Brandon West, Author at Gator Air and Energy

Author Archive

Characteristics of a Reputable AC Company

What’s worse than having your AC unit stop working? Gainesville residents are fully familiar with the oppressive heat and humidity in North Florida, so we love our central air conditioning. In the unfortunate event that your air conditioner stops working, you need to know what AC repair company you can call and trust. You want to make sure the company has certain characteristics. Read on to learn some of the most relevant ones.

What Should I Look for in a Reputable AC Repair Company?

Licenses and Certifications

Like any homes services industry such as plumbing, electric, or general contracting, the HVAC industry comes with its own list of required licenses and certifications. In Florida, technicians must have a license from the Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR). You can also verify their license on the DBRP website.

There are different classes of licenses that carry different requirements depending on where and on what type of equipment a contractor wants to work. Reputable Florida AC repair contractors will have an updated license that is verifiable on the DBRP website.

Transparency

When it comes to finding a reputable contractor for AC repair services, another red flag to look out for is a lack of transparency. Reputable contractors should gladly and willingly walk you through every step of the AC repair process and answer any questions without push-back.

After the diagnostic tests and before performing any AC repairs, the HVAC technicians should go over the scope of work necessary to fix the issue and outline the cost of the repair. They should explain why they’re replacing a particular part of your unit and why that part is important.

Industry Best Practices and Regulations

Reputable AC repair companies will follow local ordinances and regulations like pulling permits and getting inspections when necessary.

If a replacement unit is installed, it’s required to be inspected by a certified inspector. This state-certified inspector will pass or fail the inspection based on the city codes currently in effect. Copies of the report are also made available to both the customer and the contractor. It’s a major red flag if an HVAC company tries to circumvent or dismiss the need for an inspection.

Contact Gator Air and Energy for AC Repair Services

Here at Gator Air & Energy, we can help you with your AC emergency service needs. Our services start with proper diagnostics followed by clear advice to help you determine the best solution.

Allowing us to provide routine maintenance every 6-12 months will also help you prevent unnecessary repairs. Please reach out to us today for all your air conditioning repair service needs here in Gainesville, Florida, and the surrounding areas.

Common Issues Leading to AC Repair Service

As Florida homeowners, we have unique challenges regarding our air conditioning repair service needs. Due to North Florida’s long summers and nearly year-round demand for air conditioning, our HVAC systems experience different types of stress than our northern counterparts. For this reason, we are taking a look at the most common issues that require AC repair service in our area.

Signs You Need AC Repair

Having to call an AC repair service company to come out to your home or business can feel a little intimidating. We ask ourselves questions like, “What if I call an HVAC service technician to come out, and it turns out to be something simple that I could’ve solved myself?” We may also wonder, “How much is this going to cost?”

The following are the most common issues that air conditioning repair service technicians encounter during service calls.

Bad AC contactor or capacitor
Blown breaker
Air handler condensation line blockage
Faulty compressor

Bad AC Contactor or Capacitor

What is an AC contactor and capacitor? Think of this duo as being like your AC unit’s “spark plug.” An AC contactor and the separate capacitor are small components that fit in the palm of your hand that build up enough electrical charge to initiate the compressor in your exterior condenser unit to “kick on.” Over time, corrosion builds up on the contactor, or the capacitor loses its charging ability — preventing them from doing their job.

Keep in mind the contactor and capacitor don’t have to go out simultaneously. If one is bad, they will not work in tandem. Usually, when one or the other is out, it’s easiest to have both replaced simultaneously. One telltale sign that you have an issue with your contactor or capacitor is if your outdoor unit’s fan is turning on, but your system is not blowing cool air. The lack of cool air means the compressor is not turning on.

It’s important to note having a bad compressor will also cause this issue. We will cover a bad condenser in the final section.

Blown Breaker

Every electrical circuit in your home has an associated breaker. Appliances and systems like your HVAC System require higher amperage, so they tend to have higher amp breakers in your home’s electrical service panel. Sometimes, the breaker associated with your AC unit will go out for various reasons. One cause is if the AC unit is pulling a high load of amperes (amps) that exceeds the breaker’s limit.

Breakers are rated according to their maximum amp load. If this load is exceeded, newer breakers have a mechanism that will automatically shut them off. However, in some cases, the breakers are damaged due to overload. This requires breakers to be replaced. Your constantly-running AC unit places a great load on the breaker. An indicator of this issue is if your HVAC system won’t turn on at all.

It’s best to have a professional replace breakers. It can be dangerous for homeowners to attempt to replace breakers on their own.

