Being a Florida resident – it’s hard to imagine living through a summer without AC, but it wasn’t that long ago that residents of warmer climates had no means to artificially control the temperature in their homes and businesses.
You may not be familiar with the name Dr. John Gorrie, but he is the father of Air Conditioning. Back in 1851 Dr. Gorrie was granted the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration.
Dr. Gorrie served as mayor of Apalachicola Florida in 1837, and that is where he developed his machine. It’s purpose was to ease the suffering of yellow fever and malaria patients. It basically blew air over a bucket of ice and helped cool down hospital rooms full of patients.
However it wasn’t until 1902 that Willis Carrier came up with his idea "Apparatus for Treating Air" which was built for a Publishing company in New York. Chilled coils were used to cool air and lower humidity. Within the next few years air conditioners were installed in some hospitals, but mainly industrial buildings such as printing plants and textile mills.
The first Air conditioner units were very large, very expensive, and dangerous since ammonia was used as coolant.
Almost twenty years later a different coolant was used, and a central compressor was developed that greatly reduced the size of the air conditioning unit. By 1927 air conditioners were being installed in office buildings and department stores. A couple years later the white house was furnished with AC. Soon after world war II, smaller less expensive window units became available to the public.
So it wasn’t until the mid 1950’s that air conditioning was widely used in residential homes.
A lot has changed in the last 60 years – and most of the important changes have happened relatively recently. Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. stays on the leading edge of new air conditioning technology. With high efficiency units and alternative coolants, we help you save money in cooling costs, and we all help protect the environment.
If you are considering upgrading or replacing your current AC System, we would like the opportunity to work with you and help you find the best system for your needs.
If you have already talked to another company and are confused, or unsure if you have all of the information – we are happy to provide you with an expert second opinion.
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
2011 Federal Tax Credits for qualifying residential systems
Qualifying, high efficiency HVAC equipment may still be eligible for federal tax credits. These tax credits have been modified and extended through December 31, 2011 by the Tax Relief, Unemployment Insurance Reauthorization, and Job Creation Act of 2010.
This program is different from the previous program (effective in 2009-2010) in the following ways:
The maximum amount an eligible homeowner may receive in tax credits for purchasing qualifying products (upgraded insulation, windows, HVAC equipment or other eligible improvements) has been reduced from $1,500 to $500.
There is a $500 cap on these credits, but that cap is reduced by the total amount of residential energy property credits a homeowner has already claimed for purchases between 2006 and 2010.
If you have already claimed credits of $500 or more from improvements made prior to 2011, you will be unable to claim new credits for improvements made during 2011.
All furnaces and boilers, whether natural gas, propane or oil, must have an AFUE of 95 or above to be eligible for the credit.
The credit is no longer 30% of qualified residential energy property costs (including labor), but is now equal to an amount not to exceed:
Any advanced main air circulating fan: Max Credit $50.00
Natural gas, propane, oil furnace or boiler: Max Credit $150.00
Split system air conditioner : Max Credit $300.00
Split system heat pump: Max Credit $300.00
Package air conditioner: Max Credit $300.00
Package heat pump: Max Credit $300.00
Package gas / electric: Max Credit $300.00
In addition, these systems need to meet certain energy requirements.
Geothermal system tax credits are unaffected by these changes and remain in place as is through 12/31/2016.
If you have any questions, or you are thinking about upgrading or replacing your AC System, please call us – Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating – at 941-921-7208. Learn how Sean McCutcheon’s can keep you cool!
If you are interested in seeing if you qualify for any of the tax credits, please see your tax advisor to determine how these credits would apply in your circumstance.
This program is different from the previous program (effective in 2009-2010) in the following ways:
The maximum amount an eligible homeowner may receive in tax credits for purchasing qualifying products (upgraded insulation, windows, HVAC equipment or other eligible improvements) has been reduced from $1,500 to $500.
There is a $500 cap on these credits, but that cap is reduced by the total amount of residential energy property credits a homeowner has already claimed for purchases between 2006 and 2010.
