What Is the Most Efficient Form of Heating and Cooling?

In today’s world, energy efficiency is a top priority for many homeowners and businesses. With rising energy costs and concerns about the environmental impact of traditional heating and cooling systems, finding the most efficient form of heating and cooling is essential. However, with so many options available, it can be challenging to determine which system is best for your specific needs. In this blog post, we will explore some of the most efficient forms of heating and cooling currently available on the market.

Energy-Efficient Heating Options

1. Heat Pumps

Heat pumps are one of the most energy-efficient heating options available today. These systems work by transferring heat from one location to another rather than generating heat directly. This makes them much more efficient than traditional heating systems, which rely on burning fossil fuels to create heat. Heat pumps are capable of providing both heating and cooling, making them a versatile choice for homeowners looking to reduce their energy consumption.

2. Geothermal Heating

Geothermal heating is another highly efficient option for heating your home. This system works by harnessing the heat stored in the earth’s core to warm your home. While geothermal systems can be more expensive to install than other heating options, they are incredibly efficient and can save homeowners significant amounts of money on their energy bills in the long run.

3. Solar Heating

Solar heating systems use energy from the sun to heat your home. By installing solar panels on your roof, you can generate electricity to power a radiant heating system or heat pump. While solar heating systems can be more expensive to install initially, they can provide significant savings on your energy bills over time. They are a renewable and environmentally friendly option for heating your home.

Energy-Efficient Cooling Options

1. Energy-Efficient Air Conditioners

Energy-efficient air conditioners are the way to go when it comes to cooling your home. These systems are designed to use less energy while still providing powerful cooling capabilities. Look for air conditioners with a high SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating, as these units are more efficient and will help you save money on your cooling costs.

2. Evaporative Coolers

Evaporative coolers, also known as swamp coolers, are another energy-efficient cooling option. These systems work by pulling warm air through water-saturated pads, which cools the air before circulating it throughout your home. Evaporative coolers are most effective in dry climates and can be a cost-effective alternative to traditional air conditioning systems.

3. Ceiling Fans

While ceiling fans aren’t a cooling system per se, they can help circulate cool air throughout your home and make your air conditioner more efficient. Using ceiling fans in conjunction with your air conditioner can reduce your reliance on your cooling system and save money on your energy bills.

How to Make Your Heating and Cooling System More Energy-Efficient

While choosing an energy-efficient heating and cooling system is a great first step, there are also other ways to make your HVAC system more efficient and reduce your energy consumption even further. Here are a few tips to help you maximize the efficiency of your heating and cooling system:

1. Regular Maintenance

Regular maintenance ensures your heating and cooling system operates at peak efficiency. Schedule annual tune-ups with a professional HVAC technician to keep your system running smoothly and catch any potential issues before they become major problems.

2. Upgrade Your Insulation

Proper insulation is key to keeping your home comfortable and energy efficient. Upgrading your insulation and sealing any drafts in your home can reduce your heating and cooling costs and make your HVAC system more efficient.

3. Use a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can help you save money on your heating and cooling costs by allowing you to set your temperature preferences based on your schedule. You can reduce your energy consumption without sacrificing comfort by programming your thermostat to lower the temperature when you are away from home or asleep.

4. Consider Zoned Heating and Cooling

Zoned heating and cooling systems allow you to heat or cool specific areas of your home independently. By only heating or cooling the areas of your home that are in use, you can reduce your energy consumption and save money on your utility bills.

Choose Energy-Efficient Heating and Cooling with PlumbSmart

When it comes to energy-efficient heating and cooling solutions, PlumbSmart has you covered. From air conditioners to heaters, drains to water heaters, and ducts to garbage disposals, we offer a wide range of plumbing and AC services in Mesa, AZ, and Valley Wide. Our team of experienced technicians can help you choose the right heating and cooling system for your home or business and ensure that it is operating at maximum efficiency.

If you want to upgrade to a more energy-efficient heating and cooling system, contact PlumbSmart today. Learn more about our services and schedule an appointment with one of our HVAC experts. Let us help you keep your home comfortable and energy-efficient all year round.

Choosing the most efficient form of heating and cooling for your home is essential to reducing your energy consumption and saving money on your utility bills. Whether you opt for a heat pump, geothermal heating, solar heating, or an energy-efficient air conditioner, plenty of options are available to help you stay comfortable while minimizing your environmental impact. Don’t wait any longer – contact PlumbSmart today to start enjoying the benefits of energy-efficient heating and cooling in your home.

The Most Common AC Maintenance Mistakes

Owning a home takes a lot of work. Regular maintenance is necessary if you want your house’s systems to function properly for as long as possible. Your air conditioning unit is no exception. You should ensure that you are taking care of your HVAC systems. The last thing you need is for something to go wrong because you need to check your filter sooner. You can do several different things to maintain your air conditioning unit. Many common mistakes involve neglecting to check on something or ignoring a sign that your unit might need to be serviced. Take a look at these six most common air conditioning maintenance mistakes so you can avoid them with your unit in the future, courtesy of PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air.

Ignoring Out-of-the-Ordinary Noises

If you hear noises that seem strange or out of the ordinary, they should not be ignored. It can be easy to go about your day and promise to pay attention to something later. However, with the business and the hustle and bustle of our everyday lives, you will likely forget all about it the second you are not focused on the noise. A strange noise can indicate damage that needs to be addressed. You do not want to ignore a strange noise and find out later that it is something serious. It could lead to irreparable damage, causing you to need a whole unit replacement instead of a repair. If you hear strange noises, call a professional to check it out as soon as possible.

Forgetting to Clean Your Air Vents Regularly

Cleaning your air vents regularly is vital to the functionality of your air conditioning unit. Debris and dirt can get stuck in the air vents around your house. If you don’t clean them often enough, your air conditioner will send that dust through the air in your home. It can eventually lead to enough build-up to block the airflow into any room. If your vent is not blowing air like it used to, you probably need to clean it. Set a schedule for yourself to do this once a month or so. This will help to keep your air conditioning unit healthy.

Not Scheduling Regular Inspections

Regular inspections might not seem like a priority, especially if there is nothing wrong with your air conditioning unit. However, preventative care is one of the most important things you can do to keep your air conditioning systems in good working condition. Make sure you are regularly scheduling a technician to inspect your systems. Having a technician inspect your unit will inform you of any parts that look like they might be worn out or need to be replaced soon. Getting ahead of problems like this will help you avoid unexpected emergencies.

Not Checking Your Filters Often

Air filters are the least expensive part of your air conditioning system to replace, but ignoring them could be detrimental to your unit. It would be best if you replaced your air filters every few months and cleaned them thoroughly every few weeks. This might seem excessive and time-consuming, but air filters are responsible for filtering out all the debris in your air. They can get full and clogged, which will eventually mean they will not work at all. A clogged air filter will prevent unrestricted airflow into your home. Set a reminder to clean your air filters every few weeks and replace them every few months.

Waiting Too Long for Repairs

One of the most common mistakes homeowners make with their air conditioning units is waiting to have repairs addressed. A damaged part does not always mean that your unit is not functioning. You can still be getting cool air and need air conditioning repair. It can be easy to put repairs off until you have time, especially if you are busy daily. You don’t want to wait to get repairs on your unit. Putting off maintenance can lead to damage that is not repairable. Repairing various parts is far less expensive than replacing your entire unit. If you wait too long to repair whatever needs to be fixed in your unit, you could cost yourself thousands of dollars for a whole unit replacement.

Working Your Unit Too Much

Overworking your unit can be harmful. Setting your thermostat as low as possible in the hottest months can be tempting. You want to be comfortable in your home when it is too hot to be outside. However, setting your home’s temperature too low can stress your air conditioning unit. This will lead to unnecessary wear and tear, which will cause you to need repairs or replacements much sooner than you should. You can use other methods to help cool your home. Lower your blinds throughout the day to block the sun, or get fans to help circulate the air in your home. Avoid setting your thermostat too low, especially when it is the most tempting.

Final Thoughts

You should do everything you can to avoid these common AC maintenance mistakes. Neglecting the needs of your unit can be detrimental. You do not want to wait too long to service parts, neglect cleaning your vents, ignore strange noises, or overwork your unit. All of these things can lead to damage that could have been avoided. You can prolong the life of your air conditioning unit by taking proper care of it. Take preventative measures and call a technician with PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Cooling today so we can help you get your regular inspections started!

How We Can Help

For a limited time, we are offering our 1-Year HVAC Maintenance Agreement – or – 1-year Plumbing Maintenance Agreement at no charge. This is a $300 value and includes two semi-annual inspections of your home’s HVAC or Plumbing systems, and it’s absolutely free. You’ll also get 10% off repairs and priority service. It’s our way of introducing ourselves and letting you know we are here at your service, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

For more details on our 1- and 2-year maintenance plans, contact us or visit us online!

Summer is here: 5 Tips to Stay Cool in Arizona

Summers in the Southwest are some of the hottest in the nation. What can you do to keep cool? Try these simple tips from your HVAC contractors in Mesa, AZ. You’ll feel more comfortable, and you might save some money while you’re at it!

Be a fan of fans

Ceiling fans can make a drastic difference in the comfort level within a room. They provide a wind chill effect, which makes the surroundings feel cooler. In fact, running a ceiling fan in a room can allow you to increase the thermostat setting by up to four degrees without sacrificing comfort. That means you don’t have to crank the air conditioning, which will help you save on utility bills.

Do the dollar test

Perform a simple test to see if your home is sealed properly. If areas around your windows and doors are not sealed well, it will be much harder to keep your home cooled to a comfortable level. To determine if a seal is tight enough, insert a dollar bill in the gap. If you can pull the bill through the gap, it needs to be sealed more tightly. If the bill gets stuck, the seal is working appropriately.

Create a shady atmosphere

You may want to enjoy the views from your windows, but these large glass panes let in a lot of sunlight, which can quickly heat your interior. To keep your surroundings cooler, consider closing blinds or curtains during the warmest times of the day or when the sun is facing a particular window. You may also want to invest in energy-saving blinds that are designed to keep the heat out and the cool in.

Get smart

Have you upgraded your thermostat in the last few years? HVAC technology has come a long way in a short time. Now, with smart thermostats, it’s much easier to keep your surroundings comfortable and save on utility bills. With a smart thermostat, you can program your system to automatically adjust the temperature at certain times of the day. You can even adjust the temperature while you’re away from home, so it’s nice and cool when you arrive.

Partner with professionals

It will be hard to stay cool if your air conditioning unit fails in the middle of summer. To avoid this uncomfortable situation, schedule regular maintenance of your unit. Contact your HVAC contractors in Mesa, AZ each spring and fall to perform this maintenance. This will help keep your system running efficiently throughout the season.

Let us keep you cool

For optimal performance from your air conditioning this summer, contact your HVAC contractors in Mesa, AZ. The professionals at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air are here to help. We will inspect your HVAC system and keep it running smoothly, so you stay cool all season long. We are dedicated to providing the highest quality service, combined with the best warranty in the industry, at the lowest possible price. Reach us today at 480-654-8865—we’ve been voted #1 Plumber in Mesa two years in a row!

The Benefits of Ductwork Testing in Mesa, AZ

How long has it been since you last had your air ductwork tested? If you’re like most people, that’s probably lurking at the bottom of your priority list—if you even realized you need to do it at all. Ductwork testing in Mesa, AZ is the key to getting great performance from your HVAC unit, as well as improving your indoor air quality.

Here’s how to tell when it’s time for ductwork testing, and what the process involves.

How often do I need my ductwork tested?

Generally, you should have your ductwork tested every three to five years. If you live in a particularly dusty area, have family members with respiratory illnesses or have noticed that your indoor air quality is declining, schedule an appointment as soon as possible.

Some other signs that it’s time to have your ductwork checked out include smelling mold—it’s a musty odor that is usually unmistakable. You might also notice your HVAC unit sending out puffs of dust, or black dirt collecting around your air vents. If it’s been a while since you’ve changed your air filters, that could be contributing to the problem, too.

Age is also a good indication of when it’s time to have your ductwork inspected. Over time, your ductwork and its components will deteriorate, even if you’ve kept up with regular maintenance. A well-maintained ductwork system usually lasts about 15 years on average.

Finally, if you notice buzzing or screeching sounds—or have seen insects and other pests enter your ductwork—schedule an appointment as soon as possible. Insects, rodents and other critters can travel inside your ducts and cause damage.

The ductwork testing process

When you schedule a routine HVAC maintenance appointment, your contractor should inspect your ductwork at the same time. They’ll go through your home’s ductwork system and look for holes, tears, evidence of pest intrusion and other problems. If the ducts are in relatively good shape, they might simply repair minor problems. However, if your ductwork has suffered extensive damage, you’ll probably need to replace it.

You can also schedule appointments specifically for ductwork testing.