Air Conditioner Condensation Line Blockage

Central HVAC systems have air handlers. Air handlers are usually in the home’s utility closet or garage. These units have internal coils that create condensation as they cool the air. This condensed water collects in a condensation pan near the bottom of the air handler, where water is then drained out via a condensation line. These condensation lines usually drain the water outside on an exterior wall.

When air filters become dirty or if there are leaks in the system that allow air to circumvent the filter, debris builds up in the condensation pan and mixes in with the water. This dirty water can lead to blockages in the condensation line.

Newer HVAC systems come with a float switch component designed to shut the system down should the water level in the condensation pan exceed a certain threshold. This prevents the pan from backing up and causing water damage to your home.

Often, blocked condensation lines are the culprit for a system that won’t run. A blocked condensation line is an easy fix and can be solved by flushing the line or physically clearing the blockage.

A Faulty Compressor

Earlier, we talked about how a bad capacitor or contactor can allow the outdoor condenser unit’s fan to run but keep the unit from cooling because the compressor won’t turn on. When your fan is running, but your air isn’t cooling during a cooling cycle, the hope is that it’s just a bad capacitor or contactor because they’re cheaper and easier to replace.

However, a faulty compressor will present the same symptoms, and it’s much more expensive to replace. An HVAC professional will determine the cause after running a few diagnostic tests.

Contact Gator Air & Energy for Air Conditioning Repair Service

At Gator Air & Energy, we help the residents of Gainesville and surrounding communities keep their homes cool. We provide AC repair service in Lake City, High Springs, Alachua, and Melrose. Our experts can troubleshoot and solve any of your AC repair needs. Do you need air conditioning repair service at your home? Call us today at (352) 389-4396 or fill out our online contact form to get a quote!

How to Choose the Best Air Conditioning Unit for Your Home

Living in North Florida, we’re no strangers to smothering heat and humidity, and our climate is a real testing ground for air conditioners. Choosing the right air conditioning unit is one of the most important decisions homeowners can make. Our goal is to find an efficient, reliable system of the proper size and capacity for our home that requires minimal repairs over its lifespan. Read on to learn what to look for when choosing the best AC unit for your home.

What to Consider When Choosing an Air Conditioning Unit

When selecting an air conditioning unit for your home, there are several factors to consider, including the following.

Your Home’s Condition

Bigger is not always better. Many homeowners make the false assumption that if they buy a massive air conditioning unit — regardless of their home’s square footage — it will effectively keep their home cooler. Although it seems that simply having a bigger air conditioning unit is best, an oversized or undersized unit creates several issues.

There are other important variables to consider besides square footage. Therefore, it’s best to have a professional home energy audit completed to account for the following.

Local climate
Existing ductwork quality
Insulation quality and window condition
Home floorplan and construction materials
Sun exposure
Occupants living in the home

These energy audits are integral to tailoring an AC system to your home. Keep in mind if you’re replacing a unit, you don’t necessarily want to replace it with the same size system. It’s best not to assume that a proper size unit was installed the first time.

Central AC vs. a Ductless Mini-Split Air Conditioning Unit

These factors will also help you determine if you should choose a central system or go with a ductless mini-split. Central HVAC systems are just as they sound with a centralized outdoor unit (or 2 units if the home is 2-story) and an indoor component called an air handler. The air handler is usually located in the garage or utility room. Central units also have ductwork usually run through the attic that distributes cool or warm air throughout the home via the air handler.

Ductless mini-splits, on the other hand, are not centralized. Instead of supplying air throughout the entire property like centralized systems, they are individual units that cool and heat specific rooms or areas of the home.

There are pros and cons to each system type. Central HVAC systems generally make a home’s interior more appealing because the air supply vents are less noticeable. However, mini-splits may be a better option for homes that don’t have existing ductwork, have limited space, or had a recent addition.

Mini-split installation is also simpler and less invasive because it’s ductless, creates cost and energy savings, and gives a home greater curb appeal because the outdoor unit is much smaller than a central system.

Brand

Like any product or system, many different companies manufacture air conditioning units. Although we service multiple brands of HVAC units, we exclusively install Trane air conditioners, mini-splits, furnaces, and heat pumps. Trane produces industry-leading HVAC systems that are reliable and resilient in the Gainesville, FL climate.

These systems come with various thermostats, including smart thermostats, so you can efficiently cool and heat your home. These thermostats provide users with filter cleaning and replacement notifications along with system errors or warnings. Choosing the best brand is important to stay comfortable all year long.

Budget

Upgrading or installing a new HVAC system is a major homeowner decision. Therefore, determining your budget is an important factor in deciding what type of system to have installed. Some homeowners may not be able to make a large purchase right away. In those situations, it may be more cost-effective to repair an existing system until their budget allows them to install a new system.

