Why Sizing Is Crucial for Commercial AC Installation

September 24th, 2014

Your business space needs to be comfortable for your employees and customers; otherwise, your business could suffer. Having a properly-sized air conditioner means the difference between having the comfort you need and not having it. A lot of factors go into correctly sizing an air conditioner for a space, much more than just square footage. Kool Breeze has offered comprehensive commercial air conditioning services in Fort Walton Beach since 1986, and we can help you choose and install an air conditioner that will keep your employees and customers comfortable for years to come.

Why Size Matters

There are only two ways to go when an air conditioner is the wrong size: too big or too small. Different problems arise in each scenario, but both scenarios have one commonality: they will leave you feeling uncomfortable.

Too Small

When your air conditioning system is too small, it won’t be able to cool your business space as needed. It will try, though, and you’ll see the evidence of this in the form of high energy bills and possible repairs. Why? A system that is too small will run continuously as it tries to achieve your set temperature. Continuous cycling can also lead to overheating, malfunction, premature aging and possible breakdown, which can cost you in repairs. All in all, it’s not a good thing for you, your business or your system.

Too Big

Yes, you can have an air conditioner that is too big, and it will cause you problems. The main issues caused by installing an air conditioner that is too big for your space are:

  • Loss of moisture control
  • Short-cycling

The reason you can lose moisture control with a system that is too big is because it cools your space too quickly – it doesn’t give the air conditioner time to properly dehumidify the air. This can leave your indoor air feeling cold and clammy. A second problem that can develop with a system that is too big is short-cycling. Short-cycling refers to an air conditioning system that cycles on and off too frequently. When your space cools too quickly, it also regains heat quickly. As such, your AC will cycle on and off constantly, which can lead to mechanical problems and serious wear and tear.

Working with a professional who can correctly calculate the cooling load for your business space is the first step toward installing a commercial air conditioning system in Fort Walton Beach that will properly fit your business space. Call Kool Breeze today and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists.

Continue Reading

Rely on Professionals for Your Commercial Air Conditioning Installation

September 17th, 2014

If you need a new commercial air conditioning system, you’ll need to find the right company to help you choose the correct cooling capacity and provide professional installation services. So if you want someone who knows the ins and outs of commercial air conditioning systems, don’t go with just any air conditioning service company. When you choose an inexperienced technician for the job, especially one who specializes only in residential air conditioners, your business may suffer. Systems that are not sized or installed correctly run into problems sooner than those that receive professional commercial air conditioning installation from a specialist.

Residential systems are not like commercial air conditioners for many reasons. First, commercial units are generally much larger than those installed in homes, but this isn’t the only difference. Most commercial HVAC units are packaged systems, meaning every part is contained in a single unit. Whereas traditional residential air conditioning units are split systems, with a condenser unit outside and an evaporator unit indoors, packaged units contain all of these parts in one cabinet and are installed either on the rooftop or right outside the building, connecting directly to the ducts. Another feature of commercial packaged units which makes them perfect for businesses is the fact that they are modular. This means that you can add modules onto the system to adjust the cooling capacity as your business grows rather than installing a whole new AC. However, an inexperienced technician may be unfamiliar with some of these differences, and you may end up with a system that is not the correct size. A unit that is too small will not cool your entire business, while a unit that is too large may lead to compressor failure.

Besides, you’ll want to find a company that knows the ins and outs of your specific system and has experience making repairs and doing routine maintenance so you can contact them again in the future. When you need commercial services, you want the ability to call professionals who can assess repair needs quickly and get the job done right so that your business can return to normal operation soon. And the best company for this job may be the people who installed it in the first place! When you need commercial air conditioning installation in Pensacola Beach, give a call to Kool Breeze.

Continue Reading

What Are the Differences Between Heat Pump and Air Conditioning Repair?

September 10th, 2014

Heat pumps and air conditioners can seem like very different systems, but the truth is that, in cooling mode, a heat pump is an air conditioner. Contrary to popular belief, air conditioners don’t cool by pushing cold air into a space; they remove the heat and humidity from that space. Heat pumps also transfer heat, which is how they are similar to air conditioners. The main difference between the two systems is that a heat pump can also provide heat. But whether you need heat pump or air conditioning repair in Navarre, FL one thing is for sure: you should call the trained specialists at Kool Breeze for all your AC repairs.

