How to pay less for Air Conditioning in Los Angeles

Air conditioning is the number one energy expense for most Los Angeles homeowners. In fact, air conditioning can account for more than half of your total electric bill. Switching to a more energy-efficient model can help save you money.

Here are some other simple tips to save you money on your electric bills.

• Set your air conditioner thermostat to 78°F or higher - health permitting - when you’re at home.
• Set it at 85°F (or turn it off), when you're away from home.
• Consider installing a programmable thermostat to regulate usage.
• Clean or replace filters regularly, according to manufacturer recommendations.
• Follow the manufacturer's instructions for air conditioner maintenance and operation, such as replacing dirty filters and keeping vents clear of obstructions.
• Caulk and weather-strip drafty windows and doors so conditioned air stays inside.
• Repair leaky air ducts.
• Consider installing attic/wall insulation or other home improvements. 
• Use a fan instead of your air conditioner to circulate air.
• Open windows for cool air during the evening and early morning.
• Close blinds or other window covers to block direct sunlight.

 Los Angeles DWP is offering rebates of up to $120 per ton on new energy efficient air conditioning. There are financing options that can stretch payments for a new system over 15 years, so the payments are extremely low.

Rooftop Air Conditioner on Condo

On one of the few rainy days we have here in Los Angeles and we had a packaged Heating and Air Conditioning unit to install on a the roof of a 4 story condominium. 

The guys worked hard in a tricky situation. See the high voltage electrical line coming from the utility pole and hanging across the roof? The crane operator had to weave his crane though the tightest spot to lift the unit.

I felt really proud of the work we did today. Great job Armondo and Jose.

How to pick an HVAC Contractor

For the last 30 years I have worked in Los Angeles as a contractor. Unfortunately, I've seen a lot of improper installations of heating and cooling systems and have heard a lot of horror stories. I want to save you the heartache!

How does a homeowner go about ensuring that they have a good experience with a heating and air conditioning contractor in Los Angeles? As I see it the most important factors to consider are:

• SAFETY - Competent and able to provide an excellent HVAC installation or repair.
• SAFETY - Trustworthy around your possessions and your family.
• SAFETY - Takes complete responsibility, should anything go wrong.

Referrals

There are several trustworthy sources for contractor referrals. Friends are probably the first people homeowners turn to when they realize that they have a need. You trust your friends to tell you the truth of their experience with a contractor.  Another great place for referrals are local Chamber of Commerce organizations. Professional networking groups have an advantage over friend referrals because these professionals rely on each other for business and therefore they protect their reputation. If you were to have a problem with a contractor who your found through a Chamber you could ask the Chamber to intercede should you run into problems down the road. I would also recommend these two review sites; Neighbor 2 Neighbor and Angieslist which actually care enough to make sure that the contractors they refer are properly licensed for their trades.

Check the License

A glowing referral may not give an accurate picture of the kind of contractor you are getting involved with. I suggest checking with the CSLB Contractors State Licensing Board to make sure that the HVAC installer or repair person you are considering is properly licensed, insured for liability, and insured for worker's compensation.

Make Sure They Have Insurance

Liability is a must. Worker's Compensation is expensive, some HVAC installers don't want to pay for it so they tell a lie to the CSLB. They say that they don't have any employees. But how do they lift a heavy air conditioner onto the roof all alone? There's no way! If the person installing your AC system or furnace is anyone other than the contractor them-self they are an employee and should be insured. If the service technician who comes to fix your air conditioner is not the owner of the company, he is an employee. He should be covered by workman's compensation. If he is not, the person who is being forced to take the risk is YOU, the homeowner.

California law is very clear regarding worker's compensation. I have met homeowners with terrible stories of their life savings being wiped out by an uninsured worker, so I am pretty passionate about this. Think about it, if someone is willing to put you at risk in this very obvious way, how else will they be cutting corners? Also if they don't care enough about their employee to insure them, what kind of technicians will be working for this company?

Technician Safety

You want to make sure that the people working on your heating and cooling system are certified by the EPA, Environmental Protection Agency. Service Technicians and installers are dealing with controlled chemical substances, electricity, gas and water lines in your home. Any one of which can devastate your home if handled improperly.

