How to Prepare HVAC For a Hurricane

If you plan to leave or evacuate... taking 15 minute ahead of time cane save thousands of dollars later!

1. Remove ALL Window Units and Close the Windows
2. Shut off All Power and Circuit Breakers to Central HVAC Systems
3. If you have a Condensing unit Cover, Put it On! This may prevent debris from puncturing the coil.
4. Never Start the System Immediately After a Storm without first inspecting it!
5. If Flooding is a Concern, Consider removing the easy-to-remove components (Flex duct, etc... not the main equipment) and moving them to higher ground!

Like any other aspect of your home, making sure your home HVAC system is prepared is just as important!

After the storm, make sure you hose the salt and spray off the unit to make it last longer. Clean all debris from around and inside the unit, and never start up the system without visually inspecting it for obvious issues (Like disconnected electrical wires, broken coolant links, etc)

What Would You Add to This?

What is the Florida HVAC Rebate Program?

Florida is setting aside up to $15 million dollars for homeowners, on a first-come first-served basis, to encourage Florida homeowners to replace using ENERGY STAR rated hvac equipment. Florida residents can begin mailing in the rebate application forms on, or after August 30, 2010. The Florida HVAC rebate program ends on the last day of the year, December 31, 2010, or when the $15M in funds are depleted. To qualify for this rebate, no purchase or installation may have occurred prior to August 30, 2010.

Key Points -

• Program Runs from August 31, 2010 - Dec 31, 2010
• Up to $15 Million in Rebates Available first come, first served.
• $1500 rebate for qualifying systems

How to Qualify for the Florida HVAC Rebate

In order to qualify for the $1500 rebate, there are 6 key things to be aware of!

• Residential ONLY, no commercial systems are eligible
• When the money runs out, the rebate ends! (replace soon!)
• HVAC system must be installed between August 30-Dec 31, 2010
• You must use a qualified HVAC Contractor (QualitySmith Prescreened Contractors)
• Duct system must be tested and repaired to 15% or lower leakage rate.
• New HVAC system must meet efficiency levels shown below

Learn More About the Florida HVAC Rebate

There is a short and ongoing FAQ section being built for this Florida HVAC rebate program that contains some of the most common questions people have. There are a few things I can see from this program that are fantastic for both homeowners AND HVAC Contractors!

• HVAC Systems MUST be FULLY Inspected by a Qualified Pro! This is not some fly-by-night craigslist man with a van that will be coming to your home, these are state licensed and qualified professionals!
• System Replacements REQUIRE A Manual J Load Test - Again, this assures that you are getting the right sized unit for your home, period! Its very rare for a manual j to be done on a replacement system, but it MUST be done to qualify!
• Mechanical Permits are Required for the rebate! Again, this means you the homeowner are assured you are getting a quality installation that will last a long time!

Will You take advantage of the Florida HVAC Rebate

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Air Conditioner Repair Service Call Cost

The actual air conditioner repair service call itself will vary from free, to whatever the company has decided to charge on that day. Yes, there are some companies that have been known to change the rate daily, based on the demands of resources. Lets take a quick look at what you are actually paying for when you hear that it's going to cost $89 for an ac repair service call, just to have the repair technician come to your home.

Start to Finish - What Goes into an $89 Service Call

• You Found the Company
  Whether that was due to a yellow pages ad, a TV ad, or a website, it cost money to create that advertisement.  A simple yellow pages ad for an air conditioner repair service may cost $250-$500/month by itself!
• The Phone Rang
  Most business have multiple lines from the phone company, to make sure there is always an open line. Its very common for a small business to pay $350-$400 per month in phone fees, just for the office!
• Someone Answered The Phone
  Just keeping one employee on staff to answer phones and dispatch technicians can cost anywhere from $1500 and up! Up, being the key factor here... just imagine how reliable of an employee you get for $1500 per month in wages. If you called for air conditioner repair service after normal business hours, double that figure!
• A Van or Service Truck Was Started
  The service vehicles are another subject all their own, but as you can imagine there are maintenance costs, fuel costs, insurance costs, etc that all go into making sure there is a vehicle poised and ready to come to your home.
• The GPS or Mapping System Guides the Tech
  Most companies today have a GPS and tracking system installed in their vehicles. This not only allows the dispatcher to send the closest vehicle to your home, it makes sure they get there as quickly as possible!
• A Trained and Certified Technician Diagnosed the Problem
  It never fails that we assume air conditioner repair service knowledge is just gained over time, with no further training required. Most reputable HVAC companies require their employees to complete a certain number of training hours each year, to assure they are up to date with the latest technologies and trends in the business. Certifications like NATE are not free either!
• The Problem is Fixed!
  When the HVAC tech goes out to get the part out of the van, that part was already paid for somehow! Well, your part and hundreds of other parts that must be kept on the air conditioner repair service truck! If the part is expensive or you are a regular customer, some HVAC repair companies will waive the service call charge, since there is often overhead built into the parts cost as well.
• The Credit Card Company Takes their Cut
  We can't forget that the credit card companies take 2-4% of the cost of every air conditioner repair service dollar charged as well! Even if you ONLY needed a switch flipped and paid with a credit card,  Visa or MC may take the first $2.50 off the top!

