Why Dryer Vent Cleaning Is Important

March 4th, 2015

What is one of the key steps you need to take whenever your transfer a load of wash from the washing machine to the dryer? You must check the lint catcher in the dryer to make sure that it is cleaned out. Unless the lint catcher is clean, the dryer will have a harder time removing heat from the clothing load, resulting in damp clothes at the end of the drying cycle.

However, issues from lint go deeper than the lint catcher. The vent to the outside of your home that exhausts the heat from the dryer will start to collect lint over time, and eventually the hose from the dryer and the vent will become congested with clothing fibers. It is important that you have routine dryer vent cleaning to remove these obstructions, as we will explain below. You can call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for excellent dryer vent cleaning in Fresno, CA. We will be glad to perform this crucial service for you.

A clean dryer vent will prevent fire hazards

The main reason you need to schedule regular dryer vent cleaning is to prevent the danger from fires. Clothing lint is highly flammable, which is why hikers often carry it to use as a catalyst for starting campfires. If too much lint collects inside the dryer vent, it can ignite due to the high temperatures of the exhaust, starting a fire that will spread rapidly. A large number of house fires begin this way every year, but with routine vent cleaning you can keep your home safe.

A clean dryer vent means shorter drying times

If you keep the lint catcher clean, but it still seems that you have to keep the clothing in the dryer for longer periods to properly dry them, you probably have a clogged dryer vent. You will continue to encounter problems with lengthy drying times until you have the vent professionally cleaned.

A clean dryer vent reduces wear and tear on the dryer

A congested dryer vent will make a dryer work harder. This will both increase your energy bills and also shorten the dryer’s service life. To make sure that you receive many years of quality and energy-efficient performance from your dryer, arrange for regular dryer vent cleaning.

The trained technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can clean your dryer vent quickly using powered vacuums and air cleaners. You can set up a regular cleaning schedule with us to ensure that the work always gets done when necessary. Call us today to arrange for dryer vent cleaning in Fresno, CA and the surrounding areas.

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Angie’s List Super Service Award

March 3rd, 2015

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning
Earns Esteemed 2014
Angie’s List Super Service Award

Award reflects company’s consistently high level of customer service 

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning has earned the service industry’s coveted Angie’s List Super Service Award, reflecting an exemplary year of service provided to members of the local services marketplace and consumer review site in 2014.13ANG0007_SuperServiceLogo_Final_LessGradient_GrayScale-2200px

“We are proud to have earned the Super Service Award from Angie’s List and to have earned an “A” rating based on customer reviews.” said Brian Driggs of Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

“Only about 5 percent of the HVAC, Heating, Ventilation and Air Conditioning companies in Fresno, CA and Madera, CA have performed so consistently well enough to earn our Super Service Award,” said Angie’s List Founder Angie Hicks. “It’s a really high standard.”

Angie’s List Super Service Award 2014 winners have met strict eligibility requirements, which include an “A” rating in overall grade, recent grade, and review period grade; the company must be in good standing with Angie’s List, pass a background check and abide by Angie’s List operational guidelines.

Service company ratings are updated daily on Angie’s List. Companies are graded on an A through F scale in areas ranging from price to professionalism to punctuality.

Angie’s List helps facilitate happy transactions between nearly 3 million consumers nationwide and its collection of highly-rated service providers in 720 categories of service, ranging from home improvement to health care. Built on a foundation of authentic reviews of local service, Angie’s List connects consumers directly to its online marketplace of services from member-reviewed providers, and offers unique tools and support designed to improve the local service experience for both consumers and service professionals.

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Welcome Brian DaSilva to our team!

February 25th, 2015

 

Meet our newest employee!

Brian DaSilva – Installation Technician

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Brian joined the Purl’s Sheet Metal in 2015 as an installation technician. He enjoys working with his co–workers and learning new things. Brian feels he has the opportunity to work with the best in the business! In his free time Brian enjoys working on his truck and playing guitar. He also enjoys spending his time with his girlfriend and his dogs. (Brian’s favorite movie is “The Sandlot”).

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When Is the Best Time for New Furnace Installation?

