There are very few things that feel as bad as calling in a professional having them flip a switch and charge you. You have just spent quite a bit of money and can feel embarrassed. Or, in a professional situation, you may also have a difficult time justifying this cost to whomever you report to. Usually, you can prevent embarrassment and losses with a few easy steps.

Electrical

#1 Check Your Breakers: Breakers can trip for various reasons, some of which may be one-time instances and not causes for concern. Before calling a professional, I would recommend locating and resetting any tripped breakers. Bear in mind that there will typically be an inside panel and one outside by the meter. If the breaker immediately or consistently trips, you still may want to take one more step before contacting a professional: unplug everything and turn all switches off in the effective area. Then, you can reset the breaker. If they hold, try plugging in items one at a time, then flip switches back on one at a time. It’s time to call a pro if the problem persists or the breaker trips with something you cannot just unplug.

#2 Ground Fault Circuit Interrupters (GFCIs/GFIs): A GFCI’s primary function is to check for a voltage imbalance, so it is pretty normal for these to trip intermittently. Unless they are tripping more frequently than once a week, a GFCI is usually not a necessity to repair. GFCIs will be installed for all outlets in bathrooms, kitchens, garages, and outside the home. Keep in mind that one outlet can run up to 10 protected outlets. So, if you have an outlet not working in one of these locations, check and reset all GFCIs in the house before calling an electrician.

Air Conditioning

#1 Frozen A/C system: An A/C will freeze for three reasons: low temperature, low indoor airflow, or low refrigerant. If you have a frozen A/C, make sure of two things before calling someone: make sure the filter in the unit isn’t dirty, and make sure the thermostat is not set below 72°F. If you suspect either a dirty filter or low set-point were the cause, set the system to OFF and fan to ON for three hours. Then, restart the system, and it may resume normal operation.

#2 Backed-up drain: Your A/C will condensate up to two gallons of water an hour. The condensate will run from the indoor unit and drain outside usually via a 3/4″ PVC pipe. If sediment plugs up this pipe, it will either back up into the house, causing a mess, or newer A/C units will have an overflow shutoff or “float” switch. If you have a blank thermostat or a system doing nothing, you should first check this “float” switch for water. The float switch may be full. If so, empty it. Hook a shop vac to the outlet outside, pull the sediment out, refill the drain trap, reinstall the float switch, and test the system.

#3 Tripped breaker. See above for testing a tripped breaker.

#4 Thermostat batteries: If the thermostat is blank, make sure the batteries are not dead.

Water Heater

#1: Pilot light is out: On gas water heaters, if there has ever been an interruption in gas service to the property (even briefly), the pilot will need to be relit. Follow the instructions on the heater to do this.

#2: Tripped breaker: Typically, a tripped breaker means that an electric element is shorted. However, it is not a bad idea to try resetting it. See if the problem still occurs.

#3: Tripped high limit: All electric water heaters will have a high temperature cutout safety on the upper thermostat. If the high limit trips repeatedly, there is a problem. (If however, you only have to reset it occasionally, it may not be worth repairing) This safety reset is a red circular button behind the upper access panel on the side of the heater.

Pool Heater

#1: Ensure that the pool pump is running and does not have a very dirty filter.

#2: Make sure all water is flowing through the heater and that there aren’t any valves diverting water away from the heater.

#3: Check to make sure all breakers are on.

#4: If there is cold air blowing out of the top of a heat-pump heater, it is operating correctly and may just not be at optimal temperature yet. This doesn’t necessarily mean its running at full capacity but would mean it is at least somewhat heating.

#5: Make sure the gas valve is on.

The post Things To Check Before Calling A Professional appeared first on Kalos Services.

The air conditioning installation for both units was done recently. The systems are the same make/model, and they keep the house cool while lowering power consumption. Here’s the catch: one of these systems could cost you over $3,500 more over the next 10 years.

A Few Extra Steps Can Save You Money

The Department of Energy found that over 55% of A/C systems with no reported problems are either over or undercharged between 10-30%. Over or undercharge may result in an average additional cost of $100 PER TON per year. The average house in Florida has a 3-ton A/C system installed. So, at the cost of the time and proper instruments to set the refrigerant charge to the ideal levels, the average Floridian would save $300 per year.

