Air Conditioning Installation Service Alexandria, VA

Air Conditioning Replacement Service

Ceiling fans and open windows can only help so much to cool you down on a hot and humid summer day.

Whether you're ready to install your first AC unit or have an existing setup and need new installation, the professional advice and experts at McCarthy Services are ready to provide the air conditioning installation you need.

I Need a New Air Conditioner — Now What?

The first step is picking the type of cooling system that will satisfy all your needs. Your AC installation options could include:

• Central Air Conditioning: A variety of options to replace your existing central air conditioning unit
• Ductless Mini-Split: Perfect for room additions where extending or installing distributing ductwork is not possible or for older homes without air ducts
• Geothermal: Uses the earth's constant temperature as the exchange medium instead of the outside air temperature
• Heat Pump: Efficient cooling and heating system that keeps your home comfortable all season long

An Efficient Way to Keep Your Cool

The main goal of your air conditioning system is to help you maintain your cool, but there are many ways to make sure it is as energy efficient as possible as well, letting you keep your money in your pocket for the long run.

For instance, compared to air-source pumps, geothermal pumps are more efficient, require little maintenance, last longer, are quieter, and don't rely on the temperature of the outside air.

In other words, there are various aspects to take into consideration when it comes to choosing an air conditioner that offers the best value for money.

So Which System Is Best for You?

Contact the experts at McCarthy Services to learn more about your air conditioning system installation options.

What Are the Signs You Need a New AC System?

At McCarthy Services — your preferred Alexandria, VA AC installation experts — we often receive calls from Alexandria homeowners who aren’t sure whether they should request air conditioning repair or arrange for a replacement.

Aside from wanting great customer service, they want to know the signs that the old system is kaput and determine if they need to hire professional AC services and installers to perform replacement process.

That’s prudent since you want to get the lowest total cost of ownership for your system. When might it be time for you to consider a new air conditioning installation?

What You Should Know

When you start spending more for repairs each year than your budget can handle, your thoughts will naturally turn to the idea of a brand new and more efficient air conditioner.

Here are the most significant signs that you require new AC equipment:

Utility Bills Are Skyrocketing

Sometimes the first indication of a problem with the air conditioning equipment that an Alexandria homeowner might have is utility bills that are much higher than usual.

If you and your family have been running the HVAC system roughly the same amount as you do every year, but the power use has spiked, this is a clear indication that the system is no longer working at an optimal level.

As an AC system ages, it may struggle to deliver the same service as it did on the day of air conditioning installation.

High Humidity

Air conditioners help reduce the level of humidity in your home. This is important because when it’s humid, people tend to feel uncomfortable, unable to cool down by perspiring since the air is already filled with moisture.

Not only does humidity make people and pets feel bad, but it can also cause mold to grow and thrive.

Excess Moisture and Mold

Mold is implicated in a variety of respiratory diseases, so you want to keep it out of your home at all costs.

Additionally, if you see excess moisture on the outside of your AC unit, you should probably call the professionals at McCarthy Services to check out the issue.

A new AC installation should help take care of humidity, moisture, and mold issues.

Too Many Repairs

If your HVAC equipment keeps breaking down, this can be a major indication that it has exceeded its useful lifespan.

Examine your recent bills for air conditioning repairs and then consider how much it will cost to install a new system as compared to ongoing expensive AC repair costs.

Feel free to connect with an expert from McCarthy Services. We would be happy to consult with you to determine the potential economic benefits of replacement versus ongoing repairs.

The System Is 10 or More Years Old

Generally, the older the HVAC equipment, the less efficiently it will operate when compared to models just coming out of factories today.

Wear and Tear

When regularly maintained, inspected, cleaned, and repaired as needed, you can anticipate that an AC system should give you approximately 20 years of service.

However, by the time a system reaches its tenth year, ordinary wear and tear may have taken its toll. It may be better for your wallet — and peace of mind — to install new HVAC equipment.

If the previous owner of your home installed the air conditioner and you don’t have access to the service records before you moved in, it’s prudent to assume it wasn’t maintained by professionals on a regular basis.