Another option is financing for those who qualify. Financing a system helps offset the upfront costs of installing a new system and allows homeowners to spread the cost out over monthly installments. Regardless, choosing a reliable system like a Trane is ideal because, like most things in life, we get what we pay for.

Contact Gator Air & Energy for AC Installation

At Gator Air & Energy, we help the residents of Gainesville and surrounding communities keep their homes cool. We install air conditioning and heating systems in Lake City, High Springs, Alachua, and Melrose. Our experts help you choose the optimal HVAC system by assessing your home and performing an audit. During our installation process, you can expect punctual service, clear communication, expert technicians, and friendly faces. Ready to schedule your AC installation for your home? Call us today at (352) 389-4396 or fill out our online contact form to get a quote!

Breathe Easier: Improving Indoor Air Quality

How often do we actually think about indoor air quality? Whether at home or the office, we’re usually more concerned with temperature than we are with quality. However, low-quality air presents a host of issues. Read on to learn more about the most common contaminants and how to improve and maintain your indoor air quality.

Indoor Air Quality

Just as it sounds, indoor air quality (IAQ) refers to the air inside building structures and can sometimes refer to its immediate outside air. Air quality is usually defined as it relates to human health. Indoor air pollutants can cause various human health issues depending on the type, dosage, and length of contaminant exposure.

North Florida’s Most Common Indoor Air Contaminants

The main sources of indoor air pollution in the Gainesville area include:

Mold
Excess Moisture
Radon
Formaldehyde
Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)
Construction Dust
Household Cleaning Products
Pet Dander
Bacteria

Note, that this list isn’t exhaustive. Depending on life habits, this list can be much longer or shorter. For example, well-maintained homes feature better air quality than homes where cleanliness is poorly maintained.

Indoor Air Contaminant Health Impacts

Florida is a peninsula with a warm and humid climate. Therefore, mold is a common issue in many homes and offices. The presence of mold indoors isn’t unprecedented. Instead, issues arise when the mold count indoors begins to exceed the outdoor count — mold concentrations indoors should be nearly identical to outdoors.

Mold begins to get out of control when homeowners fail to practice some of the following habits:

Regularly running their air conditioner unit during the humid summer months.
Quickly identifying and addressing an unwanted water source like a slow plumbing leak or roof leak.
Running their bathroom’s vent fan while showering.

There are thousands of mold species, and some are more toxic than others. Additionally, mold sensitivity varies from person to person, increasing in concert with mold exposure. In other words, the longer a person is exposed to mold, the more their sensitivity increases.

Nearly every home contains various levels of VOCs and formaldehyde from building materials such as insulation and flooring. When a remodel or construction project is completed in a home, there is likely construction dust that can affect the human respiratory system. Homes with pets also contain dander and hair, which can become trapped in crevices and the home’s HVAC duct system.

If left unchecked, these contaminants work together to cause diseases and conditions, including weakened immune systems, cancer, respiratory illness, allergies, and a host of other issues.

How to Improve and Maintain IAQ

Improving and maintaining indoor air quality is accomplished by the following:

Properly maintaining your home’s HVAC system.
Regularly cleaning your home.
Keeping your thermostat setting within an appropriate range (68°F – 78°F).
Quickly addressing water leaks from faulty plumbing or leaky roofs.
Checking caulking around windows to ensure they’re properly sealed.

These habits form a great starting place for improving and maintaining indoor air quality. Most of these habits, including some aspects of HVAC maintenance, can be performed by the average homeowner. For example, homeowners can maintain their HVAC system by regularly replacing their air filter every 1-3 months. Other aspects of HVAC maintenance, such as duct cleaning, can be done by a professional.

Contact Gator Air & Energy For a Healthier Home

Here at Gator Air & Energy, we can help you with your indoor air quality. Our services start with proper HVAC system maintenance, including coil and pan cleaning, air filter replacement, duct cleaning, and UV light installation in the HVAC system’s air handler.

Practicing good home cleaning habits and allowing us to provide routine maintenance every 6-12 months will help you breathe easier in your home. Contact us today for more information about our indoor air quality services here in Gainesville, FL, and the surrounding areas.

How Can I Protect My Outdoor Condenser?

There are a host of outdoor elements that your condenser is exposed to daily. Animals, debris, extreme heat, and flooding can all cause damage to your outdoor unit, but there are ways to protect your investment from damage. At Gator Air & Energy, we want to help you keep your air conditioner running as long as possible, so we have some advice on how to prevent damage to your outdoor condenser.

At Gator Air & Energy, we want to help you keep your air conditioner running as long as possible.

