It's no secret that Florida is one of the sunniest places in the US. Because of this fact, it makes Florida the ideal place to dive in to solar power. Aside from the fact that solar power can cut energy bills by up to 60%, it's also incredibly beneficial to the environment and cuts down on fossil fuel usage.
As local South Florida air conditioning repair professionals, we understand the value of harnessing solar power. For those who can't undergo the full transition, however, there are energy conserving tricks that can help you maximize your air conditioning consumption and also to stay comfortable in the famous Florida heat.
If you need air conditioning tips and advice, don't hesitate to contact your favorite a/c team at Edd Helms. We've been helping families and individuals "cool it down" for decades here in Miami!
Monday, October 31, 2011
Copper Thieves Target Florida Homes as Well
Throughout the country, hard hit economies have seen an uprising of copper thefts, notably from the outdoor air conditioning units of homes. Here in Florida, we aren't numb to the issue. As reports pop up from near and far, a recent report was filed in the Miami Herald about a vacant Florida City home that was stripped of copper.
A thief broke into the vacant house, located at the 700 block of Northwest 13th Terrace, and stole three sinks (valued at $500), an air conditioning unit (valued at $500) and copper pipes valued at $200. In addition to the lost appliances, the damage to the walls incurred from the removal of these items is around $250.
Across the country in cities like Phoenix, thieves are ruthless--stealing from public schools and therefore causing students to sit in class suffering from unbearable heat.
A thief broke into the vacant house, located at the 700 block of Northwest 13th Terrace, and stole three sinks (valued at $500), an air conditioning unit (valued at $500) and copper pipes valued at $200. In addition to the lost appliances, the damage to the walls incurred from the removal of these items is around $250.
Across the country in cities like Phoenix, thieves are ruthless--stealing from public schools and therefore causing students to sit in class suffering from unbearable heat.
Tax Credits for Energy Expire This Year
If you've looking to accumulate federal tax breaks for enhancing the energy-efficiency of your home, now is the time to apply the changes. To see tax breaks for the upcoming tax season, homeowners must have the renovations completed by December 31, 2011.
Renovations in your home such as new windows and upgraded air conditioner units can give back to your tax refund. Tax credits break down for Broward County as follows:
$150 for new boilers/furnaces
$200 for new windows
$300 for a/c units, heat pumps, water heaters, and biomass stoves
$500 for asphalt roofs, insulation
Aside from the initial tax breaks, keep in mind that by making your home more energy-efficient, you're also poised to save money month by month on your electricity bills. Now is the time to make energy upgrades to your home, and we're your go-to for a new air conditioner from your local air conditioning experts!
Renovations in your home such as new windows and upgraded air conditioner units can give back to your tax refund. Tax credits break down for Broward County as follows:
$150 for new boilers/furnaces
$200 for new windows
$300 for a/c units, heat pumps, water heaters, and biomass stoves
$500 for asphalt roofs, insulation
Aside from the initial tax breaks, keep in mind that by making your home more energy-efficient, you're also poised to save money month by month on your electricity bills. Now is the time to make energy upgrades to your home, and we're your go-to for a new air conditioner from your local air conditioning experts!
Monday, October 24, 2011
Don't Touch the A.C. Yet...Jump in Water to Cool Off!
Living near the ocean, there's certainly no shortage of sunny and warm days here in South Florida. Before you crank the air conditioning and post up on the couch, try an alternative way of cooling off. Have a pool in your backyard? Cannonball in! Don't have a cement pond at home? No worries, head over for a dip in the Atlantic. If you'd like to keep it indoors altogether, brave the cold water and take a cold shower.
By cooling off your core temperature, you'll use less air conditioning and electricity. Immerse yourself in cold water and beat the heat! Even when you get out of the water, the evaporation of water off of your skin will continue to cool you off. Don't want a full body cool down? Grab some ice cubes and apply to your wrists--the blood vessels located there will simulate a cooling off of your entire body!
And remember, for the days when you simply want to turn the a.c. on and veg out, make sure your system is healthy by scheduling an inspection with your favorite South Florida air conditioning experts.
By cooling off your core temperature, you'll use less air conditioning and electricity. Immerse yourself in cold water and beat the heat! Even when you get out of the water, the evaporation of water off of your skin will continue to cool you off. Don't want a full body cool down? Grab some ice cubes and apply to your wrists--the blood vessels located there will simulate a cooling off of your entire body!
