In warmer weather, your bills can really take a turn, since the heat and humidity in our area leave us running the air conditioner for most of the day. Air conditioners contain many parts that require a lot of electricity to run, so in some homes, the AC is responsible for up to half of the energy bill. Using your thermostat wisely can help to cut down on costs and reduce unnecessary wear and tear on your AC system. Here are a few tips to help you cut back.
Professional Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
Are You Taking Full Advantage of Your Programmable Thermostat?
Monday, April 27th, 2015Do You Need an Air Conditioning Maintenance Visit?
Monday, April 20th, 2015If you plan to run your air conditioning system this season (and let’s face it; it is very difficult to get by without it) air conditioning maintenance is a must. Many homeowners decide not to schedule maintenance every year, and still others are not even aware of this vital service. But without it, your air conditioner may run into trouble at some point in the season, and you may notice that your energy bills get worse and worse.
3 Things You Should Know about Air Conditioning Replacement
Monday, April 6th, 2015Finding a new air conditioner can be a stressful experience, but a lot less so if you have the right technicians to work with you. A quality air conditioning technician will help you find the most efficient system for your money, and make sure that everything is secure and operating properly.
Sooner is better than later
If at all possible, replace your air conditioning system before it breaks down. Of course, it’s difficult to determine if your air conditioning system is on the verge of breaking down. But if you find yourself making frequent repairs for a unit that is over ten years old, early AC replacement may simply be more cost-effective. Sometimes, it is more expensive to remove a broken-down system than it is to replace a working one, especially if it’s early enough in the season that replacement is not urgent. Scheduling replacement early allows you time to choose an efficient system that will help you to save money later on.
A unit that is too big or too small may cause a lot of trouble
If your air conditioning system is not the correct size for the layout of your home, there are a number of problems you could encounter. An undersized system won’t get the job done, but it may run for a long time to try to condition the home, using up energy and failing sooner than its expected lifespan. And if it’s too large, an air conditioner may start and stop frequently, wearing down the components. But installer beware: the existing system needing replacement may not be the proper size, so the home should be reassessed before any installation.
Refrigerant must be measured out precisely upon installation
Adding refrigerant to an air conditioning system is not as simple as you might guess. You must have the right amount of refrigerant for the size of your unit, or else your home may not cool down quickly enough. What’s worse is that you may encounter compressor damage or a frozen coil, among other issues. Professionals can determine just how much refrigerant is necessary, and they have the proper certifications to handle it.
Professional installation is key to efficiency and proper performance. Call the professional technicians at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning for air conditioning replacement in Hammond, LA.
Why Your Air Conditioning Systems Has Ice on It
Friday, April 3rd, 2015Air conditioners are a type of refrigeration system: using the action of a compressor to circulate refrigerant, they remove heat from one location to lower the temperature, and then exhaust the heat elsewhere. You may, at some point, notice ice developing along the inside of your air conditioner. Considering the chilled air coming from the system, this might seem like a normal side-effect of how an AC operates.
However, as we’ll explain below, the development of ice on an air conditioner isn’t something you want to happen. But please don’t try to solve the problem by scraping the ice off. This won’t work! Instead, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning and we’ll help you with the necessary air conditioning repair in Hammond, LA that will restore your system. We are on call 24 hours a day for your convenience.
The Reasons Ice May Develop on Your Air Conditioner
- Low refrigerant: If the refrigerant lines in your air conditioner develop a leak and permit refrigerant to escape, it will often cause the evaporator coils to ice up. The reason this occurs is that the lower amount of refrigerant in the coils can no longer absorb enough heat to warm itself above freezing. The coils will remain cold and cause water moisture along them to turn to ice. This will further slow heat absorption, causing more ice to grow… and eventually you’ll have a solid block of ice over the AC coils and a system that won’t work at all. Repair technicians will need to seal the refrigerant leaks and restore the proper refrigerant charge for the air conditioner to work again.
- Dirt and grime along the coils: If contamination has entered the air conditioner’s indoor cabinet, it can cause the coils to become dirty. This will limit their ability to absorb heat through evaporation, and the coils will start to freeze water vapor along their length. You must have professionals detach the coils, defrost them, then clean them.
- Clogged air filter: An air filter that is too congested with dust and debris to allow sufficient warm air to enter the AC cabinet will cause the evaporator coils to stay too cold. Make sure that you change the filter once a month during the summer season when the air conditioner runs to avoid this problem.
At the first sign of ice on your AC, call for repairs. Our technicians at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning are ready around the clock to provide you with the professional air conditioning repair service in Hammond, LA that will find why the ice is appearing and fix it.
Do I Have Other Air Conditioning Installation Options Than a Standard Split Unit?
