5 Things To Consider When Selecting The Best Air Conditioning Brand

1. Lifespan - How Long Can The Air Conditioner Last

This is one of the most crucial considerations when choosing an air conditioner brand. The life-span of an air conditioner, or for how long it lasts, has a strong implication on a home owner's running costs.

Earlier systems actually have the tendency to last for a longer period-- sometimes 20 years. However, with the development of much more sophisticated electronics being incorporated into today's air conditioners, this is no longer the case. This holds true for any kind of electrical home appliance-- not simply air conditioner systems.

Different brand names differ in quality and durability. Even within the same brand, each unique model of air conditioner has it's one-of-a-kind idiosyncrasies.

A fast search on Google will generate numerous beneficial insights. This might be the best way to determine which brand is more durable - based on the experiences of other customers.

When doing your research, it's best to research for genuine comments by actual customers as opposed to the info posted by air conditioning companies-- which could be biased.

Typically, the more recent models of air conditioners provide at least 5 years service warranty on parts, labor and compressor-- with some manufacturers offering a little more.
So what's the best way to decide on the most effective air conditioning brand name based on durability? A viable approach would certainly be to talk to a specialist at AC by Florida Comfort Systems. we have actually worked in the air conditioning sector for a long time and certainly have the field knowledge and experience to offer some great ideas on which brands are last longer.

 

2. Power Efficiency - How Much Power Does The Air Conditioner Need

While durability may not have improved much for most brands over the years, energy efficiency is one area that every air conditioning brand name has actually improved over the years.

Current day top branded air conditioners have typically obtained the highest energy star score in the market. The leading brand names generally feature a 5-7 star rating-- which significantly minimizes the amount of power required by the air conditioner.

Inverter designs are generally the good choice. Air Conditioners with the Inverter feature have the ability to power down to a lower consumption mode when the thermostat sense the room has actually been cooled down to a pre-specified temperature.

3. Efficiency - How Effectively The Air Conditioner Cools A Space

Cooling performance of various brands can differ substantially. Even new models of the very brands could have wide ranging degrees of performance.

Generally, most air conditioners would do adequately well for regular sized rooms. If it's enclosed, especially. The real test happens when you attempt to cool down an open hall, or a large space.

Depending upon the power (BTU) of the fan coil or wall unit & compressor, an air conditioner model's cooling radius can vary dramatically. The larger the compressor, the bigger the cooling radius.

Check with friends or online customers reviews on which brand delivers the best cooling performance. People who have used different brands-- and who have experienced a not so good performing model-- KNOW for sure which brand not to go for.

Once more, talking with an installer at AC by Florida Comfort Systems is still a wise choice. We' ve been in the industry for many years and know the ins and outs of many brands and models. 

4. Special Features - Extra Functions That Are Unique To Each Brand

This is another essential factor to consider when selecting an air conditioner brand. Modern day technology has enabled the newer air conditioning models to come with flashy new functions. Some of these consist of:

Extensive Timer Controls - Preset on and also off times, and also running durations for each area.

Zoning - Divide your residence into various zones and present environments for every area!

Advanced Climate Control - Precisely regulate the temperature for each and every room

WiFi/ Remote Access - Turn on your heater or air conditioner 5 minutes prior to you get to home!

When choosing your air conditioner, ensure you compare all the attributes supplied by each brand! It's quite a fun exercise!

5. Reputation & Support

Of course, this point goes back for years. Solid brand names are established over years of top quality as well as a tested performance history. Once again do your very own research and figure out which brand name matches you a lot more.

Having a strong track record in the industry implies that major brands have actually stood the test of time, as well as have actually consistently delivered on quality, durability and customer satisfaction.

Based on these 5 key points, and some careful research, you should be able to pick out a good brand best suited to your needs.
Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems
Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
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Four Ways to Lower Your Home’s Humidity

During summertime in Naples, the atmosphere can grow steamy. Even indoors with the air conditioner running, the air can sometimes become sticky. But the relative humidity is important for personal comfort –high heat combined with high humidity hampers your skin’s evaporation rate and makes you feel sweaty. That’s one reason why it’s important to keep the humidity in your home lower than 60% – preferably 30-50% – in the summer. So if the air in your house is feeling a bit muggy, here are four ways to lower the humidity.



