Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Navarre’

The Advantages of Electric Furnaces

Wednesday, October 22nd, 2014

Electric furnaces tend to get overshadowed by the more common gas-fueled furnaces. There are a number of reasons for this. Natural gas tends to be a cheaper fuel source than electricity. Despite this, an electric furnace can actually offer a number of great benefits. Have a look at the advantages below of owning an electric furnace.

Efficiency

It’s true that natural gas is a cheaper fuel source for furnaces on average. However, electric furnaces are virtually 100% efficient at converting electricity to thermal energy. Combustion heat systems tend to hover between 75-95%. This means that, while you will be paying more for the fuel, you will be paying less overall for your heating.

Safety

Though gas-powered heating systems are still very safe, they cannot avoid producing toxic combustion byproducts like carbon monoxide. Normally, the heating system will vent the toxic gases outside the home. There is always a change, however, of something going wrong and flooding your house with potentially deadly fumes. There is also a risk of fire associated with combustion systems, commonly caused by a gas leak or overheating. An electric furnace does not utilize combustion, and so produces no toxic byproducts. This way, you never have to worry about being in danger from your heating system.

Accessibility

Though natural gas lines are widely available, there are still some places where you will be unable to access one. Even if the city has the infrastructure for them, you will have to pay to install a new line if your house is not already equipped with one. None of this is necessary with an electric furnace. Electricity is available in practically every populated area in the country, and doesn’t require any extra groundwork to be installed in your home.

Solar Interfacing

Electric furnaces can easily interface with solar heating systems to provide even more efficient heating. This is also possible with more traditional combustion-based systems, but tends to require expensive retro-fitting to make the systems mesh properly.

If you are thinking about installing an electric furnace, call Kool Breeze today. We install electric furnaces throughout the Navarre area. Contact us today to schedule an appointment.

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Consider a Ductless System for Your New Heating Installation

Wednesday, October 1st, 2014

The fall season is a great time to install a new heating system in Navarre. One option you may want to consider is ductless heating. Ductless heating offers several great benefits, including the ability to offer both heating and cooling. However, if your heating system isn’t installed correctly, you won’t gain any benefit, which is why it’s important to hire trained professionals. For almost 30 years, Kool Breeze has been professionally installing all kinds of heating systems, and we bring this experience to every job we do. Call us today!

How a Ductless System Heats and Cools

Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one place to another; refrigerant is used to facilitate this process. During the summer months, the heat pump removes heat from your indoor air and transfers it outside; in the winter, the heat pump absorbs heat from the outdoor air, concentrates it, and transfers it inside via the ductless blowers to heat your home.

Heat pumps can heat and cool homes thanks to a component called a reversing valve. This valve changes the flow of the refrigerant, which is how the heat pump switches from heating mode to cooling mode.

Benefits of a Ductless System

You know that a ductless system offers both heating and cooling, but it also offers these benefits:

  • Customized heating – each indoor blower operates independently; this allows you to set the temperature of each blower as you want, which maximizes your comfort level.
  • Easy installation – the installation of a ductless system is pretty straightforward: the outdoor unit is typically placed on the ground, and the indoor blowers are mounted flush against walls or hung from ceilings. The indoor blowers connect to the outdoor unit via a small conduit drilled into an exterior wall. An outdoor unit can support up to 4 indoor blowers.
  • Energy efficiency – a heat pump doesn’t use any fossil fuels to operate; instead, it uses a small amount of electricity. This makes ductless systems very energy efficient.

A ductless heating system in Navarre can offer you comfort, heating and cooling, and energy efficiency, all in one system. If this sounds like the kind of heating system you are looking for, call Kool Breeze today and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts.

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

Wednesday, 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.

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Why Ductless May Be Your Best Choice for Commercial Air Conditioning

Friday, 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.

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How Does a Dehumidifier Work?

Friday, June 13th, 2014

High humidity can be as much of a detriment to your comfort levels as high temperatures. When too much moisture is in the air – more than about 50% or so – it interferes with our body’s natural ability to cool off. When we get hot, we sweat, and as the sweat evaporates into the air it cools off our skin. But high humidity means that the sweat won’t evaporate – there’s too much moisture in the air already – and that all-important natural cooling power is lost. The good news is that a whole-house dehumidifier can remove excess humidity in your home, and help improve your comfort levels immeasurably. Utilizing a whole house dehumidifier in Navarre, FL is an extremely good idea considering how humid our Florida summers get. But how does a dehumidifier work? Read on for the answers.

