Homeowners Can Conserve on Energy Usage by:

• Cooling your home at 78 degrees or warmer and setting your air conditioner’s thermostat fan to auto. If you are away from your home for extended periods consider setting the thermostat to 82 or warmer for those periods. During cooler weather set your thermostat to 68 degrees or cooler at night or when the house is vacant.
  
  
• Replacing or cleaning your air conditioning filter on a regular basis will help your AC run more efficiently and save on utility bills
  
  
• Maintain the proper airflow by keeping interior doors and vents open
  
  
• Use circulating Fans and remember to turn off home fans when you are not in the room
  
  
• Close blinds, drapes, and shades during the hottest part of the day to block direct sunlight
  
  
• Seal or replace leaky duct systems: Two-thirds of homes have leaky duct systems that go undetected. These leaks can significantly impact the Indoor Air Quality of your home and increase your utility bills.  It is a good idea to have your duct system inspected by qualified HVAC professionals.
  
  
• Add Attic Insulation: In Florida attic temperatures can reach 130 degrees plus during the sizzling summer heat.  Put some heat absorbing insulation between your living space and that heat.
  
  
• Install a High Efficiency HVAC system:  If you AC unit is over 10 years old,  struggles to cool your home, has had repeated costly repairs it may be time to consider replacing your HVAC system.  While HVAC replacement can be a significant investment you can recover some of the cost be opting for a high energy system.

Another simple way to save energy is by Caulking.  For cooling and heating purposes caulking can mean major energy savings.   Caulking and sealing windows, doors, and areas where electrical and plumbing components enter your home can help prevent energy loss by stopping air from entering or leaving your home. 

Modern Service for Home & Business provides HVAC Maintenance, Repair, and Replacement for homes and business throughout Southwest Florida, from Marco Island to Naples, Fort Myers, Cape Coral, Bradenton and more.  Call today for a Free System Analysis at 239-694-8300 or use our convenient online Scheduling form.

Carbon Monoxide monitoring is one area of home safety that is often overlooked. Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless, colorless gas.  Activities such as burning oil, gasoline, and wood produce carbon monoxide. 

In the home Carbon Monoxide levels are affected by the amount of incomplete combustion formed from such flame-fueled devices and appliances as ovens, clothes dryers, space heaters, power generators, water heaters, furnaces, vehicles and many cooking devices such as grills.

Properly vented gas water heaters and furnaces will generally allow carbon monoxide to escape to outside the home.  Vehicles, often stored in attached garages, are the most common cause of carbon monoxide poisoning. 

To monitor your Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) you should consider having your home inspected by a Carbon Monoxide Analyst to test combustion appliances and any area that is used for vehicle storage.  Your Certified Contractor will have the tools and knowledge required to do a proper analysis of your Indoor Air Quality. 

After your home has been inspected you will need to decide if installing a Carbon Monoxide Alarm is important to your household’s safety.  Watch the National Comfort Institute’s video on Carbon Monoxide Monitors to further educate yourself on your options to protect your family.

Carbon Monoxide Alarms /Detectors are designed to protect healthy adults.  If your household includes infants, the elderly, or those with respiratory problems you will want to take that into consideration.

Your indoor Carbon Monoide levels depend on many factors including:

• The amount of fresh air circulated through the home
• Automobile exhaust from attached garages
• Tobacco Smoke
• Whether combustion products are contaminating the Indoor Air Quality (e.g. leaky furnace, air intakes too close to idling vehicles, gas appliances, gas powered generators in the house or garage, etc)

In the USA almost 500 deaths and 15,000 emergency room visits occur each year as a result of unintended carbon monoxide exposure.  The number of carbon monoxide poisoning deaths increase after power outages and storms as people bring power generators into their homes and garages.

As of November 11, 2011 twenty-five states have statues requiring Carbon Monoxide Detectors /Alarms in certain types of residential buildings. 

In Florida state statutes regarding Carbon Monoxide Alarms are as follows:

“Requires that every building for which a building permit is issued for new construction on or after July 1, 2008, and having a fossil-fuel-burning heater or appliance, a fireplace, or an attached garage shall have an approved operational carbon monoxide alarm installed within 10 feet of each room used for sleeping purposes.”

This makes the installation of Carbon Monoxide alarms/monitors a requirement for all new buildings constructed after July 1, 2008.  Though they are not required in existing homes it might be a good idea to add one to your home.

Modern Service for Home & Business is a Certified Contractor for Carbon Monoxide Inspections. Our Certified Technicians are trained to analyze your Indoor Air Quality.  Call us Today at 239-693-8300.

