Author: Air Docs

How do you find your optimal sleep temperature? That is a question many people ask themselves regularly, but the answer is not always easy to come by. There are many factors that can affect how comfortable you are when sleeping, including air conditioning or heating in the room, humidity levels and even what type of mattress you’re using.

HOW TEMPERATURE AFFECTS YOUR SLEEP CYCLE

Temperature affects your cycles of sleeping and waking by altering the time you spend in each stage of sleep. Generally speaking, warmer temperatures promote lighter sleep, and there are more arousals from a shallower sleep state. On the other hand, cooler temperatures result in deeper slumber with an increased amount of time spent in slow-wave sleep (SWS). SWS is the deepest phase of sleep prior to rapid eye movement (REM), and it is considered to be the most restorative. This means that warm nights can produce lots of micro awakenings and fail to yield sufficient rest.

In this blog post, we will go over 11 tips for getting the right sleep temperature every night.

STEP 1: DETERMINE IF YOU ARE A HOT OR COLD SLEEPER

If you fall asleep in a few seconds and rarely feel the need to pull the covers up, chances are you are a warm sleeper. Keep your bedroom at around 70 degrees Fahrenheit to ensure your optimal sleep temperature. However, if you wake up often during the night and have to pile on multiple blankets before finally dozing off, you may be a cold sleeper who should lower the temperature in your bedroom just a bit when it is time for bed.

STEP 2: DRESS COMFORTABLY FOR BED EACH NIGHT

One of the most important aspects of finding your perfect sleep temperature is how many layers of clothing you put on yourself at night. You should be wearing enough to avoid getting chilled but not so much that you overheat.

STEP 3: ADJUST THE THERMOSTAT IN YOUR HOUSE

If you have central air conditioning or heating, adjusting the temperature of your household during wintertime may help you fall asleep faster at night. Lowering this setting by a few degrees can be a comfortable way to sleep cooler while allowing for everyone else in your home to stay warm. This is also true if you’re feeling too warm while sleeping. Raising the temperature slightly will allow for better airflow within your bedroom. However, keep in mind that altering the thermostat settings too much will increase your energy bill over time.

STEP 4: DRESS ACCORDING TO THE WEATHER OUTSIDE

Although dressing comfortably for bed is important, you should not wear too many clothes to sleep if it’s warm outside. In nice weather, leave a window open during the night so that there is always some sort of airflow within your bedroom.

STEP 5: CONSIDER INSTALLING A FAN

If you live in an especially hot or cold location, having this type of equipment installed in your home may be very helpful in finding the right temperature for nighttime relaxation. While fans are usually used in warmer areas because they can be helpful when trying to cool down a bedroom on a warm summer night, using one in a colder climate can help reduce your heating expenses.

STEP 6: EXPERIMENT WITH DIFFERENT TEMPERATURES BEFORE BED

Before spending money on installing new equipment in your house, it helps to experiment with slightly warming up or cooling down the temperature in your bedroom. If you’re using an electric blanket to stay warm at night, try keeping it unplugged and using extra standard blankets instead. For people who live in a very hot part of the world, sleeping without any blankets can be incredibly refreshing.

STEP 7: FIND SLEEP AIDS THAT HELP REGULATE YOUR BODY TEMPERATURE

A lot of people notice that they tend to get too hot or too cold when trying to fall asleep every night, but did you know that there are plenty of products out there created just for this issue? Many types of mattress pads include special features designed specifically for regulating body temperature while sleeping. You can buy specific types of bedsheets made from materials that resist temperature change. There are also pillows filled with cooling gel.

STEP 8: CONSIDER SLEEPING NAKED FOR A MORE COMFORTABLE TEMPERATURE

Although it might seem strange, sleeping completely nude — or at least wearing very little clothing — is a great way to find the right sleep temperature at night. Of course, the reverse can also be true. If you are concerned about warmth during colder months, put on an extra pair of socks.

STEP 9: CHOOSE THE RIGHT MATTRESS PAD FOR YOUR PREFERENCES

There are lots of different types of pads and mattress toppers available these days. Finding the right one for your needs can help make falling asleep easier by keeping your body at the right temperature throughout the night. Some create a barrier between you and the mattress to keep you off of cold air while others have materials that allow you to sleep comfortably at either extreme of temperature. You can also buy different “zones” within one pad if you want certain areas of your body (such as your legs or torso) feeling warmer than your head.

STEP 10: EVALUATE HOW MUCH MONEY IT COSTS TO OPERATE HEATING AND COOLING DEVICES IN YOUR HOME

A lot of people assume that they need their house to be uncomfortably hot (or cold) when they’re trying to fall asleep at night, but this isn’t actually true. Before turning up the heat during winter or blasting the AC in the summer, take some time to calculate how much these devices cost when running for extended periods throughout the day.

STEP 11: INVEST IN A GOOD MATTRESS THAT REGULATES TEMPERATURE

Many modern mattresses are specially designed to have features that help you maintain the right body temperature when sleeping. With one of these, there’s no need for an extra mattress topper or heated blanket. If your current bed isn’t very comfortable, this is often a great choice for improving your sleep quality.

Remember, everyone has different preferences regarding how hot or cold they like their bedroom during slumber. Whether you’re trying to cool down on a warm night or stay nice and cozy during wintertime, there are plenty of simple ways to achieve your ideal temperature without needing any extra products or equipment. Although sometimes a warmer temperature is better for falling asleep and other times a cooler temperature will help you drift off to dreamland faster, remember that you get the final say over your preferred level of warmth.

Air Docs Heating & Cooling provides the best customer service in and around Vero Beach for heating, cooling and indoor air quality needs. Contact our experts at Air Docs Heating & Cooling to get started on a new heating or air conditioning installation or replacement. We also perform a full range of maintenance and repairs. Our team of experts is ready and waiting to assist you in finding the best sleeping temperature to optimize your comfort so you get a good night’s rest. For more information, call us today.

If you’ve got limited experience with cooling equipment, shopping for a new air conditioner is guaranteed to be a challenge. When tackling these projects on their own, many homeowners purchase the largest air conditioners they can find. With the notion that bigger is always better, most wind up installing equipment incapable of working efficiently in their homes. However, size is hardly the sole concern when it comes to choosing these appliances. There are many types of air conditioners on the market, and each has its own benefits and drawbacks. Read on to discover which option will be best for you.

CENTRAL HVAC SYSTEMS AND THE NEED FOR EXISTING DUCTWORK

Many homes have never had air conditioning before. Their former owners made do with inefficient window units, swamp coolers, or a combination of fans and sheer will. As temperatures become increasingly unpredictable and severe weather events abound, having a functional cooling system is fast becoming essential. But what can you do if your home doesn’t have the necessary ductwork for supporting a central cooling system?

Central cooling systems have two separate components. These are an indoor compressor and an outside condenser unit. In central air conditioning systems, cooled air is pushed or forced through a vast system of ducts and then distributed to individual zones or rooms via air registers or vents. If your home wasn’t built with ducting, you always have the option of adding this in post-construction. However, there are several significant drawbacks to doing so. To start, post-construction ductwork projects tend to be quite expensive.

Moreover, as these features are added to existing properties, they can take up a lot of the usable, livable area indoors. Finally, these systems are not as well insulated or efficient as ductwork built during initial construction, and they’re rarely aesthetically pleasing. Notwithstanding these things, if central air conditioning is something you absolutely must have, you can find an HVAC service that offers custom ductwork. Together, you and your provider can arrive at a feasible plan for adding ducts to your home that are as affordable, inconspicuous, and space-saving as they can possibly be. Once ductwork has been installed, your house can be fitted with a central air conditioning unit.

DUCTLESS MULTI-SPLIT AIR CONDITIONERS

A far more feasible way to equip a ductless home with air conditioning is installing a multi-split air conditioner. Ductless multi-split air conditioners have either a compressor or condenser outdoors and small, separate air handlers in each room that they’re meant to serve. The indoor air handling units for these systems are small, flat, and fairly inconspicuous. They can be installed in a discreet location on the wall or even placed on the ceiling. They won’t diminish room aesthetics, and they’ll consistently provide efficient performance.

