Times Have Changed – What You Might Be Missing!

If you have an older heating and cooling system, you need to be aware of all of the changes that have occurred over the last 20 years. We have seen a true revolution in heating and cooling equipment. Today’s technology is over two times as efficient (SEER), has advanced humidity control along with sophisticated temperature controls, provides built-in air purification options and has the ability to program and monitor your system from a remote location. If you haven’t kept up, here’s what you’re missing …

1.SEER
In the 1990s the DOE (Department of Energy) mandated a minimum SEER rate of 10 for all new air conditioners sold in the United States. Since January 23, 2006, all air conditioners manufactured in the United States now must have a Seer of 13 or higher.

If you have a 10 SEER air conditioning system from 20 years ago, you can upgrade to a 16 SEER and experience a 50% savings in your monthly cooling costs. That’s a huge savings! The efficiencies of heating and cooling equipment have greatly increased and with these energy savings, if you are considering replacement of old equipment, you will experience a much quicker payback on your equipment.

2.Heat or Humidity?
What makes you feel hot – is it the heat or the humidity? I remember last summer sitting by the pool with friends and one of them said, “You know it wouldn’t be so bad out here if it weren’t so humid.” Heat and humidity are a very uncomfortable combination, however, it’s humidity that most affects your body’s ability to cool itself. Your body is cooled when you sweat and the sweat evaporates off of your body. When the concentration of water vapor in the air, or humidity, is high it affects the potential for evaporative cooling. Basically, there is too much moisture in the air and the sweat on your body can’t evaporate.

Twenty years ago if you wanted to add or take away humidity from your home you could have purchased a room humidifier/dehumidifier and it would have done an adequate job for a small area. Current heating and cooling systems have integrated humidifier and dehumidifier options. You can now control the humidity in your whole home and by controlling humidity levels you can greatly increase the comfort of your home. In the summer, by decreasing the level of humidity in your home, you will even be able to turn down the air conditioning, as it will feel cooler in your home. Turning down the air conditioning means lower utility bills for you!

3.Digital Thermostats
Today's electronic models are a vast departure from earlier mechanical styles, which basically allowed you to set and adjust temperatures manually. Digital thermostats offer more accuracy than ever before - perfect temperature control within 1º F. The new digital thermostats have microprocessors that allow you to program your home temperatures to suit your lifestyle, so you can keep things comfortable while you're home and automatically set back temperatures to save energy when you're away or sleeping.

Did you know that properly using a digital programmable thermostat in your home is one of the easiest ways you can save energy, money, and help fight global warming? (http://www.energystar.gov) A programmable thermostat helps make it easy for you to save by regulating your home's temperature in both summer and winter - when you are asleep or away. The settings that come with programmable thermostats are intended to deliver savings without sacrificing comfort. Depending on your family's schedule, you can see significant savings by sticking with those settings or adjust them as appropriate for your family.

Unlike the older, mechanical thermostats, a digital room thermostat also offers users a large LCD screen for easy reading. This is especially beneficial for older people or those with poor eyesight, as the older mechanical thermostats of the past are very difficult to read.

4.Remote Access
Remote Access is a major innovation in heating and cooling. We have nothing to compare it to 20 years ago. Systems with this feature allow homeowners to monitor the components and get system status feedback. It can also halt the system when a major problem is detected.

Another benefit of Remote Access is the ability for homeowners to adjust temperatures when they are away from home. This is a great feature for those individuals that travel a lot for work or for those on vacation. Remote Access gives homeowners peace of mind, knowing that when you are away from home everything is functioning, as it should. This feature saves homeowners money, by adjusting temperatures while away and resuming them to a comfortable level prior to returning home. So that you’re not heating or cooling your home when you are not there.

5.Built-in air purification
Twenty years ago air quality was not recognized as an important issue like it is today. The products on the market were for single room air purifiers. Today indoor air quality has become a major issue in our lives. According to the EPA (http://www.epa.gov/iaq/pubs/insidest.html), “In the last several years, a growing body of scientific evidence has indicated that the air within homes and other buildings can be more seriously polluted than the outdoor air in even the largest and most industrialized cities. Other research indicates that people spend approximately 90 percent of their time indoors. Thus, for many people, the risks to health may be greater due to exposure to air pollution indoors than outdoors.”

The HVAC (heating, cooling and ventilation) industry has responded to these concerns and many products available on the market today help with poor air quality problems. You can add whole home air purifiers and air cleaners to your heating and cooling system. So now instead of merely cleaning the air in one room, your HVAC system is providing clean air to your entire home.

