admin, Author at Action Heating & Conditioning

21 May 2019

staying cool this summer

Staying Cool -Save Money and Stay Cool by Following These Recommended Summer Settings

Air conditioning offers a refreshing escape from the summer heat but settling on a temperature to maintain in your home may require a delicate balance between your family’s comfort preferences and your financial bottom line. Simply put – the lower you set your thermostat in the summer, the higher your energy bills will be. However, if you work through some of the variables you can shoot for a temperature that keeps you comfortable and saves you money.

The Best Temperature Settings , Staying Cool , When You’re at Home

To stay comfortable and save money this summer, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends setting your thermostat to 78F (26C) when you are home. Setting your air conditioner to this level will allow you to stay cool and avoid an unusually high electricity bill.

The Best Temperature Settings, Staying Cool, When You’re Away

Keeping your house warmer while you are away can help you save even more money this summer. Turning your thermostat up seven to 10 degrees F (two to three degrees C) higher while you are away at work, or any time you’re out of the house for more than two hours, can help you save as much as 10 percent on cooling costs. So, to save money and energy while you’re away in the summer, set your thermostat to 88F (31C). The higher interior temperature actually slows the flow of heat into your home, so it won’t take as much energy to cool things back down as you think when you return home.

Tips to Maximize Cooling Efforts in Your Home

Although 78F might still sound uncomfortably high, you can help your air conditioner provide better cooling for less energy by preventing warm air from getting into your home and cool air from escaping. Follow these simple tips to keep your home cool and comfortable all summer long:

Hang up window treatments that block sunlight and prevent heat from entering through your windows.
Install fresh or replace old weather stripping and caulk around doors and windows to keep your home sealed.
Limit use of appliances that generate heat, like the oven and stove, until after 8pm. In the summer, try to grill outside as much as possible.
Install ceiling fans to increase cooling efficiency.
Replace cooling units with energy-efficient models

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning have been serving the Mobile and Baldwin County area in Alabama since 1997. Our trained staff can install or repair your air conditioning unit to give you the comfortable cooling you need during these hot summer months while helping you to save on your energy cost. Please visit our website at http://demo.callaction.net/ to earn more about us and our services.

Hurricane Season 2019 is Almost Here

21 May 2019

hurricane

hurricane season 2019

Hurricane season officially begins on June 1st, but you don’t want to wait until hurricane season is underway to prepare. Even areas that are further inland, like the Tennessee Valley, can be impacted by tropical weather. The National Weather Service is predicting 2019 to have 75% of the average season. Hopefully this is a good thing, since 2018 had 120% of an average season. Here is an example of how hurricane winds can affect inland areas.

Hurricane Opal (1995): Opal made landfall as a Category 4 hurricane near Pensacola, before weakening into a tropical depression over Tennessee. The storm was still producing winds of 50 mph as it moved through the Tennessee Valley.

The National Weather Service has given instructions on Hurricane Preparedness.

Here is a list of steps you need to take to be prepared.

You need to have a safety kit ready. It’s recommended that you keep enough food and water for each person in the family to last 3 days.
Take some time to review your insurance policy. Often, we realize too late that some weather-related damages are not covered. In fact, standard homeowner’s insurance doesn’t cover flooding. Remember to review your policies for your home and any vehicles or boats.
Take note of anything that could be affected by flooding, like items in your garage or basement. In anticipation of high winds, you should keep trees well-trimmed and secure things like patio furniture before storms.
Helping your neighbors prepare and plan to check on each other in the case of an emergency is a great idea.
Finally, make sure you write down your plan and any important details you might need in an emergency. Go over your plan with your family to make sure everyone understands what to do. Having a written plan can save you precious time in the event of severe weather, so you can act quickly and confidently.

The only Alabama counties in a hurricane evacuation zone are Mobile and Baldwin.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hope that this information was helping in preparing for the 2017 Hurricane Season. Remember for all your heating and cooling needs, we at Action Heating and Air Conditioning have been helping folks like you since 1997. Please visit our website at www.callaction.net to meet our team of professionals, review all our services, and to find some money saving discounts and coupons that can help you save money on air conditioning repairs

HVAC System Maintenance is it Important!