If you have already claimed credits of $500 or more from improvements made prior to 2011, you will be unable to claim new credits for improvements made during 2011.
All furnaces and boilers, whether natural gas, propane or oil, must have an AFUE of 95 or above to be eligible for the credit.
The credit is no longer 30% of qualified residential energy property costs (including labor), but is now equal to an amount not to exceed:
Any advanced main air circulating fan: Max Credit $50.00
Natural gas, propane, oil furnace or boiler: Max Credit $150.00
Split system air conditioner : Max Credit $300.00
Split system heat pump: Max Credit $300.00
Package air conditioner: Max Credit $300.00
Package heat pump: Max Credit $300.00
Package gas / electric: Max Credit $300.00
In addition, these systems need to meet certain energy requirements.
Geothermal system tax credits are unaffected by these changes and remain in place as is through 12/31/2016.
If you have any questions, or you are thinking about upgrading or replacing your AC System, please call us – Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating – at 941-921-7208. Learn how Sean McCutcheon’s can keep you cool!
If you are interested in seeing if you qualify for any of the tax credits, please see your tax advisor to determine how these credits would apply in your circumstance.
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Environmentally Safe Refrigerants
Until recently, R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential air-conditioning systems. The manufacture of R-22 results in a dangerous by-product that adversely affects the environment. Older Air Conditioning systems can develop leaks that are slowly depleting the ozone. R-22 is considered a greenhouse gas.
R-22 is being phased out and manufacturers of residential and commercial air conditioning systems are now offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Many homeowners have been misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to service their central A/C systems.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air conditioning and Heating has been recommending Environmentally Safe refrigerants such as Puron since 2004. Unfortunately not all air conditioning companies have been informing their customers of the phase out of R-22, and as a result customers will see sky rocketing maintenance costs. R-22 has already increased in price over 400% and is now over $31.00 per lb.
Consumers need to take the phase out of R-22 into consideration when purchasing a new A/C system, or when having an existing system repaired.
As of January 1, 2010 the U.S. was required to reduce its consumption of HCFCs by 75%. R-22 may not be used in new equipment. As a result HVAC system manufacturers cannot produce new air conditioners and heat pumps that use R-22.
By January 1, 2020 the U.S. will reduce its consumption of HCFCs by 99.5%. Refrigerant that has been recovered, recycled and reclaimed will be allowed to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service existing air conditioners.
The Clean Air Act does not allow any refrigerant to be vented into the atmosphere during installation, service, or retirement of equipment. Therefore, R-22 must be recovered and recycled (for reuse in the same system), reclaimed (reprocessed to the same purity standard as new R-22), or destroyed. Sean McCutcheon’s Air conditioning and Heating takes great care to properly dispose of R-22 when removing old units.
We recover the R-22 refrigerant and turn it into reclamation and recycling depots for proper disposal or reuse.
R-22 is being phased out and manufacturers of residential and commercial air conditioning systems are now offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Many homeowners have been misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to service their central A/C systems.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air conditioning and Heating has been recommending Environmentally Safe refrigerants such as Puron since 2004. Unfortunately not all air conditioning companies have been informing their customers of the phase out of R-22, and as a result customers will see sky rocketing maintenance costs. R-22 has already increased in price over 400% and is now over $31.00 per lb.
Consumers need to take the phase out of R-22 into consideration when purchasing a new A/C system, or when having an existing system repaired.
As of January 1, 2010 the U.S. was required to reduce its consumption of HCFCs by 75%. R-22 may not be used in new equipment. As a result HVAC system manufacturers cannot produce new air conditioners and heat pumps that use R-22.
By January 1, 2020 the U.S. will reduce its consumption of HCFCs by 99.5%. Refrigerant that has been recovered, recycled and reclaimed will be allowed to service existing systems, but chemical manufacturers will no longer be able to produce R-22 to service existing air conditioners.
