See all of that cardboard?  Just yesterday that was at one of our customers’ houses.  Our technician Ron told me that he had a customer who had a lot of cardboard in their garage but they didn’t know what to do with it.  As a courtesy, he offered to take it and recycle it for them.  Twenty minutes later his van was full and he was on his way back to our Service Center to drop it off.

Stories like that are what make me proud to work for AAA Heating & Air Conditioning.  Our employees strive to provide customer service that is above and beyond our customers’ expectations.  I have heard of technicians changing light bulbs, moving furniture, and even mowing the lawn!  And it doesn’t stop there… the lovely people you talk to when you call in to our office have even been known to look up information for callers  about other companies!

At AAA Heating & Air Conditioning, we strive to exceed your expectations in every way.  We promise that you won’t be disappointed!

Even though our weather is abysmal and dreary right now, we are about to head into the most glorious of seasons in Western Washington– the summer.  Soon we will have some hot weather coming our way and you will want to be prepared.  And I mean more than just rolling out the lemonade.  I’m talking about air conditioning.  We’ll discuss it more as the warm weather starts to arrive, but for the moment I wanted to pass on a fact I found interesting.  So many people in our area have the perception that air conditioning is rare in homes, but the U.S. Energy Administration reports that in reality, the percentage of homes with central air-conditioning has more than doubled since 1980, with nearly 60% of homes having a central system.  Some food for thought as you are pondering “To A.C. or not to A.C.”  (I know, sometimes I make really lame jokes.  Wait, you didn’t think it was funny?  It was, I promise).

Do you know what’s exciting?  Stumbling across the U.S. Energy Information Administration’s website filled with facts about the usage of energy in each individual state.  Oh wait, it’s just me who is happy at the discovery?  Admittedly, I am a bit of an information nerd, so sites filled with facts fill me with joy.  Let me synthesize the info on Washington State for you so that you can find the same thrill that I have in my heart.

• Power to us for our massive amount of renewable resources!  (Get the pun?)  Washington state is the largest producer of hydroelectric power in the nation.  And get this– In November 2006, Washington adopted a renewable energy standard that requires all utilities serving at least 25,000 people to produce 15 percent of their energy from renewable sources by 2020.
• If you’re thinking of leaving on a jet plane, you’re not the first.  Washington is among the highest users of jet fuel, mostly due to the military bases in the area.
• Your South King County heat pump might just be run on power from the Columbia Generating System, which generates 1/10th of the state’s power.  And you might also have a gas furnace like 1/3 of the state who uses gas as their primary source of home heating.

While I have provided you with some scintillating facts, I’m sure that you will want to read even more yourself.  Head on over to the U.S. Energy Website for more thrills.

Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system.  This is Part 8 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday.  If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here:  AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts

Did you know that you can get a $250 Puget Sound Energy rebate and up to a $1500 Federal Tax Credit just for putting in a new ENERGY STAR Heating or Cooling system?  You can read more about it here on our website:  Tax Credits for HVAC Equipment

Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR:  Take The ENERGY STAR Pledge

Source: www.energystar.gov

Glen J., AAA Heating & Air Conditioning Senior Technician

Q:  We recently moved into a newly built house and noticed that our furnace turns on and off frequently.  It will quickly get the house to the temperature we want it and shut off, but then turn back on again shortly afterward to start heating again.  Is this something we should be concerned about?  — Samuel Z., Maple Valley

A. It is possible that the furnace the builder put in the house is improperly sized.  Quite surprisingly, many homes, both new and old, have furnaces that are too large or too small for the space.  If the furnace is too small, it will run constantly because it is trying to keep up with the demands for heat that are put on it.  However, if a furnace is too large, it heats the home quickly and then shuts off quickly.  Because it is an inconsistent heat, the temperature falls soon, and the furnace is forced to come back on briefly to put out more heat.  It sounds like that could possibly be the problem at your home.  I would recommend scheduling a service technician to perform a full diagnostic on your furnace to determine if that truly is the cause or if there is more to the issue.  I would be happy to come out and take a look at it for you.  Just call our Kent Heating and Air Conditioning office at 253-630-9224 and they can set up an appointment for you.

If you have a question for Glen, our knowledgeable Senior Technician, submit it using our communication form and you might just be featured on our blog!

Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system.  This is Part 6 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday.  If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here:  AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts

If you are looking to replace or install new ENERGY STAR high-efficiency heating or cooling equipment, you need to find a good company to work with.  Reputable companies will:

• Perform an on-site inspection of the work you want completed and provide a detailed proposal in a timely manner
• Demonstrate to you that the company is licensed and insured to repair and install heating and cooling equipment
• Have many years of experience as a business in your community
• Provide examples of quality installation of energy-efficient heating and/or cooling equipment work, with names of customers you can contact
• Complete and submit warranty information on your behalf
• Leave all equipment manuals and provide documentation of installation procedures, such as an AHRI certificate
• Clearly explain the benefits of regular maintenance and help you set up a schedule to keep your system operating at its best

Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR: Energy Star Quality Installations

Source: www.energystar.gov

Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system.  This is Part 4 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday.  If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here: AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts

Programmable Thermostat

Programmable thermostats are ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week.  Through proper use, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.  The US Environmental Protection Agency recommends that you do the following to get the greatest benefit from your thermostat:

• Install the thermostat away from heating or cooling registers, appliances, lighting, doorways, fireplaces, skylights and windows, and areas that receive direct sunlight or drafts.  Interior walls are best.
• Keep the thermostat set at energy saving temperatures for long periods of time, such as when no one is home and at bedtime.
• Resist the urge to override the preprogrammed settings.  Every time you do, you use more energy and may end up paying more on your energy bill.  The exception to this would be if you were to go on vacation and put the system on “hold” at a lower temperature.
• Change your batteries each year if your thermostat runs on batteries.

You can always call us at AAA Heating & Air Conditioning to install a programmable thermostat for you.  The most popular kind we sell is the programmable touchscreen thermostat, and many of our customers who have made the switch tell us they are extremely happy with how easy it is to use and how it has made their lives easier and more comfortable.  You can reach us at 253-630-9224.

Next time in our series on ENERGY STAR: Choosing the Right Equipment

Source: www.energystar.gov

A Walla Walla, WA elementary school recently was found with exceptionally high levels of radon in the air.  The radon was especially present after hours and on the weekends when the heating & cooling system was shut off.  The school decided to keep the units running constantly to keep the naturally occurring radioactive gas from reaching dangerous levels until a permanent solution could be found.

While homeowners won’t have to necessarily worry about high levels of radon in their houses, this story does bring a message about the power of your furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner.  A good filter on your system will collect dust and other allergens, and allow your family to breathe well.  We strongly recommend talking to a heating or cooling company about your filtration options to ensure that the air inside of your home is healthy for you and your family.  You can always call us at 253-630-9224 and we would be happy to answer any questions over the phone for you.

If you furnace stops working, DO NOT use your oven to heat your home.  This practice is extremely dangerous and can start fires.  One Washington family learned this the hard way when their landlord told them that the furnace wasn’t working so they had to use their ovens.  The open oven started a fire, and as KOMOnews.com reports, a grandmother was killed with two of her granddaughters.

Because AAA Heating & Air Conditioning cares about helping our customers save money and improve the environment, we wanted to help you make sense of the ENERGY STAR® program and what it means for your heating or cooling system.  This is Part 2 of a 9 part series on the subject that is published every other Thursday.  If you missed our previous posts, you can find them here: AAA Heating & Air Conditioning ENERGY STAR blog posts

Dirt and neglect are the top causes of heating and cooling system inefficiencies and failures, according to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.  Performing routine maintenance is key to ensuring that your heating or cooling system runs efficiently at a lower cost to you, as well as extending the life of the unit.

We agree with the EPA and strongly recommend changing your filter on a regular basis, approximately every 2 months.  We also agree that having a trained technician perform maintenance on your heating system once a year and cooling system once a year is also crucial to the health and efficiency of your units.

The EPA recommends the following checklist for the overall system maintenance.  At AAA Heating & Air Conditioning, we do all of this and more:

• Check thermostat settings
• Tighten all electrical connectiosn and measure voltage and current on motors
• Lubricate moving parts
• Check and inspect the condensate drain in your central air conditioniner, furnace, and/or heat pump
• Check system controls to ensure proper and safe operation
• Inspect, clean, or change the air filter
• Inspect the flue piping
• Check all gas connections, gas pressure, burner combustion, and heat exchanger
• Clean indoor and outdoor coils
• Check refrigerant charges and adjust as necessary
• Clean and adjust blower components to provide proper system airflow

Give us a call at 253-630-9224 if you want more information on the importance of maintaining your system or to schedule an appointment with one of our specially trained technicians.

Next week in our series on ENERGY STAR: Sealing Duct Work

Source: www.energystar.gov