Category: Heating and Cooling

For years, temperatures across Arizona have soared above 100 degrees, and there’s no sign of getting any cooler anytime soon. At least, not outside. The temperature inside your property, however, can be easily controlled. So long as you keep up with your HVAC maintenance.

What Is HVAC Maintenance?

HVAC maintenance can be quite time-consuming and take quite a bit of knowledge and skill, but that’s only because taking proper care of your HVAC systems is vital for maintaining their efficiency. Many property owners choose to outsource their HVAC maintenance to qualified professionals for this reason alone. Trained HVAC technicians, like ours at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling, have a comprehensive checklist they follow to guarantee every component of your system is fully functional. This can include filter changes, temperature tests, testing electrical components, checking refrigerant levels, and much more.

Why You Need HVAC Maintenance

There are plenty of appliances around your property that require little to no maintenance. Your HVAC systems, though, are not among them. In the summer alone, residents in Arizona pay the most in the country for air conditioning because of how hot it can get, often spending as much as 50% more than any other state to keep their properties sufficiently cool. Proper HVAC maintenance practices help prevent these costs from rising any higher by preventing inefficiencies and frequent repairs. Plus, it ensures your air conditioning will likely not fail you, even on the hottest day of the year.

Risks Of Neglecting HVAC Maintenance

Keeping up with your HVAC maintenance isn’t always easy, but it is important. What can start as simply a clogged filter reducing airflow can quickly turn into a frozen or short cycling evaporator coil and eventually lead to a system that doesn’t respond at all. And that’s the best-case scenario. Routine HVAC maintenance can help you detect and prevent other, more serious complications, like damaged compressor motors, refrigerant leaks, and more.

Don’t Do It All Yourself

There are plenty of ways you can help maintain your HVAC systems on your own, including keeping them clean and free of surrounding debris, changing your air filters, and making sure your vents are unobstructed to maintain proper airflow. However, when it comes to more technical maintenance, most of the time, you risk more harm than good trying to take care of everything yourself. If you’re serious about taking better care of your HVAC systems, you need a great HVAC partner!

To partner with Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling, we encourage you to reach out to one of our friendly technicians today. We’ll help you create a cost-effective maintenance strategy that accommodates your property’s unique demands. Call Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar.

Owning a furnace, or rather any HVAC system, requires you to change your filters frequently to optimize your system’s efficiency. Some filters, however, offer better protection for your furnace than others.

Thicker Is Better

The cheap one-inch filters you will find in any grocery store do a decent job of filtering your air compared to not having a clean filter or any filter at all. Compared to higher quality four and five-inch media filters, though, the difference is dramatic. This is because the thicker your filter is, the more surface area there is for trapping airborne bacteria, dust, and other particulates. It’s also easier for more air to flow through at once due to reduced airflow resistance.  

More Filter, More Savings

The higher the quality (thicker) of your furnace filter, the more chances you have to save money. Standard one-inch filters are flimsy and fade fast, lasting only one to three months while offering your property less protection. Thicker media filters typically last six months to a year and offer improved air quality and airflow that help keep your property comfortable. Meanwhile, you cut costs on your utility bills and extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Better Filter, Better Seal

Another reason to opt for a thicker filter with your next replacement is the seal. The thicker the filter, the tighter the seal, which means no air is sneaking past the cracks and crevices surrounding your filter and tainting your air quality. Thicker media filters have durable cardboard edging, and some even have plastic trim for an airtight seal you can fit right in.

Optimizing Furnace Efficiency

If your number one concern regarding your HVAC is efficiency so you can reduce your long-term HVAC costs, you cannot skimp on your filter. Because thicker filters enhance the quality and output of your airflow, there’s much less pressure on your system as a whole. It is able to create and distribute warm, clean air quickly and evenly throughout your property. One-inch filters get dirtier, faster, which means more work for you way more often.

MERV Rating

A filter’s MERV rating refers to how well it filters out microscopic particulates to protect your home. How high you should go with your MERV rating choice depends on your furnace, though. You don’t want to get a filter that’s too thick for an older/single-speed furnace that lacks the power to force air through it. You want a filter that fits your furnace right, and the easiest way to find out is by getting a professional opinion.

Our skilled furnace specialists at Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling are happy to help you with anything your property’s HVAC systems need. We’ll help you change out your furnace filter, give you advice about what kind of filter will optimize your furnace’s efficiency the most, and more. Reach out to make an appointment anytime by calling Tru Comfort Heating and Cooling today at (602) 499-7855, or simply fill out the form in the sidebar.

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.

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.