The Differences in Repair

Both central AC systems and heat pumps have a condenser, a compressor and an evaporator, and both use refrigerant. As such, repairs to these parts are the same. The differences have to do with the heating mode, and more specifically, with the components that help with that:

  • Problems with the reversing valve – the reversing valve in a heat pump is what allows it to switch modes from heating to cooling. One of the more common problems with the reversing valve is that it can get stuck in a certain position, which essentially freezes the operation of the pump. The valve can get stuck in either one of the modes, or in between. Sometimes a stuck valve can be repaired, but sometimes full replacement is necessary.
  • Problems with pressurization – high and low pressure in the reversing valve helps move the slide that switches between heating and cooling modes. Pressure problems are typically triggered by issues with the compressor, a refrigerant leak or a dirty air filter. These problems can alter the pressure and cause problems with operation of the heat pump.

Whether you have a heat pump or a traditional central air conditioner, the most important aspect to any air conditioning repair is to hire a professional with the knowledge and expertise to get the job done correctly. If you are experiencing issues with your AC, call Kool Breeze today and schedule an appointment.

Continue Reading

The Fashion of Wearing White and Labor Day

September 1st, 2014

You may have heard about the fashion faux pas of wearing white after Labor Day. In the present, this tradition is usually treated as old fashioned and a joke. Few people will criticize you for wearing white articles of clothing after the first Monday in September, or even take notice of it except to wonder why it was ever a major concern at all.

Where did this tradition of white clothing going out of fashion after Labor Day come from, and why did it fade away like colorful fabric washed in a hot load in the washing machine?

In general, white makes sense for the heat of summer. Light-colored clothing reflects away the radiant heat of the sun, instead of absorbing it the way dark colors do, so for thousands of years of human history people have preferred to wear white clothing during the hotter months.

However, the idea of white as strictly fashionable during the summer season only emerged in the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries—the time when the very concept of “fashion” began to spread across the Western Hemisphere.

It was only the highest level of post-Civil War society in the U.S. that strict and often bizarre rules for fashion controlled whether someone was in with the “in” crowd. Compared to our ideas of what’s fashionable today, the Czars of Style in the 1880s were true despots. Things as trivial as sleeve length could determine whether a woman in high society—no matter her level of wealth—was fashionable or a pariah.

Wearing white during the only summer, when it was common for weddings and outdoor parties, was only of these restrictive society rules. When the U.S. government made Labor Day a federal holiday in 1894, the Fashion Czars gained a definite cut-off point for when wearing white was no longer “acceptable” in the upper echelons of wealthy society.

For many decades, this rule only applied to a small number of millionaire socialites in a few big cities, but in the 1950s it reached general fashion magazines that were read around the country and started to affect more people.

But time eventually broke apart this odd rule, and during the 1970s fashion became more individual. Some fashion legends, like Coco Chanel, also purposely rejected the restriction and wore white throughout the year. Today, the “no white after Labor Day rule” is little more than an amusing gag to tease friends, and almost nobody takes it seriously.

Whatever you choose to wear after Labor Day (and if it’s white, we won’t tease!), everyone here at Kool Breeze hopes you have a happy end of the summer and great plans for the fall!

Continue Reading

How Do Technicians Know What Kind of AC to Install?

August 27th, 2014

If you’ve tried browsing the internet for a new air conditioner recently, you may have noticed the vast array of options available. Central air conditioners come in all different sizes with varying efficiency ratings, and there are many different types of systems available as well, including heat pumps and ductless mini splits. Because you may be unfamiliar with all of these systems, you should choose your air conditioner with the help of a technician. However, when you need air conditioning installation, you want to ensure you get the system that is right for your home, is installed properly, and won’t cost too much money to run and maintain. So how does a technician know what kind of AC to install in your home?

The simple answer is that a technician has years of experience selecting and installing air conditioners. But none of the work can be done without your help. First, the technician must know what kind of unit is already installed in your home. If your current air conditioner is ductless, your best bet will probably be to replace it with the same type of system. Similarly, it would be unnecessary to replace a central air conditioner that uses your homes ducts with a ductless mini split.

Additionally, your technician will ask you questions about your budgetary preferences as well as how much energy you’d like to cut back on every month. If you’ve had a standard central air conditioner in the past, you may choose to replace it with a heat pump, which provides both cooling and heating. If you want to save money every month, you may choose a system with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio).

Finally, a technician must size your home for air conditioning installation. Choosing the proper size involves many factors, including taking measurements of rooms and making additional calculations based on the number of people in the home and other considerations such as the number and placement of windows.

When you want a professional who knows how to ask the right questions, call Kool Breeze today for air conditioning installation in Fort Walton Beach.

