Climate Masters Blog: Posts Tagged ‘St. Augustine’

This Is How Your Ducts Are Cleaned

Sunday, January 12th, 2014

Duct cleaning service in St. Augustine, FL is an important part of the regular maintenance on your home. Cleaning the ductwork helps improve your indoor air quality, keeps debris from entering your HVAC system, and reduces the resistance to airflow so you get efficient heating and cooling all year.

Duct cleaning requires the work of trained specialists. It is difficult for a non-professional to access the ducts to properly clean them, and the tools involved are too expensive and complex for amateur use. You can’t just use a commercial spray cleaner and dust mop for this job—and you shouldn’t try to climb into your ducts, no matter how often you’ve seen it done in movies and TV shows!

Professionals are only a phone call away: Climate Masters offers complete duct cleaning services, as well as duct sealing, repair, and replacement.

How professionals perform duct cleaning

Duct cleaning varies depending on what sort of contaminants need removal. At the basic level—clearing out dust and dirt—ductwork involves the use of special high-powered vacuums. The vacuums have long hoses that can snake up into the vents along your ducts. They place whole sections of the ductwork under negative pressure. What this does is dislodge ground-in dirt that would otherwise be too difficult for the air suction in the vacuum to remove. Once the dirt has been loosened, the vacuum can draw up the debris.

To get at contaminants that are even tougher to remove, duct cleaning specialists make use of powerful rotary brushes on long hoses. These brushes loosen dirt without causing damage to the walls of the ducts.

Another useful tool for cleansings ducts are non-toxic sanitizers and deodorizers. These cleaners can eliminate a number of bacterial pollutants inside your ducts without leaving behind a dangerous residue that will waft out of the vents afterwards. This step will help make your ducts almost as fresh as when they were new.

For serious cases of microbiological growth, such as mold (a common problem in Florida’s humidity), duct cleaners can install UV germicidal lights, which destroy the cellular structure of biological contaminants and help prevent their return.

Schedule your duct cleaning today

How often should you have professional duct cleaning? Although ducts will begin to gather dust at different rates, we suggest you schedule cleaning at least annually. If you have noticed signs that the ducts are seriously dirty (dust spreading throughout the house, a spike in energy bills due to the HVAC system, an increase in allergic symptoms) you should have the ducts cleaned as soon as possible.

Let Climate Masters take care of your duct cleaning in St. Augustine, FL. Our range of indoor air quality services will make sure your ductwork receives the treatment it needs.

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Why Is My Furnace Breaking Down All the Time?

Friday, December 20th, 2013

Furnaces are among the most durable of heating systems. With the proper care, most furnaces can last beyond their manufacturer’s expected lifespan. But what if your furnace begins breaking down frequently? Obviously, this isn’t something that should happen, and when it does start to occur, it requires professional assistance.

Climate Masters can bring you the expert, trained help you need for furnace repair in St. Augustine. All it takes is a phone call, any time of the day or night. We can offer you some help right now with a list of reasons your furnace might start breaking down repeatedly. Even if your furnace is currently working fine, you should look over this list to find ways to avoid troubles in the future.

4 reasons your furnace is breaking down constantly

  1. You’re overworking it: Don’t keep pushing your thermostat up the highest it can go; this will not make your furnace heat up your home faster, it will only make it stay on longer, and that will lead to excess wear and tear that will foster breakdowns. Find a comfortable lower temperature and stick with it.
  2. Repair needs are going without attention: A furnace can sometimes maintain its target temperature even with malfunctions occurring—but the longer a repair issue goes without getting fixed, the more likely the problem will burgeon into a complete shutdown. Make sure that you schedule professional repairs as soon as you detect anything unusual, such as sounds or a drop in airflow.
  3. The system is too old: No matter how well a furnace is cared for, it will eventually reach a point where it is too old to operate correctly, and it will start breaking down even with regular repairs. If your furnace is more than a few years past its expected lifespan, any breakdown should signal to you that the time has arrived for a new installment.
  4. It needs regular maintenance: This is the most common reason for breakdowns. Furnaces need to have annual maintenance check-ups and tune-ups from licensed professionals in order for them to function at their best and not start prematurely aging and developing malfunctions. Make sure you are enrolled in a preventive maintenance program that delivers a check-up once a year.

