Purl's Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Fresno’

3 Ways to Lower the Risk of Air Conditioning Repair

Thursday, June 5th, 2014

With summer on the way, you’re going to need your air conditioning system to perform at its best day in and day out. Repairs can be miserable when they take place in the middle of a heat wave, and while emergency repair services are sometimes available, no one wants to take that chance. Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning in Fresno is always on the job, but rather than waiting for a point in which you need them, consider the methods you can use to prevent that call in the first place.

Here Are 3 Ways to Lower the Risk of Air Conditioning Repairs

A/C Maintenance. Routine maintenance services are designed to clean the dust off of internal components, as well as recharging refrigerant and performing other small tune-ups. As a result, your air conditioner suffers less strain and doesn’t need to work as hard to do its job. Not only does that lower the risk of repairs, but it can save you money on monthly bills to boot. (Above and beyond professional maintenance, make sure you change your air filter regularly and ensure that it doesn’t get too dirty.)
Upgrades. Minor upgrades like zone control systems and programmable thermostats are a worthwhile investment for the same reason that a maintenance session is. Zone control systems let you shut off the air to parts of the house you aren’t using. New thermostats provide remote options that let you turn off the air when you aren’t at home. Both features reduce the strain on your system, leading to less of a chance of repairs as well as lowering monthly bills.
Home improvements. You can take steps around your home to help the air conditioner perform more effectively. For example, see about adding more insulation to your roof and sealing cracks around the doors and windows with weather stripping. They will help you home retain cool air better and reduce the stress on your air conditioning system.

For more ways to lower the risk of air conditioning repairs, or to schedule a repair session for your home, contact the pros at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We handle all kinds of air conditioning repairs in Fresno and throughout the Central Valley, so give us a call today!

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Fresno
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3 Improvements Offered by a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

No one likes to think of their air conditioners as needing replacement. They’re an expensive item, after all, and ideally your existing air conditioner will last you for many years. Sooner or later, however, every appliance needs to be replaced, and if your existing air conditioner is more than ten years old, you should consider upgrading it with a newer model. Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation is a fairly routine operation for most qualified services, and a trained technician can go over all your options with you before performing the installation. Here are 3 improvements offered by a new air conditioner that you should seriously consider.

Improved efficiency. Air conditioning efficiency is measured by a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the more efficient the system. Because your new air conditioner is likely more recent, it takes advantage of new technology and has no wear and tear on it. That means it will be more efficient than your old system, and cost you much less in monthly bills to boot.
Fewer repairs. New systems usually feature a warranty, which means that you’re covered in the event something goes wrong. That can be a considerable relief when your older system has suffered from significant breakdowns and other problems.
Zone controls. A zone control system can be installed as part of the new system. It connects a series of valves and switches in the duct system, allowing you to control the individual temperature in each room. You can even shut off the air conditioning in parts of the house you aren’t using, helping you to save more on monthly bills than ever before.

The experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can talk about the improvements offered by a new air conditioner, as well as inspecting your house for a proper sized unit and discussing your other options with you.

Here in Fresno, air conditioning installation services don’t come any more reliable. We’re ready to serve you, so give us a call today. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become More Expensive to Run

Friday, May 23rd, 2014

Summer is coming and with it comes in inevitable reality of higher air conditioning bills. Here in Fresno, we need our air conditioning systems to run reliably, lest they leave us at the mercy of triple-digit temperatures. Higher bills are a part and parcel of that equation, and to a certain extent we need to accept that fact. But the need for cool temperatures in hot weather can sometimes hide the fact that you’re paying more for your air conditioning service than you need to.

Here Are 3 Reasons Your Air Conditioner Might Become Expensive To Run

Lack of maintenance. Dust and dirt can build up inside your air conditioner especially here in the Central Valley. That increases friction and reduces efficiency. So does a clogged air filter and any components with loose bolts or fittings. If you haven’t gotten your air conditioner serviced in a while, you might end up paying for it with higher bills this summer.
Leaky refrigerant. Your air conditioner requires a certain specific level of refrigerant to function. If it doesn’t have it, then ice will form on the evaporator coils. That reduces the efficiency of the unit, forcing it to work harder and increasing strain on the system as a result. A properly trained professional can seal the leak and recharge refrigerant levels for you.
Breached ducts. Your duct system needs to be closed to the outside air in order to function. If a breach develops, it will either cause cool air to leak out or suck hot air in. Either way, your system won’t function as effectively as it should.

