Diagnose Water Dripping From AC Vent With AC Designs
It’s normal to see your vehicle’s AC dripping water after it’s been parked for a few minutes, but the same can’t be said about your home’s air vents. Understanding why water dripping from AC vents is a cause for concern is crucial, and our team at AC Designs is here to help you address this issue effectively. Here are some of the top reasons behind leaky AC vents:
Choosing the Right Central Air Conditioner for Your Home
For some homeowners, choosing a new AC system can be as simple as heading to the nearest big box store and picking a window unit off the shelf. But for those who desire central heating and cooling, selecting from among all the different types and varieties of AC units can leave them wondering – which is the right option for me?
At AC Designs, our expert technicians are here to help you find the best central air conditioner for your home so you can stay comfortable all year long.
Finding your new home is an exciting time—and with so much to consider, the HVAC system isn’t usually at the top of your mind. But if your new home’s AC system isn’t working properly, you’ll be stuck feeling hot, humid, and uncomfortable. Here’s our top advice for new homeowners to ensure your AC runs properly from move-in day and lasts for years to come.
The first step when buying your new home is to check if the AC unit has a warranty and review its terms and conditions. New homeowners will want to keep a copy of this warranty on hand in case any issues arise.
To get a clear picture of your HVAC system’s history, ask if the previous homeowner will share past AC maintenance and inspection findings. This will tell you whether there were problems in the past and what to expect for the future.
If the previous homeowner can’t share a warranty or past maintenance records, it’s best to schedule a professional AC maintenance check as soon as possible. Your certified HVAC technician will identify any issues or needed repairs before they become a problem. That way, you won’t be caught without a working cooling system in the heat of summer.
Prepare yourself for the possibility that your new home’s AC system may need to be replaced. Our Florida weather is hot and humid year-round, putting extra strain on units. Don’t be fooled by the unit’s age, either. If the unit wasn’t maintained properly, or if the wrong size of unit was installed in the first place, it could wear out before its time.
In case you do decide to install a new unit at move-in, you’ll need to consider a variety of factors to ensure you get the right heating and cooling system for your home.
Whether your home is older or newer, you’ll have to decide on the type of system that’s a match for the space. Options include a single central air conditioner, multiple systems, or a primary system with smaller units throughout the home. This is especially important when building a new home, because you’ll need to budget for the cost of a new HVAC system.
Budgeting goes beyond the initial cost for HVAC installation, too. We recommend taking a close look at the HVAC unit’s efficiency rating to save you money on energy bills in the long run.
Getting familiar with efficiency ratings can also help. They include SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), EER (Energy Efficiency Ratio), AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency specific to furnaces, water heaters, and boilers), or HSPF (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor specific to heat pumps).
To save money, you can perform your own AC maintenance. The good news is that there are several things you can do to ensure your AC is running efficiently. Don’t let your unit work too hard by fluctuating the temperature or running it too high or low.
The AC owner’s manual may show a recommended energy-efficient temperature range. If not, the next time you have an AC inspection, ask the service technician what they recommend. Then, consider getting a programmable thermostat to keep your house at the right temperature even when you’re away.
Particle buildup clogs your ac filters, so we recommend changing them at least every 30–90 days. Proper airflow can be affected by your outdoor unit as well. Keep up yard maintenance around your unit to remove any obstructions near the air intake.
But what happens when there’s improper airflow? Seal any areas of your home that cause a draft, such as doorways or cracks around windows. Otherwise, the leaks will lower your HVAC efficiency.
It may also seem efficient to close vents to cool off other areas of your home quicker, but did you know that it can actually cause your unit to work harder? Keep all your vents open and remove any chairs, bookshelves, etc., that may be blocking the vent registers.
The simplest way to keep your system running smoothly is to have a qualified HVAC service company perform regular AC maintenance.
It’s a best practice to schedule a certified HVAC technician to run an AC inspection on your unit twice per year. When searching for an AC company in Jacksonville, FL, or an AC company in St. Augustine, FL, look for one that has served your area for years, like AC Designs. We provide custom system design, in-house energy calculations, and customizable maintenance.
Our technicians will treat you like a person and care for your unit like it’s our own. With AC Designs’ Preferred Customer Maintenance Program, you’ll benefit from regular HVAC maintenance on your unit to keep your home comfortable without worry. On top of that, joining our maintenance program helps save you money on HVAC costs in the long run.
