Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Fresno’

Air Conditioning Repair: The Hazards of Dirt and Dust

Tuesday, May 14th, 2013

With a high-quality air conditioner, teamed with a professional installation and routine maintenance, you can get a great performance from your home cooling system. Of course, there is no way to keep your air conditioning system completely problem free forever. Eventually you are going to have to schedule service with a professional Fresno air conditioning repair technician. When you do, call the pros at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. Our team has the skill and training necessary to ensure that you are able to operate your air conditioning system with the consistency and quality that you deserve. Here is some information to consider about how even dirt and dust can impact the performance of your air conditioning system.

All homes have some amount of dirt, dust and other airborne pollutants within. If you live near a major roadway or construction sites you may have a higher concentration of such substances in your home. While dirt and dust may see like a minor annoyance of everyday life, it is actually possible for these pollutants to seriously damage your air conditioning system. That is why it is so important that you change the air filter in your air conditioning regularly.

Most homeowners do not realize that the air filter installed in their air conditioning system is not really intended to improve indoor air quality. Rather, it is there to protect your air conditioning equipment itself. If dirt and dust are allowed to build up within your air conditioner, it can have a detrimental effect on the performance of the system. If, for instance, dirt is allowed to build up on the coils of your air conditioning system, it can cause them to freeze over. Your comfort will suffer, as will the condition of your air conditioner.

If your air filter is too dirty, it can also make it difficult for your air conditioner to force air throughout the system. This increased airflow resistance can put extra strain on your AC, forcing it to work harder than it should have to in order to cool your home. This will cause it to work less efficiently, and eventually your AC may be damaged by the wear and tear caused by the extra work.

To learn more about the effects of dirt and dust on your air conditioning system, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today. We have the answers to all your questions. When it comes to your Fresno air conditioning repair needs, you can always count on Purl’s.

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Spring & Summer HVAC tips to help you reduce your energy bills and save money

Thursday, May 9th, 2013

There are several ways to reduce energy bills, save money and avoid costly repairs.  Here are 10 ways from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to help you reduce your spring and summer cooling costs in Madera and Fresno, CA.

  1. Schedule your air conditioning system to be serviced and ready for the summer season.  This will ensure you are running at peak efficiency.  Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has a NATE certified and trained team of service technicians to help you get your air conditioning system ready for the HOT summer in Fresno, CA.  When your cooling system does not have to work extra hard it will save you money.  The best time to have your air conditioner serviced in Fresno, CA is before the hot temperatures become extreme.
  2. Install a programmable thermostat to help reduce energy costs.  Set your thermostat for your family’s home comfort level when you are home, and decrease temperatures in the when you away.  If you don’t have a programmable thermostat, raise the thermostat level in your home by several degree’s while you are away to cut energy consumption.  New advances in technology offer Wi-Fi capable thermostats for additional cost savings.  For a full line of energy saving thermostats, visit the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning in Madera, CA.
  3. Change the air filters for your HVAC system regularly.  A dirty air filter can increase energy consumption and damage your equipment leading to poor performance or early failure.   Make sure your air filter is the sized properly for your system.
  4.  Keep the shades and window coverings closed to reduce radiant heat from the sun.
  5. Consider sealing your cooling ducts in the attic.   Sealing your duct work can improve air flow and increase the efficiency of your HVAC system by as much as 20 percent.  Purl’s Sheet Metal specialists can test your duct work for airflow leakage and seal the duct work if needed.
  6. Turn off electronic appliances when not in use.   Use the dishwasher, washing machine & dryer in the evening and in “off” peak energy hours.
  7. Plant trees or shrubs to shade the southern facing windows.
  8. Keep the ducts and vents in the house open to assure good air flow.
  9. Check the weather stripping around the windows, doors and attic.   Seal any area’s where air may be leaking.
  10. If you have older cooling equipment, (10 yrs. or older), you might consider replacing it with a new high efficiency cooling system.  If your system is not keeping your home comfortable, contact our professional team at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to find out what new options are available.   In Fresno CA, the hot weather can be extreme and last for months.  Upgrading your home cooling equipment is a great way to cut your annual energy bills.  In the summer months there are often great factory rebates and financing options available.

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Air Conditioning FAQ: What is a Zone Control System?

