Granted, having someone come out in the spring and in the fall to check out and clean your A/C system, furnace or heat pump may be a part of your regular to-do list. Changing air filters, fan grilles checked and the core unit cleaned on a consistent basis only makes sense. However, without a thorough ductwork inspection on an annual basis, you may be losing money and not even know it.

Here’s why:

Your duct system is what routes air to every room in your home. It allows the cool air to flow from your A/C system in the summer and warm air to circulate in the winter. If your ductwork is doing its job, every room is basically the same temperature which means you are comfortable anywhere in your home. However, if your duct system has leaks or damage, some of that air is being wasted in either your attic or underneath your home. This means you may be paying up to 40 percent more you should be to cool or heat your home.

Not only are you wasting money heating or cooling the outside environment but those leaks may cause you to wonder if it is time to replace your A/C or heating system. By having a great maintenance plan with an HVAC contractor like Engineered Air, LLC in the Pompano Beach, Florida area, not only will they check out your A/C and heating system, but they’ll check out your ductwork as well. Knowing your ductwork is sealed gives you the assurance you are getting full value for your cooling and heating dollar.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork inspections and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Myth 1 – Turning off the A/C while you’re gone saves energy.

Cooling a hot house wastes more energy than leaving your air conditioning on, especially in areas when the summer days are long and intensely hot. Your A/C may end up taking hours to return your Florida home to a comfortable temperature after being left off all day long. The best idea is a programmable thermostat to keep your home at higher energy-saving temperatures when you’re not at home, and then returning to your comfort level shortly before you arrive home.

Myth 2 - Closing vents saves energy.

This myth may come from thinking all AC systems use zone cooling that turns off air to specific areas. The average residential system isn’t designed this way. Air still fills up the duct to the closed vent, using energy to just cool your ducts and in some cases force open duct connections. Many myths about cooling develop because we want an energy-efficient home.

Myth 3 - Turning the temperature way down cools the house faster.

That’s not how it works. Most home cooling systems operate with a single fan speed that blows cooled air based on the thermostat. Cranking the temperature way down doesn’t change the fan speed, so it won’t reduce the time it takes to get to the desired temp. it just increases the likelihood that you’ll forget to adjust the temperature when it reaches your comfort level.

Myth 4 – Keeping a ceiling fan on cools the room when you’re not using it.

Myths about cooling occur because of misunderstandings. This myth is a misunderstanding of what fans do. Fans cool people by moving air around – they don’t cool space as an air conditioner does. Turn off the fan when you leave the room.

Myth 5 – Air conditioning is the only way to cool off

Anyone raised in the South knows this isn’t true. Other ways to cool off: take a cool shower before bed; draw in cool morning air from outside – create a cross-current by opening windows and doors; and drink iced beverages – the cold lowers your inner body temperature to cool you.

Something that isn’t a myth – regular maintenance of your AC reduces energy costs. At Engineered Air LLC, we have maintenance plans that will help. Contact us today at Engineered Air to learn more.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about cooling myths and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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1. When to replace it? The best time to replace your cooling system varies based on many factors. Start by considering the age of the system; most A/Cs should be replaced around the 15 to 20 year mark at the latest. If your system has become inefficient, ineffective or breaks down a lot, it would also be a good idea to look at some new A/Cs.
2. Should you replace the whole system? If you notice the outside condenser unit is rusting away, or damaged in some other way, it might be tempting to replace that one component. When you mismatch components it can result in inefficient performance and causes the system as a whole to work poorly. Replace your whole A/C system at once to ensure you get the performance you are paying for.
3. What size of system is best? It’s important to size the capacity of your new A/C appropriately. Oversized systems are common and are inefficient. If you get a system that’s too small, it’s unlikely to be able to keep up with your cooling demands. An HVAC professional should be able to complete sizing calculations to find the right capacity for your home.
4. Which type of system to get? There are four main types of A/Cs, some of which will be better than others for your home. Ask your HVAC contractor to explain your options and weigh in on the best type of A/C for your situation.

If you’re thinking of replacing the A/C in your South Florida home, feel free to contact Engineered Air for professional help.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about replacing A/Cs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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When your A/C is overwhelmed by humidity, the unit uses more BTUs to pull the moisture out of the air. This leaves fewer BTUs available for actually cooling your home, which can make you feel as if the unit isn’t working at full capacity when it is actually working fine.

There are ways to help lower the amount of humidity your A/C unit has to deal with and improve its cooling efficiency on particularly humid days.

