Zone Control Systems Could Cut Costs for Homeowners

November 21, 2020

Heating and cooling expenses seem unavoidable. After all, it wouldn’t be beneficial to sit inside a home that was uncomfortable hot or cold. The summer and the winter bring extremes in temperature, and those extremes won’t stay outside. The cold air, in particular, will drive down temperatures in the home. While comfort and, presumably, safety increase when properly regulating temperatures, monthly expenses rise. Solving comfort and safety issues, however, could lead to woes about the household budget. Paying bills with credit cards often leads to debt for already cash-strapped homeowners. Or does it? A solution may exist in the form of zoned control systems. Thanks to zone control setups, a home may maintain a better-regulated temperature in a home. What are some issues of concern that might lead someone to go with zone control setups? Here is some information, just to get you started. What Homeowners Get with Zone Control Systems A family may live in a relatively sizeable home, one with many rooms. Not every room ends up occupied all the time, and some rooms may remain empty for weeks and weeks. For example, a spare bedroom might not have an occupant when a young person goes away to...

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What Are the 10 Best Thermostat Practices for Fall?

October 20, 2020

When fall comes, cold weather comes with it. That means you want to prepare your thermostat and your heating system to prepare for the impending cold. The thermostat is the item in your house that controls the temperature the HVAC system will attempt to heat the house too. Here are the 10 best thermostat practices for fall. 1. Insulate Your Home When air seeps out of your home, you will lose heat. That’s why you need to keep your home well-insulated. To do this, start by keeping your doors and windows shut. If your windows and doors are old, you may want to upgrade to efficiency windows and doors. The efficient windows and doors create a tighter seal to prevent air leakage. You may also want to install new insulation within your walls. This foam-like product helps prevent air from going through the walls. You can also install insulation within your ceiling. Having a well-insulated home will help your thermostat maintain your desired temperature settings better. 2. Purchase a Smart Thermostat A smart thermostat is an efficient device that allows you to preset your thermostat’s temperature to help you remain comfortable. You can set your smart thermostat to turn off...

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Simple Steps to Ensure HVAC Efficiency

September 19, 2020

Your HVAC system contains some of the biggest mechanical components in your residence. Its efforts to heat and cool your house can account for as much as 50% of your total energy usage each month. Keeping this system operating at peak efficiency will not only ensure that you are comfortable in your home, but it can also result in significant savings. The professional HVAC technicians from [company name] in Burbank have put together a list of signs that your HVAC components may be in need of an efficiency boost. These indicators include: An HVAC system that seems to be running more than usual Inconsistent temperatures throughout your home Unexpected increases in your utility bills Increased humidity in your residence If you are experiencing these or other comfort issues, then read on for five ideas on how you can improve your HVAC performance. Please also feel free to reach out to us. We’ve been assisting customers with professional and reliable HVAC evaluations, maintenance and installations since 2001. 1. Seal and Clean Your Ductwork The ducts and returns are the lifeblood of your HVAC system. They take hot or cold air from your furnace, air conditioner or heat pump and carry it...

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The Benefits of Electrostatic Air Filters

August 8, 2020

An electrostatic air filter permanently replaces the traditional filter that must be changed every month in an HVAC unit or furnace. Not only is this type of filter economical, but it will also remove the dirt, debris and allergens from the indoor air. Instead of spending hard-earned money every month to purchase a new conventional filter, the electrostatic air filter is removed, taken outside, then washed using a hose. The idea is to save money without compromising the quality of the air. The best part is as long as the filter is taken care of properly, there should be no need to replace it. Electrostatic air filters offer numerous benefits, such as allergy relief and environmental friendliness. Contact for more information about electrostatic air filters. How Does an Electrostatic Air Filter Work? The principle behind this type of air filter is static electricity as opposed to traditional electricity. A negative charge is contained within the entire surface of the filter media. When air passes through the filter, the surface is enhanced. Extremely small particles, including mold, pollen and dust, are positively charged. This means the filter will attract them like a magnet. All of these particles are responsible for poor...

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5 Signs That Your AC Is on the Decline

July 12, 2020

When you turn on the cooling system in your home, you expect it to do its job. An air conditioner, however, is going to show its age eventually. A well-working AC is a must in a city like Burbank, CA. While the summer weather average is in the high 80s, it can easily feel hotter since the city is situated in a valley. At , we know how important it is to keep the cooling system operating as close to 100% as possible. Here are five signs that your AC is deteriorating. 1. Hot Air Is Produced Instead of Cold A cooling unit is supposed to produce cold air. If it ever generates warm or hot air, this is a sign that something is wrong. An AC unit might produce hot air or no cold air because the compressor is no longer working properly. The refrigerant level could also be low. Regular maintenance ensures that the unit is free of debris, especially the air filter. A professional looks for leaks in and outside of the unit. He or she also looks for corrosion in the coil and on other parts. If you have been keeping up with regular maintenance and...

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What Are The World Health Organization Guidelines for Indoor Air Quality?

June 12, 2020

The World Health Organization is an agency of the United Nations that focuses on public health from an international perspective. The WHO is among the leading organizations that recognizes indoor air pollution as a major health concern for most countries. Since it’s more concentrated, indoor air pollution is often at higher levels than outdoor air pollution. This presents serious health risks not just in homes but daycare centers, schools, offices, public buildings, healthcare facilities and so forth. In order to aid residents and organizations improve the air in their indoor environments, the WHO has developed and maintains indoor air quality guidelines, which are currently presented across four publications. Four Sets of WHO IAQ Guidelines The core publication for the WHO guidelines is titled “WHO Air Quality Guidelines for Particulate Matter, Ozone, Nitrogen Dioxide and Sulfur Dioxide.” It was originally published in 1987, and the WHO published a second edition in 2005. All guidelines are updated on an annual basis, and subsequent editions reflect major changes to the structure and other aspects of a guide. In 2009, the WHO published “Dampness and Mould,” which focuses specifically on microbes that are byproducts of mold, fungi and bacteria. In 2010, “Selected Pollutants” was...

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How Damaged Ductwork Can Impact AC Performance

May 9, 2020

When the Southern California high temperatures roll around, especially in The Valley, a properly working cooling system is a must. You know that in Southern California, including Thousand Oak, high temperatures can arrive at the tail end of winter or in the middle of fall. It is just the way it is, so all you can do is to be prepared. In order for your AC to perform at its highest level, the ductwork has to be in good condition. Here are some ways damaged ductwork can impact AC performance. Leaks Ductwork is the system used in a home to distribute heated or cooled air throughout the house from a centralized unit. There are three common types of ducts. They are conditioned air, re-circulating air, and fresh air. Ductwork is often made from galvanized steel and aluminum. Older houses usually have ductwork because decades ago, it was the most efficient way to distribute air. Today, there are other options. The homes of today, thanks to research and technology, can opt for ductless units, which offer their own set of benefits. Leaks in the ductwork are one common damage that impacts AC performance. When you turn on the cooling system, your...

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The Best Air Purifiers For Germs

April 15, 2020

The same thing happens every time someone gets a cold or the flu in your household. You do everything you can to avoid catching what they have. Have you ever considered how the air quality in your home can help prevent you from getting sick? Your HVAC system is an important line of defense as it circulates air through your home, hopefully removing bacteria, viruses, and other germs in the process. When is the last time you thought about your air purifier? If you are like most people, you probably only think about your air quality while you are replacing or cleaning your air filters. However, a new air purifier can actually improve the health of you and your family in your house. The following are some of the best air purifiers available today when it comes to removing unwanted germs and microorganisms from your air. Medify MA-14 This device features medical-grade purification thanks to the H13 true HEPA filter installed in it. This filter goes above and beyond the basic guidelines of filtration to remove 99.7% of the particulate from the air where it is working. This means on top of viruses and germs, the filter can help with...

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11 Tips For Better Indoor Air Quality

March 19, 2020

Most people spend a disproportionate amount of time inside a building. While the outdoor air quality gets a lot of attention, what we breathe inside is often neglected. Considering how much time people spend breathing inside, the quality of that air should be of utmost importance. Consider these 11 simple tips for improving your indoor air quality: 1. Improve Your Ventilation One of the most important and easiest things to do is improve ventilation. Whether that is opening windows or turning on ventilation fans, moving old air out and drawing in fresh new air is important. This helps improve the balance of gases in the air while reducing the buildup of toxins and allergens inside. Running ventilation fans in the kitchen and bathroom is important. This cuts back on allergens in the air and helps keep humidity under control, reducing mold and mildew. 2. Change Your Filters Everyone knows that you are supposed to change your furnace filters. Doing so helps maintain the right volume of air coming from your circulation fan and reduces the strain on your furnace and air conditioner. However, regardless of how long they are supposed to last, check your filters regularly. When they get clogged,...

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How To Change a Furnace Filter

February 20, 2020

Many homeowners underestimate the importance of changing furnace filters regularly. Clean furnace filters catch dust, pet dander and other particles. When your furnace filters are dirty, it decreases your energy efficiency. Changing your furnace filter is a simple DIY project. The only things you’ll need for this project are new furnace filters and about 10 minutes of your time. The following tips can help you replace your furnace filter in Thousand Oaks. Turn Off Your Furnace While you’re changing your filter, you don’t want the furnace to come on. That’s why it is a good idea to turn the furnace off. To maximize safety, you should unplug your furnace from the outlet. If you can’t reach the plug, turn off the power source to the furnace. Taking this step can prevent electrical shock or accidents. Find the Air Filter Panel Your furnace manual should contain information about the filter’s location. Can’t find your manual? Inspect your furnace to see if you can locate the air filter panel. In many furnaces, the panel is located near the metal ductwork or the blower. Once you’ve found the filter panel, open it and remove your old furnace filter. Change the Filter Compare your...

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