Monday, May 6th, 2013

Living in Fresno, CA is a great experience, but it can make keeping cool during the hottest time of the year quite a challenge. Keeping your home cool and comfortable in the most efficient manner possible can be even more difficult. If you are unsatisfied with the performance or efficiency of your air conditioning system, there are a few different upgrades to consider that can help you use it more effectively and affordably. One of the most enticing is a zone control system installation. To schedule any Fresno CA Air Conditioning services, contact the AC professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

A zone control system utilizes dampers in your ductwork system to help you direct the flow and use of cooled air in your home with greater control. By using a control panel, you can decide which areas of your home to cool independently of others. In taking this added control over your air conditioning system and energy usage, you can enjoy increased comfort in your home while potentially lowering cooling costs.

At some point you have probably gone into an unoccupied room and noticed that it was just as cool as the rooms in which people were gathered. This is not an efficient use of the energy that your air conditioning system consumes. With a zone control system, there is no longer any need to cool unoccupied bedrooms just to keep the kids cool and comfortable in the living room. Simply cool the living room independently, and shortly before bed you can gradually bring down the temperatures in the bedrooms. This can help to save you money without sacrificing any comfort.

In fact, a zone control system can make your home a more comfortable place to live. Different people prefer different temperatures. When you can cool rooms independently of one another, you can keep everyone comfortable and happy. This will also help eliminate any arguments around the thermostat.

Contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today to learn more about how a zone control system installation works. Our Fresno, CA air conditioning professionals are happy to answer any questions that you may have. Call now to schedule service.

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Air Conditioning FAQ: What Does The “Whole-Home” Approach To Home Efficiency Involve?

Monday, April 15th, 2013

Ensuring that your home is cultivating the most efficient approach to its energy usage is a great way to reduce your utility bills and to reduce your environmental impact. There are steps you can take that do not involve massive renovations to your existing home. As we approach the summer and the peak usage times of our cooling systems, it’s important to take stock of the ways we can improve our current air conditioners. For more information about energy efficiency and your air conditioner, call the Fresno CA air conditioning experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today!

  • Air conditioning replacement. Whatever type of AC you currently have, if it is over 10 years old or requires frequent repairs, it may be a good time to consider replacing it with a high-energy efficiency model. Professional air conditioning installation can allow you to improve the way your home uses energy on a daily basis. Today’s air conditioners and heat pumps have SEER ratings (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) over 20, which makes them substantially more efficient than models produced just a decade ago. Ductless mini split air conditioning systems can offer SEER ratings of up to 26. While there are other factors involved in the whole-home approach, such upgrades can provide significant energy savings.
  • Duct cleaning and sealing. If you have a forced air distribution system, then you rely on ductwork to deliver cool air throughout your home. Unfortunately, over time your ducts can accumulate debris and develop cracks and loose connections. Professional duct cleaning and duct sealing are excellent ways to improve your whole-home energy efficiency, by eliminating costly leaks and obstructions.
  • Install a programmable thermostat. The EPA estimates that a programmable thermostat may save you up to $180 every year on your energy bill. If you have a conventional model, then consider upgrading it, so that you can customize your indoor climate, as well save energy when your home is unoccupied.

For more information about our whole-home approach to your energy efficiency, whether you’re interested in a new air conditioning system, ductwork improvements, or need a complete residential HVAC solution. For more information about your Fresno, CA air conditioning, contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today!

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Air Conditioning Repair Tip: Common AC Repairs

Monday, April 8th, 2013

Whether you have a central split, heat pump, or ductless mini split air conditioning system, it will need professional repair at some point in its life. Even if you received excellent installation and routine maintenance, repairs are inevitable. There are a lot of factors to consider when evaluating an air conditioner for repair, not the least of which is separating the problem from the root cause of the problem. You need to make sure that all AC repairs are handled by qualified Fresno air conditioning professionals in order to make sure that your air conditioner continues to run effectively and efficiently. For Fresno, CA air conditioning repair, call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today!

