100,000 + air conditioning systems recalled for shock hazard!

Name of Product: Recalled: Trane XB300 and American Standard Silver SI Air Conditioning Systems

Why?  The ground screws used in some units do not have the two threads required to provide sufficient grounding, posing a shock hazard to consumers.

If you have one of these systems please call Trane toll-free at (888) 731-7561 from 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 11 p.m. CT Sunday, or online at www.trane.com/residential and click on “XB300 Product Recall” for more information. Consumers can also log onto http://www.americanstandardair.com and click on “XB300 Product Recall” for more information.

This recall involves 37 models of Trane XB300 and American Standard brand Silver SI split system outdoor cooling units. The units are gray and have a black grated front. The units were sold in two sizes, 25.5 inches deep by 23.5 inches wide by 28.83 inches tall and 28.83 inches deep by 28.48 inches wide by 29.28 inches tall. The Trane or American Standard logo is affixed to the front and model numbers are printed on the silver nameplate on the back of the unit. Models included in the recall are: 

2TTM3018A1000A*    2TTM3024A1000A*    2TTM3030A1000A*    2TTM3036A1000A* 2TTM3042A1000A*    2TTM3048A1000A*    2TTM3060A1000A*    4A7M3018A1000A* 4A7M3024A1000A*    4A7M3030A1000A*    4A7M3036A1000A*    4A7M3042A1000A* 4A7M3048A1000A*    4A7M3060A1000A*    4TTM3018A1000A*    4TTM3018A1000B* 4TTM3018A1000C*    4TTM3024A1000A*    4TTM3024A1000B*    4TTM3024A1000C* 4TTM3024B1000A*    4TTM3030A1000A*    4TTM3030A1000B*    4TTM3030A1000C* 4TTM3030B1000A*    4TTM3036A1000A*    4TTM3036A1000B*    4TTM3036A1000C* 4TTM3042A1000A*    4TTM3042A1000B*    4TTM3042A1000C*    4TTM3048A1000A* 4TTM3048A1000B*    4TTM3048A1000C*    4TTM3060A1000A*    4TTM3060A1000B* 4TTM3060A1000C*

Consumers should immediately turn off the cooling unit via the main breaker switch and check the model information. Consumers with recalled air conditioning systems should contact Trane or their installer or service dealer for instructions on scheduling a free inspection and repair.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury go online to www.SaferProducts.gov or call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (301) 595-7054 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain news release and recall information at www.cpsc.gov, on Twitter @USCPSC or by subscribing to CPSC’s free e-mail newsletters.

If you are in need of air conditioning and heating replacement or repair, please call Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.  - for the quality and service you deserve!

Click here to schedule HVAC service   Visit us at http://www.keepingsarasotacool.com/

Always Make Sure You Hire A Licensed Air Conditioning Contractor

Here in Sarasota we have a huge problem with unlicensed contractors. 

The Sarasota County Sheriff's Office has been cracking down on these contractors who do substandard work, or even take your money and do no work at all.

Unfortunately, some people are tempted to try and save money by hiring unlicensed contractors.

If you think there is nothing wrong with hiring an unlicensed contractor, you should know that installations performed by an unlicensed contractor will void the manufacturer's warranty so you could be spending thousands of dollars on a unit that is not covered if it fails.

In addition to that, hiring an unlicensed contractor is a violation of Florida Statute 455.228 which can result in a civil penalty of up to $5,000 for the home or business owner and you could be liable for the court costs on top of that.

These tips from the Sarasota County Building department can protect you from predatory contractors:

•   Get a signed, detailed contract that spells out the work to be done, when, and for how much.
•   Ask for local references and check them.
•   Verify the company's reputation with organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce.
•   Ask to see the contractor's license and verify its status. To check a Sarasota County license call 861-6126.
•   Do not make a large down payment and do not pay in full until the work is complete.

For more information on how to choose a contractor – click here to download a checklist.

If you are in need os air conditioning and heating replacement or repair, please call Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.  And if you decide to call another company, please protect yourself and do your due diligence.

Click here to schedule HVAC service

Beware the Air Conditioning Bait and Switch

The Sarasota Summer is here, and the southwest Florida heat seems to bring out the bait and switch con artists.

You’ll start seeing air conditioning special ads appear in your mailbox.  One is the usual $19.95 tune up special.  The air conditioning company will offer a very cheap price to get their foot in the door.  They claim they will check out your AC system and make sure it’s running perfectly, but usually they find problems, parts that need to be replaced, or even suggest the whole system needs to be replaced.   That $19.95 checkup turns into hundreds, or even thousands of dollars.

Just ask yourself this; If you owned an AC company – could you afford to pay a technician and send a truck out to someone’s house for only $19.95?  The person who shows up to perform the $19,95 special is likely to be a salesman working on commission.  It is to their advantage to take you are as much money as they can.

Another ad you will see is the scary mold and dust mite duct cleaning ad telling you that the air you are breathing is deadly, but for only $49.95 you can get your ducts cleaned and save your family from a horrible fate!.

The Better Business Bureau warns against duct cleaning "bait and switch" scams.  Not only is duct cleaning itself usually ineffective, once inside a customer's home, technicians routinely mislead homeowners into paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for additional work.

Unless you are in a commercial setting with ducts that are designed to be cleaned, there's no scientific evidence that regular duct cleaning improves air quality, according to the Environmental Protection Agency.
So what is the best thing you can do for your air quality?

Checking and changing filters, keeping systems maintained and having regular maintenance performed on your AC System will do far more good than trying to clean the ducts.  Also, installing UV lights can help to rid your home of bacteria, viruses and germs that reside in the air you breathe. UV lights will also prevent these and other particles from building up on the indoor coil which can inhibit airflow and reduce heating and cooling efficiency.

Many of these “bait and switch” companies have only been in business a short time.  They operate under one name, then close and reopen with a new name a few months down the road.  Sometimes, it’s even hard to know who actually owns the company.   This is why it is important to do a little research before you let anyone in your home.  See how long they have been in business, read reviews, and even look up their license and make sure it is in the owner’s name.

Remember, cheapest is never best!  And anytime you get a price for any work, it is always a good idea to get a second opinion.

If you are looking for an Air conditioning company that has your best interests at heart, please consider Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.  Feel free to call us anytime for a complimentary second opinion or estimate on a new system. 

Even if you don’t end up using us, we’d still like the opportunity to earn your trust while providing you with the information you need to make an educated decision.

Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.  “The quality and service you deserve”

Make sure that your Air Conditioning System is on your Hurricane Preparedness Checklist!

If you live in Florida, you’ve probably seen, or experienced firsthand, the amount of damage that strong winds and heavy rains can cause, and you probably already have a routine that you break into whenever inclement weather is on the horizon. 

But do you prepare your Air Conditioning System?

If it looks like a power outage is inevitable, turn off your Air Conditioning System! Turning off the A/C, before the power goes out, greatly reduces the risk of blowing circuits and burning out the compressor when the power returns, and it protects the system from devastating power surges. 

Nearly 90% of all electrical system damage occurs when the A/C is left on during thunderstorms and hurricanes. You may have to tolerate a bit of heat and humidity when you turn off your A/C, but leaving it on could cost you thousands of dollars in repairs. It is safe to say that, in this case, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure...

Please click here to visit our website and learn more about preparing your air conditioning for a hurricane.