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Prepare Now for Turning on the AC

Unlike most of the country that is still dealing with an especially challenging winter, here in the Valley of the Sun, we’re already beginning to enjoy warmer daytime temperatures. Soon, it will be time to turn on your air conditioning system once again. Are you ready to flip the switch?

It can be incredibly frustrating when you want to turn on your air conditioner on a warm afternoon, and it doesn’t work. The good news is that this can be prevented with these four simple steps that you can take now before temperatures begin to soar. Here’s what you need to do to get prepared.

Test the System

Typically, HVAC system failures occur when the air conditioning is turned on for the first time after a long break. To test out your HVAC, turn down the temperature on the thermostat and change the setting to cool. Make sure you hear the unit turn on, then check to make certain that you feel cool air coming from the vents in each room. If not, you may need to do some DIY troubleshooting or contact your local HVAC experts at Bruce’s.

Replace Your Air Filters

Keeping your HVAC filter clean can cut energy use up to 15 percent and increase the lifespan of your air conditioner. In dusty climates like ours, it’s recommended that you clean or replace your filter every one to three months. You’ll want to change out the air filter even more frequently if you have pets that shed, during monsoon season, or you have allergy sufferers in your house.

Check Your System’s Drainage

Air conditioning units tend to get clogged over time. This is particularly relevant for homeowners with outside condensers. Clogs happen when dust, dirt, leaves, and vegetation build up in the drain pan and around the unit. When an air conditioner can’t drain properly, water flow can be impeded in the drain lines. Sometimes this will result in the growth of mold and mildew potentially getting into your home’s indoor air.

Time for a Tune Up

A seasonal maintenance tune up is important for keeping your air conditioner working at optimal performance. Many times, regular maintenance is necessary for your HVAC system’s warranty. At Bruce’s, we highly encourage our customers to take advantage of our semi-annual HVAC system tune ups. Call us today at 480-968-5652 to schedule your tune-up with your locally owned Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating.

Five Common HVAC Issues

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Sometimes you just know when something is wrong with your HVAC system. Maybe the air keeps running continuously, or you’re hearing unusual sounds inside your home. Here are the most common symptoms that homeowners experience—and their likely causes.

1. Strange Noises

Hearing noises you don’t normally hear from your HVAC system? Maybe a squealing or whining noise? Rasping, rattling, or grinding noises can be a concern if you hear them during normal operation. These noises may be an indication that components like bearings and belts are wearing out. Some noises can be caused by fan motors or air circulation issues. Your first call should be to your local expert maintenance and repair professionals. They’ll be able to quickly diagnose the potential causes of these noises.

2. Tripping Breakers

A tripped breaker fuse often means something is blocking the airflow to your HVAC system. Reduced air flow will cause the system to overheat and the breaker to trip. Anything from a dirty air filter to blocked air ducts, or dirty condenser coils can cause this problem.

3. Dirty Filters

Have you noticed that your air conditioning system is taking longer than usual to heat up or cool down your home? Most likely dirty and clogged air filters are the culprit. When air filters are clogged, your HVAC system goes into overtime to try and keep the indoor air circulating. Changing the air filters at least every 30 days will ensure air is circulating properly and make your system components less susceptible to overheating.

4. Running Blower

Continuously running blower fans may result from the thermostat being set to the fan position. If your thermostat is not set to the fan position, then the fan relay in your HVAC system may be stuck. When this happens, the blower fan will run to keep the unit from overheating.

5. Leaking Coolant

The cooling system in air conditioners has the same working principle as refrigerators. A good indicator of coolant problems is abnormal temperature spikes. The AC may be running but the temperature of the room may not be dropping to the desired level. While this may also indicate a faulty thermostat, the level of the coolant in the AC unit should be checked.

As a homeowner in Arizona, you can count on the certified technicians from Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating to swiftly diagnose and resolve all your HVAC system issues. Call us today at 480-968-5652 to schedule your appointment. Anytime of the day or night, Bruce’s is here for you.

Six Ways to Save on Heating Bills

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Homeowners across Arizona have seen energy bills skyrocket during this unseasonably cold winter. The good news is that there are some simple ways to slash your utility bills while still keeping your home toasty warm and comfortable. So, grab a comfy blanket and a warm cup of your favorite beverage, and let’s get saving!

1. Close Doors in Unused Rooms

Just like turning off the lights when you leave a room, the same thing goes for closing the door when you leave a room. Keeping the door shut enables the heat to stay in a room, enabling your HVAC system to not have to keep pumping out air to warm the room.

2.Program The Thermostat

Your thermostat can be a surprisingly effective tool when it comes to saving on your home heating bill. The Department of Energy estimates that homeowners can save up to 10% annually on their home heating bills by lowering their thermostat seven degrees. That’s a big savings by simply lowering the temperature while you’re at work, on vacation, or asleep.

3.Change Out Air Filters

You could be throwing dollars away simply because you haven’t replaced your HVAC system filters. This is an easy project that should be done each month. By doing so, you can reduce the load on your system which in turn saves you money.

