Types of Air Conditioning Units

There are two main types of air conditioning available in New Port Richey - conventional air conditioner systems and ductless central air conditioning units. A conventional air conditioning system works by drawing hot, humid air into return ductwork, cooling and dehumidifying it and returning it into the room. Central air conditioning units can be split, meaning there is a condenser/compressor unit outside and an evaporator unit inside, usually mounted on the furnace or an air handler. Ductless central air conditioning units work using an outdoor compressor that serves individual units that contain an evaporator and blower fan. These are usually placed on the top half of a room's exterior walls. The units are large, but relatively unobtrusive. It is often more expensive than a conventional unit, but homeowners can save a lot of money by not having to have their homes fitted with ductwork. As opposed to window units, a ductless system is quieter, doesn’t block your view and will also heat the home.

Size Matters

If you get a central air conditioning unit that is too big, your house will be damp and cold and it will cycle on and off too much. If it's too small, it will not be able to keep up and could freeze. A lot goes into determining the size of the air conditioning unit: size of the home, number of stories, insulation, number and quality of the windows, amount of direct sunlight and even the amount of shade your home gets. Collectively, this is called a cooling load analysis. Our air conditioning New Port Richey services can help you determine what size is right for your home.

Efficiency: Today’s low-efficiency units are as good as high-efficiency central air units made just 10 to 12 years ago. With the price of energy skyrocketing, it’s a great time to replace an old unit. You could save 30 to 50 percent on cooling costs and reduce your home’s environmental footprint.

Filter: If you have a family member who suffers from allergies or asthma, air quality is important. Look for an AC unit with a high Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value.

Price: You can expect to pay a lot for central air conditioning. The price can be anywhere from $3,500 -$7,000, depending on a variety of factors, including the size of your home, what needs to be done and the efficiency of the model you choose. If you need ductwork installed, it can run $8,000-$10,000 or more. Just remember that the expense is so worth it in the long run!

How to Keep Your AC Repair Bills Down

You can keep your AC repair costs down just by following a few simple steps. All it takes a bit of common sense and knowing which things you can do on your own and when it's time to call in somebody who is qualified to service your air conditioning system unit.

Routine maintenance.

Regularly checking your system for leaks, making sure all moving parts are running smoothly, lubricating when necessary, and changing the filters as recommend are the 4 simplest things can do to keep your AC repair bills down. Check the owner's manual that came with your air conditioning system for the recommended frequency for changing the filters. A good rule of thumb is to change the filter every six weeks, but things such as the type of air filter you are using, the overall air quality in your home, occupancy of the home, and whether or not you have pets all play a part in determining how often you should change the filter. Also, be sure that you are using the right size filter for your unit. Having a filter that is too small can allow contaminated air to flow in, causing damage to the unit. This can be costly, and if the problem was caused by installing the wrong filter, it won't be covered by the warranty. Our AC repair Lakeland services can assist you in determining the correct filter size for your unit!

Limit the use of the system.

You can also cut down on AC repair costs by limiting the use of your unit. Adjusting the thermostat to its lowest comfortable settings can ensure a longer life for your air conditioner. This can help keep your energy costs down as well. If you happen to be going away for long periods of time, for more than 2 or 3 days, set your thermostat at about 82 degrees. This way it will still run when it needs to, but it won't run more than necessary.

Know when to call in a professional.

Another way to keep your AC repair bills down in to have your system inspected by a qualified professional at least once a year. If you start hearing strange noises or funny smells coming from the unit, call a professional for help as soon as possible. Only a qualified technician can identify potential problems early, and fix these problems before more costly AC repairs are necessary. A qualified technician can also lubricate any mechanical parts that you can't get at, and check and refill coolant as needed. Many homeowners will try to do more maintenance on their unit than they really should be doing, and sometimes they end up breaking something and causing more damage than they are trying to prevent. Know your limitations, and don't try to do more than you can safely handle.

What to Expect During An Air Conditioning Installation

Buying a new air conditioning system is a big decision. It not only affects your wallet, but it has a big impact on your entire household on the day of installation. Being prepared for the installation will help you have a better experience, allowing you to spend less time stressing out and more time enjoying your newly installed air conditioning!

Prior to the installation.

Before the air conditioning contractor begins any installation work, they will meet with you to explain the installation process, answer any questions you may have, and make sure there are no surprises during the installation. They will probably give you an estimate of how long the installation will take. Unless unexpected problems arise, the installation should be completed within 8 to 12 hours. They will also give you some guidelines and suggestions to make the installation process go as smoothly as possible. Most contractors will ask that you keep the work area cleared for the air conditioning installation technicians to work. They may also ask that you keep small children and animals away from the work area while they are there. This is for the safety of the technicians, as well as for the safety of your children and pets.

Perhaps you can make arrangements with a neighbor or a relative to keep your children and pets until the installation and clean up has been completed. Our West Pasco air conditioning services can answer any additional questions you may have.

The air conditioning installation technicians.

When the air conditioning installation technicians arrive, they will review and confirm with you the work that is to be performed. They will also discuss any special instructions or address any concerns that you might have about the installation. A professional installation technician crew will be just as courteous and professional as the salesperson that you dealt with when you purchased your new air conditioning system. Before entering your home to begin the work, the technicians will put on protective shoe covers to keep your home clean. Floors and carpets will be covered with drop cloths, ensuring that your home remains just as beautiful when they leave as it was when they arrived. Professional installation technicians will not smoke or use inappropriate language while in your home, and they will always respect you, your home and your property.

After the installation.

Once the air conditioning installation is complete, the technicians will review their work with you, making sure you understand how to operate your new system. This includes programming your thermostat and showing you how to change filters. They will make sure the job is done to your satisfaction. Finally, the installation technicians will clean up the work area and see to it that your home is left in the same condition as when they arrived.

Choosing the Right Heating and Air Conditioning Company

Choosing a heating and air conditioning company can be a headache, or a really great experience. Don’t let it be a painful chore. Use these seven helpful tips to choose a heating and air conditioning company that is just right for you.

• 1. Find a few. Your first step is to find a couple options for a heating and air conditioning company. Ask your local family and friends for referrals. Referrals are the best way to find a really great company. If you can’t get any referrals, check out local online listings, like Google Places or look for some PR, where customers can leave reviews. Read through the reviews for local heating and air conditioning companies to get a feel for how well the company is respected. Select several companies that you might be interested in choosing.
• 2. Certifications. Check that the heating and air conditioning company has all the proper certifications and licensing that it needs. The company should be licensed to service your local area, and the technicians should be certified as well. Check for an E.P.A. certification.
• 3. Customer service. When you call, find out how you like the customer service. The staff should be welcoming and professional--they should want your business! Frustrating and unprofessional staff will only keep you from getting the problem with your heat or air fixed. If you’re not comfortable calling to get help, it’s the wrong company for you.
• 4. Hours. The hours that a heating and air conditioning company is available is extremely important when choosing a company. Air conditioning units have a bad habit of breaking down at the most inconvenient times--like 11:00 at night. To ensure that you and your family stay comfortable and safe, go with a company that offers 24 hour service.
• 5. Professional and courteous. The repairmen and technicians that you allow into your home should always be professional and courteous. If you aren’t comfortable having them working in your home, you need to find a different company. No matter what the business is, the professionals should always do their best to be knowledgeable and courteous, putting you at ease and following ethical standards.
• 6. Safety. Your heating and air conditioning company Tampa repairman should be prepared for all safety issues. Handling mold, or power issues, a heating and air conditioning company should be capable of dealing with any safety issues, and knowing what precautions to take to safeguard its employees and customers.
• 7. Experience. Choose a heating and air conditioning company with experience and a good reputation. Experience will make a difference in how well the repairmen will be able to diagnose and fix the problem.

With these simple tips on how to choose a great heating and air conditioning company, you will be able to quickly find a company that works well for you. If you are unsure if a company is right, don’t ever be afraid to get a second opinion. Find the right heating and air conditioning company for you today!