Use This List to Assess Your Commercial HVAC Pump HVAC pumps are an important mainstay of your overall commercial heating and cooling system. They’re working continuously to send liquid through your other equipment connected to them, including boilers, water towers and more. Most commonly a centrifugal or booster pump, unfortunately these can break or fail. Here are ... Continue Reading
Heat Pumps: Everything You Need to Know
The All-In-One HVAC Solution for Year Round Use Few residential or commercial customers know that they have choices when it comes to heating and air conditioning equipment. Most assume an air conditioner and separate furnace are their only options. Yet, for moderate climates like ours, a heat pump can be a cost effective alternative to the standard HVAC systems with ... Continue Reading
Halloween Edition: HVAC Horror Stories
Halloween HVAC: Scary Installation and Repair Stories That Will Lower Your Inner Thermostat Here at Air-Tro we only have happy endings to your heating and air conditioning challenges, but out in the wilds of the Internet, it’s a different story entirely. As the weather hopefully cools down and the leaves begin to change, our thoughts turn to the spooky season that is ... Continue Reading
Do Heat Pumps Cool as Well as Air Conditioners?
Heat pumps in our region are often the appliance of choice to provide both heating and cooling for homes. They're as energy efficient as central air conditioners and gas furnaces, and are simple and safe to operate, since they don't use combustion fuel. These appliances must meet the same energy efficiency requirements that a central air conditioner does, and use the same ... Continue Reading
Why It Is Important To Know About AFUE, SEER, HSPF
Why It Is Important To Know About AFUE, SEER, HSPF When you're selecting a new HVAC system for your home, the terms AFUE, SEER, and HSPF are essential to understand so you make a good choice for your home and budget. These acronyms are the terms that indicate how energy efficient the system is. ... Continue Reading
The Ductless Mini-Split: A Major Force in Cooling and Heating From Its Very Beginnings
The Ductless Mini-Split: A Major Force in Cooling and Heating From Its Very Beginnings The ductless mini-split was introduced in Asia during the 1970s, especially for apartment dwellers in Japan. To save space, reduce noise, and improve limited window views, the ductless mini-split air conditioner was designed to accommodate the small size of apartment construction in ... Continue Reading
High Efficiency HVAC Tax Credits Now Available Through 2013
High Efficiency HVAC Tax Credits Now Available Through 2013 On January 2, 2013, President Obama and Congress renewed a tax credit for homeowners and contractors installing high-efficiency HVAC appliances and water heaters until December 2013. Qualifying purchases made during 2012 can also be claimed. Here is a list of the tax credits you may be eligible for. Water ... Continue Reading
Operating And Maintaining Your Heat Pump For Maximum Efficiency
Heat pumps, like other heating and cooling equipment, require proper maintenance and operating techniques to run at maximum efficiency. The combination of properly caring for your heat pump and scheduling annual maintenance can result in a unit that is 10-25 percent more efficient than a neglected one. ... Continue Reading
The Ductless Mini-Split System: All The Advantages Of A Heat Pump, And Then Some
If your entire home – or just a section that was added on – lacks ductwork, a great solution for air conditioning is a ductless mini-split system. This type of system consists of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit mounted to the wall. The two are connected directly in a more efficient manner than a window air conditioner. Here’s a look at the advantages of installing a ... Continue Reading
Deciding On A Heat Pump: Check And Compare The SEER And HSPF Ratings
Deciding On A Heat Pump: Check And Compare The SEER And HSPF Ratings When the weather's hot and the utility bills are creeping up as you try to keep your home comfortable, the need to find an energy-efficient solution to cooling your home becomes obvious. One answer for many homeowners in the Pasadena area is a heat pump. Heat pumps both heat and cool your house, giving ... Continue Reading
Troubles With Your Heat Pump? Try These Tips Before You Call For Help
A heat pump that won’t work when you need it can be a source of frustration and discomfort. Before calling for service and adding extra expense to your list of aggravations, check the system out and see if the problem is something simple you can fix yourself. Here are a few tips to try before calling in an HVAC expert. ... Continue Reading
Where Your Ductwork Won't Go, The Mini Split Delivers
In almost every new building or renovation job, the amount of physical space available for expanding the project is limited. In HVAC applications, the ductwork that carries the heated and cooled air from the main HVAC unit must be accommodated; without it, the furnace or air conditioner will be useless. Ductwork can take up a lot of area in the construction plan, however, ... Continue Reading
Your Yard Maintenance: Does Your Heat Pump Compressor Need Attention Too?
Every season is heat pump maintenance season. Because heating and cooling functions are combined in a single system, heat pumps get year-round operation and wear. However, the outdoor compressor/condenser unit may be neglected during seasons when you’re not out and about in the yard. Here in L.A., spring rains have greened the grass and acacias are blooming. While you’re ... Continue Reading
Invest Your IRS Check In A Heat Pump, And Enjoy The Return For Years To Come
Invest Your IRS Check In A Heat Pump, And Enjoy The Return For Years To Come When that IRS tax refund check comes in, it can be tempting to spend that sudden cash influx on something fun or frivolous. You may very well deserve a quick vacation or a new big-screen TV. However, if you make a more sensible choice and divert that tax check to a new heat pump for your home, ... Continue Reading
Air-Source Heat Pump Options If You’re Upgrading
Air-Source Heat Pump Options If You're Upgrading If you are upgrading the heat pumps in your Pasadena home, there are many options for you to choose from. While they all operate using the same basic principle of heat transfer -- using a device to move heat from one place to another rather than burning fuel to create heat -- they each operate in various ways. ... Continue Reading
