Air Conditioning Thermostat Tips

What do I set my thermostat to?

The most economical operation of your system comes from setting the thermostat properly.

Set the thermostat at the highest summer setting or the lowest winter setting at which you are comfortable. Typical settings are 78 degrees for summer cooling and 70 degrees for winter heating. When cooling, your operating costs increase from 3% to 8% for each degree your thermostat is lowered.

In hot weather, should I turn my thermostat up when I leave for work in the morning?

If your house is going to be empty for more than about four hours, it is a good idea to turn your thermostat up to about 82 degrees instead of 78, which is usually recommended.

When you come home, do not set the thermostat any lower than the temperature you actually desire. Your air-conditioning system will not cool any faster and can easily waste money by cooling your home more than is needed.

Should a thermostat be set to "auto" or "on"?

When the thermostat is set to "auto," the fan operates only when the temperature requires it.

This is the most used setting. However, there are advantages to using the "on" setting. First of all, the air in the house is constantly filtered through the unit's air filter. Secondly, the constantly circulating air results in an even temperature throughout the house.

Need AC?  Call  Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.at 941-921-7208 or visit our website at www.keepingsarasotacool.com

What makes us different from other air conditioning companies?

"The quality and service you deserve"

Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. would like to help make you and your family more We provide residential and commercial air conditioning repair, maintenance, and new installation throughout Sarasota and Manatee counties.

We are able to handle air conditioning and heating jobs that the average HVAC Company can’t.  We specialize in retrofitting and custom designing energy efficient air conditioning systems for both residential and commercial applications.  We also offer emergency service 7 days a week so when your AC stops working at 10:00 on a Saturday night you won’t have to wait until Monday morning.

Some air conditioning companies go for the fast easy money and do not plan on even being around a few years down the road.  At McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., we want to earn your trust, we are here to stay, and we will work closely with you and help you choose the best air conditioning system that will give you many years of service.

Our highly trained technicians are NATE Certified. We pride ourselves in offering extraordinary quality and exceptional attention to detail on every job we perform.

Our goal is to constantly raise the bar for customer satisfaction and to set the standard for all other Air Conditioning and Heating contractors to follow.

Click here to visit our Sarasota Florida Air Conditioning contractor website

Is Your AC Technician A "Jack Of All Trades?"

It is estimated that over half of all air conditioning systems operating in the U.S. were not installed properly.

An improperly installed system will not work efficiently and will result in expensive repair and utility bills. Hiring the cheapest contractor is never a good idea, and when it comes to the specialized and complicated industry of HVAC - you definitely need to hire a professional. The company that comes up with the lowest bid will have to cut their costs somewhere.

Examples of improperly installed air conditioning systems can include: undersized and un-insulated refrigerant lines, ducts not sealed or insulated, over sized or undersized air conditioning equipment, mismatched indoor and outdoor sections, improperly charged refrigerant, wiring that has not been upgraded.
Ever hear the saying "Jack of all trades - master of none".

A company that offers Air Conditioning, Plumbing, electrical and other services may not be able to offer the same high level of quality and service as a company that specializes in only Air Conditioning. Your local handyman definitely does not have the knowledge or the experience to properly maintain or repair your Air Conditioning.

Much in the same way that the backyard auto mechanic has become obsolete, the increasing sophistication of today's air conditioning systems requires technicians to constantly fine tune their skills.

Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. sticks with what we do best. No plumbing, no electrical, no landscaping - just the best Air Conditioning and heating!

Call us today and get the quality and service you deserve!

Air Conditioning Energy Saving Tips – Keep Cool And Save Money!

The quickest way to save energy on home cooling is to regularly clean or replace your AC filters.  New filters can lower your air conditioners energy consumption by up to 15%.

Annual air conditioner maintenance will not only help improve your comfort, but it will save money by improving the efficiency of the air conditioning system while also prolonging its life.  When you have your air conditioning unit serviced twice a year you can cut up to 17% of cooling costs.

Having a programmable thermostat installed can help save up to 10% on heating and cooling costs per year. When leaving the house – try to get into the habit of setting  the thermostat to at least 80 degrees, you will notice a significant decrease in your electric bill.

If you install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat – It can save over $200.00 per year and usually pays for itself within the first year. Some programmable thermostats even allow you to connect them to your computer for programming, and most models are very user friendly.

Using ceiling fans will allow you to raise the thermostat up to 4 degrees without affecting your comfort.
Insulate, seal, or replace ductwork, Air loss through ducts can account for up to 30% of a cooling systems energy consumption.

Did you know that you could reduce your air conditioning energy use 20% to 50% by switching to a high-efficiency air conditioning system?

If you have any questions, call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. at 941-921-7208 or visit www.keepingsarasotacool.com.

At Sean McCutcheons Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. We give our customers the quality and service they deserve!

Save money on electric bills with the HVAC Smart Chip

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is proud to announce that we are the first to offer this cutting edge, energy saving technology in Southwest Florida.

The HVAC Smart Chip is designed for easy retrofit into any residential or commercial HVAC system and it offers an average cost savings of 14% to 20% on cooling and 10% to 15% on heating!

The HVAC Smart Chip is a must-have for commercial and residential clients looking to save money on their electric bills while going green.

For more information on The HVAC Smart Chip, please click here to visit our Sarasota Air Conditioning website.

Germicidal UV Lights & Indoor Air Quality

People in Southwest Florida spend as much as 90% of their time indoors, but the air in our homes and other buildings can be more polluted than the air outside because it is constantly being recycled.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. can improve your indoor air quality by installing germicidal UV lights that will help prevent and destroy mildew, biological odors and other microbial contaminants before they colonize.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. can install a UV System for as little as $250.00 and rarely more than $675.00 for most residential applications.

For more information on Germicidal UV lights, click here.

Do you need to replace your current air conditioning system?

The challenge of retrofitting today's high efficiency systems is that, while they have become more efficient, they have also become much larger in size. It is important to have the right air conditioning and heating service provider in order to ensure proper installation and peak efficiency. Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is the retrofit expert.

Since 2003 Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. has been helping homeowners and businesses in Sarasota and Manatee counties upgrade and replace old and inefficient air conditioning equipment.

We have the experience, knowledge, and creativity to work "outside the box" in order to achieve the kind of results that meet our client's needs and consistently their expectations.

When it comes to air conditioning replacement or repair, you can trust Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating to do the job for you.

https://www.keepingsarasotacool.com/replacement-and-repair

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Now Offers The HVAC Smart Chip

Southwest Florida’s leading air conditioning and heating service provider is the first to bring this cutting edge, energy saving technology to the Sarasota area.

Driven by their commitment to providing the most advanced air conditioning and heating technologies and the most earth-friendly products available, Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is proud to announce that they are the first air conditioning and heating service provider in all of Southwest Florida to offer The HVAC Smart Chip.

The HVAC Smart Chip is designed for easy retrofit into residential and commercial HVAC systems and it offers an average cost savings of 14 to 20 percent on cooling and 10 to 15 percent on heating. The device has been tested on equipment form leading HVAC manufacturers and the energy savings have been verified by the California Energy Commission (CEC).

The HVAC Smart Chip monitors how long the AC unit runs, and automatically programs the fan to continue running until all the cold air that would normally remain trapped in the air ducts is delivered to the air conditioned space thereby reducing the number of times the AC compressor cycles, one of the biggest energy guzzlers in both commercial and residential businesses.

In heating mode, The HVAC Smart Chip reduces furnace run time by monitoring how long the furnace runs and activating the furnace fan at the end of the combustion cycle to stay on for up to 8 minutes longer. The additional fan run time extracts more heat from the furnace and reduces waste.

The HVAC Smart Chip is a must-have for commercial and residential clients looking to save money on their electric bills and go green.

If you would like more information about The HVAC Smart Chip or any of Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.’s products and services, contact David Gill at (941) 921-7208 or via e-mail at david@keepingsarasotacool.com.

Please visit our Sarasota air conditioning and heating website!

Why you should only hire licensed air conditioning contractors for your Sarasota Air Conditioning Work..

If an HVAC contractor is unlicensed, there is a very good chance that he does not have liability insurance or workers compensation insurance.

Most homeowner policies require that work must be done by a licensed contractor and provide no coverage for work that is not.

Florida Statute 489 requires contractors to be licensed.  Hiring an unlicensed contractor is a violation of Florida Statute 455.228 and is subject to a fine of up to $5,000.

Unlicensed Air Conditioning contractors typically do not have the appropriate education or qualification

which may result in poor quality work or unfinished projects. According to the State of Florida, very often unlicensed contractors also have criminal backgrounds.

If the contractor fails to pay any subcontractors – you may also be subject to liens placed on your property.
Is saving a few bucks really worth the risk?

Call the professionals at Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. and get the quality and service you deserve.

Did your Sarasota Air Conditioning System keep you cool all summer?

As fall approaches and the Florida weather starts cooling off, it may be a good idea to start planning ahead for next year. 

The worst time for your air conditioning system to break down is at the busiest time of the year.  A little preventive maintenance will keep your air conditioning system running smoothly.

You can also save money by getting your system serviced or repaired at slower times of the year.  Air Conditioning companies are more likely to run specials or offer discounts when business is slow.

If you need AC duct repair or replacement you will be quoted a better price at a cooler time of year since nobody wants to crawl around in a 120 degree attic.

So this fall when you are planning for the holidays, you may also want to plan for next summer.
Visit us today at https://www.keepingsarasotacool.com

2013 Tax Credits - Retroactive to January 1, 2012

A new Air conditioning System installed by Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. can get you up to $500 in federal tax credits.

Products purchased for your principal residence that were installed between January 1, 2012 and December 31, 2013 are eligible.

For example: Air Conditioners: $300 credit, Heat Pumps: $300, Packaged Air Conditioners: $300, Packaged Heat Pumps: $300, and Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan: $50 credit.

Call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Incwww.irs.gov.
. for more information, or visit

No high pressure sales!

Would you rather have a highly trained HVAC technician working on you air conditioning system, or  just someone who has mastered the 10 principles of persuasion?  

At Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. our techs are not salesmen, they don’t work for commission, and they will never talk you into paying for any service or repair you don’t actually need.  

No high pressure sales!  just the quality and service you deserve!
 

The truth about UV Lights and Indoor Air Quality

It is very likely that at one time or another you have wondered about your indoor air quality.

We are constantly being bombarded with information and statistics from a variety of places ranging from legitimate sources like the EPA website to misinformation deliberately put out there by unscrupulous companies trying to scare you into buying unnecessary equipment or services.  For example, there are companies that prey on the unsuspecting consumer by operating duct cleaning or duct sanitization scams intended only to get a salesman into your home to sell you services or equipment you probably don’t need.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. of Sarasota understands that sometimes it’s very hard to separate the truth from the fiction so we painstakingly research all new technology so that we can educate our customers, and we only recommend products that we genuinely believe in so that we can help you make the best possible choice.
We live in a world where Volatile Organic Compounds or VOCs as they are commonly known are less prevalent, cigarette smoking is becoming increasingly unacceptable and Americans, for the most part, are trying to live a healthier lifestyle, but we are still exposed to plenty of unstable environments and toxic substances that can adversely affect our health on a daily basis. It is a fact that indoor air can have higher levels of pollutants than outdoor air.

In our warm Florida climate, most people will keep windows and doors shut tightly while they run the air conditioning units for months at a time. If there is not enough outdoor air entering a home, pollutants can accumulate to hazardous levels.

These pollutants can come from anywhere; some more obvious sources include pesticides, paints and cleaning products, but indoor air pollutants can also come from furniture, floor coverings or even certain types of pressed wood used for cabinets. In addition to these indoor air pollutants that can accumulate in your home, improperly maintained air conditioning and heating units can create the perfect breeding ground for airborne microorganisms and bacteria. HVAC systems can circulate these viruses and germs around an entire home or office building in a relatively short amount of time.

Click here to read more

The Award Winning Air Conditioning Company

When it comes to excellence in Customer Service, Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is setting new standards. 
 

We are proud of the many awards we have received, including the Carrier Enterprise IAQ Award, Enterprise Achievement Award, and Several Leadership Awards. 

However,  we recognize that the reason we have these prestigious honors is because of our loyal customers who expect nothing less than the absolute best!   

To all of our customers who have made us what we are today, we thank you!  We may be an Award Winning Air Conditioning Company, but we will never forget who got us where we are.   And we will never stop exceeding your expectations!

Codding Cottage - Green Builder Josh Wynne’s award winning Sarasota home.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating installed the HVAC system. 

Codding Cottage was the First Platinum LEED Home Florida.

It was the second Platinum LEED Home in the United States.

And and the Southeast Building Conference presented a Grand Aurora Award for the home.   

Josh Wynne also earned the Best in American Living (BALA) platinum award for design excellence and marketability at the 2010 International Builders Show in Las Vegas.

If you need a new system we will guide you through the selection process to ensure that you get the right solution for your home comfort needs and your budget.

We offer high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems that save energy and money. Other products include filtration systems for keeping the indoor air quality healthy & clean. We have customizable solutions to match your family's lifestyle and comfort level.

Turn to the professionals at Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. for all of your comfort needs, and receive the exceptional service you deserve.

When the service tech shows up at your door, how do you know he is not a sex offender?

We all expect companies to act responsibly when hiring employees.  And when a technician or contractor shows up to our homes to perform work, we would like to think they do not have a criminal background.

After all, none of us would intentionally allow a criminal to come into our homes and interact with our families.

If you deal with a company or contractor that does not feel it necessary to be properly insured or licensed, chances are that they do not do background checks on their employees either.

At Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., we want our customers to have peace of mind knowing that each and every employee of ours is thoroughly background checked by Ask the Seal.

About ask the Seal:

“Ask the Seal performs annual background checks on employees who interact with the public or their personal information. Employees who pass the published background check criteria are issued photo ID cards verifying their checks. Companies with the Seal of Approval can send their customers an email with a photo of an employee and verification of their background check.  AsktheSeal.com is a consumer advocacy company and website based in Tampa, Fl. The peace of mind that AsktheSeal.com provides is priceless and is therefore free to consumers. Consumers depend on AsktheSeal.com to learn how to select the best and safest company for the job and to find companies with the Seal of Approval. Reputable companies depend on AsktheSeal.com to distinguish them from corner cutting competitors who pretend to offer the same safety and quality standards.”

For more information, please visit www.keepingsarasotacool.com
or call us at 941-921-7208.

The future of R-22 refrigerant.

R-22 is a refrigerant that was used in most residential air-conditioning systems until just a couple years ago. It is considered a greenhouse gas since the manufacture of R-22 it results in a dangerous by-product that adversely affects the environment.

The United States began phasing out R-22 in 2004, and from day one Sean McCutcheon's Air conditioning and Heating, Inc. informed customers of the eventual complete phase out of R-22 and recommended their customers consider purchasing new systems that used Environmentally Safe refrigerants.

As of January 1st 2010 – New A/C systems manufactured cannot use R-22 refrigerant.

Some air conditioning businesses have purposely mislead their customers about the future availability of R-22. There are some large Air Conditioning companies that have warehouses full of “new” systems manufactured before 2010 – and they will sell this equipment to customers at a discount without fully explaining the phase out of R-22.

Not only is R-22 harmful to the environment, but it will become more expensive and harder to get over time. Systems that use R-22 cannot easily be converted to the new refrigerant so customers will also experience costly repair bills in the future.

The average life of an Air Conditioner is 10 to 12 years, so HVAC companies that have sold systems in the last couple years without educating their customers about the future of R-22 have been doing their clients a great disservice!

Recent actions by the EPA have led to uncertainty about the availability of R-22 in the coming months. The EPA controls the production R-22, through allowances that limit how much each gas manufacturer and importer can produce or import in a given year.

The EPA recently realized that R-22 was not being depleted as quickly as expected, which led them to consider a more aggressive phase down. In other words, this means even less production of R-22 to a total of only 55 million pounds in 2012 versus approximately 100 million pounds in 2011.

This has already resulted in the price for R-22 skyrocketing to more than a 250% increase with limited supplies.

Eventually pricing and availability may stabilize, but consumers need to be informed about R-22 so they do not purchase a “discounted” system that will be very costly to maintain and repair down the road.

If you are buying a new system, make sure you select a dealer who will take the time to help you choose the best system, and will help you understand your different options.

If a company is offering a system at a price that seems too good to be true – chances are it probably is….

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Heat pumps during colder weather.

Many people prefer to have a heat pump. With a heat pump, you do not need to have a separate AC system and a heater, the heat pump actually provides both heating and cooling capabilities.

During colder temperatures a heat pump will extract heat from the air outside and pump it inside. This means that they use much less energy than even the most energy efficient furnaces.

Unfortunately however, heat pumps work best at temperatures above 40 degrees.

When it gets very cold and the air temperature falls below 40 degrees, the unit can freeze up. When this happens the system has to defrost itself. During a defrost cycle the air conditioning has to run in order to melt the ice, and the backup electric heater will turn on so cold air is not blown into the home. So basically you have AC and heat working at the same time which isn’t all that efficient.

The way to avoid this situation is to go ahead and turn the heat on before it gets that cold. On most thermostats this is listed as EM Heat (Emergency Heat) When a thermostat is set to this, only the heat will turn on when the temperature drops.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. advises that you test your electric heat before the temperature gets very cold. This way you know that you will have heat on those cold nights.

Most people never think to make sure the heat is working properly, and every year this results in great numbers of people calling AC repair companies for emergency service calls. There just aren’t enough AC techs to handle these calls and some people go days without heat.

Another great idea is to sign up for a preventative maintenance program. Your AC System will be completely checked every spring and fall so you will have peace of mind knowing it will heat when it needs to. Also, with a maintenance agreement, if you ever do need a repair, you will get priority as a preferred customer.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Air Conditioning Service For Property Managers

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. has much experience working with property managers and community associations to keep their air conditioning systems working properly. We help you provide your residents with the high quality of living they expect, and know how important it is to keep your tenants happy.

We have the expertise and the equipment to handle everything from single family residences to apartments and large condominiums.

Property managers and condominium associations choose Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. because they cannot afford to take the chance of using an HVAC company that has no experience with commercial properties. Inexperienced HVAC companies can often create unnecessary problems and headaches because they do not take into consideration the special requirements property managers have.

We understand that your budget is always a concern, and we will work with you to find the best solution. We will help you choose a system that is not only cost effective to begin with, but will save you much more money in the long run in reduced maintenance costs.

We ensure that all of your heating and cooling systems perform to our high standards of excellence. We offer System Upgrades, System Replacements and Preventative Maintenance.

Since Property Management is not a 9 to 5 job - we are there for you 7 days a week offering emergency service.

Sarasota Condominium Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

New Air Conditioning or Heat Pump?

One of the questions we are often asked is “should I install air conditioning and a furnace, or just install a heat pump?”

The basic difference between a heat pump and an air conditioner is that heat pumps can both cool and heat your home. An air conditioner is slightly more efficient at cooling, but if you live in an area where the temperature doesn’t drop below 40 degrees – a heat pump may be the best choice for you.

Of course there are those rare occasions when the weather does get unusually cold – even here in Sarasota. For example, back in 1983 the temperature actually dropped to 20 degrees. But normally there are few days in the winter when you’ll need to turn the heat on, and a heat pump will be more than sufficient for this task.
If you live in an area where the temperature often drops below 40 degrees, or if you just want the security of a furnace, you may choose to add a heater as your primary heating source.

The advantage of using a heat pump is that it draws heat from the air outside your home and transfers it to the inside of your home which makes a heat pump substantially less expensive to operate than a gas or oil furnace. So if the weather rarely falls below 40 degrees you will be able to heat your home much more affordably with a heat pump than by using a furnace. If the temperature is frequently colder than 40 degrees you may want to consider a backup furnace.

So is a heat pump right for you? Generally a heat pump is slightly more expensive than a central air conditioner, and they may cost a little more to install and maintain. Overall however, a high efficiency heat pump will save you much money in heating and cooling bills.

If you are considering replacing your old system, or if you are interested in learning more about heat pumps and if one would be a good choice for you, please call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. at 941-921-7208.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance