Climate Masters Blog

How Electronic Air Purifiers Clean Your Air

August 13th, 2014

Part of your overall comfort has to do with the air you breathe. Is it clean? Is it good for your health? If you are concerned about your indoor air quality in Ponte Vedra Beach, or have worries about excessive allergens, you may want to consider adding an electronic air purifier to your air conditioning system. Room air purifiers can help with air quality issues, but, if you want a whole-home effect, Climate Masters has air purifier upgrades that can help you achieve both better air quality and comfort.

Types of Electronic Purifiers

There are two types of electronic air purifiers:

  1. Electronic precipitators
  2. Ion generators

Electronic Precipitators

Electronic precipitators clean the air by capturing airborne particles via electrostatic attraction. Using a small amount of electricity, electronic precipitators draw air through an ion section where particles are electrically charged. Oppositely-charged metal collection plates attract these charged particles and capture them. Plates need to be cleaned approximately every 3 months to remain effective.

Ion Generators

Ion generators have a similar process, but do not draw air through an ion section, nor do they have collection plates. Instead, ions are dispersed into the air where they charge particles; these particles then land on surfaces in your home, such as walls, tables and counters and are cleaned with regular house cleaning.

Benefits of Electronic Air Purifiers

  • Clean the air by capturing pollutants
  • Help with respiratory issues such as asthma and COPD
  • Help eliminate harmful chemicals
  • Help reduce allergens

Is an Electronic Air Purifier for You?

The best way to determine if an electronic air purifier is for you is to work with a trained professional. Climate Masters has been helping customers with indoor air quality for over 20 years and we can assist you with your indoor air quality needs in Ponte Vedra Beach. Call us today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

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What Do the Coils in an Air Conditioning System Do?

August 5th, 2014

Your air conditioner has 3 key parts: the condenser, the compressor and the evaporator. Inside the condenser and the evaporator units are coils that are important to the heat release/cooling process of your air conditioning system in St. Augustine. Both sets of coils work similarly, but each has a specific job of its own, as we’ll explain below.

What Is a Coil?

The coils in your air conditioner are copper tubing surrounded by aluminum fins. The tubing is small and narrow, and the metal fins around them act as a radiator. The job of the coils is to help with heat transfer.

How Do the Coils Work?

The purpose of both sets of coils is to assist with heat transfer, but each does it a little differently:

  • Condenser coils – the condenser coils are part of your condenser in your outdoor unit. The refrigerant flows into the coils from the compressor, where it changes states from a cool, low pressure gas to a hot, high pressure gas. As the refrigerant makes its way through the condenser coils, it loses heat. The condenser fan helps with this process by sucking the heat of the refrigerant away from the coils and blowing it into the outside air. By the time the refrigerant reaches the evaporator valve, which connects to the evaporator unit and coils, the gas has cooled but is still warm, and the pressure has dropped.
  • Evaporator coils – as the refrigerant passes through the evaporator valve, it loses more pressure and heat, and as a result, changes states once again. When it flows into the evaporator coils, it is a cool liquid. Warm air from your home is blown over the chilled coils; the refrigerant absorbs the heat, changes states, and moves into the compressor as a cool gas. The refrigeration cycle begins again.

Common Problems That Affect Coils

The most common problem to affect coils is low refrigerant. When the refrigerant level is low, the entire heat release/cooling process becomes imbalanced. Coils that are warm get too hot, and coils that are cool get too cold. Many times, this situation can result in ice formation.

A second common problem is dirt and dust accumulation on the coils. When dirt and dust accumulate on your coils over a long period of time, they can form a layer that acts as insulation; this can negatively affect how the coils release heat.

The best way to keep your coils is good shape is to schedule bi-annual maintenance. Coils are thoroughly cleaned during maintenance appointments, and refrigerant levels are checked for leaks.

Have questions about your air conditioning system in St. Augustine? Call the team of trained and certified cooling experts at Climate Masters today!

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When Is It Time to Go with Duct Replacement?

