Andy's Air Blog

Do it yourself Air Conditioner Service.

2011-05-31T07:17:00.000-07:00

Want to know what to check before calling for A/C service?

• Are all switches on the Thermostat in the correct operating position?

• Are the air conditioning circuit breakers in the “ON” position?

• Do you have a clean filter? Failing to change your filters will result in higher electric bills and cause your air conditioning system to fail before its time.

• Some ac units and thermostats have a 2 to 5 minute delay relay that may delay the unit from coming back on immediately. Be patient before calling for service. This is particularly important after a power failure.

• Be careful not to start and stop your unit. Turning the thermostat up and on at short intervals or switching it off and on can cause compressor problems.

• Check out your condenser (outside unit); be sure there is no debris causing your condenser to be starving for air.

• Is the air handler draining properly? You may be able to blow out the drain line to allow the system to begin to drain again. Pouring a bit of bleach through the drain once cleared will kill any algae growth that has occurred in the drain.

Always remember, regular maintenance on your heating and air conditioning system is your best bet to minimize breakdowns.

Feel free to call us anytime to discuss any air conditioning issues you may have.

We are here for you at 727-447-1903.

Why does my house smell like dirty socks when I turn on my heat?

2011-02-10T08:17:00.000-08:00

Yesterday, we received a call from a customer and friend complaining that their house smelled like dirty gym socks once they turned on their heat. Their heat was working fine but their house smelled horrible.

This is a result of Dirty Sock Syndrome. Yes, a very strange name. This happens in heat pumps because unlike straight cool heating elements, the heating cycle is not hot enough to kill the bacteria and mold that has grown on the coils since the unit was used last. The temperature is just warm enough to slowly bake off the organic odor and create that horrible dirty sock smell.

What can you do?

Let the system run and run and run. Until it bakes off all that bacteria and mold, you will continue to have the smell. Spraying disinfectant into the return air while the system is running will help. The waiting is the hardest part!

Summer is just around the corner.

2011-02-09T12:06:00.000-08:00

The groundhog didn't see his shadow. That means spring is on its way. In Florida, Spring turns into Summer quickly, so are you ready?

We suggest you do the following to prepare for this years cooling season.

•Purchase 6 months of filters and change them monthly. Changing your filters monthly will allow your system to breathe. A system that can breathe will have less repairs and will take longer to wear out.

•Clean any debris away from your condenser. Use a garden hose to "blast off" any leaves or dirt that might "starve" your condenser of air.

•Purchase a programmable thermostat. You will find that setting your air a few degrees higher when you are not home will save you money.

•Have a check up performed on your air conditioning system. Click on this link for more information. http://www.clearwaterac.com/ResidentialServiceAgreements.html

•Think about replacing your worn out system with a new high efficiency system. Most air conditioners break during the peak of the cooling season. You don't want to be vulnerable and have to wait for days for a new system and not make the right product choice in the "heat" of the moment

We are here for you 365 days a year. Call us when you need us....we'll be here. 727-447-1903.

Happy Holidays 2010!!

2010-12-17T06:03:00.000-08:00

Make sure your Heat works before Winter hits.

2010-10-21T09:00:00.000-07:00

It happens every year. The windows are open all October. You enjoy turning off our A/C, breathing the fresh air and lower your progress energy bill.

Then it happens, around Dec 15th. The first cold day of the year. Its not that cold in Florida, however, these block houses and terrazzo floors are awfully cold when its 45 degrees outside. You turn on our heat and....it doesn't work.

Don't be caught off guard this year. Have your Heating system checked out before you need it.

Call us to schedule your check up on your Heating and Air Conditioning system.

Florida Rebate Suspended!!!

2010-09-17T08:19:00.000-07:00

Well, we knew it was too good to be true.

