Friday, January 13th, 2012
If you’ve read any of our blog posts, you know that we’re pretty big on keeping your heating and air conditioning systems up to par with the annual maintenance. One thing we haven’t really talked about that much, though, is how one goes about choosing the right heating and air conditioning system for their home. The weather outside can be downright frightful, and, as this winter has shown us, somewhat unpredictable, further emphasizing the need for the right HVAC system.
In today’s world, one of the first things one should look at when purchasing a new heating and air system is the overall energy efficiency. In the past years, the individual components of both heating and air conditioning weren’t as efficient with the energy they use as today’s models, so chances are any new model available at local heating and air conditioning companies will be more efficient than the model currently installed in one’s home. This does not mean, however, that any model will do. There are two major factors determining the type of heating and air system one needs – the size of the home in question and the weather of the region it resides in.
The size of the home is pretty important when choosing the heating and air services, especially when it comes to getting the right fit for one’s home. For a larger the home, the more powerful components are going to need to be installed to achieve the desired heating and cooling results, while a smaller home doesn’t need such heavy-duty equipment.
The average weather for the region also plays a big role in deciding which model type and power consumption level desired for the new heating and air systems. For instance, if the weather is relatively warm throughout the year with little variation, than it would make sense to have system who’s components are more on the small end, since they won’t have to be doing much heating or cooling throughout the year. If, however, the region experiences hot summers and cold, long winters, than a more powerful and beefier system may want to be purchased instead.
There are a few other factors involved that can help determine the overall power level of the desired systems, including how shaded the home is and how much sunlight it lets into the home. To get the best advice and the best results for your specific home, it’d be best to talk to the pros here at our shop. From central heating in Winchester to air conditioning in LA, we’ve got you covered.
There are many options available when it comes to energy efficient equipment and components for one’s heating and air conditioning systems – why not let the pros help you figure out which would be the best fit for your home? We’ll save you time, money, and the frustration that comes with trying to figure all of this stuff out on one’s own.
Tags: about-us Heating and Air Services, Central Heating Winchester, heating and air conditioning companies, heating cooling services air conditioner repair
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Tuesday, November 29th, 2011
Prolonging the life of our heating and air conditioning systems is something that we all want to do, especially since times are tough and we’re all looking for new ways to save money. Replacing or upgrading a heating or air conditioning system can be a pricey endeavor, so it makes sense that more and more people are taking the time to keep their heating and air conditioning systems up to par on the maintenance.
It’s maintenance that really keeps both business and residential heating systems running smoothly and efficiently during the cold winter months. Neglect or poor maintenance can, and often does, lead to obsolete and dysfunctional systems. Individual components ware out and need replacing while others need added lubrication and annual cleaning. Your average resident won’t know how to go about making these necessary maintenance work, and most of the time won’t even know that there is work that needs to be done.
Our heating systems, along with our cooling systems, are machines and need regular maintenance just like any other machine. Take your car, for example – you wouldn’t let it go for a year without an oil change, unless you were looking for a car that doesn’t run. The same holds true for heaters and air conditioners.
Yes, maintenance is truly the way to go about prolonging the life of our heating and air conditioning systems. Not only will the maintenance help prolong the life cycle of our equipment, it will also help with keeping monthly utility bills down. A well-maintenanced system runs more efficiently and with less power usage, allowing us to keep our homes at a comfortable temperature throughout every season of the year without having to pay out the nose for it.
Not all of the maintenance has to be done by a professional central heating company, there are a few things everyone can do to help prolong their systems lifecycle and reduce their monthly bills. For instance, keeping up on replacing the air filters will go a long way. They tend to clog relatively quickly, so keeping them cleaning and replaced will go a long way. Another great thing we can all do is ensure that there are no bushes or other obstacles obstructing the outdoor units.
While there are things we can all do to help keep up on the maintenance, the best way to really ensure your system runs smoothly for years to come is to have it looked at by the trained and professional hands of our HVAC experts. We have the tools and know-how to ensure that the job is done right the first time, ensuring that we all have peace of mind when it comes to our heating and air conditioning systems.
Tags: Central heating company, Heating and air conditioning, Residential Heating
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Wednesday, September 7th, 2011
Keeping your heating and air conditioning system well maintenanced is something that we all should be doing, but most of us aren’t. Like any other piece of machinery that’s used on a regular or semi-regular basis, air conditioners need regular tune-ups and repairs. Many large and expensive problems start out as small problems or issues that can be easily repaired or fixed; however, if left unchecked, these small problems can quickly turn into large ones requiring an expensive repair or replacement.
When an air conditioner is left without regular maintenance, small decreases in efficiency, both in cooling power and energy usage, start adding up and compounding each other, ultimately causing the whole system to work harder for fewer results. Some common signs of an under maintenanced air conditioner is trouble maintaining the temperature within the home, constantly running to maintain that temperature and increased energy bills.
There are steps you can take at home to help maintain your air conditioner, increasing its lifecycle and efficiency in the process. The easiest and most effective of them is making sure you change or clean the air filters regularly – they get dirty and clogged up, causing a decrease in overall airflow. Another good tip is making sure you clear away any obstructions from the outside unit, such as newspapers, leaves, etc.
While there are steps you can take on your own to keep up to date on your air conditioning maintenance, your best bet is having professional AC maintenance. In the spring they will look at your air conditioner to make sure it is ready for the demand that summer will bring and again in the fall to ensure your furnace and heating system is ready for the dark and cold nights of winter.
Maintenance is important and isn’t something that should be overlooked or taken lightly. When caught in time, small issues and problems can be fixed and repaired before they escalate and compound, requiring an expensive replacement.
Tags: air conditioning system, maintenanced air conditioner, Murrieta air conditioning, professional AC maintenance, Temecula air conditioning service
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Tuesday, August 23rd, 2011
Looking to boost your air conditioners efficiency, don’t want to spend the money to have someone come out and tune up your system or perform potentially costly air conditioning repairs? Well, then you should probably keep reading, ‘cause this post just might have exactly what you’re looking for.
First off, check the connections. If a breaker has switched, or something has simply become loose or disconnected, it is rather easy to reattach or plug it back in, not to mention it will save you a good deal of embarrassment later down the road. If your air conditioning system is acting funny, check the various connections to make sure everything is plugged in nicely.
Alright, now that we know everything is connected properly, time to see if there is anything blocking the outdoor unit. Make sure there isn’t anything on top of the air compressor and that it has about 3 feet of room on either side. Blocked airflow to the compressor makes your whole central air conditioning system work harder and harder to achieve the same results, ultimately causing more damage to the system in the long run.
While we’re at the compressor, check the air filters. Yes, just like your car, your air conditioning air compressor has air filters. They’re there to prevent bugs, plants, dust and other nasty debris from making its way into your air conditioner, and by proxy, into your home. But, over time, these air filters get dirty and clogged and begin blocking air flow to the compressor themselves. Make sure you clean the filters and replace them when necessary to help ensure optimal airflow.
Last, but not least, to help boost the cooling power of your AC without having to pay for air conditioning maintenance, try adding or tuning on some fans inside. Ceiling, standing and desk fans all help circulate the cool air your AC is kicking out and sip the electricity from the wall, so they won’t raise your electric bills by too noticeable an amount.
Tags: air conditioners efficiency, air conditioning maintenance, air conditioning repairs, central air conditioning
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Monday, August 15th, 2011
With the weather as hot as it has been these past several weeks, it’s no surprise that more of us are spending more and more of our time indoors under the guard of the trusty air conditioner. With all that added time in air conditioned homes, it’s important to make the air quality a priority, and luckily there are a few simple things you can do to help keep the air quality in your home healthy and comfortable.
First, if you haven’t already, you’ll want to clean your air filter about once a month. A dirty air filter not only causes your AC to work harder to pump the same amount of air through your home, but it also makes that air less than what you may expect.
The next place to look is your air ducts themselves. Over time dust, lint and other debris build up in the air ducts and do their part to pollute the air going through them. Dirty air ducts also cause air restriction, making your whole system work harder to pump the air through the ducts. The cleaner the ducts, the better quality air you’ll have and the more efficiently your air conditioning system will run.
