Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning Installation’ Category

Why Sizing Matters So Much for Home Cooling

Wednesday, November 18th, 2015

Installing an HVAC system that is not properly sized for your home can lead to problems, such as poor heating and cooling performance, excessive energy usage and higher maintenance and repair costs. Sizing HVAC systems properly is essential to their performance and takes far more than a simple “rule of thumb” estimate.

Effects of Improper Sizing

Many systems are oversized to compensate for any leaks in the exterior of the home or any problems in the ductwork, such as leaks, damaged ducts or missing insulation. A system that is oversized will turn on and off frequently, which can lead to the following problems:

  • Hot or cold spots between cycles
  • Excessive wear and tear on the blower motor or compressor when starting and stopping
  • Poor dehumidification during the summer, leading to reduced comfort
  • Poor heating and cooling performance
  • Increased energy usage, since HVAC systems are less efficient when cycled frequently

An undersized system will also have problems with increased part wear because it has to run constantly to keep up with the heating or cooling requirements; and even with it constantly running it will not keep your home as comfortable as a properly-sized system would.

Sizing HVAC Systems Correctly

For an HVAC system to both heat and cool effectively and efficiently, it must be sized properly for your home using a Manual J load calculation. Unlike traditional estimates, which take into account only the square footage of a home, a Manual J load calculation takes many factors specific to your home into account, including:

  • Size of the home
  • Number of rooms
  • Arrangement of the rooms
  • Number of occupants
  • Indoor and outdoor temperatures
  • Quality of the insulation in the home
  • Heat and moisture generated by appliances

This allows the HVAC installer to get a more complete picture of your home’s heating and cooling requirements and to select the correct HVAC components, without over sizing or under sizing them.

For more information about the importance of properly sizing HVAC systems, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We have served Southwest Florida, including the Naples, Fort Myers and Sarasota areas, since 1962.

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New Innovations in Ductless Mini-Split Systems

Wednesday, November 4th, 2015

One of the easiest ways to add a cooling system to an existing home is by installing a ductless mini split air conditioning system. Unlike central air conditioners, these systems do not require a duct system and they use only a small conduit to connect the indoor and outdoor portions. Today’s ductless mini split systems are extremely efficient and offer many great innovations and features.

Variable-Speed Compressors

In many conventional air conditioners, the compressor runs at a single speed, and can only switch on when the temperature becomes too high, and switch off when the desired temperature is met. This can be inefficient and cause excess wear on the system’s compressor and other components, while creating unnecessary temperature swings between cycles. Variable-speed inverter compressors can run at any speed, allowing the system to adjust the cooling capacity precisely to the current conditions, which increases the system’s efficiency and keeps your home comfortable regardless of the temperature outside.

Variable-Speed System Fans

Like the variable speed-compressor, variable speed fans on the condenser and evaporator coils allow the system to better adjust the cooling capacity to current conditions, and they reduce the energy usage of the system. In addition, when the evaporator fan is allowed to run at slower speeds, it makes the system much quieter and reduces noise levels in the room where the indoor unit is installed.

Efficient Coil Designs

Specially designed coils maximize the heat-transfer surface and increase the efficiency of the transfer process. Improved R-410 refrigerant also helps increase the efficiency of the coils, while protecting the environment.

Improved Control Systems

Efficient control systems use multiple sensors to detect current conditions and adjust the output accordingly. Advanced remote controls allow you to control your ductless mini split air conditioning system from a distance, and some systems can even be controlled remotely from the Internet.

With all these advances, today’s ductless mini split air conditioning systems are about twice as efficient as older models. To learn more about mini split systems, contact our team at Conditioned Air today. We serve Southwest Florida, including the Sarasota, Ft. Myers and Naples areas.

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The End of R22: What it Means for Your Old Air Conditioner

Wednesday, October 14th, 2015

Florida homeowners with older air conditioning systems may soon be facing a difficult choice: replace their entire air conditioning system or continue to pursue increasingly costly and hard-to-find R22 refrigerant when it’s time for AC serivce. Standards for types of refrigerants used in air conditioning repair and maintenance are changing, and this means that this most common and least expensive refrigerant will soon be phased out. When the phase-out is complete in 2020, R22 refrigerant will no longer be available.

R22 refrigerant, sometimes known as R22 Freon or HCFC-22 Freon, is an environmental danger because it contributes to the depletion of the ozone layer. The U.S. government has placed restrictions on R22 and has issued the requirement that R22 refrigerant must be eliminated from use in cooling systems by the year 2020. At this point, R22 will no longer be manufactured and cannot be used as a refrigerant in new air conditioning systems. R22 is being replaced by R-410A, a safer material which is the current, compliant standard refrigerant in air conditioning equipment.

The refrigerant change means several things for homeowners with older ACs:

  • You can continue to use R22 refrigerant in existing systems, but it will only be available through after-market sales, such as when it is recovered from older systems that have been salvaged.
  • Prices of R22 refrigerant have been rising and are expected to continue to rise. By the time the phase-out is complete, R22 will most likely be very expensive.
  • Availability of R22 will be limited since it cannot be purchased new. Even if you need a recharge of R22 in the future, there can be no guarantee that the refrigerant will be available.
  • Complete air conditioning system replacement to an R422 model may be the most cost-effective solution.

Conditioned Air has the mission of keeping the residents of Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Naples, Bradenton, and the surrounding Florida communities cool and their air conditioners working properly and reliably. Contact us today for more information on the types of refrigerants used in air conditioning system maintenance and what the new refrigerant changes will mean for your cooling system.

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Picking the Right HVAC Contractor: What You Need to Know

Tuesday, September 8th, 2015

When there is something wrong with your home’s HVAC system, it won’t take long for things to get uncomfortable. You might not have the time to do an extended search of the HVAC contractors in Sarasota to find just the right one. Friends and family can also help steer you in the right direction, so ask them for referrals. You may end up with a couple good names. Still, it’s best to look a little deeper to make the perfect choice for your home. Here are some keys to look for when you are seeking a trusted and respected contractor to do the repairs on your home.

The first item on your list should be asking about HVAC certifications and national memberships. Many such organizations, like the North American Technician Excellence program, are dedicated to testing members on their comprehensive field knowledge, ensuring they are up to date.

It is important that you pick a contractor that is licensed, bonded and insured. The state of Florida requires anyone working in the HVAC industry be licensed through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Being licensed through the CILB indicates the contractor meets the state’s requirements for training and field experience. Possible contractors should be bonded, which covers you if a contractor fails to meet the terms of your contract. They should also be fully insured, which covers you in case someone is injured while working at your home, or sustains injuries due to their negligence.

There are a number of signs to be wary of, as well. Choosing the right HVAC system depends on a number of factors, including the size of your home. HVAC contractors in Sarasota that offer to quote you an estimate over the phone without having ever seen your home, or that offer what seems to be a very cheap estimate should be avoided.

The name at the top of your list for HVAC service and repair should always be Conditioned Air. We’ve been serving southwest Florida homes just like yours since 1962. Contact us the next time things start to get uncomfortable in your home.

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3 Signs You May Need to Upgrade Your Air Conditioning Unit

Tuesday, September 1st, 2015

With the hot and humid summers in Southwest Florida, air conditioners are all but required, and if the system in your home is showing its age, it may be time for a new A/C installation. There are several signs that it may be time to upgrade, and they should be considered carefully.

Utility Bills Have Increased Dramatically

As the components of your air conditioner begin to wear and fail, the system’s efficiency will gradually decrease and its cooling effectiveness will wane. If the system is a few years old, it may already be inefficient, and though you could keep it running with frequent filter replacements and minor maintenance, its lack of efficiency will start to add up, leaving you with huge utility bills. Eventually, the accumulated operating costs will become higher than the cost of a new system.

Frequent Repairs are Required

When your system starts breaking down frequently, and the repair bills start creeping higher, it may be time to consider a new A/C installation. Once major components like the blower motor or compressor start failing, it’s only a matter of time before the others follow, because they all tend to have similar life spans. Upgrading to a new system can reduce your maintenance costs significantly and it will be far less trouble than scheduling all those service visits.

