January 2025

Is your place cold when it must be warm? Do you think something is wrong with your HVAC? There must be. Most probably, it has low refrigerant. It is a cooling fluid in the HVAC’s heat pump, keeping your place warm in winter and cool in summer. So, it is a big problem if it is inadequate. There are 5 low refrigerant symptoms you must notice and get fixed. Why Does the Refrigerant Get Low? Several reasons can make your heat pump low on refrigerant. Some may be: 5 Low Refrigerant Symptoms You Must Notice You can keep an eye out for these signs so you can remedy the issue asap. HVAC Turns On and Off Repeatedly It usually does that. However, it can switch on and off more than usual because of insufficient refrigerant. This is also called Short Cycling. It happens because low cooling fluid means: Low pressure for cooling means harder work for the heat pump. As a result, the system gets tired and shuts quickly. It can cause serious problems. Your system may shut down entirely if short cycling continues for a long time. So, you can either look for a leak or call an expert service to fix it for you. Hissing or Gurgling Sounds This low refrigerant symptom means two different types of problems. However, both can mean that the pump is leaking. Hissing means there is a gas leakage. The heat pump pressurizes the refrigerant to absorb and release heat. That pressure makes the cooling liquid escape through a leaking point as gas. On the other hand, gurgling means the liquid is leaking out. When the refrigerant leaks as a liquid, air bubbles form, making that sound. Ice Build-up Again, you can normally see it on your HVAC outer during the cold season. You must check if it does not melt within 30 minutes. Long-term ice build-up is one of the severe heat pump low refrigerant symptoms. It means there is insufficient refrigerant, which decreases the internal pressure of the pump. In turn, the liquid becomes so cold that it does not melt the ice. Your Place Isn’t Warm Enough That’s a serious low refrigerant symptom. Low warmth means uneven room temperature. Your heat pump helps the refrigerant to absorb heat from one place and release it into another. That’s how your place stays hot in chilly weather and cold in summer. You might keep increasing your HVAC’s temperature to no avail. You can pour soapy water on the heat pump to check if there is a leak instead. High Electric Bills It is the most unnerving of all the low refrigerant symptoms. Also, it is not because you run the HVAC for 12 hours daily. However, it can be if you run it longer than usual. If you get a high bill on your usual schedule, you should check the heat pump. Low refrigerant can make it work harder than usual, using more energy. As a result, your electricity uptake and bill increase. FAQs Does low refrigerant affect heat? Yes, it does. Your HVAC’s heat pump cannot properly absorb and release heat if the refrigerant is low, so it will warm your home later than it should. What causes low refrigerant temperature? A refrigerant leak can cause low temperatures due to corrosion or loose joints. Other common reasons can be a blockage in the evaporator coil, liquid line, or system pipe. If you think there is a problem, contact MT Pleasant Heating and Air Conditioning to get it checked. How do you detect refrigerant loss? You can detect refrigerant loss by looking thoroughly for low refrigerant symptoms like ice build-up, short cycling, or unusual sounds. You can use the Soap Bubble Test, too. Pour soapy water where you think there is a leak. You will see bubbles in case of a leakage. Alternatively, you can call an expert for a thorough system check. Signs Your Air Conditioner Is Low on Refrigerant Without refrigerant, an air conditioner cannot move heat from inside your home to the outside. With too little, it struggles to cool. Besides the symptoms above, watch for these in the summer: Weak or warm air from the vents. If the air coming out is not cold, low refrigerant may be the cause. Long runs with little cooling. A system low on refrigerant can run continuously without cooling the house much. Shutting off in the middle of a cycle. This can be a protective response to avoid damage. If you notice one or more of these, refrigerant loss is a likely cause, but only a technician can confirm it. What to Expect and Ask When You Call for Refrigerant Service Do not add refrigerant yourself, and do not just top it off. If there is a leak, new refrigerant will probably leak out again until the leak is repaired. Leaking seals and hoses are common causes. A typical refrigerant service visit goes like this: Questions first. The technician asks what you have noticed, so be ready to describe the symptoms. Visual inspection. They look over the whole system for obvious leaks, damage or faults. Leak check. Refrigerant lines and connections are checked, and electronic leak detectors can find small losses. Repair, then recharge. Repairs can mean replacing seals, tightening connections or patching holes. Once the leak is sealed, the system is recharged with the correct amount of refrigerant, which depends on things such as the size of your home. Final check. They confirm the unit runs normally and cooling has returned, and note any other issues for later. Good questions to ask any company: have they dealt with refrigerant problems before, can they run a refrigerant leak test, and will they explain the diagnosis in detail. Ways to Help Prevent Low Refrigerant These habits can help avoid leaks and keep the system from straining: Change air filters regularly. Clogged, dirty filters make the system work harder. Fix small problems promptly. A loose fitting can turn into a larger refrigerant loss

