You would have often heard homeowners with an HVAC system talk about the “Heat Pump”. In fact, you would have heard about this term even while looking to buy a new HVAC unit for your home. So, what exactly is a heat pump? Well, you are in the right place to get the answer to this question.

What Is A Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a versatile heating and cooling system that transfers heat from one place to another. It can provide both heating and cooling by extracting heat from the surroundings and transferring it to another place. In the cold winter months, this means extricating heat from outside and pushing it indoor to provide a comfortable and warm environment. In the hot summer months, this means isolating the heat from indoors and transferring it outdoors.    

Types Off Heat Pump

Now that you know what a heat pump is, it would be right up the alley to know its types. There are two types of heat pumps, these are:

1. Air Source Heat Pump – Air source heat pumps extract the heat present in the air. In winters, it absorbs the heat present in the air outside and disperses it inside. And in summers, it absorbs the heat present in the air inside and disperses it outside.

2. Ground Source Heat Pump – Ground source heat pumps are also known as Geothermal heat pumps. These transfer heat between the ground outside the home and the air indoors.

How Does The Heat Pump Work?

Heat pumps move heat by moving the refrigerant or coolant through an evaporation and condensation cycle. A compressor drives the refrigerant amidst two heat exchange coils. In one coil, the refrigerant gets evaporated at low pressure and soak up the heat from its surroundings. This refrigerant then gets compressed on the way to the second coil. Here it condenses at high pressure. At this time, it dissipates the heat that it absorbed earlier on in the cycle.

An important thing to remember is that a heat pump does not generate heat. It simply moves it from one place to another. Unlike that, a furnace creates heat and then circulates it through the entire home.

Heat pumps are unique because their cycle is fully reversible. Due to this reason, they are successful in providing all-year-round climate control, which is heating and humidification in winter and cooling and dehumidification in summer. The ground and air outside your home will always have some heat. As a result, a heat pump can provide heat to a house even on the coldest winter days. The plain fact is that air at –18°C retains about 85% of the heat it had at 21°C.

Common Examples Of Heat Pump

Refrigerator and air conditioner are both common examples of a heat pump. Though both of them operate in the cooling mode only. The full potential of a heat pump has been realized in the HVAC system only where it caters to all kinds of temperature requirements.

Benefits Of A Heat Pump

There are several key benefits of using heat pumps in homes. The most important ones are:

1. High Efficiency – Today, amongst all the heating and cooling appliances available in the market, heat pumps are known to be most efficient. If you want to increase the savings on your utility bills, the solution is a heat pump.

2. Cost-Effective – A heat pump is any day a cheaper investment than buying an air conditioner and a furnace. Add to that the energy savings rendered by the heat pump, it is any day a wiser investment. When the AC and furnace fail, you have to change to critical appliances. A heat pump, on the other hand, is a single unit and makes for a cost-effective investment. 

3. Low Maintenance – The heat pump is a piece of single equipment used in your HVAC system. Since the number of pieces is less, the cost of maintenance is also low. Not only that, but you will have a lesser number of systems in the home that you need to be concerned about maintaining. 

4. Use Electricity – The heat pump is driven by electricity. If you reside in an area where the electricity rates are low, you will find it a better option. Add to that the fact, if you make your own solar power, you have the best combination to achieve greater savings by using a heat pump.

5. Efficient Heating At Low Cost – In places with a moderate climate, people don’t usually buy a furnace. So when the weather does get a might chilly, you land up wearing an extra layer of clothing. With a heat pump, you need not worry about additional heating costs because you can achieve the same with no extra expenditure.

When To Buy A Heat Pump?

What is the ideal time for you to buy a heat pump? Here are a few scenarios when you can upgrade to it.

1. If you are planning to buy a new air conditioner, you can consider buying a heat pump instead. It is even more advisable to do that if your furnace is also old and may bite the dust within the next year or two.

2. If you don’t have a furnace and would like to add one or if your existing furnace needs to be replaced. In both these cases, you may upgrade to a heat pump.

3. If you are remodeling your home or adding new areas to it, again, the heat pump is a feasible option. 

Closing Notes

The heat pump is a godsend opportunity at times when we are piling one equipment over the other. A little simplicity goes a long way in giving you the much-needed peace of mind. With a reversing valve, the heat pump efficiently does away with the need for a separate furnace and air conditioner, making things less complicated. 

As a company providing maintenance and troubleshooting services for HVAC systems, Aztil AC strongly recommends using a heat pump instead of the traditional AC and furnace combo. If you still have any queries or concerns, contact us or call at +1-888-729-8452 anytime.

There’s nobody who wants to pay more when you can get the same thing done for a bargain. Nonetheless, remember, there is a fine line between a bargain price and getting scammed. You must have seen really low figures for duct cleaning like $75 and even as high as $800. And the first thought that would have entered your mind would’ve been – Why pay more when you can get it for less? 

Be Wry Of Low Ball Figures

The lowball figures are the first sign of a scam. No legit company will charge that low for a work that takes 3 to 4 hours to complete. Many homeowners have fallen prey to such scammers. They quote a very low price to entice the homeowner, then do a rapid job within half an hour to 40 minutes and that too, without any proper equipment. To be quite honest, a DIY air duct cleaning will give you far better results than these unethical duct cleaning companies. In their urgency to finish the job in minimum possible time, you may find out later that your ducts got torn or were never cleaned properly in the first place.   

Beware Of The Scams

An air duct cleaning company that is not operating ethically will ideally try to sell you their service with a very low figure cupon. The thing to keep in mind is that they use this coupon as a magnet to entice you and enter your home. As soon as they get down to actual cleaning they will find out other problems that will add to the cost. Applying scare tactics and blowing an issue out of proportion is their usual course of action to make you a victim of their scam. 

Some unscrupulous companies may even try to use this opportunity to sell you further services that you may have no need for. Their ultimate aim is to extract as much money as they possibly can from an uninformed homeowner.   

How Much Does Duct Cleaning Usually Cost?

If you go by the industry standards, HVAC air ducts cleaning will cost you anywhere between $300 to $500. On average, the cost of cleaning a single duct comes to $35. Usually, a home with central heating and cooling would have at least 10 ducts, so the cost of duct cleaning would be around $350.

Factors On Which The Cost Of Duct Cleaning Depends

There are various factors on which the final cost of duct cleaning depends. These are:

1. The number of ducts in the home.
2. Size of the residence.
3. Configuration of the ductwork.
4. The number of furnaces in your home.
5. Ease of access to your HVAC system.
6. Presence of mold in the ducts.

Difference Between A Legit Job And A Contractor Out To Scam You

1. Attention To Safety – A legitimate contractor will pay full attention to the safety standards while a scammer will try to get away with the basics. They don’t really care about their own safety or that of the homeowner.

2. Outdoor Vented Equipment – A legitimate duct cleaning company, uses truck-mounted and high-powered vacuum cleaner. They access the ducts and capture all the dust and debris outside the home so that none of it is released inside. A contractor out to fool you will care notch about the unwanted particles that they release into your home. They don’t have specialized equipment and make do with the regular vacuum cleaner. 

3. Thoroughness Of Job – As already stated above, a thorough air duct cleaning job cannot be accomplished in a matter of a few minutes. It may take as long as 3 hours or more. A contractor who performs the job within an hour should raise your red flag. The job they perform will be sub-standard and leave much to be desired. In fact, don’t be too surprised to find out that they just did a superficial cleaning and nothing else.

How Not To Get Scammed

There are a few red flags that you should always look out for. These are:

1. A Very Low Figure – As mentioned already, the job is time-consuming when done thoroughly and with proper care. In no way can it come cheap. That will happen only when someone is trying to take you for a ride. 

2. Talk Of Mold – If your AC contractor starts talking about mold infestation in your ducts when there are no obvious signs of water leakage, you better be on guard. Without moisture, there can be no mold growth. On top of that, every mold is not a problem; only certain types are. If there are such mold formations, you need the advice of an expert who deals in such infestations. An air duct cleaning contractor is definitely not that expert.

3. Ask For A Written Checklist – A contractor who has half baked knowledge will never volunteer a written checklist of the tasks that they plan to accomplish through air ducts cleaning. And when you ask for it, they will try to confuse you with words. Come what may, a written checklist is a must-have so that you can guarantee that all the said tasks were completed.  

4. License – Unfortunately, not all states have made it mandatory to get the air duct cleaners licensed. However, in some states, it is needed. Florida happens to be one state in which the duct cleaners are required to be licensed by the Department of Business & Professional Regulation or DBPR. So, if you happen to reside in Florida, ask your contractor for a copy of his license.

Words Of Wisdom

Air duct cleaning is a necessary evil to maintain air quality and hygiene in your home. Needless to say, not everyone is geared to do it on their own, and that is why there are professional duct cleaners to handle the job for you. It would be best if you look for an air duct cleaning contractor with a good reputation who is willing to answer all your queries. Don’t get fooled by low costs and sweet words. Choose wisely. 

Cleaning the air ducts brings a dramatic change in the quality of air inside your home. More and more American households are now coming around to accepting its importance. At the same time, many homeowners wonder whether it is something they can do on their own or require professional duct cleaning services. Today, we will address all your concerns about DIY duct cleaning, how to actually do it, what to expect, and whether you really need the professionals for it.

Why Clean The Ducts?

Air ducts force air into your rooms. When the ducts are dirty, the air passing through them picks up all the unwanted elements as well and pushes them into your living environment. Keeping the ducts clean ensures that the air blowing through them is also clean and healthy. 

Before You Begin – What To Expect

It’s good to know a few things before you decide to clean the air ducts on your own.

1. It Isn’t Easy, And There’s No Short Cut – If you were thinking its a few minutes job, you were wrong. It takes time and patience. If you are not used to doing such jobs, it may even prove to be difficult.

2. You Can Find Anything And Everything In The Ducts – From mold and mildew to dead critters and their homes, you can find anything in the ducts. If you are squeamish or faint of heart, it’s not something you can accomplish by yourself.

3. You, Will, Have Cleaner Ducts – At the end of the day, your ducts will be cleaner than what they would have been without you cleaning them. How much cleaner depends on your efforts and how far you were able to clean.

4. Ducts Not As Clean As Professional Can Achieve – Since you will be using regular household equipment, the ducts will be clean but not as much as a professional cleaner can achieve. Professional duct cleaning companies have access to high-powered vacuum cleaners, and so they are able to do a better job.

DIY Duct Cleaning

Tools That You Will Need

Let’s begin with the list of tools that will need to do a thorough duct cleaning job. 

1. Dust mask, heavy-duty gloves, and goggles.
2. Screwdriver to expose the ducts.
3. A vacuum cleaner with a long hose.
4. Rags and paper towels.
5. A brush having a long handle and stiff bristles and a broom.

DIY Duct Cleaning Guide

Step 1 – Begin by turning off the power supply to the HVAC unit.

Step 2 – Using the long handle brush or broom sweep out the supply air registers and the return air registers.

Step 3 – Unscrew the air duct covers to expose the ducts for cleaning.

Step 4 – Using a brush, clean the grates, and wipe them clean with a wet rag.

Step 5 – Using a vacuum cleaner, suck out all the dust and grime. Insert the hose as far as it goes into the ducts for maximizing the clean area. The longer the hose, the farther it will reach into the ducts.

Step 6 – Remove the panels on the front of the furnace to expose the blower compartment. Using the vacuum cleaner clean it out and brush the fan to loosen the dirt. Wipe the fan clean and replace the panels. 

