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Do I Need an HVAC Surge Protector?

An HVAC surge protector isn’t just a gimmick; it is a much-needed safeguard for your HVAC system. Household electronics like laptops, desktop computers, TVs, and even cordless phones can easily be fried by a large power surge, such as a lightning strike. It is likely that you already use at least one household surge protector to save your most important electronics. But what are you doing to protect one of your most expensive electronics: your HVAC unit?

What is an HVAC surge protector?

An HVAC surge protector is installed within your HVAC unit or near it to act as a buffer between the machine that keeps your home comfortable and any unpredictable power surges. Even small surges can cause irreversible damage.

Understanding Surge Protectors

Surge protectors are mainly used for electronics with printed circuit boards, as these can easily be damaged by sudden spikes in voltage. HVAC surge protectors were not common in the past decade because “old HVAC systems had minimal electronic parts and were majorly mechanical in nature.” However, the more modern systems today have a plethora of electronic components that need to be protected.

Understanding Power Surges

Just as there are many causes of power surges, there are also varying degrees of power surges. “Power surge” commonly refers to a sudden, drastic increase in voltage because of lightning strike or outage. But as you just read, even smaller power surges that are less noticeable can still cause damage. Every time the lights in your home flicker or you experience a “brown-out,” that is a minor power surge which causes wear and tear on your unit, damaging it over time.

Why is an HVAC surge protector important?

When most people think power surges, they think lightning and thunderstorms. However, there are many factors that can cause or contribute to a power surge. Power outages, faulty wirings, bad electrical components, downed power lines or lightning can all lead to an unfortunate end for your favorite appliance or electronic, including your HVAC unit.

It prolongs the life of your HVAC unit.

Whatever the cause, a large power surge can cause your unit to stop working immediately. Smaller surges that don’t knock your unit out of commission are still doing damage. These hidden damages might lead to premature failure of your entire system.

Newer models are especially susceptible to power surges, both major and minor because the parts of the unit that are affected (i.e. printed circuit boards) are extremely expensive to repair. So much so that it is more cost-effective to simply replace your unit as a whole.

Not sure if your HVAC unit already has a surge protector installed? Give us a call and we can help!

It saves you money.

Did you know that power disturbances cost homeowners a whopping $79 billion each year? No one looks forward to replacing their HVAC unit. Buying an HVAC surge protector might not be an expense you’ve budgeted for but it could end up saving you the cost of a whole new unit.

Right now, Gator Air & Energy is offering a storm special of $80 off HVAC surge protector installations for a limited time. There are still three more months of hurricane season to get through, and even heavy thunderstorms put your unit at risk! We recommend having your unit protected as soon as possible.

Get an HVAC Surge Protector Today

There has never been a more crucial time to protect your home and your AC unit. To make sure your family stays comfortable in the event of a power surge or lightning strike, give us a call about your HVAC surge protector options. Our experienced team is always happy to help!

Practical Energy-Saving Tips You Can Use Today

Summer is here, which means as the temperature rises, so do your energy bills. Here in Gainesville, we’re not strangers to the high electricity bills that seem to creep up on us during the hot summer months. Many homeowners are left feeling helpless about how to lower their energy bills, but as Gainesville’s air-conditioning energy experts, we have a few tips that can help!

Our owner, Chuck Larsen, is a state-certified energy rater through RESNET, which means he has been certified to look for ways to improve energy efficiency in your home. There are many things you can do to save energy in your home, but in this post, we want to focus on the practical things homeowners can do today to help save energy (and money!).

Bubble Wrap Your Single-Glazed Windows

Believe it or not, bubble wrap is an effective insulation for single-glazed windows! If your home has single-pane windows with poor insulation, adding a layer of bubble wrap can insulate them. The air bubbles within the bubble wrap mimic the effect of adding another pane of glass to a window, but is much cheaper! You’ll sacrifice the view, but your energy bills will thank you!

Add Some Greenery

Plants always add a nice feeling to the interior rooms in your home, but did you know they can also cool your home and even dispell humidity? Plants release water vapor through their leaves, which creates a cooling effect through a process called “transpiration”. Not only that, but there are a host of plants that can actually help remove some moisture from the air. Popular plants that can help with humidity are air plants, succulents, and ferns.

There is a lot of research to back up the benefits of live plants in your home, but we think the effect they have on your electric bill will be your favorite!

Cook “Cool” Meals

A surprising way to lower your summer energy bills is to cook “cool” meals. These are meals that don’t require the oven to cool, and take very little time on the stove. Heating the oven heats the house, which causes the air conditioner to work harder than it needs to. Sandwiches, salads, and wraps make great options in the summer. Choosing cooler meals will not only will you save money on your energy bills, but your family will enjoy the unique flavors of summer recipes.

