A quick and easy step you can do yourself is to keep your indoor air filter clean. A good practice is to change it monthly when you get your power bill.

Outdoor unit maintenance

Now, we’ll get into more complicated maintenance. When you use your A/C system throughout the year, dirt and other debris accumulate in the various components of the A/C system. The condensing unit, the system outside the home, often collects dirt. The system does not send those leaves or dirt into your home.

However, if the outdoor unit and the separate indoor unit, the air handler, are not properly maintained, the elements of these particulates can collect the airstream within your home, damaging the air’s quality. So, they can eventually cause harmful indoor air pollution.

When our Kalos technicians perform routine maintenance, they remove all the accumulated large debris that has been captured in the condenser unit. They then clean the condenser but are careful not to bend the delicate coil pins. They also clean the air handler inside your home by sensibly washing the evaporator coils.

When these tasks are finished, none of the dangerous particulates harm your indoor air, keeping it safe and breathable. Routine maintenance is recommended at the very least annually, and preferably bi-annually to keep your home’s air healthy and unpolluted. In turn, routine maintenance will protect your family’s health.

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The work is not necessarily highly skilled or hard work in terms of needing immense education to understand its process. However, it does take commitment and hard work to actually put into practice. Attic temperatures here in Florida can sometimes reach up to 150 degrees, so it’s important to make sure that the company you choose takes employee safety seriously and trains them properly. Once you’re up in an attic for more than about 10 minutes, it’s easy to start cutting corners. So, proper training and leeway for needed rest are both key.

AN ESTIMATOR NEEDS TO CHECK OUT THE ATTIC

Many estimations in this business do not take the proper time to evaluate how exactly an attic should be treated. About three-quarters of the time, the other estimators from another company will simply ballpark the situation from down below in the cool living space so that they don’t have to get into the attic, sweat, and get their eyes on what’s actually going on up there. In our company’s expert opinion, you have to look at something to know how to quote it properly. There are a lot of different variables involved with quoting blown-in insulation, and there’s a lot of different solutions out there.

So, in general, make sure that your estimator actually gets up into the attic for about 10 minutes or so to get a good look at everything and take some photos. The estimator should go over the whole plan with you and tell you exactly what you need while also visually showing you. More than likely, you’re not going to follow an estimator up into the attic in order to see what they’re talking about, so you have to take their word for it. However, make sure that they give you some photos and that the photos are trustworthy. 

SEAL ANY PENETRATIONS TO THE ATTIC

We have found that most homes are pretty leaky and need to be improved with some ceiling work. A lot of times when somebody is insulating and gets quotes for blown-in insulation here in Florida, they are insulating a new addition. For example, they may be insulating a lanai or their garage. There are probably a lot of penetrations into the attic ceiling that had been left unsealed by the general contractor in these areas. That allows for a lot of heat AND humidity infiltration into the space.

Whenever we quote a customer for blown-in insulation, we offer to seal AND insulate the area. We quote this as a package because once there is a lot of blown-in insulation in your way, it only makes it harder to seal up. In order to make sure that the blown-in installation is the most effective insulator that it can be, we seal any penetrations into the attic using a Fonville spray. We install that the morning of the blown-in insulation job. The spray expands to fill any cracks or penetrations in the attic.

SEAL CAN-LIGHTS

Can-lights sit flush with the ceiling of your living space but are actually recessed up into the attic. It’s very important to make sure that these are actually sealed by themselves rather than trying to use any sort of spray fall around them. The reasons being that there are electrical processes involved. We never want to compromise any of that kind of material with anything that is flammable.

Through our work, we have found that in The Villages, can-lights are almost exclusively used to light lanais, and they are almost always unsealed and allow the air between the two spaces to mix one way some installation contractors mitigate. We install a cone above each can-light, allowing the area to be sealed from the rest of the attic, and not be touched by the new blown-in insulation. That’s not a bad way to accomplish the goal of sealing it, but it’s preferable to buy pre-sealed can-lights and install them to replace the existing can-lights in the space.

Many of these sealed the can-lights are actually LED, more energy-efficient, and in the long run saving you money on your power bill. As licensed electrical contractors in Florida, we can offer solutions like installing these sealed can-lights, which can accomplish better energy savings.

SEALING THE ATTIC ENTRANCE POINT

In general, there are a couple of different types of ways you can get up into an attic. There’s usually either a set of pull-down stairs or a piece of drywall with a frame that gets pushed up and exposes a large hole to allow access.

Many homes in Florida have the benefit of having an attached garage at the front of the house, so the easiest place for the attic access is to install the pull-down stairs or push-up entrance in the garage space. Unless you are looking to add blown-in insulation into your garage, this is not an area of concern. However, if your attic access is actually within the space that you are looking to cool or insulate, this is a huge point of heat infiltration. If you ever tried to push into an attic entrance that just has blown-in insulation all around it, you’ll know what a mess it makes whenever you open the attic. Hatch and blown-in insulation tumble down into your livable space to avoid this and to allow for less heat infiltration.

