Category Archives: HVAC Maintenance

Get an Early Start to Fall by Kicking Off HVAC Preparedness

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Get an Early Start to Fall by Kicking Off HVAC Preparedness

Summer is winding down in the Valley of the Sun. You’re probably more than ready for a break from the relentless heat and monsoon thunderstorms this summer. Are you sure that your HVAC system is ready for the seasonal change to fall? The following are some tips to prepare for the annual fall kickoff as the temperatures steadily dip below the century mark.

Late Summer AC Unit Outdoors Cleaning

Summer storms often result in branches, leaves, and debris accumulating around exterior air conditioning units. With the monsoon season officially ending in a few weeks, this is the perfect time to clear vegetation and dirt that can impact HVAC functionally. Trim back bushes and landscaping that surround your unit. Remove dead leaves, branches, and weeds.

Late Summer AC Unit Indoors Cleaning

Summer winds also can wreak havoc on the interior of your HVAC system, causing dust to quickly collect inside your unit, ductwork, and filters. With summer almost over, replace or clean your indoor air filters. It’s a simple task that can dramatically improve your indoor air quality and the efficiency of your system.

Quick Visual HVAC System Inspection

While much of your system isn’t visible, you can still conduct a preliminary inspection to determine if there are any obvious issues. Grab a flashlight. Inspect the outdoor unit, as well as your furnace, vents, and any visible areas of ductwork. Look for potential problems like leaks, loose seals, or cracks. Next, turn on your system. Check to make sure air is moving properly through every vent.

HVAC Technician Tune-Up

Not every issue can be discovered through a visual inspection. This is why it’s important to get regular tune-ups to ensure your system is working as it should be. A professionally trained HVAC technician knows exactly what to look for, as well as what to do to extend the life and efficiency of your system. This includes lubricating moving parts and tightening electrical connections.

Winter chill is just around the corner. Be prepared by scheduling a late summer or early fall tune-up with Cool Blew. It’s the best way to ensure the efficiency of your system and prevent a small issue from turning into a costly repair. Call us today at 623-872-2900 to schedule a time that’s convenient for you.

Making Certain Your HVAC is Ready for Memorial Day

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School is out, temperatures are climbing into the triple digits, and Memorial Day weekend is here. The unofficial kickoff to summer has arrived, and it’s important to ensure that your air conditioning system is running properly.

Going Away for Memorial Day?

Don’t consider setting your thermostat to an uncomfortably high temperature if you’re heading out of town. The worst thing you can do is come back from a holiday weekend away to a stifling hot house. When you arrive home and blast the air conditioner to lower indoor temperatures, your HVAC system will be working overtime, and your next month’s utility bill will increase proportionately.

The idea of turning off your HVAC system is even more detrimental. Indoor temperatures will climb rapidly, and indoor plants will wilt. Mold and mildew can potentially begin growing due to a lack of air circulation and high humidity levels. Running your AC at a slightly higher than normal temperature is the way to keep air circulating and avoid having to crank your system upon your return.

Cool Tips

Whether you’re staying home or going away, these suggestions will help your home’s air conditioning system work efficiently.

  • Change out your air filter. A clogged air filter will result in your unit working harder and running more often to keep your home cool. According to the EPA, dirty air filters contribute to an indoor concentration of pollutants that is two to five times higher than outdoors, impacting your family’s health, especially for family members suffering from seasonal allergies or respiratory ailments.
  • Invest in a smart thermostat. These thermostats can be set to help you maintain comfortable indoor temperatures and save on your monthly energy bills. They’re easy to install and use remotely with a smartphone app. Local utility companies even offer special incentives for homeowners to install programmable thermostats. APS offers rebates or credits for qualifying smart thermostats. SRP offers a bill credit per thermostat for eligible smart thermostats.
  • Closing blinds, drapes, and curtains will help keep your home cool whether you’re away or at home. Sunshine can heat up indoor temps, causing your AC to work harder and less efficiently.

The professionals at Cool Blew understand the extreme summer heat and the demands placed on your HVAC system. If you haven’t already scheduled your spring air conditioning tune-up, now is a great time to do so. Call our expert technicians today at 623-872-2900 to schedule maintenance.

Happy Memorial Day weekend!

Cool Blew Money Saving Tips

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Homeowners deal with many costs to keep a house cool, the pool running, and the landscaping green. Now that the heat is on, you’ll be spending more on utilities. Here are some best practices to consider when it comes to keeping costs in check.

Keep Air Filters Clean

Replacing your AC system’s HVAC air filter every month will cool your home faster with better air flow.

Lower Your Water Heater Thermostat

Lowering the thermostat on your water heater to 120 degrees or less can save up to 15% per month on utility bills. And with hot weather in the foreseeable future, taking a cooler shower just feels better, too.

Raise Your AC Thermostat

A common misconception is that setting your thermostat at a cooler than normal setting when you turn on the AC cools down your house quicker. In fact, your AC will not cool the house down faster and could even result in excessive cooling. Higher utility bills will be the outcome. By raising the thermostat up to 9 degrees Fahrenheit for 8 hours a day, you can save almost 19% in energy costs. Even raising the thermostat by one degree can save up to 4% on monthly utility costs.

Implement These Other Seemingly Minor Tweaks

Even small adjustments can have a big impact on your utility bill when it comes to energy usage.

  • Closing blinds, drapes, and curtains during daytime hours helps keep the heat outside. Your home will feel cooler and more comfortable.
  • Check your fireplace damper to make sure it’s closed to prevent cool air from going up the chimney. Turn on ceiling fans to reduce the feels-like indoor temperature by a few degrees.
  • Reduce your use of heat generating appliances like dryers, ovens, and stovetops.
  • Check to make certain that any electrical, HVAC, or plumbing issues are fixed. Properly maintained appliances and systems run efficiently using less electricity.
  • Change out incandescent, halogen, and compact fluorescent light bulbs with LED bulbs. The many benefits include lower electricity bills, a longer bulb life, and an improved quality of light. Smarter LED lights have glowing reviews as they can last 10 years or longer.

Cool Off with Cool Blew

Our experts at Cool Blew will offer you the best solutions for energy savings. Let our certified technicians help today. Just give us a call at 623-872-2900.

Spring Allergy Season Tips and Your HVAC System

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One of the best times to be outdoors in the Valley of the Sun is April. Pleasant weather makes for the perfect time of year to take a hike, have a picnic, and open windows to let in springtime sunshine. With desert wildflowers blooming, ragweed, mulberry, ash, and juniper causing pollen levels to be in the very high range, fresh spring air invites unpleasant allergy symptoms. Luckily, there are some preventative measures you can implement to minimize symptoms during allergy season.

  • The biggest deterrent to allergens and dust taking over your home is changing out your air filters. The primary function of an air filter is to clean air passing through your house’s cooling and heating system. Homeowners often forget to change out HVAC air filters, which causes a buildup of debris, dust, and allergens, leading to maintenance issues over time and allergy symptoms to rapidly increase.
  • Dust vents and registers. These vents circulate all the air from your air conditioning system. If your vents are dusty, your inside air will be dusty. Use a damp cloth to prevent dust mites and other dust particles from being kicked up, potentially causing allergy and breathing issues.
  • Use HEPA filters in your vacuum to pick up 99.97% of viruses, dust, allergens, pet dander, and mold.
  • Take off your shoes to avoid bringing in allergens from outside.
  • Keep home windows and doors closed to limit the amount of pollen and dust indoors.
  • Stay indoors on windy days, especially mid-morning to mid-afternoon, when pollen counts are highest.
  • Dust window coverings, blinds, and wipe down window sills every other week. Don’t forget to vacuum drapes and curtains to help keep them free of potential allergens.
  • Vacuum floors and carpeting at least once a week to rid your home of dust and allergens.
  • Wash sheets, pillowcases, comforters, and stuffed animals in hot water to eliminate allergy causing dust mites.

