The San Joaquin Valley cooling season is long and hot, and your air conditioner works hard to keep you cool. Knowing a little about air conditioner anatomy will help you communicate with an HVAC technician in the event service is needed on your system, and will also help you troubleshoot common air conditioning problems later in the summer.
Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for August, 2013
Air Conditioner Anatomy: How All Those Parts Work Together to Keep You Cool and Comfy
Thursday, August 29th, 2013Getting Ahead of Summer Heat Gain in Your Home
Tuesday, August 27th, 2013Most of the summer heat gain in homes in our region seeps in through windows and ceilings. In the Fresno area, it’s not uncommon for our daytime temperatures to soar into the 100s. Unlike the outside temperatures, the heat gain in your home is something you can do something about to lower your cooling bills and wear and tear on your cooling system.
Giving Your Overworked Air Conditioner a Needed Assist
Thursday, August 22nd, 2013
Given our summer heat, an overworked air conditioner is hardly a rare thing in our region. Besides wearing out your equipment, sky-high cooling bills can put quite a dent in your budget. These tips can help you reduce the amount of energy your cooling system uses without sacrificing any indoor comfort.
Getting the Unhealthy Volatile Organic Compounds Out of Your Indoor Air
Tuesday, August 20th, 2013
Volatile organic compounds (VOC)s are among the most common indoor air pollutants in our homes. They are present in everything from paint to furniture fabric treatments and easily evaporate into the air at room temperature. This is a process called off-gasing.
Your Ceiling Fans: The 3 Keys to Optimal Savings
Thursday, August 15th, 2013
If used wisely, ceiling fans can help save both energy and money in your Fresno area home. But do you know how to use them properly? For many homeowners, the answer is no. This is why we’ve compiled three key ceiling fan strategies to help you achieve energy savings in your home:
The Oversized Air Conditioner: When Bigger Is Definitely Not Better
Tuesday, August 13th, 2013
If your cooling bills seem to be higher than they should be for a comparable home, you could have an oversized air conditioner. Many homeowners don’t realize that bigger is not better when it comes to HVAC systems, especially air conditioners. Rather than cooling your home more efficiently, the reverse is true.
HEPA Filtration Can Help Get Rid of Allergens, but What’s Involved in Installation?
Thursday, August 8th, 2013
The air you breathe inside your home needs some help. Professionally installed high-efficiency particulate air filtration (HEPA) removes the toxins, allergens and dust mites before they get to your family. Some of the press about indoor air quality and HEPA filters can be confusing. While installing HEPA involves more than just adding a new filter, your HVAC professional will be glad to explain the process and evaluate your Fresno home for improved HEPA filtration.
Clogged Condensate Drain: How It Happens, and How to Prevent It
Tuesday, August 6th, 2013
Your air conditioner works hard to keep you cool during the long San Joaquin Valley cooling season, and keeping your system operating problem-free all summer long can be a challenge. Clogged condensate drains are one of the most common air conditioning problems, causing your condensate pan to overflow, and eventually shutting down your system. Your annual preventive maintenance call should include flushing the condensate drain to prevent this problem, but knowing how clogs occur and what you can do to remove them is a simple but valuable skill that can save you money on a service visit down the road.
Time for a New Air Conditioner? Consult This Checklist While Shopping
Thursday, August 1st, 2013
An air conditioner is a major financial investment and the appliance you rely on to be comfortable during our long, hot summers. This checklist covers the information you need when selecting the cooling system best for your home. Replacing an A/C is not something homeowners do often (thankfully), and this list can help guide your decision.