Downtown Air and Heat Blog : Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Why Zone Control Is Good for You and Your HVAC System Year-Round

Monday, September 21st, 2015

Trying to make your entire home completely comfortable with a single thermostat can be a challenge for many households for many reasons. There’s individual preferences, the possibility of specialized architecture like floor-to-ceiling windows, or trying to evenly cool or heat multiple floors. No matter the challenge, we have a great solution: a zone control system.

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Will You Need a New Air Conditioner for Next Summer?

Sunday, September 13th, 2015

It’s hard to focus on next summer when we aren’t quite finished with this one, but when you live in an area like Orlando, you have to work to beat the heat. Homeowners don’t typically like to think about replacing a major system like a cooling system, but a purchase like this provides you with the opportunity to upgrade your system, achieve better energy efficiency and better comfort. Many people wait until their AC systems completely die before replacement, but we can tell you that it is always better to be ahead of the curve and replace before it becomes an emergency. If you aren’t sure how to determine whether or not it really is time to replace, here are three major factors to consider before next summer:

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What Is the Difference Between a Roof Top Commercial AC and a Package Commercial Unit?

Monday, August 31st, 2015

Like residential air conditioning systems, it wasn’t too long ago that there weren’t very many choices for commercial systems, either. This has changed, though, and business owners have a number of options when it comes to cooling their commercial properties. A couple of options to consider are roof top units and package units, but each has some differences that may make one more preferential than another. The commercial HVAC experts at Downtown Air & Heat can help you review your options so that you have the best AC fit for your property.

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Why Is There Ice on My Air Conditioner?

Monday, August 24th, 2015

We are at the hottest time of the year, and there’s no doubt that your air conditioning system is working its hardest to keep you cool and comfortable. It is during our hottest weather that your system will be most prone to malfunction, but it can be hard to tell if your system is compromised when it still runs and cools your home. However, if you see ice on your AC, there is definitely a problem with your system.

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

Monday, August 10th, 2015

With all  that can go wrong with your air conditioner, leaking may not be at the top of your list. However, with the humidity level in our area, your air conditioner pulls a great deal of moisture out of the air as it cools your home. This is partly how your air conditioner helps cool your home: by dehumidifying the air. This moisture has to go somewhere, and it does, with the help of your condensate array. But if something is off with your condensate array, you are likely to find your AC in Orlando, FL, leaking.

What Is the Condensate Array?

The condensate array consists of the condensate tray (or pan) and the condensate drain pipe. The two pieces are connected, and the condensate tray is slanted so that water dripping through the evaporator coils lands in the tray and then runs easily into the condensate drain. The drain is connected to your home’s sewer or septic pipe for removal.

What Kinds of Problems Develop?

There are a few common problems that can develop with the condensate array, although all of them can usually be alleviated and even avoided by scheduling annual maintenance:

  • Tray has corroded – the condensate tray can, over time, develop holes or cracks; if this happens, the water dripping into the tray will fall through these openings and onto your floor.
  • The tray and drain line have become disconnected – do to varying circumstances, the drain or tray can shift position, causing a disconnection between the two. If this happens, the water in the tray will continue to run toward the slant, but the askew drain pipe won’t be able to capture it all. This, too, will result in water falling directly onto your floor.
  • The drain line is clogged – your condensate drain line can become clogged if debris falls into the line or if mold, algae and mildew are allowed to flourish there.

Your condensate array is very important to the removal of moisture in your home, and at this time of year, it is working hard due to the excess humidity in the air. If you have noticed leaking from your air conditioner, don’t wait to call the experts at Downtown Air & Heat for AC repair help.

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What Makes an Air Conditioner “High Efficiency”?

Monday, August 3rd, 2015

You’d be hard-pressed to find a homeowner who isn’t trying to be as energy efficient as possible, but it can be confusing to know exactly how energy efficient your air conditioning system will be when most ACs are made to be at least somewhat energy efficient. However, there is a difference between an air conditioning system that is energy efficient and one that is considered to be high efficiency, as we’ll discuss below.

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What Kinds of Repairs Can I Expect with a Ductless Air Conditioner?

Monday, July 27th, 2015

Split system air conditioners have been around a long time, so even if you are new to owning one, most homeowners have a pretty good idea of what to expect in terms of possible repairs. But there can be some concerns around ductless repairs: is the system more complicated? Are the repairs harder to do? The experts at Downtown Air & Heat can help shed some light on the kinds of common repairs that may develop with your ductless air conditioning system in Orlando, FL.

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It’s the Hottest Time of Year – Don’t Push Your AC to the Brink

Monday, July 20th, 2015

There is nothing like the heat and humidity you can experience in Florida during July and August. If there is a time of the year where you use your air conditioner to its fullest extent, it is now. This is a major reason why our Downtown Air & Heat technicians see most of our repair calls: if your AC is going to break down, it’ll be when it’s working its hardest. Here are some suggestions to help you reduce the level of stress your air conditioner is under during these hot months without sacrificing your indoor comfort:

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When Is It Time to Call for Emergency AC Service?

Monday, July 6th, 2015

In Florida, you really can’t get through the heat of summer without your whole home air conditioner. This is one of the reasons why the experts at Downtown Air & Heat offer 24-hour emergency service every day of the year. Sometimes, though, it can be hard to identify what qualifies as a true emergency. To help you, our experts have put together some examples of situations that would classify as “emergencies”:

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Easy Energy-Saving Tips to Help with This Summer’s Cooling

Monday, June 29th, 2015

Summer is well underway here in Orlando, FL, and by now you have probably gotten at least one utility bill reflecting your AC usage. Did you look at it and gasp? The good news is that the experts at Downtown Air & Heat have some helpful tips that are easy to implement and that can save you energy throughout the summer months.

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