Category Archives: Air Conditioning

Get Your AC Ready for Summer

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We’re starting to see those Tucson Summer temperatures rising again! This week we are hitting 90 degrees, so it’s time to go through the standard checklist to get your air conditioning system ready for the summer! Big events like Summer and Winter are a great opportunity to do preventative maintenance on a unit or get noticeable minor problems fixed before they become a large and costly problem.

Change Your Filters

It’s always a good idea to regularly change your filters. If you tend to forget, then major events such as summer seasons can be a good opportunity to make sure you change all the filters in your home, especially on air returns which can be easily forgotten. Make sure you know all the areas in your home that require filters and they are regularly changed to increase the longevity of any system.

For Exterior Condensers

If your home features an external condensor for your air conditioning system, then just make a quick visual inspection to ensure that there are not built up plant debris or other problems around the actual unit. Specifically you’ll want to ensure that the fan is free of any kind of debris as a critical part of the cooling system.

Checking Your Ductwork

You’ll also want to quickly visually check your ductwork. There are two areas that you’ll want to look into. The first is the registers in your house. Checking for obstructions like rugs and furniture can make sure you have good air flow.

The second place you’ll want to check is if you have a crawlspace or a storage area such as a basement. All connections and seams should be sealed completely with no holes or corrosion. Make sure if you plan to seal connections yourself, you use silver aluminum-foil tape, as opposed to the traditional duct tape.

Doing a checkup prior to the summer season is important also because you will want to make sure you don’t have mold building up in the ducts. If you find mold, simply call Cool Breeze Comfort Solutions and we will be able to thoroughly clean your ducts at a reasonable price.

Maintain Clean Air Ducts

We always hear about instances where people feel so much better after we’ve had a chance to clean their air ducts so we thought it was a topic worth letting people read about. Air duct cleaning can be a very inexpensive way to maintain a superior quality of comfort in your home today. We recommend cleaning on an annual basis or every other year at worst. Additionally, clogged air ways can force your system to work harder than it has to, which will increase your energy bills for seemingly no reason at all.

Duct cleaning is really all about the internal air quality of your home. We stress this heavily because of how ducts are just a vehicle for all the collected irritants within the entire home and then they are dispersed into every room. Pollutants, air from your kitchen, carpets, pets, bathrooms and allergians all converge into your air conditioning system and then are pushed back out the ducting system.

Our comprehensive process includes:

  • Remove All Dust
  • Completely clean the interior of your ducts
  • Major vents are vacuumed
  • Utilize special industrial strength machines designed for duct cleaning
  • Check for excess debris
  • Mold build up inspection
  • Hypoallergenic treatments are available

During the duct cleaning process, Cool Breeze Air Solutions also takes special care to protect the interior of your home from damage using covering for furniture and flooring. We use specially designed tools that are utilized to clean fiberglass duct boards and a thorough inspection is performed to ensure there are no asbestos containing materials in the duct system that may need removal or special treatment.

Don’t forget also to make sure you replace your filters frequently! This is an extremely low cost and easy way to maintain a higher level of comfort in your home.

If you live in the Tucson, AZ area and your ducts are getting clogged, emitting strange particles or your energy bills are climbing for no reason, contact Cool Breeze today for an inspection and duct cleaning cost estimate!

Air Conditioning versus Evaporative (Swamp)

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Some common questions we might get is what the major difference is when choosing a way to cool your home, especially when it comes to certain climates like Tucson, Arizona. We hope to shed some light on some major differences, drawbacks, advantages and some information you previously may not have known.

When it comes to home comfort, the name of the game in the Southwest is getting the air cold. Tucson winters are fairly mild and rarely do temperaturs drop below freezing, so heating typically isn’t the number one consideration when desert climates are concerned.

We’ll try not to bore you with the a bunch of facts and introduce some basic concepts instead.

Evaporative (Swamp) Coolers
On the surface, swamp coolers sound like they might work really well for desert climates. They work by using a blower – a fan at one end of the box – to bring in air from the outside and push it into the structure at the other end. Before the air goes inside, it passes through a series of damp pads, where evaporation takes place, and a small pump keeps the pads moist so the water doesn’t just evaporate away. This essentially creates a flow of air that is cooler than when it first entered the box.

Swamp coolers are considered an an open system and rely on the flow of air throughout the structure to direct cool air. Air from the swamp cooler needs a way out and opening and closing windows and doors controls the air flow from the swamp cooler to different parts of the structure while central air conditioners use ducts to direct the flow. Swamp coolers can also use ducts in some cases, but they need to be larger than traditional air conditioner ducts to account for a greater flow of air from the swamp cooler.

Too much humidity can prevent perspiration, which is how we cool ourselves naturally. Since swamp coolers work by putting water into the dry air, they act as humidifiers. This is great in dryer climates, because humidity can also be too low for comfort. Under the right conditions the water-laden breeze also can have a secondary effect of helping the skin’s perspiration, resulting in an even cooler feel than the swamp cooler would give on its own.

Air Conditioners
Standard air conditioners also dry the air, condensing water vapor from the cooled room as it passes over the cold coils. The water drains outside, which is what the distinctive drip you feel if you stand under a window air conditioning unit long enough comes from. The result is a dryer room, and in humid climates, that can be a good thing. Under the right conditions the water-laden breeze also can have a secondary effect of helping the skin’s perspiration, resulting in an even cooler feel than the swamp cooler would give on its own.

Standard air conditioners also dry the air, condensing water vapor from the cooled room as it passes over the cold coils. The water drains outside, which is what generates that distinctive drip you’ll feel if you stand under a window air conditioning unit long enough. The result is a room that is more dry. In humid climates, or in Tucson during the entire monsoon season, this is a huge advantage in comfort.

Air conditioning units have also become amazingly energy efficient over the years. When comparing systems, make sure you are using data from newer systems that have much higher energy ratings than older legacy systems that use much more energy. This has also caused AC systems to become more affordable and smaller as well.

Our Conclusion
At the end of the day, our recommendation for the comfort of your home for you and your family is an air conditioning unit. Despite the lure of purchasing a less expensive evaporative cooling system, it is true you get what you pay for. You will likely never meet a home owner that has gone from Air Conditioning to a Swamp Cooler and was satisfied with the change.

You also can’t really combine the best of both worlds – the way each system works would cancel each other out, similar to running a dehumidifier and a humidifier in the same room.

Don’t completely keep evaporative coolers completely off the table however. In cases where you have a small workshop, they can work pretty effectively. Because workshops typically have large openings like a garage door, these provide an effective source of airflow that basic cooling needs can be met. If the area does not need to be closed completely off like a detached office where a ductless air conditioning system, a swamp system might make sense.

If you currently have a swamp cooler and are looking to significantly improve the interior climate of your home, give us a call at 520-495-2227 today and we would love to talk to you about your options. AC systems are far more affordable than people give them credit for, so don’t believe it’s out of your budget!

Tucson Indoor Air Quality Tips

The condition of ductwork in Tucson homes can have a major effect on your heating and air conditioning system in addition to the actual air quality of your home. This is especially true if you have people living in the home that suffer form chronic allergies and pollutants such as pollen, dust, pet dander and hair. In fact, poorly maintained ducts can actually make these things worse for allergy sufferers.

Irritants get trapped in your ducting and build up over time that can just circulate higher concentrations throughout the entire home. We recommend frequent inspections because every home needs regular ductwork maintenance – there is no method of keeping them clean indefinitely.

If you have not had your air conditioning ductwork, give Cool Breeze Comfort Solutions a call today and we will take a professional look at the system in your home. We can make recommendations and find out what works best for your individual situation.

In addition to just making your Tucson more comfortable, cleaning your ducts can also improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system because it ensures proper air flow. A professional duct cleaning is a comprehensive approach to the whole home with the intent of cleaning every square inch of the ducting within your system and then treating it afterward to improve longevity. We can also look for damaged ductwork, which can lead to a loss of airflow as well.

