January can be a tough time financially for many people, and not just because the Christmas shopping credit card bills are starting to arrive in the mail. Many financial obligations hit the new year reset button (and some increase)—health insurance deductibles, school tuition, assorted taxes. And changes in weather can increase energy usage, adding a…
For more than a decade, the U.S. government Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has worked to phase out the use of ozone-damaging refrigerants in air conditioners, heat pumps, and other appliances. Many of these types of chemicals, CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons), were phased out nearly 20 years ago, but HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) stayed in production because they were “safer”…
Photo courtesy of Bryant In our climate, we tend to know more about our air conditioning (especially when it’s not working) than about our heating systems. How well do you know your heat pump? It it giving you its best, or just giving enough warmth to get by? Here’s what to watch for and when…
Fall temperatures can have their ups and downs in Florida, and you may wonder from day to day whether it’s still summer, or if seasons just jumped ahead to winter… up north! A change of season, though, is a natural time to remember to take care of maintenance—keep your A/C in top condition after grueling…
Because of El Niño, this year’s hurricane season has been quieter than usual, but a storm is still a storm… and it’s important to protect your property. With a couple more months left for potential 2015 Atlantic hurricanes, you can take some steps to protect your air conditioner system, and ensure a safe restart after…
Smart homes used to be showcases for tech companies, but not something the average homeowner could hope to have. But with wifi-enabled light bulbs and an array of smartphone apps, everything from your garage door, deadbolt, webcam, lighting, and music system can be affordably integrated and managed whether you’re at home or on the road….
If your home is your “castle,” or “where your heart is”… [insert other cliche here]… you certainly want it to be comfortable—and that’s why you had a central A/C unit installed. But does comfort have to come at the cost of your curb appeal? You can incorporate your air conditioner into your landscaping theme and…
Where there is moisture, there is the potential for mold. Mold can be a health danger anywhere in your home, but is particularly bad in your air conditioner because air movement (by design) spreads mold spores throughout your living space—potentially causing respiratory and other health problems as you are exposed. So what can you do…
How often do you think about your thermostat? If it’s only when you feel hot or cold, then it’s time to cozy up to your thermostat and learn what it’s capable of—or if it’s time to trade it in for a newer model! In many apartments, condos, and economical or older construction, you likely find…
If we left our climate in charge, we could only seek out a merciful breeze and a shady tree to keep us comfortable in the hottest stretches of southern living. Can you imagine a day without air conditioning? We take A/C for granted as a necessary convenience, but it’s a relatively new development in human…
