Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

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Getting the Most from Your Air Conditioning in Springfield, PA

Monday, April 1st, 2013

During the hottest days of the year your air conditioner becomes one of the most important components of your home. When you purchase a high-quality system and schedule professional air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services, you can expect a great performance. Even so, increasing energy efficiency during the air conditioning season is a goal many of us share. Here are some tips to help you get the most from your air conditioning system. Call the Springfield, PA air conditioning professionals at Cool It for more information.

Even the best air conditioning systems will not operate as efficiently and reliably as possible if they are not serviced by qualified professionals. Scheduling your air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance services with a professional company you can count on makes all the difference. Routine maintenance is not only the best way to prevent problems with your air conditioning system but also the best way to keep it operating at peak performance levels. When every component of your air conditioning system is working as intended, it is easier for the system as a whole to cool your home.

Using your thermostat properly is another simple, yet very effective, way to get the most from your air conditioning in Springfield, PA. If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure you fully understand the programmability options. Creating cooling programs that are based around your personal lifestyle and schedule is a great way to get more from your AC.

One important factor in getting the most from your air conditioning system that many homeowners overlook is simply giving it a rest every now and then. When the sun goes down and the temperature drops a little, shut off the AC and open up the windows. This will help ventilate your home as well as reducing your air conditioning costs.

For more information about how you can get the most from your air conditioning in Springfield, PA, call the professional air conditioning technicians at Cool It. We have the years of training and experience necessary to answer any questions you may have. Contact us today to learn more.

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Media Air Conditioning Question: How Can a Thermostat Upgrade Improve My AC System?

Monday, August 27th, 2012

Newer technologies tend to come with more features, better options, and offer more efficiency.  The same is true with thermostats: newer varieties offer more to consumers than older models did.  Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning  is an air conditioning company in Media that is proud to offer the latest in technology when it comes to thermostats.

Thermostat Upgrades that Improve AC Systems

One of the latest thermostat upgrades to hit the market is the talking thermostat.  It offers many of the latest and greatest thermostat features such as a digital display for temperature reading, built-in time delay to prevent short cycling of the air conditioning system, programmable features that allow you to stop the cooling cycle while you are away during the day or on vacation, an alert when the AC filters need to be changed, as well as freeze protection if you are away and the temperature unexpectedly drops.  There is even a self-diagnostic tool which alerts you when something in the system needs to be serviced.

The best feature of all is that this thermostat talks!  Don’t worry that you can’t find your glasses or that you can’t see in the dark to read the display, with a talking thermostat you can walk through any number of functions such as adjusting temperature settings, programming settings, and even hearing when filters need changing or there are system issues.

With a thermostat upgrade of any kind you will improve your overall efficiency of your air conditioning and heating system by being able to preset times for it to run less frequently while no one is around.  Your indoor air quality will improve as a result of being able to know precisely when a filter needs changing, and AC efficiency is not negatively affected by reduced airflow.  You will also have access to some of the latest thermostat features such as touch-screen displays, digital readouts, and self-diagnostic tools.

As Media thermostat specialists, Cool It can install a new thermostat in a quick and professional manner – call us today to learn more!

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Ridley Park AC Guide: Air Conditioner Electrical Requirements

Monday, August 20th, 2012

At Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning we believe it is important for consumers to be well informed. Our team has put together some information to help you learn more about the electrical requirements of your air conditioner.

When you are having your new air conditioning system installed in your Ridley Park home, your contractor will work out the following requirements of your unit and make sure that your current electrical system can support it:

  • Voltage is the expected amount at which the motor is designed to operate, and motors tend to operate well with voltages that are within 10% of the voltage level denoted by the manufacturer.  There is a voltage or VAC for the compressor, as well as for the blower fan.
  • Cycles tend to range from 50 hertz to 60 hertz
  • Rated Load Amperage or RLA (aka Rated Load Current or RLC) it the anticipated load during normal use of the AC, and is right around 64% of the maximum load current.
  • Full Load Amperage or FLA is the maximum motor current draw that the motor can operate under without being damaged.
  • Locked Rotor Amperage or LRA will note the maximum current the AC motor will draw when the motor’s rotor gets locked and will not move. This can be 700% to 850% higher than the RLA or FLA.

With any mechanical piece of equipment that uses electricity to run it, there are degrees and variations of maximum allowable electrical use and minimum amounts of electrical use.  Understanding a little bit about each of these electrical requirements for AC systems will ensure that your existing electrical system has the requirements necessary to accommodate your next air conditioning system.  Contact Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning if you are interested in installing a new AC system in Ridley Park or the surrounding area!

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Springfield Air Conditioning Question: What Can Cause Problems with AC Coil Fins

Monday, August 13th, 2012

When AC coil fins have problems, they can cause the efficiency of your Springfield air conditioner to drop drastically.  Identifying coil fin problems and resolving them is very important.

