May 19, 2013

Why Do Homes Have a Distinct Smell? Is it an Air Conditioning Issue?

hometech smell air conditioningYou know that smell, right? It’s that smell when you walk into a home and you automatically recognize the place by that distinct odor. Have you ever wondered why places have a defining aroma and why others do not?

What’s That Smell?

Apparently there is something called “Occupant Odor.”  According to Glamzzle.com, these odors come from the detergents you use, cooking smells, cleaning supplies, and room fresheners. These scents then occupy spaces like curtains, carpets, cushions and pillows. Combined together, the meshing of these scents creates your distinct home smell.

While some homes have a more pleasant aroma than others, there are certain smells that you would prefer to avoid, like that of pet dander, mildew, or mold. Have you tried everything to eliminate these odors to no avail? Strong and lingering odors may be a sign that there could be a problem with your air conditioning

Is Your Air Conditioning Creating  Stinky Smells?

Let’s say there is a strong and overpowering mold smell that occurs when you are running your air conditioning. It is possible that mold has grown on and/or around your condenser coil. This occurs when draining of the condenser pan is malfunctioning. Home-Tech calls this problem the odoriferous coil. This requires professional assistance, and Home-Tech should be contacted to clean your coils. We don’t want to see you suffer through another stinky day, so let us freshen up that air.

air conditioning AC smells hometechSimple Smell Solutions

If your odors are caused from environmental elements, try some of these easy solutions to stop those smells.

  1. Change out your air conditioning filter more frequently. Changing them on a regular basis will increase your unit’s effectiveness and reduce the chance of smells lingering in your house. 
  2. To remove a lingering kitchen odor that comes from a pungent vegetable like cauliflower or cauliflower, add a tablespoon of lemon juice to the cooking water or dish. 
  3. Cook with the fan on. Ventilating the cooking process can eliminate lingering odors. If it is something super pungent, like a curry or cumin dish, try opening the windows as well. 
  4. Does your garbage disposal stink? Try using distilled white vinegar to neutralize the odor. Fill an ice cube tray with vinegar and freeze. Toss the cubes down the disposal and let the deodorizing begin. While the vinegar scent is strong, it does dissipate over time. Vinegar is great because it kills mold, germs and bacteria thanks to its high acidity. 

A Home-Tech Home

We care about your comfort. While our technicians know first hand that each home has a distinct smell, we also know which smells are cause for concern. Have an odor that you are unsure of, call the experts with a trained nose. Home-Tech can evaluate any air conditioning problem, and are available when you need us most. We are here to answer your questions, even if it is about a lingering odor. Call us today at 800-800-8356.
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Air Conditioning Tech Rep. Promoted. Jonathan Hayo Named HVAC Manager

Jon Hayo HVAC Manager Air Conditioning HomeTechHome-Tech, Southwest Florida’s residential air conditioning, appliance service and sales leader, promoted Jonathan Hayo to HVAC Manager of the company’s Bradenton location. Jon will be the direct supervisor for the air conditioning technicians and sales representatives in the Sarasota and Manatee county markets. As a Tech Rep for the company, Jon successfully increased sales and grew visibility for the company in the northern counties.

Hayo was instrumental in the growth of Home-Tech’s northern territories and he played an important role in the grand opening of Home-Tech’s Bradenton location. He brings more than 36 years of air conditioning and sales experience. Jon has been with Home-Tech since 2011.

 

 

Best of Air Conditioning – 2013 Best AC Systems

air conditioning ac hvac best of 2013 hometechNow that 2013 is in full swing, its time to share the facts and our recommendations on the best air conditioning systems on the market for this year. It is never easy when researching a major purchase, like an air conditioning system, to really know what you are getting.  While there are many options and brands to chose from, there are five systems that really stand out. Home-Tech’s air conditioning experts have done the research for you. You can trust our selections, as our criteria for selecting these AC systems are based upon price, performance, warranty and durability.

