Procrastination is a problem for many of us. Whether you tend to put off dental cleanings or stall until April 15th to pay your taxes, waiting for another day is a common human trait, but also one that is rife with risk. In the case of air conditioning maintenance, procrastination can lead to an array of costly and inconvenient problems.

Out of Sight, Out of Mind

It’s easy to ignore maintenance when your system seems to be working fine, but this can be a costly mistake. Remember the old idiom, “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure?” Well, it’s definitely a true statement. By changing your filters and having your system cleaned on a regular schedule, you can greatly minimize the chance of having a major breakdown.

Diminished Efficiency

Even if you’re lucky enough to dodge a system failure, HVAC procrastination will cost you when it comes to energy efficiency. Dirt buildup, clogged drains and leaky ductwork can all result in your system working harder than it needs to. By simply scheduling maintenance service with Cool Blew, you can avoid wasted energy consumption and sky-high utility bills.

Lack of Comfort

An air conditioner that’s not getting the attention it deserves will also lead to problems with maintaining a consistent temperature. Neglect will result in poor indoor air quality and even wiring hazards. Want home comfort? Schedule maintenance service today!

Replacement Sooner than Later

A properly maintained air conditioner should last you at least 15 to 20 years. Yet one that has been ignored will often fail in under 10 years. With at least five more years of service, you’ll substantially lower your cooling costs.

If you’ve been putting off getting maintenance or keep forgetting to call for service on a minor problem, take this opportunity to pick up the phone and call Cool Blew now. Yes, it’s late in “air conditioning season,” but you’re likely to still be using your system until late fall or even into the early days of winter. In other words, you still need your air conditioner. And procrastination only makes any problems you have even worse. Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900.

It may be hard to fathom right now, but the overwhelming summer heat we’re feeling here in the Valley of the Sun will let up before you know it. As we turn our thoughts to fall wardrobes, cool morning hikes and jack-o-lanterns, it’s also a good time to get your HVAC ready for the change of season ahead. This means taking care of a few simple tasks which can ensure your home remains comfortable and your system is running efficiently.

Schedule a Tune Up

The benefits of twice annual maintenance on your HVAC system are substantial. Not only will it extend the life of your equipment, it will increase its energy efficiency. Call today to get your tune up scheduled and cross that one to-do off your list.

Replace Filters

Dust is plentiful in the summer and has been collecting in your HVAC filter. By replacing your filter, which only takes a minute to do, by the way, you’ll go a long way towards enabling your system to run efficiently. To put it another way, you’ll save money on cooling and heating by doing this minor maintenance task.

Consider an Upgrade

Were you having issues with your heating last year? Has your air conditioning been less than cooling this summer? Fall is an ideal time to purchase a new HVAC system. Our team is ready to help you determine the best option for your specific needs and will provide you with a detailed quote and explain our various financing options.

Valley-Wide Service

When it comes to your HVAC system, Cool Blew is the right choice for maintenance, repairs and installation. With nearly 20 years serving the entire valley, we’re proud to be one of the leading air conditioning and heating companies in the Greater Phoenix area. Call us today at 623-872-2900 to schedule your tune-up or new system quote today.

Although monsoon season officially started on June 15th, we still are awaiting the dramatic conditions that come with this annual weather phenomenon. With humidity now finally starting to creep upwards and tall cloud formations building in the afternoon sky, we’re likely to begin seeing those monsoon storms, here in Phoenix, very soon.

While these storms are exciting to watch, they can wreak havoc on your HVAC system if you’re unprepared. So, we wanted to provide you with some timely tips as we enter this wild and wooly time of year.

Stock Up On Air Filters

High amounts of dust and other contaminants and particulates circulate through the air during summer storms in the Valley. And they can end up being sucked into your home and through your HVAC filter. To ensure clean indoor air quality throughout the summer, get into the habit of replacing your filter at least every 30 days. Choose a pleated filter that offers increased surface air to collect the maximum amount of debris.

Add a Surge Protector

With summer monsoon storms, lightning strikes can cause electrical surges that can trip your home’s circuit breaker and even kill power to your air conditioner. With a surge protector for your air conditioner, you can protect your breaker, your AC unit and eliminate a costly service call to get everything back up and running.

Clean Up the Yard

Winds often exceed 50 miles per hour during an Arizona summer storm, sending tree branches and loose debris flying. If they get blown into your air conditioning unit, they can damage the rather delicate coils that surround it. As we’re entering the thick of monsoon season, take some time to look around your yard for overgrown landscaping and loose items that can potentially go airborne. And remove them!

Call for Maintenance

Although monsoon storms can bring some relief from triple digit temperatures, it’s still very hot. In other words, you’ll still be relying on your air conditioner for many months to come. So, if you haven’t already, call for preventive maintenance to ensure your air conditioner is up to the challenge of keeping you and your loved ones cool and comfortable.

Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900.

It’s that time of year when air conditioning isn’t just a refreshing option. Arizona homeowners know that without the continuous hum of their air conditioner, indoor temperatures can quickly climb to uncomfortable levels. And, with around-the-clock air conditioning comes higher energy bills. In fact, it’s very common for electricity costs to jump by 50 percent or more during the summer months. While turning off the air conditioning certainly isn’t an option, there is another way to effectively lower costs.

Many homes have a hidden HVAC problem that causes energy waste and higher-than-needed energy bills. What is it? It’s old ductwork.

In many homes, older ducts have leaks and creases which enable cool air to escape to the outside or internal areas that don’t require conditioned air. Outdated ductwork can also cause unequal cooling throughout a home and increased humidity, as well as musty, foul odors. Yuck!

If your monthly electricity costs seem to be skyrocketing, your ductwork could be the culprit. It’s time for a home energy audit. At Cool Blew, we start with a thorough inspection of your home’s ductwork. If leaks are detected, we will provide you with a detailed quote on air duct sealing.

Why Trust Cool Blew for Duct Inspection and Repairs?

As your local HVAC experts, we have many years of experience repairing ductwork. We don’t use taping or mastic to seal air ducts. They produce less than quality results. Instead, we rely on the advanced technology of AeroSeal – an advanced sealant that ensures your ductwork remains airtight with a 10-year warranty. By fixing these leaks, cooling will be evenly distributed throughout your home, and your air conditioning unit will be blowing cool air only where you want it to go – saving you each month on your utility bill. And with a thorough cleaning of your ductwork, those musty odors will be a thing of the past, too.

Isn’t it time to get a better handle on your summer energy bill? Call Cool Blew today at 623-872-2900.

While most of us aren’t running our air conditioners in February, there’s no disputing that they are essential throughout most of the year in Arizona. So, it’s a good thing that they’re built to last and work reliably for years.

Yet, like all good things, air conditioners can be taken for granted. Most work without a problem, even in extreme heat, without missing a beat. But, if they are neglected or not properly maintained, problems can happen.

The Time to Call Is Before There’s an Issue

Consider that your air conditioning system has many components – both inside and outside of your home. These include motors, switches, fans, vents and more. They all work together to generate comfortable, cool air. Keeping this mechanical and electronic symphony playing in harmony requires regular, preventive maintenance.

Choose a Trusted Provider of Air Conditioning Maintenance and Repair

Today’s air conditioners are complicated. You want an HVAC service provider that is both highly trained and experienced. Establish a relationship so that the provider can get to know your HVAC system. The goal is to get in the habit of twice-yearly service inspections (ideally in the spring and fall), so that you don’t have breakdowns in the hot summer months or in the chill of winter. Yes, air conditioners, as well as other HVAC, parts and components can wear out or malfunction – and at different times. With regular maintenance, potential problems can be identified proactively, and parts replaced before you experience a problem.

Don’t Forget Your Ductwork

In the dusty environment that we live in, ductwork isn’t something to ignore. Ducts are vital for delivering conditioned air to every room in your house. So, if they’re loaded with dirt or mold, you and your loved ones are breathing that in. As part of HVAC system efficiency and upkeep, make sure that your ducts are checked and cleaned.

Let Us Perform a Complete Inspection and Evaluation of Your HVAC System

Make 2020 the year for an air conditioner reset. Let Cool Blew help you maximize the efficiency and effectiveness of your air conditioner and entire HVAC system. Call us to schedule a tune-up and inspection today!

Just like your refrigerator and air conditioner, a heat pump requires refrigerant to work. Yet unfortunately, many homeowners don’t discover that their heat pump’s refrigerant levels are low until they’re experiencing a problem like icing or no heat.

Is It a Leaking Heat Pump?

Within your HVAC system, your air conditioner and heat pump both rely on refrigerant to provide an optimal temperature inside your home. And, it shouldn’t dissipate during operation. Instead, your HVAC system should convert refrigerant from liquid to gas and vice versa – never decreasing in volume. However, leaks can happen, and they often occur at connector points.

During the cold winter months, often the first sign of a refrigerant leak is an indoor temperature that begins to drop. You may notice that the heater seems to be running continuously. Yet, the temperature doesn’t seem to be matching the thermostat setting. If it’s getting chilly, and the heat doesn’t seem to be where it should be, it’s time to call for a technician.

What About Icing?

When a heat pump is leaking refrigerant, there’s often a snowball effect of problems. The first of these can be the heat pump’s evaporator coil. Because heat absorption is the refrigerant’s purpose, leaking refrigerant can prevent the coil from absorbing heat. This ultimately causes moisture on the evaporator coil to ice over. You may be tempted to scrape off the ice but note that this isn’t going to solve the problem. What you actually need to do is call an HVAC technician who can both seal the leak and add the necessary refrigerant to enable your system to operate efficiently.

Don’t Neglect a Refrigerant Leak

Low refrigerant isn’t an HVAC problem to put off for another day. The stress caused by this problem can leave you in the cold, as well as impact the compressor and drive up electrical costs. If you’re struggling with a lack of heat, call the experts at Cool Blew. We’re here to help you identify the cause of the problem and ensure that you’re up and running as quickly as possible.

When your heater is not quite getting the job done and you’re feeling an uncomfortable chill in your indoor air, it’s natural to think there’s a problem with your furnace or heat pump. And, the unit could certainly be the culprit. But, it’s important to understand that a heating system is made up of a group of components that work together. And, if one is malfunctioning, it can cause a system-wide problem. Sometimes, the problem is one that often gets overlooked – the thermostat. Even minor thermostat problems can have an impact on your comfort and cause your utility bills to soar.

Poorly Placed Thermostats

If you’ve been struggling with HVAC challenges for a while, the problem may be with your thermostat’s installation. Often, we find that the device has simply been installed in the wrong part of a house. It should be located near the center of your home so that it’s accurately picking up the average temperature rather than the highest of highs and lowest of lows. Thermostats placed near direct sunlight or drafty doors or windows can pick up false readings and cause your heater to either work overtime or not at all.

Miscalibration

One of the most common thermostat issues is miscalibration. There is a sensor in the wall unit of your thermostat that should accurately read the temperature inside your home. Even if it’s off just a couple of degrees, it can increase energy bills and affect your comfort. Indicators of this type of problem are a heating system that runs too long or not long enough. The good news is that the experts at Cool Blew can recalibrate your thermostat quickly and get you back to an accurate reading.

Connection Failure

Thermostats are connected to your heater or air handler via wires that control when the heater and the blower motor turn on and off. If these connections are lost, you’re going to experience problems. Again, this is a common problem that we’re well-versed in repairing.