The Clean Air Act does not allow any refrigerant to be vented into the atmosphere during installation, service, or retirement of equipment. Therefore, R-22 must be recovered and recycled (for reuse in the same system), reclaimed (reprocessed to the same purity standard as new R-22), or destroyed. Sean McCutcheon’s Air conditioning and Heating takes great care to properly dispose of R-22 when removing old units.
We recover the R-22 refrigerant and turn it into reclamation and recycling depots for proper disposal or reuse.
What is the Best Air Conditioning System?
Over the years, Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. has built a superior reputation when it comes to sales and service of quality Air Conditioning and Heating products for both homeowners and businesses in Sarasota and Manatee counties.
Many factors go into choosing the right system for a home or business and Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. takes pride in working closely with clients and educating them so they can make the best decision and choose the system that is most efficient for their needs.
Although we can service and repair all makes and models of Air conditioning and heating equipment – we have certain brands we recommend for a number of reasons. Among the things we look for in a good AC System are:
How energy efficient is it?
Is it the best value for the money?
Is it a well built and reliable system that will last and require the least amount of maintenance?
Will the company stand behind their product and do they offer a great warranty?
Based on our extensive experience working with many different types of Air Conditioning systems, we have certain brands that we highly recommend. The brand we most often advocate would be Bryant. In fact Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is the largest Bryant dealer in Southwest Florida, and the second largest in the West coast of Florida.
Of course an Air conditioning system is only as good as the contractor who installs it. It can be a great system – but it also relies on the quality of the duct work, and performance depends on the size and condition of your home, the climate where you live and other factors.
This is why we take all of these factors into consideration and spend the time to discuss the different alternatives with you. Our goal is to make sure we give you all of the information you need to choose the right system for your home and your budget.
Whether it is a new installation or routine service, our technicians provide the expertise your comfort depends on.
With regular training, which includes renewal of certifications and licenses, our technicians are some of the best.
Many factors go into choosing the right system for a home or business and Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. takes pride in working closely with clients and educating them so they can make the best decision and choose the system that is most efficient for their needs.
Although we can service and repair all makes and models of Air conditioning and heating equipment – we have certain brands we recommend for a number of reasons. Among the things we look for in a good AC System are:
How energy efficient is it?
Is it the best value for the money?
Is it a well built and reliable system that will last and require the least amount of maintenance?
Will the company stand behind their product and do they offer a great warranty?
Based on our extensive experience working with many different types of Air Conditioning systems, we have certain brands that we highly recommend. The brand we most often advocate would be Bryant. In fact Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is the largest Bryant dealer in Southwest Florida, and the second largest in the West coast of Florida.
Of course an Air conditioning system is only as good as the contractor who installs it. It can be a great system – but it also relies on the quality of the duct work, and performance depends on the size and condition of your home, the climate where you live and other factors.
This is why we take all of these factors into consideration and spend the time to discuss the different alternatives with you. Our goal is to make sure we give you all of the information you need to choose the right system for your home and your budget.
Whether it is a new installation or routine service, our technicians provide the expertise your comfort depends on.
With regular training, which includes renewal of certifications and licenses, our technicians are some of the best.
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
Air Duct Cleaning Scams.
The question is "Can your A/C air ducts really be efficiently cleaned?"
Many disreputable Air Conditioning companies offer cheap duct cleaning. They run specials for $49.95 and claim to be able to clean the air in your home. They will scare you with warnings that you have filthy moldy ducts and the health of your family could be in danger.
One company even uses this line " The average single-family home will have gallons of dust collecting on the walls of air ducts..." They offer to clean your vents for $15.00 each. Funny enough - their ad looks like they are holding a vacuum up to an air vent. That must be one powerful vacuum to suck gallons of dust from hundreds of feet of ducts.
There have been horror stories about people spending thousands of dollars just to have an A/C company do nothing more than spray cans of Lysol into the vents while the AC is running and then claim the ducts have been sanitized.
Some companies use special brushes at the end of long poles and claim they can remove the dust, mold, and etc, that way.
