A/C Designs of St. Augustine, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Daytona Beach’

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.

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When the Heat Pump Won’t Switch Back into Cooling Mode

Friday, March 20th, 2015

If 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.

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Why Your Furnace Isn’t Coming On

Wednesday, January 21st, 2015

It really stinks to have your furnace not come on when you really need it. Though the problem is likely beyond your ability to fix, there are a few things you can do before calling an HVAC technician to look at it for you. After all, investigating the issue is better than sitting in your cold house, waiting for the problem to resolve itself. Let’s take a look at what you should do when your furnace refuses to come on.

Check the Thermostat

The thermostat is one of the core components of your furnace. It is responsible for controlling pretty much everything your furnace does, including turning on and off. This means that if your thermostat malfunctions for any reason, it can pretty easily stymie an otherwise healthy furnace from operating. Have a look at your thermostat’s display and make sure that the temperature and settings are correct. Solving your problem may be as simple as pressing a few buttons. If everything seems to be correct, then the problem might lie elsewhere. Your professional HVAC technician will check the thermostat more thoroughly, to make sure it’s operating properly.

Check the Pilot Light

Not all furnaces use standing pilot lights anymore, those tiny flames that continuously burn underneath the burner assembly. If your furnace happens to still use one, though, look and see if it’s still burning. If the pilot light is out, that is probably the source of your problem. You can try re-lighting it yourself, if you know how to do so. If you don’t, don’t worry. All HVAC technicians know how to re-light pilot lights. If your pilot light refuses to stay lit after you try lighting it, then you probably have a faulty thermocouple.

The thermocouple is a device that is designed to regulate the amount of gas the pilot light receives. If the pilot light is lit, the thermocouple makes sure that it receives a steady flow of gas to keep it alive. If the pilot light goes out, the thermocouple closes the gas valve as a safety measure. A faulty thermocouple will often smother a pilot light by cutting off the gas flow prematurely, smothering the flame. If your thermocouple is broken, you’ll need a professional to replace it.

If you’d like to know more, call AC Designs Inc. today to speak with one of our technicians. We provide professional heating repair service throughout the Daytona Beach area.

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Heat Pump Repair Basics: The Reversing Valve

Wednesday, November 19th, 2014

Heat pumps work very similarly to air conditioners except for one key way: they can also heat your home. How do they do this? With the help of a component called a reversing valve. The valve itself is fairly complex, but the result for you, as the homeowner, is that you have a system that can easily switch between heating and cooling. However, heat pumps run year-round, making them a little more prone to needing repair than other more seasonal systems. If you are need of quality heat pump repair service in Daytona Beach, call the people you can count on: AC Designs Inc.

How Does the Reversing Valve Work?

The reversing valve is a somewhat delicate component that has a pipe on the bottom and three on the top. The job of the reversing valve is to change the direction of the flow of refrigerant in your system; this is how the heat pump changes modes between heating and cooling. The valve has two settings within it: one is excited, the other is relaxed. The valve manufacturer sets which state stands for heating and which stands for cooling, so there can be variations between valves. What doesn’t change is that once a state is set for a specific mode – either heating or cooling – it stays that way for the life of the pump.

So how does the pump change modes? As the homeowner, you press a button on your dual-mode thermostat. This cues the heat pump’s solenoid, which is a low-voltage electrical component, to slide the valve in the opposite direction. As the valve slides, the refrigerant also helps the valve to change states between relaxed and excited, or vice versa. Once the valve has slid into the correct position, the mode has changed.

When the Valve Is Stuck

One of the most common problems that can develop with a reversing valve is that is can get stuck. It may become stuck in a specific mode or in between modes. If the valve is stuck due to a bad solenoid, the solenoid can be replaced; but should there be another problem causing the valve to stick, such as leaking refrigerant, the valve will need to be replaced.

Reversing valve repairs should only be handled by trained professionals. The valves can be complex, but more importantly, they operate with refrigerant, and you must be certified to handle refrigerant. The trained technicians at AC Designs Inc. can handle all types of heat pump repairs in Daytona Beach, so don’t hesitate to give us a call if you need help with your heat pump system.

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How to Avoid Heating Repairs for Your Furnace This Winter

Wednesday, October 29th, 2014

While nothing can guarantee that you’ll never need a heating repair again, there are some things that you can do to greatly reduce your chances of requiring furnace repair in Daytona Beach. Taking certain precautionary steps and being a little proactive can go a long way toward helping your furnace to work well. However, if you do encounter problems with your furnace, call the people you can count on 24/7: AC Designs, Inc.

Ways to Help Avoid Heating Repairs

Here are some suggestions to help you avoid possible heating repairs this winter:

Don’t Ignore Strange Sounds or Odors

When problems develop with your furnace, it will give signs that something is amiss. Typically, these signs come in the form of strange sounds and/or strange odors. Ignoring the signs that something may be wrong with your furnace is not a good step to take; it can put your system at risk and, if there are problems, they will not improve on their own. If you hear something odd or smell something off, call for a technician.

