Heating and Air Conditioning Company – Choosing the right one

Posted by administrator on November 24, 2011 None comments

Heating and Air Conditioning, heating, heating repairHeating and air conditioning are some of the biggest sources of energy consumption in your home. In fact, perhaps half of your energy bill comes from heating and cooling. Maintaining efficient equipment can help cut down on your monthly costs and is an environmentally friendly practice. In order to assess your home’s energy efficiency and set up a system that is best for you, you will need to find a trustworthy heat and air company.

Choosing A Contractor

To find the best contractor for the job, there are a few things you want to look for.

  • Hire a licensed HVAC contractor. This assures you of proper credentialing and competence.
  • Hire someone who is bonded and insured. If anything goes wrong on the project, you want to make sure they are covered at no expense or liability to you.
  • Look for references. Online feedback is now extensive, and using consumer reviews is a great way to assess a company’s track record. If a review prompts questions, be sure to ask. The Better Business Bureau may have a review of the company you are considering as well.

Air Conditioning Efficiency

Central air conditioning is evaluated on the basis of its Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). This measures the overall efficiency of the unit, and a higher number equates to more efficiency. Units sold today must have a rating of at least 13 (before 1980, they might have had a rating of 8). You can have the efficiency of your current unit assessed to see if you are ready for an upgrade.

Heating Efficiency

Heating repair is another way to upgrade the efficiency of your home and to save yourself money. If you have a gas furnace, a certain amount of the heat escapes your home through the flue. The energy efficiency measure is called the Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, and again, a heating repair company can assess for you how efficient your current unit is. Heat repair can drastically improve your AFUE.

Proper Maintenance

One of the best things you can do for the long-term efficiency of your home is to properly maintain your heat and air. Here are a few things to keep an eye on:

  • Make sure there is no dirt on your evaporator, blower, or condenser. Dirt in these places may increase energy consumption by fifty percent.
  • Make sure the coils are clean. Dirty coils lower their efficiency by five percent.
  • Keep the filter clean. A dirty filter reduces airflow which increases costs.
  • Check for duct leaks. A duct leak can increase cooling needs by twenty three percent and heating needs by thirty seven percent.

Overall, an efficiently maintained heating and cooling system can reduce a monthly utility bill by thirty percent and will reduce costs for years to come. For residents of Arkansas, there are companies who offer Arkansas heating repair that will improve the energy efficiency and lower the utility bills of your home. Arkansas heat and air maintenance are a crucial way to maintain the optimal use of your energy resources.
Heating and Air Conditioning, heating, heating repair

I’ll Take Care of That

Posted by administrator on July 8, 2011 None comments

If you’ve been around central Arkansas for any time you’ve probably heard that phrase often slated by Chuck Middleton, the founder of Middleton Heat & Air. “It’s not just a made-up slogan to get your attention,” says Middleton, “I really mean it and our company lives by it.”

“When a customer calls us, their family is often uncomfortable and they either have an urgent need for cool air or warm air, depending upon the season. Our job is to respond promptly and take care of their problem permanently. Today’s customers demand and deserve a comfortable home environment and we are committed to delivering it. After all, there are few things more important than the air that you and your family breathe,” Middleton added.

Middleton’s service technicians are not the typical repairmen that you’ll find ringing the door bell, they are the best trained professionals in the industry. All are EPA certified and they spend numerous hours throughout the year learning about new equipment advances and enhanced diagnostic techniques. Consequently, they can repair and install every brand of equipment in the marketplace, which is very important to homeowners.

Properly trained employees actually reduce the cost of a homeowner’s repair bills and, undoubtedly, create satisfied customers.
Middleton Heat & Air was built on the philosophy of providing customers with 100% satisfaction on every job and, if for some reason that doesn’t occur, Chuck states, “l’lI take care of that. We have been taking care of central Arkansas customers for 30 years and it is something that we take very seriously.”

Middleton’s customer-focused approach has allowed them to grow into a company of significant size with offices in Little Rock, Bryant, Conway and Hot Springs. They have numerous technicians and replacement specialists based in west Little Rock and consider Chenal one of their primary service areas. In fact, they service more Chenal homes than all of their competitors combined.
Over the past few years, there have been significant changes within the heating and air conditioning industry that affect Arkansas homeowners. One of the most recent changes came in the form of new federal regulations that went into effect in January 2006 concerning the SEER rating of central air conditioners. SEER is short for “Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio” and the minimum SEER rating allowed for equipment manufactured today is 13. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the equipment. If your current system was installed before 1990 it probably has a SEER rating of 7 to 8 and is likely up to 40% less efficient than the minimum required by federal law today. With utility costs continuing to rise, more and more homeowners are replacing their systems and paying for them with the energy savings.
A call to Middleton Heat & Air is all a homeowner needs to set up an appointment for a free estimate on equipment replacement. Their equipment replacement experts are available seven days a week to assist customers and to make home comfort suggestions and recommendations.

“Whether you want to upgrade or keep your current system, it goes without saying that all heating and air conditioning systems must be properly maintained to operate at peak efficiency,” said Middleton. “We encourage customers to join our Maintenance Agreement Program because of the savings it generates in reduced energy consumption and future repair bills. It is the best value in our business,” he stated.
“It’s a proven fact,” says Chuck Middleton,”that you can save money and increase comfort by properly maintaining your heating and air conditioning equipment.” Middleton continued, “Consumers are requesting more sophisticated products as they become increasingly concerned about indoor air quality and other safety issues. Surprisingly, very few companies have the resources to adequately diagnose and address comprehensive “home comfort” concerns such as room-to-room temperature differentials, allergens, dust and mold problems and energy management issues. Middleton Heat & Air has created a comprehensive company that can handle all of these concerns. “We have the in-house resources and expertise to provide a total solution for a homeowner’s ‘air’ needs, no matter what they may be,” added Middleton.

Middleton has seven separate but interrelated operating divisions. “We are truly a twenty-first century ‘home comfort’ provider,” said Mark Middleton, Managing Director of the family-owned businesses, and a Chenal resident. He added, “We specialize in every aspect of the air conditioning business from metal fabrication, to equipment design and installation, to home automation systems.”
For the past 30 years, both residential and commercial customers have maintained their loyalty to the Middleton family business as a result of Chuck’s strict commitment to his promise. And as he is quick to state, if everything is not just as it should be, “I’ll take care of that.”

If you have questions about your air conditioning system or would like a quote on changing out your equipment, please contact Middleton Heat & Air at 224-4888 or via their website at www.middletoninc.com.

CENTRAL ARKANSAS’ LARGEST, BUILT ONE CUSTOMER RELATIONSHIP AT A TIME

Posted by administrator on July 8, 2011 None comments

By Nancy R. Cook
We’re used to seeing the large, trusted fleet of Middleton Heat & Air trucks throughout central Arkansas as the Middleton team takes care of residential, commercial and industrial heating and air conditioning units, one-by-one,system-by-system, person-by-person.

Rooted in that fleet is the Middleton family tree, four of whose “branches” are your friends and neighbors in Chenal Valley. “You may know our family from contacts at school, the pool and neighborhood functions,” says Mark Middleton, Chenal resident and managing director of Middleton Heat & Air. “We are honored that so many of our neighbors entrust their business to us.”

Middleton offers much more than traditional heating and air conditioning services: state-of-the-art offerings include everything from customized and remotely monitored temperature, air flow and air quality to the latest in green technologies for the best in energy management.

“We endeavor to be a total home comfort solution provider,” Mark Middleton says. For those families and businesses with specific health needs relating to air quality, Middleton Heat & Air provides many custom options to control allergens, dust and humidity. These include systems that capture 99.95 percent of all airborne particulates, including allergens, pollen, dust and mold.

And for pure safety relating to air quality, Mark advocates the installation and use of carbon monoxide detectors. “If there is one thing I could ask every person reading this article to do, it would be to install (and maintain) CO detectors,” he says. “These save lives, and for any person using natural gas in their home, we consider them to be a safety necessity.”

Air comfort technology is changing rapidly in our business, Mark says. “Today’s systems involve sophisticated electronics. Many home and business owners like being able to control the air environments of their home or business remotely from their personal computers or cell phones. We offer these services through our Controls Division – specifically established for designing, installing, servicing and maintaining such custom solutions.”

From large systems in hospitals, churches and industrial sites – where highly sophisticated networks control temperature, humidity and atmospheric conditions – to the customized needs of businesses, commercial enterprises and residential homes, the experts at Middleton are ready to meet air comfort requirements while, in these precarious economic times, helping every customer control their energy
budget, as well.

“National statistics tell us that heating and air conditioning systems comprise 50-60 percent of total utility costs,” Mark says. “We pride ourselves on helping each customer find their most affordable and
energy-efficient solution through the use of energy audits as well as discussions of home comfort needs.”

Environmentally friendly “green” options are becoming the norm in the heating and air business, partially because of new government mandates demanding production of more energy-efficient systems.

Middleton’s environmental commitment goes above and beyond basic requirements. Through aggressive training of its technical staff, Middleton team members are EPA Certified Technicians – vital in keeping up with the latest in efficient energy management. “This is ideal for our customers, as it allows us to bring the best in professional expertise to each situation, installing the right system (and installing it correctly), then servicing and maintaining it to get the maximum in longevity, efficiency and energy savings,” Mark says.

Helping with Middleton’s commitment to proper installation and service is its 45,000 square foot metal fabricating facility, where any size, angle or dimension of roof flashing, rectangular ductwork, venting or other component can be customized to the client’s home or building design. “We’re known for giving people good value for their dollar, and for doing the right thing, day in and day out,” Mark says. “It’s the foundation upon which my dad, Chuck Middleton, built our business, and it’s ingrained in each person who works for us. It’s the basis of our culture at Middleton Heat & Air.”

He attributes the company’s longtime success to the people who work there. “We have many long-term employees…some have been with us for more than 30 years,” he says. “We also work hard to attract the best in the business. Our company is known for quick response, and for being able to detect, diagnose and fix system problems in an expedited manner, saving the customer time and money while keeping the quality of their indoor environment comfortable.”

