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

Heating Guide Should You Repair or Replace Your Heating System?

Friday, September 26th, 2014

Although manufacturers of heating systems build their products to last for many years, a heating system will eventually reach a point in its service life when it can no longer do an efficient or effective job of keeping a home warm. Although regular maintenance and prompt repairs will help a heater endure for as long as it can, a time will come when you will have to make a choice about whether it is worthwhile to continue to repair the system, or to have it replaced with new installation.

You do not need to make the choice on your own, however: heating professionals like the staff at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are available to help you choose between “repair and replace.” When it comes to heating installation and replacement in Fresno, you can trust in our many decades of experience to guide you toward the best choice for comfort and long-term savings.

When Is Replacement The Best Option?

To get started with answering this question, you need to check the age of system against the manufacturer’s expected lifespan for it. If the heater is at or over the estimated lifespan, then you should already be considering replacing the unit—even if it is currently working well. The system is at the age where it will likely soon begin to decline, and getting a head start on a more efficient new heating system. If the heater is still a few years away from the end of its lifespan estimate, you should keep repairs as an option, but call for a technician to look over the system to give you a better idea.

If you have started to call for repairs on a regular basis for the heater, you will probably save money if you retire the system and replace it with a new one. A good rule of thumb to follow is that if a necessary repair will cost half of what it will cost to replace the heater, you should replace instead of repair.

A rise in your heating bills that will not come down no matter what repairs or maintenance you have done is usually a strong sign that the heater has entered into an irreversible decline. When you call for repairs, the technician will be able to tell you the best route to take.

All of the heating technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning are NATE-certified, and when you call on their services, you will receive the answer you need to find out whether it’s time for repairs or new heating installation and replacement in Fresno, CA.

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Ways Faulty Ductwork Can Affect Air Conditioning

Friday, September 19th, 2014

Not all the trouble that can plague an air conditioning system comes from inside the AC cabinets. Often, a faulty thermostat can cause a cooling system to work incorrectly. Another common source of air conditioner problems are faults in the ductwork connected to it, such as air leaks and breaks.

It is often difficult to tell the source of a malfunction in an AC if you are not a trained technician. Don’t attempt to guess at what has gone wrong when your air conditioner starts to lose its cooling ability, generate strange noises, or show other signs of working incorrectly. Call on HVAC experts to look into the problem, locate the source, and fix it.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has served the Central Valley since 1952. If your air conditioning system is suffering from problems due to faulty ductwork, you can trust to our team to handle the necessary repairs and duct sealing to restore your cooling.

How Faulty Ductwork Impairs an Air Conditioning System

Well-designed ventilation systems are airtight. This prevents loss of air pressure as the conditioned air from the AC moves toward the vents. Even a small leak along the ductwork can cause a drop in air pressure that will lower the airflow from the vents and lead to a loss of cooling in the rooms.

As an air conditioner loses air pressure because of faulty ducts, it will also start to work harder in order to maintain its target temperature. This places extra strain on the system, which increases the chances of it malfunctioning. The increased stress level on the mechanical components will also make the air conditioning system age faster and possibly need premature replacement.

Breaks along ducts often permit outside contaminants into the ventilation system, and subsequently into the AC. Even if this extra dust and dirt gets caught in the system’s air filter, the filter will rapidly clog up to the point that it will cause a large increase in the strain on the air conditioner. Clogged filters may also lead to ice developing along the indoor evaporator coil.

Call Us for Ductwork Sealing

When you suspect that your air conditioning system is suffering due to leaks in the ductwork, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to schedule AC service in Fresno, CA. All of our technicians are NATE and EPA-certified, and they are on call 7 days a week for your convenience.

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Another Fun Night at the Hot Dog Dinner at the Madera Fair!

Wednesday, September 17th, 2014

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning along with Randy and Sheryl Berry and friends hosted the Annual Hot Dog dinner on Sept 2, 2014. The 4H and FFA kids were busy preparing to show their livestock animals the day before the Madera Fair opened. PrIMG_4692oviding dinner is a fun way to support our local hardworking kids and their families. Randy and Sheryl and friends started this tradition over 25 years ago. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning partnered with Randy and Sheryl over 10 years ago on this great event. Our crew barbecued more than 500 hot dogs that evening. Dinners were complete with drinks, chips and all the hot dog fixings’. This is an annual tradition in Madera that everyone at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning looks forward to attending and gives us a chance to visit with the kids and their families.

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Coats for Kids 2014

Tuesday, September 16th, 2014

Start saving those winter coats from last year!

coats for kids Coats for Kids 2013 kicks off their local campaign November 3rd – December 7th. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is proud to join Kiss Country and The Salvation Army as a collection location for the 2014 Coats for Kids drive. Each year the community and local businesses work with The Salvation Army to collect gently used or new winter coats to keep kids warm in the cold winter months. For more than 30 years this campaign has brought together organizations, schools, businesses and members of the community with the single goal to donate to children in need. Kiss Country has been part of Coats for Kids in the Central Valley for more than 20 years. Their efforts to bring this issue and coat drive to the forefront, has made a real difference in the lives of so many young children. We are open to the public as drop off location for coats Monday – Friday from 8:00 am-5:00 pm. We are located at: 232 South Schnoor AvenueMaderaCA 93637. We encourage our customers and members of the community to get involved and help keep the kids in our Valley warm. Our goal is to collect hundreds of coats in the hope that no child will have to be cold!

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How to Get Your HVAC System Ready For Colder Weather

Friday, September 12th, 2014

It may seem early to talk about readying your HVAC system for fall and winter, especially when your air conditioning may still be running, but in a few short weeks our temperatures will be significantly cooler. Preparing your HVAC system for winter now can get you ahead of potential problems without disrupting your household. Since 1952, Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has helped multiple customers prep their HVAC systems for the coming season, and we can help you, too.

Suggestion 1: Make Needed Repairs

Did you glide into this year’s cooling season without making needed repairs to your heating, or are you ignoring a current repair need for your AC? Such problems rarely go away, and they usually tend to get worse. Take advantage of the upcoming comfortable fall weather and get these issues inspected and repaired.

Suggestion 2: Schedule Maintenance

The two best times of year to schedule maintenance are spring and fall, because you can get ahead of the coming season. Maintenance helps prevent repairs, increases energy efficiency and helps extend the life of your HVAC unit. Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning includes the following in HVAC maintenance appointment:

  • Check and clean indoor air filter
  • Check contactor for wear
  • Check capacitor
  • Check time delay
  • Check & clean outdoor condenser coil
  • Inspect indoor evaporator coil
  • Inspect evaporator metering device
  • Check compressor start & run amp draw
  • Check for proper line & low voltage at A/C
  • Check all line voltage electrical connections
  • Check condenser fan motor running amperage
  • Check and oil outdoor fan motor if applicable
  • Check suction and liquid line temperature
  • Verify proper refrigerant charge
  • Verify indoor & outdoor temperatures
  • Check A/C temperature split
  • Inspect indoor blower
  • Check & clean condensate pan & flush condensate line
  • Check indoor thermostat for proper operation
  • Explain any repairs that may be needed

Suggestion 3: Have Your Air Filter Changed

Clogged air filters can cause issues with air flow that can affect your whole system. By changing out the air filter in your HVAC system, you can easily prevent such issues.

Your air conditioning may have a few weeks left to work, but the cool air is coming. Get ahead of the season and get your system ready for colder weather by scheduling your HVAC maintenance or repair in Fresno with Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning.

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Benefits of a Packaged Unit

Friday, September 5th, 2014

If you’re in the market for a new air conditioning system, there are many efficient options available, and a technician can help you find the right choice for you depending on your home and lifestyle. Here at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, we want to help you learn about the different types of air conditioning systems so you can decide which one is right for your home. In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of packaged air conditioning systems, an alternative to the traditional split-system air conditioner.

There are two types of HVAC systems that are currently used.   Split systems have components separated with the condensing unit outside the home and the furnace and evaporative coil inside the home, attic, or possibly the garage.  A packaged unit has all the components packaged together, and it is typically mounted outside on the roof or on the ground.

Space

While split-system air conditioners are the most common systems found in homes, some unique home designs do not have the space for installation of an indoor unit. In this case, a packaged unit is often the best option. Because your packaged unit will be connected directly to the ductwork of your home, there is no need for indoor installation. Furthermore, the cabinet may be located on the rooftop, saving space outdoors as well.

Accessibility

Because all of the parts of the system are located in a single cabinet, packaged systems are easily accessible. If you need repairs or if you schedule maintenance, a technician can access your system without moving back and forth between units, as every part is in one location. And because a packaged unit is often located on the rooftop, the technician stays out of your way, so your daily life can continue as usual while you wait for repairs or maintenance to be completed.

Packaged units are just one of the options for air conditioning in Fresno available from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Call us today to talk to an expert about the best option for your home.

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