Climate Masters Blog: Posts Tagged ‘St. Augustine’

Problems Caused by Damaged Ductwork

Thursday, December 18th, 2014

The ducts in your home are largely hidden from view, passing through the walls, floors, and ceilings in order to reach a vent that delivers conditioned air into your home. That’s why it’s important that the ducts in your home remain in stable condition, without any problems that could allow air to leak out from any random holes or cracks.

Damages in the ducts occur more frequently than you may think. The ducts are subjected to quite a bit of air pressure every day, and certain materials may actually begin to crack under the pressure. Ducts that are not completely sealed or professionally maintained can end up with any of the following problems. In most cases, the only solution is calling a professional for duct repair in St. Augustine.

  • Reduced Efficiency: As air leaks out of your damaged ductwork, it cannot move into your home. This means you’re paying money to condition a space like an attic or crawlspace while your unit continues to run at full force for long periods of time.As it attempts to get your home back to the right temperature, you’ll end up paying a lot more on your utilities.
  • Poor HVAC Performance: When air leaks out of the ductwork, your HVAC system will have to struggle in order to work as it should. Parts can become overworked as a result and wear down to the point that they need replacement.
  • Contaminants in the Air: Finally, damaged ductwork allows air from unoccupied spaces to enter your home. Air flowing through the ducts may suck in contaminants from unconditioned areas like the attic, and some of the dust or insulation material can be inhaled as it moves through your home, negating the purpose of the AC filter in your house.

It’s imperative that you have a professional repair your ducts, as they have the tools and expertise to find areas of reduced pressure in order to properly determine from which areas your ducts are leaking. Furthermore, they have the right types of sealants and tapes: standard duct tape is NOT a good solution for damaged ducts and could actually pose a fire hazard and emit some dangerous fumes when heated.

Climate Masters is the only company you’ll need for duct repair, duct sealing, and more.

Contact us today to schedule duct repair in St. Augustine if you suspect a problem due to heating inefficiency, strange noises, or any other suspicious activity.

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How Does Hybrid Heating Work?

Thursday, December 11th, 2014

One of the reasons people love heat pumps is because they offer both heating and cooling. But there can be some concern about the heating heat pumps can provide when the air temperature dips below 32 degrees. If you have concerns about using just a heat pump to heat your home, you may want to consider the installation of a hybrid heating system. Why? A hybrid heating system is comprised of a heat pump as your main source of heating, with a back-up gas furnace. This means that no matter what the temperature may be outside, you will always be warm and comfortable inside. First, let’s take a look at how a hybrid heating system works.

There are two main components of a hybrid heating system: the heat pump and the gas furnace. Heat pumps provide heat by absorbing the available heat in the outside air, concentrating it, then distributing it to your living spaces. As the air becomes colder, less heat is available in the air for the heat pump to absorb; this is why, when it’s 32 degrees or colder, your heat pump may not heat your home as well as you need it to. This is where the back-up furnace comes in. With a hybrid system, your heat pump is equipped with a sensor that is programmed with a set-point temperature that automatically switches your heating system from the heat pump to the furnace. Typically, this temperature is set a few degrees above the freezing point. A set-point temperature is also set to switch back to the heat pump. The switch is automatic and works in conjunction with your home’s dual-fuel thermostat.

Benefits of a Hybrid Heating System

  • Energy efficiency – with a hybrid heating system, you will still gain the energy-saving benefits of using a heat pump, which can improve your home’s overall efficiency levels.
  • Comfortable heating – with a hybrid heating system, you’ll never have to worry about a lack of heat as the gas furnace back-up ensures that heat is always available.
  • Heating and cooling – with a hybrid system, you can still enjoy the heating and cooling offered by a heat pump.

If you’ve been concerned about your heat pump’s ability to provide enough heat during winter, a hybrid heating system in St. Augustine may be just what you’ve been looking for.

Contact Climate Masters today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

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Don’t Wait for a Breakdown before Scheduling Heating Repair

Thursday, December 4th, 2014

A sudden heating breakdown can be a major annoyance during a particularly cool day. It’s especially a nuisance for those among us who have ill family members or other circumstances that require the temperature to remain consistent throughout the day and night. Whatever your situation, it’s important to pay attention to the signs that your heating system may be in need of repair so that you won’t be put out by a sudden system failure.

You may think that a seemingly minor problem can wait for repairs. Your heat pump or furnace may simply not produce as much heat as you’d like, or a small noise can be a bit of an inconvenience. However, it’s important to note that even the smallest of issues can signal major trouble for your heater. Problems can develop until the parts begin to wear down and, eventually, fail. Let’s look at a couple of examples.

