With summer almost upon us, many people are taking steps to make sure that their air conditioners can keep them cool for another summer. While plenty of people are conducting regular maintenance on their air conditioners, though, far fewer are taking a look at their thermostats. The thermostat is a vital piece of equipment, not only for the air conditioner but for all climate control systems. If you haven’t upgraded yours in a while, now might be a good time. Read on to find out how a new thermostat can benefit you this summer.
Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
How Installing a New Thermostat can Improve Your Air Conditioner Efficiency
Monday, June 8th, 2015Why You Should Schedule Air Conditioning Maintenance This Spring
Monday, May 11th, 2015Most people will schedule repairs for their air conditioner as soon as they realize that there is a problem with it. Prompt repairs are an excellent way to help your air conditioner last a long time. However, if you really want your system to last as long as possible you’ll need to do a bit more than that. Preventive maintenance is a vital part of keeping your air conditioner running smoothly. It’s so important, in fact, that most manufacturer warranties require it in order to remain valid. Let’s examine why air conditioning maintenance is so important, and why you should schedule it this spring.
When Is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?
Monday, May 4th, 2015No matter how well you take care of your air conditioner, there will come a time when you have to replace it with a new one. You can invest in the best possible system, schedule maintenance once a year, and have any apparent problems repaired as soon as they appear—but there’s nothing you can do to stop a system from simply wearing out after a while. So how can you tell when it’s time to get rid of your old system and invest in a new one?
3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repairs
Monday, April 27th, 2015Problems with your air conditioner, as with most HVAC systems, are progressive in nature. The longer a problem is allowed to persist, the more likely that it will spread to other parts of the system. Some problems can even cause the entire air conditioner to break down if left alone for long enough. So how can you identify problems in time to stop them from damaging your system? By recognizing the signs. Read on for 3 common signs that your air conditioner needs repairs.
Air Conditioning Problems That You Need to Know About
Monday, April 13th, 2015Spring is upon us, and summer will be here in just a couple of months. That means that now is the time to get your air conditioner in top operating condition. Preventive maintenance during this time of year is highly recommended, as it will help identify problems that need to be fixed. If you haven’t had the chance to schedule maintenance for your air conditioner yet, though, you should keep an eye out for any problems that may already be present. Read on for a list of air conditioning problems that you need to know about.
Air Conditioning Installation Considerations for the End of Summer
Thursday, August 14th, 2014It’s nearing the end of summer, and you’ve made the wise decision to replace your older air conditioner. Since older air conditioners run a higher risk of frequent repair needs, installing a new air conditioner at the end of summer reduces the possibilities of turning on your air conditioner next season only to find your system has broken down completely. However, the threat of a breakdown shouldn’t be the only consideration when calling for air conditioning installation.
When you install your new air conditioner this year, consider the many different money-saving options available for homeowners. Your new air conditioner may go above and beyond your older system in both performance and efficiency when you ask a professional about the following upgrades.
Energy-Efficient Systems
As parts become worn down, older air conditioners are more costly to run because the components of the system have to work harder to cool your home. This means a new air conditioner may automatically be more energy efficient than an older one. However, a new AC may even be more efficient than your older system was when it was brand new. Advancements in technology and changes in government regulations make newer systems more energy efficient than those built 10-15 years ago. Installing a system with the ENERGY STAR label can help to protect the environment and save you money.
Thermostat Upgrade
Some homeowners use unreliable, difficult-to-read manual thermostats in order to set the temperature in their homes. Even if you set your thermostat just a couple of degrees two low, you may be spending far more on cooling costs than you should. A new digital, programmable thermostat will provide greater accuracy and will allow you to set the temperature ahead of time to save you money every month.
Zone Control
Another upgrade to consider during air conditioning installation is the addition of a zone control system. Zone control allows you to set the temperature differently in multiple areas of the home so that your family members will be more comfortable wherever they choose to relax.
These upgrades may be a small cost compared to the savings you’ll see throughout the years. If you want to save money with cost-effective upgrades during your air conditioning service in Tustin, CA this summer, call the experts at Saddleback Plumbing today!
Do Ductless ACs Really Work?
Friday, July 25th, 2014There are a lot of options these days when it comes to choosing an air conditioner for your home, and one that has gained popularity over the last few years is the ductless AC. The question of do they work is simple: yes, they do. But the more important question is: is a ductless AC right for your air conditioning in Trabuco Canyon, CA? The best way to truly answer this question is by working with an air conditioning specialist, like the ones at Saddleback Plumbing, but to get you started, it helps to understand how a ductless system works and what its benefits are.
How Does a Ductless AC Work?
A ductless air conditioner is similar to a traditional split-system AC in that it has an outdoor unit that houses the condenser and compressor, but instead of using ducts to deliver the cool air, it uses individual blowers. These blowers are connected to the outdoor unit via a small conduit placed in an exterior wall that carries refrigerant to the blowers; the conduit also holds the drain pipe and a power line. The blowers can be mounted against walls and ceilings, hung from ceilings or left free-standing; they just need to be close to, or on, an exterior wall so that it can be connected to the outdoor unit. When a blower is turned on, the refrigerant begins to flow and the normal air conditioning cycle begins. Each blower is independently operated and a single outdoor unit can support up to 4 blowers.
Benefits of a Ductless AC System
There are benefits to a ductless air conditioner that you may not see with a traditional split system or window unit:
- No ducts needed – as the name indicates, and as explained above, you do not need to install expensive ductwork to accommodate this type of system.
- Better energy efficiency – because each blower operates on its own, you automatically have zone control; in other words, you only cool the areas you want and need to. This saves on energy usage, which you’ll see in your monthly energy bills.
- Customized comfort – each blower is fully programmable and comes with a remote control for easy use. You are in total control of the temperature all the time.
- Easier installation – the conduit to connect the blowers to the outside unit requires a small, drilled hole, about 3” in diameter, in an exterior wall. This is far easier than dealing with ductwork.
Is a Ductless Air Conditioner A Good Choice for You?
The best way to determine if any air conditioning system is the best fit for your home is to work with a trained professional. Since 1981, Saddleback Plumbing has helped many customers in Trabuco Canyon, CA install great air conditioning systems into their homes.
If you have questions about whether or not a ductless air conditioner is right for you, call Saddleback Plumbing and schedule an appointment with one of our installation specialists.
Scheduling AC Repairs During a Heat Wave
Friday, June 13th, 2014Air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA doesn’t always arrive at the most convenient times. We’ve already seen our share of hot temperatures this year and the summer is looking like one for the record books. Ideally, your air conditioner will perform reliably throughout the cooling season, which you can help ensure by scheduling regular maintenance sessions. But what happens when your air conditioner conks out at the very worst possible time? What do you do about scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave?
Generally speaking, you should turn your air conditioner off any time there’s a problem, regardless of whether it will still run or not. To do otherwise risks serious damage to the system with a correspondingly higher repair bill. Once the unit is off, you need to gauge the general safety levels to the heat and whether you can safely stay in your home. If you have access to fans, run them. Keep hydrated with plenty of water, and close blinds or curtains to keep the sunlight from shining into your home. If you can, head somewhere that offers air conditioning, whether it be a friend’s house, a nearby shopping mall or a public library. That way, you can stay cool and comfortable while you plan for a repair session.
With your immediate concerns out of the way, you should look for a service that provides quick and reliable repairs. Ideally, they should offer 24 hour service. Even if you don’t need it, it’s a sign of a company that can work confidently under pressure, and get you air conditioner repaired as quickly as possible. In those cases, the experts at Saddleback Plumbing are on call to move with speed. Summers in Southern California can be a killer and emergency air conditioning sessions, while unwanted, can be a serious matter. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repair in Tustin, CA and our trained staff is ready to handle any problem you might encounter. That way, you can get back to a comfortable home without worrying about the health and safety of your family. If you’re interested in scheduling AC repairs during a heat wave, then pick up the phone and give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!
When to Repair Rather than Replace Your AC Unit
Thursday, May 29th, 2014If you have an old air conditioning unit and it runs into trouble, you need to seriously consider whether the time has come to replace it. Sooner or later, every air conditioner needs to be replaced and if you feel like yours has given up the ghost, you may need to accept that reality. But just because you can replace an older unit doesn’t necessarily mean you should. Specifics vary, and here in Irvine, air conditioning installation services can give you specific advice on when to repair rather than replace your AC unit. We’ve provided a few more general tips below.
In the first case, you should look at how extensive the specific repair is and how much it will cost to make it. A relatively minor repair might be worth it, which a major one could start to look like throwing good money after bad. To that, you should look at the overall frequency of repairs, and whether this is a seeming anomaly, or just one of a long line of problems experienced by your air conditioner. If it hasn’t been much trouble overall, then a repair is probably the most appropriate response.
In addition, you should take a close look at your monthly energy costs, and compare it to similar costs earlier in the air conditioner’s life. A lack of efficiency is a huge reason to consider purchasing a new unit, and if your current unit is still performing well, there’s no need to install a new one just yet. Similarly, if you haven’t had your existing unit for that long, there’s probably not a huge demand to put in a new one, not when you can still get a great deal of use out of the existing unit. In both of these cases, regular maintenance sessions from a trained technician can help improve your unit’s efficiency and ensure that it lasts a good long time.
In the end, every system is different, which is why professional consultation is usually in your best interests. Advice on air conditioning installation in Irvine, CA can be provided by the experts at Saddleback Plumbing. We can give you sound advice on when to repair rather than replace your AC unit, and can perform both repairs and installations with professionalism and pride. Give us a call today and let us show you what we can do!
How Does the SEER Rating Affect New Air Conditioners?
Thursday, May 1st, 2014When you begin to plan for new air conditioning installation in Laguna Hills, CA to prepare for the summer heat, you will have to wade through a large number of technical specifications about the various models available. Most of these specs will only have meaning for HVAC professionals, but there are a few about which you should have some basic understanding in order to guide your decision.
Perhaps the most crucial air conditioning specification to understand is SEER, which stands for “seasonal energy efficiency rating.” It isn’t too difficult to understand, and the rating will help you understand how much it will cost you to run a new air conditioner.
SEER is important, but it is not the only factor to understand. For the help seeing the big picture, bring professionals installers into the selection process early on and let their technical knowledge guide you. Saddleback Plumbing has helped residents of Orange County since 1981 find the ideal ACs to make their homes pleasant through the long warm season. Call us today. You’ll be glad you did.
What SEER measures and why it’s important
“Seasonal energy efficiency rating” is a measure of how well an air conditioning system converts its energy source, electricity, into cooling power. It is a ratio of the cooling produced in BTUs (British Thermal Units) to the amount of energy used in kWh (kilowatt-hours) as measured over a season. The higher the number, the more efficiently the air conditioner uses electricity, and the less it will cost to run.
The standard lower end of SEER is 14, the minimum requirement for an air conditioner to receive the ENERGY STAR label from the U.S. Department of Energy. High-efficiency models can have 20–22 SEER. Higher SEER usually means a more costly unit, but with a short payback period. Check with your installer to see if the model you are interested in will give you a good return on your investment.
Make sure that SEER is not your sole guide for choosing a new AC. You want a system that matches your budget and also has sufficient power to cool your entire house to the level you want. The installers will help you balance all the considerations so that your air conditioning installation in Laguna Hills, CA goes exactly as you planned.
Saddleback Plumbing takes pride in the fast and professional service we provide. Contact us today and we will put our experience and knowledge to work for you and your family this summer.