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Smart Thermostats

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couple looking at energy bills

When it comes to keeping your home cozy and saving yourself some cash, a smart thermostat is what you need. Today’s smart thermostats take things one or two steps beyond. They can pick up on your routine and your schedule to heat and cool your house when you require it, and save on energy when you’re not home. They’re specially made and flexible and you can interact with them using your smartphone, tablet or computer.

The Lennox iComfort® thermostats include many beneficial features that go well beyond the abilities of the traditional thermostat, or even a more contemporary programmable thermostat. They’re intended to increase energy efficiency and offer homeowners with pointers on energy usage and alerts when the HVAC system needs maintenance. Users can remotely program these thermostats and some styles can even pick up on your family’s habits and modify heating and cooling to keep things comfortable.

Your HVAC system is usually the largest energy consumer in your home. With a programmable or smart thermostat, you’ll get top control of your HVAC system and efficiently direct your home’s energy usage. Here are some things to search for:

  • It should be able to keep your home’s temperature very near to its setting—the iComfort series thermostats will maintain the temperature within 0.5 degree of its setting.
  • The programmable thermostat should know how to direct your heating and cooling centered on whether you’re at home or not.
  • Your thermostat should be fitting with your HVAC system. You need to think about its model and unique things like how many zones you need to work with.
  • It should look nice—not like an eyesore in the middle of that living room mantel. iComfort gives you the option of using a personal photo, like a family portrait or something that adds to your design style, to use as a screensaver.

Are you ready to learn even more? Call the technicians at Econo Air at (714) 695-6661 and we’ll answer your questions and educate you on the choices we can set up for you. You can even set up an appointment with us online.

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How to Keep Your Southern California Home Comfortable During Cooler Months

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family comfortable at home

Maintaining your heat pump is vital to keeping it functioning well and keeping you and your family comfortable during the Southern California colder months. If you already called Econo Air for your annual heating system service, you’re definitely in control of things. If you haven’t, it’s not too late. Call us at (714) 695-6661 to get one on the calendar.

There are plenty of simple things you can do in between professional tune-ups to improve the efficiency of your heat pump and keep it functioning in the best shape. Try these heat pump maintenance tips:

  • Yes, we’ve said it before, but we can’t stress this enough: check your filters frequently and clean or swap them when advised. This is such a simple way to increase the airflow through your heat pump and preserve maximum efficiency.
  • Check to see if your coils and fans are open for optimum airflow. Diminished airflow makes your heat pump work harder and can injure your system’s compressor.
  • Confirm that your supply and return registers are ready and clear.
  • If plants have budded up near your outdoor unit or litter has gathered, be sure to clean the area.
  • Test your thermostat regularly to confirm that it’s functioning correctly. Merely turn it on and gradually raise the temperature setting until your heat pump switches on. If it doesn’t turn on, refer to our blog post on heat pump repair or more thermostat tips, or give us a call.

Keeping you and your family warm and comfortable matters to us. For more plans on DIY furnace maintenance or to arrange a tune-up with one of our pros, call Econo Air at (714) 695-6661 or plan an appointment online. We’re happy to help!

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Getting Your Air Conditioner Ready for Summer

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enjoying AC in summer

Summer has arrived! Many of us are eager for warmer weather and some peaceful summer days. To boost your comfort and actually relax, ensure your air conditioner is ready for summer’s hottest days. One of the keys to a enjoyable summer in Southern California is a reliable, efficient air conditioner. While Econo Air consistently recommends staying current with annual preventive air conditioning service, we’ve got some tips to help keep your air conditioner in top shape this season.

  • First, another time to recall the golden rule of HVAC: monitor your air filter consistently! Replace the filter according to the manufacturer’s recommendation.
  • Uncover your air conditioning unit if you opted to have it covered for the cold weather. Turning on your air conditioner prior to removing the cover can seriously damage it and lead to costly air conditioner service calls.
  • Plants, leaves, tall grass and debris that are close to your outside unit can reduce your AC’s operations. cut the grass, remove any debris and clear away overgrowth that obstructs your unit before you run it this summer. remember to check the vicinity at least monthly to keep it unobstructed and increase airflow through your air conditioner.
  • To provide the best air quality and that your air conditioner is running efficiently, have your ducts maintained regularly. It’s also a great idea to have your ducts inspected for leaks to establish that all that cooled air is going where you need it and not escaping through gaps.
  • Consider putting in a programmable thermostat to help you manage the efficiency of your air conditioner.
  • Evaluate the slab your air conditioner unit rests on.

These straightforward steps can save you from additional air conditioning service and keep you cool and comfortable all summer long. If it’s time to arrange your annual air conditioner service, or if you would like any more tips or recommendations to help get your air conditioner ready for summer and keep it running steadily, call Econo Air in Southern California at (714) 695-6661 today. Or, schedule an appointment with us using our convenient contact form.

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What To Do When the Heat Goes Out

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man adjusting thermostat

Call it Murphy’s Law, or maybe just a little misfortune, but we sometimes see heat pump troubles in Southern California during the winter time, when you most depend on your heating system to keep you comfortable. While you know the team at Econo Air will always be there ASAP when you ask for us for a heat pump repair, there are some things you can do to confirm that a repair is important and save yourself some money if it’s not. We’ve compiled this checklist of things to try before you give us a call.

  1. It may sound silly, but make sure everything is turned “on”. We’ve been to more than a few calls only to realize the thermostat or the heat pump itself is switched off.
  • Is the thermostat turned to heat? If yes, increase the temperature by five degrees to test if it kicks on.
  • If everything looks accurate, test your heat pump switch (if it has one) and test the fuses and circuit breaker that guard the extra heating element (if it has one).
  • If the heat pump still hasn’t turned on, go back to your thermostat.
  • Try changing the battery, if it has one.
  • Is a blockage causing your heat pump to breakdown?
  • Inspect your air filters inside your air handler to confirm they’re not jamming things up.
  • Are your room heating registers open and clear?

If you’ve moved through this checklist and you still need a heat pump fix, call Econo Air at (714) 695-6661 or arrange an appointment online and we’ll return your home back to the welcoming and cozy place you expect this time of year.

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Prepare Your AC for Summer

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couple ready for summer

With warmer temps nearby, now is the time to prep your air conditioner. When your air conditioner is working at top efficiency, it can trim a large amount off your energy bills! Likewise, if your air conditioning unit requires service, it could dramatically increase your bills and cause unnecessary and life-shortening wear and tear on your system. Having your Econo Air professional do air conditioning service at least each year is critical to keeping your system operating well for a while. He or she can make sure the unit is running as it should be and can identify looming issues prior to them happening, saving you even more money.

Your professional air conditioning service should include, but is not limited to:

  • Replacement of, or cleaning of, air filters
  • Cleaning of condensate drain, blower components and condenser coil
  • Lubrication of all moving parts and tightening of electrical components
  • Performance of cooling cycle assessment

DIY Preparation

In addition to arranging your professional air conditioning service, there are steps you can do now and occasionally throughout the year to make sure your air conditioner is at top performance.

Now:

  • Uncover your outdoor unit if you had it covered during cooler months. Using your AC with a cover, coil blanket or lid on it might hurt your system and end with the need for large repairs or even replacement.
  • Clean the area by your AC. Be sure there are no shrubs, weeds, flowers, etc. growing near your AC unit because they might obstruct airflow through your AC. Also be sure there aren’t piles of leaves or mulch obstructing any part of it.

Through the year:

  • While your filters can be cleaned or changed during your skilled air conditioning service, it’s important for you to inspect them each month and change them per the manufacturer’s suggestion. Every home has unique needs when talking about air filter replacement, depending on factors like owning house pets or having home construction throughout the year.

Having your ducts cleaned on a regular basis will also make sure your air conditioner is able to run efficiently and will help you maintain a comfy home. By adhering these simple, proactive steps, you’ll be doing everything you can to be sure your air conditioner will be prepared for whatever summer has in store. Give the team at Econo Air a call at 714-408-2202 or schedule an appointment online.

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