3 Types of AC Filters

When it comes to breathing fresh, clean air your air conditioner’s filter is one of the most vital components. Did you know that all of the individual elements of the air conditioning system heavily rely upon the filter to be unclogged, hygienic and clean? There are three main types of filters, each with its own benefits - find out more below.

HEPA (High Efficiency Particulate Air) Air Cleaner

• Captures 99.97% of harmful airborne pollutants 0.3 micron and larger.
• Great for allergy asthma and respiratory sufferers, especially those who spend enormous amounts on medication, nasal sprays, inhalers, allergy shots, etc.
• Helps protect new homeowners and renovators from excessive fumes and odors that are off-gassed from new carpets, cabinets, furniture, painted surfaces, varnishes, solvents, glues and more.
• Households with pets, tobacco/cooking odors or mustiness will find a dramatic difference in air quality.
• Indoor air quality will be fresher and healthier, year-round.

Electronic Air Cleaner

• Removes irritating airborne allergens. A must for allergy or asthma sufferers.
• Lifetime filter system never needs replacing.
• Households with pets, or noticeable cooking/tobacco odors, will find a dramatic difference in air quality.
• Housekeeping time and redecorating costs will be significantly reduced.
• Protects and prolongs operating efficiency of heating and cooling equipment.
• Indoor air quality will be fresher and more comfortable, year-round.

Media Retrofit Air Cleaner

• Removes irritating airborne allergens. A must for allergy or asthma sufferers.
• Protects furnishings and decor from staining dirt particles.

Want to learn more about the different types of air conditioner filters? Contact the friendly AC experts at Aspen Air Conditioning today! 561-395-1500.

Check Out Our 2nd YouTube Video!

When was the last time you performed maintenance on your home’s cooling system? Did you know that lack of proper maintenance is the #1 cause of system failure? By taking just a few minutes each month to check on the system and clean the filter you can increase the lifespan of your equipment and keep your energy bill low.

Don’t want to take the time to do the maintenance yourself? Don’t worry, the experts at Aspen will take care of it for you. With Aspen Air Conditioning’s Maintenance program it’s about more than service… it’s about prevention.  Analogy about your car needing oil changes and maintenance at so many miles.  Air conditioners are another large expense, that if maintained can give you many years of uninterrupted air conditioning.

With typical service agreements, you pay money for priority service when there’s a problem… With Aspen Air Conditioning’s Comprehensive Maintenance Agreement, you not only get priority service, you can prevent those problems from happening in the first place, and save money in the process! In just 2 tune-ups per year, you can help avoid costly breakdowns, extend the life of your system, and even lower your utility bills too!

What are you waiting for? Give Aspen Air Conditioning a call today at 561-395-1500 before you lose your cool!

3 Ways To Cut Energy Costs This Summer

Are high energy bills keeping you from taking that much-needed summer vacation? Don’t let that happen - there are a number of ways to cut down on spending while keeping cool this season.

1. Clean the filter: a clogged filter is a recipe for disaster when it comes to your energy bills. It will prohibit your cooling system from operating efficiently and can also have a negative impact on the air you’re breathing. Be sure to vacuum and sanitize it regularly.
2. Run a fan: if you’re only going to be in one room of your house for a while, run a fan instead of turning on the a/c. It will help you feel cooler for a much lower price.
3. Have a programmable thermostat installed: you only need to have the air conditioner running while you’re home, right? By having a programmable thermostat installed you can do just that. Set it so it only kicks on when you need it most.

Since our beginning in 1983, Aspen Air Conditioning has been focused on the comfort needs of Southeast Florida residents at home and at work. So when you need service, give us a call at 561-395-1500 and don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter!

Benefits of Electronic Air Cleaners

If you don’t take the time to clean your air conditioner’s filter, you may be breathing in mold, mildew and other harmful airborne pollutants. The filter is one of the most critical elements in your cooling system as it filters out dangerous toxins and keeps your air clean. In addition to the filter, electronic air cleaners have a number of benefits and features to keep you breathing fresh, pollution-free air.