February 25th, 2015

No matter how well you take care of your furnace, you will eventually have to replace it with a new one. Parts break down, wear out, and even go out of production. Eventually, the cost of repairing all of your furnace’s problems will outweigh that of a new furnace installation. The sooner you recognize that your furnace has reached the end of its service life, the more money you can save by replacing it. If you have any questions regarding whether you should repair or replace your furnace, call the skilled technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

Let’s take a look at some of the indicators that you should have a new furnace installed.

Increase in Repairs

Every system will occasionally run into problems that require professional repair. As a system ages, however, the frequency and cost of those repairs will increase. As wear and tear accumulates on the furnace, the individual parts of the system will begin to fail. Since each part wears out at a slightly different rate, this will eventually result in multiple parts failing in rapid succession.

Decrease in Efficiency

Not all drops in heating efficiency are a sign that a furnace needs replacement. There are several different issues that could contribute to a loss of heating ability. However, a furnace that seems to be permanently handicapped, even after multiple repairs, is a sign that you should replace the furnace with a new one.

Age

An older furnace doesn’t necessarily need replacement, but you need to take age into consideration when other symptoms, like those above, start to appear. If your furnace is older than its manufacturer’s estimate lifespan and experienced other performance issues, it’s a good idea to look into replacing it. If you have an older furnace and that is still performing fine, make sure you continue with regular professional maintenance and consult with your technician about when a replacement is cost-effective.

If you think you need a new furnace installation in the Madera area, call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning to schedule an appointment.

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Lupercalia: The Origin of St. Valentine’s Day

February 14th, 2015

Many people may think of Valentine’s Day as a holiday essentially created by card and gift companies, but the truth is that the holiday has long-standing roots going back to the Roman Empire. The name “Lupercalia” has its origins in the word “lupus”, which means wolf, and the reason for this is that according to Roman pagan religion, the she-wolf Lupa nursed the two orphaned infants Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome.

 

The Festival

The Festival of Lupercalia spanned two days each February, from February 13th to 15th. The festival was about fertility and was led by Luperci priests, known as “brothers of the wolf”. The festival was serious with intention (fertility) but was executed as quite a romp for both the priests and citizens of Rome. The process was this: two male goats and a dog were sacrificed at the beginning of the festival by the priests; two young Luperci were then anointed with the blood from the animals, and the hides of the animals were cut into straps. As food and drink flowed, the male priests would run around the city wearing nothing but thongs made from the animal skins, and they also carried a strap from one of the sacrificed animals. The strap was used to strike the palms of Roman women waiting for the priests in the city, as it was believed that being hit with the strap could help with infertility issues and a safe, healthy labor for women who were pregnant.

 

The Transition to St. Valentine’s Day

The Christian influence of the holiday came around the 5th century. The Roman Empire was still strong, but Christianity was rapidly taking hold throughout the world. It is believed that to try and remove the paganism from the holiday, the deaths of two men, supposedly both named Valentine, were added into the mix. During the 3rd and 4th centuries, a law created by Claudius II forbade young men eligible for military service to marry, because Rome wanted a strong army. The two men named Valentine were priests, and married young couples in secret. Both were found out and executed on February 14th, although in separate years. The Church made Valentine a saint (they chose one), and Lupercalia became St. Valentine’s Day.

 

Here’s wishing you and your loved one a Happy Valentine’s Day!

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Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning NEW Barbeque Smokers

February 12th, 2015

Friday barbeques are a tradition at Purl’s Sheet Metal. Our team of employees, customers and invited guests enjoy the weekly Friday lunch at our Madera office. Every week there is something different on the menu. After searching for a BBQ smoker, we decided to fabricate our own. What started as a passion to create the best “smoked” meats for our weekly lunch, quickly turned into a prototype of the new barbeque smoker.

Purl_s_Smoker_2014_1The food from our new smoker was so delicious, our employees and our customers started asking to order one for their personal use. After much testing and sampling of great meals, we came up with a well-designed prototype.

Each barbeque smoker body is custom fabricated in our sheet metal shop in Madera, CA. Each smoker contains a top vent, side vents, chrome plated steel cooking grill, meat hanging hooks, removable fire basket, and temperature gauge. It is assembled with care and precision in the USA in Madera, CA. We are proud to announce they are now available for purchase IMG_9888_1 IMG_9893and special order. Options are available for special orders, so give us a call at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for all the details.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Why Furnace Repair Is Not a “Do It Yourself” Job

January 21st, 2015

We understand that many homeowners want to save money where possible, and that often means picking up a toolkit and an instruction book and attempting to handle repairs around the house on their own. Going “do-it-yourself” is fine for some jobs, such as trying to fix a doorbell or repair broken hinges on cabinet doors. But there are limits to what amateur work can do—and what amateur work should do. A good example is repairing a furnace. On no account should you ever attempt to fix a broken or malfunctioning furnace on your own. We’ll explain why.

It’s not difficult to receive qualified and professional service for a furnace that is having trouble. You can just pick up the phone and call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We have handled furnace repair in Fresno, CA and the surrounding areas for many decades, and our NATE-certified technicians will deliver quality work to quickly restore warm heat to your home.

Why you must leave furnace repairs to professionals

The most common type of furnace found in homes is the natural gas furnace. Any type of appliance that uses natural gas must be left to licensed professionals when it comes to service: installation, repairs, maintenance. In most jurisdictions, it is illegal for a non-licensed individual to work on an appliance connected to a gas line. The reason for this is that gas leaks are extremely hazardous, leading to carbon monoxide poisoning and the risk of explosions. If you tamper incorrectly with a gas furnace, you can create a dangerous slow leak and not even realize it. Never take these types of risks: have professionals with years of experience handle the work so you can relax in peace in your home.

Even without the dangers from carbon monoxide, furnaces would still be problems for amateurs to fix.  Modern furnaces are more complex. Trying to track down the cause of a malfunction is difficult to diagnose without proper training. It is even more difficult to fix without the right tools and proper knowledge. Making the wrong repair is often worse than failing to find the reasons for the malfunction. You shouldn’t take a chance with furnace repairs, so be sure to have licensed service heating technicians work on your furnace.

Finally, professional repairs will go much faster than any amateur work. If you need to have your heat working as soon as possible, the quickest route is call the professionals. Call the team of trained and skilled professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for furnace repair in Fresno, CA. Contact us when you need help with your home’s furnace.

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Is It Time to Replace My Heat Pump?

January 14th, 2015

If a heat pump receives regular maintenance from professionals, as well as skilled repairs when necessary, it should continue to keep a home warm during the winter and cool during the summer for many years. But no mechanical appliance can operate forever, and with the amount of work that a heat pump does around the year in California, it will eventually wear down to the point that it should be replaced.

If you suspect that you need to retire your home’s heat pump in Madera, CA, call up Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We provide excellent service for heat pumps, including repairs, maintenance, and new installation.

Below are some of the ways to tell that you should call us regarding heat pump replacement:

  • Rising energy costs: A sudden increase in electrical bills during periods when a heat pump is running is usually a warning that the system has a fault somewhere in it that is causing it to drain additional power. Targeted repairs will usually fix such problems. But if the rise in the bills is more gradual and it does not decrease due to repairs or maintenance, it often means the system is too old to work efficiently any more. Heating technicians can look into the unit and determine if replacing it is the best route or not.
  • An increase in repair jobs: Approximately 85% of the repairs that a heat pump or other heating system may need occur during the last two years of its service life. When you find yourself calling for repairs more than once or twice during a year, it’s time to think about retiring the heat pump. As a good rule of thumb, if a repair would cost half or more of the price to replace the heat pump, it is more economical to have a new unit put in rather than to continue with repairs.
  • Continual noisy operation: Loud noises from a heat pump are a strong sign that the mechanical components have worn down to the point that the system is no longer worth keeping. Heating technicians can investigate the heat pump to see if replacing some of the components will help, or if the heat pump is simply too old for further repairs to do much good.

Call the heating professionals at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.  We will send one of our service technicians to your home to diagnosis the heat pump to find any possible problems.   We can give you an estimate for repairs or replacing the unit. Whether you need repairs or new installation for your heat pump in Madera, CA, you can count on our decades of experience to deliver the highest quality work.

