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Why Your Air Conditioner Works Harder in Late Summer

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Earlier in summer, the outdoor unit may have run for a while, shut down, and remained quiet until the thermostat called for cooling again. Near the end of the season, those off periods often become much shorter. Some afternoons, the equipment may seem to run almost continuously. Then evening arrives, and the pattern can become even more puzzling. Outdoor temperatures begin dropping, direct sunlight disappears, but the AC still keeps working. B & W Heating & Cooling  hears this concern from Edwardsville homeowners every August. The important question is whether the system is simply responding to a larger late-summer cooling load or whether something is preventing it from delivering the capacity it once did. Both situations can produce the same symptom: longer runtime. Every home gains heat throughout the day. Your air conditioner has to remove that heat quickly enough to maintain the thermostat setting. If the house gains more heat than usual, the system must stay on longer...

7 Small Mistakes That Make Your AC Struggle in Summer

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Your air conditioner does not have to stop working before it becomes inefficient. In many homes, the system still blows cool air, the thermostat still responds, and the rooms may feel comfortable. But if the unit runs longer than usual or your energy bill keeps climbing, your AC may be dealing with extra stress from small everyday problems. These problems often look harmless. A dirty filter, a blocked vent, a sunny window, oven heat, bathroom humidity, constant thermostat changes, or debris around the outdoor unit may not seem like much alone. But during a long summer, these small issues can combine and make the system work harder than it should. Lexington, MA summers are usually warm, with July highs often around 83 degrees and some days reaching the 90s. Many homes in the area are older, including pre-war colonials and mid-century properties. Their windows, ductwork, layouts, and airflow patterns can all affect how well they stay cool.  Green Energy AC Heating & Plumbing Re...

What Causes a Slow Draining Sink? Easy Fixes You Can Try

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A sink that still drains—but much more slowly than before—is often dealing with a partial blockage. Water can move through the pipe, but the route is becoming restricted. Without attention, that small restriction may grow into a clog that stops the drain completely. In most cases, slow drainage develops gradually. Hair, soap residue, food waste, grease, and other materials enter the sink in small amounts. Some of that debris sticks to the stopper, trap, or inner pipe wall. Once buildup begins, it catches even more material and reduces the space available for water. The type of sink often points to the likely cause. Bathroom sinks usually collect hair, toothpaste, shaving residue, soap scum, skin oils, and cosmetic products. Kitchen drains are more likely to contain grease, cooking oil, sauces, crumbs, and food particles. Older plumbing can also contribute. Many Needham, MA properties have pipes affected by corrosion, mineral deposits, rough interior surfaces, or years of wear. Green...