Climate Masters Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

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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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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How Can Dust and Dirt Cause a Need for Air Conditioning Repairs?

Monday, September 30th, 2013

After a long, hot summer in Florida, your air conditioning system might have accumulated a bit of dust and dirt. Even if you’ve regularly changed your AC’s air filter (something you should do once a month during the peak season), some debris can slip into your ducts or into the air conditioner cabinets. Aside from decreasing the quality of air in your home, an accumulation of dust and dirt can cause the need for professional repairs. For quality air conditioning repair, St. Augustine, FL, residents can turn to the experts at Climate Masters. If dirt is giving your AC grief, we can offer a solution. Contact us today for an appointment.

The ways dust and dirt can cause the need for repairs include:

Dirty condenser or evaporator coils: The two coils in your air conditioning system—the condenser outside and the evaporator inside—are vital for the heat exchange that cools your home. If they become dirty, they will lose their ability to absorb and release heat. You may experience a rise in temperature, and your air conditioner will overwork itself to compensate. Cleaning the coils is a difficult process that requires cutting and sealing the refrigerant line, and should be left to trained technicians.

Inefficient blower motor: The blower motor that distributes air and helps with heat absorption will start to work at lower efficiency if it becomes too dirty. This reduces airflow and could increase your electrical usage by 50%. The motor must be cleaned, or perhaps replaced if the problem has persisted too long.

Clogged air filter: The air filter does the job of trapping dust and dirt and any other airborne contaminants from getting into the interior components of your AC. Without regular changing, an excessively clogged filter will require professional attention because it will impede the flow of air and heighten the risk of extreme damage to motors, fans, and the compressor.

One of the best ways to keep your air conditioner free from dust and dirt is to schedule regular maintenance with an experienced HVAC company. Climate Masters offers an excellent maintenance program that gives you two annual check-ups, one for your AC and one for your heater. We aim to give you complete customer satisfaction, so if you want maintenance or air conditioning repair in St. Augustine, FL, make us your first choice.

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Why Consider Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning?

Monday, August 19th, 2013

Now is a great time to invest in a new St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation. There is a great variety of air conditioning systems on the market to choose from, and you are bound to find one that first your home and personal cooling habits. Make sure that you explore your options before making any decisions. One great alternative to a traditional cooling system is a ductless mini split air conditioning system. Contact Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. today to learn more about the benefits that this type of AC has to offer.

A ductless mini split installation is an outstanding option for homeowners looking to avoid the cost of a ductwork installation, or for those home that simply cannot accommodate bulky ductwork. A ductless mini split features an outdoor unit, like a split central air conditioner. Rather than use a ducted forced air distribution system to distribute cooled air throughout your home, though, ductless mini splits utilize individual, wall mounted blowers. All that is needed to connect these inner and outer components is a simple conduit containing power and refrigerant lines. This makes a ductless mini split the perfect option for homes without preexisting ductwork.

Plus, because ductless mini splits eliminate the need for ductwork, they also eliminate the energy loss that is often associated with ductwork. When air ducts are properly installed and professionally maintained they can be quite effective. They are also almost entirely hidden from view, though, and many homeowners may not even realize that there is a problem with their ductwork. When you cool your home with a ductless mini split, you do not need to worry about this inefficiency. Plus, the individual air handlers employed by ductless mini splits make zone controlled cooling simple. This is another way you can cool your home more efficiently by going ductless.

To learn more about why you should consider a St. Augustine, FL ductless mini split installation, call Climate Masters today. We’ll help you cool your home with the efficiency and reliability you deserve this summer. Contact us any time to speak with one of qualified air conditioning technicians.

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Common Air Conditioning Problems

Monday, August 12th, 2013

When you live in a hot climate, your air conditioning system is one of the most important aspects of your home. That is why it is so important to protect the condition of your air conditioning system. By scheduling a professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation and routine maintenance service, you can keep your air conditioning system operating as reliably as possible. Of course, no matter how great your air conditioning system may be, there is always a chance that you are going to experience some operational issues. Here are a few examples of common St. Augustine, FL air conditioning problems that Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. frequently deals with.

One of the most common service calls we receive is about an air conditioning system that simply will not turn on. Like most issues that you may encounter with your air conditioning system, this particular problem has many possible causes. You should always rule out simple user error first. It sounds silly, but make sure that your thermostat is, in fact, set to ‘cool’. If it is on the heat setting, your problems can be resolved with the flip of a switch. If this is not the issue, check your circuit breaker. It is possible that a power surge tripped the breaker, and you just need to reset it at your breaker box. If there is no obvious cause of the problem, contact your professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning technician immediately.

