Wednesday, May 11th, 2011
A fair question, to say the least. It’s probably a safe bet to say that most of us have some kind of heating and air conditioning system in our homes, what with the hot southern California summers and deceptively cold winters. Most heating and cooling systems are built to last a while, but not forever. Since one of the last things on our minds is when to replace or upgrade our heating and cooling systems, we decided to take care of this question here on our blog.
So, when should you go about replacing your heating and cooling system? Well, we may not be able to give you a set date, but we can give you a list of some of the signs that your system is nearing its last leg.
First off, if your heat pump or air conditioner is 10 years old, than it’s time to look into replacing it. Even if the components themselves are in good working condition, the system is not nearly as energy efficient as the new ones today, so upgrading to a more energy efficient system can save you bundles on your monthly utility bills.
Another good sign to keep an eye out for is how often your equipment needs maintenance or repairs. If things are breaking more and more often, that it’s probably a good idea to upgrade. Same with if your energy bills have been creeping up. The older a system gets, the less efficient they begin to run and the higher your energy bill gets.
Having uneven cooling or heating throughout your home is another sign that it may be time to think about getting a new system, or at the very least, having your current system looked at and maintenance.
Either way, with the continued advancements in technology, it’s probably a good idea to look into having your system upgraded at least every decade – the money saved in utility bills alone would be more than worth it.
Tags: air conditioner, air conditioning system, heating and cooling systems, indoor air quality
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Monday, May 2nd, 2011
Your HVAC (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning) system is a pretty important part of your home, regardless of whether it’s at the forefront of our minds all that often. Like other aspects of our homes, like the plumbing and electrical wiring are just supposed to work, and your HVAC system usually isn’t any different. Unlike your electrical wiring and plumbing, there are steps you can take to actively protect your HVAC system from some uncertainty later on.
Like any other appliance in your home, your HVAC system requires electricity to work. However, one of the main differences between your HVAC system and, say, your TV (other than their obviously different designs and intents) is that a lot of people put a surge protector on their televisions. The same, unfortunately, cannot be said for your HVAC system.
Hooking up a surge protector can protect your valuable and somewhat delicate HVAC components just as well as it can your television in the event of a power outage – or more specifically, the power coming back on afterwards.
Tags: Air conditioning, Heating, HVAC Services, Ventilating
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Friday, February 4th, 2011
In part 1, we went over how having proper insulation, weather seals for doors and windows, and maintaining a clean system can help optimize your heating and cooling system to help it reach its full potential while keeping costs down. Today, we’re going to touch on three other key points that will help you optimize even further.
- Thermostat Settings – By keeping your thermostat set to a lower temperature in the winter and a higher one in the summer, you can help keep energy costs down. During the winter, keep your heater set to 70-72 degrees to keep your heating bills down. For the summer, set the AC to 78-80. This might seem a little warm, but it can still be quite comfortable and save you on your monthly bills.
- Air Purification Systems – This might not help decrease monthly utility bills, but it will do wonders for your health. Studies have shown that the air inside your home can be up to five times dirtier than the air outside, so it should come as no surprise that by adding an air purification system, you can see an overall increase in your health. The system works by installing an antibacterial light inside the overall system. The ultraviolet light kills off nearly all bacteria and germs in the air, making it cleaner and healthier for you and your family.
- Regular System Maintenance – Now, I know we’ve touched on this before, but we really can’t stress it enough. Just like any other piece of machinery or equipment, your air and heating system need regular maintenance to stay up to par. We’re not talking about monthly oil changes or anything, but bi-annual check and tune ups. Keep your system maintenanced and up to par, and you won’t have many issues with it at all.
All in all, keeping your air and heating systems in good operating doesn’t have to be complicated or frustrating. With a little effort, and a little preemptive care, you too can enjoy a worry free and efficient heating and air conditioning.
Tags: Air Purification Systems, Regular System Maintenance, Thermostat Settings, weather seals for doors and windows
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Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
Everybody likes saving money, yet we all like using our air conditioners and heaters to keep comfortable in our homes. To help you achieve both, we’ve put together this handy little list of ways you can maximize your heating and cooling systems efficiency without costly investments.
- Adequate Insulation – You can run your heater or air conditioner all you want, but if you don’t have proper insulation in your home, than you’re just throwing your money away. With the right amount of insulation, heat won’t be able to penetrate through your walls, keeping the temperature within your home controllable and easily managed. Since heat rises, it is very important to make sure your home has a well insulated attic or crawl space. While the attic is the first place you want to make sure is properly insulated, it is not the only one. You also want to ensure that your outer walls, as well as interior dividing walls, are all properly insulated.
- Seals and Windows – I don’t know about you guys, but I love the windows in my place. The only problem is that they tend to be horrible for maintaining temperatures within the room. During the winter they act as giant cold spots, and in the summer they heat up an entire half of the room. Doors can be just as bad. The best way to combat this is the make sure your home has proper weather seals around the doors and windows – this will help keep the cold/warm air from escaping.
- Clean System – A clean system is an efficient system, and this is especially true when it comes to your ventilation ducts. Over time, dust and debris tend to build up in your air ducts – it’s just part of the game that we all have to live with. As it all builds up, the air flow throughout the vents becomes not only dirtier and more unhealthy, but the whole system ends up working harder to achieve the same results. Do yourself a favor and get them cleaned. Doing it yourself can be very complicated, and can get dirty rather quickly if you don’t have the right equipment.
Be sure to check back soon for part 2.
Tags: Adequate Home Insulation, Air conditioning, Air Duct Cleaning, Clean System, Heating, Seals and Windows
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Tuesday, January 4th, 2011
It is something that we do not really think about too often, something that most of us just assume is naturally clean, but the shocking truth is that the air in your home could be worse than the air outside.
At least breathing the air won’t get me sick, right?
It is wintertime, so what do we do? We close the windows and turn on the heater, of course. While this means warmer winter nights spent cooped up indoors, it also means that the same air is circulated repeatedly, which can lower the air quality in your home over time, and help that winter cold linger a little longer than you would like.
There are a few simple tricks that will help you increase the air quality in your home this winter that we’re going to cover today.
- Household plants – chances are you have one or two of them throughout your home. Having indoor plants are wonderful for increased air quality. Plants thrive on the pollutants that tend to accumulate in your home, all the while letting off clean and fresh air.
- Dusting and vacuuming – keep the dust and small debris in your home down to a minimum. This will prevent dust and other particles from circulating in the air and help keep you and your family healthy during the long, cold winter months.
- Open the windows – when was the last time you opened the windows in your home? Been a little while, has it not? It is never a bad idea to let in some fresh air to flush out the old, stale air you have been breathing for the last few months.
- Get your air ducts cleaned – can you remember the last time you had your air ducts cleaned? If you answered anything longer than six months, than it is time to start thinking about it – anything longer than a year and you are asking for trouble. Over time, your air ducts collect dirt, debris, and even mold. Get them cleaned and see and instant boost in air quality.
Luckily, we are here to help you get the air in your home back up to a clean and healthy level. Give us a call today and see what we can do to help make your winter not only warm and comfortable, but healthy as well.
Tags: air filters, air quality in your home, Get your air ducts cleaned, trusty air conditioner
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Thursday, December 2nd, 2010
One of the things we cannot stress enough to our clients is the importance of keeping your heating and cooling system maintained. Because we feel so strongly about it, we have put together a Preventative Maintenance program for our customers.
What are the benefits of joining our Preventative Maintenance program, you ask? There is a pretty long list, but I’ll just list a few of the main benefits offered to our clients through our new Preventative Maintenance program.
- Discounts – All of our Maintenance clients receive discounts on all repairs, parts, and labor throughout the year, making maintaining your heating and cooling systems as easy and pain free as possible. On top of this general discount, all of our maintenance customers will receive various other discounts and coupons on equipment, increasing the savings just that much more.
- Two Annual Inspections/Cleanings – We will come out to your home twice a year, once for Fall and Winter, and again for Spring and Summer, and we’ll make sure your system is running as smoothly and efficiently as possible.
- Lower Utility Bills – By keeping your heating and cooling systems well maintenanced, you will see your utility bills at an all time low. A well maintenanced system uses less energy and does its job as efficiently as possible.
