Tips for Preventing Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Your Home

September 20, 2022

Carbon monoxide is a gas that is produced whenever any fuel, such as natural gas, oil, kerosene, wood, or charcoal, is burned. In combustion engines, such as cars and trucks, carbon monoxide is produced when the fuel is not burned completely. Carbon monoxide is also produced by objects that burn slowly, such as cigarettes. Carbon monoxide is colorless and odorless and can be very dangerous. In fact, carbon monoxide poisoning kills hundreds of people in the United States every year and sends approximately 50,000 more to the hospital. Most carbon monoxide poisoning occurs in the winter because people are more likely to use fuel-burning appliances and leave their cars running in enclosed spaces such as garages. However, carbon monoxide poisoning can occur anytime and in any home. That’s why it’s important to be aware of carbon monoxide’s dangers and take steps to prevent it in your home. Installing Carbon Monoxide Detectors One of the easiest ways to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning is by installing carbon monoxide detectors in your home. These detectors sense the presence of CO and alert occupants using an alarm. There are two basic types of CO detectors: electrochemical and metal oxide. Electrochemical detectors use a chemical...

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Should I run my HVAC system during a wildfire?

August 15, 2022

Wildfires are becoming extremely common in California, and it seems that every year now we have at least a few massive fires. All of these fires put off a huge amount of smoke that can have a dramatic impact on air quality. This air quality problem isn’t just limited to the outdoors, as the smoky air and ash can seep into buildings and result in poor indoor air quality as well. With the recent uptick in major wildfires, one question we have been getting from our customers more and more often is whether they can still run their air conditioning when the air outside is smoky. The answer to that question is yes, and here are the reasons why. Why AC Is Safe to Use During a Wildfire It is not only safe to run your air conditioner during a wildfire, but it is actually recommended. The one thing you shouldn’t do when the air outside is smoky is to leave your windows or doors open. Even if the weather is mild, all of that smoke will enter the house through your open windows and doors and reduce your indoor air quality. This is why you should always keep your...

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How to Keep Your HVAC System Safe During a Storm

July 18, 2022

A thunderstorm can cause a lot of damage in a lot of different ways. Your HVAC system is not immune from the damage that a storm can cause. That’s why it’s important to properly prepare your HVAC system to ensure it can continue to keep you comfortable both during and after a storm in Burbank. To help ensure that you’re aware of every storm-related HVAC threat, here is a guide on storm preparation from the HVAC pros at . Prepare Your Home Whenever a storm is coming, it’s important to take steps to prepare your home for the storm. You should consider pre-cooling your home to ensure your home stays cool if you can’t use your HVAC system. Set your thermostat a few degrees cooler than normal so that your air conditioner has time to achieve the lower temperature. Then, make sure that all of your home’s windows and doors are closed so that the cold air stays inside for as long as possible. Thus, even if you have a power outage, your home is unlikely to become uncomfortable for several hours. Inspect Your Outdoor HVAC Equipment Another important step to take before a storm hits is to inspect your...

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How to Fix Uneven Heating

June 20, 2022

Do you sometimes walk from one room of your house to another and realize that you are suddenly sweating? This situation is referred to as having hot and cold spots, and it essentially means that you’ve got uneven temperatures in your home for one reason or another. Hot and cold spots can present themselves in a variety of ways, and every one of them is annoying. Sometimes, one specific room will always be colder or warmer than the rest of the house. In other scenarios, the entire lower floor of a house will consistently receive less conditioned air than the upper levels. There are even certain cases in which the temperatures around a home seem to be all over the place and entirely random. Many homeowners assume that their hot and cold spots are caused by a malfunctioning HVAC unit. While that is a possible cause, it is only one of many potential reasons for uneven household temperatures. If your household is dealing with this frustrating problem, you can try some of the following remedies. Odds are, one of them will do the trick. Change the Setting on Your Thermostat In most cases, it is prudent to have your household...

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How to Shade Your Outdoor AC Unit

May 19, 2022

AC units are notorious for breaking down in the middle of summer, just when you need them the most. The constant sun that’s present in Burbank and Los Angeles. County causes many problems for any piece of machinery and can be particularly troublesome for AC units. If there is one thing you should remember to do this summer, it’s to keep your AC unit safe from the sun’s rays. You can take some relatively easy steps to ensure that your AC unit will continue to do its job properly during the hottest months. Build a Simple Frame If you plan to build a shade structure over your outdoor air conditioning unit, the easiest way to achieve maximum protection is by using a simple frame. A frame also makes it easier to measure and cut cloth for custom shading. But if you’d rather not build a structure, that’s okay. You can easily attach canvas or other materials directly to the sides of your AC unit. Attach a Shade Cloth Help protect your outdoor AC unit from the sun with a shade cloth that attaches to your air conditioner by using ties around the cage, allowing for a custom fit to your...

