Climate Masters Blog

Problems Caused by Damaged Ductwork

December 18th, 2014

The ducts in your home are largely hidden from view, passing through the walls, floors, and ceilings in order to reach a vent that delivers conditioned air into your home. That’s why it’s important that the ducts in your home remain in stable condition, without any problems that could allow air to leak out from any random holes or cracks.

Damages in the ducts occur more frequently than you may think. The ducts are subjected to quite a bit of air pressure every day, and certain materials may actually begin to crack under the pressure. Ducts that are not completely sealed or professionally maintained can end up with any of the following problems. In most cases, the only solution is calling a professional for duct repair in St. Augustine.

  • Reduced Efficiency: As air leaks out of your damaged ductwork, it cannot move into your home. This means you’re paying money to condition a space like an attic or crawlspace while your unit continues to run at full force for long periods of time.As it attempts to get your home back to the right temperature, you’ll end up paying a lot more on your utilities.
  • Poor HVAC Performance: When air leaks out of the ductwork, your HVAC system will have to struggle in order to work as it should. Parts can become overworked as a result and wear down to the point that they need replacement.
  • Contaminants in the Air: Finally, damaged ductwork allows air from unoccupied spaces to enter your home. Air flowing through the ducts may suck in contaminants from unconditioned areas like the attic, and some of the dust or insulation material can be inhaled as it moves through your home, negating the purpose of the AC filter in your house.

It’s imperative that you have a professional repair your ducts, as they have the tools and expertise to find areas of reduced pressure in order to properly determine from which areas your ducts are leaking. Furthermore, they have the right types of sealants and tapes: standard duct tape is NOT a good solution for damaged ducts and could actually pose a fire hazard and emit some dangerous fumes when heated.

Climate Masters is the only company you’ll need for duct repair, duct sealing, and more.

Contact us today to schedule duct repair in St. Augustine if you suspect a problem due to heating inefficiency, strange noises, or any other suspicious activity.

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How Does Hybrid Heating Work?

December 11th, 2014

One of the reasons people love heat pumps is because they offer both heating and cooling. But there can be some concern about the heating heat pumps can provide when the air temperature dips below 32 degrees. If you have concerns about using just a heat pump to heat your home, you may want to consider the installation of a hybrid heating system. Why? A hybrid heating system is comprised of a heat pump as your main source of heating, with a back-up gas furnace. This means that no matter what the temperature may be outside, you will always be warm and comfortable inside. First, let’s take a look at how a hybrid heating system works.

There are two main components of a hybrid heating system: the heat pump and the gas furnace. Heat pumps provide heat by absorbing the available heat in the outside air, concentrating it, then distributing it to your living spaces. As the air becomes colder, less heat is available in the air for the heat pump to absorb; this is why, when it’s 32 degrees or colder, your heat pump may not heat your home as well as you need it to. This is where the back-up furnace comes in. With a hybrid system, your heat pump is equipped with a sensor that is programmed with a set-point temperature that automatically switches your heating system from the heat pump to the furnace. Typically, this temperature is set a few degrees above the freezing point. A set-point temperature is also set to switch back to the heat pump. The switch is automatic and works in conjunction with your home’s dual-fuel thermostat.

Benefits of a Hybrid Heating System

  • Energy efficiency – with a hybrid heating system, you will still gain the energy-saving benefits of using a heat pump, which can improve your home’s overall efficiency levels.
  • Comfortable heating – with a hybrid heating system, you’ll never have to worry about a lack of heat as the gas furnace back-up ensures that heat is always available.
  • Heating and cooling – with a hybrid system, you can still enjoy the heating and cooling offered by a heat pump.

If you’ve been concerned about your heat pump’s ability to provide enough heat during winter, a hybrid heating system in St. Augustine may be just what you’ve been looking for.

Contact Climate Masters today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

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Don’t Wait for a Breakdown before Scheduling Heating Repair

December 4th, 2014

A sudden heating breakdown can be a major annoyance during a particularly cool day. It’s especially a nuisance for those among us who have ill family members or other circumstances that require the temperature to remain consistent throughout the day and night. Whatever your situation, it’s important to pay attention to the signs that your heating system may be in need of repair so that you won’t be put out by a sudden system failure.

You may think that a seemingly minor problem can wait for repairs. Your heat pump or furnace may simply not produce as much heat as you’d like, or a small noise can be a bit of an inconvenience. However, it’s important to note that even the smallest of issues can signal major trouble for your heater. Problems can develop until the parts begin to wear down and, eventually, fail. Let’s look at a couple of examples.

