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Answering Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Refrigerant

Coolant and Its Necessity in Air Conditioning

Most people know that air conditioners keep homes and businesses cool and comfortable during summer, but how much do most people know about how they work? Most people don’t realize that most air conditioning units are less about creating cool air and more about absorbing heat.

The primary medium that cooling systems use to absorb heat is refrigerant. It passes through a closed system of copper tubing that expands to absorb the heat and then is condensed in order to pass in front of a blower to absorb heat indoors again. This article will cover the basics of refrigerant and answer frequently asked questions about it.

FAQ #1: How Can You Tell What Kind of Refrigerant an AC Uses?

There are several different types of refrigerants, and each AC system can only use the type of refrigerant it was designed to use. Putting the wrong refrigerant in an air conditioning system can have dire consequences, much as putting the wrong type of gas in a car can be detrimental to the engine.

A homeowner can figure out which refrigerant their air conditioner uses by looking at the outdoor condenser unit. The label should say the type it uses. If a home’s HVAC system is older than 2010, it likely contains R-22 refrigerant, also called Freon. It was banned for use in new ACs in 2010 due to causing environmental damage, so newer units will not have it.

FAQ #2: Why Is the AC Leaking Refrigerant?

There is no one catch-all answer to this question. There are several reasons why an AC unit could have a coolant leak. Some of the most common reasons are listed below.

The age of the unit
Normal wear and tear
Corrosion
Pinholes caused by acid exposure.

Depending on the severity of the damage, these problems may be repaired or require replacement and investment in a new unit. An HVAC contractor can determine the best course of action after inspecting the system.

FAQ #3: How Can You Tell if There’s a Refrigerant Leak?

If a homeowner suspects a refrigerant leak, they should call a trained professional. They have tools, such as a refrigerant leak detector, that protect them from close exposure. Refrigerant is a dangerous substance and should be avoided by people not trained to handle it. Some of the signs of a refrigerant leak are listed below.

Not Cooling: If the unit is not cooling the home, or at least not cooling as expected, there may be a refrigerant leak in the coils.

Frozen AC Coil: If a homeowner can see ice built up on the coils, this is evidence of a leak. A frozen coil is often due to a refrigerant leak.

Hissing or Gurgling: If sounds like hissing or gurgling are coming from the AC unit, it may be due to a refrigerant leak.

While homeowners can certainly change air filters, they should not attempt to make repairs on their own. These units and coolants can be delicate and dangerous for an untrained individual.

About Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air

Elite Electric, Plumbing & Air has over 30 years of experience serving Port St. Lucie and the surrounding areas. They provide 24/7 emergency service, upfront pricing, and fast turnarounds. Call them today for air conditioning and evaporator coil services in Port St. Lucie, FL.

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Your Indoor Air Quality Questions, Answered!

With over 30 years of experience, our technicians are experts in indoor air quality. We know what it takes to tackle your indoor air and take great pride in being your home service provider of choice to keep your family safe and healthy. Our experience has allowed us to encounter a manifold of homeowners and their questions. This is why we’ve put together a succinct list of questions we frequently encounter from homeowners looking to breathe clean air, just like you! If you are on the fence about scheduling an Indoor Air Quality Evaluation or unsure of its benefits, continue reading!

Can It Prevent Mold and Mildew Growth In My A/C System?

Yes!

When our technicians inspect your A/C system, they will ensure there is no mold, mildew, dust, or any other contaminants that can negatively affect your home’s health. Our technicians will inspect your ductwork to ensure it is free of the same microorganisms. Investing in a combination of UV lights, an air purification system, or antimicrobial ductwork will increase system efficiency while preventing the growth of bacteria.

Is It Compatible With My Current A/C System?

Yes!

Many homeowners wonder if they will need to upgrade their system if they choose to upgrade their ductwork. The answer is no! Just because you upgrade one component doesn’t mean you must upgrade the other. However, more often than not, homeowners go through multiple A/C systems before they realize they need to upgrade their ductwork alongside it. Leaky ducts cause a home to lose 20-30% of heated or cooled air, meaning that even the highest efficiency system can only deliver 70-80% of its expected performance. Your system will be even more efficient with updated ductwork. Especially that of antimicrobial capabilities!

Will It Save Me Money?

Yes!

An Indoor Air Quality Evaluation will free your system of any dust and debris causing it to overwork. A technician will also check to ensure your ductwork is appropriately sized for your home, if it is dented or damaged, or if it has disintegrated over time. If you choose to upgrade to antimicrobial ductwork, the insulation value will increase, contributing to the efficiency of your system.

Why Should I Schedule Today?

Proactively scheduling will ensure that your system is working efficiently and your home’s air is as clean as possible. Even 1/20” of dust on your system’s blower wheel can attribute to your allergies. When a technician inspects your system and ductwork, they will be able to see if your ductwork is appropriately sized for your home and what shape it is in.

These are just a few of the common questions our team receives in regard to our $49 Indoor Air Quality Evaluation. Give our team a call with any additional questions or to improve your home’s Indoor Air Quality today at (772) 940-5724!

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Essential Fuse Box Questions Answered

Important Fuse Box Information

Fuse box problems can be extremely nerve-wracking. With many things that could go wrong, along with high voltage backing the problem, it can be frightening to try to fix the problem without the professionals helping.

Electrical services in society are essential due to this. Without them, many more accidents would occur with people trying to fix the problems by themselves. Additionally, without upgraded panel services, problems will continue to arise throughout the duration of having an old fuse box.

In this article, the essential information on fuse boxes will be discussed, as well as the right way to fix these issues. With this information, the next fuse box problem will not be seen as big and scary as before.

How to Remove Damaged Fuses

Removing fuses can be extremely dangerous. It’s important to let the professionals handle these issues, as they are professionally trained. For safety reasons, DIY is not the way to go when tackling these problems. Professionals make this much easier, as well, as they will let the owner know exactly what the problem was, and then fix it on the spot.

To do this, professionals will use various sockets and wrenches to disassemble the box while always remembering to cut off the power supply first. Additionally, they will most likely label the wires in order to keep them straight and not forget which is which. Even professionals need to ensure they stay safe and not cross wires due to forgetfulness.

Depending on the type of fuse box and how old it is, some fuses may need to be changed, as well. This can be for a multitude of reasons, some being:

Switching off for No Reason
Corroded Wiring
Fire Hazards From Age

How to Fix Your Fuse Box Issues

Once the box has been disassembled, it’s important to look and see what is inside. Professionals will look at the wires, reroute them, and continue to fix problems that are found within the box, including the changing of fuses if needed. Depending on the issue, there will be different steps taken to resolve it.

Professionals will assess this at the beginning of their service call, decide which actions need to be taken, and move forward with resolving it. For example, the type of fuse changes the steps that are taken to fix the problem. Some different fuses include:

Plug Fuses
Cartridge Fuses
Blade Fuses
Glass Tube Fuses

Without hiring a professional, fixing the box by an amateur can cause further damage that can be much more serious than the problem was prior to trying to fix it. Hiring a tech is much easier to deal with, and also promises that the issue will be fixed safely and securely.

Upgrading Fuse Boxes

If the fuse box is old, it can be a safety hazard. The number one benefit of upgrading would be for safety reasons. Without it, overheating can lead to fires, or a multitude of other problems can arise. Additionally, there will be a better electrical flow within the house, and that will cause fewer problems.

The need for extension cords will also decrease. Lastly, there will be the addition of more circuits if desired. With an upgraded service, there will be less of a need to constantly fix the fuse box in the future.

Old fuse boxes will continue to see problems, such as blown fuses, and professionals will need to be called more and more often as the electrical system gets weaker. With an upgrade, the professionals will come once, and the benefits will be worth the cost of the service.

About Elite Electric & Air

Elite Electric & Air is an Electrical and HVAC service company that will fix problems quickly and efficiently. They have been in the industry for many years, and are equipped to handle multiple different problems and scenarios.