A new HVAC unit is a major investment in your home. In fact, it’s one of the biggest purchases you’ll make besides replacing a roof or installing solar panels. Because of this, you’ll want to reduce the cost of purchasing a new HVAC system by taking advantage of the HVAC tax credits available to homeowners. These initiatives are now part of the Inflation Reduction Act passed by Congress and signed into law last summer. What does this mean for Arizona homeowners?

Federal HVAC Tax Credit

You can apply for the federal HVAC tax credit when you:

• Purchase a new HVAC system.
• Upgrade an existing home’s HVAC system.

The update or installation of a new HVAC system must be at your primary residence (second homes and vacation homes excluded) to qualify for the federal HVAC tax credit.

How to Qualify for the Federal Tax Credit on HVAC Systems

Prior to claiming a federal HVAC tax credit, you need to check your HVAC system’s Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER). If you’d like help with understanding SEER, your local technicians at Cool Blew will be able to provide you with this information. They’ll let you know what air conditioners and heat pumps are eligible for the Federal HVAC tax credit prior to purchasing.

SEER and Tax Credits

The U.S. federal government encourages homeowners to switch over to HVAC systems that are more energy efficient by offering energy tax credits. The credit extends to 30% of the annual project cost of a furnace, boiler, or central air conditioner up to $600 as the maximum amount credited annually. Heat pumps are subject to a higher annual total limit of $2,000.
You’ll want to have a copy of the manufacturer’s certification statement that lists the SEER of your newly purchased HVAC system. This proof will need to be provided to claim a residential tax credit for HVAC system upgrades. Remember to keep all receipts for the items you’re going to write off on your taxes.

Cool Blew is Here to Help

At Cool Blew, we work directly with homeowners to maximize their savings on new HVAC systems. This includes providing the latest information on federal tax credits. We encourage you to call us today to learn more about these savings at 623-872-2900.

Are you finding it difficult to regulate the temperature in your home? Would you like to save hundreds of dollars every year on your utility bills? If you have an older home, you could be struggling with an oftentimes overlooked problem—a broken thermostat.

To find out, start by having your HVAC system’s thermostat checked by your trusted, locally owned HVAC repair company to diagnose the issues encountered. Either way, you’ll want to change out your manual thermostat to a digital, smart programmable thermostat model. A thermostat functioning properly will provide you with a far more comfortable home with a significant reduction on your energy bill.

Get Smart

Unlike manual thermostats that can only be set to one temperature, programmable thermostats can be programmed to fit into your lifestyle. Smart thermostats help reduce energy consumption when you’re running errands, working at an office, away on vacation, or asleep. Different temperatures for different situations while keeping your home comfortable for your family, pets, and plants. You’ll gain control over your household’s temperature settings with scheduled settings for maximum convenience and comfort. Programmable thermostats store settings and can easily repeat settings each day. You can always manually override the set programming temperature.

Change Over

Another benefit of programmable thermostats is that they help to extend the lifespan of your HVAC system by allowing it to run less often while still keeping your home comfortable. This translates into even more cost savings on your energy bills!

Call Your Dedicated Professionals at Cool Blew

If your old manual thermostat isn’t working as it should be, or you’re simply interested in upgrading to one of the new, money-saving programmable thermostat models, contact Cool Blew today. We’re happy to answer your questions and to help you choose the right programmable thermostat for your specific needs. We’re also knowledgeable on the latest APS, SRP, and manufacturer rebates that may be available to help you save even more money. Plus, Cool Blew offers an in-home estimate on heating and cooling equipment maintenance, repairs, and on purchasing a brand-new HVAC system.

At your locally owned Cool Blew, we are dedicated to educating our customers in the Valley of the Sun about energy and home comfort issues. We’re equally focused on helping your family save money, vitally important in today’s economy. If you’d like to learn more about programmable thermostats, contact us today to schedule an appointment at 623-872-2900.

At Cool Blew, we love delivering quality service and affordable HVAC repairs in Peoria to homeowners throughout the Valley. In fact, we’ve been doing so for more than 20 years. With 2023 upon us, we wanted to take this opportunity to thank all our customers and to remind you that you have a trusted HVAC contractor ready to help—if and when you need one.

Cleaner Air in 2023

Every year, homeowners are faced with deciding which major improvements will fit in their budget within a given 12-month period. Because AC units are built to last a long time and are often out of sight, out of mind, air conditioning can be one of those home improvement projects that gets pushed back from one year to the next. Often, other more visible home repairs take precedence. But, if your air conditioner is over 10 years old, or if you’ve noticed service calls and repairs adding up, it might be time to consider a new HVAC system.

Service is Our Business

Many Phoenix homeowners are surprised to learn that winter is a great time for major HVAC service or installation. Scheduling service in January, February, or March guarantees your air conditioner will be in top form once hot weather arrives. Unfortunately, many people wait for their AC unit to break down before they call for service. Now is the perfect time to be proactive and schedule your twice-yearly HVAC maintenance. Our service pros know how to detect and fix small issues before they grow into major ones. Our service technicians will perform a full HVAC evaluation and inspect each and every component in your system to help decide what may be needed to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently.

We Are Valley of the Sun Family

At Cool Blew, we understand the importance of delivering white glove service and great value to all our loyal customers. And as a locally owned business, we understand and appreciate our customers in these challenging economic times. We consider our service professionals to be the best in the Valley of the Sun—delivering the best value, too. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to schedule all your service needs.

During the fall and winter, Arizona homeowners rejoice in switching off their air conditioners for at least a couple of months. While it’s easy to turn your attention away from your air conditioner to heating when you don’t need it, it may be the best time to consider replacement. If you’ve already identified that you will soon need a new unit because it’s old and beginning to malfunction, there are significant benefits to replacing it now, rather than waiting until the spring or summer.

Most HVAC experts will tell you that fall and winter are an optimal time to replace your HVAC system for several important reasons. First, fewer homeowners and business owners are replacing units during this time. This means that you won’t have an extended wait for an estimate or for installation. Replacing your unit while you’re not reliant on it also means that you won’t be caught unexpectedly with a system failure. As anyone who has survived the heat of an Arizona summer knows, an air conditioner failure can be very disruptive.

When Should You Replace Your HVAC System?

There are some indicators that signal that you should consider a replacement. Let’s take a look at four signs.

1. Older Than 10 Years

Although some air conditioners will function seamlessly for decades, others don’t. A good rule of thumb is to begin considering the possibility of replacement when your unit hits 10 years in service.

2. Problems with Efficiency

Have your utility bills increased considerably despite no change in your usage pattern? Has your unit always underperformed or cycled excessively? It may be time to call out an expert for a load calculation.

3. Low SEER Rating

You may also be struggling with an older air conditioner with a low Seasonal Energy Efficiency (SEER) ratio. Today’s air conditioners must have a rating of at least 13 and many quality units will have ratings well above 14. A higher SEER rating means greater efficiency and a lower monthly utility bill.

4. Extend Lifespan

While a new HVAC system can ensure your home is functioning smoothly for many years to come, you may still have plenty of years of life left in your existing unit. If so, the best way to maximize its lifespan is to get it serviced regularly. By keeping your HVAC system well-maintained, you can extend its usability dramatically.
Want to learn more? Call your HVAC experts today at Cool Blew at 623-872-2900.

Halloween is here, and it’s time to turn our attention to those spooky, scary things that send shivers up our spine. Yet, being frightened by a ghoul or ghost is one thing. Being haunted by a malfunctioning HVAC system is something else entirely.

The best way to avoid an unexpected and unwanted air conditioner or heater problem is to schedule regular, preventive maintenance. Without those twice-yearly tune ups and inspections, your HVAC system is at risk of some scary and potentially dangerous problems.

Boo–No Heat or Cool Air

A neglected system is prone to unexpected and sudden breakdowns. And you know what that means? Yes, you got it. You’ll be dealing with an uncomfortably cold (or warm) house and an unhappy household.

Hallo-Scream You’ve Got Restricted Airflow

Clogged, dirty air filters restrict airflow, create stress on your system, and rapidly diminish indoor air quality. If you do just one thing for your HVAC system, make it regular air filter replacements.

Drain Pans Gone Batty

Drain pans can leak and overflow if they’re not regularly cleaned. This can result in water damage, as well as unhealthy mold, spores, and mildew growth.

Spooky Acting Belts

A slipping belt can wreak havoc on bearings, pulleys, and shafts within your HVAC system. This ultimately will damage the motor, resulting in higher utility bills and expensive repairs.

Mind Your Mummy Bearings

Bearing cavities require regular lubrication to keep them operating effectively. If they aren’t maintained, you can expect to be dealing with costly issues of overheating and bearing failure.

Refrigerant Leaks are Witchful Thinking

Refrigerant leaks, big and small, can reduce the efficiency of your system. With a routine maintenance visit, any refrigerant level issue will be identified and repaired quickly.

Trick or Treat Broken Compressor

Like filters and drain pans, compressor coils require regular cleaning.

A Faulty Heat Exchanger Is Hair Raising

A faulty heat exchanger isn’t just a hassle. It can be downright dangerous by causing carbon monoxide to seep into your indoor air.

Calling Cool Blew Is a Treat

What’s not scary during Halloween? Making an appointment for a tune up of your home’s HVAC system. Don’t wait until you’re dealing with the unexpected. Schedule time with Cool Blew today. Worry-free HVAC is a Halloween treat that will continue to give throughout the year. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to learn more about our preventative maintenance plans.

Have a spooktacular and safe Halloween from the team at Cool Blew!

It has been a very active monsoon thunderstorm season in the Valley of the Sun this year, with plenty of rain, dust, and humidity. The long stretches of intense heat and humidity have taxed HVAC systems valiantly trying to keep Arizonans comfortable. The higher humidity causes your home to feel warmer, with the AC unit running longer to keep it cool indoors. If you’re like most homeowners, you’ve probably noticed your energy bills going up.

So what are some best practices to help you and your family conserve precious energy while remaining cool and comfortable this summer?

Cover Windows

Block sunlight from entering your home by closing blinds, shutters, drapes, and shades. This will prevent indoor temperatures from soaring during the hottest part of the day.

Turn On Ceiling Fans

Turn on your ceiling fans as a very low-cost way to stay cool indoors. Remember to turn off any ceiling fans when you’re no longer occupying a room or outdoors on the patio.

Use Appliances in the Evening

Wait to wash clothes, run the dishwasher, and if possible, the oven until after the sun goes down. This helps to reduce indoor heat from raising temps and reduces your energy consumption during peak usage hours.

Turn Off Lights and Phantom Energy Devices

An easy way to save energy and money is to keep on only the lights around your home that you need. Check around your house and switch off unnecessary overhead lights, desk lamps, and floor lamps. Turn off phantom energy devices, such as electronics, surge protectors, and kitchen appliances that are not being used. Even though the devices are not in use, they still use energy to stay on. Switch all bulbs to energy saving LED bulbs for additional energy savings.

Reset Pool Pump Timer

A best practice is to reset the pool pump timer to operate after dusk. You’ll save energy, especially if you’re on a time-of-day energy plan with APS or SRP, and it’s a smart energy saving strategy.

The good news is that by taking proactive steps to reduce your energy consumption, you’ll be helping the local power grid and you may also see the benefit of a reduced utility bill next month. Call your local experts at Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to schedule an appointment.

We all know that consistent, quality sleep is essential for mind and body. Whether you’re struggling to fall asleep, wake up too early, or find yourself tossing and turning throughout the night, lack of sleep can make you feel grumpy, forgetful, and tired. It can also lower your immune response and put you at greater risk for a variety of conditions. In other words, sleep deprivation is no laughing matter.

If you’re struggling to stay awake during the day, one of the key considerations is your HVAC system. By optimizing your thermostat and making a few key adjustments, you can promote better quality sleep.

Thermostat Settings

Your body’s internal core temperature drops when you sleep. Sleep experts suggest setting your thermostat between 60 and 67 degrees for optimal sleep. With a programmable thermostat, you can adjust the settings in advance, so that it lowers the temperature at bedtime and adjusts it to a warmer temperature during waking hours.

Air Filter

It can be especially challenging to sleep if you’re suffering from allergy symptoms, asthma, or COPD. By regularly changing out your AC air filter, you can quickly improve indoor air quality and reduce the number of allergy-causing particulates in your house’s air.

Ceiling Fan

Ceiling fans are especially beneficial in the hot and humid months of Arizona’s monsoon season. By turning on your ceiling fan, you’ll benefit from the fan circulating the air within the bedroom. The cooling effects of sleeping soundly with a ceiling fan on are well-documented. Turning your ceiling fan on can help keep you comfortable with the humming sound of a fan conducive to good sleep.

Humidity Levels

Properly managing humidity levels indoors is a key piece for quality sleep. Humidity levels over 50% for a sustained time period can disrupt your sleeping patterns. And high humidity can produce mold, mildew, and other harmful particulates that can trigger allergies or illnesses. Running a dehumidifier during summer months can reduce indoor humidity levels, improve indoor air quality, and help you get a good night’s rest.

Need HVAC Maintenance or Repair?

Cool Blew is your residential HVAC expert in the Valley of the Sun. We’ve been maintaining residential air conditioning and heating units for over 20 years. Don’t take chances with sleep-hindering HVAC breakdowns. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to get a seasonal tune-up and gain peace of mind that your system is working optimally.

On June 15th, we kicked off the monsoon season in Arizona. Throughout the Grand Canyon state this time of year means wild thunderstorms, dust storms, heavy rains, occasional hailstorms, and flash floods. Humidity levels will soon be rising to uncomfortable levels, and the Valley of the Sun will no longer experience a dry heat.

In other words, it’s a good time to prepare in advance for the impending monsoon storms that can cause power outages knocking out your AC. And it’s also a good time for our professional team to share some tips to help keep your HVAC system running properly.

Check and Replace Air Filters

Probably the most important tip we can offer is to check and replace your air filters on a frequent basis during monsoon season. With all the dust in the air, HVAC air filters can quickly become clogged causing your air conditioning unit to work harder to pump out clean, cool air. Rather than wait for a problem to arise due to dirty or clogged air filters, change out your air filters at least once a month.

Keep Up on Landscaping Maintenance

Monsoon thunderstorms bring gusty winds that can range from 30 to 40 mph to sometimes 60 to 70 mph during a localized microburst. There may even be more widespread bursts of damaging winds called downbursts. These winds can break off tree branches, cacti, kick up leaves, rocks, and dirt. All this debris can fly into the AC unit along with your home’s exterior. To reduce the chances of this happening, make certain to clear around the outside of your AC unit, and make sure trees and shrubs are properly pruned.

Schedule an HVAC Tune Up

It’s never too late for HVAC maintenance. Don’t wait for your air conditioning to fail before giving us a call. With a quick tune up, Cool Blew’s technicians can identify and repair small issues before they become big problems. We’ll help ensure that your air conditioning system is running efficiently to save you money on your summertime energy bills.

Call Cool Blew to Help Keep You Cool

With daily outdoor temperatures ranging from the low 100 degrees to potentially over 117 degrees during monsoon season, you want your family to be comfortable indoors. Before the next monsoon storm arrives, call your expert technicians at Cool Blew to check on your HVAC system. Call us today at 623-872-2900 to schedule your appointment. We’re not comfortable until you are!

This year, April 22 is Earth Day. It’s a yearly reminder to make a difference by being an active participant in your local and global environment. Over one billion people across the world will celebrate Earth Day in over 190 countries—all with the goal of helping to make our planet a better place to live, reduce waste, and lessen pollution. Did you know that your HVAC system consumes the most energy of any system in your household? Let’s look at some actionable steps to reduce your carbon footprint.

Seal HVAC Ductwork

The average home cooling and heating ducts lose up to 30% in air leakage. Sealing ducts reduces cooling and heating costs on your utility bill, improves HVAC efficiency, and eliminates air leakage.

Change Out Air Filters

Earth Day is a great day to change your HVAC system air filters. Dirty, clogged air filters waste precious energy resources, cause your HVAC to work harder, and contribute to air pollution. A clean air filter reduces indoor contaminants, allows air to circulate properly inside your home, and keeps your system working efficiently.

Plant Trees

Planting trees on your property increases shading for your home and decreases your energy bills. Trees help to purify the air we breathe and regulate neighborhood temperatures.

Schedule Maintenance

Small changes can have a big impact on the environment. Your HVAC system contributes upwards of 46% of combined energy usage in your house. By scheduling spring maintenance, you’ll help ensure it’s running effortlessly, and conserving valuable energy. You can’t expect your AC to be operating at peak performance levels without a tune-up. Without regular maintenance, you’re taking a chance on a breakdown of your HVAC unit.

Reduce Heat Entering Your Home

You’ll save substantial amounts of money on monthly utility bills by blocking solar heat from entering your house. By drawing the blinds or shutters, closing curtains or drapes, or even installing UV window film, helps keep direct sunlight out. Furniture, carpets, drapes, and curtains can fade over time from UV exposure. Your HVAC system benefits from a reduced workload trying to keep your house cool.

Call Cool Blew Today

These simple steps will save you money on air conditioning, reduce your carbon footprint, and help make our planet a better place to live. Would you like to learn more about HVAC energy saving tips for Earth Day 2022? The professionals at Cool Blew will be happy to answer all your questions. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900 to schedule a maintenance appointment.

If you haven’t already done so, you may want to spring forward with preparations to ready your HVAC system for even warmer weather ahead. By following these steps, your AC will be set for the official start of spring on March 20.

Clean the Outdoor Unit

After fall and winter, your outdoor HVAC unit might be surrounded by excessive debris, leaves, branches, and dirt. Clean the top and sides and clear a three-foot radius around the unit making certain nothing is obstructing air flow.

Check the Air Filter

Changing your air filter is a great way to ensure proper airflow in your home. Often an afterthought, the AC air filter is one of the most important system components. An air filter that has become clogged with undesirable contaminants or excessively dirty with pollen, pet dander, mold, or dust will let pollutants and allergens circulate throughout your home environment. The cleanliness of AC air filters is essential for family members who are especially sensitive to air quality indoors and outdoors. Filters with a paper or cardboard frame are disposable, while those air filters with a plastic or metal frame may be reusable and washable. From April to October, it’s best to replace your disposable air filters monthly or thoroughly clean reusable air filters.

Check the Drain Line

The condensate drain line is vitally important to the proper functioning of your AC system. The drain line does several things with the most critical function being to drain excess moisture outside of your home. When air is cooled inside your HVAC system, humidity is released. The humidity turns into condensation and the condensate line keeps moisture from building up inside your home and HVAC unit. Moisture can lead to mold, mildew, and corrosion. Inspect the drain line located near the outdoor condenser unit and check to make certain it’s not restricted by vegetation or blocked by dirt or debris.

Schedule a Maintenance Visit

While there are many AC spring cleaning tasks you can easily do as a homeowner, a spring preventative maintenance appointment is necessary to make certain your AC system is running safely and efficiently for the hot weather ahead. Your local professionals will do a thorough inspection, cleaning, and any needed repairs, ensuring your AC system and all its parts are functioning properly.

Schedule an appointment today with your highly trained and dependable professionals at Cool Blew. Call us today to schedule your spring AC maintenance tune up at 623-872-2900.