The heating and cooling industry has come a long way in 20 years. The innovations that have occurred during this time are allowing homeowners to conserve energy, lower utility costs, and increase overall comfort and convenience. If you are still living in the dark ages with a 15-20 year old heating and cooling system now is a great time to upgrade and reap the many benefits!

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Three HVAC Terms Every Florida Homeowner Should Know

When it comes to HVAC know-how, there are a lot of terms and information out there. That’s why technicians receive years of training! For the average Florida homeowner, it’s not possible or practical to retain all this knowledge. There are, however, some terms consumers can greatly benefit from understanding. Action Air has three HVAC terms that can help every Florida homeowner get the best equipment, the best service, and the best savings: SEER, MERV and NATE.

SEER

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It measures the efficiency of air conditioners based on how much energy they consume and how much cool air they produce. Units with a high SEER get more “miles per gallon” than units with a low SEER. A low SEER would be around the number 8 or 12. High efficiency units can get up to 19.5 SEER or even higher, meaning that the air conditioner uses very little electricity to produce a high quantity of cooled air.

MERV

MERV stands for Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value. This measures the effectiveness of air filters. The higher the rating, the more airborne particles they trap. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends using a filter with a MERV 13, reported to trap irritants and allergens that travel through the air in our homes.

However, don’t run out for a high MERV filter without matching it to your system. Higher MERVs are more restrictive, which could lead to inhibited airflow in your system and, possibly, a system malfunctions. Check with the technician who provides your routing A/C maintenance for the best filter possible for your system.

NATE

NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. NATE is a national non-profit organization that tests and certifies technicians in areas of the HVAC industry. Some areas of testing include air conditioning, heat pumps, air distribution. The work of NATE certified technicians is up to national standards and ensures you won’t play a guessing game with your contractor. NATE certified technicians deliver quality installation and expert service.

Knowing these three simple terms can help save you money by allowing you to make an educated choice when deciding on the right equipment and the right contractor. Call Action Air for further HVAC information. We’ll be happy to answer your questions!


Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

The Heat Is Coming: Air Conditioning Maintenance Tips

Proper air conditioning maintenance can not only help keep you cool in the hot Norteast Florida summers, it can also save you money. Cooling equipment that is regularly maintained is less likely to break down and it runs more efficiently, keeping your monthly utility bills low.
The key to staying cool all summer long is servicing your equipment before the summer heat hits. That way, you won’t have interruptions in service and you can avoid costly repairs. Annual pre-season air conditioner maintenance should include the following activities:

■Adjust thermostat settings – as the the seasons change, your indoor air temperature preferences will change too.

■Inspect and clean the condensate drain – a blockage here can increase indoor humidity levels, or worse, cause water damage.

■Clean evaporator and condensing coils – dirty coils reduce energy efficiency and make your equipment work harder, shortening its life span.

■Check the refrigerant level - improper levels decrease energy efficiency. If necessary, make adjustments according to manufacturer specifications.

■Clean the blower – restricted air flow will cause unnecessary decreases in efficiency and will negatively impact your home comfort.
On a monthly basis, check air filters and change them, if necessary. In addition to build-up of dust and other particles, a dirty air filter will restrict air flow and potentially damage your heating and cooling equipment.

The best way to be sure your regular air conditioning maintenance is done properly is to have your equipment semi-annually serviced by a professional. In addition to the peace of mind this provides, you can enjoy the other benefits of an annual maintenance contract, such as discounts on parts and labor, priority scheduling, and transferrable agreements.

Action Air provides both semi-annual air conditioning maintenance agreements and single service calls, but regardless of which option you choose, now is the time schedule routine maintenance. The hot summers in Northeast Florida keep us busy with emergency calls. You don’t want to find yourself waiting in the heat for a repair that could have been prevented with some simple pre-season maintenance procedures.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Keep Air Conditioning Coils Clean And Running Efficiently

The vents and switches on air conditioning systems are the items we see the most, but homeowners should never underestimate the importance of the coils. Keeping them clean can be one of the best ways to maximize the efficiency of your system. Regardless of the type of unit your home has, regular service and necessary upgrades not only increase comfort levels, but also will markedly reduce your energy bill.
Here are some ways to ensure that your A/C system stays healthy and operational :

■Dust and dirt will build up on coils over time and can cause problems if left unattended. So it’s crucial to regularly have both an indoor and outdoor coil cleaning professionally done. This insures that your A/C unit continues to operate at peak efficiency.
■Additionally, air filters should be replaced or cleaned at least twice a year. If you’re a cat or dog owner, you may need to do this more frequently.
If you fail to keep the coils clean and dust and dirt do build up, the heat transfer in the condenser coil can become so blocked that it does not cool enough to convert the hot gas back to liquid form. When this occurs, the A/C unit continues to run,, but does not cool. Then it becomes a domino effect of sorts – the compressor will overheat and eventually die. So keeping the coils clean and properly functioning is a key component in making sure your air conditioner is doing its job to the best of its ability. Here at Action Air, we can help by providing a professional, thorough coil cleaning.