In principle, a dehumidifier isn’t all that different from an air conditioner. Both systems circulate refrigerant gas, using the gas’s cooling ability to do its job. With the dehumidifier, a fan compressor will compress the gas, then move it into a series of cooling coils, where it expands. As it does so, it pulls heat out of the nearby air. As the air cools, the moisture in it solidifies and becomes condensation. (You can see this effect in nature with the formation of dew in the early morning.) A large reservoir collects the condensation while a reheater collects the excessive heat creates by the fan compressor. A blower moves air from the house into and out of the dehumidifier. In this way, the air in the entire house is treated for excess moisture.

Your air conditioner does the same thing by default, and indeed most AC units have at least a small drain pan for disposing of moisture pulled out of the air. But too much moisture can overwhelm your AC unit, and in any case the act pulls energy away from its primary job of cooling the air. A whole house dehumidifier in Navarre (and other steamy Florida towns) really is the answer, and the experts at Kool Breeze can help you install one. We understand how dehumidifiers work and we can advise you on the best possible option for your home. Give us a call today to set up an appointment!

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What Type of AC is Right for Your Home

Friday, May 16th, 2014

If you’re in the market for a new AC, then you need to make sure that you hire a professional to get the job done right the first time. Because one of the most critical aspects of new air conditioning installation in Navarre is the selection process itself, it’s best to have a professional on hand early on. As with most things these days, there is no shortage of options from which to choose. Whether you welcome this range or find it confusing, you still want to find the right cooling system for your home. Sometimes, that means going for a conventional central air unit, while in other cases, it might mean selecting a ductless cooling system.

All air conditioners operate by means of the refrigerant cycle, which involves the use of a refrigerant cycling through various pressures and temperatures in order to transfer thermal energy from indoors to the outdoors. Let’s take a closer look at some of your air conditioning options so that you can get a sense of what’s available.

AC Options for Your Home

  • Central air conditioning. When it comes to power, you may want to consider a central air unit. These systems have an outdoor unit and a centralized indoor air handler attached to a network of ducts installed behind the walls and in the ceilings of your home. If you already have ductwork in your home, then a central AC makes sense. It’s important to make certain that your central AC’s cooling capacity matches the size of your living space to ensure maximum performance and efficiency.
  • Heat pump. A heat pump works much like a central air conditioner in that it circulates refrigerant throughout indoor and outdoor units and also uses ductwork. It is unique in that it is also capable of reversing the flow of refrigerant, and thus heating your home during the winter months as well. Because of our moderate winters, a heat pump remains energy efficiency throughout the year.
  • Ductless mini split. If you’d like to avoid the use of ductwork altogether, then you may want to consider a ductless mini split. These systems use multiple indoor air handlers placed throughout the living space. Without ductwork to function as an intermediary between you and your cooling, a ductless system is often significantly more energy efficient than central air units. Moreover, they are not subject to many of the indoor air quality issues associated with ductwork.

Whatever type of AC you settle on, make sure you do it in consultation with an expert. Call Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today for more information. 

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What Is Geothermal and Is It Right for My Home?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

If you’ve already started doing a bit of research online about new HVAC systems for your home or commercial space, then you may have come across the term “geothermal.” As the term suggests, geothermal heating and cooling is a way of making your home more comfortable by means of the thermal energy stored underground. This system type is known for its excellent energy efficiency as well as for its year-round versatility.

When it comes to geothermal installation and service, you can count on Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. Give us a call today to set up an initial consultation. 

Despite its moniker, geothermal energy does not emit from the Earth’s core, so you don’t have to worry about magma. Rather, geothermal energy is latent energy that has been stored by the sun’s rays. When you get down to a certain level, the temperature of the earth is consistently moderate throughout the year, whether it’s July or January. Geothermal HVAC systems seek to draw upon that energy. They use underground piping that circulates a water or anti-freeze mixture to dissipate thermal energy into the ground during the summer, and to draw that thermal energy from the ground during the winter. The system connects to a fairly conventional heat pump setup, including the use of ductwork throughout the home.

But it’s important to make sure that your property can handle a geothermal system in the first place. Obviously, such a system requires a certain amount of space for the installation of underground piping. There are also other options for the installation of piping, including using small bodies of water on the property, such as ponds, to facilitate the heating and cooling process. Most importantly, it’s a good idea to discuss the details of your home and HVAC needs with a professional so that we can find a solution that’s right for you.

Geothermal systems function much like conventional heat pumps, but often at a fraction of the energy consumption. Whereas conventional air conditioners have to contend with high outdoor temperatures during the summer, a geothermal system only has to contend with a relatively moderate ground temperature.

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The Importance of New Construction HVAC

Friday, May 2nd, 2014

Most people rely on experts for the construction of a new home. Even if you specialize in one particular trade, be it plumbing, carpentry, roofing or concrete, you’re going to need to hire a team of specialists to ensure the job is done in a timely and correct manner. One major aspect of any new home construction project is the HVAC system. How will you keep cool during the summer? How will you stay warm during the winter? If you haven’t begun considering that, it’s never too early or too late. New construction HVAC services involve more than just the installation.

