Mobile homes, also known as manufactured housing, are a popular and economical choice for many Americans. Modern mobile homes can be very small and simple dwellings, or larger and more elaborate structures with all the features and amenities of traditional constructed homes.

When considering a mobile home purchase, keep in mind that these structures often have unique characteristics in cooling, heating, and ventilation that must be accommodated. Here are a few of the home comfort factors you should consider before buying a mobile home:

Heating and cooling: Most mobile homes will have a traditional forced-air heating and cooling system, which means there will be a series of supply and return ducts with corresponding vents. In cold climates, supply vents should be installed around the edges of the home’s rooms and open spaces. In hot climates, better cooling can be achieved if the supply vents are located in the home’s ceiling.

Make sure the furnace and air conditioner are correctly sized for the heating and cooling needs of the mobile home. If you live in an area with frequent temperature extremes, the better solution is to increase the home’s insulation rather than using an HVAC system that is oversized for the space.

Ventilation: Mobile homes, like other homes, require adequate ventilation to maintain adequate levels of indoor fresh air, to hold down airborne dust levels and to keep moisture problems from developing. Many mobile homes have metal roofs with sealed and unventilated attic spaces underneath them, which can cause moisture accumulation in the winter. In the summer, this can make the whole house feel hotter.

To avoid these problems and improve attic ventilation, invest in a mobile home with a shingled roof that has plenty of overhang on all sides, with ventilation vents and openings installed in the overhang.

Since 1986, AC Pro and its network of certified professional contractors have provided expert heating and air conditioning services to customers in Southern California and Nevada. Contact us today for more information on the specialized cooling, heating and ventilation needs of mobile homes.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Mobile home image via Shutterstock

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Shoes that don’t fit make your feet uncomfortable. An air conditioner that isn’t the right size for you home can also be uncomfortable – among other things. Any cooling and heating equipment should be sized for the home.

Since all homes are different, reputable heating and A/C contractors perform a load calculation to determine equipment size that matches the home. The standard method is to use Manual J to match home cooling and heating equipment to the specific house.

Manual J
Manual J is a manual, or a calculating process, developed by engineers to properly determine heating and cooling needs for a home. Although it’s standardized, a set of specifications makes it adaptable to any home. A large list of information goes into a heating or cooling load calculation. Once determined, the Manual J formula offers three basic pieces of information:

• Heating load – This tells the contractor how much heat your home requires on the nearly-coldest day in the middle of winter. This determines heating needs.
• Sensible cooling load – This determines how much cooling is required on the nearly-hottest day of the year when the home is heating up from the sun. This is combined with the next calculation to determine cooling needs.
• Latent cooling load – This Manual J calculation determines how much humidity should be removed in peak summer heat and moisture conditions.

Between the three, your home’s proper air conditioner size is determined.

Why sizing is important
Air conditioners that are too large don’t run long enough to condense indoor humidity or properly filter your indoor air. The result can be cool, clammy air and reduced indoor air quality. Home humidity should never be higher than 50 percent. Moisture higher than that can cause mold growth and discomfort; it also reduces efficiency and wastes energy. Airflow is also restricted and circulation reduced with the wrong size equipment.

When you have new equipment installed in your Southern California or Nevada home, make sure your contractor does a proper load calculation. If you have questions or believe your air conditioner is improperly sized, contact us at AC Pro. We’re always happy to answer your questions and concerns to help you maximize your home comfort for minimum costs.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Thermostat image via Shutterstock

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Homeowners looking for an alternative to traditional ducted HVAC systems can find a space-saving solution in a ductless mini-split heat pump.

These units, often just called mini splits, offer the same level of home comfort as traditional furnaces, air conditioners and heat pumps, but with three significant advantages.

