5 Tips ~ Preparing Your HVAC Unit for Spring
Along the Emerald Coast in Florida’s Panhandle our seasonal temperatures vary from day to day and your home or business HVAC unit must be properly maintained in order to work most efficiently and keep your residence comfortable. Check out these 5 Tips for preparing your HVAC unit for the Spring and Summer seasons and ACHI's best practices.
If you have ever experienced an outage of power or disruption in air conditioning or heating in your home, you know the discomfort that a lack of air conditioning or heating can cause. Avoid an unforeseen emergency repair by keeping your HVAC unit properly maintained and regularly serviced by a professional HVAC technician. Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is proud to be a continued leader in the local HVAC industry providing, for over 35 years, new HVAC unit installation, special projects, Emerald Coast Bronz-Glow application, ongoing maintenance service, and repair 24 hours a day & 7 days a week. Our reputation has been comforting since 1983, we are the comfort experts and look forward to providing you with 5 Tips on How to Ready Your HVAC Unit for the Spring/Summer Season!
- Change Your HVAC Air Filter(s): The most routine monthly maintenance imperative to the efficiency of your HVAC unit is a simple change of the filter. A clean air filter can reduce your energy usage by 15 percent. How often should you replace your filter? Ask yourself a few questions to determine whether you should replace your filter every 30 days or more… do you have animals in the house, are you sensitive to allergies, or do you live near the coast? If you answered yet to any of the following the most likely suggestion would be to replace your temporary filter every 30 days or take out and rinse your permanent filter monthly.
- Install a Smart Thermostat: Technology allows for the addition of a smart thermostat providing you immediate access to ensure your home or business temperature is comfortable prior to your arrival home or set at the most energy efficient temperature if you are away. A programmable thermostat may also detect any deficiencies that your HVAC unit may be experiencing if the temperature is not being maintained or regulated – allowing you to avoid potential costly repairs with a routine service call.
- Remove Debris & Clear Drainage Lines: Have you noticed where your air conditioners drainage lines are located? If you have not located these drainage lines located on the exterior of your home be aware of potential blockage that may cause back up. When moister is unable to escape from your lines the risk of mold becomes greater. Small wires may be useful to clear out any small pieces of debris that have collected in your line and be sure to keep the surrounding area clear of brush or loose landscape.
- Establish a Relationship with Your AC Company: Most homeowners understand the longevity of their home maintenance and the importance of establishing a trusted source for home maintenance service providers. Ask your Air Conditioning and Heating company for references and rates for routine services vs. emergency repairs. Your trusted AC and Heating provider should be transparent in their rates and provide estimates prior to any scheduled repairs, installations, or maintenance services.
- Invest in a Maintenance Partnership or Annual Maintenance Agreement: Ensure that your AC unit warranty remains effective by the continued annual or semi-annual maintenance services provided by a certified HVAC professional. Check with your HVAC manufacturer on warranty requirements and communicate those requirements with your trusted AC and Heating provider.
Contact ACHI, locally owned and operated since 1983, for more details on what your HVAC unit requires to ensure the warranty is valid and ask our team of comfort experts about the ACHI Maintenance Partnership for ongoing seasonal maintenance services
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!
How Often Should You Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced?
Spring has finally arrived and warmer weather is upon us. With the temperatures rising, it's as as easy as a call to your local Air Conditioning & Heating Company to avoid any uncomfortable days in your home or business due to an an inefficient HVAC unit.
Heating and air conditioning equipment, for the best outcome, should be inspected twice per year. The heating system should be checked in the fall and the air conditioning system checked in the spring, in advance of extreme warm or cool temperatures.
Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. offers customers an Annual Maintenance Program for peace of mind and the most efficient and effective use of their home or business heating and cooling systems. Call (850) 267-3538 to schedule your spring air conditioning maintenance service with Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. - Your trusted local Air Conditioning and Heating Company, servicing all of Okaloosa and Walton Counties for more than 35 years!
Hurricane Season: How to Prepare & Protect Your HVAC Unit
The Atlantic hurricane season runs from June 1st through November 30th with August and September usually being the most active months. As we approach this time of the year, here are a few tips for preparing and protecting your HVAC unit and home in case of a storm.
Prepare for the worst. Make sure your unit is secure and covered. Tighten the bolts and use hurricane straps to hold down your unit in case of high winds. Covering your unit is equally important. Strong winds can blow debris into your yard. Large branches and objects not tied down can damage your unit. To avoid damage, cover your unit with a tarp or even a plywood box.
If you are in an area that floods, water damage could be a potential hazard. Raise your unit to a higher elevation.
Finally, go ahead and cool your home. With severe weather comes power outages. Turn your AC down a few degrees lower than you would normally. Close all windows, blinds and doors to keep the cool air in. As the storm approaches, you will need to turn off the electricity to the unit or unplug it to avoid lighting strikes and electrical surges.
Once the storm has passed, and you have evaluated your unit for damage, turn your system on. Storms bring in high moisture conditions in which mold grows. Restarting your unit as soon as possible prevents this from occurring.
If you discover damage to your system, call a professional to inspect the unit and make repairs. Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. is available 24/7, 365 for all of you HVAC emergencies.