Protecting Your Condenser From Animals

The animals in Gainesville are adorable but they can also wreak havoc on your outdoor condenser. The tiny lizards (known as anoles), snakes, raccoons, squirrels, birds, and even pets can cause physical damage to your unit.

Particularly, animals can cause damage to your condenser fan motor and capacitor. Snakes, for example, like to curl up inside the condenser when it is off. But when it turns back on, it’s bad news for the snake and bad news for your air conditioner!

Use a Pest Repellent

One way to prevent animals from harming your outdoor condenser is to spray pest repellent around the unit. Commercial pest repellents are found at most hardware or outdoor stores as well as online. They use a scent that most pests will find unattractive. Spray the pest repellant evenly around the unit, and it should help keep the pests away.

Clean the Area Around the Condenser Regularly

If animals urinate around the unit, it can attract other animals to the area. Spray down the area around your condenser unit with water regularly to ensure that no other animals come around.

Protecting Your Outdoor Condenser From Leaves & Debris

Leaves, pollen, branches, and other debris can get caught in your outdoor condenser. This debris not only harms the unit’s fan, but if enough debris is sucked through the system, it can drastically reduce your air conditioner’s efficiency. As part of AC maintenance service, we clean your unit and ensure that your unit is free of debris.

Use a Condenser Cover

Once you have cleaned the outdoor condenser, you can use a condenser cover to protect the unit. These covers are made of a thin sheet of fabric that allows the unit to take air in but also prevents debris from getting in the unit.

Use a Year-Round Exterior Filter

Another option is to use a year-round exterior condenser filter. This option is typically made of a thin mesh of metal and protects the unit from larger debris. You can find these filters at any major home improvement store as well as online.

Protecting Your AC Condenser From Extreme Heat

Extreme heat can take a toll on your air conditioner on all fronts, but the outdoor condenser unit is especially vulnerable. There are a few things you can try to keep your unit from overheating, but it’s important to note that these methods are only necessary if the temperatures rise above 120℉. Air conditioners can withstand high temperatures in normal operation, even for the high temperatures in Gainesville.

Use a Mister

In extreme heat, you can use a water mister to cool the unit down from the outside. However, this is only a strategy for extreme heat and shouldn’t be used on a regular basis. Prolonged exposure to misty water can rust the unit’s components.

Check Your Ducts

If air is escaping anywhere in your air conditioning system, then it will affect how efficiently your condenser runs. Our duct sealing service ensures that your system is working as intended, which will help your outdoor condenser function, even in extreme heat.

Protecting Your AC Condenser From Flooding

A typical rainfall, even the downpours we experience here in Gainesville, won’t damage your outdoor condenser. Condensers are built to withstand even the heaviest downpours, and the components in the unit are well-protected with plastic and are water-repellent.

However, flooding is a different story. If your unit gets submerged in water, it can cause damage to the unit and also pose a serious safety concern.

Immediately Turn Off Electrical Power

If you notice that your outdoor condenser is flooded, immediately turn off any electrical power going to the unit. The circuit breaker in your home should have a switch labeled for the condenser. Leave your condenser off until you have a qualified HVAC professional inspect the unit.

Get Rid of Standing Water

If you can, get rid of any standing water around your unit. You can use a shovel to create a makeshift drain to carry water safely away from your unit. Also, remove any debris that you see that may have settled around your outside condenser due to the flooding.

Contact Gator Air & Energy for AC Condenser Sevices

If you have experienced any of the problems listed above, we can help you repair your outdoor condenser and get it back to running efficiently as quickly as possible. Also, we recommend regular AC maintenance service is performed on your unit every 6 months. During our service, we inspect, clean, and tune up the outdoor condenser to make sure it works properly.

Call us today and let our experts help you keep your condenser running at its best!

Remedies for Clean Indoor Air

Whether you’re spending time inside your home or outside, the quality of the air you breathe is incredibly important for your health and wellness. Harmful air pollutants can build up and collect in the air supply within your home, posing significant health threats to your household. As we tend to spend approximately 90% of our time indoors, it’s crucial to ensure that we have clean indoor air in our homes.

While it may seem as though indoor pollution may simply be the remnants of excess outdoor pollution, there are various sources of indoor air pollution directly stemming from your home. These sources include your building materials, cleaning products, pet dander, appliances, excess humidity, and furnishings.

In fact, according to the EPA, indoor air can be up to 2 to 5 times more polluted than outdoor air.

There are specialized HVAC features that can foster clean indoor air by significantly reducing the number of pollutants, including UV lights, increased ventilation, dehumidifiers, air purifiers, and air filter systems. In addition to improving your home’s HVAC system, you can take some simple steps to reduce the source of indoor air pollutants and work with these features to help purify the air.

