Common Air Conditioning Myths You Should Know

Although there are information resources available about air conditioning systems, some homeowners continue to believe in myths about HVACs. Read the blog below to learn about some air conditioning myths.

Myth 1: Larger ACs Are More Efficient.

One of the popular misconceptions about air conditioners is that larger units are better and more efficient to use. But using an AC that’s bigger than what’s needed for the space will cause the unit to constantly turn on and off in response to temperature fluctuations. This increases the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns, shortening the device’s lifespan. It is best to select an AC with a cooling capacity that matches the size of the room.

Myth 2: Only Replace the Cooling Device When It Malfunctions.

Keeping your heating and cooling devices while they’re still functional seems like a money-savvy practice. But if your air conditioning system is over ten years old, experts say it’s time to replace it. AC replacement saves you money and time spent on calling professionals for repeated repairs and breakdowns.

Myth 3: Lower Thermostat Means Faster Cooling.

AC systems condition indoor air by removing 15 to 20 degrees of heat from the system regardless of the temperature set in the thermostat. The conditioned air passes through the duct system and spreads throughout your rooms to maintain the proper ambient temperature. Thus, it is not true that the lower you set the thermostat, the faster your room will cool.

Myth 4: Turn Off the AC When Not in Use.

Turning off your air conditioning system when you’re out of the house makes sense, but does it really save you from excessive energy consumption? The reality is, it doesn’t.

That’s because the room temperature rises when you turn your AC off. And by the time you turn it back up again, your unit works double to reach your desired temperature. In addition, the vents are closed when your system is turned off, so air is not well distributed in your home.

Consequently, your cooling device is forced to cool the room faster when turned on, which causes early signs of wear and tear. That said, it’s recommended to keep your unit on all day as supposed to periodically turning it off.

No one wants high electricity bills and unexpected repairs caused by misrepresentations about AC maintenance. Some “facts” about air conditioning systems might be misleading, so it would be best to be mindful of circulating myths about AC systems. Call our AC professionals at Bounds Heating & Air for fast and accurate HVAC services in FL.

Why Is There a Burning Smell in Furnace Systems?

The winter season is approaching. During this season, many homeowners use their heat pump or furnaces to survive and get through to spring. However, heating devices such as furnaces and heat pumps can sometimes malfunction after being stagnant throughout the previous seasons. One example of said malfunctioning is the probability that your heater will smell like it’s burning right after being switched on. Read this blog to learn more about why this happens.

Dust Piles Are Being Burned Off

Whether you own Carrier AC units or other high-quality heating brands, you can’t be free from HVAC issues like dirt accumulation. Typically, a furnace/heat pump that smells like it’s burning is caused by dust piles. For instance, dust and debris can build up inside your heating system after not being used for a while. So, when it is turned on, the dirt is burned off, which produces a plastic smell in the room. Usually, this dissipates after a few minutes.

Vents Are Not Cleaned

When heat pumps and devices are not used, homeowners must expect their vents to require cleaning before they are ready for use. Inspecting your unit’s filters and other components is recommended to avoid clogs in air vents that will be burned and will produce a burning smell when your unit is first turned on. Doing so can also help prevent more significant furnace problems that may need more expensive solutions.

Unaddressed Electrical Issues

You also need to have a HVAC professional check the wiring of your furnace or heat pump. Faulty wiring can also be the root cause of the unpleasant smell coming from the system. So, inspecting all the wiring and electrical components before using your heating devices is always recommended.

Contact Professional Heating Technicians

A burning smell isn’t something you need to be scared of if your furnaces and heat pump systems receive regular maintenance. Professional heating technicians from Bounds Heating & Air recommend an annual inspection of your heating devices, like Carrier AC units. This way, experts can generally test your unit to see if it has significant damage that needs an immediate solution.

Contact our team today in FL for heating tune-ups and replacements. We are Carrier-authorized installers, and you can always count on our convenient, fast, and accurate heating services for your residential and commercial properties.

HVAC Maintenance: Most Common AC Problems

A healthy home doesn’t only mean a nice interior and furniture. It also includes fresh and sufficient indoor air that circulates throughout the house. Unfortunately, when your cooling system encounters AC problems, they can affect the quality of the air you breathe at home. So, it often results in unhealthy humidity levels, which may harm you and your family.

If you notice some signs of poor indoor air at home, the best thing you can do is to inspect your system and contact HVAC professionals to address the issue. Here are some common AC problems you may experience at home. Read on to learn more.

The Air Filters Are Clogged With Accumulated Dust Particles.
Has it been a while since you last checked your AC’s air filters? Maybe, they’re the reason why your cooling unit has been malfunctioning lately. If you haven’t inspected the air vents, do so. When the filters are clogged with dust and debris, they blow warm air indoors. It’s always best to clean AC filters and change them if necessary. Other significant AC problems may occur in due time if not addressed immediately.

The Air Conditioner Buzzes and Makes High-Pitched Sounds.
A low humming sound is normal when the cooling system is switched on. It becomes unusual when the unit starts to buzz with a high-pitched sound. It can indicate an AC’s electrical and internal problems like loose joints, damaged service valves, or fan blades. Contact an HVAC expert if continues noise doesn’t stop.

