Residential Air Conditioning Rebates Schedule

If you’ve been waiting for a rebate program from Florida Power & Light Company (FPL) on residential air conditioning systems you’re in luck! New federal manufacturing equipment standards for residential air conditioning that raise the minimum energy efficiency standards from 13 to 14 SEER will go into effect Jan. 1, 2015.

The revised Program Standards will apply to any systems where installation is completed on or after Jan. 1, 2015 so if you are in need of a new air conditioning system, now’s the time! Please see the new rebate table below for more information:

Please note that system installations completed by Dec. 31, 2014, are eligible for the current rebates. Rebate certificates for systems installed in 2014 must be properly submitted and received by FPL within 60 days of installation. For systems installed on or after Jan. 1, 2015, rebate certificates must be properly submitted and received by FPL within 30 days of the install date. Any rebate certificates that are untimely delivered to FPL will be ineligible for rebate.

For additional information, or to set up an appointment to have a new A/C system installed, give us a call at 561-395-1500. Don’t forget to follow us on Facebook and Twitter for more air conditioning updates!

Technical Terms Defined

If you’ve ever listened to a technician explain something to you, but you had no idea what he or she was talking about we know how you feel. We understand that our language, filled with technical terms for products and services, can be extremely difficult to follow so we’ve put together a glossary to help you out.

Air Handler/Coil Blower

The indoor part of an air conditioner or heat pump that moves cooled or heated air throughout the ductwork of your home. An air handler is usually a furnace or a blower coil.

Bioaerosols

Microscopic living organisms suspended in the air that grow and multiply in warm, humid places.

Central Air Conditioning System

System in which air is treated at a central location and distributed to and from rooms by one or more fans and a series of ducts.

Compressor

The part of the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump that compresses and pumps refrigerant to meet household cooling requirements.

R-410A Refrigerant

A chlorine-free refrigerant that meets the EPA's newest, most stringent environmental guidelines.

SEER

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio is an energy efficiency rating for air conditioners. The higher the SEER, the better the energy performance, the more you save. The DOE's established minimum SEER rating for cooling is 13.00.

Zoning

A method of partitioning a home into independently controlled comfort zones for enhanced comfort and efficiency.

Now that you have this list, you should be able to pick up on some of the technical terms used to describe the services being performed. If you ever have any questions, do not hesitate to ask us to explain something to you - we would be more than happy to do so.

At Aspen Air Conditioning, our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of comfort through quality maintenance, service and installation practices. Since our beginning in 1983, Aspen Air Conditioning has been focused on the comfort needs of Southeast Florida residents at home and at work.

Attack Your Allergies With An Indoor Air Quality System

Itching, sneezing and coughing? Seasonal allergies can really make your life miserable and they can affect more than just your senses if left untreated. While some medicines may help, often times the causes of allergies are far more severe and require another solution. Want to get down to the cause and attack your allergies once and for all? An indoor air quality system may help.

Mold, dust mites and pet dander are three primary causes of allergies in your home. We understand how unpleasant it can be to be sneezing and coughing in your own home, and it can be prevented!

An indoor air quality system in your home can really make your living environment more comfortable. What can this type of system do to help me fight my allergies?

1. It will help eliminate up to 85% of gases and odors in your home.
2. It can get rid of up to 99% of airborne and surface microbials.
3. The overall air quality in your home will increase so you won’t breathe in pollen and other airborne allergens.

If you suffer from allergies all year round, and would like to discuss how an indoor air quality system can help give Aspen Air Conditioning a call today at 561-395-1500. Remember to follow us on Twitter for everything you need to know about creating a more comfortable environment in your home.

Air Conditioning Maintenance Checklist

After you invest in a new air conditioning system, you want it to last a long time right? Well, if you want it last you can’t just set it and forget it. Your system will require some period maintenance so we’re highlighting this quick maintenance checklist:

• Check The Thermostat - why cool your home while nobody is there? It’s simply just a waste of money. Make sure your thermostat is turned up while you’re aware and you can turn it back down a degree or two when your return.
• Keep It Clean - dirty coils in the condenser make your system less efficient. Make sure to clean the coils and the filter regularly to keep it running at peak performance.
• Check The Controls - we understand that you may be unsure of which controls to check and if they are working properly or not. That’s where we come in. Give us a call to make sure your system is operating properly and safely.

