Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Air Conditioning Basics: Refrigerant and Why It Is Important

Friday, July 25th, 2014

In order for an air conditioners to cool, they rely on the process of heat exchange, moving heat from the inside of a home to the outside. Refrigerant, the chemical that allows for heat transfer, is the perfect chemical blend for this process because it is non-combustible and easily converts from liquid to gas form and back again.

Your air conditioning system is made up of two major parts, the condenser unit and the evaporator unit. In split systems, the evaporator is located indoors, while the condenser is outside, but packaged systems store every part in one single cabinet. All air conditioning systems have the same components, however, and the four most important components through which refrigerant passes as it moves through the system are the compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve, and evaporator.

Each of these parts is responsible for changing refrigerant so that it can carry out heat exchange. The compressor changes refrigerant from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure gas so that it can give off heat at the condenser. Here it changes into a liquid under high pressure and moves to the expansion valve, where it changes into a low-pressure liquid. At the evaporator, it changes back into a gas, absorbing the heat in your home in the process. It then moves to the compressor to begin the cycle again.

It’s important that the refrigerant level remains constant in order to continue cooling your home effectively. Low levels of refrigerant obstruct the exchange of heat, so that your AC has less cooling power. Additionally, the parts of your system are sized to handle a specific level, and when this changes it can cause the evaporator to freeze or damage the compressor, leading to a costly repair.

Refrigerant will never dissipate on its own. If you have low levels of refrigerant, it may be a result of improper measurements during installation, but it often means there is a leak somewhere along the refrigerant line due to loose connections or corrosion.

The technicians at Kool Breeze can assist you when you notice problems like these for your air conditioning system in Fort Walton Beach, FL. For repairs, maintenance, installation, and more, give us a call today!

 

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3 Ways to Detect a Refrigerant Leak

Tuesday, July 15th, 2014

One of the more common problems that an air conditioning system can encounter is a leak along the refrigerant lines. As refrigerant leaks out, it drops the set “charge” in the system, which must remain at this level for the AC to work correctly. A loss of refrigerant will mean a loss in cooling ability for the system, and it will also cause problems such as a frozen coil and even serious, irreparable damage to the compressor when it starts to overheat. When leaks begin, they need immediate repair from specialists, followed by a recharging of the system to the correct refrigerant level.

You cannot fix this problem on your own: although signs of leaks are often obvious (loss of cooling, iced evaporator coil, hissing sounds), locating the often tiny leaks themselves can be tricky. Here are three way that our Pensacola Beach, FL air conditioning repair specialists at Kool Breeze handle finding refrigerant leaks.

  1. Electronic detectors: In the HVAC world, these are usually called “sniffers,” and are the most common device used to pinpoint refrigerant leaks. Sniffers generate a high voltage spark that will drop in voltage when it encounters an insulating gas—such as R-410A, the refrigerant blend used in most modern air conditioners. The technicians run the sniffer along the refrigerant line until registering a large drop in voltage.
  2. Fluorescent detection: Fluorescent lights are helpful in picking out the otherwise hard to see escaping refrigerant gas. The technicians first add a fluorescent dye into the air conditioner’s system, and then scan UV lights over the AC. The leaking gas will appear as green.
  3. Bubble solution: This is an old technique that was around long before using UV lights and high voltage detectors. It doesn’t work for very small leaks, but technicians may use it if they suspect a large leak. Using squeeze bottles, the technicians apply a soapy solution along the area of the refrigerant lines where they think leaks may be. The escaping gas should create bubbles from the soap.

Although you could potentially try a crude version of the third method on your own, you still wouldn’t be able to fix the problem. Once the air conditioning experts have located the leaks, they will seal them up. Afterwards, they will recharge the system with the appropriate amount of refrigerant to replace what was lost. It’s important that they use both the right type of refrigerant and do not under- or overfill the system.

At the first suspicion of refrigerant leaks, call our team at Kool Breeze for air conditioning repair service in Pensacola Beach, FL. We are ready to assist you…24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Give a us a call today.