Another common problem that we deal with is an air conditioner that will not blow cool air, or any air at all. If warm air is coming from your air conditioner, there are a few different issues you may be experiencing. Your condenser coils may be frozen up due to dirt and debris buildup. It is also possible that you have a refrigerant leak. If your AC won’t blow air at all, a fan belt may have broken or the motor may be inoperable. Only a qualified technician can determine the exact cause of the problem.

It is important to remember that any single problem with your air conditioning system may have many different potential causes. That is why it is so important that you work with an experienced, qualified professional. Call Climate Masters today to learn more.

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The Importance of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Monday, August 5th, 2013

As anyone that has lived here throughout the summer months can attest to, your air conditioning system is going to get some pretty heavy usage during the cooling season. Is your system ready to take on the challenge that lies ahead? In order to get the most reliable, efficient performance possible from your air conditioning system, it is important to schedule routine service with your St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance technicians at Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. Call today to get the outstanding, consistent performance that you deserve form your AC.

Your air conditioner, no matter how great the quality of the product, is still a mechanical system. Like any other mechanical system, it is going to incur some general wear and tear during operation. There is nothing you can do to avoid this altogether, but you can limit any issues caused by this wear and tear. When you allow a qualified St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance technician the opportunity to thoroughly inspect and tune up your system, you are helping to protect the condition of that system.

While general wear and tear is inevitable, it can actually lead to serious systemic damages if it goes unaddressed. There are a lot of individual components within your air conditioning system, and if even one of these components of the system is unable to operate properly, there is no way that you can expect the rest of the system to be unaffected. Your system will have to work harder than it ought to in order to cool your home, and this increases the risk of damage.

By scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance, you can also get a more efficient and affordable performance from your home cooling system. The less work that your system has to do in order to cool your home, the less money it will cost to do so. Routine inspection and maintenance will help you keep comfortable while saving money in the process.

To schedule professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance service that you can really count on, call the pros at Climate Masters today. You deserve to cool your home with total confidence and great efficiency. Our skilled technicians can help you achieve that goal.

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Replacing Your Air Conditioning Filter

Wednesday, July 31st, 2013

You’re likely running your air conditioning system a lot right now in order to stay comfortable in the summer heat. There are a number of different components of your AC that need to be regularly maintained in order for you to get efficient and consistent cooling. One of the most important is the air filter. Here at Climate Masters, we are dedicated to the comfort of our customers and we wanted to put together a quick description of why you should change your air filter on a regular basis. Give us a call if you need any kind of St Augustine air conditioning services like repair, maintenance or installation.

Why Change the Air Filter Regularly

The air that your air conditioner pulls in from the outside can have a number of different contaminants in it like dust, pollen, insect parts and many others. Without a filter, those pollutants could get caught in the fan motor, the fan blade or the evaporator coils and cause big problems for the AC. That’s why your air conditioner has an air filter in it that protects the moving parts from large particulate matter.

If this air filter doesn’t get changed on a regular basis it can cause huge problems for your air conditioning system.

  • Reduced comfort – When you have a clogged air filter it will reduce the amount of air that your AC can pull in, cool and then push into your home. This will reduce the amount of cooling that you get and, thus, the comfort of your home.
  • Reduced efficiency – Another issue that will likely arise from a clogged air filter is reduced efficiency. Your air conditioner will have to work much harder in order to pull in the air which will put more strain on the motor and reduce its efficiency.
  • Increased repair – When your air conditioning system has to work harder to pull in in outside air it will experience more wear and tear. This can cause the system to break down faster and require more repair.

If you need any kind of St Augustine air conditioning repair, installation or maintenance just call the specialists at Climate Masters. We can help you with any type of services that you might need.

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Things to Look For When Buying an AC

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

Choosing an air conditioning system for installation in your St. Augustine, FL home is not a decision to be taken lightly. You are really going to need to count on that air conditioner to provide you with an effective, efficient performance. When making a decision this important, it is always a good idea to discuss your options with a qualified professional. That is why you should contact the St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation technicians at Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. when deciding which AC is right for your home. Here are a few items to consider during the process.

