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

How SEER Ratings Affect Sizing with Air Conditioning Installation

Friday, June 27th, 2014

If you’re worried about energy efficiency with your new air conditioning installation, looking at SEER ratings is a great place to begin. The SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) determines how energy efficient your cooling system will be throughout the season. This can be an important factor in lowering your summer energy bills. Keep in mind that seasonal efficiency for heating is determined by the HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor), not the SEER rating.

SEER ratings range between 13 and 27. A system with a rating of 16 or higher is considered a high efficiency system. Although a higher SEER rating may mean a greater initial cost, your lowered monthly bills will usually provide more than enough compensation through the years. For greater energy savings, look for a system that also carries the government backed ENERGY STAR label.

Different types and sizes of AC systems may affect the SEER rating. A ductless mini split system is a compact system that blows cool air through multiple indoor air handlers rather than through the ductwork in your home as with a central AC system. A ductless system often includes a higher SEER rating than central AC systems. This is great for your monthly expenses and the smaller size may look more appealing when compared to bulky central AC systems.

You always want to make sure that your AC system is the correct size for your home. While a smaller system with a SEER of 14 may seem like a more attractive offer than a larger system with a SEER of 13, you should never sacrifice buying a properly sized system so that you can afford a system with a higher SEER rating. Work closely with a technician to decide which size system is right for your home. Only a specialist can determine whether the size of your system will lead to an eventual system breakdown, or to a long service life of efficient cooling.

Technicians at AC Designs Inc. are ready to answer your questions about energy efficient systems, sizing, and the SEER rating system. Don’t be stuck with a system that drains your wallet from month to month. For quality AC installation in Jacksonville FL, schedule your next service appointment with us when you need to install an AC for your home. Give us a call today.

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Reasons You May Wish to Go Ductless During Your Next Air Conditioning Installation

Friday, June 13th, 2014

Ductless air conditioning systems are just what they sound like: a system without the ducts that run through attics and crawlspaces to spread cool air through your home. Instead, it spaces a number of individual, self-contained air conditioner units in different places throughout your home. Each unit can cool one single room or similar space, while the other units can be adjusted or even turned off as you wish. Air conditioning installation services in St. Augustine can usually set up a ductless system for you if you feel you need it. Only you can decide if it’s the right system for you, however. Here are a few reasons why you may wish to go ductless during your next air conditioning installation.

  • You don’t have the space for ducts. Ducts only work in houses which have sufficiently “hidden” spots for them, such as crawlspaces in the walls. If your home can’t support such a system, for whatever reason, then a ductless system may be an easy answer, and relatively simple to install as well.
  • You want the ability to tailor the temperature. Ductless air conditioning systems allow you to adjust the temperature in each room or area separately, unlike centralized systems, which require you to maintain the same temperature throughout the whole you. You could lower the temperature in the kitchen when you’re cooking, for example, while another family member in the bedroom can maintain a warmer temperature at the same time.
  • You want to save money. Ductless systems usually cost a little more to install than centralized systems, but they can make up for that with vastly improved savings on your monthly bills. Why? Simply put, you can turn off the air in sections of the home you aren’t using while still keeping the rooms you are using nice and cool.

Any of these are strong reasons you may wish to go ductless during you next air conditioning system, but every home is different and what works for one might not work for another. That’s why, in St. Augustine, air conditioning installation questions should be directed to the experts at AC Designs Inc. We can inspect your home, and then install the best system to suit your needs. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

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How High Humidity Can Cause Air Conditioning Problems

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Air conditioners are not designed specifically to combat humidity (although some models have dehumidifiers built into them). However, through their action of absorbing heat from the indoors of a home or building, they also remove some moisture from the air, and this can assist with lowering high humidity levels—and sometimes making a home too dry during periods of low humidity. Even without a dehumidifier, an AC will assist with making a humid Florida summer a bit easier to bear.

But the sometimes extreme levels of humidity in our state can mean problems for an air conditioner, as we’ll look at in this post. When you experience problems due to excess moisture in your air conditioning in Daytona Beach, FL, or any other AC repair need, call AC Designs Inc. right away. You can reach us 24 hours a day, every day.

The Trouble With High Humidity and an Air Conditioning System

Although your first instinct when thinking about what could go wrong because of humidity in an AV is probably “rust,” that’s rarely a problem with the rust-resistant components of an air conditioner. Corrosion in an AC usually happens due to household chemicals in the air.

