Just like your lungs are an important connection to the rest of your respiratory system, your home’s ductwork, or air ducts, are importantly connected to your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system. For your HVAC system—and your lungs—to perform at peak level, the numerous airways need to be open and clear. All in the name of breathing properly.

The Importance of Every Breath Your HVAC System Takes

Essentially, the air in your Tucson home is carried to and from your lungs back to the HVAC system. Air ducts are the paths traveled by the air, meaning it’s optimum for the traveling air to be as clean as possible, because the air can pick up any particles or debris in the ducts and carry it straight to you.

Having clear air ducts can contribute to good indoor air quality (IAQ), which the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) states is a prime concern in relation to pollutants these days. The EPA is referring to the air quality around buildings and structures, more specifically as it pertains to the comfort and health of their occupants.

The health effects from indoor air pollutants can show up soon after you are exposed or even years later. While the scientific community recognizes common indoor air quality pollutants can have harmful consequences, it can’t pinpoint how long of an exposure or what concentrations are necessary for specific health problems.

Add to the mix that different people react very differently to these exposures. With all this uncertainty, it’s a better scenario to avoid the pollutants altogether as much as possible.

When to Have Your Air Ducts Cleaned

You should consider having your air ducts cleaned if you notice any or all of the following situations in your Tucson home:

• There is substantial mold visible on the hard surfaces of your ducts (inside and/or outside) and other HVAC system components.

• Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust, debris, or particles, in the case of a remodeling job.

• Rodents and/or insects are infesting the ducts.

In addition to these circumstances, if you or someone living in your Arizona home suffers from allergies, asthma, or chronic illnesses, or you have pets or smokers in your home, having your ducts cleaned may help improve your home’s indoor air quality, thereby helping anyone with these issues.

The rule of thumb from the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA), the leading nonprofit association of companies engaged in the inspection, cleaning, and restoration of HVAC systems, is if your air ducts look dirty, they probably are.

Although there’s no concrete scientific data that air duct cleaning improves indoor air quality, the EPA does recommend having your ductwork cleaned if you fall under any of the reasons cited above. And many people who do have their ducts cleaned swear by the difference, especially those suffering from allergies.

Our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services are expertly trained to clean your Arizona home’s ducts, so your HVAC system can breathe properly and optimally. Of course, this can be of prime benefit to you, too, no matter your health.

What’s Involved in Air Duct Cleaning?

The standards set forth by the NADCA, which all duct experts ought to follow, recommend the entire HVAC system should be cleaned during the duct cleaning process. This includes the air ducts, equipment, registers, grills, plus installing a new air filter.

There are two parts to the duct cleaning itself: breaking the contaminants loose, and then collecting the contaminants. Our air duct professionals will use brushes and similar tools to break any particles and debris free of the HVAC system.

They will follow up by sweeping in with their hoses and suction. Feel free to ask if you can have an inside-the-ducts look before and after the job, because you might be amazed by the difference.

ACS Air Conditioning Services Knows Air Ducts Inside and Out

Having your air ducts professionally cleaned can give you peace of mind, cleaner air to breathe, and help your HVAC system work more efficiently by removing the dust and debris that builds up in your home’s ductwork.

Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online to discuss how our skilled professionals can assist you and your Tucson, AZ, home. We promise to make your ugly duct-lings beautiful.

With fall now upon us in Tucson, cooler temperatures are here to stay. This transition from one season to another most definitely affects your home’s indoor air quality (IAQ). And your indoor air quality directly affects your comfort in your home.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we know in cooler weather people tend to spend more time indoors at home. Knowing this, it’s important to be sure your indoor air quality is protected, keeping both you and your home protected.

How Is Indoor Air Quality Affected in the Fall?

Think about it. Your Arizona home’s indoor air is a composite of many sources: the outdoor air that comes through your open windows, the dander from your pets, the air in your basement which flows through your furnace, the harsh chemicals you may use in your cleaning products, the mold spores existing in the crawl space beneath your house—just to name a few.

In the warmer months, the open windows allow fresh air in on a regular basis, diluting the stale air in your home, and your air conditioner is keeping your home’s humidity in check. When the windows close and your air conditioner is turned off for the season, these good effects disappear until next year.

Now, the air that’s in your home simply circulates, and all those composites and particles in the home stay there. The humidity decreases, causing your body’s membranes and nasal passages to dry out, inviting harmful bacteria and viruses in. Drier air also wreaks havoc on allergy and asthma sufferers. This is all a recipe for health issues.

What Can You Do to Improve Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality?

In the cooler months with the windows continually closed and your furnace switched on, you need to take additional steps to protect the air you breathe in your home. You can prevent or lessen the possibility of some of the health concerns above by following these recommendations:

• Use a humidifier. It’s so important to keep your home’s humidity levels between the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recommendation of 30 to 50 percent. Drier air causes nosebleeds, cracked skin, respiratory problems, sinus issues, static electricity, and many other negatives. The comfort in your home isn’t only determined by its inside temperature.

• Change your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) filters regularly, at least every three months. A good high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter will catch the particles before they reach your lungs. There’s just so much floating in the air our eyes can’t even see.

Changing your filter makes such a difference. We at ACS Air Conditioning Services suggest changing it monthly if someone in your home suffers from allergies or asthma, otherwise at least every three months. Regularly changing your filters also helps to increase your HVAC system’s life span by preventing those particles from running through the system.

• Clean regularly. Many health challenges are caused by dust, dirt, pests, bacteria, viruses, and mold. Regular house cleaning, especially vacuuming and dusting, helps to prevent these from building up and getting into the air.

Also, when cleaning, switching to more natural cleaning products using essential oils instead of harsh chemicals can make a substantial difference in your home’s indoor air quality.

• Have your heating system cleaned and checked before turning it on. Be sure to schedule your annual heating system’s maintenance appointment before using your heat for the first time. A proper cleaning and tune-up allow your system to run properly, helping to improve the indoor air quality and increase your system’s life span.

• Open your windows daily. Even in the coldest temperatures, it’s a good idea to open a window in every room for at least a few minutes to invite some fresh air in. It helps to keep bacteria and viruses at bay.

Get in Touch With Us Today

There are so many things to enjoy about fall. Be sure your home’s indoor air quality is protected to keep you healthy and comfortable, so you’re able to enjoy fall’s pickings. Call ACS Air Conditioning Services at 520-230-5668 or request service online to discuss how we can help you improve your Tucson, AZ, home’s indoor air quality.

As the saying goes, “Time and tide wait for no one.” Whether you’re prepared or not, the summer months and warmer weather are gone, moving aside for fall and cooler temps. That means here in Tucson you need to think about preparing your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system for fall maintenance.

Maintaining your heating and cooling equipment ensures it’ll run smoothly the way it should when you need it. Investing your time and money in these seasonal maintenance tasks goes a long way to protect both your Arizona home and your HVAC investment, including your wallet. Well-running systems are more energy efficient, so they end up costing you less to run all season long.

Fall Maintenance for Your Air Conditioner

Just because you won’t be turning your air conditioner on now doesn’t mean you should forget about it til the spring and summer months. Part of protecting your home and equipment is winterizing your cooling system.

If you’ve already had your air conditioner cleaned and checked by our ACS Air Conditioning Services professionals before you used it this year, you can simply ask our heating and cooling professional to winterize your unit while he or she is out cleaning and checking your furnace. You can compare the maintenance checklist to what ENERGY STAR® recommends.

Things you can do yourself:

• Clean off the outside unit (condenser) from debris and dirt. If involving water in the process, be sure to switch off the unit’s power or the circuit first.
• Remove any branches, tall grass, or brush within a four-foot proximity to the unit.
• Insulate any exterior-exposed pipes with foam pipe covers, wrapping them with duct tape.
• Cover the unit with a plastic or vinyl cover. Some folks have an air-conditioner-specific cover. If you don’t, you can use a tarp. Be sure to secure the cover, in whatever form, with bungee cords or vinyl rope. Perform this step after your HVAC technician has already done his or her part in the winterization process.

Things to ask your technician to do:

• Clear drain lines and pipes to avoid having standing water in your system all winter.
• Clean the coil from dust and dirt.
• Check the refrigerant charge, belts and pulleys, and ducts.
• Clean and check the entire system if you haven’t had it done yet this year.

Fall Maintenance for Your Heating System

You should schedule your annual maintenance appointment for your heating system before you use it for the season, regardless if you have a furnace, boiler, or heat pump. This appointment shouldn’t be skipped, as keeping your heating system in good order will be sure it’s ready when you need it and keep it functioning properly throughout the season for you.

Things you can do yourself:

• Stock up and change your filters every three months, but if you have allergy issues, monthly is advised.
• Vacuum your vents to keep them clear of dust, avoiding extra filter buildup or decreased indoor air quality (IAQ).

Things to ask your technician to do:

• Clean and check your heating system, including (depending on whether you have a furnace or boiler) all the connections, controls, sensors, drains, ignitor, ducts, pipes, burners, valves, motors, thermostat(s), and smoke/carbon-monoxide detectors, and instruct you on anything you could do between your service visits.
• Calibrate your thermostat to be sure the readings and heating are accurate.

Contact Us Today

Taking care of your HVAC system includes seasonal maintenance. With fall here in Tucson, AZ, and colder weather encroaching, it makes good sense to call one of our ACS Air Conditioning Services professionals at 520-230-5668 or request service online now to schedule your fall appointment. Keeping your system in good working order so it’s there when you need it is one of the things we do best!

Some like it hot!

Others, not so much.

If you have a large home with multiple stories or a large household with family members who prefer different temperatures, consider installing a zone control system.

A zone control system—or zoning—only provides the necessary cooling or heating that each zone in your Arizona home needs at the time. It not only adds to the comfort level of your home but can also lower your energy bills.

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we always look for ways to improve the comfort, health, and safety of homes and businesses in Tucson and surrounding areas. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant purchase—a big part of our job is to help ensure you get the maximum value from this investment.

How Do Zone Control Systems Work?

To create a zone control system, our experts will place dampers in the ductwork that distributes hot or cold air throughout your Tucson home. Each zone you create  is equipped with a thermostat that connects to a central control panel. When you adjust the thermostats in each zone, the control panel opens or closes dampers to distribute hot or cold air where needed.

Working with our team, you create the size and location of each zone throughout your home or business. You can turn one room into a zone, or an entire floor. The zones should be areas that either have different temperature requirements or have specific areas that have had trouble maintaining temperature compared to the rest of a zone.

Whatever you decide, you can count on ACS Air Conditioning Services to help you achieve the most comfort in your home that comes with a zone control system.

Zoning Options

Installing a zone control is a money saver since it lessens the load on your HVAC system. Your furnace or air conditioner no longer has to struggle to heat or cool every room in your home. Here are some ideal zoning situations:

• Homes with rooms that are hardly used
• Home with concrete slab foundations, large windows, or high ceilings
• Finished rooms in the attic or basement
• Homes with multiple floors or intricate floor plans

Reducing the stress on your HVAC equipment extends the service life of your entire system. It also lowers your monthly utility bills. According to the US Department Department of Energy (DOE), heating and cooling your home accounts for upwards of 40 percent of your energy costs.

How do I know if I need a zone system?

Most homes can benefit from a zone control system. If your home has any areas that are uncomfortable compared to the rest of the home or you have different temperature requirements throughout your home, this system may help.

Larger homes with multiple systems also see huge benefits from a zone control system because there is no reason to heat or cool the home to a comfort level when some areas are not being used. Only maintaining a comfort level in occupied rooms can generate huge energy savings.

Many programable thermostats also have WiFi features so you can monitor and adjust the heating or cooling in the home; only the necessary energy is being used when no one is at home, or when people are only using certain rooms at certain times of the day.

These are significant utility savings that can occur while also increasing your home comfort!  You will save money and make everyone in your home happy!

What If I Close Off Vents?

Our customers will occasionally ask if they can achieve the same result simply by adjusting the slats on the air vent covers. The answer is no.

Closing or partially opening a vent restricts the amount of air that exits the ductwork—but does not cause an air conditioner or furnace to produce less cold or hot air. By comparison, the zone control system not only redistributes airflow by operating dampers but also controls your HVAC equipment, signaling it when to run and when to stop. This eliminates unnecessary energy expenses.

Using air vents as a substitute for zone control may also contribute to air leakage and low airflow, among other problems. Those adjustable slats over air vents are designed to direct the flow of air into a room, not block it entirely.

Call Your Zone Control Experts Today!

Schedule an appointment today to learn if a zoning system can benefit your Tucson, AZ, business or home. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we take great pride in building longterm relationships with our customers. We want to earn the chance to be your trusted source for all your heating and cooling needs. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today to learn more about zone control systems and other services.

