Does Rain Damage My Heating System Over Time?

During the coldest months of the year, we depend on our heaters to provide the comfort we need. But the unfortunate truth is, the hot and cold temperatures aren’t the only weathering you should worry about. While year-round extreme temperatures and soaring humidity levels can put more strain on your system, other types of weather can mean a poor-functioning unit and even a system breakdown. A Natural Cleaning Although it may be surprising, rainfall can actually be good for your furnace. As our heating system fans and coils get used on a daily basis during the summer, it can mean dirty parts and more friction on system components. During light to moderate rainstorms, the water seeps into your unit, causing a natural cleaning of important system components. Watch Out for Flooding In regards to our heating systems, rain only becomes a factor when it gets extreme. While our systems can withstand heavy amounts of rain, flooding can provide some serious worry — and for good reason. Given that our outdoor units are able to withstand heavy amounts of rain, our indoor units are at a greater risk. Whether flood waters reach your outdoor unit or indoor unit, it’s important to...

View Article

How Do I Improve My Air Quality?

You relax in your home, dine in it, sleep in it and maybe even work in it. Yes, outside of your day job, you likely spend a good portion of the typical day inside your home. And is that so much time is spent in the home, ensuring that you and your family are breathing in high-quality air is crucial. Poor indoor air quality from the likes of fumes, chemicals, mold, and other pollutants can escalate allergic symptoms, increase fatigue and even lead to some long-term health issues. The good news is that there are a variety of things you can do to improve the indoor air quality in your home. Here’s a look: Keep it Clean Dust and other contaminants build up over time on the surfaces in your home, and it’s possible for them to recirculate throughout the house if left to accumulate for too long. On that note, regular dusting and vacuuming can keep irritating contaminants at bay. Have Your Air Conditioner Checked Out If your air conditioner hasn’t been regularly maintained or if it’s old and past its prime, there’s a good chance that it’s the source of poor air quality in your home. In some...

View Article

Why Are Product Warranties Important?

Product warranties can provide your equipment with protection when things go wrong with your HVAC system. In order to get the most out of their terms, you need to know what they are. Warranties define what they cover and for how long they cover it, as well as what could invalidate this coverage. What is a product warranty? A product warranty is a coverage offered by the HVAC manufacturer to account for the replacement of its parts in case there are defects that emerge during the time period defined by the warranty (the “warranty term”). Longer warranty terms can save you so much money over time that they are often a major selling point for different HVAC systems. The most basic product warranty term lasts five years. If you register your product, your warranty is typically extended up to ten years. Some manufacturers might offer longer warranties, so be sure you read the materials that come with your equipment. Specific parts of your equipment might have longer warranties; that is something for you to look out for as well. In order to file any claims, you will likely need to bring the product serial number, proof of purchase, and proof...

View Article

What to Expect During an AC Inspection in Mesa, AZ

An air conditioning maintenance inspection or tune-up is an opportunity for our HVAC techs to optimize your system. Here at Honest Air Inc. in Mesa, AZ, we offer comprehensive AC inspection services. Before you schedule your AC tune-up in Arizona, take a look at what you can expect to happen during our visit for our air conditioning inspection. Air Conditioning Evaluation Our AC inspections begin with a thorough evaluation of your air conditioning system. The examination covers everything from the physical AC unit and filters to the way the system functions. Our techs will manually examine the indoor and outdoor components, which includes the AC unit motor, belts, and hoses. If anything is cracked, broken, leaking, or otherwise jeopardizing the integrity of your AC system, we will recommend a repair or replacement. In some instances, repairs may be done during the same visit. However, if we need to order parts or the service requires a more extensive timeframe, we will require you to schedule a follow-up visit to handle the repairs. Coolant Level Checkup The next step is to manage the coolant level in the air conditioning system. Along with a coolant top-off, we also handle everything from condensate pumps...

View Article

How To Reduce Energy Costs On Aging AC Units

As your air conditioning unit begins to age, you may notice that they lose their efficiency. The problem may be even worse if you have not been performing regular maintenance services on your AC system. Always talk to an air conditioning professional before deciding on the air conditioning unit for your home. If you do not get the right size of air conditioner for your home, it may not be efficient. If you maintain your AC units, they could maintain a good working condition for 20 years. Consider Replacement En the best air conditioning units cannot run efficiently for too long. If your units are twenty years or older, consider replacement. Consider the costs of replacement and that of repair if your AC unit is not too old. If the cost of getting a new C is lower or almost the same as the cost of repair, you should get a replacement. Repairing older air condition units is usually more expensive than repairing new ones. It gives you a chance to get newer models which are more energy-efficient. If you decide to get a new system, look for models that meet or surpass the requirements of the Environmental Protection Agency....

View Article

Tips to Extend the Life Expectancy of Your Air Conditioner

Air conditioners are as different as the people who depend on them to keep their spaces comfortable during the hot Mesa, Arizona summers. Some units fit neatly in a bedroom window for localized cooling, while others are part of a larger heating, ventilation and refrigeration system with digital zone monitors and automated monitoring devices that alert homeowners when the filter needs to be changed or indoor humidity levels rise above a certain threshold. One thing all air conditioners have in common is that they will last longer when they are maintained properly. Simple Steps That Extend the Life Expectancy of Your Air Conditioner If you are like most people, your home air conditioner required a substantial investment. Protect that asset with these simple tips that help your unit or system work efficiently. 1. Change filters every three months, or on the schedule recommended by the installation technician or appliance manual provided when you bought your air conditioner. 2. Have the ductwork and coils cleaned regularly. By the way, cleaning the ductwork reduces the strain on the unit, and improves indoor air quality. Win-win! 3. Give your outside unit a sun-shade. Build a fence or other surround that blocks direct sunlight...

View Article

Will Air Duct Cleaning Remove Mold?

Most homes in Mesa, Arizona have some degree of mold in them, but most homeowners don’t realize this problem. Although there are different types of mold, the most common and dangerous type is the black mold that tends to thrive in your vents and air ducts. Mold spores are usually airborne and can easily enter your ductwork by simply blowing in from another part of your home or even from the outside. A single mold can find its way into your ductwork and develop into a significant colony if the conditions are right. Typically, warmer and moist environments are ideal for mildew spores to grow. You need to keep in mind that your ductwork serves as the primary system that distributes fresh air in your home it keeps it comfortable. Therefore, when mold starts to grow inside your ductwork and contaminate it, the spores will start to spread throughout your home leading to a wide range of health complications. Some of the allergic reactions that mold will cause include vomiting, nausea, nosebleeds, and even internal bleeding from the lungs. Your AC System Is a Breeding Ground for Mold Unfortunately, your AC system and your air ducts are usually a common...

View Article

How Long Do Air Conditioning Systems Normally Last?

The question “how long will my air conditioner last? ” is more prevalent especially in Arizona where the sun mercilessly beats the ground in high degrees and residents usually panic and wonder how long it would take to purchase a new air conditioner. Since air conditioners can be quite expensive, they typically have a reasonable lifespan and can do even better if routine yearly maintenance is done and repairs are taken care of in time. Factors that affect the lifespan of an HVAC system Air conditioners last about 15 to 20 years, according to Energy gov. This is merely an assumption since the lifespan heavily depends on various factors like the system’s size, maintenance, and type of the unit. Since many Arizonians depend on the AC for cooling, the system may be overworked which means a similar system working in Texas may not have the same lifespan as the one in Arizona. Routine maintenance Air conditioning professionals also argue that regular maintenance holds the critical difference between an AC that lasts ten years and another that lasts twenty years. Minor tasks such as cleaning, changing and replacing the filters, checking the ducts for leakage, removing debris, replacing and checking the...

View Article

Smart Thermostats Vs. Programmable Thermostats

Thermostats have been the simplest component of home’s HVAC system for a long time. Manual thermostats, the oldest types of thermostats in existence, have their benefits too. For starters, these thermostats are extremely easy to use, but there are drawbacks too. For instance, manual thermostats are inaccurate and can’t perform automatic temperature changes. With a manual thermostat, all you can do to control the temperature in your home is to dial in the temperature of your choice. Due to their limited temperature control capabilities, manual thermostats are not so common these days. They are mostly used by people who live in older buildings. They have been replaced by programmable thermostats and smart thermostats. Programmable Thermostats The first generation of programmable thermostats was just a refined version of a manual thermostat. These thermostats came with a large digital display that allowed people to change the A/C or furnace temperature settings with a higher level of accuracy — instead of dialing in the temperature. The current generation of programmable thermostat offers a lot more than that. These thermostats offer more programming options and greater precision. Programmable thermostats provide homeowners with tools to make automatic temperature changes in their homes. Some of the...

View Article

Should I Use a Ceiling Fan While My AC Is On?

The decision of whether or not you need to switch off your AC when using a ceiling fan mostly depends on the size of your room. If your fan is at least two or three meters away from the AC, then there is no need to switch it off. Since the AC cools the air, hot air will rise above the cooled air. Your ceiling fan helps in circulation of air, so it mixes the cold and hot air resulting into a balanced temperature. The reasoning behind the common belief that it is wrong to use a ceiling fan when the air conditioning is on is that it increases the load on the AC unit. That is not entirely untrue but it leaves out the fact that ceiling fans are also capable of cooling a room due to the breeze they create. Ceiling fans are a great option for those who want to make a room comfortable without incurring high electric costs. Using a Ceiling Fan While Your AC Is On If you want to obtain the best comfort level in a room, both the amount of air in circulation and the air temperature need to be just right. While...

View Article