Are you ready to get your recommended AC maintenance on the books? Make an appointment with AC Designs. We take pride in being the number one family-owned and operated AC company in Jacksonville, Florida, and are proud to be a top AC company in St. Augustine, Florida.
The winter months make us crave warm and fuzzy feelings. But did you know that heat energy contributes about 40-percent of the average American’s utility bill? Fortunately, though, you do not have to choose between shivering under mountains of blankets or paying a monstrous utility bill. These tips can help you lower heating costs during the winter.
High heating costs may result from several causes. For instance, improper home insulation can lead to heat loss. If your windows, doors, or even electrical outlets are inadequately sealed, you may experience air leaks. Keep warm air inside of your home for as long as possible to stay energy efficient and promote lower heating costs.
Additionally, how you heat your home – including how you use your thermostat or if you use additional heating appliances – can affect your heating bill for better or worse. For example, using a humidifier in colder months will make the air inside your home feel even warmer.
The condition and age of your unit can also raise your heating bill. The older your HVAC unit, the harder it has to work to keep you comfortable, which leads to high heating costs.
It’s important to schedule regular HVAC maintenance to ensure your home is heating properly. Neglecting professional maintenance can increase your heating bill when you don’t detect issues soon enough. Preventative maintenance will ensure your unit is in tip-top shape to service you when you need to stay warm.
Winter heating costs rise when you are heating a home that is improperly insulated. Don’t throw away your money. Instead, ensure that cracks in your windows and doors are sealed so warm air cannot exit your home. Use weatherstrips and seal all visible cracks to retain more of the warm air.
Another option is adding insulation to the walls and attic of your home. Promote lower heating bills by reducing the amount of heat lost through your roof and walls. Check on all the common areas of heat loss to ensure you are keeping the hot air in and the cold air out. These include windows, doors, fireplaces, roofs, walls, and power outlets.
A smart thermostat learns your preferences and adjusts the temperature in your home to coincide with when you are home, away from home, and asleep. By using a smart thermostat, your home can automatically adjust to lower temperatures to promote a lower heating bill.
Lowering your thermostat, in general, can lead to a dramatic change in your heating bill. Try turning your thermostat down when you go to sleep and before you leave for work in the morning. Adjusting the thermostat before you hit the hay and hit the road, can lead to a lower utility bill.
Using your heater will likely cause your air filters to get dirtier, faster. It may also lead to an overall less efficient heating system. Check your air filters and replace them if necessary.
Replace your filter at the beginning of each season and as needed to ensure your home’s healthy indoor air quality.
In some cases, you may want to use alternative heating elements for your home. A space heater placed in a room you frequently use can keep the temperature warm while the thermostat is set a little lower. This method keeps you in your comfort zone while also maintaining lower heating costs.
Using a humidifier is another good way to make your home feel warm without cranking up the heat. Humid air can feel warmer than dry air. Setting the thermostat just a little lower while keeping the humidifier on will result in the same cozy environment.
Regular HVAC unit service is the best way to ensure your unit runs efficiently during any season, including the winter.
During a heating maintenance visit, our professionals inspect and tune-up all individual components of your heater. Your heating system will function better as a whole when all the individual components operate as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Maintain winter heating costs by entrusting your HVAC services to a reliable AC company in Jacksonville, FL. Our team genuinely cares about your health and comfort at home. Schedule an appointment with AC Designs to ensure you stay warm in your comfort zone this winter.
Floridians don’t always manage the cold weather well. But the truth is, whether they like it or not, chilly temperatures do sweep across the Northeast Florida region from time to time. Seasonal HVAC maintenance is important to keep you in your comfort zone, especially during the coldest months of the year. Follow these steps for HVAC maintenance when preparing your AC unit for winter.
With the temperature cooling down, you will be spending more time in the comfort of your home. Prepare your indoor unit before winter arrives to avoid expensive repairs. Common HVAC issues during the colder months include rusting, corrosion, nesting, damage from falling debris. Stay mindful of these possible challenges to avoid high winter maintenance costs later on.