Keep your furnace in good shape

Although there is not much you can do about an ancient furnace aside from replacing it, the other reasons for a furnace breaking down are preventable. When you need furnace repair in St. Augustine, FL, or want to enroll in a quality maintenance program, contact Climate Masters. We’ve served St. John’s county since 1988.

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Why Does a Heat Pump Need Refrigerant?

Sunday, December 15th, 2013

Living in St. Augustine means long, humid summers and mild but occasionally stormy winters. In this climate, a heat pump offers many advantages as a solution to your year-round comfort requirements: it provides effective air conditioning during the hot weather, and energy-efficient heat for the shorter cold weather season.

If you know something about how a heat pump operates, then you’ll know that it uses a chemical compound known as refrigerant. We’ll explain in this post why a heat pump needs something called “refrigerant” even when it is in heating mode.

If you are thinking of having a heat pump installed, or if you need heat pump maintenance and repairs in St. Augustine, FL, contact Climate Masters for quality service today.

Refrigerant and your heat pump

Refrigerant is a generic term for the mixture of chemicals that allows for the heat pump to move heat from one location to another, which is called heat exchange. In the earliest days of air conditioners, refrigerant was often a toxic or combustible chemical like ammonia or methyl chloride. Modern heat pumps and ACs use safer compounds (known as “blends”); the most common blend in use today is R401A, which has no ozone depletion issues.

Refrigerant changes easily between being a liquid and a gas, which is why it is useful for heat exchange in a heat pump. As the refrigerant flows through a heat pump, moving from the outdoor to the indoor coils, it absorbs and releases heat as it switches from a liquid to a gas. During heating mode for a heat pump, the refrigerant absorbs heat from the outdoors (evaporation) and then releases it indoors (condensation). A compressor serves as the “motor” for the refrigerant, compressing it into a high temperature gas at the beginning of the heat exchange cycle.

Refrigerant remains at a fixed level inside a heat pump. The process of evaporation and condensation does not use it up. However, leaks can develop in the compressor or along the refrigerant line, causing the level of refrigerant (its “charge”) to drop. This will adversely affect the heating and cooling capability of the heat pump. It requires a professional to seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant.

If you have trouble with a heat pump that is either struggling with heating or cooling, than a refrigerant leak may be the issue. Call on repair experts like Climate Masters to handle it. We can attend to any troubles that might pop up in your heat pump in St. Augustine, FL, anyS time of the day or night.

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What Causes Duct Problems?

Friday, December 6th, 2013

Your ductwork, although hidden from your sight over most of its length, is a crucial part of the comfort you receive from your HVAC system. Unless you have a ductless system in your home, your air conditioner requires ducts to work, and most likely your heater does as well. If you want to get the most comfort from your AC and heater, you need to have ducts free from serious problems.

When you need duct repairs or cleaning, contact Climate Masters, where we offer comprehensive duct cleaning services.

We will help you keep good care of your ductwork in St. Augustine, FL.

Common causes of ductwork problems:

  • Corrosion: Corrosion occurs because of metal comes into contact with air and water. Unfortunately, the wet Florida climate means that moisture can enter ductwork and start the spread of corrosion. The biggest threat from corrosion is that it eats away and the metal of the ducts and causes it to begin to flake apart, leading to breaks. Breaks will cause an increase in dust, as well as a drop in air pressure that will have a large negative impact on your heater and air conditioner.
  • Microbacteria: Another common problem in Florida’s climate is moisture that leads to the growth of molds, fungus, and other bacteria on the inside of ductwork. These biological pollutants can weaken the ducts, and also pose a threat to your indoor air quality. You will need professionals to use mold remediation techniques, such as UV germicidal lights, to eliminate such infestations.
  • Other construction work/amateur repairs: Ducts often receive damage during construction work unrelated to the ductwork. Remodeling and whole-house rewiring are just two home improvement projects that can accidentally lead to your ducts developing breaks. In a similar way, if you rely on amateur repairs for your ductwork, or you attempt the repairs yourself, you can end up with ducts that are misaligned or poorly connected.

