Spring A/C Checklist

Keeping your home warm in the winter took a toll on your wallet, and now that spring is in full effect air conditioning bills aren’t going to make things any better. But there are a few things you can do to keep your home cool without breaking the bank. How? Just perform these few easy maintenance tasks and you’ll be well on your way.

Keep Vegetation To A Minimum

If you didn’t already know, your air conditioner’s compressor is located outdoors. With that said, it’s vital to keep shrubs, grass and leaves away. Overgrown vegetation can prevent good airflow and make your system work harder than it needs to.

Check For Drafty Windows and Doors

Cool winter weather can be detrimental to the seals around your windows and doors. Check them now for potential air leaks and take care of them right away. This will help keep cool air inside your home and the warm, moist air out.

Inspect The Filter

Do we sound like a broken record? We’ve mentioned this maintenance task in just about every blog post, but there’s a reason. It’s one of the most important steps homeowners can take to make sure their air conditioning system is working efficiently. So, have you checked yours yet?

For all of your home’s comfort needs, you can count on the pros at Aspen Air Conditioning. Give us a call today at 561-395-1500 to schedule your next appointment and remember to connect with us on Facebook!

Air Conditioning Maintenance: What To Leave To The Pros

You have been running your air conditioner for some time now, but when was the last time you performed maintenance on it? If you can’t remember, that’s probably not a good sign because without regular maintenance your system could begin to break down. This will cause it to work extra hard and can cause your energy bills to soar as a result.

How can you keep your cooling system operating efficiently while keeping green in your wallet? Some of the necessary maintenance should be left to the pros, like us, but there are some things you can do on your own.

What To Leave For The Experts:

• Cleaning the evaporator if it’s located inside of a sealed sheet metal box
• Maintaining the condenser - this includes cleaning the coils with commercial cleaner
• Charging your system’s refrigerant lines
• Fixing a problem with the Freon

What You Can Do Yourself

• Check the filter regularly and clean or replace it as needed
• Inspect your ducts for leaks
• Make sure the unit is free of dirt and other debris
• Maintain at least 2 to 3 feet of space clear all around the condenser. This includes cutting down any grass or weeds that have grown.

When you’re ready to call in the pros, make sure to call Aspen Air Conditioning. We’ll make sure your system is up and running at maximum capacity so your home remains comfortable and your wallet stays full!

Spring Air Conditioning Maintenance

With all of your spring cleaning activities in full effect you may have forgotten about your home’s cooling system. But make sure you leave some space on your checklist for air conditioning maintenance, because if you keep putting it off you’ll be in for a rude awakening the first morning it doesn’t kick on.

Here are a few quick maintenance steps you can take this spring to make sure your system is in tip-top shape:

1. Check and replace the filters. HEPA filters tend to last about 6 months and can be vacuumed clean, but other filters need to be replaced much more frequently.
2. Inspect your air conditioner’s drainage hole in the bottom of the cabinet, beneath the evaporator fins. It should be cleaned and kept clear for your system to work properly. Using a paperclip, you can poke through the hole to clean it out.
3. Your ducts play a very important role in keeping your house cool. Make sure there are no air leaks and that all ductwork is in good condition.

If you notice anything that seems to be broken or not working properly during maintenance, give Aspen Air Conditioning a call right away. We’ll take care of the problem and have your system back up and running in no time!

How Is The Air Quality In Nursing Homes?

“Our findings have shown an independent effect of several indoor air pollutants on the lung health of the elderly living in nursing homes.” This is an alarming notion presented by Isabella Annesi-Maesano, PhD, of the Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale in France. While it’s important to consider the quality of air inside your home, it’s vital in nursing homes in order to keep our elderly friends and family members healthy.

Causes

What are some of the causes of poor air quality in nursing homes? Poor ventilation is the major culprit in most cases. It’s common for nursing homes to keep windows and doors closed and if this is the case, an indoor air quality system is absolutely necessary.

Why Is This Important?

While anybody at any age regardless of their health state can be affected by poor indoor air quality, it’s especially important with the elderly who aren’t able to cope with harmful airborne pollutants. Some of the risk factors include lifetime asthma and COPD, according to Healio.

As a responsible business owner, nothing is more important than providing your own employees and customers with a safe, healthy environment. Aspen Air Conditioning can help you provide healthy air and stop many viruses from circulating and spreading throughout your facility. Give us a call today at 561-395-1500 to learn more!

Daikin Sees A Rise In Energy Efficient Cooling Systems

Did you know that air conditioners account for the highest energy usage among normal household appliances? That’s right, air conditioning systems account for as much as 25% of electricity consumption in the home, according to Daikin Industries. But in an effort to promote a “greener” environment many households are making a push toward energy-saving cooling systems.

As environmental awareness continues to make a large impact on consumers, especially in developed countries, homeowners are taking a strong interest in energy-efficient cooling models. Daikin has seen rapid growth in their inverter type air conditioners, but what does this mean for you? Compared to standard models, these types of air conditioners can lower energy consumption by up to 30% - which means more money in your pocket when the energy bill arrives.

