Air Conditioner Maintenance Tips for Peak Cooling Season

July 20th, 2016

Between the high temperatures and excessive humidity of the Southwest Florida region, peak cooling season can be difficult on air conditioning equipment, leading to inefficient cooling performance or major system malfunctions. With a bit of simple air conditioner maintenance, you can keep your home comfortable, protect your system, and keep your energy costs under control throughout the summer.

Have Your System Professionally Inspected

Before the peak cooling season starts, it’s good practice to have your system inspected by a professional HVAC technician who will perform routine maintenance like checking the refrigerant levels, cleaning the coils, and replacing the air filter. This will ensure that your system runs as efficiently as possible, in addition to helping prevent problems when the system is operating at full capacity later in the summer.

Change the Air Filter Often

A dirty or restrictive air filter can increase your cooling costs, harm your indoor air quality and cause major system problems. During the cooling season, you should check it at least once a month and replace it when required, or at least every two or three months.

Keep the Outdoor Unit Free of Debris

To operate efficiently, the condenser coil of your air conditioner needs plenty of airflow to dissipate the heat from your home. Keep at least a 2-foot area around the outdoor assembly clear of all debris, including furniture, toys and tall plants. If leaves, grass or other debris accumulate in the coils or system fan, turn off the power and remove the large debris by hand; then rinse the coils with a garden hose to remove smaller debris.

Reduce the Cooling Load

Adding extra heat to your home or the air conditioning system can reduce its cooling performance and increase your cooling costs. Keep the outdoor unit shaded during peak cooling season if possible, and use blinds or shades inside your home to prevent solar gain. Avoid heat-generating activities like cooking, washing clothes or bathing during the afternoon.

For more air conditioner maintenance tips, talk to our cooling experts at Conditioned Air, serving the communities of Southwest Florida, including Naples and Sarasota.

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3 Common Causes of Noisy Air Conditioners

July 13th, 2016

Modern air conditioning systems are relatively quiet, and though some noise is to be expected, any sounds that are new, unusual or that have become louder should be investigated to prevent expensive damage to your system. Three of the most common sources of abnormal sounds include the fan belt, the electrical system, and the compressor, and they should be thoroughly inspected if your air conditioner is noisy or suddenly louder than normal.

Blower Fan Belt

Inside the air handler, especially in a commercial application, a belt connects the blower motor to a squirrel-cage fan, which is used to move air through ducts of your home. Over time, the belt can stretch or begin to crack, and the pulleys on the motor and the fan can lose lubrication or become misaligned. A stretched belt can cause screeching sounds as it slips, and a cracked belt can start thumping as pieces break away. Pulleys that are starved of lubrication or misaligned can begin to whine or screech, as can the blower motor if it’s not properly lubricated. Have the belt adjusted or replaced, if necessary, and check the pulleys and blower motor for proper lubrication and alignment. Failing bearings can also cause this type of noise.

Electrical System

Faulty electrical contacts, relays, and capacitors can cause many strange noises in a system, including clicking as relays or contacts fail to engage properly or buzzing as the start capacitor fails to start the compressor properly. Have the electrical system inspected, cleaning any dirty contacts and replacing burned or faulty components.

Compressor

Problems with the compressor can cause screeching, whining, thumping, buzzing or hissing noises. If it’s hissing, there’s likely a refrigerant leak; and if it’s buzzing, the start capacitor may have failed. Screeching, whining, thumping or other noises may indicate serious problems with the compressor, such as damaged pistons or scrolls, lubrication failure or worn brushes. Have the compressor inspected immediately to avoid unnecessary damage.

If your air conditioner is noisy, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air today to determine the cause of the problem. We serve the Southwest Florida area, including the communities of Naples and Sarasota.

 

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Common Indoor Allergy Triggers (And What to Do About Them!)

July 6th, 2016

For those that suffer from allergies, any particles or pollutants in the indoor air can make them uncomfortable and cause symptoms like congestion, sneezing, coughing, itchy eyes or a runny nose. There are many allergy triggers present in the average home, but with a few simple steps, you can minimize their effect on your comfort and your health.