Check for leaks. A simple way to decrease humidity in your home is to seal any leaks in exterior walls and surfaces. Visually inspect windowsills and door frames and hold your hand near them to detect any air currents. Replace worn weather-stripping and caulk or otherwise fill any cracks to keep your air-conditioned, dehumidified air inside. Also, check how well-sealed your clothes dryer’s exhaust pipe and vent are. This is one humidity source that homeowners often forget to periodically review. But if your dryer vent is leaking inside the house, it’s adding a lot of heat and humidity to the atmosphere. So make sure its exhaust outlet is tightly sealed.

Install exhaust fans. Daily activities such as cooking and showering add considerable moisture to your home’s atmosphere. If your kitchen and bathrooms are not adequately ventilated, that moisture stays in the house. This not only increases the humidity – it also can cause health concerns like mold and mildew and structural concerns such as wood rot. So, if you don’t have them, consider installing exhaust vents in these rooms.

Promote air flow. If only certain rooms feel stuffy, you can try stand-alone fans to provide better air circulation and decrease humidity levels in those areas. But remember, to save on energy costs, only use fans, including ceiling fans, in occupied rooms. Fans cool by removing moisture from the skin. If no one is in the room, there’s no reason to run a fan. Also remember that in summer your ceiling fans should rotate counter-clockwise to draw cooler air up from the floor and distribute it through a room.

Have your HVAC inspected and maintained. Your air conditioner doesn’t just cool your home – it also removes moisture from the air. Leaks in your HVAC ductwork or an AC unit that is not functioning at peak efficiency will not only allow the humidity to creep higher in your home, it will also cost you more in cooling costs. That’s why it’s a good idea to have AC by Florida Comfort Systems do an inspection of your HVAC twice yearly.

If you are concerned that your home may have more serious humidity issues, AC by Florida Comfort Systems offers humidity control service. Call at 239-774-5501.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems
Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account

Know Your Filters

The air conditioning filter

is one of the most important air conditioning parts in the air conditioning system. Without it, your air conditioning system would be dirty and the air you breathe would be filled with pollutants. All air conditioning parts, from the duct work to the air conditioning refrigerant, need the air conditioning filter to be clean and replaced to ensure you're getting the very best in central air conditioning.

If an air conditioning filter is left dirty,

over time, it can lead to higher energy costs and short equipment life due to all the air conditioning parts relying on each other. One can not work without the other. Overall, your heating and cooling will not be as effective and you will need to invest in more air conditioning repair and air conditioning maintenance.

An air conditioning filter should be changed every month or every two months for home air conditioning systems and every couple of weeks for certain commercial or industrial air conditioning since it's running almost 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Doing this as a routine in your monthly chores and not waiting until you see dust matted on the air conditioning filter will ensure you and your family the very best health as well as a smooth running air conditioning system . Dust particles can not always be seen so even if you see a little dust on the air filter , clean it as you normally would.

Since there are a variety of air conditioning filters , how quickly one gets blocked versus another depends on the brand - most air conditioning filters are sized 1 ½ to 2 square feet for each ton of capacity for a home or commercial property.

You can judge a filter's ability to clean by using MERV ratings - Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value - which is a rating of how efficient an air conditioning filter is from 1-12. The higher the rating, the more effective it is at removing particles such as animal dander, pollen, dust, mold and other allergens, and the better the protection for your air conditioning equipment . Most air conditioning filters screen out particles measuring from 3 to 10 microns in size.

The common types of air conditioning filters are:

1. Conventional fiberglass disposable filters (1" and 2"): These are common in most homes and small industrial air conditioners and commercial air conditioning systems. Since they are disposable and have an adhesive coating that traps the dust, you should not clean the filters . This may damage the filter's ability to remove particles by damaging the adhesive coating and/or the underlying mesh work. They are both not as effective as other types of filters even though they are lower in cost.

