Touchstone Heating & Air Inc Blog | Air Conditioning and Heating Tips

What to Look for in an Air Conditioning Professional

May 9th, 2014

Spring is here and summer won’t be far behind. That means that you need your air conditioner to function at peak capacity. If your current model is old or shows signs of serious wear, now is the time to consider new air conditioning installation in Gainesville FL. And anyone considering a new unit needs to find an installation services that knows how to do the job. You can select from a number of different companies, many of whom possess adequate credentials. But to get a really great service, you have to go beyond that. Here’s a short list of what to look for in an air conditioning professional.

Affiliations. Proper licensing and certification is a basic necessity, but quality organizations will have affiliations that go beyond that. In particular, look for companies that are endorsed by a local Chamber of Commerce, which provides a third-party assurance that your air conditioning professional is up to snuff.
Longevity. Companies that are just starting out may be quite reliable, but a company that has been in service for a fair amount of time – at least a decade – has a proven track record for success.
Free estimates. A reputable company will always provide estimates in advance, so you know what the financial picture looks like before installation begins on your new air conditioner.
Emergency services. You never know when you might need a trained technician and breakdowns don’t always follow 9-to-5 hours. A company that offers 24-hour emergency service is thoroughly dedicated to customer satisfaction.
Positive reviews. Even in the information age, good word of mouth is still an excellent means of determining quality. Look for air conditioning companies that post positive reviews from satisfied customers: indications of a history of quality service.

If you know what to look for in an air conditioning professional, then Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. has what you need. If you’re interested in new air conditioning installation in Gainesville, FL, call us today to set up a consultation. You’ll be glad you did!

We’ve been in business since 1998, we offer emergency service and free estimates, and we proudly stand by affiliations from Chambers of Commerce and happy customers alike.

Some Benefits of Air Conditioning Maintenance

May 2nd, 2014

Did you know that a 10% loss of refrigerant in your air conditioning system can cost you up to 20% more to operate it? Or that getting a programmable thermostat can save you annually on energy bills?

These types of savings come from a simple source: routine air conditioning maintenance in Starke. Here are a few reasons why Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. highly recommends regular air conditioning maintenance:

Reduced energy bills – when your air conditioner is not running optimally, it needs more energy in order to achieve the temperature you want. This means it costs you more to run it. There are two culprits that frequently contribute to this: a dirty air filter, which constricts the air flow in your system, and/or dirty condenser coils, which put stress on the compressor to run harder. In either case, you are running up your energy bills. Monthly checking and changing of your system’s main air filter eliminates a dirty filter problem, and a routine maintenance check by a specialist will keep the coils clean and stress free.

Better indoor air quality – when vents, ducts and filters become dirty and clogged, the air quality in your property reflects this. This can be especially uncomfortable for those with allergies. As stated above, your system’s main air filter should be changed monthly, and a regularly scheduled cleaning of your vents and ducts will keep them free of dust and dirt.

Lower repair costs –regularly scheduled maintenance means you have a much better chance of catching a small problem – such as a loose belt or faulty switch – before it turns into a much bigger, more expensive problem. It’s a lot less expensive to replace a belt than it is to repair a broken down system.

Extension of system life – regular maintenance means that all components in your system are properly tuned up. This cuts down significantly on the wear and tear of the entire system, extending its life and your investment in it.

When Should You Schedule Your Maintenance?

Most air conditioning maintenance should be performed by a specialist, but there are a few things property owners can do to help maintain their systems:

Replace disposable filters once a month
Wash out washable filters once a month
Keep outside, ground-mounted units clear of any kind of yard debris, including grass, branches and leaves

Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. recommends a bi-annual inspection of the entire system, in the spring and fall.

Need to have your air conditioning checked by professionals in time for summer? Call and schedule air conditioning service in Starke today.

