Posts Tagged ‘air conditioning’

The summer months are fast approaching and the temperature is heating up. If you live in the state of Georgia, then you are already familiar with humidity! Sometimes an air conditioner is not enough to get rid of that heavy, sticky, hot feeling in your home. Dehumidifiers are perfect for the summer heat! Experts have identified the ideal level of relative humidity in a home should be between 30% to 60%.

Not only does a dehumidifier help keep you comfortable in your home, but excessive humidity can also create an excellent breeding ground for mold and mildew – invaders that can be unhealthy and destructive to a home, its occupants and its furnishings. Just another reason to fight the humidity!

Just so you understand how a dehumidifier works, let’s break it down into four simple components Fan Compressor, Reheater, Compressor cooling coils and Reservoir. These parts work together to collect the surrounding air, then, the coils use condensation to extract the moisture from the air. The dehumidifier reheats the air and exhausts it back into the room. Simple enough, right?

It’s only May, so you still have time to invest in a dehumidifier before it’s too late and your hair frizzes out of control! If you have any questions or comments let us know in the comment box or on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

Are you having some problems with you air conditioner? We are going to go over the common problems according to Kudzu and explain how you can fix them. It is always a good idea to remember that you should have your system serviced annually by a qualified HVAC technician, and you should use such a technician to resolve any home air conditioning problems where the cause and solution are not both obvious. Also, we recommend that you read through your HVAC manual, to familiarize yourself with your specific unit.

Your AC Unit is not Cooling: This is the most obvious sign that something is not working properly. Make sure that your thermostat is properly set a few degrees cooler than room temperature and make sure it is switched to the “cool” setting. Once you’ve determined that it is not a simple switch error, turn off your system. It may need to be cleaned. Start by removing any debris, twigs, dirt etc on and around it. Sometimes dirt can be restricting the air flow. If these simple steps do not resolve the issue, it would be best to call an HVAC technician.

Clean Filters: Your air conditioning system needs clean filters in order to run properly and efficiently. A filter collects all the dust and allergens from incoming air in order to keep the air in your home clean. We recommend that you change these filters every couple of months. If you do not, the filter will no longer be able to collect dust, forcing your system to work extra hard, which could lead to a breakdown.

If you are facing air conditioning problems that do not have an obvious cause or solution, we highly recommended that you call an HVAC technician. It is always better to be safe then sorry! If you have any questions please feel free to ask in the comment box below or on our Facebook and Twitter pages!

It is important to try to keep up with home maintenance for your HVAC system to ensure efficiency and to keep things running smoothly. Kudzu recommends a few things you can do yourself.

Make sure you are routinely checking, cleaning and changing your air filters. Try to do this once a month for your furnace, AC and/or heat pump. Having a clean filter will help with the efficiency of your HVAC system. Keeping a dirty filter will only lead to problems and early failure of system!

Try to make sure there are no obstructions within 3 feet of your air conditioning compressors. By obstructions, we mean anything from a fence to a bush or tree branch hanging above. This will prevent damage in the case of a storm.

Easy stuff, right? Now you’re almost on your way to being an HVAC professional…almost!

If you own an AC window unit, you already know they are not the most reliable! If you think your unit is broken, there are a few tell tail signs to look out for from DoItYourself.

Strange Noises

While noise is common with an AC unit, strange ones should not be. If you happen to notice a loud wailing noises coming from your AC unit, it is most likely that your AC unit’s fan belt is not working. It probably has fallen out of place, simply put it back on track and your problem should be solved. However, if it is severely damaged you may need a new belt.

Low Refrigerant

If you have a leaky AC, then you probably have low refrigerant levels. If this is the case you may need to consult an HVAC professional to assist you further.

Pungent Odors

What’s that smell…? Unfortunately, bad odors are a common problem with AC window units. It is usually from a build up of moisture. You can avoid this problem by frequently cleaning your air conditioner’s filters.

Blockage

If the grills on your air conditioner are blocked, then you will need to clean the units motor, fins and fan. Wipe down all of the parts with a clean cloth, but be sure not to get any of the parts wet!

So…any of these problems sound familiar? Yeah, we thought they might! Remember, it is important to take care of your AC window unit and always change your filters! At Casteel Heating and Cooling, we are always here to help!

So what’s all the fuss about a new heating and air conditioning system? We know your thinking your old one works just fine, right? Well you might want to consider a new one with all of today’s highly advanced systems. You can choose from many new options.

Furnaces that are 95% efficient.

Units that have different speeds, from high, medium to low for both comfort and savings.

Air conditioners that can adjust themselves based on the weather depending on hot or mild temperatures.

Environmentally safe and friendly systems.

Units that can filter up to 99.98% of the air we breathe.

With all this new technology and advancements in heating and air conditioning units, it’s hard to resist. The newer models can help save you money because of all the new efficiency technology. Who doesn’t love saving money? Not to mention most new systems are safer for the environment. Make sure you talk to your HVAC professional to get a system that is right for you and your home. Installation and design can make all the difference.

