Air Handler Causes Fire

Having your central air conditioning system on a maintenance program like Top Performance may have been able to prevent this.

Tampa, Florida - Tampa Fire Rescue responded to a house fire on West Nassau Street in Tampa.


TFR tells us the initial investigation into the cause of the fire indicates there was a problem with the electrical system going to the central heat and air conditioning unit in the attic.


According to officials, fire crews managed to stop the flames from consuming the home. Still, the house is moderately damaged, no loss estimate is yet available.

No injuries were reported.

Florida Energy Star Residential HVAC Rebate Program

The program starts Monday and lasts till the end of the year or the money runs out.  A local TV station has a report here.

There are a lot of hoops you need to jump through in order to qualify, most of those answers can be found here.

Summer tips for air conditioning care.

One of our local TV stations gives some advice on caring for your system.

Tips to save money with your central air system

From the Tampa Tribune.

The two tips I would start with is to invest in quality filters and change them every 30 days, and to have Integrity Air give your system a checkup before it gets too hot.

The Critter Superhighway

The top picture is the lineset and cover running from the outdoor unit to the home via the attic.  See how the lineset has room for rodents to enter your attic.  Sticking steel wool in there will help keep critters out, however the lower photo shows how a professional contractor like Integrity Air can shut down this particular critter superhighway.

Chinese Drywall and Your Central Air

If your home or addition was built around 2004-2006, you mave have Chinese drywall.

At the height of the U.S. housing boom, when building materials were in short supply, American construction companies used millions of pounds of Chinese-made drywall because it was abundant and cheap.

Now that decision is haunting hundreds of homeowners and apartment dwellers who are concerned that the wallboard gives off fumes that can corrode copper pipes, blacken jewelry and silverware, and possibly sicken people.

Shipping records reviewed by The Associated Press indicate that imports of potentially tainted Chinese building materials exceeded 500 million pounds during a four-year period of soaring home prices. The drywall may have been used in more than 100,000 homes, according to some estimates, including houses rebuilt after Hurricane Katrina.

Bad Chinese drywall can harm your central air conditioning.

The wallboard is being blamed for corrosion of metal components. Air-conditioning evaporator coils, which typically last a decade or more, are corroding and failing in homes only a couple of years old. Pipes and wiring also may be deteriorating.

Integrity Air can replace a corroded coil. However, if your coil has failed while it is relatively new, you may want to find out the origins of your drywall.

New Tax Credits for Energy Efficiency

The stimulus bill that the president signed on February 17, 2009 provides for tax credits for various home improvements that make your residence more energy efficient. Those home inprovements could be new windows and doors, roofs, and air conditioning.

The tax credit is 30% of the cost of the home improvement with a limit of $1500 for all home improvements. You can find complete information at the Energy Star website.

The minimum SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio; like miles-per-gallon for your air conditioner) that qualifies is:

Straight Cool Split System 16 SEER

Straight Cool Package 14 SEER

Heat Pump Split System 15 SEER/8.5 HSPF

Heat Pump Package 14 SEER/8 HSPF

Must be “placed in service” from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010 must be for taxpayers principal residence

Maximum amount is $1,500 in 2009 & 2010 for most home improvements. $1,500 is the total deduction for all home improvements.

Must have a Manufacturer Certification Statement to qualify. The ARI Certificate may qualify as a Manufacturer Certification Statement

For record keeping, save your receipts and the Manufacturer Certification Statement improvements made in 2009 will be claimed on your 2009 taxes (filed by April 15, 2010) — use IRS Tax Form 5695 (2009 version) — it will be available late 2009 or early 2010

Please check with your tax accountant to see if you qualify.