Amana 18 Seer Air Conditioning System – ASXC18

The ASXC18 is a popular selection because it is a best value when considering price and warranty coverage. This air conditioning unit provides high-efficiency, outstanding performance and quiet operation. In addition, it’s reliable operation and outstanding features add up to premium indoor comfort. Amana’s premium warranty protection includes a lifetime unit replacement limited warranty as well as a 10-year parts limited warranty.

Carrier Infinity 21 Central Air Conditioner – 24ANB1

Home-Tech’s air conditioning experts consider this Carrier to be the most technologically advanced and the highest performer in its class.  It is the “Corvette” of the bunch.  Not only was the Infinity 21 pinned as  the Most Efficient in 2012 by Energy Star, but it was also named by Consumer’s Digest as a Best Buy® winner. By far, this system does the best job removing humidity in the home thanks to the two-stage scroll compressor.

home-tech air condition ac trane 2013

Photo Courtesy of Trane

Trane XL20i - 4TTZ0024A

Trane air conditioning systems have a reputation of lasting the longest and being built the toughest. Their slogan, “It’s Hard to Stop a Trane,” is true, these units hold up for a very long time. The Home-Tech AC team refers to the XL20i as the  ”F150 of the AC industry.” This dual-compressor unit has an exclusive compressor for milder weather and a second, larger compressor for hot days. Trane’s patented Comfort-R™ provides greater humidity control in cooling by running the fan at a slower speed during start-up.

Bryant Preferrred Series Air Conditioning System – 126B

Bryant,  a sub-brand of Carrier, is a more economical option to save consumers some lettuce. Bryant is the “Toyota,” always reliable, doesn’t have many problems and will last for a very long time. This is the air conditioning system your neighbor and most of the people on your block will have. The Bryant 126B  is a great, sturdy and long-lasting AC system and that is why we highly recommend it.

Maytag iQ Drive – PSA4BI – 24.5 SEER

When it comes to efficiency, the Maytag PSA4BI is the industry’s elite.  This air conditioning system comes standard with a very strong warranty and it is made of stainless steel. Do you like a system that is extremely quite? The iQ drive puts out a quiet 59 decibles. This system was also awarded a Consumer Digest’s Best Buy®  and rated Most Energy Efficient design in 2012 by Energy Star. Thanks to its energy efficiency and high-end comfort features, this air conditioner qualifies for the Maytag ecoLogic™ green seal.

 Your AC Experts

Have questions about the right air conditioning system for your home? While this list is an excellent start, every home is different. Make sure you research the system you may purchase, and double check that the AC company you hire is NATE certified, like Home-Tech. A new air conditioning system is no good unless it is properly installed, balanced and is the proper SEER for the size of your home. Don’t just call anyone, call Home-Tech to learn about our air conditioning options at 800-800-8356.

Two Decades of Service Agreements Make for Happy Customers

service agreements home-tech testimonial

Photo courtesy of http://readysettable.wordpress.com/

“We have been loyal Home-Tech beneficiaries for over two decades. We just re-upped for another four years. Recently, we replaced our A/C system. We cannot come up with sufficient accolades to describe the professional work and respectful attitude of the Home-Tech team that handled our project and associated service agreements. The Home-Tech reps that bring great credit to your company are Sheryl S., Mike H., Derek E., Jason, Casey and David.”

Respectfully conveyed,

Jim & Joan Merritt, Bonita Springs, FL

 

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

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.

Thankful for a Successful Trane Air Conditioning System Installation

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

What Everybody Ought to Know About Hiring Air Conditioning Contractors

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. 

 

Best of 2012 Home-Tech Blog Posts – Top Loading Washers Take #1 Slot

home-tech best of 2012 blogsThere were so many topics we covered in our Home-Tech blog in 2012. From employee interviews to service agreements, all the new appliances and trends in the air conditioning industry, Home-Tech has covered a lot of ground. This year, we compiled our own ‘Best of 2012′ list based upon the page views from our blog. So without further ado, here is the Best of 2012 – Home-Tech Blog posts.

