Installing a new air conditioner is unfortunately sometimes necessary when you live in Florida. In a climate where extreme heat and humidity can cause discomfort and even impact the health of you and your family, there are many reasons to replace your air conditioner. Here are five things you need to know to help you get started at the right time, with the right installation company, and with the right questions to ask so that the process is a breeze.

Know the signs of when you need to replace your air conditioner

It can be tough to know the difference between when your air conditioner should be replaced and when it simply needs repairs. If your air conditioner is still cooling effectively and is fewer than 10 years old, adjusting your unit’s maintenance plan would be a good first step. But if it’s giving off unpleasant odors, making irregular sounds, and undergoing increasingly costly repairs, you might need to install a new air conditioner.

Always work with a licensed professional

Hiring a licensed HVAC company to complete your air conditioning installation can feel like an unnecessary expense. But it’s well worth it to know they’re experienced, up-to-date on all their certifications, passed a drug test, and undergone a thorough background check—requirements for every Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating contractor. The same cannot be said for every do-it-yourself contractor.

Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating can help you select a system that’s the right size for your home, maximizing your cooling efficiency and reducing your environmental impact. And with high-efficiency system rebates up to $1,200 through the end of September, it’s more affordable than ever to go with a professional.

Decide on essential features for your air conditioner

With so many air conditioners on the market, it can seem like there are countless features your new unit could have. Determine what’s important to you and then ask your licensed HVAC company if they have any options that align with your decision. Energy-saving modes can help reduce energy consumption and lower your summer utility bills, and convenience features like timers, sleep modes, and programmable thermostats can keep you comfortable while reducing costs.

Measure the size of your home

The square footage of your home or the room that needs to be cooled is an important factor in deciding the size and type of your air conditioning unit. If the air conditioner is too big, it will switch on and off frequently and become less energy efficient. If the unit is too small, it will compensate by running too much which causes wear and tear on the unit.

A central air conditioning unit is useful when you have a large home and want to cool several rooms at once. A ductless system is more efficient, doesn’t need a lot of ductwork in your home, and can cool a portion of your home. And a window air conditioner unit would be suitable if you’re looking to cool a single room or a small area within your home.

Learn how SEER ratings impact energy efficiency

It’s important to understand SEER ratings and what they mean for your air conditioner’s performance and energy efficiency. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it’s the maximum level of efficiency for your unit. Think of it like a car’s maximum miles per gallon—your vehicle won’t always drive that efficiently, but the SEER tells you how energy efficient your unit can be. A good SEER depends on several different factors, including where you live and the size of your home. Talk with a licensed technician about SEER ratings and what types of units would be best for the size of your home.

Trying to decide whether your air conditioner needs repairs or replacing? Don’t do it alone. Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating is here to help make sure you get an air conditioner that is right for your budget, installed properly, and running smoothly for maximum efficiency. Contact us today to learn more and schedule an appointment with one of our licensed technicians.

Florida has a lot to offer—temperatures never get too cold, snow storms are almost unheard of, and most days are sunny and breezy thanks to nearby beaches no matter where you are in the Sunshine State. But Florida also comes with high humidity levels. Here are three ways to enjoy the Florida weather while maintaining humidity control in your home and staying comfortable no matter how warm it gets outside.

What is humidity control?

Humidity control systems can add or remove water vapor from indoor air to regulate humidity levels in your home. Getting your HVAC on a regular service schedule and extending the life and functionality of your unit is still the best way to keep temperatures where you want them. But humidity control systems can do almost as much to make your home pleasant by dampening air in the winter (making it warmer) and dehumidifying warm air in the summer (making it cooler).

Mold and mildew can be a result of high humidity levels in your Florida home. If your humidity levels get too high, mold and mildew can start to grow within a day, causing respiratory issues, shortness of breath, and even structural damage to your house. If you suspect that your humidity levels are too high, contact a licensed technician right away and get a maintenance plan started.

Clean and change air filters more frequently

Your AC system is designed to reduce microbial growth and mildew. But during the hottest months in Florida, it could be working overtime—which means you should be changing out old air filters and installing new ones more frequently. A good rule of thumb is to replace air filters every 90-180 days as this decreases the wear and tear on your HVAC unit, adds to the life of your existing system, and increases the comfortability of your home for everyone.

For those who need more than just a filter to keep their air clean, HVAC companies are developing state-of-the-art solutions like indoor air quality (IAQ) systems. These IAQ systems range from electronic air cleaners and air purifiers to UV lights that sterilize the air and reduce both mold growth and the risk of viruses.

Lower the temperature of your entire home

If you want to control humidity levels in your Florida home, one of the easiest things you can do is to set the thermostat a few degrees cooler than you normally do. This pulls humidity from your home, but it means the fans will run more frequently and put more strain on your existing duct system.

In addition to running the air conditioner, leaving doors open and running fans will help with air circulation throughout the house. But it’s important to remember that a neglected duct system can have an adverse effect on your family’s health and the efficiency of your HVAC system.

