Should you hire a handyman for that job?

Handymen are not required to be licensed by the State of Florida.  However, there are restrictions on the kinds of services a handyman can perform.

If a handyman does work  that requires a license, criminal prosecution is possible.  The type of work that requires a license includes construction, plumbing, electrical, and HVAC.

Don’t confuse a Business license with a contractor’s license.  A Handyman is not a licensed contractor and cannot obtain permits.  Most projects, even small ones, require permits and inspections.  If your project isn't permitted or doesn’t comply with the building code, you may have to remove or repair the work at your own expense and be subject to fines by local government.

Homeowners who hire unlicensed contractors face several potentially costly penalties. The Department of Business and Professional Regulation can issue an order to stop construction and can levy a $5,000.00 fine for aiding and abetting unlicensed contractors.

Other dangers of Hiring Unlicensed Contractors are the fact that unlicensed contractors typically do not have the education, insurance, or qualifications needed to get a license.   They may perform poor quality work or even leave the project unfinished. They also often have criminal backgrounds.  

There are times when a handyman can be convenient.  If you have small jobs around the house or a “honey do” list that does not require much skill, a handyman may be fine.  Just make sure the handyman does not claim they can do any work that should be done by a licensed professional.

You should also be aware that any work performed by an unlicensed contractor will not be covered under your homeowner’s insurance policy.

If you do hire a Handyman – make sure he has workman’s compensation and liability insurance or you will be held liable if any of his employees is injured.

If the person doing work for you is unlicensed and does not pay his sub-contractors or suppliers, You may be subject to liens placed on your property.

Sometimes trying to save a few bucks just isn’t worth it.  It’s better to protect yourself and know all of the facts. 

For more information about unlicensed contractors please visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr/reg/UnlicensedActivity.html

Visit us at www.keepingsarasotacool.com

Dirty Air Conditioning Ducts

If low quality AC filters are used, or if your ductwork is not adequately sealed, you may accumulate some dirt and other debris over a period of time.
There are many companies out there who will try to scare you by claiming your home is making you sick. They create advertisements that warn about cancer causing mold, dust mites, and toxic insect parts that cause asthma and allergies. One company claims they can extract up to 15 gallons of debris from your ducts and by doing so, you will save up to 30% on your electric bill.
Unfortunately, most of the information available about duct cleaning originates from people associated with the industry or from firms who market air duct cleaning services.
It seems that the air quality business is very profitable and very easy to get into.
For example, the following is from the www.air-care.com website.
“...The air duct cleaning and decontamination industry is currently experiencing unprecedented growth. …”Gain unlimited earnings, Realize a 50 - 70% net profit, Operate with a low overhead…”
This is one of countless companies that offer equipment and training for those wanting to start a profitable residential duct cleaning business. For a low price (and 0% financing) you can get lightweight one man duct cleaning equipment that will help you rake in the big bucks.
It is very simple to get into the air duct cleaning business, anyone with the slightest bit of interest can do it, and any requirements are minimal. There are also virtually no uniform standards of professional practice, This has caused small companies to spring up that offer questionable and controversial techniques.
What methods are used to “clean” residential ducts, and do they work?
Vacuum equipment: The claim is that dirt can simply be sucked out of the ducts. This is actually very ineffective because it is impossible to vacuum debris from even a few feet of duct work. Just try vacuuming your floor by holding your duct buster 6 inches above the carpet.
Blowers: They only dislodge loose debris from the very end of the ductwork – the first couple feet that anyone can actually see. Only a very small portion of the total ductwork is cleaned.
Brushes on flexible rods and compressed air fed through the ductwork: This method removes only a very small amount of the debris and will damage ducts creating an even larger problem. Using any kind of brush or forced air will also blow all of those contaminants throughout your home. If the ducts are fiberglass – this method will damage insulation and release fiberglass fibers throughout the home.
Bottom line is that if you actually have dirt in your residential air conditioning ducts, it is almost impossible to effectively remove it by any method available without damaging your ducts and making your air quality worse.
Can you sanitize ductwork? Companies often claim they can sanitize residential ductwork. The problem here is that the biocides needed to kill mold and bacteria will also cause a danger to the occupants of the home. Simply spraying Lysol into the ducts does nothing. And believe it or not – some companies have been known to do just that.
Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. will not clean residential ducts because there just is no effective way to do it.
The best way to ensure you have the best air quality is to use a good quality air filter that is changed on a regular basis, and make sure your duck work is in good condition and is not leaking. Installing Ultra Violet Lights will also kill germs, germs, bacteria, viruses, mildew, and mold spores such as stachybotrys and black mold.
If you have any questions, or need a second opinion, please call Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Excerpt from an actual email we received...