Step 7 – Clean the grilles and registers before screwing them back on and closing the open end of the ducts.

Step 8 – After the cleanup, replace the air filter so that the air flows freely without any restrictions.

Sounds simple? Well, it really isn’t so. It is a time-consuming job and involves constant brushing and wiping in addition to vacuuming. There is dust flying around you, so an area you just cleaned may land up getting dirty all over again. If your grilles have been closed for a really long time, as soon as you open them, particle matter may fall. All in all, it’s a dirty job, and you should be prepared to handle it all.

DIY Duct Cleaning Risks

1. Cleaning Leaves Much To Be Desired – DIY cleaning is seldom up to scratch. It happens because of a lack of proper equipment. Usually, homeowners don’t have access to high-powered vacuum cleaners with very long hoses. The result is that a regular vacuum cleaner is unable to completely suction out the dust and debris in the ductwork due to a lack of power and reach.  

2. Damage To Ducts – There is always a risk of tearing the ducts involved. In your enthusiasm, you may forget to be gentle with the ductwork while cleaning it. Any tear in the ductwork means a reduction in airflow and added headache as it reduces the cooling and heating efficiency of your HVAC system. 

DIY Duct Cleaning Vs. Professional Duct Cleaning

DIY duct cleaning will surely save you a few dollars and reduces your dependency on others. You can do it whenever you want and don’t have to wait for an appointment. Having said that, if you want a thorough cleaning of the ductwork, you will need professional help. The professional duct cleaners have not just the appropriate equipment to clean but also the skill to do a full and in-depth cleaning. The work accomplished by them will be far superior to what you can do yourself. Furthermore, the professionals have the knowledge to look for leaks in the ducts and seal them. They can recognize the different types of mold and get rid of them effectively. 

Conclusion

Clearly, professional duct cleaning is always a better option. In the interim, you can adopt a DIY duct cleaning routine to tide you over when you feel that the ducts have become dirty far quicker than you anticipated. Depending wholly and solely on DIY cleaning is not appropriate. Since your ultimate aim is to breathe in clean air, it is best to get the ducts professionally cleaned at least once a year. Get quotes from a couple of AC service companies that specialize in this work and check their reviews. If all sounds good, you can sit back and let someone else take care of all the dirty work. 

Indoor air quality is often a thing of grave concern. Since the air inside the home is the same that you breathe in, the quality of air has a major bearing on your health. We are so concerned about the poor quality of the air outside that more often than not, we forget about the quality of air indoors. Nonetheless, thanks to raising awareness, most homeowners are now concerned about improving and maintaining the quality of indoor air.

Effective Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality

1. Install A Good HVAC System Professionally – A professionally installed, properly sized, and a trusted brand HVAC system is highly effective in controlling the entry of pollutants from outside. The filters ensure that allergens and contaminants do not find their way indoors. Also, filtered fresh air from outside dilutes the air present inside and reduces the concentration of unwanted particles.

2. Frequently Change The Air Filters – Air filters trap the contaminants and restrict their entry into the circulating air. To maintain their effectiveness, the air filters should be changed regularly. Replace the old filters with one that is recommended by your AC manufacturer and has the highest permissible MERV rating.

3. Use Air Purifying Potted Plants Indoors – There are many plants that thrive indoors and, at the same time, act as air purifiers. The most popular and readily available ones are aloe vera, snake plant, spider plant, lady palm, etc. Indoor plants not only add color to the surroundings but also look aesthetically beautiful in addition to their air cleansing properties. Place these plants in all your rooms and expose them to sunlight intermittently so that they stay healthy and make your living environment better.

4. Professional Cleaning Of Carpets And All Upholstery – Most germs reside in the carpets and cling to the sofa fabric and curtains. It is imperative to get all your upholstery and carpets properly cleaned by the professional cleaners. Washing them at home, on your own, may not deliver as effective results as professional cleaning.

5. Professional Cleaning Of Air Ducts – Another area of the home that suffers neglect are the air ducts. They are often the dirtiest place due to inaccessibility. The ducts are long networks of pipe running through every room. You need an extremely high-powered vacuum cleaner to suck out all the dust, dirt and allergen that reside inside it. Since a regular household vacuum cleaner cannot do that job, you need professional help in addressing this issue. There are many HVAC companies that provide duct cleaning as a part of indoor air quality service in West Palm Beach.

6. Fix The Leaks – Leaks cause water puddles and dampness inside the home. Where there is dampness, mold and mildew formation is a given. Mold spores tend to spread through the circulating air and give birth to new colonies. These spores can cause skin irritation as well as breathing problems. Overall, a home that has mold spores in the air has poor air quality. To get rid of mold, you need to clean up its infestation and fix all sources of a leak. It means fixing the plumbing problems and a tune-up of the HVAC to ensure no frozen coils and leaks through the drip pan.

7. No Smoking Indoors – Nobody should smoke indoors. Homes that have a cigar and cigarette smoke present in the air suffer from poor air quality. Everybody knows that cigarette smoking is injurious to health, and so is passive smoking. If you smoke inside your home, the circulating air picks it up keeps circulating it back and forth. It is like continuous passive smoking without your knowledge.

8. Proper Humidity Levels – When the humidity levels are high, there is a proliferation of mold and dust mites. Most modern-day HVAC systems have humidity control. However, you should know what the proper humidity level should be in each season to adjust it. Your HVAC company can give you this little tidbit of information. In case you have an older HVAC unit, you can buy a humidifier or dehumidifier for your home separately and set it up with your furnace. It will help control the indoor air quality of your West Palm Beach home. 

9. Brush You Pets Outdoors – Pet hair and dead skin cells often deteriorate the quality of indoor air. A healthy practice is to keep your pets clean and brush them often and that too outdoors. Vacuum the carpets and other areas of the home to catch all stray dander. 

10. Ventilate Your Home – Fresh air can do wonders for the quality of air inside your house. It helps get rid of stagnant air and brings in fresh, clean air from outside. In case you live in a city, try ventilating your home either early in the morning or late in the evening. At these times, the traffic is less, so the probability of bringing in more polluted air is greatly diminished. 

Other Tips To Improve Indoor Air Quality And Curb Allergies

1. Carry out annual maintenance of your HVAC system to keep it spick and span and in perfect working order.
2. Limit the use of aerosols in your home. They add to the suspended impurities indoors and make the air quality bad.
3. Use paints that don’t have any scent.
4. Plants more trees and plants outside in the front lawn and backyard.
5. Refrain from using the HVAC when your home is under maintenance or any form of construction.
6. Use air purifiers.   

Indoor Air Quality Service West Palm Beach

Monitoring the indoor air quality and improving it is paramount to the good health of your family. Thankfully, there are so many things that you can do without making any drastic changes to your way of life.

Aztil Air Conditioning provides a variety of services that help improve and maintain the indoor air quality of your West Palm Beach home. If you need any help or assistance or have any queries, feel free to contact us anytime. We provide 24/7 emergency services so that your comfort is never disturbed. 

Have you ever thought of your air conditioner duct cleaning? If not, it’s time to do so now. Most Americans think of it as an unnecessary expenditure. You are no different in that regard because it is the popular thinking. The importance of air conditioner duct cleaning has taken a backseat because of a lack of awareness about its adverse consequences.

Before we begin, let me give you a small tidbit of information. Are you aware that a single duct cleaning service helps to get rid of approximately 6 pounds of dust and debris per home? No. Well, now you have something to think about in terms of the cleanliness of your home. 

Air Conditioner Duct Cleaning – What Is It?

The process of clearing out the dust and debris trapped in the air ducts, grilles, and registers is called duct cleaning. As the ducts are in the attic and behind the walls, cleaning them needs professional help. You cannot do it on your own. The most efficient way of cleaning them is with a high-powered vacuum and compression system. 

When To Get The Air Ducts Cleaned?

Ideally, air duct cleaning should be done annually. However, you should also get it done if: 

1. You have pets at home.
2. Seen signs of rodents, pests, or critter infestation. In such a case, you should get it done at least twice a year.
3. You have recently renovated or upgraded your current home. Air duct cleaning will help get rid of all the dust that has found its way inside your otherwise clean house.
4. You have come across signs of mold and mildew in your home.

Importance Of Air Conditioner Air Duct Cleaning

If you have so far not thought of getting the air conditioner ducts cleaned, now is the time to do so. Here are some benefits of a duct cleaning:

1. Improves Air Quality – The indoor air quality suffers the most when the air conditioner ducts are not cleaned. Air ducts house dust, dander, allergens, and other microbes and irritants that find their way regularly into the air circulating in your home. The air that circulates inside is the same that you breathe. Clean air passing through the ducts picks up these impurities and becomes dirty. Often it causes health issues like skin allergies and breathing troubles. To keep the indoor air quality good, you should get the air conditioner duct cleaning done by professionals. 

2. Protects The Heating And Cooling System – If the ventilation system is dirty, your AC unit is also bound to get dirty. Primarily, dust accumulation occurs over the coils and the blower motor. As a result, the AC is put under tremendous stress and has to work longer and harder to render the necessary cooling. An AC that works under stress tends to heat up and develop related issues. If you want to protect the heating and cooling system of your home, professional duct cleaning is your only answer.

3. Enhances Energy Efficiency – Any accumulations inside the duct system restricts the free flow of air. More often than not, the real culprit is dust and dander. When the air ducts are clogged, the AC is unable to perform optimally. It consumes more power because of which your energy bills increase. To maintain the energy efficiency of your air conditioner, you have to get the air ducts cleaned regularly. 

4. Removes Odors – Almost all homes have a smell unique to them. Sometimes it is fragrant and pleasant and sometimes stale and repulsive. The things that add to the odor in the home are paint fumes, food, pets, mold, cigarette smoke, and such. These smells get trapped in the dust particles inside the duct and keep circulating back inside the home, along with the air that blows over them. The ideal way to get rid of these odors is air conditioner duct cleaning. 

5. Cleaner Living Environment – Getting rid of all dust and other irritants trapped anywhere inside the home makes for a cleaner living environment. The ducts are often the dirtiest places in a home with central heating and cooling. Circulating air keeps picking up these unwanted impurities and depositing them on surfaces, walls, upholstery, etc., making them dirty. A clean living environment is possible only if the house is cleaned regularly, along with its ductwork.  

Choosing A Professional Duct Cleaning Company

Duct cleaning is a skilled work that requires not just expertise but also special equipment. Not everyone is in possession of these qualities. When you are choosing a duct cleaning company, make sure that they have a truck-mounted and high-powered vacuum and compression system. Having this system is not enough. You need to further check that it is certified by NADCA or the National Air Duct Association. A company that meets these two requirements is the ideal candidate for handling the job of air conditioner duct cleaning in your home.    

Some duct cleaning companies tend to propose the application of a chemical biocide inside the ducts to kills germs and bacteria and prevent their future growth. They may also want to apply a “sealant” to prevent the particle matter from being released into the air. Prior to taking any decision in this regard, you need to fully comprehend its pros and cons. As of today, EPA has no registered chemical biocides for application in the air ducts.

Preventing Dust From Entering The Ducts

Here are a few things that you can do to limit the dust inside the ducts:

1. Change the air filters regularly. Please don’t wait for them to become clogged.
2. Use the air filter with the highest efficiency as recommended by the manufacturer of your AC.
3. If your home is under renovation, close the grilles and registers and refrain from operating the AC until the work is complete and the home thoroughly cleaned.
4. Brush your pets often outside so that they don’t shed inside.
5. Maintain the correct humidity level inside your home.

Concluding Thoughts

Cleaning the air ducts at least once a year is ideal. However, the cleanliness and hygiene of your home do not depend solely on duct cleaning. To keep your home spick and span, you have to vacuum it regularly, dust all surfaces, and air out the carpets and rugs. Together these practices will make your residence a happy and healthy place to live in.

Florida summers are very hot and sultry. Living in a home without AC during this time is unthinkable. In West Palm Beach alone, the major contributor to the residential electricity bill is the air conditioner. To keep the utility bills low and the equipment working efficiently, it needs to be cleaned and serviced regularly. Some homeowners deem AC maintenance or tune-up a waste of time and money. But their tales of woe concerning their AC’s performance during the peak of summers have them repenting their decision. A unit that is not well cared for can become a pain in the long run. It is precisely for this reason that annual AC tune-up has become a necessity everywhere, including West Palm Beach. 

Think Of Your AC As A Car

Every year you get the servicing of your car done so that it runs smoothly year after year. The tires are changed when they wear out, and oil levels are kept up to the mark, etc. Taking care of your car ensures that it will not breakdown in the middle of the road. Your AC demands the same attention. Inside your home, the air conditioner is one appliance that works non-stop to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. A device that runs continuously, even more than your car, needs to be given some TLC. Since the AC is a machine, the TLC comes in the form of an annual tune-up. So next time when you want to save a few dollars on AC maintenance, think whether you will overlook the servicing of your car as well. 

Importance Of Annual AC Tune-Up

Annual AC tune-up is by no means a waste of money. It is a mandate of time. If you look after your AC, your home will be most comfortable even in the peak of summers. Here are a few reasons that validate the importance of AC tune-up in West Palm Beach.

1. Prevent Breakdowns By Catching Problems Early – Any problem in the AC usually starts small. If it goes unnoticed for an extended period, either other issues develop or the same problem increases, so much so that, the AC shuts down. Annual tune-up brings to light most of the minor problems that can arise in the AC. As a part of the maintenance schedule, they get addressed at the same time and prevent any major malfunctions or breakdowns. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that annual maintenance keeps your AC reliable and working efficiently. You don’t have to worry about when it will shut down. 

2. Save Unwarranted Expenses – An AC that works optimally consumes less power and gas, keeping the utility bills low. Similarly, catching problems at their very onset keeps the repair bills to the barest minimum. On the flip side, an AC that is allowed to run without proper servicing drastically increases the utility bills and breaks down often. If you want to keep your overhead expenses low, spending a few dollars on AC maintenance is sure to benefit you.

3. Improve Comfort Inside The Home – When the AC runs efficiently, it cools your home most effectively. You don’t feel uncomfortable even during the hottest hours of the day. The AC also helps in maintaining adequate humidity levels to keep clamminess in check. During the hot summer months and the cold winter months, your home is the most desirable place, thanks to the central AC. While, if your AC is not operating optimally, maintaining the temperature inside the house becomes difficult. Temperature variations occur, there are hot and cold areas inside, humidity becomes unbearable, and so on. AC tune-up takes care of all these minor issues and keeps you and your home happy. 

4. Extend The Life Of Your AC – The way car servicing extends the life of your car; similarly, an annual tune-up of your West Palm Beach AC, extends its useful, productive life. An air conditioner that is not tuned-up annually will fall into disrepair and breakdown permanently. Buying a new one is a costly affair because it’s not just the cost of the product that you have to take into account, but its installation as well. It is an expense you would want to keep at bay for as long as possible. The cost of AC maintenance is meager as compared to the price of a brand new air conditioner. It is up to you to make the right decision for the well being of your AC, which is the annual AC tune-up. 

What Includes AC tune-up West Palm Beach

1. Cleaning the evaporator coil and condenser coil.
2. Changing the air filter.
3. Checking the refrigerant level and topping it if necessary.
4. Lubricating the motor along with the bearings.
5. Cleaning the blower and its adjustment if needed.
6. Checking the drip pan and drain line. Sealing leaks, if any, and removing blockages.
7. Testing of all electrical connections.
8. Checking the thermostat settings and recalibrating it if necessary.
9. Checking the blower motor, condenser fan, and compressor for voltage and amp.
10. Testing the capacitors and the cooling capacity of the AC.

The Best Time For AC Tune-Up Is Spring

The ideal time for AC tune-up in West Palm Beach is spring, right before the summer sets in. At Aztil Air Conditioning, we advise our customers to schedule the maintenance of their AC during the end of spring season or early summers. AC maintenance at this time means that your AC will work well during the peak season.

A timely tune-up guarantees that the AC will give a hassle-free performance at all times. It would be best if you were attentive to the needs of your air conditioner, and maintenance is all that it needs. 

Call The Professionals

AC tune-up should always be done by HVAC professionals. They are the experts in the field and trained to handle the job efficiently. They ensure a job well done and also comply with all the safety standards. For AC tune-up in West Palm Beach, look up Aztil AC. We provide 24/7 emergency AC services so that your comfort is not compromised.

The importance of air conditioner is realized in the peak of summers when your AC refuses to work or develops a snag. Even worse is being told that the problem has occurred because of a lack of proper installation of air conditioning unit. Now, that excuse may sound silly, but indeed it is a very valid reason. Since Aztil Air Conditioning believes in making its audience and clients know about every aspect of HVAC, we will take this opportunity to educate you about the importance of proper AC installation in West Palm Beach.

Advantages Of AC Installation By Skilled Technicians

There are many things that need to be kept in mind while installing your AC unit. Only a professional AC technician will be aware of these important points. For example:

1. The wall should be strong enough to hold the indoor unit.
2. Care should be taken to ensure proper spacing between the indoor unit and the wall.
3. The tilt angle of the indoor unit needs to be just right.
4. The outdoor unit should be placed on level ground.
5. Distance between indoor and outdoor unit needs to be appropriate.

A person who claims himself to be a technician, but is not trained will not pay attention to these fine points. The primary benefit of using a trained technician for AC installation is that he will be attentive towards these things. Taking necessary action to ensure perfect installation is necessary for the smooth running of your AC. 

Purchasing An AC That Best Meets Your Requirements

There are many AC brands available in the market. Some are a perfect fit for your home and budget, while others are not. Figuring out which AC meets your requirements is difficult on your own. It is because of your limited knowledge. Employing a professional HVAC company to assist you in making such critical decisions works to your advantage. Their skilled knowledge, together with the years of experience in the industry gives you a better chance of making a judicious purchase decision. With their assistance, you can buy an AC that fits your budget.  

Correct Size Very Important

The size of the AC is an essential consideration of which a homeowner knows very little. What you need to know that a small-sized AC will be working overtime to provide the requisite cooling while a large AC will be constantly short-cycling. Neither situation is ideal as it raises your monthly utility bills. What you need is the most appropriate size AC for your residence. It will guarantee optimum efficiency and keep your overheads low. 

A professional AC technician can best tell you the ideal size of the air conditioner for your home. Using the services of an AC installation company in West Palm Beach will always benefit you. They can not only handle all your queries but will also give you the best possible advice.

A Job Well Done

Living under stress and constantly worrying about things is bound to raise your blood pressure. Employing a professional to install your AC gives you peace of mind. You needn’t worry about sub-standard work and question the safety of the equipment as well as the members of your family. A professional company sees to it that all its employees work ethically, responsibly, and are safety conscious.

Avoid Problems

No air conditioning system is zero maintenance. Taking care during its installation puts an end to half the problems. The other half is related to maintenance. A professional who installs your AC is already aware of the system as well as your home requirements. Being pre-informed about these aspects, he already knows which areas need special attention. You can easily avoid most problems that may occur in the future due to irregular or lack of maintenance with a competent HVAC company. They will remind you when the maintenance is about to become due and also send you other useful information that will help extend the life of your AC.

AC Inspections

Most US homes have air conditioners. Some installed by professionals and others claiming to be professionals. If for any reason, you feel doubtful about the equipment or the service rendered, you can get your air conditioner inspected. Ideally, it would help if you got it inspected twice a year. Once in spring, when the warm weather is beginning to settle in and the other in fall before the winter comes knocking. These two times are those when your AC is not working overtime to cool or warm your home. If there are any issues, they can be addressed well in time before the AC is put to heavy use.    

The Risk Of Improper Installation

There is always a probability of improper AC installation even in West Palm Beach. It may happen because you decide to do it on your own or looking for a cheap technician. If the AC installation is not done correctly, there are many things that could go wrong. A few of them are:

1. Your house does not cool evenly.
2. The AC breaks down often.
3. Your house starts smelling.
4. The AC makes a lot of noise when it operates.
5. There are pressure differences in your home.
6. Dust particles remain suspended in the air.
7. Mold and mildew formation occurs.

AC Installation West Palm Beach

The AC installation is complete only when the homeowner is completely satisfied. A professional technician should explain the entire system to the homeowner right from starting the AC to its actual operation to shutting it off. The other things that the technician should tell you about are adjusting the thermostat, the desired humidity levels, DIY procedures for basic maintenance, everyday AC problems that you may face and their solution, etc. Once they have imparted this knowledge and you are confident to run the AC on your own, the installation procedure is actually complete.

Aztil Air Conditioning provides AC installation services in West Palm Beach. We also take care of all the issues that you may be facing with your current unit. Feel free to contact us anytime for an appointment. We provide 24/7 emergency services, for we care about your comfort. 

On a day when the sun is at its full glory, you come back home expecting to relax in the cool air of your air conditioner. Instead, what you get is a blast of cool air followed by an odor that smells like dirty socks or rotten eggs. How disgusting is that? Repulsive enough to want to take some action to get rid of it immediately. The best course of action is to find out its source and address the problem at its very root so that it does not happen again. Here is some information that you will find useful in understanding why your air conditioner smells bad.

7 Reasons Why Your Air Conditioner Smells Bad

You will be surprised that most dirty smells of AC arise from very basic problems that can ideally be addressed through air conditioner servicing. Here is a list of most prominent causes:

1. Mold And Mildew – When the humidity is high, it is normal to see mold and mildew formations. Sometimes it is so excessive that the spores start traversing through the HVAC system. At times, the air flowing over its colonies picks up its musty smell and spreads it throughout the house, making it smell unpleasant. To fix this problem, you need to lower the humidity to an acceptable level. Improve your drainage system, fix all sources of a water leak, replace the air filters, cover all exposed earth, and schedule AC maintenance from a reputable company that renders air conditioning services. You can also use a dehumidifier to limit future occurrences. The best humidifier is one that dehumidifies your entire home and not just a local area or a specific room.

2. Stinky Feet Or Dirty Socks Smell – This is the foulest and most sickening smell that can make one really mad. However, its cause is merely stagnant water in the drain pan or drip line, and excessively dirty evaporator coils. The only solution is to get a professional cleaning done by a good air conditioning services company. 

3. Rotting Carcass Smell – Critters often find a way inside the HVAC system. They even make homes in the ductwork. Often they die inside. When that happens, you experience the rotten carcass smell. It may even smell like a filled trash can. The first thing you need to do under these circumstances is to switch off the AC and open the windows to ventilate your home with fresh air. Once that is done, call your local HVAC company for professional help. Next, on the agenda should be to call your local pest management company to get rid of pests and critters residing in your home.

4. Rotten Egg Smell – Natural gas on its own has no odor. A chemical is added to it for the smell. This chemical is called “Mercaptan”, and it smells like rotten eggs. So when you smell something so distinctive, and there are no actual rotten eggs in your home, beware of a gas leak. Your HVAC system may have picked up the smell and is circulating it through the home. When you smell this foul odor, immediately switch off all your electrical appliances. Refrain from using any matches or lighters and put out all flames. Open all doors and windows and completely turn off the gas supply to your home. Vacate your home and give a call to your gas company to check the source of the leak and seal it. Once that is done, your gas company will turn the gas back on.

5. Burning Smell – If there is a burning smell inside your home, it means that something is either burning or overheating. It may be a mechanical issue or wiring issue. It might also be because of an overheated motor or a short circuit somewhere in the HVAC unit. Yet, that is not all. Your HVAC system may have picked up the burning odor from elsewhere and transported it to your home. Since you do not know the concrete cause of the burning smell, your best option is to switch off the air conditioner and vacate the home. Next, call the fire department and your local air conditioning services provider for further assistance.

6. Cigarette Smoke – You may have noticed different smoking zones and no-smoking areas in public places. Usually, the no-smoking areas will not have air conditioning. This is because when there is no AC in the smoking areas, there is no chance of air from this area being picked by the central AC and circulated in the no-smoking areas. The same logic applies to your home. If a member smokes inside the home, the smell of burning cigarettes gets trapped in the filter as well as the evaporator coil. When your AC works, it picks up this odor and spreads it throughout the home. Changing the air filters often helps in diminishing its occurrence. Also, smoke if you must, do it outdoors and not inside. A professional cleaning will help get rid of old trapped cigarette smells.               

7. Sewage Smells – The plumbing of your home has P-traps. These traps usually hold fluids and prevent sewer gases from backing into your home. When these P-traps run dry, the sewer gases find their way into your abode. In case you have washrooms that are not in use often, run water in sinks and bathtub at least once a month. If the problem is not dry P-traps, it could be that there is a blockage in the sewer line or a sewer vent pipe has ruptured. Since the sewer gases are toxic and dangerous, contact a professional plumber.

Concluding Thoughts 

The smells that you think are coming from the air conditioner are not always so. Sometimes their source can be found elsewhere. It may just so happen that your central cooling system has picked the smell on the way and permeated it inside your home. On the other hand, some problems inside the HVAC unit may also result in the same. Companies offering air conditioning services are most helpful in all such cases. 

If you are a resident of Palm Beach, Florida, and experiencing bad smells that you think come from your AC, contact Aztil Air Conditioning. We provide the best and most satisfactory resolution to all your HVAC problems 24/7. 

With limited knowledge of the HVAC system, it is foolish to try and fix its problems on your own. At such moments, it is best to depend on the professional services of a good HVAC contractor. The difference between using a qualified contractor and a scam artist will be the deciding factor in the longevity of your HVAC unit. So choosing the most suitable AC repair contractor is of utmost importance. Through the medium of this article, we shall show you the ways in which you can select the best AC repair contractor in Palm Beach County and elsewhere. 

AC Repair In Palm Beach County

Unfortunately, most AC repair contractors are looked upon with distrust. It is mainly because every AC repair man tends to call himself a trained contractor. While the truth is that a majority of them are not trained, instead, they have acquired basic knowledge through trials. It is these scammers that one needs to be aware of. Fortunately, AC repair in Palm Beach County should not be too difficult for you. Just look up Aztil Air Conditioning if you want services of trained, qualified, and experienced AC repair contractor. 

Where TO Look For An HVAC Contractor

ACCA or the Air Conditioning Contractors of America is one of the first places that you should lookup. It is a non-profit organization that consists of almost 4,000 businesses and 60,000professionals. One thing quite clear is that there is no dearth of trained professionals. You need to know where to look for them.

To check their consumer ratings, you can refer to either Angie’s List or the Better Business Bureau. The other option is to ask for recommendations from the people around you or friends and acquaintances.

Tips While Looking For AC Repair Contractor In Palm Beach County

Here are a few important tips you need to religiously follow if you are serious about choosing the best AC repair contractor in Palm Beach County:

1. Licensing – You should refrain from hiring an unlicensed AC repair contractor even if their fee is less. It is because these people are operating illegally under the radar. The license certifies that they take due precautions and meet all the safety standards. Having a license ensures that the contractor is continuously striving to keep their knowledge and skills up to date.

2. Multiple Candidates – Look at multiple HVAC contractors before making a choice. It’s always good to have options so that you can see who suits your needs and the budget beest. A comparison between them will revel the best candidate and make choosing easier.

3. Insurance – There is always a risk factor involved in technical and electrical work. To make the contractor accountable and responsible if things go south, it is necessary that they have insurance. Having insurance also indicates that the contractor himself is serious about all-round safety.

4. Ask For Contractor Credentials – You need to check the license and the surety bond of the AC repair contractor. But that is not all. The contractor should also specialize in the brand that you currently use. They should have the necessary maintenance, repair, and replacement experience to avoid any kind of future confusion and problems.

5. Pay Attention To How They Bid – Be aware of those AC repair contractors who bid even before understanding the problem completely. Also, never agree to any proposal over the phone. A professional contractor will always try and understand the problem before giving you any bid. Additionally, they will send in a written proposal with all the necessary details (cost & procedure) instead of a verbal one over the phone.

6. Check Reviews – Reviews give you a fair idea about the work of the contractor and how professional they are. You can check for reviews online or ask around your locality to find out who else has used them. You can also ask the contractor himself for referrals. Check out at least three of them to get the true picture.

7. Beware Of The Lowest Bidder – Unfortunately, most repair and replacement business in HVAC is generated, trying to correct a botched job that is performed by the scammers. These scammers are in business, mostly because they give the lowest quotes. It wouldn’t be wrong to say that these bargain contractors should not be trusted blindly else they will rob you blind. An HVAC system needs to be handled with the utmost care. Saving on money is a big folly because the chances are that you would be soon looking for someone else to correct the compounded problem.

Other Things To Keep In Mind 

Here are a few other things that will come handy while choosing the best AC repair contractor in Palm Beach County:

1. Ask specific questions to AC repair contractors and don’t be content with unsatisfactory answers.
2. Some contractors even provide financing, so if the repair or replacement job is costly, inquire if they offer finance options.
3. If you are environment conscious, ask whether the contractor uses energy-efficient products. 

The Need To Choose The Best AC Repair Contractor In Palm Beach County

Choosing the best AC repair contractor is to your benefit. Here are a few reasons why you need to make an informed choice:

1. To get the services of a trained and experienced contractor.
2. To ensure that the people handling your AC are capable and trustworthy.
3. To get the AC problem resolved as quickly as possible.
4. To see to it that the people working to install or troubleshoot your AC are adhering to all the safety standards.

Closing Thoughts

It is up to your diligence how far you succeed in choosing the best AC repair contractor in Palm Beach County. Using the above-mentioned points as guidelines, you can make the most appropriate choice. Being a scrooge at this time may add to your HVAC woes. Use your intellect and research to arrive at the right candidate. Choosing the AC contractor is a one-time activity. With the right AC contractor, you can rest easy and let them handle all your AC troubles. Aztil AC is a professional and competent company that can look after your AC like their own. Feel free to contact us anytime so that you get prompt service from a qualified and experienced team. 

The air conditioner has become such an inbuilt part of our lives that it is difficult to imagine even a day without it. Be it summer your winter; it works non-stop to provide heat and warmth. AC breakdown is a time of immense tension. So, how can one avoid such a situation? How would you, as a homeowner, know that your AC demands immediate attention before problems compound even further? There are signs that usually indicate issues building within the AC. If you are able to recognize these signs, you can handle the adverse situations before they escalate further.

5 Signs That AC Repairs Are Needed In West Palm Beach

Annual maintenance, along with scheduling repairs as soon as the need arises, is the only way to keep your AC working efficiently. It also extends the life of your unit. It’s a win-win combination all around. Let’s have a look at the 5 signs that indicate your AC needs repair.

1. Inadequate Airflow – Poor airflow is an indication of issues building in your air conditioner. It signifies that your AC is not working as efficiently as it should. There could be multiple reasons why the airflow is insufficient. The most prominent of which are a clogged air filter, blockage in ductwork, or a faulty motor. To begin with, these reasons may appear small. However, if not addressed promptly, they can lead to bigger problems like overheating of the unit. Handling the problem of inadequate airflow is easy. If it’s an air filter that has become dirty, replace it. If it’s a blockage in the ductwork or a problem with the motor, your best option is to call the AC technician for repairs.

2. Cooling Is Less – If you feel that your AC is not cooling the home as well as it was before, there could be a problem. Nonetheless, before jumping to that conclusion, it is best to check the thermostat once to make sure that nobody has disturbed the temperature settings. If the thermostat displays the same settings as before, your AC needs immediate attention. The reduced cooling could be due to low refrigerant levels, leaks in the ductwork, overheating of components, compressor problems, and such. In any case, only a trained technician can correctly identify the problem. So it is best to book an appointment with the local HVAC company posthaste.  

3. Frequent Short-Cycling – Ideally, the AC cycles on and off at regular intervals. In the normal course, it should stick to this routine irrespective of the season or weather. When the AC cycles on and off frequently, it implies a budding problem in the system. At such a time, you should get in touch with your cooling experts. The quicker you address this issue, the better the efficiency of your air conditioner.  

4. Strange Noises & Bad Odors – Your air conditioner usually makes a small hum when thee compressor kicks in. Other than that, it delivers a relatively noise-free performance. When you start hearing strange sounds originating from your air conditioner, it signals problems with your cooling system. The noise could be in any form like grinding, clanging, rattling, shuddering, screeching, etc. None of these sounds are normal. The reason behind these unusual noises needs to be looked into and taken care of. Likewise, with the air conditioner working continuously, there should not be any bad odors inside the house. If you get a whiff of rotten eggs or smelly socks, your HVAC system may be suffering from mold growth or pest infestation. If the smell is that of burning wires, you may have a loose connection on hand. The exact location of these problems can only be detected after the complete inspection of the unit. These smells are not only off-putting but also a cause for concern as they can give rise to health problems or fire due to short circuit.    

5. Increase In Utility Bills – Unwarranted increase in utility bills is a sign that your air conditioner is not working as efficiently as it should. Usually, when the system is operating under pressure, it consumes more power and gas. Your AC should at no time operate under strain as it can cause overheating of the unit. So, if there are no other obvious signs and yet you notice a spike in your monthly energy bills, your AC could be developing problems. Sometimes this spike may be accompanied by other signs as well. Your AC technician should be able to figure out the reason for the increased energy consumption and address it to give you financial relief.

Other Signs That Your AC Needs Repair West Palm Beach

There are a few other signs that your AC needs repairs. Though these signs may not be as easily noticeable as the ones mentioned above, over a period, they will make themselves known.

1. The humidity inside the home increases for no good reason.
2. The walls become damp, or there are puddles of water on the floor again for no known reason.
3. The air circulating inside the house is warmer, and you have not reprogrammed the thermostat.
4. Uneven cooling is also a sign of problems cropping in the air conditioner.

AC Repair West Palm Beach

Seasonal maintenance of the AC takes care of most of the problems. An AC that is serviced regularly seldom needs repairs as compared to the one that isn’t. Even more important is the age of the AC. Your air conditioner is but a machine that suffers intense wear and tears due to constant use. As the system ages, it becomes difficult to find the correct parts and carry out the repairs. So, keep in mind the age of your air conditioning unit and how often it demands repairs. If it is often, you should seriously think of replacing it with a brand new unit.

Aztil AC in West Palm Beach is your trusted partner for any and every AC related problem. From seasonal maintenance to 24/7 handling of all the AC issues, our team does it all. We promise not to keep you waiting, for we know how little time you get to relax in the calming environment of your home. Contact us anytime for your AC related problems, and prompt service will be delivered at your doorstep.   

The very thought of hot summer days is enough to make you sweat. At such times, your home is one place you wish could be even cooler without having to depend on different appliances. Were you to succeed in achieving that, it would be a godsend. If you thought that there is no way you could naturally keep your house cool in South Florida without constantly running the air conditioner, you got another think coming. There are plenty of ways in which you can ensure that your living space is cool and comfortable. 

5 Ways To Keep Your House Cool In South Florida

Here are 5 easy ways in which you can decrease your dependence on air conditioning in west palm beach and yet keep your home cool. 

1. Wall Color And Roof Coating – Our affinity to be different and try to achieve a unique effect makes us commit blunders that add to the heat in our homes. For example, the color of the walls, both inside and outside, should ideally be light. Light colors don’t attract much heat and, as such, don’t overheat the home in the peak of summers. On the other hand, dark colors attract heat, and so are not desirable for Florida summers. If you are still desirous of a dark color, there are solar reflective wall paints available in the market today for the exterior walls. These paints deflect a large portion of the sunlight and keep your homes cool and looking great year after year without becoming dull and drab. Similarly, you can reduce the temperature of the roof by using a solar reflective roof coating. It reduces the solar heat gain on dark color roofs and keeps your home much cooler even during intense heat. 

2. Ceiling Fans And Their Movement – If you have not installed ceiling fans in your home, it’s time to do so. If you already have ceiling fans, take a moment to see the direction of their movement. Yes, the direction. The movement of the fan in a clockwise or anticlockwise manner has a tremendous bearing on the cool quotient of your home. The hot air descends on you and your family when the fans are turning in a clockwise direction. You feel all hot and bothered at such times. Tuning your fan to move in an anticlockwise direction keeps the cool air circulating off the floor, making you feel nice and happy. Additionally, running the ceiling fan in conjunction with the air conditioner is even better. It circulates the conditioned air faster and more efficiently without putting any stress on your HVAC unit.  

3. Natural And Cool Artificial Lights  – Using large windows and strategically placed skylights, you can let in plenty of natural light inside your home. It will keep your electricity consumption low and yet light up the indoors efficiently. Gone are the days of the traditional bulbs and tube lights. They not only consumed a lot of power but also generated a lot of heat, adding to the indoor temperature. Nowadays, Compact Fluorescent Light or CFLs and Light Emitting Diodes or LEDs are a better option that uses less power and is much cooler in comparison. These do not emit much heat when they are switched on and hence are a better option when you are trying to keep your home cool.      

4. Window Treatments – Blinds, shades, and drapes go a long way in keeping your home interiors cool in summers. Choosing something aesthetically pleasing will not only add a dash of color but will also uplift the mood. In case your windows are east facing, you should not draw apart the curtains or whatever window cover you are using. It will prevent direct sunlight from entering indoors. To add to the aim of eliminating heat, you can also get your home windows tinted with sun protection films. These come in varying shades from light to dark and look pretty appealing. In case there is a cool summer breeze, you can open those windows from which the direct sunlight does not enter your home for better ventilation and added coolness. 

5. Minimal Use Of Heat Generating Appliances – There are many appliances that we use indiscriminately inside the home that adds to the heat factor. For example, the washing machine, clothes dryer, dishwasher, etc. to name a few. These appliances produce heat as they work. Try limiting their use. Wash clothes only when you have a sufficient load and not on a daily basis for just a few pieces. Similarly, limit the use of dishwasher by washing the utensils with hand or waiting until you have enough utensils to justify its use. Likewise, look into the maintenance of your central heating and cooling system so that it performs optimally. When under stress, the HVAC unit tends to consume more power and produce more heat. Maintaining the energy-efficiency of all your appliances means less heat generation.

Other Popular Methods To Keep Your Home Cool  

Air conditioning in West Palm Beach is by far the most popular method to keep your house cool in South Florida. Even then, there are a few other things that you can do to make your home cooler. These include :

1. Addition of indoor plants to bring in nature, keep the air clean, add a dash of green, and keep your home cool even in summers.
2. Make your barbeque meals outside instead of cooking them indoors.
3. Plant more trees and shrubs around your home.
4. Unplug your appliances and switch off the lights when they are not in use.
5. Use breathable linen in your home for added comfort.

Air Conditioning West Palm Beach

Make your home your favorite retreat with the help of Aztil Air Conditioning. We believe your home should be one place that gives you the desired comfort. Therefore, we do everything in our power to ensure that it remains cool in summers. Feel free to contact us anytime for any issues concerning the coolness in your home. We take care of all your HVAC problem also 24/7. Aztil AC can make your home the home of your dreams.

Ductless split systems are the most efficient way to maintain the ideal temperature in your home when you cannot afford the expensive HVAC system. In terms of technology, they are nothing new and have been around for quite some time. You may have noticed them as a medium-sized rectangular box-like structure mounted high on the wall inside a home, office, or restaurant.

Types Of Ductless Heating And Cooling Systems

There are 2 types of ductless heating and cooling systems available in the market.

1. Mini-Split System – It consists of one indoor air handler and one outdoor condenser unit. This particular combination is most suitable to cool individual rooms. If you want to cool all your rooms, in the same manner, you can do it by setting up multiple units. However, that is possible only if there is space outside to install multiple condenser units. The most important advantage of this system is that you get to control the temperature of each specific room. Wherever conditioned air is not needed, you can switch off that particular unit.

2. Multi-Split System – In this system, there is just one outdoor condenser unit. This single condenser unit is connected to a number of individual air handlers. Such a system is most suited where every room has the same cooling requirement, and there is limited outdoor space. When there is a need for cooling or heating, all the units are activated at the same time. 

Ductless systems can be used in several places and under various circumstances. Let us have a look at some of these.

Where Ductless System Can Be Used

1. There Is No Existing Ductwork – There are many buildings that don’t have pre-existing ductwork. Usually, these buildings are old and of historical value. Installing comprehensive ductwork in these buildings would be very costly. If you want to install heating and cooling equipment and yet keep the costs low, the ductless system is most suited to meet your needs.  

2. There Are Heating And Cooling Issues In A Room – There could be heating and cooling issues in one particular room. It could be because

• The room is a new addition.
• It is cut off from the main house.
• It is situated at the very end of a duct run.

Whatever be the reason, one way to correct the situation is by installing a ductless system. It will not only resolve the problem but will also give you the flexibility to control the temperature in that room.

3. There Is A Need To Downsize Without Moving To New Location – As your children move out, you don’t need cooling in the entire house. The HVAC unit gives you the option to switch off heating and cooling in the unused or barely used portion of the house. But that creates pressure differences. One option that you have is to move into a new house or a building. However, if you want to avoid moving out and yet have the flexibility to cool or heat just those rooms that are in use, the ductless system is the best. 

When Ductless System Can Be Used

1. When Funds Are Limited – Most people are continuously looking out for ways to cut down their expenses. Ductless heating and cooling system are not only cheaper than the HVAC systems, but they also consume less power. Additionally, you can use them to cool or heat targeted rooms and no extra space, keeping the energy consumption to the barest minimum. In terms of savings, you will be pleasantly surprised.

2. When You Want To Go Green – The Seasonal energy efficiency Ratio or the SEER rating of a ductless system is between 18 to 30 SEER, while that of an HVAC system is between 13 to 20 SEER. It means that with the ductless system, there are savings of approximately 30% to 40% in the electricity bill. Also, the HVAC system suffers from energy inefficiency due to air leakage, pressure differences, and such. It has to work harder and longer and consumes more power. A ductless system does away with these inefficiencies and hence, uses less power, making it a better option for the environmentally conscious people.

3. When You want Complete Flexibility – A ductless system is the answer if you want complete flexibility over the heating and cooling of each individual room. You can control the temperature for every area separately without having to cool the entire house or building.

4. When You Live With People Having Different Temperature Requirements – Young children want rooms cooler than the elderly in the family. Similarly, a person who is not well may want to be in warmer surroundings than others. With the help of a ductless system, you can choose your own temperature settings without affecting those elsewhere in the house. 

Ductless System And Indoor Air Quality In West Palm Beach

It is a hassle to get the traditional HVAC system thoroughly cleaned. Unlike them, the ductless system comes equipped with multi-stage filtration systems that get rid of most airborne particles and micro-organisms that are detrimental to human health. There being no ductwork in the ductless systems, one does not have to worry about accumulations and pests making homes inside them. So, it can be rightly inferred that the ductless systems improve the indoor air quality without the cumbersome concerns of the HVAC systems. These days, the ductless heating and cooling systems are increasingly being used to improve the indoor air quality, even in West Palm Beach, homes, and buildings. 

West Palm Beach Duct Cleaning

The ductless system has many advantages over the traditional HVAC system. Based on your family requirements and the actual building structure and the premises, you can choose to switch over to a ductless system or a combination. If you are one of those families that use or want to use the ductless system along with the HVAC system, Aztil Air Conditioning can take care of all your needs. To improve the indoor air quality of your West Palm Beach home or building, use our duct cleaning services. We provide 24/7 emergency AC services and prompt resolution of all your HVAC and ductless system problems. Feel free to contact us anytime.

If you are like most Floridians, your AC must have been running non-stop through the summers to make your home comfortable. Now that the Fall is here, it is time to show your AC some tender loving care and prepare it for the transition or change of season. What your central heating and cooling system require at this time, is tune-up or maintenance. The tune-up is not as easy as shutting down the AC and giving it some downtime. Instead, it is about cleaning the components, greasing the mechanical parts, and general tinkering with the machine to ensure that it works efficiently as a complete entity.

Symptoms That Your AC Needs Tune-Up  

When its time for your AC to get a tune-up, you will notice some occurrences which were not there before. When any illness manifests itself in the human body, specific symptoms pop up. The same happens when your AC needs maintenance. Let us have a look at these symptoms.

1. Strange Noises While Operating – Until now, your AC would have been making at the most a soft humming noise. But suddenly, you would notice squealing, groaning, and rattling sounds coming from it. These sounds are grating on nerves and very hard to ignore. The reason behind these sounds could be loose, broken, or ungreased parts rubbing against each other. 

Squealing sounds are indicative that the old belt has worn out, and your system needs a new one. Grinding and rattling sounds point a finger towards a loose or broken component. Groaning noises are heard mostly when the unit needs recalibration. 

2. Unpleasant Odors – Your HVAC system acts as a natural air neutralizer. It traps the allergens, mold spores, and micro-organisms that cause odor. From time to time, it also brings in air from outside to dilute the air inside and keep it fresh and clean. When there is a musty or rotten egg smell pervasive in your home, you should not ignore it. These smells though unpleasant, are also health hazards as they specify presence on contaminants. It means that your AC is telling you its time for annual maintenance or tune-up. 

Similarly, there may be a smell of burning wire or plastic, which indicates that either the wiring in the AC has come loose or that certain component is heating so much that it is burning the casing around it. Either situation is a red flag, as it can cause fire due to a short circuit.  

3. Variable Temperature – Your AC needs a tune-up if the temperature throughout your home differs. Also, if you have to frequently make changes to the thermostat settings, your AC is in need of scheduled maintenance. Any rapid increase or drop in the temperature inside your house is not good. It is because the HVAC system is designed to maintain a consistent temperature inside irrespective of the temperature outside. 

As a part of the tune-up, recalibrating the thermostat usually puts an end to inconsistent temperatures. Next time when you feel that your home has become either too cool or too warm without any changes from your side, schedule its maintenance.

4. Poor Airflow – Again, an HVAC system is designed to allow adequate flow of cool or warm air, as the case may be. Any decrease in the flow of conditioned air will happen only when there are accumulations in the system that are preventing its unrestricted movement.

Poor airflow results from dirty air filters, leaks in the ductwork, and accumulations that block the air from passing freely. Fortunately, AC tune-up involves changing of air filters, cleaning of the ducts, and checking for leaks and sealing them. These few things get rid of all those elements blocking the flow of air.

5. Unreasonably High Humidity – The HVAC unit draws out the excessive humidity present in the air, condenses it, and gets rid of it through the drain line. When your AC has not been maintained for a long time, its efficiency in drawing out moisture from the airdrops. Usually, it happens because of dirty evaporator coils and low refrigerant levels. AC tune-up involves cleaning of the coils and checking the refrigerant level to make sure that it keeps performing optimally year after year. 

Sometimes a fault in the thermostat could cause short cycling due to which the AC is unable to reduce humidity levels. As a part of the maintenance schedule, the thermostat is also be given a once over to verify that it is working as needed. Any detected faults are handled immediately to maintain the system’s overall efficiency.

6. Increase In Utility Bills – When there is any problem building inside the HVAC unit, you will notice a steep increase in your utility bills. It happens because the unit operates under undue pressure and consumes more gas and electricity to do the same amount of work.

Your HVAC unit operates under pressure only when it is dirty, short-cycling, has loose wires, broken parts, worn-out fan belts, etc. In any case, most of these conditions are addressed in the maintenance schedule. Just getting a tune-up will reduce the stress on the unit and bring down your utility bills drastically. 

AC Tune-Up West Palm Beach

AC tune-up in West Palm Beach is all the more important due to the ever-present high humidity levels. Without adequate removal of humidity, your home will feel clammy and claustrophobic. If you experience any of the above symptoms in your West Palm Beach home, your HVAC needs immediate attention. 

Book an appointment with the elite team of Aztil Air Conditioning today. We provide 24/7 emergency services and see to it that your problems are addressed immediately without any delay. Don’t wait for your AC to go belly up. Give us a call today at 888-729-8452 so that we can schedule immediate tune-up and maintenance of your AC. For the special year-end offer, book a tune-up for $28. Remember, the last date for the special offer is 31 Dec 2019, so contact us now.  

Air filters are the lungs of every HVAC unit. If the lungs are damaged the entire body, and in this case, the HVAC unit will suffer the consequences. It is this very reason why HVAC experts suggest, as an AC maintenance tip, to change the air filters regularly. Generally, you should change them every month. However, if for some reason that is not possible, do try and change them before the quarter is out.

Regularly Change Air Filters

To extend the life of your HVAC unit and also to keep it working efficiently, the air filters play a crucial role. But how is that so? You needn’t take our word for it. There are facts that validate the importance of changing air filters regularly. These facts are related to the cleanliness of the filters and the performance of your HVAC unit.

AC Maintenance Tip West Palm Beach – Periodically Change Air Filters

It has been stressed that air filters should be changed every month. But, nobody told you exactly why. According to them, it increases the efficiency of the HVAC unit and makes it last longer. But how? Lets us find the answers now. 

1. Reduces Stress On The Unit – When you have difficulty in breathing in, you are bound to have difficulty in breathing out. The same is true for the HVAC unit and that is the reason why the air filters are compared to the human lungs. If the lungs are clean and healthy, you breathe in and out in adequate quantity and easily. Dirty air filters restrict the flow of air. When that happens, your HVAC unit starts operating under undue stress. It has to work not only longer but also harder to maintain the temperature in your living space, causing the unit to overheat. You can easily reduce the stress on the system by replacing the air filters with clean ones every month. When the flow of air is not restricted, there is no stress on the unit. The difference can be felt in the form of uniform temperature throughout the home. 

2. Brings Down The Utility Bills – As mentioned above, when the filters are dirty, the HVAC unit works longer and harder to cool your home. It means that your HVAC will consume more power and gas to perform the same amount of work. Any increase in the consumption of electricity and gas will increase your monthly utility bills, as well. The only way to keep your utility bills in check is by making sure that the HVAC unit has an uninterrupted flow of air. It turns out that it is possible only if the filters get replaced frequently.

3. Improves Air Quality – There are many contaminants present in the air inside the home. Most of these contaminants are allergens that disturb the air quality. Additionally, Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs are also present in your living space. Together the combination is detrimental to the health of the people residing inside. Clean air filters will not only trap these allergens and VOCs but also other harmful micro-organisms and prevent them from becoming a part of the circulating air. On the other hand, if the filters are dirty, they will not perform this job efficiently. So the choice is completely in your hands. If you wish to maintain healthy air quality inside the home, change air filters often,     

4. Keeps Emissions In Check – Cooling and heating our homes produce greenhouse gases. According to statistics, almost 40% of the carbon emissions in America occur from heating, cooling, and hot water demands. A demand that is ever increasing due to the expanding size of the American homes. The quickest way to keep your carbon footprints in check is by ensuring that the air filters are clean. Dirty filters cause overheating and reduce the efficiency of the HVAC system. As a result, more greenhouse gases are produced that are harmful to your family as well as the environment. Today, small steps like ching the air filters go a long way in slowing down the effects of global warming. 

Changing The Air Filters

During the annual maintenance of your HVAC unit, the technician will replace the dirty air filters. However, that will happen just once a year. What about the remaining 11 months? You can ask your local HVAC company to send a technician each month to replace them, or you can do it yourself. In either case, pay special attention to the MERV rating or the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value of the air filters. It is a rating created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration, and Air Conditioning Engineers popularly known as ASHRAE. They have created a scale of the porousness of the air filters starting at 1 and going up to 16.  

Most home air filters fall within the range of 4 to 13 MERV. The higher the MERV rating, the more contaminants are removed from the air within your home. If you have any doubts, you can always consult your local HVAC company about which you should buy.

AC Maintenance West Palm Beach

The quality of the air filter used in your HVAC system is pivotal to the performance efficiency of the unit. If you fail to keep them clean, not only will your utility bills increase, but the unit can fry due to overheating caused by continuous operation under stress. 

Aztil Air Conditioning provides AC maintenance services in West Palm Beach, Florida. If you are a resident of the area and facing any problems with your HVAC system, you can contact us anytime. We provide 24/7 emergency services so that you don’t have to stay without your AC. Out maintenance experts are highly skilled and will take good care of your HVAC unit. They will inform you of any issues that may be building inside the machine. It will help you take care of problems before they blow out of proportion. Book an appointment with us today so that together, we can take good care of your HVAC unit.

Servicing the air conditioner every year is a piece of strict advice given by the professionals, but there is no law that makes it mandatory. Even the companies that do AC maintenance service in West Palm Beach will tell you the same. In such a case, it is natural for you to think, “Is the HVAC company trying to mint more money from you?”. If this thought has passed your mind, you need to read this article to understand why annual AC maintenance is recommended by professionals.

Does An AC Require Servicing Every Year?

Before we proceed, let us try and comprehend the importance of AC maintenance through an analogy. Does a doctor prescribe an annual physical examination each year for you and your family members? If he does that, is it to make more money from you? No, a doctor does not ask for a complete checkup of your health to scam you. He asks for it so that any illness can be caught well in time and treated before it becomes critical. The same is the reason why your HVAC company tells you to get the servicing of your AC done every year. It helps them to catch any issues building in your AC well in time and rectify them before they become more complicated.

Importance Of Servicing Your AC Every Year

There are several reasons why you should get your air conditioner serviced every year. Let’s have a brief look at them:

1. Catch Most Problems Beforehand – The common AC problems will have a definite tell; for example, cooling becomes erratic, the circuit breaker keeps tripping, etc. These are indicators of problems building within the AC. During the course of annual seasonal maintenance, your AC is given a thorough cleaning along with a change of air filters, coil cleaning, leak checks, and so on. If there is an issue that is seen during this time, it is settled immediately before it becomes more complex and costly to handle. 

2. Reclaim Lost Efficiency – As your AC runs incessantly, its efficiency drops. It mostly happens due to natural wear and tear, accumulations, and continuous use. Annual maintenance sees to it that most of the lost efficiency is reclaimed so that the air conditioner continues to perform optimally in all seasons. If statistics are to be believed, annual maintenance helps to recover almost 95% of the lost efficiency.  

3. Maintain Good Air Quality – Closed homes have to pay special attention to their air quality. If the quality of the air inside the house is terrible, you and your family member continue to inhale it. As a result, your family will suffer from more allergies and other health-related problems. If you are desirous of maintaining good air quality within your home, AC maintenance each year is the only solution. It will help get rid of all accumulations inside the ducts and the AC unit, along with sealing all the sources of leaks.   

4. Prevent Overheating – Many times, even without any outward indication, your AC gets overheated. This happens when any component of the AC is operating under pressure. Servicing gives the technician a chance to identify such situations and their cause. Addressing these problems at the very onset will prevent overheating of the unit.

What Parts Of The AC Need To Be Serviced

If you have a checklist of parts that need to be inspected as a part of the annual maintenance, it is to your benefit. At least you will make sure that you get your money’s worth. So here is a checklist that makes your work easy –

1. Air Filter Replacement – With time, the air filters get dirty and as a result, clogged. This prevents the free flow of air and reduces the cooling efficiency of your AC. It can also put your AC under tremendous stress. As a part of annual maintenance, the air filters should be replaced.

2. Cleaning Of Coils – Both the evaporator coils and the condenser coils need to be cleaned. This helps to keep your AC unit energy efficient and last longer.

3. Leak Detection And Its Treatment – If there are any leaks in your system, it will have a direct impact on the efficiency of your unit. Additionally, you will feel that the temperature inside fluctuates and does not remain constant. The leaks could be in the form of air leaking through cracks in the ductwork to a refrigerant leak. Either situation is unacceptable, and all sources of the leak should be sealed.

4. Checking Refrigerant Levels – Another major check to be performed during servicing of AC each year is the level of refrigerant inside the evaporator coil. The refrigerant level has a direct relation to the cooling capability of the air conditioner, and hence, it should not be overlooked. If the refrigerant is (which happens due to leaks), it needs to be topped up to the prescribed level.

5. Machine Tune-Up – Your air conditioner consists of both mechanical and electrical parts. These need to be greased, tightened, or reset to keep your unit in perfect working order. Machine tune-up is a critical part of annual AC maintenance.

6. Unit Testing – Since the technician will be doing so many things to your air conditioning unit, it is but natural to check that at the end of it, your AC is running smoothly. Once the technician is through with all the aspects of maintenance and satisfied, he should switch on the unit for a couple of minutes to ensure that everything is working fine.

AC Maintenance Service West Palm Beach  

Now that you know how important annual servicing of your air conditioner is, you would want to hire an HVAC company that is locally available and reliable. Aztil AC provides AC maintenance services in West Palm Beach, Florida. Our team of experts consists of thorough professionals with relevant experience in the HVAC field. If you book our services, we guarantee no delays and downtime. You get prompt services along with the resolution of problems because we completely understand how difficult it is to stay without your AC in any weather.