10. Appliance Rebates from Bosch. This blog post provided a fun before and after kitchen photo. It’s focus was on taking your kitchen from Blah to BAM!

9. Air Conditioning Repair Needed for Mold Control. I think this is something every Florida resident is worried about at one point or another. It destroys your indoor air quality and must be kept under control. There are some great tips in this blog to keep mold at bay.

8. Self Cleaning Oven Gets Steamy – An Evolution in Appliances. Tips and tricks to using the steam clean feature on Whirlpool ovens are what makes this a great blog entry. Steam cleaning your oven will do the trick in between the much longer self-cleaning process.

7. Appliance Rebates from Whirlpool. Well, we know our customers love to save money, especially when it comes to purchasing new major appliances for their homes. If we are posting about an appliance rebate, chances are, it’s a really good one that will save you a big chunk of change.  That is why it is a Best of 2012.

6. Falling Forward Into Autumn. Top 5 Energy Saving Tips. If you haven’t figured it out by now, Home-Tech is big on informing our customers and future customers on the best practices of air conditioning and appliance maintenance. Whether you need our repair services or not, we still aim to keep consumers informed on the latest industry insider knowledge.

5. NBC’s Today Show Highlights Unethical Air Conditioning Repair Services. We knew this would be a Best of 2012 when we posted this. Home-Tech strongly believes in ethical service, which is why all of our technicians are background checked, drug-tested and NATE certified. Go safe and go with Home-Tech.

4. Washing Machine Laundry Detergent Dispensing. Seems simple, right? Well, it’s the simple things that our customers ask us about the most, which is why this made it onto the Best of 2012 list. For those who still don’t know how much detergent is too much or too little, click on the link because it’s time to learn something new.

3. Preventing Induction Oven Cooktop Breakage or Cooktop Repairs. Wow! We were so glad you enjoyed this post about how to NOT break your cooktop. As we see this appliance repair often, we wanted to share the advice we give to our customers with a wider audience. Bottom line: if you think you are at risk of breaking your cooktop, read this or share this Best of 2012 post with friends.

2. Appliances – White is the New Stainless in the Whirlpool Ice Collection. This post gained traction really fast and we thank you. If you haven’t had a chance to see this appliance package, you should because it is truly beautiful. It’s sleek and modern, but casual and classic. Its features are top notch, and is deserving of the number 2 slot on the Best of 2012.

1. Best of Appliances – 2012 Best Top Loading Washing Machines. Who would have thought that this blog would have had more than 9,000 views! Home-Tech wouldn’t steer our customers in the wrong direction when shopping for appliances. Even if our customers don’t shop with us, we still feel as if it is our duty to keep them properly informed on the latest and greatest appliances.

Closing Thoughts of our Best of 2012 List

We could not be prouder to have been an information provider to you over this past year. Thank you to all of you who follow our daily blog. Click here to obtain our RSS feed. You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Tumblr and Google+. We will always keep you informed on the latest and greatest in air conditioning and appliances. Most importantly, remember to call Home-Tech if you need an air conditioning or appliance repair at 800-800-8356. Thank you for making 2012 great and we look forward to informing our readers again in 2013. Happy New Year!

 

 

 

 

Holiday Greetings and Emergency Repair Service on Christmas Eve & Day

Home-Tech emergency repair service Christmas air conditioning and appliance repairAll of us at Home-Tech wish you and your families a very Merry Christmas. If you find you are in need of emergency repair service for air conditioning or major appliances, you can rely on Home-Tech to assist you. Our customer service agents and emergency repair service technicians are standing by all throughout the holidays. Day or night, Home-Tech truly provides ‘Service that Works’! Call us at 800-800-8356. 

Merry Christmas!

CEO Praises Home-Tech Air Conditioning Installation Team Members

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