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

The Advantages of Zone Control System Installation

Wednesday, November 5th, 2014

One of the biggest downsides to central forced air systems is the lack of fine control over the environment in your home. Central heating provides the same temperature of heat to the entire house, and is controlled by one thermostat. Either the heating is on or it isn’t, and if you want one room to be warmer or cooler than another then you’re just out of luck. Zone control fixes this issue, and provides a number of other great advantages besides. Let’s examine the ways that zone control can help you.

What is a Zone Control System?

A zone control system is a series of dampers installed in the ductwork of a central forced air system. These dampers can open or close, restricting air to some rooms while supplying it to others. A thermostat is installed in each room equipped with a damper, allowing that room control over its individual climate.

The Advantages

The most obvious advantage of installing a zone control system is the increased control over your home’s heating system. You can set the temperature as high as you want in the living room, while your roommates or relatives can each set their room to what is most comfortable for them. This increases the comfort of everyone in the house, by sparing them the blanket solution that central heating normally offers.

The second advantage is energy savings. By directing the flow of heat only to areas where it is needed, zone control systems prevent the heater from spending energy heating the unused areas of the house. This means that the heater spends less energy overall, which translates to savings on your heating bill.

A zone control system is a great idea if you’re looking for a more responsive and efficient heating system. A word of warning, though: installing the system involves modifying both the ducts and the home electrical system. Do not try to do it yourself! Call a professional to install your zone control system for you. In fact, call AC Designs Inc. We install zone system controls throughout the Orange Park area.

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Why Schedule Heat Pump Maintenance Before Winter

Wednesday, October 8th, 2014

Few 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.

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How Do HVAC System Controls Save Me Money?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

Controlling the amount of cooling in your home or, if you are business owner, in your workplace, is very important to your bottom line. As cooling technology has advanced, thermostats and other control systems have also advanced, allowing for far better control over heating and cooling than ever before. Having system controls in Orange Park can offer you multiple benefits, but to ensure you gain these benefits, it’s important to have professional installation. AC Designs Inc., specializes in system control installation and repair, and we can help you find a control system that is right for you.

Types of System Controls

There are different control systems for residential and commercial properties. First we’ll take a look at the residential types.

Common Residential Controls

There are several choices when it comes to residential controls for your air conditioning system:

Digital thermostats help with energy efficiency because they are precise and have more intuitive buttons, making them easier to use. Programmable thermostats take things a level higher by allowing you to program your cooling (and heating) in 7-day increments; you can loop a 7-day program, or change it as needed. Programming allows you to cool (and heat) only when needed, so for times when your home is unoccupied, you aren’t cooling an empty house. Smart thermostats allow you to program, but you can access your system remotely from virtually anywhere, at any time, with a smart device. Lastly, s zone control system allows you to separate different areas of your home into “zones” that cool and heat independently of one another. This gives you the highest level of control over the amount of cooling you want, as well as differing temperatures if needed.

Commercial Control

One of the best ways to control commercial air conditioning and heating costs is with an energy management system (EMS). An EMS allows you to find the best time of day to initiate cooling and helps your entire building maintain its temperature. You can also track energy usage through an EMS, which can help you create cooling and heating plans to reduce your overall use of energy. EMS’s are programmable, and some can tie into other systems of your building, including fire safety, giving you a central point of control over your building’s interior operations.

Gaining better control over your energy usage is good for you, your budget, your property and the environment. If you are interested in finding out how system controls in Orange Park can help you, call AC Designs Inc., and schedule an appointment today.

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Why So Many Commercial HVAC Units are Rooftop Units

Monday, July 21st, 2014

The rooftop unit is the workhorse of the commercial HVAC world. Even people with no knowledge of how heating and cooling works for a commercial building know that the machines that keep the rooms throughout the structure comfortable are located on the roof. (This general knowledge most likely comes from watching movies, which like to set shoot-outs and clandestine meeting on the tops of buildings).

There are some good reasons for the general popularity of rooftop AC and heating units in the business world. At AC Designs Inc., we have a ten-year history of seeing how effective rooftop units in Orange Park, FL are at keeping workplaces cool in summer and warm during the winter. Contact us today for all your questions and service needs for your company’s rooftop units, whether installation, repair, or routine maintenance.

The Reason the Rooftop Unit is the Business Standard

Rooftop units started to appear in the early days of electro mechanical air conditioning, during the first decades of the 20th century. At this time, most major businesses were located in crowded and concentrated older downtown areas. (This predates the development of large suburban zones.) There was simply no room between buildings for the large outdoor units necessary for air conditioning. Instead, AC manufacturers designed units that could work on the roof and access the ventilation system from there. So one of the reasons for rooftop units is simply tradition: even though many major office buildings are located in areas with extensive space around them, the air conditioners are still designed to sit up on the roof.

