A Smart Buy for West Hartford, Avon & Other Greater Hartford Home Owners

Right now Air Temp Mechanical is offering $275 savings on an installed ductless air heat pump…also called ductless air conditioning systems.

Not even ten years ago, practically no one even heard of ductless air.  No you see these high efficiency home comfort system in homes throughout Central Connecticut.

And for some very good reasons:

• Comfortable air conditioning solution for buildings that lack sufficient room to install ductwork.
• More energy efficient than duct systems because energy is not lost inside the ducts.
• Ability to control temperatures in separate rooms by remote control.
• Can install into newly added rooms without modifying the existing central air system.
• Systems available for air conditioning only or heating & A/C combined.

With a conventional A/C system, lots of energy is wasted because of the air traveling through the ducts. The larger your home, the greater the number of ducts and resulting energy lost.  The losses are even greater when the ducts go through non-air conditioned areas of the building like the attic.

So, even if you have a larger home that could accommodate the ductwork needed for conventional central air conditioners, you still may be better off with a ductless air conditioning system because you will be able to maximize the energy efficiency of your cooling system, saving you lots of money on your electric bills.

Studies show that around 80% of all air conditioning units in the US are installed incorrectly. So when it comes time to look at ductless air conditioning installation services in the Greater Hartford area, Air Temp Mechanical is the company to call.

In addition to a $275 savings on your new system, Air Temp provides.

• Free quote
• 100% customer satisfaction
• 24/7 service
• Solutions for all your residential and commercial indoor comfort needs

Contact us today to schedule your free in-home quote today on a new ductless heat pump from Air Temp Mechanical.

Phone: (860) 953-8888
Click here to schedule service or ask questions now

Here’s how to tell if your family and home would be better served with a new and higher efficiency central air conditioning system:

• If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it is likely working ineffectively and inefficiently, and should be replaced with a more energy-efficient model. Older air conditioners typically mean higher energy bills.

• If your air conditioner needs frequent repairs it may not be properly suited for your home. You need a heating, ventilation and air-conditioning (HVAC) specialist to assess your current system.

• If your cooling bills continue to rise, that’s another sign of inefficient operation.  The lower energy costs that would come from a new system would help to defray some its cost.

• If some of the rooms in your home are either too hot or too cold, it could be your air conditioning equipment malfunctioning or functioning inefficiently, or it could be a result of problems with your ducts or inadequate insulation.  It’s at least worth having an air conditioning professional come in and evaluate the problem.

• If you have problems with humidity, your air conditioning equipment may be defective or otherwise performing inadequately or you may have leaky ductwork

• If your air conditioning system is noisy or noisier than usual, there may be a problem with its indoor coil, or your duct system may be too small.

As you can see, not every warning sign necessarily means it’s time to purchase a new system.  But each of them IS worth a call to Air Temp Mechanical.

If your system hasn’t had a tune-up and inspection within the past year, that’s the first step in determining what’s wrong.  In fact, sometimes a tune-up is all it takes to return your system to normal operating performance.  Or, if there really is a repair problem, better to find out now before things get worse.

Looking for a new or replacement system?  That’s another specialty of the “house” at Air Temp…starting with a thorough in-home analysis and quote so we can recommend the best system at the best price we have to offer.

For more information on how to improve the performance of your current central air conditioner system or a free quote on a new or replacement system, contact Air Temp Mechanical today.  We’re the local experts you can count on…24/7.

Call 480-649-1000 for more information.
Or, click here to schedule service online.

Ultraviolet air purifiers are a new form of technology intended to substantially improve air quality and remove detrimental microbial particles that may be present in the air. UV air filters kill these particles without any actual filtration, but rather with rays of ultraviolet light that incinerate them as they pass through it.

If you or members of your family suffer from allergies or asthma, a UV air purifier can provide dramatic relief.  That’s because, in numerous studies, UV light has been proven to destroy the DNA of viruses, mold, spores, fungi, and bacteria.

At Air Temp, we offer whole-house UV air purifiers that we install inside the ductwork of your heating and cooling system.  In addition to killing the DNA of various germs, a high quality UV lamp can also get rid of:

• Musty damp smells
• Embarrassing Pet odors
• Smoke by-products
• Pollen spores
• Byproducts from new carpets and resurfaced hardwood floors
• Cleaning product fumes

UV air purifiers offer superior energy efficiency over traditional air filters as the latter require a constant flow of air to filter out impurities.  What’s more, UV air filters don’t use any actual filters, so there’s no accumulation of dirty particles and no risk of further air contamination.

