The R-Value of Insulation- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

An R-value indicates an insulation's resistance to heat flow. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating effectiveness.

The R-value depends on the type of insulation and includes its material, thickness, and density. When calculating the R-value of a multilayered installation, add the R-values of the individual layers. Installing more insulation in your home increases the R-value and the resistance to heat flow. Los Angeles Air Conditioning knows what it takes to get the job done right.

The effectiveness of an insulation's resistance to heat flow also depends on how and where the insulation is installed. For example, insulation that is compressed will not provide its full rated R-value. The overall R-value of a wall or ceiling will be somewhat different from the R-value of the insulation itself because some heat flows around the insulation through the studs and joists. Therefore, it's important to properly install your insulation to achieve the maximum R-value.

The amount of insulation or R-value you'll need depends on your climate, type of heating and cooling system, and the section of the house you plan to insulate. Los Angeles Air Conditioning can help you decide what works best for your home! Give us a call anytime at +1(800) 321-9494 or visit our Facebook page and drop us a comment!

Radon Risk Assessment Fact Sheet- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to talk a little bit about Radon. EPA’s indoor radon program promotes voluntary public actions to reduce the risks from indoor radon. EPA and the U.S. Surgeon General recommend that people do a simple home test and if high levels of radon are confirmed, reduce those high levels with straight-forward techniques.

EPA recently completed an updated assessment of the Agency’s estimates of lung cancer risks from indoor radon. This assessment reinforces EPA’s recommendations on radon that homeowners with Los Angeles air conditioning should still test and fix their homes for radon.

Found all over the U.S., radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas without color, odor, or taste that comes from the radioactive decay of uranium in soil, rock, and groundwater. It emits ionizing radiation during its radioactive decay to several radioactive isotopes known as radon decay products.

Radon gets into the indoor air primarily from soil under homes and other buildings. Radon is a known human lung carcinogen and is the largest source of radiation exposure and risk to the general public. Most inhaled radon is rapidly exhaled, but the inhaled decay products readily deposit in the lung, where they irradiate sensitive cells in the airways increasing the risk of lung cancer.

EPA updated the Agency’s estimates of lung cancer risks from indoor radon based on the National Academy of Sciences’ (NAS) latest report on radon, the Biological Effects of Ionizing Radiation (BEIR) VI Report (1999). This report is the most comprehensive review of scientific data gathered on radon and builds on and updates the findings of the previous NAS BEIR IV Report (1988). NAS concluded that the findings of BEIR VI showed that if homeowners haven’t yet tested their homes for radon and fixed them if the levels are elevated, they should do so.

The NAS BEIR VI Report confirmed EPA’s long-held position that radon is the second leading cause of lung cancer and a serious public health problem. NAS estimated that radon causes about 20,000 lung cancer deaths each year. The report found that even very small exposures to radon can result in lung cancer and concluded that no evidence exists that shows a threshold of exposure below which radon levels are harmless. The report also concludes that many smokers will get lung cancer due to their radon exposure who otherwise would not have gotten lung cancer. This is because of the synergistic relationship between radon and cigarette smoking in causing lung cancer.

To update EPA’s previous risk estimates, EPA worked closely with the Agency’s Science Advisory Board (SAB), an independent panel of scientific experts, to determine how best to apply the various risk models developed by the BEIR VI committee. EPA incorporated the SAB’s advice and recommendations for modifying and extending the methods and approaches used in BEIR VI and constructed a single model yielding results midway between the results obtained using the two models preferred by the BEIR VI committee. These adjustments did not result in significant changes to the BEIR VI risk estimates.

EPA’s updated calculation of a best estimate of annual lung cancer deaths from radon is about 21,000 (with an uncertainty range of 8,000 to 45,000) and is consistent with the estimates of the BEIR VI Report. [EPA’s previous best estimate of annual lung cancer deaths from inhaled radon was based on the earlier BEIR IV Report and was about 14,000 (with an uncertainty range of 7,000 to 30,000).]

The SAB-endorsed modifications included applying the Agency’s definition of excess risk that includes all radon-induced lung cancer deaths, rather than excluding premature deaths caused by radon in people who would otherwise have eventually died of lung cancer. EPA also used more detailed smoking prevalence data and more recent mortality data to calculate risks than were used by the BEIR VI committee. EPA also calculated numerical estimates of the risk per unit exposure [lung cancer deaths per working level month (WLM)], whereas BEIR VI estimated the fractional increase in lung cancers due to radon.

For further questions contact Los Angeles Air Conditioning experts, American Air Conditioning & Heating, drop us a line on our Facebook page or give us a call at +1(800) 321-9494.

Dehumidifying Heat Pipes- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

In order to make a room comfortable in hot, humid climates, an air conditioner must lower the indoor humidity level as well as the air temperature. If Los Angeles air conditioning fails to lower the humidity adequately, the air will be cool, but will feel uncomfortably damp. Inappropriately sized air conditioners are prone to this problem; large units quickly cool the air, but cycle off before they can properly dehumidify it. In extremely humid climates, even correctly sized Los Angeles air conditioning equipment could fail to maintain a home at a comfortable humidity level.

One technology that addresses this problem is the dehumidifying heat pipe, a device that enables an LA air conditioner to dehumidify better and still efficiently cool the air. The heat pipe is ideal for hot, humid environments.

A dehumidifying heat pipe resembles two heat exchangers, located on either side of the air conditioner's evaporator coil. Several tubes connect the two sections. A refrigerant (usually an HCFC) inside the tubes pre-cools the incoming supply air by absorbing the heat from it. This causes the refrigerant in the tube to evaporate. The air conditioner evaporator cools it further, extracting up to 91% more water vapor than a conventional evaporator would. After the refrigerant in the tubes changes into a vapor, it flows to the condensing section at the other end of the system. There, it releases its heat into the air stream and returns to its liquid state again. Gravity then causes the refrigerant to flow to the evaporator end of the pipe to begin the cycle again.

Most models of heat pumps and central air conditioners can be retrofitted with dehumidifying heat pipes. You can choose either a replacement cooling coil that incorporates the heat pipe, or add-on heat pipes for the unit's ventilation system. You may also want to consider a complete air-conditioner unit that incorporates the heat pipe.

Although the heat pipes don't use any electricity directly, they cause the conditioned air to leave the system slightly warmer than it would have in the absence of the heat pipe, so it takes more energy to cool your home. The system also consumes more fan power to blow air past the heat pipe. However, the manufacturer claims that your thermostat can be set higher with the low humidity air, allowing a net energy savings.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning experts are here to help! Give us a call +1(800) 321-9494.

Overheated Clothes Dryers Can Cause Fires- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to help you with more than just tips for your Los Angeles AC! We want to leave our customers knowing that they can get tips for overall home safety for their wonderful families. Feel free to drop a line on our Facebook page, we would love your feedback!

To help prevent fires:

Clean the lint screen/filter before or after drying each load of clothes. If clothing is still damp at the end of a typical drying cycle or drying requires longer times than normal, this may be a sign that the lint screen or the exhaust duct is blocked.

Clean the dryer vent and exhaust duct periodically. Check the outside dryer vent while the dryer is operating to make sure exhaust air is escaping. If it is not, the vent or the exhaust duct may be blocked. To remove a blockage in the exhaust path, it may be necessary to disconnect the exhaust duct from the dryer. Remember to reconnect the ducting to the dryer and outside vent before using the dryer again.

Clean behind the dryer, where lint can build up. Have a qualified service person clean the interior of the dryer chassis periodically to minimize the amount of lint accumulation. Keep the area around the dryer clean and free of clutter.

Replace plastic or foil, accordion-type ducting material with rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct. Most manufacturers specify the use of a rigid or corrugated semi-rigid metal duct, which provides maximum airflow. The flexible plastic or foil type duct can more easily trap lint and is more susceptible to kinks or crushing, which can greatly reduce the airflow.

Take special care when drying clothes that have been soiled with volatile chemicals such as gasoline, cooking oils, cleaning agents, or finishing oils and stains. If possible, wash the clothing more than once to minimize the amount of volatile chemicals on the clothes and, preferably, hang the clothes to dry. If using a dryer, use the lowest heat setting and a drying cycle that has a cool-down period at the end of the cycle. To prevent clothes from igniting after drying, do not leave the dried clothes in the dryer or piled in a laundry basket.

Los Angeles air conditioning can help take preventative methods towards protecting your family. CPSC Document # 5022

Los Angeles AC Condensers

Los Angeles AC condensers are essential to central Los Angeles air conditioning systems. An AC condenser unit will usually consist of a heat exchanger, a compressor and a fan. The heat exchanger cools and condenses the incoming refrigerant vapor into liquid, the compressor raises the pressure of the refrigerant and forces it to move and the fan blows the outer air through the heat exchanger. This results in a cooling of the refrigerant inside the home AC condenser. A central AC condenser is typically located outside the home with a layer of tubing between it and the building that ushers vapor refrigerant in and pulls liquid refrigerant out.

There are many factors that may keep Los Angeles AC condensers from running efficiently, which can keep your home from being as cool as you want it to be and cause unnecessary expenses on your electric bill. Cleaning AC condenser units is often all it takes, which should be part of your annual maintenance service. Or if components of the system are not functioning properly, AC condenser repair may be necessary to make your home comfortable and energy efficient again.

Los Angeles AC condenser replacement may also be the best option if your unit is beyond repair or if it is unable to meet today’s energy efficiency standards. The team of skilled technicians at American Air Conditioning & Heating is prepared to replace Los Angeles AC condenser units for homes of all shapes and sizes in the greater Los Angeles area. We can provide detailed information about the AC condensers that are available, install the unit with the utmost professionalism and provide all the maintenance and repair services you need to keep it running smoothly and efficiently.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Repair

Los Angeles Air conditioning repair is an extremely important service with the often warm and sometimes scorching hot weather of Southern California. If you have invested in an air conditioning unit or purchased a home with central heating, Los Angeles AC repair will inevitably be necessary to keep the system in good working order and to prevent further problems. Los Angeles air conditioning service providers can also help with annual cleaning and maintenance to make sure your Los Angeles AC unit lasts as long as possible and to catch small repairs before they become much bigger issues.

You don’t want to hire just anyone to do your air conditioning repairs; it is best to trust this critical job to a highly trained and experienced professional. There are many air conditioner repair companies out there that all promise great things, but not all are able to deliver. This is why it’s a good idea to find a company like American Air Conditioning & Heating that you can trust for air conditioning maintenance and other services long before you actually need any major repairs. When you do find yourself in an emergency and need urgent Los Angeles AC repairs, the last thing you want to do is call the first company you can find without having the time to investigate their services.

When choosing a company to rely on for air conditioner repair and maintenance, the most important thing to look for is a highly skilled and reliable team of technicians. At American Air Conditioning & Heating, for example, all technicians must pass a complete drug test, physical and personality exam before being hired. They must also undergo a DMV and criminal background report, and before any technician begins servicing customers’ air conditioners, they must complete an extensive apprenticeship program with factory training. Every air condition repair technician on the team is clean cut, neatly dressed, polite, courteous and respectful of clients’ homes. This is the kind of Los Angeles AC service provider you know you can trust.

As always visit American Air Conditioning & Heating for more information. We are also on Facebook and Twitter!

Sizing and Installation- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Your new heating and cooling system should be a custom fit for your home. Los Angeles AC can help. Sizing and a handful of other installation practices can dramatically affect how well your new equipment will deliver comfort and savings. Expect to pay a little more for a good contractor who follows these practices.

• Calculate the size of equipment
• Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces
• Check and correct air flow
• Proper refrigerant charging
• Equipment placement
• Calculate the size of equipment

For starters your new furnace, boiler, heat pump or Los Angeles air conditioner should be sized to fit your home. You can request a copy of the design load calculation used to determine the right size of equipment for your home. A good contractor will not size your equipment solely on the square footage of your house or assume that your existing equipment was sized properly in the first place. Proper equipment sizing is based your home's heat loss during cold weather and heat gains during warm weather.

To complete the design load calculation the contractor will need to take measurements during the initial visit to your home and ask you some questions. The calculation is usually done using software, and should be based on professional guidelines such as Manual J from the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) or similar method. Oversized equipment can cause reduced comfort and excessive "air" noise. Oversizing will shorten the life of the equipment by causing it to cycle on and off more frequently than a properly-sized unit. Undersized equipment, with airflow that is too low, can reduce the efficiency of the air distribution and accelerate wear on system components, leading to earlier failure.

After the design load calculation is completed, ducts, supply registers, and return grilles can be sized and selected using professional guidelines in ACCA's Manual D or similar method.

Seal and insulate ducts in attics and crawlspaces

If you’re installing Los Angeles Air Conditioning and you choose a central air conditioner, furnace or heat pump ask your contractor about the condition of your air ducts. A good contractor should be able to test your air ducts to identify and seal leaks.

Duct sealing should be done by a professional using mastic, metal-backed tape or aerosol-based sealing.
In some instances, your contractor may advise you that it is necessary to replace or add ducts. If there are insufficient supply registers or return air grilles in your home, it may be necessary to install additional ducts to accommodate the need for registers or grilles. When possible ducts should be located within conditioned space. If the ducts must be in unconditioned space (attic or crawlspace) they should be insulated.
Check and correct airflow

For central air conditioners, furnaces or heat pumps there is an optimal air flow for comfort and savings.

If airflow is too high, duct leakage increases and the temperature at the register is not sufficient for optimal home comfort.
If airflow is too low, distribution efficiency drops and accelerates the wear on system components leading to premature failure.
A good contractor will test the air flow of your heating and cooling system and make adjustments for optimal performance. Typically, testing and adjustments should be done after duct leakage repairs have been completed.

Proper refrigerant charging

If your are installing a new central air conditioner or heat pump you should know that recent field studies suggest that approximately 75% of installed cooling equipment may have incorrect amount of refrigerant. Incorrect refrigerant level can lower efficiency by 5 to 20% and can ultimately cause premature component failure, resulting in costly repairs that could have been prevented. A good contractor will use one of three methods, recommended by equipment manufacturers, to verify the correct refrigerant level. These methods include super-heat, sub-cooling, or weigh. Ask your contractor how they verify the refrigerant level is correct.

In addition, you should know that since 1992, in order to protect the earth's atmosphere (ozone layer), all technicians must be certified to handle refrigerant. Ask them to show you proof of refrigerant handling certification.

Equipment placement

Placement of new equipment is unique for every home, but a good contractor should follow manufacturer's installation instructions for best results. For example, Indoor equipment should be installed in conditioned space, or a space that is well insulated. The Outdoor compressors should be placed out of the sun and kept free of debris. Equipment should be installed in an accessible area for easy maintenance. Allow plenty of room for free airflow on all sides of the equipment. Thermostats should be placed away from direct sunlight, drafts, doorways, skylights and windows.

Methods of Controlling Indoor Air Pollution- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

The three most common approaches to reducing indoor air pollution, in order of effectiveness, are:

1. Source Control: Eliminate or control the sources of pollution;
2. Ventilation: Dilute and exhaust pollutants through outdoor air ventilation, and
3. Air Cleaning: Remove pollutants through proven air cleaning methods.

