Preparation for HVAC Emergencies

December 15, 2015

HVAC Emergencies

HVAC Emergencies come in all shapes and sizes. Plan ahead, be safe, and be prepared.

 

Preparation for HVAC Emergencies

While many organizations have an emergency-preparedness plan in place to deal with unexpected disruptions, very few have a plan in place to deal with HVAC equipment failures. When a heating and cooling unit fails, and there is no plan in place to deal with the failure, it can result in the loss of thousands of dollars. The best thing organizations can do is include a plan to deal with HVAC emergencies in the emergency-preparedness plan that is already in place.

Identify Equipment Failure Damage Potential

The first step that needs to be taken when developing the emergency-preparedness plan for heating and cooling system failures is to identify any equipment failures that would disrupt business operations. The most important determination is whether a disruption would be localized to specific areas of the building, or if a disruption would be building-wide.

Localized Disruptions

Localized disruptions are easier to plan for in case the heating and cooling system in the building fails. If the disruptions are limited to a localized area in the building, it will need to be determined whether or not normal operations can continue in that area or if they will need to be relocated to other parts of the building.

Building-wide Disruptions

If the failure of the HVAC system will cause building-wide disruptions, then the plan will need to include a way for providing heating and cooling with temporary equipment. With building-wide disruptions, it becomes a high-priority to take care of the issue. While some areas of the building may still be able to function without HVAC services, it is more likely that an equipment failure will disrupt operations significantly.

Including a plan to deal with a HVAC emergencies within an organization’s total emergency-preparedness plan is something that shouldn’t be overlooked. Having service disrupted due to the failure of a building’s heating and cooling system can cost an organization thousands of dollars. This impact can be lessened by simply taking the time to put a plan in place. Talk to your HVAC service provider to ask if they can help you make a plan.

If your AC needs repair or service in the Southern California area, please call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc. at 562-944-2118 to set up an appointment.

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Pros and Cons of a New HVAC System

November 15, 2015

new HVAC system

Be sure to weigh the pros and cons before getting rid of your old system and buying a new HVAC system.

 

Pros and Cons of a New HVAC System

 

A good HVAC system should last between 20-25 years. If your current system is old, becoming noisy, and isn’t operating at top efficiency, it may be time to purchase a new HVAC system to replace your old one. As you start to look at new systems, you’ll want to keep the following pros and cons in mind.

Pros

  • Consistent Temperature – the unit pushes cool air through vents that are found throughout the entire house, giving you cool air everywhere in your home.
  • Filtered Air – not only are HVAC systems designed to provide cool air, they also work to provide cleaner air.
  • Programmable Thermostat – you are able to program when the system turns on, as well as setting the temperature. This helps decrease energy costs by reducing the time your system is working.

Cons

  • Cost – new systems are expensive to purchase and have installed.
  • Replacement Filters – they will need to be replaced regularly. Many are inexpensive, but there are some brands and sizes which can get costly.

Replacing your old, malfunctioning HVAC, system will help keep your home cool. Before you make a decision on a new system, you will want to talk to a certified HVAC technician to help you determine, which system will benefit you the best.
Also, please see our post on when to replace your old system with a new HVAC system.

 

If your AC needs repair or service in the LA Metro area, please call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc. at 562-944-2118 to set up an appointment.

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Industrial HVAC Provides Protection to Mission-Critical Equipment

July 15, 2015

Industrial HVAC

A skilled service provider takes the worry out of keeping a mission-critical industrial HVAC system running.

 

Industrial HVAC Provides Protection to Mission-Critical Equipment

A commercial HVAC system is an important aspect of any business. Your HVAC system is responsible for keeping not only your employees, but also your customers comfortable. The right commercial HVAC system can help a business save more energy and help to increase the workers’ productivity. They use a high efficiency industrial air filtration system to help control the indoor air quality.

For certain companies, having a quality industrial HVAC system isn’t an option. When you’re dealing with high-tech equipment and expensive tools, it’s important to have a system that is capable of removing dust, eliminating harsh fumes, and removing other air-borne contaminates. It is also instrumental in protecting the equipment from over-heating or freezing.

Key Areas for Mission-Critical Industrial HVAC

Quality HVAC equipment, service and repair are especially important for the following industries:

  • Healthcare
  • Hi-Tech Manufacturing
  • Heavy Industrial Manufacturing
  • Telecom

Each of these types of business relies heavily on an industrial HVAC system’s ability to keep the climate within the building stable and protect the equipment against extreme humidity, which can damage the sensitive equipment that is used within these industries.

A building’s HVAC system isn’t solely for keeping your employees and customers cool and comfortable. It can also, when properly maintained, ensure that expensive equipment and tools are protected from temperature extremes and from becoming damaged due to humidity.

 

If your industrial HVAC system needs repair or service in Southern California, please call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc. at 562-944-2118 to set up an appointment.

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Common HVAC Problems and Diagnosis

June 15, 2015

diagnostic gear to pinpoint difficult HVAC problems

HVAC techs carry diagnostic gear to pinpoint difficult HVAC problems

Common HVAC Problems and Diagnosis

A complex system, your HVAC unit includes a number of heating, cooling and ventilation components that work together to keep your home cool and comfortable. The individual components of your system can break down and begin to function poorly, affecting the operation of your system. While there are a number of malfunctions that can affect how your HVAC system operates there are five common problems that are easy to fix and they won’t break the bank.

A Broken Thermostat

If you’ve noticed a change in the overall temperature in your home, and your cooling unit is not consistently turning on or off, then you may have a broken thermostat. You can determine if you need a new thermostat by placing the unit’s fan on auto and listen to the fan blades turn. If the thermostat is listing the room temperature as your target temperature, and the fan is still running, then the thermostat needs to be replaced.

A Dirty Filter

A dirty filter can be the source of your HVAC problems and causing poor cooling system operations. Your filter should be changed on a monthly basis, if it is not it can cause:

  • Reduced air flow
  • Dirt to accumulate on the fan blades
  • Blocking of the cooling coil, reducing the system effectiveness
  • Frost build-up on the cooling coil

Improperly Balanced Dampers cause HVAC Problems

If you notice that some rooms in your home seem to cool or heat much faster than others, it may be because your dampers are improperly balanced. If you are experiencing uneven temperatures from room to room, your system dampers may be unbalanced. You may want to call a service technician to come out and service your system.

Leaking Refrigerant

In order for your HVAC unit to properly cool, it needs liquid refrigerant, also known as Freon. If you notice that your home is not getting cold, even though your cooling system seems to be working overtime, it may mean your refrigerant is leaking, and you need to call a service technician ASAP.

Tripped Breaker

If your cooling system is completely unresponsive, it may be something as simple as a tripped breaker. You can simply go to your breaker box and flip the designated switch back to the “on” position. However, if your system trips the breaker regularly, you need to call a qualified HVAC service company to take a look at what is causing this issue. See our related post on this issue.

There are a number of reasons why your HVAC problems may be occurring. Before calling a service technician and spending your hard earned money, you may be able to fix the problem with little work.

 

If your AC needs repair or service in Southern California, please call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc. at 562-944-2118 to set up an appointment.

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HVAC Maintenance Should be on a Schedule

May 15, 2015

HVAC Maintenance Should be on a Schedule

Make sure your HVAC Maintenance is on a Schedule. Call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning: 562-944-2118

 

HVAC Maintenance Should be on a Schedule

 

Your HVAC system is a complicated and expensive piece of mechanical equipment that can be subjected to breakdowns and expensive repairs if not properly maintained. By performing routine HVAC maintenance, you can reduce the number of expensive repairs that may surface while keeping your system operating at top efficiency.

Following an annual maintenance schedule provides a number of immediate benefits as well as helping to prevent future problems from developing. When you perform regular HVAC maintenance on your system you can:

  • Reduce the number of repairs needed.
  • Avoid surprise breakdowns of your HVAC system.
  • Ensure your HVAC system is operating at top efficiency.

During your scheduled HVAC maintenance, if repairs need to be made it is important to take care of them right away before they become worse. By taking care of repairs at the time of your scheduled maintenance not only are you are preventing future repairs, you are also adding years to the lifespan of your HVAC equipment.

Performing regular HVAC maintenance is an important part if owning a air conditioning system. You must stay on top of it if you want to avoid mid-season breakdowns and major repairs. Not only can regular maintenance help prevent major repairs but it can also keep your system operating at top performance.

 

If your AC needs repair or service in the greater Los Angeles area, please call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc. at 562-944-2118 to set up an appointment.

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Types of HVAC Systems

March 15, 2015

Types of HVAC Systems

There are many types of HVAC systems to choose from today.

Types of HVAC Systems

During the hot summer months when the temperatures outside are scorching, it is important for the temperatures inside to be nice and cool. For this to be accomplished, there needs to be a well-maintained HVAC system in place. If the HVAC system is beginning to fail and repairing the unit is no longer an option, there are a number of heating and cooling units on the market to consider before spending the money to have the old one replaced.

Zoned Systems

Zoned systems are great for when large areas need to be cooled. These systems allow for individual areas to be cooled by controlling zone dampers within the vents, which in turn selectively block the flow of air. This allows areas to be cooled only when needed.

Humidity Control Systems

These cooling systems are great for areas that are very dry. When these systems are on and cooling an area, they will automatically control the humidity of the area. This helps with the overall cooling of the building.

Split Systems

Cooling systems contain three important parts, a condenser, a compressor, and an evaporator. With split systems, the condenser and compressor are located on the outside of the structure with the evaporator installed somewhere inside. These types of HVAC systems are most common in residential homes.

When it comes to selecting the right HVAC system for the job, there are several different types to consider. Talk to your HVAC service professional to help you determine the right HVAC system for the size of your structure and the needs of its occupants.

If your AC needs repair or service, please call Graves Heating and Air Conditioning Services, Inc. at 562-944-2118 to set up an appointment.

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