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Florida is a perennial pollen state. What can you do?

Your nose may tingle. You may feel the sneeze coming for 15 minutes before it arrives. If you cope with seasonal allergies, Florida is in many ways, one continuous allergy season. The same beautiful climate we enjoy also allows something to bloom practically year-round. To reduce these allergen-triggers in your home, schedule air conditioning service and think about “cleaning” your air.

How Does Air Conditioning Service Help with Allergies?

Your HVAC system is many things to you and your family. It provides cool comfort during the majority of the year and possibly heat on a rare occasion. It is also the “lungs” of your home, circulating air through the air conditioner and throughout every room in your house. Common allergens such as dirt, debris, pollen and pet dander can accumulate within your air conditioner equipment and your air ducts.

When you provide regular maintenance by scheduling air conditioning service, a qualified technician inspects, cleans, tests and lubricates all relevant components. Excess debris can cause your air conditioner to work harder than it needs to, resulting in excess wear and tear and shortening its lifespan.

Air conditioning service, performed on a regular basis, catches issues early before they have a chance to develop into inconvenient and expensive breakdowns.

To make it easy, one of the best investments you can make in this valuable equipment is to join a preventative maintenance plan, like those offered by local HVAC provider Mills Heating and Air. Professional providers recommend a tune-up of your cooling equipment once or twice a year, depending on use. It’s good to call for an appointment preceding the hottest weather, so there are more appointments available.

How Else Can I Combat Allergens in My Home?

Indoor air quality products have come a long way in the last several years. It used to be changing your filter regularly was the extent of the advice. It’s still important – kind of a front line of defense. Most filters should be changed or cleaned, depending on your model, every one to three months.

Beyond filters, there are many options expanding the capability of the homeowner to reduce and even eliminate pollutants in the home. For example, the Guardian Air company goes a step beyond using the air handler for UltraViolet treatment or filtration. Using light, water and oxygen, the RGF Guardian Air Phi Cell produces hydro-peroxides to circulate through your air-conditioned rooms and kill airborne and surface viruses, bacteria, mold, odors and VOCs before they can spread.

You or your family members may not currently have ongoing allergy issues, but do you ever feel as if a certain cold or virus seems to get passed around and back again? Air purifying technology is a powerful weapon in reducing and eliminating the particulates and spores aggravating your immune system.

Mills Heating and Air has served customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 with various air conditioning service, repair and installation needs. Concerned about finances? Don’t be – Mills Heating and Air offers multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, you keep finances predictable while enjoying lower air conditioning expenses and increased comfort today.

Mills represents quality brands and can install a new Carrier or Mitsubishi air conditioner ready for the long-lasting Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss air conditioner and indoor air quality options. For lower bills, call Mills!

Give Dad a break on Father’s Day!

Stuck on what to give Dad for Father’s Day? How about the gift of time? You can take over some of the landscaping duties for him this summer and give him a chance to relax. For bonus points with Dad, use these pointers for protecting the AC compressor unit from damage or inefficiencies.

You can also keep his air conditioning in great shape by gifting a preventative maintenance plan from a trusted local HVAC provider. These plans provide a thorough inspection, testing, cleaning and lubrication of relevant HVAC components and make home care easy!

Top Tips for AC Compressor Unit Care

Lawnmowers and “Weed-Whackers” – It may be easy to get lost in the monotony of mowing or pay more attention to what’s in your headphones, but it’s important to stay focused, especially around your AC compressor unit. A rock thrown by a lawnmower or a nick from a weed-eating machine can damage the coils or fan blades.

Vegetation – You may have read about the importance of keeping your outdoor HVAC equipment from baking directly in the Florida sun. You may have planted shady trees or shrubbery nearby. Well done! Be sure to monitor the vegetation so roots or greenery stay two to three feet away from the AC compressor unit. This will allow the appropriate amount of buffer to provide optimal airflow to and around the unit.

Grass clippings – Be sure to capture grass clippings or mow when the unit isn’t running, to prevent clippings from being sucked into the unit and clogging the components.

Mulch – It’s best to surround your AC compressor unit with rocks or grass, rather than mulch. Wind and hard rain can cause mulch to bounce up and into the unit, clogging it and impeding airflow.

