The prospect of needing a new air conditioner is never a welcomed one. Home ownership has lots of perks, but it also has the drawback of when something breaks, you are the one to pay to fix it. With so many makes and models on the market, today selecting the right unit can be tricky. What is perfect for one home may not be right for another, so even asking your neighbors for advice may not be ideal. Florida homes…
If you are noticing that when switched on, your HVAC unit is giving off a slightly chemical smell it can be disconcerting. First, check to be sure it is indeed your air conditioner that is emitting the odor. Turn it off, see if it stops, then back on again. If it is your AC, it can be one of a few things. The first and most likely culprit is that someone has been using chemicals near the unit outside. Go…
You hear a lot of talk about how you can save money and what you should or shouldn’t be doing with your HVAC system. It is difficult to decipher the truth from fiction sometimes. We thought we would lay out some common myths that seem to keep circulating year after year so they can once and for all be brought to light and rectified. Myth #1 This seems to be a commonplace train of thought here in Florida. “Turning off…
Can you imagine living here in Florida without air conditioning? Up until the late 1920’s, that was the everyday reality. Air condition revolutionized the way we live. Comfortable is the new norm. Interestingly air conditionings’ start had absolutely nothing to do with comfort. In 1902 a Lithography company, Sackett & Wilhelms, in trying to do printing, became frustrated with humidity levels because ink would not dry properly. This was the start of 4 color printing (CMYK – Cyan Magenta…
Set it and forget it Regular inspections are important if you hope to keep your unit for a good long time. Maintenance plans include inspections so you don’t have to worry about forgetting to call and schedule. Your warranty could be invalidated if the system hasn’t been inspected regularly. Inspections help spot minor issues before they become big money devouring problems. Efficiency Matters If your system needs repair it will work harder to regulate the temperature for you. The system…
Ever wonder what it is that your AC tech actually does when doing the maintenance on your unit? Here you have it – the complete air conditioner and HVAC checklist. What we check when we inspect the indoor unit 1. Air Filters Change your air filter monthly or bi-monthly. Things like smoking and pet dander and fur can add to the potential clogging of the filter so it becomes even more vital if you are a smoker or a pet…
As the cooler weather hits, it is time to turn off your AC and take a look at how well it has been performing. One of the most common issues, when a system is in use so consistently as it is during most of the year here in Florida, is a refrigerant leak. It works under considerably high pressure. The lines that hold freon can degrade over time. If your system happens to get a leak it will need to…
Here in Southwest Florida, we run our air conditioners nearly all year long. This adds up when it comes to power usage and billing. In fact, due to our heated climate AC use will often make up one of the largest energy usage charges in your entire home. If you are looking for ways to cut back on your bill, there needs to be a way to cut back on air conditioner energy usage. Here are a few ideas to…
It is that time of year once again Southwest Florida. Crisp cool air has hit the state. Windows and screened indoors are opening and a brisk refreshing breeze is filling homes with fresh air. With temperatures dropping into the 50’s there is no reason to keep your air conditioning on and running. To maintain a comfortable temperature in your home, open the windows on both sides of the house to allow for a good cross breeze. Turn on ceiling fans…
No matter if you are a seasoned homeowner or a first-time buyer, there are a few key things you should know before buying an HVAC system for your home. It is important to hire an established company with good reviews and reputation. A good HVAC company will match your home size and characteristics to the right type of system and engineering modifications. Cooling Capacity, Size, and Type An air conditioners cooling capacity is measured by Ton. 1 Ton is equal…