Year: 2021

environmental tips

Winter Safety

Surprising as it may sound, residents of Southern California should be mindful of winter safety tips. Although snow and icy conditions are rare in our forecast (never say never!) homeowners should remain vigilant. As the premier service provider of heating services in the San Fernando Valley, our team here at MightyServ takes changes in the weather seriously.  Considerations for California Residents in the Colder Months First, the health and safety of your family is the top priority. A cold home is not just uncomfortable – it can actually cause hypothermia. Also, don’t forget about the comfort of your pets! Some animals and reptiles require warmer temperatures to stay healthy. One other item to consider is electronics and other devices that must be stored in conditioned spaces to keep them working.  Separately, indoor air quality becomes more of a concern in the winter months. Any heat source fueled by natural gas will generate some carbon monoxide; if it does not vent the odorless gas to the outdoor space, it can be dangerous for your family. And don’t forget: the winter months are prime time for the flu season.  Winter Safety Precautions Here are some things you can do to protect your

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Fight the Flu with Indoor Air Quality

Fight the Flu With Your HVAC System

 Although we enjoy blissfully mild temperatures year-round here in Southern California, the colder months bring in sweaters, hot tea, and all the pumpkin spice. But there’s something else that Fall brings that’s not as lovely; and that’s flu season. Colds and viruses spread any time of year. But in the coldest months between December and February is when peak spread happens. The Best Way to Prevent Flu Of course, for the most effective way to prevent catching or spreading the flu virus, the CDC recommends getting a flu vaccine before flu season begins, usually by the end of October. However, getting the flu shot anytime will help protect you through the rest of the flu season.  Besides the vaccine, there are some preventive actions you can take to stop the spread of germs. The best things to do are to avoid close contact with people who are ill, wash your hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, and avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.  Many viruses, including the common cold, the flu, and even COVID-19, are airborne. So, your HVAC system can also help to prevent spreading illness. Air Circulation is Your Friend! Here in Southern California,

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Common Furnace Problems You Can Fix Yourself

4 Common Furnace Problems and How To Solve Them

As the cooler weather settles in, we’ll soon be trusting our furnace to keep us cozy. Even here in the San Fernando Valley near Los Angeles, we need a functional heating system. There’s truly nothing worse than being cold! Brr!  If your furnace is acting funky, a repair is in order. Most furnace repair work should be left to the professionals, but there are a few things you can do to troubleshoot. Here are some of the most common furnace problems – and how to solve them!  Thermostat Throwing You Off? The thermostat causes many furnace problems. Your thermostat is controlling your furnace, so if you are having trouble getting the heating to work, that could be the source. Here are a few things you can check.  Furnace Will Not Turn On If your furnace won’t turn on, the first thing to do is check the thermostat settings. But if you’ve already checked there, don’t worry. There are hundreds of reasons a furnace won’t power on.  One of the most commonplace causes is a tripped circuit breaker. Locate your home’s breaker panel and seek the “HVAC” or “Furnace” label next to one of the switches. The correct position for this

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heat pumps

Why Heat Pumps are a Perfect Fit for SoCal Homeowners

Over the last several years, heat pumps have been growing in popularity in Southern California. Many of the homes in our area have been equipped with a furnace or a combination of a furnace and an air conditioner. So when it comes time to replace your heating and cooling system, it makes sense to look for a direct replacement of the same type of equipment. However, switching to a heat pump system offers a multitude of benefits that make it a splendid choice for SoCal homeowners.   What Exactly Is a Heat Pump for Residential Homes?  Heat pumps are a piece of HVAC equipment that uses electricity to provide both heat and air conditioning to a home.  Furnaces and air conditioners are single-process equipment. Furnaces provide heat, and air conditioners provide cooling. But a heat pump can do both, with a unique design of the refrigeration cycle that reverses depending on whether you need cooling or heating. There are three types of heat pumps. The most common is an air-to-air heat pump, which looks a lot like an air conditioner. It has a similar exterior, but different components on the inside. The second type is a ductless mini-split heat pump. These

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Indoor Air Quality and Covid

Everything We Know About COVID and Indoor Air Quality

Since Spring 2020, the world has been dealing with COVID-19. We now know that COVID spreads via aerosol, and more homeowners in Los Angeles understand the meaning of the term Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). But we’re all learning as we go here, including scientists and researchers. In our quest to continue learning about the industry and how to best protect our team and customers, we’ve reviewed the latest research and recommendations on the topic of Covid and IAQ. Here’s what we’ve learned:  There’s No Silver Bullet: Use Many Methods to Improve IAQ Recent research from the Central Building Research Institute indicates that there is no one, perfect solution for improving IAQ. Instead, the best course of action to improve indoor air quality is using many different methods. Most Los Angeles residents are already familiar with the baseline recommendations. Wearing facemasks, social distancing, and limiting large gatherings are the best ways to keep things safe inside most buildings. One challenge with these recommendations is that it requires every individual to choose to comply. In other words, the quality of everyone’s IAQ depends on… everyone!   There are ways to promote great IAQ, regardless of individual choices. These are called “engineering controls” –

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asbestos

Do I Really Have to Think About Asbestos in 2021?

Like any industry, innovations happen in the HVAC business all the time. Some of the more recent innovations include ultra high-efficiency air conditioners, connected home technology, and air purifiers that destroy the coronavirus. Insulation is a key part of regulating the heat in any building, and for many years industry professionals used asbestos in building construction to prevent heat transfer. However, after decades of using asbestos in construction, researchers learned that exposure to asbestos can have significant health effects. That brings us to today, the year 2021. Is asbestos something that San Fernando Valley homeowners need to be thinking about? Keep reading for our thoughts on the subject. What is Asbestos? Asbestos is a group of minerals that make long, thin fibers, which cannot be seen by the naked eye. These minerals occur naturally in six different forms, mostly in underground rock. Asbestos is a highly durable material that is resistant to heat, fire, and chemical damage. The material works well in insulation because it does not corrode or conduct electricity. For these reasons, asbestos has been used historically in commercial and industrial products. History on Asbestos Usage in the United States Researchers in the United States started recognizing the

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Why You Should Always Get a Second Opinion on HVAC Replacement

Replacing your HVAC is no small home improvement project. In fact, your home comfort system is the most expensive appliance you own. So when it comes time for replacement, it’s important that you feel confident about all aspects of the replacement. We offer complimentary second opinions on replacements so that homeowners in San Fernando Valley can make informed decisions about their HVAC project. HVAC Replacement Estimates Will Vary A common complaint we hear from homeowners is how enormous the range in replacement costs can be. A quote that’s much higher than the others doesn’t always indicate a swindler. Here are some of the key factors that go into estimate pricing:  When comparing quotes, be careful to compare apples to apples. Ask each contractor plenty of questions about the quote and installation process. Differences like the ones mentioned above can make a big difference in the bottom line.  How to Know When To Get A Second Opinion on HVAC Replacement Here are some scenarios in which we always recommend getting a second opinion:  Look for HVAC contractors with solid business practices in place. A quality HVAC contractor will have excellent reviews and will give you several estimates to choose from based

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indoor air quality

Ensure Great Indoor Air Quality During Wildfire Season

Southern California is a beautiful place to live – we certainly love it here! But unfortunately, wildfires are part of the not-so-fun reality of residing in the area. Wildfires can make outdoor air unhealthy to breathe, which means that ensuring great indoor air quality (IAQ) is crucial for homeowners in the San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas. Why Does a Wildfire Have Any Affect on Indoor Air Quality? To put it simply, your home is not sealed off from the outside world. The air from the outside can make its way inside your home. So if the outside air quality is poor, it can create poor indoor air quality too. Outdoor air can make its way inside your home in a few ways:  Source: EPA Depending on how close your home is to an active wildfire and the density of the smoke, your IAQ will fluctuate alongside outside air quality fluctuations. How To Protect My Indoor Air Quality During Wildfires Take action now to protect the health of your family during California’s wildfire season. Here are our recommendations: Take Action Now to Ensure Great IAQ During California’s Wildfires Long-time Los Angeles residents will tell you: wildfire season is no joke.

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AC Blowing warm air

My AC is Blowing Warm Air. What’s Wrong?

California heat is real, and keeping your family cool inside your home matters. So when the indoor temperature rises, it’s definitely cause for concern. Is the air conditioner on? Yep. Is air coming out of the vents? Yep.  But still, it doesn’t seem to be performing the way you’d hope. You aren’t getting that cool breeze you know you need – in fact, the AC is blowing warm air! So what is going on? Why Is Warm Air Coming Out of My AC Vents?  Air conditioners make our lives more comfortable. But since air conditioners are machines, there are a lot of reasons they might not be doing exactly what you want them to.  There are many components that make up your cooling system, so the problem could come from a few different places. In some cases, you will need to reach out to a reputable AC professional to help get you back up and running. But before you make that call, there are several things you can check yourself. Some might resolve your issue entirely, and others will just help you inform your technician with useful information before they arrive at your home. As always – be sure to take

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AC Installation San Fernando Valley

AC Install Day – Here is What to Expect

The time has come for your new air conditioner install! Get ready: improved comfort, performance, and efficiency are coming your way in short order. But for many homeowners, their AC Install Day holds less excitement and more anxiety because they have never overseen an AC replacement. Fear not! This blog will cover everything you need to know about how to prepare for your air conditioner installation and what to expect from our team.  Preparing for Your San Fernando Valley AC Install  For the smoothest possible air conditioner installation, it can help to plan ahead. With a little extra prep ahead of time, our expert install teams can work even faster and more efficiently. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure an easy-breezy AC install day:  Arrange to Be Present During the AC Install Day – An adult over 18 years of age must be onsite while our team is present. If you have a job that allows you to work remotely, we suggest trying to limit longer meetings and phone calls as the noise from installation may interrupt them.  Make a Plan For Your Pets – Most humans think our installations are pretty tame, but pets disagree.

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