Surge protectors or suppressors prevent damage to electronics that are plugged into them by routing any excess electricity coming through a wall outlet to a grounding wire.

Huge power surges, due to a lightning strike for example, last no longer than a split second. In that instant of time, they can ruin your TV, computer, HVAC equipment and other electronic devices.

Smaller surges are daily, often unnoticed, occurrences in most homes. These surges slowly damage the same vulnerable and often expensive electrical equipment, shortening their useful life. Many Southwest Florida homeowners have found all this out the hard way. Small spikes happen when motor-powered devices switch on or off, causing excess strain on the system. Any of these items may cause a surge:

• Refrigerator
• Toaster
• Computer printers
• Power drill
• Hair dryer
• Vacuum cleaner
• Even your central air conditioner or heating system

Large, external power surges (which can destroy electronics in your home instantly) may occur due to accidental or unpredictable events, such as:

• Vehicles crashing into power poles
• Animals climbing or sitting on electrical wires
• Trees falling or being blown onto power lines
• Lightning strikes

Thunder storms can be quite frequent around this time of year, so our region is vulnerable. Every year in the United States, an average of 30 million points on the ground are struck by lightening, according to the National Severe Storms Laboratory.

A surge protector is a simple, cost-effective way to protect valuable household belongings – including your HVAC equipment – from both small and large power surges. Be certain to plug all electronic items into high-quality surge protectors, including televisions, Blu-Ray and DVD players, music systems, game systems, computer equipment and printers. Also connect satellite or cable TV cables, telephone lines, fax machines, modems and, of course, all components of your heating and air conditioning equipment to a surge protector.

If you’re wondering what type of surge protector is right for your HVAC system, or if you have other home comfort questions, contact the professionals at Conditioned Air. Serving Southwest Florida, we’re ready to supply expert service and advice. Visit our website for details, or call us.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Surge protector image via Shutterstock

One of the key components of professional air conditioning maintenance is coil cleaning. It can mean the difference between a central A/C system that performs well, saves energy and money, keeps the home comfortable and lasts a long time – and one that performs poorly in all areas.

Regularly scheduled preventive maintenance (which includes coil cleaning) is the most cost-effective way to ensure that your system is always in top shape.

Why are coils so important? Here’s how they function:

• The evaporator coil (indoor or cold coil) absorbs heat from inside air blown over it by the air handler fan
• The condenser (outdoor or warm coil) repels heat as the fan blows outdoor air over its surface

Of course, the air blown over the coils is filled with dust, pollen, mold spores and other lung-irritants, allergens and air pollutants, causing coils to get dirty and become less efficient. The evaporator coil and condensate drain pan are especially vulnerable to bacteria and mold. Recirculation of these contaminants will ruin your indoor air quality.

Here in Southwest Florida, we depend upon our central air conditioners for much of the year, so coil cleaning is well-advised and it’s simple to set up. Just call your local HVAC expert. Remember, ignoring economical preventive maintenance for your home comfort system can lead to:

• Higher monthly energy costs
• Frequent equipment breakdowns and repairs
• A shortened life span for your system and a possible need  for early replacement
• Poor indoor air quality
• Poor ventilation and airflow, possibly leading to health issues and leaving unpleasant, stale odors around the house
• Compromised comfort level in the home, or parts of the home
• Energy waste and harm to the environment

To avoid all of these issues in your home and maintain excellent air quality for your family, just talk to your air conditioning contractor to request a routine inspection and maintenance visit. Your technician will clean coils using specialized equipment and perform all other necessary upkeep tasks to get your A/C ready for summer.

Questions about coil cleaning and system maintenance? Contact the professionals at Conditioned Air. Visit our website to learn more or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Preventive maintenance image via Shutterstock

With summer approaching, upgrading your heat pump may be a smart move. New heat pumps promise increased indoor comfort and lower utility bills. But choosing the right heat pump for your home is not entirely a do-it-yourself project. By consulting a cooling and heating expert, you can be sure you’ll get the most from your investment.

Trained and certified HVAC professionals can help you choose the right size system for your home and explain the various features that can lower your energy bills in Southwest Florida’s hot, humid climate. The best HVAC technicians pass rigorous examinations to demonstrate proficiency in order to earn their certification, and they continue to take courses to stay on top of improving technology.