And remember, for the days when you simply want to turn the a.c. on and veg out, make sure your system is healthy by scheduling an inspection with your favorite South Florida air conditioning experts.
How Food Influences Your Temperature
Ever wonder why summer staples like watermelon and lemonade are so popular? Eating and drinking cold foods helps lower your internal temperature on a hot day! This is especially important news for us in South Florida, where temps can be soaring year round. Save the soup and hot chocolate for our few weeks of "winter" and keep things cool the rest of the year.
Also, the way that you prepare your foods will have an affect on your home. By using the microwave or a grill, you'll keep temps under control versus using the oven or stove top. Heat is emitted from several household objects also, such as electronics and lights. Touch a light bulb or a DVD player and you'll see what we mean! Limit the use of heat heavy electronics and you'll keep your home comfortable and cool. The ultimate goal is to use less energy and remain comfortable, thereby cutting down bills and your carbon footprint.
These tips, as well as routine air conditioner maintenance will help cut down your bills and save on utility usage!
Also, the way that you prepare your foods will have an affect on your home. By using the microwave or a grill, you'll keep temps under control versus using the oven or stove top. Heat is emitted from several household objects also, such as electronics and lights. Touch a light bulb or a DVD player and you'll see what we mean! Limit the use of heat heavy electronics and you'll keep your home comfortable and cool. The ultimate goal is to use less energy and remain comfortable, thereby cutting down bills and your carbon footprint.
These tips, as well as routine air conditioner maintenance will help cut down your bills and save on utility usage!
Maximizing Fan Usage in Your Home
Fans and air conditioning units make quite the duo when it comes to cooling off your home. Fans can come in many shapes and sizes, and they can do wonders when it comes to circulating air throughout your living space. Give your air conditioner a little break and utilize the power of a fan!
Ceiling fans are the norm in many modern homes. Sitting on a couch underneath a home can cool you off significantly. Just keep in mind that ceiling fans are intended to cool people off--not the entire house! Be sure to flip the fan off when you leave the room to prevent energy wasted.
Also, table fans and stand up fans can oscillate and cool off a group of people or individual. By blowing cool air directly at you, these fans are great for small spaces and a little boost of cool air to keep things comfortable. Some people even invest in industrial fans beside their bed to cool off at night.
As South Florida air conditioning experts, we love sharing our knowledge with our friends and fans. Be sure to check back frequently for helpful energy saving tips!
Ceiling fans are the norm in many modern homes. Sitting on a couch underneath a home can cool you off significantly. Just keep in mind that ceiling fans are intended to cool people off--not the entire house! Be sure to flip the fan off when you leave the room to prevent energy wasted.
Also, table fans and stand up fans can oscillate and cool off a group of people or individual. By blowing cool air directly at you, these fans are great for small spaces and a little boost of cool air to keep things comfortable. Some people even invest in industrial fans beside their bed to cool off at night.
As South Florida air conditioning experts, we love sharing our knowledge with our friends and fans. Be sure to check back frequently for helpful energy saving tips!
Air Conditioning Trick:Keep the Blinds Drawn!
Many of us run the air conditioner daily to make our homes and offices comfortable and enjoyable. Nothing is worse than a stuffy space that lacks fresh, cool air! While air conditioners are nothing new to South Florida, there are some secrets to retaining the cool air in your home that we'd like to share with you. As local air conditioning experts, we feel more than obliged to share our knowledge.
One secret you may not think of--keeping your blinds drawn and curtains closed will help keep your space cool. Often, the strong South Florida sun can zap the cool air right through your windows! Now, currently there is a sweet little breeze blowing through our area, so opening the windows in the evening is quite tempting. Remember to turn off your air conditioning if you do this. Otherwise, keep the windows closed and keep all your air conditioner's hard work contained in your home.
Also, did you know plants help absorb cool-air stealing sunlight? By placing flowers and other blooms in the window, they will absorb any sunlight that seeps in.
One secret you may not think of--keeping your blinds drawn and curtains closed will help keep your space cool. Often, the strong South Florida sun can zap the cool air right through your windows! Now, currently there is a sweet little breeze blowing through our area, so opening the windows in the evening is quite tempting. Remember to turn off your air conditioning if you do this. Otherwise, keep the windows closed and keep all your air conditioner's hard work contained in your home.
