Use Your 2013 Tax Credits This Summer When You Buy an Efficient A/C
This summer is a great time to buy a new, efficient air conditioning system thanks to 2013 tax credits.
Until December 2013, people who purchase high-efficiency air conditioners, as well as heat pumps, will be eligible for a tax credit of up to $300. To receive a tax credit, you must buy a central air conditioning unit or heat pump which meets the highest level of efficiency as listed by the Consortium for Energy Efficiency (CEE). Generally, this means reaching a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 16. You can only receive the tax credit if you install a new system in a home which is your primary residence at the time of installation. To apply for the incentive, you will need the IRS form 5695.
Efficient air conditioning systems cost more than traditional systems, but the higher your model’s SEER rating, the faster you will be able to recoup on your investment via energy savings. When shopping for a system, look for an EnergyGuide label to determine the air conditioner’s efficiency rating. If you are replacing your old air conditioner with a new one, you must replace the entire system, including the blower fan and inside coil in order to reach the efficiency level listed on the label. Replacing only part of your air conditioning system will not be as efficient.
When you buy an efficient air conditioner, consider maximizing your energy efficiency by also installing a programmable thermostat or one of the new generation of smart programmable thermostats. These devices adjust the temperature in your home based on your family’s specific needs, so that the house warms up to save energy when you are gone, but is cool and comfortable by the time you get home. While more expensive than traditional thermostats, these devices help save energy and money.
For more expert advice about efficient air conditioning systems, 2013 tax credits or other home comfort issues, contact Cox Air Conditioning and Heating. We have been serving Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Trinity, West Chase and surrounding areas since 1958, and are happy to answer any questions.
How You Can Have the Best Air Quality in Your Home
Because the home is a confined space, indoor air quality can easily suffer. Dust, chemicals, pollen and mold spores all have the potential to cause health problems. Here is how you can have the best air quality in your home.
Keep out pollutants
Keep doors and windows shut on windy days and days when pollen counts are high. Use mats in front of all exterior doors and encourage all household members to wipe their feet. It is also wise to keep a separate pair of shoes as indoor-only shoes. Keep these by the door and change into them whenever you get home.
Clean for fresher air
Vacuum, dust and mop at least twice a week. This reduces dust mites, pollen and bacteria in the home. Don’t forget to clean upholstery and drapes about once or twice a month.
Avoid chemicals
Many cleaning products and most air fresheners release harmful chemicals into the air. Substitute white vinegar, baking soda, lemon or hydrogen peroxide for safely cleaning most surfaces. The only exception is to avoid using vinegar or lemon on reactive materials such as marble or other stone.
Clean your filters
Your HVAC filters help reduce air pollution, but not if they are left dirty. Remember to clean or change air filters every other month or more often for cleaner air and as preventive maintenance.
Test for air problems
Have your home tested for radon, molds spores and carbon monoxide. All are serious air quality problems that can cause illness or death.
Keep humidity in check
Humidity increases mold, mildew and bacterial growth. If your home constantly feels humid, consider a dehumidifier.
Add houseplants
Many common houseplants act as air purifiers. Consider adding spider plants, Boston ferns and other plants to your home.
For more information about how you can have the best air quality in your home, please contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been serving the area of Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Trinity and West Chase since 1958, and look forward to helping you.
How to Air Seal a House
Air sealing your home is a cost effective way of improving energy efficiency and comfort because it decreases the amount of air that enters or escapes out of your home. According to Energy Star, homeowners can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs by air sealing their homes.
Before you air seal your house
Prior to air sealing, you should:
- Inspect for air leaks – You probably know where the obvious air leaks are, but to properly air seal your home, you’ll also need to locate the least obvious air leaks. Hiring an HVAC professional to conduct an energy assessment of your home can provide you with a complete inspection of your home for air leaks.
- Determine your ventilation needs for indoor air quality – Proper ventilation is important for an energy efficient home. Good ventilation helps control moisture to prevent mold growth and structural damage. A qualified HVAC professional can determine the level of ventilation that will improve your home’s indoor air quality.
How to air seal a house
There are three components to consider:
- Sealing leaks – Caulking, weatherstripping and spray foam are the most common approaches to sealing obvious air leaks such as around doors and windows. These methods may also be applied to hidden leaks in crawl spaces, attics and the basement.
- Add insulation – Properly insulating your home is important when air sealing your home. The recommended level of insulation in your attic is about 12 to 15 inches.
- Seal ducts – About 20 percent of the air moving through a home via its ductwork is lost because of leaks or improper sealing. An HVAC professional can repair your ducts with a duct sealant. Properly sealed ducts can keep your energy bills low and your home more comfortable.
To learn more about how to air seal your home, contact Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. For more than 50 years, we’ve proudly served the residents of the Clearwater, Palm Harbor, St. Petersburg, Tampa, Trinity and Westchase areas.
Leaving Home This Summer? Tips for Safeguarding Your Property
If you’re leaving home this summer for a vacation, you’ll no doubt want to focus on fun and relaxation. Rather than worry about your home, take the time to safeguard it before you leave. Focus your efforts on one of your biggest investments: the HVAC system.
Take these preventive measures to ensure that your vacation and your homecoming are stress-free:
- Leave the air conditioning on, though set at a higher temperature than usual, to save money while you’re gone. Pets will remain healthy and plants will continue to thrive if you set your thermostat around 82 degrees. You’ll derive an important safety benefit by leaving your air conditioning on, too: You’ll deter would-be burglars, who will assume that someone is home.
- Change the air filter right before leaving home this summer. Think of it as an insurance policy against the air conditioner shutting down while you’re gone if the filter becomes clogged with dust and dirt.
- Leave the name and phone number of your go-to air conditioning expert with a trusted neighbor, just in case of an emergency.
With one of your biggest home investments duly protected, don’t forget to take other safety measures before leaving home this summer:
- Unplug all of your appliances, except the refrigerator. Don’t just turn off your computers and laptops; unplug them to guard against power surges.
- Shut off the main water valve to prevent flooding.
- Turn off your water heater.
- Unplug your garage door opener so that no one can enter your garage or your home through an adjoining door.
- Lock all your doors and windows. Insert a pole in the track of all sliding doors.
- Close your window treatments.
- Set timers on several lamps, both upstairs and downstairs, to give the impression that you’re home.
- Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your home, collect mail and even park in your driveway intermittently to give the impression that someone’s home.
When you’re leaving home this summer, it’s good to know that someone has your back while you’re on vacation. Call Cox Air Conditioning & Heating and let us know how we can cover your back — and your home’s big investment — to help you enjoy your vacation to the fullest.
Cleaner A/C Coils Mean Better System Performance
Clean air conditioner components are essential for the optimum efficiency of your system, and your A/C coils are no exception. The coils in your air conditioner are responsible for extracting the heat in your home’s air and sending it outside. The evaporator coil in your indoor unit and the condenser coil in your outdoor unit need annual cleaning to ensure that your system operates efficiently to keep your Tampa home comfortable all season long and lower your utility bills.
A qualified HVAC professional can clean your A/C coils as part of your annual preventive maintenance. Depending on how dirty your coils are, your technician will employ one of three methods for cleaning them:
- Dirty coils are generally cleaned with low-pressure air from a compressor, which blows off the dust buildup.
- Dirtier coils are scrubbed with a solution of water and mild detergent, then rinsed thoroughly.
- Heavily-soiled A/C coils are cleaned with a foaming, no-rinse chemical coil cleaner, which is applied and allowed to sit for a few minutes. The foam liquifies and drips into the condensate pan, where it’s sent down the drain. When possible, opt for biodegradable coil cleaners that are safer and don’t pollute the water supply.
Once the A/C coils are clean, the technician will turn his or her attention to the condensate pan beneath the evaporator coil, which catches the condensation that drips from the coil.
