Energy Efficiency Standards Los Angeles Air Conditioning

Energy efficiency is usually on our minds here in California. The amount of energy emitted from furnaces, heat pumps and central air conditioning units are changing. Arguments over energy efficiency standards aren’t anything new. It is something that has been going on for years. Los Angeles air conditioning experts would like to ask what you think about this topic?

Most recently, consumers were talking a lot about the compact fluorescent light bulbs. Color and the amount of light emitted from them were among the topics of conversation. It is taking awhile to start getting used to these bulbs but we are going to have too because not long until these are the only bulbs on the market. They do cost a little more, that is one of the reasons people have been talking but in the long run they will save you money on electricity. Los Angeles air conditioning experts do recommend purchasing compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFL) because it will save you money in the long run and will save energy for our beautiful Southern California.

As far as furnaces, heat pumps and central air goes, most likely prices will be going up again. This is sparking controversy because while the prices are going up the savings aren’t going to be extremely tremendous. This change is more about environmental impact on the world. It is about making smarter decisions for our future as a society as a whole.

To see direct savings will take some time. The price increase for products etc. will eventually lead to energy savings. To help you understand this realistically: The new standards would be able to heat every home in the state of New York for 11+ years straight with the savings over a 32 years period! Savings every is always good too because it means fewer blackouts and there will not be as much air pollution.

The U.S. Department of Energy is who creates the standards for central air, furnaces and heat pumps.

May 1, 2013 is the expected date for the new standards to start taking effect.

Los Angeles air conditioning experts American Air Conditioning are always here to bring the latest news to you.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Compressor

There is usually little in between on whether an air conditioning unit works or doesn’t. The heart of any air conditioning unit is the Compressor. It is what allows the unit to function properly and deliver that cool air we all are accustom too. The compressor on an air conditioner is usually misunderstood by most consumers today.

Your Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to try and change that. We like to provide our customers with the knowledge to fully understand the cool systems they have in their homes if they want too. The compressor is a pump driven by an electric motor. The pump has valves and pistons inside that are kind of like your car engine.

Scroll compressor: Set of spirals (more efficient because there are no reciprocating parts.)

Rotary compressor: Acts like a vane pump. These are usually found in window units because they are common in smaller air conditioners vs larger systems.

Residential air conditioners are usually hermetic (the motor and the part that pumps is built into one box called a can.) The can is where you can find the electric motor. The refrigerant flows over the motor windings to cool it as it runs. Varnish covers the insulation of the motor windings so that it doesn’t react with the refrigerant. If it becomes acidic it will eat the windings and the motor will burn out. A smaller problem would be for the circuit breaker or fuse to blow. If that doesn’t happen than the motor will continue to run and ruin the refrigeration system. A system that is short of refrigerant will overhear the motor a system that is overcharged can flood the compressor causing “liquid slugging.” A bad crankcase heater will also cause damage due to liquid. This is not as much a problem on smaller systems but will destroy larger units or systems with a lot of refrigerant charge.

If the hermetic compressor fails the only way to fix the system is to replace it.

If the run capacitor fails the motor will not start and draw excessive current than it should and over heat (tripping) it’s internal protector (also known as an “overload”). If it doesn’t have a start capacitor it probably should. Especially if it has problems starting under load. If the cooling coil is replaced with one that has a thermostatic expansion valve as opposed to capillaries or an orifice. You may think that the compressor is bad because it won’t start. Scroll compressors do not need start components but they DO need and anti restart timer or they can run backwards if the power is interrupted. A rotary compressor can do the same thing under certain conditions.

There are many different brands of compressors out there today. For example: Bristol, Tecumseh and Copeland, Manurope, Trane, Danfoss, Aspera, Dunham Bush, Carlyle (Carrier) and York. You can view these brands online, some of them even have Facebook pages like us. We post the latest tips and tricks for everything Heating and Los Angeles air conditioning.

Do you have more questions about compressors? Give a certified Los Angeles air conditioning expert a call today at +1(800)321-9494.

What kind of air filter should you get in addition to your Los Angeles air conditioning?

There are air cleaning systems that are better at removing the different types of air pollution than another. For example, some of them primarily target allergen particles so they would remove these from the air more efficiently than one that focuses on smoke.

Los Angeles air conditioning specialist are here to help you figure out which one will work best for your family!

Mold, viruses and bacteria are contaminants that we have to look out for when considering indoor air quality. They are to small for the eye to see and they actually are able to living in environments even when air filters are present. You have to be extremely careful because sometime even your air filter can be a host for mold to grow and fester. Some air filters can get moist and facilitate this problem so keep and eye out!

UV germicidal lights can get rid of molds, bacterias and viruses fairly easily. These are a great way to keep your family safe and breathing the best air possible inside your home.

We are the Los Angeles air conditioning experts and we focus heavily on indoor air quality. If you have any questions whatsoever feel free to give us a call today. +1(800)321-9494

Different types of air filters:

Particle Removal

Mechanical air filters:
These air filters work by catching the particles that are compromising your air quality in filters.

Electronic air filters:
These air filters used electrostatic attraction to trap charged particles. The air gets drawn through an ionization section where particles obtain an electrical charge.When the ions attach to airborne particles they attach to nearby surfaces faster.

Gaseous Pollutant Removal:
These air filters that use sorbent. It is an activated carbon that absorbs the pollutants.

Pollutant Destruction:
These air filters use ultraviolet (UV) light to destroy the pollutants inside you home.

Ultraviolet Germicidal Irradiation (UVGI) and Photocatalytic Oxidation (PCO) are two air filters that are pollutant destructive.

UVGI uses ultraviolet radiation from lamps to destroy any viruses, bacteria allergens and molds that are in your home. They should be used with filtration systems. They are most effective together.