The Refrigerant Is Leaking
When the coolant in your air conditioner starts leaking refrigerant, the temperature will fluctuate, and the HVAC unit will not operate correctly. Refrigerant leaks can result in:

Damaged compressor
Uneven cooling
High power consumption
Coil freezing
Low efficiency

Having a professional inspect your air conditioner regularly for refrigerant leaks can help prevent costly repairs.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance Regularly

To ensure your AC is in top shape, it is always best to schedule preventive maintenance regularly. This way, HVAC technicians can easily detect minor and significant AC problems, maintaining your AC’s efficiency to provide quality indoor air to your household.

Our skilled technicians at Bounds Heating & Air can help you with different ventilation, air conditioner, and heating system issues. We provide top-quality Gainesville air conditioning services for our customers in Alachua County, Fl.

How To Clean Your AC Filter

The home maintenance routine must include HVAC inspections like regular AC filter cleaning or relacing. Whether your air conditioner has a permanent or disposable filter, a clean AC filter keeps allergens from spreading caused by a dirty air conditioner and gives the best air quality.

To clean or replace your AC filters correctly, you must know what steps to take. Here’s how:

Step 1: Turn Off the Central Air Conditioning System

Turning off your central AC helps prevent electric shock and other associated risks while cleaning or replacing the filters.

Step 2: Determine Whether Your AC’s Filters Are Disposable or Permanent

You can locate them in its service panel to see what type of filters it uses. Recommendations are usually to change or clean your air filter every 1-3 months. If it has disposable filters, you must replace them with new ones to keep the efficiency of the air quality at home. On the other hand, if it uses permanent filters, you can start clearing the dust and debris in the filter.

Step 3: Remove the Unit’s Dirty Filters

After switching off the AC, it’s now time to remove the filters and place the filter on the ground facing up. If you have a disposable filter, you can clean around the filter mount, then replace.

Step 4: Vacuum, Brush, and Wash the Filters

If you don’t have a disposable filter, you can start vacuuming the clogs from them. Make sure you have read the manual to follow the correct cleaning methods for the AC filters, so you’ll know whether it’s allowed to wash the filters with water or not.

The steps above show how a clean or replace your AC filter can benefit your family regarding comfort, health, and energy consumption. So, regular home maintenance practices like routine HVAC inspections must be on your schedule. But if you can’t figure out how to clean your air conditioner’s filters, talk to a professional in the field.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we provide residential and commercial owners with the highest quality of service for HVAC-related concerns. Our team in FL can assist you with services like AC filter cleaning and tune-ups. Contact us today to request your service!

Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Air conditioning units can keep you comfortably cool, particularly during the Florida summer when the heat is intense. Given the situation, your HVAC system is used more frequently than usual. Thus, it may have trouble operating at a high enough level to deliver acceptable indoor air quality. So, you should include HVAC maintenance in your summer schedule.

Below are HVAC maintenance tips for homeowners like you to avoid unexpected AC breakdowns while coping with the hot weather. Read this blog to learn more.

Maintain the Cleanliness of AC Filters

Replacing the filter in your air conditioning system regularly keeps your unit working properly and your energy bills lower. Normally, most Heating and Air Conditioning companies and air filter manufacturers recommend replacing your air filter every 3 months. However, that can change based on if you have any pets, where your home is located (ex. dusty, pollen count), and the age of your system and equipment. If you have pets in the home, you should consider changing your filter every 2 months, and for homes with multiple pets or people with allergies or respiratory conditions, it’s recommend changing your filter every 20-45 days. As you learn your HVAC system, start by checking your filter every few weeks, take out your filter and see if it’s covered in dust or is there is a musty odor. This will help you determine how often it should be changed.

Adjust the Thermostat Settings

Since summer is here, your thermostat should also be in line with the season. Adjust the program settings of your thermostat so that your cooling devices can regulate the hotter indoor temperature during the summer month. Available for purchase and installation are thermostats like the Nest. These thermostats quickly learn the temperatures your family prefers at different times throughout the day and adjusts itself accordingly. The Nest Learning Thermostat is proven to help save energy and lower bills. In independent studies, the Nest Thermostat saved users an average of 10-12% on heating bills and 15% on cooling bills.

Remove Any Debris Stuck in the Condenser Unit

Debris that gets into the outdoor condenser unit of your AC can create problems, causing the device to struggle to operate efficiently. That’s why you should always ensure that potential blockages like grass clippings, mulch, dirt, leaves, and plants are properly cut and placed away from the outside unit.

It is best to have enough space for your outdoor condenser to avoid obstructions. Unblocking fins and keeping them clean allow airflow to circulate freely so that the AC can give off quality indoor air for your home regardless of the weather outside.

Call HVAC Technicians for Tune-Ups

A malfunctioning system leaves your family in the heat and your home unbearably uncomfortable. Preventative service plans are designed to keep an HVAC system in top peak performance. These plans are much more than just a simple cleaning and maintenance. The tasks that service technicians perform go way beyond changing air filters and testing the thermostat. Most HVAC contractors have a very long checkpoint list of items to inspect and tasks to perform.

So, if you want a trouble-free summer, schedule a preventive HVAC maintenance, AC tune-up or repair before the hot weather kicks in. Contact HVAC experts from Bounds Heating & Air in Newberry and Gainesville, FL for an appointment and let them inspect your AC to be summer-ready.

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