Let’s take a look at a few common AC repairs:

  • AC short cycling. If your AC turns on and off frequently, that’s known as “short-cycling”. It can occur for several different reasons, one of which is that your air conditioner is too large for your living space. When the size of the AC overpowers the size of the living space, it tends to turn on and off again. It may also become excessively or unevenly cold in your home. Another cause of short-cycling is due to an electrical problem with the blower motor that sends cool air out of the air handler.
  • Refrigerant leak. Your system requires an appropriate amount of refrigerant at all times. If a section of the refrigerant line or one of the coils has become damaged, refrigerant may begin to leak. This disrupts the entire refrigerant cycle, which depends upon pressurized movement between the coils, the expansion valve, and the compressor. It can lead to inadequate cooling.
  • Thermostat fault. You thermostat is the user interface of your cooling system. It’s responsible for communicating the setpoint (your desired temperature) to your air handler and sensing the temperature inside the home. Much depends upon the effective operation of the thermostat, so if it becomes damaged, or isn’t calibrated properly, it can cause your AC to short-cycle, to fail to operate, and inadequately cooling.

For more information about what you should look out for this spring as you prepare your AC for the summer, make sure you contact the Fresno, CA air conditioning repair experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today!

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Things to Know Before Hiring a Contractor

Monday, April 1st, 2013

Tips in choosing a HVAC contractor in Fresno, CA

There are several things to check before you hire a heating or air conditioning contractor in Madera or Fresno, CA.

  1. Hire only a licensed contractor.  Check the CA state License Board and do an instant license check to confirm that the contractor has a current license status of “ACTIVE”.
  2. Check to make sure they are classified under HVAC C20 (warm-air, heating, ventilation and air-conditioning) and are qualified to do the job.
  3. Check to be sure they are fully insured and bonded and can provide you with insurance information upon request.
  4. Get several bids and make sure you are comparing the same equipment, service and options.
  5. First Impressions… Is the company representative properly identified and professionally dressed?  Do they have the proper tools to perform the work in your home? Check reputable review sites such Angie’s List.
  6. Choose a licensed contractor who will get the job done right the first time.   Hiring an unlicensed contractor can seem like a good deal in the beginning, but ends up costing you more money, more time and hassle in the end.

­­­Choosing Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning as your Contractor…    Experience the Difference!

 Reputable & Reliable

When you need reliable heating or cooling repair service or new equipment installation in Madera or Fresno, CA, call the experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning.  Our clients experience the difference of professionalism when they choose Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We have been in business since 1952 and have an outstanding reputation in the Central Valley.   Our David Barnes-webtechnicians can repair any make and model of HVAC system.   With our years of experience, our customers recognize they have hired a qualified and licensed contractor from the start.  

Prompt Service

We take pride in a quick response time.   Our team will evaluate your needs and schedule the right person to help you get your HVAC system running again.  You will recognize our team the minute they pull up to your home or business in Fresno, CA.   Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning vehicles are well maintained, clean and easy to identify.  Our trucks and vans are stocked with the parts and tools needed to complete the job and get your home comfort level back on track.

Professional

Upon arrival our customers can easily identify our team members.  At Purl’s Sheet Metal our sales teams, service & installation technicians are professionally dressed.   They all have photo identification badges to let our customers know who we are.    Our customers can also access our webpage (purlsheetmetal.com) to meet the entire team with and view employee photos before we visit their home or business.   Our guys wear booties over their shoes while working in your home to keep the work area neat and tidy.   At Purl’s Sheet Metal our entire team is invested in the relationships we build with our customers and take pride in every aspect of our work.    We invite you to experience the Purl’s difference.

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Air Conditioning: How to Get Your Home Prepared For Warm Weather

Monday, March 4th, 2013

Fresno, CA gets a lot of hot weather which means you need a good air conditioning system. But since your air conditioning system has likely seen little use during the winter, there are a few things that you can do to get your home ready for warm weather. At Purl’s Sheet Metal and & Conditioning, we provide comprehensive air conditioning services in Fresno, CA. We thought it would be helpful if we put together some of the best ways to get your home ready for warm weather.

Why Get Air Conditioning Maintenance in Fresno CA

During the winter your air conditioning system often sits unused for extended periods of time. If you were to just suddenly flip on your air conditioning switch it could cause you problems. There might be leaves, branches, rodents, rust or other things that have started to build up inside your system. Your AC system may have also sustained other damage during the winter. Having a professional Fresno air conditioning technician inspect your ac system before you turn it on is a great idea. They’ll be able to find any problems or issues and repair them. This can potentially reduce the need for costly air conditioning repairs in Fresno. It can also improve the efficiency of your air conditioning system as well.