The System is Over 10 Years Old

Even if your air conditioner is running perfectly fine now, you should be ready to replace it if it is over 10 years old. Most air conditioners have an expected lifespan of 10 to 15 years with proper maintenance, or shorter if the maintenance was erratic or incomplete. At this point major components will begin to fail and it will start to run less efficiently. By upgrading to a new model, you can take advantage of today’s advancements in efficiency, and save up to 20%-40% off your cooling bills.

If you are considering a new A/C installation, talk to our cooling experts at Conditioned Air to learn about your options. We have been serving Naples, Fort Myers, Sarasota and the surrounding areas since 1962.

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Did You Know Our Ductless Air Conditioners Save Energy?

Wednesday, July 15th, 2015

Considering Southwest Florida’s warm climate, you might already know a little about how convenient ductless mini-split systems are for keeping cool. What you might not know, however, is how ductless air conditioners save energy.

No Ducts Means Less Waste

Air ducts can lose cooled and heated air through leaks. Sealing the duct joints helps, but even after a thorough professional sealing job, the ducts will still lose a small amount of air. That loss adds up over the day. Ducts in unconditioned areas, such as the attics, are affected by the temperature of the surrounding air. For example, a hot attic warms cool air passing through the ducts. Although insulation helps, some waste inevitably occurs.

To understand how ductless air conditioning systems save energy, you’ll need to know how they differ from conventional ducted systems. Instead of using ducts to carry air from a central air handler to your rooms, ductless systems use air handlers on the walls, ceilings or floors to deliver conditioned air directly into your rooms.

Nothing leaks out so you receive all the air the system conditions. The air reaches you without having warmed up in the ducts, so you don’t have to adjust your thermostat to compensate for energy loss.

Precision Control Helps You Save

One ductless system outdoor unit can run up to four indoor air handlers. Each air handler can be independently controlled so you can lower the temperature setting on the air handlers in your hottest rooms, while raising the setting in areas that need less cooling.

You’ll no longer have to set the thermostat low on your whole air conditioning system just to achieve a comfortable temperature in one particular area of the house. This precision control reduces the load on your system, allowing it to use less energy so your cooling expenses fall. Better yet, you’ll also enjoy more even temperatures throughout the house, including in those areas that have always been hard to keep cool enough.

If you think a ductless system might be right for your home, contact us at Conditioned Air anywhere around Southwest Florida.

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6000 Square Foot Naples Luxury Home with Unexplained Odor Problem

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

Partner: E3 Building Sciences

E3 Building Sciences is a sophisticated engineering service company that, among other things, manages the EPA’s Energy Star program in the state of Florida. They contacted Conditioned Air to solve an odor problem that was traced to a brand new air conditioning system. The system was expensive but it was too big for the job and as a result failed to remove humidity. Due to the humidity, mold began to grow in the house. Conditioned Air was able to add two dehumidifiers, one of which was in a very challenging location, in order to solve the problem. Humidity dropped from an unacceptable level of 64% to 48%.

John Kiefer, cofounder of E3 building sciences, found Conditioned Air to be a natural choice based on his extensive Energy Star testing. He examined more than 250 Conditioned Air installations in Energy Star homes and found everyone to be up to specification. In his experience, that level of performance is extraordinary. John noted that he has worked with them on a number of large, complex projects and in each case found them both thorough and flexible.

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A Complex Residential Installation Requiring Commercial Grade Solutions

Wednesday, March 11th, 2015

Partner: Kraft Construction

We faced a difficult challenge for a large estate in Naples which involved the conversion from a water cooled condenser system to geothermal. The estate was more than 13,000 square feet and had 10 separate air conditioners with multiple zones. We worked with the team at Kraft Construction on a system that involved extracting groundwater from two different wells that were 300 feet away from the home.

In addition to the challenge of installing the geothermal system, the homeowner needed us to install sophisticated linear diffusers that were close to the crown moldings. Extensive work was required to ensure that the diffusers were close to, but cleared the moldings.

Kraft brought us in at the very beginning so that we were able to work hand-in-hand with the mechanical engineer. John Takach, the supervisor at Kraft, noted that our team was just as knowledgeable as the engineer. He also found us to be team players that typically get the work done ahead of time. As John put it, “Conditioned Air is by far the best air conditioning company I’ve ever dealt with. They were able to deal with any need from simple to the most difficult.”

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