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

How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Thursday, October 15th, 2020


Did you know that the air you breathe indoors can be 5 times more polluted than outdoor air? An air purifier can help you clear the air indoors, which reduces your exposure to carcinogens, allergens, and other harmful pollutants.

Continue Reading

How to Reduce Air Conditioner Noise

Tuesday, September 22nd, 2020


Summer temperatures in the Jacksonville area make air conditioning a necessity. However, when you have a noisy a/c, running it can often be a nuisance. Thankfully, there are ways to reduce the amount of noise your air conditioning system makes, so you can enjoy a quieter and more comfortable home all season long.

Continue Reading

3 Reasons to Replace Indoor & Outdoor HVAC Units Together

Tuesday, September 15th, 2020


While it might seem like you can replace one unit and leave the other in place, this usually isn’t recommended. Take a look at the three reasons why you should replace your indoor and outdoor units at the same time to ensure your Jacksonville home stays comfortable all year long.

Continue Reading

Humidity and Your A/C System

Monday, August 24th, 2020

There are many factors that affect the quality of the air you and your family breathe in your home – especially in Jacksonville. One of the most common problems with indoor air quality in this area is excessively humid air.
Unfortunately, many homeowners underestimate the seriousness of this problem, dismissing it as a minor nuisance or perpetually putting off measures to take care of it. Learn more about humidity and your a/c system.

Continue Reading

GUIDE: Should You Repair or Replace Your A/C?

Thursday, July 30th, 2020

Should you repair or replace your a/c unit? This is a common question among those of us surviving this Florida heat, and knowing the answer could save you a lot of money. Having an air conditioner that isn’t working can be frustrating, however, the cause is usually one of a few components. That’s why we have created this simple questionnaire to help you decide whether to repair or replace your unit.

To better understand your HVAC system and diagnosing your a/c issue, click the link below and download your FREE Repair or Replace Guide.

Click to Download (opens in new window)

Continue Reading

What Are Some Ways to Extend the Life of an HVAC System?

Monday, June 15th, 2020

No matter how old (or new) your home’s heating and cooling system may be, there are steps you can take to prolong its life. And when you consider that a new furnace or air conditioning unit can easily cost thousands of dollars, you’ll want to keep your current system running smoothly for as long as possible.

Continue Reading

Quiz: Should You Repair or Replace Your Unit?

Friday, May 22nd, 2020

Take our free quiz based on the performance of your current system to find out if you should repair or replace your unit.

A/C Unit

Continue Reading

Your Utility Bill & A/C System: How Much of Your Bill is Attributed to Your A/C?

Wednesday, April 15th, 2020

If you’ve noticed that your energy bill tends to fluctuate quite a bit from quarter to quarter, you’re not alone.

Continue Reading

How Long Does An A/C Unit Typically Last?

Friday, March 20th, 2020

Your a/c is often the silent hero of your home, consistently maintaining it at a comfortable temperature no matter what the outside weather is like. But far too often, your a/c unit isn’t appreciated for all it does until it suddenly stops. Just how long can you expect an a/c unit to last? Learn more about the average lifespan of the typical a/c unit, as well as what you can do to extend the usable life of your current unit.

Typical A/C Lifespan

The life expectancy of your a/c depends on several factors, including: 

  • Brand of the unit
  • How frequently you use it
  • If it’s located in direct sun for much of the day (therefore forcing it to work harder)
  • If it’s exposed to salty sea air, sand, or other abrasive elements
  • How often you perform routine maintenance

The “average” a/c will usually last anywhere from 10 to 20 years, though maintenance (or the lack thereof) can skew this figure in one direction or the other.

Extending Your A/C’s Working Life

By far the most impactful factor in your a/c’s life expectancy is the maintenance you perform on the unit. If you don’t clean out debris regularly, cover the unit during winter to protect it from the elements, change your air filters on a regular basis, monitor your refrigerant, and have an occasional tune-up performed, you could be shortening your unit’s life by years.

You’ll also want to do what you can to reduce the burden your a/c bears while it’s working. This can mean shading the unit so that it doesn’t get too hot in the Jacksonville summers, monitoring your thermostat’s accuracy to ensure that it’s not causing the unit to cycle on and off too often, and, in some cases, even upgrading to a larger a/c unit that’s sufficient to accommodate your home’s needs without overworking itself. An a/c that runs or cycles too frequently is at risk of overheating, which can lead to a whole host of potentially expensive problems.

Finally, it’s a good idea to schedule annual tune-ups with a reputable HVAC company. By giving your unit a thorough once-over, HVAC professionals like those at A/C Designs can spot any problems before they start, preventing potentially expensive repairs (or even a/c replacement) down the road. If it’s been a while since your a/c unit was given some TLC, visit our website to learn more about the services we offer or to get in touch with one of our experienced a/c technicians.

Continue Reading