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How High Humidity Affects Your Air Conditioning System

Thursday, July 10th, 2014

“Sticky.” “Heavy.” “Like a sauna.” These are just some of the words and phrases we’ve heard describe the days of heavy humidity here in Fort Walton Beach, and why it’s so important to have your air conditioning running optimally, especially during periods of excessive humidity. While your air conditioner removes humidity as part of the cooling process, excess humidity can adversely affect it, particularly during long periods of heavy humidity. One of the ways to help alleviate the stress and problems high humidity can cause your AC is to retrofit your air conditioning in Fort Walton Beach with a dehumidifier.

How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

A whole-home dehumidifier attaches to your existing air conditioning system. It pulls in the warm, humid air and passes it over cold metal coils to create condensation. This condensation drops into a collection tank and exits your home through piping. The air is then released into your air conditioning system, minus the excess moisture from the humidity.

Effects of High Humidity on Your AC

There are several ways excessive humidity can negatively affect your air conditioning system:

  • Stress on your system – your air conditioner has to work harder to cool your home during times of excessive humidity. Humidity holds heat, so while the temperature may not have risen, the humidity in the air has made it feel as if it has. In addition, your air conditioner has to remove a larger amount of moisture from the air. Therefore, longer periods of humidity can put a lot of stress on your system.
  • Less energy efficiency – the more your air conditioner has to work, the more energy it needs. As your AC works harder to combat extra humidity, it uses more energy, making it less energy efficient.
  • More opportunity for particles to cling – humidity can cause certain parts of your air conditioning system to become wet with condensation. Water attracts particles, especially dust and dirt; with excessive humidity, a layer of dust and dirt can develop, making your air conditioner very dirty and prone to possible malfunction.
  • Excessive drainage – it is normal for your air conditioning system to collect more water during times of high humidity, but if there is any kind of issue with your condensate tray or drain, you may experience leaks.

Dry Out the Air with a Dehumidifier

A whole-home dehumidifier can help improve comfort, indoor air quality and energy efficiency. To determine if a dehumidifier is right for your air conditioning in Fort Walton Beach, contact Kool Breeze today and schedule an appointment with one of our trained professionals.

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The 3 Most Important Things to Consider Before Air Conditioning Replacement

Friday, June 27th, 2014

As summer deepens in Florida, you may start to consider replacing your aging air conditioner with a new system that has superior performance and energy-efficiency. Reliable heating air solutions are also essential for customer comfort, ensuring your home stays comfortable year-round. This is a big decision, and it requires thinking over a number of important factors. Here are the 3 most important things you should consider when you are in the market for air conditioning replacement in Pensacola Beach, FL.

What should you consider before scheduling heating and air repair?

Before you commit to heating and air repair, consider these key factors:

  • Check how often your system needs repairs — frequent breakdowns may indicate it’s time to replace.
  • Evaluate the system’s age — units over 10–15 years may be less efficient and near the end of their lifespan.
  • Assess energy efficiency — newer systems can significantly lower utility bills.
  • Make sure your current setup meets your comfort needs — poor airflow or uneven temperatures could signal sizing issues.

You don’t need to worry about making this decision on your own: with the help of the professionals at Kool Breeze, you will soon be on your way to the best cooling for your home for this summer and the many summers after. Our business has a longstanding commitment to customer satisfaction and trust. We make sure every job is completed with professionalism and attention to detail, so you can rely on our team for quality service.

Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. offers a full range of heating and air repair services to meet the needs of customers throughout the region. HVAC technicians must be licensed to perform their work legally in Florida, ensuring you receive service from qualified professionals.

1. Is your old air conditioning system ready for replacement?

In other words: “Do you actually need an air conditioning replacement yet?” You don’t want to schedule a replacement if there are targeted professional repairs that can keep your current system running for a few more years without a significant loss of efficiency. If your air conditioning system is still a few years below its estimated lifespan, call for a technician to look into repair possibilities, including specialized AC repair and comprehensive heating and air services. The technician can tell you if it is worth it to pay for repairs or not, drawing on their experience handling a variety of jobs, including ac system, heater, and furnace repairs. In general, if it costs more than $500 per year in repairs to keep a cooling system operating, then it isn’t worthwhile maintaining it, and you should schedule a replacement, as maintaining both heating and air conditioning systems is important for year-round comfort.

