Furnace Repair

Do you need a Furnace Repair or Broken Heat Pump fixed? If so we can help. There's nothing worse than turning on your thermostat only to find that your heat doesn't come on. If that is the case and you live in Rancho Cordova or the Sacramento area we can get you warm again in no time. Our technicians are friendly and will tell you exactly what needs to be done and how much it will cost before you pay. A1 Heating and Air is not a franchise or operated from another City or State so we believe that is what makes us able to provide quality, local service at an affordable price. 

Most parts are on our vans so we can usually make the repair on the spot. If we have to pick up a part we will get back to you as soon as possible so you can be comfortable again quickly. If you would like to schedule an appointment you can do that at 916-751-6060 24 hours per day. We work evenings and weekends so we can schedule a day and time that is most convenient for you. You can also schedule on our contact page at www.a1heatcool.com.

If your repair turns into a costly situation we can also replace your entire system with a newer more efficient one. But don't worry, our technicians are not going to try to sell you anything you don't need or want. In fact, most of the time we are able to get you up and running even if your system is older. We have several customers with furnaces that are over 35 years old and are running safely and smoothly with one customer who has a gas furnace that is 65 years old!

So what ever your heat pump or furnace needs we can help. Just give us a call!

916-751-6060

Time to check out your furnace? At A1 Heating and Air we are doing lots of tune ups for our customers so they will be ready for the cold weather to come. It is a fact that our customers who have us check out and tune up their furnace or heat pump before winter hits have much fewer service calls when it is really cold. In fact, less than 2% of our customers have any problem at all even on older systems if they do a tune up on their system.

What makes our tune up different? Time! We spend more time thoroughly going over your system than the "big guys" and it shows. Did you know that most companies want their technicians in and out of your home in thirty minutes or less? That would be great if there was a way to be thorough, but we spend an average of 45 minutes to over an hour making sure everything looks good.

Some things to remember if you want to keep your unit heating properly this winter:

Change the filter! This is the single best thing you can do to keep your system clean and running well. Clogged filters reduce air flow which increases internal heat in your furnace which can damage the heat exchangers. Also, when the filter gets clogged air will still find its way through your system around the filter dragging dirt and dust into the motor and fan and back into your home. Not good.

Want to get a head start on winter? Give us a call at 916-751-6060 to schedule your tune up or get a diagnostic for only $59. Once you experience our top notch service, friendly employees and fair prices we believe you will stay a customer for life!

A1 Heating and Air
Rancho Cordova/Sacramento
916-751-6060

Common Summertime Air Conditioner Problems

Today we will discuss a very common reason that home air conditioners are broken. That would be an issue with the condenser fan motor located in the outdoor unit of your AC or Heatpump. You can see this device very easily because it is the component that you would see at the top spinning when your unit is on.

The purpose of this motor is to draw air that is cooler than the condensing coil across the surface of the fins thus transferring heat from the system, ie, your home. When this fan shuts down that transfer is greatly reduced and it is very difficult on a hot day for heat to be removed.

As technicians we check the amp draws on these fan motors to make sure the device is working within the manufacturer's specifications. We also check to see if there is any oil residue from the sealed bearings that is coating the housing of the motor. Then we check the fan motor capacitor to see if it is ok and then move on to the next item on our check list. The one thing that is commonly missed is checking the actual temperature of the motor. As long as the unit is shaded this easy to do with thermometer but if it is in the direct sunlight the unit should be shaded first. I have found that most fan motors will be operating at or below about 100 degrees Fahrenheit, much above that, say 120 or higher will give cause for concern and I would recommend replacement because this means the device is beginning to fail.

So what happens to your air conditioning system when this fan is starting to overheat and fail? Well, the common symptom is this: your AC will work fine for most of the day. Then later in the afternoon when the outdoor temperature really begins to heat up the fan will shut off, shutting down your entire outdoor unit. Later in the evening, when temps cool the fan motor will kick on again after it has cooled off and the unit will start running.

