The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16, 2022.
It represents the largest federal investment to fight climate change in U.S. history, offers tax credits and rebates to consumers who buy clean vehicles and appliances or take other steps to reduce their carbon footprint.
With the changes that have already been implemented as of this writing (3/13/23), Florida homeowners could get up to $10,250 in Tax Credits, on top of hundreds of dollars/year in energy savings so, if you’ve been thinking of upgrading to a Heat Pump Air Conditioning System - there’s no time like the present!
Simply put, heat pumps transfer heat from a cool place to a warm place, making the cool place cooler and the warm place warmer in the process. This means that, when it is cold outside, they move heat into your home and, when it’s hot outside (which is most of the time in South Florida), they move heat out of your home. Because heat pumps are transferring heat rather than generating heat, they’re an energy-efficient and environmentally friendly alternative to traditional furnaces and air conditioner.
In fact, studies show that switching from a traditional furnaces and air conditioner to a heat pump saves the average U.S. household $557 per year on heating and cooling and produces 3 metric tons less of carbon emissions per year – this is a nearly equivalent to giving up your car!
To see how much money you could be saving by reducing your carbon footprint, visit https://www.rewiringamerica.org/app/ira-calculator and, if you live in Broward or Palm Beach and you’re ready to upgrade to heat pump - call (561) 861-3345 or (561) 861-3345. We’ll help you find the perfect heating and cooling solution, and help you navigate the tax incentives!
Why did that cost so much?
Sometimes the cost of installing an inexpensive part, like a capacitor, can seem disproportionate, but it’s important to know what you’re paying for when you hire a reputable service company.
When you hire a reputable service company, you’re not just paying for a part; you’re paying for the peace of mind that comes with knowing that the right part is being installed correctly.
Before you can install a part, inexpensive or otherwise, you need to have the knowledge required to diagnose the problem. Our highly trained technicians arrive quickly, with a fully stocked truck so they can diagnose the problem and, if necessary, install a high-quality replacement part, without you having to wait for an off-brand part to be delivered by Amazon - and their work is guaranteed.
Many off-brand parts are perfectly fine but using an unauthorized replacement part will void your warranty so save the off-brand parts for when you’re out of warranty.
In addition to being experts at what we do, we are licensed and insured, our phones are staffed by customer service professionals that are ready to answer your call – all that costs money.
Another way people try to save money is by hiring an unlicensed contractor or doing it themselves after watching a YouTube video, as if that could take the place of years of training.
If you're in Broward or Palm Beach and you're considering a mini-split system for your home or office, you simply must read this 5-star review from Ale Nor!
It has now been 2 years since the mini split system has been installed.
The only mistake I made was not listening to Mike and NOT taking his suggestion. We had a 2nd zone added to the house in July 2022, Mike did say to do it way back in 2020 and I didn't listen.
We had wall ac units in 2 bedrooms and NO ac in the 3rd bedroom. We have been so pleased with the original installation, quality of the product that of course it was a no brainer to call them again.
We have the yearly maintenance service and ALWAYS on time, right to the point cleaning with great service technicians. I think everyone in this company really knows how to do their jobs and how to do them very well.
So, back to the new mini splits. Just when I thought it couldn't get any better it did. Very clean installation, again on time service and installed and completed with 2 business days.
The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 until November 30.
For the seventh year in a row, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an “above-normal” season with 14 to 21 named storms. Of those, 6 to 10 will likely become hurricanes (storms become hurricanes when wind speeds reach 74 mph) and 3 to 6 of them will probably become “major" hurricanes. Storms are considered “major” hurricanes (category 3 or higher) when sustained winds reach 111 mph.
If you live in Florida, there’s a good chance you have a routine you break into when there’s a hurricane barreling towards Florida. You bring in patio furniture and any other “projectiles”, you stock up on food and water, maybe fill up the tank. You know the drill, but what about your air conditioning system?
These tips will help keep you comfortable during the storm and protect your AC from damage:
- Check the bolts and straps that secure the outdoor AC unit to the concrete slab for any signs of rust or deterioration that could make the unit vulnerable to high winds.