Chuck Middleton is famous for saying, “I’ll take care of that,” and at Middleton, this is the model for each and every employee. “Taking care of our customers is paramount,” Mark says, “and when we say ‘we’ll take care of that,’ we mean it. We live it. It’s what our reputation is built upon and it is simply the way we do business.”

Middleton Heat & Air is accredited through the Better Business Bureau, and maintains an A+ rating. You can reach Middleton Heat & Air by calling 501.224.4888.

DRAMATIC CHANGES IN THE AIR CONDITIONING INDUSTRY

Posted by administrator on July 8, 2011 None comments

On January 1st, 2010, we witnessed the largest and most dramatic change to the air conditioning industry that affects every one of us on this planet. Backed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the United States Government and 190 countries world-wide, January 1 marked the beginning of the Phase out of Hydrochloroflurocarbons.

Hydrochloroflurocarbons, or HCFC such as R-22, are chemicals that are mainly used as refrigerants in the air conditioning and refrigeration industries. Releases of HCFC’s damage the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolent radiation. In addition, HCFC is a greenhouse gas and when manufactured, results in a by-product that contributes significantly to global warming. By coming together, the impact of this phase out will include repairing the ozone layer and reducing the incidents of skin cancer and cataracts.

Because R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air conditioning systems for over four decades, a great number of homeowners may be made aware of this phase out.

Things for the Homeowner to Consider.
There are no legal requirements to stop using HCFC in your existing air conditioner or other equipment and there is a lengthy phase out period which does provide time to switch to ozone-friendly refrigerants. However, homeowners should be aware that supplies of HCFC that run your air conditioning system will be limited due to the phase out, causing prices to rise. Additionally, starting in 2020, there will be a ban on the production of HCFC, so consumers will need to rely solely on the recycled or reclaimed quantities to service any system that is in operation after this date.
To find out if your present air conditioner contains HCFC, check the nameplate on the unit. Most units have a nameplate that identifies the refrigerant along with other pertinent information. Another option is to check your owner’s manual for the information.

The most notable positive results from this phase out – beyond the affects of saving our environment and the impact on humans – are the technology advancements and increase in efficiency with the new air conditioning system. Technology has been changing very rapidly in the advancements of newer, more efficient systems, resulting in cost savings to the homeowner. These advancements are reflected in the styles of compressors and the design enhancements.

If you have any questions on your existing air conditioning or heat transfer unit, or if you are in the market to purchase a new system, we invite you to contact our customer service department today. We are happy to educate you and provide you with energy efficient systems that will give you the performance, reliability and cost to best fit your needs. Please call us at (800) 404-0371.

UNDERSTANDING HOME HEATING SYSTEMS

Posted by administrator on May 13, 2011 None comments

Heating a home is irrelevant in some places of the country and a matter of survival most of the year in others. As a buyer agent and listing agent, I help buyers and sellers identify what they want (buyers) and what they have (sellers). Most owners and owners-to-be aren’t sure of the differences between various systems, so here’s an overview.

All heating system have four components:

Fuel: This is the energy that the system converts to provide heat. This can be wood, solar, propane, natural gas, electricity, oil, coal.
Fuel Storage: In the case of natural gas and electricity, this fuel isn’t stored, but delivered continuously (as long as you pay the bill). Other fuel can be stored on-site until needed: wood, a gas in a propane tank, oil in an oil tank, batteries for solar heat.
The appliance: This converts the fuel (above) into heat. It could be a boiler, a wood stove, a furnace, space heater, a heat pump or batteries.
The delivery: This is how the heat gets from the appliances (above) to the places around the home. This can be duct-work for air, copper pipes for water, steam radiators for steam, baseboards for electric heat, or a simple fan in the case of a wood stove.

In some places around the country some of these combination are unheard of, so when you’re house-hunting, especially if you’re relocating, take some time to understand what is usual and customary in a new area. Heat pumps, for example are unheard in the frigid northeast; heat pumps don’t really work well below an air temperature of about 25 degrees, so you won’t see them up there.

There are widely varying degrees of efficiency in each of the these fuel sources and each of these appliances, so you need to take into account all the heating system components, as well as the age, design and upgrades to the property you are considering to make a good assessment of the potential costs and maintenance required.

Ask the current owner (if it’s a resale) for copies of the last year’s heating costs and fuel consumption. It’ll give you some idea of what to expect, but keep in mind, if you like your place colder or warmer than the current owner, the costs could be way off. Also keep in mind that most of these fuels may also power other appliances like the stove, water heater, dryer or air conditioning system, so that adds to costs depending on your uses.

If you’re buying, consider the home’s heating approach carefully. Don’t assume that what’s there is the best option for the home, the location and the availability of fuel and repair expertise. Sometimes new homes are built with heating components and approaches from the previous owner based on preferences, not based on efficiencies or common sense. Do your homework, have an inspection done of the entire system and be sure include annual maintenance as part of the costs of home ownership.