Climate Masters Blog

A Heat Pump Can Cool, Too?

April 20th, 2015

If you are unfamiliar with heat pump systems, you may be hard-pressed to believe that anything called a “heat pump” can heat and cool your home in St. Augustine, FL. Not only can a heat pump cool your home, it can do it effectively and efficiently, but to do so requires expert installation and service. The AC professionals at Climate Masters can help you with all your heat pump needs – all you have to do is contact us!

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Why Consider Installing a Dehumidifier?

April 13th, 2015

Hot and sticky are two very common words heard around here at the heart of summer, and the relief we all feel when we enter our air conditioning is palpable. However, you aren’t the only one feeling the heat – your air conditioner is, too, and the more humid it gets, the harder your AC has to work to achieve the comfort you need and want. But there is a way you lessen the load on your air conditioner while also improving your comfort: install a whole-home dehumidifier.

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Should I Consider Geothermal Cooling for My Home?

April 6th, 2015

We are enjoying some great early spring temperatures, and while you may not need your air conditioning yet, you will in a few short weeks – do you have an air conditioning system you can rely on, or is it time for a new one? One of the benefits of installing a new air conditioner is the ability to choose a system that fits your needs, possibly better, than an existing one. If this is a brand new installation, you can start with a clean slate and install a system that will meet your needs and provide comfort for years. One system worth considering is a geothermal system. These systems utilize sustainable energy, and can provide your St. Augustine home with both heating and cooling, but they do require trained specialists for installation. First, let’s take a look at how the system works.

Sustainable Energy

Geothermal systems are comprised of a ground loop, a heat pump and ductwork or ductless blowers that deliver the warm or cool air to your home’s living spaces. The ground loop is buried beneath the frost line and contains an environmentally-friendly antifreeze. During the summer, the heat from your home is absorbed and transferred to the ground loop, where it is released into the surrounding soil; this is known as a heat sink. In the winter, the antifreeze in the ground loop absorbs the heat from the surrounding soil, sends it to the heat pump where it is concentrated, and disperses the heat to your home. There are no fossil fuels used and very little electricity.

Benefits of a Geothermal System

Here are some of the benefits a geothermal system offers:

  • Best energy efficiency available – geothermal systems actually give back 3-4 units of energy for every 1 unit of energy they expend, making them 300%-400% more energy efficient.
  • Longevity – the heat pump of a geothermal system is designed to last 20-25 years and the ground loop lasts 25-30 years.
  • Easier maintenance – there are very few moving parts on a geothermal system, so while annual maintenance should always be scheduled, the maintenance process is easier.

If you are concerned about your environment and are looking for a sustainable way to cool your home, call the geothermal specialists at Climate Masters today and schedule an appointment.

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Climate Masters Attends the FCTC Job Fair

March 31st, 2015

FullSizeRenderRecently, the local Tech College, First Coast Technical College, held a job fair for its recent grads and Climate Masters setup a booth to educate the participants about the world of HVAC and all of the great employment opportunities in this community and at our business! Our Service Manager, Jeff Gwaltney and Service Technician James Carnall, were on hand to chat with students and teachers and give them an idea of what the industry has to offer as well as our business. They had a great time and we would like to thank everyone from the college staff to the students and graduates for participating with us. Check out our pictures and the great write up on the event and call us today to find out how you can become a part of the Climate Masters team!

FCTCfairClimateMastersBooth

 

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Don’t Ignore These Signs of Trouble with Your Ductless AC

March 27th, 2015

By cooling your entire house with just one system, you are able to live comfortably with greater efficiency than you would ever enjoy by using multiple units. For homeowners who don’t necessarily want to cool their entire house to the same temperature, though, a traditional split central air conditioner can be a bit restrictive in its operation. One great option to consider is a ductless air conditioner if you find yourself in this camp.

Ductless air conditioning systems eliminate the need for ductwork entirely by utilizing individual, wall-mounted blowers in order to cool different areas of the home independently of one another. Not only does this allow you to benefit form simple zone-controlled cooling, but the elimination of the ductwork also means that you won’t have to worry about compromised ductwork wasting energy. There are problems which may develop with a ductless AC, though, and Climate Masters suggests that you schedule your ductless AC repairs in Saint Johns at the very first sign of trouble.

If you discover that you are unable to cool a specific area of your home to the desired temperature, but your other zones are properly maintained, then the blower unit servicing that area of your house may be in trouble. Any number of specific issues may be to blame, including a refrigerant leak in the line connected to that blower, or problems with the fan therein. It could also be a problem stemming from a malfunctioning thermostat. Only a professional technician can determine with certainty what the precise nature of the problem is.

You may also notice that your cooling costs are on the rise, even though you are not using your system any differently than normal. While you will obviously see high cooling costs as the temperature outside soars, you should also have an idea of how much, on average, those costs will amount to. If things really seem to be getting out of hand, there may be  problem in the condenser unit. Again, refrigerant leaks may play a role in this problem, or it could be something as simple as clogged air filters. When we complete your ductless air conditioning system repairs, you can count on the problem being resolved entirely.

You must never hesitate to schedule service when you run into problems with your ductless air conditioner. The longer you wait to do so, the more serious any existing problems are likely to become.

Make the right choice, and schedule your ductless AC repairs in Saint Johns with Climate Masters as soon as you suspect that there is something amiss.

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When Is Duct Repair or Replacement Needed?

March 20th, 2015

Cooling a home in this part of the country is challenging enough without trying to do so with a compromised air conditioning system. Your heater, while certainly used less than your air conditioning system, shares its ductwork with your air conditioning system if both are forced air distribution based. This means that problems with your ductwork can lead to year round issues when trying to keep your home comfortable. Needless to say, this is not any kind of situation that you’ll wish to find yourself in. If you have any reason to suspect that there is a problem with your ductwork, then contact Climate Masters immediately. Professional ductwork service in Palm Coast is among our areas of expertise.

Because your air ducts are, of course, so largely hidden from view, you may not realize immediately that they are compromised in some way. After all, you cannot simply give them a quick visual inspection. Even so, though, there are many different warning signs which may indicate the need for professional ductwork services, be they repair or replacement.

First of all, pay attention to your heating and cooling costs. If you are running your air conditioner regularly throughout the summer season, which in all likelihood you are, then you probably have a pretty good idea of just how much it costs to cool your home. There will be some fluctuation, of course. However, any sudden spikes in your cooling – or heating – costs may indicate that energy is being wasted as conditioned air escapes your system. The sound of hissing while running your HVAC systems, as well as a decline in indoor air quality throughout your home, are all also signs that your ductwork is compromised.

In many cases, your air ducts may be sealed or replaced in order to stop leakage and to resolve other issues. There are certain situations in which duct replacement may be necessary, though. Your air ducts may be rusted or damaged beyond repair, or your system may be so poorly designed that it simply cannot distribute air throughout your home effectively.

Whatever the problem may be, you can count on Climate Masters to solve the problem entirely. We specialize in all manner of ductwork services in Palm Coast. Call today for more details.

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AC System Maintenance Steps: A Basic Overview

March 13th, 2015

When spring comes around and the weather starts its climb toward the highs of summer, you need to start thinking about preparing your home’s air conditioner for the hot times ahead. ACs in Florida undergo intense work during the long summer seasons, and without maintenance from an HVAC professional to reduce wear and tear, they run the risk of poor performance, energy waste, repair issues, and even a complete breakdown leading to an early replacement. Make sure that you avoid all these problems and sign up for AC system maintenance in Ponte Vedra, FL. Call Climate Masters today and ask about our excellent maintenance program, which will also care for your heating system during the fall.

What AC maintenance entails

Although there are a number of different types of air conditioning systems for homes, they have enough similarities that most technicians will follow the same set up steps when taking care of maintaining them.

First, the technician will check on the outdoor condensing unit and the compressor to see that it has the correct operating pressure. (The compressor is perhaps the most essential component in an AC; if the compressor burns out, often the whole system much be replaced.) The technician will also take care of cleaning the condensate line and drain in the condensing unit and checks on the temperature rise across the condensing coil. If the condensing coil is dirty, the technician will detach it and wash it.

Next, the technician will check on the electrical systems of the AC, tightening any loose connections and looking for correct motor amperage and. This check also includes the thermostat to make sure that it is correctly calibrated and wired to the air conditioner.

After this, the technician will see if there is sufficient refrigerant in the system and replace any missing amount. (In some cases, refrigerant is overcharged, meaning there is too much, and the technician must remove some.)

The maintenance then focuses on the indoor cabinet, and takes care of replacing the air filter, cleaning the air handler, and seeing if the evaporator coil is in good shape. To finish, the technician will lubricate any motors that require it.

If the technician notices a repair issue at any point, he or she will notify you of it and help you arrange to have it fixed. The technician will not attempt to do any repairs unless you approve them.

The maintenance program from Climate Masters will not only keep your air conditioning sytem in great shape, it will also provide you with a 10% discount on repair costs (excluding compressors, filters, or full system replacements).

Contact us today to sign up in Ponte Vedra, FL for AC system maintenance so you will be ready for another summer.

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Why Work with a Design/Build HVAC Contractor?

March 6th, 2015

Are you in the process of building a new, or of planning a new home construction project? If so, congratulations! This is truly one of the most exciting endeavors that anyone can undertake for themselves. However, it can also be quite stressful at times. By hiring qualified contractors to handle every aspect of your construction process, of course, you can avoid much of the stress that could otherwise potentially plague the construction process. This extends past the construction of the home itself to include the design and installation of your HVAC system. When it comes to design/build HVAC services, you can’t go wrong when working with a design/build HVAC contractor in St. Augustine from Climate Masters.

