Category: Air Conditioning

Main Causes of Heating and Air Conditioning Inefficiency

When you notice a sudden increase in your utility bills or your home is not as cozy as it should be, there could be a problem with your heating and air conditioning units. After all, they account for about half of your overall energy consumption. Several factors can cause them to become inefficient. Some of these are evident, while others require scrutiny. Heating and Air Conditioning: What Causes Poor Energy Efficiency? Faulty heating and air conditioning systems not only compromise your home’s comfort and energy efficiency but can also affect your health. That is why when you notice any of these problems, always seek the help of an expert. Improper Size. A unit that is too small for your home will work harder to regulate the proper indoor temperature. Conversely, a unit that’s too big will cycle on and off many times, which wastes energy. When investing in an HVAC system, have a professional to measure your home’s energy loss rate to identify the right size for your needs. Outdated Unit. According to the Department of Energy, the service life of an HVAC system is about 15 to 20 years when properly maintained. Most older units, however, operate efficiently for about 10 years. When

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The Dangers of Counterfeit R-22

Incidents of counterfeit R-22 are on the rise—with dangerous and costly results. MightyServ cares about our clients, and we want to ensure they have the best information available. Consider the following before buying or recharging an AC unit. Learning About R-22 R-22 is the refrigerant inside many air conditioning units; the refrigerant is composed of liquids and gases with cooling properties. The refrigerant has a negative impact on the ozone layer when emitted from cooling units. As a result, the government mandated that production must slow down and come to a halt by 2020. Recycled R-22 will remain legal after the cutoff. However, timeframe of the completed phase-out will depend on contractors turning in the refrigerant for recycling, making it difficult to determine how much will be available. Decreased availability of R-22 caused its price to soar. In 1998, a pound of R-22 cost about $10, but by 2013, the same amount cost approximately $50—and prices have continued to climb. Lower availability and higher costs led to a growing counterfeit industry, which presents serious risks. Understanding The Dangers Of Counterfeit R-22 Counterfeit R-22 usually contains combinations of hydrocarbons that make it flammable. Fake versions of the approved alternative R410 (M099

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heater repair

Benefits of HVAC Financing

HVAC systems are significant purchases for LA homeowners. HVAC financing reduces the stress of purchasing new heating and cooling equipment. Even if you technically have the savings, financing your HVAC could prove useful.  Low or no-interest financing can make these larger purchases fit seamlessly within an existing budget, rather than disrupting it.  Unforeseen home maintenance is enough of a bother. Depending on the season, you and your family could be stuck sweating in the summer or shivering through the night in the winter. Being under pressure is never the best time to look at your budget and make an important purchase for your home. Air conditioner financing is a breath of fresh air. It allows homeowners to slow down and make an informed decision. Instead of rushing the process and settling for a subpar system,  make a lasting purchase that will support your whole family’s home comfort needs for many years. Don’t settle on your HVAC system selection Choosing an HVAC system that “gets the job done” always feels good initially. When it comes to HVAC equipment, it doesn’t take long for a snap fire decision to catch up with you in the form of performance, energy efficiency, noise levels

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Dispelling Persistent HVAC Energy Efficiency Myths

Increased energy efficiency is a reasonable home improvement goal to achieve. However, many homeowners tend to believe in fictional means to reach it. If you want to economize energy for comfort with your HVAC system, debunk these misconceptions first: Buying the Biggest HVAC Unit Means Better Comfort Proper equipment size is key for maximum comfort. Getting a unit too big for your space costs more money upfront and in the long run. For instance, oversized ACs might require some air conditioning service more frequently due to intermittent electric control failure. Closing the Vents in Unoccupied Rooms When Heating Is Paramount Furnaces usually check the ductwork instead of the number of rooms, occupied or not, when generating heat. If you shut the airflow in certain areas just because nobody’s in them, it might throw your equipment off-balance because of the increased air pressure. Attic Insulation Is Only Beneficial During Winter Adequate attic insulation matters all year round. During summer, it acts as a barrier against outdoor weather. The apt type of insulation for your home would generate more energy savings during winter, but could also help reduce your summer electric bills. Maintaining the Same Level of Comfort All Day Lowers Energy Costs

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How To Find a Quality HVAC Contractor

Most homeowners know that the comfort of their home relies on having a heating or cooling system that is able to keep their home a comfortable temperature. Of course, quality equipment can be an important part of the reliability of your home’s HVAC system, but an experienced and dependable HVAC contractor is also important. In fact, now is the perfect time to call in a professional HVAC contractor for end of summer air conditioning maintenance. One of the best ways to find a leading HVAC contractor is to ask family or friends for recommendations. After all, if someone you know and trust is able to recommend a contractor, you are already ahead of the game. If you don’t have any recommendations to start from, contact some of the contractors in your area and ask for references. However, it is important that once you get these references that you actually call and ask questions. Find out what type of work was done, if it was done on time and if there were any problems. Of course, any HVAC contractor you consider should be licensed and insured to perform their services in your area. Leading HVAC contractors also offer quality products, such

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Warnings on Portable Air Conditioners

As summer heats up in California, many people seek air conditioning solutions for their homes. Portable air conditioner units may seem appealing at first, but several factors make them less attractive than window units. At MightyServ, were committed to connecting clients with the best possible units for their spaces. Before investing in a portable AC, review the FAQs below and feel free to reach out with any questions. How Portable Are These AC Units? We’ve found that portable AC units aren’t as mobile as advertised. Frequently displayed without hoses and marketed as no-installation systems, these units seem like quick, easy cooling solutions. However, all AC units work by dispersing warm air outside the building, which presents some difficulties when it comes to portable devices. Window AC units employ coolants to move heat from inside the home into coils outside the house, where it’s expelled. A portable device works similarly, except the coils are indoors. A hose resembling a clothing dryer vent hose must connect to the coils. Warm air travels through these tubes and is released outside. In combination with its 50- to 80-pound weight, this large hose attachment makes portable AC units less mobile. Because the tube must connect

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What the NOx? Furnace Emission Regulations for Los Angeles

Over the years of human history, we’ve experienced a boom of innovation. And while so many inventions have made our lives better, there have been unintended consequences. As a result, governing organizations get involved. That’s why there is a new regulation for low NOx furnaces in the Los Angeles area. So, why should any Los Angeles homeowner be concerned with this rule? Keep reading to learn more.   Tell me: what is a NOx exactly?   Let’s go back to science class for a quick minute. From chemistry 101, you know that two elements can make up a compound. For example, H2O – or water! – is simply hydrogen and oxygen. Also, carbon dioxide is the two elements, carbon and oxygen. In the same way, NOx is simply nitrogen and oxygen. However, the term “NOx” typically includes any combination, like nitrogen oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2). Where does NOx come from? A furnace works similarly to a gas grill. On a gas-powered grill, the valve for gas opens when you turn the knob. At the same time, the grill creates a spark with the starter. The result of the gas and the spark is a flame. Your furnace is similar. When

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How Air Conditioning Units Work

The inner workings of any air conditioning unit are fairly straightforward. You’ll find many parts such as the heat exchange pipes, a refrigerant tank, and an air conditioner damper motor that look complex at first glance. However, a closer examination will show you that it’s not as complicated as one would think. Let’s understand how a basic air conditioning unit works and perhaps, in the future, we can communicate better with AC repair technicians once issues begin to arise. Parts of an AC Unit As with all thermodynamic systems, the basic parts are similar in many respects. The air conditioner damper motor acts as a valve that allows or restricts airflow based on the needs of the machine. The heat exchange and heat sink function to transfer heat from one area to another and the refrigerant acts as a “carrier agent” for heat. The motor itself powers the mechanism, which is basically an air intake and output pump. Induction Motors Most battery-driven devices rely on direct current, or DC, as a power supply, but for large appliances in a household, an alternating current, or AC, is commonly used. The differences between these two dictate the way that a motor works. In an AC

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