Regular maintenance of your air conditioning system is critical to keeping your air conditioning system working properly, but as AC systems age performance problems will occur that require professional attention.  Not every problem requires that you replace your air conditioning system.  Often a repair will give you years more use of your existing system.  However, major repairs will mean you need to compare the cost of repair versus the cost of replacement.

At Modern Service for Home & Business we have an excellent record of high quality service to thousands of homes and businesses throughout Southwest Florida. 

Air Conditioning Problems

If your air conditioning system has stopped running, then you need to act fast and you need a contractor that will respond quickly.  We provide 24/7 Emergency Service to make sure that we are available when you need us.  However, most AC repair problems start slowly with some warning signs.

If you notice any of the following warning signs contact us quickly so we can help prevent a complete shutdown:

• Do you hear any loud noises coming from either your indoor or outdoor AC components (evaporator or compressor/condensor)?
• Does your AC unit turn on and off frequently?
• Pay attention to how often your air conditioning system is running.  Is your AC system running continuously?
• Do your electrical circuit breakers and fuses short out frequently?
• Are your electrical bills climbing higher each month (compared to a similar time period)?
• Decreased airflow coming from your air conditioning vents
• Is there a reduction in cooling performance
• Are there hot spots in your home – rooms that are not as comfortable as before?
• Is there ice forming on the unit?
• Does your unit leak refrigerant?

Any of these signs can be an early warning that a problem exists with your air conditioning system.  Don’t wait for it to get worse. Call a professional to have it diagnosed and repaired if needed. Sometimes only an air conditioning part needs to be replaced to get your AC unit running again. Pay attention to the warning signs and you can extend the life of your air conditioning system and ensure the comfort of your home. Early detection of a problem may also save you from months of high electrical bills as your AC system tries to compensate for the problem.

Efficient, Fast AC Repair

Have your system serviced by a licensed HVAC professional as soon as possible.  Small problems can turn into major problems if not addressed in a timely manner.  We’re here to keep your AC system running smoothly as long as possible.

We repair and maintain all brands of air conditioning systems including:

We Repair and Maintain All Air Conditioner Brands, Makes and Models:

• Trane
• Maytag
• York
• Carrier
• Bryant
• Rheem
• Lennox
• Ruud
• American Standard
• Janitrol
• and more…

Modern Service for Home & Business has over 45 years of experience.  Our highly trained HVAC technicians will diagnose your problem quickly and efficiently. Call us today at 239-694-8300 or complete a Service Request form Online. 

The Flexible Air Conditioning Option

Is there a room in your home that is never quite comfortable? Whether it is an addition, a master bedroom, or a garage converted to a hobby area, it is just not cool enough. A window air conditioner is not an acceptable solution for many people because of noise and aesthetic issues. Ductless mini split air conditioning is an excellent solution for all these problems.

Ductless mini splits are growing in popularity in the United States. They have long been a popular air conditioning solution in Japan. Mini splits come in both a heat pump and straight cool with electric heat strip versions. The aesthetics of new ductless mini splits include the option of inserting a picture or painting in the front of a wall-mounted mini split to coordinate with room décor. These decorative jackets allow them to blend into almost any room design.

Like standard air conditioning systems, ductless mini splits have two main components: an indoor air-handling unit and an outdoor condenser/compressor. A conduit that houses the power cable, refrigerant tubing, condensate drain, suction tubing, and refrigerant tubing, and links the indoor and outdoor components together.

Mini splits offer many advantages including flexibility for cooling and heating individual rooms, also called zoning. Another advantage of a ductless min split is avoiding the energy loss associated with ducted systems. As much as 30% of energy consumption is lost due to an inefficient duct system. Mini splits come in a variety of indoor models such as all-mounted, ceiling hung, or floor standing.

The major disadvantage of mini split is their price tag. On average they run approximately 30% higher than central air conditioning systems (excluding duct work costs). Mini splits are about double the cost of a window air conditioner of the same capacity.

As with all air conditioning solutions sizing is important to make sure the unit is a good fit for the living space to be cooled. Having a professional install your mini split system ensures that it will be the right size for the living space and will deliver the maximum energy efficiency for your home.

If you are looking at replacing a noisy, unsightly window air conditioner or you are struggling with a room that is too hot, then call us to see if a mini split system is the right solution for your home air conditioning problem.

Modern Service for Home and Business has over 45 years of experience in air conditioning repair, maintenance, and installation in SW Florida. Call for a Free AC System Evaluation or complete the form below and we will contact you.

