Roznovak's Services Blog:
Archive for September, 2014

Common End-of-Season Ductless Repairs

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Ductless mini split systems possess a number of advantages when compared to more traditional heating and cooling systems. Systems that use ducts waste 30% of their energy due to duct leaks. Ductless systems avoid that loss completely. Ductless systems also provide the versatility of setting different desired temperatures for different rooms. Unfortunately, they are just as prone to problems and breakdowns as any other system.

Here are some end-of-season ductless repairs that you are likely to see.

Condensate Leaks

The condensate line, along with the refrigerant and power lines, is housed in a conduit that connects the indoor and outdoor units through the wall of the house. The connection point between the wall of the house and the conduit tends to be the most vulnerable to leaks. It also happens to be the most dangerous. A condensate leak inside the wall can rot out a large area if left unchecked, and may even cause the ductless unit to fall off the wall. If you notice any liquid pooling or dripping around the unit, call a professional right away.

Motor Breakdowns

One of the unique considerations involved with multiple ductless systems is that each one must be serviced separately. A central system will have far fewer parts to worry about. Multiple ductless units mean multiples of each part that need to be maintained. Fan motors are one of the most common parts that can run into problems. If the motor doesn’t work for whatever reason, the fan becomes useless and your unit fails. If you need to have this issue fixed, be sure to ask your service professional to check any other ductless systems you may have in the house. The last thing you want is for a different unit to break right after you got the first one fixed.

Refrigerant Losing Charge

When an air conditioning unit is first installed, it is “charged” with a specific level of refrigerant. While the unit is working properly, that same refrigerant is cycled throughout the system without need for replacement. A leak in the refrigerant line, however, can drain the refrigerant to dangerously low levels. This can cause the air conditioning unit to stop circulating cool air through the space.

If you are experiencing problems with your ductless air conditioning, call Roznovak. We conduct air conditioning repairs throughout the entire Austin, TX area.

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What Every Homeowner Should Know About Getting a New AC

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Getting a new air conditioner can be exciting, especially if you’ve been dealing with problems from an old, outdated one. But before you jump in with both feet and purchase your next system, there are a few important points to keep in mind. The very first point is to work with a trained professional, like the ones at Roznovak’s Services. We specialize in air conditioning service in Austin, TX, and we’ve got the expertise and knowledge to make sure you purchase an AC system that fits your needs and your home. Thinking of a new installation? Take your first step and call us today.

Things to Know Before You Purchase a New Air Conditioner

Here are a few things to keep in mind before purchasing and installing a new air conditioner:

Review the Types of Air Conditioners Available

There are a lot of choices when it comes to residential whole-home air conditioners. Knowing what the types are and having a basic understanding of how they operate can help you determine what type will best fit your needs and your home:

  • Traditional split system
  • Ductless air conditioning
  • Geothermal
  • Heat pumps

Don’t Install a System on Your Own

DIY projects are very popular, but the plain truth is that not all home-based projects are good choices to do yourself, and installing a whole-home air conditioner is never a good choice. Why? First, you’ll need expert knowledge of how air conditioning and electrical systems work. Second, if you have a ducted system, you’ll need extensive knowledge of how duct systems work. Then there’s accounting for potential mistakes, how much time it will take you and how safe you can be installing the system on your own. In the end, it’s best to leave an air conditioning installation to trained experts.

Size Matters

Ensuring you properly size an air conditioner for your home takes far more into account than just the square footage of your property. In fact, the best way to determine that you install an AC that provides the right amount of cooling is to have a trained specialist calculate the cooling load of your home. This calculation takes into consideration things like:

  • Your home’s orientation
  • Types and number of windows & doors
  • Level of insulation
  • Your floor plan
  • Number of rooms
  • Number of occupants
  • Daytime heat gain

All these factors contribute to your cooling load, and when they are overlooked, can result in the installation of an air conditioner that doesn’t meet your needs.