Fix leaks and seepage in your home

Once you observe moisture leaking into your Florida home, it’s time to further waterproof your property. Moisture on the first floor or in exterior garages and sheds can result from an unexpected water flow to the house. Be sure to check ceilings, floors, tubs, and sinks for any water damage or leakage.

If you suspect that excess water is damaging your home and increasing humidity levels around your property, it could be a good idea to schedule an inspection with an HVAC professional who knows where problems commonly occur and can give you recommendations on if a new unit is needed as well as a full rundown on next steps to control the humidity in your Florida home.

If you’re trying to save money on your Florida energy bill, you’re not alone. With its wide range of temperatures throughout the year and heat lasting well after the calendar says summer is over, Florida is a difficult state when it comes to conserving energy. But even small changes and simple adjustments can help you reduce your energy usage and increase your savings. Here are 10 easy and free ways to save on your Florida energy bill and support a cleaner environment!

Turn off the air and open some windows

Anyone who lives in Florida knows that when it’s hot outside, it is hot outside. Keeping your home cool is one of the biggest reasons your energy bill is so high. Don’t sweat it. Save on air conditioning costs and reduce energy usage by setting your air conditioning to 78 degrees when you’re not at home—like work, weekend errands, and especially on vacations. This is the perfect temperature for keeping an air conditioner working efficiently while spending less to keep your home cool.

Unplug all electronics and appliances

If you turn off your television and computer every night, you’re already reducing your energy usage and lowering your Florida energy bill. But you can use even less energy by unplugging all your electronics when you go to sleep or leave your home. Most electronic devices and appliances draw power even when they’re switched off. Unplugging is a quick way to reduce your energy usage.

Schedule regular tune-ups for your AC

If your air conditioning is in poor condition and hasn’t been serviced recently, it could be running efficiently. That means your system will have to run harder and longer just to keep your house at the same cool temperature. But with regular tune-ups, your system will experience wear and tear at a much slower pace, and your system won’t have to use extra energy to keep your Florida energy bill down.

Close doors, vents, and windows

If you spend a lot of time at home, closing doors and air conditioning vents throughout parts of the house you don’t frequent can help make your cooling system more efficient. By not wasting energy cooling rooms that no one is in, it takes less energy to keep everyone comfortable, translating into a lower Florida energy bill for you and your family.

Turn off the water

If you live in Florida and you’re leaving the water running while brushing your teeth, shaving, or even getting a drink of water, you’re wasting approximately three gallons of water a day. Reduce your Florida energy bill by brushing your teeth before turning on the faucet or filling the sink with water before starting to shave.

Add some plants near your house

Quick: What’s a free way to block out the sun and keep temperatures a few degrees cooler during the day without using a single ounce of energy? Shade, of course, and there’s no better way to provide shade than some new plants near your home. In fact, planting trees over your outdoor air conditioning unit can increase its efficiency and reduce the amount of energy it needs to keep running strong.

Use fans instead of AC

Fans use a fraction of the energy as an air conditioner, and while they don’t eliminate the heat they are effective at maintaining cooler temperatures. Next time, use a fan in conjunction with your air conditioning system while letting your thermostat sit several degrees above where it normally is.

Cook outside

Yes, there are indeed some fun ways to save money on your Florida energy bill. Cook outside on an open flame or with your grill. You’ll reduce your energy usage by not using your oven, and you’ll be taking advantage of those Florida nights where it gets a little less hot outside.

Air dry your laundry

Hang your outfits on a clothes wire. Let your hair dry without the use of an electric hair dryer. Letting things dry naturally cuts down on your energy usage and will reduce your Florida energy bill exponentially. For example, a typical clothes dryer uses around 3,000 watts per hour. Cut back your electronics and dryer usage and watch those energy savings pile up.

Insulate your home

We’ve saved the best for last. Insulating your Florida home isn’t just about keeping things as warm as possible. It’s about temperature control, and when you use your air conditioner to constantly fight rising temperatures it’s using a lot of energy that could be costing you more than you know. Insulate your home and prevent the Florida heat from messing with the cool indoors.

Have you ever felt like Goldilocks and the Three Bears when it comes to setting the temperature in your home, especially during summer? Someone is always too hot or too cold and only rarely is anyone just right. Here on The First Coast, you know about high energy bills, hot summers, and 100% humidity. What you may not know is that with the right thermostat settings and the right thermostat, you can avoid the high cost, temperatures, and humidity of summer and still keep everyone comfortable.

FINDING THE RIGHT TEMPERATURE

If you want to select a temperature that will keep you comfortable and lower your energy bill, the best temperature is 78 degrees while you’re at home. This is Florida, so ceiling fans are not uncommon in at least one room. Now is the time to make good use of them so you don’t sacrifice comfort for energy efficiency.

When you leave for a few hours or for work, bump the thermostat up to between 85 and 88 degrees. There’s no reason to cool an empty home and your air conditioner will run less while you’re gone. If the idea of coming home to a stuffy, slightly warm home is unbearable, consider a smart thermostat from trusted brands like Carrier. You’ll be able to schedule the change in temperature or reset it on the go while walking into a cool house. Most smart thermostats also have a scheduling feature so you can set your thermostat for the week ahead.

DON’T LET THE HUMIDITY GET TOO HIGH

Here in Florida you can’t walk outside during the summer without sweating or getting flat hair, thanks to the high heat and higher humidity. What you don’t want is a home that feels just as uncomfortable. High levels of humidity in your home can allow mold and mildew to grow and even have serious health consequences. During the summer months, your indoor humidity levels should be below 60 percent. Lower humidity lets your air conditioner work less and helps your home feel much cooler.

Common wisdom says that when you go out of town for a few days, you should turn off your air conditioner for a while to save energy and money. Whoever says that doesn’t live in Florida during the summer. It’s much better to set your thermostat to 88 degrees and your humidity levels around 50 percent and then enjoy your time away from home without worrying about what kind of energy bill or moldy mess you’ll find when you come home. Even more, this prevents you from having to return to a home that is suffocatingly hot and that takes forever to cool.

ADAPTING TO YOUR SCHEDULE

All of the best smart thermostats offer a scheduling option. This allows you to control your energy usage throughout the week and save on energy costs while keeping your home cool and comfortable. You can set your away temperature and your at-home temperature, but that’s only the beginning. What makes these thermostats truly smart is the level of control you have.

The sleep-wake-away-home setting options let you have the comfort of ideal temperatures at night, the right temperatures when you’re home, and the cost-saving settings when you’re at work or out for the day. During the summer, you need comfortable temperatures that won’t double or triple your energy bill and you need low humidity levels to keep you comfortable and keep moisture out of your home. Knowing the right thermostat settings is the first step. Having a smart thermostat to get the job done is the next.

When you’re ready to upgrade to a smart thermostat so you can stay cool and comfortable all summer, contact us at Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating. Call (904) 574-5619 to schedule your appointment.

Zoned air conditioning allows you to easily control the temperatures within individual rooms in your home. Most houses have one thermostat controlling a central air conditioning system that determines how cold or warm an entire home will be. But zoned air conditioning allows you to regulate different temperatures for different rooms. For example, if you have a room with a lot of direct sunlight, you may want to keep that room a little cooler than a room without windows or with indirect sunlight. Conversely, storage rooms may need to be kept at a slightly higher temperature than the rest of your house during colder months. In Florida, zoned air conditioning is especially beneficial as it can lead to energy cost savings, increased comfort throughout your home, and more.

How Does Zoned Air Conditioning Work?

Once you’ve separated your house into at least two different zones, a licensed HVAC professional will outfit each zone with its own programmable thermostat and install duct dampers to automatically vent and release hot or cold air into your home. Each individual thermostat is linked to a central control module that allows you to control each zone with just a few quick adjustments and settings.

In Florida, this can be especially helpful with the wide range of temperatures you might experience in a small amount of time. According to the Florida Climate Center of Florida State University, summer temperatures in Florida can range between 73° F and 95° F in a single day. That’s a 22-degree difference from just before sunrise to the hottest part of the afternoon. Different rooms will naturally be warmer or cooler based on several different factors. What are some best practices when it comes to splitting your home into individual zones and keeping everything at the temperature you decide?

How Should I Zone My Florida Home?

“The Sunshine State” isn’t just a nickname. Florida gets hot, especially in July and August. If you’re considering zoned air conditioning, the first thing you need to keep in mind is how the sun is currently interacting with your home. Are there rooms you frequent at certain parts of the day? Depending on your answers, you could group rooms together into a specific zone that either needs to be cooler because it gets a lot of direct sunlight, or warmer because it’s already shaded.

Most homes in Florida don’t have basements, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t multi-story homes. Many houses have a second (or even third) floor, and if you remember from science class—hot air always rises. Maybe your first floor is relatively cool, but when you go upstairs you feel the room start to get a little stuffy. That’s perfectly normal for a central air conditioning unit that’s treating all rooms the same. But if you had a zoned air conditioning system you could adjust each floor to be a little bit cooler than the one below it. That would offset the naturally hotter temperatures on your upper floors.

Can Zoned Air Conditioning Lower My Energy Bills?

With zoned air conditioning, you can easily set different temperatures for different rooms in your house. And with smart technology, you can even set heating and cooling to change automatically based on the indoor temperature, time of day, and more. That means the system is switching on and off less frequently, saving you money. In addition, zoned air conditioning reduces the workload on your system’s compressor and air handler, regulating the amount of energy each is doing throughout the day and reducing wear and tear. That means fewer repairs and a longer life for your heating and cooling system.

One easy way to keep thermostats running smoothly is to password protect them so that only select individuals in your home can change the settings. Want to install a smart thermostat in your Florida home? Click here to learn more about working with Ocean State Air Conditioning & Heating.