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Monthly Archives: August 2015

Picking the Right HVAC Contractor: A How To Guide

When there is something wrong with your home’s HVAC system, it won’t take long for things to get uncomfortable. You might not have the time to do an extended search of the HVAC contractors in South Florida to find just the right one. Friends and family can also help steer you in the right direction, so ask them for referrals. You may end up with a couple good names. Still, it’s best to look a little deeper to make the perfect choice for your home. Here are some keys to look for when you are seeking a trusted and respected contractor to do the repairs on your home.

The first item on your list should be asking about HVAC certifications and national memberships. Many such organizations, like the North American Technician Excellence program, are dedicated to testing members on their comprehensive field knowledge, ensuring they are up to date.

It is important that you pick a contractor that is licensed, bonded and insured. The state of Florida requires anyone working in the HVAC industry be licensed through the Construction Industry Licensing Board (CILB). Being licensed through the CILB indicates the contractor meets the state’s requirements for training and field experience. Possible contractors should be bonded, which covers you if a contractor fails to meet the terms of your contract. They should also be fully insured, which covers you in case someone is injured while working at your home, or sustains injuries due to their negligence.

There are a number of signs to be wary of, as well. Choosing the right HVAC system depends on a number of factors, including the size of your home. HVAC contractors in South Florida that offer to quote you an estimate over the phone without having ever seen your home, or that offer what seems to be a very cheap estimate should be avoided.

The name at the top of your list for HVAC service and repair should always be NATAL. We’ve been serving South Florida homes just like yours since 1988. Contact us the next time things start to get uncomfortable in your home.

Pompano Beach A/C service tech

Best Practices for Air Conditioner Maintenance

The air conditioner in your home or business means more to you than comfort on hot Florida days. It also represents an investment of hundreds, perhaps thousands of dollars in equipment that should give you years of reliable service. The best way to ensure your cooling system works at its best for as long as possible is through regular preventive maintenance. Here are some useful best practices for air conditioner maintenance and some reasons why you should consider a maintenance service agreement.

  • Check the filters: The filters in your air conditioner help clean the air moving through your cooling system and into your indoor spaces. They also contribute to the airflow needed to ensure the equipment operates properly. Dirty, clogged air filters are a major contributor to cooling system malfunctions and breakdowns. Check these filters at least once a month and change them when they get dirty.
  • Ensure proper airflow: The conditions surrounding the outside unit of your air conditioning system also affect system airflow. Make sure that grass, weeds, hedges, tree limbs, and other vegetation is trimmed away from the outside unit to provide plenty of clearance for proper airflow. Remove mud, dirt, leaves, sticks, and other material from the cabinet vents.
  • Hire a professional: Almost anyone can change an air conditioner filter, but when it comes to the more complex technical elements of preventive maintenance, always hire a professional HVAC technician. Your HVAC expert will be able to evaluate the performance and condition of your cooling system and make necessary adjustments and minor repairs that will improve performance and extend the equipment’s lifespan.
  • Purchase a maintenance service agreement: Sometimes called a service contract, a maintenance service agreement provides for an agreed-upon schedule of maintenance services from your HVAC service provider. Your HVAC company will schedule maintenance visits for you. Many service agreements also provide benefits such as discounts and expedited service.

Contact us today for more information on air conditioner maintenance and to find out more about our maintenance service agreement plans.

3 Benefits of a Whole-House Air Filtration System

The quality of your Southwest Florida home’s indoor air is just as important as the air quality outdoors. Considering how 90 percent of an average person’s time is spent indoors, it pays to have an effective way of keeping your home’s indoor air healthy. Fortunately, a whole-house air filtration system offers the perfect solution to your indoor air quality concerns.

Whole-house air filtration systems are designed to tackle airborne pollutants that come from inside and outside of your home through a wide variety of methods. For example, many air filtration systems use HEPA filters and ultraviolet (UV) lamps to capture and neutralize an array of pollutants, including microorganisms and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from common household sprays.

To understand how whole-house air filters can benefit your home, consider these three pieces of information:

  1. As the name implies, a whole-house air filtration system takes care of the entire home. Most portable air filters can only handle one or two rooms, at most. This makes buying a whole-house system a more cost-effective investment than buying multiple portable units.
  2. Whole-house air filters can also extend the life of your heating and cooling system by reducing the prevalence of dust and other airborne particles throughout the system. A cleaner HVAC system offers better performance and greater longevity.
  3. Whole-house air filters have the added benefit of being able to purify your home’s air without being seen or heard. By integrating filtration systems neatly into the existing HVAC, they’re able to operate with little to no noise.

With a whole-house air filtration system, you’ll be able to enjoy cleaner, healthier indoor air, with the peace of mind that comes in knowing that your whole-house air filters are more effective at capturing airborne pollutants than most ordinary air filters.

To learn more about how whole house air filters can benefit your home, contact the professionals at NATAL today.

Monthly Archives: August 2015