How Can Electronic Air Cleaners Help?

• Suffer from allergies? An electronic air cleaner is a must as it removes irritating airborne allergens
• It comes with a lifetime filter system so it never needs replacing
• Removes pet odors as well as smoke from tobacco and cooking odors
• Protects and prolongs the lifespan of your heating and cooling equipment
• Provides fresher, more comfortable air year-round

Ready to make the switch to cleaner, healthier air in your home? Contact the experts at Aspen Air Conditioning today to learn more and don’t forget to connect with us on Twitter!

How To Keep Cooling Costs Down

If this summer is anything like the past couple of years, we’re in for a sweltering season. You know what that means - running your A/C systems non-stop in order to keep cool. If you’re like the rest of us and can’t stand to see another expensive bill, follow these tips to keep cooling costs down.

1. Don’t make your system work harder - keeping heat out of your house is the first way to prevent high energy bills. Shading your roof and using curtains on your windows to keep sunlight out are a few ways to keep your house cool. You can also increase your home’s insulation and keep in mind that running your oven will add heat.
2. Ask us about energy efficient equipment - you can increase your system’s efficiency by keeping it in tune. Make sure to clean the filter regularly and that all air leaks are properly fixed. If your system is getting old, it may be wise to replace it with a more energy efficient model.
3. Eliminate waste - why keep the house cool while nobody's home? This is a surefire way to make your energy bills skyrocket. Turn the thermostat up when you’re at work or on vacation - you can always turn it back down when you return.

Ready to have your system tuned up? Contact Aspen Air Conditioning today to schedule your next appointment and don’t forget to connect with us on Facebook!

Keep Your Business Cool With Aspen Air Conditioning!

Whether you own a small retail shop or you’re the CEO of a Fortune 500 company, maintaining a cool, comfortable environment is a vital part of your business. Similar to a vehicle, an air conditioning unit must be well-maintained in order for it to run effectively and efficiently. Therefore, Aspen Air Conditioning offers a wide variety of air conditioning services for businesses of all shapes and sizes.

Often times, business owners aren’t able to access their AC filters, or they may not even know where they are located. This can be a major problem because with a dirty filter, your system won’t be able to work at peak performance. As a result, it can affect your bottom line because your energy bills will be much higher than they need to be. So, what can you do?

Call on the experts at Aspen Air Conditioning and ask us about our Energy Savings Maintenance Plans. Our commercial ESMPs can be tailored to your specific needs. This way, you can keep your employees and your office cool while increasing productivity.

Give us a call today at 561-395-1500 or visit our website to schedule an appointment.

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!

No Time For Maintenance? We've Got Your Back!

A 19-step maintenance plan, you’re kidding right? No, we’re not kidding - for as little as $129 per year we will take care of all your air conditioning maintenance needs. That’s right, all of them.

Believe it or not, the #1 cause of system failure is lack of maintenance. We understand that your lives are extremely busy and may not be able to keep up with everything, so leave it to us. After all, an average cooling system in South Florida runs for over 3,200 hours seasonally. Anything that works that hard needs a bit of extra attention.

So what exactly does our maintenance plan include? Here’s a list of a few of the services we’ll perform to keep your system running at peak performance:

1. Clean and check condenser coil
2. Check thermostat calibration
3. Check all safety controls and electrical connections where applicable
4. Clean or change filters
5. Lubricate all moving parts
6. Check air flow
7. Inspect contactor points for wear...and much more!

To learn about all 19 steps, give us a call at 561-395-1500 or visit us on the web. At Aspen Air Conditioning, we put customer service as a top priority and keeping your home comfortable is our mission!

Get Your Central Air Conditioning System Ready For Spring & Summer

After a long, cold winter it’s time to start thinking about getting your central air conditioning system back up and running. Before you know it, sweltering temperatures will settle in and you don’t want to be stuck in the heat. See below to find out what you need to do to get your system out of winter mode and ready for spring and summer:

Step 1: Change The Filters

The filters are usually located at the blower unit and are placed where the return duct meets the unit. You should be checking your filters once a month to make sure they are clean and free of debris. A clogged filter can slow down the airflow and cause your cooling to coil to ice up.

