Heating and Air Conditioning

THE R-22 PHASE OUT

R-22 refrigerant has been used for years in central air conditioners, heat pumps, mini-splits, car AC systems, and other refrigeration equipment. It’s the key to absorbing and removing heat from a space. It is mostly used on units older than 10 years.

R-22 is a HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbon). HCFCs emit chemicals that deplete the earth’s ozone layer.

If Your Unit Was Built Before 2010 You’re Due for a System Upgrade!

If a unit breaks after January 2020, chances are you’ll have to replace at that time. One thing to keep in mind: the closer we get to 2020, there will be lots of equipment owners in the same boat as you, all needing their systems replaced. You know what it’s like when you need a repair during an August heat wave? This situation will likely be a whole lot worse. When your system finally breaks and you need an emergency replacement, and you could be without AC for some time while you wait for installation availability.

The upfront cost can be a hurdle, especially if you’ve got multiple systems to replace before R22 is phased out. However, this can be the most cost-effective option in the long run. Plus, you can take advantage of tax breaks for HVAC equipment & installation costs for units 16 SER or higher as well as rebates by your gas company.

If you get it done this year, you can write off the entire cost on your taxes! Chances are the tax rules will change next year, so this is a big money-saving opportunity!

Phaseout of Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)

n stages the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), has reduced the amount of Ozone Depleting Substances that may be legally produced or imported into the country. The EPA has accelerated the phaseout in the US under its Clean Air Act authority.

By January 1, 2020 R-22 is to phase out completely: no new or imported R22 is allowed in the U.S.

Which means your old equipment can’t be repaired if the refrigerant is unavailable. You’ll be forced to replace it the next time it need a repair that requires adding refrigerant.

R22 refrigerant and its HFC replacement R410A are totally incompatible. Your existing condensing unit and cooling coil are not suited to the ODnew higher pressure refrigerant.

For more information about the Phaseout ODS visit: 

 

Your Solution

Go Air Heating and Air Conditioning is here to help! We will give all homeowners a FREE In-Home Estimate in order to facilitate the transition of your old unit to your NEW unit.

Not only will we provide a free in-home estimate, but we will give all R-22 owners $500 OFF a new R-410A system.

Installation includes warranty on ANY System.

We also offer financing to all who qualify.

Contact us to book your free in-home estimate

Things to Consider…

1. THE IMPACT ON YOUR HOME WITHOUT AIR CONDITIONING.
The longer you wait to replace, the longer you may have to wait for that replacement installation to be done. How will your home function in the meantime? Is it a risk you’re willing to take until R22 is phased out and your hand is forced?

2. FACTOR IN ENERGY SAVINGS.
When figuring out the cost of replacement, don’t forget that installing newer, more efficient systems can result in big reductions in energy expenses. Those savings can add up faster than you may think.

3. LONGER-TERM NEED FOR THE EQUIPMENT.
In some situations, it may make sense to wait. For example, if you are moving soon, the old equipment will no longer be your problem. However, don’t forget to check out the equipment you’ll be getting in your new space.

4. PLAN FOR REPLACEMENT TO SPREAD OUT THE COST.
If you’ve got a lot of equipment to replace, we can work with you to prioritize and come up with a plan to replace equipment over time before R22 is phased out! That’s a smart strategy to minimize your risk and manage the cost in a way that doesn’t break your budget.

5 Signs It’s Time To Replace Your HVAC System

1. Your System is More Than 10 Years Old

An older system is more prone to breaking down, the older it gets, the more prone to these issues it becomes. Repairing a system that is more than 10 years old will only temporarily fix the issue. It’ll only be a matter of time before something else breaks requiring more repairs. This repairing cycle becomes more and more frequent until you have no option but to replace your system.   

If your system is older and uses R-22 Freon we strongly recommend replacing your system. The United States Environment Protection Agency is continuing to phaseout all R-22 Refrigerants. By January 2020 they will be removed completely which means no import or production. This makes fixing repairs more difficult. 

Learn more about the R-22 phase out here >>>http://localhost/pride/r-22-phase-out

If you have a unit that uses R-22 or is older and are looking to replace, feel free to give us a call at (818)308-8388 to book a free in-home consultation. We offer $500 OFF to replace any unit that takes R-22.

2.Your Equipment Needs Frequent Repairs

If you’ve noticed that small issues keep arising with your system, it might be a bigger issue revealing itself. Major components such as your compressor or air handler need to be replaced over time. One of the benefits of HVAC replacement is that newer units can significantly reduce monthly costs in both repairs and energy bills. 

3. Your Energy Bills are Going Up

Have your energy bills increased with no explanation or reason behind it? This may be a sign that your air conditioner or heater needs more power to do the same amount of work. This is usually caused by inefficient and/or worn out parts which require more energy to do their job. This problem continues to become bigger throughout the years which leads to more energy being used up. Older units tend to burn more fuel to make up for their inefficiencies. This results in an increased carbon footprint of your house and higher bills. Recent advances is AC technology have greatly improved energy efficiency within new HVAC Systems.

4. Your HVAC System is Noisy

 Older models that begin exhibiting more noise when turned on can indicate needing replacement. Air conditioning coil issues or undersized ducts can also make a system noisy. Newer HVAC systems are designed with considerable noise reduction.

5. Temperatures in Your Home Fluctuate

Uneven temperatures can be a sign that your system is having difficulty keeping a consistent temperature throughout your entire house.  This could be due to numerous issues like and inaccurate thermostat, a damaged thermostat, clogged filters, motor damage, cracked ducts, low fluid levels and many more complications.

Have you experienced all 5 signs? If so, it might be time to replace your HVAC System once and for all. Give us a call at (818)308-8388 or schedule your free in-home estimate!

How to Get Your HVAC System Ready for Winter

Winter is coming and its right around the corner!The last thing you want is to discover an issue with your heating system that you could’ve addressed sooner. Everyone knows proper maintenance is key to prolonging the life of any machine, and your home’s HVAC is no exception.

If you aren’t sure exactly how to prepare your HVAC system for winter, fear not: We’ve compiled a handful of key tips and to-dos from the indoor comfort experts at Go Air Heating and Air Conditioning to check off this fall.

1. Schedule a maintenance appointment each fall and spring.

The best time for HVAC maintenance is during shoulder seasons—spring and fall—when your AC and furnace are needed the least. By scheduling bi-annual checkups with your local HVAC technician, you can ensure your system is running tip-top before you need it most.

Before the pro arrives, check for unusual odors, abnormal noises, and leaks in the ductwork—telltale signs of potential issues, so you can make the most of your technician’s time (and your money).

2. Turn down the heat when you need it least.

A smart thermostat is key to energy savings during the winter season. Get a FREE Nest Smart Thermostat with every installation! Contact us and mention Free Nest and our team will get you more information. The Nest Smart Thermostat comes with Wi-Fi connectivity and a smart phone app, lets you track and control energy consumption throughout the house, even when you’re away.

The advanced adaptive technology of The Nest Smart Thermostat learns your preferences and optimizes for a balance of comfort and efficiency. Plus, the it allows you to automate, monitor, or control your HVAC remotely in real time with a smartphone, tablet, or computer, and program temperature schedules to ensure an efficient, comfortable home all winter.

3. Create climate zones to avoid a hot-upstairs-cold-downstairs situation

As you know, heat rises and cold air collects on the ground level, so if you live in a multi-story home, you may find that upstairs feels much warmer in the winter. One way to combat this disparity is to create climate zones. The DIY way is old-school, yet effective: Close a few vents on the second floor to force your heating system to direct more air downstairs.

A more modern solution is to have an HVAC professional install a climate zone system and wireless sensors, which directs heated or cooled air where it’s needed most. The smart system (which can be controlled remotely) uses your home’s unique temperate patterns to program and control cooling and heating, ensuring a comfortable temp throughout.

4. Turn your furnace on at least three times before winter fully arrives

The best offense is a good defense. So fire up your furnace at least three times in early fall before to check that everything operates as expected. Set your thermostat to your home’s desired winter climate and let the house reach that temperature before turning the air off.

5. Change your air filter and clean air vents

One of the most common causes of an HVAC breakdown is accumulated dirt and dust in the filtering system. Check your HVAC air filter every month—defer to your owner’s manual for where filters are located—and wait no longer than 90 days to replace if you see an issue. Keeping backup filters on hand is a smart move, as a dirty filter is an ineffective filter.

Additionally, check and clean air vents throughout your home. The buildup of dust and dirt within your home can also cause ventilation blockages and inefficient airflow.

6. Cover your outdoor AC unit to protect against ice, snow, and debris.

If you live in an area that sees extreme winter conditions, it’s smart to fully winterize your outdoor AC unit before the snow and ice arrive. On a dry fall day, get outside and remove all leaves, twigs, and grass clippings from your outdoor unit—a garden hose can help provide a thorough rinsing, removing animal droppings, bugs, dust, and dirt.