The true problem with humidity extremes occurs in the drip pan, or condensate pan. The moisture from the air forms along the indoor evaporator coil in the air conditioner as it draws heat onto the coil. This moisture then drips down into the pan below, where a condensate pump draws it down a drain and safely into the wastewater system.

But huge amounts of moisture can contribute to the growth of algae inside the drain or the drain line, possibly even affecting the pump. When any of this happens, the drain with turn slow or clog completely. Because the drip pan is shallow, it will not take long for it to overflow and begin to spill water inside your house if the drain clogs or the pump malfunctions. This will lead to expensive water damage, mold and mildew growth, and a rise in the indoor humidity.

Should you spot water pooling around your air conditioner’s cabinet, call for repairs right away. Technicians will remove the pan and clean and repair the drain or pump, replacing components as necessary. They may also recommend installing a dehumidifier to combat the problem and alleviate some of your discomfort.

At AC Designs Inc., we not only handle repairs for air conditioning in Daytona Beach, FL, but we handle indoor air quality care with dehumidifiers and air purifiers. For the maximum comfort this summer for your home, call our team today.

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How Improper Voltage Can Damage Your Air Conditioning System

Friday, May 30th, 2014

Air conditioning systems depend on a number of different components to work, from the refrigerant gas to the condensate pans removing water from the system. But they all depend on electricity to operate, and when electrical problems occur, it can cause serious damage to the system. Here in Jacksonville, air conditioning repair personnel need to know how to deal with problems anywhere in the system, including those caused by electricity. Here’s a quick primer on how improper voltage can damage your air conditioning system.

The biggest issue occurs with the condenser array, specifically the motor which runs on electricity. If the electrical current is interrupted, the array won’t function as it should. Why is that a problem? The condenser works to shift the refrigerant from gas to liquid. It needs to be in liquid form to cool the air (it pulls heat out of the surrounding air as it goes from a liquid back to a gas), and it needs to be at a specific level of liquid dictated by the air conditioning unit itself. If the motor won’t function at peak capacity, the condenser system won’t convert the refrigerant into liquid and the entire process will be thrown out of balance.

As a result, the system will lose its cooling capacity. Ice will form on the expansion coils, and the individual components will undergo more strain as the process. A serious breakdown under such conditions is only a matter of time.

On a less dire level, intermittent electricity will affect the blower array as well, meaning that the fan won’t blow cool air into your home as easily. That also forces the air conditioner to work harder than it should, which in turn increases strain on the system.

Air conditioner repair services in Jacksonville, FL are offered by the experts at AC Designs Inc. We understand how improper voltage can damage your air conditioning system, and our staff has the knowledge and experience to hunt the problem down and correct it quickly. If you’re having problems with your AC unit, pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Install a New Air Conditioner Before Summer Arrives

Friday, May 16th, 2014

Have you been considering the purchase of a new air conditioning system for your property, or are thinking of upgrading an outdated one? Spring offers a great window of time to do either, so if you’ve been thinking about it, let the Daytona Beach air conditioning installation experts from AC Designs, Inc. tell you why spring can be a great time to install a new air conditioner.

Why Install in Spring?

Spring can be a great time to install a new air conditioning system or replace an outdated one: the uncomfortably warm weather hasn’t settled in for good yet, getting you ahead of the coming summer heat. But there are some other reasons to consider installing an air conditioning system before summer arrives this year:

Better Technician Availability

Summer is the busy season for air conditioners, lessening technician availability for repairs, maintenance and installation. No one wants to sweat it out waiting for an available professional, particularly in the middle of summer. By installing your new air conditioner in the spring, you can avoid the busy-season wait, and be cool and comfortable when it counts.

Murphy’s Law

A fact our AC Designs, Inc., experts have seen over and over again: the chances of a struggling air conditioner breaking down during the hottest time of the year is very good. Why? Any air conditioner has to work hard in excessive heat and humidity; a struggling system does, too, and most likely with less ability due to aging, wear-and-tear and possible pre-existing problems. Ideally, air conditioning replacement should happen on your timetable, not on the weather’s. By installing a new system before summer, you can avoid rushing into purchasing a new air conditioner.

Have Questions About Spring Installation? Call an Expert

A springtime air conditioning installation doesn’t have to be a difficult endeavor, and it can help you get ahead of potential problems with your existing AC. By working with an AC Designs, Inc., expert, you can get the help you need in choosing the right air conditioning system for your property. Call AC Designs, Inc., today and schedule a consultation for your air conditioning service in Daytona Beach, FL.