2. Do you want to replace the AC with a different type of system?

You have more options for air conditioning replacement today than to simply have a standard central AC installed. Professional AC installation is an essential part of a comprehensive HVAC system upgrade, ensuring optimal performance and energy efficiency. You can choose to have a heat pump put in instead, which will give you both air conditioning and heating, making it an excellent choice for a new HVAC system or heating system that provides comfort in both hot and cold weather. Another possibility is a ductless mini split system, which bypasses the need for ductwork. When considering HVAC options for a newly constructed home, selecting the right system is crucial to maintain a comfortable temperature year-round. Not every home is suited for these options, so consult with installers about the choices available to you and which ones are the most suited for your home and budget plans.

3. How large and powerful a system do you need?

Please note we didn’t write “How large and powerful a system do you want?” Each home has specific requirements for cooling it, and an AC that is either too large or too small for the space will end up wasting energy and providing insufficient comfort. To properly size a system, you must know the heating and cooling load requirements for your home, and this takes the help of professional installers. Before choosing a new system, have the installers perform a heat load calculation to determine the BTUs in cooling necessary to provide you with comfort. For optimal system performance, it’s also important to have a properly functioning thermostat and a clean air filter, as both play a key role in maintaining efficiency and air quality.

At Kool Breeze, we know that considering air conditioning in Pensacola Beach, FL can be intimidating: you want to make sure that you have the best AC possible for the humid summers. You can trust our staff to help you make the right decisions, the same way they have helped other homeowners since 1986. Regular HVAC maintenance and available HVAC financing options help customers keep their systems running efficiently and affordably.

Give us a call today and speak with our qualified team of AC experts to schedule an appoint with us.

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Why Properly Sizing an Air Conditioner Is Necessary

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Here in Pensacola Beach, FL, air conditioning systems are far more than just a convenience. Our summers get hot and muggy the way few other parts of the country do, and a reliable air conditioner can be your first, best line of defense for your home. When you install a new one, you want to make sure that the unit is the best one possible for your circumstances, which is why you want to be very careful when sizing a new unit. Here’s a quick breakdown on why properly sizing an air conditioner is necessary.

By “size,” we’re referring to the power output of the air conditioner. It needs to be carefully balanced against the features of your home, starting with square footage, but also including such factors as the amount of insulation in your attic and the presence of large windows that let in a lot of sunlight. The air conditioner’s size needs to properly factor all of these in: neither too small nor too large but just right.

Why? If it’s too small then the answer is obvious: the air conditioner won’t be able to cool the space adequately, and will undergo a lot of unnecessary strain in the process. If it’s too large, however, the end result is the same. The air conditioner will cool the air too quickly, cycling on and off rapidly throughout the day. Air conditioning units use exponentially more energy when they power up and power down than they do when they’re running. You need a unit that runs for at least 15 minutes at a clip to make the best use out of the energy.

Sizing an air conditioner begins with square footage, but usually requires a professional to properly calculate. If you know why properly sizing an air conditioner is necessary, the next step is to call the experts at Kool Breeze to help. We provide professional air conditioning installation in Pensacola Beach, FL and we’ll go above and beyond to ensure that your unit is perfectly sized for your space. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

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How Air Conditioning Maintenance Means Smaller Repair Bills

Friday, May 30th, 2014

Air conditioning maintenance isn’t the same thing as air conditioning repair. Instead it acts as a kind of tune-up, fixing a lot of little problems and keeping an eye out for bigger ones that may be lurking in the future. Here in Fort Walton Beach, air conditioning maintenance should be performed at least once a year, before our hot summers kick in in earnest. But homeowners are often looking at the bottom line and may not seen the value “in fixing something that isn’t broken.” In truth, air conditioning maintenance means smaller repair bills, as well as improved efficiency that you’ll see in your bills every month. Here’s a brief rundown on how.