PCO are UV lamps and a substance called a catalyst that reacts with the light. It coverts the gas pollutants to be harmless. The pollutants will still be in the home, it is not designed to remove them.

American Air Conditioning & Heating is your Los Angeles air conditioning experts since 1981!

Programmable Thermostats in LA Air Conditioning

Programmable thermostats can save you money! Your Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to let you know that it is wise for your family to use this tool to control your cooling system and use energy efficiently. You system will have the power to turn on and off automatically. This way it will turn on when you are home and turn off when you are away.

There are many different brands out there that can be a good choice for your family. Los Angeles air conditioning experts recommend using one because it is a great way to save money without making a large up front investment. The cost of a programmable thermostat is relatively low.

Different types of programmable thermostats out there:

Clock Thermostats
These are pretty basic. They can be used to set for a cooler period and a hotter period. The same settings will continue each day.

Digital Thermostats
These allow you to set multipole periods through out the day. Each setting can have a unique temperature. You can also label these settings to suite your families needs.

Digital Thermostats with PID Controller
These are a bit more pricy. The built in PID controller is so the thermostat learns the system and it will react to its commands. This is beneficial so instead of setting your thermostat for 78 degrees at 9:00 am and having it turn on at that time, it knows to reach 78 degrees by 9:00am and starting working efficiently to reach that temperature.

Commercial Thermostat
This type of thermostat uses air pressure to determine a hotter or colder setting. There is no clock associated with the programming.

Programmable thermostats allow different options. You can set daily schedules, differently schedules for weekdays and weekends, and the ability to program the thermostat for weekday, Saturday and Sunday use. Some models even allows you to program different settings through out them to the day.If you have a humidifier or dehumidifier attached to your thermostat, you can also set it to increase or decrease the relative amount of moisture in the air to optimize your indoor air quality.

Los Angeles air conditioning specialist are here to help you decide what is best for your home. Call American Air Conditioning & Heating today at +1(800)321-9494.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Jokes!

It is officially Summer! Los Angeles air conditioning experts came across some funny jokes. We thought we’d share them with you to kick off the season of heat and LA air conditioning. Enjoy!

A customer was continually bothering the waiter in a restaurant; first, he’d asked that the air conditioning be turned up because he was too hot, then he asked it be turned down because he was too cold, and so on for about half an hour.
Surprisingly, the waiter was very patient, walking back and forth and never once getting angry. So finally, a second customer asked why didn’t they just throw out the pest.
“Oh I don’t care.” said the waiter with a smile. “We don’t even have an air conditioner.”

And another…

An engineer died and reported to the pearly gates. An intern angel, filling in for St. Peter, checked his dossier and grimly said, “Ah, you’re an engineer; you’re in the wrong place.”
So the engineer was cast down to the gates of hell and was let in. Pretty soon, the engineer became gravely dissatisfied with the level of comfort in hell, and began designing and building improvements. After a while, the underworld had air conditioning, flush toilets, and escalators, and the engineer was becoming a pretty popular guy among the demons.
One day, God called Satan up on the telephone and asked with a sneer, “So, how’s it going down there in hell?”
Satan laughed and replied, “Hey, things are going great. We’ve got air conditioning and flush toilets and escalators, and there’s no telling what this engineer is going to come up with next.”
God’s face clouded over and he exploded, “What? You’ve got an engineer? That’s a mistake; he should never have gotten down there; send him up here.”
Satan shook his head, “No way. I like having an engineer on the staff, and I’m keeping him.”
God was as mad as he had ever been, “This is not the way things are supposed to work and you know it. Send him back up here or I’ll sue.”
Satan laughed uproariously, “Yeah, right. And just where are YOU going to get a lawyer?”

Do you have any Los Angeles air conditioning jokes? Feel free to post them on our Facebook page! You can also leave a comment and the Los Angeles air conditioning crew will check it out!

Save Money on Air Conditioning-Cheat Sheet!

Save money on your electricity bill!
Air Conditioning Savings Cheat Sheet

1. Your air conditioner must be the right size for the space. If the unit is too small or too big it will compromise the efficiency and cost you more money!

2. Maintenance is the number one way to keep your air conditioner running efficient for a long time. Stay up to date! Have a certified Los Angeles air conditioning specialist look at your unit during Spring.

3. Every 30 to 60 days you must replace the air filter on your air conditioner. If you have a reusable filter wash it out every 30 to 60 days. A dirty filter can ruin everything.

4. The LA air conditioning in your home is usually the biggest energy hog for your family. Think about replacing your unit if it is really old. In the long run it will end up saving you more money.

5. Programmable thermostats help out a lot. It can change the temperature according to when you are home vs not home. It is a great way to save a lot of money without having to make a huge investment.

We are American Air Conditioning & Heating, the Los Angeles air conditioning experts. We have proudly served LA county for over 30 years! Visit our Facebook page for the latest tips and tricks. We are always talking about everything heating and LA air conditioning! Let us know if you have a question, we’d love to help you.

Air Quality Inside Your Home

Do not use bleach to clean mold.

Winnetka air conditioning experts do not suggest using bleach to clean up or remove mold from your home. Bleach does not activate (therefore will not kill the mold at all) unless it is diluted to the right level in order to achieve a certain pH. Bleach is very toxic. It has very strong fumes and can be dangerous to work with, especially with sensitive people. is a toxic substance and some sensitive people can react to bleach and its noxious fumes. Some research shows that bleach aggravates the mold and encourages it to grow. This means it could possibly cause the mold to produce more mycotoxins than it was before the bleach was added.

No amount of mold is safe.

Every person is different regarding their sensitivity to mold exposure. There are no guidelines suggesting an amount that is safe as of right now. There are over 100,000 species of mold. While only few are toxic your Winnetka air conditioning experts suggest that you remove and clean any area that may have traces of mold. If you are uncomfortable doing this yourself of have any questions feel free to give American Air Conditioning & Heating a call today. We can also schedule a service call online and have one of our technicians come out for an inspection.

