AC Installation and Air Conditioning for Older Homes

Nina Ortiz

Older homes can be particularly attractive to property buyers who prefer old-world charm. Some may be attached to a particular design style, while others appreciate the cozy warmth of an aged residential property.

But with its charm come challenges when it comes to renovation and refurbishing needs. An old home has to keep up with the times too. One of the significant upgrades that will be needed by any older home is a new air conditioning system. An HVAC or AC Unit usually lasts for 10-15 years. Any system more aged than that could be inefficient already.

For property owners who are planning AC installation or upgrading their air conditioning for their older property, here are some tips to keep in mind:

1. Have a reliable and licensed and reputable air conditioning services inspect the existing AC system. If the current system is centralized, have the ducts, vents and air registers checked too. Ask the contractor about his assessment of the current system.
2. If the contractor says the current HVAC unit is more than 15 years old and would need to be replaced, it is time to upgrade the HVAC system. If however the past owner of the house has recently updated the AC system, and the unit needs a thorough cleaning or air conditioning repair San Diego, then have it done.
3. When in need of a new HVAC unit or AC System, it is best to draw up a plan. Evaluate the household’s needs. Determine the budget and what it can cover in terms of available systems in the market. At this point, one needs to canvass. A good starting point though is to ask the contractor for his recommendations about the most efficient system that could be used given the house set up. Some older homes may not have ducts and vents for a centralized AC system, so keep these in mind.
4. It would also be helpful to make sure that arrangements are made for the pull-out of the old unit. Some HVAC stores may offer free pull out of the old unit. They can even provide a discount for giving them the old unit. For window or split type units that can no longer be used, check the community regulations in disposing of worn-out air conditioning appliances. Keep in mind the tips mentioned above for a hassle-free installation or upgrade of a new air conditioning unit in an older home.

How to prolong the life of an Air Conditioning Unit

The air conditioning in 92129 makes everyone in the household feel comfortable day and night. Without it, even the overall mood at home could get affected since a worn-out AC could easily cause stress due to the discomfort it brings. 

The good news is homeowners can prolong the life of their respective AC units. By carefully keeping the air conditioner well-maintained, they could make the most of their investment in their air conditioning units.

Keeping the air conditioning well-maintained

Air conditioners work at its optimal state when it is well-maintained. Good maintenance of the air conditioning system is the result of a partnership of the property owner, and a reliable air conditioning repair company. This is because the homeowner has the responsibility to do the day-to-day maintenance of the AC system, while the air conditioning professional has to carry out periodic technical maintenance and inspection of the cooling system. 

The above-mentioned tag-team approach will surely make any AC system last much longer. Since the system stays cleaner, and issues are resolved sooner, the air conditioner is bound to operate efficiently. 

Caring for the AC filter

The AC is one of the lifeblood of the air conditioning system. Ignore it and it will cause problems within months. Dirty air filters make it harder for the AC to handle air coming from the home. It makes the AC work harder, giving way to premature wearing out of AC parts and components. Once these parts get worn out, the AC could break down, and require replacement well ahead of its end-of-life stage. Sign of a broken AC

There are two types of AC filters, the disposable and then the reusable. Disposable AC filters are usually replaced within three months. Reusable AC filters on the other hand need cleaning every two weeks. Both types of filters have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. While reusable filters may seem inconvenient to use because it has to be washed from time to time, it is friendlier to the environment and is more cost-effective. 

Disposable filters, on the other hand, are easy to use since it is essentially dumped and replace. However, it means periodic expense and additional garbage. Not having an available filter to replace the old one could also hamper the maintenance of an AC system. It means having to order the filters in advance or buying them regularly from a physical store.     

Checking on the condenser

The condenser may be outside the house, but it should not be out of the homeowner’s mind. Homeowners should periodically check on their AC’s outer unit since it has a significant impact on the operational efficiency of the air conditioning unit. Condensers must be free from debris, should not be covered by anything, and should not have any other item within 18 inches of its perimeter so that airflow to and from the unit will not get hampered. 

Cleaning the AC vents

Homeowners should also keep AC vents clean by periodically wiping them down. The homeowner should also take time to have their AC ducts pest-proofed to avoid having dead rodents, insects, and the like from causing malodor throughout the house.   

How to Hire an Electrician in San Diego

Nina Ortiz

Tips on Hiring an Expert Licensed Electrician

Hiring an electrician for the first time may be tricky, especially for first-time homeowners. For one, with the thousands of electrical contractors in an area, it could be difficult to choose whom to trust, and who can do the job right.

Then there are requirements in rendering service per state. Not all homeowners are familiar with these requirements and how to find out whether the electrician contractor they are planning to hire complies with such. So how to hire an electrician in San Diego?

Crowdsourcing for one’s social media account, and asking for referrals from friends and family who may have had electrical work done can greatly help.  This is because for sure they will not recommend an electrician who did a lousy service in their property. San Diego Electrical contractor

One may also use search engines, and third party ratings websites to check out electricians and electrical contractors in San Diego. This way, one can peruse their offerings, and even see the reviews left by their clients.

At least three electrician contractors should be considered for the job, and it will be best to interview them to find out more about the services that they offer, their usual timeline, the scope of work, and how they usually carry out a contract. During the interview, a potential client can also inquire about reference persons that he or she may get in touch with to ask how the contractor performed in their transaction.

Service Ratings Website Angie’s List came up with six guide questions property owners should ask before sealing the deal with an Escondido CA Electrician contractor.

“Do you have a business license? In addition to having a valid electrician’s license, check whether the contractor is licensed to operate a business in your area, and confirm that the license is current, Rubin says. Many states have a searchable database for licensed businesses on their Secretary of State’s office websites. Do you offer a warranty? Ask whether the parts or labor or both are under warranty and how long that warranty is effective, Rubin says. A good electrician will offer a warranty, he adds.”

Read about the four other questions from the original article here.

The website Networx.com also came up with several questions homeowners should inquire from an electrical contractor they wish to hire.

“Are you licensed? Electricians are required to be licensed in most states and municipalities, so don’t consider one who isn’t properly licensed. There are two basic levels of licensure: A master electrician has at least two years of professional experience and is licensed for both design and installation of electrical systems. A journeyman is licensed for installation only. In some areas, journeymen must work alongside masters. Are you insured? Certainly one of the deal-breaker electrician questions, given the potentially high liability for this work. Electrical contractors should carry at least $500,000 in liability and workers’ compensation insurance.”

The eight other questions can be found here.

Hiring a good electrician can be tricky but with due diligence, a property owner can land a contract with a licensed expert.