Home HVAC Problems AC Won’t Turn On? Common Causes Mount Pleasant Heating & Air Conditioning · AC Troubleshooting AC Won’t Turn On? Common Causes An air conditioner that will not turn on is almost always a power, thermostat, or electrical problem. Work through the checks below — many are free to test — and call a technician for anything involving breakers that will not reset or capacitors. Call (843) 714-0863Request Service 24/7 emergency serviceLicensed, bonded & insuredBackground-checked techs 24/7 Emergency ServiceCooling and heating emergencies, day or night Quick Answer If your AC won’t turn on, check the thermostat first (batteries, mode, and setpoint), then check the breaker for the indoor and outdoor units. If the breaker is tripped and will not reset, or the system still will not start, the cause is likely a bad capacitor, a failed contactor, or a wiring issue — a licensed technician should handle those. Common Causes What Usually Causes This Problem Most of these problems come from a handful of causes. Each one links to the service that fixes it. Dead Thermostat Batteries A blank thermostat cannot call for cooling. Replacing the batteries is the fastest possible fix. Why is my thermostat blank? › Tripped Breaker or Blown Fuse The AC has its own circuit. If the breaker tripped, reset it once. If it trips again, stop — that indicates a real electrical problem. Bad Capacitor Capacitors store the jolt needed to start the compressor and fan motors. A failed capacitor is one of the most common no-start causes. Failed Contactor or Relay The contactor switches power to the compressor and condenser fan. If it is stuck open or burned, the outdoor unit will not run. Safety Switch Tripped Many systems have a float switch that shuts the AC off when the drain pan fills with water. Check for a full drain pan. Thermostat Wiring Problem A loose or damaged thermostat wire can stop the signal that tells the system to start. Try These First What You Can Check Yourself Safe, free checks you can do in a few minutes before deciding whether to call. 1 Check the Thermostat Replace batteries if needed, confirm the mode is COOL, and lower the setpoint below room temperature. 2 Check Both Breakers The indoor and outdoor units may have separate breakers. Reset any tripped breaker once. 3 Look for a Kill Switch Many systems have a wall switch near the indoor unit or a disconnect at the outdoor unit. Confirm they are on. 4 Check the Drain Pan If the emergency float switch tripped because the pan is full, the AC will not start until it drains. 5 Listen for a Click When the thermostat calls for cooling, a click at the condenser usually means the contactor is engaging. No click often means no power or a failed component. 6 Stop at Repeated Trips If a breaker trips immediately or repeatedly, do not keep resetting it. That is an electrical issue for a licensed technician. Get It Fixed Get It Fixed by a Pro If the checks above did not solve it, stop guessing. A licensed technician will diagnose the real cause, explain your options, and give you the price before any work begins. AC Repair in Mount PleasantCall (843) 714-0863 Related Problems More HVAC Troubleshooting Guides Diagnose other common Mount Pleasant HVAC problems with the same plain-language approach. Thermostat Blank or Not Working A blank screen usually means batteries, a breaker, or a wiring problem. Read the guide AC Tripping the Breaker Repeated breaker trips point to an electrical fault inside the system. Read the guide AC Blowing Warm Air The system runs but never cools — the next most common complaint. Read the guide AC Short Cycling The system starts and stops in short bursts instead of running a full cycle. Read the guide Common Questions Straight Answers Quick, honest answers to the questions we hear most from Mount Pleasant homeowners. Why is my AC not turning on at all? Start with the thermostat (batteries and settings), then the breakers for the indoor and outdoor units. If power is fine and the system still will not start, a bad capacitor, failed contactor, or tripped safety switch is the likely culprit — all of which are technician repairs. What does a capacitor do in an air conditioner? The capacitor gives the compressor and fan motors the electrical jolt they need to start, then helps them run efficiently. When a capacitor fails, the system may hum, click, or do nothing at all when the thermostat calls for cooling. Is it safe to keep resetting the AC breaker? No. If a breaker trips once, reset it and watch. If it trips again immediately or repeatedly, something is drawing too much current — likely a shorted wire, a failing compressor, or a bad capacitor. Continuing to reset it risks damage and is a job for a licensed electrician or HVAC technician. Why does my AC make a humming noise but won’t start? A hum with no start is a classic symptom of a failed capacitor or a locked compressor. Turn the system off and have it inspected — running it in this state can damage the compressor further. Still have a question? Call (843) 714-0863. Ready to Get Comfortable Again? Call (843) 714-0863 or request service online. We are available 24/7 for emergencies and offer same-day appointments when available. Call (843) 714-0863Request Service 24/7 emergency service · same-day appointments when available Call (843) 714-0863

