The New Year, 2017

In HVAC & IAQ terms, this year is going to be great.
 We're all going to learn something new...
Let's start with the informal education; like the term HVAC - Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning and IAQ - Indoor Air Quality;  there you have it it simple and pretty self-explanatory.
 As for the greatness of the New Year, I feel as if some of the restrictive or controlling regulations in our industry are going to be loosened, lessened, or altogether removed this year; this will benefit the marketplace & therefore be better for the service providers (AKA small business) & more importantly, better for the Consumers! 
Healthy competition is always good for the marketplace, driving value, ethics, competency & professionalism in the buying environment; who wouldn't want that?
Licensing is one regulation we need & it is paramount to the operation of a small business in Florida, in the HVAC field; Whether you are providing large scale HVAC services to big commercial accounts or if you are a Mom & Pop shop providing Air Duct cleaning & residential Filter services...You need to be licensed; It's the same for many industry tradesman, like Electricians, Roofers, Plumbers... You don't want to hire a tradesman that is not competent or qualified to do a job like this and NOT being licensed is surely a big "TELL" for competency, training, experience & Ethics in the marketplace.

Continuing education goes along this the licensing & qualification part of being in business.
Just imagine if you weren't familiar with the technology changes that we all live with every day; Like computers, Smart phones and access to the internet... I remember my skills needed a significant update when I got my 1st smart phone a few years ago.
Thank goodness for my younger  Tech-Savvie Employees...
The same is true for continuing Education in the trades; things change & there is always a requirement for needed training and education.
LASTLY, just watch the transformation of Automated Home Technology this year and the next 2 or 3 years.
Every year this time, I have a new-found Optimism for what lies ahead on the short & long haul
Happy New Year!

Scan this code to start your New Years learning process for 2017

Air Duct Cleaning Scams

Why are there so many scams?
Where is the honesty in business? Everybody wants a shortcut or a easy way out ! THIS is understandable given our current economical situation but this is not the reality of the world we live in today. We have to look our for our selves... WE have to get us out of this mess we have gotten into.

People, you have to do the work! its as simple as that;  NO LOW ROADS OR SHORT CUTS!!!!
But I also think that the consumer needs to be aware of what a "load of goods" they are being sold.

There are no $10 diamond rings... this is a fallacy... Nor are there $99 or $159 Air Duct Cleaning jobs... remember, if it sounds too good to be true... it probably is !
Most often, this CHEAP, BAIT 'NSWITCH, BLO 'N GO DEAL is an UNLICENSED CONTRACTOR; and that is misusing the term "contractor" because in Florida, these carpet cleaning leeches are not required to be "contractors"; They are the furthest thing from "a Licensed Contractor"...  you don't need to be a contractor to clean carpets, windows, or do pressure-washing in this state but if your are going to Inspect, Clean or Restore an HVAC System  You damn well better have an HVAC contractors License for the STATE OF FLORIDA
 
Lets get back to the honest effort that our forefathers (or even our parents or grandparents) used to put out as wise consumers;  to the actual true meaning or values of "The American Dream" and being responsible, wise or self reliant.  At least accept the blame if your get scammed.  Lets face is you are un-uneducated consumer if you get burned by a bait &switch.  Take charge of your own situation, don't let someone else have to cover the tab when you get burned.  Do the research.
Lots of people chalk it up to technical advancement in so many areas of modern life, but I believe we have all gotten very lazy... Technology is a wonderful thing for all of us but we must maintain principles & INTEGRITY to move forward  with all this technology...
There will always be somebody from far away trying to separate you from your money... but just use your Head !
SHOP locally, Ask questions, Be patient, & Demand excellence from you business contacts or merchants ....THINK
What does this have to do with Air Duct Cleaning?.... Ethics?  Nothing, except the obvious...  as a local small business owner, this article makes me feel better; because as I go thru my business week I think a lot of people feel that same way that I do, as I have expressed here... I want to do something about it.  The title of this BLOG does include "WE THE PEOPLE" ... The state an for reference to this entry, the State of Florida doesn't have the manpower to police every scammer & con-artist out there trying to separate you from your money; the consumer needs to accept the responsibility for their own  judgement, And WHY NOT,  do the research, the technology to figure out who's who is right at the end of your fingertips...
You call me & you be the judge.
For more info on business ethics, Air Duct Cleaning  or Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) go to
www.gulfcoastaircare.com

Solar Tax Credit? really? what about existing waste...

