Heating and Air Conditioning Blog | News, New Products, Local Events

As the Season Ends, What Grade Should You Give Your AC?

November 21st, 2022

November is here and with its arrival comes the cooler weather. As you get used to the change in seasons, it’s a good time to evaluate the performance of your HVAC in Walnut Creek, CA during the previous summer.

You might be wondering why you should be giving any thought to your air conditioner. After all, it’s November. But with the warmer winters we’ve been having, you may find there are days when you’ll need to switch on the AC.

Assessing how well your air conditioner performed over the summer is a great way to determine if you should schedule repairs or maintenance now. You can assess it by grading its performance and then decide how to proceed to ensure reliable cooling from your AC if you need it this winter.

Don’t Ignore These End-Of-Season AC Problems

November 7th, 2022

Despite the warm fall weather, you’ve possibly made the transition from using your air conditioner to using your heater. But that doesn’t mean some unseasonably hot days aren’t on the horizon.

Scheduling maintenance for your air conditioner isn’t something many people think about this time of year. But your air conditioner has been working hard all summer to keep your home cool and comfortable through high temperatures. That wear and tear can begin to show in the fall.

Why You Should Consider Professional Duct Sealing

October 24th, 2022

As homeowners, it seems like home maintenance tasks are never-ending. Ensuring that your home systems are all running smoothly and efficiently is something that not everyone has the time or energy for. And yet, prioritizing routine maintenance can save you time, energy, and money in the long run.

Your HVAC system’s ductwork is one of those home maintenance items that you might want to pay special attention to sooner rather than later. Your ductwork plays a vital role in the functionality of your HVAC system. Leaky ducts not only waste energy, but they also take a toll on the longevity of your entire HVAC system.

Why You Should Replace Your Old AC Now

October 10th, 2022

two-technicians-working-on-air-conditioner

Do you have an aging air conditioner in place currently? When we say aging, we mean a system that is a decade old, or older. The average useful service life of a well-maintained air conditioner is about 10-15 years, and once it reaches past this point it will start to work less efficiently, have more frequent repair needs and breakdowns, and ultimately cost you more to run than it’s worth.

Still though, if your air conditioner is working “okay,” you might be tempted to put off thinking about an air conditioning installation in Orinda, CA for at least another year or two. Unfortunately, this may end up being a mistake for you financially. Why? Because of an updated mandate by the U.S. Department of Energy known as the SEER2 update. Read on to learn more about this, and what it means for AC costs and your wallet.

Heed These Signs That You Need AC Repairs

September 26th, 2022

Imagine your AC unit going out on the hottest day of the year. You’d probably be quite upset.

However, AC units rarely just quit working out of nowhere. There are usually warning signs that something isn’t right. Homeowners may not notice them or may ignore them, hoping they’ll go away.

But if you want to avoid a super hot catastrophe, you should heed these signs that you need AC repairs.

Why You Need to Change Your AC Filter Regularly

September 12th, 2022

In our previous blog post, we talked about the difference between an air filter and an air filtration system. We mentioned how an HVAC air filter is not enough to improve your indoor air quality. But that doesn’t mean that your air filter doesn’t have a very important job! It is tasked with keeping debris out of the system, helping it to perform at its best.

Changing the air filter has a huge impact on your air conditioner, contributing to its effectiveness, efficiency, and even longevity. Read on to learn just why you need to change your air conditioner’s filter on a regular basis (every 1-3 months during periods of system use).

The Difference Between an Air Filter and Air Filtration System

August 15th, 2022

Given their names, it’s likely that many people believe that an air filter is the same thing as an air filtration system, but this isn’t the case. An air filtration system is comprehensive, and includes air filters.

Most of the time, when you hear the term air filter in a discussion about HVAC systems, what you’re hearing about is the air filter that comes standard with your heating and/or cooling systems. This air filter is not designed to protect your indoor air quality, but rather it is in place to protect the interior components of the HVAC system itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and damage its sensitive components.

An air filtration system is a whole-home indoor air quality product that makes your air healthier and cleaner to breathe. Read on to learn more!

“Do I Need to Worry about Insulation in the Summer?”

August 1st, 2022

If you’re like the average homeowner, you probably associate insulation with cold weather, right? We don’t blame you if you do! After all, it’s wintertime when we want and need to be protected from the cold, and more insulation will help you get that protection. While it may not get as bitterly cold here as it does in other parts of the country, we want to stay warm too!

Insulation is about more than protecting you from the cold, though. It actually benefits your comfort just as much in the summertime as it does during the winter. This is because the job of insulation is to block heat transfer, whether in or out. Read on to learn more!

Call Us If You Hear This From Your AC…

July 18th, 2022

two-smiling-ac-technicians-standing-over-ac-outdoor-unit-looking-at-mobile-tablet

With heat waves here and more expected this summer, now is the time to make sure that your air conditioner is in great shape and able to handle any hot temperatures that come its way.

Hopefully, you’ve already had springtime maintenance done for your air conditioner. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the components that need it. All of this helps your air conditioner operate as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Maintenance tune-ups prevent up to 85% of repair needs, helps your system retain up to 95% of its original efficiency rating throughout its lifetime, and helps ensure that your air conditioner can actually last its intended lifespan (10-15 years).

The good news is, it’s not too late to schedule this service! This is definitely a case of “better late than never.” In the meantime, it’s always a good idea to be aware of what noises are abnormal when your AC is running. If you hear any of these, whether you skipped maintenance or are diligent about having it done annually, it’s time to give us a call for repairs!

Try These Methods to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

July 4th, 2022

Most homeowners in our area don’t realize that their indoor air quality can actually be worse than the quality of the air outside. At least, this is the case without the right indoor air quality products and services in place. You see, modern homes are built very “tightly,” disallowing any air to escape in or out through drafty windows and doors. This is great news for your HVAC efficiency, but not so awesome for air quality.

The problem is, if contaminants, allergens, or even excess humidity make their way in through an open door or even though your ductwork, it all gets trapped in your living space, with no way out. But there are indoor air quality solutions that can resolve this! Read on to learn about a few of them.