We suggest replacing your air filters every three months at the minimum, and checking them once a month. A clean air filter will speed warm air from the furnace or heat pump to your living spaces faster than a dirty one. It will also reduce the strain on your blower motor and allow you to use less electricity.

Check and clean your heating vents once a year. Floor and wall grates are natural traps for dust and debris. Also check the vent connection to make sure there isn’t an air leak between the ductwork and register.

Insulate your water heater with a insulating jacket or blanket. This will reduce the amount of radiant heat loss by about 10 percent. You’ll also be able to turn down the heater settings 10 degrees or more. For every 10 degrees you turn it down, you could save up to 5 percent on your water heating bill. (If you have a newer storage water heater, it probably came pre-insulated.)

Cover any exposed hot water pipes you have. Insulating them can reduce the heat loss between the water heater and the tap.

Look outside the house at your foundation. Seal any gaps around exterior pipes or outlets. Look for cracks in existing insulation and repair them with expanding foam. Look for other leaks that can be sealed with caulk, spray foam or weatherstripping.

Get on the roof and look for damaged shingles. Fix any missing or damaged areas immediately to prevent water leakage that could render your attic insulation useless.

Check your home’s insulation to make sure you have enough of the right kind. Your attic is one spot where it’s easy to add insulation, and it will do your home the most good when it comes to saving energy.

Inspect the joints around window and doors. The materials expand in the warm weather and then contract in the cold weather leaving gaps. Seal any gaps with an interior caulk.

To learn more about saving energy at home in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas, please contact us at Valley, Heating, Cooling, Electrical. Visit our website for information on HVAC topics.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat loss and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The Harmful Effects of Microorganisms

Organic pollutants, such as bacteria, germs, mold spores and viruses, can damage your respiratory system if they enter your lungs. This harm can be even worse if you already suffer from allergies, asthma or other health issues. The good news (for you) is that these micro-organisms have no defense against ultraviolet radiation, which makes UV lights the perfect solution for fighting them.

Working With Your HVAC System

UV lights fight organic pollutants by breaking down their molecular bonds. The lights can’t work alone, however. They are installed inside your HVAC system, either treating the evaporator coil and condensate pan directly, or the air flowing through your ducts. As the air containing these micro-organisms passes in front of the UV lights in the ducts, the pollutants are exposed and exterminated. This process will help you remove the greater majority of these pollutants.

Knowing When to Replace the Lights

Neglecting a replacement schedule will circumvent what you’re trying to achieve. The schedule is based on how you’re using the lights. If they’re being used primarily to clean the coils where mold and bacteria tend to form, you should replace them every two years. But if they’re being used as a way to clean the air as it’s distributed through your ducts, this requires a one-year replacement schedule. Also, keep in mind to never allow any of your installed UV lights to be left unreplaced for more than three years. If they aren’t replaced before then, they could damage the entire system.

For more expert advice about the installation of UV lights, or for questions related to home comfort, we can help you at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical. We’ve been serving the HVAC needs of the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz since 1962. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about UV Lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• You have original ductwork in your home. Many homes, when first constructed, had duct systems installed that were cheapest and easiest to install and not necessarily of the highest quality. Original duct systems often only have a lifespan of about 10 years. If your home is more than 10 years old, you may want to consider having the ducts inspected.
• Perform a visual inspection of the ductwork where possible. Some or all of the ductwork in the house often can be visually inspected in the attic or crawl spaces of the house. Look for rust, disconnections, duct tape that is deteriorated, and areas where dust has collected on the duct. All of these are signs that your duct system is leaking or obstructed and in need of repair or possible replacement.
• Check for inconsistent temperatures and air flow in the different rooms of your home. Unbalanced air flow could be a sign of blocked or collapsed ducts. Inconsistent temperatures could be a result of air leaks within the duct system.
• Have a duct blower test performed by a qualified HVAC technician. This will help you determine to what extent your duct system is leaking air, and help you know what needs to be done to repair or replace part or all of your ductwork.

Our experts at Valley Cooling, Heating, Electrical are here to help you determine if your ductwork needs to be repaired or replaced  Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290. We provide exceptional services to the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California 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.

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MERV Rating

Forced-air system filters are designed to capture particulates from the indoor air, and the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value – MERV rating – tells how well a specific air filter will capture the smallest particulates. The higher the rating, the smaller (and more) airborne particles that will be trapped by the filter. Filters running at the low end of the 1-16 MERV scale won’t capture the small airborne particles that contribute to poor indoor air quality, while pleated filters in the mid-range – MERV 8-12 – will clean the air while allowing proper air flow in your HVAC system.

Air Flow

Air flow is one of the most important considerations in choosing among low- or high-efficiency air filters. The dense filtering media that will trap smaller particulates from the air also will tend to restrict air flow in your forced-air HVAC system. Newer heating and cooling equipment is often designed to overcome the impeded air flow caused by a higher MERV air filter stronger filters. This is why a higher MERV filter may be recommended for newer HVAC systems. Always consult your heat pump, air conditioner or furnace’s manual for what type of filter to use because a filter that restricts air flow too much could burn out the air handler motor and might void the warranty.

What’s Best?

Deciding if low- or high-efficiency air filters are best is a balancing act. High-efficiency filters cost more to purchase and to run (because of the impeded air flow), and may require serious system modifications in order to work, or even fit, in your HVAC equipment. You’ll want to weigh that cost against your filtration needs. When deciding whether you need a stronger filter, consider allergies, how many people live in your home, pets, and whether you have a separate air purifier. Whether you or occupants of your home have health concerns is another factor to consider.

Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call. At Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical, we serve the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about Air Filters and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Emergency generators provide benefits that, when the regular electricity is working, are sometimes easy to take for granted. When the electrical grid is shut down, a generator may allow you to:

• Operate your HVAC system to supply heating/cooling (if your generator is large enough)
• Maintain your refrigerated/frozen foods
• Provide hot water for washing (though your gas water heater likely will work without power)
• Have lighting
• Provide use of TVs, stereos, computers and cell-phone chargers

Generators come in two basic types: portable and standby. Portables should be purchased based on the amount of wattage they provide. The size you require is determined by the type and number of electrical devices/appliances you plan to plug in at one time. They can be stored when not in use and brought out when needed. They may be natural gas- or propane-fueled, which is a plus if local gas stations are closed and you need fuel.

Standby generators are permanently installed and can be set to activate whenever there’s a power failure, with an automatic transfer switch turning off the main supply and shifting to generator-power. They can be installed to operate from your home’s natural gas supply, alleviating the need to shut the unit down to refuel, as with portable models. They are typically much more costly than portable models, but also have a much larger capacity. They come in various sizes, including whole-house models.

Generators need to be operated safely, within their power output capabilities and with a close eye on the potential risk of carbon monoxide exposure. Once you’ve experienced the convenience of a generator when the power goes out, you’ll wonder why you didn’t get one sooner.

Valley Heating, Cooling. Electrical, serving San Jose and all of the Silicon Valley, has been caring for local customers since the early sixties. Contact us for any of your heating/cooling or electrical needs. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about generators and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Set your thermostat several degrees lower than normal, or just turn if off entirely if you don’t have any pets or plants that are sensitive to chilly interior temperatures. There’s no need to keep your home in heated comfort while you’re away.
• Invest in flood lighting or a motion light to keep drives and entryways lit during the darkest night hours. Setting a timer on indoor lights also gives your home that “somebody’s home” look from afar.
• Don’t let the mail pile up. Enlist a neighbor to collect the daily newspaper and mail or ask the post office to hold your mail while you’re away. Ask a neighbor to check every day to pick up any unexpected deliveries.
• Leave the name of your HVAC contractor with a close friend or neighbor, along with a house key, in case of HVAC emergencies while you’re away.
• Lock all windows and doors, leaving blinds in their normal positions. Consider letting the local police department know when you’ll be gone so they can periodically drive by your house.

Don’t neglect winter vacation plans; just plan smart. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call. Please contact us at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical for all of your HVAC needs in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz area.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Heat pumps are available in several types. Although each uses the same process of heat transference to produce heating and cooling, they differ in the ways that heat is collected and dissipated during heating/cooling operations. Different types include:

• Air-to-air (also called “air source”); this is what people usually think of when they hear “heat pump”
• Air-to-water and air-to-ground, also called geothermal
• Ductless mini splits, which are a type of air source heat pump that requires no installation of air ducts

In the San Jose area, where winters are fairly short and moderate, air source systems are typically the most practical choice. They are less expensive to buy than the others, and yet will provide you with a comfortable, efficient means for heating your home in winter and cooling it in summer.

The reason a heat pump is so much more efficient for heating than a traditional furnace is because it doesn’t burn fuel to create heat but simply uses heat already found in the outside air to provide warmth.  Even when outside temperatures approach freezing, the air still contains a useable amount of heat that can be captured by a heat pump to warm your home.

This is accomplished using two sets of copper coils, filled with refrigerant similar to what’s found in your refrigerator. Since heat energy always seeks a colder environment, the heat in the air outside is absorbed by the coolant in the outside condensing coil, compressed to increase the temperature and then transferred indoors where the heat is released into your living space, via the inside evaporator coil. During cooling operations, the process is simply reversed to capture indoor heat and remove it to the outdoors. For cooling purposes, an air source heat pump has about the same efficiency level as a modern central A/C.

Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical has been a mainstay in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Jose area since 1962. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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A Price That Sounds Too Good to Be True

Most companies share similarities between technician rates, cost of fuel to reach your home, and overhead expenses to keep the business running. That means most quotes should be similar to one another.

If one quote is substantially lower than all the other HVAC contractors, it’s probably too good to be true. Save yourself the trouble of discovering firsthand the meaning of “you get what you pay for” by choosing a different contractor.

Rules of Thumb

Lazy contractors skip the formal equipment sizing process. Instead, they use the convenient and inaccurate “rule of thumb” to size equipment based on square footage alone, or else just go by whatever size system you’re replacing. With other factors including ceiling height, window layout, home orientation to occupancy, air infiltration rates and insulation levels, it’s clear that square footage alone isn’t enough. Plus, your home has probably gotten more energy efficient since your original HVAC system was installed.

Accurate sizing requires the technician to use calculations from Manual J and Manual D. This requires extra training and experience, which of course, are qualities you seek in HVAC contractors.

Quotes Over the Phone

If you’re looking to install new equipment, a quote over the phone may seem convenient. However, this should prompt skepticism because there’s no way the contractor can offer an accurate quote without seeing your home in person.

For instance, even if you give the contractor your current unit’s size, that doesn’t guarantee it was sized correctly. The contractor also has no idea what amount of physical space you have available for a new, possibly larger system. An over-the-phone quote also doesn’t give the contractor a chance to inspect the ductwork and ensure that it’s in good condition.

With these shady practices to avoid, you’re ready to work with a reputable HVAC contractor like Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Some of the top advantages of tankless water heaters include:

• Limitless hot water – no more waiting for your hot water tank to fill up. Tankless water heaters produce a never-ending amount of hot water at a preset temperature (as long as your tankless system is sized to meet your demands). They also serve as a jump-start for solar hot water and other hybrid systems.
• Gas versus electric – you have either option, just as with a conventional storage tank system.
• Income tax credit – you may be eligible for a federal energy tax credit if you install a tankless water heater.
• Space saver – these appliances weigh about 40 pounds and can be mounted almost anywhere.
• Guard against scalding—tankless water heaters have a built-in feature that safeguards against scalding. This is an important consideration particularly if children and seniors live in your home.
• Have longer life spans – tankless units can run for nearly 20 years compared to their conventional counterparts’ 6-12 year life span.
• Less likely to leak – these models manage hard water minerals and deposits better, thereby reducing the possibility of leaking or bursting.

On the downside, here are several disadvantages:

• More upfront costs – even though tankless water heaters can result in considerable energy savings, they may cost more initially to install, especially if they use gas burners to heat water.
• Limited water flow – you may have to install one or more extra point-of-use tankless units in order to match the size of your water-heating system to your water flow needs.
• No hot water – if there’s a power outage, there won’t be any hot water because the control device is electric. This is also the case with some storage-tank water heaters.
• Wasted energy – the pilot in some gas-fueled models may burn continuously, which results in wasted energy.

Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call. Contact us at Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical. We’ve been proudly serving the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas since 1962.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California 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.

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• On average, you can save about 1 percent on your energy bill for each degree that you reduce the temperature for eight hours or more, if done consistently on a daily basis. In this scenario, this means that turning the thermostat down 10 degrees saves 10 percent. This is a national average. Residents in mild climates like ours on the South Bay Peninsula won’t save quite as much because there’s less difference between indoor and outdoor temperatures.
• Program temperature setbacks to last at least eight hours.
• Set  programmable thermostats at 68 degrees in winter when you’re up and about (and at home), and set it to lower the temperature several degrees while you’re asleep and during times when you are normally away from home.
• During the summer, set the temperature at 78 degrees or the highest temperature at which you are comfortable when you are at home, and turn it off (or up several degrees) while you are away.
• When you come home or wake up before your home readjusts to a comfortable temperature, don’t be tempted to adjust the thermostat beyond the usual setting. Over-adjusting the temperature won’t heat or cool your house any faster, and you’ll end up spending more on energy.
• Avoid using the “hold” feature as much as possible. This feature defeats the purpose of the eight-hour setbacks.

Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical has been doing business in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz area since 1962. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas of California 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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