R-22 is a refrigerant that was used in most residential air-conditioning systems until just a couple years ago. It is considered a greenhouse gas since the manufacture of R-22 it results in a dangerous by-product that adversely affects the environment.

The United States began phasing out R-22 in 2004, and from day one Sean McCutcheon's Air conditioning and Heating, Inc. informed customers of the eventual complete phase out of R-22 and recommended their customers consider purchasing new systems that used Environmentally Safe refrigerants.

As of January 1st 2010 – New A/C systems manufactured cannot use R-22 refrigerant.

Some air conditioning businesses have purposely mislead their customers about the future availability of R-22. There are some large Air Conditioning companies that have warehouses full of "new" systems manufactured before 2010 – and they will sell this equipment to customers at a discount without fully explaining the phase out of R-22.

Not only is R-22 harmful to the environment, but it will become more expensive and harder to get over time. Systems that use R-22 cannot easily be converted to the new refrigerant so customers will also experience costly repair bills in the future.

A very intelligent home improvement is to replace your air conditioning system. If your system is not that old, or you are just not ready to bite the bullet, at least consider regular maintenance. Keeping your air conditioning system operating smoothly and efficiently helps you save energy while also reducing your electric bill.

When it is time to hire a certified HVAC company for maintenance or new installation you need to choose the right contractor.

The question is "Can your A/C air ducts really be efficiently cleaned?"

Many disreputable Air Conditioning companies offer cheap duct cleaning. They run specials for $49.95 and claim to be able to clean the air in your home. They will scare you with warnings that you have filthy moldy ducts and the health of your family could be in danger.

Being a Florida resident – it's hard to imagine living through a summer without AC, but it wasn't that long ago that residents of warmer climates had no means to artificially control the temperature in their homes and businesses.

You may not be familiar with the name Dr. John Gorrie, but he is the father of Air Conditioning. Back in 1851 Dr. Gorrie was granted the first U.S. Patent for mechanical refrigeration.

When you become a Priority Service Agreement Member with Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, inc. you will enjoy many benefits including free maintenance when you refer customers to us.

Every time you refer a friend or family member to us and they sign up for a Priority Service Agreement, you will get your next maintenance visit free of charge. You can get a whole year free by having 2 people sign up. If 10 of your friends sign up with us you'll get 5 years of maintenance no charge.

Some air conditioning companies have as many telemarketers on the payroll as technicians. One of the first signs that an air conditioning company may be shady can be if you receive a phone call from them right out of the blue. This may be a company based in one city that is targeting other cities where it is not known. What they lack in reputation, professionalism and skill, they make up for in mass advertising.

These companies buy call lists and target certain neighborhoods and people who match a desired profile. The elderly are a favorite target, but anyone can fall prey to these dishonest businesses. One tactic they will often use is to call and claim they are just down the street at a neighbor's house and would like to offer you a discounted or free service. The person who shows up at the door is a salesman who works on commission. Their goal is to get you for as much money as possible.

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.

Ultraviolet (UV) light is a form of short wavelength radiation. Although exposure to UV radiation from the sun and tanning beds can be dangerous, ultraviolet light has a variety of uses. One of the more beneficial uses is to install UV lights in Air conditioning systems as a way to purify the air.

Indoor air quality can be worse than outdoor air because the ultraviolet component of sunlight destroys microbes.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Inc. Magazine Unveils Its Annual Exclusive List of America's Fastest-Growing Private Companies—the Inc.500|5000.

Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. Ranks No. 1461 on the 2011 Inc. 500|5000 with Three-Year Sales Growth of 191%.

NEW YORK, August 23, 2011 -- Inc. magazine today ranked Sean McCutcheon's Air Conditioning and Heating, Inc. NO. 1461 on its fifth annual Inc. 500|5000, an exclusive ranking of the nation's fastest-growing private companies. The list represents the most comprehensive look at the most important segment of the economy - America's independent entrepreneurs. Online retailer ideeli tops this year's list.

The number one mistake many home owners make when replacing their Air Conditioning System is hiring the lowest bidder. This is because the company with the lowest bid will most likely cut corners on the installation of the unit.

A homeowner should always shop quality first, and price second. Determine what the best and most efficient system is for your needs. Do research and gather information so you know what exactly needs to be done to properly install the system. Once you are armed with this knowledge you can then choose the right contractor to do the work.

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.

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.

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.