Get Your Home a New AC

May 14th, 2021

With the ongoing pandemic, it is more important than ever to make sure you can breathe normally in your own home. As breathing difficulties increase, so do your chances of getting a disease. Not only would having a new AC installed help your life become easier to handle, it will also help ease your energy bill and can increase the value of your home.

Get Comfortable With a New AC

We tend to panic even more when we are uncomfortable and an improperly heated home can definitely add to that stress.  Not only can you help yourself stay calm by keeping your home cool, you also help prevent your body from losing an excessive amount of water which can cause dehydration. Having a heat stroke or suffering from dehydration isn’t any prettier than any other reason for going to the hospital, so prevent yourself from having massive medical bills because you couldn’t stay cool with your new AC.

People with breathing difficulties associated with asthma and allergies are also more likely to be affected by the current pandemic and may require trips to the hospital as well. Newer AC’s have better air filters than older models. Humidity is one of the primary factors for bacterial and mold growth which are also known causes for breathing difficulties. Having a new, properly maintained AC can slow or prevent these problems from getting worse.

Lower Your Electric Bills with a New AC

It is expensive to keep an AC running. Newer AC’s are way more energy efficient than the older ones which can drastically lower your electric bill. You can keep yourself occupied during these self-quarantine days by running more of your entertainment systems and running more appliances in general because you now have a lower electric bill.

New AC’s Can Add Up To 5% Value to Your Home

According to Consumer Reports, home automation is one of those new ways to increase the property value of your home and a new AC system is one of the popular ones, whether you are selling your home or not. 5% may sound insignificant but that translates to roughly an increased value of $5,000 – $15,000 to your home (assuming a typical value of 100k – 300k). For a 500 or 1000 dollar investment, that is a significant return.

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Stay Cool and Save Money with Annual AC Tune-Up

April 14th, 2021

Spring is in the air! The birds are chirping, the trees are budding, and temperatures are rising. It’s the time of year to plant gardens, host cookouts, and schedule an air conditioner tune-up. What? Spring doesn’t automatically bring to mind annual air conditioner maintenance? Well, it should and here are three reasons why!

Maintenance Extends Your Air Conditioner’s Life Span

Without regular maintenance, minor problems can turn into significant issues, shortening the life of your air conditioning unit. Friction caused by a lack of lubrication can damage parts. A plugged drain line can cause household water damage.  An HVAC professional would catch and address such issues during an annual inspection. Ensuring your air conditioner is in proper working order will extend the life of your unit and save you money in the long run. 

Maintenance Prevents Breakdowns

Summer is a great time of year for pool parties, lazy afternoons, and long walks on the beach. Summer is not the time of year to be caught without a working air conditioner. Yet, without annual tune-ups, your chances of roasting in the heat increase substantially. You may not be aware that your air conditioner has faulty electrical connections, an overburdened filter, or bent coil fins. According to the US Department of Energy website, “An air conditioner’s filters, coils, and fins require regular maintenance for the unit to function effectively and efficiently throughout its years of service.” An annual tune-up will remedy any issues before they become problems, saving you the cost of an expensive repair call on the hottest day of the year.

Maintenance Saves on Energy Costs

A well-maintained air conditioner is not only reliable, but it is also energy efficient. Dirt and debris can interfere with your unit’s functionality. According to Angie’s List, “Left unchecked, your A/C system can lose 5 percent of its operating efficiency each year because of this buildup, meaning it can’t cool your house as capably as it could if it were clean.” Neglecting maintenance results in a decline in performance and increased energy use. Even a 5 percent loss of efficiency can result in increased energy costs. An efficient air conditioner is reliable, saves you money, and keeps you cool! 

You may think you are saving money by not scheduling an annual tune-up for your air conditioner. You will soon discover, though, that any savings are eclipsed by the expense of emergency repair calls and increased energy costs, not to mention the shortened life span of your unit. We will take care of all your air conditioning maintenance needs, ensuring your unit will run reliably and efficiently throughout the hot summer months. Contact us to make an appointment! 

