Professional Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Do I Have Other Air Conditioning Installation Options Than a Standard Split Unit?

Wednesday, March 25th, 2015

The majority of homes use a split system central air conditioner to provide cool temperatures during the summer and other periods of warm weather. The “split” means that cooling system is divided into two separate units: an outdoor cabinet that contains the compressor and the condenser coils, and an indoor unit that contains the blower fan and the evaporator coils. The two units connect through power and refrigerant lines, and the indoor unit hooks to the ventilation system that distributes the cooled air throughout the home.

Aside from a small window unit, which is only effective for small homes or apartments, are there other options when it comes to a new air conditioning system aside from this old standard? There are, and we’ll look at a few of the choices for a new AC installation available today. Give A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning a call today to learn more about your alternatives for air conditioning installation in Mandeville, LA.

Ductless Mini Split

This is an excellent choice for homeowners who want to combine the power of a central air conditioner with the point cooling of a window unit, bypassing the need for ductwork. Ductless mini splits still use an outdoor cabinet, but replace the single indoor cabinet with multiple small air handlers placed on the walls of the rooms. The mini air handlers send conditioned air directly into the living spaces without using ducts. Ductless mini splits offer increased energy efficiency and indoor air quality.

Zone Control Systems

Zone control is an improvement to central air conditioning that can either be part of a new installation or done as a retro-fit. Zone control systems permit you to manipulate temperatures separately in different areas of the house, and this allows for customized comfort for the rooms and the people in your home, as well as lowered energy bills.

Heat Pumps

Outwardly, there isn’t much different between a heat pump and a central split air conditioner. But there is a huge difference in their operation: a heat pump can also provide warmth as well as cooling. They make very energy efficient options for the mild winters in Southeast Louisiana.

What choices for central air conditioning are right for your home and family? You will need to talk to AC professionals, like our skilled team at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, to make the right decision. We’re here to see that you receive the ideal comfort and savings from your new air conditioning installation in Mandeville, LA.

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How Does Duct Sealing Help Air Conditioning?

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Have you ever considered how important the ductwork in your home is for effective air conditioning? The ducts serve as the channel that transport the cooled air from in the indoor AC cabinet and distributes it through vents into the rooms. Problems with the integrity of the ducts, such as gaps and leaks, will have a negative impact on you air conditioning in multiple ways.

Because most of the ventilation system in your home is hidden behind walls and in ceilings, it’s difficult to tell if the ducts have developed air leaks that require sealing. Any time you notice a drop in air pressure, odd smells coming from the vents, hot spots in rooms, or an increase in your utility bills that you cannot account for, contact A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning in Hammond, LA to investigate. If you have leaky air ducts, we will handle the sealing that will solve the problem.

How Duct Sealing Benefits Your Air Conditioner

The manufacturers of ductwork design them to keep an airtight seal from the air conditioner cabinet all the way to the vents. This maintains air pressure and maximizes airflow. Even a small leak will cause a significant drop in air pressure that will lead to reduced airflow from the vents. The lower the airflow, the poorer the AC will work at cooling down rooms. Effective sealing will keep your air conditioner providing the comfortable temperatures you want.

Leaks in ducts also cause an AC to work harder, since it must strain to reach its set temperature. Even a small set of breaches in ducts can cause an air conditioner to lose up to 30% of its efficiency. Keeping the ductwork airtight thanks to professional duct sealing will prevent your air conditioning bills from rising.

Finally, duct sealing helps to protect an air conditioner from damage and repair needs. Holes in ductwork usually open onto closed-in and dusty areas, such as the space between walls, and dust and dirt will start to enter the ventilation system through the gaps. This debris can easily enter the air conditioner’s cabinet, leading to dirty motors that will burn out and other expensive damages. When you call for professionals to seal up breaks in your ducts, you are helping to keep your air conditioner free from unnecessary repairs.

How Can I Take Care of Duct Sealing?

The best way to have your ducts sealed is to call for professionals. Trained technicians use special equipment to locate the air leaks, and then seal them using mastic and metallic tape. Do not attempt to seal the ducts on your own using “duct tape”: despite the name, duct tape is not for use on ducts and is ineffective at sealing them.

For the skilled services you need to keep your air conditioning working its best, call the team at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. We offer duct sealing services in Hammond, LA.

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Upgrades You Can Make to Your Air Conditioning System

Friday, September 12th, 2014

Your air conditioning system is quite a feat of engineering: it removes the heat and humidity from your home and returns cool air that makes your home dry and comfortable. Today’s air conditioners are very energy efficient, but you can still upgrade your AC to make it perform better. As we’ll explain below, an upgrade can help improve indoor air quality or remove excess humidity from your home, depending on the type of upgrade you choose. But without professional installation, you may not gain any benefit from an upgrade, which is why it’s important to hire trained experts, like the ones at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning.

