April 22, 2014
Look no further than General Heating & Air Conditioning for all your HVAC needs in Pasadena CA Heating, air conditioning, and home comfort equipment can be expensive, so naturally you want to make sure you have an experienced and reliable HVAC contractor handling your investment. General Heating & Air Conditioning has over years of experience in heating and cooling, making us an excellent choice for keeping your home or business comfortable. Here are some of the main benefits of choosing us, a top rated licensed air conditioning contractor for Pasadena CA, for your cooling equipment needs this summer. We Have an Active Contractor’s License Since 1985, General Heating & Air Conditioning has maintained a C20 license from the California Contractors State License Board. This license certifies us to perform all kinds of HVAC equipment, including not only the appliances themselves but also the collateral equipment such as ducts, registers, flues, air filters, and humidity and thermostatic controls. In order to receive this license we had to pass a detailed exam showing technical mastery of our field. Our membership in the CSLB also provides customers with the assurance that we operate a reputable and reliable business as a top rated licensed…...
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April 17, 2014
Take a moment to prep your air conditioner now to make sure it cools well all summer long Before the long, hot days of summer actually arrive, you want to know your air conditioning system is going to be able to keep up. After all, wouldn’t you rather know about any performance or efficiency issues now, when you have ample time to correct them, rather than at high noon on a 100-degree day this summer? Fortunately, prepping your air conditioner to perform its best this summer is relatively easy, especially when you enlist the aid of an expert AC technician from General Heating & Air Conditioning. DIY Spring Cleaning There are a few pre-season AC maintenance tasks you can do on your own. First of all, check the filter to make sure it is clean. A dirty filter will not only make the air from your AC smell funny, but can also reduce the efficiency of the system by impeding air flow. Next, open up the unit and locate the evaporator and condenser coils. Carefully clean off any dust, dirt, or debris that may have accumulated. This will help the coils create cold air more efficiently. Finally, check the drain…...
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March 28, 2014
Thinking of purchasing a new air conditioner? General Heating & Air Conditioning can help you understand all the ins and outs of the process. An air conditioner can be a very important investment for a commercial or residential property owner, yet somehow many people end up with the wrong air conditioner for their needs. At General Heating & Air Conditioning, we can help you through the sometimes confusing process of comparing different models and selecting the unit that is best for your space and your needs. Here are 6 of the most important things we want to make sure you know before you choose your new air conditioner. You Don’t Have To Wait for Your Current Unit to Break First of all, you should know that you don’t have to wait for your air conditioner to actually stop working for a new unit to be a smart decision. If your current air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it could be overly noisy, dirty, or inefficient. You could reap significant benefits in terms of your personal comfort and your utility costs by upgrading to a new model now. Bigger Isn’t Better Many property owners make the mistake of assuming…...
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March 24, 2014
Three interesting new building efficiency technologies honored at the 2013 R&D 100 awards Sometimes called the “Oscars of Innovation,” the R&D 100 awards are given in recognition of exceptionally unique and useful new products or technologies developed during the preceding year. R&D Magazine started this competition in 1962, and researchers from various US Energy Department National Labs typically take home multiple awards each year. This year, the National Labs won 2013 R&D awards for three products that deserve particular attention from home and business owners looking for ways to increase the energy efficiency of their properties. Universal Smart Window Coating Windows with ample sun exposure often create temperature control problems for property owners, as the spaces facing the sun heat up faster and require more cooling to keep comfortable. Zoned thermostat systems and traditional window treatments offer one solution, but now thanks to Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory consumers may soon have another option. Researchers have developed an inexpensive nanocomposite electrochromic coating that allows occupants to independently control how much light and heat is coming through the windows. This will help reduce energy costs associated with cooling and lighting. Heat, Cooling, & Hot Water in One In cooperation with geothermal heat…...
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March 19, 2014
Make sure your air conditioner is ready to keep you cool all summer with a maintenance visit from General Heating & Air Conditioning Hotter weather is just around the corner, and you need to make sure your home or business will provide a cool refuge from the hot sun. The last thing you want is to be caught off guard by a malfunctioning or inefficient air conditioner and left to roast in the heat. Fortunately, you can get your air conditioner in top shape now with a pre-season air conditioner maintenance visit from General Heating & Air Conditioning. Here are some of the key services we will provide: Clean or Change the Filter: A dirty filter can not only cause air quality problems but also restrict air flow and even potentially increase wear and tear on your air conditioner to the point where its lifespan is reduced. We can inspect your filters and clean or replace them as needed at the start of the season to ensure you get off on the right foot. You should continue checking the filters each month as the summer goes on. Check Coolant Levels: An air conditioner needs the right amount of coolant or…...