If you are experiencing this symptom you should give us a call and we will be happy to come out and verify that this is the case.

We can easily determine where the problem lies and get you back up and running in no time. Most of the time we keep these motors on our vehicles and can repair it on the spot but if we don't have that particular one we can pick it up at a supplier and return with a new motor and get your home cool again.

Hopefully this is helpful. If you have questions you can give me a call at A1 Heating and Air here in Rancho Cordova, servicing the entire Sacramento area. Our Phone number is 916-751-6060 and we have dispatchers available 24 hours a day to take your calls. Or check us out on the web at  A1 Heating and Air

Hopefully it won't be a hot summer but if it is give us a call. This is James at A1 Heating and Air, where we "Heat you Up and we Cool You Down".

Summer Diagnostic for your AC

Summer's in full blast with temperatures reaching into the hundreds. If your AC or Heatpump is down we can help.

What are some of the common things that can go wrong with your air conditioner? Well one of the most common things that happens is that when it gets really hot capacitors overheat and can swell, rendering them useless and shutting down your system. We stock many sizes of capacitors on our trucks and vans. The capacitor is a device that assists your condenser's fan motor and compressor on start up, as well as keeping the current in phase which gives more torque or power. Without a properly functioning one it can damage the motors and shut down your system, with the end result of no cool air in your home. We have the tools to properly diagnose these items and make a replacement quickly and at a very reasonable price.

Another type of capacitor that can go out is commonly referred to as a kick start or start capacitor. Many of the higher end compressors will use this type and if this one goes out it will place a strain on the motor windings and eventually the unit will not come on. Again, we have the tools to properly diagnose and fix this when it happens.

 Don't be left out in the heat! Be sure and give us a call. Right now we have a July Special to diagnose your Air Conditioning Problem in your home for only $59. Give us a call at 916-751-6060 and we can help you.

And check us out on the web:   A1 Heating and Air

Install New Furnace

Is it time to install a new furnace in your home? If you are thinking about installing a new heating system in your home there are several things to consider.

First of all, consider why you are thinking about a new furnace: is it completely broken, is it costing you money in repairs or high heating bills? If so, then it may make sense to replace it. Obviously if your furnace has been condemned you would want to replace it for safety reasons. I would like to briefly touch on one other reason, and that may be because a technician may have told you that you need a new one because of costly repairs. While you may trust your technician, and he or she may be a great one, I would encourage you to get a second opinion from a certified, trained technician with years of experience. Many times I have been called in to give an estimate on replacing an entire system only to find out that what the previous company presented as a potential nightmare in costs was really just a way to make a sale. Many times.....I would say at least one in ten or so, I find out that if we replace a part or make an adjustment we can get the unit up and running. So make sure you get that second or even third opinion....it could save you a lot of unneeded expense.

If you are sure that you need to replace your system then start with the basics: 

1) Have several estimates. I like it when a customer has done their research because it tells me they are serious, informed, and will have a basic knowledge about the process since they have talked with several contractors. These estimates will also give you a good range of pricing and capabilities of contractors.

2) Don't be dazzled by a bunch of amazing guarantees and bells and whistles. Keep the conversation on which equipment will be recommended and why, how the new system will meet your needs, who is actually going to be installing the unit, in fact I would recommend you tell the contractor that you want to meet the actual installer before you make your decision. Nothing's worse than buying from a clean cut, friendly representative of a heating and air company only to find out that the actual installation might be done by someone who you can't wait to get out of your house.

3) Make sure the company you talk to is going to pull a permit. There is no reason a reputable company would talk you out of pulling a permit. The installation is going to be dealing with electricity and gas...not something you want to take a chance with....get a second set of eyes on that install. A good tip I have learned thru the years: If I hear an installer or salesman or technician say, "are you going to want me to pull a permit?" I know right away that this person has different standards of work depending on if he thinks someone will be checking up on the work. Any great installer or technician wants people, including the inspector to see his work.....it's called pride of workmanship and that's what you want, someone who is proud of the work they do.

4) Make sure your ductwork is inspected. No one has so many years of experience in heating and air conditioning that they can just look at your furnace and decide what needs to be done. The furnace is what has the blower for your system, which moves the air thru the house....therefore a check up of the existing ductwork is crucial for how the furnace or air handler will work. A great technician will not only look at the visible condition of the ductwork, but also the connections at the collars and plenums, as well as make some assessment of the general design of the duct system. If the tech doesn't inspect your ductwork without you mentioning it, I would suggest passing on that contractor and looking for someone more thorough.

I could go on and on, but hopefully the above four recommendations will give you a good start in your search for a good contractor.

If you live in the Sacramento area feel free to give me a call or write me a note either on this blog or my website, which you will find at the right side of this article.

Take Care,

The HVAC tech.

Cooler Weather in Rancho Cordova

Thinking about replacement or repair of your worn out furnace? The weather has started to change already as September is nearly over. Today is supposed to be Cool and possibly rainy...reminds me of my days in Florida...well, without the cool part....

....which brings us to the reality that we need to start planning ahead for colder weather. When was the last time you had your furnace or heat pump checked out by a trained technician? If you are wanting to get a head start on the weather give me a call. I will come out to your home and check it out thoroughly. What is different about my service? Well, first of all I am the owner of A1 Heating and Air in Rancho Cordova, servicing all of the Sacramento area. As an owner I am very concerned about my customers needs.

There won't be any fifteen or even thirty minute quickie service checks...I will be thorough and clean as much of your unit as I can in about one hour to an hour an a half depending on what kind of shape the heating system is in. Heat pumps do take a little less time than furnaces because gas furnaces are typically dirtier.

If there are any parts that need to be replaced I will let you know without the cheap sales pitch. If you are like me you will appreciate that. I know that when I take my car in to my favorite mechanic I expect him to let me know before parts are broken. He will let me know how much time to expect the part to last and then let me make the decision. I handle it the same way, understanding that everyone's situation is different.

My prices will be reasonable. I am not the cheapest, I can't be because I take extra time and do a thorough job. One thing you can count on, I refuse to change a part just to make a fast buck. I don't believe in that because people who live that way don't get repeat business or referrals, which are important if you want to stay in business. I am from the old school where everyone knew everyone else by their reputation and integrity and so I think about that in everything I do.

Make sense? If you like what you hear give me a call at 916-751-6060 and I will be happy to set an appointment to come out to your home to review your furnace and maintain, repair, or even replace, only if that is necessary. You can check out my website at www.a1heatcool.com as well.

Take care and enjoy this great weather!!!

James Merts

Sizing of Heating and Air Conditioning Equipment

Most homeowners do not know the proper way to size equipment for their home (and some people in the trade embarrassingly). So I want to talk a minute about sizing.

Back in the day we sized by square footage of the home. Not so any more. And if ever there was a time where bigger isn't better it's now in the heating and air business. In fact we are trying to go as small as possible both to increase efficiency as well as to increase comfort.

So how do we do it? I size the equipment using a computer program which takes into account insulation, orientation of the home, window area, type and design of ductwork, location of ductwork and other things that will effect the amount of btu's needed as well as the amount of air flow.

I know quite a few installers and salesmen who will just upsize the unit a half or even an entire ton if the customer complains the unit "isn't keeping up".  This is the exact wrong thing to do in most cases.

Another component to sizing arises when it comes to multiple floors and when zoning is involved. A properly designed zoning system can help reduce the sizing needed but only if it is engineered correctly.

If you need help with sizing make sure the technician that comes out to your home explains exactly how size will be determined and don't consider yourself lucky if you get a bid on equipment where you are getting a lower price on a size that is larger than what some of the other contractors are bidding. Much of the cost of installation has to do with the ductwork many times so that cost may be reflected in their bid, while in my experience the crummy contractors will just upsize the equipment to compensate for the fact that they will not be addressing some of the other more complicated issues that arise with ductwork.

If you live in the Sacramento area and would like to contact me about this just give me a call at 916-751-6060 or visit my website at www.a1heatcool.com and complete the contact form.

Take Care!

James
A1 Heating and Air

As we are nearing the end of summertime it is a great time to get a jump on the heating season. Before long it will be time to turn on your furnace for the first time.
     If you haven't had your furnace serviced in a while or if you are ready to make a change to a new servicing company give me a call at 916-751-6060 or visit my website A1 Heating and Air to talk some more or schedule an appointment.
     Some of the things I do with a heating system are safety related:
         Is the unit lighting and combusting properly
         Is the blower moving enough air to deliver the proper amount of airflow.
         Is the flu working properly and attached properly.
         Has the blower door safety switch been bypassed.
         Is there higher than acceptable CO in the home.

     Other things I will do are more maintenance related:
         Is any cleaning required:  blower, furnace compartment, flame sensor, coil, filter etc. some of these things are included in the routine maintenance and others are an additional charge depending on the time and complexity of cleaning.
    
     Many people in the SMUD and Roseville Utility areas have heat pumps because of the relatively low electric rates. Many of the things I do will be the same except for the things obviously related to a gas fired furnace.

So if you would like to get a jump ahead on the heating season give me a call and I will be happy to come out to your home for service on your heating system.

Summer Heat

With all this summer heat in the Sacramento area I thought it would be a good idea to mention a few things I tell my customers to keep cool.

1. Be sure all supply vents are open. I understand there are some rooms in your house that may not be used much, but your air conditioning systems doesn't know that. Whether the vents are open or closed the blower motor (unless it's variable speed) still works just as hard....closing those vents won't save you money. Also those closed off rooms tend to get muggy. And the more vents you close off the more static pressure you create in the duct system. It's okay to slightly close some vents especially the downstairs vents in the summer, just not all the way.

2. Hose down your roof. That's right.....when it's really hot I spray water on my roof....the evaporative cooling effect of water on a roof can really drop the attic temps.

3. Hose down your outdoor condenser. When an outdoor condenser coil is wet the unit thinks its 75 degrees out: optimal conditions for the compressor and coil. Some of the most efficient systems out there, such as the Aquachill use this very same method to achieve incredibly high SEER/EER ratings.

Hope these few tips help. If you have any questions call me at:
916-751-6060 A1 Heating and Air

Zoning a House for Air Conditioning

Something very common in the Sacramento area is zoning in two story homes. Today  I visited a home which was suffering from a zoning system that doesn't work anymore. 

The home I visited had a two ton furnace up in the attic which was attached to a two-zone damper system. The home was approximately 1700 square feet, built in the 1990s. This home would typically have had a 3 to 3.5 ton air conditioning system. With zoning, we can heat and cool a home in zones, allowing us to condition the living spaces when they have a heating load that calls for the ac to turn on. Works great, two thermostats call for cooling alternately, with the upper floor normally running more often than the lower floor in the summer. 

Well, this home's damper system was not opening and closing properly, which means it was running much more than necessary, raising the customer's utility bills and decreasing comfort in the home. 

What is the solution? In this case, replacing the defective motors with new ones, as well as replacing the control zone board. In this house, it would also be advisable to replace the existing fiberboard plenum with a sturdy metal one. 

Do you have a home with two thermostats, one upstairs and one downstairs that doesn't seem to heat or cool properly? If so, contact a company that has expertise in working with this type of system. The relatively small cost of getting a zone system back to operating properly will yield great results in comfort.

Contact The HVAC Tech at 916-751-6060 if you live in the Sacramento or Rancho Cordova area. Or simply comment to this blog.

Take Care,

The Hvac Tech

Does Your Furnace Run Intermittently?

One of the frequent complaints that I hear from my customers when they are having a problem with their furnace is that it will run for a while, blow hot air, and then it will start to blow cold air for a several hours before coming back on and blowing warm air again.

Obviously, there are several possibilities and I will begin to check the individual components that are involved in the heating process. What I want to focus on primarily though, is how oftentimes I discover that the issue is connected to air flow, or actually the lack thereof. As I have mentioned in previous posts, dirty air filters cause many problems. Sometimes simply changing a dirty filter will solve an intermittent heating problem in a gas furnace. If not, I inspect the air conditioning coil that is located near the furnace. If that is dirty can also cause the furnace to shut down its production of heat yet still run and blow cold air.

What is happening is that your furnace is producing heat but the blower is not able to evacuate that heat away from the furnace compartment quickly enough because there is a constriction at the filter and/or in the evaporator coil because it is dirty. Because of lack of air flow the temperatures in the furnace rise above safe levels and the safety devices in the system shut the flame off. The blower continues to blow so that the moving air can remove the heat from the heat exchanger area and after a while temperatures drop and the furnace will reignite the flame and heat until temps rise too high again and the process starts all over again.

In this instance the issue can only be resolved by cleaning the evaporator coil and filter.

Obviously, there are other issues that can cause this, improperly installed inducer motor on a condensing furnace will also cause this, a malfunctioning control board, dirty flame sensor, the list goes on and on but the point I want to make is the importance of keeping your central heating system clean. Changing filters often is one of the most important things you as a homeowner can do to keep your system running efficiently and properly.

So, change your filters often and you should enjoy less visits from your local heating and air technician.

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech

A great time to have your Heating and Air System Checked.

With the weather being so mild you might think that it's not a good time to have your heating and air system checked out. After all, if it ain't broke why fix it? Right? Why not wait until you need your system to have it checked out? Well here are some things to think about when it comes to your furnace, air conditioner, or heat pump:

1. Better Service.  When do you think most folks have their system worked on or checked out? Probably the hottest part of the summer or the coldest part of winter. That's the worst time to do it because heating and air companies are super busy then. With lots of service calls the technicians are trying to see as many people as possible as quickly as possible and are only taking care of the biggest problems first. Why compete with all those other customers? The best time for your system to get a technician's full attention is when it is slow. Then the tech can take his time to look over the system, make recommendations and better listen to your needs.

2. Better Prices.  Most companies do not run their best specials in the "demand" months because there is a long line of customers who need to have their system checked out. Your best bet for a good price on service or replacement is when the weather is mild and there are technicians just sitting around waiting for the phone to ring.

3. Better Control.  Why let your heating and air system control when you are going to have it repaired? Do you want to wait until the hottest day of the summer for your Air Conditioner to say, "ok, I give up, fix me now"? That would be the worst time to get it fixed. You will then have to be at the mercy of whoever can get to you the quickest, and in the summer the best companies get overloaded with service calls and so then you have to either wait until they can get to you or try some new, unknown company with few customers and take a chance that they will treat you properly. Instead, take control of your system by getting it checked out before it gets overloaded. Think about it like taking a trip: When should you have your car serviced, before a long trip or after?

Well, if you still aren't convinced then simply put it off and take your chances. Not what I would recommend, but perhaps you are feeling lucky......

If you would like to take control over your Summer cooling do it now, in the Spring. Give me a call at 916-751-6060 or simply fill out a comment with your contact info.

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech

Carbon Monoxide Monitors

Carbon Monoxide Monitors are an important safety device to have in your home if you have gas appliances. The need for one is especially important if you have a gas furnace inside your home in a closet.

There are different types of detectors but the one you want is the most sensitive you can find. I like to have one that can read as little as one part per million, expensive, but worth it.

You see, most detectors will not sound an alarm until they have detected over 100 parts per million of CO for at least two hours. This is a dangerous amount of carbon monoxide. I frequently tell my customers to be concerned if I detect 10 parts per million or more because that means there is some spillage from the gas appliance/furnace into the living space, and if I detect that amount it means under the right conditions there may be much more carbon monoxide buildup during different parts of the day.

To give you an idea of the danger level of CO, at 200 parts per million you can experience dizziness, headaches, and some CO monitors won't even go off until 200 parts per million which is way past the amount I would find acceptable in my home or my customers.

If you live in the Sacramento area and would like to know more about the conditions in your home please contact me at 916-751-6060 or comment on my blog.

The HVAC Tech

Furnace Air Flow Problems

Air flow in a central heating and air conditioning system is crucial for proper performance of your home's system. There are many things that can affect air flow but today I will address something that a homeowner can do to improve airflow immediately without the help of a paid professional.

First, change that dirty filter and get one that will allow a good airflow thru the ductwork. How do you determine this? It can be a little difficult since most filters in the retail stores concentrate more on allergies and dust removal. I recommend the more basic filters. If you want one of the allergy filters buy one of the ones with the lowest particle removal. In other words don't get the more expensive ones because they restrict air flow too much. Change that filter every 30 to 60 days even if the filter says you can go longer.

Second, and this one will take more work:  Take a look at the supply registers/vents that blow the air into your house. If they are rusty go ahead and change them out. Older supply vents/registers typically have more louvers which are thicker. This will reduce air flow substantially. Look for a replacement register with wide spaces between the adjustable louvers. Better yet, if you can find vents without the adjustable louvers get them.

I recommend if you still have an air flow problem that you cut out the adjustable portion of the supply vent. It's amazing how much more air you can get into a room by doing that.

One other thing you can do is to make sure the vents on the register face are open all the way. Older vents can be quite restrictive. Open these up and point them toward the room.

Sometimes registers are installed upside down or backwards, forcing them to blow onto a wall or up into the ceiling. Change these around to blow the correct direction. Be careful when you remove the registers. Many times the paint on the wall or ceiling blends right over the register. In this case you will want to cut around the register's edges so that the paint doesn't peel when you remove it.

Feel like this is something better left to a professional? If you live in the Sacramento or Roseville California area feel free to contact me and I will be happy to speak with you about this.

Take Care and have a Great Day,

The HVAC Tech

Heat Pump Compressors

The heart of the Heat Pump is the Compressor. The compressor is what "compresses" the refrigerant vapor into liquid facilitating the refrigeration process in the summer and the heating process in your home in the winter. If this component begins to wear out there are some warning signs that a technician can detect in order to inform you of your heating and air system's condition.

Couple of the things you as a homeowner might notice would be the compressor being louder than normal during startup or normal operation, higher summer utility bills than previous summers.

One of the best tools a technician can have in his toolbag is a good megohmeter.  This device will tell the condition of the compressor's windings. The windings in a compressor are similar to most electrical motors: wire wrapped or wound around metal. The plastic/rubber coating around these wires will melt if your compressor is overheating and will mix in with the refrigerant, which is the beginning of the end for your outdoor unit. Detecting a failing compressor early can help avoid a hot summer getting worse by being without AC for a few days or even weeks when you need it most.

Contact your local heating and air tech for routine service on your heat pump and ask if he can check the condition of your system's windings.

If you live in the Sacramento, California area, you may contact me by replying to this post or by calling: 916-751-6060

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech

Thermostats

The thermostat is the item most homeowners are familiar with in their heating and air system. When I go into a house to perform a maintenance or tune up it is the first item I want to see because I can set it to the temperature I want to test the system and also can begin by asking the homeowner if they have any questions about the settings and from there questions about the way the system is heating and cooling their home.

One aside from a technician point of view, is how some homeowners sometimes a homeowner says that their furnace or air conditioner is a Honeywell system. That is because the majority of thermostats today are made by that company and it is the name they associate with their system. Honeywell doesn't make heating and air systems and so it is a bit amusing when I hear the comment.

Anyway, a lot of times I am asked right off the bat by the homeowner if the problem with their system could be the thermostat, and sometimes it is, but usually the thermostat is the least problematic component of the system, at least for me.

One problem I do notice frequently about faulty functioning of thermostats is how they are installed. Thermostats read the temperature from the back side, so they are reading the wall temperature. Many times there will be a large hole that the wires come thru to the tstat and what happens is that the temperature in the wall may actually be several degrees hotter or colder than the indoor temp and so will cause the reading to be errant compared to the indoor air. This can easily be fixed by covering the hole with butyl tape or some foil tape.

There are many selections of thermostats. When I am working with elderly customers they can be delighted to find out that a few of the manufacturers have models with larger numbers and buttons which makes it easier to read the information and temperature setting.

If you are having troubles or questions about your thermostat be sure and contact your local heating and air company for more information. Whether you would like a basic one that has a dial (yes, we can still find those for sale) or a very sophisticated one that can communicate over the internet, chances are we can find one that you will like.

If you live in the Sacramento area be sure and contact me if you have questions about your thermostat.

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech

Heat Exchangers and Rust

Today I am writing about furnace Heat Exchangers and how rust in the exchanger can tell you about the condition of your gas furnace.

The heat exchanger is commonly referred to as the heart of your heating system. It has also been called the "hot box" the "fire chamber" and others and is simply the area where the flames enter your system. This area is an item of concern because of the potential dangers it can pose to you and your family if it is breached with cracks or holes.

Although I could go on for pages on this one subject alone I want to give you a simple way to check if you might need to be concerned. Note: a thorough inspection of your heat exchanger should be performed by a TRAINED furnace specialist. I have been trained and certified by a nationally recognized Heat Exchanger Trainer and believe me, before my training had some misconceptions even tho I had years in the field.

The easiest way to check for yourself is to remove the louvered metal panel on your furnace or better yet have a professional remove it and look into the area where the flames are. The metal ports or holes that you see should be completely free of rust. The more rust you see the more concern you should have, because if there is rust at the entrance of the heat exchanger you can bet there is more inside the tubes or chambers itself.

Also, if there is a metal plate covering part of the exchangers (you will see this especially on older furnaces) look above the plate, if there is rust above it you should have a concern.

I would recommend an inspection by a professional at this point. A careful technician who knows what he is doing should have a special camera that can peer inside the chambers to perform a visual inspection. There are other tools as well but if the technician hasn't invested in a camera then you should get another opinion.

Although not conclusive , rust is a telltale indicator of problems and should not be ignored.

If you feel your furnace should be checked out, call your local professionals and make sure to question the technician who comes out about his credentials and years in the business. No professional will be offended by this and an experienced tech will welcome the opportunity to expand on training.

If you live in the Sacramento area and would like an inspection do not hesitate to contact me and I will make arrangements.

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech

Washable Filters

Washable filters are becoming more and more common because of their convenience. No need to take a trip to the store, find the right size, stock multible filters, etc. With a washable you simply take the filter out of the return register rinse, and let it dry for a couple of hours and then replace. Nice.

I personally have two Electromaze washable filters in my home. The reason I have two is so that I always have a dry filter ready for when I want to clean the dirty one. The reason I do this is because it takes up to two hours for some of the filters to dry, especially if they have a pad between the entry and exit surfaces. I don't know about you, but I can easily forget all about the wet filter and it could be all day before I remember to get the filter. Also, if I want to change the filter in the morning I wouldn't have enough time to wait the two hours, I would have to replace it when I get back from work, many hours later. And on those rainy days what do you do? So it's nice to have a spare, just change it out and store the other filter.

A couple things to keep in mind with this type of filter. The older washables used a type of plastic that can allow mold or mildew to grow on the media itself. This is not an acceptable media and should be discarded. I would recommend discarding it especially if the filter is older than 2005 because it is likely not to have any antimicrobial properties before that year.

When buying a new washable filter make sure it says, "antimicrobial" on the label and you will be well served.

 Make sure the filter is sized properly. It is a "permanent" filter so you will want to check that it seats properly in the filter grill with no possibility of air going around the filter into the return duct.

One thing I notice occasionally is a filter that has been painted. If you paint the room your filter is in with a spray process and the fan comes on it will suck the suspended paint spray right onto the filter surface, coating the media and eliminating the electrostatic nature of most of these filters. If that happens you need to throw the filter away and replace it.

Well that's about it for now.

The HVAC Tech

Furnace Filters

The filter to your furnace or heat pump is probably the only thing you as a homeowner are involved in when it comes to routine maintenance on your heating and cooling system. However, I believe it is by far the most important item that can be done to keep your system operating efficiently.

If you could equate a filter change with routine oil and filter changes on your car, maybe it will demonstrate just how important this one step is. Suppose you changed your car's oil and filter only once per year....only once every two years.......once every three years. How would that effect the motor? Not good right? Probably will reduce the life of your engine, cause it to run hot, increase friction, reduce mileage and cause other problems that will have to be repaired due to the lack of maintenance? Well that is what happens to your heating and air system when the filters are not changed. A dirty filter will:

   Cause reduced air flow which will overheat your furnace
 
   Reduce heat delivery to your home which will increase the run time, costing you more money

   Cause unfiltered air to bypass the filter thereby coating your blower wheel and motor with dust, coating the    evaporator with dust, and circulating dirty air back into your house.

The above is just a short list of what can happen. Dirty filters are the number one reason I repair furnaces. Yep, it is that important, even more important than the age of the system. So, you can change your filter often, have a scheduled maintenance plan to change it, or you can let it go, allow the system to get dirty and just plan on replacing parts and eventually replacing your system.

So in a nutshell, change your furnace or change your system. It's that simple.  :)

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech

Evaporator Coil Cleaning

If I were to name two of the biggest contributors to furnace failure, and the cause of most service repair calls I would have to blame it on 1. Dirty Filters and 2. Clogged and dirty Evaporator Coils.

I will post an article about Filters another day but today I want to review how important it is to have your indoor evaporator checked and cleaned. Heating and air conditioning are all about air flow. Proper air circulation thru your central duct system is crucial to a properly functioning HVAC system in your home.

The evaporator sits on top of your furnace if it's in the garage or hallway or alongside the furnace or air handler if it's in the attic. It is the indoor portion of your air conditioner if it is a split system. What happens is that over the years dust makes it into this component due to clogged air filters, leaky ductwork and because of lack of routine maintenance becomes coated with dust. Imagine the radiator in your car. The coil is very similar in that it has very small openings  for air to pass thru. when these openings get clogged with dust and dirt it blocks the airflow thru the unit and the air has to go around the coil causing reduced air flow and an increase of static pressure in the coil which causes problems for proper circulation of heated or cooled air.

This causes a cluster of issues. In the winter, reduced air flow out of the furnace will cause it to overheat which will trip built in safety devices in the furnace shutting it down, causing it to cycle on and off, blow cold air, overheat motor windings, and can drastically stress out the heat exchanger causing uneven thermal expansion and contraction which can cause dangerous cracks.

Basically, bad news for your system. In the summer this can cause your air conditioner to ice over, run all the time without cooling and cause your electric bills to rise.

Solution? We need to clean that coil and along with it the blower as well. This can be time consuming depending on the style of coil you have and the extent of dust coating the coil and blower.

If you live in the Rancho Cordova or Sacramento area contact a trained technician such as myself or contact the company servicing your system to come out and inspect your system. A proper cleaning can extend the life of your heating and cooling unit as well as save you money in operationg costs and reduced service calls.

Take Care,

The HVAC Tech