HVAC and electrical skills are taught in California's prisons. I actively screen all of my employees with drug-tests and background checks. My technicians and installers are independently Safety-Sealed. The majority of my business is residential, owner occupied homes and I am not willing to take chances with regards to the safety and security of my customers. When I find a great employee I keep them on my team. Most of my guys have been with me 10 or more years.

Quality of Work

We provide a LOT of training for our team, it is an investment, and the return is worth it!  Factory training, night classes, workshops and frequent trips across the country to attend seminars with a national HVAC Contractors organization.  Each week we have an educational meeting featuring either field experts, manufacturer supplied instructors, or peer training. We focus on safety, codes, and best practices. Energy efficient heating and air conditioning technology is constantly changing and the breadth of knowledge needed to diagnose and repair HVAC equipment has never been greater than it is right now.

So there you have it. These are the important points to check when screening a heating and air conditioning contractor to work in your home. As always, if I can help in any way feel free to call 818-780-0701. I provide free over the phone advice to homeowners regarding their home comfort systems.

Kindest regards :-)
Dean

Are Leaves In My Air Conditioner Bad?

Winter in Los Angeles may mean temperatures of 80 degrees outside, but homeowners still have some common winter maintenance issues to contend with. Leaves and debris falling or being blown into your air conditioner are hard to avoid. The central fan of your condenser sucks in dust, dead leaves, grass and seed pods. That all becomes a wet mess inside your outdoor condenser that blocks airflow, strains the whole system and reduces the unit’s cooling ability. If left to fester dirt may become moldy or harden around the more fragile components of your air conditioning equipment. The result is a less efficient home cooling system, higher energy bills and a more wear and tear on your AC unit.

There are a number of solutions available. Some homeowners opt for a nice professionally made cover that slips easily over your AC condenser, protecting it from the elements. These covers are easily purchased online or you can buy one from any Los Angeles Air Conditioning Contractor who comes to your home to perform your maintenance on your HVAC system. The only downside of these vinyl condenser covers is that sometimes in Los Angeles we get an unseasonably hot day in the middle of winter and people turn on their central AC, forgetting that the unit is covered. Yikes! You can imagine the kind of strain this would cause to the fan motor.  

You may have a different type of central air conditioner than we show here—a heat pump system, for example, or a unit mounted horizontally in the attic. Regardless, each system will have a condenser outside and an evaporator inside. The outdoor condenser looks like this. Hopefully yours is way cleaner though!

Fins are fine metallic blades that surround the unit and those condenser fins have to be cleaned as part of your system maintenance. If the debris is fairly new it can be washed off with your garden hose. An important tip, if you are doing this yourself: Don't spray too hard. The fins are easily bent so keep the water pressure low. If you wait until the leaves become hardened and caked-on, a more advanced cleaning solution is necessary. I found an environmentally friendly chemical coil cleaner that works really well and doesn't pose a danger to four legged family members ;)

 

I am in the business of installing and maintaining heating and cooling systems. I strongly encourage  regularly scheduled professional maintenance because I have seen equipment last longer than you can imagine when properly maintained. In fact, just last week I serviced a central heating and cooling system that my company installed 30 years ago for a customer in Sherman Oaks. It was working so perfectly that I offered to warranty the unit myself for another 5 years. That's how strongly I believe in HVAC system maintenance including cleaning away those pesky leaves!

Tip: Call for service before the first heat wave, when Air Conditioning companies in Los Angeles become swamped with repair calls!

Rooftop Air Conditioner Replacement

When replacing the outdoor unit of an air conditioner or heat pump, should the indoor unit also be replaced?

The answer is YES and here's why!

MATCHED SYSTEM DESIGN

All outdoor air conditioner and heat pump units are specifically designed to work with matched indoor units for optimum efficiency and performance. The result of this matched system is a coordinated, top-performance combination that ensures dependability and energy efficiency.

