There’s a new trend in crime that homeowners should be aware of – heat pump and A/C theft. Thieves are targeting your air conditioner and heat pump condensing units for their scrap copper value. These thieves run up to the outside unit, tear out the copper, and leave the torn-up shell behind. Or else they load the entire condensing unit into the back of their truck and drive off. The copper coils and other metal inside the cabinet is worth around $80 on the scrap market.
Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category
A/C Theft: Unfortunately, It’s a Growing Concern
Tuesday, November 26th, 2013Air Conditioner Anatomy: How All Those Parts Work Together to Keep You Cool and Comfy
Thursday, August 29th, 2013
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.
Getting 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.
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.
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.
Are Your A/C Coils Clean? Here’s Why They Should Be
Tuesday, July 23rd, 2013
The 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.
Attaining Your A/C’s SEER Depends on These Factors
Thursday, July 18th, 2013
An 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:
Replacing A/C components? Be Sure They Match Correctly
Tuesday, July 2nd, 2013
When 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:
Shop for These A/C Features When Planning a Replacement
Tuesday, June 25th, 2013
When purchasing a new air conditioner, you should pay close attention to A/C features available for your new cooling system. Some of the A/C features that will have the most impact on your energy savings, as well as your overall purchase include: