Author Archives: Bruce's Air Conditioning

Two adorable kittens peacefully sleeping together on a cozy blanket.

Keeping Your Home Comfy: Ideal Thermostat Settings for an Arizona Winter


This entry was posted in Heating on by .

When winter truly hits Arizona, the weather can get quite chilly during the nighttime hours. However, afternoon highs still typically reach the 60s and 70s. With this drastic difference between daytime and nighttime temperatures, efficiently programming your thermostat is key to staying comfortable while avoiding high energy bills.

So, what’s the best thermostat setting for our Valley of the Sun winters? Read on for tips.

Go Smart 

The first step is deciding whether you want to manually adjust your thermostat daily or program it and largely set it and forget it. Smart, programmable models allow you to set different target temperatures for different times of day. This way, you can let temperatures dip down at night when you need less heating.

Set the Right Daytime Temperature

When you’re home during the day, set your thermostat between 68-72° F for comfortable warmth. Any lower than 68° and you might start feeling chilly. Any higher than 72° risks overheating and wasting energy.

Around 70° F is ideal, letting you feel cozy without constantly turning on the heat. The exact number depends on your personal preference too. Go with what feels best for your household. You want to aim to minimize how often your HVAC heater runs while maintaining a pleasing temperature.

Lower the Temperature at Night

Plan on setting your thermostat back about 8-10°F at night when sleeping. There’s no need to keep your home as warm overnight when you’re tucked under warm blankets.

So, if you keep your home at 70°F during the day, dropping the thermostat down to about 60-62°F at night can save energy without sacrificing comfort. You might need an extra blanket, but the savings can be worth it.

Watch Out for Extreme Cold Spells 

While Arizona winters overall tend to remain mild to moderate, we occasionally get stretches of extreme cold. When temperatures dip into the 30s or lower, even at night, nudging your thermostat up another 2-4 degrees can offset the increased chill.

Stay Cozy and Comfortable 

Following these winter thermostat tips will help every Valley of the Sun homeowner stay cozy while keeping your energy usage in check. Programmable smart thermostat models make this easy to do. For additional tips this winter, call your heating experts at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating. Call us today at 480-968-5652 to speak with one of our certified technicians or to schedule an appointment. Bruce’s always offers fast and reliable service.

A contemporary living room with a spacious window offering ample natural light.

The Right HVAC for Your Home in 2024


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When it comes to new home construction, Phoenix metro is one of the busiest regions in the United States. The forecast is for a steady increase in population over the next decade, making our region one of the fastest growing areas in the U.S. With this exponential growth, one thing is for certain. All those incoming families need homes to live in and plenty of air conditioning. If you are in the process of having a new house built, remodeling, or buying a new home for your family, it’s a good idea to plan ahead and ensure your HVAC needs are given the attention they deserve.

HVAC Systems May Not Be a Top Developer Priority

When it comes to designing new homes, architects and builders tend to focus on current trends and eye-catching options like open floor plans, big chef-friendly kitchens, and sizable family great rooms. Formal dining rooms and separate living rooms are becoming relics of the past. Hidden HVAC systems often take a back seat in terms of design and specifications. However, when the summer temperatures hit triple digits in the Valley of the Sun, nothing will seem more important than the air conditioning in your new home.

Consult with Our Experts Before Construction or Remodeling Starts

If you are in the design phase of your new home project, consider giving your local HVAC experts at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating a call. Our staff has the experience, knowledge, and expertise that builders simply don’t have. Often, a simple HVAC design or engineering recommendation can save loads of expense down the road. Also, if you are buying a new home or remodeling, it’s a great idea to have us perform an inspection before you purchase or begin remodeling so we can inform you of the current state and efficiency of your HVAC system. We can help you in all phases of assessing, choosing, and designing an HVAC system.

The Right HVAC System Will Give You Years of Comfort in Your New Home

Choosing the best HVAC system for your new home and the right contractor for installation are crucial decisions you’ll need to make. Why not give us a call today at 480-968-5652 and we’ll be happy to help you decide what’s right for you and your home. This can be one of the best gifts you can give your family in 2024.

Happy holidays text on wooden background, with a warm and festive atmosphere.

Have a Warm Happy Holidays with These Five Heating Tips


This entry was posted in Heating on by .

Winter officially arrived on December 21 in the Valley of the Sun! Overnight low temperatures often dip well below 50 degrees during this season. This means you’ll want to ensure your heating system is working optimally. Take a look at the following five HVAC tips for this holiday season to help you stay comfortably warm.

Seal Openings

It’s not uncommon, even in newer homes, for homeowners to experience small sized cracks in doors, windows, and other openings. When heat escapes outdoors, your heating unit has to work overtime to maintain a warm environment indoors. Bruce’s technicians can perform an energy audit to spot areas where heat is escaping and up to $150 of an energy audit is tax deductible.

Check Fire and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Fire and carbon monoxide detectors are designed to detect and alert you to the presence of smoke, fire, or dangerous levels of carbon monoxide in your home. They’re your first line of defense against potential disasters. It’s important to test these devices monthly and replace batteries yearly.

