Best AC Systems for Florida Homeowners

If you’re getting too hot at home in Florida, then it’s time to install a new air conditioning system. There are several types of cooling systems to choose from! Call us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air for Sarasota air conditioning services and help choosing the best AC system for you and your family.

Window Air Conditioners

These are best in spaces that do not have air conditioning and where you cannot install it for some reason. For instance, some homes cannot be retrofitted for any other type of AC system. Renters like these air conditioning units because they are easy to install and portable.

Portable Air Conditioners

If you can’t install another type of AC and you don’t have a window that can support an air conditioner, then a portable unit might be right for you. These use a long hose to suck in air from outside. Then the unit cools the air and lowers the temperature in your Sarasota home.

Central Air Conditioning

This is the traditional type of AC that most people think of when they think of air conditioning. It isn’t the most efficient type of cooling but it does allow you to cool your entire home all at once. If you want to do AC installation in Sarasota with this type of system, it takes a lot of planning and a significant amount of time to make sure the job gets done well.

Hybrid/Heat Pump Systems

These systems switch between gas and electricity, depending on what is more efficient at the given time. In the summer, the system will pump the extra heat out of your home to cool you off. In the winter, it will pump heat into your home to help you stay warm. These air conditioning units can help you stay comfortable for less money! Contact us today for AC replacement to get started with your Sarasota heat pump installation.

Ductless Mini-Split AC

If you only want to cool certain rooms in your home or your home won’t support retrofitting for central AC, a ductless mini-split system will help you get cool. You can install as many as 4 indoor units connected to one outdoor unit to stay comfortable inside your Florida residence.

Call Now For AC Installation in Sarasota

The HVAC experts from Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air can help you choose the best air conditioner for your home. We’ll work with you to evaluate all of the relevant factors, then help you select among the many types of air conditioners to get one that you will love and that will keep you cool for many years. Whether you simply need a new system, or you’re looking to upgrade after too many AC repairs in Sarasota, our team will help! We are the top air conditioning service in Florida for AC installation and replacement since 1973, so you can place your trust in us. Call now!

The Advantages of Ductless AC

Whether or not you’ve heard of a ductless air conditioner, it might be the best option for cooling your home. At Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air, we love ductless AC for a lot of reasons and we think you’ll love it, too. Here’s what you need to know so you can make wise decisions about cooling systems for your home and your family. 

What is Ductless Air Conditioning?

Ductless air conditioning does not require a duct system in your home. Instead, you have a small outdoor cooling unit connected to ductless AC units in every room of your home. You can turn on the AC and control the temperatures from your thermostat. 

However, you do not have to cool your entire home all the time. Instead, you can turn it on in one room at a time or in a section of rooms called a zone. Some units even allow you to have the heat running in one part of your house while the AC runs in another!

How a Ductless Air Conditioner Could Benefit You

Not sure if a ductless split AC unit is right for you? Here are just a few of the benefits that we’ve seen other customers in your area reap. 

Save Money

Since you don’t have to run every ductless AC unit in your home at once, this system can save you money. You will use less energy, so your bills will be lower every month. You may also be eligible for tax credits and/or utility rebates in your area for the year that you install your ductless air conditioner. Ask us about these programs when we install your unit!

Breathe Clean Air

Since your ductless air conditioner doesn’t rely on air sucked in through your ducts, it can increase the quality of the air you’re breathing at home. Limit exposure to allergens, dust, and anything else that could come in through your ducts. 

Get Flexible Cooling

Cool one room or one zone at a time without paying to cool your whole house. You can also set the temperature to different levels in different areas of your home so everyone can be comfortable. 

Easy to Install

Traditional AC systems take weeks to install and involve a major disruption in your home. A ductless air conditioner, on the other hand, could be fully functional in just a day or so. 

Use Less Energy

Ductless AC uses less energy because you’re not cooling your house all the time. These units are also energy-efficient. They go above and beyond the standards set by the US government!

If you’re interested in a ductless AC unit, reach out to us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today! We’ll have an expert to your door fast to help you decide if a ductless air conditioner is right for you. And remember, if you need AC repair, AC replacement, or any other AC services in the Sarasota area, we’re here to help!

Get the Most Out of Your Air Conditioner This Summer!

