Why You Should Get Professional AC Help

Professional technicians have a greater depth of knowledge and experience than those who aren’t certified for air conditioning work. Although there are some types of repairs you can do yourself around the house, correcting issues with your cooling system is work that should only be handled by a trained technician. Here are the main reasons you should seek professional assistance for your AC. Trying to Fix It Yourself Can Be Hazardous If you haven’t gone through the necessary training and education to become an AC technician, it’s easy to unwittingly make a mistake while attempting to repair or install your own equipment. Some of these mistakes are dangerous. You’ll be putting yourself and others at risk of injury. For instance, it’s illegal to have an air conditioner connected to a garage because toxic fumes might be drawn into the home. You’ll Save Money in the Long Run Trying to repair or install an air conditioning system on your own is often more expensive than engaging professionals. You might think you’ve achieved a successful outcome without realizing there is another underlying problem. Bypassing that underlying problem could result in more extensive and much more costly damage to the system. Technology and...

View Article

Ways to Lower Your Energy Bills

With the increasing cost of utility bills, it has become more critical to find ways to lower energy bills. In addition, energy efficiency has lots of environmental benefits. Consider the following methods for lowering your energy bills. 1. Use an Advanced Programmable Smart Thermostat In today’s generation, thermostats are advanced to the point of being smart; they can detect and control temperatures within milliseconds. They can identify your room’s temperature and control the heating or cooling system appropriately. 2. Wear Appropriate Clothing Wearing warm clothing on a hot day will most definitely force you to switch on the AC. This will ultimately end up using unnecessary energy. It is therefore wise to wear clothes that naturally control your body temperature without the need for artificial powered systems. 3. Save Electricity With an Automating Home Lighting System Using an automated lighting system controls energy consumption by idle lights. Switching off lights when they’re not necessarily in use will lower energy usage hence reducing the cost of your energy consumption. 4. Use Energy Saving and Power Efficient Appliances Using eco-friendly and power saving devices are advantageous because they consume less power. For example, try replacing old bulbs with advanced LED energy saving...

View Article

The Tune-Up Your AC Needs

Maintenance service for air conditioning units may seem superfluous. While you should arrange to get one at least once a year, some people question if they’re necessary at all. Are tune-ups really worth all the trouble of scheduling competent professionals to work on your unit? The short answer is that they certainly are. Here are just a few reasons why your AC tune-ups can give you huge returns. Air Quality Improvement As your AC gets clogged and dirty, it has a more difficult time circulating and filtering the air. The junk in your air conditioner will transfer to the air in your home if regular maintenance isn’t performed. This could be bad for your equipment, your air quality, and your personal health. Fewer Repair Costs When your AC is strained and running poorly or it has loose parts, it is far more likely to break down and need costly repairs. It may even need a complete replacement. This is much more time-consuming than a simple tune-up would be. Lower Energy Bills Air conditioner units cost a lot of money in utility bills. Tune-ups make them more efficient so that you can ensure the temperature in your house suits your preferences...

View Article

Save on Heating With a Whole-Home Humidifier

Managing the humidity in your home improves comfort, reduces power consumption and protects wood floors and furniture from cracking. Proper humidity levels of about 50 percent also support respiratory health and reduce the presence of airborne irritants. Half measures like simmering water or maintaining a large fish tank only raise the humidity in small areas of a home, but a whole-house humidifier will allow you to realize the full benefits of consistently optimized humidity. Reduce Heating and Maintenance Costs In the winter when your central heat is running, the air inside your home can become excessively dry. You’ll notice that your skin gets dry and your eyes feel irritated. Your furnace is also working harder to heat the dry air. Raising humidity enables air to hold more heat. Your furnace won’t have to run as hard to warm air that has a greater level of moisture in it. Higher humidity will also make the air feel warmer to you. This precludes the necessity of turning up the thermostat and increasing your power bill. Less running time for your furnace will prolong its life. Wear and tear will take longer to accumulate, which means that repair and maintenance costs will be...

View Article

How to Maintain Great Indoor Air Quality During the Winter Months

The air that you breathe each day can have a significant impact on your health over time. During the winter months, it can be challenging to get fresh air due to the cold weather conditions outside. If you want to protect your health and avoid potential issues, there are a few ways to improve your indoor air quality in the winter. Use a Carrier Humidifier Many people are unaware of how beneficial humidifiers are to use during the winter season. These machines add moisture to the air, which can prevent viruses and illnesses from spreading in a building. Studies show that people are at a higher risk of getting sick in dry climates, which makes it necessary to install a humidifier that will improve the air quality almost immediately. Change Air Filters Air filters are used to collect pet dander, dust, debris, and small particles that can circulate in the building and are often dangerous for residents to inhale. Make it a point to replace your air filter every one to three months. Select a product that has a high MERV rating, which will allow more contaminants to be trapped as the heater is operating. Installing a new filter will...

View Article

Ways to Limit Indoor Air Pollutants

You may feel comfortable and at ease in your home but still suffer from asthma, allergies or respiratory issues throughout the year. Unfortunately, air pollutants are present in most buildings, and they can affect occupants who spend time in the setting. If you want to protect your health and limit the presence and circulation of indoor air pollutants, you should understand a few necessary steps you can take as a homeowner. Replace the Air Filter Many people forget to periodically change out their air filters throughout the year. Those filters can become dirty and clogged as they trap harmful contaminants and pollutants. You’ll need to replace the air filter every one to three months, especially when the HVAC system is most used during certain seasons. Some filters can be washed and reused throughout the year. Test for Radon Radon can exist in both new and old homes. Consequently, it’s necessary to test for this radioactive gas, which is odorless and colorless. Radon comes from certain types of soil and increases the risk of lung cancer. Radon often enters homes through cracks or holes that are present in the foundation of the building. Homes with granite countertops may also contain radon....

View Article

How Do You Control Static Electricity in Your Home?

Static electricity in the home can produce a variety of annoying side effects: static cling, startling shocks when touching metal or another person, and dry, itchy skin. The phenomenon we have come to know as static electricity is the result of built-up electrical charge on the surface of an object. Very dry winter air exacerbates the buildup of electrons on surfaces indoors. Consequently, customers often ask their heating and cooling specialists how they can reduce static electricity in their surroundings. To reduce static electricity indoors, recommends the following tips. Adding a Whole Home-Humidifier By adding a whole-home humidifier, moisture is introduced into potentially aggravating dry air all around the house. The humidifier is installed directly into the home’s HVAC system, and it pushes moisture throughout the house’s ductwork. The system then monitors the moisture levels of the air in the home. Whole-home humidifiers typically cost several hundred dollars; however, they typically remedy static electricity buildup with one step, operate automatically, and can even help to reduce heating and cooling costs. Houseplants to the Rescue Houseplants provide a natural solution to the problem of static electricity. Approximately 90 percent of the water plants take in is eventually released back into the...

View Article

The Multiple Functions of an HVAC System

It is not uncommon for people to erroneously refer to an HVAC system as simply a “heater” or “air conditioner.” The letters in HVAC correspond to the words “heating,” “ventilation,” and “air conditioning,” and a complete HVAC system includes all these components. Combining each of these functions into one system eliminates the need to adjust a separate unit to control them. It also ensures the functions will work together seamlessly when the system is in good working condition. is available to help Arizona households in Mesa and the surrounding areas remain comfortable by maintaining their HVAC systems. Heating Residential structures are most often heated by furnaces and boilers located in the basement. Furnaces and boilers leverage the natural upwardly mobile property of heat. In doing so, they force warm air from the lower level to the rooms above the unit. The heating system may also be connected to the home’s water system to provide warm water for showers and bathing. Ventilation A ventilation system may be natural or forced. Homes most often require forced ventilation because natural ventilation has limited use, particularly in warm, humid settings. Proper ventilation removes excess water vapor from a building to prevent the build-up of...

View Article

What Home Areas Need More Ventilation?

Today, modern building techniques have resulted in homes that are more energy-efficient than ever. However, this has resulted in modern homes requiring ventilation. In the past, houses didn’t require it because they were already leaky. Fresh air was able to move in and out of them easily. Also, older homes were constructed from mainly natural products that didn’t emit volatile organic compounds like the products of today do, making ventilation a needed feature. Attics, basements, and crawl spaces often need more ventilation, but you can get whole-house systems that ventilate every area. The Benefits of Ventilation Ventilation systems improve your home’s indoor air quality. They expel pollutants and control moisture, preventing mold from developing. A good ventilation system can maintain your home’s structural integrity and decrease maintenance costs. This type of system may also increase your home’s value. Energy Recovery Systems Energy recovery systems are helpful because they offer a managed way to ventilate your house while decreasing energy loss. This kind of system decreases the energy costs of heating ventilated air during the winter by shifting heat from the warm interior exhaust to the outside air supply. In the summer, an energy recovery system uses the inside air to...

View Article

The Differences Between HVAC and Air Conditioning

People use the terms air conditioning (AC) and HVAC interchangeably in writing. While there are some similarities between the two, they are not exactly the same. Since these systems have different functions, they feature different capabilities. What the Acronyms Stand For To understand the differences, it’s important to know the terms. HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. AC is just air conditioning. In the past, AC systems were the standard in the home climate industry. The use of the initials did not change even after the systems continued to evolve. This is why contractors and experts also use HVAC and AC as if they are the same. What the Individual Elements Mean HVAC includes two important components — heating and ventilation — missing from an air conditioning system. Heating systems include a furnace or a boiler and ducts or vents. Some HVAC systems don’t have ducts or vents. Instead, they use home insulation and pressure differentials. In an HVAC system, the vent system can carry hot or cold air. When the temperatures are below the set thermostat levels, the furnace kicks in. The warm air moves through the ventilation system into the room. Ventilation also involves air quality....

View Article