Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Archive for May, 2014

3 Improvements Offered by a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

No one likes to think of their air conditioners as needing replacement. They’re an expensive item, after all, and ideally your existing air conditioner will last you for many years. Sooner or later, however, every appliance needs to be replaced, and if your existing air conditioner is more than ten years old, you should consider upgrading it with a newer model. Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation is a fairly routine operation for most qualified services, and a trained technician can go over all your options with you before performing the installation. Here are 3 improvements offered by a new air conditioner that you should seriously consider.

  • Improved efficiency. Air conditioning efficiency is measured by a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. Because your new air conditioner is likely more recent, it takes advantage of new technology and has no wear and tear on it. That means it will be more efficient than your old system, and cost you much less in monthly bills to boot.
  • Fewer repairs. New systems usually feature a warranty, which means that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong. That can be a considerable relief when your older system has suffered from significant breakdowns and other problems.
  • Zone controls. A zone control system can be installed as part of the new system. It connects a series of valves and switches in the duct system, allowing you to control the individual temperature in each room. You can even shut off the air conditioning in parts of the house you aren’t using, helping you to save more on monthly bills than ever before.

The experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can talk about the improvements offered by a new air conditioner, as well as inspecting your house for a proper sized unit and discussing your other options with you.

Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation services don’t come any more reliable. We’re ready to serve you, so give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

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3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become More Expensive to Run

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Summer is coming and with it comes in inevitable reality of higher air conditioning bills. Here in Fresno, we need our air conditioning systems to run reliably, lest they leave us at the mercy of triple-digit temperatures. Higher bills are a part and parcel of that equation, and to a certain extent we need to accept that fact. But the need for cool temperatures in hot weather can sometimes hide the fact that you’re paying more for your air conditioning service than you need to.

Here Are 3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become Expensive To Run

  • Lack of maintenance. Dust and dirt can build up inside your air conditioner especially here in the Central Valley. That increases friction and reduces efficiency. So does a clogged air filter and any components with loose bolts or fittings. If you haven’t gotten your air conditioner serviced in a while, you might end up paying for it with higher bills this summer.
  • Leaky refrigerant. Your air conditioner requires a certain specific level of refrigerant to function. If it doesn’t have it, then ice will form on the evaporator coils. That reduces the efficiency of the unit, forcing it to work harder and increasing strain on the system as a result. A properly trained professional can seal the leak and recharge refrigerant levels for you.
  • Breached ducts. Your duct system needs to be closed to the outside air in order to function. If a breach develops, it will either cause cool air to leak out or suck hot air in. Either way, your system won’t function as effectively as it should.

If you spot any of these reasons why your air conditioner might become more expensive to run, the next step is to contact the Fresno air conditioning system experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning immediately. We operate in Fresno, CA, air conditioning systems are our specialty, and we have a sterling reputation for correcting any problems you may have with speed and efficiency. The weather this summer will be too hot to take chances. Give us a call and keep your AC unit functioning the way it should!

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Employee Spotlight – Jacob Davidson  

Monday, May 19th, 2014
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Jacob enjoys drinking “Rockstar” each morning.

Our first employee spotlight will be about Jacob Davidson. Jacob officially started work at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning in 2009. We say “officially” because Jacob has been part of the Purl’s family since the day he was born and spent many hours at the shop with his father Kurt Davidson.

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Jacob with his parents,   Kurt and Lisa Davidson.

Jacob enjoys many other outside activities. He spends two nights a week working with the youth group at his church. He and his family own a desert off road racing team and enjoy weekends racing. He has volunteered at Algeria Guild Day in the Country since 2007 to raise money for Children’s Hospital Central California. In his free time, he enjoys air soft sports with friends.

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Jacob is proud to be a part of Purl’s family.

Jacob says his favorite thing about his time at Purl’s Sheet Metal is the family aspect of the business. He said he loves the teamwork and family . Over the years Jacob has worked in many capacities at the shop. He started out tearing down old units, washing and refueling trucks. He learned to fabricate flashing and custom pieces and became a lead in our computerized plasma cutting technology. He learned how to service units and change out equipment. He also currently handles onsite company IT and security.

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Jacob at work.

One of the most important things he feels he has learned at Purl’s Sheet Metal is how to work with people and communicate effectively. He has learned many life lessons during his time at Purl’s Sheet Metal. He learned the importance of honesty and fairness from his father Kurt. He also has learned the valuable art of negotiation from his Dad. Brian Driggs taught him how to research everything so you make smart, informed choices.

 

 

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When is it Time to Install a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 16th, 2014

The question can haunt a longtime homeowner: when is it time to install a new air conditioner? Such a project can cost a great deal, and for prudent residents of Fresno, air conditioning installation is often something that can wait in favor of more pressing matters. On the other hand, our punishing summers can be extremely hard on older systems, and sometimes even the most reliable air conditioner needs to be put out to pasture in favor of something more efficient. Only you can decide when the time has come to make a change like that, but a few simple guidelines can help you out.

In the first place, you have to measure the unstated cost of keeping your old system versus the up-front cost of installing a new one. Old air conditioners usually feature worn parts and components, which reduce the system’s efficiency and raise the cost of monthly cooling bills. Over time, that cost can become so large that a new system becomes the only practical option. The savings in monthly bills may be enough to significantly offset the cost of installation.

Along those lines, the frequency and severity of repairs can impact the decision as well. Every air conditioner needs repairs every now and then, but your existing unit may be suffering more breakdowns than you’re prepared to handle. Alternately, it may suffer a breakdown so severe that repairing it simply means throwing good money after bad. It may be more attractive to put that money into the cost of a new unit instead of trying to spruce up the old one.

Finally, pay close attention to the overall age of your unit. If it’s been well maintained, it may last months or even years past its expected replacement date. On the other hand, if it’s more than 10 years old and costs start piling up as outlined above, that’s probably the sign you need to consider a replacement.

And when you do, be sure to contact the Fresno air conditioning experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for help. Air conditioning installation is one of our basic services, and our trained staff can guide you through the process when it’s time to install a new air conditioner. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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How Powerful an Air Conditioning Should I Install?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioning system is more complicated than it may appear. It’s not like buying a TV or a refrigerator, where you just look for the options you want at a price you can afford. An air conditioner is a major investment in your home, and needs to be properly sized in order to function as it should. By “size,” we mean cooling power rather than physical size. It’s perhaps the most important aspect of any new air conditioning system. “How powerful an air conditioning should I install?” you ask. A brief answer can be found below.

The exact formula for determining an air conditioner’s power is complicated. It starts with the square footage of your home, which requires approximately 25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of power for every square foot you have in your home. That’s a rough estimation, though most air conditioners list the recommended square footage on the box. There are countless variables to consider as well. For example, you need to determine how well your house is insulated, and whether your doors and windows have any cracks that could leak air. You need to factor in sunlight exposure, which can warm the house considerably in sufficient amounts, and whether air flow facilitates a rise or a loss in temperature. A trained professional can make those calculations for you and provide an ideal power level for your home.

Why? If your air conditioner is too small, it won’t do the job and if it’s too large, it will cycle on and off rapidly, using a lot of energy and causing a lot of wear in the process. (Air conditioners use huge amounts of energy powering up and down.) An ideally-sized unit will perform at maximum efficiency, increasing its lifespan and lowering your monthly bills in the process.

For more details on how powerful an air conditioning system you should install, contact the experts a Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We understand the ins and outs of air conditioning installation in Fresno and other towns throughout the Central Valley, and we know how to get you the system that works best for your home. Contact us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

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Common Air Conditioning Problems in the Spring

Thursday, May 1st, 2014

We don’t often think about repairing our air conditioners in the spring. Here in Madera, air conditioning problems don’t usually make themselves known until we’re deeper into the summer, when temperatures rise and you need your system every day. But that doesn’t mean you won’t face common air conditioning problems in the spring. Indeed, dealing with those problems before the summer hits can save you a great deal of trouble.

Here’s a quick breakdown of some of the things to look for.

  • Low refrigerant. Refrigerant gas is the foundation of your air conditioning system. It cycles through the system, shifting first into a liquid state and then back into a gas before starting again. The results pull heat from the surrounding air, which is what allows your air conditioner to cool your home. Refrigerant levels need to be at a set amount, as determined by your precise air conditioner model. If a leak springs up, refrigerant will leak out, causing your unit to struggle and causing excessive wear and tear on other components. This is an especial concern in the spring, since you won’t detect a leak after your air conditioner sits idle all winter.
  • Dust and dirt. Dust and dirt clog air filters, which reduce the flow of air and make it harder to cool down your home. They also can coat other interior components, increasing friction on moving parts and causing more wear on the system as a whole. Again, dust and dirt usually accumulate after not running the air conditioner for several months, which typically happens during the winter.
  • Clogged drain line. The drain line is connected to a drain pan, which collects condensate and moves it out of the system. They can become clogged after a period of little use, which will cause the pan to overflow when you start using the air conditioner again.

You can address common problems in the spring by scheduling air conditioning maintenance with Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We work in Madera, air conditioning maintenance is a standard service of ours and we can make sure that your unit is ready to go as soon as temperatures start to rise. Call us today to make an appointment!

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