How To Prepare Your HVAC Unit for Winter Weather
Although Winter does not officially begin until December 21st, the beginning of December is the perfect time to prepare your home for potential freezes and overall cooler temperatures! Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. has continued to provide heating and cooling services to the Emerald Coast, year after year, since 1983 and we are honored to serve the Emerald Coast as the Comfort Experts. With chilly temperatures often dropping below freezing, ACHI has a few tips on how to best prepare your HVAC unit to withstand the winter season and keep you and your family comfortable day in and day out. In need of furnace repair or maintenance? Contact our office at (850) 267-3538 ~ We are always open, 24/7!

Schedule your home or business HVAC maintenance each fall and spring.
Maintaining your air conditioner can save up to 30 percent on operating costs, protect it from early failure, prevent mold from developing in the system, and help it perform at its best. Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is ready to partner with you for the successful operation and care necessary to maintain your home or business HVAC system along the Emerald Coast!
Save energy and money by adjusting your thermostat, turn up the heat only when you need it the most.
Use a Smart Thermostat! There’s and app for that? Absolutely! Save money, time, and energy when you update your thermostat with a programmable Smart Thermostat. Ideal for homes that are not occupied continuously throughout the day – conveniently adjust your temperature settings for the most energy efficient daily heating and cooling conditions based on your personal preference! Set your thermostat to your preferred climate prior to your arrival home at the end of the day or during sleeping hours where Energy Star recommends setting your temperatures up or back between 4-8 degrees depending on the season.
Change your air filter and clean your vents.
Your HVAC equipment can not run efficiently if it is not properly maintained! How do you maintain your unit on a regular basis? The most important piece of routine maintenance can be done in under a minute – regularly replacing your air filter. Checking your filter monthly and changing more often in extreme hot or cold climate seasons can prevent premature unit failure and major maintenance necessity.
Cold fronts and frost bites, we’ve seen some cool temperatures along the coast. Prepare your home or business HVAC system with a few recommendations that are quick and easy and might just have you saving a little money – now that’s something we can warm up to!
HVAC Maintenance Partnership
Maintaining your air conditioner can save up to 30 percent on operating costs, protect it from early failure, prevent mold from developing in the system, and help it perform at its best. Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is ready to partner with you for the successful operation and care necessary to maintain your home or business HVAC system along the Emerald Coast.
Maintain your equipment to prevent future problems and unwanted costs. Keep your cooling and heating system at peak performance by having a contractor do annual pre-season check-ups. Contractors get busy once summer and winter come, so it's best to check the cooling system in the spring and the heating system in the fall. To remember, you might plan the check-ups around the time changes in the spring and fall.
HVAC Maintenance Checklist
- Full System Cleaning
- Complete Safety Check
- Entire System Inspection
- Tightening of all Electrical Connections
- Lubrication of all Moving Parts
- Replacement of Air Filters
- Measuring of Voltage and Current on Motors
- Assessment of System Startup and Run Cycles
Benefits of Annual or Semi-annual HVAC Maintenance
- Energy Efficiency
- Reduced Cost
- Ongoing Savings
- System Lifespan Longevity
- Air Purification
- Environmental Comfort
Allow ACHI to keep your HVAC unit working to its full potential with an ongoing service plan and reduce your risk of early failure and inefficient energy usage. Discuss with one of our technicians whether ACHI’s Maintenance Partnership is right for you!
Increasing Your Home's Energy Efficiency
Did you know? According to Energy Star 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. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.
Let's discuss how you can create a more energy efficient home or business by making a simple update to your Air Conditioning and Heating unit and incorporating new habits in your home maintenance routine!
Maintain Your Equipment
- Replace Your Air Filter
Your HVAC equipment can not run efficiently if it is not properly maintained! How do you maintain your unit on a regular basis? The most important piece of routine maintenance can be done in under a minute - regularly replacing your air filter. Checking your filter monthly and changing more often in extreme hot or cold climate seasons can prevent premature unit failure and major maintenance necessity.
- Routine Professional Maintenance
Get the most life out of your equipment and maintain your warranty by scheduling ongoing annual or semi annual maintenance by a certified technician. The shoulder seasons are the most convenient seasons to schedule your HVAC maintenance to ensure that your unit is prepared to provide the most efficient heating and cooling services prior to the peak cold or peak heat that comes along with most winter and summer seasons.
