A/C Designs of St. Augustine, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Dirty Coils and Air Conditioning Maintenance

Wednesday, February 25th, 2015

Spring 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.

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Common Repairs for Ductless Air Conditioning

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Ductless 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!

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I Hear a Hissing Sound from My AC…What’s Wrong?

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Any time you hear an unusual sound from your air conditioner, it’s time to call for professional service immediately. Air conditioners are made up of several parts that all must be in proper working order if you want an efficient system that can get your home to the desired temperature. And strange noises often indicate a serious problem. Not only are your energy bills at risk of increasing, components of your system may begin to fail and need a costly replacement. One of the most serious of these noises is a hissing sound.

So, What Is The Cause?

A hissing sound usually indicates that refrigerant is leaking from your unit. Refrigerant is a chemical blend that continuously cycles through your system, undergoing phase conversions as it absorbs heat from the air inside and releases this heat outdoors. Without the proper levels of refrigerant, your system may struggle to cool your home. The reduced cooling capacity is only a part of the problem. Other components of your AC must work harder to keep up when refrigerant is low, which means parts may wear down sooner than they should.

You may hear a hissing sound at any point along the refrigerant line. But if you hear hissing in the outside condenser unit of your air conditioner, it may mean that compressed refrigerant is leaking from the compressor. The compressor changes refrigerant into a high-pressure gas so that it can pump through the entire unit. If there is a leak it this complex component, it may need replacement.

But It’s My Heat Pump That’s Hissing

If you own a heat pump, the hissing noise may be coming from the reversal valve. A heat pump is able to heat and cool your home because of this valve, which allows refrigerant to flow in the opposite direction. If this part is at fault, you will need professional repairs.

Often, refrigerant may leak because of a loose connection or corrosion somewhere on the refrigerant line. Only a skilled contractor is qualified to handle refrigerant, so you’ll need a technician to both dispose of the leaking refrigerant and determine how much must be added. For AC Repairs in Jacksonville, FL trust the dependable technicians at AC Designs Inc. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.

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Should I Bother with New Air Conditioning Installation in the Fall?

Wednesday, September 10th, 2014

A summer in your home in Daytona Beach, FL would be close to unbearable without an effective air conditioning system to keep the heat away. If you think that your current air conditioner is be coming to the end of its service life, you will definitely want to replace it if the summer swelter is coming up. But what about during the fall? As the weather cools down, is it better to simply deal with an aging and no longer fully effective air conditioner rather than bother with arranging for a replacement?

In a word: No. There is never a bad time for air conditioning installation in Daytona Beach, FL, and sometimes fall is the ideal time to have the work scheduled. To find out more about your options for new AC installation, contact our team at AC Designs Inc. We have more than a decade of experience serving the hot and cold weather needs of residents in the Jacksonville and Daytona areas.

Here is Why You Should Arrange for Fall Air Conditioning Installation

When the weather drops a bit from the summer highs in Daytona, it’s easy to forget that the area can experience intense highs at any time of the year. The average high during October is 82°F, and January has experienced record highs in the low 90s! To put it simply, you cannot afford to take a chance that your aging and possibly failing air conditioner will be unprepared when you suddenly need it on one of those surprise heat wave days. An air conditioner in good running condition is a must 365 days a year.

Another reason to schedule AC installation during the fall is that it is an easier time of the year for installation technicians to arrange for the work. In the gap between the summer heat and concerns about warming up for winter, fall is a period when HVAC experts have more open work calendars. You should have no trouble finding a convenient time to have a new air conditioning system put in during the early autumn, and you will have ample time to make the best decisions about the type of system you want installed.

For the best results when it comes to air conditioning installation in Daytona Beach, FL, you should trust to experience and skill. At AC Designs Inc., we have NATE-certified air conditioning technicians to make certain that you receive top-quality work. After they are done with your installation, you will have the right AC to provide your home with years of worry-free cooling for any hot day. Call us today to schedule service!

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How Improper Voltage Leads to Air Conditioning Repair

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

Your air conditioner has so many components that all work together to cool your home, but no part of this system could continue to run without electricity. That’s why it shouldn’t be shocking that one of the most common reasons homeowners call for air conditioning repair is an electrical problem.

