A ductless mini-split system is an air conditioner (and heater) unlike any other system because, as the name implies, it does not require any ducts. Many homes in our area do not have any ducts in place whatsoever. Or, perhaps you recently added a room on to your home which does not yet have ducts. Instead of adding on ductwork, a process which takes up quite a bit of time, we recommend going with a ductless mini split. Here are 3 reasons to go ductless.
A/C Designs of St. Augustine, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
3 Reasons to Choose a Ductless Mini Split System
Monday, April 20th, 20153 Ways to Tell You Need to Replace Your Air Conditioner
Monday, April 13th, 2015Replacing an air conditioner is never an ideal situation, but neither is a broken down system in the middle of summer, or a unit which consumes far more energy than it should. In some cases, replacement is simply a better option than repairs. When you replace your air conditioning system, you may notice smoother operation, lower bills, and an all-around lower maintenance system. But how do you decide when it’s time to make the switch?
These Common Habits May Cause Trouble for Your AC
Monday, April 6th, 2015Most homeowners don’t put a lot of thought into the way an air conditioning system works. And why should they have to? You have access to complete home cooling at your fingertips; all you have to do is program the thermostat. But without a basic understanding of how an air conditioner runs, you may end up accidentally forming habits that contribute to the decline of your system over time. You can delay air conditioning repair and make your system run more efficiently for longer by avoiding these common mistakes and calling the experts at AC Designs Inc. as soon as you notice trouble with your unit.
- Setting the thermostat too low. It’s a common belief among homeowners: if you turn the thermostat all the way down to 68 or 70, it will cool the home faster. Unfortunately, this is a false assumption. The refrigeration cycle cannot remove heat from your home any faster. A lower temperature setting will only take longer to reach. And as you dip below an efficient setting, you spend more money and wear down your unit faster.
- Neglecting to change the filter. The air filter in your unit is not only there to improve the air quality. It also protects the AC system from damages. But if it becomes clogged, airflow is blocked over the coil, which could cause it to freeze and lead to additional mechanical problems.
- Running the AC throughout the day. If you run your air conditioning system all day, the parts become worn and are far more susceptible to damage. Take advantage of your programmable thermostat to adjust the settings throughout the day, raise the temperature at peak hours, and keep it off or at an efficient temperature while you’re away.
- Skipping an annual maintenance check. An annual maintenance check can keep your air conditioning system in good condition for the rest of the cooling season. A tune-up includes cleaning, adjusting, and inspecting all of the major components.
Give us a call and check with the friendly technicians at AC Designs Inc. if you have any further questions about operating your AC unit. Our experts are happy to answer your questions and provide air conditioning repair when you need it in the St. Augustine area.
Don’t Wait Too Long for Air Conditioning Repair
Wednesday, March 25th, 2015Spring is here, which means the weather is really heating up. When you have a broken down AC, you want it fixed fast, so many homeowners resort to calling on the help of friends or family members or attempting repairs by themselves. But so many technicians have seen the negative impact a botched repair can have. Often, a faulty air conditioning repair leads to even more repairs later on, as the amateur technician may not have gotten to the real root of the problem.
If you need air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL and the surrounding areas, don’t wait to call the highly experienced professionals at AC Designs Inc. We won’t stand for a temporary fix; we’ll make sure to find the source of the problem. But if you wait too long before calling, there may be some undesirable consequences.
If your air conditioner has not yet broken down, you may think it’s okay to wait a while longer before calling a professional. After all, the system may still function to some degree, and it doesn’t seem like so big of a deal if you call in a few weeks. But even in a short course of time, trouble with your air conditioning system can worsen until it is no longer able to run at all.
If this were to happen to you on a particularly hot day, the situation would be far less than ideal. What’s even worse is that this may be more costly than it would be to make the repair early on. As one part begins to encounter trouble, all of the other components work harder and run for longer to make up for the loss. Motors run over time as does the compressor, and this causes multiple parts to wear out, leading to more repairs than you would have needed before.
When you notice that your air conditioner is in trouble, it’s not worth it to wait. Call on the help of the friendly people at AC Designs Inc. for prompt air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL.
