Category: HVAC Companies

How to Avoid Indoor Heat Exhaustion During Summer

Indoor heat stress is caused by prolonged exposure to high temperatures. Regardless of your location, high temperatures can have harmful effects on your health.

Experts advise taking shelter in the shade and avoiding too much exposure to the sun to prevent dangerous incidents such as fainting, dehydration, and heat stroke, but did you know that heat exhaustion can also occur while you’re inside your own home?

Fortunately, these situations can be prevented by taking certain precautions, one of which is regular HVAC repair and maintenance to ensure your air conditioning system is there when you need it to keep you cool.

Here are some of the other ways you can avoid indoor heat exhaustion:

Fans Are Not Enough

It’s not advisable to use fans in closed rooms. While the breeze from a fan can be refreshing, it can actually do more harm than good when used in an enclosed area, as it can increase the temperature in the room. Instead, place ice cubes in front of an electric fan or use other cooling machines to aid in lowering the room’s temperature.

Hire a Qualified HVAC Inspector

Regular HVAC maintenance service is required to ensure that your system works perfectly at all times. Be sure to hire a qualified inspector to clean the unit and replace defective parts. An effective technician should be able to remove dirt from your unit and replace the filters on a regular basis. Pro Tip: Always keep in touch with your technician so that you can call on them whenever emergency repairs are needed.

Keep Yourself Hydrated

Your body is still the best cooling system you’ve got. All you have to do is to keep it hydrated by drinking water–lots and lots of water. Heat is released from the body in the form of sweat, but without enough fluid in the body, your own cooling system can fail. On a sweltering day, drink as much water as you can. Don’t wait until you feel like you’re thirsty; by the time you feel thirsty, you’re already on your way to dehydration;

Bounds Heating & Air is your leading choice for quality services, including air conditioning repair, HVAC maintenance, and indoor air quality solutions. To learn more about what we can do for you, simply give us a call at 352-472-2761 or fill out our online contact form. We serve Lake City, FL, and surrounding communities in Florida.

How to Make Your AC Run More Efficiently

Your air conditioning system plays a vital role in keeping your home comfortable, especially during warmer months. Some homeowners opt for HVAC repairs or maintenance service rather than buying a new system or upgrading their unit.

Surprisingly, such a strategy can often be the more prudent choice because there are ways to improve the performance and efficiency of your AC system without spending much. Unfortunately, not everyone knows how to make their AC systems run more efficiently.

Need help yourself? Here are some tips to keep in mind:

Clean Windows and Vents

AC filters are hard at work cleaning the air you breathe. When there’s an overload of dirt, however, filters fill up fast, preventing proper air intake. Cleaning windows and vents regularly can help keep dirt and debris at bay, ensuring your air conditioning system doesn’t have to strain to take in air for cooling.

Change Filters Regularly

After a while, your HVAC’s filtration system can fail because of clogging or the accumulation of too much dirt. To avoid unnecessary air conditioning repair expenses, always change your filters when they’re nearing the end of their service life. Have your AC filters checked regularly by qualified HVAC technicians?

Take Care of Your Thermostat

Don’t place your thermostat near heat-prone areas. Thermostats are actually temperature-sensitive and won’t work as well when placed near lighting fixtures, for instance.

Add More Insulation 

Your cooling system can run more efficiently when a room is properly insulated. In addition to investing in actual insulation installation, you can also use window treatments to keep outdoor heat out and energy-efficient windows to retain indoor heat. Anything to help maintain indoor conditions will help keep your AC from working overtime just to keep you comfortable.

Need Help From the Experts?

Bounds Heating & Air is your leading choice for quality services, including HVAC maintenance and indoor air quality solutions. To learn more about what we can do for you, simply give us a call at (352) 278-9123 or fill out our online contact form. We serve Alachua, FL, and surrounding communities in Florida.

How to Prevent Mold Growth in HVAC Systems

Mold is an enemy to air conditioning systems and homeowners alike. It not only triggers allergic reactions but can cause damage to your HVAC unit as well. Unfortunately, mold grows easily in moisture-rich areas where dirt accumulates over time, such as your heating and cooling system.

It’s crucial to keep mold growth at bay as much as possible because of the way it can affect your health and that of your family. On top of that, getting rid of mold helps you avoid HVAC damage and air conditioning repair expenses.

Here are some tips to help prevent mold growth in your HVAC system:

Drain Water

Drain pans are responsible for water collection in air conditioning systems. They should be emptied regularly to avoid water stagnation, with pans that are sloped to aid the water is draining. Otherwise, you’re creating a condition conducive to mold growth.

Clean Filters

It goes without saying that AC filters should be checked and cleaned regularly. Wet, dirty filters will allow room for mold to grow and spread spores around your house, so a clean filter is a must-have.

Apply Mold Inhibitors

Don’t settle for the usual HVAC maintenance services. Instead, look for contractors that offer mold inhibitors as part of their regular maintenance service. Mold inhibitors can be applied to all the components of an AC system to prevent the growth of mold and mildew.

Clean Air Intake Vents

Microbes, pollutants, and organic matter can easily be transported through the air and sucked in by your HVAC. Prevent this from happening by cleaning the area surrounding your AC unit and making sure that your HVAC system is located far from organic materials and dirty objects.

Need Help From the Experts?

Bounds Heating & Air is your leading choice for quality services, including HVAC repair, AC maintenance, and indoor air quality solutions. To learn more about what we can do for you, simply give us a call at (352) 472-2761 or fill out our online contact form. We serve Gainesville, FL, and surrounding communities in Florida.