Also, did you know plants help absorb cool-air stealing sunlight? By placing flowers and other blooms in the window, they will absorb any sunlight that seeps in.
Programmable Thermostats
Programmable thermostats are a great way to conserve energy in your home or office and to also cut down on utility bills. Despite the hint of fall weather we're experiencing here in South Florida, it's likely that many residents are either still using the a/c or will be within a few days or weeks! One of the tricks we want to offer you to help you save money is to replace your old thermostat with a newer, programmable electronic thermostat.
A programmable thermostat will allow you to set a fixed temperature for your home and also to program a timetable. For example, say you like it cooler when you get home and throughout the evening--you can program your thermostat to your liking by setting it to kick on at 4:30pm, if you get home at 5. You won't be running the air all day to an empty home, and it won't be stifling and stuffy when you walk in the door. Genius!
Stay comfortable and save money on your air conditioning? What could be better!
A programmable thermostat will allow you to set a fixed temperature for your home and also to program a timetable. For example, say you like it cooler when you get home and throughout the evening--you can program your thermostat to your liking by setting it to kick on at 4:30pm, if you get home at 5. You won't be running the air all day to an empty home, and it won't be stifling and stuffy when you walk in the door. Genius!
Stay comfortable and save money on your air conditioning? What could be better!
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Energy Awareness Month is Here!
Simple tips can help you reduce energy use and increase your savings. Keep cool as we transition into South Florida "fall" and cut back by following a few handy tips from your air conditioning repair experts at Edd Helms. Considering it's energy awareness month, what better time to get your carbon footprint under control? Let's begin!
Replace filters for your air conditioning unit regularly. Once a month is recommended, and it will allow for your air to flow freely and the unit to run less.
Adjust the thermostat. Keeping the air set at about 78 will lower your annual cost by a few hundred dollars. Also, maintenance once annually will benefit your system.
Check your water heater setting. It should be to about 120 degrees, anything higher is simply costing you more money.
If you have a yard or a terrace, consider a clothes line to cut back use of the dryer. Hanging clothes out to dry is a perfectly green alternative. Plus, it will cut back the heat that your dryer distributes throughout your home when it's running.
Replace filters for your air conditioning unit regularly. Once a month is recommended, and it will allow for your air to flow freely and the unit to run less.
Adjust the thermostat. Keeping the air set at about 78 will lower your annual cost by a few hundred dollars. Also, maintenance once annually will benefit your system.
Check your water heater setting. It should be to about 120 degrees, anything higher is simply costing you more money.
If you have a yard or a terrace, consider a clothes line to cut back use of the dryer. Hanging clothes out to dry is a perfectly green alternative. Plus, it will cut back the heat that your dryer distributes throughout your home when it's running.
Reduce Humidity in Your Home
A few steps can keep your air circulating and humidity at a low point. Your favorite South Florida air conditioning experts want to show you how! You may know know exactly what humidity is--it's the amount of moisture in the air. For hot weather, it becomes that much more uncomfortable. It's important to understand air conditioning settings and other factors that impact the humidity in your home.
The air conditioner typically makes air drier and cooler. Forty percent is the target percent of humidity that will control nasty problems like mold growth in your home. However, simple home tasks such as using your washing machine, showering and cooking can increase the production of condensation and therefore moisture within your home. Done simultaneously, they cause the percentage of humidity to raise to about 60 percent.
To prevent humidity and mold problems, you need to make sure everything in your air conditioning unit is in order. A simple check-up will determine if exhaust moisture, air circulation, excess dampness, or a blockage are causing additional moisture to increase your humidity.
The air conditioner typically makes air drier and cooler. Forty percent is the target percent of humidity that will control nasty problems like mold growth in your home. However, simple home tasks such as using your washing machine, showering and cooking can increase the production of condensation and therefore moisture within your home. Done simultaneously, they cause the percentage of humidity to raise to about 60 percent.
To prevent humidity and mold problems, you need to make sure everything in your air conditioning unit is in order. A simple check-up will determine if exhaust moisture, air circulation, excess dampness, or a blockage are causing additional moisture to increase your humidity.
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