Keep in mind that newer systems are typically more energy-efficient, which helps with keeping utility bills to a reasonable amount.

Air Conditioner Does Not Provide Consistent Cooling

Perhaps you have noticed that one room in your home stays warm even though other parts of the house are receiving adequate cooling from the HVAC system. What should you do?

Check Your Ducts

Is a register closed? Double-check that someone hasn’t closed the register for that room’s duct.

Check Your Thermostat

If you have a smart thermostat, see if you enabled different thermostat zones or accidentally turned off the cooling to that room. People sometimes do this with a seldom-used office or guest bedroom to save energy.

Additionally, check that you don’t have a pre-set schedule that might no longer apply to your daily routine.

If you don’t have a smart thermostat, check the batteries in your wall unit. Sometimes, it’s as simple as that!

The AC Is Giving Off Weird Odors

If you happen to smell weird odors coming from your air conditioner, such as smoke, it could indicate there is a problem with the HVAC system’s wiring. That requires quick attention. Don’t delay in contacting McCarthy Services to check out the situation.

If you smell an unusually musty odor, it could be a sign that the AC is suffering from mold buildup. Mold spores blowing through your home transported through the ducts poses a health risk to your family, pets, and visitors.

The AC Equipment Has Been Making Strange Noises

You know how your AC equipment should sound under normal operation, such as when the fan kicks on. If you’ve been living in your house for a few years or more, you are probably used to the sounds of your air conditioner.

However, if you have recently noticed that the air conditioner is emitting unusual noises, such as banging sounds or loud screeches, these are clear signs that a professional needs to come from McCarthy Services to investigate the problem.

Only then will you have the information you need to determine if it’s best to repair the setup or replace your equipment with a new central air installation.

What Is the Climate in Alexandria?

Alexandria is known for having a humid, subtropical climate.

Hot Summers in Alexandria Are a Fact of Life

Homeowners find that the average temperatures in the summer range from about 65° F to 95° F, with July usually being the hottest month.

You can count on about 200 sunny days each year in Alexandria.

Rain, as well as high humidity, are a fact of life during the summer, underscoring the importance of having AC equipment you can rely on to keep your family comfortable in every season.

Why Is It Important to Have Working AC During Virginia’s Summer Months?

Without central air conditioning, life can become very uncomfortable during the summer in Virginia.

Here are the most important reasons that your home should always have a working AC system:

Breathe Easier

An air conditioner does more than just cool the air. It removes humidity, to be sure, and it also helps curb dust and other airborne contaminants, from pet dander to mites to bacteria.

A working AC is therefore crucial for anyone with a sensitive medical condition.

Keep Cool Despite the Heat Outside

When it’s so hot outside that you can barely manage to walk around, you’ll be grateful that you have a cool, air-conditioned home to retreat into until the heat wave passes.

Avoid Bugs Flying Through Open Windows and Doors

People without working AC systems will often resort to opening doors and windows, which allows insects to fly and crawl in more readily.

Reduce Humidity to a Tolerable Level

A working AC serves to remove humidity as it cools the air.

High humidity not only makes people feel overly warm and worn out, but it also encourages unhealthy buildup of mold.

Entertain Guests in Comfort

The last thing you would want is to invite family and friends for a get-together during the summer at your home in Alexandria, only to have an aging AC break down, putting a damper on the proceedings.

Turn to the experts at McCarthy Services for reliable AC installation and services.

For Expert AC Installation in Virginia, Connect With McCarthy Services Today!

The right choice of air conditioning system depends on your home's layout and even your preferred room temperature. After examining your current setup and talking about your specifications, our HVAC technicians will help you decide what system works for you.

Whichever system you choose, we're here to install it right and make sure you're cool and comfortable no matter how hot it is outside.

We serve Northern Virginia, including communities such as Annandale, Arlington, Belle Haven, Falls Church, Rose Hill, Springfield, and more. McCarthy Services takes pride in the reputation we’ve developed in the industry for providing dependable AC installation in Alexandria.