When the Heat Pump Won’t Switch Back into Cooling Mode
Friday, March 20th, 2015If you own a heat pump in Daytona Beach, you have one of the most efficient systems available in our area. We don’t use heaters too often, nor do we usually leave ours on for very long when we do need heat. This is why it makes sense to have an air conditioning and heating system in one: a highly efficient heat pump. So if your air conditioner will not go back into cooling mode after keeping it in heating mode for a while, you need service fast. Trust this repair to the technicians at AC Designs Inc, and read more about this issue here.
When the heat pump is in heating mode, refrigerant circulates through the inside and outside portions of your system, absorbing heat from the air outside and moving it indoors. When it has to switch back into cooling mode, a reversing valve activates to help refrigerant flow in the opposite direction. Check valves help the refrigerant to avoid some of the parts it must pass through in heating mode and vice versa in cooling mode.
There are three main components that may be responsible when your unit won’t shift over into cooling mode or into heating mode. The reversing valve is the component responsible for allowing the refrigerant in the heat pump to reverse into heating mode and back into cooling mode again. When you switch the unit into a different mode, a sliding cylinder kicks in and changes the flow of refrigerant. This part may be primarily responsible when it cannot switch back, or it may be due to a problem with one of the check valves.
It is possible, however, that your heat pump will not turn on simply because there is an issue with the thermostat. Faulty thermostat wiring or problems with the programming may be responsible. Check with a technician once you’re certain that all of the correct settings are in place.
Call AC Designs Inc. to schedule repairs for your heat pump in Daytona Beach. Our specialists have experience specifically in the area of heat pump repair, so we’re the company to call for any of your AC and heating needs.
Finding the Most Efficient System for New Air Conditioner Installation
Wednesday, March 11th, 2015In the warmer months (or most of the year here in St Augustine, FL), your energy costs may seem to skyrocket. Running an air conditioner can be expensive, so if you need a new air conditioning system, you’re probably looking for something that won’t break the bank from month to month. The technology used in refrigeration systems has advanced to the point that your new air conditioning system will likely cost significantly less to operate, but only if you take the right steps to find an efficient replacement.
Check the SEER
The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is a number ranking the efficiency of that particular unit. In Florida, any central air conditioner installed in the state must have a SEER of 14 (although before January 1, 2015, this number was 13). A SEER of 14 may already be more efficient than your previous unit, but you want to find a system with a much higher SEER if you’re looking for maximum efficiency—perhaps closer to 20.
The ENERGY STAR Label
The ENERGY STAR label is awarded only to those systems which meet U.S. government standards of both efficiency and performance. These systems have a SEER of at least 14.5, though often much higher, and they are about 15% more efficient than other models. In fact, according to the ENERGY STAR website, installing a new ENERGY STAR air conditioning system may save you 20% on your energy bills overall.
Trust Trained Technicians
One of the best ways to ensure that your air conditioning system runs as efficiently as possible is by hiring a quality contractor for installation and services. If your air conditioning system is not installed properly, it will not actually save you money. Even if you purchase the most efficient system available, if it is not the proper size for your home, it can consume energy quickly and break down frequently. If parts are not properly mounted, it may become overworked, using up a lot of energy in the process.
Calling the people at AC Designs Inc. gives you access to quality air conditioning installation service in Jacksonville, FL from professionals who strive to save you money from month to month. Call us today!
Electrical Problems and Air Conditioning Repair
Wednesday, March 4th, 2015Today’s air conditioners can run extremely efficiently if you purchase a model with a high efficiency rating and schedule regular maintenance with a technician. That said, air conditioners generally consume more energy than many of the other appliances and fixtures in your home. When an air conditioner is in need of repair, it’s often due to electrical problems.
There are many different components that run via electricity including the blower motor, thermostat and the compressor. Proper maintenance can help to keep electrical problems from occurring, but when a problem does arise, you’ll need the help of a professional technician. Contact the people at AC Designs Inc. for air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL.
Some Common Electrical Issues
Here are a few of the most common electrical problems that call for air conditioning repair.
- Improper Voltage – A certain amount of electricity is required in order to operate a large air conditioning system, and without enough power (or with too much) it will not function as it should. The unit may “hard start,” meaning it takes a long time to start up and struggles to provide AC. This may cause the fan to malfunction, which means you cannot get enough airflow over the coils, which may cause the pipes to freeze.
- Blown Capacitor – The capacitor is a small part that stores electricity in order to energize the fan and the compressor. Voltage issues could be the source of your blown capacitor, but it may also be due to a power surge or if the circuitry becomes overheated or worn too much. This is perhaps the most common air conditioning problem, and a technician will usually simply replace the part.