Severe storms – In Florida, we sometimes get storms with great intensity. Be sure to walk around your property following any major storms and look for damage caused by fallen branches. Be sure to clear away storm clutter such as leaves and twigs, again to prevent airflow obstruction.

Other Ideas for Dad’s Comfort

If your dad copes with respiratory issues like allergies, asthma or COPD, you may consider gifting him with a product to improve his indoor air quality. We spend about 90 percent of our time indoors and the air we breathe is often compromised with sealing in the cool air and the allergens we bring inside with us. Pollen, pet dander, dust and other pollutants then constantly circulate within the ductwork in our homes and into our living spaces.

You can combat these and by filtering and cleaning the air, with products such as media air cleaners and air purifiers. Some, such as those from Guardian Air, use technologies such as photohydroionization to seek out and destroy airborne and surface pollutants before they reach your family. Professional northern Florida HVAC provider Mills Heating and Air carries these and other products. Call them – they’re happy to explain the benefits of each.

Mills Heating and Air has served customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 with various air conditioning service, repair and installation needs. Concerned about finances? Don’t be – Mills Heating and Air offers multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, you keep finances predictable while enjoying lower air conditioning expenses and increased comfort today.

Mills represents quality brands and can install a new Carrier or Mitsubishi air conditioner ready for the long-lasting Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss air conditioner and indoor air quality options. For lower bills, call Mills!  

Have More to Spend on Vacation with a Wi-Fi Thermostat

Floridians are fortunate to live in a place where so many people come on vacation. If you plan to go away from home for several days, however, you can save money on air conditioning expenses with products such as a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat.

If you have a relatively new air conditioning system, you already know the advantages upgraded technology can bring, such as a more efficient cooling system. Know someone who lives in Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay or Walton counties who needs a new air conditioner? Submit a referral and if they install a new system with Mills we’ll award you a check for $100! Use it for your vacation fund!

Benefits to Air Conditioning Expenses

When you use a Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat, you have new opportunities to improve your home.

Better communication – A Wi-Fi-enabled thermostat communicates the ambient temperature more accurately to your HVAC equipment, improving performance and efficiency.

Remote communication – Using a smartphone or tablet with an internet connection, you can communicate with your thermostat remotely. If your plans change, for example, you can adjust the temperature in your home up or down based on your new arrival time.

If there’s a sudden weather change while you’re at work, you can adjust your thermostat so your HVAC is prepared and ready to welcome you home in comfort. This can also increase your efficiency by being more responsive to the environment and not cooling your home when you’re not there.

Lower bills – When your HVAC is running more efficiently, your air conditioning expenses will be lower. If you have an AC unit constantly stopping and starting, known as short-cycling, or struggling to keep up with the temperature or humidity, there are several potential causes, and erratic readings from a dial thermostat may be one of them. If your unit exhibits any of these behaviors, call the pros at Mills Heating and Air to check it out in case your unit is heading for a breakdown.

Multiple Settings – Most models provide multiple options for settings, such as weekday, weekend and vacation modes. If your family is out of the house during school and work hours, use the weekday mode to reflect a different temperature while no one is home.

If you’re home during the weekends, set it accordingly. Use vacation mode when the house will be empty for days a time. Using the Wi-Fi capabilities, you can switch it over, even if you’re already at the airport and forgot to do it prior to leaving. If you plan on leaving pets alone in the home, check with your vet for an appropriate temperature to save energy without compromising the health of your furry friends.

Better Efficiency Means Lower Bills; More Money for Recreation!

Summer brings lots of reasons to travel, visit faraway friends and family and vacation from your daily routine. With energy efficient HVAC equipment and products such as Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats, you can cut your air conditioning expenses, leaving you more funds for extra vacation fun!

Mills Heating and Air has counseled customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 on various air conditioning service, repair and installation needs. Concerned about finances? Don’t be – Mills Heating and Air offers multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, you keep finances predictable while enjoying lower air conditioning expenses and increased comfort today.

Mills represents quality brands and can install a new Carrier or Mitsubishi air conditioner ready for the long-lasting Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss air conditioner and indoor air quality options. For lower bills, call Mills!

Possibilities are Limitless with this Quiet and Efficient Cooling Solution

No more noisy, inefficient, clunky window air conditioning units! If you are unfamiliar with ductless air conditioner advances, this might be a bit of a bombshell. Installing a new ductless air conditioner, popular in Europe and Asia, is quickly gaining momentum in cities and towns throughout Florida.

