The A/C Guy of Tampa Bay Inc. Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

4 AC Repairs You Might Not Expect

Monday, February 26th, 2018

ac-inspection-repair“Does it just need more Freon?” is a question we hear quite frequently from our customers when the air conditioner is not working quite right. Yes, sometimes an air conditioner does need more refrigerant (the generic name for the chemical blend in your air conditioner). However, it’s usually much more than that, requiring sealing or a refrigerant leak—or a different problem altogether.

If your technician tells you that one of these 4 repairs is needed, you may be surprised. But it’s all too common for us!

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Why “SEER” Matters for Your AC Installation

Monday, February 12th, 2018

ac-unit-money-pileWhen shopping for nearly any electronic these days, you’ll find some kind of information about its energy efficiency as you compare products. Washing machines, TVs, and even landlines and fax machines may all carry the ENERGY STAR label, which shows that a system has met the energy requirements set forth by the EPA.

Air conditioners can also earn the ENERGY STAR label, but this only means that the system has met the minimum requirements to be considered “energy efficient.” If you live in Florida, you need more than the bare minimum. That’s why it’s so useful to look at the SEER.

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An Air Conditioning Problem You May Not Expect

Monday, January 15th, 2018

technician-hand-vent-ac-filterWhen an air conditioner won’t work properly, people often assume what they know to be common air conditioning problems. They may ask us, “Does it just need more refrigerant?” Or, “Is the thermostat broken?” We should let you know, before we move on, that while refrigerant leaks are common, simply refilling the refrigerant is rarely a solution. You must seal the leaks, too.

Otherwise, the thermostat is rarely the problem when the air conditioner completely struggles to run as intended, and we must look to components inside the system. We may have to do a bit of detective work to determine what went wrong, and often we find it’s the same culprit: the air filter.

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Install Your Air Conditioner in the Off-Season!

Monday, December 18th, 2017

warm-couple-floorWinter is coming, and that doesn’t mean much when you live in the Tampa area. You can expect cooler weather, sure, but there are unpredictable moments when you may still want to use your air conditioner. Still, it gets a nice break during this season, which helps you to save energy—especially if you’ve got an older air conditioner that no longer runs efficiently.

But if this is the case, you may start to consider the benefits of replacing your older AC system with a high-efficiency unit. And the best time to do this is during the off-season, when “winter weather” hits and you don’t need the air conditioner throughout the day and night any longer.

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How a Whole-House Dehumidifier Makes a Difference

Monday, December 4th, 2017

Florida-beach-home-comfortableWe all know how draining the effects of high humidity can be. If you live in Florida, you deal with it all the time. You’re thankful to have a central air conditioning system to come home to on a hot, humid day. But is this really the solution your home deserves?

A whole-house dehumidifier that works with your air conditioning system may be the better choice. We know that many homeowners keep portable dehumidifiers around the house, but this just isn’t the same. It’s time to consider a whole-house approach for better comfort, air quality, and energy savings. Learn more about these benefits below, and call our team when you’re ready for a new installation.

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3 Common AC Misconceptions

Monday, November 6th, 2017

high-efficiency-ac-unitDid you know that the first air conditioner built in 1902 was actually designed to dehumidify? The fact that it could cool the air was only a secondary consideration, as Willis Carrier simply needed a system that could help with humidity problems at a printing company.

There’s likely a lot you don’t know about your air conditioner. To be honest, you really don’t need to know very much about the ins and outs of central AC. Technicians have the proper training to deal with these components, and they’re the only people qualified enough to provide service. We do think, however, that it’s important to clear up a few common AC misconceptions. What you think you may know about air conditioning could be harmful in the end—at least for your wallet.

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The Dangers of a Leaky Condensate Drain in Your Air Conditioner

Monday, October 9th, 2017

water-drop-threeLeaks around the home are often a big deal. If you notice a roof leak in the middle of a rainstorm, you might go running to the neighbor’s house to borrow a tarp and frantically search through the phone book for an available roofer. When a leak springs from a pipe, you put down buckets and call a plumber as soon as you can. These leaks can do a lot of damage, no question, but it’s easy to catch them early on.

The leaks that end up doing the most damage tend to be those you cannot see. The one that concerns our business is a leak from the condensate drain of an air conditioner. This is a huge concern in a humid area like ours, so it’s important to keep track of any potential signs of a leak and call in technicians ASAP.

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How Often Should I Change My Home Air Filter?

Monday, September 11th, 2017

standard-filter-changeIf you’re not sure how often you need to change the air filter in your home—and you’re not even sure why it’s so important—you’re not alone. To be honest, most of the people we talk to about the air filters that serve their air conditioning systems (and heaters) are misinformed about many aspects of their purpose and how to maintain them.

Today, we want to clear up some misconceptions. Changing the filter regularly can actually help to prevent air conditioning repair. Our repair technicians hate to see repairs that could have been prevented, which is why we feel it’s our duty to help.

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The Importance of Maintaining Your Central Air Conditioner

Monday, August 28th, 2017

AC-technicians-repairA central air conditioning system is a complex piece of machinery, but it’s also built tough. It’s designed to take on the wear and tear that collects over the years—to an extent. But some wear and tear is largely preventable, and only adds unnecessary strain to your AC.

Proper air conditioning maintenance is important, as we’ll show you in today’s guide. And it’s easier to have done than you may think—when you work with a qualified team of technicians. Learn how and why to keep your air conditioner in the best condition possible today.

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Choosing the Right AC Installation for Your Home

Monday, August 14th, 2017

AC-flower-condenserHopefully, you don’t have to purchase new large appliances for your home often. When you have the right appliance in your home, it should last you many years—over a decade in the best cases—and that means you might not have much experience picking out something like a central air conditioning system.

When it comes time to shop around for a new air conditioner, you’re going to need a little help. Luckily, our comfort specialists are more-than-qualified for the job, and you can call us whenever you need a hand. For now, check out our tips on selecting an air conditioner that truly cools your home and saves you the most money.

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