May 20, 2021 | Blog
As the summer heat arrives in St. Cloud, FL, you’ll naturally be thinking of ways you can save money by increasing the energy efficiency of your home. The less your cooling system runs, the less energy you’ll need to pay for. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to reduce the cost of using your cooling system, and improving its efficiency.
1. Maintenance
The first step to increase the efficiency of your cooling system is by implementing a maintenance plan with a local air services company. With a maintenance plan, you’ll save money by having a cooling system that is always in optimal working condition.
A professional technician will typically check and clean these cooling system components and features:
- Refrigerant level
- Thermostats
- Electrical and fuel connections
- Condenser coil
- Blower components
- Condensate drain
2. Insulation
Improving the insulation of your home can help with energy efficiency by limiting the airflow between the house, attic and the outdoors. If you have issues with drafty windows and doors, temperatures varying from room to room plus high power bills during the summer, then it may be time to better insulate your home.
You can add insulating materials to your attic, doors and windows. Installing insulating curtains can help block heat from the sun’s rays.
3. Thermostats
Most homeowners don’t fully utilize their thermostats to reduce the costs of running a cooling system. Simply by adjusting the thermostat, you can easily save on your energy bills. In the summer, set the thermostat at 78 degrees Fahrenheit for the times when you’re at home, and opt for a higher temperature when you’re away.
Call our team at Frank’s Air Conditioning for help with improving the energy efficiency of your home’s cooling system. We’re happy to share information on optimizing your energy usage and provide any other air comfort services you may need.
Image provided by iStock
Apr 24, 2021 | Blog
You spend a lot of time and money ensuring that your Orlando, FL, home is well-maintained. One potential upgrade that can boost the comfort and energy efficiency of your home is additional attic insulation. Let’s take a look at some of the many benefits additional this insulation provides.
1. Longer Lasting HVAC Systems
Adding extra insulation seals up leaks and drafts in your attic, making your home easier to heat and cool so that your furnace and air conditioning system won’t have to work as hard to maintain a comfortable temperature. This enhanced efficiency may translate into longer life for your HVAC system and keep you from the need to call for air conditioning repair as often.
2. Energy Savings With Additional Attic Insulation
The reduced need for heating and cooling with added insulation in the attic doesn’t only increase system longevity. It also reduces energy bills, requiring less energy to run the furnace and air conditioner.
3. Enhanced Indoor Air Quality
When drafts exist in an attic space, dust and bacterial growth can enter your home through them, reducing air quality and leading to potential health issues. Sufficient insulation provides a shield for your home to protect your indoor air from these and other contaminants.
4. Attic Insulation Prevents Structural Damage
Moisture and heat can cause serious damage to your home over time. Proper insulation in the attic can prevent water vapor from seeping into the wall and causing damage. Proper insulation may also prevent roof damage.
5. Prolonged Roof Life
A roof is a substantial investment. Proper insulation can keep the roof at the optimal temperature and moisture levels to ensure the long life of your shingles and roof decking.
As you consider the benefits of additional insulation in the attic, it’s important to discuss your questions with a licensed professional who can provide product and service options. Reach out to our team at Frank’s Air Conditioning to learn more about attic insulation today.
Image provided by iStock
Mar 17, 2021 | Blog
Indoor air quality is a growing concern in the homes. There are many factors that affect the quality of the air in your Hunters Creek, FL home. One of the most important issues that can cause health problems is dirty air ducts in your home.
How Does Air Quality Affect Your Health?
The EPA considers indoor air quality to be a major factor in public health. Dirty air can cause you and your family to suffer the following symptoms:
- Dry, cracked and itchy skin
- Persistent Coughing
- Headaches
- Fatigue
- Shortness of breath
- Sore throat
- Increase in allergy-related issues
What Is Dust?
The dust in your air ducts has many different particulates in its makeup. Pollen, pet dander and insect waste are some of the most common components sitting in your ductwork. Each time your forced air system runs, those particles circulate into the air that you breathe and can harm your family’s health.
Why Doesn’t Your Filter Stop This?
Your furnace filter still needs to allow air to flow through the system, so it has to balance filtration and airflow. The smaller particulates can get past the filter and gather inside your ducting. Standard maintenance service can’t prevent this, and this buildup can become extensive over the years.
What Does Duct Cleaning Involve?
Cleaning the dust from your ductwork involves a powerful vacuum system and brushes to break up caked-on debris, but that’s only part of the process. Your technician will conduct a full inspection of your ductwork to find and seal any cracked seams or holes in your ducts. The finished process will leave you with clean air ducts sealed tight against leaks or animal incursion.