We actually suggest installing one of two solutions.

The first one that will help just keep the area around the attic hatch clear from any blown-in insulation is to install a barrier wall around the attic access. We built a small barrier wall, a foam board, in order to keep the blown-in insulation from falling down into your livable space. You’ve paid for us to blow in the insulation, so why would you want it to just fall down and be something that gets vacuumed up or thrown away every time that you go into your attic?

Secondly, we would suggest a large bag filled with insulation and placed directly on top of the attic hatch a stairway, insulate it. Stairway insulator is going to be a little bit different style, but essentially, we’re talking about having a moveable piece of insulation that sits on top of the attic hatch entrance and can be placed back whenever the needs to be closed up. That allows for you to make sure that you are not having a ton of heat coming through your attic hatch access point. But at the same time, you won’t have a giant mess every time you open it up.

INSTALLING BAFFLES BETWEEN EACH TRUSS

Many contractors leave this step out of their job. They leave it out because it’s simply just not easy and takes time.

Almost every home has a soft, breathable material around the outside edge of the home. This material is meant to allow air to infiltrate up into the attic from outside. So, it allows the attic to breathe and ventilate out of the ridge vents at the top of the roof. The material allows for air exchanges in the attic, so the air doesn’t just sit stagnantly, increasing in heat. Many people don’t know that their attic is actually open to the elements outside, but it’s beneficial to let that heat exchange occur in a controlled manner. The last thing that a customer wants to do when starting one project is to create additional follow-up problems without these baffles in place. 

The problem we see many customers have when they hire an unqualified blown-in insulation contractor is that the blown-in insulation usually falls directly down onto those soffit vents and closes them up. When that happens, the soffit vents can’t allow air to enter the space and ventilate through to the Richmond at the top of the attic. Essentially, the fallen insulation is sealing in that space, and when it does so, it’s actually creating a higher level of humidity and a myriad of other problems.

The solution to that problem is to staple cardboard core polyurethane baffles between each of the trusses in the attic. That allows for a natural barrier to be formed. It also allows the blown-in insulation to bond right to the edge of the attic space without ever falling onto the soffit.

Another central part is to make sure that the baffles are tall enough for the amount of installation that is being installed. The thicker the installation, the taller the baffles need to be. Unfortunately, it is not too easy. Essentially, a technician will need to be on their back, should be through the attic, stopping at every truss bay, and stapling these baffles into place one by one. Take a look at our video below to get a better sense of this procedure.

CONCLUSION

As you can see within our five points, the prep work is everything. The blown-in insulation portion is actually the easiest part of the job. However, if your contractor fails to prepare for the job, you will be setting yourself up for a long list of problems in the future. Make sure you work with trustworthy and detail-oriented technicians to save yourself any headaches. If you have any questions, please feel free to give our office a call at 352-224-3708.

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How a small issue can cause big problems

It was surprising for me to learn that a small issue—if ignored—can cause a much larger problem later on with your air conditioning unit. It’s easy to take something as simple as cleaning your drain line or regularly changing your air filters for granted, yet it is surprising how much those things matter. Taking care of these two simple items can make a huge difference in prolonging the life of your system. Before being in this industry, I wouldn’t pay attention to these small details. I learned the hard way, though, and water flooded right into my garage from my A/C unit’s overflowing drain! This leak caused damage to the platform that the unit sat on and even made it all the way to the bedroom closet. I have learned that it pays to keep up with these small items and that almost anyone can do it themselves.

How helpful preventive maintenance is

A/C maintenance is a great way to give your system a check-up to ensure things are working properly before you hit the heat of summer or the cold of winter. While we wish that our units would just run forever, we all know there are things that we can’t plan for. During maintenance, the entire system is checked—inside and out. We do that to ensure that your system is running to factory specifications (or as close to them as possible). If we find any issues during this process, we take the time to discuss these with you and give you options on any next steps you can take. This program is a wonderful service an HVAC tech can provide, and it has surprised me how valuable it can be for a customer.

How much HVAC techs care about their jobs and customers

Of course, each tech is different. We all have different styles of work. However, I’ve noticed that there’s one consistent attribute across the board: how much every Kalos Services HVAC tech cares about their job and customers. They all realize that they are here to assist you in any way necessary. Kalos techs will spend that extra time to ensure that your system is working properly. A good HVAC tech will work hard to find any issues and repair them as quickly as possible. They all realize that you, the customer, are the reason they are here each day. So, they’ll always strive to provide you with Simply Great Service!