Step 2: Check The Condensate-Removal System

Whether your system has a gravity-fed drain or a pan under the blower unit, the condensate-removal system must be checked. If you have a pump, test it to make sure it’s working properly before the season starts and if you have a pan make sure the killswitch is working properly because an overflowing pan can cause water damage in your home.

Step 3: Clear All Debris

Your exterior condenser must be clear of all debris in order for it to work at peak performance. Make sure shrubs, wood piles and low branches are at least two feet away. It’s also a good idea to spray down the condenser’s fan with a garden hose to wash away the leaves and pollen it sucked in last season.

Step 4: Check the Ductwork

Make sure there is nothing blocking the registers in your house. For your system to work efficiently, airflow shouldn’t be restricted in any way, shape or form. You should also make sure there are no holes or corrosion because cool air will leak out which can cause higher energy bills.

Aspen Air Conditioning has been serving the South Florida area since 1983 so if you’re looking for air conditioning service, installation or repairs there’s only one call to make! Schedule your next appointment online or give us a call at 561-395-1500.

Keep Your Business Cool With Aspen Air Conditioning's Commercial Services!

Are your employees always complaining that it’s too warm in the office? It makes getting work done much more difficult when the environment is uncomfortable, and it can even affect your bottom line. Provide a comfortable work environment for all of your employees with commercial air conditioning from Aspen.

Maintaining a cool, comfortable environment is a vital part of any business, however AC systems are often the most neglected piece of equipment. Often times, business owners don’t even know where the filters are located and maintenance is simply forgotten about. Just like an automobile, an air conditioning system won’t run smoothly without a little preventive maintenance from time to time.

That’s why you need Aspen Air Conditioning! Our Energy Savings Maintenance Plan is suited to your particular needs in order to keep your system running at peak performance. If you’re in need of service or repairs, give our NATE certified and factory trained commercial technicians a call at 561-395-1500.

We are LIVE on YouTube!

When looking for a reliable air conditioning installation company look for Dixie, the dolphin on the snowboard. Family owned and operated for over 31 years, we’ve proudly been servicing the South Florida area from Hollywood to West Palm Beach and anything in between.

Our installation services are second to none and they’re backed up by the wide range of products that we offer. We carry only the highest quality air conditioners including Carrier, Daikin, Trane and Rheem.

To find out more about our services, watch our quick video:

All of our work is backed by an A Better Business Bureau Rating, and our 2013 Angies List Super Service, as well as our partnership with Home Depot, and membership of the Nexstar Air Conditioning National Contractor network.

The next time you need air conditioning service, repairs or installation give Aspen Air Conditioning a call at (561) 395-1500.

Why Does My Air Conditioning System Smell?

Have a musty smell coming from your A/C vents? Florida’s warm, humid climate is a breeding ground for mildew and there may be some growing in your ducts. If you don’t take care of this problem, it can pose potential health hazards.

Wondering how you can get rid of the smell of mildew? Follow these steps:

• Check the filter. If it’s dirty you need to replace it clean it right away.
• Dirt and debris often forms in the condensate drain and pan. To check, unscrew the condensate drain from the coupling and remove the drip pan. After you’ve removed the visible debris, pour a bit of bleach or white vinegar into the pan and replace.
• Check the ducts in your basement or attic for leaks. If air is leaking out, it means that moisture is getting in and forming mold. Patch any leaks with tape or putty immediately.

If there is still a musty smell coming from your vents after you have performed these tasks, call Aspen Air Conditioning. Mold may be collecting inside of the unit itself and should be cleaned by a professional.

What Can Happen If I Forget To Change My A/C Filter?

Losing your cool? You may not be getting the most out of your air conditioner and it could be because of a dirty or clogged filter. Find out why you MUST clean or replace your filter now, before the warmer months begin to approach.

Not only will a dirty filter affect the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner, it will hamper your dehumidifier as well. This can lead to higher energy bills because they harder they have to work, the more energy they will consume.