09 May 2019

HVAC

HVAC system maintenance

HVAC system maintenance- Most people make an investment in a HVAC system, yet fail to maintain proper upkeep. Maintaining your HVAC system is as important as maintaining your car. A properly functioning HVAC system is one that will keep your home cozy or cool for many years to come, which is why HVAC maintenance is important.
Here are several important reasons to maintain your HVAC system

Lower Utility Bills

Saving money is one of the main reasons a person should maintain their HVAC unit. An HVAC unit that is running efficiently, as well as a home that is properly insulated, means less money spent on electricity, heating and cooling costs. HVAC maintenance is also important to prevent the need for major repairs or entire replacements.

Healthy Air

A properly maintained HVAC unit will not only keep a home warm or cool, but it will prevent problems with air quality. Clean filters and coils mean better breathing for an entire family. An unmaintained HVAC unit is a breeding ground for dirt, mold and bacteria, all of which can cause or worsen respiratory problems for those living in the home or building.

Life of the System

The better a person maintains their HVAC unit, the longer that unit will be able to function well and provide cooling and heating to a home or building. With proper HVAC maintenance, a unit can last well over 10 years. Considering the amount of money, a person spends to install an HVAC unit, it makes sense they would want to keep that unit running well for as long as possible.

Efficiency

As with the life of the system, a well-maintained HVAC unit will run more efficiently. Research shows that dirty or unmaintained units need to work 20 percent harder to produce the same amount of cooling or heating as a well-maintained machine. Less energy will be expended when it is running, which means less stress on the components of the machine. The less wear and tear on the machine means simple maintenance during the spring and fall months. Maintenance will be much quicker and smoother if a person takes the preventive steps to keep a system running in tip-top shape.

Less Emergency Repairs

Most HVAC units may need emergency repairs from time to time. Well-maintained units are less likely to fail during the months of hard use (June through September and December through March). Keeping a unit up-to-date on all inspections and maintenance checks means less worry that the unit will break down when it is needed the most.

Parts Under Warranty

In the event of a problem, the part or component in question might still be under a warranty. This is another important reason to maintain an HVAC unit on a regular basis. Keep a list of all warranty expiration dates and check the parts prior to that date to ensure there are no problems before it is too late. Parts under warranty can often be fixed at no cost, aside from the labor charges that may arise if homeowners are unable to fix or replace parts alone.

For many obvious reasons, HVAC maintenance is important. Scheduling regular checks and following through on fixing minor problems will help homeowners enjoy the comfort of a system with the worry of it failing.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning were glad to share this information with you. This information was provided by the Hvacmaintenance.org website.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning offer professional and affordable HVAC system maintenance programs for your home or offices. –Please call us at 251 272-5900 to schedule a FREE ESTIMATE providing you information an affordable maintenance program. Also please visit our website at https://www.callcation.net to learn more about the services we offer as well as some discount offers and great financing arrangements when a new unit needs to be installed.

Buying a New Air Conditioning System

30 Apr 2019

buying a new air conditioning system

There are many factors to consider when choosing an air conditioning system. Air conditioners vary in price, energy efficiency and cooling capacity. Modern air conditioning units have many advanced features to compare before making a choice. Research how to buy an air conditioner to choose a unit that will save money and energy while keeping your home cool.

If possible shop during the winter months. There is a great chance that the manufacturer is running sale
Check the cooling capacity needed in your home. This is measured in BTUs per hour; higher BTUs mean more cooling capacity.
Compare the Energy Efficient of the unit. Air conditioner efficiency is measured by the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER), and the government now requires that all A/C units have a SEER rating of 13 or higher. A rating from 14 to 22 earns an energy-efficient classification.
Get Advice and Feedback. Read reviews and model comparisons from reliable sources and consumer sites. Be on the lookout for complaints about specific models or companies. Ask for advice about how to buy an air conditioner from family and friends who have recently purchased one.
Air Conditioner Maintenance. Most A/C manufacturers recommend yearly maintenance. Failure to maintain your unit may void the warranty. Ask your contractor for details. Consider an HVAC maintenance contract with a trusted contractor to head off potential A/C problems before they become serious.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning, hope this information was helpful when deciding on purchasing a new Air conditioning system. We have been serving the Mobile and Baldwin County areas since 1997. Our trained professional technicians know what to look for when you have air conditioning problem as well as they can share a world of knowledge when it comes to you needing to buy a new system.

Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help. Also visit our website at http://demo.callaction.net/ to meet our team and learn more about us and our services, we have been serving the Mobile and Baldwin Counties in Alabama since 1997 with quality trained technicians and affordable services.

Air Conditioning – Understand Your System

23 Apr 2019

Air conditioning Understand my system

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning know that the summer is close by and air conditioning problems can occur without a moment’s notice. We thought it would be a good time to help educate you our customers on some terms that you make want to be familiar with when your air conditioner needs repairs

Air Diffuser

Air distribution outlet or grill designed to direct and develop balanced airstreams

Bubble Point

The pressure at which a refrigerant liquid starts to vaporize.

Coil

Component providing heat transfer to air when mounted inside an air handling unit or ductwork. The term is normally associated with a fin and tube heat exchanger using refrigerant or water as the heat transfer medium.

Compressor

A key component of the refrigeration system, raising the pressure (and hence temperature) of the refrigerant and circulating it through a closed loop system.

Density

The weight of a unit volume of a substance

Duct

Ducts are used in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) to deliver and remove air including supply air, return air, and exhaust air.

SEER

As with SEER, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is a measure of equipment energy efficiency but defined to suit the Europe market. Rather than using a single condition (EER) the SEER assumes four seasonal conditions for variable load performance of chillers, etc. and provides a suitable rating number for the equipment.

Evaporator Coil

An evaporator coil is usually located indoors as part of a split unit or within an air handler or duct system. Inside the coil, refrigerant evaporates as it absorbs heat from the air that passes over it.

Inverter Compressor

This type of compressor uses an inverter drive to control the compressor motor speed to modulate capacity as demand varies.

Refrigerant

The fluid used for the heat transfer within a refrigeration system. The refrigerant absorbs heat at low temperature and pressure and transfers heat at high temperature and pressure. The refrigerant can be many materials, commonly fluorocarbon compounds, but also natural refrigerants such as ammonia, CO2, hydrocarbons as well as other compounds such as water and air.

RCI (HI) and RCI (LO)

The Rack Cooling Index (RCI) is a metric that measures the percentage of racks in the data center where the air inlet temperature is at the recommended or allowable level under the guidelines put forth by ASHRAE. RCI (hi) is the metric for racks at the upper limit and RCI (lo) for racks at the lower limit. This metric reveals how uniformly and efficiently a data center is being cooled.

Split System

A split air conditioning system consists of two main parts: the outdoor (condensing) unit and the indoor unit. Although any size of unit could be defined as a split system it normally refers to smaller equipment, specifically air to air heat pumps.

Thermostatic expansion valve (TE V)

A precision control device designed to control the evaporator superheat by regulating the rate at which liquid refrigerant flows into the evaporator.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning have been serving Mobile and Baldwin Counties since 1997. Please give us a call at 251-272-5900 when your need affordable air conditioning repairs performed by a trained HVAC specialist or when a new air conditioning unit is the needed solution. We have some great specials to help save on a new unit as well as great financing options.

Prepare Your Air Conditioning System

16 Apr 2019

Prepare your air conditioning system

Air Conditioning System Mistakes, Prepare before Summer arrives

In the summer your air conditioner uses the majority of your energy consumption. 70% of your electric bill can be contributed to your air conditioner.

There are some ways that you can reduce this load by changing some of your air conditioning habits.

Below are the biggest mistakes we make.

Placing the Outside Unit in a Hot spot—You should place your unit in a shady spot on the east or north side of your home, where it will receive less direct sunlight.
Hiding the Air Conditioner– Don’t hide your outside unit behind shrubs or other plants. This will hinder ventilation, clog condenser coils and make the air conditioner run less efficiently.
Buying Bigger is Not Always Best– an oversized air conditioner will not generate uniform temperatures or reduce humidity. It will also run inefficiently by cycling on and off quickly. Remember that too small may not cool the space properly. You can use the Consumer Reports worksheet for properly sizing a new unit.
Ignoring Maintenance– You should clean or replace filters at least every 2 months. Your evaporator coil needs to be checks and cleaned once a year.
Leaving the Air Conditioner Running All Day- Programmable thermostats can help you conserve energy by not having the unit running at lower temperatures when you are not at home.
Turning the Temperature Way Down. If you are comfortable at a certain temperature, don’t come home and lower it way down, it will not get to your comfort level any faster.
Heating Up the Thermostat– make sure your thermostat is not too close to lamps, TVs, stereos, etc. that could generate heat to accidently drive up the temperature.
Not Utilizing Ceiling Fans Properly– Your air conditioner should work in tandem to your ceiling fan. Make sure the fan is switched to push air downward (typically counter clockwise)
Using the wrong Fans-Exhaust fans in the kitchen or bathrooms can push cool air out of the house.
Closing Unused Vents– in many cases this can decrease the efficiency of your unit. Don’t close off rooms that have thermostats in them.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning hope that these tips can help you save on your energy bills. Remember when shopping for a new air conditioning unit, needing repairs on your existing unit, or looking for an affordable maintenance program, we at Action Heating and Air Conditioning can service all your needs. We have been in the Heating and Air Conditioning business since 1997 with well trained professional technicians.

