goes on. My advice is to let a professional do the job if you’re not sure how to do it. For instance, I wrote here that the average homeowner can clean an HVAC filter. However, if you can’t do it for some reason, we are here to help. If you’re still anxious about tinkering with any part of your AC or heater and a professional for HVAC maintenance on Maui, don’t hesitate to call us at 808-244 0161. We’ll be there when you need us.

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The importance of HVAC systems is downplayed by many, especially in Hawaii where it’s like summer all year round. However, islands like Maui have a varied climate, and it’s not surprising to find places with crisp nights and warm afternoons. Here’s the rub: most people don’t know how to find the right HVAC system on Maui. If you live in places where it gets a little too warm in summer and chilly in winter, your comfort could be sabotaged by changes in temperature. Being humans, we can only tolerate a certain range of temperatures. We need jackets when the temperature creeps below 60 degrees at night, and we’re sweating above 80 degrees on a sunny day. It’s hard to work when your office feels like an oven, and it’s hard to sleep at night when your bedroom is muggy. That’s why a lot of people have been coming to us to ask about HVAC systems. I always give three important tips to people on how to find the right HVAC system, especially when they’re getting it installed for the first time. 1. Calculate your heating and cooling needs. Knowing how much heating and cooling you need allows you to determine the size of your heater and air conditioner. Your heating and cooling needs depend on how big your house is, how many rooms you got, how many people there are at home, and where your house is located. This gets a bit complicated easily. That’s why we advise clients to consult our licensed HVAC technicians on Maui at Pacific Air Conditioning for accurate figures. You’re at risk of getting an undersized or oversized HVAC system if you don’t calculate your heating and cooling demand. Either is bad for your comfort and your electric bill. 2. Keep efficiency in mind. Most consumers look at the price of a furnace or air conditioner when making buying decisions without taking into account the other important factor, which is efficiency. It sounds counterintuitive to buy a more expensive AC, for instance, when you want to cut back on the cost of installation. But think about the savings you can get in the long run with an energy-efficient HVAC system. Also, energy-efficient models are becoming more affordable today, so really you have no excuse for skipping on them in favor of the cheap ones. As part of our tips on how to find the right HVAC system. we say get the HVAC model with the Energy Star logo. 3. Choose your HVAC type. HVAC systems come as single-stage and two-stage systems. There are also modulating systems. Each type functions differently and determines the efficiency of your system. A single-stage system only has one setting, and this system operates until your desired temperature is reached. This system turns on and off depending on the temperature of your room. Single-stage furnace and compressors work at 100% capacity, making them quite inefficient. Two-stage systems have, as you might have guessed, two levels: high and low. They run at full capacity when needed and at lower capacity at other times. They’re more efficient than single-stage systems because they don’t always run at full capacity. Variable speed compressors and furnaces work to keep your indoor temperature at your thermostat setting. They operate continuously usually at around 30% capacity, making them the most efficient among three types of systems. Don’t hesitate to call us at 808-244-0161 if you need more tips on how to find the right HVAC system. Our installers at Pacific Air Conditioning can help make the right choice based on your needs.

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Maui is a wonderful place, but its tropical climate necessitates home and commercial air conditioning. If you’re reading this, you’re probably wondering whether or not to have an AC installed in your home or office. Gone are the days when cooling systems are considered luxuries. In Wailuku, for instance, more homes are having air conditioners installed, and one of the common choices of residents is the central air conditioning system. Central air conditioners deliver cool air through a system of ducts, which transport cooled air from the AC to the rooms of your home via vents. Return ducts then suck indoor air and return it to your air conditioner where it is cooled again. The cycle then repeats. Central air conditioners come in two types.

Split-System Unit

Air conditioners have three basic parts: the condenser, compressor, and evaporator. In a split-system AC, the condenser and compressor are housed in an outdoor metal cabinet, while the evaporator is housed in an indoor cabinet. In the case of a split-system HVAC, the indoor cabinet also houses the furnace or heat pump. If you have a furnace but you want to install an air conditioning system, then we recommend the split-system unit because it is low cost.