The Secret to A Cooler Home

As a Los Angeles air conditioning contractor I can assure you that I, and the Safety Sealed service technicians who work for me, would be extremely grateful if you were generous enough to cool the air in your attic. We work in attics frequently and temperatures in an uninsulated attic can reach 150 degrees. But you don't want your unfinished attic cooled by your air conditioner, that would be an unnecessary expense! Unfortunately that oppressive heat bearing down on your interior ceiling makes your HVAC system use more energy and work harder, which will increase your summer utility bill. 

Attic fans cool hot attics by drawing in outside air through attic vents and pushing hot air to the outside.

Sometimes whole-house ventilation fans that provide fresh air are confused with attic fans. They are not the same. Unlike a whole-house fan that cools the house by exhausting air from the home, usually at night, an attic fan is designed to lower the temperature of an attic by exhausting air only from the attic and replacing attic air with outdoor air, usually during the day.

One of the problems that I've run into is that some attic fans can be noisy. With attic fans it is worth it to spend a few cents more and get the better brand. Quality equipment, careful installation, and proper venting greatly decreases sound issues.

One of the secret benefits of an attic fan is that often times an attic fan is needed to preserve the warranty on your composite roofing.  You didn't know that did you? Check the fine print ;)

If you have any questions about attic fans don't hesitate to call my office at 818-780-0701 I will be happy to assist you in examining the costs and benefits of installing an attic fan in your Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley home.

Los Angeles Emergency Cooling Centers

Air Conditioning is a health necessity in Los Angeles this week. Get the word out.

The following City of Los Angeles facilities are utilized as “Cooling Centers” during extreme heat conditions to provide the public with relief from the heat.

These air conditioned City facilities are always open to the public during regular business hours and should be used for Los Angeles residents to escape the heat as needed.

Air Conditioning in Los Angeles

Library Facilities
Library facilities will be operating during their normal posted hours today and tomorrow. The general public should visit http://www.lapl.org/branches or call (213) 228-7000 for specific hours of operation.

Recreation and Parks Facilities
Normal Operating Hours. To access the list of all facilities with locations and operating hours go to:  http://www.laparks.org/dos/reccenter/reccenter.htm.

• Alpine Recreation Center 817 Yale St. Los Angeles, CA 90012 (213) 485-5448 12:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
• Lanark Recreation Center 21816 Lanark St.  Canoga Park, CA 91304 (818) 883-1503 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
• Lakeview Terrace Recreation Center 11075 Foothill Blvd. Lake View Terrace, CA 91342 (818) 899-8087 Noon to 9:00 p.m. 
• Jordan Downs Recreation Center 9900 Grape St. Los Angeles, CA 90002 (213) 485-1835 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
• North Hollywood Recreation Center 11430 Chandler Blvd. North Hollywood, CA 91601 (818) 763-7651 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
• Sepulveda Recreation Center 8801 Kester Ave.  Panorama City, CA 91402 (818) 893-3700 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
• Sherman Oaks/East Valley Adult Center 5060 Van Nuys Blvd. Sherman Oaks, CA 91423 (818) 981-1284 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. 
• Sunland Park Senior Center 8640 Fenwick St. Sunland, CA 91040 (818) 353-9571 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m.

The Department of Public Health would like to remind everyone that precautions should be taken, especially by individuals who participate in outdoor activities, older adults, caretakers of infants and children, and those sensitive to the heat.  Call 9-1-1 when appropriate.

And remember, pets get overheated too. Take good care of yourselves and your families.

Air Conditioning Condensation - Can It Damage Your Home?

Clogged condensate lines are one of the most serious issues air conditioning repairmen deal with. They don't just stop your AC system from working they can actually cause damage to your home.

Any Los Angeles air conditioning contractor will tell you that our air is brimming with water; 65% average humidity. All that water is processed by your air conditioner and becomes condensation.

You know how a cold drink on a hot day creates condensation on the outside of the glass? The same thing happens when warm air from your home comes in contact with your evaporator coil. Condensation is created. A properly installed heating and cooling system is designed to deal with all the excess water produced, and there is a LOT of water at times! Proper systems are equipped with a drain pan and pipe running either to the ground outside your house or maybe into a rain gutter on the roof.  If this drain line is clogged, you can be facing some potentially serious issues.