What About Larger HVAC Companies?

Yeah... everything outlined above is only for a small company! How about the overhead from a top HVAC company with 40-50 employees? As you can imagine, that $89 air conditioner repair service call is nothing compared to the cost per hour of keeping the doors open!

Air Conditioner Repair Service Call

Do you work for an HVAC repair company? If so, share how much your company charges for air conditioner repair service calls below.

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The list of tips below can be used to hold just about any kind of service based company in check, but we tuned it specifically to HVAC Contractors! If you are a contractor or just want to add a bit to the list, please use the comment form at the bottom of the page to add your own tips to the list! And if you have a website, please feel free to tell your own site visitors, you made the list!

How to Spot a Great HVAC Contractor

HVAC Contractor is Licensed and Insured

Ask your HVAC Contractor for their license number, and proof of insurance. I realize this sounds trivial, but with the poor economy we have experienced over the last 3 years, 2-Guys-and-a-Van type companies have sprung up everywhere, and many of them are not licensed or insured!

Holds Industry Certifications and Member of Respected Trade Groups

Technical certifications like NATE and respected HVAC Industry groups like ACCA exist for a reason! Even the EnergyStar website sponsored by the US Gov't maintains a site just for qualified HVAC Contractors!

Respected and Referred By Peers

Call a few bigger contractors that would not usually service your area (next largest town, etc). When they tell you they don't go to your area, ask them for a few references to reputable HVAC Contractors in your area.

Offers Annual Service Contracts

Does the HVAC contractor offer a service contract for the HVAC Equipment? If so, ask them how many other service customers they already have! If they have a good bit, they probably plan to be around for awhile!

Handles Calls During Non-Business Hours

Before you decide to use one specific HVAC contractor, call their office early in the morning (8am) and then again later in the evening (6-7pm). The morning call will tell you when they start their day, and the evening call at 6PM, well, that will tell you the level of service you can expect if you come home from work and find your system not working!

Positive Online References

With the technology at our fingertips today, places like Angies List, Facebook, Google Maps, the BBB, and many local business directories offer reviews of local companies. Read what they say, and more importantly... pay attention to how the company handles the negative reviews. Do they argue back, or work to resolve issues?

Do They Drug Screen or Background Check Employees?

You are about to allow 2-5 complete strangers into your home! You better hope the HVAC Contractor has drug screened or at least knows all of their employees very well, and you better trust their judgment!! Look at their website for hiring or staffing policies, or call them and feign that you are looking for a job. Ask them if a drug or background check is performed!

Been In Business Longer than a Few Months!

When you are talking to the contractor, ask them how long they have been in business. If you have any doubt at all, take their license number above, and cross reference it with your own state records. Almost every Secretary of State office maintains a website with business registrations.

Clean and Well Maintained Vehicles

If the technician or salesman shows up in a beat up pickup truck or very disorganized service van... Guess what your installation is going to look like?!

Professional Appearance of Technicians

Was the HVAC Contractor in a uniform, or at least dressed professionally? If they show up in tore up jeans and dirty shirts, you probably aren't getting the most professional organization!

Find an HVAC Contractor

Finding a good hvac contractor is not hard! Use free services like QualitySmith for pre-screened and local contractors, or sign up to Angies List for peer reviews! The bottom line, due diligence when choosing your HVAC Contractor! We previously mentioned the Energystar web, they offer a list of 10 tips for finding a contractor as well!

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Goodman Air Conditioners and Heating Systems has been a staple in the home HVAC market since the 1950's when the company was founded in Texas. Since that time, Goodman have grown into one of the leading brands in the field, not only from their own low overhead and low cost principals, but also due to the fact that they grasp the idea that people need to be able to afford to buy a cheap hvac system!

Compared to other brands like Carrier, Bryant, Trane, and Amana, you can typically save anywhere from 25-100% over the cost of those systems.

For comparison sake, the wholesale cost (What a dealer pays) of a similar base model 3-ton air conditioning & 80% AFUE gas furnace systems, not including the installation:

• Bryant - $1710
• Carrier - $2490
• Trane - $2760
• Goodman - $1350

This is the point where the total cost of a cheap hvac system begins to get cloudy, since each local contractor is going to have their own cost structure for the installation cost of the unit, and each home presents different challenges and requirements for the job. We suggest you always take advantage of the QualitySmith 3-Free Quote System and request Goodman products during the process!

Low Cost HVAC Replacement Options

Aside from simply choosing one of the most affordable hvac systems, you should also follow a few simple guidelines when price shopping for the cheapest system you can afford.

• ALWAYS get three quotes!
• Take advantage of home energy tax credits and save up to $1500 (More cooling for the same money)
• Ask the Contractor if they have any used, or phase out equipment in stock.
• Ask if you can barter your skills for a discount.
• Replace ONLY whats needed to get you through the breakdown
• Beware of Too Good to be True offers like cheap Internet deals, they usually carry limited or no warranty!

We have mentioned the Internet several times in this article, but chosen to walk a fine line around buying the equipment online. The reason we are doing so, is that most manufacturers, including Goodman, will not honor the warranty of equipment purchased via websites or eBay. That DOES NOT mean that the seller won't warranty the equipment, but there is still an inherent risk that the seller will not be around in 10 years and you will be on your own.

Did you manage to save aq bunch of money on your HVAC system purchase? If so, please share your own best practices and how you got yourself a cheap hvac system!

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If you already have the fan, cooler and hoses lying around, you can get this done in less than 30 minutes and cool a room or two in your home!

DIY Air Conditioner Video Walkthrough

www.youtube.com/watch?v=zR9CA8lJGvs

As you can clearly see in the video, you will have this DIY AC System up and running in short order.

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Carrier AC Units

US $1,348.00 Bids: Ends: 16d 21h 52m Carrier FB4C Base 40 Ton Dual Purpose Air Handler	US $1,400.00 Bids: Ends: 16d 15m CARRIER A C 2 1 2 TON WITH AIR HANDLER NEW	US $1,552.00 Bids: Ends: 16d 21h 55m Carrier FB4C Base 50 Ton Dual Purpose Air Handler	US $1,800.00 Bids: Ends: 15d 23h 34m CARRIER A C 3 1 2 TON WITH AIR HANDLER NEW

US $2,299.00 Bids: Ends: 25d 22h 13m CARRIER CENTRAL AIR UNIT 38TRA060 TECH 2000 SS 5TON	US $2,500.00 Bids: Ends: 5d 3h 31m CARRIER PERFORMANCE A C 21 2 TON 15 SEER AIR HANDER	US $3,000.00 Bids: Ends: 11d 9h 30m CARRIER HEAT PUMPAIR HANDER 2 1 2 TON 15 SEER	US $3,400.00 Bids: Ends: 11d 6h 58m CARRIER PERFOMANCE HEAT PUMPAIR HANDER 35 TON 15 SEER

More About Carrier AC Units Online

As mentioned above, the line between finding a Carrier system online and actually knowing that you can enjoy it for 12-20 years is very fine! Carrier has gone on the record to say that regardless of how much you save online, they will NOT honor the Carrier Warranty of any online purchases! So...

Even though you might be able to save money buying a Carrier online, you will do so without the protection of the warranty! We always recommend that you get a free quote from a qualified contractor before ever buying your Carrier system online!

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If its a small repair, you can review the Air Conditioner Repair Cost Guide and see if its the right choice, otherwise you may just need to find the best deal on a cheap air conditioner!

Where to Buy a Wholesale Air Conditioner

Depending on the type of discount air conditioner you need, there are going to be several places you can look! Most notably and most often the best places to find the bargains are eBay and Amazon.

Discount Window Air Conditioner Units

Finding a great deal on a wholesale window air conditioner on eBay is simple... since they have such a wide selection of products from everyone, everywhere! In many cases, you can find great deals like those listed below.

USED WINDOW AIR CONDITIONER

US $50.00

Details

Fasco D367 1550 RPM Window Air Conditioner Motor 115v

US $50.90

Details

Fasco D366 1550 RPM Window Air Conditioner Motor 115v

US $52.25

Details

Cheap Portable Air Conditioner

Portable Air Conditioners have quickly become the standard for anyone looking for a bargain on wholesale ac units! You can find a discount portable air conditioner like those below around every corner of the eBay system!