There are other reasons that the HVAC units have remained at the top of buildings. They take up less space there, and remain out of eye line of most people, which helps make structures and grounds more attractive. The location also prevents HVAC systems from suffering damage from vandalism. Technicians can access the rooftop unit without interfering with daily work routines. It’s also easy to expand on the HVAC to add more heating and cooling capacity on the roof, where there are fewer space concerns or almost no design concerns.

Call Professionals for Rooftop Unit Service

The roof may be one of the best places for a commercial HVAC unit, but a unit is only as good as its installation and the repairs and maintenance it receives. Don’t rely on amateurs or on work from contractors who lack commercial experience. For rooftop unit services in Orange Park, FL, call on the team at AC Designs Inc. We are ready 24 hours a day to help protect your company’s comfort.

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3 Distinctive Features of Commercial HVAC Systems

Friday, June 20th, 2014

In principle, commercial HVAC systems don’t differ in any significant way from residential HVAC systems. Both use constantly cycling refrigerant gas to lower the temperature of the air, which can then be blown through the space via a fan and a system of ducts. Here in Orange Park, commercial HVAC systems are a common sight in office buildings and malls, and you might assume that the practical details are the same as they are with residential systems. However, commercial systems have different requirements, and while the basic principles are the same, the specifics can sometimes make them look like very different devices. Here are 3 distinctive features of commercial HVAC systems that you can find on most common makes and models.

  • Higher capacity. Office buildings and other types of business space tend to be much larger than your average home, and thus require a lot more cooling power to keep properly conditioned. Accordingly, commercial air conditioning systems tend to have a lot more power than residential systems and are usually a good deal larger as a result.
  • Modular. At the same time, the specific needs of commercial spaces can change quite often, as old tenants leave and new ones arrive. You can’t simply replace the whole air conditioning system just because a new business has different needs than the old one. Instead, commercial systems adopt a modular approach: adding new AC units onto the existing system as needed and shutting down the old ones when they aren’t needed. It helps the system stay efficient while still meeting the needs of the space.
  • Rooftop placement. Business space is often a priority, which is why you often find commercial HVAC systems on the roof of their building. That necessitates a sturdier construction to fend off the ravages of weather, but frees up space on the property for parking, storage or practical office space.

The distinctive features of commercial HVAC systems mean that you should call upon an installation service with experience in handling them. And in Orange Park, commercial HVAC systems are the purveyance of AC Designs Inc. Give us a call today to set up an appointment and let us show you what we can do!

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Problems Solved by Duct Repair

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

The ductwork of your home’s ventilation system must retain an airtight seal along its length. It only takes a small air leak in the ductwork to begin to cause serious problems that will lead to poor heating/cooling, HVAC repairs, and a drop in the quality of your indoor air. Duct breaks of any kind need the work of trained repair specialists.

At AC Designs Inc., we are now entering our second decade helping people throughout the Jacksonville and Daytona areas maintain high indoor air quality and efficient HVAC performance. When it’s time for duct repair in Orange Park, FL, make our experienced team your first call.

What Professional Duct Repair Will Do For You

  • Restore proper airflow: The seal along ductwork helps prevent a reduction in pressure of the conditioned air from the HVAC system. It only takes a minor air leak to begin to cut into this pressure, and this will cause the airflow from the vents to begin to drop. Impaired airflow will cause reduced comfort and place extra strain on the heater and air conditioner. Fast and effective repair work will return proper airflow.
  • Stop dust and dirt infiltration: Because damage along ducts will occur in places that are filled with dust and dirt, such as attics and between walls, they will allow large amounts of contamination to enter. This will lower your air quality and also lead to trouble inside your air conditioner and/or heater.
  • Reduce chances of mold growth: Dust and other debris will cause severe trouble for your indoor air quality, but bacterial growth is even worse. The humidity insides ductwork will increase because of gaps and breaks, and this will make it much easier for mold to get a foothold and start growing. Eliminating mold from ducts requires specialized equipment, but with prompt duct repairs you can lower the chance of this becoming a problem for your ventilation system.

Reach For The Phone, Not For Duct Tape!

You cannot perform duct repair on your own using store bought material like duct tape (which isn’t even designed for use on ducts). It requires trained professionals to locate the repair issues and determine the best way to fix them. Repair technicians will use sealant, metallic tape, and duct replacement to restore your ventilation system to protect indoor air quality, heating, and cooling.

AC Designs Inc. has a team ready to assist you with duct repair and other HVAC services in Orange Park, FL whenever necessary. You can trust to their experience when you need the job done fast and accurately. Give us a call today to schedule your next appointment.

