Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

Air Conditioning

Can Ductless Air Conditioning Save Money?

Chances are that, yes, ductless air Badges_Elements_Icons_1009934_61187394_600x600-300x300conditioning can help to save you some money. It is important to keep in mind, of course, that not every air conditioner is right for every home or for homeowner. If you are one of those many homeowners interested in the benefits of ductless air conditioning, however, you can count on the professionals on our staff to ensure that your new system suits you and your home.

Following are a few of the ways using a ductless mini split can help to chip away at your energy costs. If you have any questions about this type of cooling system, please get in touch with us. Our goal is to guarantee your 100% satisfaction with your AC, as well as the way it performs. When you choose a ductless mini split in Loveland, CO, you’re already well on your way to reaching that goal.

No Ducts, No Leaky Ducts

One of the major points of energy inefficiency in modern AC systems is the leaky air duct. Ducts are largely hidden from view, installed between floors and behind walls in residential properties. This makes sense, as you really don’t want to be staring at exposed ductwork in your home. It also makes it rather difficult to visually inspect your ductwork, however, which is why so many homeowners wind up using compromised air ducts to distribute conditioned air throughout their homes.

When you wind up doing this, you are wasting energy. No, not all of it goes to waste. After all, that cooled air is winding up somewhere in your home. However, it’s not necessarily making it to its intended destination. That means your system may wind up working overtime in order to evenly cool your home, burning through energy in the process.

Better Cooling Control

When you use a forced-air comfort system, you may choose integrate a zone control system into the AC. When you use a ductless mini split to cool your home, however, this is just standard operating procedure. No extra equipment is needed for zone control, since you simply operate the individual blowers with their own independently operated thermostats.

Being able to cool those areas of your home that you wish to, only as much as you wish to, is a great way to cut down on energy costs. In fact, you may wind up paying less for more comfort. That sounds like a good deal to us.

Did We Mention Efficient Heating?

If not, it’s only because we’ve saved the best for last! Ductless air conditioners, though they do come in cooling-only models, are most commonly configured as heat pumps. This means they can be used to both heat and cool your home. It also means their method of heating is extremely efficient.

You see, heat pumps don’t generate new heat from scratch. Instead, they use existing heat in the air outside in order to heat the interior of homes. This means that you can enjoy great comfort all year long from one system, along with outstanding energy efficiency.

Schedule your AC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust…

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AC Repair Tip: When to Schedule Service

The only “good” time for an air conditioner thermometer-going-red-300x300to break down is during those cool months of the years when you are not using it anyway. Obviously, if you are not using your system, it is not going to have a chance to break down. The fact of the matter is that your AC is always going to give out on you when you actually need it, and that can leave you dealing with uncomfortable conditions until the problem can be resolved completely.

For precisely this reason, you’ll hopefully never allow problems to develop to the point that a complete breakdown occurs. To avoid this undesirable fate, you need to learn to spot the signs that your system is in need of repairs, and you need to remember that you are always best served by scheduling prompt AC repairs in Fort Collins, CO.

 

So When Do I Call for Air Conditioning Repairs?

Ideally, you will contact a member of our team to schedule air conditioning repairs the moment that you have reason to suspect that there is something wrong with your system. We advise our customers there is really no problem too “minor” to warrant professional attention.

Now, there are some situations in which alarm bells may ring, but there is an obvious and simple solution to the problem. For instance, you don’t need us to come out and adjust a thermostat that you accidentally set improperly. If there is no clear cause of the situation, however, you should get us on the phone ASAP.

  1. Is your air conditioner costing too much to run? If you’ve spent a few summers in your home already, then you probably know what to expect as far as costs associated with running your AC. If you notice inexplicable spikes in your energy costs when you are using your air conditioner, problems affecting its efficiency could be to blame.
  2. Is your air conditioner making strange or unusually loud sounds? If so, let us know right away. There are a lot of different issues that could be in play. Hissing sounds could indicate refrigerant leaks, while screeching sounds could mean you have worn belts or lack sufficient lubrication on the moving parts.
  3. Is your air conditioner blowing warm air? Don’t ignore the issue or convince yourself that cranking up the AC is the way to go! While you may just have a thermostat set incorrectly, or perhaps the breaker servicing your outdoor unit has tripped so the air isn’t being cooled before being distributed, it could be much more serious. Refrigerant leaks, damaged ductwork, and other problems could be to blame.
  4. Is there ice on your air conditioner? You may just have a dirty air filter, which is restricting airflow and causing the problem. However, again, the dreaded refrigerant leak could be to blame. Of course, you may just need your evaporator coil cleaned, as well.