When people invest in a new, preexisting home, they often inherit a preexisting HVAC system that was installed in that home at some point. The problem with this is that the HVAC system that they inherit may not be the one that they’d have chosen for themselves. If you are constructing a new home, or if you are interested in replacing the HVAC system in your home with a newer, customized system, working with a design/build HVAC contractor is your best option. When your HVAC system is designed with your property specifically in mind, you can count on getting more from that system that you otherwise might with a more run of the mill, prefabricated system fitted into your home.

Not only will our design/build HVAC contractors work with you to ensure that you choose the HVAC system which best suits your needs, but they will also design your system so that it services your unique property in the most effective and efficient manner possible. This includes ensuring that your new system is of just the right size for your living space, so that you won’t overwork your system and pay too much for too weak of a performance, nor will you find yourself paying for a cooling capacity that you’ll simply never need. Plus, any heating and cooling distribution systems will be custom tailored to the layout of your home, ensuring even and consistent heating and cooling for the greatest level of comfort possible.

The simple fact of the matter is that it is best that your HVAC system fits your home like a glove.

When you hire a professional design/build HVAC contractor in St. Augustine, this will be the case. Just make sure that Climate Masters is the company that you call upon to do so.

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What to Consider Prior to a Pool Heater Installation

February 27th, 2015

It is no surprise that swimming is such a popular pastime in this part of the country. We are blessed with plenty of hot, sunny weather in which to bask in aquatic delights. However, you may find yourself closing up your pool a bit early, or climbing out before you are ready, when the cooler time of the year arrives. After all, even Florida is subject to chilly temperatures, if not snowfall and subzero nights like other parts of the country. You can get more enjoyment from your swimming pool, though, as well as more usable time with it, by using a pool heater. Should you require a pool heater installation in Fruit Cove, schedule service with the experts here at Climate Masters. We’ll make sure that your system lives up to your expectations and that it functions at optimal performance and efficiency levels.

Before rushing into a pool heater installation, anxious as you may be to have the job completed, it is important that you make a few important considerations. The first of these considerations is just how you plan on powering your pool heater. Generally, homeowners choose to use either a solar, gas, or electric pool heater. Each has its pros and cons. Solar pool heaters are a good option to consider around here, considering just how sunny most of our days are. They can be impeded by cloudy conditions that extend into the night, though, depriving the system of much direct sunlight. Natural gas is another great way in which to power a pool heater. Natural gas is quite efficient and clean-burning for a fossil fuel. However, it does require that you have access to a natural gas main. Electricity is more expensive to purchase than natural gas, but is readily available in just about any area. This makes an electric pool heater a convenient option for many homeowners.

Another factor to consider prior to your pool heating installation in Fruit Cove is just what size of heater you need. You don’t want a pool heater that is going to fail to sufficiently heat your pool, burning through energy and driving up usage costs in its struggle to do so. However, you also don’t want to drop money on a system that is just too big for your needs. When you schedule your pool heater installation with the technicians here at Climate Masters, You’ll have no such concerns. Call now to learn more.

Our team will make sure that your pool heater is of the right size for your home, that it is using the best fuel for your unique preferences, and that it is integrated into your pool with the utmost care.

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Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

February 20th, 2015

We may be experiencing cool temperatures for our area, but soon enough the hot weather will return – is your air conditioner good for another cooling season? Air conditioners tend to break on the hottest of days because this is when they work the hardest. No one wants to get the news that he/she needs to replace a broken-down AC in the middle of summer, so if you left off the last cooling season wondering if your AC was going to make it, it’s probably time to call the experts at Climate Masters and schedule an appointment. Not sure if you are seeing the signs? Here are some factors that may mean it’s time for an air conditioning replacement in St. Augustine:

Lots O’Repairs

Did you have to make a number of repairs to keep your air conditioner in operation last summer? Are you looking at making a large repair this spring just to keep it going? At some point repairs can turn into nursing a system along, and those kinds of costs can add up very quickly – sometimes to the cost of a new system.

Age

How old is your current air conditioner? Age does matter when it comes to whole-home cooling systems, and knowing when yours is going to reach, or has reached, maturity, does make a difference.  The average lifespan for a traditional split system AC is 10-12 years; the average lifespan of a heat pump system is about 20 years. As air conditioning systems age, they become more prone to breakdown, and they may not function as efficiently as they should, which can cost you money.

Poor Performance

Today’s air conditioners are highly energy efficient. This is partly due to SEER regulations that changed in 2006 and also partly because of advancements in technology and product development. If your AC is ten years old or older, you may not be seeing the performance you need from it for two reasons: first, it may not have the minimum SEER number now required, which is 13, and second, it may be reaching maturity. Poor performance issues are uneven cooling, inability to cool sufficiently and higher than normal energy bills.

Scheduling replacement of your air conditioning system in St. Augustine now can put get you ahead of the glut of spring service appointments, so call Climate Masters today!

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