Florida’s hot and humid summer is in full force, and with it comes the dangers of thunderstorms and hurricanes. If your family is spending more time than ever at home because of COVID-19, it may be smart to consider updating or replacing you’re A/C system, and look into installing a portable or permanent all-home generator.
“The only thing worse than having you’re A/C go out on the hottest day of the year, is it going out during a hurricane, and not coming back on when your power is restored,” said Dana Spears, president and owner of Cornerstone Pros in Land O’ Lakes. “It is always best to plan ahead before an emergency strikes, and if you call now, we can get a technician to your home within a few days.”
Many families decide to upgrade their A/C system either because their existing unit is unreliable and costing too much to maintain, or it is so inefficient that it uses an increasing amount of energy that results in hundreds of dollars in utility bills, Spears explains.
A new A/C system that Cornerstone Pros offers exclusively in this area is the Daikin Fit series. Available only since February, it features exceptionally cool comfort, a small footprint and high energy efficiency ratings.
“The Daikin Fit has many advantages that families value,” said Spears. “Here are the top three that our customers rave about.”
- Half The Size — The outdoor unit is half the size of a traditional condenser, which makes it perfect for pool and patio areas, allowing more space for outdoor living. It is also great for homes with narrow lot lines.
- Exceptionally Quiet — It’s so quiet that it can be installed outside a bedroom window and not be heard inside, which makes it great for sleeping because you don’t hear a compressor kicking on and off during the night.
- Energy Efficient — It has an energy efficiency rating of 16 SEER that lowers your power bill because it consumes less energy to cool a home.
The Daikin Fit series also has the tech conveniences people want, including Wi-Fi connectivity and thermostat controls that are accessible from a phone, pad and laptop. Plus, Cornerstone offers great financing terms and rebates, and works with local utility companies to qualify customers for additional rebates. Finally, the Daikin Fit has one of the best warranties in the industry, with a 12-year parts and labor warranty included in the price of the unit.
Home Generators
Many families consider a home generator to keep their family comfortable and safe in case the power goes out during a summer storm or hurricane.
“Families of all sizes and incomes are installing home generators, especially when a family member has medical issues that require treatments needing power,” said Miguel Silva, plumbing manager for Cornerstone Pros.
Cornerstone installs Generac generators, the country’s largest and most advanced manufacturer of backup generators that run on natural gas or liquid propane, and automatically activate when there is a power outage.
“Choosing the right size generator for your home is just as important as the quality of the generator. Our technicians do a full load calculation on every home we quote, and specify a generator that best meets a family’s needs and budget,” said Silva.
Because generators can be costly, Cornerstone Pros offers permanent and portable generators, and has low-interest financing available to make monthly payments affordable.
“We want to encourage everyone who wants to protect their family’s health, comfort and safety to give us call,” said Silva. “We do everything possible to make a generator fit their budget.”
Modern generators are compact, quiet and able to power some or all of a home’s electrical appliances. A generator prevents almost all of the problems associated with power loss, including spoiled food, extreme temperatures, sickening mold, and no running water if a home is on a well.
“Many people think of backup generators as giant, noisy units that can be heard all around the neighborhood. This is no longer the case,” said Silva.
The American Red Cross recommends permanently installed backup generators because they are a safer way to provide backup power to a home than a portable generator.
Silva adds that portable generators can be dangerous if not properly installed. “A new transfer switch is usually needed for a portable generator, so that a home’s electrical panel is not blown up when the utility turns the power back on,” said Silva.
For homes with natural gas, Cornerstone Pros technicians do the plumbing that ties the generator directly into the home’s natural gas line, so the homeowner never has to worry about filling a gas tank. Homes without natural gas require a propane tank, which Cornerstone Pros connects to during its installation.
“Generators provide protection 24/7, whether you’re home or away, and turn themselves off when utility power returns, so there is no need to monitor the unit during an outage,” said Silva. “Plus, most models today offer Wi-Fi connectivity, so no matter where you are, you can monitor the status of your power and generator’s operations from a smartphone, tablet or computer.”
Cornerstone Pros offers 24-hour heating and cooling assistance. Its phones are answered 24/7, and technicians are available weekends and holidays. Call (813) 990-0561 anytime, day or night. For more information, visit the website at CornerstonePros.com.
Published June 24, 2020