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February 24, 2014
You may need additional products beyond what came with your HVAC system to eliminate indoor air contaminants Dust, pollen, mold, pet dander, microbes, and various other irritants and allergens can really limit your home comfort. While air-driven HVAC systems should include some type of filter already, this filter may not be effective enough in removing contaminants from the air. Fortunately, you can turn to General Heating & Air Conditioning for help selecting a Carrier brand product that will clean your air more effectively. Upgrade to a New HVAC system If you’re in the market for a new heater or air conditioner anyway, you might consider upgrading to a new Carrier brand furnace, heat pump, or air conditioner as a way of getting cleaner air in your home. Carrier brand products feature high-quality integrated filter systems. Many of them also include a filter drier function to prevent mold or mildew from growing in the filter and to increase filter life. Install an Air Purifier If you really want cleaner air in your home, your best bet is probably to install a dedicated air purifier such as Carrier’s Infinity Air Purifier. This model captures up to 95 percent of airborne particles between…...
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February 20, 2014
Carrier Home Comfort systems were among the highlights of the International Builders’ Show’s official display home Each year, the National Association of Home Builders creates a stunning display home to showcase the latest in residential construction technology, home comfort, and design. This year, “The New American Home 2014” was a striking contemporary-style stone and adobe compound rising out of the foothills in Henderson, Nevada. It featured many important innovations designed to improve efficiency, sustainability, and livability for a multigenerational family. Here are some of the highlights of this year’s New American Home. Dramatic Floor Plan Like any show home, The New American Home 2014 features some impressive design elements and features, such as a water wall and a roof bridge that help to bring the indoor and outdoor living spaces together. The home as a whole is designed to provide an open floor plan without denying the family their private spaces. Areas for entertaining feature high ceilings while private areas feel smaller, more intimate, and soothing. Multigenerational Living Spaces In light of the ongoing trend of seniors moving back in with their kids, multigenerational living was a driving concept behind The New American Home 2014. The home features a semi-attached…...
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January 28, 2014
Study finds odds of default are 32 percent lower on energy-efficient homes According to a recent study entitled “Home Energy Efficiency and Mortgage Risks,” homeowners who purchase an energy-efficient property are 32 percent less likely to default on their mortgages. The study, which was conducted by the University of North Carolina, was based on about 71,000 mortgages on homes located across the country. After controlling for factors like home size, home age, loan type, local unemployment rate, and local cost of electricity, researchers also discovered a correlation between a home’s energy efficiency score and the likelihood of default. For every one point that a home rose on the Home Energy Rating System efficiency index, the risk of default fell four percent. Researchers have proposed two possible reasons for the correlation between home energy efficiency, such as that offered by an ENERGY STAR certified home, and reduced risk of mortgage default. First of all, there is the simple fact that money not spent on utility costs can be directed towards the mortgage. Secondly, researchers suspect that consumers who purchase energy-efficient homes are more financially savvy in general and therefore less likely to enter into an unfavorable mortgage agreement. Benefits of an…...
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January 27, 2014
General Heating & Air Conditioning can provide fast service for a variety of heating issues Heating problems don’t just go away on their own. If you are dissatisfied with the performance of your heat pump or furnace for any reason, don’t hesitate to call a heating contractor in Pasadena CA for help. General Heating & Air Conditioning can send an expert heating technician to your aid right away to repair a broken unit or help troubleshoot performance issues. If any of the following situations sounds familiar, it is time to call us. Noisy Heater If your furnace or heat pump has started making funny noises, this could be a sign of a potentially serious problem. It could be that your fan or blower motor is starting to wear out and could fail at any moment. If your fan runs constantly or cycles on and off frequently, this noise may indicate that your heater is too big or too small for your space. Uneven or No Heat If some rooms never seem to warm up, no matter how high you set the thermostat, you should definitely call a heating contractor in Pasadena CA to come take a look. We can help…...
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January 26, 2014
Start the new year on the right foot by improving the energy efficiency of your home If you aren’t happy with how much you spent on utilities last year, now is your chance to make some changes that should result in lower bills for 2014. In order to know which of the following 6 energy-efficient home improvements will deliver the best result in your home, it is highly recommended to get a home performance audit from the experts at General Heating & Air Conditioning. We’ll go over every inch of your HVAC system and building envelope with you and identify any cost-saving improvements that could help your home become more energy-efficient. The following 6 improvements are a good place to start. Seal Doors & Windows Cracks and gaps around windows and doors are significant sources of energy loss in many homes. If you want to improve your home energy efficiency, make sure your doors and windows have good tight seals. If it’s time to upgrade to new windows anyway, consider windows with wood frames rather than aluminum ones, since wood is a better insulator. Add Insulation Some experts have estimated that half of American homes are underinsulated. Since lack of…...
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