Two Ways an Air Conditioning Contractor Can Boost Your Energy Efficiency

There’s simply no denying that air conditioners are one of the most indispensable of home appliances. Yet they can also be the cause of a lot of stress when it comes time to pay the energy bill. If you would like to learn more about what you can do to help keep the cost of your air conditioner as low as possible, read on. This article will discuss two ways that an air conditioning contractor can help boost your AC’s efficiency. Located in Phoenix AZ and serving Scottsdale, JR Perkins is the perfect air conditioning contractor to work with on this topic.

Insulate Ducts in Heat-prone Areas 

It is vital that the chilled air being generated by your air conditioner’s condenser unit remain as cold as possible on its way to the various rooms of your home. Unfortunately, unwanted heat loss remains more common than you might realize. That’s because, where ducts pass through naturally hot parts of the house--attics and crawlspaces, for example--they tend to soak up a good deal of heat. As a result, your air conditioner is forced to work harder and longer in order to accomplish its cooling. Fortunately, you can prevent this type of unwanted heat gain by having an air conditioner contractor insulate any ducts located in such problem areas.

Identify Problematic Air Leaks 

Heat absorption isn’t the only factor at play in boosting your monthly cooling bill. Air leaks are another common--yet often overlooked--source of inefficiency. In fact, air leaks have been estimated to be responsible for efficiency losses of up to 30 percent! The worst part is that many of these leaks are so subtle as to be virtually undetectable without precision equipment. Luckily, many experienced air conditioning contractors utilize thermal imaging technology to identify areas where cracks, gaps, and poor insulation are allowing air leaks to decrease the efficiency of your air conditioner.

JR Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley. To learn more please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.

Repairing a Clogged Condensate Drain Line

There’s no denying that air conditioners are complex appliances, which often require the intervention of a professional when it comes time for repairs. Yet certain air conditioning repairs are basic enough that even relative amateurs can accomplish them. If you would like to learn more about one such repair for fixing a leaky AC, read on. This article will discuss how--and why--to clear out a clogged drain line.

The Problem 

A running air conditioner produces a good deal of water, in the form of condensation. This condensation forms on the evaporator coils as the frigid refrigerant flows through them. The water then drips down into the condensate drain pan, which carries it to a drain line leading safely away from the air conditioner.

Over time, however, debris, build-up, and even algae act to form blockages within the condensate line. This causes the water to back up in the drain pan, eventually spilling over the sides and manifesting as a leak.

The Solution 

Fixing this problem is relatively simple. To begin, shut off the power to your air conditioner and remove the outer grill from the condenser in your yard. To do this, you’ll need to find the grill’s attachment points and loosen them up with either a screwdriver or a wrench.

Once you’ve got the grill lifted free, you should be able to easily identify the drain pan, which is comprised of a flat metal rectangle. At one corner you will see the hole that leads to the drain line. Boil up a kettle of water and then pour it carefully and slowly into this hole. The boiling hot water is often enough to loosen up and blockages.

You may also use a pipe cleaner of the appropriate thickness to help remove more stubborn build up. Chances are this will restore proper functionality to the drain line, and thus eliminate your nagging leak. If not, feel free to contact J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, an HVAC company that services the Phoenix AZ area including Scottsdale, for a professional evaluation.

JR Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley. To learn more please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.

Don't Put Off Air Conditioning Repair Until Next Year

Now that the summer has come to an end and temperatures will be cooling off soon, you might be thinking about putting off any necessary air conditioning repair until next year. After all, you’ll be relying on your system less as the cooler months arrive, and waiting until next year can give you a little more time to budget for the repairs. However, if at all possible, it's generally best to handle repair issues right away rather than waiting.

First of all, you should know that many heating and air conditioning units share a lot of components, such as if you have a central heating and air conditioning system. This means that it’s important that your system as a whole is in good working order, so that you are prepared to cool or heat your home as the weather changes.

Plus, time will likely fly by before you know it. You might continue to put off the repair and forget about it completely. Then, you might get a rather unpleasant surprise when you and your family try to turn up your air conditioning system when the weather heats up. Also, if you wait until the last minute, you might find that your favorite heating and air conditioning repair company is actually all booked up with appointments for other people's air conditioning repairs and tune-ups. This could leave you and your family dealing with the heat a lot longer than you had ever planned.

As you can see, it's generally not a good idea to put off air conditioning repair until next summer. Instead, call your HVAC contractor to come out and make these repairs now. Then, you can also have your entire system, maintained and inspected for any other less transparent issues at the same time.

Home Improvements that Reduce Air Conditioning Costs

Are your air conditioning costs out of control? Nationally, heating and cooling costs represent 40 to 60 percent of a home's energy usage. Here in Arizona, living without air conditioning is just not an option. Most customers understand regular maintenance helps with the efficiency of the unit. However, did you know your home is also a major contributor to cooling costs?

Do you remember, as a child, your mother yelling for you to close the door? "We are not trying to air condition the whole outdoors," she would say. Holding the door opened allowed the cool air inside to escape, and force the air conditioner to run longer. Nonetheless, if your home is not air-sealed, it is like holding the door open.

What is air-sealing a home? The energy efficiency of a home relies on closing the building envelope. Therefore, homes that are not properly sealed will allow cooling energy to escape, forcing your air conditioner to work harder and driving up costs. Here are some home improvements that help reduce your air conditioning costs.

1. Add Insulation - The U.S. Department of Energy states, "Most homes in the United States don't have enough insulation and have significant air leaks. In fact, if you added up all the leaks, holes and gaps in a typical home's envelope, it would be the equivalent of having a window open every day of the year!"

2. Seal Leaks - Caulk around windows and doors, and replace old weather-stripping. However, make sure to remove old and damaged caulk before beginning. Also, install gaskets behind electrical outlet and light switch plates. Child safety plugs on electrical outlets can also reduce cooling loss into exterior walls.

3. Windows and Doors – Replacing outdated windows and doors can help to create a better seal on your home throughout the year. It can also help to prevent water damage during heavy rainfall.

Air-sealing a home can reduce cooling costs as much as 20 percent. If you would like to talk about home improvements that reduce air conditioning costs in Tempe, AZ, or need more information, please contact us at (480) 946-5083.

Five Tips to Extend the Life of Air Conditioning Systems

Our home is the largest investment most of us will incur in our lifetime. It is also the most important. This is where we live, raise our children, and protect our families. The level of comfort in our homes has a direct impact on our happiness. This is why a quality HVAC system is essential to our standard of living.

How we protect our air conditioning system will determine the life expectancy of the equipment. There are steps we can take to safeguard the best return on our investment. Based on years of experience and study, we have listed our top five tips.

1.  Have your HVAC system professionally serviced, twice a year. This is the single most important thing you can do. HVAC equipment requires proper airflow. A dirty unit is less efficient, and it puts a strain on the machinery. The technician measures the levels of refrigerant in the system. They also check for worn parts and other issues, which could cause a future failure. 
2. Change your filters monthly. People often neglect this simple and inexpensive step. Sweeping or vacuuming the filter (or the grill housing the filter) does not clean it. The filter consists of many layers that remove the dust and allergens from the air. Allowing the filter to do its job means those nasty things do not go into the lungs of your family. 
3. Keep dogs away from the condensing unit. Dogs are often the cause of significant damage to outdoor HVAC equipment. They sometimes urinate on the equipment and chew on the tubing. This is dangerous for the unit and for the dog. Consider building a small fence around the equipment. 
4. Trim bushes away from the equipment. Allowing bushes to grow too close to the condensing unit hampers the airflow. Placing an awning or shade over the unit will keep it cooler and allow it to operate more effectively. But, it is important that nothing blocks the airflow around the unit. 
5. If you have a programmable thermostat, use it. If you do not, have your air conditioning company install one. This allows the system to automatically adjust the climate in rooms to a higher temperature during times when no one is home, and to automatically adjust the temperature before the family is due to return. This not only lowers operating costs but allows the system to run less. 

Simple maintenance is the best way to add years to the life of your HVAC system. Call today and schedule a tune-up.

5 Questions to Ask Your Air Conditioning Contractor

Having your air conditioning unit repaired is an important process because it is so important to be comfortable in your home. Naturally, this means you will need to choose the best air conditioning contractor possible. With the many options out there, deciding which one will work best for you can be challenging. To help with this process, we have developed a few questions you will want to ask your air conditioning contractor.

How long have you worked in the air conditioning industry? 

This question can help you determine what experience level your contractor is at. Experience is important when it comes to repairing or replacing an air conditioning unit, so this is important information to know.

Are you licensed and insured? 

Knowing the answer to this question can help you know that the work is quality and that your home and the workers will be protected from any damage.

Do you have a list of references? 

Regardless of the industry, it is important to talk to a few references that have used the contractor in the past. This can help you get an idea of what to expect if you choose this contractor for your project.

Do you have an estimated completion date? 

Getting the job done quickly and efficiently is the best option for everyone. The last thing you want is to hire a contractor that takes an exorbitant amount of time to finish up your repair or replacement.

Who is my contact person? 

You need to know who to come to when you have questions. Whether this is the air conditioning contractor themselves or another person, it is important that you have a way to contact the team. This also allows you to determine who will be working in your home when they are repairing or replacing your air conditioner.

Asking these questions will help you determine which contractor is the best for you. Make sure you consider the answers you are given carefully in order to know you are making the right decision. Our team is waiting by the phone to answer these questions for you - give us a call at (480) 946-5083.

Service Your Air Conditioning System after Each Tenancy in Your Rental Home

Although it is tempting to avoid routine home maintenance in hopes of saving money, you will only find yourself with lots of problems to fix, and they will not be inexpensive. For your own home, you may have no problem getting professional help to keep your home in tip-top shape. However, when you own a rental home, you may not think much about maintenance as you are not the one living there. It is best to service your air conditioning system after each tenancy to enjoy some noteworthy benefits.

Provide the Next Tenant with a Working System 

Your tenants deserve to live in a functional home, which includes the cooling system, especially in the Scottsdale area, where temperatures can reach over 100˚ Fahrenheit for months on end every year. If a potential tenant walks into a comfortable rental home in the middle of summer, they may feel that much more inclined to apply.

Do Not Miss Major Problems 

Not getting routine checkups can lead to missing out on crucial air conditioning issues. This minor mistake can lead to expensive repairs, which you want to avoid as a rental home owner.

Optimize Spending and Rental Value 

In cities like ours, where the cooling system is so important to living comfortably, utility costs can add up quickly, especially in older homes that are not well insulated. Unfortunately, it is even worse when an individual cannot maintain a comfortable temperature in their home because the cooling system does not work properly. Routine servicing will keep the cooling system working at peak level. Also, when applicants ask about the average utility bill, you can show them reasonably low numbers.

It is far better to spend money on air conditioning maintenance, as opposed to repairs. So, make sure to give the professionals at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling a call to tune-up the air conditioning system at your rental property - you won’t regret it!

Four Reasons Air Conditioning Service Is Essential

Regular air conditioning service helps keep your system running at optimal efficiency. But often, homeowners neglect to service their air conditioner annually. Unfortunately, units require regular service to function properly. Here are four reasons air conditioning service is essential:

1. Maintenance actually saves you money. A neglected air conditioning unit will inevitably break down at some point – often at a horribly inconvenient time, like on the hottest day of the year. Repairs can be costly and usually preventable through regular maintenance. In addition, the entire system will last longer if it has received regular preventative maintenance. Spending a little money each year may save you a bundle in the long run.

2. Your air conditioner loses efficiency each year. Regular service will keep it at optimum efficiency. Going without service will result in substantially higher power bills. An air conditioner that is not efficient is unable to cool your home effectively on the hottest days of the summer.

3. Skipping maintenance may actually void your warranty. In order to maintain your warranty, perform regular maintenance on the air conditioning unit. Maintain a list of all service dates with your warranty paperwork.

4. Protect your health! Clean filters and coils will prevent air quality concerns. Neglecting maintenance can allow mold and bacteria to grow and cause respiratory distress in individuals with asthma and allergies.

Remember, have your air conditioning unit thoroughly cleaned and properly serviced at least once per year. Many people choose to have it maintained in the spring to ensure that it is ready to work through the hot summer months. Contact us today to schedule your maintenance appointment!

Five Air Conditioning Money Saving Tips

For those of us in the East Valley, air conditioning is essential. The thought of going an entire summer without it is worse than the idea of running a marathon in flip-flops. Unless you plan to treat every day in your house like a hot yoga class, air conditioning is not an optional feature of your home.

Once temperatures start to climb and your air conditioning unit is running overtime, your energy bill can start to skyrocket. Budgeting for those hotter months can be tough. Here are a few ideas to keep costs down:

• Use ceiling and/or oscillating fans to circulate the air. This is probably in the "staying cool 101" manual, but it makes a big impact. Make sure your ceiling fans are circulating in the correct direction to push cool air down and suck up the warm air.

• Turn off your lights. If it's daytime, there is no need for lights on in the house. They will not only use up more energy, but they will aid in the heating of your house as well. Halogen lights in particular create an abundance of heat.

• Keep doors and windows closed. You may think getting fresh air will help, but all that does is push more hot air in, making your air conditioner work harder. Make sure all windows and doors are sealed so nothing can sneak through cracks.

• Utilize different zones with your thermostat. If you have the option of using zones with your thermostat, use that to your advantage. For example, cool the rooms you use the most more and keep the lesser-used rooms a little warmer. If you don't have zone options, close the vents in those lesser-used rooms so more cool air flows through the open vents in the busier areas of your home. 

• Keep your air conditioner in good shape. If you have an old AC unit, make sure you are properly maintaining it. If there is even the smallest thing wrong, your air conditioner may work overtime even when it doesn't need to, and your energy bill will take a hit. 

As the spring and summer months approach, be sure to put these cost saving techniques into play in your home. You and your family will still be happy, and your wallet will be happy too.

Contact us today to learn more about how to save money this spring and summer!

Now is the Time for Air Conditioning Installation

If you lack air conditioning or need air conditioning installed in a new build, there's no better time than now to schedule installation.

With the new year starting to go into full swing, a new HVAC system can turn your property or home into something that you've always wanted, and increase its value overall, preparing you well in advance for hot weather.

Ready to get that new HVAC system installed? Here are 5 tips for how to go about the process:

1. Hire right: Never assume a good price is all that you need. Unless you plan to install the entire system yourself (which isn’t recommended), you need a reputable HVAC contractor, like J.R. Perkins, to perform the installation. 
2. Never buy used: Your home or property needs a new system, one that is tested and true and has a warranty. Avoid buying used air conditioning systems. 
3. Don't go too big or too small: An HVAC system that is too big for your space will cost you more in the long run. Similarly, one that is too small won't work as intended. Have a professional inspect your property, measure the area, and install a system that fits your home right. 
4. Insulation is a must: The contractor that you choose will insulate accordingly. However, for properties that have never had an HVAC system, extra measures will need to be taken. With insulation, too little will hurt your R-Value and can cause unwanted air loss through cracks. 
5. Ask about security: Your HVAC unit will likely be placed on the exterior of your home. To ensure that it remains right where you placed it, ask your trusted air conditioning specialist about installing a security cage to protect your HVAC unit. 

Still have questions? Just give us a call at (480) 946-5083.

Tips for Keeping your Air Conditioning Unit Working Properly

One of the most important features of any home is the air conditioning unit. This is the item in the home that helps keep us comfortable and relaxed in our home. However, when it is not working correctly, this comfort can quickly be erased.

Keeping your unit functioning properly means scheduling annual servicing and regular maintenance. But, it is also important for homeowners to do a little bit of work on the unit to keep it working properly. Here are a few things you can do to make sure your unit is always working at its highest level.

Remove Debris 

The first thing you will want to do is to keep bushes, debris and tree limbs away from your outdoor unit. You may need to trim trees and bushes away from the unit to make this a reality. It is also best to check for debris at least once a month. Trash, leaves and dirt can quickly build up in the unit causing it to not function properly.

Change Your Filters 

This is actually something that most homeowners tend to not give a lot of thought to, unless they actually notice that the filter is dirty; then they will replace it or clean it. But, it is actually better to be more prudent than this. Get on a schedule for changing your filters and stick to it. The amount of time between changing your filter will vary depending on the brand and model of filter you purchase. So, make sure you take a look at the recommended scheduled that is usually listed on the filter itself.

Duct Cleaning 

If you have central air conditioning, you should consider having your ducts cleaned on a regular basis. Over time, dirt can build up in these items, causing your unit to become overworked and inefficient. This is also something that can cause issues like leaks and damage to the ducts. Cleaning them on a regular basis can help stop this type of damage from occurring in the first place.

Maintaining your air conditioning unit is an important part of staying comfortable in your home. Follow these tips to make sure you always have the most functional and efficient air conditioning unit, and if you do need service, make sure to give the experts at J.R. Perkins a call!

10 Tips on What to Look for in an Air Conditioning Contractor

When it comes to air conditioning, many people are clueless as to what exactly goes on behind the scenes to keep their house nice and cool. Air conditioning contractors are the experts, but like in any business, there are people who excel at their job and there are others who might not be at the top of their game. Air conditioning contractors can be expensive, so it's important to make sure you're getting bang for your buck. Here are 10 tips on hiring an air conditioning contractor.

1. Look for contractors that are affiliated with the Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors' National Association or the Air Conditioning Contractors of America. You can find contractors in your local area that belong to these organizations by searching their websites.

2. Check if technicians are certified by the North American Technician Excellence organization.

3. Don't agree to hire a contractor that gives you an over-the-phone estimate without even looking at the problem.

4. Good contractors often have cooling estimation calculators and can give you estimates for the annual cost of your cooling system. If your contractor is hesitant to provide an annual estimate of the system they are recommending, perhaps look for business elsewhere.

5. Be hesitant to hire the contractor with an unusually low price estimate. Shop around and get several estimates, but keep in mind that if one estimate is drastically lower than the others, they could be selling unreliable or faulty products.

6. A good contractor will be professional and reliable. Look for a contractor who is on time and courteous.

7. Ask your friends for recommendations! It never hurts to get advice from others since, after all, they have actually experienced how their contractor does business.

8. Make sure your contractor is insured. In the case that anything goes wrong, you want to make sure your home is protected.

9. Ensure that you get an estimate in writing. An honest contractor will have no problem putting their work estimate in writing before they start the job.

10. Don't be afraid to ask for references! If you're new to the area and don't have anyone to ask for referrals, don't hesitate to ask a potential contractor for references from their prior clients.

If you have any questions or concerns about if the J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling team is the right air conditioning contractor for you, or simply would like more information about air conditioning services in the Phoenix area, please don't hesitate to contact us!