To help make sure your air conditioning system is running efficiently, you should replace filters on a regular basis. Often people are tempted to buy inexpensive and less effective filters. At first glance it may be hard to see the advantage of spending the extra money for a better filter, but the extra you invest now may save you huge repair bills down the road.
If any filter becomes clogged it will block normal air flow to the a/c system and reduce the systems efficiency dramatically. When a filter is clogged air will be forced to bypass the filter and contaminate the evaporator coil with dirt and debris which will impair its heat absorbing capacity. In other words, it will cost more to cool the home.
Coils will naturally collect dirt over time, but a good filter will greatly reduce the amount and rate of buildup. Lesser expensive filters cause problems over time because they affect the systems performance and contribute to expensive service calls.
The better the filter – the more particles it will collect. Dust that does not get collected by your filter gets redistributed back into your home. If you suffer from allergies or other health concerns, the more efficient filters are a good decision. Quality filters with high MERV ratings will remove more household allergens.
It is estimated that a clean new filter can lower your AC systems energy consumption up to 16%.
Quality filters cost more in the short run, but in the long run they will pay for themselves in healthier air, a more efficient Air conditioning system, and less change of expensive maintenance bills.
Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance
Tuesday, October 25, 2011
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Clogged Drain Lines - An Avoidable Problem.
A very common reason for calling an air conditioning technician is when an air conditioning drain line becomes clogged. This is easily fixed and an avoidable problem, but a clogged drain line can potentially cost the homeowner much money and frustration.
When warm air from your home comes in contact with your air conditioning evaporator coil it creates a certain amount of condensation. This water has to go somewhere, and that is why air conditioning systems are equipped with a condensate pan and a small PVC pipe that leads to a drain system in or outside your home.
Unfortunately if the drain line becomes clogged it can back up into the pan and create a water leak. Depending on where your AC unit is located, a leak could cause some real damage, for example: if the system is located in an attic and the water leaks through the ceiling.
Drain lines clog up from dust and other matter that get into the AC System, as well as fungal and other buildup within the pipe. When an Air conditioning technician services your A/C System they will make sure you have a clean condensate drain line. One of the methods is to attach a wet/dry vacuum to the end of the drain line and forcibly draw any buildup from the pipe while they pour a non-hazardous natural cleaning agent into the drain line. They will also place anti fungal condensate pan tablets to the condensate pan that will also help to prevent sludge and buildup.
When Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. installs a new system they will take the extra time to create a cleanout in a section if the drain pipe that facilitates proper cleaning of the drain lines. Some systems do not have a cleanout and eventually the drain pipe needs to be cut in order to clean it.
In Florida, where we use our air conditioning for most of the year, drain lines should be cleaned twice a year to prevent water from leaking into the home. You should also use a quality air filter and make sure to change it regularly since dust particles and other matter can accumulate on the evaporator coil and end up in the drain line which can contribute to a drain line clog.
If you are the kind of person who likes to change your own oil, you may decide to clean your own A/C drain line. However, your Air Conditioning technician is the best person to do this work, and if you have a maintenance service agreement with a company they will check the whole system while they are there.
Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance
When warm air from your home comes in contact with your air conditioning evaporator coil it creates a certain amount of condensation. This water has to go somewhere, and that is why air conditioning systems are equipped with a condensate pan and a small PVC pipe that leads to a drain system in or outside your home.
Unfortunately if the drain line becomes clogged it can back up into the pan and create a water leak. Depending on where your AC unit is located, a leak could cause some real damage, for example: if the system is located in an attic and the water leaks through the ceiling.
Drain lines clog up from dust and other matter that get into the AC System, as well as fungal and other buildup within the pipe. When an Air conditioning technician services your A/C System they will make sure you have a clean condensate drain line. One of the methods is to attach a wet/dry vacuum to the end of the drain line and forcibly draw any buildup from the pipe while they pour a non-hazardous natural cleaning agent into the drain line. They will also place anti fungal condensate pan tablets to the condensate pan that will also help to prevent sludge and buildup.
When Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. installs a new system they will take the extra time to create a cleanout in a section if the drain pipe that facilitates proper cleaning of the drain lines. Some systems do not have a cleanout and eventually the drain pipe needs to be cut in order to clean it.
In Florida, where we use our air conditioning for most of the year, drain lines should be cleaned twice a year to prevent water from leaking into the home. You should also use a quality air filter and make sure to change it regularly since dust particles and other matter can accumulate on the evaporator coil and end up in the drain line which can contribute to a drain line clog.
If you are the kind of person who likes to change your own oil, you may decide to clean your own A/C drain line. However, your Air Conditioning technician is the best person to do this work, and if you have a maintenance service agreement with a company they will check the whole system while they are there.
Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance
Monday, October 10, 2011
Sarasota’s own “Ghost Hunters” crack the case of the clammy carpet.
Herbert Langstrom awoke one morning in his condo to find that the carpet in his living room was moist. It had not been raining, and there was no reason he could see that the carpet would be soggy.
Was this some sort of paranormal predicament? Some unearthly manifestation of an ectoplasm overload? What diabolical demon entered Mr. Langstroms condo while he was sound asleep and caused an otherwise normal carpet to exhibit such strange signs of wetness?
