Kilowatt Heating, Air Conditioning and Electrical Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Air Conditioning’

Is a Heat Pump Right for My Home?

Monday, May 10th, 2021

Kilowatt installation of an 18 SEER variable-speed heat pump in Sherman Oaks, CA

Heat Pumps are right for every home!

The AccuComfort Platinum 18 Variable Speed Heat Pump comes with variable-speed technology which consistently adjusts to run at a more efficient speed to maintain your personal level of comfort. It’s a heater when it’s cold outside and an air conditioner when things get hot. It’s also energy-efficient. That means you can enjoy a comfortable home without the carbon footprint of a gas furnace.

Durable, Quiet, and Long-Lasting Comfort

Quiet operation and customizable heating and humidity controls make heat pumps an ideal choice for any home.

Heat Pump FAQ

What does a heat pump do?

A heat pump uses the outside air to both heat and cool your home. In winter a heat pump absorbs heat from the outside air and distributes it throughout your house. In the summer, a heat pump operates just like a traditional air conditioner and includes the same efficiency features.

Is a heat pump right for me?

Every home and homeowner has unique needs, but generally, a heat pump is right for you if your winters are mild – rarely dipping below freezing. Los Angeles that has mild winters is perfect.

How energy efficient is a heat pump?

Heat pumps offer an energy-efficient alternative to furnace and air conditioner systems. Because they run on electricity heat pumps can be a less expensive option over time.

How much does a heat pump cost?

Heat pump pricing depends on several factors like the size of your house, model, installation requirements—and even the climate conditions in your area. Some heat pumps qualify for local rebates.

How long does a heat pump last?

A properly installed heat pump should last an average of 15 years. Several factors can reduce or extend the life expectancy including the type of heat pump you buy, usage, your location and how well the heat pump is maintained.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Heat Pump Installation, Heat Pumps, heatpump
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We LOVE Hiring Veterans

Wednesday, November 8th, 2017

If you have served our great nation in the military THANK YOU.

If you are looking for a job please know that we welcome you to the front of the line. Please send your resume to Deb@KilowattHVAC.com. We really like hiring Veterans first.

Tags: Air Conditioning, employment, Heating, HVAC, Veteran's
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Heating, IHACI
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Maintenance
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Repair, Studio City
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Boxer rescue LA, Electrical
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioner Repair, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Maintenance, Los Angeles
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioning, attic fans, Los Angeles
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioner Repair, Air Conditioning, Los Angeles
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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.

Tags: Air Conditioning, energy-efficient heating, Los Angeles homeowners, Tax Credits, Utility Rebates
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