• Get Started Early: Make sure your A/C unit has an early start on cooling your home and removing humidity from the air. Close any windows early in the morning and turn your A/C unit on to give it a head start. Your air conditioner can easily keep up with cooling demands throughout the day, but it can’t catch up if it’s turned on later in the afternoon.
• Use a Dehumidifier: Consider purchasing a whole house dehumidifier to free up BTUs for cooling. A dehumidifier will pull out excess moisture on particularly humid days, lessening your air conditioner’s work load and making it work more efficiently to actually cool the air in your home.
• Keep the Sun Out: Close any curtains or shades on your windows to that are in direct sunlight throughout the day. This will alleviate excess heat in your home and prevent your A/C from being overloaded.
• Use Exhaust Fans: When taking a shower or cooking on particularly humid days, use the exhaust fans in your kitchen and bathroom to prevent excess humidity and heat.

If you think your A/C is overwhelmed by humidity, contact the Comfort Specialists at Engineered Air for more information about boosting your air conditioner’s performance. We’ve been serving the Weston area of Florida since 1970.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about A/C humidity and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Mold 101

This hardy fungus belongs to a family with potentially hundreds of thousands of species, that can be found virtually anywhere, both indoors and out. In order for growth to occur, a number of key factors must be in place, including:

• Food, any organic material will do
• Spores
• Adequate temperatures
• Sufficient moisture

In those people that are sensitive to this fungus, its presence can cause symptoms such as:

• Wheezing.
• Coughing.
• Throat irritation.
• Worsening of allergy or asthma symptoms.

Signs of Growth

Perform periodic checks around your home, using your eyes and nose to detect the following:

• A dank, or musty odor.
• Signs of water damage or excess moisture.
• Visible signs of growth, which may range in color and be white, black, grey, green or yellow or brown, and a variety of textures.

Growth Prevention

Of the four factors needed for growth, moisture is the only one you have any control over. Minimize production and exposure with the following tips:

• Inspect – Check for leaks around the foundation, inspect windows and sills for condensation and look under sinks and other visible pipes to catch leaks early.
• Ventilate – Use an exhaust fan when showering or cooking, making sure they vent to the outside.
• Circulate – Allow air to circulate throughout your home, leaving interior doors open, and supply and return vents open and free of obstruction.
• Dehumidify – Help keep indoor humidity levels below 50% by installing a room or whole house dehumidifier; call your HVAC contractor for advice.
• Schedule – Annual preventive maintenance including cleaning of your equipment will help inhibit mold growth and increase system efficiency.

For more information on how to prevent mold growth, call the experts at Engineered Air, proudly serving homeowners in South Florida.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about mold and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The federal court recently agreed that the standard would have caused financial hardship to homeowners and ordered the DOE to collaborate with the HVAC industry going forward to establish a more reasonable minimum heating efficiency rating. Most of the other parts of the new standards still stand and will affect some Florida homeowners starting in 2015.

Cooling Efficiency

Florida is in the Southern region, and the new HVAC efficiency standards primarily affect the SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) ratings of central air conditioners and heat pumps. On Jan. 1, 2015, the minimum will increase from 13 to 14 for new central split-system A/Cs and heat pumps sold in the Southern states. However, HVAC contractors can still install systems with a SEER of 13 until July 1, 2016 that were manufactured before January 2015.

Heating Efficiency

Of less importance in South Florida are heating efficiency ratings. The heating standards will change in January 2015 for both split system and package heat pumps. The existing HSPF (heating season performance factor) will go from 7.7 for both to 8.0 for package systems and 8.2 for split systems. A split system is one where the outdoor condenser sits outside and the air handler is installed indoors. A package system has all the components in one box that sits on a slab or the roof.

Indoor gas furnaces nationwide will have to have an AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) of 80, up from 78, as of Jan. 1, 2015. Again, in South Florida where gas furnace are few and far between, this won’t be of concern.

The pros at Engineered Air can give you more information about the new HVAC efficiency standards and your next HVAC system. We’ve proudly provided cooling and heating services for South Florida homeowners since 1970.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC efficiency standards and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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1. Particles – The dust, pollen and pet dander floating around your home can trigger allergy symptoms and aggravate asthma. A Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV) 10 to 11 air filter will capture most of these particles, while a portable High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filter or whole-house HEPA bypass system traps even more. For the tiniest contaminant particles, an electrostatic air cleaner is another option. These systems use static electricity to draw in and capture particles.
2. Microorganisms – Living contributors to air pollution include mold spores, bacteria and viruses. Many filters capture mold spores, but few stop bacteria and viruses. Filters of MERV 15 and higher, including HEPA filters, trap bacteria, but still miss many viruses and don’t kill any microorganisms. What’s more, filters above MERV 11 aren’t easy to install in most residential heating and cooling systems. To minimize the spread of mold and germs in your home, consider ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UVGI) air purification, which neutralizes microoganisms by shining UV light on them.
3. Gaseous pollutants – Odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) fall into this category. VOCs are harmful chemical fumes given off by new carpets and upholstery, paint, cosmetics, household cleaners and many other common items. Carbon-activated filtration is one of the best methods for dealing with both lingering household odors and VOCs. Activated carbon has been treated to open up tiny pores, making it capable of trapping gaseous contaminants that pass through.

