Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘News’ Category

What is a NATE Certified Technician? (And Why Do I Care?)

Wednesday, April 13th, 2016

It is important to both your comfort and your safety that the people working on the HVAC equipment in your Florida home are both experienced and knowledgeable. NATE certified technicians are extensively trained, tested and certified by the NATE industry organization to provide quality installation, maintenance and repair service on all types of HVAC equipment.

The NATE Organization

NATE, the North American Technician Excellence organization, is an association of industry professionals that includes equipment manufacturers, contractors, distributors, technicians and educators. It offers training, testing and certification of HVAC technicians that ensures they conform to the highest industry standards, and can competently install, maintain and service all types of HVAC equipment, including furnaces, boilers, air conditioners, ventilation systems and refrigeration systems. NATE certification is a voluntary process, and the NATE organization works with both industry partners and government organizations to ensure that NATE certified technicians meet all quality, safety and professional standards.

Why Choose a NATE Certified Technician?

If your HVAC system isn’t installed or serviced correctly, not only can it impact the life of your HVAC equipment, reduce your comfort and increase your energy costs, but it could also lead to safety problems. By choosing an HVAC professional that employs NATE certified technicians, you can be sure that your equipment is installed and serviced correctly.

A NATE-certified technician will know how to size your system properly for your home, using the Manual J procedure instead of a rough estimate, and how to service it properly, according to the manufacturer’s recommended procedures and service intervals. This extends the life of your system, protects its warranty, keeps it running efficiently and minimizes your energy costs. It also keeps your home and your family comfortable, with the proper temperature, good indoor air quality and healthy humidity levels.

To learn more about the benefits of choosing NATE certified technicians, talk to our heating and cooling experts at Conditioned Air. We offer professional installation, maintenance and repair services throughout Southwest Florida, including the Ft. Myers and Sarasota areas, and we proudly feature highly-experienced, NATE certified technicians.

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3 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Wednesday, April 6th, 2016

Poor indoor air quality can cause symptoms such as stuffiness, coughing, sneezing, itchy eyes or a runny nose, and it can be especially detrimental to those with asthma, allergies or other respiratory conditions. With just a bit of work, though, there are a few simple ways that you can improve the indoor air quality in your Florida home and make it more comfortable.

Change the Air Filter on the HVAC System Often

The primary job of the air filter in your HVAC system is to protect the system from dirt accumulation and damage, but it also helps to keep the air in your home clean. It should be checked every month that the HVAC system is used, and replaced when it becomes noticeably dirty or clogged, or about every three months. To improve indoor air quality, choose a filter with a higher MERV rating, or upgrade to an electrostatic or HEPA filter. Also, consider installing a whole-home air cleaner.

Avoid Dust Accumulation

Vacuum your home at least once a week with a machine that uses a HEPA filter, and dust tables, shelves, ceiling fans, wood trim, and other areas with moist cloths or electrostatic wipes. Remove throw rugs once a month and take them outside to beat the dust out of them. Reduce clutter and store extra clothes and other items in sealed containers to avoid dust accumulation. Wash bedding at least once a week, and consider installing washable slipcovers on upholstered furniture.

Keep Humidity at Healthy Levels

Dust mites and many microorganisms prefer high humidity, and by keeping humidity levels between 40 and 50 percent, you can improve indoor air quality. Have your HVAC system inspected and maintained at least twice a year to make sure it is running well and dehumidifies properly, and consider adding a separate whole-home dehumidifier. Use ventilation fans in the bathroom and kitchen when bathing or cooking to avoid adding extra moisture to the air.

For more ways to improve indoor air quality, talk to our HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air, serving the Southwest Florida area.

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Good News for Tax Season: The Latest on Federal Energy Tax Credits

Wednesday, March 30th, 2016

Nearly every year, the federal government (through the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program) offers federal energy tax credits for people who have purchased appliances and other products that are Energy Star–qualified. By installing Energy Star–certified appliances throughout your Florida home, not only can you save up to 30 percent on your energy bills—you can also qualify for these federal energy tax credits.

Incentives for Qualifying Products

For most qualifying HVAC equipment, insulation, windows and doors, the total tax credit is either a predetermined amount or 10 percent off the purchase price, up to a predetermined maximum. Other products, such as geothermal heat pumps and solar systems, may qualify for a credit of 30 percent off the purchase price.

Air source heat pumps: Split Systems are eligible for a $300 credit, if they have an HSPF of greater than or equal to 8.5, an EER of 12.5 and a SEER of 15. Packaged systems must have ratings of 8 HSPF, 12 EER and 14 SEER or above.
Central air conditioners: The credit is up to $300 for air conditioners, with at least 16 SEER and 13 EER ratings for split systems, or at least 14 SEER and 12 EER for packaged systems.
Furnaces: Gas, propane and oil furnaces are eligible for a $150 credit if they have an AFUE of 95 or above. The furnace fan can qualify for an additional $50 credit if it uses 2 percent or less of the total energy that the furnace requires.
Boilers: Gas, propane and oil boilers with an AFUE of at least 95 qualify for a $150 credit.
Insulation: New insulation qualifies for a credit of 10 percent of the purchase price, up to $500 total.
Windows and Doors: Energy Star–certified windows and doors qualify for a 10 percent credit, up to $200. The limit applies to all units installed since 2005.

To learn more about these federal energy tax credits, visit the Energy Star website or talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air. We have been serving the Southwest Florida area, including Naples and Sarasota, since 1962.

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Sealing Your Ductwork: What You Need to Know

Wednesday, March 23rd, 2016

Air ducts are a vital component of your home’s HVAC system, and any ducts that are leaking can reduce the performance of the system considerably, increasing your energy costs and making your home less comfortable. Properly sealing your ductwork is a relatively simple process, but there are a few things that you should know first.

Why a Proper Seal is Important

Leaking ductwork can allow up to 30 percent of the air moving through the system to be lost, increasing your heating and cooling bills by up to 40 percent. Additionally, leaks in the ductwork can allow dust, combustion gases from nearby appliances and other pollutants to enter the duct system and be carried throughout the house, reducing your indoor air quality. Properly sealing your ductwork can reduce your energy costs, especially if the ducts run through uninsulated spaces like the attic, basement or a crawl space, and it can improve your home’s indoor air quality.

How to Determine if You Have Leaks

A couple of the symptoms of leaky ductwork are high energy costs, inconsistent temperatures or rooms that are hard to keep heated or cooled. You can also inspect any ducts that are easily accessible and check for damaged tape or mastic at the joints, disconnected or loose joints, holes or other damage, and obvious air leaks. Often, however, the ductwork is hidden in walls or otherwise inaccessible, and you may need a professional to inspect it.

Sealing the Ductwork

Sealing your ductwork can be a difficult job, especially if it’s inaccessible, and it’s often best left to a professional. To do it properly, any loose joints need to be secured, using screws for rigid ducts or the proper clamps for flexible ducts, and each joint should be sealed with mastic or foil tape that is specially designed for HVAC systems. Despite the name, regular duct tape cannot do the job properly. Any holes or other damage should be patched, and kinks or twists in flexible ducts should be straightened.

For more information about sealing your ductwork, talk to our professionals at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida.

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How to Lower Heat Gain in Your Home

Wednesday, March 9th, 2016

When you turn on your air conditioner this summer, one of the last things you need is more heat in your home. Heat gain is a common source of additional indoor heat that comes from multiple natural and man-made sources. Not only will heat gain make your home less comfortable, it will also increase your monthly cooling costs as your air conditioner or heat pump works harder to compensate. Here are some ways to lower heat gain in your home and save money and energy while staying consistently cool.

Close the curtains and drapes: Heat gain through windows is probably the most common source. If you’ve ever seen your pet sleeping in a sunny area, you know that those spots of sunshine can be very warm. Excess sunshine can also raise indoor temperatures by a significant amount. To stop this source of heat gain, close your curtains and drapes during those times when there is likely to be a lot of sunshine coming through the windows.
Reconsider using heat-generating appliances: Cooking using stoves, ovens, and other appliances can produce significant amounts of heat gain. Consider using other methods of cooking during the hottest parts of the day, such as small toaster ovens or microwaves. Reserve the use of ovens and cooking stoves for early morning or late evening hours.
Run ventilation fans in the bathroom: Using hot water in the bathroom can produce both heat and moisture. When showering or bathing, make sure to turn on the ventilation fans in the bathroom to pull out moisture and heat that could otherwise get into your larger living spaces.
Insulate the attic: Attics can get extremely hot in summer, so make sure the attic spaces and roof are well insulated to reduce heat build-up in that area. Attic ventilation systems can also help remove hot air.

Conditioned Air has served the needs of HVAC customers in Bradenton, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and the neighboring communities since 1962. Contact us today for more information on how to lower heat gain in your home and keep your living spaces cooler and more comfortable this summer.

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4 Signs Your Home Has Poor Indoor Air Quality

Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016

The quality of the air inside your home has a significant effect on both health and comfort. Here are some of the signs of poor indoor air quality you should be watching for. If you notice these signs, contact your local trusted HVAC professional for help.

1. Increased Discomfort or Health Problems

Poor indoor air quality can contribute to physical discomfort while also making some health problems worse.

Dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, and particulates in the air can trigger allergies or asthma attacks.
Particulates can irritate eyes, noses, and throats, causing unpleasant scratchy feelings.
Particulates can cause sneezing, coughing, watering eyes, and skin irritation.
In severe cases, poor indoor air quality can cause dizziness or nausea.

2. Increased Amounts of Dust

Take a look at the shelves and other surfaces in your home. If there is an increased amount of dust on these surfaces, it could indicate a problem with indoor air quality. More dust and particulates can be present in poor-quality air, and over time, this dust will settle on surfaces in your home. You may even see more dust floating through the air if it’s made visible in sunshine or other light sources.

3. Bad Odors

If you notice more bad odors than usual, or unpleasant smells that will not go away, you may have poor indoor air quality. Certain activities, such as cooking, may produce temporarily strong odors, but if the smells you’re noticing are frequent or consistent, it could indicate a reduction in indoor ventilation and a drop in indoor air quality.

4. Higher Humidity and Mold Growth

Higher humidity in your home could be an indicator of poor air quality. This is especially true if the increased humidity is also accompanied by more mold growth.

Since 1962 our people have made Conditioned Air a top choice for heating and cooling services in Bradenton, Sarasota, Ft. Myers, and the surrounding Florida communities. Contact us today for more information on identifying poor indoor air quality and what you can do to improve the quality of the air inside your home.

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Sealing Air Leaks Will Save You Money

Wednesday, February 24th, 2016

Any gaps or leaks that allow conditioned air to escape your Florida home (or that allow unconditioned air to enter it) can reduce the efficiency of your heating and cooling system, leading to increased energy costs. By finding and sealing air leaks with these tips, you can save money and be more comfortable throughout the year.

Windows and Doors

Poorly-sealed windows and doors often feel drafty and can contribute significantly to higher energy costs. Use weatherstripping along the bottoms and tops of windows to seal gaps between the window and the frame, and use caulk to seal around the edges of the window frames, inside and out. Install weatherstripping around the inside of the door frame, where the door meets it, and use caulk around the edges of the frame. Install a door sweep to seal any gaps at the bottom of the door.

Attic

Warm air often escapes into the attic during heating season. Use caulk to seal around holes drilled for electrical lines, plumbing vents or lighting fixtures, or expanding foam if the gap is larger than ¼ inch. Seal around appliance flues and chimneys using high temperature caulk, and install a metal baffle to keep insulation away from any hot surfaces. Install baffles around recessed lighting, and seal soffits using caulk and insulation. Use unfaced insulation in plastic bags to seal any empty stud bays.

Exterior Walls

Any holes in the exterior walls can increase energy usage. Use caulk or expanding foam to seal holes drilled for plumbing, electric, or gas lines, as well as dryer vents or exhaust fan openings. Seal around any light fixtures, and repair or replace damaged siding. Use foam gaskets on interior outlets to seal the outlet covers.

Basement

Cool air often enters through the basement and is drawn into the rest of the home. Use caulk to seal around rim joists and the sill plate, as well as any holes drilled for plumbing or electric lines.

For more information about sealing air leaks around your home, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air, serving Southwest Florida since 1962.

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Attic Insulation: Common Myths & Misconceptions

Wednesday, February 17th, 2016

Properly insulating the attic in your Florida home is important to the overall efficiency of your HVAC system, but there are many myths and misconceptions about the process. Here is the truth behind some of the most prevalent attic insulation myths.

Insulating the Attic is Not Necessary in Warm Climates

Even in Southwest Florida, insulating the attic is important, as it prevents heat from escaping to the outside during the winter and prevents the hot air in the attic from warming your home during the summer. For the areas around Naples and Ft. Myers, the recommended insulation levels in the attic are from R-30 to R-60.

Insulating the Attic Will Seal Air Leaks

Attic insulation alone will not seal air leaks, though some types, such as sprayed foam, do a better job than others at sealing during the installation process. To properly seal the attic, there should be a separate vapor barrier installed if it is required in your area, and all holes drilled for electrical lines, plumbing vents, light fixtures and appliance flues should be sealed with caulk, expanding foam insulation, or for flues, chimneys and some recessed lighting fixtures, a combination of flashing and high-temperature caulk.

