Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

What You Should Know about Heat Pumps

Monday, November 20th, 2017

First, you should know the number one thing about heat pumps: it’s heating and cooling in one. One unit, that looks a lot like a conventional central air conditioner, can bring heat into a home and take heat out. In Florida, where we provide AC services, it doesn’t make much sense to have a separate furnace that to provide heat, but there are the occasional cold spells, making a central heater a convenient system to have—especially when it works with your AC. So what else should you know about this versatile comfort system?

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3 Surprising Things That Affect Air Conditioning Efficiency

Tuesday, November 7th, 2017

heat-pump-cashAir conditioning efficiency is something that’s a hot topic in Florida. You might think your high bills are normal, something you’re stuck with whenever the weather is warm simply because you live here. Then, a neighbor tells you they’re paying about half of what you do every month! This is an example of why many people call our technicians for help cutting down electricity bills.

It is possible. In some cases, a change in the way you use your air conditioner will help improve your bills to an extent. However, you might find out that your system needs repair. We’ll help you learn about some of the surprising things that affect AC efficiency in our area in today’s list.

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How Long Can You Expect to Keep Air Conditioning Equipment?

Monday, October 23rd, 2017

touchstone-new-ac-yorkWe know that it can be frustrating to find out your air conditioning system needs replacement. It feels like you haven’t had your system for that long, after all (although you may not remember the exact date). In our area, air conditioning systems fail even sooner than in other parts of the country. So when you set out to purchase a new air conditioner, you have one big question: how long will this one last?

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4 Things to Know about Humidity and Home Comfort

Monday, October 9th, 2017

man-fan-hat-chairIn Gainesville, we’ve all heard this time and time again… “It’s not the heat; it’s the humidity!” Humidity is responsible for a lot of our discomfort throughout much of the year here. It affects you out doors, but it also has an impact on indoor comfort. And yet, so few people actually make the effort to control humidity in the home. Usually, it takes more than just a good air conditioning system!

Today, we want to focus on four things we think every homeowner in Florida should know about humidity and home comfort. From how it affects your body to how it raises your bills to what you can do to lower your humidity without breaking the bank every month, we’ve got your guide to ultimate whole-house comfort.

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Broken Down AC Systems: Can They Be Repaired?

Monday, September 25th, 2017

service-tools-air-conditionersThere’s no easy way to diagnose an air conditioning system without having a technician come and take a look. When you experience problems with an air conditioner, such as trouble getting the right amount of airflow through the vents, it could be anything from a dirty air filter to low refrigerant to dilapidated ductwork. So what about when an air conditioner is completely broken down? Shouldn’t the problem be obvious?

A professional should be able to quickly diagnose the problem and determine whether the air conditioner needs replacement. Often, this isn’t the case! Today, find out what a broken down central air conditioner may indicate and see why it’s so important to call in technicians to solve the case!

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Protect Your Home with a Generator Installation

Monday, September 11th, 2017

generator-installThink of the last time you dealt with a power outage. It was likely a major hassle, something that made it difficult to get through the day or night. In the worst-case scenario, you may have had to leave home in order to go somewhere with air conditioning or the ability to run certain devices, like lifesaving medical equipment.

When you have a generator installed on your property, you’ll never have to worry about this again (provided it’s properly maintained and replaced when needed). Whole-house generators protect your home and your family when a storm or disaster makes its way to your town. Learn more about whole-house generators, portable generators, and more in today’s guide.

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The Simple Step that Makes Your Air Conditioner Live Longer

Monday, August 28th, 2017

technician-changing-filter-ventRegular maintenance, as we’ve discussed before, is key to keeping your air conditioner running smoothly for longer. This is something that should always be handled by a professional technician, someone who knows the ins and outs of central AC systems and can spot AC repairs sooner. Regular tune-ups involve many steps, but not every step of air conditioning maintenance can (or should) be handled by the pros.

Completing this one simple step, once a month at least, can make your air conditioner run better, last longer, and use less energy—meaning that overall, you save!

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4 Common AC Repairs: Don’t Wait to Fix These!

Monday, August 14th, 2017

AC-repair-contractorYour air conditioner is, of course, more than just a box that shoots cold air out. It’s a complex collection of mechanical and electrical components that all work together towards a goal of removing heat from your home’s air in order to move refrigerated air into it.

That said, when any single component runs into trouble, the entire air conditioner may be soon to follow. It doesn’t take long for one worn-down part to begin wreaking havoc for the entire system. The other parts have to compensate for the loss, and that can cause wear that’s tough to remedy.

Don’t let your air conditioner go into a state of disrepair for longer than you should. Check out a few of the most common AC repairs we make and learn why you shouldn’t wait to call for repairs.

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Ways to Improve Your Air Conditioner Performance This Summer

Monday, May 22nd, 2017

air-conditioningIt can be kind of hard to differentiate seasons in a place like Florida. Summer is often identified as that season where the days are slightly hotter than at every other time of year. However, it’s still a good idea to make sure that your air conditioner is in top condition for the hottest months of the year. Summer is the time of year when air conditioners are put under the most stress. There are a couple of different options you can explore for upgrading your air conditioner this season, so it’s ready to serve you well throughout the summer season.

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What You Need to Know About Your AC Compressor

Monday, September 12th, 2016

There are many different parts that make up your air conditioning system, and you don’t need to know how they all work. However, there are a few vital parts of your air conditioner that it would benefit you to know. It’s important that you not only know about these parts, but be able to identify when they are having trouble. That will make it easier for you to call for repairs faster, preventing further damage to the system. Let’s take a look at one of those parts: the compressor.

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