Heat from the furnace does not kill mold.

The temperature of the heat within you home is far to cool do kill mold. There are some types of mold that are able to survive in extreme heat far greater than that of a home furnace.

If your family suffers health problems such as asthma or chronic colds, you may have a mold problem.

There can be allergies associate with molds in the home. Pollen from outside, dirt and dust can also be factor. It is always wise to have an inspection of the home by a certified Winnetka air conditioning expert to ensure that you family is healthy and breathing in the best indoor air quality possible.

Mold smells musty.

Your nose knows. If you smell a musty old smell in your home that is a sign that mold is present. A further inspection is necessary because the mold could be growing in areas around the home that you may not be able to see.

Allergies are serious.

Allergies such as headache, sinusitis, nasal congestion, sneezing, runny nose, hives, etc. are linked to other health problems within the body. There has been research done suggesting that allergies are a sign. If you are coughing and sneezing all the time and you believe the dust build up in your home isn’t effecting you more than that you could be wrong. Call a Winnetka air conditioning expert today and we can go over some more indoor air quality tips together! You can also check out American Air Conditioning & Heating at http://www.americanairconditioning.com there are some sample questions there.

The furnace filter removes a small amount of dust from the air.

These types of filters are designed to stop large dust and dirt particles from hitting the motor of your furnace. It is about 7% efficient in helping the air quality of your home because it doesn’t catch all the stuff that is too small for your eye to see.

Air Conditioning and Pets

It's June and yes that means the weather is heating up just in time for summer! More and more people are heading outside sun and ocean lakes and beaches. It is important to stay comfortable indoors as well. We are the Canoga Park air conditioning experts and it's time for a service! Let's work together to keep those air conditioners in working condition. Give us a call at +1(800)321-9494.

Here is something to think about when it comes to Canoga Park air conditioning.

Does your family have a dog?

Man's best friend may be a lovable and cuddly companion but they also may cost you money from damages not only inside your home but outside as well. Canine urination (dog pee) can be harmful to your air conditioning unit. Those of us with pets are used to the fact that animal pee can ruin the carpets. That happens more often than not especially when training a new puppy or kitten. But, dog pee is something that you have to be conscious of for air conditioners too.

There is a condensing unit in the outside of your air conditioner. They are often in the backyard or on the sides of your house. Dogs usually lift their leg up to go pee. The pee will hit the air conditioner and causes the metal to be eaten away on the side of the unit and corrosion on the refrigerant coil. Refrigerant is what is used to cool that air that goes into your home and keeps your family comfortable. If the coil gets leaky because of your dogs pee than the air conditioner will not function properly.

This may be happening in your backyard or on the side of your home without you even knowing it. Canoga Park air conditioning experts are always here to give you a heads up on the best ways to keep your air conditioner working properly for a long time. We post great tips and tricks on our Facebook page and twitter feed as well. Follow @AmericanAC_Heat.

If this problem is happening with your pet, there are things you can do to help stop it. If you ever see your dog doing it stop them and let them know that it is not okay. Also, if you see them about to do it try and catch them before and steer them away from the air conditioner and allow them to pee somewhere else.

Try planting bushes around your condenser. Just make sure that if you do this they are at least 1 foot around the perimeter of the unit because the condenser needs adequate air flow to work properly. You can also try building a fence around the unit so the dog will not be able to go near it at all.

Another idea that may work for your family is odor spray. There are products out there that you can spray in areas that you do not want your pet to go pee in. If you are building a new home it is always wise to put the condenser in an area that they family pets do not go in.

Good luck with your pets!

If you have any further questions feel free to give the air conditioning experts a call today! +1(800)321-9494! American Air Conditioning & Heating.

Los Angeles Air Conditioning and Attics?

Southern California residents know that with the summer comes the heat! Los Angeles air conditioning experts are always trying to figure out ways to keep our customers comfortable throughout this season. Let’s think about this one: Heat rises. If it is hot in your home, imagine how hot it gets up in your attic! It’s true that it is not your living space so it may be common to think that the attic portion of your home doesn’t really matter, but this is a misconception. The insulation in your attic is very important to the overall cooling of your home. If your attic is improperly insulated it could have negative effects on other areas as well.

Your Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to help! There is an inexpensive way to tackle this problem. Ventilation fans can be put in your attic. They can be installed by your Los Angeles air conditioning experts and will make your entire home a lot more comfortable. By installing a fan in the attic you could potentially avoid a number of different problems. During the summer, excessive heat in the attic will suck in the cool air from the rest of the house. This will cause the air conditioner to work harder and increase your utility bill. A lot of heat built up in the attic can also cause the roof shingles of your home to become damaged or warn. Another problem that could potentially arise, the heat can cause excess moisture to build up. Moisture is never a good thing in an attic because this will create a home for mold and mildew to flourish. If mold, mildew etc. builds up it will compromise the air quality throughout your home.

How the fan in the attic will work:

It takes cool air from outside through the attic vents. It is very important to keep these vents clear. Check to make sure that they are not blocked or covered by insulation.

Proper sealing and insulation are also essential for good attic ventilation. Your Los Angeles air conditioning experts can help with any step in this process. Just give us a call at +1 (800) 321-9494. This is where insulation comes into play. The attic of your home may not be sealed off from the rest of your house. It is important to make sure that the attic is properly insulated so that your cooling system can work efficiently and be cost effective. The ventilation fans can draw the cool air from your air conditioner to the attic. This will decrease the efficiency because it will make you cooing system works harder. The harder is has to work the more money it costs you. If you properly insulate your attic it will help to save money instead of waste it.

Attic ventilation fans should also be used in the cooler months as well. By keeping the attic cool during the winter months it will help to protect your roof. Doing this will keep your family warmer within the living spaces of the home. Insulation, again, plays a huge roll in how efficient your system works.

