Author: Matt

When you purchase a new heating and air conditioning system for you home you may have questions about what is included with the install. These are important questions to ask so you know exactly what you are receiving and what is not being done for you. A real company is going to have proper documentation for you. This means they will have contracts and or agreements with company letter head as well as information about the California License on the paperwork.

The contract and agreement

You should have a defined scope of work that explains exactly what is going to be performed, some companies have check boxes for the work and others will write a description. You should know exactly what you are getting for your investment.

Some companies have programs where this information is typed up and some will write everything down for you.

Since you are buying a product in California there must also be a 3 day right of rescission filled out.

You should be given copies of all of your paperwork once you authorize the work to be performed.

The legal requirements for a new heating and air system

Since you live in California you are required to have a permit filed before any work is performed. Ever city, county and jurisdictions have different rules on how the permits have to be ordered or displayed. A reputable company will require a permit for the installation to be performed. If a company offers a discount for not having a permit for the installation it is a sign you are talking to the wrong person or company.

When a new system is installed you must also have Title 24 documentation. This Title 24 test covers the leakage of the ductwork as well as the refrigerant charge.

A company that performs work on your property must also have all of the valid insurances like workers compensation, liability coverage as well as a bond.

Warranties and guarantees

There are warranties that are included from the manufacture and then covered from the company performing the install. A verbal warranty is not strong enough and may not be considered valid. The guaranty or the warranty should be spelled out so that you understand exactly what to expect. Vague information does not help you out as a consumer. You want definite information when it comes to warranties and guarantees. You will see some companies follow the “me also” format when they just write in the guarantee on their paperwork without any other information. Strong warranties and guarantees are meant to protect you as a consumer.

Standard parts and pieces to be installed by Love and Care Heating and Air

There really is not a standard that all companies live by when replacing a heating and air conditioning system in the Sacramento area. Some companies will install the bare minimum to get the system up and running and this does not help you in the long run.

With any installation you will receive:

• A city or county permit
• A title 24 test and certificate
• A new thermostat
• A new electrical disconnect at the heat pump or the air conditioner
• A new pre-formed foundation pad
• Removal of your old equipment
• Recycling of your refrigerant

What may need to be changed besides the standard changes?

Since a permit is required for your installation your home must be brought up to code or requirements for the standards set forth today.

• In some instance the electrical needs to be updated to a larger circuit or your new system.
• You may find that there are times where the refrigerant line needs to be replaced due to size or materials
• The return air intake is too small in nearly every install prior to 2011 and in some cases systems that were installed in the last few years.
• Smoke detectors and carbon monoxide detectors may need to be added to bring your home up to code as well

There are quite a few other items included with a new system, what is important to understand these changes will be explained to you in your home.

If you are in the market for a new heating and air system in the Sacramento area we would love to take care of you and your home. Its really easy to find out what it will take to replace your current system as well as the requirements for your home just Call 916-714-1143 and we will set you up with a convenient appointment. 

Trust is important when you need to have work performed or when you want to replace your heating and air system. Most homeowners want to make sure the items shared as being broken really do have issues.

It is unfortunate that a few technicians make things up in order to get repairs made. This is not as common as you may think it would be, its only a few bad apples that cause this problem.

As a homeowner you have over 300 choices for heating and air conditioning companies in the Sacramento area. The types of companies can range from great all of the way to some that leave more to be desired. Trust is important for any business or service.

How come one tech says one thing and another says something different

Universal training is not required to be a heating and air conditioning technician. Some companies require for technicians to learn from a technical school while some technicians are self taught. The level of knowledge a technician has leads to their capabilities to properly diagnose a heating and air system.

There are quite a few reasons why heating and air technicians can have a conflicting diagnosis:

• Some technicians have so many service calls placed on them there is no possible way to diagnose the system properly. A true diagnosis of your system means looking at all of the parts involved including the ductwork. A proper diagnosis can take 60 – 90 minutes and sometimes longer if there is a technical issue.
• There are times where technicians quit on the diagnosis because they do not have the necessary knowledge to complete the inspection.
• You will find some technicians may be scared of asking you for a large sum of money because they fear you will be angry with a diagnosis.
• As technology evolves so does the amount of knowledge it takes to work your air conditioner or furnace. Some of the technicians out there simply do not have the skills needed to work on the newer equipment

Licenses and legal requirements

A company that operating above board will have all of their licenses in place. A company that does not have a contractor license should automatically be excluded from performing any type of work and especially an install. A salesperson should be able to furnish their Home Improvement Sales Number (HIS License) upon request. This number can be looked on the California State License Board any time http://www.cslb.ca.gov/

Online ratings and referrals

One way you can look for the right company is the type of reviews left by clients. A consistent track record may be one indicator of a company you can trust. Not all review sites are the same and some of them cater towards negative reviews.

In instances of not having enough reviews you can ask for referrals for clients that have had work performed recently.

Length of time in the industry

If you are looking at a new company it is important to look at how long the owner and the employees have been in the business. It could be a mistake to think a newer company cant compete with a company name that has been in the market for a while. Every market gets disrupted with technology and time. The benefits of a smaller company comes from the personal touch and the attention given to clients.

If you have questions or concerns about having your heating and air conditioning fixed we would love to take care of you. Please call the office at 916-714-1143 and let our friendly staff know what you would like to have help with. 

 If you have high energy bills in the Sacramento area when you use your air conditioner it may be a sign of problems. The first quick fix is to take a look at your thermostat setting when your energy bills are high. 78 degrees is the recommended thermostat setting when you are at home. Some homeowners set the thermostat and forget it your round and end up paying to cool an empty home. While you are away you may choose to increase the thermostat setting to 82 degrees.

Dirty equipment leads to inefficiency

One of the things most homeowners are never told is an air conditioner or furnace needs yearly maintenance. If your heating and air system has been neglected for a long time you will increase the costs of operation. Having a regular maintenance does help with the long term costs of keeping your home comfortable. Most energy providers recommend your system to be cleaned yearly.

Low refrigerant in your air conditioner

If your air conditioner has a low refrigerant charge you will automatically increase your energy costs. A low charge makes your air conditioner run longer costing more in energy. A low charge can also create significant damage to the internals of your air conditioner.

Damaged duct work can lead to excessive energy bills

One of the places to look for increased costs of energy can come from problems with your ductwork. Older ductwork can leak and cause an extra use of energy consumption. Older ducts may be made of poor materials that have broken down over time. Small animals or rodents can cause extra issues with your ductwork and lead to extra costs. Contractors who have made changes to your home may have created problems by smashing or breaking ducts. If you have ductwork that has fallen apart or become discounted can increase your bills significantly.

Undersized heating and air system

On a rare occasion your heating and air system may be undersized causing your air conditioner to run more than what is needed. There are a few factors that really determine the size or capacity of your heating and air system.

The size of your home and its build is part of the equation when sizing the system

• 1.You may have problems that have nothing to do with your heating and air system. You could have problems with poor insulation value. If you cant hold the cold air in your home you will need to run your air conditioner more frequently to keep your home cool. The amount of insulation in the walls and the attic in your home also helps determine the size of equipment needed.
• 2.The windows in your home help hold the temperature inside when your air conditioner is running. Older windows in your home can bled energy and cause an increase in energy costs. The more windows you have in your home the more energy you may need to run your air conditioner.
• 3.The direction your home faces also is part of the formula when it comes to sizing your heating and air system. A full southern exposure can increase the cost of running your heating and air system especially when there are multiple windows
• 4.The heat gain from your attic may require your system to work harder than what is needed. On a hot day your attic can reach 130 – 140 degrees. Additional heat in your attic may lead to a longer run time

If you have high energy bills you believe are caused by your air conditioner we would love to help out. You may need a maintenance in order to get your air conditioner running properly and to have your ductwork inspected. You may be in a place where you just want to replace your current heating and air system, either way we would love to take care of you and help you out. Its really easy to figure out if your energy costs are increased by your air conditioner by making an easy phone call to 916-714-1143 and our friendly representative can help you out. 

Your air conditioner or heat pump uses refrigerant to cool your home in the summer. There are multiple types of refrigerant on the market. Some of the types used are for commercial use and some are used in the residential market.

R22 is one type of refrigerant that has been used for quite a while in the residential market. The technical name for R22 is hydrochlorofluorocarbon 22 (HCFC-22).

