Should I Service My Air Conditioner on My Own?

Maintaining the air conditioner in your Eureka, CA home isn’t a one-man job. However, there are several tasks that you can and should take care of, and there are also things that only a licensed professional can handle. The Dangers of Performing AC Maintenance on Your Own Air conditioners are complex, multi-unit systems. When homeowners attempt to maintain ACs by themselves, they run the risk of overlooking essential tasks at the outside condenser/compressor unit and the indoor evaporator/air handler. Moreover, even simply touching certain AC parts when lacking the right training and certifications can instantly void any coverage that protects this equipment. For instance, the covers on AC blower motors and fans should never be opened by homeowners. Tampering with these and other moving parts is strictly forbidden by AC manufacturers, home warranty providers, and many home insurance companies. Even when equipped with DIY tutorials and owner manuals, homeowners run the risk of causing far more problems than they resolve. They can also create electrocution hazards and set the stage for total equipment failure. Which AC Maintenance Tasks Can You Take Care Of? Each month, the filter in your air conditioner should be checked and changed as needed. Most AC...

View Article

Comprehensive Inspection Guide for Air Conditioning Systems

An air conditioner is an essential appliance that helps to regulate the temperature and humidity levels in homes and workplaces. To ensure that your air conditioner functions optimally and efficiently, it’s crucial to perform regular maintenance checks. Read on to discover everything you need to know about air conditioner checks. 1. Inspect the Exterior and Interior Components One of the first steps in an air conditioner check is inspecting the unit’s exterior and interior components. This involves checking the coils, filters, fins, and other essential parts to ensure they are clean and in good condition. Dirty or clogged filters can restrict airflow and cause the AC unit to work harder, reducing efficiency and increasing energy bills. Cleaning and replacing filters, as needed, can help prevent these problems. 2. Checking the Refrigerant Levels Another essential aspect of an air conditioner check is checking the refrigerant levels. Low refrigerant levels can result in reduced cooling capacity and increased energy usage. A technician will measure the refrigerant levels and add more if necessary. They will also check for any leaks in the refrigerant lines, which can cause significant problems if left unchecked. 3. Checking the Compressor The compressor is one of the most...

View Article

How Do AC Coils Get Dirty

The air conditioner is critical for keeping a home comfortable in summer. But, like any other machine, it needs regular maintenance to keep it running properly. One of the most common issues with air conditioners is that the coils get dirty. The buildup of dirt on the coils makes it difficult for the system to absorb and dump heat from the air, reducing its efficiency. Causes of Dirt on AC Coils Air conditioner coils can become dirty due to various natural factors, such as outdoor air pollutants, dust, mold, and dirt. These pollutants can make their way into the system and collect on the coils, causing the coils to become inefficient and produce higher energy bills. If left unchecked, this buildup can eventually lead to coil failure. Effects of Dirty Coils The effects of dirty coils are two-fold. Besides reducing efficiency and increasing energy costs, dirty coils can also cause the air conditioner to break down. If the dirt on the coils is too heavy, it can physically damage components of the system and reduce its lifespan. Dirt buildup also acts as an insulator and blocks the airflow that the coils require to do their job effectively. As a result,...

View Article

Is a Ductless HVAC System More Cost-Effective?

Ductless HVAC systems, often referred to as ductless mini-splits, can be an excellent option for homes or buildings without an existing central air conditioning and/or heating system. These units are extremely energy efficient when heating and cooling, and they also give you far more control as you can set the temperature in each room to whatever you wish without impacting the rest of the building. The only real issue is that mini-splits are typically a bit more expensive to install when compared to installing a central heating or cooling unit like an air conditioner, heat pump or furnace. However, ductless systems are still a cost-effective option depending on your home and your specific needs. How to Know If a Ductless System Is Right for Your Home Generally speaking, if your home already has a ducted central HVAC system, it usually doesn’t make sense to also install a mini-split system. However, there are a few exceptions, such as if you’re looking to add heating and cooling to your garage or any other part of the home not connected to your central HVAC system. Mini-splits can also be a good option if you’re planning on building an addition to your home or...

View Article

All About Hybrid Heat

Hybrid heat is a heating system that combines multiple energy sources to provide warmth to a building. The most common type of hybrid heat system combines an electric heat pump with a gas furnace. The heat pump is typically used for milder weather, and the gas furnace gets used for colder temperatures. This allows the system to take advantage of the efficiency of the heat pump while still providing sufficient heat during extremely cold weather. How Does It Work? A heat pump works by absorbing heat from the air or ground outside and transferring it into the building. In the winter, a heat pump gets used to pull heat from the outside air or ground and pump it into the building, providing warmth. When temperatures are above freezing, heat pumps are typically more efficient than traditional heating systems such as electric resistance heaters or gas furnaces. A gas furnace, on the other hand, is a type of heating system that burns natural gas or propane to produce heat. The heat generated by the combustion of gas gets used to warm up the air, which is then distributed throughout the building using a system of ducts. For the above-freezing temperature range,...

View Article

How to Get More Hot Water in Your Home

Hot water is in-demand daily to keep you and your home clean. The problem is that there never seems to be enough to do everything before it runs out. Let’s look at steps you can take to increase the hot water in your home to cover baths, dishwashing, showers, and laundry. Insulate Those Pipes One surefire way to keep more heated water throughout your system is to have your hot water pipes insulated. Heated water leaves the tank and travels through the piping system to faucets used to feed your baths, sinks, dishwashers, and clothes washer. Bare and poorly insulated hot water pipes will cool the water as it moves through them. A professional can examine your system and encase it where needed. Have Heating Elements Inspected Heating element designs vary depending on the energy source — electric, gas, or solar — but these components often need replacing after six to 10 years of service. This metallic rod sits in the water and heats it directly. When it is not working, your system will not warm the water to the temperature set on the water tank’s thermometer. Service technicians can inspect the heating element and change it out if needed....

View Article

Can You Hide Your Outdoor HVAC Unit?

Whether you have a heat pump or a traditional HVAC system, you likely have an outdoor condensing unit that plays a critical role in keeping your home comfortable. These outdoor units are designed to be functional rather than look nice, and it’s for this reason that you may want to hide yours. Fortunately, there are several options to keep your outdoor HVAC unit from view. Precautions When Hiding Your HVAC Unit It’s important to note that outdoor HVAC units need clearance around them to function properly. If they don’t have enough clearance, they don’t operate efficiently and will have a shorter lifespan. Specifically, these units should have at least 5 feet of clearance above them and 1 to 2 feet of clearance around their sides. Plant Shrubs One of the easiest things you can do is plant shrubs to hide your outdoor HVAC unit. In addition to hiding the unit, shrubs are a great way to beautify your yard. Just make sure you keep them properly pruned so they don’t interfere with the airflow your outdoor unit needs. Install a Picket Fence This is a great choice if you already have a picket fence around your yard. While you can...

View Article

Why is My Heat Pump in Defrost Mode?

Heat pumps have a defrost mode designed to prevent damage and maintain efficiency. When it gets freezing in your area, you may notice your heat pump has stopped delivering warm air to your home even though it’s on. This usually isn’t anything that’s a cause for concern. What Is Defrost Mode? When it gets below 32 degrees outdoors, frost can build up on the coils in your heat pump’s outdoor unit. This can cause damage, so the heat pump will switch to defrost mode. This mode will warm the coils and melt the frost. Defrost mode can come on several times to prevent frost from building up. How Do I Know My Heat Pump is in Defrost Mode? When defrost mode is on, your heat pump won’t heat your home. The outdoor fan turns off, so cool air isn’t delivered into your home. Some heat pump models have a light that indicates defrost mode is on. how Long Does Defrost Mode Last? How long defrost mode lasts depends on your heat pump’s model. In general, it lasts between 5 and 15 minutes. This mode shouldn’t affect the temperature inside your home. How Do I Know if There’s a Problem? The...

View Article

The Basics of How a Plumber Installs a New Water Heater

When you need to replace your home’s water heater, you may quickly realize the job can call for tools and skills that you might not have. You may need to hire a professional plumber to handle it for you. However, you also may be curious about what the plumber will actually do when putting in this appliance. Setting Up the Tank The plumber you hire will first set the new tank in its place and install a new T&P valve for it. It is critical you avoid using the valve from the old water heater. You need to use a new one each time you replace this appliance. Your plumber will also install the water heater’s discharge pipe. They may put a bucket under the pipe if there is no drain under the water heater. Connecting the Water After your plumber sets up the water heater, they will then connect it to the water. This step is critical, and your plumber will also ensure that the new water heater does not leak. Part of connecting the water to the water heater can also involve: Installing and securing the heater’s fittings Securing the compression nut Installing seismic straps Filling up and...

View Article

Is It True Mini-Splits Are More Efficient Than Central Air?

Mini-splits are an option to cool your home instead of central air. You may have heard they’re more efficient than central air and are wondering if this is true. They are more efficient than central air in three ways. Higher Energy Efficiency Mini split systems are highly energy efficient as they use advanced technology. This allows them to use little energy, which saves you money on your energy bills. They use variable-speed compressors, which means they only run as hard as they need to. Most central air systems only operate at one or two speeds. SEER is how air conditioning is rated. The higher the SEER rating of a mini split or central air, the more energy efficient it is. Some mini-split systems have a SEER rating that is 30 or more. The SEER rating of central air is usually about 14, with highly energy efficient ones having a rating up to 23. Zoning Mini-splits have built-in zoning. Many models can have up to four indoor air handling units. Each one can be individually operated. This gives you the ability to only cool rooms that you are using. With central air, you have to cool your entire home. Mini Splits...

View Article