Dust and dirt invariably build up on the internal components of your air conditioner. That increases friction and forces the system to work harder to do its job. The same principle applies to loose bolts, clogged lines and similar issues. They leech your system of efficiency , which means that the individual components are working harder than they should to do their job. A maintenance session removes a lot of that stress and strain, allowing the system to function without the additional burden. That reduces the risk of repairs and allows the system to go longer before a breakdown occurs.

Furthermore, a maintenance session means being able to spot big repair issues when they’re still small. For example, say the technician spots a single component that could use replacing. If he does it immediately (with a new repair session), it will cost a little bit. But if he does nothing, then the faulty component will cascade and damage three or four other components when it finally fails. Suddenly a small repair session turns into a great big one, or it would if the maintenance session hadn’t caught it.

If you know how air conditioning maintenance means smaller bills, then the next step is to call an air conditioning service in Fort Walton Beach, FL that can do the job right. Air conditioning maintenance is one of our core services, and we keep your satisfaction in mind at all times. Give us a call today to make an appointment!

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Why Air Conditioning Maintenance is Important

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

So you’ve just had a beautiful new high efficiency cooling system installed in your home. The flick of that thermostat switch allows the system to purr, and you and your family are finally able to sit back and relax after several hot and humid nights. It’s the perfect time to schedule AC maintenance in Navarre. While this may come as a surprise, your AC endures wear and tear from the minute it is installed. A cost-effective, routine maintenance plan is the best way to ensure that your air conditioner is routinely inspected, adjusted and cleaned.

The Importance of AC Maintenance

When you had your AC installed, you may have been told about the importance of changing your air filters regularly, especially during the summer months. This is indeed an important part of maximizing the performance and energy efficiency of your system, but it may not be enough to reduce the risk of repairs and extend system longevity. An air conditioning maintenance ensures that your indoor and outdoor coils are not only in good working order, but also they are cleaned of any debris that could affect your cooling. Moreover, all of the electrical components will be tested for appropriate voltage, and any problems that were affecting your AC can be brought to your attention.

Professional air conditioning maintenance has many benefits. Over time, your AC will be subject to a significant amount of wear and tear. This is unavoidable. But having your AC cleaned on a routine basis allows a technician the chance to look for any problems at their earliest stages. Most HVAC issues do not come out of nowhere, but rather develop in the long-term. Another benefit of air conditioning maintenance is that your system will operate at peak levels of energy efficiency and performance. There is no better way to make sure that this is the case than by having your system adjusted and cleaned thoroughly.

Remember: hire only a pro technician to service your AC, no matter what type it is. Attempting to do it yourself may lead to damage. Call Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today. 

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What Type of AC is Right for Your Home

Friday, May 16th, 2014

If you’re in the market for a new AC, then you need to make sure that you hire a professional to get the job done right the first time. Because one of the most critical aspects of new air conditioning installation in Navarre is the selection process itself, it’s best to have a professional on hand early on. As with most things these days, there is no shortage of options from which to choose. Whether you welcome this range or find it confusing, you still want to find the right cooling system for your home. Sometimes, that means going for a conventional central air unit, while in other cases, it might mean selecting a ductless cooling system.

All air conditioners operate by means of the refrigerant cycle, which involves the use of a refrigerant cycling through various pressures and temperatures in order to transfer thermal energy from indoors to the outdoors. Let’s take a closer look at some of your air conditioning options so that you can get a sense of what’s available.

AC Options for Your Home

  • Central air conditioning. When it comes to power, you may want to consider a central air unit. These systems have an outdoor unit and a centralized indoor air handler attached to a network of ducts installed behind the walls and in the ceilings of your home. If you already have ductwork in your home, then a central AC makes sense. It’s important to make certain that your central AC’s cooling capacity matches the size of your living space to ensure maximum performance and efficiency.
  • Heat pump. A heat pump works much like a central air conditioner in that it circulates refrigerant throughout indoor and outdoor units and also uses ductwork. It is unique in that it is also capable of reversing the flow of refrigerant, and thus heating your home during the winter months as well. Because of our moderate winters, a heat pump remains energy efficiency throughout the year.
  • Ductless mini split. If you’d like to avoid the use of ductwork altogether, then you may want to consider a ductless mini split. These systems use multiple indoor air handlers placed throughout the living space. Without ductwork to function as an intermediary between you and your cooling, a ductless system is often significantly more energy efficient than central air units. Moreover, they are not subject to many of the indoor air quality issues associated with ductwork.

