Call Hamstra Heating & Cooling, Inc. For All Of Your Air Conditioning & Heating Needs In Tucson!

How Air Conditioning Works to Keep You Cool All Summer Long

While many people use an air conditioner in their home, few understand how it actually works. As a matter of fact, the way an air conditioner keeps your home cool is actually very similar to how a refrigerator works. Continue reading to take a closer look at how the parts of an air conditioner come together to keep your house cool.

Phase Conversion

Phase conversion is a law of physics that says that when liquid turns into gas it absorbs heat. Air conditioners take advantage of phase conversion by evaporating and condensing refrigerant, a specially formulated liquid, in a series of coils.

Circulation

To cool your home, an air conditioner must have fans. These fans extract the hot air from your home, carry it through a system of ducts, and blow it over a series of cold coils to cool it. The new, colder air is then moved by fans through a different set of ducts that lead back into the home.

Evaporator Coils

Evaporator coils are designed to change liquid refrigerant into a gaseous state. As this happens, hot air from the home is blown over the coils so that the refrigerant can collect as much heat as possible. After the refrigerant is completely changed into a gaseous state, it doesn’t cool as efficiently, so the evaporator coils change it back to liquid and start the process over again.

Condenser Coils

A great deal of heat is produced when the evaporator coils change refrigerant from a gaseous state back to a liquid. An air conditioner’s condenser coils extract the heat created from this process and expel it outdoors.

If you want to make sure that your air conditioner is efficient as possible before the heat of summer arrives, contact the experts at Hamstra Heating & Cooling, Inc. We provide all of the maintenance and repair services your HVAC system needs to run smoothly and efficiently for many years to come. Call us at (520) 762-4115 to speak with one of our experienced HVAC contractors.

How Much Is Your HVAC System Costing You? [INFOGRAPHIC]

Energy-efficient home appliances are important for reducing your carbon footprint and utility costs. Your home’s heater and air conditioner may be costing you hundreds of dollars each year due to dirty filters, improper refrigerant levels, or numerous other factors. Scheduling an appointment each spring for your air conditioner and each fall for your heater is the key substantial savings. Choosing energy efficient models and replacing older equipment can also have a profound effect on your utility bills. This infographic from a Tucson HVAC repair company explains more about possible inefficiencies and how much they are costing you. Feel free to share it with friends and neighbors to spread the word on how to achieve smart savings with an efficient HVAC system!

Tips for Maintaining an Efficient Air Conditioning System

The efficiency of your air conditioner will determine both the comfort level of your home this summer and how much your energy bills will be. Find out more about how you can increase the efficiency of your air conditioner in the following video.

During the summer months, set your air conditioner between 78 and 80 degrees. Further, make sure that the insulating line between your air conditioner and the house is properly insulated and that your ductwork doesn’t have any air leaks. During the summer, the filter should be replaced once every two weeks to ensure proper efficiency. Your outlets and light switches should also be checked for adequate insulation. Also consider using expanding foam and weather stripping to seal the areas where heat is likely to get in. Watch the video for more air conditioner maintenance tips.

Hamstra Heating & Cooling is fully equipped to handle all of your HVAC needs, whether it’s maintenance, cleaning, or installation of a new air conditioner. Call us at (520) 762-4115 for more information about the HVAC services we perform.

A Homeowner's Guide to Buying a New Air Conditioner

Having the right air conditioner for your home will greatly improve your comfort this summer. It also has a notable influence how much energy is consumed and the price of your electric bill. Read this article for helpful advice on buying a new air conditioner for your home.

Hire a Reputable Air Conditioning Company

It’s important to choose a trusted HVAC contractor to install your new air conditioner. Hamstra Heating & Cooling, Inc. has years of experience, a Better Business Bureau certification, and an excellent reputation for customer service.

Find Out What Size Air Conditioner Fits Your Home Best

When it comes to air conditioners, bigger is not always better. At Hamstra Heating & Cooling, Inc., we perform a heat-load calculation so that we can recommend the right size air conditioner for your home. This calculation will consider a number of factors including the size, shape, window location, and layout of your home.

Ensure Your Air Conditioner Has an Energy Star Label

Air conditioners that have the Energy Star label are certified by the Environmental Protection Agency and are up to 20% more efficient than air conditioners that comply with federal regulations. Look at an air conditioner’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating to get a better idea of its expected efficiency.

Replace the Entire HVAC Unit

Instead of just replacing certain parts in your air conditioning system, it’s better to replace the entire unit. All of the parts in an HVAC system are designed to work in tandem. Having inefficient, older components in your HVAC unit will reduce the efficiency of the new parts.

Upgrade Your Ducts

According to the Arizona Public Service Company, bad air ducts can cause your HVAC system to lose up to 33% of its heating and cooling energy. Even resealing the ducts will make a big difference for the efficiency of your new air conditioner.

To have your home fitted with a new air conditioner, call Hamstra Heating & Cooling, Inc. today at (520) 762-4115. We also offer air conditioning maintenance and duct sealing services. Visit us on the web to learn more about what we can do to make your home more comfortable all summer long.

Hamstra Employee Spotlight

Who:  Lloyd Myers

Position:  Purchasing Agent

Hired:  June 1999

Experience/Education/Awards: 

• Over 55 years in the HVAC industry
• Worked in all facets of HVAC including shop work, field engineer, purchasing.

Volunteering:

• Spends time volunteering with family in their outreach efforts to the greater community.

Proudest Achievements:

• Building his own home from the ground up on land acquired through trade of his two childhood horses.
• Consistently working hard at performing his job well.

Favorite Thing About Working for HHC:

• Working in a family oriented setting where everyone works hard but also plays hard.

Hobbies:

• Working on cars
• Spending time with family and friends.

Lloyd Myers will be retiring this month from his almot 14 years with Hamstra Heating and Cooling, Inc. He will be missed.