So what is the truth about duct cleaning? The truth is that most residential A/C Air Ducts cannot be properly cleaned.
If you have Flexible Ducts the act of stuffing a brush through them will rip the material and create holes in the ductwork. The result: Not only are your ducts not clean - but now you are losing cold air into your attic as well as letting more contaminants (and maybe a few little critters) into your home.
If your ducts are made of fiberglass board - not only can they not be properly cleaned, but the act of trying to clean them will most likely result in filling your ducts, and your home with tiny little fiberglass particles. Some fiberglass ducts have a coating that will reduce the amount of fiberglass particles created - but there will still be more than 50% of the "dust" left remaining.
Unfortunately the only type of ducts designed to be cleaned are usually for commercial applications.
Let us repeat: Very few residential duct systems can be effectively cleaned without dismantling or replacement.
So how about sanitizing ductwork?
One of the most efficient and acceptable ways to sanitize ductwork is by using a type of fog machine that will mist a chemical that can sometimes kill mold growing in ducts. Usually you will have to completely vacate the premises for up to 6 hours while this is going on. Even then, you can only expect a 40% success rate.
Bottom line - beware of duct cleaning scams. Usually the unscrupulous contractor will use this as a means to gain access to your home and intentionally mislead the homeowner into paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for additional work.
At Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating - we want you to you be informed, and we want you to know the facts. Feel free to call or email us anytime you have a question.
Many disreputable Air Conditioning companies offer cheap duct cleaning. They run specials for $49.95 and claim to be able to clean the air in your home. They will scare you with warnings that you have filthy moldy ducts and the health of your family could be in danger.
One company even uses this line " The average single-family home will have gallons of dust collecting on the walls of air ducts..." They offer to clean your vents for $15.00 each. Funny enough - their ad looks like they are holding a vacuum up to an air vent. That must be one powerful vacuum to suck gallons of dust from hundreds of feet of ducts.
There have been horror stories about people spending thousands of dollars just to have an A/C company do nothing more than spray cans of Lysol into the vents while the AC is running and then claim the ducts have been sanitized.
Some companies use special brushes at the end of long poles and claim they can remove the dust, mold, and etc, that way.
So what is the truth about duct cleaning? The truth is that most residential A/C Air Ducts cannot be properly cleaned.
If you have Flexible Ducts the act of stuffing a brush through them will rip the material and create holes in the ductwork. The result: Not only are your ducts not clean - but now you are losing cold air into your attic as well as letting more contaminants (and maybe a few little critters) into your home.
If your ducts are made of fiberglass board - not only can they not be properly cleaned, but the act of trying to clean them will most likely result in filling your ducts, and your home with tiny little fiberglass particles. Some fiberglass ducts have a coating that will reduce the amount of fiberglass particles created - but there will still be more than 50% of the "dust" left remaining.
Unfortunately the only type of ducts designed to be cleaned are usually for commercial applications.
Let us repeat: Very few residential duct systems can be effectively cleaned without dismantling or replacement.
So how about sanitizing ductwork?
One of the most efficient and acceptable ways to sanitize ductwork is by using a type of fog machine that will mist a chemical that can sometimes kill mold growing in ducts. Usually you will have to completely vacate the premises for up to 6 hours while this is going on. Even then, you can only expect a 40% success rate.
Bottom line - beware of duct cleaning scams. Usually the unscrupulous contractor will use this as a means to gain access to your home and intentionally mislead the homeowner into paying hundreds or thousands of dollars for additional work.
At Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating - we want you to you be informed, and we want you to know the facts. Feel free to call or email us anytime you have a question.
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Unlicensed building contractors in Manatee are facing jail time
Unlicensed building contractors in Manatee are facing jail time after a recent statewide undercover sting. Unlicensed contract work has become a serious problem over the last couple years as many homeowners think they are saving money by using the lowest bidder.
The following article is from Bradenton.com:
Sting targets unlicensed contractorsBy NATALIE NEYSA ALUND
Nine reputed unlicensed building contractors are facing jail time after a recent statewide undercover sting, Manatee County officials announced Monday.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted a joint operation in which they received job proposals for construction work that required a contractor’s license.
The nine suspects cited with misdemeanor charges last week did not have the required licenses, according to county officials. They are Dale Belden of Bradenton; Harlan Hillenbrand of Sarasota; Peter Hillenbrand of Sarasota; Scott Rosa of North Port; Herbert Prince of Bradenton; Michael J. Ford of North Port; Dan Richards of Venice; Ahmet Ajkic of Sarasota; and Ronald L. Sommers of Sarasota.
Some of the suspects’ phone numbers had been disconnected on Monday. The rest of them declined comment or could not be reached for comment.
Authorities with DBPR said they instructed all nine men to stop work through cease and desist orders issued on Feb. 23 and 24.
A Manatee County Courthouse clerk said the suspects are scheduled to appear for arraignment later this month.
Under state law, contracting without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum jail sentence of one year and a $1,000 fine, if convicted.
Unlicensed contract work has become a serious problem during the current economic downturn as many homeowners turn to the least expensive option available, said John Barnott, interim director of the county building department.
“We will continue to crack down, not only with the contractors but with the property owners who knowingly hire them,” Barnott said. “I want to send a clear message to all the unlicensed activity going on out there: We’re coming after you.”
According to a sheriff’s media release, on Feb. 19, sheriff’s Detective Dawn Atkinson and two DBPR investigators posed as project managers for a property in need of repairs in the 4400 block of 37th Street East, Bradenton.
Authorities solicited bids after they said they had already determined the men were not properly licensed to complete the needed work, including plumbing and electrical work.
The suspects were found in newspaper advertisements or on the Internet. Of 25 contractors targeted, 15 of them showed up to bid jobs at the site,
Thinking they were selected for the job, they were called back to the site to start work. Instead, they were cited and ordered to appear in court.
David Windham, president of David Windham Construction Inc. in Bradenton, said contractors are required to be licensed primarily for safety concerns.
“Unlicensed contractors may not have the education or background to understand how to do a job, therefore leaving the customer with potentially unsafe conditions structurally,” said Windham, who has owned his company for 28 years. “It puts the customer and others at risk.”
Using an unlicensed contractor, Windham added, can also affect someone financially.
“They are putting themselves in a vulnerable position because there are no checks and balances to be sure that the contractor is going to do what the contractor has agreed to do,” Windham said. “With a licensed system in place, the contractor is obligated to complete the work in the agreed upon manner.”
In addition to safety for customers and others it’s critical that workers be properly covered with insurance, Windham said.
“For instance, some of the workers may be unknowingly unprotected if they work for an unlicensed contractor,” he said. “There are OSHA safety standards the law requires for workers including wearing safety belts and hard hats.”
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director Mary Dougherty-Slapp said she hopes state and local officials keep the pressure on unlicensed contractors.
“It needs to happen more,” said Dougherty-Slapp, who overseas the non-profit corporation that she said deals mostly with commercial projects. “It not only hurts legitimate contractors who are licensed and doing business, it harms the homeowner and they end up paying more to have someone come in and fix (things).”
Homeowners can obtain a list of licensed contractors from the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, the Home Builders Association of Manatee County, the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce or the Manatee County Building Department.
The following article is from Bradenton.com:
Sting targets unlicensed contractorsBy NATALIE NEYSA ALUND
Nine reputed unlicensed building contractors are facing jail time after a recent statewide undercover sting, Manatee County officials announced Monday.
The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation conducted a joint operation in which they received job proposals for construction work that required a contractor’s license.
The nine suspects cited with misdemeanor charges last week did not have the required licenses, according to county officials. They are Dale Belden of Bradenton; Harlan Hillenbrand of Sarasota; Peter Hillenbrand of Sarasota; Scott Rosa of North Port; Herbert Prince of Bradenton; Michael J. Ford of North Port; Dan Richards of Venice; Ahmet Ajkic of Sarasota; and Ronald L. Sommers of Sarasota.