"Please help, I have just been mislead and pressured into having my air ducts cleaned and sanitized, UV light installed, for $2,772.00... and he said I was down 6 lbs of Freon? They haven't done the cleaning yet, that will happen Wednesday. My creditor is supposed to mail them a check within 7-10 days. After reading about why you do not clean air ducts, I'm so confused because I feel like I've been totally ripped off!

I'm wanting to call 8 on your side. It's like you mentioned, it was high pressure sales. The company is ******".

Nobody should ever feel uncomfortable or pressured when dealing with any company. Unfortunately the air conditioning industry has some unscrupulous contractors who have found that they can make lots of money selling unsuspecting customers products and services they do not need.
If you are ever suspicious of an estimate you have received - or just want a second opinion - please call Sean McCutcheon's before you do anything!

For a tongue-in-cheek and "slightly" exaggerated parody of the tactics some of these predator companies use - please visit www.acbarn.com.

At Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. our mission is to educate people so they know what to look for, and do not get ripped off!

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Sarasota National Cemetery

Ductwork at the Sarasota National Cemetery

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

The Sarasota National Cemetery has several phases still under construction.

This 295 acre cemetery will serve Veterans’ needs for the next 50 years. 

The experts at Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating were chosen to install the air conditioning.

Advice regarding air conditioning companies offering free service calls with a repair.

If it sounds too good to be true it almost always is. In most cases when an HVAC company offers a free service call with a repair they will overcharge for the repair. When you call the company that claims to offer a free service call, you will end up paying much more than you would have with the company that charges for the service call but gives you an honest price on the repair.
When a contractor offers a free service call, they simply have to make up the difference somewhere. Even if the problem is very small, for instance a part that is only a few bucks, they will most likely exaggerate the problem to cover the cost of the service call.

You will never get a $25.00 repair with a free service call.

If a business owner is going to lie in an advertisement just to get you to call him, what is there to stop him from being dishonest in any other aspect of his business?

This also applies to companies that claim they don’t charge extra for after-hours service. After all, time is money, and nobody works for free!

The difference between having a repair done by a legitimate company and one claiming to offer free after-hours service could end up costing you hundreds of dollars more.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Air conditioning companies offering cheap service calls.

Nobody works for free. It doesn’t matter if it’s a plumber, electrician, or an HVAC tech. Someone somewhere has to pay their hourly rate, workers comp, insurance, and put the gas in the service truck.

So when an air conditioning company advertises cheap service calls you can expect to be the victim of a bait and switch. All they want is to get their foot in the door. You can bet they will find some major problem with your A/C system, and you may even be told you have to replace it.

Calling the company with the lowest service call fee could result in you being ripped off.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

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

Free Mobil Phone APP will help you steer clear of unlicensed contractors!

All of us like to try and find the best deals – especially when it comes to expensive home improvements.

However, if a plumber, electrician, or air conditioning contractor has just given you a very low quote that seems too good to be true, there is a good chance they are unlicensed.

As tempting as it may be to hire an unlicensed contractor who offers a great bargain, it is against the law!

Now if you are ever in doubt you can whip out your smart phone and make sure you have the right person for the job!

Just search for the Florida DBPR Mobile App – it’s free, and will let you easily search for companies and individuals to make sure they are licensed.

