Will a Heat Pump Cool My Home in the Summer?

August 3rd, 2016

In the mild weather of the Southwest Florida region, a heat pump can be an inexpensive way to heat your home in the winter. In most cases, they can also cool your home in the summer.

How Does a Heat Pump Cool?

Both air conditioners and heat pumps work on the same principle. They use a special phase-changing refrigerant to absorb heat from the air through a set of coils, and then they release it through another set of coils located elsewhere. An air conditioning system removes heat from your home and brings it outside, cooling the interior during the summer.

During the winter, heat pumps absorb heat from the outdoor air and release it inside. Unlike air conditioning, however, most heat pumps can also reverse the flow of coolant through a special valve. This allows them to function like an air conditioning unit during the summer, using the indoor coils to absorb heat from your home, after which it’s released outside through the outdoor portion of the system.

Can Heat Pumps Cool Efficiently?

Heat pumps can be just as efficient for cooling during the summer as air conditioners are. A model rated for 16 SEER will perform just as well as an air conditioner rated for 16 SEER. In mild climates where heat pumps are more efficient for heating during the winter, one system can be used for both heating and cooling, reducing your overall system costs. Air conditioners, in comparison, must rely on a separate system — such as a gas furnace — for heating in the winter.

Do Heat Pumps Require Special Maintenance?

The maintenance requirements for heat pumps are similar to those of air conditioners. Once or twice a year, the coils should be cleaned thoroughly, the refrigerant levels should be checked, the blower fan other moving parts should be lubricated and adjusted, and the electrical system should be inspected. Also, air filters should be checked monthly and changed at least every three months.

For more information about the cooling abilities of a heat pump, talk to our team at Conditioned Air, serving the Southwest Florida region.

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Attic Insulation is Important in the Summer, Too!

July 27th, 2016

Proper insulation is critical to the comfort of your Southwest Florida home, and it can help reduce your energy costs in both the winter and summer. One of the easiest ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home is by adding attic insulation.

Why Attic Insulation Is Important During the Summer

Most people know that attic insulation is critical during the winter to keep the heat inside your home, but it also plays an important role during the summer. As the sun beats down on the surface of your roof, it heats the air in the attic. Because the air in your home is cool, the heat will naturally try to travel from the attic to the interior of your home to reach equilibrium with the indoor air temperature. Attic insulation slows this process down, increasing the efficiency of your cooling system and keeping you comfortable at a reasonable cost.

How Much Insulation Is Necessary

In the Southwest Florida region, the current recommended insulation levels for attics range from R-30 to R-60. The R-Value measures a material’s resistance to the flow of heat, and the higher the value is, the more it prevents heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of a structure.

How to Add Insulation

If your attic is not finished, it’s relatively easy to add more insulation. Fiberglass batts can be added over the top of loose fill, fiberglass or foam, and should be added in perpendicular layers to existing batt insulation. Loose-fill insulation can be added to existing loose insulation; or if there’s no insulation, spray foam, fiberglass or loose fill can be used. Be sure to leave the eaves open for proper roof ventilation, and use baffles between the rafters where the roof meets the wall to promote airflow. If your attic has three to four inches of existing insulation, it’s recommended to add R-25 to R-38 for the best results.

To learn more about the importance of proper attic insulation, contact our team at Conditioned Air. Our service area includes Bradenton, Naples, Ft. Myers and Sarasota.

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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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