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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Avoid These Home Cooling Myths

August 3, 2021

You want your house to be cool, but you don’t want to have to pay more than you need to for your cooling bills. This can push you to do some things that will actually cause you to expend even more money on your cooling in an attempt to curb the amount of money spent. Knowing what is true and what is false when it comes to energy-saving advice can help you and your family save potentially hundreds or even thousands of dollars every summer in cooling costs. Watch out for these myths about saving on cooling costs. Air Conditioners Don’t Manufacture Coolness One of the first things that you should know about air conditioners is that they don’t manufacture cold air, and to better understand this point, you have to think about what heat and cold are. Heat is the presence of energy, and cold is the absence of heat and energy. So when you turn on an air conditioner, it will pull hot, humid air from your house and remove the heat and moisture from it. Then, the air conditioner will pump the air that now has less heat and moisture back into the room. This is useful...

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How to Reduce Air Conditioner Noise

July 19, 2021

An air conditioner is an excellent lifesaver during winter or summer. However, with time, either due to age or damage to the components, your AC might become noisy. Essentially, a noisy air conditioner causes more discomfort than comfort. When the noise levels get to the worst, you might start thinking about replacement or completely scrapping the whole unit. However, with simple tips and tricks, your air conditioner can keep your home comfortable while running more quietly. In this article, you will learn how you can quiet your air conditioner at virtually no cost. The types of air conditioners covered here include: Window air conditioner Indoor air conditioner Outdoor air conditioner Quieting a Window Air Conditioner Usually, if you are experiencing noise problems from a window air conditioner, the most probable cause is the gaps and spaces left unblocked around the unit. Essentially, these gaps introduce the noise from the outside environment, and then your air conditioner’s component transfers it to your indoor environment. To fix the problem, seal the spaces surrounding the unit that might allow the noise into your house. In essence, you will be blocking the noise produced by your air conditioner from entering your home or office....

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Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

May 24, 2021

Most residents in Burbank and the surrounding areas depend on an air conditioner to cool their homes over the summer. We all want to enjoy perfect temperatures and humidity, especially when it’s too hot inside the house. Air conditioners come in handy as they not only cool homes, they also help with indoor humidity. However, sometimes they can disappoint you. An air conditioner can experience a malfunction, causing it to operate differently than usual. Some people who have experienced such cases report a typical sign – a foul odor. So, have you ever wondered why your air conditioner smells so bad? What might be the cause of that, and how would you handle such an issue? There are many reasons why your air conditioner may be emitting a foul odor. Sometimes it might be an issue with the AC, while other times, it can arise from other sources within the house. Some of the triggers come from negligence, while others are part of why you should schedule frequent maintenance with . Reasons for a Smelly Air Conditioner Before we even touch on the possible reasons for a foul smell from your air conditioner, it is essential to note that the...

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Who Invented Air Conditioning?

April 6, 2021

When the air conditioner breaks down, everyone notices. But do you ever stop to think of the guy who invented it? The idea behind air conditioning systems came way back in 1840 from a doctor, John Gorrie, from Florida. According to Gorrie, cooling homes and places of work could keep people comfortable and prevent some diseases. His idea was to use ice blocks from frozen lakes to cool hospital rooms. This did not work and he went on to research refrigeration. Through refrigeration, he created a machine that made ice for cooling purposes. In 1851, he got a patent for the ice-making machine, but he never lived long enough to see the machine come to the marketplace. The Invention of the Modern Air Conditioning System John Gorrie laid the foundation for the modern air conditioner, but it is Willis Carrier who brought the air conditioner to life. Carrier worked as an engineer for Buffalo Forge Company in New York. During his work as an engineer, Carrier was given a task to deal with a humidity problem that affected a Brooklyn publishing company. His task was to ensure humidity did not damage the pages of magazines. He designed the “Apparatus to...

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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 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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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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