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

How to Ensure a Successful Air Conditioning Installation

Monday, April 6th, 2015

Once the heat of summer is in full swing, you are going to be using your air conditioner extensively in an effort to keep your home cool and comfortable. If you hope to do so successfully, then it is absolutely necessary that you have the right air conditioning system for your needs in place, that that system is well-designed for your home, and that it is installed by a qualified, trained professional. To guarantee that this is the case, you need only work with the professional AC technicians at Downtown Air & Heat. We install quality air conditioning systems throughout the Orlando, FL area, and we are more than happy to help you to find the right system for your unique situation. Give us a call today to discuss available options.

The first step that you should take prior to your air conditioning installation is to familiarize yourself with the various makes and models on the market today. This may be more of an involved process then you’d expect. This is because modern technology has left homeowners today with more options to consider than ever before in terms of how they choose to heat their homes. There are always quality split central systems available for installation. Some homeowners may choose to use a heat pump, though, so that they can both heat and cool their homes with one convenient system. Ductless mini splits allow for this versatility as well, while eliminating the need for ductwork entirely. There are also high-efficiency systems to consider, which offer great dependability even in our hot weather, while also helping you to cool your home with reduced energy usage.

The next step to take is to hire a professional technician whom you can count on to get the installation itself completed properly. Our technicians are some of the finest in the business, and we have plenty of experience in installing air conditioners of all types. We will make sure that your system is of the right size to handle your cooling needs, and we will guarantee that every step of the installation process is completed with the utmost care.

Our summer seasons around here are just far too hot and far too long to take any chances with the quality of your air conditioner or its performance. Make sure that your air conditioning installation goes off without a hitch. Let Downtown Air & Heat ensure that you are able to cool your home all summer long in an effective, efficient, and reliable manner.

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What Factors Are Part of a Load Calculation?

Friday, March 20th, 2015

There are a number of factors that need to be taken into account to properly heat and cool your home or business, but one of the most important of these factors is correct sizing. You may hear that all you need to know in order to correctly size and HVAC system for your home is the square footage; this simply isn’t true. Why? Every property gains heat throughout the day via a phenomenon known as heat gain, and daytime heat gain can increase the heat in your property up to 10 degrees. If you don’t account for this daytime heat gain, you could purchase and install an HVAC system that isn’t the right size. The heating and cooling experts at Downtown Air & Heat know how important it is to correctly size an HVAC system for any property, which is why we offer load calculating services in Orlando and the surrounding areas. If you are planning to install a new heating or cooling system, and need help, call us today!

Factors in a Load Calculation

No one really thinks about the various elements that may contribute heat to a given property, mostly because the focus on the main source of heating or cooling: the HVAC system. But there are a number of ways a property can gain heat:

  • Through exposed walls
  • Solar gain through windows
  • Conduction movement through doors and windows
  • Latent gains from electronics, lighting and people
  • Fireplaces

So, in order to properly calculate how daytime heat gain affects your property, the following items need to be considered:

  • The orientation of the property
  • The location
  • Climate
  • Types and number of windows and doors
  • Floorplan
  • Number of stories
  • Number of rooms
  • Number of occupants
  • Insulation levels
  • Square footage

Once all these factors have been determined, your technician can perform the calculation. The calculation will yield how much heating and cooling you’ll need, and as a result, what size HVAC system you’ll need.

A number of problems can develop when you install an HVAC system that is too big or too small for your home or business.

Contact the load calculation experts at Downtown Air & Heat today and schedule an appointment for your Orlando property!

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Can I Do My Own Spring AC Maintenance?

Friday, March 6th, 2015

Maintenance for your air conditioner is important, and because it is important, you should always hire an expert to perform your spring air conditioning maintenance in Orlando. Our technicians get asked a lot by homeowners if they can perform the maintenance on their AC, and our answer is this: unless you have expert knowledge about your air conditioning system, including expert electrical knowledge, it’s always best to hire a trained professional to do the work. It’s hard to gain the benefits a maintenance appointment has to offer when the work is done by an amateur; you also run the risk of damaging your system and causing some serious problems. The bottom line? Always call an expert, like the ones at Downtown Air & Heat, to perform all work done to your AC, including maintenance.

What Does a Professional Have That I Don’t?

Here are some reasons why calling an expert is always the best idea:

  • Knowledge and experience – air conditioning professionals do this kind of work every day, so they know exactly what to do and what to look for, no matter the job.
  • Training and certification – your air conditioner is a complex electro-mechanical device; as such, it’s important to have someone with the right training and certification working on your system.
  • Specialized tools – professionals have all the tools they need at their disposal, and many of these tools are specialized; this means there is a good chance you won’t have the same tools readily available.

