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

Troubleshooting Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

Wednesday, January 20th, 2016

Uneven temperatures in your Southwest Florida home are not only uncomfortable, but they may also indicate a problem with your HVAC system or the house itself. By troubleshooting hot and cold spots in your home, you can find the source of the problem and take steps to correct it.

Malfunctioning HVAC System

An improperly-sized or malfunctioning HVAC system can easily lead to hot or cold spots in your home. Make sure the air filter is not clogged or excessively dirty, and replace it if necessary. The air filter should last several months, but it is a good idea to check it at least once a month. Inspect both the indoor and outdoor coils of a heat pump or air conditioner. If the coils are dirty or clogged with debris, the system will not heat or cool properly, and they will need to be cleaned. If you have a furnace, make sure that the burners are free of dirt and soot to keep it heating efficiently. If the problems remain, have a professional inspect the system and make sure that it is sized properly.

Duct Problems

Blocked or leaking ducts can also cause uneven temperatures. Make sure all the vents are open, and check inside the ducts for obstructions and remove them, if possible. Inspect the outside of accessible ducts for cracks, holes, disconnected joints and missing or damaged insulation. If the ducts are leaking, missing insulation, excessively dirty or obstructed, have a professional repair them.

Drafts or Air Leaks

Hot or cold spots can be caused by air leaking into or out of your home. Seal drafty windows, doors, and any holes in the exterior walls with weatherstripping, caulk or expanding foam insulation, and make sure that your home is properly insulated.

Thermostat Problems

Make sure that your thermostat is working correctly, and replace it if necessary. Also, make sure that it is in a suitable location to get a correct reading, and not in a drafty or sunny spot.

For more tips about troubleshooting hot and cold spots in your home, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air today.

Posted in Air Conditioning, News | Comments Off on Troubleshooting Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

Understanding MERV Ratings for Cleaner Air

Wednesday, January 13th, 2016

When choosing an air filter for your home heating or cooling system, you must be aware of the air cleaning and filtering capacity of the filter you choose. Filters have efficiency ratings that can help you determine which filter is best for your particular needs. These ratings, called MERV numbers, can tell you whether or not the filter will be able to remove particulates such as dust and pollen to clean your air to a suitable level. Here is a brief introduction to MERV ratings and what they mean.

The Meaning of MERV

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value, which is a standard measure of air filter efficiency and performance. A filter’s MERV rating indicates how effective it is at capturing small airborne particulates as air circulates through your HVAC system. MERV ratings indicate a filter’s capacity to remove particulates between 0.3 and 10 microns in size.

Uses of MERV Filters

MERV ratings for filters used in most residential settings range from 1 to 16. There are filters available with MERV ratings of 17 to 20, but these are usually extremely high-quality filters that require specialized mountings. Higher-MERV filters are also thicker and more dense than lower-MERV models. Before using a high-MERV filter, you must be certain that your HVAC system has the airflow capacity to support it.

MERV Specifics

Lower-MERV filters are often very inexpensive, but their ability to filter your indoor air is limited.

MERV 1-4 filters are usually only good at collecting larger particles of 10 microns and above.
MERV 2-8 filters are medium-quality, and can remove particles of 3 microns and larger.
MERV 9-12 filters are considered high quality and can easily capture particulates of 1 micron and larger.
MERV 13-16 filters are the highest quality typically used in residential systems and work best at filtering out smaller particulates.

Conditioned Air provides professional, courteous HVAC sales, installation, and repair services for customers in Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Myers, and other communities in southwest Florida. Contact us today for more information on MERV ratings and choosing the proper filter for your home heating or cooling system.

Posted in Indoor Air Quality, News | Comments Off on Understanding MERV Ratings for Cleaner Air

How UV Light Air Purifiers Keep You Breathing Easy

Wednesday, January 6th, 2016

Ultraviolet light has been used in hospitals for years to kill pathogens like bacteria and viruses as part of the sterilization process. By using a similar technique, a UV light air purifier can help to keep the air in your home healthier, which is especially useful in humid areas like Southwest Florida. There are three different types of UV light air purifiers, but they all function in a similar fashion.

