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Know the Best Places and Ways to Mount CO Detectors

Travis Chico — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 11:00:24 +0000

Starting off a new year is a great time to put up a carbon monoxide (CO) detector if your home lacks one. But before you do, give some thought to where you will install the detector.

The Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends that you mount CO detectors in the hallway near the bedrooms in your home, where the alarm will wake family members if they are asleep. Just like smoke detectors, carbon monoxide detectors are usually best installed on the ceiling instead of on a wall, where it’s less likely that people will come into contact with them and accidentally dislodge them.

Still, the recommended installation locations may vary by manufacturer, so be sure to read the detector’s manual before beginning the installation process.

If you’re installing one detector, give some thought to enhancing your home’s safety by installing several more. Specifically, position one CO detector on every floor of your home, in the basement and near or over an attached garage. This is the advice of the International Association of Fire Chiefs, which has lobbied homeowners about the virtues of carbon monoxide detectors since the 1990s. The association says that CO detectors should be located within 10 feet of each bedroom door so they can jar you awake if you are sleeping.

For obvious reasons, the detectors should not be installed directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances. Nor should they be placed within 15 feet of cooking or heating appliances (which can emit low levels of CO) or near very humid areas, such as bathrooms, the association says.

If you have questions about carbon monoxide detectors, call on the experts at AC Pro. We’re always happy to help.

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.

Carbon monoxide detector image via Shutterstock

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Peace Of Mind With An AC Pro Maintenance Agreement

Travis Chico — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 11:00:46 +0000

A heating and air conditioning maintenance agreement helps protect your home comfort equipment and extend its life. A well-maintained heating and cooling system will last longer, run more efficiently and keep your home more comfortable. Your heating and cooling system is a major investment and the best way to protect it is with regular maintenance.

In addition to protecting your valuable investment, maintenance agreements provide the following benefits:

Peace of mind: If your air conditioner has ever broken during a hot Nevada summer, you know how important it is to keep your equipment running smoothly, especially if your family has seniors or young children.
Lengthen equipment life: Just like your car, the better you take care of your heating and cooling equipment, the longer it will last. Buying a new air conditioner or furnace is a major expense that can be delayed if you invest in a maintenance agreement now.
Avoid unnecessary repairs: Prevention is one of the keys to keeping home comfort equipment operating smoothly. If you replace worn parts before they break, you can save a lot of money on parts and labor, not to mention the inconvenience of an air conditioner or furnace breakdown.
Maintain your warranty: Many equipment warranties require regular service to remain valid. Investing in a maintenance agreement will ensure that you meet this requirement. The best part is, you won’t even have to call for an appointment; your heating and air conditioning contractor will call you when it’s time to schedule the next service appointment.

AC Pro knows how challenging it can be to find a qualified heating and air conditioning contractor that you can trust. That is why we’ve done all the research for you. When you hire an AC Pro contractor, rest assured that the provider is certified, insured and committed to providing quality service. If you’re interested in learning more about a maintenance agreement for your system, contact us at AC Pro.

Maintenance agreement image via Shutterstock

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Maintain Ideal Relative Humidity In Your Home, Regardless Of The Season

Travis Chico — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:12 +0000

The air in our homes can get pretty dry in wintertime. When the cold weather hits and relative humidity gets to be uncomfortably low, many residents are bothered by the ill effects of dry air. Those effects can be uncomfortable and can cause damage. Low humidity may cause:

Dry itchy skin, cracked lips, sore throat and dry sinuses
Allergy flare-ups, sneezing, dry coughs and more
Damage to possessions made of wood, such as guitars or other musical instruments
Cracked wood floors, wall or ceiling moldings, shrinking and splitting of doors, window frames and even parts of the wooden structure of your home

If you’d like to avoid or eliminate these problems and improve your home’s indoor air quality, it’s time to consider a whole-house humidifier to maintain ideal relative humidity. A central humidifier incorporated into your home comfort system can automatically add moisture to the air as needed.

