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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Need a New Thermostat?

Have you upgraded to a programmable thermostat? If not, there are some things you definitely need to know! Programming the temperature in your home or business to fit your needs is not only energy efficient but it saves you time and money.

With the ability to set your thermostat for specific times of the day when it is cooler, hotter or when no one will be benefiting from a comfortable climate is where a programmable thermostat contributes the most. When used as directed, “they save families an average of $300 to $400 a year on energy costs. According to Energy Star, an average household spends close to $2,200 a year on energy bills, half of which goes toward heating and cooling empty and unused spaces. In other words, people are spending too much to heat and cool their homes and are wasting energy in the process."

“If your energy bills are getting out of control, a simple, programmable thermostat may save you thousands of dollars over the lifespan of your heating and cooling systems. And there is more to these devices than just saving money. They make it easy to preset the best temperature for you when you sleep, wake up, go to work and come home. Using less energy means you are helping the environment.” http://programmable-thermostats-review.toptenreviews.com/

According to ENERGY.GOV, when it comes to programmable thermostats, “consider the schedules of everyone in the household. If there is a time during the day when the house is unoccupied for four hours or more, it makes sense to adjust the temperature during those periods… In the summer…keeping your house warmer than normal when you are away, and lowering the thermostat setting to 78°F (26°C) only when you are at home and need cooling. Although thermostats can be adjusted manually, programmable thermostats will avoid any discomfort by returning temperatures to normal before you wake or return home.”

Wolff Mechanical offers programmable thermostats, including the latest and greatest technology for Wi-Fi. Using technology such as a 7-Day Programmable thermostat with touch-screen, menu-driving programming, and more is just one of the ways we are dedicated to heating and cooling Phoenix efficiently and cost effectively. Visit our website to learn more. With free inspections, numerous specials, financing, and warrantees, we provide the best customer service guaranteed.

Stop Air Conditioning Your Attic!

A duct system that is well-designed and properly sealed can make your home much more comfortable, energy efficient and safer during our hot Arizona valley summers. Sealing and insulating ducts can help with common comfort problems, such as rooms that are too hot in the summer.

In houses with forced-air heating and cooling systems, ducts distribute conditioned air throughout the house. In a typical house, however, about 20 percent of the air that moves through the duct system is lost due to leaks and poorly sealed connections. The result is higher utility bills and difficulty keeping the house comfortable, no matter how the thermostat is set. Sealing those leaks in the ducts is a must to get better performance from your heating and cooling system. In addition, insulating ducts in unconditioned spaces that get especially hot or cold (such as attics, garages, or crawlspaces) can save significant energy.

So how do you know if your home has poorly performing ducts? The Energy Star website has several things to look for which are good indicators:

• you have high summer and winter utility bills;
• you have rooms that are difficult to heat and cool;
• you have stuffy rooms that never seem to feel comfortable;
• your ducts are located in an attic, crawlspace, or the garage;
• you find tangled or kinked flexible ducts in your system.

If you recognize any of those indicators, have a professional air conditioning company use a product such as Aeroseal in your ducts. Aeroseal allows them to find and seal any problem cracks without causing damage to your home. It only takes one application to seal undetectable holes in your ductwork with 98% effectiveness.

Have annual maintenance done on your system before hot or cold weather begins. When air is leaking out of cracks in the ducts, extra air and energy must be used to heat or cool the space causing more stress on your HVAC unit. A professional technician can find small problems before they get bigger, such as determining if your fan motor is dying; a big warning sign for an air conditioner. A technician can also check electrical connections and check your voltage and will add refrigerant to your system.

Consider installing new HVAC equipment if yours is over 10 years old. A well-designed and sealed duct system may allow you to downsize to a smaller, less costly heating and cooling system that will provide better service.

While you can’t eliminate all air leakage, sealing ducts and other areas where air can escape will help significantly. Wolff Mechanical is dedicated to helping your home achieve maximum efficiency, reliability and comfort. Visit our website to view the services we provide and call us today for a free in-home estimate.

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Save Your AC, Use the Ceiling Fan

Using ceiling fans in your home may help cut down your energy costs; however there are a few things of which you should be aware to use your ceiling fan efficiently. Ceiling fans do not actually cool air in the room. The only reason a ceiling fan should be turned on is if there is someone in the room who will feel the benefits of the air movement.

