Stay Comfortable In the Florida Heat With These Air Conditioning Maintenance Bonita Springs Tips
Florida is the hottest of all of the states in the nation. It's no wonder we love our air conditioners down here.
Living in a tropical paradise calls for plenty of AC. Steady use can wear your unit out or worse -- cause it to break and costing you a lot of money.
Maintaining your unit is not only important but helps you take steps to save 20 to 50 percent off cooling costs too. Check out our air conditioning maintenance Bonita Springs tips to keep cool!
Safety First
Safety is key. Shut off power to the unit when working with moving parts and electricity.
You can do that by turning off the breaker on the inside of the house. You can also find an exterior shut-off box by the exterior condenser/compressor
Make Your AC Work Smarter, Not Harder
Improving your AC's efficiency might be as easy as helping it work smarter, not harder. Look around your house to see if there are ways to improve temperature retention.
Upgrade your insulation, seal up any cracks where air is leaking, and consider getting your windows tinted or putting up drapes. It helps keep your home cool so your AC isn't working overtime.
Remove Debris
Leaves, dirt, and other gunk can clog your AC unit. Remove debris to keep it from building up and damaging your unit.
Trim any trees that are nearby. Gently spray your unit once it's turned off to knock off any dirt and dust.
Change Your Filter
Changing your filter is one of the easiest HVAC maintenance tips that makes a big difference. Try to do it twice a year when the weather changes to hot or cold.
Unblock Your Evaporator Drain
Your AC unit uses an evaporator coil to cool your home's air. Humidity between the warm air and the cool air builds up on the coil then drips down into a pan.
The water in the pan flows into an evaporator drain tube. Algae, debris, and mold can cause a blockage.
Look for a PVC pipe leading out of the evaporator coil enclosure. Once you find where the drain ends, you can clean it with a wet/dry vacuum.
Make sure you remove the filter from the vacuum before cleaning the drain so as not to ruin it.
Defrost Your AC Coil
Does your coil seem frosty? That could mean there's a leak somewhere in the system.
Keep your system running smoothly by checking for any leaks first. Then turn off the AC or just use the fan to defrost the coil.
Air Conditioning Maintenance Bonita Springs Tips and Tricks
These few tips and tricks are great for air conditioning maintenance Bonita Springs Florida living. A little bit of preventative and general maintenance goes a long way to keeping you cool.
Living in Florida is like being on vacation unless your AC runs out. Stay frosty by checking your air flow and temp from time to time.
If your AC starts acting up, don't panic. Reach out to our pros to schedule your maintenance appointment today!
Keeping Cool: Your Guide to Air Conditioning Maintenance in Bonita Springs
When you live in Florida, you know that air conditioning isn't just a convenience. It's essential.
Especially if you live in southern Florida.
Even in the cooler winter months, you need to ensure that your air conditioner is still going to perform when you need it.
That's why it's vital to keep up air conditioning maintenance in Bonita Springs and other cities in the area.
Your Primary Checklist
If you don't have much knowledge of how your AC works, you might be surprised by just how much goes into it.
Of course, there are common sense things you can check.
Obviously, you'll want to be sure that all debris is cleared from around your outdoor unit so that everything can operate without interference.
You can also check your thermostat to see that temperature and timer functions are correctly set. In addition, if your thermostat runs on batteries, you may need to replace them.
But beyond that, there are many checkpoints require the help of a professional - a service person who knows the ins and outs of your system to deliver the best maintenance.
What Does Air Conditioning Maintenance in Bonita Springs Include?
While you may be able to clean and/or replace the air filter, this is a routine component of comprehensive air conditioning maintenance.
When one of our HVAC professionals comes out to inspect your AC unit, you can expect that he or she will also check the following:
- Operating pressure of refrigerant for proper charge
- The crankcase heater
- Condensate drain line and pan
- Blower components
- Starting capabilities
- All electrical connections
- Voltage and amperages on motors
- Thermostat calibration
- Reversing vales (on heat pumps only)
The service person will also sanitize the condenser and evaporator coils, clean the condensate drain line and pan, and lubricate all moving parts as needed.
He or she will further inform you of any issues that may need to be addressed before they potentially become bigger and more costly problems.
Extra Steps You Can Take
With regular maintenance, you can hopefully avoid those more sizable issues.
But aside from performing this maintenance, there are simple steps you can take to keep your house cooler and not put as much stress on your cooling unit.
Start by making sure that your attic - if you have one- is well ventilated.
During those sunny Florida days, draw the blinds or drapes to block the heat of the sunlight. And set every ceiling fan to rotate counter-clockwise.
Try to do as much cooking on the outdoor grill as possible to keep that heat outside where it belongs.
Routine Maintenance Will Help You Avoid a Big Headache
If you're noticing that your energy bills are increasing while your usage rate remains the same, or that your air conditioner can't keep a consistent comfort level, then it's definitely time to call in the professionals.
Your air conditioning is not at its optimal performance level. But we can help.
Contact us to get the most comprehensive air conditioning maintenance in Bonita Springs. And greatly lessen the likelihood of a breakdown later - when you need your AC the most.
Air Conditioner Short Cycling: Why Your AC Keeps Turning On and Off
Your air conditioner regularly turns on an off at intervals to keep your home at the desired temperature. However, if these intervals are too short, the AC may be short cycling.