Your digital thermostat may suddenly not work right. You walk up to it and the screen is blank? Uh oh. A thermostat with a blank screen can be vexing – and prevent you from adjusting your home’s temperature. This is typically an easily resolved issue so don’t panic. In this blog, we’ll run through the most common reasons why a digital thermostat screen goes blank, and what you can do about it. First, Don’t Panic – This Is Likely an Easy Fix A blank thermostat screen is alarming, but there’s usually an easy explanation. Take a deep breath and approach the issue calmly and methodically. Thermostats are made to be user-friendly and depend on. The blank screen typically suggests a minor problem like weak batteries or a tripped circuit breaker. Because if it is, with a couple of simple troubleshooting steps, you might have your thermostat display functioning again in minutes. Double Check the Batteries The first thing to check on any digital thermostat that has a blank display is the batteries. Most thermostats are powered by standard AA or AAA batteries. As time passes, these batteries can begin to drain or die completely, which in turn causes the thermostat display to go blank. Before you take any other steps, take the thermostat off of its wall plate, and check the batteries. Check for corrosion buildup that might not allow for proper contact. Make sure the batteries are inserted the correct way with the positive and negative sides aligned correctly. If they’re dead or corroded, swap them out with a fresh pack of name-brand alkaline batteries, such as Duracell or Energizer. Make sure to change all the batteries at the same time. Reinsert the batteries correctly, re-mount the thermostat on its wall plate and check whether the display returns. Most of the time, this basic battery check and replacement is the only thing needed to revive a blank display thermostat. Inspect For Damage If new batteries don’t make your thermostat display work, check the thermostat and wiring for damage next. If you notice any damage to the thermostat unit or wiring, you may need to be repaired or replaced. A HVAC technician can help. Reset The Thermostat If the batteries and wiring are OK, attempt a reset of the thermostat to factory defaults. This typically involves a little pinhole button that’s located on the rear of the unit. Hold the reset button for five seconds. This will remove any strange software bugs and reset default options that might bring the display back to life. After the reset, set the date, time, and any other custom settings. Then keep resetting the temperature and waiting a few minutes to see if the display comes on. A reset often cures wonky electronics. Check The Circuit Breaker A tripped circuit breaker is another possible cause of a blank screen on your thermostat. The transformer that reduces the power down for the thermostat wiring is usually connected to an HVAC circuit breaker in your main electrical panel. Now go turn this breaker OFF, then ON. You should hear a click when it resets to the ON position. If the breaker was tripped, then this cycle can reset the power and reactivate the thermostat display. On older systems, check for a blown fuse, too. If you find a blown fuse, replace it with a new one of the same amp rating. Reset power at the circuit level to see if it’s responsible for your thermostat display problems. Check Your AC’s Condensate Float Switch In humid Lowcountry summers your air conditioner pulls a lot of water out of the air. That water collects in a pan under the indoor unit and drains through a condensate line. Many systems have a float switch, a small safety switch on the pan or drain line, that shuts off the 24-volt control power when water backs up so the pan doesn’t overflow. On many systems that same power runs the thermostat, so a clogged drain line can leave a hardwired thermostat completely blank. Look at the indoor unit in your attic, closet or garage. Standing water in the pan or around the drain line is a strong sign the float switch has tripped. Turn the system off, and if you’re comfortable doing so, clear the water and the drain line. If the line keeps clogging or you see water damage, have a technician clear and inspect it. If your screen went dark right after a storm or power outage, see what to check when your thermostat is blank after a power outage. Contact An HVAC Technician For Persistent Issues If you have confirmed the batteries, wiring, reset the unit, and looked in the circuit breaker, and still don’t see the thermostat screen it will need to be serviced. There is an internal fault or other glitch that requires professional diagnosis and repairs. Do not keep flipping breakers on and off, you can damage the system by doing this. You don’t want to take chances with electrical hazards poking around in the wiring without training. If you’re unsure, contact a local HVAC pro. Explain the problem over the phone and book a service appointment. Trained experts have special tools that can detect what caused your thermostat screen to stop working. If the thermostat itself has failed, our guide on when to replace a thermostat explains your options, or you can book thermostat repair in Mount Pleasant. Don’t Sweat A Thermostat Blank Screen A thermostat that doesn’t show anything on its screen can be an irritating problem for sure, but it’s seldom a disaster. More often than not, you can fix this problem yourself with some simple troubleshooting. First, verify the batteries and electric source. Then check for broken wires or a tripped circuit breaker. If necessary, restore the thermostat unit to factory mode. Following this logical, DIY method, we’re confident you’ll have your thermostat display up and running in no time. However, with respect to the ongoing blank screen issues, you

Many homeowners in Mount Pleasant are caught off guard after they receive their most recent power bill and find that it’s hundreds of dollars higher than average. Don’t panic. There are good reasons your AC is causing such high utility bills – and solutions you can try to get the costs back down. Read on to find out why this is happening, and what you can do about it. Reason #1 – Your AC is Old and Inefficient An air conditioner that is older and inefficient is the #1 cause of high utility bills in the summer. Most AC units only last 10-15 years. After that, it simply wears out and consumes way more power to make the same cooling. Does your AC hold more than 10 years of use? If this is the case, it is almost certainly extremely inefficient by contemporary standards. Modern AC units use as much as 50% less electricity than units made just 5-10 years ago. All that waste adds up to a lot on your power bill. The best way to reduce your summer utility bills is to upgrade to a new, energy efficient AC unit. Your energy savings will allow a new unit to pay for itself in a few years. Reason #2 – Your house is not insulated Even the best A.C. will struggle to keep your house cool if its badly insulated. Heat and cold can seep through cracks and gaps in walls, ceilings, windows and doors. Your AC has to work around the clock making up the difference, which increases electricity use. Examine your home’s insulation situation closely. Look for drafts near windows and doors. Inspect the attic, walls and crawl spaces for any holes. Outdated insulation such as fiberglass batts also becomes less effective as time passes. Enhancing your home’s insulation can make a dramatic difference in your summer energy bills. Installing weatherstripping and caulking around windows are simple fixes. Adding to the benefits of replacing your insulation with modern materials in between your walls and in the attics. Reason #3 – You Keep Your Home Cooler Than Needed Do you set your thermostat to 68°F or lower in summer? When temperatures are very low, it feels great but takes a huge amount of electricity to do. A little bump up, and you’ll likely find surprising savings in your utility bills. The perfect temperature setting to save on energy bills is about 78°, when the humidity is at a comfortable level. Every degree up or down from that is a huge leap in energy production. If you’re accustomed to keeping the temperature cooler and find that uncomfortable, try: Set your thermostat to 78°F. Adjust to resistance over a couple of days. You can also program your thermostat to a schedule, keeping temperatures high when you’re away or sleeping. Smart thermostats do this automatically and usefully. This makes sure that you’re only cooling to comfortable levels when you need to instead of 24/7. Reason #4 – Your Ductwork Is Leaky If your home’s ductwork has cracks, gaps or leaks, they’re allowing conditioned air to escape before it ever reaches your rooms. Your A.C. must work harder to keep up, running longer and consuming more electricity. Check the ductwork carefully, particularly sections that run through unconditioned areas such as attics. That means checking for obvious disconnects and other openings that let air escape. Improving your current AC: Sealing these leaks with mastic paste or metal tape can make your current AC more efficient. This would create additional leaks since it is running through old, rigid ductwork but replacing that old rigid sheet metal ducting with new, insulated flexible ducting would already reduce those leaks tremendously. Excess moisture that can lead to mold is avoided as well by insulated ducts. Let Us Help! If your insulation, ductwork or AC unit need an upgrade, MT Pleasant HVAC is here to provide assistance! We are insulation contractors and HVAC contractors in Mount Pleasant, SC and surrounding areas you can trust. Contact our team today to evaluate your home’s status. We’ll tell you about the most affordable repairs and upgrades to reduce your energy use and utility bills. Frequently Asked Questions Is a bigger, more powerful AC unit all I need? Not necessarily! An oversized unit will short cycle on and off, resulting in conditions that aren’t pleasant and bills that are higher than they need to be. And it also won’t dehumidify properly. The best way is to right-size your AC for your needs. How do I know if I need more insulation in my home? Signs such as drafts, rooms that are hard to cool/heat, large electric bills and moisture/mold show that the building insulation is not enough. An energy audit also looks at insulation levels and air leakage. Should I actually consider replacing my old AC? Absolutely! A new ENERGY STAR certified AC unit could save you $100 or more on your utility bills each year. It will also help keep you more comfortable with less to repair. Should I be cleaning/replacing my AC filters regularly? Yes! AC units run less efficiently if the filters are dirty, which forces your unit to work even harder. Replace or change filters each month as necessary. More dirt is trapped, and the high-quality pleated filters stay working longer. What should I set my thermostat to at night? You can allow higher night temperatures of around 5–7°F to save energy. 78°F is an optimal overnight setting in summer. Just keep it from getting too hot for sleeping comfortably. Smart vs programmable thermostat: Which is best? Smart thermostats are best! They adjust temperatures for you based on your schedule and preferences. Programmable Types must be adjusted manually on the temperature.  

Home HVAC Problems AC Running Non-Stop? Why & What to Check Mount Pleasant Heating & Air Conditioning · AC Troubleshooting AC Running Non-Stop? Why & What to Check An air conditioner that runs constantly — or never shuts off — is working too hard. Sometimes it is simply an extremely hot day; other times it is a sign of an airflow, refrigerant, or sizing problem. Here is how to tell the difference. Call (843) 714-0863Request Service 24/7 emergency serviceLicensed, bonded & insuredBackground-checked techs 24/7 Emergency ServiceCooling and heating emergencies, day or night Quick Answer An AC that runs non-stop usually means it cannot reach the thermostat setpoint: check the setpoint and filter first, then look for ice on the coil. Persistent non-stop running is often caused by low refrigerant, a dirty coil or filter, an undersized system, or a stuck contactor — a technician can measure the system and find the real cause. Common Causes What Usually Causes This Problem Most of these problems come from a handful of causes. Each one links to the service that fixes it. Thermostat Set Very Low A setpoint far below the outdoor temperature means the system works far harder — and longer — to get there. Dirty Filter or Coil Restricted airflow makes the system run longer to move the same amount of heat. This is the most common fixable cause. Low Refrigerant A system low on refrigerant cools inefficiently, so it runs and runs without satisfying the thermostat. How to spot refrigerant leaks › Undersized System An AC too small for the home or the heat load runs continuously on hot days and still struggles to keep up. High Heat Gain Poor attic insulation, unshaded windows, or heat-generating appliances add load the system must overcome. Stuck Contactor A contactor that welds closed keeps the compressor running even when the thermostat is satisfied. Try These First What You Can Check Yourself Safe, free checks you can do in a few minutes before deciding whether to call. 1 Check the Setpoint A reasonable setpoint is 70–74°F. Running the AC at 68°F or below on a 95°F day will make it run non-stop. 2 Replace the Air Filter The easiest fix for a struggling system. A clean filter restores airflow and cooling efficiency. 3 Look for Ice Ice on the indoor coil or outdoor line set means airflow or refrigerant trouble — thaw the system and call a technician. 4 Check the Outdoor Unit Make sure the condenser fan is spinning and the coil is clean. A fan that barely turns reduces heat rejection dramatically. 5 Test One Room If one room stays hot while others cool, it is usually an airflow or ductwork issue rather than the whole system. 6 Have the System Measured A technician can check refrigerant charge, airflow, and sizing to find why the system never satisfies the thermostat. Get It Fixed Get It Fixed by a Pro If the checks above did not solve it, stop guessing. A licensed technician will diagnose the real cause, explain your options, and give you the price before any work begins. HVAC MaintenanceCall (843) 714-0863 Related Problems More HVAC Troubleshooting Guides Diagnose other common Mount Pleasant HVAC problems with the same plain-language approach. AC Short Cycling The opposite pattern — a system that starts and stops too often. Read the guide AC Blowing Warm Air Non-stop running that still never delivers cold air. Read the guide AC Won’t Turn On From never shutting off to never starting — the power and control side. Read the guide How to Prepare AC for Summer Prevent the non-stop summer strain with a seasonal check. Read the guide Common Questions Straight Answers Quick, honest answers to the questions we hear most from Mount Pleasant homeowners. Is it normal for my AC to run all day in summer? On very hot days a correctly sized system can run for long stretches — that is normal. The red flag is when it runs non-stop around the clock, never shuts off, or runs constantly even in mild weather. That indicates a real problem. Why does my AC run non-stop but never cool the house? The system is running but not removing heat effectively — usually low refrigerant, a dirty coil or filter, a failing compressor, or an undersized system. It needs professional measurement to diagnose. Will a bigger AC solve the problem of it running all the time? Not necessarily. An oversized system can actually cause short cycling and poor dehumidification. Correct sizing comes from a professional load calculation, not guesswork. Does a continuously running AC use a lot more electricity? Yes. Non-stop running is both uncomfortable and expensive. Fixing the underlying cause — whether a $20 filter or a refrigerant repair — usually pays for itself quickly in the Mount Pleasant summer. Still have a question? Call (843) 714-0863. Ready to Get Comfortable Again? Call (843) 714-0863 or request service online. We are available 24/7 for emergencies and offer same-day appointments when available. Call (843) 714-0863Request Service 24/7 emergency service · same-day appointments when available Call (843) 714-0863