In the heat of the summer, it’s easy to assume that bigger is better when it comes to air conditioning (AC) systems. Obviously, if you have an air conditioner that’s too small in your Tucson home, you will not be able to keep your temperatures consistently low even if the unit is running constantly.

However, if your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will quickly cool down the space and shut off. Once the temperature rises, it will kick back on again. This constant on and off cycling, referred to as short cycling, uses a great deal of energy and wears down your air conditioning system more quickly.

Air conditioner loads must be calculated carefully, so you can match the unit to your cooling needs. Our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services would be happy to help you select the best-sized air conditioner for your particular Arizona home. In the meantime, here is a peak into how our trained experts calculate air conditioning needs.

Definition of Terms

In order to understand how to size an air conditioning unit, you have to know a little bit about how capacity is measured. Air conditioning systems are measured by tons, which specifies how much a particular unit can cool. For example, a one ton air conditioner can generate 12,000 BTUs.

A BTU is a British Thermal Unit, and one BTU is the energy needed to cool one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit every hour.

Air Conditioner Sizes

The smallest air conditioner is 1.5 tons or 18,000 BTUs and they can increase in size up to 5 tons or 60,000 BTUs by increments of one-half ton or 6,000 BTUs.

For a rough calculation to select an air conditioner for your home, you can take your total square footage, multiply it by 25, divide it by 12,000, and subtract .5.

Of course, our ACS Air Conditioning Services heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals use the complex Manual J load calculation to properly size HVAC systems. This rough calculation cited here will only provide a ballpark figure that should never be used to purchase a system on its own. There are other important elements that factor in to the calculations.

Other Important Factors

Before ordering that new air conditioner based on the simple math equation, you need to realize there are many other factors that should be considered before making a final decision:

• Ceiling height. Not all homes have standard ceiling heights. If you have a vaulted ceiling, loft area, or open floor plan, you may need to calculate the volume of your home, not only the square footage. High ceilings will require a larger air conditioner.

• House style. Two homes that have the same square footage may require different-sized air conditioning systems. A single-story sprawling ranch home requires more cooling power than a three-story townhouse.

• Local climate. If your home is located in a hot, humid location, you will need a different-sized air conditioner than if you live in a milder, dry climate. Temperature and humidity play a significant role in how much cooling and dehumidifying you will need your air conditioner to do.

• Size, type, and number of windows. Windows tend to leak energy out of your home more easily than solid walls. You must take into consideration the size and number of windows as well as how well they are sealed and their energy ratings.

• Insulation. In a similar way, a better insulated home requires less cooling energy than a poorly insulated one. If you are building or doing a major remodel, it may be a good decision to increase insulation before selecting your new air conditioning system.

• Other factors. Even considerations like the existing ductwork, type of window coverings, and number of residents and how often they are home can affect the load requirements of your air conditioner.

We Will Help With Your Air Conditioning

Call our professional team at ACS Air Conditioning Services in Tucson, AZ, to help you make the right choice in selecting your air conditioning system. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today.

Stand outdoors on one of those days when the weather feels perfect, take a few deep breaths, and enjoy the fresh air.

Later, take another deep breath—only inside your Arizona home. How does it compare?

Improving the indoor air quality (IAQ) at your Tucson home or business makes sense on so many levels. Consider your health, your comfort, and your household budget. It’s hard to imagine a more important investment than improving the air you breathe!

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we specialize in heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems that add value to your home and enjoyment to your lives. After all, nothing spells happiness like fresh air.

How Can You Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?

The US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) consistently ranks indoor air pollution as a growing concern to the public’s health. Fortunately, there are ways to take control of the air you breathe.

A DIY (do it yourself) task you should always remember is to regularly change your furnace air filter. Most manufacturers recommend changing the filter at least every 90 days—more so if you have pets or a smoker in your Tucson home. Filters capture dust, debris, and other particles in the airflow. They play a vital role in cleaning the air and helping your HVAC system operate more efficiently.

There are varying types of air filters available, from inexpensive disposal filters to permanent ones requiring regular washing. Consider using high-particulate efficiency air (HEPA) filters if anyone in your home suffers from asthma or allergies. And it’s always a good idea to check manufacturer guidelines on choosing the best filters for your particular system.

The second DIY task is even easier: open the windows in your Tucson home for a few minutes per day, weather permitting. You will enjoy the gentle breeze while improving your air quality!

Schedule an HVAC Tune-Up

A well-maintained air conditioner (AC) not only cools down your home but also helps reduce extra moisture in the air.

A leaky air conditioning unit, on the other hand, can cause bacteria and mold growth.

If you want to breathe clean indoor air, keep your HVAC system in good working order. Schedule an annual tune-up for your air conditioning unit in the spring, and one for your furnace in the fall. If you use a heat pump, we recommend tune-ups in the spring and fall since it works twice as hard.

Scheduling tune-ups and inspections with ACS Air Conditioning Services helps you get the best performance from your HVAC investment. It also nips leaks in the bud and prevents a minor issue from turning into a costly disaster. And remember, upgrading your residential heating and cooling system adds comfort to your life—and value to your home.

Do I Need an Air Filtration System?

Adding a portable or whole-house air filtration system to your home’s HVAC system can do wonders toward improving your indoor air quality. These systems play many roles—certain models are designed to reduce pollen, pet dander, and other inorganic particles. Other systems—particularly ones that use ultraviolet (UV) lighting—help eliminate bacteria, viruses, and other airborne microorganisms.

If you want to eliminate volatile organic compounds (VOCs), pollen, bacteria, and other airborne pollution floating around your Arizona home, consider installing an air filtration system. While these systems will not prevent you from getting infected, they can significantly improve your air quality. Talk to one of our professionals at ACS Air Conditioning Services to determine which system best fits your budget and needs.

Maintain Your Air Ducts

Air ducts are like a superhighway delivering fresh air to every room in your home. Industry standards recommend you have your air ducts inspected for cleanliness, cracks, and leaks every two years and you have your ducts cleaned every five to seven years or less. By having your air ducts cleaned regularly, you will help improve the indoor air quality in your home and enhance the efficiency of your HVAC system, which may reduce energy bills.

Call Your Indoor Air Quality Experts Today!

Turn to your indoor air quality experts at ACS Air Conditioning Services to help make your Tucson, AZ, home healthier and more comfortable. Call 520-230-5668 or request service online today to schedule an appointment—nothing beats a breath of fresh air!

Everyone has it, and nobody wants it. Dust.

It’s rampant everywhere around the country and has become the subject of a lighthearted, frequently repeated myth at both the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Officials at these agencies understand farming does not occur without creating dust. So the EPA and USDA “have never proposed tightening rules on farm dust. And they have told Congress and the American people that they won’t propose stricter standards.”

Regular Maintenance Will Help

In reality, dust is definitely no laughing matter, no matter the setting. It’s easy to see how it can affect the indoor air quality (IAQ) of your Tucson home, leading to allergens. At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we know how important clean indoor air quality is for your home.

With indoor air quality typically being dirtier than your outdoor air, you need to take measures to reduce factors contributing to the indoor pollution––both for your health and the health of your home.

Keep in mind, completely eliminating or eradicating dust from your home is an impossible task. By the mere fact it’s virtually everywhere in Arizona, you can understand why it will always exist in your home. However, you can greatly reduce household dust levels by following some of the recommendations below.

Take Good Care of Your Air Filter

The purpose of the air filter for your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) setup is to trap dust and debris flowing through the unit’s air. Air in your home is vented through your HVAC system and forced through its filter. Using the best filter you can afford and recommended by your system’s manufacturer can trap a lot of the dust traveling through the air.

Pay attention to your filter’s Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), a measurement scale created by the American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air-Conditioning Engineers (ASHRAE) to rate the effectiveness of air filters. Be sure to purchase filters with the appropriate MERV rating for your HVAC system.

You also want to change your filter on a regular basis, depending on how dirty it becomes. Optimally, we recommend changing it every month but at least every two to three months, especially if you or someone in your home suffers from allergies, asthma, or chronic respiratory conditions.

A good rule of thumb is to check your filter monthly. If it’s dirty, change it. When your filter is clogged, besides hurting your HVAC system, it obviously can’t do its job of reducing the dust in your home.

Be Sure to Check Your Air Ducts

If you have a forced-air HVAC system, you have air ducts carrying your home’s air to and from your heating and cooling system. If your ducts are not sealed well or have leaks, unfiltered air will be sneaking out into your home. You could have as much as 30 percent leakage due to this poor sealing and leaks, meaning this air has not yet made it to your filter and will be spreading dust throughout your home.