Why Should You Choose Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc? | Customer Reviews
As a local, family-owned business, serving the area for over 34 years, Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. takes pride in being responsive, reliable and providing results for our customers. We strive to ensure all of our clients are comfortable in their homes 24/7, 365.
Our maintenance program is designed to proactively prevent HVAC issues and extend the life of your unit. We are a company you can depend on year after year. Don’t take our word for it. See what our customers have to say!
“Great job by Travis! Thank you so much for coming to cool off our cottage on Father's Day Sunday at 8:30pm. You saved the night!” – June 2018
“We called after 9:00pm tonight which is a Sunday! It is now at 11:45pm, and I'm going to bed in a cool house because they came and fixed it already! Travis the technician was friendly and quick! Thank you.” – June 2018
“This is the second time Luiz has serviced our AC systems. He is professional, courteous and knowledgeable. In the future, I will request that he perform our annual AC maintenance check-ups. Thanks Luiz!” – June 2018
“Had an early Sunday morning AC issue. Troy explained and walked me through step by step on diagnosing the problem. Great professional service.” – May 2018
“Great customer service. Luiz is always on time, does a thorough inspection and is patient with explaining how everything is working or not working.” – May 2018
“Had another great service visit from Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. This time the technician was CJ. He was prompt, courteous, knowledgeable and effectively explained the problems and solutions. All of the technicians at this company have been great. A very nice surprise after 5 years of bad companies doing this work for us. Thanks again!” – May 2018
“Have done business with Air Conditioning & Heating many times in the last 15 years. They are always dependable with professional employees. So, when I finally needed and new HVAC system, they are the company I chose. Since then, their routine maintenance is above what I expected. Each employee is courteous, gets to a solution quickly and explains in detail what is going on. I always recommend them to my neighbors and friends.” – May 2018
“The service is awesome, always friendly, even in an emergency they make sure we are taken care of in a timely matter. Troy, our service technician, is always professional and always gets the job done correctly the first time. I highly recommend Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. We signed up for their yearly service plan, in which they come out twice a year and check our unit. We have dealt with other companies and when we found Air Conditioning and Heating, we haven't used anyone else. Keep up the good work.”
– April 2018
“Services were great. They were able to work me in within the same day. Worked hard on providing available discounts, found out what parts were under warranty in order to repair what was necessary. Were able to order the parts and have them installed the next day! I signed on for their maintenance program and look forward to having them do regular checkups of our unit.” – April 2018
When you are faced with an HVAC emergency or if you need regular maintenance on your system, call the comfort experts at 850.267.3538!
Furnace Upkeep & Maintenance | Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc.
Did your furnace make it through Florida’s winter months? Keep your furnace in shape for next year!
1. Keep the system pipes clean. | Modern furnaces use an external intake pipe for their air supply. While more efficient, this pipe can become clogged with dust and debris.
2. Block or Close Vents. | Don’t overwork your system. Did you know that by closing vents you actually make your system work harder? It causes an imbalance in the system and forces the blower to work harder, increasing energy used. Blocking a vent with a rug or furniture can cause the similar problems.
3. Replace the filter on a regular basis. | Filters get dusty—full of pet hair and dander. It is important the change the filter as often as needed. This improved your indoor air quality and reduces the amount of energy the furnace has to put out.
4. Don’t skip annual maintenance. | Having a professional look over your system ensures that the unit is powered correctly, clean and ready to work. This annual once over can extend the life of your unit and make sure your home stays warm throughout the Winter months.
Air Conditioning & Heating, Inc. is here to make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape.
Our team is available 24/7, 365 for any HVAC emergency or sign up for our maintenance plan
and our skilled professionals will keep your system running smoothly all year long!
850.267.3538
Leaving for Vacation? Prepare your HVAC.
Bags are packed, boarding pass printed and you are ready to go. Before you head out the door, there are a few things you should do to prepare your HVAC system for your absence.
Make sure you mark off this checklist before hitting the road!
1. Thermostat- Turn it down, not off! HVAC units are used to running on a regular basis. It is important it not leave them inactive for long periods of time. Moisture can build up or components can go bad from lack of use. Adjust your thermostat so the unit does not run as often as normal, but often enough to keep it in working order.
2. Close All Blinds & Curtains- Reduce the temperature inside your home by blocking sunlight. This will reduce your unit’s workload.
3. Open All Vents- Keep the air flowing. Make sure all your vents are open.
4. Change Air Filters- In your absence, your HVAC system will not be running as often. Replacing the air filter will protect your unit against dirt and dust while you are gone.
5. Use a Smart Thermostat- Smart thermostats make it easy to pre-program your system to run at certain times or to maintain a certain temperature inside your home. If you do not have a smart thermostat, it might be a good time to invest in one.
Preparing your system for your vacation, will reduce your energy bill and could help you avoid an uncomfortable home and HVAC problems when you return.
If you do come home to a hot or cold home and HVAC issue,
call your local comfort experts at Air Conditioning & Heating Inc.—850.267.3538.
We are available 24/7 for all of your maintenance and repair needs.
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.
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.