Tucson air conditioning, air quality and clean duct management are some of our specialties! And remember, the best thing you can do on an ongoing basis as a home owner is replace your filters often! If you are concerned about the quality of any of these areas in your home, give us a call right away and we can schedule an appointment today!

Ductless Air Conditioning and Heat Pumps

If you are adding on to your home or are looking for a lower cost option to replacing a swamp cooling unit with a central air conditioning system, then a ductless air conditioning and heat pump unit might be the right fit for you.

Ductless air conditioning and heat pump units have become incredibly energy efficient.  These systems offer flexibility as well since you are not tying them into an existing ducting system.  They can be placed nearly anywhere and are very easy to install.  Ductless air conditioning and heat pump units are also extremely quiet; unlike some units seen in hotels, the systems we install and maintain are whisper quiet as well as energy efficient.

Ductless systems have a lot of benefits that make them a good choice of supplemental air conditioning and heating.  As most units are equipped with a heat coil, it makes it possible to warm a space on chilly mornings or evenings without needing to use the main heating system.  This could be a great savings in seasons that have temperature extremes in the late evenings and early mornings in homes with large heating systems.

Some very strong advantages to ductless units are:

  • The actual loss of the duct.  Duct losses can account for more than 30% of energy consumption for space conditioning, especially if the ducts are in an unconditioned space such as an attic or on top of a roof.
  • They are lower cost than central air conditioning units
  • Easier to install
  • Units take up less space than traditional room units

Cool Breeze Comfort Solutions specializes in energy efficient ductless systems in the spaces that make a lot of sense.  We use premium name brands such as Hitachi that are guaranteed and warranted.  These units have a world wide reputation of efficiency and reliability.  Contact Cool Breeze Comfort Solutions today at 520-495-2227 and let us give you a free quote and work with you to create the perfect heating and cooling solution.  We service the Greater Tucson area and the surrounding communities.

Tucson Amana Air Conditioning, Amana Heating, Amana Tucson

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It was Amana who manufactured the world’s first walk-in cooler. It was Amana who manufactured the Radarange microwave oven. It was Amana who brought these and other innovative appliances to the American people. According to experts in the HVAC industry, the Amana brand name means trouble-free quality. For example, Amana manufactures the MillionAir® heat exchanger.

That’s why Tucson homeowners often turn to Amana for their heating and cooling needs. They know that when it’s hot or cold outside, indoor comfort is just a click away. Tucson air conditioning shoppers can rely on the Amana brand name.

Not only are Amana brand HVAC systems reliable, but they provide some of the most energy-efficient air conditioning systems available today. In addition, they offer a premium warranty on these products. It is not surprising that Amana has retained its reputation as an industry leader for nearly a hundred years. Continue reading →

Central Air Conditioning and Heating, Tucson AZ

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Goodman provides both residential and light commercial air conditioning units for heating, air conditioning and products that maintain good quality indoor air. Goodman provides some of the most economical units in the entire industry.

Harold Goodman, founder of Goodman, began as an air conditioning contractor. His credo is based on manufacturing only the finest, but, at a price more affordable than other heating and air conditioning systems. Goodman Global Group, Inc. has met the founder’s goal by achieving the following:

  • Products come with solid warranties
  • Products offer greater reliability
  • Products offer long-lasting operation
  • Products offer smooth installation
  • Products remain within an economical price range

All Goodman air conditioning products are constructed to meet the original standards put in place by our founder. The warranties are among the finest in the entire industry. These factors have boosted Goodman brand products into a respected position in the heating, air conditioning and ventilation business today.