You might be able to get away without a whole house air conditioner in some areas of our country, but not here. You want to have a reliable, efficient and powerful cooling system available at the flick of a switch. There are a number of different air conditioners to select from, but first things first: you need to know how much cooling you need. That’s where a heat load calculation comes into play. A professional HVAC technician can perform a series of measurements in order to figure out just how much cooling your new home will need based on various factors, including square footage and the amount of windows and doors.

You also need to make certain that your new air conditioner is designed with the ductwork in mind. After all, the system power and the ducts also have to match, as an overly large system or improperly sized ductwork can cause serious performance and efficiency problems. A trained technician will be able to come up with a system design that ensures your AC works well for years to come. All of this is required of heating systems, too.

Deciding on a system for your new home or commercial space can be difficult, but we can make it easy on you.

There are numerous factors to consider, including the size of your space, your heating and cooling preferences, as well as your budget. Call Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. today. 

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How to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Friday, April 25th, 2014

What’s ailing your home’s indoor air? Is it mold, mildew or bacteria? Do you feel that the air is excessively wet or dry? Is it hard to breathe? Are your allergies out of control? There are plenty of substances that can be detrimental to your indoor air quality in Navarre, but, fortunately, there are an equally effective number of solutions available to the homeowner to combat such problems, including air filtration systems, air purifiers, humidifiers, dehumidifiers and energy recovery ventilators.

Considering how much time we spend indoors, it’s important to make certain that you breathe clean air when you’re at home or at work. Taking control of your indoor air quality often requires much more than cracking a window. Moreover, opening up the windows during the summer or winter can significantly raise your heating and cooling costs. It’s important to find indoor air quality solutions that directly address the problems you are out to remediate. Let’s take a look at some popular indoor air quality products.

Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

  • Air Purifiers and Air Filtration Systems. Whether you opt for a HEPA filter to remove particles from your indoor air, or you have an electronic air purifier installed within your HVAC system, make sure that it is completed by a professional. There are numerous different types of air purifiers and air filtration systems, including UV air purifiers that are directed towards microbiological contaminants such as mold, mildew and bacteria.
  • Dehumidifier. In order to make a dent in the stifling summer humidity, you may want to consider a whole house dehumidifier. These devices integrate directly into your heating and cooling system to affect your entire indoor air, and not just a single room. There are also humidifiers available if your air is excessively dry.
  • Energy Recovery Ventilator. One of the major problems of the modern, energy-efficient home is that natural ventilation is no longer available in quite the same way. If you want to avoid the rise in energy costs that will accompany any opening of the windows or doors, then you may want to consider an energy recovery ventilator. This device provides a way for you to exhaust stale air and preconditioning incoming air.

Let the friendly staff at Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. help you achieve excellent indoor air quality in your home or work space. Call us today.

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Common Air Conditioning Repairs in Florida

Saturday, April 12th, 2014

Considering how much use and abuse our air conditioners endure on a daily basis, it’s hardly surprising to learn that they will require air conditioning repair at some point. Let’s not mince words. Your AC will break down eventually. The trick is to be prepared for problems when they happen, and to avoid them wherever possible. Professional installation is critical in this respect, as is a program of routine maintenance carried out by a trained technician. However, no matter what type of air conditioner you have and how well it is maintained, there will come a time when it needs to be fixed or replaced.

Catching the signs of potential air conditioning repair in Navarre early on is the best way to avoid further damage. While any diagnosis must be completed in person by a qualified technician, there are some signs to look out for.  Here is a handful so that you can keep a watchful eye on your HVAC system.

  • Weird sounds. Does your AC sound monstrous when it kicks on? Does your cooling seem to create a lot of hissing and whistling noises? Don’t settle for such distractions. If your air conditioner makes any noise out of the ordinary, then it should be cause for concern. While it’s true that it may be a quirk in your system and relative benign, it could also indicate that you’re losing cool air through a tear in the ducts that’s driving up your energy bills, or that one of your fan blades is damaged.
  • High energy consumption. Keep your eyes glued to that energy bill every month, especially during the most expensive time of the year. Does it seem unusually high? If you notice an abrupt rise in your energy bill without a corresponding increase in cooling usage or the rate at which you purchase electricity, then it could mean you have a problem with your AC, including low levels of refrigerant.
  • Uneven or inadequate cooling. Don’t settle for anything less than your comfort. If you find that your cooling system fails to meet your needs, then don’t hesitate to give us a call.

The experts at Kool Breeze of Northwest Florida, Inc. offer excellent air conditioning repair services in Navarre and beyond. Call us anytime, day or night. 

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