UV Light Air Purifier Types

The most common UV-based air purifiers are:

Air handler-mounted purifiers: One or more UV lights is mounted inside the air handler cabinet, illuminating the filter, the evaporator coil and the interior surface of the air handler.
Duct-mounted purifiers: A special system including UV lights is mounted in the duct system, typically on the return side.
Standalone systems: These are self-contained air purifiers that can be used in any room, up to the rated capacity of the system.

How They Work

The UV light inside the air purifier shines on any microorganisms located on nearby surfaces or in the air stream, within a certain distance from the UV source. Any viruses, bacteria or other microorganisms that are exposed to the light for more than about half a second will have their RNA or DNA degraded by the UV light, killing them.

Certain types of UV-based air purifiers work better than others, because they allow the microorganisms to be exposed to the UV light for a longer period. Generally, air handler-based systems or well-designed standalone systems produce better air quality than a duct-mounted system, which sometimes has air moving too quickly to treat effectively. A properly-designed system, however, can overcome this.

UV light can also break down odors and volatile organic compounds, leaving the air fresh. Moreover, it can reduce A/C maintenance by keeping the evaporator coil cleaner and preventing algae growth that clogs the condensate drain.

To learn more about the benefits of a UV light air purifier, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We serve Southwest Florida, including the communities between Bradenton and Marco Island.

Posted in Indoor Air Quality, News | Comments Off on How UV Light Air Purifiers Keep You Breathing Easy

What is a Zoning System & How Does it Work?

Wednesday, December 30th, 2015

In some homes, issues with heating and cooling may make it difficult to use a standard furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner. If this is the case, a zoning system is often the best and most practical answer. Here is a brief introduction to how they work to keep your home comfortable.

What Is a Zoning System?

Zone Systems concentrate heating or cooling in specific areas, or zones, of your home. Zones can be as small as a single room or as large as an entire floor of the structure.

They work in tandem with your existing HVAC system to ensure better and more precise control of comfort levels in the appropriate areas. They use a series of individual thermostats to control temperatures in the zones. Motorized dampers in the ductwork open or close in response to temperature needs, either increasing or decreasing the amount of heating and cooling reaching the zone. In this way, a zone system allows for precise temperature control within the one area without affecting temperatures in surrounding zones.

Why Use a Zoning System?

These systems are useful when you need better control over the heating and cooling in your home. For example, they help when:

It is difficult to provide consistent levels of heating or cooling throughout your home because of large floor plans.
Occupants need or want different levels of heating or cooling in their rooms. This allows individual temperature preferences to be met and eliminates conflicts.
Certain rooms or floors of your home need more heating or cooling than others.
Areas of your home need to have the amount of heating or cooling reduced because they aren’t being used.

Conditioned Air serves Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Bradenton, and the surrounding southwest Florida communities with top-quality HVAC services. Contact us today for more information on the uses and benefits of a zoning system and for expert advice on whether a zone system is the best choice for your home.

Posted in Air Conditioning Installation, News | Comments Off on What is a Zoning System & How Does it Work?

DIY Repairs: Avoid Voiding an HVAC Warranty

Wednesday, December 23rd, 2015

A new HVAC system usually represents an investment of several hundred dollars or more. In most cases, new HVAC equipment will be covered by a manufacturer’s warranty that protects you against certain types of defects or problems. Warranties can be voided, however, if you don’t follow appropriate procedures. One of the most common ways of voiding an HVAC warranty occurs if you try to repair the system yourself. If your cooling system is still under warranty, it’s best to avoid DIY repairs and leave these matters to an HVAC professional.

Maintaining Valid Warranties

To ensure the warranty remains valid and that the manufacturer will honor the warranty, you must ensure that repairs and preventive maintenance are performed by HVAC professionals. It may be tempting to try to avoid a repair bill by trying to fix problems yourself, but unless you are a qualified HVAC expert, leave the repairs to the pros. In some cases, the HVAC pro you use may even need to be trained and certified by the company that made your HVAC equipment.

By relying on an HVAC professional, you can be sure that the work is performed properly, that the system will work correctly when the repairs are complete, and that the system will be safe to use. Manufacturers will be assured that proper procedures have been followed during the repair, that authorized parts have been installed, and that other problems haven’t been introduced into the system during the repair procedure.

