March 16th, 2012
I’m talking about your immediate environment – your home. As spring approaches, I’m reminded by either friends or people out and about that allergy season is here. While I can’t help you control the dust and pollen outdoors, I can definitely help you control the flow of allergens through your home’s comfort system. Inside our homes, excessive moisture can create mold, pets can dust every surface with their dander, carpets collect anything and everything that can be considered an allergen, dust collects in hard to reach places, and unpleasant microorganisms love to seek out various places to crop up in. I’ve talked about these things before, but it doesn’t hurt to throw in a reminder, especially in case you’re reading my article for the first time. A rather simple solution for helping maintain a healthier indoor environment is a UV light that can be installed inside your air handler. And just to point out, your air handler happens to be best place for collecting all the aforementioned allergens. Why? The air handler is dark and moist inside, and provides the perfect environment for their proliferation. A UV light uses the ultraviolet C wave (like the sun’s) to help sterilize the inside of the air handler and reduces the output of these unhealthy thins back into your home. If you already have one installed, that’s great news. Just make sure that it gets inspected regularly and that old and burned out bulbs are replaced with new ones. Your HVAC contractor should have a few options that you can consider to help you decide what air purification method can better suit your home and budget.
As always thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac contractor, ac contractor fort myers, ac repair, ac repair fort myers, ac repair on Sanibel, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair fort myers, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair near Sanibel, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, air quality, Captiva contractor, Captiva FL, clean air, conditioned air quality, electrical contractor, electrician on Sanibel, electrrician, Fort Myers, Sanibel, Sanibel ac repair, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel contractor, Sanibel Island FL, uv ilght
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Helpful Tips |
March 2nd, 2012
You know, I’ve had this thought that occurred to me recently. Just the other day I was grilling on my back porch and thinking about how hot it was. So then I thought, is my memory just deceiving me, or did it really get hotter in the recent years? I then thought about the days before Charley, and I know it seems like it was a long time ago, but I remember August 13th, 2004 like it was yesterday. It was the day that Mother Nature reminded us that she’s the boss and brought us that hurricane. I have a great deal of memories that flood my mind when the topic comes up. One of the most vivid of all though is in the following weeks how hot it was. After power was restored we received a great deal of calls indicating that there must be something wrong with their air conditioner. It just isn’t keeping up anymore. We ran call after call and came across the same issue. We finally came to the conclusion that the lack of shade created by Charlie’s tree pruning had a huge effect on how our air conditioners ran. Another thought is that with a great deal less trees to block the sun from hitting the ground, buildings and streets more heat was absorbed and stayed around a great deal longer. Remember that canopy of trees along Periwinkle Way just after Casa Ybel Rd?
I spend a great deal of time suggesting that my readers do things here and do better insulate their homes, use curtains on the southern-facing sides of their homes to prevent unnecessary heat from entering. Well, trees also play an essential part in blocking the unnecessary heat around our properties, this was especially true in the days before air conditioning. The City of Sanibel has done some great work with the Periwinkle Way Restoration Project to help restore much of the flora that had been lost and I’m once again seeing the canopy return in parts over the our city’s arterial road. It’s not completely restored yet, but it’s nice to see shade on the bike paths again.
So, have you lost trees around your house after Charley? It’s never too late to replant. It may not give you much now, but in a few years it will bring its rewards. There are some fast growing shade tree options out there that can bring desired results in a shorter time period. Just nothing exotic or invasive please.
As always thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac contractor, ac contractor fort myers, ac repair, ac repair fort myers, ac repair on Sanibel, ac repair service, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair fort myers, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning service, Captiva contractor, Captiva FL, clean air, conditioned air quality, electrician on Sanibel, Fort Myers, Sanctuary Island Electric, Sanibel, Sanibel ac repair, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel contractor, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Just for Fun |
February 24th, 2012
Air conditioning service is greatly dependent on seasons, much like the rest of my most favorite island on the planet – Sanibel. When season picks up, so does the number of emergency calls we receive. Same goes for temperatures, as soon as the temps rise or cool, those emergency service calls begin to flood in. Considering our climate, and yes I admit that I do have a small bias, air conditioning is likely one of the most important things that we have in our lives. It not only makes us more comfortable whenever the temperatures begin make it unbearable to be indoors, it also protects our beloved homes from humidity and mold damage. Now, imagine coming home from a business trip in August. You’re looking forward to the comfort of your own bed, maybe a nice glass of wine while you wind down from all the traveling. You open your front door and you are greeted by a stymieing blanket of heat that likely exceeds the above 90 temps outside.