Looking to buy a new air conditioner? Well before you make a big purchase make sure it has an ARI reference number! An ARI reference number guarantees your new air conditioner will have Energy Star efficiency, the proper SEER rating and the right amount cooling. What is an ARI reference number you ask? Well to break it down, every air conditioner is divided into two main parts: the condensing unit and the evaporator. These two components must be evenly matched in order for your system to work properly. Each match has its own unique ARI reference number, get it? So the ARI reference number is a MUST HAVE!

FYI: ARI stands for Air-Conditioning and Refrigeration Institute. They are an internationally recognized leader in developing HVAC standards.

So how do you check your ARI reference number? Just ask! Your HVAC professional is supposed to show you three things:

The model number of the condenser
The model number of the evaporator
The ARI reference number

These should all appear on your invoice. Make sure all the numbers on the invoice match the number to your models. Good luck with purchasing your new air conditioner!

Did you have that one instructor in school that you always listened to and learned from? The NEWS and AHRI are now accepting nominations for the 12^th Annual HVACR Instructor of the Year!  The goal of the contest is to recognize and reward the HVACR instructors who have enriched and impacted the lives of students.  The contest is intended to give credit to the instructor that has made the biggest difference in a student’s life by teaching them more than anyone else about HVACR.

If you know an instructor that you’d like to nominate and have seen them in action, then you are eligible to vote.  Nominees should be from a vocational school, adult education program, community college, or apprenticeship.  The deadline for nominations is June 3, 2011 and winners will be announced in November. Click on the form link to submit an entry form today!

It’s important to have maintenance done on your HVAC system twice a year. Most people clean their system during the spring and before winter.  Cleaning your system during the spring is the best time to have your HVAC contractor conduct a pre-summer inspection of your system.  The summer months get hot and humid, so it’s important to have your system inspected to ensure it’s working properly.

Listed below are summer HVAC maintenance tips from Kudzu.com:

• Check thermostat and furnace system controls. This insures that the starting cycle is working properly so you stay comfortable and save energy.
• Make sure the electrical connections are tightened and lubricate all HVAC moving parts. Loose electrical connections and lack of adequate lubrication reduces the life of the unit components leading to increased energy use.
• Make sure the condensate drain is working properly. A plugged drain or pipe can cause water damage, and affect the humidity levels in your home.
• Clean the evaporator and air conditioning coils. Dirty coils can higher your energy bills leading you to spend more money.
• Check the air conditioner refrigerant level. The wrong level of refrigerant can affect your system efficiency and increase your costs.
• Make sure the blower components are properly adjusted. Improper blower components can reduce efficiency up to 15 percent.
• Change air filters regularly to ensure system efficiency.

Call us today at 770-565-5884 or visit us online to schedule your summer maintenance check-up!

Do you know what an HVAC contractor should test for when installing new high efficiency equipment? Before investing in a new high efficiency heating and cooling system, you need to make sure you select a contractor that installs equipment based on facts, testing, and science. Unfortunately, many HVAC contractors offer advice on new high efficiency heating and cooling systems based on opinions and guesses. When selecting an HVAC contractor, make sure the contractor meets the minimum criteria listed below:

• Computerized “Manuel J” Load Calculation – This is a room by room scientific test that will determine the right size equipment for your home.
• Room by Room Airflow Calculation – This is a scientific measurement of the amount of air coming out of the air vent in each room. This will ensure your new system heats and cools your home evenly.
• Air Duct Leakage Calculation – The typical duct system in a home leaks 25-40%. The air duct leakage test identifies where the leaks are located so repairs can be made.
• Air Flow Leakage Reduction Guarantee – Get a written guarantee that the duct system will leak less than 10%, or that they will guarantee 75% less air leakage once the new system is installed.
• Infiltrometer Blower Door Test – This is a scientific test that measures the level of air leakage in the entire home. Understanding this will help solve high utility bills, unhealthy indoor air, musty odors, excessive dust, humidity issues and hot and cold spots throughout the home.

We conduct extensive research and testing before recommending you the best HVAC unit that fits your needs.  Call us today at 770-565-5884 or contact us online to schedule an appointment today!

Here at Casteel Heating and Cooling, you hear us discuss pretty often that we pride ourselves on our customer service. Here are some people who agree…

Comes Through When You Really Need Them…

It was around 9am on the Sunday morning before the big snow/ice storm was to hit and getting out of bed my wife and I immediately realized our house was cold really cold. We have a small child so this was not a good thing. We called Casteel at 9:30am. They informed us on the phone it could possibly be much later that evening before they could make it out to our home because they had many calls already. The Casteel technician, Robert Gross, showed up BEFORE NOON and our house began heating up shortly thereafter. The service from Casteel and Robert was prompt, courteous, competent and professional; what more do I need to say. I recommend them highly without reservation.

And here’s another satisfied customer…

Exceptional Company!

I never thought I would be excited about a heating and air unit. From the moment Bob evaluated my needs to the exceptional service from the technicians, John and Tim, I was delighted with their professionalism. I never felt pressured but always felt as though they cared about me, the customer. I compared several other companies and I am so glad the I selected Casteel. As you can tell, I highly recommend Casteel!

Call us today at 770-565-5884 or visit us online to experience unmatched customer service and 100% satisfaction!