Call ductwork professionals

Your ducts are both difficult to access and arduous to clean and repair. It requires trained duct specialists to handle the task of sealing cracks (no, duct tape won’t do the job) and getting out deeply ingrained dirt, corrosion, and bacterial pollutants.

If you think you have problems with your ducts, get on the phone right away and contact Climate Masters. We will inspect your ductwork and zero in on what issues need to be addressed. Whether you need replacement duct installation, UV germicidal lights, or just a cleaning, Climate Masters can give your ductwork in St. Augustine the care it needs. Make sure to ask us about the FPL (Florida Power & Lighting Company) rebate that you may qualify for.

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3 Ways to Tell That Your Heater Needs Professional Service

Friday, November 22nd, 2013

Florida isn’t known for its cruel winters, but the climate can still hurl surprises at us, especially during the evenings. Your heating system will experience some periods when it needs to work hard to keep you warm. If your heater starts to malfunction, you need to know what signs to look out for so you can get it timely repairs.

Here are three ways to tell that you need to schedule professional repairs for your heater. And we stress professional, because trying to handle repairs yourself can end up costing you much more. When you need heating repair in St. Augustine, FL, contact Climate Masters. We’re now moving into our third decade of business providing quality heating and cooling to St. Johns County.

Watch out for these 3 signs of impending repairs

  • An unexplained jump in your heating bills: If you’ve already lived with your heater through a previous winter season, you’ll know what to expect to see on your bills during the time of the year when it does the most work. Pay close attention to these bills, because if you notice an unexplained spike in price, it usually means that a malfunction is occurring somewhere in the heater that is making it work harder than it should.
  • Unexpected and unusual sounds: Even the quietest heaters, like geothermal systems, make some noise when they operate. These sounds should be consistent, so if anything unusual starts echoing from a furnace or heat pump cabinet, you should have it looked into. If you have a gas-powered furnace, some of these strange sounds may indicate a potential gas leak, so get professional technicians on the job as soon as you can. (You should also shut off the gas as a precaution.)
  • Heater coming on and off at the wrong times: If your heater is turning on when it shouldn’t, or shutting off before the house gets warm enough, there could be a number of culprits behind it. A common reason for this is a malfunction in the thermostat, which causes it to sense the temperature incorrectly and turn the heater on and off when you don’t want it to. You’ll need to have professionals investigate this to find out what is causing your heater to behave this way.

Whatever your problem with your heating system, Climate Master will have the solution for it. Contact us any time of the day or night for heating repair in St. Augustine, FL.

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I’ve Heard of Ductless Mini Split Heating: Is It Really That Good?

Friday, November 15th, 2013

For years, you probably accepted ductwork as a necessary part of home life. Even if you used a boiler to keep you warm during the occasional cold Florida nights, you still needed ducts for your air conditioner to send cooled air throughout your house. But you’ve heard about something called “ductless” mini split heating. That sounds like a good idea. However, things that sound too good to be true often are. Is that the case with ductless mini split heating?

No, not at all. Ductless mini splits offer tremendous advantages to homeowners, especially in places with less need for heating, like St. Augustine, FL. Ductless mini splits can provide you with sufficient heat and superb air conditioning, all without the need for ducts. If you are interested in getting one of these ductless systems installed, contact our specialists at Climate Masters. Let us handle your concerns from step one.

What’s so great about a ductless mini split?

First, ductless mini splits are heat pumps, which work as both air conditioners and heaters. You solve two comfort problems at once. Heat pumps draw heat out of your home during the summer, and put it into your home during the winter, simply reversing the direction of their operation. Because heat pumps do not burn fuel to generate heat, instead using only a small amount of electricity to move heat, they are among the most energy-efficient and cost-reducing ways to provide heat for your home.