While these air purification methods can be used separately, air purification systems that combine multiple cleaning methods are available for the highest air quality. Depending on your needs and budget, you can choose between in-duct whole-house systems and portable room air cleaners.

For professional help controlling indoor air pollution or keeping your cooling and heating equipment running efficiently, please contact us at Engineered Air, serving South Florida with pride.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about indoor air pollution and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The HVAC contractor purchases the equipment from a distributor, but the equipment originated with the manufacturer. Therefore, the equipment has a parts-only warranty from the manufacturer, meaning that if something goes wrong with the HVAC system, the manufacturer will simply send the part needed and will not cover the cost of labor and diagnosing the problem.

Let’s say, for example, that the compressor in your splity-system central air conditioner breaks after six months. While it’s great to receive a new compressor through your HVAC system warranty, how are you going to install it?

For this reason, it’s important that you have a clear understanding of your new system’s warranty and what your obligations are. Here is some valuable advice that every consumer should take before purchasing a new A/C or heat pump:

• Select a reputable, state licensed contractor that stands behind the work. If something breaks on your new cooling system shortly after it’s installed, it should be on the contractor to cover both the cost of labor and the part to correct it. Ask for the “full coverage, no cost” warranty that the contractor offers in writing.
• Have the contractor walk you through the manufacturer’s warranty. It’s important to have a clear understanding of your obligations on the front-end as a consumer if something does go wrong.

Before you spend too much time stressing about your HVAC system warranty, know that the need to use your warranty is very low, as modern equipment is usually both durable and well-designed.

Please contact us at Engineered Air to learn more about what a good HVAC system warranty should offer you and your South Florida home.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Conserve hot water. One of the easiest ways to waste energy is by overusing hot water. This can be avoided by taking quicker showers, purchasing low-flow faucets and shower heads, and turning the temperature of the water heater down to 120 degrees F. Periodic maintenance of our water heater also will result in greater efficiency in its energy use.
• Manage your thermostat. A programmable thermostat is your best friend when it comes to saving energy, and it also lightens the load on your wallet. Remembering to program the thermostat for energy savings when you’re sleeping or out of the house is an excellent way to cut back on energy costs.
• Switch your lightbulbs. You may have heard this before, and for good reason. Changing your incandescent bulbs to CFLs and LEDs will make a serious dent in how much energy your home can conserve.
• Check your home for air leaks. Properly sealed windows and doors will make your home more efficient. Your HVAC system may be great, but with air leaks it will put unnecessary strain on your equipment. Proper maintenance of your HVAC system, adding insulation, and sealing air leaks will all help conserve energy and resources.

There are plenty of great ways for you to help the planet and, in turn, help yourself save on utility bills and have a more comfortable home. Here at Engineered Air we are happy to help our neighbors in Southern Florida learn about the ways they can make a change. For more energy-saving tips, contact us today.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy conservation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Tips for Household Preparation

• Don’t turn off the air conditioning. Of course, you don’t need to keep the house at your regular comfort level while you’re away, but shutting it off entirely kills all air circulation in the house, and that’s something you don’t want. When air is circulating, it will keep the house from becoming like an oven, with stagnant air radiating heat throughout all rooms. When any wooden fixtures like doors and cabinets start heating up, the wood expands and doors may not close properly. Wooden floors that expand in the heat may buckle and have to be replaced. It’s even more important to keep some A/C going in South Florida, where summer temperatures are intensely hot.
• If you have a programmable thermostat, set the household temperature at a relatively high setting such as 85 for the duration of your vacation. Then on the day before you plan to return, reduce that to about 78 degrees so the house has time to cool down before you actually arrive.
• If you have a conventional thermostat, set the temperature at the same high setting, about 85, and upon your return reduce it to a more livable temperature. You may have several uncomfortable hours while things are cooling down, but you will have saved on energy expenses for all the days you were away.
• Consider turning off the water supply to your home while you’re gone. This will protect your home and belongings in the event of a water leak.

Contact Us

For more expert advice on all home comfort issues, please contact us today at Engineered Air, LLC, or stop in and see us at our main office in Pompano Beach, Fla.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Pompano Beach, Florida about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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