By January 1, 2020 R22 will be phased out completely. R-22 will not be allowed to be imported to manufactured in the U.S. If a system uses R22 a technician will only be able to use the refrigerant type if it has been recycled, reclaimed or produced before the phase out date.

When you take a look at the laws and changes the manufacturing of r22 has slowed down. Since production has slowed down the increase of price has been significant.

When systems are removed or when repairs are made the R22 that is removed is then recycled and then cleaned. There is a cost associated with the re conditioning of the refrigerant.

There is a perfect storm when it comes to the use of R22 as the production has been reduced and the demand has increased.

What should you do if you have R22 refrigerant?

If your system does not need to have refrigerant added you can keep the system as long as it makes sense to you. If you need to have refrigerant added there is a problem with your air conditioner somewhere. An air conditioning unit is welded shut and should never need to be “topped off”. If your system is low on charge and has not had problems previous there is a leak somewhere.This leak in your air conditioner can be in the outdoor coil, the refrigerant line or the indoor coil. Any type of a leak may put you in a costly situation.

There may be times where a repair is not the viable option because of the increased cost in refrigerant. At some point it will not even make sense to consider adding R22 refrigerant to an older system because of the cost of repairs.

What to do if you have R22 and need a repair

You may find yourself in the situation where you need to add R22 to your air conditioner. You may want to take a look at other options instead of investing money in a system that may keep costing you money. There are a few things you will want to take a look at:

• Future repairs
• Loss of energy savings
• Loss of rebates
• Cost of inflation

More future repairs into an air conditioner may mean you are investing in a new heating and air system and not even getting the benefits.

You will lose energy savings with an older system compared to what you can have with a newer heating and air system

Some systems have rebates available and typically they decrease over time or the utility companies will make you jump though more hoops to get the same rebate you can have today.

Over time the costs of inputs to make the heating and air system will increase.

The best time to replace your heating and air system

Sometimes homeowners will try and wait for the perfect time to install a new heating and air system only to find the wait costs extra money.

If you are concerned about the state of your current heating and air system we would love to help you out and take care of your concerns. We can first take a look at your system and diagnose your situation and then make recommendations based upon your situation. Its really easy to find out if your air conditioner with R22 refrigerant needs to be replaced. Simply Call 916-714-1143 and one of our friendly representatives can help you out with a tune up to take a look at your heating and air system. 

Home warranty is one way homeowners protect some of their appliances inside their home. A home warranty may be great for smaller appliances but may leave you high and dry when it comes to fixing a broken heating and air system.

If you take the time to read the fine print you will find there may be quite a few exclusions on why service cant be performed. This means you may think you are going to get service and then nothing happens even if a technician shows up to your home.

Typically a homeowner calls to have a home warranty come out to fix a broken system. The technician arrives and asks for documentation to prove the system has been maintained. Most homeowners do not know that maintenance is required to keep most home warranties valid. If the homeowner has proof then the technician from the home warranty company can start to do the work.

If the homeowner does not have proof that the system has been serviced the technician says “I will come back after your system has been maintained”. The service of the broken system is then put on hold until a proper maintenance can happen. This is usually after someone has waited for a few days in order to get the service in the first place. What makes the situation more complex is most heating and air companies do not perform maintenance service when it is hot outside or freezing in the winter.

… and the problems don’t stop

The dirty little secret of the industry is most home warranties have a threshold of cost for what the service tech can perform on the system. A generic answer may be $180 for the entire service call. As a reminder the home warranty company only has to get the system up and running this does not always mean that a part that is considered bad will be replaced. In order to keep under the threshold the minimum amount of work to be performed is done.

Occasionally there are stories about how some technicians install used parts inside of systems to beat the repair threshold.

Most homeowners complain about how home warranty has done nothing for their broken heating and cooling issues and lead to nothing but frustration and aggravation. A home warranty policy for a year can be upwards of $500. Most of the time you will not be able to “get something for nothing” rarely it does happen though.

Maintenance is the better way

Love and Care Heating and Air does not recommend the use of a home warranty. What you can do instead is invest the money you would have spent paying a home warranty company and have a system tune up and inspection performed.