Then there’s the difference in going ductless. Instead of using duct work to distribute heated or cooled air, a ductless mini split uses individual blower units mounted in different room (or “regions”), each of which has a refrigerant line running to the outdoor unit. You no longer have to worry about dust or breaks in the ducts, and you have zone control over the heating and cooling in different rooms.

So why doesn’t everybody install a ductless mini split?

Although ductless mini splits sound fantastic, they will not work ideally for every home. For houses that already have ductwork installed, it might be better to go with a standard heat pump that uses ducts. (You’ll still get all of the regular advantages of a heat pump.) For some houses, the heating function on the heat pump won’t supply a sufficient level of warmth, and a furnace will work better, or a hybrid system that hooks up a heat pump to a back-up furnace.

The best way to know if you should go with a ductless mini split for your heating in St. Augustine, FL is to consult with HVAC installation experts. They can survey your home and deduce its heating and cooling requirements, then provide you with a solid idea of how to get the maximum comfort. Trust Climate Masters to help you with the important decisions about heating your home.

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Why Winter Is a Good Time to Get Air Conditioning Maintenance

Friday, November 8th, 2013

We’re always concerned about air conditioning in St. Augustine, where temperatures run high and the humidity is quite beastly. That can make it tricky to schedule any maintenance or repair, since we need our air conditioners to keep our homes comfortable in the face of outdoor heat. At the same time, however, it’s important to schedule regular maintenance sessions for your HVAC system, in order to keep it functioning as efficiently as possible. It’s usually best to plan for such things in the winter months: from around Thanksgiving until the end of March.

Here’s why winter is a good time to get air conditioning maintenance.

  • You’ll have less need of the unit. We get our share of warm days in the winter – certainly more than cities further north – but they’re comparatively few and far between. Most temperatures average in the high 50s, which is enough to do without an air conditioner for the time it takes to perform maintenance on it. Winter tends to be drier than summer too, which means the repairman won’t have to deal with rain while trying to do his job.
  • Less demand. When an air conditioning unit breaks down in the summertime, service technicians need to deal with it immediately lest their clients’ homes turn into furnaces. That puts a high demand on their services, which means you may need to wait for a while before a technician can schedule a maintenance session for you. Demand is much less high in the winter, and you can likely find service technician much more readily.
  • Summertime takes its toll. With your air conditioner running all day every day during the summer months, it’s bound to generate a lot of wear and tear. A maintenance session in the winter can take stock of all that, and plan to address it in a timely fashion well before next summer rolls around. This helps extend the air conditioner’s lifespan and reduce the risk of more extensive repairs.

If you know why winter is a good time to get air conditioning maintenance, call upon Climate Masters for help. We can repair and maintain all kinds of air conditioning in St. Augustine, so don’t hesitate to contact us today!

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Common Heat Pump Noises to Listen For

Friday, November 1st, 2013

Heat pumps offer tremendous benefits for homeowners in Florida, where they supply superlative cooling during the long hot and humid season, and the right amount of heating during the short winter season. Because heat pumps will work for us around the year, whether helping beat the heat or tolerate the cold, they can wear down quickly and begin to develop repair needs.

Heat pumps often make unusual noises when they need repairs. Here are a few to listen for that may indicate you have to call in an HVAC specialists to look over your system. For quality heat pump repair in St. Augustine, FL, contact the experts at Climate Masters. Since 1988, people have looked to us for dependable service for all their comfort systems. You can learn more about Climate Masters here, or feel free to give us a call for more information.

Pay attention to these heat pump noises:

Grinding during start-up: If you hear a harsh grinding sound when your heat pump comes on, then it could be “hard starting” because of a problem in the compressors—a heat pump uses two different compressors, so you will need a professional to find out which one is having difficulty.

Clanging and striking: The likely culprit here is a loose blower fan belt. A heat pump uses different fans to move air for the condensation and evaporation processes; if the fan belt develops damage or cracks, it could come loose and start hitting against other components. This needs to be addressed immediately, before the belt starts to cause more damage. The noise could also come from loose motor mounts.

Hissing: This usually indicates a leak in the refrigerant, which is responsible for the heat exchange that allows your heat pump to heat and cool your home. If you can hear it, it is probably a large leak and you won’t have a working heat pump for long. Get a professional to seal the leaks and recharge the lost refrigerant.