Types of Upgrades Available for Your System

There are a number of ways you can upgrade your existing air conditioner. Here are few examples of the kinds of products we have at A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning:

Dehumidifiers

It’s no secret that Louisiana gets hot and sticky. Prolonged periods of excess humidity can put a lot of stress on your air conditioner as it works to remove excess humidity; this can result in higher energy bills and prematurely age your AC. Adding a whole-home humidifier can take the stress off your air conditioner, because it removes the excess humidity from the air before it enters your system. With less work to do, your air conditioner uses less energy and no longer operates under stressful conditions.

Zone Control System

A zone control system offers you temperature control over different zones in your home. The zones are established by you and operate independently from one another, allowing for different temperatures to be set for each zone; you can also turn off air conditioning to an unused or unoccupied zone. A zone control system consists of motorized dampers that are installed into the supply ducts of your system. Each damper is connected to a main control panel and thermostats for the zones are connected to the control panel as well. Zone control systems help improve energy efficiency and comfort levels.

Air Cleaners

Having healthy indoor air is part of your overall comfort. While your air conditioner comes with a standard filter, this filter’s job isn’t to help improve indoor air quality; it’s to block dirt, dust and debris from entering your system. To truly clean your air, you’ll want to consider the installation of a whole-home air cleaner. There are a number of air cleaning products on the market, so the best way to choose one that fits best in your home is to work with a trained professional.

Upgrades to your air conditioning can improve energy efficiency, indoor air quality and your overall comfort. Think an upgrade might help you? Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule AC service in Hammond, LA with one of our experts.

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How Do Your Air Conditioner And Dehumidifier Work Together Against Humidity in the Fall?

Friday, September 5th, 2014

For some, fall brings cooler days and even cooler nights, but here in Louisiana it takes a little more time for the heat and humidity to subside. Warm fall days can rival August heat, which is why it’s important to have your air conditioner running optimally. Your AC removes humidity as part of the air conditioning process, but if you have noticed it needs extra help during long periods of humidity, it may be time to consider adding a whole-home dehumidifier to your property. A-Professional has helped our customers beat the heat for many years, and we can help you, too.

Pairing Your AC with a Dehumidifier

Your air conditioner removes both heat and humidity from your home as part of the cooling process. But during times of excessive humidity, it can be challenging for your AC to meet your cooling needs. This is because humidity holds heat, and when it is in excess, it can be a challenge for your AC to meet the demand.

A whole-home dehumidifier helps both you and your AC. How? A whole-home dehumidifier removes the excess moisture from the air before it enters your system. This takes stress off your air conditioner and helps make the air in your home drier.

Benefits of a Dehumidifier

As we discussed above, a whole home dehumidifier helps reduce the stress on your AC, but there are other benefits as well:

  • Increases comfort level – by reducing the amount of moisture in the air, your air becomes drier and feels cooler.
  • Decreases growth of mold – mold, mildew and fungus thrive in moist settings. By removing the excess moisture from your indoor air, you can help curb the development of these kinds of growths in your home.
  • Helps with allergies – dust mites thrive in moisture, and allergens tend to cling to the moisture in the air. Reducing the level of moisture can help decrease allergic reactions.

Fall is coming, but our heat and humidity are still here, and will be for a while. But, you can help yourself and your air conditioner with the installation of a whole-home dehumidifier. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule your dehumidifier installation in Hammond, LA with one of our experts.

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How Do Thermostats Help with Energy Efficiency?

Friday, August 22nd, 2014

Your air conditioner is one of the most important conveniences in your home, but the cost to keep it running in the summer is sometimes surprising. During the summer, cooling costs rise, and it may seem as if the only way to reduce your bills is by shutting off your system entirely. While you could replace your AC with one that is more efficient, this is an unnecessary expense if your air conditioner has not reached its expected lifespan. So what can you do?

A new thermostat may be the best way for you to enjoy a more efficient air conditioner today, without the hassle of replacement. Here are some of the options available in Metairie for new thermostats that can increase the efficiency of your air conditioning system and keep you and your family more comfortable.

Digital Thermostats

Manual thermostats contain dials that may be difficult to set properly. Many homeowners end up setting the thermostat lower than is necessary in order to compensate for the lack of accuracy. However, even a few degrees of difference can increase your bills significantly. A digital thermostat has a clearer display for both precision cooling and efficiency.

Programmable Thermostats

Many digital thermostats are also programmable. When you leave the house, you may feel as though you should keep your air conditioner switched on so that you are greeted with cool air when you return. With a programmable thermostat, you can save money by programming the system to turn on 30 minutes before your arrival instead.