When my company installs an AC system we take an extra step to give my customers a warning if their condensate drain is clogged. We place the secondary drain outlet over a window or in a similarly noticeable place. When the homeowner sees water dripping they call for service. This way the problem can be remedied BEFORE it causes damage to your home.

American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning Receives National 2014 Dealer Design Award From The ACHR News

AccuComfort™ Platinum ZV Air Conditioner honored in HVAC Residential Equipment category

Los Angeles, CA August 28, 2014) – American Standard Heating & Air Conditioning has been recognized for excellence in product design in the 11th annual Dealer Design Awards sponsored by The Air Conditioning Heating & Refrigeration News magazine — the leading trade magazine in the heating, ventilating, air conditioning and refrigeration industries. American Standard’s AccuComfort™ Platinum ZV Air Conditioner was the Bronze recipient in the HVAC Residential Equipment category.

An independent panel of contractors judged the 92 Dealer Design Award entries. Winning submissions were featured in the July 21, 2014 issue of The ACHR News, which is distributed nationally to over 33,000 HVACR contractors, wholesalers and other industry professionals.

“We’re proud to provide our customers with American Standard products featuring the latest innovation and design functionalities,” said local American Standard dealer Dean Gilford, President of Kilowatt. “Variable speed technology in AccuComfort provides homeowners with remarkable comfort and value for their home.”  

The ACHR News’ Publisher Mike Murphy stated, "These awards give us a unique opportunity to recognize the outstanding research and development efforts that go into many of the products serving the HVACR industry."

A system that works smarter, the Platinum ZV Variable Speed Air Conditioner comes with AccuComfort technology that allows the system to consistently adjust to run at a more efficient speed to maintain homeowners’ personal level of comfort. Plus, with up to a 21.00 SEER rating, it is one of the most efficient multistage cooling units on the market.

Learn more about the Platinum ZV Variable Speed Air Conditioner by calling or visiting Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical at www.KilowattHVAC.com, 818-780-0701. For more information and further coverage on the award, visit www.achrnews.com.

How Long Should Air Conditioning Equipment Last?

The useful life of a Los Angeles air conditioning system is usually 10 to 15 years for the compressor in the outdoor unit. Heat pump compressors tend to fail earlier than air conditioner compressors because they are used year round. The typical life span of a furnace is between 15 and 20 years.

As your system begins to wear out, you will encounter refrigerant leaks and motor failures. Sometimes, the compressor in the outdoor unit will short out or the heat exchanger in a gas furnace will develop cracks. All of these are expensive repairs and it may prove more cost effective for you to replace your system rather than repair it.

You want to be sure that all the parts of your HVAC system work together properly. Replacing only the outdoor unit or the indoor unit of an HVAC system may appear to save money, but it could contribute to service problems later on.

A mismatched system may not deliver the energy efficiency or performance that you expect.

If an older part of the system—such as an outdoor unit of a heat pump, ductwork, piping or a furnace—is replaced, it’s important to match the new part as closely as possible to the existing system.

What is the Best Brand Of Air Conditioner?

"What is the best brand of air conditioning or heating equipment?" I get asked that question a lot.
In July 2014, readers of a national product testing and research magazine rated American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning's air conditioners and heat pumps as the most reliable brand among leading manufacturers.
I happen to be a Customer Care Dealer for American Standard which means that my company has passed American Standards rigorous standards for service and installations. The Customer Care designation also gives us access to better financing for our customers and deep discounts on equipment, not available to other dealers. These special savings are passed on to our customers.
It is exciting to share this research report with you. But it only supports what we already knew after installing thousands of HVAC systems throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. American Standard really does have the highest level of reliability and customer satisfaction.

EMERGENCY: Cooling Centers Open In Los Angeles County

Looks like it's going to be triple digit temperatures for the next several days. Everyone needs air conditioning in Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley this week.

Check on family and neighbors. Obviously don't leave anything living in a hot car. You wouldn't leave children or pets in the car anyway, would you?

