Category: Air Conditioning

What’s in the Air Conditioning Repairman’s Bag

Doing air conditioning maintenance yourself is impractical and unwise. Proper equipment is a prerequisite for a successful air conditioning repair. It takes a lot of money to have the right toolkit, and a great deal of experience to perform flawless workmanship. If you want to pull the job off the right way, hire a service technician who already has the essential gear. Here’s what you can find in an air conditioning repair specialist’s bag: Screwdrivers Reliable technicians have a collection of screwdrivers to work on different bolts and screws found in most HVAC systems. They don’t just use the ordinary flat head, hex, and Phillips screwdrivers; they invest in those with insulated handles to protect themselves from electrical shock. Pliers AC repair experts keep an arsenal of pliers and wrenches handy to deal with units linked to plumbing. To work on wiring and other electrical components, these tools also need to have insulated handles to observe safety and efficiency. Tin Nips and Steel Shears Sheet metal manipulation is an important part of HVAC repair jobs. Prepared technicians generally bring three types of tin nips to cut metal in different positions and directions with precision. A heavy-duty pair of metal shears with

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How to Tell if Your Air-Conditioning System Has Mold

Discovering mold in the home sends many homeowners into a panic. Uncontrolled mold can lead to serious respiratory illness, eye irritation, and skin reactions. Some individuals may develop asthma after prolonged exposure to mold. If your air-conditioning system contains mold, act as soon as possible to reduce the risk of negative health outcomes. What Causes Mold Buildup in Air Conditioners? Any space containing high moisture levels is at risk for mold. Most common molds require a wet environment to thrive, and air conditioners only run intermittently, allowing moisture and debris to accumulate in the air handler and ductwork. Whether you notice black mold, yourself, or a service technician discovers it, mold is an unwelcome health risk. Identifying Mold in Your HVAC System You may not notice mold in your AC system until it builds to recognizable levels. Any maintenance technician should alert you to possible signs of mold and give advice for removing it. In the absence of a technician’s discovery, look for these signs to identify the presence of mold: Something Smells Funky Mold has a distinctive musty smell. Most common molds will make the home smell old and unpleasant. You may notice the pungent nature of the smell

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Options for Computer Room Cooling Systems

As businesses grow, their IT requirements grow with them, and soon require a separate room. Computing produces heat, and overheating from numbers of computers in a small space can soon lead to damaged equipment, data loss and company downtime. Businesses are increasingly realizing the necessity of investing in computer room cooling systems, and there are various options for doing this without breaking the bank. First of all, it is important to recognize that the cooling equipment used in these areas has to be equipment designed specifically for computers. Air conditioning systems designed for humans will be largely ineffective, as well as adding greatly to operating costs. In addition, what is particularly important is that the equipment should include precision temperature and humidity controls. If the temperature is too high, the equipment will malfunction, and its life will be shortened, while if humidity is not controlled, the equipment is likely to suffer damage due to electrostatic charge, or from condensation. Many businesses are finding that the perfect solution can be provided by computer ductless split systems, which, as they require no duct system, are simple and cost-effective to install. One big benefit of these systems is their flexibility, which means that

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Canoga Park - Freon Phaseout

Important AC Update: R22 Phaseout

If your A/C is more than eight years of age, it might use an older coolant fluid. R22 refrigerant, also known as Freon®, is being a part of a federally regulated R22 phaseout. That means any air conditioner repairs may get more expensive. All air conditioner units contain cooling fluid. Older systems contain R-22, while newer systems usually use R-410A. Sometimes R-22 is called R22 or the brand name, Freon®.   Many years ago, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency determined causes ozone layer depletion. So the government created a phaseout plan for R22. Starting in January 2020, refrigerant suppliers cannot produce or sell Freon®. The only R22 available will be recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies. While there is a good stockpile of R-22 refrigerant now, that may change as time goes on. Schedule an Inspection for Your R22 System Today [gravityform id=1 title=”false”] Check out our infographic to learn more about what you should do to prepare for the upcoming R22 phaseout!

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Summer energy-saving tips

Summer is back, and your electric bills are likely to go up during this time of year. However, your energy costs shouldn’t get out of hand just because the sun is at its most intense moments. If you plan ahead, you can keep your electric consumption to a minimum without sacrificing comfort. For starters, use these tips: Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR®-Certified Air Conditioning System If your current heating and air conditioning system doesn’t have the ENERGY STAR seal, now is the time to get one that does. Your purchase might set you back a few dollars, but it would certainly pay for itself. According to ENERGY STAR, having an energy-efficient unit could save you nearly $120 every year. Instead of paying for higher electric bills monthly and spending more on maintenance, replacing your inefficient unit with an ENERGY STAR-certified product makes financial sense. Schedule Routine Checkups If your cooling equipment already bears the ENERGY STAR label, you can still improve its performance by addressing minor inefficiencies at their infancy. Working with an experienced HVAC specialist to give your AC the care it needs is a mark of a responsible owner. Switch to a Programmable Thermostat Compared to manually controlled ACs, units

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Main Causes of Heating and Air Conditioning Inefficiency

When you notice a sudden increase in your utility bills or your home is not as cozy as it should be, there could be a problem with your heating and air conditioning units. After all, they account for about half of your overall energy consumption. Several factors can cause them to become inefficient. Some of these are evident, while others require scrutiny. Heating and Air Conditioning: What Causes Poor Energy Efficiency? Faulty heating and air conditioning systems not only compromise your home’s comfort and energy efficiency but can also affect your health. That is why when you notice any of these problems, always seek the help of an expert. Improper Size. A unit that is too small for your home will work harder to regulate the proper indoor temperature. Conversely, a unit that’s too big will cycle on and off many times, which wastes energy. When investing in an HVAC system, have a professional to measure your home’s energy loss rate to identify the right size for your needs. Outdated Unit. According to the Department of Energy, the service life of an HVAC system is about 15 to 20 years when properly maintained. Most older units, however, operate efficiently for about 10 years. When

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The Dangers of Counterfeit R-22

Incidents of counterfeit R-22 are on the rise—with dangerous and costly results. MightyServ cares about our clients, and we want to ensure they have the best information available. Consider the following before buying or recharging an AC unit. Learning About R-22 R-22 is the refrigerant inside many air conditioning units; the refrigerant is composed of liquids and gases with cooling properties. The refrigerant has a negative impact on the ozone layer when emitted from cooling units. As a result, the government mandated that production must slow down and come to a halt by 2020. Recycled R-22 will remain legal after the cutoff. However, timeframe of the completed phase-out will depend on contractors turning in the refrigerant for recycling, making it difficult to determine how much will be available. Decreased availability of R-22 caused its price to soar. In 1998, a pound of R-22 cost about $10, but by 2013, the same amount cost approximately $50—and prices have continued to climb. Lower availability and higher costs led to a growing counterfeit industry, which presents serious risks. Understanding The Dangers Of Counterfeit R-22 Counterfeit R-22 usually contains combinations of hydrocarbons that make it flammable. Fake versions of the approved alternative R410 (M099

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heater repair

Benefits of HVAC Financing

HVAC systems are significant purchases for LA homeowners. HVAC financing reduces the stress of purchasing new heating and cooling equipment. Even if you technically have the savings, financing your HVAC could prove useful.  Low or no-interest financing can make these larger purchases fit seamlessly within an existing budget, rather than disrupting it.  Unforeseen home maintenance is enough of a bother. Depending on the season, you and your family could be stuck sweating in the summer or shivering through the night in the winter. Being under pressure is never the best time to look at your budget and make an important purchase for your home. Air conditioner financing is a breath of fresh air. It allows homeowners to slow down and make an informed decision. Instead of rushing the process and settling for a subpar system,  make a lasting purchase that will support your whole family’s home comfort needs for many years. Don’t settle on your HVAC system selection Choosing an HVAC system that “gets the job done” always feels good initially. When it comes to HVAC equipment, it doesn’t take long for a snap fire decision to catch up with you in the form of performance, energy efficiency, noise levels

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