The A/C Guy of Tampa Bay Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

Always Jump on Air Conditioning Repairs Early

Monday, April 9th, 2018

residential-ac-topSpring has only just arrived, and we’re already looking at higher temperatures and regular use of your air conditioner. That’s only going to get worse as spring turns to summer, and soon enough, we’ll be running our air conditioners every day just to keep comfortable in the heat.

If there is a problem with your air conditioner, it is always better to spot it sooner rather than later. That tends to keep repair costs down, since the damage hasn’t had as much time to spread and gives you some flexibility in determining the best time to schedule repairs. (A breakdown in the summer usually means you have to reschedule your entire life and conduct repairs immediately.)

That means now is an excellent time to check your system for possible problems. No one should formally diagnose an air conditioning issue, much less attempt repairs (air conditioners contain potentially dangerous components like refrigerants, which require formal licensing to handle) unless they are professionals, but you don’t need to be an expert to spot the sign that something’s wrong.

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Cooling and Heating Tips During Mild Weather

Monday, March 26th, 2018

AC-technicians-repairWhen it’s hot outside, you know you need your air conditioning equipment in the best shape possible to get you through it. But when it’s neither too hot nor too cold, you probably don’t really think of your heating and cooling equipment at all. We think, however, that there is a lot that can and should be done for your heating and cooling equipment in mild weather.

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What Size Should Your Air Conditioner Be?

Monday, March 12th, 2018

high-efficiency-ac-unitAir conditioners in our area get quite a workout, so finding the right system for your home is extremely important. You want one that will keep you as cool as possible using as little energy as possible and that will last for a long time. Does that mean you should simply get the biggest system you can afford and hope for the best? Not quite…

In fact, an air conditioner that is too big for your home can run into a lot of problems, just like one that is too small. How do you know what size your air conditioner should be? Our experts are here to help, but consult a local technician in your area for more information.

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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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Why a Heat Pump May Be Your Perfect AC System

Monday, November 20th, 2017

ductless-heat-pumpThe perfect AC system is a coveted item in a warm place like Tampa. You need a system that can handle the heat and the humidity. You want to make sure it’s a good fit for your home as well. And preferably it would work well with a heating system, even if you don’t use it often.

Why not get everything you need from a single system? A heat pump allows for heating and cooling all in one, using refrigerant for both heat removal (the cooling process) and moving heat into a home. It can absorb heat from the outdoors even when temperatures approach freezing, and it’s perfect for our climate. It may be the only comfort system you need.

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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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