It's hotter than blazes, and if you feel like your air conditioner isn't
keeping up with the cooling demand in your home, a few simple and inexpensive
tasks can boost its performance—and save you money on energy costs. From the
team at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, here are five surefire ways to
enjoy cool comfort without cranking down the thermostat.
1. Seal air leaks.
If your home's envelope is leaking air, your air conditioner has to work
overtime to compensate as cool air escapes and warm air infiltrates. Caulk
around leaky windows and baseboards, and install weatherstripping around
exterior doors. Seal around pipes and service entrances on exterior walls, and
make sure the attic hatch is well-sealed.
2. Install a programmable thermostat.
A programmable
thermostat that's properly installed and programmed can shave ten percent
off your cooling bill, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. To enjoy
savings without sacrificing comfort, set your thermostat to eight degrees
higher than normal while you're at work and four degrees higher than normal
while you're asleep. You'll never have to worry about forgetting to set it
back, and you can program it to have your rooms cool by the time you wake up or
arrive home.
3. Get a tune-up.
Your air
conditioner works hard all season long to keep you comfortable. Much like a
car, your system loses efficiency over time, but an annual tune-up can
restore peak operation and prevent common problems. During a tune-up, a
certified technician will test the controls, remove dust buildup, tighten belts
and electrical connections, and check for refrigerant leaks and other problems.
4. Turn on those fans.
When you're hot, sweat evaporates from your skin to eliminate heat and
regulate body temperature. Fans keep the air moving around your skin to promote
more evaporation, which keeps you cooler. Turning on your fan increases your
comfort, even at higher thermostat settings. But remember: Fans cool people,
not air. Turn them off when you leave the room to save energy.
5. Replace the air filter.
A dirty air filter restricts airflow and makes your air conditioner work
harder to keep you cool, wasting energy and dollars. Replacing a dirty air
filter with a clean one can increase system efficiency by up to 15 percent, according
to the Department of Energy. Choose a high quality, pleated air filter, and
check it each month. If it's coated in dust, replace it.
Comfort doesn't have to be costly, and you can even save money on cooling
bills by keeping your air conditioner in top condition and maintaining an
energy efficient home. For more information about ways to stay cool during the
dog days of summer, feel free to contact J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling.
J.R. Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East
Valley, servicing Phoenix and more specifically Scottsdale, AZ. To learn more,
please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com
or call (480) 422-4437.
Tuesday, September 18, 2018
Tuesday, August 14, 2018
Air Conditioning Maintenance for Pet Owners
At J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling, we find that one of the often
overlooked aspects of pet ownership (or pet parenthood, if you prefer) is the
amount of hair and dander that animals can produce. This is a problem with the
most common household pets: dogs and cats. Hair and dander can vary
dramatically between breeds, but are still major household problems in most
cases. It can have a significant impact on a home's indoor air quality
and an equally significant impact on its air conditioner. If you are a pet
owner, you can help to protect your air conditioning unit and other parts of
your HVAC system by following these steps:
Bathe and Groom your Pets Regularly
Bathing and grooming are important for your pets' wellbeing but it is important for your HVAC system as well. It can help to control the amount of hair that the animal sheds and which can end up inside your air conditioner.
Change or Clean your Filters More Frequently
The most common recommendation our team at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling offers for homeowners regarding filter-changing schedules is to do it monthly. If you have a pet that sheds a lot (or multiple hairy pets) you may want to shorten the length of time you go without changing or cleaning your filter. Clogged filters increase energy costs and can cause your system to break down.
Brush your Pets Outdoors
Brushing pets inside will result in the dispersal of filter-clogging hair and dander throughout the rooms in your home. Even if you vacuum some of it up, you will never get all of it. What escapes will eventually make its way into your HVAC system and may cause issues.
Even if you clean your home frequently, you should still have your HVAC system inspected by professionals on a regular basis. Contact us by calling (480) 422-4437 or visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com. We serve the East Valley area (Phoenix, and more specifically Scottsdale) and can help you to keep your HVAC system running smoothly even with pets in your household.
Bathe and Groom your Pets Regularly
Bathing and grooming are important for your pets' wellbeing but it is important for your HVAC system as well. It can help to control the amount of hair that the animal sheds and which can end up inside your air conditioner.
Change or Clean your Filters More Frequently
The most common recommendation our team at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling offers for homeowners regarding filter-changing schedules is to do it monthly. If you have a pet that sheds a lot (or multiple hairy pets) you may want to shorten the length of time you go without changing or cleaning your filter. Clogged filters increase energy costs and can cause your system to break down.
Brush your Pets Outdoors
Brushing pets inside will result in the dispersal of filter-clogging hair and dander throughout the rooms in your home. Even if you vacuum some of it up, you will never get all of it. What escapes will eventually make its way into your HVAC system and may cause issues.
Even if you clean your home frequently, you should still have your HVAC system inspected by professionals on a regular basis. Contact us by calling (480) 422-4437 or visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com. We serve the East Valley area (Phoenix, and more specifically Scottsdale) and can help you to keep your HVAC system running smoothly even with pets in your household.
Monday, July 16, 2018
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.
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.
Tuesday, June 26, 2018
Repair your Air Conditioning to Fight Airborne Bacteria
Bacteria are pretty amazing living beings; they make up most of the
biodiversity on Earth, and yet we sometimes forget they exist. What's more is
that they are so small that the airborne particulates, like
pollen and dust, can contain bacteria and viruses. Obviously, one bacterium
here or there isn't going to make you sick, but occasionally bacteria or
viruses from someone else's cough or sneeze can transmit airborne illnesses.
Your Immune System Fights Your Battles
Many people assume that if they don't touch surfaces that are covered in bacteria, they are unlikely to be exposed to bacteria at all. In fact, your immune system is always working to catch and kill bacteria you are inhaling; it's usually not a problem because your immune system is strong enough to fight off the vast majority of bacteria. The issue comes when you are in a very particulate-laden air environment and when you also have a compromised immune system, like when you haven't slept enough or have recently had a cold. You are then more vulnerable to other airborne illnesses.
Results of Long-Term Exposure to Airborne Bacteria
The biggest result of these exposures is more infectious disease, but some other effects have been observed from airborne bacteria, viruses, and particulates. In fact, a study in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene found that bio-aerosols found in workplaces of recycling, food, and biotechnology can sometimes impact allergies and, depending on the material can also have some toxic effects. The impacts are hard to measure, but there is some evidence that it is a good idea to limit your exposure to unknown bacteria, viruses, and particulates when possible; the point of the research is not to generate worry but definitely is something to consider and bring up with your workplace if you are in a high-particulate area for long amounts of time.
Reducing Exposure to Airborne Bacteria
Take a serious look at your home environment: how is the ventilation? Does air circulate, ensuring that particulates released and dust generated will quickly be dispersed outdoors? It is essential to evaluate if the particulates in the air are affecting you. Has it been too long since you had your air conditioning serviced or your filter checked?
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, contact us at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling; a healthy air conditioning system is the first step to reducing airborne bacteria and promoting healthy, clean, cool air.
JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing Phoenix, specifically Scottsdale, AZ. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.
Your Immune System Fights Your Battles
Many people assume that if they don't touch surfaces that are covered in bacteria, they are unlikely to be exposed to bacteria at all. In fact, your immune system is always working to catch and kill bacteria you are inhaling; it's usually not a problem because your immune system is strong enough to fight off the vast majority of bacteria. The issue comes when you are in a very particulate-laden air environment and when you also have a compromised immune system, like when you haven't slept enough or have recently had a cold. You are then more vulnerable to other airborne illnesses.
Results of Long-Term Exposure to Airborne Bacteria
The biggest result of these exposures is more infectious disease, but some other effects have been observed from airborne bacteria, viruses, and particulates. In fact, a study in the Annals of Occupational Hygiene found that bio-aerosols found in workplaces of recycling, food, and biotechnology can sometimes impact allergies and, depending on the material can also have some toxic effects. The impacts are hard to measure, but there is some evidence that it is a good idea to limit your exposure to unknown bacteria, viruses, and particulates when possible; the point of the research is not to generate worry but definitely is something to consider and bring up with your workplace if you are in a high-particulate area for long amounts of time.
Reducing Exposure to Airborne Bacteria
Take a serious look at your home environment: how is the ventilation? Does air circulate, ensuring that particulates released and dust generated will quickly be dispersed outdoors? It is essential to evaluate if the particulates in the air are affecting you. Has it been too long since you had your air conditioning serviced or your filter checked?
If you are concerned about the air quality in your home, contact us at J.R. Perkins Heating & Cooling; a healthy air conditioning system is the first step to reducing airborne bacteria and promoting healthy, clean, cool air.
JR Perkins Heating & Cooling is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing Phoenix, specifically Scottsdale, AZ. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.
Sunday, April 15, 2018
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.
Friday, March 16, 2018
Why Is Your Air Conditioner Making Noises?
A noisy air conditioner can not only be a nuisance, but it could also be a sign that your unit is on the verge of a breakdown. Ignoring the noises that your air conditioner is making could result in a minor issue becoming an even bigger one. To help you diagnose the issue, here is what you need to know to avoid a major repair.