Also, manufacturers recommend removing the optional horizontal drain pan if your unit is installed in the more common vertical application. Leaving the pan would add an additional step to the air conditioning installation process, and the vast majority of A/C installers just don’t do it. Leaving this pan in the unit can cause a reduction of airflow up to 2%. That airflow reduction causes the system efficiency to drop by about 1%. Since the average Floridian spends $700 per year heating/cooling their home, removing this pan would result in cleaner and more sterile air and $7 per year saved.

Importance of Proper Air Conditioning System Refrigerant

When installing a new air conditioning system, it is important to ensure there is absolutely nothing in the refrigerant system except the rated refrigerant. The wrong refrigerant can potentially cause premature parts failures and costly repairs, but the primary issue is that it lowers the power efficiency. Non-condensables in the system will not flow normally through the piping and will build up in the outdoor coil. This causes higher pressures, higher compressor electrical usage, and lower heat transfer. Depending on the type and amount of non-condensables, this can result in up to a 7% reduction in power efficiency. Using the correct refrigerant will result in a power bill savings of $49 per year.

In total (with the average yearly heating/cooling costs per year in Florida being $700), incorrect installation of your new HVAC unit could potentially result in an additional $356 in power charges per year.

Total yearly savings of $356 (close to $1 per day) over the 10 years of use amounts to $3,560. You could save that money if you choose the right contractor to install your new air conditioning unit. Make sure you’re using a reputable air conditioning contractor who knows how important these small details can be.

Do you have questions? We can help! Fill out the form below:

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The post Common Air Conditioning Installation Mistakes That Could Cost You $3500 appeared first on Kalos Services.

We know an A/C unit is a big expense. Still, for many years, consumers have heard that their systems need replacing from companies looking to make a big paycheck. But how can you tell if your A/C unit is about to break? In these hot Florida summers, we regularly see a system make its last stand on some of the hottest days when it has to work extremely hard just to keep the house at a consistent temperature. Of course, you’re left with unexpected repair bills for an A/C unit. Many times, when you can plan for those big surprises, you’re able to handle the situation with a lot more ease, but how can you tell?

When determining if you need a new A/C system or not, we recommend watching out for three things.

A/C unit age

The general rule in the industry is that once an A/C unit reaches 10-15 years, replacing the unit is usually a much better investment than putting money into an older system. If your system is at that threshold, it’s usually wise to begin expecting, not wondering, when the system will fail.

Proper maintenance is a great way to extend the life of your system. So, make sure to take care of your A/C system, even if it’s new. If you don’t know your system’s age, that’s no problem at all. Write down the model and serial number from the manufacturer, and you can give them a call to ask them. If Kalos installed your system, our staff would also know the answer. We keep great records!

Humidity

One mechanical clue to a system’s state is how efficiently the evaporator coil is performing. A function of the evaporator coil is humidity extraction, and as a unit ages past the normal life span, the system will not perform to its usual operational standards. These efficiency breakdowns leave the air more humid and can cause your space to feel clammy rather than cool. If an evaporator is prone to freezing or has mold growth, those may also be signs of an older coil.

Sharp rise in costs

As with the coil, the system overall loses efficiency as it ages. The SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) of an older unit isn’t what it once was. As it loses each SEER increment, up to 9 percent of efficiency is lost. The result is an increase in your electric costs. If your utility costs are rising, and you’ve ruled out other causes, it’s more than likely that the age of the system is the greatest contributor.

Should you be planning to replace your Air Conditioner soon? Your A/C unit won’t last forever. Give a licensed, local expert a call and have a system evaluation done during your next maintenance. If you’re in Central Florida, visit our website to have one of our experts service your air conditioner with annual maintenance.

The post 3 Signs Your A/C Unit Is on Its Last Leg appeared first on Kalos Services.

We see this all of the time in our industry: a customer who chooses to go with a costly repair on an old system that will statistically be a bad investment. What’s stopping you from getting an air conditioning replacement? Many homeowners can’t justify a large initial investment for a new A/C unit but don’t consider the long-term benefits that they could start taking advantage of with a new unit. Here are seven great advantages to upgrading to a new A/C unit. With these tips, you could see some significant savings!