If you are getting ready to install a new AC, call the company you can trust with all your air conditioning services in Austin, TX: Roznovak’s Services.

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How Can Thermostats Help With Energy Efficiency?

Friday, September 12th, 2014

When we think of saving energy with our household systems, many times it can entail a big change – a new air conditioning system, a new furnace, new windows, etc. But there is a way to become much more energy efficient without having to overhaul your entire system: update your thermostat.

Your thermostat controls the cycling of your air conditioner, and there is a lot of power in that. Being able to precisely to control how you cool (and heat) at all times of the day is a key factor in saving energy. This is why Roznovak’s Services offers thermostat installation and replacement as one of its many air conditioning services in Austin, TX.

Types of Thermostats Available

There are three types of thermostats Roznovak’s Services carries, and each offers important energy-saving benefits:

  • Digital
  • Wireless
  • Smart

Digital Thermostats

Digital Thermostats offer three important features that you won’t get with slide or dial thermostats: precision, easy-to-use buttons and an easily readable face. The precision digital thermostats offer allow you to set an exact temperature, which can help you save energy.

Wireless Thermostats

Wireless thermostats do not need to be hardwired into your heating system. They can be placed anywhere and usually come with a remote control for convenience. But the most important energy-saving aspect of wireless thermostats is that they are programmable: they can be programmed in 7 day increments that can be looped or changed as needed. Programming allows you to set temperatures that can accommodate for times of low-to no occupancy, weekends and vacations; the result less energy usage.

Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats offer you precision, programmability, energy usage reports and remote access from virtually anywhere. By downloading a simple app to your smart device(s), you can track, monitor, program and change your energy usage from anywhere that you can access the internet.

Upgrading your thermostat can help you to be more energy efficient, save money and improve your comfort level, all at the same time. Thermostat installation is just one of the many air conditioning services we offer in Austin, TX. Interested in upgrading your thermostat? Call Roznovak’s Services today.

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Does a Heat Pump Really Cool and Heat?

Friday, September 5th, 2014

Heat pumps are very versatile devices because, yes, they can both heat and cool. The reason they can do this is because they have a component called a reversing valve that allows them to switch modes between heating and cooling. Heat pumps are complex, so if you are in need of air conditioning services in Austin, TX, call the professionals you can count on: Roznovak Services, Inc.

What Is a Reversing Valve?

A reversing valve is the component in a heat pump that changes the direction of the refrigerant flow. Every reversing valve operates in two states: relaxed or energized. Depending on the valve’s manufacturing, the state dictates what happens. For instance, one manufacturer may designate that relaxed provides cooling, while another designates that energized provides cooling. Whatever the designation of one state, the other state is always the opposite.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

Heat pumps work by transferring heat from one place to another; they use refrigerant to facilitate the transfer. In cooling mode, a heat pump works just like an air conditioner: it removes the heat and humidity from the indoors and transfers it outdoors. During winter, the heat pump absorbs heat from the surrounding area and transfers it into your home. Heat pumps use no fossil fuels and very little electricity, which make them very energy efficient.

What Are the Benefits of a Heat Pump?

We already touched on a couple of benefits of heat pumps – that they both heat and cool, and they are very energy efficient – but there are a few more benefits worth noting:

  • Long lifespan – heat pumps have an average lifespan of 20-25 years, which is almost twice that of an air conditioning system.
  • Balance humidity levels well – heat pumps keep healthy humidity levels year-round, including during winter, during which many people experience dryness because of combustible types of heat.
  • Very green – a heat pump doesn’t use fossil fuels and emits no greenhouse gases, so they are very environmentally-friendly devices.

If you are looking for a 2-in-1 type of device for your home that is also efficient and environmentally friendly, you may want to consider the installation of a heat pump. Roznovak Services, Inc. has offered air conditioning service for customers in Austin, TX since 1979, and we can help you with all your AC needs.

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