Preparing for Power Outage This Hurricane Season

Here in Florida, the holiday season isn't the only time of year we count down to each year. Unfortunately, we also have hurricane season looming over us each summer, and beginning in June until early Fall, we will be warily watching weather reports for any sign of disturbances in the Atlantic or in the Gulf. If and when a hurricane does come our way, we are accustomed to preparing for the worst by investing in plenty of water, nonperishable food, and boarding up windows and doors. But what does a hurricane (and possible power outage) mean for your AC?

Yes, in an emergency situation we know that staying cool with your AC isn't going to be the first thing on your mind. However, any seasoned Floridian will tell you that by day two or three of a power outage following a storm the lack of relief from cool air can deplete morale and leave you in poor spirits. While your AC will be affected during a power outage, you do have options for staying cool if a storm hits our area this season. Remember these tips when preparing for your next hurricane:

• Use your generator wisely. Generators are a great asset to have when the power goes out, especially if it will be out for long periods such as after a major storm, but they carry their own set of risks so knowing how to use them safely is key. Never use a generator indoors as the fumes released contain carbon monoxide and can be deadly in a short amount of time. Additionally, carefully consider what you choose to power with your generator. While it can be temping to blow the entire amount of power to keep your AC going for a few hours, it might be more beneficial to keep your freezer/refrigerator running so you don't lose stored food, to power lights inside your home when the sun goes down, or to run any important medical equipment needed by members of your household.

• Look for alternative cooling methods. If your AC is down, you don't have to resign yourself to suffering in the heat. Fans use way less power than your AC system, and can therefore run easily on a generator. To enhance the cooling capability, hang damp towels or sheets over open windows/doors and place the fan in front of these blowing into your home's interior. The fan will pull air cooled by the water and bring down the temperature in your house. Keep curtains/blinds closed as much as possible during the day to keep the sun from warming your home unnecessarily. Have a pool? Use it! Taking a quick dip and then getting out will help you feel cooler and will be a morale boost

• Do your AC maintenance before a hurricane. Following a hurricane, home repairs of all kinds can leave local service providers (like us) swamped with excess work and emergency calls. We are always thankful to serve our community in a time of need, but we do know that this extra influx of jobs can mean a longer wait for routine customers requesting a regular maintenance appointment or HVAC tune-up. Instead of waiting, scheduling your inspection and maintenance now before hurricane season hits ensures that your system is ready to go following a storm (as long as there was no damage to your home) and you won't be left waiting for an appointment.

We are all crossing our fingers together and hoping for an uneventful hurricane season here in Florida this year, but if 2019 does bring storms our way, we hope you feel prepared and can ride it out with confidence and (relative) comfort. Ready to schedule that maintenance appointment now? Give us a call! We are ready and waiting.

Long Live Your AC: Top 3 Ways for Florida Residents to Extend the Life of Their HVAC Systems

Air conditioning is an amenity important to pretty much everyone in the US during the summer months, but for those of us in Florida, AC is a vital part of life year-round. Our temps stay in the 80s range for almost all 12 months of the year, so if/when it goes out, it's a huge ordeal for everyone in the home/business. Because of the continual use, AC units tend to have a shorter life span in Florida if not cared for properly, and while we can't guarantee just how long your own system will run, we can guarantee that these tips will help keep your AC system in top shape, and that will help it run better for longer. 

Try these 3 tips to give your AC a boost this summer: 

• Give it a rest! Literally. We mean give you AC unit a little time to rest here and there. Great ways to do this are to turn your system down when you'll be out of town, or at night when the air is naturally cooler. By moving your thermostat 5-10 degrees, you can make sure your system is not running all day, every day, and therefore will give it a break. Also, if the air is cooler on a given day, try turning the system off completely for a period of time and use fans or open windows to help allow cooler air into your home. 

• Allow it to breathe. By breathe, we mean circulate air. Your AC's job is to circulate cool air throughout your home. If you have furniture, clutter, or anything else blocking the air vents throughout your home, you're making your AC work harder, and longer, to cool down the home to the desired temperature set with the thermostat. Keep interior doors open, vents free and open to the surrounding room, and curtains closed during the heat of the day to encourage cool air to circulate. 

• Clean and maintain. This is a huge point to remember. Just like your car, your health, or anything else of importance, regular "maintenance" and checkups are key. Having a routine tune-up and cleaning done of your AC system and ductwork is the best way to ensure that everything is working well, and to make any needed repairs in a timely manner to avoid more damage. A clean system is a more efficient system,a and that will extend the life of your HVAC system as a whole. 

Polk County residents trust Ridge Energy Savers to take care of their HVAC needs, with our full-service options including cleaning and maintenance of AC systems, repair of units, and replacement (purchase AND installation) of new HVAC setups. We are proud to be local residents and consider it an honor to serve our friends and neighbors with the best in customer service and products. Give us a call for a quote! 