Besides it being illegal to hire unlicensed contractors, unlicensed contractors are subject to arrest and prosecution for working without a license.

Here are some other reasons not to use them:

Unlicensed contractors may not have the proper skills and experience. They also don’t have professional or legal standards they must abide by.

Unlicensed contractors are dangerous because they expose you to significant financial harm if injury or property damage happens.

Homeowner's insurance does not cover unlicensed contractors, and by law the homeowner is held responsible for hiring an unlicensed contractor and is held accountable for any work associated with the contractor. If a unlicensed contractor's carelessness leads to injury or damage to your neighbors property, the problem is yours.

If a contractor files bankruptcy or skips out while working on your home, you are responsible for all fines and unpaid bills to suppliers. You're also responsible for the wages of employees who worked for the unlicensed contractor.

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

The very first Thanksgiving.

The very first Thanksgiving meal lasted three days. The foods served included lobster, eel, rabbit, fish, venison, squash, hickory nuts, dried fruits, maple syrup, radishes, cabbage, geese, eagles and other birds (possibly a wild turkey or two) and goat cheese. There were no Mashed Potatoes, Pumpkin pies, or cranberries.

Forks were not invented yet so food was eaten with spoons, knives, and fingers.

It is very likely all they had to drink was water. There were no apples for cider, and even though they probably had planted barley – they may not have had time enough to start brewing beer yet.

You are probably asking yourself “what does the first Thanksgiving dinner have to do with Air Conditioning?”

Absolutely nothing...

But if you are a customer of ours – we are very thankful for your patronage. If you are not yet a customer – please call us and give us a chance to earn your trust – you’ll be glad you did.

We would like to wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving!

How do you know if a HVAC contractor has a license?

A very intelligent home improvement is to replace your air conditioning system. If your system is not that old, or you are just not ready to bite the bullet, at least consider regular maintenance. Keeping your air conditioning system operating smoothly and efficiently helps you save energy while also reducing your electric bill.

When it is time to hire a certified HVAC company for maintenance or new installation you need to choose the right contractor.

One of the things you should always do is make sure the contractor is properly licensed.

The easiest way is to visit http://www.myfloridalicense.com/dbpr and click the “verify a license” button on the top menu. Then you will be able to search by contractor name, license number, city and state, or license type.  This will also give you the Licensure Date. Make sure you check this date with how many years the contractor claims to be in business. If there is a discrepancy here it should raise a red flag.

Another great resource is http://www.sunbiz.org/ where you can search corporation records.

Just a little bit of research can help prevent you from accidentally hiring a bad HVAC tech who coulld possibly cause you much frustration and create expensive repair bills.

For more information - please visit http://www.keepingsarasotacool.com/

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Buddy Ray's A/C Barn Press Release

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is pleased to announce that their new website www.acbarn.comwww.acbarn.com is now live.

On the surface this website is an amusing look at air conditioning, and parodies the HVAC industry. There are no references to actual companies or individuals, but people visiting the site will notice similarities to actual junk mail and other “questionable” advertising.

The motivation behind this site is to inform and educate the public in an entertaining way. Unfortunately there are businesses that give the HVAC industry a bad name, including unlicensed contractors and unscrupulous businesses with various scams such as cheap duct cleaning.

The purpose of this website is to help people make intelligent decisions when hiring HVAC contractors.

Since 2003 Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. has been raising the bar for customer service and excellence in HVAC Repair, maintenance, and new installation. They take a different approach than the traditional Air Conditioning Company. Instead of trying to sell the biggest and most expensive system, they work with the client to determine the best system for their needs.

The idea for the “Buddy Ray’s A/C Barn” website was born out of frustration with the inferior work and poor customer service area residents and businesses have had to tolerate. Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. has a reputation for correcting improper installations as well as handling problem jobs other local contractors are reluctant or unqualified to perform.

Every customer is important and Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. works hard to gain their trust and make them a customer for life. Whether it is a multi-million dollar business or the owner of a small bungalow, the same courteous and professional attitude has become their trademark.

For most people, an Air conditioning system is the most expensive appliance in their home. Choosing the wrong system or contractor could mean years of aggravation and high energy bills.

When you call Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., you will get professional, highly skilled and certified AC Technicians. You will also get a dedicated, hard working and honest person that truly cares about your comfort.

Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. provides Residential and commercial AC Installation, Repair and maintenance.

They cover Sarasota and Manatee counties including Sarasota, Bradenton, Venice, Lakewood Ranch, and the surrounding areas. They specialize in custom designed air conditioning systems that are energy efficient and will save you money on your electric bill.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Why you should use quality filters for your air conditioning system.

To help make sure your air conditioning system is running efficiently, you should replace filters on a regular basis. Often people are tempted to buy inexpensive and less effective filters. At first glance it may be hard to see the advantage of spending the extra money for a better filter, but the extra you invest now may save you huge repair bills down the road.

If any filter becomes clogged it will block normal air flow to the a/c system and reduce the systems efficiency dramatically. When a filter is clogged air will be forced to bypass the filter and contaminate the evaporator coil with dirt and debris which will impair its heat absorbing capacity. In other words, it will cost more to cool the home.

Coils will naturally collect dirt over time, but a good filter will greatly reduce the amount and rate of buildup. Lesser expensive filters cause problems over time because they affect the systems performance and contribute to expensive service calls.

The better the filter – the more particles it will collect. Dust that does not get collected by your filter gets redistributed back into your home. If you suffer from allergies or other health concerns, the more efficient filters are a good decision. Quality filters with high MERV ratings will remove more household allergens.

It is estimated that a clean new filter can lower your AC systems energy consumption up to 16%.

Quality filters cost more in the short run, but in the long run they will pay for themselves in healthier air, a more efficient Air conditioning system, and less change of expensive maintenance bills.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Clogged Drain Lines - An Avoidable Problem.

A very common reason for calling an air conditioning technician is when an air conditioning drain line becomes clogged. This is easily fixed and an avoidable problem, but a clogged drain line can potentially cost the homeowner much money and frustration.

When warm air from your home comes in contact with your air conditioning evaporator coil it creates a certain amount of condensation. This water has to go somewhere, and that is why air conditioning systems are equipped with a condensate pan and a small PVC pipe that leads to a drain system in or outside your home.

Unfortunately if the drain line becomes clogged it can back up into the pan and create a water leak. Depending on where your AC unit is located, a leak could cause some real damage, for example: if the system is located in an attic and the water leaks through the ceiling.

Drain lines clog up from dust and other matter that get into the AC System, as well as fungal and other buildup within the pipe. When an Air conditioning technician services your A/C System they will make sure you have a clean condensate drain line. One of the methods is to attach a wet/dry vacuum to the end of the drain line and forcibly draw any buildup from the pipe while they pour a non-hazardous natural cleaning agent into the drain line. They will also place anti fungal condensate pan tablets to the condensate pan that will also help to prevent sludge and buildup.

When Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. installs a new system they will take the extra time to create a cleanout in a section if the drain pipe that facilitates proper cleaning of the drain lines. Some systems do not have a cleanout and eventually the drain pipe needs to be cut in order to clean it.

In Florida, where we use our air conditioning for most of the year, drain lines should be cleaned twice a year to prevent water from leaking into the home. You should also use a quality air filter and make sure to change it regularly since dust particles and other matter can accumulate on the evaporator coil and end up in the drain line which can contribute to a drain line clog.

If you are the kind of person who likes to change your own oil, you may decide to clean your own A/C drain line. However, your Air Conditioning technician is the best person to do this work, and if you have a maintenance service agreement with a company they will check the whole system while they are there.

Sarasota Air Conditioning Repair, Service, And Maintenance

Sarasota’s own “Ghost Hunters” crack the case of the clammy carpet.