Indoor air quality is a big concern all around. Everybody wants to breathe in clean and healthy air, but in the confines of a closed space, that becomes a problem. This is what happens inside an office, as well. To maintain a comfortable temperature inside, the office is closed all around with just an industrial-grade or commercial-grade HVAC system bringing in the fresh air. But is that enough or there is more we can do to improve the indoor air quality? There are many ways in which you can improve the office indoor air quality. Today, we shall discuss some of them. Hopefully, you will be able to replicate them in your office to create a healthier working environment.

How To Improve Office Indoor Air Quality?

Here are a few things that you can do to improve the quality of the air circulating inside your office building.

1. Regular Maintenance Of The HVAC System – Periodic maintenance helps avoid problems. Not only that, as a part of regular maintenance, the entire HVAC unit is given a thorough cleaning. Cleaning ensures that there are no buildups inside the unit, which could hamper its air cleaning efficiency. Additionally, it also ensures full working efficiency, thereby keeping the utility bills low and the office at the desired temperature throughout the day. A clean unit will not release dust and other particle matter inside the building through the circulating air.  

2. Keep Vents & Grilles Open & Replace Air Filters – In an office building, the vents and registers are strategically placed to cool or warm the entire office space. These vents and grilles should never be closed as that will harm the indoor air quality as well as the maintenance of the desired temperature. If there is furniture, office equipment, or boxes blocking the vents and registers, remove them immediately and place them elsewhere. When the vents and registers are blocked or closed, air does not circulate properly. When air does not circulate properly stale and unclean air remains in circulation and cause health problems. Air filters, too, need to be changed regularly so that they trap all particles and micro-organisms floating in the air efficiently.

3. Add Green Plants – Green plants are pleasing to the eye and also lift the environment inside the office. They add a splash of color and break the monotony of concrete and chrome. Green plants are natural air cleaners. Some plants more so than others, for example, aloe-vera plant, rubber tree, snake plant, bamboo palm, and red-edged dracaena. These plants are known to remove toxins from the air, naturally making your office air pure and healthy.

4. Follow Smoking Policy Rigorously – Every office building has a smoking policy. Under that policy, smoking areas are clearly identified, and the rest of the space is a no-smoking zone. If you are a smoker, you need to follow the rules stringently and go out to the smoking area only for a smoke break. You cannot smoke inside the no-smoking zone.

5. Maintain Healthy Humidity Levels – Too much and too low, both excesses are bad. The same stands true for the humidity levels. If your HVAC system is unable to remove humidity adequately from the building, you need to ask the management to invest in a commercial dehumidifier. When buying such a product, you should invest in one which acts as a dehumidifier during summers and monsoons and as a humidifier in winters. The right humidity levels need to be maintained because they discourage the presence of suspended particles in the air and also prevent mold and mildew formation.

6. Keep The Office Clean – Regular vacuuming and dusting of the office are necessary to get rid of all the dust particles which find their way inside and get settled in corners, crevices, and surfaces. See to it that the cleaning staff does a thorough job.

7. Prompt Disposal Of Garbage – Garbage in the form of bits of paper, take-out food boxes, wrapping papers, cigarette butts, etc. should all be gotten rid of every day. Garbage in any form is not good. It not only destroys the aesthetics of the space but also lends an unpleasant odor to the air. The odor of any intensity means thriving bacteria and viruses. 

8. Open Windows for Fresh Air – Every once in a while, even the office space needs to be aired out. Sunlight is a natural disinfectant, and fresh air dilutes the impurities present in the air inside. Consider opening a few windows that bring in fresh air and light without terminating the ideal temperature maintained inside the building. If required, this can be done on a holiday or a non-working day when the central heating and cooling are switched off.

9. Add An Air Purification System – The pollution levels are at an all-time high. In such times investing in an air purification system is the most sensible idea. This way, the indoor air quality can be controlled in a much more efficient manner.

10. Use Professional Duct Cleaning Services – Getting the maintenance of your HVAC unit done is not enough. Every year the ductwork needs to be cleaned professionally. Ducts are the dirtiest part of the HVAC system. It is because they are closed, and one cannot access them completely to clean them in their entirety. Sometimes the ducts may get blocked because the buildups have become so large that they clog it. In fact, the ducts are a favorite place for pests and rodents to make their home. From their dander (hair and dead skin cells), too, becomes a part of the air that you breathe. These are all allergens that impact your health. Professional duct cleaners will clean the whole network of ducts to get rid of all such things that spoil the quality of the air inside the office.

Final Words On Improving Air Quality

When working in an office, it is not just one person’s job to keep it clean. Each person can contribute a little towards making it a conducive environment. Follow the office rules, keep your surroundings clean, and buy one small plant for your desk. These three things themselves will drastically improve the office indoor air quality. 

Seldom do we stop and think about how professionals in various fields have made a difference in our lives. Why look too far from home. Stop and think about the HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) contractor whom you call for all problems, big and small. Had they not been there, you would have been floundering and running pillar to post getting your air conditioner problems sorted. If you think that an HVAC contractor is just an overhyped person, this article is just for you. Spare a few moments to learn how an HVAC contractor can make your life easier.

Who Is An HVAC Contractor?

An HVAC contractor is a trained professional who specializes in the installation and maintenance along with troubleshooting of furnaces, heat pumps, boilers, and central air conditioners. The state requires them to be licensed as their job is critical to the well being of the customers and the environment. 

Licensed Contractors Only

Time and again, you are advised to hire licensed contractors for your HVAC related issues. Why not hire anyone who gives the lowest quote? There is only one word to explain the difference, and that is “Training”. Only the licensed contractors are professionally trained and tested, while others may be running a scam. A professional will always do a thorough job while the scammer will do a rush job, which may land up being detrimental to your health, safety, and finances.

How HVAC Contractor Makes Your Life Easy

There are proper reasons that validate the necessity of HVAC contractors in making your life easy. To know more about them read on.

1. Preventive Maintenance Fully Taken Care Of – Maintenance is all about taking care of the issues even before they arise. The entire HVAC system consists of many parts, some mechanical and others electrical. Most of them are moving parts that suffer constant wear and tear due to use. The other components may not be moving and yet have to bear the brunt of nature, so they need to be taken care of in order to avoid future problems. Preventive maintenance is full of necessary checks to ensure that your unit works efficiently at all times. A contractor conducts these checks to identify the possibility of problems occurring in the future and takes the necessary steps to contain them.  

2. Safety Their Top Priority – Safety is the top priority of every licensed HVAC contractor. Safety does not mean just their own safety but also that of the residents or the people working in the building as well. Here the word safety is used in relation to the HVAC system. The contractors wear full protective gear while working on the maintenance or problem-solving of the HVAC system. They resolve problems, ensuring that nobody gets hurt during the repair and even after due to careless mistakes. The solutions are sound and never make-do or for the time being. If they think something is not right, they will inform you directly and strongly advise the right course of action.

3. A Solution For All Your HVAC Problems – A contractor is a trained professional and hence, has a sound solution to all your HVAC problems. On the other hand, a person who is not a trained contractor will go through a trial and error phase in resolving most issues. Even then, there is no guarantee that they have done the right job. With a trained contractor, you can breathe easy and trust their skills and judgment. Their solutions will stand true on safety, standard, and efficiency. They will also not build up into bigger and costlier problems. Also, the fee they charge is fixed. The only variable part of it is the cost of the replacement components. They will never increase or decrease the fee on whims and fancies.   

4. Energy Efficiency Always – No matter what the problem with the HVAC system, the trained contractor will ensure that your unit works efficiently even after the repair. Unlike them, an untrained technician’s aim is just to get the unit in working order even if that means sacrificing energy efficiency. As a homeowner with an HVAC unit, you do understand that an energy-efficient system keeps your utility costs low and the home at a comfortable temperature. To err on the side of efficiency will be a very costly mistake for any homeowner. So, trust only a trained contractor. 

5. Best Advice Comes From The Professionals – Be it a new HVAC purchase decision or an upgrade you want to make to your home or current HVAC system, these decisions are hard for any homeowner. Mostly so because of a lack of technical knowledge in respect of the HVAC unit. In such conditions, a professional contractor will give you the best advice. Usually, they conduct an inspection of your home and only then tell you your options. The same stands true when your unit needs repairs or replacements. You are told the pros and cons of all the options and also advised on the best one. The final solution is not forced on you. Instead, it is mutually arrived at. As against this, a person impersonating a trained contractor will neither give you satisfactory answers nor take your opinions into consideration while proposing any solution. Instead, they will try to make you agree to their course of action. Their limited knowledge will not allow them to think of the possibility of other solutions. Therefore, any advice from them is also not trustworthy.

Food For Thought

A licensed HVAC contractor is qualified to take care of your HVAC unit. They are trained to handle all sorts of problems that the unit might develop and all the options that are available to rectify them. In addition, they are also taught about what else could go wrong. So every time they troubleshoot a problem, they don’t just look at one thing, but also the complete unit. With a licensed HVAC contractor, you can relax and let them do their job to make your life easy.    

Those drops of water falling from the AC vent may look like a small issue, but the reality is that this seemingly insignificant problem can have big repercussions. They are a health hazard as moisture propagates the growth of mold, rust, and micro-organisms. Additionally, it can also cause damage to the floor, walls, and other items kept where the water is dripping. In short, you cannot overlook the damage to property. Now that you know, Ac vent leaking water is not something you should ignore, let’s try to understand what causes the water to leak from the AC vents.

What Is An AC Vent?

“Vent” is a term that encompasses all the supply and return air sources that are associated with your central air conditioning unit. However, in context to this article, AC vents are those openings through which the AC sends in cool air inside your home. These are usually installed on the ceiling or wall of the room.

Why Does AC Vent Leak Water?

To understand why AC vents leak, you need to understand the basic working of the air conditioner. An air conditioner absorbs the warm moist air inside your home and makes it cool by passing it over the chilled evaporator coils. When the air passes over the coils, the moisture settles over them as condensate and drips into the drip pan. Attached to the drip pan is a drip line that flushes out the collected water. 

When any problem arises in the above function, it can cause water droplets to drip from the AC vents. Regular periodic maintenance ensures that such an occurrence does not happen.

Causes Of Water Dripping From AC Vents

We just mentioned that a problem in the basic cooling function could result in dripping vents. So, let’s have a look at the most common causes. 

1. Damaged Drain Pan – With time, the drain pan gets damaged due to corrosion or continuous use. It develops holes or cracks because of which it is unable to hold water anymore. In the absence of a place where the condensate can collect, it drips down the vents. The only solution is to either fix the cracks or replace the drain pan. It is advisable that you replace the drain pan if it is damaged as it will give you longer relief from dripping water.

2. Clogged Drain Line – The water is collected in the drain pan, but the drain line or the drainpipe is clogged. It results in the accumulation of water until it overflows and starts dripping from the vents. Mold, mildew, dust, debris or sludge accumulations in the drainpipe can block it completely. The drain line becoming clogged is normal and inevitable. However, using warm water and a bleach solution and a vacuum cleaner, the accumulations can be easily flushed out. Also, cleaning of drainpipe will be taken care of in the periodic maintenance of your AC.

3. Fault In Sump Pump – You cleaned the AC drain line, and still, there is water accumulated in the drain pan. It indicates a problem with the sump pump. The condensate pump usually has a float valve or switch that turns the pump on when water reaches a fixed level. The switch may have become jammed because of limescale buildup or scum. Try manipulating it to get it free and see if it works. If it does, clean the buildup around the switch for better performance. If that does not work, call your HVAC technician as the chances are that you may have to replace the sump pump. 