The Florida Energy and Climate Commission suspended the Energy Star HVAC rebate program as of Sept 15, 2010. This was a program giving homeowners up to $1500 for installing a qualified energy star Air Conditioning System and having their duct work tested to ensure proper size. That's a $1500 rebate on top of the $1500 tax credit being offered by the Federal Government.

The reason:
Our legislators are arguing this fact: Can Florida spend the money they (the state) received from the federal government for this rebate program without budget approval? There is not a line item in the budget since the budget was finalized in May, and this rebate did not arrive until august.
Governor Christ is pushing for this...asking the legislative Budget commission to release the funds.

We will keep you posted.......

Florida ENERGY STAR® Residential HVAC Rebate Program

2010-08-31T05:24:00.000-07:00

The State of Florida is now offering a rebate for changing out your inefficient air conditioning system. Follow this link to see more information on Florida's new program.

http://www.rebates.com/floridahvac/

You can also receive a Tax credit from the Federal Government.
Find out more at:

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Progress energy also offers a rebate. Information is available at:

http://www.progress-energy.com/custservice/flares/energyhome/heatpump.asp

Take advantage of these offers. Call us for an estimate on replacing your tired A/C system. Deal direclty with the owner and save. 727-447-1903

Summer is Here---2010

2010-05-19T06:20:00.000-07:00

Most of us went from heating season, to pollen season, to full blast air conditioning season, all in a couple weeks. We didn't have much time to enjoy having the windows open and smell the fresh air. Well, like I said, Summer is here!!

Remember to change your filters often this season. If you feel your system isn't working correctly, give Andy a call. IF your thinking of changing out your old and tired system, we have FPL rebates available, and you may qualify a 1500 tax credit. Remember this is only good until the end of 2010.

We are here for all your air conditioning needs. 727-447-1903

Looks like smoke is coming out of my air conditioner.

2010-01-12T05:39:00.001-08:00

Did you see smoke coming out of your air conditioning unit this morning? We have received many calls from panicked customers. No need to panic.

Its cold here in Florida and our heat pumps are working overtime. Its so cold that ice forms on the outside of the heat pump unit. This is perfectly normal. The heat pump senses the ice and switches into defrost mode which causes the unit to look like it is smoking. What happens is the fan will stop spinning, and the valves will hold all the refrigerant inside the machine, and it will groan and shutter. You will see steam which looks like smoke. The unit is doing its job in defrost mode to melt the ice and will resume normal operation shortly. Do not shut off your system as this will interrupt the process. Its a scary sight but all is perfectly normal and a process that is typical of a heat pump system.

Don't have a heat pump? Straight cool systems are working even harder this season. Its so hard for a 5 or 7.5 kw heater to heat up a whole house in 30 degree weather. Now is the time to think about installing a heat pump. The heat is much warmer, cheaper and rebates are available from the power company. Feel free to call us for a free estimate. 727-447-1903 Deal directly with the owner and save!!

Pictures---Remember to change your FILTERS!!

2009-12-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

You hear it over and over gain, "Change your filters", in order to maintain an healthy and long lasting air conditioning system.

We recently changed an air handler for a customer who either did not change their filter, or did not use a filter at all. See pictures below:

Here is a picture of a customers air handler who routinely changed their filters:

Failing to change your filters will result in higher electric bills and cause your air conditioning system to fail before its time.

Just another reminder to "Change your FILTERS!!!!"

Tight Spaces

2009-10-01T07:52:00.001-07:00

Angie's List

2009-09-22T08:13:00.000-07:00

A special "Thank You" to our Customer, (you know who you are), who gave us an "A" rating on Angies List.

We really appreciate your support!