If you spot any of these reasons why your air conditioner might become more expensive to run, the next step is to contact the Fresno air conditioning system experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning immediately. We operate in Fresno, CA, air conditioning systems are our specialty, and we have a sterling reputation for correcting any problems you may have with speed and efficiency. The weather this summer will be too hot to take chances. Give us a call and keep your AC unit functioning the way it should!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Fresno
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When is it Time to Install a New Air Conditioner

Friday, May 16th, 2014

The question can haunt a longtime homeowner: when is it time to install a new air conditioner? Such a project can cost a great deal, and for prudent residents of Fresno, air conditioning installation is often something that can wait in favor of more pressing matters. On the other hand, our punishing summers can be extremely hard on older systems, and sometimes even the most reliable air conditioner needs to be put out to pasture in favor of something more efficient. Only you can decide when the time has come to make a change like that, but a few simple guidelines can help you out.

In the first place, you have to measure the unstated cost of keeping your old system versus the up-front cost of installing a new one. Old air conditioners usually feature worn parts and components, which reduce the system’s efficiency and raise the cost of monthly cooling bills. Over time, that cost can become so large that a new system becomes the only practical option. The savings in monthly bills may be enough to significantly offset the cost of installation.

Along those lines, the frequency and severity of repairs can impact the decision as well. Every air conditioner needs repairs every now and then, but your existing unit may be suffering more breakdowns than you’re prepared to handle. Alternately, it may suffer a breakdown so severe that repairing it simply means throwing good money after bad. It may be more attractive to put that money into the cost of a new unit instead of trying to spruce up the old one.

Finally, pay close attention to the overall age of your unit. If it’s been well maintained, it may last months or even years past its expected replacement date. On the other hand, if it’s more than 10 years old and costs start piling up as outlined above, that’s probably the sign you need to consider a replacement.

And when you do, be sure to contact the Fresno air conditioning experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for help. Air conditioning installation is one of our basic services, and our trained staff can guide you through the process when it’s time to install a new air conditioner. Pick up the phone and call us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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How Powerful an Air Conditioning Should I Install?

Friday, May 9th, 2014

Installing a new air conditioning system is more complicated than it may appear. It’s not like buying a TV or a refrigerator, where you just look for the options you want at a price you can afford. An air conditioner is a major investment in your home, and needs to be properly sized in order to function as it should. By “size,” we mean cooling power rather than physical size. It’s perhaps the most important aspect of any new air conditioning system. “How powerful an air conditioning should I install?” you ask. A brief answer can be found below.

The exact formula for determining an air conditioner’s power is complicated. It starts with the square footage of your home, which requires approximately 25 BTUs (British Thermal Units) of power for every square foot you have in your home. That’s a rough estimation, though most air conditioners list the recommended square footage on the box. There are countless variables to consider as well. For example, you need to determine how well your house is insulated, and whether your doors and windows have any cracks that could leak air. You need to factor in sunlight exposure, which can warm the house considerably in sufficient amounts, and whether air flow facilitates a rise or a loss in temperature. A trained professional can make those calculations for you and provide an ideal power level for your home.

Why? If your air conditioner is too small, it won’t do the job and if it’s too large, it will cycle on and off rapidly, using a lot of energy and causing a lot of wear in the process. (Air conditioners use huge amounts of energy powering up and down.) An ideally-sized unit will perform at maximum efficiency, increasing its lifespan and lowering your monthly bills in the process.

For more details on how powerful an air conditioning system you should install, contact the experts a Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We understand the ins and outs of air conditioning installation in Fresno and other towns throughout the Central Valley, and we know how to get you the system that works best for your home. Contact us today to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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Air Conditioner Repairs to Look Out for this Spring

Friday, April 4th, 2014

One of life’s sweet moments: That first day during the spring when you turn on your AC and hear its gentle hum. You know for certain then that summer is on the way.

