Touchstone Heating & Air Inc. Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Gainesville’

What Kinds of Contaminants May Be Living in the Ducts?

Thursday, January 8th, 2015

No one really wants to think about the “things” living in the cool, dark places of their home, but it may surprise you just how many contaminants can be in your home’s ductwork. Any type of contamination in your home is reason for concern, but the contamination in your ductwork can be blown directly into your living spaces, giving these contaminants direct access to you. Understanding what types of contaminants can live and thrive in your ductwork can help you prevent them from taking up residence in your home and improve your overall indoor air quality in Gainesville.

Types of Contaminants

Here are some of the more common contaminants you can find inside ductwork:

  • Mold and mildew – mold and mildew need only a little bit of moisture in a cool, dark place to grow and thrive, making your ductwork a top residential area for them. Faulty ductwork can be especially prone to mold and mildew growth as the holes and cracks offer ample, excess moisture to keep the growth thriving.
  • Dirt and dust – this is probably one of the more expected contaminants, but don’t underestimate what dirt and dust build-up in your ductwork can do to your HVAC system.
  • Vermin – mice, squirrels, raccoons and other vermin love the protection and warmth of ductwork, so if they can get to it, they will – and they don’t come alone. Additionally, they’ll use the nest as both a bathroom and kitchen, so you can wind up with animal feces and food residue in your ductwork.
  • Insects – there are few kinds of insects that enjoy the protection of a ductwork system, but none so much as cockroaches. Cockroaches tend to be more pervasive in urban areas, but they will seek shelter from the cold during the winter months no matter where they are. Some people have severe allergies to cockroaches which can contribute to allergy discomfort and even asthma triggers, so it’s important to make sure they don’t create a community in your ductwork.

The “ick” factor of ductwork contaminants can be pretty high, but with a thorough duct cleaning, you can substantially reduce the contaminants in your ductwork and improve the indoor air quality of your Gainesville home.

Think your ducts need cleaning? Call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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3 Common Furnace Repairs

Monday, November 3rd, 2014

Furnaces are reliable heating systems, but at some point during your ownership, it is likely your furnace will need repairs. A number of problems can develop with your furnace, but there are some furnace repairs in Gainesville that our technicians see with relative frequency. The repair of a heating system is complex, so it’s important to hire trained technicians for all your heating repair work. For almost 15 years Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., has helped numerous customers with their furnaces, and we can help you, too. Call today!

Repair 1: Blower Fan

The blower fan is responsible for pushing the warm air from the heat exchanger into your ductwork. Different problems can arise with the blower fan, such as motor issues, problems with dry ball bearings, bent or loose fan blades and worn fan belts. Many of these types of issues can be detected during a routine maintenance appointment, which is one of the reasons why fall maintenance for your furnace is important.

Repair 2: Ignition Issues

There are 3 ways a furnace can ignite:

  • Standing pilot light – with a standing pilot light, a dirty nozzle can inhibit the flame, weakening it or even putting it out. A more complex problem with a standing pilot light may involve the thermocouple.
  • Intermittent pilot light – intermittent pilot lights ignite a small flow of gas from an electronic spark; as such, one of the common problems with this type of ignition is an issue with sparking. Another common problem has to do with positioning: if the pilot is too far away from the spark, it may not ignite. An intermittent pilot light can fail for a few reasons, so it’s best to allow a technician figure it out.
  • Hot surface ignition – a hot surface igniter is a small, silicone-encased probe that heats via electric current. Once the surface of the igniter reaches the right temperature, the gas flowing from the burner is ignited. It is very common for hot surface igniters to crack after a period of continual use, due to the high fluctuation in temperatures the component experiences.

Repair 3: Cracked Heat Exchanger

The heat exchanger in your furnace heats the warm air for your home while simultaneously venting the toxic fumes created during the combustion process. One of the most common problems that develops with heat exchangers is cracking. Cracked heat exchangers can allow toxic fumes, such as carbon monoxide, to escape from the inside of the heat exchanger tubes. Cracked heat exchangers cannot be repaired, so it’s important to hire professionals for replacement.

If your furnace isn’t working properly, call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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What Are the Benefits of Scheduling Prompt Duct Repair?

Monday, October 20th, 2014

The ducts are a key component of any home HVAC system, but they can fall prey to a number of problems that keep the unit from running as efficiently as it could. Ducts may develop cracks, come loose at the joints, or even collapse. Or, your ducts may have a design flaw that keeps one area of the home from feeling as cool or as warm as you’d like. In fact, a majority of homeowners have problems with the ducts that lead to up to 30% of air loss, a major drain on their energy bills.

Noticing a problem with the ducts may be tough, but there are a few signs to look out for. If one area of the home never seems to be as cool as the rest, it could be a problem with the air conditioning system, such as low refrigerant or a struggling compressor. On the other hand, it’s very likely a problem with the ducts. Prompt duct repair is vital if you want to achieve the following results.