Please visit our website at www.callaction.net to meet our team and review all our services. Please be sure and check out our money saving discounts and coupons while you are there.

Air Conditioning Cool and Working Well

16 Apr 2019

air conditioning cool

There are several factors that you need to keep in mind when trying to keep your air conditioning system cool and working efficiently this Summer.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning would like to share these factors with you to keep your air conditioning system working efficiently.

Tips to Keep the Heat Out.

Keep the Sun Out Windows can be the largest contributors to your heat gain. When the sun shines directly into the house, it usually brings a lot of heat, too, unless you have good energy efficient windows. Solar screens on the outside of the window are great for keeping heat out. You might also consider some temporary shading for the east- and west-facing windows on those superhot days

Seal Air Leaks

Most of the standard energy-saving advice tells you to caulk your windows and weather-strip your doors. There are however other areas that could cause bigger leaks, like, say, crawl space vents that open into conditioned space or a hole in the kitchen ceiling that acts as a refrigerator vent. Look around in your attic, crawl space, or basement, and to find additional areas that may leak.

Surface Temperature Reductions

Some parts of your home may be hotter than others. For example, you may have a bonus room that’s rarely comfortable. Attic knee walls with ineffective insulation are often the culprit there. Get the insulation in the cavities and put sheathing on the attic side of the knee walls.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning have been selling, installing, and servicing central air conditioning systems in the Mobile and Baldwin County areas since 1997. We offer expert technical service at affordable prices. We are open 7 days a week 365 day a year. Please call us at 251 272-5900 if we can help. Also, please visit our website at www.callaction.net to meet our team and learn more about the services we offer.

Air Conditioning System Maintenance

01 Apr 2019

HVAC

air conditioning system

Spring is here and your air conditioning system will start being used more and more.Here are some helpful tips when trying to maintain your Central Air Conditioning System.

Buy a better filter if you haven’t already. The new high-efficiency pleated filters have an electrostatic charge that works like a magnet to grab the tiniest particles — even those that carry bacteria.

Replace the filter at least every 90 days. But check it monthly. If it looks dark and clogged, go ahead and change it. If you have pets, you’ll probably need to change every month.

Make sure there’s at least two feet of clearance around outdoor air conditioning units and heat pumps.

Remove debris, such as leaves, pollen, and twigs weekly during spring, summer, and fall from top and sides of outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps. Don’t allow the lawn mower to discharge grass clippings onto the unit.

Monthly, inspect insulation on refrigerant lines leading into house. Replace if missing or damaged.

Make sure unit is level. Annually, ensure that outdoor air-conditioning units and heat pumps are on firm and level ground or pads.

Stave off clogs. Annually, pour a cup of bleach mixed with water down the air-conditioner condensate drain to prevent buildup of mold and algae, which can cause a clog.

Never close more than 20% of a home’s registers to avoid placing unnecessary strain on the HVAC system.

These tips can help you do some things yourself to help maintain your system. There however are many areas of your system that require a HVAC professional to main the necessary bi-annual checks of your HVAC system.

We at Action Heating and Air Conditioning offer a great affordable maintenance program for your home. These bi-annual check ups will not only insure that your unit or units are working effeciently but can safe you on costly repairs.

Please call us at 251 272-5900 and have one of our trained professionals come met with you to explain the options available to you. Also please visit our website at www.callaction.net to meet our team, learn about our services, and find some valuable coupons to help save you money.

Air Duct Cleaning- Do We Need It?

01 Apr 2019

duct cleaning