Continue Reading

Signs You Need Commercial Air Conditioning Repairs

August 20th, 2014

When it comes to your business, you can’t be without air conditioning. Commercial air conditioning repair in Pensacola Beach is not the same as residential repair, so it’s important to hire technicians with commercial AC experience, like the ones at Kool Breeze. There are a number of things that can go wrong with your commercial cooling system, and it’s imperative that, no matter the reason for the malfunction, your air conditioning is restored as soon as possible. Since 1986, Kool Breeze has helped many commercial air conditioning customers, and we can help you, too.

Signs You May Need Repair

There are some common signs that it may be time to repair your commercial AC system:

  • High energy bills – are you seeing a sudden spike in your monthly energy bills, but haven’t changed the way you cool your space? When air conditioners malfunction, they typically use more power to operate because they are stressed. The clearest sign of this is a higher monthly energy bill.
  • Uneven cooling – there are a number of reasons you can experience uneven cooling, including obstructed air ducts, broken fans, etc..
  • Decrease in cooling – is your thermostat at 72 but the temperature feels like 79? A decrease in cooling is not normal, no matter how hot it may be outside. If you are not achieving the temperature you’ve set, call a technician.
  • Decrease in air flow – the air may be the right temperature, but if you don’t have enough of it, your cooling is still compromised. Low air flow can put a great deal of stress on your air conditioning system, which can lead to other systemic problems.
  • AC won’t turn on – if your air conditioner isn’t responding at all, call a technician right away.

Commercial AC repair varies greatly from residential air conditioning repair, so it’s critical to hire professionals who are trained to handle commercial air conditioning repair in Pensacola Beach. If you see signs of poor AC function in your business space, call Kool Breeze today.

Continue Reading

Why Ductless May Be Your Best Choice for Commercial Air Conditioning

August 15th, 2014

The most common way for commercial buildings to equip themselves for air conditioning is through packaged units, usually located up on the roof. Packaged units combine the evaporator, condenser, and compressor into one cabinet, instead of using the split system that is popular for homes. Packaged units are excellent choices for many businesses, but they are not the only option. Many companies use ductless mini split heat pumps, which are especially popular in restaurants and bars.

If you are looking for a replacement commercial air conditioning in Navarre Beach, FL, or if you are planning new construction or moving to a new building, place ductless AC on your list of options. It may turn out that its many advantages are just what you need for a comfortable work place around the year. Contact the commercial specialists at Kool Breeze to learn if going ductless is one of your best choices for new installation.

Some Reasons That Ductless Mini Splits Are Good Alternatives

  • Heating and cooling: All ductless mini splits are heat pumps, so you will not only have quality cooling for the long hot season in Florida, but you’ll also have the right level of heating for the short, mild winters.
  • Better control over cooling: Ductless mini splits work through a series of individual blowers units mounted in different parts of a business, all of which connect back to the single outdoor unit. You can shut down cooling to parts of the workplace that don’t need it, saving money that a central AC would otherwise waste. Employees can also adjust the temperature in their area to fit their comfort without affecting the rest of the workplace.
  • Less energy loss: Air sent along ductwork loses energy and makes the HVAC system less efficient. Ductless mini splits have higher efficiency and will lower your utility bills.
  • Improved indoor air quality: Ducts collect dust, dirt, and other contaminants over time, and this will end up getting blown into the workplace air, leading to discomfort and health issue. Eliminating ducts means eliminating these threats to your business’ indoor air quality.
  • More space and design freedom: You don’t have to worry about a large network of ducts taking up room in your establishment, which will free up a tremendous amount of space. If you are designing a new building, the lack of ducts means you’ll have greater freedom to create the space that you want.

Ductless is not the ideal choice for all buildings, so bring in experts before you make any commitment. Call Kool Breeze and set up an appointment to explore your options for commercial air conditioning in Navarre Beach, FL. We are now approaching our 30th year in business, and you can count on our extensive experience to deliver you the best possible comfort solutions for your business.

Continue Reading

3 Ways an Old Air Conditioning System Can Cost You

August 6th, 2014

Having the same air conditioner for a long time – over 12 years – may seem like a good thing, but the truth is it may be costing you money, even if it still runs ok. Estimates put today’s air conditioners at 60% better efficiency than those from just 10 years ago. In addition, federal laws changed in 2006 to mandate that air conditioners be manufactured with a minimum SEER of 13, up 3 points from the prior minimum of 10. So if you’ve been hesitating with your air conditioning replacement in Fort Walton Beach, FL it may be time to consider whether or not it’s really worth keeping.