Short cycling can cause damage to unit components and cost you money in repairs. Thus, if you notice the AC turning on and off more often than usual, it should alarm you. Keep reading to find out the leading causes of air conditioner short cycling and what you can do about the problem.
Dirty or Clogged Air Filters
Dirt, dust, and debris in the air filter restrict airflow, forcing your AC to strain and spend more energy to cool your house. The blocked air filter works extra hard to compensate for the air flow blockage.
With a reduced air flow through the cooling and heating system, the heat exchanger overheats and shuts off before the cycle ends. Regular cleaning and replacement of worn out air filters can solve the problem.
Low Refrigerant in the Unit
The refrigerant liquid is in the compressor of your air conditioner. During a cycle, it’s converted to gas then back to liquid, a process that helps absorb heat and lowers the air temperature.
The low refrigerant level results from a leak. When the refrigerant is low, your air conditioner will have to work overtime to cool your home. It makes the coils freeze and air conditioner turn on and off for short intervals.
Dirty or Frozen Evaporator Coils
The evaporator coils remove hot air from the house. When the evaporator coils get covered in dirt or ice, your air conditioner works much harder to take out the hot air effectively.
It results in overheating that forces the system to shut off. Do regular AC maintenance to help solve the problem.
AC Electrical Problems
The electrical issues can be in the thermostat, circuit boards, run capacitor, or electrical connections, which results in short cycling.
Defects in the control relay, loose wiring connections in the thermostat, and damaged circuit boards can make the air conditioner to turn on and off. If you suspect any fault in the AC’s electrical system. You should call the experts for immediate check-ups and repairs.
Incorrect Thermostat Placement
Incorrect placement of the thermostat causes the temperature sensor to give the wrong signal to your AC system. A wrongly placed thermostat can make the system run too short, too long, or in short bursts.
Avoid placing the thermostat near the window, doors, direct sunlight, heating and cooling supply ducts, cooking equipment, refrigeration equipment, ceiling, etc.
A good thermostat location makes the AC system efficient and helps you save on energy bills.
Improperly Sized AC Unit
If the short cycling started right from the moment you installed the AC system, there’s a chance your AC is too big for the space you're cooling. The big unit cools your home quickly then shuts off; however, it does a poor job at removing humidity.
The frequent cycling causes a recurring breakdown of the AC components, making you spend more on maintenance cost.
Experiencing Air Conditioner Short Cycling?
Persistent air conditioner short cycling can be as a result of a serious underlying issue that requires immediate attention. Get immediate repairs to prevent further damage to your AC unit.
Contact us today for professional AC repair services.
Top 5 Qualities To Look For In Hiring Air Conditioning Contractors
Three-quarters of all homes in America have air conditioning. If you're thinking about installing AC in your home, you may be wondering what to look for in an HVAC service.
Have you recently asked yourself, how do I go about hiring air conditioning contractors near me?
Many customers need HVAC services but have no idea where to turn. With so many options on the market, you want to make sure you pick a reliable company.
If you need to install or repair an AC unit, there are a few qualities you should look for in your air conditioning contractors. We outline the top five factors to consider before hiring a technician.
1. Certifications and Licenses
When hiring your HVAC technician, make sure they have the appropriate certifications. To become certified, a technician must complete an HVAC program. This includes extensive training and experience working with HVAC systems.
Not all states require contractors and technicians to be certified, but it's advisable to look for one. Learn about NATE-certified technicians and look to hire one for a guarantee of quality work.
Additionally, always make sure the company has any state-mandated certifications.
2. Years of Experience
Before hiring an AC contractor, check to see how long they've been in business.
Established companies that have been in operation for a long time have extensive knowledge of their industry. These businesses tend to stand behind their work and take pride in it.
Reputable businesses also keep up to date with the latest technology and education.
3. Positive Customer Reviews
With so many HVAC contractors on the market, it's hard to know which company to choose.
If you're hiring air conditioning contractors in the area, be sure to look at their reviews first. Professional companies pride themselves in their work and their customer reviews should reflect that.
You can also check to see if the business is BBB accredited for more peace of mind. The higher the BBB rating, the more you know you can trust the company.
4. Free Estimates and Home Evaluation
If you need AC installation services, it's important you get an evaluation of your home first. This allows technicians to determine the equipment and sizes needed.
During this time, you should also receive a price quote. Estimates and quotes should be free. Never hire a company that offers an estimate without seeing your home first.
Some companies even offer special financing and work with you to achieve your goals.
5. Reliability and Emergency Services
In times of emergency, it's nice to know that your contractor has your back. Look for companies that have 24/7 emergency service. This way, if anything goes wrong you can give them a call day or night.
Look for companies that promote fast and dependable service. If you have any problems with your installation, the company should be there for you to answer any questions or concerns.
Hire Air Conditioning Contractors You Can Trust
By looking for the five qualities mentioned in this article, you'll be able to find and hire air conditioning contractors you can rely on.
You should be able to find all this information on the company website or by calling to inquire. Reliable companies stand by their service and want you to be happy with your product.
Are you in the Naples area and looking for HVAC services? Contact us and let us know how we can help you.