- Before the storm, bring in outdoor furniture, bird feeders, plants - anything that could become airborne and damage the AC (or anything else for that matter).
- Turning your AC off during the storm could save you thousands of dollars in repairs. Most electrical damage happens when units are left on during a thunderstorm or hurricane.
- Cool down your house as much as possible before the storm so you’re comfortable for as long as possible while the AC is turned off.
- Wait 20 minutes after the storm passes to turn the AC back on. Note that unstable or “dirty” power is most common in the minutes after the power returns.
- If there is flooding, do not turn the power back on until the unit is dry.
Stay safe this hurricane season and don’t forget to include your AC in your hurricane preparedness plan.
M&S Air Conditioning is committed to providing the most honest, reliable, and affordable residential & commercial air conditioning repair, installation & maintenance service in South Florida.
Homeowners, Business Owners & Property Managers across Broward & Palm Beach counties know they can count on M&S Air Conditioning for all their Residential & Commercial Air Conditioning Installation, Repair & Maintenance needs, and they love the Peace Of Mind they get from knowing we stand behind all our work with a 100% #SatisfactionGuarantee!
Most HVAC manufacturers require you to register your new equipment or part shortly after purchase in order to offer you their full limited warranty.
Proper registration also ensures that any licensed HVAC contractor can perform warranty services, should a warrantied part fail. Unfortunately, many HVAC companies just don’t want to bother with warranty work.
At M&S Air Conditioning, our primary goal is serving our customers in a prompt, professional, and courteous manner - and that includes honoring all manufacturer’s warranties.
How long does the basic factory warranty last?
If your equipment is registered in the prescribed amount of time, the basic factory warranty will typically cover the compressor and most other parts for 10 years. Failing to register your equipment in a timely manner can reduce the warranty period to 5 years, so make sure you send in the registration card (or register your equipment online) right away!
But registering your equipment is just the beginning. Failing to use a licensed contractor for service or using off-brand replacement parts can void your warranty. Regular maintenance, performed by an authorized service provider, like M&S Air Conditioning, is also a warranty requirement.
What is covered by the basic factory warranty (and what isn’t)?
As we all become increasingly aware of the role that indoor air quality plays on our health, we’ve started receiving more and more calls from customers asking what they can do, beyond making sure their air filter is clean, to improve the air inside their home or business - our answer is tried and true…
For over 100 years, UV-C light, otherwise known as germicidal ultraviolet light, has been used to eradicate germs on surfaces, in the air, and in water.
Viruses, like COVID-19, are roughly 100 times smaller than bacteria and much smaller than other pollutants, like pollen and pet dander, which are the primary cause of poor indoor air quality. This means that a standard HEPA filter is not designed to and will not remove viruses from the air.
Unlike traditional air filters, some air purifiers can capture viruses, but they don’t destroy them so the virus can remain alive inside the filter for several days. High quality air filters also come with a hefty price tag. Conversely, UV-C light systems are extremely cost effective.
When installed inside your HVAC system, UV-C lights disinfect every cubic inch of air-conditioned space, reducing airborne and surface contaminants that contribute to foul odors, headaches, lung irritation, fatigue, asthma, and infectious diseases. Germicidal lights also prevent and destroy mildew and other microbial contaminants before they can reproduce and colonize.
In many Florida homes, the air handler is in the attic which is far from ideal...
With temperatures reaching 160° F in the summer months, HVAC professionals agree that Florida attics are about the worst place you could possibly install an air conditioning system. Not to mention the fact that it makes it hard to access for service.
Having your air handler in the hottest part of the house means it has to work harder to keep you cool and that means higher utility bills and an overburdened system that malfunctions more frequently. Relocating the air handler to a cooler part of the house will result in significant energy savings and it will extend the life of your system, so it is a worthwhile investment.
But relocating an air handler is not a job for beginners, inexperienced technicians will take longer to complete the task (which means you pay more – one way or another) and they may knowledge regarding the best place to relocate the unit so you should only use a company that has plenty of experience providing this type of service to Florida homes.
