HVAC & Water Heater Service Tips and Information

It’s Time to Start Thinking about Heater Maintenance

September 19th, 2016

Fall is here! Okay, maybe not quite yet. The official start of fall is in just a few days, but it will still be some time before we start feeling the effects of cooling weather. However, it’s not too early to start at least thinking about your heating system and whether it’s ready for this coming winter.

Regular preventive maintenance helps you make sure that your heating system runs as efficiently as it should. It also lessens your susceptibility to larger emergency repairs later on. Read on to learn more about the various benefits of routine heater maintenance.

Is Your Thermostat the Cause of Your Cooling System Problem?

September 12th, 2016

If your air conditioner fails to cool your home as effectively as it used to, or if it’s costing more to run, your immediate thought is likely going to be that something has gone wrong with the system itself. You may be concerned about the cost of repairs—or worse, replacement. Before your mind shifts to panic mode, however, keep in mind that your thermostat might actually be the component causing the problem.

Your thermostat serves as the brain for your HVAC system, meaning that it’s a very important component. Dealing with a malfunctioning, outdated, or failed thermostat is a lot easier to deal with than a failed condenser unit or compressor! Keep reading to learn how your thermostat may be the issue.

Should I Be Changing My Air Conditioner’s Filter Now?

September 6th, 2016

The air filter that comes standard with your HVAC system is there to protect the interior of the unit from dust, dirt, and other debris that may enter it. Without routinely swapping out clogged filters, your cooling system will begin to lose energy efficiency, and its components will start to deteriorate. It can also cause ice to begin forming along the evaporator coil—which despite common belief is not normal.

But how do you know when you should change the air filter? The short answer is “it depends.” Less expensive filters require changing more often than their more expensive counterparts due to how they’re made, for example. Keep reading to learn more.

Tips for Troubleshooting a Malfunctioning Air Conditioner

August 29th, 2016

There’s no doubt that a malfunctioning air conditioner is not something you want to deal with at this time of year. Sure, our weather may be cooling down a bit; but as any California resident knows, a heat wave can happen at pretty much any time.

There are a number of potential issues that can affect the operation of your AC system. Fortunately, they are not all total emergencies. We encourage you to do a bit of troubleshooting on your own before calling our team. We’ve shared some more information on this below. Of course, if this has all been checked and you still can’t get your AC to function as it should, then we are standing by and ready to help!

My Air Conditioner Is Not Cooling As It Should

August 22nd, 2016

The weather may be cooling down a bit as the end of summer nears, but that doesn’t mean our air conditioners are done doing their jobs quite yet! One of the most common service calls we get during this time of the year is in regards to an AC system that isn’t cooling as well as it should. Below, we’ve covered a couple reasons this may occur.

Do Your Air Ducts Need Sealing?

August 15th, 2016

Has your air conditioning system been performing well this summer? Hopefully the answer to that is yes, as we are at the tail end of summer. Scheduling preventive maintenance is one of the most important steps you can take toward ensuring that your cooling system does in fact function as it should.

Maintenance is not the only factor that affects your AC system, however. To make sure that your air conditioner is up to the job you give to it each summer, duct sealing services are something to invest in. Keep reading to learn more about duct sealing and what the benefits are.

Troubleshooting Air Conditioner Airflow Problems

August 8th, 2016

When you live in sunny California, it’s vital that you have a fully functioning air conditioning system. One that functions at its peak and requires very little repairs is ideal. Of course, this isn’t always the case. Regular maintenance will help fend off the worst of problems, but no AC is immune to repair needs.

One of the most common calls our service professionals get is about airflow. Reduced airflow in the middle of a hot day can be very discouraging. Whatever the reason for it is though, we can fix it! However, it can be helpful for you to know what the most common sources of low airflow are. We’ve shared some common causes below.

Installing a New Air Conditioner: Why Does Size Matter?

August 1st, 2016

Are you considering having a new air conditioning system installed this year? When that time comes, you’ll have many factors to consider. You’ll want to look into system efficiency, its configuration in your house, and even what model is best for you and your home. Another factor you’ll need to consider that is often forgotten is the size of the system.

Many homeowners assume that the bigger the system is, the better it will perform. This is untrue. It’s important that you have one of our professional HVAC technicians help you make an educated decision about the correct size of an air conditioning system. Keep reading to learn more about what happens if your system is too big or too small.

Factors That Affect the Price of an Air Conditioning Installation

July 25th, 2016

One of the most common questions we get as trusted HVAC technicians is, “How much is my air conditioner going to cost?” Unfortunately, this is a pretty loaded question that does not bode well for a simplistic answer. There are many factors that come into play when it’s time to install a new air conditioning system.

The first thing your HVAC service professional will do when prepping for an AC installation is perform a load calculation, looking at things like your home’s square footage, how many windows and doors you have, if you’ve made any energy upgrades, and more. They’ll also take a look at your current AC system to determine the best options for your home. At this point they’ll be able to give you a few options to choose from, along with prices.

What Is the PACE Energy Program and How Can Homeowners Take Advantage?

July 18th, 2016

Have you heard about California PACE energy program? PACE stands for Property-Assessed Clean Energy, and this program serves as a mechanism for financing energy-efficient and renewable energy improvements on private properties.

When authorized by state law—as it is now in California—the PACE program allows local and state governments or other inter-jurisdictional authorities to fund the up-front cost of energy improvements on both commercial and residential properties, which can then be paid back over time by property owners.