Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning Blog

May 2017

We hope that you have taken our frequent bit of Air_Conditioning_heat_wave_coming_business_man_holding_a_electric_fan_Heat_Wave_Heat_Temperature_Sweat_Summer_Electric_Fan-cu_e260x180advice to heart and been diligent in scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance in Wellington, CO. If not, you are putting your comfort, your budget, and even the overall operating condition of your cooling system at risk. While annual air conditioning maintenance is definitely the best way in which to keep your AC functioning at peak performance and efficiency levels, there is also one important step that you should be handling yourself: changing your air filter as needed.

It may not sound like much, but simply changing out your air filter as needed is one of the best things that you can do for your air conditioner. Of course, it is important that you use a filter that is the right for your air conditioning system. If you have any questions about how frequently you should be changing your filter, how to actually replace the filter, or what type of filter you should be using, do not hesitate to give our technicians a call. In fact, you just may find some more helpful tips right here in upcoming posts.

Increased Airflow Resistance

When you leave your air filter in your air conditioning system for too long, it is going to get very clogged up. Obviously, the whole point of your air filter is to create enough resistance to filter pollutants out, but to allow air to flow through that filter as well. If the filter is clogged, then the AC is going to start to struggle to pump air through that filter effectively. That will cause the system to work harder, driving up your energy costs.

Decreased Comfort Levels

Know what is even worse than paying too much to cool your home due to a dirty air filter? Paying too much to do so, even as your comfort plummets! This is a real risk if you let your air filter get too dirty. Not only will your system burn through more energy as it struggles to cool your home, it will also fail to deliver cooled air throughout the whole house effectively. You may notice that areas further from your air handler simply are not as comfortable as others.

Increased Risk of Damages

Perhaps the greatest reason for changing your air filter regularly–even more than protecting your comfort and your budget–is protecting the air conditioning system itself. If your AC is trying harder and harder to force air through a clogged filter, that wear and tear can result in serious damages to the system. The decreased airflow could also lead to ice on the system as the evaporator coil gets too cold, and this layer of insulation will only impede operation further.

Changing your air filter as recommended by the manufacturer and being careful to use only those filters designed for use with your specific system are some of the best ways in which to get the most out of your AC. Do so, and you’ll be able to keep your cool this summer.

Contact Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning for your AC services. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Commercial property owners in our area commercial ice machineknow that they can turn to our team for great commercial refrigeration services in Timnath, CO. We are now proud to announce that we are also an authorized Manitowoc Dealer. We install and service ice machines and soda machines from this manufacturer, and we are proud to do so. They make some of the finest products on the market, and their dedication to excellence matches our own. It is important to remember, however, that even the best commercial refrigeration equipment on the market can run into trouble from time to time.

If and when you do run into issues with your commercial ice machine, keep the following information in mind. In some cases, you may be able to troubleshoot the issue on your own. In other instances, professional commercial refrigeration services will be necessary. If this is the case, you can always count on our technicians for a job well done.

Problems That You May Encounter

It will probably come as no surprise to hear this, but many of the problems that commonly affect ice machines have to do with the water the system uses. It may also have to do with the delivery system for that water. If water isn’t reaching the machine properly, or if there are issues with water quality, you can expect problems to develop.

  • Water is leaking into the machine. When you scoop ice out of your ice machine, is it a watery mess? If so, you may have a leak that is funneling water directly into the bin. This could happen if there is a leaky valve or loose connection.
  • Are your cubes too small, or of an uneven size? Does it seem like you generally don’t have a full supply of ice at the ready? This could be an issue with low water flow. You could have a blockage in your water line, or a leak somewhere in that line before it reaches the machine.
  • Is your system shutting down frequently or overheating? Where is it stored? If the air surrounding the system is too warm, then you may run into such operational problems. If this is the case, cooling that area or moving the ice machine may be necessary in order to resolve the problem.
  • Is your ice cloudy? Does it have a foul odor or a strange taste? You can try emptying out the system and cleaning the bin if so. However, if this does not resolve the problem, you may have an issue with the water quality on your property. A water treatment system may be needed.
  • Are there flecks or spots of discoloration in the ice? If so, you probably need to be more vigilant in changing the filter of your ice machine. These systems are straightforward in their operation, but they do need some basic maintenance completed regularly.
  • Is your system shutting down before filling the bin? Is it making strange sounds? You could have any number of issues with your compressor, or even a refrigerant leak. Such problems must be diagnosed and resolved by trained professionals.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle all of your ice and soda machine service needs. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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One of the greatest luxuries that we, as homeowners, have is the ability to keep our homes cool and comfortable during the hottest time of the year. If you use a central air conditioner to cool your home, you already know how effective, efficient, and reliable these systems can be.

Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a 100% reliable mechanical system, and your air conditioner is not the exception to this rule. Any number of issues may develop with your AC, including problems with the system blowing warm air. There are a few reasons why you may encounter this phenomenon.

Is Your Thermostat Set Properly?

This sounds obvious, but sometimes in the heat of the moment concerned homeowners forget to check the “obvious” possibilities before calling for repairs. If your thermostat is set too high or is in a “fan-only” mode, then the air that the system is sending out into your home is not going to feel as cool as it should. You don’t need a professional technician to readjust your thermostat, of course.

Is the Breaker Tripped?

If your outdoor unit and indoor unit are on separate circuits, which is almost certainly the case, then you may have a tripped breaker to the compressor unit outside. If this is the case, then your indoor unit may still be working but is blowing unconditioned air throughout the house. A flip of the switch is all that is needed to get your system back up and running properly.

Is It More Serious?

Possibly. The quick fixes that we mentioned above are definitely your best case scenarios if and when your AC in Windsor, CO starts blowing warm air. If there is no obvious cause of the problem, you could be dealing with a refrigerant leak, damaged ductwork, or a number of other issues. Our technicians will get to the bottom of it in order to resolve the situation entirely.

Let Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning handle your air conditioning services. Big enough to serve, small enough to care.

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Chances are that, yes, ductless air Badges_Elements_Icons_1009934_61187394_600x600-300x300conditioning can help to save you some money. It is important to keep in mind, of course, that not every air conditioner is right for every home or for homeowner. If you are one of those many homeowners interested in the benefits of ductless air conditioning, however, you can count on the professionals on our staff to ensure that your new system suits you and your home.

Following are a few of the ways using a ductless mini split can help to chip away at your energy costs. If you have any questions about this type of cooling system, please get in touch with us. Our goal is to guarantee your 100% satisfaction with your AC, as well as the way it performs. When you choose a ductless mini split in Loveland, CO, you’re already well on your way to reaching that goal.

No Ducts, No Leaky Ducts

One of the major points of energy inefficiency in modern AC systems is the leaky air duct. Ducts are largely hidden from view, installed between floors and behind walls in residential properties. This makes sense, as you really don’t want to be staring at exposed ductwork in your home. It also makes it rather difficult to visually inspect your ductwork, however, which is why so many homeowners wind up using compromised air ducts to distribute conditioned air throughout their homes.

When you wind up doing this, you are wasting energy. No, not all of it goes to waste. After all, that cooled air is winding up somewhere in your home. However, it’s not necessarily making it to its intended destination. That means your system may wind up working overtime in order to evenly cool your home, burning through energy in the process.

Better Cooling Control

When you use a forced-air comfort system, you may choose integrate a zone control system into the AC. When you use a ductless mini split to cool your home, however, this is just standard operating procedure. No extra equipment is needed for zone control, since you simply operate the individual blowers with their own independently operated thermostats.

Being able to cool those areas of your home that you wish to, only as much as you wish to, is a great way to cut down on energy costs. In fact, you may wind up paying less for more comfort. That sounds like a good deal to us.

Did We Mention Efficient Heating?

If not, it’s only because we’ve saved the best for last! Ductless air conditioners, though they do come in cooling-only models, are most commonly configured as heat pumps. This means they can be used to both heat and cool your home. It also means their method of heating is extremely efficient.

You see, heat pumps don’t generate new heat from scratch. Instead, they use existing heat in the air outside in order to heat the interior of homes. This means that you can enjoy great comfort all year long from one system, along with outstanding energy efficiency.

Schedule your AC services with Fort Collins Heating & Air Conditioning, the company you can trust…

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