• Reduced spending – Since new A/C units are designed to run far more efficiently than models that are only a few years old, you can expect your monthly cooling costs to go down.
• Increased comfort – Advanced technologies promote comfort throughout the home by providing a constant stream of conditioned air, better moisture control, and more even temperatures with less fluctuation.
• Improved air quality – Improved moisture control means that you’ll be able to breathe more easily because your home will be at a lower risk for the growth of mold and mildew. Indoor Air Quality add-ons for new A/C units also are extremely helpful.
• Tax credits – If you want to get an even higher return on your investment, the time to upgrade to a new A/C unit could be now. Homeowners can usually receive a tax credit when they purchase eligible, energy-efficient HVAC equipment. Always do your homework beforehand, but getting a tax credit is a great way to lessen the expenses of a new system.
• Warranty protection – With new systems, we are currently seeing manufacturers with some great warranties. Almost all of them qualify for extended warranties, including some that cover parts and labor.
• Dependability – A total system replacement, on the other hand, can provide you with the peace of mind that your equipment will run dependably and safely for many years into the future.
• Friendlier refrigerant – The R-22 refrigerant, the type that’s probably in your current air conditioner, is being phased out by the federal government in response to environmental concerns. Today’s units make use of a more eco-friendly, EPA-approved refrigerant known as R-410A. As R-22 has gone away, we have seen an increased cost per pound. That price will continue to increase as the years go on. R-410A is a lot less expensive to place a system in the case of a leak.

Should you be planning to replace your Air Conditioner soon? Your air conditioner won’t last forever. Take a look at our Air Conditioner Buying Guide to familiarize yourself with your options and give a licensed, local expert a call for a system evaluation during your next seasonal maintenance. If you’re in Central Florida, visit our website to have one of our experts service your air conditioner!

The post How a New A/C Unit Can Save You Money! appeared first on Kalos Services.

Have you ever been surprised at the number of different air filters available at your local retailer? Most people can only guess which air filter is actually right for their system. Although it’s a small detail, making sure you have the correct filter is one of the best ways to take proper care of your system and get the most out of your investment.

If you just need the quick rundown, our service manager Nathan Orr has broken down three standard air filters and their differences. In the longer video, we actually had some fun with an experiment. Which air filter actually holds up to its price tag? Check it out below!

Three Types of Basic Filters

When it comes to air filters, there are really three kinds of standard 1-inch filters that you can get at any hardware store. The first one is a fiberglass filter. These are see-through, and in the field, we call them boulder catchers—because that’s about all they will filter. They’re not really going to protect your coil or filter your air very well. These are only useful to stop large combs of animal hair or large particles from being pulled onto your coil. You can buy a set of five of them for $2-3. We don’t suggest using these because they don’t protect your AC unit. Either way, they are cheap.

The second and most popular kind is a MERV 8 pleated filter. This is the type of filter you would most likely have installed by a technician performing annual A/C maintenance. It’s beneficial because it has somewhat wide pleats. The purpose of the pleat is to give you more surface area. The more surface area you create, the more effective the air filter can be. This type of filter will perform well and catch most of what you need it to. It’s not going to catch too many allergens, but it does a good job of protecting your unit. Usually, it costs around $3-4 per filter.

On the high end, you usually have something known as an electrostatic-charged filter. It usually has tighter pleats compared to the MERV 8 filter. There are more pleats, it has more surface area, and it’s electrostatically charged. All of those traits can help the filter be more effective for allergen filtration. This filter will not release any dirt that it captures (at least not very easily). These filters will usually cost around $15 per filter.

Electrostatic Filter vs. MERV 8 filter

The electrostatic filter and the MERV 8 filters are both generally advertised as a 30-day filter. It’s important to keep in mind that 30 days is based on an average run time per day and not a hard rule. Depending on how much your unit is running, you may need to change it more frequently than the suggested 30 days. Generally, the recommendation is to check it at least every 30 days to see if it has gotten dirty.

So as you can see, different filters do have different positives and negatives. Ask yourself if your air filter will protect your coil, filter your air, and compare different features and costs to come to your decision. Those are all things to consider when you’re selecting your air filter.

Of course, if you’re looking for a good place to buy some filters, hop over to our post about how you can get all of your preventative A/C maintenance filters delivered directly to your door.

Do you have questions? We can help! Fill out the form below:

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