If you’re thinking about signing an HVAC service agreement for your Fresno area home, you may be wondering whether it’s a worthwhile investment. A quality service agreement will reduce energy costs, prevent costly HVAC equipment breakdowns, and help ensure your family’s comfort, health and safety.
Donald P. Dick Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for the ‘Service & Maintenance’ Category
How a Service Agreement Can Benefit You
Thursday, October 10th, 2013End-of-Season Maintenance: Don’t Slack Off as Temperatures Cool
Friday, October 4th, 2013
Before you put your air conditioner to bed for the winter, it’s important to understand the advantages that come from end-of-season maintenance. This will ensure that the A/C is ready to go back to work next spring when it gets hot again.
A Fall HVAC Checkup Should Address These Issues
Wednesday, October 2nd, 2013
To get the most from your energy dollars as the heating season begins, schedule a fall HVAC checkup for your heat pump or furnace. These systems need routine maintenance to provide the most energy-efficient heating for your Fresno area home, and if you use a gas or propane heating system, you’ll ensure your safety by having an HVAC professional go through it.
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.
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.
Manuals J and D: Why You Don’t Want to Design Your HVAC System Without Them
Thursday, July 4th, 2013
Are 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.
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:
A/C Problems You’re Likely to Encounter, and How to Fix Them
Tuesday, June 18th, 2013
Cooling season in Fresno can take quite a toll on your air conditioner. Midsummer breakdowns are often costly and inconvenient. These common A/C problems can be effectively prevented by scheduling your annual air conditioner tune-up with a qualified HVAC professional before the summertime heat requires heavy use of your system.
Your A/C Needs Regular Maintenance – Now’s the Perfect Time to Schedule It
Tuesday, June 4th, 2013
There’s no doubt about it; scheduling regular A/C maintenance can bring a host of benefits most homeowners can’t afford to miss. With high electricity costs in the greater Fresno area, and ever-tighter budgets, the best course of action you can take to control energy costs and ensure consistent cooling in your home over the summer is as simple as making an A/C maintenance appointment.
Confused About Heat Pump Maintenance? What’s DIY and What’s Left to the Pros
Tuesday, May 21st, 2013
Other than the simplest tasks, heat pump maintenance should generally be left to the pros. Lack of expertise and training on the part of homeowners means it can be dangerous to attempt to maintain the system, not to mention that improperly done maintenance may lead to future malfunctions and increased energy costs, too. Attempting to perform anything but the simplest heat pump maintenance yourself also may void any warranties the system has, or agreements with your HVAC contractor. Qualified HVAC technicians, on the other hand, undergo extensive training to care for heat pumps. Here are the straight facts about what homeowners can do to maintain their heat pumps, and what tasks should be leave to the professionals.