A proper maintenance of your heating and cooling system should take 60-90 minutes. This services allows your technician to disassemble you furnace or air conditioner and let you know exactly what is going on inside your system.

The great news for you is 90% of issues can be caught before they happen. Your technician can walk you through what it will take to keep your system up and running without issues. Best of all your system will be ready for whatever season you are in.

We would love to help you take care of your heating and cooling system. All you have to do is Call 916-714-1143 and le one of our friendly staff members know you are looking for your system to be serviced and they can help set you up with a convenient appointment that works for your schedule.

If you are in a situation where you air conditioner or furnace has broken down from the common Sacramento weather we are more than willing to see what we can do about repairing your system. 

One of the most common questions homeowner ask about a furnace or an air conditioner centers around the longevity of a system. How long does an air condition or how long does a furnace last is an important question. Some of the life of a system is up to you and some of this answer is up to the manufacturer and the parts they put in the system.

Most systems today are designed to last 12 – 15 years and sometimes you can get 20 years with proper maintenance. Can your system last longer than roughly 20 years? The answer is yes they can but there is an asterisk next to that statement. You may end up starting to buy a new system without getting the benefits.

When you decide to go down the path of making multiple repairs on an older system you may be investing money in parts that you could have invested in a new system. This is a common mistake homeowners make because they feel trapped after investing in parts and repair so they cycle never ends. Repairs over time can become costly and frequent.

The perfect storm happens when you have an older system, a long list of repairs and an older system that is no longer efficient. These two issues combined are costly.

Most systems that were installed in tract homes or sub divisions were not very good to begin with because they were “slapped in” as fast as possible. Some builders did go the extra mile with the equipment installed and some did install systems that leave much to be desired. The reason why this is important to know is you can go down the path of making repairs and sink money in a sinking ship.

Repairs may be more costly than…

You can end up rebuilding a heating and air system one piece at a time and just end up with a costly heart ache. This route of action is not really optimal for the long run.

In rare instances some manufactures stop making parts and pieces for equipment 15-20 years after the last manufacture date. In some instances some of the manufactures stop producing parts earlier than the 15 years.

Most older systems are energy inefficient and between the cost of running and making repairs you really are investing in a new one without getting the service of a new one.

Items like changing or cleaning your filter can lead to a longer life as well as making sure your system is properly maintenance.

If your heating and air system has been neglected you may end up losing precious life and energy efficiency.

What to do if you have multiple repairs

If you are questioning what type of life is left in your system one of the best things you can do is have a maintenance performed to see what state your system is in. This maintenance can help determine if there are parts or pieces that need to be replaced as well as help to determine who energy efficient or energy inefficient your system is working at the time.

It is really easy to set up a time for a technician to come out and look at your furnace or your air conditioner. We would love to be able to let you know where you stand and take the time to care for your system. If you think it may be time for replacement a comfort advisor will be able to help you navigate what system will work best for you and your home.

Just pick up the phone and Call 916-714-1143 and we will get someone to your home to answer your questions and help you out. 

One of the most common questions asked by homeowners in the Sacramento Valley is When is the best time to replace my heating and air conditioning system? Another way to ask this question is there a better time than other to replace my system?

The answer may surprise your…

The best time to replace your furnace or air conditioner is right now and not later.

Repairs to your system

If your system is older you may want to take into account the repairs that your have made and that you are willing to make in the future. Its not a matter of if you need a repair but when it will be needed. At some point your system will fail and the older it gets the greater the chance you have of failure. This money you spend on repairs could be going towards a new system.

Extra energy costs

For every time you run or cycle an older heating and cooling system you incur extra costs from the utility companies. Depending upon when your system was installed and the practices used to install it you could have some extra savings from the utility companies. The loss of energy savings over time is real and does effect homeowners just like you. The extra costs in energy could be used towards a newer energy efficient system.

Inflation does paly a factor

You will also want to take into account the cost of inflation or the increase in the costs of goods to manufacture your new heating and air system. The cost of all of the material used to create a system do fluctuate. Since most of the parts are made of metals like aluminum and steel the cost can swing with the market. The longer you wait the more you may be paying for replacement of your air conditioner and furnace.