  • Fewer HVAC Repairs: When there are holes in the ducts, air leaks through, which means your home will not feel cool as quickly as it should. This means that your unit will have to work harder to keep up with the loss, which could cause parts to wear down quickly and fall into a state of disrepair.
  • Greater Efficiency: Furthermore, when parts become worn, they simply cannot run as efficiently as they should. Worn down parts will take longer to heat your home and consume a lot of energy in the process, leading to higher energy costs. With prompt duct repair, your HVAC system can distribute air as it is supposed to, and won’t spend excessive energy making up for a faulty duct.
  • Better Air Quality: Finally, duct repair can actually help improve the air quality in your home. A leak in your ducts may allow pollutants like dust and bacteria to enter from the attic or crawlspace and infiltrate your home, causing sickness or aggravating existing conditions like asthma and allergies. Well-sealed ducts keep these from infecting your home.

The technicians at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. know properly sealed ducts are key to a comfortable home. Call our office today and ask about scheduling professional duct repair in Gainesville.

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Why You Should Schedule Commercial HVAC Maintenance

Monday, September 22nd, 2014

Keeping your commercial property comfortable can improve the productivity of your employees and keep your clients and customers happy. If you own or manage a commercial property in Gainesville, you need a high-performance HVAC system to keep your property at a reasonable temperature. But when your commercial system needs maintenance, it can cause a lot of problems for your business. In order to avoid poor work conditions and costly repairs, the technicians at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. recommend scheduling commercial HVAC maintenance twice a year. Here are some of the reasons you should call for maintenance for your business today.

  • No Complaints: One of the most important reasons to schedule maintenance is to avoid complaints from your clients, customers, tenants, and employees. If even a small part of your HVAC system is not working as it should, such as a bent fan blade, it may take longer for your unit to cool or heat your property. Technicians check for problems like these and make sure your unit is in top shape.
  • Efficiency: Commercial systems use a lot of energy as it is, but repair needs and dirty components can cause your HVAC system to use more energy than it needs to. Cleaning and adjusting components may save you a lot of money every month.
  • Less Risk: A poorly maintained system has a much greater risk of breaking down. And a costly repair or replacement is a big deal in the middle of a busy work day. Stay informed about repair needs before a major breakdown by scheduling commercial HVAC maintenance.
  • Longer Lifespan: Maintenance can actually extend the lifespan of your system. If parts of your system are not working as they should, other components have to work harder, causing your system to wear down prematurely. Maintenance reduces wear and tear, keeping your system at its best so that it lasts as long as possible.

During maintenance, a technician will clean and adjust components of your system and let you know of any problems that need further repairs. Commercial units are complex, so be sure to only trust experienced technicians with such a big job.

For commercial HVAC maintenance in Gainesville, call the specialists at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. today. You’ll be glad you did!

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Upgrades for Your Air Conditioning

Tuesday, August 12th, 2014

We are more than half way through summer, and your air conditioning in Gainesville has probably been running full-time. As you’ve gone through the summer, have you wondered if there are ways to increase your energy efficiency or improve your indoor air quality? Upgrades to your existing AC can offer these kinds of increased benefits, and Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., has the team to help you choose and install the upgrades that can most help you and your home.

What Kinds of Upgrades Are There?

There are many different kinds of upgrades you can add to your air conditioning system, but here are 3 to consider:

  • Air cleaners/purifiers
  • Thermostats
  • Dehumidifiers

Air Cleaners/Purifiers

Do you have allergy sufferers in your home? Or family members with asthma? Are you concerned about biological pollutants? Then you may want to consider adding an air cleaner or purifier for your home. Air cleaners refer to mechanical filters and ion generators, and air purifiers are UV germicidal lighting. There are several different types of air cleaners available, so it’s important to work with a professional to understand exactly what each can do for you and your home.

Thermostats

It may seem like a small thing, but having an efficient, precise thermostat can save you energy, money and time. First, dial and slide thermostats typically group degrees in sets of five, such as 65-70 degrees, etc. – this makes for imprecise setting and energy efficiency. Second, these types of thermostats are not programmable. Programmable thermostats allow you to create 7-day programs that can help you reduce or increase temperatures as needed, which can help a great deal with energy efficiency. Third, “smart” thermostats, which use wi-fi, can be accessed from any smart device, virtually anywhere at any time. This gives you incredible control over your entire system.

Dehumidifiers

We get pretty sticky here in Gainesville, and your AC feels it, too. Adding a whole-home dehumidifier can help you and your air conditioner by removing excess humidity from the air before it gets into your air flow.

Whether you want to have cleaner air to breathe, use energy more efficiently, or do both, upgrades to your air conditioning in Gainesville from Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., can help get you there.

If you are interested in learning more about what Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc. can do for you call us today and schedule an appointment with one of our experts.

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How Do Technicians Install Zone Air Conditioning?

Tuesday, July 29th, 2014

Zone-controlled air conditioning gives you a level of control over your cooling that you just can’t get with a single thermostat. This is because the dampers of the system are installed into your ductwork, where they can fully control the flow of air. So how does your Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc. technician install your zone air conditioning in Gainesville? We’ll describe the process below.

Main Components

There are several key components to a zone control system:

  • Motorized dampers – the motorized dampers are the parts that directly affect your air stream as they open and close according to the temperature.
  • Thermostats – each damper is connected to a thermostat that is wired into the main control panel for your system. These thermostats provide information to the main panel and tell the damper when to open and close.
  • Central control panel – the thermostat of each damper is wired into a central control panel, giving you complete control over each zone from a convenient single source.

Planning Your Zones

One of the benefits of zone air conditioning is that you get to create the zones. Zones can be separate rooms, a grouping of rooms, a wing of your home, or a floor of your home – whatever you need them to be. Most homeowners establish 2, 3 or 4 zones, focusing first on the rooms used most. Grouping your zones by the most utilized rooms helps you with energy efficiency.

Installation

A zone-control system can be installed into existing ductwork or as part of the installation of a new air conditioning system. The technician will start by installing the motorized dampers, then they will attach each damper’s thermostat. Once the ductwork is sealed, the thermostats will be connected to the main control panel and your air conditioning system; he/she may also install a thermostat into separate rooms, depending on the zone plan.

Always Use a Professional

The installation of a zone control system can be somewhat complex, which is why it’s important to use a professional rather than trying to install one yourself.

Think it’s time for zone air conditioning in your Gainesville home? Call Touchstone Heating and Air, Inc., and schedule an appointment with one of our installation experts today.

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What’s Involved in Duct Replacement?

Monday, July 7th, 2014

The ventilation system in your home needs to maintain an airtight seal along its length, from each individual vent to the air conditioner and heater. Leaky ducts need repairs the seal them, or else the air pressure in your ventilation will start to drop, leading to decreased comfort and an overworked HVAC system.

Sometimes, duct sealing and basic repairs are not enough… you need to have the damaged and aging ducts replaced. If the ducts received improper installation in the first place and are causing you to lose energy, you should also have them replaced with skilled, professional work. If your ductwork has reached the point where repairs will no longer do the job, call Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. in Lake Butler, FL for duct replacement to take handle the work.

What to expect during duct replacement

When technicians come to your house for duct replacement, they will perform a number of tests to determine the extent of the damage to the ventilation system so they can pinpoint which duct section require replacement. They will also gauge your HVAC system to determine which kinds of ducts will work best for replacement.

Selecting the ductwork material is an important part of replacing the ducts. There are three standard materials for ductwork in homes: sheet metal, flexible plastic, and ductboard. The installers will balance out space needs, insulation ability, and cost to make sure that you have the right replacement material.

The replacement job will proceed with removing the existing ducts and setting in the new material, often using a newly constructed wooden frame for support. The installers will seal the new duct to the older sections using mastic sealant or metallic tape. During the process, they will make sure that the new ducts run straight and without any kinks or sags that could cause inefficient performance.

Once the new duct(s) are in place, the technicians will run the HVAC system and perform tests along the new stretch to make sure there are no leaks or heat loss/gain from poor connections. Professional technicians won’t leave your home until they are certain that the new ventilation additions are helping, not hurting, your home’s efficiency.

Although you can locate DIY guides on-line for how to handle duct repairs and replacements, this job is too important for you to allow amateur work to jeopardize it.

Call the skilled team at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. for duct replacement in Gainesville, FL. We will do the job fast and right the first time.

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3 Reasons to Schedule Generator Installation

Friday, June 20th, 2014

Hurricane season has arrived, and while Florida civic authorities go above and beyond to keep us all safe, it pays to have back-up ready at a moment’s notice. A generator for your home is a big step in the right direction, and when it comes to generator installation, Gainesville has services that can perform the job properly. Before they do so, however, you need to make the decision to install a generator in your home. Here are 3 reasons to do so, which you should carefully consider when making this decision.

  • Reliable power. Obviously, a generator exists to provide you with power in an emergency. As long as you keep it fueled and maintained, it will be there when you need it” providing power for light, heat, refrigeration and contact with the outside world. That’s important in every home, but especially important for those who have special needs, such as medical equipment and other devices that absolutely need power.
  • Safety. A generator that keeps your refrigerators and other key appliances going means that you won’t have to venture outside in search of necessities during an emergency. It keeps food cold, bathing water hot, and household lights running: meaning that you can stay safely indoors until the crisis has passed.
  • Versatility and resale value. If you have a portable generator, you can take it with you when you move, ensuring that you have reliable power no matter where you call home. If your generator isn’t portable, it will add resale value to your home: possibly enough to offset the cost of installation depending on the specifics. Either way, you’re not looking at a dead-end cost with a generator. You’re looking at an investment in your property that can give back for months and years to come.