Wednesday, March 25th, 2015The majority of homes use a split system central air conditioner to provide cool temperatures during the summer and other periods of warm weather. The “split” means that cooling system is divided into two separate units: an outdoor cabinet that contains the compressor and the condenser coils, and an indoor unit that contains the blower fan and the evaporator coils. The two units connect through power and refrigerant lines, and the indoor unit hooks to the ventilation system that distributes the cooled air throughout the home.
Aside from a small window unit, which is only effective for small homes or apartments, are there other options when it comes to a new air conditioning system aside from this old standard? There are, and we’ll look at a few of the choices for a new AC installation available today. Give A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning a call today to learn more about your alternatives for air conditioning installation in Mandeville, LA.
Ductless Mini Split
This is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to combine the power of a central air conditioner with the point cooling of a window unit, bypassing the need for ductwork. Ductless mini splits still use an outdoor cabinet, but replace the single indoor cabinet with multiple small air handlers placed on the walls of the rooms. The mini air handlers send conditioned air directly into the living spaces without using ducts. Ductless mini splits offer increased energy efficiency and indoor air quality.
Zone Control Systems
Zone control is an improvement to central air conditioning that can either be part of a new installation or done as a retro-fit. Zone control systems permit you to manipulate temperatures separately in different areas of the house, and this allows for customized comfort for the rooms and the people in your home, as well as lowered energy bills.
Heat Pumps
Outwardly, there isn’t much different between a heat pump and a central split air conditioner. But there is a huge difference in their operation: a heat pump can also provide warmth as well as cooling. They make very energy efficient options for the mild winters in Southeast Louisiana.
What choices for central air conditioning are right for your home and family? You will need to talk to AC professionals, like our skilled team at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, to make the right decision. We’re here to see that you receive the ideal comfort and savings from your new air conditioning installation in Mandeville, LA.
How Does Duct Sealing Help Air Conditioning?
Friday, September 19th, 2014Have you ever considered how important the ductwork in your home is for effective air conditioning? The ducts serve as the channel that transport the cooled air from in the indoor AC cabinet and distributes it through vents into the rooms. Problems with the integrity of the ducts, such as gaps and leaks, will have a negative impact on you air conditioning in multiple ways.
Because most of the ventilation system in your home is hidden behind walls and in ceilings, it’s difficult to tell if the ducts have developed air leaks that require sealing. Any time you notice a drop in air pressure, odd smells coming from the vents, hot spots in rooms, or an increase in your utility bills that you cannot account for, contact A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning in Hammond, LA to investigate. If you have leaky air ducts, we will handle the sealing that will solve the problem.
How Duct Sealing Benefits Your Air Conditioner
The manufacturers of ductwork design them to keep an airtight seal from the air conditioner cabinet all the way to the vents. This maintains air pressure and maximizes airflow. Even a small leak will cause a significant drop in air pressure that will lead to reduced airflow from the vents. The lower the airflow, the poorer the AC will work at cooling down rooms. Effective sealing will keep your air conditioner providing the comfortable temperatures you want.
Leaks in ducts also cause an AC to work harder, since it must strain to reach its set temperature. Even a small set of breaches in ducts can cause an air conditioner to lose up to 30% of its efficiency. Keeping the ductwork airtight thanks to professional duct sealing will prevent your air conditioning bills from rising.
Finally, duct sealing helps to protect an air conditioner from damage and repair needs. Holes in ductwork usually open onto closed-in and dusty areas, such as the space between walls, and dust and dirt will start to enter the ventilation system through the gaps. This debris can easily enter the air conditioner’s cabinet, leading to dirty motors that will burn out and other expensive damages. When you call for professionals to seal up breaks in your ducts, you are helping to keep your air conditioner free from unnecessary repairs.
How Can I Take Care of Duct Sealing?
The best way to have your ducts sealed is to call for professionals. Trained technicians use special equipment to locate the air leaks, and then seal them using mastic and metallic tape. Do not attempt to seal the ducts on your own using “duct tape”: despite the name, duct tape is not for use on ducts and is ineffective at sealing them.
For the skilled services you need to keep your air conditioning working its best, call the team at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We offer duct sealing services in Hammond, LA.
Upgrades You Can Make to Your Air Conditioning System
Friday, September 12th, 2014Your air conditioning system is quite a feat of engineering: it removes the heat and humidity from your home and returns cool air that makes your home dry and comfortable. Today’s air conditioners are very energy efficient, but you can still upgrade your AC to make it perform better. As we’ll explain below, an upgrade can help improve indoor air quality or remove excess humidity from your home, depending on the type of upgrade you choose. But without professional installation, you may not gain any benefit from an upgrade, which is why it’s important to hire trained experts, like the ones at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning.