Reasons a New AC May Be Better

There are several good reasons to consider replacing your aging air conditioner:

  • Better energy efficiency – as we mentioned above, today’s air conditioners are significantly more energy efficient than older models, and your current AC probably has a SEER lower than 13. When you consider the energy efficiency of today’s models coupled with the fact that you can save an average of 10% with each higher SEER point, you could save significantly on energy costs.
  • Increased comfort – aging ACs can have a hard time keeping up with the cooling load of your home, creating hot and cold spots or failing to achieve the temperature you need. A new system will be better able to provide even cooling and increase your indoor comfort level.
  • Dependability – older air conditioners are more likely to need repair, even when they’ve been maintained. Not only are breakdowns inconvenient, they can cost a lot of money. With a new system, you won’t have to worry about frequent or costly repairs.

Still Have Questions? Call Us

The best way to determine if it’s really time for an air conditioning replacement in your Fort Walton Beach property is to work with a trained expert. Working with a professional from Kool Breeze allows you to take the time to calculate and review how much you’ve really been spending on your aging AC. Call us today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

Continue Reading

Are There Any Air Conditioning Repair Jobs I Can Do on My Own?

July 31st, 2014

Our current culture has an obsession with “do-it-yourself” jobs. Much of this is due to the rise of the Internet and the easy spread of information regarding how to perform tasks that were once mysterious to non-professionals.

Although DIY work can make for an interesting hobby, it is inappropriate for many jobs that require more than just a checklist printed up from an amateur webpage. One of these jobs that needs a trained professional is air conditioning repair. The complexity of current ACs is far too much for most people to handle fixing malfunctions without training.

If you are experiencing issues with your cooling system thus summer, call for air conditioning repair in Pensacola Beach, FL from Kool Breeze. We have the experience, training, and equipment to handle the necessary repairs fast and right.

But Can I Do Anything About the AC on My Own?

With regards to opening up either the indoor or outdoor air conditioner cabinet and attempting to fix anything… no, you can’t take care of an AC repairs. The operation of the system is too intricate, and repairs often require having the right type of replacement part.

However, there are a few things you can do when your AC shows signs of failure that may help, or perhaps identify a simple cause for the problem.

  • First, check the air filter. This filter need to be changed (or cleaned, if it is a permanent filter) once a month during seasons when your AC runs regularly. If it becomes clogged, it can result in a drop in airflow that will create extra strain on the system. Sometimes changing a clogged filter is all you need to do to get back system operation.
  • You can also look into the thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat is set correctly; a simple error in programming a digital thermostat can result in the system behaving erratically. The thermostat could also be malfunctioning, and this will require professional repairs.
  • Find all the vents in your home and check to see that they aren’t blocked or partially obstructed. Sometimes this can account for uneven heating for an AC working too hard. Also look around the outside cabinet to see if any large object has blocked it.

If you cannot find a basic solution to the AC’s problems from the above inspections, then it’s time to call for the professionals to track down what is causing the air conditioner to act up and then fix it.

It’s easy to find quality air conditioning repair in Pensacola Beach, FL. You only have to call Kool Breeze and talk to our expert technicians. Our staff is on call 24 hours a day for emergency service.

Continue Reading

Air Conditioning Basics: Refrigerant and Why It Is Important

July 25th, 2014

In order for an air conditioners to cool, they rely on the process of heat exchange, moving heat from the inside of a home to the outside. Refrigerant, the chemical that allows for heat transfer, is the perfect chemical blend for this process because it is non-combustible and easily converts from liquid to gas form and back again.

Your air conditioning system is made up of two major parts, the condenser unit and the evaporator unit. In split systems, the evaporator is located indoors, while the condenser is outside, but packaged systems store every part in one single cabinet. All air conditioning systems have the same components, however, and the four most important components through which refrigerant passes as it moves through the system are the compressor, condenser coil, expansion valve, and evaporator.

Each of these parts is responsible for changing refrigerant so that it can carry out heat exchange. The compressor changes refrigerant from a low-pressure gas to a high-pressure gas so that it can give off heat at the condenser. Here it changes into a liquid under high pressure and moves to the expansion valve, where it changes into a low-pressure liquid. At the evaporator, it changes back into a gas, absorbing the heat in your home in the process. It then moves to the compressor to begin the cycle again.

It’s important that the refrigerant level remains constant in order to continue cooling your home effectively. Low levels of refrigerant obstruct the exchange of heat, so that your AC has less cooling power. Additionally, the parts of your system are sized to handle a specific level, and when this changes it can cause the evaporator to freeze or damage the compressor, leading to a costly repair.

Refrigerant will never dissipate on its own. If you have low levels of refrigerant, it may be a result of improper measurements during installation, but it often means there is a leak somewhere along the refrigerant line due to loose connections or corrosion.

The technicians at Kool Breeze can assist you when you notice problems like these for your air conditioning system in Fort Walton Beach, FL. For repairs, maintenance, installation, and more, give us a call today!

 

Continue Reading