Posts Tagged ‘Jeffersonville’

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Louisville Heating Question: Why Do You Need Fall Heat Pump Maintenance?

Monday, October 1st, 2012

Your Louisville home’s heating system needs to be serviced once in the fall, just like your air conditioning system needs to be serviced once in the spring. But since your heat pump provides both cooling in the summer and heating in the winter, it should receive professional attention once before each major seasonal shift. And that means regular fall heat pump maintenance.

Wear and Tear

Your heat pump works hard all summer long to keep your home cool and comfortable. Before you switch it into heating mode for the winter, it’s good to make sure none of the wear and tear your system went through in the summer caused any damage. There’s no way to know when one part or another will wear out on your heat pump, which is why regular professional maintenance is so valuable.

Energy Efficiency

With routine maintenance, your heat pump will operate at the highest possible energy efficiency. And since that keeps your utility bills low, it’s a good idea to have this type of maintenance done any time you plan on using your heat pump a lot. Spring heat pump maintenance keeps your summer cooling bills low, and fall maintenance will keep your heating bills low as well.

Reliability

There are few things worse than having your heat go out in the middle of a cold winter night. When you have your heat pump serviced in the fall, you can be sure it is in good working condition to get you through whatever winter throws at you. Not only is this more convenient, it also lets you save money on repair costs, as emergency service will always cost more than routine maintenance. And the minor repairs that professional Louisville  heating technicians complete during fall heat pump maintenance are much simpler and cheaper than they would be if the problem was allowed to persist.

To schedule a maintenance visit for your heating system today, give AccuTemp Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

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Louisville Air Conditioning Guide: Ductwork and AC Installation

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Ductwork is a vital component of your Louisville air conditioning system. It moves the air between air handler and vents in your home, so if there is a problem with that ductwork, it will probably cost you money and possibly reduce the comfort level in your home significantly. For all of these reasons, it is important that you have your ductwork thoroughly inspected before installing any new air conditioning system.

 What a Ductwork Inspection Checks for

When a new air conditioning system is installed in your home, it is done only after careful measurements of how much cooling power your home needs. Too small and your home will never stay cool, but too large and the system will cycle on and off frequently. A major component that often gets overlooked in this equation is the ductwork. Ductwork can directly affect the ability of an air conditioning system to produce and deliver cooled air to the different parts of your home.

So, an inspection is often performed before installation. During this inspection, a professional will check to ensure your ductwork is properly sized and installed. They will also check for small issues like leaks in your duct system that could lead to a direct loss of cooling. Even a small leak can have a huge impact on the efficiency of your home’s cooling system so it needs to be caught now, not months from now when you’ve already put unnecessary wear and tear on your AC system.

 Long Term Benefits of Early Preparation

By being prepared well in advance for whatever issues might already be present in your home, you can greatly reduce the cost of operating your air conditioning and ensure it works as intended after being installed. To learn more, contact AccuTemp Heating & Air Conditioning today!

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Louisville HVAC Guide: When Is it a Good Time to Think About Installing an Air Filtration System

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Many homeowners in Louisville are starting to consider the addition of air filtration systems to their homes in order to remove unwanted allergens and contaminants that can build up inside at certain times of the year. So, when is the right time to have someone inspect your Louisville home and recommend such a system? Let’s look at some common concerns that might trigger a problem for members of your family.

 Seasonal Allergies

Every year, millions of people suffer from seasonal allergies as trees, grass and other plants start to pollinate. These allergens, combined with indoor allergens like pet dander and dust, can cause those who suffer from such allergies to become incredibly uncomfortable. An air filtration system can remove these unwanted allergens from your indoor air before they circulate through the living spaces in your home and cause discomfort.

Humidity

During and after the allergy season, humidity can become an issue in your home as well. High humidity levels can result in growth of mold spores high levels of bacteria and viruses and generally uncomfortable air flow that can make it harder to breathe in general. If you or any members of your family suffer when the humidity levels increase in the summer, an air filtration system with a dehumidifier can come in handy.

Winter Dryness

On the flip side, the winter months are prone to dry weather, to the point that dust levels will increase dramatically and your home will become quite uncomfortable, with the low humidity levels exacerbating symptoms from colds or flus. An air filtration system with humidifier can help with this.

