Your A/C and Heating Connection: A/C PM

Tropical’s Project Manager, Andrew

This week, a couple named Steve and Cheryl had problems with their A/C unit on Saturday morning. Knowing there’s nothing more uncomfortable than a clammy Saturday, we got out there by mid-afternoon to look at it, hoping to get them back to a comfortable temperature for Labor Day. What we found was a bad blower motor, which we could only get from the manufacturer. To everyone’s chagrin, we would not be able to fix the issue until Tuesday.

Nobody likes to see this happen, especially us at Tropical Air. Luckily, it worked out for Steve and Cheryl – they enjoyed a family stay-cation at a nearby hotel, ran into old friends there, and had a better holiday weekend than they had planned. However, this may not always be the case. We want you to be in as much control of your own comfort as possible, so this week we want you to think about preventive maintenance, particularly before approaching holidays.

While preventive maintenance is not a cure-all, we here at Tropical Air highly recommend it as a way of catching little things that could throw a big wrench in your plans. Here are a few things an extensive protective service could bring to light:

Low refrigerant: Here’s one thing that is always good to watch out for. In the same way you would fill up with gas before a road trip, checking your refrigerant levels before long weekends or holidays is a great way to stay ahead of the game.

Clogged lines: A clogged line is another relatively small issue that could cause a big problem. When your drain line gets clogged to a certain point, it can engage what is called a float switch, shutting your whole system down until the lines are clear. This could cause more than a temporary panic that can easily be avoided.

Dirty filters: We know that it can be hard to remember to change filters every month. That’s why, on a preventive maintenance, we check them for you. If you have a back-up at your house, we’ll even change it for you if need be, and give you a friendly reminder to keep an eye on them to prevent the many problems that can come with dirty filters.

A/C Insight: Running your air conditioner for one year is like running your vehicle for 100,000 miles. Would you operate your car without a service for that many miles? Neither should your air conditioning system be run without a proper service.

This is only a small list of the benefits of an extensive protective service, and those benefits are magnified in the wake of a holiday or event that requires your attention for more important things in your life. If you have a relationship with a trusted air conditioning service company, give them a call. If you happen to be looking for an air conditioning company, give us a call and let us keep you in touch with your comfort.

If you have not had your A/C system maintained or undergone an extensive protective service in the past six months, a small investment today could save you thousands next year.

Keep cool and informed,

Rikki Payne
Your Licensed A/C and Heating Connection
321-972-9935
www.Tropical-Air.com
Serving Greater Central Florida

The Big Debate! Straight Cool vs. Heat Pump

First thing to take into consideration is the climate you’re in.  If you happen to live in a northern region where temperatures can easily plummet below 40°F in the winter, a heat pump system alone may not be enough to maintain your desired level of comfort.  As strange as it may sound, a heat pump works by capturing the heat outside and moving it inside.  Now you may ask yourself, how is it supposed to capture any heat when its 42°F outside?  Well, the truth is that any temperature above absolute zero (around -459°F) contains some stored heat energy.  In other words, the temperature difference between any two temperatures is heat energy ripe for the taking.  Since it becomes very hard to extract the heat from temperatures below 40°F, it is recommended that a secondary heat source be included when a heat pump is installed in climates prone to colder weather. Even here in Florida, we always install auxiliary electric heat strips for the instance that it gets abnormally cold or in emergencies when the heat pump may not be running properly.   If you’re in an area that averages below 40°F in the winter, your best option would be a straight cool system with a gas furnace (whether it be Natural or LP).  If a gas furnace isn’t an option, a heat pump system with auxiliary electric heat strips would be the next best choice.

The next thing you will want to consider is your comfort level.  If you are used to the heat provided by gas furnaces or electric heat strips, the change to a heat pump system may leave you scratching your head.  Supply temperatures of 120° F are normal for gas and electric heating systems.  While this does allow for rapid heating of the house, it can also leave cold spots.  With temperatures this high pumping into your home, the thermostat may satisfy quicker than it should, leaving areas of the home colder than the “set to” temperature.  The main difference in the design of the heat pump is that it does best in maintaining a consistent temperature.  You may notice that when heating with the heat pump only, the air temperature at the vents may feel cool.  Average temperature for a heat pump in heating mode without the auxiliary electric heat strips is between 80° F-90° F.  This is high enough to heat the house as most people will keep their heating temperature set to between 68° F-72° F. This makes for a more evenly felt temperature throughout the house.