Packaged Central AC

Packaged air conditioners have their three main parts in one cabinet. They come as rooftop units or outdoor units, and they’re for homeowners who don’t have enough indoor space to house an air handler. Small commercial establishments also opt for this type of air conditioning system. It usually includes a furnace or heating coils, so you won’t have to install an indoor furnace. Either type has advantages and disadvantages, and the right choice eventually boils down to your needs and preferences. But here at Pacific Air Conditioning, we help clients choose the right AC. You don’t want to have an HVAC system installed in your home without assessing and computing your cooling (and heating) needs first. Efficiency is the big word! When it comes to efficiency, a central air conditioner beats your regular room AC any time of the day. Efficiency is becoming a huge word anywhere nowadays, and most of our clients take efficiency seriously in their purchasing decisions. Consider the following reasons: 1. You consume less electricity for the same amount of cooling. 2. You lower your carbon footprint and help curb the greenhouse effect. Modern air conditioners are much more efficient than those made 40 years ago. Compare today’s AC’s with those made before 1980, and you’ll see that new models consume around 40% less energy to cool a room to the same temperature. You may be surprised to see that new units consume 20-40% less energy. That’s one good reason to replace your AC when it has been around for more than a decade, especially when it’s becoming troublesome. The seasonal energy efficient ratio or SEER tells you how efficient a unit is. Your old unit probably has a SEER rating of 6 or lower. An efficient unit with Energy Star and EnergyGuide labels has about 15% higher efficiency than today’s average models. Another factor that seriously affects air conditioning efficiency is AC size. A unit that’s too small will go into overdrive on hot days just to keep your home cool. On the other hand, an AC too big will not only cool your home but also raise its humidity. Watch out for the AC fan! Central air systems can be tricky. If you’re running one at home, see if the fan shuts off when the compressor does. If not, put the fan setting on auto mode. This way, the fan stops at the same time as the compressor does. If it keeps running when the desired temperature is reached, it makes your air conditioner eat up more energy than necessary. Other factors that affect efficiency are: - unit location - home insulation - ductwork

Do you need new ductwork?

If there’s one thing that makes installation of central air conditioning on Maui daunting is the ductwork. Installing ducts in your home or commercial establishment takes about a few days, depending on the size of your house or building and the number of rooms. On the other hand, if you need to replace an old HVAC system, you may have to replace the ductwork. The whole process, including replacing the ducts, takes about a week for an average home.

Replacement of Components versus Complete Replacement

I don’t recommend a complete replacement of your cooling and heating system unless it’s extremely old and all its parts have deteriorated. In many cases, old systems may have a few parts that need replacement. For instance, you probably just need to replace the outdoor compressor with a new and efficient model. Any good central air conditioner in Hawaii that is well maintained can last for up to 15 years. We’ve seen models that withstood 20 years of continuous use. Besides, manufacturers continue to support older models by keeping replacement parts handy. Nonetheless, consult our AC technicians in Wailuku before making your own decision. The only way to determine whether you need to replace your entire system or just some of it is to do a thorough inspection.

Installation Tips

A properly installed central AC works without problems and stays efficient for several years with regular maintenance. Some problems begin with the installation. A poorly installed system can perform just as bad as an old or inefficient system. That’s why you need to do the following when having a cooling system installed: 1. Allow sufficient space for an air conditioner system, including its ducts. Make sure you have enough space to easily access the evaporator coil, ducts, or furnace (if you want a heating system included). 2. Install ducts of appropriate size for your home or establishment. 3. Install ducts in air-conditioned spaces indoors. 4. Make sure ducts are well sealed. 5. Insulate the attic. 6. Set up the appropriate number of supply and return air registers. 7. Set up the condenser where it will not bother you or your neighbors with its noise. 8. Choose a location with enough space for your condensing unit. Remove objects that may block airflow. 9. Place the thermostat away from windows, supply registers, and heat-generating appliances. 10. Once the system is set up, check if the AC has the specified refrigerant charge and airflow rate.

