Florida Cooling Store Inc.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I select a contractor?
In selecting a heating and air conditioning contractor, ask the following questions:

Are our technicians qualified?
Florida Cooling Store has fully trained sales and management personnel, as well as technicians. Our technicians receive constant ongoing training -- with various continuing education, and  industry  specific educational programs that are offered. They use state-of-the-art tools and testing equipment, including Freon recovery equipment to protect the environment. Their fleet of  trucks enables their technicians to provide you with timely, professional service.

Are they insured?
Florida Cooling Store 's technicians are fully insured, and covered by Workman's Compensation.

Do they handle several reputable manufacturers?
Florida Cooling Store carries the most reliable products of several reputable manufacturers to provide you with lasting quality.

Do they have in-stock inventory?
Florida Cooling Store has an extensive selection of parts and equipment on hand. Their trucks are also well stocked,  so that the technician has them when we need them, at your job site.

Are they a full service contractor?
Florida Cooling Store is a full service contractor with complete service departments and installation departments, including duct sanitizing.

Are they fully licensed to do all of the work themselves?
Florida Cooling Store is state licensed  in Florida. They are fully licensed to do complete service and installation throughout the state.

Are they competitively priced, with written estimates up front?
Florida Cooling Store offers competitive  pricing and written estimates using flat rate service pricing to ensure no surprises when installing or servicing their customer's equipment. They also offer many different financing plans.

Do they offer service agreements?
Florida Cooling Store knows that homeowners have many concerns and activities in their lives. Their mission is to design, install and service heating and cooling systems in a way that provides homeowners with worry-free comfort. FL Cooling has a maintenance agreement that offers free service calls and two complete checkups a year.

Are they technologically up-to-date?
Florida Cooling Store is fully up-to-date technologically. They have a new website where you can schedule a service or sales call. They are computer automated to design the proper sizing of your air distribution system and equipment. Also, complete, comprehensive records are kept on every service call, providing instant employee access to your equipment's history. All employees are linked via their own extensive network for rapid sharing of information concerning your equipment when it is needed. Their technicians and sales representatives are in constant communication with the office via cellular phone/radio systems. No expense has been spared to provide you with the best, most timely and knowledgeable service possible.

Where can I get information about financing programs?
Florida Cooling Store has several  programs available. For more information, please call our office or fill out this sales request form to schedule a sales call.

What is the average life expectancy of equipment?
Most systems have a lifetime of 12 years or less. As your equipment gets older, its efficiency can decrease dramatically. You may notice that it gets noisier and needs repairs more often. If your system is over five years old, you should have a heating and cooling contractor check your system for maintenance or replacement.

Why should I purchase a service agreement?
Proper care of your equipment can save you real dollars on your utility bills. Some air conditioning and heating problems can double operating costs without reducing comfort. Just 100th of an inch of dirt or film on an evaporator coil can reduce cooling and heating efficiency by 5%. All leading manufacturers recommend regular maintenance to maintain peak performance. A service agreement will give you the piece of mind that your system is operating at optimum efficiency and performance. 

What is the overall condition of your system? If your system is in solid condition, it could be wiser to simply repair it. But if your system breaks down often, you should consider replacing it.

How often is your system operating? If your system has been used extensively, it may be time to replace it.

Are you planning to move soon? If you are moving in the next year or two and believe investing in a new indoor weather system will improve the value of your home, you should consider making the investment. If you plan to live in your current residence for many more years, it may also be wise to go ahead and invest in your future comfort.

For more information, please call us or fill out our online form to schedule an appointment or service call.

We will be happy to discuss all options with you.

What does SEER and mean to me?
SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the measure of efficiency by which the cooling process of air conditioners and heat pumps is rated. The higher the SEER number, the greater the efficiency, which translates into greater energy savings. Today, U.S. regulatory agencies require all new models to have a 13.0 SEER rating or better. Most major manufacturers offer a line of air conditioners and heat pumps that range from 13.0 SEER to 16.0 SEER.

How will the new environment friendly refrigerant affect me?
The 1990  Clean Air Act and the internationally binding Montreal Protocol calls for an international phase out on future manufacturing of the refrigerant R-22, which is currently used in most air conditioning and heat pump systems. Historically, when a refrigerant has been phased out, the cost of that refrigerant has risen dramatically. Also, the costs for servicing products using a phased out refrigerant have risen as well. According to current government regulations, the production of R-22 will be reduced by nearly one-fourth by 2004. By the year 2012, the production of R-22 will be reduced by nearly one-half of the current production. That means all R-22 products will eventually need to be replaced by products utilizing the new chlorine-free refrigerant.