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How Does a Ductless System Heat?

January 7th, 2015

When people think of keeping a home warm with a central heating system, they often think first of a furnace. A furnace is a type of “forced-air” heater that spreads warmth throughout a building by first raising the temperature of the air, then using a blower fan to send the air out into rooms. In order for a furnace to distribute its heated air, it must have ductwork leading from the cabinet and to the vents into the room.

However, not all forced-air heating systems require ducts like a furnace does. A popular option for home comfort today—ductless mini split systems—allows for central heating without needing any lengths of space-consuming ductwork. Ductless mini splits are an excellent idea for new home construction, home expansion, remodeling, and older houses that lack room for duct installation.

Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning offers installation of ductless mini split systems, as well as other systems for central heating in Fresno, CA. Call our technicians today to find out more about how we can keep your home warm no matter how cold it gets outside.

The Basics of Ductless Mini Split Systems

A ductless mini split system is a type of heat pump, which means that instead of creating heat by burning fuel or through electrical resistance the way a furnace does, it moves heat from one place to another. In operation, ductless mini splits are similar to air conditioners, except they can shift heat in both directions: from inside a home to the outside (cooling) and from outside a home to the inside (heating).

How does a ductless mini split send heat around a home without ducts? Instead of using a single indoor cabinet where heat is released and then sent into a duct network via a blower, a ductless mini split has multiple air handlers mounted in rooms around the home. The outdoor cabinet connects to the individual air handlers through power and refrigerant lines. Each air handler contains a blower and a coil; the coil releases heat, and the blower sends it directly into the room.

Aside from the advantage of not needing any ductwork, ductless mini split systems offer zone heating for a home: each air handler can be controlled separately from the others, so a home only needs to receive heating in rooms that require it. This makes ductless mini splits great energy savers.

A ductless mini split heat pump is not ideal for every house, so make sure you call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning and speak to our Fresno, CA heating professionals before making a choice for home comfort. We install, repair, and maintain a variety of heating systems, and we will help you find the best way to keep your house warm.

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When New Year’s Day Was Not on January 1st

January 1st, 2015

Some holidays fall on shifting calendar days for every year, such as Thanksgiving (fourth Thursday in November) and Easter (the first Sunday after the first full moon to occur on or after March 21). Other holidays, such as Valentine’s Day and Halloween, are fixed. No holiday has a more solid calendar date attached to it than New Year’s Day. It has to fall on January 1st because it celebrates the first day of a new year. That only makes sense…

…except that, like most things that at first appear obvious, there is a bit more to the story. The beginning of the year was not always on the first of January. As with an enormous numbers of traditions in the Western World, the establishment of January 1st as the inaugural day of a new year goes back to the ancient Romans.

The modern solar calendar is derived from the Roman model, but the earliest Roman calendars did not have 365 days in a year spread over 12 months. Instead, there were 304 days spread over 10 months. The Romans believed this calendar originated with the mythical founder of the city, Romulus. If Romulus were a real person, we can credit him with a poor understanding of the seasons, as this abbreviated calendar soon got out of sync with Earth’s orbit around the Sun. Numa, one of the Kings of Rome (probably also fictional) receives credit for creating a longer year with two added months, Ianuarius and Februarius, bringing the number of days in the year to 355. The new month of Ianuarius, named after Ianus (Janus in contemporary spelling), the god of beginnings, would eventually be known in English as January. But when this new calendar was instituted, January was not the first month. March, named after the god of war, remained the first month, and March 1st was New Year’s Day.

This extended calendar still did not keep in synch with the seasons. In 45 BCE, Julius Caesar instituted reforms to align the calendar correctly according to calculations of astronomers, with an additional 10 days distributed across the year. January also became set as the first month, and offerings to the god Janus on this day started the tradition we now know as New Year’s. The date still fluctuated during the ensuing centuries, with a number of Western European holy days treated as the beginning of the year instead. It wasn’t until the next calendar reform in 1582, the Gregorian Calendar, that the date of the New Year was fixed at January 1st.

However you choose to celebrate the beginning of the current calendar, everyone here at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning  you have a wonderful 2015!

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