Decision On Whether To Repair Or Replace Your Air Conditioner

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You may find yourself in a dilemma where you do not know whether to replace or repair your air conditioner. You may feel that you really need a new conditioner and yet you may not have the money to. Repairing on the other hand may be cheaper but there is no guarantee that the machine will last long afterwards. So what do you so? Well, this decision can be made based on several factors.

Energy bills
If there is an upward trend in your recent energy bills paid, then you may need to reconsider your decisions. Rising energy bills shows you that the equipment is not running as efficiently as it used to before. Therefore, it is time you took it up and prevent a further upsurge in the utility bills.

The level of temperatures in summer
If your air conditioner is working at full capacity and yet the temperature in the house still allows profuse sweating, it is time to reconsider repair for replacement. This shows that it has outlived its useful life in your home and thus you may need to replace it. If you are not sure about this, consult your technician for some advice.

Frequency of repairs
Is your air conditioner breaking down every few weeks? Do you have to call your technician every other month for some repair? Are you wondering “should I replace or repair my equipment again?” well reality check seems to incline on the replace. The amount of money you will spend repairing the conditioner is substantial and if you do not replace it, you will continue spending a lot on its repair. So it is better to just replace it.

Age of conditioner
How old the conditioner is determines whether to repair it or to replace it altogether. There is a rule called the $5000 rule. This is derived by multiplying the average cost of the repair by the number of years you have used the equipment. If it is less than $5000, then it is falls in the category of those that require to be repaired but if it is way higher then you need to replace it.

There are times when we let our systems become so outdated that they cannot get spare parts. Such equipment is up for replacement. Other times, your machinery is relatively new and thus you will just need to repair it since it has not exhausted its useful life.

Why Is It Important To Have N.A.T.E Certified Technician Servicing Your Home?

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To live in a safe and secure house, you need to ensure that your HVAC is in a good working condition at all times. N.A.TE is a national body whose main mandate is to help homeowners and real estate investors maintain their heating and air conditioning systems. Certified NATE technicians have vast hands on experience and have capacity to carry out virtually any repair and maintenance practices. Here are some of the benefits of hiring these technicians.

It Saves Time and Money

Faulty air conditioning systems have low efficiency that results in high power bills. One of the best ways of avoiding such scenarios is by hiring certified technicians to work on your system. They not only have academic qualifications but also vast hands-on experience. Hence, you can rest assured that the job will be done right for the first time and the problem will never recur in future.

Professional Advice and Guidance

NATE certified technicians will not only expertly analyze the current status of your equipments but also furnish you with professional advice and guidance on how to maintain your systems to derive maximum utility from them. This will go a long way in saving you money on electricity bills and repair services.

Timely Service Delivery

Delayed repairs can lead to secondary complications which might force you to purchase a whole new system. You can avoid this by hiring an expert who can deliver high quality services in a timely manner. The best technician companies have an emergency response team that is always ready to respond to clients queries. This will give you a peace of mind as you will just have to contact them even during wee hours of the night to get expert services.

Value for Money

NATE certified technicians are professionals who don’t solely focus on making money but rather providing high quality services to their customers. By choosing them, you can rest assured that the end results will surpass your expectations. To consistently deliver high quality services, they have invested in modern equipments which are more accurate and reliable.

Hiring NATE technicians is indeed one of the most effective ways of extending lifespan of your HVAC system. Call us for all your HVAC needs, performed by NATE certified technicians.

Efficiency Standards For HVAC Equipment: Are They Going Up Soon?

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Recently, the federal HVAC efficiency standards, particularly when applied to propane and natural gas furnaces, have gone from static to unresolved. Propane and natural gas furnaces account for more than 40% of average residential energy consumption; consequently, a modest rise in efficiency requirements can have a big impact on the total national energy consumption. On the other hand, even with the minimum AFUE rating stuck at 78 for more than two decades, raising the HVAC efficiency standards has proven difficult to enact.

The Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency, AFUE, shows the percentage of energy that contributes to heating versus the amount wasted. For example, for a furnace with AFUE rating of 78, 78% of the energy generated from natural gas contributes to heating while 22% is lost. The Department of Energy proposed raising the rating to 90% by 2013; however, a court order delayed the implementation of the new efficiency standards for boilers and furnaces.

Modern condensing furnaces recover a large amount of that lost energy, thereby improving AFUE ratings and reducing the annual utility costs, particularly in the northern states with longer heating seasons. Whereas standard furnaces have a single heat exchanger, condensing furnaces have two. The second one extracts heat from hot water vapor and uses it to heat the home, instead of sending it up the chimney. As the hot vapor condenses, it drains into the home’s plumbing system.

