Things to Consider When Buying a New Furnace

January 24th, 2022

Having an efficient furnace is critical to ensure your comfort on colder winter nights in Florida. However, if you have found yourself bundling up in recent weeks because your furnace no longer seems to be doing its job, you may want to consider having it replaced. Yet, purchasing a new furnace represents a major investment, and you may be unsure of where you should start when making such a big decision. If you are considering having your furnace replaced, here is a look at just a few of the things you should consider before doing so.  

Make Sure to Get the Right Size Furnace 

One of the most important things to consider when choosing a new furnace is what size furnace will be right for your home. Choosing the right size furnace is critical since a furnace that is too small will not be able to heat your home properly, and a furnace that is too big will waste money by cycling on and off frequently. Many factors go into determining the size of furnace you will need including the local climate as well as your home’s square footage, ceiling height, number of windows, and the quality of insulation in your home. This makes it critical that you work with a skilled HVAC contractor who can help you to determine your heating needs.  

Consider Fuel Sources 

Next, you will need to consider which fuel source you prefer, as this will help you to determine what type of furnace you want. The most common fuel options for residential furnaces are natural gas, oil, and electricity. While each type provides certain benefits, natural gas furnaces are the most popular because this fuel source is readily available and usually inexpensive. If natural gas is unavailable in your area, an oil furnace will likely be your best option. While oil furnaces are more expensive initially than their electric counterparts, electric furnaces are more costly to operate and maintain, and they do not heat large homes very efficiently. 

Look at Efficiency Ratings 

Next, you will want to consider energy-efficiency. When looking at furnaces, you will notice that they all list an AFUE number; this stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency, and it lets consumers know how energy-efficient a unit is. While high efficiency furnaces (with an AFUE over 90%) will cost more than a regular furnace (AFUE 80%), they can significantly reduce energy-consumption. If you live in an area with long and extremely cold winters, you will likely save a lot of money investing in a high efficiency furnace.  

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Prevent Your Commercial Air Conditioner from Freezing with These Tips

December 27th, 2021

Commercial air conditioners are usually larger, unlike their residential counterparts. That means they are costlier, not just upfront but in repairs as well. Therefore, keeping your commercial air conditioning system in a good functional condition will always go a long way into reducing your business expenses. One of the common problems you’re likely to face with your commercial air conditioning is freezing. This can happen even during hot months. Freezing reduces the efficiency of your air conditioning system, and in most cases, you’ll need to shut it down until you fix the problem to prevent high energy bills. Below are tips on what to do when your commercial air conditioner freezes up.

Inspect Your Air Filters and Clean/Replace If Necessary

Airflow problems are the most common culprits when it comes to frozen air conditioners. That’s because proper airflow is imperative for keeping the cold air warm and preventing freezing. Therefore, check the air filters for dirt and other debris and clean or replace them depending on the model of the filters. Keep in mind that sometimes an air filter that isn’t the right size can also cause airflow issues. If your air filters aren’t the problem, schedule a ductwork inspection too. Blocked ducts can also prevent proper flow of air through your air conditioning system.

Check Your Refrigerant Lines for Leaks

If you have recently replaced your air filters or ductwork inspection doesn’t reveal any blockages, consider scheduling an inspection of your refrigerant lines. That’s because you could be dealing with low refrigerant or coolant levels. The refrigerant plays a crucial role in the cooling process. Usually, the refrigerant operates at a certain level of pressure. A drop in this pressure resulting from refrigerant leaks can facilitate the condensation of moisture on the refrigerant lines. While refilling the refrigerant may seem like a viable solution here, leaky refrigerant lines should be repaired. Refilling will only cost you more since the refrigerant will continue leaking.

Inspect Your Blower Fan

The blower fan is a crucial component of your commercial air conditioning system whose function is to aid the movement of the warmer indoor air outside your home to allow the cold air to settle inside. A defective blower fan will allow the cold and denser air to settle on the coils instead, resulting in condensation and freezing. Some of the things to watch out for when inspecting your blower fan for damage include breakages and cracks.

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Why You Should Choose A Roof-Mounted Air Conditioning System for Your Business

November 10th, 2021

When it comes to making your commercial space comfortable for your employees as well as customers, an air conditioning system is among the key investments to consider.

While there are plenty of options in the markets to choose from, it can be tricky finding one that will work the best for your business. When planning to acquire one, it’s wise to consider the costs, size and the number of occupants in the building per given time. You also need to determine the ideal place to install the unit.

If you are wondering whether to install your air conditioning system on the ground or on the roof of your commercial building, here are 4 reasons why you should consider installing it over there.