Call us today at Frank’s Air Conditioning to get your ductwork inspected and cleaned anywhere in the Hunters Creek, FL area. Our well-trained technicians will get the job done quickly and efficiently.
Image provided by iStock
Feb 22, 2021 | Blog
Are you noticing your Orlando, FL, home seems warmer or colder than the temperature on the thermostat? This is often a result of poor thermostat placement, causing it to read an incorrect temperature. Here are four areas in your home to avoid when placing your thermostat.
A Wall in Direct Sunlight
If your home seems sweltering hot even though you have your thermostat set at 67 degrees, make sure it’s not installed in direct sunlight. The constant sunlight forces the temperature to read higher than the actual temperature. Perception is reality when it comes to thermostats.
Thermostat Near Vents
Another mistake is to have a thermostat installed close to one of the air conditioning vents. The cold air the HVAC system blows through these vents will force it to register a temperature that is too cold. If you notice your AC unit turning off intermittently, this could be the cause.
An Exterior Wall
Try to put your thermostat on an interior wall where it will most accurately read the average temperature in your home. Thermostats on exterior walls may sense the outside temperature. Exterior walls are especially undesirable places to put it if you live in an older house that may be drafty or need better insulation.
Hallways
A hallway is a popular place for homeowners to install their thermostats. This may not be great idea because hallways an be long and narrow, so they won’t give a good reading of the actual temperature.
If your HVAC system is in need of a new thermostat or new location, contact us at Frank’s Air Conditioning for more information. We have been providing world-class HVAC services to Orlando, FL, residents for decades.
Image provided by iStock
Jan 19, 2021 | Blog
Having an efficient heat pump will greatly help you get through the cold winter months. It’s always a good idea to periodically check on your system and ensure that it isn’t showing any issues that could lead to the system failing. Here are four important signs that your heat pump may be ready to fail in Intercession City, FL.
1. Bad Smells When Heat Pump Runs
If your heat pump is giving off strange smells, like dirty socks or a burning smell, this is a huge sign that your unit should be checked soon. A burning smell can indicate that there is an electrical issue with your unit, and it could potentially start a fire. A smell like dirty socks usually is an indication of biologic growth on the coils. This could have a detrimental affect on your air quality.
2. High Electric Bills
If you notice your monthly utilities bills have been getting more expensive, this can be an indicator that your HVAC system is malfunctioning and needs to be serviced. Many things can cause your system to expend extra energy such as a dirty air filter. A faulty installation of the system can also lead to high electric bills down the road.
3. Poor Airflow and Air Quality
A heat pump that has poor air flow or poor air quality might need to get serviced before the problem gets worse. Airflow and air quality problems could be due to a dirty air filter also, but it could also be due to more serious issues such as dirty coils or a malfunctioning blower motor.
4. Weird Heat Pump Noises
A heat pump that’s making weird noises such as bubbling, rattling, flapping or screeching noises is not something to overlook. These sounds can be an indicator of major internal malfunctions and will need to receive maintenance immediately.
Contact our team at Frank’s Air Conditioning Inc. for heating repair services if you notice any of the signs mentioned above.
Image provided by iStock
Dec 16, 2020 | Blog
As you prepare to keep your family warm this winter in Kissimmee, FL, you want to make sure you don’t spend too much on heating. While that may sound difficult, one major step is adding insulation to your home. Here’s how insulating your home this season can lower your bills.
Reduces Airflow in Your House
A house feels colder in winter when outdoor air gets inside, flows freely and creates uneven temperatures. Once you insulate your home, you’ll stop that from happening.
By doing so, you capture heat in one place and make sure the temperature remains the same for longer periods of time. As you heat your house less, your energy bills reduce.
You’ll Save Your Heating System
During winter, it’s possible to find yourself paying for heating repairs or replacements. As your heating system runs, its parts experience wear and tear gradually over time. The more you use it, the more likely you are to experience heating repairs.
However, when your house is well-insulated, your heating system works less and becomes less likely to wear and break down, saving you on repair costs.
You’ll Be Energy Efficient
By insulating your home, you decrease the amount of energy you lose through the attic, crawl spaces, and around windows or pipes that haven’t been caulked or sealed.
In the long run, you’ll reduce the need for extra heating during the cold season, allowing you to consume less energy every year. For instance, if you’re using a gas-fired furnace, you use it less, saving on fuel, and a heat pump will run less often.
If you want to insulate your home and save money, you’ll want to partner with a professional. Contact Frank’s Air Conditioning to insulate the attic in your house today.
Image provided by iStock