I have had a great six months learning this industry. I also have enjoyed meeting and talking with each customer I have come across. This business is not only about fixing air conditioners; it is also about making relationships with each person we get to come into contact with. I hope to see you out in the field sometime!

Britton Bingham
Service Specialist

More questions about my first 6 months? Make sure to sound off in the comments or leave us a Voicemail. If you do, you might end up on our Podcast!

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The demand for duct cleaning is something that has been on the rise over the last 10 years in the HVAC industry. It has grown from a very small niche business to a large and profitable industry. This growth has raised many questions.

Before we get started, allow me to establish my experience. I have been in the HVAC industry for over 15 years. In that time, I have never personally performed a duct cleaning, but I have been back to multiple HVAC service calls after duct cleanings. I personally have no issue with the duct cleaning industry as a whole; I simply have concerns with the common practices I have observed and customers’ expectations in relation to the outcome.

First, we must establish that the vast majority of residential and light commercial duct systems installed in Florida are flex and board systems. That means that the bulk of the air flows through flexible insulated tubes with a thin plastic inner liner. The remainder of the duct system is constructed of fiberglass board that is formed into boxes and triangle shapes that act as the main lines and distribution boxes. Second, we must state clearly that almost anything can be cleaned if enough time and resources are applied; this is as true of ducting as any other surface.

The real questions are:

1. Is duct cleaning effective at consistently providing cleaner air?
2. Are the practices consistently applied that produce a good result?
3. Is the cost of properly cleaning the ducts vs. replacing them represent a real value?

Is duct cleaning effective at consistently providing cleaner air?

A report produced in 1997 by the EPA states that duct cleaning has not been proven to produce cleaner indoor air. The EPA has consistently stood behind this stance, and this applies to all types of ducts. It stands to reason, in my opinion, that cleaning metal or metal-lined ducts would be effective.

There are many before and after representations of what duct cleaning can and has done for metal ducts. However, in all ducts, cleaning can often dislodge matter that may then re-enter the airstream. That leaves the following question:

Unless we leave the ducts completely clean, has the practice of cleaning ducts been successful in reducing indoor air contaminants?

Are the practices consistently applied that produce a good result?

The NADCA (National Air Duct Cleaning Association) has very good training and application guidelines on the proper cleaning of most duct systems. If well-trained professionals consistently apply these practices with well-maintained and cleaned equipment, then we will yield the best outcome.

My experience has shown that many companies that provide duct cleaning services do not consistently or fully abide by NADCA standards. Failure to follow those standards can result in a poor outcome as well as possible damage. When damage does occur due to improper duct cleaning practices, contractors often conceal it. So, the property owner will be unaware that there is an issue.

Is the cost of properly cleaning the ducts vs. replacing them represent a real value?

Here is an excerpt from the NADCA website:

The Environmental Protection Agency says that duct cleaning services typically “ but not always“ range in cost from $450 to $1000 per heating and cooling system, depending on the services offered, the size of the system to be cleaned, system accessibility, climactic region, and level of contamination and type of duct material. Consumers should beware of air duct cleaning companies that making sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning such claims are unsubstantiated. Consumers should also beware of blow-and-go air duct cleaning companies. These companies often charge a nominal fee and do a poor job of cleaning the heating and cooling system. These companies may also persuade the consumer into unneeded services with and/or without their permission.

This excerpt makes it clear that proper duct cleaning does come at a price. In many cases, the cost of proper cleaning may not be cost-effective when compared with replacement. Of course, the decision to clean or replace also depends on the age, condition, type, and access to the duct system currently in place.

The Verdict

In summary, I would advise the following:

1. Only have ducts cleaned if it is necessary. In most cases, we can achieve cleaner air more easily and consistently through air filtration/purification.
2. If you are going to have ducts cleaned, make sure to use a NADCA-accredited professional. Check that contractor’s work against the NADCA checklist HERE.
3. If your ducts need cleaning, look at the comparable cost of replacement vs. cleaning.
4. Recognize that Florida duct systems are often not very conducive to proper cleaning, reducing your potential success rate.

Feel free to contact us with any further questions. We hope this was helpful!

– Bryan Orr, VP Service Kalos Services Inc. Licensed A/C Contractor CAC1814620

Resources mentioned in this article can be found: EPA.Gov, NAIMA.Org, and Angie’s List. You can also check out these videos of news teams exposing the potential scams that can come with duct cleaning:

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There are a lot of really great products on the market these days for saving energy. Sometimes, they are easy to use. Other times, they can be quite confusing. Thermostats can greatly reduce or increase your efficiency, and a knowledge of the best systems is an essential skill for the modern-day property manager. Today, we will discuss some of the challenges for property managers in regard to the thermostat. Certain types of thermostats can be great tools in your own personal home. However, they may not be effective in a rental or vacation home. The thermostat can help you manage your air conditioning system well. On the other hand, it is easy to misuse. You could waste energy and put your system through extra wear and tear.