Before winter, check your unit’s air filters and replace them if necessary. A clean air filter is important for maintaining a healthy indoor air quality during cold months. A general HVAC maintenance rule of thumb is to change your air filter every 30 days.
Lastly, instead of turning up the heat all at once, try gradually adjusting your thermostat each day. This will put less stress on your HVAC unit and allow you to avoid costly HVAC maintenance.
Your indoor air conditioner isn’t the only concern for winter HVAC maintenance. Ultimately, taking care of your outdoor unit is just as if not more important to keep you in your comfort zone all season long.
Before winter arrives, turn off the AC function on your outdoor unit. Turning off the AC can keep you safe while performing maintenance on your unit, but also provides other benefits. Water with the potential to freeze could damage the condensing unit. However, if the AC is turned off, water will be kept out of the unit altogether.
Next, inspect the unit. Listen to the compressor for any unusual noises such as buzzing, clunking, or grinding. Look around the perimeter of the unit. Clear away debris, trash, weeds, and foliage that are within three feet.
When winter is finally over, cover the outdoor air conditioning unit. A specially designed AC unit cover allows for ventilation, prevents rust buildup, and deter animals who may nest in your unit while it’s not being used.
A crucial part of winter HVAC maintenance is ensuring that your heater works before temperatures drop. Since our heaters are not running consistently throughout the year, it’s a good idea to test your heater before running it all day.
Test your heater by turning it on for about an hour. You will likely notice an odor, but that should go away fairly quickly. Make sure that the heat works properly and that your thermostat controls function well.
If your heating system blows cool air, does not turn on, or turns on and off frequently, give AC Designs a call. You will want to have a certified HVAC technician diagnose the causes of these winter maintenance issues and correct them as soon as possible before it gets too cold.
With the temperature cooling off, it’s more important than ever to take care of your HVAC unit. Seasonal HVAC maintenance will ensure a comfortable home year-round. Schedule an appointment with AC Designs, your trusted AC company in Jacksonville, FL, to make sure your unit is prepared to keep you in your comfort zone all winter long.
Over the last two years, the home has become an especially popular place to be. But are you taking proper care of it? When was the last time you had an AC unit maintenance check? If you don’t schedule annual maintenance for your home’s AC unit, you are putting your overall well-being at risk.
Preventative AC maintenance goes a long way in fostering a healthy living environment for you and your loved ones. Here’s how AC maintenance appointments will help you stay in your comfort zone.
AC maintenance benefits include less money spent, more love for the environment, and a greater focus on your health. How much money you will save depends on how well you take care of your AC. The easiest way to save money on your air conditioning unit is by identifying and preventing issues before they arise.
During your AC maintenance appointment, an experienced HVAC tech can pinpoint any issues they see with your unit. Then they can address any problems before they become major issues. They may also recommend other money-saving improvements for your unit based on your AC habits, where you live, and the time of year.
When an AC unit is given proper preventative attention, it consumes less fuel and becomes more energy efficient. Your unit’s efficiency may also be affected by dirty air filters, dirty condenser coils, inadequate ventilation, and more. Routine maintenance can catch these smaller issues and correct them to help improve your unit’s efficiency.
The air you breathe every day is crucial to your overall health. AC Designs’ indoor air quality specialists can correct any poor air quality issues within your unit. They can also make recommendations for air filters or air quality monitors to keep track of the pollutants in your home.
Finally, when your AC unit is maintained properly, you’ll get to enjoy it for many more years to come. When you treat it well, it experiences less wear and tear which contributes to a longer lifespan.
During your maintenance appointment, the HVAC technician will inspect your unit to ensure it is running efficiently. They may check and test components such as the blower motor, thermostat, condenser coil, fan blades, and capacitors.
They should also check your air filter and clean or change it if necessary to improve your indoor air quality. Additionally, you can expect them to inspect the safety components within your unit to ensure they are operating properly.
Make sure your HVAC technician checks your refrigerant level. This is a crucial step in your maintenance appointment. A loss of refrigerant means that a leak may have occurred. If possible, your technician should locate and repair the leak during your appointment.