What Benefits Does Maintenance Offer?

Wondering why maintenance, performed by a professional, is so important? Here are some reasons:

  • Better comfort – maintenance is a full tune-up for your air conditioning system, and when the system works optimally, it won’t have any trouble reaching your desired indoor temperature.
  • Better energy efficiency – your AC was made to operate at a specific level of energy efficiency; when the system is carrying wear and tear from last year, it can be hard for the system to achieve optimal energy efficiency.
  • Prevents repairs – part of the maintenance appointment involves the thorough inspection of your air conditioning system, which allows the technician to find existing and developing problems; this helps get you ahead of potential repairs.

To ensure that you gain the benefits of spring air conditioning maintenance in Orlando, it’s critical to hire a trained professional for the work.

The experts at Downtown Air & Heat are here to assist, so if you are ready to schedule spring maintenance for your AC, call us today!

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Why Consider a High Efficiency AC System?

Friday, February 27th, 2015

Have you been looking for a way to significantly lessen the amount of energy you use annually for your home’s air conditioning? Are you in need of a new AC installation and have energy efficiency as a top priority? Then you may want to consider the installation of a high efficiency AC system in your Altamonte Springs home. What makes a high efficiency AC system different from other AC systems? The main difference is that high efficiency systems have SEER ratings of no less than 16 – a full 3 levels higher than the federally-mandated minimum SEER of 13. But proper installation, repair and maintenance is critical to enjoying the energy efficiency you can achieve with a high efficiency AC system, and this is where Downtown Air & Heat comes in. Our trained and certified AC specialists can help you with all of your air conditioning needs, so call us today!

Understanding SEER

Just as combustion heating systems are rated by AFUE, air conditioning systems are rated by SEER numbers. SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio, and it is a scale that tells you how energy efficient a given air conditioning system will operate. All air conditioners must be manufactured at a SEER rating of 13, as this has been the federal law since 2006. The SEER scale runs from 1 to 23, and for an AC system to qualify as high efficiency, it must have a SEER rating that is no less than 16. SEER is important because it tells you that a particular AC will cool your home the same as another, but the AC with the higher SEER rating will cool your home using less energy. However, high efficiency does typically come with a higher initial price tag. So where does the savings come in? With your monthly energy use. According to Energy.gov, every SEER point higher on the SEER scale can save you up to 10% on your annual cooling costs. This means that if you replace an existing AC system with a SEER of 11 with a high efficiency system with a SEER of 16, you can save up to 50% on your annual cooling costs.

Consult with a Professional

Is a high efficiency AC system in Altamonte Springs for you? The best way to assess how a high efficiency system can benefit you is to sit down with a Downtown Air & Heat expert and review the numbers. Call us today, and schedule an appointment with one of our AC experts!

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Why It’s Important to Consult with a Professional for an HVAC Installation

Saturday, February 21st, 2015

Your HVAC system provides both heating and cooling to your home, and if it is poorly installed or incorrectly sized, your new home and your comfort can suffer. If you are building a new home, or doing a major remodel to an existing one, it is important to hire a professional design-build contractor for your Orlando home.

Size Matters

HVAC systems are not one-size-fits-all, and ductwork for an HVAC system also needs to be measured and installed correctly to ensure your home gets the air volume it needs to be comfortable. When it comes to the actual unit, your Downtown Air & Heat technician will do two calculations to help ensure that your HVAC unit will supply the right amount of heating and cooling for your home. The first calculation is the heat load and the second is the cooling load. Both calculations take into account the following factors:

  • Orientation of home
  • Floor plan
  • Number of stories
  • Number of rooms and occupants
  • Level of insulation
  • Types of windows and doors
  • Daytime heat gain

Ductwork Installation

Having a well-planned, properly-sized duct system is equally important for your HVAC to run properly and your comfort. First, the ductwork should be wide enough to accommodate the volume of air being delivered to your living spaces; if it is too small or too big, the delivery will be compromised. Second, planning a system with clean lines, i.e., little to no kinks, helps ensure that the air travels in as straight a line as possible for your home.

Assistance from Start to Finish

When you hire an expert to design and build your home’s HVAC system, you’ll have the help you need from start to finish. A design and build HVAC expert will handle all the heating and cooling calculations, review your HVAC options and then install the system.

If you plan to install an HVAC system in your new home or remodel, call the specialists at Downtown Air & Heat and schedule a consultation today!

