DIY Nightmares Don’t Have to Happen We’ll cut to the chase: some HVAC upgrades and even repairs can be done quite easily as a do-it-yourself project. Who doesn’t enjoy changing an air filter? Okay, so maybe we’re getting carried away, but you know what we mean. However, there are some things best left to the pros, full stop. That list includes HVAC electrical ... Continue Reading
Spring Has Sprung: Seasonal HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners
An Ounce of Prevention Keeps Your Air Conditioning From a Pound of Repairs Okay, so the aphorism is a little wonky, but what’s so great anyway about the original term “a pound of cure?" In any case, the phrase still rings true. Take care of your air conditioning with a few maintenance tasks this spring, and you’ll enjoy indoor comfort all summer long. First off, change ... Continue Reading
The Heating and Cooling Upgrades That Add Value to Your Home
Home Buyers Want Energy-Efficient HVAC First, the bad news: according to a report in Remodeling Magazine, homeowners are embarking upon more residential upgrade projects than ever before, but without getting a reasonable rate of return on their investments. That means for every dollar spent on new tiles for the swimming pool, sliding barn doors for the den, or a ... Continue Reading
Programmable Thermostats Put You in Charge of Your HVAC Bills
Change Your Ambient Indoor Temps, Change Your Life (or At Least Save Money!) Everybody loves to “fix it and forget it,” but when it comes to heating and cooling your business or commercial property, take a little time to plan ahead. Using a programmable thermostat for your building could be the solution to your high energy bills. Furthermore, a programmable thermostat ... Continue Reading
Add Value to Your Home Through Prudent Residential HVAC Upgrades
Manage Return on Investment with High Performance, Energy Saving Equipment In the San Gabriel Valley, temperatures can vary widely throughout the year. This week’s cold snap is quickly replaced by next week’s record-breaking heat. Given these environmental conditions, today’s Los Angeles homebuyers expect heating and air conditioning. And reports from local realtors ... Continue Reading
Commercial HVAC Memes Don’t Make Themselves
But We Occasionally Find Them on the Internet for You Who else is tired of reading the news? Whether it’s murder hornets or masks, poor outdoor air quality or the Kardashians cancelling their reality show, lately it feels like there’s nothing we like looking at online but silly pictures. It certainly lowers our stress levels, anyway. And as inconsequential as they are, ... Continue Reading
Two Common AC Problems You Can Do Something About
Save money by fixing the little issues... before they turn into big ones. Here in Southern California, indoor comfort means having your air conditioning functioning at peak performance all of the time. Who wants to waste money on high energy bills and reduced cooling levels when it’s hot out? Recognizing these common air conditioning problems will help you ... Continue Reading
Is Air Conditioning Replacement Your Next Step?
When is it time to throw in the towel on your old HVAC system? No matter how successful your business, we know saving money wherever possible is always a top priority. Indeed, there’s a reason Warren Buffett still lives in the same house he and his wife purchased in 1958 for $31,000, a decision he’s called “the best investment I’ve ever made.” For that reason, we ... Continue Reading
Summertime HVAC: Common Seasonal Problems
Learn About the Air Conditioning Issues That Come Along with High Temps Summer means different things to different people, but most of us welcome the beloved traditions that accompany this time of year. Whether it’s the sounds of kids playing Marco Polo in the swimming pool, or the taste of cool, crisp watermelon served up at the picnic table, this is a time for ... Continue Reading
Your HVAC Is Safe, But Don’t Store Snakes in Your Socks!
Thinking About Snakes, Air Conditioning and Elderly Relatives We’re always looking for levity where we can find it, and this story from India’s Hindustan Times gave us pause yesterday: “In a bizarre incident, 40 baby snakes emerged from an air-conditioner in a village in Meerut district.” Suffice it to say that the way today’s HVAC systems are built preclude ... Continue Reading
HVAC System Capacity for Commercial Heating and Air Conditioning: What You Need to Know
The Wrong Sized Unit Means Big Problems Later On Here’s a secret: we get many new commercial customers after they have already installed a brand new HVAC system for their building. Why? Because frequently after spending all that money on the latest indoor comfort system’s bells and whistles, it often turns out the equipment they were sold is too big or too small for ... Continue Reading
Knowing Definitions of Important HVAC Parts Can Help
Check Out This Glossary of Air Conditioning Terms to Impress Friends, Family and Random Strangers When it comes to heating and cooling, our technicians spend a lot of time studying: the parts, their potential problems, and what these elements of any HVAC system are supposed to do. We also prep our team on the latest technologies and up-to-date regulations on how this ... Continue Reading
Air Conditioning Repairs You Might Not Know You Need
Do you have a secret HVAC problem waiting to happen? So the lady on the phone was desperate. Their tenant complained that hot air was coming out of the air vents, and blowing warmth into the living room on the hottest day of the year so far. Was the condenser broken? Would they need a new system? How would they ever afford this? She was panicked, and we agreed to send ... Continue Reading