Now that you’ve got your air filters and your air ducts taken care of, it’s time to look at an air purification system. It’s a simple little device that’s pretty easy to install and setup, and can usually be done by a professional in little time. The whole things works by emitting high intensity ultra violet light to kill air born bacteria and viruses.
With these three simple steps, you can be well on your way to ensuring your home has a safe and healthy air quality level.
Tags: air quality
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Thursday, August 4th, 2011
One of the most annoying parts of summer has to be having an air conditioner that just doesn’t work the way you want it to. Chances are, many of you out there have an air conditioning unit or system that has to run all day to keep the house cool – or even worse, runs all day and DOESN’T keep the house cool. So, what’s causing it? I mean, it’s not as if your AC has been acting this way since it was installed.
First of all, you should check your thermostat. These days thermostats are much more than just a dial you set to your desired temperature, and having it on the wrong setting can make it seem like your AC isn’t cooling properly. Often times there will be a few different settings, typically ranging from OFF, ON and AUTO. When set to ON, the fan or blower will run regardless of the temperature of the house. When on AUTO, the blower and fan will only turn on to cool the house.
If all looks good with the thermostat, the next place you’ll want to check is the ductwork. The air ducts that run throughout your home accumulate dust, lint and other nasty debris that builds up and eventually begins blocking airflow. It may be a good idea to see if their dirty or not – if they are, you should probably have someone come out and clean them.
Dust buildup in the air ducts isn’t the only thing that can go wrong with them, so you’ll want to make sure there are no cracks or bends that might be affecting your system cooling abilities.
So, if your air ducts are good, and your thermostat is set to the right temperature and setting and your AC still isn’t cooling down your home, there’s one last part to check. The refrigerant itself. Overtime the inert gas housed in the compressor leaks and needs to be refilled, or “recharged” as it is commonly referred to. Basically, it’s the process of making sure your AC unit has enough refrigerant gas to actually cool the air. If the levels are too low, the system will run and run and run without much to show for it, accept for on the monthly utility bills.
There you have it. If your residential air conditioning system isn’t living up to your expectations and is costing you an arm and a leg for mediocre cooling, check these three parts first, then give us a call.
Tags: AC, air ducts, thermostat
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Thursday, July 28th, 2011
We’re all looking to save some money these days, and one of the best ways to do just that is to make the most out of what you already have. Major appliances tend to be a big investment, and aren’t always doable when we may need them. Air conditioners are no different, whether you have a centralized system or a window unit. Today we’re going to go over a few simple steps you can take to help extend the life cycle of our air conditioner and help save some money on monthly bills in the process.
If you don’t have one already, you may want to look into installing a thermostat. Utilizing one will allow you to maintain an even and steady temperature, and if you go with a programmable thermostat, you’ll have the freedom to custom your cooling schedule.
If you’re using a central cooling system, than you’ll want to check your air ducts for leaks and insulation. Any leaks should be sealed and any areas of the air ducts that travel through un-insulated parts of your home should have some king of insulation. You don’t want the air heating up before it has a chance to get out of the air ducts.
Make sure you check and clean your air filters on a monthly basis, cleaning and replacing the filters when necessary. A dirty or clogged air filter causes your whole system to work harder and harder to achieve the same cooling results.
Also be sure to keep the area around the air conditioning unit itself clear of debris and anything else that might block air flow. Generally speaking, you want to keep about a three foot radius around the unit clear. Since most units are kept outside, you’ll want to make sure that there aren’t any bushes or weeds in the immediate vicinity.
And lastly, look into investing in fans. Having ceiling and other fans running during the day will help keep your home cool without using much electricity. All in all, there are a range of steps you can take to not only extend the life cycle of your air conditioner and help keep your monthly bills low in the process.
Tags: Air conditioners, central cooling system, programmable thermostat, replacing the filters
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Thursday, July 21st, 2011
Air conditioners are wonderful inventions. They allow us to stay cool during an otherwise miserably hot summer, and they provide us one of our most granted luxuries. So many of us take our air conditioning systems for granted, but how many of us actually know how these seemingly magical contraptions do the job? It can’t be as simple as just pumping cool air, there has to be more to it. How does it make the air cool to begin with?
How refrigeration works is a very interesting question, and one that we’re all a little curious about. In a nut shell, the whole process works by utilizing a repetitive cycle of condensing and evaporating a gas, one with a low boiling point and that isn’t toxic to humans or animals, while at the same time being relatively safe for the environment.
