Genevieve Gibbs – Friar Forex

Air Conditioning Repair Orlando can be expensive. But many minor problems with your home system can be fixed by you before a service technician gets there.

For example, you can replace capacitors yourself by shutting off the power to the outside unit and removing its cover. You can also cut down weeds and trim back foliage to make it easier to access the evaporator coils.

The evaporator coil is the part of your AC that absorbs heat from the air circulating in your home. If it gets dirty, the system has to work harder and longer to bring your house up to a comfortable temperature, which can lead to higher energy bills and less efficient operation. Dirty evaporator coils also increase the amount of dust circulated in your home, which can trigger allergies for people who are sensitive to it.

The most common sign of a dirty evaporator coil is a reduction in your air conditioner’s cooling performance. Since a layer of dirt acts as an insulator, it prevents the coil from absorbing heat effectively. This can cause the AC to work overtime to cool your house, which can result in higher electricity bills.

Another sign is if your house feels warmer than usual despite the AC running. When the evaporator coil becomes dirty, it can trap hot air inside your home and lead to overheating of the compressor and the condenser. The dirt also restricts the flow of refrigerant, which leads to ice buildup on the coil.

Over time, the accumulated debris on the evaporator coil can cause mold and mildew growth. This, in turn, can lead to unpleasant odors in the home. When the coils become extremely dirty, they may even clog up completely, causing water to overflow and potentially damaging the interior of your air conditioning unit.

Your service technician will first blow air from a shop vac over the evaporator coil to loosen up most of the unwanted dirt and debris. Then, he or she will use either a detergent solution or commercially available coil cleaner to clean the rest of the dirt from the coil. This process is done with the system turned off to prevent any electric shock hazards.

It’s important to know that you shouldn’t attempt to clean your evaporator coil yourself. This coil is connected to the power supply of your air conditioner, so you’re at risk of getting electrocuted if you try to clean it with an electric wire or any other electrical tools. It’s always best to leave this job to your trusted service professional to ensure that your evaporator coil is clean and safe.

Dirty Compressor Coils

The compressor coil is an important component in your air conditioning system that works to absorb and dump heat throughout the system. As you can imagine, the coil must be clean in order to function properly. Dirt buildup makes it difficult for the AC to absorb and dump heat, which means your system has to run longer in order to cool your home. This results in higher electricity bills, especially during the hottest Florida months. The dirty coil also causes a decrease in your energy efficiency rating. This lower rating can affect the value of your home and make it more expensive to sell in the future.

A dirty condenser coil is a common problem that can be easily prevented with regular maintenance and cleaning by a professional. When you hire an HVAC expert to do the job, they will be able to properly clean your coils without damaging any of the other components or putting yourself at risk. They will also be able to catch any other potential problems and fix them before they get worse.

Some signs that your air conditioner’s condenser coil is dirty include an unexplained increase in your electricity bill, noisy operation, and the formation of ice on the unit. It is important to turn off the power to your outdoor unit before performing any maintenance on it. This prevents any electrical accidents from occurring while you are working on the system.

After you have turned off the power to your outdoor unit, you can start by removing any leaves or other debris that may be clogging the coil. Once you have removed any obstructions, you can use a wet/dry vacuum or spray cleaner on the coil. Be careful when cleaning the coil, as it can be damaged if it is scrubbed too hard or using harsh chemicals.

Once you have cleaned the coil, you will need to reassemble it and restore power to your unit. Once the system is reconnected, you should test it to ensure that the coil is functioning correctly. Make sure to schedule regular maintenance with a reputable HVAC dealer who offers air conditioning services in your area. Ideally, you should sign up for a Priority Comfort Club so that your air conditioner will receive regular maintenance and attention to avoid issues like a dirty coil in the first place.

Damaged Coolant Lines

Coolant lines are important to your air conditioning system, because they convert refrigerant fluid from liquid to gas before it can absorb heat and cool the indoor air. If these lines develop cracks or holes, your AC won’t be able to produce cool air. Your technician will use specialized tools to locate and repair any leaks in these lines.

The upper radiator hose is the most common source of a coolant leak. It’s very important to get this repaired, because if it breaks open while you’re driving, your engine could overheat and melt or break important components.

It’s possible to get a leaking lower radiator hose, but this is less common because the hose is usually well protected. If your hose is damaged, you can usually tell by looking at it; the ends are often softer than the middle of the hose. Also, if you squeeze the hose near its connectors, you may be able to feel gaps or channels inside the hose. This is called electrochemical degradation (ECD) and it’s caused by different metals in your car’s cooling system creating an electrical charge that attacks the hose material.

If your AC is older and uses the type of refrigerant known as R-22, then it’s very important to have any leaks attended to quickly. This is because the government has ordered that this compound be phased out, and supplies are dwindling. Once they are gone, your AC will need to be replaced instead of repaired.