Your air conditioner requires a certain amount of voltage in order to trigger the start capacitor that operates the motors and the compressor in your air conditioner. If your system receives too much or too little voltage, however, these components may not work properly. As these motors are responsible for powering the fans that distribute air to your home and help with the conversion of refrigerant from a liquid to a gas and vice versa, improper voltage can cause serious problems for your AC. And a damaged compressor that results from improper voltage may be a costly repair. Here are some of the ways improper voltage may lead to the need for air conditioning repair.

  • Hard Starting: One major problem that may be due to improper voltage is “hard starting.” Hard starting can seriously damage your AC’s compressor, the part responsible for increasing the pressure of refrigerant so it can move through the rest of the system.
  • No Cooling: If you don’t feel any cool air from the vents in your home whatsoever, it may mean that a capacitor has become worn out due to voltage that is too high, so that your system cannot release heat outdoors or absorb heat from the air in your home.
  • Frozen Coil: Furthermore, if improper voltage causes the indoor or outdoor fan motors to malfunction, the indoor coil may freeze as there is not enough warm air blowing over the evaporator.

Electrical problems may be dangerous, and only a certified technician should attempt to handle any electrical component. When you call the technicians at AC Designs Inc. for air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, we’ll check to see whether your AC problems are caused by improper voltage and make any necessary repairs. If you notice any problems with your air conditioner, give us a call today!

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How Do HVAC System Controls Save Me Money?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Controlling the amount of cooling in your home or, if you are business owner, in your workplace, is very important to your bottom line. As cooling technology has advanced, thermostats and other control systems have also advanced, allowing for far better control over heating and cooling than ever before. Having system controls in Orange Park can offer you multiple benefits, but to ensure you gain these benefits, it’s important to have professional installation. AC Designs Inc., specializes in system control installation and repair, and we can help you find a control system that is right for you.

Types of System Controls

There are different control systems for residential and commercial properties. First we’ll take a look at the residential types.

Common Residential Controls

There are several choices when it comes to residential controls for your air conditioning system:

Digital thermostats help with energy efficiency because they are precise and have more intuitive buttons, making them easier to use. Programmable thermostats take things a level higher by allowing you to program your cooling (and heating) in 7-day increments; you can loop a 7-day program, or change it as needed. Programming allows you to cool (and heat) only when needed, so for times when your home is unoccupied, you aren’t cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats allow you to program, but you can access your system remotely from virtually anywhere, at any time, with a smart device. Lastly, s zone control system allows you to separate different areas of your home into “zones” that cool and heat independently of one another. This gives you the highest level of control over the amount of cooling you want, as well as differing temperatures if needed.

Commercial Control

One of the best ways to control commercial air conditioning and heating costs is with an energy management system (EMS). An EMS allows you to find the best time of day to initiate cooling and helps your entire building maintain its temperature. You can also track energy usage through an EMS, which can help you create cooling and heating plans to reduce your overall use of energy. EMS’s are programmable, and some can tie into other systems of your building, including fire safety, giving you a central point of control over your building’s interior operations.

Gaining better control over your energy usage is good for you, your budget, your property and the environment. If you are interested in finding out how system controls in Orange Park can help you, call AC Designs Inc., and schedule an appointment today.

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How Air Conditioners Control Humidity

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

On a hot day, you turn on your air conditioner to keep cool. But what do you do on a particularly humid day? Turn on your air conditioner! When you feel affected by humidity, it’s because your body cannot evaporate sweat effectively when there is moisture in the air. Luckily, your air conditioner can remove both heat and moisture from the air in your home on those hot, sticky days in St. Augustine.

To understand how air conditioners control humidity, it helps to know more about the process of heat removal. Air conditioners do not actually create any cool air. Rather, they cool your home via the process of heat exchange. The indoor portion of an AC removes heat from your home, and it is released outside.

At the outdoor condenser unit of your AC, heat is released from the refrigerant as it changes into a high-pressure gas. Inside, at the evaporator coil, refrigerant condenses into a liquid. Here, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the home as an indoor blower fan sucks in warm air and blows it over the cold coil. The coil cools the air, and the blower fan sends it through the ducts.

When you pour a glass of ice water on a warm day, moisture forms outside of the glass as condensation. Similarly, as indoor air blows over the cold evaporator coil, water droplets form along the coil. The water then drips into the condensate pan, a shallow tray underneath the evaporator, and flows outdoors via a condensate drain.

Sometimes, this system can run into problems. If there isn’t enough airflow over the coil, the water outside of the evaporator may freeze. Additionally, water leakage is one of the most common reasons homeowners call for air conditioning repair. A clogged drain may cause water to leak into the home, or the water may back up and flow into the air conditioning system. The best way to prevent such problems is by scheduling maintenance with a technician at least once a year.