Humming and buzzing: There are a few reasons for hearing this sound (usually within the outdoor unit). One is that the run capacitor which keeps the motors operating has developed a fault. It could also indicate a stuck relay or a motor on the verge of a burnout.

Regardless of the noise, if you think it means that your heat pump requires repair, don’t try to get the work done yourself with a standard toolkit and an online DIY guide. Get a professional to diagnose the problem and offer a remedy. Contact Climate Masters for heat pump repair in St. Augustine, FL—any time of the day or night.

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Common Problems That Can Occur with Your Pool Heater

Thursday, October 24th, 2013

When you live in Florida, you get to enjoy summer vacation type climates throughout much of the year. What better way to realize that vacation atmosphere than with a pool? However, since temperatures in Florida won’t always hover in the tropical 80’s and 90’s, you’ll need a way to enjoy your pool in cooler times as well. That’s where a great pool heater comes into play.

Because pool heaters must warm up a large amount of water, they require professional installation and maintenance to make sure they operate properly. But no matter the care that goes into pool heaters, they can still suffer from malfunctions.

Pool heaters encounter many of the same problems as indoor heaters (flickering pilot lights, gas flow issues). Here are some of the pool heater-specific problems our technicians at Climate Masters often address during service calls:

Improper ventilation in the heat exchanger: The heat exchanger is where the water in your pool has heat transferred to it. The water runs across copper finned tubes, which receive heat from flames in a burner tray below. But if the space between the coils becomes congested with lime deposits or debris such as leaves, the heater won’t be able to exhaust itself fast enough. The heat exchanger will need cleaning.

Pool chemistry issues: The balance of chemicals in your pool is crucial for the health of all the systems connected to it, especially the heater. Low pH levels and alkalinity can lead to pinhole leaks in the heat exchanger, and sometimes the heat exchanger must be replaced. However, a technician may find that putting in new gaskets will solve the problem.

Trouble with the water pump: In order to receive heat from the heat exchanger, the pool water needs a pump to push it through the heating elements. If the pump malfunctions, then you won’t receive any hot water in the pool no matter how well the rest of the heater is working.

Pool heaters handle a large task, so they require expert care and repair. When you need work pool heater service in St. Augustine, FL, contact Climate Masters. We have years of experience with pool heater installation, repair, and maintenance. Let us help you get the most out of your individual piece of vacation paradise.

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How Long Does It Take to Install An Air Conditioner?

Thursday, October 17th, 2013

Here in St. Augustine, air conditioning installation can take on an air of urgency. Our warm and humid summers can be unbearable without a reliable means of cooling the air, and even the winters can be warm enough to merit the use of a reliable air conditioning system. In that environment, it’s very reasonable to ask “how long does it take to install an air conditioner?” The answer of course, is that it depends on the specific circumstances involved and the nature of the unit in question.

In most cases, installation can take place within a day or so. This assumes that the weather is clear, and that no major alterations need to be made to your home. The technician will arrive, prepare for work by laying coverings over your floors and furnishings, remove your existing unit, install the new one and ensure that it’s functioning before declaring victory. A professional will explain all of the steps to you, then undertake them with courtesy and professionalism, making sure that everything is in its proper place.

That rough timetable assumes that you’re replacing an existing unit with a similar unit, or that your installation won’t involve any additional work. Sometimes, however, it does. For example, you may need to have ductwork installed in a home that doesn’t currently feature any, or you want to install a geothermal system and need to provide time to dig trenches for the tubing. In that case, it may take a longer period of time than a simpler operation.

No matter what the specifics, however, you should always get an estimate from your service technician about the price involved and the time it will take. Once you have a schedule in hand, you can plan for the installation with greater confidence, and let the technician work with a better idea of what exactly is going to be involved.

In St. Augustine, air conditioning installation service is the purveyance of Climate Masters. We can tell you how long it takes to install an air conditioner, and provide an estimate as to the costs before we begin.

Contact us today to set up an appointment.

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