A leaking drain line can be a very serious problem for your air conditioner, because it allows water to infiltrate the unit and damage the compressor coils and other mechanical parts. If you notice that your AC unit is leaking refrigerant or that the water drain tube on the outdoor unit has developed a clog or crack, then it’s time to call for an air conditioning service in Boca Raton.

A professional can repair most leaks in the system, but you should always have a licensed expert handle any work with the hazardous refrigerant. It’s illegal for anyone without an EPA-approved Section 608 license to handle refrigerant, so don’t try to fix the problem yourself. If you’re not sure who to call, check with your local HVAC association for referrals.

Low Freon Levels

An air conditioning unit only cools your home if it has sufficient refrigerant. The refrigerant absorbs heat from the indoor air and transfers it outdoors to prevent heat buildup. Low refrigerant levels cause an AC to work harder to maintain the cooling process, which can result in higher electricity bills and more frequent breakdowns. There are many signs that your AC is low on Freon. One of the most obvious is if your vents are blowing warm or room temperature air instead of cool air. Another is if your air conditioner seems to be taking longer to cool your house than usual.

Refrigerant is a special chemical that is pressurized in the compressor and circulated throughout the system. Leaks in the air conditioning system can cause the refrigerant level to drop, which affects how well your air conditioner works. If you notice a leak, you should immediately call an HCAC repair technician.

Hissing or bubbling sounds are another sign that the air conditioning system is low on Freon. These noises are created by gaseous Freon escaping from the air conditioning system. Freon isn’t used up in the same way as gasoline, so these hissing sounds are a clear indication that you need to schedule an AC service appointment.

In addition to hissing sounds, low refrigerant can lead to ice formation on the evaporator coil. The ice forms when the cold Freon attracts moisture from the air. Once the ice forms, it restricts airflow and causes your air conditioner to lose cooling efficiency.

Finally, low refrigerant can force the compressor to work harder and longer in order to maintain the cooling process. This increased workload can lead to overheating and damage to the compressor, requiring expensive repairs or even replacement.

The most important thing to remember is that you should never add Freon to your air conditioning system on your own. Air conditioning specialists are the only people who have the right equipment to properly test your system for refrigerant levels and determine the source of the leak. For this reason, it is crucial to have a qualified professional perform any air conditioning service.

Health & Wellness

The Principles and Practices of Naturopathic Medicine

October 7, 2024 Genevieve Gibbs

The naturopathic physician is trained to draw on conventional standards of care and algorithms when making diagnostic and treatment decisions. This is part of naturopathic medicine’s philosophy of medical pluralism.

The therapeutic order constructs on the ordered process of healing vis medicatrix naturae (Healing Power of Nature). This healing process is stimulated with health promoting systems that include nutritional supplements, low dose botanical medicines and constitutional hydrotherapy. Visit Website to learn more.

Principle 1: Treat the Whole Person

The primary goal of a naturopathic physician is to facilitate healing through empowering the individual to harness their own vital force. This means the naturopathic physician must address the patient in their totality of expression – the physical, emotional, environmental and spiritual aspects of their health and disease. In this way the naturopathic physician may utilize a variety of therapeutic tools to meet the needs of each unique situation.

In addition to gathering information through the case history, naturopathic physicians conduct physical examinations and laboratory tests in order to better understand the patient’s health and their underlying causes of illness. They work with the patient to identify and remove obstacles to cure and utilize methods that support and encourage the natural healing process.

Naturopathic doctors are also trained to recognize the importance of preventing illness before it occurs. They can do this through promoting wellness, encouraging healthy lifestyle choices and providing patients with the necessary resources to achieve this.

This holistic approach to care is a central tenet of naturopathic medicine and is the foundation of the therapeutic order construct. This construct acts as a touchstone for NDs, as it reminds them to consider the implications of their care on all family members and that every decision must be made using the least amount of force possible in the best interests of the patient and family. This approach is consistent with the ethical principle of nonmaleficence.

Principle 2: Identify and Treat the Cause

The naturopathic doctor seeks to identify and treat the underlying cause of illness rather than simply treating the symptoms. This includes assessing your diet, lifestyle habits, emotional and spiritual well-being, environment, genetic and hereditary susceptibility, and posture. By discovering and removing the root cause, your naturopath will allow you to experience healing on a deeper level.

The first tenet of naturopathic medicine is “First, do no harm.” Naturopaths prioritize safe and effective natural substances that avoid toxicity and additional burden to an already distressed system. They are trained in pharmacology and able to assess drug-herb and drug-nutrient interactions. As their scope of practice permits, naturopaths can also prescribe medications or refer to medical colleagues.

NDs work in partnership with patients to develop wellness and disease prevention strategies. They promote healthy daily habits, assess risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to disease, and make appropriate interventions in partnership with their patients. They encourage their patients to eat healthy foods, exercise regularly, and manage stress. They also teach their patients to recognize and respond to early signs of disease so they can take action before the onset of full-blown symptoms. In doing so, they foster an attitude of responsibility for one’s own health and wellbeing. The naturopathic physician teaches their patients to be proactive in identifying and managing risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and high blood pressure.