Add Greenery to Your Home

While plants aren’t as effective as air purifiers, they offer a simple solution to help clean your home’s air naturally and in a cost-effective manner. By nature, some plants help to filter out harmful chemicals in the air, allowing your family to reap the benefits of thriving plants far beyond just aesthetics. We recommend adding these houseplants to help refresh your home’s air supply:

Pothos (Epipremnum aureum)
Snake plants (Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Laurentii’)
Chinese Evergreen (Aglaonema)
Peace lilies (Spathiphyllum)
Spider plants (Chlorophytum comosum)

These plants are also some of the easiest houseplants to care for, so even if you don’t have the greenest thumb, you can surely keep these plants thriving. Place two to three of these houseplants about every 100 sq. ft. within your home to help remove harmful pollutants from the air. If your house is not only home to your family but also some furry friends, remember that most houseplants are toxic to animals. You may want to keep houseplants on shelves or safely tucked out of reach from your pets.

Switch to Cleaner Household Products

When we speak about fresh air, that’s not a cue to reach for a spray can of air freshener. While that freshener can make your room smell pleasant, it may also release harmful aerosolized chemicals. Many common store-bought household cleaners consist of toxic chemicals that can increase the pollution of your home’s air, causing additional health-related concerns. As an alternative, switch to non-toxic cleaners at the grocery store with simpler, healthier ingredients or make your own natural cleaning products.

Maintain Your Pet’s Grooming

Pet dander can easily build-up in a home with pets. Pet dander refers to your pet’s skin cells circulating in the air, causing much greater allergic reactions and respiratory problems than the pet fur you see throughout your home. To keep pet dander from accumulating in your home, groom your pet often, ensure that any brushing takes place outdoors, vacuum frequently, and change your AC filter regularly.

Take Your Shoes Off at the Door
When coming home, try to make taking off your shoes one of the first things you do. Walking through your home with your shoes on will transfer dirt throughout your house. This can leave behind harmful substances, including pollen, fungi, pesticides, fecal matter, and bacteria contributing to poor air quality.

Care for Your Home

Cleaning Your Carpets

Your carpets are like sponges for harmful particles and potentially pathogenic microorganisms. By vacuuming and cleaning your carpets regularly, you can minimize the build-up of these pollutants in your home. Most pollutants tend to weigh heavily in the air, causing them to fall downward. This can often lead the lower portion of your home’s air to be even more polluted, posing specific concerns for small children. By actively cleaning these lower areas and the floors on which these pollutants can build up, you can reduce the risk of heightened indoor air pollution.

Ensuring a Healthy Environment

Proactively cleaning your home provides countless health benefits, including improved air quality. Many contributing factors negatively affect your indoor air, including excess humidity, bacteria, mold, and mildew growth. Mold often grows in damp, dark places, like your bathroom or laundry room, and will release harmful spores into the air, causing respiratory issues or triggering allergies and asthma. Cleaning your home before this happens can prevent these additional pollutants from developing.

Open Your Windows

If the weather permits, open your windows to let fresh air into your home. Doing this for a few minutes each day can help circulate the air in your home and allow cleaner outdoor air to refresh the air inside.

Change Your AC Filter Regularly

AC filters trap the indoor air pollutants that flow through your home’s air supply. Routinely changing your filter allows for better air circulation and optimal filtering capabilities, while dirty AC filters enable contaminants to enter your HVAC system and continue to build up in your home. Having a clean AC filter in place allows your HVAC system to operate at its fullest capacity, promoting better indoor air quality. Combine this proactive measure with regular AC maintenance to keep your home’s air circulating freshly.

Breathe Better with Gator Air & Energy

While these are great ways to incorporate healthier practices into your home, to get truly high-quality indoor air, you’ll need to equip your home with the tools it needs. Minimizing the sources of pollutants in your home and purifying the air as it circulates improves the quality of the air you and your family breathe every day. Reach out to our team at Gator Air & Energy to find the best ways to combat indoor pollution. Call us at 352-389-4396 to refresh your home’s air today!

The 2020 Freon Ban: Do You Need to Replace Your Old AC Unit?

As 2019 comes to a close, you’ll probably be hearing more reports in the news about the 2020 Freon ban; a ban on R-22 that goes into effect on January 1, 2020. You may be concerned about whether or not this ban will affect you as a homeowner and if so, how.

Let’s take a closer look at the details of this ban and how it might affect you.

What is R-22 and Why is it Being Banned?