Smart Thermostats

One of the newest innovations in heating and air conditioning technology is the smart thermostat. Smart thermostats have many different features, including the ability to control your air conditioner from a distance. Adjust the temperature from your computer at home. Or, when you’re away from the home, use a mobile device to control your system and receive updates.

A new thermostat can increase the efficiency of your air conditioning unit well before it’s time for air conditioning replacement. The technicians at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning offer installation on new thermostats for your air conditioning system in Metairie. Call us today!

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Some Repairs Your AC May Need for the End of Summer

Friday, August 15th, 2014

By the middle of August, your air conditioner has most likely been running full-time for the past several months. You may have noticed some slight changes in its performance, which is natural, given the amount of work it’s done. It is easy to push off repairs until next year, but it is better for both you and your air conditioner to take care of repairs now. A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning is available 7 days a week, 24 hours a day to help you with any repairs you may need.

End-of-Summer Repairs

It’s common for certain types of problems to develop when your air conditioner has been running full-time over the summer months. Here are some examples:

  • Refrigerant leaks – refrigerant leaks can develop in various places in your system, including the coils. Typical signs of low refrigerant levels are: a decrease in cooling power, no cool air at all and/or icing on your evaporator coils. Low refrigerant is a problem that doesn’t go away and usually gets worse over time, so it’s important to have leaks inspected and repaired.
  • Worn components – frayed wires, worn fan belts and loose motor mounts are small issues that can turn into big problems if not addressed. Faulty wiring can lead to uneven voltage disbursement; worn fan belts can slow or stop the turning of a fan, and loose motor mounts can bang around and potentially cause damage to other parts of your system.
  • Compressor issues – the compressor operates under a high level of pressure in order to pressurize the refrigerant. It has its own motor so, after running all summer, you can encounter issues with the motor. There are also two valves at either end of the compressor, and if either valve should malfunction, the operation of the compressor can be compromised.

Don’t Wait to Schedule Repair Work

It is tempting to wait until next year to fix any problems that may be developing, especially if your air conditioner appears operate well. Many times, though, small, ignored issues can become big problems. Put yourself and your AC ahead by scheduling air conditioning repair services in Mandeville with A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning. Call us today!

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3 Reasons to Install a Heat Pump

Friday, August 8th, 2014

It’s the dog days of summer: temperatures in the 90s, coupled with Louisiana humidity. This is the time of year when you count on your air conditioner, but if your system is over 10 years old, requires costly repairs, or is losing efficiency, it may be time to consider replacing your air conditioner in Covington.

There are a lot of choices when it comes to installing a new air conditioning system, and one you may want to consider is a heat pump. Heat pump technology isn’t new, but it is quickly becoming a popular choice among homeowners because of its benefits. A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning specializes in heat pump installation, repair and replacement, so we know very well how a heat pump can benefit you and your home.

What Is a Heat Pump?

A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one location to another. When cooling, the heat pump moves the warm air from your home to the outside, and when heating, the heat pumps pulls in the heat energy surrounding it, and moves it into your home. Heat pumps use a small amount of electricity to work, but nothing compared to electric heat or the electricity needed for a fossil fuel-based system.

What Are the Benefits of a Heat Pump?

Heat pumps have become popular for a few good reasons:

  1. You get both heating and cooling from a heat pump – heat pumps are a 2-in-1 device thanks to a component called a reversal switch. By simply turning the switch, your system will either cool or heat as needed.
  1. Save on energy bills – heat pumps use a very small amount of electricity to operate and no fossil fuels whatsoever. If you’ve been paying for natural gas or oil to heat your home, or expend a great deal of money on electricity to run your AC during the summer, you may see some great savings from installing a heat pump.
  1. Longevity – the average lifespan of a heat pump is 20 years, while the average lifespan of an air conditioning system is 10-12 years. An 8-10 year difference in lifespan can be a huge cost savings for your household.

Heat pumps can be a great choice for your air conditioning. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today and schedule air conditioning service in Covington with one of our experts to see if a heat pump is a good fit for your home.

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What is ENERGY STAR and Why is it Important for my Air Conditioning?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

You may have noticed the ENERGY STAR label printed on many products purchased for your home. Not every system gets this distinctive mark, however, so you may not be sure whether it is necessary to look for when purchasing a new air conditioning system. Finding an ENERGY STAR qualified system can help you save money and protect the environment, so we’ve put together a guide to this government-backed certification.

ENERGY STAR Qualified Products Help Protect the Environment

The ENERGY STAR label lets you know that you’ve chosen a system that is efficient enough to receive the approval of the US Environmental Protection Agency. In order to receive this distinguished label, air conditioners must meet a series of conditions including significantly low energy consumption. This helps reduce greenhouse gas emissions and other pollutants released into the air by home appliances, so ensuring that this label is present on your AC lets you know you’ve done something to benefit the earth.