Some of the suspects’ phone numbers had been disconnected on Monday. The rest of them declined comment or could not be reached for comment.
Authorities with DBPR said they instructed all nine men to stop work through cease and desist orders issued on Feb. 23 and 24.
A Manatee County Courthouse clerk said the suspects are scheduled to appear for arraignment later this month.
Under state law, contracting without a license is a first-degree misdemeanor and carries a maximum jail sentence of one year and a $1,000 fine, if convicted.
Unlicensed contract work has become a serious problem during the current economic downturn as many homeowners turn to the least expensive option available, said John Barnott, interim director of the county building department.
“We will continue to crack down, not only with the contractors but with the property owners who knowingly hire them,” Barnott said. “I want to send a clear message to all the unlicensed activity going on out there: We’re coming after you.”
According to a sheriff’s media release, on Feb. 19, sheriff’s Detective Dawn Atkinson and two DBPR investigators posed as project managers for a property in need of repairs in the 4400 block of 37th Street East, Bradenton.
Authorities solicited bids after they said they had already determined the men were not properly licensed to complete the needed work, including plumbing and electrical work.
The suspects were found in newspaper advertisements or on the Internet. Of 25 contractors targeted, 15 of them showed up to bid jobs at the site,
Thinking they were selected for the job, they were called back to the site to start work. Instead, they were cited and ordered to appear in court.
David Windham, president of David Windham Construction Inc. in Bradenton, said contractors are required to be licensed primarily for safety concerns.
“Unlicensed contractors may not have the education or background to understand how to do a job, therefore leaving the customer with potentially unsafe conditions structurally,” said Windham, who has owned his company for 28 years. “It puts the customer and others at risk.”
Using an unlicensed contractor, Windham added, can also affect someone financially.
“They are putting themselves in a vulnerable position because there are no checks and balances to be sure that the contractor is going to do what the contractor has agreed to do,” Windham said. “With a licensed system in place, the contractor is obligated to complete the work in the agreed upon manner.”
In addition to safety for customers and others it’s critical that workers be properly covered with insurance, Windham said.
“For instance, some of the workers may be unknowingly unprotected if they work for an unlicensed contractor,” he said. “There are OSHA safety standards the law requires for workers including wearing safety belts and hard hats.”
Gulf Coast Builders Exchange Executive Director Mary Dougherty-Slapp said she hopes state and local officials keep the pressure on unlicensed contractors.
“It needs to happen more,” said Dougherty-Slapp, who overseas the non-profit corporation that she said deals mostly with commercial projects. “It not only hurts legitimate contractors who are licensed and doing business, it harms the homeowner and they end up paying more to have someone come in and fix (things).”
Homeowners can obtain a list of licensed contractors from the Gulf Coast Builders Exchange, the Home Builders Association of Manatee County, the Manatee County Chamber of Commerce or the Manatee County Building Department.
Thursday, November 11, 2010
Maintenance Referral Program.
Sean McCutcheons Air Conditioning and Heating is launching a new maintenance referral program.
Simply refer a new customer that signs up for a maintenance agreement or precision tune-up and your next scheduled maintenance or tune-up is free!
No limit on referrals. (however only 1 system maintenance per referral per customer)
Simply refer a new customer that signs up for a maintenance agreement or precision tune-up and your next scheduled maintenance or tune-up is free!
No limit on referrals. (however only 1 system maintenance per referral per customer)
Saturday, April 3, 2010
Federal Tax Credits for Consumer Energy Efficiency
If you purchase an energy-efficient product or renewable energy system for your home, you may be eligible for a federal tax credit.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating wants you to stay cool, but we also want to help you save money! Give us a call, and we will work with you to find a Central Air Conditioning System that is right for you, and eligible for a tax credit.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating wants you to stay cool, but we also want to help you save money! Give us a call, and we will work with you to find a Central Air Conditioning System that is right for you, and eligible for a tax credit.
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