In situations like this it’s invaluable for your service provider to be able to come to your rescue 24 hours a day any day of the week. And, it’s amazing how frequently this kind of stuff happens to our clients. Emergencies are guaranteed to happen during the most inconvenient moments, that is why they are emergencies. Whether it’s a house you are renting to a group of vacationers or a home you live in, it can be a miserable wait to wait for service for even a few hours. You’re air conditioning contractor should always put your needs first and be able to help you out in an emergency day or night. That’s why we are always here and just a phone call away.
As always, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac contractor, ac contractor fort myers, ac repair, ac repair fort myers, ac repair on Sanibel, ac repair service, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair fort myers, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, air quality, Captiva contractor, clean air, conditioned air quality, electric repair, electrical contractor, electrical repair, electrician on Captiva, electrician on Sanibel, electrrician, FL, Fort Myers, hurricane preparedness, Sanctuary Island Electric, Sanibel, Sanibel ac repair, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel contractor, Sanibel FL, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow |
February 19th, 2012
Regardless whether its summer or winter, a properly insulated home will help you maintain a desired temperature on your thermostat. Insulation can be added in the walls, floors and ceiling to help manage the heat flow in and out of your home. There are several insulating materials on the market with special rating to gauge their performance. For example, spray foam insulation is gaining popularity over the traditional fiberglass batting, but it its pricey. Properly insulating your home can save up to 50% off your energy bill. To achieve proper indoor air quality in a tightly sealed home you can install exhaust ventilation and talk to your contractor about other forms of added ventilation that might work best for you.
Now, the better your home is sealed the more important it is to have an appropriately sized air conditioning system. The moisture created in your house through things like showers and cooking has to go somewhere and the better sealed is your home the less likely it is to escape. Excessive humidity will make your home feel warmer and creates a perfect environment for growth of unwanted microorganisms. I frequently address this topic in my articles and cannot stress enough how important it is to have a system properly selected and installed so that it can remove moisture from your home.
As always, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac repair, ac repair on Sanibel, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Sanibel, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, air quality, conditioned air quality, electrical contractor, electrical repair, electrician on Captiva, electrician on Sanibel, electrrician, FL, Fort Myers, Sanctuary Island Electric, Sanibel ac repair, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Helpful Tips |
February 10th, 2012
Did you know that a clean air conditioning system will operate at the top of its efficiency? Whenever the weather is pleasant enough we usually get the chance not to run our systems as much, but the hotter months of the year are just ahead of us. And, once again, I feel compelled to remind everyone to give their a/c systems that much needed check up. If you have a maintenance contract with your service provider then you should be in good hands. They should come out just before each seasonal change and inspect your unit without you having to worry about it or having to remember when to schedule the service. As soon as the weather gets hot and everyone begins to run their systems all at the same time, air conditioning contractors get very busy fixing any issues that had been overlooked or caused by lack of maintenance. You can stay ahead of the rush and possible problems by having your system inspected and ready for the summer in advance. When inspecting your system, your service provider should:
- Inspect your inside and outside units
- Check/clean and replace filters
- Clear the condensate lines to make sure there is no back up
- Check the unit’s electrical system
- Check the refrigerant charges, pressures and temperatures
- Clean and calibrate the system’s controls; lubricate the motors
- Check the system’s safety features
I’m a big fan of preventative maintenance. I can help address those small and easily overlooked problems that often lead to major repair needs.
As always, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac repair, ac repair on Sanibel, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair near Sanibel, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, air quality, Captiva FL, conditioned air quality, electric repair, electrical repair, electrician on Sanibel, Sanibel ac repair, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel FL, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow |
February 3rd, 2012
We’ve really had a great winter here on Sanibel – only one night of freezing temps so far and we have just officially kicked off February! I’m willing to bet that most of you have seen significant reductions in your heating or air conditioning bills since the weather has been so mild. And of course, I kept prepping all these heating related articles for my column, only to have my efforts thwarted by this great weather. I can’t complain of course, I don’t mind saving some money on my energy bill. Most of the past few days and nights have been perfect for opening up windows and letting some of that stale and recycled air out of our homes. So, take advantage, the forecasts continue to look great with days in the lower 80’s and nights in the mid 50’s. I definitely don’t mind the warmer days, because as you probably already guessed, that’s what keeps me in business.
And since I’m in the business of cooling, a really cool thing to happen to us was a huge nod from Arthur Frommer himself who named Sanibel Island number one among his favorite places to visit in the world. It was nice to see us beat both Paris and Bali on his list. As a resident and business owner I couldn’t be prouder of our island. I know how much we who live and work here appreciate our community and want it to continue to thrive. Receiving this great recognition only confirms what hard work and dedication can really mean.
