Summer in Florida is not for the faint of heart, and any of us who have lived here for a long time know that a good AC is the secret to making it through (relatively) unscathed. With temps that soar into the triple digits, and little to no breeze here in the central portion of the Sunshine State, there really are few ways (outside of staying in the pool 24/7) to keep your home at a comfortable temperature other than air conditioning. That's well and good until...

Your AC goes out. 😱

Now what? Well, the first step is to make sure your AC actually has gone out, and it's not just a power blip or some other benign issue. If it's a power blip you have to wait until the power comes back on. Keep windows and doors closed to retain cool air, use fans as needed, and do your best to stay comfortable while you wait it out. If the rest of the house is powered though, it's time to more thoroughly inspect your air conditioner. Start by checking the thermostat and verify that all settings are where they should be. Then, test your AC by overriding the thermostat and trying to intentionally get the unit to turn on. Do you hear it running but feel no cool air coming from the vents? That's a sign that your AC isn't working properly, as is not hearing the unit turn on at all. If this is the case, it's time to move on to step two, which is call for help.

If your AC goes out during the day, it's hard due to the heat, but you know you have the hope of help coming quickly as most AC companies are still on the clock and can send someone out to diagnose (and hopefully repair) the problem. However, Murphy's Law does tend to apply here, and we have had many calls from frantic homeowners who have had the unfortunate stroke of bad luck of their AC going out in the evening. Facing a night in the heat is no fun, and for some can even be dangerous, as many heart patients and those with temperature-related issues can't handle being in the heat for extended periods of time and require a cool environment. That's why having an AC company with emergency service for after-hours repairs is HUGE for Polk County residents.

Ridge Energy Savers offers 24/7 emergency service to all of Polk County. With our team of expert technicians, you can count on us to quickly and efficiently inspect your AC unit, find the problem, and come up with a plan of action to get it back up and running ASAP. Additionally, we offer maintenance services for routine AC needs, from filter changes to annual checkups, so you're less likely to find yourself in need of emergency help. Give us a call...and maybe stick our number up on your fridge or store it in your phone. The next time you have an AC 9-1-1, you know you can call Ridge to the Rescue!

When it comes to AC in Polk County, most of us rank it as one of the utilities necessary for life, right up there with water and electricity. Unfortunately, it's not always the cheapest utility, and it contributes to a huge portion of monthly energy usage for many homeowners. Because of that, AC companies are continually seeking out ways to make units run more efficiently while getting maximum impact, but the AC unit itself can't be the sole factor held responsible for energy usage and temperature control. Having your home setup to aid in efficiency for your HVAC system means your home will stay at a more consistent comfortable temperature, and you'll be saving money at the same time. How can you make this happen in your home?

Leave those doors open! An "open door" policy for the interior doors of your home promotes air flow, and that means all rooms are cooled equally and your system won't have to work as hard.
Trap that cool air! Precious cool air can escape through the tiniest spaces, so making sure you've properly sealed around doors, windows, vents, etc. is key in making the most of the energy used by your HVAC system. Caulking, insulating strips, and other forms of sealant are inexpensive but will save you a surprising amount of cash on your energy bill each month.
Take a second look at your windows. If you have an older home, or if the windows are a low-grade, single-paned option, they could be contributing to excess usage of your AC (and therefore costing you significant income on electricity). Double-paned, insulted windows might cost a little more up front, but they last for many years, and the savings on your energy bills can sometimes (almost) pay for them over time.
Opt for a smart thermostat. Thermostats have come a long way in recent years, and with the new "smart" options that connect to your wifi, and your devices, you can maximize usage of your HVAC system all day, every day. Set your unit to turn up during the hottest parts of the day, but back off at night when the temperatures fall naturally. Program your unit to respond to the hours when you and your family are home vs. when you area away at work and school. An empty home doesn't care if it's a few degrees warmer than normal. Additionally, you can control your system when you're away from your house, so if you find out the temps have dropped around your home, but you're out of town, you can drop the system back and your unit won't be needlessly running for hours each day.

Ridge Energy Savers is here to help our Polk County friends and neighbors make the most of their AC systems, and to help them stay cool all year long. When HVAC systems go on the fritz, that's when we come to the rescue! From AC repair and diagnostics, to full system replacements, we take care of any sized job. Give us a call!