Name: Bounds Heating & Air
Address: 25645 West, Newberry Road, Newberry, FL, 32669
Telephone: 352-472-2761

Setting Your HVAC Before Vacationing

As summer approaches, homeowners start thinking about warm weather and vacations. While this is an exciting thought, are you prepared to leave your home and valuables behind? With all the preparations to take care of before a trip, we often forget about our HVAC system. Bounds Heating & Air, Florida’s HVAC maintenance contractor of choice, offers essential tips to help prepare your HVAC system before setting off on your summer getaway.

Set the Thermostat

Raising the temperature when you’re away from home can help you save money on your energy bill and repairs in the future, so set your thermostat between 80-85 degrees Fahrenheit while you’re away. If you have a programmable thermostat, you can set it to switch to a more comfortable temperature upon your return.

Power Surges

There’s no way to predict when a power outage or power surge is going to occur. If this happens while you’re out of town, it can cause damage to your HVAC unit. Knowing that your system is well-protected by a surge protector will help ease your mind while you’re away. Talk to your local HVAC repair contractor about the right protection for your system. Bounds Heating & Air is here to help.

Air Filters

Your system will still be running while you’re away, so it’s important to either thoroughly clean or completely replace your air filter before you leave. This will help prevent any malfunctions with your system while you’re away. After all, one wants to come home from a relaxing getaway and have to deal with an HVAC breakdown.

Security

Many homeowners set up timers to turn lights on and off while they’re away, but what about the security of your HVAC system? Sensor lights and alarms can provide a valuable level of protection. For added protection, gate off or install locked fencing around your system’s outdoor units.

Routine Maintenance

Before you leave, have your trusted air conditioning repair technician inspect your system. We’ll check electrical connections and make sure coils are clean, refrigerant levels are correct and the air filter is clean.

Bounds Heating & Air is your leading choice for high-quality HVAC products and services in Gainesville and surrounding communities in Florida. Call us today at (352) 472-2761 for a FREE estimate!

Limitations of HEPA Air Filters

Advanced HVAC filtration is essential for removing ultra-fine airborne particles, which can aggravate respiratory conditions. HEPA filters are among the most commonly used high-efficiency filtration products, though they’re not infallible. Bounds Heating & Air, your HVAC repair expert, outlines some of the limitations of HEPA air filters.

Viruses

Allergens enter the home through open doors and windows. While HEPA filters do help purify the air, they can’t guarantee the removal of all allergens, including viruses. This is due to the fact that many viruses are small enough to pass right through HEPA filters.

Bacteria

Most bacteria particulates will become trapped in a HEPA filter. As bacteria die, however, they decompose and release endotoxins. Like viruses, these toxic substances are small enough to pass through a HEPA filter. Consult Bounds Heating & Air, your trusted air conditioning repair contractor, for ways to negate this issue.

Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs)

Aerosol hair spray, upholstery cleaner, ammonia, and many other products with chemicals contain VOCs. These toxins can irritate eyes and respiratory passages and even lead to cancer. They’re smaller than 0.3 microns, so a HEPA filter won’t stop them. Try to avoid these common household products if you can.

Mold

A HEPA filter traps airborne mold spores that can grow throughout the filter, but a moldy filter can still release spores on the other side as air passes through. To avoid this, replace filters as often as recommended by the manufacturer. Turn to Bounds Heating & Air, a trusted HVAC maintenance contractor, for filter replacement and maintenance.

DOE Standards

The Department of Energy (DOE) sets requirements for HEPA filters. They should be able to remove 99.7 percent of airborne particles 0.3 microns and larger. HEPA filters that pass DOE standards carry labels like “Absolute HEPA” or “True HEPA.” Those that don’t meet DOE standards are often labeled as “HEPA-type,” “HEPA-like,” or “HEPA-style.” Pay attention to these labels and what they stand for.

Bounds Heating & Air provides indoor air quality products and services for all applications. Our team offers a wide variety of HVAC services to residents of Gainesville and surrounding communities in Florida. Call us at (352) 472-2761 for a FREE estimate!

Important HVAC Upgrade Considerations

There are many options to choose from when it comes to upgrading your HVAC system. When you’re armed with the right information before making a decision, however, you’ll be well on your way to getting your money’s worth. and will know exactly what to expect from your new home comfort system.

A new HVAC unit will enable you to enjoy the benefits offered by a modern system. Even today’s standard-efficiency model is a major upgrade from older units. Bounds Heating & Air, a trusted air conditioning repair contractor, shares some things you should consider when upgrading your HVAC system

Efficiency

A unit’s efficiency helps determine just how much you can get as a return on your investment. Always try to buy the most efficient system you can afford because higher efficiency translates to greater energy savings. As such, you won’t regret shelling out for a larger initial investment as your lower utility bills begin to roll in each month.

Friendliness to the Environment

Older units use refrigerant R-22, which has ozone-depleting properties. Today’s modern systems use R-410A, which offers a lower impact on the environment. Bounds Heating & Air, your trusted HVAC repair company, offers modern systems that use R-410A because we believe in saving our world for future generations.

Fresh Indoor Air

Make sure that your new system can keep your indoor air fresh. It should have a high-power whole-home filter and be able to reduce odors. Otherwise, you may run the risk of exposing not just yourself but also your loved ones to health risks. Ask your contractor about options for you and your family to enjoy the best indoor air quality.

Fuel Type and Rates

Consider the fuel type when choosing your new unit. If you don’t have natural gas in your home, get a heat pump. Consider which is cheaper where you live: electricity or gas. Choose a gas furnace if gas is cheaper. But if electricity costs less, consider a heat pump, which consumes less energy than other electric heating methods. It’s also able to take care of your cooling needs. Bounds Heating & Air, your HVAC maintenance expert, can help you select the best option.

Still, feeling overwhelmed with the many options for HVAC upgrades? Make sure to ask your local heating and air conditioning contractor for advice. We serve homeowners in Gainesville, FL, and surrounding communities in Florida. Call us today at 352-472-2761 for a FREE estimate!

HVAC Care Basics – When Should You Replace the Filters?

Your HVAC system can keep your home comfortable all year round, but only if you take good care of it. One of the most important things you need to do to keep it in great condition is to change your filters at the right time. But when exactly is the right time? Our HVAC repair experts give you the low-down on when to change your unit’s filters.

Check Your Usage First

There’s no such thing as an arbitrary schedule when it comes to changing filters; it all depends on your HVAC’s condition and the atmosphere of your home. For example, a household with multiple pets or one that’s located in an area with a lot of dust around may require monthly cleaning, while the filters for a unit in a clean area that isn’t used as much could be switched out every three months.

Replace Damaged Filters ASAP

A damaged filter will have a negative impact on your HVAC’s overall efficiency. According to our air conditioning repair experts, replacing damaged filters as soon as possible reduces the risk of your unit getting damaged by clogs, grounds, overheating, and other mechanical problems.

Change Moldy Filters

A filter can remain undamaged for a long time, but it may still need to be replaced if mold and mildew start growing on it. To make matters worse, it’s hard to completely get rid of mold and mildew once it’s formed because the presence of even the tiniest amount of spores can result in them growing back in a short amount of time.

Change Old Filters ASAP

Some filters tend to deteriorate over time, which is why they have expected life spans. Consult our HVAC maintenance experts to see if your unit’s current filter is due for a fresh replacement to avoid problems related to energy efficiency and poor air quality.

Keep your HVAC running well with a clean and efficient filter. Bounds Heating & Air is the leading HVAC contractor in Alachua, FL, and other areas in Florida. You can call us at 352-472-2761 or fill out this contact form to request a free estimate.

How to Handle (And Avoid) Emergency HVAC Repairs

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”

This old saying is just as true with regard to your HVAC system as with anything else. Keeping your heating and cooling units in excellent condition will not only help improve their energy efficiency, saving you money on utilities, but it can also extend the service life of your system. It’s best to have a regular maintenance program that includes all necessary inspections of your HVAC units.

Unfortunately, problems can sometimes still occur despite your best efforts to the contrary. When this happens, you have little choice but to call for an emergency HVAC repair. Our specialists at Bounds Heating & Air understand how incredibly inconvenient it is to have your heating or cooling system break down at the worst possible time, so to help you out, here are our best tips on how to handle these issues with as little trouble as possible.

Power Struggles

In a well-maintained HVAC system, the problem usually isn’t with the unit itself. Sometimes power plugs can get dislodged, entirely cutting off the power to your home’s furnace or air conditioner. Survey the outlets to see if any of the power cables have become detached, then check to make sure everything is connected and all cords are in their proper place.

Thermostat Troubles

Many heating and air conditioning problems can be traced back to a faulty thermostat. Ensure your thermostat is operating correctly and in full battery mode. A low-power battery can affect the way your thermostat detects air temperature and cause your furnace to perform far less efficiently.

