Author Archive | kurthartmann

About kurthartmann

Air conditioner service, repair, maintenance, and installation contractor in Fort Myers, Florida.

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Fort Myers Full Service AC Repair Contractor

Fort Myers Full Service AC Repair Contractor

Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Fort Myers, Florida

Fort Myers full service AC repair contractor

 

Air conditioner service, repair, and maintenance in Fort Myers, Florida

AC Maintenance and Repairs … Community Cooling and Heating inc Has been serving SW Florida since 1970We service all brands of air conditioning and heating equipment and repair or replace pool heaters 24 hours a day Everyday.

Quality Service: We are completelylicensed, insured, certified and fully trained to install, maintain, and repair both residential and commercial  equipment of all makes.
Community Cooling and Heating is a full service company including …

Duct repairs & replacement,

heater repair

thermostat repair and replacement,

ultra violet light air purification,

regular maintenance “Value Plans”,

equipment evaluation reports

and of course total system replacements.

air conditioner service, repairs Ft Myers Florida. A brand new air conditioner ready for installation.

A brand new air conditioner ready for installation.

Kurt Hartmann, owner of Community Cooling, is proud to provide his clients with honest, reliable, reasonably priced air conditioning service, repair, and installation. Serving Fort Myers for over 40 years this family owned and operated business prides itself on it’s knowledge, reliability, and commitment to customer service!

Protect yourself with our Free 2nd Opinion

Other companies may indicate that they will provide a
service call at some discounted rate or even just ‘gas money’, but any
company willing to do that are ‘sales oriented’ and almost always find
ways to make up for any free-be’s they may offer. Cheap work is not good
and good work is not cheap. Our company motto is “We won’t send a wolf
in sheep’s clothing, just an honest professional”.

We are proud to offer anyone a long list of satisfied clients, many of whom we have been servicing for decades.

 

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Air Conditioner Efficiency

Air Conditioner Efficiency

Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Fort Myers, Florida

 

Air conditioner efficiency is directly tied to “flow of air”

Your air conditioner, basically, breathes in warm, moist air, and breathes out cooler, dryer air. At it’s simplest … that is what air conditioners do. Any impediment to the flow of that air makes the air conditioner work harder and longer to achieve the same level of comfort. The combination of a dirty filter, dirty condensor coils, or even a dirty fan blade can make your equipment work harder, cost more to run, and break down more frequently.

Regular maintenance, especially before summer is important to keeping cooling costs as low as possible!

REALLY dirty air conditioner has probably cost the homeowner filter has probably cost the homeowner big bucks month after month on his utility bill!

REALLY dirty air conditioner filter!

 

It is fairly well known that it is extremely important to change the air filter in your home every 30 days or your air conditioner will have to work twice as hard to draw in the air before it can even begin to cool it. The same concept applies equally to the condenser coils, evaporator coils and fan blades located inside your equipment as well. Any type of obstruction in these areas is likely to minimize the level of comfort, and make your air conditioner work longer and harder.

 

A well maintained air conditioner runs better, lasts longer, and saves you money!

Community Cooling takes great pride in showing up on time, accurately assessing your air conditioning problem, and providing the consumer with the full range of options available to him … and then letting the customer decide which option makes the most sense to him personally, and fits his family’s budget as well!

 

Community Cooling ... Fort Myers most trusted air conditioning contractor

When you need a/c service we send you a trained technician … not a salesman!

 

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Air Conditioner Start Capacitor Trouble

 

Air Conditioner Start Capacitor Trouble

Community Cooling & Heating Inc.

Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Fort Myers, Florida

Air Conditioner Start Capacitor Trouble

 

Failing capacitors are one of the common reasons for malfunctions in an AC. Thankfully, if you catch capacitor trouble in time, repair technicians can easily swap them out for new ones without any serious effect to the AC. However, if bad capacitors are ignored, you may end up with a non-functioning air conditioning system right when you need one the most.  One of the most essential components of an air conditioning system are the capacitors. A capacitor is used to store energy in an electrostatic field. Capacitors perform the task of maintaining an even flow of voltage to running motors, and providing a requisite initial  jolt to start the motor in the first place. For air conditioning purposes capacitors are connected to three main motors … the compressor motor, the blower motor, and the outdoor fan motor. Each of these has an individual capacitor, or set of capacitors, to start it (the start capacitor), and to keep it running (the run capacitor).