This system, just like it sounds, requires no ductwork, allowing it to be installed in a variety of places within a home to amplify the cooling power of the existing system. If you live in an older home and want to modernize the air conditioning but the ductwork is expensive or inconvenient to access? No problem – install a ductless air conditioner.

Want to finish the garage for a Man Cave or enclose the patio for a cozy place to enjoy a drink and a good book? No problem – install a ductless air conditioner. Husband likes to smoke cigars while he and his friends play cards in his den? Without ductwork to circulate the smoke and odors throughout the house, the cigar smoke stays with the guys when you use a ductless air conditioner.  

Ductless Air Conditioner Installation

Installation is quick and can be accomplished usually in one day. Disruption is minimal and the professional HVAC installer needs to only drill a small three-inch hole to connect the internal and external units with electrical and refrigerant lines. This alleviates many of the security concerns from older window units.

Most units are managed with remote controls, allowing you the ultimate flexibility. A reputable HVAC technician, like those from Mills Heating and Air, will thoroughly explain the installation process, how to operate the system and go over basic troubleshooting steps if necessary.

Energy Efficiency

Depending on the size and model, many ductless air conditioners have earned ENERGY STAR status. Some families who find themselves in a large home with underused rooms, find installing a ductless air conditioner in the master bedroom and one or two other frequently used spaces, provides more zone control.

By using the ductless units, the family can keep the main air conditioner at a higher temperature. This method is better on your HVAC system than shutting vents and doors to unused rooms. This good intention actually makes your HVAC system work harder to compensate for the imbalance in pressure and temperature.  

Mills Heating and Air has counseled customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 on various air conditioning service, repair and installation needs. Concerned about finances? Don’t be – Mills Heating and Air offers multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, you keep finances predictable while enjoying lower utility bills and increased comfort today.

Mills represents quality brands and can install a new air conditioner ready for the upcoming Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss air conditioner and indoor air quality options! For Lower Bills – Call Mills!

Representing Quality Brands like Carrier, Mitsubishi and RGF Environmental Group, Mills Heating and Air Is Here To Help

If you live in northwest Florida, you’ve probably seen a Mills Heating and Air company truck. Since 1984, locally-owned and operated Mills Heating and Air has worked with home and business owners to provide the highest quality services at affordable pricing for all air conditioning needs.

Air Conditioning Repair and Installation

When your air conditioning is erratic or just quits, you need help fast. The service department at Mills Heating and Air has many years of combined experience and only employs the most qualified technicians and installers. We know how important it is to get the job done right the first time and ideally, in one visit!  

All Brands of Air Conditioners

Mills Heating and Air is proud to be a dealer for Carrier and Mitsubishi air conditioners. We believe in quality products and proudly stand behind them. However, we service ALL makes and models, in order to help you in your time of need. We also process claims for warranty parts for most brands to save you the hassle and the time.

Dedicated to Exceptional Customer Service

It’s not enough to simply represent quality products. We deliver every interaction with exceptional customer service. Our professional staff will listen to your concerns and carefully evaluate your equipment. If you request one, our NATE-certified technicians will perform and indoor air quality audit.

Our team will account for multiple factors before recommending any solutions, whether repair, replacement or installation of an additional piece of equipment, such as a programmable thermostat or a dehumidifier. We want you to be comfortable every step of the process.

Our team is happy to answer all of your questions, explain their process and any tools he or she is using, as well as educate you on how to achieve the most efficiency with your equipment and red flags suggesting you need to call a professional for help in the future.

Read what Kati Curle, of Destin Resorts, has to say…

“I have found their pricing to be competitive on both labor and materials, especially when it comes to emergency call outs on nights and weekends…I highly recommend Mills for your future heating and air conditioning needs. Their dependability, expertise and trusted reputation in the industry have proven invaluable to my company, and any client from an individual homeowner to a large commercial operation will appreciate their belief in the ‘customer is always right’ credo.”

Keep Things Ship Shape with Maintenance Plans

The easiest thing a Florida resident can do to ensure cool comfort is to invest in a preventative maintenance program, like the one offered by Mills Heating and Air. Ours includes a thorough, 21-point inspection of your entire HVAC system, from your thermostat to the air handler/furnace to the condensing unit. We test, clean and lubricate all applicable components, looking for excess wear and tear or other indicators there’s a problem we can catch in the early stages.

