Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘San Juan Capistrano’

Air Conditioning Tip 9: How to Use A/C Efficiently

Monday, July 23rd, 2012

Air conditioning is a great comfort in Tustin, but it can also be a big waste and expense when used inefficiently. There are plenty of ways to waste cooled air from your Tustin air conditioner, but fortunately there are also several ways to increase efficiency. Try these, for starters:

  1. Keep filters and coils clean

Filters and coils need to be kept clean in order for an air conditioner to run optimally. Clean or change your filter once a month, in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. A tech can should inspect the evaporator and condenser coils every summer, and clean them as necessary.

  1. Look at efficiency ratings

All air conditioners bear a rating that reflects their efficiency, called the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, or SEER. The SEER rating is a measure of how much cooling capacity a unit has in relation to how much power it draws. For more energy efficiency, opt for a model with a higher SEER rating.

  1. Use the “auto” fan setting

Most thermostats have an “auto” setting that will take control of your AC for you by turning it one when the temperature is high and off again when it is sufficiently low. Make use of this setting for better cooling and energy efficiency.

  1. Program your thermostat

A programmable thermostat saves a lot of wasted cooling by keeping the house a few degrees warmer during times when no one is home.

  1. Zone your home

To get really serious about cooling efficiency, consider zoning your home. This allows for independent cooling of different parts of the house, so that no extraneous rooms are cooled unnecessarily. For example, if your family likes the bedrooms cooler at night, you can defines them as one zone so that they can be cooled more, but without wasting energy cooling the rest of the house.

  1. Get an annual inspection

A machine that is in good working order is a machine that will run efficiently. Air conditioners are no exception. Have a licensed Tustin air conditioning professional look over your whole system every year to ensure peak operation and maximum efficiency.

Any of these tips on its own will help your air conditioner’s efficiency, but for best results you should combine them. In particular, the maintenance steps go a long way toward not only improving efficiency, but also maximizing the life of your AC system. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today to schedule an appointment!

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Air Conditioning Question 1: What is Involved in Installing a Programmable Thermostat?

Monday, July 16th, 2012

If you’ve decided to replace your old manual thermostat with a new programmable model, you’ve made a smart choice. At Saddleback we like to keep our customers informed, so here’s what to expect when having your new thermostat installed.

First of all, location is key. Your thermostat will be installed on an interior wall, and will perform optimally when kept away from sources of heat or drafts such as heating and cooling vents, windows, doorways, and so on. To ensure that you are getting the most accurate performance out of your thermostat it should be in a spot representative of the room’s true temperature.

Your technician will most likely shut off the electricity during the installation. If the electricity is not shut off, the job is not being done safely. The fact that thermostats run on low voltage wiring does not make it acceptable to rush a job. Depending on your specific heating and cooling system you can expect to see anywhere from 2 – 10 wires at the point of connection.

If you are replacing your existing Irvine central air or heating system, we strongly advise that you also upgrade your old, manual thermostat. There is no comparing the accuracy you get from the old manual models to that of the new, programmable thermostats. Remember, with greater accuracy comes better efficiency and more effective performance levels from your heating or cooling system. Before you decide on a new thermostat for your heating or cooling system upgrade, talk with a professional. There are a lot of options out there, and you want to be sure that you are making the right purchase for your individual needs.

Also, if you’re having an old manual thermostat removed it is possible that the model may have a mercury switch inside. Mercury is a liquid metal once commonly used in thermostats to complete connections. It is also toxic. Your Irvine air conditioning technician will make sure that this substance is safely removed from your home and properly disposed of.

Upgrading to a programmable thermostat may not be a big job, but it is an important one. After all, this is the control panel you rely on to keep your home comfortable. Call the professionals at Saddleback and know that your new thermostat is properly installed.

 

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AC Question: What Causes Evaporator Coils to Freeze?

Monday, July 9th, 2012

When warm temperatures arrive it is important that your Orange County cooling system is performing at peak levels. Not only do you want your home to be cool and comfortable, but you want your system to be working efficiently. One of the most common problems with cooling systems is the freezing of AC or evaporator coils. There are many factors that can lead to this problem, and eliminating these factors will ensure that your air conditioning system is up to the task of keeping you comfortable during the hottest times of the year.

First things first, it is important that your AC system be turned off if you develop a frozen evaporator coil. Prolonged operation in conjunction with a frozen coil can cause serious, unnecessary damage to you system’s compressor. Don’t let a relatively small problem become a bigger one.

