AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

With A NATE Contractor, You Know The Job Will Get Done Right

Travis Chico — Wed, 16 May 2012 11:00:36 +0000

Your heating, ventilation and air conditioning equipment plays a vital role in your home comfort, especially during the summer. Trusting a NATE contractor with your equipment guarantees that you’ll get the best installation and maintenance possible.

NATE stands for for North American Technician Excellence, a nonprofit industry group that has the most rigid standards of any organization in the HVAC field.

When licensed HVAC contractors and technicians apply for NATE certification, they must pass the rigorous exams that NATE administers. Only a small percentage of those who take the exam pass it. You benefit when you use a NATE contractor because their knowledge and expertise in the field is deeper.

A survey conducted among homeowners who used NATE technicians found that 68 percent of respondents were extremely satisfied, compared with 44 percent who did not use a NATE-certified technician. The study also found that using a NATE technician results in fewer callbacks and greater satisfaction with the overall process and equipment.

Whether you’re choosing a new HVAC system or need to have your existing equipment serviced, it’s likely you’ll save money with ongoing utility bills when you use a NATE contractor. Efficient operation depends on precise installation and adjustments for the equipment. Considering how hot the summers are in parts of Southern California and Nevada, even small adjustments can make a difference in your electric bills.

NATE received ANSI (American National Standards Institute) certification in 2012 as a result of its strict adherence to the highest standards in the HVAC industry. ANSI sets the guidelines for many products, assuring that their development and production meet safety, health and environmental standards.

If you need an HVAC contractor anytime of year, choosing one with NATE certification is likely to increase your satisfaction and your home’s energy efficiency. We at AC Pro can help you locate a NATE contractor in your area in Southern California or Nevada. Please contact us to learn more.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Cooling, Heating And Ventilation Considerations When You’re Buying A Mobile Home

Travis Chico — Mon, 14 May 2012 11:00:36 +0000

Mobile homes, also known as manufactured housing, are a popular and economical choice for many Americans. Modern mobile homes can be very small and simple dwellings, or larger and more elaborate structures with all the features and amenities of traditional constructed homes.

When considering a mobile home purchase, keep in mind that these structures often have unique characteristics in cooling, heating, and ventilation that must be accommodated. Here are a few of the home comfort factors you should consider before buying a mobile home:

Heating and cooling: Most mobile homes will have a traditional forced-air heating and cooling system, which means there will be a series of supply and return ducts with corresponding vents. In cold climates, supply vents should be installed around the edges of the home’s rooms and open spaces. In hot climates, better cooling can be achieved if the supply vents are located in the home’s ceiling.

Make sure the furnace and air conditioner are correctly sized for the heating and cooling needs of the mobile home. If you live in an area with frequent temperature extremes, the better solution is to increase the home’s insulation rather than using an HVAC system that is oversized for the space.

Ventilation: Mobile homes, like other homes, require adequate ventilation to maintain adequate levels of indoor fresh air, to hold down airborne dust levels and to keep moisture problems from developing. Many mobile homes have metal roofs with sealed and unventilated attic spaces underneath them, which can cause moisture accumulation in the winter. In the summer, this can make the whole house feel hotter.

To avoid these problems and improve attic ventilation, invest in a mobile home with a shingled roof that has plenty of overhang on all sides, with ventilation vents and openings installed in the overhang.

Since 1986, AC Pro and its network of certified professional contractors have provided expert heating and air conditioning services to customers in Southern California and Nevada. Contact us today for more information on the specialized cooling, heating and ventilation needs of mobile homes.

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The Home Energy Audit: A Weekend Project That Can Yield Long-Term Savings

Travis Chico — Wed, 09 May 2012 11:00:00 +0000

A home energy audit is something that can be performed by a professional technician or the homeowner. An energy audit is an assessment aimed at discovering where your energy use can be improved, controlling waste, increasing efficiency, saving on energy costs and helping the environment. It may take a little time, but it can result in long-term savings.

Areas to examine

Lighting: Incandescent lighting gives off heat as a by-product. Air conditioning and incandescent lights are essentially at cross purposes. Fluorescent lighting is cooler and takes less energy to light.
Insulation: Insulation is a major energy saver. Ducts, water heaters, water pipes, electrical switch plates and receptacles, the attic, walls and underneath the floor should all be insulated.
Air leaks: Use a stick of smoldering incense to check for air leaks. Hold it close to windows, exterior doors, attic doors and around fireplaces to check for drafts. Use caulk or weather stripping to seal around doors and windows.
Wall penetrations: A thorough energy audit will include leaks where wiring or pipes come through walls. Use caulk or foam insulation to seal these areas where drafts occur.
Home comfort equipment: Check filters once a month, particularly during excessive hot or cold weather. When they’re dirty, change them. Keep your equipment maintained by a professional at least once a year. Aging equipment, especially if it is more than 15 years old, can impact energy costs dramatically. Consider upgrading to further enhance your energy savings.

If you’re interested in a professional energy audit, contact a contractor in the AC Pro network. Serving Southern California and Nevada, we’re always happy to help.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

The Smart Choice When It Comes To Programmable Thermostats

Travis Chico — Mon, 07 May 2012 11:00:23 +0000

If you’ve never owned a programmable thermostat, now’s the time to really consider one. If you have one, you might want to upgrade. The new generation of “smart” programmable thermostats is far more advanced and energy efficient than any previous models.

Interactive benefits
The newer programmable thermostats can communicate with other thermostats, your heating and cooling equipment, your utility company or you. Through an Internet connection, your thermostat can check gas or electricity prices and adjust your equipment settings accordingly. It can send you an alert when a problem occurs, and can even operate other home appliances.

Time-of-use pricing
Experiments with programmable thermostats are currently being conducted in Washington, Florida, New York and California. Electric companies are asking homeowners to allow their thermostats to “talk” to the power company’s equipment. During peak electrical-use periods, with the homeowner’s permission, the power company can instruct these new thermostats to reduce power usage by adjusting HVAC settings. In some cases, the thermostats can even stop pool pumps and water heaters from consuming electrical energy at peak hours. In exchange for this ability, the power company gives sharply reduced rates for off-peak usage. The power company benefits, the homeowner’s costs are reduced and it’s all performed through these new programmable thermostats.

Other benefits
These new smart thermostats have other benefits as well:

Easier setup
Larger displays
More options for each day of the week
Keeping up with time changes
“Learn” how to provide cooling and heating more efficiently

For expert advice on finding the perfect programmable thermostat for your Southern California or Nevada home, contact one of the contractors in the AC Pro network.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about programmable thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Air Conditioner Sizing: The ABC’s Of Manual J

Travis Chico — Wed, 02 May 2012 11:00:34 +0000

Shoes that don’t fit make your feet uncomfortable. An air conditioner that isn’t the right size for you home can also be uncomfortable – among other things. Any cooling and heating equipment should be sized for the home.

Since all homes are different, reputable heating and A/C contractors perform a load calculation to determine equipment size that matches the home. The standard method is to use Manual J to match home cooling and heating equipment to the specific house.

Manual J
Manual J is a manual, or a calculating process, developed by engineers to properly determine heating and cooling needs for a home. Although it’s standardized, a set of specifications makes it adaptable to any home. A large list of information goes into a heating or cooling load calculation. Once determined, the Manual J formula offers three basic pieces of information:

Heating load – This tells the contractor how much heat your home requires on the nearly-coldest day in the middle of winter. This determines heating needs.
Sensible cooling load – This determines how much cooling is required on the nearly-hottest day of the year when the home is heating up from the sun. This is combined with the next calculation to determine cooling needs.
Latent cooling load – This Manual J calculation determines how much humidity should be removed in peak summer heat and moisture conditions.

Between the three, your home’s proper air conditioner size is determined.

Why sizing is important
Air conditioners that are too large don’t run long enough to condense indoor humidity or properly filter your indoor air. The result can be cool, clammy air and reduced indoor air quality. Home humidity should never be higher than 50 percent. Moisture higher than that can cause mold growth and discomfort; it also reduces efficiency and wastes energy. Airflow is also restricted and circulation reduced with the wrong size equipment.

When you have new equipment installed in your Southern California or Nevada home, make sure your contractor does a proper load calculation. If you have questions or believe your air conditioner is improperly sized, contact us at AC Pro. We’re always happy to answer your questions and concerns to help you maximize your home comfort for minimum costs.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Why Duct Cleaning Belongs On Your Spring To-Do List

Travis Chico — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:00:56 +0000

Now is the time to get ready for spring cleaning. As you’re making your list of jobs, don’t overlook duct cleaning. Duct cleaning is not appropriate for every home, but it could make a difference in your indoor air quality, particularly if your ducts have been neglected for a long time — perhaps while your home was sitting empty — or if your ductwork has been infested with mold or pests.

Here are three good reasons to consider putting duct cleaning on your spring to-do list:

To remove mold. If you have noticed any visible mold on the inside hard surfaces of your ducts, you should have the ducts cleaned to avoid further spread of spores in your home. If you’re unsure about whether a substance is mold, you can take a sample of it (on clear, sticky household tape) to a microbiology lab, and they can test it for you.
To remove other contaminants. If your ducts are so contaminated with dust or debris that you can see it wafting from your registers when you turn on your HVAC system, consider having your ducts cleaned.
To help combat allergies and asthma. Some airborne substances don’t bother the majority of the population but can make life miserable for those with asthma and allergies. Pet dander, dust and debris, and refuse from rodents and insects can become airborne when you turn on your HVAC system, triggering respiratory problems for allergy and asthma sufferers. HEPA filtration equipment used during duct cleaning ensures that allergens in the ducts don’t become airborne in other parts of the house.

If you are thinking about having your home’s ductwork cleaned, it’s important to work with an experienced, professional heating and cooling contractor. Done improperly, duct cleaning can actually release more contaminants into the air than if you’d done nothing.

For expert advice about cleaning and maintaining your air ducts and other issues related to home comfort, contact a contractor in the AC Pro network. Serving Southern California and Nevada, they’ll be happy to help you make a home-comfort plan.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Three Reasons To Consider Mini-Split Cooling And Heating For Your New Addition

Travis Chico — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:00:15 +0000

Homeowners looking for an alternative to traditional ducted HVAC systems can find a space-saving solution in a ductless mini-split heat pump.

These units, often just called mini splits, offer the same level of home comfort as traditional furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps, but with three significant advantages.

Ease of installation: Ductless mini splits are easier to install than traditional HVAC systems because they don’t require a large network of ductwork to distribute heated and cooled air, or any ductwork at all. The largest part of a mini-split system is the main outdoor unit that houses the condenser, compressor and other system components. The other parts of a mini-split system are one to four small indoor air-handling units that connect to the outdoor unit through an approximately 3-inch diameter conduit run through each wall where an air handler is located. The conduit contains power lines, refrigerant pipes and the condensing drain.
Flexibility of placement: Each indoor unit of a mini-split system operates independently of the others and has its own thermostat, which means it can be placed almost anywhere. You can zone for focused temperature control, spreading them out among different rooms or floors. The indoor units can be attached to a wall or ceiling, or simply placed where they’re the least obtrusive. They support almost any room design plan and run quietly, making them a good choice for bedrooms, home offices or recreation rooms.
Energy efficiency: Mini-split systems do not rely on ductwork, so they do not experience the energy loss sometimes found in ducted systems. They focus heating or cooling where you want it and when it’s needed, which means less waste of energy and money conditioning areas that are infrequently or never used. Since they function as a heat pump, they are extremely energy efficient, which means lower overall utility bills.

AC Pro and our network of certified professional contractors have been providing expert air conditioning and heating services to customers in Southern California and Nevada since 1986. Contact us today for more information on ductless mini-split heating and cooling, to get an estimate on a new system, or to schedule a professional installation.

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Replacing Your Air Conditioner? Weigh These Features, In Addition To The SEER Rating

Travis Chico — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 11:00:36 +0000

If you’re replacing your air conditioner, a new or replacement unit should have a number of basic characteristics no matter what brand you prefer.

The unit should be properly sized for your home, big enough to provide plenty of cooling but not so big that it wastes energy and money. It should also be as efficient as possible, with an Energy Star certification and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13 or higher to indicate high performance.

Newer air conditioner models also come with a variety of features you should consider in addition to SEER ratings:

Fan-only switch – This switch lets you turn the compressor off and use your air conditioner for ventilation only. This saves energy and money when nighttime temperatures or a lull in the season’s heat result in cooler outdoor temperatures that don’t require the unit’s full cooling ability.
Variable-speed air handler – A variable-speed air handler lets the unit provide the precise amount of air circulation required for the temperature settings. Variable-speed air handlers generate plenty of air for the job without wasting energy or money.
Thermal expansion valve and high-temperature rating above 11.6 – With these features, your air conditioner will operate at its most effective level when outside temperatures are highest.
Filter check light – A filter check light lets you know when to change the filter in your air conditioner. They usually function by tracking a specified period of time; when that time has passed, an indicator light shows the filter should be changed. Fresh filters in your cooling system will keep the system running at its best.
Quiet operation – Noisy air conditioners or other HVAC equipment can be an irritation. A loud air conditioner can cause headaches, interfere with communication, and generate stress-causing background noise. Quiet operation makes your living or working space a much more pleasant place.

Since 1986, AC Pro and our network of certified professional contractors have been providing expert heating and air conditioning services to customers in San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Palm Desert and Nevada. Contact us today for more information on air conditioner replacement and expert advice on the features that will best fit your home comfort needs.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Your Summer Energy Bills: 6 Ways To Beat The Heat

Travis Chico — Wed, 18 Apr 2012 11:00:41 +0000

Saving money on your summer energy bills is often a matter of implementing a few simple changes and techniques. Here are six reliable ways to cut down on your energy expenditures this cooling season.

Turn off and unplug: Shut off lights, computers and other electronics when not in use. Unplug computers and other electronics if you don’t expect to be using them for a while. These devices still consume a small amount of electricity while plugged in.
Stop air and energy leaks: Find and seal holes, gaps and openings where conditioned air can escape. Put weather stripping around doors and windows, and seal around glass panes with silicone caulking. Make sure the ductwork in your air conditioning system is solidly connected and that connections are sealed with mastic or metal tape.
Use a programmable thermostat: Use one or more programmable thermostats to control indoor temperatures so that air conditioning is provided only when you need it. When you or your family are away during the day, for example, the air conditioner can be set to run at a lower energy-saving level.
Use energy-efficient windows: Energy-efficient windows can help reduce your home energy bills by as much as 25 percent. Install Energy Star-certified windows with energy-saving characteristics such as double-pane construction or low-emittance (low-E) coatings.
Cut down on hot water: Reduce hot water consumption throughout your house by installing low-flow fixtures, running only full loads of clothing or dishes, and fixing leaks in your water heater or hot-water pipes.
Cool your home efficiently: Install a high-efficiency cooling system in your home. Consider changing your cooling source to a forced-air or geothermal heat pump, or to a dual-fuel system that combines a standard gas or oil furnace with an electric heat pump. High-efficiency HVAC systems can save enough on monthly bills to pay for the system at about the halfway point of its useful life.

Since 1986, AC Pro and our network of certified professional contractors have provided expert heating and air conditioning services to customers in Southern California and Nevada. Contact us today for more information on energy conservation and reducing your energy costs this summer.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

With Rising Freon Prices, Does It Make Sense To Hang Onto That Old Air Conditioner?

Travis Chico — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 11:00:18 +0000

Your old central air conditioner has something inside that’s getting more and more expensive. It’s something that costs you more to keep each year. Because of an international agreement, guidelines have changed, and R-22 Freon prices have tripled. In just a few years, it will no longer be produced.

Environmental changes

Under the EPA’s emission rules, R-22, which is used in roughly 80 percent of existing air conditioners, is being phased out. This is causing the rising Freon prices. As production falls, it will only get more expensive. By 2020, all new A/C units will have to use a different type of refrigerant that has been shown to be less damaging to the environment. If you own a unit that’s 5 years old or more, you may want to consider buying a new one.

Maintenance costs

Refrigerant can leak from air conditioners. Low refrigerant levels can cause your air conditioner to operate improperly. Using your air conditioner with low R-22 levels can cost you more to operate the unit, and if it gets too low, causes compressor problems. When you have maintenance performed on your air conditioner, and the technician finds low levels of refrigerant, adding it can cause sticker shock. Freon prices will be high now and they will continue to rise.

A forced decision

By the year 2020, you will not be able to buy an air conditioner that uses R-22 Freon. Your service technician will only be able to add recycled or reclaimed R-22 to your equipment. The new R-422 refrigerant will not work in old units. Now may be the time to consider updating your air conditioning system. Until you do, you may pay more for service on your old unit.

If you’ have questions about your air conditioner, contact the pros at AC Pro. We can check your equipment, or just answer any questions you may have. Let us help you prepare; call us today. We operate in San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Palm Desert and Nevada.

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