What is a SEER Rating?
Shopping for a new HVAC unit can be overwhelming—especially if you do not know understand the lingo. What does energy efficient mean? What is a SEER rating?
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. It is a metric used to measure how much energy is needed to provide a specific cooling output. The higher the SEER rating, the more efficient the air conditioner is. Higher-SEER models ae more expensive up front, but end up saving you money month to month vs. less efficient models.
The Department of Energy recommends a minimum SEER rating of 13. Depending on where you live, you might need a system with a higher rating. In Florida, a 14 SEER unit is recommended.
If you have additional questions about purchasing a new HVAC unit and SEER ratings, please contact our team of experts at 850.267.3538.
Is Your Furnace Ready for Winter?
Don’t wait for temperatures to drop to mark off your furnace maintenance to-do list. Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. can help you make sure your home is warm and cozy this winter.
1. Replace Filters and Clean Equipment | Make sure you change the filter every 1-3 months depending on your home environment. Clean any debris or build up from the coils.
2. Test Your Thermostat | Turn up the temperature on your thermostat to make sure your system turns on and runs properly.
3. Check for Leaks | Make sure your windows and doors are sealed. Sealing leaks and cracks keeps cold air out and warm air in.
4. Check Your Air Conditioning System Pressure | Find the leaks! This check-up will help you correct any system leaks before you need your furnace to keep you warm.
5. Check your System | Your system needs a thorough once over to make sure your belts are in working condition, not cracked. The exhaust flue should be free of branches and leaves. Make sure the area around your furnace is uncluttered. Make sure the blower is clean and the burner flames are in working order.
6. Check Your Carbon Monoxide Detector | It is important that your carbon monoxide detector is working especially during the winter months. We suggest changing the batteries at the beginning of the season.
Some of these items should be completed by an HVAC professional. Contact our team of experts today to make sure your furnace is in working order and your home stays warm this winter- 850.267.3538.
8 Signs it's Time for a New HVAC System
You made it through the Summer, but your HVAC system is on the brink? Are you unsure if your unit needs repairs or replacing? Here are 8 signs that it is time to invest in a new HVAC system for your home.
- Blowing Warm Air | If your home isn’t staying cool because your system is pushing out warm air, you have a problem. This is a sign that your HVAC unit is in need of repair. The lack of cool air could mean your compressor is failing or that your Freon levels are low. This is a sign that it might be time for a new unit.
- Poor Air Flow | If air isn’t circulating through your home and you don’t feel consistent cool air coming from your AC vents, the unit’s compressor could be going out. If one area of your home is cool and other sections are warm there could be issues with your duct work. Debris, dust and dander can clog your ducts obstructing air flow. This is bad for your system and your family’s health.
- Thermostat Issues | Sometimes the issue is not with the unit itself, but with the thermostat. One telling sign that your thermostat is causing the problem is if one part of your home is extremely cold where another area stays at the same temperature.
- System Leaks and Unwanted Moisture | If you see moisture around or leaking from your HVAC unit that is a major red flag. Your refrigerant could be leaking which could cause health concerns for you and your loved ones. If you discover pools of water near your air conditioning unit, it could mean your drain line is clogged or broken—which can be easily repaired by an HVAC expert.
- Abnormal Sounds & Odors | Listen closely. If you are hearing squeaking, grinding, groaning or grating sounds coming from your HVAC system, you have a problem. There is a slew of issues that can cause these noises. It is important to have an expert look at your system immediately. Failure to repair the unit could result in costly problem. Strange odors are also an indicator that your unit needs attention. From burned out wiring to mold, smell is an immediate warning sign that there is something wrong with your ventilation system.
- Increase in Electricity Bill | If your electricity bills drastically increases without any obvious reason for doing so, that is a strong indicator that your HVAC unit needs attention or replacing.
- HVAC Unit is more than 10 years old | When your system reaches its 10th birthday, it is usually time to upgrade your ventilation system. At this point, units tend to start needing major repairs.