We recommend two visits a year, one in the spring and one in the fall. Doing so keeps your air conditioning equipment operating at peak efficiency, costing you less in utility bills. Regular service also preserves most manufacturer warranties.

Our Northwest Florida Service Area

We love Florida and we love getting to know more Floridians all the time through our work and involvement with the communities we serve. We’re proud to help home and business owners in and around: Fort Walton Beach, Mary Esther, Shalimar, Destin, Niceville, Crestview, Defuniak Springs, Mossyhead, Freeport, Lynn Haven, Navarre, Panama City and Panama City Beach.

Ready to learn more?  Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss your new air conditioner and air quality options! We offer financing options if expenses are a concern – we want your family to be safe, comfortable and enjoying low utility bills. For lower bills, call Mills!

Curious About Regular Care Needs for Your Florida Home Comfort?

Regardless of where in Florida you call home, it’s important to know the basics of home mechanical care to avoid an unexpected HVAC repair. Here are some general Frequently Asked Questions to share on the subject…

Air Filters

Q. How often should I check my air filter?

A. It’s best to check your air filter monthly. Florida typically has something blooming year round, so if you live in a high pollen area or have multiple pets, it’s advised to check your filter more frequently.

Q. Do I need to replace or clean my air filter?

A. It depends on your unit. Some use disposable filters while others may be cleaned and reused. Check with your HVAC technician if you’re not sure during a regular maintenance or HVAC repair visit.

Q. How do I clean my filter?

A. If you have a permanent air filter, meaning one not made of cardboard, it can be easily cleaned:

With the thermostat in the “off” position, locate and remove your air filter.

1. Using good pressure from a water hose, spray the filter from both sides. If your filter is extra dirty, you may need to repeat this process several times. Careful – too much pressure might injure the filter media (the filtration cells). When the water runs clear your filter is clean.
2. Gently shake the filter to remove extra water. Ideally, the filter should be allowed to fully dry before reinstalling it. A little dampness is ok, in general, avoid introducing a lot of moisture into your system so to reduce the opportunity for mold and mildew to grow.
3. Note proper airflow direction (it probably has arrows) and slide the air filter back into the rack. Turn the thermostat back on and you’re done!

Indoor Humidity

Q. What is an appropriate humidity level inside my home?

A. Ideally, indoor humidity ranges should be between 30-40 percent. Thirty-five is considered excellent. Levels at or above 50 percent, creates condensation on your windows and an environment perfect for breeding mold and mildew, leading to allergy and respiratory issues.

Dust mites, for example, are a leading cause of allergies and multiply in as little as 50 percent relative humidity. Molds are happy in 60 percent and aggravate asthma, allergies and other respiratory ailments, as well as damaging drywall, paint and wood structures.  

Q. Ok, too much humidity is bad. Is there too little?

A. Yes. Too little humidity can dry skin and nasal passages triggering random nose bleeds and making you more susceptible to airborne bacteria and viruses. In addition, the lack of humidity creates static electricity which can technically damage electronic devices if it accumulates and can negatively affect flooring, doors and other wooden pieces and structures.  

Q. Does my humidifier need a tune-up?

A. Yes! Just like your air conditioner or heat pump, your humidifier should be cleaned and serviced regularly. To make it easy, join a preventative maintenance plan with a trusted HVAC provider, like Mills Heating and Air.

Air Ducts

Q. Is it possible to actually clean the air?

A. After sealing our homes to stave off energy loss, we’ve inadvertently sealed a lot of contaminants in our homes too. All the dirt we track indoors on our shoes, pollen, pet dander and dust circulates through our homes unless it’s trapped by filters or air purifiers.

Too much debris causes your air conditioner to work overtime, leading to potential HVAC repairs. Regular air conditioner maintenance will address this but for an ongoing “cleaning,” consider investing in products such as air filtration products from Guardian Air. These products are proactive, seeking and destroying pollutants in the air and on sources.

Air Conditioner Service

Q. What’s covered in a tune-up or maintenance visit?

A. NATE-certified HVAC technicians will inspect, clean, lubricate and test all applicable components of your air conditioner to optimize efficiency and prevent the necessity of HVAC repair. It’s recommended service is performed twice a year, depending on your equipment.