Of the three, the first approach -- Source Control -- is the most effective. This involves minimizing the use of products and materials that cause indoor pollution, employing good hygiene practices to minimize biological contaminants (including the control of humidity and moisture, and occasional cleaning and disinfection of wet or moist surfaces), and using good housekeeping practices to control particles. Keep your Los Angeles air conditioning clean!

The second approach -- Outdoor Air Ventilation -- is also effective and commonly employed. Ventilation methods include installing an exhaust fan close to the source of contaminants, increasing outdoor air flows in mechanical ventilation systems, and opening windows, especially when pollutant sources are in use. Los Angeles A/C must have a great ventilation system.

The third approach -- Air Cleaning -- is not generally regarded as sufficient in itself, but is sometimes used to supplement source control and ventilation. Air filters, electronic particle air cleaners and ionizers are often used to remove airborne particles, and gas adsorbing material is sometimes used to remove gaseous contaminants when source control and ventilation are inadequate. Los Angeles A/C air cleaning is important.

Three Basic Strategies

Source Control- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Usually the most effective way to improve indoor air quality is to eliminate individual sources of pollution or to reduce their emissions. Some sources, like those that contain asbestos, can be sealed or enclosed; others, like gas stoves, can be adjusted to decrease the amount of emissions. In many cases, source control is also a more cost-efficient approach to protecting indoor air quality than increasing ventilation because increasing ventilation can increase energy costs. Specific sources of indoor air pollution in your home are listed later in this section.

Ventilation Improvements- Los Angeles AC

Another approach to lowering the concentrations of indoor air pollutants in your home is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming indoors. Most home heating and cooling systems, including forced air heating systems, do not mechanically bring fresh air into the house. Opening windows and doors, operating window or attic fans, when the weather permits, or running a window air conditioner with the vent control open increases the outdoor ventilation rate. Local bathroom or kitchen fans that exhaust outdoors remove contaminants directly from the room where the fan is located and also increase the outdoor air ventilation rate.

It is particularly important to take as many of these steps as possible while you are involved in short-term activities that can generate high levels of pollutants--for example, painting, paint stripping, heating with kerosene heaters, cooking, or engaging in maintenance and hobby activities such as welding, soldering, or sanding. You might also choose to do some of these activities outdoors, if you can and if weather permits.

Advanced designs of new homes are starting to feature mechanical systems that bring outdoor air into the home. Some of these designs include energy-efficient heat recovery ventilators (also known as air-to-air heat exchangers).

For more information about air-to-air heat exchangers, contact the U.S. Department of Energy's Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy's Office (EERE) at www.eere.energy.gov/. You may contact the EERE Information Center with questions on EERE's products, services, and 11 technology programs by calling 1-877-EERE-INF (1-877-337-3463).

Air Cleaners- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

There are many types and sizes of air cleaners on the market, ranging from relatively inexpensive table-top models to sophisticated and expensive whole-house systems. Some air cleaners are highly effective at particle removal, while others, including most table-top models, are much less so. Air cleaners are generally not designed to remove gaseous pollutants.

The effectiveness of an air cleaner depends on how well it collects pollutants from indoor air (expressed as a percentage efficiency rate) and how much air it draws through the cleaning or filtering element (expressed in cubic feet per minute). A very efficient collector with a low air-circulation rate will not be effective, nor will a cleaner with a high air-circulation rate but a less efficient collector. The long-term performance of any air cleaner depends on maintaining it according to the manufacturer's directions.

Another important factor in determining the effectiveness of an air cleaner is the strength of the pollutant source. Table-top air cleaners, in particular, may not remove satisfactory amounts of pollutants from strong nearby sources. People with a sensitivity to particular sources may find that air cleaners are helpful only in conjunction with concerted efforts to remove the source.

Over the past few years, there has been some publicity suggesting that houseplants have been shown to reduce levels of some chemicals in laboratory experiments. There is currently no evidence, however, that a reasonable number of houseplants remove significant quantities of pollutants in homes and offices. Indoor houseplants should not be over-watered because overly damp soil may promote the growth of microorganisms which can affect allergic individuals.

At present, EPA does not recommend using air cleaners to reduce levels of radon and its decay products. The effectiveness of these devices is uncertain because they only partially remove the radon decay products and do not diminish the amount of radon entering the home. EPA plans to do additional research on whether air cleaners are, or could become, a reliable means of reducing the health risk from radon. EPA's booklet, Residential Air-Cleaning Devices, provides further information on air-cleaning devices to reduce indoor air pollutants.

For most indoor air quality problems in the home, source control is the most effective solution. This section takes a source-by-source look at the most common indoor air pollutants, their potential health effects, and ways to reduce levels in the home. (For a summary of the points made in this section, see the section entitled "Reference Guide to Major Indoor Air Pollutants in the Home").

Ozone Generators That Are Sold As Air Cleaners (which is only available via Los Angeles AC specialists American Air Conditioning & Heating's website) was prepared by EPA to provide accurate information regarding the use of ozone-generating devices in indoor occupied spaces. This information is based on the most credible scientific evidence currently available.

Cooling Your Home: Don't Sweat It- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

As the mercury rises, so can the costs of keeping your home cool. And while news reports about high energy prices may have you in a sweat, the Federal Trade Commission has some tips that your Los Angeles air conditioning experts would like to share with you to help you save money while keeping your home cool this summer.

Do an energy audit to help detect waste and gauge the efficiency of your current cooling system. Your utility company may offer free or low-cost energy audits, or you can conduct your own. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and U.S. Environmental Agency (EPA) offer tips and checklists at http://www.homeenergysaver.lbl.gov/. The home "walk-through" can help you spot areas that need attention or problems that, if fixed, could save you money. For example:
Check your attic, attic stairway, attached garage walls and basement to make sure your home is insulated to DOE-recommended levels for your geographic area. When inspecting and buying home insulation products, look for the R-value. The higher the R-value, the greater the insulating power.

• Have your central Los Angeles air conditioning (AC) system serviced each spring. Your utility company may provide this service.
• Hire a professional to seal and insulate leaky ducts, and to ensure that the airflow distribution system serving your equipment is operating at peak efficiency
• Clean or replace AC and furnace filters once a month or as needed, and seal holes around plumbing and heating pipes.
• Install a programmable thermostat. You can save money by keeping your house warmer than normal when you're out, and keeping the setting at 78 F when you're home.
• Install drapes, shades, blinds or another window covering. Keeping them closed during the day blocks the sun and the heat from the sun's rays.
• Consider replacing single-pane windows with double-pane windows with high-performance glass. Look for low-emissivity (low-e) or spectrally selective glass. In warmer climates, select windows with spectrally selective coatings to reduce heat gain. In colder climates, select windows that are gas filled with low-e coatings on the glass to reduce heat loss.
• Open your foundation vents each spring if your home has a crawl space under it.
• Install ceiling fans. The air circulation promotes cooling in the summer and heating efficiency in the winter.
• Prune back shrubs and remove debris, like grass and leaves, that may block airflow to your air conditioner.
• Plant a tree. Landscaping is a natural way to shade your home. Well-placed trees and shrubs not only deliver shade, but also add value to your property.
• Shade room air conditioners from direct sun to reduce their workload. Clean the filters once a month and replace them as necessary to promote energy efficiency. Lower the setting when you go out to reduce operating costs.
• Apply a reflective coating to your roof. Dull and dark-colored home exteriors absorb 70 to 90 percent of the sun's energy. Light-colored surfaces reflect most of the heat away from your home.

If you're buying a new Los Angeles air conditioning system, make sure it is sized correctly (bigger is not always better) and installed properly for cost-effective use. When selecting a new unit, be sure to consider high-efficiency models. While energy efficient appliances may cost more up front, they may save you money in the long run. To compare models, check the black and yellow EnergyGuide labels, which the FTC requires on most major appliances, including central and room air conditioners. The labels provide useful information about products' energy efficiency and estimated annual operating costs. Air conditioners with higher energy efficiency ratios are more energy efficient.

Ask your utility company about a budget billing plan to protect against sudden or unexpected price increases. Your provider takes the amount of energy you use during one year and pides your monthly payments into equal parts. At the end of the season, you pay any outstanding balance or your provider credits any overpayment to your next monthly bill.
If you're on a fixed income and have trouble paying your utility bills, contact your utility company. They, or your state or local government, may have energy assistance plans to help you pay your energy bills.

Protecting Your Cold Cash

When energy prices rise, so does advertising for a host of energy-saving products and services - including some that are overpriced or just plain bogus. Be wary of devices, gadgets and energy-saving products that promise drastic reductions in home cooling costs or extreme energy savings. For example:

• Read the energy-saving claims carefully and, if possible, get independent information about a product's performance.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers from door-to-door salespeople and high pressure personal or telephone sales pitches from contractors offering Los Angeles air conditioning systems, windows, roofing, and other home improvement projects.
• Make sure that a contractor is licensed and reputable: Ask your friends and neighbors for referrals; ask the contractor for customer references; and check out potential contractors with the Better Business Bureau, state and local consumer protection officials, and your state licensing agency. The FTC's Cooling-Off Rule gives you three business days to cancel a contract if you sign it in your home or at a location other than the contractor's permanent place of business.

Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers

Los Angeles Air Conditioning is always here to give you the best information, tips and tricks. Visit our Facebook page and follow us on twitter for more information just like this!

1. Your children will breathe easier
2. Act now against asthma at home.
3. Asthma is a serious lung disease.

During an asthma attack, the airways get narrow, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. Asthma can even cause death. If you have asthma or a child with asthma, you are not alone.About 17 million Americans have asthma. Asthma is the leading cause of long-term illness in children. The air that children breathe can make a difference.

Asthma may be triggered by allergens and irritants that are common in homes. Help your child breathe easier: consult a doctor and reduce asthma triggers in your home. Clear Your Home of Asthma Triggers.

Below are five common asthma triggers found in homes and what you can do to reduce you and your child's exposure to them. Not all of the asthma triggers listed here affect every person with asthma. See your doctor or health care provider for more information.

