May 19, 2013

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Are You Smarter than Your Air Conditioner? Take the Indoor Air Quality Quiz

February 21, 2013 By

quiz indoor air quality air conditioner hometechYou think you’re so smart, don’t you? Well, Home-Tech would love to challenge your air conditioning and indoor air quality knowledge. As southwest Florida’s air conditioning and appliance experts, we take indoor air quality very seriously. Your health and the health of your household is extremely important to us. Did you know that EPA studies indicate that indoor levels of many pollutants may be 2-5 times, and occasionally more than 100 times, higher than outdoor levels?  If you already know this, then this quiz may be a breeze, if not, put your thinking caps on and let the games begin. 

Pencils Ready? It’s Indoor Air Quality Awareness Quiz Time

PLEASE CHECK ALL THAT APPLY TO YOU OR YOUR HOUSEHOLD.

___No one in my house has allergies

___No one in my house has asthma

___No one in my house gets frequent colds and sore throats

* Did You Know: More than 15 million Americans have asthma and more than 28 million suffer from hay fever and other allergies, conditions that may be aggravated by airborne particles such as dust, pet dander and pollen. And according to a study by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, indoor air contaminants are responsible for more than half of all illnesses. 

___ No one in my house smokes

___ I do not have an indoor pet

* Did You Know: Tobacco smoke actually contains over 4,000 compounds, many of which are strong irritants. And most homes built after 1979 have tighter insulation that helps to trap irritants such as tobacco smoke and pet dander indoors.

___I never have a sink full of dirty dishes

___I never have tables or countertops that haven’t been wiped clean

___I don’t have any food stored in unsealed containers

___All of my trash cans are sealed or covered

___My carpets are always freshly vacuumed

___None of my bathtubs and other surfaces have any mold or mildew

___I have no sheets that need washing

*Did You Know: Even the cleanest homes can allow indoor pollutants to flourish. Typical household activities such as cooking, cleaning and redecorating can spread indoor air pollutants.

Scoring: Add up the number of check marks to determine your IAQ (indoor air quality) awareness:

Pollen Air Conditioning Trane Home-Tech

Photo courtesy of Trane

8-12 = Your IAQ is okay. While you may have already taken important steps to improve the quality of the air in your home, there are still particles and allergens that exist at microscopic levels that can make indoor air irritating.

3-7 = Your IAQ could be better. While you are doing well in some IAQ areas, you may need to be more diligent in removing contaminants from your home.

1-2 = Your IAQ is a challenge. It’s time to get serious about taking steps to improve your indoor air quality. Schedule a consultation with an indoor air quality professional or visit Home-Tech.com to learn about Trane’s CleanEffects System.

Your Indoor Air Quality Coaches

Be smart about your health and start by improving your indoor air quality. Get those test scores up with help from Home-Tech. We provide the best indoor air quality products for your air conditioning system. Call us today to schedule an appointment with a Home-Tech Comfort Specialist at 800-800-8356. 

 

Filed Under: Air Conditioners, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: , ,

5 Tips to Survive An Early Pollen Season, Celebrate Air Conditioning

February 4, 2013 By

Pollen is the most difficult airborne allergen to avoid, but there are still a number of things that you can do to minimize your exposure to pollen. Have you looked into air cleaners or purifiers to make your air healthier to breathe? Consumer Reports told us that people spend more than $500 million dollars a year on these products. Is it time for you to jump on the purifier wagon?

