One of the most important things to look for in a brand new air conditioner is efficiency, as energy bills really tend to skyrocket in the summertime. And when you choose a heat pump, you’ll get efficiency, performance, durability, and more! Heat pumps are some of the most efficient cooling and heating systems there are, especially if you live in a warmer climate. Here’s how you can save money each year by installing this unique unit.
A/C Designs of St. Augustine, LLC Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Heat Pump’
How a Heat Pump Can Save You Money Year Round
Monday, June 15th, 2015Your Options for AC Replacement
Monday, May 25th, 2015Are you in the market for a new air conditioning system? There are many options available in a range of prices with plenty of optional features and upgrades. How do you choose? You should always seek the help of a trained HVAC technician when selecting a new system, but we’ve put together this list for some guidance to start.
Is a Heat Pump a Good Choice for AC Replacement?
Monday, April 27th, 2015As the weather heats up more and more, it may be time to ditch that older, ineffective energy hog of an air conditioner and replace it with a high-efficiency AC system. And today, you have so many options from which to choose. One of the more popular choices among homeowners today for air conditioning installation and replacement, especially in the Jacksonville area, is the heat pump. Talk to your local AC technician about your options, but check out a couple of the advantages to heat pumps in this guide.
When the Heat Pump Won’t Switch Back into Cooling Mode
Friday, March 20th, 2015If 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.
3 Common Heat Pump Problems
Monday, February 16th, 2015A heat pump is a great choice for a home heating system. They are energy efficient, safe, and versatile. However, heat pumps are also vulnerable to just as many repair issues as any other kind of heating system. As heat pumps tend to be more uncommon than furnaces or boilers, many homeowners are unaware of the symptoms that indicate a problem with them. Let’s take a look at 3 of the most common heat pump problems, and how you can easily identify them.
Loss of Heating Function
When a heat pump loses the ability to heat, it can often be contributed to one of two factors. The first factor is that the heat pump’s outer unit has lost access to the ambient thermal energy that it needs to heat the home. The second factor is that a leak in the refrigerant line has deprived the heat pump of the medium it uses to transport heat.
A good way to check for the first factor is to examine the outer unit. Oftentimes, the unit can be deprived of thermal energy by ice building up on it in cold weather. Normally, a defrost cycle activates periodically to melt any ice off of the unit. If the defrost cycle stops working for whatever reason, however, the unit can ice over and begin to blow cold air instead of warm.
Refrigerant leaks are often identified by a gurgling sound or pooling liquid around the heat pump units. If you see either of these symptoms, call a professional immediately.
Becoming Stuck in One Mode
Heat pumps are unique among heating systems, in that they can switch between heating and cooling modes. This is accomplished through the use of a part called the “reversing valve,” which reverses the flow of refrigerant through the system. Inside the reversing valve is a slide that directs the flow of refrigerant. If that slide becomes stuck for whatever reason, the heat pump can become stuck in either heating or cooling mode. If you notice this happening, you’ll need to have a professional look at your reversing valve.
Broken Air Handler
The air handler is the part of the heat pump responsible for circulating air through the house. The motor that turns the fan in the air handler is put under quite a bit of stress during operation, as it has to move quite a bit of air over a long distance. In order to help compensate for the strain, air handler motors are equipped with lubricated bearings that lessen the friction. As these bearings wear down, however, the stress on the motor increases. If not treated quickly, the motor can overheat and burn itself out. If you hear a grinding sound coming from your heat pump, that is the sound of the bearings wearing out. Have a professional look at it immediately.
If your heat pump is having issues, call AC Designs Inc. to make an appointment with us. We provide heat pump repair services throughout Orange Park.
Why Schedule Heat Pump Maintenance Before Winter
Wednesday, October 8th, 2014Few home comfort systems are better suited to the weather in Florida than a heat pump. Heat pumps provide cooling during the hot summers and early autumns that equal the best air conditioning systems. During the short cold weather period, a heat pump is more than sufficient to keep a home cozy without losing efficiency (which is something that can happen to them in colder climates).
Because a heat pump takes on the job of two different systems, a heater and an air conditioner, it needs to have rigorous maintenance done not once a year, but twice. As far as maintenance is concerned, a heat pump is two separate systems: an AC that needs an inspection and tune-up during the spring, and a heater that needs it during the fall.
To keep your heat pump in Orange Park, FL ready to handle the rest of the year and the beginning of the next, arrange for maintenance from AC Designs Inc. We will help you save money with more efficient performance and fewer repairs in the future for your heat pump.
Here are some of the reasons that heat pump maintenance is important during the fall:
Reduce energy inefficiency
A heat pump does a lot of work during the spring and summer while it’s in cooling mode, and all this stress will cause its components to start to wear down and collect dust. As the heating season starts, the heat pump might begin to operate inefficiently and cost more to operate—sometimes as much as 20% more. Maintenance will see that the unit is cleaned, its important parts lubricated and tuned-up, and that nothing interferes with its efficient operation.
Head off potential repairs
Approximately 85% of repairs that a heat pump may need can be prevented through regular maintenance. Checking for potential repair issues before they become repair issues is one of the basic parts of the maintenance technician’s job.
Prevent surprise breakdowns
A heat pump that has worked diligently through the summer and into the fall may possibly crash and stop working during a cold winter day. You don’t want to have the heat pump’s heating function stop working the first moment you actually need it.
Extended lifespan
A heat pump, as with any comfort system, cannot live up to its manufacturer’s estimated lifespan and beyond unless it receives routine maintenance. If a heat pump misses maintenance entirely, it may not even reach half its estimated service life.
To get started with maintenance for your heat pump before the cooler weather arrives, call AC Designs Inc. and enroll in our maintenance plan. We are also here whenever you need us for emergency repairs, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Is a Heat Pump a Good Option for Air Conditioning in the State of Florida?
Tuesday, July 16th, 2013Are you in the market for new air conditioning installation in Jacksonville, FL? If so, there are various options to consider. Among the most popular, the heat pump makes an excellent choice for homeowners looking for a great mix of performance and energy efficiency.
One of the added benefits of installing a heat pump in your home is that it also provide both heating and cooling for your home. Because our winters are relatively moderate down here, many homeowners may be comfortable with a year-round option like a heat pump to fulfill their air conditioning and heating needs.
Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why a heat pump makes a good option for keeping your home comfortable:
- Versatility: The chief distinction between a heat pump and air conditioner is its ability to heat your home during the colder months of the year. It can do this because of a reversing valve that allows the refrigerant to move in the opposite direction. This gives the heat pump a versatility that simply cannot be had with any other system. Unlike an ordinary AC, you can use your heat pump all year round, which is much simplier than maintaining and repairing two separate systems.
- Reliability: Heat pumps are reliable pieces of equipment when regularly maintained. Since they only transfer heat, instead of producing it via combustion, you don’t have to worry about problems like gas leaks or pilot lights. However, when you opt for a heat pump in Jacksonville, FL, you need to make sure that it’s professionally installed by a technician with experience and training. Considering that you use your heat pump during both temperature extremes, ensuring reliable performance is an important factor in the installation of any new system.
Call AC Designs Inc. today for excellent heat pump and air conditioning services throughout Jacksonville, FL. We can make sure your heat pump installation is completed properly.