To put it simply, if anyone in your family suffers from any symptoms of allergies, whether it is the middle of spring or the tail end of fall, there are air filtration options that can help. It is always a good time to have such a system installed, especially if it will help someone in your family breathe and feel better. If you are interested in installing an air filtration system in Louisville, call AccuTemp Heating & Air Conditioning!

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Louisville Air Conditioning Tip: Reasons for Poor Cooling from Your Central AC

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

When the heat is in full swing a central air conditioner that is not performing properly is a serious inconvenience. There are a lot of possible causes of poor cooling from your Louisville central air system. The best way to ensure that your central system is in proper working order is to have it professionally maintained by a qualified HVAC technician such as those at AccuTemp Heating and Cooling. Here are some of the problems your A/C may be experiencing, all of which can be addressed by our professional team.

Check Your Settings

It may sound obvious, but it is possible that the thermostat for your central system is at an improper setting. This may be the case especially when dealing with a new system and an unfamiliar thermostat. Check to make sure it is switched to “cool” and that the temperature is at an appropriate setting.

Check Your Breakers

Another one of the easy fixes we all hope for, a tripped breaker can still sneak past you. If your outside unit is on a different breaker then the blowers, for example, it’s possible for air that has not been cooled to still be distributed through your ductwork. If there is no activity at all from the system it is likely a more complicated problem.

Dirty Air Filters

If you haven’t had your air filters cleaned or replaced in a while, they may be dirty enough to block the air flow from your system. A quick visual inspection is enough to determine whether new air filters are necessary. If they look dirty and clogged, the need to be replaced.

Freezing of the Outdoor Unit

There are a few different reasons that your outdoor components may be freezing, such as a low refrigerant charge or condensation on the evaporator coils. Whatever the cause of the freezing, the outcome is the same. Have a technician check refrigerant levels and individual outdoor components to get your system working properly again.

Leaky Ductwork

While central air systems are convenient they also lose a lot of the cool air that they produce through the ducts they utilize. If you have leaky ducts or they are poorly insulated then you may notice that, despite everything working properly, the air distributed is no longer very cool. Again, the only way to properly deal with this problem is to have a professional inspect the quality of your ducts and make any necessary repairs.

This list is only a sampling of the many issues that may arise with your Louisville central air conditioning system. If you are experiencing problems with your AC, call the professionals at AccuTemp for help. We’ll take care of any problems your system is having.

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Louisville AC Question: What is a Ductless Split Air Conditioning System?

Monday, July 16th, 2012

A ductless split air conditioning system is basically just what it sounds like. The system is comprised of two separate components. The indoor components, or air handling units, disperses the conditioned air throughout your Louisville house. The air is conditioned in the outside condensing unit, keeping the noisy compressor out of your home. The split system design offers a lot of benefits over other system models, such as central air conditioning.

To begin with, split systems are very easy to install. All that connects the indoor and outdoor components of a split system is a conduit containing electrical cords as well as refrigerant and drain pipes. This design makes the installation of a split system very unobtrusive, requiring only a three inch hole to be drilled through an exterior wall.

Ductless split systems eliminate the need for expensive, bulky ductwork in your home. Not only does this save the headache of having ductwork installed, it also saves you money when operating your cooling system. Leaky ductwork is the leading cause of inefficiency with central air conditioning systems, responsible for the loss of up to 30% of the system’s performance. A split system ensures that all of the conditioned air it produces makes it into your home.

Because the system operates with individual, wall mounted units it is possible to effectively zone your home’s cooling needs. A single split system can operate as many as four individual indoor units. These all operate independently of one another, allowing for different areas of your home to be cooled to different temperatures at different times of the day. This flexibility and control makes for higher efficiency when cooling your home.

Ductless split systems also come in heat pump models, giving you the option to both heat and cool your home with one convenient system. Again, zoned temperature control is easy to take advantage of, and because heat pumps operate by transferring existing heat there is very little power used in the heating process.

If you have any other questions about what a Louisville ductless split system is or how they operate, call Accutemp today. Our highly trained staff has the answers to any questions you may have regarding split systems. We’ll help you decide if a split system is right for your home.

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Louisville Air Conditioning Q/A: What is AC Refrigerant Pressure?

Monday, July 9th, 2012

Every once in a while, you may hear a term related to your Louisville air conditioner thrown around that you don’t understand. You may hear it from a repair person, installer or other technician, and wonder just what they’re talking about. This is pretty common, especially since air conditioners have some complex inner workings that the average homeowner hasn’t exactly had time to read up on.

