Climate Masters Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

Use Your AC as Efficiently As Possible with These Tips!

Monday, March 16th, 2020

technician-servicing-air-conditionerWhile other parts of the country are still using their heaters on a fairly regular basis, here in Florida we’re ready to say hello to our air conditioners again for another 9 months or so. That’s a lot of work for your air conditioner to go through! Is it ready?

See, the issue with blasting your air conditioner day after day is that in our climate, it pretty much runs nonstop. This means wear and tear happens faster and efficiency is reduced. Therefore, you’ll see yourself calling for repairs often and potentially even dealing with an air conditioner replacement long before the typical 10-15 year lifespan.

This doesn’t have to be the case, however! There are plenty of ways you can boost your AC efficiency that in turn will mean you actually use it less—and it will last longer as a result! Keep reading for some great efficiency-boosting tips.

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It’s Really Never Too Early to Service Your AC

Monday, April 15th, 2019

close-up-of-screws-nuts-and-spanner-isolated-on-white-backgroundIf we’re just talking about months on a calendar, April might seem a little early to service your air conditioner. However, we know that the weather doesn’t always abide by seasons as St. Augustine residents. We’re spoiled here because we have such great weather year-round, but the tradeoff it a brusque switch in the seasons. We close the chapter on winter in March and we might experience springtime conditions for a short while, but more often than not we’re just catapulted straight into summer weather.

That’s why it’s a great idea to service your air conditioner while these spring temperatures remain. If you need great air conditioning maintenance in St. Augustine, FL then make sure that you contact our team today. We can schedule a prompt appointment with you so that your air conditioning system is ready to roll.

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Now is the Time for Air Conditioning Maintenance

Monday, March 6th, 2017

Florida has always had more temperate winters in terms of temperature, and the days will be boiling hot again before you know it. Before the summer rolls around again, you need to make sure that your air conditioner is ready for the extra strain. The best way to do that is to schedule preventive maintenance for it.

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Signs Your Air Conditioner has a Refrigerant Leak

Monday, May 16th, 2016

Air conditioners can develop all kinds of problems over the course of their lives, but few of them are as potentially damaging as the refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the core of the air conditioner, without which it would not be able to function properly. An air conditioner recycles refrigerant back and forth through the system during operation, but it does not consume it. So, a leak in the system will cause some serious problems if it isn’t dealt with right away. Read on for some of the more common signs that your air conditioner is leaking refrigerant.

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When is the Best Time for Air Conditioning Maintenance?

Monday, March 7th, 2016

Winter is at an end, and the days are starting to warm up. That means that it’s time to get your home ready for the cooling season. If you want to make sure that you’re absolutely prepared for the hottest months of the year, it’s a good idea to schedule air conditioning maintenance. Read on to find out more about the benefits of air conditioning maintenance, and why you should schedule it every spring.

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What Is the ENERGY STAR Rating?

Monday, August 17th, 2015

You’ve probably seen the bright blue ENERGY STAR logo on different appliances, and may have even seen the rectangular yellow sticker that is labeled “EnergyGuide” – but do you know why these labels are on a particular appliance? Being energy efficient is a priority for most homeowners, but to be energy efficient means understanding how different appliances and systems are energy efficient. Proper labeling helps, but to truly understand just how energy efficient you can be with a certain product, it’s important to know what’s behind the labeling.

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Ways to Reduce the Workload on Your Air Conditioning System

Monday, June 29th, 2015

Our air conditioners here in St. Augustine, FL, get a work out, and this can sometimes show in your monthly utility bill. There are some simple ways to reduce the workload on your air conditioner that don’t require an overhaul of your system. Here are some suggestions from the helpful AC experts at Climate Masters:

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How Does Air Conditioning Dehumidify My Home?

Monday, April 27th, 2015

We live in St, Augustine, FL, which means that humidity is a constant presence in the summer months (and even some of the fall, winter and spring months as well). High humidity levels make it feel hotter in your home than it actually is, and while you can cool the air, you often need to lower the amount of moisture present as well. The good news is that – by their very nature – air conditioners tend to act as dehumidifiers as well, a process that can be improved even further by installing a dedicated dehumidifier in your system. “How does air conditioning dehumidify my home?” you ask. We’ve included a quick breakdown below.

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Should I Consider Geothermal Cooling for My Home?

Monday, 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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What Do the Coils in an Air Conditioning System Do?

Tuesday, 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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