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

What to Do Before Calling for Heating Repair

Wednesday, February 4th, 2015

It’s one of those distinct feelings: you can tell, just from your toasty morning bed, that the air in your home is just too chilly. You slough off your covers, go down into your basement, and sure enough, your heater is as quiet as a church mouse. Why? Because it’s off – and it shouldn’t be. Before you jump into panic mode and run to the phone to call for heating repair for your Jacksonville home, there are a few things you should check first:

Is There a Pilot Light?

If you have a furnace with a standing pilot, crouch down and check to see if it’s on. While we don’t recommend trying to re-light it on your own, knowing that the pilot is out will help you to describe the problem to the repair person when you call.

What’s Happening with Your Thermostat?

Your thermostat is the control center for your heating system: it tells your heater when to turn on and when to turn off. First: if it has batteries, have they died? Second: what mode is the thermostat in, heating or cooling? Third: if you use a programmable thermostat, has the program changed? Your goal is to try and rule out that your thermostat may be the issue.

How Dirty Is the Air Filter?

If you have a furnace or heat pump system, then you have an air filter, too. It’s recommended that air filters are changed every three months in order to keep it effective. Otherwise, the air filter can become clogged and restrict air flow in your system, which can cause a shut down.

Check the Fuel Levels

If you have a heater that runs on oil or propane, make sure that you’ve got fuel for your system. If you have natural gas, you may want to make sure that the valve is in the “open” position.

Check Your Electrical Panel

All heating systems need some kind of electricity, especially electric furnaces, so it’s a wise move to check your electrical box to see if any circuits pertaining to your heating system have tripped.

Once you complete the run-down of possibilities, and find that these aren’t the origin of your problems, call the people you can count on for heating repair in Jacksonville: AC Designs Inc.

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Why Refrigerant Loss in Your Commercial HVAC Requires Repair Service

Wednesday, January 7th, 2015

You may know that an air conditioner runs using refrigerant. Refrigerant cycles through the entire system in order to remove heat from the inside air. And your commercial HVAC system must maintain a set level of refrigerant in order to properly do its job. Without the right level of refrigerant, your HVAC system can suffer a lot of damage and may even need replacement in some severe cases.

For commercial HVAC repair in Jacksonville, call on the expertise of the commercial specialists at AC Designs Inc.

The fact is that air conditioners are simply not meant to lose refrigerant. Refrigerant does not dissipate from the system naturally, nor is it meant to occasionally be let out. Refrigerant is a chemical blend used in air conditioning because of its ability to easily convert from liquid to gas state, evaporating easily into a gas but never evaporating into the air, unless there is a problem with the refrigerant line or another component of your system.

Refrigerant can leak from the refrigerant line, out of the compressor, or through loose connections and fittings. And when it does, your unit does not have enough refrigerant to do its job. When your commercial unit was installed, professionals had to make some careful calculations to make sure that they measured out refrigerant to exactly the right charge. Without the proper charge, an air conditioner can suffer in a few different ways.

For one thing, a lack of refrigerant will likely mean reduced cooling power. Refrigerant moves to the indoor evaporator coil to absorb heat and then to the outside condensing coil to release it. Without the right amount of refrigerant, it cannot pull enough heat from a large commercial space, and it will take longer for the system to cool your business.

Furthermore, leaks could lead to a frozen coil or trouble with the compressor. The indoor coil may freeze as a result of low refrigerant because there is not enough thermal energy to moderate the temperature of the coil. And too little refrigerant may also have an effect on the compressor, one of the most important parts of the system. This part adds pressure to the refrigerant as well as heat so that heat can dissipate at the condenser coil and so that the refrigerant cycle can continue. However, it needs a very specific amount to work, and may struggle or fail without it.

The commercial specialists at AC Designs Inc. have years of experience repairing packaged rooftop units and all types of commercial systems. Call us to schedule an appointment as soon as you suspect the need for commercial HVAC repair in Jacksonville.

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What to do if Your Heat Pump Won’t Heat Your Home

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Heat pumps operate slightly differently from more traditional systems, which makes them a bit more complicated when it comes to potential problems popping up. Before you call your heating repair technician, however, it helps to see if you can find the problem beforehand. Below are some of the things you can do before your HVAC technician gets there.

Check the Thermostat

There are tons of heating problems that can be attributed to a malfunctioning thermostat. Your heat pump might be perfectly fine, but without a properly working thermostat it won’t matter. Check the display to make sure that the thermostat is in heating mode and the temperature is set properly. If it is, the heat pump is more likely to be the problem.

Check Your Outdoor Unit

Depending on how cold your environment is, ice can form on the outside of your outdoor unit. Normally, this isn’t a problem. All heat pumps are equipped with a defrost cycle to regularly melt the ice around the unit. If this defrost cycle isn’t working for whatever reason, the ice can build up and eventually encase the entire unit. This prevents the unit from absorbing thermal energy from the surrounding air, leading to a drop in temperature inside the house. If you see a large amount of ice on your heat pump, covering at least ¾ of the unit, your defrost cycle is probably not working.

Look for Leaks

Most systems rely on an internal “charge” of refrigerant to transport thermal energy where it is needed. A leak in the refrigerant line can drain this charge, severely depleting the heat pump’s ability to heat properly. If you see fluid leaking from either your indoor or outdoor unit, you may have a leak in the refrigerant line. You’ll want to get this fixed right away, as fluid leaking onto other parts of the heat pump can easily cause more problems if left alone.

If your heat pump seems to have lost its ability to heat properly, call AC Designs Inc. We provide quality heating repair services throughout the Jacksonville area.