The professional technicians at American Air Conditioning & Heating are the Los Angeles air conditioning experts who can install attic ventilation fans, attic vents and additional insulation to ensure your attic is ready to withstand the summer heat. Sealing your attic so that outside air does not reach your living spaces increases energy efficiency and allows your equipment to work properly.

Ventilation & Air Conditioning in the Home

With hot summers, it’s almost impossible to keep the windows open. Especially when we are running that precious Inglewood air conditioning system! When you open the windows not only does it bring in the heat but it also brings in lots of other things too! If you are someone who has harsh allergies, not a good idea. Opening windows allows mold spores and other airborne infectious particles to come into your home.

The Inglewood air conditioning experts are hear to help! Did you know that using a ventilator can keep fresh air in your home and continue coming in ultimately eliminating the problem an open window creates!



Types of Ventilators:

Bathroom and Kitchen Fans:
The bathroom and the kitchen are two areas of your home that tend to get hot! There is always heat and water involved in these areas so that means steam and humidity are not too far behind. This can damage your home (walls, furniture, fixtures etc.). By using a bathroom or kitchen fan you will dramatically decrease the amount of damage to these areas. The air quality in these portions of your home are compromised as well. Heat and water are the recipe for mold and mildew growth. You do not want bacteria flourishing in your beloved space! Your Redding air conditioning professionals are here to tell you use those ventilation systems! Have them checked out frequently in order to keep the best indoor air quality for your family.

Energy Recovery Ventilator:
Bathroom and kitchen fans help out a lot. Your Inglewood air conditioning professionals have an even better tip for you though! Whole-house ventilation systems are designed to minimize energy loss during summertime. It exchanges the hot air for cooler air.

There are two types of energy recovery ventilators:

Heat-recovery (HRV)
Energy-recovery (ERV)

• Whole-house ventilation systems often provide other features to improve your home comfort:
• Timers to control when to run the fan.
• Fan speed control so you can increase or decrease speed as needed.
• Indoor air quality sensors to detect carbon monoxide and other pollutants.
• Dehumidifiers to help monitor and control indoor humidity.
• Air filters that remove unwanted particles from fresh air before it enters your home.

Let’s talk about what king of duct your home has. We can also use the type of heating or cooling system you have as well to determine what type of ventilations system is the best for your family. Call the Inglewood air conditioning experts today and we can work on this together. If you have a quick question you call always drop a line on American Air Conditioning's Facebook page! We promise to always reply.

Check Your Duct Work!

If you are the owner of a central air conditioning unit it can be quite amazing! However, if some of the rooms in your house feel hotter than others even when the air conditioning is on, there may be a problem. This could be caused by not enough air flow into those rooms. Many people automatically think that their air conditioner is broken if this happens, but that may not always be the case. The air duct in your home may actually be the problem! Some ducts can be poorly designed or inefficient in some way. This causes an number of problems including circulation, strain and an imbalance in pressure levels. Ultimately this will waste tons of energy and end up costing you money unnecessarily.

The Sun Valley air conditioning experts are always here for you! We love to make sure that our customers avoid potential bigger problems in the future by knowing what to look for and avoid now. Here are some signs to look out for that could signal airflow problems in your home may be caused from something being wrong with your duct:

• Some rooms that are hard to keep cool.
• Some rooms that are always stuffy or humid.
• Skyrocketing utility bills.
• You have ductwork in uninsulated areas, such as the garage or attic.
• You have a new or improved HVAC system that’s coupled with old ductwork.

Everything gets wear and tear over a long period of time. Your air ducts will naturally develop tears or seperated connections that will waste the conditioned air. This may cause the air from your attic etc. to come back into the house. It is unfourtunate and a serious problem because this will effect cooling efficiency and will increase the amount of dirt and dust in your home. Sun Valley air conditioning experts have been serving Los Angeles County since 1981! Our certified technicians are trained in handling every residential air conditioning situation. Feel free to give us a call at +1 (800) 321-9494 if you have any specific questions or want to get started on some duct work for your home.

The way that your duct was installed in your home effects its efficiency. If it was installed properly it means it is less likely to have problems. There are many benefits to a properly designed duct:

• It includes return air supply vents in every room or in central areas of the home.
• It’s sized to handle the precise amount of airflow produced by the HVAC system.
• Its ducts get smaller as they branch away from the main core, just as streams branching off a river become smaller, to maintain static pressure.
• Its angles are curved instead of sharply cornered, which can “wrinkle” airflow.

The entire home and your family will benefit from the duct system. It will ensure good indoor air quality and efficient air flow to keep your family comfortable. If you suspect that you are having any issues at all with your cooling system contact American Air Conditioning & Heating today! We are the Sun Valley air conditioning experts and we'd love to help your family stay comfortable everyday.

What are UV Air Filters?

Indoor air pollution is something that your family probably doesn’t think about too often, but your North Hills air conditioning experts are here to remind you that it is important factor in your families heath!

Fighting the battle against indoor air pollution can be a tough one. Ultraviolet light, however, is one of the best answers. Harmful mold, viruses, bacteria etc. get into your home and cause the air quality to decrease. UV light can clean the air by neutralizing the dangerous bacteria, viruses etc. making them no longer harmful to your family.

North Hills air conditioning experts have discussed before about the importance of changing your air conditioning filters. The air filter catches all the dust and dirt from the air. Change them every 30 to 60 days. This will contribute to maintaining the best indoor air quality for your home.

UV rays are a sterilizing agent that occur in the environment. This works in your home because the lightbulbs are a concentrated natural form of this sterilizing agent. They can help fight against viruses, bacteria, fungi and mold spores in the home.

How do you know if you have indoor air problems?


You can not see everything in the air that may be harmful to you and your family. The most common way that these microorganisms enter your body is by breathing them in. They usually come with a lot of dust or dirt in the home. Dirt and dust allow those harmful things to collect all over the home. Carpets, furniture, bedding, air conditioning etc. can all carry these harmful contaminants.

If anyone in your family is suffering from respiratory problems, asthma, skin irritations, chronic colds, or ongoing fatigue and lethargy you should consider having your indoor air quality tested by a certified North Hills air conditioning professional. This will help solve the problem.

UV purifiers may be able to help your family by cleaning the air your breathe. This will ensure that your family will always be a safe and healthy place to live. American Air Conditioning & Heating is here to keep your family comfortable! Call you North HIlls air conditioning experts today +1 (800) 321-9494.

Save Money on Panorama City Air Conditioning

Most homes have locks, alarm systems etc. to protect the home from other people trying to hurt you or other people trying to steal things from you. Have you ever thought about the thieves lurking around your home that you may not think about! It's valuable energy that is being taken from you!

You may be spending extra money that you don’t need to on your utility bill. Your Panorama City air conditioning experts are here to give you the clues and insight to stay on the lookout for energy takers.

Regular Maintenance:
Try and starting thinking of your air conditioning unit the same way as you do your car, if you don’t already. It is a machine that has slight wear and tear. The better you take care of it, the longer it will last. You never want to run your car without and oil change every 3,000 miles or so, right?

There are some simple tune-ups you can take care of on your AC that will help in this same sort of fashion.
-The air filters is number one. Clean the air filters or change them out (if they are disposable) every 30-60 days.
-Your duct work should also be inspected regularly for air leaks to prevent energy loss.
-Call a Panorama City air conditioning expert during spring for your annual air conditioning tune up and check to ensure that everything is in working order before the heat of the summer hits.

Programmable Thermostat:
Do you use one? As Panorama City air conditioning experts we do highly recommend these systems. They allow you to set your home’s temperature back several degrees when you are not home. Doing this can significantly save money on your utility bill.

Home Insulation:
Do a quick check up on your home to make sure that it is properly sealed and insulated. Caulking around windows and doors can stop air leaks. The attic is also a place that should definitely be well insulated because a lot of cool air slips right out of your home through the attic. When you are running the air conditioner make sure that all doors and windows are shut!

Air Conditioning & Family:
Your family can make some effort to decrease your cooling load. During the really really hot summer months it is wise to use your oven as infrequently as possible. The oven in your home, when on, is really hot. This will cause your air conditioner to work even harder that is has too. Look into changing your light bulbs as well. Compact fluorescent bulbs increase energy savings.

Landscaping:
What kind of landscaping does your home have? The sun may shine right into your house allowing heat to penetrate the home. Strategically planting trees around you house so that they create shaded areas will block the amount on sunlight getting in. This will help keep the home cool without increasing the cooling load of your air conditioner.

Quick solution to this problem! Close the drapes and blinds to block the hot sun rays as it moves from one side of your home to the other! This will keep your family cool and within budget!

Your Panorama City air conditioning experts are here to tell you that energy savings is possible! These are just a few tips that do not take that much effort but will save you tons of money on your utility bill during summer. Now is the time to get that annual maintenance check-up, let one of the certified American Air Conditioning & Heating technicians help you out today. +1 (800) 321-9494.

Reseda Air Conditioning Lifespan

Upgrade those old air conditioning units!

It is always a good idea to plan ahead for a big purchase. Your Reseda air conditioning company is here to help It is common to budget and plan ahead for purchasing a new car, doing so for your air conditioning system is a good idea too! If you plan out when you are going to purchase and exactly how much you are going to pay your budget will take less of a hit and it will be a wise investment instead of a poor decision.

There are a few different things that contribute to how long any particular air conditioning unit will last for. The manufacturer of the unit will set and expected lifespan. This is based on an average user and for “normal” use. Keep in mind, most air conditioners are supposed to last about 15 years.

You can help estimate the lifespan of your Reseda air conditioning unit with the help of these simple questions:

First: How much do you use it?

This is the biggest factor in how long or how short and air conditioner will last. Here in Southern California we have beautiful weather but it does get hot and we do use our Reseda air conditioning systems a lot more than someone who lives in Minnesota, for example. Our air conditioners tend to last a little less than 15 years because we are in a hotter region. Manufacturer expectations are set according to the number of hours of use for your unit, so when you use the air condition a ton, you’re still getting your money’s worth. You’re just using those hours up more quickly than other people.

Second: Do you stay on top of your yearly service?

Paying attention to the maintenance of your unit helps extend its life. The number one maintenance tip is to change the air filters every 30-60 days! This can be done by a Reseda air conditioning professional and will keep your unit working in tip top shape. Allowing dirt to build up on the system makes it work harder, which causes components to wear out more quickly and leads to system breakdown or significant repairs. Regular maintenance means your A/C runs smoothly and efficiently, allowing you to get the most hours possible out of the system.

American Air Conditioning & Heating is always posting great tips and tricks onto our Facebook page to ensure that our customers will get the most out of every unit they own through out their life time. Feel free to call us with any questions regarding Heating or Reseda Air Conditioning at +1 (800) 321-9494.

Save Energy During Summer!

Save money during summer!

Here are some great tips from your Pacoima air conditioning experts on how to keep your ac in great working order:

The weather is heating up out there. While Southern California usually has beautiful days and nights, the summers can get hot, hot, hot!

You can save money and energy by carefully purchasing the correct size unit, staying up to date on service and operating your air conditioner correctly. Follow your Pacoima air conditioning company quick tips on our Facebook page and you will decrease the chance on problems in the future. Good luck!

Maintenance and Operation Tips

Stay up to date and aware in order to save money longterm!

