Frequently Asked Questions
Standard filters work to keep your system and its duct work clean, but they can only do so much to improve indoor air quality. A media air cleaner does a much better job of trapping small particles. It rests between the main return duct and the blower cabinet and will improve dust and particle removal up to seven times more effectively than a standard filter.
Upgrading to a pleated media filter will remove everything from dust to airborne viruses from the filtered air. Always choose a filter that is not too restrictive. For optimal efficiency and filtration, we recommend that you replace your disposable filters every 30 – 90 days. If you have washable filters, you should clean them once a month during periods of heavy use.
On average, the life expectancy of an air conditioning system in Florida is 8-12 years.
- Refrigerant leaks due to rusted components.
- Breathing issues due to lack of maintenance of equipment
- Blown fuses.
- Drain line issues.
- Failed start components due to power surges
- Water leaking due to dirty filters
- Seized motors
Air Conditioning equipment, should be inspected, cleaned, and serviced at least once a year. For the best results in efficiency and indoor air quality is to have the system cleaned and checked twice a year due to Florida’s harsh environment.
Installing a programmable thermostat in your home helps you take control of how much energy you use for heating and cooling. If used effectively, a programmable thermostat can help you improve energy efficiency and save money on your utility bills.
Saving money on your monthly electric bills in the summer is important—so what is the best thermostat setting during the hottest season of the year? We recommend keeping your thermostat set to 72 degrees (at the lowest) with the fan set to AUTO rather than ON.
A heat pump is a combination of a heating and air conditioning systems. Like an air conditioner, it can cool your home, but it’s also capable of providing heat. In cooler months, a heat pump pulls heat from the cold outdoor air and transfers it indoors, and in warmer months, it pulls heat out of indoor air to cool your home. It is a more efficient way to heat your home.
Variable speed equipment is typically more efficient and creates a more comfortable environment for you. Traditional systems only read temperature and only use one-speed fans. Variable airflow systems have variable-speed fans that are more efficient because they run at lower speeds when higher speeds are not necessary. They also read both temperature and humidity. Therefore, these systems remove more moisture than traditional systems do, increasing your comfort when it is hotter outside. Finally, variable-speed fans are typically quieter because they are able to run more slowly when appropriate.
There are plenty of ways to improve the cooling efficiency in your home. First, you could replace your existing air conditioner with a newer, more efficient one. This will significantly lower your energy bills and cool your home much more effectively. Schedule a free estimate so we can help you find a unit that fits your home.
If you aren’t ready to upgrade your air conditioner, you can improve efficiency by setting your thermostat to a higher temperature. During the summer, set your thermostat to 75 degrees or higher. Every degree count: just 1 degree below 75 degrees will cause your energy bill to go up 3 to 5%.
Another small way to increase your home’s cooling efficiency is to avoid blocking vents. Move any furniture or curtains to evenly distribute air throughout your home.
Additionally, you can install ceiling fans. The U.S. Department of Energy says that a single ceiling fan “will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees with no reduction in comfort.” As we already mentioned, every degree will save you money on your energy bill.
Finally, make sure to get annual maintenance from a licensed contractor to ensure that your system is running as efficiently as possible, and to fix any potential issues.
It is important to purchase an air conditioner that is the right size for your home. If you buy an AC unit that’s too big, it will cool your home faster, but it will also be less efficient and will not eliminate humidity well enough. It will have short-run cycles. While it will cool the air quickly, it will shut off before it blows enough air across the indoor coil to drain water from your system. This will leave too much moisture in the air, which can lead to mold and mildew in your home.
Your system starting and stopping more often, may cause it to use more energy and wear down faster. Longer run cycles are more efficient.