Ideal relative humidity

Relative humidity measures how much moisture is currently in the air as a percentage of the maximum amount that exists in saturated air. The warmer the air, the more moisture it can hold. Ideal humidity levels must take into account all these factors:

Outdoor temperature fluctuations
Variable indoor humidity: Some surfaces like walls or windows, which are usually colder than the indoor air and have higher humidity, may develop condensation leading to musty odors and mold growth.
Human beings generally feel comfortable at a 45 to 55 percent humidity level.
Home furnishings and woodwork stay in best condition at a slightly lower level.
In well-insulated homes, humidity from cooking and showering may be enough to maintain proper humidity levels part of the time.

To balance the above concerns, set the humidistat (which controls the moisture level much like the thermostat controls temperature) according to the chart on the humidifier, based on outdoor temperature. Advanced units monitor outside temperature and adjust indoor humidity automatically.

Contact the AC Pros with your questions about humidity. We’ll connect you with a certified local contractor. Visit our website to learn more or just give us a call. Serving Southern California and Nevada, we’re always happy to help.

Air quality image via Shutterstock

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Furnace Retrofit Or Replacement — Which Way To Go?

Travis Chico — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 11:00:25 +0000

If your heating bills are out of control, it is likely that your furnace is not functioning efficiently. Old, oversized and ineffective systems can drive up your energy costs. You have a couple of choices when it becomes necessary to improve the performance of your heating system — furnace retrofit or replacement.

One option is to retrofit your furnace. Retrofitting is a process that improves on a functioning older system by upgrading some parts. These upgrades make your existing furnace more fuel efficient and safe. You can add a programmable thermostat, improve ductwork, or make other modifications that ensure better furnace performance. The process of retrofitting your furnace varies depending on the type of fuel that it uses, so it is important to consult an air conditioning and heating specialist that knows these systems well.

Retrofitting can be cost effective if your furnace is newer or is in good working condition. However, if your system is on its last legs, it is typically easier and more affordable to simply replace the unit, your second option. The greatest benefit to new furnace installation is the assurance that comes with a current unit. Today, there are federal efficiency standards that older furnaces were not required to meet. With the combination of high-efficiency technology and effective sizing, a new furnace may be over 30 percent more energy efficient than your old one, saving you a great deal of money each winter.

Contact AC Pro today and let us find an air conditioning and heating specialist to improve the efficiency of your system. Serving Southern California and Nevada, we’re always happy to help.

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

Decision image via Shutterstock

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Four Simple Ways To Boost Your HVAC System Efficiency

Travis Chico — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 11:00:04 +0000

Many homeowners here in California and Nevada are resigned to paying higher and higher utility bills. The truth is, we don’t have to just accept higher costs for energy.

Try the following simple tips to boost your HVAC system efficiency — and increase home comfort — while bringing utility costs into line:

Use a programmable thermostat. It’s an “automatic” energy and money saver, allowing you to pre-set temperatures according to your schedule. This way you’ll use less energy much of the time, when you’re not home and when sleeping. When you’re home and awake, you’ll enjoy the comfort of your preferred temperatures plus lower energy bills.
Replace or clean your furnace/air conditioning filter monthly, especially during seasons of heavy use. Clogged air filters interfere with airflow through your home, reduce your indoor air quality and make your A/C or heating system work extra hard to keep you comfortable. That’s a big waste of energy and can damage your system over time. Changing the filter regularly protects equipment components from harm due to dirt buildup, which could cause the system to break down frequently and fail many years sooner than necessary.
Schedule a professional system check-up each year. Neglecting the annual system inspection and check-up can be a safety issue, since systems may develop leaks or electrical problems that may go unnoticed. In addition, regular check-ups will keep your system in nearly-new condition and maintain its efficiency.
Seal the duct system. Unseen duct leaks, especially those outside the conditioned living space, waste lots of energy. According to Energy Star, insulation and sealing of ductwork in your basement, attic and crawl spaces may increase the efficiency of your home comfort equipment up to 20 percent and beyond. Since you can’t easily access many of these areas, calling in a pro is a cost-effective solution.

For assistance in increasing your home comfort system efficiency and decreasing your energy bills, contact the AC Pros. Serving Southern California and Nevada, we’ll connect you with a certified professional in your area who can help. Visit our website to learn more or just give us a call.

Programmable thermostat image via Shutterstock

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Sealing Air Leaks In Your Home? Remember The Attic Hatch

Travis Chico — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 11:00:24 +0000

If you’re like many homeowners in California and Nevada, your attic hatch is not properly sealed against air leaks. According to the Energy Savers website, just a quarter-inch space around the edge of your attic access door may let the same amount of air pass through as goes through your bedroom heating vent.

Others estimate you could save 30 percent on your energy costs with a well-insulated attic.

Both examples illustrate the same point — there’s a lot of energy going to waste! After all, you’ve just paid to heat or cool that air and it’s going right up into the attic and outside. To stop the expensive heat loss (and avoid heat gain in summer) caused by air leaks in your uninsulated and perhaps ill-fitting attic hatch:

Affix weather stripping to the hatch panel itself or to the inside of the frame on the attic floor, where the panel sits.
Add a latch bolt for the tightest seal.
Cut rigid foam board insulation to a quarter-inch smaller than the hatch.
Attach 3 to 4 inches of insulation to the attic side of the hatch panel using construction adhesive or screws.
Use kraft paper from insulation batts to top off the foam board until you reach the recommended R-value.
Add an insulated housing for pull-down stairs if you have them. You can purchase ready-made models with a zipper closure around the hatch panel for access.
For a DIY version, use more foam board insulation and make a box with an open side, big enough to place over the access hatch on the inside of the attic and deep enough for your stairs to fold into, with a little extra room.
Seal the housing edges to the attic floor with foam weather stripping to make them airtight.

Questions about sealing air leaks in the attic? Talk to the AC Pros. Serving Southern California and Nevada, we’re here to help by giving you access to guidance from our network of local certified contractors. You can also request and compare work quotes for any home comfort project. Visit our website to learn more or just give us a call.

Attic insulation image via Shutterstock

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Your Furnace Purchase: Is It Better To Pay More Up Front And Spend Less Later, Or Spend Less Now And Pay Later?

Travis Chico — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 11:00:50 +0000

Making a new furnace purchase is not a simple task. There are so many factors to consider it can make your head spin. For many people, one of the primary factors is cost, and even this is not as simple as comparing price tags. When it comes to furnaces, you have to consider both the purchase price and the future costs to operate the equipment.

When weighing furnace purchase prices, consider all of the following factors:

Efficiency rating: A furnace’s efficiency is measured by its AFUE rating, with higher numbers indicating better efficiency. The more efficient a furnace is, the more fuel is converted to heat, saving you money on energy costs.
Purchase price: Higher efficiency furnaces tend to be more expensive, but you can often recoup this investment within the life span of the equipment. Your contractor can help you calculate the estimated time it will take to get a return on your investment.
Usage habits: If you don’t use your furnace very often, or if it doesn’t get very cold where you live, it may not make financial sense to purchase a higher efficiency furnace. Your contractor will use your historic energy bills to help you calculate potential savings for investing in a higher-efficiency system.
Energy costs: This is the most unpredictable factor, but it is generally safe to assume that energy prices will increase, not decrease. This means that a high-efficiency furnace could mean even greater savings in the long term.

The bottom line is that high-efficiency furnaces are more expensive up front, but they cost less to operate in the long run. With unpredictable energy prices, you may save even more than you expected when you purchase a furnace with a higher efficiency rating.

AC Pro’s certified contractors can help with your furnace purchase questions. Our network of trained professionals serve all of Nevada and Southern California, so no matter which city you live in, you can be sure an AC Pro contractor is nearby. Call us today to find a contractor in your area, or locate a contractor online.

Energy efficiency image via Shutterstock

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Choose The Right Home Insulation For The Project You Have In Mind

Travis Chico — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 11:00:37 +0000

Adding insulation is an excellent way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. It’s cost effective, lasts for years and is relatively easy to install. However, you must ensure that you choose the right home insulation depending on where you are installing it.

For your next home insulation project, follow these tips to select the right type:

New construction and renovations: Concrete block insulation is much more effective than conventional concrete, but you should work with a qualified professional for installation. Insulating concrete forms can also be used for foundation walls of new construction. Structural insulated panels can be used on exterior walls to create a more uniform insulating effect than other solutions.
Attic floors: Blanket (batts and rolls), loose-fill, spray foam and foamed-in-place insulation can be used in this area. It is important that home insulation fills cavities, gaps and oddly shaped areas thoroughly, without compressing the insulating materials.
Unfinished walls, ceilings and floors: Foam board, rigid foam and reflective systems can all be used in these areas. This type of home insulation, which can be installed by most homeowners, can help prevent heat loss through gaps in exterior walls created by joists.
Ductwork in unconditioned spaces: Your heating and cooling contractor can shape rigid fiber insulation to fit the ductwork in your home. This type of insulation can withstand high temperatures and prevent heat loss through ducts, significantly increasing efficiency and lowering your monthly energy bills.

If you’re not sure what type of home insulation you should use, or the best way to install it, you should always call a professional for help. Improperly installed insulation is less effective, and may actually be dangerous if you do not avoid wiring and light fixtures.

If you need more heating and air conditioning advice in Nevada or Southern California, let the experts at AC Pro find an outstanding, certified contractor for you. We’re always happy to help.

Insulation image via Shutterstock

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Lower Your Heating Bills Without Spending A Fortune

Travis Chico — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 11:00:22 +0000

Contrary to popular belief, we do need to use heating equipment to warm our homes in winter here in Nevada and California. In fact, our heating costs can be quite hefty, especially in the higher elevations. If you’re not ready to purchase one of the latest ultra-energy-efficient furnaces, you can still lower your heating bills significantly by trying these tips:

Set back your thermostat by 10 degrees when you go to work, to bed or on vacation — and when using your ceiling fan.
In winter, reverse the ceiling fan to run clockwise at low speed to direct warm air back down into the room.
Be certain air vents aren’t blocked by furnishings, carpets and drapes. Close vents and doors to unused rooms.
Open drapes and shades on south-facing windows to help warm the house and close them all at night to help keep heat in and cold out.
Fill spaces under outer doors with door sweeps or weather stripping and caulk air leaks around windows. Use outlet gaskets around electrical outlets where cold air may enter.
Make sure the fireplace damper is closed so that heat doesn’t rise up through it and out of the house. A fireplace can pull heat from the house so you may want to minimize its use when energy savings is a concern.
Set the water heater temperature at 115 to 120 degrees, which normally reduces energy use and heating costs without a measurable difference to users.
Inspect ductwork in accessible spots such as the attic, basement and crawl spaces. Restore areas where ducts are pinched. Fix gaps with proper sealant or metal-backed tape. Wrap ducts with duct insulation.
Call in an expert to examine and seal the difficult-to-access areas of your duct system — where more heat may be lost than through the rest of the home’s air leaks combined — and to insulate potentially dangerous spots, such as near electrical wiring.

Contact the experts at AC Pro to connect with a quality local contractor in your area who can provide home comfort and energy-efficiency solutions. Visit our website for information or call our toll-free number.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Is Uneven Heating And Cooling A Problem In Your Home? A Zoning System Could Take Care Of That

Travis Chico — Mon, 09 Jan 2012 11:00:17 +0000

Uneven heating and cooling is very common in homes here in California and Nevada, especially in homes with a lot of windows and a southern exposure. As a side effect of these temperature problems, energy is wasted and utility bills may soar — without ever making your home really comfortable.

Some homeowners actually close off these difficult-to-manage rooms at certain times during the day or year. The good news is that a zoning system can be the solution to uneven heating and cooling, allowing you to enjoy all the rooms in your home and lower your utilities – without sacrificing comfort.

With a zoning system, the house is divided into zones, and you can set a unique temperature for each zone at any time. To accomplish this level of control, a damper system is added to your home’s ductwork and thermostats are installed in each zone, so that cooled or heated (conditioned) air is easily directed to each zone as needed.

A zoning system is specially designed to deal with these challenges:

Two-story (or more) homes
Vaulted ceilings, lofts or other large open spaces
Large glass doors or window space
Finished basement or attic spaces
Concrete-slab floors
Complicated or extended home layouts
Extra room additions in back of your home or over your garage
And even family members with different temperature preferences

To learn more about zoning systems, contact us at AC Pro. We’re happy to answer your questions and help you find a certified local contractor from our network — or get quotes to compare. Please visit our website to learn more about our services or call our toll-free number.

Zoning system image via Shutterstock

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