Usually, your air conditioner hums along in the background and you barely notice it. But, sometimes there are some distinct noises it makes that may cause alarm. We help you figure out what those noises mean and if they indicate there is an issue with your air conditioning unit.

1. Loud Banging. This is not good. Banging usually signals that something is loose or fallen off completely which can cause long term damage to the unit. For this, call an expert ASAP.

2. Clicking. Sometimes clicking is totally normal. You can hear it while the AC is either starting up or stopping. But, if you hear constant clicking while your unit runs, that indicates something could be wrong with the electrical components. 

3. Buzzing. This could be caused by a variety of factors including debris around the unit, loose fan blades, an air filter that needs to be changed, the list goes on. While most of these issues are not dire, you will still want to have a professional diagnose the problem for you.

4. Loud Whistling or Screaming. Turn your AC off stat. When you hear your air conditioner screaming, this is likely caused by a refrigerant leak and could be harmful to you and your family. Call your HVAC company immediately.

5. Rattling. This could be caused by something falling into the unit, like leaves or sticks. It could also indicate something is loose, like a screw or bolt. If you hear a rattle it's best to call and have someone come out to take a look at your system.

Any unusual noise generally indicates there is an issue with your air conditioner. It is always best to play it safe and call a professional HVAC technician to come and check it out. 

Did you know it’s actually more efficient to turn your thermostat up a few degrees when it’s sweltering outside?

This may sound counter intuitive, but increasing the temperature in your home, even by one degree, has its benefits.

1. It uses less electricity, which therefore saves you money.
2. It extends the life of your unit. By not making your unit work so hard, it will help your unit last longer.
3. It helps your body. When you walk in from extreme heat outside and your home is almost frigid, it can shock your body.

If you gradually increase your thermostat each day you will not even notice this transition.

It is hot in Virginia! Is your home feeling the heat? If you need to cool down quickly, check out these tips from the G-Man.

1. Close all windows and doors. This might seem obvious but it's important. Closing blinds and curtains on both of these will help as well. By closing out the sunlight you are closing out the heat.

2. Use your ceiling fans. Keeping the air moving in your home will help out a lot with the heat. Be sure that fans are rotating counter-clockwise during warm weather.

3. Also use your exhaust fans. Usually these fans are in both bathrooms and kitchens. They can help pull steam from cooking (and hot showers) out of your room.

4. Use energy efficient bulbs. Regular light bulbs actually give off heat. 

5. Try not to use the stove. Using your stove can really heat up a kitchen and the rest of your home. Think about alternatives like a crock pot, grill, etc. 

6. When all else fails, find a body of water and jump in!

We hope these tips help you stay cool this summer! If you have any air conditioning service needs this summer, schedule an appointment.

Spring has sprung and so have allergens…

Did you know? Air pollution inside your home is often worse than the air outside of it?

With allergy season is upon us, it’s important to make sure your air filtration system is working properly. If you’re an allergy sufferer, one thing you can do to ease the sneezes is change your air filters. Just like your body, goodness starts from within. If you’re not breathing good air inside your home, it can make allergies even worse. It’s important to change your air filters frequently, especially during allergy season. Changing your filter helps reduce dust mites, pet hair, pollutants, smoke, and spores inside your home.

Below are a few steps you can take to make sure your intake of air is always great!

1. Check air filters monthly
2. Make a schedule or add an alert to your phone to remind yourself to change air-filters monthly
3. Look into see how old your air filtration system is
4. Dispose of dirty air filters

While plumbing issues can often be quickly repaired by you, the homeowner, sometimes the job is simply too big. You can certainly DIY small issues, but when should you throw in the towel and call a professional? Here are 5 signs it's time to call a plumber:

1. You have no water. Having no water at all is a major issue. You could have a massive leak, blocked up pipes, frozen pipes, you can't know until a professional plumber comes out to take a look. Call immediately!

2. You have zero hot water. While not quite as bad as no water at all, having no hot water is still a major issue. It's common to run out of hot water after a few family members take showers, but if it runs out after a very short period of time, you have a problem. A professional plumber can help narrow down the cause and let you know what needs to be done to fix it.

3. You have low water pressure. Low water pressure can be the result of numerous problems, like cracked or broken pipes. It is best to have a professional check this out for you. 

4. Your home smells. Plumbing issues can cause your home to smell like sewage. Again, this could be blocked up pipes. Walk around your property to see if there is anything immediate you can spot. It's important to call a plumber whenever your home has a bad odor like this.

5. Your drains won't drain. If water is sitting in your tub or sinks, there is likely a clogged pipe somewhere in your home. This is not something the average homeowner can fix. Call a plumber to come out and see where the clog starts so they can determine the best course of action to fix your problem.

For any plumbing problems, we are here for you. The Gilman Plumbing Professionals will always treat you and your home with the respect you deserve. Learn more about our plumbing services here.