Author Archives: Cool Blew

Why You Should Replace Your AC Unit in Cooler Weather  

This entry was posted in Air Conditioning on December 15, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Temperatures in the Valley of the Sun have finally dropped into the comfortable zone. During late fall and winter, Arizona homeowners feel understandable joy in switching off their air conditioners—at least for a couple of months. While it’s easy to turn your attention away from your air conditioner when you don’t need to use it, it may be the ideal time to consider replacing it.

HVAC experts say that the cooler season is the right time to replace your air conditioner for several important reasons. Because you’re not using your air conditioner, you can make a sound buying decision on what you need and not out of desperation in the midst of the blazing Arizona summer when your AC unit has broken down.

Aging AC Unit

The typical life expectancy of an air conditioner is 10 to 15 years. With new residential energy efficiency standards from the Department of Energy going into effect in 2023, purchasing a new unit means energy savings of at least 10% up to 30%. If your unit is over 10 years old, or you’ve had to repair the unit frequently it might be better to replace the unit.

Fewer Installation Delays

Especially during the busy summer months, there can be unexpected delays in installation. During the cooler months of the year in Arizona, there’s less demand for installation, and you may be able to get your new efficient unit in place immediately. Replacing your unit while you’re not reliant on it also means that you won’t be caught unexpectedly with a system failure. Homeowners who’ve gone without their AC for any amount of time during the heat of an Arizona summer know that an air conditioner failure can be very disruptive.

Faster Service

Because there’s less demand for HVAC technicians during the cooler seasons, it’s easier to schedule time when your local professionals aren’t completely booked up.

Take Advantage of Tax Credits

A big advantage of replacing your air conditioning unit beginning in 2023 is the Inflation Reduction Act. The Energy Efficient Home Improvement Tax Credit (25C) gives you a tax break on energy efficient HVAC upgrades. The 25C credit has an annual cap of 30% of the installed costs with a maximum of $1,200. Qualified air conditioning units can receive an additional $600 for each unit.

Contact Cool Blew

Ready to learn more? Call your Valley of the Sun cooling and heating experts at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900. We’re your premier choice for all your HVAC services. Help is just a phone call away.

Our Expert Winter Heating Safety Tips

This entry was posted in Heating on December 8, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Even in the Arizona desert, there are plenty of chilly days and evenings that require you to turn on the heat. With the temperatures now dropping enough to make the switch over to heat, we wanted to provide you and your family some winter heating safety tips.

It’s a scary fact that heating equipment is the leading cause of home fires in the United States. Over 46% of all heating fires happen during December, January, and February. The following tips can help you and your family stay safe this season.

Keep Flammable Items Away from Heating Equipment

An important way to protect your family and pets is to maintain a safety perimeter around heating sources. Keep anything that can burn at least three feet away. Christmas trees, holiday decorations, clothing, toys, and home furnishings can be extremely flammable when they’re placed too close to heating equipment like furnaces, fireplaces, wood, or gas burning stoves, and portable space heaters.

Schedule Annual Maintenance and Inspections

Sometimes to save money or time homeowners skip annual heating equipment maintenance and fireplace inspections. It’s important to service your furnace and other HVAC equipment, such as heat pumps. You’ll also want to have an inspection done for your gas or wood fireplace to eliminate fire hazards from excessive dust, debris, natural gas jets, electrical wiring, and any component damage.

Install Carbon Monoxide (CO) Alarms

Avoid the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning by installing alarms that can alert you and family members that there’s a leak. Test these alarms monthly to ensure they’re working properly. Remember, if you smell gas in your home or hear hissing, leave your home immediately and call 911 and your gas provider.

Select a Sturdy Fireplace Screen

A fire can be a comfortable treat on a cold winter’s night. But it can also be a major hazard. Make sure that your fireplace has a sturdy screen that prevents sparks and embers from flying into the room if you’re using any type of wood or fire logs. Let fire ashes cool completely before putting them into any kind of container, and always keep ashes a safe distance away from your home.

Cool Blew Knows Heating Systems

At Cool Blew, we’re experienced heating repair professionals in the Valley of the Sun. Our technicians know the ins and outs of all types of indoor heating systems. For additional ways to stay comfortable and safe this winter, reach out to your experts at Cool Blew today by calling 623-872-2900. We’ll be happy to help you with all your home heating needs.

Thanksgiving Plumbing Tips

This entry was posted in Plumbing on November 22, 2023 by Cool Blew.

There’s a lot to do before any holiday, but Thanksgiving can be especially busy and stressful. Meal planning, housecleaning, and decorating all come to mind. Yet, it’s easy to overlook one very important holiday checklist item—your plumbing. Two of the busiest days of the year for plumbers are the day after Thanksgiving, followed by the day after Christmas. Plumbing emergencies tend to arise after a big holiday meal and when there’s a house full of guests.

Cool Blew wants to save you from potential plumbing disasters this Thanksgiving. To avoid having to deal with an unexpected holiday hassle, here are some tips to help you prepare and protect your plumbing for the holiday season.

Bathroom

Ensure bathrooms have a plunger and extra toilet paper before any guests arrive. Also, have a garbage can in every bathroom. This will help ensure that guests won’t be tempted to flush items that shouldn’t be placed in the toilet such as cotton balls, wipes, sanitary items, and paper towels.
A toilet that’s constantly running or doesn’t flush properly is a toilet that will not make it through the holidays. Your toilet works extra hard during the holidays and a broken toilet will be a major source of stress. Schedule your local plumber in advance.

Garbage Disposal

Don’t place turkey skin or bones, potato peels, eggshells, stringy vegetables like green beans, or onion peels in the garbage disposal. They’ll clog the disposal.
Keep all oils, grease, turkey gravy, and fats out of the garbage disposal. These items can easily stick to plumbing pipes and cause clogs.
Scrap plate leftovers in the trash or compost pile. Not everything should go down the disposal.
Feed food gradually down the drain to prevent overloading the garbage disposal.
Wipe off greasy casserole pans and Pyrex dishes before washing them. You may save yourself from a clog or two.
Don’t operate the dishwasher if you think there may be a problem with the disposal. The garbage disposal can actually discharge debris into the dishwasher.

Remember, take care of any plumbing problems now before holiday guests arrive. Small issues like running toilets or unresolved clogs can turn into bigger problems that can put a damper on holiday festivities.

Your Emergency Plumber During the Holidays

Hopefully, you’ll have a Thanksgiving holiday free from any plumbing issues. But, if you do experience a leak, clog, or other issue, you can rely on your go-to plumber at Cool Blew. With valley-wide emergency services, we’re here to help keep your holidays on track and running smoothly. We’re available 24/7 including holidays and weekends at 623-872-2900. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family!

Five Furnace Warning Signs

This entry was posted in Heating on November 17, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Imagine an appliance that doesn’t get a tremendous amount of use, rarely causes problems, works year in and year out, and almost never seems to need service. For many Valley of the Sun homeowners, that describes their furnace. Keep in mind though, when any of these five warning signs occur, it’s time to call in your local certified technician to diagnose your furnace.

1. Running Furnace and No Heat

The main reason your furnace may be running yet there’s no heat in your house is a bad blower fan. When the blower fan malfunctions, the furnace doesn’t have enough power to blow warm air throughout the house. Cold spots may become more noticeable in certain rooms. Two other symptoms can be the heat exchanger or pilot light not functioning properly.

2. Pops, Squeaks, or Crackles

A sure sign of something wrong with your furnace is when strange noises start happening on a regular basis. If you begin hearing pops, squeaks, or crackles, it probably indicates a broken component, loose fan belt, or other component issues.

3. Strange Smells

You may notice the first time you turn on the furnace after months of sitting idle, that there’s a funny odor. That smell is dust being burned off the exposed surfaces of your furnace. If the smell continues to occur, it may be from loose electrical wiring or a motor burning out.

4. Dust in the Wind

There will always be a certain amount of dust in your home. But, when your furnace sits inactive for many months or a year or more, dust and dirt build up and settles into the moving parts and fittings of your furnace and inside your home. Occasionally rust will appear on the burners. During a winter inspection, our service technicians will clean your furnace and get rid of excess dust and dirt, so it does not make its way into your home.

5. Delays in Ignition

Whether you have an older gas furnace with a pilot light or a newer electronic ignition system, it’s essential that the igniting sequence of your furnace works every time. If you notice any delay in the ignition process of your furnace once it’s turned on, the furnace burners might need to be cleaned. Your local HVAC technicians will inspect and fix this crucial part of your furnace.

The Heat Is On

Now is the time to have your furnace checked before you experience any problems. Preventive maintenance detects and solves small problems before they turn into big headaches. Give Cool Blew a call at 623-872-2900 and schedule an appointment today.

Happy Veterans Day

This entry was posted in HVAC Systems on November 10, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Veteran’s Day is an important opportunity to pause and celebrate those who have served in the U. S. Armed Forces. This holiday occurs on November 11 every year in honor of the “eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month” of 1918 that signaled the end of World War I. Memorial services, parades, flag raising ceremonies, and pancake breakfasts at local VFW posts are some of the ways you can honor and thank all veterans for their service, commitment, and dedication.

If you do experience a heating or cooling issue this weekend, or any other day for that matter, here are some pro tips to protect your HVAC system.

Faulty Ignition Sensor

If you’ve made the switch over from cooling to heating, it’s not uncommon for autumn temperature changes to place additional stress on HVAC sensors causing them to fail. You’ll notice this when temperatures drop during the evening and mornings, and the heat is not turning on. If you have an electric furnace or heat pump, it can be a faulty ignition sensor. If you have a natural gas or propane furnace, it can be a pilot light malfunction. Either way, a service call is in order if this is something you’re experiencing.

Blower Won’t Stop Running

An HVAC blower is how heat is distributed throughout ductwork to keep you warm. A blower that won’t turn off can result in causing unnecessary strain on your system and be an energy drain. When the blower stays on after your furnace has run through its heating cycle, you’ll want to first check your thermostat. Make sure that the thermostat setting for the fan switch is set to AUTO. If the symptom continues, then it’s time to call your local HVAC professionals for a diagnosis.

Dirty Air Filters

A primary cause of HVAC symptoms in the fall is from dirty HVAC air filters. Air filters prevent dust, dirt, and other contaminants from not only building up in the HVAC system, but also from entering the indoor air in your house. Neglecting to check and change your air filters regularly can cause your HVAC system to overheat, consume a large amount of energy, and deteriorate faster than normal.

Cool Blew HVAC Experts Here for You

Cool Blew offers high-quality HVAC maintenance, repair, and installation services. Our professionals also provide information and tips that help Valley of the Sun homeowners keep their heating and cooling units in top shape. Cool Blew technicians are on call 24/7, including weekends and holidays to react promptly to your HVAC and plumbing emergencies. Call us today at 623-872-2900. And join us in thanking all veterans for their service.

What Is a Heat Pump?

This entry was posted in Heating on November 3, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Heat pumps are high-efficiency systems that cool and heat your home in place of an air conditioner and furnace. They can be very cost-effective in the long term over other heating and cooling systems. Peoria, Arizona and other Valley homes typically use air-source heat pumps. This type of heat pump works by absorbing heat from the indoor air and moving it outdoors in the same way an air conditioner runs. It works the opposite way as a furnace. Basically, heat pumps look very similar to traditional air conditioning systems and are usually built by the same manufacturers.

Heat pumps can be combined with an existing HVAC system or run as a standalone way to cool and heat your home. They deliver a quite effective way to save on your monthly energy bills.

Passage of the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 makes this a great time to consider upgrading your existing HVAC system to a heat pump. Especially if your equipment is 10 or more years old, needing expensive repairs, suffering from expensive utility bills, or if your system is running longer to maintain the same thermostat setting.

Heat Pump Tax Credits and Rebates

By upgrading your existing HVAC equipment, you’ll be entitled to receive a federal tax credit of up to $2,000, including the cost of labor. To qualify for the tax credit, the heat pump must be installed at your primary residence. Not all new heat pumps qualify for the Inflation Reduction Act federal tax credit. Cool Blew’s installers know which models meet eligibility requirements.

If you add in a home energy audit which can point out various ways you can improve your home’s overall energy efficiency, you’ll save another $150 in the form of a tax credit.

SRP customers throughout the greater Phoenix area, who are upgrading to a new heat pump, can be eligible for the SRP Cool Cash Rebate to help lower costs even more. The heat pump rebate is based on tonnage, and by selecting Cool Blew as your certified contractor, we’ll make sure it’s installed according to industry and manufacturer specifications so that it operates at peak efficiency levels.

Contact Cool Blew for High Quality Products

Cool Blew’s professionals can offer you a wide variety of solutions for your HVAC needs. We offer a range of products catering to every budget, including heat pumps. Call your certified HVAC experts in

Peoria at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900. We’re APS qualified and SRP certified contractors with service areas throughout the Valley of the Sun.