R-22 is a refrigerant commonly used in air conditioning systems that were built and installed prior to 2010. It is categorized as a Class II controlled substance by the EPA. In the U.S., the EPA regulates ozone-depleting substances (ODS) as either class I or class II. Class I substances have been almost completely phased out in the U.S. because of their higher ozone depletion potential. Ozone absorbs UV radiation, so depletion is potentially threatening to humans and can lead to increased rates of skin cancer. Class II substances are all hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs), which are less damaging to the ozone than class 1 substances, but still harmful. New production and import of most HCFCs will be phased out by 2020. The most common HCFC in use today is HCFC-22 or R-22, which is commonly known by its trademark name, Freon. This colorless, odorless, nonflammable, noncorrosive substance was introduced as a refrigerant in the 1930s. It also proved useful as propellants for aerosols and in numerous technical applications.

How Does a Refrigerant Like R-22 Work?

When warm air inside your home blows across the indoor evaporator coil of your air conditioner, its heat energy transfers to the refrigerant inside the coil. That transfer, in turn, “cools” the air. A refrigerant such as R-22 is pumped back to the compressor where the cycle begins again. The heat absorbed by the R-22 or other coolant is moved outside your home while cooled air is blown inside. Moisture that contributes to humidity is also condensed out of the air. Your cooling system is usually combined with your central heating system because they share the same ductwork for distributing conditioned air throughout your home.

Will You Be Affected by the Ban?

Experts estimate half of all residential AC units in the U.S. currently run on R-22 coolant.

If your air conditioning was installed prior to 2010, it’s likely it uses R22 refrigerant. Many air conditioners state what type of coolant the system uses on a label somewhere on the unit but we recommend giving us a call so we can send an experienced, licensed HVAC technician to confirm this. During your service call, we’ll also check your unit for any signs of leakage.

Your air conditioner is a closed system, so as long as it is in good working order, your Freon level shouldn’t change. However, if you’ve ever needed to have your HVAC system re-charged with Freon or you’ve been limping along with an old AC unit that you know has a leak, we recommend getting your unit repaired and recharged as soon as possible before the ban goes into effect. Freon prices are expected to rise as supply diminishes.

If My AC Unit Runs on R-22, Does That Mean I’ll Have to Replace It?

Not necessarily. There are many factors to consider before replacing your existing unit. As we explained in a previous article, a great tip to think about when deciding if it’s time for a new unit is if the cost of repair, multiplied by the age of your unit, is more than the cost of a new unit.

(Cost of Repair) X (Age of Old AC Unit in Years) > (Cost of Your New AC)

For Example:

Cost of repair: $450.00

Age of Unit: 15 years

Price of new unit: $5,450.00 (with installation)

($450.00) X (15) = $6,750.00

$6,750.00 > $5,450.00 = Time for a new AC unit.

Regardless of the type of refrigerant your system uses, If your air conditioner is giving you the following warning signs, your unit may be in need of repair:

Strange noises
Warm air coming from your vents
Spike in your electric bill
Strange odors coming from your vents
Dripping water is creating puddles
Electric breaker keeps tripping

If your older unit has been properly maintained and is running well, there’s no immediate need to replace it. And you don’t need to worry that you will be forced to purchase a new unit if supplies of R-22 will run out. According to Trane, there is still enough R-22 available to fill 90.7 Olympic-sized swimming pools!

However, if your unit has been struggling for some time and you anticipate that the 2020 Freon ban will only increase the cost of your future repairs, fall is a great time to have a new unit installed. Not only will you be purchasing an air conditioner that uses a more environmentally-friendly refrigerant but today’s HVAC units are also more energy-efficient, which can help lower your monthly electric bill. Fall is also a good time to have a new AC unit installed because the demand for HVAC servicing is lower in the cooler months which means installation can happen more quickly.

If you’ve been on the fence wondering if it might be time to purchase a new air conditioner, call us to assess the current condition of your unit. We’ll give you an estimate of how much life is left in your HVAC system and help you calculate how much future repairs might cost. We can also give you a quote on a new unit and explain our convenient financing options.

Here’s to a more energy-efficient and healthier planet in 2020!

1) What Does a Duct Cleaning Entail?

A duct cleaning involves searching for leaks and then cleaning the ducts. Most professionals have specific tools they use to discover leaks in your system or any other problems associated with your A/C unit or ductwork. Alongside a duct cleaning, we often find other problems with ductwork, and many homeowners would not even know about them until they received a professional inspection.

For a list of what we provide in order to solve these problems and for more information on our services that address ducts, visit our duct cleaning page. We even offer dryer vent cleaning, which is a great way to get rid of a potential fire hazard.

2) When Should I Get My Ducts Cleaned?

The most common answer to this question is: as soon as you notice a problem. That is, if you see mold anywhere near vents, if you notice that some rooms are getting A/C but not others, or if you are feeling less air power and still paying a higher energy bill, then there is probably a good chance that you need to have your ducts inspected.

However, if you don’t have these problems but want to be proactive, the best time to check your ducts is in the spring. Remember, your attic will not be astronomically hot yet in the spring, so reaching your ducts without drowning in the heat will be much easier. Also, as we all know, spring leads into the beginning of summer, and especially here in Florida, summer is when the A/C gets used more than ever, so you will definitely want to make sure your A/C is working at peak capacity.

3) What Good Does Cleaning My Air Ducts Do?

The biggest advantage to cleaning air ducts is cleaner air. Making sure your vents are clean means that the air blowing through them is also clean, and clean air will keep you healthy and less in danger of various respiratory problems. A nice byproduct of clean air ducts is that when they are in good working order, then your A/C does not have to work as hard to keep your house cool.

When your air conditioning is not working so hard, it is burning less energy, and this status is advantageous to both your energy bill and the environment. Additionally, taking the time to clean the air ducts allows the opportunity to check for possible water damage and thereby prevent it or keep it from worsening.

4) How Can I Get My Ducts Cleaned?

Consulting professionals is the easiest and best way to get your air ducts cleaned. By placing the responsibility on professionals, you are ensured the best quality work and the peace of mind that your A/C is performing optimally. Of course, as an added bonus, working with professionals also spares you the hassle of crawling into the attic yourself to inspect every inch of the air ducts before taking them apart and cleaning them out. However, if you still would rather clean them yourself, you might want to see what Bob Vila has to say about this idea first.

5) Which Professionals Should I Work With?

Hopefully, this review of air ducts has deepened your understanding of your air conditioning system unit and encouraged you to make replacing the filters and cleaning the condenser coils (as mentioned in part one) a regular activity in your home. Finally, if you are from the Gainesville area, don’t forget to contact Gator Air and Energy for more information and to set up an appointment for air duct cleaning.

1) Are heat pumps more efficient than furnaces?

Yes, especially in Florida! Heat pumps are highly efficient and effective in temperatures as low as 25 degrees. If homeowners use a furnace in the 40-60 degree range, it will provide significantly more heat and power than is needed, which will result in higher energy consumption.

2) What does “EM heat” on my thermostat mean?

If you do not know what the “EM heat” button on your thermostat means, you are not alone. EM heat stands for emergency heat and should be used sparingly. Pressing the EM heat button will turn on a red indicator light, turn off the primary outdoor heat pump, and exclusively use the secondary indoor heating source.

Homeowners in colder regions typically have to use the EM heat function because snow can pile around the outdoor heat pump and prevent warm air from generating. You should only use this setting when a heat pump is malfunctioning, is damaged, or fails to provide any heat. Because the primary heat pump is turned off, EM heat is significantly less efficient and will increase your heating bill.

3) Why does my heat pump smell like it’s burning?

If it smells like something is burning when you turn on your heat pump for the first time in the winter, do not panic. There are several reasons that can explain the smell. Luckily, most of the reasons are easy to fix!

Dust on the Electric Heater Coil

Homeowners typically do not use their heater during the summer months, resulting in months of dust. When a heat pump is turned on for the first time after prolonged inactivity, the electric heat coil will burn off the dust. The burning smell should dissipate within the next few hours, but if it persists, call a local HVAC professional to inspect your system.

Clogged filter

When was the last time you changed your air filter? Clogged air filters can force your heat pump motor to work harder than usual, resulting in a burning smell. Replace your air filter and see whether the problem resolves itself. If it doesn’t, there may be two more reasons why your heat pump is emitting a burnt smell.

Closed AC vents

When you turn on your heat pump for the first time, make sure that the AC vents are open. Proper airflow allows the hot air to disseminate throughout the home, instead of being trapped within the vents. Closed AC vents can lead to serious problems for your HVAC system, so make sure to open your vents before you turn on your heat pump.

Electrical issue

Electrical issues are uncommon but can also be a source of the burnt smell. You can tell whether you are dealing with an electrical problem if you can detect a hint of sulfur or rotten eggs. This can occur when a heat pump short circuits, has worn electrical connections, has loose screws, or even defective breakers. If this occurs, immediately turn off your heat pump and call an HVAC technician.

4) Why is my heat pump blowing cold air?

Before you call an HVAC technician to inspect your system, ask whether your heat pump is truly blowing cold air or whether you are simply perceiving it. New heat pump owners usually ask this question because they are used to heat furnaces, which blast 130-140 degree air into the home. On the other hand, heat pumps only put out 92-degree air that is cooler than your body temperature, which rests at 97-99 degrees. Because of the discrepancy, it may feel like your heat pump is blowing cold air, when in fact, it is heating the home.

While perception is a common issue, in some cases your heat pump may actually be blowing in cold air. Here are some of the reasons why:

A malfunctioning heat pump that is running in AC mode
Poor efficiency due to infrequent cleaning and servicing
Snow is pressing against the outdoor heat pump
This is when you would use the EM heat button
Bad compressors
Bad valves

If this is the case, call an HVAC professional to fix your heat pump and help you stay warm all winter.

5) When should I service my heat pump?

Don’t wait until something’s broken to service your heat pump. Schedule routine maintenance on your heat pump to increase its longevity and prevent expensive repairs. At least once a year, you should:

Inspect ducts, filters, and indoor coils for dirt
Diagnose and seal duct leakage
Inspect heat pump belts for wear
Make sure your thermostats are working
Verify proper airflow

The more you care for your heat pump, the more likely your heater will work when you need it!

Schedule Heat Pump Maintenance Today!

If you can’t remember when you last serviced your heat pump, it’s probably time to call an HVAC professional. Gator Air & Energy can guarantee that your unit is safe, clean, and efficient for the winter months. Call us at (352) 275-4827 or reach out for a quote for heat pump services in Alachua, Melrose, High Springs, Newberry, and Lake City!

The Importance of Duct Sealing

According to the Department of Energy, one of the best ways to increase energy efficiency is to examine your ductwork. Did you know that duct systems typically lose up to 40% of its heating or cooling energy? Unlike plumbing leaks, duct leaks are very common and often go unnoticed because homeowners cannot see the issue.

The Benefits of Duct Sealing

The longer duct leaks go untreated, the worse the consequences are on your health, comfort, and wallet. There are four main benefits of duct sealing, all of which contribute to the enjoyment of your home.

Improved Air Quality

Regularly replacing air filters are one of the most common ways to improve indoor air quality. However, air filters are unable to prevent duct leaks from promoting mold growth and spreading unwanted contaminants like dust, pests, and more. This can aggravate allergies and can even cause respiratory issues. This is particularly important for children, who spend “as much as 90% of their time indoors” and are more vulnerable to developing asthma. By sealing your ducts, you can further improve your indoor air quality and eliminate respiratory risk factors.

More Comfort

Houses offer relief from unbearable weather, especially during hot summers and cold winters. Leaky ducts can disrupt your sanctuary by pulling outside air into the duct system and affecting the indoor temperature. One of the biggest issues in Florida is that the inefficient ducts pull in humid air and overwhelm the dehumidification capacity. As a result, your home may feel more humid and your clothes, belongings, and furniture are susceptible to mildew, mold, and moisture rot as a result. Duct sealing prevents humidity from entering your home, making it more comfortable for you and your family.

Increased Safety

Gas appliances such as water heaters and clothes dryers produce combustion gases, like carbon monoxide. These harmful gases travel through the ventilation system and are released outside, where the threat is neutralized. Duct leaks can create a backdraft that pulls these gases back into the home, making the air more dangerous to breathe. Duct sealing can minimize this risk by ensuring the gas leaves the home instead of lingering inside.

Lowered Utility Bills

Air conditioning accounts for 50-70% of your electricity bill, which makes it important to own an energy efficient system. Leaky ducts can significantly impact utility bills because they require more energy to cool or heat the home. Homeowners can save up to 20-40% by sealing their ducts, resulting in a more efficient system.

What is a Duct Blaster® Test?

A Duct Blaster® test is the most common method for testing duct tightness. The tighter the duct, the less leaks there are. It is a relatively quick process and helps determine whether homeowners need to seal their ducts.

Duct Blaster Air® Test Process:

Cover all the grills and registers to isolate any leakage
Turn air handler fan off
Attach the Duct Blaster® near the furnace or return-air grill
Turn on the Duct Blaster® to pressurize the duct system
Monitor the pressure and airflow gauge to determine efficiency losses

While the Duct Blaster® test is highly effective for determining the precise leakage of your duct, it cannot identify where the leaks are coming from – but theatrical fog machines can! Smoke billows out of any leaks, illustrating exactly where duct sealing is needed.

Schedule a Duct Blaster® Test and Duct Sealing Service Today!

Protect your family, home, and wallet by scheduling a quick test to identify any duct leaks. If any are found, we can seal them to maximize your system’s energy efficiency. At Gator Air & Energy, we are committed to understanding the ductwork of every system we service to properly care for your home. Our HVAC experts are happy to help and just a call away.