Educate Yourself

Have you ever been confused when listening to an air conditioner repairman? You’re not alone! Some people are even uneasy when it comes to having to deal with an air conditioning issue because they feel incompetent and fear they will be taken advantage of by their repairman. Admittedly, there is a lot of jargon used in the world of heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC), but that’s no reason a repairman should keep their customer in the dark.

Some HVAC companies may use specific terminology as a way to appear more experienced. Unfortunately, others may simply use it as a way to complicate their analysis and recommendation as a way to take advantage of unsuspecting customers. At Wolff Mechanical, we believe our skilled professionals should not only be dedicated to offering the best HVAC services valley-wide, but are also a resource to provide our customers with valuable understanding so they can make educated decisions.

As a service to our customers and for the general consumer, we have compiled a list of typical jargon on our website which we felt were important for all HVAC consumers to understand. Most of these are specific to air conditioning, but some overlap with heating lingo, so as to help the air conditioning consumer understand how some of these phrases cross over in the world of HVAC in general. Please use this page as a way to educate yourself and others in making more informed decisions when it comes to purchasing, repairing and maintaining the most efficient AC system for as long as possible.

Wolff Mechanical is a full-service HVAC provider for Phoenix and the outlying areas. We have been in business in the valley with an A+ rating at the BBB for over 22 years. We were named number one by ranking AZ business magazine in 2013, by votes from our loyal customers. Our strong commitment to customer service in the heating and cooling industry, as well as the value we place on educating our customers, are some of the many reasons we are the leader of the pack!

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AC For Your New Build

When building a new home, you need to begin with the best air conditioning and heating system for your space that you can count on for years to come. In order to accomplish that, you need to begin with a qualified heating and air conditioning company you can trust who is experienced in new construction design and installation of air conditioning and heating systems. Wolff Mechanical is proud to be trusted by leading luxury home builders throughout the Phoenix valley to install their air conditioning and heating systems. We have built a reputation of commitment to the highest standards, outstanding service, competitive pricing and doing the job right the first time, every time.

When it comes to air conditioning and heating systems for new home construction, we know that completing the design and installation correctly from the beginning will save you from many foreseeable problems, as well as save money throughout the life of the unit. Wolff Mechanical specializes in multi-system, new construction air conditioning installation with cutting edge designs and technology. We work with homeowners or their home builder to ensure the air conditioning unit is properly designed, sized and implemented throughout the new home.

During a new home construction process, you can trust our professionals to:

• Ensure the right size equipment is used for specific needs
• Correctly calculate the required system capacity BEFORE new equipment is bought
• Team up with the designers, architects and contractors to meet goals and maintain standards
• Install the air conditioning and heating system correctly and on time
• Test and inspect the HVAC system before ending the job
• Always be there for our customers for continued warranty and maintenance for many years to come

We work closely with the homeowner or builder to make sure Wolff Mechanical’s high standards we have become known for are kept and no corners are cut on the design or installation so the home builders can focus on the building process and project time line. We want to be your new construction air conditioning and heating system installers. Our craftsmen offer free bids and competitive rates to design and install your custom home air conditioning and heating system. For more information on our quality new construction air conditioning repair and installation services, please visit our website or contact us today at (602) 814-0004.

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Secrets Revealed!

One of the most important and expensive purchases you will ever make for your home is an air conditioning unit. As such, you do not want to make such an important purchase lightly. However, there are a lot of air conditioning companies out there which all claim to be qualified for your business. It's up to you to be educated and informed about the company you choose for your air conditioning unit, from their qualifications and products, to warranties and maintenance programs.

Researching and narrowing down which air conditioning company to use may seem overwhelming, but it is simple when you know what to look for and what questions to ask. When your air conditioning unit is purchased and installed by a reputable contractor, not only can you expect your AC to give you about 10 years of service, but it will continue to provide comfort, lower energy bills and maintain better air quality throughout those years. Through our 8 insider secrets, you can know the basics to finding a contractor you can trust to install quality products and receive quality service.

1. Check licenses.
2. Make sure equipment being installed is by an employee and not subcontractors.
3. Find out if the technicians are paid hourly or by commission.
4. During an equipment purchase/installation, get everything in writing before, during and after.
5. Ask how long parts are warrantied for and if they include labor.
6. For peace of mind, have another person with you when a contractor is in your home.
7. Ask the contractor about their liability insurance coverage and to present a certificate of insurance.
8. If you are receiving a “free” or drastically reduced tune up, make sure that it includes at least a 31-point inspection along with service.

For more detailed information on each of these eight insider secrets, as well as important questions to ask when selecting an AC business, please visit our website for a downloadable brochure. At Wolff Mechanical, we want all Arizona consumers to be educated and informed about air conditioning. It’s our goal to help our clients maximize their efficiency and minimize energy bills.

For over 20 years, Wolff Mechanical has received an A+ rating with the Better Business Bureau,  a complaint-free license through the Arizona Registrar of Contractors and voted number 1 in 2013 by consumers in a ranking AZ business magazine. As an APS Qualified Contractor and SRP Certified Contractor, we serve residential, commercial and industrial clients in the Phoenix Valley and are trusted by the Valley’s luxury home builders. We have a reputation for offering the highest quality Phoenix air conditioning services to our customers valley wide. To have one of our trained technicians come to your home or business so you can experience our commitment to quality and service, schedule an appointment at (602) 814-0004 or on our website.

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Preventative Maintenance: Just Do It

When it comes to the life expectancy of your air conditioning unit, the best way to get the most out of it is preventative maintenance. It is essential to keep all parts of your AC unit well maintained to extend the life of your system. Just like the engine and working parts of your vehicle, you wouldn’t expect it to continue to run effectively without problems if you don’t perform routine maintenance, fluid and filter changes.

Routine maintenance on your home’s AC unit helps ensure it is functioning properly and will continue to do so for the life of the unit. Additionally, it will protect you from avoidable, costly repairs brought about by the lack of preventative maintenance. Pre-season maintenance is also important, as it can help to avoid a system failure in severe hot or cold weather when you need it most. Keeping up with the maintenance of your AC unit throughout the year will let you have peace of mind knowing that your system will be able to keep you comfortable and much less likely to require emergency repairs. 

At Wolff Mechanical, we understand the routine maintenance an AC unit requires can be overwhelming for many homeowners. Some may simply be new to AC maintenance, others don’t feel comfortable doing maintenance for such complicated machinery and still others may just forget to add it to the many tasks they already have going on in their busy schedules.

Routine inspections can be schedule with Wolff Mechanical to have our certified technicians help you get the most life expectancy of your air conditioning unit. In doing so, we can identify problems before they become a major repair or beyond repair. Preventative maintenance by Wolff will guarantee your system operates efficiently all year long. By scheduling our certified technicians to perform the routine, preventative maintenance on your unit, you can simply concentrate on enjoying your comfortable home. For more detailed information on when you should perform maintenance on your AC unit, as well as a maintenance checklist for indoor and outdoor maintenance, please visit our website.

Wolff Mechanical is proud to offer the best air conditioning and heating products, world-class customer service and warranties. If you would like to learn more about our Phoenix air conditioning maintenance services we offer, visit our website or schedule an appointment with one of our Preventative Air Conditioning Maintenance Technicians today at (602) 814-0004.

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Who's Afraid of AC Repairs?

As a homeowner or renter, you can usually tell when your air conditioning system has a problem just by listening to how it is working or feeling a difference in your home’s comfort level. You don’t want to ignore these tell-tale signs that your AC needs a repair. If they go unchecked, you risk further damage to your unit, increased energy bills and possibly even having to replace your unit all together.

One such sign of a problem is if your air conditioner starts and stops frequently without affecting the air as much as it used to. This may be an indication that you have a refrigerant leak. Repairs such as this are often the case when you notice these changes in the performance of your air conditioner. It is a piece of machinery after all and periodic repairs come up.

Here in the Arizona desert, we rely heavily on our air conditioning units in the summer. There are certain things you can do to ensure longer efficiency of your unit, such as monthly or quarterly filter changes and having an annual inspection performed by a professional when you haven’t used the AC in a while. However, many repairs on your HVAC unit actually need to be completed by a professional repair person. Things such as replacing the refrigerant are not something any do-it-yourselfer should tackle. It takes a professional with the correct equipment to find the leak, fix it, pump more refrigerant back in the system and test the levels.

With factors such as age of equipment, SEER, and health concerns, Wolff Mechanical technicians are trained to effectively asses all of your HVAC needs prior to a repair in order to ensure that your air conditioning unit gets the attention it deserves. Upon completion of an inspection, our AC specialists will keep you informed every step of the repair process by taking into account the estimated cost of repairs, warranty concerns and potential use of an air conditioning system.