While most central air conditioners are designed to provide uniformly cool temperatures throughout the entire house, multi-split air conditioners are zoned to provide customized comfort. This makes it possible to turn air handlers off in zones or rooms that aren’t being used. It additionally allows building occupants in different zones to establish their preferred temperatures. In many instances, ductless multi-split AC systems are far more efficient than central cooling. This is because they aren’t constantly working to cool the entire building down.

However, it may be possible to achieve this same level of efficiency with central air conditioning in some homes. Zoned central cooling allows for selective delivery of conditioned air to separate zones or rooms. Much like ductless mini-splits, zoned central cooling systems have multiple thermostats, and temperatures can be set at each air handler independently.

REPLACING YOUR EXISTING CENTRAL AIR CONDITIONER

A lot of homeowners who need to have their old, outdated air conditioners replaced mistakenly assume that these projects will be as simple as disconnecting their current units and popping their new ones in. However, given that the average air conditioner will last approximately 15 years, dramatic changes in the dimensions of new models frequently make these projects far more complex. Modern air conditioners tend to be a lot larger than the air conditioners that were installed just 15 years ago. For instance, new AC models have significantly bigger cooling coils for increased efficiency and improved cooling power. As such, your AC replacement might require modifications to the area that houses the compressor, changes to the area where the outside condenser is currently placed, upgrades to your electrical plan, or even changes to your existing ductwork.

While you might be comfortable using the AC model you currently own, replacing an old air conditioner is an opportunity to experience some of the latest innovations in cooling technologies. Modern air conditioners offer better air purification for higher indoor air qualities (IAQs), better humidity regulation, and lower operational costs. They use less energy, are capable of doing more, and can even last a bit longer than older designs. Thus, you should never be afraid to explore different brands, various options at different price points, and different air conditioner types.

COOLING DOWN YOUR NEWLY FINISHED BASEMENT OR IN-LAW UNIT

It may be that you already have a reliable air conditioner for servicing the majority of your home and that you simply need supplemental equipment for cooling down a remote area. This may be the case if you’ve recently finished your basement or attic or if you’ve had an in-law unit built in. For spaces like these, ductless mini-split air conditioners are the best choice. There’s no need to extend your existing ductwork, and multi-split installation doesn’t require a number of building modifications.

For areas like these, you can also consider installing a floor-mounted air conditioner. These are a far less costly choice for homeowners with relatively small areas to service. Floor-mounted air conditioners also work great in rooms that aren’t structurally capable of accommodating ductless mini-splits. These units are much quieter than swamp coolers or basic window ACs, and they’re also far more efficient.

DUAL FUEL AIR CONDITIONERS

There are also dual fuel air conditioning systems. These work a lot like central HVAC, but they don’t require ductwork. For instance, if you want to have a ductless mini-split installed but also need a way to warm your home in the winter, a dual fuel air conditioner will offer both cooling and heating via a heat pump and furnace. As necessary, these systems can seamlessly toggle between using natural gas and electricity.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT AC SIZE

Just as important as choosing the right AC type is finding the right air conditioner size. At the very start of a professional air conditioner installation, HVAC technicians will perform careful measurements of the building size. They’ll consider the layout and age of the property and any other relevant factors to determine which AC specifications will provide the greatest amount of efficiency comfort. Bigger doesn’t always mean better, and this is certainly true with air conditioners. If you buy a unit that’s much too large for your home, it will constantly cycle off and on. Conversely, if you select an AC unit that happens to be too small, this equipment will run all of the time, and it won’t make anyone feel much cooler.

At Air Docs Heating & Cooling, we have extensive experience in choosing the perfect air conditioners for every environment. We offer a vast range of heating, cooling, and plumbing services. We also provide reliable heating oil and propane delivery to Vero Beach and the surrounding areas. If you’re ready to have an air conditioner installed in your home, call us now to request a quote.

