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About kurthartmann

Air conditioner service, repair, maintenance, and installation contractor in Fort Myers, Florida.

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Ft Myers Air Conditioner Maintenance And Repair

By on 05/30/2015 in Air Conditioner Repairs Ft Myers

Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

 

Air conditioner maintenance saves you money in the long run!

Air conditioner maintenance is the number one, best way to keep  your air conditioning equipment performing at top efficiency, and making it last for as many years as possible.  Without dis-assembling your air conditioning equipment regularly, for a visual inspection, area,s that need cleaning, adjustment, or replacement can go unseen, and the issues unaddressed, causing unsatisfactory output, excessive energy consumption, and ultimately worn or damaged equipment.  At Community Cooling and Heating we take a thorough and meticulous look at your entire air conditioning system, paying careful attention to situations conducive to diminished performance,or indications of potential trouble in the future.  If, or when, we find a problem we will show you the specific problem, present to you the options available to us, and let YOU decide the course of action YOU want to take according to your needs and budget.

 

air conditioner maintenance kept this from becoming a major problem.

Dirty air conditioner coil

Air conditioner maintenance and servicing keeps little problems from becoming big ones!

 

Freshly cleaned a/c coil

Same air conditioner coil after cleaning

 

Don’t be fooled by manipulative advertisements!

There are a number of air conditioning contractors claiming they check 30, 40, even 50+ different items in their servicing of your equipment. This is a little misleading, and in our minds raises concerns over the honesty and integrity of the companies offering such inspections. Community Cooling offers a 16 point inspection of your equipment, and that pretty much covers the whole system from top to bottom. There simply aren’t that many parts to be checked or serviced on an air conditioner, any claim that a contractor is performing an inspection of 50+ different parts of an air conditioner seems to indicate an attempt at manipulation, or perhaps justification of an unnecessarily high price for their service.

Community Cooling and Heating has been serving Lee County Florida since 1970, and our long standing reputation for honesty and integrity is important to us! We believe in putting our clients needs first, earning your trust, and making sure we provide a level of service that ensures you will call us again the next time!

 

Community Cooling, Ft Myers, Florida

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

 

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

 

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Air Conditioners And Summer Heat

By on 04/05/2015 in Air Conditioning Information

Community Cooling
Air Conditioner Repair, Service, Maintenance
239-267-2117

Even the BEST air conditioner can’t fight summer heat with “one hand tied behind it’s back!!!”

Air conditioners face an uphill battle in Florida.  Daily high temperatures and high humidity make keeping ones home or business comfortable even more challenging … and that is if the air conditioner in question is freshly serviced and in good running condition.  An air conditioner that has been neglected, or is running inefficiently will provide minimal comfort, while at the same time, cost much more in electricity.

 

 

Air Conditioner service and repair in Fort Myers, Florida

Community cooling and heating service in Ft Myers, Florida

 

Proper maintenance is your best defense against the onslaught of high summer utility bills.

Here in southern part of the U.S. the cost of running your air conditioner is a major part of your electric bill. With a little thought and planning it is possible to significantly reduce the workload of your a/c unit thus reducing the amount of electricity you use and extending the life of your air conditioner.

  • Make sure your a/c vents, both incoming and return, are not blocked by furniture or draperies.
  • Turn off any electric light bulbs when not in use. Light bulbs generate heat that must be removed by your a/c unit.
  • Change your a/c filter monthly!
  • Cook on your outside grill when possible or use a microwave oven. Cooking on a stove or conventional oven adds heat to the inside of your home.
  • On cooler days open your windows or rely on ceiling fans to keep your home comfortable.

 

Here are a few more tips that may help to give your a/c the upper hand …

  • During the summer leave your a/c unit off until you get home from work, or use a programmable thermostat to turn the air conditioner on a half hour before you get home.
  • If there are rooms in your home you don’t use regularly shut the vents in these areas and keep the door closed.
  • If possible provide shade for your outside condensing unit. Always clear any grass, leaves, or debris that might inhibit air flow from around it.
  • Turn off your computer or any home office equipment when not in use. These devices put out a considerable amount of heat.
  • Keep your drapes closed when possible. They insulate your windows and keep direct sunlight from heating the inside of your house.
  • Add weather stripping to your entry doors.
  • Make sure your attic is well ventilated. A ridge vent or attic fan can easily, over a period of time, pay for itself with savings on your electric bill
  • At least once a year have your a/c unit checked over and cleaned by a licensed Air Conditioning Contractor to ensure proper, safe, efficient operation!

 

air conditioner service and repair ft myers

Our well stocked trucks have the tools and materials necessary to keep your home comfortable … cost effectively.

 

 

Community Cooling is offering a 16 point cooling system check which includes:

  • Clean your condenser coils.
  • Check operating pressures
  • Check electrical connections
  • Check sub-cooling
  • Check fan blade
  • Lubricate moving parts
  • Clean air filters
  • check thermostat
  • Check blower operation
  • Check controls
  • Check superheat
  • Check temperature drop across evaporator
  • Clean indoor coil if visible
  • Check complete unit operation
  • Treat condesate line and pan
  • Make necessary recommendations

 

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Kurt Hartmann, Owner of Community Cooling and Heating

 

Call Today For Air Conditioner Service, Repair, Maintenance, and Installation

239-267-2117

 

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Air Conditioner Service Fort Myers

By on 03/01/2015 in Air Conditioning Information

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
(239)267-2117
Air Conditioner Repair and Service
Fort Myers, Florida

Air Conditioner Service In Fort Myers, Florida

Central air conditioning equipment works all year long to keep your home comfortable. When the weather is cold it provides warmth, and when the weather turns hot, it removes heat and moisture from your living and working spaces. Proper air conditioner service on a regular basis is crucial to maintaining your a/c’s ability to perform these tasks effectively and efficiently. The longer your air conditioner has to run to achieve the desired temperature … the more your cost to run that equipment will be!

Air conditioner service, on a regular basis, does more to prevent high electric bills than practically anything else you can do!

Regular air conditioner service is also the best way to keep your air conditioning equipment running for as long as possible as well. With proper maintenance it is entirely possible to keep your air conditioner working effectively for 20 years … or even more!

 

air conditioner service is the number one secret to keeping your air conditioner working for as long as possible

Proper air conditioner service kept this a/c running effectively for the span of three decades!!!

 

Community Cooling and  Heating Inc has been servicing SW Florida’s air conditioners for over 40 years and has worked hard to establish a reputation for honesty, integrity, and a thorough knowledge the techniques and technology needed to keep your air conditioning and heating equipment running properly and at minimal costs.  Feel free to call us any time with any questions you may have!

 

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

Community Cooling is here to help with all your Heating nd cooling needs!

Air Conditioning Service And Repair In Ft Myers Florida

COMMUNITY COOLING AND HEATING INC.

239-267-2117

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

Call today for the very best service you can expect from any air conditioning contractor, any where in Lee County, Florida!

Serving Ft Myers, Lee County, and all of SW Florida since 1970

Fort Myers most trusted Air Conditioning Contractor

Community Cooling & Heating

Fort Myers, Florida

239-267-2117

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Air Conditioning News And Notes February 2015

By on 02/18/2015 in Air Conditioning Information

Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
(239)267-2117
Air Conditioner Repair and Service
Fort Myers, Florida

a/c repairs ft myers

Community Cooling and Heating President/CEO
Air conditioning service and repair Ft Myers

Whats NEW in Fort Myers air conditioning

It appears the cold weather will be with us a while longer. At the time of this writing there is a major cold front descending on Fort Myers, with temperatures expected to drop into the 30’s tonight! As always, if you have any concerns or questions regarding your heating give us a call. We are available 24 hours a day seven days a week to keep your a/c and heating equipment running when you need them the most.

Superbowl Party

 

Members of the Community Cooling team gathered at Kurt’s home to watch the Superbowl.  A good time was had by all … not only the game a good watch, but, with Kurt at the grill the food ws excellent as well!  On the menu were chicken wings, ribs, brats, beans, acorn squash, home fries, macaroni salad, potato salad, and an assortment of chips, dips, nuts, and snacks.

 

Community Cooling Super Bowl party

Kurt worked the grill al through the first half. Great Food!!!

 

Heating and Cooling Statistics

The AHRI just released the November 2014 Heating and Cooling equipment shipping statistics. An interesting read if you like numbers and stats. Basically the industry sales on heating equipment went down a bit, while air conditioning equipment sales rose. Follow this link for all the details and digits.
November 2014 Heating and Cooling Equipment Shipping Data

 

Air Conditioning Service And Repair In Ft Myers Florida

COMMUNITY COOLING AND HEATING INC.

239-267-2117

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

Call today for the very best service you can expect from any air conditioning contractor, any where in Lee County, Florida!

Serving Ft Myers, Lee County, and all of SW Florida since 1970

Fort Myers most trusted Air Conditioning Contractor

Community Cooling & Heating

Fort Myers, Florida

239-267-2117

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Air Conditioner Performance Tied To Evaporator Coil Cleaning

By on 02/11/2015 in Air Conditioner Repairs Ft Myers

Community Cooling and Heating

Fort Myers, Florida

239-267-2117

Cleaning a/c evaporator coil can save you money!

An air conditioners condenser coils work hand in hand with the compressor. The compressor literally squeezes the refrigerant into a hot, pressurized liquid. The hot liquid then travels into the condenser and circulates within its many coils. The heat from the liquid escapes through the condenser’s fins. When the continuously cooling fluid reaches the end of the condenser’s coils, it is considerably cooler but still a pressurized liquid. The working fluid then flows through a valve with a small diameter opening and leaves the condenser as a mist. The liquid evaporates into a gas as it leaves the condenser and enters the evaporator. As the liquid evaporates, it draws heat out of the air around the coils and cools it. The air conditioner’s fan circulates this cooled air through the ducts of the home or business resulting in a cooler, more comfortable environment for it’s occupants..

“A dirty or uncleaned compressor coil costs you money every month!”

Dirty air conditioner coils

Dirty a/c coils badly in need of cleaning.

“A 10 year old air handler that finally needed to be cleaned by a chemical designed to clean this type of coil.
It’s kind of like the way “oven off ” works cleaning your oven.
We let the chemical clean the coil and rinse it off with a hose.
This is a during and after picture of this coil being cleaned.”

This recently cleaned evaporator coil will allow the the rest of the equipment to do it’s job efficiently!

Freshly cleaned a/c coil

Sameair conditioner coil after cleaning

This is usually not something that needs to be cleaned every year. Depending upon the type of filter being used, conditions of environment the system is working in , dirt, dust, location of filter in home ie ceiling or lower wall and temperature thermostat is set at. The lower the temperature the more hours of operation the faster the filter and evaporator coil gets dirty. What is important is to have it checked with some regularity! While we recommend servicing air conditioning equipment twice a year we realize most people are going to push it a little farther to save a few dollars, however, a dirty evaporator coil can impact your electric bill to the extent that you end up paying more on your electric bill than you would have for the servicing …

 

Call Today! We’re here to help!
Community Cooling and Heating Inc.
239-267-2117

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Is Your Heater Ready For Winter?

By on 11/19/2014 in Uncategorized

Winter is coming fast … can you depend on your heater?

The first cold snap of the year has descended from the North and Fort Myers temperatures are dropping. The fact that this is a little early for the cold weather to reach us here in SW Florida is a pretty good indication that this will be a longer and colder winter than most. As cold fronts can pass through pretty quickly in Florida it is entirely possible to wake up in the morning with temperatures in the 80’s … and to have the temperature drop into the 30’s by the time you go to bed.

This is the time of year you need to be certain your heater is ready to go!

To be certain your HVAC equipment is ready to face the challenges of winter it is a good idea to have it looked over by a licensed air conditioning contractor. An inspection of your heating equipment should include:

Checking the thermostat for proper settings and operation.
Inspecting the wiring for proper installation and connections.
inspecting the element for proper operation.

Regular maintenance of your air conditioning equipment should also include an inspection of your heating equipment as well. Far too often home owners aren’t aware there is a problem with their heater until they actually need it. Typically when the weather turns cold air conditioning contractors receive numerous calls for help and the home owner is without heat until the contractor can get there. By inspecting the heater before the weather turns cold you have full control over the comfort level in your home with the flick of a switch.

Call Community Cooling and Heating Today!
239-267-2117

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Air Conditioners Often Only Need A Simple Fix

By on 11/12/2014 in Air Conditioner Repairs Ft Myers

Community Cooling and Heating

(239)267-2117

Air Conditioning Service Ft Myers

When your air conditioner stops working you imagine the worst (expensive repairs), but, often it is a simple matter!

We recently got a call from a long time customer we have been servicing for years. He was rather concerned because his air conditioner was apparently needing some attention, and he was pretty sure it wasn’t going to be cheap. The air conditioner would cool for a brief period, and then shut off. While it was running, in a rather short period of time, a very considerable amount of water would be discharged from the air handler. He took all this to be a bad sign.

When we arrived at his home the first thing I checked was to see how old his air conditioner was, as I recalled we had installed it too recently for it’s age to be a major part of the problem. We had installed the unit in 2008, which was a good sign, in all likelihood the a/c was not going to need replacing.

An air conditioner is an amalgamation of different parts, components, and elements … when one piece goes awry it often affects the entire system as a whole!

 

It turned out, the problem was a relatively minor one … the drain pipe that removes the moisture from the air conditioner to the outside of the home had become clogged with slime and sludge (the end result of decomposing vegetative growth within the air conditioners individual components), when the drain became full it raised a float valve inside the drain safety switch, which automatically shuts down the air conditioner electronically to prevent a minor flood or water damage.

 

Sludge blocked this drain line up and caused the safety switch to shut the air conditioner down repeatedly. The home owner thought they were in for a costly repair, but, once the drain was clear, the a/c continued working like a champ!

Community Cooling prides itself in putting the clients needs first, we strive to get your a/c working …

without breaking your budget!

 

We opened the drain line, flushed it out with a hose, and put the line back together … simple.  The air conditioners problem was solved, without intensive labor or expensive parts. The home owner was very relieved, and we were happy to be in a position to provide some good news.
Air Conditioning Service And Repair In Ft Myers Florida

COMMUNITY COOLING AND HEATING INC.

239-267-2117

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

 

 

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Getting The Most From Your Air Conditioning Unit

By on 10/15/2014 in Air Conditioner Repairs Ft Myers

Community Cooling and Heating

(239)267-2117

Air Conditioning Service Ft Myers

Florida air conditioning units work hard … REAL HARD!!!

Air conditioning units work longer and harder in in Fort Myers than most area’s of the world. The sub tropical heat and humidity make it necessary for them to work longer days and for a greater percentage of the year than is necessary in other regions. SW Florida’s typically high humidity creates a tremendous amount of moisture in our homes and businesses that needs to be removed to achieve optimum comfort. With this in mind it isn’t surprising that many air conditioning units can start becoming problematic after 6 or 7 years … or even fewer. On the other hand, however, some air conditioners will last for up to 20 years or even longer. With the cost of A/C equipment and installation being relatively high it is obviously in the consumers best interest to keep their equipment running as long and as efficiently as possible!

Fort Myers Air Conditioning service old ac

The only way to get maximum value from your air conditioner is

to maintain it regularly!

So why does one air conditioner become problematic after 6 years while the one next door keeps running and running, avoiding the need for replacement year after year? Many homeowners mistakenly place the blame on the specific manufacturer of the equipment … and this is largely inaccurate. HVAC equipment must be built to certain specifications and conform to industry standards. A manufacturer that didn’t comply to these standards would not last long in an industry as competitive as the HVAC industry. It could be said that the quality of workmanship that goes into installing the air conditioner in your home, office, or building has much to do with the overall longevity of the equipment. There are companies that take shortcuts to improve their overall profit margin, however, often times those shortcuts make themselves obvious even earlier than normal wear and tear and create problems within a year or two of installation. That being said improper installation can and will reduce the number of years of service you can expect from your equipment, but, falls short of being the number one factor in A/C longevity. The real secret to getting as many years as possible out of your air conditioning equipment is …

TO HAVE IT SERVICED REGULARLY BY A LICENSED AIR CONDITIONING CONTRACTOR!

An air conditioning contractor knows what to look for and can eliminate small problems and sources of trouble before they have a chance to escalate and slowly grind away at your a/c equipment. Little things like corrosion, an unbalanced fan motor, or low levels of coolant have the potential to diminish the life expectancy considerably! Additionally, through inspecting your equipment and making necessary corrections in a timely manner you can expect to experience the optimal amount of comfort while paying a minimal amount of money for the cost of the electricity to run your equipment.

Air Conditioning Service And Repair In Ft Myers Florida

COMMUNITY COOLING AND HEATING INC.

239-267-2117

FORT MYERS, FLORIDA

Your air conditioning unit will provide maximum comfort at minimum cost …

Call Community Cooling TODAY!

Serving Ft Myers since 1970

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The “Ugly Truth” About Air Conditioners

By on 10/08/2014 in Air Conditioning Information

Community Cooling and Heating

Fort Myers, Florida

239-267-2117

 

 

The “Ugly Truth” about air conditioners is …

they ain’t making them like they used to!

 

There are a lot of good things to say about today’s air conditioners. New science and technology have made many advances in the way today’s HVAC equipment runs and performs! The air conditioning unit of today …

Is more perfectly calibrated to the needs of your home.
Is more energy efficient, and costs less to run.
Uses a refrigerant that is less harmful to the environment.
Uses a digital thermostat instead of one that contains toxic mercury.
Is designed to leave a smaller “environmental footprint.”

These are all significant advances not only in the equipment itself, but, in our society’s approach to environmental issues as well. The problem is … for all of the technological advances … the equipment itself just doesn’t seem to last quite as long, and as trouble free, as the equipment that was being manufactured 30, 20, or even 10 years ago. Thirty years ago the typical American air conditioner was made right here in America, by Americans, with good American steel and components. That is not the case today! As an air conditioning contractor still active in the field today, I can tell you today’s air conditioner just isn’t as durable as those of yesteryear!

Get the most out of your air conditioning equipment ... maintain it!

The only reason this air conditioner has lasted 30+ years is because the owner kept up the maintenance! Most home owners will replace their a/c equipment every 10 to 15 years … an expense that can often times be avoided!!!

 

 

It’s safe to say … the toughest, most durable air conditioner you’ll ever have

is sitting outside of your house right now!

I can’t say that “planned obsolescence”, poor quality of materials, faulty design, or country of origin is the reason for the lower level of maintenance free durability in today’s air conditioning equipment. I do however feel comfortable saying that you’re not likely to see a thirty year old piece of today’s equipment in use in the year 2044!

The secret to longevity in air conditioners, 30 years ago and now, is regular maintenance!!!

The good news is … with proper maintenance, and regular servicing, you can still get many years of service out of any air conditioner. Even the air conditioner from many years ago would never have lasted 30 years without being maintained properly. Regular maintenance keeps your equipment running efficiently and cost effectively, keeps small problems from becoming big ones, and ensures as long a life as possible for one of the most expensive component parts of your home!

COMMUNITY COOLING AND HEATING INC
(239)267-2117
CALL TODAY FOR MORE INFO!

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Home Buyers Air Conditioner Inspection

By on 09/17/2014 in Air Conditioning Information

Community Cooling & Heating Inc.

Ft Myers, Florida

239-267-2117

Buying A Home? You Need A Licensed Air Conditioner Contractor To Inspect The A/C!

Most home buyers today understand the importance of having a home inspection performed before they begin to move forward with the purchase of a new home. In fact most banks and mortgage companies insist on it. What is surprising is that the most expensive piece of mechanical equipment on the property in most cases, the air conditioner, receives only a cursory glance at the outside of the equipment! A home inspector will look at the outside and note any obvious damage or problem, and he will check to see how cold the air is blowing from the vent, but they rarely, if ever, open the machine up to inspect the actual working parts of the equipment. This often leads to a new home owner purchasing, and moving into a new home that is facing the certain prospect of expensive a/c repairs in the near future, and the possibility of spending thousands on a whole system replacement.

Badly welded refrigerant line causes loss of freon, and could lead to major problems for the compressor

The home inspector said that the air-conditioning system is working just fine, but, since they do not open up the air conditioner they do not know what’s going on inside. If you’re buying a house it doesn’t pay to have a home inspector assess your air conditioning equipment. Call a Licensed, certified air conditioning contractor to take a good look inside because a home inspector really doesn’t know what to look for and does not open up the unit.

A Home Inspector never saw this badly burned wire … they don’t open up the component parts of the air conditioner, and likely wouldn’t know what to look for if they did.

Only a licensed, experienced air conditioning contractor can tell you the “real scoop” on the actual condition of your air conditioner!

Burned and discolored wires (which the home inspector never laid eyes on) are a sure sign of air conditioner trouble in the near future!

 

Found this during routine maintenance. Was just a matter of time before it failed. Even though the system was cooling fine. This is why when a customer says it’s cooling great it don’t mean it will last.

 

We guarantee all our repairs and offer a Free Second Opinion

Our Motto is…“We won’t send you a wolf in sheep’s clothing …

just an honest professional”

Call Today!

(239) 267-2117

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