How To Know When to Replace Your Air ConditionerSummer weather can be intense, and a reliable central air conditioning system creates a welcome respite from the relentless heat and humidity. AC systems that are properly installed, serviced and maintained will provide many years of economical and dependable service. The efficiency of modern air conditioners has improved dramatically in the last decade. Homeowners with a 10 SEER AC unit placed into service in the early 2000s can save up to 41 percent by installing new equipment with a 17 SEER rating. When you have chosen the central air conditioner that meets your budget and performance expectations, our certified and factory trained mechanics will begin the actual AC installation phase of the project. For new construction, we always conduct a jobsite survey to verify the actual site conditions match the mechanical drawings. Any ductwork that is installed or modified will conform to ACCA Standard 5 to ensure compliance with all national, state and local code requirements.

After most trades have completed their work, the new units are set, the final connections are made and the system is charged with refrigerant. Once the proper operation of the unit is confirmed, we will balance the registers to make sure every room receives the appropriate quantity of conditioned air. In a replacement application, the old equipment is removed, and the refrigerant is recovered. The existing duct network is examined to identify loose connections, obstructions and visible leaks. It is important to recognize that homes built before the mid 2000s often have duct leakage that degrades system efficiency by 20 percent or more. Every new system is tested to verify the BTU output at the air handler is delivered at the register. Morgan Air can install your new air conditioning unit anywhere in Tampa Bay no matter what system you choose. Take a look at our Equipment page, and speak to our experts today to compare! We have the technicians and the resources to get your unit installed efficiently and quickly.

We offer amazing maintenance programs to help your unit last as long as possible.If you don’t find your answer below, feel free to contact us. 1 ) How does an air conditioning system operate? Heat is transferred from the inside of the building to the outside. The warm air is blown, with a fan, over the refrigerant lines coils, in the air handler. The refrigerant absorbs the heat. It passes through copper tubing to the outside condensing unit where a fan blows outside air over the hot coil. This discards the warmth and sends cooler refrigerant back to the air handler in a loop. 2 ) How do I troubleshoot my air conditioner to see if it needs repairs? There are a few easy checks you can do before calling in a service technician: If it’s a split system, check the indoor and outdoor disconnect (power) switches and make sure they are turned on. You can also check your building’s circuit breakers to make sure there isn’t a blown fuse. Make sure the air filters are clean and not clogging up the airways.

If they are dirty replace them and remember to do so every 3 months or as needed.car ac repair training Your thermostat tells your air conditioner to turn on or off depending on the set temperature. car a c repair costsIf the temperature is set above the existing room temperature then the air handler cooling will not turn on. how much does air conditioning unit costSo, to make sure its working properly just set the temperature below the existing room temperature (and the system switch is set on ‘cool’ or ‘auto’) and it should turn on. With heating, it’s the opposite; the set temperature needs to be above the current room temperature and the system switch should be set on ‘heat’ or ‘auto’. 3 ) When should I replace my central air conditioning system?

Air conditioners built 20 to 30 years ago typically have a life expectancy of 15 years. Today you can get more mileage out of an ac system. However, for a unit to last a long time it needs to be properly maintained. This means changing filters regularly and having it serviced annually. Not only will this help a unit last longer but it will help avoid costly breakdowns in the future. For example, having the coils cleaned on a regular basis will keep them going for years before they need to be replaced, which can be costly. 4 ) How do I know when to get a new air conditioner? When your system stops cooling properly there could be a variety of different causes. It could be a minor issue such as an electrical problem like a blown fuse or the refrigerant may be low. When repairs become more major and start to surpass the value of the system then its time to consider purchasing new equipment. Buying a new compressor is a common replacement for older units that are usually less then a new system.

However, new air conditioners are most often more efficient - saving you money on your electric bill. 5 ) Is their an efficiency rating for AC systems? Yes, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ration (SEER) is a number that rates central air conditioning systems. Most new units have a SEER ratio of at least 10 whereas older units have SEERS of 6 or less. A higher SEER rating means higher efficiency. This means less energy is required to power the unit, saving the customer money in operating costs.What is a Heat Pump? In the summer, an air-to-air heat pump operates as a standard air conditioner, collecting heat from the air in your home and expelling it outside. In the winter, the process is reversed, so that the heat pump collects heat from the outdoor air to warm the air inside your home. A heat pumps operation and efficiency comes from a principle known as heat transfer. Rather than creating heat, the electric heat pump utilizes existing heat and simply moves it to the desired location.

Why does a heat pump run more frequently in the winter? When it is very cold outside, the heat pump has to work longer to extract heat from the outdoor air. It also runs through a defrost cycle, giving the appearance that it is running longer. Is the air from a heat pump cooler than the air from other heating systems?A heat pump doesn’t produce hot blasts of air like other systems. Rather it maintains a consistent indoor temperature. The air coming from the registers is usually about 90* - 95*F. Smoke’s coming out of my heat pump, is it on fire?The outdoor unit has an automatic defrost cycle. A cloud of steam rising from the outdoor unit will be observed and the outdoor fan will stop running. At the completion of the cycle, a loud swooshing noise will occur and the outdoor fan will start again. What’s wrong when my unit is covered in ice/frost? Frosting of the outdoor unit is normal in the winter season. As long as the temperature in the house remains comfortable there should be no problem with your unit.

If there is any ice build-up the unit needs to be checked out. Scraping or cleaning the frost from the outdoor unit is not recommended. How often should I check my filter? Whether you have disposable, pleated, electrostatic, or electronic filters, one thing they all have in common is they must be kept clean! This is the most common cause for pre-mature failure of air conditioners. You should check them monthly and clean or replace them when it is apparent they are no longer allowing air to pass through them freely. The Department of Energy requires all manufacturers rate their systems with the standard Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. This rating is a reflection on how efficient the system produces cooling. In general the higher the SEER rating the more efficient the systems is. The minimum SEER rating allowed is 13 and systems range up to 20. High efficient systems typically utilize variable airflow and two speed compressors. Similar to SEER, the AFUE is a rating of Gas furnaces.

The AFUE is expressed as a percentage. A furnace with an 80% AFUE rating utilizes 80% of the gas toward heating your home. 20% of the gas is expelled through the flue pipe with other products of combustion. Systems range up to 100% AFUE. Should my outdoor unit be covered in winter?Air conditioners are made to last for years in the outdoors. Savannah’s strange weather makes it nearly impossible to predict. You can cause serious damage to your air conditioner if it were operated with the airflow obstructed. Heat pumps run nearly year round so it makes no sense to try to cover them. Should shrubs and flowers be planted around an outdoor unit?However, it is recommended that plants be no closer than 18” from the coiled sides of the unit and 36” from the service door, to allow ample room for routine maintenance. Should the thermostat settings be positioned to the “auto” or the “on” position? When you place the thermostat to the auto position, the fan will cycle on when the heat or cool mode comes on.