How To Avoid Unnecessary AC Service Calls

Sure  you love your Los Angeles Air Conditioning service company, but here  are some helpful hints to assist you in avoiding unnecessary costs for  service and repairs of your heating and air conditioning equipment:

• Clean or change your filter frequently. We recommend checking it at least every four weeks in our climate.
• Do  not set your thermostat lower in the cooling mode than is comfortable.  The average resident is comfortable at a setting of 78 to 80 degrees.  For every degree that you lower your thermostat below 78 degrees, you  increase your electricity consumption by 2% to 5%.
• In  the summer, setting the fan to the "on" position will allow the indoor  fan to run continuously, thus providing continuous circulation of air  between cycles. This continuous circulation can allow many users to set their thermostat 1 or 2 degrees higher, while still remaining  comfortable.
• Use fans to circulate air and make you feel cooler at a higher temperature  setting. Be sure to turn the fan off when the room will be unoccupied.
• If  you have a routine schedule each day get a programmable  thermostat. It will save you money by offsetting the temperature in the  house when no one is home.
• Do  not turn off your air conditioner during the day when you are away. It is much more cost effective to raise the temperature to 82 or 83  degrees. This will use less energy and still allow for the air  conditioner to recover when you lower the thermostat to your desired comfort level when you return home in the evening.
• Keep all windows and doors closed.
• Close draperies on the sunny side of the house to block the sun’s summer rays.
• Verify that your attic space is well ventilated to decrease the heat build up. We recommend an attic fan, they really help!
• Wash  the outside coil of your air conditioner with a garden hose once a year  in order to keep it at top performance. Clean away debris, leaves and  shrubbery for free flow of air through the coil fins.
• Do  not close off more than 20% of the registers in the home. This can  cause high resistance in the ductwork system. The result may be  unnecessary heat build-up in the furnace in the winter. In the summer  the reduction in air-flow can cause icing up on the cooling coil, higher  humidity levels, and can lead to possible compressor damage.
• In the cooling season, don’t run kitchen and bath exhaust fans longer than necessary.
• Do  not place lamps, TV sets or other heat-producing devices beneath a  wall-mounted thermostat. Rising heat from the equipment may cause the  air conditioning system to over-cool your house, thinking that it is  warmer than it actually is.
• Never store anything combustible near your gas furnace.
• If you have a gas furnace, make sure that flue connections and venting are always unobstructed.If you smell natural gas, call the local gas company at once.
• If you have a power outage or brown out, turn off your air conditioner immediately. This may save the components from damage.
• If  your system is 10 years or older, consider the benefits of replacing it  with a more efficient system that consumes less electricity.
• Have  your heating and cooling system serviced each season to keep it in  tip-top shape. You can avoid costly repairs and unnecessary down time when you need your system the most.

 Still need a technician? Your service call is worth the money!

When Is It Time To Replace Your AC?

According to Energy Star, there are certain telltale signs that indicate it's time to consider replacing you Los Angeles air conditioning equipment to improving the performance of your overall system. It may be time to call a professional contractor to help you make a change if:

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old.

Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old.

Consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified furnace, which is 15% more efficient than a conventional furnace. If you have a boiler, consider replacing with an ENERGY STAR qualified boiler that is 5% more efficient than a new, standard model.

Your equipment needs frequent repairs and your energy bills are going up.

Your cooling or heating equipment my have become less efficient.

Some rooms in your home are too hot or too cold.

Improper equipment operation, duct problems or inadequate insulation could be the cause.

No one is home for long periods of the day and you do not have a programmable thermostat.

Install a programmable thermostat or have a good contractor install one and instruct you on its use — to start saving energy and money while they're away or sleeping.

Your home has humidity problems.

Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.

Your home has excessive dust.

Leaky ducts can pull particles and air from attics, crawl spaces and basements and distribute them throughout your house. Sealing your ducts may be a solution.

Your heating or cooling system is noisy.

You could have an undersized duct system or a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment.

The Dangers of a Dirty Filter

Ahh-choo! It's not just about allergies and dusty indoor air, Dirty Filters will cause your equipment to work harder than it should. This results in energy waste and even possible internal damage to your air conditioning unit. Become familiar with the type of filter your system requires. If you have a washable, that is reusable, make sure it is completely dry before replacing.

All of the return registers/ grilles should be kept free of obstructions such as furniture, dirt and debris. This will hinder proper air flow.
 
Improving indoor air quality starts with cleaning your humidifier reservoir regularly. Cleanliness of your humidifier will prevent build up of mold and mildew.

Unrestricted air flow to the outdoor unit is extremely important. Remove trash leaves, grass and tree trimmings that are in close proximity. Any debris that collects around the air conditioner will cause your unit to work harder than intended, resulting in using more energy and higher utility bills. The outdoor coil on a heat pump or air conditioner can become obstructed by dust, leaves and yard trimmings. You can use a garden hose and apply gentle, water pressure over the coil, to remove any blockages. Gentle! The blades are fairly fragile on the coil and can be easily bent. Be sure and run water in a downward motion.

A heat pump or air conditioner should sit level. If you notice a shifting or settling of the ground in which your unit sits, re-level. Moisture/water must drain properly from the condensing unit.

If you need help with your air conditioner maintenance in Los Angeles give us a call and we will stop by to give you a hand.

2011 Air Conditioning Federal Tax Credits

Air Source Heat Pumps 

Tax Credit Amount: $300

Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnaces and air conditioners in moderate climates. Like your refrigerator, heat pumps use electricity to move heat from a cool space into a warm, making the cool space cooler and the warm space warmer. During the heating season, heat pumps move heat from the cool outdoors into your warm house; during the cooling season, heat pumps move heat from your cool house into the warm outdoors. Because they move heat rather than generate heat, heat pumps can provide up to 4 times the amount of energy they consume.

Requirements 

Split Systems: HSPF ≥ 8.5,  EER ≥ 12.5,  SEER ≥ 15 

Package systems: HSPF ≥ 8,  EER ≥ 12,  SEER ≥ 14

Advanced Main Air Circulating Fan  

Tax Credit Amount: $50

This is an efficient fan, or blower motor which blows the air that your furnace heats up through the duct system. 
Requirements

Must use no more than 2% of the furnace's total energy.

Central Air Conditioning 

Tax Credit Amount: $300

The best way to find tax credit eligible CACs is to ask your HVAC Contractor (Heating Ventilation and Air Conditioning). To verify tax credit eligibility, ask your HVAC contractor to provide the Manufacturer Certification Statement for the equipment you plan to purchase. Or, search the Manufacturer's website.

Requirements

Split Systems:  SEER ≥ 16,  EER ≥ 13
Package systems:  SEER ≥ 14,   EER ≥ 12


How to apply for Air Conditioner Tax Credits

Disease at Playboy Mansion Transmitted by AC System?

L.A. County health officials are investigating a possible respiratory infection outbreak after dozens of illnesses are reported by people who attended a recent fundraiser at the Playboy Mansion.

A Feb. 3 fundraiser was held at Hugh Hefner's Holmby Hills home. Many attendees have reported falling ill after the event and suspect that their symptoms are related to legionellosis, or Pontiac fever. Legionellosis is caused by a bacterium that grows in warm water and can take root in hot tubs or parts of air-conditioning systems, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The bacteria are not spread from person to person, according to the CDC, but are instead inhaled in water vapor.

How is Legionellosis spread?

Outbreaks of legionellosis have occurred after people have inhaled aerosols that come air-conditioning cooling towers contaminated with Legionella bacteria. Bacteria can thrive in a variety of conditions and, like mold, can be easily spread throughout your home by the heating and cooling system.
 
What is the Solution?
 
Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation has been used by hospitals and restaurants for years to help disinfect and prevent the spread of germs. I install an excellent home ultraviolet treatment system which applies UV technology to your heating and cooling system to zap and kill airborne and surface contaminants to create a better home environment for your family.
 
What is UV-C light and how does it kill bacteria?
 
UV-C is the invisible, ultraviolet, C-band radiation that makes up part of the sun's light spectrum. UV-C light prevents growth and germination of microorganisms by altering the DNA and RNA and effectively sterilizing the organisms. Once sterilized, they cannot reproduce and with their short life cycles, they are effectively killed.
 
Since 1936, UV has been used to sterilize air. It was first used to purify air in a surgical operating room. UV has been used in schools to decrease the growth of epidemics such as measles and tuberculosis. Other applications include: churches, beauty salons, restaurants, incubation rooms, veterinary clinics, and hospitals.
 
You can effectively combat airborne germs and bacteria by having a UV system installed in your home. Call to find out more.

Burbank Gets Extra Energy Efficiency Rebates

CONGRATULATONS! Burbank heating and air conditioning customers get extra rebates and incentives, for energy efficiency, that the rest of Los Angeles doesn't qualify for. That is because BWP, Burbank Water and Power, is offering residents and business owners FREE money to make energy efficient rennovations to their homes and bussinesses. Check out the programs on their website at BurbankWaterandPower.com

Home owner AC - Get up to $110 for having your central heating and air conditioning system tuned up.

Revieve up to 50% of the cost of the job back when you install Solar Photovoltaic (PV) System

BWP provides most Burbank businesses with a free energy survey of their facility. Then you can get up to 25% of the cost of the job back in rebates when you replace your heating or air conditioning equipment with energy efficient an HVAC system.

Replacing Your Air Conditioning Equipment

In Los Angeles, home heating and air conditioning most likely represents the biggest portion of your energy bill. In the past 10 years development of new technology has drastically improved the energy efficiency of heating and air conditioning equipment. Today’s High Efficiency heating and cooling systems cost up to 60% less to operate. In fact today's HVAC equipment has become so much more efficient that it can actually pay for itself in energy savings!

This chart made by the California Energy Commission shows the savings available when you install energy efficient air conditioning.  If your existing home cooling system is old, in need of repair, or simply inefficient, purchasing a new unit, can be a long term benefit. Instead of continually paying for repairs and costly utility bills, invest in a new AC system today that will save you money for years to come.

There are many air conditioning systems available and many factors to consider when choosing your equipment. The size and age of your home, number of rooms, the climate in Los Angeles, utility costs and rebate programs are all considered when determining the system that best fits your specific needs.

There are also many financing options, rebates, tax credits and manufacturers incentives available to home owners as part of the economic stimulus.

Home Air Conditioning Equipment Maintenance

You wouldn't expect your car to run well without regular maintenance. But what about your home air conditioning?

It's a fact that all manufactures, utility companies, the EPA and most consumer protection groups recommend regular service of your heating and cooling system regardless of age. A precision tune-up will keep your air conditioner running at peak performance. If your equipment has not had maintenance performed on a regular basis, your HVAC system may be draining money right out of your pocket.

Changing or cleaning your filter regularly is imperative to maintaining healthy air quality in your home. You may be able to do this yourself, but regular visits by a professional are invaluable for extending the life of your AC equipment and preserving your product warranty. Certified maintenance technicians will perform detailed inspections of your home's air conditioning equipment, ductwork, insulation, refrigerant piping, electrical wiring, thermostat, condensate piping, flue piping, slabs, filter, driers, registers, grills, drain pans and evaporator coil.

Every Home Buyer Needs to Know ...

If you, or someone you know, is purchasing a home or refinancing I have great news for you! You may be eligible for a special type of loan that rolls the cost of an energy efficient remodel into your mortgage. You pay for it solely with energy bill savings! I know it sounds too good to be true. But it is real and not a lot of people know about this great program called Energy Efficient Mortgage (EEM). It is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development.

EEM will finance new Windows, new Heating and Air Conditioning equipment installed, a new Solar Panel Energy System, Insulation, Electricity Upgrades, new Water Tank, even new Appliances!

Up to $25,000 worth of home improvements are done during escrow, refinancing, or soon after.

But it gets better! Ask your Realtor to get you started with $250 toward an energy audit. Your Realtor is in a position to give you $250 free money to get an energy audit on the property through REAP, the Realtors Energy Audit Program.

If you are buying a home I urge you to look into this program. I hope you can make it work for you. If you know someone buying a home please feel free to pass along this email.

Best regards,
Dean Gilford

PS - This can also be used for small apartment buildings.