Call Cool Blew

Pollen is in the air and on our minds. Don’t let allergic symptoms stop you from enjoying springtime. Schedule a spring maintenance appointment today. We’ll be happy to service your entire HVAC system, replace your air filters, and ensure your system is healthy. Proper air conditioning maintenance, especially in the spring, removes allergens already in the air, and helps keep new allergens from entering your house. Call your qualified, licensed HVAC professionals at Cool Blew We’re available anytime of the day or night at 623-872-2900.

Signs Your HVAC Compressor is Failing

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A primary component of your HVAC system, which helps keep your home comfy throughout the year, is the compressor. Think of it as the beating heart of both heat pumps and air conditioners. When the compressor goes bad in a heat pump or AC system, it can derail the entire system from operating properly. In other words, it’s a good idea to know the signs of a failing compressor.

Ticking or Chattering

Before the core of your HVAC system fails, it can make an unusual ticking or chattering noise during startup. This noise occurs because the compressor is running into difficulties starting. Don’t ignore this sound. The ticking can be from a defective relay switch. This is when you want to seek out professional guidance from your local trained technicians.

Rattling or Rumbling

Hearing an unmistakably loud rattling or rumbling noise when the compressor is running? There may be a loose distributor motor, or a component inside the compressor housing may be thrashing about. When you hear either of these sounds, turn off your HVAC system entirely and reach out to your HVAC service technicians to resolve the issue to prevent further damage.

Too Hot or Too Cold

Depending on the time of the year, if your home’s interior is freezing cold or stifling hot, it may mean your compressor has already failed. If you’ve tried turning up or turning down the thermostat, and the compressor doesn’t kick in, don’t try to fix it yourself. Call for service, instead.

Tripping Repeatedly

Definite warning signs of compressor trouble are when the HVAC system keeps tripping the electrical circuit breaker or the circuit breaker in the box has failed to turn on after being flipped. The reason this may be happening is from the compressor overheating and trying to use too much electricity. Don’t continually reset the circuit switch as it may cause a latent fire hazard. Hot electrical equipment is never a good sign. It’s also not a time for DIY.

Call Cool Blew

When a compressor fails, you’ll need professional repairs. Call your HVAC technicians at Cool Blew any time of the day or night for help. Call us today at 623-872-2900 for your plumbing, heating, air conditioning, and electrical servicing issues.

Happy Holidays to You and Your Loved Ones

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As we get ready to celebrate Christmas and bid farewell to 2021, our family at Cool Blew wishes you and your loved ones the merriest holiday and the very best in the new year ahead. We thank all of our loyal customers for another year. As your preferred local Arizona experts in HVAC and plumbing repairs and installation, here are a few things to keep in mind during the holidays:

Reduce Holiday Plumbing Stress

The holiday season means additional guests and extra stress on your plumbing. During this time of the year, you want to make certain your pipes and drains are prepared to properly function.

  • Clear any clogs in sinks, showers, and toilets before guests arrive and make sure all toilets are flushing.
  • Make certain to have toilet plungers on hand in all the bathrooms.
  • Be careful of what you and your guests put down the garbage disposal by placing a garbage can nearby.

Be Electrical Safe

  • Be sure to keep an eye out for these potential holiday electrical hazards.
  • Check your Christmas tree, whether freshly cut or artificial, to make sure it is at least three feet from any heating source like fireplaces, space heaters, and vents.
  • Don’t overload your home’s electrical circuits by running all your festive holiday lights and decorations, both inside and outside your home, at the same time.
  • Remember to always turn off holiday lights before you go to bed or leave your house.
  • Test your smoke detectors and carbon monoxide (CO) alarms to make sure they’re working correctly.

Be Proactive, Not Reactive for HVAC Servicing

And remember, winter is an ideal time for HVAC service. By scheduling maintenance in January, February, or early March now, you’ll have the confidence of knowing that your HVAC system will be running smoothly when spring arrives. Unfortunately, many people wait for their HVAC unit to break down before they call for service. We refer to that as reactive service. Better to be proactive and get out ahead of potential HVAC issues. Our talented service professionals are trained at diagnosing and repairing small problems before they become major ones.

Call Cool Blew

Call us any time of the day or night at 623-872-2900 for any servicing issues that may pop up during the holidays. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from our family to yours!

Don’t Let These Household Issues Spoil Your Thanksgiving

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Thanksgiving is a favorite holiday for enjoying a delicious, home cooked meal with family and friends. But one of the busiest cooking days of the year can become a stressful situation where you’re in immediate need of an electrician, plumber, or HVAC professional. One bad decision can lead to a backed-up kitchen sink, garbage disposal not grinding, clogged toilet, broken heater, or an electrical emergency. These are just some of the common issues that may happen on the day you least want problems! Let’s help prepare you to avoid these Thanksgiving disasters.

No Heat

Thanksgiving family and friends have arrived. Suddenly, the heat stops working on a chilly late afternoon. Make certain the air filter has been replaced if it’s dirty, that the thermostat is set to “heat.” Next, check the electrical breaker box to make sure the circuit breaker for the heater hasn’t been tripped. Still not working? Give Cool Blew a call.

Electrical Outlets Overloaded

Family and guests may be charging their phones, the stove and oven are both on, the dishwasher is running, and you turn on the Cuisinart mixer to mash potatoes. Suddenly, the mixer stops working. Most likely, the culprit is a tripped GFCI outlet in the kitchen shutting power off to the mixer. Simply press the red reset button and the mixer will be ready to go. A blown fuse is another possibility. Can’t figure it out? Call Cool Blew.

Garbage Disposal Clogged or Kitchen Sink Backed Up

Your Thanksgiving dinner usually requires at least the entire day to prepare dishes for the feast. Sometimes during food prep and doing the dishes, food scraps that should have been thrown in the garbage can end up in the sink and down the garbage disposal. Fatty liquids like turkey gravy, potato peels, and leftover food off plates can turn the sink and disposal into a trash can.

Often, these items cannot be easily ground up by the garbage disposal blades, causing the disposal to stop working. Liquid and food may backup into the sink creating a real mess. To prevent this from happening, position a garbage bag or garbage can in an area near the sink where everyone can quickly scrape food off their plate. If something like a turkey bone has ended up stuck in the garbage disposal jamming the blades, the quickest fix is to insert a hex (Allen) wrench in the bottom of the disposal. Or, give Cool Blew a call.

Toilet Overflowing

Depending on the number of guests for your holiday meal, the toilet can be flushed four to six times the normal usage. All that flushing and toilet paper used can cause the toilet to clog and potentially overflow. Make certain that a trash can is placed nearby so guests don’t toss anything that shouldn’t be flushed down the toilet. About 90% of the time, the quickest DIY fix is to use the handy toilet plunger to unclog it. If that doesn’t work, you can count on Cool Blew.

Call Cool Blew

If you do find yourself dealing with a drain or toilet that won’t unclog, a heater not blowing out warm air or an electrical outage, call your Valley of the Sun professionals for the fast, reliable service you deserve, any day of the year, at any time, even on the Thanksgiving holiday. Call Cool Blew at 623-872-2900 for servicing and repairs.

Common HVAC Issues in Phoenix

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Daily temperatures in the Valley of the Sun during the summer are usually either hot, very hot, or extremely hot. Too often, air conditioning systems develop problems during the season which must be dealt with quickly and professionally. No homeowner wants to be without their HVAC unit in the summer, so let’s explore two of the most common problems affecting HVAC systems and how to deal with them.

Thermostat-related Problems

Air conditioning systems are built to operate automatically with minimal maintenance. The thermostat’s main role is switching the HVAC system between heating and cooling. When the thermostat is faulty, it can lead to overheating or excessively cool rooms.

Any type of thermostat is subject to dust, dirt, and grime problems. And Arizona homes are notorious for dust, no matter how well they are sealed or how frequently they are cleaned. It’s important to note that the buildup of dust around the contact points can cause problems even with smart thermostats.

As well, with some newer HVAC thermostats, when the power goes out to your home, there may be issues with certain types of thermostat memory chips losing their programmable settings. Frequent adjustment, low batteries, or dead batteries on thermostats that use them, and mechanical damage from impact also can be responsible for issues associated with malfunctioning thermostats. Make sure to have extra AA or AAA batteries on hand in case of battery malfunctions.

Coolant Problems

The cooling system in air conditioners works on the same engineering principle as refrigerators. On older HVAC units, coolant runs through the evaporator and condenser, absorbing and carrying away heat to the outside. If this coolant leaks, cooling will not take place, and your home will get hot. A good indicator of coolant problems are abnormal temperature spikes that occur when the temperature outside gets hotter. The air conditioning system may be running but the temperature of the room may not be dropping to the desired level. While this may also indicate a faulty thermostat, the level of the coolant in your air conditioner needs to be checked. This is when you need to call the professionals to inspect your HVAC system.

At Cool Blew, we specialize in HVAC preventative maintenance and repair. Regular maintenance helps improve the efficiency of your cooling system and helps to minimize summer breakdowns and repairs. Valley of the Sun residents can count on Cool Blew to meet your cooling and heating needs year-round. Call us today at 623-872-2900.

10 Common HVAC Issues & How Pros Troubleshoot Them

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It’s important that you reach out to a trustworthy service technician when you come across signs that your AC unit isn’t working as well as it should. To make that happen though, you need to recognize the signs. Here are common HVAC issues—and how they look like or what their signs are—to help you. By knowing what to watch out for, you’ll know right away if you need to reach out to an HVAC service technician as soon as possible.

Clogged Filters

This is a common HVAC problem. Signs include compromised airflow. If there are hot and cold spots in your room or stuffy air, that’s a sign that you have clogged air filters. You’ll need to replace the filter to fix this issue. However, it’s easy enough to do. Have pros do this every two to three months on average. You can do this yourself but if you aren’t sure what to do, it’s better to hire pros of an HVAC repair company in Peoria to do the job.

Obstructed Condenser Unit

The condenser unit is typically located outside your home. However, being outside means it could get crowded around the unit. If there plants around the condenser, then that could cause the unit to get overheated. Is the unit always hot to the touch? Is it smoking? Don’t let it worsen. Before those things even happen, clear out the clutter around the unit.

Outdated HVAC Design

When you renovate your home, it’s smart to upgrade your HVAC unit too. An outdated HVAC system won’t be able to handle the needs of your home. If your unit isn’t cooling the room as well as before, or it doesn’t get as cold as before, then it’s time to replace that with a new one.

Slow Fan

Blower fans should work efficiently. If yours is slow and sluggish, that could be due to the grime and dirt that’s accumulated on the fan. This can also be one of the reasons why you’ve got poor airflow. Have a pro clean the fan to restore its smooth, efficient operation.

Low Refrigerant Levels

If your AC is leaking, that’s usually a refrigerant problem. Signs of this are compromised airflow and reduced cooling comfort. If this isn’t fixed right away, it could lead to the unit’s gradual decline in performance.

Related Read: Why You Shouldn’t Tackle Do-It-Yourself HVAC Maintenance

Blocked Vents and Registers

These are other common problems that HVAC owners find themselves dealing with sooner or later. One way to fix this is to check if you’ve misplaced rugs or furniture. Check if anything is blocking your vents or registers and then remove them.

Wrong Size

Big isn’t always better. You need a unit that’s just the right size for your property or rooms. Anything that’s too small won’t be able to provide the level of cooling comfort that you want. On the other hand, if you pick an oversized unit, it might often cycle on and off and might not remove the humidity in your space. The result is that you’ll end up feeling like your room is even stuffier or more uncomfortable than before. Pick a unit that’s properly sized.

Leaky and Blocked Ducts

Are your ducts leaky? Are they blocked? That’s another common problem that you’ll want to look into. Dust and dirt build up over time. That’s why you need to hire pros to check the condition of your ducts. If the airflow is impeded, then that means there’s a blockage that needs to be removed. It’s easy enough to get your ducts cleaned. Also, some ducts might have cracks or holes. That will affect the airflow of your unit as well. A professional service technician, though, will know what to do to repair the damage. Don’t try to DIY by putting duct tape on the cracks or holes, since it doesn’t really work well and is only a temporary measure. Stop-gap measures won’t help you in the long run. You’ll need to hire a professional to deal with the problem. Also, old ducts require a light touch. That’s another reason why you’ll need pros with expertise and the proper tools to make sure the ductwork isn’t damaged any further.

Related Read: Why Should I Purchase An HVAC Service Agreement?

Dirty Coils

Dirt on the coils can lead to airflow issues. That’s why it’s best that you check the coil for dirt since dirt and dust build up over time. If there’s too much dirt and dust, the coil won’t be able to release the heat effectively and that’s why the air’s cooling comfort is compromised. If you don’t want that to happen, then clean those coils regularly. Hiring a pro to take care of this is convenient, though, as you can ask the technician to take care of all the other issues that need to undergo troubleshooting. To make it easier, you might want to come up with a list of the issues that you think your unit has. That should give the technician a bit of a guide on where to get started.

Eco-Friendly Home Tips to Make the Most of Earth Day 2021

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April 22nd will mark 51 years of Earth Day celebrations. It’s a wonderful opportunity to take small steps toward changing your consumption habits. The ability to positively impact the environment around your home through simple fixes can mutually benefit your family, neighborhood, and ultimately our world. Let’s look at some ways to get involved besides classic Earth Day activities like picking up trash and tree planting campaigns. Here are eight eco-friendly home tips to save energy and natural resources.

Fix Leaky Faucets

A slow drip from one leaky home faucet can waste 7-10 gallons of water every day. That’s over 3,600 gallons a year, increasing your water bill by over 10% each month. That’s more than 60 showers annually! In other words, learn how to stop the drip and call in the experts, like Cool Blew, to ensure the water is only flowing when you want it to.

Turn the Faucet Off

What’s the best way to save up to eight gallons of water a day? Shut off the sink faucet when brushing your teeth! You can also conserve water while washing your hands. Turn off the tap when scrubbing your hands with soap before washing for 20 seconds.

Clean Refrigerator Coils

The condenser coils on the back of your refrigerator should be cleaned every six months by dusting or vacuuming. Keeping your freezer and refrigerator full helps to retain cold air better, utilizing less energy. Inspect and clean gaskets periodically to help your refrigerator operate more efficiently.

Vary Cooking Times

By cooking early in the morning or at night, you’ll reduce energy consumption especially if you’ve signed up for off-peak hours energy plans with your local utility company. When using your oven, turn it off 15 minutes before the timer is up. Your food will continue to heat up.

Turn on Ceiling Fans

According to Energy.gov, when using air conditioning, a ceiling fan will allow you to raise the thermostat setting about 4 degrees Fahrenheit with no reduction in comfort.

Install a Smart Thermostat

Did you know you can save up to 8% on home cooling costs for every degree set above 78 degrees? By replacing your thermostat with a smart thermostat, you can earn even more energy savings with an environmentally friendly system which pays for itself.

Wash Laundry in Cold Water

Your washing machine uses almost 90% of its energy-related consumption towards heating the water. Choose the energy saving setting for your clothes. Hot water also can fade, shrink, or wrinkle certain fabrics. So stick to the cold.

Turn Dishwasher Heat Dry Off

One of the easiest ways to save about 15% of your dishwasher’s energy usage is to turn off the heat dry function. The air-drying cycle will dry your dishes and save money. If your dishwasher doesn’t have this function, simply crack open the door to let dishes dry once the load has finished washing.

It makes good sense for Earth Day to implement these simple, cost-effective, home lifestyle changes. It’s more important than ever to be environmentally friendly, and every tiny bit helps to save planet Earth.
Not everyone wants to take a DIY approach for Earth Day 2021. We get it! That’s why Cool Blew offers a team of licensed professionals to help you. Call the experts at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900.