If you are a member of Angies list, check out our "A" rating at

http://www.angieslist.com/angieslist/

R-22 Air Conditioning Phase Out

2009-09-22T08:07:00.000-07:00

Have you heard the buzz about the phase out of Air Conditioning systems that use R-22 Refrigerant? R-22 Refrigerant is the "Freon" that runs your R-22 Air Conditioning system. This equipment is scheduled to be phased out January 1, 2010. Here is a link from the EPA that explains the discontinuation. http://www.epa.gov/Ozone/title6/phaseout/22phaseout.html

R-22 is being replaced by a more Eco-friendly "Refrigerant" called R-410A. R-22 Condensers cannot be combined with R-410A Air Handlers, just as R-22 Air Handlers cannot be combined with R-410A Condensers. Therefore, when one of the two components fail (R-22 Condenser or Air Handler), many people will find themselves changing out their whole system to an R-410A system.

What does this mean to you, Our customer?

We will be able to "service" your R-22 system until 2020. That's 12 more years. Once the system has a leak, we will need to try to repair the leak or change out the system to an R-410A system. What if you recently replaced your R-22 Condenser/or Air Handler?

If you recently changed out your Condenser only, or Air Handler only, with an R-22 unit, you may want to consider changing the other unit in the next few months. At this time, you can still get an R-22 ARI matched Air Handler or Condenser. The manufactures have started depleting their supply of R-22 units to allow for the extinction on January 1, 2010 and are no longer taking orders for R-22 Equipment. If your older air handler/condenser stops working, and there is no longer any R-22 units available, you will have to change out the whole system (air handler and condenser) to a R-410A system.Up until this point, when you were faced with the diagnosis that your air handler or condenser needed replaced; it was economical at the time to replace only that component, rather than the whole system. Times are tough for all and changing out one of the two components saved you money. After January 1, 2010, this is no longer an option or legal, for that matter.

Now is the time to take advantage of this limited availability of the R-22 units. When they’re gone, that’s it.

Questions? Call Andy to discuss this further, or to get a price on creating a matched system. As always, Andy's Air has fair and honest pricing. We are here to help you!!! 727-447-1903

Time Flies

2009-07-27T07:04:00.000-07:00

It's hard to believe its been almost 3 months since our last blog. I guess that's summer in Florida....busy, busy, busy and how time flies.

Many of our customers have taken advantage of the Florida Power Rebate and 2009 Tax credit offered by the government. Many of our customers have changed out their systems to lower their electric bill (and have done so successfully).

We have also seen a rise in repairs this years...as opposed to changing out an old system. With money tight these days, repairing your system is the only choice. Call us for honest and affordable prices. It is important to shop around and be sure you are choosing a company you really trust!!

Note the picture below. Jake cant wait to work for his dad someday...

Summer is here! Early!

2009-05-11T11:30:00.000-07:00

Many of you turned your thermostats directly from heat to cool this spring. Its only the beginning of May and August temperatures have arrived!

We have many things to offer this summer season to help you save money.

Our federal government, we the people, have enable up to a $1500.00 tax credit for installing a new high efficiency air conditioning system. Florida Power also allows a rebate of up to $350.00 to change out your system. You will see lower electric bills and a more comfortable home.

Most importantly, it is important that you maintain your current system correctly.
CHANGE YOUR FILTERS! We have seen so many compressors die before their time, because they were unable to breathe due to a clogged filter. Set a reminder to change these filters monthly!!!! It will allow your system to live longer, and in turn, save you money.

As always, feel free to call us with any questions you have regarding your system. Over the phone advice and discussion are free. We live and breathe this stuff...and would love to discuss any concerns you may have.

Call us at 727-447-1903 and deal directly with the owner!!

ITS COLD IN FLORIDA!

2009-02-24T10:28:00.000-08:00

I'm sure you all are tired of this cold weather in Florida. Its not warm enough to open the windows.....but its not cold enough to turn on the heat. We just freeze in these cinder block homes and hope that the sun will heat us up a degree, or two, during the day.

What normally goes hand in hand with a cold winter is a hot summer. SO get ready....here we go.

Now is the time to have your preventative maintenance performed. We can check out your system to ensure that it will be ready when the summer finally hits.

There are also many new incentives for homeowner to upgrade their system.