July 29th, 2014

It can be easy to forget about your ductwork because it is not easily seen. But like any other part of your air conditioning system, your ducts can suffer from damage and breakdown, and at some point, may need replacement. So how do you know when it’s time for duct replacement in St. Augustine? Here are a few signs that it may be time to replace your ductwork:

  • Very high energy bills – are you using your air conditioner the same as always but see a big jump in your energy usage? This could be an indication of air loss in your ductwork, and until it is fixed, your ductwork will continue to leak.
  • Excess humidity – humidity can get into your ductwork through cracks and disconnections, and because humidity enters your vents directly, it also gets added directly to your airstream and delivered to your indoors. Excess humidity can cause multiple problems, including stress to your air conditioner, mold growth in your ducts, and poor indoor air quality in your home.
  • Distinct hot and cold spots – it is normal to have a small variance in temperature in different parts of your home, but if you experience sharp fluctuations, there may be a problem with certain air ducts and the volume of air they are carrying.
  • Mold or mildew growth – mold and mildew thrive in cool, dark and moist environments, which can make your ductwork the perfect place for such pollutants to grow. Metal ducts can usually be cleaned of mold and mildew, but plastic ductwork can retain both the mold and spores after a cleaning, so to fully eradicate it, replacement may be required.
  • Crushed and/or collapsed ductwork – ducts are not made to withstand heavy pressure from outside objects; they may also collapse due to broken connections. In either case, not only is your air flow compromised, but so is the overall operation of your air conditioning system. Collapsed ductwork may be reconnected if there is minimal damage, but crushed ductwork will most likely need to be replaced.

Always Hire a Professional for Duct Replacement

Your ductwork is the delivery system for your air conditioner, so it’s very important that it be well-designed and installed properly; this is why you should always use a trained professional for any and all ductwork.

For almost 25 years, Climate Masters has installed and replaced ductwork in St. Augustine. If you think it may be time to replace your ductwork, call us today.

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What to Expect from a Zone Control System Installation

July 22nd, 2014

Do you look at your monthly energy bills and think about how much money you could save if you could turn off the cooling to rooms that are routinely unused or unoccupied? Or is someone in your home always under a blanket because it’s too cold in the living room? There’s a solution for all this and more: a zone control system in your St. Augustine home.

What Is a Zone Control System?

A zone control system is a series of motorized dampers that are installed into your ductwork. Each damper is connected to a thermostat that is wired into a single control panel. The dampers open and close as needed to reach the desired temperature you have set. “Zones” can be what you want – separate rooms, separate floors, wings of your home, etc.

What Can I Expect from a Zone Control System?

A zone control system offers multiple benefits:

  • Customized comfort – separating your home into separate zones allows for customized comfort throughout for you and your family.
  • Energy savings – cooling only those areas you choose can save on energy consumed by your system. Rather than cooling an entire home, you can now cool as needed.
  • Reduction in wear-and-tear – with less cooling comes less operation, which is a good thing for your AC. Air conditioners have a specific life expectancy, and the more it runs, the shorter that life can be. A zone control system can go a long way toward reducing the level of wear-and-tear.

Is a Zone Control System Right for Me?

It is always best to work with a trained professional to determine whether or not you stand to benefit from a zone control system, but if your home has one of the following characteristics, you may be a good candidate:

  • You have a multi-level property
  • You have specialized architecture such as wall-to-ceiling windows
  • A finished basement or attic
  • Multiple wings off the central part of your home

Questions? Call Us

A zone control system can offer you great benefits, but only when it works as it should, which is why it’s important to have professional installation for your zone control system in St. Augustine.

Have questions? Call Climate Masters today and schedule a consultation to speak with an expert about how zone control can help you and your home.

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Signs You Need Heat Pump Replacement Services

July 18th, 2014

Heat pumps are a great cooling option for the St. Augustine weather. But a heat pump that is too old or that needs frequent repairs simply cannot perform as well as it should. Heat pump replacement is an unavoidable service for heat pump owners, but it’s better to replace now than to pay for a series of costly repairs. But how do you know when it’s the right time for heat pump replacement?

The signs that your system needs replacement can be easy to recognize if you know what to look for. If you notice strange noises or a loss in cooling power, you may need repairs. However, if you need several repairs over a short period of time, a whole-system replacement may be more cost-effective than repairing every part individually.

The fact is that an older system is at a greater risk for sudden failure than a newer system. Some problems can be fixed with a couple of repairs, but especially if your system is over ten years old, replacement may be the best option as a new heat pump is much less likely to break down in the middle of summer.

Certain problems may indicate an improperly sized unit that needs replacement. If you have problems with humidity control, for example, or if you notice uneven cooling throughout your home, you may need heat pump replacement sooner than you’d hoped. To avoid these problems with your new system, make sure your technician sizes your home to determine the proper cooling capacity.

Another indication that replacement may be your best option is high energy bills. While these may be a sign that your refrigerant is low or that a part needs repairs, the problem is sometimes irreparable. The best way to keep energy bills low is with regular maintenance by a technician to restore efficiency. However, an older system will lose efficiency over time and may never improve with maintenance. A new system may be more energy efficient and actually help to lower your monthly bills.

If you have high energy bills or need excessive repairs, your best bet may be a new system.

