Duct testing is a process where professionals check on the integrity of the ductwork that makes up a home’s ventilation system. Ductwork can suffer from holes, gaps at connection points, and other air leaks that will cause them to lose the conditioned air moving through them. These leaks, according to the U.S. Department of Energy, can account for up to a 30% loss of heated and cooled air from the HVAC system. That’s a great deal of air that you pay to heat or cool from which you won’t receive any benefit. Duct testing will discover if your ducts are leaking and what work needs to be done to fix them.
Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical Blog: Archive for June, 2015
When Should I Schedule Duct Testing for My Home?
Monday, June 29th, 2015Help! My Air Conditioner Is On But No Air Comes Out
Monday, June 22nd, 2015
When ever the weather heats up we get a lot of air conditioning service calls. The common complaint is, “I can hear the air conditioner turn on but no air is coming out.” That’s because coil inside the AC unit is frozen. One reason for AC freeze-up is that the air flow coming into or out of your system is blocked at some point. You see the air conditioner operates when free flowing air passes through the inner components of your air handler, is cooled by the refrigerant filled coils, and then blown out into your living space.
When air is cooled condensation occurs.
Just like air produces condensation when it comes in contact with the outside of a cold glass, central AC units can generate around 20 gallons of water per day. If the air doesn’t move through the system properly, water can build up on the coil and freeze. More and more condensation will build up and freeze until your coil becomes a solid block of ice.
Here is what to do:
1. Turn the AC off
Nothing can be done until the ice melts, usually around 24 hours. Call and let us know that you need a service call at 818-780-0701. Once your AC defrosts we will be able to repair the problems and get you on a regular maintenance plan to make sure that problems like this never happen again.
2. Change or clean your air filter
Changing your air filter keeps the air in your home safer and cleaner, but it also saves energy, improves cooling performance and lengthens the life of your HVAC system. Filters should be cleaned or replaced at least every three months (or more often, depending on your system requirements). High-quality HEPA filters will yield the best results.
3. Keep A/C unit clear of weeds, vines and other debris
These materials can clog the unit and cause efficiency problems. This is a maintenance job you can do yourself in between professional routine maintenance for your HVAC system. It’s important every year to get a complete tune-up and clean out any dirt or grime that may be slowing things down.
4. Keep all vents clear and unblocked
Blocked vents will increase the pressure on your air conditioner and prevent the house from cooling consistently or evenly, so make sure vents aren’t blocked by furniture and remove any dust or debris that might be clogging them up.
Why Is My Air Conditioner Making So Much Noise?
Monday, June 22nd, 2015It’s impossible to create an air conditioner that runs in complete silence. The workings of the fans, compressor and motors will generate some level of noise. However, modern air conditioners make far less noise than older models. If you had professionals install your home’s AC, it shouldn’t create a distracting level of sound during most of its service life.
SAFE Thermostat Disposal
Friday, June 19th, 2015
One of the services Kilowatt provides is the removal of old thermostats and the installation of new programmable thermostats. There are a wide variety of energy-saving and Wi-Fi thermostats to choose from. We can help you make a decision about the thermostat that will work best with your lifestyle.
Los Angeles Thermostat Service
When upgrading to a new thermostat in Los Angeles , the proper disposal of the old thermostat is always a concern. Most old thermostats contain mercury. In the United States improper disposal of mercury thermostats results in about 9.6 tons or mercury released into the environment. Kilowatt is committed to properly dispose of mercury and keep it out of our landfills.
In its elemental form, mercury exposure can cause symptoms such as tremors, insomnia, weakness, muscle atrophy, and migraine headaches. When released into the environment, this elemental mercury can be transformed into a much more dangerous form called methyl mercury. Methyl mercury exposure is extremely harmful to fetuses, infants and children and has been linked to birth defects as well as impaired brain and nervous system development (source U.S. EPA).
Presently, there are several collection sites known as S.A.F.E. CENTERS in the Los Angeles and San Fernando Valley where mercury thermostats can be properly disposed at no cost to residents.
These S.A.F.E. CENTERS were established by the Bureau of Sanitation and are open every weekend and provide a timely and convenient way to dispose of your residential, household e-waste including your old mercury thermostat.
Here are the SAFE drop-off locations in Los Angeles:
-
Northridge: Nicole Bernson SAFE Collection Center
10241 N. Balboa Blvd.
Northridge, CA 91325
Hours of Operation:
Saturdays, and Sundays
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m
-
Los Angeles: LOS ANGELES-GLENDALE TREATMENT PLANT
4600 Colorado Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90039
Hours of Operation:
Saturdays and Sundays
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
-
Playa del Rey: HYPERION TREATMENT PLANT
7660 West Imperial Highway, Gate B
Playa Del Rey, CA 90293
Hours of Operation:
Saturdays and Sundays
9:00 am – 3:00 pm
-
Sun Valley: RANDALL STREET
11025 Randall St.
Sun Valley, CA 91352
Hours of Operation:
Saturdays and Sundays
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
-
West Los Angeles: UCLA
550 Charles E. Young Dr. West
Los Angeles, CA 90095
Hours of Operation:
Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays
8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
* This site accepts electronic waste on Saturdays only.
-
Los Angeles: WASHINGTON BLVD.
2649 E. Washington Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90021
Hours of Operation:
Saturdays and Sundays
9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Why You Should Consider Installing Ceiling Fans
Wednesday, June 10th, 2015
Air conditioners run most days during the summer in Southern California, and they also run frequently during other times of the year. This means that a large chunk of the annual energy budget for your home goes toward the electricity that powers the AC. However, you can help rein in air conditioning costs thanks to the installation of ceiling fans.
Why You Must Change (or Clean) Your Air Conditioning Filter This Summer
Monday, June 8th, 2015
Regular maintenance is a must for any air conditioning system. Without an annual visit from an HVAC professional (usually during the spring) to inspect and tune-up the system, an AC will start to rapidly decline, turning into an energy-waster that suffers from repeated malfunctions and even breakdowns.
The Importance of Carbon Monoxide Detectors
Monday, June 1st, 2015If your home makes any use of natural gas—such as for a furnace, boiler, stove, oven, etc.—it is very important that you also have carbon monoxide detectors installed. This will help protect you and your family from potentially hazardous gas leaks.