Bayonet Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

Monday, May 21st, 2018

AC-technicianIf you know anything about the way that a refrigerant-based air conditioning system operates, then you know your system uses the evaporation of refrigerant in order to remove heat from the air in your home. That refrigerant is condensed outdoors, releasing its heat, before repeating the cycle until desired temperatures are met. At no point in the process does water come into play. So what the heck is going on when your air conditioner starts to leak water?

Well, it’s not really a water leak in the way that a water heater may spring one. No, that does not mean that the water surrounding the unit is a figment of your imagination. It just means that the source of that water is not a ruptured pipe, as is so often the case with plumbing leaks. So read on, learn what could be behind this mysterious phenomenon, and whether it means that you need air conditioning repair in Tampa, FL or not.

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Why Is My Home Cooling Down Unevenly?

Wednesday, May 9th, 2018

service-timeWhen you’re talking about cooling your home in as hot a climate as ours, the fact of the matter is that “good enough” is never good enough! Sure, your air conditioner may be starting up when you need it to. But is it providing you with the level of cooling quality that you deserve? If your AC is failing to cool your home evenly and effectively, then the answer is a resounding “no!”.

That is where the AC technicians on our team come in. Whatever the problem is that is leading to your uneven cooling conundrum, we’re here to help. Should the fix require AC repair in New Port Richey, then ours are the technicians that you want on the job. From the diagnosing of the problem to its complete resolution, we’ll do it right every step of the way.

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Cool Your Home Affordably This Summer

Monday, May 7th, 2018

red-thermometerIf there is one thing that you can count on doing this summer, it is running your air conditioning system with great regularity. Of course, here in Florida, our definition of “summer” is a bit looser than the calendar’s. In truth, we run our air conditioners pretty much nonstop for a good chunk of the year. And you know what? The cost of doing so can really start to add up! Don’t worry, this is not going to be a long advertisement for expensive, high-efficiency air conditioning equipment.

If you do have the money to invest in such equipment, then we of course recommend that you consider doing so. High-efficiency equipment is an investment that will save you money over time. We also realize that this is not an option for every homeowner at any given time. So, today, we are going to give you some tips to help you enjoy more affordable air conditioning in Orlando, FL, without needing to upgrade your entire home cooling system.

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Cooling Your Home Affordably This Summer

Monday, April 9th, 2018

comfortable-womanWith the level of heat that we experience during the summer season in our geographic region, not running your air conditioner is simply not an option. The hard truth of this matter is that running your air conditioner also costs money. It doesn’t matter how efficient your AC. You will see its use reflected in your energy bills throughout the cooling season. While we cannot tell you how to cool your home for free, we can help you to boost energy efficiency to keep cooling costs manageable.

Don’t worry, we are not going to tell you that you need to upgrade your air conditioner to a high-efficiency system, either. While doing so will obviously help you to scale back cooling costs, this is not an option for every homeowner financially. Fortunately, there are plenty of simple ways in which you can start cutting down on energy bills—without sacrificing your comfort in the process. Keep these tips in mind, and schedule your AC services in Brooksville, FL with our team.

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Why Your Air Conditioner Needs a Fresh Filter

Monday, April 9th, 2018

air-filterAll air conditioners are susceptible to occasional repair needs. While there may not be any way to keep your AC 100% reliable, there are ways that you can help to avoid problems with your air conditioner. One of the most effective is also one of the most simple. Keep a fresh air filter in the system!

Because this is such a simple goal to achieve, some homeowners wonder if it is really that important of one. The answer is yes—we wouldn’t be recommending that you do so if it weren’t. So how is it that keeping a fresh air filter in your AC in Brooksville, FL can benefit you?

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Is Your Air Conditioner Ready for Action?

Monday, March 12th, 2018

AC-technician-workingIt is still early in March, and the weather during the daytime is far from the hottest that it will be during the peak of the summer season. That doesn’t mean that your air conditioner should not be on your mind, though. It is not going to be too long before you need your air conditioning system to spring into action, and you need to be certain that it is in great working condition to do so. How do you do that?

By scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance with a member of our team, of course. When it comes to getting the very best performance that your air conditioner in Brooksville, FL has to offer, nothing beats annual maintenance. And yes, we mean annual. This is something that must be done every single year—no ifs,  ors, or buts about it! The benefits of maintenance are too great to overlook. Read on, and be sure to contact us if you’re ready for an AC tune-up.

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When Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?

Monday, February 26th, 2018

ac-with-moneyInvesting in a new air conditioning system may not be the most exciting way in which to spend your hard-earned money, but it is definitely one of the most important investments that you’ll make in this part of the country. We have a lot of hot and sunny weather around here, but we also have a lot of weather that is so hot and sunny, not to mention humid, that it is simply uncomfortable.

