If you have a manual thermostat, save energy during cooler months by setting the thermostat to 68 degrees while you’re awake, and then lowering it by 10-15 degrees when you are away or while you sleep. During warmer months, set your thermostat setting to 78 degrees and reverse this strategy by turning the thermostat up 10-15 degrees during these same periods to save on cooling costs. A programmable thermostat allows you to do this automatically by using to a preset schedule. Keep the thermostat settings at the energy-saving set points for at least eight hours each day. Ideally you should do this when no one is home or when you are sleeping.

Both manual and programmable thermostats will allow you to make your home warmer or cooler without costing money. However, once you’ve programmed a thermostat, if you consistently override programmed settings, you end up using more energy instead. So avoid cranking your thermostat up or down. This will not heat or cool your home faster.

If your home has multiple heating or cooling zones, consider using a separate thermostat for each zone to maximize both comfort and efficiency.

If you live in the Los Angeles, Ventura or Santa Barbara areas, contact AZ Air Conditioning & Heating to find out more about dependable, economical and professional heating and air conditioning systems today.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Thermostat image via Shutterstock

With that in mind, here are five tips that will help you prepare for the inconveniences of an extended power outage:

1. Put a survival kit together including things such as candles, lighters, batteries, blankets, flashlights, non-perishable food and first aid.
2. Get a gas-powered generator, and always keep at least a gallon of gas next to it for easy access. Shop around for a reasonably-priced unit that will handle the specific needs of your household; you can choose to power just the basic circuits or even the entire home.
3. Make a list the important phone numbers that you may need in an emergency, including the local fire and police department as well as your utility companies. If using a cell phone, it’s best to call these numbers direct rather than 911. Also, it’s a good idea to have a car adapter for your cell phone in case you require a recharge.
4. Make sure that your house is adequately insulated and that the windows and doors are sufficiently sealed around the perimeter on the interior and exterior. This will provide protection from the elements during power outages and help to keep the indoor climate under control.
5. Have a plan in place with your family or coworkers so that everyone knows where to go when the lights are low.

Power outages can affect anyone, anywhere and at any time. Often, these situations can result in damage to your home heating and cooling systems. That’s why AZ Air Conditioning and Heating offers professional and on-time service seven days a week to residents of Southern California. Whether you require a repair or replacement, if you need expert HVAC service or advice, contact us today. We have your total comfort in mind!

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

A dry, well-ventilated space is the key to attic durability. Moisture is the enemy of every attic because it can cause paint to bubble, destroy insulation, lead to mold growth and warp wood fixtures in the attic. To prevent your attic from becoming subject to these issues caused by excess moisture, follow these three strategies for improved attic durability.

1. Seal leaks between the living area and the attic. Warm, humid air from the kitchen and bathrooms can negatively impact attic durability. The ceiling of your home’s upper floor may not be sealed properly, which allows heat and moisture to enter the attic. Have a professional check for leaks between the upper floor and the attic to help keep the attic dry. Also ensure that your dryer vents outside, instead of into your attic.
2. Insulate the attic. Once the gaps have been sealed, you can add a protective layer of insulation on the attic floor. This helps keep heat from rising into the attic from your home in the winter. By keeping heated and cooled air in your home instead of allowing it to escape into the attic, you lower your energy bills and promote attic durability.
3. Ventilate the attic. The floor has been sealed and insulated, and now you need a way of allowing outdoor air to circulate through the attic. In addition to installing vents at the eaves and at the peak of the roof, you should also install an attic fan to pull air into the space. This helps dry up any moisture that has managed to get in and prevents it from ruining any wood structures and insulation in the attic. An attic fan also keeps cooling bills down in the summer because it helps prevent scorching temperatures from developing above the living space.

With the attic floor sealed and insulated, and with the addition of an attic fan, you will promote a durable attic and enjoy lower energy costs. For more on improving attic durability, contact AZ Air Conditioning & Heating. We’ve been providing expert service and quality products to residents of southern California since 1984, and we’d be happy to get you started down the path to enhanced comfort and energy efficiency in your home.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Insulation image via Shutterstock 

Sizing a tankless water heater

There are many variables involved in sizing a tankless water heater, such as household size, hot water usage and the distance from the water heater to the hot-water outlets. Hot water loses temperature as it’s piped over distance, such as to a bathroom at the opposite end of a home. These are all important. However, first you must keep in mind these two primary factors:

1. Temperature rise is the total degrees that a tankless water heater must heat incoming water to meet your desired hot water temperature. For example, if you want hot water that’s 120 degrees, and the temperature of incoming water is 70 degrees, your temperature rise is 50 degrees.
2. Flow rate needs to be determined for your entire household and for individual outlets and applications. The flow rate is the gallons per minute (GPM) supplied by the outlet or application, such as the dishwasher or washing machine. The flow rate for your household is the sum of the outlets and applications that you expect to use at the same time.

Tankless water heater sizes

With temperature rise and flow rates at hand, you can get a clearer picture for sizing a tankless water heater. A combination of electric-heated tankless units of varying sizes is usually the best method for saving energy, and it provides a quicker hot water flow. Sizes vary from small, single point-of-use units, which are often located under sinks, to large whole-house units that may provide water for an entire household.

Consult with a heating and cooling contractor to design the most efficient and convenient tankless system for your home. If you’re in Southern California, contact us at AZ Air Conditioning & Heating.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

• Blanket insulation might be the most recognizable type of insulation to the average homeowner. Usually made of fiberglass of rock wool, it comes either in long rolls or shorter sections called “batts” that fit snugly between wall studs and ceiling jousts. Blankets are relatively expensive and easy to install, and are commonly used to insulate walls, ceilings and floors.

• Loose fill insulation is made of fiberglass, rock wool or paper fibers, but unlike blanket insulation, it does not come in solid pieces. Instead, it comes in the form of loose fibers that are blown into place using specialized equipment. Loose fill can insulate entire walls, but it’s also ideal for filling odd-shaped areas, and for spaces that would be difficult to reach with other types of insulation.

• Rigid foam board is just what it sounds like: hard sheets of solid insulation made of durable polystyrene or polyurethane foam. Foam board is a bit more expensive than blankets, but it offers more insulating value per inch. Whole four by eight feet sheets can be installed over walls, or you can use smaller pieces to insulate irregularly-shaped spaces.

• Spray foam insulation is applied in liquid form, but hardens to form a solid insulation barrier. It can be purchased in spray cans for smaller jobs or in large quantities that must be applied with special equipment. Spray foam is perfect for insulating small irregular spaces and filling in gaps.

If you’re interested in adding insulation to your house, you can get more information by contacting AZ Air Conditioning and Heating. We’ve been providing expert HVAC service and advice in Southern California since 1984.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Insulation image via Shutterstock

Sizing

Older furnaces are often larger than necessary. If your furnace is more than 10 years old, upgrading to a new, smaller-sized furnace not only saves you energy, but it can reduce your heating bill as well. The ideal furnace size depends on a number of factors, including the design, orientation and square footage of your home, as well as the amount of sun exposure your home receives. An HVAC contractor can perform a heat load calculation to determine what size of furnace is right for your home.

Low AFUE

Furnace efficiency is measured by annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE). This is a ratio of the heat output of your furnace compared to the total energy it consumes. If your furnace has an AFUE of 80 percent, it means that 80 percent of the energy in the fuel is turned into heat for your home. The other 20 percent escapes through your chimney and other areas that air may leak from your home. The AFUE of any furnace will decrease over time, so upgrading an older furnace can increase how efficiently it heats your home and this can save on your energy bill.

Increasing repair costs

As your furnace reaches the end of its service life, its parts may not work as effectively as they used to. When one part begins to fail, other components are stressed as well because they must work harder. This can lead to multiple repairs, costing you more in the long run than it would to upgrade your furnace.

If you’d like to improve your furnace performance, and you live in the Southern California area, contact at AZ Air Conditioning & Heating to discuss your options for an upgrade.

Our goal is to help educate 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.

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

• A booming sound when the furnace ignites: This usually means that the burners are dirty. Have your service person clean the burners to prevent damage to the furnace and prevent the sounds from occurring.
• Pops or rattles while the furnace is on: When the furnace pops and rattles while the unit is on, it is usually a duct problem. Your ducts may be rubbing on the wood frame of the house, or the ducts could also be loose. Have a service technician check your duct system and add additional anchors, or widen the space around the ductwork.
• Furnace clicks several times before gas ignition: This is likely caused by buildup on the flame sensor. You can have a professional clean the flame sensor, or do it yourself. To clean, turn off the furnace and remove the small metal stick from where the flame is positioned. This is the flame sensor, and it can be cleaned with sandpaper.
• Squeaks or grinding sounds: Usually, this indicates that the motor belt is damaged or slipping. Have a professional replace the belt to eliminate the sound.

For more information about maintaining your indisposed furnace and preventing noise, contact us at AZ Air Conditioning & Heating. We provide HVAC service to the Southern California area.

Our goal is to help educate 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.

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Heating Maintenance image via Shutterstock

NATE certification is the standard in the HVAC industry, and it’s the only certification recognized nationwide. NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence. It’s a non-profit organization Governed, Owned, Operated, Developed, and Supported (GOODS) by all of the HVAC industry.

With a NATE-certified technician, you’ll be assured of the following:

• The technician has passed strenuous testing in two HVAC areas, including at least one specialty area for service and/or installation.
• You’ll get the expertise of a proven professional held to the high standards of NATE.
• Your home-comfort systems will be installed and/or serviced to perform at top efficiency, providing more energy savings, greater comfort and peace of mind for your family for years.

In addition to asking potential contractors if they use NATE-certified technicians, you also want to:

• Check the contractor’s references for quality and dependability. A contractor that is proud of his reputation will gladly provide references and testimonials.
• Check for current and valid licenses, insurance and code-compliancy. You want to make sure that you are not liable for any accidents on your property.
• Make sure that the contractor has innovative products and solutions to match your specific home-comfort needs.
• Make sure the contractor provides learning resources, such as a blog and tips, checklists and links.
• Get everything in writing. Warranties, guarantees and service policies should be clearly stated for equipment, materials, parts and labor (regular, overtime and/or after-hours calls).

When it’s time to hire a contractor, ask the right questions, look for NATE and call AZ Air Conditioning and Heating. We’ve served Southern California since 1984.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

1. Fresh air intake location: Air is drawn into the home from one location. This fresh air intake should be installed away from the driveway, as well as laundry and furnace vents. This ensures you are bringing the freshest air possible into the ventilation system.
2. Supply inlet location: Whether the ventilation system is connected to the central forced-air ductwork or there is a dedicated inlet, make sure a supply vent is installed in each bedroom and common area.
3. Return outlet location: Air is circulated back into the ventilation system through the return outlets. High moisture areas, such as the kitchen and bathroom, should be equipped with return outlets.
4. Return outlet consideration: Outlets should be located one foot from the ceiling and at least 10 feet from the oven and cook top. Otherwise, vaporized grease can clog the energy recovery core.
5. Ductwork design: To keep airflow at the optimum level, duct runs should be kept as straight and direct as possible.
6. Ductwork style: Smooth, round ductwork is also ideal for increasing airflow and enjoying the most from your ventilation system.
7. Insulation: Intakes, exhausts and ducts running through unheated spaces should be insulated to prevent wasted energy through conduction.
8. Condensate drain: In energy recovery ventilation systems, moisture is transferred as well as heat. That means condensation can occur. A condensate drain catches this excess moisture and takes it away.

With these considerations in mind, you’re ready to enjoy your new ventilation system to the fullest extent. Enjoy cleaner air without the high utility costs of a leaky home. For more information, please contact Southern California’s AZ Air Conditioning& Heating today.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!     

Ventilation image via Shutterstock

Making your ductwork as efficient as possible can save you a great deal of money on your overall energy costs. If you live in Southern California and would like help evaluating your duct system, contact us at AZ Air Conditioning and Heating.

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

AZ Air Conditioning services Southern California. Visit our website to see our current promotions and get started today!