If you’re in the Broward or Palm Beach county and you’re ready to make this worthwhile investment, call M&S Air Conditioning & Appliance Services at (561) 861-3345.
The product we now call “duct” tape was originally manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Permacel division during WWII.
The military needed a waterproof tape that would keep moisture out of ammunition cases. For this reason, the original “duct” tape was only available in army green.
Because it was green and shed water (like a duck), WWII soldiers began calling it “duck” tape and, due to its waterproof nature, strength and built-in adhesive, they soon began using it for all sorts of repairs - even using it to close wounds in a emergencies!
So how did it come to be associated with duct repairs and become predominantly silver?
The returning soldiers brought with them the green “duck” tape as well as a housing boom. This prompted savvy manufacturers to begin selling the miracle adhesive as a way of connecting heating and cooling ducts in many of the homes being built. To that end, they changed the color to silver and it quickly became known as “duct” tape.
https://youtu.be/dFJBA-ONSr4
Do you have questions about your AC System?
Are you still arguing with your spouse about whether to turn the thermostat up or off when you leave the house? Check out this impromptu video we shot with Stephanie Fortune of Fortune Business Consulting or give us call at (561) 861-3345 with your specific questions.
Video Transcript:
Mike: Hello Everybody, my name is Mike Macdonald, I’m with M&S Air Conditioning & Appliance Service and today we have the luxury of having Stephanie Fortune from Fortune Marketing & Business Solutions with us and we just wanted to ask her a couple questions about her AC system.
Hello, Stephanie.
Stephanie: Hi. How are you?
Mike: Doing good.
Stephanie: Happy to be here.
Mike: So, what is it that you don’t like about your air conditioning system
Stephanie: So, I have a 3-story home. I have a garage on the first floor, a bedroom on the third floor, and then the living space, more or less, on the second floor, and my office. I find that sometimes it’s way colder in my office or in the bedroom and not so much in the living room so how could I manage the temperature in the different rooms?
Mike: Okay, so the newer technology thermostats, they actually have what we call a remote sensor so you can actually have a remote sensor in that room and you can set the thermostat for a certain temperature, but until that remote sensor reaches the temperature you desire the air conditioner would shut off at the point where the remote sensor reached the temperature so say you’re comfortable at 74 degrees.
Stephanie: Right.
Mike: You set the remote sensor for 74 degrees and then the unit will turn off as soon as that remote sensor is satisfied.
Stephanie: Okay. So that would be perfect because I have an office and I literally have to wear a jacket in my own home so that will definitely help there. Okay. So, I like that. I like that. What about knowing when to change my AC filter?
Mike: The industry standard is about 45 days. 45 to 60 days, give or take, it just depends. If you live in an area where there’s a lot of dust like construction, or maybe on a road, you might want to change it every 30 days, but they can go up to about 45, a month and a half, sometimes 90 days. It just depends.
Stephanie: I have a husky, she has a lot of fur, so I would say more so closer to the 30-day mark?
Mike: Yeah. A lot of fur, yeah, you definitely, definitely, 30-day mark.
Stephanie: Okay. Alright. Let me see here. The noise. So, I definitely know when the air conditioning system is on vs. when it’s off. Is there any way that I can combat that?
Mike: There’s some things that you have to kind of go to the house and look at. Most of the time, it’s ductwork related, static pressure, maybe like a restricted filter, dirty filter, dirty coil causing the motor to ramp up and produce more velocity, so every application is different from that standard. So, anything else?
Stephanie: Let me see here.
Mike: What about, what kind of thermostat do you have in your house?
Stephanie: I have no idea.
Mike: Okay.
Stephanie: I have no idea.
Mike: That’s usual.
Stephanie: (Laughs) But we only have one so I know it’s tough sometimes when I do want to change the temperature in one room or I want to adjust it in one place and I just can’t get to it. So, I know that’s usually a challenge too. And, again, I just don’t know.
Mike: Okay. What about when you are home vs. when you’re away, what do you keep your thermostat at?
