Future Investments

Category: Air Conditioners

5 Things To Do When Your AC Goes Out
Arizona does not play when it comes to hot weather. In fact, most summers see record-breaking high temperatures that cause air conditioners to work so much harder than they would anywhere else. Just because your AC goes out though, doesn’t mean it’s time to panic just yet. Because your AC is working so hard, it might just need to be coaxed back on. That’s why every property owner in Arizona needs to know the 5 things to do when the AC goes out so you’re never left feeling overwhelmed or like you don’t know what to do!
1. Check On Your Air Filter – If you don’t change/clean your air filters out at least once a month, there’s a good chance your air conditioner shut down because it’s too clogged up and it’s tripped a safety feature designed to prevent the unit from overheating due to a lack of airflow. Change out the filter and restore ideal airflow, and your AC will likely come back on no problem. Just make sure you actually remember to keep your filters clean so you don’t run into the same problem later on! Repeated failure to change your air filter will result in a shortened life span of your AC.
2. Check Thermostat Batteries – If you feel like you’re going crazy because your AC won’t come on but you’ve already checked everything you can think of, you might want to walk over to your thermostat and have a look. You’d honestly be amazed how often people call a repair technician only to realize they’ve forgotten all about changing the batteries in their thermostat. They don’t last forever though, so make sure you don’t forget!
3. Check The Circuit Breaker – If your AC isn’t coming back on, but you know your property has fickle electrical, check your circuit breaker. Most of the time when a circuit gets tripped, your AC will shut down, but because it’s often on its own circuit, it may not always reset on its own like the others. If this is the case for you, all you need to do is pop open your breaker and flip the switch associated with your AC unit.
4. Check Your Coils – On the outside of your unit, sometimes tucked away out of sight, there is a condenser coil that offers essential support for the rest of your unit. The trouble is, in order for it to perform its functions efficiently, it has to stay clean. If your AC isn’t performing that well, and your condenser coil is obstructed by all kinds of leaves, dirt, and debris, a good cleaning might be all you need to restore optimal function!
5. Call In The Pros! If you’ve already done everything you can to get your AC back up and running on your own, but nothing’s worked, you might just need to call in a professional. Some AC problems are just too big to handle, and require special equipment to correct, and there’s nothing wrong with that. Just keep in mind, our technicians at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling will always be around to come to your rescue when your AC truly needs it!
If your air conditioner needs repair, call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.
March 31, 2021
What Should My Air Conditioners SEER Rating Be?

Looking for a new air conditioner? Make sure you check the SEER rating before you make your purchase. The SEER rating, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating, is the figure that tells you exactly how effectively an air conditioner will covert your power into the clean, cool, refreshing air you breathe. The higher the SEER rating, the better the system’s overall performance and the greater the energy savings!

How Much Does A SEER Rating Matter Really?

Take a minute to think about how old your air conditioner currently is. If it’s older than five years, there’s a good chance your system is operating far below what is even considered baseline acceptable today. You see, it wasn’t until 2016 that the federal government created the latest SEER criteria. Now, new systems in the northern United States are required to have a minimum SEER rating of 13, with states in the southwest, like Arizona, requiring a SEER rating of 14. You can check your current air conditioners SEER rating by checking the sticker attached to the condenser on the unit outside your home. If you don’t see a sticker, reach out to Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling and we’ll send someone over right away to figure out whether or not your property is ready for an upgrade.

Is A Higher SEER Rating Worth The Cost?

A lot of advancements in cooling technology have happened in the last few years, which means more money you could be saving. In fact, if your current air conditioner has a SEER rating of only 8-10, getting an upgraded model with a SEER rating of only 14, the lowest allowable rating on the market, you could potentially save up to 50% on your total cooling costs – and the higher the SEER rating, the higher your potential savings! As of right now, the SEER rating system reaches as high as 26. A SEER rating of 26 means the system is as energy efficient as it can be, and will earn a special ENERGY STAR® endorsement. That being said, the higher the SEER rating, the more expensive the unit will be to purchase upfront. It will be up to you to determine if the overall long-term savings on utility bills and inevitable repairs outweighs the initial sting of splurging on a higher quality air conditioner.

Have questions about what type of air conditioner is right for your property? We can’t wait to answer them. Get in touch with our technicians at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling anytime. We’ll even tell you how to can try and get financing on you new equipment! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855 for a free consultation*, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.

February 28, 2021
Preventive Replacement Pays: New Technology that is Super Comfortable, Extremely Quiet & More Efficient

When you spend a lot of money on something, like a fundamental home appliance, you expect to get everything you can out of it. The problem, however, is that in many cases people think this means using the system until it dies of natural causes, which is actually worse for your wallet.

Unequivocal Comfort

The whole point of having HVAC systems in your home is to keep your home comfortable. If your old system is struggling to do that, or needs to be constantly repaired or maintained to keep it functional at all, it’s really not worth the effort; and it’s likely costing you a whole lot more. A newer, higher efficiency HVAC system will properly heat and cool your home autonomously, offering your property and all its occupants unequivocal comfort year-round. Plus, you won’t have to worry about splurging on repairs every time you system can’t meet your performance expectations.

Incomparable Inaudibility

Even if your current HVAC systems seem to be heating and cooling your property just fine, if they sound like they’re gearing up to take off every time they start up or shut down, you might want to consider an upgrade. Newer HVAC units are far more discreet, practically undetectable. You won’t have to worry about strange clanking noises disturbing your sleep in the middle of the night, or feeling like you need to cheer on your systems like the little engines that could in order for them to start properly. With newer, higher efficiency systems you’ll barely even notice they’re there at all, especially since they likely won’t have to turn on and off nearly as much – which is even better for utility bill!

Explicit Efficiency

Yes, it’s true, newer HVAC systems are more efficient than older systems in every way. New systems utilize far less energy than older models, and can accomplish significantly more with the conservative amount of energy that is used. As a result, utility expenses are often considerably lower, as are expenses related to frequent maintenance and repairs. The easiest way to look at it is: the newer the system and higher the SEER rating, the more comprehensively efficient, cost-effective, and overall worth it’s going to be long-term.

Does Purchasing Your Replacements Preventatively Pay Off?

The short answer is, absolutely! Waiting until your HVAC system breaks down completely to replace it only means you’re spending the total cost of the replacement on top of all the money you’ve already wasted on repairs and inefficiencies over time. By getting your system replaced preventively as soon as you notice it’s starting to lose its edge you can save yourself all the hassle. Plus, you won’t have to suffer without heat or air conditioning while you wait for a replacement, or try to get your system replaced during the busiest time of the year. You can even take advantage of special sales and promotions, and really take your time to shop around and consider precisely what type of HVAC system your property could benefit from most.

Just remember to consult our seasoned HVAC replacement specialists at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling if you have any questions, or when you’re ready to get the ball rolling! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855 for a free consultation*, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.

January 31, 2021
How to Prepare Your HVAC System for the Phoenix Winter
It may not get too cold in Phoenix during the winter, but cooler temperatures still bring a welcome break from the need for non-stop air conditioning – and that means a transition from your cooling to heating systems. So do yourself a favor and make sure your HVAC systems are prepared for the switch by taking a look at the steps below!

Shut Down Your Air Conditioning System

If you have a heat pump, you won’t have to worry about this step since it uses the same outdoor unit to heat your home. However, if you have an all-in-one air conditioner/furnace combo, you should take a little time to go outside to your outdoor unit and switch your air conditioning unit off in the little box nearby to protect it during the coldest months.

Clean Out Your Air Conditioning System

After a long summer, and monsoon season, your air conditioning system is likely caked with dust and debris, especially around its fins and coils. And while this may not seem like a big deal now, it is likely to compromise your system’s efficiency next season if you leave it to get even filthier. That’s why, we recommend most property owners to spend at least a little time cleaning everything out between the seasons. It’s even easier than you think, simply:
- Turn your unit all the way off;
- Remove all large debris from around the system’s fins (leaves, sticks, etc.);
- Unscrew and open up the top of the unit to expose the copper coils wrapped around the inside of the unit;
- Spray the coils down with water using a gentle/medium hose pressure, taking special care to avoid the fan motor, or any other electrical components;
- Generously apply professional HVAC coil cleaner and let it sit for at least 10 minutes to effectively dissolve any dust/grime buildup;
- Rinse again to remove any leftover cleaner and/or grime;
- Use the hose one last time, on the same lower setting, to clean off the fins and other external components.
Once the unit is completely clean and dry, a cover can be added to further protect it from the elements during the off-season – unless you have a heat pump. Because heat pumps use the same outdoor unit for heating and cooling, if you have one you will want to leave your outdoor unit uncovered all year long.

Schedule A Tune-Up For Your Heating System

Like any eye exam or annual check up at the doctors is good for you, getting your HVAC systems checked out every season is good for your property’s overall health and efficiency. A thorough inspection will let you know what kind of shape your heating system is in, what kind of maintenance or repairs it might need before it starts getting cooler, and at the very least will prevent you from suffering through winter without heat because of any unexpected breakdown.

Ready to schedule your check up, or get your HVAC systems professionally cleaned? Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling has your back. Whatever you need to get you property ready for the new season, just let us know and we will make sure it’s taken care of as soon as possible! Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855 for a free consultation*, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar, to see how we can help.
December 31, 2020