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Using the HERO Program to Upgrade to a New, Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling System

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Top Ten Reasons You Should Consider Using the HERO Program to Upgrade to a New, Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling System.

  1. Through the HERO Program, you can finance 100% of a new, energy-efficient Lennox heating & cooling system, including all equipment and installation costs.
  2. Approval is fast – in five minutes or less!
  3. Payments are easy through your property tax and the interest is tax deductible.
  4. Older, less efficient heating and cooling systems can account for as much as 56% of your electric bill. If your current system is over 12 years old, the money you save by switching to a new, energy-efficient Lennox system could pay for the unit itself!
  5. By adding the solar modules included with a SunSource® Home Energy System, you can offset even more of your electricity costs and because the solar modules use renewable energy, it’s also covered by the HERO program.
  6. With the HERO program, you have the final say! Your registered contractor is only paid after you sign off that the project is completed to your satisfaction.
  7. Have the peace of mind in knowing that with the HERO program, all products installed are required to meet local, state or federal efficiency performance standards.
  8. Every contractor registered with HERO has agreed to follow the strictest guidelines, which includes industry-leading consumer safeguards.
  9. You can qualify to receive up to $3,359 in rebates and incentives for energy-efficient and renewable-energy upgrades.
  10. Because with your new Econo Air HVAC system, you’ll find that a cozy home is a happy home.

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What Options Do You Have for Solar Air Conditioning in Southern California?

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Solar panels on a house

Summer in Southern California tends to bring with it some really hot days and the possibility for some unkind cooling bills. What if we told you there’s a way to get around that costly energy spike in the summer? A solar air conditioner can keep you cool through summer without costing you a lot in utility bills. In fact, it could save so much that it’ll pay for itself in a quick few years. After that, all that savings goes back in to your wallet.

So, what is solar-ready air conditioning? A solar-ready air conditioner is essentially a traditional air conditioner that uses solar power. Solar panels, like those in the Lennox® SunSource® Home Energy System, collect the sun’s radiant energy and routes it to the air conditioner after it’s been converted to electrical current. The solar energy that’s generated is first used to heat and cool your home. Energy that’s captured but not needed by your air conditioner can be taken advantage of to power electronics and small appliances, and if energy still remains, it can potentially be sold back to your utility company.

So, how can you know if solar-ready air conditioning is a great choice for you? Consider these questions and, if your answers are mostly “yes,” give Econo Air a call and we’ll help you get started with solar power:

  • Do you have an area to install solar panels that has unobstructed sunlight?
  • Is this area large enough to handle solar panels?
  • Are there any local laws that would prevent you from benefitting from solar panels?

If you’re unsure of your answer to any of these questions, Econo Air can help.

Most people are concerned with the monetary investment involved with solar-ready air conditioning. Over time, your lower utility bills will pay you back, plus years of additional savings. Take a look at this solar calculator to get a good idea of the money you’ll save plus how much better it will be for the planet. What’s even better is that you might receive federal rebates on your investment and you could even be eligible for state incentives.

The U.S. government provides a Solar Tax Credit, 25D, for homeowners who get and install equipment that uses solar energy to produce electricity. It covers:

  • Up to 9% of the total retail cost* of the solar-ready air conditioner, when solar modules are applied.
  • 30% of the cost with no upper limit on solar module installation.**

Having a solar system could also boost the value of your home. Surveys conducted by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development have stated that home values increase by an average of $20 for every $1 reduction in annual utility costs.

As you can see, there are quite a number of reasons to love solar-ready air conditioning. Call Econo Air today at (714) 695-6661 to talk about your solar air conditioning possibilities. Or, simply request an appointment with us online.

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How Severe Weather Can Lead to an AC Repair

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AC Repair from storm damage

While your air conditioner was built to endure all types of weather in Southern California, occasionally severe weather can lead to an AC repair. For example, bad weather oftentimes corresponds with power surges. Because your AC is electronic, and power surges and electronics are not compatible, you’ll want to try to protect your AC. It’s most appropriate to turn your system off using your thermostat and turn off the circuit breaker to increase protection during stormy weather.

Many people worry about too much water getting on their air conditioner and decide to cover it with a tarp or cover. This is unnecessary, and could actually damage your AC if you don’t remember to remove the covering before operating it again. Your AC was designed to handle rain and snow, so keep your money and avoid a potential AC repair by not covering your unit. However, if you see that your unit is in standing water after a storm, be sure to call Econo Air before you turn it back on.

Another threat to your AC in severe weather is falling (or flying) objects. This is a little difficult to prevent, but keeping loose outdoor items restrained can help reduce your risk. Once the storm passes, make sure to clean up any debris that may have accumulated around your unit. If debris did hit and damage your unit, Econo Air can check it and perform an AC repair if it’s needed.

In addition to storms, summer is known for its sweltering heat. Just like it was made to tolerate water, your AC was made to handle large amounts of heat from the sun. But, the hotter the sun, the harder your AC has to run to cool your indoor space. You can help monitor some wear and tear by keeping your home’s temperature setting a little bit higher on these days. The closer your indoor temperature is to the outdoor temperature, the less strenuous the work is for your AC. Many people are still comfortable with their thermostats set to roughly 78 degrees Fahrenheit on exceptionally hot days. Remember that the older your AC is, the more it may struggle in hotter weather.

If you have any questions about the threat of severe weather on your air conditioner, or believe you are in need of an AC repair, call Econo Air. We can be contacted at (714) 695-6661 or through our useful contact form.

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Why Does Your Air Conditioner Freeze in Summer?

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woman wondering why her air conditioner freezes in the summer

The summer can get very hot in Southern California, so how in the world is your home’s air conditioner freezing over? It seems to make no sense. You may not even realize it’s taking place. How will you determine if your air conditioner is frozen? It may seem like a ridiculous question, but you typically won’t actually see the ice except in extreme cases. Here are symptoms to look for that indicate you could be working with a frozen AC system that could need air conditioning service:

  • Warm air is coming out of your registers while the air conditioner is operating.
  • Water is leaking from or pooling under your air conditioner.

When we say your air conditioner is frozen, what’s actually frozen is the evaporator coil, which moves heat out of your home to keep it cool. There are two main reasons that an evaporator coil may freeze; one is a refrigerant leak and the other reason is a blockage of airflow.

If your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, you will want to discuss with your Econo Air technician during your air conditioning service appointment to understand if you will benefit more from repairing or replacing your air conditioner. We can help you assess the pros and cons using background such as the age of your air conditioner and its service history, along with other things.

If your air conditioner has frozen because of an airflow blockage, it’s because there isn’t sufficient air passing over the evaporator coil to dry the condensation that develops on it—then it freezes. Air flow blockages are regularly caused by dirty air filters or even dirty cooling fins. These problems can be alleviated (and avoided!) by a routine air conditioner service appointment. At these service sessions, your technician will clean your system, replace your air filters and ensure everything is working as it should with no potential challenges on the horizon. It’s also a good idea to mark your calendar or set a reminder on your phone to check your air filters frequently and change the filters when they are dirty. Always make sure that furniture, curtains and other household items aren’t blocking your registers, as even this could cause a serious airflow problem and the ensuing freezing problems.

If your air conditioner freezes, turn it off using your thermostat and call the team at Econo Air to schedule an air conditioning service appointment. We’ll help you identify the issue and have your home back to cool and comfortable as soon as possible. Call us at (714) 695-6661 or book an appointment with us online.

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What You Need to Ask Before Hiring an AC Repair Company

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ac repair service technician

At Econo Air, we know that picking a company you can count on to complete AC repair in Southern California is important. We know how important it is to find a trustworthy company that does great work. We can help. Getting the answers to these questions can help you make a confident, educated decision.

  1. How long have you been in business? A company with years of experience that has long-term employees is typically a good one.
  2. Is your company insured? Any professional that works in your home should carry liability insurance to protect you in the case of accidental damage or injury.
  3. What kinds of licenses and certifications do your technicians hold? A truly professional AC repair company will require their technicians to be licensed, certified, and require ongoing education and training of their experts to keep them up-to-date with the latest trends and developments.
  4. Do you have any references you can provide? A dependable company that offers AC repair should have a variety of references they’ll readily offer you. Look at these references and learn all the details about AC repairs the prospective company has completed.
  5. Will you give a written estimate? Be sure to get a written estimate so you can look at all the details involved with your AC repair. And remember, the cheapest estimate isn’t necessarily the best estimate. Your detailed estimates should help you get rid of companies you aren’t wanting to work with, no matter how cheap they are.
  6. Do your technicians have experience working on my system? You may want to be sure the company you go with has experience working on your specific equipment, especially if it contains any less-common features.
  7. Will my AC repairs be warrantied? Work supported by a warranty is a no-brainer. If a company isn’t fine with standing behind their work, you should move on.

If you’d like any more information about AC repairs and would like to talk through these questions with us, give Econo Air a call at (714) 695-6661. We’re happy to help! If you’re ready to arrange an AC repair, you can even use our handy contact form to make your appointment.

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How Often Should You Expect to Get Air Conditioning Service Done?

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professional ac service from Econo Air

Having routine air conditioning service completed at least yearly can help prolong the life of your air conditioner and keep it functioning at top efficiency. Before we get to the hottest days of the Southern California season, have the specialists at Econo Air complete your annual air conditioning service.

Certain tasks should always be completed during a proper air conditioning service appointment. According to energy.gov, your expert should always:

  • Inspect for the proper amount of refrigerant, and if necessary, examine for refrigerant leaks with a leak detector.
  • If a refrigerant evacuation is needed, retrieve any refrigerant that must be cleared from the system, as opposed to unlawfully freeing it to the atmosphere.
  • Inspect for proper airflow in the system.
  • Confirm the right electric control sequence to guarantee adequate sequence of operation.
  • Examine electric terminals, clean and strengthen connections.
  • Look for the exactness of the thermostat.

When it comes to DIY air conditioning service, changing or cleaning your air filters frequently is a top priority. That’s because nothing else that straightforward can help guarantee your air conditioner continues to operate at top efficiency. Outside of when the air filter is cleaned or replaced during your routine air conditioning service appointment, you should check it frequently. We advise checking it every month or according to the manufacturer’s recommendation. How often it actually requires cleaning or replacement will be dependent on individual influences in your home, like how much dust gets into your home and whether or not you have pets.

If it’s time for your routine air conditioner service or if you have questions about air filters or another component of air conditioner maintenance, call Econo Air today at (714) 695-6661. You can even use our contact form to schedule an appointment for your maintenance visit.

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How to Find and Fix Hot and Cold Spots

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man cooling off with a fan

If you realize that you have hot and cold spots through your Southern California home, you’re not alone. This is a relatively normal issue. While it can seem like a major concern, the good news is that the typical causes of hot and cold spots are typically easy to fix with a simple air conditioning service. The most common causes for hot and cold spots are:

  • Lack of zoning or improper zoning
  • Poorly designed or ineffectively sized duct systems
  • Leaky or inadequately insulated air ducts
  • Improperly sized HVAC equipment

Lack of Zoning or Improper Zoning
A zoning system breaks up your home into separate areas, known as “zones,” and means you can set the air temperature in each zone. The system uses multiple thermostats that control dampers in the ductwork of your forced-air system. The thermostats constantly read the temperature of their designated zone, then open or close the dampers to meet the thermostat’s settings. This might be the missing piece to keeping that one cold bedroom warm in the winter, or that smoldering sunroom comfortable all summer. Plus, when you utilize it with a programmable thermostat, zoning can mean home energy savings of up to 35 percent.*

Poorly Designed or Ineffectively Sized Duct Systems
Some homeowners end up with hot and cold spots simply because their home’s duct system isn’t sized correctly for the area that needs heated and cooled, or it’s designed the wrong way. We find this is fairly commonplace in homes that were built before many of today’s tools and training were used. Unfortunately, even the most energy-efficient HVAC equipment can’t match homeowners’ expectations if the duct system isn’t permitting it to do its job. In fact, a shoddy duct system could actually cause new equipment to work more often than needed and decrease its life. The professionals at Econo Air can help you determine if your duct work is working for your home.

Leaky or Inadequately Insulated Air Ducts
Even if your duct system is properly designed and sized for your home, it could still be at the root of your home’s hot and cold spots. It’s commonplace for the ducts in a home to leak a bit over time. Professionals like Econo Air can look at your ducts and let you know if they need sealed. They might also find that your ducts aren’t leaking, but they’re not properly insulated. Fortunately, this is also a fairly simple fix.

Improperly Sized HVAC Equipment
So possibly your air duct system is just fine and you have a good zoning system, but you’re still noticing hot and cold spots around your home. Improperly sized HVAC equipment may be the issue. A system that is too small has to run harder to heat or cool your home, which leaves hot and cold spots because it can’t take care of the amount of space it needs to condition. Even a system that’s too big can leave you with problems because it’ll cycle on and off too often to do its job correctly.

No matter what’s the culprit of the hot and cold spots in your home, Econo Air can help. Just give us a call at (714) 695-6661 and we’ll help you decide what the issue is and figure out if you need air conditioning service, or any other types of HVAC service that can help you keep your home comfortable. You can even schedule an appointment with us online if it’s more convenient for you.

*Source: U.S. Department of Energy statistics

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Things to Consider When Replacing Your Air Conditioner

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air conditioner installation in Southern California

Even with careful AC maintenance, there is a time when every air conditioner needs to be replaced. We comprehend that annual maintenance will lengthen an AC’s lifespan, but when the time arises, the pros at Econo Air will be here to help you get the best air conditioner replacement for your home’s needs in Southern California. When you’re shopping for a new air conditioner, there are several factors to keep in mind and we’ll help you navigate them all to find the system that will be best for your home and your budget.