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14 Best Indoor Plants to Promote Healthy Indoor Air Quality

April 18, 2022

Indoor air quality is an important theme that must be addressed in each home, especially with the increasing number of people who spend their time inside. Indoor plants are great ways for homeowners to improve the air quality of their households. The following are some of the best indoor plants that can promote healthy indoor air quality. 1. Ficus Benjamina The Ficus Benjamina is one of the most commonly used houseplants in homes. The plant grows in sunny places. It can grow up to three feet, and its leaves are dark green and glossy. This plant has very few pest problems, which makes it an ideal indoor plant that can help improve indoor air quality. 2. Peace Lily The peace lily is another popular houseplant that can help improve the indoor air quality of a home or office. The houseplant has beautiful, hanging leaves that are bright green, and it grows very fast, reaching a length of up to two feet within a year. This plant will thrive indoors with proper care, but homeowners need to know how to care for this plant properly in order not to kill the plant’s roots due to overcrowding or lack of water. 3....

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How Different Weather Conditions Affect an HVAC System

March 15, 2022

HVAC units are built to withstand and function during a variety of weather conditions so you can keep your home comfortable year-round. However, the extremes of any weather condition can leave their marks on your unit. Outdoor AC components suffer more from extreme weather conditions, but that doesn’t mean that the interior parts are always safe. Most weather conditions leave short-term and long-term impacts on the health and efficiency of your heating and cooling system. Here are some different ways weather conditions can affect your HVAC. Heavy Storms and High-Speed Winds As high-speed winds impact your outdoor HVAC unit, they can loosen and even damage components, as well as blow dirt and debris into them. High-speed flying debris thrown around by powerful winds can leave some parts broken. Dust and particles blown into your unit can collect around the evaporation coils, leading to clogs. Clogs offer a fitting environment for mold growth, which can ultimately affect the quality of air channeled in and out of your home. Clogs can also render the HVAC inefficient and unable to heat your home to the desired temperatures. Call an HVAC tech if your HVAC unit makes strange noises or doesn’t turn on after...

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HVAC Issues That Can Cause Hot and Cold Spots in the Home

February 17, 2022

Uneven heating and cooling is one of the more common HVAC issues. When you run your furnace or air conditioner, you obviously expect every room in the house to be at the same temperature. However, there are numerous potential HVAC issues that can make this nearly impossible. As a result, you’ll end up with some rooms that are sweltering hot or freezing cold. When this happens, it is important that you seek help from an experienced HVAC professional in order to understand the underlying cause of your uneven heating and how best to remedy the situation. Furnace or Air Conditioner Is Too Small If you notice that certain rooms or areas in your house never seem to stay at your desired temperature, it could be that your furnace or air conditioner is too small for your home. Alternatively, it may be that your furnace or AC unit is large enough but not efficient enough. In either case, the result is that your HVAC system will struggle to provide adequate heat or cooling for the entire house. If you mostly only notice the hot and cold spots in your home when running your furnace and not your AC or vice versa,...

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How a Furnace Works Made Simple

January 11, 2022

Your furnace is an integral part of your home, but it often goes without much attention or thought. However, without the right attention at the right time, you may be left with a cold house. Let’s get to the fundamentals of what makes your furnace work, what poses risks to your family, and what attention you should give it as it serves your home. Types of Furnaces When it comes to furnaces, you have two distinctly different types. In moderate climates, like southern California, you may see electric furnaces. These use an electric resistance element to generate the heat needed to warm your house. They are simple, generally safe, and do not rely on any type of fuel to operate. Plus, they are more efficient, with some models reaching a 100% AFUE rating. However, they are still more expensive to run, being electricity is more expensive than furnace fuels. The most common type of furnace used in residences around the United States are fuel-burning systems. There are a variety of options for fuel used, including natural gas, propane, and oil. In more heavily developed areas, natural gas tends to be the fuel of choice, being it’s delivered to the house...

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What Is a Thermostatic Expansion Valve?

October 20, 2021

The thermal expansion valve, also known as TXV or TEV, is a common feature in most refrigeration or air conditioning systems, and it’s usually located just before the evaporator. The thermal static expansion valves work with precision to control the refrigerant’s flow rate into the evaporator chamber, which is essential in improving the efficiency of the evaporator while at the same time holding back the excel liquid refrigerant from flooding back to the compressor section. TXV has a design feature that allows it to create and maintain a separation between the high- and low-pressure sides of an air conditioning system. Usually, liquid refrigerant is at high pressure as it enters the TXV valve via the fluid line. Its pressure is significantly reduced by the TXV when it regulates the amount of refrigerant flowing into the evaporator. Main Components of the TXV The valve body The pin The sensing Bulb The spring The diaphragm The Working Principle of the TXV The thermostatic expansion valve is designed to precisely hold the liquid refrigerant under high pressure from entering the compressor and control the evaporator’s amount. The TXV reduces the pressure of the refrigerant, allowing it to boil at lower temperatures. Boiling is...

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