If you require professional heat pump replacement in St. Augustine, call the experts at Climate Masters today to talk to a professional technician.

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Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance This Summer

July 7th, 2014

When’s the best time to schedule air conditioning maintenance? Right now! Don’t wait until a part of your AC fails before you call an air conditioning technician to look at your system. Here are some of the ways scheduling once a year maintenance can improve your summer:

  • Reducing the risk of sudden breakdowns.
  • Avoiding a costly premature replacement.
  • Preventing the need for expensive repairs.
  • Reducing seasonal energy bills.
  • Improving the performance of your AC.

Once a year, an air conditioning technician should come to your home to inspect, clean, and adjust some of the components of your air conditioning unit. This is the best way to reduce the risk of a malfunctioning AC this summer. During inspection, the technician will look for any issues that may diminish the performance of your system. If your air conditioner is at risk for any possible issues that may cause you to seek repair in the near future, the technician will recommend the proper services.

Sometimes, the only thing preventing your system from running as efficiently as it should is dirt and dust. A dirty evaporator or condenser coil can prevent your system from cooling your home correctly, while dirty air filters can affect air quality and block the airflow in your system, causing any number of problems with your AC. Scheduling maintenance can give you peace of mind in knowing that your unit will not fail due to a very preventable problem.

The technician will also check for anything in your system that may need to be adjusted. The motors that run the compressor and the fans, for example, often need lubrication to continue running smoothly. The refrigerant in your system may also require an adjustment, as even a slight loss of refrigerant could mean your air conditioning is not cooling your home very efficiently, and only a technician is qualified to handle this fluid.

If you schedule air conditioning maintenance now, you can rest easy knowing your air conditioner isn’t as likely to give you trouble for the rest of the summer.

Climate Masters provides professional air conditioning maintenance in the St. Augustine area. Call us today!

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The Famous Painting of the Declaration of Independence Isn’t What You Think It Is

July 4th, 2014

If you grew up in the United States, you probably first saw John Trumbull’s painting of the Signing of the Declaration of Independence in an elementary schoolbook. This oil-on-canvas 12’ x 18’ painting hangs in the rotunda of the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. It is one of the most famous symbols of freedom in the country and almost every citizen can conjure it from memory.

Except… the painting isn’t of the singing of the Declaration of Independence. The actual title of the work is Declaration of Independence, and although it does portray an important moment in the history of the document that announced the Thirteen Colonies’ decision to break away from British rule, the event in the painting occurred on June 28, 1776, not July 4, 1776.

John Trumbull, a Connecticut native who fought in the Revolutionary War and whose father was the state governor, was commissioned to create the painting in 1817. He did painstaking research on the figures in the picture and also visited Independence Hall to see the actual chamber where the Second Continental Congress met. Trumbull only included 42 of the original 56 signers, because he could not find adequate likenesses for 14 or them, and added a few figures who were not present (most of whom declined to sign the actual document). In fact, the men depicted in the painting had never been present in the same room at one time.

So if the painting does not portray the singing of the Declaration of Independence, what is happening in the image? The Trumbull’s scene depicts the presentation of the draft of the declaration to the Continental Congress for editing and approval. The five-man drafting committee (John Adams, Roger Sherman, Robert R. Livingston, Thomas Jefferson, and Benjamin Franklin) is handing over their finished work, which congress would then edit carefully over the next few days before voting on it and signing it on the day that we now celebrate as the start of the United States of America.

One last, odd, fact: two of the five-man drafting committee, John Adams and Thomas Jefferson, both died on the July 4—although many years later.

Our family at Climate Masters hopes that your Fourth of July (or Twenty-Eighth of June if you decided to start celebrating early) is a memorable and happy one.

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How Do UV Germicidal Lights Protect My Home?

June 27th, 2014

If you’ve installed a whole-home air filtration system, you have most likely seen for yourself how clean your indoor air is. Air filtration systems are great, particularly for allergy sufferers, but what about germs and viruses? One of the best ways to manage biological pollutants in your St. Augustine home is with the use of UV germicidal lights. UV lights can eliminate biological microbes from your air conditioning system with incredible efficiency, helping to make your indoor air as clean as possible.

What Are UV Lights?

Used in hospitals, food processing plants and other places that come into contact with biological pollutants, UV lights are light bulbs that produce c-type ultraviolet wavelengths to destroy the DNA of different types of germs, including viruses, bacteria, mold and mildew spores and fungus. UV germicidal lights can kill over 99% of any micro-organisms in the air, making them extremely effective in destroying many particulates that may be in your system.

How Do UV Lights Protect?

The first way, as described above, is by killing the vast majority of bad microorganisms that can be in your indoor air. Other benefits include:

  • Stopping mold and mildew growth
  • Eliminating odors
  • Destroying volatile organic compounds (VOCs)

Changing Lamps

UV germicidal lights do require replacement to be effective. When used in conjunction with your air conditioning system, the recommendation is to replace the lights every 2 years, even if the lights are still working.

Dust

While UV germicidal lamps can kill micro-organisms on dust, they cannot filter it out like an air filter or air purifier can.

Light Up Your Health with UV Germicidal Lights

Having truly healthful indoor air can be great for everyone in your home, especially younger children, those with respiratory issues and allergy sufferers. UV germicidal lights can be powerful, and if not installed properly, may not be as beneficial as they should be; this is why we recommend using trained professionals for your UV germicidal light installation in St. Augustine.

Whether you want to add UV lights, or explore other upgrades to your air conditioning system, schedule an appointment with Climate Masters today and work with our trained experts.

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How to Factor Your Air Conditioner into New Construction

June 20th, 2014

New construction, such as a new room added on to your house, is a big undertaking, and can involve a number of different factors. When you embark upon such a project, it can be easy to overlook certain factors like the air conditioner, which will presumably need to cool the new room with the same efficiency it does the old. This can be trickier than it sounds and without proper preparation, it could cause you quite a few headaches in the process. The good news is that when it comes to new construction, St. Augustine has plenty of professional services that can help you with the specifics. Here’s a few general tips on how to factor your air conditioner into new construction.

Air conditioning units need to be sized properly to fit the space they’re cooling. If you use a centralized air conditioner, you need to factor in the additional space and determine how that will affect its performance. In some cases, the unit won’t be affected unduly. In other cases, however, it’s going to place additional strain on the unit. You may need to be prepared for higher electric bills and possibly a greater risk of repairs as well. In addition, you’ll need to plan for an extension of your ductwork, allowing the system to reach your new room and cool it properly.

In many cases, an easy solution is to install a new ductless AC unit in the new room. This is a single stand-alone unit, similar to the one you might find in a small apartment or a hotel room. It’s sized to cool that room only, which means your existing system won’t face any additional strain. It also does away with the need for new ducts and other unwieldy components to your new room.

We can plan out every step to get your new space properly set up with an air conditioner, and we won’t rest until you’re completely satisfied. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!

For more ideas on how to factor your air conditioner into new construction, St. Augustine residents can turn to the experts at Climate Masters for sound advice.

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What’s Covered in an Air Conditioning Maintenance Session?

June 13th, 2014

Annual maintenance for an air conditioner is not optional: it is mandatory for the system to last its full lifespan, work efficiently, and avoid surprise breakdowns and repair issues. With a yearly visit from an experienced maintenance technician, an AC will live up to its manufacturer’s promise of years of efficient and effective cooling.

If you haven’t had your air conditioning maintenance in St. Augustine, FL for the year yet, now is a great time to schedule it—you can beat out the rest of the summer heat!

Contact Climate Masters today and ask about signing up for our maintenance program to receive a full inspection and tune-up that will make sure your AC can handle the stresses of a Florida summer.

So what actually happens during maintenance?

The technician who comes to your home will go through a checklist that covers every part of your air conditioning system. Here are some of the major steps involved in regular maintenance:

  • Checking the thermostat. The thermostat’s operation is crucial to making sure that the air conditioning behaves the way it should. The technician will see that the thermostat is calibrated correctly.
  • Cleaning the condensate line and drain. This will ensure that the AC will not start to drip water because of a blocked drainage system.
  • Oversee the electrical system. The technician will make tightenings and adjustments where necessary to ensure that the electrical system is in good shape.
  • Check on the compressor and make sure that its motor amperage is correct. Damage to the compressor is one of the most serious issues and AC can encounter, so this is an especially important step.
  • Check airflow and change the air filter.
  • Looking over the evaporator and condenser coils to see that they are clean and free from damage. The technician will clean the coils if necessary.
  • See that the refrigerant in the system is at its proper charge, and adding the necessary amount if it is not.
  • Lubricating of all mechanical parts that require it. This will reduce the mechanical stress that can lead to motor burn-out and energy-draining operation.

If there are any repairs your system needs, your technician will ask for your approval before starting the work. If you sign up for the maintenance program at Climate Masters, you will receive a 10% discount from the total repair costs; this will also apply to any emergency services. (Some exceptions apply.) The program also delivers you a yearly inspection and tune-up for your heating system, so you will have year-round comfort protection.

For air conditioning maintenance in St. Augustine, FL, look no further than our superb team.

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