Archive for the ‘Arizona Indoor Air Quality’ Category
Thursday, September 8th, 2011
Tips for saving on heating and cooling bills
According to the federal government’s Energy Star heating and cooling guide, The average household spends more than $2,200.00 a year on energy bills, with nearly half of this going to heating and cooling costs.
Saving energy means saving money but does not mean that you have to sacrifice your normal day to day activities. It’s how and when you use your energy that could really help decrease the amount spent on energy consumption. Here are a few tips that you can use to lower your utility bill.
Setting and Programing your Thermostat
Setting your thermostat to 78 in the summer and 68 in the winter will save you money on your utility bills. If your household is empty during the week for any length of time you need to consider having a programmable thermostat installed. If you have a programmable thermostat you will want to program your thermostat 2 – 3 degrees higher (in the Summer) and lower (in the winter) than what you usually have your thermostat set at when you’re at home. By having a programmable thermostat installed and used properly you could save about $180.00 a year in energy costs.
Maintenance
If you are responsible for a car then you are familiar with how important maintaining your car is. You have to change your oil, check your tire pressure, check your break pads, ect. every so often. The same is for your air conditioner and heater. By having your equipment maintained every 6 month’s (before each season) durastically reduces the chance of a breakdown. Changing your filters is one of the most import tasks in maintaing your system and is is something that homeowners can typically do on their own. By keeping your filters fresh and clean you are lessening the debri that builds up on your coils. Keeping your coils clean ensures that the air flow is not restricted. If the coils are clogged not only are you doing damage to your system you are also increasing your utility bills. Maintenance is always a good idea just for the sake of peace of mind in knowing that you had a professional go over your system and that you took the appropriate measures in ensuring you get the maximum performance out of your system. Click here to read more about air conditioning and heating maintenance.
Duct Test and Sealing
If you are like most homeowners, as long as your cooling and heating system is keeping you comfortable, you dont give it much thought. But what you dont see could be costing you hundreds of dollars every year. Most duct systems are installed in attics or building cavities where they are hidden from view and rarely inspected. Fixing duct leaks could save you more than $200.0in your annual energy costs while improving the comfort in your home.
The results of an APS study in Arizona found:
- In Arizona’s desert climate, on average 50% of your annual energy bill is spent on running your heating/cooling system.
- As much as 33% of a heating/cooling systems airflow could be leaking through ducts causing a loss of comfort and system capacity.
- The impact is most severe in ducts installed in attics where temperatures can exceed 140 degrees in the summer
- On average, almost 15% of cooling capacity is wasted due to duct leakage. While there will always be some leakage, homes with properly sealed ducts can often reduce leakage 3 to 5%.
For more information on this program Click Here to visit APS Rebate Program Site or Click Here to visit SRP Rebate Program site
Tags: Air Conditioning, APS, Asthma, Benefits, Comfort Living, Contracts, Customer Service, duct repair, duct test, Efficiency, Maintenance, Save Money, Savings, Tune ups
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Monthly Specials, Trane Air Conditioning, Trane Furnaces in Arizona, Uncategorized, York Air Conditioners | No Comments »
Tuesday, July 12th, 2011
As we continue in the triple digits here in AZ the last thing we want to do is open our utility bill. We have a few tips that will keep your home comfortable while maintaining a reasonable utility bill.
One of the easiest and most affordable way to ensuring you stay comfortable is by changing your filters regularly. That means if you use 1″ filters change them monthly, 2″ filters change them every other month, 4″ filters every 6 months. Changing your filters regularly will keep the flow of air consistent across your coils. If you have clogged filters it restricts the air flow which will cause your system to freeze up in turn your air conditioning system will start to blow warm air. NOTE: Above are suggestions as to when to change your filters if you have construction going on around the house or have pets you might want to change them more often.
It is no surprise that 65% of our utility bill is the usage of our air conditioning system. That is why it is so important to maintain your A/C equipment regularly. By having your air conditioning system maintained regularly will ensure your system is running at maximum efficiency as well as keeping peace of mind that your system will not fail in the extreme heat. It is recommended that you maintain your system every 6 months or before each season (Summer and Winter) starts.
Keeping your air conditioning system thermostat set to a comfortable setting but not trying to freeze your home. If you leave your home on a daily basis for a few hours or more an important tip that we can give you is to raise the temperature of your thermostat about 2-4 degrees higher than what you usually keep your thermostat at. This helps your system run less when no one is home. If you raise the setting too high, say to 85 degrees and then come home and change it to 75 degrees, your unit will run for a very long time to try and catch up. In these extreme heat conditions, it may take 1 hour of run time to lower the temperature of your home. This increases your utility bill, and adds stress to your system. By keeping your setting 2 to 4 degrees higher when not home you will actually save money and not strain your system. If you have a memory like I do I would recommend you having a programmable thermostat installed. You can program your thermostat for the days you leave for long periods to warm up and set it for about an hour before you get home to cool the house.
Ceiling Fans keep the air moving in your home. It makes your home seem cooler since you are moving the stagnant air around. Ceiling fans also distribute the air throughout the home to make the temperature more even, eliminating hot and cold spots.
The most costly but one of the best investments you will make is replacing your inefficient old air conditioning system. I know people don’t like to hear it but what you could save in your electric bill by having a new air conditioning system installed will over time pay for the air conditioning replacement itself. Not only will it lower your utility bills but you will be more comfortable in your home and not to mention the nice warranty your receive with the system.
I have to share this last tip even though it is not related to your air conditioning system. This is something I found out myself when I bought my home that had a pool. My pool pump was approx 10years old and one of my co workers informed me that having an old pool pump running consistently in the summer is costing me money. I replaced my pool pump with a Pentair variable speed pool pump and my utility bill dropped that very next month. I strongly recommend you look into replacing your pool pump. Check with your utility company as well, they most likely have a rebate program for upgrading your pool pump.
I hope these tips help keep you cool and comfortable this summer.
Tags: Air Conditioning, APS, Benefits, Comfort Living, Efficiency, Investment, Maintenance, New Airconditioner, New Installation, rebates, Replacement, Save Money, Savings, SRP, Tune ups
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Carrier Air Conditioners, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Trane Air Conditioning, Uncategorized | No Comments »
Tuesday, December 8th, 2009
Combining Air Purification Systems with your Arizona Heating and Cooling System Can Improve Your Health
The number one most often prescribed drugs today are respiratory drugs such as Claritin, and Allegra. According to the American Lung Association, there are now almost 70 million people across North America with upper respiratory problems AND it’s on the rise! That’s one in 4 people with respiratory problems with the elderly and children being the most affected. With statistics like these you have to be asking yourself how you can clean up the air in your home. Most experts agree the most effective way to clean the air in your home is through the use of filtration within your Arizona heating and cooling system. Several different processes of varying effectiveness can be used to purify air. Different processes may remove different contaminants, so there is an advantage in using more than one process in a purifier. We’ll discuss ultraviolet germicidal irradiation and ozone generators today and filters in tomorrow’s post.
* Ultraviolet germicidal irradiation- UVGI can be used to sterilize air as it passes UV lamps via forced air. Air purification UVGI systems can be freestanding units with shielded UV lamps that use a fan to force air past the UV light. Other systems are installed in forced air systems so that the circulation for the premises moves micro-organisms past the lamps. Key to this form of sterilization is placement of the UV lamps and a good filtration system to remove the dead micro-organisms. For example, forced air systems by design impede line-of-sight, thus creating areas of the environment that will be shaded from the UV light. However, a UV lamp placed at the coils and drain pan of your Arizona heating and cooling system will keep micro-organisms from forming in these naturally damp places.
* Ozone generators – These produce ozone, and are sometimes sold as whole house air cleaners. Unline ionizers ozone generators are designed to produce significant amounts of ozone, a strong oxidant gas which can oxidize many other chemicals. The only safe use of ozone generators is in unoccupied rooms, utilizing “shock treatment” commercial ozone generators that produce over 3000 mg of ozone per hour. Restoration contractors use these types of ozone generators to remove smoke odors after fire damage, musty smells after flooding, mold (including toxic molds), and the stench caused by decaying flesh which cannot be removed by bleach or anything else except for ozone. However, it is not healthy to breathe ozone gas, and one should use extreme caution when buying a room air purifier that also produces ozone.
These are two options for working air filtration into the heating and cooling system that is an essential part of an Arizona home. In our next post we will discuss filter based purification.
Tags: Air Purification, Asthma, Comfort Living, Health, Heating and Cooling Systems
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Better Breathing | No Comments »
Tuesday, October 20th, 2009
Heating systems in Phoenix Arizona
With forecasted highs of 98 degrees in the middle of October, most people don’t think about the heating portion of their HVAC system. It doesn’t seem as important as their air conditioning. Until it gets cold that is. But as residents of the valley of the sun know, it still gets cold enough in winter for the need to heat your home. You don’t need to see snowdrifts outside to feel the chill of the dessert at near freezing temperatures. Plus, after months of triple digit heat, it doesn’t take much to feel uncomfortable.
People generally believe that Phoenix heating systems don’t get the wear and tear from constant use in Arizona. But the fact is, most heating systems in Arizona are heat pumps. What this means is that after running all summer as an air conditioner, when it runs in heat mode, it is an air conditioner running backwards. The same components that ran all summer long are now running again, backwards. The condenser fan motor, blower motor and the compressor are running year round. They are still running just as they did in the summertime, only moving the refrigerant in the opposite direction. they actually “air condition the outdoor air”. In summer they absorb heat from inside your home and move it to the outdoor air. In Winter they absorb heat from the outdoor air and move it into your home.
If you do have a gas furnace, its true, the compressor and outdoor fan motor do not run in the winter, but, the indoor blower that ran all summer is running all winter. Gas furnaces also produce carbon monoxide. Improperly vented flue pipes can cause serious health problems. The fact that the furnace isn’t used all summer can increase the chance of birds or other critters nesting in your flue pipe. This can prevent proper venting causing unsafe conditions for you and your family.
Routine maintenance in the fall may seem silly, but it is just as important as your summer tune up. Checking combustion on gas furnaces and defrost operation of heat pumps can save you energy, frustration when the cold does come, and assure your safety in the winter months.
Most Heating and cooling companies offer maintenance programs that provide a summer tune up and a winter tune up. Other benefits include discounts on repairs, extended service hours, extended warranties on repairs made and other services to keep your system running as efficiently as possible.
Consumer Reports states in the June 1998 issue (page 3)
” Consider purchasing a service plan, perticulary if it combines cooling and heating functions. Most plans include 2 visits… a plan may allow the contractor to spot problems before they lead to a breakdown. You may also get discounts on repairs and recieve priority service, which could be a blessing should your cooling system break down during those blistering summer months or on a bitter cold day”
Air conditioning by Jays Comfort Team offer 3 tiers on Comfort Club Memberships to meet your individual needs.
Each offer amazing benefits to keep you comfortable year round. To learn more visit www.dialcomfort.com or give us a call @ 480-922.4455.
Tags: Arizona Heating Systems, fall tune ups, gas furnaces, heat pumps, Heatings systems, routine service on heaters
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Better Breathing, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Trane Furnaces in Arizona | No Comments »
Thursday, October 8th, 2009
WARNING!!!!!
Don’t buy a new air conditioning or heating system from any home center such as Home Depot or Sears without knowing who the installing contractor is.
Most people don’t realize when you purchase a new heating or cooling system from a home center or chain store, the work is performed by subcontractors who are charged 10% for the job. This means they could be cutting corners to make a profit. Don’t get caught with a subcontracting nightmare!! Investing in a new energy efficient heating and cooling system isn’t just buying the “box”. You are depending on the installing contractor to do the install correctly so you can enjoy the efficiency promised, and a long system life. The most important day in an air conditioner’s life is the day it is installed. Proper equipment size, proper duct design and quality installation practices are crucial to performance and the longevity of your investment.
At Air Conditioning by Jay’s Comfort Team we never subcontract any of our installation work. All installations and service are done by our highly trained, certified technicians. 100% of our technicians are NATE certified ( North American Trade Excellence) 100% are certified master technicians by the Arizona Heat Pump Council. We are recommended by APS, SRP and Southwest Gas. All of the training and certifications are to assure that our clients receive the very best service when purchasing a new system, have a breakdown or just having routine maintenance done on their system.
The North Carolina Alternative Energy Corporation a non-profit organization, examined Air Conditioning manufacturers’ efficiencies versus the actual efficiencies that result after installation; they found the following:
90% of the units tested exhibited some sort of energy-wasting, comfort-robbing problem!
Other significant HVAC industry comfort energy related surveys reveal that:
*93% of equipment installed have Duct Leakage resulting in poor indoor air quality, health and safety concerns, drafts and uneven temperatures and may DOUBLE HVAC portion of the energy bill
*54% of equipment installed have incorrect refrigerant charge resulting in increased failure rate, reduced moisture removal, equipment typically noisier, uneven temperatures and could add as much as 17% to operation costs. Reduce life of system and major components (Compressors) causing elimination of ROI.
*47% of equipment installed are over sized resulting in equipment not running enough to wring out moisture, air in sunlit & shade rooms does not mix, equipment typically noisier and shorter equipment life
*70% of equipment installed have incorrect air flow resulting in uneven temperatures, poor moisture control, noisy grilles and registers and could add as much as 10% to operating costs
When you measure every aspect of any business for results,
you are no longer are guessing!
Benefits YOU receive and are guaranteed when choosing
AIR CONDITIONING BY JAY to perform your system UPGRADE!
*Only HVAC contractor with Quality Control Division in the business!
*Guarantee that YOUR installation falls in the top 10%!
*Most Certified, Professional staff in the Valley
*100% Satisfaction Guarantee, IN WRITING!
*Best Performance on YOUR investment!
*Longest Life Expectancy on YOUR Investment!
*Fewest Break Downs over the life of YOUR system!
*Quietest Operation Possible!
*Highest Utility Rebates Available!
*24/7 Support and Assistance!
*Free Deluxe Comfort Club Membership!
*Lifetime Thermostat Warranty!
*Lifetime Craftsmanship Warranty!
Tags: Home Depot, Home Depot air conditioning, new air conditioner, new heating system, retail home centers, Sears air conditioning, sub contractors, warning
Posted in Air Conditioning Industry News, Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Carrier Air Conditioners, Comfort Team News, Energy Efficiency, Trane Air Conditioning, Trane Furnaces in Arizona, York Air Conditioners | No Comments »
Thursday, September 24th, 2009
APS will pay you up to $250.00 per system to have your ducts tested and sealed to help reduce leakage.
Air Condotioning by Jays Comfort Team is one of the few contractors who hold the required BPI certification to qualify you for the APS duct testing and sealing program. If you are like most home owners in Arizona, as long as your heating and cooling system is keeping you comfortable, you dont give it much thought. But what you dont see could be costing you hundreds of dollars every year. Most duct sytems in Arizona are installed in attics or building cavities where they are hidden from view and rarely inspected.
The results of a recent APS study found:
As much of 33% of a heating/cooling systems capacity could be leaking through ducts causing loss of comfort, decreased capacity and longer run cycles.
In Arizona’s climate, on average, 50% of your annual energy bill is spent running your heating and cooling system.
On average in Arizona, 15% of heating and cooling capacity is lost due to duct leakage.
The impact of duct leakage is most severe in duct sytems installed in attics where tempatures can reach 140 degrees or more in the summer months. Most homes in Arizona have attic ductwork.
Fixing duct leaks can save you more than $200.00 in your annual energy cost while improving the comfort and air quality in your home.
Most repairs to ducts are relatively easy to perform and not very expensive, especially when APS is offering rebates up to $250.00 per system. All homes are different and Air Conditioning by Jays Comfort Team is qualified and well trained to evaluate your home and offer realistic repairs that are beneficial to your energy consumption, your equipment lifespan and the air quality in your home. For more information on this program visit www.dialcomfort.com or http://www.aps.com/main/green/choice/choice_18.html?source=acjump
Tags: APS, duct repair, duct test, Efficiency, rebates
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Heat Pumps, Arizona Heating Systems, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Better Breathing, Energy Efficiency, Maintenance, Monthly Specials | No Comments »
Wednesday, July 23rd, 2008
A guide to common warning signs that mean it is time to replace your Arizona air conditioner.
As anyone who has ever needed their Arizona air conditioner repaired during the hot summer months will tell you, a broken air conditioner will make you completely miserable. Many people actually have to leave their homes and stay with a friend or at a hotel just to avoid the heat while their air conditioner in Arizona is repaired or replaced.
While there is no 100% forecast for when your old air conditioner will sputter out and die, there are some warning signs. By paying attention to these signs, you can take action before you are forced out of your home and into a hotel room.
Warning Sign #1: Your Unit is Over 10 Years Old. If your Arizona air conditioner is over ten years old, it stands a far greater risk of malfunctioning then a newer unit. By switching to a newer system, you will save over 20% on your energy bill, reduce greenhouse gas, and ensure that you stay cool this summer.
Warning Sign #2: Increased Need for Arizona Air Conditioner Repairs. Even if fixing minor problems is not costing you very much, if your unit needs “semi-frequent” repairs it could be reaching the end of its lifespan.
Warning Sign #3: Energy Costs Shoot Up. Higher energy costs could mean that the system has started to operate less efficiently and might need to be replaced soon to avoid astronomical cooling bills.
Warning Sign #4: Rooms Stay too Hot or Get too Cold. This might be a sign that the system is starting to malfunction. It could also mean you have ductwork/airflow problems or inadequate insulation.
Warning Sign #5: Your Home Gets Dusty. Excessive dust is often caused by leaky ducts that pull particles from attics, basements, and even outside!
Warning Sign #6: Your Arizona Air Conditioner Gets Noisy. Increased noisiness could be caused by an inadequately sized duct system or a malfunctioning indoor coil. Also, newer systems are almost all much quieter then their older counterparts.
If you have started to notice any of these warning signs, it might be time to replace your Arizona air conditioner before it breaks when you need it most.
Air Conditioning by Jay can help you select and install the right air conditioner for you, quickly and affordably. Contact us today using our privacy assured online form or call 602-266-3678.
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Arizona Weather, Better Breathing, Energy Efficiency | No Comments »
Friday, July 18th, 2008
A profile of the new Trane CleanEffects filter system and how it can protect your family from the flu and other airborne health problems.
According to new research by the Harvard School of Public Health, in collaboration with scientists at Environmental Health and Engineering Inc., a Trane CleanEffects system removes over 99% of the common flu, or influenza A virus, from a standard home’s filtered air. This reduced concentration of the virus means that you and your family are much less likely to catch the virus within your home then if you were not using the system.
Additionally, the system asserts to remove 99.98% of airborne particles and allergens from your home’s filtered air, a figure higher than any other system on the market.
Whole house air filtration systems have become increasingly popular thanks to the additional health benefits of breathing cleaner air. Asthma and allergy sufferers report considerable relief from using air filters such as the Trane CleanEffects system. Because the unit keeps such a high percentage of allergens from ever entering the air you breath, allergy suffers can gain much needed relief anywhere in their home.
The use of a whole house air filter like the CleanEffects system means that air circulating throughout the house is kept clean from most airborne particles. This is a huge improvement over single room air purifiers that only operate within a small radius and are far less effective at catching most particles. Further, the system attaches directly to your Arizona air conditioner so there is no extra appliances laying around to trip you up or get damaged.
If you are interested in attaching a Trane CleanEffects system to your Arizona air conditioner, Trane master certified dealer Air Conditioning by Jay can help. Contact us today by using our privacy assured online form or by calling 602-266-3678.
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Better Breathing, Trane Air Conditioning | No Comments »
Monday, July 14th, 2008
Why moisture damage might cost you thousands of dollars in repairs and how to prevent it.
Contrary to the popular saying “it’s a dry heat”, Arizona residents are about to see humidity levels rise and rain fall by the bucket load as monsoon season kicks into full gear. Unfortunately, those high levels of humidity bring something that Arizona air conditioners don’t handle very well, moisture removal that can sometimes result in damage to your home.
With rising humidity levels, condensation systems (drains) begin to fail and leaks begin to develop. What starts as a slow drip from your ceiling or wet carpeting in your hallway quickly expands into an expensive problem. Moisture damage can ruin your flooring, destroy your drywall, and cause you to replace the insulation throughout your home. Damages caused by moisture in Arizona have been known to cost thousands of dollars and countless hassles to fix; so much for a dry heat.
Fortunately, there are ways to safeguard your home against moisture damage. The most effective method that is recommended by most HVAC professionals is installing a condensate EZ trap with an electronic drain safety switch onto your existing Arizona air conditioning system.
An EZ Trap Drain Safety Switch will monitor the condition of your existing drain system to ensure water is not backing up or going where it isn’t supposed to be. This means you can rest easy without having to worry about moisture damage costing you thousands in home repairs.
For more information about moisture traps or for questions about any other Arizona air conditioning repair or installation service, contact us online or call us at 602-266-3678.
Posted in Arizona Air Conditioning, Arizona Air Conditioning Repair, Arizona Indoor Air Quality, Better Breathing | No Comments »
Wednesday, January 30th, 2008
A key element of your comfort system effectiveness is clean duct work.
In general, many people only call an expert when their system is in need of repair. However, costly repairs can be reduced by regular maintenance. Duct Cleaning is one of those maintenance tasks.
In addition to ensuring your system remains in working order, the efficiency of your system and your home’s air quality is also improved by cleaning your ducts.
How are ducts cleaned?
Cleaning air ducts requires a professional contractor to place the system under negative pressure with a special high-powered vacuum. While the vacuum runs, special devices are inserted into the ducts to dislodge any material that might be stuck. The debris is pulled into the vacuum and removed from the home.
Depending on the size and access to the home, the vacuum system may reside on a truck or van, with hoses brought into the house, or on a portable unit.
How often should my duct work be cleaned?
A number of factors can impact how often your systems duct work should be cleaned:
- Smokers in the home.
- If any of the people living in the home have allergies.
- Home renovations and repairs which can generate additional dust and debris.
Additionally, you might consider having your duct work cleaned at the time you move into the home. There are many people who have never cleaned their ductwork, so prior to moving in serves as a good time to do this.
How much does it cost?
Duct cleaning can range from a few hundred dollars to a few thousand for very large homes and systems, depending up the size of the duct system.
If you have never had your duct system cleaned, if you are concerned about your system’s performance, or if you have one of the above mentioned factors that impact duct system cleanliness, consider calling a member of our Comfort Team [link to contact us]. We help you determine whether your duct system may need cleaning and maintenance and the cost to do so.
Posted in Arizona Indoor Air Quality | No Comments »
