What to do About a Rusty Air Conditioner

September 14, 2019

Though air conditioners are very sturdy machines, they still have the potential to rust just like any other piece of metal that is exposed to moisture. If you have noticed the appearance of any rusty streaks and spots on your AC unit, do not panic. This is typically a very easy problem to solve. Here are some tips for dealing with rust on your air conditioner. The Problem with Rust Can you just leave the rust alone? A lot of people pick this option because they think rust is just unsightly. However, it does real damage as it eats away at the metal, especially if it gets into the condenser. Another issue is that letting rust build up instead of calling for AC repair can end up voiding your warranty. Removing Rust Yourself If the rust is very light, you can usually remove it yourself. First, turn off the power to the unit entirely. Using sandpaper or a nylon brush, remove all the rust. Then, clean the area with a degreaser and paint over the cleaned area with a rust-proof paint and primer. Deciding If You Need Professional Help It is possible to remove the rust yourself in many situations....

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Protect Your Home With Proper HVAC Services

September 4, 2019

If you live in a home or will be moving to one soon, you may or may not be aware that there are special considerations for the HVAC system in your home. With careful attention to detail, an HVAC system will not only keep you comfortable all year long, but it’ll also act as a second level of defense for your belongings and furnishings. A heating and cooling system is an essential component to keeping your Burbank home comfortable. A malfunctioning heating or AC system can cause significant indoor air quality problems, leaving you and your family stressed and annoyed. Hence, it is vital to conduct proper HVAC services to ensure that your system operates perfectly year-round. is happy to provide you with this information for maintaining and protecting your most valuable assets. Proper Ventilation and Humidity Levels Your most valuable items like artwork, antiques, jewelry, wallpaper, and furnishings all depend on your home’s temperature being correctly maintained throughout the year. Humidity for warmer climates can also pose significant risks to not only your home but also your health. This is especially true for homes with asthmatics, those with special needs, children, and/or seniors. If humidity gets out of control,...

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Everything You Need to Know About Smart Thermostats

August 25, 2019

Smart thermostats are becoming more common in residential properties because they offer a high level of convenience to homeowners. The technology associated with these devices makes it possible to have more control of your energy usage each season. If you’re looking to improve the precision of your temperature settings, here are a few facts about smart thermostats. 1. They’ll Save You Energy The primary reason most people decide to install a smart thermostat is that it saves energy on the property. The devices teach themselves and remember your setting preferences over time, which can prevent you from having to perform as many repairs on the HVAC system throughout the year. The thermostat also has the power to adjust the temperature to ensure that the heating or cooling device isn’t in use when the property is vacant. With less energy used throughout the year, homeowners can enjoy spending less money on their bill each month. 2. More Comfort A higher level of comfort is provided with smart thermostats because they include remote sensors that can be placed in each room of the house. The temperatures throughout the residence are prone to vary, which makes it necessary to have more control over...

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The Difference Between HVAC and AC

August 15, 2019

At , we realize that many people don’t understand the differences between HVAC and air conditioning systems. Knowing the unique features of each type of system is important for communicating your needs for a building. Different types of buildings may require various systems in order to stay comfortable throughout the year. What an HVAC System Does HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. These systems can include a furnace, air conditioner, ducts, and air quality controls. HVAC systems are designed to keep a building comfortable regardless of the temperature outside. They are often equipped with a variety of air filters to ensure that they are circulating clean air. All the air is circulated through a central system. Standalone Air Conditioners An air conditioner is designed to keep the air in your building cool whenever it gets hot outside. There are two types of systems that can be operated without having a central ducting system. Window units sit in the window frame and are designed to cool single rooms or small areas. They aren’t overly energy-efficient or designed to regulate the indoor air temperature. Ductless or mini-split systems are a great option for cooling a home without a central ducting...

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How to Care for Your AC System

August 5, 2019

Your AC system is an investment. It requires ongoing TLC, and an optimal approach to maintenance can help ensure the lowest total cost for operation. Initial Inspection has been serving homeowners in Burbank and the neighboring communities with a full range of AC services since 2001. When you purchase a residence with an AC system already in place, you never know how diligent the last owner was. That’s why we recommend scheduling a comprehensive professional inspection as soon as possible. Seasonal Inspection and Maintenance After installation or full inspection, you only need a seasonal inspection. Early spring is a good target since it lets you identify and correct any issues well before the hottest months arrive. Scheduling service is advisable whenever you notice anything that seems unusual. A Monthly Basic Inspection Our company also recommends that you perform a basic inspection each month. This is especially important if there has been a serious storm that may have damaged any equipment outside. Change Air Filters as Needed Air filters should be swapped out, or cleaned if you have reusables, after three months of use. However, we recommend examining them during the monthly inspection and replacing any that are visibly dirty. Check...

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Steps to Fix Uneven Cooling in Your Home

July 30, 2019

Uneven cooling can be caused by several factors, and it is especially common in homes with two or more levels. The following covers some simple ways you can try to get cool air distributed more evenly in your house. However, you may also need to have your AC unit inspected by a helpful professional from in Burbank, California. Consider an AC Replacement When your AC unit is older than 10 years, there is a strong chance that it cannot properly cool down your home. If you require a major part replacement in an older AC unit, it may be best to have the entire AC unit replaced. Install a Zoning System A zoning system works with multiple thermostats. In fact, these systems sometimes use one thermostat in each room. You will not have to close off air vents with a zoning system to keep cool air from collecting only in the basement level of your home. Check for Window and Door Leaks If there are any cracks or openings around your doors or windows, this could be where cool air is escaping from. These openings will also let warm air creep inside your home. Turn on Ceiling Fans Even though...

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Can You Leave Your Air Conditioner Off When You Go on Vacation?

July 20, 2019

If you have a summer vacation planned, you likely have a list of things to do around the house before you leave. When you leave your home for a long time, you make sure the doors are locks and all the lights are turned off to save energy. Should you also turn off your AC unit while you’ll be away? The answer to this question is almost always no. While leaving the air conditioner off when you’re away will definitely help to cut your electrical costs for the month, it may also lead to more costly problems. Set the Temperature Higher Instead of Turning the Unit Off Before you leave for vacation, you can set the temperature on your thermostat to a higher level than you’d normally leave it. While you may typically keep your house around 72 degrees on a hot summer day, if you’ll be gone, you can set it around 83 degrees instead. Setting it this high can help to save you money on your electrical bill but won’t cause other problems. Why You Shouldn’t Shut Off the AC Completely If you shut off your AC unit for an extended period of time, it can lead to...

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SEER Ratings: What Do They Mean?

July 10, 2019

When you start to do research about air conditioners, you’ll likely notice the term “SEER Rating.” You may be wondering what it means and why it’s so important. What SEER Stands For The term stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating. It’s determined by dividing an AC’s cooling output by the energy it consumes. The period of time factored in is a typical cooling season. Since SEER is a ratio of output to input, a higher SEER translates to being more energy-efficient. When manufacturers put a SEER rating on an AC, they’re showing the maximum rating possible. Note that the true SEER is variable, depending on your usage. If you ever have questions, the team at is here to help. What to Look For Here in California, the minimum SEER is 14. Minimum ratings are set by each state, and they’re usually either 13 or 14. However, a unit’s rating could go up to 21 or 22, or even higher in limited situations. If you’re thinking about installing a new AC, consider how efficient you’d like your unit to be. Typically, more efficient units are more expensive, but if you plan on living in your Burbank home for a long time,...

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Save Money on Your Cooling Bills This Summer

June 25, 2019

If your energy bill always feels like a bit of a shock at the end of the month, there are several ways you could address the situation. Here are some of the best strategies for keeping cooling costs low this summer while still staying out of the heat. Clean Your Air Filters Air conditioners can end up catching a lot of accumulated dust in the process of keeping your house cool. All of this extra gunk eventually starts to build up and can reduce the efficiency of the machine. In order to prevent this, we recommend cleaning your air filters at least once a month. Doing so can potentially reduce your cooling bill by up to 10% and will also help the temperature in your house stay cooler. Use Ceiling Fans If your roof is painted black or another dark color, then your house is absorbing a lot of heat. The roof might do better if it’s painted white or reflective color. Note that this will keep your home cool both in the summer and the winter, so if you tend to use your heater in winter, you might be better off trying a different strategy to reduce your energy...

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3 Advantages of Changing Your Air Filter

June 10, 2019

Changing your AC filter is a key step in maintaining a healthy, energy-efficient air conditioner. As air filters become dirty, your air conditioner must work harder to force air through the system. This impacts everything from your AC’s efficiency to the cost of your energy bills. Not to mention, a dirty air filter may lead to mechanical problems that can be costly to fix. Take a look at our top three benefits of changing your air filter: 1. Fewer Breakdowns and Costly Repairs As air filters reach the end of their natural lifespan, they can begin to deteriorate and release fibers and debris back into your air conditioner. As this debris builds up in the machinery, it reduces the unit’s performance and can even lead to mechanical failures. Regularly changing your air filter is a simple and affordable way to avoid costly fixes in the future. 2. Purer Indoor Air Quality As the air filter catches dust and debris from the air, it reduces the amount that you and your family would otherwise breathe in daily. All that debris eventually takes a toll on the air filter as it becomes clogged to the point where it can’t clean the air...

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