By keeping up with preventive maintenance on your system, you can trust that our skilled technicians can remedy any potential hazards before permanent damage occurs. At Action Air, we take pride in providing Northeast Florida with the highest caliber of dependable professional service. Please call us with questions about A/C coils or any other home comfort need.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

Why are SEER Ratings Important?

You may have heard about SEER ratings. Today, we’ll go over what these ratings mean and why they matter. SEER is all about efficiency, so anyone installing a new A/C system or replacing an old one should know what their new unit’s SEER rating is. It affects your energy costs in the long term, as well as the performance of your cooling system. In a hot, humid climate like ours, this is especially relevant. Air conditioners here have to work hard to keep homeowners comfortable, so energy efficiency is pretty important.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The U.S. Department of Energy established this designation to educate consumers about the energy efficiency of air conditioning units. SEER is the ratio between the cooling of the unit over one season and the total energy it consumes during that same period. So, the figure measures the overall efficiency of the unit over an entire cooling season.

The higher the SEER rating, the higher the efficiency of the unit. For you, a higher SEER means lower energy costs each month. So, although these high SEER systems cost more up front to buy, they usually pay for themselves in energy savings within a few years.

This chart shows how much you can save if you upgrade to a high efficiency A/C system. For example, your cost to operate the A/C would drop from $100 to $39 if you went from an 8 SEER system to an 18 SEER system. That adds up to a 40% reduction in energy costs. Other variables affect your total savings, such as lifestyle, maintenance and how you operate your system, so be sure to contact us if you’re thinking of installing a new A/C system. Only a professional can tell you which one is right for your home based on all the factors involved.

In January of 2006, Federal minimum efficiency standards for air conditioning units changed. Now, all new A/C units must be at least 13 SEER, and if you’re purchasing an Energy Star unit, you’ll get an even higher rating. The minimum SEER for these models is 14. If you have an existing low-SEER unit, you may continue to use it until it needs to be replaced. However, when the time comes to get a new system, only 13 SEER or higher models will be available to you.

So, know your SEER rating! It will make a big difference in your monthly energy bills and could save you hundreds of dollars over the life of the unit.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).For more information about Indoor Air Quality and other HVAC topics,click here to visit our website.

A Look At The Essential Benefits Of Annual Maintenance

Proper care and attention to heating and cooling systems within your home is essential for your comfort. Preventive maintenance is important not only for the life of the equipment itself, but also for saving energy. This ultimately translates into money saved.
There are other benefits to preventive maintenance, including extending the life and performance of the equipment. You, the homeowner, will save energy, time and money. It’s a win-win situation.

What kinds of things should you look at when doing preventive maintenance?

Filters
You’ll want to include the filters on your heating and cooling equipment in any preventive maintenance. These should generally be checked every three months or so and changed when dirty. Filters help protect the inner workings of equipment, and, without them, dirt can get into the system and clog coils.


Duct Cleaning

Cleaning out dirt and debris from air ducts can also be helpful. This prevents dust from working its way through your house, but will also protect your heating and cooling equipment. There is some debate over whether duct cleaning is truly necessary, but, as recommended by the EPA, if ducts visibly contain mold, excessive dust or vermin activity, it is highly recommend that they be cleaned. In the case of fiberglass or flexible ductwork, replacing it may be your better option.

Sealing

One of the most effective things that can be done to improve energy efficiency and comfort is to seal the home. This means looking at the outer “envelope” of the home: the doors, windows, ceilings and floors.

Caulk, foam spray or weather stripping can be used around windows and doors. Adding insulation to the attic is one of the most effective ways to seal a home. Finally, an average of 20 percent of air that moves through the ducts is typically lost to leaks. Sealing ducts can greatly improve the operating efficiency of heating and cooling systems.

Preventive maintenance, looking at filters, ducts and sealing, is a must for every homeowner annually.
Of course, the benefit of priority emergency service speaks for itself. Ask anyone who has lost A/C on a sweltering Northeast Florida day! Contact us about the benefits of a maintenance service agreement for your home. We can help you get better performance for fewer energy dollars, and enjoy ideal home comfort year-round.