Old Thermostat

Do you still have a manual thermostat that uses sliders and dials or a stripped-down digital model? If so, you’re not getting the maximum value of your heating system. Smart, programmable thermostats offer tremendously improved control and energy savings over the older models. And, they can be conveniently controlled via an app on a phone or tablet. Don’t miss out on this technological advancement that delivers tremendous benefits in your home.

At Cool Blew, we’re focused on your comfort. Call us for heating and thermostat repairs 24/7/365.

Black Friday has come and gone. The holiday shopping season is in full swing. As your go-to HVAC professionals, we’re not always thought of as Santa’s little helpers. However, we specialize in gifts that keep on giving all year long. In fact, if you’ve got a certain someone in your home who is always cold or, during the summer months, forever complaining about the heat – we’ve got you covered. There may be flashier presents stashed under your tree, but possibly none will be more appreciated than the gift of year-round temperature comfort and control.

Pre-Winter Walk Through

By December, your furnace has been sitting idle for many months. Taking the time to go through your house and check all the various elements of your heating system will pay big dividends when the cold weather rolls in. A seasonal system check is a great gift for any homeowner.

Digital Thermostat – A “Smart” Gift

Here’s a great tech gift for dad that will benefit the entire family. If you’ve been resisting upgrading to a Wi-Fi enabled, digital smart thermostat, all we can ask is what are you waiting for? These thermostats are easy to use, allow you to adjust temperature and make changes to your system over your cell phone and can save you significant money on your energy costs. It’s finally easy to manage your HVAC system from wherever you are.

Cold Hands – Warm Heart

Many Phoenix homeowners are converting little used spaces or storage rooms into home offices. The problem is many of these rooms are not heated or cooled properly. Want to be an HVAC hero? Consider giving a ductless mini-split heat pump to your sweetheart and keep him or her warm all through the winter.

Stop Worrying About Maintenance

It may sound funny, but busy people really love this gift. When you give the gift of a service contract, your HVAC troubles are over for an entire year. We will schedule the maintenance of a system and keep your loved ones toasty warm in winter and cool as a cucumber in summer.

A Brand New HVAC System

Maybe you’ve been putting off this big purchase for a year or two. We understand, a new HVAC system for your home is a considerable investment. However, we have many homeowners who choose to buy at the end of the year and schedule installation early the next year. It’s a great gift to give, especially if your current system has failed you this past summer.

While You’re Shopping, the Temperature Will Be Dropping

Remember, temperatures usually drop significantly in December, and January is the generally the coldest month of the year. Why not schedule a pre-holiday HVAC checkup to make sure you’re ready for the cold weather ahead? And for goodness sakes, don’t use the fireplace on the evening of December 24th!

As fall approaches, and nighttime desert temperatures dip into the 50s, homeowners are reminded that it will soon be time to fire up the furnace for the first time this season. We recommend an autumn service call to make sure the “H” in your HVAC is tuned up and ready to go. Many Arizona homes have gas furnaces, while others utilize heat pumps or electric wall or baseboard heaters. Whatever type of heat source you have installed in your home, it is always a good idea to have your unit inspected before you turn it on for the first time.

My Furnace Never Gives Me Any Problems – What Could Possibly Go Wrong?

Most electric heaters and gas furnaces are manufactured to high standards and work reliably for years. However, the fact is, when gas and electricity are involved, the potential for danger exists. The National Fire Protection Association website states, “Heating equipment is a leading cause of fires in U.S. homes. Local fire departments responded to an estimated average of 52,050 fires involving heating equipment each year in 2012-2016.”

It is not our intention to promote fear or scare homeowners. Rather, we simply believe in putting safety first. Remember, depending on when your home was built, your furnace may be decades old.

