How Much A/C Drip is Normal?

Air conditioner condensation is a normal part of a healthy, functioning air conditioner. But sometimes, too much drip can be a sign of a faulty machine. So how do you know how much drip (and where) is a sign of a healthy air conditioner? The Miami air conditioning professionals will help you!

Air conditioners can be misunderstood. They don't solely project cold air into your home, they "condition" air, and they work to reduce humidity. The condensation that collects is similar to the process that occurs when condensation forms on the glass of an iced drink, only this condensation is occurring on cold surfaces of the air conditioning unit.

The amount of condensation depends on humidity levels as well as the size, efficiency and installation of the air conditioner. Drips should occur a majority of the time at the back of the air unit--and drips elsewhere may be signs of a problem. Dripping from the front could mean that you have installation errors. This is serious, because it could lead to mold problems.

More info on air conditioner drips & other household air conditioner tips to come soon!

Give Your A/C a Workout

Spring is here, and the need for air conditioning is certainly apparent. In the interest of saving your air conditioner and avoiding problems with your air conditioner unit, you'll want to give it a little workout and make sure that it's up to par for the coming months of summer.

A standard repair for your air conditoner in an inexpensive yet highly efficient part of owning an air conditioner. Considering that here in Miami, your air conditioner will be running an high to beat the 100+ degrees heat. Scheduling a checkup for your air conditioner is a process that you need to have a hands-on impact with. When the air maintenance worker arrives, pay attention to the process and the things that the professional says. Request a checklist that shows the status of your air conditioner parts and anything that may need to be replaced in the near future.

R22 to Triple in Cost This Summer

We have previously reported on how the use of R22 is being phased out by new air conditioner models. While the initiative is great for the environment, it's also put air conditioner owners in a financial quandary as rates are set to rise. The fact that NEW models won't use the chemical doesn't help the existing air conditioners that families and businesses have installed in their home or office. Now, refilling an air conditioner with the discontinued chemical will cost up to three times its usual charge, due to the low supply and existing demand.

R22 is the previous coolant to Freon. The chemical is being phased out by declaration of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Here at the Miami air conditioner experts, we advise getting your unit checked out and any leaks or problems fixed sooner rather than later. The longer that time passes the more the price may be driven up for R22.

The Rising Cost of Refrigerant

As with most necessities, the cost of air conditioning refrigerant went up this past winter. But they didn’t just rise in cost slightly—they rose over 200 percent!

Most homeowners have grown accustomed to the $150-200 sticker price for replacing the refrigerant, but that number range has easily doubled. In the process of limiting the creation of R-22 and attempting to wean it off the air market, an instant need was created—therefore allowing for prices to rise across the board. In fact, experts say that the compound will become more expensive over the next few years--as it continues to get rarer and rarer.

Despite the recent legislation to cut the production of R-22, about 75% of the home air conditioners running today require the material. The fact that the required component will not be available for all will likely prompt the trend of swapping out older air units for newer models.

Palm Beach Juvenile Center Has Mold Problem

According to a Palm Beach County health inspector, the Juvenile Assessment Center (which contains the Department of Juvenile Justice) has mold-infested office walls that could be toxic to the health of anyone in the building.

Mold in any residential or commercial building is certainly a top health concern. The toxins emitted from mold can do serious harm to the respiratory system and cause permanent or lethal damage. In addition to mold damaged walls, there were also reports of dirty carpets, slimy and old air conditioning equipment, and broken exhaust fans in need of repair. Mold was behind peeling wallpaper, drywall was found damaged due to water, and dead bugs were amidst the window sills. Bird feathers jammed air filters as well.

While some feel that the building is not dangerous for people to be inside, there are already reports of employees who have been repeatedly ill with no clue as to why. A school district police office from the building was the one who requested air quality inspection.

Landlords & Air Conditioning

One dilemma that tenants may face throughout a rental lease is problems with their air conditioner. It's important to know where your responsibility ends and your landlord's responsibilities begin. At the end of the day, they own the apartment/house, so their concern for the maintenance should be present.

Small repairs or maintenance, such as changing out the filters, are often left at the responsibility of the tenant. These filters are inexpensive and will help keep the air conditioning unit running at optimum levels. Often, they should be changed about 30 days. These are a few bucks at home goods stores, such as your local Home Depot.

Once you get to a bigger problem and require professional air conditioning repairs, you should certainly contact your landlord. You don't want to do any repairs before involving your landlord first, as they may have a specific request or would like to speak with the repair team for themselves.

FPL's New A/C FilterSmart Program

Florida Power & Light is embarking on a new endeavor to help customers remember to change out their air conditioning filters in hopes to save utility usage and also to be more energy efficient. The program works by adding a varied fee to your monthly bill and in turn, you receive filters in the air each month to swap out and replace the old one with. The length you commit to is what affects the price: 1 month ($15), two months ($7.50) or 3 months ($5.95) commitment will lock you in to the program for the given length of time.

With the program, delivery and shipping are both free, and any change in fees will be notated by a letter with your monthly bill at least 45 days prior to the change. Benefits of the program can vary depending on personal usage, convenience of not shopping for filters, or overall utility consumption of your household. Also, renters vs. homeowners will have different pros and cons as well--if you rent, should your landlord foot the bill since it should technically extend the life of their unit? Should your landlord be responsible for filters in the first place? These are things to consider. If it seems right for you, the air conditioning repair experts want you to go for it!