With Wolff Mechanical’s expert technicians, you can enjoy the comforts of an efficient air conditioning unit worry free and without breaking the bank. Even if you need emergency air conditioning repair, we are ready to help. We have live dispatchers to take your call 24 hours a day, 7 days per week at (602) 814-0004. To learn more about our services, please visit our website.

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Repair or Replace? That is the Question!

We know you rely heavily on air conditioning here in the valley of the sun’s legendary summers. The last thing you want to deal with is not having your AC work. Don’t panic though, it’s bound to happen at some point, even for units which receive routine professional maintenance.

Before you call in a professional, there are some things you can do yourself to see if it’s a quick fix. First, check the thermostat settings to make sure someone didn’t switch it from “cool” or “auto.” Make sure the temperature setting is correct as well. Next, make sure the unit has power by checking the circuit breaker or fuse that runs your air conditioner at the main electrical panel. You can also turn on the fan to determine if the blower is getting any power. If it starts, the blower is getting power. If the fan doesn’t turn on, the blower may be malfunctioning. Finally, always clean condenser coils and replace the air filter if you haven’t done it as preventative routine maintenance in a while.

If you determine it is time to call in an air conditioning professional such as Wolff Mechanical, here are some factors to consider that will help you further determine if it’s time to simply repair or time to replace:

• Life expectancy: Typically, most AC units last 8-12 years if properly maintained. For each additional year past that time frame, they often become more and more expensive to maintain due to worn out parts, expired warranties and discontinued internals.
• Efficiency: Assess the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) of your current air conditioning system. A complete overhaul of your existing unit will only achieve the SEER rating of when it was originally manufactured.
• Current condition: Determine how your AC unit will hold up when nearing its age expectancy based on the previous conditions. If your unit has been poorly maintained or has a steady record of breaking down during peak usage months, a complete overhaul of your current system may prove a costly repair.

Wolff Mechanical’s team of air conditioning experts utilizes a 17-point scale to effectively assess your cooling needs. Our expert technicians are trained and certified to give you the most complete air conditioning evaluation and recommendation if a replacement or repair is needed.

We have many specials for AC system repairs and replacement, including financing options. Visit our website for more information on our services. We look forward to being your first choice for all of your Phoenix air conditioning needs!

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Don't Sweat It!

It’s that time of year in Arizona when the temperatures are going to begin to climb every day until we inevitably reach record highs. You cannot survive a summer in the valley of the sun without air conditioning (AC)! Flip a switch and we almost forget the sweltering heat outside. It’s a standard expectation for the home, car, office, grocery, convenience store, etc. Our AC systems can be running 24/7 in the summer, but we don’t really think about it until the AC stops working.

Seasonal air conditioning system tune-ups are a wise investment every home and business owner should make as preventative maintenance. Not only will it keep your system running when you’re relying on it, but it’s good for your budget. Running a poorly maintained system is foolishly expensive. A neglected system can cost you up to 50 percent more to run than one that has had proper care. A seasonal tune-up is about preventing problems, such as breakdowns on a sweltering summer day, inflated energy bills due to declining efficiency or the unnecessary expense of replacing equipment that has failed prematurely.

Here are some things that should be completed in a seasonal air conditioner tune-up:

• Testing of system functions and safety controls.
• Inspection and maintenance of electrical connections and components.
• Inspection, lubrication and maintenance of pumps.
• Cleaning and maintenance of motors.
• Inspection, cleaning and balancing of blowers.
• Checking for proper airflow and air filter maintenance.
• Inspection of coils and condensate pans, lines and traps, and cleaning as necessary.
• Testing of refrigerant levels and, if low, locating and repairing any leaks. http://wolffmechanical.net/hvac-tune-up/

Given the benefits an AC tune-up has on both comfort and finances, it just doesn’t make sense to skip seasonal service. If you neglect preventative maintenance of your AC system because you simply don’t know how or are too busy, a maintenance agreement might be a smart investment for you. A service agreement places the management of your maintenance schedule in the hands of your AC contractor to ensure it is completed properly and regularly.

The trained staff at Wolff Mechanical focuses on taking care of your HVAC equipment during the off-season months to give you peace of mind when it counts the most. You can trust our professionals for exceptional service and solutions every time. For more information about air conditioning tune-ups and annual maintenance agreements, please contact us.

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