Relax! Tips to Make Your Christmas Less About Stress, and More About Celebrating the Season

Christmas is meant to be a time for celebrating a season of love and peace, and enjoying time with your family and friends. It's when we step back, take notice of the things around us we care about most, and appreciate having them in our lives. Unfortunately though, while this is what the season should be, it isn't necessarily how modern day Americans practice it. Instead, Christmas has become a time of stress, where we try to replicate impressive gift-wrapping and party ideas we pull from Pinterest, spend more than we should on gifts (that aren't even necessary!) and run around pulling everything together up until the last minute. By the time Christmas day arrives, we are worn out, and simply wish to sit in the quiet alone with a hot chocolate and a movie, rather than investing time in the ones we hold dear. 

Ridge Energy Savers wants to do our part to remedy that this holiday season! It's no secret...self care means you can better care for those around you. We want to offer one lucky winner the chance to spend a full day at the spa on us! It's the perfect time to take a day of rest from the hustle and bustle of shopping, and simply soak in the season with a variety of spa treatments and attention focused solely on YOU. The giveaway for a $200 package from The Oasis Spa in Lake Wales ends on December 17th, so head over to our Facebook page here and enter while you have a chance!

Even if you aren't the lucky winner this year, there are still ways you can make the season less about stress and more about what matters. Try these tips to make the season special and stay relaxed at the same time: 

1. Condense your shopping list! Does your child's secondary substitute gym teacher really need an individually picked out, custom-wrapped gift? For teachers, coworkers, and other "groups" that you have to buy for, why not invest in a group gift? A platter of cookies from a local bakery, having breakfast delivered from a nearby eatery, or even a big bowl of candy with a card from your family could be a great way to spread holiday cheer without breaking the bank (or overloading your schedule).

2. Simplify your hosting. Having Christmas gatherings is what makes the Christmas season feel special, but if you have individual parties for your neighbors, your friends, your spouse's office staff, and your book club, you might feel overwhelmed and already wishing the season of partying was over, instead of looking forward to it with excitement.

3. Consider simplifying your hosting this year. Combine parties where possible (maybe your neighbors and friends could all gather for one big party...it might be a great time to introduce new faces and build networking!), and when not possible, opt for easy, but festive, party ideas. For example, trade out a full 3-course dinner party for the office staff for an evening of coffee, cocktails, and desserts. Instead of an hours-long party for your various clubs and groups of friends, hold an Open House where cider and finger foods can be served for several hours, and individuals are encouraged to stop by whenever convenient throughout that time period. This relieves some of the pressure of hosting, and can lighten up your load allowing you to enjoy the party more and worry less. 

4. Knock out your regular "to do" list early in the month. Taking care of household chores, and other necessary tasks that fall in a typical month, before the holiday season actually arrives is a huge stress relief for many. Taking care of monthly errands (dropping off payment for bills, taking the dog to the vet) and wrapping up tasks such as trimming up shrubs or changing out the AC filter, mean you can consider them done until Christmas is over, and you'll have less on your mind as the big day draws closer. 

Want to relieve even more stress this season? Take your HVAC maintenance off your plate completely! Ridge Energy Savers is proud to offer full service for systems of all kinds. Our package includes a full checkup of your system, in addition to details like changing out your filter. Our goal is to keep your system working at its best all year long. We worry about it, so you don't have to! 

Happy holidays from Ridge Energy Savers. Good luck to all who enter our "Spa-tacular" giveaway! 

"Fall" into the Habit of Year-Round AC Care: Seasonal Tips for Your HVAC System

Taking care of your AC unit is always at the forefront of your mind during the summer months...and almost year-round here in Central Florida thanks to our continually mild (a.k.a. blazing hot) temperatures. However, when cold snaps do blow through, or when we get an extended period of cooler, wet weather during the Fall and Winter months, it's easy to forget about ongoing maintenance of your AC unit and instead relish in opening windows, and *gasp* even turning on your heat. However, failing to give some attention to your AC, even during the off months, could result in damage and expensive repairs.

"Falling" into the habit of year-round AC maintenance (and knowing what NOT to do for your unit) is a great way to make your HVAC system last for years to come. Here are our handy tips to help you this Fall and Winter:

• Do NOT use an AC cover. Yes, we know you've seen people up north use plastic covers to protect their AC units from the snow, but in reality, even the majority of people who get regular winter weather don't really need to cover their AC unit. The systems are designed to withstand wet weather, including snow. In fact, keeping them uncovered will let them breathe and dry out more quickly following snowfall and resulting melting. Obviously, snow isn't a concern in Florida, but some people might feel the need to cover their unit if weather is excessively wet and/or cold, and that's not advisable.