Use a Smart Thermostat
There's and app for that? Absolutely! Save money, time, and energy when you update your thermostat with a programmable Smart Thermostat. Ideal for homes that are not occupied continuously throughout the day - conveniently adjust your temperature settings for the most energy efficient daily heating and cooling conditions based on your personal preference! Set your thermostat to your preferred climate prior to your arrival home at the end of the day or during sleeping hours where Energy Star recommends setting your temperatures up or back between 4-8 degrees depending on the season.
Look for ENERGY STAR qualified central air conditioners when replacing or updating your current HVAC system for the most energy efficient ratings for your home or business and contact ACHI for maintenance, repair, installation, and new unit purchases at (850) 374-6948!
5 Tips ~ How To Prepare Your HVAC System For Winter
Hey Emerald Coast! Is your home ready to weather the winter chills? Cold fronts and frost bites, we've seen some cool temperatures along the coast. Prepare your home or business HVAC system with a few recommendations that are quick and easy and might just have you saving a little money - now that's something we can warm up to!
Get Efficient With The Temperature Setting of Your Thermostat
- During the cooler months set your thermostat to 68° F - 72° F during the day (if the home is occupied) and lower temperatures in the evening - between 62° F and 66° F
- Find the perfect temperature for your family and once you begin to acclimate consider lowering by a degree weekly - This one-degree reduction - maintained for even eight hours - can reduce a home's energy bill by 1 percent, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.
Invest In and Utilize a Smart Thermostat
- There is no perfect winter interior temperature for every home, and the savviest homeowners realize there is no perfect temperature for every moment in their homes. Times when your home is left empty – such as work hours or traveling periods – present ideal opportunities to lower the temperature and reduce expenses. Smart thermostats allow homeowners access to the homes climate instantly from most mobile devices. The majority of manufactures offer a manageable app along with their hardware for convenient home comfort and contact.
Keep Your Heat to Yourself
- Close doors and vents to unused rooms makes it easier for the home's HVAC system to deliver the desired temperature to occupied living spaces.
- Schedule annual HVAC maintenance and inspection.
- Upgrade or add weather stripping to doors and check the seals around your windows.
- Consider drapes when tall windows or glass doors are prevalent.
Upgrade & Change Your Filter Often
- Replace air filters at least once every three months. Dirty filters can cause your system to work harder, resulting in lower efficiency.
- Filter inspection and replacement is one of the most cost efficient maintenance tasks that you can make a part of your home maintenance routine - consider an air filter subscription and automatically receive your new air filters every 30-90 days directly to your door!
Regulate Your HVAC Maintenance - Now Accepting Maintenance Partnerships with ACHI
- Ongoing Maintenance can save the average consumer 10-12% annually and much more if a major repair is avoided due to ongoing professional care to the HVAC unit.
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The best time for HVAC maintenance is during shoulder seasons—spring and fall—when your AC and furnace are needed the least. By scheduling bi-annual checkups with your local HVAC technician, you can ensure your system is running tip-top before you need it most.
Before the pro arrives, check for unusual odors, abnormal noises, and leaks in the ductwork—telltale signs of potential issues, so you can make the most of your technician's time (and your money).
Annual Maintenance Partnerships | Save on HVAC Maintenance, Service, & Repair
What is the average monthly temperature in Florida? According to US Climate Data the average Destin, Florida temperate in August in 89 degrees! With high temperatures nearing 90 degrees your comfort relies heavily on the efficiency of your home or business hvac system! A heating and air conditioning system is an investment in your continued comfort whether you are looking at new construction, unit replacement, or simply maintaining your current system. Learn more about joining ACHI's Annual Maintenance Partnership and discover how you can save 20% on service or repairs in addition to the peace of mind that your AC unit is being maintained by professional technicians!
As a factory authorized Carrier dealer, Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. offers professional and efficient service on all HVAC systems in Okaloosa & Walton Counties. Do you know the maintenance requirements to keep your warranty valid? Ask one of our certified local technicians for details regarding your particular AC unit and the necessary requirements for potential warranty claims in the future.
Preventive Annual Maintenance Partnership – Benefits
Our maintenance plan comes with several benefits! Together, they keep you comfortable; maintain your safety; and best of all, save you money. Our maintenance plan benefits you in the following ways:
• Healthier Indoor Air Quality
• Savings on Utility Bills
• Potential Problems Seen Before Breakdowns Happen
• Consistent, Reliable Comfort Levels
• Longer Lasting Equipment
• Safety Maintained
• Validation of Manufacturer’s Warranty