Let’s say the lack of heat from your heat pump is due to a refrigerant leak. If you let the leak go on for too long, it can continue to drip out of the refrigerant line. Your compressor requires a certain amount of refrigerant to move through it at each cycle, so the leak may cause the compressor to become overworked and fail. Alternatively, imagine that the lack of heat from your furnace stems from a faulty fan. The fan will continue to attempt to run at high speeds, wearing down the motor and consuming a lot of energy in the process.

Not experiencing any heating problems? You should still consider calling a technician for annual maintenance sometime soon. Heating maintenance is vital in preserving your heating system for a long period of time and preventing repairs. A tune up can also keep your heater running more efficiently, saving you money every month. Besides, you may have a minor repair need which you had not noticed, and it’s better to know now than to wait for a breakdown later on.

Contact Climate Masters for fast and reliable repairs for your heating in St. Augustine. We offer 24-hour emergency service so you can get your heater back to normal as soon as possible.

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10 Facts You Should Know about Thanksgiving

November 27th, 2014

Thanksgiving has been celebrated as an official holiday in the United States for over 150 years, so you may think you understand all there is to know about this family feast. Most of us have heard the story of the pilgrims’ first Thanksgiving in 1621 after arriving in North America on the Mayflower. But did you know that only about half of the people on this ship were actually pilgrims? This fact is one of ten things that may actually surprise you about the Thanksgiving tradition!

  1. Although we often consider Thanksgiving a holiday unique to the United States, many other countries and cultures celebrate their own set of harvest-time and thanksgiving traditions. In Korea, Chu-Sok (or “fall evening”) is put on in remembrance of forefathers on August 15th of every year. Brazil celebrates a contemporary version of the U.S. holiday. Chinese, Roman, and Jewish cultures all have a history of harvest celebrations as well.
  2. President Harry S. Truman began the tradition of a ceremony held before Thanksgiving during which the president receives a turkey. George H.W. Bush was the first to pardon the turkey instead of eating it.
  3. In Minnesota alone, farmers raise over 40 million turkeys a year. In fact, U.S. farmers produce about one turkey for every one person in the country.
  4. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, the average American will gain about one to two pounds every year during the holiday season.
  5. On the other hand, turkey is naturally high in protein and has been known to support and boost immune systems to protect against illness and speed up healing. So feast on!
  6. Abraham Lincoln issued a “Thanksgiving Proclamation” in 1863, but a woman named Sarah Josepha Hale can be credited with the idea. While Thanksgiving had been celebrated at different times of year in many areas of the U.S. for years, it was Hale, prominent magazine editor and author of the rhyme “Mary Had a Little Lamb,” who urged Lincoln to finally establish the national event.
  7. President Franklin D Roosevelt once tried to change the date of Thanksgiving to the second-to-last Thursday of the month in order to extend the holiday shopping season and boost the economy.
  8. Only about half of the people on the Mayflower were what we would consider today as “Pilgrims.” The other (approximately) 50 people were simply trying to find a way over to the New World.
  9. Gobble, gobble! Click, click? While male turkeys make a gobbling noise, females (hens) do not; it’s often described as a clicking.
  10. Even though we celebrate Thanksgiving on the last Thursday of November, the month of June has been declared National Turkey Lovers’ Month by the National Turkey Federation so you can continue the celebration in the summer as well!

From our family here at Climate Masters, we’d like to wish you and yours a very Happy Thanksgiving!

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Why Doesn’t My Pool Heater Provide Enough Heat?

November 17th, 2014

Pool heaters are one of the best parts of having a pool in the first place. After all, a body of water as large as a swimming pool takes a very long time to heat up on its own, and is completely dependent on the day’s current climate. You spent all that money for a pool, so you probably want to use it whenever you feel like it, not just when it’s a hot day out. As such, it’s really horrible to jump into your pool expecting it to be heated, only to find that it’s absolutely freezing. Let’s examine what might be causing your pool heater to malfunction, so you can see about getting fixed as soon as possible.

Thermostat

As with almost every heating problem, the very first thing you want to do is check the thermostat. It may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many heating problems can be solved through simple thermostat adjustment. If everything is set correctly but still isn’t working, you may also have a malfunctioning thermostat.

Pump Blockage

In order for your pool heater to actually heat the water, it needs to pump it through the system and back out into the pool. Debris can often block the intake for the heater pump, restricting the water flow and reducing the amount of water it can heat. Be sure to check your pump intake and clear out anything that may be obstructing it.

