Find an Air Conditioning Engineer you can trust in Fort Augustus.

Are you planning to install a new climate control in your home or property? If yes, then there are a number of things you’d have to consider before making a financial commitment and that’s related to air conditioning planning permission. It’s crucial to equip yourself with the facts so as to avoid any hiccups along the ways and end up with an AC system that works well and complies with all relevant air conditioning regulations. In this post, we’re going to give you a good insight into planning permission for air conditioning in homes. Let’s take a look!

In general, majority of small air conditioning installations do not need planning permission. In other words, you don’t have to submit a planning permission application to install an air conditioning system in your home or property – if you want to, simply go ahead with it. However, there’s a need to ensure that your external air conditioning units meet some regulations. These regulations include:

• It isn’t bigger than 0.6m3
• It’s over a metre from the boundaries of any property
• It’s more than a metre away from the edge of a flat roof
• It shouldn’t be fitted on a pitched roof

In addition, you’d have to ensure that there isn’t a wind turbine on the property. For a more accurate information, it’s more advisable to reach out to your local authority for advice on air conditioning planning permission before installing your air conditioning unit. They’re in a much better position to advise you on how to ensure that your air conditioning complies with the relevant regulations as well as whether or not you’ll need a planning permission.
 

If you want to guarantee the comfort of those inside your work environment, getting a commercial HVAC system should be a top priority. And if you already have one installed, knowing the best time to have it replaced rather than repaired will go a long way to save you some huge bucks. For instance, an air conditioning system that’s old and malfunctioning is best replaced due to the fact that all the components are probably weak and can only keep generating series of faults till it finally breaks down beyond repair. When evaluating your air conditioning unit, there are some factors that you’ll need to take into account to save yourself some money and headaches. Let’s take a look!

• Age. If your commercial HVAC system is within 15 to 20 years old and starting to look like a giant rust attached to your building, then its probably time to get a replacement. Also when old, most commercial air con systems are usually much less efficient and will consume more energy which implies higher energy bills.
• Wear and tear. If your system has experienced a significant amount of wear and tear, then its probably not heating or cooling as efficiently as it used to. Depending on the product’s quality as well as the level of maintenance many commercial HVAC system would be overdue for an upgrade by the time they’re about 15 years old.
• Malfunctions. When it comes to heating and cooling systems, some issues are quite easy to fix or resolve while others ( such as a broken furnace fan or refrigerant problems) should be best left to the experts. However, if the malfunctions are becoming more often or serious enough, then you should probably consider getting an upgrade.

As the summer months draw nearer, you get better accustomed to the ambient noise produced by your air conditioning system which is constantly in operation to keep your home cool and comfortable for both you and your loved ones. During this period, it’s absolutely normal to expect a spike in your energy bill and wish to know how you can limit the expenses without having to sacrifice your home’s temperature. In this guide, we’re going to consider some of the major ways you can save energy in your home without having to sacrifice your air conditioning system. Let’s take a look!

1. Reduce phantom loads. This is an electronic appliance that still makes use of energy even when turned off and not in operation. These phantom loads are actually everywhere in your home but you just don’t know that the television, toaster or even your phone’s charger continue to suck electricity when they’re not in use.
2. Incorporate more energy-efficient appliances. Before making a purchase, ensure that the appliance has the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star Label as they use 10 to 15 percent less energy than their counterparts.
3. Change out your light bulbs. The older your incandescent light bulb gets, the more energy it consumes. You can cut cost by reglarly changing them out.
4. Install a programmable thermostat. With such a device, you can adjust your home’s temperature to your schedule and needs to cover for the time when you would not be home.
5. Use fan. A cooling fan can significantly lower the cost of running an AC system.
6. Seal all air leaks. Blocking all air leaks in your home is a great way to ensure energy is well maximized
7. Make your windows more efficient.
8. Enhance you insulation
9. Conduct a regular servicing of your AC unit
10. Setting the air conditioning temperature higher at night

NO - as air conditioning systems use fluorinated gases as refrigerants, all work on them must be done by professionals holding valid F-Gas certification. There is a range of different qualifications and certifications that apply for this, so it's always best to ask someone who is qualified to do this.

With summer fast approaching, most business owners are getting ready to battle the great heat that often comes with it. One of the most important tasks would be to make sure that the commercial HVAC system is in top condition to run efficiently and smoothly through to help lessen or cancel out the effect of the summer’s heat in the work environment. Air conditioning systems when not properly maintained can take up to 30 percent energy which is capable of sending your utility bills through the roof during the season that calls for a heavy usage. In this post, we’re going to consider some top tips you can implement to prepare your commercial unit for summer air conditioning. Let’s take a look!