Tucson Central Air Conditioning Facts

  • A central air conditioning system is referred to as a split system. It has both outdoor and indoor components. Outdoors you have the compressor bearing unit. The coil is the indoor component. It is most often installed on top of the furnace.
  • The compressor is powered by electricity. As it pumps refrigerant through the unit it gathers moisture and heat from inside the home and removes it, releasing it outside the home.
  • The temperature inside the house is kept at a comfortable level due to the hot air and humidity being removed. When the warmer air from inside is blown over the indoor coil, the heat is transmitted to the surface of the coil. This is what cools or conditions the air.
  • The heat collected on the coil is pumped to the outside and dispersed.
  • The cool air is pumped back into the house to maintain the comfortable temperature the owner has selected.
  • Another method of air conditioning the home is done through a package unit or heat pump.

Continue reading →

Trane Air Conditioning and Heating, Quality Tucson Heating and Cooling

There are Many Reasons to Select a Trane system for your home or business. These reasons include economical operation, reliability and gaining the ability to have greater control of the environment inside your home.

When You Are Looking for Quality

Trane features louvered panels on the outdoor unit. They protect it from damage. These panels are featured on the outdoor coil. Rugged painted finishes, along with screws that are weather-resistant, complete the rugged protective components.

Trane offers the patented coils made of aluminum for the outdoor component. These coils give your system improved heat-transfer capabilities. The resultant higher efficiency saves you money. This innovation is corrosion resistant to a superior degree that exceeds that of the traditional copper and aluminum coils. One leading model has one of the highest SEER ratings that are available. The SEER rates systems according to cooling efficiency.
Continue reading →

How Do You Measure Your Air Cleaner’s Performance? A Question from Tucson

Your air cleaner is designed to keep your family comfortable and healthy, regardless of what contaminants make their way inside in your Tucson home. This is important because homes these days are sealed up tightly to minimize the loss of heating or cooling, but as a result they have poor ventilation and frequently they will suffer a buildup of excess contaminants like mold, dust, pollen and dander.

To ensure you get the best possible air cleaner for your home, there are a number of measurements available to help you in the purchasing process. Let’s take a look at a couple of those measurements and what they mean.

MERV

MERV ratings are used to measure the ability of a filter to remove dust from the air that passes through it. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter works at removing particles. The MERV rating scale goes from 1-16 with 16 being the best possible rating you can obtain from a residential (non-HEPA) grade filter. Usually, they are designed to measure things like dander, dust, smog, wood smoke, spores, bacteria and mold.

When choosing an air cleaner, it is recommended that you look for a MERV rating of at least 8, which is good enough to remove almost all common household contaminants. Higher MERV ratings (17 and up) are found in HEPA filters which are considered among the best on the market, able to remove particles as small as 0.3 microns.

CADR

This rating stands for Clean Air Delivery Rate and is a measurement of how efficiently the air cleaner delivers clean air for tobacco smoke, pollen and dust (the common measurements given for each device). This is not a measurement of the efficiency of the device, so much as the speed of it the device. So, the higher the CADR measurement for all three contaminants, the faster those particles are removed from the indoor air.

The best way to choose a device to match your needs is to look for a CADR rating of at least 2/3 of the size of the room you are cleaning. So, if you are cleaning the air of a 150 square foot bedroom, you should get a device with a CADR rating of at least 100.

When choosing a good air cleaner for your home, make sure you do your research and choose on the best possible option for the space you need to clean. MERV and CADR allow you to do this.

Testimonial – Jack W. from Tucson

We at Cool Breeze Air Solutions always try to offer superior customer service, and our expert technicians do their best to arrive promptly and answer all your questions. Here is what Jack W. from Tucson wrote to us about his air conditioning repair and heat pump installation:

Thank you for the great service that your company provided for me. Your company came out to service my air conditioner, it was making a loud noise. Your service technician was at my house within the hour from when I called to set up my appointment. He was very helpful and professional. He was neat and lean he also left my house in perfect condition! I am amazed at how quiet our new heat pump system is. I just wanted to let you know that we are very happy with the service Cool Breeze provided for us. And I would recommend your services to anyone.

– Jack W., Tucson area