Restricted air flow across the evaporator coil is a very likely cause of its freezing. If the temperature is allowed to drop below freezing, the humidity and condensation that it is evaporating will freeze up. Maintaining proper air flow is a priority. Your air filters should be replaced if dirty and the evaporator coil’s intake must be free of blockages. Also check to make sure that multiple service registers in your home are not closed or blocked off. If cooled air has no outlet it can freeze up your evaporator coil.

Check your blower motor. If it is not running your evaporator coil is very likely to freeze up. Insufficient refrigerant in your system can also be responsible. If your systems refrigerant is low, call in an HVAC technician to recharge your system and to check for any potential refrigerant leaks. If you’re running your air conditioning system when the temperature outside is low, there will not be sufficient pressure to push the refrigerant through the evaporator and the coil will freeze.

The only way to sure of what is causing your evaporator coil to freeze is by having an Orange County AC specialist investigate the problem. Don’t get stuck in the heat when warm weather arrives. Call Saddleback and get your home’s cooling system back on track.

 

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Plumbing Tip : Common Causes of Plumbing Noises

Monday, July 2nd, 2012

With something as important as your Irvine plumbing system, you want to be sure that everything is working correctly and effectively. Many people, though, will ignore the signs that something is wrong as long as the water flows when it is supposed to. Not only are noises from your plumbing annoying, they are also indicators that there is a problem somewhere in your system. Here are some common noises and the fixes that may be needed to keep your plumbing quiet.

Gurgling Sounds from Drains

This is such a common problem that people may not even consider it one. If your drains are gurgling or making sucking sounds chances are that there is some kind of blockage in the drainpipe. The obstruction is forcing the water to squeeze past it, resulting in the gurgle. Hire an Irvine plumber to snake out your drain. You’ll be surprised at how quiet draining your sink or tub can be.

Screeching or Squeaking Sounds

More often than not this sort of noise is the result of rusty or ill-fitting parts. If you have an irregular washer, for instance, it can restrict the flow of water through the pipe, and the force of the water pushing past the washer can result in the screech. Call in a plumber to pinpoint the location of the problem; often all it will take to repair is replacing a part.

Banging Sounds

If your pipes are banging when you have the water on, chances are that it is in fact an external problem. If your pipe connections are loose or improperly secured then your pipes have enough room to move around. The banging is the result of their hitting fixtures. Have a plumber inspect your system while turning the water on and off. All that may be required after locating the source of the banging is the tightening of some fixtures.

Water Hammering

Water hammering is the term for the banging in your water pipes when you turn the water off, not on. It is the result of an abrupt stop in the flow of the water in your pipes, like when you quickly turn off the water. Pressure builds behind the remaining water in the pipes and causes the hammering. If enough pressure builds, this situation can easily become a more serious problem. Call a plumber if you are experiencing water hammering.

These are just a few of the problems that are indicated by noise in your plumbing system. There are many other possible issues, and some can be quite serious. Call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today if you have any concerns with your Irvine plumbing.

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Heat Pump Air Duct Requirements

Monday, April 9th, 2012

The concerns about climate change and the rising costs of energy production has inspired a lot of experimentation with new technologies in Orange County heat pumps.  Standard choices are being re-evaluated and new designs are changing the requirements for various parts.

In homes and other buildings where heating systems were designed and installed according to the cheaper energy parameters prevalent in the day, it may be time to consider drastic changes to increase the efficiency and decrease impact on the carbon footprint.  Room for improvement can be found in many corners.

Heat Pump Technology

Among the systems getting a fresh look are heat pumps, a device that transfers thermal energy from one location to another, usually in the direction of from a colder temperature to higher and generally the opposite of the natural flow.  While compressor-driven air conditioners and freezers are technically heat pumps, “heat pump is the term that usually implies one of the less-common devices in the class that are not dedicated to refrigeration-only.

A heat pump that maintains a thermally conditioned-space can be used to provide either heating or cooling, depending upon whether the environment is cooler or warmer than the conditioned-space.  Typically pumps utilize some thermal energy from the environment itself, such as the natural heat beneath the Earth’s surface.

By simply transferring the energy rather than producing it, heat pumps are being more seriously considered as attractive alternatives to provide an efficient and clean system for conditioning public and living spaces.

Change of Use

In considering a change from an existing system to a heat pump, there are many details to compare to see if it makes any sense at all.  The overall local climate (cool or hot) in general, and the availability of geothermal heat, in particular,  are two major factors.