Let’s say the lack of heat from your heat pump is due to a refrigerant leak. If you let the leak go on for too long, it can continue to drip out of the refrigerant line. Your compressor requires a certain amount of refrigerant to move through it at each cycle, so the leak may cause the compressor to become overworked and fail. Alternatively, imagine that the lack of heat from your furnace stems from a faulty fan. The fan will continue to attempt to run at high speeds, wearing down the motor and consuming a lot of energy in the process.

Not experiencing any heating problems? You should still consider calling a technician for annual maintenance sometime soon. Heating maintenance is vital in preserving your heating system for a long period of time and preventing repairs. A tune up can also keep your heater running more efficiently, saving you money every month. Besides, you may have a minor repair need which you had not noticed, and it’s better to know now than to wait for a breakdown later on.

Contact Climate Masters for fast and reliable repairs for your heating in St. Augustine. We offer 24-hour emergency service so you can get your heater back to normal as soon as possible.

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Why Doesn’t My Pool Heater Provide Enough Heat?

Monday, November 17th, 2014

Pool heaters are one of the best parts of having a pool in the first place. After all, a body of water as large as a swimming pool takes a very long time to heat up on its own, and is completely dependent on the day’s current climate. You spent all that money for a pool, so you probably want to use it whenever you feel like it, not just when it’s a hot day out. As such, it’s really horrible to jump into your pool expecting it to be heated, only to find that it’s absolutely freezing. Let’s examine what might be causing your pool heater to malfunction, so you can see about getting fixed as soon as possible.

Thermostat

As with almost every heating problem, the very first thing you want to do is check the thermostat. It may seem obvious, but you would be surprised how many heating problems can be solved through simple thermostat adjustment. If everything is set correctly but still isn’t working, you may also have a malfunctioning thermostat.

Pump Blockage

In order for your pool heater to actually heat the water, it needs to pump it through the system and back out into the pool. Debris can often block the intake for the heater pump, restricting the water flow and reducing the amount of water it can heat. Be sure to check your pump intake and clear out anything that may be obstructing it.

Pilot Light

Just like most heating systems, a lot of pool heaters are gas-powered. This means they have a pilot light, and it can blow out just as easily as any home heating pilot light. Check to make sure that your pilot light is lit, if you have one. If it isn’t, you can either relight it yourself (if you know how) or have a professional do it for you. If you’ve relit your pilot light several times and it keeps blowing out, you may have some more serious issues.

If you’re having problems with your pool heater, contact Climate Masters. We conduct pool heater repairs throughout St. Augustine.

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A Few Considerations before Installing a Pool Heater

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

What’s the point of investing in a swimming pool if you cannot enjoy it throughout the year? Choosing to install a pool heater is the first step in making the most out of your home’s swimming pool, but there are a few things to consider before calling a contractor for installation. To speak with experts about pool heaters in St. Augustine, call the friendly technicians at Climate Masters.

Choose an Efficient System for Greater Energy Savings

One important consideration you should make involves cost, and not only the cost of installation. An inefficient pool heater can cost you so much in monthly fees that you may end up using it quite sparingly, defeating the purpose of installing a heater in the first place. Ask your technician about different types of pool heaters: electric, gas-powered, and heat pumps. A heat pump pool heater is one of the most efficient ways to heat up a pool or even the air in your home because it simply moves heat from one place to the next instead of creating heat.

You Need Professionals to Size and Install Your System

Be sure to select professional installers with experience before hiring a company for installation. Pool heater installation is not a job for someone without the proper expertise. A heater that is too small will not get the job done, while a heater that is too large will cost you every month on your energy bills. With faulty installation, you may notice inadequate heating or a system that breaks down often.

Maintenance is Key to Efficiency and Performance

Finally, you should remember that owning a pool heater or any mechanical device means there is always a possibility for sudden breakdowns. Be sure to follow any steps of maintenance as instructed by the technician, and schedule maintenance with a skilled contractor every year. A thorough cleaning and inspection can keep your unit in top shape and reduce the standard wear and tear that develops throughout the years.

For maintenance, repairs, and installation, call Climate Masters. We offer a variety of pool heaters in St. Augustine to suit your particular sizing and efficiency needs.

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When to Call for Commercial HVAC Repair

Monday, October 13th, 2014

If your business environment is uncomfortable, it can have an impact on your customers, your employees and, ultimately, your business. This is why it’s important to know the signs of developing problems and to have a reliable company you can call to repair those problems. Commercial HVAC repair in St. Augustine should always be handled by certified and trained commercial technicians to ensure that you are getting the expert commercial HVAC service you need for your business, so call the people you can trust: Climate Masters.

