3 Ways Opening Your Windows Could Benefit Your HVAC System

September 20, 2023

Opening the windows in your Burbank, CA home moves stale, stagnant air out and allows fresh, outside air to flow in. According to researchers, in the right conditions, it can also boost your energy, cognitive functioning, and mood. However, what you may be surprised to discover is that it benefits your HVAC system in three important ways. 1. Address Carbon Dioxide and VOCs Standard HVAC air filters are great at screening out particulates, but gases are a different story. As you and your family use a room, you slowly replace the oxygen levels with carbon dioxide. High carbon dioxide levels can lead to sluggishness and other physical symptoms. Additionally, volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are gases that emanate from plastics, paints and other household items. These substances are linked to feelings of malaise called “sick house syndrome.” Open windows replace both carbon dioxide and VOCs with fresher outdoor air. 2. Give Your HVAC System a Breather When the outside temperatures plummet or soar, some heaters and air conditioners work nearly non-stop to maintain comfortable, uniform temperatures in homes. On days with moderate weather, opening your windows is an excellent alternative to running your HVAC system. Given that you should never run...

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4 Common HVAC Airflow Problems & How to Solve Them

August 21, 2023

HVAC systems face different kinds of issues. One of them is airflow problems that can adversely affect your comfort levels. The following are four common HVAC airflow problems and how to solve them. 1. Blocked Vents One common airflow problem is blocked vents. Vents clogged by dust, dirt, and other debris can block or restrict airflow in your home. Furniture, electronics, and objects blocking your vents can also result in airflow issues. Remove any objects in front of your vents and clean their insides on a regular basis for better airflow. 2. Leaky Ducts Compromised ductwork can leak heated or cooled air before reaching the designated rooms. Blockages in the ductwork can also make air escape through the joints and other tiny holes. The leaks can lead to increased energy bills and poor comfort levels. Regular inspection and maintenance can help solve this issue. 3. Poorly Sized Ductwork The size of your ductwork affects airflow. Undersized ductwork will increase static pressure, which will lead to excessive noise. On the other hand, oversized ducts will not maintain the pressure needed to blow air, leading to poor airflow. Ensuring you have the right-sized duct can help prevent airflow issues caused by oversized...

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4 Tips to Beat the Heat and Cool Your Home During a Heat Wave

July 25, 2023

Heat waves can be an uncomfortable and potentially dangerous time for your home. To help keep temperatures inside comfortable, here are five tips to cool your home better during a heat wave: 1. Keep Your Shades and Blinds Closed Shutting your shades and blinds can help block out the heat from the sun, preventing a greenhouse effect inside. Sun-blocking curtains are also a great way to keep the heat out. By keeping the windows closed and the shades down, you can keep cold air in when you decide to turn on the AC. 2. Use Fans to Create a Breeze Using fans to circulate the air can help make your home feel more comfortable and keep the air circulating. Ceiling fans are particularly effective since the rising hot air will be pushed away from people and furniture. For an even bigger effect, set up oscillating fans to move the air from one side of the room. 3. Install Awnings and Reflective Film Awnings and reflective film can help deflect the sun’s rays away from your windows, preventing heat gain. You may not need to turn on the AC as often, as these materials can reduce heat gain by up to...

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Acceptable Humidity Levels for Inside Your Home

June 20, 2023

Humidity can change with the seasons and can negatively impact your home and your health, depending on if the levels are too high or low. To protect your home and your health, you need to know what levels are acceptable. The Ideal Range It’s a good idea to keep your home’s humidity levels between 30 and 55 percent. When dealing with mild weather, you might not have to worry about humidity because it will be within this range. However, in the winter, the air will become too dry. When you use your heater, you will dry the air out even more. As a result, your skin, lips, and hair will feel dry, and your throat and nose may start to feel scratchy or irritated. Some people experience bloody noses when there’s not enough moisture in the air. During the summer months, humidity levels can skyrocket, which will cause you to have difficulty breathing. High humidity also provides a breeding ground for mold to grow. Fortunately, it’s easy to make an adjustment to the humidity level inside your home. A whole-home humidifier can be hooked up to your HVAC system. You can get a bypass, fan-powered, or steam humidifier, and it...

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What to Know About Cleaning Your Air Conditioner’s Evaporator Coils

May 12, 2023

There are quite a few things that you can do to maintain your air conditioner in your Burbank, CA home. Regularly removing debris from the perimeter of your air conditioner’s outside condenser, changing its filter, and cleaning off your HVAC air registers, vents, and grilles are all ways to keep your cooling equipment working efficiently. However, when it comes to cleaning your AC evaporator coil, it’s best to contact a professional. Read on to find out why. Why AC Evaporator Coils Need Cleaned The evaporator coil is one of the most important components in your air conditioner. This coil absorbs excess heat during the cooling process. The chilled refrigerant that it contains extracts heat from the air that’s cycled over it. Over time, build-ups of dust and other debris can increasingly impact the evaporator coil’s performance. By having these accumulations removed, you can keep your air conditioner from icing over and limit the amount of energy that your AC uses. Problems You Can Cause When Cleaning the AC Evaporator Coil on Your Own Although there are special soaps and tools that homeowners can purchase to clean AC evaporator coils on their own, air conditioner manufacturers recommend having these components cleaned...

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4 HVAC Solutions to Improve Indoor Air Quality

April 20, 2023

Indoor air quality in your home affects your family’s comfort, health, and overall well-being more than you may realize. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, air pollutants, such as pet dander, smoke, dust mites, mold, and other particulates, might be two to five times higher indoors than in outdoor air. Thankfully, HVAC technology offers several ways to ensure your home receives more fresh air to minimize pesky household pollutants. These include: 1. UV Technology One way to reduce indoor air pollution, mainly mold and bacteria, is to utilize UV-emitting lights. This air filtration system can get installed directly onto your heating and air conditioning system, treating air before it travels back into the air ducts and home. 2. HEPA Filters The filters on your HVAC system cannot remove pollutants from your indoor air, but they are highly effective at reducing dust, dirt, and other debris. If you want to upgrade your current air filter, a HEPA filter can trap up to 99.97% of dust, pollen, smoke, pet dander, and other debris, improving indoor air quality. 3. Duct Cleaning Over time, dirt, dust, pollen, pet dander, and other debris can build up inside your ductwork, negatively impacting indoor air quality. Scheduling...

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5 Key Differences Between Commercial and Residential HVAC

March 9, 2023

Commercial HVAC systems are designed to work for the needs of large businesses, schools, and other large buildings. These requirements often differ from the needs of residential homeowners, which is why commercial and residential HVAC differ in various ways. 1. Requirements The requirements for commercial systems can be much more demanding than those for homes. Commercial units must sometimes meet emission standards that residential units never need to worry about. They may also have additional features, such as a dedicated drainage system to handle the amount of moisture produced by large HVAC units. 2. Installation Commercial HVAC installations also require specialized knowledge not required by typical residential installs. Commercial installations must be performed by a licensed professional with experience in commercial heating and cooling systems. These professionals also have access to powerful tools, such as computer-aided design (CAD) programs to help them plan their installation. 3. Maintenance Commercial HVAC systems are often more complex than their residential counterparts, making it harder for them to operate for extended periods without maintenance. Commercial units often require several technicians to service. Residential units only need occasional maintenance, with HVAC specialists visiting only once or twice per year. 4. Capacity Commercial systems must be...

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How to Know If Your HVAC System Is Energy Efficient

February 20, 2023

The energy efficiency of your HVAC system is an important thing to consider, as it is a huge factor in how high or low your yearly heating and cooling costs will be. How much insulation your home has, how well-sealed its exterior structure is, and the condition of your ductwork will all affect how much energy your HVAC system uses. However, the biggest factors in terms of energy efficiency are the type, age, and model of your HVAC units. Here is a quick overview that can help you determine how energy efficient your HVAC is. Age and Condition of Your HVAC Units The age and condition of your different HVAC units directly impact energy efficiency in several ways. One reason is that the energy efficiency of all HVAC units tends to slowly decrease the older the unit gets and the more it runs. Annual maintenance is essential in this regard for helping keep your units in good shape and preventing and repairing any issues that could lead to decreased energy efficiency. The age of your units is also important since the minimum energy-efficiency standards have increased quite a bit in the past years. If you have a system that was...

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How to Save Money and Energy With HVAC Systems

January 19, 2023

An efficient HVAC system is essential for the comfort and health of your family, but it can also be expensive. Fortunately, there are easy ways to reduce energy costs and save money. Here are our top tips for conserving energy in your HVAC system. Update Your Thermostat Installing a programmable thermostat can help you save energy by automatically adjusting the temperature when no one is home. Smart thermostats can even learn your habits and optimize the temperature when you’re away or asleep. To ensure your thermostat works efficiently, set the temperature according to the season and have it serviced regularly. Replace Your Air Filter Regularly A clogged filter can reduce airflow, making your HVAC system work harder and consume more energy. Make sure to check the filter every month and replace it as needed. Choose a high-efficiency model that can capture more pollutants when replacing your filter. Install Blinds and Drapes Blinds and drapes can help block out the sun’s heat in the summer and retain heat in the winter. Installing insulated curtains is particularly effective in reducing energy costs by cutting down on air leaks. You can also use awnings to provide shade and reduce the need for air...

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Consider These 3 Top Heating Options for Your Home

December 20, 2022

Even in regions where temperatures seldom fall below freezing, heating your home is needed during winter. To save costs without sacrificing comfort, homeowners should prioritize energy efficiency since heating costs can quickly gobble up over half of the typical household’s energy budget. Here are three heating options that can help you save money and improve your comfort level. Central Heating Central heating systems use a furnace or boiler to heat air or water that then circulates through pipes throughout your home. This type of system is the most common in new homes. Still, it’s also possible to install a central heating system in an existing house by adding a new pipe loop from the main line through each room or by installing radiators in each room where no existing radiator is already installed. Electric Heaters Electric heaters are often used as supplemental heaters rather than primary sources of warmth because they need to produce more heat to keep entire rooms warm. They can be used as additional heaters in kitchens and bathrooms with a venting system that will prevent the buildup of carbon monoxide from escaping into other parts of your home. Heat Pumps A heat pump uses electricity to...

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