Since a heat pump typically moves conditioned air through ductwork, the advantages of the change are much more realistic with a system of pre-existing ducts such as a forced air furnace or central air-conditioning unit.  While a heat pump often requires a larger volume of ducts, the old network of metal tunnels was often over-sized for inefficient furnaces and should do fine in a conversion to a heat pump.

The Right Data

Since the required formulas are dependent upon variables such as size, distance, volume and oomph, the design is strategic and makes all the difference.  Contact Saddleback Plumbing to speak with a trained and experienced professional because.

Do the homework to get the best recommendation for your home.

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The Room by Room Benefits of Ductless Splits AC

Friday, February 17th, 2012

Ductless splits air conditioners are designed to eliminate the need for ductwork in a San Juan Capistrano home where space is at a premium. Usually homeowners with older homes – those built before the 1970s – have very little space to work with when it comes to installing the ductwork a traditional central air conditioning system requires. These homes are often heated with radiant boiler systems and have window units to provide cooling in warmer weather. As a result, cooling costs can be extremely high each summer and the house usually isn’t comfortable during these months.

Ductless air conditioning offers a solution to most of these problems. Not only does the technology not require ductwork to be installed; it allows for multiple in-room units on a single compressor and it costs significantly less to operate compared to window AC units.

Ductless System Specifications

Ductless air conditioning systems consist of two major components: a compressor which is placed outside and indoor evaporators. With the use of inverter technology, these systems can support multiple evaporators – usually as many as four to a single condenser. This means you can have a single outdoor unit supporting cooling four separate rooms of your home at the same time.

Each of those indoor evaporators acts as a heat pump, allowing you to both heat and cool the room year round. And because the only connection needed between evaporator and condenser is a single refrigerant line, the cost of installation is significantly lower than it would be for a ductwork based central AC system.

Room by Room Benefits

While the primary benefit of a ductless system is the fact that it allows you to install air conditioning in multiple rooms of your house without the need for ductwork, there are other benefits. Not only do you get a much higher energy efficiency rating than you would with traditional window units (many ductless systems are rated at 16 SEER or higher while window units are frequently as low as 10 or 11), but you can control each unit individually. So if a room upstairs doesn’t need to be cooled during the afternoon hours, simply turn off the thermostat in that part of the house and save money.

There are some factors to consider when installing a ductless system. How many rooms do you need cooled? How warm does it get in the summer? Will the system be used for heating in the winter? These are all things you may want to discuss in greater detail with your contractor when you call for an estimate.  To Answer these questions please call Saddleback Plumbing ASAP.

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Heating Tip 4: How to Check a Gas Furnace Draft Pressure Switch

Monday, December 12th, 2011

There are many reasons why a furnace stops working and in many cases, a Woodbridge homeowner can perform some simple diagnostics to pinpoint the problem. Finding the problem is one thing – fixing it is another. When in doubt, don’t try it yourself. Call a heating contractor.

But let’s look at one possible problem and solution you may be able to perform yourself – testing the draft pressure switch. The draft pressure switch on a gas furnace allows an electrical current to pass through to ignite the furnace. The pressure switch monitors the draft conditions and won’t allow the furnace’s gas valve to open unless draft is correct.

If the switch is malfunctioning, so too will (or will not) the furnace.

The best way to locate the switch is by consulting with your owner’s manual or by going online and simply typing in the words “gas furnace draft switch.” It is identifiable by its round size and is bolted to the outside of the furnace. It should be nearby the draft inducer motor because the two are connected by a metal tube. The tube may sometimes be the culprit, too. A tube that is blocked with condensation may cause the switch to go bad.

To check for proper function, first turn off power to the furnace, either by shutting down the ‘on’ switch at the furnace or shutting off the circuit breaker.

Use a volt ohm meter to check if the switch is opening and closing properly. Start by zeroing out the meter’s probes by touching the tips together. Using the dial (could be analog or digital), set the meter to 24 volts. Ground the black probe by attaching it to any metal part of the furnace. Then place the end of the red probe on the metal tube connecting the draft pressure switch to the draft inducer motor.

If the switch is working properly the meter should read at least 24 volts, or very near that. If the reading is short of 24 volts, the switch is not working correctly. At that point you may decide to replace it or call a professional to do the task (recommended).

Always remember that there are many sources which will help you diagnose and repair a problem, especially those available through the Internet. If you search YouTube.com you will find many videos advising you on how to repair certain components. Use all of the resources available to you and keep the phone number of a qualified and professional heating and cooling contractor nearby.

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Steps to Take When Your HVAC System Breaks Down

Friday, September 30th, 2011

Imagine this – it’s a sweltering summer day. The only place you want to be is on the couch in your Tustin home with the cool air conditioned air being blown across your face. Sounds pretty good doesn’t it? Now, imagine what happens when that cool conditioned air stops flowing.

A breakdown in your HVAC system is the absolute last thing you want to experience on a day where the mercury dings 90+ but it can happen, and the only way to ensure things don’t get out of hand is to take the following steps.

  1. Check Common Problems –While the system itself could be broken, make sure there are no other issues involved. Frequently, the electricity supply can be interrupted by a power surge or a tripped breaker. In both cases, you can usually get the system back online by yourself. However, you should call an electrician to inspect it as soon as possible.
  2. Does it Turn On – If the air conditioning system turns on and simply doesn’t provide enough cooling for your home, it is likely a problem in the unit. In this case, check other common problems. Clogged filters can severely reduce efficiency and if the system freezes over, it may stop providing enough cooling.
  3. Still Not Working? – If the system refuses to turn on and there are not clear problems that you can fix yourself, it’s time to call a professional. A professional HVAC contractor should be available almost any day of the week for emergency calls like this. Of course, in the middle of a heat wave or cold snap, it’s very likely that they may be booked up for a couple days. To avoid this happening, have routine maintenance done as often as recommended to avoid the possibility of being without cooling or heating indefinitely.

A good HVAC system is the only thing standing between you and discomfort, or worse, danger to your health. Don’t let the system go into such disrepair that you can’t use it at all.

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Tips From Saddleback Plumbing About Upgrading Your Central Air Conditioner

Monday, August 8th, 2011

When the time comes to upgrade your central air conditioner, whether you live in Buena Park or anywhere else, you will have a lot of things to take into account. If you were generally satisfied with the performance of your old system, it can be very tempting to stick with a similar model. But if you do not examine all of the options out there right now, you may very well be missing out on a great deal.

If you already have a central air conditioner in place, chances are that you also have ductwork throughout your house. In that case, you will probably be better off with a packaged air conditioner as opposed to a split system. If it is a split system you are replacing, however, you should probably keep your search limited to other split systems. Installing a packaged air conditioner when you do not already have ducts in place can dramatically increase the overall cost of the project.

You will also want to make sure that the system you choose is compatible with the heating system and air handler that you already have in place. Most central air conditioning systems can be integrated easily with all types of heating systems, but you should still check to make sure this will not be a problem, particularly if you have an older heating system.

In terms of picking out the right new system for your home, energy efficiency is probably the main factor to consider. While just about every air conditioner on the market right now will be much more efficient than the unit you are replacing, you want to make sure you get a model that will provide you with the optimal savings in the long run.

This does not necessarily mean that you should go out and buy the most energy efficient air conditioner out there. In fact, because the more energy efficient units are also typically more expensive, you may not actually save money by going that route. But you will do well to choose a unit that will save you enough monthly to offset the installation costs and for most people, that means that you will want an air conditioner that is either a SEER 14 or SEER 16.

Of course, the actual amount of money you will save as you move up through the SEER rankings depends on how much you use your air conditioner to begin with. If you live somewhere with very hot weather and you use your unit for a large chunk of the year, it may very well be worth it for you to opt for a very high efficiency model.

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Compression vs. Cartridge Faucets

Friday, February 18th, 2011

If you are like most people, you probably do not think too much about what goes on inside your faucet when you turn it on and off. All you need is for the water to flow when you want it to and to stop when you do not. But when the time comes to replace or repair one of the faucets in your home, it is helpful to know a little bit about how the different types of faucets work and what the pros and cons of each can be.

The oldest and most common types of faucets are compression faucets. When one of these faucets is in the off position, a small washer inside creates a seal that keeps water from flowing through and into the tap. But when you turn the faucet on, the stem inside raises up, which takes the pressure off of the washer and breaks the seal. That allows the water to flow until you lower the stem back down again by turning the faucet off.

These faucets are generally easy to find and relatively cheap. They are also easy to install or repair on your own, and this is fortunate because they do tend to develop leaks periodically. That is primarily because the washer inside will wear out over time and need to be replaced. This is a rather straightforward and simple process, but if you do not want to have to deal with it, you may want to consider your other option.

The other main type of faucet on the market today is a cartridge faucet. Instead of washers, these types of faucets employ a cartridge which seals to the faucet base with several O-rings. These types of faucets can often be quite a bit more expensive, although you can certainly find some that are reasonably priced. They are also much less prone to developing leaks, and when they do they are quite easy to repair as well.

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