 

Saving space

Many commercial buildings usually have a lot of unused space on their rooftops. You can utilize this space by installing a roof-mounted air conditioning system. This frees the ground space for other things such as landscaping and extra parking or for future expansions of your building.

 

Promoting a quieter working environment

With a roof-mounted air conditioning system, you won’t need separate indoor and outdoor units, as is the case with split systems. All the components including the compressor, the blower fans, the evaporator coil, and the condenser coil are housed in a single unit. Most roof-mounted air conditioning systems come in an all-in-all, thus the name-packaged units. This configuration greatly eliminates noise pollution in your business, giving both your employees and customers an easier time as they go about their businesses.

 

Preventing dust and debris

Ground air conditioning systems are prone to dirt and dust accumulation. That means more maintenance work will be required, especially when it comes to cleaning. A lot of dust and dirt accumulation can also affect the performance and efficiency of your air conditioning system. Roof-mounted systems, on the other hand, are better positioned to reduce such issues.

 

Enhancing security

The location of roof-mounted air conditioning systems makes them more secure than the ground-mounted types. Air conditioning systems installed on the ground are more likely to be damaged, vandalized, and even stolen. Such circumstances can result in significant losses for your business. With roof-mounted air conditioning systems, you won’t have to worry about dealing with such problems.

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Signs That You Should Call an HVAC Contractor

October 13th, 2021

Few things are more frustrating than having to deal with a malfunctioning heater in the dead of winter or a fickle air conditioner during a blazing summer. When worst comes to worst, all you can really do is call the professionals and have them either fix the problem or replace the appliance entirely. However, you can save a lot of stress and money if you catch these issues before they bloom into complete catastrophes. In order to give you the most comfortable home possible, here are some key signs that you should call out an HVAC contractor ASAP.

Your Air Quality Is Low

There are a variety of ways that low air quality can manifest, ranging from increased sickness in the house to a noticeable scent when the air conditioner or heater are turned on. In some cases (and especially if cash is tight), this may seem like a temporary problem and mild inconvenience that will soon pass, but that’s not always true. Poor air quality is often a warning sign that things will be getting much worse in the future. The filters could be clogged, which can lead to overheating and damage in the appliances themselves. Mold can grow quickly and spread throughout the home via ventilation, leading to severe health risks.

Your Appliance Is Making Strange Noises

If you hear strange noises coming from your heater or air conditioner while they’re running, then those may be indicators of much worse problems. If pieces are loose inside, then they may break entirely. This isn’t necessarily a common problem in state-of-the-art models, but it can be a serious issue for older appliances. In the worst-case scenario, this could potentially lead to an electrical or gas hazard that could become a fire.

How a Contractor Can Help

Getting a contractor to your home as soon as possible is one of the best ways to nip these problems in the bud. They can identify what’s causing the problem, how serious it is, and determine the best way to go about fixing it. Of course, they can also help you in other ways that people don’t often think about. Your air conditioner may be working fine, and the problem may be minor, but it may also be an extremely old model that simply doesn’t have the efficiency of modern air conditioners. A contractor can help you decide if an upgrade is worth it and how much you stand to save.

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Important Questions When Choosing Your Next Air Conditioner

September 14th, 2021

Your air conditioning unit has finally gone out on you, or at least, you are being proactive in replacing it. While you can certainly find a model that is likely very similar to your old one, it might be worth considering other options. If you are looking to replace an air conditioner, there are some things to keep in mind when making the choice.

Key Factors When Deciding On Your New Air Conditioner

While you will need a professional to help you correctly size what air conditioner you need and to do the installation work, deciding on the type of air conditioner you need is all about asking yourself the right questions.

How Are Your Ducts?

If you do not have ducts in your home, installing a central air system will be an expense. However, they are seen as the standard. Alternatively, even if you have ducts, if you only spend time in certain areas of your home or rarely use your air conditioner, ductless systems may be something to consider.

Do You Want Customizable Cooling?

These days air conditioner systems and temperature control systems have come a long way. You can control temperature in each room if you so desire. This may mean a need for supplemental systems or choosing a system like a heating pump rather than just an air conditioner.

If your home previously had issues with uneven temperatures in rooms, you will also want to bring this up to your technician. It could be an issue in appropriate sizing or it could be a sign of duct issues as well.

Do You Need a Heater As Well?

If your heat system is on its last legs as well, or you don’t have one, you may want to consider a system that does both. Heat pumps, despite the name, do both heating and cooling of a home. They are actually excellent choices for areas that are mostly warm, but do have some chiller moments.

