hvac

Heat Pump Repair vs Replacement

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If you’ve had your heat pump for some time now, it’s probably had its share of hiccups that got you thinking whether you should still call for repairs or just have it replaced outright. In this blog, local heating and cooling contractor Reliable AC & Heat share insight on deciding whether you should call for heat pump repair or replacement.

Things to Check Before You Schedule a Service Appointment

Before you schedule a service appointment, make sure you have checked the following:

  1. Power — If the heat pump isn’t turning on, check the circuit breaker, and reset if it’s been tripped.
  2. Thermostat — Perform a factory reset if the thermostat isn’t responding. You may also need to replace the batteries.
  3. Air Filters — Your HVAC system needs a new air filter every three months or so, but may require a monthly replacement depending on your settings, as well as environmental factors such as dust. Make sure you replace the filters if they’re clogged.
  4. Refrigerant Levels — Unlike a heating furnace system that burns fuel, heat pumps require refrigerants, and are essentially reverse air conditioners. Low refrigerant levels typically indicate a leak, and is signified by low output from your HVAC system.

If you have performed these basic troubleshooting steps and your HVAC still doesn’t work properly, then call for repairs.

When Should You Have Your Heat Pump Replaced?

Every heat pump would eventually reach the point where repairs would cost more than a new heat pump. This usually happens when major components are worn out that the entire unit may need to be taken apart, which means it may increase the cost of labor. There’s a chance that the worn-out component may already be obsolete and replacement parts may be unavailable. 

One of the benefits of working with your trusted HVAC contractor is, after a thorough inspection, you will be given information—including a breakdown of the costs involved—to decide whether to have your heat pump repaired or replaced.

Call Reliable AC & Heat for Your Heating and Cooling Needs

Reliable AC & Heat is your leading provider of heating and air conditioning repair services. Give us a call at (818) 423-4285 or fill out our contact form. We serve customers in Los Angeles and nearby areas.

Do Duct Booster Fans Really Work?

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You may already have heard about duct booster fans, also known simply as booster fans. They’re meant to bolster air ducts with low airflow, but do they really work? In this blog, central heating services contractor Reliable AC & Heat takes a look at booster fans and whether or not they’re worth the additional expense. Read more

What’s the Difference Between a Furnace and a Heat Pump?

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Heat pumps and furnaces can both effectively heat your home, but they do so in different ways. If you want to know which system to choose for your home, then you need to learn the facts about each one. In this article, Reliable Air Conditioning & Heating, the top HVAC company in our local area, discusses the differences between furnaces and heat pumps.——————————————– CONTINUE READING ——————————————–FurnacesA furnace burns fuel and distributes the heat from that process throughout the house. These systems can use either gas or oil as fuel, or they can be a hybrid that uses both fuel types. Furnaces have four main components: a heat exchanger, burner(s), blower and flue. The heat produced by a gas furnace feels hot and toasty.Heat PumpsA heat pump can act as both a heating system and a cooling system, making it more flexible than a furnace. It uses outside air to keep your home warm or cool depending on the season. Heat pumps are more energy efficient than furnaces, but they’re also more expensive to install. The heat produced by a heat pump is more humid than that produced by a furnace. As the top choice in heating and AC maintenance services in our area, we can help you choose the best heating system option for your home.Furnaces vs. Heat PumpsFurnaces are better for homeowners who live in very cold climates because their heating method isn’t dependent on outdoor temperatures. Furnaces also last longer and require less maintenance than heat pumps. Heat pumps, on the other hand, are better for homeowners who live in milder climates, as well as for those who want a more energy-efficient system. Heat pumps also don’t produce harmful greenhouse gas emissions.At Reliable Air Conditioning & Heating, we’re the leading choice for central heating services in our local area because of our decades of experience, great reputation and first-class customer service. We owe our success to our commitment to providing quality work and attentive service. Our professional technicians are NATE® certified, which means they know how to handle all kinds of HVAC problems. Call us at (818) 423-4285 to learn more about our products and services or to request a consultation.

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Top 3 Tips to Save on Heating Bills This Season

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California winters may not bring an abundance of hail and snow, but they can still cause homeowners to turn up their heaters for the season. Of course, this also prompts a spike in calls to local heating service providers as soon as homeowners discover their systems are malfunctioning after a lengthy hibernation. As you go about with your seasonal HVAC maintenance tasks, why not take the opportunity to make your home a bit more energy efficient as well? Read more

Furnace Short-Cycling: Causes and Solutions

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With colder days ahead, fall is definitely not the best time of year for your heating and air conditioning system to start having issues, one of the most common of which is short-cycling.

Common Home Ventilation Problems and How to Address Them

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Most of today’s homes are built to be airtight. While this affords better control over indoor temperature and particulates such as dust and pollen, proper ventilation is often neglected. In this blog, HVAC contractor Reliable AC & Heat takes a look at the most common home ventilation problems.

Reasons Why Summer Furnace Replacement is a Good Idea

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Summer is the peak season for home improvements, from kitchen remodeling and roof installation to landscaping. One essential improvement that you should consider doing during this time is replacing your old furnace. In this blog, residential and commercial HVAC contractor Reliable AC & Heat shares the reasons why it’s a good idea to have a new furnace installed this season.

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Less Chance of Delay

While summer is the busiest season for most home improvement companies, this actually isn’t true for HVAC contractors. This is because homeowners tend to schedule their maintenance and repairs in the spring and fall in preparation for the summer and winter seasons, respectively. HVAC contractors aren’t as busy during the summer, which makes it the ideal time for labor-intensive work such as furnace installation. This also means less pressure to make sure your heating system works because you don’t have to worry about staying warm. You’ll have plenty of time to test and even troubleshoot it if needed without your family freezing while waiting for the heat to come on.

More Time to Research Options

Warmer weather gives you plenty of time to look around for options other than a furnace if you’re considering switching to a different system. For instance, geothermal heat pump systems feature coils hidden in the ground. These coils harvest heat from the earth or nearby bodies of water, which helps reduce the energy needed to generate heat. While commercial HVAC systems are generally reversible heat pumps, commercial property owners can benefit from the additional time to research the most efficient equipment.

Saving You Money

If having last year’s model isn’t a problem for you, you may be able to save money on your furnace replacement. Furnace manufacturers launch new products toward the beginning of the fall season, which means older models will likely be sold at a discount. Just make sure to choose the furnace with the highest AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) rating you can find. The higher the rating, the more heating you’ll get for every dollar you spend on fuel.

Trust Reliable AC & Heat for All Your Heating and Cooling Needs

Reliable AC & Heat is your leading provider of residential and commercial HVAC systems. Give us a call at (818) 423-4285 or fill out our contact form to schedule an appointment.

Are Higher MERV Ratings Always Better?

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One of the things you should always take into consideration when buying air filters for a new HVAC system is the MERV ratings. HVAC service contractor Reliable AC & Heat shares a look at MERV ratings and their importance when it comes to choosing one that works with your HVAC system. Read more

Differentiating Between Heat and Energy Recovery Ventilators

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Air exchange systems are a necessary addition to your home, as they aid in purifying your indoor air without losing energy. With ventilators, you have two options to consider: a heat recovery ventilator (HRV) and an energy recovery ventilator (ERV). Neither of them is right for every situation, which is why it’s important to be able to differentiate between the two so that you can choose the perfect complement to your indoor air conditioner and heating unit.

Key Features to Consider for Your HVAC System

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Oddly enough, what many people don’t realize about an HVAC system is that it’s just that: a system. It consists of different components working together to operate effectively, efficiently and dependably. And yet, some of us don’t pay enough attention to the little details.