Keeping POTUS Cool in The White House

White House exterior showcasing its iconic architecture and flag, relevant to HVAC history and cooling facts.

Interesting Heating and Cooling Facts From the White House

Being the President of the United States isn’t an easy job. In order to perform the tasks, they have to be comfortable, right? On a hot summer day in Washington, D.C., temperatures can skyrocket. Just like everybody else, he likes to work in a controlled environment where they can keep tabs on the temperature. 

The white house didn’t have air conditioning installed until 1929 when Herbert Hoover was in office. He requested that a system be installed because, at that time, the outdoor temperature was what cooled down the White House. With the windows opened and the breeze blowing through, it made the chandelier very noisy. Not to mention, hot air won’t cool down a hot building. 

After that, each president had their own preferences as to how cool or warm the White House was. Teddy Roosevelt wasn’t a fan of the air conditioning and used a fan, and Barack Obama kept the Oval Office at a tropical climate like Hawaii’s where he grew up. 

Outdoor Work Space & Sleeping

taft

When William Taft was in office, he attempted to install an air conditioning system in the West Wing in 1909. He used electric fans that blew over bins of ice in the attic to cool the air. The cool air was then sent through the ducts of the heating system. Unfortunately, this didn’t’ work well in his favor, so he built a sleeping porch and a screen room on the roof of the White House so he could sleep in it on cool summer nights. 

On the other hand, Woodrow Wilson didn’t even try to use Taft’s failed system. Instead, Wilson moved his office into a tent on the Southwest corner at the end of the Rose Garden. It had a desk, chairs, a telephone, and more. Wilson even continued to meet with representatives, officials, senators, and others outside in his tent. 

Richard Nixon Liked It Cold!

Some people just like to be really, really cold during the summer. Richard Nixon was one of these people. Before Nixon, Truman had part of the White House renovated to include central air conditioning, which meant the air conditioning would work throughout the entire White House off of one unit. 

Then when Lyndon Johnson got into office, he reportedly kept it so cool that he slept under an electric blanket during the summer. When it came time for Nixon to be in the office, he kept it so cold in the White House that he lit the fireplace on the second-floor hideaway office in the summertime. 

Where’s All The Heat?

hall

The White House is a massive place, so how was it all heated? It wasn’t! At first, the only rooms that had heat were the staterooms and transverse hall. In 1849, gravity hot air heating systems were installed, and heat was finally brought to all of the rooms. As the White House has been renovated from time to time, the HVAC system has also been upgraded.

About Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc

Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc in Melbourne, FL, is a local HVAC company with over 30 years of experience. They offer extended warranties on their services and lifetime warranties on select parts, personalized service,  many payment options, and a variety of coupons to use for various services. Call Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc today for professional AC services in DeBary, FL.

Three HVAC Resolutions For Homeowners

Close-up of printed text saying "HOW TO," relevant to HVAC maintenance tips and service guidance.

These Resolutions Will Improve the Efficacy of Any HVAC System

There is no better time to start taking care of that HVAC system than at the start of a brand new year. HVAC systems don’t require a lot of daily attention, but things start going really wrong when they aren’t working as efficiently as they can. That is why it is so important to keep the following three maintenance tips in mind. They keep the HVAC system running longer and with minimal breakdowns. Homeowners should take advantage of this knowledge because it could end up saving them thousands in damages later on. 

To learn more about how to care for an HVAC system properly, continue reading. 

Regularly Schedule Maintenance Twice a Year

calendar

The most common reason homeowners don’t have their HVAC system maintained twice a year is that they forget or are trying to save money. However, most HVAC companies now will ask to schedule the next maintenance appointment during the present one. The homeowner can then set a reminder on their phone and forget about the appointment until the time comes!

When it comes to saving money, the best thing a homeowner can do is get their system regularly maintained. The maintenance is what keeps the system healthy and efficient, which leads to fewer breakdowns. 

The list of the benefits of maintenance twice a year are: 

  • Longer lasting system
  • Fewer repairs
  • Lower energy bills
  • Catching problems before they cause damage
  • Better air quality in general

Change Air Filters Multiple Times a Year

There is some maintenance that the homeowner can do themselves as well. Changing the air filter every few months is a great way to ensure that both the air quality in the home and the efficiency of the system as a whole are excellent.

filter

A clogged air filter only causes problems for HVAC systems. It causes the system to overwork itself, which leads to breakdowns, or worse- a house fire. The safety of the house and its residents are of the utmost importance and should always be the highest priority. The HVAC system’s air filter is an inexpensive but vital part of the system. 

Not only does a clean air filter lead to a more efficient HVAC system, but it leads to cleaner air as well. Cleaner air means there are fewer allergies and illnesses in the home, and after the year we just had, staying safe and healthy is very important to everyone. 

Keep Consistent Indoor Temperature Each Season

While seasons may change, the temperature indoors doesn’t have to. In fact, is it encouraged that the temperature doesn’t change much at all. The more consistent the temperature is inside the home, the less work the HVAC system has to do to maintain that temperature. 

Maintaining consistent indoor temperature has a few benefits: 

  • Decreased energy bills
  • Less stress on the system and its thermostat
  • Longer lasting HVAC system
  • Fewer breakdowns

An HVAC system that doesn’t work as hard as the average system will last longer and work more efficiently for years to come. It might not seem like it, but keeping a consistent temperature in the home is another excellent maintenance tip that homeowners can try in between professional visits. 

Mid Florida A/C Keeps Customers Safe

Mid Florida A/C understands the importance of an efficient HVAC system, especially for DeBary, FL locals. Sometimes emergencies happen, but they can be significantly reduced when homeowners follow the resolutions mentioned above. Take it from these experts who have years of experience providing professional AC services in DeBary and the surrounding areas.

Climate Control in the Digital Age - The Benefits of a Digital Thermostat

man changing the temperature

Why a Digital Thermostat Is the Best Choice 

It is satisfying to adjust the thermostat in a home and immediately hear the HVAC system roar to life, delivering warm or cool air to the living space as needed. But what happens when the thermostat stops working? That’s when homeowners realize the critical role of the thermostat: without it, their homes quickly become too hot or cold.

In case of a problem with the home’s thermostat, homeowners should learn the symptoms of a broken thermostat and the advantages of replacing it with a digital one, whether programmable or non-programmable.

A Broken Thermostat Causes Havoc With the HVAC

technician fixing a thermometer

A broken thermostat during the summer will create a humid, uncomfortable atmosphere and poor air quality in the home, which could aggravate certain health conditions. In the winter, a broken thermostat could lead to frozen pipes and flooding. 

The most obvious sign of a broken thermostat is when the HVAC system fails to heat or cool to the desired temperature. Other issues could cause the failure, but if the thermostat is set to a certain temperature and the house is too hot or too cold, the thermostat could be the culprit.

The malfunction could be within the device itself, or it could be the result of loose wiring or corroded connections. Whatever the case, the thermostat will need to be repaired or replaced as soon as possible.

Upgrade To a Digital Thermostat

a digital thermostat

Old-fashioned dial thermostats are imprecise and difficult to read. Digital thermostats are just as easy to install but have the added advantage of precision. Many models can be programmed to turn on or off at certain times, or even be controlled via smartphone.

A programmable digital thermostat saves energy by giving homeowners more control over their HVAC system. It’s a good idea to have the thermostat set low when not at home, and to program it to turn on just before one gets home, ensuring the home is comfortable immediately upon arrival. Homeowners could also program the thermostat to automatically turn the temperature down at nighttime, allowing for better sleep.

This is preferable to a non-programmable thermostat, which can only be set to one temperature and constantly runs to maintain that temperature, resulting in energy waste and higher utility bills.

The Advantages of a Non-Programmable Thermostat

There are also many digital thermostat options that are not programmable. These models still offer a sleek design and easy-to-read LED screens, but without all the bells and whistles of their programmable cousins. Compared to the traditional dial thermostat, the backlit screens on non-programmable thermostats are more beneficial to homeowners with diminished eyesight. 

a thermostat

A professional HVAC technician can help homeowners choose which digital thermostat is best for them, as well as provide installation and servicing.

Get Advice From Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc.

For over 40 years, Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc. has been DeBary, FL’s trusted HVAC company. Their certified technicians specialize in air conditioner installation and maintenance, and can also help with thermostat needs. With two locations, top of the line equipment, and various payment options, Mid-Florida Air Conditioning, Inc. lives up to its 5-star reputation.

What Does an AC Tune-Up Entail?

The Importance of Regular AC Tune-Ups

During the blistering hot summer months, air conditioning is an absolute must in order to live and stay comfortable at home. When a sudden rise in temperature hits and the AC is not spitting out cold air but actually hot air, this is an emergency.

Routine maintenance for your AC system is important so situations like the one above can be avoided at all costs. In the long run, it ends up costing way more for an emergency service than an Ac tune-up here and there.

Calling a professional to help check on an AC unit once a year before the hot, sweaty summer months hit is important so there are no hiccups in the system when you rely on it most.

When to Get an AC Tune-Up?

when to getThere are certain signs to look out for when an AC system needs some extra attention. Typically, an AC unit should get reviewed once a year, just before the boiling hot summer months this way you know it is all set to go.

