Heating and cooling makes up over half of the energy costs in your home. If you want to minimize your energy costs, start by maintaining your air conditioner. Simple AC maintenance can increase your unit’s energy efficiency and prevent major problems in the future, which means lower energy costs and less money spent on AC repairs. Even something as easy as changing the air filter each month during the summer can help you save up to 5% on your electricity bill.

Watch this video for more information on the importance of AC maintenance. And for help maintaining your air conditioner, contact an air conditioning company in Jacksonville . You can resolve all your AC problems in one visit from a certified AC contractor.

Spring is here, and that means summer is just beyond the horizon. As temperatures start to increase, the only relief from a hot summer’s day (and night) will be your air conditioner. If your AC unit is exhibiting signs of trouble, or if you can’t remember the last time you scheduled an air conditioner tune up, contact an AC repair company in Jacksonville right away to make sure your air conditioner is in tip-top shape and ready for the upcoming season. This article looks at the inner workings of your AC unit so you know what’s going on “behind the scenes” when cold air is blowing out of your air ducts.

Phase Conversion

Air conditioners take advantage of a remarkable physical law to chill indoor air: Phase conversion. In this process, a liquid absorbs heat when it is converted into a gas. Air conditioners exploit this feature of phase conversion by forcing special chemical compounds (refrigerants) to evaporate and condense over and over again in a closed system of coils. When hot air flows over the cold evaporator coils, the refrigerant absorbs heat as it changes from a liquid to a gas. A compressor and a second set of coils cools down the gas to convert the refrigerant back to a liquid, where the process starts all over again.

Performance Ratings

The capacity of an air conditioner is rated in British thermal units (BTUs). One BTU is the amount of heat necessary to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. The efficiency rating of an AC unit is expressed as EER and is the air conditioner’s BTU rating over its wattage. An air conditioning contractor in Jacksonville can help you size the right AC for your household and choose the most energy-efficient unit.

When your air conditioner finally kicks the can, it’s natural to start looking at the cost of replacing the unit with a similar model. However, this assumes that what you have is correct for your home to begin with. In order to determine which AC system is right for your home, you need to schedule an air conditioning evaluation with an AC service company in Jacksonville .

During an AC evaluation, an expert technician will calculate your home’s cooling needs based on many different factors, including square footage, layout, insulation, duct work, and thermal envelope (a measure of your home’s ability to keep cold air in). An AC evaluation should also include an inspection of your indoor air quality to determine if additional air treatment products are needed in addition to a new AC unit.

If there’s anything worse than not having air conditioning on a hot summer’s day, you probably won’t be able to think of it while you’re scrambling to get your AC up and running again. In hot and humid Jacksonville, having a fully functioning air conditioner is about as important as having a roof over your head. The good news is that when something is wrong with your air conditioner, you will know about it immediately—which will give you ample time to contact an AC repair company in Jacksonville before things get any worse. Here’s a look at some of the most common air conditioning problems that warrant a visit by your AC repair technician.

Thermostat Sensor Problems

If the thermostat sensor fails or is knocked out of position, your air conditioner could cycle constantly or behave erratically, both of which can affect your comfort and monthly energy bills. If you have an old thermostat, consider upgrading to a programmable thermostat which can Save you hundreds of dollars each year on cooling costs.

Refrigerant Leaks

The performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is best when the refrigerant charge matches the manufacturer’s specification. If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, it was either undercharged at installation or has a leak. Adding refrigerant to an AC unit that leaks is not a solution. A trained air conditioning technician will need to fix the leak and test the system before charging with the correct amount of refrigerant.

Drainage Problems

On particularly humid days, check the condensate drain to make sure it isn’t clogged and is draining properly. Air conditioners also will not drain properly if not mounted level. Drainage problems can result in mold, moisture issues, and other problems that can affect your comfort and health.