Stephanie: So, traditionally, when I’m out of the house, I like to keep it at maybe at seventy… well, really, 78ish and then when I’m home closer to maybe 75 and when I sleep I like to be cold and cozy so maybe around like 73.
Mike: Okay. What we recommend is whenever you’re away from the house to keep it at say 78 then, when you’re at home, if you like it at 76, keep it within 2 degrees. The reason being is you don’t want the unit to run for more than like 30 minutes at a time because the longer that it runs, the hotter the compressor gets and it sometimes causes more breakdowns so we want to keep the thermostat within 2 degrees so that the unit is not running as much.
Stephanie: Okay. So, what about at nighttime?
Mike: So at night time, once the sun goes down, the real issue is just the humidity so if it’s 76 that you like to keep it at when the sun’s up and then you want to bring it down to 74, it will reach that temperature in an easy manner, but a lot of times, it’s when the sun is up is when the heat load is on the house and it keeps the thermostat running and running and running and the more it runs the more money is out of your pocket.
Stephanie: Maybe that’s my problem, I’m changing it all throughout the day. Okay, I can see it.
Mike: Yeah, you’ve got to keep it at least 2 degrees when you leave the house so like a lot of times it’s 78 and 76 when we’re home, sometimes it’s 77 and 75, it all depends, but the less that you go up, the less it will run when you come home.
Stephanie: Okay and this could help with my electrical bills, right?
Mike: Yes. Yes.
Stephanie: So, I’m newer to the AC world, right, so I’m just learning things. What other tips would you have for me or anybody out there that might have questions? Where to go? How could they find you if they do have questions specific for your company? How would they get in contact with you?
Mike: Our website is ac-florida.com. We have a list of maintenance plans, what’s included. The most important thing about a maintenance plan is that it keeps the unit running at operation standards and especially in South Florida a lot of leaf blowers out here and they blow all the dirt into the condenser coils outside and it restricts the amount of air going into the unit.
Stephanie: Gotcha.
Mike: And that can definitely make the unit malfunction prematurely so you definitely want to have maintenance done on your unit at least twice a year because of those issues because basically an air conditioner in South Florida is like running your car at 90 miles per hour in second gear, basically.
Stephanie: Gotcha.
Mike: It’s just nonstop, 100 miles an hour.
Stephanie: So, if you guys are getting your car checked out then you have maintenance on your vehicles you definitely want to get your maintenance on your AC units.
Mike: Yes. Definitely.
Stephanie: Okay. Awesome. I see some numbers here. Which one is yours? How can they call you if they have questions? Can they text?
Mike: Okay. This is our Broward number and this is our Palm Beach number, this is our license number, we’re licensed and insured. We’ve been in business for 30 years. Our Website.
Cooling Your Home
Cooling your home and living space to a temperature of 78 degrees or warmer with the fan switched to auto on your thermostat. You can save even more by raising your thermostat to 82 degrees when you’re not home. By watching your thermostat and not cooling your home when you’re not there, you can save a lot of money in the long run.
Water Heater Savings
Lower your water heater temperature to 120 degrees from 140 degrees. This is the recommended setting for water heater temperature according to the U.S. Department of Energy, which will have the average household about $7 a month.
A/C Filter Cleaning
To save even more on your monthly energy costs, clean or replace your A/C filter on a regular basis to help your air conditioner run more efficiently.
Ceiling Fans
Remember to turn off your ceiling fans when you leave a room. A ceiling fan is meant to cool a person, not a room! It costs about $7 a month to run a ceiling fan constantly.
Drying Your Clothes
Using the auto sensor function on your dryer will help you conserve energy by not over-drying your clothes. Over time, running your dryer for shorter periods of time will add up to significant cost savings.
Having your HVAC system professionally serviced twice a year will keep it running at peak efficiency, save you money by extending its lifespan and help you tackle small problems before they become big ones.
But, with so much on your plate, it’s easy to overlook “small” things like your AC maintenance.
By enrolling in a preventive maintenance program, you ensure that your HVAC system is regularly inspected and serviced so your it doesn’t fail you when you need it most.
What is a Preventive Maintenance Agreement?