Among the factors an HVAC expert can help you navigate when you’re upgrading your heat pump:

• Size. HVAC technicians calculate the optimal size of your system using the Manual J method. It takes into account the size of your home, insulation levels, window quality and orientation, the number of occupants and your lifestyle. Your old system is not a reliable guide, since home improvements can lower the capacity you need when upgrading your heat pump. A system that is too large costs more initially and uses more electricity. It won’t remove as much humidity and runs in frequent, short bursts throughout the summer, wearing the parts faster.
• Installation. A heat pump is not a plug-and-play appliance. The technicians need to ascertain that the ducts in your home are in good shape, the wiring is properly completed, the thermostat calibrated and the refrigerant safely installed. Anyone who works with refrigerant must have completed training required by the Environmental Protection Agency.
• Maintenance. You can buy the most efficient system on the market, but without annual maintenance, its performance goes down. Special tools are used to measure the performance and maintain the heat pump parts. Lack of maintenance may also void the warranty.

When you need a heat pump upgrade, contact Conditioned Air to guide you through the process. We’ve been serving Southwest Florida for more than 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Technician image via Shutterstock

Ductless mini split systems are an ideal cooling and heating choice for many homeowners, who capitalize on their unobtrusive installation, comfortable zoning control and energy efficiency. Properly maintaining ductless mini splits helps them continue to provide these benefits for years.

Ductless mini splits consist, basically, of an outdoor unit, one to four indoor air handlers and a thermostat for each indoor air handler. The air handlers are usually mounted on walls or ceilings. Because each air handler is equipped with its own thermostat — often operated via remote control — mini splits are essentially zoning systems: They allow temperature control at each air handler, allowing users in different areas of the home or building to control the temperature in their own space, independent of other users.

Mini split systems are ideal for the following uses:

• Room additions to which existing ductwork can’t be extended
• Multifamily dwellings
• Augmenting heating and cooling systems

Ductless mini splits have an average life span of 12 to 15 years. However, especially in our humid climate in Southwest Florida, mini splits require some light maintenance. Here are some tips for maintaining ductless mini splits:

• Check the air filters in the air handlers every month. A clean filter improves indoor-air quality, energy efficiency and performance and prevents freeze-ups.
• Spray down the outdoor unit every few months with the garden hose to help keep it clean. If it’s not cleaned regularly, the compressor may overheat, causing damage to the system.
• Keep the outdoor unit clear of debris, including weeds, grass, leaves or anything else that might hinder operation.
• Check monthly to ensure that the system is draining properly by noting runoff.
• Schedule regular preventive maintenance visits with a heating and cooling professional to optimize performance, efficiency and longevity. Your heating and cooling technician will check points including refrigerant levels, moving mechanical parts and electrical connections.

Contact Conditioned Air today. Our expert technicians will provide you with quality service and advice to keep your ductless mini split in top shape. We’ve served homeowners in Naples, Fort Myers, Charlotte and Sarasota since 1962.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Heating and cooling image via Shutterstock

If you’ve ever checked your oil before a long-distance road trip only to discover you were down by 2 quarts, you know the value of proactive maintenance. The same holds true for your heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment: Regular preventive maintenance helps your system go the distance by running smoothly and efficiently.

In addition to saving you money on your monthly utility bills, you’re also more likely to prevent the need for emergency repairs and extend the life of your system with an HVAC maintenance agreement.

HVAC systems rarely just break down out of the blue. More likely, problems have been percolating for some time. Regular maintenance brings these problems to light.

When you have an HVAC maintenance agreement with Conditioned Air, our expert technicians will thoroughly inspect your system twice a year, ideally in the spring and in the fall. While at your home, we will:

• Check your HVAC system’s controls to ensure they are working properly
• Check the thermostat for proper calibration
• Tighten all the electrical connections
• Lubricate all moving parts
• Clean dirt and grimy buildup from the system — one of the most common causes of HVAC systems’ problems
• Check the air filters and replace them, if necessary. (This is also a job you can do yourself.)

On your air conditioning unit, your technician will:

• Clean the evaporator and condenser coils
• Check the refrigerant and recharge it if necessary
• Clean and adjust the blower components

On your furnace, the technician will:

• Set the service burners for proper combustion and ignition
• Test the condition and tension of the fan belt
• Check the chimney and flue
• Conduct a carbon monoxide safety test and check your home’s CO detectors

Of course, the tasks will vary according to the type of cooling and heating equipment you have. But the benefits remain the same: A cared-for system works better and lasts longer. To learn more about an HVAC maintenance agreement in Southwest Florida, contact the certified experts at Conditioned Air today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about maintenance agreements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Home maintenance image via Shutterstock

No one likes calling their HVAC contractor to make surprise repairs to a broken-down or poorly performing system. Like any mechanical equipment, your air conditioning system needs regular maintenance to protect your investment and avoid the cost and hassle of major fixes. Establishing annual HVAC maintenance service with a professional contractor helps keep your system tuned and efficient.

Three good reasons to stick to a preventive HVAC maintenance schedule with a certified contractor:

• Preventive maintenance helps your equipment last longer. Your cooling and heating system is a major investment that’s key to your home comfort — and it’s expensive to repair or replace. Annual HVAC maintenance and service — which includes cleaning coils and checking pressures, voltage, electrical connections, belts and refrigerant levels — helps your technician catch small problems before they contribute to bigger ones that damage your equipment, cutting its life short.
• Regular service boosts energy efficiency. To get the most savings out of your cooling system, specific areas need to be checked by an HVAC professional. Refrigerant levels must be very close to the manufacturer’s specifications. Blowers/air handlers need to be checked and adjusted if necessary for correct airflow. A visual inspection of your ductwork system is a must — many homes lose a lot of energy to inefficient ductwork. Sealing leaky joints and checking for adequate insulation goes a long way toward achieving maximum efficiency and safety.
• Well-maintained systems keep your home more comfortable. Poorly maintained systems are less able to work as they were designed. That often means homeowners experience uneven heating and cooling throughout their living spaces and temperatures that never quite reach the settings at the thermostat. Poorly maintained HVAC equipment can also contribute to stuffy rooms, poorly regulated indoor humidity and poor indoor air quality.

To speak with a service-oriented contractor with 50 years experience in Southwest Florida, contact Conditioned Air. We are committed to customers and community.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

HVAC maintenance image via Shutterstock

Much like buying a new car or upgrading a large appliance, you want to be sure you have received the most from your existing equipment before you make a major investment. However, if you wait too long, costly repairs and poor performance could end up being more expensive. The same is true when you decide to replace an HVAC system: you want to get the most from your existing equipment while avoiding breakdowns and discomfort.

Of course, nobody can predict the future, so this can sometimes be a difficult decision to make. Use these six tips to help you decide when to replace an HVAC system:

• Equipment age: If you have had your furnace or air conditioner for 15 years or longer, it is probably time to consider an upgrade. New models are much more efficient and replacing your equipment before it breaks can save you a lot of stress and discomfort.
• Increasing energy bills: Although fuel and electricity are getting more expensive, as your equipment ages it will become less efficient and cost more each month to operate. Your contractor can help you compare monthly usage to costs to help you determine whether your HVAC system is getting more expensive to run.
• Frequent repairs: If you have had any necessary repairs in the past two years it is a sign of equipment aging and may be time to replace an HVAC system.
• Strange noises: Any odd noises coming from your HVAC system should be examined by a professional. Another sign to watch for is excessive running of the blower fan.
• Home comfort: Do you achieve home comfort in every room in your home?
• Humidity levels: If you experience extreme humidity or dryness in your home, you may benefit from new equipment that has more advanced features.

If you are ready to replace an HVAC system in your home or business, call the trained professionals at Conditioned Air for expert installation and maintenance. We’ll help you properly evaluate your cooling and heating needs so you can get the most from your new investment. Serving Southwest Florida, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Replacement decision image via Shutterstock

Troubleshooting heating systems is necessary, even for homeowners in Southwest Florida. On winter days, you need to know what to do if there’s a problem.

To maintain comfort throughout the colder months, you can use these tips for troubleshooting heating systems, whether you have a furnace or a heat-pump system.

Some troubleshooting tips focus on the thermostat for your furnace or heat pump:

• The thermostat should be set to the “heat” mode.
• The setting on the thermostat must be higher than the indoor temperature for your furnace or heat pump to cycle on.
• If the thermostat is battery operated, try replacing the batteries.
• If your thermostat has a button to power the furnace blower, make sure it’s set to “on.” If it doesn’t cycle on, check the power at the furnace or heat pump itself. If the system is powered on and the fan doesn’t run, the capacitor or blower motor could be damaged.