Replace Your Air Filters

When air filters are filled with dirt, dust, and other contaminants, it’s difficult to maintain indoor air quality. Clogged, dirty air filters not only hinder the function of your HVAC system, but they also reduce the quality of your indoor air and increase your monthly energy bill. By changing out filters once a month, you’ll get cleaner air circulating throughout your home.

Get a Heating Tune Up

Perhaps the single most important thing you can do to keep your HVAC system running smoothly is to get a tune up. HVAC systems require regular maintenance to keep them running properly and reduce the chances of components breaking down. You may want to consider purchasing a maintenance plan for even greater peace of mind to help you stay on track with your maintenance and to save on any repairs you may need down the road.

Choose a Quality, Locally Owned HVAC Company

These five tips can help improve your home’s comfort throughout the year while also enabling you to save money in reduced energy consumption. During this holiday season, our entire team at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating hopes you’re staying cozy inside your house with loved ones and friends.

Throughout the winter you can rely on Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating professionals for all your HVAC needs. To learn more, contact your expert team at Bruce’s today at 480-968-5652. We’re here for you around the clock 24/7/365.

Happy Holidays from the entire team at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating!

A cozy room with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree and a warm fireplace crackling with holiday cheer.

Holiday Heating Safety Tips


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With the holidays just around the corner, home heating safety concerns are important to keep in mind. Heater-related accidents and fires most often happen from November to February. Data from the National Fire Protection Association shows 46% of all home heating fires take place during this timeframe. And during the holidays, HVAC heating systems cause 12% of home fires.

Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating professionals want to make certain your family’s holiday season is HVAC safe and trouble-free. That’s why we’re sharing some safety tips from our expert team.

Check Around Heating Vents

Heated air blowing from a heating system vent can cause a fire if it’s in close vicinity to combustible materials such as holiday trees, decorations, wrapped gifts, home furnishings, or pet bedding. During the holiday season, walk around to locate your home’s heating vents to check that there’s plenty of room for the heated air to circulate.

Check Smoke Alarms and Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Once a fire begins, it can spread shockingly fast. Test all smoke alarms and carbon monoxide detectors monthly and change out batteries yearly. If your home uses natural gas, carbon monoxide detectors can alert you if there are potentially life-threatening levels of gas inside your house.

Change Air Filters

HVAC air filters clean the air that passes through your home’s air ducts. Dirty and clogged air filters can dramatically reduce your home’s indoor air quality. Heating systems that are running excessively due to blocked air filters are more prone to failure. If the air filter is clogged, dusty, molding, or torn, replace it with a new filter. Air filters should be checked at least monthly during the holiday season for excessive buildup if you have pets or family members with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory diseases.

Heating Tune Up

Fires and carbon monoxide leaks can all cause serious accidents and even death. These often happen due to system malfunctions from poorly maintained furnaces, heat pumps, or other home heating systems. One thing you can do to minimize the risk of fires related to home heating equipment is to schedule an HVAC system tune up. Regular tune ups ensure your system is ready for holiday guests and cooler weather.

Schedule an Appointment with Bruce’s

Want to learn more about heating system safety and how to keep the heat running smoothly all holiday season long? Give your expert technicians at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment. We’re available evenings, weekends, and holidays.

A heat pump system in a residential building, providing heating functions year-round.

Why You Should Consider a Heat Pump


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The Inflation Reduction Act introduced several financial incentives for homeowners wanting to make energy efficient upgrades. Some of the largest credits and rebates are for heat pumps. So, what’s a heat pump and what’s the federal tax credit available?

What’s a Heat Pump

A heat pump doesn’t burn fuel. Instead, it uses electricity to move warm air in or out of your home. Meaning a heat pump both heats and cools your home. It basically functions like a combined air conditioner and furnace. There are a number of different types of heat pumps available. A whole house heat pump is made up of two components with the heat pump installed outside and an air handler installed inside your home. These two parts work in conjunction to distribute warm air throughout the house during cold months or to remove heat and humidity from your home during hot months.

Heat Pump Fast facts

  • Environmentally, running a heat pump can significantly reduce carbon dioxide by over 50%.
  • Heat pumps have become more widespread due to their energy efficiency and minimal installation requirements. They can also be used as a supplement to your existing HVAC system.
  • Having good insulation and sealing any air leaks is important with a heat pump. With poor insulation or numerous air leaks, you’ll notice air drafts and cold spots more often. The good news is that if you’re an APS customer, you’ll be able to insulate your pocket with a $250 rebate. SRP residential electric customers can get a rebate up to $600.
  • A heat pump is two to four times more energy efficient than an electric furnace.
  • Most heat pumps generate only 40-50 decibels which is between the sound of a bird chirping to normal conversation noise.

Heat Pump Tax Credit

Beginning in 2023 through the end of 2032, homeowners are eligible for a 30% federal tax credit on the total cost of purchasing and installing a new heat pump. The maximum eligible credit is $2,000, the home must be in the U.S., and be an existing home that you improve on or add-on, not a new home.

Would you like to learn more about the benefits of purchasing and installing a heat pump? Call your experts at Bruce’s Air Conditioning & Heating today at 480-968-5652 to schedule an appointment.