Save Money in the Heat of the Summer

The major challenge at the height of summer is to ensure that it is cool enough to prevent discomfort and enable everyone in the office or house to remain cool, while at the same time making sure you are not wasting expensive energy on your air conditioning system.

Ensure that your air conditioning units are serviced and in perfect working order, and also ensure that you do a few simple things to make them operate more efficiently. Air conditioning units should be serviced regularly, preferably two times a year, by qualified air conditioning technicians. Regular maintenance may be considered an unnecessary expense but consider how expensive it would be to have to replace the entire unit because of poor maintenance. Similarly, make sure you follow the manufacturer's instructions on replacing system filters if you want to ensure longevity for your system.

Before turning on the units for summer check the vents. Make sure that any internal vents or grills within the home or office are not blocked by curtains, blinds, carpeting and other debris or your unit will have to work harder, thus consuming more energy. For example, potted plants are frequently stuck on vents next to the window in offices, so make sure they are removed before switching on air conditioning this summer. 

Also ensure that external vents are clear from blockage, especially if they are at low level and easily obstructed. Remember to take frequent tours around your building throughout the summer, checking that vents have not subsequently become blocked.

Set your thermostat at a comfortable but reasonable level, but not 'Arctic' settings. The cooler you set the thermostat the harder your system will need to work to achieve that temperature, but you will also need to ensure that everyone in the building is comfortable.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
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A Checkup Now Will Save Money Later

Having your air conditioning system checked annually can prevent future issues and save the homeowner time and money. |Annual air-conditioning system checkups will also keep the air conditioner running properly for more years than a poorly maintenance system resulting in longevity and worry free operation. In addition, most air-conditioning system checkups consist of refrigerant charge checks, AC drain clearing, and a thorough electrical system check. Furthermore, the air-conditioning system coils are cleaned and the fins are straightened thus helping with efficiency and proper operation and airflow.

Having your air conditioning system checked annually can reveal issues early so that the homeowner will not have to deal with them during high temperature peak months. This is important because the homeowner does not want the air conditioner broken down when the outside temperature is close to 100 degrees. Annual checkups will reveal a issue early and that problem can be addressed then in there without much downtime. In addition, AC by Florida Comfort Systems provides two checkups per year under our annual maintenance contract. This can be very beneficial when a major repair is needed such as a leaky evaporator coil or compressor burnout which can be very expensive repairs. Our annual contract offers 15% off parts replaced.

In addition, to having the air-conditioning system checked annually your air duct system should also be checked and cleaned every two - three years. The reason for this is to ensure proper airflow to all supply ducts and that there are no damaged ducts within the duct system. Having properly sealed and insulated air ducts is very important because of the heat transfer between the duct and the hot attic air. For instance, when the air is conditioned and circulated back to the AC system it must travel through the ducts and in most cases the ducts are in a non-conditioned location resulting in higher temperatures surrounding the ductwork. These higher temperatures can drop the conditioned supply air tempuratures down if the ductwork is not properly insulated and sealed resulting in higher system runtimes and higher energy bills. So having the air ducts properly sealed and insulated can and will save energy and provide with a more efficient air-conditioning system as a whole.

The use of proper filters and air duct cleaning can prevent dirty evaporator coils and reduce allergens throughout the home. Since the indoor air is circulated on a constant basis dirt and debris is also circulated through the system, so a pleated filter should be used in conjunction with proper air duct cleaning techniques to help prevent accumulation of debris, dirt, and other pollutants.

To schedule an AC checkup, please contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems at 239-774-5501.

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Buying AC Equipment On Line? Buyer Beware!

A service tech here at AC by Florida Comfort Systems recently went on an unusual service call to repair an AC unit. Unfortunately for the homeowner, our service technician identified the recently purchased AC handler as having been stolen from a Naples builder’s home during construction. The new owner of the handler purchased it in good faith on a popular on-line classified ad website and now needed it to be serviced. AC by Florida Comfort Systems contacted the builder to advise them that we found their AC handler, which was reported to the police as stolen months earlier.


Most people would never suspect that a handler or other AC equipment would be stolen in the first place so they may never give consideration to the possibility when making an on-line purchase.  New home construction here in Naples experiences a lot of theft of all types of products, including HVAC equipment.

The theft problem has become so widespread that builders have been forced to resort to defensive measures to protect their homes under construction.  Theft deterrent tactics include on site security guards, hidden cameras and believe it or not, even GPS units installed inside of equipment.

From time to time, we are called upon to assist the police in recovery and prosecution efforts.

What can you do?

You can safeguard yourself by never purchasing any product that the serial number nameplate has been removed.  Nameplates do not fall off and there is never a good reason to remove one.  You can also look to see if an HVAC contractor’s sticker is on the piece of equipment. More often than not, the contractor should be able to tell you through the serial number if the equipment is stolen or not.  ‘Buyer beware’ is an old saying that truly applies to on-line purchases.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Denny Martin
Air Conditioning by Florida Comfort Systems
3945 Toll House Drive, Unit #907, Naples FL 34114
239-774-5501
We are on call 24/7/365
visit our website
See my Google+ account

That Mysterious Burning Smell

With the temperatures dropping here in Southwest Florida, we know that many will be cranking on their heat in their homes for the first time this season.  With the first start up of the heater, there could be some suspicious smells coming from it or your duct system.  How do you know if everything is OK or if there’s a problem?

If the odor you are noticing smells strange, it is probably dust burning.  Over the summer the dust accumulates on your heater coils and in your filter.  It burns when you first start up your heater and blows through your duct system.  You might notice the odor for up to an hour, but it is not an emergency.   It will go away.  You could open a window for a few minutes in the house to facilitate this.

Don't Panic! There is no reason to call an AC Company at this time!