Pollen air conditioning home-tech

Photo courtesy of: Allergycare.wordpress.com

Simple Allergen Elimination Tips:

  • Avoid open windows, attic fans, or any other unfiltered openings for pollen to get into your home. Instead, run your central air conditioning for air circulation. If you’re torn between your allergies and the desire to open your windows on a pretty day, consider using window screen filters to keep pollen out.
  • Replace your air conditioning filters or wash electrostatic filters regularly to help clean pollen out of the air. You can also use vent filters on the room vents to catch anything that might have made it by the air conditioning filter or pollen and other allergens that may have already settled in your air ducts.
  • Run a HEPA air cleaner in your bedroom to help eliminate the pollen that makes its way into your home.
  • Don’t dry your clothes on an outside line where they can collect pollen. Instead dry them in a vented dryer.
  • Outdoor pets are covered in pollen. Wipe them down when you let them indoors and bathe them frequently. You should also avoid letting them track pollen onto your bed.

Air Conditioning Accessories for Increased Indoor Air Quality

The excerpt above came from our friends at National Allergy. But, if you are looking for a more technical solution, Home-Tech has many products that can keep your home allergen and dust free. We recommend Trane CleanEffects,™ the patented whole-house air filtration from a recognized industry  leader. Designed from the ground up to clean the air like nothing before, CleanEffects makes the air in your home feel cleaner and fresher than you thought possible. 

Pollen Air Conditioning Trane Home-Tech

Photo courtesy of Trane

The CleanEffects Benefits:

  • Removes up to an incredible 99.98% of allergens from filtered air.
  • Traps particles as small as .1  micron in size.
  • Up to 100 times more effective than a standard 1” filter.
  • Can reduce your need to dust by up to 50%.

Breathe Easier

If you suffer from allergies, even inside your home, let a Home-Tech Comfort Specialist evaluate your current air conditioning system. Our highly trained and expert specialists can suggest additional accessories to increase the indoor air quality levels in your home. Don’t get trapped by allergies, get Home-Tech instead. Call us today to schedule an appointment at 800-800-8356.

Filed Under: Air Conditioners, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: ,

Thankful for a Successful Trane Air Conditioning System Installation

January 30, 2013 By

installation duct work air conditioningWe would like to thank you for your technicians: Josh, Steve, Luis and Eduardo for their fine work installing our new Trane air conditioning system and duct work. They were very polite, friendly, hard working and professional. Derek and David were great to work with as well. We are very satisfied with our new air conditioning system and would recommend Home-Tech to anyone.

 

Sincerely,

Sharon, Jerry and Jay Pfister

Filed Under: Air Conditioners, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips, Testimonial Tagged With: ,

What Everybody Ought to Know About Hiring Air Conditioning Contractors

January 22, 2013 By
air conditioning contractor home-tech

Photo courtesy of Pam Ross

Are you in the market for a new air conditioning system, but don’t want to get ripped off or taken advantage of? Purchasing a new air conditioning system is a process that should not be taken lightly. You may have found a heating and cooling system you would like to know more about or you don’t really know where to begin the process. Home-Tech understands this process all too well, and would like to provide you with some guidance when deciding which air conditioning contractor you will be selecting. We know that a high quality installation is one that takes into account your duct work and home comfort needs. This is critical to the successful performance of any air conditioning system. 

Signs of a Professional Air Conditioning Contractor

  • Asks about your home comfort experience and the things you would like to improve with a new AC system
  • Asks about allergies, dust or other indoor air quality issues and then offers solutions
  • Performs a Manual J load calculation to make sure the new system is properly sized
  • Has a company commitment to ongoing technical training and employs NATE certified technicians
  • Offers financing
  • Offers a maintenance plan or Service Agreement

Red Flags and Warning Signs

  • Quotes a price over the phone or on the back of a business card
  • Doesn’t inspect the duct work
  • The lowest bid (it takes more time and labor for a correct installation)

No More Hot Air

air conditioning comfort specialistAt Home-Tech, our Comfort Specialists and technicians will provide you with an honest quote and a full inspection of your air conditioning equipment and duct work. With Home-Tech you can expect a full energy audit, management of the permitting process, installation from our NATE certified specialists and we ensure you will receive any and all of the utility, FPL and manufacturers’ rebates on a new AC system. Home-Tech cares about your comfort and time. We will show your home respect, leaving it spotless upon the completion of the installation. Have questions about a new system, give us a call today at 800-800-8356. 