2. Pleated fiberglass disposable filters (1" and 2"): The 1" are generally used in many residential and commercial settings and are made of materials that can vary in the effectiveness. Usually, they are more densely woven to increase the efficiency of removing dirt. These have a larger surface area to lead to increased trapping of particles as compared to conventional filters. They must be specified for your air conditioning system or this can lead to increased demand on your air conditioning components. Thereby, a mismatch can be counterproductive on the health of the air conditioning system and possibly lead to higher air conditioning maintenance and service cost. You should check with the air conditioning manufacturer as to the appropriate type of pleated filter for your system. A filter spray can also be applied after the cleaning and drying of the air conditioning air filter .

3. Electrostatic filters: Different in design and performance, since there are so many varieties, it is rather difficult to determine which is the most efficient. They are commonly advertised as allergy-free air conditioning filters. These filters also come in the 1" and 2" sizes. Air that moves through the filter creates a static charge that collects any dust in the filter. They may require more cleaning and more blower power.

4. Electronic filters : Connected to an electrical power source and usually wall mounted, electronic filters come with a pre-filter that can collect larger particles and only need to be cleaned every six months.

5. Carbon filters : These filters contain carbon that can control any odor problems you might have within the air conditioning system . They can also be useful in homes with pets. 
Air Conditioning Filter Installation

When placing the appropriate air conditioning filter in to the system, the filter should be placed in the correct direction as indicated by the arrow located on the side or face of the filter. Air should flow in the proper direction which is in the same direction as the arrows. This allows the filter to work appropriately, as the air exits the filter in the most reinforced part of the filter.

The air conditioning filter should fit tightly. A perfect seal is necessary to prevent unfiltered air from entering and damaging your air conditioning system. Without a perfect seal and appropriate sizing, the filter is useless. Additionally, the non-conventional filters may have a higher efficiency and may not fit your system. This should be checked with an air conditioning company, contractor, or air conditioning supply company.

If you are not sure what type and size filter your home needs, call AC by Florida Comfort Systems at 239-774-5501 and we will be happy to help.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
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Will Running an Air Conditioner in Cold Weather Damage It?

A step outside today is a quick indicator that maybe the brutal hot summer is over here in SW Florida. While it's still comfortable now, some cold weather is not far away. While most homeowners don’t want to cool their homes down in cold weather, some consider running their central air conditioner in order to test the system.  They may be making repairs or demonstrating to a potential buyer that the system is working.  In addition, home appraisers working on loan applications are required to inspect the HVAC system. Will running an air conditioner in cold weather damage it?

Running the Air Conditioner in Cold Weather is Not Recommended

Air conditioning manufacturers and HVAC professionals agree, an outdoor condensing unit should not be run in cold weather for any reason.  The cause of this prohibition is the oil used to lubricate the compressor. There’s a significant amount of oil in the compressor and it functions like oil in your vehicle’s engine.

Just like engine oil, compressor oil for condensing units has different grades. The oil that is used in central air conditioner compressors is summer-weight oil.  It is a heavy grade of oil that works well in warm conditions.  It can heat up and still provide the compressor with the lubrication and protection required, something lighter grade of oil could not do.  In cold weather, the oil is too thick for the safe functioning of the compressor.

Safe Weather Temperatures for Running an Air Conditioner

Most HVAC technicians and home appraisers won’t run a central air conditioner unless daytime temperatures are above well above 60 degrees F for at least 2-3 days prior to the test.  That doesn’t leave much time of the year for testing in some parts of the country.  In many instances, the appraiser has to note that he or she did not test the AC unit, being prevented by whether conditions.  Most say that they have never been asked by a loan officer to go back later and test the unit.  Usually, a visual inspection of the condensing unit, is enough to satisfy the underwriter for the loan.  Running the AC is not a make or break part of the process.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
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How to Clean Your Air Conditioner Drain
If you’ve ever taken a good look at your air conditioning unit, you may have noticed a small dripping line on the outside. This is the condensate drain, which plays an important role in removing condensation produced by your air conditioner's evaporator coil. If the line isn’t properly cleaned, algae and mold can grow inside and clog the drain, causing elevated humidity, musty odors and water damage inside your home.

Cleaning the line will remove clogs and blockages and prevent algae and mold from growing.

You will need these items to clean your A/C condensate drain:

• Rags
• A wet/dry vacuum
• Distilled vinegar
• A funnel
  
  

Follow these steps.

1. Turn off the power to your HVAC system at the thermostat and at the breaker.

2. If you have an indoor air handler in your attic or utility closet, you'll need to find the condensate pan. This is usually located directly under the unit. It may also be covered by a removable access panel.

3. If you see standing water in the drain pan, your drain line is probably clogged. Use a handheld or shop vacuum to remove the moisture. You can also use rags to soak up the water. At this point, you can clean the drain pan with soap.

4. Generally, clogged drains can be cleared with suction. If you have a shop vacuum, use it to pull the clog through the drain opening, which is located outside your house near the foundation. Place your hand around the pipe to improve suction and allow the vacuum to run for a minute. Then, check the vacuum canister to see if the clog was successfully removed.

5. Next, you'll need to identify the access point on the drain line. Usually, the drain will have a T-shaped vent with a PVC cover. Remove the cover and inspect the drain. Use this port to flush the drain with distilled vinegar. If you don't like the odor, you can use peroxide to gently bubble away the remaining debris. Alternately, you can use hot water and a drop of dish liquid.

6. Allow the solution to sit for 30 minutes. Complete the cleaning by flushing the pipe with water. Have a helper watch the pipe outside and tell you if the water is running freely.

Underlying problems with the system can also be responsible for compromised water flow. If the pan and drain line aren't slightly tilted, water can build up in the back of the pan and will eventually overflow. Many newer systems are equipped with overflow sensors installed within the pipe. 

If you're unsure or unable to clean your air conditioner’s drain line, call the professionals at AC by Florida Comfort System at 239-774-5501. We can clean the line and install an access vent, if necessary. Check the drain line periodically to ensure that condensation is being removed properly.

All the steps above plus many other preventative maintenance tasks are covered under AC by Florida Comfort Systems very affordable Annual Comfort Contract.

AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account

Protect Your AC System During A Hurricane

Hurricane do not strike without prior notice. However, when it does, often the severity is such that it leaves many households in shambles. Mostly electronic gadgets like home air conditioners take the maximum blow. Even after the effect of hurricane subsides, you may find your cooling unit in an unstable condition. So, how do you protect the air conditioning system from a hurricane's catastrophic effect?

Take Precautionary Measures before the Storm Strikes

Start taking preventive steps before the hurricane season sets in. If you are aware of the approximate time when the storm is going to strike, then prior to that, turn on the air conditioner. Adjust the setting such that the indoor temperature turns several degrees cooler than normal level. Such a pre-cooling helps keep the home temperature comfortable for longer hours, even if power failure happens accidentally.








Should you operate the cooling unit during the hurricane?

The answer is a big No. Strictly make sure that the air conditioning unit is switched off as the storm strikes. In many areas, the power supply gets interrupted during heavy storm or downpour. If the air conditioner is running at that time, it might suffer severe damage because of erratic power failures. As and when natural disaster strikes, irregular power interruptions put additional pressure on the compressor and other components of the cooling unit. Thus, you might end up changing the entire unit or some of its crucial components, once the storm has passed.

What you should do after the tropical storm passes?

It is suggested that you turn on the cooling unit, as early as possible. Some delay might happen because of power problems. Keeping the unit idle for too long, means you are inviting mold to grow in the unit’s ducts and system. Your home as well as the air conditioning system has just now gone through an extreme heat and high moisture weather mayhem. This provides perfect setting for mold to thrive.

At the same time, be careful if you suspect something amiss with the central air’s operation. In case, you feel the storm’s severity has damaged an inside part of the cooling system then trying to run would make the situation even worse. Detection or evidence of any electrical smoke should be taken seriously. In such a scenario, get it immediately checked by one of our technicians.

Prepare your Air Conditioner to Ward off Storm Effect

One thing to be kept in mind is that it is not always a hurricane which harms your cooling system. Sometimes heavy wind and rain play havoc too, damaging the air conditioning unit. So after any such natural disaster, you should consider a thorough checkup of the cooling system with special stress on duct cleaning.

No matter how devastating the hurricane looks, by following these simple tips you can efficiently protect the air conditioner throughout the stormy season.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account