Free-Flowing Filters

When your air filters are clogged with dust and dirt, the flow of air is interrupted. This will eventually cause your heat exchanger to overheat, which will then trigger an automatic shutdown of your furnace as a safety measure. This issue is known as short cycling and is one of the most common reasons homeowners call for emergency air conditioning repair.

Check your furnace filters regularly every few weeks. Our experts recommend cleaning or replacing the filters at least once every 90 days, or sooner if necessary, to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we’re the number one provider of HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services. Give us a call at 352-472-2761 or fill out our online contact form to schedule your heating or air conditioning repair or installation service today. We serve clients in Newberry, FL, and nearby areas.

How Hurricane Florence Affected the State of Florida

It may not have caused landfall in Florida, but Hurricane Florence, the Category 4 storm that ravaged the Carolinas last September, was strong enough to inflict damage in the Sunshine State. Bounds Heating and Air, your trusted air conditioning repair pros in the area, discuss this recent event further.

Hurricane’s Impact

As the storm moved towards the Carolinas, flights in Florida were canceled, affecting passengers at the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale-Hollywood international airports. Before the landfall, some residents from the East Coast evacuated the state, making sudden reservations as a way to ensure their safety.

Florence moved north of Florida, keeping heavy rains away from the state. The coastal areas, however, experienced strong tides and rough seas, leading to beach and pier closures. Despite this, the state government took steps to lend a helping hand to the victims. For instance, first responders and rescue teams were dispatched to assist citizens affected within the path of the storm, especially in the Carolinas.

Securing Your Home During Storms

Whenever a brewing storm is expected to affect the state of Florida, it is important that you are alert and prepared to ensure the safety and security of your family. Also, as your HVAC maintenance experts, we recommend protecting your home ahead of a hurricane. One of the things you can do is to cover your AC unit exposed outside of your property.

With the possibility of power interruptions, you must be able to safeguard all the circuitry and exposed wires in your home. Shut off all electrical appliances and HVAC units before your local area’s power grid does the same. This practice is also imperative given the potential of lightning strikes during such weather disturbances.

A natural disaster such as this is beyond our control, but that doesn’t mean we can’t manage anything at all. Bounds Heating and Air is aware of the importance of being proactive when dealing with heating and cooling systems. Our company provides HVAC repair and other related services for all seasons of the year. Give us a call at 352-472-2761 for more information. We serve residents of Florida, including those living in Alachua, FL, and surrounding areas.

What the HVAC Energy Efficiency Ratings Mean

When you’re in the market for a new air conditioning unit, heat pump, or HVAC system, you’ll notice that there are many energy efficiency ratings listed on the units. Each rating plays a vital role in helping you determine how much the system costs to purchase and operate throughout its service life.

In this post, our HVAC maintenance specialists at Bounds Heating and Air discuss what each energy efficiency rating means.

SEER

SEER stands for the season’s energy efficiency ratio of an air conditioning unit. This shows the electrical input required to run the unit over one average cooling season in comparison to how much cooling it generates. As a general rule, higher SEER ratings translate to lower operating costs.

EER

EER can best be described as calculating the “highway miles” of the system and is tested based on higher operating temperatures compared with SEER, which is based on lower temperatures. This rating also takes into account the humidity removal and is a useful rating since it shows how an air conditioner performs under a maximum cooling load. In more technical aspects, it is useful information for air conditioning repairs and maintenance.

HSPF

The heating seasonal performance factor is like SEER, except it’s for heating efficiency, and measures that aspect over the course of one entire season. The ratio is heat generated to electricity consumed.

SEER or EER?

Keep in mind that, ideally, you should have a balance of both in terms of efficiency. EER measures a snapshot of a moment in time, whereas SEER measures the unit’s usage over time. With this in mind, SEER represents a more important number to pay attention to.

There’s more to energy efficiency than how much power a system will consume. External factors also play a role, such as sudden bouts of inclement weather, and this is when you would want to pay attention to EER.

At Bounds Heating & Air, we will help you with your HVAC repair, installation, and maintenance needs. Call us today at 352-472-2761 to learn more about our services. We are air conditioning repair experts serving homeowners throughout Lake City, FL, and other parts of Florida.

Tips on Choosing the Right Heating System for Your Needs

Choosing a heating system for your home can be surprisingly difficult due to the vast number of options. You need to balance several factors to find the system that best fits your comfort needs and your budget. Bounds Heating & Air, your local HVAC repair and installation expert, explains what factors you need to consider:

Life Cycle Cost

Make sure to think about the overall lifecycle cost when calculating the costs for your new heating system. Estimate how much your new system will cost to install, maintain, repair, and replace over the course of its expected life span. This will show you the true value of a system. Products with a high initial cost might end up having low maintenance and repair costs and last longer compared with cheaper equipment.