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Signs of Low Refrigerant in Your Air Conditioner

Thursday, February 5th, 2015

Refrigerant is vital to your AC because it continuously cycles through every single component. Refrigerant is a chemical blend that can easily convert from a gas to a liquid under pressure and back to a gas again. Heat dissipates from the refrigerant as it moves outside to the condenser unit, but the refrigerant itself is not meant to dissipate from the system. When refrigerant leaks from the air conditioner, it’s never a good sign, and it may result in some costly repairs if it’s not taken care of ASAP.

Learn to recognize the signs of low refrigerant, and call Downtown Air & Heat at the first sign of trouble. Our team of skilled technicians are trained to locate and seal refrigerant leaks or take care of any other home air conditioning repair in Central Florida.

Loss of Cooling

The main problem you’re most likely to notice from a loss of refrigerant is if there is not a lot of cool air entering the home. Refrigerant is vital to the heat exchange process, and as more and more begins to leak out, heat cannot absorb into the refrigerant effectively, and temperatures may remain high in the home, or it might just take your system longer to cool a space. Either way, immediate repairs are necessary as other parts may become overworked and break down as a result.

Frozen Coil

If you happen to get a peek at the inside air handler portion of your AC, you may notice a set of coils. The evaporator coil cools down as refrigerant runs through and converts into a gas, and the blower fan sends air over it to bring cool air into the home. The warm air blowing over the coil should keep it from freezing, but only if there is the right amount of refrigerant running through it. A frozen coil won’t actually keep you cooler, and your unit may shut down entirely.

Failing Compressor

This last symptom is one you’re a lot less likely to notice, but it’s certainly one of the most important reasons to consider maintenance every year. The compressor is designed to process a certain amount of refrigerant in every cycle. If there is not enough refrigerant the compressor will struggle, and it may fail, which usually results in replacing the entire outside unit.

Speak with the friendly professionals at Downtown Air & Heat for quality air conditioning repair in Central Florida at the first sign of trouble.

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How Does Faulty Ductwork Affect Air Conditioning?

Friday, October 17th, 2014

Just as a malfunctioning compressor can create system-wide problems for your air conditioning, so can faulty ductwork. However, because ductwork is mostly hidden behind your walls, it can take a while to detect existing problems. Faulty ductwork can negatively affect your system in a number of ways, which is why it’s important to hire a professional for ductwork repair as soon as you discover a problem. The NATE-certified technicians at Downtown Air & Heat are also air flow specialists, so call us today.

Problems Caused by Faulty Ductwork

Here are some problems that can develop due to faulty ductwork:

  • Decreased energy efficiency – when air escapes from holes, cracks and broken seals in your ductwork, your air conditioner has to compensate for this loss. To do so, it works harder, and when it works harder, it uses more energy.
  • Decrease in indoor air quality – cracks and holes allow outside particles, dust, dirt and fumes to enter the air flow. Once inside your ductwork, these items are delivered directly into your living spaces, and can compromise your indoor air quality.
  • Backdrafting – if you have any combustion appliances in your home, such as a water heater, dryer or furnace, the exhaust from these appliances can be sucked into your ductwork through the existing holes and cracks.
  • Increased stress on your system – faulty ductwork forces your system to work harder to achieve the set temperature. If your system operates for a long period of time with faulty ductwork, the extra strain can lead to potential breakdown, excess wear and tear and premature aging.

How Is Ductwork Fixed?

Ductwork can be:

  • Repaired
  • Sealed
  • Replaced (if needed)

Repair and sealing would be the first step to take with faulty ductwork. To repair cracks and holes, a technician will use a fibrous adhesive called mastic to cover the damaged area, and then reinforce the mastic with a piece of professional-grade tape. The mastic is left to harden, which creates the seal. If there are disconnected sections, mastic will be applied to both ends, and the ends will be wrapped with a metal binding that is secured with sheet metal nails. As with cracks and holes, the mastic will harden. Replacement is necessary if a section of ductwork is too damaged to be repaired.

Faulty ductwork can result in problems with air quality, energy efficiency and stress on your air conditioning system. Fall offers a great window of time to address issues with faulty ductwork, so call Downtown Air & Heat today and schedule air conditioning service in Orlando, FL with one of our air flow specialists.

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Three Common End-of-Season Air Conditioning Repairs

Friday, October 3rd, 2014

Your air conditioning worked hard this summer, and as a result, may be in need of repair. There are some common problems that can develop at end of a busy cooling season, as we’ll outline below, but should you have any repair need, it’s important to always call for a trained technician. Our NATE-certified technicians are available 24/7 for air conditioning repairs, so call us today.