Pilot Light

Just like most heating systems, a lot of pool heaters are gas-powered. This means they have a pilot light, and it can blow out just as easily as any home heating pilot light. Check to make sure that your pilot light is lit, if you have one. If it isn’t, you can either relight it yourself (if you know how) or have a professional do it for you. If you’ve relit your pilot light several times and it keeps blowing out, you may have some more serious issues.

If you’re having problems with your pool heater, contact Climate Masters. We conduct pool heater repairs throughout St. Augustine.

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A Quality Pool Heater is a Better Return on Your Investment

November 10th, 2014

Homeowners who have a pool on their property may continuously go back and forth on one question: should I install a pool heater as well? Of course, the answer to that question is not simple. You may be fine without a pool heater, as you are still able to use your pool on warmer days. But while you may not necessarily need a pool heater, wouldn’t it make your life at home a bit more relaxed?

Whether you use your pool to burn some calories or to have a little bit of fun with the family, you can benefit in many ways from a quality pool heater that allows you to utilize your pool all year round. Here’s how a high-performance heater can help your home.

Get More Out of Your Investment

When you first invested in your pool, you envisioned yourself and your family getting a lot of use out of it over the years. However, you may have come to discover that in the cooler months, nobody really has the urge to splash around in the pool. Even in the warmer months, the water can feel a tad too cool. And yet, you still spend money to clean and maintain your unused pool. You purchased a pool for your family’s enjoyment, and a pool heater is the best way to get the most out of this investment. A pool heater can also increase the property value of your home when it comes time to sell.

Choose Professionals for Installation

You should keep in mind, however, that professional installation is a must when it comes to pool heater installation. Pool heaters come in a variety of different models and sizes and must be properly sized by a technician according to your pool and climate. Furthermore, a technician can help you decide how you’d like to power your new appliance. You may be able to choose from gas-powered units, high-efficiency electric pool heaters, or heat pump pool heaters, which move heat from out of the air and into your pool and use very little electricity to do so.

For the safest and fastest professional pool heater installation in Ponte Vedra, call the experts at Climate Masters today!

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A Few Considerations before Installing a Pool Heater

November 3rd, 2014

What’s the point of investing in a swimming pool if you cannot enjoy it throughout the year? Choosing to install a pool heater is the first step in making the most out of your home’s swimming pool, but there are a few things to consider before calling a contractor for installation. To speak with experts about pool heaters in St. Augustine, call the friendly technicians at Climate Masters.

Choose an Efficient System for Greater Energy Savings

One important consideration you should make involves cost, and not only the cost of installation. An inefficient pool heater can cost you so much in monthly fees that you may end up using it quite sparingly, defeating the purpose of installing a heater in the first place. Ask your technician about different types of pool heaters: electric, gas-powered, and heat pumps. A heat pump pool heater is one of the most efficient ways to heat up a pool or even the air in your home because it simply moves heat from one place to the next instead of creating heat.

You Need Professionals to Size and Install Your System

Be sure to select professional installers with experience before hiring a company for installation. Pool heater installation is not a job for someone without the proper expertise. A heater that is too small will not get the job done, while a heater that is too large will cost you every month on your energy bills. With faulty installation, you may notice inadequate heating or a system that breaks down often.

Maintenance is Key to Efficiency and Performance

Finally, you should remember that owning a pool heater or any mechanical device means there is always a possibility for sudden breakdowns. Be sure to follow any steps of maintenance as instructed by the technician, and schedule maintenance with a skilled contractor every year. A thorough cleaning and inspection can keep your unit in top shape and reduce the standard wear and tear that develops throughout the years.

For maintenance, repairs, and installation, call Climate Masters. We offer a variety of pool heaters in St. Augustine to suit your particular sizing and efficiency needs.

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The Benefits of Ductless Mini Splits

October 27th, 2014

Fall is a great time of year to install a new air conditioning system as our warm temperatures have cooled. There are a lot of choices available for homeowners when it comes to cooling your home, and one type of system you may want to consider is ductless air conditioning in Hastings. Since 1988, Climate Masters has installed multiple types of air conditioning systems, including ductless ones, so if you are ready for a new AC system, call us today.

How Does a Ductless System Work?

A ductless system has an outdoor unit that houses the condenser and compressor, and individual indoor blowers that distribute the cool air. The indoor blowers are about 35” long and can be mounted flush against walls or hung from ceilings. The blowers are connected to the outdoor unit via a small conduit that is installed in an exterior wall. This conduit holds the refrigerant line, power cord and condensate drain pipe. When an indoor blower is turned on, the cooling cycle begins and the refrigerant begins to flow. A fan, coils and filter are housed in each blower. A single outdoor unit can support up to 4 indoor blowers.