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Avoid These 4 Mistakes When Hiring an Air Conditioning Contractor

March 31st, 2021

If you need to install a new heating and cooling system, or if your existing HVAC system needs major repairs, you’ll need to hire an air conditioning contractor. Unfortunately, it’s easy to make mistakes when you’re trying to find the best contractor for your job, especially if you’re new to the process. Here are four mistakes to avoid when you’re hiring an air conditioning contractor.

Getting Only One Bid

A new heating and cooling system or a major repair is a big investment. Before selecting an HVAC contractor, shop around and get several bids. Don’t automatically hire the first company you meet with. Shopping around will ensure you’re getting quality work for the best price.

Basing Your Decision Only on Price

While it’s important to get multiple bids, the initial price doesn’t always tell the whole story. You don’t just want the lowest price; you also want the best value for your money. Find out how much experience your potential contractor has, what type of equipment they’ll install and why, and whether they guarantee their work. Those details make a big difference.

Not Asking for References

One of the best ways to avoid problems with your air conditioning contractor is to ask for references. Ask your contractor for the names of customers with projects like yours. Any reputable contractor will be glad to provide you with references.

Not Getting a Written Estimate

Any contractor can give you an estimate for an HVAC repair, but you must ensure that they stick to it. A reputable company will give you a quote in writing, including an itemized list of the services they will perform. Before you hire an air conditioning contractor, make sure you get a written estimate.

In the Sarasota area? Contact us now to request an appointment!

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4 Health Benefits of Air Conditioning

February 26th, 2021

Air conditioning has become more than an ordinary home appliance today. By purchasing an air conditioner for your home in Sarasota FL, you can create a health-friendly environment. Besides giving you personal comfort, this home appliance can improve your living standards by creating a clean, healthy, and safe environment. Additionally, it can maintain a cooler temperature during summer. Below is a list of the top merits of installing an air conditioner in your home.

Reduced risk of dehydration and heatstroke

Dehydration occurs due to a lack of enough water in the body. One major cause of dehydration is sweating profusely. The more you sweat, the more you increase your exposure to dehydration. On the other hand, heatstroke occurs when your body begins to overheat due to hot temperatures in the surrounding temperature. A fully functional air conditioning unit will be beneficial in keeping you warm during the cold winter period. 

Reduced asthma attacks

The air conditioning unit helps to minimize your exposure to an asthma attack. It purifies air in your immediate surroundings by filtering the dirty air that might contain dust mites or pollutants. Plus, it also eliminates dampness that might result in the growth of mold. All of these may cause asthma attacks. Failure to replace your air filters from time to time will only result in the cycle of the same dirty air in your home. 


Provides comfort

Every homeowner in Naples, FL has his or her comfort zone. Some are sensitive to heat situations, while others are sensitive to cold weather. With an air conditioning unit, you can customize your surrounding environment to suit your preferences. Installing this electrical appliance improves your health status and reduces stress by eliminating any possible discomfort.


Enhances sleep and boosts productivity

A refreshing environment is ideal for sleeping as it lowers both your blood pressure and heart rate. Thus, allowing you to sleep comfortably without any distraction. Lastly, a room with the perfect room temperature and fresh air contribute to boosting your productivity and your well-being. 

Any questions at all, please contact us at (239) 643-2445.

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Does an Air Conditioner Filter Work Against Viruses?

January 25th, 2021

After a global pandemic, one can’t help but think about the quality of air they keep in their own home. During the warm months, your air conditioner helps improve your indoor air quality by filtering the air before it is treated and pumped into your home. These air filters can filter out dust, allergens, and even smoke to prevent them from going into your home, but what about viruses?

In the case of COVID-19, it is transmitted through contact from the skin and close airborne contact when breathed out from the lungs. This makes it particularly difficult to filter out of the air. However, it is not just COVID-19 that air conditioner filters will struggle with; all virus particles are just simply too small to be reliably caught by an air conditioning filter. This is perhaps because people think the air conditioning filter is specifically meant to improve their air quality in the home. In truth, the filter is actually meant to protect the appliance. Dust and other contaminants can build up in the appliance, the ducts, and effect overall performance. The air filter keeps that from happening and produces cleaner air as a byproduct. Small virus particles aren’t really a threat to the appliance and an air filter thick enough to catch them would greatly diminish air flow and efficiency, so it just can’t be done.