The most common problem that bad capacitors can cause is “hard starting.” This is when the compressor of an AC has difficulty starting up, stutters trying to turn on, and then shuts off a short while later. There are a number of different causes for hard starting, but a bad start capacitor is probably the most common, as well as being a relatively simple, and low cost repair. while not always easy to diagnose that a start capacitor is the problem, a trained, knowledgeable  technician will quickly pick up on any visible signs such as splitting, bulging, frayed or discolored wiring, or even leaking oil.  They will also run electrical tests for amperage and continuity to be certain the capacitor is the source of  the trouble.

 

Bad hard start capacitor

Bad hard start capacitor

Before a capacitor fails, it often times will begin to make a clicking noise or intermittently, run for only short periods of time, or make a humming noise as the motors begin to turn. This is a good time to have a contractor check it out before the compressor or other components fail and need repair or replacement.

In nearly all cases of capacitor problems,  the capacitor will need to be replaced. To try and repair the capacitor itself wouldn’t be cost effective, and would leave the customer with an “iffy” component that may, or may not, last for any particular amount of time.  Air conditioner professionals, know how to …

 

assess the problem safely and correctly

secure/obtain the correct replacement part

remove the old capacitor safely

install new capacitor to optimal, recommended standards

 

Start Capacitor Explosion

Start Capacitor Explosion

 

Capacitors associated with air conditioners are, generally speaking, bigger capacitors designed to assist starting motors, and then keeping them running. There are several motors present in an conditioner and heater systems and they all require capacitors to get them started initially, and then to keep them performing in rhythmic syncopation as well.  A typical residential air conditioning unit employs a variety of capacitors to keep it’s component parts running efficiently and effectively.

Compressor Motor Run Capacitor
Outside Fan Motor Run Capacitor
Indoor Blower Motor Run Capacitor:
Start Capacitor

 

 

Warning!
High Voltage!
Extreme Risk Of SEVERE SHOCK!!!

Start capacitors should be checked and serviced by trained air conditioner technicians ONLY!

 

Do not attempt to inspect, assess, or replace these parts yourself!  That’s what we are here for!

Community Cooling and Heating has been serving Lee County Florida since 1970, and our long standing reputation for honesty and integrity is important to us!

We believe in putting our clients needs first, earning your trust, and making sure we provide a level of service that ensures you will call us again the next time!

Air Conditioner Compressor Repairs

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

Call Today For Reliable, Expert Service

239-267-2117

Summer Heat Is Upon Us

When the summer heat is relentless …
Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Proper maintenance is your best defense against the onslaught of high summer utility bills.

Here in southern part of the U.S. the cost of running your air conditioner is a major part of your electric bill. With a little thought and planning it is possible to significantly reduce the workload of your a/c unit thus reducing the amount of electricity you use and extending the life of your air conditioner.

  • Make sure your a/c vents, both incoming and return, are not blocked by furniture or draperies.
  • Turn off any electric light bulbs when not in use. Light bulbs generate heat that must be removed by your a/c unit.
  • Change your a/c filter monthly!
  • Cook on your outside grill when possible or use a microwave oven. Cooking on a stove or conventional oven adds heat to the inside of your home.
  • On cooler days open your windows or rely on ceiling fans to keep your home comfortable.

 

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

 

HIGHER THAN NORMAL ELECTRIC BILLS?

AIR CONDITIONER RUNS LONGER THAN IT SHOULD TO COOL YOUR HOME?

INSUFFICIENT COOLING IN YOUR HOME?

Not knowing why … IS COSTING YOU MONEY!

WE CAN HELP!

Community Cooling is offering a 16 point cooling system check which includes:

    • Clean your condenser coils.
    • Check operating pressures
    • Check electrical connections
    • Check sub-cooling
    • Check fan blade
    • Lubricate moving parts
    • Clean air filters
    • check thermostat
    • Check blower operation
    • Check controls
    • Check superheat
    • Check temperature drop across evaporator
    • Clean indoor coil if visible
    • Check complete unit operation
    • Treat condesate line and pan
    • Make necessary recommendation
newest air conditioning yellow page ad

Community Cooling yellow page ad 2016

 

Air conditioner services Ft Myers can depend on!

Community Cooling takes great pride in showing up on time, accurately assessing your air conditioning problem, and providing the consumer with the full range of options available to him … and then letting the customer decide which option makes the most sense to him personally, and fits his family’s budget as well!

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

Proper AC Installation Never More Important

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Installation
239-267-2117
Fort Myers, Florida
Serving Ft Myers and all of SW Florida since 1970

Proper air conditioner installation has never been more important!

Evaporator coils made over the past few years are earning a reputation as “pure garbage” according to many, local to Fort Myers, air conditioning contractors. The coils being made today, having copper tubing and aluminum fins, are proving themselves to have a very high failure rate.  Whether due to poor engineering, low quality materials, or even “planned obsolescence” is unclear, but, one thing is for certain …

… air conditioner coils manufactured in the past three to five years are definitely

not lasting as long as their predecessors!

One major, name brand, air conditioner manufacturer has a class action law suit filed against them due to their high evaporator coil failure rate.

The replacement coils now are mostly all aluminum like this replacement coil on the top.  I’ve replaced more evaporator coils that are anywhere from 8 months to 7/8 years old in the past three years than I have replaced in the past 30 years! The coil pictured on the bottom in the picture below is a Bryant evaporator coil about 7-8 years old.  Bryant has always had an exceptional reputation for quality and durability, and in the past a typical lifespan for a coil such as the one pictured below would be ten to 15 years at a minimum with proper installation and maintenance.  In some cases we are now seeing coils fail after only 7 or 8 MONTHS of service …. and in my opinion that is a disgrace!

Air Conditioner Coils

Air Conditioner Coils

 

With all of that being said I am going to go out on a limb and say that the air conditioner running your home RIGHT NOW is the toughest and most durable piece of air conditioning equipment you may ever own for the rest of your life … if you are talking air conditioners they just ain’t making them like they used to.  With that in mind, it is now more important than ever to have your equipment serviced regularly, and installed  not just properly, but, with genuine care.  You want to be  certain to use a licensed, qualified contractor in order for your product warranty to be valid, and additionally … make certain that licensed, qualified contractor does his part in processing the paper work that puts your new air conditioner equipment’s warranty into effect.  At Community Cooling we truly believe that attention to detail is a main ingredient in providing value to our customers whether it applies to our technicians work in the field, the paper work in the office, or the level of customer service we provide either in your home or on the phone!

 

Community Cooling takes great pride in showing up on time, accurately assessing your air conditioning problem, and providing the consumer with the full range of options available to him … and then letting the customer decide which option makes the most sense to him personally, and fits his family’s budget as well!

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

Air Conditioner Inspection A Smart Move

Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Fort Myers, Florida

 

Annual air conditioner inspection is a value because it minimizes chances of fire, vegetative growth, and electrical hazard … improved performance and efficiency is almost a bonus!

Regularly scheduled air conditioner inspection is the homeowner’s best tool to keep costly repairs at a minimum! If  an air conditoner is developing a problem that is going to result in a “no cool” service call there is a good chance that the problem could have been discovered, and serviced or repaired, before the equipment actually broke down. In many cases, when we can detect a problem early it saves the homeowner the expense of having to replace multiple parts all at the same time. Additionally, your air conditioner will run more efficiently and cool better when properly serviced!

 

Community Cooling, Ft Myers, Florida

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.

 

Over the years there have been countless times when a home owner called us for a routine maintenance call, while the air conditioning equipment seemed to be running just fine, and we discovered a serious problem hidden in the dark recesses of the air conditioning equipment ..

“… that’s the problem with air conditioners … for safety reasons the electric and moving parts are encased in metal. And the coils are tucked away for their own protection as well!”