What Are the Benefits of a Ductless System?

Here are some of the benefits a ductless system can offer you:

  • Heating and cooling – a ductless system that uses heat pump technology can offer your home both heating and cooling in a single device.
  • Energy efficient – each indoor blower operates independently. This allows you to cool only the areas that need it, which can greatly reduce your energy usage.
  • Customized comfort – each blower can be set at its own temperature, which allows you to create zone control.
  • Easy expansion – because a ductless system does not need ductwork, it can be very easy to expand the system to other rooms in your home, or to an addition onto your home.

As we head toward cooler weather, having a system that can offer you both heating and cooling may be a great fit for your home.

Call Climate Masters today and make an appointment to discuss how ductless air conditioning can work for you and your home in Hastings.

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Can Duct Cleaning Benefit My HVAC System?

October 20th, 2014

When it comes time to clean your home, you try to get every nook and cranny that you can. But some areas of the home are harder to reach than others, like the ductwork. In fact, while you may be able to reach the vents that lead to your home, large-scale duct cleaning is a job best left to the professionals.

Professional duct cleaning involves the use of specialized tools that can remove any stray particles that may otherwise infiltrate the air in your home. Specialists use heavy-duty vacuums to create negative pressure in the ducts, so that particles knock loose from the lining of the ductwork. They also use brushes and, in some cases, non-toxic liquid cleaning solutions, and they know the proper methods of cleaning to avoid any damage, even for flexible ductwork. This is important for both a healthy living space and, more surprisingly, for your HVAC system.

The Benefits of Professional Duct Cleaning

Of course, the most obvious benefit of professional duct cleaning is improved air quality. Your family members may inhale dust and debris that moves through the ductwork and into your home, causing respiratory problems or provoking the symptoms of asthma or allergies. But one of the more surprising benefits is what duct cleaning can do for your air conditioning and heating system.

  • Prevent HVAC Repair: When any part of your HVAC system is not in top shape, it can interfere with normal operation. A layer of dirt and dust in the ducts can create friction which keeps air from moving into your home with ease. This means your HVAC unit will work harder in an attempt to regulate the temperature. Over time, the extra strain on your system may cause parts to fail.
  • Extend the Life of Your Unit: As parts wear down, they may fail before their time is up. An HVAC system is a big investment and it is important to keep all of the components in top shape to give your unit some extra time—and even an extra month or two can make a huge difference for your budget.
  • Greater Efficiency: Finally, scheduling duct cleaning every year can help you save a little bit of money every month. Because your system may not take as long to cool or heat your home with cleaner ducts, you may have a more efficient system and save on your energy bills.

Experts recommend scheduling duct cleaning every year to keep pollutants out of your home. To speak with duct cleaning professionals in Ponte Vedra Beach, call Climate Masters today!

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When to Call for Commercial HVAC Repair

October 13th, 2014

If your business environment is uncomfortable, it can have an impact on your customers, your employees and, ultimately, your business. This is why it’s important to know the signs of developing problems and to have a reliable company you can call to repair those problems. Commercial HVAC repair in St. Augustine should always be handled by certified and trained commercial technicians to ensure that you are getting the expert commercial HVAC service you need for your business, so call the people you can trust: Climate Masters.

Signs It’s Time to Call for Repair

Here are some signs that it may be time to call for commercial HVAC service:

  • Warm air blowing – warm air blowing in your system can be indicative of a few problems, most commonly refrigerant issues.
  • Visible leaking – leaks can indicate that something is wrong with some part of your condensate array, which consists of your condensate tray and condensate drain pipe.
  • No air at all – a number of problems can cause a total loss of air, including broken fans and compressor problems. As such, it’s important to hire a professional to inspect your system.
  • High energy bills – are your energy bills rising even though you haven’t changed the way you operate your HVAC system? High energy bills indicate that your system is working harder to achieve the set temperature, and as it does so, it is using more energy. Finding the problem can be challenging, so it’s best to call a specialist.
  • Strange sounds – as the business owner, you know the sounds your HVAC system makes while it operates. If you are hearing something out of the ordinary, don’t ignore it.
  • Strange odors – strange odors can indicate faulty ductwork, mold development or even an electrical problem. As with strange sounds, it is not advisable to ignore strange odors.

Your commercial HVAC system is complex. It takes knowledge, expertise and prior commercial experience to successfully repair a commercial HVAC system in St. Augustine, so make sure you hire a company with actual commercial experience.

Climate Masters has been helping commercial customers since 1988, and we bring this experience to every job we do. Call us today!

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