Dehumidifying Your Home

If you have the right air conditioner, you probably don’t need a dehumidifier because your AC strips your indoor air of moisture. The problem with Hawaii when it comes to air conditioning is the state’s humidity. Maui, for instance, is known for its warm and humid climate, so cooling and dehumidifying homes and offices are tricky. Humid homes promote the growth of mold and proliferation of pests, so it makes sense to keep your indoor air moisture under control. One problem with dehumidifiers is they consume additional energy. That’s why we sometimes recommend a dehumidifying heat pipe, which can be fitted to your central air conditioning system on Maui. Of course, the wisest option is to choose the air conditioner that’s appropriately sized for your house or building. Do you want a central air conditioning system installed in your home or commercial building on Maui? Call us at 808-244-0161 to schedule a free consultation.

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When people hear HVAC repairs, they usually think of a highly specialized job that they can’t do on their own. While a number of problems with your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system should be fixed only by a licensed technician, there are simple troubleshooting tasks that can do on your own. You’re not only saving money but also getting more familiar with your own HVAC system. 1) Checking the power supply We get a lot of emergency calls from customers who freak out over an air conditioner that won’t turn on. Many homeowners forget to do one basic step -- check the power supply. So if your AC or heater isn’t running, check the power supply first before calling an HVAC repairman. Check if other appliances are working. See if there’s a power outage in your community. If only the AC isn’t working, check to see whether it’s plugged into a power outlet or whether it’s turned on at all. 2) Replacing the filter Old air conditioning filters get dirty at some point, and all that trapped muck affects the performance of your air conditioner. Your machine works harder, and your home no longer feels as cool as it used to be. Old and dirty AC filters reduce indoor air quality and increase your electric bill. You may call an HVAC technician on Maui to clean or replace the filter, or you can do the HVAC repairs yourself. The good thing about your AC filter is you can access it by unscrewing the panel. Remove the old filter, and replace it with a new one. 3) Setting the thermostat If your room is either too warm or too cold, check your thermostat. The temperature setting must have been wrong. You will have to reset the thermostat to your desired temperature. However, if the temperature setting is right, and your room still feels a little too warm, check the batteries of your thermostat. They may need to be replaced. Also, see if your unit is on lockout mode. 4) Condensate pump troubleshooting If there’s water leaking near or around your air conditioning unit, your condensate pump could be the culprit. The condensate pump pumps water into the drain line, but sometimes it can fail. If it fails, it can send a signal to your unit to stop working. In this case, inspect the drain pan and drain line. Clean the drain pan, and unclog the drain line. Try tapping the main float. Also, examine the safety switch to make sure the wires are attached properly. In most instances when your HVAC system malfunctions or fails altogether, it’s best to call a professional HVAC repairs service. Pacific Air Conditioning fixes all HVAC problems on Maui. Call us at 808-244-0161.

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Most of us living on Maui need a good air conditioning system, but sometimes our reliable cooling machines lose their ability to function at the optimal level. When that happens, you’re probably wondering whether or not you should call for air conditioning maintenance services in Maui. At Pacific Air Conditioning, we have been providing AC repair and maintenance to homeowners and business owners on Maui. We do inspections, tune-ups, and installations of any HVAC brand. Our technicians are not only licensed but also equipped with expertise and experience! When you’re looking for HVAC technicians, you shouldn’t just look for a license. Many contractors offering to fix your broken air conditioner may show you their credentials, but not all of them are able to prove their expertise. An expert technician can handle any problem with any AC model. We take pride in our reliability. One of the biggest challenges of staying relevant in any field is to provide reliable air conditioning maintenance services in Maui. By reliable service, I mean giving you exactly what you need. No unpleasant surprises. No shady deals. Our technicians fix the problem and make sure it doesn’t come back at an inopportune time. We act fast! We understand that a broken air conditioner is an emergency that needs to be attended to right away. Whether you have a broken thermostat or a duct leak, we will fix it the best way we can. We don’t delay repair work, because the comfort of people on Maui is our priority. If you need your AC up and running at night, on weekends, or on holidays, we’re ready. We come prepared. We come with a complete set of equipment and tools because we can’t waste your time. We come with the needed AC parts handy. We also have brand new air conditioning units in stock for clients who need immediate replacement or installation. We offer a wide range of air conditioning maintenance services in Maui.