Another way to cook while saving energy in the summer is to use an Instant Pot or microwave. Pressure cooking saves up to 70% more energy compared to boiling, steaming, oven cooking, or slow cooking. A microwave is the most energy-efficient appliance in the kitchen, so use it often in the summer to avoid high energy bills. You can also take advantage of the summer weather and cook outdoors to keep the heat outside!

Replace Dirty Air Filters

We all know the importance of air filters for indoor air quality, but did you know that replacing your filter also helps your unit run more efficiently? The simple act of replacing your air conditioning filter can reduce your air conditioner’s energy consumption by 5 -15%! If you ask us, it’s the easiest thing any homeowner can do to help reduce their energy bills.

Indoor Generation Florida Indoor Air Quality Gator Air & Energy

How efficiently do you think this homeowner’s unit was running?

Gainesville’s Energy Experts!

As Gainesville’s energy-saving experts, we can help you determine if your home needs more help. With every air conditioning repair or installation, we perform a whole-house inspection to help you determine where you could be wasting money. If you’re in Gainesville, FL or the surrounding area, give us a call to help you save even more on your energy bill!

5 Reasons Why You Should Upgrade To a Smart Thermostat

At Gator Air & Energy, we do all that we can to help our customers in Gainesville save money and energy. A thermostat is an essential piece of your air conditioning system, and yet it is often overlooked. If you haven’t changed your thermostat in a few years, you may be losing money and energy by using an outdated thermostat. Thermostats made even 5 years ago aren’t as efficient at keeping your system running as the modern thermostats of today.

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AC Upgrade: 4 Reasons to Use Your Tax Refund

It’s the time of year when you might find a little extra of your money back in your pocket, and there are so many different ways to spend it. However, this is also the perfect time of year for an AC upgrade.

We know it’s a hard sell to convince you to spend your hard-earned tax refund on a new air conditioning unit. It’s tempting to spend the money on a vacation or a new wardrobe, but there’s convincing evidence that suggests that upgrading your air conditioning unit may actually make your money go further.

At Gator Air & Energy, our focus is to save our customers in Gainesville, FL, and the surrounding area money and energy, and we believe upgrading to a new energy-efficient air conditioner would be the best way to invest your tax refund.

1. A New AC Upgrade Will Increase the Value of Your Home

Here in Gainesville and the rest of Florida, homeowners rely on air-conditioning the majority of the year. The humidity combined with the heat makes living without air conditioning nearly impossible. So, here in Florida especially, air conditioning is a must-have in a home.

According to the National Association of Realtors, central air conditioning adds about 12 percent to the value of a home on average throughout the country. In the long run, you could end up making a nice profit by upgrading your air conditioning unit with a small amount of money from your tax refund.

2. A New AC Will Be More Energy-Efficient

Energy efficiency is not only great for the environment but can also save you money on your energy bills every month. Homeowners in Gainesville know the challenge of keeping their energy bills low, and upgrading your current air conditioner to an energy-efficient one would help you save money every month.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, you reduce your air conditioning energy consumption by 20 – 50 percent just by switching to an energy-efficient air conditioning unit. We’re proud to install Trane units that are all Energy Star rated, which means their systems all meet or exceed the government’s minimum standards for energy efficiency.

Not only that, but part of our air conditioning installation process includes an in-home load calculation which ensures that you’re getting the right-sized unit for your home. This process maximizes your energy efficiency, and it comes standard with a new unit from us!

3. A New Air Conditioner Might Qualify for a Federal Credit

Not only will a new energy-efficient air conditioner save you money on your bills, but you may even get a tax credit back from the Federal Government for upgrading your air conditioner.

If you upgrade your air conditioning unit to a one that is rated as Energy Star Efficient, you may qualify for a tax credit up to $300. So, in addition to adding value to your home, you can also beef up your tax refund a little more!

4. A Upgraded AC Unit Will Improve Your Comfort

Energy efficiency and tax credits aside, upgrading your air conditioning unit is truly an investment in your family’s comfort in the home. When air conditioning is working well, your home is comfortable and becomes an oasis during the hot Florida days.

Most people use their tax refund for luxuries like televisions and other big-box purchases, but when your home is too hot to enjoy any of it, what good does it do? Air conditioning that works properly, cools your home efficiently and keeps your family comfortable all year long is a better investment in the long term.

