Author: acshvac

Should you repair or replace? That’s always the big question when it comes to major home systems like air conditioning (AC). Repairs are easier on the pocketbook in the short run, but too many of them can add up.

Deciding on the ideal time to replace your air conditioning system in Oro Valley can be a challenge, so here are three areas our ACS Air Conditioning Service professionals suggest you monitor for telltale signs:

1. Check the age of your air conditioner.

Most air conditioners have an average life span of 10 to 15 years with regular usage. If you run your air conditioning system constantly through unusually hot summers, you may shorten that life span. On the other hand, lighter usage or cooler weather may mean your unit lasts significantly longer.

Although age alone does not signal an automatic need for a new air conditioner, it should play a factor in your decision. If you notice your current unit is not performing as well and you require more repairs on a system that’s reaching the end of a typical life span, it’s probably a good time to make the investment.

2. Evaluate the performance and energy efficiency.

Pay attention to how your air conditioner is performing, as well as to your energy bills. If you have taken care of your air conditioning system with regular maintenance, but begin to notice the unit is not cooling as quickly, as well, or as evenly as it used to, this may be a sign that it’s time to look for a new air conditioner.

In addition, take a close look at the cost of running your air conditioner. New units are always more energy efficient than older ones, and technological developments often boost performance of the newest models. According to the US Department of Energy (DoE), high-efficiency air conditioners can reduce energy usage by 20 to 50 percent per year.

3. Gauge your home’s air quality.

A well-functioning air conditioner should not only keep your home cooler, but it should also improve your air quality by reducing the humidity and minimizing allergens such as mold. When the weather is particularly humid in AZ, your air conditioner will have to work much harder. Not only will your system need to remove heat, but it will also need to remove moisture from the air.

Over time, this will tax your air conditioning system, making it more difficult to handle humidity. If you notice more moisture in your air, as well as decreased air quality, you may want to invest in a new system.

Call Us Today for More Information

Our certified technicians at ACS Air Conditioning Services here in Oro Valley, AZ, are well versed in all makes and models of air conditioners. We would be happy to help diagnose any problems you are facing, as well as make recommendations for repair or replacement. If it’s time for a new air conditioning system, our professionals can also help you choose the best new air conditioner for your home. Call us at 520-230-5668 or contact us online!

“An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” There’s a reason why that old adage has been passed down through the years. It’s always better to be prepared for misfortunes than to have to deal with the consequences. During storm season in Oro Valley, that proves true for protecting your air conditioning system as well.

Our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services want you to have a reliable air conditioning system before, during, and after a storm. Here are some tips on helping you protect your air conditioner investment.

Add Appropriate Insurance Riders

Although basic homeowners insurance will cover some storm damage, if you happen to live in an area that’s particularly prone to flooding, hurricanes, or tornadoes, you may want to add a rider to cover these particular situations. Having the additional coverage in AZ can bring you peace of mind that expensive equipment is covered and can be more easily replaced if needed. According to the Insurance Information Institute about one in 50 insured homes has a property damage claim related to wind, hail, or water damage each year.

Learn How to Turn Off Electricity

Be sure you and all older family members know how to access your electric circuit breaker and understand how to turn the electricity off in your home in the case of violent storms. You can do something as simple as labeling your circuit breakers so it’s easy to tell which breakers are connected to which major appliances in your home, including your heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system.

By turning off the breaker associated with your HVAC or air conditioning unit, you can protect your system from electrical surges or damage if debris gets trapped in a running unit.

Consider Investing in Surge Protection

Multiple types of surge protectors are available on the market today. You can either invest in a whole-house surge protector that can protect everything that’s connected to your electrical system in the case of electrical surges which can result from lightening, or you can connect individual surge protectors to only major appliances or electronic equipment.

Power surges may not only occur during storms but can happen for other reasons as well. Even minor ones can damage your equipment over time.

Think About Purchasing a Generator

Many different types of generators are also available, including some that automatically turn on when the power shuts off. Having a generator backup is an excellent way to keep your air conditioning system up and running even in the worst of storms. It will also power critical appliances like your refrigerator and your electronic devices.

