Posts Tagged ‘Scottsdale’

« Older Entries

Scottsdale AC Tip: What is a Packaged HVAC Unit?

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Packaged heating and air conditioning units are very popular in parts of the United States where it is often warmer. One of the reasons for this is because packaged air systems save space and they are very energy efficient. In this blog post, we’re going to describe the different types of packaged air systems and how they work.

Packaged HVAC

Virtually any kind of heating and air conditioning system can come as a “packaged” system. As the name implies, a packaged air system has all of the parts needed for heating and cooling in one, compact package. For a packaged AC unit, the air filter, coils, compressor and air handler are all in one unit. In the case of a packaged heat pump, all of the component for both heating and cooling would be conveniently tied up in one unit.

Electrical Strip Heat

For some packaged air conditioning systems, they can also heat your home using electrical strip heat. With this system, an electrical strip unit comprised of several coils of wire is placed inside the air handler. In heating mode, the strip produces heat using electrical resistance. The strip heats the air as it is blown across it and warms your home.

Space Benefits

As you might guess, having all of the heating and air conditioning components in one unit would save a lot of space. Packaged units are commonly placed on a flat surface outside or on horizontal roofs. Not only does this save room indoors, but it also keeps the noise level down inside.

Energy Efficiency

Packaged air conditioning and heating systems offer a high SEER and AFUE rating. For some models, a 13 SEER and 80% AFUE rating are achieved.

Maintenance Benefits

With all of your heating and air conditioning systems in one place, it makes maintenance very easy. When you have your packaged HVAC system maintained on a regular basis, your technician only has to go to one place to do all of the work. Regular maintenance can potentially extend the life of your unit and allow it to operate more efficiently.

If you have any questions about packaged air systems or if your interested in having one installed at your home in Scottsdale, then call Cool Touch today. Our trained technicians can talk with you about your home to make sure that a packaged HVAC system is right for you.

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Scottsdale Heating Tip: How to Choose a New Furnace

Monday, October 22nd, 2012

Are you thinking of purchasing a new furnace? Are you not sure what features to look for or how to get the most efficient furnace for your home? Whether you are in the market for a furnace replacement, or you are looking for the most cost-effective way to heat a new home, there are several features to look for to ensure that you get an efficient furnace.

Call the Scottsdale heating experts at Cool Touch if you want to know more about choosing the right furnace for your home. Here are a few things to look for as you start your search.

The first is the annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating, or you can simply look for the Energy Star label to know whether you are getting a high-efficiency system. If you aren’t sure how to interpret the AFUE ratings, call a heating contractor with questions. All new furnaces should be rated above 80%, but if you want a high-efficiency furnace, look for ratings above 90%, which means that at least ninety percent of the fuel is being used for actual heat.

New furnaces will also have variable speeds so that the system can run at lower speeds for longer to help maintain comfortable temperatures more efficiently. Look for models that have multiple speeds for the fans. This feature is usually listed as a multi-stage furnace or variable speed fans. These multispeed furnaces are more efficient because the various fan settings use less energy to get the temperatures at the desired setting.

The last thing to consider besides the size and output is the condition of your ductwork and how well you home is insulated and sealed. We can help you determine this and size the furnace according to your square footage, number of windows, etc. If your ductwork needs improvements, this should be taken care of prior to the installation in order to get the most out of your new high-efficiency model.

Feel free to contact Cool Touch to discuss your options with one of our Scottsdale furnace specialists. We can help you select the right furnace for your home, and we’ll make sure that it is installed properly and maintained for years of efficient heat.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off

Sun City Furnace Tip: Common Furnace Repairs

Monday, October 15th, 2012

With routine maintenance, the furnace in your Sun City home is less likely to need repairs; however, there’s always a chance that something could go wrong, or perhaps your furnace is simply old and has more issues than it did in previous years. In any case, furnace repairs should be handled by a professional who is trained to work with this type of equipment.

Call Cool Touch for all your furnace repair needs. Here are a few reasons your furnace may need a repair.

Cracked Heat Exchanger

If you own a gas furnace, always make sure you have a working carbon monoxide detector in your home in case of carbon monoxide intrusion. The heat exchanger is a common cause of this problem. When it is damaged or cracked, the waste fuel can seep into the living spaces. Your heating technician should always check the heat exchanger during any type of service. You can also routinely inspect your heat exchanger if you know where to locate it. Call a professional if you notice any damage, such as large holes, cracks, corrosion, or other issues. Newer furnaces often feature heat exchangers made of stainless steel and other durable materials to prevent this.

Broken Pilot Light

The pilot light on your furnace should always burn blue. If it is burning orange or yellow, you could have an issue. One way to check for other flame issues is to perform a flame test. First, you’ll need to shut down the furnace for about ten minutes or so, and have someone slowly turn up the thermostat as you watch the flame for any changes in color or flickering. If you suspect any issues, call a professional heating contractor. Gas furnaces should be repaired and maintained by a certified technician who is trained to work with gas-burning appliances.

Don’t hesitate to call the Sun City heating experts at Cool Touch if you have any issues or would like to schedule a furnace repair service.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Heating | Comments Off

Sun City Air Quality Question: What is Air Purification?

Monday, September 24th, 2012

We get a lot of questions about indoor air quality in Sun City and what exactly air purifiers do to protect homes and their residents against airborne contaminants. Air purification in its simplest sense is the process of removing unwanted allergens, contaminants and pollutants from your air using a combination of devices such as filters, air cleaners and germicidal lights. Here’s exactly how it works.

Types of Air Cleaners

There are three major types of air cleaners you can have installed in your home (there are some systems that contain all three components for a single air purification solution):

*  Air Filters – Filters are mechanical systems that remove particles depending on the grade and size of the filter. Most homes come with stock MERV 4-6 rated filters. There are models that offer protection as much as twice as efficient as these stock filters and there are also HEPA filters which provide best-in-industry protection against most particles.

*  Air Cleaners – Electronic air cleaners focus on a different kind of contaminant – the smoke and exhaust particles that tend to gather in homes near busy streets or in large cities. They ionize the air and separate such particles out of it to keep it clean.

*  UV Germicidal Lights – UV germicidal lights kill germs like bacteria and viruses as they pass through the ductwork or air handler where the system is installed, reducing the risk of illness in your home.

Using these Air Cleaners Together

By default, your home comes equipped with an air filter that can be easily upgraded for better protection against unwanted particles. However, the best way to ensure your air is truly purified, especially if someone in your family suffers from allergies or asthma, is to have a full air purifier installed that contains all three components above. While not necessary for every home, they do wonders for those in which they are.

If you are interested in learning more about the benefits of having an indoor air quality system in Sun City, contact Cool Touch Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical today.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Indoor Air Quality | Comments Off

Phoenix Air Conditioner Tip: Signs of an AC Fan Motor Problem

Monday, September 17th, 2012

Should your air conditioner suffer from a problem with its fan motor, there are a number of signs you can look for that will signal it is time to call a Phoenix air conditioning professional to inspect and repair the problem. Here are three such problems and what you should do about them.

Fan Shuts Off

If your fan turns off before the cycle is fully completed, there may be an electrical issue that keeps it from continuing. Bad wiring, a short out in the motor itself or an issue with the circuit breaker or fuse may cause this problem, and it should be inspected by a professional right away. In many cases a single part can be replaced to repair the problem.

No Air Flow

If your fan is on but is not actually circulating air, either because it is not only high enough or because of another issue, it can be due to a couple possible problems. It may be worn to the point that the fan itself needs to be replaced or it may be that the motor is dying – a natural problem late in its life cycle. Other possible issues include loose screws or wiring or an actual obstruction in the fan assembly.

Noisiness

If the fan motor is making a lot of noise, most likely it is because of a loose part clanging against the body of the fan motor when it is running. If this is the case, you can look for such a loose part, though because this repair often requires opening the cover to the fan motor, it is recommended that you call a professional for any such inspections.

Whatever your issues, it is important that you call a Phoenix air conditioning professional to repair the problem. Fan motor problems are often electrical and it can be dangerous to work on them without specific expertise working on electrical systems.

For air conditioning repair and maintenance in the Phoenix area, you can count on Cool Touch for quality service.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Phoenix Air Conditioning Guide: Common Reasons Your AC Freezes

Monday, September 10th, 2012

Air conditioning has changed our lifestyle a lot in Phoenix. It lets us stay comfortable indoors, while doing anything from working to sleeping. However, there is nothing worse than your Phoenix air conditioner freezing up on a hot day. Many common problems can cause your air conditioner to freeze.

  • Lack of Sufficient Air Flow

If the air filters in your air conditioner get clogged, collapsed or obstructed or you have undersized air ducts, the air flow from the air conditioner will be restricted, causing the system to freeze. Dirt build-up on the evaporator coil and humidity in the air collected on the coil causing ice build-ups can also restrict air flow.

  • Problems in the Refrigerant

Your air conditioner may end up freezing, if the amount of refrigerant in it is not balanced. If there is very little refrigerant in the coil, it will be extremely difficult for it to absorb heat. This can cause the air conditioner to freeze.

Air conditioners use refrigerant to cool the air that circulates through their system. If the refrigerant level becomes very low, the air conditioner will need to work overtime to circulate cool air. This can cause your AC to freeze. If you suspect that your AC has a low level of refrigerant, it is advisable to get the help of a licensed Phoenix AC professional immediately. Refilling the refrigerant can help you fix this problem. However, it is not advisable to attempt to refill your system on your own, as should be handled only by licensed technicians.

  • Outside Temperature

If there is extreme change in the outdoor temperature within a short period of time, there’s a good chance your air conditioner will freeze up. This problem can be prevented, however, by turning off your AC when the outdoor temperature drops significantly.

A frozen air conditioner causes cooling problems. Regardless of the reason that your Phoenix air conditioning system developed this problem, it is worth getting the help of a certified professional to fix it. This not only helps you restore a comfortable environment in your home, but it will also save you a lot of money in energy bills.  For any AC repair in the Phoenix area, give Cool Touch a call!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Phoenix Air Conditioning Guide: Programmable Thermostats and Your AC

Tuesday, September 4th, 2012

Programmable thermostats offer many advantages over traditional mechanical thermostats that measure the temperature in your home with expanding and contracting metal coils. While the latter is perfectly accurate most of the time, it requires that your entire Phoenix air conditioning system turn on at the same time and remain on, even if you are not home. A digital thermostat, however, can be programmed to turn on under certain circumstances and be put on a timer for when you are not home.

What this means for your cooling system is that you can set you thermostat to turn on and off for different parts of your home based on when you will be there and when the temperature will get high enough to warrant it.

For example, if you are away from the house every day between 7:30am and 6pm, you can set your programmable thermostat to 85 degrees during those hours when you are away. This will save you money on your cooling bill while ensuring the home doesn’t get so hot that it is dangerous or uncomfortable for pets or plants. The programmable thermostat can then be set to turn on 30 minutes or so before you return home so that it is cool in the house by the time you arrive at 6pm.

This system works in a number of ways. Some thermostats are available with 7 day programming while others offer 5+1+1 programming, allowing you to set different temperatures for weekdays and each day of the weekend. Certain models will even integrate with whole-house control systems so you can turn the thermostat on and off with a computer remotely – setting a number of carefully controlled variables for when it will be on and off.

Whatever you decide to do with your thermostat, know that having a programmable system offers many benefits to you as a homeowner, not only in terms of comfort but also in how much you spend each summer on your cooling bill. For more tip on how to use your Phoenix air conditioning system effectively, give Cool Touch a call!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Anthem AC Guide: Air Conditioning Performance Issues

Monday, August 27th, 2012

When an air conditioning system begins to have performance issues, it can be due to a number of common causes.  Whether your AC has stopped cooling, simply will not turn on, or has water pooling around it, the Anthem AC professionals at Cool Touch can help you understand your air conditioning performance issues while also providing quick solutions.

AC Not Cooling

An air conditioner that isn’t cooling can indicate a couple of key problems.  If there is not enough refrigerant,  the AC will stop cooling.  If there is debris causing reduced airflow anywhere in the AC, including clogged air filters, dirty condenser coils, or dirty evaporator coils, it can cause your AC to work much less effectively.

AC Doesn’t Turn On

It could be a blown fuse or tripped circuit breaker that shut power off to the AC.  It could also be a drainage problem – if the drain pan got too full, it triggers an automatic shut off so that a water leak does not occur.  It could also be a broken thermostat which needs to be replaced.

Water Pooling Around Air Conditioner

When water pools around the actual air conditioner unit, there could be a drainage clog.  It could also be a condensate drain tube leak, which would mean a tube replacement.  There could also be ice buildup on coils that has defrosted and melted, causing water to pool around the AC.  If this is the case, the cause of the ice buildup should be determined to prevent the problem from reoccurring.

No matter what your particular air conditioning performance issue happens to be, Cool Touch has a qualified team of Anthem AC technicians that can help. Call us today!

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Scottsdale AC Tip: Central Air Conditioning Components

Monday, July 30th, 2012

In understanding how air conditioners work, as well as what internal systems affect each other, it is important to know about some of the main central air conditioning components.  It can also help you decide when it may be time for a repair or maintenance tune-up. Cool Touch Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical provides air conditioning repair and maintenance to Scottsdale, AZ and the surrounding areas in Sun City, Arizona. Call us if you have questions about your AC system.

Air Conditioning Parts and Components

Some of the most essential air conditioning parts include the compressor, the condenser coil, and the evaporator coils.  There are also air filters, coil fins, contactor relays, time delay, and the compressor power pack.

The compressor is one of the hardest working central AC components.  It pressurizes the refrigerant causing it to turn into a vapor, and then pushes it toward the condenser. The condenser coil soaks up heat, where it becomes superheated, and the vapor is pushed into the condenser coil where the vapor hits outside air and all that heat is removed.

The evaporator coils takes over after that previous vapor turns back into a liquid.  The liquid hits the evaporator coils and mixes with hot air.  The refrigerant in liquid form soaks up moisture and heat and then condenses it, draining it from the system.  This leaves the air cooled.

Air filters keep unwanted particles, dust and debris from entering into the air conditioner and causing clogs in the system. Coil fins are a part of the evaporator and condenser coils and are essential to those AC parts properly functioning. Contractor relays control the fan and compressor, turning it on an off as necessary. Time delays will protect the contactor from any power surges which might occur, as well as creating a space between when the contractor turns on and off in order to prevent short cycling.

All of these are essential central air conditioning components that work together to keep your AC system running efficiently.  Let the Scottsdale, AZ air conditioning technicians at Cool Touch Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical help with all your air conditioner repair and maintenance needs this summer. Call now!

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

Scottsdale AC Q/A: What Are Common AC Fan Problems?

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

It is common for central air conditioners to make a small amount of noise while running, such as a small humming sound when the fan blows.  However, excessive noise is a sign that something has gone wrong: possibly a blower problem or a fan problem.  When think you have a fan problem, contact the Scottsdale air conditioning professionals at Cool Touch and have your AC system inspected, fixed and running efficiently.

What Is An AC Blower?

The air conditioner blower is actually the fan inside the AC unit which sends cool air through the cooling coil and into an indoor space.  It keeps the air moving.  When it doesn’t work the air conditioning system tends to not work as well.

When an AC Blower Will Not Start

When you turn on the air conditioner and it doesn’t start, there tends to be no sound coming from the fan motor as well as no cold air moving into the building.  This could mean that the air conditioner is overheating, or even that a fan belt has stopped working.  Our air conditioning technicians can identify and resolve this type of AC blower problem.

When There is Ice Buildup on the Air Conditioner

If your air conditioner has begun to form its own colony of icicles, which can also cause it to not work as efficiently as it once did, this tends to be a sign of a fan problem.  Commonly this could mean that the air conditioner fan has become clogged with dust and dirt and is no longer efficiently allowing the cooled air out of the AC unit.  Or it could mean that a broken fan is no longer properly circulating air.  Either way, our experienced Scottsdale air conditioning technicians can diagnose and solve these air conditioner fan blower problems.

Contact Cool Touch and receive excellent air conditioning system services from our team of highly trained Scottsdale AC technicians.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off

« Older Entries