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If you AC coils are dirty or there are obstructions such as plants, debris, and other objects positioned too close to the outdoor air conditioning unit, then the fan will not be able to move as much air as is needed for maximum AC system performance.

Keeping your outdoor AC’s condenser coils free of dust, grime, and dirt will improve the overall performance of your unit, lower utility bills, and increase your comfort level.  As an added benefit, it will also help extend the life of the unit.

The indoor evaporator coils also need to be cleaned periodically.  The best way to prevent the build-up of dirt and grime on the indoor evaporator coils is to change your air filters at regular intervals.

We recommend that twice a year you have your indoor and outdoor coils professionally cleaned.  This will help to protect your HVAC system investment and it will enable the system to deliver maximum performance.

Your twice yearly Air Conditioning System Maintenance should include the cleaning of indoor and outdoor coils, cleaning or replacement of air filters, and a check of all electrical connections.

At Modern Service for Home & Business our professional HVAC technicians complete a comprehensive checklist when performing an AC Maintenance for your air conditioning system to ensure your system delivers comfort all year long.  We guarantee 100% Customer Satisfaction.

Check out our AC Maintenance Plans and Equipment Coverage Plans for details.

To schedule your AC Maintenance call 239-694-8300 or use our Online Scheduling form.

The value of replacing your low efficiency  air conditioning system  with a new high-energy HVAC system is found in lower energy bills, greater home value, better indoor air quality (IAQ), and a smaller footprint on the environment.  So don’t settle for the minimum efficiency units. 

The Department of Energy mandated in 2006 that all newly manufactured cooling systems must offer a minimum SEER Rating of 13.  Many homeowners are still living with an old HVAC system with a SEER of 10 or less.  You are paying a high price for old inefficient technology.

Tired  of utility bill increases?  By upgrading your air conditioning system and sealing, repairing or replacing AC ductwork you can dramatically reduce your energy consumption  – as much as 30-40%.

Florida Power and Light (FPL) wants you to get the most efficient unit your budget allows.  Check out the AC Buying Guide at FPL and calculate your savings.

The difference between the minimum required SEER of 13 and an upgrade to a high-energy SEER air conditioning system will mean hundreds of dollars of savings every year for the life of the system.

Importance of AC System Maintenance

Keeping your air conditioning system maintained on a regular basis will contribute to the efficient operation of the unit, reduce untimely breakdowns and repairs, increase energy savings, and extend the life of the system.  Planned maintenance programs make it easy to take care of your HVAC equipment investment. Manufacturers actually deny warranty repairs to unmaintained equipment.

System Settings

Be sure to ask your HVAC professional what the ideal settings are for your system.  While your professional HVAC technician should correctly setup your air conditioning equipment, you will need to know the best settings for your thermostat to achieve the optimal comfort for you and your family.

Professional Air Conditioning Installation

Don’t settle for two guys working out of their garage to install your system. Use a qualified Professional for the Installation of your HVAC System. Over 50% of the air conditioning and heating systems in the United States are incorrectly installed. This means reduced system performance. Research the contractors you are considering to make sure they have a long-term record of customer satisfaction.  

Warranties and Labor Coverage

Did you order a Labor coverage package?  Did your HVAC professional offer you an extended Labor package?  While your system may have a Parts Warranty do not assume that Labor Coverage is included with your new equipment – ask questions.  Extended Labor coverage is USUALLY an optional extra – and an Important one! Equipment parts do not install themselves. 

The property manager for your home is you.  One major way to manage your home’s energy consumption is to buy an energy-efficient air conditioning system.  Learn more about central air conditioning at the government website:  EnergyStar.gov/Central Air.

Call Modern Service for Home & Business for Fort Myers, Naples, Cape Coral air conditioning professionals and get a Free HVAC System Evaluation Today. For your convenience use our Online Schedule Service form and we will call you.

Be a knowledgeable homeowner and consumer – it pays short-term and long-term.

Approximately 5 percent of all service businesses rated on Angie’s List receive the Super Service Award designation.

“Only a fraction of the businesses rated on Angie’s List can claim the sterling customer service record of being a Super Service Award winner because we set a high bar,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “The fact that Modern Service for Home & Business can claim Super Service Award status speaks volumes about its dedication to consumers.”

…and 2010 Angie’s List Super Service Award

Our continuing goal at Modern Service for Home & Business is to make sure our customers receive first class service. For more than 45 years
we have worked to ensure our customer’s satisfaction.

Deciding Which AC System is Best for Your Home

Making your home comfortable requires maintaining a rather narrow temperature range and the relative humidity of air or % RH. 