- Faulty Thermostat – Your thermostat wiring may also be at fault for your air conditioning troubles. If your thermostat wiring is in poor condition, you might notice your system short cycling, meaning it turns on, but shuts off before the cooling cycle is complete. Or, it may not turn on at all if the wiring is damaged, and sometimes the best step is to replace the thermostat.
Call AC Designs Inc. for air conditioning repair in Orange Park and Jacksonville FL. Our experts can determine the cause of your electrical trouble and find the proper method of repair.
Dirty Coils and Air Conditioning Maintenance
Wednesday, February 25th, 2015Spring is almost here, which means it’s just about time for spring cleaning. Many people in Jacksonville, FL take the opportunity to get everything in order in the home in the spring, when the weather is ideal and the change in the climate presents an opportune time to have a yard sale, clean up the yard, and work up a sweat scrubbing and emptying storage spaces indoors. You can reach most of the parts of your home that need spring cleaning by yourself (or with the help of a ladder when cleaning ceiling fans and rain gutters). But cleaning the major components of your air conditioner is a job that should always go to a professional.
Just like any component of your home, your air conditioner becomes dirty over time. The outdoor unit is exposed to the elements, which means it’s likely to collect dirt quickly. And one of the parts of your AC most affected by dirt is the outside condenser coil. If this coil begins to cause trouble, a technician can clean it using the proper techniques during AC repair. Or, you may choose to schedule regular air conditioning maintenance, a sort of spring cleaning for your air conditioner in which it receives a thorough cleaning, adjustment, and inspection.
The two coils in your air conditioning system help refrigerant to carry out the refrigeration process. The inside coil helps refrigerant to absorb heat from the air in your home as it evaporates, and it releases heat at the outside coil during condensation. If the outside coil is dirty, this process is inhibited. No longer can it complete its job efficiently, and the other components may struggle to keep up. This can force components to become overworked, potentially damaging these other vital parts of your system.
Technicians use industry-preferred products and chemicals for coil cleaning during air conditioning maintenance in order to prevent any additional strain on the coils. During a maintenance visit, the technician may also straighten the coils with a special comb, and adjust other parts of your unit as well. We recommend air conditioning maintenance once a year, right before the cooling season sets in if possible.
Call AC Designs Inc. to schedule an appointment for quality air conditioning maintenance or repair in Jacksonville, FL from professionals you can trust.
Common Repairs for Ductless Air Conditioning
Wednesday, September 24th, 2014Ductless air conditioning is one of the best ways to cool a home without the use of ductwork. Some older homes or new room extensions do not have ductwork set up and it may be a hassle to install. Instead of trying to cool your home or room with fans or window air conditioners, you may choose a ductless mini split air conditioner to provide efficient, quiet cooling, and, in many cases, heating as well. But if you’re considering ductless installation, or if you already own one of these systems, you may be concerned about the potential need for air conditioning repair that may go along with it.
Ductless air conditioners work much like central air conditioners, except that air is distributed through individual air handlers in place of ducts. Like traditional AC, refrigerant cycles through an indoor and outdoor unit, undergoing a series of phase changes to remove heat from the air in your home. Because all of the major parts are in place, ductless AC may need the same types of repairs as traditional units. But some repairs may be more common with ductless units. Here are a few reasons you may eventually need to call for air conditioning repair if you own a ductless mini split system.
- Low Refrigerant: Refrigerant is an important component of your air conditioner, and without it you may not feel enough cool air or any at all from some air handlers. If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, it may be due to loose connections, corrosion, or a leak from the compressor, which could indicate major damage.
- Thermostat Trouble: Ductless units may be prone to thermostat trouble because of how the units are controlled. Each air handler is wired to its own thermostat for individual zone control in each area of the home. Usually, each of these also hooks up to a central master thermostat as well, which controls the entire system. If you’re experiencing problems starting one or more units, it may be due to problems with the thermostat wiring.
- Aesthetics: Finally, ductless owners may call for air conditioning repair for aesthetic purposes. Ductless blower units are mounted to the wall or suspended from the ceiling, but faulty installation may lead the units to peel away from the wall.
For air conditioning repair in St. Augustine, FL, call on the dependable experts at AC Designs Inc. today!