How High Humidity can Damage Your Air Conditioner

April 30th, 2014

Believe it or not, high temperatures aren’t the only thing that your air conditioner must fight. High humidity plays a big part making our homes uncomfortable too, and unless your air conditioner can combat it, it’s not going to do its job. Air conditioning repair in Gainesville must often deal with overworked A/C units, whose components have worn down under the strain and need to be replaced before the unit will function again. Our stifling Florida mugginess often plays a large role in that, and understanding the reasons why can help you get a jump on correcting the problem.

How Humidity Damages Air Conditioning

We stay cool by sweating, which sends moisture to the surface of our skin and cools us off when it evaporates into the air. As long as relative humidity levels stay below about 55 percent or so, that biological process isn’t unduly affected and your body can sweat normally. When humidity levels increase beyond that, however, there’s too much moisture in the air to absorb the sweat off of your skin, and your body won’t cool down the way it should. Needless to say, our relative humidity levels are often higher than 55 percent here in Florida, especially during the hot summer months.

Ostensibly, your air conditioner can pull humidity from the air in your home and help keep it comfortable. That process, however, often forces your air conditioner to work harder in order to lower that humidity level. As a result, the various components undergo greater strain, which increases the likelihood of a breakdown somewhere along the line.

In some cases, your AC unit may be powerful enough to handle the additional workload that our muggy atmosphere provides. In other cases, however, you might want to consider upgrading your air conditioner, which can help prevent high humidity from damaging it.

Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. handles air conditioning repair in Gainesville, and can fix the issue of high humidity in your home with ease. Pick up the phone and give us a call today.

How Clean Ducts Lead to Better Efficiency

April 21st, 2014

Your duct system helps transport conditioned air (both hot and cold) from your HVAC unit into the various rooms of your home. In the process, dust and dirt can build up inside your ducts, as can bacteria and other biological contaminants that flourish in our Florida humidity. This can lead to poor performance from your heating and air conditioning system over time. A good duct cleaning service can get rid of all that, and here in Lake City, FL, duct cleaning is offered by a number of reputable companies. More than just cleanliness and the lack of dust spreading throughout your home, clean ducts lead to better efficiency for your HVAC unit overall.

Why Duct Cleaning Means Higher Efficiency

Build-up in your ducts tends to have two specific effects that damage your system’s efficiency. Firstly, it blocks the flow of air through the system, forcing the HVAC unit to work harder to get the conditioned air into your home. Second, depending on the nature of the build-up, it can affect the temperature of the conditioned air, making it warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter. In both cases, it can have a detrimental effect on your central unit. The lowered efficiency means that it must work harder to do its job, raising your monthly energy bills and adding unnecessary strain on individual components. That, in turn, will increase the likelihood of a major breakdown taking place, as well as costing you more than you should be paying to operate your HVAC system.

Dirty ducts don’t simply spring up over time, and most can go for quite a while before requiring a cleaning. Because clean ducts lead to better efficiency, you should definitely plan for the operation to be performed by a company that knows what it’s doing. Here in Lake City, FL, duct cleaning services are offered by the trained professionals at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. We have the personnel and the experience to perform the operation with courtesy and care, and our dedication to your satisfaction means that we’ll treat your home like our own.

Give the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air a call today to set up an appointment and let us help ensure that your system is as efficient as it can be!

What Are UV Germicidal Lights and How Do They Work?

April 14th, 2014

UV germicidal lights sound like some complicated piece of equipment out of a mad scientist’s lab. In fact, they operate according to very simple principles and can do wonders for your home if properly installed. They improve the quality of your air inside your Gainesville, FL home, connected to your HVAC system and filtering out all manner of contaminants. What are UV germicidal lights and how do they work? A brief rundown follows.

UV stands for “ultraviolet,” a part of the light spectrum that we can’t see, but which has a profound effect on germs and bacteria. Exposure to UV light renders germs unable to replicate. The light basically acts as a sterilizer for your home without resorting to harmful chemicals. Air passes through the light, exposing any bacterial or other pathogens to it and effectively destroying them in the process. When attached to a centralized furnace or air conditioner, it can process a large percentage of the air in your home, improving the air quality immeasurably.

This is beneficial to all members of your household, but especially those who suffer from allergies or possess similar sensitivities. Here in Florida, allergens are everywhere, and the presence of mold and bacteria can pose an active health risk for certain individuals. UV germicidal lights form a strong line of defense against sickness and disease, as well as making your home a more comfortable place to live.

For more on UV germicidal lights and how they work, contact the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. We handle UV lights and other air purifiers in Gainesville, FL, and we can perform both installation and repair services with the professionalism and courtesy you expect. Give us a call today!

How Electronic Air Purifiers Clean Your Air

April 7th, 2014

Your heating and cooling system does more than just condition the air. It can also help you maintain high levels of air quality in your home. Without that, you may experience increased levels of dust in the air, leading to irritated noses and throats, higher levels of dust on furniture and allergy attacks in sensitive family members. Most heating and air conditioning systems contain a replaceable filter which you can switch out for a fresh one when it becomes dirty. You can do more with an electronic air purifier however.

Here’s how electronic air purifiers clean your Starke, FL home’s air in ways that less advanced purifiers don’t:

Electronic air filters often contain a regular filter or “pre-filter” which traps large particles of dirt and dust. (In some cases, these are designed to work in conjunction with your existing filter). Smaller particles will often slip through, however, which is where the electronic section of the filter goes to work. Each particle is ionized with a positive electrical charge, then enters a collecting section which contains plates that are alternately charged positive and negative. That acts as a magnet, pulling the positively charged particles away from the positively charged plate and towards the negatively charged plate. That pulls contaminants out of the air, leaving clean air behind to enter your household.

Electronic air purifiers aren’t necessary in all households, but if you have pets or your track a lot of dust in – and particularly if you have anyone in your family who suffers from allergies – then it can make for a demonstrable improvement in air quality. For more on how electronic air purifiers clean your air, or to schedule installation, contact the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. We handle all kinds of home heating and cooling issues for residents of Starke, FL, air purifiers included. Give us a call today and let us show you what an electronic air purifier can do for you!

The Benefits of Duct Cleaning

March 31st, 2014

Here in MacClenny, FL, duct cleaning services are highly recommended now that the winter is over and summer cooling season is on the way. Your ducts are an essential part of your central heating and cooling system, and duct cleaning is one of the best ways to ensure that they do their job. The benefits of duct cleaning can be subtle, but also something you’ll appreciate once they’re complete.

Ducts can build up dust and debris over time. Dust from your home and dust from outside can build up in your system, which creates all number of problems. In the worst cases, it can actively block the flow of air, forcing your HVAC system to work harder in order to do its job. Even if it doesn’t, the blown dust form inside the ducts can coat the interior of your HVAC system, increasing friction and making a serious breakdown more likely in the future. If you or a family member suffers from allergies, the dust can be even more significant, since the duct system will spread it throughout your home and lower the quality of your indoor air in the bargain.

Duct cleaning can help eliminate all of that. The technician uses mechanized hoses and powerful suction to pull out dirt, dust, mold and all kinds of other contaminants lurking in your system. Not only does all of that no longer circulate in your home, but it can’t make any additional problems for your HVAC system either.

Duct cleaning is one of the best things you can do for your home, and the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. are standing by to do it. We can discuss the benefits of duct cleaning with you, then perform the operation with courtesy and care. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Contaminants that Air Filtration Can Remove

March 20th, 2014

Here in Gainesville FL, air filtration systems are a common in many households. Good indoor air quality is as important to a home as comfortable humidity levels and steady temperatures, and sometimes an air filtration system is the only way to properly ensure that. Air filtration systems can range from simple filters to UV lights to whole-house systems designed to thoroughly clean the air moving through your home. Results vary, but all of them create cleaner air and fewer contaminants in your home.

Here’s a quick list of some contaminants that air filtration can remove.

Household dust. Household dust comes from mites, human skin cells and other debris that invariably develops in any household.
Pollen. Pollen is a huge concern in this part of the world, especially in the spring when allergies can rage. If you have someone in your household who suffers from allergies, an air filtration system is almost a necessity
Pet dander. Pets shed hair and dander as they go about their business, and over time that can build up in your house. The more pets you have, the larger the issue becomes
Outdoor contaminants. This includes dust and debris from outside the home which can be tracked in order enter through doors, windows and similar vents.
Mold and bacteria. Bacteria and other forms of biological contaminants can pose an active danger to your household. UV lighting makes an excellent safeguard against such contaminants
Cigarette smoke. If you or someone in your household smokes, the cigarette smoke can circulate throughout your house via the HVAC system. Certain types of air filters can capture the smoke particles and keep them out of the rest of the house.

Knowing the contaminants that air filtration can remove is the first step to understanding how an in-house system can help you. In Gainesville, FL air filtration systems can be installed by the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. We can help you decide on a system that works for you needs, then perform an installation with courtesy and care. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

Tools Professionals Use for Duct Sealing

March 13th, 2014

Here in Gainesville, FL, indoor air quality can be a big concern: not only dust and dirt blown around by your duct system, but biological pollutants like bacteria and viruses. When breaches arise in your ducts, indoor air quality tends to go down. Luckily, a reliable HVAC ompany can seal your ducts, which helps prevent contaminants from entering your system. It’s tougher than it looks. Despite the name, duct tape is an awful tool to seal your ducts (the temperature changes mean it will probably be loose again in a few days). Instead, the tools professionals use for duct sealing are much more specialized.

Flex duct or similar patches. Patches for the breach need to need the specifications demanded by the ducts themselves, and ideally should be composed of the exact same materials. That allows it to respond to temperature changes and other stressors in the same manner as the surrounding material, which will help it last once it’s in place.
Sheet metal tools. These are used to cut, shape and even fit the patch into place, and since the path is usually composed of some manner of sheet metal, the tools need to be right for the job. They can include sheers, hammers, crimpers and notchers.
Tensioning tools and straps. These allow the patch to be held in place while the technician works on it, freeing up both of his hands rather than forcing him to use one to hold it in place. It allows the sealing operation to proceed more smoothly and efficiently, which is no small concern considering the narrow confines most ducts are located in.

The tools professionals use for duct cleaning are important, but they won’t add up to much without the right technician using them. If your have a breach in your ducts and need it sealed, then call on the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. for help. We work in Gainesville, FL, indoor air quality is a significant concern for us, and we have considerable experience in finding and sealing breaches in your ducts. Call us today to schedule an appointment!

Can My Heating Be Retro-Fit for Zone Control?

March 4th, 2014

People use many different systems to heat their homes in Gainesville FL, including ductless mini split systems which offer zone control. These kinds of systems space a series of individual indoor units throughout your home, each of which heats just a single room or section. That allows you to tailor the individual temperatures to each room – for example, by lowering the heat in the kitchen while you cook while raising it in the living room where another family member is reading. You can even turn off the heat in parts of the house you aren’t using, helping you save a great deal on monthly energy bills. “That’s all fine and good if I’m installing a new system,” you say. “But I already have an existing ducted heating system. Can my heating be retro-fit for zone control?” In point of fact, it can.

For forced air systems, zone control means installing a series of dampers at key points throughout your duct system. They are all connected to a control panel, and each zone is controlled by its own thermostat. It allows you to exercise full control over the temperature in your house and even shut down the heat to one area while keeping another area fully heated. It can be designed to work with your existing system, helping you save energy without replacing your heater.

In order to set it up, however, you need a technician with the tools and experience to do the job right. This is true not just for the basic installation, but for those moments when repairs and maintenance are required. A skilled technician will always be here for you and ensure that your system functions exactly as it is supposed to. If you want to retro-fit your heating for zone control, the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. are here to help. We’ve developed years of expertise on this subject, and our technicians know how to do the job right. For upgrades to your heating in Gainesville FL, you can’t do better. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment!