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How cool should my house be if it's over 100 outside?

desert
The summer temperatures in Palm Desert, California are here and it's HOT outside. Many people have received their second or third summer electric bills – and they're literally breaking out in a sweat over the amount due!

When it's about 110 degrees in Palm Desert, Palm Springs, or Indio, California, it's hot enough for anyone and anything. Learn the best way for you to set your thermostat this summer – even if it's not exactly what you want to hear or you prefer a relatively chilly indoor air temperature.

The Case for a Warmer Indoor Air Temperature

Making “the case” for a warmer indoor air temperature during the summer rests on three truisms:

The California Energy Commission recommends that homeowners set their thermostat to 78 degrees when they're home and 85 degrees when they're away from home during the summer. Note that this is a better strategy than turning off your air conditioner on 100-degree days – so that you don't return home to indoor air that feels like a sauna, and so that your air conditioner won't have to run as long to cool your home upon your return.

The center's advice is based on the U.S. Department of Energy's often repeated mantra about thermostat controls and saving energy: when you can adjust your thermostat by between 10 and 15 degrees for eight hours at a stretch – higher during the summer and lower during the winter – you can save between 5 and 15 percent on your utility bill. This one adjustment can add up to considerable savings, though it might mean sticking with a minimalist wardrobe during the summer (and reaching for a sweater during the winter).

Keep Your Cool

Admittedly, some people simply do not tolerate warm weather well. And some people suffer from health issues that make a cool indoor air temperature an absolute necessity.

Be sure to make allowances for such conditions and take proactive measures to help you stay cool indoors with or without air conditioning -- and even before the temperature soars to three digits outdoors:

When it's 100 degrees outdoors, you're likely to feel the heat indoors. Ensuring that your home is properly sealed and insulated against air leaks will mitigate your discomfort – and help keep your utility bills in check.

Call NexGen HVAC & Plumbing

Our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction make us the leading HVAC company in Southern California. To learn more about our equipment, services, and protection plan, book an appointment online or call 888-277-0415.

3 Desert Air Conditioning Tips

desert
When 110 degree weather is a normal occurance, you know you live in Palm Springs. Sure, that desert heat is great for a day out at the pool, but keeping your home cool can become a nightmare.

Don’t worry:

We’ve created a list of the top 3 desert air conditioning tips you need to know to keep your AC working right, and keep your home cool without breaking the bank.

#1 Change Your Air Filter More Often!

The recommended air filter maintenance you hear about from other sources are for ordinary environments. When you live in Palm Springs, Palm Desert, or anywhere else in the Coachella Valley, you need to adjust your air filter maintenance accordingly. The Coachella Valley is windy, and that hot wind carries a lot of dust.

Think about it:
Your AC is filtering out all that desert dust to keep the air in your home pleasant to breathe, every single day! Tack on 100+ degree weather, and your AC is working really hard to keep you happy! Pay it forward by replacing your air filter more than once per year. In fact, we recommend you change your air filter every season. Extreme desert weather calls for a new air filter at least once every 3 months.

Your AC unit will thank you, and you’ll be much happier knowing your AC is working efficiently. You may want to also invest in a high quality air purifier for even higher quality air in your home!

#2 Make Sure Your AC is Getting Proper Air Flow.

Have you ever felt short of breath?
That’s what your AC is feeling when the outside unit is covered in dirt and debris.

When was the last time you checked your outdoor AC unit?
We’re willing to bet that it’s been a while. Go out back and really inspect your AC condenser (that’s what the outdoor part of your AC is called).

You may be surprised!
If you went ahead and checked your AC right now, you may be surprised as to all the junk you found lodged in the grates.

That’s right!
All that junk is blocking your AC’s air flow which is pretty bad for your AC unit’s lifespan and efficiency. Factor in the extreme desert heat and you’ve got a recipe for a broken air conditioner.

#3 Don’t turn off your AC!

Have you ever heard of the saying, “it’s hard do get a train going, but once it does, it’s hard to stop?”.

That train is your AC unit! It’s much, much easier on your AC unit to maintain a constant temperature throughout the day than to cool the house on and off. In a way, you can call this temperature momentum. Once the house is cooled down to your desired temperature, you home’s AC has a lot of momentum going and it doesn’t have to work as hard. In Palm Springs where inside temperatures can reach over 100 degrees, it can cost a fortune trying to pull the temperature back down to 70 all the time. Set it to 68-78 and keep it there! If you want the most bang for your buck, check out these cool Nest thermostats!

Call NexGen Today

Our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction make us the leading HVAC company in Southern California. To learn more about our equipment, services, and protection plan, book an appointment online or call 888-277-0415.

Can Your Heater Handle This Winter?

packaged heat pump
The last thing any homeowner wants is a freezing home. If you are cautious, you’d always want to have your heating unit regularly maintained, but it’s sometimes impossible to predict when you’ll need repairs. Scheduling regular HVAC maintenance will help solve any potential or current issues before you go through another cold night without heat.

General Repair And Maintenance Practices  

If you choose not to have your furnace regularly maintained, you are likely to void the manufacturer’s warranty. In fact, when your heater breaks down and you do not bother to have a professional look at it,  you might have to repair or replace your entire heater, which will end up costing you more.

If the filters are not regularly inspected, they can restrict air flow, and this puts a lot of strain on the motor fan, which can eventually lead to overheating or equipment failure. There are also high chances that your indoor air quality might be drastically reduced and this can aggravate asthma, allergies and other illness.

Why You Should Regularly Change Your Furnace Filters   

Although most manufacturers recommend that you should have your heating unit filter changed every three months, it’s not a bad idea to check them on a monthly basis to see whether they are filled with debris and dirt. This prevents dust and other subtle substances from circulating in your home and maximizes your furnace’s airflow.

Also, regular replacements protect the critical parts of your heater that might end up causing unexpected damage and hefty repair costs. Apart from the three-month maintenance cycle, you should have a yearly routine inspection to keep your HVAC running like new.

If you abide by the manufacturer's requirement regarding servicing and maintenance, you will hardly run into issues. That being the case, if you have any concerns regarding your heating unit or want it checked for any potential problems, you should get in touch with an HVAC expert and schedule an appointment.

Annual Heating System Tune-Up

Most of the residential heating systems have a lifespan of between twelve to fifteen years. However, your heating unit will have an even shorter duration without proper preventive maintenance. Therefore, scheduling an annual heater tune-up is the best way to ensure that your furnace is working optimally.

If you experience any issues at the heart of the season, it's best if you immediately contact an HVAC technician to attend to the problem as soon as possible. That aside, if there is a prediction of harsh winter then it’s best if you contact a professional to inspect your heating unit beforehand.

Winter is one of the seasons you don’t want to be caught off guard especially when it comes to keeping your home warm. Therefore, if you take note of these precautionary measures, you shouldn’t have to worry when the cold season approaches.

Call NexGen Today

Our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction make us the leading HVAC company in Southern California. To learn more about our equipment, services, and protection plan, book an appointment online or call 888-277-0415.

Reasons Your Heater is Blowing Cold Air

woman sitting on the floor wrapped in a blanket

Expert Heater Repair in Los Angeles

Having a heater or heating system that blows cold air is a common problem. However, if you don’t take the right steps right away, this might cause you to incur heavy replacement costs. So the first time you feel a blast of cold air from your heater, here are a few things which need your attention.

Sometimes, these issues are easy to fix and you can resolve them on your own. At other times, you may need the assistance of a professional HVAC service to restore the proper functionality of your heater.

Common Issues with Heaters Blowing Cold Air

Thermostat Settings

The most frequent reason heaters malfunction can be a faulty thermostat. The thermostat is a major component of any heating system and where major HVAC issues begin.

Take a look at the thermostat and set it to ‘auto’ instead of ‘on’. When you keep your thermostat to ‘on’ mode, it constantly runs its fan to blow out air, even when your furnace is not actually heating.

Pilot Light Gone Out

Another possible reason for getting cold air out of your heater could have to do with the pilot light. Chances are that the pilot light is out. The pilot light is the small flame that lights when you turn on the heater. Sometimes you just need to re-light the pilot light in order to fix the problem. Also, the gas valve of your heater may be shut off if you are using a gas heater.

Also, make sure that you are receiving gas at full pressure in your home. You can do this by checking your gas-powered oven or stove. In the case of the electric furnace, check the connections and make sure that you are receiving adequate power.

Inspect Air Filters

Clogged air filters are another reason you could be experiencing cold air from your heater. A restricted or limited air flow can cause your heater to overheat. As a safety precaution, this overheating shuts off your heater’s burners. This safety control is installed to prevent damage to your furnace. So inspect the air filters and clean them to allow proper air flow, cleaning them every month, and replacing them every three months.

Duct Problems

When your duct is leaking, it makes you feel as if your furnace has stopped working. This happens because the cold air from outside your attic easily crawlspace and enters your house through these duct holes. So before you blame your heater for malfunctioning, first check your duct for any leaks or cracks. This is relatively an easy issue to fix as opposed to calling up the assistance of an electrician to fix the heating system.

Speaking of which, not every heating system issue can be fixed as a DIY project. Therefore, don’t hesitate in taking the assistance of a professional, nor should you simply overlook the issue altogether.

Call NexGen Today

Our expertise and commitment to customer satisfaction make us the leading HVAC company in Southern California. To learn more about our equipment, services, and protection plan, book an appointment online or call 888-277-0415.