Types of Upgrades Available for Your System
There are a number of ways you can upgrade your existing air conditioner. Here are few examples of the kinds of products we have at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning:
Dehumidifiers
It’s no secret that Louisiana gets hot and sticky. Prolonged periods of excess humidity can put a lot of stress on your air conditioner as it works to remove excess humidity; this can result in higher energy bills and prematurely age your AC. Adding a whole-home humidifier can take the stress off your air conditioner, because it removes the excess humidity from the air before it enters your system. With less work to do, your air conditioner uses less energy and no longer operates under stressful conditions.
Zone Control System
A zone control system offers you temperature control over different zones in your home. The zones are established by you and operate independently from one another, allowing for different temperatures to be set for each zone; you can also turn off air conditioning to an unused or unoccupied zone. A zone control system consists of motorized dampers that are installed into the supply ducts of your system. Each damper is connected to a main control panel and thermostats for the zones are connected to the control panel as well. Zone control systems help improve energy efficiency and comfort levels.
Air Cleaners
Having healthy indoor air is part of your overall comfort. While your air conditioner comes with a standard filter, this filter’s job isn’t to help improve indoor air quality; it’s to block dirt, dust and debris from entering your system. To truly clean your air, you’ll want to consider the installation of a whole-home air cleaner. There are a number of air cleaning products on the market, so the best way to choose one that fits best in your home is to work with a trained professional.
Upgrades to your air conditioning can improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality and your overall comfort. Think an upgrade might help you? Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule AC service in Hammond, LA with one of our experts.
How Do Your Air Conditioner And Dehumidifier Work Together Against Humidity in the Fall?
Friday, September 5th, 2014For some, fall brings cooler days and even cooler nights, but here in Louisiana it takes a little more time for the heat and humidity to subside. Warm fall days can rival August heat, which is why it’s important to have your air conditioner running optimally. Your AC removes humidity as part of the air conditioning process, but if you have noticed it needs extra help during long periods of humidity, it may be time to consider adding a whole-home dehumidifier to your property. A-Professional has helped our customers beat the heat for many years, and we can help you, too.
Pairing Your AC with a Dehumidifier
Your air conditioner removes both heat and humidity from your home as part of the cooling process. But during times of excessive humidity, it can be challenging for your AC to meet your cooling needs. This is because humidity holds heat, and when it is in excess, it can be a challenge for your AC to meet the demand.
A whole-home dehumidifier helps both you and your AC. How? A whole-home dehumidifier removes the excess moisture from the air before it enters your system. This takes stress off your air conditioner and helps make the air in your home drier.
Benefits of a Dehumidifier
As we discussed above, a whole home dehumidifier helps reduce the stress on your AC, but there are other benefits as well:
- Increases comfort level – by reducing the amount of moisture in the air, your air becomes drier and feels cooler.
- Decreases growth of mold – mold, mildew and fungus thrive in moist settings. By removing the excess moisture from your indoor air, you can help curb the development of these kinds of growths in your home.
- Helps with allergies – dust mites thrive in moisture, and allergens tend to cling to the moisture in the air. Reducing the level of moisture can help decrease allergic reactions.
Fall is coming, but our heat and humidity are still here, and will be for a while. But, you can help yourself and your air conditioner with the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule your dehumidifier installation in Hammond, LA with one of our experts.
Some Repairs Your AC May Need for the End of Summer
Friday, August 15th, 2014By the middle of August, your air conditioner has most likely been running full-time for the past several months. You may have noticed some slight changes in its performance, which is natural, given the amount of work it’s done. It is easy to push off repairs until next year, but it is better for both you and your air conditioner to take care of repairs now. A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to help you with any repairs you may need.
End-of-Summer Repairs
It’s common for certain types of problems to develop when your air conditioner has been running full-time over the summer months. Here are some examples:
- Refrigerant leaks – refrigerant leaks can develop in various places in your system, including the coils. Typical signs of low refrigerant levels are: a decrease in cooling power, no cool air at all and/or icing on your evaporator coils. Low refrigerant is a problem that doesn’t go away and usually gets worse over time, so it’s important to have leaks inspected and repaired.
- Worn components – frayed wires, worn fan belts and loose motor mounts are small issues that can turn into big problems if not addressed. Faulty wiring can lead to uneven voltage disbursement; worn fan belts can slow or stop the turning of a fan, and loose motor mounts can bang around and potentially cause damage to other parts of your system.
- Compressor issues – the compressor operates under a high level of pressure in order to pressurize the refrigerant. It has its own motor so, after running all summer, you can encounter issues with the motor. There are also two valves at either end of the compressor, and if either valve should malfunction, the operation of the compressor can be compromised.
Don’t Wait to Schedule Repair Work
It is tempting to wait until next year to fix any problems that may be developing, especially if your air conditioner appears operate well. Many times, though, small, ignored issues can become big problems. Put yourself and your AC ahead by scheduling air conditioning repair services in Mandeville with A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. Call us today!