Need HVAC Repair or Replacement? Call Mills

Mills Heating and Air has counseled customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 on various air conditioning service, HVAC repair and installation needs. Concerned about finances? Don’t be – Mills Heating and Air offers multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, you keep finances predictable while enjoying lower utility bills and increased comfort today.

Mills represents quality brands and can install a new air conditioner ready for the long-lasting Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss air conditioner and indoor air quality options. For lower bills, call Mills!  

May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month; Help Mom Breathe Easier

Before you seal the envelope of a card or make the brunch reservation, consider some longer-term gifts for Mother’s Day. Wherever in Florida your mom lives, she deserves cooling comfort and healthy indoor air all season long. Take these simple steps to improve your mother’s health, budget and peace of mind for years to come with air conditioning service. Here’s how…

Air Conditioning Service for Mother’s Day – You Bet!

It may be a nontraditional gift, but cooling comfort in Florida is invaluable! Pick up the phone and call to arrange a tune-up or annual maintenance visit for your mom’s air conditioner or heat pump. Air conditioning service should include inspecting, cleaning, testing and lubricating all applicable air conditioning components.

If your mom has recently tuned-up her HVAC system, gift a preventative maintenance plan with a qualified HVAC provider, like Mills Heating and Air, to provide steady care and put the maintenance on “auto-pilot.”

When air conditioning service takes place regularly, it extends the unit’s lifespan as technicians identify minor issues before they become excessive wear and tear or worst case, expensive repairs or breakdowns. Regular service also preserves most manufacturer warranties.

Indoor Air Quality an Issue?

If allergies, asthma, COPD or other respiratory illnesses are a part of your mother’s life, an indoor air quality audit can determine methods to improve her comfort.

May is Allergy and Asthma Awareness Month, causing us to consider the millions of Americans who live with these respiratory ailments and how we might improve indoor air quality for our loved ones. Think about installing additional products to filter and actually clean the air. While sealing our homes for ultimate energy efficiency, we’ve trapped a lot of stale air and pollutants inside. Pet dander, dust, pollen and dirt we track indoors eventually circulates through our homes in the ductwork.

UltraViolet Air Purifiers, like those from Guardian, use Phi Cell or Photohydroionization cell technology using light, water and oxygen to produce “Mother Nature’s friendly cleaners” – hydro-peroxides.

These cleaners circulate through your conditioned air space and kill airborne and surface viruses, bacteria, mold, odors and VOCs before they can spread. Ask your HVAC professionals, Mills Heating and Air, for advice. Mills also carries dehumidifiers, media air cleaners and ventilators.

Air Conditioner Becoming the “Problem Child?”

Finally, if your mother’s air conditioner needs repairs on a regular basis or has created a spike in energy bills, consider replacing the unit altogether. More modern air conditioners are dramatically more efficient than those only a decade old.

Mills also installs ductless air conditioners for areas needing a cooling boost or where ductwork is complicated and expensive to install. These units are quiet, efficient and allow your mom to run the main air conditioning less while using the ductless units in her most frequently used spaces.

Concerned about finances? Don’t be – Mills Heating and Air offer multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, your mother can keep her finances predictable while enjoying lower utility bills and increased comfort today.

Mills Heating and Air has helped customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 with various air conditioning service, repair and installation needs. Mills represents quality brands and can install a new air conditioner ready for the upcoming Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss air conditioner and indoor air quality options! You’ll remain the apple of Mom’s eye (or usurp your sibling’s status) for sure.

Leave the Heat at the Beach – Come Home to the Cool!

Residents in northwestern Florida counties like Okaloosa, Walton, Bay and Santa Rosa know air conditioning can be a year-round need. They know the truest test of a cooling system may be, is your air conditioner ready for summer in Florida? Our climate is generally pleasant – it’s why people want to vacation and live here. We do, however, definitely need our air conditioners ready when the humidity and temperature call for it. Here’s how…

Before Summer’s in Full Swing

Call to schedule a tune-up or annual maintenance visit from a trusted locally-owned and operated HVAC provider like Mills Heating and Air. Mills employs qualified and NATE-certified technicians to perform basic service including inspecting, testing, cleaning and lubricating all applicable air conditioning components.