R-Value is Constant

R-Value is a measurement of a material’s resistance to the flow of heat, and it is assigned according to standard tests done in a lab. In actual use, the effective R-Value of an insulating material can vary based on many factors. Materials like fiberglass can increase or decrease in R-Value according to the temperature, and R-Value can be significantly reduced if the material becomes wet or is subjected to drafty conditions.

Insulating the Attic Automatically Increases HVAC Efficiency

Properly insulating your attic is only one factor in how efficiently your HVAC system operates. Some other examples include whether the HVAC system is sized properly, whether your ducts leak, how drafty your windows and doors are, and how many sources of heat gain are present, such as heat-generating appliances or windows without shades.

To learn more about how attic insulation affects HVAC efficiency, talk to our experts at Conditioned Air.We’ve been serving the southwest coast of Florida from Bradenton to Everglades City since 1962.

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3 Ways to Alleviate Pet Allergies in the Home

Wednesday, February 3rd, 2016

Adding a pet to your household can be a very rewarding experience, both for your family and the pet itself. If one of your family members has pet allergies, however, dander from the pet may cause symptoms such as sneezing, runny nose, itchy eyes or other problems. In many cases, pet allergy symptoms can be significantly reduced by doing a few simple things around your home.

Maintain the HVAC System

Making sure that your HVAC system is clean and well-maintained can help reduce the amount of pet dander in the air dramatically. Have an HVAC professional perform routine maintenance on the system at least twice a year, including replacing the air filter and cleaning the blower fan, air handler and the evaporator coil thoroughly. Between visits, check the air filter yourself every month and replace it as necessary. Consider upgrading your air filter to one with a higher MERV rating to remove more particulates from the air, or consider installing a HEPA filter for the best protection.

Dust and Vacuum Often

Reduce the amount of pet dander and hair collecting in your home by dusting often with either electrostatic cloths or damp rags to catch all the small particles. Vacuum the entire home on a weekly basis at least using a machine with a HEPA filter, and eliminate clutter to reduce the amount of surfaces that collect dust and dander. Avoid installing carpeting, if possible, and take throw rugs outdoors once a month to clean them thoroughly.

Keep Bedding and Furniture Clean

If possible, try to keep pets out of the bedrooms of family members with pet allergies, and use hypoallergenic mattress covers, sheets and pillowcases in each room. Wash all bedding at least once a week. Vacuum upholstered furniture weekly, and consider installing furniture covers or throws that can easily be removed and washed to reduce pet dander accumulation.

For more ideas to help alleviate pet allergies in your home, talk to our HVAC experts at Conditioned Air today. Since 1962, we have been providing quality HVAC services to the Southwest Florida region, including Ft. Myers and Sarasota.

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Understanding Insulation R-Values for a Comfortable Home

Wednesday, January 27th, 2016

Your home heating and cooling system is your primary tool for keeping your home comfortable, but insulation is another factor that can have a significant effect on indoor comfort. The type of insulation you use in your home must be carefully chosen, and the insulation R-values must be appropriate for your geographical area. Here is a brief guide to insulation R-values and why they are important.

The Purpose of Insulation

Insulation prevents the flow of heat from warmer to colder areas. In a residential setting, insulation keeps warm air in during the cooler months and out during the hotter part of the year. Without insulation, or without enough insulation, heat from your furnace or heat pump escapes from your home in winter, while your air conditioner is overwhelmed with incoming heat during the summer. This makes your indoor spaces uncomfortable and increases the amount you pay for heating and cooling every month.

R-Values and Their Meaning

Insulation R-values indicate how effective a particular type of insulation will be at resisting the flow of heat. There are several types of insulation available to choose from, including fiberglass, cellulose, and foam. Each type of insulation will have an R-value, while better-quality insulation of each type will typically have a higher R-value. The higher the R-value, the better the insulation will be a resisting the flow of heat.

The R-value of insulation can also be affected by the thickness and density of the material, and whether or not the insulation material is compressed. Each layer of insulation is considered separately when calculating R-value, with the values of each layer added together to reach the final R-value rating.

In southern Florida, the U.S. Department of Energy recommends insulation with an R-value of R30 to R60 for attics, R13 to R15 for walls, and R16 to R19 for floors.

Conditioned Air serves heating and cooling customers in the Florida communities of Sarasota, Bradenton, Ft. Myers, and the surrounding areas. Contact us today for more information on insulation R-values and the benefits that proper insulation can have for your home.

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