1. Ease of installation: Ductless mini splits are easier to install than traditional HVAC systems because they don’t require a large network of ductwork to distribute heated and cooled air, or any ductwork at all. The largest part of a mini-split system is the main outdoor unit that houses the condenser, compressor and other system components. The other parts of a mini-split system are one to four small indoor air-handling units that connect to the outdoor unit through an approximately 3-inch diameter conduit run through each wall where an air handler is located. The conduit contains power lines, refrigerant pipes and the condensing drain.
2. Flexibility of placement: Each indoor unit of a mini-split system operates independently of the others and has its own thermostat, which means it can be placed almost anywhere. You can zone for focused temperature control, spreading them out among different rooms or floors. The indoor units can be attached to a wall or ceiling, or simply placed where they’re the least obtrusive. They support almost any room design plan and run quietly, making them a good choice for bedrooms, home offices or recreation rooms.
3. Energy efficiency: Mini-split systems do not rely on ductwork, so they do not experience the energy loss sometimes found in ducted systems. They focus heating or cooling where you want it and when it’s needed, which means less waste of energy and money conditioning areas that are infrequently or never used. Since they function as a heat pump, they are extremely energy efficient, which means lower overall utility bills.

AC Pro and our network of certified professional contractors have been providing expert air conditioning and heating services to customers in Southern California and Nevada since 1986. Contact us today for more information on ductless mini-split heating and cooling, to get an estimate on a new system, or to schedule a professional installation.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Good idea image via Shutterstock

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

If you’re replacing your air conditioner, a new or replacement unit should have a number of basic characteristics no matter what brand you prefer.

The unit should be properly sized for your home, big enough to provide plenty of cooling but not so big that it wastes energy and money. It should also be as efficient as possible, with an Energy Star certification and a Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) of 13 or higher to indicate high performance.

Newer air conditioner models also come with a variety of features you should consider in addition to SEER ratings:

• Fan-only switch – This switch lets you turn the compressor off and use your air conditioner for ventilation only. This saves energy and money when nighttime temperatures or a lull in the season’s heat result in cooler outdoor temperatures that don’t require the unit’s full cooling ability.
• Variable-speed air handler – A variable-speed air handler lets the unit provide the precise amount of air circulation required for the temperature settings. Variable-speed air handlers generate plenty of air for the job without wasting energy or money.
• Thermal expansion valve and high-temperature rating above 11.6 – With these features, your air conditioner will operate at its most effective level when outside temperatures are highest.
• Filter check light – A filter check light lets you know when to change the filter in your air conditioner. They usually function by tracking a specified period of time; when that time has passed, an indicator light shows the filter should be changed. Fresh filters in your cooling system will keep the system running at its best.
• Quiet operation – Noisy air conditioners or other HVAC equipment can be an irritation. A loud air conditioner can cause headaches, interfere with communication, and generate stress-causing background noise. Quiet operation makes your living or working space a much more pleasant place.

Since 1986, AC Pro and our network of certified professional contractors have been providing expert heating and air conditioning services to customers in San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Palm Desert and Nevada. Contact us today for more information on air conditioner replacement and expert advice on the features that will best fit your home comfort needs.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Your old central air conditioner has something inside that’s getting more and more expensive. It’s something that costs you more to keep each year. Because of an international agreement, guidelines have changed, and R-22 Freon prices have tripled. In just a few years, it will no longer be produced. 

Environmental changes

Under the EPA’s emission rules, R-22, which is used in roughly 80 percent of existing air conditioners,  is being phased out. This is causing  the rising Freon prices. As production falls, it will only get more expensive. By 2020, all new A/C units will have to use a different type of refrigerant that has been shown to be less damaging to the environment. If you own a unit that’s 5 years old or more, you may want to consider buying a new one.

Maintenance costs

Refrigerant can leak from air conditioners. Low refrigerant levels can cause your air conditioner to operate improperly. Using your air conditioner with low R-22 levels can cost you more to operate the unit, and if it gets too low, causes compressor problems. When you have maintenance performed on your air conditioner, and the technician finds low levels of refrigerant, adding it can cause sticker shock. Freon prices will be high now and they will continue to rise.

A forced decision

By the year 2020, you will not be able to buy an air conditioner that uses R-22 Freon. Your service technician will only be able to add recycled or reclaimed R-22 to your equipment. The new R-422 refrigerant will not work in old units. Now may be the time to consider updating your air conditioning system. Until you do, you may pay more for service on your old unit.