• The number one thing to be conscious of is your air conditioning filter!
• Air filters that are dusty and dirty will not allow air to flow through your home.
• Air filters will need to be changed and/or cleaned at least once every 30-60 days.
• This simple maintenance step can reduce your utility bill and energy consumption by 5-15%!
• If your home has a central ac system you must make sure that the ducts are insulated correctly. If they pass through the attic your really want to make sure that is done.
• Don’t let furniture get in the way. It defeats the purpose of cooling and wastes a lot of energy when something is blocking the vent. It may also be helpful to close off unused rooms by shutting the door and closing the vents in those rooms.

Energy Saving Tips:

Just stay conscious and aware and you will be able to save easily on your utility bill!

• Only use the air conditioner when it is really hot outside.
• Close all the windows and close the curtains or pull down the shades during the day, this will help to keep the heat out of the house.
• During the night open the windows and turn on the fans to draw out the cooler air.
• Ground-to-air heat pumps are most cost effective when included in a new home’s design rather than as an addition to an existing home.
• Fans are a great way to help keep your home cool. They most definitely can not replace air conditioning but they can be a great addition in support of your unit. Running a ceiling fan with the AC at a moderate temperature can create a wind chill effect and actually make the room feel cooler than it is!

Drop us a line on our Facebook page if you have any questions regarding heating and air conditioning! Your Pacoima air conditioning experts American Air Conditioning & Heating will always be here for you!

Los Angeles Air Conditioning Story!

Service your air conditioning system in Spring!

It’s spring time here is the beautiful Southern California! During this time of year we are so excited about the nice weather that we tend to forget about things like Los Angeles air conditioning because it is not quite hot yet. Los Angeles air conditioning experts are here to remind you! It is exactly the time you should be thinking about it! It’s spring cleaning time and your air conditioner service should be right on that check list with everything else this season. One of our customers, Marlene, knows from experience how important it is to do a pre-summer season service can be!

Your Los Angeles air conditioning specialist, American Air Conditioning & Heating is here to tell you Marlene’s story:

About three years back my husband and I bought a home in the beautiful Southern California. We absolutely loved it, just loved everything about it! The beaches were one of our very favorite parts, coming from Northern California in the forest we looked forward to having all our family over to see our new place surrounded by beautiful beaches and ocean. On one particular visit we invited my sister’s family to come over. We were very used to the air conditioning at our previous home because the weather was always so hot, our bodies are sort of used to the cool now! Our neighbors told us that it does get pretty hot in this particular area and that it was always a good idea to get the air conditioning system checked up every once and awhile because it is important to have during the summer! We didn’t think much of this and we a fairly frugal people so we figured out AC would work fine how it was. We've always heard the weather in Southern California is nice and maybe we wouldn't have to use the AC as much.

My sister came into town with her lovely family. We had lots of plans set up to have a good visit. The house felt a little hot so we turned the air conditioning on and to a low temperature as we left out for dinner. As we would later find out, the air conditioning was blowing out hot air the whole time we were gone.

Dinner was amazing, we were having such a great time! Everything went wrong when we got home. We walked in to an extremely hot house. Not just semi-warm but hot, hot, hot! It was a super hot day for So Cal already and now our home was even hotter than outside! My husband and I looked at each other and embarrassingly apologized to my sister and her family. There wasn’t anything we could do about it. It was 12:30am, there was no way we could get a technician out that late, especially on a Saturday. We all just tried to tough it out but there was no way to deal with the heat. We felt like we were cooking! My sister was nice about it and didn’t complain too much but she did grab ice out of the freezer and rub it on her face. It was so hot that no one was comfortable. We tried to go to bed but no one could sleep or even stand to be on the sheets. It was even hotter upstairs in the guest bedroom, it was unbearable.

My sister decided that it would be best to go to a hotel and stay the night there until it cooled down. They could not stand the heat any longer. That reaction is totally understandable, we couldn’t take the heat either. We decided to just go right along with them, it was like 90 degrees outside, our house was an oven.

We thought that we would be saving money by foregoing that service repair that our neighbors so graciously “warned” us about back in Spring. Take my advice we ended up spending way more after everything was said and done! Los Angeles air conditioning maintenance is something that you only need about once a year and it makes a world of difference.



You can tell from Marlene’s story that even if your AC unit new and you think nothing will go wrong it is always smart during the springtime before the summer heat sets in to have it checked out by your local Los Angeles air conditioning company.

American Air Conditioning & Heating has proudly served the Los Angeles County area for over 30 years! Give us a call to schedule your maintenance check up today, before that hot summer season hits! +1 (800) 321-9494

DIY Air Duct Cleaning

Clean air ducts twice a year!

The air quality in you home is an important part of Northridge air conditioning. Its common to believe that dirty air ducts do have a little to do with the pollution inside your home. An air duct cleaning once or twice a year may help increase the quality of the air that your family is breathing.

In addition to the once or twice a year cleaning, industry professionals agree that you should call your Northridge air conditioning professional if there is visible mold and mildew on your ducts, if they are infested with bugs or rodents and if there is an excessive amount of dirt and dust buildup causing them to clog.

Dust and dirt within your system combined with the condensation of your air conditioner is the recipe for mold. A humility level of about 70% or higher is where mold rages through your unit. If you keep your air conditioner running you can temporary solve the problem.

Long term you will want to clean out all of the mold and dirt from your air conditioning unit to achieve optimal air quality in your home and ensure that your system is always running efficiently. If you’d like to attempt to clean out your duct system yourself, your Northridge air conditioning company has a few tips that may be able to help! If not you can always give us a call at +1 (800) 321-9494 and we’d love to take care of that for you!

It can be an easy self project will a few things that are most likely lying around your home somewhere if you are wiling to take it on.