Lastly, you want to consider your energy efficiency.  Heat pumps are gaining the reputation of being the go to system for energy efficiency.  By taking out the need for electric resistance heating, your electric consumption will be reduced.  The argument has been made that when heating, a heat pump system is running both the indoor and outdoor equipment, so one could assume it would be more costly than just an air handler with electric heat strips.  The difference is apparent when you look at the amp draw.  An amp draw is the measure of electrical current flowing through a conductor or the energy being consumed, in this case, by the system.  An air handler by itself can sometimes pull about 1 amp when just blowing the air.  With the electric heat strips active, it may pull 25 or more amps.  A heat pump on the other hand, will pull about 6 to 10 amps total plus the 1 amp the air handler is pulling.  You are looking at a difference there of around 14 amps less power consumption with the heat pump system versus and standard straight cool with electric heat strips.  Again, when temperatures get below the 40°F mark, your heat pump system will rely on its secondary heat source to help make up the difference.

As you can see, there are a lot of things to take into consider when deciding what kind of system to install.  We always recommend having a professional come out and assess your home and concerns before making a final decision.  Call us today and let use help you make this important decision.

Chris Crites
HVAC Specialist
Tropical Air of Central Florida
407-884-6050

Repair VS. Replacing Your A/C System

Your A/C unit just went out for the 3rd time in this year and you ask yourself, “When is it time for me to replace my system?”  The decision whether to repair or replace a system is based on what is in your best interest.  However don’t be pressured into making a quick decision, some companies will offer a solution as to what is most convenient or what is going to make them the most momey.

When deciding to repair or replace, there are three main factors to consider.  These factors are current condition of the system, life expectancy, and efficiency.  If any of these issues are posing problems with your system it may be time to consider replacing it.  If two or more are problems then replacing your system would be your best decision.

In regards to current condition of your system consider these factors: quality of the equipment (brand, builders grade, etc), how often the system is maintenanced, and the number of times your system breaks down.  If the system hasn’t been maintenanced like it should or if it is breaking down constantly, it is probably time to consider replacement.  If the system wasn’t the greatest unit to begin with it might be time to replace it.  You’ll never make a system better than it was without putting a lot of money into it.

The life expectancy of a unit is about 8 – 12 years.  After that, they become expensive to repair and will start to break down often.  Also, its going to be harder to find parts for that old of a system as they become discontinued.  If you are near the ocean you can expect the systems life span to be shorter due to corrosion from the salt.  Most manufacturers only warranty systems between 5-10 years.  And generally, this only includes parts, not labor to replace it.  If your system is hitting the 8 year mark or more and your having problems with your system, it is probably time to replace it.

This day and age everything is about efficiency.  How well something performs with a miniumum of energy to accomplish it.  No matter how much money you put into your old system, it will only be as efficient as it was when it was manufactured at best.  Older units have a much less efficiency rating than newer ones due to the constant improving and increasing energy standards that the government imposes.  You could see up to 60% of savings on your electric bill when your replace your system with high efficiency equipment.  A lot of times installing a new a/c system can pay for itself in a relatively short amount of time.

So the next time your a/c goes out, consider these factors and decide whether it’s worth it to pay for repair or if in the end it will be better to replace it.

Melissa Bott

HVAC Project Coordinator

Tropical Air of Central FL

Who is MERV and What Does it Mean to You?

MERV stands for the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.  This measurement scale was designed to rate the effectiveness of air filters……their particle removal capability, resistance to airflow, and the expected operating life.  MERV ratings are usually valued between 1 and 16 although they can go as high as 20 (however those are usually for more commercial/industrial systems).  Residential air filters tend to fall more between the ratings of 5 and 13.

The United States Environmental Protection Agency states that “Medium efficiency filters with a MERV of 5 to 13 are reasonably efficient at removing small to large airborne particles.  Filters with a MERV between 7 and 13 are likely to be nearly as effective as true HEPA filters at controlling most airborne indoor particles.”  The EPA adds that “medium efficiency air filters are generally less expensive than HEPA filters, and allow quieter HVAC fan operation and higher airflow rates than HEPA filters since they have less airflow resistance.”

We’ve all heard of HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) filters before however, most homes are not capable of having whole-house HEPA filtration systems installed without having extensive modification done.  That being said, keep in mind the EPA’s recommendation for filters with a MERV rating from 7 to 13.

So next time you are in the store shopping for a replacement air filter, remember to consider MERV when you make your choice. 