Common End-of-Season Repairs

Here are some of the more common end-of-season repairs our technicians see:

Electrical Issues

With normal use, it’s not unusual for wires to fray and corrode, terminals to become dirty or for disconnections to occur. No matter the problem, electrical issues can interrupt the operation of your system. Signs of electrical problems can be buzzing or popping sounds, or intermittent performance of a component. Electrical issues can be complex and difficult to find, so it’s important to use a professional for repair.

Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks can develop in a number of locations in your system. When the refrigerant in your system runs low, certain problems can develop, including icing on the evaporator coils, warm air blowing and problems with your compressor. Refrigerant leaks do not improve on their own, and as such require repair. It is necessary to have the proper certification when handling refrigerant, so it’s important to not repair refrigerant problems on your own.

Motor Problems

There are 3 motors in your air conditioning system: 2 fan motors (the blower and condenser fans) and the compressor motor. The fan motors can develop problems with wiring, worn belts and loose or damaged components. The issues your compressor motor can develop include overheating, problems with pressurization and burnout. Sometimes a compressor motor can be repaired, but sometimes full replacement may be required.

End-of-season repairs are common in the fall, and it’s important to schedule repair as soon as you detect any kind of problem with your air conditioning. Call Downtown Air & Heat today and schedule your air conditioning repairs in Orlando, FL with one of our specialists.

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The Cooling Benefits of Going Ductless

Friday, September 26th, 2014

If you need a new air conditioning system, but you don’t have any ductwork set up in your home, there is a fairly simple solution. Calling a technician for ductless air conditioning installation is one of the best ways to keep your entire home cool without paying too much every month. And there will be no changes to the construction by your home besides a small hole drilled into the wall. In order to help more homeowners understand the cooling benefits of going ductless, we’ve put together this quick guide to some of the biggest advantages.

No Ducts

Most home air conditioning systems rely on ducts, but deciding against adding ductwork can actually be advantageous. A large number of homeowners pay too much for air conditioning because a lot of energy is lost in the ducts due to leaks. Besides, ductwork installation is a hassle and creates disturbances to your daily home life.

Zone Control

One of the most exciting features of ductless cooling is zone control. A ductless mini split contains an outdoor compressor, like with central air conditioners, and multiple indoor air handlers. These air handlers are mounted in various areas of the house to provide even cooling. Additionally, each air handler comes with its own thermostat, and there is often a master thermostat that controls each unit. You can choose the temperature in each room or zone individually for increased comfort. You can also save some money by choosing to shut off the air to rooms that are unoccupied throughout the day.

Energy Savings

Ductless systems save money over traditional central air conditioners due to the lack of ductwork and the energy saving features of zone control. Furthermore, ductless air conditioning systems are often quite efficient. Ask your technician to help you find a unit with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) for more savings.

Ductless cooling is not necessarily the right option for every home, so you should always speak with a technician before making a major decision about your new HVAC system. If you’re considering ductless air conditioning in Orlando, FL, call the cooling experts at Downtown Air & Heat today!

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Can I Keep Running My Air Conditioner with Low Refrigerant?

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Without any refrigerant at all, your air conditioning system would be incapable of cooling your home. But if you have low levels, you may still be able to feel some cool air from your system. Air conditioners need refrigerant to remove heat from the air, but can you still run your unit with low refrigerant?

You should not attempt to continue running an air conditioner with low levels of refrigerant because many of the parts of your air conditioner require a set level of this chemical blend in order to work properly. When an air conditioner is installed, a technician is supposed to carefully measure out the correct levels of refrigerant. If these levels are not accurate, it may be because your unit was not set up properly in the first place. However, it’s also likely that this is the result of a leak.

Refrigerant may leak from your system due to loose connections or corrosion over time. If it continues to leak from your unit, you may not feel any cool air at all. But even slightly lower levels may cause problems with some key components like the compressor. The compressor is responsible for changing refrigerant into a pressurized gas so that it can pump through the entire system. This part is sized to handle a certain load of refrigerant based on the cooling capacity of your air conditioning unit. When this amount drops too low, your compressor will run into problems that may even lead to replacement.

In fact, many parts of your unit may suffer from wear and tear when refrigerant is low. And when the parts in your system have to work harder to cool your home, your unit will use a lot of energy to reach the desired temperature. This means you spend a lot more every month than you need to, and your air conditioner may already consume a large portion of your bills. To keep bills low, and to keep your unit from suddenly failing, schedule maintenance twice a year and make repairs as soon as you suspect a leak. For more about air conditioning in Orlando, FL, call the experienced technicians at Downtown Air & Heat.

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