• Filter cleaning and maintenance. When the filter is clogged the cooling is decrease and more energy is consumed (implying higher electricity bills) as the unit works harder to have your work environment cooled. The filter accumulate dust, dirt and other particles pretty easily which also affects the indoor air quality since they’ll get pushed out with the cool air distributed. Therefore, there’s a need to ensure that the filters are washed regularly and also changed (at least once a month during summer).
• Air flow leaks and obstructions. If the blower components aren’t properly adjusted, this can lead to a 15 percent drop in the system’s efficiency. Also, gaps and obstructions in duct work can lower air flow in the HVAC unit. Therefore, you’ll need to check the ducts and connectors for loose spots or damages, also check walls, doors and windows for cracks and leaks which can allow the outside warmth to draft in and the cool air to flow out.

When getting a new air conditioning system, it’s essential to always go for one that’s energy efficient, otherwise you’ll end up paying more money on your heating and cooling bills than necessary. Over the years, a variety of air con units have been developed which ultimately makes it a bit tricky trying to separate the “the boys from the men. Not all are created equal and most home and property owners who do not take the necessary measures and put certain things into consideration when buying a new AC system often go back home with the most visually appealing unit rather than an energy efficient one.

When purchasing a new energy efficient system, there’s a need to look out for some things that can go a long way to help keep your heating bills and your home’s temperature low. Let’s take a look!

• Get the appropriate size for your space. One of the biggest mistakes you can make when buying a new air conditioner is getting the wrong size. A unit that’s too small will have to work overtime to achieve the set temperature for the room and driving up your energy bills, while a unit that’s too large will cool the air pretty easily and quickly but leave it damp and clammy.
• Energy saving setting. Always look out for this feature when buying a new unit. This allows the unit to turn off both the compressor and the fan once the space has been cooled off which in turn helps you conserve energy.
• ENERGY STAR® Certification. When deciding on the best air condition for your home, always look for the blue ENERGY STAR® certification. This implies that the unit has met or exceeded certain higher efficiency standards than other similar models.

Do you wish to save money on your air conditioning expenses and energy bills? If yes, then you’ve come to the right place. In this post, we’re going to consider some of the common myths you shouldn’t buy into if you really wish to save some money on your air conditioning system. Let’s take a look!

• The size of the system does not matter. This is one of the biggest mistakes you can make when purchasing an air conditioning system. A too large system will not only consume more energy meaning more higher heating bills, but will also keep turning off till it finally breaks down. And on the other hand, a system that’s too small would have to work harder to have your space cooled which means that it’ll wear down sooner. Consult a specialist in order to determine the right size of HVAC unit for your home.
• Turn down the temperature for a faster cooling. The fact here is, your AC system works just as hard whether you lower it 4 degrees or 25 degrees. Therefore, getting the temperature you want is just a matter of time. Also, you can end up paying a higher bill if you set it lower than you need to and in the process you happen to forget about it. Here, using a programmable thermostat can save you money and you’ll also get the temperature you really want.
• You don’t have to change the air filters. This is an idea you never buy into if you wish to save money. Air filters are usually inexpensive and can save you huge repair costs as well as heating bills on the long run. Normally, air filters should be replaced every 30 to 90 days by a specialist.

It can be quite tricky knowing the right time to purchase and fit an air conditioning system, however if you get the timing right, this can go a long way to help you save both time and money. It’s important to note that different individuals usually have varying needs - like it it’s possible your existing unit just broke down during the summer months or you’re carrying out some renovations during spring.

In general, there’s the need to put a couple of factors into consideration in order to make sure you AC installation is a hassle free experience. The best time to install an air conditioner is actually before the construction of the house. Several high set homes do not possess the space to fit fully ducted air after building. And even if there’s space, accessing the ceiling and down into the floors can be pretty expensive and difficult.

Installing an air conditioning unit earlier would mean less plaster would be required later down the road. A good air conditioning installer or HVAC expert should also advice you on the best location for the unit in order to help you maximize cooling in the summer and heating in the winter. Most importantly, if your AC unit is built into your house’s design, you’ll be able to save more money in the long run. However, you may not be able to fit a unit when constructing or renovation, therefore choosing the right time would be a question of, when is the right time of the year.

Generally, choosing a month in the off-season is actually a much better time to fit an air conditioner, but ensure that it’s the right time. Overall, the best time for an air conditioning unit installation is autumn when the demand is at its lowest. Since retailers are usually overstocked with units after the summer months, you can get yourself some nice discounts