If you plan to be outdoors, please take precautions to protect yourself from the sun and heat

• Avoid the sun from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. when the burning rays are strongest. 
• Reduce physical activity
• Wear a wide - brimmed hat and light colored lightweight, loose - fitting clothes when you are outdoors 
• Avoid hot, heavy meals that include proteins
• Set your air conditioner between 75 ° to 80 °
• If you don’t have air - conditioning take a cool shower twice a day and visit a public air conditioned facility
• Drink plenty of fluids even if you are not thirsty
• Avoid alcohol 
• Use sun screen with a sun protection factor of at least 15 if you need to be in the sun
•  Symptoms of dehydration and heat cramps include dizziness, fatigue, faintness, headaches, muscle cramps and increased thirst 

During times of unbearable heat Los Angeles County provides cooling centers. Air conditioned spots that people can go to and cool off. Click here for a list of COOLING CENTERS

How Much Does Air Conditioning Ducting Cost?

"Some rooms are working and some aren't."

There is a proper use for this kind of duct. But this isn't it.

Wondering how much air conditioning ductwork costs? It could cost you your whole system if it is not installed properly. After twenty five years of repairing, installing and inspecting heating and air conditioning systems I have seen some crazy installations that have ruined the energy efficiency of perfectly good air conditioning equipment.

"My air conditioning is not blowing."

Mold can cause lasting health problems

The best thing to do when your air conditioner is not working is to call a licensed and insured air conditioning contractor. They should be certified by the EPA. They will know the correct duct to use for different applications and how to install it correctly. Improperly installed ducting is an energy waster at best. Badly installed ducting can allow toxic mold into your home or stress your HVAC equipment enough to cause mechanical failure.

Don't trust your HVAC ducting repair or installation to an unlicensed handyman or your friend who has a tool-belt. Your air conditioning system is an valuable investment for your home. Properly installed ducting is an investment in the indoor air quality of your home and the health and safety of your family.

Installed by a friend :-(

Should I get the Extended Labor Warranty for Home Air Conditioning?

Installing central air conditioning in Los Angeles is an investment that pays back in increased home value and comfortable, healthy indoor air. But that value can quickly disapate if your system is not properly maintained.

Studio City air conditioning installers show perfect work

Quality name brand Air Conditioning equipment usually comes with a 10-12 year manufacturers warranty. But what Jay Leno says about cars holds true for AC equipment, "In the old days parts were expensive and labor was cheap. Now it's just the opposite: Labor's expensive and parts are affordable."

We offer an extended labor warranty with every air conditioning installation Kilowatt performs. Some homeowners want it some don't. I have seen it work out well in both instances. It's an investment. I recommend the labor warranty if you are going to keep your home.

Either way, whether you accept the labor warranty or not, homeowners should definitely sign up for a professional maintenance program. I am adamant with my customers that investing in maintenance is imperative. Regular documented maintenance is needed to preserve the manufacturers warranty on your air conditioning equipment. AC maintenance extends the life of your equipment and keeps the indoor air quality safe and healthy for you and your family.

How the Ban on Ozone-Depleting Refrigerants Effects You

What You Need To Know About New R-22 Freon Laws

This year, 2013, is the first year that there will not be enough R-22 refrigerant produced to meet residential demand. You and I both know that when supply tightens up prices rise. Freon is already expensive. So plan on prices rising this summer and over the coming years.

Ozone-depleting R-22 Refrigerant

But terms like R-22 are a little technical, let me explain; R-22 has been the refrigerant of choice for residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. Unfortunately for the environment, R-22 contributes to ozone depletion. In addition, R-22 is a greenhouse gas that contributes significantly to global warming.

What is being done to keep us cool? 

As R-22 is phased out over the coming years manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. Many homeowners may be misinformed about how much longer R-22 will be available to service their central A/C systems and heat pumps. Homeowners need information about the transition  when deciding whether to purchase a new A/C system or heat pump, or when having an existing system repaired.

Existing units using R-22 can continue to be serviced with R-22. There is no EPA requirement for homeowners to change or convert R-22 units for use with a non-ozone-depleting substitute refrigerant.

New refrigerants have been developed and many companies are using them to replace R-22 in existing systems. Such changes, called "retrofits," are allowed if the alternative has been found acceptable for that type of use.

Air Conditioning Contractor, Dean Gilford, provides training for his EPA certified service technicians

WARNING: Use a reputable Air Conditioning contractor

One important thing a homeowner can do for the environment, regardless of the refrigerant used, is to select a reputable dealer that employs service technicians who are EPA-certified to handle refrigerants. Technicians often call this certification "Section 608 certification," referring to the part of the Clean Air Act that requires minimizing releases of ozone-depleting chemicals from HVAC equipment.

A Reputable Air Conditioning Contractor will take the time to learn and train their service technicians how to properly retrofit an air conditioning system with ozone friendly refrigerant.

"We are seeing terrible disservices done to homeowners," says Dean Gilford, owner of Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning & Electrical. "Service techs pumping the less expensive newer refrigerant into a unit without taking the existing R-22 out first!"

There are steps that need to be taken and a specific way these retrofits need to be handled so extra training is required to be able to properly provide new safer refrigerant.

If your home is located in Los Angeles or San Fernando Valley there are technicians trained in the replacement of R-22 and they can be reached by calling 818-780-0701.

Your Utility Savings Could Cover the Cost of a new Air Conditioner!

         If your A/C is more than 10 years old, it more than likely contains R-22.  The Federal government is in the process of eliminating this refrigerant, which is harmful to the environment.  As a result, it means that your A/C will eventually be OBSOLETE!    

new energy efficient 410A air conditioner

              Any future air conditioner service or repair on your current air conditioner with R-22 will become increasingly expensive and difficult with each passing year.  That’s one reason why the government is helping homeowners replace their old, outdated air conditioner with new, high-efficiency systems.  As an individual who has been in the HVAC industry for many years, I can tell you that there is likely NO better time to invest in a new A/C.  Here’s why:

1. When you replace your old A/C with R-22, you will get a new, highly efficient air conditioner that could REDUCE your utility bills by 20-35%!

Think of your air conditioner like an athlete.  At some point, an athlete hits a peak and can no longer compete at a high level.  The same thing can be said about your A/C.  After about 10 years, it likely doesn’t run as efficiently.  That means you’re wasting energy and paying higher utility costs!  Over time, you could be wasting thousands of dollars!  Today’s air conditioners have benefited from scientific breakthroughs and are far more efficient!  A high-efficiency A/C (with R-410A refrigerant) could reduce your utility bill by 20-35%! 

2. A new A/C will likely NEVER be less expensive!

Today’s steel prices are rising higher and higher, and as a result, the cost of air conditioners, furnaces, and all other HVAC equipment is rising.  There’s talk that these costs could continue to rise in the next few years.  If you have a 10+ year old A/C with R-22, it’s probably better to replace it now, rather than a few years from now.  Who knows what the price will be then?

3. You can benefit from the big, environmental BAILOUT!

To help homeowners, like yourself, who have A/C’s with R-22 make the transition, the federal government may grant you up to $1,500 in tax credits when you install a new, high-efficiency air conditioner in your home!

            If you choose to have your old, outdated A/C replaced, and you allow Kilowatt to install your new, high-efficiency system, you can benefit even more!!!!  Here’s how….

Your Utility Savings Could Cover the Cost of a new Air Conditioner!

            As you know, the banking industry has tightened its lending… even homeowners with good credit are having challenges.  Knowing that, I scoured the market for lenders that are willing to provide my clients with some incredible financing options… minus all that red tape. 

         

        For example, you could have a brand new, high-efficiency A/C installed (with R-410A refrigerant) now, and when your final investment comes due, you might be pleasantly surprised to find that your investment, over time, might be LESS than what you were OVERPAYING the utility company, because your old, outdated air conditioner was that INEFFICIENT!  It was guzzling energy and your money!  So, it would be as if your new A/C paid for itself!

Wildlife Waystation Air Conditioning

The Wildlife WayStation is a national non-profit, holding rehabilitation, medical and problem solving refuge for native, wild and exotic animals located in the Angeles National Forest.

Sometimes things break at a non-profit organization like this and there is just no money to get it fixed. This was the case with the HVAC system.

The Wildlife Waystation offices and gift store had air conditioning installed when the offices were built. But over the years time and dust took their toll on the condensers, duct and freon lines. The air conditioning stopped working, and if you have ever been in those offices you know the situation was desperate. Most windows in the offices don't open so it can get extremely uncomfortable when the temperature rises.

Dean Gilford & Elizabeth Marquart at the Wildlife Waystation

Longtime friend and supporter of the Wildlife Waystation Elizabeth Marquart brought in her favorite Air Conditioning contractor Dean Gilford of Kilowatt Heating, Air & Electrical to donate his time and expertise. Within a couple of hours Dean had the AC working and the offices cool.

Dean fell in love with the Wildlife Waystation and will be returning with a case of filters to do maintenance on the HVAC package units.

Dean Gilford fixing the Air Conditioning at the Wildlife Waystation

Tragic Danger Posed By Home Air Conditioning System

Rest in peace Kristal Salcido

Who would ever imagine that your home air conditioning system could be a danger to children or teens in your neighborhood?

The heartbreaking death of 12 year old Victorville girl, Kristal Salcido today, is the latest tragedy resulting from the practice of breathing freon. It is called "huffing" or "bagging".  Children and teenagers looking for a quick easy high open the air conditioner line and inhale the refrigerant.

Kristal inhaled the chemical, later passing out in her grandma’s bathroom. She was pronounced brain-dead at a local hospital. Her family says there were never warning signs of Kristal’s dangerous behavior which is not surprising, children honestly don't realize how dangerous this is.

Huffing freon prevents the body from getting oxygen. It is a dangerous EPA controlled substance.  The chemicals irritate the mouth, throat and lungs. A person can get frostbite through any of the tissues in the nose, the mouth, the face. Huffing Freon, even one time, can cause brain damage including memory loss and behavioral problems or even worse. Kids don't realize what they are risking.

But how easy is it for teens to get to that dangerous freon? Access to the refrigerant is similar to a tire access. You just unscrew the cap, press the button and let the refrigerant out.

There are refrigerant locks available and most HVAC service companies will gladly install them on your system. If teens or children have access to your equipment you may want to buy a little peace of mind. Before your next scheduled maintenance of your heating and air conditioning system ask for a freon lock. It is typically about a $40 extra.

Home Air Conditioner Stopped Blowing

If your air conditioner stops working and has no air flow the problem may be a frozen coil. 


What should you do if you’re air conditioner freezes?
1  Turn the air conditioning off at the thermostat.
2  Check your filter. If the filter is filthy, throw it away and proceed to Step #4.
3  If not, you’ve probably got an issue that is going to require a trained AC professional. 
4  Switch the Fan to the “On” position at the thermostat (leave the air conditioner turned to “Off”).  This will help move more air across the frozen coil so it will thaw faster.
5  Now you can head to the store to get another filter. 
6  When you get back home, visually inspect the outdoor copper lines and the indoor coil for ice.  It can take a couple of hours for all that ice to thaw, so you may need to give it a little more time.
7  Put the new filter in, and turn the AC back on.
8  Keep a close eye on the system.  If ice reappears, turn the air conditioner off and call a professional.  If the system doesn’t start to cool the house down, turn the AC off and call your air conditioning repairman.

How Important Is The Refridgerant Charge?

More than 30% of newly constructed houses and newly installed air conditioning systems in Los Angeles have the wrong refrigerant charge. Refrigerant is the compressed gas that cools the air in your home. It is commonly referred to as freon and comes labeled as 410A and R-22.

Many home owners find it hard to believe that their air conditioner is improperly charged especially since the air conditioning system is working.

Los Angeles home owners assume their AC system is working properly if it is blowing cold air. We think it should be blowing cold air at the lowest possible cost and wthout causing excessive wear and tear on your equipment.

An overcharged system will blow cold air but use more electricity. An undercharged system will blow cold air but use more electricity. Both situations lower the life expectancy of the air conditioning system. Not to the point it breaks tomorrow. A life expectancy of a properly installed central AC system is many years. Overcharging and undercharging shrink the number years the system will operate.