The key to staying cool all summer long is servicing your equipment before the summer heat hits.  That way, you won’t have interruptions in service and you can avoid costly repairs.  Annual pre-season air conditioner maintenance should include the following activities:

• Adjust thermostat settings – as the the seasons change, your indoor air temperature preferences will change too.
• Inspect and clean the condensate drain – a blockage here can increase indoor humidity levels, or worse, cause water damage.
• Clean evaporator and condensing coils – dirty coils reduce energy efficiency and make your equipment work harder, shortening its life span.
• Check the refrigerant level - improper levels decrease energy efficiency.  If necessary, make adjustments according to manufacturer specifications.
• Clean the blower – restricted air flow will cause unnecessary decreases in efficiency and will negatively impact your home comfort.

On a monthly basis, check air filters and change them, if necessary.  In addition to build-up of dust and other particles, a dirty air filter will restrict air flow and potentially damage your heating and cooling equipment.

The best way to be sure your regular air conditioning maintenance is done properly is to have your equipment semi-annually serviced by a professional.  In addition to the peace of mind this provides, you can enjoy the other benefits of an annual maintenance contract, such as discounts on parts and labor, priority scheduling, and transferable agreements.

Conditioned Air provides both semi-annual air conditioning maintenance agreements and single service calls, but regardless of which option you choose, now is the time schedule routine maintenance.  The hot summers in San Diego keep us busy with emergency calls.  You don’t want to find yourself waiting in the heat for a repair that could have been prevented with some simple pre-season maintenance procedures.

At West Coast Appliance Services, we work hard to put people at ease with our services so that they feel they are being treated fairly. Our upfront pricing policy means we provide the actual cost of the repairs or service prior to doing any work. This is the cost that will be on the final bill. Other San Diego HVAC contractors charge by the hour, so when they assess the problems you’re having, they are only able to provide an estimate on the cost of the repairs. That can lead to the final bill being much higher than the estimate if the work takes longer than they say they expected.

After we determine the cost of the repairs for your work, you’re free to shop around and see what others will charge but none will be able to give you a firm price the way that Clear The Air will. And we guarantee to fix your  air conditioning or heating system, or we’ll return and fix it again for free. That’s something else you won’t find with San Diego HVAC contractors

You may now qualify for tax credits equal to 10% of the costs (up to a $300 limit) for installing a high efficiency central air conditioner, heat pump, or hot water heater. You may also qualify for tax credits equal to 10% of the costs (up to $150 limit) for installing a qualified furnace or hot water boiler. A smaller tax credit of 10% of the installed costs (up to $50 limit) is available for installing a system with an advanced main air circulating fan.

But you have to hurry because these tax credits are only available for improvements made in 2011. Not taking advantage of this incentive just leaves money on the table.

Keeping your home comfortable accounts for almost 50% of your yearly energy costs.  Scheduled maintenance is one of the best ways to save money on your energy bills.  Generally, we come out at least twice a year do a checkup on the following components:

1. Electrical- If your electrical connections are not tight and secure, it could shorten the life of your equipment and cause unnecessary repairs.   Regular maintenance checkups are the ideal opportunity to check voltage and tighten all connections.

2. Lubrication- Friction is the enemy of your system’s moving parts.  Without proper lubrication, components wear down and have to work harder. Your technician will lubricate as necessary to reduce electricity usage.

3. Thermostats- Thermostat settings can affect your energy costs.  We make sure your thermostats are set for maximum energy efficiency. If you have programmable thermostats, this can save you almost $200 per year!

4. Controls- Your technician will put the system through all of its cycles, to ensure that it starts up, operates and shuts down properly.

5. Drains- Clogged condensate drains mean higher humidity and possible water damage in your home.  Regular flushing and cleaning will catch these problems before they turn into major issues.

A maintenance contract for A/C units will include an inspection of condenser coils and refrigerant levels. Blower components are cleaned and adjusted for proper air flow.  Your heat pump is checked for dirty filters or improper settings.  Debris is removed and coils cleaned.  This improves fuel efficiency, lowers your energy costs and prevents future repairs.

The benefits of a maintenance contract for your home include:

• Reduced energy costs- When you keep your heating and cooling system properly maintained, you can save up to 20% on your energy bill.  For the average South California homeowner this could add up to about $200 per year.
• Extended system life- A maintenance contract extends the life of your system by ensuring that all components are kept clean and operable.
• Lower repair bills- Regular maintenance prevents costly repairs to your heating and cooling system. The longer you can avoid these repairs, the less your system costs you to operate in the long run.

If you want to make sure your home comfort systems are working at peak efficiency for as long as possible, consider a maintenance contract.  When we come out, we cover all important mechanical and electrical components.  It’s all about making sure that your system is running safely and economically.

As a rule of thumb, you should replace or clean your filters at least twice a year and more often depending on your particular circumstances. It’s important because air filters are your system’s first line of defense against airborne particulates.  In forced air systems, air coming from the interior of the home to the blower first passes through the air filter, which is designed to catch dust and debris and help clean the air before it cycles through the home again.

When filters become dirty or clogged, the efficiency of the system is reduced.  Over time, dirty filters can even cause parts to wear out faster.

Remember to check your owner’s manual for the recommended filter type.  A disposable filter is made of a fiber mesh inside a frame. You can find the size of the filter printed on the edge of the frame. There are several kinds to choose from; however, the pleated panel filters are usually much better at removing dust particles because there is more surface area to filter with.

When installing your air filters, make sure to follow instructions carefully regarding placement and orientation. Washable air filters should be washed and treated every month.  If they go much longer than that, there’s a good chance that the air flow through your ducts will become restricted, reducing energy efficiency and putting a strain on your HVAC equipment.

Ducts are essentially pipes that deliver the flow of heat and air throughout your house and they control contaminants that enter your home. Ducts that have leaks or holes, or are not connected properly, cost you money and allow dust, allergens and other pollutants to circulate throughout your home.

You may have leaky ducts if you:

• have rooms in your house that seem colder or warmer than other rooms
• have rooms in your house that seem stuffier than other rooms
• have high utility bills
• feel you have to dust more than normal
• feel that you or someone in your home is suffering from more allergies or headaches than normal

Ducts that are located in the garage, attic, crawlspace, unheated basements or other areas that are not heated or cooled can be of particular concern. Duct sealing helps prevent the loss of heat and air, keeping you cooler or warmer at a lower cost by allowing your HVAC System to operate efficiently. It also helps prevent loss of quality of your ventilation air which is part of the air delivered into your home.

Leaky ducts can cause you to lose up to 20% of your heat and air, sometimes even more. Optimizing your airflow system with duct sealing will keep you more comfortable and provide you with better air quality while saving you money.

One of the easiest ways to keep your indoor air quality high is to replace the filter on your home heating or cooling system frequently.  If you have not changed the filter in the last six months, chances are the air in your home is becoming laden with dust and mold spores. We recommend having the filter replaced at least twice per year. If you have pets, you may need to change the filter even more frequently as dander and hair build up in the system.

Another way that homeowners can keep their air clean is by cleaning the evaporator coils of interior and exterior systems. This is a job that may require some professional assistance and should be done every 2 to 3 years. Also, watch for any ice buildup on the coils. This is a sign of serious malfunction and you should contact a professional immediately if you spot this.

Another common cause of low indoor air quality is an obstructed condenser. The condenser pulls air in around it to allow for heat transfer, and if objects are blocking it, air flow may be restricted. Keep any vegetation away from the condenser to avoid obstruction.

A lack of regular maintenance of your air conditioning and heating systems can easily lead to dirty air. If you haven’t performed these tasks in awhile, be sure to get started as soon as possible.

For more information, go to http://www.sandiegoheating-airconditioning.com/products/indoor-air-quality/ and check “Trane Clean Effects”.

1. Efficiency – If you choose an Energy Star rated system and have your heating and cooling expert properly size the unit for your home, there are several ways that you might be able to take advantage of significant savings. First, Energy Star rated systems typically save homeowners up to 20% off the total of their yearly energy costs. That can really add up! Additionally, many local utility companies offer discounts to homeowners who purchase one of these systems and last but not least, you may qualify for a substantial tax rebate.
2. Reliability - Home comfort systems are one of the most costly investments that homeowners make in their homes. When purchasing such a critical and expensive piece of equipment, you want to be sure that you choose a reliable unit from an industry leader.
3. Quiet Operation – Besides having a reliable and energy efficient home comfort system, you want one that is quiet. Air conditioning units can be quite loud in general, so you want to look for one that takes advantage of sound-reducing technologies.
4. Optimized Air Flow – Typical HVAC equipment motors function at one speed and produce a steady stream of air. This requires the equipment to have to keep cycling on and off. Choosing a unit with a variable speed motor provides the most efficient air flow.
5. Stable temperatures – Single-speed air conditioners also cause significant variations in temperature between the thermostat and actual indoor air temperatures. A variable speed or two-stage system will assure accurate temperature control.
6. Balanced Humidity – To ensure optimal moisture levels in your home, it is wise to choose a thermostat that balances temperatures and humidity.
7. Healthy air – Attaching an air cleaner to your equipment will greatly reduce indoor air pollution.