While there are other ways of removing viruses from the air, they are not really available or reliable on a residential level. They are designed for sterile rooms and large facilities. Trying to add them to your home would be a huge expense. Unfortunately for now, the best way to stay safe is to adhere to CDC guidelines for specific viruses. If you are using an air filter in your air conditioner and changing it as needed, your air is as clean as it can get.

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Should You Upgrade Your HVAC for a Home Addition?

December 28th, 2020

If you have done a home remodel and added onto your home, you have a lot that is getting your consideration. You want to make sure it is structurally sound and even looks nice with the rest of your home. However, one thing you definitely want to give your attention to, especially as the temperature drops, is if your home’s HVAC can handle it.

The HVAC that was installed in your home was specifically sized for your home before you added on to it. If the renovation was very small or not an enclosed room, you should be alright not making any HVAC additions. However, if you added a whole room to your house, you need to make plans to add onto your HVAC as well.

When you added the new room, you should have had the ducts extended as well as part of the construction. However, what you need to keep in mind is that your current HVAC system may not be able to keep up. The heating and cooling appliances were sized for your old home and you may now need to get new appliances to keep up with demand. If you have noticed that your HVAC is running longer or not reaching the temperatures you set, it is time to give it some consideration.

An alternative, particularly if you did not run ducts to the addition during construction, is to look into ductless systems to augment your needs. These systems are installed in your home without ducts as a supplemental heating and cooling system for individual rooms. They can help supplement the temperature in this case or simply allow for more flexible heating and cooling in an area. It can be a more affordable alternative to replacing both your heating and cooling appliances because your home is now too big for them to keep up.

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Hiring The Right AC Expert For The Job

November 30th, 2020

We all know them. Maybe we’ve even been one. They’re armchair experts. Those friends, family members and acquaintances that convince us they can do the job we need to have done for a fraction of what it costs to call a real expert.

You might get lucky and the “armchair” repair is a success leaving you with a few extra bucks in your pocket. Often, you pay that friend a small fee and end up calling an expert in the end. When it comes to air conditioning repair, save you time and money by working with a real expert first. 

What qualifies a contractor to be an expert in air conditioning?

From the basics to top-tier qualifications, we recommend that you look for the following when hiring an air conditioning contractor:

  1. Fully licensed and insured. This is a given. Anyone who comes into your home should be licensed and insured in the state where the work will be done. 
  2. Employs NATE-certified technicians. NATE certification tells you that the technician is committed to be a leader in his/her field. In fact, NATE stands for “North American Technician Excellence.” To become NATE-certified, technicians put themselves through rigorous testing to demonstrate their expertise in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration (HVACR).
  3. Comes highly recommended. Though not a regulated qualification, you want to work with a contractor who comes recommended by people and communities you trust. This is where your friends, family members and acquaintances can lend their knowledge. If they’re happy with a contractor’s work, the odds are great that you will too. Outside of a personal recommendation, you can consult regulated review sites such as Google and Facebook. 

You want to get it right the first time when it comes to air conditioning repair (or any HVAC needs). Leave the armchair experts in the armchairs at your Super Bowl party and leave the air conditioning repairs to the experts. You’ll be more satisfied and spend less money in the end. 

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How to Tell If an Air Conditioner Fuse is Blown

October 26th, 2020

A number of different problems can occur in an air conditioner that can cause it to stop functioning. However, if you notice that your air conditioner just up and dies on you during some of the hottest days of the year, it may actually be caused by a blown fuse.

What happens when an air conditioner blows a fuse is that fuse was preventing damage to the air conditioning unit and the electrical system. A common example is during a heat wave when the air conditioner needs to run itself almost constantly. At this time, it may heat up beyond the normal levels. If it gets too hot, a fuse will blow in order to stop any damage or potential fires from happening. While this keeps your home safe, it does stop the AC from functioning.

If a fuse has blown, most commonly you will still hear a humming coming from the outdoor unit. This is the unit still asking for a current, but not getting anything. If you have a voltmeter and know how to use it, you can concretely test to see if a fuse has blown.

Is it Safe to Check for a Blown Fuse?