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Why Is Ice on My Air Conditioner a Big Problem?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Most people don’t consider ice in their air conditioning system to be something worth worrying about. After all, doesn’t ice provide cold air? In point of fact, however, the ice is a sign of significant trouble that requires more than just scraping off to solve. HVAC services that handle air conditioning repair in Orange Park can usually fix the problem, but that still leaves the basic question. “Why is ice on my air conditioner a big problem to begin with?”

The short answer is that it represents lost cooling potential, which forces your air conditioner to work harder to cool off your home. As part and parcel of that, it also increases wear and tear on the system components, elevating the chances of a major breakdown in the future. How does that happen? The problem usually stems from lost refrigerant, which needs to be at a set level particular to your air conditioning model in order to work. When leaks spring up in the system and the refrigerant is lost, ice forms on the evaporator coils, which is the point in the process where the air is actually cooled before being blown into your home.

As we said earlier, the coldness that creates the ice should be going into your home, which means the air conditioner is going to have to work that much harder to do the job. More importantly, the ice insulates that air that should be getting cooled from the refrigerant inside the coils that’s supposed to cool it, creating further strain on the system. Sooner or later, that’s going to cause a major breakdown, to say nothing of the spike in monthly energy costs and the ancillary damage that the ice may cause electrical components when it starts to melt.

If you know why ice on your air conditioner is a big problem, the next step is to contact the experts at AC Designs Inc. We can address ice on your air conditioning in Orange Park with professionalism and pride, and we’re sure you’ll be pleased with the results. Call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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Why You Should Entrust Your Heat Pump Repair to NATE-Certified Technicians

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

In towns like Orange Park, FL, heat pump technology makes an efficient and reliable alternative to more traditional furnace systems. Heat pumps combine the functions of a heater and an air conditioner into one unit, and work extremely efficiently in places like Florida where the winter temperatures remain very mild. When your heat pump needs repairs, you want the right technician to fix it. In particular, NATE-certified technicians offer quality service backed by a nationally recognized organization.

Here’s why you should entrust your heat pump repair to NATE-certified technicians:

NATE stands for “North American Technician Excellence,” a non-profit organization dedicated recognizing high quality HVAC and repair technicians. They’ve developed a series of certification tests that repair technicians can take to demonstrate their familiarity and expertise with all manner of heating and air conditioning repair. They recommend at least five years of experience for senior level technicians, and their testing covers both general subjects and specialty exams testing more specific areas of expertise.  NATE certification lasts two years, which means that technicians who want to keep their certification will continue to take the tests throughout their careers.

Because NATE is a non-profit, nonpartisan organization, its testing standards are unbiased. That means that a NATE-certified technician possesses knowledge and expertise noted by an outside organization dedicated to providing proper verification. You can trust a NATE-certified technician to know what he or she is doing and to conduct repairs in a competent and professional manner. Considering the variety of repairs a heat pump may need to undergo, and considering that some of those repairs may involve obscure or hard-to-find cause, a NATE-certified technician can be trusted to handle the problem.

If you need Orange Park, FL heat pump service, call AC Designs Inc. Our technicians are NATE certified and possess the skills needed to do the job right the first time, every time. Let us take the worry out of the repair process and get your heat pump back up to speed!

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Air Conditioning FAQ 3: Why Small Problems Matter

Tuesday, October 8th, 2013

Air conditioning repair in Orange Park is no laughing matter, especially when the summer temperatures hit and our infamous Florida humidity kicks in. You need a reliable air conditioning system to keep your home cool and comfortable during even the most sweltering summer’s day. Repairs for any appliance are inevitable, but with air conditioning systems, it might mean going without cool air during the worst time of the year. Small problems may not seem like much, but they can come back to bite you at the worst possible time. Here’s why small problems matter, and why calling in a service technician for a little issue could end up saving money in the long run.

In the simplest possible terms, an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. Small problems need to be treated promptly because they have a way of becoming bigger ones, and bigger ones will end up costing you a lot more money to fix. Take, for example, the question of leaking refrigerant. It’s a fairly common problem and a trained service technician can usually fix it quickly. But if it isn’t treated, the problems can cascade. Ice will form on the evaporator coils, which interferes with its ability to do its job. The air blowing into your house isn’t as cool, forcing the other components in the air conditioning system to work harder and increasing overall wear and tear. Your monthly bills go up before the unit is expending more energy than it needs to. Suddenly, you’re looking at a scenario whereby several components could fail and a major repair needs to be made, all because the comparatively simple problem of sealing a leak and recharging refrigerant wasn’t addressed.

At AC Designs Inc., we understand why small problems matter, which is why we devote as much care and consideration to fixing them as we do major repairs. Air conditioning repair in Orange Park is something we take seriously, and we’d rather save you from a major repair by conducting a minor one with efficiency and pride. Give us a call today to set up an appointment.

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