Whatever type of AC you settle on, make sure you do it in consultation with an expert. Call Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today for more information. 

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How Air Conditioning Works

Friday, April 18th, 2014

Life here in Florida would be uncomfortable without a whole house air conditioning system, but though we use them every day, the way an air conditioner works remains a mystery to many. For most, it’s just the production of cold air. While this is not untrue, there’s a lot more to air conditioning than meets the eye. All air conditioners as well as refrigeration equipment rely on a similar process known as the refrigerant cycle. Knowing a bit more about how your air conditioning system works is a great way to be able to recognize problems as soon as they arise.

If you have any further questions about cooling issues at your home, or you’re interested in having a new air conditioner installed, then we can help. Call Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today. 

The basic components of an air conditioning system span the mechanical, the chemical and the electrical. The lifeblood of the refrigerant cycle is the refrigerant, which circulates through various coils as well as the compressor in order to bring cooling into the home. How does it work? Let’s take a closer look.

Refrigerant circulates through a cycle of different system components: compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve, and evaporator coil. This is a simplification, of course, but it will give you a sense of the most important aspects of the cycle. Because the cycle is continuous, we’ll have to start somewhere. When refrigerant enters your compressor, which is located in the outdoor unit along with the condenser, it is in a low pressure, gaseous state. The compressor does just what it sounds like it should do: it compresses the refrigerant into a high pressure, high temperature gas. It then circulates through the condenser coil, where a fan will blow through, thus causing the refrigerant to condense into a liquid.

However, it’s not quite ready to be used as cooling, though it is now cooler than the outside air. An expansion valve reduces the temperature of the refrigerant further by depressurization. At this point, it is ready to be circulated through the indoor evaporator coil inside the air handler. As your warm indoor air is extracted from your living space, it is sent through the coils. This thermal exchange results in evaporated refrigerant continuing on for another round in the cycle.

That’s it in a nutshell, though the actual cycle is much more complicated. If you should have any further questions, by all means, give us a call.

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Common Air Conditioning Repairs in Florida

Saturday, April 12th, 2014

Considering how much use and abuse our air conditioners endure on a daily basis, it’s hardly surprising to learn that they will require air conditioning repair at some point. Let’s not mince words. Your AC will break down eventually. The trick is to be prepared for problems when they happen, and to avoid them wherever possible. Professional installation is critical in this respect, as is a program of routine maintenance carried out by a trained technician. However, no matter what type of air conditioner you have and how well it is maintained, there will come a time when it needs to be fixed or replaced.

Catching the signs of potential air conditioning repair in Navarre early on is the best way to avoid further damage. While any diagnosis must be completed in person by a qualified technician, there are some signs to look out for.  Here is a handful so that you can keep a watchful eye on your HVAC system.

  • Weird sounds. Does your AC sound monstrous when it kicks on? Does your cooling seem to create a lot of hissing and whistling noises? Don’t settle for such distractions. If your air conditioner makes any noise out of the ordinary, then it should be cause for concern. While it’s true that it may be a quirk in your system and relative benign, it could also indicate that you’re losing cool air through a tear in the ducts that’s driving up your energy bills, or that one of your fan blades is damaged.
  • High energy consumption. Keep your eyes glued to that energy bill every month, especially during the most expensive time of the year. Does it seem unusually high? If you notice an abrupt rise in your energy bill without a corresponding increase in cooling usage or the rate at which you purchase electricity, then it could mean you have a problem with your AC, including low levels of refrigerant.
  • Uneven or inadequate cooling. Don’t settle for anything less than your comfort. If you find that your cooling system fails to meet your needs, then don’t hesitate to give us a call.

The experts at Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. offer excellent air conditioning repair services in Navarre and beyond. Call us anytime, day or night. 

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