• Commercial AC repair
• Commercial duct cleaning
• Commercial HVAC tune-up
• Residential AC repair
• Residential AC tune-up

We are committed. Pacific Air Conditioning has been giving HVAC solutions on Maui for more than 10 years. We troubleshoot any kind of AC for homes and commercial establishments. Our mission is to give you the comfort you deserve. We serve you at a fair price. We don’t pride ourselves in giving the cheapest service that’s indeed cheap. We provide state-of-the-art troubleshooting right when you need it. Our professionalism comes at a fair price. You can rest assured we work efficiently and leave no trash behind us. Choose the AC contractor Maui trusts! Our neighbors in Wailuku, Kihei, and Kahului know whom to call for air conditioning maintenance services in Maui. Call 808-244-0161 for a free consultation. We’ll be there in no time!

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Did you know that about 60 percent of your energy bill comes from your HVAC system? Your conditioner alone eats up more than 10 percent of your power supply, and an older and less efficient system can consume more electricity. Since many homes on Maui have old units, you can surmise that many homeowners are spending more on their electric bills than necessary. Reducing air conditioning costs on Maui should be your goal if you want to lower your electric bills and save money. Here are 10 ways to reduce your cooling costs. 1. Install solar screens. Windows let you see the outside world, but they also let sunlight in. That sounds a bit romantic, but it’s not when you consider the radiant heat coming in. Windows kept open in summer overheat rooms. Overheated rooms increase cooling demands. Higher air conditioning demands mean bigger electric energy consumption. The solution to reducing air conditioning costs on Maui is to install solar screens on your windows during warm months. These covers block up to 70 percent radiant heat from getting into your home. 2. Clean your filters. One of the AC problems on Maui that I see is dirty filters. Air conditioners with dirty filters work harder than those with clean filters. When your AC is working harder, is pulling more energy than necessary to provide the same cooling effect. It’s a minor problem with major consequences in your energy expenditure and your family’s comfort and health. Regular maintenance should take care of this issue, but in some cases replacing your filters is the better decision. 3. Replace an old AC thermostat. There are a number of reasons for replacing your thermostat. One is reducing air conditioning costs on Maui at home. I advise customers to switch to programmable thermostats. A programmable thermostat with the right settings can make you save up to 15 percent on your energy costs. 4. Plant trees. Trees shade your home and lessen the amount of solar heat that gets into your house. Houses surrounded by vegetation feel cooler than those surrounded by bare lawns and backyards. Grow your shrubbery, too. 5. Buy the right air conditioner. If you have no idea about the right size of the air conditioner for your home, you may call us at 808-244- 0161. We can schedule a consultation and compute your cooling needs based on the size of your house, the number of your rooms, and the size of your household. An undersized or oversized AC bloats your electric bill in different ways. A unit that’s too small for you will go into overdrive trying to cool down your home to no avail. A unit that’s too big for you uses up more electricity than necessary. That’s why it’s important to assess your needs before buying an air conditioner on Maui. 6. Keep your AC in good condition. Annual AC maintenance on Maui is a good way to keep your unit as efficient as possible even if it’s not new. Your air conditioner will accumulate dirt in various parts as it’s working day in and day out. At some point, enough grime will have accumulated on the condenser, evaporator coils, or drain line. All that sludge negatively affects the functioning of the machine. 7. Seal your doors and windows. Your house will not cool effectively if it can’t keep cool air indoors or warm air out. Heat seeping into your home through the walls makes your cooling machine work harder. It’s a good idea to check your window and door frames for signs of air leaks. 8. Install attic insulation. Inspect the attic for signs of poor insulation. If your attic feels like a fireplace in the middle of the day, insulating it should be your priority. Our HVAC technicians at Pacific Air Conditioning can walk you through the technical details of attic insulation. 9. Inspect the ductwork. Leaky ducts leak cool air into places it’s unwanted. Your home doesn’t cool effectively, and your air conditioner is overworked as a result. You are prevented from reducing air conditioning costs on Maui if you have leaks somewhere in the system. 10. Replace your AC. Air conditioner replacement on Maui sounds like a major outlay. That’s why many people put it off and opt for having their old units repaired instead. Repairs are good if your AC is less than ten years old. If it has been running for more than a decade and looks worn, you’re better off decommissioning it. Problems with your air conditioner can prevent you from reducing air conditioning costs on Maui. Call us at 808-244-0161 to schedule a free consultation.

