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.

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.

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 :-(

Air Conditioner Shortage In The Valley?

Is it true that there is an air conditioner shortage in the San Fernando Valley? We sent our reporters out to investigate the rumor.

Our first stop was to find out what company makes the most reliable Air Conditioning unit. We know that homeowners in the San Fernando Valley are smart enough to want the very best. The most trusted  independent rating magazine surveyed over 30,000 property owners and hands down the most reliable brand of home Air Conditioning equipment was American Standard.

The manufacturer's top American Standard air conditioner dealer in the San Fernando Valley, Kilowatt is located in Sherman Oaks right where the 101 meets Sepulveda.  We stopped by their cheerful office building to chat with owner Dean Gilford. "It's been over 100 degrees in the Valley every day this week," Dean said. "So people panic a little when their AC shuts down. They worry that there might not be enough product to supply all the extra demand when it gets this hot."

Dean assured us that there is no shortage of AC units. Just to prove that there was nothing to worry about we went to the warehouse in Van Nuys where hundreds of air conditioning units wait to be installed in homes throughout the Valley and Los Angeles.

 

Over the next few months Kilowatt will expertly install these air conditioners in homes and businesses from Malibu to Glendale. So rest assured that the Los Angeles air conditioning supply chain is in tact and ready to fill the needs of our healthy, happy communities.