For more reasons to schedule generator installation, Gainesville residents can call upon the experts at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc.

We have years of experience handling generator installation, and we can take you through all the steps before we begin. Your satisfaction is our primary concern, so don’t hesitate to contact us today.

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What Is Involved in Heat Pump Maintenance?

Friday, June 6th, 2014

Heat pumps may sometimes seem like miraculous machines: using the power of an air conditioner to shift heat from one place to another to provide for both heating and cooling, whatever you need for whatever time of the year. But heat pumps are still just electro-mechanical machines, and they will wear down over time and begin to work less efficiently. Although no heat pump will last forever, you can prolong the service life of the one that keeps your family comfortable through a regimen of annual maintenance from professionals like the team at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc.

We’ll look at what actually goes into an annual maintenance visit for a heat pump in Gainesville, FL. This is the level of service you can expect when you sign up for our Energy Saving Agreement.

Here’s what happens during heat pump maintenance:

  • Thermostat calibration. No matter what sort of heater or air conditioner you have in your home, a thermostat controls it, so a key part of maintenance is to see that the thermostat is sensing indoor temperatures accurately.
  • Cleaning the coils. Both the indoor and outdoor coil of the heat pump need to be detached and cleaned so they can carry out heat absorption and heat release effectively.
  • Clean the drip pan. Heat pumps have drip pans under their coils to catch water moisture from condensation. Cleaning the pan makes sure there are no drain obstructions that might lead to overfill and water damage.
  • Electric wiring checks. Faults with wiring in the electric system are among the most common reasons for repairs in a heat pump, so the technicians will take special care to see that all the wires are connected and none are frayed or near to breaking.
  • Refrigerant level check. The charge of the refrigerant should be at the factory-set level; if it isn’t, the technician will recharge it.
  • Inspect and change the filter. This reassures that the system is receiving a steady flow of air from the return vents.
  • Monitor the reversing valve. Should this valve fail, the heat pump will become stuck in one mode.
  • Check and oil the fans. The technician will make sure the two fans can move freely and the blades are tight and undamaged.
  • Examine the run capacitors. Key parts of the electrical system, the capacitors may need replacement if they are aged.
  • Ductwork inspection. The technician will make a visual check on the ventilation system to watch for breaks or gaps.

There are even more steps, but this will give you an idea of how thorough the inspections are: the technician will catch whatever might be wrong, and fine-tune every element of the heat pump.

With the Energy Saving Agreement at Touchstone Heating and Air Inc., you’ll receive the above work, plus a 15% discount on repair services and priority scheduling. Call us today to start taking great care of your heat pump in Gainesville, FL.

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When Should You Call for Commercial Air Conditioning Repair?

Friday, May 30th, 2014

Commercial air conditioning in Gainesville operates according to the same principles that govern residential air conditioning systems. But there are definitely differences, and a good air conditioning repair service will keep them in mind when conducting air conditioning repairs. With an eye on the bottom line, a canny building superintendent may be tempted to conduct repairs with his own staff rather than calling for a professional. This can often be a mistake. Not only do general handymen lack the expertise required to properly diagnose a given problem, but trying to repair it could make the issue worse. When should you call for commercial air conditioning repair? The short answer is, anytime there’s trouble.

More specifically, look for moments when your costs start to spike. This can stem from a lack of cooling power, a lack of fan power, or anything that results in a higher monthly bill than you’re expecting. Commercial air conditioning systems will often demonstrate a significant swing in monthly costs when problems arise, and even if they continue to cool the building, those higher monthly bills can eat at you. More importantly, they could be a precursor to more substantial breakdowns in the future. Dealing with them now rather than later will save you on repair costs, as well as ensuring that your building doesn’t suffer an unexpected loss of cooling power.

Beyond that, look for any signs that the cooling power has dropped – such as the air feeling warmer when it comes out of the vents – or reduced air speed that may stem from a blockage in the ducts. Both typically signal fairly significant problems, and usually require the services of an expert to treat.

Luckily, when it comes to commercial air conditioning, Gainesville has a company of qualified professionals with Touchstone Heating and Air Inc. Our trained staff understands the specifics of commercial systems and can perform repairs swiftly in order to keep your business cool and comfortable in the heat of summer.

If you know when to call for commercial air conditioning repair, there’s only one number to dial. We’re dedicated to your complete satisfaction, call us today!

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