• Pollen – Since it doesn’t freeze frequently in the Sacramento area, pollen can be a year-round problem. When levels are high, shower after being outdoors, wipe down pets when they come back in, and keep the air filters for the HVAC system clean.
• Dust mites – Dust mites thrive on dead skin cells and your bedroom probably has the highest population. Their waste can trigger allergy and asthma attacks and problems typically get worse during the colder months when homes are tightly closed. Using high efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters in vacuum cleaners and laundering bedding weekly using hot water and high dryer temperatures can reduce the population.
• Pet dander – Animal dander can trigger allergies and controls are similar to dust mites. Eliminating as much upholstery and fiber in the home can help, as well as using high efficiency air filters for the HVAC system. Dust mite waste and dander can both be trapped in an air filter whose minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) lies between 5 and 8. Use the pleated filters instead of fiberglass to better control these particles.
• Mold – Mold spores can cause allergic reactions and are controlled by managing indoor humidity or using ultraviolet (UV) lights in the air ducts and inside the air handler. UV light mutates the mold spores, preventing their reproduction.
• Cockroaches – Some people react to cockroach waste products. Keeping food in tightly closed containers, using a lidded garbage, and fixing plumbing leaks can help prevent their proliferation.
• Smoke – Tobacco smoke carries many particles, and while some can be filtered from the air using HEPA filtration, either as a whole-house system or portable cleaners, the best control of this allergy is by not smoking indoors.

The pros at All Year Heating, Air & Solar can help you manage allergies using your HVAC system. We’ve provided outstanding HVAC services for greater Sacramento area homeowners since 1981.

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• Selecting a default temperature: This is the temperature that your house is kept at normally, or at any time that you’re not away from home or sleeping. For the most savings, it’s recommended that you set the temperature from 65 to 72 degrees. Keep in mind that for every degree lower you set the temperature, you can reduce your monthly heating bills by up to 3 percent.
• Setting a work temperature: There’s no reason to keep your home at the regular setting while it’s empty, it just wastes energy and money. For the periods that you’re at work, set the programmable thermostat to keep the temperature from 10 to 15 degrees cooler. Then have the system return to the default temperature about an hour before you arrive so your home is warm when you get there. Adjust this time according to how long it takes the furnace to heat the house up.
• Choosing a sleep temperature: When you’re using blankets during the winter, set the thermostat back by up to 15 degrees for extra savings, then back to normal before you wake. Adjust the times and temperature to meet your needs. Between the work and sleep setbacks, you can save up to 20 percent off heating bills.
• Avoid the manual override: Once you’ve adjusted the thermostat to fit your needs, avoid using the override to change the temperature manually.

For more information about using a programmable thermostat with your HVAC system, talk to our home heating experts at All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve been serving the greater Sacramento area since 1969.

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Water Heater Maintenance

Regular water heater maintenance drives efficiency, helps prevent tank failures and ensures safe operation of the water heater regarding high water temperatures, steam, high pressures and natural gas and/or electricity.

• The temperature and pressure relief valve (T&P or PRV) is located near the top of the storage tank. Test it by carefully pulling the valve halfway and releasing. (Caution: Hot water may be released.) It should snap back into place. If not, call your home comfort professional.
• Flush a few gallons of water from the water heater every season from the drain valve near the bottom of the tank. Mini flushes help remove minerals and sediment collected on the tank bottom, which otherwise damage the tank and reduce heating efficiency.
• Once a year, flush the entire water heater. First, turn off the gas and electricity to the water heater. Connect a garden hose to the drain valve. Extend the hose to a safe place for draining, such as a floor drain, bathtub or water the grass and vegetation in the yard. Turn off the inlet water valve at the top of the tank. Turn on the drain valve and flush the tank until emptied.
• The anode rod is the lighting rod of the water heating system. Its job is to prevent corrosion to the lining of the water heater caused by impurities in the water. This means that the anode rod itself deteriorates by design and must be replaced every 3 to 5 years. A good time to replace the anode rod is when you flush the tank. The anode rod is located and accessed on or near the top of the water heater.

If you need assistance with any of these water heater maintenance steps, please contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve proudly served greater Sacramento homeowners for 45 years.

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Energy Efficiency

Although winter temperatures in the greater Sacramento area are milder than areas to the north and in higher elevations, it’s still important to pay attention to how efficiently the furnace runs. The annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating indicates combustion heating efficiency, starting at 80 AFUE. This rating shows the system uses 80 percent of the fuel it uses for heat, sending 20 percent up the chimney as water vapor or otherwise wastes it during the heating process.

Systems are available with AFUE ratings that reach 98 percent, wasting little of the fuel they use. Called condensing furnaces, these systems offer top efficiency, but other new models are also available that combine high efficiency with features that improve comfort.

Size

If your new furnace isn’t properly sized for your home, it probably won’t reach its energy efficiency rating. As you’re shopping for a new furnace, insist that the HVAC contractor does a load calculation using Manual J software before choosing a system.

Factors that impact the size you need include:

• Overall energy efficiency of the home
• Cubic footage you need to heat
• Floorplan design
• Lifestyle factors
• Preferred indoor temperatures

Over- or undersizing the system you need results in higher energy costs, shorter system life and less comfort. Of the two, it’s better to undersize than oversize, especially since our winters tend to be mild. The heating efficiency of the system you choose also affects its size and should be part of the load calculation.

For top-notch professional assistance when shopping for a new furnace, contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve been proudly providing HVAC services for greater Sacramento homeowners since 1969.

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While some maintenance can be done yourself, such as replacing the air filter or removing dust from the blower fan, most should be left to a professional. Here’s what the fall furnace inspection and maintenance routine entails.

Fall Furnace Inspection Checklist

• Check the air filter: A dirty air filter can rob the system of efficiency and contribute to poor indoor air quality. The air filter should be checked at least monthly, as well as during the inspection, and it should be cleaned and reinstalled if it is reusable, or replaced if it is disposable.
• Clean the blower fan: Use a stiff brush to remove dust from the fins of the blower fan and clean the surrounding housing of dust, as well as the air intake.
• Lubricate the blower motor: Add lubricant to the motor bearings, if possible, as well as the motor and fan pulleys.
• Adjust the belt: Make sure that the belt is in good condition, and adjust it if necessary. Replace the belt if it’s develops cracks, missing sections or other deformities.
• Clean the burners: Use a stiff brush and a vacuum to clean the burners, removing rust flakes, soot and dirt.
• Check burner operation: Start the furnace and check the burner flames for proper color and flame height. Check the pilot light and the flame sensor for proper operation, if equipped. Adjust the burner and pilot flames as necessary.
• Inspect the heat exchanger: Check for cracks and holes in the heat exchanger, which could allow carbon monoxide gas to enter the home.

To schedule your fall furnace inspection today, contact our team at All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We proudly serve the greater Sacramento Area.

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1. MYTH: The more the better. Attic ventilation is essential in your home, so for the best results, you should have as much ventilation as possible, right? Wrong. The more vents you have in the roof, the more openings you have to the outside, which means more potential for leaks. Talk to an HVAC professional to determine how much attic ventilation you need for your home, but a good rule of thumb is one vent for every 300 square feet of ceiling space.
2. MYTH: Cooler climates don’t need roof vents. Good roof ventilation can increase HVAC system efficiency in summer. But even if you’re not dependent on the A/C, ventilation is still necessary. Its main function is to reduce moisture in the attic, making it an even more important feature in cooler climates than in warmer ones.
3. MYTH: Attic ventilation reduces warm air in winter. When you’re trying to heat your home in winter, will the hot air from the furnace just rise up through the vents and be lost? No. If you’re having a hard time keeping your house warm, the problem is probably poor insulation rather than ventilation.
4. MYTH: The jury’s still out on ventilation benefits. Evidence of the effectiveness of roof vents is more than just anecdotal. Numerous scientific studies and laboratory tests have proven the benefits of ventilating an attic.
5. MYTH: Roof vents = roof ventilation. There are several types of roof vents with varying degrees of effectiveness. If you have the wrong type of vent or it’s not installed properly, you could still have ventilation problems in the attic. Talk to an HVAC pro to make sure the attic is receiving proper ventilation.

For more help with attic ventilation, contact our experts at All Year Heating, Air & Solar.

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Dust on essential components may cause problems with the system and can even lead to premature component failure. Even worse, a dirty filter restricts airflow to the system, resulting in overheating and expensive related damage. Choosing the best air filter for your system and replacing it as soon as it’s dirty is essential for system efficiency, comfort and protection.

Replacing the Air Filter

Experts recommend a monthly air filter inspection. When the filter material is no longer visible beneath the dust, it’s time to replace it with a clean one. The old air filter slides out easily, and the new air filter should be inserted with the arrows on the frame pointing toward the main unit, or in the direction of the air flow.

Choosing the Best Air Filter

There are several filter types on the market today, and choosing the best air filter for your air quality and system needs is a matter of understanding the minimum efficiency reporting value, or MERV, scale. MERV ranges from 1 to 12 for residential heating and cooling systems, with lower ratings denoting lower-quality filters.

• MERV 1 – 4: Flat and cheap, these filters trap particles that are 10 microns and larger, and they don’t do much to improve air quality.
• MERV 5 – 8: Pleated and of medium quality, these filters trap particles down to 3 microns. They’re sufficient for the air cleaning needs in most homes.
• MERV 9 – 12: These high quality filters trap particles larger than one micron, and are best for those who suffer from respiratory conditions like allergies or asthma.

Check the specs of your HVAC system to ensure the air filter you choose will ensure proper airflow.

For more expert advice about choosing the best air filter for your system, please contact us in greater Sacramento at All Year Heating, Air & Solar.

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Ask Friends for Recommendations

If anyone you know — friend, family member, professional acquaintance — has employed an HVAC technician in the past, start there. This might cut your search time down considerably.

Is the Potential Technician NATE Certified?

Technicians who have received certification from North American Technician Excellence, or NATE, represent the best the HVAC industry has to offer. They provide rigorous testing that ensures the best knowledge of the industry and a sense of professionalism and good service.

Can You Supply References?

While testimonials found on an HVAC contractor’s website are great, nothing beats first-hand accounts of how a contractor treats a customer. Ask for a list of references and be sure to call each and get a verbal opinion.

Are You Properly Licensed?

There are three types of documentation that you can request: licensing, bonding and insurance. Each contractor must meet their local or state requirements for all three, which they will share with you upon request.

Do You Have Experience With My Equipment?

If your home uses alternative energy sources such as geothermal or solar, you want to check with a potential contractor to make sure they can handle your service requests for these types of systems.

Do You Put Everything in Writing?

Regardless of the size of an impending project, your new HVAC contractor should provide you with every detail in writing so as to avoid any problems.

If you need additional advice when hiring an HVAC contractor or have other home comfort issues, please be sure to contact the professionals at All Year Heating, Air & Solar. We’ve been serving the home comfort needs of the greater San Francisco area since 1969.

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• Install a programmable thermostat – If your home doesn’t already have a programmable thermostat, you should definitely consider one. With the ability to set the days and times that the HVAC system is in operation, you can lower energy usage. For the most control, pick up a WiFi thermostat so you can even make changes remotely.
• Install new light bulbs - Energy-saving bulbs like compact fluorescent lamps (CFLs) use only a small amount of energy when compared to traditional bulbs.
• Seal air leaks - Air leaks found around your home can equal a huge loss of energy as it forces the HVAC equipment to work harder. Start fixing the problem by sealing leaks around doors and windows with caulk or weatherstripping.
• Get a tuneup – Heating equipment should be serviced by a professional HVAC technician once a year to make sure it’s running efficiently. In addition to saving energy, this will prolong the life of the HVAC system.
• Dial back the water heater temperature – Homeowners tend to leave the factory setting of 140 degrees on the water heater. To save energy, money and prevent scalding, turn it down to 120 degrees.
• Increase insulation – By adding more insulation to the attic, basement and home’s exterior, you’ll prevent heat from escaping, which will cut down the use of your heating equipment.
• Change the furnace filter – The HVAC system’s air filter should be switched out whenever it gets dirty, which usually means replacement will occur once per month.
• Plug and seal the chimney flue – If you don’t use the fireplace, there’s no reason to allow air to flow through the flue. Plugging and sealing it will prevent the heating equipment from working harder.

For more expert advice on energy-saving tips or any other questions related to home comfort, please contact the friendly professionals at All Year. We’ve been serving the heating and cooling needs of the greater Sacramento area since 1969.

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The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that some indoor environments are as much as 100 times more polluted than the outdoors. This state of affairs doesn’t have to be the status quo, however. Here are seven DIY ideas to boost indoor air quality and help your household breath easier:

1. Install a quality air filter and change it regularly. Air filters with a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) between 8 and 13 are the most efficient choice for residential systems.
2. Install spot exhaust fans to vent kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Ensure that the fans vent all the way to the exterior of the house, not merely into the attic.
3. Locate air handlers and furnaces in conditioned spaces, not garages or attics where they may intake contaminated air. Make sure ductwork routed through unconditioned zones is well-sealed and insulated.
4. Vent clothes dryers to the outdoors and check the vent pipe for lint accumulation regularly.
5. Some windows in the home should be easily opened to provide instant ventilation when required to eliminate fumes from cleaning products, painting and the like.
6. Make sure the smoke from fireplaces, wood-burning stoves and other combustion sources is adequately vented outdoors. If possible, these devices should intake air from the exterior, as well.
7. Store volatile toxins such as paint, insecticides and cleaners outside the conditioned space of the home.

For more ideas to boost indoor air quality, contact All Year Heating, Air & Solar.

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