Call AC Designs Inc. today for repairs, maintenance, and questions about air conditioning in St. Augustine!

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Benefits of Wireless System Controls in Daytona Beach

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

The earliest thermostat controls for home comfort systems were manual models that used sliders and dials. Although these thermostats are adequate for basic setting of temperatures, they lack precision and will prevent homeowners from making the most efficient use of their heaters and air conditioners. Modern technology has moved far past these basic thermostats to full system controls that give you enormous power over your comfort level and how your HVAC system uses energy.

One of the advanced options you have for comfort system controls in Daytona Beach, FL are wireless models. With a wireless thermostat set-up, you have multiple advantages that go beyond even the most advanced programmable thermostats available.

To find out more about installing wireless system controls for your home, talk to our thermostat specialists at AC Designs Inc. We’ve helped cool and heat Daytona since 2003.

Advantages of Going Wireless for System Controls

  • Control from anywhere: With a wireless system, you not only can control the temperature and energy use in your home from any room, you can control it from anywhere that you have Wi-Fi access. Use a remote desktop computer, a laptop, cellphone, or tablet to access the controls from thousands of miles away.
  • Smart thermostat: Wireless thermostats are “smart” thermostats, which means they have AI programming that allows them to learn from your patterns to find the best way to bring you money-saving heating and cooling. Smart thermostats adapt and develop patterns that match your comfort needs in ways you might never have thought of. They also provide you with readouts of your energy savings to help you move toward an even more energy-efficient system: they will show you where the power is going and how much is used, assisting you with future decisions about energy use.
  • Freedom of placement: A wireless set-up for system controls means that if you use multiple thermostats for zone control it is much easier to place the thermostats where they will do the best job without worrying about wiring them to each other.

Wireless smart thermostats are complicated devices, so you will need to have specialists handle the installation: a poorly set up wireless thermostat will not be able to give you all the benefits that it should, and may end up causing the AC or heater to operate incorrectly. For excellent installation of wireless system controls in Daytona Beach, FL that will give you the optimum comfort and savings, call AC Designs Inc. today. Our NATE-certified technicians will make sure you are satisfied with your new system.

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Repair or Replace? The Best Option for My Air Conditioner

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

When you’ve had the same air conditioner working to cool down your home for many years, you will eventually reach a decision point regarding it: should you continue to the system it when it malfunctions, or has the time arrive when you should install a new AC?

This is a large decision, but it isn’t one that you need to make on your own. Since you will need a professional eventually—either for the repairs or the replacement—call the experts to help you choose between your options. When you have a technician trained in air conditioning repair in St. Augustine, FL assisting you, you will have a much better chance of making the wisest decision for your long-term comfort and budget plans.

AC Designs Inc. has some advice on how to narrow down the two choices. Here are a few things to consider regarding your aging air conditioning system:

Just How Old is the Air Conditioner?

Make sure you know both the age of your cooling system and the manufacturer’s estimate lifespan for it. If your air conditioner is still a few years under that estimate, then you should probably put repair work as first priority. However, if the AC is already at or above the estimate, then you should consider replacement as the best option—even if the air conditioner is not currently showing signs of a malfunction.

What Are Recent Utility Bills Like?

As an air conditioner ages, it will begin to lose energy efficiency and cost more to run. With proper annual maintenance, this decay will be slow, but it will eventually happen. Look over recent electrical bills and compare them to those from a few years ago. If you notice an increase around 20%, even with regular maintenance, then you should replace the system before it wastes more money.

How Much Repair Work Has the AC Needed Recently?

If the “repair or replace?” question has come up, it’s likely that you have needed to schedule repairs in the recent past. Look over the bills for the last few years for repair work to see how much you have needed to keep the system operating. If the costs exceed $500 per year, then it is not worth continuing to repair the system and you should have a new AC installed.

Even if you already have a good idea what route you wish to take, you need to call in a specialist. Sometimes a technician can find a repair that will restore your AC for another few years; other times, he or she may determine that a system that seems to be working fine outwardly is actually creating a serious energy drain that no amount of repairs can reverse.

AC Designs Inc. will offer you honest opinions about your current central air conditioner. Out NATE-certified technicians will know whether you need a replacement or if air conditioning repair in St. Augustine, FL will keep you cool for a few more years. You can trust to our training and professionalism for all your home comfort needs.

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