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Most people think of the thermostat as a device that shows you the temperature in your room. However, the thermostat is an essential component of an air conditioner. Like most parts of an AC, this one gets damaged at some point. Troubleshooting a thermostat when it’s not working properly seems the immediate option. In some cases, an AC thermostat replacement is the practical option. Replacing the thermostat isn’t a difficult task, but that does not mean that anyone can do it. I tell clients to do it only if they know how to do it. Otherwise, they should call an AC repair on Maui. Here at Pacific Air Conditioning, we have technicians that specialize in fixing or replacing broken thermostats. We also give tips to clients on how to optimize their air conditioning systems. Most homeowners take matters into their own hands even though they don’t exactly know their way into the system. Keep in mind that you can worsen the damage in your AC by trying something for the first time. So I remind you to only do this if you can follow the steps. So without further ado, let me lay out the steps in AC thermostat replacement. 1. THE FIRST STEP and the most important one is to unplug the unit. Make sure no power is running into the system until you’re done. Tools Needed: - Flat-head screwdriver - Wire cutter - Electrical tape 2. Access the thermostat. It is usually behind the control panel. You need to take off the covers, which can be pulled or unscrewed. Once you have gained access to the thermostat, you will see the sensing bulb. This bulb is sensitive to the changes in your room temperature. On the other hand, mark the location of the bulb, because that’s where you will install the replacement thermostat. 3. Label the wires. Thermostat wires don’t have universal color codes. Manufacturers have their own color-coding systems. Label the wires to know what each one is for. You may take a picture of the wires, so you know where each one goes. Also, make sure the wires don’t touch the wall. 4. Disjoin the wires from the old thermostat using a screwdriver. Loosen the screws holding the wires in place. 5. Replace the old mount with a new mount. Then reconnect the wires, making sure each wire goes to their exact place. Screw the faceplate mount securely to the wall. Finally, set the thermostat face in place. Turn your air conditioning system’s power back on. Observe your system. You may need to configure the new thermostat by following the steps outlined in the user manual. Don’t hesitate to call us at 808-244-0161 if you need help in choosing the right AC thermostat replacement. Our expert HVAC technicians at Pacific Air Conditioning are always ready whenever you need AC repair and maintenance on Maui.