When little problems start to develop they are practically invisible until they become a big problem, and that can get expensive. The best way to prevent these small problems from growing is to have your air conditioner inspection and servicing scheduled at regular intervals.  As your equipment gets older the  chances of it requiring service or repair are going to go on the upswing anyway.  By being proactive, and taking proper care of your equipment, the cost to run the air conditioner, and the level of comfort it provides, will be optimal.  The slideshow below shows some of the equipment we found problems with, while the home owner never knew there was a problem.

 
i

 

 

Community Cooling and Heating has been serving Lee County Florida since 1970, and our long standing reputation for honesty and integrity is important to us!

We believe in putting our clients needs first, earning your trust, and making sure we provide a level of service that ensures you will call us again the next time!

Air Conditioner Compressor Repairs

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

Call Today For Reliable, Expert Service

239-267-2117

Emergency Drain Pan A Nightmare Waiting To Happen

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
Air Conditioner Repair, Service
239-267-2117
Fort Myers, Florida
Serving Ft Myers and all of SW Florida since 1970

 

Emergency Drain Pan A Nightmare Waiting To Happen

An emergency drain pan on an air conditioner is a potential source of trouble coming straight out of nowhere.  Many homeowners believe that the sole reason an emergency drain pan will leak is due to it’s rusting through creating a hole in the bottom of the pan.  However, long before the pan rusts completely through, the rust will begin to form into sheets on the bottom of the pan.  As your air conditioner runs, and gives off condensation (which drips into the drain pan) it causes a current in the water, breaking the sheet of sediment and rust off of the bottom of the pan, breaking it into small pieces, which happen to be just the right size and density to float and move about in the emergency drain pan, blocking the drain itself, and flooding the living quarters below.

 

an overflowing drain pan can cause major trouble for the homeowner

This large chunk of rust and sediment is just the right size to block the drain pipe and cause the emergency drain pan to overflow!

 

 

One of  the most important aspects of Community Coolings’s 16 point inspection is to check the condition of your drain pan.  We recently went into a home for a service call and found large chunks of rust (see above)and sediment swirling in the currents of the running air conditioner.  It was a good thing we found it when we did.  It was just a matter of time before the bigger pieces of rust blocked off the drain pipe, causing it to overflow.  The drywall underneath would not have held up for even a half an hour, and the leak would have found it’s way  into the living quarters, and in this instance it would have been directly above the master closet!  Thousands of dollars worth of expensive clothing would have been damaged or destroyed!

 

air conditioner drain pan

air conditioner drain pan

 

Air conditioner maintenance and servicing keeps little problems from becoming big ones!

 

Community Cooling Is Here To Help! Call Today!

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

 

Community Cooling takes great pride in showing up on time, accurately assessing your air conditioning problem, and providing the consumer with the full range of options available to him … and then letting the customer decide which option makes the most sense to him personally, and fits his family’s budget as well!

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

Air Conditioner Thermal Expansion Valve

Air Conditioner Thermal Expansion Valves

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
(239)267-2117
Air Conditioner Repairs and Services
Fort Myers, Florida

 

Air conditioner repairs Ft Myers: Thermal Expansion Valve TXV

While on a “no cool” service call in Fort Myers our techs encountered a challenging problem to diagnose.  We opened up the equipment and found low suction pressures, high superheats, low amp draws, and low head pressures.  Typically this seems to indicate a liquid line restriction.  We checked the lines, and after some consideration decided to try a new thermal expansion valve.A system with a restricted metering device has the same exact symptoms symptoms as a system with a liquid line restriction that occurred after the receiver. This is because the thermal expansion valve, or TXV is, in fact, part of the liquid line.A TXV being blocked, restricted, or malfunctioning will cause the evaporator, compressor, and condenser to be starved of refrigerant.

 

air conditioner thermal expansion valve blocks refrigerant line.

Bad thermal expansion valve on air conditioner

 

Expansion valves are flow-restricting devices that cause a pressure drop of the working fluid.