If none of those tricks works and you have a furnace, you could have a disconnect between your furnace and its power source. If you suspect that the gas source to the furnace is the problem, contact an HVAC expert immediately. You can, however, check the electricity sources to the system:

• The main power control to the furnace should also be “on.” This switch should be located on the unit itself.
• There is another power switch inside the service panel or blower door.
• Check the circuit breaker to ensure that electricity is running to the furnace.

Your heat pump could have a similar problem. Because heat pumps operate solely on electricity, you’ll need to ensure that power from the following locations is working:

• There’s a power switch on the heat pump’s indoor unit, either on or beside the unit.
• There’s a second switch inside either the blower door or service panel.
• Check for a tripped circuit breaker on the main panel.

With a little knowledge to help you with troubleshooting, you have the tools you need to assess the problem. But know when to call in the professionals. To schedule a maintenance appointment, or if you need service, contact Conditioned Air.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about troubleshooting heating systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

When you’re choosing an HVAC contractor, expertise is a priority. However, hiring an ethical HVAC contractor might be even more important, as it could be said that ethics form the foundation of a company’s expertise and customer service.

Conditioned Air is committed to – and excels in – both: expertise in the field and ethical operations.

As testament, we are proud to have received:

• The Uncommon Friends Foundation 2011 Business Ethics Award. Conditioned Air values this award as a testament to our commitment to running our company according to the highest standards. The Business Ethics Award is given to a company that shows consistent, fair and equitable conduct with customers, as well as with vendors and in sales practices. Conditioned Air displays these qualities day in and day out – and our reputation with our customers is unparalleled.
• Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Contractor of the Year award. Our affiliation with ACCA shows Conditioned Air’s commitment to expertise and high-quality training. Further, we received the honor of ACCA’s Contractor of the Year award in 2010, designed to set apart the best of the best in the HVAC industry. Annually, just two awards are given: one for residential service and one for commercial service. Since its inception, Conditioned Air has remained committed to ethical practices in all that we do, including our relationships with outside vendors and customers, high-quality workmanship and a commitment to excellence. The ACCA award confirmed the foundation of our business.
• Better Business Bureau (BBB) A+ rating. As a further testament to our expertise, ethics and superior customer service, we continue to hold an A+ rating with the BBB. So you know that when you choose Conditioned Air you’ll get what you pay for – and we back up our pledge of ethical practices with proven customer satisfaction ratings.

The next time you need the services of an expert in Southwest Florida, choose an ethical HVAC contractor with a superior track record. Contact the experts at Conditioned Air. We are happy to help improve your comfort and create an energy-efficient home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about choosing a contractor and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

There are many contractors to choose from in Southwest Florida. But you should only trust your home to a business that has a long-standing record of quality service for HVAC systems, and that has demonstrated respect for its customers. At Conditioned Air, we’ve been successful for a reason — or, rather, four reasons.

Four tenets by which we run our business:

1. We live by our mission. At Conditioned Air, we understand that success is built on more than making a buck. It’s about putting our customers first, providing the most state-of-the-art comfort technology, and forging relationships. We pledge to go above and beyond your expectations, serving you with integrity.
2. We guarantee your satisfaction. If you’re in any way unhappy with our work, we guarantee a refund on any equipment or accessory you purchase from us, for a full year after installation. There are no “catches.” If you’re not satisfied within the first year, return it.
3. We do not ask for deposits. While other contractors may put your needs after their bottom line, at Conditioned Air your needs are our bottom line. We want to be sure you are completely happy with your new equipment, and with our service, before paying a dime. This holds true for all HVAC systems and for repairs and replacements.
4. We do not pay our technicians commission on parts used in a repair. If a technician will earn money because he’s sold you a replacement part, that isn’t much incentive for him to offer you the most affordable, effective option. Our technicians are not paid on commission, so their only goal is to provide the best service they can. Their job is to take care of you.

For a reliable Southwest Florida contractor, call Conditioned Air. We offer state-of-the-art HVAC systems, and we are committed to honesty and integrity.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about quality service and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.