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3 Benefits of Routine Air Conditioning Maintenance and Why Hire a Professional to Do it

August 6th, 2021

Keeping your AC unit operating efficiently helps keep your home comfortable and healthy. Nobody wants to suffer from heat and humidity. But, it’s not just this. Humidity can also cause mold and mildew growth, which can impact your respiratory health. Therefore, it’s important to keep your air conditioning system well-maintained. Below are three benefits of routine AC maintenance and why hiring a professional to perform this maintenance is a good idea.

Benefits of Routine AC Maintenance

A few advantages you’ll experience from ensuring your air conditioner is well-maintained are:

1. Reduces the Need for Costly Service Calls

Routine AC maintenance checkups allow HVAC technicians to make sure your AC system is operating smoothly and is in the best condition possible. They can replace any worn or damaged parts before they further deteriorate which could damage other components of the AC unit and impede the unit’s operation. This will save you a costly repair or replacement down the road.

2. Generates Better Air Quality

The trained and experienced HVAC technician will remove any debris and dirt particles that accumulate in your unit. If allowed to build up, the dirt and debris could end up in the duct system where it can spread throughout your house, causing poor air quality.

3. Boost your Air Conditioner’s Performance

Your AC unit won’t run efficiently without routine maintenance. If you notice spotty cooling where some rooms in your home are warm and others are like an icebox, it’s an indication that your unit requires maintenance.

As dust and debris accumulates inside your unit and certain components and parts of your system experience wear-and-tear, your AC unit tends to become less efficient and doesn’t cool as well as it should. 

Why Hire a Professional AC Maintenance Technician?

Not only will a professional HVAC technician perform routine maintenance on your AC unit, but there are other services they’ll do as well to ensure it continues operating at peak performance.

Some other services they perform:

  • Checking the refrigerant levels
  • Testing for refrigerant leaks
  • Checking for and sealing central system duct leakage
  • Checking belts for wear and tightness and oiling motors
  • Measuring evaporator coil airflow
  • Checking thermostat accuracy
  • Inspecting electric terminals, cleaning and tightening connections and applying a non-conductive coating if needed

In climates like Florida, you can keep your home cool and comfortable with a high-efficiency AC system. With proper routine maintenance, you’ll continue staying comfortable, even on the hottest days, while keeping your utility costs down. 

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Does Your Air Conditioner Really Require a Yearly Tune-Up?

July 8th, 2021

Does your A/C really require a yearly tune-up? If you want a reliable air conditioner that doesn’t call it quits halfway into the cooling season, the answer is yes. While you may get lucky the first or second year you skip out on a tune-up, the lack of maintenance will eventually catch up to your unit, meaning either a major malfunction will occur or your system’s efficiency will dip, significantly. If you’re still questioning the importance of having your air conditioner tuned-up, the consequences listed below will definitely change your mind.

Restricted Airflow

During a tune-up an air conditioning specialist thoroughly cleans your system. This includes checking and replacing the air filter and cleaning the evaporator and condenser coils. Excessive dirt and grime on the unit’s coils and a filter left unchanged for too long are contributing factors to poor airflow. Restricted airflow can cause a number of issues, including frozen evaporator coils and a drop in efficiency. A lack of efficiency also means your air conditioner is forced to work longer and harder while trying to cool your home, which inevitably leads to components inside your A/C wearing down faster than they should.

Expensive Repair Bills

An air conditioner technician does a lot more than just clean your unit; they also inspect your A/C for damaged, loose, and leaking components, which, if left in disrepair can cause a major or even dangerous malfunction. During a tune-up an air conditioning contractor will perform a thorough examination of your system’s fans, wiring, refrigerant level, and motor. If any issues are spotted they will either repair or replace the offending component. When you choose to skip your systems yearly tune-up, the parts in your unit that are beginning to wear down will continue to deteriorate, meaning what could have been a simple repair will likely turn into an expensive one.

Reduced Lifespan

Having your air conditioner tuned-up on a yearly basis is key to extending its life, on the opposite side of the fence, neglecting to get your system tuned-up every year will accelerate the aging process, meaning your A/C will call it quits earlier than its estimated lifespan. If you don’t want to spend a large amount of money replacing your air conditioner prematurely, a yearly tune-up is extremely important.

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You Get What You Pay for with Air Conditioning Installation

June 24th, 2021

When you’re getting air conditioning installation done, it’s important to go with the right contractor because this is a complex and expensive process. You can’t afford to have an amateur install your air conditioning or you might have to get it done all over again.

Although someone with less experience will probably offer to do the installation for less, the fact is that you get what you pay for. This doesn’t mean that you have to go with the most expensive contractor on the market. But go for someone reputable who has been around for a long time and has good reviews. And such a contractor will usually charge you a reasonable amount which is neither too high nor too low.