As always, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac repair, ac repair on Sanibel, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, Captiva FL, conditioned air quality, Sanctuary Island Electric, Sanibel, Sanibel ac repair, Sanibel FL, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Just for Fun |
January 21st, 2012
January 19, 2012
Todd and Bryan Hayes of Sanibel Air Conditioning
Air conditioning is often regarded as something of a luxury, but in Southwest Florida, it is very much a necessity of life, not only in terms of personal comfort, but in the way one safeguard’s the value of a home. Home purchases, more often than not, are the single most important, if not costliest, purchase one will make. Air conditioning is a critical means of preventing the destructive forces of mold and mildew that are also well known, but painful factors of life in this climate.
Sanibel Air Conditioning has been serving the Sanibel community for more than 20 years. Owned and operated by two brothers, Todd and Bryan Hayes, the company started as a small appliance repair operation launched by Todd and Bryan’s father – Daniel Hayes.
Originally from New Jersey, Daniel’s career had initially revolved around the sale of manufacturing equipment. When that company was later sold, he and his wife Jan elected to move to Sanibel following some prompting from other family members that were already situated here. Todd Hayes was 13 years old at the time, and like any teenager confronting separation from friends and familiar neighborhoods, says the transition was a bit rough at first. Fortunately, he had a fondness for fishing and enjoyed playing baseball; it didn’t take too for him and Bryan to make new friends.
As his father’s business grew from repairs into a full fledged air conditioning enterprise, Todd would graduate from High School and go on to enter studies at University of Central Florida where he earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance. Not long later, his father approached him about taking over the family business and Todd says he decided to give it a try. That resolve has lead to a enterprise which today has close to 600 service contracts with area residents as well as commercial customers. Beyond Sanibel Air Conditioning, Todd and Bryan also have a sister enterprise in Sanctuary Island Electric, a licensed provider of electric repair and installation services. While Todd manages Sanibel Air, Bryan is chiefly responsible for running Sanctuary Island Electric.
There are certain advantages, or realities, of working in a family business that Todd acknowledges. “Not everything is so cut and dry like what happens in a lot of businesses,” says Todd. There’s emotions and matters of communication which have to be taken into account, because as Todd says, you’re not just dealing with employees, but family. And staff, he says, even if they’re not related, are very much like family. These include people like Installation Manager Chris Brightman who has been with Sanibel Air Conditioning for eight years and Office Manager Carol Schipiro who has been there for more than ten years. For that matter, customers are not just customers, but neighbors and friends of the community the company serves.
Todd shares a story about how the company grew right after Hurricane Charlie. At the time right after the storm, only people who lived or had an office on the island were allowed to return on to the island. Todd and his staff made a point of driving from home to home, just to check-in on people. As power had yet to return, there wasn’t much they could do in terms of getting the air back running, but they busied themselves helping other clean-up, removing A.C. units which had been strewn about like so much other debris. They took time to make sure neighbors had come through the storm safe and they provided help wherever they could. When the power returned, Todd says they found themselves busier than ever.
Their commitment to the community is manifested in other matters too. Sanibel Air Conditioning has supported a range of area not-for-profits that include the Lion’s Club, American Business Women’s Association, the Children’s Center Preschool and Ronald MCDonald house through the donating of air conditioning systems. Todd and Bryan are also very involved in youth sports where they have served as coaches for area teams. They also find time to play on a softball league where Sanibel Air’s team routinely matches up against team from other business, Todd and Bryan respectively playing first and second base positions, or pitching. Todd says this activity has more to do with fun than real competition. However, in speaking of the company’s growth over the years, he offers some insight that might serve anyone looking for a way to gain over the competition. He says their success has come from focusing on the market they serve, namely Sanibel; through understanding the needs of the market, and making connections not mere contacts.
He says such connectivity, and giving customers choices, options in terms of products and services, has helped Sanibel Air remain fairly cool in the hottest of economic times.
http://sanibel-captiva-islander.com/page/content.detail/id/518684/Cool-Runnings.html?nav=5047
Tags: ac repair, ac repair on Sanibel, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair near Sanibel, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, air quality, Captiva FL, clean air, electrical contractor, electrical repair, electrician on Captiva, electrician on Sanibel, Sanibel ac repair, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel FL, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Just for Fun |
January 19th, 2012
It’s that time of the year again when we are briefly forced to run our heaters for a couple of months before we forget that we even have them for the rest of the year. As you turn them on for the first time you’ll quickly realize just how long you haven’t turned it on as the smell of burning dust spreads through your home. Open your windows for a brief period of time and you should get rid of that smell very quickly. Even better, be prepared and run your heater in advance of a cold snap. This way you can avoid having to turn it on for the first time just before you and your family prepare for bedtime and be forced to endure the smell as you fall asleep.