First of all, you must think about how you want your air conditioning system to distribute cooled air throughout your home. If you have existing ductwork, you may want to stick with a ducted air conditioning system. If you are scheduling your first air conditioning installation, though, you may want to consider a ductless AC system. There are a few different benefits that going ductless has to offer. To begin with, air ducts are frequently the source of serious energy loss issues in many homes. When properly installed and maintained they can be quite effective. If they are not installed properly, though, or if their condition is compromised, you can have a serious problem on your hands.

You should also try to invest in the air conditioning system that is the most efficient you can afford on your budget. Generally speaking, the more efficient an air conditioning system is the more expensive it will be to purchase. Over time, though, the energy savings that you’ll enjoy with a more efficient system can help to offset that initial cost. Air conditioning efficiency levels a rated with a SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio). If you have any questions about the efficiency of an air conditioning system you are interested in, do not hesitate to ask.

For more information about how you can ensure that you invest in the right air conditioning system for your home, call Climate Masters today. Our professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning installation technicians have the answers to all your questions.

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Tips for Efficient Air Conditioning

Wednesday, July 10th, 2013

Living in St. Augustine means that you must have a high-quality air conditioning system in your home. There is simply no other way to make it through the long, hot summer comfortably. In order to cool your home in a way that is actually affordable, though, you may need to boost the efficiency with which you do so. This does not mean, though, that you must invest a new, high-efficiency air conditioning system. Here are a few tips to help you increase energy efficiency in your home this summer, without sacrificing your comfort. Contact Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning today to learn more.

Some of the simplest ways of boosting energy efficiency during the cooling season are also some of the simplest. For starters, just drop by your local hardware store and purchase some weather stripping material and shrink wrapping. You can install the weather stripping in your door frames to help prevent heat from sneaking in through the gap between the frame and the door. Use the shrink wrapping to seal up your windows for the same reason. When it comes to cooling your home more efficiently, keeping the heat outside is about as simple as it gets. To really seal in the cool air, put a beading of caulk around stationary windows as well.

Also, remember to use your ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioning system. While fans do not cool air the way that an air conditioner does, they do help to circulate air throughout your home. By distributing cooled air more effectively and evenly, you can increase comfort in your home while raising the temperature a bit at the thermostat as well. Operating fans, after all, requires much less energy than running your AC.

Finally, never underestimate the importance of scheduling routine St. Augustine, FL air conditioning maintenance service. Your air conditioner is going to get a lot of use this summer. Make sure that each and every component in that system is able to pull its own weight. The smoother the operation of your air conditioning system, the less energy it is going to take to cool your home.

For more information about how you can cool your home with greater efficiency, contact the St. Augustine air conditioning pros at Climate Masters. We are happy to help you enjoy greater comfort while reducing the amount you pay to do so. Call today to get started.

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What to Do if Your Air Conditioning System Breaks Down

Thursday, June 27th, 2013

Living in St. Augustine, a broken down air conditioning system is much more than a simple inconvenience. A busted AC can have a serious negative impact on the quality of life in your home, especially during the hottest days of the year. No matter how great your air conditioning system, though, and no matter how meticulously maintained it may be, there is always the chance that you will experience some trouble with its operation. Luckily for you, the St. Augustine, FL air conditioning experts at Climate Masters Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc. are always just a phone call away.

Before you do anything, it is always a good idea to quickly inspect some general components of your air conditioning system to ensure that there is not a simple explanation as to why it broke down. Never neglect the possibility of simple human error. Double check your thermostat to ensure that it is set to ‘cool’. If it has accidentally been switched over to the heating setting, your problem does not really require the services of a professional air conditioning repair technician.

You should also check out your electrical breaker box. It is possible that the circuit on which your air conditioning system operates has tripped a fuse. In this case you simply need to reset that breaker. Remember also to ensure that your air conditioning system is actually plugged into a power source and that the power line has not simply disconnected.

Never attempt to make any repairs to your air conditioning system on your own. Even if you think you know what the problem is, you must schedule your St. Augustine, FL air conditioning repair service with a qualified professional. Close your windows to trap in any cool air, and pull your shades to prevent heat from radiating in. Use any fans and ceiling fans that you may have while you sit tight and wait for your repair technician to arrive.

For more information about how to handle a broken down air conditioning system, call Climate Masters today. We can help you get the reliable air conditioning performance you need this cooling season. Contact us to schedule any professional St. Augustine, FL air conditioning services you may need.

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