Frequently Asked Questions
How do I select a contractor?
In selecting a heating and air conditioning contractor, ask the following questions:
How long have they been in business?
Air Around the Clock, was founded in 1988. Since then, Air
Around the Clock has grown to become the largest air conditioning and
heating contractors in South Florida and one of the largest in the
country.
Do they employ certified, factory-trained technicians?
Air Around the Clock has over 150 employees. These include
certified, factory-trained sales and management personnel, as well as
technicians. Their technicians are not only factory-trained and NATE
certified, but they also receive ongoing training and certifications -- a
Minimum of 40 hours per year in-house and factory. They use
state-of-the-art tools and testing equipment, including Freon recovery
equipment to protect the environment. Their fleet of over 85
radio-dispATChed trucks enables their technicians to provide you with
timely, professional service.
Are they insured?
Air Around the Clock's technicians are fully insured, and covered by Workman's Compensation.
Do they handle several reputable manufacturers?
Air Around the Clock carries the most reliable products of several reputable manufacturers to provide you with lasting quality.
Do they have in-stock inventory?
Air Around the Clock has over half a million dollars in
parts and equipment on hand. Their trucks are also well stocked with the
most needed parts so that the technician has them right at hand on the
job site.
Are they a full service contractor?
Air Around the Clock is a full service contractor with
complete service departments and installation departments, including
duct cleaning.
Are they fully licensed to do all of the work themselves?
Air Around the Clock is registered with the State Board of
Contractors in Florida. They are fully licensed to do complete service
and installation throughout the state.
Are they competitively priced, with written estimates up front?
Air Around the Clock offers competitive pricing and written
estimates using flat rate service pricing to ensure no surprises when
installing or servicing their customer's equipment. They also offer many
different financing plans.
Air Around the Clock's phones are answered 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. We provide every service to all of our customers.
Do they offer service agreements?
Air Around the Clock knows that homeowners have many
concerns and activities in their lives. Their mission is to design,
install and service heating and cooling systems in a way that provides
homeowners with worry-free comfort. ATC has a maintenance agreement that
offers free service calls and two complete checkups a year.
Are they technologically up-to-date?
Air Around the Clock is fully up-to-date technologically.
They have a new website where you can schedule a service or sales call.
They are computer automated to design the proper sizing of your air
distribution system and equipment. Also, complete, comprehensive records
are kept on every service call, providing instant employee access to
your equipment's history. All employees are linked via their own
extensive network for rapid sharing of information concerning your
equipment when it is needed. Their technicians and sales representatives
are in constant communication with the office via cellular phone/radio
systems. No expense has been spared to provide you with the best, most
timely and knowledgeable service possible.
Air Around the Clock is a member of the Better Business
Bureau, and an active member of several important professional
organizations.
Can they service both residential and commercial needs?
Air Around the Clock offers commercial services for
business through their commercial division. So they can service all
business and residential comfort needs. Air Around the Clock is large
enough to serve you, yet small enough to know you.
Where can I get information about financing programs?
Air Around the Clock has several
financing programs available. For more information, please call our office or fill out this sales request form to schedule a sales call.
What is the average life expectancy of equipment?
Most systems have a lifetime of 12 years or less. As your
equipment gets older, its efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may
notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often. If your system
is over five years old, you should have a heating and cooling
contractor check your system for maintenance or replacement.
Yes. Mold, mildew, pet hair, skin flakes, smoke film,
dander, dust mites, dirt, pollen, and even bacteria take up residence in
your air ducts. With each breath you take you inhale these
contaminants. Dirty air ducts can not only make you sick or raise your
utility bills, but they can also reduce your air flow and cause
premature failure of your expensive heating and cooling system.
Why should I purchase a service agreement?
Proper care of your equipment can save you real dollars on
your utility bills. Some air conditioning and heating problems can
double operating costs without reducing comfort. Just 100th of an inch
of dirt or film on an evaporator coil can reduce cooling and heating
efficiency by 5%. All leading manufacturers recommend regular
maintenance to maintain peak performance. A service agreement will give
you the piece of mind that your system is operating at optimum
efficiency and performance. To get a detailed list of all Air Around the
Clock's service agreements and what they include,
click here.
Should I replace or repair my equipment?
There are five main questions that need to be considered
when deciding to either replace or repair your heating and cooling
system:
How old is your system? If your system is more than ten
years old, it may be wiser to invest in new, higher-efficiency
equipment, which could cut your energy costs by up to 40%.
What is the efficiency level of your current indoor weather system?
Unfortunately, replacing parts of your old system will not improve the
efficiency. If the energy savings of using a higher-efficiency system
will cover all or part of the cost of investing in new equipment, you
should seriously consider replacement of the old system.
What is the overall condition of your system? If your
system is in solid condition, it could be wiser to simply repair it. But
if your system breaks down often, you should consider replacing it.
How often is your system operating? If your system has been used extensively, it may be time to replace it.
Are you planning to move soon? If you are moving in the
next year or two and believe investing in a new indoor weather system
will improve the value of your home, you should consider making the
investment. If you plan to live in your current residence for many more
years, it may also be wise to go ahead and invest in your future
comfort.
For more information, please call us or fill out our
service request form to schedule an appointment or service call.
We will be happy to discuss all options with you.
What does SEER and mean to me?
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the measure of
efficiency by which the cooling process of air conditioners and heat
pumps is rated. The higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency,
which translates into greater energy savings. Today, U.S. regulatory
agencies require all new models to have a 13.0 SEER rating or better.
Most major manufacturers offer a line of air conditioners and heat pumps
that range from 13.0 SEER to 16.0 SEER.
How will the new environment friendly refrigerant affect me?
The 1990
Clean Air Act
and the internationally binding Montreal Protocol calls for an
international phase out on future manufacturing of the refrigerant R-22,
which is currently used in most air conditioning and heat pump systems.
Historically, when a refrigerant has been phased out, the cost of that
refrigerant has risen dramatically. Also, the costs for servicing
products using a phased out refrigerant have risen as well. According to
current government regulations, the production of R-22 will be reduced
by nearly one-fourth by 2004. By the year 2012, the production of R-22
will be reduced by nearly one-half of the current production. That means
all R-22 products will eventually need to be replaced by products
utilizing the new chlorine-free refrigerant.
Do you subcontract your installation or do you have your own men?
Air Around the Clock employs licensed
A/C installers - We do not subcontract our work.
Do you have an office or address where I can reach you?
Air Around the Clock is located at 11840 NW 41st Coral
Springs, Fl 33065. We can be reached at 954-742-5544. You can also check
us out at ATCair.com
Do you have a service department staffed with people, or is there just an answering machine?
Air Around the Clock is staffed by actual people and our
retail location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM
and on Saturday's from 8:00 AM to 9:00 PM, Sundays from 9:00am to 9:00
pm. You will never get an answering machine. The only time you will
reach an answering machine during regular office hours is if all of our
lines are busy at once. This can sometimes happen and when it does, we
return your call as quickly as possible.
Are your servicemen trained? Do they wear company uniforms? Do you have your name and other information on your trucks?
Air Around the Clock has fully trained servicemen, in
uniform and in trucks marked with our name and logo, as well as our
license number.
Why should I maintain my A/C system?
Even if your heating and
air conditioning system
is new or was built to go the distance, it has to be maintained in
order to ensure that it continues to run properly. A properly maintained
system will last longer with fewer breakdowns and also save you money
every month through lower fuel bills. Much like a car, you won't notice
any problems with your heating and air conditioning system until it
stops running. An oil change for your car is much cheaper than the cost
of a new engine. The same goes for your heating and air conditioning
system. The cost of maintaining your system is much cheaper than having
to repair or even replace it's parts.
How do I know which kind of system I need?
There are several factors that go into deciding what type
of system is right for your home. If someone in your home suffers from
allergies, filtration systems and humidifiers may be your best option.
If energy savings and/or noise reduction are your main concerns, there
are a wide range of systems that will meet your needs. Air Around the
Clock can design a system that is specific to your home and family,
which will offer quiet, energy efficient and healthy alternatives to
your current system. Many decisions will affect the design of your new
system, including the times of day your home is occupied; the type of
energy your home uses, whether it's electric, or natural gas; and what
you personally feel you need in a system, including quiet, energy
efficiency and health needs. The first step in determining the system
that is right for your needs is calling Air Around the Clock.
How do I know which equipment is best?
There are many options in A/C equipment. The needs of you
and your family must be taken into consideration when deciding on the
type of equipment best suited to your home. Call us today to discuss
your options and to schedule an appointment for a free, on-site
proposal.
How often should filters be cleaned or replaced?
Your filters should be inspected each month and replaced
when necessary. The more you use your system, the more often you will
need to change your filters. A clogged and
dirty filter
will cost more in efficiency and comfort in the long run than simply
checking them once a month. Our seasonal system check-up includes
checking and replacing filters as necessary without additional charge,
up to a certain size. We offer larger size filters at a reduced rate as
well.
My thermostat has an "auto" setting and an "on" setting? Which do I use?
The usual setting on your thermostat is "auto", which means
the fan will operate only when the temperature requires it to. When the
fan is set at "on", it will run constantly, without shutting off until
you manually shut it off or by setting the thermostat to "auto" again.
How does my central air conditioner work?
An air conditioning system consists of two parts; the
outdoor unit - condenser, and the indoor unit - coil. The air
conditioner moves heat from one place to another via Freon
(refrigerant). The compressor in your outdoor unit pushes Freon into the
evaporator coil. As it is compressed, it turns into gas, then as it
passes through the evaporator coil it takes on the heat from the air
circulating over the coil, thus cooling the air. The cooler air is then
moved into your home. At the same time, the heat is absorbed by the
Freon and is transported outside as the fan pulls air over the
condensing coil in your outdoor unit. As the warm air is cooled inside
your home, it cannot carry as much moisture as it did at a higher
temperature. The excess moisture condenses and is carried away through a
drain. Therefore, your air conditioner does double-duty as a
dehumidifier in your home.
Why is maintenance so important to my A/C system?
Just like anything with moving parts, your expensive A/C
system won't last forever. But, you can stretch your dollars much
further with proper preventative maintenance of your system. After all,
it's much less expensive to have them checked twice a year than it is to
replace them because
proper maintenance
wasn't completed. At Air Around the Clock , we offer a comprehensive
system check of your unit(s) twice a year, before the hot or cold
weather has arrived. We also offer a Maintenance Agreement which will
save you even more money when you pre-pay for two system checks at one
time. So, don't get caught out in the cold (or the heat!) give us a call
today!
My current system isn't cooling my home. Does that mean I need a bigger system?
Do you need a bigger system to cool your home? Not
necessarily. Failure to cool properly could be caused by many different
factors, including poor installation, duct leaks, improper coolant
levels, and dirty coils. It's not uncommon to actually replace a poorly
functioning unit with a smaller one that's functioning properly.
For
more than 30 years, Mitsubishi Electric Cooling & Heating,
headquartered in Suwanee, Ga., has been a leading marketer of
intelligent air-conditioning and heating technology, manufactured by
its parent corporation, Mitsubishi Electric.
The
Division's market distribution includes North America, Latin America,
the Caribbean and Bermuda. In 1982, Mitsubishi Electric was the first
to introduce its state-of-the-art split-ductless air conditioners and
heat pumps in North America. The company soon expanded, adding to its
product line CITY MULTI® variable refrigerant flow (VRF) zoning heat
pump systems that use INVERTER technology and offer simultaneous
cooling capabilities; compressors; and a full line of air-conditioning
accessories.
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