ENERGY STAR Products Can Save You Money without Reduced Performance

ENERGY STAR air conditioners help you save a lot of money every month on your energy bills since many are over 15% more efficient than conventional models. And even though it seems as though an AC that costs less to run would not have the same features of other systems, ENERGY STAR labeled air conditioners must offer the performance and cooling power that customers want to earn the approval of the EPA.

ENERGY STAR Products Still Require Maintenance

Some people may think that installing an energy-efficient product is enough to maintain efficiency throughout the life of the system. However, any air conditioner needs maintenance to restore efficiency and keep costs low. If you choose an ENERGY STAR qualified product, you should continue to clean the air filter and schedule maintenance once a year.

Check the EnergyGuide label attached to all air conditioning systems in the U.S. to determine whether an air conditioner will save you money every month and help the environment. For air conditioning services in Hammond, call A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today!

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What Are the Benefits of Zone Control Systems?

Monday, July 21st, 2014

What is “zone control”? It is a way of setting up the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system in a home or business to divide the building into multiple “zones” that receive heating and cooling independent of each other. Without zone control, central air conditioning in a home will cool down the entire home when the air comes on. With zone control, only rooms that need cooling will receive it. Zone controls can be part of initial installation of an HVAC system, or specialists can retro-fit an existing system for zoning.

There are a number of important benefits that you will receive from installing a zone control system. To find out more about the zoning services we offer at A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning, call us and speak to our specialists. They will give you the important details about how they can set up a zone control system for your home.

Reasons to Look Into Zone Control

  • Energy savings: Because you no longer have to cool down every single room in a house connected to the ventilation system when the AC kicks on, you only need to cool down the rooms that need it. As a result, you will conserve energy and save money on your utility bills. This is especially beneficial if you have a guest room that is frequently empty.
  • Personal temperature control: If you are used to arguments in your home between people with differing comfort needs (“This house is always too cold!” “No, it’s always too warm!”) then zone control is one of the answers. The different zones in a house have their own thermostats, so people can adjust the temperature in their area to suit their personal comfort level without affecting the rest of the home.
  • Temperatures to fit each room’s purpose: Your whole house doesn’t need the same level of cooling all the time. Some rooms benefit from warmer temperatures, such as rooms with few windows on the ground floor, or an infant’s room. Other rooms need cooler temperatures, like the kitchen, or a home gym, or a room where wine is stored. Zone control lets you adjust all the rooms so they are cooled “just right.”

When you contact A–Professional Heating and Air Conditioning for zone control installation service in Hammond, LA, you’ll also have a company to handle whatever repairs you may need for the new system, as well as regular maintenance. We can help with your whole HVAC system, and our technicians are ready around the clock with 24-hour emergency service.

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When Is the Right Time for Air Conditioning Maintenance?

Wednesday, July 16th, 2014

Air conditioning maintenance is key for keeping your system running efficiently. Typically, the best times of year to schedule maintenance is during the spring and fall. But this doesn’t mean you can only schedule maintenance during these times; the fact is, if you haven’t done maintenance for a long period of time, it is better to schedule maintenance sooner rather than later.

What Are the Benefits of Maintenance?

Routine maintenance has several important benefits for your air conditioning system:

  • Extends the life of your system – maintenance helps all the parts and components of your air conditioner run optimally. When your system is strained or running inefficiently, this can contribute to premature aging and early wear-and-tear.
  • Helps lower repair costs – the thorough inspection your system gets during a maintenance appointment means small and developing problems are caught and repaired before they can blossom into big ones that can be costly.
  • Helps lower energy bills – when your AC operates at its best, it also operates efficiently. An efficient system uses less energy, which, in turn, can lower your energy bills.
  • Better indoor air quality – a cleaner air conditioner delivers cleaner air throughout your home.

What Happens During a Maintenance Appointment?

A-Professional offers annual and bi-annual maintenance plans. During every appointment, the following occurs:

  • Monitor refrigerant pressure
  • Test starter capabilities
  • Test safety controls
  • Clean or replace standard air filters
  • Measure for correct air flow
  • Tighten electrical connections
  • Measure volts & amps
  • Inspect all duct work
  • Lubricate all moving parts
  • Adjust thermostat calibration
  • Clean evaporator coil if accessible
  • Flush drain lines
  • Measure temperature difference
  • Clean outside unit

Is It Time for a Maintenance Appointment?

We may be past spring, but that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule maintenance for your air conditioning system in Hammond, LA. In fact, if you’ve been seeing signs of inefficiency, or suspect you may have a developing issue with your AC, there’s no better time than the present to call us. Call A-Professional Heating and Air Conditioning today!

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