Secure and Cover Condenser

Most of the time covering your air conditioning condenser outside is a bad idea. The condenser requires free air circulation to operate efficiently. However, in a storm, you may want to place a tarp temporarily over your condenser to protect it from flying debris. (Be sure to turn your system off before doing this though.) If small items such as branches and leaves get trapped inside the condenser, you can easily hurt your motor or experience other equipment malfunctions.

In addition, if high winds are an issue, you may want to tie down your unit more securely to keep it from being pried up by the storm. If you live in a dwelling that’s on a higher floor, consider investing in hurricane straps to secure window air conditioners.

Prepare Your Yard

This may sound like a strange precaution, but being sure your trees are trimmed, dead branches are removed, and yard items are put away can help protect your air conditioning unit, as well as your home in general, in a violent storm. You want to remove anything that can be blown around and cause more damage, especially in a storm with high winds.

Rely on the Professionals

It’s always a good idea to have an HVAC professional come out regularly to inspect your air conditioning system to be sure it’s in good working order. However, if you do suffer damage from a storm, you may want to have your unit inspected before you turn it back on.

Storm damage may not necessarily be apparent, but in some cases it can cause more damage after the storm has passed. For example, flying debris can clog up the unit, disconnections inside your unit may cause toxic coolant leaks, and flooding can damage interior components. A simple inspection can ensure your air conditioner is safe to turn back on and will continue delivering reliable, efficient cooling in the future.

Let’s Talk Air Conditioners

Our ACS Air Conditioning Services team in Oro Valley, AZ, wants you to protect the investment you have made in your air conditioning system. For a new system, preventive maintenance, repairs, or advice regarding storms and your air conditioning system in general, call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online.

Ductless air conditioning (AC) systems can be the perfect answer for that room which is never quite cool enough or for that new addition you are building. It’s a low-maintenance and affordable option to upgrading to a newer air conditioning unit when more cooling is needed inside your Oro Valley home.

The ductless system works, obviously, with no ducts, unlike a traditional air conditioner that uses them to carry air to your home’s vents. Instead, this system has an outdoor condenser unit located against the house or building. This makes it highly adaptable to many rooms and needs.

Versatile

This system is highly versatile, as its compact size and minimal-installation requirements offer many options for its use and location. The inside unit is typically mounted high up on a wall in the room where cooling is needed. A small hole, with approximately a three-inch diameter, is cut to the outside where the lines providing electricity, drainage, and refrigerant can come through from the outdoor unit.

Here in AZ, we also call these systems mini-splits, multi-splits, and variable refrigerant flow systems. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services for a recommendation from one of our heating and cooling professionals on where a ductless air conditioner might work best in the room you think could use some cooling help.

Supplemental Heat

A heater for your home is still needed, as the ductless air conditioner only provides the air conditioning. You could still use your traditional furnace with ducts, or you could install a ductless unit that’s a combination air conditioner and heater (adding a heat pump).

This is the best option for that new addition or for a room that’s never quite cool enough, no matter much you change your thermostat’s set temperature. These systems are becoming more popular and are actually very cost effective. According to ENERGY STAR®, they can save you up to 30 percent on your cooling energy bills, compared to air conditioner window units.

Zone Cooling

Many homes are now adding multiple units or “zones” throughout the entire house. If you have these multiple zones in your home, you can control the temperature on a per-room basis, instead of cranking up the air conditioner for your entire home.

With a traditional air conditioner, many times you can lose as much as 20 percent of your cool air through your ducts’ via holes or leaks. The ductless air conditioner completely bypasses that issue and offers the efficiency of indoor geothermal without going geothermal.

Low Maintenance

Ductless air conditioners are low maintenance, primarily due to their lack of ductwork. While they require little maintenance, the installation definitely requires a professional.

Our certified ACS Air Conditioning Services technicians have the expertise required and would be happy to answer any installation questions you may have. Always be sure any installing company has a license before hiring them for the work. There are nuances to any installation that only a licensed contractor can know and address.

Health Benefits

You can also talk to our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals about the health benefits associated with installing a ductless air conditioner in your home. Since there is no ductwork in a ductless, this eliminates any health concerns about what could be growing or blowing through your home by way of your ducts. Additionally, you save money without ductwork—there are never any ducts to clean.