“Ceiling fans are considered the most effective... fans, because they effectively circulate the air in a room to create a draft throughout the room. If you use air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4°F with no reduction in comfort... Install a fan in each room that needs to be cooled during hot weather.” When you raise the thermostat’s setting, you can save about 1 percent on your energy bills for every one degree you lower your thermostat. Over the summer, that 4 percent savings will add up.

When buying ceiling fans, be sure to look for the Energy Star label. Fans that earn the label move air on average 20% more efficiently than standard models. Be sure to check the noise ratings, and, if possible, listen to your fan in operation before you buy it.

When installing a ceiling fan, remember “ceiling fans are only appropriate in rooms with ceilings at least eight feet high. Fans work best when the blades are 7 to 9 feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. Fans should be installed so their blades are no closer than 8 inches from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls.

“Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller fans. A 36- or 44-inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inches or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small and medium-sized fans will provide efficient cooling in a 4- to 6-foot diameter area, while larger fans are effective up to 10 feet.”

This summer, save energy and stay comfortable by using your ceiling fans. It will alleviate the strain on your wallet and your air conditioning unit. For more information about ways you can save energy throughout your home, contact Wolff Mechanical today. We’re happy to put our expertise to good use for homeowners in the Phoenix valley area.

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AC on the Fritz?

We’re all used to the summer’s scorching temperatures here in the valley of the sun. We rely on air conditioning to survive it year after year. You know the game; dashing from one air conditioned area to the next air conditioned area, using your shirt to grab handles that have been baking in the sun’s heat, sun shades in car windows and oven mitts on hand to drive until the AC cools down the inside of your vehicle. But if the temps in your home or business start climbing when you have your air conditioner running, we start to panic. Not to worry though, it could be due to some common problems putting a strain on your air conditioning system. 

The number one issue is usually a lack of adequate maintenance to your system. To keep your air conditioner running efficiently requires regular maintenance. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends that you use a qualified technician that can properly inspect and repair your air conditioning system. Using someone who is not qualified can exacerbate problems rather than fix them. Here are some common air conditioner problems that a reputable technician will look for when servicing your system: 

• Refrigerant leaks
• Inadequate maintenance
• Electric control failure
• Sensor problems
• Drainage problems 

In addition to having your AC unit serviced, be sure to change out your air filters every month. Air filters clog with dust and particles quickly which cause your system to work harder to keep an adequate airflow moving through your home. Make sure that when your air conditioner is on, you close your home's windows and outside doors.

If you need assistance with any air conditioning repair, installation, maintenance or services in Phoenix or across the valley, Wolff Mechanical has certified technicians ready to assist you.

Wolff Mechanical is dedicated to helping your home achieve maximum efficiency, reliability and comfort. Visit our website to learn more and call us today for a free in-home estimate.

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Efficient Home, Happy Home

Every day in the United States alone, around one-sixth of the total electricity used goes to air condition buildings. So much energy being used to keep us comfortable every day needs to be used responsibly. One way everyone can easily help in using electricity responsibly is by maintaining a commitment to energy efficiency.

In air conditioning, SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) is the means used for rating an air conditioner based on the amount of energy it uses effectively. The rating represents the amount of cool air produced (measured in BTUs per hour), to the amount of electricity used to produce that air (measured in watt-hours) and averaged over the length of the cooling season. The higher the SEER number rating given, the higher the energy efficiency of the machine.

As concerns about the environment increase, the more important a high SEER rating on air conditioners has become. In 1992, the minimum SEER standard was 10. A law passed in January 2006 that made the minimum SEER rating 13. The increase in SEER ratings from 10 to 13 means the efficiency of air conditioners has improved a minimum of 30 percent since 2006. These days, the most efficient models can have SEER ratings of over 27!

Here are some incentives to consider for using a high-efficiency SEER system:

• Lower monthly utility bills
• Monetary rebate and incentive programs
• Environmental impact
• Greater control over indoor temperature and humidity

While we are advocates of higher efficiency systems that use less energy, save you money and provide better service, you don’t want to just buy the biggest, highest SEER-rated unit possible. It’s important to work with a reputable contractor who can properly size a system that’s the best fit for your home. http://www.ac-heatingconnect.com/seer-101/

Choosing equipment with a high SEER rating is the best way to increase your home’s energy efficiency for your AC unit. For more suggestions or to learn more about our Phoenix air conditioning repair and replacement services, visit our website.

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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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