As this is an electrical issue, if you are ever unsure of what to do next, you will want to call a professional air conditioner technician. In most cases just because the fuse was blown doesn’t mean the current has stopped flowing. This means that while you are investigating your blown fuse and happen to find something like wire damage as the cause, you will want to avoid touching it for your own safety.

As is the case with most electrical issues, it is often safer and quicker to just call a professional. As this issue often happens when the temperatures are at their hottest, speed can be a huge deciding factor.

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Fall is the Time for Air Conditioning Tune-Ups

September 28th, 2020

Summer is fading away, and the cooler months of fall are coming. This is a perfect time for a yearly air conditioning tune-up, inspection, and servicing. Having your AC system inspected and repaired this fall assures you will be ready for next summer’s heat.

Reasons for Getting an Air Conditioning Tune-up

Maybe you started noticing problems with your air conditioning system as the summer months passed by, but you didn’t get around to calling a service technician. Even if you have turned off your AC for the season, now is a great time to take care of any maintenance issues.

The most common air conditioning problems solved by a tune-up are:

  • Squeaks and noises
  • Moisture leaks
  • Musty smells
  • Poor airflow
  • Low cooling capacity
  • Replacement of dirty filters

If your AC unit is less than about 12 years old, a tune-up by an HVAC specialist can often solve these problems. Getting this maintenance done now can save you the cost and inconvenience of repairing or replacing the unit when you need it the most.

What You Get with an Air Conditioning Tune-Up

Precisely what is needed during an AC tune-up depends on the type of system you have and how old it is. However, most maintenance of air conditioning systems involves:

  • Cleaning the condenser coils to improve energy-efficiency
  • Topping off coolant levels
  • Calibration of the thermostat
  • Inspecting ductwork
  • Lubrication of moving parts
  • Filter replacement
  • Checking the blower motor and belts
  • Safety inspection of electrical connections

Yearly servicing of your air conditioning system is the best way of keeping it running at top energy-efficiency and preventing a costly break-down later, and fall is the perfect time to have a professional HVAC specialist tune-up your air conditioner. At Conditioned Air, we’ve been the area’s leading AC service since 1962!

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5 Types of Air Conditioning Contractors to Stay Away From

September 1st, 2020

You have to be careful when you get an air conditioning contractor. Make sure that the person you contact is well-known in their field and has good reviews. A good air conditioning contractor is someone who will be punctual, professional and courteous.

They’ll be forthright about how much your air conditioning installation, repair or service is going to cost. They won’t quote one price and then charge you a different price later. And, of course, they’ll get the work done in time.

But where do you find someone like this? Well, here are certain things to stay away from:

  1. A Contractor Who Has Bad Reviews: Sometimes, you see that someone has bad reviews online but you decide to go with them anyway, either because they are located closeby or you can’t get anyone else to come at the time you want. It’s better not to do this. There’s a reason why that contractor has bad reviews and it’s better to avoid them altogether.
  2. A Contractor Whose Reviews All Sound Similar: It’s very easy to fake reviews online nowadays. And if a contractor is desperate to get some good reviews, they might register under several different names and write reviews for themselves. Or they might ask friends to do so. So if all the reviews are sounding the same, stay away.
  3. A Contractor Who Is Quoting an Absurdly Low Price: You’re thinking there’s nothing wrong with a low price. But if someone is quoting a price which is half the market price and they’re not giving you any good reason for doing so, then something’s not quite right. When it comes to air conditioning, you get what you pay for.
  4. A Contractor Who Doesn’t Know What You’re Talking About: Maybe you are getting a strange smell from your AC and you tell your contractor this. But they say that they’ve never heard of such a problem. Most good contractors have come across every problem you are likely to have. So, if it’s taking a while to explain what’s wrong, just go with someone else.
  5. A Contractor Who Can Fix Anything: Sure, there are handymen who will fix many little things for you around the house. But they are not terribly specialized. If you come across a contractor who insists that he can solve each and every problem in your home, from carpentry to plumbing to electrical, well they may be legit – but they may not. Just make sure you look into their credentials before hiring them.

 

Since our beginnings in 1962, Conditioned Air has stood the test of time as the area’s leading AC contractor. We know what it takes to offer quality service at a fair price, which allows us to stand out from the less than reputable companies. Give us a call today to find out how we can help you with your HVAC needs!

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