Do you have an office or address where I can reach you?
Florida Cooling Store is located at 11251 Business Park Blvd. Building 7, Jacksonville FL 33256. We can be reached at 904-302-9507. You can also check us out at www.FLCooling.com

Do you have a service department staffed with people, or is there just an answering machine?
Florida Cooling Store is staffed by actual people and our retail location is open Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM and on Saturday's from 8:00 AM to 7:00 PM, Sundays from 9:00am to 5:00 pm.  The only time you will reach an answering machine during regular office hours is if all of our lines are busy at once. This can sometimes happen and when it does, we return your call as quickly as possible.

Why should I maintain my A/C system?
Even if your heating and air conditioning system is new or was built to go the distance, it has to be maintained in order to ensure that it continues to run properly. A properly maintained system will last longer with fewer breakdowns and also save you money every month through lower fuel bills. Much like a car, you won't notice any problems with your heating and air conditioning system until it stops running. An oil change for your car is much cheaper than the cost of a new engine. The same goes for your heating and air conditioning system. The cost of maintaining your system is much cheaper than having to repair or even replace it's parts.

How do I know which kind of system I need?
There are several factors that go into deciding what type of system is right for your home. If someone in your home suffers from allergies, filtration systems and humidifiers may be your best option. If energy savings and/or noise reduction are your main concerns, there are a wide range of systems that will meet your needs. Florida Cooling Store can design a system that is specific to your home and family, which will offer quiet, energy efficient and healthy alternatives to your current system. Many decisions will affect the design of your new system, including the times of day your home is occupied; the type of energy your home uses, whether it's electric, or natural gas; and what you personally feel you need in a system, including quiet, energy efficiency and health needs. The first step in determining the system that is right for your needs is calling Florida Cooling Store .

How do I know which equipment is best?
There are many options in A/C equipment. The needs of you and your family must be taken into consideration when deciding on the type of equipment best suited to your home. Call us today to discuss your options and to schedule an appointment for a free, on-site proposal.

How often should filters be cleaned or replaced?
Your filters should be inspected each month and replaced when necessary. The more you use your system, the more often you will need to change your filters. A clogged and dirty filter will cost more in efficiency and comfort in the long run than simply checking them once a month. Our seasonal system check-up includes checking and replacing filters as necessary without additional charge, up to a certain size. We offer larger size filters at a reduced rate as well.

My thermostat has an "auto" setting and an "on" setting? Which do I use?
The usual setting on your thermostat is "auto", which means the fan will operate only when the temperature requires it to. When the fan is set at "on", it will run constantly, without shutting off until you manually shut it off or by setting the thermostat to "auto" again.

How does my central air conditioner work?
An air conditioning system consists of two parts; the outdoor unit - condenser, and the indoor unit - coil. The air conditioner moves heat from one place to another via Freon (refrigerant). The compressor in your outdoor unit pushes Freon into the evaporator coil. As it is compressed, it turns into gas, then as it passes through the evaporator coil it takes on the heat from the air circulating over the coil, thus cooling the air. The cooler air is then moved into your home. At the same time, the heat is absorbed by the Freon and is transported outside as the fan pulls air over the condensing coil in your outdoor unit. As the warm air is cooled inside your home, it cannot carry as much moisture as it did at a higher temperature. The excess moisture condenses and is carried away through a drain. Therefore, your air conditioner does double-duty as a dehumidifier in your home.

Why is maintenance so important to my A/C system?
Just like anything with moving parts, your expensive A/C system won't last forever. But, you can stretch your dollars much further with proper preventative maintenance of your system. After all, it's much less expensive to have them checked twice a year than it is to replace them because the correct maintenance wasn't completed. At Florida Cooling Store , we offer a comprehensive system check of your unit(s) twice a year, before the hot or cold weather has arrived. We also offer a Maintenance Agreement which will save you even more money when you pre-pay for two system checks at one time. So, don't get caught out in the cold (or the heat!) give us a call today!

My current system isn't cooling my home. Does that mean I need a bigger system?
Do you need a bigger system to cool your home? Not necessarily. Failure to cool properly could be caused by many different factors, including poor installation, duct leaks, improper coolant levels, and dirty coils. It's not uncommon to actually replace a poorly functioning unit with a smaller one that's functioning properly.

Cities Florida Cooling Store Services:
Jacksonville Orange Park Lakeside Jacksonville Beach Palm Coast Palm Valley Fernandina Beach Flemming Island World Golf Village	St. Johns Switzerland Palatka Daytona Beach Atlantic Beach Saint Augustine Ormand Beach Arlington Fruit Cove	Lake City Yulee Gainsville Ocala Deland Middleburg New Smyrna Beach The 210 Corridor Green Cove Springs
Major Brands Florida Cooling Store Services
Rheem Sears American Standard Bryant Carrier Ruud Trane Lennox	Whirlpool Tempstar York Bard Coleman Westinghouse GE Fedders	Heil Luxaire Gibson Goodman Frigidaire Maytag Payne Intertherm