Principle 3: Encourage Self-Healing

The body has the inherent capacity to heal itself, a belief that is embodied in the first of the six naturopathic principles: First Do No Harm (Primum Non Nocere). Naturopathic doctors are trained in identifying and treating the cause of disease. They believe that symptoms are expressions of the body’s attempt to defend itself or adapt and recover. It is this cause that must be addressed in order to achieve complete recovery.

Naturopathic physicians use modalities that allow the body to heal itself, such as nutritional therapy, physical therapies like massage, spinal manipulation, craniosacral therapy and more, and other natural interventions, including detoxifying fasts and other lifestyle practices. They also encourage patients to reconnect with the natural world, recognizing that health comes from a healthy environment.

NDs have the ability to utilize a variety of treatments, including supplements and pharmaceuticals, but they always start with the least forceful treatment possible and only move on to more invasive therapies if needed. This approach, called the Therapeutic Order, is a core principle of naturopathic medicine that promotes holistic care and the naturopathic philosophy of vis medicatrix naturae. Interested in learning more about the therapeutic order? Check out AMA’s great advocacy tools that help to set the record straight on scope of practice for NDs.

Principle 4: Educate the Patient

The naturopathic physician serves as a teacher, empowering patients to harness their own healing abilities and encouraging self-responsibility for health. The original meaning of the word “doctor” was teacher, and a principal objective of naturopathic medicine is to use the therapeutic potential of the doctor-patient relationship to encourage lifelong learning and self-empowerment.

As a core tenet, the first principle of naturopathic medicine is “Primum Non Nocere,” or “First Do No Harm.” This is based on the belief that the body’s natural state is one of health and wholeness; the goal is to support and enhance this process through identifying and removing barriers to cure. Naturopathic doctors choose methods and medicinal substances that are the least invasive and harmful, while taking into consideration the patient’s values, preferences, and experience level.

The naturopathic physician understands that disease is a complex interaction of physical, mental, emotional, dietary, genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. In order to promote optimal health, naturopathic physicians take into account all of these factors and encourage patients to consider their spiritual well-being. They also emphasize prevention by assessing risk factors and hereditary susceptibility to illness, as well as recommending healthy lifestyle changes in partnership with their patients.

Principle 5: Prevent Disease

The naturopathic doctor’s role is to promote wellness, not just treat disease. This is done by encouraging healthy lifestyle practices and addressing the underlying causes of disease through a variety of health promoting therapies, such as diet, exercise, hydrotherapy, acupuncture, and herbal medicine. The naturopathic physician also takes into consideration the patient’s spiritual well-being and encourages patients to pursue their own spiritual path.

The principle of first do no harm (prima facie platina) refers to the naturopathic philosophy that it is always safer for patients and more effective to prevent disease than to treat a disease once it has manifested. To do this, naturopathic physicians perform a comprehensive and detailed medical history to identify potential risks, heredity, and susceptibility to disease.

They then develop an individualized treatment plan that addresses the whole person, taking into account their physical, mental, emotional and genetic characteristics and the social context in which they live. They then work in partnership with their patients to build healthy internal and external environments, address the underlying causes of disease and strengthen the body’s regulatory systems. If necessary, they may also prescribe medications and perform minor surgery or other forceful interventions when they are safe for the patient. This is called the therapeutic order. This is based on the six principles of naturopathy and the foundation of a strong doctor-patient relationship. It is this trust that allows naturopathic doctors to use their knowledge and skills to prevent disease.

Principle 6: Promote Wellness

Rather than merely alleviating symptoms, naturopathic doctors (NDs) work to identify and address the underlying cause. This allows for lasting health improvements and reduced reliance on pharmaceutical intervention.

Naturopathic Medicine combines today’s medical knowledge with time-honored natural healing practices to treat disease and promote wellness. Its philosophy roots itself in holism and celebrates the connection between all things. It encourages patients to become active participants in their health and gifts them with the tools that they need to thrive long-term.

When assessing an individual, naturopathic physicians take into account their physical examination, medical history, and laboratory tests to help understand the root causes of their disease or illness. They also focus on educating individuals so that they can make more informed health choices to prevent future disease and maintain wellness.

In order to stimulate the body’s innate self-healing process, NDs use health promoting modalities such as nutrition, low dose botanicals, homeopathy, and constitutional hydrotherapy. This helps to strengthen the immune system, decrease toxicity, optimize metabolic function, balance regulatory systems, and improve structural integrity.

As more and more people are becoming aware of the dangers of conventional medicine, they are looking for safer and more effective treatment options. As a result, more and more people are turning to naturopathic care, which blends modern science with time-honored natural healing methods. With the six principles in mind, naturopathic doctors (NDs) prioritize harmonious and least invasive techniques to treat disease and promote wellness.

Author: Genevieve Gibbs

Air Conditioning Repair – Things You Can Fix Yourself