Call Gator Air & Energy for Your New AC Upgrade

If you’ve decided to make an investment in your home with a new air conditioner, give us a call. We are the most energy-efficient HVAC contractor in Gainesville and our installation process ensures you’re getting the most efficient AC unit for your money. Make your green go further with a new air conditioning unit from us today!

Will Air Conditioning Help Allergies?

Here in Gainesville, FL, we’re already beginning to see the tell-tale signs of spring: cars covered in green pollen, seeds sprinkled on the ground, and of course the rise in seasonal allergies.

For many people, this time of year is torture. Stuffy noses, watery eyes, and sore throats are common symptoms of seasonal allergies, and here in the Sunshine State we never truly get relief from the pollen created by our beautiful foliage.

So what can be done? Outside of taking allergy medication, there are a few ways you can help control your allergies in the home. The air conditioning unit in your home helps to control pollen in a few ways. Air conditioners filter the air in your home and control humidity, which both contribute to improving indoor air quality.

As long as your air conditioner is properly maintained, your air conditioner can serve as your home’s first line of defense against Florida’s pollen counts. If you are concerned about your air conditioner maintenance or indoor air quality, Gator Air & Energy are Gainesville’s air conditioning experts, and we can help you breathe easier with our air conditioning maintenance and indoor air quality services.

The Role of Air Conditioning with Allergies

There are several ways that your air conditioner can help to keep your allergies under control in the home.

The Importance of Air Conditioning Maintenance with Allergies

If you notice that your allergy symptoms don’t subside when you get home, it may be a sign that your air conditioning unit is due for maintenance. Without regular maintenance, your air conditioning unit is suspectible to allergens and costly breakdowns.

At Gator Air & Energy, part of our process when we perform air conditioning maintenance is cleaning the condenser and evaporator coils within your system. Dirty coils can create mold throughout the system by causing a buildup of water, which in turn will affect your allergies.

In addition, we also offer duct cleaning services, which help to control allergens that may be thriving in the cool and dark environments of your duct work.

Call Gator Air & Energy for Air Conditioning Maintenance

Here in Gainesville, FL, allergies are a concern for many residents. Keeping your air conditioner properly maintained throughout the year can definitely help with airborne allergies. Call us today to schedule your air conditioning maintenance service and we’ll help you breathe easier this allergy season.

5 Signs Your HVAC Unit is Wasting Money

At Gator Air & Energy, our focus is to save the residents of Gainesville and North Central Florida energy and money. With over 70 years of combined experience in the industry, and after performing a wide range of HVAC unit repair services, we have some advice on how to tell if your HVAC system isn’t running at its best.

If you’re experiencing any of the signs listed below, we can help. Our team of experienced and friendly technicians is equipped with the tools and knowledge to help you save money and energy with our wide range of HVAC services.

1) Ductwork is Rattling

home heated unevenlyThe first sign that you could be losing money through your HVAC system is that you can hear your ductwork rattling when the air kicks on. If you hear a rattling sound, that might indicate that there are leaks in your ducts, and where there are leaks there is money lost. Our professional duct sealing service solves this problem, repairing and sealing your ducts so there is no air escaping where you don’t need it.

2) Temperature Fluctuation

If you notice a measurable difference in temperature between rooms in your home, that is a sign that your HVAC system isn’t working efficiently. This problem stems from one main cause: there is insufficient airflow in your home. One cause may be that your ductwork is too small, making your system work harder to move air throughout your home. Other factors include how far away the room is from the unit, leaky ducts, poor insulation, and factors in the room itself (such as windows).

3) Humidity

Humidity is a big problem for homeowners in Gainesville, and if you notice that the humidity is still high even with the HVAC system running, you are probably losing money. There are many reasons for this, but essentially your unit isn’t the right size or capacity for the needs of your home. It’s important to have an HVAC professional install an air conditioning unit that is custom ordered for your home to avoid this problem.

4) High Energy Bills

If the total on your latest energy bill gave you heart palpitations, then you are likely losing money through your HVAC system. Often, we see this problem stem from old air conditioners. According to Energy.gov, even if your air conditioner is only 10 years old, you could save 20% – 40% of your heating and cooling costs by replacing it with a newer model. At Gator Air & Energy, we specialize in installing energy-efficient HVAC units for your home, that are perfectly zoned for your space and comfort.

5) No Insulation

Insulation matters, and if your home isn’t properly fitted with insulation in the essential spaces of your home, you’re definitely losing money. Without proper insulation, the air that your HVAC unit works so hard to heat or cool escapes quickly. Lack of insulation causes your system to push harder to heat and cool your home, which is not only inefficient but causes earlier breakdowns in your system.