Here are a few home heat safety precautions to consider:

• Furnace Reminders

  Summers last a long time in Phoenix. We often completely forget about our furnaces from April through October. Over the years, we have seen furnaces cluttered with boxes or used as temporary storage shelves during the summer. Remember, it’s critical to keep the area around your furnace completely clear. Furnaces require the free flow of oxygen to operate effectively. Also, clutter and flammable materials can be extremely dangerous if placed near your furnace. Paint cans, cleaning solutions, old rags and newspapers, to name a few, should not be anywhere near your furnace.

• Heat Pumps

  During a fall checkup, our friendly service technicians will inspect the blower and coil for dirt and other obstructions which can cause your unit to operate inefficiently. We will also inspect wiring, connections and electric terminals to make sure they are safe and ready for winter.

• Air Filters

  Replacing air filters on a regular basis is always advisable. During a fall tune up, we not only replace the air filters, we also vacuum the dust and debris which accumulates on your furnace over the summer months. We often receive calls from customers who have fired up their furnace and are concerned about the burning smell. In many cases, it is simply dust being burned off the unit. If you ever notice a burning smell in your home after turning on your furnace, you should stop what you are doing and check into it immediately.

October and November Are the Ideal Months to Schedule Your Fall Service Call

The first time you notice the autumn chill in the air, remember to call us for a fall checkup. Our friendly service technicians will inspect your entire HVAC system and get you ready for the cooler weather ahead.

Depending on the age and condition of your home air conditioner, you might have a refrigerant issue. One indicator of leaking refrigerant is a noticeable decrease in the amount of cool air your air conditioner is pumping into your home. Another sign you might be losing refrigerant is the formation of ice on your evaporator coils. Or you might hear a faint hissing sound coming from your unit. If you’ve noticed that something is not right with your air conditioner, or it doesn’t seem to be working as efficiently as usual, you may want to give us a call.

What Is Refrigerant and How Does It Work?

Many people mistakenly believe air conditioners pump cold air into their homes until the temperature goes down to their desired setting. However, the key to modern air conditioning is removing heat from the air inside your home and transferring that heat to the outside. Refrigerant is the central element in this ingenious transfer of heat. Refrigerant is a fluid or compound which has a very low boiling point and can easily transform from liquid into gas and back to liquid again. In an endless cycle, refrigerant passes through your AC system’s main components – from the evaporator to the compressor to the condenser, etc. and (to oversimplify) picks up the heat from inside your home and “carries” it to the condenser (which is designed to dissipate heat and is located outside your home and) where it is blown away.

The important thing to know about replacing refrigerant is it’s not a job for do-it-yourselfers. Refrigerant is encased in a closed system and should be checked often (we recommend twice a year.) Detecting leaks and replacing refrigerant is best left to professionals. Here are just a few of the refrigerant related issues we inspect during a summer check-up:

• Check Refrigerant Levels and Replace If Needed

  As mentioned, your AC system’s refrigerant is carried within a closed, pressurized system of pipes which should never leak. As we all know, refrigerant is toxic to the environment and bad for the ozone. Our expert technicians will check your refrigerant levels and replace if necessary. If there is a significant loss of refrigerant, that would indicate a leak in your system.

• Check for Corrosion and Leaks

  Refrigerant leaks often occur in older air conditioning units due to corrosion. There is always a fair amount of moisture surrounding your AC components and the metal parts and pipes are susceptible to rust and corrosion. At a certain point, small leaks may develop as the corroded metal degrades. We’ll check all the pressurized lines and metal parts to verify if your system has any leaks.

• Inspect the Components

  Evaporator coils and condenser coils are built with metal tubes and U-bends which are subject to constant vibration. Over time, the vibration of these tubes and joints can cause tiny pin hole leaks. Our technicians will check to see if your coils need replacing.<.li>

Summer Service Is the Best Way to Prevent a Summer AC Slump

In Phoenix, we all know the worst time of year to experience an AC slowdown or breakdown is the middle of summer. We’ve been lucky so far – June temperatures have been mild. However, the heatwaves are coming. Schedule a summer service call and we’ll make sure your AC system is full of refrigerant and operating efficiently.