Get Your Ducts Sealed

The ducts in your home are responsible for delivering the cool air from your AC system throughout your home. Over time, your ducts can start to wear out and crack. Whether it’s from old age or from insects or rodents, leaks in your ducts can waste a lot of energy. Getting your ducts sealed is a great way to make sure that the cool air you’re paying for gets to your home.

Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for all your Fresno air conditioning needs. We can help you get your home ready for the warm weather so that your air conditioning system operates efficiently

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Heating Installation FAQ: Signs You Need Furnace Installation

Monday, February 11th, 2013

Even though the Central Valley is known for its hot weather in the summer months, there are a few months in the year when you need to flip on your furnace. Our heaters might not get that much use, but eventually they still need to be replaced. Knowing when that time has come can be difficult. At Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning we provide complete heating installation in Fresno CA. We wanted to help out our customers by putting together a short list of some of the signs that can indicate you need to have a new furnace installed.

Signs You Need Heating Installation in Fresno CA

Here are some of the signs that you should keep an eye out for that could indicate that you need heating installation in Fresno, CA for your new furnace.

  • Rattling noise – If you start to hear a rattling sound from your furnace you should turn it off immediately. This can be a sign that you have a carbon monoxide leak in your home from a cracked heat exchanger. If this has happened it likely means that you need to have a new furnace installed at your home.
  • Furnace age – Most furnaces are designed to last about 25 years. If your furnace is around that age and has started to require more repairs, it might make more financial sense to have a new furnace installed at your home in Fresno.
  • Blue or wiggling flame – If you see that the flame on your furnace’s burners are blue or if they are wiggling it could mean that your heat exchanger is cracked. Again, this is a big problem and normally leads to new furnace installation.

Benefits of New Heating Installation in Fresno CA

Getting heating installation in Fresno, CA isn’t something that many homeowners enjoy. It can be intrusive and inconvenient. However, there are a few attractive benefits to getting a new furnace installed at your home.

  • Efficiency – When you get a new furnace installed you will likely enjoy more efficient heating. This is especially true if your old furnace was over 10 years old. New furnaces typically have much higher efficiency ratings than older models. You should notice a reduction in the amount of energy that you use to heat your home.
  • Fewer repairs – If your old furnace required a lot of repairs or maintenance, you’ll likely be able to avoid those things by installing a new furnace.

For all your heating installations in Fresno, CA call the friendly professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning.

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Heating Tip: How Winter Heating Maintenance Can Be Beneficial

Monday, January 7th, 2013

While California’s Central Valley isn’t known for its cold temperatures, if you live here you know that it can get pretty chilly during the winter. When that happens, you need a heating system that you can rely on. At Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, we’re proud to offer comprehensive heating services in Fresno. One of the best ways to make sure that your heating system works when you need it is get regular, professional heating maintenance. There are a number of benefits to regular maintenance which we are going to explore here. If you have any questions about heating maintenance or if you’d like to schedule heating maintenance, then contact Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today.

Benefits of Regular Heating Maintenance in Fresno

There are a number of very attractive benefits to regular heating maintenance in Fresno. Here are just a few of them.

  • Reduced repairs – Perhaps one of the most attractive benefits to regular maintenance is the potential to reduce the need for costly heating repairs. At Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, we’ve responded to countless calls for heating repair in Fresno. Many of them were the result of a small problem that could have been fixed if the heating system had been given regular maintenance. When you have a professional heating technician inspecting your equipment, they can detect those small things and fix them before they become larger, more expensive repairs.
  • Increased efficiency – Another benefit of regular heating maintenance is that it might also be able to increase the efficiency of your system. Over time, your heater will develop small problems that can slow it down or cause it to have to work harder to heat your home. With regular maintenance from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, our technician will remove and repair those issues which will allow your system to perform better.
  • Extended life – Often, the life of a heating system is cut short because a small problem turned into a major one that caused a permanent failure of the system. During regular maintenance visits, your heating technician will repair those problems before they do catastrophic damage to your system.

Heating Maintenance in Fresno for All Heating Systems

No matter what kind of heating system you have, getting regular maintenance for it is probably a good idea. Just like regular oil changes and tune-ups are good for your car, the same is true for your heater. Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning today to talk with one of our friendly heating technicians and to schedule a service visit!

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