Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for July, 2013

Searching for an HVAC Contractor: Some Tips That Can Help You Get the Best

Tuesday, July 30th, 2013

Searching for an HVAC Contractor: Some Tips That Can Help You Get the BestChoosing an HVAC contractor for your home isn’t like choosing which fast food you’re in the mood for. Because of the importance of proper installation, maintenance and repair of your cooling and heating equipment, it’s essential that you find the very best technician for your needs.

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Secure-Home Tips for Your Get-Away — Your A/C Should Be Included

Thursday, July 25th, 2013

Secure-Home Tips for Your Get-Away -- Your A/C Should Be IncludedTaking off on a trip means you’ll have to take time to prepare your home for your absence. These secure-home tips can help you cover the bases with your air conditioning system. Instead of turning it off when you leave, letting it run while you’re away, albeit at a higher temperature than usual, can discourage would-be intruders and protect the contents of your home. 

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Are Your A/C Coils Clean? Here’s Why They Should Be

Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013

Are Your A/C Coils Clean? Here's Why They Should BeThe coils in your air conditioner are responsible for the exchange of heat to keep your home comfortable during our long, hot Fresno cooling season. The evaporator coil, which is located inside your indoor air handler, absorbs heat from the air in your home. The condenser coil, located in the outdoor condensing/compressor unit, expels the heat outside. Over time, dirt and grime build up on your coils and prevents the optimum exchange of heat, resulting in your system working overtime to keep you cool. This can raise your utility bills and reduce the life of your system.

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Attaining Your A/C’s SEER Depends on These Factors

Thursday, July 18th, 2013

Attaining Your A/C's SEER Depends on These FactorsAn A/C’s SEER (seasonal energy efficiency ratio) is an excellent tool homeowners can use to compare the relative efficiency of various air conditioners and heat pumps. Choosing a system with a high SEER number is a good start, but in order to maximize efficiency and comfort, proper installation and other factors are also crucial. To be sure you’ll actually reach the energy efficiency your new air conditioning system is capable of: 

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Fans Should Figure Big Time in Your Low-cost Cooling and Ventilation Strategies

Tuesday, July 16th, 2013

Fans Should Figure Big Time in Your Low-cost Cooling and Ventilation StrategiesBesides relying on your cooling system exclusively this summer for comfort, you should consider fans as well. Summers get pretty hot in the Fresno area, and a fan can make the inside of your home feel cooler, whisk heat and humidity outside, and even make your attic cooler. A fan is one of the least expensive appliances to operate, and a variety of models are available for spot ventilation in your kitchen or bathroom, for attic ventilation, and for your living spaces. 

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Summer Indoor Air Quality Need Help? Employ These Tactics

Thursday, July 11th, 2013

Summer Indoor Air Quality Need Help? Employ These TacticsAs any allergy sufferer would agree, the air you breathe has a direct affect on your health and comfort. Your home should be a refuge from bad air, but often the air indoors is as bad, or worse, than the air outside. In summer, indoor air quality may worsen as allergens find a way in, despite closed doors and windows. These allergens and other pollutants can be reduced in the following ways.

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What Your HVAC Contractor’s ACCA Membership Means to You

Tuesday, July 9th, 2013

What Your HVAC Contractor's ACCA Membership Means to YouDue to our semi-arid climate and frequent summer temperatures in the 90s, it’s especially critical for homeowners in the Fresno area that their air conditioning system operates at peak efficiency. Yet, over half of homeowners postpone scheduling air conditioner service because they don’t know whom to trust. 

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Manuals J and D: Why You Don’t Want to Design Your HVAC System Without Them

Thursday, July 4th, 2013

Manuals J and D: Why You Don't Want to Design Your HVAC System Without ThemAre you planning on upgrading your home’s HVAC system this year? In order to get the most value from your investment, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with Manuals J and D. By understanding how these important load calculation tools can impact system performance, you’ll enjoy maximum efficiency and home comfort.

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Replacing A/C components? Be Sure They Match Correctly

Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013

Replacing A/C components? Be Sure They Match CorrectlyWhen replacing A/C components in a split-system air conditioner, it’s important to ensure that the two main components, the indoor evaporator and the outdoor condensing unit, match correctly. While the best option is to replace the entire system, which guarantees that the components match, this isn’t always within your budget. If you have a split-system air conditioner and need to repair rather than replace it, make sure you look at three main factors to ensure a true fit. These include:

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