Secondhand Smoke

Asthma can be triggered by the smoke from the burning end of a cigarette, pipe, or cigar and the smoke breathed out by a smoker.

• Choose not to smoke in your home or car and do not allow others to do so either.

Dust Mites

Dust mites are too small to be seen but are found in every home. Dust mites live in mattresses, pillows, carpets, fabric-covered furniture, bedcovers, clothes, and stuffed toys.

• Wash sheets and blankets once a week in hot water.
• Choose washable stuffed toys, wash them often in hot water, and dry thoroughly.
• Keep stuffed toys off beds.
• Cover mattresses and pillows in dust-proof (allergen-impermeable) zippered covers.

Pets

Your pet’s skin flakes, urine, and saliva can be asthma triggers.

• Consider keeping pets outdoors or even finding a new home for your pets, if necessary.
• Keep pets out of the bedroom and other sleeping areas at all times, and keep the door closed.
• Keep pets away from fabric-covered furniture, carpets, and stuffed toys.

Molds

Molds grow on damp materials. The key to mold control is moisture control. If mold is a problem in your home, clean up the mold and get rid of excess water or moisture.

• Lowering the moisture also helps reduce other triggers, such as dust mites and cockroaches.
• Wash mold off hard surfaces and dry completely. Absorbent materials, such as ceiling tiles and carpet, with mold may need to be replaced.
• Fix leaky plumbing or other sources of water.
• Keep drip pans in your Los Angeles air conditioning, refrigerator, and dehumidifier clean and dry.
• Use exhaust fans or open windows in kitchens and bathrooms when showering, cooking, or using the dishwasher.
• Vent clothes dryers to the outside.
• Maintain low indoor humidity, ideally between 30-50% relative humidity. Humidity levels can be measured by hygrometers which are available at local hardware stores.

Pests

Droppings or body parts of pests such as cockroaches or rodents can be asthma triggers.

• Do not leave food or garbage out.
• Store food in airtight containers.
• Clean all food crumbs or spilled liquids right away.
• Try using poison baits, boric acid (for cockroaches), or traps first before using pesticidal sprays.

If sprays are used:
Limit the spray to infested area.
Carefully follow instructions on the label.
Make sure there is plenty of fresh air when you spray, and keep the person with asthma out of the room.

Also...

House dust may contain asthma triggers. Remove dust often with a damp cloth, and vacuum carpet and fabric-covered furniture to reduce dust build-up. Allergic people should leave the area being vacuumed. Using vacuums with high efficiency filters or central vacuums may be helpful.

When your local weather forecast announces an ozone action day, stay indoors as much as possible.

For more information visit your Los Angeles Air Conditioning experts website!

You can request information from EPA's:

Indoor Air Quality Information Clearinghouse (IAQ INFO)
P.O. Box 37133
Washington, DC 20013-7133
(800) 438-4318, or
(703) 356-4020 (local)
(703) 356-5386 (fax)
iaqinfo@aol.com

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Thermostats

Programmable thermostats are the way to go these days. You can program your device to help save you money. Tips from your Los Angeles air conditioning experts always help. We're here to give you some info on the top brands out there these days.

We came across this great website that can help to further answer some of your thermostat questions as well. It is called the Thermostat Buying Guide we think that most homeowners could benefit from taking a look at this helpful tool.



Thermostat Brands 101:

White Rodgers
White-Rodgers set the industry benchmark when it introduced the Blue touchscreen thermostat. They just release the Blue 2'' thermostat with 2 square inch blue displays. You can control gas valves, ignition controls, transformers and media air cleaners to humidifiers and UV lights. This brand is known for their user-friendly products.

Honeywell
This company provides a variety of different thermostats. From programmable to non-programmable and devices suitable for do-it-yourselfers to entire systems that can be professional installed.



Robertshaw
Different categories for residential products from Robertshaw include: Wall Thermostats, Mechanical Thermostats, Non-Programmable Thermostats, Programmable Thermostats, Line Voltage Thermostats, Humidity Controls, Indoor Air Quality, Zoning and Accessories.

Lux Products Corporation
Since 1914 this company has provided great products to its customers. Their homepage has a DIY Learning Center available to make instillation easy. There is a guide to walk you through picking the thermostat that is the best fit for your home.

Tekmar
Tekmar promotes that temperature control in your home has never been more convenient. They offer a variety of technologies including radiant floor thermostats with the tekmarNet Gateway 482 that allows you access from your smartphone device.



Los Angeles air conditoning can answer more of your questions regarding differewnt thermostat brands out there. Just drop us a comment, a line on our Facebook page or give us a call +1 (800) 321-9494. We'd love to hear from you.

A Little AC History -Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Humans having the desire to stay cool and comfortable during the summer heat has been around long before Los Angeles air conditioning was invented to make that happen. Back during the 1830s people started to mess around with the idea of using ice and a machinery to cool the air they lived in. Dr. John Gorrie was an American physician who lived in Florida at the time. He is credited with the first attempt at building an air conditioner.