4. Frozen Evaporator Coils Due To Low Refrigerant – Many times, the evaporator coils freeze. When that happens, the water droplets freeze and ice builds up over them. When the AC has switched off, this ice melts and drips down your AC vents. In order to fix the dripping water issue, you need to fix the frozen coils. Usually, it happens because of the low refrigerant level in the AC. In an ideal situation, there should be no ice formation anywhere in your AC. Call your local HVAC company to fix this problem. They will top up the refrigerant and fix leaks, if any, to prevent any further refrigerant loss. As soon as it gets resolved, the water leaking down your vents too shall stop. 

5. Air Leakage Around Vents – Ideally, the cool air should flow into your home through the grates, without escaping from around the vents of the AC. If the air is escaping, it will cause condensation buildup and result in water dripping from the vents. Feel around the vents for any leaks other than through the grates. Once you find the leak seal it with caulk.

6. Poor Insulation – Attic in most homes are not properly insulated, and most air ducts pass through the attic. The poor insulation causes condensation buildup within the system, which drips down the AC vents. To fix this problem, you need to wrap special air duct insulation all around the ductwork. The best way to handle this issue is by calling your HVAC technician. They will do a thorough and proper job giving you lasting relief. 

7. Dirty Air Filters – When the air filters are dirty, air does not pass adequately through the system. This causes the AC to freeze up, and when the ice melts, it drips don the vents into your home, creating puddles and wet areas. You need to regularly change the air filters to ensure an uninhibited flow of air. 

Aztil AC Keeps All Problems At Bay

There are many reasons that can result in water leaking from the AC vents. Now that you know about the common causes, you will realize that some of them are easy fixes ad can be taken care of by yourself. Nonetheless, your HVAC company can take care of even these small issues and relieve you of all the burden.

Lucky for you, you don’t have to get down and dirty every time there is a problem with the AC. The elite team of Aztil AC professionals will take care of all your AC problems, including AC vent leaking water inside your home.  

“Smart” is the new keyword. Phones, watches, cars, and even homes & offices are now smart. Being smart is not about giving a facelift to materialistic things. It is all about automation. In a bid to automate homes, you now have smart appliances like coffee makers, lights, fans, and such. The new addition to the list of things is now the “Smart Thermostat”. Why upgrade to a smart thermostat when your old one seems to be working fine? To answer this question, we need to know more about smart thermostats. So, let’s get down to it.

What Is A Smart Thermostat?

Those thermostats that are used for home automation are smart thermostats. They control the heating and cooling inside the home. A smart thermostat is very similar to a programmable thermostat. Both run on a schedule to control the temperature. But there exist some key differences as well. A smart thermostat has Wi-Fi connectivity and sensors. It also provides data like –

1. Indoor and outdoor temperature
2. How long the HVAC unit has been running.
3. The energy consumed so far.
4. Warning to change the air filters.

Can I upgrade To A Smart Thermostat Anytime?

You can upgrade to a smart thermostat anytime provided that your HVAC system is low voltage (24V), and there is sufficient wiring for Wi-Fi and C-terminal connectivity. There are other considerations as well, but those are for another time. You can also ask your HVAC company to confirm whether your system is compatible and meets the other requirements for upgrading to a smart thermostat.

Why Upgrade To A Smart Thermostat? 

Technology is evolving continuously. As it evolves, newer and better things come into existence while the old ones become outdated and obsolete. When things are on the verge of obsolescence, it becomes difficult and costly to get them repaired and maintained. New technology, on the other hand, maybe expensive, to begin with, but slowly it becomes mainstream, and the price evens out. At such a time, embracing change is the best option. The same stands true for smart thermostats. Other than bringing your home into the modern age, below are a few other reasons why you should upgrade to a smart thermostat.

Benefits Of A Smart Thermostat

1. Remotely Adjust Temperature – If the weather turned suddenly without any warning and you are still in office, no need to worry anymore. Instruct your smart thermostat to change the temperature settings at home from the confines of your office. With a smartphone and a Wi-Fi connection, one can adjust the temperature at home remotely. By the time you reach home, it becomes nice and cozy just the way you wanted. 

2. Smart Savings – Smart thermostats are not just smart but also energy saving. Combine it with an HVAC unit that is energy efficient, and you have the best combination to work with. These thermostats are built to cut your energy usage when you and your family are away from home. So, your HVAC system works hard only when you need it to and not always.

3. Fewer Problems – The traditional thermostats suffer from a lot many problems due to bad connections, dust & grime build-up, poor choice of placement, corrosion, etc. Smart thermostats, on the other hand, are low maintenance and do not suffer from any such issues. They not only last for a longer period of time but also give consistently accurate results.  

4. Smart Zoning – With smart thermostats, you can easily zone your house and fix specific temperatures for the areas that you are using and those that you aren’t. Your HVAC unit does not have to work hard to maintain the same temperature throughout the home. For the portion not being used, you can switch to energy-saving settings, and for the rest of it, the temperature that you desire.

5. Smart Warning System – Cherry on top is the warning system in the smart thermostats. It not only tells you when the air filters need to be changed but also indicates the changes in humidity and outdoor temperatures, which may warrant a change in indoor settings.

6. Learns Your Temperature Behavior – Over a period of time, the smart thermostat learns your temperature and humidity needs and automatically makes adjustments to keep your home comfortable. It will not always prompt you for an input about which it has already acquired knowledge.  

7. Vacation Mode – Every time you go on vacation, you don’t have to change all the settings on your home thermostat. Just put your smart thermostat on the vacation setting and remotely switch back to normal settings when you are on your way back home.

8. Keeps Tab On Energy Usage – Smart thermostats not just store your energy usage but also displays it at your convenience. You can easily do a comparative study whenever you want and helps you get a better handle on the best settings for your home.        

Is It Worth Upgrading To A Smart Thermostat?

If you are frequently away from home and that too at short notice, it makes sense to upgrade to a smart thermostat. Even if you forget to change the settings in a hurry, you can do it remotely. And when you are on your way back, you can again switch it to the temperature that you want. On their own, smart thermostats can’t make your HVAC unit more energy-efficient until and unless you have completely messed up the programming on your current thermostat. 

Conclusion

If you are looking to upgrade, smart thermostats are an obvious choice. They are the next generation of thermostats, which will sooner rather than later replace the programmable thermostats. If that is inevitable, you might as well jump in right now and make the change. However, if your programmable thermostat is working fine and shows no signs of trouble, you can wait a while before switching over. In the end, it is a choice that you have yo make after weighing the pros and cons. If you are stuck in a dilemma and wish for an expert opinion, feel free to contact us at Aztil AC.

Homes that have an HVAC system installed have to ensure proper ventilation. In such houses, ventilation becomes more important because the flow of air is controlled. If the air entering the system is insufficient, the air leaving the system too would be insufficient. In short, the volume of air that goes in is the same volume that comes out and circulates within. There are consequences of poor ventilation that one will have to bear if due attention is not paid.

What Is Ventilation?

The conscious introduction of outside air into a closed space and its circulation is called ventilation. It is used to manage the quality of air inside the closed space by dispersing the pollutants through the dilution of indoor air.

Consequence Of Poor Ventilation

1. Hot And Cold Areas – Ideally, the temperature should be uniform throughout, but improper ventilation leads to hot and cold areas in the home. What basically happens is that the flow of air gets concentrated and is unable to circulate efficiently throughout the house. The places that receive air will become cold or hot, depending on the temperature setting, and the opposite will happen in the rest of your residence.     

2. Pressure Differences – Pressure differences also occur inside the home due to poor ventilation. It can be felt in the form of sudden opening and closing of doors and windows. Additionally, it also feels as if a gust of air has been sucked inside or pushed outside suddenly. Adequate ventilation makes sure that no such pressure differences occur.

3. Icing Of Evaporator Coil – If there is an impediment in the airflow towards the evaporator coil, the temperature around it falls, causing ice formation. In extreme cases, the icing may extend to more parts than just the coil. When the evaporator coils freeze, the air conditioning unit has to work harder and far longer to provide the necessary cooling.

4. Insufficient Heating And Cooling – Due to poor ventilation, the central heating and cooling system cannot do a justifiable job. Either it shuts down before the actual preset temperature is reached. Or it keeps on running continuously and yet is unable to achieve it. Neither of these situations is desirable and should be avoided at all costs. 

5. Unit Heats Up Faster – When ventilation is an issue, the HVAC unit has to work under continuous strain. It works longer and harder to give the same output causing it to heat up. The situation gets compounded when the unit is unable to cool down properly. The safety mechanism inside the unit may trigger its complete shut down due to excessive heating. 

6. Health Problems – Dust, dander, allergens, mold, mildew, microbes, and pathogens accumulate in homes that don’t have proper ventilation. People living in these homes will often suffer from allergies, breathing problems, fatigue, nausea, dizziness, and other illnesses. To ensure the good health of your loved ones, you will have to take steps to remedy the glitches in your ventilation system. A sound ventilation system will bring in outside air and dilute the contaminants present inside. It will also capture them and prevent them from becoming a part of the circulating air.   

7. High Humidity – Humidity conditions will worsen inside your residence if there are issues with your ventilation system. In the absence of a good ventilation system, the moisture generated from showering and cooking will remain and add to the already present humidity. In winter, the moisture may accumulate in the form of condensation on windows, causing water damage to the adjoining walls and floor. When humidity is high, one tends to feel clammy and irritable. Adding to the problem is the fact that high humidity provides a thriving environment to allergens and mold.

8. Unpleasant Odors – Smells that permeate the home become a part of it when there are glitches in the ventilation system. Now, if the smell is pleasant, nobody minds it. On the flip side, if it’s bad, you will want to get rid of it at all costs. But alas, the ventilation in your home is not adequate, and so it takes days before you are free of it. To be honest, the problem is not just bad odors. Even the good ones are a cause of concern as they contain VOCs or Volatile Organic Compounds that are known to cause allergies, skin ailments, nausea, and headaches. Adequate ventilation will dilute the effects of these VOCs and also trap their particles in the air filters.

Causes Of Poor Ventilation

It is clear from the above discussion that insufficient ventilation can give rise to many problems. But what are the causes of poor ventilation? Ventilation problems build over time, and some of its causes are –

1. The air filters in the HVAC unit get clogged with dust, debris, and other particles over a period of time. When they get clogged, the flow of air gets restricted. 

2. Dust, debris, dander, leaves, scraps of paper, etc. accumulate on the fins of the condenser unit. Accumulations on the condenser unit block the free flow of air. If the condenser coil is dirty, it is unable to release the heat into the atmosphere, thereby preventing the refrigerant from cooling. This puts the unit under tremendous strain as well.

3. A malfunctioning fan will not circulate air adequately. Also, sometimes dust accumulations on the fan may make it sluggish, hampering the airflow. 

4. If the vents are blocked, there is no way that the air can circulate properly.    

5. Leaks, holes, cracks, and gaps in the ducts will also act as an impediment in the free flow of air.

6. If your unit is not of the correct size, airflow problems are bound to occur. A small unit will take longer to reach the desired temperature, and an over sized unit will reach it far quicker without adequately removing humidity.

Finally

At the end of this discussion, you are well aware of the things that can cause problems in your ventilation system. Also, you now know the consequences of poor ventilation. If you want to avoid these problems, we strongly recommend periodic maintenance and professional cleaning of your central heating and cooling system. For further queries, feel free to contact us at Aztil AC.