 

Filed Under: Air Conditioners, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: ,

Hard Working Air Conditioning Installers Do Home-Tech Proud

November 14, 2012 By

To Whom It May Concern,air conditioning service vehicles

Your company, Home-Tech,  has just completed a big air conditioning job at my home. They had to remove all of our old and molded air conditioning equipment and replaced it with new. It took three full days and I would like to say I was so impressed with the two men who did most of the work. These hard working air conditioning installers were Josh A. and Steven R. They arrived early each day and worked hard in a difficult space, my attic.  Always polite and patient, they took their time with me,  my questions and concerns. Before they left each day, they even cleaned up their work area in my garage.

Josh, as the team leader, did an especially good job with the paper work and final details. You are fortunate to have such dedicated and hard working men out in the field for Home-Tech. They are ‘keepers’ and I would recommend them to anyone.

Sincerely,

Mrs. John C. White, Naples, FL

Filed Under: About Us, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips, Testimonial Tagged With: ,

An Inside Look Home-Tech, An Interview with Pat Swords

November 9, 2012 By

Pat Swords Air Conditioning Installation ManagerName: Pat Swords

Position:  Installation Manager

Number of Years with Home-Tech: Oh gee, um, hold on and let me check. (He pulls out one of his Home-Tech awards). 13 years. Started here in 1999.

What other positions have you held with Home-Tech?

Training Manager and Assistant Installation Manager

How has Home-Tech changed since you started working here?

We have become a very diversified company. We are much more technologically advanced than before, and keeping up with the changing technology is a continuous learning process. Truly, I learn something new every day.

What role has Home-Tech played in your life?

This is my life! I have been in air conditioning for my entire career, and I have found it to be very rewarding. I enjoy meeting new challenges and staying a step ahead of the competition.

What is your favorite part of the job?

The satisfaction I receive knowing that our customers are happy with our installations. For me, its about knowing that we have provided the best experience possible for the customer.

What advice to you give to newer Home-Tech employees?

Be prepared to work hard and learn all you can. If you don’t, you will be lost.

Do you have any funny Home-Tech stories?

Ha! I have a comedy of errors. How much time do you have? (Not enough for this interview, apparently).

Outside of Home-Tech, what are your hobbies or passions?

Fishing, watching all sports and playing golf.

Tell us a secret.

Years ago, I installed an air conditioning system for Charles “Chuck” Colson. He was President Richard Nixon’s hatchet man.

Filed Under: About Us, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: ,

CEO Praises Home-Tech Air Conditioning Installation Team Members

November 2, 2012 By

Subject: Thought You Should Know

installation duct work air conditioningMr. Marino,

My name is Jim Dauwalter and I am writing to share with you some good news. As a past CEO, I have always appreciated getting feedback from customers good or bad, but I especially enjoyed hearing positive comments since most the time customers only call when they are disappointed.

I recently had the displeasure of getting a phone call revealing that 2 of my 3 air conditioning units went out , and I now have mold on my ceilings and in my duct work.  I was told they needed to be replaced at a cost of $27,000, which was a real shocker, as you can imagine.

installation attic air conditioning The good news from all of this is that I witnessed your team execute flawlessly on all fronts from the beginning until the completion of the air conditioning system and duct work installation. In particular, l felt proud to be an American watching fellow Americans working hard, working smartly and cooperatively with utmost politeness to each other and to me. You should be extremely proud of the installation team of Jason G. (lead man), Edwardo P. and Luis B. They exemplified the behavior every CEO could only hope for his people on the job.

Thank you and I hope you get a chance to thank them as well.

Sincerely,

Jim Dauwalter

Filed Under: Testimonial Tagged With: ,

Sweating Air Conditioning Vents? Try Closing the Windows.

October 25, 2012 By

air conditioning on close doorCooler weather is upon us and we all feel the desire to open up the windows. Whether you live closer to the water on the beach or inland, one rule holds true: Turn OFF your air conditioning if you are going to open up the windows. People say “Don’t sweat the small stuff,” but a sweating air conditioner can cause warping and/or other unwanted water damage to the air conditioning unit, its installation and the overall performance of the unit.

Technical Talk

Air conditioning is designed to operate as a closed loop. If you have the windows open, you are drawing in humid, warm outside air. This forces your AC unit to “condition” that air as well. If you close the windows, the AC unit recirculates the air in the house, removing moisture and cooling much more efficiently.  Negative pressure can also be the culprit here. Hot or warm, humid air can seep in from open windows or cracked sliding doors. This extra air coming in will make it difficult for your air conditioner to keep up, it will bog down your system, and increase your energy bills.

The Repeat Offenders

1. The Vacationer: You and your family are on vacation by the beach. The sounds of crashing waves are what you desire, but you also want the cool, dry feeling of air conditioning. You CAN have both, but it requires a Bose sound machine, put on the crashing waves setting. Here is the reality of the situation, it is BAD to keep the AC running with the windows open. The owner of the vacation home, or rental company will thank you for being respectful of their air conditioning.

2. The Prop-the-Door-Open Guy: Think propping the door open for a long period of time won’t effect your AC? Think again. You are effecting the balance of pressure in your home, which will effect the efficiency of your air conditioning system and the indoor air quality. Do you and your AC a favor. Ditch the prop, and just close the door. Your wallet will thank you for increasing the efficiency of your AC.

clogged filter air conditioning sweaty vents3.The Forgotten About Filter: Open windows aren’t the only causes of sweaty vent syndrome. Dirty coils or a clogged air filter can also do damage. Be proactive and check your air filter every month. If your air filter is clean and not clogged, and you suspect you have dirty coils, its time for Home-Tech to take over. 

4. The Mis-Informed: Have you had an air conditioning technician come out and tell you that sweating air conditioning vents are normal? If so, this homeowner received bad information. Sweating AC vents are not desirable. Perhaps your air conditioning unit is located in a highly humid area or your air conditioning was not properly installed. Call a licensed air conditioning company, like Home-Tech, and have the professionals take a look at it.

Still Sweating Your Air Conditioning

If sweaty grills and vents are prevalent in your home, your energy bills are spiking and the efficiency of your air conditioning is lapsing.  It’s time to call Home-Tech and schedule a service call. Our NATE certified technicians will get your humidity and other air conditioning problems taken care of quickly. Your comfort is our priority.  We will get your AC performance back to its optimal levels quickly. Save on the cost of this air conditioning repair by using our No Fuss, No Muss Special. Call today to schedule service and to learn more about our services at 800-800-8356.

 

 

 

Filed Under: Air conditioning Repair, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , , , ,

The Balancing Act – Inside Professional Air Conditioning Installation

October 16, 2012 By

balanced air conditioning installationOne thing we rarely hear is “I would like for this room to be warmer than all the others in my home.” When people purchase a new air conditioning system from Home-Tech, they want even cooling and heating throughout their home. Have you ever wondered how we keep all the rooms in your home equally cool? Well, its a process called Air Balancing.

Air balancing is the process of testing and adjusting your air conditioning system to deliver the proper amount of air to each room in your home. Air balancing hoods are used to measure the the amount of air coming from each grille. A balanced air conditioning system runs more efficiently than an unbalanced system, which is why Home-Tech takes balancing your air flow very seriously, especially during your initial system installation.  We aim to provide an installation where the end results are rooms that are the same temperatures, with cleaner air, better humidity control and energy efficient.

A Home-Tech installer has the tools to address your home comfort issues.  We will offer solutions such as programmable thermostats, humidifiers, air cleaners and variable-speed and two-stage technology to further increase the comfort of your home. Our installers will go above and beyond to ensure your satisfaction in your new system and our installation performance.

What to Expect

When Home-Tech performs an air conditioning installation, we also provide:

  • An energy audit
  • We handle the local permitting process
  • Ensure you receive ALL of the utility, FPL and manufacturer’s rebates on your new air conditioning system
  • Installation from the best, NATE certified specialists in the business
  • Respect, for your time and home, and clean up when we are completed
  • The necessary time with you to explain your new air conditioning system and thermostat.

Air Conditioning Service That Works

You can trust your home to Home-Tech.  Contact Home-Tech today for a fast, no obligation , free estimate and survey. Want to know more, check out our air conditioning installation video. If you would like to schedule an appointment with a Comfort Specialist, call us at 800-800-8356 or schedule online.

Filed Under: Air Conditioners, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,

Air Conditioning – Fighting Allergies with Improved Indoor Air Quality

October 9, 2012 By

Stopair conditioning allergies holding your breath for cleaner air.  Sneezing, wheezing, coughing and sniffling are the symptoms of the all-too-familiar Florida allergy sufferer. Is that you?  Well, here’s some good news!  Home-Tech could help improve your symptoms by improving the air quality inside your home.  Our Comfort Specialists can outfit your current air conditioning system with ventilators, UV lamps, humidifiers and air purifiers to create a cleaner, fresher and healthier environment for you and your family.

Trap the Pollutants in Your Air

Home-Tech’s goal for our customers is to not only provide cool comfort, but cleaner air as well. For allergy sufferers, it means providing air conditioning solutions that trap and kill bacteria, viruses, mold spores, allergens and other pollutants from the air you breathe. Here’s a great product you should know about.  The Infinity® air purifier, for example, cleans indoor air as many as 8 times an hour with an enviable MERV rating of 15 and removes pollutants from the air that are up to 18,000 times smaller than the head of a pin.

The standard features of Carrier’s Infinity Air Purifier include:

  • Whole home air purification system
  • Long-life MERV 15 filter
  • Patented Captures and Kills™ technology
  • Captures up to 95% of particles .30 to 1.0 microns in size
  • Kills or inactivates up to 99% of germs, pollen and mold captured
  • Proven effective against 13 common pathogens including influenza, common cold, measles, Staphylococcus aureus, Streptococcus and Aspergillus versicolor (a common fungus).

air conditioning products for allergy sufferersShedding Some Light on Airborne Allergens

Our ultraviolet germicidal lamps mean “lights out” for mold and bacteria. The indoor coil inside of your air conditioning system is part of what cools your home, but it and its drain pan can also be a favorite hangout of mold and bacteria. Growth of these organisms can affect efficiency and reduce airflow. They can even become airborne. Eliminating these bad boys does more than help improve your air quality, it increases your air conditioning system’s performance as well. That’s because when mold is allowed to build up on your coils, airflow can be reduced by as much as 9%. With UV lamps, coil cleaning can be a thing of the past. Simply replace the lamps once a year.

The standard features of these UV lamps include:

  • Intense UV light is designed to kill bacteria and mold growing on and around the indoor coil
  • Minimizes microbial build-up on coil and drain pan and prevents it from becoming airborne
  • Enhances air flow
  • Helps maintain system efficiency
  • Silent operation
  • 10 year limited warranty, 90-day limited warranty for bulbs

air conditioning comfort specialistTake a Breather

Want to reduce those annoying allergens from inside your home? Call Home-Tech and our Comfort Specialists can assist in providing the air conditioning products to improve the quality of your conditioned air. Don’t let allergies rule your home, take control over them and breathe easier. Call now to schedule an appointment with our Indoor Air Quality Experts at 800-800-8356.

Filed Under: Air Conditioners, Air conditioning Repair, Home-Tech News, Techster’s Appliance and AC Tips Tagged With: , , , , , , , ,
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