UV air purification is just one of several indoor air quality solutions we offer.  Contact Air Temp today for a free in-home evaluation on how to provide you and your family with clean, free-breathing air, 24/7.

Phone: (860) 953-8888
Click here for more indoor air quality solutions
www.ctairtemp.com

Here are a few things you can do to help keep your central air conditioning system in top working order.

1. First, if your outdoor unit or the system’s air handler isn’t working, check your breakers (or fuses) and adjust your thermostat (cooling control) up or down as needed.  If they still don’t respond, give us a call.

2.Next, clean or change your filter regularly.  This simple step alone will help save money on your energy bill by causing your system to run less often.  That, in turn, will help increase the system’s life span.

Also, be on the look-out for ice buildup inside your air handler where the evaporator coil is located.  Can’t see any ice?  It could still be there.  Just put your hand on the metal case…if it’s cold to the touch, icing could be the cause.

This results in evaporator coil temperatures being at or below the freezing point which is 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).  Before calling Air Temp, try setting the thermostat point above room temperature to stop the compressor, thus allowing the ice to melt.  Depending on how badly the unit is iced up, 30 minutes should do the job and 1 hour is even better to ensure all ice is gone.

If the problem goes undetected for any length of time, a couple of things can happen:

• The evaporator coil can collapse or break. This requires a service technician to repair and possibly install a new coil.  This can be an expensive fix, especially for a problem that pretty easily be avoided.

• If there’s significant ice buildup, water can escape the air handler, work its way into your ceilings and walls and other unwanted places and cause some pretty serious damage.

3. Check your fan blower for excessive slack or damage.  This can cause low air flow which, in turn, leads ice formation related problems.

4. Wash your condenser coil regularly. Simply turn off your air conditioner and spray the condenser with a garden hose.  Also, keep shrubs weeds and flowers away from your condenser to keep the air flowing.

Of course, if your keep your air conditioning system long enough, sooner or later it will need to be repaired or replaced.  If and when that time comes, you can count on Air Temp to handle it all to your complete satisfaction, and for your greater peace of mind.

And don’t forget to contact us for annual system maintenance…another great way to you’re your system running better, longer, and more efficiently.

Phone: (860) 953-8888
Click here to schedule Service or Ask Questions Now

What Does a Programmable Thermostat Do?

A programmable thermostat controls your furnace and air conditioning unit by turning them on and off according to a default energy-saving program or user-programmed settings. Different pre-set programs set controls in hot weather (for the air conditioning unit) and cold weather (for the furnace).

How It Works.

You can easily save energy in the winter by setting the thermostat to 68°F while you’re awake and setting it lower while you’re asleep or away from home. By turning your thermostat back 10°–15° for 8 hours, you can save about 5%–15% a year on your heating bill—a savings of as much as 1% for each degree if the setback period is eight hours long.

In the summer, you can follow the same strategy with central air conditioning by keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal as you wake or return home.

Will a Programmable Thermostat Save Money?

Like most things around your home, a programmable thermostat will save you money if you use it correctly. The key is to use one of the pre-programmed settings or a customized setting you create for your specific needs and leave the thermostat alone. If you program your desired settings or use pre-programmed settings and let the thermostat do the rest for you, you will save some money. But if you keep bypassing the program, you will likely not save any money. Using a programmable thermostat requires some discipline.

Will Any Programmable Thermostat Do?

You can buy programmable thermostats online or at home centers and hardware stores, but these are generally not professional grade.

By contrast, you can contact Air Temp Mechanical any time for high grade programmable thermostats that our own expert technicians will install in your home for the maximum in home comfort and energy savings.

Contact us today…we’re always glad to lend a hand.

Call 480-649-1000 for more information.

Or, click here to schedule service online.

At Air Temp, We Offer Indoor Air Quality Solutions to Help Fight Back. 

Winter lover or not, you no doubt have at least a little bit of spring fever on your mind.

Well, did you ever really think about that expression, i.e., “spring fever?”  Because while it’s meant to describe a strong yearning for warmer weather, it also – accidentally or otherwise – helps describe how miserable allergy sufferers are once the flowers start blooming and the pollen starts flying.

If you’re an allergy sufferer, there’s no need to tell you how miserable spring allergy symptoms can be…they’re all too familiar to you.  But here’s something you might not be familiar with:  Air Temp Mechanical is Hartford County’s leader in indoor air quality solutions.