One feature everyone looks for in an AC replacement is dependability. Getting the right AC and keeping it well-maintained offers you years of efficient, comfortable service from it. Here are several other important factors to consider:

  • Make sure your AC replacement is the correct size for your home. A system that is too big will cycle on and off too frequently, resulting in wear and tear on your new system and shortening its life. Likewise, it can be tempting to buy a littler system to save some costs upfront. Nonetheless, a smaller system can result in increased expenses in the long run if it’s too small to keep your house cool. It will run continuously to try to keep up and will have a significantly shortened life. You’ll pay more on utility bills during its life and you’ll catch yourself AC shopping again much sooner than you want. We can help you decide the appropriate sized air conditioner for your home.
  • Ratings matter. Select the most efficient air conditioner your budget will allow for, because you’ll realize the payback every month on your energy costs. Look for high SEER ratings. The higher the rating, the superior the efficiency.
  • Look for a good warranty. We can help you choose an air conditioner replacement with a great warranty, and we offer the maintenance service that’s regularly needed to keep that warranty valid.
  • Rebates and incentives are always nice. We will keep you in the know about any specials, rebates or incentives being offered. Regularly, you’ll find incentives through your utility company as well when you purchase a high-efficiency air conditioner replacement.

When it’s time for an air conditioner replacement, you’re in the right place with Econo Air in your corner. We’ll help you select the best-matched air conditioner for your house. Give our experts at call at (714) 695-6661 or schedule an appointment with us online so we can measure your home for the properly sized air conditioner replacement.

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How AC Repair and Maintenance Can Actually Save You Money

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Couple saving money with routine AC repairs and maintenance

Many people in Southern California procrastinate when it comes to having AC repair or maintenance done because they would like to save expenses. What they don’t understand is that regular AC maintenance and timely repairs generally helps save on expenses over the long run.

AC repair needs that are taken care of when needed generally end up costing homeowners less money than those that are put on the back burner. This is because AC problems can have a domino effect. If one component isn’t working well, it can cause problems for another component, and so on. And that gets us to the topic of AC maintenance.

By keeping up with consistent maintenance, you can actually escape the need for AC repairs that arise when maintenance is ignored. Keeping air filters clean and regular cleaning and examinations of fan blades, wires and other AC components will keep things running as they should. Plus, your AC pro from Econo Air will have the opportunity to see any potential concerns during your AC repair appointment and address them before they’d become more pricey repairs.

Regular AC maintenance can also save you money through enhanced efficiency. A well-tuned air conditioner operates more efficiently and that will manifest in improved home comfort and generally lower energy costs. You can even help by simply checking that your air filter is clean and swapping it when needed between routine maintenance appointments.

Prompt AC repair and regular maintenance will help guarantee your AC keeps you cool and comfortable during the summer Southern California months. You can be assured that if something were to go wrong, the experts at Econo Air would be there to help right away. Delaying your repair your AC could end up with a replacement situation. Don’t worry, though. If, despite your best efforts, your AC repair results in an AC replacement, we’ll help so that it’s not a worst-case scenario. Whatever your AC needs are, we’re here to help you save money and stay comfortable.

There’s no need to make the expensive mistake of putting off an AC repair or your annual maintenance appointments. At Econo Air, we’re here to keep your household comfortable and help save you money. Just give our experts a call at (714) 695-6661 or schedule an appointment with us online and we’ll take care of you!

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Why It’s Important to Have Your AC Professionally Installed

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Importance of professionally installed AC

Do-it-yourself has become a lifestyle for many people who want to conserve their money. But completing your own AC installation is not one of those options you can ever do on your own. As a matter of fact, the industry is extremely regulated and requires correct licensing and broad training on both installation practices and refrigerant handling. That’s why the professionals at Econo Air have such a great reputation when it comes to installing new air conditioners. Here are some reasons why you should have your AC skillfully installed.

  • Experience: A pro knows the details of all aspects concerned with an AC installation. That’s why you don’t find your neighbors outside on the weekend struggling to replace their own systems. Experts go through demanding tests and preparation to get the knowledge needed to adequately maintain, service, install and troubleshoot HVAC equipment, it’s not something you can fully understand over a few YouTube sessions. Not to mention that you could wind up doing more damage, costing you even more than if you had called Econo Air.
  • Safety: Your pro will know how to set up your AC accurately and safely. There are industry guidelines and licenses demanded in order to carefully work with heating and cooling equipment, demonstrating that you’re putting yourself at stake if you do it yourself.
  • Tools: Installing HVAC equipment utilizes many specific tools, not to mention the skill to understand how to operate these tools. Trust us, it’s much easier to call in an expert and relax on the couch and let them deal with it.
  • Knowledge: A professional is going to totally know all the conditions for AC installation, including permits and inspections demanded, and be current on all the codes that need to be followed in Southern California.

If it’s time for a new air conditioner, call the experts at Econo Air. We’ll finish your AC installation fast and carefully, with minimal interruption to your comfort. Call us at (714) 695-6661 today or schedule an appointment with us online.

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