Monthly Archives: March 2015

The Guide to Caring for Your Air Conditioner

Like all home systems, air conditioners need to be properly maintained and occasionally repaired to function at top capacity. In sunny Tampa, where temperatures are mild all year long, it’s especially wise to give your cooling system the attention it deserves. Without it, you can end up with a less efficient unit, higher energy bills and even dangerous indoor air quality.

While there are things you can do on your own to keep your unit in check – changing filters on a regular basis and cleaning coils are effective do-it-yourself maintenance solutions – it’s also important to recognize when your system should be checked by a Tampa air conditioning technician. In most cases, professionally repairing problems in their early stages is a far more cost-effective option than waiting until your system starts to show more serious signs of wear and tear.

Spotting minor issues before they become full-blown repairs can be tricky, so how do you know when it’s time to call a professional Tampa air conditioning company? Unexpected cooling expenses, strange sounds and lack of cold air are some of the most common red flags that a call to an expert technician is in order.

Another alternative to avoiding major repairs is to invest in a long-term maintenance plan. With services that can cover regular inspections, replacement parts and preventative care, annual maintenance plans are ideal for homeowners who want to take the guesswork out of keeping their cooling systems in top shape throughout the year.

Keep Your HVAC in Check

In order to get the most out of your HVAC system in the Tampa area, there are a few simple steps to follow. It’s good to think about the future, but it is also important to consider your current HVAC settings.

What to Do Now

  • Purchase a high-efficiency, pleated air filter
  • Keep your AC unit free of grass, leaves, and pollen
  • Clear at least 2 feet of space around outdoor AC units

Seasonal Practices

  • Have refrigerant lines inspected each month or at the beginning of a new season
  • Replace the air filter every 90 days

Annual AC Activities

  • Ensure the AC unit is on firm, level ground
  • Clear AC condensate drain with a bleach and water mixture

With HVAC Tampa services from Ethical Air and Plumbing, your AC unit will be in good hands. Let us take care of your air conditioner’s needs, so that the AC unit can accommodate yours! You don’t want to be without the comfort of clean, cool air when temperatures are peaking outside. With various stages of care throughout its lifetime, your HVAC system will run properly and in the condition that it was meant to run time after time.

When you follow the steps listed above, you will be surprised at the way in which you save energy and money! Call us today to help show you the difference with our highly skilled technicians on the job!

Decoding Your Air Conditioner’s Symptoms

In Florida, air conditioning is a fact of life, so when your unit isn’t working the way it should be, it’s time to pay attention. Whether you’re seeing noticeable performance problems or are worried about a fall in efficiency, addressing maintenance issues as soon as they come up is the best way to avoid costly repairs down the road.

Without a trained eye, the tough part is getting to the root of the problem. Understanding some of the more common reasons why good air conditioners go bad can help you decide whether your system just needs a thorough cleaning or the attention of an experienced Brandon air conditioning technician.

If your system fails to turn on, the thermometer may need to be professionally calibrated. On the other hand, a new portable unit that stays on for too long or goes through frequent cycles may need to be exchanged for a bigger, more powerful replacement.

Units that suddenly start blowing hot air instead of cool may have dirty filters. While exact recommendations vary depending on the type of unit you have and how often you use it, filters should generally be changed or cleaned every one or two months during peak season.

If your air conditioner is still running hot, insufficient refrigerant may be the culprit. In that case, calling a professional Brandon air conditioning company should be your next step.

Is It Time to Replace Your Air Conditioner?

If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old or doesn’t cool effectively, it may be time to replace it. Efficient air conditioning is a must for indoor comfort in the humid, hot climate of Tampa, Florida. Advancements in technology in the last 10 years offer improved energy efficiency, better humidity control and more even cooling.

Ductless Mini-Split Units

If you live in a home that does not have central air conditioning, or if installing ductwork is not possible, ductless mini-split units solve the problem. Ductless mini-splits can be used with a ducted system for rooms that do not cool properly or for add-ons that are difficult to connect to a ducted system.

Installation is easy but should be done by experienced Florida air conditioning contractors. An outdoor compressor is connected to indoor blowers by a conduit carrying wiring and refrigerant routed through a wall. Some models support up to eight blowers on one compressor. The temperature of each room can be individually controlled and the blower switched off when you leave the room.

Advanced Compressor Technology

Dual-stage compressors heat and cool evenly, but use less energy. Standard air conditioners deliver a blast of cold air when on. After reaching the desired temperature, the compressor cycles off. When the temperature rises, the compressor comes on again. Dual-stage compressors operate at high speed only when extra cooling is needed. Most of the time they operate at lower speeds, maintaining a consistent temperature and better humidity control with less energy consumption.

Maintenance Plans for Tampa Air Conditioning

While Ethical Air and Plumbing has the resources necessary to complete a full repair to any Tampa air conditioning system, it doesn’t hurt to service your AC every so often as a way to prevent serious repairs to be performed. We have the resources for that, too. In fact, we also offer cost-saving maintenance plans in which we will come to your home and check up on your system!

Our maintenance plans are designed to save you money and extend the life of your residential AC equipment. A maintenance agreement, at an annual fee of $199, will provide you with the following:

  • Priority service
  • Discounted pricing
  • Two home visits
  • Inspection
  • Tune-up

Upon signing up for your home maintenance plan, you will receive a thorough inspection. If any equipment should need to be replaced during the initial phase, we will make the repairs for free! That’s right, on the first visit, any necessary repairs are free of charge.

Caring for your Tampa air conditioning system is essentially no different than caring for your health or your car. You visit the doctor and take your car in for a tune-up to ensure that everything is in top condition, so why not do the same for your AC?

There’s no better time to consider a maintenance agreement from Ethical Air and Plumbing. Whether you live in Tampa or the surrounding areas, we’ll be there for you and your air conditioning needs!