Basically what Dr. Gorrie designed was an ice making machine. Air was blown over the bucket of ice to create a cooling effect. There were tons of people suffering from yellow fever and malaria during the 1830s and he was searching for a way to cool the hospital rooms that were filling up with sick patients.

Another attempt at air conditioning was involved with a close to death experience. In 1881, President James Garfield needed to be comfortable. A box of clothes that were covered and soaking up melted ice water was made by navy engineers. A fan was set next to it blowing hot air overhead. It actually worked and was able to lower the rooms temperature by about 20 degrees. This was great however, it was not an efficient way to cool the air because it used up about half a million pounds of ice in just two months.

During 1902 we start to see things a little close to modern day Los Angeles air conditioning. Willis Carrier made an "Apparatus for Treating Air." He lived in Brooklyn, New York and worked for Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Co. This machine lowered humidity.

The son of John "Bet a Million" Gates, Charles Gates, had the first house that was ever air conditioned. That sounds like today, los angeles air conditioning is most everywhere in LA county now. This was back in 1914. The first AC's were ridiculous, huge and really expensive. They were incredibly dangerous too because they used toxic ammonia to cool the air!

The Carrier company started the industry in 1922 by using a compressor to make AC's smaller. Movie theaters really made the cooling industry take off. In 1925 air conditioning was on Broadway at the Rivoli! After that air conditioning started being installed everywhere- trains, stores, offices etc. 1928 was a big year for The US House of Representatives. They had an air conditioner installed in the Senate, White House and the Supreme Court!

Los Angeles air conditioning today is a common thing. The technology has advanced a lot over the past 75 years and we are here to provide cooling and comfort all over LA county!

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Technician

What do you know about the people you choose to work in your home?

Los Angeles Air Conditioning promises to deliver only the best quality certified technicians out there. License # 433868

Before a technician becomes an associate with American Air Conditioning they have to under go the following:

1. They must pass a complete drug testing, physical and personality exam.

2. A DMV and Criminal background report.

3. They must undergo a complete apprenticeship program that includes factory training.

4. All of our associates must be clean cut, wear company uniforms, no smoking or profanity is ever allowed.

5. They will be polite, courteous and respectful of your home and its furnishings.

6. They will wear floor protectors over their shoes while in your home and always wear company identification badges for your protection.

7. Our Los Angeles air conditioning company must interview and test more than 100 people just to hire one!

Meet our service team! We provide online profiles with pictures of each and everyone of our employees to ensure our customers have the best understanding of just who is working for them. We understand that it is a big responsibility to be let into someones home. We promise to provide the greatest possible service, thank you for the opportunity.

American Air Conditioning & Heating offers financing and we guarantee our work, making the decision to choose us both comfortable and secure. Give us a call today +1(800)321-9494. We go the extra mile to earn your business and never stop working to keep it.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning

ComfortLink Remote Thermostat- Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Have you heard of the new programmable thermostats that you can control remotely from your cell phone?

This is one of the most recent break throughs in thermostat technology. It is called the Trane ComfortLink Remote Thermostat. They use Schlage LiNK to allow you to manage your thermostat on the go. It is a comprehensive internet-enabled system that works with your iPhone and other devices. The great part is it is really simple and easy to use!

Los Angeles air conditioning specialists are glad to share this information with you.

If you have this type of remote thermostat. You will be able to monitor security and change the temperature of your home. It will help you save money and reduce energy consumption because you can set the temperature for times that you are home. Old thermostats do not have this capability. It will give you much more control in the world of cooling and staying comfortable.

It also has the ability to change the code and passwords when you are not home! It is a great way to monitor who is in your house as well because you have the option of getting text and email alerts for each individuals as they enter the home.

This will save you money overall because you can turn appliances off an on as well to help save energy!

• Thermostat requires 24VAC power with minimum 5 wires for most single stage heating and cooling installations. One of the 5 wires must be common.
• Not for use with 120/240V electric baseboard heat, proprietary communicating systems, or radiant floor heating systems.
• Dual-fuel operation requires accessory kit available from equipment manufacturer.

The basic Trane ComfortLink Remote Thermostat kit installed by a participating Trane Comfort Specialist dealer contains:

• Trane ComfortLink Remote Thermostat
• Schlage® Bridge
• Schlage® Appliance Module

Find more information about these systems on their website at Trane.com. Check out all the information and different types of thermostats they offer! Los Angeles air conditioning experts.

The TRANE Company is a world manufacturer of the high-quality equipment for central air conditioning and cooling systems. Their business is a business of providing energy-efficient and environmentally responsible systems that sustain high performance for life. By doing so, they make it possible for buildings and industrial processes to operate at world-class levels.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Los Angeles air conditioning is not always on the forefront of our thoughts. To tell you the truth most of our customers don't even thing about it until it starts doing something they don't like. Too hot, maybe even too cold, is when everyone starts to think about it! Other than that it just goes straight to the back of our head until “BAM!” a problem arises and we are stuck scrambling on what to do to fix it!

Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to say that we shouldn’t always let that happen. There are preventative steps you can take to ensure that your cooling system is always working properly and your family stays comfortable during these hot summer heats.