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How Improper Voltage Leads to Air Conditioning Repair

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

Your air conditioner has so many components that all work together to cool your home, but no part of this system could continue to run without electricity. That’s why it shouldn’t be shocking that one of the most common reasons homeowners call for air conditioning repair is an electrical problem.

Your air conditioner requires a certain amount of voltage in order to trigger the start capacitor that operates the motors and the compressor in your air conditioner. If your system receives too much or too little voltage, however, these components may not work properly. As these motors are responsible for powering the fans that distribute air to your home and help with the conversion of refrigerant from a liquid to a gas and vice versa, improper voltage can cause serious problems for your AC. And a damaged compressor that results from improper voltage may be a costly repair. Here are some of the ways improper voltage may lead to the need for air conditioning repair.

  • Hard Starting: One major problem that may be due to improper voltage is “hard starting.” Hard starting can seriously damage your AC’s compressor, the part responsible for increasing the pressure of refrigerant so it can move through the rest of the system.
  • No Cooling: If you don’t feel any cool air from the vents in your home whatsoever, it may mean that a capacitor has become worn out due to voltage that is too high, so that your system cannot release heat outdoors or absorb heat from the air in your home.
  • Frozen Coil: Furthermore, if improper voltage causes the indoor or outdoor fan motors to malfunction, the indoor coil may freeze as there is not enough warm air blowing over the evaporator.

Electrical problems may be dangerous, and only a certified technician should attempt to handle any electrical component. When you call the technicians at AC Designs Inc. for air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, we’ll check to see whether your AC problems are caused by improper voltage and make any necessary repairs. If you notice any problems with your air conditioner, give us a call today!

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Why You Need a Specialist for Commercial HVAC Repair

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

You’ve started to notice hot or cold spots in the office, and customers or employees have noticed as well. Maybe there are odd burning smells coming from the vents, or rattling noises from the rooftop units above. Whatever the signs, you think you have repair issues with the commercial HVAC system that makes a comfortable environment in your business. Who should you call?

Always call a commercial specialist, a company that specifically handles commercial work. You can’t call up any HVAC company, and you certainly cannot rely on amateurs. You won’t save money because the system will not receive the quality work it should. Commercial systems need commercial repairs.

For the commercial HVAC repair in Jacksonville, FL that will get the job done quickly and right the first time, rely on a company with 11 years serving Jacksonville and Daytona businesses with top-rate service: AC Designs Inc. You can reach us 24 hours a day for those repairs that can’t wait.

Why Commercial Specialists Are Necessary

There are two major differences between commercial and residential HVAC systems that make it imperative that technicians receive special training to work on commercial systems:

  • Size: Commercial systems need to cover larger areas in general than residential ones. Even a sprawling mansion won’t need the power that a small business requires. It’s not only an issue of square footage but also the number of people that a commercial heater and air conditioner must keep comfortable. Handling numerous large rooftop units that must provide for sprawling spaces and many employees requires knowledge that goes past what’s necessary to take care of a home’s comfort system.
  • Configuration: The standard commercial HVAC is much different from a residential one. Usually, commercial air conditioners and heat pumps are “package units,” which contain all the components in one cabinet, instead of spread over two. This makes them very different to work on. These systems are also modular, not stand-alone, and this also separates the kind of repair work needed on them from other types of systems.

In addition, commercial repair specialists know how to keep a building up to electrical code, something that is rarely an issue with a home HVAC system. You don’t want a repair technician to accidentally wire up your faulty AC so it causes a potential safety problem that could shut down your business because of a violation.

As a business owner, you know the value of professionalism and skill: look for that in the contractor you choose to handle your commercial HVAC repair in Jacksonville, FL the next time you run into comfort issues. AC Designs Inc. is standing by with a highly trained staff to come to your company’s aid whenever you need us. Contact us today to schedule your next commercial HVAC service appointment.

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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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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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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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The Capacitors and Air Conditioning Repair

Monday, April 14th, 2014

Spring is here, and that means air conditioning season can’t be too far behind. That’s a significant concern here in Florida, where a functioning air conditioner may be the only thing between a comfortable home and unbearable one.  A little knowledge about common AC problems can help you know when to call for repair, so you can get air conditioning repair service in Jacksonville as soon as possible. The capacitors, in particular, are a common cause of breakdowns during the summer.

Here’s how problems with the capacitors lead to air conditioning repair:

The capacitors act to store electricity from your power grid for use with the air conditioner’s various motors. They basically store energy to be used by your AC, ensuring that the air conditioner’s motors have continuous power when they’re turned on. That’s vital to keeping the unit running constantly when it needs to, as well as preventing excessive wear and tear on the system overall. Unfortunately, like a lot of electronic components, they generate a great deal of heat in the process, and our hot Florida summers don’t help in that regard. When the temperature soars and you’re using your air conditioner all the time, the chances of a capacitor blow-out increases, especially with older units that have seen a lot of mileage.

You can usually spot a capacitor overload if the A/C unit makes a humming sound when it starts up and the fan itself doesn’t blow. Replacing a capacitor is fairly straightforward, but it takes some delicacy and proper trained to do so safely. Since capacitors store electricity, they can be very dangerous if mishandled. If you detect a blown capacitor, the best option is to shut off power to the unit and contact a qualified professional.

For air conditioning repair in Jacksonville, FL, AC Designs, Inc. is ready to help. We know how to replace blown capacitors, and air conditioning repair issues of all sorts remain one of the primary focuses of our business. We’re completely dedicated to your satisfaction and we offer 24-hour emergency service because we know you usually can’t afford to wait to get your air conditioner up and running again. Give us a call to set up an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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