Maintenance You Can Do

While significant HVAC repairs require the services of a licensed professional, there are some minor maintenance tasks you can perform that will leave your warranty intact. These include:

Changing air filters.
Cleaning the interior and exterior of the cabinet.
Clearing grass and other vegetation from outside of the unit.

Conditioned Air provides expert HVAC maintenance and repair services for customers in Ft. Myers, Sarasota, Bradenton, and neighboring southwest Florida communities. Contact us today for more information on how to avoid voiding an HVAC warranty and for the professional repair services you need to fix your HVAC equipment while keeping your warranty intact.

Posted in Air Conditioning, News | Comments Off on DIY Repairs: Avoid Voiding an HVAC Warranty

Benefits of a Variable-Speed Air Handler

Wednesday, December 16th, 2015

Many new HVAC systems offer what is known as a variable-speed air handler, which is responsible for distributing heated or cooled air throughout your home. Unlike single-speed models, which run at full speed whenever they are in operation, a variable-speed air handler can speed up or slow down to adjust to changing conditions. This has several advantages, and can make your Southwest Florida home much more comfortable.

Improved Energy Efficiency

The motor in an air handler can use a large amount of electricity when it is running at full speed, typically between 300 and 500 watts. With a single-speed air handler, the motor will turn on and off as the demand changes, but it is always at full speed when it is on. A variable-speed air handler can run as fast or as slow as needed to deliver the required amount of air. This reduces the overall energy usage of the system because the air handler only needs to run at full speed when the temperature is significantly above or below average.

Reduced Noise

Single-speed air handlers can be extremely loud when starting and running. Variable-speed air handlers tend to be quieter, because they can slowly pick up speed when starting, and they typically run at a lower speed when temperatures are about average.

Better Air Filtration

With a single-speed air handler, the air is only being filtered when the fan is turned on. A variable-speed model constantly moves air at a slower speed, which improves air quality by constantly removing foreign particles. It also helps reduce humidity during the summer by preventing condensation between air conditioning cycles.

Greater Comfort

A variable-speed air handler increases comfort by delivering the precise volume of heated or cooled air required to maintain the desired temperature. A single-speed system will cycle on and off to maintain the temperature, resulting in uneven temperatures between cycles or extreme temperature swings.

To learn more about HVAC systems that feature a variable-speed air handler, talk to our heating and cooling experts at Conditioned Air today. We serve Southwest Florida, including Ft. Myers, Sarasota, and Naples.

Posted in Air Conditioning Installation, News | Comments Off on Benefits of a Variable-Speed Air Handler

3 Benefits of Whole-House Dehumidification

Wednesday, December 2nd, 2015

In Southwest Florida, the high humidity can make a warm day feel brutally hot, and lead to moisture-related problems inside your home. By installing a whole-house dehumidification system, you can keep the humidity under control and help your air conditioner do its job more effectively. A whole-house dehumidification system offers several distinct benefits.

Improved Comfort

When the humidity is high, the air seems to stick to the skin, and the moisture in the air prevents sweat from evaporating quickly. This stops your body’s natural cooling process from working effectively, and it is why a humid day feels so much worse than any other day at the same temperature. With a whole-home dehumidification system installed, you can keep your humidity levels much lower, which will allow you to feel more comfortable at the same temperature.

Healthier Air

Dry air is healthy air. A relative humidity of between 30 to 50 percent helps to slow the reproduction and transmission of microorganisms such as viruses or bacteria. It also helps to deter pests such as dust mites, which prefer high humidity. With whole-house dehumidification, you can keep your air at a reasonable humidity level and help to protect your family’s health. For family members with asthma or allergies, dry air can also reduce the severity of some symptoms such as congestion.

Energy Savings

With a whole-house dehumidifier installed, the reduced humidity levels can allow you to keep your thermostat at a higher setting while still feeling comfortable. Not only does this reduce your energy usage and help the environment, but it also allows you to save money on your electricity bill every month. And because much of the dehumidification is performed by the dehumidifier instead of your air conditioner, the air conditioner no longer needs to work as hard. This will help to extend its lifespan and allow it to operate more efficiently.

To learn more about the benefits of using a whole-house dehumidification system, talk to our cooling experts at Conditioned Air today. We serve Southwest Florida, including the Naples, Fort Meyers and Sarasota areas.

