The Science Behind Air Purification: What You Need to Know

February 8, 2024

Indoor air quality is a common issue for Burbank, CA, households. Outdoor contaminants that cause problems with seasonal allergies, pollution from nearby roads and wildfires all contribute to lower air quality. Poor air quality can even impact residential heating and cooling systems. This is why it’s crucial to do all you can to make the air in your home cleaner. To do this, you’ll first need to understand your air purification options. Fortunately, for Burbank homeowners, there are more than a few available. Understanding how each system works makes it easier to choose the best ones for your particular circumstances. How Does Indoor Air Quality Work? The term indoor air quality, or IAQ, describes how the air inside a home affects the well-being of its inhabitants. Ventilation, air circulation, pollutant levels and the presence of pollutants like dust, mold or volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are some of the many elements that affect IAQ. Keeping interior air quality high requires a combination of strategies, including adequate ventilation, frequent cleaning and the use of air purifiers to mitigate contaminants. What Is an Indoor Air Quality Audit? To determine how clean or dirty the air is inside your home, you need to schedule...

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Complete Guide to Maximizing Winter HVAC Efficiency

January 3, 2024

Before the full brunt of winter hits, you need to be sure that your home’s heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is operating to the best of its ability. An inefficient system leads to higher energy bills and unnecessary wear on your system’s components. By taking a few preventative steps now, you can optimize performance, reduce costs, and extend the lifespan of your system. This article outlines key maintenance tips, ideal thermostat settings, and reasons to connect with a professional HVAC company as colder weather settles in. Unique HVAC Challenges to California Residents While the Golden State may not experience bone-chilling winters like some of our northern neighbors, California homeowners have their own set of HVAC challenges to tackle. The mild climate creates a different dynamic, influencing how HVAC systems operate. Infrequent Use and Dust Accumulation: California’s moderate temperatures mean you don’t always rely heavily on our HVAC systems, especially during the winter. However, this infrequent use can lead to unexpected challenges. Dust, the silent culprit, tends to accumulate in unused systems, affecting their efficiency when we finally do need them. Sudden Temperature Drops: The occasional warm, sunny day turns into a chilly evening, catching us off guard. The...

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How Long Should Your Furnace Last?

December 4, 2023

Most furnaces last anywhere from 15 to 20 years. There are many variables that come into play when it comes to determining how long a furnace should last and whether or not it’s time to buy a new one. Calculating the cost of expected repairs against the cost of buying a new furnace is an excellent way to decide between spending your money on repairs or a replacement. Learning what warning signs to watch for can also help you decide between repairing the furnace or replacing it with a new one. Age Older furnaces are less reliable and use more energy than modern ones do. If your furnace is over 10 years old, it’s important to carefully consider the costs of expected repairs versus what it will cost to buy a replacement. Many times, purchasing a new furnace is a wise decision that ends up paying you dividends in the form of reduced utility bills and better interior comfort over time. Increasing Heating Bills As the heater gets older, it uses more power than it did when it was new, causing your heating bills to get higher and higher. If your heating costs keep going up, it’s often smarter to...

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Is a Burning Smell Normal When I Turn on the Heat?

November 1, 2023

If you have recently turned on the heat and noticed a burning smell, it can be quite alarming. It does not necessarily mean that something is going wrong with your system, particularly if it hasn’t been turned on for a while. In instances like this, such a thing happening is actually pretty normal and is often not a cause for concern. There are times, however, when it could be an indicator of a real problem, so it’s important to know when it is time to relax and when it is time to shut down your system and call in a professional. When Not to Worry About a Burning Smell If your heater has not been turned on for a while, it is likely that dust and other particles have accumulated on the heat exchanger, burners, or other components. When you turn the heater on for the first time in months, the smell is likely these particles burning off. This smell is then carried through the air vents until it is all burned away. Let the heater run for about 10 minutes, and the smell will likely dissipate. If it does not go away, then it is time to call a...

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10 AC Problems You Must Know

October 2, 2023

Air conditioners keep us cool when the mercury is soaring, but even new air conditioners will eventually develop a problem. Whether your AC is struggling in the heat or not putting out cold air at all, your first concern is likely how to get that temperature back into a comfortable range fast. Our guide will help you learn the top 10 AC problems you need to understand to keep that cool air flowing again. 1. AC Won’t Turn on If your AC won’t turn on, you might panic, but an air conditioner that fails to cycle on doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re facing expensive repairs. First, check that your unit has power and is switched to the “on” position. Check the circuit breaker on both the indoor and outdoor units to be sure it hasn’t been flipped. Finally, check the thermostat to verify that the system is both turned on and set to cool. This is also a good time to check the air filter. A clogged AC filter won’t necessarily stop the AC from switching on, but it will certainly keep it from cooling effectively. Many things can interfere with your AC’s ability to cycle on, so if you’ve...

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What Temperature Should Your Thermostat Be Set To?

September 21, 2023

Certain factors influence at what temperature you set your thermostat, but it’s primarily a matter of personal preference. Setting it too high or low could not only impact your comfort but also your energy bills and HVAC system. The following is information helpful for deciding what to set your thermostat to at your California home. Best Thermostat Temperature for Summer and Winter It’s typically best to set your thermostat to 68 degrees in the winter and approximately 78 degrees during the warmer months. This will prevent your heating system or AC from coming on too frequently and running for shorter periods. It will also help keep your heating and cooling costs low while reducing the wear and tear your HVAC system experiences. Setting your thermostat to a much higher temperature in the winter or significantly lower in the summer will strain your HVAC system. This added strain can possibly shorten the life span of your furnace and AC or cause the unit to require more frequent repairs. It will also undoubtedly raise your energy bills. Programming Your Thermostat for Day and Night It is important to note that these recommended temperature settings are for the times when you’re awake and...

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How to Reduce Energy Costs on Aging AC Units

August 8, 2023

It is somewhat common to struggle with energy cost increases with your home’s aging AC units. They no longer run as efficiently as they once did. This causes your bills to go up. But, this is nothing to ignore. When you call Air Max HVAC, Inc., our team can troubleshoot your system to determine what types of concerns exist and then offer solutions to help you get your system back up and working at its best. Reduce Energy Bills on your Old AC Systems The first step is to have a comprehensive service call on your air conditioner. Our team will come to your home to inspect, clean, and repair your system. This can help to increase your overall efficiency right away. Or, it can give us some insight into the underlying problems present. From here, we’ll talk about key concerns causing your aging air conditioning units to struggle. Your system may need significant repairs or upgrades. This may be possible in some models. You may need to have your ducts and filters cleaned and replaced as needed. This can help to reduce your overall energy efficiency of poor maintenance or significant dust buildup causes the problem. If the system...

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Is Your AC Unit Energy Efficient? Here’s How to Find Out

August 2, 2023

Do you shudder each time you receive your monthly energy bill, unsure why the cost is so high? If your air conditioning unit is one of the primary contributors to your energy usage, its efficiency—or lack thereof—could be to blame. Understanding Energy Efficiency in AC Units In the context of air conditioning units, energy efficiency refers to the effective conversion of electrical energy into cooling power. The higher the efficiency, the less electricity is wasted in the cooling process. Energy-efficient AC units not only reduce your energy usage but also decrease your carbon footprint, contributing to the fight against climate change. Key components contributing to an AC unit’s energy efficiency include the compressor, the cooling coils, and the fans. The design and efficiency of these components largely determine how much of the electrical energy is effectively transformed into cooling. Understanding the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) One of the most crucial measures of AC energy efficiency is the seasonal energy efficiency ratio, which is the total energy consumed by an air conditioner during an average cooling season, compared to the AC’s total cooling output. SEER ratings range from 13 for most older units to 26 for the most efficient central...

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What to Do If Your AC Keeps Tripping the Circuit Breaker

July 15, 2023

Constantly having to reset the circuit breaker in your Burbank, CA home is guaranteed to prove frustrating. This is especially true if your air conditioner is what’s causing the breaker to trip. Although you can temporarily resolve the problem with a quick flip of the breaker switch, the issue will continue until its underlying cause is identified and addressed. Read on to find out what you can do to restore normal AC functionality and whether or not you need an AC repair service to solve it. Start by Inspecting Your HVAC Air Filter Air conditioners that repeatedly trip circuit breakers are often overheated or in the process of overheating. This is but one of several failsafe measures that prevent ACs from completely breaking down, causing fires, or posing electrical hazards. Surprisingly, dirty air filters are a common cause of overheating in residential cooling systems. During operation, your air conditioner moves air through its filter so that dust and other particulates are collected before air is chilled and distributed. Buildups of thick, lint-like material that cover your filter’s mesh inhibit airflow. This causes air conditioners to work harder. It also subjects their moving components to excess stress that eventually causes them...

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6 Major Reasons Why Your AC Is Blowing Warm Air

June 1, 2023

All air conditioners are designed to provide a cool and comfortable living environment inside your home. One of the worst feelings you can experience as a homeowner is walking into your home during a hot summer day to cool off, only to discover that your AC is blowing warm air. Not only will you likely experience stress when your AC fails to keep you cool, but HVAC technicians are busiest during the peak season. To help avoid these problems, you should set up an appointment to have your AC unit serviced regularly. Here are some of the top reasons your AC could blow warm air. 1. Thermostat Settings One of the first things you should check when you notice warm air coming from the vents is your thermostat settings. Thermostat problems usually occur in old dial-type units when they are incorrectly calibrated. If you have the manufacturer’s manual, check that your current thermostat settings are correct. You might also want to check that you did not accidentally flip your thermostat to heat mode, a mistake that frequently goes unnoticed. If that does not resolve the problem, you may want to have your thermostat recalibrated or replaced. You can also consider...

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