Well the voters have spoken.... "Solar" get tax exempt status...
How many people plan on doing a solar project? What does it cost?
Will is  "pull its own weight" in the energy savings arena? What is the projected payback?
many many questions...
I have one... Why don't we focus on the energy waste that nearly every home has due to duct leakage & increased power & Utility costs, for the consumer & producer?
Bring back credits for insulation, HVAC energy improvements, like duct sealing & air sealing and tightening of the building envelope...

We have so much waste right now existing in the current housing stock, but yet our legislators and power brokers that are subject to the influence of special interest want to focus on programs that are "pie in the sky" returns and defacto failures for the recent past.. remember Solyndra?  where did that half a billion dollars go to?
With half a billion dollars applied to tax credits for home energy improvements, that we had as recently at 2008 & 2009 (from the previous administration, I might add) we could infuse the  local economy with consumer dollars saved from reduced power bills each & every month... in the areas where the work is done, the job is produced & the power grid and its environmental effects are reduced...
Imagine tighter duct systems, better, more efficient heating & cooling, better insulation and reduced demand for power during peak hours...
I don't want a mandate, just give the people the incentive to reduce their energy costs by reducing their energy consumption

Lots of people want to tax incentivize solar, but does the general public realize that for a typical $10,000 solar project, you could get significantly higher energy and comfort impact for a infinitesimal fraction of the cost of solar project; consider how much improvement you could have with a  $500-$1000 investment in the above listed energy improvements.
I guess that air sealing & duct sealing is just not SEXY enough on the political / special interest agenda

The Right Fluff

 Ok, picture this,

the attic is recently blown full of fiberglass insulation and you are happily waiting for the lower power bills for the next couple of summer months, Did you have all the duct work tested & sealed before you did that? What about your aluminum wiring or possibly the pex or polybutylene plumbing joints that are leaking all over the country?  Maybe even the cable guy or security system guys have to go up there…Did you get that work done first?  The Key to insulation is that its fluffed up for maximum R-value , if somebody has to work in your attic after you’ve insulated, then the new stuff is going to be all matted down & not worth a hoot…so much for your R-49 insulation project.

If you have dust issues or high power bills you should get a test of the duct or building envelope before you insulate, these issues can be way more costly than the benefit you will get from insulation. Don’t get me wrong Insulation is very important… but timing is everything!!!

So figure out what you might need done in the attic, schedule the inspections, & estimates, work, testing, etc. etc., and set a plan in motion; if it takes a year, then It takes a year… no big deal, However, here is what you should be thinking about before insulation…

 Duct Leaks ~ Do you have excessive Dust or Hot & cold rooms?  This is important because it indicates that there may be an issue in a specific part of the house or with the ducts in the attic. 

  High Utility bills ~ Just do a review of last Summer’s bill & see if it went way up, if you are on level-pay, look at your actual electricity usage  or consumption, If you have high power bills it could be that you need insulation or duct sealing.

Get the right kind of fluff!!!! Don’t have somebody crawling thru you new insulation job because you got out of sequence on your energy upgrade… If you need help with a project plan

Call us at (850) 677-0020

Remember, for our area Gulf Power recommends  R-49 insulation & the code is R-39 on new construction at a minimum…

  So Get Your Fluff Right!