Herbert Langstrom awoke one morning in his condo to find that the carpet in his living room was moist. It had not been raining, and there was no reason he could see that the carpet would be soggy.

Was this some sort of paranormal predicament? Some unearthly manifestation of an ectoplasm overload? What diabolical demon entered Mr. Langstroms condo while he was sound asleep and caused an otherwise normal carpet to exhibit such strange signs of wetness?

In desperation Herbert quickly contacted Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the real cause of the dastardly dampness was uncovered.

Turns out The vertical air handler in the condo had developed a clogged line which lead to a drain pan leak and caused water to drip down the inside of the wall and eventually come in contact with the carpet.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. quickly fixed the problem.

In this case there was no demonic apparition – only a faulty float switch and a rusted out drain pan. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, and Herbert can once again enjoy a dry floor surface and the reassurance that his condo is not the haunted.

Sarasota’s own “Ghost Hunters” crack the case of the Electric Bill Horror.

Danny Dillworth has been plagued by high energy bills and odd sounds coming from his attic for months. While taking the garage out one night he was terrified to witness several small dark shapes with glowing eyes scurrying across his roof.
 
Were these small demonic entities that had infiltrated his attic? Maybe some devilish imps bent on slowly driving Mr. Dillworth mad? Danny would lie awake at night trembling in fear at every little bump in the night, dreading the thought that eventually these horrific hallucinations would materialize and come to claim his very sanity. How much higher could those electric bills get? Danny started having terrible nightmares about having to sell everything he owned just to pay FPL.

In desperation Danny turned to Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the true source of the unusually high electric bills was discovered.

Turns out there was a family of raccoons living in the attic. They had torn and chewed through most of the flexible duct work so that cold air was blowing into the attic.

After a pest control company was summoned to capture the critters, Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. fixed the problem by replacing the destroyed ductwork.

In this case there were no demonic denizens, only a family of curious and destructive pests. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, the electric bills are normal, and Danny has been getting a great night’s sleep knowing that his house is not haunted.

Sarasota’s own real “Ghost Hunters” crack the case of the weird whistling.

Margie Millhouse recently moved into a new house and starting hearing strange sounds coming from her dining room. At different times during the day there would be a sucking and slight whistling sound from behind her antique china cabinet. In the middle of the night she would hear the same eerie sound. If she turned the thermostat up the sound would disappear.

Was this some playful poltergeist pestering poor Margie? Was her home haunted by some ghastly ghoul hiding behind her china cabinet that likes it hot in the house and howls if the A/C is turned on?

In desperation Margie turned to Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Technicians were dispatched and soon the real origin of the strange sound was discovered.

Turns out there was a single undersized 20 x 20 return air duct located behind her china cabinet that was inadequate for supplying enough air to the air conditioning system. It didn’t help matters when she placed furniture in front of the return air duct and even further restricting the air flow.

Sean McCutcheon’s Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. fixed the problem by adding extra return ducts and supply grills to balance the airflow throughout the home (as well as move her China cabinet to the other side of the room). They also performed maintenance on the A/C system to ensure it was operating smoothly and to catch any potential problems that could result in expensive repair bills down the road.

In this case there was no ghost – only insufficient return air ducts. Now the A/C system is running smoothly, and Margie has been getting a great night’s sleep knowing that her house is not haunted.

The HVAC industry is always changing

Unfortunately some people view air conditioning technicians the same way they view house painters or landscapers – as low tech semi skilled labor. This may be the reason some people tend to shop for price first. We have all heard the horror stories about unlicensed employees, and less than satisfactory work.

Long ago Sean McCutcheon acknowledged that the HVAC industry is always changing, and the importance of technicians that keep on the cutting edge of new technologies. He believes a good technician can never stop learning so he supplies them with the training and information they need to be the best in their field.

When you call Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., you will get professional, highly skilled and certified AC Technicians. You will also get a dedicated, hard working, and honest person that truly cares about your comfort, and the companies reputation.

At Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., we don’t try to outdo the competition; we set the standard.