- R-22 Freon | If your unit uses R-22 Freon, it’s time to upgrade. Freon is being phased out by the federal government. Because of this, the cost of Freon is steadily rising. Eventually you will have to replace your unit for a newer version that runs with a new refrigerant (R410A).
If it is time to replace your home HVAC system, call your local experts. We are here to help you find the right size and most efficient unit for your home. Schedule an appointment with our team today- 850.267.3538.
Extend the Life of your HVAC Unit with Coastal Protective Coating!
Don't let your system rust, call us! Coastal Protective Coasting will add years to the life of your HVAC unit and prevent increased energy costs. This application is especially beneficial to residents who live within 10 miles of the coastline.
These coating materials will not crack, chip, powder or flake, and we offer a 5-year coil re-coating warranty on our products.
Coastal Protective Coating protects equipment in most corrosive environments including:
• Salt Air
• Salt Spray
• Hydrogen Sulfide
• Chlorine
• Sulfuric Acid
• Nitric Acid
• Ammonia
• Muriatic Acid
• and much more...
Protect your HVAC investment! Call us today to find out more about Coastal Protective Coating and how it can greatly extend the life of your unit.
Why is it Important to Clean Your Air Ducts?
Did you know that dust, dander and dirt can clog your air ducts compromising the air quality of your home? Poor indoor air quality can cause allergies, asthma and illness. Ensuring that your air ducts are clean and clear of the debris has the following benefits.
Improved Indoor Air Quality
The HVAC unit breathes air in and out of your home—like lungs. The HVAC system circulates air 5-7 times per day causing a build-up of contaminants and dirt. These pollutants are then filtered again through your home. Cleaning your air ducts greatly improves your home’s air quality.
Energy Savings
When your air ducts are dirty, you HVAC system has to work harder to cool your home. This uses more energy and reduces the life of your unit. When your system is clean, it doesn’t have to work as hard to keep your home cool, improving its effectiveness.
Removes Unpleasant Smells and Odors
Pets, tobacco use, food smells and more circulate through your home. When dust and dirt collect in you ducts, it absorbs these smells causing a musty scent that then circulates through your home. An in-depth duct cleaning removes all odor trapping articles resulting in a fresher smelling home.
Click HERE to learn more about this service or call 850.267.3538 to schedule a duct cleaning appointment.
Why Should You Choose a Maintenance Plan for your HVAC System?
One of the most beneficial investments you can make in your home is an annual maintenance plan for your HVAC system. A maintenance plan ensures your system will run at its prime and your home will stay at a comfortable temperature no matter the season.
Maintain Your Warranty
You MUST have your system checked twice a year by a licensed HVAC technician to maintain the warranty on your system.
Carefree Scheduling
A maintenance plan makes caring for the HVAC system in your home convenient and effortless. With your busy lives, it is easy to let things fall through the cracks, including system checks. Regular system checks improve your system’s performance and alerts you to minor issues before they become larger problems. A maintenance plan relieves you from having to worry about your unit, we will take care of it for you.
Consistent Performance
It’s 100 degrees outside and your AC system is on the brink. Not only is this an inconvenience, it is dangerous for senior citizens, small children and pets. Don’t let this happen. A regular maintenance plan is more than changing air filters and adjusting coolant levels, technicians can spot issues within the system and make repairs so your system continues to run smoothly all year long.
Protect Your Investment
Your HVAC system is an expensive investment. Don’t put it at risk. Neglecting maintenance of your unit can also cause a void in your system's warranty. By regularly performing maintenance on your system, you avoid costly emergency repairs and extend the lifespan of your unit.
Air Conditioning & Heating Inc. has been here for you for over 32 years. Call us today to choose a maintenance program for your system- 850.267.3538.
Is Your AC Ready for Summer | Summer Maintenance Checklist
Servicing your home HVAC system is just as important as getting the oil changed in your car. Proper maintenance insures your system is running efficiently and effectively and increases the lifespan of the unit.
The summer season is upon us! The last thing your want is your air conditioner to fail on a 100 degree day. How many boxes have you checked on our Summer Maintenance Checklist?
We are here to help you knock out this to-do list!
Call us today to schedule a summer maintenance appointment -- 850.267.3538.
Coming Soon! Coastal Protective Coatings by Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.
We’re thrilled to announce the launch of our newest local service, Coastal Protective Coatings. Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. is the only certified provider of corrosion preventative coatings along the Emerald Coast.
Many HVAC manufacturers strongly recommend that you apply a corrosion preventative coating to protect your equipment from corrosion if you are located within 10 miles of the coastline. A simple step can prevent increased energy expenditure and add years of life to your equipment.
What type of equipment is eligible for Coastal Protective Coatings? Adding a protective coating to your AC unit and air conditioning unit coils can extend the lifetime of your home or business Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning System. Our coatings protect equipment in virtually any corrosive environment including but not limited to the following:
- Salt Air
- Salt Spray
- Hydrogen Sulfide
- Chlorine
- Ammonia
- Bromides
- And much more….
Protect your investment with Coastal Protective Coatings, locally owned and operated in Santa Rosa Beach and servicing all of the Emerald Coast and surrounding areas.
Discover more on Coastal Protective Coatings at one of our upcoming events!
- Networks of North West Florida Free Breakfast Meeting
- Wednesday, May 3rd, 7:30am-until
- The 1st Wednesday of Each Month at Golden Corral in Fort Walton Beach (7:30am)
- 2017 Emerald Coast Health Fair & Career Expo
- Friday, May 12th, 10am-7pm
- Located at 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Beach, FL
- 20th Annual Founders' Day Celebration
- Saturday, May 13th, 11:00am- 12:30pm
- Located at 101 Stahlman Avenue, Destin, FL
- 2017 Emerald Coast Home Show
- Saturday, September 23rd, 10am-5pm
- Sunday, September 24th, 10am-4pm
- Located at 1250 Miracle Strip Pkwy SE Fort Walton Beach, FL
Is your HVAC System on your Spring Cleaning To-Do List?
Spring is here and it is time to clean house. Between cleaning baseboards and ceiling fans, it is easy to forget about your HVAC unit, but proactively maintaining your HVAC system is imperative to the health of your home!
Prepare your system for the summer season with an overall cleaning of the air handler, grilles, fans, motors, housings and coils.
Improve the overall air quality of your home by cleaning your air ducts! Don’t miss the cracks and crevices. Cleaning your air ducts removes dust, dander, allergens and more from your home and improves air flow efficiency.
We are here to help you check these items off of your to-do list! Leave your HVAC cleaning and maintenance to Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc! Call 850.267.3538 to schedule spring cleaning for your system.
Retracing your Roots | New London, Connecticut
Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. and the Emerald Coast of Destin, Florida have deep roots. Owner and President, Kevin Leonard Casey, can trace his ancestry back to his mother’s great grandfather, Destin’s founding father, Leonard Destin.
Leonard Destin, his father (George Destin), and his brother set out from New London, Connecticut with their ships and ran into a hurricane near Cape Canaveral, Florida. Two of the ships (carrying Leonard, his father and brother) were lost at sea. Stories had long circulated in the port of New London about the excellent fishing to be found off the Florida coasts. Leonard Destin decided to continue on and look for the best fishing he could find, as well as a place to settle down.
By the late 1870’s Leonard had built a thriving commercial fishing enterprise and employed many people in the area which was then called East Pass. Destin lived here with his family, consisting of 4 sons and 3 daughters, until his death in 1884.
Recently, Kevin Casey and his wife, Celeste, visited New London, Connecticut to retrace history and research his family tree. Below is their personal photo album from this special vacation. For more information about the Destin family history, click HERE.
