Year: 2022

DoE Regulations for HVAC Systems

The Department of Energy is Updating the Regulatory Requirements for HVAC Systems

If you’re planning to upgrade your heating or cooling system in the next year, it’s important to understand changes that will impact heat pumps and air conditioners. Starting on January 1, 2023, the Department of Energy’s (DOE’s) energy efficiency requirements will increase, meaning more efficient units, more savings and less impact on the environment. However, the new rules will require changes throughout the HVAC industry. At MightyServ, we are already preparing for the new rules and we want our clients to have the information needed to make the right choice for their residential and commercial heating and cooling needs. What Are the 2023 Changes for Heat Pumps and Air Conditioners? The new standards mark the second increase in efficiency requirements in five years. Now, the North, Southeast and Southwest (CA, NV, AZ, NM) will have different efficiency standards and stricter installation requirements for central air conditioners. The efficiency ratings for heat pumps will also increase, as follows: Efficiency ratings for air conditioning systems will increase by one Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) based on current requirements: North HVAC SEER will increase from 13 to 14. South and Southwest: HVAC SEER will increase 14 to 15. Heat pumps have common efficiency

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Electric heat pumps

Los Angeles Has Banned New Gas Hookups. What About MightyServ?  

Los Angeles’ City Council has voted to ban natural gas lines as part of a zero-emissions goal for new construction. New York City passed similar legislation in December 2021. In Washington State, dozens of municipalities are voting to ban or limit natural gas hookups. So, what does that mean for residents in MightyServ and the surrounding cities? You may use natural gas for cooking, heating your home, or running gas-powered appliances. Many find it more economical than electric or alternative fuel sources. However, there is currently a movement among major cities to discourage or outright ban the use of new hookups for natural gas. Why? It’s part of a national movement to reduce fossil fuel emissions and institute cleaner energy sources. Looking for Greener Heater Replacement Choices? If you are looking for an eco-friendly heater replacement for your home, reach out to MightyServ to discuss planet-wise HVAC installation alternatives. While authorities in MightyServ haven’t announced any planned changes to local regulations, savvy homeowners are looking for a way to stay ahead of the curve. Climate change experts point to oil and gas furnaces as major contributors to greenhouse gasses. Nearly half of American homes have gas appliances, according to the

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Tech Clean Rebates

Everything You Wanted to Know About California’s Tech Clean Program

You’ve probably heard about California’s newest initiative to reduce the state’s carbon footprint. TECH Clean California, also known as The Switch is On, is a program designed to help make the process of switching to eco-friendly energy easier for homeowners. But what does this program involve?  TECH Clean California Program Basic Structure  Rebates are available to single- and multi-family homes to upgrade obsolete, inefficient heating systems with more eco-friendly HVAC systems. The program includes the following goals, limitations, and regulations:  Only heat pump space heating and heat pump water heaters qualify for the incentive  It is a statewide push to create balanced incentives throughout the entire state Your local incentive program defines your eligibility, but if there is no program, you qualify for a baseline incentive  The primary goal is for California to be a carbon-neutral state by 2045.   Earning Rebates  Each household is eligible for various rebates based on where you live and how you upgrade. These rebates can be up to $6,000 per household but are dependent on how many systems you’re replacing.  TECH Clean California includes payments for replacing your old, worn-out water heater. When installing a heat pump, you may receive from $1,000 to $3,100, depending

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Smart Homes

Top Smart Devices to Consider for a Connected Home

Smart homes used to exist only in movies, but today they are a reality. Just about anything can be connected, from cars to refrigerators and even lamps. Connecting your home has many benefits, including improved energy efficiency and convenience.  With smart reporting, a connected home can also give you a better idea of how your home is running on a day-to-day basis. If you are looking to add some smart home features to your life, here are four devices to consider. 1. Smart Thermostat Smart thermostats are becoming an increasingly popular upgrade for homeowners.  Connected thermostats, such as the Google Nest Thermostat, allow you to program your temperature from your smartphone or another connected device no matter where you are. That means you no longer have to worry about remembering to adjust the setting every time you leave home.  Other features are included with smart thermostats, such as motion sensing and even artificial intelligence that learns your daily habits. Smart thermostats can bring added convenience to your home, give you more control, and help you save energy. 2. Smart Video Doorbell Doorbells used to be primitive devices with only one function. Today, they are much more sophisticated and can give

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Is an AC Tune-Up Really Necessary? 4 Things to Think About

If your AC seems to be working fine, you don’t need to call an HVAC company for service, right? Well, it’s not exactly that simple. Just because your AC system seems to be working does not mean it is working well.  Modern AC systems are intended to keep running despite underlying problems like bad parts or misaligned components. While that means fewer breakdowns, it also means your system could be running a lot harder than it should to keep you cool.  Failing to invest in AC maintenance can mean that underlying issues aren’t being addressed and that your system may be experiencing premature wear and tear. Ultimately, a lack of maintenance can leave you with big problems down the road. Here are four reasons you should consider adding an AC tune-up to your yearly home maintenance schedule. 1. AC Tune-Ups Improve Energy Efficiency Many homeowners today are looking for ways to improve their home’s energy efficiency, from smart appliances to reflective shutters to solar panels. Another good way to improve energy efficiency is to ensure that your AC system is properly maintained. If you skip your regular AC tune-ups, over time parts can become worn or misaligned, meaning your unit

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Cost to replace HVAC system

How Much Does a New HVAC System in Los Angeles Actually Cost?

Replacing an HVAC is not the most affordable home improvement project. But the actual figure for an HVAC installation project seems somewhat of a mystery. Most HVAC contractors are hesitant to provide a number without visiting the home themselves. And searching the web isn’t helpful either – the numbers vary by thousands of dollars. How is any homeowner supposed to budget for a project without knowing the cost of a new HVAC system?  It’s not your imagination. There’s a reason you’re struggling to get a straight answer, and we’ll be explaining why in this blog.  Why You Can’t Get a Straight Answer Replacing your HVAC is not like replacing a refrigerator. Although both are appliances, a refrigerator is a direct replacement – just plug in the new equipment and haul away the old.   Heating and cooling systems have many more elements that contribute to installation cost. Depending on the type and size of equipment, difficulty of installation, and other considerations, you can expect an HVAC replacement to cost between $8,000 to $16,000. We know – that’s a wide range. We’re going to explain each of the factors that go into an HVAC installation quote so that you’ll feel confident discussing

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HVAC energy efficiency tips

Improve Home Energy Efficiency in 2022 With These HVAC New Year’s Resolutions

Each year, people all over San Fernando Valley make New Year’s resolutions to help them improve their lives over the course of the next year. But how about changing things up and creating some new year’s resolutions for your home? There are many things that MightyServ homeowners can do to save energy and cut heating and cooling costs this year. Why not create some HVAC New Year’s resolutions? Below, we’ll offer a few tips for saving more energy in 2022. Energy-Saving HVAC New Year’s Resolutions Let’s face it. Much like any other resolution you might make for the new year, saving energy takes some time and effort. However, cutting back on energy usage in the home can offer big payoffs in the long run by lowering your heating and cooling costs. Here are the top 3 HVAC New Year’s resolutions you should make this year to save more energy: Most homeowners know they need to routinely check and clean or change their air filters. However, not every homeowner is as vigilant about this as they should be. Clogged or dirty filters reduce airflow and can cause your air conditioner or heater to work harder than it should to keep your

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heat pump rebates

Homeowner’s Guide to Electrification Rebates and Switching to a Heat Pump

If you’re a homeowner in California, then you’ve likely heard about the recent push for electrification. Sounds good, but what does that mean for you? In this blog, we’re going to break down what you need to know about electrification, what changes that means for you, and how you can get a piece of the $120 million of funding for this program. Electrification Explained The concept of electrification means transitioning all of our energy sources to electricity. Most homes in California use at least two energy sources: electricity and natural gas. Why the push to get rid of natural gas? When we use gas in our homes, the combustion process creates carbon emissions. One of the most common uses for natural gas in Los Angeles homes is your central heating system – your furnace.  You might think that the gas you use in your home couldn’t possibly have a big impact on the environment. Well, we have news for you! A recent study showed that an all-electric home would produce 45% fewer greenhouse gas emissions than a home with mixed fuel sources.  The State of California has aggressive goals to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The State has invested millions of

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furnace repair

HVAC Sounds: If You Hear This, Call Us Now!

The sounds of our home appliances have a funny way of fading into background noise. The churn of the dishwasher, the tumbling of the clothes dryer, and the white noise of an air conditioner can even be soothing! So, it makes sense for an unfamiliar noise to be startling and concerning. If you’re reading this blog, you’ve likely narrowed down the clangs, buzzing, or screeching to your heater or air conditioner.  Before we go any further, we need to be clear: any unfamiliar sounds from your heater or air conditioner are a sure sign that you need a repair. Heating and cooling equipment should operate quietly. So if your HVAC unit is sounding more like a… unique… instrument, it’s important to call a trained professional to investigate. Even if your unit is still cooling or heating your home, these funny sounds are an audible cue that there is a problem. And these seemingly insignificant problems don’t go away – they persist, and often develop into major problems. When you reach out to a professional for repair, it’s helpful to share whether the sound happens all the time while the unit is running or if it is sporadic. In this article,

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HVAC Replacement

What is the Right Size HVAC Unit for My Home?

One of the most common misconceptions that Los Angeles homeowners have about replacing their heating and cooling systems is a “bigger is better” mindset. It’s true that for many things in life, upgrading to a larger size can be beneficial. A bigger car means more space. A larger washing machine means fewer loads. And more storage on your smartphone means you can have more music and videos at your fingertips. Unfortunately, this rule doesn’t apply to home comfort systems. Bigger is not better for HVAC systems – it is essential to choose the size that’s just right for your home. Why Choosing the Right Size HVAC Is So Important A system that is too small has obvious downsides. An undersized unit might work fine during the shoulder seasons in spring and fall, but in extreme temperatures, it will not heat or cool your space to the desired temperature. That means you’ll be uncomfortable when you’re seeking relief the most! To make matters worse, an undersized unit will run continuously as it attempts to bring your home to the setpoint temperature. With higher runtimes, the unit will have more wear and tear than it should. When a system is undersized, it

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