Call ACS Air Conditioning Services for Ductless Air Conditioning Help

If you are constantly reaching for that glass of ice tea to help cool you down in one for more of your rooms here in Oro Valley, AZ, or if you are in the middle of planning an addition or converting your garage to a family room, definitely take a look at a ductless air conditioner. It could answer more than one need for you. Call us at 520-230-5668 or contact us online today.

Are some areas in your home hotter or colder than others? If so, you might need zone control. If you live in a multifloor home with only one thermostat, you probably have uneven heating and cooling. Different rooms have varying factors and levels of usage. A thermostat in one room often isn’t enough to provide an accurate reading for the entire house.

With a zone control setup, you can customize temperatures for each room in your house. The rooms getting the heaviest usage are heated and/or cooled when you use them. You don’t have to pay for the air you aren’t using. Zone controls are a smart, efficient, and convenient way to keep your home comfortable.

How do zone controls operate?

On your thermostat, you can set the desired temperature for each zone in your house. Dampers are installed throughout your ductwork. They block or allow ventilation into a specific room. This allows for custom temperature control in each zone.

What constitutes a zone?

A zone can be an individual room, multiple rooms, or even an entire floor. You get to choose how you’d like to divide it. For help deciding which areas to zone, ask one of our ACS Air Conditioning Services installation technicians.

Do I need a zone control?

Your home probably needs a zone system if:

• • It has more than one level.
  • Its foundation is a concrete slab.
  • There are furnished rooms in the basement or attic.
  • There are lots of outward space.
  • It has big open areas.
  • It has sizable windows.

What are the benefits?

Your home will be drastically more comfortable if you switch to zone controls. In addition, you can save up to 30 percent on your utilities just by making the switch. For an evenly ventilated and efficient HVAC system, zone control is the way to go.

Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 today to see if zone control is right for you and your family. We’re proud to bring zone control to Oro Valley, AZ, and its surrounding communities.

As the summer months approach, we are all looking to save some pennies where we can. So why not start with your costly utility bills?

The US Department of Energy says that air conditioning can account for 35 to 40 percent of your utility bill here in AZ. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we take energy efficiency seriously. We understand sometimes high energy bills are unavoidable when air conditioning is crucial for comfort during the hot months. That’s why our five simple tips for staying cool and using your air conditioner less may help you cut costs and save money on your monthly energy bill.

1. Don’t run your AC when you aren’t home.

The easiest and quickest way to save money is to not use your air conditioner when you don’t need it or aren’t at home. One convenient way to do this is to invest in one of our smart or programmable thermostats.

You can program these thermostats to turn the air conditioner on half an hour before you get home to Tucson, so you will not have to wait for the house to cool down after work. Our company offers a variety of thermostat options to fit every home, so call us for more information or to schedule your installation today.

2. Turn up the temperature.

When you are home, turn your air conditioning up a few degrees. If you are comfortable at 68 degrees, turn it up to 70, and keep it turned up at night. Just doing these two things can save you up to 10 percent on your monthly bill.

Supplement the warmer temperature by making use of ceiling fans and bed fans. Air circulation is a huge factor in keeping cool. Our bodies have their own evaporative cooling system (sweat), and utilizing fans to keep air circulating helps us use this to stay cool.

3. Keep up with regular maintenance.

We strongly recommend regular air conditioner maintenance to keep your unit running as efficiently as possible. You should schedule a professional tune-up at least once a season, but there are a few additional things you can do yourself.

Check, clean, and/or replace your air filter. Airflow is so important for efficient air conditioner function, and a dirty or clogged air filter is the prime suspect when a unit is using too much energy.

4. Inspect your air ducts.

For effective cooling in your home, it’s also important to have functioning air ducts. Without adequate duct insulation, sizing, or sealing, your air conditioning system will not be able to efficiently carry cool air from room to room. If this is the case, you will end up pushing out more air than you are using and paying a fortune on your monthly energy bill.

You can prevent this by looking around your home for blocked registers, or disconnected or damaged ducts. If you suspect an issue with your ductwork, or find air leaking into unwanted places like your attic or crawl space, call one of our professionals to come repair and restore proper airflow to your ducts.

5. Remember to shade.

Keeping your outdoor condenser shaded and cool can save you up to 10 percent on your bill. Check the condenser for debris and growth, and clear away anything covering the coils. Keeping the coils exposed is important for airflow. Be sure you clean the coils at the beginning of each season before using your system for the first time.

We Want to Help You Save

When it’s time to service your air conditioner or if you need additional advice on how to cut your energy costs, please call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online. We at ACS Air Conditioning Services want to keep you comfortable through all weather conditions and help you save money in the long run.

There’s a new Air Conditioning technology in town, and it’s duct-less. It works in residential, commercial and industrial applications. Instead of a duct system, there is one outdoor unit, and indoor units in each of the zones that you want to treat. Many of these systems can cool in summer and heat in winter. The system is very scalable. You can install as many indoor units as you need, and each one runs independently. The indoor units can be hung off the ceiling or mounted up high on the wall out of the way. A small hole needs to be drilled to accommodate tubing that runs from the indoor units to the outdoor one. The tubing includes power, refrigerant and condensate.This may provide more security than a window unit. The ductless systems does need to be installed by professional HVAC technicians. This system has been in use around the world, but only recently has become popular in the USA.

Pros

Its small size and flexibility make it a great choice for single rooms or add ons, especially where ducts may not be an option. Each zone has its own thermostat. This could be a huge cost savings as you’ll only treat the air in the zones that you want air conditioning or heating. Since it is ductless, it is quite efficient. A leaky duct system can cause up to 30 percent of the heat loss in a system. Mini-Splits are great for Indoor Air Quality as ducts are known to collect dust and other contaminants

Cons

As an initial investment, they’re not cheap. They cost about $1,500 to $2,000 per ton. That’s about 30 percent higher than central air, and about double the cost of a traditional window unit of similar capacity. Some don’t like that the unit is inside the home, and very visible. Also, there needs to be a way to drain the unit. Since Mini-Splits haven’t really caught on yet here in the USA, you’ll need to find an HVAC company is up to speed on them.

The Long Run

Sure the price tag is steep, most initial investments are like that. With this new technology you’ll definitely see a decrease in your energy bill. You won’t have ducts to clean and maintain. You may notice an increase in your air quality and comfort in your home or office. And, you may come to enjoy the flexibility of controlling the climate per zones. Like any investment, the payoff is in the long run right?

Call Us for Help

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we can help you decide what is best for you. The size and location of your home, as well as the climate, are all factors in finding the right system for you. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online. We are here to help you find the most cost-effective option we can.

Heat, Cool and Off are the straightforward settings of one switch on many thermostats. But what about the other switch, On or Auto? What’s the difference? On means the fan is going to run continuously, 24/7. Auto means that the fan will only run while the system is actively heating or cooling the air. The setting you use can depend on a number of factors, and ultimately your personal preference. Here’s some basic information to get you thinking about a strategy that works best for you and your family.

Pros of On Setting:

More air circulation means cleaner air. Since the air is running through a filter, this setting may be better for family members that suffer from allergies or asthma. Leaving it On means less starts and stops for the fan, and may prolong the life of your fan.

Cons of On Setting:

Since the air is getting filtered more, you’ll need to check and replace your filter more often. The On setting is going to be more expensive. You will probably notice a difference in your monthly energy bill. In the winter it might feel like cold air is coming through the vent. It only seems cold compared to your body temperature. It’s not cold air. It’s the temperature set on your thermostat, and it’s not actively being heated.

Pros of Auto Setting:

The fan runs less often, as it will only run while the air is actively being heated or cooled. This is more energy efficient and may result in a lower monthly energy bill. Auto is the setting that most homeowners use.

Cons of Auto Setting:

More starts and stops for your fan may shorten the life of your fan in the long run. In general you’ll get less air circulation in your home if you leave it on the Auto setting.

Try a Combination of Both:

Set it On when you are at home during the day. Then, turn it to Auto at night or when you are away. With this strategy you will enjoy the benefits of better air circulation while you are home, and the cost saving of only using the fan when the systems needs to while you are sleeping, or away. Consult with the experts at ACS Air Conditioning to decide which setting best suits you and your family. Call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online today!

Whole home generators, also called standby generators, require regular maintenance to make sure they continue to function properly.

This generator connects to your home through your natural gas line or will use propane to run.  This saves you a trip to the gas station if the power goes out.

By following these maintenance guidelines you can ensure that your generator is always ready to go when and if your power goes out.

