Your homes air distribution system is one of the most overlooked yet important systems in your home. It is responsible for distributing the heating and cooling from your air conditioner to your home, filtering the air you breathe, and keeping you comfortable year round. Most homeowners never give it a second thought as to how their house stays comfortable, but it is one system that should be checked yearly. Air duct leakage is a huge problem when it comes to energy savings. Up to 30% or more of your homes heating and cooling capacity is possibly being wasted. This also results in your air conditioning system working longer and harder all year long, which results in more air conditioning breakdowns and ac repairs. Think about that, you are paying to make your attic or crawlspace comfortable and your air conditioner or heater is working longer and harder. Most air distribution systems are run through attics, in basements or in crawlspaces and usually out of site, which most of the time this means out of mind. Here are some common problems that we find in our routine inspections:

The most common problem we find is poor workmanship. Usually when houses are built the installers of the air distribution system did not secure the ductwork properly. This results in air leakage in both the supply and return ducts. We have seen complete branch run outs that have been disconnected and blowing in the attic and the homeowner never realized this. If they are not totally disconnected they usually are not sealed properly, resulting in large amounts of air loss. If ductwork leaks are present on the return side there is the possibility of dirt, dust and fiberglass particles entering the air system from the attic insulation. We also find that rodents can cause damage and air leakage in your air distribution system. We have seen situations where holes were chewed through the duct board and flex duct resulting in large air leaks into the unconditioned area. They seem to like to be as comfortable as the homeowners. I have also read that it is a way for the rodents to “create a water fountain”. The conditioned air leaking into the unconditioned attic forms condensation which the rodents need to survive, so they create their own water fountain in the summer. These problems could go on for years if not inspected resulting in hundreds of dollars of wasted money going to your utility company.

I would recommend having Air Technology inspect your ductwork when they perform your bi annual tune ups on your air conditioning system. Most of these problems can be fixed for a relatively small cost, and can really save you on your utility bills. Check out this months special on our Famous
"27 Point Precision Tune Up"
9:28 pm edt Comments

Monday, September 28, 2009
The heating season Will Be here before you know it and it could cost you!

I know what your thinking "didn't the summer just end?" Yes it did but I wanted to remind you that if your heat-pump system is not running efficiently for the winter season it could really cost you in your monthly utility bills. Here's why…

Your air conditioning system that has been keeping you cool all summer long is getting ready to be reversed and start keeping you warm and cozy this winter. What most people do not realize is that when your heat pump system goes into heating mode in the winter it does not have the heating capacity that it did in the summer for cooling your home.

So that loss in capacity can be costly on its own because when the heat pump alone can not keep up the temperature in your home in the winter the ELECTRIC HEAT strips pull in ( oh no) to make up the difference in capacity. (I just heard the electric meter kick into high gear and the utility company is printing money) Ladies and gentleman electric heat is very inefficient and costly to run so you want to use it sparingly.

I get calls all through out the winter from people who say that there electric bill is much higher than in the summer. This can be linked to many different issues but the #1 issue is the excessive use of their electric heat strips. Ok so how do you reduce the use of your electric heat. Here are some tips:

In some instances you will need the electric heat strips mainly when the outdide temperatures are 40 degrees and below,this is normal because like I said earlier you will not have the capacity that you had in the summer from the ac.

The #1 energy robber is going to be lack of maintenance on your heat pump system.

Make sure that your indoor and outdoor coils are clean because this is where the heat transfer happens. Make sure to keep your air filter clean, check it every month and change it as necessary.

The second item would be the refrigerant charge in your system. If your system was low on refrigerant during the summer months you might not have really noticed it and you were able to get by, but in the winter it will really effect your utility bill because the electric heat will be forced to come on much sooner than with a fully charged system resulting in much higher utility bills. We have had customers that did not realize their outside units were not even working and ran on their electric heat strips all winter. (ouch! That will cost them)

Do yourself a favor, fire up the heat on a 60 degree day and make sure that everything is running before it does get cold. Check to see the out side unit is running and the air blowing out of the fan should feel cool in heating mode. Check the temperature of the air leaving the vents in your house, it should feel warm. Switch your heat pump over to emergency heat and check to see if the heat strips are working, you may get a burning smell the first time they are used that is normal, it's usually the dust from sitting UN used all summer.

And the last and biggest money saving tip by far is to have Air Technology come out and perform their famous 27 point precision tune up to get your system ready for the heating season. Call today and schedule before the first cold snap hits and our phone is ringing off the hook with customers who didn't check to see if their heat was working this year. If you mention that you read this post here I will give you $15 dollars off our already discounted precision tune up. Regularly $89… for you $74. Thanks for reading and come back often for money saving tips and ideas.

Monday, July 27, 2009
Get up to $1500 Tax Rebate on your new high efficiency Air conditioning System

Enjoy Ultimate Comfort—
Plus These Ultimate Benefits!

1. Lower Your Tax Bill!
The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a tax credit of 30% of the installed cost of qualifying high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment, up to a maximum of $1,500 for 2009 and 2010 combined.

Don't wait to maximize this opportunity! Contact Air Technology to find about about the Comfortmaker® high-efficiency heating & cooling products that qualify for this tax credit. In general, if you spend $5,000 on qualifying products and installation, you will be eligible for the full $1,500 tax credit.

And don’t forget: a tax credit is subtracted directly from your total tax amount. For example, if your calculated tax is $1,500, you would subtract the $1,500 tax credit and end up paying no taxes this year!

2. Lower Your Monthly Utility Bill!
Did you know that your older, less efficient heating or cooling unit could be costing you money every month on utility bills?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency and other experts: “As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort.”†

Depending on how old your system is, a new high-efficiency Comfortmaker system could save you up to 40% of your utility costs. So, it often makes more sense to replace your system rather than continue to repair it – you save even more as utility costs continue to rise!

3. Increase Your Peace of Mind!
Air Technology and Comfortmaker offer maximum strength warranties that give you exceptional protection and complete assurance of lasting satisfaction. We offer an incredible 10 year§ parts and compressor limited warranty.* And comfortmakers No Hassle Replacement™ limited warranty* (up to 10 years) offers a one-time equivalent unit replacement if the compressor, outdoor coil or heat exchanger should fail during the coverage period. Check out some of Comfortmaker's products.

If you are considering replacing your old worn out heat pump system give us a call at 904-276-8100 for a free no obligation quote on a new high efficiency air conditioning or heat pump system.

Attention Clay County Residents
A special bonus if you are located in Clay County. Clay electric offers financing on systems up to $5000. They have been very helpful in getting our customers financed at some really good interest rates. They also offer rebates on high efficiency heat pump systems starting at 14 SEER. Check out there website at http://www.clayelectric.com/nrgservice.aspx.
Here you will find the forms and requirements for the financing programs and also there Energy Smart rebate program requirements amd rebate amounts.

So this is a great time to buy and take advantage of the programs being offered by the federal goverment and out local utility companies. If you have any questions on these programs please feel free to call the shop and ask for Mike, I would be happy to help you.

Tax Credit Efficiency Requirements

Product Minimum Requirements
Split-system Air Conditioner 16 SEER & 13 EER
Split-system Electric Heat Pump 15 SEER, 12.5 EER & 8.5 HSPF
Packaged Air Conditioner
(Including Gas/Electric) 14 SEER & 12 EER
Packaged Electric Heat Pump 14 SEER, 12 EER & 8 HSPF
Gas Furnace 95% AFUE
Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan < 2% of furnace total energy usage

NOTE: No guarantees are given or implied as to the eligibility of an individual to receive a tax credit under this program or how such credit would apply. Please consult a tax professional to determine your eligibility for and application of the credit(s).
4:40 pm edt Comments

Sunday, July 26, 2009

**** KEEP YOUR A/C SYSTEM RUNNING LIKE NEW!

Watch this video as our Expert Maintenance Service Techinican Owen Fountain shows you how to maintain your a/c system to help you save money on repairs, energy and the overall lifespan of your equipment.

**** STOP! Checking These Things First Before Calling Your A/C Repair Company!

Watch this Video as our Expert Repair Technician John Zino instructs you on what items to check first on your a/c system before calling us. This video may save you the expense of a service call fee!

Your homes air distribution system is one of the most overlooked yet important systems in your home. It is responsible for distributing the heating and cooling from your air conditioner to your home, filtering the air you breathe, and keeping you comfortable year round. Most homeowners never give it a second thought as to how their house stays comfortable, but it is one system that should be checked yearly. Air duct leakage is a huge problem when it comes to energy savings. Up to 30% or more of your homes heating and cooling capacity is possibly being wasted. This also results in your air conditioning system working longer and harder all year long, which results in more air conditioning breakdowns and ac repairs. Think about that, you are paying to make your attic or crawlspace comfortable and your air conditioner or heater is working longer and harder. Most air distribution systems are run through attics, in basements or in crawlspaces and usually out of site, which most of the time this means out of mind. Here are some common problems that we find in our routine inspections:

The most common problem we find is poor workmanship. Usually when houses are built the installers of the air distribution system did not secure the ductwork properly. This results in air leakage in both the supply and return ducts. We have seen complete branch run outs that have been disconnected and blowing in the attic and the homeowner never realized this. If they are not totally disconnected they usually are not sealed properly, resulting in large amounts of air loss. If ductwork leaks are present on the return side there is the possibility of dirt, dust and fiberglass particles entering the air system from the attic insulation. We also find that rodents can cause damage and air leakage in your air distribution system. We have seen situations where holes were chewed through the duct board and flex duct resulting in large air leaks into the unconditioned area. They seem to like to be as comfortable as the homeowners. I have also read that it is a way for the rodents to “create a water fountain”. The conditioned air leaking into the unconditioned attic forms condensation which the rodents need to survive, so they create their own water fountain in the summer. These problems could go on for years if not inspected resulting in hundreds of dollars of wasted money going to your utility company.

I would recommend having Air Technology inspect your ductwork when they perform your bi annual tune ups on your air conditioning system. Most of these problems can be fixed for a relatively small cost, and can really save you on your utility bills. Check out this months special on our Famous
"27 Point Precision Tune Up"

I know what your thinking "didn't the summer just end?" Yes it did but I wanted to remind you that if your heat-pump system is not running efficiently for the winter season it could really cost you in your monthly utility bills. Here's why…

Your air conditioning system that has been keeping you cool all summer long is getting ready to be reversed and start keeping you warm and cozy this winter. What most people do not realize is that when your heat pump system goes into heating mode in the winter it does not have the heating capacity that it did in the summer for cooling your home.

So that loss in capacity can be costly on its own because when the heat pump alone can not keep up the temperature in your home in the winter the ELECTRIC HEAT strips pull in ( oh no) to make up the difference in capacity. (I just heard the electric meter kick into high gear and the utility company is printing money) Ladies and gentleman electric heat is very inefficient and costly to run so you want to use it sparingly.

I get calls all through out the winter from people who say that there electric bill is much higher than in the summer. This can be linked to many different issues but the #1 issue is the excessive use of their electric heat strips. Ok so how do you reduce the use of your electric heat. Here are some tips:

In some instances you will need the electric heat strips mainly when the outdide temperatures are 40 degrees and below,this is normal because like I said earlier you will not have the capacity that you had in the summer from the ac.

The #1 energy robber is going to be lack of maintenance on your heat pump system.

Make sure that your indoor and outdoor coils are clean because this is where the heat transfer happens. Make sure to keep your air filter clean, check it every month and change it as necessary.

The second item would be the refrigerant charge in your system. If your system was low on refrigerant during the summer months you might not have really noticed it and you were able to get by, but in the winter it will really effect your utility bill because the electric heat will be forced to come on much sooner than with a fully charged system resulting in much higher utility bills. We have had customers that did not realize their outside units were not even working and ran on their electric heat strips all winter. (ouch! That will cost them)

Do yourself a favor, fire up the heat on a 60 degree day and make sure that everything is running before it does get cold. Check to see the out side unit is running and the air blowing out of the fan should feel cool in heating mode. Check the temperature of the air leaving the vents in your house, it should feel warm. Switch your heat pump over to emergency heat and check to see if the heat strips are working, you may get a burning smell the first time they are used that is normal, it's usually the dust from sitting UN used all summer.

And the last and biggest money saving tip by far is to have Air Technology come out and perform their famous 27 point precision tune up to get your system ready for the heating season. Call today and schedule before the first cold snap hits and our phone is ringing off the hook with customers who didn't check to see if their heat was working this year. If you mention that you read this post here I will give you $15 dollars off our already discounted precision tune up. Regularly $89… for you $74. Thanks for reading and come back often for money saving tips and ideas.

1. Lower Your Tax Bill!
The recently passed American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 provides a tax credit of 30% of the installed cost of qualifying high-efficiency heating and air conditioning equipment, up to a maximum of $1,500 for 2009 and 2010 combined.

Don't wait to maximize this opportunity! Contact Air Technology to find about about the Comfortmaker® high-efficiency heating & cooling products that qualify for this tax credit. In general, if you spend $5,000 on qualifying products and installation, you will be eligible for the full $1,500 tax credit.

And don’t forget: a tax credit is subtracted directly from your total tax amount. For example, if your calculated tax is $1,500, you would subtract the $1,500 tax credit and end up paying no taxes this year!

2. Lower Your Monthly Utility Bill!
Did you know that your older, less efficient heating or cooling unit could be costing you money every month on utility bills?

According to the Environmental Protection Agency and other experts: “As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort.”†

Depending on how old your system is, a new high-efficiency Comfortmaker system could save you up to 40% of your utility costs. So, it often makes more sense to replace your system rather than continue to repair it – you save even more as utility costs continue to rise!

3. Increase Your Peace of Mind!
Air Technology and Comfortmaker offer maximum strength warranties that give you exceptional protection and complete assurance of lasting satisfaction. We offer an incredible 10 year§ parts and compressor limited warranty.* And comfortmakers No Hassle Replacement™ limited warranty* (up to 10 years) offers a one-time equivalent unit replacement if the compressor, outdoor coil or heat exchanger should fail during the coverage period. Check out some of Comfortmaker's products.

If you are considering replacing your old worn out heat pump system give us a call at 904-276-8100 for a free no obligation quote on a new high efficiency air conditioning or heat pump system.

Attention Clay County Residents
A special bonus if you are located in Clay County. Clay electric offers financing on systems up to $5000. They have been very helpful in getting our customers financed at some really good interest rates. They also offer rebates on high efficiency heat pump systems starting at 14 SEER. Check out there website at http://www.clayelectric.com/nrgservice.aspx.
Here you will find the forms and requirements for the financing programs and also there Energy Smart rebate program requirements amd rebate amounts.

So this is a great time to buy and take advantage of the programs being offered by the federal goverment and out local utility companies. If you have any questions on these programs please feel free to call the shop and ask for Mike, I would be happy to help you.

Tax Credit Efficiency Requirements

NOTE: No guarantees are given or implied as to the eligibility of an individual to receive a tax credit under this program or how such credit would apply. Please consult a tax professional to determine your eligibility for and application of the credit(s).
4:40 pm edt Comments

Sunday, July 26, 2009

**** KEEP YOUR A/C SYSTEM RUNNING LIKE NEW!

Watch this video as our Expert Maintenance Service Techinican Owen Fountain shows you how to maintain your a/c system to help you save money on repairs, energy and the overall lifespan of your equipment.

STOP! Checking These Things First Before Calling Your A/C Repair Company!
Watch this Video as our Expert Repair Technician John Zino instructs you on what items to check first on your a/c system before calling us. This video may save you the expense of a service call fee!

By: Martin Applebaum

Trane Air Conditioners are amongst the world’s best air conditioners since decades. As their slogan goes, “it’s hard to stop a Trane”. These air conditioners work on innovative technology that only provides cool air but clean air with its patented technology. No matter, whether you call it a revolution or breakthrough but Trane calls it an essential new element to your home’s comfort system. 

They also claim that using their Trane Clean Effects technology in every Trane air conditioner air filtration has reached to the next level. Studies prove that their air filtration system can remove up to 99.98% of the particles from your filtered air in the room. 

Before we further discuss about different Trane air conditioners and their features, let us trace back history a little to know when this company was started and who did it. Well, story began with a legendry man called Reuben Trane, the founder, who patented his first air conditioning system in 1931. 

The story continues even as of today when they are hundreds and even thousands of different air conditioner manufacturers. That is because every central air conditioning unit and air conditioner they make features the durability and reliability. Actually, these features are the true hallmarks of every Trane product. 

Not just their durability, but Trane air conditioners are known for their reliability, excellent performance, and efficiency. That is because; they are products of mechanical and electrical experts who work tirelessly to produce the best-quality Trane air-conditioning system. 

Today’s air conditioners are more comfortable and efficient then ever. Irrespective of the size of your home, whenever you need cool, comfortable, cleaner air, Trane air conditioners are built to provide the very best investment you can make in ensuring the comfort of you and your family. 

Every Trane air conditioner possesses tons of added features and qualities to maximize its efficiency and performance in almost every working condition. One of these special add-ons is called Comfort-R. Actually, Comfort-R decreases temperature variances by working in two ways i.e. by enhancing airflow and effectively controlling humidity in cooling and produces warmer air during start-up of XL19i Weathertron Heat Pump. With all its benefits and significant features, it is practically no wonder why Trane’s XL19i won Best Buy in the Premium Category of Consumers’ Digest. 

As a commitment to provide high quality and reliable products, Trane recalled approx. 10,580 air conditioners after incidents of units smoking in November 2006. The firm in cooperation with the CPSC voluntarily conducted the following product safety recall. The recall included 208, 230 and 265-volt models of the Trane PTEE and PTHE Series Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTACs). They were manufactured from about March 2006 through July 2006. 

The main hazard was related to the heating element on these commercially installed units could become displaced and, if it contacts metal, could short circuit. If the electric heater on one of those units short-circuits, wiring problems on 265-volt models could allow the unit to remain energized while the unit’s fan is turned off, causing it to overheat and smoke. 

About the Author

We provide information on Trane air conditioners and all your home cooling needs along with free standing air conditioners. Visit our site for more information today! www.myportableair.com

By M. Applebaum

(ArticlesBase SC #619702)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – The History of Trane Air Conditioners

By: M. Scott Smith

About the Author

Scott Smith is an expert on air quality and air purifiers at achooallergy.com.

(ArticlesBase SC #466076)

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/ – Why Indoor Air Quality is Essential For Good Health

First off let me start off by saying that the cheapest contractor may not be your best choice.  A lot of times (but not always) they are the cheapest for a reason, they have to cut their costs somewhere and it  will probably be on the materials used for your installation or on the experience level of the installation crew. Neither of which will be good for you the homeowner or your new air conditioning system.

The question that we get all the time is, Can I put in a bigger unit that what is installed now. There are definitely some issues to oversizing a system for a home. The biggest issue is that the humidity removal will be very poor on an over sized system. The system will run shorter cycles maintaining temp while not removing the proper amount of humidity (latent heat). Your house will be cold and clammy and it opens the door for all kinds of microbial growth such ad mold and mildew. Do not up size your system unless a complete load calculation is performed by a qualified contractor. This will determine the proper size unit for your home. Most of the time when we perform this calculation the system is sized correctly…..but this brings us to the next issue…

Duct work sizing and design. This is where we find the majority of a homes heating and cooling problems. Usually when the duct system was originally installed it was not sized correctly or over time the duct system has deteriorated.

See this article for more info on this subject.

 Make sure that the contractor checks your existing duct system for leaks and routing issues. You would be amazed at what hides up in your attic un-noticed for years. Complete duct runs not attached, large holes in duct work from squirrels, crushed ducts, these are problems that should be addressed with your new installation. You could be losing up to 30% of your systems capacity in the attic or crawlspace. Make sure the contractor goes into the attic or crawlspace and inspects the duct work before giving you a final proposal.

With the transition from refrigerant 22 to the new replacement refrigerant R-410a there have been some issues regarding the different lubricating oils that are  used with the two different refrigerants. On your new installation if it is in your budget and possible to do I would recommend having your copper refrigerant lines replaced with your new equipment. If this is not in your budget make sure that the contractor is using an approved flushing agent to remove any of the existing mineral oil from the existing copper line set. If this oil is left behind it does no mix well with the new lubricants and will cause problems to your new system down the line. Also make sure if the existing copper line set is going to re used it will be pressure tested for leaks before installing your new system.

The last issue that has a huge impact on your new air conditioning installation is the refrigerant charge. After the system is installed and properly evacuated your contractor should be charging your new high efficiency air conditioner by the manufacturers recommended procedure; which is to weigh in the refrigerant for any additional line set lenth over the factory charge. This procedure when used in conjuction  with sub cooling will assure that your system has the proper amount of refrigerant, which in turn will provide you with the energy efficiency that you purchased. The ”old school ways” of charging a system do not work on today’s high effiecient systems. Ask the technician or sales person what method they will use on your new system installation.  

So make sure to check these few items to ensure a quality installation that will give you years of trouble free comfort.

If you are in the Jacksonville Fl area and are considering repalcing your air conditioning system give us a call for a no obligation quote on a new Comfortmaker hih efficiency heat pump system.

**** STOP!*** Check These Things First Before CallingYour Jacksonville Air Conditioning Company!

Most of us regularly have our cars tuned or at the very least have our oil changed every 3000 miles. That’s why I find it so funny that people expect to run their air conditioning systems year round down here in Florida and not have it tuned up.

I believe at the very least you should have your air conditioning system system inspected by a professional  Jacksonville air conditioning company at least once per year. Most of the  time small problems can be found and repaired before they cause large, expensive problems.

Here are a couple links explaining the benefits of an AC Tune up.

“Why Should I Tune Up My Jacksonville Air Conditioner”

“Air Conditioners Benefeit From Professional Tune Ups”

Call now…904-276-8100 to schedule your 27 point Energy Saving Tune up from Jacksonville’s Premier Air Conditioning Company or visit Jacksonville Air Conditioning  to learn more about us