Signs It’s Time to Call for Repair

Here are some signs that it may be time to call for commercial HVAC service:

  • Warm air blowing – warm air blowing in your system can be indicative of a few problems, most commonly refrigerant issues.
  • Visible leaking – leaks can indicate that something is wrong with some part of your condensate array, which consists of your condensate tray and condensate drain pipe.
  • No air at all – a number of problems can cause a total loss of air, including broken fans and compressor problems. As such, it’s important to hire a professional to inspect your system.
  • High energy bills – are your energy bills rising even though you haven’t changed the way you operate your HVAC system? High energy bills indicate that your system is working harder to achieve the set temperature, and as it does so, it is using more energy. Finding the problem can be challenging, so it’s best to call a specialist.
  • Strange sounds – as the business owner, you know the sounds your HVAC system makes while it operates. If you are hearing something out of the ordinary, don’t ignore it.
  • Strange odors – strange odors can indicate faulty ductwork, mold development or even an electrical problem. As with strange sounds, it is not advisable to ignore strange odors.

Your commercial HVAC system is complex. It takes knowledge, expertise and prior commercial experience to successfully repair a commercial HVAC system in St. Augustine, so make sure you hire a company with actual commercial experience.

Climate Masters has been helping commercial customers since 1988, and we bring this experience to every job we do. Call us today!

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How Duct Sealing Benefits Your HVAC System

Monday, October 6th, 2014

Have you noticed unusual, musty smells coming from the vents in your house? Has the strength of the airflow from the vents dropped? Are your recent utility bills higher than you expected? Does it seem like more dust than usual is clogging up the corners of rooms?

If the answer to any of these questions is “yes,” then you may have air leaks in your home’s ventilation system. To fix this problem, leave the duct tape in the drawer and call on duct sealing specialists to locate all the leaks and seal them.

Duct sealing is important for maintaining comfort and to prevent a decline in your home’s indoor air quality. It is also a service that is beneficial for your HVAC system, as we will explain below. For experienced technicians to attend to your damaged ductwork in St. Augustine, FL and the rest of St. Johns County, call Climate Masters today. We offer multiple services to take care of your ducts, including sealing, repair, replacement, and cleaning.

The ways that duct sealing is good for your HVAC system

The most important reason you need to have leaks in your ductwork sealed up is that they will cause a drop in the air pressure inside the ducts. Ventilation systems are supposed to retain an airtight seal along their length to keep air pressure from dropping; if this seal is broken, it will force the air conditioning or heating system to work harder to compensate for the loss. An overworked HVAC system will 1) cost more to run, and 2) wear down faster, resulting in an early replacement.

Because gaps in ducts will usually open on dusty areas of a home (such as spaces between walls), they often permit large amounts of contamination into the ventilation system. This dust, dirt, and other debris will not only get blown into the living spaces of a house, lowering indoor air quality, they will also end up clogging the air filter of the HVAC system and even entering the cabinet itself. A clogged air filter will severely hamper an air conditioner or heater’s performance. If this debris should enter the cabinet, it can cause damage to the components, leading to repair needs.

Call for professional duct sealers

Duct sealing requires special equipment to locate the air leaks and then seal them. Specialists in ductwork repair will use mastic sealant or metallic tapes to close up all the holes and gaps they find inside ducts to restore their integrity.

When you call Climate Masters to seal your ductwork in St. Augustine, FL, you not only receive high quality work, you may also qualify for rebates available through Florida Power & Light Company.

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Signs You Need a Whole-Home Dehumidifier

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Part of the comfort you feel from an air conditioning system involves moisture control. This is because your air conditioner removes humidity as it removes heat. When there is too much humidity in the air, your AC may not be able to successfully remove enough of moisture to make things feel comfortable. But humidity does more than just make the air feel uncomfortable: it can damage your belongings and cause health issues. The installation of a whole-home dehumidifier in St. Augustine can remove the excess moisture in the air while your AC cycles, reducing the effects of high humidity. Professional installation of a whole-home dehumidifier from Climate Masters can re-balance the moisture level in your home.

Signs of Excess Humidity

There are a few telltale signs that there may be too much humidity in your home:

  • Condensation on the inside of your windows – water beads or fog on the inside of your windows indicates there is too much moisture in the air. If left unattended, this moisture may eventually rot the wood casings around the windows; mold can also develop.
  • Mold spots – mold thrives in moist environments; this can include walls and ceilings, particularly in bathrooms and basement spaces.
  • Musty odor – mold has a distinctive, musty odor. If you smell it, you most likely have mold somewhere, even if you can’t see it.

