Six Times when Air Conditioning is a Must

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Air conditioning is not only a luxury, but actually essential for your health and well-being. Here are six situations where central cooling is an absolute must.

  • A child and/or senior citizen lives in the household. Those over 65 years of age, as well as young children, are more susceptible to heat stroke than others. Therefore, they should have a cool environment to come home to.
  • You have a breathing disorder. Anyone with allergies or asthma could greatly benefit from air conditioning, especially on the hottest summer days when it is already difficult to breathe.
  • Someone in your family has a weak immune system. A weakened immune system can bring about cold and flu-like symptoms that may include fever. Managing those symptoms and keeping temperatures at bay is much easier when your home is cool and comfortable.
  • You work from home. Staying cool is one of the best ways to prevent physical and mental fatigue to ensure that you remain productive.
  • Furry friends also occupy your home. The four-legged members of your family can be more susceptible to heat injury than humans, particularly long-haired animals or over-sized breeds. Make sure they are protected from heat stroke by keeping the temperature in your home at 72 or below.
  • You plan to sell your home in the near future. These days, selling a home without air conditioning is practically impossible. Installing a new HVAC system is the best way to ensure that potential buyers are not frightened away.

These are just a few occasions, among many, that call for an air conditioned home. If your home is not equipped with A/C, now is the time to consider installation.Call Mid-Florida Heating and Air in Gainesville, FL today!

How Your Backyard Affects Your Air Conditioning

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An air conditioning system works by drawing heat from inside your home into its refrigerant fluid. This heat is expelled from the fluid via the condenser unit located outside your house. Anything that interferes with efficient running of the condenser also interferes with your AC system’s ability to cool your home. Unfortunately, there are many things in your backyard that adversely affect the condenser’s function. Here are six of them:

Dryer Lint

If your dryer’s discharge vent is next to the condenser unit, lint can build up on the unit’s aluminum fins. This buildup is like a covering of insulation that impedes the flow of heat out of the condenser.

Dogs

If you’ve noticed areas of corrosion on the condenser’s fins, it’s possible that a dog is using the condenser unit as a fire hydrant — if you get our drift. Corroded or crumbled aluminum doesn’t conduct heat well, which reduces the heat transfer out of the fins. Erecting a fence around the condenser unit that is spaced about three or four feet away should solve the problem.

Plants

Plants next to the condenser restrict airflow. They are also a source of debris that fill the unit with dead leaves and branches. Never allow vine growth to take hold since they will quickly cover up the condenser unit. Maintain an area free of plant growth (except for grass) of at least three feet around the unit.

Trees

Trees with branches that overhang the condenser unit will drop dead leaves or pine needles on it. Keep the space above the unit clear of branches. Prune dead branches from all nearby trees.

Dirt

With time, the condenser fins will get dirty and there’s no way to prevent this. Airborne dust and dirt driven by the wind will always collect on the unit’s fins. Inspect the condenser during the spring and fall and keep it clean.

Pooled Water

Water pooling caused by landscape issues or a nearby rain gutter spout allows floating debris to collect on the condenser. The water will also contain suspended dirt and soil, which again, collects on the condenser. The constant wetness is also a prime condition for mold growth.

If you are having difficulties with your condenser or any other part of your air conditioning system, call Mid-Florida Heating and Air in Gainesville FL.

Air Conditioning 101: How to Properly Maintain Your HVAC System

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After spending a long summer day in the sweltering heat nothing is more satisfying than walking into an air conditioned home. On the other hand, there is nothing more frustrating than stepping out of the sun and into a home with a malfunctioning A/C. Fortunately proper maintenance can prevent your unit from breaking down. To help you ensure your system continues to successfully work all summer, we’ve created an easy to follow air conditioner maintenance checklist.

Changing the Filter

You may have heard it a million times, but we’re going to emphasize its importance once more. Changing your air conditioner’s filter on a regular basis is crucial to your unit operating at its most efficient level. A dirty filter can cause a jump in your A/C’s energy consumption while also having a negative effect on your home’s air quality. During the cooling season we suggest changing your filter once a month; especially, if you have pets.

Keep Your Outside Unit Free of Obstructions

Your A/C’s air compressor and condenser are usually located on the outside of your home. Unfortunately, that means debris often gets sucked into the unit causing the airflow to become obstructed, which will ultimately reduce the system’s efficiency. Keeping at least 24 inches around your unit clear of foliage is essential to cutting back on obstructions created by dirt, dust, and leaves. Before the summer begins be sure to cut down hanging branches and trim bushes that are invading your units 24 inches of clear space.

Give Your Air Conditioner A Break

Putting less stress on your air conditioner is key to extending its life span. Luckily, you can give your unit a little break during the day by closing the blinds or drapes in your home. Keeping the sun out reduces the temperature in your house, which means your A/C won’t need to run as often. Turning on ceiling fans or using floor fans is also an easy way to better circulate cool air throughout your home. Using both strategies allows your air conditioner to rest, which will help prolong your system’s life.

Schedule A Yearly Check-Up

Having your air conditioner serviced before the cooling season arrives can save you from a major breakdown during the hottest of summer days. Not only will a HVAC professional clean your unit, but they will also thoroughly inspect your system to ensure it’s running as efficiently as possible.

If you would like to schedule an A/C tune-up or you have questions about installing a new HVAC system, please contact Mid-Florida Heating and Air today and we’ll be happy to help you.

The Importance of Spring Time Maintenance for your A/C System

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In hot and humid climates, air conditioning can be a year-long necessity, but during the hottest months of spring and summer, its imperative to ensure that your air conditioning system is running efficiently and will be able to carry you through the cooling season without any major hiccups. With that being said, spring maintenance is necessary to take care of any needed repairs and replacements before the summer heat hits. If you haven’t already scheduled springtime maintenance, there is no time to delay! Here are a few of the reasons why springtime maintenance for your AC system is so important and not to be skipped this season.

 

  • Keeps you comfortable: Regular air conditioning maintenance can help your system to run effectively, keeping your home cool throughout the hottest months of the years. It goes without saying that when your air conditioning is running as it should be, it is able to keep your home cooler and therefore more comfortable. After all – what’s the point in having an air conditioning system if it isn’t working properly?

 

  • Increases air conditioning efficiency: Springtime air conditioning maintenance can help your system to run more efficiently. An efficiently working system doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool, which means not only will you be more comfortable, but you’ll also save in cooling costs throughout the spring and summer.

 

  • Alerts to future problems: Scheduling regular maintenance, especially before the start of a long cooling season, can help you to detect small defects in your system before they become larger and more expensive problems. During springtime maintenance, a professional HVAC contractor will inspect your system and deliver a system tune up, making any necessary small repairs in order to avoid any larger repairs or replacements down the line.

 

  • Prevents emergencies: Picture it – it’s one of the hottest days of the year and you notice that your home isn’t feeling as cool as it should. You go to adjust the thermostat and realize that it isn’t responding to your commands. You can’t even hear your system running! You call your preferred HVAC professional and they don’t have any appointments available today. Springtime maintenance can help you to avoid this type of scenario! In light of an emergency, a team of professionals will do everything they can to help you in a timely manner, but summer is undoubtedly the busiest HVAC season. If you have any questions or concerns about the state of your air conditioning system, now is the time to get it checked out.

 

  • Protects your investment: Let’s face it – air conditioning installation isn’t cheap, so if you have a working air conditioning system already installed in your home, the best thing you can do is properly maintain it to ensure that it will last you for many years to come. Like any important mechanical device in your life, such as your vehicle, your HVAC system requires regular tune-ups in order to keep it working properly. Don’t wait until there is a problem to get your system checked out; be proactive about keeping it working at its best and you’ll able to get the optimal use out of it before it becomes time to replace it.

 

At Mid-Florida Heating and Air, we are committed to bringing you the very best in air conditioning service and highly recommend spring time maintenance before the hot Florida summer begins! To schedule your spring maintenance, or for more information on what air conditioning maintenance entails, give us a call at (866) 643-3521 or click here to visit our website and speak with one of our friendly team members.

How Proper Air Conditioning Maintenance Will Keep Your System Working Well

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It’s difficult to fully grasp the importance of a working air conditioning system until your unit suddenly stops working on an especially hot day! Typically, when something like this happens, it’s because your system is not being properly cleaned and maintained on a routing basis. In order to keep your air conditioning system functioning properly, it’s important to ensure that your system is being taking care of and receiving the attention that it deserves from a professional throughout the year. Here are just a few of the reasons why proper air conditioning maintenance is an important step in keeping your system operating at peak efficiency:

Energy Efficiency

It may or may not come as a surprise to you that cooling costs can account for up to 48% of your overall energy bill each month! With that being said, you want to make sure that your air conditioning system is running as efficiently as possible, which will in turn lower energy costs. Routine maintenance will help you to accomplish this.

Safety

It is to be expected that over time, parts of your air conditioning system will loosen, corrode, or become defective. Performing routine inspections and maintenance can help you to catch these small issues before they turn into catastrophic problems. It’s also important to note that if you do notice anything different with your system, you should call a professional HVAC contractor to take a look. Attempting to repair your system on your own can be very dangerous without proper training and understanding of equipment.

Comfort

At the end of the day, your air conditioning system is responsible for one thing – keeping you and your family cool and comfortable! As we already mentioned, routine maintenance will help your system to run efficiently, which will in turn reduce the amount of energy and work it takes to cool your home. You’ll find that a well-cared for and maintained system will properly distribute cool air throughout your living space, making it a pleasant place to be no matter what the temperature is outside.

System Lifespan

Needless to say, when you’re checking your system regularly to ensure that all components are working properly, you’re working to prevent big problems before they occur. By inspecting your system and performing any necessary repairs as they come up, your system will last longer and cost you less money in repairs and replacements over time. The same way you take your car into the shop for tune-ups and inspections, it’s important to do what you can to ensure that your system is operating in good shape. Your air conditioning is, without a doubt, one of the most important systems in your home – don’t take for granted the role it plays in your comfort and quality of life!

Our Club Maintenance program offers regularly scheduled maintenance, discounted parts, no emergency service fees, and priority service! Give us a call today or visit our website to sign up!