Today, though, you have a chance to read up on one of those terms as we discuss AC refrigerant pressure.

 What It Is

Essentially, refrigerant pressure is just what it sounds like: the pressure of the refrigerant line in a given place within the air conditioner. You know how you use a tire gauge to make sure there’s enough air in your car’s tires? It’s the same basic premise, except that the ideal pressure varies depending on where the reading is being taken.

 Two Kinds of Pressure

Just mentioned was the fact that refrigerant pressure changes – or at least should change – depending on where it is in the refrigerant line. Most service manuals and training programs acknowledge two types of refrigerant pressure– low-side and high-side.

Low-side pressure refers to the refrigerant pressure in the refrigerant suction line. This figure should be relatively low, especially when compared to the high-side pressure. Generally, low-side pressure will be less than one hundred pounds per square inch (psi).

By contrast, high-side pressure refers to the measure of the pressure of the refrigerant gas after it has been compressed and is leaving the compressor motor. The gaseous state means that pressure will be significantly higher than that of the low-side reading.

To conceptualize the two, you could think of low-side pressure as input pressure, the pressure of the liquid before it enters the compressor, and high-side pressure as output pressure. That should help you picture the process, at least in a general way.

Pressure Problems

There is no “typical” refrigerant pressure reading or pair of readings, because they vary with the equipment model, type of compressor and refrigerant being used, but serious problems can arise if refrigerant pressure is either too high or too low. These can be adjusted by a licensed Louisville air conditioning technician, which should always be your first call when you are experiencing trouble with your AC. For any AC repairs in the Louisville area, give AccuTemp Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

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Louisville Air Conditioning Guide: Causes of Noisy Ductwork

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Do you hear noises coming from your Louisville home’s air ducts? Do you wonder what’s causing them? What if something is wrong?

Well, it could be just some normal, routine noise that ducts make sometimes.

Some Noise is Normal

Because of how ducts are constructed and the temperature of the air that passes through them, some noise emanating from the ductwork is to be expected. It’s part of the normal functioning and operation of the ducts.

Sometimes, noise that you hear in your ducts is actually coming from the air handler. This is most common with metal ducts, because the material conducts sound so readily. If you hear whirring or blowing noises that sound like your air handler, but seem much closer, this is probably what is going on.

If the noise sounds more like a pop or a ping, then there is probably something less normal but still not problematic going on. These noises are usually the result of a loosened piece of metal being knocked around a bit by the passing air. It can also be thermal expansion.

 How to Correct It

As noted above, these noises are not problematic and likely won’t cause any sort of damage if left unchecked. They can still be quite annoying, however, so it’s understandable that you would want to do away with them.

For those conductive sounds originating in the air handler, use some insulation to disrupt the easy conduction of sound. A Louisville air conditioning contractor can handle this easily, and as an added bonus, this will prevent some heating and cooling loss through the ductwork.

For those pinging and popping sounds, the fix depends on the cause. If its just normal thermal expansion and you can track down the point in the ductwork from which the sound emanates, just make a tiny dent in the metal of the ductwork. This adds some rigidity to the surface so it is less likely to expand and contract.

If the problem is a loose piece of metal, you may have to hire AccuTemp Heating & Air Conditioning to open the ducts and tighten things up.

 

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Question from New Albany: Why Does My Furnace’s Pilot Light Keep Going Off?

Friday, January 6th, 2012

If you have an older furnace with a gas pilot light and it keeps going out, heating your New Albany home can become a frustrating process. Not only are you forced to trudge downstairs to light it every time you need heat, but you’re probably starting to worry that there is something wrong – either with your furnace or with your gas supply. Here are some possible reasons for your pilot light shutting off and what you can do about them.