How a Dehumidifier Works

A whole-home dehumidifier removes the excess moisture from the air before it can get into in your system. How does it work? The dehumidifier fan draws warm, humid air over a cold coil, which condenses the moisture into liquid; the water is removed via a drain pipe. The now-dry air then passes over a warm coil and is added back into your system. A whole-home dehumidifier can be seamlessly added to your air conditioning system, and works as part of the system so there’s no extra managing it on your part.

Excess humidity can cause damage to your home and health problems for you and your family.

If you see the signs of excess humidity, it may be time to consider the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier in St. Augustine. Call Climate Masters today.

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What Do the Coils in an Air Conditioning System Do?

Tuesday, August 5th, 2014

Your air conditioner has 3 key parts: the condenser, the compressor and the evaporator. Inside the condenser and the evaporator units are coils that are important to the heat release/cooling process of your air conditioning system in St. Augustine. Both sets of coils work similarly, but each has a specific job of its own, as we’ll explain below.

What Is a Coil?

The coils in your air conditioner are copper tubing surrounded by aluminum fins. The tubing is small and narrow, and the metal fins around them act as a radiator. The job of the coils is to help with heat transfer.

How Do the Coils Work?

The purpose of both sets of coils is to assist with heat transfer, but each does it a little differently:

  • Condenser coils – the condenser coils are part of your condenser in your outdoor unit. The refrigerant flows into the coils from the compressor, where it changes states from a cool, low pressure gas to a hot, high pressure gas. As the refrigerant makes its way through the condenser coils, it loses heat. The condenser fan helps with this process by sucking the heat of the refrigerant away from the coils and blowing it into the outside air. By the time the refrigerant reaches the evaporator valve, which connects to the evaporator unit and coils, the gas has cooled but is still warm, and the pressure has dropped.
  • Evaporator coils – as the refrigerant passes through the evaporator valve, it loses more pressure and heat, and as a result, changes states once again. When it flows into the evaporator coils, it is a cool liquid. Warm air from your home is blown over the chilled coils; the refrigerant absorbs the heat, changes states, and moves into the compressor as a cool gas. The refrigeration cycle begins again.

Common Problems That Affect Coils

The most common problem to affect coils is low refrigerant. When the refrigerant level is low, the entire heat release/cooling process becomes imbalanced. Coils that are warm get too hot, and coils that are cool get too cold. Many times, this situation can result in ice formation.

A second common problem is dirt and dust accumulation on the coils. When dirt and dust accumulate on your coils over a long period of time, they can form a layer that acts as insulation; this can negatively affect how the coils release heat.

The best way to keep your coils is good shape is to schedule bi-annual maintenance. Coils are thoroughly cleaned during maintenance appointments, and refrigerant levels are checked for leaks.

Have questions about your air conditioning system in St. Augustine? Call the team of trained and certified cooling experts at Climate Masters today!

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When Is It Time to Go with Duct Replacement?

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

It can be easy to forget about your ductwork because it is not easily seen. But like any other part of your air conditioning system, your ducts can suffer from damage and breakdown, and at some point, may need replacement. So how do you know when it’s time for duct replacement in St. Augustine? Here are a few signs that it may be time to replace your ductwork:

  • Very high energy bills – are you using your air conditioner the same as always but see a big jump in your energy usage? This could be an indication of air loss in your ductwork, and until it is fixed, your ductwork will continue to leak.
  • Excess humidity – humidity can get into your ductwork through cracks and disconnections, and because humidity enters your vents directly, it also gets added directly to your airstream and delivered to your indoors. Excess humidity can cause multiple problems, including stress to your air conditioner, mold growth in your ducts, and poor indoor air quality in your home.
  • Distinct hot and cold spots – it is normal to have a small variance in temperature in different parts of your home, but if you experience sharp fluctuations, there may be a problem with certain air ducts and the volume of air they are carrying.
  • Mold or mildew growth – mold and mildew thrive in cool, dark and moist environments, which can make your ductwork the perfect place for such pollutants to grow. Metal ducts can usually be cleaned of mold and mildew, but plastic ductwork can retain both the mold and spores after a cleaning, so to fully eradicate it, replacement may be required.
  • Crushed and/or collapsed ductwork – ducts are not made to withstand heavy pressure from outside objects; they may also collapse due to broken connections. In either case, not only is your air flow compromised, but so is the overall operation of your air conditioning system. Collapsed ductwork may be reconnected if there is minimal damage, but crushed ductwork will most likely need to be replaced.

Always Hire a Professional for Duct Replacement

Your ductwork is the delivery system for your air conditioner, so it’s very important that it be well-designed and installed properly; this is why you should always use a trained professional for any and all ductwork.

For almost 25 years, Climate Masters has installed and replaced ductwork in St. Augustine. If you think it may be time to replace your ductwork, call us today.

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