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Why Is Ice on My Air Conditioner a Big Problem?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Most people don’t consider ice in their air conditioning system to be something worth worrying about. After all, doesn’t ice provide cold air? In point of fact, however, the ice is a sign of significant trouble that requires more than just scraping off to solve. HVAC services that handle air conditioning repair in Orange Park can usually fix the problem, but that still leaves the basic question. “Why is ice on my air conditioner a big problem to begin with?”

The short answer is that it represents lost cooling potential, which forces your air conditioner to work harder to cool off your home. As part and parcel of that, it also increases wear and tear on the system components, elevating the chances of a major breakdown in the future. How does that happen? The problem usually stems from lost refrigerant, which needs to be at a set level particular to your air conditioning model in order to work. When leaks spring up in the system and the refrigerant is lost, ice forms on the evaporator coils, which is the point in the process where the air is actually cooled before being blown into your home.

As we said earlier, the coldness that creates the ice should be going into your home, which means the air conditioner is going to have to work that much harder to do the job. More importantly, the ice insulates that air that should be getting cooled from the refrigerant inside the coils that’s supposed to cool it, creating further strain on the system. Sooner or later, that’s going to cause a major breakdown, to say nothing of the spike in monthly energy costs and the ancillary damage that the ice may cause electrical components when it starts to melt.

If you know why ice on your air conditioner is a big problem, the next step is to contact the experts at AC Designs Inc. We can address ice on your air conditioning in Orange Park with professionalism and pride, and we’re sure you’ll be pleased with the results. Call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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Why Is My AC Tripping Circuit Breakers?

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Circuit breakers are safety devices in your electrical system that prevent overload on a particular circuit. They can “trip” – turn off – for many reasons. Your air conditioning unit requires enough energy that it will have its own circuit breaker. Sometimes the breaker will trip due to weather events, in which case you can switch the breaker back to its on position. But if your AC breaker trips frequently, gives resistance when switching to “on” or immediately trips a second time after switching it to on, leave it off and call an expert from AC Designs, Inc. We want you to enjoy great air conditioning in Jacksonville.

Reasons Your Air Conditioning Breaker Can Trip

Breakers trip for a reason, so never force a breaker to go on. The same goes for a breaker that trips multiple times. If the breaker is hot to the touch, leave it alone. A hot breaker is an overloaded breaker, and switching it back to “on” means re-triggering the overload.

So what can cause your AC breaker to trip? Here are a few reasons we’ve seen at A/C Design, Inc.:

  • Faulty/loose breaker
  • Loose electrical connection
  • Undersized breaker
  • Faulty/loose wiring
  • Issue with the compressor
  • Dirty air conditioner filter
  • Frozen vapor coils
  • Loss of refrigerant

With the exception of the dirty air filter, all the other reasons listed above should only be handled by an AC Designs, Inc. professional. Electrical boxes and your air conditioning system carry high levels of voltage that can be very dangerous, and compressors and the refrigerant require a high skill level to manage.

So why does your breaker trip?

Faulty/Loose Breakers and Connections

If the reason is due to a faulty or loose breaker, or a loose electrical connection, the electricity is being interrupted and needs to be reconnected. You’re air conditioning specialist will find the parts that are loose and/or faulty and repair them as needed.

Dirty Air Filter and Frozen Coils

When air conditioner gets stressed, it has to work harder to achieve the temperature that has been set. One of the top reasons an air conditioner becomes overstressed is from a dirty air filter. Why? Dirty air filters restrict the amount of air that flows through your system. Once this happens, the entire system has to over compensate for the loss by working harder and drawing more energy.

Frozen evaporator coils have a similar effect. When the evaporator coils freeze, they can neither absorb nor release heat from the system, causing a back-up in the entire cooling process.

Compressor Issues

The compressor is responsible for pressurizing the low-pressure, cool gas of the refrigerant into a high-pressure, heated gas. To do this, the compressor has valves and a motor to help do its job. So one of the first potential problems when dealing with a compressor is to make sure the valves aren’t leaking. Why? Leaky valves mean the compressor is working much harder to create the pressurized gas, which can lead to electrical shorts and burnout of the motor. The compressor motor also has a number of electrical connections within it; if one or more of the connections aren’t functioning properly, this will cause the motor to break.