• You should make sure that it starts up once a week to make sure that the oil is lubricating the system correctly.
• The oil level in your generator should be checked every 8 hours while its running.  During extended power outages, you should turn it off once a day, check the oil level and replenished if needed.
• On a regular basis, check the air cleaner for debris, check the spark plugs for wear and tear, and examine all your other fluid levels. Spark plugs should be replaced after 2 years.

Most of these maintenance tasks are simple; if you don’t want to be bothered with remembering to do them, contact ACS Air Conditioning Services we will worry about all the regular maintenance for you. You can call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online.

Whether you have a new construction or remodel, or it is simply time to replace your HVAC system’s components, you will eventually need to make the decision about installing a heat pump or air conditioner/furnace system.

The question begs to be asked: What is the difference between a heat pump and a traditional air conditioner/furnace system?

In warm weather, the function of an air conditioner or a heat pump is essentially the same––to cool your home. Both function by pulling heat out of the air, leaving you with cooler air inside your home.

The biggest difference between an air conditioner and a heat pump is that as the weather cools down, a heat pump can be reversed so it takes heat from outside the home and moves it inside, effectively warming up your house. A heat pump does two jobs––warms and cools. In general, a heat pump uses less energy, since you have one appliance doing two jobs.

In colder, northern climates, often a heat pump may only work as supplemental heating for a furnace in larger homes. In warmer, southern climates, a heat pump is usually the only appliance you need to keep your home comfortable all year long.

In northern states, a furnace is usually the primary source of heat for a home. As temperatures fall below 40 degrees, a heat pump can get strained because its primary function is pulling heat from one place and transferring it to another. The colder the air and ground become, the less heat there is for a pump to transfer.

A heat pump is always environmentally friendly, particularly a geothermal heat pump. It uses the ground as a heat source rather than burning fossil fuels or natural gas. It uses the earth’s natural temperature to heat and cool.

There are a number of things to consider when choosing to install a heat pump or a traditional air conditioner/furnace system. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we can help you decide what is best for you. The size and location of your home, as well as the climate, are all factors in finding the right system for you. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online. We are here to help you find the most cost-effective option we can.

A heat pump is a device that transfers heat from one place to another, from inside to outside or from outside to inside. In the winter a heat pump works like a heater, extracting heat energy from outside and transferring it inside—instead of generating its own heat like a furnace. In the summer the process reverses, and it removes heat from your home and transfers it outside like an air conditioner.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we would love to talk to you if you need service or maintenance on your current system or if you are considering installing one. Many of your Tucson, AZ, neighbors are already enjoying the versatility and energy efficiency of their systems, making it a popular option here in our region.

The Differences Between Heat Pumps

There are many different names and types of heat pumps, but they can all be categorized as one of three different types: air source, water source, or geothermal.

Air Source

An air source heat pump (ASHP) transfers energy in the air from one place to another. It uses an outdoor heat exchanger coil to extract heat from the air and an indoor heat exchanger coil to transfer the heat into air ducts, radiators, or a hot water tank. This process can also be reversed, so it may be used as an air conditioner as well.

Water Source

A water source heat pump (WSHP) operates similarly to the air source but uses water instead of air to transfer heat. These types of pumps are not available to everyone because of the resources needed, but if you live near a well, lake, or other natural resource, this can be a viable option. A water source heat pump cycles water through a series of pipes laid out in water. As the water cycles, it collects the heat and transfers that energy into your home. Again, this process reverses in the summer and carries heat out of your home by way of the water in the pipes.

Geothermal

A geothermal heat pump is also called a ground source heat pump (GSHP). In this system, the pump uses the earth as its heat source. Conceptually, a geothermal heat pump is the same as an air source or water source heat pump.

There are two different methods for its installation:

• Horizontal ground-coupled system—a horizontal ground-coupled system buries horizontal piping four feet or more under the ground and circulates a fluid, like antifreeze or water, through it.
• Vertical ground-coupled system—a vertical ground-coupled system has the same process as its horizontal counterpart, but the pipes are buried vertically.

The geography and climate around your home are important when deciding which kind of heat pump is right for you. If you have questions about which type is optimum for your home please request service, request estimate, or call ACS Air Conditioning Services today at 520-230-5668 and speak with one of our professionals.