Once the unit has completely dried again, locate the electrical circuit and flip the switch to cut the power supply—that way, you’ll prevent accidental automated starts during warm winter days. Finally, cover the HVAC unit with a waterproof cover that can breathe so moisture doesn’t build up over the winter months, and remember to clear snow, ice, and debris as it accumulates in the coming months

Even if you live in a milder climate, your outdoor unit is still susceptible to falling debris, curious animals, and general deterioration due to the elements. Consider adding a protective top to keep leaves and other debris out of the unit. Show it some love, and your HVAC system will reward you with reliable service for years to come.

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cold Air?

So you’ve turned on your furnace, but it’s giving you the cold shoulder by blowing cold air.

What’s wrong? It could be multiple issues… Here are a couple of reasons why.

1. The Thermostat’s Fan Setting

Does your furnace blow hot air sometimes, but cold air other times? Your thermostat’s fan setting may be set to ON.

The fan setting controls the blower, the part that circulates air throughout your home, Setting it to ON means the blower will run 24/7—regardless of whether the furnace is heating the air or not, thus why you get cold air sometimes.

Do this: Ensure your thermostat’s fan setting is set to AUTO, not ON. AUTO ensures that the blower will run only when the furnace heats the air. 

2. The Furnace’s Air Filter

Your furnace may be blowing cold air because the filter is too dirty.

A dirty air filter blocks airflow over the furnace’s heat exchanger, causing it to overheat. When overheating, your furnace can trip a high limit switch, causing the furnace burners to shut off so that the heat exchanger does not crack.

Do this: Turn off your furnace at the thermostat, and check the furnace filter. If it’s dirty, change it. You may need to call a technician to help you reset the furnace.

3. The Pilot Light

Do you have an older furnace with a standing pilot light? If the pilot light isn’t lit, then the furnace’s burners won’t light, meaning no heat.

What to do if the pilot won’t light or stay lit
At this point you should call a furnace technician for help. You may have a malfunctioning thermocouple (an inexpensive fix) or other issues that cause the pilot light to burn improperly. 

4. The Condensate Line

Do you have a high-efficiency furnace? Do you see water pooling around the furnace? Then the furnace’s condensate line (usually a PVC pipe) may be blocked, which causes the furnace to shut down. When high-efficiency furnaces run, they create water (condensate), which is emptied out a drain line. However, if that line gets blocked, water backs up into the furnace, causing an overflow kill switch to shut down the furnace to prevent water damage.

Common causes of condensate blockage are:

  • Dust
  • Dirt
  • Mold
  • Ice (only during cold snaps and if the line runs through an unconditioned space)

Besides blockages, the condensate overflow may also be caused by a broken condensate pump. In that case, you’ll need a professional the fix the pump.

Need a furnace repair in Los Angeles, CA?

Why not give Coolray a call? (818)308-8388

Go Air Heating and Air Conditioning is your comfort expert with specialists in heating, air conditioning, air quality and ventilation. Have more questions? We’d be happy to help – just contact us

Why is my AC Blowing Hot Air?

While there are many possible reasons why your Air Conditioning unit may be blowing hot or warm air, here’s a list of the most common culprits.

1. The Thermostat

While it might sound obvious at first, sometimes we might miss it. The thermostat might be set to the incorrect setting, double check it isn’t set to “heat”.  Check to see if you have your thermostat set to “auto” or “on”. If it’s set to “on”, that means the fan will blow even when the air conditioner isn’t actually cooling. This causes your AC to blow out warmer air out the vents when the outside unit isn’t running.  The “auto” setting is the best option.

2. Restricted Airflow

 A restriction in the airflow to and from your air conditioner often results in not enough air coming out of the vents to cool your home. Restricted airflow can also cause the compressor (the part that moves the refrigerant) in your air conditioner’s outside unit to freeze up.

These problems are commonly a result of one or more of the following:

  • The air filter hasn’t been replaced in a long time
  • You haven’t had maintenance done on your AC this year (so the coils are dirty)

3.  Not Enough Electricity

The outside unit isn’t getting electricity. Your air conditioning system is made up of two main components – an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. The indoor unit houses the fan that blows air through your home, but, long story short, it can only blow cool air if the outdoor unit is working. So if air is blowing out of your vents but it’s not cold, it could be that the circuit breaker has tripped or the fuse has blown on the electrical circuit that provides electricity to your outdoor unit.
Check your circuit breaker or fuse panel to make sure the circuit is supplying electricity to the outside air conditioning unit.

Note: If the circuit breaker was tripped or fuse blown by the AC, you need to call a professional immediately as there could be a major problem.

4. Low On Freon

The most popular reason why your AC is not blowing cold air is low freon/refrigerant. Contact us to check your Freon pressures and refill your unit with more! 

5. Other Options

 Most likely, if you’re having issues with your air conditioner blowing hot or warm air, it’s either a problem with the compressor/outside unit or you may also have a return duct that is broken or disconnected and is pulling in unconditioned air from outside or an attic space. However, both of these issues require a professional’s help.

A Few Tips to Keep Your Heater Working

  1. Keep your furniture away from heating air intake. When you turn on the heater, it may be blowing warm air into your room, but all that cool air its removing has to go somewhere. Keeping your heater intake clear with a clean filter can increase the life of your system by allowing air to flow.
  2. Change your filter regularly. Changing your filter is the most important part of  maintenance. We recommend changing it every three to six months for optimal system health. There are several different types of filters you can buy. If you’re allergy-prone or simply want cleaner air, HEPA filters are great for purifying the air. There are also standard fiberglass and cardboard frame, pleated, and electrostatic air filters. Consult an HVAC professional to find the right filter for you and your unit.
  3. Clean the coils. Be sure to turn off and unplug your system before you clean its coils. Check your unit’s user guide to find how to access the coils or call us. Clean coils allow your unit to run efficiently and to manufacturer recommended specs and energy usage. Proper air flow through your evaporator coil and condenser coil ensures your compressor will not over amp and run as recommended.
  4. Run your heater every few months. Even if you don’t need to warm your home up, running your heater for a few minutes every two months during night time can increase the life of your unit. This way, you’ll know before the temperature hits below 70 degrees if your unit needs repairs.
  5. Set your heating unit to the energy saver mode. It might be tempting to turn your heater on full blast all night during the cold fall or winter months, but this doesn’t add to the life of your unit. Keeping your unit on the energy saver settings only turns your unit on when it automatically detects the room is getting cold. Plus, this helps you save a little extra money on your energy bills, which is something we all want!

Consequences of Not Changing Your Air Filter

If you are like most people, you aren’t thinking about your HVAC system until it stops functioning the way it should. (Heating Ventilation & Air Conditioning)

Air filters are inserted into a specific place in the HVAC systems and act as a barrier to prevent contaminants and other particles from circulating in the air, or from reaching sensitive parts of the system. Some of the common things that filters block are dust, pollen, lint, mold, hair, animal fur, bacteria, and more. 

HOW OFTEN SHOULD I CHANGE MY FILTER?

Depending on the type of air filter you are using, you will need to follow different schedules to ensure that the filter is always functioning for optimal performance. Most manufacturers recommend that basic filters are changed every 30 to 60 days, but there are other circumstances that could affect that schedule. 

  • A filter in a regular home with no pets should be changed every 90 days 
  • If your home has a single pet, the filter should be changed every 60 days 
  • For multiple pets, or if anyone in your home suffers from allergies, you’ll want to change the filter anywhere between 20 to 45 days
  • People in single-occupant homes with no pets, or those who own vacation homes that don’t get much use, can usually wait for 6 to 12 months before changing their filter 

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN I DON’T CHANGE MY FILTER?

1. Clogging– When air filters are not consistently changed, they get clogged by the buildup of particles and contaminants that stick to the filter.  While the filter is designed to accommodate these minuscule items, the buildup creates an almost impenetrable barrier so that the air cannot completely flow through, which can ultimately cause multiple problems for the entire HVAC system. 

2. Higher Energy Bills– When the filter becomes clogged, air cannot easily flow through the system. This causes the whole system to have to work harder to distribute heat or air where it is needed, which increases your utility bills since the air is running for longer. 

3. Poor Temperature– Since clogged air filters make the system strain to create airflow, warm or cool air cannot adequately go where it is needed. This means that some rooms could be too cold during the winter or too hot in the summer. 

4. Health Concerns-If the air filter is clogged and cannot trap contaminants as it did before, those things can end up back in the air that everyone in your home is breathing. Immediate issues could include headaches, itchy eyes or throat, and dizziness. If the air filters are not changed and the issues continue, the long-term effects could be respiratory diseases, heart disease, or cancer.

5. Furnace Failures– As the system is working harder to get around clogged air filters, it can cause the entire system to overwork and eventually break. If this happens, you’ll need to replace the entire system, which can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $12,000. Air filters usually cost less than $40, so they are easy to replace frequently compared to replacing the entire system. 

6. Clamped Up Coils– Evaporative coils, which help remove heat from the air to keep your home cool, can freeze up if they are overworked. With a clogged air filter, the air won’t flow over the coils correctly, which makes them stop working and leads to total system failure. Again, the price to fix this issue is greater than simply purchasing a new air filter every few months. Protect your HVAC system and your wallet by replacing the air filters on a regular schedule. 

WHAT DO I DO?

If you haven’t changed the air filters in your home lately, your next step should be to figure out which filters you need and replace them as soon as possible. If you find that the old filters look like nothing, not even air, could ever pass through them, it’s time to contact an HVAC professional. They can visit your house to inspect the system and resolve any issues caused by the clogged filters, thus preventing further problems in the future. 

🚨Don’t wait, don’t risk it! Book your HVAC Maintenance today! >>

All About Nest Smart Thermostat

First launched on October 2011, the Nest Thermostat is a great tool to save big on your energy bills and stay comfortable in your own home. With an immediate focus on efficiency, safety, and ease of use. The biggest reason to consider one for yourself, aside from how nice it looks on the wall, is all of the tech baked into this tiny casing that dramatically changes how you use your thermostat. 

Nest software learns from you as you use it, it remembers your input and will eventually start making changes for you. The thermostat uses contextual clues to make these decisions that you may not even be aware of. If you occasionally crank the thermostat up a few degrees because it’s colder outside, the Thermostat uses your ZIP code to determine whether it’s sunny or cloudy, hot or cold, raining or windy, Nest will eventually make those adjustments automatically.  

Depending on your system, your thermostat will have several modes: Heat mode, Cool mode, Heat-Cool mode, ECO, and Off.  When the weather changes, you may need to switch between heating and cooling your home. You can switch your thermostat mode with your Nest Thermostat or with the app.

Your Nest thermostat can automatically switch to Eco Temperatures after it senses that nobody’s home to help save energy. You can change these temperatures at any time using the app. 

If the Wi-Fi in your home goes down or something else causes your Nest thermostat to go offline, your thermostat will continue to control your heating and cooling system. It will stay at the last temperature you set it to, and will keep following your heating or cooling schedule. You won’t be able to control your thermostat with the app until it reconnects, but you can always adjust the temperature by turning the ring on your thermostat. Your thermostat will periodically try to reconnect to your network, but if the network is down for a while it will check in less often to conserve battery power.

Nest thermostats can pay for themselves in two years or less. Independent studies have shown that Nest saved people an average of 10% to 12% on heating and 15% on cooling. Based on typical energy costs, Google has estimated average savings of $131 to $145 a year. 

Ultimately with the Nest Thermostat the potential for savings over time, combined with a well designed casing and the promise of a computer controlling the temperature of your house so well that you never have to think about it again, is the real decision being made.

Learn how to get a FREE NEST from us! >>  goairinc.com/giveaway

Movie Clip: Controlling your system temperatures with Nest…

(Credit: Fandago Movieclips)

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What is An Electrostatic Air Filter?

How Does An Electrostatic Air Filter Work?

Electrostatic air filters clean the air by using static electricity – a safe, naturally occurring phenomenon. An electrostatic charge is generated by air flowing through a maze of static prone fibers. 

The reason why they are effective is because of the polypropylene and polyurethane blend used for making the filtering materials. Separate layers of the filtration medium receive opposite charges. As a result, the filtration media can attract different airborne particles. 

The air you breathe contains many irritants such as pollen, dust, bacteria, mold spores, pet dander and smoke. Most of these particles are smaller than ten microns. Your ac filter is an effective and efficient way to reduce the number of these particles in your air.

By sticking to these metal plates, they are eliminated from the air you breathe in. Airborne particles are attracted and held by the static charge until released by washing.

Benefits You Can Live With:

  • Cleaner Air to Breathe
  • No harmful ozone emissions
  • Reduces pollen, dust and airborne pollutants
  • Reasonably priced
  • Less housecleaning
  • Never needs replacing
  • Anti-microbial filter media
  • Lifetime warranty
  • High dust & particle holding capacity

How to Clean Electrostatic Air Filters

Cleaning is quick & easy 

When cleaned as directed, your electrostatic air filter will give you many years of trouble-free use. Failure to properly clean the filter may lessen filter effectiveness, and as with any air filter, it is possible for an excessive dirt buildup to cause air flow resistance sufficient to damage other ventilation components. Depending on your specific situation the filter should be cleaned every 4-6 weeks.

Cleaning Instructions

  1. Simply remove the air filter.
  2. Flush with water in opposite direction of air flow arrows then rinse other side.
  3. Spray with special solution to remove stubborn stains.
  4. Rinse thoroughly to remove remaining dirt. 
  5. Drain excess water, let air dry, and reinstall.