- Peace of Mind – Your largest investment is your home and it is your place of comfort and security. Let us worry about the maintenance and keeping everything running smoothly so you can get back to what is important – you, your family and your friends.
There are many other benefits, such as improving the lifespan of your equipment and improved indoor air quality, as well as many others. The advantages are obvious, and the savings are potentially massive. Do your part to ensure your comfort and well-being with our maintenance programs!
Tags: heating and cooling system maintained, heating and cooling systems, Preventative Maintenance program
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Wednesday, November 17th, 2010
Back in August, we told you about how you can cut back on your utility bills and get paid to do it by taking advantage of discounts and credits made available through the California Energy Commission (CEC). We will here to tell you that these offers are still available, but only for a limited time.
From now till the end of the year, you have the opportunity to save up to $5,250.00 on a new HVAC system, thanks to the various credits and rebates available. Let us have another look at the pricing breakdown, just so we can get a better look at what discounts we are looking at.
The CEC is offering up to $1,300.00 is rebates – up to $1,000.00 on 16 and 13 SEER air conditioners and an additional $300.00 for homeowners with a 95% A.F.U.E. efficient variable-speed furnace.
Southern California Edison (SCE) is offering up to $1,250.00 in savings on new heating and air conditioning systems from a qualified contractor. We definitely qualify, so this offer can be yours too!
The Gas Company is also offering $200.00 for 92% A.F.U.E. or higher furnace. Combine that with the CEC’s offer, and you are looking at getting two rebates on the same furnace! Now that’s hard to beat.
The Federal Government is also offering a tax credit to homeowners of $1,500.00 for being more energy efficient.
And last, but not least, there’s the manufacturers rebates. Certain brands have rebates of up to $1,000.00!
With so many different rebates and credits available, now is truly the perfect time to get your heating and air conditioning system updated. Not only can you receive up to $5,250.00 in rebates and tax credits, but also you will get to lower your monthly utility costs substantially, in some cases up to 50%! With an offer like this, you cannot go wrong. That is, you cannot go wrong if you act fast. 2011 is right around the corner, and these offers end with New Years Eve.
Tags: air conditioning systems, HVAC system, qualified contractor
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Monday, November 1st, 2010
It’s officially fall, and that means that winter is right around the corner, bringing with it the cold weather that makes all of us here in sunny Southern California stop using our air conditioners and instead opt for the more neglected heater.
Our best friend has now become our seasonal nemesis
Like all utilities, though, running the heater comes at a cost – typically higher utility bills. For most of us, this is a price we’re more than willing to pay, seeing as how we won’t need to wear a half dozen layers of clothes just to stay warm in our own home come Christmas time. However, did you know that your utility bills could be going up higher than they need to? An under-maintenanced residential heating system takes more energy, typically gas, to heat your home than a clean system. This is typically due to the actual furnace needing some small repairs or part replacements, as well as dirty air ducts throughout your home.
We’ve said it before, and we’re going to say it again (and this probably won’t be the last time), having clean air ducts is pretty important. Over time, your air ducts accumulate their own little collection of unpleasentries, including dirt, various house debris, and even bugs, rodents, and mold. The more nasty stuff that’s in your air ducts, the less efficiently the whole system operates, causing them to have to work harder, and thus eat up more energy, and increase your utility bills in the process.
Higher bills – Exactly what I wanted for Christmas!
Aside from the whole increased utility bill thing, there’s also the issue of your health. Is it good for you to be breathing in small particles of whatever’s in your air ducts? The simple answer is no. The last thing you’d want is to have the air in your home keeping you under the weather during the cold season. Do you and your family a favor by getting your air ducts cleaned this fall, while there’s still time before winter. While you’re at it, have one of our highly trained and knowledgeable staff have a look at your heating furnace, just to make sure it’s up to par, provide any necessary heating system maintenance, and help make sure your system is not costing you more than it should on your monthly bills.
Tags: heating system maintenance, residential heating system
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Friday, October 8th, 2010
Summer is cooling down, and fall is quickly approaching, ushering in the time of year when the leaves turn colors and children go door to door in search of free candy. With the changing of the seasons comes a changing of the weather, and an increased need to use the heater. So, with the need beginning to rise, shouldn’t you make sure your central heating system is up to date on maintenance? We’ve gone ahead and put together this handy checklist to help get you on the right track.
#1: Maintenance – You’ve probably heard it before, and we’ve mentioned it a few times in other blogs, but it can’t be stressed enough. Maintenance for your heater, just like maintenance for your car, needs to be done if you plan on keeping it in running condition. You wouldn’t let your car go without an oil change or a look under the hood, would you? Same holds true for your heater.
#2: Cleaning – You like a clean house, right? We all do, but no one likes cleaning. Okay, some people like cleaning, but most of us don’t. What most people don’t realize is their air ducts are probably the dirtiest part of their house. Dust, debris, and even bugs tend to accumulate inside your air ducts and can be circulated throughout your home every time your central heating system kicks on. Luckily, we’re here to help with our professional air duct cleaning services. Let us help you get your home really clean.
# 3: Repairs – Sometimes mechanical parts break down and just need to be replaced. This is true for any piece of mechanical equipment, from your microwave to your garbage disposal, and your AC and heater are no different. If some parts need to be replaced, you could be paying a lot more than you need to on your utility bills. Let us help you out, because the last thing you want to do is put off any central heating repairs that your unit might need.
Fall is quickly approaching, and now is the best time to make sure you’re setup for the colder months. If you find yourself having central heating problems, give us a call and let us make sure you’ll be able to spend it in comfort, and without having to pay and arm and a leg for it.
Tags: central heating problems, central heating repairs, central heating system
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Monday, August 23rd, 2010
There has never been a better time until now to invest in a new heating and air conditioning system! The California Energy Commission has gotten involved and added up to $1,000 on 16 and 13 SEER air conditioners with a matching evaporative coil. Homeowners can also receive up to $300 from the California Energy Commission with a 95% A.F.U.E. efficient variable-speed furnace. Homeowners in the Southern California Edison area can receive up to $1,250 on a new heating and air conditioning system with a qualified contractor. The Gas Company also has kicked in $200 for a 92% A.F.U.E. or higher furnace. The manufacturers of certain brands also have rebates on qualifying equipment up to $1,000. In addition, the federal government is encouraging home owners to be more energy efficient with a $1,500 tax credit. That’s up to $5,250 towards a new system! This is not including the fact that with a new system you can save as much as 50% on your utility bills versus a 20 year old system.
Let’s dive into this and see how it works. A “SEER” is the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The EER is the Energy Efficiency Ratio. They are ratings from the American Refrigeration Institute that states the energy efficiency of a particular air conditioner. The higher SEER rating will provide a superior energy performance of your equipment. This will result in a higher savings on your energy bill.
You may have heard of a “variable speed motor”. A “variable speed motor” adjusts the control of airflow for supreme comfort and uses 2/3 less electricity than a standard single speed blower.
The Gas Company wants your furnace to be more efficient. Today and in the past, most furnaces have an 80% or less efficiency rating. A new furnace can get up to 96% efficiency! This can lower your gas usage and save you money. The $200 Gas Company rebate is for a 92% furnace or higher. If you go with a 95% or higher “variable speed” furnace, you can receive the $200 from the Gas Company as well as $300 from the California Energy Commission. Not only will it make your monthly bill go down, it will also make you and your family more comfortable.
Our federal government got on board and is giving up to 30% of the cost for a new qualifying system. This will give you up to a $1,500 tax credit. It’s a full $1,500 tax credit; not a write off. See your tax advisor and take advantage of this opportunity.
On top of all of all these credits and rebates, the manufacturers have their own incentives available. A homeowner can receive up to $1,000 per system on energy efficient units. Usually a system like this will include top of the line filtration, air purification, variable speed and the highest SEER ratings available.
Don’t miss this opportunity to get paid to save money on your utility bills. Take advantage of the opportunities that are waiting for you! The federal government is basing their incentives on a “first come, first serve” basis so take action now and MAKE SURE you don’t miss out! No one knows how long these incentives will last.
Tags: energy efficiency air conditioner, new heating and air conditioning system, qualified contractor
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