Don’t force your air conditioning system to work harder than it needs to. It will only result in a shortened lifespan or you having to call a technician for frequent repairs. At Aspen Air Conditioning we will stop by to give your system a thorough inspection and make sure it’s operating up to its full potential. Schedule an appointment with us today!

3 Ways To Save On AC

How would you like to save $150 or more per year on your energy bills? Sounds nice, right? But how can this be done without sacrificing comfortable temperatures inside your home? You’ll find that it’s not as difficult as you may think. A few simple tricks is all it takes.

Stop Cooling An Empty House

The days of setting your thermostat and forgetting about it are over. This method keeps your system running all day at a constant temperature even when nobody is home. It’s time to upgrade to a programmable thermostat so you can have the house nice and cool only while you’re home. If nobody is there, the thermostat should be set to a higher temperature so the system  won’t constantly kick on.

Dirty Filters Are A No-No

We can’t stress the importance of cleaning your filter enough. Dirty filters reduce the air conditioner’s efficiency and make it work twice as hard. As a result, you’ll continue to pay more on your energy bills. For more info on why it’s important to keep your filter clean, see our blog Why Is My AC Filter Important?

Annual Checkup

Similar to you and I, air conditioning systems need an annual checkup. It’s a good idea to call an expert to come down and take a look at your system to make sure it’s free of any damages and is ready to operate at peak performance. That’s where we come in.

Haven’t had your system checked this year? Give Aspen Air a call today to set up an appointment. Don’t waste another dollar!

Why Is My AC Filter Important?

What’s the most critical part of your air conditioning system? The filter. If it weren’t for this part, the air supplied by your central air system or AC unit would be dirty and you'd risk breathing in dangerous toxins with every breath. If you’ve been neglecting to clean or replace your filter, see below to find out why it’s a MUST!

What Will Happen If I Have A Dirty Filter?

You’ll notice considerable increases in the amount of energy you are paying for each season and the lifespan of your equipment will be cut short. Believe it or not, all of the elements in an air conditioning system work together and they all rely on the filter for peak performance.

Size Matters

When having your system installed, it is imperative that the correct size filter is purchased and correctly installed. There is usually an arrow to show you which way to insert the filter properly. Installing the filter incorrectly will reduce airflow and prevent proper circulation in your home.

Most Effective Air Filtration Systems:

HEPA

• Captures 99.7% of harmful pollutants
• Protects from excessive fumes and odors
• Increases freshness of indoor air quality

Electric Air Cleaner

• Removes irritating allergens
• Filter never needs replacing - it lasts forever
• Protects and prolongs operating efficiency

Media Retrofit Air Cleaner

• Removes allergens
• Protects furnishings and decor from staining dirt particles

Stop living in an unhealthy environment. Treat yourself and your family to fresh air in your home by cleaning or replacing your air conditioner filters periodically, or by having an indoor air quality system installed today! Give the air conditioning experts at Aspen Air a call today to discuss your options and to get answers to any questions you may have.

Commercial Air Conditioning Services

Maintaining a cool comfortable environment is a vital part of any business, however the AC systems are often the most neglected piece of equipment. Often times, filters are very difficult to reach and you may not even know where they are. If you are ever in need of service or repairs to your existing system, our team of NATE certified, and factory trained commercial technicians are ready to assist you!

At Aspen Air Conditioning we offer a wide range of services to businesses of all shapes and sizes. Here are a few of our satisfied customers:

• 24 Hour Fitness
• Classic Residence by Hyatt
• Newport Bay Club
• Palm Beach Cancer Institute
• U.S. Terra Corporation

We know how expensive it is to run a business and with energy prices on the rise, keeping a cool office can cost your company a fortune. This is why we offer Energy Savings Maintenance Plans. Our commercial ESMPs will keep your systems running at peak efficiencies and can be tailor made to suit your particular needs. Give us a call at 561-395-1500 to find out more about how an ESMP can benefit your business.