Researching Air Conditioning Systems

Make sure that you consult the contractor about the various air conditioning systems available on the market. Also consider the pros and cons of getting central air conditioning and window air conditioners. Depending on how much you use your air conditioning, one or the other of these might be better for you.

Doing your research before you decide on an air conditioning system and an air conditioning contractor is necessary or you might end up with an air conditioning system that blows out within a couple of years and have to go through the whole process of installation again.

Installation, Repair and Service

It can be quite bothersome when your air conditioning system has to be repaired over and over after installation. This is something you can avoid by doing some research and getting the right system for your needs. If you get a good air conditioning system and have it installed by a reliable contractor, you shouldn’t need to call them for more than routine tuneups or service.

But keep in mind that these tuneups are necessary to keep an air conditioning system going in the long run. Just as you might take yourself to the doctor for checkups, you need to do the same with your air conditioning system.

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Get Your Home a New AC

May 14th, 2021

With the ongoing pandemic, it is more important than ever to make sure you can breathe normally in your own home. As breathing difficulties increase, so do your chances of getting a disease. Not only would having a new AC installed help your life become easier to handle, it will also help ease your energy bill and can increase the value of your home.

Get Comfortable With a New AC

We tend to panic even more when we are uncomfortable and an improperly heated home can definitely add to that stress.  Not only can you help yourself stay calm by keeping your home cool, you also help prevent your body from losing an excessive amount of water which can cause dehydration. Having a heat stroke or suffering from dehydration isn’t any prettier than any other reason for going to the hospital, so prevent yourself from having massive medical bills because you couldn’t stay cool with your new AC.

People with breathing difficulties associated with asthma and allergies are also more likely to be affected by the current pandemic and may require trips to the hospital as well. Newer AC’s have better air filters than older models. Humidity is one of the primary factors for bacterial and mold growth which are also known causes for breathing difficulties. Having a new, properly maintained AC can slow or prevent these problems from getting worse.

Lower Your Electric Bills with a New AC

It is expensive to keep an AC running. Newer AC’s are way more energy efficient than the older ones which can drastically lower your electric bill. You can keep yourself occupied during these self-quarantine days by running more of your entertainment systems and running more appliances in general because you now have a lower electric bill.

New AC’s Can Add Up To 5% Value to Your Home

According to Consumer Reports, home automation is one of those new ways to increase the property value of your home and a new AC system is one of the popular ones, whether you are selling your home or not. 5% may sound insignificant but that translates to roughly an increased value of $5,000 – $15,000 to your home (assuming a typical value of 100k – 300k). For a 500 or 1000 dollar investment, that is a significant return.

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Stay Cool and Save Money with Annual AC Tune-Up

April 14th, 2021

Spring is in the air! The birds are chirping, the trees are budding, and temperatures are rising. It’s the time of year to plant gardens, host cookouts, and schedule an air conditioner tune-up. What? Spring doesn’t automatically bring to mind annual air conditioner maintenance? Well, it should and here are three reasons why!

Maintenance Extends Your Air Conditioner’s Life Span

Without regular maintenance, minor problems can turn into significant issues, shortening the life of your air conditioning unit. Friction caused by a lack of lubrication can damage parts. A plugged drain line can cause household water damage.  An HVAC professional would catch and address such issues during an annual inspection. Ensuring your air conditioner is in proper working order will extend the life of your unit and save you money in the long run. 

Maintenance Prevents Breakdowns

Summer is a great time of year for pool parties, lazy afternoons, and long walks on the beach. Summer is not the time of year to be caught without a working air conditioner. Yet, without annual tune-ups, your chances of roasting in the heat increase substantially. You may not be aware that your air conditioner has faulty electrical connections, an overburdened filter, or bent coil fins. According to the US Department of Energy website, “An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service.” An annual tune-up will remedy any issues before they become problems, saving you the cost of an expensive repair call on the hottest day of the year.

Maintenance Saves on Energy Costs

A well-maintained air conditioner is not only reliable, but it is also energy efficient. Dirt and debris can interfere with your unit’s functionality. According to Angie’s List, “Left unchecked, your A/C system can lose 5 percent of its operating efficiency each year because of this buildup, meaning it can’t cool your house as capably as it could if it were clean.” Neglecting maintenance results in a decline in performance and increased energy use. Even a 5 percent loss of efficiency can result in increased energy costs. An efficient air conditioner is reliable, saves you money, and keeps you cool! 

You may think you are saving money by not scheduling an annual tune-up for your air conditioner. You will soon discover, though, that any savings are eclipsed by the expense of emergency repair calls and increased energy costs, not to mention the shortened life span of your unit. We will take care of all your air conditioning maintenance needs, ensuring your unit will run reliably and efficiently throughout the hot summer months. Contact us to make an appointment! 

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