Downtown Air and Heat Blog

How Does Duct Cleaning Help Air Conditioning?

August 22nd, 2014

Dirty vents don’t just adversely affect you; they can also adversely affect your air conditioner and its operation. Because ductwork is largely not visible, it can be easy to forget that, like other parts of your air conditioner, it needs cleaning and maintenance, too. Accessing ductwork and cleaning it properly can be tricky, which is why it’s important to use certified technicians, like the ones at Downtown Air & Heat, to conduct the duct cleaning for your property.

What Happens During a Duct Cleaning?

Here is a general overview of what happens during a routine duct cleaning appointment:

  • The technician will cover all nearby furniture and carpets with protective coverings
  • The technician will open your ductwork at access points and portals and thoroughly inspect your entire system
  • He/she will then employ the use of professional-grade, HEPA filtered vacuums to remove the dirt, dust and debris from your ductwork
  • He/she may then use a mechanical brush and vacuum to scrape off and remove any debris stuck in your ducts
  • Visual equipment, such as cameras and periscopes, may be used to inspect for any missed areas or lingering debris
  • Once the technician confirms all debris has been removed from the vents, he/she will close the system

How Does Duct Cleaning Help Your AC?

A professional duct cleaning can help your air conditioner in the following ways:

  • Better energy efficiency – large amounts of dust and dirt build-up in your system can constrict air flow, which can make your air conditioner struggle. Any time your AC operates under stress, it uses more power. By removing the excess dust and debris with a thorough duct cleaning, you can help your AC “breathe” better, and alleviate extra power usage.
  • Reveals other potential problems – it can be hard to see holes and cracks when the vent work is extremely dirty. Holes and cracks contribute to air loss, which can tax your system and drive up energy costs. By cleaning your ductwork, you’ll be able to see if there are any developing problems with your vents.
  • Less stress on your system – excessive dust and dirt can put undue stress on your system. Undue stress can prematurely age your systems and its components, making it more prone to malfunction and breakdown.

Ductwork should be cleaned about every 3-5 years – when was the last time yours was cleaned? If it’s been longer than 5 years, it may be time to schedule duct cleaning for your property. Call Downtown Air & Heat today and schedule duct cleaning in Altamonte Springs with one of our ductwork specialists.

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3 Benefits of Replacing an Air Conditioner

August 15th, 2014

If you have an older air conditioner, the decision to schedule air conditioning replacement may be tough. Of course, you don’t want to spend money replacing a system that may last another couple of years. On the other hand, there is always the risk that your older unit may break down, costing you more money to fix and inconveniencing your home. Older air conditioners are far more likely to break down suddenly than new systems. They may not perform as well as they once did and often are inefficient. If you’re currently deciding whether or not air conditioning replacement is a good idea, here are three reasons to call a technician today.

Prevent a Costly Breakdown

If you have an older system, the chances of a sudden breakdown occurring may be high. Throughout the years, your system gets a lot of use, so wear and tear on the system is to be expected over time. While repairs and parts replacement may help fix a problem from time to time, the only way to improve the working condition of your air conditioner entirely is by purchasing a new system. Replacing a system piece-by-piece is costly, and new air conditioners are a lot less likely to need repairs than those that are 10-15 years old.

Energy-Efficiency

One important reason to install a new air conditioner is the energy savings. Your air conditioner may remain efficient for many years with proper care and maintenance. However, the efficiency of your system will start to decrease eventually, and your bills will reflect this. Newer systems are far more efficient than older systems. In fact, due to government requirements for efficiency, a new AC may have a higher SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) than your older system had, even when it was brand new.

Better Performance

Energy-efficient systems are not lacking in performance. High-efficiency air conditioners perform just as well, if not better, than other systems. Look for a system with the ENERGY STAR label. This label ensures that a system has met government requirements for both efficiency and performance.

You should always discuss your decision with an air conditioning technician before coming to a decision. Call the experts at Downtown Air & Heat today to schedule air conditioning replacement service in Orlando.

 

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What Can a Zone Control System Do for My Air Conditioning?

August 8th, 2014

An air conditioning system is a necessity for most homeowners in Orange County, FL. But if your air conditioner costs you too much to run every month, or if your family members often complain about the temperature in the home, you may not be getting the most enjoyment possible out of your AC system.

Installing a zone control system can help you take advantage of your air conditioning system by keeping family members more comfortable and saving you money. We’ll go over the benefits in more detail later on, but first we’ll look at how zone control works together with your air conditioning system to give you greater control.

How Does Zone Control Work?

Zone control systems involve the installation of dampers throughout the ductwork in a home. These dampers open and close to adjust the amount of airflow through the ducts. Dampers are installed in each area of the home for which you need more control. Each damper is wired to a particular thermostat that controls only that specific zone and to a master thermostat that controls every zone at once.

What are the Benefits of Zone Control Systems?

Zone control is the best way to increase the efficiency and performance of your air conditioner without installing a new AC system. The benefits of zone control systems include increased comfort and energy savings.

  • Comfort: Sometimes, family members disagree about what the temperature should be in a home. Also, many homes have cooler or warmer areas that need advanced temperature control for consistency throughout the home. With a zone control system, each area of the home is managed with its own thermostat. You can choose to use a master thermostat to keep the temperature consistent throughout the home, or each person can adjust the temperature to his or her own preference in separate areas of the home.
  • Savings: Zone control systems can also save you a lot of money every month. If nobody uses the upstairs rooms throughout the day, for example, you may choose to save money by keeping the air turned off or raising the temperature in the daytime.

For zone control and other upgrades your air conditioning in Orange County, FL, call Downtown Air & Heat today!

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What Is a High Efficiency Air Conditioner?

July 31st, 2014

Today’s air conditioners are very energy efficient. In fact, estimates put today’s air conditioners up to 60% more efficient than models produced just 10 years ago. Energy efficiency is important for you, your home, your family, your air conditioner and the environment. As technological advances continue to present more efficient cooling products, the greater the opportunity you have to purchase an AC that fits both your cooling and energy needs. If energy efficiency is at the top of your list of needs when it comes to purchasing a new air conditioning system in Orlando, you may want to look at what a high-efficiency system can offer you.

What Is a High Efficiency System?

A high-efficiency air conditioner is an AC with a SEER of 16 to 23. A high-efficiency air conditioner allows you to cool your home using less energy than an air conditioner with a SEER below 16.

Why Consider Using a High-Efficiency AC?

There are several reasons you may want to look at purchasing a high-efficiency air conditioner for your home:

  • Significant energy efficiency – as mentioned above, one of the main attractions of purchasing a high-efficiency air conditioner is how little energy it uses to cool your home.
  • Lower monthly energy bills – when you use less energy, you pay for less energy. It is estimated that each SEER point can mean up to a 10% savings on your energy bill, so the difference between a SEER of 13 and a SEER of 16 can mean a lot to your household budget.
  • More eco-friendly – obviously, using less energy is eco-friendly; additionally, high-efficiency systems are manufactured to use the more Earth-friendly coolant R-410A instead of R-22.

Is a High Efficiency System More Expensive to Purchase?

The answer: yes, it can be. A higher SEER number can often mean that the initial purchase price is higher than those air conditioners with a lower SEER. However, the amount of money you’ll save each month in energy costs can offset the price point.

A high-efficiency air conditioner can be a great choice for cooling your home, but the best way to assess this is to work with an installation expert. Call Downtown Air & Heating today and schedule an appointment with one of our professionals to see if a high-efficiency air conditioner is a good choice for your new air conditioning system in Orlando.

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Is a Ductless System the Right Choice for Me?

July 25th, 2014

There are two basic types of air conditioning systems that deliver air into your home: ductless or ducted. The majority of homes in the U.S. have pre-existing air ducts hidden in the walls to provide cool air. However, some older homes do not have any ducts installed, or a new room addition may require homeowners to find a ductless solution. Ductless air conditioners use indoor air handlers to provide cool air or heat to a home, and can help homeowners save money every month on their energy bills.

But is a ductless system the right choice for you?

Benefits of a Ductless System

  • No Ductwork Installation: The most obvious benefit of a ductless system is the lack of ducts. This is ideal for homes in which ductwork installation would be difficult or impossible due to the unique structure of the home.
  • Zone Control: With a ductless system, you get to choose the temperature in the different rooms or areas throughout your house. You will no longer have to listen to family members bicker over the thermostat; instead, each air handler usually has its own thermostat, or you can control every unit at once with a master thermostat.
  • Energy Savings: Ductless systems often have much higher SEERs (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratios) than ducted systems. Plus, zone control allows you to save money by turning on the air conditioner only in areas of the home that are occupied throughout the day.
  • Cost of Ownership: The initial cost of a ductless system is often higher than the cost of central AC. However, the energy savings every month will likely make up for this over time.
  • The Appearance of Air Handlers in the Rooms: Some people may be put off by the air handlers, but they are generally placed out of the way, either suspended from the ceiling or mounted high on the wall.

Drawbacks of a Ductless System

Ductless air conditioning is not right for every home, and you should talk with a technician before coming to a decision. For specialized air conditioning services in Orlando, call Downtown Air & Heat today!