When you sign a Preventive Maintenance Agreement, your HVAC system is serviced twice a year, typically in the spring and fall, and you get discounts on any parts, accessories or repairs you may require during the contract year.
A maintenance agreement costs less than the bi-annual maintenance visits would cost if scheduled individually and you get the added benefit of having your system serviced before the summer and winter rushes, when everyone else is trying to get an appointment.
Do I really need a Preventive Maintenance Agreement?
While a maintenance agreement is not essential for your HVAC system to function, committing to regularly scheduled appointments helps extend the life of your system and a clean, well-tuned system is more energy-efficient and safer, and discounts on parts, accessories and repairs allow you to do more than just the bare minimum required to keep your system limping along.
With this in mind, M&S Air Conditioning has come up two Preventive Maintenance Agreement options to fit your individual needs. Either way, you get two tune-ups per year, discounts on any parts, accessories or repairs you may need during the contract year, no overtime charges, and much more.
Plus, you don’t have to worry about remembering to schedule your next tune-up – we reach out to you!
If you have any questions about our Preventive Maintenance Agreement, give us a call at (561) 861-3345.
Deciding on whether you should repair or replace your air conditioner can be a difficult decision to make.
Consider the age of the unit. An air conditioner has a typical lifespan of around 10-15 years (According to the National Association of Home Builders – “Life Expectancy of Home Components”), so if your air conditioner is acting up, and it’s over 15-years-old, then it might be time to replace it.
Even if your central air conditioner is just eight to 10 years old, it may be using up to twice the electricity that a new one would use. Newer units have on average 30% lower cooling bills than equipment installed just a few years ago.
If you're in Broward or Palm Beach call M&S at (561) 861-3345 or (561) 861-3345. We can inspect your Air Conditioning system and give you the information you need to make an educated decision.
Click on the images below to view before and after photos of a recent job:
before-after{/gallery}
You've probably heard a lot of talk about steel and aluminum tariffs in recent months so it probably comes as no surprise that the cost of those big metal boxes that keep your home cool is about to go up. If your system is close to 15 years old, there's no time like the present to get a new Air Conditioning system!
If you're in Broward or Palm Beach call M&S at (561) 861-3345 or (561) 861-3345 for more information.
The Inflation Reduction Act was signed into law on August 16, 2022. It represents the largest federal investment to fight climate change in U.S. history, offers tax credits and rebates to consumers who buy clean vehicles and appliances or take other ...
Sometimes the cost of installing an inexpensive part, like a capacitor, can seem disproportionate, but it’s important to know what you’re paying for when you hire a reputable service company. When you hire a reputable service company, you’re not just...
If you're in Broward or Palm Beach and you're considering a mini-split system for your home or office, you simply must read this 5-star review from Ale Nor! It has now been 2 years since the mini split system has been installed. The only mistake I ma...
The 2022 Atlantic Hurricane Season runs from June 1 until November 30. For the seventh year in a row, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is predicting an “above-normal” season with 14 to 21 named storms. Of those, 6 to 10 will...
Homeowners, Business Owners & Property Managers across Broward & Palm Beach counties know they can count on M&S Air Conditioning for all their Residential & Commercial Air Conditioning Installation, Repair & Maintenance need...
Homeowners, Business Owners & Property Managers across Broward & Palm Beach counties know they can count on M&S Air Conditioning for all their Residential & Commercial Air Condit...
Deciding on whether you should repair or replace your air conditioner can be a difficult decision to make. Consider the age of the unit. An air conditioner has a typical lifespan of around 10-15 years...
You've probably heard a lot of talk about steel and aluminum tariffs in recent months so it probably comes as no surprise that the cost of those big metal boxes that keep your home cool is about to go...
The product we now call “duct” tape was originally manufactured by Johnson & Johnson’s Permacel division during WWII. The military needed a waterproof tape that would keep moisture out of ammuniti...
https://youtu.be/dFJBA-ONSr4 Do you have questions about your AC System? Are you still arguing with your spouse about whether to turn the thermostat up or off when you leave the house? Check out this ...