Common Indoor Allergy Triggers

There are several substances that can cause indoor allergy symptoms, including many household products and natural sources. Some of the most common allergy triggers include:

  • Household dust: Everyday household dust can contain dozens of allergens, including pollen, skin cells, insect droppings and mold spores. It can collect anywhere in a home, but is hard to remove or control effectively in certain areas, such as carpeted rooms, duct systems, storage areas or on anything mounted high on the ceilings or walls. Frequent dusting and vacuuming can reduce dust problems.
  • Dust mites: Secretions and droppings from dust mites and other insects can cause many allergy symptoms, though by controlling humidity, minimizing dust and using hypoallergenic bedding, symptoms can be reduced.
  • Pollen: Pollen often finds its way in through open windows or doors, or is carried in by people. With proper air filtration and frequent cleaning, most pollen can be eliminated.
  • Pet dander: Skin cells, hair and skin secretions from pets can trigger allergy symptoms in many people, especially if the pet sleeps in the same room. Regular cleaning, air filtration and frequently washing pet bedding and furniture covers can reduce symptoms.
  • Chemicals: Volatile organic compounds or chemical vapors from cleaning products, new furniture or carpeting, paint or building products can cause discomfort for those with allergies. Choosing products with low VOC concentrations and using proper ventilation can eliminate most problems.

Reducing Indoor Allergy Triggers

Frequent HVAC maintenance and air filter changes, as well as regular dusting and vacuuming, can reduce or eliminate most problems with dust, pollen and pet dander. Keeping the humidity under 50 percent can control dust mites and mold.

To learn more about controlling indoor allergy triggers, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida.

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The Importance of Balanced Home Ventilation

June 29th, 2016

Modern construction techniques have produced homes that are tightly sealed and thoroughly insulated, which dramatically improves their energy efficiency but introduces other problems. Without an adequate ventilation system, indoor air pollutants such as dust, pollen, pet dander and chemical vapors tend to stay in the air longer, potentially causing or contributing to certain health problems. A balanced home ventilation system can help keep the air in your Southwest Florida home cleaner, improving your comfort and health.

Why a Ventilation System Is Important

In great enough concentrations, chemical vapors, dust, pollen and other indoor air pollutants can cause symptoms like congestion, a runny nose, coughing or fatigue in healthy people, and it can make conditions like a cold, the flu, allergies, asthma and other breathing conditions worse. By installing a ventilation system, you can constantly circulate fresh air throughout your home regardless of the weather, eliminating pollutants like chemical vapors and filtering out dust, pollen and other particles.

Why Choose a Balanced Ventilation System?

There are several types of ventilation systems, including exhaust, supply, balanced and HRV or ERV. The exhaust system is relatively inexpensive and draws air out of the home, which is replaced by outdoor air through vents, windows or leaks in your home’s outer envelope. As it draws in the replacement air, often pollutants can find their way in.

Supply ventilation systems filter and bring air into the home, exhausting the air through vents, windows or leaks. By pressurizing the inside of the home, supply systems keep out more pollutants, but can lead to condensation and moisture problems.

A balanced ventilation system is a combination of both supply and exhaust systems, drawing in filtered air and simultaneously exhausting an equal volume of stale air. This prevents pressure changes in the home and ensures that the air inside is always fresh and clean. HRV and ERV systems are balanced systems that recover heat and energy from the air as it is exhausted.

To learn more about balanced home ventilation systems, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We serve the Southwest Florida region, including Sarasota and Ft. Myers.

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What is a Smart Thermostat and How Can it Make Your Life Easier?

June 22nd, 2016

Programmable thermostats are a quick and inexpensive way to reduce the heating and cooling costs of your Southwest Florida home by up to 20 percent, but conventional models can be difficult to program and may not be as flexible as your schedule demands. By incorporating the latest technologies, like touchscreen controls and Wi-Fi connectivity, a smart thermostat can make it easy and convenient to minimize your energy usage and costs.

Common Smart Thermostat Features

Most smart thermostats feature an intuitive interface with a touchscreen display, which makes it much easier to program and use than a conventional programmable thermostat, with menus that are simple to navigate and settings that are straightforward. With the included Wi-Fi connectivity, it’s also possible to program the thermostat remotely from a computer or a smart phone, allowing you to easily change settings while you’re away from home, or to create complex schedules without using the built-in interface. Some models also use Wi-Fi to connect with other smart devices in your home, such as smoke detectors or lighting, which enables some advanced home automation options. Others can use the connection to display critical information like the weather on the thermostat’s display, or to send alerts to your phone if there’s a problem with your system.