Which means, while we can’t control what goes on outdoors, we can definitely create an indoor environment where neither outdoor nor indoor pollutants can gain the upper hand.

Here are just two of the many ways we can filter your indoor air ease of breathing, all year long:

Air Filtration System

Central air filtration systems offer a number of advantages. They are out of sight (integrated into your home heating system, usually by the furnace), very convenient (you’ll never trip over one), and they are quiet during operation.

A central air filtration system filters the air as it cycles through the air ducts into the furnace. Over time, all the air in the house will pass through the system, and it will be cleaned and filtered each time it passes.

Electrostatic air filters are the most effective technology for filtering your home’s air.

These use electronically charged filters to attract and hold dust allergens and other irritants. An electrostatic air filter is much more effective than a standard or pleated air filter and, as a bonus, the filter can be cleaned and reused.

Allergy and asthma sufferers:  allergy relief is just around the corner…just like spring itself.
Contact Air Temp Mechanical today, and we’ll tell you more.

Phone: (860) 953-8888

Click here to schedule service or ask questions now

Learn how a ductless heat pump can provide more comfortable conditions and greater energy savings for your Hartford County home.

A ductless heat pump is a dual heating and cooling system that functions without the use of ducts.

Ductless systems have outside condensing units, just like central air conditioning.  But instead of pumping air into an air handler and then through forced air ducts, ductless units pump refrigerant directly to one or more wall-mounted air handlers.

Ductless mini-split systems combine the flexibility of room air conditioners with the whole house cooling of central systems. Although some systems provide heating and cooling, ductless mini-split heat pumps are usually installed primarily for cooling.

A single outdoor ductless air heat pump can serve the home comfort needs of up to four rooms.

Throughout Connecticut and the Greater Hartford area, many families live in bi- or tri-level homes.  Often times, it’s far more practical and affordable to have central air conditioning in the main living level; and yet it can prove to be highly difficult to have that same system provide cooling or heating elsewhere in your home.  Let’s say, for example, that you have a family room, office, extra bedroom, and/or a bathroom on a separate level not easily reached by central air conditioning.  That’s a perfect application for ductless air.

Other ideal applications include a finished attic, add-on sunroom, or any other area of your home that central air can’t effectively or affordably cover.

More Features of Ductless Air Heat Pumps

• Quiet operation since, by definition, there are no noisy ducts distributing the air.
• Installation costs are typically lower than central air conditioning in homes with no ductwork.
• Ease of maintenance.
• Remote control operation.
• Multiple aesthetic and practical installation options, as the indoor air handlers can be mounted on walls, ceilings, the floor…even inside a closet.

At Air Temp Mechanical, we are home comfort experts that specialize in ductless heat pump system design, installation, and ongoing maintenance.

For a free in-home proposal and quote, contact Air Temp Mechanical today.

Phone: (860) 256-6550
Click here to schedule service or ask questions now

www.ctairtemp.com

Heating systems get tired, too…even during mild winters like this one.  That’s why manufacturers of all makes and models recommend an annual system tune-up and inspection to help keep yours in top working order.

With annual preventative maintenance, your system will run better, last longer, help lower your energy bills, and reduce the likelihood of major repairs.

In a word, annual maintenance results in add “reliability.”

At Air Temp Mechanical, our professional heating system tune-up and inspection includes these important steps for your Hartford County home:

• Start up the system and check all working components
• Check furnace filter
• Check ignition and firing
• Check safety controls
• Lubricate all necessary parts
• Check heat coils
• Check operating pressures
• Check and test safety switches

There are many more steps in the process, each one carried out with exacting precision.  And remember:  we install, maintain, and repair all furnace, boiler, and ductless heat pump system makes and models.

Preventing Gas & Carbon Monoxide Leaks

If you have a gas or oil furnace, it is even more critical to have it checked every year by a certified professional. A common problem is a crack in the heat exchanger that allows carbon monoxide into your home. According to the Center of Disease Control (CDC), each year almost 500 Americans die from carbon monoxide poisoning, more than 20,000 people visit the emergency room, and more than 4,000 people require hospitalization.

Natural gas leaks also can cause serious harm to you and your home.  Gas leaks can cause headaches, dizziness, and nausea.  At the extreme, it can cause an explosion.At

Air Temp Mechanical, safety is paramount…which is why our heating system inspections include testing for gas and CO leaks while also looking for problems in the making.