In desperation Herbert quickly contacted Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the real cause of the dastardly dampness was uncovered.
Turns out The vertical air handler in the condo had developed a clogged line which lead to a drain pan leak and caused water to drip down the inside of the wall and eventually come in contact with the carpet.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. quickly fixed the problem.
In this case there was no demonic apparition – only a faulty float switch and a rusted out drain pan. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, and Herbert can once again enjoy a dry floor surface and the reassurance that his condo is not the haunted.
Was this some sort of paranormal predicament? Some unearthly manifestation of an ectoplasm overload? What diabolical demon entered Mr. Langstroms condo while he was sound asleep and caused an otherwise normal carpet to exhibit such strange signs of wetness?
In desperation Herbert quickly contacted Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the real cause of the dastardly dampness was uncovered.
Turns out The vertical air handler in the condo had developed a clogged line which lead to a drain pan leak and caused water to drip down the inside of the wall and eventually come in contact with the carpet.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. quickly fixed the problem.
In this case there was no demonic apparition – only a faulty float switch and a rusted out drain pan. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, and Herbert can once again enjoy a dry floor surface and the reassurance that his condo is not the haunted.
Thursday, October 6, 2011
Sarasota’s own “Ghost Hunters” crack the case of the Electric Bill Horror.
Danny Dillworth has been plagued by high energy bills and odd sounds coming from his attic for months. While taking the garage out one night he was terrified to witness several small dark shapes with glowing eyes scurrying across his roof.
Were these small demonic entities that had infiltrated his attic? Maybe some devilish imps bent on slowly driving Mr. Dillworth mad? Danny would lie awake at night trembling in fear at every little bump in the night, dreading the thought that eventually these horrific hallucinations would materialize and come to claim his very sanity. How much higher could those electric bills get? Danny started having terrible nightmares about having to sell everything he owned just to pay FPL.
In desperation Danny turned to Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the true source of the unusually high electric bills was discovered.
Turns out there was a family of raccoons living in the attic. They had torn and chewed through most of the flexible duct work so that cold air was blowing into the attic.
After a pest control company was summoned to capture the critters, Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. fixed the problem by replacing the destroyed ductwork.
In this case there were no demonic denizens, only a family of curious and destructive pests. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, the electric bills are normal, and Danny has been getting a great night’s sleep knowing that his house is not haunted.
Were these small demonic entities that had infiltrated his attic? Maybe some devilish imps bent on slowly driving Mr. Dillworth mad? Danny would lie awake at night trembling in fear at every little bump in the night, dreading the thought that eventually these horrific hallucinations would materialize and come to claim his very sanity. How much higher could those electric bills get? Danny started having terrible nightmares about having to sell everything he owned just to pay FPL.
In desperation Danny turned to Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the true source of the unusually high electric bills was discovered.
Turns out there was a family of raccoons living in the attic. They had torn and chewed through most of the flexible duct work so that cold air was blowing into the attic.
After a pest control company was summoned to capture the critters, Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. fixed the problem by replacing the destroyed ductwork.
In this case there were no demonic denizens, only a family of curious and destructive pests. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, the electric bills are normal, and Danny has been getting a great night’s sleep knowing that his house is not haunted.
Wednesday, October 5, 2011
Sarasota’s own real “Ghost Hunters” crack the case of the weird whistling.
Margie Millhouse recently moved into a new house and starting hearing strange sounds coming from her dining room. At different times during the day there would be a sucking and slight whistling sound from behind her antique china cabinet. In the middle of the night she would hear the same eerie sound. If she turned the thermostat up the sound would disappear.
Was this some playful poltergeist pestering poor Margie? Was her home haunted by some ghastly ghoul hiding behind her china cabinet that likes it hot in the house and howls if the A/C is turned on?
In desperation Margie turned to Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the real origin of the strange sound was discovered.
Turns out there was a single undersized 20 x 20 return air duct located behind her china cabinet that was inadequate for supplying enough air to the air conditioning system. It didn’t help matters when she placed furniture in front of the return air duct and even further restricting the air flow.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. fixed the problem by adding extra return ducts and supply grills to balance the airflow throughout the home (as well as move her China cabinet to the other side of the room). They also performed maintenance on the A/C system to ensure it was operating smoothly and to catch any potential problems that could result in expensive repair bills down the road.
In this case there was no ghost – only insufficient return air ducts. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, and Margie has been getting a great night’s sleep knowing that her house is not haunted.
Was this some playful poltergeist pestering poor Margie? Was her home haunted by some ghastly ghoul hiding behind her china cabinet that likes it hot in the house and howls if the A/C is turned on?
In desperation Margie turned to Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the real origin of the strange sound was discovered.
Turns out there was a single undersized 20 x 20 return air duct located behind her china cabinet that was inadequate for supplying enough air to the air conditioning system. It didn’t help matters when she placed furniture in front of the return air duct and even further restricting the air flow.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. fixed the problem by adding extra return ducts and supply grills to balance the airflow throughout the home (as well as move her China cabinet to the other side of the room). They also performed maintenance on the A/C system to ensure it was operating smoothly and to catch any potential problems that could result in expensive repair bills down the road.
In this case there was no ghost – only insufficient return air ducts. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, and Margie has been getting a great night’s sleep knowing that her house is not haunted.
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