During peak cooling season, it’s imperative that you clean or change your filter monthly. If you don’t know where the filter is located or what type of replacement filter you need, give us a call and we’ll help you out. If you have taken the necessary steps to maintain your filter and your cooling system still seems to be losing its oomph, it may need additional attention.

Keep in mind that keeping the filters clean will improve the air quality in your home or office, will keep you and your family more comfortable and will help keep energy bills down. So don’t neglect your filter! For more information, give Aspen Air Conditioning a call today at 561-395-1500.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking?

Did you know that nearly 90% of all central air service calls are related to leaks? Even if the leak is very small, it’s important to call a professional right away. If neglected you can wind up paying a fortune in damages, or worse, paying to have your whole air conditioning system replaced.

What are the 3 main causes?

1. Crack or hole in the drain pan - the overflow drain pan is a piece of equipment designed to catch any condensation from the A/C unit. Sometimes the equipment can crack along the edges or in the corners, but they can usually be patched with epoxy glue.
2. Clogged filter - this is a major reason we stress the importance of cleaning or replacing your filter regularly. If you forget, or simply choose not to perform this necessary task, ice can form on the unit’s evaporator coils. When the ice finally melts, you’ll notice water dripping. To find out how to deice your A/C unit, click here.
3. Backed-up condensate line - this is the most common cause of A/C leaks. The condensate line drains condensation from the overflow pan to the outside of your home. If it backs up or gets clogged, your overflow pan will not drain correctly.

Give the experts at Aspen Air Conditioning a call at 561-395-1500 the next time you experience a problem or issue with your cooling system.

How To Maintain An A/C System

It always seems as if our air conditioners break down on the warmest days of the year. We know how uncomfortable it can be to sit at home with your clothes sticking to you because of sweat. With a bit of regular maintenance however, you can lessen the chances of this happening. See below for a few tips on how to properly maintain your AC system so you’re prepared when unbearable heat strikes again:

Clean The Evaporator

Your air conditioning system only has a few major components, the evaporator being one of them. It is located directly above the furnace in the plenum and it needs to be cleaned at least once a year. The only things you’ll need to perform this task is a screwdriver, a brush and some bleach. Use the brush to clean the underside of the evaporator and pour a tablespoon of bleach into the weep hole to prevent fungus growth.

Maintain The Condenser

The condenser is another one of the major components and is usually located outside. As a result dirt, dust and debris can build up and prevent the condenser coil fan from spinning freely. Make sure to cut down grass or weeds surrounding the unit remove dust and debris from the fins.

Even though you can perform some simple maintenance on your system, it should be inspected by a professional annually. That’s where we come in. Give Aspen Air a call to perform a routine cleaning and the more difficult, but necessary, tasks that you are unable to perform yourself.

3 Ways To Improve Indoor Air Quality

Formaldehyde, fire-retardants, radon. Think these harmful chemicals are only found outside? Wrong. They are often found inside your home and you may be breathing them in. Find out how to improve your indoor air quality below:

1. Keep Your Floors Clean: believe it or not, chemicals and allergens build up on your floors’ surfaces. Make sure to use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to ensure that dirt and dust won’t blow back into the air. Vacuuming your floors isn’t always enough. Mop your floors after vacuuming to clean up dust and dirt the vacuum left behind.
2. Keep The Humidity Under Control: moisture is mold’s best friend. Keep the humidity levels in your home down between 30%-50% by using a dehumidifier. Running your air conditioner in the summer will also help to keep humidity levels down and reduce indoor pollen levels.
3. No Smoking!: if you or anyone in your family smokes, it is contributing to poor indoor air quality. Cigarette smoke contains over 4,000 chemicals that pollute the air. If you must smoke, please do so outdoors.

Aspen Air Conditioning is a proud preferred installer for Home Depot in Boca Raton, Pembroke Pines, Ft Lauderdale, West Palm Beach & all of Southeast Florida. We specialize in all aspects of professional HVAC repair and installation including indoor air quality systems. Give us call today at 561-395-1500.