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Signs that You Need Air Conditioning Repair

July 18th, 2014

If you’re a busy homeowner in Orlando, it can be hard to find time to schedule air conditioning repair service. But in the middle of summer, a sudden breakdown would probably be much more of an inconvenience.

If you notice any of the following signs, make the time to call an air conditioning technician today to avoid problems later on.

  • Loud Noises: You expect to hear the whir of the outside fan, but if your air conditioner begins to make unexpected noises such as a banging, hissing, or grinding noise, you should shut off your AC and call an expert for repairs immediately to avoid any damage to your system.
  • Short Cycling: If your air conditioning system stops running before your home has reached the desired temperature, there may be any number of problems causing your air conditioner to short cycle. Short cycling can be caused by a refrigerant leak, ice on the coil, compressor damage, or an AC system that is oversized. Because of the large number of possibilities, you should always allow a professional to determine the correct source.
  • High Utility Bills: If your energy bills have been higher than usual recently, it may indicate a problem with your air conditioner. Over time, an air conditioner will lose some efficiency, but a dramatic increase should be cause for alarm. High energy bills can mean that a component of your air conditioner is dirty. You can try cleaning your air filters, but it may also indicate a dirty coil or leaky ductwork.
  • Loss of Cooling Capacity: If you notice that your air conditioner has lost some cooling power, it can be due to any number of issues. Your air conditioner may be low on refrigerant, you may have a dirty or frozen coil, or the thermostat may be faulty.

Anytime you notice something unusual with your AC system, contact Downtown Air & Heat for air conditioning repair in Orlando. Our experts are trained to identify the problem and help you determine the best course of action. If you need air conditioning repair, call us today!

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How to Help Your Air Conditioner Perform at its Best

July 8th, 2014

All air conditioners experience some wear and tear over time that will eventually cause decreased performance. But that doesn’t mean you can’t slow down this process. These simple steps may improve the performance of your air conditioning system and keep it running smoothly for years to come.

Change or Replace air Filters

One way to help your air conditioner continue to perform at its best all summer long is changing or replacing air filters regularly. Clogged air filters obstruct airflow, which can cause a lot of further issues, such as a frozen evaporator coil. Debris buildup in your ducts caused by blocked filters may also cause decreased efficiency and performance. You should change or clean air filters about once a month, following the manufacturer’s guidelines.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Another way to keep your air conditioner in top shape is by scheduling regular maintenance. Even if your air conditioning system doesn’t seem to need repairs, you may want to have a technician look at your system during a routine maintenance visit. People who schedule maintenance once a year often have increased performance and decreased energy bills every month.

During maintenance, a technician will inspect your system, clean some of the parts, adjust refrigerant levels, and add lubricant to the motors, if necessary. A technician can let you know if any part of your AC is affecting performance and needs repair.

Upgrade to a Digital Thermostat

Another reason you may choose to call an air conditioning professional is if you are using an outdated thermostat. If you still set the temperature in your home with the dials of a manual thermostat, you may not quite get the cooling power you hope for. In this case, you can benefit from a digital, programmable thermostat with a clear display that allows you to set the AC to turn on and off at different times of the day. You may end up using your AC less often, resulting in less wear and, possibly, a longer lifespan for your system.

Downtown Air & Heat offers air conditioning services in Orlando including maintenance and thermostat upgrades. Call today!

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Leading the Way with Independence Days!

July 3rd, 2014

The term “Fourth of July” is the popular name for the U.S. federal holiday officially known as Independence Day. It isn’t surprising that we would come up with a different name from the official one, since “Independence Day” is one of the most common holiday names across the globe. Most of the nations in existence today won their independence from another power, whether through wars, treaties, or long transitions.

What might surprise many people is how old U.S. Independence Day actually is compared to the similar holidays of other nations. Although the U.S. is still considered a young nation, it was one of the first to make a full break for its colonial master with a new constitution. Most countries that celebrate a national Independence Day are commemorating events that occurred in the second half of the 20th century, when many older empires at last relinquished control over their colonies.

How substantial is the difference in time for the U.S.A. and the rest of the world? U.S. Independence Day celebrates the signing of the Declaration of Independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776, making our country unusual in that almost no existing nations celebrate an independence event from the eighteenth century.

In terms of age, there is only a tiny handful current countries that celebrate an independence day that occurred earlier than the United States. Switzerland celebrates its independence from the Holy Roman Empire of the Germans in 1291 with “Swiss National Day,” held every August 1—although this only gained status as a national holiday in 1994. Sweden Celebrates “National Day of Sweden” to commemorate events in 1523 and the election of King Gustav I during the War of Liberation against Christian II of Denmark and Norway. Romania comes almost a hundred years after U.S. Independence, with its 1877 freedom from Turkish rule.