 

new thermal expansion valve TXV

New thermal expansion valve for air conditioner

How effective the thermal expansion valve performs is best determined by measuring the superheat. Observing the accumulation of frost on the suction line or considering only the suction pressure may be misleading. Checking the superheat is, generally speaking,the first step in a thorough and systematic analysis of thermal expansion valve performance.

 

Air conditioner services Ft Myers can depend on!

Community Cooling takes great pride in showing up on time, accurately assessing your air conditioning problem, and providing the consumer with the full range of options available to him … and then letting the customer decide which option makes the most sense to him personally, and fits his family’s budget as well!

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

Air Conditioner Compressor Repairs

Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Community Cooling and Heating inc Has been serving SW Florida since 1970.  We service all brands of air conditioning and heating equipment and repair or replace pool heaters 24 hours a day Everyday.  We are a family owned business and pride ourselves on our commitment to customer service.  With  over 40 years experience serving the SW Florida community we have encountered a wide variety of types of repairs.  We always try to find a solution that fits our customers needs and their budget.  Not that long ago burned out wires and terminals meant the end for a compressor.  Today that problem is not quite the hard hit it used to be.

Burned wires and connections on air conditioner compressor in Ft Myers Florida

Burned wires and connections on air conditioner compressor

“… a burned air compressor wire is a common problem, easily fixed, with the correct tools and hardware …”

It was apparent that there had been a fire, of some sort,  inside the air conditioner and it had burned the insulation off of the wires as far back as about 3 to 6 inches from the compressor
connection, and seem to have charred the wire itself to the same point, but, it could also just be the burned insulation making it look like the wires were burned.   We installed electrical connectors specifically for this type of repair called Term Lok.  10 or 15 years ago burned wires and spade connectors might have been the end of the compressor.  With the introduction of Term Lok to the air conditioning contractors tool bag the expected life of a compressor has gone way up.

 

air conditioner repairs Fort Myers

We recommend Term Lok adapters when appropriate to do so. They can extend the life of a compressor for years!

 

Air Conditioner Compressor Repairs In Fort Myers, Florida

 

Community Cooling and Heating has been serving Lee County Florida since 1970, and our long standing reputation for honesty and integrity is important to us!

We believe in putting our clients needs first, earning your trust, and making sure we provide a level of service that ensures you will call us again the next time!

Air Conditioner Compressor Repairs

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

Call Today For Reliable, Expert Service

239-267-2117

Your Air Conditioner’s Biggest Challenge

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance

Fort Myers, Florida
239-267-2117

An air conditioner’s biggest challenge, might not be what you think it is!

In SW Florida the days are long, the summers are longer, and the weather is hot and humid! Any air conditioner is going to be fighting an uphill battle under these conditions. However, more often than not, the sub tropical, Fort Myers weather isn’t the biggest culprit in preventing your a/c equipment from running at maximum output and efficiency.

 

 

REALLY dirty air conditioner has probably cost the homeowner filter has probably cost the homeowner big bucks month after month on his utility bill!

REALLY dirty air conditioner filter!

 

An air conditioner, basically, moves air out of your home, across it’s coils, and back into the home.  Dirty air filters, clogged condenser coils, or poorly  engineered air ducts have a great deal of impact on how much mechanical energy and time is required to achieve the desired level of comfort.  A dirty air filter means your air conditioner is fighting  just to get the air into the equipment to even begin to cool it.  Dirty condenser coils prevent an efficient transfer of heat from the air meaning the air conditioner will have to run longer.

 

 

“In the physical sciences, mechanical energy

is the sum total of potential energy and kinetic

energy combined. It is the energy associated with

the motion and position of an object.”

 

 

A well maintained air conditioner runs better, lasts longer, and saves you money!

 

Community Cooling takes great pride in showing up on time, accurately assessing your air conditioning problem, and providing the consumer with the full range of options available to him … and then letting the customer decide which option makes the most sense to him personally, and fits his family’s budget as well!

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

 

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

Our well stocked trucks, and well trained air conditioning technicians are always on call when you need air conditioner serve, repairs, or maintenance.

 

 

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