Everyone knows that the hottest and coldest months of the year is when our air conditioners go through the heaviest workloads. Since we mostly have hottest months in Florida, this is a good time to think about that old system and whether it’s still performing like it used to or whether it has so many repairs under its belt, that you worry that it might go out on you any moment and it will be just when our the night temps are hovering right around 80F. And let me tell you, it will be even hotter in the house if your system happens to go caput. New systems are an expensive investment, so naturally, we are often asked after an air conditioning system has had a failure whether to repair or replace the equipment.
Once you have learned that your air conditioner has had a malfunction that is going to cost a considerable amount of money to repair, ask your contractor to assess the entire system. The technician will check the general condition of the equipment, its operating efficiency and how the current system facilitates the needs of the dwelling and occupants. The technician will then ask a few questions, and on Sanibel and Captiva it’s essential to ask the right ones, like: How is the home utilized, or is it used only primarily in the winter months, or do you spend a considerable amount of time here in the summer months? Is the property in a rental? Are there any specific health concerns for the occupants? Does the current system, when operating properly, meet the needs of the occupants?
These questions are very important, because you would be amazed at the number of systems that have been operating on the islands for years, but had not been installed properly, or are not designed for that specific application. The end result is that people live in uncomfortable living conditions, and pay for things they shouldn’t have like a system that is way too big for their home. Another good question to consider is what are your future plans for the home? A skilled technician will get a general idea for the homeowner’s needs and will give them all the information necessary to help them make the best decision both for their pocketbook and whether it’s better to replace, or continue repairing an older system. Always remember that the cheapest route is often not the most economical way to go. The cheapest option could mean that you may end up having to repair other things that can go wrong down the line, and air conditioning repairs can also be costly and will add up.
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
