Summer seems to stay later each year, and this year is no exception with the midday hovering in the mid-70s. But as it dips into the 50s or colder at night, your cooling and heating system may be getting quite a workout—and you’re struggling to keep your indoor climate comfortable. First, let’s look at general…
Before the searing summer temperatures return, now is a good time to assess the condition of your HVAC—especially your air conditioner. Like every appliance, it has its optimal lifespan, and if you’ve been experiencing some performance issues or are noticing signs the equipment is showing its age, you may be wondering if it’s time to…
Not every storm sends us inland for safety, but even storms we can ride out can knock out power for hours or even days. A backup generator makes it easier to wait on restored power, but can be riskier to use than just plugging your appliances into a wall outlet. It’s important to understand your…
In a warm climate, the favorite appliance is the air conditioner! We often wonder how people survived before air conditioning—and while they just got used to the heat (or lived in cooler climates), we’re just as used to our comfort settings today. And so are your pets. Your household pets live in the same air-conditioned…
Your air conditioner and heating system keeps you comfortable by managing temperature and humidity, as well as removing particles—irritants and allergens—from the air. In order to do that effectively, it needs a filter, changed on a regular basis, that has the right balance between filtration and air flow. Here are some tips to match the…
In our climate, air conditioning is a must, and our A/C appliances get quite a workout most months of the year. Even the most energy-efficient air conditioner can benefit from some outside help. And in this case, outside can help a lot—in the form of some carefully planned landscaping. Four property characteristics have the greatest…
If you’ve lived in your home for a few years (through several seasonal changes), you have a good idea what each month’s energy bill should be—electric or gas. But even if you haven’t been keeping track, the utility company has at least several years’ worth of your energy use history. Keeping an eye on your…
In our region, there are years that your air conditioner could run at some point every month. But obviously the biggest energy demand (and wallet impact) comes during the summer. Follow these tips to save on your summer cooling costs. Raise your thermostat setting The easiest way to save money on summer cooling is to…
When we think about comfort in our homes or offices, it’s usually whether we feel hot or cold. But humidity plays a big role in how comfortable you feel indoors. In our Florida climate, we’re very familiar with how humidity makes you feel outside, but a proper balance of indoor humidity (through the year, both…
Central air conditioners, like many household appliances are built to last, so it’s not a purchase you’ll make often. You may go decades between replacing an air conditioning system, so expect the technology, efficiency, and even government regulations to have changed significantly since the last time you shopped. Here’s some of what you can expect….
