Conditioned Air Company of Naples, LLC Blog: Archive for the ‘Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips’ Category

Summertime temperatures are heating up!

Tuesday, August 8th, 2017

It’s August in Southwest Florida, the hottest month of the year. Here are 5 top tips to keep your home cool this summer.

To optimize your comfort, set your thermostat to 78°F when you’re at home and 85°F when you’re not*.

Lower blinds or close curtains during the daytime. This prevents the sun’s heat from entering your home.

Set ceiling fans to counterclockwise. The cooling effect on your skin will make the room feel 8° cooler.

Use a dehumidifier to remove excess moisture from the air. This will leave you feeling cooler even on the hottest days.

Cooking adds heat to your home. On hot days, avoid using the oven. Instead, grill outside or use a microwave oven.

At Conditioned Air of Naples, Fort Myers & Sarasota we are here 24/7 to keep you cool.

Continue Reading

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips | Comments »

Using AC in Fall? When and How to Get the Most From Your AC System

Tuesday, January 17th, 2017

In Southwest Florida, year-round air conditioning use is often a reality, but by taking advantage of the cooler nights and mornings during the fall, you can reduce your energy usage and utility bills. Simply follow these simple A/C operating tips for Southwest Florida to save some money this season.

Use Natural Ventilation

In the cooler mornings or evenings, open your windows and turn on your ventilation system or some fans to bring the cooler air into your home and freshen indoor air. Once it starts to warm up in the afternoon, close the windows to keep the warm air out and close the curtains or blinds on southern windows to keep the heat of the sun at bay.

Adjust Your Thermostat

If you have not already, install a programmable thermostat to automatically adjust the temperature in your home throughout the day. During cooler mornings or evenings, turn the thermostat up to prevent the air conditioner from running unnecessarily. While you are at work or asleep, raise the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees to save even more money. Finally, during the hottest part of the day, reduce the temperature to remain comfortable.

Change the Air Filter Often

Check the air filter for your air conditioner at least once a month and replace it as necessary. With the windows open to allow fresh air inside, it may become soiled more often, reducing the efficiency of your system. At least once a year, have your air conditioner inspected and maintained by a professional to keep it running at peak efficiency.

Install Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans can help make it feel cooler at higher temperatures, and they are useful throughout the year. While the windows are open, they can help the air circulate through the home, and while the air conditioner is operating, they can help spread the cool air more evenly.

For other handy A/C operating tips for Southwest Florida, talk to our home cooling experts at Conditioned Air. We have been serving Southwest Florida, including the communities of Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Naples, since 1962.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning, Case Studies, News, Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips | Comments Off on Using AC in Fall? When and How to Get the Most From Your AC System

4 Tips to Save Energy This Fall

Tuesday, December 6th, 2016

With the mild weather of fall, now is the perfect time to make a few improvements around your home. If you are suffering from high utility bills, here are four easy ways that you can reduce energy consumption in your Southwest Florida home:

Have Your HVAC System Serviced

Things like clogged air filters, poorly-lubricated blower motors and dirty condenser or evaporator coils can make your HVAC system work harder than necessary to keep you comfortable, increasing your energy consumption and utility bills. To save energy and extend the life of your system, have an HVAC professional inspect it and perform any routine maintenance that may be required. After the visit, check the air filter often and change it as necessary to keep your system running efficiently.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

By adjusting the temperature in your home while you are at work or asleep, you can reduce the energy consumption of your HVAC system by as much as 10 percent. A programmable thermostat is the easy way to do this, as it can automatically adjust the temperature, then return it to normal so that your home is comfortable when you come back from work or wake up. In warm weather raise the temperature 10 to 15 degrees, and in cool weather reduce it.

Seal and Insulate Your Home

Air leaks can significantly increase energy usage in any season by allowing conditioned air to escape and outside air to enter.. Use weatherstripping and caulk to seal around drafty windows or doors, and use caulk or expanding foam insulation to seal penetrations made for pipes, cables, dryer vents and other openings in your exterior walls. Have your insulation levels checked, especially in the floors, walls and attic, and add more if necessary.

Reduce Your Water Heater Temperature

Many water heaters are set to 140 degrees or higher from the factory, which not only wastes energy but also may cause scalding. A setting of 120 degrees can reduce your costs, while still providing plenty of hot water.

For more ways to reduce energy consumption, talk to our HVAC professionals at Conditioned Air today.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Energy Efficiency, News, Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips | Comments Off on 4 Tips to Save Energy This Fall

Attic Insulation is Important in the Summer, Too!

Wednesday, July 27th, 2016

Proper insulation is critical to the comfort of your Southwest Florida home, and it can help reduce your energy costs in both the winter and summer. One of the easiest ways to increase the energy efficiency of your home is by adding attic insulation.

Why Attic Insulation Is Important During the Summer

Most people know that attic insulation is critical during the winter to keep the heat inside your home, but it also plays an important role during the summer. As the sun beats down on the surface of your roof, it heats the air in the attic. Because the air in your home is cool, the heat will naturally try to travel from the attic to the interior of your home to reach equilibrium with the indoor air temperature. Attic insulation slows this process down, increasing the efficiency of your cooling system and keeping you comfortable at a reasonable cost.