Call Gator Air & Energy to Improve Your HVAC System

The HVAC system in your home is more than just your unit, it is composed of all the elements in your home where air flows. At Gator Air & Energy, we take our time to perform a whole home assessment before recommending an HVAC unit for your home. We make sure you have the right unit for your space, and that it works as efficiently as possible to save you the most money.

Our HVAC maintenance also helps to save money, as we inspect the aspects of the system that aren’t running efficiently, and perform tune-ups on coils and pans.

Call us today to schedule your HVAC installation or service!

Winter Indoor Air Quality – What You Need to Know

The winter season brings about many changes to the air, including how you heat your home. In this season it’s especially important to know how your indoor air quality is affected by the heaters in your home.

Chuck Larsen, the owner of Gator Air & Energy, offers his insights below on what you need to know about how indoor air quality is affected by the changing temperatures in winter.

How Your Air Gets Contaminated

In the summer, the evaporator coil in your air conditioning unit run at 35°F – 45°F. This coil is what is cooling the air as it enters your home. An evaporator coil is similar to a radiator on a car. It has tubes where the refrigerant is evaporated and many small fins to aid in heat transfer to the tubes.

If your unit has no air filter or a fiberglass filter instead of a high-efficiency pleated filter (that captures more contaminants), the contaminated air is cycling through your home. Dirt from the air will accumulate in your system and ducts and will serve as food for the microbes that thrive in the dark, cold, wet environment of the coils. Remember the coil drains moisture out of the air and outdoors through a ¾ inch drain pipe all summer long.

Heat Pumps and Winter Indoor Air Quality

Due to Florida’s relatively warm climate, many homes in North Central Florida are equipped with heat pumps. Essentially a heat pump is the same as an air-conditioner, except for the fact that it is cycling warm air into your home rather than cool air. Throughout most of the year, air conditioners work as heat pumps in reverse by cycling hot air through cooling coils to cool your home.

In the winter, the coil works in reverse to heat your home and becomes a heat coil. When that happens, the dirt and microbes in your system will dry out. This is what causes a “musty” smell that many homeowners complain about when turning on the heat for the first time in winter.

Your system might also be equipped with an auxiliary electric heater to serve as a second stage heater or when the system needs to be defrosted. When this additional heater is activated, the dirt and contaminants will get burned off the heater elements (like they do in a toaster). This is what causes the short-lived “burning” smell when you turn on your heat pump in the winter.

Furnaces and Winter Indoor Air Quality

Furnaces are less common in North Central Florida, but there are still many homeowners who use them. In gas furnace heat, the cooling coil becomes inactive and gas is fired into a heat exchanger sitting below the cooling coil. With gas furnaces, the heat is much higher than in a heat pump. Temperatures in a heat pump are 90°F to 105°F whereas a gas furnace produces heat at 120°F to 150°F.

Similar to heat pumps, the coils in a furnace are heated and the contaminants in the duct system and on the coils can burn or become airborne. Some furnaces also produce heat using natural gas, propane, or oil. It’s especially important for homes with this type of furnace to watch out for CO (carbon monoxide) poisoning. If your home is not properly ventilated, you could be at risk.

Older combustion furnaces are also at risk of developing cracks in the heat exchanger. Annual furnace inspections are essential – even on newer furnaces – to detecting these often invisible cracks which could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. If your furnace is in the 16-20 year age range, it may be time to start considering a new furnace.

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Winter

If you’re looking for ways to improve your indoor air quality this winter, there are several easy things you can do today.

  • Install UV Lights – Installing UV lights in your home kills the microbes and bacteria that thrive in your ducts and coils. As the air cycles through, the air is sterilized and prevents any contaminant growth.
  • Have Your Ducts Cleaned – Having your ducts cleaned regularly prevents the buildup of dirt and dust, keeping the air clean when your heater starts.
  • Change Your Air Filter – Changing your air filter at least every three months prevents dust and dirt from entering your system. It’s important to use a high-efficiency, high MERV rated air filter.
  • Coil & Pan Maintenance – Regular maintenance and cleaning of the coils and pans of your system not only improves air quality but also improves the energy-efficiency of your system.

Dirty coils can cost up to 37% more on your energy bills.

Call Gator Air & Energy to Improve Winter Indoor Air Quality

Although AC contractors are not microbiologists or certified mold remediators, we know how to prevent or remediate indoor air quality through proper maintenance and cleaning. We also offer HVAC system upgrades such as high-efficiency air filters, UV air purifying lights, or electronic air cleaners with activated carbon working with UV lights.

If you’re concerned about your indoor air quality this winter, give us a call today! We can help you choose the best option for your needs, and keep your family breathing easy this season.

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