Diagnosing a problem accurately is just as important as resolving it correctly. You need trained professionals to guarantee that your air conditioner is in prime working condition and that all is well.

Schedule your air conditioning repairs with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Should I Replace My AC This Year?

If you’ve looked at the weather forecast for the coming weeks, you probably realize that you are not going to be needing your air conditioning system for some time. This does not mean, however, that you should put your air conditioner entirely out of your mind. If you’ve been thinking about replacing your air conditioner in Wellington, CO, you may want to do it this year. Not only do you not have to wait for a complete breakdown with your AC before replacing it, you really shouldn’t do so. 

So When Should I Replace My System?

A completely broken down air conditioner is really the only situation in which a complete replacement is your obvious course of action. However, because you don’t want to wait for such a breakdown to develop, it pays to keep a few other factors in mind.

  1. The age of your system is a big one to consider. You want to get the best possible return on the investment you made in your air conditioner. Pushing your system far beyond its projected lifespan, however, will likely result in a breakdown when you need it most. It’s better to replace the system before this happens, allowing it to go out on a high note.
  2. The efficiency of your system is another major point of consideration. You don’t want to overpay to cool your home, after all. If you invested in a lower efficiency system to save some money at the time, or if your older system pales in comparison to the efficiency standards of today, then investing in a more efficient system today is a great way to save money in the years to come.
  3. Finally, keep your overall satisfaction at the top of your priority list. Maybe you inherited a system that you would not have chosen yourself with your home. Maybe you want to try eliminating air ducts from your AC setup. Whatever the case, we’ll help you to find a great new system.

Schedule your AC replacement with Fort Collins Heating & Air

Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Don’t Forget to Have Your AC Tuned Up

Looking ahead at the weather forecast, you may beTechWithCondensor wondering why we are even mentioning your air conditioning system right now. No, you are not going to need to run your AC in the immediate future. However, it is not going to be much longer before the time comes to put your air conditioner back to work. If you want to ensure that your home cooling system is ready for action when you need it, then you should go ahead and schedule your routine air conditioning maintenance for the season.

It is impossible to overstate just how important it is that you schedule regular air conditioning maintenance in Timnath, CO. Only when your system is thoroughly tuned up by a qualified professional can you expect it to operate at peak performance levels. There is likely more to routine maintenance than you even realize. Count on our technicians to ensure every single step of the process is completed with care.

 

Why Can’t I Do My Own Maintenance?

Sometimes the simplest answer is the correct one. Routine air conditioning maintenance is simply beyond the skill level of even the most avid DIY enthusiast or handyman. There is no way that you can tune up your air conditioner properly on your own, unless you happen to be a professional AC technician by trade.

Now, there are a few very basic maintenance services that you can and should handle on your own. For instance, you should be changing your air filter regularly, typically every 1 to 3 months depending on how quickly it gets dirty. You can also do things like keep your outdoor condenser unit free of debris. There is much more to a full maintenance tune-up than these basic tasks, though. Following is a partial list of what we’ll do during a maintenance visit.

  1. Test and evaluate overall system operation.
  2. Clean/replace filters.
  3. Record operating temperature/pressure.
  4. Record amperage draw.
  5. Clean condenser coil.
  6. Inspect condensate drain pan and line, clean as needed.
  7. Lubricate moving parts.
  8. Check all electrical connections and components.
  9. Check refrigerant levels.

Why Is All of This Necessary?

Because a well-tuned air conditioner is simply going to outperform a poorly maintained air conditioner in every facet of its operation. When a system is routinely tuned-up, that system is going to operate more efficiently than it otherwise would, which saves you money in operating costs. It will also operate more reliably, with a reduced risk of damages and problems developing. In fact, routine maintenance can even extend equipment lifespan.

Ask About Our Energy Savings Agreement

If all of this isn’t already enough to convince you of the merits of routine air conditioning maintenance, you should also consider the fact we offer an Energy Savings Agreement to make things as simple as possible while also offering you further benefits.

As a member of our program, you get discounted rates on repairs, saving 15% should anything go wrong with your system. You will also never pay overtime costs, and you get priority customer status. We guarantee same-day service and will work to accommodate your schedule.