How Much Insulation Is Necessary

In the Southwest Florida region, the current recommended insulation levels for attics range from R-30 to R-60. The R-Value measures a material’s resistance to the flow of heat, and the higher the value is, the more it prevents heat transfer between the interior and the exterior of a structure.

How to Add Insulation

If your attic is not finished, it’s relatively easy to add more insulation. Fiberglass batts can be added over the top of loose fill, fiberglass or foam, and should be added in perpendicular layers to existing batt insulation. Loose-fill insulation can be added to existing loose insulation; or if there’s no insulation, spray foam, fiberglass or loose fill can be used. Be sure to leave the eaves open for proper roof ventilation, and use baffles between the rafters where the roof meets the wall to promote airflow. If your attic has three to four inches of existing insulation, it’s recommended to add R-25 to R-38 for the best results.

To learn more about the importance of proper attic insulation, contact our team at Conditioned Air. Our service area includes Bradenton, Naples, Ft. Myers and Sarasota.

Continue Reading

Posted in Energy Efficiency, News, Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips | Comments Off on Attic Insulation is Important in the Summer, Too!

Summer Air Conditioner Maintenance: It’s Not Too Soon

Wednesday, May 11th, 2016

Summer may seem like it’s a long time away, but it’s never too early to think about summer air conditioner maintenance. By scheduling your summer air conditioner maintenance visit now, you can make sure that your system is completely ready for the hot and humid weather of Southwest Florida. You’ll also avoid your HVAC contractor’s busy season which is often during the early summer when people discover that their air conditioners are not working as expected.

Why Routine Maintenance is Critical

Routine maintenance extends the life of your air conditioning system by eliminating unnecessary causes of major system problems, such as a compressor that overheats and fails due to dust accumulation on the evaporator coil. By performing regular maintenance and correcting small problems that could cause major failures, you not only extend the life of the system, you also ensure that it continues to run efficiently, reducing energy usage, lowering your utility bills and protecting your system’s remaining manufacturer warranty.

What is Done During the Maintenance Visit

The HVAC technician will inspect your system thoroughly, checking for problems such as dirty coils, refrigeration leaks and electrical problems. The technician will then perform routine maintenance, which typically includes cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils, checking refrigerant levels, cleaning the blower fan, adjusting the blower motor belt, lubricating the blower motor and pulleys, changing the air filter and inspecting the electrical system. If any problems are found, the technician will recommend possible solutions and perform any repairs that you have agreed to.

What You Can Do Between Visits

There are also several things that you can do between service visits to keep your system running properly. This includes checking your air filter regularly—about once a month—and replacing it when it becomes dirty. You should also keep the supply and return vents free of obstructions, such as furniture or curtains, and keep the area around the condenser coil clean and free of debris.

For more information about summer air conditioner maintenance, talk to our cooling experts at Conditioned Air.

Continue Reading

Posted in Air Conditioning, News, Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips | Comments Off on Summer Air Conditioner Maintenance: It’s Not Too Soon

3 Simple Spring Energy Saving Tips

Wednesday, April 20th, 2016

With the mild weather of spring, energy efficiency is not necessarily a top concern for many homeowners, but there are still a few things that you can do to cut energy costs. With these simple spring energy saving tips, you can shave a few dollars off your utility bill and prepare for the hot and humid summer that will soon arrive in the Southwest Florida region.

Have Your HVAC System Serviced

After a long winter, the HVAC system in your home is due for a thorough inspection, some cleaning and a bit of routine maintenance. By having your system serviced now, you can make sure that your cooling system is running efficiently and is ready for the summer heat. During the service visit, your HVAC technician will inspect the system, clean the condenser and evaporator coils, change the air filter, clean and adjust the blower fan, check the refrigerant levels and inspect the electrical system. This can increase cooling efficiency by up to 15 percent, saving energy and reducing cooling costs. You should also check the air filter yourself at least once a month, and replace it when it becomes dirty or clogged.

Take Advantage of Natural Ventilation

With mild weather of spring, it is the perfect time to open up the windows in your home and take advantage of natural ventilation, especially during the mornings when it’s cooler. By reducing the use of your air conditioner during nice weather, you can save significant amounts of energy and reduce your utility costs.

Avoid Heat Gain

You can keep your air conditioner off for longer periods by controlling the amount of heat introduced into your home, saving significant amounts of energy. Use curtains or blinds to shade south or west-facing windows during the afternoon to prevent the sun from heating your home, and avoid cooking, washing dishes, or using heat-generating appliances during the hottest parts of the day to keep your home cooler.

For more spring energy saving tips, talk to our professionals at Conditioned Air today, proudly serving the Ft. Myers, Sarasota and Naples areas.

Continue Reading

Posted in Energy Efficiency, News, Seasonal Air Conditioning Tips | Comments Off on 3 Simple Spring Energy Saving Tips