Envirotech Air Quality Services Blog : Archive for July, 2012

How to Select Thermostats for Zone Control Systems in Palm Beach

Monday, July 30th, 2012

Understanding how thermostats and zone control systems function is important to deciding which one will be right for your building.  Envirotech is an air conditioning and heating company in Palm Beach that understands how thermostats and zone control systems work together to provide the best amount of comfort no matter how many different climate control areas there are in a building.

Zone Control Systems

Multiple zone HVAC systems can provide different air temperatures to a number of different rooms throughout a building.  Each of these rooms, groups of rooms, or zones is generally controlled by its own thermostat which controls air flow through opening and closing dampers within associated air ducts.  There is then a central zone control which coordinates the thermostats, dampers and entire HVAC system.  This provides the most specified amount of air temperature control in rooms throughout a building, which means more energy-efficiency and usage of the HVAC only in rooms that are occupied.

Thermostats for Zone Control Systems

There are a number of different thermostat types such as the traditional round or rectangular manual wall thermostats, as well as programmable and digital room thermostats, and even remote control room thermostats.  However, the thermostats which are used in conjunction with zone control systems must be compatible to one another.  In most cases they must be digital and programmable.

There are even options available now which provide one programmable thermostat which has multi-zone settings as well as remote control access to change settings for various rooms.  These fully integrated top of the line thermostats provide the ultimate in comfort and ease of use.

It is important to hire a professional Palm Beach heating and air conditioning company such as Envirotech that understands thermostats and zone control systems and can get you on the right track in not only understanding them, but deciding which thermostat and multiple climate control system will work for your individual needs.  Contact Envirotech and have your new zone control system up and working in no time!

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Summer Air Conditioning Sale! Trane and Goodman

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

Summer AC Sale | West Palm Beach | Envirotech AirWe are running specials on Goodman 13 SEER systems and Trane 14 and 16 SEER systems. Call now for details and more information!

GOODMAN 13 SEER

2 Ton $2,488

3 Ton $2701

4 Ton  $2950

5 Ton  $3116

Trane 14 SEER

2 Ton $2750

3 Ton $2797

4 Ton $3020

5 Ton $3092

Trane 16 SEER

2 Ton: $2980

3 Ton: $3020

4 Ton: $3283

5 Ton: $3837

 

 

 

All prices include digital programmable thermostats and safety overflow switches. Prices are for basic installation only, hooked up to existing copper, electric and slabs. Attic installations extra. Additional work such as electrical work or new circuit breakers, drain line repairs, additional refrigerant due to long line sets, etc. is extra. Cost of permits is not included and is additional.

Summer AC Sale | West Palm Beach | Envirotech Air

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Boca Raton AC Guide: The Ins and Out of Ductless Mini Split Air Conditioning

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

If you’re thinking about installing a new air conditioning system in Boca Raton or replacing your existing system, don’t overlook the possible benefits that a ductless mini split system can offer. Like any cooling system, ductless mini splits have their pros and cons. If you think that this type of system may be right for you, call a technician at Envirotech Air Quality Services today. We have all the information you need to help you make the right decisions for your cooling needs.

One of the biggest benefits that ductless mini splits offer is right in the name. If you don’t have the room in your home for bulky ductwork, or if you simply don’t want the expense, this type of system does not require it. That’s due to the innovative design of ductless mini splits. Like a central forced air system, ductless mini splits have two main units. One sits outside and contains the noisy components. The other is a wall mounted blower that is virtually silent. The two units are connected not by ductwork but by a conduit fed into your home through a small hole drilled in the wall. This contains a power cable and refrigerant lines, and is all that is needed to complete the system.

The unobtrusive installation of a ductless system makes it quick and affordable to install. An added benefit is the ability to divide your home into cooling zones by simply using multiple blowers all attached to the same outdoor unit. Because each blower is controlled individually by a separate thermostat it is easy to maintain different temperatures in different zones, boosting efficiency while saving you money.

It is important that your ductless mini split system is properly sized and, following installation, maintained. That’s why it is important to have qualified professionals help you through this process. Envirotech can ensure that you get the proper mini split system for your cooling needs and that you understand its operation to guarantee maximum efficiency.

Ultimately, the choice is yours and yours alone. Do your research before committing to anything and, again, call Envirotech with any questions or concerns you still have regarding ductless mini split installation in Boca Raton.

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Prepare Your West Palm Beach Home for Storm Season

Friday, July 20th, 2012

Hurricane Preparedness | West Palm Beach | Envirotech Air Quality ServicesEnvirotech Air Quality Services offer the hurricane and tropical storm services that you need. From hurricane preparedness to storm clean up, we can help get your home ready for the South Florida storm season.

There are many things that you can do to ensure the safety of your family and home during a hurricane or tropical storm. Be sure to have disaster supplies on hand, stay in communication, and listen to the alerts and announcements from your local news station. Call Envirotech to find out how to protect your home. We can install hurricane shutters and window protection. Be sure to prepare ahead of time by calling Envirotech. We can recommend the best type of hurricane shutters for your home. We also offer hurricane and storm cleanup.

We provide services throughout West Palm Beach and Broward, St. Lucie, Martin, and Miami-Dade Counties. If you need air conditioning installation or repair, mold removal, or duct cleaning services we are the trusted company in the South Florida area.

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West Palm Beach Air Conditioning Tip: What Preventive Maintenance Includes

Monday, July 16th, 2012

Regular maintenance on your West Palm Beach air conditioning system is one of the best ways to reduce repairs and extend its operational lifespan. Even if your unit is new and seems to be running fine, a little maintenance will help keep it running at peak efficiency.

While some maintenance tasks you can perform by yourself, like changing your air filter, a professional technician has a long checklist of things they do during a maintenance visit to keep your unit working as effectively as possible. Here are some of the preventive maintenance tasks that can really make a difference the number of repairs your AC will need over its lifetime.

Indoor Components

Your technician will check both the indoor and outdoor components of your AC system. Indoors, the will make sure that your blower assembly is clean and working properly. They will also inspect your evaporator coil, drain pan, and condensate drain lines for possible issues. Since the air filters have a big impact on air flow, your technician will clean or replace the filters as needed. Ductwork is also examined for proper airflow and leaks. Any wiring or connections will also be inspected to ensure safe operation.

Outdoor Components

Proper refrigerant charge not only will make your unit perform more efficiently, but it will also cut down on problems such as ice buildup. Your West Palm Beach air conditioning technician will make sure that your unit has the refrigerant charge recommended by the manufacturer. They will clean your AC, including the base pan, coil, and cabinet. The compressor, controls, and electrical system will checked by your technician for wear or damage, and any necessary parts replaced.

Each one of these tasks might seem small by itself, but they all add up to a safer air conditioning system that will work better and last longer. Remember to schedule a maintenance visit annually, and if you haven’t yet this year, give Envirotech Air Quality Services a call today!

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West Palm AC Guide: Central Air Conditioning System Noise

Monday, July 9th, 2012

When the hot weather is in full swing the last thing you want to worry about is the reliability of your West Palm Beach home’s central air conditioning system. The onset of unusual noises coming from your system can be a cause for concern, especially in the months when you rely on it most. There are a number of simple problems that could be at fault, though, so read these possible causes of air conditioning system sounds before worrying up too much of a sweat.

One of the most common, but still troublesome, noises to unexpectedly come from your central cooling system is a whistling sound. This could be the result of air escaping through a crack or seam in your system’s ductwork. Repair or replacement of damaged ducts will have your air conditioning running properly again in no time.

If you’re hearing clattering sounds while your system is running your fan belt may be worn or damaged. This will cause the belt to slip while rotating and create the noise you’re hearing. This is another quick fix for a service technician.

The fan blades of your cooling system are another likely suspect for excessive noise coming from your central air conditioning system. An inspection of the fan blades will determine if the fan assembly requires repair or replacement. If the blades are bent or if the fan is not sturdy it can rub against the housing unit and make quite a racket.

If something sounds loose or is rattling while your air conditioner is running, it is possible that the indoor motor is at fault. The screws securing the motor frame can come loose over time and rattle when the indoor blower’s motor is in operation. Any foreign object or debris that has made its way into the blower can also be responsible.

These simple solutions to the noises your central air conditioning system is making are best case scenarios. The fixes may be simple, but there may be more going on with your system than a few loose screws. To make sure that your West Palm Beach air conditioning system is ready for the hot weather, call Envirotech Air Quality Services. Our trained technicians will fix any problems that your cooling system is experiencing while making sure that there is nothing more serious happening with your air conditioning system.

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West Palm Beach Air Conditioning Tips: Cleaning Your AC Condenser in Three Easy Steps

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

Keeping your West Palm Beach air conditioning unit clean can help to maintain efficiency levels and prevent repair needs. It can also help the system last longer and improve indoor air quality. Because the condenser is part of the outside unit, it’s constantly exposed to outside dust, dirt, and yard debris; therefore, it is very important that you take the time to hire someone to thoroughly clean the condenser coil and fan. To scheudle this service, feel free to call Envirotech Air Quality Services. In general, we can clean the air conditioning condenser unit in three steps, which are outlined below:

  1. We always start by ensuring that there’s nothing blocking the airflow to the unit. We may have to trim low braches or prune back bushes that are obstructing the airflow. It’s also important to clear away any dead grass clippings, or weeds that have grown up around the unit.
  2. Once the unit is free of debris and dirt, we clean the condenser with a professional coil cleaner. Although some contractors recommend washing down the entire outside unit with a garden hose, you have to be very careful not to bend the fins. It’s best to use a specialized condenser cleaner and let it air dry.
  3. To clean the fins, we can use a dry, soft brush to remove dust and dirt. We clean the fins carefully because they are bendable and damage easily. We the straighten bent fins with a fin comb.

When your AC is not in use, keep it covered with the condenser cover that came with your air conditioning system. If you don’t have a cover that fits properly, call one of our West Palm Beach air conditioning experts to help you find a replacement cover or one that will fit your particular model. Don’t use anything that could come off easily in inclement weather. Covering your AC unit in the winter will help prevent damage or corrosion.

If you do happen to notice physical damage to your outdoor condenser unit, call Envirotech Air Quality Services so that we can send one of our West Palm Beach air conditioning technicians to assess the damage or make any necessary repairs.

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