4.Lower Water Heater Setting

The factory default for water heaters is typically 120 degrees. You definitely don’t need water this hot to take a shower or to do your dishes. Since the water heater is one of the primary users of electricity or gas in a home, turning down the temperature can go a long way towards reducing your heating costs.

5.Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance

Preventative maintenance on your heating system is the best way to keep it working optimally. A system that is properly running will use less power and stay working longer.

6.Clear Heating Vents

Keep all vents and your HVAC unit outdoors free of debris and vegetation. Not only will this prevent fires, but it will also make sure your air is clean and the lifespan of your system is maintained for the duration it’s designed for.

Saving on you heating energy bills allows your budget some room to breathe. Put the savings aside and use it for your other family goals this year. The professionals at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating have additional ways to help you save on your heating bills. Give us a call today at 480-968-5652.

Top Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Indoor airquality icons, orange house, blue waves, green check mark

After a single exposure to a pollutant, some immediate health effects can potentially appear, including irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, headaches, dizziness, and fatigue according to data from the EPA. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) health effects can also show up many years later which may include respiratory diseases, heart disease, premature death, and cancer.

How can you limit exposure to both short-term and long-term pollutant sources in the Valley of the Sun? A key step is to limit concentrations of certain particulates in your indoor air. Second, would be to pay close attention to improving indoor ventilation and reducing or eliminating sources such as smoking, cleaning fluids, hobbies releasing high concentrations of pollutants, and fixing malfunctioning appliances.

Decreasing Indoor Allergens

There are many sources of indoor pollution that can trigger health problems, such as allergies and asthma. Dirt, dust, and other particulates being blown out from an HVAC systems are a primary source of poor indoor air quality. Wood burning fireplaces and air fresheners are two other sources of allergens.
One of the best ways to combat these triggers for asthma and allergies is with an air cleaner with a HEPA filter which can remove the majority of particulates in the air including dust, pollen, pet hair, dander, dust mites, mildew, fungus, smoke, and bacteria.
At Bruce’s Air Conditioning and Heating, we specialize in helping homeowners improve their indoor air quality. We offer a variety of air cleaning systems that can dramatically improve the quality of air inside your house.

Control Sources of Pollution

Yes, this means dusting and cleaning on a regular basis, so that particles don’t get stirred up and airborne. Regular surface cleaning off floors, blinds, drapes, furniture, and decorative items is a must.

Improve Indoor Ventilation

Opening up windows and sliding glass doors to let fresh air in can improve your indoor air quality. This can also limit exposure to viruses, such as COVID-19, RSV, influenza, and colds.

Install Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Leaking furnaces, water heaters, ranges, and clothes dryers can cause dangerous air quality issues. If you have gas appliances, you will definitely want to install and maintain carbon monoxide detectors to alert you if you should ever have a leak.

We encourage you to call Bruce’s Air Conditioning and Heating, so our IAQ experts can help you improve the quality of your indoor air. We’re happy to inspect your home, make recommendations, and install a system that will greatly reduce health problems associated with poor indoor air quality. Call us today 24/7/365 at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment.

Keep Your HVAC System Running Smoothly

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HVAC system on the outside of a house

Nights and mornings are still chilly in the Valley of the Sun. When your HVAC system isn’t operating as well as it should be, you may be dealing with ever higher utility bills. You’ll want to follow these tips while the winter chill is still here to make certain your heating system is working as efficiently as it should be.

Vents

Often overlooked, blocked or excessively dirty HVAC vents can block warm air from freely flowing inside your home. Clean vents mean your HVAC system doesn’t have to run as long to circulate air, saving you money on monthly energy bills.

Attic

You’ll want to make certain your attic isn’t hindering your HVAC system from operating at peak operating condition. By insulating the attic properly, you’ll be able to keep warm air from escaping outside. A home inspection by an experienced contractor will allow you to know how much heat your attic is currently losing outdoors. A well-insulated attic will save you money on energy costs winter, spring, and all summer long.

Schedule Maintenance

Your HVAC system requires routine maintenance to operate at peak performance. You can easily set up a schedule based on advice from the expert technicians at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Twice yearly maintenance is recommended to identify potential issues and repair any malfunctioning components. Bruce’s can keep you up to date on any system upgrades available for your HVAC’s age and condition.

Thermostat

One of the best ways to guarantee that your HVAC system operates at maximum efficiency is to use a programmable thermostat. By installing a programmable thermostat, you’ll be able to adjust the heating and cooling of your home at different times of the day. By doing this small step, you can decrease your monthly energy bills up to 20 percent.

Outside Units

You’ll want to do a visual inspection around your outdoor HVAC equipment to make sure there isn’t dirt, debris, or gravel blocking it. Clear out any leaves or branches from the outside unit. Dust and debris buildup on the condenser unit or compressor may lead to decreased efficiency and damage. Other foreign objects can damage coolant lines and coil fins. You’ll want to trim weeds and grass to help promote good airflow and reduce system wear and tear. If anything gets lodged in the outside unit, contact your local HVAC company to remove the object safely.

If you experience any HVAC system malfunction or would like to schedule routine maintenance, call your professionals at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Our dedicated, trusty technicians are available today at 480-968-5652 to help ensure your HVAC system is running efficiently all year long.