Many people look forward to getting away from the stress of daily life with a much-deserved vacation. While vacations may be relaxing, there are many things to be considered prior to your departure. Among those things to consider is how you should set your AC prior to leaving.

If you are only going to be away from home for a day or so, you may find that leaving your home’s AC at the usual setting is not a problem. However, if you are going to be gone for longer than a couple of days, it’s typically a good idea to adjust the temperature of your AC to avoid coming home to an issue that could turn out to be quite expensive.

WHY YOU SHOULDN’T SHUT OFF YOUR AC

It might seem as though it would be a good idea to simply turn off your air conditioner since you won’t be at home anyway. Although this might even seem as though it would be a cost-saving and energy-saving move, you may not want to completely shut off your AC while you are away from home for a few days.

If your home gets too hot, it could lead to some unpleasant consequences and actually end up costing you more money in the long run. The last thing you want is to come home from a fun-filled vacation only to find some nasty surprises.

EXCESS HUMIDITY

Many people mistakenly think that air conditioning is only needed to keep a home cool. While that is certainly an important reason for having air conditioning in your home, it is not the only reason. Air conditioning is also responsible for the control of humidity. Your air conditioning system works by pulling warm air from your home. That heat is absorbed by refrigerant coils along with moisture from the air.

Ideally, humidity levels should not be higher than 50%. Once humidity levels rise above 50%, you may experience problems with condensation and other issues, such as:

• Musty odors
• Mold
• Paint peeling
• Warped wood floors, furniture, etc.

Certainly, no one wants to come home from vacation only to find that their home has suddenly developed a nasty odor or that mold has begun to grow on everything from food and the carpet to the wood and insulation. Keeping your air conditioning running, at least minimally, can help to combat such problems.

APPLIANCE STRESS

You might not realize it, but your appliances are designed to operate in certain temperature ranges. When placed outside such temperature ranges, your home’s appliances experience stress and that stress can lead to a number of problems. For instance, when placed in an overly warm environment, many appliances will begin working overtime. This can lead to such issues as:

• Breakdowns
• Increased energy bills
• Spoiled food

DAMAGE TO ELECTRONICS

Most homes today are filled with a variety of electronics, such as televisions, computers, alarm systems, video game systems, and more. All such electronic items contain sensitive circuitry. In high temperatures, the soldering that is intended to hold this circuitry together may begin melting. Ultimately, this can result in fried circuits, cracked screens, and damaged motors.

PHYSICAL DAMAGE TO YOUR HOME

Excessive temperatures in any direction are not good for your home. While your home might be able to survive temperature extremes in the short term, over a sustained period of time, your home may experience damage when exposed to temperatures that are too hot or too cold. For instance, high levels of heat and humidity can lead to damaged sheetrock or cause paint to peel.

FINDING THE RIGHT BALANCE TO SET YOUR AC AT BEFORE GOING ON VACATION

Clearly, simply shutting off your air conditioner when you go on vacation is not a good idea. Yet, at the same time, you probably do not want to leave your AC set to the same temperature that you would have set while you are at home. Therefore, it’s important to find the right balance to avoid potential damage while keeping energy costs low.

Generally speaking, the best course of action is to adjust the temperature of your air conditioning by about five degrees what your normal setting. For example, if you typically set your thermostat to 70 degrees, then you could adjust it to 75 degrees while you are on vacation with no worries. This will give you the flexibility of taking advantage of energy efficiency without worrying that you will come home to damage to your home’s structure, appliances, or electronics.

At the most, however, you should not adjust your thermostat to more than 85 degrees. At a maximum of 85 degrees, you will be able to ensure that your home maintains a safe humidity level without worrying that your home will become too hot.

SETTING YOUR THERMOSTAT TO AUTOMATIC

It’s also a good idea to make sure that your fan is set to the automatic mode rather than having it set to run continuously. By setting your fan to Auto, your air conditioner will only run when necessary to maintain the temperature at which you have set your thermostat. This gives you the ability to save money and energy.