Providing regular maintenance, ideally, twice a year, prepares your air conditioner or heat pump for the rigors of the upcoming weather. The easiest thing to do is subscribe to a preventative maintenance plan with a qualified HVAC provider.

Preventative maintenance takes the steps needed to keep your air conditioner ready for summer heat and as efficient as possible. Technicians look for excess wear and tear, minor issues which, untreated, could expand into expensive repairs or breakdowns later, preserve warranties and extend the life of your system.

Steps to Take Outdoors

When performing maintenance, HVAC technicians will inspect and care for exterior units as well as indoor. In the interim, you can help by landscaping carefully around them and periodically checking for debris and other obstructions to its airflow.

When landscaping, take care not to plant invasive vegetation too close to the unit. Greenery should remain between two to three feet from the unit. Surround the unit with gravel or grass, rather than mulch and refrain from mowing while the unit’s running.

Mulch can bounce up during a hard rain and grass clippings can get sucked into the unit, both clogging the system and impeding its efficiency. Keep the area tidy around your unit to keep your air conditioner ready for optimal airflow.

Increase Efficiency With Air Quality Bonus

Another go-to step is to check your filter every month and change or clean as necessary. Whether to replace or clean depends on your model. Unsure? Ask your HVAC technician. A clogged and dirty filter affects your indoor air quality as well as hindering the performance of your air conditioner.

An excessive amount of contaminants, such as dust, pollen, pet dander and pet hair hampers your air conditioning as well, because it reduces air flow while circulating pollutants throughout your ductwork.

Air Conditioner Ready for Replacement?

If your air conditioner struggles to perform efficiently, has been neglected or is more than 10 to 12 years old, maintenance or repairs may be exhausted. Newer air conditioners function at a greater energy efficiency, saving homeowners more money than those manufactured only a few years ago. Mills also installs ductless air conditioners for areas needing a cooling boost or where ductwork is complicated and expensive to install.

If expenses are a concern, Mills Heating and Air offers multiple financing options. By spreading out payments, you can achieve lower energy bills and greater comfort immediately.

Mills Heating and Air has counseled customers in northwest Florida since 1984 on various air conditioning needs. Mills represents quality brands and can install a new air conditioner ready for the upcoming Florida summer. Not ready to replace? Mills can service and repair any brand. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss your air conditioner options! 

Carrier and Mitsubishi Offer Multiple New Air Conditioner Options to Cool Your Florida Home

It may not happen as often as buying a new television set or even a new car, but choosing a new air conditioner requires thought and research. Let’s review some of the considerations you should make as a home or property owner in cities in northwestern Florida…

Your Current Space

Most people don’t realize the importance of a correctly-sized air conditioning unit. It’s crucial an HVAC professional determines the size of a new air conditioner so it accommodates your needs.

Too big and you’re wasting energy. Your unit becomes vulnerable to “short-cycling,” or constantly turning on or off. Too small and your new air conditioner struggles to keep even temperatures throughout the home and may constantly run, putting excess wear and tear on your equipment.

If your current air conditioner is under ten years old and still runs well except for certain areas, you may consider adding a ductless air conditioner to complement your system.

In older homes, building additions or finished spaces like attics or garage apartments, ductless air conditioners can save the day. They can augment an existing system to erase “hot spots” in the home or provide air conditioning in areas inaccessible to ductwork.  

A qualified HVAC technician will take into account your location, the current insulation of the home, square footage and other factors. The technician should take into account all of your home’s spaces, including attics, basements and crawl spaces, if applicable.  

Your Current Needs

In your conversations with your HVAC technician, you will hear certain terms, including tonnage and SEER.

Tonnage is not a weight reference, it is a reflection of the cooling power of a new air conditioner – you can think of it as V6 or V8 in your car. It’s important to remember, just like in cars, if you’re not hauling a horse trailer or a boat, you may not need the most powerful engine.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and measures the efficiency of a new air conditioner. Generally, the higher the SEER rating, the better. A variable speed system, popular in northwest Florida for example, increases energy efficiency and SEER ratings.

If you or family members cope with allergies, asthma or other respiratory illnesses, a new air conditioner can help. Choosing indoor air quality products such as: Dehumidifiers, Media Air Cleaners, Whole Home Filtration or UltraViolet Air Purifiers can dramatically filter and even clean your indoor air, reducing the number of airborne particles aggravating respiratory conditions. Regularly changing filters, scheduling regular maintenance for your new air conditioner and periodically cleaning your vents are all good air quality practices.

