HVAC Knowledge Base

Thermostats are designed to adjust the temperature to a comfortable setting, greatly improving heating and air conditioning efficiency. Thermostats have changed a lot over the years. Back in the day we all knew about and used the mercury controlled thermostats. The mercury controlled thermostats have been outlawed to date, which is a good thing. All thermostats now measure temperature by electrical digital circuitry digitally and most come with the Energy Star rating. We install a variety of thermostats for your heating and cooling system, and we can install multiple thermostats for zone controlled systems too.

If your heating or air conditioning system is not working, it could be as simple as a faulty thermostat. We troubleshoot a wide variety of thermostats, and our technicians can recalibrate, repair or replace your thermostat depending on the condition and age of it.

There are two basic types of thermostats; low voltage and line voltage. While you may be tempted to install a new thermostat on your own, it’s important to hire a professional for safety reasons. We have had many customers call us and say their unit is not working and then told us they were installing a thermostat that they bought themselves and tried to install it, doing this can cause other failures to components in your HVAC system which can sometimes be costly.

Installing a programmable thermostat can help you save on energy bills because it allows you to set the desired temperature for different times of the day according to your personal schedule. We have models that feature different times for the different days of the week and weekends. Some of our models even have humidity control, vacation settings and a filter change alert. With a programmable thermostat, you don’t have to remember to set back your heating or air conditioning system when you leave the house or go to bed.

Have you ever wanted to control your heating and air conditioning system from your smart phone? Well now you can with a variety of Wi-Fi capable thermostats. Most commonly used are the VenStar ColorStat and NEST thermostats. Both are great thermostats and come in a wide range of functions and programs. We have found that the NEST thermostat is great for people who are partially blind.

Thanks to the latest high performance heating and air conditioning equipment, it’s easier than ever to keep the temperature inside your home comfortable all year long. However, even the newest; most state-of-the-art equipment won’t help you save money or energy if your home is not properly sealed. Below you will find a guide to common places where air can leak out of your home, along with advice for sealing them.

Doorframes

Improperly sealed door frames are often the largest spot where air can escape or enter your home. Carefully inspect around the edges of each exterior door to see if you can see any light entering the home. If light gets in, climate-controlled air can get out. Install weather-stripping around the bottom and sides of the door, and use a draft blocker to further reduce the amount of air leakage here. If your foundation has settled and the door is no longer square, consider having the door either fixed or replaced.

Windows

The windows are another spot where air can escape or enter your home. Make sure that the weather-stripping around your windows is tight, and if you seldom open your windows, consider caulking them. If you have an older home with wooden frame windows, inspect them for any cracks or signs of rotting. Install window film on the glass to slow down heat transfer.

Attic Accesses

Since they are not designed as living spaces, attics are seldom insulated or sealed. If the interior doors that provide access to these spaces are not properly sealed, then your heat or cooled air can leak through into these spaces, wasting money and energy. Invest in a sealable attic door cover, and use weather-stripping.

If your home is properly sealed and you still aren’t enjoying comfortable indoor temperature and low utility bills, call Nicholas Aire Systems to learn how high efficiency air conditioning and heating equipment upgrades can save you money.

1. Find out if the company meets the licensing and insurance requirements outlined by your State.
2. Take an inventory of your current system (know the model and maintenance history). Understanding this information will help you better explain an issue to a technician.
3. Ask the company for customer references and inquire about the company’s installation and service performance record. You can also check the Better Business Bureau for information on the company.
4. Look for available rebates on energy efficient equipment that meets the strict energy efficiency guidelines set by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.
5. For installations of new air conditioning equipment, the technician should size the cooling system based on the size of your house, level of insulation, and windows. They may also inspect the home’s duct system (if applicable) for air leaks and measure airflow to make sure it meets manufacturer’s specifications.
6. Ask for written, itemized estimates, but remember that the lowest price may not be the best deal. If a system is not efficient, your energy costs will be higher.
7. Ask for a written proposal of work. It will protect you by specifying project costs, model numbers, job scheduling, and warranty information.

Nicholas Aire systems knows how unbearable the Santa Clarita, Valencia, Newhall, and Canyon Country, California summers can be. Assuring your home’s air conditioning system is functioning properly is our job! We’ll always have the solution to your air conditioning problem, and we’ll rescue you when your system stops working. Call us or schedule your service online today and we think you will see why we are considered to be one of the Best A/C Companies in the Santa Clarita Valley area!

Why Do We Need Load Calculations?

When purchasing a new system for your home, it is very important that a licensed contractor visits your home to perform a complete evaluation or load calculation. By doing this, we will look at all the factors that affect the heat gain and loss of your home.

We will take into account the climate you live in, as well as the size, shape and orientation of your home. It is not enough to merely calculate square footage, although we will account for this. What type of insulation and how much you have is an important factor along with window size, type, quantity and the directions they face. We might measure walls and floors, we’ll see what materials the house is made of, and check seals, estimate air leakage, (infiltrations) and locate existing vents and ductwork. By combining all these factors, we will evaluate what size unit your home requires.

An over or under sized unit is one of the most common problems with any system. Over sizing a unit won’t allow your system to properly dehumidify the conditioned area and will increase you energy usage, while under sizing will not properly heat or cool your home. When a licensed contractor performs a load calculation, you will have a more efficient system and a more comfortable home.