One of life’s less sweet moments: That first day of boiling summer weather when you turn on your AC and hear it screech, groan, and stop. You know for certain then that a repair call to a professional is on the way… and you’ll have to sweat it out until then.

In these early spring days, pay close attention to your air conditioner to see if it has any malfunctions that need professional attention. Make sure that you AC is ready and able to handle the summer stress. When you know you need professional air conditioning repairs in Fresno, CA, call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning. We’ve kept the Central Valley cool since the Summer of ’52!

Watch for these repair needs

Leaking refrigerant: The refrigerant that circulates through your AC is crucial for the system to work. During normal operation, the refrigerant does not get “used up” as it moves between the evaporation and condensing stages. However, it can start to leak from the coils of the compressor, and when this happens the air conditioner will quickly lose its ability to cool your home. If you notice frost developing over the indoor coils, call for repairs: this is often a sign of leaking refrigerant.
Bad capacitors: Capacitors are cylindrical metal devices that serve as short-term batteries. They store up an electric charge to send to the fan and compressor motors to start them or keeping them running. When a capacitor begins to fail, you may notice a clicking sound from the cabinet as the AC starts up. If the system struggles during start-up (“hard starting”) and occasionally trips a circuit breaker, then a failing capacitor is the likely reason. A technician will replace the old capacitor with a new one.
Fixed compressor: The compressor supplies the energy to the refrigerant that sends it through the indoor and outdoor coils; it functions in a similar way to the heart in an animal. Its construction resembles a piston engine, and like a piston engine it can became fixed because of dirt or lack of lubrication. Technicians can sometimes repair this; otherwise they will replace the compressor.

When it comes to AC repairs, those who hesitate are left in the heat! Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning is on call 7 days a week to help you when your AC starts to wobble. We’ll deliver the air conditioning repairs in Fresno, CA you need to have a great summer.

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Fresno
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Reasons to Install a New Air Conditioner

Tuesday, April 1st, 2014

An air conditioning system is no small investment, and before you pull the trigger on one, you want to be sure you’re doing the right thing. If properly maintained, an existing system can last for many years, and while air conditioning installation in Fresno is a common service, many of those companies can perform repairs on existing systems just as easily. Everyone’s circumstances are different, of course, but a few general guidelines can help make the process easier.

Here are some general reasons to install a new air conditioner.

Efficiency is going down. Over time, the parts in your air conditioner are going to wear out, requiring more energy to function as they should. That means your monthly bills may start skyrocketing, even though you’re not using your air conditioner any more often than normal. Installing a new system usually results in much lower bills, helping you earn back some of the cost of installation automatically.
Repairs are going up. The longer your air conditioner goes on, the more frequently it may need to be repairs and the ore expensive those repairs will be. Eventually, you’re going to be throwing good money after bad. New systems usually have a warranty, which will protect you from those pesky repair bills for at least a few years.
Your existing air conditioner has been around a while. New air conditioners are almost more efficient by default, and while an old one can hold up a long time if you keep it well maintained, time will eventually catch up to it. If it evinces other problems and it’s more than ten years old, that may be the catalyst to finally get it replaced.

You may have some good reasons to install a new air conditioner, but you’ll still need a proper service for air conditioning installation in Fresno. The experts at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning have the skills and experience to handle a new installation, and can advise you on whether you truly need a new system, or whether a repair session will better suit your needs. Give us a call to make an appointment. You’ll be glad you did!

Tags: Air Conditioning Installation, Fresno
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Free Estimates on Air Conditioning Replacements

Monday, March 31st, 2014

Call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning replacement services. We offer free estimates for our air conditioning replacement projects so there’s no risk for you to call us and get a price on your AC replacement project. No matter what kind of air conditioning system you have right now, our experts can examine your home and find a unit that best suits your needs and your budget.