  • Thermocouple – The thermocouple is used to generate electricity from the gas being burned by the pilot light to power the sensor that keeps the pilot light running. So, if the thermocouple goes bad or gets blocked in some way, the sensor won’t work properly and your pilot light won’t remain lit. Even a small problem with the thermocouple can lead to the valve closing and the pilot light going out.
  • Gas Pressure – If the gas pressure going to your furnace is too low, due to a leak, pipe problem or another appliance, the pilot light may not have enough gas to stay lit. While it is possible that the problem is not related to gas pressure, anything that affects the flow of gas into your home should be inspected by a professional. If you smell gas, leave the house and call your gas company immediately.
  • Mercury Sensor – The sensor in your pilot light that maintains the flow of gas to keep it lit can go bad. Keep in mind that these sensors almost always used to contain mercury (and often still do), so you should be careful with them. It’s best to call a professional who can replace and dispose of it properly.
  • Dirty Burners – Excess dust, lint, rust or sulfur build up can result in blockage of the burner holes. When this happens, gas will flood into the chamber but not light right away. When it does finally light, it will create a small boom or banging sound that will often put out the pilot light. Not only is this inconvenient, it is very dangerous. Fortunately, it can be avoided with annual cleanings of your furnace.

The best way to keep your pilot light lit at all times is to have someone inspect it once a year. If something happens in between, you can usually rule out cleanliness issues and call in a New Albany professional to check the thermocouple and sensor.

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What Size Heat Pump is Right for My New Albany Home?

Friday, December 9th, 2011

One of the most important questions to answer when purchasing and installing any new heating or cooling system, no matter what type, is what size is best for your New Albany home. You need something that has enough capacity to heat or cool your whole home comfortably; otherwise your house will consistently be at an undesirable temperature.

Some people might think that the quickest solution to this problem is to just buy a system that they are sure has a capacity larger than the size of their home. You may even be tempted to get the biggest model out there, under the logic that the biggest is the best and it will be sure to be able to cover your whole house.

While this line of thinking might make sense to you, it’s actually not a good idea. The problem with this “solution” is that you can wind up with a heat pump that is considerably too large for your needs, which means your home will consistently be either too cool or too hot, and your energy bills will be unnecessarily high.

The best way to choose a new heat pump is to have a professional do a load calculation in your home. This can be a highly technical process, so it is best to leave it to the pros. However, here are some quick tips and other things to consider on the subject:

  • There are a lot of variable to consider in doing a calculation like this. A contractor doing a load calculation will consider the type of construction, what kind of insulation you have installed, what kind of windows you have, whether there is an attic, how many people live there and many more factors.
  • Also, since heat pumps are used for both heating and cooling, different contractors may opt to do the calculation in different ways. Some will estimate capacity based on heating, while others will base it on cooling. Ask to see which is the case for each estimate you receive.
  • If you are getting a new heat pump as a replacement for an existing one, or even a different heating/cooling system, check the capacity of the unit you are replacing. That can be a good place to start. You will at least be in the right ballpark.

All of this means doing some extra leg work up front, but getting the proper sized heat pump is well worth the effort.

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What is an Air Source Heat Pump? A Question from Jeffersonville

Friday, December 2nd, 2011

Most heating systems in Jeffersonville have as their main component some sort of heat generator. These machines generate heat through some form of combustion, which obviously converts energy directly to heat, which is then distributed throughout the home. That’s a pretty simplified schematic explanation, but that’s more or less how most heating systems work.

Air source heat pumps are another type of heating solution; one that does not actually produce or generate any actual heat. There is no combustion. What an air source heat pump (ASHP) does instead is regulate the temperature of the home by essentially moving air around.

An air source heat pump use electricity to exchange indoor and outdoor air. Think of it like a more versatile air conditioner. In cooling mode, like an air conditioner, an ASHP will pump warm air from the inside out, using a system of refrigerant-filled coils and a compressor. By turning the ASHP to heating mode, the refrigerant flow is reversed, allowing the outdoor coils to extract heat from the outdoor air and pump it in higher concentrations to the inside.

If it seems like a simple system, that’s because it is. All the heat pump does is move heat either in or out, depending on what you need in the current season. Because this process generates no heat on its own, heat pumps can be very efficient. ASHP efficiency has been estimated at 150% to 300%, meaning that the heat energy produced is up to three times as much as the electricity used. That makes for a very efficient home heating and cooling solution.

Air source heat pumps are not necessarily right for every situation, however. In colder climates, where temperatures drop below 30 degrees Fahrenheit for stretches at a time, a heat pump will likely not be able to keep up on its own. In these situations, you may either need to supplement the ASHP with an additional heating source, or use a different system altogether. Newer so-called “cold climate” heat pumps may also be an option. Under ideal circumstances, an air source heat pump can act as a complete home heating system, as well as providing heat for hot water.

If you are looking for a simple and efficient home heating solution, look into whether an air source heat pump can work for you.

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