You may miss out on free money or rebates

There are also time sensitive rebates available to you that change over time. There are times where the utility companies will offer rebates and then make changes to the offer. By waiting you could be missing out on the rebates the utility company has to offer. These rebates help buy down your overall investment into a new system.

The laws of energy efficiency

California has laws in place to help with energy efficiency. As time goes on these rules and regulations add extra work and paperwork to your installation.

When you add all of these elements up you get:

• The cost of your future repairs
• Inflation over time until you could replace your system
• Loss of energy savings from your old heating and air system
• Rebates from the utility companies that you could miss out on
• Laws and regulations

These five elements together will allow you to know right now is the best time to replace your heating and air system is right now.

You may question if there is a better time over the year than any other and sometimes it comes down to you replacing your system when it is convenient versus when it is an emergency.

If you have been worried about the life of your heating and air system there are normally good reasons. A fear about your heating and air system typically means at some point you need to get the ball rolling on replacement.

One of our comfort advisors will be able to help walk you though what it will take to replace your system the right way with all of the right options for you and your home. The process typically takes 60 – 90 minutes. The right system for you home is based upon how you live in your home and nobody else.

To find out more about the current specials and what specifics it will take to have a new system replaced Call 916-714-1143 . We would love to help take care of your home. 

The dust in your home may be coming from more than just an open door or window. One of the items you may not have considered is your heating and air conditioning system causing the problems with dust in your home.

More specifically you may have a problem with your duct work or damaged ductwork connected to your heating and air system.

The ductwork for your central heating and air system is either located in your attic or under your home.

Your air conditioner or furnace pulls the inside of your home and creates suction.

If you have damaged ductwork you may be pulling air in from the sub area of your home or even from the attic. The sub area is an open area of dirt and the attic if filled with insulation. If your ductwork is pulling air from wither of these locations you have the potential of breathing the dirt and dust. Anywhere there is a connection holding the ductwork together there is the possibility of a break in the duct.

Once of the things to consider if you have allergies is they could be triggered because of the type of air being pulled into your home.

What causes ductwork to not function properly

When your system was installed it could be that it was not installed correctly, or the parts used were inferior. Over time parts break down due to the conditions especially in the heat. Your attic can reach temperatures of 130 to 140 degrees on a hot day. This type of heat breaks down cheap materials and can cause breaks to appear in the ductwork or the connections. If your installer did not use the correct procedures or spend enough time connecting the ductwork you may end up with a break somewhere. These breaks can pull the dirty air into the ductwork and then distribute it into your home.

Weak connections of ducts lead to a break down in the overall seal. Sealed ductwork stops air from being pulled in where it does not belong.

Damage from contractors can be another reason you have problems with dust in your home. If someone has been near the ductwork and damaged it the potential for dirt and dust to be introduced into the ductwork increases.

Rodents or animals may have near or around your ductwork looking for a place to get warm or cool. Damage to your ductwork can happen when an animal or rodent opens up the ducts through the use of claws or teeth. The suction created from the pressure in the duct in turn pulls dirt, dust and debris into your system and he distributes it into your home.

Not changing the filter often enough

You may not be changing your filter frequently enough and it may not be your fault. Most homeowners do not know that a filter should be changed on a set schedule. Most filters were designed to last 60 – 90 days depending upon how many people live in your home and how many pets you have.

Changing your filter not only has the potential to help reduce dust it also helps keep your system working properly.

What to do if you feel your home is too dusty

If you feel your home is too dusty or you have concerns about the type of ductwork you have we would love to come out and take care of you. Your questions or concerns can be answered and you will be able to find out if you have a proper installation as well as if your ducts are energy efficient. Its really easy to set up and appointment just Call 916-714-1143and we can help you out with your concerns. 

It is not a matter of if your air conditioner or furnace breaks down it is a matter of when it breaks down especially living in the Sacramento Valley. A hot home in the summer or freezing home in the winter is never comfortable. You can create more problems and damage when you do not simply turn off your air conditioner or furnace when it is not functioning correctly.

One of the most typical things homeowners do when their system isn’t work is to try and force it to work. This repeated effort to turn on a system that is not working properly is not recommended.