• Do continue to change your air filter. Even if your AC isn't getting as much action as it does during the summer months, keeping a fresh filter in is the best way to keep your system running at its best, and will therefore make it last longer and work more efficiently when you do need it.

• Do keep shrubs, trees, weeds, and grasses trimmed and away from your AC unit. Not only can these limit evaporation of moisture (leading to damage over time) but they can also hinder air flow, which will make your system work harder and burn more energy when trying to cool your home.

• Do continue scheduling tune-ups and maintenance appointments as needed. Don't put off "check-ups" for your HVAC system just because summer has passed us by for the year. Making sure all elements of your AC are working at full capacity is important all year long, as you don't want to be caught off guard without air once the temps go back up again.

For all of your AC repair and maintenance needs, Ridge Energy Savers is here for you. We are proud to serve the greater Polk County area with only the best in HVAC services, from purchase and installation, to maintenance packages (including filter changes) to help you stay cool.

Fall Is Here...Are You Ready?

While Florida residents know we have a few more weeks (or even months) before we feel the cooling effects of Fall, people are gearing up for seasonal changes starting now. Your AC will still be in use for weeks to come, but having your heat source(s) prepped now means you won't be left shivering or trying to air out your home from burning dust. Fortunately, Ridge Energy Savers offers both heating AND cooling services, so we have your temperature control covered no matter the weather outside. 

How can you prepare your home and heating system for the cooler months?

• Look for leaks! We aren't referring to fluid leaks (although, those are important to watch for too when it comes to your AC). Rather, we are talking about "air leaks" around windows, under doors, and around other entrances of your home, like pipes and vents. Any area not properly sealed is a way that cold can get in (and valuable heat can get out), thus making your system work much harder to remain at your desired temp. 

• Clean your vents. No one enjoys having a home that smells like burning dust when they turn on their heater. It's common for Florida heating systems to burn off a bit of dust at the beginning of each season since they aren't used frequently, or over a long span of time. However, thoroughly cleaning your vents, and having your duct work professionally cleaned, will lessen the amount of dust and grime buildup and will leave your air fresher and healthier when it's time to crank up the heat this winter. 

• Have your heating and cooling system evaluated. If your home is heated by furnace, you certainly need to make sure everything is in working order since a faulty gas furnace could result in dangerous fumes being leaked into your home. No matter what type of system you have, making sure it's working efficiently and that all parts are functioning properly is key in keeping your home comfortable and staying on budget with your energy costs. 

No matter the season, you can always call on Ridge to come to the rescue! We serve the greater Polk County area with only the best in AC, heating, and refrigeration services, so you know you can trust us to help you keep your cool (or stay warm) all year long. Our maintenance packages give you the option of having a "checkup" for your system on a routine basis, so you're never caught off guard with an unexpected repair, or worse, without your AC or heat when you need it. Give us a call and see what we can do for you! 

Commercial Upkeep: Why Restaurants Should Invest in A Maintenance Plan

Homeowners know the importance of maintenance, and often they choose to be proactive and invest in plans for routine inspections and “tune-ups” for their appliances and major home systems.  Here in Florida, the HVAC system is especially important since our temperatures soar during the summer, and remain relatively high for the majority of the year.  Businesses have just as much need of HVAC maintenance as residential customers, yet they often opt out of maintenance plans and agreements, and instead use service only when something goes wrong.

This is really not the best scenario, since restaurants usually have customers dining in, and the majority of their livelihood depends on the food within their industrial fridges and freezers.  If you own a restaurant, consider this: waiting until your HVAC system or commercial refrigeration has an issue, or worse, goes out altogether, could cost you hundreds in profit and lost materials.  Think about a typical day in your business, and then picture it without a functional AC and/or no refrigeration.  Your staff, and your customers, will be uncomfortable and hot, and that usually puts everyone in a foul mood.  No refrigeration means meat, dairy, and produce will begin to spoil, so you are forced to cook everything at once and then keep it at the appropriate temperature to maintain codes, OR you just accept that you’ll lose food and toss stuff as it climbs above the permitted temperature.  If you ignore the health codes, and are caught, you could be facing even MORE lost profit since you’ll be paying fines and could even be shut down periodically.

All that money lost would more than pay for a maintenance plan for your HVAC system and refrigeration appliances in your restaurant.  A maintenance plan covers routine inspections where potential issues can be discovered early before they cause bigger problems.  Even better?  With Ridge Energy Savers, local Polk County maintenance agreement customers get 10% off parts for repairs needed during these inspections, so you’re actually saving money in the long run!

Protect your restaurant and your money.  Give us a call about our maintenance plan and how it can work for you.