Because of the damp conditions of the condensate pan, mold and bacteria can proliferate and prevent optimum drainage of the pan, resulting in water backing up and triggering a shutdown of your system. Additionally, these contaminants decrease the indoor air quality of your home. A biocide is often applied to the condensate pan to kill biological contaminants and prevent further growth. The PVC drain line attached to the pan will be flushed to remove any buildup that may cause clogs.
For more expert advice about cleaning your A/C coils or to schedule preventive maintenance of your entire system with one of our qualified technicians, please feel free to contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve proudly served the Tampa area since 1958.
Advanced A/C Technology Delivers in Comfort and Savings
Warm weather in Florida will continually peak in the upcoming months, creating higher temperatures and humidity in your home. Stay cool with advanced A/C technology built into energy-efficient air conditioning systems.
If you’re in need of getting your A/C unit repaired, maintained or replaced, a professional HVAC technician can help you get the job done, but first consider these important advanced A/C technology factors:
- Efficiency — The seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER, of the air conditioning unit you purchase needs to be at least 13—the industry minimum—or higher. The higher the SEER ratio, the more energy efficient the unit will be, resulting in lower energy consumption costs.
- Temperature and fan control — Look for the energy efficiency ratio (EER) or high temperature rating on your air conditioning unit. This measurement will help you determine which units will work best in your home during the hottest and most humid weather conditions. Having control over the unit’s fan keeps you in control of the unit’s operation time and ultimately its energy consumption. This is another key feature of advanced A/C technology that helps keep your home well-ventilated.
- Filter check light — An A/C unit that has a filter check light will make remembering to clean the filter much more convenient for you. Regularly checking and replacing the filter will keep it running efficiently throughout the hot and humid season.
- Variable-speed air handler — Advanced A/C technology includes this air handler, which operates at multiple speeds rather than the standard two. This flexibility means you’re using only the amount of electricity that’s needed to keep you comfortable—no more, no less.
For more information about how advanced A/C technology has improved home comfort and how you can enjoy a humidity-free home, contact us at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating today. Dedicated to service since 1958, our technicians are eager to help you prepare for a summer of savings.
Don’t Let These Common A/C Problems Overwhelm You
During the hottest months of the year, air conditioners are running almost around the clock. With this constant use, A/C problems can occur, particularly if homeowners haven’t kept up with preventative maintenance. When issues occur, it’s good to to have an understanding of what’s going on.
Here are some of the most common A/C problems:
- Failure to cool the designated space — When your A/C unit’s no longer cooling your home, pay attention to the sounds it might be making. If it goes from being relatively quiet to making loud noises, there may be a problem with the fan belt. Turn off the unit before checking the belt. If it looks worn or torn, you may need to contact your HVAC contractor to replace the belt. If the belt’s in good condition, check the pulleys. It’s possible they need to be oiled or greased.
- Low airflow — A/C problems often are a result of the grill being dirty and blocked, reducing the airflow necessary for cooling. Turn off the power before disassembling the unit and clean the grill, taking care not to get the electronics wet. When an A/C unit is dirty, it won’t work at its maximum capacity and a simple cleaning can solve this problem. Be sure to check the air filter, which should be changed every three months or whenever it appears dirty.
- Compressor or fan issues — When an A/C unit is continuously turned on and off, there can be issues with the fan and/or compressor. The fan or the compressor can easily wear down and need to be replaced.
- Leaky A/C units — Leaky air conditioners are also common A/C problems. Check your unit to make sure that the condensation pan isn’t rusted out and check further down the drain for clogs or obstructions.
Every so often you’ll encounter A/C problems that you can’t handle yourself. In such a case, contact the pros at Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. We’re proud to serve homeowners in and around the Clearwater, Tampa, St. Petersburg, Palm Harbor, Trinity and West Chase areas.
Learn How A/C Filters Impact System Operation
Air Conditioning filters help keep your indoor air quality up to par and are a vital part of the system’s operation. A filter is used to remove contaminants and pollutants from the air and help prevent dust and dirt from building up on the heating coil and fan. An excessive buildup of grime can affect the air conditioner’s ability to work properly and cause the unit to work harder, which can shorten its life span.
