Rooftop air conditioning unit for an Oshawa building
Oshawa · Commercial · Air conditioning
Air conditioning · central and ductless
Air conditioning repair, maintenance and installation
Don installs, repairs and maintains central air conditioners and ductless mini-splits for homes and businesses, along with window units. That covers sizing a new system to the space, finding out why an existing one is not cooling, and the seasonal cleaning that keeps it running.
If your air conditioner has stopped cooling, call. If you are choosing between central air and a ductless system, the buying questions below walk through the differences.
Air conditioning Don works on
- Central air conditioners
- An outdoor unit connected to a coil at the furnace or air handler, cooling the whole house through the existing ductwork.
- Ductless mini-splits
- A wall-mounted indoor unit (or several) connected to an outdoor unit by refrigerant lines. Useful where there are no ducts, or for an addition or a single room.
- Window and commercial rooftop units
- Window units for single rooms, and rooftop units that serve commercial buildings from above.
Air conditioner not cooling? Common signs and what they can mean
Use these to describe the problem when you call. Air conditioners contain refrigerant under pressure and high-voltage parts, so the fixes themselves are for Don.
The house is not cooling, or the air feels warm
The system may be running without removing enough heat. Common causes include a dirty filter or coil, low refrigerant from a leak, a failing outdoor fan, or a compressor that is not starting.
When to call: Call if the thermostat is set to cool, the breaker is on, the filter is clean, and the air from the vents is still not cool.
Weak airflow from the vents
Cool air is coming out, but only faintly. Weak airflow often comes from a clogged filter, a dirty or iced-up indoor coil, a blower problem, or leaking or blocked ductwork. In a ductless system, a dirty indoor-unit filter has the same effect.
When to call: Replace a dirty filter first. Call if airflow stays weak, or if you see ice on the refrigerant lines or indoor coil; switch the cooling off and leave the ice for Don to assess.
Water or refrigerant leaks
Water pooling near the indoor unit usually points to a blocked condensate drain or a frozen coil. An oily residue or hissing near the lines can mean a refrigerant leak, which needs a technician to locate and repair.
When to call: Call for any leak you cannot explain. Do not try to add refrigerant or open the lines yourself.
Buzzing, grinding or rattling
Noises from the outdoor unit can come from the fan motor, the compressor or loose panels; noises inside often come from the blower. Buzzing with no cooling can point to an electrical part that is failing.
When to call: Call when a noise is new or gets worse. Switch the system off at the thermostat if it is grinding or the outdoor unit is buzzing without its fan turning.
Turning on and off often, or running non-stop
An air conditioner that cycles every few minutes, or never shuts off on a mild day, may be the wrong size for the space, low on refrigerant, or responding to a thermostat in the wrong spot.
When to call: Call if it continues after checking the thermostat setting and the filter.
Before you call
Safety first, then simple checks
Smell gas or hear a carbon monoxide alarm?
Leave the building now and take everyone with you. From outside, call your gas utility’s emergency line or 911. Do not switch lights or appliances on or off on the way out. Call Don once the utility or fire service says it is safe to go back in.
Checks you can safely make on your air conditioner
- Thermostat: set to cool, set below the current room temperature, and fresh batteries if it uses them.
- Breaker and switch: the air conditioner's breaker has not tripped and the outdoor disconnect has not been switched off. Reset a tripped breaker once only; if it trips again, leave it off and call.
- Filter: replace a dirty furnace or air-handler filter, or clean the filter in a ductless indoor unit as its manual describes.
Leave anything involving gas, wiring, refrigerant or the inside of the equipment to Don.
Replacement or new installation
Choosing an air conditioner: questions to ask first
Before you request an estimate for a new or replacement system, these questions help you and Don land on the right type and size.
Request an estimateCentral air or ductless?
If the house already has ductwork in good shape, central air uses it to cool every room. Ductless mini-splits suit homes without ducts, additions, finished basements and rooms that the ducts do not reach well.
What size does the space need?
Sizing should match the home or business: the floor area, windows, insulation and how the space is used. An oversized unit cycles too often and leaves the air clammy; an undersized one runs constantly.
Is the existing ductwork ready?
Leaky or undersized ducts cause weak airflow and uneven cooling no matter how good the new unit is. Duct sealing can be part of the same job.
Where will the outdoor unit go?
It needs clear airflow around it, a stable base and a reasonable route for the refrigerant lines. Noise near bedrooms, decks and neighbours is worth thinking about too.
Should I go with a more efficient model?
Efficient models cost less to run. Ask Don to compare options for your home and whether a heat pump, which also heats, is worth considering instead.
What about air quality and thermostat control?
A new system is a good time to add a smart thermostat, or to ask about air purifiers, UV lights or better ventilation.
What Don handles
The air conditioner work Don does for homes and businesses, from a single repair to a full replacement.
Repair
- Diagnosing poor cooling, weak airflow, leaks and strange noises
- Repairing compressors, fans and refrigerant lines
Maintenance
- Cleaning and replacing filters
- Inspecting coils, refrigerant levels and electrical components
Replacement and new installation
- Installing central air conditioners
- Installing ductless mini-splits and window units
- Sizing the system to the home or business
Efficiency and integration
- Duct sealing
- Energy-efficient models
- Smart thermostat integration
- Indoor air quality: air purifiers, UV lights and ventilation
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Air conditioning questions
Why is my air conditioner running but the airflow is weak?
The most common cause is a clogged filter, which you can safely replace. If airflow is still weak, the indoor coil may be dirty or frozen, the blower may be failing, or the ducts may be leaking; those need Don to check.
Can a ductless mini-split cool a whole house?
It can, with indoor units in the main areas, but it depends on the layout. For a home with good ductwork, central air is often simpler. Ask Don which suits your house.
Is there ice on my air conditioner a problem?
Yes. Ice on the lines or coil usually means restricted airflow or low refrigerant. Switch the cooling off, check the filter, and call Don. Do not chip the ice off.
Does Don service commercial rooftop units?
Don has completed rooftop air-conditioning work for a commercial building. Building managers can use the commercial page to describe the property.
Talk to Don about your air conditioner
Don has over 20 years of experience with heating, cooling and hot water. Call to describe the problem, or send a request with the details. Not sure whether Don serves your area? Ask when you get in touch.