 Go to our website for more Health, Comfort & Energy tips

www.gulfcoastaircare.com

or E-mail Todd@gulfcoastaircare.com

Spring Checkup 2016

Here on the Gulf Coast, it's the 3rd full week of April, and even though we are enjoying pleasant weather, it is time for the "Dreaded Spring HVAC Checkup"... Now is the time to have a service company like Gulf Coast Air Care, to inspect your unit & see how things are looking going into the Summer season; warmer weather  will be here before you know it.
I know this is an easy inspection to let slide,  but its better to check it out before you get too far into the season.
Lets do an analogy... you don't check the oil in you car when you run to the grocery store, or when heading off to work every day, but this inspection is like going on a 5000 mile family Vacation/Adventure.... and nobody wants to break down on that trip, its just a hassle.
 So you check the oil, fill us the windshield washer fluid & adjust the tire pressure before you head out on the road... That is what you need to do for your A/C equipment this Spring. Get an inspection before you head out into the long hot Summer..
Just food for thought.
If you would like help, tips or advice regarding your Comfort or Health or Energy usage for you home or business...Contact Gulf Coast Air Care
 or go to our website at www.gulfcoastaircare.com

Spring Time Prep

Time to get that HVAC system looked at for the long hot summer season that will be here before you know it.
here are 3 things to check so you  don't have a problem...



1) Change the Air filter & put in a clean one




2) find the drain-line & make sure it clear, not buried underground & not all plugged up with mud or slime; the secret is to make sure there is clear water coming out & not some slimy gunky stuff clogging up the works!!

3) Get an inspection done by your HVAC company and make sure they check the refrigerant levels, the amp draw on the compressor and the condition of the outside unit including a visual inspection of wiring & smaller components like the capacitors & contactor... I know this sounds a little complicated or technical but just make a quick note & ask the tech , he won't take any short cuts because your using lingo her can relate to!!!


If you follow these 3 tips, you wont get any big surprises on the 4th of July with a house full of Guests & an A/C system that cant keep up with the heat-load... You know the old Fram oil filter commercial...You can pay me now or pay me later.  Don't let that happen to you

If you need any help with any of this,
Air Filter, Can't find the drain line or its clogged or need a check up
Call us at Gulf Coast Air Care (850) 934-2768
www.gulfcoastaircare.com

Summer A/C Secrets for Hot Humid Climates

Ok we've reached that point on the calendar where we all are paying attention to our thermostat & our power bill. 
At least here on the Gulf Coast...
The secrets are as follows:

#1)
Do not run your A/C system with the "fan" in the "Fan ON" or "ON" position
Use the "FAN AUTO" or "AUTO" position unless you want mold growing in your ducts and in your home.  The fan in "AUTO" (setting on the thermostat) will allow the blower fan to cycle on and off with the A/C  as it runs normally thru the day; if you leave the fan in the "on"  position it will run continuously & never let the water drain off the coil.  Thus pushing the re-evaporated water into the ducts & down through the system where it will be wet enough to sustain mold growth.

This leads us to secret number 2:


 #2) If your system is sized correctly for the home & heat load, if will probably run all afternoon on the hottest days of the year... you see, design temperature is the very highest temperature your climate will see for short periods of time.   The rest of the A/C run time is usually below that design temperature so the heat load is not high enough to require a big unit that can handle all temps in all cases.  The unit need s to work a little bit on the hot days to keep up. This is proper design by size. ( for BTU's)
This  seems counter-intuitive to some people because all they think about is their power bill but if your A/C unit can cool the building down in just a few minutes, on the hottest days...IT IS OVER SIZED...!
Remember , BIGGER IS NOT BETTER when it comes to Air Conditioning
THE LEADS INTO OUR LAST SECRET
#3)
Longer run times in our hot & humid climate will allow the A/C unit to pull more moisture from the indoor "conditioned" space... In other words, if your unit runs 4-6 minutes and shuts off because it meets the temperature requirement on the thermostat, then you're not getting all the De-humidification you could from your system... let it run... you'll be cooler & have less humidity in the indoor space... now this should only happen when there is a heat-load on the house like afternoon sun or higher temps during the day, if it runs all the time on cooler days  or like, when it rains & cools things off... THAT is another problem.

Think Duct leakage or Duct Sizing. Time & time again we see spiffy new A/C equipment hooked up to a ratty 'ol duct system, you know 30 year old duct & 30 day old equipment... not a good fit and definitely not the result you want from your "home comfort system"...

The last thing is NOOO secret...
Get your duct leakage checked!  If you have all the ducts leaking if won't matter how you run the system your are Air Conditioning your attic or crawl space

For more information contact Gulf Coast Air Care