When an AC unit is due for a tune-up, warning signs like water leaking, poor airflow, lack of cooling, and humidity control are all pointing straight to the need for maintenance.

If there are any signs out of the ordinary with an AC system, then it is best to call a professional as soon as possible to schedule a tune-up because this could lead to a much bigger and difficult issue in the future.

Where to Get a Reliable AC Service?

It’s important to find the right company that is reliable and experts in HVAC systems. The right company will have years of experience and a solid customer base. Ensure that they are a high-quality team of professionals by calling and asking about their years of service and look online for customer reviews. Be sure that if you look online to see if they have more than just one or two reviews.

where to get

One of the best ways to know that you can rely on a company is if they offer warranties and a 100% customer satisfaction guarantee. This means that if their customers aren’t happy or if something goes wrong, they are sure to make it a priority to help fix the problem immediately.

Additionally, an HVAC system is a business with a team of professionals, if they are backed by an accredited institution or association then this means they are of the highest quality of professionals that can be trusted to tune up and maintain AC systems thoroughly.

How Much Does an AC Tune-Up Cost?

ac tune up costRegularly maintaining an AC system is necessary to keep it long-lasting and fully efficient. When an AC system is not regularly tuned up then it can end up costing a whole lot more in the long run if there is an AC emergency.

When an AC emergency occurs, this could cost hundreds and even thousands of dollars more than getting regularly scheduled tune-ups each year.

Even if it’s something as simple as remembering to replace the air filter, in the long-run, a homeowner can save more money by getting their AC system regularly serviced rather than relying on emergency services when the system goes haywire.

Trust a Local HVAC Pro

Mid Florida A/C located in DeBary, FL is rated the number one HVAC specialist in the mid-Florida region. Their expertise in AC tune ups, HVAC system services, and emergency maintenance is reliable backed by the accreditation of the Better Business Bureau and hundreds of 5 star customer reviews.

The Science Behind Dirty Air Filters And Maintaining Air Quality

The Dangers of Dirty Air Filters

HVAC units work all through the year to keep all homes warm in winter and cool in summer. These units constantly circulate air through and keep it clean by forcing air through filters in the units. Clean air is essential for healthy living, boosting your immune system, and avoiding allergens that aggravate breathing conditions such as asthma.

Some homeowners, in an attempt to save money, will clean their single-use air filters to reuse. This is not only damaging to the health of those living in the home but also damages the long-term life of your HVAC unit. If this is the case, it's definitely time for an air filter upgrade

Dirty Filters Could Hurt Your Health

health issuesHVAC units continuously cycle the air at home through filters in the units. When air reaches filters in the machines, the filters remove dust, dirt, and debris along with mold and allergens such as pollen. When filters become clogged, they become unable to remove the dirt and debris from the air in your home as efficiently.

As a result, you could end up breathing in a larger quantity of allergen-causing mold, spores, and dust. Those with allergies will find it harder to control symptoms inside the home. People with asthma will also find it harder to breathe and can even run the risk of asthma attacks if the air inside is too unfiltered.

Tips for Keeping Them Clean

While many things around the house are able to be DIY’d, cleaning your air filters isn’t one of them. All HVAC air filters are replaceable. Replaceable, however, isn’t meant to be a suggestion. Think of air filters as single-use, instead. Even if you are able to remove the visible dust and dirt from your filter, you’ll never be able to get at the unseen mold and allergens the filters are designed to trap.

cleaning air filters

HVAC filters are designed to be single-use to ensure the maximum amount of dirt and debris in your air can be trapped during the three months of each filter’s lifespan. Reusing single-use air filters can also be highly damaging to the HVAC unit itself. When improperly reused, your HVAC will be forced to work much harder to pull air through a clogged filter instead of a filter that has room to continue trapping allergens and dust.

Make an Air Quality Upgrade in Your Home

air quality upgradeWhen looking to change your air filters, it’s important to obtain the correct filters for your unit and your home. Cheap filters that save you a few dollars might sound good, but they’ll create problems in the future.

Low-quality filters do not filter out the entire spectrum of chemicals, mold, spores, bacteria, and allergens that can float through your home. If you want to maximize the health benefits of clean air in your home, purchasing a full air quality filter is essential.

Buying cheap air filters that won’t do their job effectively is not the place to save money. By installing the correct air filters, you will ensure the maximum health benefits for you and your family, in addition to ensuring your HVAC runs at top performance.

Trusted, Full-Service HVAC Techs

Mid Florida A/C has been providing HVAC services in DeBary, FL since 1980. They offer five-star quality repairs, installation, and maintenance service. Customer service, personalized solutions, and extended warranties are just a few reasons why they have been rated the leading Heating and Air Conditioning Experts.

Essential Heating And Air Conditioning Tips For The New Year

HVAC Tips For a New Year

It is hard to believe that 2019 is quickly coming to an end. With the start of a new year comes the excitement and anticipation of a new start. As technology continues to improve each year, it is understandable that many new ways of doing things will come to the surface.

DeBary HVAC professionals are excited to share some of the new HVAC tips relating to sun protection, ventilation, and the HVAC drainage hole. These tips will ensure that your HVAC runs smoothly for years to come.

Protect Outdoor Elements from The Sun

sun protectionThe sun can provide a lot of positive effects on everyone's overall health and mental wellbeing. However, too much sun on your HVAC can have a negative effect. Direct sunlight on the unit will heat up the enclosure of the air conditioner to higher levels than you would want, and because of this, you may need extra sun protection.

The constant pounding of the UV rays can also crack the plastic and rubber molecules in washers, hoses, and brackets. Since the unit is dealing with the heat from outside, it has to work even harder to keep the inside cool. This can lead to the wear and tear of your unit as well as an unexpected increase in your utility bill.

Covering the unit with a type of shade would help to keep the unit cool. It is crucial that you leave enough room around the air conditioner to allow for ventilation. It would also be helpful if you were able to place the unit somewhere where the sun doesn’t beat down on it all day.

Ensure Clear Circulation

People believe that closing vents can help save money. However, this is not an efficient way to manage airflow. The HVAC system is designed to release a certain amount of air throughout the house based on the square footage. That amount of air is going to blow whether you open or close vents.

clear vent circulation

If too many vents are closed, the air pressure will build up in the ductwork. As a result, your HVAC system has to work much harder than it should. Vents should remain open and free from obstruction at all times.

Open vents provide the optimum airflow that will create the highest possible energy efficiency. It is ok to direct the vents in a certain direction to send air in a certain direction, but you will get no benefit from closing them up.

Check The HVAC Drainage

hvac drainage holeThe importance of a clean drain hole cannot be overstated. It is vital that you keep dirt, debris, and mold from forming in the drain, leading to a clog. If you do happen to run into a clog, there are a few things that you can do to unclog the drain. Begin by removing any moisture that you see with a shop vacuum.

If you don’t have a shop vacuum, rags can be used to soak in the water. Most clogged drains can be cleared with suction. Using a shop vacuum, allow the vacuum to be placed around the drain opening and see if anything gets sucked out of there.

Identify the access point on the drain line and remove the cover. Flush this port with distilled vinegar or peroxide. Hot water with a drop of dish liquid could also be used. After letting it sit for 30 minutes, flush the pipe with water. Surgical tubing can be used to try to free the drainage hole of any clog.

About Mid Florida A/C

Opened since 1980, Mid Florida A/C has been serving the DeBary community proudly with full-service attention with a friendly and knowledgeable staff that has a full range of heating and air conditioning solutions. Customer satisfaction is always the top goal.

Know The Best Thermostat Temperature Settings For All the Seasons

Homeowners, Set Your Home to These Ideal Thermostat Settings

As the seasons tend to fluctuate throughout the year, don’t let your energy bills increase due to the adjustment with the outdoor climate. As a homeowner, you have enough utilities and systems to keep track of, but it’s even more of an importance to make sure that you keep you and your loved safe against any type of climate throughout the year.

The temperature can vary dramatically during the seasons, but the good news is that the technicians from Mid Florida A/C have advice on how to reduce your bills to keep money in your pocket. This will also help you have more at hand when you need maintenance services at home. 

Don’t Forget to Set Your Thermostat to This Degree During Cold Months

cold monthsThe Fall season is the time that homeowners usually set their temperature to their personal preference during the night so that their living space stays warm and the don’t wake up to a frigid cold home.

While it’s vital to stay warm during the cold months of winter, it’s important to make sure that the thermostat is set to a neutral temperature.

Experts have verified that the average temperature to set your thermostat to during the colder months is 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This is a comfortable temperature setting for your home because your heater will not have as many cycles to ward off the cold outdoor weather.

Keep in Mind of This Temperature Setting During the Warm Months

With the luxury of HVAC systems, homeowners have the ability to personalize their home’s temperature to meet their personal comfort level. When doing so, it’s important for them to consider the best setting that will benefit them overall in regard to sustaining a neutral but relieving, degree against the outdoor heat.

warm months

So, what’s the average temperature to set during the warm months of spring and summer? According to professional technicians, homeowners should set their thermostats to 78 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature keeps the home set at a median between the outdoor temperature and still keeps the space cool.