What Is Causing the Noise?
The type of noise you are hearing could provide a clue as to what is going on with your air conditioner. For instance, a clicking noise could be a sign that the thermostat is on the verge of failing. It could also point to a problem with other electrical components within the unit.
A clanking or banging noise could be indicative of compressor issues. The compressor itself could be loose or have a loose part, such as a piston pin. An imbalance with the indoor blower or outdoor fan could also lead to both noises.
Other noises, such as buzzing, humming, and squealing, can result from other issues, including debris in the unit, a dirty condenser coil, or refrigerant leaks.
What Can You Do?
Unless you have experience with air conditioner repairs, your options for dealing with a noisy air conditioner are limited. However, there are a few steps you can take to attempt to resolve the issue.
For instance, you can change the air filter in the unit. You should also check the outside unit for debris. Debris can sometimes be removed with the use of a vacuum cleaner equipped with a brush attachment. Before attempting to remove the debris, turn off the electrical power to the unit.
If the noises continue, contact us. An experienced JR Perkins HVAC technician can inspect your air conditioner, locate the source of the noise, and take the necessary steps to get your unit operating as quietly and efficiently as possible.
JR Perkins is the first heating and air conditioning company in the East Valley, servicing Phoenix and specifically Scottsdale. To learn more, please visit our website at www.JRPerkins.com or call (480) 422-4437.
Friday, February 16, 2018
Help! My Air Conditioning Unit is Leaking Water
Most air conditioning units produce water as part of the cooling process.
They use the water to cool the warm air that your home discharges. However, the
water produced should run out of the back or through a specific drain line
within the system. If you notice that water is leaking from somewhere else and
pooling in your home, you should be alarmed. Here are some of the top reasons
why your AC is leaking water and what you can do about the problem.
Clogged drain lines
The air conditioner is designed to drain most of the water that is produced during the cooling process. Unfortunately, with the debris and dust in the air, your drain lines may get clogged over time. This causes water to collect in the unit instead of getting discharged. The accumulated water leaks through the ducts and other indoor components. If you notice that the AC is leaking, unplug it and inspect the drain line for blockage. Ensure that it is clean before plugging in the unit.
Ice collection in the coils
During the warm weather, the AC unit may collect a lot of water due to high levels of humidity. When there is too much water in the air conditioner, the fans blow some of it on the cold coils. This can cause the coils to collect ice. As warm air blows into the air conditioner, it melts the ice and causes water to pool beneath the AC. Your air conditioner coils can collect ice even during the summer; therefore, you should check the coils if you notice puddles of water below the unit.
Infiltration of warm air
Your window air conditioner requires proper sealing to prevent warm air from infiltrating your home. If the unit isn't sealed correctly, air flows through, and as it hits the conditioned air in the house, it condenses. Humidity is forced out of the air, and this leads to the formation of water droplets which drip down the sides of the AC unit. You should seal it properly to prevent warm air from infiltrating the house.
Water leakage can significantly affect the performance of your AC unit's components. If you are unable to pinpoint the source of the problem, don't hesitate to contact us. We will inspect the AC unit, identify the problem, and carry out the necessary repairs to restore its performance. We service Phoenix, AZ, specifically Scottsdale. 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.
Clogged drain lines
The air conditioner is designed to drain most of the water that is produced during the cooling process. Unfortunately, with the debris and dust in the air, your drain lines may get clogged over time. This causes water to collect in the unit instead of getting discharged. The accumulated water leaks through the ducts and other indoor components. If you notice that the AC is leaking, unplug it and inspect the drain line for blockage. Ensure that it is clean before plugging in the unit.
Ice collection in the coils
During the warm weather, the AC unit may collect a lot of water due to high levels of humidity. When there is too much water in the air conditioner, the fans blow some of it on the cold coils. This can cause the coils to collect ice. As warm air blows into the air conditioner, it melts the ice and causes water to pool beneath the AC. Your air conditioner coils can collect ice even during the summer; therefore, you should check the coils if you notice puddles of water below the unit.
Infiltration of warm air
Your window air conditioner requires proper sealing to prevent warm air from infiltrating your home. If the unit isn't sealed correctly, air flows through, and as it hits the conditioned air in the house, it condenses. Humidity is forced out of the air, and this leads to the formation of water droplets which drip down the sides of the AC unit. You should seal it properly to prevent warm air from infiltrating the house.
Water leakage can significantly affect the performance of your AC unit's components. If you are unable to pinpoint the source of the problem, don't hesitate to contact us. We will inspect the AC unit, identify the problem, and carry out the necessary repairs to restore its performance. We service Phoenix, AZ, specifically Scottsdale. 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.
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