HVAC & Water Heater Service Tips and Information

AC Repairs You Can Probably Avoid (With Professional Installation)

August 19th, 2019

Wouldn’t it be nice if you never had to call for repairs for your air conditioner? Or better yet, if your air conditioner never needed repair? Unfortunately, air conditioners will never be that advanced. But the good news is, there is at least something you can do to avoid expensive and sudden repair needs. Maintenance is key to ensuring your current air conditioner performs as efficiently and effectively as possible.

But honestly, avoiding many AC repairs starts with professional installation! Whether it’s a traditional air conditioner or a ductless cooling system, you want a professionally trained HVAC contractor to perform your installation. Keep reading to learn more about the repairs you can avoid by calling our team for your AC installation.

Don’t Let This Refrigerant Myth Fool You!

July 22nd, 2019

There’s a common myth regarding AC refrigerant out there, one that homeowners unfortunately have heard from dishonest—or well-meaning but ill-experienced—HVAC “professionals.” That is, that refrigerant needs to be “topped off” every once in awhile, such as during your maintenance session.

We understand why someone might believe this misconception. Refrigerant is like a “fuel” for your air conditioner, right? Well—sort of. It is what allows the cooling process, but it’s not like gasoline in a car or oil in a heater in that it depletes.

Your air conditioner will never run out of refrigerant—unless something is wrong. Read on to learn more!

Ductless AC Repair Needs to Be Aware of

July 8th, 2019

One of the best options for cooling and heating homes in our area is with a ductless system.

Instead of operating through a network of ducts connected to an indoor handler and evaporator unit, ductless systems break up the indoor unit and blower fans—air handlers—to distribute the system in modular units throughout the home, with each air handler mounted up high on the rooms they’re intended for.

We could go on forever about why going ductless is a good idea for most homes. But it’s also important for us to be honest and note, they can have unique repair needs. Now, we can’t go on without saying these repair issues are a lot more likely if the system wasn’t installed correctly to begin with, or if it is improperly maintained. Regardless, whether you’re thinking of installing a ductless system for the first time or you’ve already had a ductless system in place for a while, it’s important for you to know of these possible issues. Read on!

Signs It’s Time to Consider AC Replacement

June 24th, 2019

Summer is officially here! While it’s been unseasonably cool in recent months—save a real quick heat wave a couple of weeks ago—we will soon enough be using our air conditioners on a daily basis.

So, is yours up to the job of keeping you cool all summer long? If you’re doubtful, then now is the time to consider if you’d benefit from an air conditioner upgrade, rather than waiting for it to break down completely in the middle of summer (and therefore needing to suddenly replace it in the middle of a baking hot day).

We don’t want you to be without your air conditioner any longer than you need to be during the hottest time of the year. Read on for some signs that it is probably time to replace your AC, and give us a call to schedule installation.

Your Air Conditioner Can Only Cool So Well During a Heat Wave!

June 14th, 2019

As summer quickly approaches, we understand how much our customers want the best performance possible from their air conditioners.

Unfortunately, there are some common misconceptions associated with just how to do this. For instance, a lower number on your thermostat does not mean cooler air.

With our recent heat wave, we received many calls regarding air conditioners that aren’t cooling homes below 80°. Central air conditioners are designed to cool air by 15 to 20 degrees below the outside temperature. When you set a desired temperature on your thermostat, that thermostat signals the air conditioner to run its compressor until that temperature is met.

If it’s too hot outside, like it has been recently, then the compressor will continue to run, but it’s just not possible to reach the lowest setting on your thermostat. So if it’s 100° outside, it’s a lot more realistic to set the thermostat somewhere between 78°-80° instead of 70° or below—this is less stress on your air conditioner, which simply can’t reach 70°, and is still much more comfortable than the 100° day outside.

What Else You Can Do

We understand how uncomfortable it is in your home when it’s this hot out. Here are some things we encourage our customers to do to not only boost the efficiency of their air conditioner, but to feel cooler, too:

Use fans in the room you’re in along with your AC
Close all blinds and curtains in the home
Do not run heat producing appliances in the home—i.e. like your clothes washer, dishwasher, stove, etc.
Make sure no vents are blocked so nothing is obstructing airflow
Change your air filter if you haven’t in a couple of months

Please contact the team here at Comfy Heating & Air Conditioning Inc. with any questions.

Can Poor Indoor Air Quality Hurt Your Air Conditioner?

June 10th, 2019

It’s not poor indoor air quality in and of itself that causes damage to your air conditioner, but rather what causes the poor indoor air quality to begin with: dirt, dust, allergens, and debris.

We know you do your best to keep dust and dirt out of your home—a clean home is a happy home! But one thing most homeowners don’t think about is the debris that exists within their air ducts and other interior components of their air conditioner.

Just because your air conditioner’s ductwork and other components are hidden from view doesn’t mean you don’t need to worry about its cleanliness or overall condition. Air conditioners are often one of the biggest investments people make in their homes, and something as simple as dirt and debris can cost them way more than they even realize.

Don’t Neglect These Noises From Your AC!

May 27th, 2019

It may be fairly easy to understand why, but summer is the most likely season for air conditioners to develop problems. Sure, we may have a spring or fall heat wave that requires AC use for a week or two, but the time of the year that our cooling systems get the most use is definitely summer, and therefore it’s more likely for various parts to begin breaking down then.

It’s vital that you have your air conditioner checked out by a professional if you notice any signs of disrepair, and preventing these issues is possible with routine maintenance. If you haven’t scheduled your tune-up yet this year, now is the time!

In the meantime, it’s always a good idea to know what kind of noises indicate a problem with your air conditioner, and what subsequent repair needs you may be facing as a result.

Boost Your HVAC Efficiency This Summer with These Simple Tips

May 13th, 2019

Any air conditioning system in the San Ramon area will get a tough workout during the summer. Fortunately, modern central air conditioning systems are durable and can take the heat while dishing out the cold.

But how much do you expect to pay for your AC to tackle the summer weather this year? The costs of keeping cool can be steep—although you may be paying more than you have to. There are many ways an air conditioning system can lose its energy efficiency and start raising utility bills. But there are also many ways to boost an air conditioner’s energy efficiency and cut down on costs. Below are a few tips for improving the energy efficiency of your AC this summer season.

Have You Scheduled a Cooling System Tune-Up Yet?

April 29th, 2019

It’s easy to dismiss a recommendation given by an HVAC professional, especially for a service you don’t really need “right now.” Unless something is preventing you from using your air conditioner effectively—like a loss of cooling power—you could be really tempted to put off your air conditioning maintenance tune-up.

We urge you to reconsider, though. Just like maintenance for the car you drive, routine air conditioning maintenance is essential for the performance of your cooling system, in addition to repair prevention. And as your trusted resource for professional maintenance services, we have a responsibility to share the benefits and necessity of routine cooling system tune-ups with you.

Don’t Neglect These Late Season Heater Repair Needs

April 15th, 2019

Temperatures are finally warming up a bit in our area, which means it’s just about time to shut our heaters down for the season, schedule an AC tune-up, and start enjoying the comfort an effective cooling system can deliver. But wait, before we talk about shutting our heaters down—how did yours perform this past winter? Did it show any signs of struggle? Were you told it needed repairs, but have yet to take care of them?

Even if your heater is operating “okay,” ignoring any sign of a heating system problem can cause it to turn into a much bigger issue, leaving you with a broken down heater next year when you need it the most. Depending on what caused your heating issue, you may even find yourself with air conditioning problems this spring and summer, by neglecting a repair need for your heater. Keep reading to learn some of the indications of heating system problems.