Factors to Consider When Choosing an Air Conditioner

If your home's air conditioning system is over ten years old, you should replace it with a more effective and efficient model. Doing so will help you avoid the need for costly repairs and also reduce your utility bills. Here are a number of factors that you should consider when selecting an air conditioner for installation.

Cost and Efficiency 
It's a common impulse to look for the cheapest HVAC unit available, but more costly systems are generally more efficient. They also need fewer repairs in the long run. Here are some of the most efficient air conditioners:

• Central air: the largest and most common system type, used to cool an entire home through a duct system • Ductless: a more compact and efficient system, used to cool single rooms or an entire residence through a multi-unit system
• Packaged: the smallest and easiest to install option, best for cooling small apartments and homes
• Geothermal: the most efficient system, capable of cooling a home and acting as a water heating system simultaneously

Warranty 
Warranties are a must for any responsible buyer. They ensure that you are protected if something goes wrong with the unit. Be sure that your installer has warranty coverage. Know what needs to be done to keep your warranty valid. If the terms aren't followed, the warranty will not be usable when needed.

Thermostat Options 
Programmable thermostats allow your unit to be turned on and off at predetermined times. An expert at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling can show you how to set it to turn itself down or off when you need to leave for work or it's time for bed, then turn itself up or back on when you come home or wake up. Zoning systems let you set the temperatures of different rooms individually. This option is very helpful in residences where different people are comfortable at different temperatures. Smart thermostats can be run from your computer and use motion sensors to learn your patterns of movement and timing. This allows the thermostat to run in a way that is convenient for you without the need for programming.

If you are unsure about what type of air conditioning unit is best for you it may be best to sit down and have a detailed conversation with an air conditioning professional at JR Perkins Heating & Cooling. They have the experience and know-how to help you find the perfect unit to fill your unique needs.

JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing the Phoenix area, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com.

3 Reasons to Leave Air Conditioning Repair to the Professionals

When it comes to air conditioning repair, it is wise to leave it up to the professionals. Keep reading to learn three reasons why.

Keep Your Warranty Valid

When your air conditioning unit is initially installed, it comes with a warranty on it. However, if you do something yourself to try and repair or alter the system in anyway, then the warranty is no longer valid. This means that anything that happens beyond that point, you will have to pay for entirely out of pocket. In contrast, when you hire a professional HVAC technician at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, your warranty will still be valid and the issue can be taken care of.

Accurately Find the Problem

When you self-diagnose what is wrong with your air conditioning unit, you run the risk of misdiagnosing. You may know enough about an air conditioning unit to see one issue, but be completely oblivious to other issues that may be occurring as well. This could end up costing you more money and time than you'd like because you keep realizing that the issue you discovered isn't the main issue, or perhaps it wasn't really even an issue at all. By calling a professional the first time around, you fix the issue immediately and have a fully functioning air conditioner once again.

Keep Yourself Safe 

Trying to fix your own air conditioning unit can actually be a lot more dangerous than you think. This risk is then heightened by the fact that you don't know what you are doing. You could potentially electrocute yourself, which has the ability to kill you if the shock is strong enough. This kind of risk simply isn't worth it when you can instead hire a professional who will execute the proper safety methods and fix the issue with your air conditioning unit.

It is definitely best to leave air conditioning repair to the professionals at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, because it keeps your warranty valid, they can accurately find the problem on their first try, and your safety is ensured.

J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the Easy Valley servicing Phoenix, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.

Air Conditioning in Allergy Season

If allergy season is hitting you hard, it may be time to ensure that your air conditioner is a helper and not a hindrance. By keeping the places that collect dust, pollen, mold, and other harmful particulate matters spic and span, your air conditioner can aid in preventing an unnecessarily uncomfortable spring.

Vents and Filters

Keeping your doors and windows shut while allergy-triggering pollen flies around outside may not be enough to prevent the sniffles and sneezes. Keep your vents and filters clean as a whistle so that stealth pollen doesn't bother you or your family members. You may also want to consider a Home Performance Audit to find out just how air is circulating in your home, seal up unsealed ductwork, or fix problematic areas like air leaks that might be causing minor health issues for your family.

Ducts and Carpets

It's also important to keep your ducts and carpets as clean as possible. Leftover particulate matter from home renovation projects or just plain old dust left in ducts and circulated by your AC will agitate your allergies. Furthermore, mold growing atop tile or in damp corners can become mold particles in your circulated air. Your properly maintained air conditioner can work as a dehumidifier to keep your home dry and prevent growths. It's also important to keep tiled areas clean of any possible mold to prevent reactions. You should always consult your J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling technician before deep cleaning carpets and ducts.

Air Quality

You may want to consider a HEPA filter or air cleaner, but it could restrict air flow. Consider a Trane CleanEffects Air Cleaner for the prevention of allergic reactions in your household and improved air quality.

When you come home from a long day during allergy season, your home should be a haven and not another place that might agitate you and your loved ones further. For more information, contact the professionals at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling.

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

6 Qualities to Seek in Your Air Conditioning Contractor

Air conditioner problems seem to strike at the most inopportune times. Fortunately, you can survive the unpredictability of air conditioner troubles if you have a top-notch air conditioning contractor. From superb accessibility to expert technicians, you should seek an air conditioning contractor that offers the following six qualities.

1) Responsiveness that is second to none. When your air conditioner fails and you reach out to your contractor for help, you deserve a prompt and professional response. Make sure that your contractor offers same-day appointments and after hour emergency service.

2) Decades of industry experience. Contractors with multiple decades of experience have invaluable expertise acquired through years of resolving the most challenging HVAC issues. They typically have accumulated an extensive network of contacts and resources that can be instrumental in resolving your air conditioning complications quickly.

3) Industry accreditations. As you conduct your search, look for contractors who are APS Qualified and accredited by the Better Business Bureau. Contractors who are Trane Comfort Specialists are also good choices, as they are committed to the best installation and cooling technology.

4) Affordable pricing. The contractor you choose should offer fair pricing and convenient financing options such as monthly payments. The contractor you choose should also reward new and existing customers by offering special promotions.

5) Highly trained technicians. A team of properly trained technicians is the cornerstone of success for an air conditioning contractor. Ideally, your contractor should have North American Technical Excellence (NATE) Certified Technicians on staff to ensure that your air conditioner is serviced by a contractor with training in nine specialty areas.

6) A focus on the future. The most accomplished contractors are interested in helping you save money and conserve precious energy. They educate their customers about HVAC care and offer energy savings programs to encourage preventive maintenance.

There is no substitute for a combination of experience, responsiveness, and professionalism when it comes to selecting an air conditioning contractor. By choosing a contractor that possesses the qualities above, you will be ready to face the heat of the summer with confidence. JR Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley servicing Phoenix, specifically Scottsdale. To learn more please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.