Climate Masters Blog

When Is The Best Time to Hire a Duct Cleaning Expert?

September 18th, 2013

Ducts are one of those hidden components of your household that quietly make life better for everyone in it. They branch out from your air conditioning or HVAC system, moving cool air in the summer time and warm air in the winter to every corner of your house. In most cases, they’re composed of sturdy materials and perform their jobs without a fuss. But over time, dust and debris can build up inside of them, necessitating a duct cleaning. In St. Augustine, FL, duct cleaning services are also necessary to deal with bacterial growth, created when moisture gets into the ducts and made worse by our sultry Florida weather.

So when is the best time to hire a duct cleaning expert? Usually when signs of dirty ducts become apparent.

Because ducts are usually located in out-of-the-way spots like the attic or inside your walls, you rarely notice when things start to go wrong. Look for subtle yet telltale signs of dust entering your household. If family members suffer from allergies, they may have attacks more often than normal. If your house seems to have a hard time staying clean, no matter how many times you dust it, there may be trouble. If you detect a strange odor coming from the ducts, there may be bacterial growth that needs to be dealt with. In the most extreme cases, you may detect a reduced air flow coming from your vents: signs that build-up has gotten so bad in the ducts that it’s interfering with their ability to circulate air.

Whenever you detect those signs, it’s best to hire a duct cleaning expert as quickly as possible. A trained service operative will undertake a duct cleaning with courtesy and professionalism: treating your home with the utmost care while providing solid, reliable cleaning for the ducts themselves. The results should not only improve your air quality, but may illuminate larger issues such as leaks or breaches in your ducts that could cost you money in higher electric bills. In St. Augustine, FL, duct cleaning services are provided by the trained experts at Climate Masters. If you’ve decided that now is the best time to hire a duct cleaning expert, give us a call. You’ll be glad you did.

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What Type of Ductwork is Right for My Home?

September 10th, 2013

In St. Augustine, ductwork needs to withstand the heat and humidity that comes with life in Florida. A good air conditioning system is the best line of defense against our sweltering summers and proper ductwork is ideal to getting the cool air through your home. St. Augustine is an older city, which means that a lot of houses have older ductwork (or even no ductwork at all). Ductwork can be made of multiple different types of material, depending both on the age of your home and the amount spent during its original construction.

What type of ductwork is right for your home? That depends on certain specifics.

Here’s a rundown of the most common types of ducts currently in use.

  • Metal. Metal ducts are usually made of galvanized steel, or in some cases aluminum. Metal ducts are sometimes wrapped in insulation to help maintain the temperature of the air inside of them. They can be coated with zinc to avoid mold – a significant consideration in our sultry Florida weather – and help with the cleaning process. Metal ducts are common in older homes and tend to be more expensive than flex ducting. The upside is that they are less prone to energy loss, especially if they are properly insulated and/or located in a conditioned part of the home.
  • Flex duct. Flex duct is a round, flexible plastic material, covered by insulation and usually a thin layer or reflective material. They’re easy to install and usually quite inexpensive, though homeowners ten to pay the price in a loss of efficiency. They should also be installed by a professional, since incorrect installation leaves them prone to leaks and a loss of efficiency.
  • Duct board. Duct board is quite rigid and usually lined with fiberglass. That makes them tougher to set up in houses that require a lot of twists and turns from their ductwork. On the other hand, they’re often resistant to contaminants such as dust and micro-bacterial growth. They also tend to hold energy fairly well, making your system reasonably efficient.

As always, the right type of ductwork for your home varies depending on your house and individual circumstances. The experts at Climate Masters possess the knowledge and the experience to help you make an informed choice. We serve all of St. Augustine; ductwork and HVAC services are our specialty.

Do you need to hire a St. Augustine ductwork specialist? Call us today to set up an appointment.

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Why We Celebrate Labor Day

September 2nd, 2013

We hope our present and future customers had a pleasant Labor Day this September. We know how hard you work to ensure that you and your loved ones have a good life, and we feel the same way about the work that we do throughout the year. Home comfort is our business, so you can rely on our technicians to take care of any issues that you may have. To many of us, Labor Day means BBQ, the start of the football season, and spending quality time with our friends and family. But there is much more to this holiday, and we wanted to share its true purpose with you.