It can be worse if your air ducts are filthy. Air passing through the ducts will pick up additional dust and dirt, depositing them throughout your home.

If you notice a continuous high level of dust in your home, call in one of our indoor air quality professionals to check the seals on your ducts and to inspect for leaks. Also seriously consider getting your ducts cleaned, especially if you have never done so in the past.

Clean Your Home Regularly

In addition to the numerous HVAC steps you can take to reduce dust, there are some things you can do while cleaning your house to help:

• Eliminate clutter, as it collects dust.

• Vacuum one to two times a week, using a vacuum with a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter if possible.

• Dust with a microfiber or damp cloth, starting the cleaning motion from top to bottom.

• Wash bedding routinely––sheets and pillowcases once a week; blankets, duvets, and pillows every three to four weeks.

• Avoid wall-to-wall carpeting, because it can be an ideal habitat for dust and dust mites.

Keep a Constant Tab on Your Humidity

Be sure your home has the appropriate level of humidity. Too high, it encourages dust mites. Too low, dust accumulates more. Try to maintain a relative humidity of 35 to 50 percent, an industry standard.

Get Yourself an Air Purifier

Though diminishing or eliminating the sources of your home’s dust is best, utilizing an air purifier can help. A whole-home air purifier works with your HVAC system to purify the air, ridding it of dust and other particles and allergens––the dust never makes it to your home’s living spaces.

A major benefit of a whole-home purifier, compared with small portable units, is it purifies all the air in your home at once. Portable units typically can only purify the air in one room. You would need a separate purifier in every room to achieve a similar result.

We Are Your Indoor Air Quality Experts

At ACS Air Conditioning Services, we know dust can be a nuisance as well as an allergen. If you notice more-than-normal dust levels in your Tucson, AZ, home, please call us at 520-230-5668 or request service online and discover how our experienced professionals can help. We will be more than happy to pay a visit to your home—don’t let your home be another one that bites the dust.

Whether it’s people, appliances, or air conditioning (AC) systems, the better you know them, the better you are able to care for them. Our team at ACS Air Conditioning Services knows air conditioners because it’s our business. We want to share just a little of our knowledge with you so you can extend the life of your air conditioner, avoid costly repairs, and save energy and money in Tucson.

The Basics

Many people believe air conditioners cool down the hot air in their homes in order to lower temperatures. However, air conditioners really move the heat from your home back outside, which results in cooler temperatures inside.

An air conditioner has a compressor and condenser, which are usually found outside, and an evaporator that sits inside your home. Refrigerant runs through the system as air circulates. Heat is absorbed from the air and discharged outside as the refrigerant expands and contracts.

All of these components must stay in good working order for your air conditioner to work effectively in Arizona. One way you can ensure good performance is by having a professional inspect, clean, and tune up your system once a year, ideally in the spring before you first turn on your air conditioner.

Once the heat has been removed from the air, it must travel through your air duct system in order to reach each living space. As it moves through the ducts, it can easily heat back up again, especially if you have leaks or require better insulation around your ductwork.

When you schedule your air conditioning tune-up with one of our professionals, be sure to ask about a duct system check as well. All your treated air flows through all your home’s ductwork. You want to be sure it’s in good shape and has no leaks. This promotes both good indoor air quality and energy savings.

How You Can Help

Although some parts of your air conditioning system should be maintained by a professional, there are many things you can do on your own as well.

First, understand that a big part of air conditioning efficiency has to do with good air circulation. That means anything blocking your airflow will make your unit work harder, which can shorten the life of your system as well as waste energy.

Every spring, before your air conditioner needs to run every day, clear away the yard debris around the outside part of your unit. Be sure no sticks, leaves, or other items are blocking the air conditioner’s ability to circulate air.

You should change your air filter inside your home regularly, usually every three to six months for the same reason. According to the US Department of Energy (DOE), you can save 5 to 15 percent of your energy consumption simply by using clean air filters.

Finally, check around your vents and ducts to be sure nothing is blocking the airflow inside your home.

Data-Driven Decisions

Brush up on your knowledge about both installation and operating costs of your air conditioning system. For example, take a look at the wattage of your air conditioning system and look at your utility bill to find the cost per watt. A typical central air conditioning system might use about 3,500 watts. Using the national average cost of 13.2 cents per kilowatt hour, it would cost you about $3.70 per day to run your system.

Armed with that figure, you can decide if being sure you adjust your thermostat before you leave, running floor fans for the day, or hanging out your laundry is worth the savings.

In the long-run, you can consider the cost of a new, more efficient air conditioning system, factor in the money you are spending on repairs, and decide when is an optimal time to invest in a new air conditioner. You can also call and speak to one of our knowledgeable and highly trained HVAC professionals. We can help you assess the best thing to do.

Contact Our Team Today

To schedule an air conditioning maintenance call, contact our ACS Air Conditioning Services professionals at 520-230-5668 or request service online today. Our ACS professionals are ready and waiting to help.

When an air conditioner (AC) turns on and off in rather quick successions, without running for longer periods, this is called short cycling. It’s fairly common, but when this happens it means there’s something wrong with your air conditioner. So what should you do?

Don’t leave these occurrences alone. They will increase your energy costs, usually indicate a larger problem, and could lead to permanent damage of your unit, thus requiring a costly replacement. Short cycling also shortens your air conditioner’s life span.

Have one of our professional technicians inspect your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system as soon as possible. Any one of our experts at ACS Air Conditioning Services can diagnose and repair this issue for you. Don’t delay, so we can get your air conditioner back to its most efficient state for you.

While there are many possible reasons for short cycling, here are several of the most common ones and what can be done to fix them.

Low Refrigerant

The coolant that flows through your system, helping to absorb heat and cool the air inside your home, is called refrigerant. You may know it by one of its brand names—Freon®. When your refrigerant is low, the needed compressor-pressure levels are affected. This triggers your compressor’s low-pressure control, shutting off your compressor.

When the pressure rises and triggers your air conditioner to restart, this causes the short cycling. If your refrigerant level is low, this indicates your air conditioner has a leak, as refrigerant is cycled throughout the compressor, not burned off.

Low refrigerant can also cause frozen coils. One of our professionals can find your leak and prevent any further issues or damage.

While our professional is looking at your refrigerant, be sure to have a conversation about the type of refrigerant used in your air conditioner. To be consistent with the 1987 Montreal Protocol, the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has mandated regulated changes to all HVAC refrigerant here in Arizona and across the United States. Your air conditioner may be affected. If it is, you will have some decisions to make.

Thermostat Location

Your thermostat acts as the sensor for your air conditioner, telling it when to cool your home. If its location is not optimal, such as near a window or too close to a vent, your thermostat will be sending misleading information to your air conditioning system.

Suppose your thermostat is in the direct line of a vent’s airflow. This will cause the thermostat to think it’s cooler in your home than it really is, and your air conditioner will shut off thinking it’s reached its desired temperature. Since the cool air is no longer flowing through the vent, the thermostat realizes your home is actually still too warm and triggers your air conditioner to start up again. This is short cycling. Be sure your thermostat is located in a central location away from direct sunlight and vents.

Dirty Air Filter

Dirty air filters are one of the most common and easily remedied problems with air conditioners we see here in Tucson. The dirty filters restrict airflow, which in turn causes so many problems, one of them being a frozen coil. This can cause your air conditioner to malfunction and short cycle. Be sure to change your filters regularly to avoid any issues.

Oversized Air Conditioner

An air conditioning unit that’s too large for your home short cycles, because it cools your home too rapidly while it doesn’t dehumidify it properly. So it will shut down and start up frequently.

You will more than likely also find your home has hot and cold spots, and you will experience higher energy bills. If your air conditioner is newly installed, talk to the technicians who installed it to see what they can do to help you.

You want to be sure a Manual J heat load calculation (an Air Conditioner Contractors of America [ACCA] approved method of calculating house cooling loads) is always performed when determining the proper size heating and cooling system for your Tucson, AZ, home. Call our qualified professionals to do a Manual J at your home to determine if your current unit is appropriately sized.

Contact ACS Air Conditioning Services Today

Short cycling causes a whole host of problems with your air conditioner. If you notice your air conditioner behaving like this, call one of our ACS Air Conditioning Services professionals at 520-230-5668 or request service online to assess the situation. You want your air conditioner to cool efficiently and to last for years to come. Short cycling will short change you.