Most manufacturers generally include a fiberglass filter with the initial system. You can upgrade the furnace filter to a more efficient model that will trap more airborne particles than the a fiberglass filter. When choosing the right air filter for your needs, consider the minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV), which measures the air filter’s ability to trap air pollutants. The higher the MERV rating, the more efficient the filter is.
Regularly replacing the air conditioner filter is vital to your indoor air quality as well as your HVAC unit. A dirty or clogged filter cannot properly remove airborne particles and can shorten the life span of your system.. Each type of air filter has its own recommended replacement times which will vary based on whether you have any pets or allergy sufferers in the home. However, a general rule of thumb is replacing electrostatic panel or disposable fiberglass panel filters every month to three months.
The owner’s manual included with your air conditioner will provide you with all the information you need about the manufacturer’s recommended air filter for that specific system.
For more information about the appropriate filter for your HVAC unit, contact the experts at Cox Air, serving Pinellas County and the surrounding area since 1958.
Your New Air Conditioner: Why Matching What’s Outside With What’s Inside Is Key
Considering how hot it gets in Florida, air conditioning is an absolute necessity. By now, you’ve either had your system tuned-up for the cooling season, or you’ve spent some time considering a replacement. If your air conditioner is a matching system, it’s important to consider it as a whole. For even though it has two units – one inside and one outside – they work together as a team.
In a split system, the indoor unit contains an evaporator coil that collects the heat in your home. Refrigerant absorbs that heat and carries it to the outdoor unit. The outdoor condensing unit works to remove the heat from the refrigerant, and releases it outside. Then the refrigerant is moved back to the indoor unit to start the process over again. This cycle continues until the set thermostat setting is reached.
There are negative consequences of not adequately matching your inside and outside units. Possible effects include:
- Loss of energy efficiency. The mismatched outdoor and indoor units won’t be able to work as a team.
- Poor cooling capabilities that affect home comfort. One side will always under-perform, reducing cooling capabilities.
- Increased cooling costs. One unit will always work harder than the other, using more electricity.
- Early failure of the new air conditioner. An increased workload can cause the system to malfunction.
If you need a new air conditioner because either the indoor or the outdoor unit has broken down or isn’t operating properly, the best course is to replace the entire system. Also, keep in mind that today’s air conditioners use a new, more environmentally benign refrigerant, which is incompatible with the R-22 refrigerant in older systems. .
Rely on a trusted professional to handle the installation and maintenance of your air conditioner. Please contact us at Cox Air Conditioning and Heating for expert advice on finding a matching system that’s ideally suited to your Tampa-Clearwater-St. Petersburg area home. We’ll then provide top-notch installation and maintenance.
Ensuring Peak Performance From Your New Heat Pump: 8 Installation Essentials
With Florida’s generally warm climate, a heat pump is an economical and practical way to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. If you have recently purchased a heat pump, installing it correctly will help the pump function at its full potential. The following tips will help you avoid common inconveniences caused by improper heat pump installation:
- Make your home as energy efficient as possible. Replace your old drafty windows with energy-efficient units, seal air leaks where cables and wires come into your home and add insulation, paying special attention to your attic. These measures can make it possible to buy a smaller (and less expensive) heat pump.
- If possible, make sure your ductwork is located inside conditioned spaces. Ductwork that runs through an uninsulated crawlspace, attic or basement is subject to heat transfer.
- If your ductwork must run through an unconditioned space, insulate it to an R-value of eight.
- Locate your outdoor unit on the north side of your home. If that’s not possible, pick a spot that’s shady during the hottest part of the day. Keep a well-cleared area all around the unit.
- Let your contractor know that you want the calculated air leakage to be under 10 percent of the unit’s airflow.
- Try to have one return-air vent in each room.
- Avoid using any building cavity as an air duct. Building cavities are leaky, undermine comfort and often develop moisture problems.
- Once ductwork is installed, make sure it’s tight, especially at the seams.
If you have any questions or need assistance, contact Cox Air Conditioning & Heating. Our NATE-certified technicians can provide professional heat pump installation and expert advice on all your home comfort needs.
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