Reap The Benefits Of Proper A/C System Maintenance

The overall efficiency of an A/C System, just like your vehicle is largely dependent on how well it is maintained. Think of it like neglecting to give your car an oil change - it will eventually start to burn oil and break down. The same holds true for air conditioning systems. Proper maintenance will yield you a plethora of benefits.

Lower Energy Costs

A system tune-up will ensure proper operation that will allow your system to work more efficiently. An efficient system equals lower energy costs!

Reduced Service Repair Costs

A “well-oiled” machine requires few repairs right? Taking just a few minutes several times per year to properly clean and maintain your system will prevent service technicians from having to come by for repairs.

Life and Longevity

A new air conditioning system is a big investment, and you would hate for it to break down in a few short years. Air conditioning is the lifeblood of any facility and without proper maintenance and repairs when necessary, the system will break down sooner than later.

With Aspen Air Conditioning's HVAC Maintenance program it’s about more than service… it’s about prevention. With typical service agreements, you pay money for priority service when there’s a problem. With Aspens Comprehensive Maintenance Agreement, you not only get priority service, you can prevent those problems from happening in the first place, and save money in the process! Give us a call today to find out more.

9 Things You Need To Know About Air Conditioning

There’s nothing worse than coming home to a hot, humid house after a long day of work. Your air conditioning system needs a bit of maintenance to run smoothly and efficiently and many of these tasks, you can tackle on your own. See below for 9 things you need to know about air conditioning:

1. Change the filters - installing a new filter every month may sound a bit overkill, but your AC’s efficiency depends on it. If you have a washable filter, you don’t need to replace it, a quick cleaning will do.
2. Check for leaks - ducts can lose up to 30% of airflow through leaks or cracks. Use the old “smoke trick” to test for leaks. Light a stick of incense and hold it near the duct connections. If the smoke blows around, you’ve got a leak. Give us a call, we’ll stop by to repair any leaks or cracks in your system.
3. Conserve energy - why blast the AC when nobody is home? It will only cost you a fortune on your energy bills. Install a programmable thermostat that allows you to set the temperature so the house is cool while you’re home.
4. Insulate - use spray foam, batt insulation or rigid-foam to wrap the ducts in hot attics or crawl spaces.
5. Free the condenser - your system’s air compressor or condenser works best when there’s at least 24 inches of clear space in all directions. Get rid of any shrubs, tall grass or branches that may be encroaching in this space.
6. Keep it cool - don’t make your system work so hard. Just like us, it expends more energy in the heat so keep your blinds and shades down during the day to keep your windows out of the intense sun.
7. Check-ups are vital - contact us to perform an annual system check. We will perform a complete system inspection to make sure everything is running properly.
8. Get airflow - keeping interior doors closed causes AC systems to go out of balance. Keep doors open to ensure even airflow throughout your home.
9. Consider an upgrade - if your system is more than 10 years old, it’s time for an upgrade. Federal laws require AC units to be much more energy efficient than they used to be.

By following these tips, you’ll extend the lifespan and increase the performance of your air conditioning system. Our mission is to provide our customers with the highest level of comfort through quality maintenance, service and installation practices. Since our beginning in 1983, Aspen Air has been focused on the comfort needs of South Florida residents at home and at work. Follow us on Facebook and Twitter for everything you need to know about keeping cool!

Why Does Indoor Air Quality Matter?

The air you breathe inside your home can contain biological pollutants, tobacco smoke, radon and asbestos among others without you even knowing. According to the American Lung Association, “poor indoor air quality can cause or contribute to the development of infections, lung cancer, and chronic lung diseases such as asthma.” So why does indoor air quality matter? Consider the facts below:

• Elements within our home and workplaces have increasingly become threats to our respiratory health. An indoor air system can help reduce these threats and allow you to breathe fresher, cleaner air.
• Approximately 40 million Americans suffer from allergies. Controlling your home’s environment and reducing allergen levels will help to eliminate allergies and asthma symptoms.
• Poor indoor air quality in your home can result in structural damage to your walls and attic and around window framing.
• Common housing problems that occur include: musty odors and mold growth, window condensation, structural rot and high utility costs.

Clean up the air inside your home and start seeing the benefits today! Let the indoor air quality experts at Aspen Air Conditioning install a purification system to eliminate the threat of lung disease and household problems now! Contact us or visit us on the web.