Check out our website at www.clearwaterac.com to see how the new 2009 stimulus bill can earn you $1500.00 tax credit. This combined with a Florida Power Rebate, and the money you will save each month on your power bill, will allow the upgrade to pay for itself in no time.

Don't wait for the last minute...when contractors are slammed in the summertime. Call us now for your free estimate and let us show you how much you can save.

Andy's Air, Inc. 727-447-1903

We do our job well

2009-01-29T07:11:00.000-08:00

This month has been a full of news stories. Many of them very depressing, as we all try to dig out from this economic mess our country is in. However, we all realized one miracle this month......which allowed us one bright spot and a feeling that anything is possible.

Chesley "Sully" Sullenberger.

We all know the story...how many lives he saved....how he so eloquently laid down a huge plane in the Hudson which floated long enough for all the passengers to get out safely.

President Obama's comments on this situation really opened open our eyes as business owners. His words were "if we could all do our job as well as Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger, we would all be a lot better off." How true this is. We wouldn't have these crazy mortgages that are now going into default. Many people would still have their life savings and wouldn't have fallen victim to ponzi schemes. Many of us would still have our jobs; if the higher ups in the company weren't only looking our for themselves and their own personal gain. (I could go on and on)

Andy's Air is a small company, dedicating itself to residential and light commercial service and installation. We are not looking to become the biggest air conditioning company in Pinellas County. We are interested in doing each and every job as well as Chelsey "Sully" Sullenberger. This takes a little extra time with each customer and assuring that the job is done correctly the first time. We do this by staying small, allowing our owner Andy Dennis to oversee each and every job. Andy is also able to answer the phone personally to help answer your questions up front, before we even get to your house.

Andy has always tried to do the right thing stating "I want to be able to sleep at night".

When you are choosing an air conditioning company, we hope that you deceide that bigger is not always better...and that you want a company with virtue and value...trying to make this world a better place.

Higher Electric Bills to come.....

2009-01-08T08:23:00.000-08:00

Such turbulent times these are! The stress off the holidays are over...only shadowed by the stress of the new year and the slipping economy. Gas prices fluctuate, food prices are high and our paycheck seem to be lower. Of course, many have lost their jobs, etc....I could go on and on.

This year, 2009, the power company has vowed to raise their rates. It is rumored it could go as high as 30%. I'm hoping (any praying) that it wont go that high....but even at 15% what would happen. That is an increase of $15.00 per $100.00 per month. My 1600sq ft home averages about $275.00 in the heat of the summer. (this is much lower than many of my friends). A 15% increase would make my bill $317.00. That's $42.00 more each month.

This has really freaked us out....so we run around all day and night turning off lights, computers, TVs. However, the bulk of this power bill is caused by my appliances including my air conditioner.

We replaced our a/c system 2 years ago and began to see approx a $100.00 drop in our electric bills the following summer. As I said, our bills have run $275.00 in the hot summer months. Many of my friends are paying well over $400.00 for the same size house and that is before the proposed increase. These friends have old a/c systems.....how much they could save if they would just invest in their home.

The best part is...since I have replaced my straight cool a/c unit to a heat pump...my heating bills have been cut by more than 1/2. I can keep my heat on during the day and maintain my heat/cool at 76 all year round. When I say my bills are $275 a month...that's heating or cooling my house to 76 degrees!!!

Replacing your old in efficient air conditioning system will save you in the long run. With the proposed increases in energy...now is the time to bite the bullet and change out that system.

For an investment of approximately $2500-$5000 (depending on the size of your home)...you could save at least $75-100 per month on your electric bill. This will pay for itself in no time...while you add value to your home.

Feel free to call us for a free estimate on changing out your system. 727-447-1903.

2008-12-31T13:21:00.000-08:00

We would like to take this opportunity to wish all of our Customers, Vendors, Friends and Employees a Happy New year. Best of luck to all in 2009!!