Additionally, Daikin Industries’ inverter products reduce the amount of C02 emissions from energy consumption during product use, which we know will have a positive impact on our environment.

Now it’s your turn to lend a helping hand. It’s time to get rid of your old, energy-guzzling cooling system and upgrade to an energy efficient model today. To discuss some options, give the A/C experts at Aspen Air Conditioning a call today!

Cooling System FAQs

Now that air conditioning season is in full effect, there are some questions that come up frequently. It’s important to know and understand how cooling equipment operates and what you need to do when you’re experiencing a problem. Below, you will find some frequently asked questions that may help you out the next time you are in need of some information:

I’m Having An Air Conditioning Emergency, Who Do I Call?

Aspen Air Conditioning's service department can be reached at (561) 395-1500 or (800) 459-4444. We provide 24 hour service 365 days a year. We also provide a guaranteed 30 minute response time and a commitment to be at your door for any emergency call the very same day.

How Much Can I Save With Regular Maintenance From Aspen?

Regular maintenance will definitely improve the efficiency of your units. If you are a maintenance contract holder there is no additional charge for overtime, after-hours or weekend service calls. Your commercial account representative can provide you with a variety of cost savings plans.

When Should I Replace My System?

Each scenario is different, but there are times when replacing a system is the best alternative. Consider your system’s age, efficiency and repair costs before making a decision. Financing options are available and often the energy savings offset the finance charges.

Still have questions? Feel free to give Aspen Air Conditioning a call today at (561) 395-1500 to speak with one of our experts, we’re waiting to hear from you!

Choosing The Right Cooling System

You have decided to upgrade your home’s comfort system and are ready to take the first steps, but with all of the different types of systems out there which one is the best for you? From variable fan speeds and multiple cooling stages to single-, multi-stage and zoned systems your head may start to spin. It’s important to understand the type of environment that each system is ideal for, so see below to learn more:

Single or Multi-Stage?

In hot, humid climates single-stage cooling is abundant. The reason? These types of systems are produced to provide comfort for the warmest days of the year, and we all know how hot it can get in South Florida in the middle of July. Just be mindful that single-stage systems are constantly working at maximum capacity to keep your home comfortable, and this can cause a spike in your energy bills in the summertime.

Zoned Systems

If you want to cool certain areas of your home during a given time period but not the whole house, a zoned system is your best choice. Zone dampers or valves can be controlled inside the vents or ductwork to block off airflow in the undesired areas. This is a great option for keeping your energy bills lower.

In addition, it’s important to know that air conditioning systems come in many different shapes and sizes. You’ll want to consult with an air conditioning expert, like Aspen Air Conditioning, to find out which size system will optimize efficiency and keep your home cool. Be sure to ask about the SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. A SEER rating of 13 is the minimum you should consider and we don’t recommend going above 16.

At Aspen Air Conditioning, our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of comfort through quality maintenance, service and installation practices. Give us a call today to learn more - we’d be glad to discuss the options available to you. Remember to follow us on Twitter for all of your home cooling needs!

The Air Inside Your Home May Be Polluted

According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), “people spend 90% of their time indoors.” But what you may not realize is that the air you’re breathing inside your home can contain mold, mildew and other airborne allergens. So before you come down with irritated skin, itchy or watery eyes, or have trouble breathing it’s time to have an indoor air quality system installed. After all, springtime allergies are bad enough, right?

Indoor Air Pollution Can Be Lethal

Carbon monoxide. Secondhand smoke. Radon gas. These three indoor air pollutants take the lives of thousands of people each year - making them the three most lethal. As a result of carbon monoxide poisoning over 400 people die and thousands are hospitalized annually. Coming in second is radon gas. It’s colorless and odorless characteristics make it extremely difficult to detect. After cigarette smoke, radon gas is the second largest cause of lung cancer. Secondhand smoke takes the crown hospitalizing nearly 15,000 people each year with respiratory infections and cardiovascular and lung illnesses.

How To Prevent Polluted Air Inside Your Home

There are a number of ways you can eliminate air pollution, or at least keep it to a minimum:

1. The first, and maybe the most obvious solution is to keep all smoking to the outdoors. There is no safe level of secondhand smoke, so ask smokers to go outside.
2. If you don’t already have one, install a carbon monoxide detector. But don’t just set it and forget it, test the batteries each month to make sure it’s working properly.
3. Since Radon is known as an “invisible killer” you should have your house tested periodically. It’s a quick and inexpensive way to make sure you’re breathing clean air.
4. The most effective measure is to have an indoor air quality system installed. That’s where we come in!

The experts at Aspen Air Conditioning have been providing South Florida homes with cleaner, fresher air for decades. Interested in having an IAQ system installed in your home? Give us a call at 561-395-1500 to find out how we can help!