 

Melissa Bott

Hvac Project Coordinator

Tropical Air of Central FL

Cutting Down Your High Air Conditioning Costs

Just because fall is here, us Floridians know that doesn’t mean we get to turn our a/c systems off!  It will still be pushin’ 90 degrees for the next month or so.  You don’t have to pay high prices to be comfortable in your own home.  Here are some ways to cut down your a/c costs so you can save money for more important things (like the holidays).

Fill up those holes.  Go around all your doors and windows looking for leaks and caulk the leaks when you find them.  Circulating air can easily escape through these holes.

Use your drapes or blinds.  Don’t wait until the house is already hot before using the drapes.  Before you go to bed,  close all the drapes and blinds to block incoming sunlight and heat that will come in the morning.  This keeps your home cooler so your a/c has less work to do.

Cool Yourself.  If you come in from outside and your hot, take a cold shower.  It will bring your body temperature down and the effects can last for hours.  Try icy drinks and electric fans too.

Replace your filter regularly.  When you replace your air filter regularly your a/c will work more efficiently.  During peak season (lets be honest, here in Florida it’s always peak season) make sure to check your filter at least once a month.  Replace it when you notice layers of build up.

Don’t cook with your stove.  You probably won’t be able to follow this one as much but the less you use your oven and stove, the cooler your home will stay.  Grill outdoors or eat salads and dips.

Get a programmable thermostat.  Queue in my last blog.  Getting a programmable t-stat is one of the best ways to reduce your a/c costs.  It can allow you to monitor your energy usage by setting the t-stat to “rest” while you are at work and it will start cooling the house just before you get home.  It’s much better for your unit than constantly having to reset the thermostat manually.

 

Melissa Bott

HVAC Project Coordinator

Tropical Air of Central FL

Digital vs. Mercury Thermostats

Have you recently had your thermostat replaced from an old Mercury to a new digital?  Are you wondering why you are having to set your digital thermostat a little lower than what you had your Mercury thermostat on? Why is Digital better than Mercury? Let me start by first saying that it’s good that you finally made the change to digital.  Mercury t-stats are made up of several moving parts, including a glass vial containing Mercury.  These contain the highest amount of mercury found in any ordinary household item!  Now that I’ve scared you, the accuracy of a mercury thermostat is not really dependable.  Even when properly calibrated, mercury t-stats are still not 100% exact.  They can have at least a 2 degree differential by design.

Differential is the difference between the point the t-stat turns on and off.  Lets say you set your t-stat to 76 and it rises to 78 before the air kicks back on again, there is your 2 degree differential.  It may also overshoot what it is set for (making it cooler than what the t-stat is reading).  That is a big reason why we get a lot of phone calls after a new t-stat was put in.  The consumer feels that because they’ve had to set there new digital t-stat lower than what they’ve set there mercury one to, there must be something wrong.  What they didn’t know was that the temperature was probably the same, however the mercury t-stat was inaccurate as to what the temperature really was.

Digital types are by far the best and most accurate currently on the market.  Generally, they measure degrees in tenths.  So if you set it to 75, it may turn on at 74.7 and turn off at 75.6.  Plus you have the option on some digital t-stats to program it change to a certain temperature at the same time certain days of the week.  Besides the accuracy, the savings are far greater than mercury t-stats.  Digital stats are much more efficient by the nature of their design.  They use a thermistor to record temperature.  Thermistors react almost instantly to the temperature change which results in a much more efficient operation of your equipment.  Efficiency = saving money.  This does not mean you have to go out and by the most expensive and fanciest digital thermostat you can find.  Most people don’t even want that.  They want simple and easy to use.

Do your home or business a favor and replace any mercury thermostats you may have.  It just makes sense and happens to help you save a little money in the end.

A/C system stop working? Simple fixes you can try first

So your A/C system isn’t working at all?  That doesn’t always mean expensive repairs.  In fact, there are many things a homeowner can check before even calling a service technician.  By checking over the following items,  you may be able to save yourself  from a hot day, while saving some money at the same time.

First thing you want to do is check the power source.  You’ll want to locate your breaker panel and identify the breakers associated with your A/C system.  Breakers are commonly labeled “A/C”, “A/H”, “Condenser”, “Air Handler”, “Furnace”, or “Compressor.” You could have up to two breakers, as split systems (and some package units) have separate breakers for the different parts of the system.  You will also want to check near the equipment for a service disconnect box that may contain additional breakers.  Once you have located all breakers, check that they haven’t tripped.  Many times after a strong storm or particularly hot day, we receive numerous calls that often turn out to be tripped breakers.  Even if the breaker doesn’t look tripped, you should try to reset it.  If the breaker immediately trips again, do not retry it, and you should call a service technician.  Several systems also have a built-in delay in case of a power failure and it could take up to 5 minutes for the system to reset and come back on.  If the system still does not come on after that time, you will want to check your thermostat.