A second component to be looked at in your compressor is the level of refrigerant. If your system has lost refrigerant, the air conditioner has to work harder to achieve the set temperature of the property. The refrigerant also keeps the compressor motor cool, so loss of refrigerant can lead to overheating of the compressor’s motor.

Lastly, the compressor may need replacing due to age. The older a compressor, the more likely it is to break. Only your A/C Design, Inc., specialist can tell you if you need to replace the compressor.

Don’t Trip

If your air conditioner’s breaker keeps tripping, call A/C Design, Inc. today. Our specialists will pinpoint the problem and safely make the repair to your AC system. When it comes to air conditioning in Jacksonville, we’re the technicians to trust. Give us a call today.

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3 Reasons to Install Heat Pumps in Daytona Beach

Friday, April 25th, 2014

Heat pumps make an alternative to more traditional forms of heating and cooling systems. They work the same way an air conditioner does: moving refrigerant gas through a series of valves and coils that first shift the gas into a liquid (releasing heat in the process) then revert it back to a gas (cooling the air around it). The only difference is that an air conditioner vents the hot air as waste. The heat pump harnesses it to warm your home in the winter as well as using the cool air to keep your home comfortable in the summer. Here in Daytona Beach, air conditioning systems are more important than heating systems, but our winters get cold enough to make heat pumps a very attractive option. Here are 3 reasons to install heat pumps in Daytona Beach.

  • They save you money
    Heat pumps don’t use gas or other fuel to generate hot or cold air. They simply facilitate a heat exchange with the refrigerant. That means they use far less energy than other forms of heating and cooling, which can save you a great deal of money in monthly expenses. Over time, that can help pay for the cost of installation, and even off-set it in some cases.
  • They’re simple to use
    Because the heat pump contains heating and cooling technology in one unit, you don’t need to purchase separate heating and air conditioning units. This can come as a great relief in households that can’t comfortably accommodate a second such device.
  • They match the climate well
    The one downside to heat pumps is that they can’t heat the home as efficiently as they should when temperatures drop close to freezing. (That’s one of the reasons you don’t see them in climates further north.) But here in Florida, that’s rarely a problem, since our tropical climate keeps the temperatures well above freezing throughout the year.

If you’re thinking of reasons to install heat pumps in Daytona Beach, call the air conditioning experts at AC Designs Inc. to help. We have years of experience with heat pump technology and we can explain the ins and outs to you before helping you pick the best system that works for your home.

For quality air conditioning service in Daytona Beach, look no further than AC Designs Inc. to help get your home comfort where you want it. Give us a call today!

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Why Is My Air Conditioning Leaking?

Friday, April 18th, 2014

Your air conditioning system is one of the most important components of your home, especially now that summer is on the way. Here in St. Augustine, air conditioning systems need to perform every day to keep the heat and humidity at bay, and any signs of trouble should prompt a swift and efficient response. Trouble can come from anywhere, but a system that is leaking water can be an especial cause for concern. “Why is my air conditioning leaking?” you ask. The answers vary, but often entail one of the following causes.

  • Ice on the coils
    When your refrigerant leaks or refrigerant levels drop, the system’s ability to produce cool air is reduced. That can result in ice forming on the evaporator coils: lost cooling potential that adds considerable strain on your system. The ice might melt – a side effect of our warm Florida weather – but the underlying problem remains until you can correct it.
  • Drain pans and lines
    Your air conditioning system develops condensate that drips off the pipes and is collected in a drain pan. A drain line from the pan then carries it safely out of the system. If the line becomes clogged or the pan is misaligned, there could be a back-up and water will leak out onto the floor. This can cause a serious problem when the water comes into contact with nearby electrical components.
  • Broken condenser pump
    Water leakage can sometimes develop when your condenser pump breaks, which is a considerable issue in need of immediate repair. Without the condenser, your air conditioner cannot effectively function.

A certain amount of condensate is typical here in Florida, with our high humidity levels and constant rain. But if you’re asking “why is my air conditioning leaking?” there’s probably an issue in need of addressing. Air conditioning repair in St. Augustine is offered by the experts at AC Designs Inc. If you spot puddles of water around your system, pick up the phone and give us a call. We’ll hunt down the source of the leak and get your air conditioning system back into fighting shape ASAP! Give us a call today and speak with one of our qualified technicians about air conditioning services in your area.

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