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Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical Blog:
Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’
We LOVE Hiring Veterans
Wednesday, November 8th, 2017
Dean Gilford Elected To IHACI Board of Directors
Thursday, March 2nd, 2017
Assemblymember Adrin Nazarian with Dean Gilford
The Institute of Heating and Air Conditioning Industries (IHACI) is the premier Southern California organization dedicated to educating and training HVAC professionals. Kilowatt’s president, Dean Gilford has been elected to serve on the Board of Directors.
The Mystery of the Exuberant Air Conditioner
Wednesday, May 4th, 2016
Sometimes 95% of the job is figuring out what the problem is!
We got a call the other day from a customer for whom we had installed a terrific indoor comfort system. Her top-of-the-line Air Conditioning system with a high tech nest thermostat was exhibiting strange symptoms. In the morning, before it got hot, the A/C would come on full blast and blow freezing cold air for about an hour. As the day went on the system produced reliably comfortable air.
Kilowatt’s service technician tested the connections, the air-flow and all the settings. He measured the temperature of the air coming out of each grill. Everything was calibrated properly and working perfectly as far as he could tell. This didn’t make sense. Suddenly, just as the customer said it, the air began blowing full strength for no apparent reason.
A Few Basic Air Conditioning Troubleshooting Tips
Monday, August 3rd, 2015
During a hot California summer season, one of the worst troubles you might encounter in your home is a failed air conditioner. Perhaps the system is running, but only room temperature air is coming from the vents. Or maybe the AC won’t turn on at all. Either way, it’s a serious comfort emergency and one you need to have solved as soon as possible.
Boxer Rescue Los Angeles
Friday, July 24th, 2015
This may have been one of the hardest jobs we’ve ever done. It wasn’t the electrical wiring or the air conditioning installation that was hard. It was leaving without a dog. Every Kilowatt installer who worked at Boxer Rescue fell in love with a dog there. If you are looking for a new family member, please check out the sweet boxers waiting for their fur-ever home at Boxer Rescue LA.
To view the follow-up story from this blog, please click here.
Help! 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 Installing Attic Fans Is a Good Idea for Summer
Monday, May 4th, 2015
The attic in your home is a place that you probably visit only rarely, usually to retrieve something stored in it. If you have ever gone up inside your attic on a warm, sunny day, you’ll discover that it is one of the hottest locations inside the house. The radiant energy from the sun beating down on the roof creates immense amounts of heat inside the enclosed area. In fact, it’s possible for the temperature in an attic to rise to 130°F during a summer day.
The Most Common Air Conditioner Problems
Wednesday, October 1st, 2014
Air Conditioning System Not Cooling Properly
There are several common problems that could cause an air conditioning system in Los Angeles not to cool properly:
Refrigerant
Oftentimes air conditioning problems are a matter of low refrigerant charge, which means the AC unit could be leaking. The solution would be to find the leak, repair it, and recharge the system.
Thermostat Issues
Check your thermostat to make sure it’s properly set and that it is reading the correct temperature.
Drainage Problems
Sometimes the air conditioner’s condensate drain gets clogged and needs to be flushed out. Things that cause air conditioning condensate drainage lines to clog up are pet fur, dust, or something coming into the drain from the outside such as plants or dirt.
Dirty Filter
Many heating and cooling problems in Los Angeles can be solved by changing a dirty filter. Our Kilowatt main office is right at the interchange of the 405 and the 101 freeways in Sherman Oaks so we know how dirty the air in our city can be. The air closer to freeways has been shown to carry more particulates. That makes sense, but it may surprise you to learn that indoor air is 30-40% dirtier than outdoor air! So HVAC filters in Los Angeles get clogged more frequently. A clogged filter restricts airflow through the AC system, decreasing it’s efficiency and reducing its ability to effectively cool the air.
AC Unit Not Turning On
If your air conditioner is not responding at all, there are a couple of issues that may be the cause:
Thermostat
If your thermostat is not working it may need new batteries, it could have a loose wire, or it may need to be replaced entirely.
Electronic Control Failure
Sometimes the electronic controls for the fan or the compressor wear out. The frequent turning on and off the the equipment can cause that tiny part to fail and need to be replaced.
Not Enough Air Flow
Sometimes the air conditioning is running and cooling but the flow of air coming out of the vents is weak and ineffective. Causes could be:
Problem with the Ducting
We have seen leaky ducts that have been crushed or broken by other workmen, rodents, or storage boxes pushed into an attic and accidentally into duct-work. Sometimes ducting becomes clogged or constricted.
Clogged Filter
Problems stemming from a dirty filter are so common we have to say it twice. A filter is usually placed inside the return air grill which is bigger than the other grills in your home. Sometimes a filter is near the blower motor of the furnace. All heating and air conditioning systems should have a filter to, at the very least, keep the interior components of the equipment from getting dirty. when filters get dirty they restrict the airflow and cause several different issues. Weak air flow is one of those issues.
Can You Afford To Be Green?
Monday, August 11th, 2014
If you are like most Los Angeles homeowners your electric bills are high and your home comfort system accounts for the largest portion of your electricity usage.
Fortunately new technology is helping people to save up to 56% of the money they spend on heating and cooling. That’s big savings. Especially considering that DWP confirmed there will be rate hikes of 5-7% every year for the next 20 years.
The Federal Government and California really want you to be green. Right now $1,250.00 in Tax Credits and Utility Rebates are being offered to Los Angeles homeowners who install energy-efficient heating and AC equipment. There are also manufacturer’s incentives that crop up periodically which can represent substantial savings. Don’t worry! We stay current and always make sure you benefit.
When you put the energy savings together with the rebates, tax credits and the manufacturers incentives; it is safe to say that high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems pay for themselves.
Yay! You CAN afford to be Green.
“What is the best brand of air conditioning or heating equipment?”
Friday, July 11th, 2014
“What is the best brand of air conditioning or heating equipment?” We get asked that question a lot.
In July 2014, readers of a national product testing and research magazine rated American Standard Heating and Air Conditioning’s air conditioners and heat pumps as the most reliable brand among leading manufacturers.
Kilowatt happens to be a Customer Care Dealer for American Standard which means that we have passed American Standards rigorous standards for service. The Customer Care designation also gives us access to better financing for our customers and special savings on equipment, not available to other dealers.
We are thrilled to share with you this exciting research report. But it only supports what we already know after installing thousands of HVAC systems throughout Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. American Standard really does have the highest level of reliability and customer satisfaction.
