Here’s Why You Should Treat Your HVAC System Like Your Car

Posted on November 28, 2019 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Here’s Why You Should Treat Your HVAC System Like Your Car

Yes, you read that right - your A/C and heating unit is like your car. Living in Florida, we know the importance of air conditioning when the brutal summer heat extends all the way into November and the importance of heating when the temperatures finally drop.

Many Florida residents don’t realize that their home A/C and heating system functions around 3,300 hours per year! If you happened to drive your car for the same 3,300 hours at 65 miles per hour, it would total a whopping 214,500 miles on your odometer. You wouldn’t want to make that trek without the proper tune-ups, such as an oil change or a routine check on your wheels, to assure you of a safe and efficient road trip.

Much like your car, your A/C unit needs regular tune-ups as it runs year-round so that it can run efficiently and be reliable when you need it. Check out these three tips for routine maintenance.

Filter, Please

filter

Changing or cleaning your filter is essential to your A/C unit’s performance.

We recommend switching the air filter once a month for optimal efficiency, especially if you have a furry member of your family that happens to shed a lot.

This is also helpful during allergy seasons because of the pollen in the air.

Inspector Gadget... Or Inspect Your Gadgets

Certain parts of your HVAC unit should be looked at yearly to ensure they’re tight, clean and working properly.

inspection

Neglecting of these parts, such as the electrical connections or fan motors, can lead to leakages, rusted parts, or larger problems because the issue wasn’t taken care of.

Smooth Moves

lubricatiion Lubricating the condenser fan motors needs to be done with any system tune-up. Along with cleaning the fans themselves, both of these will increase the efficiency of air circulation in your home.

It’ll keep your HVAC unit running smoothly year-round!  Since your system will likely be running another 3,300 hours in the next year, feel free to give us a call here at 772-905-3527 to schedule a tune-up. Let our ELITE team bring your unit up to the maximum operating standards so it will be there for you in the long run!

Now is The Time to Test Your Heating Systems

Posted on September 24, 2019 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Now is The Time to Test Your Heating Systems

It can be incredibly inconvenient, stressful and expensive to have your heating systems go out on one of the coldest days of the year. One easy and effective way to avoid this is to test your heating systems before the cold weather arrives so that you’re confident that they’re ready.

Fall is the perfect time to do this so that you’ll have adequate time to identify and fix any problems. To help you prepare your heating system this fall, today we’ll talk about some common issues you might see and how you can address them.

Knowing When It’s Just a Thermostat Problem

Sometimes your system is not properly heating and you assume that it’s a problem with your unit when in fact it’s simply a thermostat problem.

This is an easy fix if you know what to look for and can help you avoid having a cold house this winter.

Your thermostat works as the brain of your system - it tells your heater when to work and how warm to make your house. If the thermostat is not working properly, your heater does not receive the right instructions and your home will not be properly heated.

So, if your system is not working properly, the first place to check is with the thermostat. By ensuring that its batteries are working, that it’s on and that it’s programmed correctly, you can make some easy fixes to ensure your system is ready for winter.

Check Your Circuit Breaker

If your heater stops working, it could be an issue with a circuit breaker. To determine if it’s an electrical issue, start at your electrical panel.

If there is a burning smell, if the circuit won’t stay reset or if the circuit looks very old, the circuit breaker might be an issue. If so, you’ll want to have your electrical panel and unit professionally checked.

While you can sometimes reset the circuit and get your heat working again, identifying and fixing any underlying issues will help you to avoid an HVAC emergency this winter.

Dealing With a Blown Fuse

Depending on the type of electrical panel that you have, your heating issue could be the result of a blown fuse. Thankfully, these are generally pretty easy to detect.

If you look at your electrical panel and see burns, that’s a good indication that you have a blown fuse. Additionally, if you see melted wires or off-color glass, that generally means you have a blown fuse.

Again, rather than simply replacing the fuse, it’s important to take the time to have your system and panel checked to make sure that you address any issues that led to the blown fuse. You don’t want to wait until winter arrives to make sure that your heating systems are working properly.

To avoid an HVAC emergency, it’s important that you test your systems and deal with any issues before the really cold days arrive. We hope you’ll take some time this fall to make sure everything is working properly. If you have any questions or need to have your unit serviced, call Elite Electric & Air today at (772) 905-3527.

Celebrate Mother’s Day by Remembering Mom’s Tips

Posted on May 13, 2019 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Celebrate Mother’s Day by Remembering Mom’s Tips

Mother’s Day is right around the corner. It is time to tip our hats to the amazing women who raised us. Whether that woman was your mother, aunt, grandmother, or sister; each of these women has made countless sacrifices to give us all the best life possible. This year, we should all thank our mothers for the countless tips and tricks they have bestowed upon us through the years.