AC maintenance benefits ensure that you can stay in your comfort zone all year long. It is crucial to give your AC unit proper attention and maintenance to keep your home healthy and energy-efficient. Joining a preventative maintenance program can take the stress off of you when it comes to caring for your HVAC unit. At AC Designs, our Preferred Customer Maintenance Program includes the following:
Don’t wait to claim all of the positive AC maintenance benefits. They are all just one phone call away. Schedule your preventative maintenance appointment with A/C Designs, a trusted HVAC company in Jacksonville, FL, today.
Not all AC unit warranties are created equally. At AC Designs, our 10-Year Parts and Labor Warranty is one of the best warranties on the market. Taking steps to protect your AC warranty is always a good idea. But understanding the details of your AC warranty like what it covers and its duration, is crucial to keep it protected. Find out what you can expect from your warranty below.
We understand that AC units and repairs are expensive. But especially in the sunshine state, they are important to stay comfortable year-round. That is why AC companies, like AC Designs, offer warranties to protect your investment.
Most new air conditioners come with a manufacturer warranty already. But the company installing them may also offer their own labor warranty. These ensure quality AC maintenance from the day you make the purchase, through installation, for future repairs and beyond.
Additional air conditioning warranties for equipment cover faulty part malfunctions and failures. If your system quits because of a manufacturer error and that part is still under warranty, it will likely be replaced by the manufacturer for free.
With so many companies fighting for your business, take the time you need to sift through all the information regarding their warranties. Before signing anything, ask these questions that could save you time and money:
AC Designs has one of the best AC warranties in the industry. When comparing AC Designs to other companies’ warranties, you’ll notice one big difference between them. AC Designs covers parts and labor when most others only include parts. Choosing the AC Designs warranty gets you 10 years of exceptional service on your AC unit’s parts and labor.
All of the fine print is exhausting. However, it is imperative that you read the entire warranty to ensure you understand what could void your contract. While scanning the document, take note of anything that may not make sense to you. Ask questions in order to understand the exact terms and details of your warranty.
After purchasing your warranty, the last thing you want is your manufacturer declining to cover a repair. If you feel confused or uninformed, don’t stay quiet. Instead, gain clarity on your contract to avoid breaking the terms of your warranty and continue to get the parts and labor you paid for.
While all warranties are different, here are some of the most common ways people break their warranties. Avoiding these will help you protect your air conditioning warranty:
One of the best ways to keep your warranty protected is by working with a qualified HVAC company that employs NATE-certified technicians. This will help ensure that your unit is installed and maintained properly.
Choosing the right warranty comes down to asking questions to stay informed on all terms and conditions. Know what to expect from your AC warranty so you know how to handle any issues that may arise. Protect yours today with AC Designs, professional HVAC company in Jacksonville, FL. Call AC Designs to schedule your bi-annual maintenance.
If you live in a multi-story home, you may notice uneven cooling throughout the house. A temperature discrepancy between the floors of your home likely indicates an issue with the way your HVAC unit is set up or running. There are a few ways to optimize your home for multi-story cooling. These cooling tips will help you cool your multi-story home efficiently.
Your multi-story home requires a different cooling system than a single-story home. When your home is two stories or taller, a multi-zone cooling system is necessary for optimal cooling. A multi-zone system uses separate blower fans and dampers to redirect airflow, allowing you to control each floor of your home with multiple thermostats.
If your home is not set up with a multi-zone system, schedule an appointment with A/C Designs to modify your system for zoned control. Our HVAC technicians in Jacksonville, FL can help you decide if a zone control system installation is right for your heating and cooling habits.
A programmable thermostat is a great option for homeowners looking for a little more control over their energy consumption. By setting different heating and cooling programs, you can maintain regular, efficient temperatures while you are not home.
Choosing an ideal temperature is an important step. If your ideal temperature is 76 degrees, set the top floor of your home to this setting. For each lower level, set the temperature two degrees cooler. This will help for optimal cooling.
There are many energy-efficient ways to promote ideal cooling in your home. Try using ceiling fans regularly to promote air circulation. Keep in mind that during the summer, the most energy-efficient temperature for your home is 78 degrees.
It’s important to check your unit’s air filters regularly. A dirty air filter will limit circulation and cause more problems down the line. Check to ensure that your attic is properly insulated in order to keep heat and moisture out.
Get back to your comfort zone with a multi-zone system today. Schedule an appointment with our HVAC technicians today to set up your home’s zone-controlled HVAC system and receive more cooling tips for your multi-story home.
