Frequently Asked Questions

 1. Should I turn off my air conditioning during the day if I am not at home ? [Answer]

 2. Should I turn my air conditioning off during an electrical storm? [Answer]

 3. Should I turn my air conditioning off during the night? [Answer]

 4. How often should I have my air conditioning checked ? [Answer]

 5. How long should an air conditioning unit last ? [Answer]

 6. What is meant by "high-efficiency air conditioning"? [Answer]

 7. How much could "high-efficiency air conditioning" save me? [Answer]

 8. Why should I cover myself with a Service Agreement for the first year when the warranty is good for the first year? [Answer]

 9. Will I save money if I close the vents in rooms I'm not using? [Answer]

10. How often should the filter be changed (or cleaned if it's washable)? [Answer]

11. Is my A/C unit big enough? [Answer]

12. Why do I get a smell like wires burning when I turn my heat on for the first time? [Answer]

13. Which is the best unit? [Answer]

14. How long does Freon® last? [Answer]

1. No, raise the setting on the thermostat a few degrees to 82° or 83°. This will use less energy and still allow for the A/C system to recover quickly when you lower the thermostat after you return home.

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2. Yes, even though they are thermally protected, it's just a good idea. You can have additional protection by installing a primary surge protector or a time delay. We carry and install both surge protectors and time delay switches.

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3. No, but you can raise the temperature 2 to 4 degrees. A programmable theromostat can also be used to perform this function.

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4. Twice a year. You should consider a service agreement so we can automatically perform the necessary service for you.

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5. This depends on how much it is used and the environment. Here in Florida, units are exposed to a very demanding environment. With normal use you can reasonably expect a unit to last 8 - 10 years or more according to most manufacturers. For Coastal homes, a little less. With regular maintenance, your unit will last for a longer time. A Service Agreement can give you Peace of Mind.

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6. Equipment that delivers more Btu's of cooling relative to the electrical wattage consumed by what "standard" equipment can provide. The higher the rating, the more efficient the unit. This is measured by S.E.E.R. (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio). The higher the S.E.E.R. number the more efficient the air conditioner. To obtain the manufacturers' highest efficiency, you must have a matching condenser (Outside Unit) and air handler (normally inside unit).

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7. A considerable amount! Most equipment installed in the 1980s had an S.E.E.R. of between 6.0 and 9.0. Today the minimum S.E.E.R. is 13.0 and goes up to 20.0.Many times we remove older air conditioning equipment and replace it with new high-efficiency equipment, and the owner gets a 30% to 50% return on the investment.

Would you like a technician to contact you about performing an system check to show you if there are possible savings?

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8. The warranty ONLY covers operating parts, not maintenance or dirty filters. The warranty may be rendered void if lack of maintenance contributes to an equipment failure.

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9. It's not a good idea to close vents in your home. The savings are insignificant and the air balancing will be wrong, causing the relative humidity to rise and become uncomfortable.

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10. When it's dirty. Depending on the application, it ranges from once a month to twice a year.

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11. There is no "Rule of Thumb" for this question. Contact us. Then and only then can you be assured your equipment is properly sized.

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12. Heat strips are made just like toasters and they give off a burning smell particularly when first used, because of dust that settles on them when not in use.

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13. We are Carrier Authorized Dealers.

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14. Forever! Refrigerant does not dissipate. Loss is only through a leak somewhere in the refrigerant system. Today refrigerants are becoming very expensive. If you have a leak you should have it repaired.

As of July 1, 1992 it is a Federal offense to vent refrigerant into the atmosphere. We are a Florida friendly, environmentally safe service company. We are equipped to recover your refrigerant, keeping it from going into the atmosphere. We will be happy to send you a brochure.

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