Now, heating bills can add a significant punch to your budget. There are a few things that you can do to avoid cardiac arrest when you receive your next bill. You don’t need to turn your home into an inferno. Turn your thermostat to the lowest and most comfortable temperature that you can bear. This move will definitely help reduce your bill. Dress warmer while you are at home: put on socks and long sleeved shirts, sleep under warmer blankets, etc. Turn that heater off when you are not at home. If you’re busy or tend to forget to monitor your thermostat, get a programmable one – these have a proven track record of helping people reduce their energy bills. There are many affordable options out there. In addition, pay attention to your water heater and reduce the temperature on its thermostat to see even more savings on your energy bill. Close doors and windows to avoid heat loss. Covering windows with curtains and blinds also helps retain heat in your home. Annually inspect your home for sources of air leaks and address them promptly.
And lastly, look for other sources of heat in your home and take advantage of them. Did you use that oven to make that delicious family dinner tonight? When you’re done cooking, leave the oven door open to let some of that heat into your kitchen. Now if you have small children or someone else who might be tempted to explore the open oven, you may want to look for other sources of heat. Also if you leave that stove door open, make sure your stove is fitted with anti-tipping device. Taking a hot shower? Leave the door to the bathroom open and allow some of that heat and steam to spread to other parts of your home.
As always, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac repair, ac repair on Sanibel, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning contractor on Sanibel, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair near Sanibel, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, air quality, conditioned air quality, electric repair, electrical contractor, electrical repair, electrician on Captiva, electrrician, Sanibel, sanibel air conditioning
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow |
January 13th, 2012
Now I don’t really talk about gadgets a lot in this column, but here’s a new and quirky little a gadget I’ve just learned about – a self-programmable thermostat. Each time you or a member of your family adjusts the ring on this device it remembers your habits and programs itself to adjust temperatures as you prefer them. The Nest thermostat can when you are away from home, and tell you how long it will take to make your home a desired temperature. You can also control it from your mobile device or computer.
The creators of the device wanted to design something that would learn from our habits in order to help adjust temperatures whenever we are asleep or away from home, and especially, help us save energy. According to the Nest’s website, the EPA states that a properly programmed thermostat can help cut as much as 20% off our air conditioning bill, but properly programming a thermostat isn’t always easy.
The device can even tell if you have left your house, and after a period of time will automatically adjust itself to stop heating or cooling an empty home. It also has a cool feature that allows it to use its Wi-Fi connection to check on forecasted weather conditions so it can see how the outdoor temperatures will affect your energy needs.
It’s also easy to install, easy to use and looks really cool.
As always, thanks for reading,
Bryan
Bryan Hayes, along with his brother Todd, is a co-owner of a Sanibel Air Conditioning company on Sanibel, FL. They also own and operate an island-based electrical service company Sanctuary Island Electric, Inc. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@Sanibelair.com
Tags: ac repair, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air conditioning service, Captiva FL, conditioned air quality, electrical contractor, electrical repair, electrrician, Sanctuary Island Electric, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Just for Fun |
January 8th, 2012
My kids often accuse me of this, or would that be the misconception of cool? Well anyway, what I am talking about to is the placebo effect. You know the idea that by taking sugar pills when we think its Advil our headache amazingly disappears. We have seen these same phenomena with home/business comfort levels as well. It’s even truer when we have direct control over the delivery of that comfort. For example, when we turn the a/c on the first thing that we hear is that delightful sound of air rushing by and immediately provide some relief. Did it instantly get cooler? Did the humidity drop, or did the a/c work so fast that we can have an instant level of relief? Probably not, but just the idea that it’s on its way is enough to feel more comfortable. One of my father’s favorite stories to tell is when he was younger he was working on a large commercial office buildings a/c system where they continually had problems with their air conditioning systems. After they received multiple complaints from the secretaries that worked in this one area of the building, my dad and his coworkers checked everything; took temperatures, checked fans, compressors and everything seemed to be working in good order. So, what they did was observe the area during normal working hours and to see how the a/c was being adjusted. What they found was not at all that shocking. As one person in the office would walk by, they would turn the a/c warmer because they were cold. The next person would walk up to the thermostat because they were hot and turn it down. This continued like this for hours. (sound familiar?) After they observed this for a while they devised a plan, they waited till after hours and installed a thermostat at each desk location for each person to control their own area. It worked like a charm, no more complaints, no more equipment problems, everyone was happy. The really interesting part of this is the thermostats that they installed were about as useful as if you had hung rocks on the walls instead. The thermostats where not hooked up to anything. It was the perception that they could control their area that made it feel more comfortable. The mind is a pretty cool tool.
Tags: ac repair, air conditioining hurricane package, air conditioning, air conditioning repair, air conditioning repair near Captiva, air conditioning repair on Sanibel, air quality, clean air, electric repair, electrical contractor, electrical repair, electrrician, Fort Myers, Sanctuary Island Electric, sanibel air conditioning, Sanibel Island FL
Posted in Air Conditioning - Air Flow, Just for Fun |
