Saddleback Plumbing Heating & Air Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

When Is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?

Monday, May 4th, 2015

No matter how well you take care of your air conditioner, there will come a time when you have to replace it with a new one. You can invest in the best possible system, schedule maintenance once a year, and have any apparent problems repaired as soon as they appear—but there’s nothing you can do to stop a system from simply wearing out after a while, even if it was professionally installed. Knowing when to install a new air conditioner is a key part of long-term comfort planning. Air conditioner installation often begins with a free no-obligation on-site consultation. Our expert installation services ensure that your new system is set up correctly, providing you with peace of mind and ongoing support. We accommodate clients’ preferences regarding how to access the home and backyard for the installation, ensuring a smooth and hassle-free experience.

So how can you tell when it’s time to get rid of your old system and invest in a replacement system? Regular maintenance extends the life of air conditioning systems, but even with proper care, there comes a point when replacement becomes the more practical option.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on When Is It Time to Replace My Air Conditioner?

3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repairs

Monday, April 27th, 2015

Problems with your air conditioner, as with most HVAC systems, are progressive in nature. The longer a problem is allowed to persist, the more likely that it will spread to other parts of the system. Some problems can even cause the entire air conditioner to break down if left alone for long enough. So how can you identify problems in time to stop them from damaging your system? By recognizing the signs. Read on for 3 common signs that your air conditioner needs repairs.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on 3 Signs That Your Air Conditioner Needs Repairs

Air Conditioning Problems That You Need to Know About

Monday, April 13th, 2015

Spring is upon us, and summer will be here in just a couple of months. That means that now is the time to get your air conditioner in top operating condition. Preventive maintenance during this time of year is highly recommended, as it will help identify problems that need to be fixed. If you haven’t had the chance to schedule maintenance for your air conditioner yet, though, you should keep an eye out for any problems that may already be present. Read on for a list of air conditioning problems that you need to know about.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning Problems That You Need to Know About

Do Ductless ACs Really Work?

Friday, July 25th, 2014

There are a lot of options these days when it comes to choosing an air conditioner for your home, and one that has gained popularity over the last few years is the ductless AC. The question of do they work is simple: yes, they do. But the more important question is: is a ductless AC right for your air conditioning in Trabuco Canyon, CA? The best way to truly answer this question is by working with an air conditioning specialist, like the ones at Saddleback Plumbing, but to get you started, it helps to understand how a ductless system works and what its benefits are.

How Does a Ductless AC Work?

A ductless air conditioner is similar to a traditional split-system AC in that it has an outdoor unit that houses the condenser and compressor, but instead of using ducts to deliver the cool air, it uses individual blowers. These blowers are connected to the outdoor unit via a small conduit placed in an exterior wall that carries refrigerant to the blowers; the conduit also holds the drain pipe and a power line. The blowers can be mounted against walls and ceilings, hung from ceilings or left free-standing; they just need to be close to, or on, an exterior wall so that it can be connected to the outdoor unit. When a blower is turned on, the refrigerant begins to flow and the normal air conditioning cycle begins. Each blower is independently operated and a single outdoor unit can support up to 4 blowers.

Benefits of a Ductless AC System

There are benefits to a ductless air conditioner that you may not see with a traditional split system or window unit:

  • No ducts needed – as the name indicates, and as explained above, you do not need to install expensive ductwork to accommodate this type of system.
  • Better energy efficiency – because each blower operates on its own, you automatically have zone control; in other words, you only cool the areas you want and need to. This saves on energy usage, which you’ll see in your monthly energy bills.
  • Customized comfort – each blower is fully programmable and comes with a remote control for easy use. You are in total control of the temperature all the time.
  • Easier installation – the conduit to connect the blowers to the outside unit requires a small, drilled hole, about 3” in diameter, in an exterior wall. This is far easier than dealing with ductwork.

Is a Ductless Air Conditioner A Good Choice for You?

The best way to determine if any air conditioning system is the best fit for your home is to work with a trained professional. Since 1981, Saddleback Plumbing has helped many customers in Trabuco Canyon, CA install great air conditioning systems into their homes.

If you have questions about whether or not a ductless air conditioner is right for you, call Saddleback Plumbing and schedule an appointment with one of our installation specialists.

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Do Ductless ACs Really Work?

Air Conditioning Tip 2 : Go Ductless This Spring

Wednesday, May 22nd, 2013

Spring is the right time to begin thinking about your air conditioning system. If you have not scheduled routine Irvine, CA air conditioning maintenance yet this season, now is the time to do so. If you are thinking about scheduling a new air conditioning installation before the heat really sets in, you had better get started soon. Remember not to rush the decision making process, though. There are a number of different air conditioning systems available, and finding the right one for your home and cooling habits is important. Contact Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. today to discuss the benefits of going ductless this spring.

Ductless mini splits have long been a preferred cooling option in commercial settings. In recent years, though, they have become more and more common in residences. There is very good reason for this, as ductless mini splits have a lot of benefits to offer homeowners. If your home cannot accommodate bulky air ducts, or if you do not have existing ductwork and are trying to avoid the expense of an installation, going ductless is a great solution.

Ductless mini split air conditioning systems eliminate the need for ductwork by connecting an outdoor unit to individual, wall mounted blowers with a simple conduit containing power and refrigerant lines. This design not only makes ductless mini splits a perfect option for houses without ductwork, but it also allows them to operate without risking the energy loss that is so common with ducted forced air distribution systems.

Thanks to the use of wall mounted individual blowers, it is also very easy to take advantage of zone controlled air conditioning when using a ductless system. This helps you to further conserve energy by allowing you too cool only those rooms you wish to. You no longer need to cool your entire home just to keep one or two occupied rooms comfortable.

For more information about ductless mini split installation services, contact the Irvine, CA air conditioning professionals at Saddleback Plumbing, Inc. today – (949) 333-0571. Our skilled technicians can answer any questions that you may have. Call now for the information you need to find the right air conditioning solution for your home.

 

Continue Reading

Tags: ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning Tip 2 : Go Ductless This Spring

Air Conditioning Tip 7: How to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Spring

Monday, April 8th, 2013

While many Laguna Hills homeowners are concerned with energy efficiency as summer approaches, we should also consider indoor air quality. Much of our comfort (or discomfort) during the summer months stems from poor indoor air quality as we seal our homes tightly against the incoming rays of heat. Fortunately, there are many options available that can dramatically improve your air quality, such as air filtration, UV germicidal lights, and humidifiers. Beyond installing these systems, there are other steps to take. In this post, we’d like to review some things you can do to ensure your home is cool and comfortable this cooling season. For Laguna Hills air conditioning, call Saddleback today!

  • Clean and replace your air filter. As you fire up your AC this season, remember to change out your air filter on a regular basis. This simple step prevents a lot of problems, including blocked airflow and poor air quality. Your air filter is designed to prevent the passage of noxious particles throughout your ductwork and into your indoor air. It should be replaced once a month during peak cooling times.
  • Install UV germicidal lights. If your indoor air is musty and uncomfortable, then you may be at risk for mold infestation. Consider installing UV germicidal lights directly in your air handler or ductwork in order to destroy any microbiological growth before it enters your indoor air. While we may notice mold when it’s growing in our bathroom, it’s much harder to notice when it’s growing deep within our ductwork or in the walls.
  • Enroll in a maintenance program. Become a Saddleback MVP by joining the Membership Value Program. Enrolling in a routine maintenance program will improve your energy efficiency, extend the life of your equipment, and reduce the need for major costly repairs. It also provides you with various benefits such as warranties, discounts, and preferred priority service. Professional inspection, cleaning, and tuning-up makes your system shine even during the hottest days of the year.

For more information about how you can improve you indoor air quality, or to schedule Laguna Hills, CA air conditioning service, call Saddleback Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning Tip 7: How to Improve Indoor Air Quality This Spring

Air Conditioning FAQ 4: How Does Zone Control Work?

Monday, March 18th, 2013

It doesn’t make much sense to cool your entire home when many spaces of your home go unused. After all, we depend upon our air conditioning to cool us, not the inanimate objects in the room. Zone control systems is a great way to make sure that you’re cooling only the areas you need to. In this post we’d like to run you through the basics of how zone control works, so that you can get a sense of whether it would be right for your home. Like any cooling or heating system, zone control should be installed by a trained professional to make sure that it works efficiently and effectively. For Laguna Hills air conditioning services, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

The first stage in zone control installation is dividing your home into zones. You may divide according to floor, type of room, or whichever way works best for you. A sample division would probably divide the interior living space into bedrooms, kitchen, living room, and basement. Each zone will be given its own thermostat, so that you can optimize the cooling level of each one. This gives you a lot of flexibility. You can further customize your zone control with programmable thermostats.

The way it works is as follows. We begin by renovating your ductwork according to your zone divisions. This typically involves installing air dampers at crucial junctions in your ductwork that will electronically allow and block air according to the new layout. It also involves setting up your existing air handler to accommodate multiple thermostats in your home. The workmanship of professional installation is key here, because zone control depends a lot on the quality of the installation for it to work effectively.

Zone controlled air conditioning can maximize your energy efficiency and home comfort. By allowing you to customize the individual zone temperatures, you are in control of your energy costs, which is important, considering the duration of our cooling season. Make sure your zone control is installed by a professional. For superior air conditioning in Laguna Hills, CA, call Saddleback Plumbing today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Air Conditioning FAQ 4: How Does Zone Control Work?

Laguna Hills CA Air Conditioning FAQ: What Does SEER Mean, and Why is it Important?

Monday, March 11th, 2013

Are you looking for a new air conditioner? Call the Laguna Hills air conditioning experts at Saddleback Plumbing. We can help you understand efficiency ratings and choose the model that suits your needs. When buying an air conditioner, always look for a model with higher efficiency ratings, which for air conditioners are measured by the seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).

The SEER rating indicates how efficiently the AC system can turn a relative amount of energy into actual cooling for your home. If you have an older system, it probably has a SEER rating of 6 or less, but the minimum SEER allowed for today’s models is 13. Another easy way to know that you are getting a model with a high SEER rating is to look for Energy Star-rated models, because they will have even higher SEER ratings.

Keep in mind that heat pumps are also measured by the HSPF (heating season performance factor), and it is important to note that there will be other features to look for in terms of heat pump efficiency. Some of those features include variable fan blowers, which run at lower speeds and for longer periods taking the strain off of the compressor, and other features include advanced coil design, copper tubing, and many other small yet important energy-saving features.

The SEER doesn’t account for other factors, such as the condition of your air ducts, the location of the outdoor unit, which can be affected by high winds, and how well your home is insulated and sealed. We can help you decide if your home is ready for a high-efficiency AC system before you make your final decision about an upgrade or replacement.

Call Saddleback for all of your Laguna Hills, CA air conditioning needs.

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Laguna Hills CA Air Conditioning FAQ: What Does SEER Mean, and Why is it Important?

Laguna Hills Air Conditioning: How to Protect Your AC during High Winds

Monday, March 4th, 2013

We’ve had an unusual winter here in Southern California which included some very high winds the last couple of weeks. At Saddleback Plumbing we provide complete air conditioning repair service in Laguna Hills, CA and the entire Orange County area. We thought it would be helpful if we put together a quick list of some of the ways that you can protect your air conditioning system during high winds. We know how important it is to have a good AC system here in Southern California. Call your Laguna Hills air conditioning contractor if you need any kind of AC repairs.

Common Air Conditioning Repairs Caused by High Winds

When the wind picks up there are a few common problems that it can cause for your air conditioning system. One of the main problems, obviously, would be if a branch or tree fell onto your air conditioning unit. If the tree is big enough there really isn’t anything that you can do to protect against that.

Another common problem is dust, dirt or leaves getting into your air conditioning system. For your outdoor condensing unit, that type of debris can build up and cause the fan motor, fan blades or fan belt to work improperly. That dust can also attach itself to the condensing coils inside which might reduce its efficiency.

How to Protect Your Air Conditioning System

Probably the best thing that you can do during high wind situations is to put a cover over your air conditioning system. This will protect it from small branches and, especially, from dirt and dust.

Benefits of Laguna Hills CA Air Conditioning Maintenance

Even though dirt and dust can get into your AC unit during high winds, they can also work their way in over the course of time. During regular air conditioner maintenance visits, your Laguna Hills air conditioning technician will be able to clean out your condensing coils and lubricate the fan motor bearings. This will likely reduce the possibility that the dust and dirt will cause any problems for your AC system.

Call the air conditioning experts at Saddleback Plumbing for any air conditioning repair in Laguna Hills, CA. Contact Saddleback Plumbing today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Laguna Hills Air Conditioning: How to Protect Your AC during High Winds

Laguna Hills Air Conditioning FAQ: AC Services Available

Monday, January 21st, 2013

If you live in Southern California then you know how critical a good air conditioning system is to your comfort. We enjoy wonderful weather all year long but on those hot days you need an efficient AC system to cool your home. There are so many different options available for cooling your home. At Saddleback, we provide complete air conditioning services throughout the Laguna Hills, CA area. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the options that are available to homeowners in the Laguna Hills area.

Air Conditioning Maintenance in Laguna Hill, CA

We’re all looking to reduce the amount of energy that we use in our lives. One of the best ways to increase the efficiency of your home’s  air conditioning system is to get it regularly maintained by a professional Laguna Hills air conditioning contractor.

Over time, and with continued use, your AC system will begin to wear out. This is just a natural part of your equipment’s life-cycle. But during regular maintenance visits, your air conditioning technician will look specifically for problems or issues that might be causing your AC unit to work harder. This can include dirty fan bearings, worn out fan belt, dirty cooling coils or leaking refrigerant. Your technician will clean any dirty parts, lubricate the moving parts and replace any parts that are worn down.

Ductless Mini Split Systems in Laguna Hills, CA

One type of heating system that is gaining popularity among many homeowners in the Laguna Hills area is the ductless mini split system. As their name implies, ductless mini split systems heat and cool your home without the use of cumbersome ducts. In this type of system, each room has their own unit that is mounted on the wall. Installation of these wall units is as easy as drilling a 3-inch hole in the wall to allow for electrical and refrigerant lines. Outside, a condensing unit provides for the exhaustion of heat.

Ductless mini split systems are terrific for old home renovations in Laguna Hills that don’t have room for ducts. They are also highly efficient and allow you to control the temperature in each room.

Zone Control Systems in Laguna Hills, CA

Finally, another great air conditioning service that we offer at Saddleback, is zone control systems. Zone control systems are a way for homeowners to potentially reduce the amount of energy that they use in their homes. If you have a traditional AC system, then you have to cool your entire home every time you turn on your AC. However, zone control systems allow you to target your cooling to just the rooms that you’re using. This saves you energy of having to cool your whole home when you’re just using one or two rooms.

If you need any kind of air conditioning repair just contact Saddleback today!

Continue Reading

Tags: , ,
Posted in Air Conditioning | Comments Off on Laguna Hills Air Conditioning FAQ: AC Services Available