Even as would-be furnace buyers got familiar with the new condensing furnace technology, enactment of the new standards hit a snag. Opponents argued that the extra expenses forced on homeowners by the directive to upgrade were too much. These expenses include retrofitting and installing new venting, and in some cases, modernizing to a new water heater that is compatible with the new venting.

Until a federal court makes a verdict on the matter, the postponement of enactment will continue, and the HVAC efficiency standards will remain at the 1990s levels. However, homeowners who need to upgrade their heating and cooling systems to lower their fuel consumption can buy high–efficiency HVAC equipment, including higher AFUE furnaces.

Homeowners with questions about HVAC efficiency or any other heating and cooling service should contact their local HVAC contractors.

Is Your HVAC System Protected From Power Surges?

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Your HVAC system keeps the climate in your home comfortably cool in the summer and warm in the winter. In order to keep it in good working order and also to prevent damage to other utility systems in your home, you must provide protection from damage from electrical power surges.

Protect Your Home Utilities

External power surges that come into your home’s hard-wired equipment such as furnaces, air conditioners, water heaters and boilers are caused by forces from outside your house. External power surges happen when a utility company works on the power lines in your area, when a power line is taken down due to an accident or when lightning strikes a transformer. These actions can send a stronger surge of electricity through the line directly into your home.

Electronic equipment you have plugged into your electrical outlets is suffers from these external power surges. Electronics are subject to internal power surges as well. These occur when your powerful appliances (such as the air conditioner) cycle on and draw a lot of power then cut off and release it back into the house flow, creating a surge. Over time this damages the equipment by gradually eroding components.

Home Power Surge Protection

To adequately protect your home, utilities and electronics, you need two forms of surge protection. The first is whole-house surge protection. This is installed at the point of entry of the power supply for your home. You may have one for the entire house or one for each major system. The second is the point-of-use surge protection. This is installed by either plugging electronic devices into power surge strips or by having power surge protectors built into your wall outlets. Although there is no way to make your home completely free of power surges, these protections will greatly diminish any harm a power surge might cause.

HVAC Maintenance

You probably have power strip surge protectors but might not know if you have protection at the point of entry for your home’s utilities. To be safe, call your Home HVAC Service Technicians and make an appointment soon to have them make sure your home is protected against power surges.

NATE Certification Means Your HVAC System Is In Excellent Hands

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When it comes to your HVAC system, you do not want just anyone to come in your home and work on it. You want a technician who knows what he or she is doing and can be trusted to find and fix the problem quickly and effectively. Fortunately, there is a way to determine if the HVAC service company you call has reliable and knowledgeable technicians before you make that call. Simply look for a company that advertises it has NATE certified HVAC technicians.

What is NATE certification? The North American Technicians Excellence certification program was developed to promote excellence in knowledge and skills among the technicians responsible for heating, ventilation, refrigeration and air conditioning service, maintenance and installations throughout the industry. The participation in the program is voluntary but the value and prestige of achieving the certification is real and tangible.

NATE certified technicians must pass a challenging testing process for which the pass rate is relatively low overall, so achieving this certification is something of which to be proud. It definitely means a great deal to employers, who prefer to hire these technicians since they are valuable employees in terms of skills and longevity. Because their work is generally correct the first time, it is also a boost to their customer service reputation.

What does NATE certified mean? For manufacturers and equipment distributors, it means fewer warranty returns because systems installed by NATE certified techs are installed and serviced correctly. For homeowners, it means that their energy bills are lower, because correctly installed and serviced systems function at peak efficiency and effectiveness. The life of the system is also extended when it is properly maintained.

Homeowners can be assured their HVAC system is in good hands when it is serviced by a company that employees NATE certified technicians to handle all service calls. It is important for homeowners to schedule regular maintenance checkups for their HVAC system to make sure it is running as efficiently as it should. Then with regular filter changes or cleanings, the system should keep the home comfortable throughout the year regardless of the season.

10 Tips For A Summer Energy Savings Plan

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The summer season doesn’t have to mean higher cooler costs. With an HVAC energy savings home energy savings plan in place, homeowners can reduce their monthly bill. Here are 10 easy tips that you can follow to make your home energy efficient this summer.

1) Change out the filter in the air conditioner in the beginning of the season. Check the filter monthly after that, and clean it when needed. A clean filter will help to ensure that the AC is running optimally.

2) Use window coverings to block out sunlight, which can overheat the interior of the home. Make sure to use curtains, blinds, and shades to reduce the natural light streaming into the home during the day. Choose light colored blinds and curtains so that you can enjoy natural light while still blocking out the heat.

3) Make sure that all windows and doors that lead to the outside are closed and sealed up tightly when the air conditioner is on. An open window will allow air to escape easily, and it can have your AC unit running nonstop for hours.

4) Insulate the attic and the walls to help keep cool air in and hot air out. Air can easily leak in through an attic that hasn’t been properly insulated. Cement wall blocks can also allow air to seep in, so they should be sprayed with a foam insulation.

5) Do a thorough check around the home to find sources of air leaks. Places to check include electrical outlets, windows, doors, and fireplaces.

6) When the AC is running, open up interior doors between rooms to allow cool air to flow. Also, close up the vents in rooms that aren’t being used.

7) Have air ducts inspected for leaks, and if any are found, have them repaired right away. Even a small hole or tear in a duct can result in higher heating and cooling bills.

8) Use fans to cool down. Ceiling fans are perfect for cooling off in a room, but be sure to shut them off upon leaving.

9) Make sure to set the thermostat on “Auto”, and not “On”. When the thermostat is set to “On”, it will run nonstop.

10) Schedule a tune up for your HVAC system to ensure that it is performing as efficiently as possible. A skilled and reputable technician will able to identify any potential problems with your unit, and you can make any necessary repairs to keep your costs down over the years.

Take advantage of summer energy savings by following these tips. Manage cooling costs by ensuring that your HVAC system is running optimally all season long. Call today to learn more about how an energy efficient HVAC system replacement will help you to save money.

Maintaining Your Air Conditioning System

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With warm temperatures fast approaching, many homeowners are discovering that their central air conditioners are in need of repair. The first indication of a problem is often when the temperatures are swelling and the house is sweltering. By following a few tips, you can figure out the source of the problem and take steps to fix it.

Checking Your Systems

The first step is to find out if the air conditioning unit is broken or simply in need of a Freon charge. Turn your thermostat down to 65 degrees and go outside to the exterior unit. If the fan is not circulating on the exterior unit, this can indicate a problem with the motor. If the fan is circulating, the next step is to check the interior thermostat.

When you re-enter the home, take note of the temperature in the house before checking thermostat. Is it cooler than the temperature outside? If so check to see if the temperature setting on the thermostat is consistent with the temperature. If the thermostat is reading 80 degrees but it feels cool in the house, the problem is likely a broken thermostat. This is an easy fix for any heating and cooling technician.

Once you have determined that the problem is not with the thermostat or the motor, check for the air coming from the vents. If the air feels warm, it may be that your central air conditioner needs charged. In many cases, air conditioners simply run out of Freon. Getting your Freon charged is an easy fix and is usually included as part of regular maintenance. Your heating and cooling technician can come out and charge up your home and have your air conditioning unit functioning in just minutes.

Keeping Your Air Conditioning Unit Maintained

It is important to keep your central air conditioner maintained on an annual basis. This will keep it running at its peak, allowing you to enjoy the most benefit from your system. In many cases, winter weather can cause your external unit to take a beating. The unit can become clogged with debris, leaves and ice, making it work less efficiently. During your regular maintenance, your technician will check out these components and make sure they are working properly.

Choosing the Best Time of Year for Maintenance

Most people only call for maintenance on their air conditioning system when there is a problem. Unfortunately, this means that technicians are often overloaded with calls during the hottest days of the year, making it difficult for you to get quick service. The best time to set up your maintenance appointment is before problems start.

Schedule your air conditioning maintenance appointment around mid-March, after the worst of winter is over but before the temps start climbing. Of course, this time frame will vary based on your geographic location. Homeowners in the Midwest and Northeast will find that April and May are the best times to schedule maintenance while West Coast residents may need service as early as February.

Keeping your air conditioning unit maintained is key to enjoying your home. Make your maintenance appointment today.

How To Choose The Best Air Conditioning Service In San Francisco

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Choosing the best air conditioning service in San Francisco can often seem very daunting, especially if you are unfamiliar with how air conditioning actually works. Like many things in life, though, the process is made much easier by taking a little time to plan and prepare.

The first step anyone should take when looking for an air conditioning contractor in San Francisco is to do some research. Check local press and the internet for companies who are advertising their services. If the company has a website, see what they are prepared to tell customers. Look for testimonials, and see whether customers appear satisfied or not.

While an HVAC contractor is unlikely to put bad reviews on their own website, interested potential customers can usually find reviews and testimonials elsewhere on the web. Local community forums may have discussion pages about tradesmen, and it can be very useful to check them out to see what people are saying. Using social media can also be illuminating. 

A HVAC contractor might well have a page on Facebook or a Twitter account. If they do, see what kind of information they are sharing. If they pose pictures of the work that they have carried out, then that can give a good indication of what they are like. Interact with them, and see what response they offer. This is a good way of seeing if you would trust them in your home.

Another important way of assessing whether a residential heating and air conditioning contractor is good is to speak to friends and neighbours. At some stage, one of them will have had work carried out, and getting an unbiased view of the work that they did can be very useful indeed. Always check about how the pricing and billing was handled, to make sure that the tradesman is honest and above board. There also needs to be some sort of accountability and guarantees built into their service terms, and getting some personal testimony from people you trust is a good way of checking this.

Finally, once you have chosen two or three engineers who can potentially carry out the work, get them to provide quotes. How the company goes about carrying out a quote is often a good way to assess how much you would trust them in your home. Select the best quote for your personally, but always remember that the cheapest is not necessarily the all-round best option.

Choosing an air conditioning engineer is no different, fundamentally, from selecting any other type of tradesman. Careful research and a measure of planning will serve you well. Try and see what several different companies can offer, and then make an informed decision, based upon your personal needs and requirements.

3 Steps to an Energy Efficient Air Conditioning Unit

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An energy efficient air conditioning unit is an essential part of your home. It helps to make sure that you receive quality air flow but also help save you the extra expenses of a non-energy efficient unit. An energy efficient unit will help save on the rising costs of energy and the AC will work at its optimum level without over working and over charging you. 

Ducts

You air ducts are an important part of your unit working efficiently. The ducts are what the air travels through to get into your home. They are connected to the air vents and help the air to travel through. When the ducts become dirty or have a superficial snag in them, they begin to leak air or not blow air at all. When this happens it causes your AC unit to work harder and you will be paying out of pocket for the extra costs. You can clean out your air filters by simply vacuuming them out and removing the dust and debris. You should also make sure that there are no holes for the air to escape from the ducts. If air is escaping from the ducts then you are wasting electricity as well.

Tune Up

An energy efficient AC unit will continue to be energy efficient if regular tune ups are performed on it. This can be done by a local HVAC technician. The technician will come out to your home and inspect the unit for you. They will let you know if there is anything wrong with the unit and then will fix it if you want it fixed. Regular maintenance can be performed at home as well by the home owner. Just remember to check for the basics and keep the unit clean to ensure best performance.

Filter

Believe it or not, your air filter has a lot to do with the performance of your AC unit. If you have a clean air filter then you will have a properly working energy efficient system. A dirty filter will cause air to not correctly through the vents and will in return cause the AC unit to work hard than it needs to. When the unit works harder than it needs to; it will run your electric bill up.

An energy efficient air conditioning unit is a perfect item for your home because it will help save you costs on cooling and lower your energy bill. When you properly care for your unit then you will have the best possible performing unit that you can. A well maintained AC unit will save you money on your electric bill and help lower your overall costs to run your AC. Proper maintenance can be performed by you or a technician on the air conditioner. Remember that you should replace your AC if it is more than 10 years old. When units are that old, they are probably running more electricity than they actually need to be running.

For more details call (415) 522-0966, or click here.

5 Ways to cool the home naturally

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These days, many home owners would like to be environmentally friendly. Many systems and needs of the home can now be adapted to meet eco-friendly standards including cooling the home. There are many tips and tricks that can be used to save energy so that the environment is not directly impacted by your home. These options are easy and can help you have a more comfortable home without affecting your carbon footprint. Below are five ways you can cool your home naturally!

Insulation

A great way to naturally cool the home is with insulation. Insulation can be added to the home to hold the cool air in the home. Eco-friendly options are available and can easily be added to attics and crawl spaces. The addition of insulation will allow for your unit to be able to keep your home cool and allow for a lower utility bill as well as environmentally friendly actions.

Shading

Shading is another way to keep the cool air in your home naturally. Draperies and other shading options can be added to the windows of the home and these additions will allow for the cool air to remain in the home. These items will also allow for the sun to remain out of the home so that the rooms of the home can continue to retain the cool air that is given by the air conditioning unit.

Reflective window film

Another option that involves the windows of the home is reflective film. Reflective film can be purchased at major retailers and placed on the windows to reflect the heat from the sun. If you have windows in your home that face the sun, you can use this film to be able to keep the sun from warming your home during the summer months.

Use appliances less

It is also important that home owners use their appliances less during the hottest parts of the day. to keep the home cool, refrain from running dishwashers, dryers and ovens so that the heat from these units are not placed in the home, making the home warmer than need be.

Landscaping

Home owners should also be aware of the landscaping of the home. When trees are around the home, they can provide natural shading. The trees will be able to cast a shadow on the home which will then allow for your home to remain cool and comfortable. Plant many trees and shrubbery options around the home so that the shadows can allow the home to remain cooler than normal.

Take the time to study your home and determine which options will work best to give you a cool home the most natural way. When we use natural elements and choices to cool our home, we not only have a cooler home in an eco-friendly manner but you also will have money savings each month for your actions. Specialists can also be chosen and used to your advantage to help you find the most energy efficient and eco-friendly ways to cool the home in a natural manner.

For more details call (415) 522-0966 or click here