How a Smart Thermostat Makes Life Easier

A smart thermostat makes it simple to create complex programs, changing the temperature in your home as needed to accommodate your busy schedule. By lowering the temperature 5 to 10 degrees while you’re away in the winter and raising it during the summer, you can maximize your energy savings. It also makes it easy to adjust the temperature to adapt to unforeseen events, such as coming home from work early or extending your vacation by a few days. Finally, if your HVAC system develops a problem, it can help you get it repaired promptly by alerting you to the situation, avoiding damage to your home or HVAC system.

To find out which smart thermostat is perfect for your home, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida.

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Is Duct Cleaning Really Necessary? (Hint: Yes!)

June 15th, 2016

The air ducts in your Southwest Florida home are responsible for delivering conditioned air into each room so, over time, they can collect dust, pet dander, pollen and other allergens, especially when the HVAC system is not being used frequently. Periodic duct cleaning can improve your indoor air quality and may increase the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Why Duct Cleaning Is Important

Poor indoor air quality can cause symptoms such as sneezing, coughing, wheezing, itchy eyes, runny nose or fatigue, or worsen pre-existing symptoms. It is especially problematic for those who have allergies, asthma, bronchitis or other respiratory conditions. Regular duct cleaning can remove irritants like dust, dander and pollen from inside the air ducts, preventing them from being distributed throughout the home when the HVAC system is turned on. Large accumulations of dust, especially in the return ducts, can also harm the efficiency of your HVAC system by clogging the air filter and evaporator coil, making it work harder to keep your home at a comfortable temperature.

When It Should Be Done

Typically, it is a good idea to have your air ducts cleaned every 3 to 5 years, and it can be scheduled to coincide with one of your semi-annual routine maintenance appointments for extra convenience. If one of your family members has a respiratory condition, or if your area is excessively dusty or has high pollen counts, you may want to consider more frequent duct cleaning, with services scheduled annually during the spring allergy season and just before your home is closed up for the winter. Finally, if you have had recent home renovations, it is a good idea to clean the ducts afterward to remove any household dust, sawdust or other particles that may have found their way into the air ducts during the project.

To learn more about the benefits of periodic duct cleaning, talk to our HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air. We have offices in Naples, Sarasota and Ft. Myers, and we serve communities throughout the Southwest Florida region.

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Cut Your Energy Bills: The Latest in Programmable Thermostats

June 8th, 2016

One of the easiest and least expensive ways to save energy in your Southwest Florida home is to install a programmable thermostat. By simply reducing the usage of your HVAC system during the times you are away from home or asleep, you can reduce your energy costs by up to 20 percent. Many of the newest programmable thermostats make it easier than ever to save money with innovative new features.

Self Programming Ability

Some of the newest programmable thermostats can automatically adjust their settings based on the times that your family is at home, away or asleep to find the most energy-efficient settings for your busy schedule. They can communicate with other sensors throughout your home, such as motion sensors, to determine when it is occupied or empty, and adjust their settings accordingly.

WiFi Connections

Many models feature WiFi connections, allowing the user to adjust the temperature or other settings from anywhere within the house with a WiFi-enabled device, such as smartphone or computer, or even over the Internet using mobile phone apps. This allows you to adjust the temperature from a distance if you are coming home early or to shut the HVAC system down remotely if there is a problem.

Touchscreens

Older programmable thermostats could be hard to configure, with complex menus that were accessed through a very basic LCD display and a few buttons. Often, this meant that people were less likely to adjust the settings as necessary to achieve the highest energy savings, because the process was so difficult. Many of today’s models feature intuitive touchscreen interfaces that make adjusting the settings easy, and they often offer extra information, such as the current weather, thanks to available WiFi connections.

Setting the Thermostat

To save the most on your energy bills, reduce the temperature by 4 or 5 degrees when you are away from home or asleep during the winter, and raise it during the summer.

To learn which programmable thermostats would be best for your home, talk to our team at Conditioned Air. We have served the communities of Southwest Florida since 1962.

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Carbon Monoxide Detectors: What You Need to Know

June 1st, 2016

If your Southwest Florida home features a fuel-burning appliance such as a gas stove, water heater or furnace, you should take extra care to keep the appliance in good condition to avoid the dangers of carbon monoxide. Carbon monoxide is an invisible gas that is extremely dangerous and impossible to smell or taste. To ensure your family’s safety, carbon monoxide detectors should be installed throughout your home, and there are a few important things you should know to operate them properly.