We’ve been taking pride in offering value to our customers for over 60 years and are committed to our workmanship and customer service. Call us for your FREE estimate at 559-674-2774559-674-2774 or request on-line.

Tags: AC replacement, Air Conditioning, Fresno
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How Furnace Ignition Systems Work

Wednesday, March 19th, 2014

Modern gas furnaces use an ignition system to start up, a more complicated but safer way than the old-fashioned use of matches. When your thermostat sends the signal to the furnace cabinet that it’s time to burn the natural gas that will generate heat, the ignition system lights up the burners.

There are a number of different ignition systems you’ll find in furnaces today. Older ones have pilot lights, while newer ones use electronic igniters such as intermittent pilot lights or hot-surface igniters. We’ll look over these three in this post.

If you need repairs on your furnace or any other heating system in Fresno, call on the company that’s helped the Central Valley stay both hot and cool since 1952: Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning.

Pilot lights: Also known as “standing pilot lights,” these have been in use almost as long as natural gas furnaces have existed. (In fact, the term “pilot light” goes back to colonial times and referred to a flame kept burning to restart a wood fire in a hearth.) During heating season, the pilot light burns using the fuel from the main gas line. When the thermostat signals for heat, a gas valve opens and sends gas to the burner, where the heat from the pilot light ignites the gas jets.
Intermittent pilot lights: Because pilot lights use energy as they burn, a more efficient system was developed where the pilot light would only come on when necessary. An intermittent pilot light uses an electrical spark to turn on the pilot light when it’s necessary to ignite the burner. When the burner turns off, it also turns off the pilot until it’s needed again.
Hot-surface igniters: These are now the most common ignition systems in furnaces, and allow for superior efficiency ratings in recent models. Hot-surface igniters do not need pilot lights at all; instead, they use a silicon nitride or silicon carbide surface that heats up as current passes through it, much like the filament of a light bulb. When the surface becomes hot enough, it ignites the burners. These electronic igniters need to be replaced every few years; usually technicians take care of this job during regular maintenance.

Speaking of maintenance… your furnace needs to have an inspection and tune-up once a year from an HVAC professional. With the Ultimate Service Agreement from Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning, you’ll have two seasonal tune-ups each year (one for your heating, the other for your AC) as well as other benefits.

Treat your Fresno, CA heating system well: call Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning for repairs and maintenance.

Tags: Fresno, Furnaces
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Packaged HVAC vs. Split Systems: Which is Right for Me?

Thursday, February 6th, 2014

Here in Fresno, heating installation services offer a wide variety of heating options, which can prove quite bewildering if you haven’t had to deal with heating systems a lot. Consider, for example, the question of packaged HVAC vs. split systems: “which is right for me?” you may ask. You can’t answer that until you know what each system entails and what the potential benefits and drawbacks are. We’ve provided a brief breakdown below.

Packaged HVAC systems are those that combine a heater and an air conditioner into one single unit. They’re usually placed outside the home, either next to an outside wall or in some cases on the roof. (Businesses often prefer rooftop units because it saves space, and homes can adopt similar principles should they wish.) They usually use a system of ducts running throughout your home (typically in unobtrusive places such as the attic or crawlspaces), which blows hot or cool air into various rooms and passageways to gradually warm the air. That allows the unit to function as efficiently as possible, and gives you a single set of controls with which to run it all.

A split system, on the other hand, uses components both inside and outside your home. A furnace on the inside component heats the home in the winter, while an external compressor provides cool air in the summer time. Like package HVAC systems, they use a series of ducts to distribute the air. Because the components are split up in this way, they’re less space efficient than packaged units and require more room. They also cost more to install, since the process requires more finesse and delicacy to properly assemble. On the other hand, once assembled, they tend to be more energy efficient than packaged units, and require less power to do their jobs.

When contemplating packaged HVAC vs. split systems, which one is right for you depends on the specifics of your circumstances. The Fresno heating installation services technicians at Purl’s Sheet Metal & Air Conditioning can help you make the right choice, then install your new unit with efficiency and care. Pick up the phone and give us a call today!

Tags: Fresno, Heating Installation
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