How Long Will You Be In This Home?

If you plan on selling your home in the near future or if you plan to remodel and stay as long as possible, either may impact your decision. You may choose to upgrade or replace a system to increase energy efficiency and differentiate your property from others in your neighborhood or you may choose to leave it alone if it’s performing adequately. Consult with your HVAC technician regarding your system’s specific pros and cons and talk with your realtor as well. He or she can provide insight on buyer expectations.

If you plan to stay in this home indefinitely, you can take the needed steps to keep these critical home systems serving you as well as possible.

Mills Heating and Air has counseled customers in northwestern Florida counties such as Okaloosa, Santa Rosa, Bay and Walton since 1984 on various air conditioning needs. Mills represents quality brands like Carrier, Mitsubishi and Guardian to provide new air conditioners and air quality comfort in large estates and in single-zone condos. Contact Mills Heating & Air to discuss your new air conditioner options!

Spring is fast approaching and with it comes warmer temperatures and an increase in humidity. Soon you will be sweating and dreaming of cooler days when the heat has you down. Ask yourself, is your cooling system ready for the hot, sticky summer? Maintaining the ideal temperature setting in your home can be expensive and a challenge if you don’t know how to utilize your thermostat settings starting in the spring. Follow these 5 tips before your home becomes rainforest hot!

Gradual Thermostat Settings

The first way to acclimate your thermostat to the rising temperature outside is to gradually lower your thermostat. You might want to crank the setting extremely low, unfortunately doing so will send your energy bill through the roof and force your system to work harder than necessary. Set your thermostat at the highest possible setting you can stand, so it’s not far off from the outside temperature. This allows your air conditioner to work less often and lowers your energy bill.

Adjusting Your Internal Settings

When you slowly adjust your thermostat to adapt to the climate change outside, it makes for a smoother transition for both you and your HVAC system. You can get used to the warmer weather gradually by increasing the thermostat by one degree every day until you reach the setting perfect for your home and wallet. Your body will adapt to higher temperatures without sacrificing your comfort. Ideal temperatures for your home during the spring and summer average around 78°F and during the winter, set the at 68° or lower to maximize savings year-round.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

Preparing for spring weather is simple with the right thermostat. A programmable thermostat helps you control your heating and cooling equipment 24/7 without you being at home. If you have an older analog thermostat requiring you to manually adjust and reset your temperature, upgrading to a programmable thermostat is worth the initial cost.

Basic programmable thermostats allow you to set temperatures based on your schedule. You can raise the temperature setting while you are at work/school and asleep. When you are home, you can program your thermostat to lower the temperature before you come home, so you never consciously feel the warmer temperature. Programmable thermostats even offer a setting for vacation, which you activate when you head out of town.

One step further if you upgrade is a smart, programmable thermostat. A smart thermostat has additional features to boost your HVAC system’s efficiency without you hardly lifting a finger! It learns the behavior and habits of you and your family, dropping and raising the temperature without you controlling it. In vacation mode, you can switch your heating and cooling unit back to an ideal temperature just before you get home. Smart thermostats offer mobile applications and are accessed through Wi-Fi connections. The possibilities are limitless when you upgrade your thermostat to a more advanced Wi-Fi programmable thermostat!

Deny the Sun Access

Aside from controlling the temperature in your home directly via a programmable thermostat, you can also lower the temperature indoors by closing the blinds or shades. When the sun is directly beating down on your home and shining through your windows, the temperature of your home begins to rise. Keep cool by blocking the sun with dark curtains and blinds during the middle of the day. This allows you to stay cool and prevents false readings between your thermostat and HVAC system.

Utilize Ceiling Fans

Don’t underestimate the value of a ceiling fan. They come in handy during the summer and winter! Running a ceiling fan can make a room feel several degrees cooler. The cool air created by your air conditioning system is circulated to every room and a ceiling fan will push cool air around, so even temperatures are easily maintained. Reverse the rotation during the winter to push warm air back down from the ceiling.

Take advantage of your thermostat settings to save energy without sacrificing your comfort. Contact Mills Heating & Air for your new programmable thermostat! Our technicians will offer you the best options for your current system and quickly install your new equipment. For lower bills call Mills!