Tools you will need:

Ice cube tray or muffin tin for holding compartments.
Vacuum
A brush with a long handle
Oil can
Paper towels or a cloth
Cleaning product (such as windex, 409 etc.)
Screwdriver
New Filter

The first step is to remove the filter. Next you will take the front grill from the outside of the unit. Place all of the metal screws into the tray so that they stay organized and you don’t loose them. Check the fan for any holes. Add some oil to keep it running smoothly. Take the brush and use it to clear away any dirt that you see. Take the cleaner and spray down the area and let it sit for about 15 minutes. Use the paper towels or cloth and wipe everything down. Make sure to wipe the fan blades and give the entire unit and additional area over with the vacuum cleaner. Empty out and clean the water base. This section of your unit holds the most of the standing water so there will be a lot more mold in there. This step is important. You must let everything completely dry before you resemble the unit.

If you have any questions at all feel free to visit Facebook, Twitter or the American Air Conditioning & Heating website! Have a nice day today. Keep in mind, summer is almost here!

HVAC Repair: DIY or Call a Tech?

Keep your family comfortable.

Torture. It's also known as a broken air conditioning in the middle of summer. Don't let this happen to you, stay alert. There are many signs leading up to your air conditioner having a major blow out! By looking and listening for problems you will be able to find problems and fix them before they get out of hand and expensive!

We are going to talk about things you can check and when you should immediately call a technician. If you'd like to check out a video on this topic check out the American Air Conditioning YouTube channel! We have a video called HVAC repair: Tips before you call a technician where James Smith talks to us about this specific topic!

Quick Fix Yourself
In many cases the air filter has a lot to do with why your unit isn’t working properly. Many people will call out a specialized technician and spend money where they don’t need to because they simply don’t know. Your West Hills air conditioning experts won’t let that happen to you. We are constantly using our blog and Facebook page to post quick tips for our customers to ensure ultimate satisfaction and comfort for your home. We have discussed air filters in the past and most of the time you just need to make sure that it is always clean. This will keep your unit working smooth and maintain a better air quality in the home.

Another quick check is to make sure that no one has unknowingly tripped the breaker. If this happens there is no electricity going to your air conditioner and it won’t work! If you’re in a situation where your AC isn’t working before you grab the phone to call out your West Hills air conditioning experts take a quick peek at the units breaker, turn it off and on again and see if that works.

Call In a Tech For This
If you are certain that power is going to the unit and it’s still not working to your standards give us a call at +1 (800) 892-3556 and we’ll help you out with anything you need. In an effort to save money it is always a good idea to do these few simple checks before calling a specialized West Hills air conditioning technician because even if you are not able to fix it yourself you will be better able to describe your situation to one of our experts when they come out to help you!

Serious Clogs
There are some very noticeable signs to look out for a major problem
-Ice crystal type of formation around your vents or pipes. 
-Hot air shooting out instead of cold air.

You will definitely need to call your West Hills air conditioning company immediately if you see signs like this because that is an indications that there is something clogging up your ductwork and there is no free airflow.

Freon Can Leak.
Freon is not like the oil in your car. It doesn’t get low and you have to add more, this is a myth. If you notice that your Freon is low that is an indication that your air conditioning unit is leaking Freon. If you ever see a green neon like substance dripping from your unit call your West Hills air conditioning specialist right away!

Low on Refrigerant?
Refrigerant on the other hand is something your air conditioning needs and you can run low on. If this happens you will need a West Hills air conditioning service technician to come out and reload your air conditioner. While you are waiting for our certified technicians you will need to turn off your air conditioner unit until the problem is fixed.

Don’t Do It!
Do not ever attempt to go near an air conditioning unit if you see frayed wires, tons of dirt, fuzz on the unit or the pipes. Just shut off the AC and call American Air Conditioning & Heating we are your West Hills air conditioning experts and are certified to handle these types of situations. Good luck!

Save 60% on Utility Bills!

24.5 SEER rating can save you 60% on your utility bill!

That old air conditioning unit just isn't doing the trick anymore, right?

I see an upgrade in your future. Living in Southern California is nice but it can get hot out there! We know those super hot days are coming and having an air conditioner that works well is important.

A life without Van Nuys air conditioning could be quite uncomfortable during the hot days of summer. If you are tired of dealing with trying to find alternate ways to stay cool during the heat now is the time to change! Call your  Van Nuys air conditioning experts and let’s get started. Update that old air conditioning unit or install one for the first time!

Everyone wants to save a buck here in the United States especially during these hard economic times. Upgrading to an energy-efficient air conditioning or heating unit will save you money. Here in the US many of our residential central air units are actually manufactured here. If you purchase a new energy-efficient system for your home you are directly contributing to the revitalization of our economy! The manufacture are also taking steps and efforts towards helping our environment and almost all of the new super-high-efficiency units use ozone-safe R410A refrigerant instead of the old stuff.

Your Van Nuys air conditioning experts have all kinds of great insight for you! We are constantly updating our Facebook page and YouTube channel as well with the latest tips and tricks to help you folks save money! Something that many of our customers aren’t aware of before they connect with their Van Nuys air conditioning experts is that if you purchase an energy-efficient unit you may be eligible for a federal tax credit! Install a new energy-efficient system in your home during 2011 with a SEER of 24.5. This will save up to 60% on your cooling bill and it will improve your indoor comfort! The tax credit is just a bonus!

These air conditioners are so great because they use super-efficient rotary compressors. Van Nuys air conditioning units commonly use scroll compressor and some even use old school reciprocating piston compressors. The inverter technology to provided totally variable speed and control for the cooling output is what makes the rotary compressors stand out among the rest!

American Air Conditioning and Heating has proudly served Van Nuys and the Los Angeles County area for over 30 years!

Two-Stage Furnace

Two-stage furnace.

The summer weather is coming soon but with the wild changes in temperature recently we thought we'd through out some information about heating for a bit. Let's talk a little bit about what a two-stage furnace is. Many people prefer the two-stage because it reduces the fluctuations in temperature through out the home. This can improve the comfort level of your family. The system uses more or less power according to the current weather conditions.

Two-stage furnaces work by using a low-fire and high-fire settings on the fire valve. Two-stage furnaces also have multi-speed or variable-speed furnace blowers to move more or less air through the ducts. Another great feature are the two-stage draft fans. These move more or less combustion gases up the chimney.

Tujunga air conditioning and heating residents are used to mild weather here in Southern California. During the mild weather the furnace can operate on the low setting. Using the lower airflow in the ducts and the lower chimney gas flow. It's great because this will save money on your bill because the unit will not have to work super hard all the time. During the harsh winter days the two-stage furnace can kick into high-fire gear.

It is most important to have a furnace that is the correct size for your home. This was you will efficiently and accurately heat your home. During the coldest days especially, you want to make sure that your furnace can handle the job! Call your Tujunga air conditioning & heating company with any question that you may have. We are here to answer them for you. If you'd like to drop a line on our Facebook page you can do that as well. We will usually respond within a day or two to make sure that you get the answer you are looking for!

If you plan to replace your heating system, be sure to ask your Tunjunga air conditioning & heating what furnace is best for your size home. We've upload a video to explain a little more about the two-stage furnaces on YouTube. The keys to efficient two-stage furnace operation are a good initial design followed up by a high-quality installation. The two-stage furnace’s high stage should be sized for the severest weather, and the ducts should be designed and sealed to give good airflow for a range of weather conditions. We are American Air Conditioning & Heating proudly serving the Los Angeles county area since 1981!

Prepare for the Heat

Get ready before the heat hits!

Before it gets super hot out there you better prepare for those hot days! Summer is right around the corner. While the beautiful pacific ocean isn't too far away, the water will not help your home stay cool on those hot summer days.

What do you do to prepare for the hot weather?

First step: Your cooling system has air filters in it. Change them out or wash them if you have reusable filters. This will need to be done every one to two months.

Second step: Change your thermostat to the “cool” setting! You have to test the system by turning the setting down. Make sure it turns on, if it doesn’t something is wrong. First, check to make sure that there are no breakers tripped or any power issues. If you can’t figure it out from there call your Silmar air conditioning experts and we will fix it right up! It is always better to call during maintenance rather than waiting until the blazing heat is in full effect and all the Silmar air conditioning companies are packed with emergency calls.

Third step: If everything is good to go and it does turn on, make sure that the air pumping out is nice and cool. If it doesn’t than you will have to give you Silmar air conditioning specialist because there may be a problem bigger than just inadequate power. Set it to 78 degrees if you can.

Fourth step: This is a great tip when considering air conditioning replacement, we can not stress enough how important it is to replace your unit in Spring rather waiting for that heat to take over. You may have delays and during the hot heat you will be more uncomfortable than during Spring.

Fifth step: What kind of thermostat do you have? If it is older you may want to consider upgrading to a programmable one. You can potentially save $100 a year just by making this simple change! You should especially call your Silmar air conditioning specialist if your old thermostat uses a mercury switch.

Sixth step: Does you house have a whole-house fan? Consider installing one if you don’t. This will use cool air in the evening to cool the entire house. It also pushes the hot air out of the attic area.

Seventh step: Each room of the house would benefit from a ceiling fan. This is a great way to distribute the cool air around the house pretty inexpensively. It creates the chill effect and makes the room feel cooler!

If you follow these great tips from your Silmar air conditioning experts you should be nice and ready for the heat that will be coming soon! If you have any questions feels free to give American Air Conditioning a call today! +1 (800) 321-9494

Hot outside?

Try setting it to 82 when its over 100 outside!

The human body is magnificent in the way it can adapt to many different weather conditions. The way we adapt is by exposing ourselves to the weather. With San Fernando air conditioning, if you set your thermostat to 68 degrees and stay inside all summer when you walk outdoors and its 92 degrees it is going to feel like you are standing on the sun! If your thermostat is set to a higher temp like 80 or so when you walk outside it will only feel slightly warmer.

To balance heath, safety and comfort here are some quick tips from your San Fernando air conditioning experts:

If the weather is around 90 outside, try setting your thermostat to 80 instead of 70. For those super hot days when it hits like 100 try to set the thermostat even higher than that around 85 or so. Many people have window unit air conditioners. If you are using one of these they most likely will not have a temperature gauge. Just inch the setting cooler gradually until you find a reasonable setting.

To save money its always a good idea to turn of the air conditioning unit when you are not home. When you do leave make sure that all your blind are shut. This will help keep the sun from heating from blazing in and warming everything up. When you come back to your house it is a good idea to simply move the air conditioning temperature gradually until you are comfortable. Instead of cranking it down as cool as possible this will keep the temp as high as you can stand it while still feeling cool enough to be comfortable.

A difference in degrees Fahrenheit can be shocking. As little as two degrees can make the world a difference. Air conditioning dries out the air around you so if you live in a humid area even having the air conditioner the same temperature as outside will feel cooler! Some people set their thermostat in the hottest of hottest weather as low as 68 to 72 degrees! This is wasteful of energy (costing you more money) but also proves to be harsh on your body. If you are used to staying indoors during hot months at 68 degrees and you go outdoors to extreme heat you will be more susceptible to heat exhaustion etc. Your San Fernando air conditioning company recommends picking a more moderate temperature. This way you save energy and money! When it comes time to going outdoors you will be energized, ready to go and comfortable!

Experiment with inching your thermostat or San Fernando air conditioning settings down gradually from whatever interior temperature you are starting with, instead of just fixed on cold. This create savings on the electric bill, and your increased ability to enjoy the outdoors during hot weather. If you or your family have any questions on the best way to handle this give your San Fernando air conditioning experts a call today at +1 (800) 321-9494 or drop a line on our company Facebook page and will will get right back to you with a response!