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Most homeowners don’t need to know every part of an air conditioner, but you should learn about the contactor if you like doing minor repairs or maintenance tasks on your own. For instance, replacing an air conditioning contactor is probably one of the easiest tasks for anyone with decent DIY skills. But what is an AC contactor? A contactor is like a switch that communicates with the thermostat and powers the fan and the compressor. It blocks or allows electricity to flow into the condenser, compressor, and motors. Think of it like a drawbridge that allows or hinders the passage of people into a castle. When the bridge is up, you have to wait until it is lowered down so that you can pass. Similarly, when you turn off the AC, the contactors are up, hence blocking the flow of electricity. How does an AC contactor work with the thermostat? The thermostat controls your air conditioner’s cooling cycles by communicating with the contactor. When your thermostat wants to cool your warm room, it sends a signal to the contactors. The tiny voltage is enough to lower the contactors, thus connecting them to the rest of the system. Your AC runs and starts sending cool air into your room. Once the desired temperature is achieved, the thermostat sends another signal to the contactors. The drawbridges elevate, and the flow of electricity is blocked. Okay, so what causes the contactors to fail? Friction eventually erodes the carbon layers of the contactor surface with frequent use. Once your contactor starts failing, your unit will also start to hum, click, or, worse, rumble. Nonetheless, a noisy air conditioner isn’t always due to worn contactors. This is why it’s a wise idea to contact a Maui air conditioning technician if you hear weird noises in your AC unit. Replacing an air conditioning contactor If you’re sure that the contactors are worn, replacing them is the rational option. You can do this job on your own if you have the right set of tools and skills. You will need a voltmeter, a screwdriver, needle-nose pliers, and wire strippers. What’s the right replacement contactor? Get a good look at your old contactor, because the replacement should look similar. The control voltage rating and amperage must be accurate. The poles and terminals should be the same as those on the old contactor. How should you replace your contactor? Replacing an air conditioning contactor is an easy task. That’s why I don’t mind telling clients with decent DIY skills to do it on their own. Here are the steps in replacing an air conditioning contactor: 1. Turn off the power to your HVAC system. You may use a multimeter to make sure no power is flowing into the system. 2. Identify the location of the wires on the contactor. Remove the wires. 3. Unfasten the mounting screws. 4. Set the replacement contactor in place and then reattach the wires tightly. 5. Turn the power back on. Observe the cooling cycles. If your system is running smoothly and you don’t notice any problem, you’re good. But if replacing an air conditioning contactor doesn’t fix the problems, call us at 808-244-0161. We at Pacific Air Conditioning will fix your air conditioner on Maui any time of the day.

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Most homeowners on Maui are too preoccupied with personal and career responsibilities to worry about things like their air conditioners and heaters. That’s why a lot of people live in places with deteriorating HVAC systems, and they only realize the problem when it gets very bad. If you’re reading this, you probably have noticed something odd about your air conditioning system and wondered whether you should call for Maui HVAC repair.

1. Your air conditioner is working nonstop. An air conditioner is not supposed to run constantly. It starts running when your room temperature rises and then stops when the desired temperature is reached. If your unit is working for hours on end without stopping, something is wrong with it. Maybe your AC is too small. Maybe the thermostat is broken. Whatever the cause is, you should call for Maui HVAC repair and it should be seen by a technician.
2. Your electric bill is bloated. Pacific Air Conditioning has diagnosed a lot of malfunctioning HVAC systems and reduced energy costs as a result. I’ve talked to many people with HVAC problems on Maui, and a lot of them didn’t realize that their defective cooling systems at home were inflating their energy consumption. Basically, if your power bill has increased for no apparent reason, one of the things you should check is your air conditioning and heating system, which eats a large share of your power supply.
3. Your house is dustier than normal. We have seen an unexpected effect of defective air conditioning systems in Wailuku, Kihei, or Kahului. Dust buildup sometimes is mistaken as a result of poor housekeeping. Sometimes people just end up doing more house cleaning, wasting their precious time in the process. They don’t suspect dirty filters or leaky ductwork as the cause of Maui HVAC repair.
4. Your AC is screeching. The average air conditioner hums when it runs, but the noise simply recedes into the background. You don’t normally hear this noise. Or at least, the noise isn’t noticeable enough to bother you. If your HVAC system rumbles, that’s never a good sign. You need to call for Maui HVAC repair Something needs to be fixed right away.
5. Your home isn’t cooling adequately. What’s the point of having an air conditioner that doesn’t cool your home? If it’s not working as intended, then it needs to be repaired or replaced. Air conditioners fail to cool your rooms sufficiently for a number of reasons, such as leaks, dirty filters, or broken thermostats. Call a Maui HVAC repair technician if your home isn’t cooling as it used to be.
6. Your system won’t start. If your air conditioner won’t turn on, that’s in many cases an emergency. See if other appliances are functioning. If not, there may be a problem with power supply, fuse, or electrical wiring. In many cases, though, the problem is within your unit. Whatever that is, have it checked by a licensed AC contractor on Maui.

HVAC systems have been an essential part of our daily lives. We want them to work at their best. Call us at 808-244-0161 if you need Maui HVAC repair assistance or are having problems with your air conditioning and heating system at home.

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