HVAC & Solar Blog | Sierra Pacific Home & Comfort, Inc.

Common End-of-Season AC Repair Needs

September 20th, 2021

With temperatures still soaring, it can be hard to accept that this is the “end of the season.” Nevertheless, here we are, with the official start of fall this week. The weather won’t change overnight, of course. However, it’s still important that you’re prepared for when temperatures do take a turn.

Yes, this means ensuring you schedule heating maintenance before you need your heater. But it also means checking up on your air conditioner. After all, it went through a lot of work this year! If it has any repair needs now, it’s best to address them right away so you can set it up for success next spring.

We aren’t advocating for self-diagnosis and especially not DIY repairs—this can do more harm than good. But what you can do at this time is check for signs that you need repairs, and give us a call once you notice them. Here are the most common.

Is It Too Early for Heating System Maintenance?

September 6th, 2021

With temperatures in the 90s, you may wonder why on earth we’d be talking about heating maintenance already. But the truth is, the next couple months are the perfect time to have heating maintenance done, before you actually need the system the most.

Professional HVAC maintenance enables our technicians to thoroughly inspect your heating system. This is vital for many reasons. First off, we’re able to check for potential safety issues in addition to anything that may be causing performance and/or efficiency problems. We also clean the system extensively, and check for any symptoms of small repair needs from natural wear and tear before they grow into bigger emergencies.

How to Make Your Solar Air Conditioning Even More Efficient

August 23rd, 2021

woman-contractor-standing-in-front-of-solar-panels-on-white-background

If you have solar panels in place, then you’ve already taken a huge step toward more efficient air conditioning and more efficient energy use in general. But if you’re like most Sacramento area homeowners, you’re always looking for ways to save even more money, and we don’t blame you!

Energy costs have soared in recent years, bringing more and more of our customers to discover the power of going solar. It’s also led customers to seek out other ways to use their homes more efficiently. Since air conditioning and heating systems use up about half of all of your home’s energy, you may think you need to cease using them to save more money, but this isn’t the case!

In fact, there are some simple steps you can take today to make your solar air conditioning use even more efficient. Read on to learn what they are.

Why Ice on Your AC Should Concern You

August 9th, 2021

For many homeowners, seeing ice developing on an air conditioner may seem like a totally natural part of the cooling process. After all, your air conditioner is tasked with chilling the air, right? So seeing a little frost should be totally okay.

Well, no, not quite! Ironically, ice development on your air conditioner, particularly on the coils, actually prevents the air conditioner’s coils from being able to do their job, which is to absorb the heat from your home and put it through a refrigerant process.

Read on as we uncover what it means when you see ice forming on your air conditioner, and what you should do about it.

Signs That Your Air Conditioner Is Struggling

July 26th, 2021

If there’s any home service you don’t want to put off, it’s air conditioning repair. This is because if you delay managing a small repair need, it can turn into a much bigger, and more urgent, repair need.

We understand your desire to wait. If your air conditioner is still running, just maybe not as well as you think it should be, you probably don’t want to shell out any extra summer vacation money on fixing it. But waiting could mean a complete air conditioner breakdown or shelling out even more money to replace your AC prematurely.

We’re not trying to be dramatic, only to highlight the importance of prompt AC repairs. But how do you know when you need those repairs? Well, we’ve shared some signs for you to watch out for below!

4 Tips to Help Your AC Perform Better

July 12th, 2021

Staying cool during a hot and humid Sacramento summer is no simple feat, especially if you don’t have a reliable and powerful air conditioner in place. If your air conditioning system isn’t performing all that well, we have good news. There are steps you can take to help it perform better!

And when we say perform better, we mean more effectively, but also more efficiently. We want your air conditioner to consume as little energy as possible while helping keep you and your family comfortable.

More and more homeowners are successfully looking for ways to optimize their home energy efficiency, and you can be one of those homeowners. Keep reading for four tips on how to help your air conditioner perform better/more efficiently!

Have You Installed Solar Panels Yet?

June 28th, 2021

If not, what are you waiting for? Solar installation can bring you a wide range of benefits, mostly in that you’ll save a lot of money!

Don’t worry, we’re going to elaborate below.

The thing is, with the number of advances in solar energy technology that have happened in the last decade+, it’s a fantastic investment to go solar, particularly for those of us who live on the sunny best coast. Homeowners throughout the Sacramento area have found that they qualify for a wide range of incentives by going solar.

If you’re finally ready to get solar panels installed professionally to save money on your electricity, don’t wait—give us a call. In the meantime, read on to learn more about the benefits of this installation:

Size Matters: What to Know about New AC Installation

June 1st, 2021

So, you’re looking to have an air conditioner installed. At least, that’s probably why you’ve stumbled across this blog post. If you have the budget for it, you’re probably prepared to buy the biggest and best AC you can find. That’s great! As long as it’s not too big.

Yes, that’s right, an air conditioning system can actually be too large for the space it’s installed in. Homeowners often don’t consider this–they understand that an air conditioner can be too small, but don’t really think about it the other way around. An air conditioner that’s too big–referred to as overpowered–can be just as detrimental to efficiency and your home comfort as one that’s too small–called underpowered. Read on to learn more.

Do Air Conditioners Have Cooling Limits?

May 17th, 2021

The short answer to this question is “yes,” but don’t worry, we’re about to elaborate!

At some point or another, perhaps you’ve wondered just how cold a central air conditioner can actually get. You likely already know what the lowest setting is on the thermostat. For most models, it’s about 60–62°F, which is too cold for most people.

In the case of an extremely hot day, how much power can you actually get from your air conditioner? How cold can you get the air to ensure you’re as comfortable as possible when indoors?

We’re happy to answer these questions, regardless of whether if you’re reading this in the middle of a sweltering hot day and wondering if your air conditioner has something wrong with it, or even if you’re simply just curious. Helping you understand the limits of an air conditioner will also help you learn how to operate it more efficiently, give it a longer service life, and even potentially reduce the number of repairs it might need throughout that service life.

What You Need to Know About Your Air Conditioner’s Air Filter

May 3rd, 2021

Homeowners often think that the only reason they need to be concerned about the air filter in their HVAC system is for their indoor air quality needs: to keep out allergens and other particles. But this is only part of the story.

It’s easy to assume that a dirty air filter is an issue because it keeps the indoor air dirty. Maybe this is why technicians tell you to change yours every 1–3 months? Well, not quite. In fact, you may not even be suffering from allergies or poor indoor air quality, but you’ll still need to change this air filter.

The purpose of this air filter is to protect the air conditioner from particles that can get inside, not to protect your breathable air. AC air filters certainly don’t hurt your IAQ efforts, but they don’t do a whole lot to help.