Scary Halloween HVAC Problems

This entry was posted in HVAC Maintenance on October 27, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Halloween season has arrived! Picking out the right costumes, decorating your home for Halloween, searching out the perfect pumpkin, and buying candy are some of the fun filled activities. It’s also the time when Phoenix metro homeowners don’t want any Halloween HVAC surprises. Check out our list to make sure you’re focused on trick-or-treating and not on spooky HVAC issues.

Haunted HVAC Symptoms Requiring Attention

Have you noticed any of the following issues with your HVAC system:

Leaking water or other fluids
Uneven cooling in your home
Blowing warm or room temperature air
Tripped circuit breaker
Continuous running system
Strange sounds like buzzing, squealing, or rattling

These can be symptoms of problems that need to be taken care of before potentially causing an HVAC meltdown. Let’s investigate further why you should be concerned.

Eerie Leaks

Excess water from the air conditioning unit can build up outdoors where the condensate line discharges the moisture. The condensate tube line can be blocked, cracked, or the drain pan can be broken. Clogs along the line can damage the AC unit, leaks in the line can result in mold growth, and a broken drain pan can cause water damage to your home and landscaping.

Unsettling Temperatures

Blocked vents, leaking ducts, or dirty indoor air vents can cause uneven cooling inside your home. You’ll want to make sure all vents are unblocked, open, and free of dust and other debris. A short-cycling AC unit turning on and off frequently can mean not enough cool air is reaching every room to cool down your home evenly.

Strange Noises

Are you hearing unusual sounds like screeching, squealing, rattling, or buzzing emanating from the AC unit? These noises can be signs of a broken compressor, motor, defective belt, broken fan blade, or components. Sometimes even a loose screw or air filter can result in a rattling noise when the blowers are activated.

Call Cool Blew for HVAC Problems

Don’t wait and make a pre-Halloween call to your HVAC professionals at Cool Blew if you notice any of the issues identified in the list. These can be signs of more severe damage that warrants an inspection of your HVAC system now. Our certified technicians will ensure your system is primed and ready for the seasons ahead. Call us today at 623-872-2900 to schedule your appointment. Happy Halloween!

Ready, Set, Go with HVAC Professional Maintenance

This entry was posted in HVAC Maintenance on October 20, 2023 by Cool Blew.

It’s that time of the year to think about maintenance for your heating and cooling system. Some homeowners enjoy doing maintenance type tasks themselves. Some routine work you can do yourself. But for most HVAC maintenance, hiring an experienced technician is recommended. Let’s take a look at some minor items that can be done DIY and what tasks should only be done by a professional.

Easy DIY Tasks

Here are some maintenance items requiring a small amount of effort. Anything beyond these tasks should be done only by an HVAC technician with the tools and knowledge to complete without damaging your system.

Checking and replacing HVAC air filters.
Adjusting thermostat settings.
Cleaning the area around your outdoor HVAC unit to remove any debris, branches, and gravel that may be blocking vents.
Ensuring all the vents are open and not blocked by carpet, furniture, or other home furnishings.
Doing a visual inspection of exterior HVAC components.

Complex Pro Maintenance Tasks

Recommended twice-yearly maintenance on your HVAC system requires an extensive set of technical skills to complete. The items below are tasks that should be completed in the fall and spring to make sure your system is running efficiently and ready for all weather conditions.

Cleaning the air regulator.
Inspecting and cleaning system drain lines.
Inspecting belts for wear and damage.
Lubricating moving parts.
Cleaning drain pans, heat exchanger, flue, and condenser coils.
Inspecting and testing ductwork for air leaks.
Checking refrigerant lines for leaks.
Recharging refrigerant if needed.
Inspecting HVAC wires for wear.
Tightening electrical connections.

When To Hire a Professional

Preventative HVAC maintenance is well worth the cost. Servicing ensures that your system continues to keep your home comfortable and safe. Some other benefits include:

Improving indoor air quality.
Helping to avoid system outages and breakdowns.
Decreasing the frequency of necessary HVAC system repairs.
Extending the lifespan of your system.

Schedule Maintenance Today

Cooler weather will be arriving before you know it. By servicing your equipment in the fall, you’ll be guaranteeing efficiency and ensuring that the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system is in top shape. You’ll want to hire the right experts to help with detailed inspection, cleaning, and repairs. Call Cool Blew’s top-notch technicians today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment.

Why You Should Install a Water Softener

This entry was posted in Plumbing on October 13, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Buying a water softener may seem like an additional piece of home equipment that you don’t need. However, the benefits of purchasing and installing a water softener in the Phoenix metro area far outweigh the disadvantages. We have some of the hardest water in the country which is a result of two common minerals that are naturally occurring in Arizona soil – magnesium and calcium. These minerals dissolve in our water and create those unsightly, white chalky deposits. Signs of hard water in your house include stains on sinks and bathtubs, spots on clean dishes, and scale deposits that we commonly see on shower doors and in toilets.

The solution for reducing water hardness is to install a water softener. It works by removing water hardness by a process known as ion exchange. Sodium and potassium ions replace the calcium and magnesium ions creating soft water. Here are some of the advantages of installing a water softener.

Your Skin and Hair Will Look Healthier

Mineral residue can dry out your skin and dull your hair along with affecting pH skin balance. Soft water doesn’t cause this problem. Shampoo and soap won’t lather as well in hard water, nor does it rinse away as well as it does with soft water.

Soft Water Tastes Better

Another benefit of soft water is better tasting water. When ion exchange occurs, it adds a trace amount of sodium to the water that most people won’t taste or notice, resulting in taste-free water. You’ll no longer have to deal with any unpleasant tastes or smells from hard water.

Makes Cleaning Easier

Soft water doesn’t contain minerals that leave residue behind. You won’t have any limescale residue in sinks, bathtubs, and toilets nor red stains from ferric iron in hard water. Soft water also leaves your home’s pipes free from mineral deposits that can cause leaks and clogs.

Keeps Clothing Softer

Washing your clothes in hard water can leave them feeling rough and dull looking. With a water softener, you’ll be amazed by the softness and appearance of your clothing.

Extend the Life of Your Appliances

Appliances that use water, such as washing machines, dishwashers and refrigerators can be impacted with a variety of issues due to the build-up of minerals. Over time this can reduce the lifespan of your appliances. By making the switch to softer water, you can go a long way towards extending the lifespan of your home’s appliances.

Learn More

When you look at the advantages of a water softener, you’ll be impressed with how it can improve the overall comfort and value of your house. At Cool Blew, we can recommend and install water softeners for homeowners. Learn more today by calling your plumbing professionals at Cool Blew at 623-872-2900.

Get Your HVAC System Ready for Autumn

This entry was posted in HVAC Systems on October 6, 2023 by Cool Blew.

Having your HVAC serviced professionally is essential this time of the year. Even though Phoenix Metro has a mild autumn season, a maintenance checkup can ensure the entire system is working effortlessly at the highest levels of efficiency. Here are some things you can do to prepare your HVAC system now.

Check Door Seals and Windows

Have you noticed your home having difficulty retaining cool air over the summer? Are there air drafts in certain areas of your house? This can be due to leaky doors or windows. When you’re ready to flip on the switch to heating, some of the warm air your heater produces will leak outside unless they’re sealed properly. You’ll want to DIY weatherstrip and caulk leaky windows and doors or have the Cool Blew pros do it. Plus, by upgrading to new energy efficient exterior doors, you can get a tax credit of $250 per door up to $500 per year.

Ensure Your Home’s Insulated Properly

Insulation is important when it comes to your home’s comfort. Sometimes homes don’t have enough insulation, or the existing insulation is losing its effectiveness due to settling or degradation. Homeowners are eligible to get 30% back in energy efficient home improvement tax credits, up to $1,200 per year, which includes adding additional insulation.

Get Thermostat Smart

If you have a smart or programmable thermostat, now’s a great time to turn on its intuitive features. These types of thermostats have a hybrid heating and cooling setting that automatically moves the HVAC setting back and forth. This feature is perfect for transitional seasons, like autumn, where the Valley of the Sun experiences cooler nights and mornings, but afternoons can still get hot. This hybrid setting helps to keep your house’s indoor temperature stable and saves precious energy.

Outside Unit

Have you checked your outside HVAC unit recently? It’s possible after the summer monsoon season that it’s covered in debris. Sweep away any debris on the unit and surrounding area. During a maintenance visit, our technicians will inspect and clean the outdoor unit.

Schedule Autumn Maintenance

Fall is the perfect time to schedule system maintenance with one of our N.A.T.E. certified technicians. During your service visit, we’ll inspect the entire HVAC system, identify any potential issues, and make any necessary repairs.

Call Cool Blew

Our certified technicians at Cool Blew love discussing all things HVAC. Give us a call today at 623-872-2900 to make an appointment so we can help your system run smoothly. Cool Blew offers HVAC maintenance, repairs, and installation for a wide range of HVAC systems.