In fact, some unscrupulous companies use this situation to sell uninformed customers equipment and services they don't need. If you have already called a company, please let us come by and give you a no obligation second opinion.

Contact AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Call me at 239-774-550 if you have any questions about your heating system. Living in Naples, this equipment is rarely used, but we receive many calls about the heating system every year about this time. Stay warm!

Denny Martin,

President of AC by Florida Comfort Systems

WiFi Thermostat. It Makes Sense In Naples

Why A WiFi Thermostat Is Essential In Naples

If the idea of adjusting the temperature in your home from anywhere using your smartphone or computer sounds appealing, you’ll be happy to know that the technology exists today and it is called a WiFi thermostat.  Imagine turning your AC on or off, up or down, from your iPhone, Droid or laptop. What makes this especially appealing for part time Naples residents is the ability to monitor and control your indoor climate while you are up north for the summer.

Benefits of a WiFi Thermostat

Remote temperature control has been around for a while in the form of specialized thermostats that communicate via a telephone connection.  But for homeowners who have organized their lives around their smartphone, a WiFi thermostat (also called an Internet thermostat) adds remote temperature control to the growing list of things they want to do with their smartphone (or computer).

The key benefits for having a WiFi thermostat are:

1.     Convenience of being able to make heating or cooling adjustments from anywhere

2.     Save energy by remotely changing temperature at home based on changing weather conditions

3.     Call in for the current temperature status in your house

4.     Receive alerts if the inside temperature has dropped (or risen) to a dangerous level

5.     Easy to install and affordable — designed for do-it-yourselfers

6.     Some models are expandable so you also remotely control locks, appliances, lights, security cameras and more

Start With an Internet Connection

In order for your WiFi thermostat to communicate with your smartphone or mobile device 24/7, you will need:   (1) a high-speed Internet connection, and (2) an Internet router that is always “on.” Most homes these days have high-speed Internet, however, many vacation homeowners shut down Internet service when the home is unoccupied, so this is an important consideration if you fall into this group.

Contact AC by FloridaComfort Systems

Call me at 239-774-5501 I will help you select a WiFi thermostat that is compatible with your type of heating system.  After the thermostat is installed, our highly trained technician will then walk you through the process on how to utilize your new equipment properly.

Denny Martin,

President of AC by Florida Comfort Systems

Naples Duct Cleaners Earn Elite Certification

Local contractors Kevin Fitzek and Nelson Martinez of AC by Florida Comfort Systems

have successfully completed the examination process to be certified as an Air Systems Cleaning Specialist (ASCS). The certification, which is administered by NADCA-HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association-is recognized worldwide as the hallmark of the HVAC cleaning industry's most qualified and reliable professionals.

"While achieving the ASCS certification takes commitment on the part of an HV AC professional, the certification itself is a commitment to consumers of reliable, best-in-class service," said NADCA Executive Director Jodi Araujo, CEM. "NADCA membership and the ASCS certification mean that a professional is dedicated to providing state-of-the-art service to their customers."

Fitzek and Martinez are now two of roughly 1,500 ASCS-certified professionals in the world.

HVAC system cleaning is the process by which heating, air conditioning, and ventilation systems are cleaned to remove excessive accumulations of dust, debris, and biological contaminants. With heightened public awareness of the dangers of indoor air pollution and the need for home energy efficiency, the demand for professional HV AC system cleaning has increased dramatically. The NADCA Certification Program helps to ensure that members of the association possess the required knowledge and expertise to perform these services in a competent and professional manner.NADCA recommends that homeowners and building managers have their HV AC systems inspected annually and cleaned as needed. For more information regarding the benefits of professionally performed HVAC inspection and maintenance, contact Denny Martin, Company President at AC by Florida Comfort Systems.

About NADCA: The HVAC Inspection, Maintenance and Restoration Association, otherwise known as the National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) was formed in 1989 as a non-profit association of companies engaged in the cleaning of HVAC systems. NADCA's mission is to represent qualified companies engaged in the inspection, maintenance and restoration of HVAC systems, promote source removal as the only acceptable method of cleaning, establish industry standards for the association, and assist NADCA members in providing high quality service to their customers. With nearly 930 members, NADCA is made up of a diverse group of HV AC industry professionals, including air systems cleaning specialists, mold remediators, and HVAC inspectors. To learn more about NADCA, visit www.nadca.com.

Happy Birthday Air Conditioning!

On this day 111 years ago, Willis Carrier invented modern air conditioning. With extreme heat all over today's U.S. weather map, millions of people around the world are turning to an invention first developed 111 years ago by Dr. Willis H. Carrier, founder of Carrier. Invented in 1902 as an industrial solution, modern air conditioning has enabled countless industries to flourish-spurring the modern necessities the world relies on today and bringing comfort cooling and productivity to hospitals, schools, offices and homes.

On July 17, 1902, Dr. Carrier developed a design to control the humidity at the Sackett & Wilhelms Lithography and Printing Company in Brooklyn, N.Y., enabling the paper used in the printing process to remain a constant dimension. Among the early industrial adopters of this cool innovation was the film industry, using it to stabilize humidity and ultimately advance filmmaking by preventing the iconic white specks, common in classic movies, from developing on film reels. The film industry was forever changed in 1925 when Carrier cooled the Rivoli Theatre in New York, transforming theaters into a haven from the summer heat, vastly increasing ticket sales during a traditionally slow season, and creating the "summer blockbuster."

 

The conveniences of air conditioning spread to homes in 1926 with Carrier's introduction of the first home air conditioner and since then, the application of air conditioning has become widespread. Today, 87 percent of U.S. homes have some form of air conditioning and a 2012 study conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology has shown that this technology can be life-saving during summer heat waves.

 

For more information about Willis Carrier, visit Carrier's history website WillisCarrier.com