If you’ have questions about your air conditioner, contact the pros at AC Pro. We can check your equipment, or just answer any questions you may have. Let us help you prepare; call us today. We operate in San Diego, Orange County, the Inland Empire, Palm Desert and Nevada.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Air conditioner image via Shutterstock

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Air conditioning is a luxury that people often love and loath in equal measures. While it provides a cool retreat in the summer months, the air conditioner units themselves can be noisy and expensive to run. Though those are legitimate concerns, air conditioning systems are steadily improving. 

New air conditioners feature improvements that reduce:

• Energy consumption. Twenty years ago an air conditioning unit would have consumed 6,000 watts of electricity a day. New, compact units today might consume less than a third as much energy.
• Environmental impact. Rather than using the refrigerants of old, scientists have developed a new, chlorine-free chemical called R410A for use in A/C units. R410A is free of the chlorine that depletes the ozone layer.
• Noise pollution. With design improvements to fan blades and the use of advanced compressor technology, A/Cs make much less noise than they used to. Some units on the market make just one-twentieth the noise of older, less efficient models.

Perhaps the key to maximizing a new A/C’s energy efficiency is making sure it’s properly sized for your home. If your air conditioner is too big, it will cost you more than necessary up front and to run. If it is too small, an A/C can end up overworked and die early. Your HVAC contractor should perform a careful cooling load calculation on your home to determine the size system you need.

Two things to keep in mind as and after you install your new air conditioner:

• Make sure the refrigeration lines aren’t too long. If they’re longer than about 50 feet, the A/C won’t be able to complete its cycle.
• Schedule regular preventive maintenance visits with your HVAC technician to keep your A/C’s refrigerant properly charged and your system running smoothly and efficiently.

Questions? Searching for an energy-efficient and affordable new air conditioner before the summer’s intense heat kicks in? Contact a contractor in the AC Pro network today. AC Pro contractors serve homeowners throughout Southern Nevada and Southern California.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Fan image via Shutterstock

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

If you operate according to the maxim “out of sight and out of mind,” your air conditioner may deserve another look. Many homeowners even forget where their air conditioner is located — on the right or left side of the house? — and take for granted that when they flip the “on” switch, it will begin to do its job.

That works in a perfect world, in which appliances never go on the fritz. But in this imperfect world, the time to tune up your air conditioner is now, before you really need it to perform.

Regular tune-ups of your air conditioning system will bring any minor problems to light and allow your technician to repair them before they develop into something worse. A smoothly running air conditioner will be more efficient, saving you money on your energy bills, and last longer with fewer repairs.

When a certified HVAC professional visits your home, their conditioner checklist should include:

• Cleaning the evaporator, condenser coils and drains
• Cleaning and adjusting the blower components
• Checking the refrigerant and replacing it if necessary — a task that can be done only by a certified air conditioner technician
• Checking the air filter and replacing it if necessary

Your technician also might inspect for leaks in your ductwork, which could be adding significantly to your utility bills as cooled air is lost through gaps and cracks in your air-delivery system.

Before your technician arrives, you should ensure that the area around your air conditioner is clear and open. Remove any branches or obstructions that will interfere with the airflow of the unit, and keep the area free of toys, bicycles and other items that could damage the unit.

Together, you and your HVAC contractor can help ensure that your air conditioner stays in peak working order, so that when you flip that switch, you’ll stay cool. Contact a contractor in the AC Pro network today to schedule an appointment, and give yourself one less thing to sweat this summer. Serving the Southern California and Nevada area, we’re always happy to help.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Air conditioner maintenance image via Shutterstock

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

With energy costs seemingly always on the rise, efficiency of operation and cost savings are important factors in choosing a new air conditioning system. Two-stage compressors are an innovative technical development that allow cooling systems to run more efficiently and at lower cost.

Most recent models of high-efficiency air conditioners and heat pumps are equipped with two-stage compressor systems. Sometimes called dual-stage compressors, they are designed to operate at two different levels. When outside temperatures are hot, the compressor runs on high. When temperatures are cooler and more moderate, the compressor runs at a lower level.

About 80 percent of the time, the lower level is enough to cool your house. For this reason, units with two-stage compressors will run longer cycles but will produce more consistent temperatures within your house.

You might think that a cooling system that runs longer would cost more to operate. However, air conditioners that run for longer cycles are actually running more efficiently. A system with a traditional compressor runs at its highest efficiency when outside temperatures are high and the cooling demand is greatest. When temperatures drop, a traditional system constantly cycles on and off to maintain temperature settings. A great deal of energy is used, and wasted, during these shorter on-and-off cycles.

