UV Light & Your AC
Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling and Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Charlie:
Hey there, this is Charlie McDermott. I am back in the Dolphin studio here with the Comfort on Porpoise podcast and fortunately, I have Lauren here. Lauren, how are you doing?
Lauren:
Good. How are you today, Charlie?
Charlie:
I’m doing great, but it's something invisible out there. It's this air thing and I've heard more and more, maybe it's a COVID phenomenon or just the fact that Southwest Florida in summertime, let's face it, we spend a lot of time indoors. What are you hearing? What are you guys doing when it comes to improving air quality inside the homes and businesses, for that matter?
Lauren:
That's a great question, Charlie. There's actually been a bunch of research done from some of the big brand manufacturers out there, such as Lennox, LG, Carrier, Trane, and Rheem. And recently I was actually reading an article and with regard to homeowners, there's been a 60% increase in homeowners prioritizing their indoor air quality over the last year. And a lot of that actually has been brought on by COVID. With people, both working from home more and just being indoors more due to social distancing, the lockdowns that we saw, it really became a very large priority for people.
So there are a few different options out there. There are upgraded filter cabinets. We talked about filters last time we were together. But there are some other products that we offer that have gained quite a bit of interest over the last year. And we've seen personally here at Dolphin, an increase in the sale of them. And that's UV lights, those are coil lights.
With those, they actually get placed inside the air handler typically either above or below the coil, depending on how it's set up. And that is the indoor unit just for anyone listening, if you don't know what the handler is, that's the unit found inside your home, typically in an attic, garage, mechanical closet. That coil light sits in there and it emits UVC rays and it's designed to kill microbial growth and keep the coil clean as well as the inside of the cabinet. Essentially anywhere the light shines, it helps to keep that area clean. All the air inside your home flows over that coil. So if there's stuff growing on the coil or inside the cabinet itself, as the air passes through there, it can pick up some of that and those contaminants such as dust, allergens, and other things can get carried through your home. The coil light helps diminish that.
Also, surprisingly, it helps with the efficiency as far as air flow. If the coil is clean, air can flow much more freely through the system, less resistance. So those have been really popular. They're not super expensive but they do very well. We've installed several of them. Customers have been very happy with them. And with that bulb typically most models are designed to have the bulb replaced annually. So once a year, during your maintenance, we would replace the bulb for you. And the reason for that is since the light’s stationary, any dust, cause obviously there's still dust in the air, it would settle on top of the bulb. It decreases the efficiency of that UVC light and therefore the potency gets diminished over time. So they do recommend they be replaced annually.
The other product that we have is made by Halo Remi and it's actually an induct air purification system. It uses UV light with this specific setup. It goes inside your duct work typically either on a supply or return side. So again, all the air, because all the air inside your home cycles through your system several times as it's running, so all the air comes in contact with it. The one difference between this and your UV light, or two actually, big differences. One is that it is actually air purification, the UV coil light isn't considered air purification. It's more for cleaning, which helps with air quality. This kit that goes inside the duct work is designed for air purification. It does eliminate microbial growth, allergens, and other indoor air quality pollutants. It helps to kill all of those. And it also helps with any smells. So it can remove potential smells from the air as well. And with this system it's designed to only be on when your system is actively running. So when your system is not running, the light turns off. When the system comes back on, the light turns on.
With the coil light, it's on all the time. It doesn't turn on or off. It's just constantly admitting UVC inside that air handler. With these Halo Reme systems specifically, there's been a big uptick in people's interest in that because it does serve as an air purification. They're pretty easy for us to install. It doesn't take several hours out of the day. It's typically just a couple hours. We can come out and get them in for customers. And with those, the bulb, the set up that's inside the duct work only has to be replaced typically every four years. So it's not something that you would replace annually like the UV light kit. But it does make a big difference. We're all at home a little bit more than we used to be, even though life is starting to return to normal.
But statistically, right now it's showing that with the more people that went to work from home during the pandemic most are wanting to either stay home or at least work from home part-time moving forward into the future. So that means, again, we're, we're going to be at home more. And I think if anything, 2020 taught us how important indoor air quality actually is. So we're really hopeful and we're happy to have these products for our customers and people have been very excited about getting them in and we've definitely, like I mentioned, seeing an uptick in the popularity and interest.
Charlie:
Wow. So I would imagine, just from a health standpoint it's something we probably don't give a whole lot of thought to. And again, I'm with you, maybe the COVID thing and putting a mask over our face and all that. I remember Michael Jackson, you'd see pictures of him when he was in China, covering his face because of the impurities in the air and it's those invisible things that we don't see. I would imagine this is going to help folks who suffer from things like allergies. I mean, heck I'm thinking here, we're on the island. Red tide, when nine hit two years ago, I felt it. Windows are closed, but you still get some slight eye burning and things like that, it’s in the air. So wow.
Lauren:
It’s true. Even for me being in the industry, we've learned a whole lot more over the last year about IAQ products, which are indoor air quality. That's what that stands for, because it's becoming more of a need. People paid attention to it before, but not on the level they are now. There's definitely been a shift since COVID happened last year.
Charlie:
Yes. Now how about someone who's listening and they're thinking, “Well, I'll probably do a new system in a couple of years. Maybe I should wait.” Because if you guys were to come in and install the duck type, what was that? Halo?
Lauren:
Yes, Halo Reme. Yes.
Charlie:
And then two years later I need a new system. Does that Halo Reme system connect to the new system and it all works together?
Lauren:
That's a great question. No, with the Halo Reme where it’s in your duct work, unless you're ripping out all of your duct work no, what's there will still work for you. Even with the light kit itself that goes inside the air handler. Even if you had one installed now, if you replaced the system say in a year or two or three down the road, typically, unless the ballast dies on that kit and that needed to be replaced, you could actually use, we can install on the new system, your pre-existing light kit and just replace the bulb.
So for anyone listening, if you are concerned like, “Well,I might have to make that significant investment in a few years, why would I do it now?” Having better air quality now isn’t going to hurt you. And in most applications we can use the products you've already purchased on your system.
The other thing to consider too, is maybe instead of waiting for the new system, get a new system and now have these parts installed from the very beginning. And then everything's clean moving forward. So you're starting right off the bat in the best position you can be to have optimum air quality.
Charlie:
Yes. I've often thought about that, especially now, I work with businesses from all walks of life and in a lot of them are beginning to feel the, I don't know the best way to that bottleneck of people, whether it be those who have been out of work that aren't coming back to work, maybe as soon as we had hoped and other countries that supplied parts and, and to not wait until, oh my God, Lauren, Greg, this system is finally cooked.
Lauren:
Yes, that's a really good point, actually. Just a little word of advice to anyone listening, our customers, any consumers out there if you know that your system is up there in age, you know that eventually replacing it is something you're going to need to do. I would recommend doing it sooner rather than later right now.
Charlie:
Do it on your terms, not the system's terms, right?
Lauren:
Yes, yes, exactly. Exactly.
Charlie:
I'll tell you, Lauren. I don't go to bed any night without thanking God that I have air conditioning. I can make it in the daytime, whatever, I'll get a fan. But if I don't have air conditioning at night and fortunately we have you guys, but the last thing I want to do is call you at 10 o'clock at night and say, help! And still it's going to take time to get the system installed and all that.
Lauren:
That is true. Yes. Be proactive. Don't be reactive with your AC, especially here in Southwest Florida. It's not a fun experience.
Charlie:
Well, Lauren, appreciate the insight and, man, this is really good information. So thank you. I know our listeners are thanking you as well in their own way. If anyone has any specific questions about those systems, air quality, they can get in touch with you?
Lauren:
Yes, they can call us. They can call our office (239) 596-9044. Or they could email us at info@dolphinacnaples.com.
Charlie:
Well, terrific. Well, we'll talk again. You have an awesome day over there.
Lauren:
You too. Thank you so much, Charlie. Talk soon.
Charlie:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise to learn more about our sponsor Dolphin Cooling and Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
[/et_pb_text][/et_pb_column] [/et_pb_row] [/et_pb_section]Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling and Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Lauren:
Hi, everyone, Lauren here from Dolphin Cooling and Heating. And I'm so excited, I have Tony with me here today. If you're one of our customers and you've ever called in, you have a question about a bill or you've received a bill, this is the man behind all of that. Tony handles all of our accounting here at Dolphin.
And actually prior to being with us, Tony has been in the filter business for several years. It was actually a family business that he was involved in. And here he is working with yet again, another family business. And Tony's going to share with us today a little bit about filters, how they affect your air quality and the different types of filter options that are out there for people that maybe you're just unaware of Tony, thanks for being here today. So can you share with us a little bit about filters and what options are out there for our listeners?
Tony:
After talking about the MERV AC pleated filters and eight, nine, and 10, which are the most popular because they're allergen rated, there are higher ratings, they are harder on the system and they need to be changed more often. If somebody has a severe allergy problem or breathing problems, you want to use a MERV 11, which is going to cost a little more. It has a few more feet of material on it. So they're rated to last up to 90 days.
It's the same situation as the other pleated filters. You just need to keep an eye on it and know how long they're going to last in your system so they can be replaced properly. A lot of the times the filters need to be replaced in between regular maintenance. This is just to keep the airflow moving through the system so it works at peak efficiency. Generally the filters are less expensive than what it's going to increase your electric bill.
Lauren:
Okay, good to know. So what I'm understanding is pretty much a MERV eight, nine, and 10, essentially, they're pretty comparable, do the same thing, they have the same rating. And then once you get above that, say a MERV 11, a Merv 13, so on and so forth, then the filter itself actually traps more particles. Is that correct?
Tony:
Yes, more particles and smaller particles. The higher, the number of the smaller the particles.
Lauren:
Okay, good to know. Cause I know that MERV reading confuses people a lot of times. And then there is a significant price difference between, say a MERV eight, nine, and 10 versus a MERV 11, 13, and as they continue to go up. And even if you get outside of say your standard one inch filter and you go into five inch filters or filter cabinets, is that correct as well?
Tony:
The five inch filters are generally designed to last up to six months. Sometimes you can get a year out of it, depending on the number of pleats in it. It's again the same situation where you want to just check it every so often and get to know how often you need to change it in your home.
Lauren:
Okay. So good to know. So if someone went from say your standard one inch filter to a five inch filter, actually the filter itself will last longer versus a one inch that should probably be replaced every 90 days. So if you're one of our customers and you're on a maintenance plan with us, a semi-annual maintenance plan, we replace your filters for you twice a year. But the recommendation obviously is to check your filters in between that because you might need an additional filter change. So where the five inch versus a one inch, even though the five inch initially cost-wise is more expensive, but you don't have to change them as frequently. Right?
Tony:
Correct.
Lauren:
Good to know. Now Tony, I know there are some other specialty filters out there as well. We've heard of things like charcoal filters. Can you explain a little bit the difference there between your other MERV rated filters?
Tony:
Okay. Most of the carbon filters or charcoal filters will capture odros and residue in the air, like from cleaning chemicals and things like that. You want to be careful with those because you want to get one with the MERV rating of at least eight. The most common ones are a seven, which is not Allergan rated, which is the reason why the eight and higher is recommended. It also is substantially more expensive most of the time.
Lauren:
So obviously they're more expensive because you have that carbon or charcoal quality, which helps with any odors obviously, because your other regular MERV that aren't carbon, they're not necessarily going to be trapping odors. And then you also mentioned chemical residue, which I'm assuming the other MERV filters don't capture as well.
Tony:
That's correct.
Lauren:
Okay. So that kind of explains it’s doing a little bit more than your regular filter. So Tony, just typical, most people out there, what would you say is the average MERV rating that you see most people using? Is that, is it in that eight to nine to 10 range?
Tony:
Yes, that's correct. There are lower ratings. Generally the lower ratings below eight will have less pleats per inch and some of them are designed to be changed once a month. So if you're using one of those, be careful.
Also if you don't need something like a MERV 11 or a MERV 13 because of allergy or breathing issues, you really don't want to use the one month pleated filters because they're substantially less expensive. We don't use those. But they are available at the big box stores and some of the grocery stores.
Lauren:
Good to know. Well, Tony, thanks so much for sharing with us a little bit more about filters and hopefully our listeners learn something new. I know I did. The MERV rating has always been a little bit mysterious to me to some degree. So I really appreciate you taking the time to come on here and explain everything. Is there anything else that you want to share? You feel listeners should know when it comes to their filters?
Tony:
Just again, to reiterate, just check your filters every so often so you know when you need to change them.
Lauren:
Awesome. Well, you heard it straight from Tony, make sure to check your filters at home. They do play into the efficiency of how well the air conditioner inside your house is working. So make sure to check them out. And if you don't know where your filters are, give us a call. We'd be happy to try and help you locate them in your home.
Charlie:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise to learn more about our sponsor Dolphin Cooling and Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling and Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Lauren:
Hey everybody, Lauren here with Dolphin Cooling. I actually have with me today our operations manager, who also happens to be my brother. And he's going to share with us a little bit about looking at whether a system should be repaired or replaced and how to best make that decision with the information provided. So, Greg, thanks for being here with me today.
Greg:
Yes, absolutely.
Lauren:
Can you share with me a little bit about at what point would someone decide to look at both a repair cost versus a replacement cost? And what types of repairs would we typically be talking about if we're looking at comparing the two?
Greg:
Yes. So usually when that happens, a system's approaching the end of its life span, probably at say nine to 10 years where the warranty is about to expire. And in some cases the warranty has expired. So the system’s older than 10 years, then the manufacturer part warranty is gone on it. So for instance, say if your coil was to go, you're probably looking at a 2,000, $3,000 repair, depending upon how expensive your coil is. And two, if your system’s an R-22 system, that's the refrigerant they're moving away from, that repair is going to be even more because if it is a coil or a compressor or something like that, it's going to require new gas. So on top of the part, you're going to have to include gas.
Now if it's 410, obviously it will be a little less on the gas, but still if you're in that nine to ten-year range, more than likely some people like to see the repair, just so they know. And they like to see the estimate for the new one. And they usually decide to go with the new system, because at that point, when you're investing two to three thousand dollars into a nine to 10-year-old system, so almost half of a brand new system and with a brand new system, you get a full 10-year manufacturer part warranty which will save you money. Yes, you'll have to pay for labor or refrigerant or whatever the repair may be. In instances like it's a motor repair, some customers do try to do that.
If the system’s say nine years old and they have one year left of warranty, they’ll try to squeeze in that motor repair and hope the system will last another year or two if they get lucky. They'll go that route, because depending upon the motors, they might be 800 to $1,500 repair. And some people just want to get it fixed for the time being and they'll say, oh, when I come back next season, I'll be looking at getting a new system, which is fine. It works for them. But definitely the major thing is when coils or compressors go on older systems, that's definitely where you want to get the estimate for the repair and the new system. Just so you can kind of judge. And if a system's out of warranty, those two repairs will be extremely expensive and for sure your best bet would be going with a new system on that.
Lauren:
So with those two repairs, would you say on average to have say an evaporator coil replaced or a compressor replaced as a system might still be under warranty, but approaching that nine/10-year mark, and obviously if out of warranty entirely on average, would those replacement costs run about a third to a half of like a full system replacement?
Greg:
Yes, if it was out of warranty, for sure it would probably be half. Just for instance, if you had like a four-ton system, R-22, you got a leaking coil, easily that's probably going to be 2000, $3,000 repair and four or five tons are in that range anywhere between five to 7,000. So in reality, you've already spent half of that on a repair that we tell people this, we can do the repairs happily if that's what you want, but I'm just letting you know, if I do this repair and we put the coil in and tomorrow your motor or your compressor goes, you can't be mad at me when I've told you upfront, hey, look, I'm just letting you know, this could happen. It's an older system, you can make this repair, but something else more than likely will happen in the future. Just so you're upfront with them and they know and if they're fine with it, but that's why we usually always recommend when it's big repairs like that, it's usually best to go with the new system. Because it will correct the problem and it's a brand new system with the full 10-year manufacturer part warranty.
Lauren:
Okay. So would you say on average if customers do choose to do the repairs over replacement as the system is aging or out of warranty, that typically they end up being pushed into because another repair comes up doing the sale anyway. So they actually end up spending more money in the long run.
Greg:
Yes, we've seen that before where people will be like, oh, well I just want to fix the compressor for now. And so they spend two grand or whatever it is to fix the compressor. And then a couple of weeks later they had something else goes and then they're kind of stuck in that spot. Do I want to get a new system or do I want to keep throwing money at this? And usually customers in that spot, they'll tend to say, okay, you know what, I'm going to get a new system.
We really try to strive for, when it’s a situation like that, we really try to advise the customer to go with a new system because that is the most beneficial practice and the best solution for them, because then they're not going to have to worry about, I just put this coil in, my compressor might go tomorrow. Everything's new, full 10-year manufacturer warranty and it's just a better option for a long-term solution.
Lauren:
So even though upfront the initial investment on the new system might be double, let's say of the repair cost, but the reality is in the long run, they'd be saving money because with the new system, it's likely probably more efficient, now they've got a 10-year manufacturer part warranty on it. And it's brand new so it's likely that they would have issues from it for a while.
Greg:
Exactly. Because before someone knows they can do repairs and they could spend five grand and think that they're going to be all set, the systems all repaired, but something else might happen. Or if you have a leak somewhere or a line anything. And then at that point, you've almost put in a full system repair and now you have to then buy the new system. So, I mean, you've doubled your money into your AC that you realistically probably could have avoided.
Lauren:
Okay. So the bottom line is that the takeaway here for all of our listeners would really be if your system is aging and you've reached about that nine-year mark, probably the better solution in the long run, even though it might be a little more expensive initially, is to install the new system because it's really going to save people money.
Greg:
Absolutely, absolutely, older systems like that. Now, just for clarity, if your system is newer, two, three, four, like Charlie’s system, definitely do the warranty repair because the part will be covered. You just have to pay for labor in refrigerant and you still have another five, six, seven years left on your warranty. But yes, for sure when you get at that end nine, 10-year range, definitely a new system is the best long-term solution for your AC.
Lauren:
All right. Well, Greg, thank you so much for sharing this information with us today. I hope our listeners find this helpful, provide you a little knowledge on best course of action for you, depending on what you're currently facing. Which we hope no one is presently dealing with AC issues because we know, especially this time of year in Florida, that is no fun. So thank you so much for taking the time today, Greg, and for being here with us.
Greg:
No problem.
Charlie:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise to learn more about our sponsor Dolphin Cooling and Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling and Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Charlie:
Hey there, this is Charlie McDermott, producer of comfort on purpose, and of course, I have Lauren here. Lauren, how are you doing?
Lauren:
Good. How are you today, Charlie?
Charlie:
I'm doing great and I asked to jump in here because I heard about what you guys were doing with surge protectors and, Lauren, I gotta tell you a few things. One, I learned something new every day in Florida. As you know, we're down here for about five years now and, my goodness, number one, we live right on the bay and, and we're in Fort Myers Beach and we have like this 280-degree view of Naples and Estero. It's like watching the fireworks six months out of the year during the rainy season. Right?
Lauren:
Yes.
Charlie:
It's crazy out there. I don't want to pick on Florida power because I got to tell you, the energy costs Pennsylvania versus here, I almost fell off my chair because the rates are so great versus Pennsylvania. But I understand there's some funky things that might go on when power goes out and comes back on and all that. So anyway, long story short, I was hoping you could just share the importance of a surge protector. Because I gotta raise my hand, I learned the hard way that there is such a thing that can help save your listeners a lot of money and pain and all that. So tell us about the surge protector.
Lauren:
The surge protector is a small electrical component, looks like a little box, and we place them on the outdoor unit, the condensing unit. And it does exactly what it sounds like. If you think of inside your home, people will buy those strips for plugs and those are actually a surge protector, right? So they protect your electronics in case there's a power surge, blackout, brownout, nearby lightning strike travels through the ground. It won't take out your TV, your computer, whatever happens to be plugged in. So it's the exact same concept. It just applies to the air conditioner.
So one of the things we hear a lot is, “I've had a system for 20 years. Why do I need this now?” Well, the difference between systems made 20 even 15 years ago, the newer systems have more electrical components in them. So what happens is, let's say there is a nearby lightning strike. Now I'm not going to say direct lightning strike, that's a complete act of God. But something nearby travels through the ground, or there's a power surge that comes through the house. That little box, the little surge protector, is gonna do exactly what it says. That surge of power is going to be trapped by that box. So the box will get zapped, protecting all of the electrical components within your condensing unit.
Now, a lot of times it's like, okay, well, what's the benefit? Well, what people may not realize is if there are surges of power like that, that take out electrical components within the condensing system, depending on how severe it is, the repair prices can actually be quite costly. Several hundreds to sometimes thousands of dollars, depending on which components are taken out from that power surge.
The device we use, they're not all created equal. The one that we specifically install is called a linebacker. That's the brand of surge protector, and it is designed to take multiple strikes or surges of power. So it's not a one-and-done thing. And the whole goal there is to give residents peace of mind. Like you said, we live in Florida, in Southwest Florida at that, and six months out of the year it's thunderstorm season, we have hurricane season approaching. When is that? Geez, June 1st, I think.
Charlie:
Yes, we're taking next year off, I understand. We're just going to skip this hurricane season.
Lauren:
That would be nice, right? We're just gonna jump over it entirely. But down here it's very common to have lightning strikes, power surges, blackouts, brownouts, things like that happen. They’re accessory items, so they're not integral for the AC to function properly, but they are a protective device to keep your AC functioning properly and avoid potential costly repairs.
Charlie:
So even if it's a non-lightening event, power goes out, there's a chance that when the juice comes back on there could be a problem.
Lauren:
Yes, there could be a surge or a spike in the electricity for whatever reason happens to come through. Not that that happens all the time, but it certainly can happen and it could potentially damage the AC system. This little box, it helps, and right now we're trying to help customers with hurricane season preparedness. What types of things can they do? We're running a promo on our surge protectors. If people call in and get this set up from April 15th to April 30th, we're offering a 15% discount on this service to have this little box that can save you a lot of money installing.
Charlie:
I love it, I love how it self-sacrifices itself. It throws itself in front of the electricity.
Lauren:
That is exactly what it does. That's a perfect way to explain it. It's exactly what it does. It sacrifices itself to save your AC. Which, as you know, down here, if you're without AC, especially in the summer, that's painful. I mean, that really is an emergency. It gets very hot. It gets very uncomfortable inside the residence. So nobody wants that.
Charlie:
Yes. It's funny, every time the power goes out, and it's not always because of electricity, every now and then you think it’s an explosion in the neighborhood and it just a transformer blows for whatever reason. Instantly the power goes out and then, not only are you holding your breath and crossing your fingers that comes on soon, but everything comes back on. Because we’ve had, and this was in Pennsylvania, TVs, big screen TV, they don't live through it for, for whatever reason.
Lauren:
It happens.
Charlie:
Yes. Well, this is great. This is good stuff. And, and I know that you’re helping a lot of folks who had no idea. And that's the worst thing. I'm all about getting the information out there and at least you know. The worst case is, something like this happens and you expend thousands of dollars to fix something and you find out later this little Linebacker gizmo could have protected you. So, terrific, you're getting it out there and helping them with a real nice promo price.
Lauren:
Yes. It's important, especially nowadays, that our listeners know and feel knowledgeable. And this is just one more little bit of information. It's something I learned myself. If you had asked me six years ago, I would have had no idea. Like you, I was not originally from Florida, I'm from New Hampshire. So we don't really have hurricane season and we don't have these crazy thunderstorms that roll through almost daily. So it was a learned thing for me too and I figured if it was good for me to know it, it's good for other people to know what their options are as well.
Charlie:
Well, terrific. Well Lauren, hey, thanks for having me on the show, number one, and I'm going to look forward to being in the background in the next show.
Lauren:
Sounds good. Well, thank you so much, Charlie, for letting me chat with you about surge protectors today and share it with our listeners.
Charlie:
Absolutely. You take care. You too. Thanks.
Charlie:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise to learn more about our sponsor Dolphin Cooling and Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling & Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Lauren:
Hi everyone. It's Lauren from Dolphin Cooling & Heating. So happy to be here with all of our listeners today. I actually have a special guest with us. His name is JT and JT is not only one of our customers, but he’s actually the general manager at True Foods Kitchen locally here at the Waterside shops in Naples and he's going to share with us a little bit about that. But before we get to that JT, I just wanted to welcome you. Thank you so much for taking the time out to chat with me today.
JT:
Thank you for having me. I appreciate it.
Lauren:
Of course. Can you share with me since you have been one of our customers, and I know you're going through a bit of a home remodel right now, how has your experience working with our company and what exactly did we help you with?
JT:
Actually, it's been fantastic. Moving into a new house, which, like you said, needs quite a bit of work, we weren't sure about the state of our AC unit and the motors and everything with it. And one day of course it just kept blowing out air, nothing else, nothing cool, nothing hot, just blowing out air. The breaker was off, kept on rolling. We didn't know what that was all about. And then finally it just stopped on us.
Of course, that's not my area of expertise, so I decided to give you a call and you had your techs come out. Actually, it wasn't an emergency in my mind, but you had guys come out the next day which was fantastic. Usually, it's a little further out of an appointment. So I appreciate the timing on that, and they did a thorough inspection of everything. They curled up in the attic for a while and it’s not too nice up there, not too cold either. So it was not comfortable, but they did their job and they did a full inspection of it inside and outside and crawled around and found out the problem, and were actually able to fix it quite quickly.
The motor, they actually did a bit of research. I'm not sure if you know this part too, but they did a bit of research and found that the motor was still under warranty, so you wound up saving me over $900 on that. So that was nice to know, especially moving into a house that needed the work and actually the part was in stock. So I got very lucky and it was another day before and they just came out, fixed it up, and made sure everything was right. They came back out and checked it again as well, just to make sure everything's working correctly. It's been fantastic ever since.
Lauren:
Well, good. I'm happy to hear that the system is running properly for you now, and you've got cold air, which I'm sure on a day like today is important. Right?
JT:
Definitely.
Lauren:
Well, that's good. We always try and get to our customers as soon as possible. And we like to provide either same day or next day service whenever we can. So I'm very glad we were able to get you taken care of quickly. And it is always nice when you find out that the parts are still under warranty, unfortunately, the labor is not covered, but when the parts are, it certainly saves you some money.
JT:
No, certainly that was nice to hear, especially with all the expenses I've got now with the house.
Lauren:
I'm sure. I'm happy to hear that our texts did a wonderful job for you. So JT, I know you're the manager over at True Foods Kitchen. Can you share with us a little bit about the restaurant? It's a fantastic restaurant here locally in Naples. I've been there once myself, the food was excellent. What's the theory behind the restaurant? I know it's kind of clean eating, healthier eating.
JT:
Yes, absolutely. You hit the marker right there. It is definitely clean eating, healthy eating based on a lifestyle. It's not a fad, it's not a flash in the pan. It's a life choice for a lot of people and everything we have on that menu is good for you and healthy for you and your body and your mind. It's not just throwing a bunch of ingredients together or it's not the healthy food of yesteryear that tasted like cardboard. There's quite a bit of flavors in there. Yes, we do use a lot of organic ingredients as well. And we pride ourselves on that, especially with the healthy cooking and the clean living aspect of it. It goes straight from our food right into our drinks and our wine as well. So, very conscious of it.
Lauren:
That's very cool. What would you say the most popular menu item is?
JT:
I would say it's the ancient grains bowl. It's a great mix of ancient grains with quinoa, farro, and brown rice in there. You got sweet potatoes with our special ingredients and sauce, of course. It’s pumpkin seed pesto, not something you could find every day, but it's just packed with flavor and nutrients for your body as well. Charred onions, portabella mushrooms, and you could add anything you want to it. Salmon, shrimp, fish, steak, tofu, anything you like. And that's probably our most requested dish.
Lauren:
Sounds delicious.
JT:
Absolutely. Yes, I eat it a lot.
Lauren:
Good to know. So obviously, being in the restaurant business, AC and refrigeration is a big deal for you guys I would imagine over there at the restaurant, as far as making sure everything is always fresh and well taken care of.
JT:
Oh absolutely, the food quality is the most important in our brand. And it's something, again, we take care of and watch very, very carefully. AC is great, of course, being down in Florida you’ve got to have it. But I'd rather have the refrigeration for my food at this point. It is extremely important and we have so many refrigerated areas. We do not do a lot of freezing, but our walk-in cooler is huge and it's got to keep all that food very fresh and in season for us when we change out our menu, as well as all the wine coolers. A lot of people are surprised at the amount of cooling we have to do and keeping those running and keeping those working properly is incredibly important.
Lauren:
Yes, when one of those goes out, that's an emergency.
JT:
That’s an emergency, yes. Absolutely an emergency. And I know I can call you guys and you guys will be out the same day for something like that, of course, if requested. That is extremely important for us. So we can't do without even one of our coolers.
Lauren:
Well, JT, before I let you go, is there anything else you want to share with our listeners today about True Foods Kitchen, coming in to check you guys out, where they can get more information?
JT:
Absolutely, I appreciate that opportunity. Thank you. Yes, we've been around for over four years now in the Waterside shops just off Tamiami trail there and we are fully open. We've got a great patio for our dining guests and we take care of all the social aspects that are needed in this day and age.
Lauren:
It's an interesting time, right?
JT:
It’s certainly an interesting time and we've made all those changes and we're extremely careful with everything we do.
Lauren:
Well, fantastic. I'll have to be down to visit you again sometime soon.
JT:
Please come in again.
Lauren:
We will. All right, JT, well thank you again for taking the time to chat with me today. And for all our listeners, thanks for listening in today. We'll be back again soon.
Charlie McDermott:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise. To learn more about our sponsor, Dolphin Cooling & Heating, visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling and Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Lauren:
Hi everyone. It's Lauren from Dolphin Cooling with you here today. And today I actually have a special guest. Her name is Debbie Gallant. I have known her my whole life, believe it or not. She's a long-time family friend and also a coach and mentor to me. Her background is in real estate and she actually owns a boutique real estate firm here in Naples called Gallant Real Estate. But even more important than that, she's also one of our VIP customers here at Dolphin Cooling.
So Debbie, thank you so much for being with me here this afternoon.
Debbie:
My pleasure.
Lauren:
So I was hoping that you could share with our listeners today a little bit about your experience since you're a customer of ours. What has your experience been with our technicians and how have we helped you?
Debbie:
Well, I'm absolutely thrilled to be working with Dolphin Cooling. As a family-owned business, I think that they treat everybody as if they're a family member. It is a very responsive company.
We actually have been using them full-time for the last three years, when we moved down to Florida full time. And the experience has been great because we actually live in a carriage home, which is very common here in Florida. And one of the things that we had was we had an issue with our line set, which is also referred to as your refrigerant line. And they came very quickly and offered alternative HVAC because it was very hot at that period of time, and were able to coordinate all that was needed with permitting, et cetera, and also taking care of everything. And I think that the employees are very dedicated. They're very loyal to the company. And also that they're very cognizant that this is somebody's home. They make sure that they're taking care of it. And also very polite, which my husband loves as well.
Lauren:
Well, that's great. I'm so happy to hear that you guys have been pleased with the service that you've received from us now. Now, I also know that you're one of our Plan One members here, which is our Maintenance Contract. So can you share your experience with the maintenance that you've received from us?
Debbie:
Yes. I think it's one of the things that a lot of people might not realize, but when, once you move down to Florida (and there’s a lot of folks from up North coming down) it's absolutely critical that you get into a twice a year program for maintenance and for filters and things like that, because humidity is really a great concern down here in Florida.
Twice a year we've got our filters taken care of, any service calls, they’ll assess the system and if for some reason they see something they'll also be able to address that right then and there. So we absolutely love it! And we've got them into a regular program which works out really well for us.
Prior to us moving here full time, we had Dolphin also coordinate with our Home Watch person when we were not here if we had any issues so that they could enter into the property as well. So having a good Home Watch person and having a good relationship with Dolphin is also really important, and it's one of the things that we absolutely love.
I do want to add when you talked about technicians, I'm fortunate because I do speak Spanish and one of Dolphin’s employees speaks Spanish. The last time he came for maintenance to our home, he actually brought me a key lime pie! And I thought that that was absolutely wonderful, and Gracias Martin!
Lauren:
I’ll let Martin know. That is fantastic! Talk about A-plus service right there. So yes.
Debbie:
Very good service.
Lauren:
With your background in real estate, obviously, you've worked with many home buyers and sellers over the years. So from your experience working with buyers and sellers down here, what can you share with people potentially looking into either buying or selling their home, and the AC system that you're finding as you're talking with people that are really of importance or tend to come up frequently?
Debbie:
Well, in a real estate transaction, the HVAC system is probably one of the most important components of the home. Number one, the age and oftentimes age also has an impact on the insurance, on your future insurance because of the way that insurance companies look at it, but also in terms of its maintenance. So if you're a seller, you want to make sure that you're having a good maintenance program on your HVAC system, because it's the type of thing that a buyer would be looking at. And also to make sure that it's running properly before you list your home.
So oftentimes we might have Dolphin come in beforehand, do the HVAC service/maintenance and get it all ready so that there's no potential issues down the road from a buyer buying a home.
On the buying side, it's one of the first things that we educate consumers on. Now that they're buying in Southwest Florida, they really need to develop a good relationship right off the bat with an HVAC company to get that maintenance program going. Sometimes people think, “Maybe I'll wait a little bit.” And I always say “No, this is one of the biggest investments that you're going to have in your home is an HVAC system. And you want to take care of it.”
I've always said that an HVAC system is only going to take care of you if you take care of it. And so making sure that you have the regular maintenance, that you're changing your filters. It's kind of like a car, going in and taking care of your car.
Also, making sure that your humidity levels are also there, which also kind of goes hand in hand. Also, I recommend strongly for those that leave here, that they also hire a Home Watch person that also has a good relationship with an HVAC company.
So HVAC to me is so critical down here from a real estate perspective because it can either kill a deal on a real estate transaction or really get somebody getting very excited about purchasing a home because oftentimes one of the questions people ask is how old are your systems? And so I think that that really is a key component.
Lauren:
Well, thank you. That was a ton of great information. I'm sure it will be very helpful to all of our listeners. Debbie, I really appreciate you coming on today and taking some time to chat with us and share a little bit about both your experience and your expertise being in the real estate business. Is there anything else that you want to share with us today before we go?
Debbie:
No, I just want to say thank you for having me today and gracias.
Lauren:
Well, thank you so much, Debbie. It was great chatting with you. You have a wonderful day and thank you so much to our listeners. We'll see you back here soon.
Charlie:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise to learn more about our sponsor Dolphin Cooling and Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
Charlie:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling and Heating who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998.
Lauren:
Hi everyone, it's Lauren. And today I have a very special guest with me. She's one of our own, her name is Janine Mennig, but around here we call her J9. She's been with Dolphin Cooling since we purchased the company back in 2016 and she started with us as our dispatcher and handled our customer service. And since then she's been promoted and moved to outside sales. And she's done a fantastic job with that over the last year. So J9, welcome to the show today. Thank you for being with me.
Janine:
Thank you, Lauren, I appreciate that.
Lauren:
So I was hoping from your experience having been with us for about five years now, you could share from your perspective since you've spent a lot of time talking with customers, getting face-to-face with customers and businesses alike, what are a few common things you hear from people that maybe is an untruth about air conditioning or just something that people typically don't realize the importance of?
Janine:
First of all, starting off going into dispatching. When I came into dispatching, I didn’t know anything. I've learned quite a bit for myself. I didn't know anything about AC, so I didn't do anything besides change the filter when I first started off. When I moved into my place, I started off putting bleach down every month. I thought that was the greatest thing to do. I thought I'd kill all the bacteria, which I did find out is a big no-no. You do not put bleach down. It eats at your PVC piping. So everybody out there, don’t put bleach down. It does eat at the PVC piping. So I did that for a few years until I came to Dolphin. I learned from the technicians. I learned from the techs you use vinegar. First you wash it down with the hot water, then put down the vinegar. And change your filter monthly. So that's a big must. People are surprised to hear that, not to use the bleach. And when we ask about maintenance everybody says they didn't do maintenance. They say their unit is just fine. Of course, down the road, they end up calling you because they got water all over the place. Algae is a big thing down here. And your drain is gonna end up backed up sooner or later. They think once a year is enough. Well down here, it gets built up. So two times a year, we highly suggest maintenance down here.
Lauren:
So are you finding that oftentimes with people when you're explaining that to them they seem a little bit shocked?
Janine:
Yes. Very shocked. They think they're fine, but they end up with it backed up in there. When the tech comes out, he does show the customer what is coming out of their drain lines and they're actually disgusted by it. What they have that comes out of there, and there's quite a bit in there.
Lauren:
What does it look like, by the way?
Janine:
It looks like snot.
Lauren:
Just what everyone wants to find in their drain line.
Janine:
That is what's coming out of there. So really two times a year is what we prefer. We tell everybody we have a couple of plans and there are people that do not want to push it, but will leave it at the yearly plan. And what happens with the maintenance is we put tablets down in there and a month from now, we could be back. What happens is the tablets will loosen up the algae that's in there in the drain lines. And it can still back up your drain lines. Even now they'll say, well, you're there. But once we put the tablets in there, it does loosen up the other stuff that's going through your drain.
Lauren:
So that does help. So if people are on our Plan One, which is semi-annual (twice a year), Plan Two (quarterly maintenance service). The fact is that we're putting those algae pan tabs inside the drain lines for the systems. So typically if that's being done regularly, have you noticed through your experience that customers are not calling nearly as frequently with no coils or backed up drain pan?
Janine:
Definitely. Yes. Most definitely.
Lauren:
So I know that through the whole time you've been with us, you're a hustler. And so you also actually are a manager over at the dock downtown, correct?
Janine:
Yes, I am.
Lauren:
And recently we actually got to finally partner with them through you. We started supplying them with service. So what, what did you end up offering to them through us?
Janine:
They've had the same AC company and after 28 years they moved over to us. They're confident with us and we take care of their AC. They've got a couple of offices. They have AC there because it is open-air there. They have AC units, mini splits and the restroom is in their offices. And we also take care of their walk-in coolers there and actually they have got about 38 pieces of equipment in there. So we've taken care of their refrigerant there in their coolers, the reach-ins, and things like that. So we're doing maintenance on all the equipment for the refrigerant or for the restaurant also.
Lauren:
Fantastic. Great work J9. Well, before we wrap this up, is there anything else that you would like to share through your experience or any other knowledge that you'd like to impart on our listeners today?
Janine:
Well, let's say if you're going with the older units, anything older than about 10 to 12 years old, you can start looking for a new one. Or if you start having problems during that, put money into a new unit. I know a lot of people like to hang on to them. I know the older units really are the front of the best units because they do run forever. But about 10 to 12 years, I wouldn't be adding money to those because once you put your money into a motor in a month from now, you might be putting money into a compressor. So 10 to 12 years, you should start looking or at least get prices on another unit.
Lauren:
That's a good tip. Now, why do you say that 10 to 12-year cutoff? Just for people who might be listening that don't realize about warranty.
Janine:
Because the warranty is only good for 10 years.
Lauren:
And that's the whole factory part warranty, right?
Janine:
The part warranty is only good for 10 years and also make sure if you get a unit that they are registered because if they're not, they're only good for five years. Make sure the company registers your unit because if not, your new unit won't be warrantied for five years.
Lauren:
That's a good bit of information. And I'm sure you can share from all the units that you've sold, you always make a point to register.
Janine:
Yes, we always make sure they are registered. The company makes sure, and we also send a copy of the registration to the customer so they know it is warrantied by us, that it's done.
Lauren:
Fantastic. Now real quick, with regard to that warranty, that's specific to residential, right? With commercial, it's different?
Janine:
For a commercial you only have a one-year warranty and that's for all commercial. It doesn't matter what kind of store it is. All commercial is only a one-year warranty on parts and labor.
Lauren:
Okay, fantastic. And again, that's the manufacturer warranty.
Janine:
Yes, it is.
Lauren:
Okay. Well, J9 thanks so much for being here today. I appreciate you taking the time to talk to all of our listeners and impart some of your wisdom and knowledge and things that you've learned over the last few years.
Janine:
Thank you for having me. I enjoyed it.
Charlie McDermott:
Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise to learn more about our sponsor Dolphin Cooling and Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.
Charlie McDermott:
Welcome to Comfort on Porpoise, sponsored by Dolphin Cooling & Heating, who have been providing 24/7 Comfort on Porpoise since 1998. Hey there, this is Charlie McDermott, the producer of Comfort on Porpoise.
Charlie McDermott:
Yes, you heard that right, Porpoise. Fortunately, I'm here with two folks who can explain what that's all about. I have Lauren Willeford and Greg Tancreti. Guys, how are you doing?
Lauren Willeford:
Good, how are you?
Greg Tancreti:
Doing good.
Charlie McDermott:
Doing terrific. And I'm so happy for you both. A little back history here. I first met Lauren and Greg on the Good Neighbor Podcast and these guys killed it.
Lauren Willeford:
Thanks, Charlie.
Charlie McDermott:
I said, man, for one: Family-based business in Naples, love that. We actually use you guys and your team is phenomenal. They came out here right when we needed them, which is always important with air conditioning in Florida.
Greg Tancreti:
That's true.
Charlie McDermott:
Yes. You're one of those gems that I uncover quite often when the Good Neighbor Podcast. As I said, family-based, have been doing this for a long time, great folks. I said, “You ought to have your own podcast, your own show.” And Lauren, I'm going to ask you first; your first reaction was, "What is this guy talking about? Is he crazy?" Right?
Lauren Willeford:
Yes, I was a little nervous because I was thinking, "What am I going to do a podcast on, as it relates to air conditioning?" So I did think you were a little crazy initially.
Charlie McDermott:
And then Greg, you're probably thinking, "Thank God I'm in the field most of the time. I won't have to deal with this." Right?
Greg Tancreti:
No, it was cool. I mean, I've obviously never been on a podcast, but it is cool to talk and explain what we do and how we can help people. So, that aspect is cool.
Charlie McDermott:
Yes, and having done this, we have a lot of sponsors that now do their own podcast, and the cool part about these podcasts is you can listen to them anywhere, anytime and get to know the folks, whether you're a customer of dolphin and/or, just looking for some tips on air conditioning and even heating. It's a little chilly today, isn't it?
Greg Tancreti:
Right? I know. We've gotten a couple heat calls today.
Charlie McDermott:
Oh man. How about that? You ought to have a special prize for folks, you don't get to do that often in Florida.
Greg Tancreti:
No, you don't.
Lauren Willeford:
I think there's something to be said when they say that after you move here, after a certain amount of time, your blood thins. Because I will tell you, I have only been living down here for four years now, but when it's below 60 degrees, it's chilly down here. Everyone back home would laugh if we told them that but down here...
Greg Tancreti:
You'd be in shorts if it was 50 degrees in March, but down here it's cold.
Charlie McDermott:
Yes, yes. I hate to say this, but my threshold is 70. I mean, when it gets into the 60s. We have a poor little, I call her a pup. She's four years old, but a mixed Chihuahua and Dachshund and when it's below 70, she is just shaking. Barb will microwave towels and all kinds of stuff to keep her warm.
Lauren Willeford:
That's too funny. I have a little dog as well, half Pomeranian, half Chihuahua and same thing. He shakes all the time.
Charlie McDermott:
That's funny. So what do you have in mind? I mean, we've talked about why the podcast, a great platform for certainly your customers and anyone who was just looking for some helpful information and tips. Heating and air conditioning, that's a major investment, but more importantly, very uncomfortable if the system isn't working properly. And so I know that’s some of what you're going to cover, but from your own words, Lauren, what do you foresee in the future here?
Lauren Willeford:
The purpose of the podcast and why...
Charlie McDermott:
Wait a minute, is that purpose or Porpoise?
Lauren Willeford:
Oh, sorry. Both actually...The Porpoise is to connect with our community and people that are just wanting to learn more about their air conditioning system. It is a major part of the entire house. And I know for me personally, I can share that prior to being in this industry, I really didn't understand much about air conditioning or heating and what I could do as far as home diagnostics or things to check and fix, and the types of things to look for as well as what type of investment this is. I would say the majority of people don't give any thought to their heating or air conditioning in their homes when it's working. The only time you think about it is when it's not working. And oftentimes, people can be very surprised by how expensive it can be to either repair or replace a system when there is major mechanical failure. So we'd like to be able to educate people, give them more knowledge so that they can feel empowered when working with air conditioning companies and trying to understand their A/C in their house.
Charlie McDermott:
It brings back memories of our Health Club days. We had locations all over a certain town outside of Philadelphia. Some of our clubs were huge and had hundreds of hot, sweaty bodies and hot summer days, and the air conditioners were cranked up. Occasionally our HVAC company would come in and hold up the dirty filters and go, “You know, this is going to cost you years on the life of your system.”
And when you have all these systems, you want to make darn sure that you were taking care of those. Homeowners don't maybe get that reminder like I did back in the day. So good, good, good. Hey, Greg, anything you want to add?
Greg Tancreti:
I was actually going to say that AC systems, besides appliances, they're one of the largest expenses in a house. You’ve got your refrigerator, dishwasher and all that, but probably the most expensive thing that you do have in your house is the air conditioning or furnace, whichever, depending on if you live in the north or south.
Charlie McDermott:
Well, you know, the way things are going, I think everyone's going to be living in Florida soon.
Greg Tancreti:
I would agree.
Charlie McDermott:
It's a great place. They're going to have to clone the state here. Well, guys, I'm excited. I know your listener base is going to be awesome and really going to appreciate your investment in sharing your knowledge and having some fun with Comfort on Porpoise.
Lauren Willeford:
Hey, if you can't have fun, what's the point, right?
Greg Tancreti:
That's true.
Charlie McDermott:
Alright. Well, we will see you guys in episode two.
Lauren Willeford:
Sounds great. We look forward to it.
Charlie McDermott: Thanks for listening to Comfort on Porpoise. To learn more about our sponsor, Dolphin Cooling & Heating visit www.dolphincooling.com or call 239-596-9044. That's 239-596-9044.