Click here  for our $99 tune-up and inspection coupon, and contact us for service today.

Phone: (860) 256-6550

Click here to schedule service or ask questions now

Should your next home heating unit be larger or smaller than the one you have now, or perhaps even the same size? To know for sure, you need a licensed and experienced HVAC contractor to undertake a thorough equipment sizing analysis.

The purpose of equipment sizing is to help you obtain the best in operating efficiency, 24-hour comfort, along with the lowest possible maintenance and operating costs over the life of the system. 

It’s a detailed process, one that’s often either ignored or under-employed.

The most common sizing mistake is in oversizing. This not only makes the new system more expensive to install, but forces it to operate inefficiently, break down more often, and cost more to operate. Oversized heating equipment also often creates uncomfortable and large temperature swings in the house.

Equipment undersizing is no less of a problem as it causes your new system to run longer to properly heat or cool your home….which ultimately means larger energy bills and a shorter system lifespan.

Why Most Older Systems are Oversized

Before the era of tightly constructed homes, it was not uncommon to install furnaces and air conditioners that had two to four times the necessary capacity.  Over the years, most home owners have added more efficient windows, caulking, weather-stripping, and insulation to their homes.  Which means that we’re now in an era where less is usually more…as in, a smaller system can now do a better and more affordable job than the “dinosaur” systems of old.

Key Sizing Factors

Key factors for correctly sizing a heating and cooling system include the following:

• The local climate
• Size, shape, and orientation of the house
• Insulation levels
• Window area, location, and type
• Air infiltration rates
• The number and ages of occupants
• Occupant comfort preferences
• The types and efficiencies of lights and major home appliances (which give off heat).

Other steps include:

• Measuring walls, ceilings, floor space, and windows to determine room volumes and

the condition of your home’s insulation and building materials.

• Measuring air leakage.
• Assessing the placement of return registers.
• The size and condition of your ducts.

By now, you get the idea.  You simply cannoy get top value from your investment in a new home heating or cooling system without professional equipment sizing…a service readily available from the HVAC professionals at Air Temp Mechanical.

To learn more about our capabilities and how we can help improve your family’s year-round indoor comfort, contact us today.

Phone: (860) 256-6550

Click here to schedule service or ask questions now

www.ctairtemp.com

How Does a HEPA Air Purifier Work?

HEPA air purifiers are one of the most efficient and advanced methods of removing particles and pollutants from indoor air. Air quality inside a typical home can be diminished due to dust, pollen, pet dander, mold, and many other substances too small to see that float suspended in the air and can cause adverse reactions in sensitive individuals. Young children, older adults, and those who suffer from asthma, allergies, or other respiratory problems are especially vulnerable to the bad effects of these contaminants and can often benefit from cleaner, more wholesome air inside their homes.

What is HEPA technology?

HEPA stands for High Efficiency Particulate Air, a technology first developed in the 1940s and used during the Manhattan Project to control the dispersion of radioactive particles within the complex.

How do HEPA filters work?

Most HEPA filters are composed of thin, densely-packed glass fibers arranged in a special way so that air molecules can pass through, but larger pollutant molecules are trapped within the fiberglass mat.  Because of the unique design of the fiberglass mat, HEPA filters can trap up to 99.97% of airborne particles measuring 0.3 microns or larger; this can make a significant difference in the quality of indoor air by eliminating many of the particles and pollutants that can trigger asthma or allergy attacks in susceptible individuals.

Is a HEPA air purifier right for my family?

HEPA air purifiers are used by hospitals and health care facilities to help prevent the spread of infection and to provide the cleanest, purest air available for their patients.  By removing harmful pollutants and particles from the air, it may be possible to reduce the incidence of allergy and asthma attacks and to make sensitive individuals more comfortable in the home environment. If you have pets, a HEPA air purifier can reduce the amount of pet dander and floating hair in the air, making your home a healthier and more pleasant place to live; HEPA filters can sometimes even reduce the characteristic pet odor associated with your four-footed friends.

How can I protect my family with HEPA technology?

The air quality experts at Air Temp install only the highest quality air purification units from respected and reputable manufacturers.  HEPA filters are just one of the means we rid your home of harmful pollutants.  Click here  to learn more.

Call today for a free in-home consultation.

Phone: (860) 256-6550

Click here to schedule Service or Ask Questions Now

www.ctairtemp.com