Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. is proud to have worked on the highest scoring new construction LEED platinum home ever built in Florida.

The 'Power Haus' built by Josh Wynne Construction in Sarasota has achieved the lowest HERS rating on record in the U.S., a negative 22.

To put this number into perspective, a HERS Index of 100 represents the energy use of the "American Standard Building" and an Index of 0 (zero) indicates that the Building uses no net purchased energy (a Zero Energy Building). In other words, the owners of this home actually get a check every month from the electric company because this house puts energy back into the grid.

The "Power Haus" has a LEED score of 118, which is just shy of also becoming the highest scoring LEED home in the country by 1.5 points. (A residence in Chicago holds the highest known score at 119.5).

In 2009 Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating also provided the HVAC System for the Codding Cottage in Sarasota which had a LEED score of 110. LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is an internationally-recognized green building certification system developed by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC).

The 'Power Haus" has been certified as a Florida Water Star Gold Home. Florida green Building Coalition designated it as a Certified Green Home – Platinum certification score 255. And it is a certified green building from the NAHB Research Center – an Emerald level green home.

Sean McCutcheon's

For most of us, automobiles are a necessary part of our lives.

Whether it's a Prius or a Mack truck we all recognize the importance of keeping a car in good running condition. We change oil every 3,000 miles, replace worn tires, wash occasionally and get regular tune ups. Working headlights and Good brakes are always a plus unless you like driving into walls. We would never think of driving a car over 40,000 miles without making sure regular maintenance was performed along the way.

During only four summer months here in Florida your Air Conditioning runs the equivalent of driving your car 42,000 miles.

While it is true that your AC unit will probably never be seen heading south on I-75 at 70 miles an hour, it does serve the very noble purpose of keeping your home nice and cool. Just try going one day without AC in mid July and you'll appreciate that system a little more. Since we're in our cars every day, it's easy to see how much better our lives are when the car is running smoothly. If something is wrong with the car we can usually tell right away.

However, other than checking the thermostat to make sure the temperature is set correctly, we normally don't think much about our Air Conditioning. If something is not right with the AC system you may not know until it totally breaks down. Sure you may notice the electric bill creeping higher, or the house may not

It is essential that an air conditioning company keeps up to date with pending changes in technology and energy regulations.

This is not only so the air conditioning company can ensure continued compliance, but also to ultimately better serve the customer. For example: Sean McCutcheon's Air conditioning and Heating has been recommending Environmentally Safe refrigerants since 2004. Some other air conditioning companies did not bother to inform their customers of the phase out of R-22, and as a result those customers have seen sky rocketing maintenance costs.

Today's voluntary guidelines often become tomorrow's state and federal policies.

For instance, in 2001 the EPA Energy Star Program enacted voluntary energy consumption guidelines for commercial refrigerators and freezers. The California Energy Commission later used those guidelines as the basis of a state law.

Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, inc. proactively anticipates changes in regulations and advises customers as to the best option when deciding to repair or replace their Air Conditioning System. By complying with existing and pending energy use regulations we are able to help the customer select the most energy efficient products that will save them the most money in the long run with the least amount of maintenance.

We routinely try to discover financial incentives to offer to customers so they will consider installing the most energy efficient equipment.

We have also made it a point to be involved with LEED rated homes whenever possible. LEED stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design. Some companies claim to

Conventional incandescent lighting may actually make your AC work just a little harder.

Only 10% of the energy used by these light bulbs produces light - the other 90% becomes heat. The last thing you need in the middle of summer is something making more heat in your home.

The average Florida home owner could save up to $70.00 per year by using Compact Florescent Bulbs. It is estimated that almost $40.00 of this is from the AC having to run more. Not a huge expense but it does add up over the years.

Starting in 2012 a law goes into effect that sets new standards for general service light bulbs.

The main purpose of this law is to reduce our energy consumption and our dependence on foreign energy sources.

Compact Florescent bulbs are a little more expensive, but in the long run you'll save money and they last 10x longer. It may just be a good idea to start changing them out now...

During the hot Florida summer months it's easy to rack up a high electric bill.

Here are a few ways you can save money and still stay comfortable.

Did you know that setting your air conditioner only 5% higher can save up to 20% on cooling costs? You may not want to completely turn the thermostat off when you leave the house – but if you get into the habit of turning it to at least 80 degrees you will notice a significant decrease in the amount of your electric bill.

If you install an ENERGY STAR qualified programmable thermostat – It can save over $200.00 per year and usually pays for itself within the first year. Some programmable thermostats even allow you to connect them to your computer for programming, and most models are very user friendly.

Always try to look for ENERGY STAR products.

These appliances are up to 40% more efficient. If you do a little searching on the internet you can usually find rebates and incentives in your area.

Using fans will reduce air conditioning costs as well. A fan can make you feel three to four degrees cooler and you will be able to set your thermostat a few degrees higher and still feel comfortable.

Try to keep windows and doors shut and close your shades during the day.

Simply having your Air Conditioning unit serviced regularly can cut your cooling costs by as much as 15%.

The average home loses 15% to 25% of

It is estimated that over half of all air conditioning systems operating in the U.S. were not installed properly.

An improperly installed system will not work efficiently and will result in expensive repair and utility bills. Hiring the cheapest contractor is never a good idea, and when it comes to the specialized and complicated industry of HVAC – you definitely need to hire a professional. The company that comes up with the lowest bid will have to cut their costs somewhere.

Examples of improperly installed air conditioning systems can include: undersized and un-insulated refrigerant lines, ducts not sealed or insulated, over sized or undersized air conditioning equipment, mismatched indoor and outdoor sections, improperly charged refrigerant, wiring that has not been upgraded.

Ever hear the saying "Jack of all trades – master of none".

A company that offers Air Conditioning, Plumbing, electrical and other services may not be able to offer the same high level of quality and service as a company that specializes in only Air Conditioning. Your local handyman definitely does not have the knowledge or the experience to properly maintain or repair your Air Conditioning.

Much in the same way that the backyard auto mechanic has become obsolete, the increasing sophistication of today's air conditioning systems requires technicians to constantly fine tune their skills.

Unfortunately some people view air conditioning technicians the same way they view house painters or landscapers – as low tech semi skilled labor.
This may be the reason some people tend to shop for price first. We have all heard the horror stories about unlicensed employees, and less than satisfactory work.
Long ago Sean McCutcheon acknowledged that the HVAC industry is always changing, and the importance of technicians that keep on the cutting edge of new technologies.
He believes a good technician can never stop learning so he supplies them with the training and information they need to be the best in their field.
When you call Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., you will get professional, highly skilled and certified AC Technicians. You will also get a dedicated, hard working, and honest person that truly cares about your comfort, and the companies reputation.
At Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc., we don't try to outdo the competition; we set the standard.

A very common reason for calling an air conditioning technician is when an air conditioning drain line becomes clogged.

This is easily fixed and an avoidable problem, but a clogged drain line can potentially cost the homeowner much money and frustration.

When warm air from your home comes in contact with your air conditioning evaporator coil it creates a certain amount of condensation. This water has to go somewhere, and that is why air conditioning systems are equipped with a condensate pan and a small PVC pipe that leads to a drain system in or outside your home.

Unfortunately if the drain line becomes clogged it can back up into the pan and create a water leak. Depending on where your AC unit is located, a leak could cause some real damage, for example: if the system is located in an attic and the water leaks through the ceiling.

Drain lines clog up from dust and other matter that get into the AC System, as well as fungal and other buildup within the pipe.

When an Air conditioning technician services your A/C System they will make sure you have a clean condensate drain line. One of the methods is to attach a wet/dry vacuum to the end of the drain line and forcibly draw any buildup from the pipe while they pour a non-hazardous natural cleaning agent into the drain line. They will also place anti fungal condensate pan tablets to the condensate pan that will also help to prevent

To help make sure your air conditioning system is running efficiently, you should replace filters on a regular basis.

Often people are tempted to buy inexpensive and less effective filters. At first glance it may be hard to see the advantage of spending the extra money for a better filter, but the extra you invest now may save you huge repair bills down the road

If any filter becomes clogged it will block normal air flow to the a/c system and reduce the systems efficiency dramatically. When a filter is clogged air will be forced to bypass the filter and contaminate the evaporator coil with dirt and debris which will impair its heat absorbing capacity. In other words, it will cost more to cool the home.

Coils will naturally collect dirt over time, but a good filter will greatly reduce the amount and rate of buildup. Lesser expensive filters cause problems over time because they affect the systems performance and contribute to expensive service calls.

The better the filter – the more particles it will collect. Dust that does not get collected by your filter gets redistributed back into your home. If you suffer from allergies or other health concerns, the more efficient filters are a good decision. Quality filters with high MERV ratings will remove more household allergens.

It is estimated that a clean new filter can lower your AC systems energy consumption up to 16%.

Quality filters cost more in the short run, but in the long run