There are many thermostats on the market today that require batteries.  If you are not getting a display on your thermostat, try to locate the battery compartment.  If it is not clearly labeled, check to see if it has a release clip to unsnap it from the wall.  Do not try to force it open as you may damage the thermostat.  If you determine that either your batteries are good, have been replaced, or that your thermostat does not take batteries,  you will want to check one more item.

The safety float switch.  If it has been a while since your last preventative maintenance, you may have a plugged drain line.  By today’s building code regulations, your unit should have some type of float switch shut off device.  Located at the air handler (inside unit) you should see a PVC pipe coming out of the unit.  Near this will be usually a small PVC fitting with some wires attached to it.  This is a sensor that detects a rise in the water level inside that drain pipe.  If the drain line becomes plugged, the water level rises, and the switch cuts off power to the system.  You should be able to easily lift the float switch out of the PVC fitting to check for backed up water.  You may want to prepare with some towels as the drain line may be backed up causing a rush of water pour out.  You can attempt to clean the drain line yourself if you own a wet/dry vacuum, by locating the outside drain pipe (usually near the outside unit) and vacuuming it out.  Sometimes a vacuum isn’t strong enough and can’t dislodge the clog.  In this instance, you will want to call for service.

If fixing these issues still does not get your system back up and running, there is probably something wrong that would require a service technician to investigate.  We have a staff trained to be service oriented and would love to help with any of your air conditioning needs.

Chris Crites
HVAC Specialist
Tropical Air of Central Florida
407-884-6050

Why should I get UV lights for my a/c system?

Studies have shown that inadequate ventilation in homes causes indoor air to be up to 2-5x more polluted than outdoor air.  With up to 65 million North Americans suffering from asthma (8 million children), allergies or other respiratory issues, these conditions can be triggered by molds, dust, and other aggregates.  Did you know that one gram of duct dust can contain up to 50,000 bacteria?

Many studies have shown UV to be the most effective way of battling indoor air contaminants.  UV light kills mold that can thrive in the cool dark interior of the air system.  This robs the system of efficiency and requires expensive cleanings with chemicals.  UV light also sterilizes airborne bacteria, allergens, and odors which improves indoor air quality.

Will buying an efficient air conditioning system automatically reduce my utility bill?

Yes, to some extent.  As long as your equipment is sized for your home and is installed properly.  Make sure that your attic is sufficiently insulated and your windows are properly sealed to ensure maximum air efficiency.

A good contractor will always inspect your duct system.  If your duct work has air penetrations, has collapsed, or is not properly insulated,  you are wasting energy.  If your new high efficient A/C system is dumping air into your attic, or worse yet pulling in the hot air of your attic through a torn return,  you are greatly reducing the efficiency of the system.

Proper maintenance on your new system will also help to ensure maximum energy efficiency.  Simply changing air filters once a month helps maintain the proper air flow through the system and keeps your coil from getting dirty.  Remember a dirty coil equals less cooling capacity.  This means the system has to work harder to cool your home.

So with a new system that is more efficient than your old system you can expect some reduction in your energy costs.  To see a substantial reduction, it is best to have your home inspected by an A/C professional and follow their recommendations.

Why isn’t my unit cooling?

As Florida embraces an enveloping heat, the importance of keeping cool has never been greater. For many years Tropical Air of Central Florida has been providing Florida residents with seven days a week, 24 hours a day, “keeping you cool” protection.

Throughout this blog, we will be detailing common (and some not-so common) issues dealing with customer service, heating, and cooling. So, when you have a question, concern, or would like trained experts to either service or install HVAC equipment, give us a call at any time and we will help you.

Why isn’t my unit cooling? Here are just a couple of first action steps:

• You should check your filter first. A dirty filter can cause your system to freeze up and shut down.
• Check that both units are running.
• Inspect your breakers (including shutting them off and on again).

If the above first action steps don’t find resolve and cooler air, I highly recommend calling for service as the unit could be low on Freon or there may be more serious issues needing attention.

No matter the situation, SAFETY always comes first. So don’t take a chance and contact a licensed professional.

If you have any HVAC questions, comment on this blog or contact me directly.

Andrew Bott
407-884-6050
Tropical Air of Central Florida
24 hours a day, 7 days a week