Sunpentown WA 1205E 12000 BTU Portable Air Conditioner

US $230.00

Details

SOLEUS 14000 BTU PORTABLE AC AIR CONDITIONER HEATER

US $51.00

Details

SPT Portable Air Conditioner 9000 BTUs WA 9000E

US $51.00

Details

Central Air Conditioner Distributor

Buying a wholesale central air conditioner is a bit trickier than any other type, since you are going to need the help of a professional to install it! In many cases, you are better off dealing with a local contractor and getting a few Free Estimates

15T Goodman 410a Air Conditioner VSX13

US $640.00

Details

2T Goodman 410a Air Conditioner VSX13

US $680.00

Details

Goodman GSX13 Air Conditioner 13 Seer 15 Ton R 410 NEW

US $703.36

Details

Regardless of how, or where you find your wholesale hvac system, make sure you check the ratings of the person you are buying it from and only deal with places that have your best interest in mind as well!

If you buy the system from a wholesaler or distributor, make sure you follow through after the sale and leave your own feedback as well!

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Built into the entire line of Carrier Infinity products are smart sensors, that are designed to communicate with the Infinity Control, allowing the Infinity systems to work at a higher level of intelligence than most home HVAC systems! The information that is sent to the control system is compared to the data from the other sensors, to automatically adjust various settings and provide one of the highest levels of indoor comfort you can get!

Just how smart is it? Several of the new model Infinity Thermostat controls can even send you an email when its time to change the filter!

Carrier Infinity Thermostat Details

Available in 5 different models to handle everything from wireless reporting to your home network, email reminders and up to 8 separate smart-zones within your home, each Infinity Control has:

As you can see above, the Infinity Control System is designed to make your indoor comfort the best it can possibly be!

What Does the Infinity Thermostat Work With?

One of the best features of the Infinity Thermostat in my opinion, is that its designed to work the easiest and most efficiently on ANY product in the Carrier Infinity Series.

The Same Thermostat will work on:

• Infinity Gas Furnaces
• Infinity Heat Pump and Air Handlers
• Carrier Infinity Air Conditioners
• Many other products from Carrier!

Is the Infinity Control Hard to Setup and Use?

Like ANY kind of new technology, the Infinity Control system can be a bit intimidating at first glance! Carrier actually provides ALL of its contractors specialized training to know exactly how to install and configure the Infinity Control, as well as making sure you the final owner know how to use it after they leave! The great thing about the controller however is that its SO EASY to use, that once you walk through it one time, you won't have any problems in the future!

Carrier itself even provides an online tutorial for owners of the thermostat, so they can use all the functions of the unit before they actually do it on their own system! (Open the interactive Guide)

How to Buy an Infinity Thermostat

If you don't have an Infinity System installed, its really not worth the $300 price tag to get an Infinity Control. If you don't have any it... the best thing you can do is go to the Free Estimate page and have a local contractor come to you and provide a full hvac system quote.

If you already have the equipment installed and need to add the controller, you can usually find them on eBay for anywhere between $150-$300 dollars.

Infinity Controls on eBay

CARRIER INFINITY THERMOSTAT CONTROL SYSTXCCUID01 A NEW

US $289.95

Details

CARRIER INFINITY THERMOSTAT CONTROL SYSTXCCUID01 B NEW

US $289.95

Details

Do You Own a Carrier Infinity Thermostat?

If so, please write an owners review below and help others know how you like yours!

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What is an Alternative Energy Source?

Alternative fuel describes corn, wheat, rye, wood, wood pellets and other biomass materials. It also includes solar energy, wind power, and water for micro-hydro or geothermal systems.

Before deciding to transition to renewable resources, you should determine which alternative fuel is most abundant in your area. Obviously, if it is more abundant, it will also be less expensive! Next time you get an HVAC contractor to give you heat pump prices, ask the contractor to also quote a hybrid heating system, and explain the cost savings.

Here is a brief description of some alternatives you should consider:

• Biomass Energy: Using Corn, Wheat, Corn Stalks, Pine cones, Bark and twigs to generate fuel for your home or car
• Solar Energy: Solar Panels for heating water and generating electricity
• Hydrogen: This one is controversial, but has been tested. Nowhere near being main stream, but can you imagine using plain water to heat your water OR drive your car?
• Wind Energy: The use of wind turbines to generate energy to entire cities is more and more becoming a reality throughout the country.

Benefits of Alternative Energy

There are many benefits to using alternative energy heating for your home. Predictability of monthly fuel and energy costs will not only make it easier to create your monthly budget, but will give you peace of mind.

You will immediately improve the value of your home. Making your home energy costs less expensive and being “green” at the same time is a big draw for home buyers right now.

Save thousands of dollars in energy costs. Regardless of the method you choose for alternative heating, they will usually benefit from energy efficient tax credits. You will receive a 30% Federal Tax Credit for all Solar, Wind and Geothermal Systems, including the cost of installation. You will also want to check with your local or State agencies for additional credits or rebates.

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