Heat Pumps Offer Clean, Inexpensive HVAC for Your Home
Today’s Rebates Give New Discounts for Homeowners We make it a point to tell our customers when there are new sales incentives or tax credits for a certain product or type of equipment. The marketplace is always changing, and these kinds of discounts pop up frequently. However, recent incentives from Southern California Edison and the federal government make this ... Continue Reading
Stuck at Home? Be Nice to Your Air Conditioner to Save Money for Summer
These Easy Maintenance Tips Will Keep Your System Running Smoothly It’s easy to go stir crazy during this unprecedented national crisis, so why not be productive? Instead of lying on the sofa or bugging your teenager to get out of bed and finally take a shower, you can put money in your pocket by caring for your air conditioner! We know, this doesn’t necessarily ... Continue Reading
In Quarantine, Total Indoor Comfort Means a Whole Lot of Extra Time
Check out what these folks have been up to while sheltering in place. Assuming your HVAC is working well and you have enough toilet paper, you’re hopefully safe at home right now. We’ve compiled a list of funny tweets and photos of the crazy things people are doing to pass the time... For example, look at this lady. She has some skills! We'd love to have a tiny knit ... Continue Reading
UV Light for Your HVAC System: What Air Purification Can and Can’t Do
Air Purification for Your Home Can Reduce Indoor Pollutants In these trying times, we see a lot of ads out there for all kinds of ways to sanitize your home. Some work, some don’t, but a proven way to reduce indoor pollutants is by using ultraviolet light in your HVAC system. While it can’t stop germs from entering your home on your hands, clothing, or even through ... Continue Reading
Total Indoor Comfort for Your Home: Bells and Whistles for Your Residential HVAC System
Because You Can Have It All If your family’s indoor comfort is a top priority, think about these new upgrades for your residential HVAC system. In many cases these are features that will make a real difference to everyone on a daily basis, far more than the benefits of a high-end stove or fancy cabinetry. Media Air Filtration Now more than ever, it’s really ... Continue Reading
Celebrity in the World of Professional HVAC Supports Another Superstar
Air-Tro Assistant Service Manager Cole Capps Drives 2020 Rose Parade Grand Marshal Rita Moreno Along Parade Route The entire Air-Tro team was proud to see our own Cole Capps as one of the official drivers for 2020 Rose Parade Grand Marshal Rita Moreno along the parade route. Cole is our assistant service manager, and a valued Air-Tro family member. Cole's father-in-law is ... Continue Reading
Replace or Repair? How to Tell the Difference with Your Home’s HVAC System
Wait! Don't Spend a Lot of Money If You Don't Have To. Some HVAC Problems Are a Quick Fix It’s fun to buy a new plant or new picture for your living room; you can see the upgrade right in front of you and enjoy it. It’s sometimes less fun to replace behind-the-scenes equipment in your home, however. While these items may be more important to your home’s livability, ... Continue Reading
Quick Question: Would You Rather Pay 5 Cents or 35 cents per Kilowatt-Hour to Run Your HVAC System?
Proposed Ban on Natural Gas for New Homes Offers An Expensive Solution for Homeowners Even in California, the city of Berkeley has a longstanding reputation for radical solutions. Some of the laws to come out of the city have been ground breaking, prompting national conversations about cultural norms, values and expectations. Other city laws have drawn more ire than ... Continue Reading
Willis Carrier: Air Conditioning Hero and Cool Cat
An Inventor and Engineer Who Saved Lives and Changed America With the warm days that are part and parcel of living and working in the San Gabriel Valley, air conditioning goes with the territory. Offices, stores, homes and businesses all depend upon this technology not only for commerce, but also for the routines of daily living. The summer sunshine can be dangerous, and ... Continue Reading
Your Old House: Two Issues to Ponder When Enhancing Heating and Cooling in Historic Residences
Energy Saving Indoor Comfort Is Possible in a Unique Home One of the San Gabriel Valley’s hallmarks is the number of beautiful older homes that dot the landscape, even as new construction goes up all around us. Whether it’s a canyon cabin in Sierra Madre, an older Craftsman home in Pasadena, or a mid-century modern masterpiece in Eagle Rock, the past is present in the ... Continue Reading
HVAC at Home: The Connection Between Room Temperature and Sleep Quality
Air Conditioning Means More Than Indoor Comfort It isn’t just the seasonal San Gabriel Valley heat. Everybody, it seems, is having trouble sleeping. According to national statistics compiled from the National Institute of Health and the CDC, roughly 35% of Americans aren’t getting enough rest on a daily basis, defined as at least seven hours of shuteye. In fact, more ... Continue Reading
Have a Vacation Planned? Here’s a Residential HVAC Checklist to Run Through Before You Leave Los Angeles
Avoid Cost Overages When You’re Not Home with These Easy Tips For San Gabriel Valley families, vacation getaways or even business trips can be fun, but sometimes planning for them can be a hassle. From coordinating hotels to booking airline flights, it’s always a challenge to save money where you can. But have you considered taking a look at your HVAC system before ... Continue Reading