There are six main components that make your air conditioner, an all refrigeration really, work the way they do. You have the refrigerant, a compressor, an expansion valve, condenser and evaporator coils and a fan. There are obviously more components, but these are the elementary ones that make the whole concept work.
The refrigerant gas is compressed into the condenser coils where the increase in pressure causes the gas to heat up. Once enough pressure is achieved, the gas condenses into a liquid where it is then released through the expansion valve separating the condenser and evaporator coils. The pressure in the evaporator coils is far lower than in the condenser coils, so the liquid refrigerant can now expand and evaporate. Since the temperature of the liquid refrigerant can’t be higher than its boiling temperature, it cools the evaporator coils down to its boiling point, typically somewhere under 0 degrees F.
The pressure in the evaporator coils is lower than the condenser coils because the compressor is pulling the cool gas from the evaporator coils and forcing it into the condenser coils. This is where the fan comes into play, by pushing the cool air from around the evaporator coils into the home. It’s through this repetitive process and the enclosed system the refrigerant is contained in that we’re able to cool our homes and vehicles. It’s actually pretty cool when you learn how it all works.
Tags: air conditioners efficiency, air conditioning systems, condenser coils, evaporator coils, How refrigeration works
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Wednesday, July 13th, 2011
Programmable thermostats are a wonderful thing. They give us the ability to customize the cooling and heating schedule for our homes, allowing us to keep our homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter without digging deeply into your wallet.
It’s hard to argue with the practically of a programmable thermostat. They provide great energy savings without a hefty price tag – most programmable thermostats fall between $50 and $200, far less than the price to replace a furnace or switching out for more energy efficient appliances.
The whole point of a programmable thermostat is to give you the ability to cool or heat the areas of your home that you want when you want. This has amazing cost saving potential. When you’re away at work all day, you probably don’t need your air conditioner blasting, working overtime in the summer heat to keep your home at a cool temperature. It’s just a waste if you’re not there to enjoy it.
But, at the same time, nobody wants to come home to a home that feels more like an oven. With a programmable thermostat, you can have the AC shut off shortly before or after leaving the house, and kick back on again an hour or so before you get home. Roughly, that’s about 8 hours of cooling saved.
The flexibility just doesn’t extend to timing when your AC turns on or off, you can also program specific sections of your home to be ignored, such as a guest room. It doesn’t really make much sense to pay to have a room cooled or heated when you’re not even using it. Cutting areas like these out of the equation helps the areas of your home you want cool to get there faster and keep more money in your wallet at the end of the month.
There are a good deal of benefits to having a programmable thermostat, the main point of which is the overall savings and more efficient use of power. But, while a programmable thermostat can help reduce monthly bills, it is no replacement for an old or warn down system, so make sure that you keep up to date on your system maintenance and cleanings. Combined, you’ll find yourself staying cool this summer and warm this winter all while still having money in your pocket.
Tags: Air conditioning, energy efficient appliances, programmable thermostat, Temecula air conditioning
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Wednesday, July 6th, 2011
A dirty air filter is the #1 reason for most HVAC system failures. A dirty air filter doesn’t allow air to pass through it so easily, if at all, and causes additional strain on the fan motor for the air handler. Over time the strain builds up and can cause the air handler motor to fail, causing your system to overheat and ultimately suffer the same fate.
Before it slowly chokes your air conditioning system, a dirty air filter will increase your utility and power bills. Since it’s preventing proper air flow, it’s forcing your fan motor to work harder to achieve the same results, eating up more and more power in the process.
As if eating up money and slowly killing your air conditioning system wasn’t enough, a dirty air filter actually causes air ducts inside your home to get dirty faster. With the buildup of dust and debris comes more opportunity for mold and bacteria to grow, ultimately lowering the overall quality of the air inside your home, as well as possibly having an effect on your overall health.
The point is, there are several reasons why you should keep on top of your air filter. Make sure it is cleaned regularly. Not only will it help increase the overall lifespan of your system, but it will help keep your bills down.
Tags: air conditioning system, air filter, dirty air filter, HVAC system
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