Schedule your AC maintenance with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Use an ERV for Year Round Benefits

When you heat your home—or cool it, for that matter—you want to do so in the most efficient manner possible. Nobody wants to overpay for their comfort. That is why so many homes are constructed so tightly these days.

The problem is that, by sealing up your home extremely tightly, you can actually put your indoor air quality at risk. If your home does not have sufficient insulation, you may be able to cut down on unwanted heat transfer. Your air quality will likely fall as a result, however. An ERV helps you to enjoy both great efficiency and outstanding indoor air quality. 

Recover the Energy You’ve Paid For

Ventilating your home is important if you don’t want the air within to go stale and decline in quality. However, you obviously are not going to throw your windows open in the middle of winter to let the fresh air in. That would waste the energy that you’ve used to heat your home, right?

Well, when you use an energy recovery ventilator in Timnath, CO, you can bring fresh air into your home while recovering the energy that you used to heat it in the first place. The outgoing warm air basically pre-cools the incoming fresh, but cold, air. In the summer, the heat exchange just goes in the opposite direction. The incoming hot air has some of its heat removed by the outgoing cool air.

In the process, the humidity of the air streams is also balanced. This serves to further boost the quality of the air in your home. No longer must you choose between fresh, clean air, comfort, and your budget. ERVs work year round to strike the balance between these factors.

Schedule your indoor air quality services with the professionals at Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Subpar Cooling? Your Thermostat May Be the Culprit

When your air conditioner is not cooling your home as effectively as it once did, or if it is costing more to run than it used to, you may start to sweat—and not just because it’s still so hot out. You may just be getting nervous about the prospect of costly AC repair needs. Before you go exploring all of the worst case scenarios out there, though, you should keep in mind the fact that it may just be a problem with your thermostat.

Now, your thermostat is an integral player in your HVAC system, and we don’t mean to downplay its importance. The fact is, though, that dealing with a malfunctioning or even just an out-of-date thermostat is preferable to, say a failing condenser unit. Whatever the case may be, give us a call to schedule great thermostat services in Laporte, CO.

Misreadings, Misplacement, and Misuse

If your AC is really failing to cool your home effectively, it’s very possible that your thermostat is misreading the temperature in your home. This is obviously a serious problem, and one that you need to have resolved as soon as you can. It may be possible to re-calibrate or repair the thermostat to get the system as a whole back on track.

It could also be as simple as having your thermostat in the wrong place in your home. Is your thermostat mounted near a window or door? An outward facing wall? If so, then it may be reading temperatures accurately, but not the temperature that is representative of conditions throughout the home.

Finally, you may just not have the right thermostat for your needs. Upgrading to a programmable model eliminates the temptation of fiddling about with a manual thermostat all of the time. This can help your system to operate not only more effectively, but more affordably as well.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning today. We’re big enough to serve, but small enough to care.

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HVAC FAQ: Why Is My System Running in Short Bursts?

You are undoubtedly still running your air conditioner in Wellington, CO. We are not out of the woods yet as far as hot weather goes. Before long, though, you’ll find that you don’t need your AC quite as much, and soon enough you’ll actually be firing up the heater! Regardless of which system is in use, though, it’s important that it is functioning properly.

There are a few problems that can negatively affect both your heating and your air conditioning systems. Short cycling is one such problem. If your air conditioner—or heater, for that matter—is running in short bursts, be sure to contact us right away.

 

What Causes Short Cycling?

With an air conditioning system, refrigerant leaks are a common cause of short cycling. The system will struggle to remove a sufficient amount of heat from the air, and the compressor can overheat and the system will shut down prematurely. The system may also just be too big for your home, cooling it too quickly. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow, leading to icing on the evaporator coil and overheating, or you may just have a faulty thermostat that is registering temperatures wrong.

If your heater is short cycling, you may have a malfunctioning sensor or thermostat. You could also have an issue with the burner assembly in a combustion system, triggering your thermocouple to stem the flow of gas. Having the issue promptly resolved ensures not only that your system will function reliably, but safely.

Short Cycling Can Cause Damage

Your HVAC systems are going to suffer a lot of unnecessary wear and tear if they are starting up and stopping constantly. This can lead to an increased risk of repair needs, or even a shortened lifespan. You may also wind up paying more for less comfort, as your system will use more energy by starting up over and over.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust. 

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Replacing Your AC This Year? Consider Using a Ductless Mini Split System

No air conditioner is going to last forever. It is generally in your best interest to replace your air conditioning system before that system breaks down entirely, as this allows you to plan on when the work will be completed. After all, your ailing system is most likely to break down during the hottest time of the year, when it is working the hardest.

If your air conditioner has been struggling this summer, or if you are ready to replace it with a new system for efficiency and/or reliability’s sake, consider doing so with a ductless mini split system. Ductless mini splits have a lot to offer homeowners, and are only growing more popular. Read on and let us know if you are thinking about going ductless.

 

Efficiency, Versatility, And Comfort Are the Keys

Those 3 words can help you to understand the framework of just how a ductless mini split system in Loveland, CO can benefit you. One of the most common causes of subpar energy efficiency is energy loss via duct leaks. While this energy won’t be wasted entirely, as the conditioned air will wind up somewhere within your home, it does make it difficult for your AC to cool your living space evenly and effectively. As such, it will have to work harder than it should in order to do so.

The energy savings don’t stop with the elimination of ductwork from the home cooling equation, though. Because ductless mini splits use heat pump technology, you can actually use the very same system to heat your home than you do to cool it. The system will use existing heat from the air outside in the process, which allows you to heat your home with great energy efficiency.

Plus, you can live more comfortably even as you scale back on energy use. This is due to the fact that the multiple blowers are all controlled with independent thermostats. You can easily maintain different temperatures in different areas of your home, allowing you to both heat and cool your home more thoughtfully.

Schedule your ductless mini split services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning.

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What Does a Zone Control System Do?

A zone control system is a great way in which to get a more efficient performance out of your air conditioning system. We know that you want to cool your home effectively, but you don’t want to drain your budget in doing so. When you choose to use a zone control system, you won’t have to.

Just remember that a zone control system is only going to function properly if you schedule your zone control system services in Fort Collins, CO with trained, experienced professionals. Simply call our number to do so.

How Does It Work? What Benefits Can I Enjoy?

A zone control system breaks your home up into different temperature zones. Installed into each of these zones is a thermostat that is controlled independently of the others in the house. These thermostats are wired into a central control panel. Electronic dampers are also installed into your ductwork, and these too are tied into the control panel. As you adjust the temperature in any single zone in your home, the corresponding dampers will adjust as well, allowing more or less conditioned air into those zones.

Typically, if you use a whole-house central air conditioner, you’ll be cooling the entire house to just one temperature. Because a zone control system allows you to maintain different temperatures throughout your home, you can cool those areas that are not in use less than you would those areas that are constantly in use. Doing so means that you can live comfortably without wasting energy in areas that don’t need it.

Plus, you should keep in mind that not everyone is going to be comfortable at the same temperature. Unless you live alone, you’ve no doubt heard some level of conflict regarding temperature settings in the house. By taking greater control over the way you heat and cool your home, you can ensure that everyone is living comfortably, not just a select few.

Schedule service with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Why Is My Air Conditioner Blowing Warm Air?

As modern homeowners, we obviously expect to live in a certain amount of comfort. This means that we must be able to successfully cool our homes with our air conditioners during the summer season. There are few experiences more alarming on a hot summer day than flipping on the AC, only to realize that it is blowing warm air. There are a number of potential reasons as to why this may be the case, and they vary in severity. Whatever the issue may be, though, you can count on our team to complete any necessary air conditioning repairs in Timnath, CO.

  • Low refrigerant levels may be the cause of the problem, and if this is the case you can expect more problems to develop over time. Your air conditioner removes heat from the air in your home to cool it. Refrigerant acts as the heat transfer liquid, and it must evaporate in the evaporator coil in order to draw heat out of the air. If you don’t have enough refrigerant in your system due to leaks or an improper charge, your system will struggle to cool your home effectively.
  • Leaky ducts are another potential cause of the problem. It could be that your air conditioner is actually cooling air just fine, but that hot air is getting into your ductwork through bad seals or tears. Having your air ducts repaired or professionally sealed can resolve the problem.
  • Improper settings can also be the root cause of your problem, and this is by far the best-case-scenario. Before you call our number to schedule AC repairs, do yourself a favor and double check the thermostat. You may have inadvertently put the system in a “fan only” mode, so it is not blowing the cool air you need.

Call Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning with all of your AC service needs.

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