Study Efficiency Ratings

As an air conditioning repair expert, we recommend learning about the various energy performance ratings that measure a heating system’s efficiency. Choose the most efficient system that meets your needs and fits your budget because the higher the efficiency, the less it will cost to operate the system.

Consider the Fuel Source and Distribution System

Some heating systems use fuel, while others use electricity. It is important to uncover which option will perform best in your home, then choose a heating system based on that. You should also consider the distribution system used by your system. Forced air heating systems disperse heat through air ducts and registers, while hydronic heating systems distribute heat through copper or plastic piping.

Bounds Heating & Air can help you with all of your HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation needs thanks to our decades of experience and our dedication to providing the best services possible to local homeowners. We are also available 24 hours a day and seven days a week to deal with emergencies. We serve many areas in Florida including Lake City, FL. Call us at 352-472-2761 to learn more about our services and products.

Indoor Air Quality Basics You Need to Know

A typical family can generate a considerable quantity of pollutants, such as pollen, dander, smoke, dust, and other irritants, as they go about their daily life. These contaminants can be continually recycled and circulated by the home’s HVAC system. As an HVAC repair and installation expert, we highly recommend removing these pollutants and maintaining your home’s indoor air quality. Learn more about this topic here:

What Is Indoor Air Quality?

Indoor air quality or IAQ refers to the air quality within and around structures and buildings, particularly as it relates to the comfort and health of the people occupying those buildings. Improving a building’s IAQ by understanding and controlling common indoor pollutants can help reduce the risk of indoor health concerns. Many people spend the majority of their time indoors, so maintaining good IAQ is important.

Improving Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

There are three basic strategies to improve IAQ, including using air cleaners, improving ventilation, and controlling the sources of pollutants. Source control is the most effective way to improve your home’s IAQ. Eliminate the sources of pollution inside your home or reduce their emissions. You can also improve your home’s ventilation. As an indoor air quality and air conditioning repair expert, we can assist you by providing effective products.

You can also install an air cleaner to remove pollutants from your indoor air. There are many different types of air cleaners on the market. You need to consider how well the air cleaner draws air and how well it collects pollutants before making your choice. Give us a call if you want an accurate assessment of your home’s IAQ needs and if you want to learn which air cleaners will meet those needs.

Bounds Heating & Air can help you with your indoor air quality and HVAC maintenance because we have over two decades of experience and employ some of the best technicians in the industry. Our goal is to provide top-notch services at highly competitive rates. We serve many areas of Florida including Alachua, FL. Call us at 352-472-2761 to learn more about our services and products.

Avoiding Problems Caused by Improper HVAC Installation

High-quality installations are just as important as choosing the perfect heating and cooling system for your home. Your HVAC installation has a big impact on your system’s performance and its lifespan, so it’s important to know what to look for when choosing an HVAC repair and installation company. Bounds Heating and Air explains more:

Decreased Indoor Comfort

Mistakes during your HVAC installation can waste energy and lead to a less comfortable interior. The poor comfort control results from performance issues arising from improper installation. Problems include uneven temperatures throughout the home and decreased amounts of cooling or heating. On the other hand, a proper HVAC installation will mean that your new system will perform according to its stated specifications.

Shortened System Lifespan

A faulty HVAC installation does not just consume more energy; it also decreases your new system’s life span. A unit that is not installed according to correct specifications is more likely to fail earlier than a properly installed unit. Poor installation forces the HVAC system to work improperly, putting a lot of stress on the system. HVAC components wear out faster, leading to more breakdowns. As an air conditioning repair expert, we recommend hiring a reputable company to perform your HVAC installation for you.

Reduced Efficiency

Improper installations also lead to decreased efficiency. Even if the unit you bought has high energy performance ratings, the poor installation will not allow your unit to reach its full potential. Instead of saving you money, the unit can end up costing more when installed improperly. Work with experienced companies that carry proper certifications and qualifications.

Bounds Heating & Air can help you with all of your HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation needs. We have over 20 years of experience and our technicians are factory-trained and NATE®-certified. We have the skills, knowledge, and qualifications necessary to guarantee a flawless installation of your HVAC system.

Call us at 352-472-2761 to learn more about our services and products. We serve many areas in Florida, including Newberry, FL.

Category: HVAC Repair

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