Envirotech Air Quality Services Blog : Archive for August, 2014

Infrared Diagnostic Imaging and Mold Removal

Wednesday, August 27th, 2014

As many people know, having mold growth in your home can be a serious issue. However, finding the mold can be akin to a scavenger hunt as you try to find the areas of your home in which the mold is growing. Mold thrives in moist, cool, dark places, so it can be hard to detect exactly where it may be, and the places may be difficult to reach, like the inside of your ductwork. A great tool that can help detect potential mold growth is infrared diagnostic imaging. But not just anyone can use infrared light; it takes trained personnel to calibrate and read the results of the imaging. Envirotech Air Quality Services has the trained experts who can help you with mold problems using infrared technology.

How Does Infrared Imaging Help?

Infrared imaging, also known as thermal imaging, creates a picture or pictures from the infrared radiation of things, objects and living beings. This radiation is created by the heat energy of the object; the higher the temperature of the object, the brighter the color of its imaging. The image collects the infrared radiation from objects in front of it and creates an electronic image based on information about the temperature differences. The colors range from dark purples and blues, which indicate low temperatures, to bright reds and yellows, which indicate higher ones.

Trained technicians use infrared imaging to detect air leaks and pockets of moisture that aren’t readily visible to the naked eye. Infrared allows this detection without opening walls or ceiling, or pulling up carpets and floorboards. The technology is very precise and can map hard-to-reach places.

Once specific areas are noted to have excess moisture, they can be tested for mold growth. The infrared helps pinpoint locations that may have gone unnoticed without the help of the imaging.

Infrared diagnostic imaging can be an important tool to help with the removal of mold in your home. Mold side effects can range from uncomfortable to dangerous, so it’s imperative to completely rid your home of all mold growth. If mold growth has become an issue in your home, schedule an infrared diagnostic imaging appointment to help with your mold removal in West Palm Beach, FL. Envirotech Air Quality Services has the trained experts you need – call us today!

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How Can I Save Money with Air Conditioning Maintenance in Wellington?

Wednesday, August 20th, 2014

An effective air conditioning system is a must for living in Florida. Unlike many other states, Florida can experience hot weather throughout the year, and air conditioners will often work through the winter months in addition to the heavy strain of the summer. You have to take good care of your AC to make sure that all this stress doesn’t end up causing it to break down and require an early replacement.

Air conditioners need regular maintenance each year to keep away repair problems. But maintenance isn’t just for preventing malfunctions and breakdowns: it will help you save money. Considering how much you will need to keep your air conditioner running during the year, you can save a significant amount from your cooling bills with AC maintenance. We’ll explain how.

To schedule air conditioning maintenance in Wellington, FL, call Envirotech Air Quality Services. We offer preventive maintenance programs that will service both your air conditioner and your heater.

The Money-Saving Benefits of Air Conditioning Maintenance

Studies of AC operation have shown that if a system receives maintenance every year, it will retain 95% of its energy efficiency performance over its lifetime. However, each year that it goes without maintenance will see on average a 5% drop in efficiency. If you have a high-efficiency air conditioner with 20 SEER, it will only take four to five years without maintenance for it to drop down to 15 SEER, which is close to dropping below the ENERGY STAR minimum requirement for ACs. You can expect to see utility bills start to mount every year.

What maintenance does to protect and air conditioner’s efficiency is to tune-up the systems so that age can’t get a grip on the components. Technicians clean the evaporator and condenser coils so they effectively remove and release heat, clean the lubricate the motors so they don’t overwork, check on the motor draw for optimum performance, change out the air filters, look for air leaks, and tighten electrical connections. This will result in an AC that runs with as few impediments to performance as possible, and therefore without draining extra energy.

There’s another way that maintenance will save you money: fewer repairs, and a reduced likelihood that you will need to replace the system early. An air conditioner kept in the best shape should meet or exceed its manufacturer’s estimated lifespan. One that goes without maintenance might not even make it halfway—and replacing an AC is the most expensive “repair” of all.

Sign up today for air conditioning maintenance in Wellington, FL with Envirotech Air Quality Services. Our program not only provides you with quality AC and heating maintenance, but also a 10% discount on repair parts. Should you need repairs, our skilled staff is ready 24/7 to assist you. Call us today to set up an appointment.

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West Palm Beach Air Conditioning Repair Question: Is It My Compressor?

Wednesday, August 13th, 2014

The compressor is one of the most important components of your AC system. As refrigerant travels through your air conditioner, it must go through several phase transitions in order to remove heat from the home. As it enters the compressor, refrigerant is compressed into a high-pressure gas so that it can condense into a liquid at the condenser coil and release heat into the air. While the compressor is built to last, strain on your system, low refrigerant, a damaged part, or exposure to the elements may cause it to malfunction.

The following list includes a few of the problems that may indicate compressor damage. However, it’s important to note that any of these problems may also result from another source. Compressor damage is not a problem you should try to handle on your own. If you notice any of these issues, call a professional for air conditioning repair in West Palm Beach.

  • Hard Starting: If your air conditioner has trouble turning on and shuts off sooner than it should (commonly referred to as “hard starting”) it’s often a sign of compressor damage.
  • Compressor Will Not Turn On: When the unit will not turn on at all, the compressor may have overheated. However, this can also indicate thermostat problems or electrical issues.
  • Reduced Cooling: Reduced cooling can be a sign of wear and tear on the compressor. However, it may also mean the refrigerant is low, a coil is blocked, or it can be one of several other common problems that interfere with heat exchange.

Regular maintenance is the best way to prevent the need for air conditioning repair. During maintenance, a technician checks for problems like low refrigerant, which can seriously damage the compressor. Furthermore, you should call a technician at the first sign of trouble, as a broken part may damage other components of your system. The compressor works especially hard to compensate for damaged components, so it’s important to schedule repairs quickly.

If you attempt repairs without a qualified technician, you may cause permanent damage to the system. When you need air conditioning repair in West Palm Beach, call the experts at Envirotech Air Quality Services. We offer 24 hour emergency service so we can get your system in working condition as soon as possible.

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Can I Do the Steps of Air Conditioning Maintenance on My Own?

Thursday, August 7th, 2014

Your energy bills tend to be highest during the summer, but air conditioning maintenance is a great way to save some money by restoring efficiency to your system. However, many homeowners may try to save a little more by skipping professional maintenance in favor of trying it on their own.

While DIY projects are often a great way to save a little cash, air conditioning maintenance is a job that should be handled by professionals. In this post, we’ll cover a couple of the things you can do on your own to increase efficiency and reduce the need for repairs, and we’ll tell you why it’s actually more beneficial to call a technician for complete maintenance of your air conditioning system.

Maintenance Steps You Can Take on Your Own

There are a couple of ways you can help keep your air conditioner running smoothly throughout the season.

  • Clean or Replace Filters: The air filter in your AC unit helps regulate air quality and allows the necessary amount of airflow to move through your system. But if the filter becomes too dirty, your system may not get the proper airflow. This can cause the evaporator to freeze, reducing efficiency and possibly leading to costly repairs. To prevent this, clean or replace air filters once a month.
  • Keep Unit Free of Clutter: Another maintenance step you can take on your own is keeping the outdoor unit free of outside clutter or vegetation. Dirt and debris may get inside your condenser unit and block heat exchange or interfere with the condenser fan.

Maintenance Steps Best Left to the Professionals

While keeping air filters and the outside condenser unit free of debris is important, there are some steps you should leave up to the professionals. An experienced technician has the skills to disassemble and clean components and ensure they are put back properly. Additionally, an experienced technician will inspect your system completely, checking for low refrigerant and other repair needs you may not know to look for on your own.

Scheduling air conditioning maintenance is one of the easiest ways to save money on your bills this summer. For air conditioning maintenance in Lake Worth, FL, call Envirotech Air Quality Services today!

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