It would be a great feeling if the AC was just a magical box that made the room the perfect temperature every time but we are not quite there yet! Something that we’d like to bring attention is that it is not only more than that regarding cooling your home, but it also has an impact of mold and bacteria circulation in the home, overall air quality, the amount of money your family spends on bills and your overall health!

We are not saying that you have to think about your AC all the time but we are simply asking you to stay aware for warning signs. It won’t be too difficult with the Los Angeles air conditioning experts on your side. We provide quick tips on our Facebook page and within our Twitter feed. If you ever have any specific questions or feedback on how we can help you even further give us a call at +1 (800) 321-9494 or simply drop us a comment on Facebook! We promise to get right back to you with the best answer possible.

The bottom line is your cooling system requires maintenance. It is a big mechanical system with working parts that need to be taken care of if you want them to work properly.

Some quick tips:

Find a Professional for service and repair. Los Angeles Air Conditioning experts
Ask about financial incentives and rebates in your area.
Change your air filter every 30 to 60 days.
Get a regular maintenance check/tune up done every Spring.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Info

Many of you out there who are not Los Angeles air conditioning professionals can still know the basics of how your cooling system works! Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to provide you with the answers to all those questions you have while trying to figure those units out!

Homeowners, you will be happy to hear that just a little bit of knowledge will go a long way!

Let’s talk about air handler functions. Most of our customers have these types of questions. The first step is to gain a better understanding of how the system actually works.

Air Handler is basically a piece of equipment that handles the air movement within your cooling system. They blow the air over the coils. After the air is conditioned it blows through the ductwork.

In order to heat and cool your home efficiently and comfortable, the handler must be matched to the size of your HVAC system.

This is part of the reason it is so important to have an air conditioner that is the proper size for the space. All the components of the system work together to make sure that the air is properly cooled.

The A/C system’s compressor is the unit that sits outside your home. If its capacity is a 4-ton design, then your air handler should be able to handle that much air capacity. So, at minimum, the handler should be a 4-ton system.

If you ever find yourself wondering if your unit is the correct size for the space in your home that it is cooling feel free to give a Los Angeles air conditioning expert a call today or schedule a service call for a certified HVAC technician to come out and see exactly what is going on with your unit!

Los Angeles air conditioning experts always have the answers and we love that our customers can feel comfortable asking us questions about everything to do with their Los Angeles air conditioning! We have proudly served Los Angeles county for over 30 years and have loved every minute of it!

Los Angeles Air Conditioning and Fan Cleaning

During the hot summer months air conditioning and fans are the greatest! Most of us couldn’t imagine living without our cooling systems. Los Angeles air conditioning experts have been working hard preparing our lovely community for the summer weather with tune ups, instillations, maintenance etc.

Some problems that we hear a lot of our customers talk about is cleaning! Yes, cleaning is an important part of maintenance with your Los Angeles air conditioning system. While it isn’t necessarily the most fun thing to do it is something that has to get done. We thought we’d extend some tips and tricks in order to make the process go as smooth as possible.

Gungy ceiling-fan blades, dusty portable fans and clogged air conditioner filter and vents can be some of the most irritating parts to work on when it comes to keeping our homes clean.

There are some simple things around the house that will help you our greatly during your cleaning process. You can use things like an old table cloth or sheet, duster and a step stool, microfiber cloth (great for picking up that dust and dirt!), soapy water, blow dryer, vacuum and new air filters for the AC!

Here are some questions that we recently got from our clients that we think you might be interested in too:

How do I clean my gross dusty ceiling-fan?
First we’d like to say that it is very important to clean your fans because the dust and dirt that is on there gets hurled into the air and compromises your air quality.

Use that old table cloth or sheet underneath the fan (trick: wear a shower cap to protect your hair from collecting the dust!) Use the duster for the top of the fan blades. This will also capture loose dust. If you have a step stool that reaches high enough it is better to get above the blades and use your hand and a cloth to wipe them clean. You can also give the glass pieces and extra little shine while you are up there.

The portable fans in my home are covered in dust, how do I clean them?
These fans are great to use in addition to Los Angeles air conditioning because they create the ‘wind chill effect’ and actually makes the room feel cooler than it actually is. To clean it you can usually unscrew any of the screws that are holding the fan together to better reach all the nooks and crannys of the fan. Take off the front grill and slide off the fan blades. Then you can just put these pieces in a tub of soapy warm water to get a deep clean. Rinse off the blades with cold clean water and dry them off before you put them back together. You can wipe down the base and other parts of the fan with a cloth.

When should I change my Los Angeles Air Conditioning air filters?
Changing the air filters in your units is one of the most important maintenance tips. Clogged air conditioner filters and vents make these units work harder — and can inflate your electric bill. If you have a reusable filter it is best to simply clean it with some soapy water and let it dry. If there is a musty smell that sticks with it, it is okay to use some Febreze (for example) to get that fresh smell back!

Extra tips:
Before storing your fans away for the winter give them a quick rinse or use a blow-dryer (on the cool setting) to remove any dust. When you pack it away store it in a plastic bag so that it doesn’t collect dust over the storage period.
For maintenance and tune up give Los Angeles air conditioning experts American Air Conditioning & Heating today! +1 (800) 321-9494.