A two-stage compressor saves energy by running longer and more consistently at a lower level; it switches into high only when it is really needed. It doesn’t waste energy by cycling off and on when temperatures are more moderate.

The increased operating efficiency offered by a two-stage compressor translates into big savings on your cooling bills. Cooling systems with two-stage compressors may initially cost more to purchase than other units, but the savings in energy costs quickly make up for the higher price.

AC Pro and its network of certified professional contractors can answer your questions about high-efficiency air conditioners and how units with two-stage compressors can provide better cooling and significant cost savings.

Contact AC Pro today and we’ll help set up a consultation or appointment.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about compressors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Many of us are trying to minimize our household expenses, and that includes our utility bills. An overlooked source of potential energy waste — your air conditioner’s evaporator coil — is hidden in your air conditioner.

To appreciate how evaporator coils contribute to the efficiency (or inefficiency) of air conditioning and heating systems, you should understand how this component works. Mainly, evaporator coils absorb heat from air, leaving it cool:

• The cooling process starts when your A/C’s outdoor condenser compresses a refrigerant (such as Freon) from gas form into a cold liquid.
• That liquid is then pumped into the evaporator coil, which is located in the air handler, the part of your air conditioner that’s located indoors.
• Warm air from inside your house is blown past the evaporator coil.
• The cold liquid in the coil absorbs the heat from the air.
• The heat from the indoor air causes the liquid to revert back to a gas. Meanwhile, the cooler air is returned to the rooms in your house through the duct system.
• The refrigerant returns to the condenser coil, which dissipates the heat, and the process starts all over again.

One key in gaining maximum efficiency from evaporator coils is to match them to the outdoor condenser. A 2-ton condenser requires a 2-ton evaporator coil. 3-ton condensers require 3-ton evaporator coils, and so forth.

But there are other factors at play, too. Air is constantly passing over your evaporator coil, and with that air come dirt and dust. Built-up grime on your coil will force your A/C to work harder than it should have to and reduce energy efficiency. Some A/C maintenance — such as regular air filter changes — can be done by homeowners. But to keep your evaporator coil clean, schedule regular preventive maintenance by a heating and cooling professional.

To take care of a hidden piece of equipment that plays a major role in your home comfort, contact a heating and cooling contractor in the AC Pro network today.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about evaporator coils and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog

Air conditioning is a must-have in Southern California and Nevada. That’s why countless air conditioning contractors serve these areas. And that’s why it may seem an overwhelming task to choose from among them the best contractor for you. 

Many people begin their search by asking for recommendations from friends, family and acquaintances. Online reviews and ratings (and accreditations from organizations such as the Better Business Bureau) can be helpful, too. After you have a short list of possibilities, talk with each potential contractor — and ask them lots of questions, including:

• Are you properly licensed? Do you carry proper insurance? Also ask if the contractor employs technicians who are NATE-certified and have experience working with Energy Star products.
• How long have you been in business? An experienced contractor is a more highly skilled contractor with more expertise. Longevity also indicates that a contractor maintains good business practices and good relationships with their customers.
• What products will you install? Ask what brands your contractor sells. Find out whether the contractor carries a diverse line of high-efficiency products.
• What are your warranties like? What do they cover, and how long do they last? Specifics to consider include labor, maintenance and product replacement.
• How much will my project cost? When comparing quotes from contractors, keep in mind long-term costs (particularly energy costs over the years) as well as the upfront cost. The lowest bid isn’t necessarily the least-expensive option in the long term.
• How long will the project take? Will your contractor work eight-hour days until the job is complete, or are they only available limited hours?
• Will you remove and dispose of old equipment? You do not want to be responsible for disposing of large, heavy equipment.
• Will I have a written contract? Make sure that you get everything in writing and that you and your contractor both sign the contract.

To find a skilled, professional and reliable contractor every time, contact the AC Pro network.

Our goal is to help inform our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about choosing an HVAC contractor and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

AC PRO services the Southwestern United States including Southern California and Nevada.  Visit our website to see our special offers to get started today!

AC Pro Home Comfort Blog