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