Balanced Air, Inc. Blog: Archive for September, 2019

Your AC Has Cooling Limits: Here’s What They Are

Monday, September 30th, 2019

heat-wave-with-fanHave you ever wondered just how cold the central air conditioning system can make your home? You probably already know what the lowest setting on the thermostat is. For most models, it’s 60°F, which is plenty cool. Too cool for most. But in case of an extremely hot day, how much power can you force from the AC? How much cool air can you blast into the home to keep you as comfortable as you want?

We’re glad you’re asking these questions, regardless of whether you’re in a bind with the heat or you’re just curious. Understanding the limits of a central air conditioning system can help you operate it better, give it a longer service life, lower the cost to run it, and reduce the number of repairs it needs.

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Is a Used Air Conditioning System an Option for Installation?

Monday, September 16th, 2019

ac-units-in-scrapyardThe simple answer: no. We do not recommend shopping for a used air conditioning system and calling a contractor to install it. (Or worse, trying to install it yourself!)

We know that purchasing used is often a great way to save money. Used books, furniture, cars, and laptops can all make good, cost-effective investments. But this doesn’t work for all purchases, and in the case of an HVAC system, it’s a major mistake. No reputable HVAC contractor will install a previously owned central air conditioner. The only case where you’ll hear about people buying used HVAC equipment is with window ACs—and even then, it’s not something we recommend.

(We don’t recommend window units, period. If your home doesn’t have ductwork, we advise looking into installing a ductless mini split system.)

We’re going to look at the big reasons why installing a used central air conditioner isn’t worth it.

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Fall Is Coming—Let’s Check in With Your AC

Monday, September 2nd, 2019

air-conditioning-unitsTampa Bay doesn’t have to brace for deep chilly weather in the winter. But the temperature does cool down and that allows air conditioning systems in homes to get a break. Not an extended vacation of months, but they won’t need to run all through the season like they do in summer.

As fall comes nearer, it’s a good idea to check in with your air conditioning system. This is to evaluate how well it’s performed, if it has any repair issues to fix, and whether it needs to be replaced before the hot weather returns.

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