Firstly, as a homeowner, you may be willing to take the time to program different temperatures for different times of the day on a thermostat. For a tenant or guest, this programming option will often lead to confusion, temperature complaints, and high power bills. People often set thermostats incorrectly, which adds to the issue. We regularly hear questions from property managers about features on thermostats that shut off the A/C when doors or windows are opened. In theory, that is a good idea. However, in practice, that idea often results in unneeded service calls. That feature decreases the long-term health of the system, and there’s still confusion about how it works.

With a feature that shuts off the A/C when a window opens, it’s very common for a  guest to call and complain that the house is warm and the manager asks if the doors and windows are closed. The guest says yes (which means they are closed now after being left open all day). When you dispatch a service technician, they will find nothing wrong. There’s also no way to prove if doors or windows were left open and caused the original problem.

Honeywell Focus Pro

We suggest a simple and reliable Honeywell Focus Pro thermostat for the rental properties you’re managing. Here are some reasons:

• 1. You can program internal settings to set the temperature to a maximum setting in heating and a minimum setting in cooling. (We usually suggest setting them to 75° in heat and 72° in cooling.)
• 2. The tenant now has the opportunity to have control over an easy-to-use system within a reasonable range of settings.
• 3. The Honeywell Focus Pro thermostat allows you to have a very reliable and energy-efficient solution to prevent high power consumption, system failure (freezing) and reduce guest complaints.

As always, you can call us directly at 352-243-7088 for further questions or requests for service.

We are happy to help you with questions or training at any time. Give us a call and we will try to connect you with someone who has the answer. We would also be happy to speak at any of your company/organizational meetings or give onsite classes on the subject of your choosing. It is our pleasure to help, and we look forward to helping you succeed.

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At Kalos Services, we have worked with both short-term and long-term rental managers for over 8 years. We know how hard you work and how difficult your job can be. Over the years of working on air conditioning systems, pool heaters, and electrical applications, we have come up with some ideas and guidelines that we hope will help you out.

Today, we will discuss the different types of pool heaters. We will also share some tips to make managing your equipment a bit easier.

A pool is becoming a staple of what guests desire in a property they are considering for a short-term vacation rental home. We’ve found that pool heaters can be a great added feature when your guest is closing a booking on a home. Conversely, when there is an issue with the pool heating, you will get a lot of guest complaints. Hopefully, the information below will help you avoid that, keep your customers happy, and get great reviews and repeat business from them!

Types of Pool Heaters

There are typically two types of pool heaters a short-term property manager will want to look into: gas pool heaters and pool heat pumps.

Gas pool heaters make for very nice warm water, which means you will get fewer cold pool complaints. Unfortunately, gas pool heaters are more expensive to operate, and they generally begin to have significant corrosion after only 5 years or so. Gas pool heaters do not cost as much to replace, but they also do not come with very long warranties.

Pool heat pumps are much more cost-effective to run but do not get the water hot as quickly. Pool heat pumps also cost much more to install, but they usually have warranties of 5 years or more. Generally speaking, pool heat pumps will last 8-12 years before they experience a major failure.

It is unlikely that most pool heat pumps (electric) will maintain the pools at 85+ degrees during days where the low temperatures drop to near 40 or below. That inconvenience can be even worse on days where the high temperature does not go above 60 degrees.

Tips for Getting the Most Out of Your Heater

1. Turn your pool heater on several days in advance to make sure the pool is up to temperature before the cold snap. If you wait until it is cold outside to turn on a heater, it may never catch up until the cold period ends; this is due to the way the heaters are sized, and some heaters will do better than others.

2. Increase the pump run time before the cold weather. We recommend setting the run time from 8 AM to 8 PM.

3. Have the guests cover the pool at night. If you can get them to cover the pool, it will GREATLY assist in the pool temperature and power usage.

4. Do not run a heat pump overnight on a cold night. Many pool heat pumps will ice over and require manual defrost if you do this.

5. Take care of issues ahead of time by scheduling annual maintenance on the pool heater. Catch small issues before they become larger ones, monitor trends, and improve your guest’s experience by being prepared. You can save yourself money, time, and grief by doing this, even if it feels unnecessary at the time.

As with everything, the temperature that a pool can maintain is directly related to the size of the pool and the capacity of the heater. Every location will also be different. Check out our Pool Heating Services page for more information!

We are happy to help you with questions or training at any time. If you give us a call, we will try to connect you with someone who has the answer. We would also be happy to speak at any of your company/organizational meetings or give onsite classes on the subject of your choosing. It is our pleasure to help, and we look forward to helping you succeed.

All the best,

Bryan Orr – Co-Founder Kalos Services Inc.

CFVRMA Associate Member

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