WHAT IF I HAVE PETS?

If you have pets that will not be traveling with you and will instead remain at home while you are on vacation, the first course of action is to consult your veterinarian regarding the best temperature to protect your pets and ensure their comfort. Depending on the type of pet you have and their individual health considerations, they may require a specific temperature range. If you’re away for a while, you may want to compare the cost of boarding them with the price of keeping your AC on a very cool setting.

PROGRAMMABLE THERMOSTATS

Programmable thermostats are a great option for conserving money and energy while you are on vacation without worrying that your home will suffer any type of negative repercussions. With a programmable thermostat, you have the option to set your thermostat to a vacation schedule. Rather than coming home to a temperature that is too warm, you can still come home to a comfortably cool environment. It’s even possible to use your laptop or phone to control some programmable thermostats. This option is ideal if you happen to have someone pet-sitting or house-sitting because you have the flexibility to adjust your thermostat while someone is occupying the home. More sophisticated models even provide the ability to control the temperature for specific zones.

Are you interested in receiving more advice before leaving for your vacation? If so, contact Air Docs Heating & Cooling for more information about setting the right temperature for your home in Vero Beach or the surrounding area before you leave for vacation or to discuss the benefits of a programmable thermostat. Our team can also schedule an annual AC maintenance visit to ensure your system is operating as it should and help to prevent any issues, such as leaks, while you are away.

Your AC is a lifesaver during the hot summer months. However, many homeowners don’t know how to prepare your AC for winter months, or even that they should. A few protective steps can keep your air conditioner in top working condition so that it will power on next year as it is supposed to.

1. CLEAN THE UNIT

The fall season probably dumped a ton of debris on your lawn and yard. It also did the same to your outdoor AC unit. Take your water hose and rinse off all leaves, droppings, dirt, and anything else that has piled onto your unit. Some debris may remain. Use a brush or specialty tool to get the rest of it out.

2. GET FOAM

Just as your water pipes can freeze during the cold season, so can your AC lines, even if you only get a freeze one day in the whole year. You may install foam pipe covers around any exposed pipes or hoses. Just cut the foam to fit the length and diameter. The foaming helps protect against freezing temperatures and even other hazards. You may also wrap duct tape around the foam to keep them in place.

3. SHOULD I COVER MY AC IN THE WINTER?

They sell covers for outdoor air conditioning units. Does that mean you should buy them? In most cases, no. Most modern air conditioning units are built to withstand harsh cold temperatures. Those of us who live in Florida and other warm climates don’t see much freezing weather if any. Therefore, we don’t need to cover our ac units during winter. However, those of you with older models or in colder areas may indeed need to protect the unit itself from freezing temperatures. Be sure to check your owner’s manual or a professional AC technician. You may read more here.

4. GET AC MAINTENANCE BEFORE CYCLING BACK ON

Finally, you should have your air conditioning maintenance performed before you cycle it back on. The best time is at the end of the cold season and before the hot summer months. Yearly maintenance at this time ensures the AC will be there when you need it. It also ensures the unit will run well for the summer, as well as it its peak efficiency

PREPARE AC FOR WINTER IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA

Those of you who live in Vero Beach or the surrounding areas has a leading choice when it comes to AC service providers. Air Docs Heating & Cooling is a locally owned company that aims to improve the performance of all cooling units in Vero Beach, Sebastian, Fellsmere, Palm Bay, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and more. We are happy to come to your property and prepare your AC for winter, as well as many other related services. Feel free to contact us to schedule your visit today.

Most homeowners aren’t familiar with the ups and downs of their AC and heating system. As a result, they tend to be more susceptible to air conditioning scams. Unfortunately, you can’t simply rely on someone’s word. But when an emergency happens, they can get desperate and lower their standards for the first available contractor. We will show you how to avoid this below.

1. DON’T FALL FOR “LIMITED-TIME” SPECIALS

Yes, some HVAC providers offer specials. However, they will let you know clearly when their promotions are running. Air conditioning scammers will give you an unreasonably short timeline to agree to their services. The special deal may expire at the end of the day or even in a few hours. They may even give you the old “I can come back, but it will cost you more” line. This is the true sign of an air conditioning scam.

You also want your work done ASAP, especially in the case of an emergency. We recommend you have a trusted HVAC company on your speed dial for just such occasions.

2. AIR CONDITIONING BILL SCAM

You get a call saying your behind on your power bill and big trouble is coming. You panic. Did you pay the last bill? Was there a mix-up? What can happen? Unfortunately, this is often a scam. Those of you who are truly behind on your power bills would get the mail and/or email notices of late payment. You would probably also get a service cut-off notice, as many states require these by law. However, if you are unsure, hang up with the current call and jot down all of their information. Then call your power company directly. Never pay over the phone. It could cost you thousands as it did here.

3. TOO GOOD TO BE TRUE

Is the estimate provided to you too good to be true? It probably is. The HVAC industry has certain standards for even passable parts and labor, which also includes the cost of insurance and others that we have to pay before we can legitimately call ourselves an HVAC company. Low estimates indicate cut corners. Or worse, they indicate a 0% chance that your work will be completed to industry standards or at all. The best way to ensure your estimate isn’t too low (or too high) is to get at least one more estimate. A second opinion is essential, not just for medical issues, but for HVAC ones. Especially if you need major cooling or heating work done.

AVOID AIR CONDITIONING SCAMS IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA

Those of you who live in Vero Beach or the surrounding areas has a leading choice when it comes to HVAC providers. Air Docs Heating & Cooling is a locally owned company that aims to improve the performance of all properties in Vero Beach, Fellsmere, Sebastian, Palm Bay, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and more. We are happy to come to your property and prepare an estimate that is good for the long haul and outlines all the details. Feel free to contact us to schedule your visit today.

The heat of summer will soon be upon us. You need to get AC maintenance now to help your unit face the large burden it will have to fulfill within the coming months. We’ll show you why it is essential below.

1. IT SAVES YOU MONEY

An air conditioning maintenance costs about $100 on average. Here at Air Docs Heating & Cooling’s it only costs $85. However, you can recoup some or all of that cost over the coming months with one act of maintenance. It allows your unit to perform better and with less energy. You know the power bill for your home or business is sure to rise as the heat does. The main reason is associated with the extra use of your air conditioner. If maintenance saves even 10% of that, it can be well worth the money.

2. IT INCREASES LIFESPAN

An air conditioner that works cleaner does not have to work harder. Regular maintenance can extend the lifespan of your unit by years by cleaning out parts that get clogged and put extra strain on the unit. Air conditioners can also form leaks from time to time. These leaks can cause damage to your home, yard, and even the unit itself – especially if left unattended. Good maintenance will catch and prevent all of this.

IT’S EASY

YOUR AIR CONDITIONING MAINTENANCE TECH WILL SPEND A FEW HOURS IN YOUR HOME OR BUSINESS WORKING ON THE UNIT. THEY WILL SPEND TIME ON BOTH THE INDOOR AND OUTDOOR UNITS. A GOOD AIR CONDITIONER MAINTENANCE JOB SHOULD INCLUDE ALL OF THE FOLLOWING.

• Cleaning or replacing filters if necessary.
• Inspecting coolant levels and pressure.
• Inspection of wiring, capacitors, contacts, and relays.
• Amperage and voltage testing.
• Cleaning of the condenser, coils, etc.
• Flushing condensate drain.
• Inspection of outdoor disconnect, condenser fan motor, and blades, and belt condition.
• Startup compressor and inspect.

GET AC MAINTENANCE NOW IN VERO BEACH, FLORIDA

Air Docs Heating & Cooling HVAC Services is a locally owned company that aims to improve the air conditioner performance of all properties in Vero Beach, Fellsmere, Sebastian, Palm Bay, Fort Pierce, Port St. Lucie, and the surrounding areas. Feel free to contact us to schedule your $85 air conditioner maintenance today.