If you have air conditioning, you’re probably enjoying it a lot these days. However, if you’re like most homeowners, you hate paying for the energy that your AC unit uses. Here are some ways to make the most out of the money you spend on cooling costs. 

Choose a Venting Strategy

Depending on how your home is laid out and where your vents are, you may choose to close some of them at different times of day. You can cool the downstairs when you’re there, then cool the upstairs at night. You may also want to close vents that lead to bathrooms or laundry rooms where you don’t really need cold air.

Unblock Your Vents

Make sure the vents you want to use aren’t covered or blocked in any way. This can keep your cold air from circulating as designed. Remove furniture, drapes, baskets, and more to clear the way!

Use Fans Wisely

Both ceiling fans and portable fans can help you stay cooler. Fans are designed to cool people, not air. If you’re in a room with a fan, it can help you stay cooler by moving the air against your skin, but it won’t help you lower the temperature of the room. Turn on fans when you’re in a room, then turn them off when you leave. Make sure your fans are spinning the proper direction for summer!

Keep in mind, there is a significant difference between optimizing your AC’s effectiveness and dealing with a broken AC. If your air conditioning system simply isn’t working as you need it to, we’ll be here for you with Sarasota AC repair and AC replacement. If you need help getting the most out of your air conditioning this summer, call us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today!

Does Thermostat Placement Matter?

We work in a lot of homes in Southwest Florida, and we see a lot of different AC setups. One thing that we have learned over the years is that YES, thermostat placement does matter. Here’s what you need to know. 

Keep Your Thermostat Away From Temperature Variant Areas

Your thermostat shouldn’t be in the sun. It also shouldn’t be near the kitchen, especially if you use your stove or oven quite a bit. 

Similarly, you should keep your thermostat away from air vents, so it doesn’t register extra hot or cold temperatures. Doors and windows can also let in drafts and skew the temperature on your thermostat. 

Keep Your Thermostat Out of Unused Areas

Most people don’t hang out in the hallway, so you shouldn’t put your thermostat there because hallway temperature doesn’t matter. You’ll also want to make sure that your thermostat is in a room that you use often, rather than in one where you don’t spend much time. 

Where Should My Thermostat Be?

Ideally, your thermostat will be on an inside wall, somewhere near the middle of your house. If you experience dramatically different temperatures in different areas, you may want to install a second thermostat sensor elsewhere in your home. That way, you can make sure the whole house is comfortable. 

If you have questions about whether your thermostat is located ideally or you want to move yours, reach out to us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today. Our Florida AC experts help you get the most out of your thermostat no matter what needs to be done with it. And remember, if you need AC repair, AC replacement, AC maintenace or any other AC services in Sarasota or the surrounding areas, our team is here to help.

6 Ways to Prepare Your AC Unit for Hurricane Season

Hurricane season runs from June 1 to November 30 every year. This is a long season but you can get your Sarasota air conditioning through it when you follow these steps. That way, you may avoid storm-related AC repair in Sarasota. 

1. Precool your home. If you know that a storm is coming and you’ll probably lose power, make sure your home is cool before that storm hits. This won’t get you through an entire week without power, but it will help you stay cool for as long as possible. Try not to go in and out too much while the power is out, because you’ll let the hot air in.
2. Turn off the electricity at your AC unit. Use your breaker panel to do this. Find the right breaker for your air conditioner and just flick it off. This helps avoid power surge damage to your air conditioning unit.
3. Cover your AC unit. This keeps limbs and other debris from getting into your air conditioner and causing major damage. You’ll want to use something like plywood, rather than something like a tarp, because this provides more protection and may keep you from losing your air conditioner to the storm and needing an AC replacement in Sarasota. 
4. Secure your unit. While units have to be strapped down with hurricane straps, many people remove these for various reasons. Make sure these are fully installed again before the storm hits so your air conditioner doesn’t become a projectile. 
5. Check your AC system before you start it back up. After the storm, make sure that your air conditioner is clean, that the copper lines aren’t cut off, that your unit is right side up, and that it looks like it should work. Uncover your unit, too, or your unit will break as it tries to run.
6. Reach out to us. Our Sarasota air conditioning experts will get to you as soon as we possibly can to inspect your AC unit or find out why it isn’t running well. Do note that we may not be able to enter certain neighborhoods after the storm until they get cleared by the power companies. We also tend to get overloaded after storms, though we will always make sure that we get to you as soon as we possibly can. 