Like many US holidays, the origins of Labor Day are somewhat disputed. While many cite Peter J. McGuire’s (of the American Federation of Labor) suggestion of a demonstration and picnic as the inaugural Monday, others cite Matthew Maguire, then secretary of the Central Labor Union of New York. In the wake of the massive and violent Pullman Strike of 1894, which pitted George Pullman and US Marshals and Military against workers of the Pullman Palace Car Company outside Chicago. Designated as a federal holiday by Congress and President Grover Cleveland in 1894, a mere six days after the strike ended, Labor Day has since become a way of recognizing the contribution that hard working Americans have made to this country.

We wish you all the best, and hopefully you took the time to relax, eat some good food, and take a load off.

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Are There Different Types of Ductwork?

August 30th, 2013

Whether you’re in the market for a new forced-air distribution system, or feel as though you need to upgrade your ductwork, you need to know what duct options you have at your disposal. Depending on what your existing duct layout is, you have a wide range of options to select from. But the most important aspect to keep in mind is finding the right contractor. Ductwork installation or replacement is not something that can be done by anyone else other than a professional. When you’re ready to get started on selecting what type of ductwork you need for your furnace, heat pump, or central air, contact Climate Masters. We can ensure that all of your ductwork services in St. Augustine are taken care of. Call us today.

There are various types of ductwork available on the residential market so that finding one that works for your home and budget is not hard. There are two basic options to consider: rigid sheet metal ducts and flexible ducts.

  • Sheet metal. If you find that you have the room for it and want a long-lasting solution installed in your home, then sheet metal ductwork is the way to go. It is highly effective, efficient and durable. It is important to find a quality contractor who can ensure that your ducts are adequately sized to match your AC or heater. If this is not completely correctly, then you may find that you have all sorts of static pressure problems as well as airflow issues that can lead to high energy costs and poor performance.
  • Flexible ducts. Another option that has become more popular in recent years is flexible ductwork. When insulated, corrugated plastic can be highly effective at distributing air. There may be parts of your home that do not easily accommodate rigid sheet metal ductwork, and which may be better served by flexible ducts.

Make sure that your ductwork installation or replacement is taken care of by a professional for excellent performance and energy efficiency from your heating and cooling system.

Call Climate Masters today for excellent ductwork services throughout the St. Augustine area.

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Why Consider Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning?

August 19th, 2013

Now is a great time to invest in a new St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation. There is a great variety of air conditioning systems on the market to choose from, and you are bound to find one that first your home and personal cooling habits. Make sure that you explore your options before making any decisions. One great alternative to a traditional cooling system is a ductless mini split air conditioning system. Contact Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today to learn more about the benefits that this type of AC has to offer.

A ductless mini split installation is an outstanding option for homeowners looking to avoid the cost of a ductwork installation, or for those home that simply cannot accommodate bulky ductwork. A ductless mini split features an outdoor unit, like a split central air conditioner. Rather than use a ducted forced air distribution system to distribute cooled air throughout your home, though, ductless mini splits utilize individual, wall mounted blowers. All that is needed to connect these inner and outer components is a simple conduit containing power and refrigerant lines. This makes a ductless mini split the perfect option for homes without preexisting ductwork.

Plus, because ductless mini splits eliminate the need for ductwork, they also eliminate the energy loss that is often associated with ductwork. When air ducts are properly installed and professionally maintained they can be quite effective. They are also almost entirely hidden from view, though, and many homeowners may not even realize that there is a problem with their ductwork. When you cool your home with a ductless mini split, you do not need to worry about this inefficiency. Plus, the individual air handlers employed by ductless mini splits make zone controlled cooling simple. This is another way you can cool your home more efficiently by going ductless.

To learn more about why you should consider a St. Augustine, FL ductless mini split installation, call Climate Masters today. We’ll help you cool your home with the efficiency and reliability you deserve this summer. Contact us any time to speak with one of qualified air conditioning technicians.

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Common Air Conditioning Problems

August 12th, 2013

When you live in a hot climate, your air conditioning system is one of the most important aspects of your home. That is why it is so important to protect the condition of your air conditioning system. By scheduling a professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation and routine maintenance service, you can keep your air conditioning system operating as reliably as possible. Of course, no matter how great your air conditioning system may be, there is always a chance that you are going to experience some operational issues. Here are a few examples of common St. Augustine, FL air conditioning problems that Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. frequently deals with.

One of the most common service calls we receive is about an air conditioning system that simply will not turn on. Like most issues that you may encounter with your air conditioning system, this particular problem has many possible causes. You should always rule out simple user error first. It sounds silly, but make sure that your thermostat is, in fact, set to ‘cool’. If it is on the heat setting, your problems can be resolved with the flip of a switch. If this is not the issue, check your circuit breaker. It is possible that a power surge tripped the breaker, and you just need to reset it at your breaker box. If there is no obvious cause of the problem, contact your professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning technician immediately.

Another common problem that we deal with is an air conditioner that will not blow cool air, or any air at all. If warm air is coming from your air conditioner, there are a few different issues you may be experiencing. Your condenser coils may be frozen up due to dirt and debris buildup. It is also possible that you have a refrigerant leak. If your AC won’t blow air at all, a fan belt may have broken or the motor may be inoperable. Only a qualified technician can determine the exact cause of the problem.

It is important to remember that any single problem with your air conditioning system may have many different potential causes. That is why it is so important that you work with an experienced, qualified professional. Call Climate Masters today to learn more.

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The Importance of Air Conditioning Maintenance

August 5th, 2013

As anyone that has lived here throughout the summer months can attest to, your air conditioning system is going to get some pretty heavy usage during the cooling season. Is your system ready to take on the challenge that lies ahead? In order to get the most reliable, efficient performance possible from your air conditioning system, it is important to schedule routine service with your St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance technicians at Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Call today to get the outstanding, consistent performance that you deserve form your AC.

Your air conditioner, no matter how great the quality of the product, is still a mechanical system. Like any other mechanical system, it is going to incur some general wear and tear during operation. There is nothing you can do to avoid this altogether, but you can limit any issues caused by this wear and tear. When you allow a qualified St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance technician the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and tune up your system, you are helping to protect the condition of that system.

While general wear and tear is inevitable, it can actually lead to serious systemic damages if it goes unaddressed. There are a lot of individual components within your air conditioning system, and if even one of these components of the system is unable to operate properly, there is no way that you can expect the rest of the system to be unaffected. Your system will have to work harder than it ought to in order to cool your home, and this increases the risk of damage.

By scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance, you can also get a more efficient and affordable performance from your home cooling system. The less work that your system has to do in order to cool your home, the less money it will cost to do so. Routine inspection and maintenance will help you keep comfortable while saving money in the process.

To schedule professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance service that you can really count on, call the pros at Climate Masters today. You deserve to cool your home with total confidence and great efficiency. Our skilled technicians can help you achieve that goal.

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Replacing Your Air Conditioning Filter

July 31st, 2013

You’re likely running your air conditioning system a lot right now in order to stay comfortable in the summer heat. There are a number of different components of your AC that need to be regularly maintained in order for you to get efficient and consistent cooling. One of the most important is the air filter. Here at Climate Masters, we are dedicated to the comfort of our customers and we wanted to put together a quick description of why you should change your air filter on a regular basis. Give us a call if you need any kind of St Augustine air conditioning services like repair, maintenance or installation.

Why Change the Air Filter Regularly

The air that your air conditioner pulls in from the outside can have a number of different contaminants in it like dust, pollen, insect parts and many others. Without a filter, those pollutants could get caught in the fan motor, the fan blade or the evaporator coils and cause big problems for the AC. That’s why your air conditioner has an air filter in it that protects the moving parts from large particulate matter.

If this air filter doesn’t get changed on a regular basis it can cause huge problems for your air conditioning system.

  • Reduced comfort – When you have a clogged air filter it will reduce the amount of air that your AC can pull in, cool and then push into your home. This will reduce the amount of cooling that you get and, thus, the comfort of your home.
  • Reduced efficiency – Another issue that will likely arise from a clogged air filter is reduced efficiency. Your air conditioner will have to work much harder in order to pull in the air which will put more strain on the motor and reduce its efficiency.
  • Increased repair – When your air conditioning system has to work harder to pull in in outside air it will experience more wear and tear. This can cause the system to break down faster and require more repair.

If you need any kind of St Augustine air conditioning repair, installation or maintenance just call the specialists at Climate Masters. We can help you with any type of services that you might need.

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Preventive Maintenance Agreements

July 26th, 2013

With a high quality heating and air conditioning system, you can enjoy year round comfort that is both extremely effective and highly efficient. Of course, considering how hard these systems work for you throughout the course of the heating and cooling seasons, you cannot expect them to operate perfectly forever. With a preventive maintenance agreement from the St. Augustine maintenance professionals at Climate Masters, you can keep your HVAC equipment working at truly exceptional performance and efficiency levels. Contact us today to learn more. We believe that you deserve truly outstanding, uninterrupted comfort, and our preventive maintenance agreements are a great way to help you achieve that goal.

Enrolling in a preventive maintenance agreement with the qualified professionals at Climate Masters allows you to keep your home comfortable nearly worry-free, and you enjoy a number of added benefits. You’ll receive 2 annual visits: one in the heating season, and another in the cooling season. Operating pressures within the condensing unit will be checked, and your condensate line, drain pan and float switch will be cleaned. The temperature rise across your condenser coil will be measured to ensure proper operation, and your evaporator coil will have its temperature drop checked and the entire coil and cabinet assembly will be washed. All air flow will be checked, along with the refrigerant levels and heat strips, and we will also lubricate all moving parts.

Put simply, a preventive maintenance agreement is the best way for you to protect the condition of your heating and air conditioning systems while guaranteeing the quality of their performance. We value the comfort of our customers, and we go to great lengths both in the services we provide as well as the quality of those services to protect and maintain that comfort. Contact us any time to learn more.

If you have not yet taken advantage of our preventive maintenance agreement, call now to discuss the many benefits further. You may just decide that this is the peace of mind you’d like throughout the heating and cooling seasons. There is no such thing as a perfect HVAC system, but with the services of the St. Augustine HVAC maintenance professionals on the Climate Masters team, you can rest easy knowing your equipment will operate as reliably as possible.

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Things to Look For When Buying an AC

July 18th, 2013

Choosing an air conditioning system for installation in your St. Augustine, FL home is not a decision to be taken lightly. You are really going to need to count on that air conditioner to provide you with an effective, efficient performance. When making a decision this important, it is always a good idea to discuss your options with a qualified professional. That is why you should contact the St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation technicians at Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. when deciding which AC is right for your home. Here are a few items to consider during the process.

First of all, you must think about how you want your air conditioning system to distribute cooled air throughout your home. If you have existing ductwork, you may want to stick with a ducted air conditioning system. If you are scheduling your first air conditioning installation, though, you may want to consider a ductless AC system. There are a few different benefits that going ductless has to offer. To begin with, air ducts are frequently the source of serious energy loss issues in many homes. When properly installed and maintained they can be quite effective. If they are not installed properly, though, or if their condition is compromised, you can have a serious problem on your hands.

You should also try to invest in the air conditioning system that is the most efficient you can afford on your budget. Generally speaking, the more efficient an air conditioning system is the more expensive it will be to purchase. Over time, though, the energy savings that you’ll enjoy with a more efficient system can help to offset that initial cost. Air conditioning efficiency levels a rated with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). If you have any questions about the efficiency of an air conditioning system you are interested in, do not hesitate to ask.

For more information about how you can ensure that you invest in the right air conditioning system for your home, call Climate Masters today. Our professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation technicians have the answers to all your questions.

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