Why you should turn your air conditioner off if it breaks

What you do not know is you can create more costly damage by trying to operate a system that isn’t working right. All of the parts and pieces in the system work together. Problems with one part can lead to problems with another. Some of the parts have heat sensors that when overloaded shut the system down. On a hot day it can take a great deal of time to get the system started again and lead to a longer diagnosis time.

It can be uncomfortable on a very hot day or even on a chilly day to be without your air conditioner or your heater. To minimize the amount of repairs you will need to get up and running again please turn your thermostat to off.

By turning your thermostat off when your system is not working properly you can limit the wear and tear created by a part or piece that is not working properly. It is better to be uncomfortable for a few hours than it is to create more damage to your furnace or your air conditioner. The more damage your heating and air system has the more the repair will be when your service technician comes out to get you up and running.

Turning your system off may lead to less diagnosis time from your technician when they come out to make the repair.

You may increase your wait time

When your heating and air system breaks down there is nothing worse than having to wait to have a repair made when you do not have to. Your technician will also thank you for turning your air conditioner or furnace off so they can make the necessary repairs.

There was something that lead your system to a break down. One of the things most homeowner do not know is the furnace or the air conditioner in your home needs to be maintained yearly to reduce operating costs and to also limit break downs. All manufacturers recommend that your system is looked at and maintained yearly for optimal performance.

A preventive maintenance on your furnace or air conditioner can catch 90% of issues before they happen. You can save yourself from aggravation and frustration next time by having your system looked at before summer or winter begins. We would love to take the time to look at your furnace or air conditioner and take care of the problems before they happen.

If your heating and air system has failed you, one of our technicians can help you get up and running. Our trucks are stocked with parts and most of the time your system can be repaired on the first visit. Just remember to turn your system off while you wait for your technician to arrive to your home.

It is really easy to get a technician out to help you with a repair. All you have to do is Call 916-714-1143 and let the representative know you would like a maintenance for your furnace or your air conditioner. 

It is not a matter of if your air conditioner or furnace breaks down it is a matter of when it breaks down especially living in the Sacramento Valley. A hot home in the summer or freezing home in the winter is never comfortable. You can create more problems and damage when you do not simply turn off your air conditioner or furnace when it is not functioning correctly.

One of the most typical things homeowners do when their system isn’t work is to try and force it to work. This repeated effort to turn on a system that is not working properly is not recommended.

Why you should turn your air conditioner off if it breaks

What you do not know is you can create more costly damage by trying to operate a system that isn’t working right. All of the parts and pieces in the system work together. Problems with one part can lead to problems with another. Some of the parts have heat sensors that when overloaded shut the system down. On a hot day it can take a great deal of time to get the system started again and lead to a longer diagnosis time.

It can be uncomfortable on a very hot day or even on a chilly day to be without your air conditioner or your heater. To minimize the amount of repairs you will need to get up and running again please turn your thermostat to off.

By turning your thermostat off when your system is not working properly you can limit the wear and tear created by a part or piece that is not working properly. It is better to be uncomfortable for a few hours than it is to create more damage to your furnace or your air conditioner. The more damage your heating and air system has the more the repair will be when your service technician comes out to get you up and running.

Turning your system off may lead to less diagnosis time from your technician when they come out to make the repair.

You may increase your wait time

When your heating and air system breaks down there is nothing worse than having to wait to have a repair made when you do not have to. Your technician will also thank you for turning your air conditioner or furnace off so they can make the necessary repairs.

There was something that lead your system to a break down. One of the things most homeowner do not know is the furnace or the air conditioner in your home needs to be maintained yearly to reduce operating costs and to also limit break downs. All manufacturers recommend that your system is looked at and maintained yearly for optimal performance.

A preventive maintenance on your furnace or air conditioner can catch 90% of issues before they happen. You can save yourself from aggravation and frustration next time by having your system looked at before summer or winter begins. We would love to take the time to look at your furnace or air conditioner and take care of the problems before they happen.

If your heating and air system has failed you, one of our technicians can help you get up and running. Our trucks are stocked with parts and most of the time your system can be repaired on the first visit. Just remember to turn your system off while you wait for your technician to arrive to your home.

It is really easy to get a technician out to help you with a repair. All you have to do is Call 916-714-1143 and let the representative know you would like a maintenance for your furnace or your air conditioner.