Posts Tagged ‘Riverview’

Tampa Air Conditioning Tip: HVAC Efficiency Ratings Explained

Monday, January 14th, 2013

There are a lot of factors that you must consider when purchasing a new heating or cooling system for your Tampa home. One of the most important of these factors is ensuring that you get the most efficient heating or cooling system that you can, taking your budget into consideration. Manufacturers have made this a little easier by providing easy to find efficiency rating information about their products. If you do not understand what these efficiency ratings mean, though, here are some of the common acronyms you may see along with a description of what they mean. For more information, contact the experts at Ierna’s Heating & Cooling.

  • SEER – SEER is used to measure the efficiency of air conditioners and the cooling performance of heat pumps. It stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. The higher the SEER the more efficiently the air conditioner or heat pump will be able to cool your home. New products are required to have a SEER of 13 or more, though the rating can go into the 20’s.
  • AFUE – AFUE is the measurement of how efficiently a furnace operates. It stands for annual fuel utilization efficiency. The higher the AFUE rating the less fuel is wasted in the heating process. Obviously the more fuel that your furnace is able to successfully and completely use the better the efficiency level of that furnace will be. The industry minimum for AFUE ratings is 78%.
  • HSPF – Standing for heating seasonal performance factor, HSPF ratings are assigned to evaluate the efficiency with which a heat pump is able to heat a building. The high the number the more efficient the heat pump is. New heat pumps must have a minimum of 6.8 HSPF.

Before deciding on a new Tampa air conditioning system be sure to ask questions and do a bit of research. You may not be able to afford the most efficient system available, but you should purchase the system with the highest efficiency level that you can afford. Over time the energy savings will help to offset the initial investment. Make your home a more comfortable and efficient place to live. Contact Ierna’s Heating & Cooling today.

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Why You Need To Have Your Heating System Installed Right: A Land O’ Lakes Heating Tip

Monday, December 3rd, 2012

If the heating system in your home isn’t installed right the first time, it can cause a lot of problems down the road. At Ierna’s Heating and Cooling, we’ve installed countless heating systems of all types for our customers throughout the Land O’ Lakes area. We thought it would be helpful if we put together a quick list of some of the common signs that might indicate poor heating installation.

Wrong Size Heating System

When we talk about the size of the heating system we’re not referring to the physical measurements of it. We’re talking about the heat output. Heating systems are designed for different sized structures. If your home has a heating system that is too big or too small, it can cause some pretty significant problems. Here are just a couple of them:

  • Inefficient – When you have a heating system that is too big or small, it will have to work harder to heat your home. For example, if you have a furnace that’s too big, it will turn on, quickly heat your home then shut off. A short time later, it will turn on again and do the same. This is called short cycling. It is highly inefficient because of all the stopping and starting—similar to driving your car in traffic.
  • Wear and tear – If you have a heating system that is too small, it will run constantly in an effort to heat your home. Not only is this inefficient, it is also very hard on your equipment. Short cycling is also very difficult for your heating system.

Bad Ductwork

Ducts are an often-overlooked part of many heating systems. It is responsible for carrying all of the heated air throughout your home. Here are some of the common installation mistakes that we see in homes in Land O’ Lakes:

  • Wrong size ducts – Ducting comes in a variety of standard sizes. However, these sizes are not always the best for your particular application. In these cases, you might have ductwork that is too small or too big for your heating system. Similar to the problem of wrong-sized heating system, improperly sized ducts cause the same type of problems.
  • Unnecessary bends and/or pinches – If your ducts were installed poorly, there might be some issues that could be reducing your efficiency and making your system work harder. In general, ducts are installed with the fewest amount of turns. Ductwork should also no pinch at any point. Both of these things ensure that the air takes the easiest path from the furnace to your room. With shoddy ductwork, there might be bends that don’t need to be there and there might be pinches from poor craftsmanship.

If you’d like to learn more about proper heating installation in Land O’ Lakes, call the experts at Ierna’s Heating and Cooling. We’d love to make sure that your home is working as efficiently as possible. Contact us today! 

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Wesley Chapel Duct Cleaning Tip: Why Clean Your Ducts Before the Heating Season

Monday, November 5th, 2012

There is always a lot to do when winter is on its way. At Ierna’s Heating & Cooling we like to remind folks to have their ductwork cleaned out as well. It may not be something that you do on a regular basis, but professional duct cleaning service can make a big difference in the efficiency, effectiveness and cleanliness of your heating system. Call Ierna’s today to learn more about how duct cleaning can improve your heating experience in Wesley Chapel.

As you use your heating system and it circulates air throughout your home, dirt and debris from that air can deposit itself inside your ductwork. While it would take a lot of matter to block off your ducts it is possible for enough pollutants to accumulate to reduce the efficiency of your ductwork by creating airflow resistance.  Additionally, as your heater circulates air throughout your home it can also circulate that debris everywhere with it. If your ducts are dirty then your heating system can actually disperse dirt throughout your home, lowering indoor air quality and aggravating allergy and asthma symptoms.

Not everyone is going to need professional duct cleaning, but it is important that you schedule it with a qualified professional if your do need it. There are certain circumstances and indicators that your home will benefit from professional duct cleaning that you should be aware of. First of all, if you have had any infestation problems with rodents or insects you should have your ducts professionally cleaned to get rid of anything they may have left behind. If you have never had your ducts cleaned you may want to have them inspected to decide if a cleaning would benefit your home. Even something as simple as owning a pet can lead to debris in your ductwork that would be best cleaned out.

If you are concerned about the cleanliness of your ductwork then it is worth it to have them professionally cleaned. Call Ierna’s Heating & Cooling today if you have any further questions about the professional duct cleaning services that we off in the Wesley Chapel  area.

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Wesley Chapel AC Tip: Getting the Most Out of Your Ductless Mini Split System

Monday, August 27th, 2012

Ductless mini split systems are a great air conditioning and heating option.  Ierna’s Heating & Cooling is an air conditioning company in Wesley Chapel that can help you get the most out of your ductless mini split system.

In order to get the most out of your ductless mini split system, the first order of business is proper installation.  Installation includes the placement of an outdoor condenser unit and one or more separate indoor air handling units all connected through refrigerant and power lines.  Correct placement of both of these units will be essential in how efficiently the system cools and heats.

Proper care and maintenance of your ductless system will also be essential in keeping it operating at its highest efficiency, so that you can save in energy consumption costs while still staying comfortable indoors.

Some of the great benefits associated with using a ductless system include their high energy-efficiency, space savings, and increased climate control.

When you choose ductless AC, you are getting a high-efficiency air conditioning system that costs less to operate than a forced air system.  You will also enjoy saving space indoors with their compact design and out of the way placement. Ductless systems also offer great zone control: if someone likes it colder their room can be colder, if someone else likes it hotter, that zone can be set hotter.

Ierna’s Heating & Cooling has Wesley Chapel AC technicians that understand how to help you get the most out of your ductless system, all while providing friendly customer service and quality workmanship in every installation and maintenance that is completed. Call us today to learn more!

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Tampa AC Tip: Using Heat Pumps for Air Conditioning

Monday, August 13th, 2012

In addition to providing your Tampa home with energy efficient heating, heat pumps can also keep you home cool by reversing its operation process. Heat pumps transfer warm air indoors to heat your home, and can also transfer that warm air out to cool it.  Heat pumps actually function very similarly to a central air conditioning system when they are in cooling mode.

During the air conditioning process, a heat pump pulls cold temperatures from the air while hotter air from indoors is transferred outdoors.

Heat pumps are highly energy-efficient, particularly during colder months when the heat pump is being used to heat indoor air.  Heat pumps use quite a bit less energy to run them than other heating systems, ranging anywhere from 8 to 10 HSPF. This is well above the 7.7 HSPF minimum required.  During the air conditioning cycle, heat pumps are still very energy-efficient, ranging anywhere from 14 to 18 SEER, which is well above the minimum 13 SEER that is required.

Heat pumps are smaller than many other home heating and cooling options, and because they are installed outside they save interior space.  They are also known for their easy installation, fewer repair needs, and less expensive maintenance.

So when you are looking for a single option that will both heat and cool your indoor air with ease while being energy-efficient and offering a variety of benefits, a heat pump may just be the right choice.  Let our well-trained Tampa air conditioning technicians answer any additional questions you may have about heat pumps, and also provide you with excellent heat pump installation services. We have the training and experience necessary to help you get the most out of your heat pump. Call Ierna’s Heating & Cooling today!

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St Petersburg Air Conditioning Guide: Refrigerant Leaks

Monday, June 25th, 2012

Your St Petersburg air conditioner is filled with a chemical compound called refrigerant. This substance is what allows your air conditioner to remove heat from and dehumidify your home. It is a necessity, but it is also a dangerous chemical that, if released, can cause damage to the environment.

Why Refrigerant Is Dangerous

There are many types of refrigerant but most air conditioners use either R-22 or Freon coolant – depending on their age. Newer air conditioners may use R410-A refrigerant, an environmentally safer alternative.

All of these refrigerant types are chlorofluorocarbons or CFCs. These chemicals are controlled substances by the Environmental Protection Agency, meaning they must be properly removed and disposed of. Because your air conditioner does not consume any of coolant in operation, it should never need to be refilled unless there is a leak. Such a leak should be stopped immediately due to the immense damage CFCs can do to the environment. If you suspect a leak, you should call a St Petersburg air conditioning professional to inspect your air conditioner.

Damage to Your Air Conditioner

Beyond the environmental issues posed by a refrigerant leak, the biggest problem you will face is damage such leaks can cause to your air conditioner. Low refrigerant levels put undue stress on your compressor and can lead to damage in almost every part of the device.

Not only that but the air conditioner won’t work as efficiently. A 10% loss in refrigerant volume can result in up to a 20% increase in electricity cost to run your air conditioner.

What to Do in the Event of a Refrigerant Leak

If you suspect a refrigerant leak in your air conditioner, take action immediately. Call a certified St Petersburg air conditioning technician who can seal the leak fast. For any air conditioning repair you need, give Ierna’s Heating & Cooling a call!

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Tampa AC Tip: Things You Should Never Do To Your Air Conditioner

Monday, April 23rd, 2012

If you have a central system air conditioning system, with proper care and maintenance, your Tampa air conditioner should last for a decade or two.  Sometimes, however, people can do simple things which, in retrospect, should have obviously been avoided.

Some examples:

  • Don’t block the air intake–air is vital to the process, so laying anything over the unit (a towel or clothes to dry) will significantly strain the motor.  Always make sure there is enough clearance.
  • Don’t block the vents–likewise in a home, it is easy to move a sofa or lay an area rug over a grate in the floor or cover an unsightly vent in the wall with a curtain.
  • Don’t think it will run forever without cleaning the fins, vents and changing the filter at least once a cooling season;
  • Don’t leave the units exposed in winter–always cover when not in use for long periods of time;
  • Don’t bury the condensate drain in the ground–in central units it is vital that the drain is left with a clear flow away from the house;
  • Don’t install the central unit on the ground–there are pre-made pads or mix up a little concrete and have the satisfaction of pouring a nice little pad yourself (and you can write your name in it too).
  • Don’t steam clean or use hot water to clean the fins–damage and corrosion can easily be caused by the heat; flush with warm water or spray.
  • Don’t overload the system with refrigerant–adding refrigerant should always be a task performed by a Tampa air conditioning professional.
  • Don’t remove the overload relay to force continuous running–VERY dangerous and a guarantee of damage.

Air conditioners are pretty low maintenance appliances, but a little attention goes a long way to ensure years of comfort. For any more information about how to keep your air conditioner in top working condition, give Ierna’s Heating & Cooling a call!

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