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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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Carrier Infinity System

What is Carrier Infinity Greenspeed® Intelligence™ Technology?

The inventor of the air conditioner just keeps on innovating! We are proud to offer the next generation of home comfort: Carrier Infinity Greenspeed Intelligence™ Technology. Carrier’s Infinity 26® air conditioner or Infinity 20® heat pump featuring Greenspeed® are the perfect fit for your family. They offer you the newest innovations in efficiency, dehumidification, and ultra-quiet operation. What Makes Greenspeed Intelligence Products Different High Efficiency The new Infinity series offers industry leading energy efficiency ratings up to 26 SEER or a heat pump with efficiencies up to 24 SEER/13 HSPF. Let’s put that in perspective: an older air conditioner may be around 9 SEER in efficiency. Some “high efficiency” models you’ll see on the web will be around 16 SEER. 24 SEER is unheard of – that’s almost twice as much as other air conditioners marked as high efficiency. That’s the same amount of cooling for half the cost! Dehumidification Controlling humidity levels is an important part of your indoor air quality (IAQ). Nearly all commercial HVAC systems can operate in dehumidification mode, but only a few residential HVAC systems can offer the same feature. The Carrier Infinity series runs longer on lower-speed modes. That means better dehumidification, filtration, and

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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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