Types of Carbon Monoxide Detectors

There are typically three types of carbon monoxide detectors, including hard-wired models that must be installed by an electrician, plug-in models that require a nearby outlet for installation, and battery-operated models that require no external power source. Plug-in and battery-operated models are the least expensive and easiest to install, though hard-wired models may offer more features, such as integration with your alarm system. Plug-in or hard-wired models may also include batteries as a backup power source in case of an outage.

Installation

One detector should be installed on each level of the home, near the main living areas and near your fuel-burning appliances, and one should be installed in or near each bedroom. Be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions, which will recommend the proper installation heights and locations for the best performance.

Maintenance

Carbon monoxide detectors require very little maintenance to function properly, but they do have a limited lifespan, due to the nature of the materials that detect the gas. Periodically dust the outside of the case, especially near any vents, and install fresh batteries every six months. Every month or so, use the detector’s built-in test function to ensure that it’s still operating properly, and replace it if there are any problems. Finally, check the owner’s manual or the body of the detector for its expatriation date, and replace the detector just before the recommended time.

For more information about installing or using carbon monoxide detectors, talk to our HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air. We serve Southwest Florida, including the communities of Naples and Sarasota.

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Tips for Relieving Indoor Allergy Issues

May 25th, 2016

If you or a family member suffer from allergies, sometimes the air inside your home can be worse than the outdoor air. There are a few simple ways, however, that you can improve your home’s air quality and reduce or eliminate many indoor allergy issues.

Common Sources of Symptoms

Household dust, dust mites, pet dander, mold spores, insect droppings and pollen can all be triggers for allergy symptoms, and they can even affect those without allergies. When present in high enough concentrations, these irritants can cause sneezing, coughing, wheezing, congestion, sore throat and watery or itchy eyes, among other problems, and the symptoms can be difficult to treat.

Reducing Indoor Allergy Issues

One of the best ways to minimize the presence of allergens in your home is to keep your HVAC system in good condition. It should be inspected at least twice a year, before the heating and cooling seasons, to make sure that it is clean and running properly, and that all routine maintenance, like changing the air filter and cleaning the coils, has been performed according to the manufacturer’s guidelines. You should also consider having the ducts cleaned every few years, to remove dust and allergen accumulations, and you should replace the air filter yourself every few months to improve indoor air quality. For better filtration, upgrade to an air filter featuring a greater MERV rating, or consider installing a HEPA filter.

Other things you can do to reduce allergy issues include vacuuming regularly with a machine that uses a HEPA filter and dusting often with moist cloths or electrostatic wipes. Try to minimize clutter and store unused items in sealed containers or bags, especially soft materials like clothes and bedding, to reduce dust accumulation. Install hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets and pillowcases in all the bedrooms, and wash the bedding at least once a week. Consider installing an air cleaner to help remove allergens and to improve indoor air quality further.

For more information about reducing indoor allergy issues, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air. We have been serving the Southwest Florida area since 1962.

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Summer Air Conditioner Maintenance: It’s Not Too Soon

May 11th, 2016

Summer may seem like it’s a long time away, but it’s never too early to think about summer air conditioner maintenance. By scheduling your summer air conditioner maintenance visit now, you can make sure that your system is completely ready for the hot and humid weather of Southwest Florida. You’ll also avoid your HVAC contractor’s busy season which is often during the early summer when people discover that their air conditioners are not working as expected.

Why Routine Maintenance is Critical

Routine maintenance extends the life of your air conditioning system by eliminating unnecessary causes of major system problems, such as a compressor that overheats and fails due to dust accumulation on the evaporator coil. By performing regular maintenance and correcting small problems that could cause major failures, you not only extend the life of the system, you also ensure that it continues to run efficiently, reducing energy usage, lowering your utility bills and protecting your system’s remaining manufacturer warranty.

What is Done During the Maintenance Visit

The HVAC technician will inspect your system thoroughly, checking for problems such as dirty coils, refrigeration leaks and electrical problems. The technician will then perform routine maintenance, which typically includes cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, checking refrigerant levels, cleaning the blower fan, adjusting the blower motor belt, lubricating the blower motor and pulleys, changing the air filter and inspecting the electrical system. If any problems are found, the technician will recommend possible solutions and perform any repairs that you have agreed to.

What You Can Do Between Visits

There are also several things that you can do between service visits to keep your system running properly. This includes checking your air filter regularly—about once a month—and replacing it when it becomes dirty. You should also keep the supply and return vents free of obstructions, such as furniture or curtains, and keep the area around the condenser coil clean and free of debris.

For more information about summer air conditioner maintenance, talk to our cooling experts at Conditioned Air.

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