Schedule Fall Maintenance

Your furnace works hard during the winter to keep you warm. It is normal for wear and tear to develop, and for dirt and dust to get into your system. When your furnace operates each season without the benefit of maintenance, this build-up and wear compounds, reducing the efficiency and performance quality of your system. The tune-up your system receives during a maintenance appointment is integral to the system working optimally, so it’s important to schedule it annually.

Change the Filter

The air filter in your system needs to be changed about every 3 months. When it isn’t changed, and left in your furnace for an extended period of time, it can clog up. A clogged air filter can restrict the airflow in your system and fail to block dirt, dust and debris from entering your system as it’s supposed to. Changing your air filter on a timely basis can help you avoid multiple problems.

You can’t avoid every needed heating repair for your Daytona Beach home this winter, but you can reduce the amount of potential problems. Need help with your furnace? Call AC Designs, Inc. today.

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Signs You Need Commercial HVAC Repair Services

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

The HVAC system in your commercial property plays a critical role in day-to-day operations: without a comfortable environment with controlled humidity, worker productivity will suffer and you can also end up with unhappy customers and clients. If your commercial HVAC in Daytona Beach, FL begins to falter and negatively affect the comfort inside the workspace, you need to call for repair specialists to take care of the problem, fast.

AC Designs Inc. is a name you can trust for quality commercial HVAC services. We have helped businesses in the greater Jacksonville and Daytona areas stay comfortable—no matter the weather outside—for more than a decade. Make us your first call when it comes to taking care of the air conditioning and heating for your commercial property.

Here are some signs to watch for that warn you need professional repair services:

Noisy Heating/Cooling Operation

Modern commercial heating and air conditioning units for businesses are designed to work with a minimum of noise pollution; you don’t need a distracting rumbling noise bothering your employees and/or customers. When strange sounds begin to come from the vents, or the compressor starts to create bizarre noises every time it turns on, you may have major mechanical issues inside the HVAC system that will require trained technicians to investigate.

Elevated Utility Bills

We know that you keep a close watch on the finances for your company, and that includes the regular utility bills. When an HVAC unit starts to malfunction, it will make the heater and air conditioner work harder to achieve their expected temperature levels, and this will create a spike in the utility bills. If you cannot account for a sudden rise on these bills, call for repair specialists to see if there is anything wrong with the HVAC system.

Hot or Cold Spots in the Workspace

As a heater or air conditioner starts to fail due to a repair need, it will create uneven temperatures. If employees or customers start to complain about certain rooms feeling uncomfortably warm or cool, you should look into repairs for the system. One likely possibility is that the unit is leaking refrigerant and losing its ability to condition the air. There is also the chance that the thermostat system is miscalibrated or otherwise malfunctioning.

To help keep repair problems from threatening your commercial property’s comfort, arrange to have regular maintenance. Experienced commercial technicians will inspect the system twice a year (once in spring, once in fall) to see that it has no impending repair issues that need addressing. The technicians will also tune-up the HVAC system so that it runs at its maximum efficiency.

In Daytona Beach, FL, commercial HVAC repair from AC Designs Inc. will make certain your commercial space remains comfortable throughout the year. You can contact us for regular maintenance as well.

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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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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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Benefits of Rooftop Units

Thursday, July 10th, 2014

In the world of commercial HVAC systems, rooftop package units dominate. They are so common that people who know nothing about commercial heating and cooling still automatically know that the devices that perform the job are located on the roof of a building. (Although most of these people probably know this from watching rooftop chases and shootouts in movies where heroes and villains use the rooftop HVAC units as cover.)

What makes rooftop units so popular? They offer some excellent benefits, and we’ll look at a few of the reasons that you should consider installation of rooftop units in Daytona Beach, FL for your company.

Of course, an HVAC system is only as good as the work done to install it, so when you are ready for your new rooftop packaged units, call AC Designs Inc. and let our more than 10 years of experience take care of the task. We will make sure you have the right system doing the best job possible.

Why Rooftop Units Are So Beneficial

  • Packaged unit convenience: Rooftop units are packaged units, which means they are unlike the “split” systems often seen in homes and smaller businesses that use an indoor and outdoor cabinet. All the component for heating and cooling, including both the evaporator and condenser, are housed inside a rooftop unit, making them easier to install and service. They also save space because they do not require an indoor cabinet.
  • Attractiveness: No, we don’t mean that rooftop units are attractive-looking; they are functional items in appearance. But if you have them housed on the roof of your business, they will make the working areas below more attractive to customers and clients, keeping the space around the business free from industrial-looking machinery.
  • Modular: Rooftop package units are designed in modules, so whenever you need to add more heating or cooling power to your business because of expansion or redesign, you won’t need to scrap the old system and replace it with a new one. You instead can place a new module on the roof to add power to the current one. Modules come in a great range of sizes, from 5-tons to 50-tons of cooling power, so you can choose the exact size to accommodate your expansion.
  • Protection from damage: Being Located up on the roof removes the potential that they system will sustain damage from vandalism or other human interference.

Call for Commercial HVAC Specialists

You must have commercial experts handle the installation of commercial HVAC units in Daytona Beach, FL, otherwise you risk an inefficient and poorly-sized system. AC Designs Inc. can handle the work for you, and we also supply excellent repairs—any time of the day or night—and regular maintenance service. Give us a call today.

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