Aluminum or copper coil fins on the evaporator coils or condenser coils of an air conditioner tend to get easily bent.  When this happens it will block the air which flows through the coil itself, causing the entire AC system to not work properly.

Through normal use coil fins can also become clogged with dirt and debris, which also restricts air flow through the air conditioner making it work harder than necessary.  Overworking an AC results in cooling that is less effective and which will cost more, not to mention wearing out internal parts much more quickly.

With low air flow comes a drop in temperature, and this drop can result in AC coil fins that are frosted over with ice particles.  Ice build-up problems not only decrease air flow but can cause other AC problems to occur.

Air Conditioning Coil Fin Solutions

Whether there are bent coil fins, clogged fins, or frosted or icy AC coil fins, the result is the same: blocked air flow that causes the air conditioner to work harder than it should.  The easiest solution is through proper air conditioning maintenance with a company such as Cool It that can not only fix bent coil fins, but defrost the coils, and clean the coil fins during the AC maintenance inspection.

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Media Air Conditioning Question: What is Mini Split Air Conditioning?

Monday, August 6th, 2012

With so many air conditioning system types on the market it is important to understand each of them when looking into one for your specific needs.  Mini split air conditioning systems are a wonderful option for either those with smaller space to accommodate an air conditioner inside, or for those that do not want to hassle with installation of a ductwork system.  Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning is an air conditioning company in Media that has experience working with mini split air conditioners and can help you understand them a little bit more.

Mini Split Air Conditioning Systems

Mini split air conditioning systems are compact in design and do not use ductwork systems to send air into a home or small business.  Rather they have two main components which work together: an outdoor condenser and compressor cabinet and an indoor air handler.  These two units are connected by the refrigerant tubing, power line, and drainage tubes.

Mini split air conditioners are normally used where a few small rooms need to be cooled, such as in a multi-family home, apartment, and in room additions on existing homes where the central air conditioning system will not be modified.  One single condenser unit can be connected to multiple indoor air handling units, which means the system can cool multiple rooms at once.  Additionally, on each air handling unit come the controls to set temperature settings and turn individual air handling units on or off as needed.  This way unused rooms need not be cooled, wasting energy to do so.

Mini splits have a number of mounting options and can be window mounted, wall-mounted or ceiling mounted through a flush drop-ceiling, or by being suspended from the ceiling.  These options are space-savers, allowing interior space of homes to be used for other purposes.

Mini split air conditioning is a wonderful option for those who do not have a duct system in place and still want the option to air condition without the added cost of that installation.

Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning has worked with mini split air conditioning and a variety of other air conditioner types. We are proud to offer efficient AC services such as mini split installation and replacement, as well as mini split air conditioning repair and maintenance.  Contact Cool It for all your Media mini split system needs!

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Media Air Conditioning Question: What Does the AC Condensate Drain Do?

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

A frequent question that contractors report getting from homeowners pertains to the condensate drain – what is it and what does it do? The condensate drain is one of those components of your Media air conditioning system that you hear about fairly often, but its exact function tends to be a mystery to most people.

The Condensate System

In addition to cooling the air in your home, an air conditioner also removes humidity. It does this by drawing in ambient air, which then passes over a coil filled with cold refrigerant, called a condenser coil. When the warm ambient air comes into contact with the cold condenser coil, the moisture in that air condenses from gas to a liquid state – water.

This water is collected by the air conditioner and drained off, thereby removing it from the air entirely, resulting in less humidity in your home.

The Role of the Condensate Drain

The condensate system consists of a number of parts: a drip tray to catch and collect the condensed moisture, a small pump to drain the water from the tray and the condensate drain.

The job of the condensate drain is just what you would expect based on its name and what you just read about the condensate system as a whole – that is, it drains away the condensed water. Via the condensate drain, this moisture is drained out of the air conditioner and out of the house.

Where this condensed moisture goes varies from system to system. Sometimes it empties into a basement floor drain, other times it may makes its way to the waste line. Either way, it is because of the condensate drain that this moisture is able to leave the AC system and the house.

Problems with Condensate Drainage

The condensate drain is an important part of the air conditioning process, as leaving that excess moisture around can cause problems, like mold growth, rust or insect damage. Any time your Media air conditioner’s condensate drain is not working properly, due to a clog or a bad pump motor, you are at risk for these problems to crop up. Call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning today if you are having any problems with your air conditioning system!

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Media AC Tip: Central Air Conditioning Buying Guide

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Looking to buy a central air conditioner in Media? Not sure where to start? Read through this handy guide to give yourself a jumping-off point.

1.       Budget

Before doing anything else, figure out how much you can afford to spend on a new air conditioner. That budget figure will help guide your decisions throughout the process.

2.       Size

You need to know what size air conditioner you house will require. The right cooling capacity is an essential trait of central AC. There are ways to estimate this figure yourself, but for the most accurate sizing figure and best results, you should have a Media AC professional do a load calculation on your whole home. This will take into account not just the space, but also what types of rooms are to be cooled, the quality of the insulation and windows and how many people will be in a room at a time, all of which affect cooling.

