If you live in Orlando, you’ve probably noticed air conditioners on the roof and on the ground. When you are faced with the dilemma on which location will be better for your home, you should first identify the differences between the options. Here is a number of aesthetic and practical factors to consider.
Downtown Air and Heat Blog : Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning Installation’
Should You Install Your New Air Conditioner on the Roof or Ground?
Tuesday, February 28th, 2017How to Ensure a Successful Air Conditioning Installation
Monday, April 6th, 2015Once 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.
Why Consider a High Efficiency AC System?
Friday, February 27th, 2015Have 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!
What Can I Expect When Installing a New Air Conditioner?
Monday, June 16th, 2014Modern air conditioners have long service lifespans. You probably haven’t needed to install a new air conditioning system in your home more than once before, if at all. So when you need to arrange to replace an older AC, you probably won’t be very familiar with the process or know what to expect. We’ll give you an idea of what the installation work involves.
To help smooth out the process and take away most of the headaches, contact Downtown Air & Heat to arrange for air conditioning installation in Orlando, FL. We have a NATE-certified team to make sure that the work is preformed professionally and accurately. At the conclusion you will have a system in your house that will last you for many more years… long enough that when you need to replace it, you once again will have to read over reminders about how the installation process goes!
What Happens During AC Installation
The first step in new air conditioning installation is to call for HVAC professionals: do not take this on as a “do-it-yourself” project or hand it off to amateurs.
The professional installers will come to your home to ascertain its cooling needs and power supply so they can find the right unit to go with it. Part of this selection process involves “sizing” the new system so that its cooling load matches your house: too large or too small will mean energy drain and a system with an abbreviated lifespan.
Once these preliminaries are completed, the actual physical installation requires less than a day (in most cases). The arduous part of the installing involves removing the current system and disposing of it. Once the old air conditioner is out of the way, the rest of the work will move forward rapidly. The installers will place and secure the outdoor unit, and then do the same for the indoor unit. They will cut and resize the ductwork that connects to the indoor cabinet so it fits perfectly, connect the ventilation system to the indoor unit, and then hook the system into the house’s power supply.
The last step that the installers will take is to look over the refrigerant lines, power lines, and connections to make sure that everything links up. They perform electrical and airflow tests to see that the system is working as it should. Quality professionals will not consider the job finished until they know you will be fully satisfied with the work and can start enjoying your new cooling right away.
We take pride in the work we perform at Downtown Air & Heat when it comes to air conditioning installation in Orlando, FL. Contact us when you are ready to have your first AC replacement in many years—we’ll make the process easy for you.
Home Improvements to Make Before Air Conditioning Installation
Thursday, June 5th, 2014You’ve finally decided to replace your aging air conditioning system for a new one with increased performance and efficiency. This is a big decision, but if you have the right professional installers working with you, the process should go smoothly and leave you with an AC that works ideally and meets your comfort needs.
However, there are a few improvements around your home you should consider having completed before your new air conditioning installation in Orlando, FL. These improvements will help you get the most effective and efficient cooling from your new system, letting you take advantage of its superior features and performance. When you’re ready for installation, contact Downtown Air & Heat and well will help you receive the best possible work for your future comfort.
Ductwork repairs and sealing
One of the major troubles that air conditioners (as well as forced-air heaters) can face is from leaky ductwork. If you have an older ventilation system, it make have gaps and breaks along it that will negatively affect the performance of your new AC, causing it to lose air pressure and sending contaminating dust into your indoor air. Call on duct repair experts to examine the ductwork and perform the necessary sealing work to make sure that you have airtight ventilation shafts.
Window caulking and weather stripping around doors
Windows with space around them where hot air can enter your home will make the interior of your house far hotter than it should be, and that will make the air conditioner’s job much harder. Caulking the windows will keep a better heat seal. As for doors to the outside, place weather stripping around them to block additional external heat from finding ways inside.
Insulation improvements (especially in the attic!)
People often don’t realize that insulation serves to keep a home cool as well as warm. If your home has too many air leaks due to poor or deteriorating insulation, additional heat will infiltrate your home and overstress your new AC. The attic is the most important place to seal up, since during the summer the temperature in the attic can sometimes climb to 130°F! As this excess heat seeps down into your home, it could raise the indoor temperature more than 10°F, and you will need to run the AC much longer to overcome it. Make sure you have your insulation in good shape to defend against outdoor summer heat.
Call Downtown Air & Heat today to get started with the first task: duct repairs. We can seal and repair all types of ductwork so your new air conditioner will have healthy “breathing” passages. When you are ready for your full air conditioning installation in Orlando, FL, you can rely on our experienced technicians to perform an excellent job that will keep you cool for many Florida summers to come.
Consider a Heat Pump When Installing a New Air Conditioner
Friday, May 23rd, 2014When it’s time to have a new air conditioning installation in Winter Garden, FL, you don’t actually have to put in a new AC. We don’t mean you should go without electro-mechanical cooling for the summer. You can have the same quality of cool air vented through your home, except instead of coming from a standard air conditioning system, a heat pump will take care of the job.
The name “heat” may sound like this is a bad choice for summer weather. But the name heat pump only describes the action of these appliances: they pump heat from one location to another. Air conditioners do the same job, moving heat from indoors to the outdoors. Heat pump take it to the next step, since they can also move heat from the outdoors to the indoors. In other words, a heat pump is an air conditioner that can change the direction it operates, working as both a cooling and heating system.
Here are some of the reasons you should put a heat pump on your list of possible replacements for your old air conditioner. To learn more, contact Downtown Air & Heat today and speak to our AC specialists.