We won’t charge you after-hours fees or extra service calls when the area is in a state of emergency. If you’re worried that a hurricane has damaged your AC system, we’ll get to you quickly and get things working again for a reasonable price. If you need air conditioner repair or an AC replacement in Sarasota after a storm, we’ll get it done fast. 

Contact us at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air today for Sarasota air conditioning help or to ask us questions about getting your home ready for hurricane season. We are here for all of your cooling needs in Sarasota and the surrounding areas. 

Can You Replace An Air Conditioner Yourself?

We know just how hot the summers can get around here and we would love to help you stay cool this summer. If you’ve been thinking about getting a new air conditioner, this is the perfect season to make that purchase. But don’t try to install it yourself, as that is a job that is best left up to the experts.

Why AC Replacement is Not DIY

Putting in a new air conditioning unit is a very technical process. That’s why there are HVAC technicians who dedicate their careers to learning this trade who you can hire to do a premium job. When you have the pros at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air handle your AC replacement, you don’t have to worry about if its done right or if any wiring got messed up.

Signs You Need A New AC Unit

If you’re not sure that the time is right for you, here are some things to think about when considering a new AC.

• How much does your AC cost to maintain? If your air conditioner needs repairs every month or so, even if they are small ones, it may be time to replace it. It could save you in the long run!
• How old is your AC? Units older than 10-15 years probably cost more to run than newer ones, and they are also more likely to die on you. Older units also used outdated coolant that you can’t replace to make them cool more efficiently.
• Can you stay cool at home? If you remember being hot last summer no matter how far you cranked down the AC, you may need a new unit to stay comfortable this year.

Our expert technicians from Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air would love to help you choose your new air conditioner. They will also order it, make sure it gets delivered properly, and install your AC according to the manufacturer’s instructions. That way, you can be sure the job was done well. We can also talk to you about whether a new AC is the right choice for you this summer.

How Long Will AC Units Last?

When your Sarasota air conditioning just stops working, it’s usually pretty clear that you need a new one. However, most units will let you know that they are struggling before they stop working entirely. If you can read the signs, you can replace it before it dies entirely. That way, you never have to be uncomfortable in your home.

Not sure what you’re looking for? Here are some signs that you might need an AC replacement in Sarasota.

Your Sarasota Air Conditioning is Old

Older air conditioners run less efficiently than newer ones. Even if they are working well, they weren’t designed to save you money like the newer ones are. Since most systems were only designed to last for 10-15 years, anything older than that might be costing you more than you know in utilities. These systems can also be harder and more expensive to repair, especially with the new legislation surrounding coolants. Replacing it when it breaks may be your only option, or a better option if you’re constantly calling for AC repair in Sarasota.

However, besides age, there are other reasons why we recommend having your AC replaced and getting a new one installed.

You Call for AC Repair in Sarasota…A Lot

Many air conditioners require repair every now and then. If, however, you are calling more often than you’d like, then it’s probably time to consider a new unit. When you know your HVAC tech by name because he’s come out so many times, it might be more economical to replace the current air conditioner rather than to continue spending money on AC repair in Sarasota.

Your Utility Bills Keep Going Up

If your electricity seems high and it just keeps climbing, especially during those hot summer months, then it might be time for an AC replacement in Sarasota. Units that aren’t functioning well will have to run longer and work harder than air conditioners that are in good working order. This means that they will be more expensive to run. Investing in a new unit could save you money on electricity.

Your Home isn’t Cool Enough

Do you feel hot at home, no matter what you do? Do you feel like your Sarasota air conditioning runs and runs but you never, ever get comfortable? Your air conditioner might be too small for your home, or it may be unable to cool enough air to keep the house as cool as it used to. No matter the cause, having an AC installation in Sarasota that’s properly sized for your home can get you cool again.

If you’re ready to hear more about how new Sarasota air conditioning could benefit you and your family, give us a call at Wimpy’s Plumbing & Air. We’d be happy to come out, examine your old unit, and help you find a new air conditioner that will keep you cool for many years to come.