Benefits of testing your ductwork

Ductwork testing in Mesa, AZ offers immediate benefits. First, you’ll save money on your utility bills. When you have leaky or malfunctioning ducts, your HVAC system has to work twice as hard to distribute hot or cold air. If the ducts are leaking, you might be paying out the nose to air condition or heat your attic.

You’ll also notice an improvement in indoor air quality, which is great for people with respiratory ailments and allergies. Clean, sealed ducts are less likely to send dirt and debris into your home through the vents. You’ll breathe easier, your home will smell better and you’ll pay less money to the utility company.

If it’s been a few years since your last ductwork testing in Mesa, AZ, call PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today to schedule an appointment. We’re here to help with all your HVAC and plumbing needs.

The Importance of AC System Maintenance: Don’t Forget the Drain Line!

You probably have your vehicle’s oil changed regularly. You probably understand the importance of regular teeth cleanings at the dentist’s office. But do you realize how crucial it is to maintain your AC system? Just like these other tasks prevent problems down the line, good AC maintenance prevents future air conditioning repair in Mesa, AZ.
The fact is, partnering with an AC repair company in Mesa, AZ to perform regular maintenance on your unit offers several important benefits. Here’s what you need to know.

AC system maintenance saves time and money

Regular maintenance by a trained technician will allow you to discover minor issues with your system before they become major repairs. The professional can fine tune your system at each service call to prevent problems with your unit’s operation.

One item that this thorough system check will cover (which many homeowners overlook) is the condition of the condensate drain line. If this line becomes clogged, it can cause up to thousands of dollars in damage. A simple tune-up can catch clogged drain lines before they do any damage. PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air offers these tune-ups for just $99!

When you catch these issues early, you save yourself from major repairs, which can be time consuming, inconvenient and expensive. To keep air conditioning repair in Mesa, AZ to a minimum, partner with a local AC repair company to properly maintain your system.

Regular tune-ups conserve energy

An air conditioner tune-up includes a thorough inspection and cleaning of all the components. It also involves making minor adjustments and repairs to keep your system running smoothly. These tasks ensure your unit runs efficiently, which maximizes energy use. This translates to lower utility bills. As a bonus, it also extends the life of your AC unit.

Clogs can happen to anyone

It doesn’t matter how clean your home is, whether you have pets or how often you run your air conditioner. If you don’t regularly inspect and clean your condensate line, it can get clogged over time. It is essential to complete this regular maintenance to avoid clogged drain lines. If the line becomes clogged, water will accumulate, overflow and cause damage to your home. This can also destroy the AC unit itself. Additionally, you will probably experience high utility bills, because the AC performance will suffer as the clog builds in the system.

To prevent these hazardous clogs, simply partner with a professional AC repair company in Mesa, AZ to complete seasonal maintenance on your unit. An expert tune-up each spring will do wonders for your unit and give you peace of mind.

Schedule your maintenance

Don’t neglect your AC system today and regret it tomorrow. We’re here to help you keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. Contact the team at PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air today to schedule your next maintenance service. We are your top source for inspections, cleanings, repairs and preventative maintenance. Our experts enjoy an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, and we offer free estimates and same-day service at the guaranteed lowest price.

Keep Your Unit Operating at Top Efficiency with an Annual AC Maintenance Contract

Now that summer is in full swing, the last thing you want to deal with is a malfunctioning air conditioning system. Even if your system is working properly to keep your home cool, it might not be operating efficiently. To keep your system in the best condition possible and ensure that it continues to operate at its best for years to come, it’s a good idea to consider an annual contract for air conditioning maintenance and repair in Mesa, AZ.

What is a maintenance contract?

An AC maintenance contract is an agreement between a property owner and an HVAC technician. This contract outlines the details of the agreement between the client and the service provider and includes information like frequency of service, type of service and payment details. This maintenance contract allows property owners to ensure they receive comprehensive HVAC services on a routine basis without the hassle of tracking maintenance and arranging service appointments every few months.

Benefits of maintenance contracts

There are several benefits of getting a contract for regular maintenance and air conditioning repair in Mesa, AZ. Here are a few of the most significant advantages of service contracts for property owners:

Air conditioning repair in Mesa, AZ

For professional help with air conditioning repair in Mesa, AZ, contact PlumbSmart Plumbing Heating and Air. We specialize in plumbing and HVAC services for commercial and residential customers alike. No matter what your specific needs may be, we’re ready to assist you and ensure that you have the best experience possible. Find out more about setting up a maintenance contract with our team by giving us a call today. We look forward to working with you soon.