These Ideal Degrees Equals An Empty House and a Fuller Wallet

empty houseDuring an average workday routine, your home will be unoccupied for at least a third of the day or even more depending on what else is on your agenda. In this case, while you may adjust the thermostat as soon as you wake up, don’t forget to reset the thermostat to these ideal temperatures before you head out the door.

When you have your empty house set to these temperatures, this means that your heating and cooling system will use less power in order to keep your home at your personal preferences of a higher or cooler temperature. It’s been known that having your thermostat set to these degrees will be able to save you a small percentage off of your next utility bill when doing so.

Not only will the system work significantly less when the house is unoccupied, but keeping these temperatures offer an easier transition from going from outside to into your home that will prevent your occupants from being susceptible to getting sick from the drastic change of temperature.

Choose the Experts that Care

Since being founded in 1980, Mid Florida A/C has been a family-owned and operated company that’s provided professional HVAC services to those in the DeBary community and surrounding areas. This reputable company has had three generations of HVAC technicians with knowledge and practices that have been passed down. They offer an array of heating and air services from installing new equipment to repairing or upgrading a new system in your home.

Discerning the Right Size For an HVAC System in Your Home

Find The Right HVAC 

HVAC Installation is one of the most important parts of finishing a new home, and replacing an old ill-sized HVAC unit is just as vital. Home is where the heart is, but it’s also where the health and comfort are.

Having a unit that’s too big or too small can impact your health, sanity, and comfort levels. Read on for some good advice from a local Floridian technician that will help you ensure the right HVAC system is in your home.

Figuring Out the Right HVAC for Your Abode

Having an HVAC unit that’s too big or too small can be a pain at best, and at worst, a money-sucking headache. This isn’t a situation you’d want to get yourself into, and if you’re in it, you’ll want to get out as soon as possible. First, you must have the right measurement of your house

Having an HVAC unit that is oversized might sound good since it means your home will cool down faster, right? While it’s true the house will cool down fast, it won’t stay cool for long because the air wasn’t properly converted. Today’s HVAC units cool or heat air over time, not instantly. If your unit is too big, the air will promptly cool down and the unit will shut off within five to ten minutes.

However, this is bad since the unit will need to turn on and off constantly to cool the air back down (or warm it back up during the winter) since it wasn’t converted properly the first time. This adds to energy costs and wear and tear on the machine. Another tell-tale sign the unit is too big is if it’s really noisy - your HVAC should be fairly quiet if it’s the right size.

If your HVAC unit is too small, your home probably never feels cool enough or warm enough, and the unit runs constantly all day. As you can imagine, this raises your electric bill more than a unit that only needs to make occasional changes. In addition, your unit may even overheat since it’s working hard all the time.

Home Size is Your Key

Before buying an HVAC system, or before replacing an old one, it’s vital to have your home properly measured so that you can purchase the correct HVAC unit.

home size

A professional can calculate your home’s size to figure out how many BTUs your HVAC needs. Other factors to take into account are how many people live in your home, how many windows are in the house, and if any of your ducts aren’t working properly.

BTUs: Vital for Your Decision

british thermal unitWhat exactly is a BTU? This is an acronym for British Thermal Unit. It’s a measurement of how much energy is needed to make a pound of water one degree higher in temperature.

Measuring the BTUs of your home requires different measurements for hot and cold. BTU's must be figured out in order to apply them perfectly to the size of your home, and the HVAC system you will be needing.

If you look up BTU measurements or guidelines, you might have the feeling you’re back in geometry class. If doing math gives you a cold sweat, there’s a solution for that.

Armed with Knowledge, Consult a Professional

Your home should be your sanctuary, and as such, it should be the place you’re most comfortable. If you’re too hot or too cold, you’re probably going to be miserable, so buying the right HVAC is important. It’s also necessary since the wrong HVAC unit can damage your home.

For example, if it’s too big and causes too much moisture, it could eventually damage your home structurally, or cause the paint to peel off the walls.

consult professional

It’s possible to have an HVAC technician measure your home’s BTUs and help you pick the right HVAC unit. A true HVAC technician will measure your home and take into account all the variables that could affect the home’s temperature, such as insulation and if the house has shade or direct sunlight.

About Mid-Florida A/C

Mid-Florida A/C are HVAC experts that have been providing stellar service to DeBary and Melbourne since 1980. Mid-Florida A/C is a family company that’s maintained an A+ rating on the Better Business Bureau for over 37 years.

They offer extended warranties as well as lifetime warranties. Mid-Florida A/C customizes each project to its clients and is never satisfied until the customer is fully satisfied.