Physically speaking the difference between the single-stage and the two-stage air conditioning unit is the number of pistons used to push air through the cooling fins and into your living space. 

In a single-stage AC unit, you will find a single piston and a two-stage has two pistons.  These two pistons allow the two-stage to move air faster – one piston runs during moderate temperatures and both pistons run during extreme heat.

The two-stage air conditioning system is definitely more efficient at maintaining the narrow temperature range and it will save you money on your electric bill.

The compressor for a two-speed air conditioner or heat pump has two levels of operation:  a high setting for very hot summer days and a low setting for milder days. The two-stage low setting will be adequate for about 80% of your comfort needs.  The two-stage system will run for longer periods, give you a more even temperature for your home, and be more energy efficient.

A single-stage air conditioner will cost you less money initially, but will cost you more money to operate over the life of the unit.  In addition, you are never quite comfortable with a single-stage since it is either on or off.  When the system turns on you have a greater use of energy for the start up period. With a single-stage AC unit, this start up phase is repeated several times a day in the sizzling days of summer.

Though the two-stage air conditioning system is superior to the one-stage units there are trade-offs when considering the two options.

Benefits of Two-Stage Air Conditioning Systems:

• The two-stage AC unit is more likely to run continuously, though at a lower rate of motion than the single-stage system and provide greater and more even comfort for your living space.
• The two-stage AC system will cool your home almost twice as fast as a single-stage system.
• Due to its greater energy efficiency the two-stage system will cost you less to operate, which means more savings on your utility bills over the life of the system.

Benefits of Single-Stage Air Conditioning Systems

• The single-stage system is usually less expensive than a two-stage AC system
• The single-stage system is simpler with less complex electronics, which may mean fewer repairs and less expensive repairs over the life of the unit.
• Under some circumstances, the single-stage system may dehumidify your home better.

For more information on ways to improve your home’s energy-efficiency, visit EnergySavers.gov.

With over 45 years of excellent customer service Modern Service guarantees your 100% satisfaction. 

Contact Modern Service for Home & Business for all your HVAC needs or for your convenience, use our Online Schedule Appointment form and we will contact you.

Modern Service for Home & Business offers 24/7 Emergency service – call our employee Dispatch Operator at 239-694-8300 or use our toll-free number 800-572-0852. For emergency service do not use the form – call us directly for assistance.

Winter weather can cause your home’s drafts and air leaks to become much more noticeable.  The most significant air leaks are usually found in your attic.  Air that you have paid to heat or cool can escape from your living areas and be pulled into your attic thorough holes, cracks, and gaps.  Additionally, dusty or moist air from the outside can infiltrate into your attic through cracks and openings.

When your attic has not been properly sealed, it can cause poor ventilation, increased heating and cooling bills and excess moisture problems.   These air leaks can be difficult to locate because they are sometimes hidden under insulation. Your actual home living space is sealed at the attic floor, so special attention should be given to this area. However, it is important to avoid trapping moist air in your attic to prevent moisture damage to attic rafters and joists.

To make sure you have proper attic sealing and ventilation start with a good roof.  If you have a new home under construction be sure to get a professional roof installer who works with high quality roofing material.  If you have an existing roof make sure to weatherproof the flashing to protect your home from weather damage and to extend the life of your roof.

For many attic sealing problems, you should turn to a professional contractor for help:

• Wet or damp insulating material usually indicates a roof leak and should be corrected as soon as possible
• Rotted or moldy attic rafters or floor joist mean moisture problems
• Leaky air conditioning ductwork
• Poor attic ventilation
• Unsealed and uninsulated recessed “can” lights need special attention regarding their surrounding insulation and the use of non-combustible materials.

When you have air leaks in your attic the moisture from your home can become trapped in the attic causing moisture damage and loss of energy efficiency.   Air leaks are frequently found in the attic hatch opening, air conditioning ductwork, and around light fixtures, wiring, and plumbing.

Make sure your attic is well insulated including the area above the garage.  Working with a professional insulation contractor to ensure that your attic is properly insulated and that the insulation does not block attic vents will help control moisture in your home and conserve energy.

The need for a professional becomes even more apparent when you balance attic sealing with the need for adequate ventilation.  If you attic is not properly ventilated moisture will build up and create mold problems.

There is a different between air leakage and ventilation.  Air leakage happens when conditioned air in your home leaks through to your attic and when the outside air enters your home uncontrollably through cracks, gaps, or openings. This type of air leakage or air infiltration can allow moldy and dusty air to enter your home and cause moisture problems. Air Ventilation is controlled airflow and it is necessary to maintain the proper air envelope in your house.

