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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Areas in the Home that Need More Ventilation

May 12, 2019

Proper ventilation in a home makes it possible to avoid the growth and spread of mold or mildew. It can also prevent certain rooms or floors of a house from getting too hot or humid. Generally speaking, keeping excess moisture out of a home can prevent damage to walls or other components. Kitchens and Bathrooms Tend to Be Warm and Moist Extra ventilation can come in handy in bathrooms and kitchens because these are confined spaces where hot water is used on a regular basis. Without ceiling fans or other ways to circulate air, you could run the risk of mold growth or other problems. The professionals from in Burbank can perform an air quality analysis and take other steps to help with ventilation issues in your home. If necessary, we can install dehumidifiers and heat recovery ventilators. Attics Should Have Extra Ventilation It is not uncommon for air to enter a home through the attic and circulate through the rest of the house. If the air in the attic is too warm or too humid, it can create uncomfortable conditions throughout the rest of the structure. Excess heat and humidity may also cause damage to any items that are...

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Debunking Three Common Cooling Myths

May 2, 2019

Since cooling systems have been around for so long, a lot of misconceptions about them are present. There are all sorts of supposed facts people hear from others that seem reasonable but are actually false. Don’t fall victim to common cooling myths. Educating yourself about why these myths are incorrect will help you save money and improve your indoor air quality. 1. You Don’t Really Need to Pay Attention to Air Filters Air filters are more than just a way of keeping dust out of your home. They actually help to trap microscopic particles that could otherwise end up making it harder for your unit to run. People who change their filters regularly can save up to 10 percent in energy charges. 2. Any Size of AC Will Work Fine for Your Home Many people shrug off concerns about AC size by saying they’ll just run their system more or less to compensate for any differences in size. However, an incorrectly sized unit can cycle on and off more frequently or run longer than it needs to. It can actually be more inefficient for a large unit to cool a space than a small one. This tends to lead to...

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Reasons Why Your AC Won’t Turn Off

April 17, 2019

Ideally, your air conditioner will only run when there is a need to reduce the air temperature and moisture content in a given space. However, there are times where it may continue to operate even when a room is already cool and dry. What are some steps to take when your air conditioning unit won’t turn off? Check for Excess Dirt or Debris When the air condenser coil is dirty or clogged, it can be forced to work harder to keep the room at your preferred temperature. Therefore, it may not be able to shut itself off for tangible periods of time or at all. At in Burbank, we can perform air conditioner maintenance such as cleaning or replacing a dirty or worn-out coil. We can also install or replace a unit that’s old or inefficient. Check the Temperature Setting The air conditioner will not stop running until it has cooled the air to your preferred temperature. If that setting is too low, then the air conditioner may not be able to stop running in order to keep the room at your target temperature. It’s worth noting that your unit may have to work harder on especially hot and humid...

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When Should Air Conditioner Maintenance Take Place?

April 7, 2019

Ideally, your air conditioner will be serviced once or twice per year. There are many benefits to doing this, such as catching minor problems before they become expensive repairs. However, the question for many is, when exactly should you make your next maintenance appointment? Call Before the Temperatures Start to Warm Up Generally speaking, you will use your air conditioning unit most often during the late spring, summer, and early fall months. Therefore, it is a good idea to call for a tune-up sometime in March or April just before the weather starts to get warm on a regular basis. At , we service the Burbank, Beverly Hills, and Thousand Oaks. Our crew can install, replace, and maintain a wide variety of air conditioner makes and models. Have Your Air Conditioner Serviced in the Fall It is a good idea to schedule another maintenance appointment in the fall before you stop using your air conditioner for the year. This allows a professional to determine if there are any issues that could prevent it from starting up properly in the spring. It may also make it easier to properly winterize the unit to protect it against falling leaves or animals looking...

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What is Super Cooling?

August 28, 2018

If you live in the greater Burbank, CA area, you are well aware of the necessity of an air conditioning system that is effective and reliable! But have you heard about the new more efficient and cost-effective process called super cooling? Today’s air conditioning systems are smarter than ever, and if you haven’t already, now is the time to upgrade to an advanced home system that includes an Energy Management Computer. Air Max Heating and Air Conditioning carries a full line of systems that feature Energy Management Computers and that can keep you cool in the Burbank area heat while helping you save money. It’s a win-win situation for you and your family. What, Exactly, is Super Cooling? In the simplest terms, super cooling is the process used to keep your home cool using the least amount of money possible. While it is a technique that you can work out yourself manually, today’s latest air conditioning systems come with the necessary Energy Management Computer that automates the entire process. If you wanted to create a super cooling environment manually, you can do so by following these simple steps: Determine the on-peak and off-peak hours that your energy company uses for...

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Can Air Conditioning Cause Headaches?

August 15, 2018

Air conditioning can be a blessing during the hot summer months, especially for those who would prefer to stop sweating profusely all over themselves. But not everyone feels good when they’re in a frigid retail store or even when they’re in their own home. They may struggle to find the right temperature, running hot or cold as they turn it a few notches up or down. Or they may even start to experience headaches when they feel their air conditioning kick on. Blood Vessel Constriction A cold stimulus headache effectively occurs when the blood vessels in the body constrict. If your body is trying to shield itself from freezing, it will slow the blood to protect the core. Unfortunately, this can also give you a headache because it’s interfering with the trigeminal nerve in the brain. If you’re in your house when this happens, you can turn up the thermostat. But if you’re out, you may just have to step outside. Humidity Your air conditioning makes it difficult to maintain a healthy level of humidity in the air. Too much humidity in the air can cause discomfort, but too little will dry out your skin and body. If you’re in...

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Can Air Conditioning Affect Your Sinuses?

July 18, 2018

Air conditioning helps make the summer heat and hot climates bearable year-round. Burbank air conditioning and Beverly Hills HVAC systems are key to managing exposure to hot temperatures in these areas. In some regions of the country, air conditioning is not optional when it comes to your comfort, quality of life, and in some cases, your sinuses. However, while air conditioning can bring relief from hot temperatures, some people are triggered by it. It can affect both the sinuses and the respiratory system. The symptoms of a reaction to air conditioning often include: Runny Nose Sinus Inflammation Congestion Eye Redness Constricted Breathing One of the causes of these symptoms is related to the effect of going from one environment to another where there is a significant temperature difference; for example, going from a warm house into cold winter temperatures. The same effect happens when coming from warm outdoor conditions into a cool air-conditioned room. When we experience a big contrast in temperature or humidity, nervous system reflexes are triggered in the nasal membranes. Persons with allergies may be more sensitive to abrupt temperature differences like these. However, in most people, this effect should cause only temporary congestion and related sinus...

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