admin, Author at MightyServ

How to Deal with Hot Spots in Your House

As the temperatures rise here in Los Angeles, you may notice that there are areas in your home that are hotter than others. In the HVAC world, we call these areas in your house hot spots. Hot spots are a frustrating phenomenon because other rooms can feel perfectly comfortable or even cold! But you don’t have to live with this! Hot spots are a totally sensible reason for calling in an HVAC expert. We have noticed many LA homeowners suffer with a sweltering room for years and years, thinking it doesn’t warrant a phone call to us. These are jobs we handle all the time! If you’re dealing with a room that’s unreasonably warm, don’t hesitate to call. To solve any hot spot problem, we first need to know what’s causing it. What Causes Hot Spots in my Los Angeles Home? In most cases, hot spots are not caused by a broken air conditioner. The most common reasons for a room that’s hotter than all the others are: Hot Spot Solutions MightyServ has many solutions to fix hot spots. There is no quick fix; our knowledgeable technician will need to visit your home to track down the source of the

June 24, 2020 No Comments

Ideal Humidity Levels to Avoid Getting Sick

When you think about the ways you can contract a virus, what comes to mind? For many people, it’s the things we touch. Light switches, door knobs, railings, and other surfaces. Homeowners around Los Angeles are working hard to keep items we touch sanitized (including us!). But preventing illness requires more than just hand sanitizer. Research shows that the humidity levels inside your house can play a big role in your health. Is Indoor Humidity Even a Problem in Los Angeles? We know what you’re thinking: “Come on. Los Angeles is practically a dessert! I don’t need to be worried about humidity.” A lot of homeowners say this, and they are partially right: Los Angeles can be extremely dry. Here in Southern California we do not face some of the same problems as our friends in South Florida where excessive humidity can cause the growth of mold and a clammy, uncomfortable home. But there is still a concern about humidity: not having enough. Believe it or not, low humidity levels can cause several problems. First, low humidity levels can create uncomfortable conditions inside your home. But recent research shows that a lack of moisture can increase the likelihood of transmission

May 20, 2020 No Comments

5 Tips to Supercharge Your Spring Cleaning During the COVID-19 Pandemic

Ahh, spring cleaning. The annual ritual of decluttering, deep scrubbing, and elbow grease. A quick internet search will yield hundreds of housekeeping lists for this once-a-year event. But since we’re all sheltering in place with COVID-19, you may have extra time and extra motivation to spruce up your home and take your cleaning to the next level. Here are five ways to supercharge your spring cleaning during the COVID-19 pandemic: Disinfect and Clean Food Storage Areas Hidden in plain sight, the place you keep your everyday food and ingredients is a must-hit on your spring cleaning list. After all, you probably handle something in these areas multiple times a day. Nearly every deep-cleaning list will include your refrigerator and freezer. But don’t leave out your pantry, cabinet, or shelving that stores your dry ingredients. An extra bit of cereal or dusting of flour are concealed by the dark corners in a pantry. Exposed food – even in negligible quantities – can entice bugs or pests. Remove everything from your pantry’s shelves. Start with the obvious: throw away expired items or anything that has seen better days. Clean off any jars with leaks down the sides. Wipe down the shelves in

May 1, 2020 No Comments

Go Green With a Google Nest Thermostat

Looking for ways to make your life more eco-friendly? You are not alone. Residents across Los Angeles are seeking to preserve and protect our natural resources, including the mayor of LA! And while you might already be making efforts to reuse, reduce, and recycle, there are many more ways to go green. For homeowners looking for non-disruptive solutions, the Google Nest thermostat is the answer. Most people know the Google Nest for its sleek look and fancy touch screen. But there is a rhyme and reason for all the technology. Your heating and cooling system can make up over half of all the energy used in your home. So for homeowners interested in making a real dent in reducing their carbon footprint, turning your house into a connected home is a good place to start. What kind of energy savings should I expect with a Google Nest? In 2015, Nest conducted a study on this very topic. The study is straightforward, comparing the utility bills before and after the smart thermostat was installed in hundreds of homes. The white paper summarizing the results concluded that on average, homeowners saved 10-12% in heating usage and 15% in cooling usage. Of course,

April 9, 2020 No Comments

HVAC Rebates and Federal Tax Credits

Your home’s HVAC system is one of the most expensive items to replace. So, we don’t blame you for trying to find the best possible deal. But did you know that your heating and air conditioning unit is also one of the most expensive appliances to operate? Even with brand new equipment, a shoddy installation or an inefficient unit can result in years of unnecessary expense in the form of high utility bills. That’s where specials and promotions like HVAC rebates and federal tax credits come into play When you take advantage of deals like rebates and tax credits, you can get a high-quality installation of high-quality equipment for a very reasonable price. MightyServ has been helping homeowners in Los Angeles take advantage of these limited time deals since 1963. We believe in taking care of our customers, which starts with giving you the same information we’d give our own family members. We’ve put together this blog to give you all the info you need, but we will help you with the rebate redemption process every step of the way. What’s the difference between an HVAC rebate and tax credit? An HVAC rebate is a discount on your purchase in

April 8, 2020 No Comments

Everything We Know About COVID and Indoor Air Quality

Since Spring 2020, the world has been dealing with COVID-19. We now know that COVID spreads via aerosol, and more homeowners in Los Angeles understand the meaning of the term Indoor Air Quality (IAQ). But we’re all learning as we go here, including scientists and researchers. In our quest to continue learning about the industry and how to best protect our team and customers, we’ve reviewed the latest research and recommendations on the topic of Covid and IAQ. Here’s what we’ve learned: There’s No Silver Bullet: Use Many Methods to Improve IAQ Recent research from the Central Building Research Institute indicates that there is no one, perfect solution for improving IAQ. Instead, the best course of action to improve indoor air quality is using many different methods. Most Los Angeles residents are already familiar with the baseline recommendations. Wearing facemasks, social distancing, and limiting large gatherings are the best ways to keep things safe inside most buildings. One challenge with these recommendations is that it requires every individual to choose to comply. In other words, the quality of everyone’s IAQ depends on… everyone! There are ways to promote great IAQ, regardless of individual choices. These are called “engineering controls” –

September 20, 2021 No Comments

Why Heat Pumps are a Perfect Fit for SoCal Homeowners

Over the last several years, heat pumps have been growing in popularity in Southern California. Many of the homes in our area have been equipped with a furnace or a combination of a furnace and an air conditioner. So when it comes time to replace your heating and cooling system, it makes sense to look for a direct replacement of the same type of equipment. However, switching to a heat pump system offers a multitude of benefits that make it a splendid choice for SoCal homeowners. What Exactly Is a Heat Pump for Residential Homes? Heat pumps are a piece of HVAC equipment that uses electricity to provide both heat and air conditioning to a home. Furnaces and air conditioners are single-process equipment. Furnaces provide heat, and air conditioners provide cooling. But a heat pump can do both, with a unique design of the refrigeration cycle that reverses depending on whether you need cooling or heating. There are three types of heat pumps. The most common is an air-to-air heat pump, which looks a lot like an air conditioner. It has a similar exterior, but different components on the inside. The second type is a ductless mini-split heat pump. These

October 5, 2021 No Comments

Supply Chain Issues in the HVAC Industry

Chances are, you know the frustration of having to wait exceptionally long for a package to be delivered. But imagine waiting for your HVAC replacement to arrive so that you can finally feel comfortable in your own home once again. Unfortunately, this is the case for many homeowners due to the backlogs and supply shortages occurring around the world. Some customers are forced to wait weeks for their AC installation, increasing discomfort and feelings of frustration. If you need an AC replacement or furnace installation, don’t hesitate. Begin to shop early and place your order before it becomes an unbearable situation. But you may be asking … what is causing these shortages? As it turns out, it’s a combination of several supply chain problems. Keep reading about what is causing the deficit and what you can do to reduce the impact it has on you and your comfort. What’s Causing the HVAC Supply Chain Issues? Obviously, the COVID-19 pandemic affected many things, including multiple supply chains. Transportation restrictions created logistical nightmares that limited access to workers and the flow of additional resources. As a result, production has declined, materials aren’t readily available, and each level of the supply chain continues

June 26, 2022 No Comments

Los Angeles Has Banned New Gas Hookups. What About MightyServ?

Los Angeles’ City Council has voted to ban natural gas lines as part of a zero-emissions goal for new construction. New York City passed similar legislation in December 2021. In Washington State, dozens of municipalities are voting to ban or limit natural gas hookups. So, what does that mean for residents in MightyServ and the surrounding cities? You may use natural gas for cooking, heating your home, or running gas-powered appliances. Many find it more economical than electric or alternative fuel sources. However, there is currently a movement among major cities to discourage or outright ban the use of new hookups for natural gas. Why? It’s part of a national movement to reduce fossil fuel emissions and institute cleaner energy sources. Looking for Greener Heater Replacement Choices? If you are looking for an eco-friendly heater replacement for your home, reach out to MightyServ to discuss planet-wise HVAC installation alternatives. While authorities in MightyServ haven’t announced any planned changes to local regulations, savvy homeowners are looking for a way to stay ahead of the curve. Climate change experts point to oil and gas furnaces as major contributors to greenhouse gasses. Nearly half of American homes have gas appliances, according to the

June 21, 2022 No Comments

Everything You Wanted to Know About California’s Tech Clean Program

You’ve probably heard about California’s newest initiative to reduce the state’s carbon footprint. TECH Clean California, also known as The Switch is On, is a program designed to help make the process of switching to eco-friendly energy easier for homeowners. But what does this program involve? TECH Clean California Program Basic Structure Rebates are available to single- and multi-family homes to upgrade obsolete, inefficient heating systems with more eco-friendly HVAC systems. The program includes the following goals, limitations, and regulations: Only heat pump space heating and heat pump water heaters qualify for the incentive It is a statewide push to create balanced incentives throughout the entire state Your local incentive program defines your eligibility, but if there is no program, you qualify for a baseline incentive The primary goal is for California to be a carbon-neutral state by 2045. Earning Rebates Each household is eligible for various rebates based on where you live and how you upgrade. These rebates can be up to $6,000 per household but are dependent on how many systems you’re replacing. TECH Clean California includes payments for replacing your old, worn-out water heater. When installing a heat pump, you may receive from $1,000 to $3,100, depending

May 25, 2022 No Comments

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