Downtown Air and Heat Blog

Check for Air Conditioning Problems Today!

June 6th, 2016

Summer starts early in Longwood, FL, and chances are you’ve already been running your air conditioner nonstop. That’s only going to get worse as spring turns to summer, and the last thing you want is a major breakdown in the middle of one of our patented central Florida heat waves. Right now is an excellent time to check for any potential problems, allowing you to get your air conditioner repaired while you still have time. That way, your system will be ready to go when summer officially arrives, and you stand much less of a chance dealing with any nasty surprises when the mercury rises. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you out.

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Short Cycling is a Big Problem

May 30th, 2016

As spring turns to summer in Casselberry, FL, you’re going to start using your system a lot more often than normal.That means you need to pay careful attention to the signs that something is wrong, and act quickly when you spot them. One of the more subtle symptoms of a damaged air conditioner is short cycling, which is an air conditioning turning on, running for a short period of time and turning off… only to turn back on again just a few minutes later. It doesn’t sound like a big deal, but in fact it can be devastating to your system as a whole.

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Repair or Replace? How to Make That Decision for your AC

May 23rd, 2016

Summers in Orlando, FL are too brutal to go without reliable air conditioning, and the longer your system runs, the sooner the day will arrive when you have to make a choice. Do you keep sinking money into repairing and maintaining an older system, or do you bite the bullet and get a new one? If you’re wrestling with that possibility, now is the ideal time to think about a replacement. But some older systems can still do quite well, and with regular maintenance, yours may still have plenty of life left. How expensive is too expensive when it comes to repairs? Only you can answer that question, but we have a few quick references to help you out.

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How Can I Tell if I Need a Dehumidifier?

May 16th, 2016

Residents of Longwood, FL are used to dealing with high temperatures in the summertime. Humidity is also a problem in our neck of the woods, and with that mugginess can come a host of problems for your home and family. In many cases, an air conditioner doubles as a dehumidifier, but it can’t always handle the load. Every home is different, and in some cases, you may be doing just fine keeping the humidity at bay. If you aren’t, a whole-house dehumidifier installed by a trained technician could be the best thing for you… but how do you know if you really need one? Luckily, there are some telltale signs that can help you make that determination. Here’s a quick list of some of them for your perusal.

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How to Protect Your Home from Allergens

May 9th, 2016

Casselberry, FL has a lot of allergens in the air, as does most of central Florida when it gets hot. If you suffer from allergies, summer can be a miserable time of year, and while your home may provide some respite, mold spores and similar allergens can find you there too. Luckily, there are some common-sense steps you can take to keep your home clean and help anyone suffering from allergies in your family stay happy and healthy this summer. Or, if you’re of a mind, you can install something a little more ambitious in your HVAC system. We’ve provided a brief list of both below.

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Follow These Steps Before Calling for AC Repair  

May 2nd, 2016

No one likes to think about their air conditioner breaking down, especially with our hot summers here in Orlando, FL, and when they do happen, they seem to happen right in the middle of a heat wave when you need the problem fixed as quickly as possible. But some problems are actually quite simple to address, and can be fixed with a little troubleshooting on your part. Before you call in a repair service, take the time to follow these simple steps. You won’t lose much time if the problem still demands professional attention, and you may save yourself the cost of an unnecessary service call.

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Signs that You Need Duct Repair

April 25th, 2016

Longwood, FL residents are in the midst of preparing for another long, hot summer, which means making sure their air conditioners are in working order. But your inspection and analysis shouldn’t be limited to the air conditioner itself. Your ducts, which take conditioned air from the central unit to the rest of your house, can suffer from damage and wear just like any other component, and when they run into trouble, it can seriously impact the efficiency of your system. A trained technician can repair damaged ducts, but before you can call one in, you need to spot the signs of duct repair yourself. Here’s a few common ones to look for.

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How Does Proper Air Filtration Benefit My Air Conditioner?

April 18th, 2016

The air filter is a part of every air conditioning system: a screen that filters the dirt and dust out of the air as it moves through the ducts. Central Florida can feature a lot of pollen in the air and other contaminants as well. For those who need more extensive protection, you can have an electronic air filter installed that can cover any and all dirt and dust that creeps into your ducts. For the rest, make sure you clean or replace your filter regularly in order to keep it from clogging. Proper air filtration is a big benefit to the quality of your indoor air, but it can also benefit your air conditioner more directly. Here’s how.

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What is an Air Conditioning Capacitor?

April 11th, 2016

Here in Orlando, FL, our air conditioners are an absolute lifeline during the heat of summer. Temperatures climb to stiflingly high levels, and when repairs need to happen, they need to happen very quickly indeed. The more you can educate yourself about the various components that make up your system, the more readily you can respond to a problem. Today, we’re going to talk about the capacitors in your air conditioner, which usually serve two distinct functions. In some air conditioners, you have two separate capacitors, and in others, you have one capacitor that does both jobs. In both cases, the component stores an electric charge for running the fan motor and other key parts.

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How Does a Zone Control System Save Me Money?

April 4th, 2016

Spring is here, and already our temperatures here in Longwood, FL are growing warm. You may be looking for new ways to improve your air conditioning’s performance this summer: cutting down on those high bills without reducing the comfort levels in your home. The solution is a zone control system, installed in your existing air conditioning system and allowing you to exercise a greater degree of control than previously anticipated. How does a zone control system save you money? Read on for the answers.

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