Investing in a properly sealed attic will help reduce your heating and cooling bills and significantly contribute to the energy-efficiency of your home.

Call Modern Service for professional service to keep your home running smoothly or for your convenience use our Online Service Request form.

At Modern Service, we can help you find ways to increase the energy efficiency of your air conditioning and heating system and ensure that your home delivers the comfort you deserve.

There are multiple components to an air conditioning and heating system.  They all work together to keep you home comfortable throughout the year. Knowing how these different parts work together will help you understand the essential function of the HVAC equipment in your home.

Your air conditioning system consists of two parts, the air handler and the condensing unit.  Your air handler is usually located in the attic, the garage or in a closet in your home.

In a split system, your compressor / condensing unit is a separate piece of equipment and is typically located outside of your house. If your AC system is a package unit then the air handler will be included as a part of the single packaged unit.

An AC system needs to move air through your home and the air handler performs this function.  Within the air handler are the blower motor, the evaporator coils, and some of the HVAC system controls. Your air handler may be a horizontal flow or an up or down flow unit.

The air filter is usually located in the return register, however sometimes it can be found in a return duct or in the air handling unit itself.  Be sure to ask your HVAC professional where the filter is located for your system so you can make sure it is replaced on a regular basis.

Filtering the air not only improves the air quality in your living space, but it is required for the efficient operation of your air handling unit (AHU).  If air filters are not changed frequently, then dust and debris will build up and get pulled into the return.  This inadequately filtered air will cause the evaporator coil to become clogged and your heat exchanger will operate at higher than optimal temperatures.  This lack of proper filtration will cause the unit to operate less and less efficiently and can reduce the useful life of your unit.

The Air Handler’s Evaporator Coils

Your AC evaporator coils are used to transport the refrigerant.  Together, the coil and refrigerant, during the heat exchange process, absorb the heat from the air passing through the coils. This absorbed heat causes the refrigerant inside of the evaporator coils to boil and change state. When the refrigerant enters the coils, it is mostly a liquid.  When it reaches the end of the coils, it will have absorbed enough heat to change to a vapor.

There are two copper pipes on the outside of your air handler. One small uninsulated line, and one large insulated line.  The large insulated line is the suction line. This line carries the vaporized refrigerant back to the compressor in your compressing unit. The smaller uninsulated line is called the liquid line.  This line carries the liquid refrigerant from the condensing coils to the evaporator in your air handler.  Whenever the unit is running, the large suction line should be cold and the smaller liquid line should be hot.  The temperature of these two lines depends on how hot your house is and the ambient temperature outside.

Sometimes evaporator coils become blocked. This can happened when the coils are plugged with dirt, dust or debris, or if too many supply vents have been closed off in the house or if there is a collapsed duct in the duct system.

In order for the evaporator to work efficiently, the coils must be clear and have sufficient airflow.  This is one of many reasons to have a clean air filter that can filter out particles before they reach the evaporator coils

The Air Handler’s Blower Fan Motor

The blower motor usually consists of several different components.  It includes an electric motor and a cage, typically referred to as a squirrel cage.  Most units have direct drive motors on the fan, but some have belt driven motors.

The only maintenance necessary on the blower is oiling the motor if it has oil ports or if it is belt driven be sure to check the condition of the belt.

The Air Handler’s Condensate Lines

If your air handler is located in the attic, it is important that the condensate line is periodically checked. The evaporator coil operates at a temperature less than dew point and it will condense the moisture from the air. The evaporator coil is designed to shed excess moisture into a drain pan.

Most drain pans have a ¾ inch PVC line attached that allows the excess moisture to drain safely to the outside of the house. Sometimes the PVC line becomes clogged with muck or algae and needs to be flushed out to clear the blockage. Any air handler located in an attic should have a secondary drain pan with a float switch installed.  This float switch will shut off the unit if the secondary drain pan starts to overfill.  No one wants to reinstall a ceiling because a float switch or secondary drain pan was not installed or checked for blockage.  This kind of work needs to be done by a qualified HVAC professional.

Being a knowledgeable and conscientious homeowner can protect your home investment.

We recommend two Air Conditioning System Maintenance visits a year from an HVAC professional to help avoid costly repairs, increase your comfort level, and prolong the useful life of your air conditioning system.

Call Modern Service or Anderson Service today to find out about our comprehensive Air Conditioning Maintenance and Equipment Coverage Plans. Preventive maintenance now can save you a lot of money and hardship later.