The most recent Independence Days to come into existence are for Montenegro, which gained independence from Serbia in 2006 and celebrates the day on May 21, and South Sudan, which gained independence from Sudan in 2011 and celebrates the day only a day after the U.S., on July 5.

Does anyone else celebrate a literal “Fourth of July,” an Independence Day that also falls on the fourth day of the seventh month? Yes: Abkhazia, a small Central Asian country that declared its independence from the Republic of Georgia in 1999 (although not all countries recognize it). Coming a day (like South Sudan) on July 5 is the independence of the small Atlantic island nation of Cape Verde, which became free from Portugal through signed agreement in 1975.

Everyone at Downtown Air & Heat hopes you and your family enjoy a vibrant Independence Day/Fourth of July this year!

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How Does Humidity Affect AC Performance?

June 26th, 2014

The comfortable range for humidity is 30%-60%; the average humidity levels in Orlando between June and August range from 61%-92%. Clearly, our air conditioners are a necessity.

Not only do our air conditioners cool us, they help remove the humidity, which is a big part of our heat here. Even though your AC system is designed to remove humidity as part of regular operation, there are times when the moisture can be excessive for your air conditioning and potentially affect its performance. This is when you want to call Downtown Air & Heat.

How Does Humidity Affect My AC?

There are several ways in which humidity can adversely affect your air conditioner:

  • More stress on your system – when there is excess moisture in the air, not only does your air conditioner have more moisture to remove, it also has more heat to fight. More humidity means your air conditioner has to work harder to cool the same way as when there’s less humidity. This can put more stress on your system, particularly if it hasn’t been properly maintained.
  • More problems for allergy sufferers – not only does pollen like to cling to humidity, too much moisture is one of the reasons dust mites, mildew, and mold flourish. By properly dehumidifying the air, you can help prevent allergens from hanging in your indoor air and developing in your home.
  • Less comfort indoors – the point of having an air conditioner is to feel comfortable during the hot months of the year. When too much humidity is present, it can make the cool air in your house feel cold and clammy. This kind of discomfort can be as uncomfortable as experiencing the heat, something no one wants from their AC.

The Best Way to Handle Humidity

One of the best tools available for handling the extra humidity that comes with the Orlando heat is a whole-home dehumidifier. Whole-home dehumidifiers help remove the extra humidity in the air, giving your air conditioner the breathing room to operate optimally, even during long periods of excessive warmth. Let Downtown Air & Heat help you lift the weight of the humidity this summer with a whole-home dehumidifier for your air conditioning system. Call us today and schedule air conditioning service in Orlando with one of our experts.

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Avoiding the Need For Air Conditioning Repairs

June 19th, 2014

The last thing anyone wants to deal with during a hot summer in Orlando is an air conditioning repair. Over the years, our Downtown Air & Heating customers have asked our experts if there are ways to help prevent repair needs from developing, and the answer is yes, there are ways to help curb the need for air conditioning repair to your system. Some repairs are not avoidable, but by taking certain steps we’ll outline below, you can decrease both the need for repairs and the size of the repairs to your air conditioning system.

Don’t Ignore Signs of Problems

Strange sounds, unfamiliar smells and a subpar performance can all point to problems that developing with your air conditioner – don’t ignore them. While your air conditioner may still be running, it may not be running well, and there is a limited amount of time your AC can run under stressful conditions. As the saying goes, it’s better to be safe than sorry, so if something seems even a little bit off, call your Downtown Air & Heat technician to take a look.

Change/Clean Filters Regularly

Your air filter can become clogged with dust and dirt. When the filter becomes too clogged it can restrict airflow, which can lead to multiple problems with your system. By changing the air filter every 1-3 months, you can avoid the problems that develop from a dirty air filter.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance is one of the best ways to stave off repairs and keep your air conditioner running optimally. With bi-annual maintenance, your system is thoroughly inspected for any issues, cleaned, and adjusted and/or repaired as needed. Scheduling bi-annual maintenance means the small things, like worn fan belts and loose screws, are taken care of before they can lead to bigger, and potentially more expensive, repairs.

Keep the Outdoor Unit Clear

While a specialist should clean the interior components of your outdoor unit, you can help with maintenance by cleaning up any yard debris from the area around the outdoor unit, and making sure there is no overgrowth from trees or shrubs encroaching on the space.

Think You May Have an Issue?

Even if you aren’t sure if something is going on, it’s better to get ahead of your repairs than to wait and see. Get ahead of any potential issues – give Downtown Air & Heating a call and schedule air conditioning repair in Orlando today.

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