We can all remember an eye roll or two when it came to these tips, right? The importance of vacuuming is not high on the priority list of a teenager, but these things are more important than you thought! Every time your mother told you to dust the living room, or vacuum your room; she had more reason than just teaching us responsibility.

Not only do these things make for a clean living space, but they can also be beneficial for your health, and put less stress on your HV AC system. So many of the “tips” your mom told you are super important in the real world. Let's take a look at some of these…

Fire is a No No

Okay, how many of us heard “Don’t play with fire!” as we were growing up? This was maybe the best advice you got from your mother! As adults, we do use fire for any number of things; we burn candles, have campfires, and burn brush and trash in our backyards.

When using fire responsibly, it can be fun; but it has its price. Let’s start with burning trash and brush in your backyard. This can be a very cost-efficient way to rid your yard of unwanted debris, however; burning too close to your home can have hazardous effects on your health.

When you burn brush, for example, you are releasing carbon monoxide into the air. If the brush is wet, the fumes will actually be stronger. These fumes can enter your home and cause serious health risks. Also, the ash from your fire will be absorbed into the ground, and it can pollute your drinking water; this is especially true if you are burning trash.

Moving onto candles. Who doesn’t like a nice candle burning in their home? They give a nice ambiance, and they smell great! Did you know though, that burning candles releases the same gases that burning diesel fuel does? Scary thought, right?

When you burn a paraffin candle, it creates carcinogens that can cause:

Asthma
Headaches
Respiratory infections
Cancer

Knowing all of that, candles lose their appeal. There are some alternatives to paraffin candles, however. Beeswax candles are one great alternative that does not pollute the air. Another is using a warming dish with essential oils. You can find some amazing scents! Plus, a lot of natural oils will actually help clean your air!

Mothers and Their Gardens

So, a tip heard often while growing up is “don’t forget to water the plants!” A lot of us had this as a chore-along with weeding the garden and planting seeds. If your mother had a love of gardening or just plants in general, chances are you probably had either a full garden or indoor plants.

Not only are beautiful flowers and plants in and around your home is aesthetically pleasing, but indoor plants have also been shown to increase productivity and lower stress. It is probably one of the reasons your mother was so preoccupied with keeping them healthy, but I bet it was not the only reason!

Plants, in general, are amazing at purifying the air! The more plants you have in your home (and around your home) the better your air quality will be. The better your air quality, the less stress you will put on your HVAC system as well! The more pollutants that are in the air, the harder your air filters need to work to remove the debris.

If you keep the pollutants in your air low, you will not need to clean your filters as often, nor need to have them changed. This, in turn, will cut down on time and labor. Which mother does not want that?!

Mothers and Their Vacuum

This may be the best tip your mother gave you! At the time, it may have seemed more like a chore or demand versus a tip; but it was a tip nonetheless! Dusting and vacuuming are probably some of the best ways to keep your family healthy and save you money!

As we know, dust left unchecked will settle on pretty much every surface of your home. If not removed, the dust can cause health problems for you and your family. If you have pets; the risks are even greater.

Asthma, allergies, respiratory issues, cold and other illnesses, can all be caused by dust. You may have also heard your mother tell you to dust first and vacuum second. She was absolutely correct! Even when dusting with a wet rag, some of the particles will still be thrown into the air. The dust will then settle on the floor where you will be able to vacuum it up.

This is also another reason why many people recommend vacuuming instead of sweeping- as sweeping really only moves the dust around, but doesn’t necessarily remove it. Keeping all of your surfaces clean by dusting with a wet rag and vacuuming the floors will go along way to keeping the health risks at bay. Also, just as plants help air filters, vacuuming and dusting will prolong the life of your HVAC unit.

Give Your Mother a Hug for Her Tips

Looking back now, you can see how right your mother was about so many things! Take this opportunity to thank your mother for her wisdom!

In the long run, her love and care has saved you in more ways than one! Come Mother’s Day, let her know you appreciate every tip she gave to you! Elite Electric & Air wishes all Mothers a very special Mother’s Day!

What to do When Your Home Heating Needs Examining

Posted on March 21, 2019 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

What to do When Your Home Heating Needs Examining

We’ve all been there: It’s the first cold day of fall and you turn off your A/C to (hopefully) feel the warm breeze of your heater flow through your home. But what do you feel instead? Nothing!

Stagnant air and no purr from the heater. Not only can this put your home at risk, but it could lead to some extensive emergency repairs that could have easily been avoided.

But now you won’t have to panic because with knowledge comes (heating) power; so let’s learn about your home heating and cooling system by taking a dive into what they are and how they work.

Knowing Your HVAC System

You may even be wondering: what is an HVAC? The initials HVAC stand for Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning, describing the elementary functions of your HVAC system.

As a whole, your HVAC system is controlling the temperature and quality of the air inside your home. The temperature is controlled via either your heating option or your air conditioning option, as your HVAC houses both operations in one unit.

And the ventilation, of course, filters your air to maintain good air quality in your home. Keeping the air in your home pollution-free allows your HVAC system to run at top-level and also lightens the load on your bill.

How Did Your Heating System Break?

So now that you have a little background on your HVAC and are familiar with some terminology, let’s get back to your problem: your heating system is broken. To understand why it’s broken we need to examine how it broke.

Common reasons your heating system can break include a dirty filter, clogged ducts, a broken thermostat, or overall poor maintenance of the system. Dirty filters are the number one reason that heaters quit working and are one of the easiest to prevent from happening.

Dust, dirt and other pollutants get filtered through your HVAC and can cause the filter to fill with debris which makes your heater not work. An easy fix is to keep the air in your home as clean as possible and to change your filters regularly.

Solve The Problem With Heater Services

In the event that you do find yourself with a broken heater and are unable to fix it by simply changing the filter, it’s time to call in the professionals. That’s where Elite Electric and Air can help you.

We will be able to tackle any of your heating needs, from quick heating repairs to full furnace installation. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee and same day service we know you will be pleased with the fast and efficient work by our technicians. You can reach us by phone at (772) 905-3527.

We hope that next time that first crisp days rolls around and it’s time for you to switch on the heater you now have the knowledge of how to avoid the panic of a broken heater. And if the problem arises and you do need professional help do not hesitate to call Elite Electric and Air.

Why Does it Smell Burnt When I Turn on The Heater?

Posted on January 23, 2019 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Why Does it Smell Burnt When I Turn on The Heater?

It’s the third time, it’s now getting really frustrating, but you can’t risk freezing overnight! Yes, we know, understand, and have been there as well. Smelling the strong fumes coming out of the heater.

Some people even find it more understandable if it’s a furnace, but your heater? The central HVAC you were told to be perfect?! Why?!

Bad Maintenance

Sometimes, homeowners don’t know, don’t care, or don’t even try to keep their HVAC system working. It is a task, but just like any other part of your home, the heating system needs taking care of as well.

Often taken for granted, the utilities and systems in our homes, which take care of us, need to be taken care of as well. Upkeeping filters, duct cleanings, and even inspections is a surefire way to make sure your heater doesn’t smell burnt.

Having bad maintenance also means that you are neglecting what is keeping you at a perfect temperature. This hardworking machine, alone, compiling dust… dust that after given enough time, will settle and create a layer.

If this is your case, then there is no wonder that it smells of burnt. Turning on the heat burns off the dust and starts emitting the odor throughout your entire home.

Why is This Here!?

Certain objects seem to find their way up the wrong alleys oftentimes. And unfortunately, they can get stuck in your home’s ductwork, overheating, and thus creating this smoke-like nightmare.

This can be taken care of simply having a wary eye. In most cases, these can be toys, food, paper or just anything that is lightweight enough to get sucked in. Make sure to keep your house clean, organized and free of random trash close to your vent’s opening.

Let's Get Serious

Unfortunately, these smells can be stirred by very dangerous and serious problems within your unit. There could be a leak which is making a wire burn. There could be a shock within the system. These are so many possible problems when it comes to electricity, that if you are thinking it might be a possibility, don’t even think about it and call us now.

At Elite Electric & Air we care for you and your home, please let us know if you have further questions on your home. Call us today at (772) 905-3527.

Go Behind the HVAC Scenes to Discover Who Invented Modern Air Conditioning

Posted on December 24, 2018 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Go Behind the HVAC Scenes to Discover Who Invented Modern Air Conditioning

There’s no question that modern HVAC systems are ultra-convenient and user-friendly, but things weren’t always this way. In ancient times, the only way to produce heat was with fire, and while that did a good job, there were often ventilation issues before the invention of the chimney.

Ancient Romans used an aqueduct system for heating and cooling, and many cultures would try to create cross-drafts inside dwellings or utilize open courtyards to boost airflow to enhance ventilation.

The Invention of Modern HVAC

In July of 1902, Willis Haviland Carrier came up with the idea for air conditioning in Pittsburgh as he waited for a train.

It was a particularly foggy day, and he determined that he could probably dry air if he passed it through water first to create fog. And if he was able to do that, he should be able to control the amount of moisture that was in the air.

