Category: HVAC

The top hvac resources for new homeowners

It’s hard enough being a new homeowner and adapting to your new neighborhood (or state!) plus figuring out which light switch controls what. The plumbing, electrical, and structural issues are now YOUR problem, not your landlord’s or your dad’s… On top of all of that, you’re probably exhausted from moving all your junk, cleaning the place, painting, and dealing with 150,000 address change forms, right? We get it. It’s not in our wheelhouse to tell you how to organize your spoons and forks (third drawer from the left) or how to landscape that awkward patch of your backyard (pea gravel!) but we DO know HVAC. In addition to perusing our blog – oh, and welcome by the way! – we thought we’d grab a few other resources to help you out! We’re not affiliated with any of these resource providers, but we did find the following articles, PDFs and other resources SUPER helpful and we hope you will, too! Let us know in the comments or on Twitter what you thought of this list & add yours! General HVAC Resources Air Quality Resources Energy Efficiency Resources Were any of these resources helpful for you as a new (or seasoned!) homeowner? Let us

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Fans vs. Air Conditioners in the Los Angeles Climate

Living in Southern California is a blessing – beautiful weather, stunning landscapes, and endless sunshine. But let’s face it, that sunshine can turn into a scorching enemy come summer, especially in the San Fernando Valley. As the temperature climbs, so does the battle for a cool and comfortable home. This age-old question arises: fans or air conditioners? Both options have their place, and the best choice hinges on several factors, including your specific location within Los Angeles, your budget, and your personal preferences. This article delves into the world of fans and air conditioners, exploring their energy consumption, power usage, and how to utilize them effectively for optimal comfort throughout the year. Understanding the Los Angeles Climate: Los Angeles experiences a diverse climate depending on your specific location. Here’s a breakdown of the two major areas we’ll be focusing on: Greater Los Angeles: Los Angeles boasts a Mediterranean climate overall, but it’s important to consider the specific location within the city. Coastal areas generally experience cool, wet winters and warm, dry summers with refreshing nighttime dips in temperature. However, inland Los Angeles areas can see significantly hotter summer days, with nights offering less dramatic temperature drops compared to the coast.

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Home improvement jobs for the pros

Not all home improvement projects are created equal. If you’re changing up the color of your walls you can go ahead and paint those without any serious issues. If you’re replacing carpeting with tile floors, that is another job you can do yourself if you’re really so inclined. But there are some jobs that no homeowner should attempt to do both for safety and legal reasons. Jobs for the Pros Say last year the mighty oak in your front yard was struck by lightning and it has since died, leaving you with Paul Bunyan’s tumbleweed in your front yard. Cutting that rotting hunk of arboreal coral down is not something that any homeowner can just decide to do themselves one day. The possibility for massive damage to not only your home, but your neighbor’s home, your cars, and any power lines nearby, necessitate the need of a professional. They will come and cut the tree down not in one fell swoop usually, but branch-by-branch first and then by cutting the trunk down a dozen feet at a time or so. Another project you cannot attempt yourself is the pumping of your septic tank. Why anyone would want to do this

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How Can You Control Your Business HVAC Costs?

HVAC costs can be a huge expense for businesses and large facilities, but there are many no-cost and low cost ways to increase HVAC efficiency and lower your energy bills. Some may require a bit of effort, but all of them should help you to save money in the long run. Ways To Control Your HVAC Costs Programmable Thermostats Help Avoid Wasted Energy If your building’s HVAC system is connected to a standard thermostat, upgrading to a programmable thermostat can make a huge difference. These thermostats allow you to program temperature setbacks so that your system is not operating during off-hours. They may also allow you to program a wider range of allowable temperatures, so that areas where climate control is not so important may grow warmer or cooler than other areas without engaging the HVAC system. Avoid Heating Or Cooling Loss Through Pipes, Ducts And Dampers Another inexpensive—although potentially labor-intensive way to increase your HVAC efficiency, is to make sure pipes and ducts are well-insulated where necessary. Replace damaged insulation with higher efficiency material, and make sure all ducts and pipes that pass through unheated areas are all covered with high-quality insulation. Heated or cooled air can also escape

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How Commercial HVAC Services Differ From Residential HVAC Services

Residential and commercial HVAC services differ greatly on the grounds of area of application, equipment installation, repair and maintenance of the same. Whenever you face HVAC problems, it is good to have a clear picture of what kind of service you expect. This goes a long way in helping you figure out the type of technician you are going to call. Area of Application Residential HVAC services apply to residential settings like bungalows, gated communities, neighborhood apartments and so on. On the other hand, commercial HVAC services will apply to government facilities, office buildings, schools, zoos or aquariums, office establishments, restaurants and any other type of building that does not count as a residential setting. Equipment Servicing Commercial HVAC services also contrast with residential HVAC servicing in the way installation, repair or maintenance of equipment is done. When installing HVAC systems for commercial buildings, a custom sheet metal fabrication technique has to be used in order to match the old ductwork to the new one. Where the commercial building has its own metal fabrication sheets, installing the HVAC system becomes easier. Additionally, because commercial buildings have unique temperature and humidity needs, they will need a special kind of ventilation technology

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Why Spring is the Best Time for an HVAC Tune-up

Most people try to take great care of their vehicles. Between oil changes, repairs, simple maintenance, fluid checks, and part replacements, your vehicle gets a lot of love. Routine maintenance is an important part of making sure that your car works properly and it also helps you prevent more costly repair needs further on down the road. Now think about how often you use your air conditioner. Don’t you think this important home comfort system deserves some love too? Spring is the perfect time to schedule a seasonal maintenance visit for your HVAC system. Showing your air conditioner a little love before the biggest cooling season of the year is the best way to ensure that it treats you well this summer. 3 Reasons You Need a Spring AC Tune-Up It’s important to keep up with routine maintenance to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently so that it can help keep your family comfortable year-round. Here are just three reasons why spring is the perfect time to schedule an AC tune-up: 1. A tune-up can help increase your HVAC system’s efficiency. When was the last time your HVAC system was cleaned and inspected? Your air conditioner tends to get

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What to Consider When Choosing to Replace Your HVAC Unit

Your HVAC systems come with an average lifespan of generally 10-15 years. Continuing to run them beyond that limit can mean higher utility costs and occasional breakdown and costly repairs. Yes, we understand that HVAC replacement can be costly, but it can also save you money in the long-run. When Should You Replace Your HVAC? If you are not too sure about whether it is really time for a replacement, you can always ask for a specialists’ advice from an HVAC professional like us. Sometimes, a repair may get you above the water and make your system run smoothly for another couple years. At other times, however, a repair will only add up to the expense while only delaying the inevitable, not to mention the massive utility bills you will need in the meantime. So, when is the time you should go for a replacement? As we said, an HVAC professional will be able to advise you on this. There are, however, some pointers which will convey to you the need to go for a brand new system. So, when you see that your unit is leaking fluid regularly; is making unexpected noises on a frequent basis; is making your

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Three things to do before you replace your furnace

If you are noticing that your furnace is not performing as well as you may want it to, it is important for you to invest in a new one as soon as possible. Purchasing a furnace replacement will ensure that you are prepared for the colder season, without having to worry about putting the task off too late. A good furnace should always be purchased with a few considerations in mind in order to make the most of furnace efficiency. To begin the purchasing process, look into your heating capacity and think about what type of furnace will best suit your needs. This involves performing a check of your house in order to take a few things into consideration, such as the size of your home, the occupants, and the placement of the windows. HVAC professionals can help make this process simpler and more effective. Investing according to fuel efficiency can be another good way to make the most of your furnace’s functions. All furnaces come with a fuel efficiency rating that you can use as a measurement system to determine which ones will be right for you. Usually, the closer that the number is to 100%, the better its

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Top Benefits of Using a Smart Thermostat

You’ve probably heard of the smart thermostat. You may even know someone who uses this device in their house. But do you really know how it can benefit your home? It’s about more than just keeping your home at a comfortable temperature. In this post, we’ll discuss how using a smart thermostat can benefit you and your home comfort. Smart Thermostat Benefits So you’re thinking about switching to a smart thermostat? Here are just a few of the benefits you can enjoy with this: Save energy One of the greatest benefits of switching to a smart thermostat is the energy savings! Depending on your current home comfort habits, using a smart thermostat to manage and automate your home climate can help you save a significant amount on your monthly energy costs by helping you use your HVAC system more efficiently Stay comfortable A smart thermostat makes it even easier and more convenient to keep your home comfortable. These easy-to-use devices make programming your home climate to fit your schedule simple and stress-free. You can even adjust the temperature from your smart device to account for any fluctuations in temperature throughout the year. Analyze your energy usage Many smart thermostat devices

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Top HVAC technologies for the coming year

Technological advances are continuously pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in every industry. Businesses that revolve around HVAC as well as the end users would do well to keep an ear on the ground so that they don’t get left behind. Here Are Some Of The HVAC Technologies That Will Be Available In 2016: Mobile Apps for Maintenance People are demanding more from their appliances than ever before. Manufacturers need to create better features every time they release models out to the market. The march towards greater complexity makes units harder to master and troubleshoot. Technicians require more rigorous training to be able to provide the level of service expected of them. Mobile apps are now being developed to help them in this regard both in practice and in the field. These apps make maintenance work a lot easier as they capture important data for decision-making and guide users on the appropriate steps to take in any situation. Smarter HVAC Systems HVAC systems are known for being reactive to the environment. They have sensors that detect the current temperature and they use the information to adjust their work rate. Nowadays, there are thermostats that can actually learn how the environment

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