Posted in Indoor Air Quality, News | Comments Off on 3 Benefits of Whole-House Dehumidification

New Innovations in Home Thermostats Mean Big Energy Savings

Wednesday, November 25th, 2015

Compared to older thermostats, especially mechanical models, today’s thermostats are extremely advanced and incredibly easy to use. Many manufacturers now offer at least one type of touch screen thermostat, which eliminates older technology like mechanical armatures or physical buttons that operate confusing menus. The touch screen thermostat offers many helpful features that set it apart from less sophisticated models, especially when it comes to saving energy and reducing your utility costs.

Enhanced Programming Options

Unlike earlier programmable thermostats that were difficult to program, especially if you had a complex schedule, the typical touch screen thermostat is very easy to program, with menus that are simple to use and organized intelligently. This ensures that you will be able to easily optimize the program to maximize your energy savings and reduce your utility costs. By having the thermostat reduce the temperature automatically when you go to sleep or to work in the winter, or raise it during the summer, you can save up to 20 percent off your utility bills. Some of the most advanced models offer automatic programming, which learns your schedule and sets the thermostat to the optimal settings automatically.

WiFi Connection

Most touch screen models offer network access over WiFi, allowing you to control and program the thermostat from a computer, tablet or mobile phone that is connected to the local network, or even from a device that is connected over the internet. This allows you to easily edit the thermostat’s program and settings so that you can save the most money, or, with remote access, adjust the program as necessary to accommodate schedule changes.

Other Features

Thanks to the Internet connection, a touch screen thermostat can display local weather information, and some models can even use it to adjust the temperature automatically. If you are away from home and a problem arises with your HVAC system, a few models can alert you by email, text or phone.

For more information about the features available on the latest touch screen thermostat models, contact our team at Conditioned Air today. We have been serving the Southwest Florida area since 1962.

Posted in Air Conditioning Installation, Energy Efficiency, News | Comments Off on New Innovations in Home Thermostats Mean Big Energy Savings

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.

Posted in Air Conditioning Installation, News | Comments Off on Why Sizing Matters So Much for Home Cooling

New Advances in Pool Heaters

Wednesday, November 11th, 2015

As the temperature changes through the seasons, it is nice to have a pool heater installed that can keep the water in your pool at the perfect temperature no matter how cool it is outside. While many older pool heaters were difficult to use and inefficient, new advances have increased their efficiency significantly, and new technologies enable easy control over the temperature of your pool or spa.

Natural Gas or Propane Heaters

Natural gas and propane models have made significant improvements in efficiency, and tend to heat faster than heat pump or solar models, but they typically are more expensive to operate. Some of the more significant improvements include:

Dual thermostats: Dual thermostats monitor incoming and outgoing water temperatures to ensure proper heating.
Electronic ignition: Piezoelectric or hot surface igniters use less energy than pilot lights and cannot be blown out in windy conditions.
Better heat exchangers: Titanium or nickel heat exchangers provide more efficient water heating.
Digital controls: Digital controls are easier to use, and can be programmable to provide automatic control.

Heat Pump Pool Heaters

Heat pump-based models, such as the ComfortSwim Pool Heater, have benefited from significant improvements that make them easier to use, more efficient, and quieter. These advances include:

Improved heat exchangers: Titanium heat exchangers resist corrosion and provide better heat transfer.
Better expansion valves: Improved expansion valves provide better control over refrigerant flow, improving efficiency, especially at lower outdoor temperatures.
Improved coil designs: Better coil designs lead to more efficient heat transfers.
Better compressors: Optional scroll compressors are quieter and more efficient, reducing energy usage.
Quieter fans: Variable-speed system fans are quieter and more efficient.
Electronic controls: Digital controls make the system easy to use.

Solar Pool Heaters

Improvements in the collector designs and materials continue to increase the efficiency of solar heaters, and when used in combination with gas, propane or heat pump models, they can significantly reduce energy costs.

To learn more about the features available on pool heaters, contact our team at Conditioned Air today. We serve southwest Florida, including the Naples, Ft. Myers and Sarasota areas.

Posted in News | Comments Off on New Advances in Pool Heaters

Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog