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

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

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

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

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