You absolutely need a great whole-house air conditioning system in Brooksville, FL. Otherwise, you are not going to live in the comfort that you deserve. Now, there are a lot of great air conditioners on the market today, and our technicians will make sure that yours is properly tuned up on an annual basis to ensure that it operates as reliably as possible. At some point, however, even the best and most well-maintained ACs are going to need replacing. Has that time come for you?

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Don’t Get Caught in the Dark: What to Do in an Electrical Emergency

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

Power outages are a fact of life, especially in Florida with the ever-present threat of tropical storms and hurricanes. So when your power does inevitably go out, make sure you’ve taking the proper precautions and made preparations to make it as small an inconvenience as possible.

Keep a supply of candles, matches, and a couple flashlights with fresh batteries on hand and in a place easily accessible to everyone in the household. When the lights go out, the last thing you want is to be rummaging around in the dark looking for these things.

Be aware of food safety issues. If the power outage is less than four hours, your food should be safe to eat. For outages that last longer than four hours, follow these guidelines for safety: a half-filled freezer will typically keep food safe for up to 24 hours and a tightly packed freezer up to 48 hours. If possible, pack refrigerated items that could spoil, like milk and eggs, in a cooler packed with ice. Also, try to minimize opening the refrigerator and freezer as much as possible to keep food cooler longer.

Water purification systems may not function properly during a power outage, so make sure to keep a supply of bottled water on hand for drinking, cooking, and/or personal hygiene. If you are caught in a power outage without access to bottled water, bringing water to a rolling boil for at least one minute will kill most organisms.

Consider purchasing an emergency generator. When you have an extended power outage, an emergency generator can be your best friend. You can typically purchase a basic generator that will power lights and appliances for less than $700. This article from ConsumerReports.org is a great resource for choosing the right emergency generator for you.

If you want to alleviate the power outage risk entirely, Bayonet can install a standby generator! With natural gas or LP tank access, the stand-by generator system can power essential electricity to your home for weeks at a time, provided fuel is accessible. Generators are available in multiple sizes to suit your needs. Then, your lights, water, and refrigerator will always stay on! For more, see our upcoming blogs or contact a representative today.

Power outages are certainly a nuisance, but if you plan ahead with these relatively simple preparations you can weather the storm without too much of a headache.

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What is a Mini-Split Air Conditioning Unit?

Wednesday, July 30th, 2014

You may have heard the term “mini-split” in reference to AC systems, but what exactly are they? Simply put, mini-split AC units are ductless systems comprised of an indoor air-handling unit (or units) and an outdoor condenser. Mini splits work by pumping refrigerant from the outdoor condenser through copper tubing into the indoor units, where a fan then distributes cool air across an evaporator coil and into the space.

One outdoor condenser has the ability to operate as many as four indoor air-handling units, allowing for four separate zones that can be heated or cooled. Each of these indoor units is controlled by their own thermostats, which allows heating and cooling of only the areas you need at any particular time, both convenient and cost-effective.

Mini splits have convenient and money-saving applications for several situations:

For homes with no existing ductwork, mini splits are a great money-saving alternative to installing a central air system. Installation of a mini-split system is significantly easier and less expensive than a traditional ductwork system. Add in the cost savings associated with having great control over heating or cooling only certain zones in your home and mini-splits become an even more attractive alternative.

Mini-split systems are also ideal for additions or smaller separate outbuildings where extending ductwork or installing a separate central system is not a reasonable option. Garages turned man-caves and guest house additions are two examples of spaces where mini splits are a great cooling option.

Contact Bayonet today to find out if a mini-split system is the right fit for you.

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The End is Near: When to Replace Your Heating/AC Unit

Wednesday, July 16th, 2014

Buying a new AC may not be at the top of your list of what you want to spend your hard-earned money on, but not replacing it when it’s time will often cost you more in the long run. It comes down to efficiency. Some of the signs to look out for are easy to see, such as:

  1. Is the unit over 10 years old?
  2. Does your home feel humid even when the unit is running?
  3. Is it unnecessarily noisy?
  4. Has your monthly bill increased?
  5. Is the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) number on your current unit 10 or under?

If you’ve answered “yes” to any of the above, you are probably at a point where maintenance is required or, more likely, a new, more efficient unit should be considered.

Like anything mechanical, energy efficient and appropriately sized units are the key to optimum operating costs and peak functionality. Today’s air conditioners must have a minimum SEER rating of 13, and must use the more environmentally friendly R-410A refrigerant. The most efficient models have SEER ratings up to 26. Still, even the most effective units work best when they operate in the ideal environment. Some questions to ask are:

Is your home well insulated to protect its interior from drafts/warm air?

  • Is the duct system that distributes the cool air properly sealed?
  • Do you have more than one return in your home?

If you suspect any issues exist, be sure to correct those before installing new units.

So if you believe it’s time to replace your AC unit, a tremendous selection is available at a wide range of price points. The right one, installed with an upgrade like a programmable thermostat, will provide an excellent return on your investment.

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