Introducing the Portable Air Conditioner!

With the global fascination on all things "mobile," it was only a matter of time before the industry of air conditioning joined in on the fun. Whether you want a little extra cool air at home, at your office or anywhere else you may need a cool down. Aside from not requiring any installation, it's also extremely energy efficient and used on an as-needed basis. Air conditioner repairs are probably a breeze--considering you can take it to whoever needs to fix it!

While it may seem silly to take a portable air conditioner unit around, it's actually smart. You can position it exactly where you want, and you can cool the general area you're in as opposed to an entire home or office. It's keeping you cool without wasting the effect on empty rooms and spaces.

Not that us here in South Florida have much need for a heater, but for those who get chilly, the air conditioner on the go also doubles as a heating mechanism.

How to Take Your A/C Units into Fall

After several months of grueling heat, your overworked air conditioner could use some TLC. Air conditioning units are a big investment and therefore should be maintained and checked to prevent problems or failures. It is recommended that your home air unit receive bi-annual checkups. For businesses, the frequency is higher--smaller problems can be flagged before big problems arise, disrupting employee productivity and general well-being in the office. Air conditioner elements such as filters, motors, and electrical fittings should be monitored and checked to avoid problems. Aside from preventing problems, the air conditioner units also perform better when they receive attention and maintenance--think of comparing it to an oil change in your car!

If you find yourself seeking a diagnostic visit or have a current problem with your air conditioner, contact the expert air conditioning service repair team at Edd Helms of South Florida for same-day, family-run service.

Hire the Right A/C Repair Company

When you're searching for a company to repair your broken air conditioner, you want to make sure you go with the right company--one that is credible, reliable and has a great reputation. You'll want to be sure of a few things before trusting them to overhaul the air conditioning system in your home or business, such as:

1. Licensing information. Some sneaky business entrepreneurs may try to operate a legitimate company (this applies to all fields, not just air conditioning) without the proper credentials. For the safety of yourself and your family, make sure you go with a company who has all the necessary licensing up to date.

2. Written Estimates. Unfortunately, a person's handshake or verbal quote isn't as reliable as it used to be. To make sure you don't get burned, get a written estimate and assessment so there are few to no surprises once the work is complete. Companies who refuse to do so should signal a red light in your brain!

3. Warranty Information. Does a company stand by their work? If so, what are the terms? These are important things you'll want to know before they begin any work whatsoever.

4. Products. For the past 5 years, every company in the United States who sells residential air conditioners must offer products that have SEERs of at least 13. Energy star models must have SEERs of 14 at the minimum. This is an effective way to reduce power use, and you shouldn't be getting anything less.

Control Home Moisture

Most air conditioning units have a condensation-like drip that can cause a moisture buildup in your home. While many people associate this with the grueling, hot summer months, the truth is that this problem can occur year round. With outdoor temperatures consistent with high humidity and even a moderate Fahrenheit measurement, humidity issues can certainly arise indoors.

High humidity is uncomfortable. It can make you feel one of two ways: hot and sticky, or cold and clammy. Not to mention the distinct humid odor. Aside from these un-pleasantries, the humid conditions can actually cause damage to your home, and also to your body. Eye irritations, allergies, headaches and respiratory problems such as asthma. If you've been dealing with some of these humidity problems within your home, you should get in touch with air conditioning repair specialists at Edd Helms. We can help you to map out a dehumidification strategy and strip the moisture from your home, thereby enhancing the quality of your home air.

Renters & Air Conditioning

When you are renting a home or apartment, major utility problems such as a water leak or a broken air conditioning system are the responsibility of your landlord. But do you know valuable information such as a timeline your landlord intends to handle these situations? Here in Florida, living without air conditioning is barely living at all--at least it will feel that way once the unit breaks down.

While your lease should outline basic guidelines for landlord responsibility, sometimes these are not always followed. If you have a tough time getting your landlord to provide the monetary funds to complete repairs for your living space, you should contact a tenant attorney who specializes in tenant rights. Even if your landlord is located out of town or out of the country, they have a responsibility to provide a pleasant and healthy living space to you. You can even suggest to your landlord that they contact South Florida air conditioning specialists Edd Helms to get you up & running on the same day.

The History of the Air Conditioner

Nowadays, we can't imagine battling the summer heat without the reassuring arctic chill of an air conditioning unit. But like most modern developments, people did in fact survive before it was invented. As air conditioning repair experts, we thought we should share some of the beloved air conditioner's history. And as you probably guessed, the original prototype was invented in Florida.

Dr. John Gorrie utilized an ice machine that blew air over a bucket of ice to bring temperatures down in sweltering Apalachicola, Florida hospital rooms with patients suffering from yellow fever. This advance was made in the 1840s! Gorrie was well ahead of his time, predicting that cooler climates would ease illness and soothe patients. His theories fell upon deaf ears, and air conditioning methods were shelved for about fifty years, when Willis Carrier of New York developed an air conditioning system. His invention was intended to cool printers that overheated due to mass printing jobs. The coolant he used was safer than previous models attempted by other inventors, therefore leading to popularity among stores and factories that needed to cool work spaces and machinery.

Today, the air conditioner continues to evolve, as it has since its inception, with concerns now leaning in topics such as energy efficiency and air quality improvements.