3.       Consider all options

Cast a wide net when looking at your AC options. Have you considered the benefits of a ductless system over traditional central air? Have you looked at all the energy efficient models? Since you have this opportunity to get exactly what you want for your home, take advantage of it.

4.       Consult with a professional

Rather than being its own step, this should really be going on throughout each step in the buying process. A Media air conditioning professional can help you with sizing, inform you of your options and install the new system for you once you have made a decision. The assistance of a pro in this matter is invaluable.

5.       Decide and enjoy!

With all the difficult decisions out of the way, you are free to enjoy the comfort of central air conditioning! For any assistance, feel free to call Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning!

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Here Come Another Heat Wave! Is Your AC Ready?

Friday, July 13th, 2012

Heat Wave | Delaware County | Cool It HVACTemperatures that soared over 100 degrees sent people in the Delaware County area searching for ways to cool off. It looks like another stretch of hot weather is headed our way. At Cool It Heating and Air Conditioning we want to make sure that you and your family are prepared for the hot weather. Being without air conditioning during the hottest of weather is not only uncomfortable, but can be dangerous.

Be sure to drink plenty of water and maintain hydration, don’t exert yourself, and when temperatures are that high we recommend saying indoors in the AC. If you are without AC or having an aging system that might not make it through another heat wave call the experts at Cool It HVAC today. We offer professional AC installation, maintenance, and repair.

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Springfield AC Question: What Is the Difference Between Ductless and Central Air Conditioning?

Monday, July 9th, 2012

When considering air conditioning solutions that cover the whole house, some Springfield homeowners are surprised to learn that they have options besides just traditional central air conditioning. While that is still the best option for many people, another option to consider is ductless air conditioning.

They both keep your whole home cool, so what’s the difference? Actually, there are a few, having to do with the configuration of the machinery, relative ease of installation and some other factors.

Equipment & Installation

The two types of systems are alike in that they both have indoor and outdoor units, but they differ in just how those units are arranged and what they do. Ductless systems consist of an outdoor compressor/condenser unit and several indoor air handlers. Each indoor unit is designed to cool one room or area and is controlled independently of the others. The indoor units are connected to the outdoor unit via a conduit that is filled with refrigerant. By having the individual indoor units perform the air handling, ductless systems can be installed more easily, since usually just a small hole for the conduit is all that is needed to connect the outdoor unit to the indoors.

Contrast that configuration with central AC, where the air handling is done by a central indoor unit, usually located in the basement. The cooled air is then delivered to the various rooms of the house via air ducts. Ductless systems make ductwork unnecessary.

Advantages

Each type of system has its advantages. Central air conditioning is the best choice for homes that have ductwork already in place, since that will make for the easiest installation. Also, many people like the idea of having one unit to cool the whole house instead of having to control the indoor units separately, as with ductless systems. However, central AC can be zoned if you like.

Ductless systems are generally more efficient to operate, since there is less opportunity for cooled air to be lost in the ducts. They are usually the best option for smaller homes or any homes that don’t have existing ductwork.

No matter which type of system you choose, your home will be cool and comfortable. It is largely a matter of what type of system works better for your particular situation, so there is no right or wrong solution. Call Cool It today if you have any questions about Springfield air conditioning installation!

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Ridley Park Air Conditioning Tip: Benefits of Ductless AC

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Ductless air conditioners, sometimes also called ductless mini split systems, are a multi-room or whole house cooling solution that doesn’t require ductwork. This makes them a good option for smaller or older homes where there is no ductwork, but are there any other benefits of ductless AC in Ridley Park?

Turns out that there are– at least five of them, in fact:

1.       Easy to Install

Because of the time and effort it usually takes to install ducts, a ductless air conditioning system can be installed much more quickly than a traditional central air system. A ductless system can usually be installed in less than a day, whereas putting in a new central air system from scratch can take up to a week. That means six fewer days of having a crew working in your house while you sweat out the blazing summer heat.

2.       Easy to Use

The individual indoor satellite units of a ductless system can be controlled independently, often by remote control. That means you can adjust the temperature in one room without affecting the rest of the house, and often you can do it without even getting up.

3.       Cheap to Operate

Ductless AC systems draw less power than traditional central air conditioning, which makes them generally a more cost effective solution. Plus, since you can control individual units (see #2), it doesn’t cost nearly as much to cool just one room.

4.       Quiet Operation

The equipment involved in ductless AC systems is very quiet, often generating nothing more than a low hum.

5.       Small Footprint

Ductless air conditioners take up very little space, which makes them unobtrusive when in use and easy to store when they are not.

When looking for a home cooling solution, consider the benefits of a ductless AC system before making your decision. You may see that it is a better option for you than traditional central air conditioning in Ridley Park. Call Cool It Heating & Air Conditioning today if you are interest in having a ductless AC system installed!

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