Reasons a heat pump might your best choice for comfort
- You won’t sacrifice cooling: Although a heat pump does two jobs, that doesn’t lessen the effectiveness of the cooling side. A heat pump works as well in cooling mode as an air conditioner of comparable size. You won’t experience a drop in your comfort during the summer heat if you have the right size heat pump installed.
- You’ll have effective heating: One of the few drawbacks of heat pumps is that they lose efficiency in heating mode if the temperature outdoor drops too low (below freezing). Heat pumps must absorb outdoor heat, and this becomes difficult in extreme cold weather. However, this is almost never a problem in Florida, so you can expect to eliminate your old heating system as well as your current air conditioning system when you install a heat pump.
- You’ll have lower heating bills: You can expect to pay about the same for your cooling as you would with an AC. With heating, however, you will see around a 30% savings with a heat pump compared to systems like gas and electric furnaces, as studied have demonstrated. The secret of the efficiency of a heat pump is that is doesn’t expend energy to burn fuel in order to heat up the air. It uses electricity to run mechanical parts that move heat, and this requires less power.
Reasons you might not want a heat pump
The truth of the situation is that no home comfort system is perfect for every home. Your home may get by with its current AC/heater set up, and the extra expense of a heat pump won’t benefit you that much.
To find out if your home is suited for a heat pump, call Downtown Air & Heat today for an appointment. We will find you the ideal air conditioning installation in Winter Garden, FL.
The Benefits of Installing a High-Efficiency AC
Friday, May 23rd, 2014The term “high efficiency” automatically makes an appliance sound like a good option. When it comes to air conditioning systems—appliances that are among the most energy-demanding in a home—it sounds even better to opt for a high-efficiency model.
Although there are some cautions you need to take when it comes to choosing a high-efficiency AC—they aren’t always the best choice—you can eliminate most of the guesswork with the assistance of skilled HVAC technicians. When you’re ready for an air conditioning system replacement in Orlando, FL, call Downtown Air & Heat. We install a variety of high-efficiency ACs and will help you find the right one to keep you cool for many Florida summers to come.
Reasons High-Efficiency Air Conditioners Are Beneficial
- Energy Savings: The main reason that homeowners investigate installing high-efficiency air conditioning in the first place is to save money on utility bills while still receiving the amount of cooling they need. Where a standard AC must have a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency rating) of at least 14.5 to qualify for the U.S. Department of Energy’s ENERGY STAR label, high-efficiency systems score much higher, sometimes with SEER in the low 20s. That’s a huge jump from 14.5, meaning you can expect to pay a third less for the electricity necessary to cool your home during the summer.
- More Features: The technology of high-efficiency systems also means they have advanced features on them for superior performance. Most of these ACs come with variable speed air handlers and two-stage compressors to help them achieve better energy efficiency; but they also make the system better at cooling down a home. You’ll have faster cooling power and a more even temperature distribution with a high-efficiency air conditioner.
- Increased Lifespan: Going hand-in-hand with better performance and efficient operation is reduced wear and tear on the unit. A high-efficiency air conditioner experiences less stress because it will not need to turn on and off as often. This means fewer repairs and a generally longer life for the unit.
Are There Any Drawbacks?
The only issue that high-efficiency air conditioners can present for homeowners is the upfront installation cost. As a rule of thumb, the higher a system’s SEER, the higher its price tag. If a high-efficiency AC will not offer a home significantly improved comfort and savings, then a standard system may be the optimal choice.
The best way to find out how well a high-efficiency AC will work for your home is to call in skilled professionals. Downtown Air & Heat handles a variety of types of air conditioning system installation in Orlando, FL, and we will pinpoint the system that will bring you all the advantages you need at a price that suits your budget.
Consider a Dehumidifier When Installing a New Air Conditioner
Wednesday, May 7th, 2014Humidity is a fact of life in Florida, and an uncomfortable one during the summer. But just because we have moist air doesn’t mean you have to suffer from it inside your house. Your new air conditioning system will handle some dehumidifying (its process of heat absorption also removes water moisture from the air), but to effectively handle the muggy Florida summers, you should consider contacting professionals to install a whole-house dehumidifier along with your new AC.
To handle this job, you’ll need technicians with experience in air conditioning replacement services in Orlando, FL… the experts who know what they are up against when it comes to balancing the moisture in your home’s air. Downtown Air & Heat has the people you need to perform the job. Call us and we’ll find the right dehumidifier for you and install it in no time at all.
Why install a whole-house dehumidifier with a new AC?
- Increased comfort: This is the #1 priority for Floridians. High humidity makes people less comfortable in the heat. The reason for this is that high moisture levels in the air around a human body make it harder for the body to release heat through sweat; sweat evaporation slows down. With a professionally installed dehumidifier, the balance of moisture in the air will reach the ideal level where you’ll feel more comfortable without excessive dryness (which has its own set of problems).
- Better health: Moist air is a breeding ground for many types of molds and fungus. These growths can release toxins into the air that cause allergy-like symptoms and other illnesses in people. Humid air also makes the spread of communicable disease easier. Balanced humidity will mean increased health for everyone in your house.
- Reduced water damage: High humidity is a destructive force for many parts of your home, as well as to your belongings. Wood will start to warp and the same growth of mold and mildew that can affect your health will eat into drywall and other building material. Moisture forming over surfaces in your house is something you want to avoid if at all possible.
Call Downtown Air & Heat to arrange an appointment with our indoor air quality specialists who are also familiar with air conditioning installation in Orlando, FL. They will assess your air to determine the type and size of dehumidifier you need for comfort without making your air too dry. After they install the dehumidifier with your air conditioning system, you’ll enjoy the summer more and experience fewer health troubles. You can also call our technicians for regular service and repair work on your dehumidifier to keep it working for you.
