St.Augustine

St.Augustine
The sun shines brightest after a storm.

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

MITSUBISHI DUCTLESS HEAT PUMPS



Do you have an enclosed area in your home that does not have central heating and cooling, but you would like it to? Well visit our site and review the information on Mitsubishi Ductless Heat Pumps. After you review the information, give our office a call and talk to the experts.

Thursday, August 23, 2012

HEAT PUMPS



One of the biggest advantages of a heat pump over a standard heating ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) unit is that there's no need to install separate systems to heat and cool your home. Heat pumps also work extremely efficiently, because they simply transfer heat, rather than burn fuel to create it. This makes them a little more green than a gas-burning furnace. And they don't just heat and cool buildings. If you've ever enjoyed a hot tub or heated swimming pool, then you probably have a heat pump to thank. They work best in moderate climates, so if you don't experience extreme heat and cold in your neck of the woods, then using a heat pump instead of a furnace and air conditioner could help you save a little money each month.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

INFORMATION FROM ENERGYSTAR





Earning the ENERGY STAR means products meet strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the US Environmental Protection Agency. By choosing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment and taking steps to optimize its performance, you can enhance the comfort of your home while saving energy. Saving energy helps you save money on utility bills and protect the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the fight against climate change.

Electric air-source heat pumps, often used in moderate climates, use the difference between outdoor air temperatures and indoor air temperatures to cool and heat your home.

ENERGY STAR qualified heat pumps:
have higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) and energy efficiency ratio (EER) ratings, as well as a higher heating seasonal performance factor (HSPF) than standard models, making them about 9% percent more efficient than standard new models and 20% more efficient then what you may have in your home.

Ask us about Energy Star qualified heat pump equipment.

Wednesday, August 15, 2012

HEAT PUMP TIPS



Set thermostat at one temperature. Constant adjusting can cause higher utility costs.
If using your thermostat as a setback type, limit the setbacks to twice a day such as when you are at work and when you are sleeping.
Only setback the thermostat 6% of desired temperature( approximately five degrees).
In cooling, try not to set the thermostat below 70 degrees. Besides higher utility costs, this can cause the indoor coil to freeze and cause condensation in the house.
Check air filters monthly or bi-weekly. Clean or replace as needed.
Keep shrubs pruned back at least 18 inches around all sides of the heat pump.
We suggest having your heat pump inspected and serviced by a service technician AT LEAST once a year

Saturday, August 4, 2012

Is It Time For A/C Coil Cleaning?


Coil cleaning should be an essential part of your air conditioner’s annual maintenance. Without it, the coils could create a significant — and negative — effect on the comfort level in your home, as well as your energy bills.
Air conditioners generally have a coil in the outdoor condensing unit and another coil in the indoor evaporator unit. The indoor coil is often called the “cool” coil. This coil absorbs heat from the air as the A/C moves warm air from inside your home into the system. The condenser coil is generally know as the “warm” coil, because at this point in the cooling process, the coil releases the heat outside.

It is cause for concern whenever either coil becomes dirty, as dirt buildup is the No. 1 deterrent to performance and efficiency. Dirty coils can lead to a host of problems, including:

•Higher energy consumption: Dirt buildup greatly hinders the coils’ ability to transfer heat, both absorbing it or releasing it. As a result, the system will use more energy to transfer heat. In fact, it’s estimated that a dirty coil can consume almost 40 percent more energy just to get the job done.

•Lower cooling capacity: When the coils are not able to transfer heat as they are designed to, the A/C’s capacity to cool also drops, along with efficiency. Therefore, your home won’t feel as cool as it did when the system was operating at its peak. You can expect to see as much as a 30 percent drop in capacity.

•Early system failure: All that dirt on the coils creates a domino effect of damage to internal components, because of the increased pressure and higher temperatures it causes.


If it’s time for coil cleaning, contact Action Heating and Air Conditioning. Our team of certified experts is happy to help you keep your air conditioner in peak condition. We have served homeowners in Northeast Florida since 1982.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your sealing ducts ,Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website

Friday, August 3, 2012

How to Keep Your Air Conditioning Costs Down

Is the cost to operate your central air becoming a burden? When run every day, your A/C could set you back an average of about $200 each month. Air conditioning costs homeowners, and the nation in general, a significant amount of energy. In fact, 5% of all energy produced in the U.S. is used for air conditioning. Of course, staying cool in a warm climate is not just a luxury for many people- it’s a necessity. So, keeping our A/C units turned off in order to save money is not a good option here in sunny Florida.



A lot of our customers ask us how they can lower their air conditioning costs. The fact is, running your air conditioning does not have to break the budget. You just have to make sure to operate your unit efficiently so that you get the best performance for your energy dollars. In our experience, the way to do that is to follow some easy steps. Here’s how to save 20-50% on your costs:

1. Regular maintenance- This is something you can do yourself or have a professional take care of for you. When you keep your A/C well-maintained, you’re increasing its efficiency by up to 30%. Our inspections generally include:

– Filters- Dirty filters are a major cause of inefficient operation. You can save 5-15% in energy usage just by cleaning your filters regularly.

– Fins- Coil fins can become bent over time, and this keeps air from flowing properly. Your technician can straighten then out during scheduled maintenance, or you can use a fin comb to do it yourself.

– Ducts- Gaps in your ductwork lower efficiency by allowing up to 20% of conditioned air to leak out. Check your ductwork and seal up any leaks so your A/C doesn’t have to work harder than necessary.

– Drains- Drains keep water and humidity from building up in your system and your home. Clogged drains allow moisture to accumulate, so be sure to check your drains and clean them out at least twice a year.

– Coils- Your unit’s condensor and evaporator coils absorb heat from your home, so they need to remain free from dirt and debris. Check both the indoor and outdoor units and clean them regularly.

2. Proper operation- Maintenance is one way to save money on air conditioning costs. It’s also important to properly operate your system. Don’t leave doors or windows open while running your A/C, and make sure the thermostat is set correctly. If your A/C unit can’t sense the temperature of the air coming into the coils, it won’t run efficiently.

3. Get an energy-efficient unit- Whether you’re installing a new A/C system or replacing on old one, an energy-efficient model will save you money. For instance, Energy Star units not only offer savings of up to $200 per year, they also may qualify you for tax credits of up to $1,500.

Air conditioning costs can be managed, simply by keeping your system in good repair and making wise choices about how you operate your system. Next time, we’ll talk about ventilating to keep your home and family cool when the temperature soars.

Questions about air filters or how to install one in your particular HVAC system? Contact Action Air for expert advice for Northeast Florida homeowners. Please visit our website to learn more or just pick up the phone.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about your sealing ducts ,Indoor Comfort and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website



Wednesday, August 1, 2012

FILTER CHANGING



Filter changing is a very important part of keeping your air conditioning/heat pump system running properly. If you buy a filter that states that it is a 3-month filter, don't be fooled. The length of time in between changing your filter depends on many factors: pets, children, traffic in-and-out of the home, outdoor environment, etc. Be sure to check your filter monthly (in some instances every 2 weeks). Your filter may not require changing (if you can hold your filter up to the light & see through it, then it probably will not need changing; but if it is partially dirty, make sure to check it the next week). Never, remove your filter and just turn it over. The dirt that is on the filter will be drawn up into your evaporator coil, causing it to eventually clog. Keeping your filter clean can help your electric consumption, prolong the life of your system, prevent compressor failure, along with other component failures. Make it a point to check your filter regularly.