He completed his AC invention less than a year later and had a device that controlled humidity that would end up revolutionizing the world.

Common Parts of Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system includes many different components to produce the heating or cooling effect you need. Here are some of the most common:

Thermostat – this lets you control the temperature of your living space.

Evaporator Coil – this is part of your air conditioning unit and helps to cool the air when your AC is running.

Heat Exchanger – this is in your furnace housing and works to pull in cool air to heat it before sending it throughout your house.

Furnace – the main component of your heating unit and air conditioning unit, the furnace is typically in the basement and runs on natural gas, propane, a heat pump, electricity, or solar energy.

Condensing Unit – this is part of your air conditioning unit and is filled with refrigerant and connected to the evaporator coil.

Ductwork – your air ducts carry cool air in the summer and heated air in the winter to your vents and around your home.

Refrigerant Lines – the refrigerant lines are part of your air conditioning unit and carry refrigerated vaporized gas to your condensing unit.

Do You Have an Old Air Conditioner?

When you are trying to decide if it’s time for a new AC system or not, the age of your current system is a big factor in that decision.

If your air conditioning unit is more than 15 years old, then there are more energy-efficient options that will save you money and are more eco-friendly.

All AC systems have a SEER or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and the higher the number, the better. You can boost energy efficiency between 5 and 9 percent for every point increase on the SEER scale, and old air conditioners have the lowest ratings.

If you want more information about what we can do for you when it comes to a new AC installation, give us a call today at 772-905-3527 in the Port St. Lucie, FL area.

We Answer All Your Boiler Questions with these 6 Fun Facts

Posted on February 18, 2018 | by Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

We Answer All Your Boiler Questions with these 6 Fun Facts

Today’s modern boiler systems are very efficient, using methods of heat retention to help heat water that is recycled through your home, thus helping to save money on your energy costs.

However, for many residents of Port St. Lucie, FL, the boiler is still quite a mysterious component of your heating system. Below are answers to some questions often asked about boilers.

Question 1 - Does a boiler actually boil water?

The hotter that the water is in your boiler, the longer it will stay hot in your pipes; however, an efficiently operating boiler should be able to heat the cold water inside your pipes to at least 60 degrees.

This is well below the boiling point of 140 degrees. The reason for this is that it takes a lot more natural gas fuel to heat water to a boil, so keeping the water at a lower temperature helps keep natural gas costs down.

Question 2 - How does a boiler really work?

A boiler is fueled by the natural gas that flows from the natural gas company’s pipe into your home. To turn the boiler on, you flick a switch, and the boiler ignites with a clear blue flame.

This heats the cold water in your home’s pipes, which is then warmed and pushed upwards to all of your radiators.

As it cools, it flows back to the boiler, where it is rewarmed, recycled and sent back up through the pipes to do the job again.

Question 3 - Is high water pressure necessary to run a boiler?

The water pressure needed is usually specified on the unit’s identification tag. The usual setting is 12- to 15-psi, which is not that high.

Most homes have a water pressure that is higher than that, but if it is lower, the warmed water in your pipes may not rise high enough to heat upper levels.

On the other hand, the psi should not be higher than this, or the heating water may not have room to expand in your pipes and cause higher fuel bills.

Question 4 - Do water heater systems humidify the room?

Water heated systems do not humidify a room, although it is moister air than is emitted from electric heat or wood-burning fires.

As is true of any heated space, the air in the room will dry out a bit as it warms.

If your house is older, you can humidify the room naturally by placing jars of water on top of the radiator.

Question 5 - Why are boilers energy efficient?

Boilers are energy efficient because the newer condenser style does not have a flue, which means that no warmth escapes into the outside air.

A flue style boiler can vent about 25% of the heat that you pay for in the form of steam.

Newer models collect condensed vapor and use it again and again, feeding heat back into the system.

Question 6 – How can an energy efficient boiler save money?

The most energy efficient boilers are contemporary condenser models, which have been installed in homes since the nineties.

Your heating system’s overall efficiency can be increased by almost 93%, which in turn reflects as substantial savings on your energy bill.

This makes the installation of a new condenser boiler an excellent idea for those who find that their old style with a flue is leaking air and costing them money. In conclusion, installing a new boiler can be well worth it, as it can save you thousands of dollars. The new units also ensure that your home’s air is not polluted by the carbon dioxide that sometimes escapes from boilers operating from a boiler with an old-fashioned flue.

If you are going to go to the trouble and expense of installing a new boiler, you might also want to consider calling in a professional for an assessment of your plumbing system. This is because improving your water pressure will allow your new boiler to operate as efficiently as possible.