Greenleaf Heating & Cooling

Heat Pumps vs. Central AC: Which Is Right for Your Home?

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 06:39:53 GMT

Heat Pumps vs. Central AC: Which Is Right for Your Home?

When you're ready for a new cooling system, you'll find plenty of options available. Most people focus on a heat pump vs. central AC for Lakewood, California homes. You can make a better-informed choice by learning about the differences between these two systems.

Energy Efficiency

A modern air conditioning system offers efficiency ratings that remain similar to a heat pump’s cooling performance. The biggest efficiency difference comes in the fall and winter. While you can use your heat pump for home heating, you'll need a furnace when you have a central air conditioner.

The heat pump will provide efficient heat until the outside temperature drops below 40 degrees. Since the heat pump transfers heat between the outdoor and indoor environments, extremely cold temperatures result in a drop in efficiency.

Longevity and Durability

As you compare a heat pump vs. central AC for southern California homes, you'll want to know how long each system will last. Both types of units last 10-15 years.

However, heat pumps tend to lose efficiency at a faster rate. This is because most homeowners operate their heat pumps year-round. Conversely, central AC systems have lighter wear and tear due to less consistent operation.

Environmental Considerations

A heat pump works by transferring heat between your living spaces and the outdoor environment. When you use a furnace, the burning of fuel is necessary to generate heat. This requires the consumption of fossil fuels and increases your household's carbon footprint.

Homeowners who want to remain eco-friendly or limit the need for fossil fuels in their home often opt for heat pumps.

Learn More About a Heat Pump vs. Central AC for Southern California Homes

When you work with GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling, we'll help you choose the best system for your home. Once you have selected an energy-efficient system, we'll provide comprehensive installation services .

Even after our skilled technicians install your new AC, we'll provide the ongoing maintenance you need to ensure its optimal performance for many years. Contact us to learn more or request an estimate.

Are High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Worth It for California Homes?

Thu, 26 Feb 2026 00:41:49 GMT

Are High-Efficiency HVAC Systems Worth It for California Homes?

When you notice climbing utility bills and poor climate control, it’s time to replace your HVAC system .

A high-efficiency HVAC system will make heating and cooling your home easier and more cost-effective. Additionally, it will help you use less energy and maintain a smaller carbon footprint. Take a closer look at the most attractive benefits of a high-efficiency system.

California Rebates and Incentives Lower the Upfront Costs

Along with long-term HVAC energy savings in Long Beach, California homes, homeowners can reap upfront financial rewards for installing a high-efficiency system . The IRS allows up to $3,200 in tax credits for qualifying energy efficiency improvements. Additionally, TECH Clean California offers rebates of up to $8,000 for high-efficiency heat pumps.

HVAC Energy Savings in California Homes Will Lower Monthly Utility Costs

A high-efficiency system will run fewer cycles while maintaining a consistent indoor temperature. On average, these systems lower energy consumption by 50%. Some systems reduce heating costs in California by up to 75%.

You can maximize your savings by looking for a unit with a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rating.

Premium Filtration Enhances Indoor Air Quality

Poor air filtration affects your indoor air quality, and it reduces your HVAC system’s efficiency. However, high-efficiency systems have premium air filtration technology that removes more contaminants from the treated air. Improved airflow reduces strain on your unit and keeps it running efficiently.

Higher Efficiency Reduces Wear and Tear

In addition to HVAC energy savings in California homes, high-efficiency systems also reduce your repair costs. Since the system uses less energy and runs fewer cycles, it suffers wear and tear at a slower rate. This means that the components will last longer.

Good maintenance practices will extend the lifetime of your high-efficiency HVAC system even further.

Experience These Benefits With a High-Efficiency HVAC System

When you consult GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling, we’ll perform an energy evaluation to help you choose the right HVAC unit for your home. Then, we’ll install the new system and make sure it’s set up for immediate use.

If you’re ready for an HVAC replacement , contact us to request an estimate .

Lower Winter Energy Bills for Heating

Fri, 23 Jan 2026 12:40:29 GMT

Lower Winter Energy Bills for Heating

Everyone wants lower winter energy bills . Heating costs stand in the way for many Southern California residents, however. It’s not easy to strike a balance between comfort and affordability when temperatures drop outside.

Fortunately, there are a few things you can do right now to achieve more manageable utility bills while still enjoying a comfortable home.

Stop the Leaks

Your expensive, climate-controlled air can escape through any cracks in windows or gaps under doors. Weatherstripping or simple draft stoppers can make a substantial difference in keeping warmth inside your home, where it belongs.

Dial Back the Thermostat During Work Hours

A good rule of thumb is to lower your thermostat by seven to ten degrees when you’re not at home, such as during work hours. You can use smart thermostats to automate this. They allow you to create different profiles, like specific settings when you’re gone, so that you aren’t wasting money heating an empty home.

Take Advantage of Natural Light

Sunlight is free. Opening your curtains and blinds during the day can warm your home from the outside in. It won’t necessarily heat your home by itself, but it can help take some pressure off your HVAC system and your pocketbook.

Professional Maintenance Is Vital

Search “ lower winter energy bills heating ,” and you’ll likely find many lists of tips and tricks to lower your monthly heating costs. While these tips can help, perhaps the most effective way to reduce your utility bills is to schedule a tune-up from an HVAC technician.

The condition of your HVAC system determines how efficiently it runs. Neglected furnaces are often dirtier, and the internal components have more wear and tear. This means you’re spending more to operate your system, no matter what you set your thermostat to.

Want Lower Winter Energy Bills? Heating Services From the Pros Can Help

You shouldn’t have to overpay to heat your home. The experienced team at GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling has served Southern California homes and businesses since 1956 and can help you enjoy the winter without the extra stress. Contact us to schedule your appointment with an HVAC technician today.

Essential Holiday HVAC Maintenance for Whittier Homeowners

Mon, 29 Dec 2025 08:22:14 GMT

Essential Holiday HVAC Maintenance for Whittier Homeowners

It’s the most wonderful time of the year, the time when Whittier homeowners hang decorations, host friends and family, and plan elaborate dinner parties. But with all the busy buzzing of the season, it’s easy to put your home maintenance on hold.

Southern California winters might be mild, but chilly evenings still mean you’ll want a well-cared-for heating system to support you. Here’s why you should prioritize holiday HVAC maintenance in Whittier, CA, to keep your system strong during a challenging season.

Why Bother With HVAC Maintenance?

This is a time of year when you can often still have your windows open in Whittier, depending on the weather, so why schedule an HVAC tune-up now when your calendar is already filling up fast?

When you host family and friends, your heating system works harder to filter the air and maintain a consistent temperature. Systems that haven’t had a tune-up recently might struggle under this increased load.

Scheduling your maintenance before guests arrive is like insurance, guaranteeing you’ll have the right amount of warmth and airflow, no matter what curveballs a SoCal winter throws your way. A tune-up also improves system efficiency, so you’re spending less on utility bills, which is a massive benefit after shouldering the weight of holiday expenses.

Professional Holiday HVAC Maintenance in Whittier, CA

Homeowners can only do so much for their HVACs. So after you’ve cleaned your filter, the only real way to improve your system is through professional maintenance. An HVAC technician uses this time to inspect components for damage, ensure everything is clean, and confirm the system is safe and efficient.

This is also the perfect opportunity to address indoor air quality. A cleaner HVAC means fewer allergens circulating in your home, ensuring you and your guests are breathing easy.

Keep Your Holiday Stress-Free

At GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling, we provide thorough heating maintenance services for you this winter. We’ll ensure minor issues don’t become major headaches during the busiest time of year. Contact us today to learn more and schedule your holiday HVAC maintenance in Whittier, CA.

Why Replacing Your Furnace Filter Matters in Whittier Winters

Tue, 25 Nov 2025 07:29:55 GMT

Why Replacing Your Furnace Filter Matters in Whittier Winters

California might have the definition of mild winters, but that doesn’t mean the Whittier area never gets cold. When that first cold snap comes, the last thing you want is a malfunctioning furnace. Fortunately, there’s often a simple fix: replacing your furnace filter. Here’s why furnace filter replacement in Whittier, CA, is crucial to your comfort this winter.

Reducing Allergens

Even during winter, airborne particles wreak havoc in your home. Homeowners often unknowingly trap outside particles in when they seal their space for the season. Additionally, those with pets or moisture issues face months of exposure to mold and dander. Clean filters capture these particles with no problem, instantly improving your indoor air quality.

Preventing System Damage

Clogged filters mean that dust and dirt have nowhere else to go, so airflow is restricted and the heat exchanger can malfunction. This can cause short cycling (when your unit turns on and off frequently) or even a crack in the heat exchanger.

Neither of these issues is ideal, and both are expensive to fix. Proper maintenance, like a furnace filter replacement in Whittier, CA, means you’re giving your furnace the space it needs to perform its duties.

About Changing Your Furnace Filter

Most homeowners should check their filters at least once a month, especially during heavy use times like winter. You may want to clean or replace them once every 90 days. This timeframe varies and will likely be more frequent for homeowners who have allergies or run their system constantly (like those with heat pumps).

If you aren’t sure about how to change your filter, your best bet is to contact a professional. While it’s a relatively easy task for most homeowners, it’s by no means the only thing you should do to care for your furnace. A professional can provide complete services to enhance your furnace’s performance even further.

Schedule Services Like Furnace Filter Replacement in Whittier, CA

Is your furnace struggling to keep up? Take care of it before winter with services from GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling. Contact our team today to learn more and schedule your appointment.

Boosting Fall HVAC Efficiency in Whittier Homes

Tue, 28 Oct 2025 01:21:04 GMT

Boosting Fall HVAC Efficiency in Whittier Homes

You can take several steps to improve your fall HVAC efficiency in Whittier, CA. These basic maintenance tips will help you ensure your heating system is in its best possible condition. By using these suggestions every fall, you’ll save energy and money while extending the lifetime of the equipment.

Schedule Heating Maintenance

Each year, the use of your heating system causes normal wear and tear damage. This results in a weaker system that uses more energy to provide the same level of comfort. A fall inspection and tune-up can reverse that wear and tear damage.

In addition to optimizing your system’s performance, the HVAC technician will look for signs of malfunctions and offer repair suggestions.

Keep an Eye on the Air Filter

Your technician will replace the system’s old air filter during the tune-up. If you also replace the filter every 30 days, you’ll continue to maintain premium fall HVAC efficiency in Whittier, CA. That’s because treated air will pass through a clean air filter more smoothly, and the system won’t use as much energy to maintain a consistent indoor temperature.

Upgrade to a Smart Thermostat

Why should you upgrade to a smart thermostat if your old thermostat still works? A smart thermostat offers more than just temperature regulation. You can monitor your energy usage and adjust the settings to reduce waste. You can even adjust the thermostat remotely via a mobile app for tighter control over the heating system’s operation.

Seal and Insulate Your Ductwork

Although you might schedule regular duct inspections , very tiny crevices are easy to miss. These small gaps let treated air escape before it reaches your living spaces, but sealing your ductwork will eliminate those flaws. Adding a layer of insulation around your ducts will keep the treated air warmer as it travels to your living spaces. These steps will help you maintain a more consistent indoor climate.

Tune-Ups: The Key to Fall HVAC Efficiency in Whittier, CA

When you partner with GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling, we’ll provide a thorough tune-up to prepare your heating system for efficient use. We’ll also check for malfunctions and offer repair services to help you avoid furnace downtime this winter. Contact us today to schedule service.

End-of-Season HVAC Checks for Whittier Residents

Tue, 30 Sep 2025 19:26:24 GMT

End-of-Season HVAC Checks for Whittier Residents

With the summer heat winding down, it’s a great time to take a closer look at your HVAC system. You want to be sure your heating system is prepared for the winter ahead and your AC is ready for next summer. An HVAC filter change in Whittier, CA, and these preventive maintenance tips can help protect your HVAC system.

Change Your HVAC Air Filter

The first thing you should do at the end of the season is check your air filter. Central air systems often have one filter for both the AC and heating. That means a blocked filter will impact performance for both. Most filters should be checked every three months and replaced as needed.

Clean Around Your Outdoor AC Unit

Watch out for leaves building up around your outdoor AC unit. Not only can they work their way inside and damage internal components, but they also hold moisture that can cause corrosion. Trim any plants that are getting too close to the outdoor unit, and take care of any other clutter in the area.

Book a Professional HVAC Tune-Up

A professional tune-up is a great option during the fall. You can ensure your heating system is prepared for the season ahead and avoid potential breakdowns. Technicians can identify any problems before they get worse, ensuring your system continues to run smoothly for years to come.

Make Sure Your Thermostat Is Working

The end of the season is a good time to check your thermostat , as it has a huge impact on cooling and heating performance. Make sure your system is capable of reaching the specified temperature and that it does so accurately. Double-check using a separate thermometer, and look at the temperature in more than one spot to ensure consistency.

Schedule Your HVAC Filter Change in Whittier, CA

Getting ahead of HVAC maintenance will help you enjoy a comfortable winter and a smooth entry into the next cooling season. You can follow these tips to do just that.

When it comes to professional tune-ups and repairs, you can count on GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling. Reach out today to book your system maintenance, including an HVAC filter change , in Whittier, CA.

End-of-Summer AC Maintenance Tips for Whittier Homeowners

Mon, 18 Aug 2025 19:59:01 GMT

End-of-Summer AC Maintenance Tips for Whittier Homeowners

With summer winding down, you might think you’re just about done with your AC for the year. However, taking the time for a little late summer AC maintenance in Whittier, CA, can ensure reliable performance at the start of the next cooling season. Here are some steps you can take to improve your system’s cooling, efficiency, and longevity.

Schedule a Tune-Up if You Haven’t Already

Most homeowners schedule AC tune-ups in the spring or early summer. However, if you didn’t get one yet, you shouldn’t leave it until next year. There could be a variety of potential issues with your AC that will only get worse over time. A professional tune-up will optimize performance for the rest of the season and help you avoid costly repairs.

Remove Any Debris Around the Outside Unit

Debris around the outside unit can cause serious damage between now and next summer. Any sticks and overgrown foliage can damage components and get jammed into internal parts. There are also moisture and corrosion issues related to the buildup of leaves and other organic matter. Clear out the area thoroughly to protect your AC.

Clean the Drain Line

The drain line plays a key role in removing moisture that builds up in the interior unit. However, this constant moisture also poses a risk of mold and algae. Before the season ends, take a look to ensure there isn’t any growth that could get out of hand. Clean the drain line with a simple mixture of water and vinegar to stop any organic growth.

Check for Any Signs of Damage

You should also take a look at your system for potential signs of damage before the season ends. Is it making strange grinding or clunking noises? Can you see any rust or corrosion on the outdoor unit? Take action on these issues now to avoid worse problems next year.

Get Proactive With Late Summer AC Maintenance in Whittier, CA

Taking the proper steps for late summer AC maintenance in Whittier, CA, can help ensure your system is ready to go at the start of next summer. If you’re dealing with any current AC issues, don’t leave them until then. Instead, reach out today for expert AC repairs and maintenance from the team at GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling.

How to Prep Your HVAC System for a Southern California Heatwave

Fri, 01 Aug 2025 01:33:17 GMT

How to Prep Your HVAC System for a Southern California Heatwave

California heatwaves can take a heavy toll on your home’s HVAC system, especially if you (and it) aren’t prepared. Your system will have to run harder to keep up, and that could mean increased wear and tear. Thankfully, you can take the following steps to HVAC heatwave prep in Whittier, CA, and keep your home comfortable no matter how hot it gets:

Replace Your Air Filter

One simple step you can take in response to an upcoming heatwave is to replace your HVAC system’s air filter. It is recommended to do so every three months in general, but either way, doing so will keep dust out of your home and protect your unit. If your air filter is clogged, it will put more strain on your system and can lead to a breakdown when temperatures rise.

Schedule an AC Tune-Up

You should schedule an AC tune-up every year to ensure efficient and reliable performance. An HVAC technician will carefully clean your system and fine-tune it for maximum cooling. They’ll also be able to spot and repair any potential issues that could lead to damage and reduce performance when you need your AC most.

Clean Your Air Ducts

Your air ducts play a key role in distributing cooled air throughout your home. But when dust and other debris build up, it can impede air flow and make cooling more difficult. Professional cleaning makes quick work of that dirt, letting your system work more efficiently while also improving your home’s indoor air quality.

Check Your Thermostat Settings

Ensure that your thermostat is accurately calibrated so you know that your system isn’t overworking itself to reach its set temperature. A smart thermostat is a great investment if you do not yet have one, as it will minimize your energy use while you’re away or as you sleep, all without compromising comfort.

Get Started With HVAC Heatwave Prep in Whittier, CA

You don’t want to find yourself caught off guard by an unexpected heatwave. Let the team at GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling handle your HVAC heatwave prep in Whittier, CA. We provide professional AC tune-ups and duct cleaning to keep your system running reliably and efficiently all season long. Schedule service today to get started.

Enhancing Indoor Air Quality in Whittier Homes During Summer

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 04:26:12 GMT

Enhancing Indoor Air Quality in Whittier Homes During Summer

Maintaining adequate indoor air quality is something to address throughout the year, but it becomes an especially pressing matter in the summertime. California summers bring with them increased pollen and humidity levels, alongside other harsh environmental changes.

Fortunately, following these five tips will leave you with cleaner air that eases breathing for everyone, year-round:

Change the Air Filter Regularly

When looking for ways to enhance your indoor air quality in Whittier, CA, summer AC usage plays an important role. In addition to installing a new air filter at the start of the season, you should plan on changing that filter every 30 days. Frequent filter changes will keep the system functioning efficiently as well as remove more dust, debris, and bacteria from your living spaces.

Keep Up With AC Maintenance

If you’ve ever used an AC without having it tuned up beforehand, you're likely familiar with the unpleasant odor it emits. Maintenance services not only involve fine-tuning the equipment for more efficient performance but also cleaning the equipment’s internal parts. In turn, the particles that cause those odors will be removed, and your cooled air will remain clean and fresh.

Open the Windows and Use an Air Purifier

You don’t have to choose between open windows and indoor air quality in Whittier, CA. Summer breezes will help circulate the air in your home, eliminating stale odors and harmful particles. And if you’re worried about pollen and other external pollutants, a whole-house air purifier will remove those particles.

Consider a Whole-House Dehumidifier

High humidity complicates asthma, allergies, and other respiratory conditions, in addition to promoting moisture damage and mold growth. Although your air conditioner works as a dehumidifier, you might need a little extra help. Installing a whole-house dehumidifier will give you tighter control over your indoor humidity.

Schedule Professional Duct Cleaning

Homeowners often feel surprised when they discover how much dirt and debris accumulate in their HVAC ductwork. Scheduling duct cleaning every three years is enough to remove these pollutants, and the service will also help you discover duct damage early, giving you an opportunity to repair leaks and restore your cooling system’s efficiency.

Ready to Improve Your Indoor Air Quality in Whittier, CA? Summer Help Is Available!

Even if you already take advantage of the high-quality HVAC services that GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling provides, we can do more to improve your indoor comfort, including installing whole-house air purifiers and dehumidifiers . If you’re interested in taking advantage of any of these services or technologies, contact us to request an estimate today!

5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair Before Summer

Tue, 27 May 2025 04:59:23 GMT

5 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair Before Summer

With spring having sprung, it is time to once again start thinking about your air conditioning system. Before you know it, the California summer heat will be bearing down on you, and the last thing you want is for an equipment failure during the hottest days of the year.

Understanding the following common AC repair signs in Whittier, CA, can help you recognize when it’s best to call an AC repair specialist, which will save you money, time, and discomfort:

1. Weak Air Flow

Weak air flow is one of the most common AC repair signs in Whittier, CA. You may notice less or inconsistent air flow, indicating a problem with the compressor or a clogged filter.

Your AC’s airflow can also become restricted and fail to circulate correctly if dust and dirt build up in your home’s vents or ductwork. In turn, your home will become uncomfortable, and your unit will have to work harder, increasing your energy expenses.

2. Your Unit Blows Warm Air

An air conditioner is supposed to blow refreshingly cool air. If yours isn’t, it may have an issue such as a malfunctioning compressor or a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical that allows your air conditioner to cool the air; even a tiny leak can make a big impact on your comfort.

3. Strange Odors

Musty or burning smells coming from your vents may signify the presence of mold, mildew, or even an electrical issue, like a burnt wire. Moldy ducts create a health hazard, and electrical problems require immediate attention to reduce the risk of a fire.

4. Short Cycling

An AC automatically shuts off once your home reaches the programmed temperature. However, if your system seems to constantly turn off and on, that’s called short cycling, and it is a clear sign of an AC problem . Your unit could be oversized, malfunctioning, or both. Regardless, short cycling puts a strain on your AC system, and it will require a professional repair or replacement to prevent future failures.

5. High Indoor Humidity

AC units are known for their cooling abilities. However, they also remove excess moisture from the air. Therefore, if your home feels sticky or damp, even with the AC running, your system may not be working right. Whether there is an issue with the evaporator coils or another failing component, excessive humidity is one of the clear AC repair signs in Whittier, CA.

Addressing AC Repair Signs in Whittier, CA

If you’ve noticed one or more of these signs, don’t wait until your system breaks down completely. Call GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a repair!

Eco-Friendly Cooling Tips to Lower Your Spring Energy Bill in Southern California

Wed, 30 Apr 2025 23:28:15 GMT

Eco-Friendly Cooling Tips to Lower Your Spring Energy Bill in Southern California

With spring officially underway, you may be a homeowner looking for eco-friendly home cooling solutions in southern California to lower spring energy bills and reduce emissions. Here are five measures that can help you save money while making change for the better.

Install a Smart Thermostat

A smart thermostat automatically changes HVAC temperatures according to your specifications. Many of the latest models learn and keep track of your home’s heating and cooling habits.

By setting your smart thermostat to lower temperatures or power off when you don’t need it, you reduce energy consumption, which can lower your utility bill.

Use Ceiling Fans

Ceiling fans cost far less to operate than HVAC systems. They create a wind-chill effect that can deliver instant comfort. Using them in combination with your HVAC, you can keep your thermostat moderately higher while ceiling fans are running. This puts less stress on your energy resources and could reduce your bill.

Insulate Ducts

An HVAC duct that isn’t properly insulated can produce fluctuations in temperature. It also works harder than it should to maintain temperature.

By insulating and sealing ductwork, you can cut down on heat transfers and keep conditioned air from losing heat or cold as it moves through the duct. Insulation can also extend the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Upgrade to an ENERGY STAR®-Certified System

HVAC systems with high ENERGY STAR ratings are extremely energy-efficient, meeting or beating EPA guidelines. They limit energy consumption and cap greenhouse gas emissions.

Especially if your current unit is 10 years old or older, upgrading to an ENERGY STAR-certified system is one of the best eco-friendly home cooling solutions in southern California to lower spring energy bills and reduce emissions.

Install Window Film or Solar Screens

It’s usually sunny in southern California. You may be surprised how much that distant star can increase your home temperature. Reflective window films or solar screens restrict UV rays from entering your home. They can ease your HVAC load and cool your house, especially during the warmer spring and summer months.

Get Help With Eco-Friendly Home Cooling Solutions in Southern California to Lower Spring Energy Bills and Reduce Emissions

At GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling , we are committed to top-level customer service, quality products and workmanship, and taking measures to preserve the environment. Call us to set up an appointment and an estimate.

Spring Allergies in Southern California? Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With These HVAC Solutions

Mon, 31 Mar 2025 04:36:27 GMT

Spring Allergies in Southern California? Improve Your Indoor Air Quality With These HVAC Solutions

Spring is a beautiful time of year that brings warmer weather, gorgeous flowers, and, for some people, frustrating allergy symptoms. Here are some indoor air quality solutions for spring allergies in southern California with professional heating / cooling services, and a few you can do yourself.

Control Your Humidity

The ideal humidity threshold is around 30–50%. This will help prevent mold or dust mites from making themselves comfortable in your HVAC system. If your HVAC alone can’t reach these levels, you may want to consider adding a whole-home humidifier to keep allergens at bay.

Use Your Smart Thermostat

In addition to scheduling indoor air quality solutions for spring allergies in southern California with professional heating/cooling services, you can also take some matters into your own hands.

Monitor your home’s indoor air quality and even humidity from the control panel. Pay close attention to what your thermostat is telling you. And if you haven’t already, consider investing in a smart thermostat to keep your system operating at peak efficiency.

Book a Maintenance Visit

There’s nothing better for your HVAC system and air quality than professional maintenance services. Spring is the perfect time to book your maintenance visit , as it allows you to address any system issues before temperatures become extreme.

However, to minimize allergies, maintenance visits include a full cleaning, meaning the HVAC technician will eliminate any allergens in your system making their way into your air.

An HVAC tune-up will also improve your system’s performance. It will enhance its ability to remove allergens and pollutants from the air even after the maintenance is complete. The bonus of lower energy bills is a benefit that provides a different kind of comfort and peace of mind.

Call Today for Indoor Air Quality Solutions for Spring Allergies in Southern California With Professional Heating/Cooling Services

Spring allergies don’t have to hold you back. GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling offers comprehensive services for any climate control system. Contact our team to learn more about our approach to improving air quality or to book your appointment.

How Southern California’s Coastal Climate Affects Your HVAC System and What You Can Do About It

Fri, 28 Feb 2025 07:51:46 GMT

How Southern California’s Coastal Climate Affects Your HVAC System and What You Can Do About It

Living in sunny southern California has its perks, but the coastal climate can cause issues with your HVAC system. This could lead to higher energy costs and a shorter lifespan for the system. Luckily, there is a way to have warm summers, mild winters, and a functioning HVAC system .

How Coastal California Weather Affects Your HVAC System

Living in southern California exposes you to extreme temperatures. Temperatures can drop significantly during the winter and escalate throughout the summer. These extremes cause your HVAC system to work overtime to keep your indoor area comfortable.

California also experiences a lot of rain. Excess water can collect around your outdoor unit, damaging it and affecting the entire system's efficiency.

Although snow is infrequent in the southern part of the state, it can still fall. However, snow is less likely to impact your HVAC system.

Another risk during the rainy season threatens your equipment: humidity. Like extreme temperatures, high humidity levels cause your heating and cooling units to work overtime to maintain comfort.

Salty sea air can also impact your equipment. It can cause premature corrosion, making your system rust and need a replacement.

Although there isn’t much you can do about the weather, you can schedule heating/cooling maintenance for coastal homes in southern California to prevent system corrosion and improve efficiency.

Managing the Effects of Weather on Your HVAC System

The best thing you can do to protect your HVAC system is regularly have a technician perform heating/cooling maintenance for coastal homes in southern California to prevent system corrosion and improve efficiency.

During these appointments, technicians clean and inspect the system, detecting any issues that can impact performance.

Even minor problems can affect the system's operation, energy use, and longevity. However, you can have a technician complete the necessary repairs and avoid an inefficient system.

Professional Heating/Cooling Maintenance for Coastal Homes in Southern California to Prevent System Corrosion and Improve Efficiency

GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling technicians have the tools, knowledge, and skills to perform the maintenance services your southern California home needs. We’ll conduct a thorough inspection and seasonal tune-up to keep your system working at its best. Contact us today to schedule your appointment !

How Advanced Air Filtration Can Improve Your Southern California Home’s Air Quality

Fri, 31 Jan 2025 00:01:42 GMT

How Advanced Air Filtration Can Improve Your Southern California Home’s Air Quality

Air pollution isn’t limited to outdoor spaces. The air inside your home can cause health problems, too, and it can be even unhealthier because the air tends to recirculate rather than escape. HVAC systems will filter the air to a degree, but there’s a reason people are turning to advanced air filtration for better indoor air quality in Southern California homes.

What Is Advanced Filtration?

To eliminate microscopic contaminants as small as 0.3 microns — such as COVID-19 viruses — advanced filtration systems use high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filters. These systems are also more efficient than standard HVAC filters at trapping hair, dander, spores, dust, and pollen. Fans pull indoor air through multiple stages of filters designed to catch increasingly tiny particles.

The Benefits of Advanced Air Filtration

Customers trust advanced air filtration for better indoor air quality in Southern California homes for the following reasons:

Less Exposure to Pollutants

Allergy sufferers and immunocompromised individuals enjoy drastic reductions in pollen, bacteria, and viruses. Even otherwise healthy individuals can experience cold-like symptoms when enough contaminants build up, so the fewer particles present in the air, the better.

Also, many filtration systems use UV-C light to destroy pathogens that would otherwise linger in the air.

Odor Reduction

Filtration removes the particles responsible for unpleasant smells. Mold spores can’t propagate and make the air smell musty, while pet odors also get sucked in and trapped.

Reduced Strain on Your HVAC System

One of the biggest sources of stress for an HVAC system is the buildup of foreign particles. These particles restrict airflow and can get into moving parts, causing increased friction and reduced efficiency. Dust and dirt that would collect in vents and ducts will instead collect in your system’s HEPA filters.

Trust the Experts to Install Advanced Air Filtration for Better Indoor Air Quality in Southern California Homes

The experienced techs at GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling are here to help you breathe easy. With an advanced air filtration system , you can keep the air clean from the contaminants that impact your health. To find out how you can get an expert installation, contact GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling today!

How to Prepare Your Heating System for Southern California Winter: Essential Maintenance Tips

Mon, 23 Dec 2024 02:09:11 GMT

How to Prepare Your Heating System for Southern California Winter: Essential Maintenance Tips

Southern California isn’t famous for frigid temperatures like other parts of the country. But that doesn’t mean it can’t dip into lower digits, especially during winter and at night. Homeowners need to take good care of their HVAC systems to stay comfortable no matter what the season brings their way.

Here are some heating system maintenance tips for Southern California winter, direct from professionals who know best.

Change and Clean Your Filters

If you haven’t swapped out your filter since last year, now’s the time to do it. It’s a simple task that makes a significant difference — and it’s easy to do yourself. Check your filters at least monthly, and consider replacing them once every three months.

You may want to do this more frequently depending on other factors, like if you have pets or someone in the home with allergies.

Consider a Maintenance Plan

Scheduling routine inspections and tune-ups is an excellent way to ensure your system gets the care it needs. Many companies offer maintenance plans, but you can also discuss individual needs with a professional and develop something specific to you.

Whether you go with a set plan or call for maintenance whenever you need it, professional servicing is vital if you want to get through the winter comfortably.

Test Your Thermostat

Another of the best heating system maintenance tips for Southern California winter is to be mindful of your thermostat.

Set it a few degrees above the current room temperature and wait for the heat to kick in. If it doesn’t respond or starts short-cycling, there might be a problem. This is also a good time to upgrade to a smart thermostat if you don’t already have one, as they help immensely with energy efficiency and comfort.

Need More Heating System Maintenance Tips for Southern California Winters? Contact the Pros at GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling

If you’re worried about this year’s winter, we’re here to help put your concerns to rest. Reach out to GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment. We’ll perform routine maintenance on your system and arm you with even more tips to help you get through the colder months with confidence.

Do You Really Need Heating Maintenance in a Mild Climate? Here’s Why It’s Still Important

Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:35:53 GMT

Do You Really Need Heating Maintenance in a Mild Climate? Here’s Why It’s Still Important

California temperatures are fair and mild most of the time. This means you may not use your HVAC system as consistently as homeowners in other regions. While you use the system less, keeping up with maintenance is still essential. Here are a few reasons to keep up with inspections and tune-ups .

Maintain the Warranty Conditions

The manufacturer's warranty makes heating maintenance important in California despite moderate temperatures. Falling behind with maintenance can invalidate your warranty.

If you discover a defect down the road, the manufacturer may not cover the replacement or repairs. For this reason alone, ensure you schedule regular maintenance with certified technicians.

Combat Wear and Tear Damage

Even when you use your HVAC system infrequently, it will still suffer wear and tear damage. Although the rate of damage is slower, there's still an effect on your heater's efficiency and performance.

This gradual damage makes heating maintenance important in California despite moderate temperatures. Regular tune-up services reverse wear and tear damage and keep your system in optimal condition.

Air Quality Makes Heating Maintenance Important in California Despite Moderate Temperatures

As a coastal state, California's air carries salt, sand, and moisture to nearby residential communities. Those contaminants join the other pollutants and allergens that enter your home. Those particles can get into your system’s coils, motor, and other components.

When you run the heating system in this condition, you'll cause corrosive damage. Those extra particles will enter your living spaces as well. You can protect your heating system and boost your indoor air quality with routine maintenance.

Catch Malfunctions Early

During maintenance, your HVAC technician will look for the signs of a malfunction. They will notify you when they discover a problem. This gives you the advanced notice you might need to plan ahead for repairs. Early notice can also help you avoid the loss of your heating system at a crucial time.

It's Never Too Late for Maintenance

If you have previously neglected seasonal maintenance , GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling can help you catch up. Even a late-season tune-up provides benefits for the system and your wallet. When you're ready to improve HVAC performance, contact us to schedule service .

Why Fall Is the Perfect Time for Heating and Cooling Maintenance in Southern California

Wed, 30 Oct 2024 07:46:06 GMT

Why Fall Is the Perfect Time for Heating and Cooling Maintenance in Southern California

It might seem a bit out of place to have to worry about fall heating / cooling maintenance in Southern California, of all places, but it’s easy to be lulled into a false sense of security. Lows during the winter can dip down into the 40s, which may not seem like a big deal until your HVAC system breaks and it’s suddenly just as chilly inside your home.

Fall Is When Your HVAC System Is Used the Least

The autumn season represents the perfect time to take care of your home’s maintenance and repair needs, and that’s because you’re not experiencing the extreme temperatures of the summer and winter. If your air conditioning system needs serious repair or even a replacement, you could be without it for a few days or a week. But given fall’s more reasonable temperatures, that kind of loss won’t be nearly as impactful.

Repair Techs Have Less Demand

Since HVAC systems see less use in temperate seasons, they tend to experience fewer failures, which means that scheduling a visit from a repair tech is usually pretty easy! With such flexibility, you can set a time for the repair tech that’s more convenient for you.

You Can Improve Your Air Quality

Though its temperatures may be more forgiving, fall isn’t without its own unique set of issues. There’s more pollen, dust, and other allergens in the air, and if your HVAC system is running poorly or has a clogged filter, those allergens are going to be running rampant in your home. With a little maintenance, your unit can be back up to snuff, filtering out irritants that could otherwise harm you and your loved ones.

Electricity Bills Will Be Lower

HVAC systems that struggle to maintain temperature run constantly, causing wear and tear on the machinery and using up electricity in the process. Once winter hits, the system will only have to work harder still, putting an even greater strain on it. Having a trusted company perform such much-needed maintenance and repairs will not only reduce your power bills but also extend the system’s lifespan as well.

Choose GreenLeaf for Fall Heating/Cooling Maintenance in Southern California

From simple routine maintenance to major, invasive repairs, you’ll get the same excellent service from GreenLeaf Heating and Cooling! We have the experience and the knowledge to ensure you get the temperature control you need to make your home as comfy as you deserve year-round. Contact us today to schedule your fall heating/cooling maintenance in Southern California today!

How to Maximize Savings With HVAC Rebates and 0% Financing in Whittier, CA

Sun, 18 Aug 2024 00:11:01 GMT

How to Maximize Savings With HVAC Rebates and 0% Financing in Whittier, CA

An HVAC system that can’t keep up with your summer cooling needs can cost a lot of money. Fortunately, the upfront cost of a new system doesn’t have to take a big bite out of your household budget.

When you take advantage of HVAC rebates and 0% financing in Whittier, CA, you’re investing in a system that will meet your climate control needs more efficiently.

A $1,000 Instant Rebate Is Just the Start of Your Savings

Replacing a large, bulky HVAC system doesn’t have to be a major project. Consider switching to a heat pump. This option earns you an instant rebate of up to $1,000.

Heat pumps are also smaller and require less energy to provide the same level of comfort. Since you can reverse the action on a heat pump, you can use it year-round to heat or cool your home.

Combine HVAC Rebates and 0% Financing in Whittier, CA

Long-term payment options for your replacement HVAC system also save you money. Customers with credit approval can qualify for 0% financing for 18 months. GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling works with Synchrony Bank to make this possible.

Through this partnership, we offer multiple financing options to help homeowners afford more energy-efficient HVAC systems. A modern HVAC replacement lowers energy costs and more effectively filters contaminants out of indoor air.

Save on Your Year-End Income Taxes

Along with allowing you to take advantage of HVAC rebates and 0% financing in Whittier, CA, installing a replacement system means lower income taxes next year since certain systems qualify you for a tax credit of up to $2,000. Take advantage of the credit to earn a bigger tax return.

Let the HVAC Pros Help You Find a New System

GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling provides HVAC installation services that will help you heat and cool your home more efficiently. After we install your state-of-the-art system, we provide ongoing maintenance and repairs to extend the lifetime of your new equipment. If you’re ready to replace your inefficient system, request an estimate today!

Top 5 HVAC Maintenance Tips for Summer in Whittier, CA

Thu, 18 Jul 2024 05:39:41 GMT

Top 5 HVAC Maintenance Tips for Summer in Whittier, CA

When you keep up with HVAC maintenance throughout the summer, the system cools your home more efficiently. This results in a more comfortable indoor climate and consistent energy bills. HVAC maintenance entails a few things to do throughout the summer to maintain your system’s optimal operation.

1. Schedule an Annual Tune-Up

The most important of the summer HVAC maintenance tips in Whittier, CA, is to schedule a tune-up. The ideal time for a system tune-up is early spring, but a summer tune-up still gives you several weeks of improved HVAC performance.

2. Check the Air Filter

Even after a tune-up counteracts some of the wear and tear to your HVAC system, a dirty air filter can still cause damage, air quality issues, and poor cooling. Check your air filter every 30 days, replacing it if it’s dirty or clogged with debris.

3. Clean Your Registers and Vents

Vents and registers affect air quality and cooling performance. When dust and debris block these access points, there is a decreased flow of treated air, and your home feels warmer than it should. Your system must also work harder to cool your house. Use a damp cloth to wipe dirt and debris from your vents and registers weekly.

4. Adjust the Thermostat

Many summer HVAC maintenance tips in Whittier, CA recommend investing in a smart thermostat, programmable with a mobile app. However, you can still use a traditional model to reduce HVAC damage. Raise the thermostat a few degrees when you leave home for the day, and lower the temperature when you return.

5. Keep an Eye on the Outdoor Compressor

The outdoor compressor is an essential part of your HVAC system. Keep the surrounding area free from foliage, litter, and debris. Make sure your pest control technician sprays around the compressor to keep rodents and insects from nesting inside the unit. A tune-up services this component to ensure peak performance.

Need Help Applying Summer HVAC Maintenance Tips in Whittier, CA? Call the HVAC Experts

GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling offers a wide range of HVAC services, including preventive maintenance. It’s not too late to enjoy the benefits of an optimized system this season. Contact us to schedule service today!

Stay Cool, Whittier: How GreenLeaf’s HVAC Maintenance Plans Save You Money and Stress

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 15:38:36 GMT

Stay Cool, Whittier: How GreenLeaf’s HVAC Maintenance Plans Save You Money and Stress

California might be a cool place to live, but residents know just how intense the heat can be. To combat it, you need a quality AC in tip-top shape — that’s our specialty! Here’s how GreenLeaf HVAC maintenance in Whittier, CA, goes above and beyond to keep you comfortable and stress-free.

No More Surprise Repairs

Imagine your AC breaks down in the middle of summer. You’ll be dealing with an unexpected cost and an incredibly stressful situation.

Instead, a maintenance plan ensures that you have access to routine HVAC maintenance in Whittier, CA. And routine maintenance is the number one way to reduce the chances of something breaking down unexpectedly.

No More Mind-Boggling Utility Bills

Routine AC maintenance is also one of the easiest ways to lower energy costs. Neglected units work much harder to keep your home cool. The added stress from scorching heat exacerbates this problem. The result can be staggeringly high energy bills that are entirely avoidable with professional maintenance — like what we offer at GreenLeaf.

No More Stressing About Service

An AC breakdown can be even more stressful because you aren’t always sure when the problem will be fixed. That all changes with our maintenance plans . Our Gold and Platinum packages guarantee service within 24 hours. So if something should ever go haywire, you know that help is already on the way.

No More Expensive Maintenance Visits

Many homeowners know the benefits of routine maintenance but put off scheduling services because they think the cost isn’t worth it. But if you’re concerned about finances, you have even more reasons to sign up for one of our plans.

Each plan offers a flat percentage discount on services, with the Platinum package being the best value at a whopping 25% discount! With these rates, having routine HVAC maintenance is a no-brainer.

Call Now for Professional HVAC Maintenance in Whittier, CA

Who wants to spend their summer with too much stress and too little money? GreenLeaf is here to save your summer from HVAC-related discomfort! Contact us today to learn more about our maintenance programs.

Beat the Whittier Warm-Up: Essential AC Check-Ups Before California’s Summer Days

Tue, 28 May 2024 16:24:33 GMT

Beat the Whittier Warm-Up: Essential AC Check-Ups Before California’s Summer Days

Many residents of other states are jealous of the beautiful California weather. But they may not realize how punishing the heat can really be. If you’re in the area, here’s what you need for your routine AC check-up in Whittier summer.

Check Your Air Filter

The air filter is the workhorse behind keeping the air in your home clean and your system running its best. A clean filter will not only help keep the dust and allergens at bay but also reduce the effort your AC has to put in to keep your home cool. The less work your AC has to do in the summer, the longer it lasts!

Experts recommend checking your air filter frequently, not just before summer, to confirm that your system can perform optimally.

Check Your Thermostat

You want to check that your thermostat is functioning correctly. A broken thermostat will lead to discomfort, higher energy bills, and improper temperature readings. You can do this through thermostat calibration. However, this task is much more suitable for professionals, so it’s best to simply call for an AC check-up in Whittier summer instead of attempting to do it yourself.

This might also be the perfect opportunity to introduce a smart thermostat into the equation. Smart thermostats can ensure your AC doesn’t overwork itself — it will only turn on and off based on parameters you set to keep your home at its most comfortable.

Check Your Condenser Unit

You can check on your condenser unit, which is outside your home. Start by removing any leaves, twigs, or debris accumulated around or on it. Anything surrounding the unit could lead to a drop in energy efficiency and performance. This is another task that’s best done by a professional, as they’ll be able to investigate inside the unit as well to ensure everything is in good working order.

Schedule Your Appointment for an AC Check-Up in Whittier Summer

The California summer is catching up to you, but GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling stays hot on its heels! If you need a pre-summer AC checkup, contact us today to book your appointment before the heat gets serious.

Explore HVAC Rebate Opportunities in Whittier, CA: Save Big on Green Leaf Services

Mon, 22 Apr 2024 15:19:33 GMT

Explore HVAC Rebate Opportunities in Whittier, CA: Save Big on Green Leaf Services

Californians are no strangers to soaring heat in the summertime. How familiar are you with ways to save money on a new, more efficient HVAC system, though? GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling is among the Golden State's first to be qualified to offer select rebates to customers .

Our highly skilled team is knowledgeable and experienced. We proudly help our SoCal neighbors navigate ways to keep money in their wallets while enjoying premium comfort! Let's take a closer look at some of these options together.

Performance Matters

At GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling, we believe you deserve an air conditioning system with superior performance. When the temperature outside is 90°F and higher, your home should be a comfortable haven from the heat. We have been providing relief from the scorching summer sun to all of Southern California since 1956!

When you call GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling to meet your needs, you can rest easy. Our technicians attend ongoing training, ensuring our clients receive the highest standards of service and care. Our licensed and certified team can work with all types and brands of cooling systems.

California HVAC Rebates

Did you know that there are HVAC rebates available to California residents? That's right! Now, you can save money by upgrading to a new, energy-saving model to help keep your monthly heating and cooling costs down.

Let us help you finance a new HVAC system! We love going the extra mile for our clients. GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling is a pioneer in the state's special rebates. Call us today at 562-632-4577.

Home Performance Plus by CLEAResult

Are you ready to upgrade your home with an energy-saving system? ClearResult provides homeowners and renters in Southern California with an affordable option. We can help you learn more about their rebates and determine your eligibility!

In addition to savings on heating and cooling units, the Home Performance Plus rebate is available for duct sealing services. Our team is ready to help you improve your indoor air quality. Properly sealed air ducts prevent polluted air from entering your HVAC system and spreading throughout your house.

Tech Clean California

Did you know that heat pumps don't generate warmth? They work by transferring it from one place to another. These cost-effective systems are like miracle workers. They can even help keep your home cool in the summer!

You might be eligible for a rebate for one from Tech Clean California. With a savings offer of up to $1,000 on new ducted and ductless heat pumps, why wait? Contact our office, and let us help you determine your eligibility!

IRA — 25C Tax Credit

Inflation doesn't have to be a roadblock to owning a new HVAC system. This specially designed rebate helps homeowners save up to $2,000 in tax credits annually. The Inflation Reduction Act (IRA) can help make a hefty difference by lowering your installation cost.

This tax provision can save residents up to 30% on service upgrades related to heat pump installation. The IRA — 25C Tax Credit also covers select improvements and replacement parts. Call GreenLeaf Heating & Cooling today at 562-632-4577 . Our team of professionals is standing by to answer your questions.

What Are My Options for Air Conditioning Installation?

Mon, 19 Feb 2024 16:00:00 GMT

When it comes to surviving the summer heat of Southern California, having an efficient air conditioning system is a necessity rather than a luxury. But with the myriad of options available, choosing the right one can be overwhelming.

SoCal is notorious for its hot and dry summers, with temperatures often soaring above 90°F for extended periods. Additionally, the region experiences mild winters, making year-round climate control essential for comfort. The choice of AC system should be tailored to cope with these climatic conditions effectively.

In this blog, we’ll delve into the 3 primary options for air conditioning installation in Southern California: heat pumps, central air conditioners, and mini splits.

Heat Pumps: The All-in-One Solution

Heat pumps offer a versatile solution for both heating and cooling needs. By utilizing a refrigeration cycle, heat pumps extract heat from the air inside during summer and reverse the process to provide warmth during winter.

One significant advantage of heat pumps in Southern California is their energy efficiency, as they can transfer heat rather than generate it. We also don’t have to worry about a lack of efficiency that can diminish in extremely cold temperatures. However, the initial purchase price and installation costs can be higher compared to other options.

Central Air Conditioners: Traditional Cooling Powerhouses

Central air conditioning systems are the staple choice for many homeowners across the country. They consist of an outdoor unit containing a compressor and condenser, connected to an indoor unit that distributes cool air throughout the house via ductwork.

Central ACs excel in maintaining consistent temperatures throughout the home and are well-suited for larger properties. They’re also generally less expensive to purchase upfront compared to a heat pump. However, they may not be the most energy-efficient option, especially for smaller spaces.

Mini Splits: Flexible and Efficient Cooling

Mini split systems offer a ductless alternative to traditional central ACs, making them ideal for homes without existing ductwork or for room additions. They comprise an outdoor condenser unit connected to one or more indoor air-handling units, allowing for zoned cooling and individual temperature control.

Mini splits are highly energy-efficient as they eliminate the energy losses associated with ductwork. They can be a cost-effective solution for smaller homes or specific areas requiring cooling.

Factors to Consider When Choosing an AC System

Several factors should influence your decision when selecting an AC system for your home. Budget considerations, energy efficiency ratings, property size and layout, and personal preferences all play a significant role. Consulting with our HVAC professionals can help you navigate these factors and make an informed decision tailored to your specific needs.

Choosing the right AC system for your home is a crucial decision that can significantly impact your comfort and energy bills. Whether you opt for a heat pump, central AC, or mini split, weighing the pros and cons against your home’s and family’s requirements is key. By understanding our climate, exploring your options, and seeking our expert advice, you can ensure a cool and comfortable indoor environment year-round.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for air conditioning installation in Lakewood, CA .

California Wildfires and Duct Cleaning Greenleaf

Mon, 05 Feb 2024 16:00:00 GMT

With the increasing frequency and severity of wildfires in California, homeowners are facing the long-lasting impacts on indoor air quality. One often overlooked aspect of wildfire aftermath is the effect of ash, soot, and particulate matter lingering in HVAC ductwork.

In this blog post, we will delve into the reasons why homeowners should prioritize professional HVAC duct cleaning in the wake of California wildfires, shedding light on the potential health hazards and damage to HVAC systems.

Understanding the Impact of Wildfires on Indoor Air Quality:

Wildfire smoke doesn’t discriminate; it finds its way into homes, infiltrating indoor spaces and settling on surfaces. The HVAC system, designed to circulate air throughout the house, inadvertently becomes a carrier of these contaminants.

Ash, soot, microscopic particles, and particulate matter generated during wildfires pose health risks when trapped in the ductwork. The implications range from respiratory issues to long-term health concerns, making it crucial for homeowners to be proactive in addressing the aftermath of wildfires.

Importance of Regular HVAC Duct Cleaning:

Wildfire-related contaminants can compromise the efficiency of HVAC systems. The accumulation of ash and soot within the ductwork creates a breeding ground for issues such as reduced airflow and efficiency in the HVAC system. Professional cleaning is essential to ensure optimal performance and longevity.

The direct link between indoor air quality and respiratory health cannot be overstated. Contaminated ductwork can exacerbate respiratory issues among occupants, especially those with pre-existing conditions. By investing in HVAC duct cleaning, homeowners can significantly reduce the risk of health problems associated with prolonged exposure to wildfire-related pollutants.

Professional HVAC Duct Cleaning

Professional HVAC companies bring expertise when it comes to air duct cleaning. This service is recommended every 3-5 years. Equipped with specialized tools and techniques, they can thoroughly clean ductwork, removing even the most stubborn particles. This ensures a comprehensive cleaning process, reducing the risk of contaminants lingering in the system.

Signs That Your HVAC Ducts Need Cleaning:

As California continues to grapple with the escalating threat of wildfires and their ill effects, homeowners can’t overlook how it affects their HVAC ductwork. After all, the “V” in HVAC stands for ventilation. The aftermath of wildfires extends beyond visible damage, affecting the very air we breathe.

By prioritizing professional HVAC duct cleaning every 3-5 years, homeowners can take a proactive step towards safeguarding their homes, ensuring a healthier indoor environment for themselves and their families.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for all your air duct related needs in Pomona, CA .

The “V” in HVAC: Ventilation

Mon, 22 Jan 2024 16:00:00 GMT

When it comes to indoor comfort, the “V” in HVAC plays a big role that often goes unnoticed. Ventilation, often overshadowed by heating and cooling, plays a large part in creating a healthy and comfortable living environment.

Let’s look closer at the often underappreciated side of HVAC, explore why you should get your ducts tested in Whittier, CA , and learn about the importance of ventilation in your home.

What Does HVAC Stand For?

HVAC stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning. While heating and cooling are the more commonly acknowledged components, ventilation is equally important to the overall indoor climate control system. Ventilation is responsible for the circulation of fresh air, removing stale air, pollutants, and regulating humidity levels.

What Ventilation Does

The Importance of Ducts and Their Maintenance

In the dance of indoor climate control, ventilation emerges as a vital partner alongside heating and cooling. It is the unseen force that breathes life into our living spaces, granting not just thermal comfort but also optimal air quality and humidity levels. Recognizing the importance of ventilation in the broader context of HVAC allows us to appreciate the comprehensive role it plays in creating environments that are both comfortable and healthy.

As we continue to prioritize indoor well-being, let’s not overlook the “V” in HVAC. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for all your air duct related needs and more!

Does My California Home Need Duct Cleaning?

Mon, 08 Jan 2024 16:00:00 GMT

Nestled under the Californian sun, your home is a sanctuary of comfort and warmth. But have you ever wondered about the air circulating within your living spaces and the contaminants that it might contain?

Your HVAC system’s ductwork plays an important role in maintaining indoor air quality and helping to provide a healthy living space for you and your family. After some time passes your system can accumulate dust, allergens, and pollutants. When these build up, it’s time to consider duct cleaning service in Whittier, C A. Let’s shed some light on the factors that will influence your decision to get duct cleaning performed on your home.

The California Climate

California boasts a diverse climate, from the sunny beaches to the snowy mountains. The varying landscapes also mean diverse air quality challenges. In regions with high pollen counts or wildfire-prone areas, airborne particles can infiltrate your home’s ducts. This can impact indoor air quality. If you notice an increase in allergies or respiratory issues it might be a sign that your ducts could benefit from a good cleaning.

Frequency of HVAC System Usage

Residents often rely heavily on their HVAC systems, especially during warm summers or chilly nights. The more you use your system, the greater the likelihood of dust and debris accumulating in the ductwork. Regular usage can lead to the build-up of contaminants that potentially affect both system efficiency and indoor air quality.

Home Renovations or Construction

If your home has recently undergone renovations or construction work, the dust and debris generated during these processes could find their way into the ductwork. Even with meticulous cleaning efforts, some particles may linger. This calls for a thorough duct cleaning to make sure that your indoor air remains clean and healthy.

Signs of Dust and Debris

Visual cues within your home can indicate the need for duct cleaning. If you notice visible dust or debris around air vents or on surfaces despite regular cleaning, it may be a sign that contaminants are circulating through the ducts. Also, if you can smell musty or unpleasant odors coming from the vents, this could indicate the presence of mold or mildew.

Those with allergies or respiratory sensitivities may experience exacerbated symptoms if the indoor air quality is compromised. If family members frequently complain of sneezing, coughing, or itchy eyes, it’s worth investigating the cleanliness of your ductwork.

So, does your California home need duct cleaning? The answer depends on various factors, but it can be said that regular inspections and maintenance are important for preserving indoor air quality and helping to uphold the efficiency of your HVAC system.

If you suspect that your ducts may be harboring contaminants, consult with a professional HVAC service. They can provide insights and solutions to keep the air in your home fresh, clean, and conducive to a healthy living environment.

Your indoor air quality should be nothing short of pristine. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

When’s the Best Time of Year for AC Maintenance?

Mon, 25 Dec 2023 16:00:00 GMT

As the seasons change and the weather warms up, your air conditioning unit becomes an important ally in the battle against the heat. To keep your AC running smoothly and efficiently regular AC maintenance in Long Beach, CA , is the key. But when is the optimal time to give your cooling companion the attention it deserves? Let’s take a look at the best time of year for AC maintenance to make sure that your home stays cool and comfortable when you need it the most!

The Ideal Kickstart

Spring is the prime season for AC maintenance. As the temperatures begin to rise, it’s the perfect time to address any issues that may have cropped up during the winter hibernation. Spring maintenance typically involves cleaning or replacing air filters, inspecting the refrigerant levels, and checking for any wear and tear on components. This approach makes sure that your unit is ready to tackle the heat waves of summer without missing a beat.

Early Summer

If spring slipped by without you scheduling maintenance, fear not because early summer is still a great time for a tune-up. By getting ahead of the high summer temperatures you can address any possible issues before they get worse. This is also a strategic time to clean the evaporator and condenser coils. This helps grant optimal heat exchange efficiency and preventing overworked components.

Fall

As the summer heat begins to wane and the demand on your AC lessens a bit, autumn offers another window of opportunity for maintenance. This is an ideal time to assess any wear and tear incurred during the peak cooling season. Additionally, cleaning the outdoor condenser unit and inspecting the ductwork can contribute to a smoother transition into the cooler months.

The Off-Season Pause

While it might seem logical to give your AC some TLC during the off-season, winter is not the optimal time for maintenance. AC systems are designed for warm weather and working on them in colder temperatures can lead to inaccuracies in measurements and performance assessments.

Consistency is Key

While there are specific seasons that are considered optimal for maintenance, the truth is, consistency throughout the year is the real winner. Regular checks and minor adjustments prevent small issues from snowballing into major malfunctions. Make it a habit to change or clean filters monthly, keep the outdoor unit free from debris, and schedule professional maintenance at least once a year to ensure your system operates efficiently and lasts longer.

Choosing the best time of year for maintenance depends on your climate and the specific needs of your cooling system. Whether you opt for a spring kickoff, an early summer tune-up, or a fall checkup, the key is consistency. Regular proactive maintenance not only keeps your AC in top shape but also extends its lifespan, helping you stay cool and comfortable when the heat is on.

Give your AC the attention it deserves and enjoy a consistently cool home throughout the year. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

How Can I Protect My AC From My Dog?

Mon, 11 Dec 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Ah, the joys of sharing your home with a furry companion. The wagging tails, the playful antics, and the unconditional love. While having a dog adds warmth to your life it also introduces some challenges, especially when it comes to your home appliances.

In this case, we’re talking about your condenser unit. If you’ve got a rambunctious friend who frequents the outdoors unattended, it might end up with you needing air conditioning services in Long Beach, CA . Let’s explore the unique considerations for protecting your air conditioner from your four-legged friend’s inquisitive nature, with a special emphasis on the potential damage caused by dogs urinating on the condenser.

Dogs Marking

One unique challenge dogs pose is the urge to mark their territory, often by urinating on vertical surfaces. Unfortunately, the condenser can become an unwitting target. The acidic nature of dog urine can corrode the metal fins of the condenser coil. This can lead to reduced efficiency and potential system malfunctions over time.

Safeguarding Your System

Your air conditioner’s outdoor unit, known as the condenser, is a tempting spot for curious noses and playful paws. To prevent your dog from inadvertently causing damage, one tactic is to create a barrier around the unit. This can be achieved with simple fencing or landscaping elements that allow adequate airflow while keeping your dog at a safe distance.

Dogs, especially puppies, may chew on anything within reach. This includes the wiring around your AC unit. It’s important to make sure that any exposed wires are safely tucked away or covered with protective conduit. This not only safeguards your dog from potential electrical hazards but also prevents damage to your system.

A Few Solutions

Like humans, dogs seek relief from the heat. To discourage your dog from seeking shade around the condenser, create other shaded areas in your yard. Set up a spot with a comfortable bed or a pet-friendly tent that allows your furry friend to relax without venturing too close to the AC.

Training your dog to steer clear of the AC is a proactive way to prevent potential damage. Reinforce boundaries through positive reinforcement and supervision, especially during the initial introduction to the outdoor unit. Additionally, until your friend is fully trained, it might be best to keep a close eye on them while they’re outside, particularly near your unit.

Sharing your home with a dog is a delightful journey filled with companionship and joy. By taking a few precautions and incorporating thoughtful measures, you can make sure that your system remains safe from unintentional doggy exploration. The above-mentioned steps will not only protect your AC but also create a safe and enjoyable environment for your furry friend.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for all of your A C maintenance and repair needs!

Are Heat Pumps a Good Option in California?

Mon, 27 Nov 2023 16:00:00 GMT

In California, where palm trees sway against blue skies and we’re blessed with an abundance of warm weather, the choice of a home heating system requires unique considerations. Enter the versatile and eco-friendly contender: the heat pump.

As we navigate the landscape of heat pump service in Whittier, CA , and year-round comfort, let’s explore whether heat pumps are a good option in the Golden State.

Sunshine and Savings

California, with its sun-drenched days and mild winters, is the perfect climate for the energy efficiency of a heat pump. Unlike traditional heating systems, heat pumps don’t generate warmth. They simply transfer it from one place to another. In a state where sunshine is abundant and the winters are mild, the energy savings potential of a heat pump becomes an attractive proposition for the environmentally conscious homeowner.

The beauty of a heat pump lies in its versatility. It’s not just a performer in the winter, but also a master at combatting the summer heat. With the ability to both heat and cool your home, a heat pump adapts to California’s climate, offering year-round comfort that transitions seamlessly with the changing seasons. This can translate to big savings!

Environmentally Friendly

Heat pumps, with their energy-efficient operation and minimal environmental impact, are ideal for homeowners looking for eco-friendly options that are good for the Earth—and their wallets. By harnessing the latent heat from the air, heat pumps don’t rely on fossil fuels and run entirely on electricity. Homeowners who make the switch to a heat pump can look forward to continued energy savings throughout its lifespan.

Space-Saving Design

There are two options when choosing a heat pump system: ducted or ductless. A ducted system has a similar layout to central heating or air. But a ductless system offers a unique layout unlike anything on the market.

Ductless mini splits consist of a single outdoor unit and multiple air handlers. These are mounted on the walls or ceilings of various rooms. Each unit provides individual heating and cooling to that room or space. As you can imagine, this provides unparalleled levels of customization, eliminating fights at the thermostat in households where some people are hotter or colder than others.

Financial Incentives

California has a variety of incentives aimed at promoting energy-efficient solutions. Many homeowners exploring the world of heat pumps are enticed by the financial incentives and rebates offered by the state. These incentives make them an even more attractive option!

As you bask in the California sun and contemplate your choices for home comfort systems, heat pumps emerge as an ideal option for year-round heating and cooling. With their energy efficiency, year-round comfort, and environmental mindfulness, heat pumps align with California’s spirit of innovation and sustainability.

So, if you find yourself dreaming of a heating and cooling solution to your home comfort problems, reach out to us to discuss whether a heat pump is the perfect HVAC system for your home.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for heat pump services in Whittier, CA.

SEER2 and AC Installation: What You Need to Know

Mon, 13 Nov 2023 16:00:00 GMT

When it comes to ac installation in Whittier, CA and cooling your home, efficiency is the key to comfort and cost savings. In the ever-evolving world of air conditioning, SEER has long been the benchmark for measuring efficiency. Now, enter SEER2, a new frontier in AC technology that promises even greater energy performance. Let’s adventure into what SEER2 is all about and what you need to know for your next AC installation.

The SEER2 Revolution

SEER stands for the seasonal energy efficiency ration and it quantifies how efficiently an air conditioner converts electricity into cooling power over an entire cooling season. The higher the SEER rating the more efficient the system.

Traditionally, SEER ratings ranged from 13 to 25, with higher numbers indicating better efficiency. A higher rating means the air conditioner can produce more cooling output per unit of energy input. Now, SEER2 takes this concept to the next level by introducing advancements that further elevate energy efficiency and environmental sustainability.

The Benefits

SEER2 brings about improvements in compressor technology, heat exchanger design, and overall system optimization. This translates to enhanced energy savings that keep your electricity bills in check while reducing your carbon footprint.

It often comes hand in hand with smart technology integration. Imagine having the ability to control and monitor your AC system from your smartphone. Optimizing performance based on your preferences and daily routines. This level of control not only enhances comfort but also contributes to energy efficiency.

There is also a reduction in the environmental impact of air conditioning systems. By maximizing efficiency and minimizing energy consumption, these systems contribute to a greener and more eco-friendly future.

Adaptive cooling technology is just one more benefit. It adjusts the system’s performance based on real-time conditions. This means your AC can intelligently respond to changes in temperature and humidity and provide optimal comfort while using energy more efficiently.

Choosing the Right SEER2 Rating for You

Now that you’re acquainted with the benefits the next step is choosing the right rating for your home. Consider factors such as your climate, usage patterns, and budget. While higher SEER2 ratings offer superior efficiency, they may come with a higher upfront cost. The long-term energy savings and environmental benefits often outweigh the initial investment though.

The Importance of Professional AC Installation

To fully harness the potential of your system and make sure that it’s performing optimally, professional AC installation is very important. A qualified technician can assess your home’s specific needs, recommend the right SEER2 rating, and perform a seamless installation. This not only guarantees efficiency but also extends the lifespan of your new AC system.

As we venture into the era of SEER2, the landscape of air conditioning is evolving to prioritize efficiency, sustainability, and personalized comfort. When considering your next AC installation keep this new evolution in mind as a beacon of innovation that promises a cooler, more energy-efficient future.

Embrace the efficiency revolution, and let your home be a testament to the seamless blend of comfort and environmental consciousness. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

What Is an Inverter Air Conditioner?

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 15:00:00 GMT

As temperatures rise, the desire for a comfortable indoor environment becomes a top priority. You may find yourself looking for AC installation in Whittier, CA . Installing an efficient air conditioning system is key to achieving home comfort.

In your pursuit of accomplishing this goal, one of the options you might come across is the inverter air conditioner. But, what is this system and why is it a smart choice for AC installation in your home?

How It Works

An inverter air conditioner is an advanced type of air conditioning system that differs from traditional on/off or non-inverter models. It’s known for its ability to provide consistent and efficient cooling while consuming less energy. The primary difference between an inverter AC and a non-inverter AC lies in how they manage the compressor.

One Compared to The Other

In a non-inverter system, the compressor operates at full capacity until the set temperature is reached. Then it switches off. Once the room temperature rises, it starts again at full power. This frequent on/off cycling consumes a lot of energy and can lead to temperature fluctuations.

The inverter air conditioners have a variable-speed compressor. This means the compressor adjusts its speed based on the cooling needs. It runs at lower speeds during milder weather or when the desired temperature is near. When the temperature deviates from the set point it slightly increases its speed to maintain the desired temperature. This offers a more consistent and efficient cooling process.

Installation and Maintenance

When considering the installation of these systems, it’s important to hire a professional HVAC technician. Proper installation makes sure that the unit operates at peak efficiency and delivers all the benefits you expect. Regular maintenance is also important to keep your inverter AC running smoothly. This includes cleaning the filters, checking refrigerant levels, and ensuring all components are in good working condition.

Benefits of the Inverter Air Conditioner

Inverter air conditioners offer a more efficient, cost-effective, and comfortable solution for AC installation in your home. Their ability to provide consistent cooling, reduce energy consumption, and extend the lifespan of your cooling system makes them an excellent choice for those looking to stay cool and save on energy bills.

Enjoy efficient and reliable cooling with an inverter air conditioner in your home. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Retrofitting Your Home with Ductless AC

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 15:00:00 GMT

When talking about cooling your home, a traditional central air conditioning system has long been the go-to choice for many Californians. There is however a modern, versatile alternative when it comes to ductless system services in Whittier, CA . It’s ductless air conditioning. These systems are commonly referred to as mini-splits. They offer several advantages, especially when retrofitting older homes or spaces without existing ductwork. Let’s talk about the benefits and considerations of retrofitting your home with these systems.

The Basics of Ductless AC

Ductless air conditioning systems consist of two main components. The first is an outdoor unit and the other is one or more indoor air handlers. These components are connected by a refrigerant line and electrical wiring. Unlike traditional central AC, these systems don’t rely on ductwork to distribute cool air throughout your home.

Advantages of Retrofitting with Ductless AC

Considerations

While these systems offer long-term energy savings, the initial installation cost can be higher than traditional window units. Despite this, their versatility and efficiency often make up for the upfront expense. You’ll also need to consider the placement of indoor units and their impact on the aesthetics of your space. When you do determine where you want them, proper installation is important for the effectiveness and efficiency of the system.

Retrofitting your home with ductless air conditioning can be a smart and efficient cooling solution. This is even more prudent if you have an older home without existing ductwork. The ease of installation, zoned cooling, energy efficiency, and improved indoor air quality make ductless systems an attractive choice for many homeowners. With ductless AC, you can enjoy personalized comfort and cost savings without the need for extensive ductwork.

If you’re considering upgrading your cooling system, contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today and schedule your appointment!

How HVAC Maintenance Saves You Money on Repairs Over Time

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Your HVAC system is an important component of your home’s comfort and indoor air quality. While it’s easy to overlook HVAC maintenance in Whittier, CA , it can have a large impact on your wallet over time. Let’s discuss how maintenance not only keeps your system running smoothly but also saves you money on repairs and energy costs in the long run.

Improved System Efficiency

One of the main benefits of regular maintenance is improved efficiency. Over time dust, dirt, and debris can accumulate in your system. This leads to clogged filters and reduced airflow. When your system has to work harder to heat or cool your home, it consumes more energy and increases your energy bills. With routine maintenance, our technicians clean and optimize your system. This ensures that it operates at peak efficiency all year round and can lead to big savings on your monthly energy bills!

Preventative Repairs and Longer Lifespan

Repairs are a proactive approach to identifying and addressing possible problems before they grow into costly repairs. During maintenance checks, technicians inspect the various components of your system. They are looking for signs of wear and tear. By catching issues early on you can avoid emergency breakdowns and the expenses associated with major repairs or replacements.

HVAC systems are a huge investment and you want to get the most out of them. Neglecting maintenance can result in premature system failure. On the other hand, a properly maintained system is more likely to operate efficiently and last longer. This means you won’t have to budget for a new system as soon. This could save you thousands of dollars in replacement costs!

Warranty Coverage

Many systems come with warranties that require regular maintenance to remain valid. If you skip maintenance, you risk voiding your warranty. If that happens, it leaves you responsible for repair or replacement costs that would have otherwise been covered. Regular maintenance not only helps make sure your system has good longevity but also protects your warranty and potential future savings.

Improved Air Quality and Efficiency

A system that is well looked after contributes to better indoor air quality. Cleaning and replacing filters, checking for mold or dust buildup, and making sure there is proper ventilation can reduce allergens and pollutants in your home. This can lead to a healthier living environment and potentially fewer medical issues related to respiratory issues.

During maintenance, technicians may see opportunities for energy efficiency upgrades. These can include installing programmable thermostats, sealing ducts, or recommending more energy-efficient equipment. These upgrades can result in large future savings.

Investing in regular HVAC maintenance isn’t just a matter of good practice, it’s a smart financial decision that pays off in the long run. By doing so, you can save a good chunk of change over time. Don’t wait until your HVAC system breaks down or your energy bills skyrocket. Schedule routine maintenance to ensure your HVAC system operates smoothly for years to come.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment!

How a Heat Pump Can Replace Your Central AC Right Now

Mon, 04 Sep 2023 15:00:00 GMT

As environmental concerns continue to drive the need for energy-efficient home solutions homeowners are seeking types of ac installation in Whittier, CA , that not only provide comfort but also reduce their carbon footprint.

A heat pump is a versatile technology that can serve as an eco-friendly replacement for your traditional central air conditioning system. Let’s take a look at how a heat pump can seamlessly replace your central AC, offering both cooling and heating capabilities while contributing to a more sustainable future.

Understanding Heat Pumps

Unlike conventional central air conditioning systems that only provide cooling, heat pumps are designed to both cool and heat your home. They achieve this by transferring heat from one place to another using a refrigerant. This provides efficient cooling in the summer and reliable heating in the winter.

They are known for their remarkable energy efficiency as well! Instead of generating heat like traditional heating systems, they move heat from the outdoors to the indoors during colder months. This process consumes much less energy than creating heat from scratch. Because of this, you may see lower utility bills and reduced environmental impact.

Speaking on environmental concerns, by opting for a heat pump, you’re making a positive contribution to the environment. Heat pumps produce fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to combustion-based heating systems. This helps combat climate change and reduces your home’s carbon footprint.

Due to how the systems are designed and because of their efficiency, they offer large long-term savings on energy costs. While the upfront investment might be slightly higher than traditional systems, the energy savings over the years can quickly offset this initial expense!

Advantages of Replacing Your Central AC:

One of the biggest advantages of heat pumps is their ability to provide both cooling and heating, making sure that you have year-round comfort without the need for separate systems. This versatility is particularly valuable for regions with moderate climates. The units are compact and require less space compared to having separate heating and cooling systems. This can free up valuable space in your home for other purposes.

Another upside is that heat pumps have fewer moving parts compared to combustion-based heating systems. They will often have less maintenance requirements and fewer chances of breakdowns.

One final benefit is that there are incentives and rebates for installing energy-efficient heat pumps at the state and national levels. Taking advantage of these programs can further lower the cost of transitioning to a heat pump system.

With the world’s focus on sustainable living, adopting energy-efficient solutions has never been more important. A heat pump not only replaces your central AC with a versatile system that provides cooling and heating but also contributes to a greener future. The combination of energy efficiency, environmental benefits, and long-term cost savings makes the decision to replace your central AC with a heat pump investment in both your comfort and the health of the planet.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment!

Not Getting AC Tune Ups? These 4 Problems Could Pop Up

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT

During the heat of summer, your air conditioning system becomes your faithful companion in maintaining a comfortable indoor environment. But what if your AC suddenly starts to malfunction? Neglecting a regular ac tune up in Pomona, CA , can lead to a host of problems that can disrupt your comfort, increase energy bills and potentially damage your cooling system. Let’s take a look at four common issues that can arise from skipping AC tune-ups, highlighting the importance of regular maintenance to keep your cooling system running smoothly.

Reduced Energy Efficiency

Air conditioning systems that don’t receive regular tune-ups can often experience reduced energy efficiency. Over time, dust and debris accumulate on the system’s components. Due to this, it hinders proper airflow and can cause the system to work harder to cool your home.

This extra strain not only increases energy usage but also drives up your utility bills. Regular tune-ups involve cleaning and servicing these components to make sure that your system works optimally all year round.

Frequent Breakdowns

Imagine your AC breaking down on a sweltering day, leaving you in discomfort and needing urgent repairs. Neglected systems are more prone to sudden breakdowns due to wear and tear on components like motors, fans, and electrical connections.

During a professional tune-up technicians can identify and address potential issues before they become larger issues. This will lower the likelihood of unexpected breakdowns and costly emergency repairs.

Poor Air Quality

Maintaining indoor air quality is achieved by filtering out dust, allergens, and pollutants. However, without regular tune-ups, your system’s air filters can become clogged. This may lead to poor air circulation and reduced filtration effectiveness.

This can worsen allergies, respiratory problems, and overall indoor air quality. Scheduled tune-ups include filter replacement and cleaning, which will help make sure that the air you breathe is clean and healthy.

Shortened System Lifespan

When not properly maintained, it is more likely that your system will experience premature wear and tear. The lack of lubrication, worn components, and inefficient operation can greatly shorten the lifespan of your AC unit.

Regular tune-ups include lubricating moving parts, checking electrical connections, and assessing overall system health. These measures can extend the life of your system which will ultimately save you money on early replacements.

In the quest for a cool and comfortable home during the scorching summer months, don’t underestimate the importance of regular AC tune-ups. The issues mentioned above are only some of the problems that can occur from lack of maintenance.

By investing in routine professional maintenance, you’re not only ensuring consistent comfort but also safeguarding your system’s efficiency, longevity, and overall performance. Remember, a well-maintained AC system is a happy and efficient one, making your home a haven of cool relief when you need it most.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule your appointment.

IRA 25C Tax Credit Details You Can’t Afford to Miss

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 15:00:00 GMT

As homeowners we’re constantly seeking ways to make our living spaces more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. If you’re considering home improvements that boost energy efficiency, here’s some news. The IRS offers a valuable incentive known as the IRA 25C tax credit in Whittier, CA . This tax credit rewards you for making energy-efficient upgrades to your home reducing both your energy bills and your tax liability. Let’s take a look at the key details of the IRA 25C Tax Credit. Here’s how you can take advantage of this opportunity to save money while contributing to a greener future.

Understanding the IRA 25C Tax Credit

The IRA Section 25C Residential Energy Efficient Property Credit encourages homeowners to invest in energy-efficient improvements. By making these upgrades you not only reduce your energy consumption but also qualify for a tax credit that directly reduces your tax liability.

Eligible Improvements

Key Details

The IRA 25C Tax Credit offers a credit of up to 30% of the cost of eligible improvements, with a maximum credit of $600 per upgrade. The credit has a lifetime cap of $600 meaning that if you’ve claimed the credit in the past the amount you’ve already used will be deducted from the current credit. The IRA 25C Tax Credit has been extended to 2032.

Taking Advantage of the Credit

The IRA 25C Tax Credit presents homeowners with a unique opportunity to improve the energy efficiency of their homes while enjoying tax savings. By making eligible energy-efficient upgrades you not only contribute to a more sustainable future but also enjoy reduced energy bills and a lower tax liability. Be sure to research eligible improvements, maintain proper documentation, and consult a tax professional to ensure you’re maximizing the benefits of this tax credit. Don’t miss out on the chance to make a positive impact on both your finances and the environment!

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for all of your heating and cooling comfort needs!

These 3 Problems Appear When You Don’t Replace Commercial AC Air Filters

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 15:00:00 GMT

As a responsible business owner, maintaining a comfortable and healthy indoor environment for your employees and customers is of great importance. One important aspect of ensuring the proper functioning of your commercial air conditioning system is regularly replacing its air filters. Unfortunately, some businesses overlook or delay this essential maintenance task, unaware of the potential consequences. Let’s take a look at why commercial AC service in Pomona, CA , is important for you and your business!

Decreased Indoor Air Quality

The main function of air filters in commercial AC systems is to keep the HVAC system free and clear of airborne particles that can decrease the system’s efficiency. Air filters also trap and remove airborne particles such as dust, pollen, mold spores, and bacteria from the circulating air. Over time, these filters become clogged with accumulated debris, reducing their effectiveness (and the effectiveness of the HVAC system). When air filters are not replaced often, airborne pollutants remain in circulation, which can lead to the following problems.

Reduced Energy Efficiency

Clogged air filters can cause a large drop in the energy efficiency of your system. As the filters become congested, the airflow through the system becomes restricted, forcing the HVAC equipment to work harder to maintain the desired temperature. This increased workload leads to higher energy consumption and inflated utility bills.

Commercial spaces with large systems are extra vulnerable to this problem. The strain on the system due to clogged filters can lead to excessive wear and tear, resulting in more frequent breakdowns and the need for costly repairs or replacements.

Decreased Cooling Capacity and Performance

Another issue that might surface from neglecting air filters is a decrease in the cooling ability and overall performance of your system. The restricted airflow caused by clogged filters prevents the system from distributing conditioned air efficiently throughout the space. As a result, certain areas may not receive enough cooling. This can lead to temperature imbalances and discomfort among occupants. In the most extreme cases, the strain on the system can lead to an AC compressor failure. This is a costly repair!

Regularly replacing the air filters is a simple yet important maintenance task that should never be overlooked.

Make sure to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for filter replacement frequency and consider investing in high-quality air filters to maximize their efficiency!

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule your maintenance or repair appointment!

Can Regular Commercial AC Service Help You Save Money?

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 15:00:00 GMT

As a business owner, your focus is on managing costs and maximizing profits. While some expenses may seem unavoidable, it’s important to identify opportunities for long-term savings. One area often overlooked is commercial HVAC service in Whittier, CA . Many business owners view AC service as an unnecessary expense, but in reality, it can help you save money in the long run. Here are a few reasons that regular maintenance can actually help save money.

Efficiency and Repair Costs

Regular commercial AC service plays an important role in improving the energy efficiency of your commercial HVAC system. Over time, dust, debris, and wear and tear can hinder the performance of your AC system, forcing it to work harder and consume more energy.

By scheduling routine maintenance, you can make sure your system operates at its peak efficiency, reducing energy consumption and lowering your utility bills. The energy savings alone over the years can make a significant impact.

As important as it is to save energy, maintenance is even more important. During regular AC service visits, our technicians will inspect your commercial AC system, identifying and addressing minor issues before they become major problems.

By detecting and resolving these issues early on, you can prevent them from escalating into costly repairs or even complete system failure. Having maintenance and repairs done regularly makes sure that your system remains in good working condition, minimizing unexpected breakdowns and the expenses that come along with it.

Worker Satisfaction

If the system does encounter issues, a malfunctioning AC can disrupt operations and impact employee productivity. Poor working conditions can cause a decrease in concentration, increased fatigue, and reduced efficiency. A well-maintained system can contribute to improved indoor air quality. Regular AC service involves cleaning or replacing air filters, removing accumulated debris, and ensuring proper ventilation.

Peace of Mind

These are large investments for any business, to say the least. Regular AC service helps protect and prolong the life of your system. Proper maintenance includes cleaning, lubricating, and adjusting various components to ensure their performance. By removing strain on the system and addressing possible problems, you can extend the lifespan of your AC system. This means you won’t have to invest in a costly replacement prematurely, saving your business a lot of money down the road.

Knowing that your system is well-maintained and operating efficiently gives you confidence in its performance, especially during the hot summer months. You can relax and enjoy knowing that your business’s environment is comfortable for everyone without worrying about sudden breakdowns or costly emergency repairs.

Investing in your commercial AC is a smart choice that can result in long-term cost savings. By improving energy efficiency, minimizing repair costs, extending the lifespan of your AC system, and enhancing indoor air quality, routine maintenance helps reduce utility bills, prevent major repairs, and promote a productive work environment.

Choose to partner with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for your commercial AC needs! Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

How Long Does Commercial AC Installation Take?

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 15:00:00 GMT

The scorching summer sun in Whittier, CA, bears down on your bustling commercial space, leaving your employees and customers sweltering in discomfort. The need for an efficient and reliable cooling solution becomes paramount, and the prospect of installing a commercial air conditioning system enters the scene. But, wait! How long does this process take? Let’s delve into commercial AC installation and shed light on the factors that influence installation times.

Vital First Steps

Before embarking on any commercial AC installation journey, it is important to evaluate the scope of the project. Factors such as the size and layout of your commercial space, the complexity of the system, and the specific cooling requirements all play a significant role in determining the timeline.

Planning and Design

Once the initial assessment is complete, the planning and design phase takes center stage. This phase involves creating a blueprint that outlines the most efficient and effective cooling system for your commercial space. Factors considered during this stage include zoning, air distribution, ductwork design, energy efficiency, and compliance with building codes and regulations.

Equipment Selection

Selecting the right commercial air conditioning equipment is key to achieving optimal cooling performance. Factors such as the capacity, energy efficiency rating, type of cooling system, and the brand and model all come into play. We can help you navigate through the options, ensuring you choose the equipment that best suits your needs. The time required for equipment selection will vary based on your specific requirements and the availability of the chosen products.

Installation and Assembly

This is where our expertise and experience comes in. The timeline for installation depends on the complexity of the project, the size of the commercial space, and the intricacy of the chosen system. Skilled technicians carefully install and connect components, including the outdoor condenser unit, indoor air handlers, ductwork, thermostats, and electrical connections. Safety protocols, quality control measures, and adherence to manufacturer guidelines are highly important during this phase.

Testing and Commissioning

Installation alone does not guarantee cooling comfort. To ensure optimum performance, thorough testing of the installed AC system is essential. Technicians check for proper airflow, refrigerant levels, electrical connections, and overall system functionality. They fine-tune the system, make necessary adjustments, and address any issues that may arise. The duration of this phase depends on the complexity of the system and the time required for thorough testing.

So really, how long does commercial air conditioning installation take? While timelines can vary based on the specific needs of each project, a rough estimate ranges from a few days to several weeks. Factors such as the scope of the project, planning and design, equipment selection, installation, and testing all contribute to the overall duration. It is important to remember that rushing through any of these stages can compromise the quality and efficiency of the cooling system. Each step must be given its due time.

If you’re ready for commercial AC installation at your facility, Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is here to help! Contact us today to schedule your appointment!

When to Call For Expert Commercial AC Service

Mon, 12 Jun 2023 15:00:00 GMT

In the scorching heat of the Pomona, CA, summer, a functional and efficient air conditioning system is essential for maintaining a comfortable environment in commercial spaces. A malfunctioning or unreliable commercial air conditioning unit can lead to discomfort for employees, customers, and clients, ultimately affecting productivity and business operations.

To ensure uninterrupted cooling and optimal performance, it’s crucial to recognize the signs indicating when it’s time to call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling! Let’s explore some key indicators that suggest it’s time to seek professional assistance with your commercial cooling system.

Insufficient Cooling

If your commercial AC system is struggling to maintain the set temperature or if there are noticeable temperature variations throughout the commercial space, it’s a clear indication that something is wrong. Insufficient cooling can be attributed to a variety of factors such as a refrigerant leak, clogged filters or ducts, insulation issues, fan problems, a faulty compressor, or an issue with the thermostat.

Frequent Breakdowns

Are you experiencing frequent breakdowns or system failures with your commercial AC? This could be a sign of underlying issues that require immediate attention. Constant breakdowns not only disrupt business operations but can also lead to costly repairs if left unattended.

Our expert technicians can identify the underlying problems causing the breakdowns, perform the necessary repairs, and provide preventive maintenance to ensure the longevity of your commercial AC system.

Unusual Noises or Odors

Unusual sounds or unpleasant odors emanating from your commercial AC system are indications that something is amiss. Grinding, banging, squealing, or rattling noises may suggest loose components, motor problems, or worn-out parts. Likewise, foul odors may be a result of mold growth, a burnt-out wire, or a malfunctioning component.

High Energy Bills

A sudden surge in energy bills without a corresponding increase in usage can be attributed to an inefficient commercial AC system. This inefficiency could be due to poor maintenance, worn-out parts, or outdated equipment. Our technicians can conduct a thorough inspection of your AC system, identify energy-saving opportunities, and optimize its performance to reduce operational costs.

Poor Air Quality

Commercial spaces should have clean and healthy indoor air quality for the well-being of occupants. If your AC system is not effectively removing dust, allergens, or other pollutants, it can lead to poor air quality, triggering allergies, respiratory issues, or discomfort among employees, tenants, and customers.

A well-functioning and reliable commercial AC system is essential to maintain a comfortable and productive environment for employees and customers alike. Recognizing the signs indicating the need for commercial HVAC service in Pomona, CA can help you avoid potential problems, minimize operational disruptions, and prolong the lifespan of your business’s AC system.

By addressing issues promptly and entrusting the care of your commercial AC system to professionals, you can ensure optimal performance, energy efficiency, and improved indoor air quality, ultimately contributing to the success of your business.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for expert commercial AC service when you notice any of these signs. Keep your business running smoothly all year round!

The Details To Consider When Choosing An AC

Mon, 15 May 2023 13:00:00 GMT

When it comes to selecting an air conditioning system for your home or office, it’s crucial to make an informed decision. With a variety of options available in the market, considering the details becomes essential to ensure optimal cooling, energy efficiency, and overall comfort.

We can help you determine the key factors to consider when it’s time for a new AC installation, enabling you to make a well-informed and satisfactory purchase that’ll serve your home for many years to come.

Type of AC System

There are various types of AC systems available, and each has its advantages and suitability based on your needs. Some common types include:

Cooling Capacity

The cooling capacity of an AC unit, measured in British Thermal Units (BTU), determines its ability to cool a specific area. The U.S. Department of Energy recommends around 20 BTU per square foot. It’s important to select an AC with an appropriate cooling capacity that matches the size of the room you want to cool.

An undersized unit may struggle to cool the space adequately, while an oversized unit can result in frequent on/off cycling, reduced energy efficiency, and uneven cooling. Consulting with an HVAC professional can help determine the ideal cooling capacity for your space.

Energy Efficiency

Energy efficiency plays a vital role in choosing an AC unit. Look for units with high Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER2) ratings. Higher SEER2 ratings indicate better energy efficiency and lower operating costs.

Energy-efficient models not only help reduce your carbon footprint but also save you money on electricity bills in the long run. Additionally, consider energy-saving features such as variable speed blowers which affect the overall efficiency of the system.

Budget Considerations

Lastly, determine your budget for purchasing and installing the AC unit. Take into account not only the upfront costs but also the long-term operating expenses, maintenance, and potential repairs. Investing in a high-quality, energy-efficient AC system might involve a higher initial cost but can lead to substantial savings over time.

Choosing the right ductless or central AC service in Whittier, CA , involves careful consideration of various factors. Assessing the cooling capacity, energy efficiency, type of system, installation requirements, air quality features, noise level, and budget constraints will help you make an informed decision. Remember to consult with our team to ensure you choose the most suitable AC system for your specific needs.

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling serves all of Southern California. Contact us today to arrange for any residential or commercial air conditioning service you need.

Is a Heat Pump Right For You?

Mon, 01 May 2023 15:00:00 GMT

If you’re asking yourself questions about heat pumps, it’s probably because you’re ready to have your old HVAC system replaced, or else you have a new home and need to make a choice about how you’ll heat and cool it.

The majority of homes in our area use a standard HVAC system that combines an air conditioning system and a furnace. With a heat pump, you only have a single heating and cooling system: the heat pump does both jobs using the same methods.

Essentially, a heat pump is an air conditioning system that can reverse the direction it moves heat. In summer, it pumps heat out of the house. When the temperatures drop, it can switch so it pumps heat into the house.

Back to the original question: is a heat pump installation in Whittier, CA the right choice for your house?

It might be, but we can’t say for certain in a blog post. We need to know more about your house, your current HVAC system, and your budget. Although we think heat pumps are excellent choices, they aren’t ideal in every situation. We’ll get a bit more into some facts about heat pumps below that may help your choice, but please work with our professionals when it comes to making a final decision.

The Heat Pump dilemma

Here’s a drawback to heat pumps that you may have already known about or guessed. Because a heat pump draws heat from the outside when operating in heating mode, that means it’s trying to obtain that heat on a cold day. Where does it get the heat?

There’s always some thermal energy in the air, no matter how cold it gets. But a heat pump will suffer from a drop in energy efficiency if the temperature falls too low, such as below freezing. This makes heat pumps a problem in regions with extremely cold winters.

But that’s not where we live! This is hardly a drawback in Southern California. In fact, SoCal is one of the best places for heat pumps.

The Heat Pump Advantage

Let’s talk about some of the reasons why a heat pump works well for SoCal. If you have an all-electric home, the standard choice for heating is an electric furnace. Compared to an electric furnace, a heat pump is a more energy-efficient way to keep a house warm.

This is because heat pumps use electricity to power components that move heat from one place to another, rather than use electricity to generate heat the way an electric furnace does. You can expect to pay much less to run a heat pump compared to an electric furnace.

Heat pumps have great efficiency overall, which is why more and more organizations recommend them as environmentally beneficial. If you’re trying to help out the environment, a heat pump is a great option.

Something To Keep in Mind

To make a heat pump a cost-effective purchase, it must replace both your current AC and heater. If you only need to replace one of these, a heat pump is too expensive a choice—it has to work in both modes to be worth it.

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling serves all of Southern California. Contact us today to arrange for any residential or commercial air conditioning service you need.

Here’s What AC Services We Offer

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 15:00:00 GMT

We’ve had a cold and often rainy winter in Southern California, and so far the early spring hasn’t got much warmer. But make no mistake: the hot weather is on its way and we can anticipate another summer of scorching heat. This is when scheduling air conditioning service can turn into the top priority for a home.

We offer air conditioning service in Whittier, CA and throughout SoCal—we’ve been experts in both commercial and residential air conditioning since 1956, so we definitely know how to best deal with the California heat. When people think of AC services, they often just consider repairs. Our AC services go much further. Below are some of the air conditioning services you’ll find at our company.

High-Quality Installations

The most important day for any air conditioning system is the day it’s installed. A poor installation will negatively affect the AC for the rest of its service life, while an excellent installation means years of problem-free and efficient performance. We install the finest air conditioning products with a level of workmanship that we back up with the best warranties in the industry! Here are several of the air conditioning types we install:

Great Regular Maintenance

Routine maintenance is a crucial part of ensuring your AC works for as long as possible with high energy efficiency and few malfunctions. You must have professionals take care of maintenance, and Greenleaf has several excellent maintenance programs that make this job easier than ever.

You can choose the maintenance plan that best meets your budget and needs. Along with air conditioning maintenance, you’ll receive heating maintenance as well as special membership benefits for a fantastic overall value on this essential service.

Duct Testing and Sealing

If your home or commercial facility uses ductwork for its AC, taking care of the ductwork is an important part of keeping the system working right. We encourage homeowners and business owners to schedule duct testing every few years to locate the leaks that can result in a large loss of cool air and money. We can easily seal the ducts if we find any leaks.

Thermostat Service

Don’t forget the importance of the thermostat for your AC’s successful operation! If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your comfort, convenience, and energy savings, our team can outfit your HVAC system with the latest in Wi-Fi and smart thermostat technology.

Don’t see what you need here? Don’t worry—call us today and we’ll take care of your cooling needs.

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling serves all of Southern California. Contact us today to arrange for any residential or commercial air conditioning service you need.

5 Factors to Know About Commercial Indoor Air Quality

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 15:00:00 GMT

Indoor air quality (IAQ) plays a vital role in the operation of your commercial business. It’s as important as maintaining proper indoor temperatures, but people often don’t realize it.

If you haven’t given much consideration to the indoor air quality of your commercial facility, we strongly advise you to give some thought to it. Below we’ve listed five factors about commercial indoor air quality that we think you need to know.

1. Poor Commercial Indoor Air Quality Is a Common Problem

You might think that poor air quality isn’t something that most commercial buildings have to deal with. Unfortunately, the air inside buildings is often four to five times worse than the air outside, the opposite of what most people expect. The EPA has determined that poor IAQ is a major health concern, and commercial buildings have a high amount of indoor pollutants that can easily become trapped indoors and create low IAQ.

2. Poor IAQ Creates Immediate Health Issues

You can read some scary statistics about the long-term health effects of poor IAQ. But there are immediate effects as well that can create problems for your business. Poor indoor air quality leads to headaches, nausea, asthma, and flu-like symptoms, sometimes creating “sick building syndrome.” This can mean a drop in productivity among employees and customers/clients who don’t want to spend much time in your facility.

3. HVAC Maintenance Is an Important Part of IAQ

There are many reasons to always stay current with maintenance for the heating, air conditioning, and ventilation system in your commercial property. You might not have realized that IAQ is one of them. It’s difficult for a dusty and dirty HVAC system to keep the air in the building clean.

Clogged air filters also lead to serious IAQ problems. Poorly maintained ACs will create higher humidity indoors, which is an IAQ problem all on its own. When you have your HVAC equipment maintained on a regular schedule, you’ll conquer many basic indoor air quality concerns.

4. Proper Ventilation Is Essential for Quality IAQ

One of the basic ways to improve indoor air quality for a commercial building is to ensure proper ventilation. A common issue in commercial facilities is negative air pressure: this is when too much air is vented from the building but not enough is vented back in.

Poor ventilation also means numerous contaminants getting trapped inside the facility and continuing to circulate through the HVAC system. Your commercial space may need upgrades, retrofits, and replacements to your property’s ventilation in order to combat IAQ issues.

5. Humidity Control Is Part of Better IAQ

We mentioned above how a lack of maintenance for an air conditioning system can lead to increased indoor humidity. Imbalanced humidity in general is a major IAQ problem. It not only affects the comfort and health of people inside the facility, but it can also cause damage to electronic equipment, promote mold growth, and cause a steep rise in energy usage.

When you’re ready to improve your commercial indoor air quality in Whittier, CA or elsewhere in Southern California, reach out to the team at Greenleaf.

Trust to Greenleaf Heating & Cooling: Your Residential and Commercial Experts Serving All of Southern California Since 1956.

Is a Commercial AC Also a Server Room Cooler?

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 15:00:00 GMT

This is a common misunderstanding people have about commercial cooling systems. People are often more familiar with the residential air conditioning systems that cool down their homes, and extend that knowledge to commercial cooling.

There are many overlaps when it comes to residential air conditioning and commercial air conditioning in Whittier, CA . Refrigerant-based split systems are common to both, and the packaged units found on the rooftops of so many commercial buildings are sometimes used for smaller homes (although they often aren’t on the roof). But commercial systems are larger, more complex, and more varied because they must target a range of different needs within a facility. This is where we get to server room cooling.

Server Room Needs Vs Other Cooling Needs

Have you ever gone into a server room when there’s no cooling inside it? It’s hot in there, and also stuffy. The compact collection of computer systems and other vital electronic devices creates an immense amount of heat in a small space. It’s nothing like an office pool or the floor of a retail store.

Furthermore, the electronic equipment in a server room is extremely sensitive, not only vulnerable to heat but also dust and high humidity. It’s a location that needs special attention when it comes to climate and humidity control.

In a way, server rooms have similar needs to manufacturing and industrial facilities—not necessarily with the size of equipment, but the amount of cooling and ventilation needed for purposes other than providing comfort for people inside them.

Commercial HVAC isn’t only to provide comfortable spaces for employees, customers, clients, tenants, etc. It can also serve to protect equipment and to facilitate processes. Server room cooling aims to keep essential equipment from overheating and suffering irrevocable damage and data loss that will end up harming the operations of a business.

Your Commercial AC Is Not Server Room Cooling

Now that we’ve laid out the difference between what server rooms need for cooling compared to other commercial requirements, you can understand better why your facility’s commercial AC isn’t able to cool the server room.

Simply routing ductwork from the central AC into the server room is insufficient for climate, ventilation, and humidity control in this room. You also can’t simply open up the door to the server room and expect that this will be enough to protect the equipment inside.

Server room cooling must be customized for the space, and the space needs arrangement to allow the cooling to work effectively. Racks must have spacing to permit airflow between them to remove heat, and the spacing of the racks must allow for the right amount of ventilation.

The cooling system has to target a specific temperature, often lower than what people require for cooling, to keep the equipment from overheating. The server room must also have humidity controls and humidity monitors: few things will rapidly ruin sensitive electronic devices like excess moisture.

To have the best possible customized server room cooling for your business, no matter what it is, leave the work to our expert team.

Trust to Greenleaf Heating & Cooling: Your R e s i d e n t i a l a n d Commercial Experts Serving All of Southern California Since 1956.

Why Invest in a Commercial Indoor Air Quality Unit?

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Spring is around the corner and with it, allergy season. Just because you have four walls and a roof over your business space, it doesn’t mean that the air indoors is going to be the right quality. And there is nothing like a sneezing fit or itchy skin to ruin someone’s concentration.

Investing in a commercial indoor air quality system means investing in better comfort for clients, customers, and employees. Here’s what you should know about your IAQ system options and the benefits they can bring to your space.

Option 1. Air Filtration System

Air filtration systems seek to protect the people in your office space, restaurant, storefront, and other types of commercial spaces. This is the use of semi-permeable membranes to capture airborne contaminants, thereby preventing them from recirculating throughout the building or facility and worsening air quality. This is a great system to help combat everything from dust and pollen to allergens, drywall dust, and more.

Option 2. Air Purification System

If you’re looking for a step above an air filtration system, then you may want to consider an air purification system. These are systems that go beyond combating dust and even help with contaminants that could cause illness.

Unlike a filter, this kind of system uses electricity or UV light (in most cases) to help purify the air that is sent into the building. If you’re concerned with combatting viruses, bacteria, and even mold spores, then an air purification unit can be the best option for your needs.

Option 3. Humidity Control Systems

We say humidity control because a lack or excess of humidity is going to negatively impact indoor air quality and comfort too. If you’re dealing with too much humidity, then you’ll notice it’s hard to keep your space cool. You may also be looking at struggles with mold growth. For cases like these, a dehumidifier is a good investment.

On the other side of things, too little humidity may lead to dry air that reduces warmth and increases allergies, illness, and itchy skin. A humidifier can be a great way to address this problem.

With the help of an expert, you can get your humidity under control and back to where it needs to be: between 40-60%.

Improve IAQ with Expert Installation

The importance of indoor air quality in your commercial space cannot be underestimated. In fact, leaving poor indoor air quality unaddressed can put some businesses at risk of an OSHA violation. For the sake of your business, your employees, and your customers, make sure to keep your indoor air quality in mind and get expert help with it whenever it’s needed.

You can trust the team at Greenleaf to help bring your indoor air quality to where it needs to be. We can assess your air quality, identify the biggest pain points, and pair you with the best solution possible.

Schedule your commercial indoor air quality system installation and other services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Serving Southern California since 1954.

It’s Never Out Of Season To Consider Server Room Cooling

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Have you ever walked into the house of someone who plays video games on their PC? You likely noticed that the heat from that computer alone warmed the house on a cold day. This gives you a real-life example of just how much heat computers and internet servers can generate.

Most commercial businesses utilize some form of technology. If you’re a business that uses a larger amount of network server resources, you likely need a server room. And, if you didn’t know this already, those servers will produce a lot of heat.

Heat and computer servers don’t mix. So if you need to install a reliable server room cooling system in Whittier , you’re in the right place to get started.

What Is a Server Room For?

Server rooms are the spaces in your commercial or industrial building that hold the servers which manage your network. The room that holds your servers needs to be set up to keep the servers safe. This means it has to account for network connectivity and power, room temperature, humidity control, and more.

How Much Heat a Server Generates

A single server can provide functionality to multiple (up to hundreds of) computers. Ultimately, the number of servers you need, and how big your server room is, will depend on the size of your commercial business needs. That said, the more servers you have, the more heat you’ll have to handle.

Even a small server room needs a specific type of cooling system. Why? Well, the average server is going to produce up to 12,000 BTU/hr of heat. Add more servers and you get more heat. For a real-life example of just how much that warmth adds up to, you can look at Amazon . In 2017, they were looking to use the heat produced by a nearby data tower, the Westin Building, to heat their building.

So, unless you’re looking to repurpose your heat to warm up the business next door, you need a way to deal with it. And trust us when we say a fan and your building’s AC unit won’t be enough.

Why Server Room Cooling Systems Are Needed

The server room for your business needs to be kept cool throughout the year. The air conditioner for your building isn’t going to be able to provide that since it’s going to be turned on when a certain temperature is reached.

Server room coolers function all day, every day, all year long. They regulate the temperature of the server room to a safe one that will prevent damage or even a meltdown of your servers.

Along with this, a server room cooler is going to keep a handle on the humidity level in the room. It’s easy to understand that computer servers and moisture don’t mix .

Installing a server room cooling system isn’t a quick or easy job. You need the right tools and training to get the job done. This is something that our team is here to provide.

We can help with the installation of your next commercial system. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to schedule an appointment .

Choosing Your Next Heater

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 16:00:00 GMT

We all know how chilly Long Beach can get. Just think about those days with high wind or heavy rainstorms that can catch even the most well-prepared Californians by surprise. We don’t see temperatures in the negatives, but it can certainly get more than cold enough to need the help of a good heater to get through the day.

This can be a tough ask if you don’t have a heater to rely on. It pays to invest in a quality heating installation in Long Beach, CA . You can start by learning what your options are. Here’s what you need to know about your heating system options before you schedule an installation.

3 Types of Heaters To Know About

Choosing a new heater can feel trickier when you aren’t sure what your options are. Here are some of the best heating system options that you can choose to heat your space.

We Install Residential and Commercial Systems

What if you could trust the same team to take care of your home and your business comfort needs? That’s exactly what Greenleaf Heating & Cooling can provide you. We work with some of the best equipment on the market and we can provide installations for both homes and commercial spaces around Long Beach.

Don’t be fooled! A residential technician can’t automatically install and maintain a commercial heating system. The sizing and set-up requirements are very different and each situation calls for different licensure and certifications.

That’s why our team provides both! We want to make things easy for you. That’s why we provide the information you need to make your decisions comfortably and then back it up with a quality of service you can trust.

Need help keeping warm this season and beyond? Schedule your appointment with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to get your heater installed.

What to Expect With Commercial HVAC Installs

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT

Getting a new commercial HVAC system installed in your building or facility is no small job. The sheer size of the building and the amount of work the system has to do are vastly different than the requirements of a residential system. And that’s just the start of things.

Installing new commercial HVAC in Long Beach, CA is a job that requires a professional who is fully trained and certified to handle these types of systems. When you have pros, you’ll enjoy peace of mind knowing your new system is installed correctly. Here’s what you should know about getting a new commercial heating and cooling system installed.

How long it will take?

This varies depending on how much equipment you need and how large it is, as well as the size of your facility. Our goal at Greenleaf is to make sure we do the job with the least amount of inconvenience to the customer and impact on business operations, so we always aim to get any installation done as fast as possible without making sacrifices in quality. Most installations will take from a day to a week to complete depending on the extent of the job. We’ll give you an upfront estimate of how long we anticipate the installation will take.

Will it disrupt my business?

As we mentioned above, we seek to minimize work disruptions and thankfully that isn’t too difficult for us with most HVAC installations. The majority of HVAC units are rooftop systems so we can replace units without even entering the workspace. If you need to have ductwork replaced or installed for the new HVAC system, the job can enter into the workspace, but we’ll work carefully with you to see that your workflow is allowed to continue. If there will be any need for your business to shut down because of an installation, we’ll tell you far ahead of time so you can make plans.

What are the steps of installation?

There are five major steps in commercial HVAC installation:

The amount of energy the new system will use

We understand that most of our customers are looking to conserve energy and will want to have high-efficiency HVAC units installed. If you are replacing equipment that is more than 15 years old, you can expect to see significant energy savings with a new installation, even one that isn’t high efficiency. However, we strongly recommend looking into high-efficiency units because of how much they will pay you back over a full service life. Our technicians are happy to discuss the various options with you.

Come to Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for your next commercial HVAC system installation.

What’s Wrong With Your Ducts?

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 16:00:00 GMT

If you aren’t familiar with the ductwork in your home and what it does, we want to give you a small crash course. The ducts in your house serve as the delivery system for all the temperature-controlled air produced by your duct-based comfort system. When you run your ducted heat pump, central AC, or furnace, the air that these systems create is pumped through the ducts and vents and into the rooms around the house.

As you may have guessed by now, a problem in your ducts means a problem with your comfort.

Ducts can wear down over the years, the same as your home comfort systems can. The difference is that your ducts are out of sight so you can’t assess their condition. Plus, leaks or holes are much harder to find than issues like a broken fan! Here’s what you need to know about duct issues and how to handle them.

What Might Go Wrong With Your Ducts

It can be surprising to some people that anything can go wrong with their ductwork. Just because your ducts are tucked into your attics or crawlspaces doesn’t mean they are immune to developing a problem. These problems can include excess debris buildup in your ducts, holes or leaks that have developed, or even larger cracks or disconnects that have been created.

Finding and Solving Your Duct Problem

The reality is that big or small, problems in your ductwork can have a major impact on your overall home comfort. That is why we provide effective services such as duct testing and sealing in Whittier, CA to address them.

Duct Testing

Duct testing allows us to assess the condition of your ductwork and get an idea of what problems there are to solve. Are your ducts in good condition but packed with dirt, or do you have several small leaks that are causing your bills to skyrocket and your comfort to drop? These are the kinds of questions duct testing allows us to accurately answer.

Duct Sealing

Duct sealing is one of the solutions we can provide that will seal up your ducts. Over time, regular use can wear on the material that your ducts are made of and cause small holes, leaks, or cracks to develop. These leaks may seem minor but they are estimated to be the source of up to 30% of energy lost when you run your HVAC system.

Duct sealing is an effective way to address these leaks and close them so that all of the air produced ends up where it actually needs to be. Trust us when we tell you to put down the duct tape, it isn’t going to help.

Duct Cleaning

Duct cleaning is another service that we can provide to help keep air moving through your ducts without trouble. Even with great air filters, dust and other airborne contaminants can get into your ducts and start to pile up.

Over the years, this level of debris can become enough to slow down the airflow. Thankfully, all you need to do is leave this cleaning job to us — we have the right tools to clean out your ductwork without damaging them.

If you’ve noticed that there is something amiss with your home comfort, the cause may lie with your ductwork. Let’s work together to find the solution.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to get your ducts tested today.

Tips For Commercial Heating Efficiency

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Making sure that your commercial space is in good working order is part of being a business owner. Part of that involves heating your business which can be a costly expenditure. No one wants huge utility bills, but your employees and customers need to be comfortable. Cold employees won’t be happy and their work will suffer. And cold customers or clients will spend as little time as possible in a chilly space.

One way to stay on top of heating expenses is by making sure your commercial HVAC system is running as efficiently as it possibly can. You can count on our team to help you get the best performance from your commercial heating service in Whittier, CA . Here are four tips to get the best efficiency from your commercial heater so you, your employees, and your customers will be comfortable.

1. Upgrade Your Systems

How old are the HVAC systems in your commercial spaces? If they’re getting up there in age, they’re lacking the latest in technology. Commercial HVAC systems have come a long way in the last decade with innovations in technology transforming the industry.

It might be time for you to consider replacing an older HVAC system with a new one. Also, if your business has expanded in size over time, your current system might be overburdened and unable to meet the needs of your business as it functions now. Replacing the system could be the investment you need to make to ensure a system that runs smoothly, efficiently, and economically.

2. Invest in Regular Maintenance

Speaking of older systems, maintenance is especially important to get the most from an aging heating system. Depending on the age and type of system, maintenance frequency may vary. But a good rule of thumb to follow is to schedule maintenance at least twice a year.

Routine maintenance not only keeps your system running as efficiently as possible, but it’s also an opportunity to identify and fix any potential minor issues before they become major, expensive problems. We offer various levels of maintenance programs that are designed to provide greater comfort, efficiency, and peace of mind.

3. Don’t Neglect Ductwork

Poorly maintained ductwork can be a major culprit when it comes to high heating bills. Leaky ducts not only waste energy through heat loss, but they can also contribute to poor indoor air quality. Schedule ductwork inspection and we’ll make sure your ducts are sealed tight and giving your heating system the support it needs to do its job well.

4. Upgrade Your Thermostats

Smart thermostats have improved significantly in recent years and now’s a great time to make the switch. The benefits that smart thermostats offer residential buildings are the same for commercial facilities. And just like a residential smart thermostat, you should consult with a professional to choose one that’ll work with your existing HVAC system and leave its installation to the pros.

We are here to help make sure that your commercial heating systems work the way they are meant to. If you need any commercial services such as maintenance, replacements, or installations, you can count on our team.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to schedule your next commercial installation, repair, and maintenance.

3 Ways We Can Help You Breathe Easier At Work

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Have you ever walked into a building or facility and felt the air quality change? It’s safe to say these are the kinds of places that you don’t want to stick around in. The problem is, this may describe your commercial space!

Whether you have an office or a storefront that you are managing, you need to do more than consider your temperature control. Keeping up healthy commercial indoor air quality in Whittier, CA is going to be important to your customers, your employees, and you! Read on to find out how our team can help you improve your facility’s air quality.

3 Options To Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

If you’ve been noticing problems with the comfort in your commercial space, then it may be time to take a look at your indoor air quality as a possible culprit. Here’s how our team can help get your air quality back up to snuff.

Clean out dirty ductwork

Dirt building up in your ductwork may not seem like a problem but it can cause more trouble than you realize. As that dust and debris collect, it can reduce the air quality in your space by continuously recirculating that dust. The build-up can also reduce the amount of air able to flow through the ducts, leading to higher energy bills.

With our help, you can enjoy ducts that are properly cleaned out. We use the tools necessary to remove the debris from your ducts without causing damage to them. This can improve airflow and air quality at once!

Install a commercial air purifier

Another way to fight back against poor indoor air quality is by installing an air purification system. A commercial air purifier is installed directly within your commercial ductwork. From there, the system can use either electricity or UV light to deal with the contaminants in the air exiting your HVAC systems. These systems take things a bit further than the usual air filtration system because they can handle a wider range of contaminants, including viruses, bacteria, and even mold spores or scent-causing particles. This translates to fresher and healthier air for everyone in the space.

Maintain a humidifier or dehumidifier

Humidity happens to be about balance, contrary to what some may think. If the air is too humid, it’s harder to keep cool. If the air is too dry, it’s harder to keep warm. Humid air can lead to the risk of mold growth and dry air can cause dry, itchy skin. This is why it pays to keep a humidifier and/or dehumidifier set up in your commercial space–this will provide you with the balance you need to enjoy better air quality and comfort.

Don’t be fooled. Commercial indoor air quality systems are made to handle commercial spaces. These are not made the same as residential systems and they require service from a technician trained to work with commercial systems. If you need help with the air flowing through your commercial space, reach out to one of our professional technicians. We have the training and tools to get the job done so you can breathe easy again.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to schedule your next commercial service.

Hire a Commercial HVAC Pro for Your Commercial Service Needs

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 16:00:00 GMT

One of the worst things that you as a commercial property owner or manager can do is to assume that just any HVAC contractor can handle your commercial HVAC service needs. While many of the fundamentals are the same, it is important to keep in mind the fact that commercial HVAC and IAQ services are not a 1-1 comparison with residential services.

When you work with our team, you ensure that you are working with commercial heating, air conditioning, and indoor air quality technicians that you can count on to get the job done right. We’re adept in the installation, repair, and maintenance of this complicated equipment, and our goal is always your 100% satisfaction. Let us handle your services for commercial HVAC in Whittier, CA .

These Systems Are Very Complex

We would never advocate for having a nonprofessional design or install a whole-house heating or cooling system for you. The installation or servicing of any whole-house HVAC system is a job for skilled, trained professionals. Even we have to admit, though, that a commercial system takes this level of complexity to a whole new playing field.

When you’re dealing with a commercial property, it’s not just the complexity of the system to consider, but the complexity of the building’s needs themselves. You see, commercial properties are going to see a much higher level of traffic than a home would, with doors opening and closing frequently. They’ll have much more complex zoning needs, and they’ll gain a lot more heat through body warmth than a home possibly could. We take all of this into consideration when designing and installing commercial systems.

There Are the Logistics to Consider

Look outside at your central air conditioner’s condenser unit. It’s pretty bulky, right? But you probably have a few friends that could help you to load that onto the back of a pickup truck if necessary. Now consider the size and scale of a commercial HVAC unit. And now consider the fact that you might be installing that unit on top of the building.

There is a point at which your friends are going to stop answering the phone.

Even the best of friends might struggle to help you figure out the logistics of moving a system like that around to where it needs to go. Working with professional commercial HVAC technicians, on the other hand, guarantees that a plan will be in place so that all of your equipment can get in place. It’s a lot to manage, and you simply cannot afford any oversights.

There Are a Lot of People Depending On These Systems

The long and short of it is this—your family can be pretty flexible about when the AC is back up and running. Your clients, employees, and/or tenants may not be.

Not only can we install quality commercial HVAC systems for you, but our maintenance professionals will keep them up and running at peak performance levels. If something does go wrong, we’ll work around your schedule and the needs of your property as best as possible.

Schedule your commercial HVAC services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Time to Get Your Heater Serviced

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Cooler weather comes late and leaves early here in Southern California. It’s one of the reasons life in our part of the world is so lovely–short, mild winters are much easier to handle than the deep freezes and blizzards back east.

But heating systems are still a necessary part of life here, especially at night when temperatures can drop below freezing. With temperatures steadily dropping, now is the time to make sure your heating system is ready to go for the winter.

The best way to do this is to schedule a maintenance tune-up with a trained technician. Doing so can not only help you get a jump on repairs but can also save you money on a number of other costs as well. Here’s how it works.

What a Tune-Up Does

You likely schedule regular tune-ups for your car, and visit the doctor and the dentist for check-ups. With heaters, it’s no different. Maintenance is different from repairs: those are designed to address a specific problem. Instead, they give the technician a chance to look over the entire system and look for any potential problems that might crop up. In some cases, those problems can be easily corrected as part of the tune-up. For example, if a bolt has become worn and loose, it can be replaced with a new one very easily. The same holds true for things like clogged burners or filters in need of replacement.

In the event something more is needed to get the heating system into shape, you can schedule repairs with the technician once the servicing is done. The repairs can even be conducted right away, assuming the necessary parts are in the truck or can be procured swiftly.

The Benefits

A heating tune-up provides three specific benefits to your heater, which will pay dividends as the weather continues to cool off.

For quality heater servicing in Glendale, CA , call the pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

The Importance and Potential Hazards of Your Furnace Heat Exchanger

Mon, 17 Oct 2022 15:00:00 GMT

When we talk about gas furnaces, it can sound like we’re saying that they are dangerous. This is not the gas–gas-powered heating systems are not inherently dangerous. However, when they’re not properly cared for, certain components within them can become dangerous. In particular, the heat exchanger.

In a gas-powered furnace, the heat exchanger is where combustion gasses collect in order to heat the air. And if these gases are allowed to escape through a damaged heat exchanger, your household could be exposed to harmful fumes, like carbon monoxide.

Read on to learn more, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you suspect you need furnace repair.

What Does the Furnace Heat Exchanger Do?

The heat exchanger component of your furnace is the part that’s actually responsible for heating up the air that travels through your ductwork and then into your household. Once the furnace burners ignite, they produce hot combustion gasses that are collected inside the heat exchanger. The component itself looks like a metal, clamshell-shaped chamber, or it can be a series of chambers.

The gas within the heat exchanger heats up the metal walls, and then the air coming from the blower fan goes over the heat exchangers and picks up the radiant heat, to disperse it into your living space. Essentially, the combustion gas is what’s responsible for actually heating your home, but it doesn’t make contact with your indoor air.

Of course, unless the heat exchanger is damaged. A fully functional heat exchanger system allows combustion byproducts to vent out through a flue outside of the home, and a cracked heat exchanger could potentially enable gas to enter your home.

What’s Harmful About a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

Since the metal shell of a heat exchanger contracts and expands as it cools down and heats back up, the strain of doing this repeatedly can eventually cause microscopic fissures. Even though you can’t see these tiny cracks, every time your furnace cycles on, the metal will expand, and then gas can leak out. In this case, that means there is a risk of exposure to the more harmful type of gas: carbon monoxide (CO).

In the best-case scenario, CO exposure can lead to headaches, minor dizziness or lightheadedness, and sleepiness. Enough CO exposure, however, can lead to even worse symptoms, and even fatalities. So it’s vital that you have this problem fixed right away.

How Do You Know If You Have a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

The #1 answer to this question is “schedule timely maintenance.” You should have maintenance done for your furnace once a year. During this appointment, our professionals comprehensively inspect your heating system, checking for any signs of wear and tear that need to be repaired.

A cracked heat exchanger is more common in an aging furnace than in a newer one, but it’s always a good idea to keep up on tune-ups, and also know about other signs that you may have a cracked heat exchanger, such as hearing a clicking noise as the heat exchanger cycles off.

Whether you suspect or know that you’re in need of Whittier furnace repairs , the time to call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is today!

“When Should I Replace My Air Conditioner?”

Mon, 03 Oct 2022 15:00:00 GMT

If you don’t keep up on HVAC industry news–and most homeowners don’t–you’ve likely missed a pretty big update.

As of January 1, 2023, lower SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) AC systems will begin to be phased out in favor of more efficient, and more expensive, air conditioning systems. This update is called the M 1 SEER2 update, and it will result in price increases for installation, and likely to result in further equipment shortages too.

So, how does this answer the question posed in our blog title? When should you replace your air conditioner?

If you’ve already been considering it, then the answer is… now. Of course, if you have a newer air conditioner, then replacing now might not make much sense. But if your air conditioner has any of the following symptoms, it’s time to give us a call!

The System Is Old

Age is typically the number one indicator of an air conditioner that’s probably ready for replacement. But what makes an air conditioner “old”?

The typical useful lifespan of a well-maintained and properly installed coloring or heating system is about 10-15 years. Beyond this point, your HVAC system is going to start to struggle to keep up. Efficiency levels will drop, no matter how high the original SEER was of the system, and you’ll need repairs more often, which we’ll touch on below.

If your system is over a decade old or nearing that age, then now is definitely a good time to consider replacement and get ahead of the price increases that are going to happen in just a few months.

Your System Needs Repairs Pretty Often

If your system is on the newer side, and well-maintained and having this problem, then it could be a manufacturer defect, and you should check the warranty to see if it’s current. If it is, we can help you check how you can get repairs or a replacement via the manufacturer.

If, however, your system is 10-15 years old, like we mentioned above it’s nearing the end of its useful service life anyway. It’s pretty standard for a new air conditioner to need a repair every couple of years. After all, just like any other important piece of equipment, your AC suffers from natural wear and tear.

But if your system needs repairs a couple of times a year, and it’s an aging system, then it’s more than likely that you should replace it.

…and Those Repairs Are Expensive!

Let’s face it, some repairs are going to be more costly than others. But if you are keeping up on scheduling professional maintenance each year, then you can keep those repair costs down. In fact, it’s estimated that maintenance can help you avoid up to 85% of your repair costs.

If, however, your next repair or set of repairs is going to cost you close to half of what your system is worth, it makes more financial sense to replace, in almost all cases.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for professional air conditioning services and more.

Signs That It’s Time for AC Repairs

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Air conditioning systems help you enjoy a higher quality of life. You may not realize how much support they provide until they start to malfunction or lose efficiency. It may start with small signs of trouble that are easy to ignore but don’t fall for that mistake. Waiting can lead to complete system failure and may shorten the overall lifespan of your AC system.

The first step is to understand the most common signs that it’s time for AC repair . Let’s discuss those signs right now.

Performance Changes

If you notice any changes in how your air conditioning system performs, you may need to schedule a service visit from one of our experienced technicians. Some changes that may grab your attention include:

Unidentified Noises or Smells

If your outdoor AC unit suddenly gets louder while operating or makes a screeching noise when shutting down, it’s a potential sign of trouble. You may also notice an odd smell when walking near the outdoor unit. If you check around the unit and find no obvious explanation for the noise or smell, a trained technician will need to inspect your system to determine required repairs.

Malfunctioning Thermostat

Your thermostat is the middleman between your indoor environment and your AC system. It allows you to tell your system when you’re too hot, too cold, or just right. When the thermostat stops working properly, that communication is severed. It becomes difficult if not impossible to control the temperature inside.

Signs of an AC Leak

The most common sign of an HVAC leak is water accumulation around the outdoor unit. If you only notice the water when it rains, perhaps rainwater is pooling near the unit. If you see the water even in dry conditions, then the water is most likely coming from within your system.

Increasing Energy Bills

The more inefficient an HVAC system becomes, the more energy it requires to operate. If you notice your energy bill suddenly gets higher or it gradually increases every month, it’s time to search for the cause. An air conditioner in need of repair or replacement is a possibility, especially if you’re also noticing changes in performance or unexplained noises.

Is It Time for AC Repair?

If you’re nodding your head because any of the above issues apply to your AC right now, it’s time to contact our professionals for a service call. The longer you wait to address air conditioning issues, the more costly the fix may become. We’re committed to helping you determine what repairs are needed and when it’s time for AC replacement.

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource for quality AC service. Contact us today!

How to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 15:00:00 GMT

There are a variety of factors that can impact the comfort and health of your home. Indoor air quality is a very big one. Did you know that without the right products and services, your indoor air quality can actually be worse than the quality of the air outside?

Fortunately, there are steps you can take to mitigate this, and some of these steps don’t require you to buy any special equipment. Read on to learn more!

Get Some Indoor Plants!

Homeowners aren’t often aware of this, but indoor plants can really help indoor air quality. They reduce the build-up of dust and can work as a natural “air purifier” if you have enough of them.

Consider plans such as chrysanthemums, aloe, snake plants, and spider plants. It’s also important to keep in mind that some plants are more pet-safe than others. If you do have curious canines or cats, it’s important to do your research.

Open the Windows When You Can

It’s important that we note that you shouldn’t have your windows open while you’re running your air conditioner. This is inefficient for the AC system, as it won’t be able to reach your desired temperature setting and will just continue to run.

If it’s mild enough outside though, or even cool, then you could really benefit from the fresh air and circulation.

Another thing you might benefit from is the installation of an energy recovery ventilator, which allows you to get pre-cooled air into your home without opening any windows or turning off your AC!

Have a Dehumidifier Installed

The ideal average humidity level in any given home is between 30-50%. Anything above 50% is considered high and can cause problems for your family’s health in addition to problems for your property through water damage and mold growth.

A whole-house dehumidifier can be installed directly into your ductwork where it will help the most while staying out of the way.

Change Your Air Filter

Most homeowners know that their HVAC systems have an air filter, but don’t necessarily know the purpose of those air filters. It’s not for your indoor air quality!

While HVAC air filters don’t hurt your indoor air quality, they’re not effective enough to improve it. That said, they do have an important job–they keep dust, dirt, allergens, and other debris from getting inside the HVAC system and damaging components.

But when this air filter gets too clogged up with that debris, it restricts airflow and can cause your HVAC systems to run longer than they should have to in order to do their job. This is inefficient and will leave you uncomfortable.

Have HVAC Maintenance Done

Professional maintenance allows our technicians to thoroughly inspect, adjust, and clean the components that need it within your HVAC system. The latter helps your air conditioner or heater supply you with clean, breathable air that helps to improve your overall indoor air quality.

These are just a few of the ways you can improve your indoor air quality. Please reach out to us for more tips or to schedule installation!

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource for Whittier indoor air quality services and more. Contact us today!

How Do I Maintain My Commercial Air Conditioner?

Mon, 22 Aug 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Whether you run a business or manage a property, there is something that you’ll need to think about in regards to the comfort of that building’s occupants–air conditioning. There is no way your commercial space can go without this important climate control system–doing so could lose you employees, tenants, customers, etc.

Of course, you probably don’t think about your commercial air conditioner much. But it’s important to, especially if you want to have any control over your overhead costs. Imagine this… small residential HVAC systems account for over half of a home’s energy use and costs. Can you imagine how that applies to a large commercial space?

Maintaining the system properly keeps these energy costs as low as possible, keeps the commercial air conditioner operating powerfully, and even helps prolong its lifespan. Read on as we uncover how you can help maintain your commercial air conditioner.

Change the Air Filters Regularly

You might have a general “handyperson” for your building, or a maintenance professional. If so, they may be tasked with changing out the HVAC air filters in your commercial space. This is still an important tip though…

There is a common misconception that the air filters of any given HVAC system, residential or commercial, are there to protect the indoor air quality of that space. They certainly don’t hurt your indoor air quality! However, if you think your building’s air quality is fine and that stops you from changing out your HVAC air filters, then you need to read this:

The air filters that come standard with an HVAC system are in place to protect the interior components of that HVAC system from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and damage components, making them less efficient. Less efficiency means higher costs to operate, which we’re pretty sure you want to avoid.

Visually Inspect What You Can

Most commercial HVAC systems are installed on the rooftop of a building. We don’t expect you to go on the roof! If, however, the outdoor component of your commercial HVAC system is in an accessible spot, then every couple of months or so during AC use, you should check it out to make sure that nothing is on or immediately around the outside units.

This can include leaves, tree branches, lawn mulch, etc. These things can impact airflow and cause the system to overheat, and therefore break down.

If your systems aren’t easily accessible, it’s a good idea to have them visually inspected each quarter or at least every 6 months by a qualified professional.

Schedule a Professional Tune-up

There is no substitute for professional maintenance tune-ups when it comes to your commercial HVAC system. Professional maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust any components that need it.

Maintenance can reduce your repair costs by as much as 85%, retain system efficiency by as much as 95%, and prolong the lifespan of those HVAC systems too. A well-maintained commercial air conditioner can be expected to last about 10-15 years. Without maintenance, that timeframe can be cut in half.

To schedule professional air conditioning maintenance in Whitter , contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

How To Keep Your Home Cooler, More Efficiently

Mon, 08 Aug 2022 15:00:00 GMT

If you’re like most homeowners, you likely would never turn down the opportunity to save money, right? Particularly when it comes to your utility and energy bills. In addition to these sometimes costly monthly bills, when it comes to your HVAC systems you also have the cost of maintenance, repair, and even eventual replacement to consider.

The good news is there are some steps you can take to go ahead and boost your air conditioner’s efficiency and in turn lower your monthly bills, even if you have an older air conditioner (one that is 10-15 years old). If you think your air conditioner is struggling efficiency-wise, don’t let it continue.

Read on as we uncover some tips below to get your air conditioner behaving as efficiently as possible.

Keep Those Heat-Producing Lights and Appliances Off

Most of the lighting in your home throws at least a little bit of heat, at the very least. If all the lights are on in a single room, then it can easily add a couple of degrees of heat to that room. If you truly need your lighting, consider installing a dimmer switch to keep the light level as low as possible.

When your home is not being heated by its own lighting, your air conditioner won’t need to run as often or as long, and therefore won’t need to use as much energy.

Utilize Your Ceiling Fans

A ceiling fan on its own is not capable of lowering the temperature of a room. You may be able to stand right under it and feel cooled down, but this is because the fan is helping sweat evaporate off of you, thereby helping your body cool off. So, why do we recommend using them?

Well, because they help circulate air better. So if you’re running your air conditioner and using your ceiling fans, you’re going to feel even cooler than just running your air conditioner alone. This means you can actually turn your thermostat up a couple of degrees and save energy.

Even a couple of degrees of change on the thermostat saves more energy than using your ceiling fans on their highest setting!

Close the Curtains and Blinds

While summer does mean that you get to enjoy the ambient light coming in through the windows, this light comes from the sun, and naturally, the sun gives off some radiant heat! Letting the sunshine into your south-facing windows means that these rooms will heat up a lot faster than they otherwise would.

By closing your curtains and even your blinds, you can shield those rooms in your home from the warm rays of the sun, and help your air conditioner work more efficiently.

Consider an AC Upgrade

Is your air conditioner around the 10-15 year mark in age? This is pretty old for an air conditioner, and that old age means that your system can’t possibly work as efficiently as it did when you first had it installed.

Today’s systems are designed to be even more efficient than those of just a handful of years ago. Sometimes the best thing you can to do boost efficiency is to replace your current air conditioner with a new one! Speak to our staff today and we’ll help you make an educated decision on which one to get.

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource for quality air conditioning service and more. Contact us today!

A Guide for When to Replace Your Aging Air Conditioner

Mon, 25 Jul 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Were you aware that professional maintenance, done regularly, can ensure the 10-15 year useful service life of your air conditioner? However, even with diligent maintenance tune-ups, there will always come a time when an air conditioner simply can’t do its job effectively or efficiently anymore.

Your choice to replace and upgrade your current air conditioner is going to be a tough call, mainly because of how much you’ll need to invest in it. But making the right choice and upgrading when it’s actually time can help you save money in the long run since you’ll have a more efficient system and you’ll be spending less on utility bills.

Read on to learn when it is time to upgrade your air conditioner.

Your System Is Aging

As we stated above, the average useful service life of an air conditioner is 10-15 years. While regular maintenance tune-ups may help it last a bit longer, it will not be able to work as effectively or efficiently as it once did at this point.

Sure, it may still cycle on and run, but you’ll notice that you have to set it lower for it to reach your desired temperature, and this is just inefficient. You’ll also notice you need repairs more and more frequently, which brings us to our next sign that it’s time to upgrade your AC…

You Need Frequent, Costly Repairs

You’ll want to keep an eye on your monthly utility bills, as well as how often you have to call for repairs. Due to natural wear and tear, it makes sense that you’ll need a repair or two every couple of years. If, however, you find yourself calling for AC repairs 2-3 times a year, it is likely going to make more economical sense to upgrade the system.

A good rule of thumb to go by here is if your next repair or set of repairs is going to cost over half of what the system is worth, it’s time to replace the system.

The System Just Isn’t Keeping You Cool

The decline in the performance of a diligently maintained air conditioning system is a clear sign that it’s time to say “goodbye” to your old air conditioner. Remember, if your air conditioner needs repairs frequently, as we mentioned above, then it’s likely going to save you money in the long run to replace it.

You Want an Upgraded System

This is a perfectly legitimate reason to upgrade your air conditioner! Sometimes you just want something better. And the fact of the matter is that today’s air conditioners are much more efficient than systems of even just 5-10 years ago.

Today’s options include inverter drive air conditioners that let you operate your system at variable fan speeds, ductless systems that have individual controls for each air handler for optimum efficiency, and more.

If you’ve been thinking about upgrading your air conditioner, now is a great time to do so! Equipment shortages and supply chain issues have led to more expensive equipment, and prices are expected to rise in 2023. Get ahead of those price increases now!

For professional air conditioning service in Whittier and beyond, contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

Why DIY AC Installation Can Be a Bad Idea

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 15:00:00 GMT

There are a few HVAC tasks that homeowners can and should do on their own. For example, changing the air filter is something that should be done every 1-3 months depending on the type of filter and the level of particles in the home–a home with pet dander and/or cigarette smoke, for example, will need a filter change more often than a home without.

Another task you should do on your own is to make sure that the outside unit of your central air conditioner is cleared of any debris such as tree branches, mulch, leaves, etc. This could otherwise restrict airflow leading to inefficient operation and higher energy bills, in addition to increased wear and tear on your air conditioner that has to try too hard to compensate.

The task you shouldn’t do on your own, however, is installation. Read on to learn why!

Your AC System May Be Sized Incorrectly

Did you know that an air conditioner that’s too large–overpowered–can be just as detrimental to efficiency and your comfort as one that’s too small–underpowered?

While a small air conditioner will struggle to cool the entire space it’s intended for, a system that’s too big will go through a process called short-cycling, where it meets the desired temperature on your thermostat too fast, shuts off, and turns back on a moment later.

This exacerbates wear and tear on the system, which should only run 2-3 times per hour, in 15-minute increments. Of course, this problem can be avoided altogether by trusting a trained and experienced professional for the installation.

The Thermostat May Not Be in the Best Spot

If the thermostat is put in direct sunlight or installed in the coolest part of your home, it could impact how well, and therefore how efficiently, your air conditioner operates. Whether it gets hot too fast or stays cool too long, your thermostat can’t send the right signal to your AC system when this happens.

You Need to Insulate the Refrigerant Line

The refrigerant of your air conditioner is what makes the cooling process actually possible. By not properly insulating it, you risk refrigerant leaks. Upon manufacturing, your air conditioner is supplied with enough refrigerant to ideally last its entire lifespan. If it’s leaking refrigerant, then your system will start breaking down as it isn’t able to effectively cool.

You Risk Damaged Ductwork and Other Equipment

One of the steps we take during professional AC installation is connecting it to your existing ductwork, or new ductwork. During this process, it’s easier than you may think to cause a tear, pinhole leak, or loose-fitting air duct. You can lose up to 30% of the conditioned air you’re otherwise paying for through damaged ducts!

You Won’t Know if It’s Working As It Should

Last but not least, when you install an air conditioner yourself, you have no way if it’s actually working as efficiently as it should. You also may not know if any of the sounds you’re hearing from it are abnormal. A trained and experienced professional can help with all of this!

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource for air conditioning services and more! Contact us today.

Will a Larger Air Conditioner Perform Better?

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 15:00:00 GMT

When it comes time to purchase a new appliance for the home, most homeowners believe “the bigger the better.” This makes sense on the surface level–bigger appliances are typically more powerful appliances, and that’s always a good thing.

Except in the case of an air conditioner or forced-air heating system. Customers often ask us if a larger air conditioner will perform better, and the short answer is, “not always.” You see, yes, a bigger air conditioner means a more powerful one, but a cooling system can actually be overpowered for a home, leading to just as many problems as a system that is underpowered.

Read on to learn the differences between an underpowered system that’s too small for the space it’s installed in, and an overpowered system that’s actually too big for its space.

When an Air Conditioner Is Underpowered…

Homeowners tend to understand what happens when an air conditioner is too small–or underpowered–for a home. It simply cannot keep up with the home’s cooling demands, forcing the system’s compressor to run longer and basically work harder than it should have to in order to keep you cool. As a result, you can expect a rise in energy costs, and it will exacerbate wear and tear on the system.

Additionally, if a system is undersized, it simply won’t be able to keep you as comfortable as you’d like or deserve. During one of our hottest summer days, you can understand why this would be a problem. It’s best to ensure that you have a properly sized air conditioner installed right from the start.

When an Air Conditioner Is Overpowered…

An overpowered air conditioner is an issue that most homeowners are less familiar with. While you probably think that the bigger the system is, the better, as we mentioned at the start of this blog post, an overpowered system is actually really inefficient. This is because optimal cooling system efficiency happens through continued operation and regular cycles.

Air conditioner compressors are designed to run in 15-minute increments, 2-3 times per hour. If the compressor runs for shorter increments, more often, this is called short-cycling and it creates a lot of strain on the system. It expedites wear and tear on the system and can lead to a premature breakdown.

The only way to “fix” an overpowered system is by replacing it altogether, so it’s best to start off with the right size, to begin with!

“How Do I Find the Right-Sized Air Conditioner?”

By contacting trained and experienced professionals such as the folks on our team! We conduct what’s called a “cooling load calculation” where we look at many factors to decide what size will best fit your specific home and needs.

Yes, we do look at the overall square footage of your home, but we look at other factors as well, such as the type and condition of your home’s insulation, the number of windows and doors in the home, how high the ceilings are, and more. This will help us guide you in making an educated decision for your home cooling needs.

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource for AC repair in Whittier and beyond. Contact us today!

Is Duct Cleaning a Waste of Money?

Mon, 13 Jun 2022 15:00:00 GMT

If you’re anything like the average homeowner, you probably don’t think very much about the air ducts sitting in your home. And this makes sense! After all, ductwork is purposefully hidden out of sight–it’s not very attractive after all. You shouldn’t really need to think about the state of your air ducts too much. However, on occasion, they’re going to need some attention. While it’s not necessary for you to know all the ins and outs of your ductwork (that’s what we’re here for), there are some things you should know about dirty ducts and how it impacts your indoor air quality, comfort, and HVAC efficiency.

When you’re ready to schedule professional duct cleaning, you needn’t look any further than our team–and no, it’s not a waste of money. Read on to learn why.

Your Ducts and Your Indoor Air Quality

The primary reason many of our customers schedule this service is to improve their overall indoor air quality. It’s true, your HVAC systems do come with an air filter. You may even have additional indoor air quality equipment to assist with other indoor air quality challenges. But, your HVAC air filters and air purifiers are installed at the return duct, where air first enters your air conditioner from your home. This means that the rest of your ductwork pretty much goes unprotected.

Therefore, allergens, dirt and debris, irritants, and germs can infiltrate your air ducts by other means–through cracks in the ductwork itself, through the vents, or even from years of sitting untouched. Professional duct cleaning requires a professional technician to completely suck out this dirt, meaning that allergens and germs are less likely to make their way back into the home.

Your HVAC Equipment Can Operate Better

All of the dirt and debris that’s likely in your ductwork at the moment may be interfering with the performance of your forced-air cooling and heating systems. The most efficient air conditioning and heating systems cool or heat the air, and then blow the conditioned air back into the rooms of your living space via your air ducts. Therefore, dirty ductwork can create friction and resistance that slows down the air.

If your air ducts get too dirty, you’ll find yourself paying more for heating and air conditioning than you should be. Worse than that, there’s a good chance that your air ducts have major leaks, and you could use a professional to assess whether any part of your air ducts actually need replacement–which can be conducted during your cleaning session.

Why You Should Hire a Qualified HVAC Technician

There are many “professionals” out there who can and will claim that they can perform duct cleaning. And they probably can! But only a licensed, properly trained, and experienced HVAC technician can do it while guaranteeing no damage will occur during the job, and that the job will be done thoroughly.

Duct cleaning is a job that’s typically only needed every few years when done correctly!

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted local resource for Whittier duct cleaning and much more! Contact us today.

Why Most Businesses Choose Rooftop HVAC Systems for Their Space

Mon, 16 May 2022 15:00:00 GMT

It’s no secret that HVAC equipment isn’t the prettiest thing to look at. And depending on the size of your business or the commercial space you’re in, you may not even have the space for a large HVAC system. Plus, who really wants to see your HVAC unit when they walk into your business?

Fortunately, there is another option–rooftop units. These are packaged HVAC systems that are installed on rooftops that tie directly into your building’s ductwork. We’ve highlighted a few of the main benefits of installing rooftop units for your business below–read on!

Rooftop Units Save Space

Commercial rooftop HVAC systems have all their heating and cooling components in a single package, making it easy and convenient to install on a roof.

This means you don’t need to use up space outside your business that should be reserved for other key components like parking, building expansions, or even landscaping.

Rooftop Units are Pre-Assembled

Having a roof-mounted HVAC system is a pretty easy job for our installers since the equipment comes as a complete package, with all the components already in place. This means that having new units installed will pose no major business interruptions for your space.

Rooftop Units Are Easy to Maintain

Just like your residential air conditioner or heater at home, your commercial HVAC system does require routine professional maintenance to help it operate as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible.

Professional commercial HVAC maintenance helps prevent wear and tear, and has a number of other cost-saving benefits for you and your business. What’s great is that our technicians can easily access your rooftop units, so you don’t need to worry about a major business interruption for this service to occur.

If you’re wondering if maintenance is worth it–professional maintenance, done once a year for your heater and once a year for your air conditioner, reduces repair needs by as much as 85% and can help those systems retain up to 95% of their original efficiency rating. This means they last longer and cost you less to run as a result.

Rooftop Units Are Energy Efficient

Commercial rooftop HVAC systems come with energy-saving features that you can add in order to improve their performance, like variable air volume controls to meet airflow demands, with matching fan speeds.

Programmable thermostats are also an option, so that you can adjust the HVAC systems’ operation according to seasonal changes and occupancy schedules.

Exploring Your Options

If you have any questions about your heating and cooling options, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Rooftop units are not your only option! If you have a smaller brick-and-mortar business, for example, you may prefer a heat pump system or even a ductless system.

Heat pump systems operate as heating and cooling systems, and ductless systems operate on heat pump technology. Ductless systems, as the name implies, don’t require any ducts, saving a lot of space inside your business.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for professional commercial HVAC services in Whittier and beyond!

“What Is a SEER Rating and Does It Really Matter?”

Mon, 02 May 2022 15:00:00 GMT

When you invest in a new air conditioner, you want to know it’s going to be a solid investment. After all, HVAC systems account for about half of all the energy the average home uses, which means they can be pretty expensive to operate from month-to-month, let alone the initial purchase.

What homeowners may not realize though, is that paying more for an air conditioner now, can mean lower bills throughout the lifetime of the system–and that’s what an investment is all about, right? Paying you back.

What is it that makes an air conditioner more expensive? There are a number of factors, actually, but one of them is the system’s SEER rating–or rather, the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. Read on to learn more about what this is and why it may matter to you!

What the SEER Rating Is

As we stated above, SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it is the measurement of how much cooling power there is compared to the energy that your system is consuming. An inefficient air conditioner or heat pump will generally have a lower SEER rating because it is consuming more energy to produce less cool air.

In contrast, a more efficient system will have a high SEER rating, because the cooling power will be high compared to the low amount of energy the system consumes.

There’s a Science to It!

Or rather, there’s a mathematical equation to it… cooling and heating are measured in BTUs, or British Thermal Units. A powerful cooling system produces a large amount of BTUs by lowering the temperature of your home considerably. The way your HVAC system’s SEER rating is calculated is by comparing the BTUs of cooling output with the energy consumed in Watts.

It’s important that you take this information into consideration when determining what type of air conditioner to have installed in your home. Yes, a higher SEER rating means your air conditioner is going to cost more to purchase and install than one with a low SEER rating. However, the higher the SEER, the lower your utility bills are going to be from month to month. There’s definitely a trade-off here!

Getting the Right Air Conditioner or Heat Pump for Your Home

SEER refers to the energy efficiency rating given to both traditional central air conditioners as well as heat pumps. Heat pumps function much like the former, using refrigerant to transfer heat from one area to another.

Because they use refrigerant, in the summer they operate much like a traditional air conditioner, and therefore SEER ratings apply to them as well (whereas a furnace’s efficiency is measured by AFUE- Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency).

If you’re unsure still about what to look for when purchasing your next air conditioner or heat pump, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team. We can help you make an educated decision, and install a system that will bring you the best in performance and efficiency!

When you’re ready for professional and reliable air conditioning services in Whittier and beyond, look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

How an Air Purifier Helps Your Home

Mon, 18 Apr 2022 15:00:00 GMT

When you hear the phrase “air quality,” you may likely think about the quality of the air outside, like mold or pollen levels. What many homeowners don’t realize, however, is that their indoor air quality can actually be worse than that outdoors–and considering that these days we’re spending a lot more time in our homes, on average, it means homeowners and their households are at higher risk of seeing the ill effects of poor indoor air quality.

Fortunately, there are solutions to this. There are a number of products and services on the market today that can significantly help improve indoor air quality. One of these products is a whole-house air purifier–a system designed to draw particles out of the air so you can breathe a little easier.

Read on to learn more!

“Do I Need an Air Purifier?”

This is a reasonable question! There are some signs you should watch for that indicate you probably do need an air purifier, and/or some other type of indoor air quality system:

The best way to find out for sure if an air purifier is what you need, and what other indoor air quality solutions may supplement this is to give our team a call! In the meantime, read on to learn what the benefits of a whole-home air purifier are.

Whole-House Air Purifiers are Cost-Efficient

Sure, you can get a smaller air purifier or two. But portable air purifiers are really only designed for a small space. In fact, just one probably couldn’t sufficiently purify a typical studio apartment (one portable system can handle less than 400 square feet).

So this means that to get comprehensive air purification in your home, you’d need to buy multiple units, which means maintaining multiple units, which can get pretty costly.

Whole-House Air Purifiers are Convenient

Whole-house air purifiers can be integrated right into HVAC systems and their ductwork. This means you don’t have to take up any space you don’t really have with small portable units, nor do you have to deal with the noise associated with them.

A whole-house air purifier can’t mitigate serious moisture problems in your home, but combined with a dehumidifier, it can help prevent the problem to begin with.

Whole-House Air Purifiers Can Help Improve HVAC Performance

The cleaner your air conditioner or heating system is, the better it can operate, and the longer it will last. Integrating a whole-house air purifier into your HVAC systems will help keep their coils clean and enable your system to run more efficiently.

Of course, annual HVAC maintenance is still important to allow our technicians to thoroughly inspect how everything is performing, but an air purifier is a great step in HVAC care.

Plus, when there are less dust and other particles in the air, your HVAC filters won’t get clogged as quickly, helping with airflow.

For professional indoor air quality solutions , contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today.

The Top 4 Signs Your AC Needs Repair

Mon, 04 Apr 2022 15:00:00 GMT

Air conditioning repairs aren’t the most convenient thing to schedule for the average homeowner, but when you need them it’s not something you want to put off. We understand the temptation to do so! After all, if your air conditioner is still running and pumping out some cool air, that’s good enough right?

Trust us when we say you don’t want to settle for just “good enough.” This means you’re operating a system that might not be working as efficiently as possible, and so you’re paying more to use it… or it can mean exacerbating wear and tear that will eventually lead to a system breakdown.

Read on as we uncover some of the signs that you might be in need of AC repair, and then give us a call if you notice any of these indicators.

The System Simply Isn’t Keeping You Cool Enough

Sure, this might seem like a pretty obvious sign that your air conditioner is in trouble, or you may be like many homeowners who wait to deal with this type of problem, believing “it’s not that bad.”

This is especially true on milder days… homeowners might have the mentality, “Well it is cooling my home, I just can’t tell because it’s cool outside too.” But the temperature outside should have no impact on whether or not your air conditioner is actually able to reach the desired setting on your thermostat.

Now, when it comes to hotter days, there is something you’ll want to keep in mind–if you’re setting your thermostat 20° below what it is outside, then yes, it may struggle to meet that desired setting. But outside of this, a lack of cooling is absolutely a reason to call our pros.

Your Energy Bills Are on the Rise

Have you noticed that your energy bills have spiked? If your utilities are costing you more than they were this same time last year, it’s a sign that something in your home is working inefficiently, and it could very well be your air conditioner to blame. After all, HVAC systems make up for about half of a home’s entire energy use!

Your System Is Cycling On and Off Rapidly

This process is known as short cycling, and is both the symptom of a problem that already exists in your air conditioner and the cause of further problems.

What happens is that your air conditioner cycles on, doesn’t complete a full cooling cycle, and shuts back down. HVAC systems are designed to run for 15 minutes, give or take, 2-3 times an hour. If yours is running for far less than 15 minutes at a time and turning on and off more than 2-3 times an hour, it’s short-cycling, and can exacerbate wear and tear on the unit.

You Detect Odd Noises from the System

Your air conditioner is never going to be silent. But, you know the day-to-day sounds it makes best. So if anything sounds out of the ordinary, it’s worth giving us a call. This can include sounds like banging, clanging, hissing, or excessive rattling.

We’re always happy to take a look, even if you think your repair need is relatively minor–it’s better safe than sorry!

For reliable air conditioning repair in Whittier , contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

How to Help Your Household Breathe a Little Easier

Mon, 21 Mar 2022 15:00:00 GMT

How’s everyone feeling in your home these days? Health has been a huge focus for homeowners throughout the country the last couple of years, understandably. And while we can’t resolve all the health problems for you, we can certainly help you and your household breathe a little easier moving forward.

How so? With the professional installation of a whole-house air filtration system or air purifier.

“But wait, doesn’t my HVAC system already have an air filter?”

Yes, it does! But this filter actually isn’t designed to protect your indoor air quality. Instead, it is designed to protect the interior components of your HVAC system. For true indoor air quality protection, you’ll want a little help. Read on to learn more!

“Do I Really Need a Whole-House Air Filtration or Purification System?”

Not to answer a question with a question but… doesn’t everyone want to breathe the best quality air possible?

Even if your answer was a disinterested “shrug,” we are going to guess you’re still reading for a reason! Here are some signs that your home does indeed need a whole-house air filtration or purification system:

The Benefits of a Whole-House System

Perhaps at this point, you’re thinking, “Okay, well, only a room or two in my house is really affected… I’ll just go buy a portable air purifier.”

Portable air purifiers are helpful, to an extent. But for truly comprehensive results, you really should contact your local home performance experts at Greenleaf to see about your other options. You’ll be rewarded with cost-efficiency and convenience!

Think about it… small air purifying units can only, as we just alluded to, handle one or two small rooms in your home. Rather than investing in multiple units to place around your home, a whole-house system will be more cost-efficient.

There’s no need to worry about maintaining multiple systems, plus a whole-house air filtration system can be installed directly into your HVAC system. This means it saves space and helps the performance of your heating and cooling equipment.

This is even more convenient because you’ll have uniform indoor air quality throughout your living space, 24/7. This will help keep you more comfortable, help you avoid illnesses in your home, and help your heating and cooling systems work more efficiently since they won’t have any airflow restrictions.

Helping Out Your HVAC System

The right indoor air quality product or combination of products will help your HVAC systems perform better, as we mentioned above. This means wear and tear will be slowed, and as a result, your HVAC system may even last longer than it would have otherwise. Of course, you always want to make sure you keep up on professional HVAC maintenance, too!

Learn more about air filtration and air purifier systems in Whittier, CA by contacting Greenleaf Heating & Cooling !

How to Prep Your AC for Spring

Mon, 07 Mar 2022 16:00:00 GMT

What are some things you think about that are associated with spring? Spring cleaning? Spring training, if you’re a baseball fan? How about spring maintenance?

Wait, you mean that last one didn’t occur to you?

Here’s the thing–spring maintenance is absolutely essential for your air conditioner to work as efficiently and effectively as you’d expect, for as long as it should. It’s during this service that our professionals closely inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it while locating spots of wear and tear that could require repair.

Read on as we dive into the importance of this service!

What To Know About AC Maintenance

Routine air conditioning maintenance is, unfortunately, one of those things that’s easy for homeowners to brush off as a huge need. This is true for almost any maintenance service, even including vehicles.

But just like with your car, annual AC maintenance is essential for ensuring a long life for your cooling system and the best possible performance during that time, too. Here are the benefits!

1. Fewer Emergency Breakdowns: This is probably the leading reason you should have spring maintenance done for your air conditioner. The last thing you need this spring or summer, after all, is a cooling system that breaks down on you during the hottest day of the year.

2. Improved Energy Efficiency: You shouldn’t have to pay any more than necessary to run your air conditioner over a hot sticky summer like we experience, and maintenance helps to keep your cooling system from running up extra high utility bills.

Our technicians’ work will reduce strain and wear from your system that could otherwise lower its efficiency. A well-maintained air conditioner can retain about 95% of its original efficiency rating, while on the other hand, every year your system goes without maintenance, it can lose about 5% of its original efficiency rating.

3. Longer System Lifespan: When an air conditioner is properly maintained, it should have a useful service life of 10-15 years. Keep in mind, when we say useful service life, we’re talking about how long a system can operate with the efficiency you’d expect from the system.

Without professional maintenance, that lifespan can potentially be cut in half.

4. Fewer Repair Needs: On average, you can expect to call for routine air conditioning repairs about once every couple of years. However, if you find yourself calling for professional repairs 2-3 times a year or more, then it’s a definite sign that your air conditioner needs help, and maintenance is the answer–although in the case of an aging air conditioner you might want to consider an upgrade!

Ask About Our Maintenance Plans!

Being part of a maintenance plan means you get special bonuses like repair discounts, 24-hour service or same-day service, and much more, depending on the level of plan you decide on. We have three options; the platinum, gold, or silver plan. Please reach out to our team today to learn more about these plans and which one is best for you!

Schedule air conditioning maintenance with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

Possible End-Of-Season Furnace Repair Needs

Mon, 21 Feb 2022 16:00:00 GMT

Springtime is just around the corner–especially for those of us in Southern California who’ve never actually experienced a “real” winter. That said, you know as well as we do that a cold spell can surprise us, and even if it just lasts for a few days, you’ll want a fully functional furnace system to see you through. Plus, don’t you want to have a great furnace in place for next year, too?

If you had professional maintenance completed on your heating system this past fall, and also took care of any pending repair issues at that time, then you probably have little to worry about in terms of unexpected furnace repair needs. It’s a good idea, though, to be aware of signs of a furnace in disrepair, so that you can rely on it now and in the future. Read on to learn what some possible end-of-season furnace repair needs are, and call us if you notice any of these symptoms!

Unexpected, Strange Noises

If you are utilizing a furnace as your home heating system, then you’re always going to hear some noises coming from it as it runs. This can include that air “whooshing” through the vents, the slight rattle of ductwork as the temperature changes and fluctuates inside of it, and other small noises here and there.

What you should not hear are any sounds that are out of the ordinary from what you usually hear. This can include banging, clanging, excessive clicking as the system cycles down, or even hissing, screeching, or clanging which can indicate a loose component.

The clicking and the hissing can both be signs of a cracked heat exchanger allowing carbon monoxide gases to leak out and potentially expose your household. This is a particularly harmful problem to have, so please call us right away if you discover it.

Odd Smells

The only time you should ever detect any odor coming out of your furnace is maybe at the very start of the heating system. This is because if the furnace vents or coils are dirty, then the dust may be burning off the jets and heat exchangers, creating a smell. This smell should dissipate within a few days (if not before then).

If you detect an acrid or burning odor, however, especially if you’ve been using your furnace relatively frequently in the last couple of months, it’s a sign of an urgent issue, such as damaged electrical components or something of the like. The best thing to do in this case is to shut off your furnace until you can have a professional come take a look.

Lukewarm Air

The air coming from your ventilation system as you run your furnace shouldn’t increase or decrease in temperature. “What do you mean?” you might be asking.

We mean, that the air itself that comes from your furnace, and the air conditioner for that matter, is one consistent temperature. Your furnace runs until the temperature of the room matches your thermostat settings.

On a mild winter day, a homeowner may brush off lukewarm air coming from their vents as just a sign that the temperature in their home is already reached. But this is never going to be the case. Lukewarm air coming from the vents is definitely the sign of a problem, and you should give our team a call!

When you need quality furnace repair in Torrance, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact u s today!

“Will a Dirty Air Filter Hurt My Furnace?”

Mon, 07 Feb 2022 16:00:00 GMT

If you’re one of many homeowners in our area who uses a furnace for your home’s heat, then you know how satisfying it is when the system kicks on and provides you with all the heat you need. True, it doesn’t get as cold here as it does in other parts of the country, but still, when you want your heater to work, you want your heater to work!

However, there are some things you might be doing that can have a negative impact on your furnace. For instance, not changing your air filter can lead to problems. We’re talking about the air filter that comes standard with your HVAC systems. These should be changed every 1-3 months depending on the type of filter and the level of contaminants in your home. For example, a home with pet hair and/or cigarette smoke will have different needs than a home without either of these things.

But what really happens when you fail to change the air filter and instead leave a dirty filter in place? Read on to find out.

The Purpose of the Air Filter

Although you can’t always see it, there is a large amount of debris and dust that can circulate throughout your home. This debris ultimately settles in the ductwork system of your HVAC units. If debris enters the furnace itself, it can cause some significant problems.

The sole purpose of this air filter is to prevent your furnace from being damaged by anything that can get inside. It’s important that you regularly change the air filter, as the air filters are not able to rid themselves of the particles that they have accumulated. If the air filters get too clogged up, airflow into the system becomes restricted, therefore causing issues, such as:

Decreased System Efficiency

When the air filter gets too clogged up, the furnace struggles to circulate heated air through the home, since there’s more resistance than is normal, which decreases overall efficiency.

Additionally, a dirty air filter can cause your furnace to short cycle. This is the process where your heater turns on and off rapidly instead of running in longer intervals like it’s meant to.

When this happens, heat gets trapped inside the furnace, causing the internal temperature to rise. This activates the limit switch, causing your furnace to shut off as a safety measure. Your heater uses the most energy starting up, so the more it has to start up, the more you’re paying in energy bills.

Increased Repair Needs

You can expect that your furnace will be subjected to more wear and tear when it has to work harder to do its job. This will eventually lead to operational issues, and eventually, cause a system breakdown.

We know better than anyone that repair bills tend to cost more than the average maintenance bill. Replacing your air filter on a regular basis is far easier than dealing with a system breakdown!

Of course, if you do find yourself in need of heating repair, we’re the team to call.

For professional heating repair in Torrance, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

Heed These Signs You Need Heater Repair

Mon, 24 Jan 2022 16:00:00 GMT

If temperatures lately have been any indication, we may be one of the sunniest states in the country but our winters still get pretty cold for our tastes! Sure, it’s not snowing outside… but it’s cold enough to necessitate a powerful and efficient heating system.

So what if something is wrong with yours? Do you know what signs to watch for that might indicate something is wrong with yours?

First off, we want to mention the importance of maintenance. If you haven’t already had your professional furnace tune-up done this year, it’s not too late. Maintenance helps your heating system work as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible. Plus, maintenance helps you avoid up to 85% of the repairs a heater might ever need.

Of course, maintenance doesn’t make your system immune to repair needs, which is why it’s important to know those indicators we alluded to above. Read on to learn a few signs that you might need professional heater repair sooner rather than later.

Strange Noises

Look, there is no such thing as a silent heater! You’re going to hear some noise. You may hear a slight jolting noise as the furnace cycles on, in addition to some gentle rattling coming from the ductwork as it fluctuates with the temperature.

And then of course, you’ll hear the rush of air coming through your home’s vents. What you shouldn’t hear, however, is any new sounds coming from your heater.

This can include a clanking, which can be indicative of a loose component, or a banging sound. A booming noise can be the sound of gas bursting through a layer of grime on your burners… this can be quite bad for the heat exchangers, leading to potential damage and carbon monoxide leaks.

If you hear anything outside of the normal noises that are typical for your heater, it’s time to give us a call.

Higher Than Average Utility Bills

Have you discovered that you seem to be paying more for your energy bills than you ever have in years prior? This is a sign that something in your home is operating inefficiently. It could very well be your heater to blame, as your HVAC systems make up for over half of all your home’s energy use.

Lack of Heating Comfort

Does it seem like no matter where you set your thermostat, you just can’t get it high enough? Something like damaged air ducts or even a dirty system can be to blame since it can prevent your heater from reaching the desired temperature on the thermostat.

Short-Cycling

Short-cycling is when an HVAC system cycles on and off rapidly, never actually completing a full heating (or cooling) cycle. Your heater should run in 15-minute increments, 2-3 times each hour. If your heater is running in shorter increments than this and/or more thave 2-3 times an hour, then it means it’s time to have your heater checked by a pro!

For professional heating repair in Glendale, CA , contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Have You Considered Going Ductless This Winter?

Mon, 10 Jan 2022 16:00:00 GMT

While this isn’t the most popular time to replace a heater, since temperatures are already cooling down, there’s not a whole lot you can do about it if you’ve found yourself too cold this season due to an inefficient or ineffective heating system. That said, if the time has come for you to replace your heater, you’d do well to consider the installation of a ductless mini-split. Why? Read on to learn some of the benefits!

Ductless Systems Are Efficient

Did you know that air loss from your ductwork can account for over 30% of your HVAC system’s energy consumption? According to energy.gov, this is particularly true if that ductwork is in an unused space such as your attic.

The risk of ductwork damage simply doesn’t exist with a ductless system, first off. This is one way they are automatically more efficient. Secondly, they use heat pump technology. This means they use refrigerant to transfer heat, and do not use energy to generate heat like a furnace does.

Heat pumps and ductless systems work particularly well in climates that have hot summer days but relatively mild winters, which makes them a perfect choice for Glendale area residents!

Ductless Systems Are Flexible

Ductless mini-splits offer your home zone-controlled heating and cooling. What we mean is that you can control the temperature separately around the home. The benefit of this over other system types is that you can heat or cool the rooms that require it, without impacting rooms that are unoccupied at the time.

Ductless mini-splits are a great choice for small homes, condos, and apartments. The outdoor unit combined with up to 4 small indoor air handlers save a lot more room in the home, too. If you have a larger home, you still may benefit from this type of setup, though you’ll likely need two outdoor units if you have more than 4 rooms that need efficient heating and cooling (this is including your living room and kitchen area!)

Ductless Systems Improve Indoor Air Quality

There are a number of products on the market that will improve your indoor air quality, including air purifiers and whole-home air filtration systems. Ductless systems naturally help your indoor air quality a bit as well.

This is because they lack ductwork. Ductwork has the opportunity to accumulate damage and as a result accumulate dust, dirt, and other debris. This debris can get sent back into your living space through the vents, making for a less than healthy environment for you and your family.

Ductless systems eliminate this problem by eliminating ducts!

You Don’t Lose Heating or Cooling if an Air Handler Breaks

One of the great things about a ductless system is that if one of the air handlers breaks down, you’re not totally out a heating or cooling system. You can still use the other air handlers to heat or cool your space. Sure, it’s a bit inconvenient, but it’s at least better than having no heating or no air conditioning at all!

When you need quality heating service in Glendale, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

What Can Be Done About Your Dry Air?

Mon, 27 Dec 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Did you know that dry air in your home can be just as bad as air that’s too humid? You’re probably much more familiar with the problems presented by too much moisture in the air–it makes you feel uncomfortable in the summertime, plus it can encourage the growth of mold and mildew in your property. Nobody wants that!

But dry air isn’t great either. The ideal relative humidity level in any given home is less than 50% but more than 30%. Anything under that 30% is considered “too dry.” But, why? And what can be done about it? Read on as we answer these questions in detail!

The Problem with Dry Air

Since we don’t normally get bitterly cold temperatures where we live, you probably don’t associate dry air with discomfort. However, when the air is too dry, it can actually make you feel cooler than the actual temperature of the room you’re in.

Moisture works as an insulator… which is why you feel so much warmer when it’s too humid out in the summer. So when there is too little moisture in the air–less than 30% humidity–you lose that insulation. The moisture level in the air is no longer able to regulate how easily the human body can release heat. Humidity slows down heat release, though.

So a mildly cool day–let’s say 65°F (alright, tell your friends in the midwest and northeast to stop making fun of us)–can feel as much as 10° cooler when the air is dry enough! And when you feel cooler, you adjust the thermostat on your furnace or heating system to let it run longer or turn on earlier in the day.

This means that you’re using your heater more than you should have to. Since a home’s HVAC systems take up about half of all the energy use in the household, this can get pretty expensive over time! So not only is your comfort suffering but so too will your budget.

The other problem with dry air is that it does things like cause dry and itchy skin and eyes. it also dries out the mucus membranes in your nose, which is your natural defense from cold and virus germs. This means your immunity is lowered and it’s easier to get sick from others in the household.

Lastly, dry air pulls moisture from your property, leading to things like cracked wood and peeled paint, plus causing static shock between surfaces.

The Solution to Dry Air

This wouldn’t be a very good blog post if we shared a problem with no solution, right? Well, you’re in luck! The best way to resolve dry air is with the professional installation of a humidifier.

We aren’t talking about one of those portable humidifiers–these are great for a single room for someone who suffers from allergies or is ill at the moment! Rather, we’re talking about a whole-house humidifier that can be installed directly into your HVAC system to evenly distribute the appropriate level of humidity you need to stay comfortable and use efficient heating.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team to learn more!

Greenleaf Heating & Cooling is your trusted resource to start improving your indoor air quality in Whittier, CA . Contact us today!

Why It’s a Bad Idea to Skip Out on Heating Maintenance

Mon, 13 Dec 2021 16:00:00 GMT

If you’ve ever had heating maintenance done before, then you likely know some of the benefits. It helps your heater work more efficiently, it reduces repairs by as much as 85%, and it helps your heating system last as long as possible. A well-maintained heating system can last about 10-15 years.

So, what can happen if you don’t have heating maintenance done? Well, your heater could have potential dangerous risks–especially if it’s a gas-powered furnace. It also may only last about half of its intended lifespan. Read on as we uncover more reasons it’s a bad idea to skip out on heating maintenance!

Don’t Skip Maintenance, Because…

Many of the problems that can impact your heater are the type of things you won’t even discover until they’ve already caused a fair amount of damage to the system. This is the primary reason you don’t want to wait for symptoms of a heating system problem to show up–instead, you should be proactive and pre-emptive with professional maintenance!

Professional preventative maintenance tune-ups give our technicians the chance to closely examine the system and isolate any issues that could be developing. These problems can then be repaired before they have the chance to grow into something much bigger.

For example, let’s say that you have some motor bearings that have lost their lubrication. This is quite an easy “fix” for our team, and a small issue we catch during maintenance. But if you skip maintenance and it goes undiscovered, the motor will eventually experience too much friction and overheat. This can lead to a complete system breakdown!

On the other hand, professional maintenance helps you avoid up to 85% of the repairs that your furnace, heat pump, or other heating systems may ever need in its lifetime. This is because as we alluded to above, maintenance allows our technicians to spot these small wear and tear issues before they become much bigger (and more expensive) repair issues.

Why Now Is the Best Time For Maintenance

We typically recommend that our customers have their furnace or heating maintenance done in the fall. It’s before your system is going to be used the most, giving you plenty of time to address any repair needs, and setting the system up for success for the season.

However, frequency of maintenance actually is much more important than the time of year you have it done. For your furnace, you should be having maintenance done once a year at the minimum. If you have a year-round heat pump or ductless system, then maintenance tune-ups should be done every 6 months.

If you have any questions about what happens during maintenance or if you’re concerned about whether or not your heater needs maintenance, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. We’re happy to take a look and tell you the next best step!

Ask us too about our maintenance program. We have three plans for you to choose from, each with its own set of benefits and advantages for our customers.

Reach out to Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for quality heater service in Whittier, CA !

Beware These 4 Noises Coming from Your Furnace

Mon, 15 Nov 2021 16:00:00 GMT

It may not get as bitterly cold here in our part of the country as it does others, but that doesn’t mean we don’t need a fully functioning, efficiently operating furnace in our homes, right?

Hopefully, you’ve already scheduled maintenance for your furnace to ensure it works as effectively and efficiently as possible the rest of this fall and this upcoming winter. If you haven’t, however, it’s not too late!

Even with maintenance, it is possible that you’ll have some repair needs crop up every now and then–this is a normal part of wear and tear. The important part is that you know when to call for professional repair services. One of the biggest indicators is if your furnace is making some ominous noises. Read on to learn what these are.

Screeching

In most cases, this sound is an indication that the lubrication has worn down on the motor bearings of your blower motor. This is a very natural part of wear and tear, and it’s something we check for during maintenance. However, whether it’s been a long time since your last furnace maintenance appointment or your heater is old (10-15 years old), this can lead to too much friction on the blower motor.

By the time you hear a screeching noise, you are in danger of your blower motor burning out, overheating, and your furnace shutting down as a result. Fortunately, this can be avoided by giving our team a call!

Clanking

If you hear something that resembles metal on metal, then you probably are hearing metal on metal. You may be hearing a problem with the furnace’s blower wheel–you don’t want to let this continue, so contact our professionals right away to prevent further damage! More damage to the wheel means a more expensive repair need.

Banging or Booming

If you hear a “bang” or a “boom” come from your furnace when it starts up, then you probably have dirty burners. This probably sounds like a pretty benign problem, but it can potentially become dangerous if left unaddressed.

The noise you’re hearing is likely caused by a delay in ignition due to dirt and build-up. The gas builds up, then when it ignites, a small “explosion” occurs inside the furnace.

The problem with this is that it rattles the furnace to the point that more serious problems can happen, like a cracked heat exchanger, which can introduce harmful carbon monoxide into your home.

Cleaning the burner yourself is not something we recommend. There is too much room for error, and you shouldn’t have to spend more money in the long run. It’s always after to call in a pro if you’re dealing with gas.

Rattling

In many cases, any rattling noise you hear coming from the area of your furnace might be something as minor as a panel on the cabinet coming loose. The solution can be as easy as tightening that panel with a screwdriver.

If you checked though and that’s not the case, then there may be loose components within your furnace. Even if your furnace seems to be working “just fine,” it’s still a good idea to have the system checked out by a pro to make sure nothing serious is going on.

For professional and reliable furnace repair in Pomona, CA , contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

How to Use Your Heater as Efficiently as Possible

Mon, 01 Nov 2021 15:00:00 GMT

With the holiday season upon us, it’s easy to want to tighten up our wallets and use our budgets for more enjoyable endeavors than our heating systems, whether it’s for gifts or fall and winter excursions.

As a result, you might try to use your heating system as little as possible and just “deal with it” as temperatures cool, in order to save money. After all, our winters aren’t bitterly cold right? It’s not like you really need to be as comfortable as possible.

Well, all we have to say to that is… you deserve comfort! And our team can help you stay as comfortable as possible, as affordably as possible! This starts with routine maintenance. If you haven’t scheduled your fall maintenance tune-up yet, now is the time!

Maintenance isn’t the only way you can ensure efficient and affordable use of your heater though. Read on as we uncover some relatively easy tips for you to follow so you can stay comfy without sacrificing too much of your wallet.

Schedule Maintenance!

We know we just mentioned this one, but it’s worth repeating. Maintenance is the leading way to ensure the efficiency of your heating system. During maintenance, we thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it. This helps your heater work at its best. Read: efficiently!

During maintenance, we’ll check for components that are succumbing to wear and tear. This might mean that you have motor bearings that are losing lubrication, for example. Worn-down motor bearings not only make an irritating sound, they create friction on the motor and your motor cannot work as effectively, leading to your system overheating.

Not only does this mean you risk a sudden breakdown, but it may be harder for your heater to do its job, and it could run longer to try to compensate-therefore operating inefficiently.

This is just one example out of many of how maintenance contributes to better efficiency. Every year you go without maintenance, your heater loses about 5% of its efficiency rating, but with annual maintenance, you can help it retain 95% of its original efficiency.

Keep the Thermostat Setting Reasonable

It can be really hard to resist the urge to turn up the temperature to try to heat your home “faster” when you’re feeling cold. But we urge you to resist that urge. The thing is, all that accomplishes is making your heater run longer–it does not heat the room or the home up any faster. Therefore, you’re not using the heating system efficiently and not really achieving long-term comfort.

It’s better to keep your heater on and set to 68°F during our chillier months than to turn the thermostat up as high as possible to achieve comfort. You’ll find that you’re using less electricity and therefore paying less on your utility bills this way.

If, however, your thermostat setting is reasonable but your heater just doesn’t seem to be doing its job as effectively as it used to, it may be time to give our team a call for professional repairs.

For professional maintenance and heating repair in Pomona, CA , you needn’t look any further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

Beware This Potential Furnace Danger

Mon, 18 Oct 2021 15:00:00 GMT

We want to reassure you upfront that natural gas furnaces are not “dangerous” appliances to have in a home. If they were general health hazards, they wouldn’t be allowed into homes in the first place. Modern manufacturers of HVAC equipment build furnaces to the highest safety standards and with multiple precautions built in. If you’ve regularly maintained your furnace and scheduled furnace repair in Pasadena, CA whenever it wasn’t working right, there is minimal chance of the furnace operating unsafely.

But any appliance that burns natural gas can potentially create health hazards because of toxic gas byproducts, and it’s important to know about what may go wrong. In this post, we’re going to look at one potential gas furnace danger and what to do about it: the cracked heat exchanger.

The Heat Exchanger

What’s a heat exchanger? It’s the part of a furnace that actually heats the air moving through it. It’s a metal chamber that traps the hot combustion gas from the burners. The gas heats up the metal of the heat exchanger, and as air from the blower moves around the metal, it picks up the heat. This prevents the combustion gas from ever coming into contact with the air that ends up in the house. The remaining gas byproducts in the heat exchanger are safely vented out a flue.

The Problem With Heat Exchanger Cracks

Over the years, the stress on the heat exchanger from expanding and contracting from heat can cause small fissures to form on it. Another source of cracks on the heat exchanger is corrosion, which can occur because of a chemical reaction between the metal and vapor of the combustion gas. The older the furnace, the more likely cracks will form. When the metal of the exchanger expands, the cracks may open wide enough to allow toxic gas to escape into the airflow, which is hazardous for people in the house.

Preventing, Detecting, and Repairing Heat Exchanger Cracks

The best way to prevent and detect a cracked heat exchanger is to always schedule professional heating maintenance in the fall before you start using the furnace for the season. Our technicians always perform a thorough inspection of the heat exchanger during maintenance, and we’ll detect corrosion and spots where cracks are forming. We can repair this problem by replacing the heat exchanger but, if the furnace is old, it’s much better and safer to have a new furnace installed.

Another key preventative step to protect your health is to have carbon monoxide detectors in your house. These are necessary if you use natural gas in any way—the detectors will alert you in time to vacate the house and contact the gas company. Later you can have our technicians examine the furnace and determine the best next steps.

If you haven’t done so yet this fall, please call us to sign up for one of our maintenance plans. We can then get you on the schedule for the heating maintenance that will help protect your family this winter.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling if you believe you have a problem with your furnace. We’re your commercial and residential experts in Southern California since 1956.

Here’s Why Now Is the Perfect Time for a Heating Tune-Up!

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 15:00:00 GMT

We don’t get the kind of seasons around here that we see in movies and on television. That’s a good thing in our opinion since we get beautiful sunny weather and mild winters for the majority of the year. No crazy snowstorms for us!

That doesn’t mean we’re off the hook though. Our heaters need to be in good shape when the winter rolls around, otherwise, we’ll still be cold and uncomfortable, especially during the night. It’s important that you schedule your heater for maintenance around this time to help it last longer and run efficiently. Heating systems that undergo a routine tune-up every year will not only save you money in the long run, but will also need repairs less often than an unmaintained system.

Today, we’re going to talk about the benefits of a heater tune-up. We’ll specify why fall is the perfect time of year to get your heater serviced by a professional.

Your System Will Have Fewer Repair Needs

The first and most immediate benefit you get from maintenance is the fact that your heater is much less likely to break down during the wintertime. Maintenance allows for a professional technician to repair small issues in your heater, as well as lubricate components and allow for maximum efficiency.

If there are any budding problems in your heater, a technician is sure to spot them and discuss options with you. Many times we can just nip them in the bud during maintenance so you’re good to go for the future!

You’ll Have Improved Efficiency and Comfort

An unmaintained heating system is going to run into two major problems throughout its lifespan.

Maintenance helps save off these problems as long as it’s done routinely. A heater tune-up can keep the system running efficiently as it consumes as little fuel or energy as possible. Maintenance will also keep temperatures cozy and comfortable without strain on your system.

Your Heater Will Last Longer and Operate More Safely

For homeowners out there with a gas furnace, maintenance is even more important. An unmaintained furnace can start leaking gas or carbon monoxide as it gets worn down and components start to fail or crack. Maintenance ensures your heating system runs safely and lasts as long as possible without compromising your health.

Ask about Our Maintenance Program!

Need an extra nudge in the right direction? Our maintenance program comes with a wide variety of perks and additional benefits that homeowners can take advantage of. This includes discounts on repairs, same-day priority service, and coil cleanings for air conditioner systems.

Click here to check out our maintenance program!

Professional maintenance is key to preventing surprise heating repairs in Pasadena, CA . Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule your next tune-up!

How Could Your Home Benefit from Professional Duct Cleaning?

Mon, 20 Sep 2021 15:00:00 GMT

If you’re like the typical homeowner, you probably don’t know a whole lot about the air ducts running their way through your home. And this makes sense! After all, your ductwork is mostly hidden from view for a reason! You shouldn’t really need to think about the condition of ductwork too much; however, every now and then they need attention.

We don’t expect you to know all the ins and outs of your air ducts, but there are definitely a few things you should know about the impact that dirty ducts can have on your indoor air quality, and therefore your home.

Professional duct cleaning from a qualified team, like ours, is an excellent idea if you’re looking to not only improve your indoor air quality but help your HVAC systems perform more efficiently. Read on to learn more about why this is the case.

The Impact of Duct Cleaning On Your Indoor Air Quality

The primary reason that many folks have professional duct cleaning done is in order to improve the quality of their indoor air. Without the right indoor air quality products and services in place, your indoor air quality can actually be worse than the quality of the air outdoors.

True, your HVAC systems both have their own air filter. But this air filter is replaced at the return duct and is meant to protect the interior components of your HVAC system like the evaporator coil, fans, and so forth. This doesn’t account for the large amount of ductwork snaking its way through your home.

Over time, this ductwork can accumulate pinhole leaks and small tears due to natural wear and tear. Although this is somewhat expected, it needs to be repaired for your HVAC efficiency, and it can also allow debris inside. This debris may include allergens like dust and pollen, VOCs (volatile organic compounds), household cleaning fumes, pet dander, and more… and it can all make its way back into your home through your vents.

After you have your ducts professionally sealed or repaired, duct cleaning allows our technicians to comprehensively rid the air ducts of debris, to improve your overall indoor air quality.

The Impact of Duct Cleaning on HVAC Performance

All the dirt and debris that may be resting in your ductwork as you read this could very well be interfering with the performance of your air conditioner and heating systems. The most efficient HVAC systems cool or heat the air, blowing it back into the rooms of your home via your air ducts, with little resistance. Dust, dirt, and other debris create airflow resistance, which ultimately means you could be paying more to use your systems than necessary.

When you have low airflow, you tend to try to adjust your thermostat to compensate. This just makes your air conditioner or heater run longer, without really helping you achieve much comfort. This is why it’s so inefficient!

When you need quality air duct cleaning in Whittier, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

How’s the State of Your Indoor Air Quality?

Mon, 06 Sep 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Perhaps your home seems to be comfortable “enough.” So, if someone asks you how your indoor air quality is, your response might be, “I don’t know, I guess it’s fine.” If this is indeed your response, have you really ever thought about how your indoor air quality and overall comfort could be much better than fine?

If you don’t already have indoor air quality systems in your home, then it’s likely that something is missing.

There are a number of indoor air quality products and services we offer that can benefit your home, with one of the most popular choices for homeowners being the whole-house air purifier.

When You Might Need an Air Purifier

Without the right expertise, it could be a bit of a guessing game to determine if you actually need an air purifier in your home. That’s what our team is here for–to help with this decision! Here are a couple of cases where a whole-house air purifier may certainly benefit your household:

Allergy Symptoms Are High

Allergy “season’ for the average allergy sufferer sometimes seems to last all year long. But the fact of the matter is, this might be exacerbated by the lack of the right indoor air quality systems in place. Think about it–are your allergy symptoms worse when you’re at home? Or are there any other household occupants that really seem to be suffering from allergy symptoms throughout the year?

Contaminants in your home like dust, pet hair and dander, and even remnants from household cleaning supplies can impact allergy and asthma sufferers–but all of this can be eliminated with the right air purifier or air filtration system in place!

Your Home Is Smelly

Have you noticed a sort of musty smell in your home? You may be confused by this smell, especially if you’re typically a very clean and tidy person who likes to light the occasional scented candle or use a scented plug-in.

The odors in the air just keep lingering though, so what gives? Well, a lot of the time, lingering odors are a sign of poor indoor air quality, and the right air purifier can help rid your home of these smells.

You Notice Mold or Mildew Growth

Have you discovered mold or mildew growing in your home? We aren’t strangers to this in our humid climate, and you may not be surprised to occasionally see mildew in your bathroom area or other spots where there’s a lot of moisture. But this isn’t something you have to live with!

Mold and mildew can make even the healthiest person ill, but can especially impact those with allergies or asthma.

Dust Seems to Never Go Away

If you seem to find yourself constantly dusting off the surfaces throughout your home, it’s time for an air purifier. The thing is, this dust is simply circulating through the air in your home, so when you “dust,” you are essentially just moving it around, not removing it. An air purifier solves this.

When you’re ready to improve your indoor air quality in Whittier, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today, and please don’t hesitate to ask about the different types of air purifiers we carry and install.

Caring for Your Business’s Server Room

Mon, 23 Aug 2021 15:00:00 GMT

When you run a business, you obviously have many things to think about. There’re your profits, the cost to run your establishment, your employees’ morale, your customer service, etc. So the last thing that’s probably on your mind is your office’s server room, right? Unless you are an IT company, you likely don’t give it much thought at all.

Unfortunately, neglecting this area of your business can have terrible consequences, which we’ll get to below. Read on to learn more, and turn to us when you want quality, reliable, server room cooling!

Don’t Ignore Your Server Room Cooling

As we said above, it’s easy to forget about your server room needs, with everything else you have to think about. But you really do want to give it some consideration. And no, leaving the door open to the computer or server room isn’t the answer. It won’t let enough heat exit the room. A fan won’t do much good either.

Lastly, no, your building’s central air conditioner isn’t going to cut it! You need a specific system and setup that is designed to pull heat out of the server room and return chilled air.

Only Trust the Pros

Your office building may have a general “handyman” who can help with burnt-out lightbulbs and other small tasks around the office. But unless they have specific training in refrigeration, they’re simply not equipped to handle the complexities involved with server room cooling.

For one, only training professionals know how to get just the right amount of cooling in your office and server room. Did you know you can actually have too much cooling? Computer equipment functions in an optimal temperature range and anything outside of that range can damage these intricate systems, whether it’s too hot or too cold.

This range will depend on the equipment your business uses, how much heat it gives off, and how much equipment you have. Only a trained professional will be able to accurately calculate how much cooling you need.

Consider Airflow

Inside a server room, there needs to be an accurate balance of airflow in order to keep equipment properly cooled. If cabinets are left empty, it can disrupt circulation and therefore impact the effectiveness of your server room cooling. Be sure that you don’t move equipment around or add more equipment without having your server room cooling needs assessed.

Don’t Forget Maintenance!

Last but not least, don’t forget about commercial HVAC maintenance. Server room cooling, just like any other type of air conditioning, is not a “one and done” service. You want your equipment to always operate at optimal levels, and this isn’t possible if you let it keep running year after year without careful attention.

Routine server room and commercial AC maintenance are vital. Be sure to schedule your appointment today if you haven’t had your systems inspected and cleaned in over a year. Annual tune-ups are key to keeping your commercial cooling system and server room cooling system in great shape.

For professional commercial HVAC in Lakewood, CA contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Are You Believing One or More of These AC Myths?

Mon, 09 Aug 2021 15:00:00 GMT

There are some pretty harmless myths out there… like how the level of heartburn a woman has will determine how much hair their baby will be born with or how walking under a ladder will give you bad luck.

Alright, we’re not totally saying these myths are untrue, and if you want to continue to believe them that’s perfectly fine! But believing air conditioner myths could actually do the system harm, in addition to harming your comfort and your budget.

Read on as we uncover a few of the biggest AC myths and what problems could come out of believing them.

Myth #1: Refrigerant is Supposed to Run Out

Many homeowners believe that refrigerant is something that “runs out” or depletes, like gasoline from a car. This is unfortunately not true.

We say unfortunately because believing this particular myth could leave you with a completely broken down air conditioner, years before its time.

You see, upon manufacturing, air conditioners are supplied with enough refrigerant to last their entire lifespan. It is a recycled chemical substance that transitions between a gaseous state and a liquid state in order to activate the cooling process.

When your air conditioner loses refrigerant, it means there is a leak. So yes, the refrigerant needs to be refilled (what we call recharged, here in the HVAC industry). But the leak also needs to be located and repaired so it doesn’t continue to happen. If it is allowed to continue, then the coils can freeze over and the compressor can break down. If the latter occurs, you’re looking at a potential air conditioner replacement years before you should have to.

Myth #2: The Air Filter Only Needs to Be Changed During Maintenance

First off, we’ve found that people often have the wrong idea of what the purpose is of an air filter that comes standard with their air conditioner. This air filter is not in place to protect indoor air quality as many assume, but rather to protect the air conditioner itself from dust, dirt, and other debris that can get inside and damage the components.

So if this air filter gets too clogged up, it doesn’t necessarily hurt your indoor air quality. Instead, it blocks airflow and causes your air conditioner to run longer in order to achieve the desired temperature on your thermostat.

The standard HVAC air filter needs to be changed every 1-3 months depending on the type of filter it is and the level of contaminants inside your home.

Myth #3: “I Can Do Repairs or Maintenance On My Own”

Unfortunately, without the right training and expertise, this can do more harm than good to the air conditioner. Additionally, you may void out the manufacturer warranty by attempting repairs or maintenance on your own.

This means that if there is a manufacturer defect, and you unsuccessfully try to fix it on your own only to have to call in an HVAC professional after all, you’ll be financially liable for whatever repairs and components replacements are needed, rather than the manufacturer being liable.

For professional service on your air conditioning in Lakewood, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

Here’s Why Your Commercial AC Needs Maintenance

Mon, 26 Jul 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Whether you’ve been a residential customer of ours, previous commercial customer, or this is the first time you’ve seen our name, you’ll quickly find that something we promote pretty heavily is air conditioning maintenance. Let’s face it, it gets hot around here this season, and you need to make sure your air conditioner is prepared. This is true for any building with an air conditioner, but especially commercial properties, which often have extensive needs.

We’re guessing that you want to ensure your building’s occupants are healthy and comfortable, whether it’s employees, tenants, customers, or visitors. Maintenance will accomplish this, plus it will protect your commercial HVAC equipment from overheating or experiencing other problems that can lead to a business interruption. Read on to learn more!

When Did You Last Schedule Commercial AC Maintenance?

We understand how much effort and skill it takes to manage or run a business. After all, we do it too! Understandably, you have a lot to do from day-to-day, and it can be easy to let preventative maintenance fall to the wayside.

However, when you sign up for commercial maintenance with our team, we can make sure that the service is done on a regular basis–once a year. Or twice a year if you’re using a year-round commercial heat pump system.

Spring air conditioning maintenance for your commercial HVAC system is typically a 1-2 hour job–though this can vary by the size of your business and how many units you have. You won’t need to worry about it, though, if you have rooftop units. We’ll be up and out of your way, allowing you to continue to run your business or manage your commercial space.

What Actually Happens During Commercial AC Maintenance?

Putting it simply, maintenance allows our commercial HVAC technicians to thoroughly inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it. This helps the system work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible. More specifically, our commercial technicians will:

If during this service, our technicians notice any problem areas, we will alert you to them right away so you can get repairs on your schedule and limit the chance of a service and business interruption!

To address your service needs for commercial HVAC in La Puente, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

5 Signs Your AC Needs Help

Mon, 12 Jul 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Let’s say you’ve just come back indoors after spending a warm day outside enjoying time with your family. You’re probably looking forward to settling down on the couch, or even around the dining room table with your loved ones, only to realize that it doesn’t seem to feel as cool as it should be. Then it hits you–your air conditioner isn’t running, even though you programmed the thermostat for it to run.

Or maybe it is running, but it’s either making odd noises or blowing lukewarm air out of the vents. Whatever the case, you know something is wrong, but is it time to call for professional repairs? Well, it is if you notice any of the 5 following signs:

1. You Hear Concerning Sounds

Have you noticed that your cooling system has become quite noisy lately? This may be due to a number of potential problems, such as ductwork damage, a loose component, worn motor bearings, or even something really minor like a loose panel.

But you won’t know how minor or severe the problem is until you give our team a call.

2. You Feel Warm Air Coming from the Vents

If your system seems to be running at “full blast” but the air coming from the vents isn’t cold like it should be, then this is absolutely the sign of a problem. It may be something relatively minor, such as a miscalibrated thermostat.

Alternatively, this might be the sign of a refrigerant leak. Refrigerant is the chemical substance that makes the cooling process even possible. Your system is supplied with enough during manufacturing that it should ideally last its entire lifespan. If your system is losing refrigerant, it means there is a leak that has to be accurately located and repair.

3. The Air Coming from the Vents is Weak

So maybe the air coming out of your air conditioning vents is cool but it’s not very powerful? This signals an airflow problem, and there are a couple of potential causes. It may be a problem with the blower fan–perhaps the run capacitor that signals the blower fan to start spinning has gone out and needs replacing.

Alternatively, it could be a clogged air filter. Fortunately, this is an easy one for homeowners to fix on their own, YOu should be changing your HVAC air filter every 1-3 months to prevent HVAC damage.

4. The System is Short-Cycling

This is the name given to the process where an air conditioner or forced-air heating system rapidly cycles on and off, without ever completing a fully cooling (or heating) cycle.

5. Your Energy Bills Are Higher Than Average

Yes, this could very well be a sign that your air conditioner isn’t working as efficiently as it should. Your energy bills are going to fluctuate a bit anyway, depending on your energy use. However, they shouldn’t skyrocket this time of the year.

Compare your current bills to your bills this same time last year, and if you can, also compare your bills to what your neighbors are paying. If there’s a significant difference, it’s time to give us a call to see what’s up with your air conditioner.

For professional air conditioning repair in La Puente, CA contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

Is Professional Duct Cleaning Worth It?

Mon, 28 Jun 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Look, we get it. If you’re like the average homeowner, then you probably don’t think a whole lot about the ductwork that is snaking its way through your home. This is because air ducts are usually hidden from view, and that’s for a reason. They’re not very pretty, right? Plus, they need to be well insulated in order to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer, and efficiently warm in the winter.

You shouldn’t really need to think about the condition of your air ducts too often, but they do need attention every once in a while. While there’s no need for you to understand all the ins and outs of your ductwork, there are a few things we would like to share with you about how dirty ducts impact your home and why you need professional duct cleaning.

Professional Duct Cleaning = Improved Indoor Air Quality

The primary reason most homeowners schedule professional duct cleaning services is to help boost their indoor air quality. Sure, your HVAC systems have an air filter. But the purpose of this air filter is to protect the HVAC systems themselves, not your indoor air quality. And of course, you may have some indoor air quality systems in place such as a whole-house air purifier. But this is going to be installed in the return duct, where air first comes into the system. The rest of your air ducts don’t get cleaned on their own.

This means that allergens, dirt, irritants, germs, and other debris can infiltrate the air ducts and start causing problems, either through cracks in the ductwork itself, through the vents in your home, or even just from years of sitting untouched. Professional duct cleaning requires a professional technician to completely suck out this debris, which means that allergens and germs are less likely to make their way back into your home.

Professional Duct Cleaning = Better Performing HVAC Equipment

All of the dirt and debris that builds u pin your ductwork can interfere with the performance of your forced-air HVAC systems. The most efficient air conditioning and heating systems condition the air and then distribute it back into the rooms of your home through your air ducts. Filthy ductwork can cause friction and resistances that will slow down the air.

As a result, your air conditioner won’t be able to cool as effectively, and your heater won’t be able to heat as effectively. You may try to adjust your thermostat to compensate, and cause your HVAC system to run longer than it should have to in order to condition your home, and therefore inefficiently.

How Often Do You Need Duct Cleaning?

Fortunately, duct cleaning isn’t a service you need every year, like HVAC system maintenance. But it is a service you should invest in every few years. When looking for someone to conduct your duct cleaning, you’ll want to make sure you’re employing an experienced HVAC company, and not a general handyman who promises you quality for an extremely low price–the saying “it’s too good to be true” applies here!

For professional duct cleaning in Whittier, CA , contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Are Rooftop Units the Best Choice for Businesses?

Tue, 01 Jun 2021 15:00:00 GMT

The short answer to this question is, “yes, probably!” But don’t worry, we’ll elaborate a bit more.

When you need to provide effective and efficient heating or cooling to your commercial space, rooftop units are the most popular choice. You’re already familiar with them, even if you’re not aware you are. You’ve seen them on top of buildings, if not in downtown areas or business parks then on TV or in the movies. These systems are common for a reason! We’re about to tell you why…

Rooftop Units Save Space

The main reason that HVAC systems are put on the top of commercial buildings to begin with was simply that there was no other space available. Early central heating and cooling systems for commercial spaces were added onto structures that existed in crowded downtown areas where there was no space surrounding the exterior for the large units needed to condition the whole building. Up on the roof, they don’t take up valuable real estate, and they are less prone to suffer from damage or vandalism.

Improved Energy Efficiency

Modern rooftop HVAC systems are available in higher efficiencies that alternative types of commercial cooling and heating systems. They also have more ventilation options available (like the option to put in a humidistat) which can help improve indoor air quality.

Easy to Access

No, we don’t mean your HVAC systems are easy for you to access, but rather easy for our commercial technicians to access. We wouldn’t want you to go up on your rooftop and try to do any repairs or anything else to your rooftop HVAC system. That’s a safety risk that isn’t worth taking.

But what we mean is that our highly trained professionals can access your rooftop easily without disrupting your workspace. You don’t have to worry about any clutter–we take care of all that. And unlike a traditional split-system air conditioner or heat pump system that has multiple components, the rooftop system is all packaged in one cabinet, so it’s even easier for us to service.

Quiet Operation

You don’t usually hear the sound of an air conditioner or heating system inside an office building, right? You may hear the whoosh of air as it goes through your vents, but with rooftop units, all the mechanical components–that is all the noisy components–are housed up high, away from the workspace.

They’re Modular

If you look on the rooftop of a typical commercial building, you will notice multiple packaged HVAC units. This is because the systems are designed to be modular. This setup allows you to add or take away systems as your business needs change. This isn’t something that’s possible with a conventional split-system air conditioner that has to use indoor components as well.

If you have any other questions about rooftop units or what your other commercial HVAC options are (for instance, if you’re a smaller commercial building, you may want to look into a ductless system), please don’t hesitate to reach out to our team!

Connect with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for professional commercial HVAC in Diamond Bar, CA .

Why Does SEER Matter When Choosing a New AC?

Mon, 17 May 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Summer is just about upon us, and temperatures are already warming up. Now is the time to make sure that you and your home are prepared, by either scheduling routine maintenance for your air conditioner or buying a new air conditioner if your aging system is signaling that it’s about to call it quits. But there are a number of factors to consider before purchasing an air conditioner and scheduling its insulation. The type of system it is, the size, and the SEER rating are all factors to pay attention to.

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it is the rating that applies to all residential air conditioning and heat pump systems in the U.S. Being able to use this rating to its fullest extent is how you ensure that your home is set up with the best AC system possible. Read on to learn more about this rating and what it means!

Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio

Are you unsure you understand what this rating actually is? That’s okay, we’re about to explain! You see, what the seasonal energy efficiency ratio actually measures is the cooling output of your AC system during a typical cooling season, divided by the total electric energy input during that same period. In layman’s terms, it means that it’s the ratio of energy consumed, to the cooling output provided.

If your air conditioner is not performing well and is consuming a lot of energy as a result, while providing barely any cooling to your living space, it likely has a very low SEER rating, while a brand new air conditioner that operates highly efficiently will have a high one.

How Does This Apply to You?

So, now that you understand what the SEER rating is, why is it something you need to know about? This rating has a very practical application for homeowners looking to have a new air conditioner installed, or even replacing an older system. If you’re on the lookout for a highly efficient heat pump or air conditioner, you’ll want to find a system that has a high SEER rating, but you’ll also of course want to keep your budget in mind.

The Department of Energy has specific energy conservation guidelines that apply to all residential HVAC systems, which is important for you to pay attention to when having a new system installed. For instance, new split-system central air conditioners in California have to be a minimum of 14 SEER in order for them to be compliant.

What This Means for You

Let’s say that an amateur “HVAC professional” is trying to sell you a super affordable air conditioner. If they tell you that the particular model runs efficiently but the SEER rating is very low (say, 10 SEER), not only are you being misled but you’ll also have a system installed that’s not compliant with current building codes and DOE guidelines.

This is why you want to work with a trustworthy contractor who knows their way around SEER ratings, and who has access to a great source of well-manufactured HVAC systems. With an investment of this size, you don’t want to gamble on something that could be hurting not only your wallet but the environment too.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for reliable air conditioning repair in Diamond Bar, CA .

Can a UV Air Purifier Really Improve Your Indoor Air Quality?

Mon, 03 May 2021 15:00:00 GMT

The short answer to this is “yes” but don’t worry, we’ll elaborate further!

First, it’s important that we stress why your indoor air quality matters. Too many homeowners hear the phrase indoor air quality and think that it just means ensuring the temperatures are right in your home. This is certainly an important part of your indoor air quality, but it’s not the only part by any means.

When we talk about your indoor air quality, we’re talking about the temperature, the humidity levels, and the level of contaminants in your home. Did you know that without the right indoor air quality products and services in place, the air inside your home can be more polluted than that of outdoors? This is because of how homes are built today—they use tight construction to allow for ideal HVAC efficiency, but this isn’t great news for your indoor air quality. A UV air purifier is one of the many solutions that can help with this! Read on to learn more.

The Benefits of UV Air Purifiers

There are a number of different types of air purifiers on the market, each of which help with different areas of air quality. For example, a whole-house electronic air cleaner pulls particles out of the air into a fiber mesh or a plate where it can be later cleaned off. A UV air purifier is a bit different. Instead of drawing particles out of the air, a UV air purifier, also referred to as germicidal lights, is installed right into your ductwork and kills potentially harmful contaminants like mold and mildew before they even have the chance to enter your indoor air.

How does this benefit you?

UV Air Purifiers Neutralized Airborne Viruses and Bacteria

This is the main reason many homeowners choose to invest in UV air purification. UV radiation literally takes down viruses and bacteria that can make members of your household ill. This is particularly beneficial for homes where you have asthmatic or allergy-ridden occupants. This also helps boost immunity to deal with cold and flu season. Additionally, while no indoor air quality product is guaranteed to eliminate the virus, UV radiation does help lower the risk of COVID and other virus transmissions in the home.

A UV Air Purifier Works in Tandem with Your HVAC System

You could buy multiple portable air purifiers and place them in various spots of your home. But this is unattractive, usually quite noisy, and expensive to maintain! A UV air purifier is installed directly into the ductwork of your HVAC system. It’s up out of the way, makes minimal noise, and attacks contaminants where they start.

UV Air Purifiers Are Cost-Efficient

Remember how we just mentioned that UV air purifiers are integrated into your existing HVAC system? This means they’re very cost-efficient. Why’s that? Because you only need to purchase and install a single air quality product and have it maintained on an annual basis by our professionals, instead of buying and maintaining multiple smaller units throughout the seasons.

When you’re ready for an air purifier in Cerritos, CA , look no further than Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Contact us today!

Do You Need Air Conditioning Repairs?

Mon, 19 Apr 2021 15:00:00 GMT

While we are on track to open more businesses here in a couple of months, we’re still spending considerably more time in our homes than we have in prior years. With summer right around the corner and temperatures already on the rise, this means you have to ensure you have a fully functional and reliable air conditioner on your side.

How can you ensure this is the case? Well first off, if you haven’t already scheduled air conditioner maintenance, now is the time. Maintenance allows our technicians to fully inspect, clean, and adjust the components of your air conditioner to ensure that it works as effectively and efficiently as possible for as long as possible.

Even with maintenance, however, it’s never a bad idea to educate yourself on the signs that your air conditioner does, in fact, need repairs. Read on to learn what some of these signs are:

Your System Is Making Strange Noises

Your central air conditioning system shouldn’t make all that much noise, and your heat pump should run almost silently (note, we said almost—you’re going to hear the fan whirring and the air rushing through your vents). If you hear any odd sounds, such as squealing, hissing, screeching, or clanging, don’t brush the noise off. These are all indications of a problem that needs fixing.

There Is Dust and Other Particles in the Air

This is a sign of poor indoor air quality, and while it may be true that what you actually need is an IAQ product like a whole house air filtration system, it can also be a sign that you have dirty ducts. In fact, ductwork can accumulate up to 40 pounds of dust per year in the average 6-room home!

You Detect Low Airflow from the Vents

This can be caused by a couple of different things. Weak airflow may be due to ductwork damage allowing conditioned air to escape before it reaches the rooms its intended for. Or low airflow can be caused by a blower fan not doing its job properly.

Either way, running your air conditioner and yet never having the conditioned air reach you living space is a waste of money, and is only causing your air conditioner to run longer than it should have to in order to reach the desired temperature.

Your Energy Bills Are Too High

Have you started running your air conditioner, only to notice that your energy bills have skyrocketed? We haven’t had much of a chance yet this spring for temperatures to get that hot, so if you’re paying August prices in April, that’s a problem! It’s a sign that something is causing the air conditioner to run inefficiently, and you should give our pros a call so we can get to the bottom of the problem.

The System Is Short-Cycling

The term short-cycling is used to describe when an HVAC system turns on and off rapidly, instead of going through regular cycles as it should. This is both the symptom of an AC problem that needs to be fixed, and can cause further problems with the air conditioner if not managed quickly enough.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for quality AC repair in Cerritos, CA .

Choosing an Air Purifier for Your Home

Mon, 05 Apr 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Did you know that the quality of the air in your home could actually be worse than the quality of the air outdoors? In fact, this is true for most homes—especially those that don’t have the right indoor air quality solutions in place.

Today’s modern homes are designed with air conditioning and heating efficiency in mind. This means that they are built tightly so they don’t let any conditioned air out, or outside air into the home. This is fantastic for your HVAC costs every year, but it’s not great for your air quality. Among the numerous products and services we have to help with this is a whole-house air purifier.

What’s a Whole-House Air Purifier?

An air purifier, at its core, is an indoor air quality system that helps reduce contaminants in the air. These pollutants can include allergens, such as dust and dirt, or even more harmful particles like bacteria and mold—both of which can make you and your family ill.

There isn’t just one type of air purifier, either. Each type of air purifier has its own unique purpose and advantages. We’ve highlighted a couple different kinds below.

You’ll notice that we did not include the HVAC air filer—that is, the air filter that comes standard with your air conditioner or heater. This is because that air filter isn’t designed to protect your indoor air quality—it’s designed to protect the HVAC system itself.

But the following air purifiers do protect your actual air quality:

Electronic Air Purifier

This is one type of air purifier on the market today. It works by removing microscopic impurities from your indoor air. This can include dust, smog, smoke, pet dander, and even mold spores.

These particles may seem harmless—after all they’re so small that you can’t see them—but they can have a pretty big negative impact on your household’s health. This is especially true if you have household members with allergies or asthma.

We’ll mention here that if you want the best results with your electronic air purifier, you’ll need to remember to clean the plates on a regular basis. The effectiveness of this system wears down as dirt accumulates, otherwise.

UV Air Purifier

Also referred to as UV lights or germicidal lights, a UV air purifier makes your home healthier form the ductwork, where they’re installed. UV lights eliminate biological contaminants like mildew or mold. As you can probably guess, the interior of your air ducts is damp and cool, creating a great breeding ground for these microorganisms.

Homeowners often wonder—if UV lights are so harmful to microorganisms, are they safe for families? The answer is yes! UV lights are completely harmless to people and pets, plus they can help HVAC systems work more efficiently, too. They’re super convenient as the attack potentially harmful contaminants before they even have the chance to enter your indoor air.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to learn about your indoor air quality options and to install an air purifier in Whittier, CA .

Here’s How to Boost Your Home’s Indoor Air Quality

Mon, 22 Mar 2021 15:00:00 GMT

Were you aware that the quality of the air inside your Whittier area home can actually be worse than that of outdoors? That is, unless you have the right indoor air quality solutions in place.

Chances are, you understand that dusty air is “bad.” It’s something you shouldn’t breathe in, and you probably keep your home pretty clean to account for that. But keeping a clean home isn’t the only contributing factor to improving your indoor air quality. In fact, poor IAQ can only add to your efforts of keeping a clean house!

There are contaminants and allergens to consider, as well as humidity levels. These all play a role in not only your household’s comfort but the efficiency and efficacy of your HVAC systems, too. Reach on to learn more…

Threats to Your Indoor Air Quality

Today’s new homes are built to be airtight. The reason for this is that it allows for greater HVAC efficiency—no conditioned air can escape out and no outdoor air can get in through drafty doors and windows. But that means that any contaminants, pollutants, or allergens that find their way inside stay there, unless you have the right indoor air quality systems and services in place to eliminate them. These are the most common threats to indoor air quality:

How to Solve Your Indoor Air Quality Needs

To solve your indoor air quality needs, you’ll want the right products and services in place. You’ve found the right team to help you! In addition to thorough duct services like duct testing, sealing, repair, and replacement, we provide:

To start improving your indoor air quality in Whittier, CA today, contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

4 Heating Repairs You May Need Near the End of the Season

Mon, 08 Mar 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Wintertime temperatures are slowly but surely making way for warmer weather. However, with temps staying in the upper 60s and low 70s for now, nobody is likely to be turning on their air conditioners real soon. Your heater still has some time left before you can stop using it, but do you know if it will make it until the end of the heating season?

The answer to this depends on a number of things—the biggest factor being if your heater is in need of repairs. If your system does need repairs, the best thing you can do is give our team a call. But how do you know when you have that need? Read on as we uncover some of the top warning signs.

1. Strange Noises

If you have a furnace as your heating system, you’ll likely hear a little bit of noise coming from it during its operation. However, ongoing or especially loud noises are not normal occurrences. Things like extended clicking, rattling, squealing, and hissing are noises that should definitely signal you to call the pros.

If you have a heat pump, strange noises are an even bigger concern since these systems are generally pretty quiet.

2. Odd Smells

At the beginning of the heating season, it’s natural to smell a very faint burning odor. This is indicative of dust burning off the heater’s coils and vents. This smell typically dissipates in a few days, if not on the first day.

If you smell burning beyond this point, or at the end of the heating season, then it could be the sign of burning electrical components, leaking gas, or sulfur—all of which require an immediate emergency call to our team.

3. Lack of Warmth

Your heating system has one job, right?! It’s to keep your home warm and comfortable. If it can’t do this successfully, you should call for repairs right away. In a furnace, not only is this an annoying problem to have but it can signal a dangerous problem. A lack of warmth may be due to damaged heat exchangers which have the potential to leak harmful gases into your home.

In a heat pump system, a lack of warmth can mean that you have a refrigerant leak or some other problem.

4. Higher Than Average Utility Bills

Your energy bills will, of course, fluctuate according to the seasons and how much you actually use your heating system (as well as your air conditioner in the summer). What you shouldn’t see, though, are bills that are much higher than they were this same time last year. If you do discover this, it’s a sign that something may be causing your heater to work inefficiently.

The best thing you can do for your family’s comfort and for your budget is to give us a call ASAP. Even if the problem you’re having isn’t a dangerous one, it can impact the functionality of your heater, leaving you without warmth when you need the system next fall.

Have any concerns about your home heating system? Schedule your heating repair in Torrance, CA with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling . Contact us today!

4 Ways to Improve Commercial Indoor Air Quality

Mon, 22 Feb 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Were you aware that indoor air can actually be more polluted than the air outdoors? This isn’t just true for homes throughout Whittier and beyond, but businesses and commercial spaces, as well. There are a number of allergens and pollutants that travel through the air, and without the right commercial IAQ products in place, it could be unhealthy and uncomfortable for employees, tenants, customers, etc.

Fortunately, we provide a number of solutions to your indoor air quality needs here at Greenleaf. You may find one of them to be the solution you need or you could discover you need some combination of them. Read on to learn about four specific ways you can improve the commercial indoor air quality of your property!

Duct Cleaning

In the average 6-room home , air ducts can collect 40 pounds of dust over the course of a year, built-up from dirt, skin flakes, pet dander, and more. Can you imagine how much the ductwork in a commercial space can gather in comparison? This is especially pertinent if the nature of your business is in food services or manufacturing.

Professional commercial duct cleaning can eliminate the following problems this brings:

Air Filters and Air Cleaners

Depending on the nature of your business or commercial space, you may already have regulations in place for what types of air filters and air cleaners should be installed into your HVAC systems’ ductwork. We have the products that will help you stay compliant, healthy, and comfortable.

High MERV air filters will block far more contaminants and allergens than a standard HVAC air filter—in fact, the standard HVAC air filter isn’t even there for your indoor air quality, it’s there to protect the HVAC system itself.

UV Air Purifiers

Commercial UV air purifiers are ideal for eliminating bacteria, mold, and even viruses from the ductwork of your commercial HVAC systems. While other types of air purifiers draw contaminants from the air and into their mesh material, UV air purifiers kill microorganisms before they even have the chance to reach the indoor air.

Humidity Control

Did you know that the ideal relative humidity level in any given indoor environment is between 30-50%? Anything above this range is considered too humid while anything below it is too dry.

Unbalanced humidity is more than just uncomfortable. It can lead to problems like decreased immunity and increased illnesses throughout your commercial space, damaged property due to too much or too little moisture, and dry air can even fry electrical components if the problem is severe enough.

Ask us about our commercial dehumidifier and humidifier services! We can get your commercial space or business balanced and comfortable, the way it should be.

Want to learn more about how to resolve your Whittier, CA commercial indoor air quality needs? Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today.

Heat Your Home with Optimal Efficiency

Mon, 08 Feb 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Heating in Long Beach, CA , may not be as hot a topic as air conditioning. Summer weather is just more extreme than our winters are. But that is definitely no excuse for excusing problems with your home heating system. And that includes unusually high heating costs! If you’re paying too much for your heating when you use it, it doesn’t really matter how much you use it.

Heating doesn’t come for free, but it shouldn’t be a financial drain, either. In today’s blog post, we are going to look at some of the ways in which you can help to keep your home heating costs in check. When temperatures are too cold for comfort, we want you to reach for the thermostat without fear of the bill that is going to be coming your way next month.

Use Your Ceiling Fans

Wait, what? We’re talking heating, not cooling. Yes, we know. And that’s the point. Too many homeowners associate their ceiling fans with cooling things down. And way too many fail to realize that these fans have settings that allow them to reverse the direction in which their fans rotate.

Remember, fans don’t actually cool your home down in the summer. They just help to circulate air. And they can do the same in the winter, when you’re running your heater. Hot air will rise up to the ceiling. By putting your fans on the winter setting and running them, you help to force that heated air back down into your living space.

Change Your Air Filter

This is one of the easiest ways in which you can protect the overall energy efficiency with which you heat your home. It is one of the most cost-effective, too. And it is definitely one of the most overlooked. Please , change your air filters as needed. Typically, this means every 1-3 months. We’ll do it during your tune-up, but twice a year just isn’t enough.

When your filter is too dirty, it creates too much airflow resistance. That increases strain on the system, causing it to use more energy to heat your home. It can also cause the system to overheat and short cycle, which just wastes more energy. You can avoid this with a few dollars and literally just a few minutes of your time spent on swapping the filter out.

Speaking of Tune-ups…

…schedule them.

Seriously.

There is no better way in which to keep your heater in optimal working condition than by scheduling annual heating maintenance. And there is no better way in which to keep your system as efficient as possible than by keeping it in optimal working condition. We offer outstanding heating maintenance services that keep heaters working as efficiently, effectively, reliably, and safely as possible. Don’t miss out on the many, many benefits that professional heating maintenance has to offer.

Have any concerns about your home heating system? Schedule your home heating services with the pros here at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

3 Signs That You Need an Air Purifier

Mon, 25 Jan 2021 16:00:00 GMT

Too many homeowners think that the temperature of the air in their homes is the end all, be of all of their comfort experience.

To this we say—enough! Stop overlooking the quality of the air in your home.

There are dozens of reasons why the quality of the air in your home may suffer. Some of these can be resolved. Others cannot. Regardless of what you’re up against, we can help.

Here are 3 common signs that you need an air purifier in Torrance, CA . If you notice some familiar signs in this list, don’t hesitate to contact us and to tackle your problems head on.

Your Allergies Are Acting Up

Many of us know just how aggravating allergies can be. The watery eyes, the itchy nose and throat. It’s a real nightmare, isn’t it?

Well, there may be nothing you can do about many environmental factors that trigger allergies in the great outdoors. However, you can definitely get them under control in your home.

From pet dander to dust and everything in between, using the right air purifier in your home can help you to remove the allergens that send you reaching for the tissue box time and time again.

Your Home Smells—Well, It Just Smells!

Do you have pet odors in your home? Is the scent of last night’s dinner not quite so appealing in the morning hours? Think that the best you can do is open up the windows or light a candle?

Well, leaving the window open can introduce more allergens into your home. And candles and air fresheners are just going to cover odors, not remove them. When you use an appropriate whole-house air purification system, though, you can eliminate odors that otherwise would linger well beyond their welcome.

Your Health Isn’t What It Used to Be

Let us ask you this—have you noticed that you’re getting colds more commonly than you used to? Are the kids just not as well as they usually are, health-wise?

Before you really start dosing with over the counter medications, think about the implications of biological pollutants on your health. You may be dealing with:

What can you do about that? Certain air purifiers, like UV germicidal lights, can destroy these biological pollutants. They render them completely incapable of reproduction, and you don’t have to lift a finger!

Leave Your Air Purifier Services to Us

We are not talking about standalone air filters when we talk about these air purification systems. We are talking about whole-house solutions, and they need to be professionally installed and serviced.

We will take your particular needs into consideration, help you to understand your options, and integrate your IAQ system into your existing HVAC system seamlessly. With our help, you’ll be breathing cleaner, healthier air in no time. Get the health and comfort benefits that only clean, pure air can offer.

Schedule your air purifier and all other IAQ services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

3 Ways That Ductless Heating Can Save Money

Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:00:00 GMT

There is no wrong way to heat a house (assuming you’re using an actual heating system, of course—not burning scrap wood in a barrel or relying on cooking appliances to do the job!). But the biggest mistake that homeowners make when it comes to how they heat their homes is simply not doing their homework ahead of time.

If you don’t do your homework, how can you expect to find the right heater for your home?

Today, we want to talk about one system that you definitely don’t want to overlook. The ductless mini-split! There are a few unique ways in which a ductless mini-split can save you money when heating your home. Remember, whether you need a heating installation or heating repair in Long Beach, CA , we’re the pros to call.

How Ductless Heating Works

To understand how ductless heating saves you money, you first need to understand how it is that ductless mini splits work. Basically, they’re heat pumps. They don’t burn fuel or use electricity to generate new heat. They use the refrigerant cycle and heat transfer principles to transfer existing heat into the house, instead.

That’s Cool! How Do They Save Money, Though?

Well, that’s the first answer right above. Transferring heat means that you’re paying to burn gas. You’re not paying to consume electricity to generate heat.

Heat pumps in general are widely renowned for their incredible energy efficiency. Of course, the ductless mini-split is not the garden variety air-source heat pump. What sets them apart?

No Ductwork!

How’s that save money? Well, in a few ways. Don’t have existing ductwork in your home? Existing ductwork is in bad shape and needs repairs? With a ductless system, you don’t need to install or overhaul it.

Plus, keep in mind that air ducts are a very common source of energy inefficiency. They leak, the insulation surrounding them degrades and allows for heat loss, etc. By eliminating the need for ductwork entirely, you eliminate the risk of such inefficiency.

Streamlined Installation

Do you have an older home that doesn’t have ductwork installed already? Looking to avoid the cost of ductwork, as well as the inefficiency they can cause? Installing a ductless mini-split means you just need a hole drilled in the walls so that piping can run from the indoor, wall-mounted blower units to the outdoor unit. That’s a simple installation, and it’s a great way to preserve older properties.

Zone Control

If you are heating every area of your home to the same temperature, you’re probably wasting energy. Do the small, unoccupied bedrooms need to be heated to the same temperature as the big, open, occupied space downstairs all day long? Probably not, right?

Going ductless means greater control. Each blower is controlled by its own independent thermostat. That means you can actually live more comfortably for less!

Oh, and Did We Mention…

…these systems can reverse to function as ACs, too? That means year-round comfort with just one system.

Schedule your heating repair, installation, and maintenance services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

5 Tips To Start the Year With Better Energy Efficiency

Mon, 28 Dec 2020 16:00:00 GMT

The weather around Long Beach has been pretty nice lately. Lots of sunlight can make you forget that temperatures are going to take a big dip come sunset. And when things get cold you need to be able to enjoy a warm home courtesy of your heating system. But have your energy bills made you think twice about turning that heater on lately? If so, we want to help.

Poor energy efficiency is often a sign of a problem with your Long Beach, CA heating system–but there are other factors that can help or hinder your comfort too. Use the tips below to make sure you get the best efficiency from your heater and your home to kick off the new year.

5 Ways to Improve Your Energy Efficiency When Using Your Heater

If you incorporate these tips into your regular day-to-day life, you can improve your energy efficiency without sacrificing your comfort. No one should have to choose between staying warm and paying their bills!

Schedule your heating maintenance, repairs, and other services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling . Serving Southern California since 1954

3 Reasons You Can’t Miss Furnace Maintenance!

Mon, 14 Dec 2020 16:00:00 GMT

We understand that the warm, sunny weather that we enjoy for so much of the year here in California is one of the major benefits of living here. We’ve got a serious word of warning to share, though—don’t get complacent! Sure, our winters are not nearly as extreme as in other parts of the country, but that doesn’t mean you don’t need a great performance from your heating system.

If you use a furnace to heat your house, you absolutely need to schedule professional furnace maintenance in Whittier, CA . The good news is that you’re reading this, so you’re already a step ahead. Not only can our technicians handle your maintenance needs properly, but we also offer 3 levels of our outstanding maintenance program . When you have our number, you’ll never need another. At least, not for heating purposes!

What Furnace Maintenance Can Do for You

Helping your furnace succeed helps it to help you. And that’s what routine furnace maintenance is all about. Think of it this way. A runner doesn’t train for a marathon, complete that marathon, then take it easy the rest of the year before doing it again, right? No, they need to train and condition their bodies again in order to succeed.

Heating maintenance operates on the same idea. If you’re serious about getting a great performance from your furnace throughout the coldest time of the year, then you need to set it up for success. Routine maintenance means getting your furnace a thorough inspection, addressing budding issues early on, and ensuring that it’s in prime working. And that means:

It’s Not a DIY Job

No, you cannot print out a list of maintenance tasks and tune your heater up on your own. No, you cannot watch any amount of online tutorial videos to learn what you need to do.

Furnace maintenance is absolutely a job for skilled, trained professionals. And our team boasts some of the most skilled professionals in the industry. Trust us with your furnace maintenance, and your system will be optimized for maximum performance quality.

Does routine maintenance mean that you’ll never run into issues with your furnace? No, of course not. It does mean that problems will be kept as few and far between as possible, though.

When you want to live comfortably reliably, our maintenance paves the way toward your goal. Choose your plan level, and let us know if you have any questions.

Schedule your furnace tune-up with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

3 Reasons to Consider Heating Your Home with a Heat Pump

Mon, 30 Nov 2020 16:00:00 GMT

One thing is for certain in this day and age. You are at no shortage of options when it comes to the ways in which you may choose to heat and cool your home. With the chilliest weather of the year fast-approaching, it is definitely time to start thinking about that heating topic.

Of course, with a heat pump, you don’t need to think specifically about just either heating or cooling. You can think about them at the same time. More on that below. Just remember that no matter what system you use to heat your home, you’ll only get the best that it has to offer when you work with skilled, trained professionals.

Reason #1: Versatility

As we alluded to above, heat pumps are not just heaters or air conditioners. They are a combination of the two. Think of your heat pump as an air conditioner that is able to reverse its operation. During the summer, you’ll use your heat pump just like any central air conditioning system. It will evaporate refrigerant in the indoor coil, drawing heat out of the air, and will then condense the refrigerant in the outdoor coil, releasing that heat outside.

Unlike any old central AC, though, the heat pump is also capable of reversing its refrigerant cycle. That means that the system can evaporate refrigerant in the outdoor coil, drawing thermal energy out of the air outside, compress that refrigerant, and then condense it in the indoor coil in order to heat your home. Pretty impressive, right? Well, it gets better.

Reason #2: Efficiency

Perhaps the biggest selling point of the heat pump is the fact that it is so cost-effective to run in its heating mode. Now, we don’t live in the coldest climate, obviously, but that actually makes using a heat pump in Whittier an even better option!

Our mild winter weather is ideal for a heat pump, and the fact that heat pumps don’t generate new heat means that they provide a very efficient heating experience. Nobody wants to overpay for their comfort when heating their homes during the winter months. With a heat pump, that really isn’t much of a concern at all.

Reason #3: Convenience

When you invest in a single system that can both heat and cool your home, you’re only dealing with the installation of one system. And the maintenance and one system. And one system’s repair needs. Frankly, it’s just a lot more convenient to care for one system than it is for two. Our heating season is pretty short here, right?

Well, when you run a heat pump, you are essentially running your heater all summer—just not in its heating mode. That means you’re not going to be caught off-guard by problems like fan issues or refrigerant leaks when you switch over to the heating side. You’ll notice any such issues in real-time, as you run your system regardless of the season. Just remember, you’ll need 2 tune-ups a year still!

Schedule your heat pump services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Schedule Commercial Heating Maintenance Today!

Mon, 16 Nov 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Commercial properties and residential properties may share a lot of similar systems—boilers, heat pumps, air conditioners, etc.—but their demands are obviously very different. You wouldn’t bring a biplane to get tuned up at your auto shop just because cars and planes both have engines, right? Of course not.

And you shouldn’t schedule your commercial services with just any contractor, either.

Our team specializes in both residential and commercial HVAC in Lakewood, CA —and it shows. When we complete your commercial HVAC services, your system is going to work optimally in your property. It is easier said than done, but it’s always done right when we’re on the job! And if you want to get the best that your commercial HVAC system has to offer, you need commercial maintenance.

Why Commercial Systems Need Maintenance

Think about how much you rely on your heating system at home. It’s running pretty much nonstop when things get really cold out, right? Now think about how much you fiddle with that thermostat. It’s okay, we won’t tell!

The fact is that heating systems anywhere get hit hard during the winter season. Homes and commercial properties alike. Unlike in your home, though, where there is only you and your roommates or family to fiddle with that thermosat, a commercial property may have many more hands doing so!

The stress of the job alone is enough to cause a lot of wear and tear on the systems. Commercial properties are large, they have a lot of folks coming and going, and they may have mutliple units serving them, depending on the layout and use of the property.

No, the Maintenance Guy Can’t Do It

Unless you have a fully licensed, trained, and certified commercial HVAC technician on staff, you need to hire a pro like us to tune your systems up. This is not a knock on property maintenance workers. They do a ton of work, and are incredibly skilled in a lot of areas.

They should certainly be doing things like changing system air filters regularly, but they also need to know when it is time to have a deep dive into the system done. And when that time comes (and it does once a year, every year!) it’s time to call in the pros.

The Benefits Are Worth It!

There are a lot of benefits to be had with routine commercial HVAC system maintenance.

Energy efficiency improves the easier that it is for the system to do its job. And, when the system is in prime working condition, it is going to have an easier time of doing its job. This cuts back on energy consumption.

There is also the overall condition of the system to consider. If you run a marathon one year, and decide to do it again the next, you still need to train ahead of time, right? Well, the same is true of your heater getting you through another season. Your system is more reliable and effective when properly maintained.

Schedule your commercial HVAC maintenance with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Does Your Heater Keep Shutting On and Off?

Mon, 02 Nov 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Homeowners may have two distinct reactions to a heater that is cycling on and off way too frequently. They may convince themselves that there is not really any problem, and that it’s just a quirk of the system. Or, they may panic, thinking something is terribly wrong, and contact us for immediate help.

The tricky thing is, this problem could be relatively minor—or it could be extremely serious.

This is why it’s important to take any heating issue seriously. Today, we’ll talk about this particular problem, and some potential causes to rule out on your own. We’ll also talk about why, if there is no obvious cause, prompt and professional service is in your best interest. Count on us for excellent heater service in Lakewood, CA .

A Good Reason to Check the Air Filter

We are always reminding homeowners of how important it is to change their air filters regularly. And you know what? We’ll do it again.

Change your air filter regularly!

Are you wondering how something like an air filter might tie into a short cycling heater (the name of the condition we’re talking about today)? It’s all about airflow. Or, the lack of airflow.

When a filter is too dirty, it makes it more and more difficult to force air through that filter. That makes the heater put in a lot of extra effort, and that can lead to overheating. The system may actually shut itself down to prevent damage related to that issue.

Think—Has It Always Been an Issue?

Checking your filter and swapping it out if it’s very dirty is a simple fix to an intimidating problem.

Replacing a whole system because it is too big for your home is quite the opposite. Unfortunately, if you’ve always had issues with short cycling, this could be exactly the issue that you’re facing.

It may sound counterintuitive—why would a big heater be a bad thing?

Well, it’s because an oversized heater can actually heat up homes too fast. We get it. That still doesn’t sound that bad. But consider this. The home heats up too fast. The heater cycles down too fast. The home cools off a bit. The heater kicks on, runs briefly, cycles back down. See the problem? Gradual, even heating is always the way to go.

Heat Pump-Specific

Do you use a heat pump to heat your home? Then congrats! You’re using one of the most efficient systems out there to heat your home. Plus, our climate is ideal for them.

However, remember that heat pumps use refrigerant to both heat and cool your home. So, if your heat pump is short cycling in either the winter or the summer, you may have a refrigerant leak on your hands. Don’t run a system that may have a refrigerant leak . You could do irreparable damage.

Have any questions about your heater? Any concerns? Then you’ve come to the right place.

Schedule your heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

3 Reasons Why Heating Maintenance Matters

Mon, 19 Oct 2020 15:00:00 GMT

It is that time of the year already. The time when we start urging homeowners to make sure they’re taking care of their heaters. When we encourage them to enroll in one of our Maintenance Program tiers.

And when we start going on service calls to address problems that homeowners encounter because they didn’t heed our advice.

Don’t be one of those homeowners. We know there is a lot going on. We know that heating maintenance isn’t a free service. But we also know that heater maintenance in Whittier, CA , is the best bet for protecting your system throughout the coldest time of the year.

Okay, But I’m Doing It Myself

Okay, but we’ll be seeing you before long. There are definitely a couple of general maintenance tasks that you can handle on your own. Use a heat pump to heat your home? Keep the outdoor free of debris. Use a heat pump or a furnace to heat your home? Those are forced air systems, and you need to change the filters regularly.

Beyond that, it’s really a job for professionals. We’ll check heat pump refrigerant levels, we’ll assess relays and electrical controls, lubricate all moving parts—the list really goes on and on. If you’re serious about maintenance being done right, then you need maintenance done professionally.

Okay, But Why Bother?

My heater is working just fine, I don’t need service.

Wrong.

Your heater is working just fine, and it needs service to continue doing so .

Poorly maintained heaters run into a number of different issues. Routine, annual heating maintenance means:

We Make Maintenance Easier Than Ever!

When you enroll in our Silver, Gold, or Platinum Maintenance Plan, maintenance isn’t something you have to worry about! You get scheduled in for 2 tune-ups per year, you get new filters, you get service discounts—you get peace of mind.

With things being made this easy for you, there is really no excuse for overlooking your heating system’s maintenance needs.

We’re more than happy to repair your heater for you. There is money to be made in the heating repair market. But we care about our customers, and we know that repairs aren’t something anyone looks forward to. That’s why we’d rather help you to avoid them entirely through our exceptional maintenance service!

Schedule your heating maintenance with the professionals on the Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. We will keep you warm and cozy, reliably.

Why Does My Heater Smell Like That?

Mon, 05 Oct 2020 15:00:00 GMT

That’s a good question! But while it’s a good question, it’s not an unanswerable one. Heaters are pieces of machinery that work similarly to cars, meaning a professional technician can usually tell what’s making a specific smell or noise. That being said, what you really want to be asking is if that smell is normal or abnormal .

A normal smell can be something that your heater makes at the start of the season, while it burns away dust that has collected throughout the summer months. An abnormal smell could be something as brutal as carbon monoxide or a gas leak. Regardless of which particular smell you’re getting, you’re going to want to know if you need help or not.

We provide targeted repairs, maintenance, and help for HVAC systems in Whittier, CA. Keep reading to find the answers you’re looking for, and make sure to call us when you need a quick fix.

Normal Vs. Abnormal Smells

We’re going to get right down to business. Your heater can make various different smells, and it’s really up to you to parse the difference between normal ones and abnormal ones. While we might be able to pinpoint the source of a smell using equipment and our technical knowledge, we don’t live in your home as much as you do. You’re going to be the one who has to notice what smells seem bad and which don’t. So, let us help you!

Normal: The First Time You Run Your Furnace

The most important and easily identifiable normal smell is the one you get when running your heater for the first time in the season. Often times this smell can be represented in a slightly pungent burning scent, or the smell of dust being burned. In fact, that’s exactly what this smell represents!

Over the summer months, your heater collects a lot of dust. While it’s not harmful or bad for your heater to collect dust, it is going to be increasing the temperature dramatically when it starts burning fuel to heat your home. It would be the same thing if you didn’t use your oven for six months and decided to use it one day—you’d suddenly smell the scent of burning dust.

The good news is that this smell goes away rather quickly. Also, this smell is usually not that bad and its brevity is only matched by its mild annoyance. If it lasts any longer than a few minutes, or if your heater makes this smell every time you turn it on, then call us for repairs.

Gas or Carbon Monoxide

Unfortunately, there are other smells that can come from your heater. Sometimes there can be a crack in the heat exchanger or gas lines which leads to a gas leak, carbon monoxide leak, or both. A chemical called mercaptan is added to natural gas to give it that “rotten eggs” smell, so if you notice that, then turn off your heater and call for help immediately.

If you start feeling dizzy, nauseous, tired, or start suffering from memory loss, you could be dealing with a carbon monoxide leak. Don’t hesitate to turn your heater off and get help for this issue as well.

The team at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling has your back. Call us today!

It’s Not too Early to Be Thinking About Your Heater

Mon, 21 Sep 2020 15:00:00 GMT

We get it. It’s still hot out there. Really hot. During the day, at least. But you’ve probably felt the chill creeping into our nighttime temperatures, right? As we drop into the 60s and even the 50s over night, it’s clear that you’ll be firing up your heating system before too long.

While our winter weather may be pretty mild compared to other areas of the country, there is no denying the need for a great heating system. Even the best systems will require repairs at some point, though. Here are a few tips for recognizing the need for heating repair in Glendale, CA .

1. Pay Attention to Your Bills

One of the first signs of trouble with a heating system is a spike in heating costs. You’ll obviously be paying more to heat your home the colder it is and the more you’re running your heater. We’re willing to be that you have a general idea of what your heating costs should be, though.

If you notice that your heating costs are a lot higher than usual, but you haven’t been using your heater any differently than usual, let us know. Just because your heater is running does not mean that it is running right. We’ll figure out what’s causing this inefficiency.

2. Listen to What Your System’s Telling You

Some heating systems, like electric radiant heaters, will operate pretty much silently. For the most part, though, heaters do make some noise when operating. This may be the rumbling of a boiler to the sound of air being forced through ducts.

But you should understand what a normal baseline amount of noise from your heater is, vs. something alarming. If your heater is making strange new sounds, or if it is just a lot louder than usual, then you probably have an issue requiring professional service on your hands.

“Good Enough” Isn’t Good Enough!

When your heater is struggling to heat your home effectively, don’t just settle for that subpar performance. The longer you let your heater limp along, the greater the risk of serious problems developing. Uneven heating, lukewarm temps—any matter of underperformance is one you should take seriously.

Remember, even if your heater is “good enough,” you’re probably pairing that subpar performance with higher heating costs. What’s that mean? You’re paying more for less! And we know that you and all of our clients deserve better than that.

Don’t Skip Maintenance

The single best way to prevent heating problems? Scheduling routine heating maintenance. There is simply nothing better that you can do for your heater.

Routine maintenance doesn’t just help to prevent repairs. It also helps to cut heating costs in order to minimize your bills. Check out our maintenance program and its benefits if you haven’t already. Ready to enroll? Just let us know. We’ll make sure that you’ve found the right tier for your needs. You deserve the best that your heater has to offer.

Schedule your heating services with the professional technicians here at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Why Is My Air Conditioner Leaking Water?

Mon, 07 Sep 2020 15:00:00 GMT

When you notice a problem with your air conditioner, we hope that your first instinct is to schedule professional AC repair in Glendale, CA . However, there are some problems that may not require such action. While we don’t want to encourage DIY repair attempts, we do want to encourage you to rule out simple issues before scheduling service.

If you notice that your air conditioner is leaking water, for instance, we’ve got some tips on what to rule out first. Why? Because your AC doesn’t actually have a water tank that can leak! It’s not like a water heater. So where’s the water coming from? That’s what we’re going to dive into today!

It May Be Condensation

If you don’t really understand how it is that your air conditioner works, then this is probably a confusing concept for you. Condensation? Like on a cold glass on a hot day? Well, yes. Exactly like that.

Have you ever heard someone say “it’s not the heat, it’s the humidity”? That’s because humid air holds heat much better than dry air does. And, when your AC cools your home, it actually removes a lot of humidity from the air.

The AC is not a dehumidifier, of course, but it can remove quite a bit of moisture from the air when it runs very consistently. And all that moisture has to go somewhere. In an AC system, it collects on the evaporator coil, drips off, and is drained away.

That means that a cracked condensate drain pan could be the cause of your problem. That drain pan may also just be clogged, or misaligned. If that’s the case, you can adjust it as necessary or pour a cleaning solution down it to fix the problem. The drain line may also be leaking, which is an easy fix for us.

It May Be Ice Melting

Your AC, as stated above, is not a dehumidifier. It is also definitely not a freezer, and it should not be generating ice. If it is, then you have a problem on your hands. It’s just a question of how serious a problem.

If you have not changed your air filter in a long time, then you may have airflow that is so restricted it can cause icing. Basically, the indoor coil is getting too hot, and that condensation is freezing on it. It can then melt off, and wind up leaking.

You may also have a refrigerant leak, and that is a major problem. You might see icing on the outdoor unit if this is the case. Running an AC that is low on refrigerant can cause irreparable damage, so you need to have this checked right away if you think it’s a possibility.

Schedule your AC services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

AC Efficiency: Would Your Ducts Pass the Test?

Mon, 24 Aug 2020 15:00:00 GMT

Living in California means running your air conditioner. It means running your air conditioner a lot . And if you’re running your air conditioner a lot, then you are right to be concerned with its overall energy efficiency. It only makes sense.

Nobody wants to overpay for comfort.

There are a lot of reasons why your air conditioning system may not function as efficiently as it should. Chief among them, though, is leaky, damaged air ducts. And how do you know if this the case? You schedule duct testing in Whittier, CA with us!

What’s the Big Deal?

The big deal is that all of the air that your air conditioner cools is distributed throughout your home through this system of air ducts. And you know what? The air surrounding those ducts is not always cool!

When that’s the case—between walls, in attics, and in other non-conditioned spaces of the home’s construction—the heat in those spaces can get right into the ducts. And when that happens, the air warms up.

And when that happens, you essentially wind up paying to recool air that you’ve already cooled! That strains your AC, and it wastes a ton of energy.

What Causes It?

There are a whole of reasons why air ducts may leak. You really can’t avoid all of them. Over time, any construction material is going to degrade. Over time, issues like humidity can take a toll.

It’s also possible that your ducts may be damaged during repairs or renovations around the house, though. That can be mitigated by working with a trustworthy, well-reviewed, professional contractor.

What Should I Do?

You yourself cannot really do anything about leaking ductwork. We, on the other hand, very much can! And the first thing that we’ll do is actually figure out if your ducts are leaking. We’ll seal up vents and registers, pressurize the system, and determine for sure if this is a problem you’re facing.

Once we’ve done that, we can move forward with pinpointing the source of the leaks. From there, we’ll seal up or repair your ductwork as needed. There is absolutely no way for homeowners to do this type of work on their own.

What Are the Benefits

A major benefit of havinng your ducts tested and sealed as needed is the boost in energyy efficiency that you’ll enjoy. This is one of the best ways to save money without sacrificing your comfort, especially in a climate like ours where ACs are in pretty regular use.

That’s not really where the benefits end, though. You’ll not only save money when your ducts are properly sealed up, but you’ll likely live more comfortably, as well. How? By distributing conditioned air more evenly and effectively throughout your home.

Plus, indoor air quality will be better. Those leaks don’t only pull warm air into the duct system. They can pull in pollutants. And when that happens, the ducts themselves can wind up distributing those pollutants throughout the entire house.

Schedule your AC and duct services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

5 Ways Your AC Wastes Money

Mon, 10 Aug 2020 15:00:00 GMT

Okay, so maybe it’s a little unfair to say it is your AC that is actually wasting the money. More likely, it’s the way that you are using your AC that is causing the problem. Or the way it was installed. Or—you know what, we’ll save it for the list below!

What you need to know right now is that there are a whole lot of different reasons why an air conditioner may cost too much to operate. In many cases, simple upgrades, services, or changes to habits can solve the problem. Don’t put up with high costs any longer. Get the most from your AC in Whittier, CA .

1. Your System’s a Bad Fit

This is not the cause of the problem that you want to encounter. There isn’t much that can be done here other than to replace the system with a properly sized one. You really want to get this right at the time of installation, so work with us. Even we can’t shrink down or enlarge a system to fit post-installation!

2. Your Air Filter Needs Changing

The single best thing that you yourself can do for your AC? Changing the air filter. Yes, really. It’s simple. They’re affordable. And changing this filter regularly saves you money. Clogged filters create airflow resistance and strain air conditioners. So change yours out as needed!

3. Your Thermostat’s an Antique

We’re not trying to sell you on upgrades that you don’t really need here. If you’re using a really old thermostat, there is no way that your system is going to achieve peak efficiency. Get rid of that old round wall thermostat and ditch the sliders. Opt for at least a programmable model, if not a Wi-Fi/smart thermostat.

4. Your Ducts Are in Bad Shape

Out of sight, out of mind? Not on our watch! Take the condition of your air ducts seriously. They’re distributing all of that conditioned air throughout your home, after all! We repair and replace ducts that are failing or poorly designed. That can make a huge improvement in overall efficiency.

5. Your Maintenance Is Lacking

We offer a comprehensive maintenance program . Take advantage of it. Seriously. When your system is properly tuned up on an annual basis, it will work as efficiently as possible. That’s hardly the only benefit that routine maintenance can offer, though.

Maintenance also improves overall performance quality, so you can live more comfortably while paying less. It also protects systems lifespans and may be required to keep warranties active. Trust us, routine maintenance is the best investment you can make in your comfort.

Don’t get hot under the collar every time your energy bill comes in throughout the cooling season. You’re always going to be paying something for your comfort. That doesn’t mean, however, that you should get comfortable overpaying for it! When you let us handle your AC services, you won’t have to.

Schedule your air conditioning services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. We’re here for you, 24/7. Live in the comfort that we know you deserve.

3 Major Benefits of Ductless Air Conditioning

Mon, 27 Jul 2020 15:00:00 GMT

Central air conditioners remain very popular. We get that. They’re effective, and they make a lot of sense if you use a forced air heater, too. However, they are far from the only option out there when it comes to whole-house cooling.

Depending upon your own personal preferences and priorities, they may also be far from the best option.

Let’s consider one great alternative today. The ductless mini split. Ductless HVAC systems offer a lot of benefits that ducted systems cannot match. When you choose a ductless AC in Whittier , you get to take advantage of those benefits!

1. Avoid Costly Duct Leaks

Air ducts are not something you really see much of in your house. They run behind walls, snake between floors and ceilings. They aren’t there for visual appeal. We’re talking full function over fashion.

When you never really see most of a system like that, it’s easy to take its condition for granted. A lot of homeowners fail to realize that their ductwork is leaking, and that it is costing them money.

As you probably realize, a ductless HVAC system does not use air ducts. That means that duct leaks are literally impossible. And that can save you a lot of money in the long run!

2. Enjoy More Consistent Comfort

Unlike forced air systems that pump conditioned air throughout an entire house via ducts, a ductless system uses individual, wall-mounted blowers. These blowers connect to the outdoor unit via a simple conduit.

The blowers are installed strategically throughout the house, and each is controlled independently of the others. That means that you can easily maintain different temperatures in different areas of your home.

This allows you to live more comfortably. And you don’t have to worry about retroactively zoning your system or anything. The nature of the system’s design makes this an inherent benefit.

3. Year-Round Comfort

Here’s the real kicker of the ductless mini split. Not only is it more efficient than the average central AC due to the elimination of leaks.

It’s also a heat pump.

What’s that mean?

It means that you can reverse your system’s function with the press of a button. That means your system can heat your home during the winter. And its heat pump technology means that it can do so with incredible energy efficiency, making use of existing heat in the air outside!

Does all of this sound too good to be true? We can understand that. But the reviews are in. Ductless mini splits are helping countless homeowners globally to live more comfortably and with greater efficiency. Don’t fall behind the times!

Our technicians are here to help you find the right ductless mini split for your home. And, once they have, you know you can count on us to install it properly, every step of the way. Have questions? Still not sure if a ductless mini split is right for you? Reach out today! We have the answers to any and all questions that might come up.

Schedule your ductless mini split services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Dirty Filters Do Bad Things to ACs!

Mon, 13 Jul 2020 15:00:00 GMT

What kind of bad things? Very bad things! Like—well, we’re not going to dive into it just yet. First, we want to start with the good news. Preventing problems caused by dirty filters is incredibly easy. It is incredibly affordable. And it is incredibly overlooked . That’s the bad part. As simple and affordable as changing your filter is, you may not do it enough.

How often is enough? In most homes, every 1-3 months makes sense. If you are constantly running your AC in Whittier , then probably on the more frequent side. If you go without it frequently, then on the less frequent side. The best step is simply to check the filter. Pull it out. Give it a once over. Replace if it is dirty. Simple enough.

Seriously—What Kinds of Bad Things?

We’re not going to dive into that just—oh, wait. We covered that already. We are diving right in. Well, these kinds of bad things!

Leave Your AC Maintenance Services to Us

When we tune up your air conditioner, we do a whole lot more than just changing an air filter. We do that, too. But there’s a lot more to a professional tune-up. That’s why we offer a few different tiers of our incredible Maintenance Program. There’s something for everyone! We’re not tuning up your system every month, though.

Schedule your AC services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

How Refrigerant Leaks Affect Air Conditioners

Mon, 29 Jun 2020 15:00:00 GMT

You can never expect any air conditioning system to be 100% reliable. Well, actually, we suppose you could —you’d just wind up being sorely disappointed. Investing in a good AC and scheduling routine air conditioning maintenance will keep your system as reliable as possible, but even this won’t make your system completely reliable. You’re going to need AC repairs at some point.

When you do, it is important to schedule those repairs with a trustworthy air conditioning company in Torrance . That’s why you should dial our number. From problems with simple solutions to potentially serious issues like refrigerant leaks, our technicians can handle anything you encounter. And trust us, a refrigerant leak is one of the most serious problems that you might face.

What Exactly Does Refrigerant Do?

Refrigerant is cycled through your air conditioning system over and over and over again. It is not a fuel. It is not consumed by your air conditioner the way that gasoline is consumed by a car. So what use is it? Why is it cycled through the system over and over and over again?

Well, because it is the evaporating and condensing of refrigerant that actually allows your air conditioning system to cool your home! The entire cooling process hinges on your air conditioner’s ability to evaporate refrigerant in the indoor evaporator unit, and to then condense that refrigerant in the outdoor unit.

How Does This Result in a Cool Home?

Refrigerant absorbs heat from the air as it evaporates. By evaporating it in the indoor evaporator coil, the system is able to pull heat out of the air passing through that coil. That cool air is then recirculated around your house, cooling you down and keeping everyone comfortable. But what happens to all of that heat? This is only the first part of the heat transfer process.

The second part is releasing that heat outside. This is accomplished via the condenser unit. That outdoor unit is where refrigerant is condensed, and that allows for the release of heat as the refrigerant cools. That cooled refrigerant goes back in, absorbs more heat, and the cycle continues until the thermostat says otherwise.

Signs That Your System Has a Leak

Now that you have an understanding of how it is that that the refrigerant in our system facilitates the cooling process, you probably have an idea of how serious a leak can be, and why. If you have a refrigerant leak:

A refrigerant leak is not a DIY type of repair—few are, but this one definitely isn’t. Left unresolved, a refrigerant leak can damage your compressor to the point where fully replacing your AC is the best, if not the only, option. Be sure to contact a member of our team if you suspect that there is a refrigerant leak in your system.

Schedule your AC repairs with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Why the Size of Your Air Conditioner Matters

Tue, 16 Jun 2020 03:00:00 GMT

Are you ready for a brand new AC installation in Glendale, CA ? If so, then you’ve come to the right place. We install high-quality systems the right way, every step of the way. And part of that process is absolutely determining what size of air conditioner you need. There is nothing even remotely resembling a one size fits all option when it comes to a whole-house air conditioning system.

Determining how big your air conditioner needs to be also isn’t as simple as asking what the square footage of your home is. A thorough cooling load calculation takes into account a lot more than that, including considerations about heat gain. And before you ask, no—bigger is not always better, either. The only right air conditioner for your home is one that is of the right size, and we will make sure that this is the case.

The Problem(s) with an Undersized Air Conditioner

As you can imagine, an air conditioner that is too small for your home is going to run into a lot of different problems. It is going to really struggle to cool your home effectively, meaning that it is going to run for longer periods of time than it should have to.

And you know what we think is even worse than a subpar cooling performance? How about paying more for less comfort! Because that is exactly what you are going to be doing if your AC is too small for your home. The struggles your AC will face will drive up cooling costs, even as comfort levels plummet. The additional wear and tear can also increase the risk of operational problems.

The Problem(s) with an Oversized Air Conditioner

Like we said above, bigger is not always better when it comes to whole-house cooling systems. You have to understand that a system that is too big is also going to cost too much money. Not only are you paying for cooling capacity that you don’t actually need, but you’ll be paying too much for energy as the system short cycles.

An oversized air conditioner can actually cool your home too quickly, and that can lead to it shutting on and off much more frequently than it should. Comfort can suffer as the system’s dehumidifying effects are stunted, and that starting and stopping can really do a number on the AC units themselves. You’re putting a lot of excessive strain on a system when you force it to run that way.

Get the Job Done Right

Don’t let anyone tell you that you need a more powerful air conditioner or that the little cheap unit will do just fine unless they are actually able to tell you why. A new AC installation is really a pretty major investment. You want to be sure that you are getting the most for your money. Make that investment with us, and you’ll enjoy a great return for many years to come.

Schedule your AC installation with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Make Your AC Installation a Success

Mon, 01 Jun 2020 15:00:00 GMT

When you schedule an AC installation in Long Beach, CA , you are making a major investment. It goes without saying that you want to get the very best return possible, as with any investment that you make. In order to ensure that this is the case, you need to take a few steps on your own. No, we are not talking about rolling up your sleeves and attempting to install your new air conditioning system on your own, either! That is definitely not a job for the DIY enthusiast.

There are plenty of other steps that you can take to help ensure that your air conditioning installation is a success, though. We’ll run through some of them today. They’re all very simple, and will help to ensure that you get the very best from your new air conditioner for many years to come. Should you have any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to the professionals on our team. We are here to provide any insight and answers that you may need.

Establish a Budget (and Where It’s Going)

The worst thing that you can do before going into an AC installation is to fail to establish a budget that works for you. Not because you’ll get swindled and wind up paying a lot more than you should have to, but because you won’t be thinking about what’s most important to you in a system and where you want the money that you do have to go. It’s a very rare scenario where the cheapest system available is the best option.

However, if you know what your budget is and what your needs are, then you and the company that you’re working with will be able to find the system that best matches those budgets and needs. Don’t waste money on cooling capability that you don’t need, or bells and whistles that you won’t use, when that money could have gone toward better efficiency! When we know what your comfortable budget is, we’ll optimize your system selection!

Prepare Your Property

Your HVAC company of choice is not expecting you to roll out the red carpet for them. It can really help to facilitate the air conditioning installation process if you can prepare your property just a bit before they show up to actually install your system, though. No, we’re not talking about pouring concrete to create a perfectly level installation site or anything so complicated.

Simply clearing the area and any paths leading to it of obstacles like children’s toys or gardening equipment is going to make a big difference in the day’s events. Make no mistake. An air conditioning installation is a pretty major undertaking. It only makes sense to help facilitate the process in any way possible.

Work with a Trusted Professional

You’re reading this right now, so you are well on your way toward doing so! Just remember that no air conditioning system, no matter how well manufactured it is or how advanced its technology may be, will truly impress if not professionally installed.

Schedule your AC installation with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling!

Everything You Should Know About SEER Ratings

Mon, 18 May 2020 15:00:00 GMT

If you’re like every other homeowner in California, then you’ve probably seen the phrase “SEER rating” enough to see it in your sleep. While we know that it’s obnoxious, especially when you’re not well-versed in HVAC terms as professionals, but we swear that it’s actually there for you to use!

SEER ratings are a useful tool in measuring efficiency in an air conditioning system. It’s a metric that we use in the United States when trying to categorize a particular comfort system’s energy consumption for homeowners who want to be aware of their environmental footprint. SEER ratings aren’t just about how efficient a system is though, it also measures the cooling output in regards to energy consumption, which means a higher SEER rated product will produce cooler temperatures with less energy!

So, if you’ve been in the market for a new AC installation in Long Beach, CA but you’ve been unsure of what tools were available to measure your options—keep reading!

What Is the SEER Rating?

SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio , which is a constant standard that we use in the HVAC industry to compare efficiency ratios between units. In order to get a quality SEER rating from a system, you have to compare two things. We compare British thermal units (BTUs) and energy consumption by the machine in watt-hours.

Think of this similarly to measuring a car’s gas mileage. In order to measure the speed, you can’t just take the miles it traveled—you need to measure the energy consumed as it traveled that distance and take the average fuel amount per mile. So, in the case of HVAC equipment, the SEER rating is determined by how much cooling output is provided per watt-hour! The higher the SEER rating, the more cooling power you get for less energy.

What Does This Mean for You?

We apologize for the science lesson, but it’s important if you’re looking to save money on the next air conditioner you purchase. More energy-efficient models like ductless mini splits and heat pumps provide higher SEER ratings than your average central air conditioner. The only problem with those models is that they cost more initially to set up.

Remember though, more fuel-efficient cars cost more money initially to purchase, but people still regularly choose the more efficient cars. Purchasing the right cooling system is a long term investment, and you’ll be paying energy bills when you use it whether you like it or not. So, when purchasing a system that’s got a higher SEER rating, you’ll be happier when your energy bills come every month than you would be otherwise.

Lower Your Environmental Impact

Comfort systems with high SEER ratings are just generally better for the environment as well. By consuming less energy for more cooling power, you’re lowering your carbon footprint and putting less strain on your municipality’s energy grid as well. Sure, a window unit air conditioner might still technically keep you cool, but the SEER rating on those types of systems are dramatically lower than more high-tech solutions like heat pumps or ductless mini splits.

Lower your carbon footprint today by investing in one of our cooling solutions at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. Call us today!

How Leaky Ductwork Affects Your Air Conditioner

Mon, 04 May 2020 15:00:00 GMT

What do you consider to be a major air conditioning problem? Let us take a guess. You consider it a problem when your system won’t start up at all. Or when it only runs in short bursts. Or when it runs, but the air it pumps out simply isn’t all that cool. We get it—these are definitely problems. Not all issues that your AC is up against will have such obvious symptoms, though.

A major problem that too few homeowners really give much thought to is damaged, leaky ductwork. Consider this, though. Every bit of air that your air conditioner cools, and that you pay for your air conditioner to cool, is distributed throughout your house through this system of ductwork. With that in mind, it should be pretty obvious that leaks in your air ducts are a big deal! Here’s how it will affect your home cooling system and your experience with it.

Losing Conditioned Air Means Wasting Energy

Perhaps the strongest argument for why you want to deal with leaky ductwork immediately is the amount of energy you’ll be wasting by using leaky ducts. Why is that a problem? Well, again, you’re paying for that energy that is going to waste. This means that you’re overpaying to cool your home.

Is the conditioned air leaking out of your ductwork going to somehow disappear completely? No, it won’t. But it will likely be leaking out of your system somewhere where it’s not doing much good for you. Consider the fact that your ductwork is largely hidden from view. Not much sense in cooling your unfinished attic or the space between walls as air leaks out of the ducts passing through those spaces, is there?

It Means Paying More for Less Comfort

What’s worse than the increased cooling costs that you’ll likely see when you’re running a system with leaky ducts? How about the fact that you are actually paying more for less? Less comfort, less cooling output—less success! We think that you deserve more than that.

Remember, even if that leak is somewhere in your occupied living space, it is going to result in uneven cooling throughout the house. The area serviced by the leaking section of ductwork may feel too chilly, while areas beyond that section of ductwork will feel too warm. Don’t let leaky ducts have this negative impact on your overall comfort.

It Requires a Professional Solution

Let’s get to the main point we want to make here today. Yes, leaky ductwork is a serious problem, and you need it resolved ASAP. And yes, you need a professional air conditioning company in La Puente to do the job. Not just any AC company, but one that knows the ins and outs of duct testing and sealing .

We will test your ducts to pinpoint the location of problem areas, and we will make sure that those problem areas are expertly sealed up using the right materials for lasting results. And we’ll do all of this while causing as minimal disruption to your home and your daily routine as possible!

Schedule your AC services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Why Cool My Home with a Heat Pump?

Mon, 20 Apr 2020 15:00:00 GMT

You are not at any loss for options when it comes to cooling your home. In fact, there are so many different home cooling system options available to homeowners today that choosing the right system for the right home can seem near impossible. Don’t fall into decision paralysis, though. Our team is here to ensure that you are able to make an informed decision.

This is just one of the reasons why it’s so important to work with a professional air conditioning company in Long Beach , every step of the way. Working with us means knowing that you’ve got the right system not just for your home, but also for your own personal preferences. And, once that system has been chosen, you can count on us to install and service your new AC the right way, every time.

What Sets the Heat Pump Apart?

Some homeowners may fail to understand what sets the heat pump apart from your average central air conditioning system. That’s understandable. At first glance, you’ll notice that the heat pump actually does look just like a central air conditioning system. Not only that, but the heat pump also works just like a central air conditioning system.

This means that the system evaporates refrigerant in the indoor unit, removing heat from the air in the house as it does so. That cooled air is then recirculated throughout the house, and the warm refrigerant is condensed outdoors. This allows it to release its heat into the air outside. However, unlike a central air conditioner, the heat pump can reverse this function to allow for efficient heating, as well.

How Does That Work?

A component in the heat pump that is not present in a central AC is the reversing valve. This valve allows the refrigerant in the heat pump to flow in both directions. When you need to heat your home, the refrigerant is evaporated in the outdoor unit, meaning that that is drawn out of the air outside . Even when it is cold out, there is thermal energy in the air outside. Plus, our mild winters are ideal for this type of heating.

Once the refrigerant is warmed up, it is then evaporated in the indoor unit. Heat is thus released in the house, and the air that it heats is redistributed throughout the house. This means that you get to both heat and cool your home with just one system.

Take Advantage of the Heat Pump’s Efficiency

The versatility of the heat pump alone is reason enough to seriously consider using one in your home. However, there is another major benefit to consider. This is the efficiency with which a heat pump can heat a home. Because not heat is created from scratch, but rather is transferred into the house, heat pumps are renowned for their exceptional efficiency.

And if you choose to use a ductless heating system, that efficiency is even better! You don’t ever have to worry about leaky ductwork setting back your efficiency, and the simple zone control offered by the system allows you to heat your home in a more thoughtful manner.

Schedule your heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Getting Your AC Ready for Summer

Mon, 06 Apr 2020 15:00:00 GMT

We know that there is a lot going on in the world right now. With so much occupying all of our minds, it can be easy to let some things slip through the cracks. Even with serious issues affecting the entire globe, though, you need to remember the essentials of everyday life. And, for those of us in California, that definitely means keeping our air conditioning systems in great working condition.

Our Glendale, CA air conditioning pros want to share some tips with you for getting your air conditioner back into action successfully. The last thing you want to be dealing with on a scorcher of a summer day an air conditioner that’s broken down on you. Be sure to keep these tips in mind, and contact us with any questions that you may have. Your comfort is not an area to make concessions on, especially when comfort and safety intertwine during the heat of the summer season!

Visually Inspect the Outdoor Unit

No, we don’t mean that you should pull up an online tutorial of how to service your outdoor unit. Don’t get in over your head or fall for the trap of false confidence that the internet can provide! Instead, we just mean complete a quick visual inspection of the outdoor unit to ensure that things aren’t obviously causing problems.

Is there a lot of yard debris all over the unit or the surrounding area? Clear that away. It makes the unit more accessible for the professionals, and helps to protect the system from unnecessary damage. Is the power cord frayed or otherwise distressed? Let us know. Your system is not reliable or safe without a dependable power source.

Check the Air Filter

The most effective step that you can take in an effort to keep your system functioning properly is to change the air filter regularly, as needed. Never dive into a new cooling season without doing so. Even if you changed the filter toward the end of last season, at least check on this filter.

The issue with a dirty air filter in your AC has less to do with the air quality in your home and more to do with the airflow resistance that a dirty filter creates. When faced with too much airflow resistance, the AC will struggle to distribute cooled air efficiently. The increased resistance can also cause overheating and lead to problems like short cycling and excessive wear and tear.

Schedule Maintenance

There is no denying the need for professional air conditioning maintenance. This detailed, comprehensive AC tune-up is a job that only trained professionals can handle. Again, don’t think you can stumble through this successfully on your own.

What you can do, and should do, however, is enroll in our maintenance program. Not only do you enjoy all of the benefits of routine maintenance, but you also save even more money and enjoy greater convenience! There’s no downside here, so give us a call today.

Schedule your AC maintenance with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Ductless HVAC Systems: Year-Round Comfort

Mon, 23 Mar 2020 15:00:00 GMT

This time of the year, as we slide back into the hottest days of summer over the next couple of months, a lot of homeowners start thinking about their air conditioning systems more seriously. To be specific, they start thinking seriously about whether or not their systems have what it takes to get through another summer’s challenges. If you are thinking about potentially replacing your HAVC system, then you should certainly consider a ductless system.

Ductless HVAC in Whittier, CA , is a very enticing option, especially as you begin to educate yourself on how these systems work and the benefits that they have to offer. And make no mistake, the benefits are plentiful! Just remember that even the best systems and the most cutting-edge technology will fail to deliver fully if not installed and serviced properly. That is why you should leave all of your ductless HVAC system services to the pros on our team.

Use One System All Year Long

Here is a brief primer on your typical HVAC systems. Air conditioners don’t “create” cool air. They evaporate refrigerant in order to draw heat out of the air in the house. They then condense this refrigerant in the outdoor unit. That allows them to shed the heat into the air outside. This refrigerant cycle continues until the house is cooled as desired. This is heat transfer.

Your typical heater, like a boiler or a furnace, does create heat. Fuel is combusted or electricity is used to generate new heat. That heat is then applied to air or water, depending upon the system, to be distributed throughout the house. Ductless mini splits, which are a type of heat pump, don’t create new heat, though. Instead, they are able to act like an AC in reverse.

How This Works

It’s actually pretty simple. Heat pumps act just like central ACs in the summer. In the winter, however, they reverse the refrigerant cycle. And that reverses the direction of heat transfer. Now, refrigerant evaporates outdoors. That allows for the absorption of heat from the air outside. That refrigerant is then compressed to boost that thermal energy.

From there, the heat travels to the indoor coil. There, it is condensed, shedding its heat for distribution within the house. Not only does this mean you get the convenience of both heating and cooling your home with just one system, but also that you do so with incredible energy efficiency, since no new heat is created!

Because ductless mini splits also use individual, wall-mounted blowers to distribute conditioned air throughout the house, there is no risk of energy loss via leaky ducts. And, you can easily set different temperatures in different areas of the house. To say that ductless mini splits have a lot to offer is actually a huge understatement, if you ask us. If you’re considering a system replacement, it’s definitely something to keep in mind.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling if you’re interested in going ductless in your home. We can answer any questions that you may have.

What Are the Benefits of HVAC Tune-Ups?

Mon, 09 Mar 2020 15:00:00 GMT

Hopefully, you’ve relied on our professional technicians to install your HVAC systems. That way, you know that you’ve got the right equipment in place and that this equipment is installed properly. That’s only the first step in the big picture of ensuring a great HVAC performance, though.

The next step is to schedule routine HVAC maintenance, one of the most vital of all HVAC services in Glendale . Why? Well, that’s what we’re going to talk about today. There is plenty to cover, since routine maintenance has so much to offer, so let’s dive right in!

You’ll Enjoy Greater Energy Efficiency

You are not going to live in discomfort just to save money. However, an inefficient heating and/or cooling system can definitely leave you questioning just how much your comfort is really worth to you. That is one of the main reasons why you’ll want to spend a little money on routine HVAC maintenance. It’s going to save you a lot of money in energy costs over the years.

When your HVAC systems are in the best working condition possible, they simply cost less to run. And when they cost less to run, you can live in the comfort that you deserve without worrying about the excessive energy costs that you don’t. And our tiered maintenance program makes it even more affordable than ever!

You’ll Enjoy Greater Reliability

Reduced energy costs are just one way that routine HVAC maintenance can save you money. Reduced repair needs is another. The longer that you run an HVAC system without giving it the routine maintenance that it needs to succeed, the greater the risk of potentially serious problems developing with that system.

Can routine maintenance completely eliminate the risk of problems developing with your HVAC systems? No, it can’t. But it’s the best shot that you’ve got to keep your systems as dependable as possible. When our technicians tune up your system, they make sure that your comfort is protected.

You’ll Enjoy Greater Comfort

This is what it all boils down to, right? The only thing worse than overpaying for your comfort is overpaying for too little comfort ! Unfortunately, if you fail to schedule routine maintenance with a professional that you can trust to do the job right, then this is the risk that you take.

If you decide to run a marathon that you ran last year, but you haven’t done any training at all since completing that last marathon, you’re probably going to have a pretty rough go of it, right? Of course! So why would you think that you can throw your HVAC system back into action without giving it any of the TLC that it needs to get back into fighting shape?

Whatever type of HVAC system you use, regardless of how extreme the weather of the season may be, your system will benefit greatly from a professional, annual tune-up. Be sure to let our skilled technicians handle yours.

Schedule HVAC maintenance with the pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Have You Thought About a Dual Fuel HVAC System?

Mon, 24 Feb 2020 16:00:00 GMT

If your answer to the question posted above was something along the lines of, “what’s a dual fuel HVAC system,” then this is the post for you! For starters, a dual fuel HVAC system is one of the best options out there for year-round comfort—and one that too few homeowners seem ready to take advantage of. Naturally, we’ll get into the details further below.

When it comes to heating and air conditioning in Whittier, CA , a dual fuel system offers a level of versatility and reliability that is simply difficult to contend with. Because a dual fuel system essentially rolls two systems into one—more on that below—there are even more considerations to be made than normal in ensuring that you get the best that your system has to offer. That’s where our experts come in!

What Makes a System “Dual Fuel?”

A dual fuel system is acutally pretty much what it sounds like—an HVAC system that uses two different fuel sources. There’s a lot more to it than that very simple breakdown, of course. So, more specifically, a dual fuel system is the pairing of an electric heat pump with a more traditional heat source. Typically, this is a gas furnace.

Heat pumps, if you don’t know, are able to both cool homes just like central air conditioners, and to reverse that cooling process to offer incredibly efficient heating that doesn’t actually require the generation of new heat. With our relatively mild winters, a heat pump is a great option.

So Why Not Just Use a Heat Pump?

Because while our winters are unlikely to completely overwhelm a heat pump, it is possible that the temperatures out there will dip low enough to drag down the overall efficiency with which the heat pump operates. When there is an insufficient amount of thermal energy in the air outside, the heat pump relies more on electricity to heat the house. That comes at a cost.

With a dual fuel system, the system itself does the work of determining which is the most efficient system to be using at any given point. That means that you don’t even have to think about making the switch. When the gas furnace is the better option, it’s going to switch itself over to the gas furnace. When things are once again hospitable enough for the heat pump to do the work, the change back is made!

Make the Switch Today!

If you’re interested in the convenience and the efficiency of a heat pump, and pairing those outstanding benefits with the reliability of a gas furnace for when things really cool down, just let a member of our team know. We can certainly help you to decide if using a dual fuel system in your home is the right option for you.

If so, know that we’ll handle your dual fuel HVAC system installation, repair, and maintenance services with the skill and expertise that the job demands.

Schedule your air conditioning and heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Why Choose Ductless Heating?

Mon, 10 Feb 2020 16:00:00 GMT

Variety may be the spice of life, but there is such a thing as too much variety. Or, at least, it is understandable to feel a bit overwhelmed by variety, particularly if you find yourself faced with a lot of variety in a potentially stressful situation. That may be the case if you’re in need of a new heater unexpectedly. There are a lot of heaters available today, and you need to take the time to find the one that’s right for you!

There’s no need to fret, though. The Whittier, CA heating professionals on our team are here to help you. In fact, we have one suggestion right off the bat—ductless heating! If you have not explored all that ductless heating has to offer, then we also have one question for you—why not? There is a lot that you stand to gain from opting to heat your home with a ductless mini-split.

What Is a Ductless Mini Split?

A ductless mini-split is a heat pump system, but one that does not use air ducts in order to distribute conditioned air throughout the house. Instead, ductless mini splits use wall-mounted blower units that are strategically installed throughout the house in order to condition the rooms in which they are installed directly.

Why Do We Keep Saying “Conditioned?”

Because a ductless mini split isn’t just a heater, so we’re deliberately not saying “heated.” Ductless mini splits are heat pumps and, like ducted heat pumps, they are capable of both heating and cooling homes. That itself is a huge benefit, obviously—but it’s really just the beginning.

What This All Means for You

So, with a ductless mini split system, you get heating and air conditioning in one convenient system. It’s also an incredibly efficient system, though. That’s thanks in part to the elimination of ductwork, meaning there is no risk of leaky ducts wasting energy. It’s also thanks in part to the simple zone control these systems allow for, because each blower is controlled independently of the others.

The reversing valve is really the key to the heating-specific efficiency, though. Rather than creating new heat in order to heat your home, refrigerant evaporates in the outdoor unit to draw heat out of the air in the winter. Then, it is condensed indoors, releasing that heat for incredibly efficient results.

Throw in the fact that ductless systems allow for a higher degree of control over the way in which you heat and cool different areas of your home, and you’ve really got a recipe for home comfort success on your hands! Just remember that you’re only going to get the most out of your ductless mini split if it is installed and serviced by skilled, trained professionals. That is why you should work with the pros on our team! Reach out with any questions that you may have, or if you think that ductless heating and cooling is the right choice for your home.

Schedule your heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

We Offer Comprehensive Winter Heating Services

Mon, 27 Jan 2020 16:00:00 GMT

We understand if you don’t really think about your winter heating needs all that often. After all, it is not as though we really struggle through frigid winters with heavy snowfall in our area. However, we do want to urge you not to get too complacent. While our winters may be relatively mild compared to other areas, we still need our heaters to be there for us when we need them. That is why we offer comprehensive heating services in Whittier, CA .

Trust us when we tell you that you absolutely must schedule your heating services with a trained professional that will do the job right, every step of the way. Sure, there are plenty of handy homeowners out there. And there are plenty of DIY-appropriate jobs that you can handle on your own around the house. Your heating services are not among them! Contact us when you need heating services of any kind. We’ll keep you warm and cozy when temperatures out there drop.

It All Starts with Installation!

There are a lot of great heating systems on the market today. Do you know what they all share in common? They all need to be professionally installed if they are going to deliver on what they’re truly capable of. Seriously. An improperly installed heater is never going to live up to its potential. Worse yet, it won’t even function safely!

When we install your heater, we’ll make sure that it is of the right size for your home, that it is installed therein with the greatest of care, and that it provides the effective and efficient heating performance that you deserve. That is just not something that you can expect when you have a novice try and handle the job. In fact, you may find yourself in violation of local codes and regulations.

We Keep It Going with Outstanding Maintenance and Repairs

Look, we’ll be honest with you. You are going to need professional heating repairs at some point. And, when you do, you don’t want to schedule them with a contractor that will struggle to diagnose a problem accurately and to resolve it completely. Whatever issues you may encounter, from a heater blowing cool air to one that won’t start up at all, we’ll figure out precisely what is wrong and we’ll fix it completely.

And, if you want to know what the most effective way of keeping those repair needs at bay is, look no further. You just need to schedule professional heating maintenance with our crew. We’ll go over your system with a fine-toothed comb, ensuring that every component in that system is functioning properly. Only then will your system provide you with a truly outstanding heating performance that is as efficient as it is reliable.

Don’t let yourself be caught off-guard when the temperatures outside really drop. Our team wants to ensure that your comfortable all year-round, and all you need to do is call.

Schedule your heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Signs That It’s Time to Repair Your Furnace

Mon, 13 Jan 2020 16:10:00 GMT

No, we don’t mean for you to repair your furnace on your own. There is never a furnace repair job that is simple and straightforward enough for a nonprofessional to handle. When your furnace is in need of repairs, it is time to call upon our trained professionals. It’s just that simple.

What’s not so simple, however, is figuring out when your furnace is actually in need of repairs. We understand that you don’t want to schedule furnace repair in Whittier when it’s not really necessary, but you also really need to jump on it when problems do develop. Today, we’ll be sharing some signs that are red flags for furnace repair needs.

Your Furnace Is Blowing Cool Air

We actually wrote about this specific problem in a recent post, but it is worth covering briefly here as well. Why? Because this is one of the most obvious, and most commonly encountered, warning signs that there is something wrong with your furnace. Like so many furnace problems, it could have a number of different causes.

It is possible, for instance, that you have a leak in your ductwork. This could allow cool air from non-heated areas in the house into the system. You could also have a fuel delivery or combustion problem, or an issue with your heating elements in an electric furnace. Either way, you won’t be living comfortably until the problem is resolved.

Your Heating Costs Are Spiking

We don’t have really frigid temperatures around here, so our heating bills typically aren’t that high—not compared to somewhere like Minnesota, at least. However, you still need to take an uptick in the amount it costs to heat your home effectively seriously. Why? Because an overall decline in energy efficiency is a good sign that something is wrong.

Routine maintenance will keep your system working at peak efficiency and performance levels. If your system is well-maintained but your heating costs seem higher than is justified by your use, let us know. Really any problem with your heater could negatively affect its overall energy efficiency.

Your Furnace Runs Inconsistently

Does your furnace do a decent job of heating your home? Does it start up, but then shut back down quickly? But then start right back up? But then—well, you get it. If your system is running sporadically like this, then there is definitely something wrong. However, this is one instance in which you should check something out on your own before scheduling repairs. Believe it or not, this issue—actually called “short cycling”—could be caused by a very dirty air filter.

That air filter should be checked about once a month. If it gets too dirty, it can drag down energy efficiency. It can also lead to short cycling as the airflow resistance that it creates causes the system to overheat, though. That, along with the wear and tear that the cycling on and off puts on the system, can lead to serious damages to your equipment. These filters are cheap and simple to install, so don’t let this problem cost you in the long run! If the filter is fresh but your furnace still short cycles, then it’s time to give us a call.

Schedule your heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Why Is My Furnace Blowing Cool Air?

Mon, 30 Dec 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Temperatures are quite cool this time of year, so of course, you depend on your furnace to keep your home warm and cozy! But, what happens when your furnace starts acting more like your air conditioner? Certainly, this can’t be good!

There are a number of reasons why your furnace might be blowing cool air, and below, we have outlined a few of them for you. All you have to do is keep reading to find out more (oh, and of course, remember to call our team when you need furnace repair in Whittier .)

So, Why the Cool Air?

Like we mentioned above, there are a number of reasons why your furnace might not be working properly. These include:

Thermostat Troubles

Sometimes the problem isn’t with the furnace itself, but rather with the thermostat. If your thermostat is malfunctioning, it might be misreading indoor temperatures or it might not be properly regulating the temperature in the furnace.

We also recommend checking your thermostat to see if its set to “AUTO” rather than “ON.” When it is set to “ON,” the fan will blow continuously, even if the furnace isn’t actually heating the air.

A Clogged Air Filter

A clogged air filter can cause significant problems if ignored, one of which is a lack of heat. A dirty air filter restricts airflow into your furnace, causing it to overheat. When this happens, your system will shut down as a safety measure. The fan, however, will continue to blow air to cool down the heat exchanger. Changing your clogged air filter might just be the way to restore heat to your home.

Broken Heating Elements

When any of the elements responsible for heating air are broken, you can expect cool air from your furnace. A professional can inspect each element of your furnace to pinpoint the source of the problem.

Ductwork Breaches

When there is a breach in the ductwork, warm air will leak from the system. In addition, a breach will cause air from other parts of the house, most of it colder than air from the furnace, to enter the system causing a drop in temperature. Luckily, our team offers duct testing and sealing!

Schedule Your Repairs With a Pro

If your furnace is in need of repairs, do not hesitate to call in a certified HVAC professional for help. Only a professional has the tools, training, and expertise to safely and correctly handle the complex needs of your system, the first time around.

And yes, there may be plenty of amateurs willing to service your system for a fairly cheap price, but do not be fooled: sometimes an attempt to save money could end up costing you much more in the long run. Trust us, when it comes to your comfort and your budget, you don’t want to take any risks!

To schedule your furnace repairs, or to learn more about our services, contact the team at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling . Commercial & Residential Experts Since 1956.

Tips for Improved Heating Efficiency

Mon, 16 Dec 2019 16:00:00 GMT

One question that every HVAC contractor in Long Beach hears from time to time is “how do I improve energy efficiency?” Some homeowners worry that such questions will prompt their contractor to go into sales mode, and that the solution will be to drop thousands of dollars on new, efficient equipment that the homeowner just really cannot afford. We are here to tell you that new equipment is not your only option for boosting heating and cooling efficiency.

Now, this isn’t meant to suggest that you shouldn’t invest in new HVAC equipment in order to improve your overall energy efficiency levels. In some cases, that may in fact be your best course of action—particularly if you have very old heating and/or cooling equipment in place. However, there are plenty of other options that you can use to your advantage that come at a significantly smaller expense. Read on, and let us help you keep comfortable affordably!

Run Your Ceiling Fan in the Winter

That may sound counterintuitive to you, but the reason for that is actually probably due to a fundamental misunderstanding of how it is that ceiling fans operate. A lot of people associate ceiling fans with the summertime and cooling their homes, but ceiling fans do not, in fact, do anything to cool your home! That doesn’t mean they don’t help boost comfort. They just don’t do so through active cooling.

Instead, ceiling fans help to effectively circulate air throughout your home. When you run an air conditioner or open your windows when things cool down outside, running your ceiling fan will help to distribute that cooler air throughout the house. And, when you run your ceiling fan in the appropriate direction in the winter—there’s a switch on the fan’s case that allows you to change rotation directions—you can help to force warm air that’s risen to the ceiling back down into the living space, boosting comfort and efficiency.

Upgrade Your Thermostat

We told you that you don’t have to replace your entire HVAC system to achieve greater energy efficiency, and that’s true. However, you might seriously want to consider replacing a component or two of that system. A very likely candidate for such a replacement is your thermostat, particularly if you’re still using a manual model.

Even a basic digital thermostat is going to help you to boost energy efficiency through more accurate temperature setting, and programmability features or even smart thermostat technology will help you to take greater control over your comfort and its associated costs than ever before. Contact us if you’re ready to improve your system control.

Maintenance Is Everything

Even if you successfully ran a marathon last year, you can’t expect to roll off the couch after months of inactivity and do it again just because you’ve one success under your belt. The same is true of heating your home. Your heater requires routine maintenance to keep it in the best working condition possible.

You can do your part by ensuring that your forced air heating system has a fresh air filter in place, but remember too that you do need a professional to come and tune your system up annually . Only then can you expect your heater to really deliver the very best, most efficient performance that it has to offer.

Schedule your heating services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Keep a Fresh Filter in Your Furnace!

Mon, 18 Nov 2019 16:00:00 GMT

That title is pretty direct, isn’t it? Well, sometimes it just really pays to be direct. This is one of those cases. We don’t have the most intense winter weather in this part of the country, obviously, which is why some homeowners allow themselves to be lulled into a false sense of security. To that we say—enough!

It may not be that cold around here in the winter, but that doesn’t mean that you can afford to take any chances with your home heating system. Do everything that you can to avoid problems with your heater. The simplest thing you can do is also one of the most effective. Changing the filter in your HVAC system in Glendale, CA .

Yes, Clean Filters Are That Important

If you think that an air filter in your furnace is not a very important component, think again. Your filter isn’t really there to protect the quality of the air that you breathe in your home. That filter is there to protect your furnace itself. And if you leave a very dirty filter in your furnace, then you are essentially setting your filter up for failure.

When a filter in a forced air HVAC system is very dirty, it creates excessive airflow resistance. When there is too much airflow resistance in the system, a number of problems develop. These include the following:

You Can Change the Filter Yourself

This is not a DIY blog. In fact, we typically and explicitly advise against servicing your own HVAC equipment. However, this is something that any homeowner can do on his or her own.

Air filters are very cheap, so financially there is no reason why you shouldn’t be taking this vital step. And if you’re concerned about the complexity of the process, well—what complexity. You just pull the old filter out and put the new filter in. It could not be simpler. If you have questions, of course, we’re happy to answer them.

Remember, You Still Need Maintenance

Okay, so changing your air filter is a great way to help protect the condition and overall operational quality of your air conditioning system. However, you do still need to schedule professional HVAC maintenance. This is not something that you can possibly handle on your own. The good news here is that our team is never more than a phone call away.

When we tune up your heater, you can count on getting the very best performance that it has to offer. Even so, you’ll still want to check in on your air filter regularly. After all, it will need to be changed more than once a year.

Schedule your HVAC services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Start Thinking Seriously About Your Heater’s Condition

Mon, 04 Nov 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Are things getting cold enough around here to freeze up your pipes or allow for outdoor ice skating? No, of course not. It’s still California, after all. However, if you’ve been out and about in the early morning or later hours of the night, or even if you’ve just forgotten to close the windows before going to bed, then you certainly have realized it is getting chilly out there.

If you are serious about making it through the winter season in comfort, regardless of how mild winters around here may be, then the fact of the matter is that you do need a great heating system installed in your home. Not only do you need a great heater, but you need the right heater for your personal needs and user preferences . So leave your HVAC services in Long Beach to us.

Assess Your System’s Overall Performance

How frequently do you find yourself scheduling heating repair services? Are you concerned about a heater that struggles to warm your home effectively, especially because it’s not really that cold outside? Are you tired of overpaying to heat your home?

The biggest mistake that you can make when it comes to heating repair service is to wait for your system to break down entirely before you do anything about it. When your system seems to be struggling, is making strange sounds, or is costing too much to run, you should already be scheduling service with our team.

You’ve Decided to Replace?

While our technicians can repair a lot of heating system problems, the fact is that you’ll need to replace your heater at some point. Maybe it’s too old to justify sinking more money into. Maybe it’s damaged beyond repair. Maybe you just want a heater better suited to your personal preferences. Whatever the case may be, you want to explore your options carefully. That’s the only way in which to ensure that you get the right system for your needs.

Let Us Know if You Have Questions

The last thing that you want is to encounter buyer’s remorse after making an investment in a new heater. There is a lot to consider, so be sure to reach out with any questions that you may have. Our customer service is just as exceptional as our technical services, after all!

Schedule your heating replacement with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Why Is My AC Leaking Water?

Mon, 21 Oct 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Things have finally become a little cooler here in Lakewood and many of us have enjoyed the luxury of giving our AC systems a break. But that break isn’t likely to last for very long, considering how the climate here in Southern California can be.

So while you have time, you likely have been taking a look at your AC to make sure it is still doing well. At least, that is what we would do. And if you are like us, if you notice that either your indoor or outdoor unit seems to be leaking, you are wondering why.

A leaking air conditioner indicates a need for repairs, that much is easy to figure out. What you might be wondering though is what is causing the leak.

Eek! I Have a Leak!

If you walk outside and find a puddle around your air conditioner, it means that you have a leak somewhere in your system. Your unit doesn’t use water to do its job so finding a leak always means there is a problem.

There are a few different reasons that your cooling system might be leaking. These include:

Your System is Low on Refrigerant

If your refrigerant is leaking and running low, your system will be working a lot harder than normal. This can lead to your evaporator coil struggling to do its job and freezing over. This ice will eventually melt and leak out of your system. Alternatively, the liquid you’re seeing seep out of your system could be the refrigerant itself.

Your Air Filter Needs Cleaning

“How can my air filter cause a leak?” you might be asking. Let us tell you. If you air filter is clogged and covered in dust, it can’t filter out much of anything. This can cause two problems for your evaporator coil. The first problem is that it can get dirty which hinders its ability to absorb heat and will cause it to build up ice. The second issue is that it will have to work harder to do its job which can, again, cause your coil to freeze. In either of these instances, that ice will eventually melt and leak out.

A Clogged Condensate Drain Line

Moisture tends to collect on your evaporator coil and will drip off into a condensate pan. Your drain line moves this water outside of your home. However, if the line has a clog due to debris or build-up having gotten into it through the collected water, that moisture has nowhere to go. This run-off will eventually leak out.

What To Do When You Have an AC Leak

Whenever you have a leak coming from your cooling system, your best option is to reach out for professional help. A trained technician, like the ones at Greenleaf Heating and Cooling, will be able to identify and address any and all issues with your air conditioner.

If you are someone who would rather avoid this situation altogether, it is a good idea to schedule annual maintenance for your HVAC in Lakewood, CA . A yearly tune-up will keep your system running efficiently and will significantly reduce the risk of needing repairs a leak or other problems such as your AC blowing out warm air .

Contact us today to schedule your air conditioning service. We are here to help you keep cool.

Why Is My AC Blowing Warm Air?

Mon, 07 Oct 2019 15:00:00 GMT

When you live in as warm a climate as we do, you need more than a “good enough” performance from your air conditioning system. You need a dependable, effective, and efficient performance from your AC. Unfortunately, there is not a single system out there today that is going to offer service of that quality at all times. And an air conditioner that blows warm air is just about the last thing that you want to encounter in your home.

There are a few different reasons why your air conditioning may start to blow warm air. It is important to remember that your system shouldn’t ever do so, even when it is very hot outside. This may seem like a problem that nobody would ever ignore, but that’s where you get into that “good enough” area. If your system is struggling to cool air sufficiently, then it’s time for AC repair in Long Beach, CA .

Check Your Thermostat

This is a bit of advice that sometimes elicits an eye roll from people. We know, we know—it sounds obvious. But trust us, there is a reason why we remind homeowners of this—and it is precisely because it’s an issue that comes up time and time again!

Now, we’re not necessarily suggesting that you’re running your heater when it’s hot out. You’d have to really set the thermostat incorrectly to get the heat started up when it’s that hot outside. However, you may have accidentally switched it over to the fan-only mode, resulting in warm air coming from the AC. This is definitely a best-case scenario.

Have Your Ducts Tested

If you notice that the air coming from your vents is warm, but really only in a few specific spots, then it is very possible that you have leaky ductwork. You cannot expect to inspect your air ducts thoroughly on your own, unfortunately. You’ll need a professional to get the job done.

That means working with the pros on our team. We offer the duct testing services necessary to determine with certainty if leaky ductwork is indeed the cause of your problems. And, if we determine that this is the case, we also offer the duct sealing services that you need to resolve the problem completely, with lasting results.

The Big One

We’re not going to sugar coat this. If your air conditioner is not blowing air that is as cool as it ought to be, then it may well have a refrigerant leak. And, if your air conditioner has a refrigerant leak, then it may well suffer damages that are too cost-prohibitive to justify repairs. That could leave you on the hook for a new air conditioning system.

This is precisely why it is so important that you reach out to a member of our team the moment that you notice a problem with your home cooling system. The longer that you wait to have the problem resolved, the more serious that problem is likely to become. Be it a refrigerant leak or a leak in your air ducts, your system is suffering right along with your comfort. Early intervention is the best cure for what ails your AC.

Schedule your AC services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

3 Ways to Prevent Air Conditioning Problems

Mon, 23 Sep 2019 15:00:00 GMT

While we would love to tell you that there are 3 ways to completely prevent problems from developing with your air conditioning system, this just isn’t possible. Make no mistake about it. You are going to need professional air conditioning repairs at some point. When you do, you want to schedule your AC repair in Glendale, CA with a member of our team. That way, you can count on a job well done.

Now, what we can promise in this post is that taking these precautionary measures will help to keep any air conditioning repairs that you do need as few and far between as possible—not to mention as minor. Will they eliminate them entirely? No, but nothing will. Just remember this. The better that you take care of your air conditioner, the better that it is going to take care of you.

Change Your Air Filter Regularly

There are actually a couple of good reasons why you’ll want to change your air filter regularly. First of all, it helps to boost energy efficiency. The less energy that your system has to use to force cooled air through your home, the better. However, it also helps to prevent operational problems.

The harder that your system works to force cooled air throughout your home, the more wear and tear it is going to incur. The more wear and tear that your system faces, the more likely it becomes that your system will run into the types of issues requiring professional repairs. And when you get into issues like short cycling or frozen coils caused by bad airflow, that only becomes more likely.

Take “Small” Problems Seriously

How do you avoid major air conditioning repairs? By scheduling service when small problems start to develop. What are “small problems”? Well, some homeowners may ignore issues such as increased operating costs, louder than usual operational sounds, etc.

Those issues may not seem serious to you, but they really are your system telling you that something is not right. Early intervention is the next best thing after preventing problems to begin with. Let us know if you think that your air conditioner is trying to tell you something, even if you’re not 100% certain of what it is.

Schedule Routine AC Maintenance

This is the big one. If you want to get the best performance possible from your air conditioner, meaning the most efficient, most effective, and most reliable performance possible, then air conditioning maintenance is an absolute must. And no, routine AC maintenance is not the type of service that you can handle on your own.

Yes, you can change your air filter itself. A full AC tune-up requires much more than that, though. You need your system’s coils cleaned. You need moving parts lubricated. You need power levels checked, and electrical components tested. Long story short—you need our technicians on the job!

With the help of the pros on our team, you’ll be able to enjoy the most reliable performance possible throughout the entire cooling season.

Schedule your AC repairs with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling .

Simple Tips for More Affordable Air Conditioning

Mon, 09 Sep 2019 15:00:00 GMT

While things are certainly cooling down in our area now that we’re moving through September, residents around here know that they can’t just put their air conditioning systems out of mind. Whether you just want to be prepared for the occasionally hotter day to come, or you’re thinking in the long term, you definitely want to be prepared. Part of being prepared to cool your home successfully is figuring out how to do so affordably.

There are some individuals out there who may try to convince you that the only way to do so is to invest in a brand new, likely quite expensive, air conditioning system. That’s not exactly the case, though. Will investing in a new system and having it installed by a trustworthy HVAC company in Pasadena get you an affordable performance? Sure. But there are other options to consider that come with a much smaller price tag.

Invest In a New Thermostat

Wait a second, you might be thinking, I thought you just said that I didn’t have to invest in a new system. Well, we did—and you don’t. However, upgrading an individual component of your HVAC system can definitely help to boost its overall energy efficiency, and that is definitely going to result in a more affordable overall performance.

If you are still using an old manual thermostat, for instance, there is pretty much no way that you’re going to get the most efficient performance possible from your air conditioner. Upgrading to a programmable model is a great start toward more efficient cooling, but we suggest that you consider the use of a smart thermostat. If your system is compatible with this technology, it can really help to slash cooling costs.

Seal Leaky Ductwork

Too many homeowners are too quick to blame their air conditioning systems themselves for underperforming when it comes to efficiency levels. What about the ductwork that is responsible for distributing conditioned air throughout the house, though? If you don’t have properly sealed, reliable air ducts in place, then you’re setting your system up for failure in terms of energy efficiency.

We can test your ductwork for you if you think that your system is costing too much to operate. Having trouble with high energy costs and cooling your home evenly and effectively? Leaky ductwork could definitely be to blame. Reach out to a member of our team to have your air ducts expertly sealed, so that your AC can function as efficiently and effectively as possible.

Schedule Routine Maintenance

There is no getting around this one. If you want your air conditioner to perform as effectively and efficiently as possible, then professional maintenance on an annual schedule is an absolute necessity.

We offer a comprehensive maintenance program that not only keeps systems in the best working condition possible, but which also offers members some added benefits. Contact us to give your AC the care it deserves, so that it can do the same for you!

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for your AC service needs.

Short Cycling Causes Long-Term Problems

Mon, 26 Aug 2019 15:00:00 GMT

What is short cycling? Why should you be concerned? Should you always be concerned? Those are the questions that we are going to answer in today’s post. Short cycling may not always indicate a very serious issue, but the possibility is there. Regardless of what causes the problem to begin with, letting it continue can and will lead to more serious issues eventually. Whatever the cause of your system’s short cycling, it is a problem that you want resolved ASAP.

What We Mean By “Short Cycling”

Your air conditioner is not going to cool your home down immediately in one frigid blast. It is designed to adjust temperatures over the course of even cooling cycles. If your system starts up, runs only very briefly, and then cycles back down before starting right back up again, it is short cycling.

And that’s a big problem.

Issues Caused By Short Cycling

Well, it’s starting and stopping a lot—but my home is cooler than it is outside, so no big deal.

Wrong.

If your system is short cycling, there are already problems that you just may not be aware of. These include:

What’s the Solution?

That depends on the cause of short cycling. The most benign cause is a very dirty air filter. If your air filter is very dirty, it can restrict airflow to the point where the system overheats. That can cause short cycling as the system tries to prevent damage. It can also cause ice to develop on the evaporator coil, and that can result in excessive strain and overheating, too.

If your filter is fresh, then you may have a refrigerant leak on your hands. That is a very serious problem that requires professional repairs immediately. It could also be a faulty run capacitor. Whatever the case, AC repairs are something we excel in!

Schedule your air conditioning repairs with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Is Ductless Cooling Worth It?

Mon, 12 Aug 2019 15:00:00 GMT

However, like all air conditioning units, a ductless cooling system is an expensive investment that will require a deeper dive into your wallet than other, more conventional air conditioning units. The installation is more expensive, but for reasons that we’ll get into further down, a ductless HVAC can save on operating costs as well as help customize your cooling and heating needs throughout the year. A ductless system is a great option for many homes, and you’ll want to make sure you work with a professional for installation to avoid any unique needs for AC repair in Diamond Bar, CA .

The Ductless Mini-Split

A ductless mini-split is what we call a set of heat pump air conditioners that connect to an outside unit without the use of a duct system. Small, powerful, and versatile, these units can cool an entire house at the press of a button, or individual rooms if there’s no need to cool all that space.

Custom Coverage

A mini-split allows you to have up to four separate air handlers throughout your home that can all function independently of one another. This is very much worth it to many homeowners, since it lets you cool specific rooms of your house, saving energy and money in the process.

Dual Functionality

Ductless systems are heat pumps, which just means that the system pumps heat out of your home and disperses it outside. This means it can both function as a cooling and heating system! So, are you looking at both air conditioning and heating replacements? Why not kill two birds with one stone?

Using the same process just in reverse, a ductless heat pump will pump heat from the outside of your home and disperse it inside during the heating season.

No Ducts, No Problems

As the name implies, a ductless mini-split doesn’t require any air ducts to function properly. This is a common problem in older houses that were built before the invention of the air conditioner. Ductwork installation can be incredibly expensive and intensive on your home. Why not skip this step altogether with a mini-split?

What’s the Verdict?

Is a ductless mini-split worth it? Ultimately, we can’t make the decision for you. Do you like the sound of a unit that can function both as an air conditioner and a heater? Are you willing to invest more money on the installation of a ductless system to then reap the benefits of future savings?

If the answer is yes to any of these questions, then it might be time for you to take the plunge into ductless air conditioning. Our skilled technicians get questions about ductless AC all the time, and we’re more than willing to answer any additional questions you have about switching to a new HVAC system.

Make the transition into a ductless system today with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling!

Is My AC Leaking Refrigerant?

Mon, 29 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

If you find yourself asking that question after reading the title above, then this is definitely the post for you! It is not an exaggeration at all to say that your air conditioner is only able to cool your home thanks to the refrigerant that it cycles through the system over and over. When refrigerant leaks develop, the integrity of your system and the quality of your comfort are at risk.

But how do you know if you have a refrigerant leak? Well, the “good” news is that there are some pretty clear warning signs that you may be dealing with a leak. The bad news is that any given AC issue can have a few different potential causes, and ignoring what you think is a “minor” issue could have some very serious consequences. Be sure to reach out to our Long Beach, CA air conditioning pros if you suspect that you have a refrigerant leak.

Why Is Refrigerant So Important?

Because it is responsible for actually removing heat from your home, that’s why! More specifically, the evaporating and condensing of refrigerant allows for heat to be removed from your home. This is thanks to its ability to shift from a gas to a liquid and back again with ease.

Your air conditioner has two different coils in it. The indoor coil is the evaporator coil, where refrigerant evaporates. As it does, it pulls heat out of the air passing through that coil. The warm refrigerant then travels to the outdoor coil, which is the condenser coil. As the refrigerant condenses, its heat is released into the air outside. The refrigerant cycle continues just like this until desired temperatures in your home are met.

What Are the Signs of a Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak is a serious problem, and one that you’ll want to have resolved as soon as possible. That begs the question of how exactly a refrigerant leak presents itself, though. There are actually quite a few warning signs that you may be dealing with a refrigerant leak in your home.

First and foremost, don’t write off a decline in cooling output from your air conditioning system . New system, old system, hot day, humid day—if your air conditioner really seems to be struggling, have it checked out. If refrigerant levels are low, then reduced cooling output is going to be one of the first symptoms that you’ll encounter.

Also, keep a close eye on your energy costs. Now, the more you run your AC, the more you’ll be paying in energy costs. But if you use your air conditioner pretty consistently and see spikes in operating costs, then it is very likely that you have a refrigerant leak. Even if this is not the specific problem, there is most likely some problem causing this drop in efficiency.

Ice developing on the coil or on the refrigerant lines themselves is another sign that you’ve got a refrigerant leak. If your system can’t draw enough heat out of the air in your home, then it is going to cause these components to get too cold and humidity can freeze on them.

Schedule your AC repairs with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Signs of Subpar Air Quality in Your Home

Mon, 15 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

If not, then now is the time. It sounds surprising, but the fact is that the air quality in your home may well be lower than the air quality outside! This makes sense. Sure, there is air pollution outside. However, the air outside is not trapped indoors, being recirculated through your HVAC system over and over. While opening up your windows on nice days will help to refresh the air in your home, it typically won’t have a huge effect on boosting air quality.

What Kinds of Problems Are We Talking About?

We obviously prioritize keeping home comfort systems in great working condition. After all, you can’t live comfortably if those systems are not operating at peak performance levels. However, HVAC services in Lakewood really need to include IAQ services if you want to live in the most comfortable environment possible in your home. Low air quality can have serious implications for your comfort, but it can also really have a negative effect on your overall health. Problems associated with poor indoor air quality include:

Yikes, That Sounds Terrible! What Can I Do About It?

We know that it sounds bad—and those symptoms certainly are bad—but we’re not sharing this information with you to frighten you. The fact of the matter is that there are solutions to all of those problems. And when you work with us, you can count on getting the right solutions to the problems that you’re actually facing. We are not going to try and sell you products or systems that you don’t need. There are some contractors out there that will take advantage of your concerns, so be sure that you’re working with pros you can trust. We install and service:

You deserve to live in a comfortable and healthful environment. The IAQ professionals on our team are here to ensure that this is the case.

Schedule your IAQ services with Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

AC Tips: When to Call for Repairs

Mon, 01 Jul 2019 15:00:00 GMT

So what can the homeowner do to protect his or her comfort? You may not be able to completely fend off problems with your air conditioner—though routine AC maintenance will certainly keep them as few and far between as possible—but you can intervene early to limit any potential damages to your home. The sooner you have your ailing air conditioner repaired, the better off your system is going to be. So keep these common signs of trouble in mind, and contact us when you suspect there’s a problem.

You’re Feeling the Financial Burn

Just like you’ll never run your AC completely problem free, you’ll also never run it for free in the monetary sense. You have to pay for your comfort. Now, that being said, there is no reason why you should content yourself with overpaying for your comfort. If you notice that your energy costs are unusually high once you put your air conditioning system back into its regular rotation, then that is a sign of a problem.

Pretty much any issue with your AC can result in increased energy costs. Remember, anything that makes it harder for your AC to do its job can have this effect. Make sure you’re not setting unreasonably low temperatures or leaving dirty filters in your system. Once you’ve ruled that out, it’s time to give the pros a call.

You’re Hearing Strange Sounds

Remember, strange sounds don’t necessarily have to be new sounds. Your air conditioner might be making its usual operating sounds, but at a much louder level than usual. You may also hear unfamiliar sounds, though, such as screeching, clanging, and banging.

Whatever the case, don’t just ignore these sounds because your air conditioner is still technically functional. You need your system to operate at peak performance levels and as reliably as possible. These sounds mean there is an issue that will make that level of performance impossible.

You’re Just Not Comfortable!

Well, it’s not as cool as it should be, but it’s still hotter outside. So—mission accomplished?

Not even close. If you’re not completely comfortable in your home, then you simply deserve better. Now, if your air conditioner has always underperformed in this manner, then it may not be the right fit for your home. If these problems are relatively new developments, though, then problems of some type are the most likely scenario. From refrigerant leaks to faulty thermostats, there is a lot that can go wrong. Fortunately, we can help!

Schedule your air conditioning repair services with the pros here at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Is An Evaporative Cooler a Better Choice for Your Cooling?

Mon, 17 Jun 2019 15:00:00 GMT

If you’re not familiar with evaporative coolers, but you are ready to invest in a new AC, then you need to pump the brakes a bit and familiarize yourself with all of your options. There are a lot of them out there, but it’s well-worth your time to do the research. There are a lot of benefits to be had with an evaporative cooler. Just remember that, like any other air conditioning service in Glendale, CA , you need to schedule your evaporative cooler installation with trained professionals. You’re here reading this, so you’re in the right place!

What Is an Evaporative Cooler?

An evaporative cooler is a whole-house cooling system, but it is not exactly like a central air conditioner. In fact, its differences are what make it so appealing to homeowners looking for alternative cooling systems. For starters, the evaporative cooler does not use a refrigerant cycle in order to remove heat from the air in the house. It relies on the evaporation of water to cool air down. If you’ve ever stepped out of the ocean on a hot summer day and felt a cooling sensation on your skin as air passed over it, then you are already familiar with the process!

How It Works

If there is no refrigerant to evaporate and remove heat from the air in the house, then how exactly do evaporative coolers cool things down in the home? It’s quite simple, really.

Water-soaked pads are held in the system, and a fan pulls air through these pads. The air is cooled down through the evaporative process, and is then distributed throughout the house. It really is just that simple. Why do homeowners choose to use evaporative coolers?

There are a few reasons, but a major one is energy efficiency. Clearly, central air conditioners are effective cooling systems. However, they also use a fair amount of electricity in order to facilitate the heat transfer process through the evaporation and condensing of refrigerant.

An evaporative cooler just runs a fan—that requires less electricity than a central AC does. This makes them quite affordable in their operation, and it also makes them a great choice for environnmnetally-minded homeowners.

Because there are fewer mechanical components to these systems than there are in central ACs, they are also more reliable. There is simply less that can break down on you! If you have any questions, be sure to give a member of our team a call.

Schedule your AC services, including your evaporative cooler installation, with the pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

4 Things Stopping Your AC From Reaching Peak Efficiency

Mon, 03 Jun 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Here are four things that could be stopping your HVAC system from reaching its full efficiency potential:

1. Thermostat Isn’t Programmed for Efficiency

A programmable thermostat is a huge advantage for maintaining efficiency. If you’re not taking advantage of all of its features, you’re missing out on some opportunities for saving:

Another variation of the programmable thermostat are the smart and Wi-Fi thermostats. These can be controlled through the computer or an app on your smartphone. Going to be out later than you expected? Simply open your app and reschedule your cooling or heating times.

While smart / Wi-Fi thermostats are not an absolute necessity to keep your home comfortable, they can go a long way in helping you run your system more efficiently. We certainly recommend them if efficiency is your aim.

2. You Haven’t Kept Up With Regular Maintenance

An AC unit that doesn’t function properly will work overtime to meet the demands of your thermostat. It’s important to keep regular maintenance a priority. Otherwise, your AC can waste money in a number of ways:

3. Your Comfort Needs Require Zone Control

Have you ever wanted to cool only some of the rooms in the house instead of the entire home? Your average central AC is simply not capable of this. However, if you opt to have your AC installed with a zone control system, you’ll be able to resolve this issue.

Zone control can be used to maximize your comfort by giving every room of the house its own custom temperature setting. However, it can just as easily be used to maximize efficiency by routing air only to the rooms that need it.

4. Your Unit Wasn’t Properly Installed

In the past, it was thought that large and powerful AC units were essential to keeping your home cool. Now, we know it’s all about finding the right sized unit for your home.

Undersized units will have trouble cooling or heating the entire room, forcing it to run longer than it should have to. Oversized units, on the other hand, will cool the home too quickly, causing the system to short cycle. In both cases, the AC will waste energy chasing the number on the thermostat.

Finding the balance between oversized and undersized is the key to maintaining efficiency. Part of your HVAC contractor’s job will be to inspect your home and do the math to determine the perfect sized unit.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to speak with an expert about maintaining your air conditioner’s efficiency.

The Worst Things You Could Do to Your Heat Pump

Mon, 20 May 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Aside from deliberately causing harm to your heat pump—or worse, forgetting to change the air filter—some of the worst things you could do to your heat pump are in the way that you choose to operate it.

Of course, no homeowner would do these things on purpose if they knew how bad it was. At the same time, they might have had their unit installed by a technician who was less than thorough about operating the device. But hey, that’s what the internet is for!

In this post, we’ll go over a few operational behaviors you should avoid if you want to run your heat pump efficiently. This will help you save money in the long run, as well as to prevent causing unnecessary wear and tear on the system.

Emergency Heating Function

You may have heard that heat pumps can flip into an auxiliary heating mode. Essentially, this is a backup heating mode that helps pick up the slack when temperatures get too cold for the heat pump to run efficiently. The mistake, however, is in assuming that this is the same as the emergency heating function.

The emergency heating function turns off the refrigerant-based heating and only uses electrical resistance heating. This is much more expensive and entirely unnecessary.

And thanks to our SoCal climate, you really don’t need to worry about the heat pump dropping into inefficient ranges in the first place.

Using the “AUTO” Function

It seems like using the AUTO function would make the most sense, but this is a mistake. AUTO will essentially switch your heat pump between cooling and heating mode based on the temperature. However, this setting can be fickle and might force the heat pump to be far more active than required.

It’s better to simply let the heat pump operate either in cooling mode or heating mode, based on the season.

Fiddling With the Controls Too Much

You should know that the way a heat pump operates isn’t going to be like that of a furnace. Many new heat pump owners are accustomed to the way their furnaces operated, with the loud sound of rushing air and intense heat from the vents.

With a heat pump, its heating is much more gradual and far more efficient. You might mistake this for “not heating enough” and be tempted to turn up the heat, but we ask you to refrain from doing that and just give it time to work.

Forgetting About Maintenance

Machines require maintenance to keep running properly, and your heat pump is no exception. Neglecting maintenance is one of the worst things you can do for your efficiency and the lifespan of your heat pump!

Maintenance will prevent about 85% of HVAC issues from occurring in the first place. That way, you can spend less time calling for AC repair in Glendale and more time enjoying the cooling and heating power of your heat pump.

Having trouble with your heat pump? Think of installing one but just not sure? Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a call with an expert.

3 Signs Your Central AC Needs an Inspection

Mon, 06 May 2019 15:00:00 GMT

That being said, these systems—just like any other—will develop their own share of repair problems every now and then.

The best thing you can do is to try and prevent them with regularly scheduled maintenance. The second best thing you can do is to know what these problems are so that you can identify them. The sooner you get in touch with an expert of air conditioning repair in Long Beach, CA , the sooner you can restore your efficiency and the full potential for your system.

Low Air Flow From the Vents

Imagine the horror of putting your hand up to the air vent and discovering that the AC is not doing the one thing it’s meant to do: blow cool air.

Assuming that your AC isn’t just in the middle of a cooling cycle, then it’s possible that something is impeding the flow of air through your HVAC system. That can be more than one thing:

Uneven Cooling, or “Hot Spots”

Do some parts of your home simply refuse to stay cool? These are areas known as “hot spots” and they might drive you a little crazy. If you try to compensate for them by lowering the temperature even further, all you’ll do is use more energy than you intend and turn the rest of the home into an icebox.

It’s not always the case, but one potential cause for uneven cooling is due to duct problems. A substantial number of leaks in the ductwork can cause a good portion of cooled air to be sucked up before it can reach certain rooms. Likewise, insufficiently insulated ducts might cause some of the cooled air to dissipate.

Another cause could be if the AC is undersized. If it’s not powerful enough, the airflow might not be able to make it all the way down the duct system and into some of the rooms.

Short Cycling

On the other hand, if your unit is oversized, it could develop a short cycling problem.

Short cycling is when the AC rapidly turns on and off, unable to complete a full cooling cycle. Not only will this stop your home from getting cool, but it’s a substantial drain on efficiency.

Some causes for short-cycling include those previously mentioned, such as frozen evaporator coils and dirty air filters. However, if your system has always been short cycling, it could mean that it needs to be replaced entirely.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a repair service.

Get Those Last-Minute Heating Repairs Done Now

Mon, 22 Apr 2019 15:00:00 GMT

But that doesn’t mean we aren’t still getting our share of uncomfortably cold nights. You might have to fire up your furnace or heater a few more times to stay cozy.

If you do, take note of how your system operates. If it displays any signs of operational issues, we highly suggest calling in for some last-minute repairs. Just because it’s “the end of the season” doesn’t mean you should put off those problems until fall.

We’ll give you an idea of some common last-minute heating repair issues that you can watch out for, and why you shouldn’t wait until next season.

Warning Signs That Justify Last-Minute Repair Services

Since you’ve been running your heater through most of the season already, that should have provided a reference point for what “good performance” looks like. Therefore, it shouldn’t be difficult to note the dip in performance caused by any of the following issues:

Why Not Just Wait Until Next Time?

Of course, you might also be wondering why you shouldn’t just put off these repairs until next season. If the damage is already done, there’s no use in rushing to have it fixed, right?

Unfortunately, this way of thinking doesn’t apply to a machine like a heater. That’s because these problems will only get worse with more use.

Even if you’re certain that you won’t use your heater until next year, there are plenty of benefits to having the repairs settled now:

End the season on a high note with a proper heater tune-up or repair. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a service.

Don’t Wait for After Summer to Fix Furnace Issues

Mon, 08 Apr 2019 15:00:00 GMT

You don’t expect to use your furnace for many more weeks, so the question becomes: Should I have it fixed now by an HVAC contractor in Long Beach, CA , or should I just wait until after summer?

Here’s why you should get it over with now:

Always Get Repair Issues Fixed ASAP

There’s no better way to treat your HVAC system than having it repaired at the first sign of trouble. Continuing to run it with an issue, even if it’s just for a few more days, is never going to be a good thing for a few reasons:

Lowered Efficiency

Often, the repair issues in an HVAC system won’t actually stop it from running. Depending on the exact issue, you may still be able to heat your home. But this isn’t a good thing! Running your heater with a problem present is just going to lower your efficiency and result in a higher-than-usual heating bill.

Creates More Damage

On top of lowered efficiency, you’ll also be putting your system at a higher risk of developing problems. For example, a bad noise in your furnace indicating a blower motor in need of lubrication can cause serious damage to the blower, possibly needing it replaced if not fixed.

Prevents Excessive Repair Costs and Issues

To continue with that example, consider the differences in costs between having a blower motor lubricated, versus having that entire blower motor replaced. When a problem is allowed to get worse, it naturally becomes more expensive to have it fixed. Having repairs taken care of with maintenance or prompt repairs will always save you hundreds of dollars in the long-run.

There’s No Real Benefit to Putting it Off

Considering that you’ll need to pay for repairs either now or later, there’s really no reason to not have it done now. If anything, there’s a higher chance that you might forget to schedule that maintenance or repair service before the start of winter. In fact, you probably won’t think much of your furnace at all until a particularly chilly night, at which point you rush home to turn on the furnace just to remember that you shouldn’t be running it until you have it fixed.

Act Now While There’s Less Demand for Service

The idea of having furnace repair services after winter sounds pretty strange, right? Well, that’s exactly why it’s such a good idea to have it done. When everyone is doing one thing, sometimes it’s best to consider doing the opposite.

In this case, waiting until after summer to have your furnace inspected is what you can expect everyone else to be doing. Depending on how busy it is that day, you might be put at the bottom of the list and won’t be able to have your furnace checked as soon as you’d like. When done just after winter, waiting won’t be an issue.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a repair or maintenance service.

Add Zone Control to Your New AC Installation

Mon, 25 Mar 2019 15:00:00 GMT

But even if you do have a ductwork system in place already, that doesn’t mean you can’t opt for another form of zone control. We’ll explain everything down below.

What is Zone Control?

“Zone control” is when your home is sectioned into several zones, each with their own temperature controls. This allows you to route cooled or heated air through the home much more strategically:

A normal ducted air system doesn’t allow for this level of control, using an “all-or-nothing” approach to treat your home’s air.

If You Don’t Have Ducts…

If you’re starting fresh and have never had AC or ductwork, it’s the perfect time to go with a zone control system.

Essentially, a zone control system is made up of three things:

Since the system is installed with the central ductwork, your zone control system will work the same for any current or future HVAC units, including air conditioners, furnaces, or heat pumps.

If You Already Have an AC…

If you already have a duct system installed, don’t worry. You can still get all the benefits of zone control with a different system:

The ductless mini-split.

Ductless mini-splits are a type of heat pump that consists of multiple indoor air handlers. One air handler is installed in each room that you plan to cool or heat. They all include their own set of temperature controls.

Using ductless heat pumps to achieve zone control is a highly-effective workaround. You’ll be able to achieve all the same benefits you could with a normal zone control system, with the addition of not needing to care and maintain for the ductwork. After all, ducts will need to be repaired and maintained periodically.

Which is Right for You?

Determining which zone control option makes the most sense for you is largely going to be about costs and the size of your home.

For example, a home that’s too small is not going to benefit much from a ducted zone control system—there’s just not enough space to justify this kind of zoning. In that case, a ductless system might be better and more cost-effective at achieving the results you need.

Every situation is different, so it counts to consult with an expert of air conditioning services in Long Beach, CA . They’ll be able to assess your home, your needs, and come to a conclusion about what kind of system will work best for you.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to request an estimate.

Which Air Filter is Best for Smoke?

Mon, 11 Mar 2019 15:00:00 GMT

Fortunately, there are some air quality systems out there that can help with eliminating those odors. Whether you enjoy lighting up a cigar every now and then or if you’re trying to clear smoke odors from a previous owner or tenant, the right combination of purifiers and filters can make all the difference.

Which Kinds of Air Quality Systems Can Eliminate Smoke?

Typically, air filters and purifiers in the home are used to reduce the presence of dust, dirt, mold, and pollen—the most common kinds of contaminants that end up floating into your home from the outdoors.

However, a wide range of filters exist for commercial usage to combat things like smoke, odors from industrial machines, and pollutants from chemical cleaners and substances. There are also instances where these types of contaminants can make it into your home, as well, such as in the case of using strong chemical cleaners or in our example of smoke from cigarettes.

HEPA Air Filters

The job of these filters is to capture particles of various sizes. The size of the particles it’s able to capture depends on the grade of it. It is possible to use such a high-grade filter that even air has a hard time getting through, thus making your HVAC system inefficient—it’s important only to use the required type of filter and not to go overboard.

The right type of HEPA filter can capture enough smoke particles to help make a difference, however, they’re much better at capturing smoke before the particles begin to disperse.

Active Carbon Air Purifiers

HEPA air filters are good to reduce smoke in a home or building with active smokers, but if your goal is to remove stubborn odors, then what you need is an active carbon air purifier.

When carbon is exposed to a high temperature, it is able to absorb all the chemicals, odors, and gasses that pass through it through adsorption. Once they’re trapped, they’re no longer able to emit an odor since they won’t be let back into the air.

Even a small pellet of carbon is able to contain a massive amount of contaminants, and several purifiers on the market provide carbon in pounds, meaning you’ll be able to use these filters for years. Of course, there are many cheap filters on the market that claim to eliminate smoke, but to truly make a difference, you’ll need the professional equipment approved by an indoor air quality expert in Long Beach, CA.

Finding the right air quality system for your home requires an assessment from a professional. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to schedule a service.

What’s the Worst a Dirty Air Filter Could Do?

Mon, 25 Feb 2019 16:00:00 GMT

But seriously speaking, air filters are perfectly safe and very necessary. Without them, your HVAC system’s sensitive components would become contaminated. But it’s true that if it isn’t changed regularly, it can cause some issues, such as:

Short-Cycling

Your HVAC system is designed to go through numerous heating/cooling cycles. The air comes on for several minutes, disperses air through the home, and then shuts off. It then repeats this cycle numerous times. However, if these cycles suddenly become sporadic and occur rapidly, the system might be short-cycling.

This is very stressful on the HVAC system’s components and it will prevent your home from reaching the desired temperature. In the best-case scenario, short-cycling is easily fixed by changing the air filter.

Overheating

When an air filter clogs up a heater, it can have some terrible consequences.

Natural gas furnaces require plenty of oxygen to combust the natural gas into heated air. Without enough oxygen, the furnace might suck oxygen out of the surrounding air to compensate, and that can sometimes produce rolling flames. One way this might happen is if the furnace’s airflow is blocked by a dirty air filter.

There’s also the possibility that it can cause a heater to overheat. Furnaces will have a limit switch designed to shut off the furnace just enough to prevent overheating. If this switch is broken, however, it might shut the furnace off entirely or not work at all.

Frozen Coils

While an air conditioner is not going to overheat from a dirty air filter, it can actually do something like the opposite: freezing over.

The evaporator coils, housed in the indoor unit, are in place to absorb warm air. If the air flow is restricted, however, that can cause the coil to become too cold instead, eventually turning the coil into a big block of frost and ice. If gone on long enough without maintenance, it can cause irreparable damage to the compressor.

Energy Bill Spikes

Through all of these symptoms, before they turn into disasters or complete breakdowns, they’ll end up taking a toll on your energy bill. That’s because your heater or AC is being forced to operate harder or longer than usual during these times.

If you see a sudden spike in your energy bill, as well as noticing that your HVAC unit hasn’t been performing up to standards, it could be time to change the air filter. If that doesn’t help, then the next step is to call in for repairs from an HVAC company in Long Beach, CA.

If changing the air filter isn’t enough, contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling! We’ll help you find the problem.

Broken Heater, or Broken Thermostat?

Mon, 11 Feb 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Of course, this also means that any issues with the thermostat could be causing the heater to malfunction. That issue could be anything from a programming error to a genuinely broken thermostat. The next time you believe that your heater is giving you problems, hold off on calling for furnace repair in Long Beach, CA.

The problem could simply be one of these thermostat issues:

Check the Settings

Before attempting to fix anything, check to make sure that the problem isn’t simply due to a programming error. If you visit the manufacturer’s website, you should typically be able to find a digital copy of the instruction manual for no charge.

That being said, here are some of the most common troubleshooting errors across all brands of digital thermostats:

Inspect the Thermostat

If everything is fine with the programming but you’re still having issues, it could be time to inspect the thermostat:

Consider Replacement

When all of the above fails, it might be time for a replacement. Thermostats don’t need replacement often, but there are a few situations where it makes sense:

Got problems with your thermostat? We can help! Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a service.

It’s Fine to Skip Maintenance This Year, Right?

Mon, 28 Jan 2019 16:00:00 GMT

It’s the middle of winter in Southern California, and you still haven’t gotten maintenance for your heating system. You’ve made it this far without an issue, so you might as well try to finish out the season without maintenance, right?

You could, but we have to warn you: that’s most likely going to do the opposite of what you want. The homeowners that neglect maintenance often do so because they want to save money. In reality, neglecting maintenance is a gamble without any positive gain.

Skipping Maintenance Loses You More Money Than You Save

You may have neighbors who tell you that they’ve never had maintenance, and they’ve never had a problem with their HVAC system. And if that’s true, we applaud the handiwork of the technicians who installed their system. However, here’s what they’re not accounting for:

Cost of Repairs

If your heater develops an issue due to neglect of maintenance, you just can’t predict how much it’s going to cost. For example, repairing a blower motor isn’t nearly as expensive as replacing the blower motor. Of course, the reason that blower motor needs to be replaced could be because no one was able to inspect it ahead of time.

Budgeting in maintenance services or a maintenance plan is far easier than budgeting for unforeseen repair issues.

Wear and Tear’s Effects on Efficiency

To continue with the above example, imagine that your blower motor was damaged and in need of repair. It would be struggling to perform at its normal level of performance. That would lead to decreased airflow, possible overheating, and the heater would need to work longer than usual to try and warm up the home.

All of those factors will weigh down efficiency, leading higher heating bills and eventually a repair problem.

Safety Checks and Precautions

No maintenance means there’s no one to come inspect your system. For example, flue pipes and heat exchangers are two of the biggest safety hazards in a gas furnace. Either of them can produce carbon monoxide leaks if they’re in poor condition. Plus, if the system isn’t working properly, it can create the risk of house fires. These accident can easily be prevented with regular maintenance from a heating company in Long Beach, CA.

Save Even More with a Maintenance Plan

Maintenance is estimated to prevent about 85% of repair problems. For the other 15% of the time, you need someone there for you. That’s when it pays to have a maintenance plan.

Maintenance is only needed twice a year. Therefore, a maintenance plan is what gives you value for every other day in the year. A good plan will have several benefits that can be used with HVAC services not related to those maintenance calls. For example, qualities like:

Our maintenance plan is available for both residential and commercial jobs and includes a 32-point check up on all of your AC and heating units.

Speak with one of our technicians to learn more about maintenance for your HVAC system. Contact Green Leaf Heating & Cooling today.

Here Are 7 of Our Best Energy-Saving Tips

Mon, 14 Jan 2019 16:00:00 GMT

Take Advantage of Sunlight

That’s right, there’s free energy from the sun! Keep your curtains open during the day to bring heat and natural light into your home. The reason more people don’t use this method is simple: it’s easy to forget to close the curtains after the sun goes down.

It may sound inconsequential, but repeatedly sticking to this method can really help keep your home warmer for longer (meaning you won’t have to turn on the heater so early).

Keep the Thermostat’s Temperature Closer to the Outdoor Temperature

The closer your indoor temperature is to that of the outside, the less your heater will have to work. Test your comfort level by dropping the temperature a couple degrees every week. You might be surprised at how easy it is to get comfortable with colder temperatures.

Lower the Temperature at Night

Program your thermostat to start dropping the temperature about an hour before your bedtime. The ideal sleeping temperature for humans lies between 60 and 67 degrees , so it’s not as crazy as it might seem.

Combine that with the 6 to 8 hours you’ll be spending in bed asleep every night and you’ll quickly see the savings roll in.

Use Your Ceiling Fans

That’s right, ceiling fans aren’t just for summer! In summer, they’re designed to spread cooled air around the room to give you a wind-chill effect. In winter, have it run clockwise at a low speed. The fan will break up the heated air that tends to rise toward the ceiling, dispersing it through the room for more even heating.

Install a Whole-House Humidifier

Adding moisture in dry, cold weather will help you feel warmer than you actually are. It can even be enough to let you lower the heat by a couple degrees.

While you could certainly regain some of your comfort by running a portable humidifier, you won’t be able to achieve the same energy-saving effects that you could with a whole-house humidifier. These devices are installed in your existing HVAC system, integrated with your thermostat, and will adjust humidity across the entire home.

Maintenance

Above all, one of the best things you can do for your heater is to have it regularly maintained. If things in your heater aren’t running smoothly for any extended period of time, it will lead to inefficiencies, underperformance, and eventually heating repair in Long Beach, CA . Maintenance is only needed once a year, but don’t be afraid to schedule it in advance.

Change the Air Filter

Several of the most common heater and air conditioner issues are caused by a dirty air filter. The same goes for your efficiency. A filter clogged with dirt and dust restricts airflow to the unit, forcing your heater to use more energy in the heating process. Depending on the quality of your filter, it should be changed every 30 days to three months.

For more efficiency tips, speak with one of our experts. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today.

Replacing Your AC? Have it Done in the Off-Season!

Mon, 31 Dec 2018 16:00:00 GMT

If you noticed these problems back in the summer, it doesn’t mean you have to wait for summer again just to have your suspicions confirmed. You can schedule a replacement during the off-season and save yourself tons of trouble. Here’s how:

Give Yourself More Time to Research AC Options

When it comes time to replace your air conditioner, maybe you haven’t put much thought into what kind of system you’d like. Sure, you have things like installation costs and monthly operational costs in mind, but there are other things to consider, too. Replacing your AC several months before you intend to use it gives you plenty of time to do more research on what kind of AC will be best.

You Won’t Suffer in the Heat While Waiting for an Appointment

If you’re not planning your AC’s replacement in advance, then you might be the type who is only considering replacement when you have no other choice—when it’s broken and can’t be used anymore!

The thing is, every HVAC contractor in Whittier will have a full list of customers to service before they can make it to your home. You’ll be suffering in the heat for a few days before they can make it to your home, and even then, it might make for a hasty installation if you’re only choosing whichever AC sounds good at the time.

When scheduling that replacement during the off-season, the contractor will most likely have a full list of customers needing heating services… but that won’t matter much since you won’t be in need of cooling.

It’s Less Trouble With a Maintenance Plan

Now, many homeowners probably don’t have anything against having their replacement done early. The problem is that they might think it’s too early to bother, so they put it off. But before they realize it, summer is back and they still haven’t scheduled any replacement.

The best way to get around that is by signing up with a maintenance program. Scheduled maintenance will ensure that you’re getting your system checked on regularly, and during that time, your contractor will be able to tell you if it’s getting to be time for replacement. Just recognizing the need is half of the work already done—after that, you just need to discuss your options for replacement and make the call.

If you need replacement or any other off-season services, we’re happy to help. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a service.

Heat Pumps: The Best HVAC System for SoCal Homeowners?

Mon, 17 Dec 2018 16:00:00 GMT

SoCal Temperatures Are Always Ideal for Efficient Performance

For all the benefits of a ductless heat pump, there was always one caveat:

Their efficiency can suffer when outdoor temperatures drop below 30°F.

Unless your heat pump is equipped with a variable-speed compressor, it will have to switch on its auxiliary heating mode to make up the difference—and that’s not cheap to operate.

Of course, what you should be thinking at this point is, “How often does Southern California temperature drop below 30°F?”

There’s really no point during the year where temperatures drop that low. And even if it does, it certainly won’t last for long. This means the main drawback of a heat pumps is null and void thanks to our climate.

Mini Splits Are Great Air Conditioners, and SoCal Has Plenty of Hot Days

When it comes to “cooling mode” in a heat pump, there’s no equal. Heat pumps are extremely efficient air conditioners. Running your air conditioner in Whittier CA won’t feel like a luxury thanks to the way heat pumps operate. Namely, by removing warm air from your home.

Plus, if you go with ductless, you’ll get the added benefit of built-in zone control. You can reduce monthly operational costs even further by controlling exactly which air handlers you want to keep running. You can use the AC in your living room for most of the day and then flip on the AC for your bedrooms at night—both sets can be used independently of each other.

Ductless Heat Pumps Are Better for Air Quality

As the last few years have shown, Southern California will always have its share of fires. Even after the fires are gone, one side effect is the decrease in air quality. That smoky air is going to find its way inside your home no matter what. With a normal ducted air conditioner, those contaminants are going to end up inside your ductwork. Give it a couple years and you’ll need to have it cleaned out, or else you’ll be blowing around old dust and dirt through your home.

Getting a duct cleaning every now and then isn’t the end of the world, but it’s an inconvenience that many homeowners would rather do without. Ductless heat pumps don’t use any ducts—as their name suggests—so there’s no need for this. These units are equipped with their own filters to help sort out the contaminants from your air supply. Even better is the fact that most of these filters can be removed and cleaned out in your kitchen sink for more use.

To learn more about heat pumps, speak with one of our technicians. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today.

Can Air Filtration Fight the Cold and Flu?

Mon, 03 Dec 2018 16:00:00 GMT

The average American adult will get two to four colds per year, and children will get about six to eight colds per year. Of course, we all know certain ways to prevent ourselves from getting sick, like washing our hands and keeping distance between ourselves and someone who already has a cold. However, breathing clean air is another preventative measure that we often overlook. In this blog, we will explain the difference between air filtration systems and air purifiers, and why they both matter.

Air Filtration

Airborne contaminants can have a wide range of negative effects on both health and comfort. Air filtration systems can remove those contaminants from indoor air as the air conditioner, heater, or fan is running.

An air filtration system contains a fibrous filter designed to capture contaminants that encounter it. A standard residential filter can remove most common indoor contaminants from the air, such as pollen and pet dander. The air filter in your HVAC system is not there to protect you, it is really meant to protect the HVAC system itself from pollutant build-up. However, designated air filtration systems are available to boost air quality throughout the house!

Remember, it is important that the air filter is changed regularly. A clean filter will protect your HVAC system and prevent allergens and irritants from circulating through the air. Regular maintenance is an important step in making sure your HVAC system works efficiently and effectively. Greenleaf Heating and Cooling installs and maintains air filtration systems in Whittier, CA.

Air Purification

An air purifier can be installed inside the HVAC system in order to treat all of the air that flows through the ducts. Air purifiers are meant to keep your air clean and your body healthy.

Even with an air purifier, homeowners must still have a air filter to protect the HVAC system. There are two main types of air purifiers:

UV Air Purifier : Promotes health by killing off bio infectious organisms in indoor air by giving off UV light, which kills germs and mold.

Electronic Air Purifier : Gives pollutants a static charge through ionization. The pollutants are trapped on collector plates that can be washed.

Remember, air purifiers may require some maintenance, too. It is important to have an HVAC technician make sure everything is running smoothly to keep you and your family germ-free this cold and flu season.

Contact Greenleaf Heating and Cooling to fight the cold and flu!

Choosing Between a Natural Gas or Electric Furnace

Mon, 19 Nov 2018 16:00:00 GMT

But even when talking about furnaces, you must break them down into two separate categories: natural gas furnaces and electric furnaces. Both of them have their own set of benefits and drawbacks.

Natural Gas Furnaces

These are one of the most popular kinds of furnaces in the country—and for good reason. Many homeowners may have moved into homes with furnaces already in place and may already be familiar with them. They burn gas in order to create warm air, which is then blown through your home via a series of ducts.

Little has changed in furnace technology over the years because they are quite reliable when installed by a professional.

Pros:

Cons:

Electric Furnace

Electric furnaces work nearly the same as gas-powered furnaces, but they use electrical heating elements instead of gas burners. One way to think of an electric furnace is by comparing it to the operation of a hairdryer. Room temperature air comes in, gets heated by the heat exchanger, and out comes the warm air.

Although these furnaces are often over-shadowed by gas furnaces, the home with particular needs can greatly benefit from this system.

Pros:

Cons:

The Bottom Line

Whether or not you need a gas or electric furnace will have to do with your heating habits, the type of home you live in, and whether you have access to natural gas.

Sometimes, deciding on one or the other isn’t as straightforward as it would seem. That’s why we recommend always consulting with a professional of heater installation in Whittier, CA before making any decisions. After all, both types of furnaces are rated to last between 10 and 15 years—you don’t want to be stuck with the wrong one!

To find the best heating system for your home, speak with a professional of HVAC. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Common Signs That Your Furnace Needs Repairs

Mon, 05 Nov 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Heating Bill Spikes

One of the first signs of HVAC problems is from the energy bill. A sudden spike in the bill means that the system is working much harder than it has to—an indicator that something needs to be repaired. This is true even when the system is displaying any symptoms.

The energy bill spike is a very reliable indicator, but not a very convenient one.

Even so, it’s much better to find an energy bill spike than to have your system break down completely. Of course, it’s only useful if you call for repairs as soon as possible!

Problems With Airflow

One possible reason for airflow issues with your furnace could be due to the furnace overheating. Overheating will often cause the limiting switch to trigger, which will turn the pilot off. This is meant as a safeguard against overheating, so you’ll have to find the root cause of the issue.

Overheating issues can usually be solved with some quick maintenance. If you know for a fact that your furnace hasn’t been maintained in a long time, it could have created one of these problems:

Clogged Air Filter: The air filter protects the furnace from being contaminated with dust and dirt. The air filter is essential, but it comes with the burden of needing to be replaced multiple times a year. If you haven’t had the filter changed in at least a year, there’s a strong indication this can be the cause of your problem.

Broken Blower: The blower is the fan that sends hot air through the ducts and into the home. If the fan motor has burnt out, or if dust or debris is obstructing the fan, it can cause the fan to stop working. The hot air that builds up would lead to the unit overheating.

Igniter Issues

The furnace might have trouble operating at all. This could be due to the pilot light or electronic igniter failing to operate. There are a few things you can do to see if this is the problem, but we generally don’t advise trying to fix any issues related to these components. Making repairs to anything involving the gas line or electrical parts is highly dangerous for an amateur.

Can’t find the root of your furnace’s problems? Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Should I Upgrade to a Dual Fuel System?

Mon, 22 Oct 2018 15:00:00 GMT

So, if it’s time to replace your heater and you still don’t have an air conditioner (but you have been thinking about how nice it would be), a dual fuel system installation might just be your chance to have both. Keep reading and we’ll explain.

What is A Duel Fuel System?

A dual fuel system lets you enjoy the best of both worlds. It’s an air conditioner, it’s an electric heater, it’s a gas heater. Of course, it doesn’t use all of these features at the same time. So, here’s how it works:

First, keep in mind that the system primarily operates as a heat pump. That means instead of generating hot air through combustion—such as in the case of a natural gas furnace—it uses electricity to move warm air from one place to another. Even when it’s cold outside, there is still plenty of warm energy in the air that can be used by the heat pump. Heat pumps will remain quite efficient from 40 to 50 degrees. But what happens when the temperature falls below that?

At that point, the system switches to natural gas and becomes a furnace. Furnaces are actually a bit too powerful in the 40 to 50-degree range, but they’re highly efficient below those temperatures. The furnace will continue to run until temperatures rise back up to a level that’s more efficient for the heat pump. This switching back and forth between fuel sources is completely automatic; the system will only use the fuel source that’s more efficient for that moment.

Arguably the Most Efficient Heaters on the Market

The balance created by dual fuel systems make them perhaps the most efficient heaters on the market. The heat pump and furnace both complement each other so that you don’t have to suffer for their shortcomings. Yet, you still get to reap the maximum comfort of a fully-functioning heater while paying the least amount for it in monthly operational costs.

If it’s time to upgrade your heater and you’ve been using a furnace up to this point, you’ll immediately start seeing a reduction in operational costs with a dual fuel system in Whittier, CA.

Bonus as an Air Conditioner

Of course, you also get to enjoy the other benefit of enjoying a heat pump: it makes for a fine air conditioner in the spring and summer. The heat pump truly excels in higher temperatures, where it has plenty of warm air to move (in this case, moving it out of your house and to the outdoors). Of course, you would be adding on the new monthly energy costs in the summer to use it, but heat pumps are still more efficient than their central AC counterparts.

Is a dual fuel system for you? Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to request an estimate!

Have Your Ducts Sealed Before the Cold Season

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 15:00:00 GMT

We’re referring to the duct system. That’s right, the series of vents that run through your attic or crawlspace and deliver heated air to the home. There’s no better time than the start of a new season to make sure your system is in tip-top shape, and duct sealing is a great place to start.

Why Seal Them Now?

We’re not going to try and tell you that duct sealing in Whittier, CA is something you have to do every season, or even every year. However, chances are, you’ve gone several years without having your ducts checked at all. That’s plenty of time for sealants in your ducts to loosen up. Or, it could be the case that pests or general wear and tear have created rips and tears in the duct material.

What’s the Big Deal?

Leaking ducts are the silent killer of your efficiency attempts. Even if you’re running a strict heating/cooling schedule, have your AC running smoothly, and are dedicated to all the best efficiency tips, duct leaks will sabotage your efforts every time.

Since the ducts are the middleman bringing air from your system and into your home, any leak in the duct will prevent air from entering your rooms. That means the room won’t change temperature as soon as it should, resulting in longer run-time and lost energy. Up to 30% of lost energy, at that.

How Do I Know I Have Them?

To confirm with 100% certainty that you have duct leaks, an HVAC technician can use special tools to perform a duct test. This will test the pressure levels through the entire duct system. Many pieces of ductwork are lodged behind small areas, so you won’t be able to reach them even if you know they’re there.

However, there are a few signs that can tip you off to their presence:

What Do I Do Now?

You won’t be able to do a duct sealing all on your own. Even if you try, you’ll still need the tools of a professional HVAC tech to ensure that every leak has been found and sealed. We recommend calling in a professional.

Got leaks? Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to schedule a service!

End of the Season Air Conditioning Efficiency Tips

Mon, 24 Sep 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Check on Your Air Filter

The easiest and sometimes most effective thing you can do for your AC is to replace the air filter. It may have been perfectly clean when you started the hot season, but after several months, it’s most likely becoming clogged with dust and dirt. A dirty air filter can cause a whole range of symptoms, some of which can actually harm your air conditioner in the long run.

If you’re having trouble finding your air filter, consult your AC’s user manual or call up a professional for some advice.

Check for Refrigerant Leaks

Refrigerant leaks aren’t super common—especially not with new systems—but it wouldn’t hurt to do a quick scan of your system to see if you have one.

Refrigerant leaks often start as pinhole leaks, meaning they’ll be very hard to spot. Admittedly, you should enlist the help of an HVAC contractor for this; they have the experience and tools to find these leaks.

On your own, the most you can do is see the more obvious signs, but even that is better than not checking at all. Refrigerant leaks can cause serious damage to your system when left neglected.

Check the copper refrigerant lines through the system for tiny bubbles; this will indicate a pinhole leak. More obvious signs would be the hiss of refrigerant escaping the system, and possibly a screeching or screaming, which would indicate depressurization. In either event, shut off your AC immediately and call a professional.

Evaluate Your Energy Usage

As we near the end of this hot season, you can take a look at your energy usage and see how you can improve for next year. There are two ways you can do this: the hard way and the lazy way.

The hard way would be to take a look at your monthly energy bills and try to get an estimate of how you’ve been using your air. If you know you’ve been fickle and changing the temperature whenever you get warm, then there could be room for improvement in your cooling habits. Ultimately, however, you’d be making guesstimates about your usage and won’t know for sure.

The lazy way is by having a smart thermostat. These can track your day-to-day energy usage to give you an actual visual graph on how you’ve been using energy. Just because you’re using a smart thermostat doesn’t mean you’re using it smartly. These thermostats are programmed to help you with saving, but that doesn’t mean it will stop you from manually changing the temperature. At the very least, you’ll be able to track your habits, see it for what it is, and make logical deductions about how to change those habits.

Could your AC use a quick maintenance check? Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today for a comprehensive tune-up!

The Legendary Douglas Raymond Farnik

Tue, 18 Sep 2018 18:28:00 GMT

Our beloved boss passed away and he will be greatly missed. We are thankful for his life and for sharing his wisdom with us so we can continue the business that he created that has served so many. RIP Doug, we love you.

The legendary Douglas Raymond Farnik, age 70, passed away Friday, Aug. 10, 2018, from a severe heart attack at his home in Joshua Tree.

Doug was born in Havre, Montana, on Feb. 23, 1948, son of Joseph and Dorothy Farnik.

He was raised on a farm 8 miles north of a small rural town, Hingham, population 150.

He loved animals: cows, pigs, chickens, his horse Sye and especially dogs. He helped his dad on the wheat farm from an early age, learning to operate all kinds of equipment. His mother, Dorothy, started him playing the keyboards at age 9, going 100 miles one way to Great Falls once a week for lessons. Doug played organ at Inverness Supper Club with his mother on Saturday nights when he was a teenager. He continued to perform and played almost every weekend and New Year’s Eve until recent years.

He graduated high school from Hingham High in 1966. He played basketball, did many science projects and acted in several plays. His high school selected Doug to go to Montana Boys State. American Legion Boys State is among the most respected and selective educational programs of government instruction for high school students.

He attended the College of Great Falls and the University of Montana in Missoula to pursue his pharmacy degree while playing music at country clubs and bars, making many lifelong friends. In Missoula, the band OPUS 3 was formed. In 1969, the OPUS 3 moved to the LA area to join a show band called The Rising Generation, which toured the United States and Canada and appeared with Tennessee Ernie Ford and Red Skelton. The Rising Generation did a USO tour during the Vietnam War where he played in Guam, the Philippines, Korea and Japan.

In 1972, he began his career in the appliance/central air, construction business, which he has been currently running for over 45 years. In 1983, he married the love of his life, JoNell, while living in Whittier. In 1990, they moved to Joshua Tree, and continued to live in both cities for 28 years.

He enjoyed cooking, reading, gardening, entertaining, traveling, mentoring, solving problems, building houses and listening to jazz music and was a private pilot. His travels and cruises took him all over the world and he especially enjoyed the Czech Republic’s food and beer; that was where his grandfather immigrated from. Most of all, Doug enjoyed spending time with his family and friends, especially the grandchildren.

He is survived by his loving wife, JoNell; his children, Jennifer Ciccone (Harold), Jimmy Meyer, Melody Farnik and Billy Meyer (Sarah); his brothers Jerome (Marilyn) and Michael (Denise); nine grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his mother and father, brother Eddy and his favorite dog, Togo.

A celebration of Doug’s life will be held from 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 25, at the Sportsman’s Club at 6225 Sunburst St., in Joshua Tree.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in honor of Doug to his daughter’s nonprofit: animalactionleague.us or P.O. Box 1413, Joshua Tree, CA 92252.

Now Is a Great Time to Change Your Air Filter

Mon, 10 Sep 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Prevent Unnecessary Repair Calls

When it comes to HVAC issues, there are very few times where a repair call isn’t warranted. Even the smallest refrigerant leak will become a huge issue if left ignored. However, calling in for repairs on what turns out to be a clogged air filter is the pinnacle of frustration. You will most likely still have to pay a service fee for what could have been done by yourself.

The reason this happens is that a clogged air filter can mimic many other HVAC system problems. Frozen evaporator coils are often caused by refrigerant leaks—a true HVAC emergency—but can also easily occur due to a dirty air filter. Skip that mess entirely by having your air filter changed regularly.

Lower Monthly Energy Bill Costs

Your air conditioner won’t care that the filter is clogged. It will keep bringing in more air to reach the temperature on your thermostat, even if it takes longer. The increased running-time of your system will contribute to larger energy bills every month. Clogged air filters don’t always create symptoms, so it’s often at the energy bill where homeowners realize they’re having any kind of problem at all.

Improve the Lifespan of Your System

On that note, anything that causes your HVAC system to work longer and harder than usual is often going to take a toll on the lifespan of your system. It will do this by creating more wear-and-tear on the system, which will gradually degrade crucial components or parts of the system.

For example, let’s say that a clogged air filter is forcing your system to go through short-cycling symptoms. That would mean that your system is turning on and off at a rapid rate. There are several problems here that will contribute to a lower quality of life for your system:

To truly know how often you should change your air filter, it’s best to consult with an HVAC contractor in Whittier, CA. There are many factors like the air quality around your home, the number of inhabitants and their immune systems, and the number of pets in the household.

Changed the air filter and still having problems? We can help! Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

HVAC Preparation for the Winter

Mon, 27 Aug 2018 15:00:00 GMT

We could make an entire blog post on why you should get maintenance on your heater before winter starts, but we think that one should be a given. Instead, we’ll go over some ideas that will truly help you get ahead of the obstacles that the cold air will bring.

If You Have a Heat Pump, Start Considering Dual Fuel

We love our heat pumps, but there’s one big flaw to them. Since heat pumps work by moving warm air from one place to another, it’s possible that extremely cold air will make it inefficient. If the outside temperature is consistently close to 0 degrees, you shouldn’t be surprised to find your heat pump struggling to keep up.

In these cases, that’s where the dual fuel system kicks in. A separate gas furnace heater turns on to take over the job. Since the gas furnace will only turn on when it’s necessary, you don’t have to worry about substantial extra energy costs.

Alternatively, if you already have a gas furnace but have been considering installing a heat pump to combat next summer’s heat, now could be a good opportunity to go for a dual fuel system.

If You Have a Duct System, Start Considering Zone Control

If your HVAC setup uses a duct system, then you know how great they are for bringing your whole home down to a nice and cool temperature. However, there’s one problem with these systems: They either treat the entire house or none of it.

Thankfully, that’s why zone control systems were invented—to give you the control to heat or cool each room individually. In the winter, a zone control system will be critical for your comfort.

Sipping hot cocoa and wrapped in blankets is perfectly fine if you’re in the living room watching the TV. On the other hand, consider if you’re a remote worker or self-employed and how easily the cold can affect your productivity. With zone control, everyone in the home can be happy with their own temperature settings. This is even more true at night, since most of us enjoy different temperatures when trying to fall asleep.

Eliminate Germs With a UV Air Purifier

The colder seasons are great at bringing colds and illness. Part of this reason is that the cold inhibits our abilities to fight off sickness. For families with normal immune systems, simply staying warm with your heater through the season might be more than enough to stay healthy. However, if you have family members who are prone to getting sick every year, it might be time to invest in a UV air purifier.

UV air purifiers—unlike normal air purifiers—actively use UV lights to prevent germs from replicating (killing them in the process). UV bulbs only need to be replaced about once a year, and they’ll go a long way in helping clear your air circulation of germs.

It’s not too late to get prepared for winter! Upgrade your HVAC system today. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling!

Replace Your AC Now if Experiencing Any of These 3 Things

Mon, 13 Aug 2018 15:00:00 GMT

1. You’re Calling in for Another Repair

It’s bad enough that you had to get some repair work done not too long ago, but now another part of the machine broke down, too? If it feels like one part after another keeps breaking down in your AC, it’s a definite sign that it might be time for a replacement. Not only that, but the combined costs of each repair are going to rival the cost of a replacement, so you might as well get it over with now.

If you’re experiencing this problem and the machine is still under 10 years old, however, you may want to consider trying another HVAC contractor. We’re not pointing any fingers, but it’s definitely not normal for an HVAC system to need several repairs before reaching the average life expectancy.

2. The SEER Rating is Below 14

The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) rating is your key to understand how efficient your air conditioner is. Similar to a car’s miles per gallon rating, it’s only based on optimal conditions. That means that even an AC with a 26 SEER rating can still fall to a lower number if it’s not used or maintained properly.

As of 2015, it became required that any new air conditioner meet or exceed a minimum SEER rating of 14. Between 1992 and 2006, the minimum SEER rating was only 10. That means that if you’ve had an air conditioner since before 2006, your air conditioner is probably spending more in monthly energy costs than a newer model. Even if your AC isn’t malfunctioning or breaking down part by part, increasing your SEER rating will show immediate and substantial improvements to your monthly energy bill.

3. You’re No Longer Comfortable in the Heat

Sometimes there’s no logical, objective explanation for it. If your AC simply isn’t working the same way that it used to, it could be because your AC needs replacement. This is most likely due to the general wear-and-tear contributed to old age.

Before you jump the gun on that, though, you’ll still want to call in an HVAC contractor in Whittier, CA for their opinion. There are a range of problems that can cause low cooling power, from simply needing to replace the air filter to a complete compressor replacement. Whether or not the repairs are going to be worth the trouble will be up to you, but at the very least, you should confirm with a professional that your cooling issues can’t be fixed.

Need help with a replacement? We’re here for you. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

3 Considerations Before Installing an Air Conditioner

Mon, 30 Jul 2018 15:00:00 GMT

There are several factors that go into installation, all with the purpose of ensuring that you have the right size and type of unit for your home. A sloppy air conditioning installation in Whittier, CA will seriously hamper the efficiency of your unit and could cost you more than you expected to pay.

Load Calculations

Load calculations are as technical as it gets. HVAC contractors use these formulas to understand how much power is required to cool your home, but it’s not as simple as converting a couple numbers. Factors can include your region, the amount of sun exposure your home receives, the type of insulation used in your home, the number of windows, and how well your home is sealed.

Doing the proper calculations is essential. If your unit ends up being too small, it means that the AC will run almost constantly to try and cool your home. In most cases, contractors overestimate the size and end up installing a unit that’s too big. If it is oversized, it will cool your home too quickly, causing it to turn on and off far too frequently.

Climate

Aside from affecting load calculations, climate can also play a role in the type of cooling products you’ll install.

Ducts

Is there a duct system already installed in your home? This is a huge factor in determining the kind of air conditioner you choose to install.

If you do have ducts, it most likely means that you already have a heating system, such as a furnace. In this case, your best choice is installing a central AC system since it will use the same set of ducts. This will make the installation much quicker and easier.

If you don’t have ducts, you can still get them. However, you might consider installing a ductless mini-split instead. Although their upfront costs can be intimidating, these systems are highly efficient in the long run. In fact, not requiring ducts is their biggest strength. Units are installed in each room individually, and they’re equipped with their own thermostat and controls, meaning you have complete control over energy usage. For every unoccupied room, you can either choose not to install at all or to run the system only when you want to.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling, a professional in the art of AC installation. You’re just a call away from the best heating and cooling experts in Southern California.

This Upgrade Will Bring Perfection to Your Central AC System

Mon, 16 Jul 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Could this mean you need repairs? It’s possible, but in this case, it sounds more like your home is suffering from a typical case of hot spots. Hot spots are those areas that always seem several degrees warmer than the rest of the house. They’re very common, but luckily, there is an air conditioning service in Whittier, CA that can help:

A zone control system.

What is it?

A zone control system is specifically for issues like hot spots. As a nice bonus, however, it can also be used to boost the efficiency of your air conditioner. When used wisely, you can reduce your monthly energy bill.

In a typical central air conditioner set up, you have one thermostat and a series of ducts that direct cool air to the rooms in your house. A good system of ducts will distribute the air equally throughout the home. As long as the HVAC technician who installed the system didn’t do a bad job, your ducts should be working with no problems. However, that doesn’t help when it comes to a hotter-than-average room; those rooms need a little bit more cooling power.

But here’s where some homeowners get it wrong: to combat this issue, they blast the AC. Sure, this could solve the problem, but now your other rooms are too cold. You’re also using more energy than you planned. Treating hot spots this way is sure to create a spike in your next energy bill.

Zone Control to the Rescue

Here’s how zone control helps:

After installing a zone control system, you now have the control to make your air conditioner truly work for you . Here are just a few ways it will help:

Achieving maximum comfort is possible with zone control. Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to find out how it can help you!

5 Common Air Conditioning Repair Issues

Mon, 02 Jul 2018 15:00:00 GMT

With regular maintenance and repairs, a young AC is more than capable of lasting the summer without a breakdown. If not, you might run into some problems. Your AC relies on each component working in excellent condition. If one piece fails, trouble is on the way.

Below are some of the most common issues plaguing air conditioners. If left unnoticed, they can cause increased energy bills and eventual breakdowns, so be sure to call for air conditioning repair in Whittier, CA.

1. Frozen Evaporator Coils

Your evaporator coils are found in your indoor unit. They’re responsible for lowering the temperature of the refrigerant that runs through your AC. So, naturally, a frosty and icy evaporator coil is a good sign, right? Wrong! All that ice will only block the precious cold air from dispersing throughout your home. Frozen evaporator coils can be the result of refrigerant leaks, so don’t hesitate to call and find out.

2. Dirty Condenser Coils

As for the outdoor unit, you have the condenser coils. Simply put, its job is the opposite of the evaporator coil’s, releasing the heat that it gathers from your home. But what if this coil is covered in dirt? The heat won’t be able to properly disperse, keeping that heat inside. If the coil acts in this way for too long, lead to an early AC breakdown. It’s not so uncommon for outdoor units to collect more dirt and dust than the indoor unit, so be sure to have it inspected.

3. Dirty Air Filter

This one is so simple, it’s not surprising that people forget about it. No one should have to endure the frustration of breaking their AC due to something as simple as the air filter, so please be sure to check it once a month. The air filter’s job is to protect the AC from dirt and dust. The filter blocks any of these contaminants from entering the system, thus protecting the coils and sensitive components from collecting dirt. When full, the filter will no longer be able to transfer clean air.

4. Refrigerant Leak

The refrigerant is the blood of your AC, continually pumping through your system and transferring hot and cold air. And like blood, you’re not supposed to replace it or lose any. Under ideal conditions, your AC will use the same charge of refrigerant for years and years. That’s why a refrigerant leak is so harmful to your system. Pinhole leaks can drain the refrigerant overtime, offsetting the balance and forcing your AC to work with less refrigerant.

5. Broken Fans

Your unit has two fans, one for the outdoor unit and one for the indoor unit. They both perform a similar function: blowing away the air that collects at the coils. The outdoor unit blows hot air outside to prevent overheating. Your indoor fan blows cool air into your home. When either of these fans break, the air around those coils will cause overheating or freezing.

Never think about air conditioning issues again with a maintenance plan . Contact Green Leaf Heating & Cooling today to get started.

5 Reasons to Sign Up for a Maintenance Plan

Mon, 18 Jun 2018 15:00:00 GMT

5 Reasons You Need a Maintenance Plan

Many homeowners feel like they should be able to do HVAC maintenance and repairs themselves. When it comes to things like regularly replacing air filters, that is certainly true. For anything beyond that, however, your needs for maintenance in Whittier, CA can be best fulfilled by your local HVAC experts.

1. Quality Work

Have you ever jumped into a situation and then found yourself with more problems that you started out with? That’s why you need experienced technicians who know how to do maintenance and repairs correctly the first time around.

2. Guaranteed Work

Let’s say you do maintenance your HVAC system, and fingers crossed, everything keeps running the way it should. When you have a maintenance plan, you take guesswork out of the equation. You’ll know that even if something goes wrong after the fact, you’ll likely be covered for follow-up repairs and supplies.

3. Prevent Future Problems

The best way to avoid trouble is to prevent it before it has the chance to happen. Even if there are no overt problems with your HVAC system, regularly scheduled maintenance will identify potential issues you’ll miss on your own. After all, how can you know for sure the refrigerant level is low? Without the right equipment to check it, this can turn into a progressively more damaging and costly problem.

4. Utility Bill Savings

In addition to avoiding expensive potential problems, there are tangible benefits right now which come from having a system running at peak efficiency: lower utility bills. Ductwork leaks alone can reduce HVAC power by 25-40%. An experienced professional will help you avoid paying more money each month because your system is working harder to produce the results you want.

5. A Long-Term Professional Relationship

When you do have an HVAC emergency such as a compressor that suddenly fails or cooling coils freezing up, that’s not the time to begin the process of finding an HVAC contractor. Instead, already having a maintenance plan means you know who to call, what to expect, and that you can be confident the job will be done right.

Choosing Your Maintenance Plan

All maintenance plans are not created equal. That’s why you always need to do research about the company you’re considering signing up with. In the case of Greenleaf Heating & Cooling, we’ve been in the HVAC business for more than thirty years, and during that time, we’ve earned the reputation as a company that delivers top-notch service.

Experience the Greenleaf Heating & Cooling Difference with our maintenance plans.

Why Leaking Refrigerant Is Such a Problem

Mon, 04 Jun 2018 15:00:00 GMT

What Causes AC Refrigerant Leaks?

It’s somewhat of an old wives’ tale that refrigerant needs to be recharged every spring on every AC unit (although it’s often the case). In this sealed system, if the refrigerant needs to be recharged it has to be disappearing somehow, and that means a leak.

Even a tiny pinhole in a coil or in a refrigerant line can be enough to cause a leak. Other causes can include:

Of these three causes, corrosion is probably the most common one – although physical damage to the lines can occur too, such as a weed-wacker getting a little too close to the unit.

How to Detect a Refrigerant Leak

AC technicians sometimes refer to freon leaks as “champagne leaks,” with tiny bubbles appearing in the evaporator coils of the unit.

Sometimes, this can be verified by painting the suspected area with a soapy solution (just like finding a leak in a tire or an inner tube) or using an electronic freon/halogen leak detector.

One thing for certain – freon leaks don’t just go away and they don’t get better on their own. Like a leak in an air mattress, you can count on that pinhole leak becoming a bigger problem if it’s not addressed promptly.

Sometimes, the leak can be repaired or the portion of the line that’s failed can be replaced completely – unfortunately, this is part of the reason why home AC units have a lifespan of only 10 to 15 years.

Repairing the Leak

If your AC is leaking refrigerant, it’s not something you want to try to diagnose and repair yourself.

In fact, you can void the manufacturer’s warranty by allowing anyone other than a trained technician to service the unit. If you’ve been noticing poor performance and cooling or your unit has been short-cycling, with the compressor and fan running for only a few minutes at a time, shutting off for a few minutes and then repeating the cycle, it’s time to call a professional.

AC refrigerant leaks are more than just inconvenient, they can be toxic for families and pets.

While refrigerant isn’t carcinogenic, exposure can cause dizziness, loss of concentration, rashes, and irregular heartbeat.

Don’t suffer in a stuffy and uncomfortable house, and don’t risk exposure to this stuff – if your AC isn’t performing well, go ahead and make an appointment for a service call for AC repair and recharge.

Contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for AC repair in La Puenta, CA today!

Ductless Air Conditioning : A Good Fit for Vacation Homes

Mon, 21 May 2018 15:00:00 GMT

If so, we think you should consider a ductless mini-split air conditioning unit. While these systems do have a higher upfront cost compared to traditional ones, they offer unique benefits for your vacation home.

What is Ductless Air Conditioning?

Traditional central air conditioners utilize a single unit to produce cold air which is then distributed to different rooms in a house via ducts. In contrast to this, a ductless mini-split has a single outdoor unit with conduit lines containing refrigerant and power connected to interior wall-mounted blowers, up to four per unit.

Each of these blowers operates independently from the others, so there can be separate thermostat controls for each one. In addition, because these systems use heat pump technology, they can be used for both heating and cooling.

Benefits for Your Vacation Home

Vacation homes come with their own demands. They have more limited use than your primary residence and can be subject to extreme climates such as in coastline areas or mountains. That’s why we think a ductless mini-split could be a good option thanks to its efficiency, flexibility, and convenience.

Efficiency

In the average home, up to 25% of heating and cooling power is lost through ductwork as air travels from the central unit to different rooms. Plus, with no ducts you avoid leaks which further reduce efficiency. (This can be especially problematic in coastline areas with high humidity and salty sea air.)

Ductless mini-splits also use inverter-driven compressors which slow down or speed up based on system demands. By not shutting the compressor down completely, you’re spared the extra power required to restart it.

Flexibility

Sometimes your vacation home may be full of people, other times there may be just one or two. With a ductless air conditioning system, you can heat and cool only the rooms you’re using. (Sure, with a duct system you can close vents off, but the resulting air pressure imbalance doesn’t allow for optimal performance.)

Or maybe your home is older or smaller and not able to support ductwork. In that case, a ductless mini-split is a great alternative to choose exactly how you want to heat and cool your house.

Convenience

Once again, because ductless systems operate individually, there’s no more fighting over the thermostat. In addition, there is no air transferred between rooms. That means smells from the kitchen or smoke from a round of cigars will not spread through the house.

If you have a remote thermostat monitoring system, you can check the temperature from anywhere to make sure, for example, it’s not getting too cold during the winter. Or, as you’re driving to your getaway home, you can make sure it’s properly heated or cooled when you arrive.

Remember: Ductless systems do have a higher installation cost than traditional ones. That means you’ll want to have a regular maintenance schedule to keep your system running at peak efficiency.

Want to learn more about the benefits of ductless air conditioning in Whittier, CA ? Contact the pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

3 Qualities to Look for in a New Air Conditioning Service

Mon, 07 May 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Every home is different, and the needs of yours may dictate which air conditioning service you contact. You wouldn’t want a given service to be too distant, for example, or not offer services for your specific type of air conditioner. That being said, there are still certain qualities you should look for that indicate a high quality of service and technicians that you can depend on. We’ve listed three of them below.

1. Affiliations

Most companies worth their salt merit good reviews from happy customers, and it’s not hard to find out which ones deliver their money’s worth simply by checking Yelp or similar sites for positive reviews. A quality air conditioning company, however, will offer something more: specifically affiliations from the companies that manufacture heating and air conditioning systems. Such companies give their blessing to local services when they feel that such services can properly address any issues with their products. It’s a sign that the air conditioning service knows exactly what it’s doing and can be counted on to diagnose and repair any problems with speed and accuracy.

2. Emergency Services

Air conditioners don’t always pick normal working hours to break down, and you can’t always wait around until a service can be called to schedule repairs. Even the nights can be hot in July and August, and without air conditioning, your home may soon resemble a sauna. It’s bad enough if you’re merely hoping to get a good night’s sleep, but it can be particularly difficult for people with health concerns, such as the very young or elderly.

That’s why any reliable service will offer emergency calls: 24 hours a day, seven days a week. They know that you can’t simply put your life on hold just because your air conditioning doesn’t work, and will go the extra mile to keep it functioning.

3. Up-Front Estimates

There are companies that want to build a successful business with loyal customers, and there are companies that would rather take advantage of people. A quality air conditioning service will always offer estimates up front, so you always know exactly what you’re going to pay before work begins. A less scrupulous service, on the other hand, will often “discover” some new problem midway through, and charge you a lot more than you were expecting to fix it.

If your Cerritos, CA air conditioning system needs a little work, or you’re just hoping to get it tuned up before the summer begins in earnest, call the friendly professionals at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. We provide air conditioning services for homes of all variety!

Service Your Heater Every Spring

Mon, 23 Apr 2018 15:00:00 GMT

That can lead some homeowners to neglect their heating system, which can come back to bite you in the fall when temperatures drop. We don’t have to deal with freezing weather the way they do back east, but our winter nights can get pretty chilly, and you need your heating system to provide reliable warmth and comfort for your family. Without periodic care, your furnace will likely run into trouble just when you need it the most: forcing you to make an expensive repair call on short notice.

It doesn’t have to be that way. A good maintenance session performed by a trained technician can not only help your heater perform at its best, but can actually reduce the chances of a repair call. Here’s how it works.

Checking for Problems

Servicing sessions essentially give the technician a chance to look the entire system over for signs of trouble, including running the heater for 15-20 minutes and examining it to see if anything’s wrong. In the event of a minor issue, such as clogged burners or a loose fitting, the technician can fix it as part of the servicing session.

If a more serious issue is spotted – something requiring a separate repair session to take care of – the technician can schedule it with you immediately. Assuming the proper equipment is on-hand (and in almost every case, it is), you can even schedule to repair session to take place immediately after the maintenance session is completed.

The Benefits

The benefits of a heating servicing session boil down to the following:

For heating servicing and heating repair in Torrance, CA , call the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Make Sure You Cover Heating Repairs in the Off Season

Mon, 09 Apr 2018 15:00:00 GMT

Ironically, repair calls tend to take place more often this time of the year than any other. Though short and mild, our winters can still take a toll on your heating system, and trouble usually arises after a few months of stress and strain have already taken their toll.

You should never try to formally diagnose a problem with your heating system. That requires specific training and licensing (many components in your average heating system can be dangerous if damaged or mishandled). But that doesn’t mean you can’t spot the simple fact that your heater isn’t running the way it should, and take steps to correct the issue by calling in a professional heater.

Common Signs

Luckily, there are a number of common symptoms that your heater is having problems that recur over multiple different issues. They often appear quite some time before the heater stops functioning, so you might have noticed then during the winter whenever you ran your heater. If you did – or you can spot them now, simply by turning your heater on and letting it run for 15-20 minutes.

Strictly speaking, anything that seems out of the ordinary is grounds for shutting the system down and calling for repairs. More specifically, look for any of the following signs:

For La Puente, CA heating repair services , call on the experts at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling!

How to Cut Your Air Conditioning Bills This Summer

Mon, 26 Mar 2018 15:00:00 GMT

To a certain extent, higher AC bills in the summer are inevitable. You’ll be running your system far longer than you do in the winter, after all. But just because you’re paying more for your air conditioning in the summer doesn’t mean you should pay more than is absolutely necessary. With a few weeks to go before the temperatures really start to ramp up, now is the time to take serious steps to cut your air conditioning bills. We’ve provided a few handy tips below.

Get Your System Serviced

A servicing session is like a tune-up for your air conditioner. The technician gives it a thorough look and checks it for problems both large and small. In the case of little problems — like loose bolts or clogged filters — the technician can fix them as part of the service. If the problems require a formal repair session to resolve, the technician can schedule it with you immediately.

Either way, the servicing session helps cut down on waste and help your air conditioner perform more efficiently. That means it won’t cost quite as much to run during the summer: lowering monthly bills and strain on individual components.

Try a Zone Control System

Zone control systems are essentially a series of valves and shutters installed at key points in your air conditioning ducts. They can be opened and closed independently of each other, allowing you to control the temperature in different sections of your home completely separate from each other. Besides letting individual family members set the temperature in their rooms to suit their tastes, they let you turn off the cool air in parts of the home you aren’t using (such as bedrooms during the day) while still running it in parts of the home you are. That can cut down on your air conditioning bills a great deal without denying you the cool air you need to beat the heat.

Dehumidifiers Can Help

High humidity levels are not uncommon in the Southland in the summer, making your home feel like a swamp. Central air conditioners can serve as dehumidifiers by default, but they’re not set up for such duties, and the added strain can elevate your monthly bills considerably. A whole-house dehumidifier lets you set the humidity levels to whatever is most comfortable to you. More importantly, they can ease the strain on your air conditioning system: letting it do its job without struggling under the weight of excessive humidity.

If these sound like good options for your home, there’s a service to contact that can take care of everything for you. For air conditioner repair and other HVAC services in Diamond Bar, CA , call the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to make an appointment!

You Need AC Maintenance Before Summer Arrives

Mon, 12 Mar 2018 15:00:00 GMT

The good news is that we offer timely repair services and can fix a faulty air conditioner quickly if it runs into trouble. But we don’t like seeing loyal customers having to scramble in the face of an unexpected emergency, and firmly believe that an ounce of prevention beats a pound of cure. Before the heat returns in earnest, you should schedule a maintenance session for your air conditioner. It will pay dividends all summer long.

How Does Maintenance Work?

A maintenance session is much more generalized than a repair session (which is called to address a specific problem with your system). It’s intended to let the technician look for any issues that could grow larger and more troublesome if they aren’t properly addressed. For instance, if a bolt holding a specific component in place becomes loose, it can cause the component to rattle in its housings: increasing the wear on it and forcing the air conditioner to work harder to do its job. Tightening that bolt reduces that inefficiency while making it less likely that the affected component will break down.

Simple steps like that are part of the maintenance session, as are things like recharging refrigerant levels, changing dirty filters and lubricating moving parts. In the event something more serious is required, the technician can pinpoint the problem and set up a formal repair session to address it. In many cases, that can take place immediately after the maintenance session, provided that the proper tools and equipment are ready to go in the van. (In most cases they are.)

What Are The Benefits?

Maintenance sessions conducted at the beginning of every cooling season provide three basic benefits, which can pay huge dividends during our long hot summers.

If you haven’t scheduled a maintenance session for the AC in your Pomona, CA home , call on Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Furnace Repair Services Can’t Always Wait

Mon, 26 Feb 2018 16:00:00 GMT

This is invariably a mistake. The sooner one deals with a furnace problem, the better, and while we only have a few weeks of cool weather left in the season, getting an issue addressed by a professional quickly can save you a lot of money and heartache.

Signs of Trouble Appear Early

Some furnace problems manifest very quickly, such as an electrical issue that prevents the system from turning on. More often, however, a furnace issue will show a telltale sign of trouble — or even multiple sings — long before any actual breakdown appears. If you can spot those signs early, you can shut off the system and call for repairs. Such signs can involve anything that doesn’t correspond to the regular functions of your heating system, More specifically, it can include any of the following:

Sooner Is Better

Once you spot these signs, it’s best not to linger on them. Shut off the system and call in a repair technician . If possible, refrain from using the system until it’s looked at (though you shouldn’t compromise your health and safety). Getting repairs done sooner usually costs less, since the damage hasn’t had as much time to spread, and while spring weather arrives sooner every year, we still have a few more cold nights ahead of us where a functioning heater is a good idea.

For quality furnace repairs throughout Pasadena, CA , call on Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

What to Look for in an HVAC Company

Mon, 12 Feb 2018 16:00:00 GMT

Nonetheless, problems still crop up in our heating and air conditioning system from time to time, and when they do, you need a quality service to effect repairs. This is no less true for your heating system in the winter than it is for your air conditioning system in the summer.

There’s no shortage of HVAC services in the area, and most of them can do at least a halfway decent job of addressing your issue. But you need services that don’t just do an adequate job: you need a service that will fix the problem the right way for an affordable price, and which you won’t have to keep calling for the same problem a few weeks or months down the line.

At the end of the day, you know what’s best for your home, and you can decide which HVAC service works best for you. But there are some things you can look for with every company that can help you separate the quality services from the ones that are just all right. We’ve listed a few of the more important ones below

Emergency Services

An emergency call for your heating and air conditioning system is less likely during this time of year, when most homes can just sit tight when their heater goes down and wait until regular business hours. But in the summer, when temperatures soar well above triple digits on a daily basis, a breakdown in your HVAC system can be catastrophic. You need a service that understands how important a functioning system is, and will respond 24 hours a day, 7 days a week when you need repair or replacement services.

Affiliations

Customer reviews are decent indicators of the quality of service a given HVAC repair company can offer, and good word of mouth is an excellent way to establish a strong reputation. But high-end companies also gain the endorsement of the companies whose systems they work on. HVAC corporations like Lennox, Mitsubishi and Rheem depend on local services to fix their systems when trouble arises, which means that those services are responsible for maintaining their good name. Look for a service that offers the endorsement of such companies. It’s a sign you’re in good hands.

A Variety of Services

No matter what kind of system you own, you need the technician to treat your specific problem. Not apply a one-size-fits-all technique and hope for the best. One good way to determine this is to look for a variety of services and systems the company works on. That can include alternative forms of heating and air conditioning such as heat pumps and ductless systems, as well as ancillary products like indoor air quality devices. That means a depth of experience and skill that can be brought to your unique issue.

For HVAC services throughout Torrance, CA , call on Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Winter Is an Excellent Time to Schedule Air Conditioning Repair Services

Mon, 29 Jan 2018 16:00:00 GMT

We still use heating systems to keep warm, but homeowners tend to focus much more on air conditioning. There’s little need for your AC at the moment, but that could change at any time – unexpected heat waves are hardly uncommon – and soon enough, you’ll be called upon to run it on a daily basis just to keep your home comfortable.

If there’s a problem with your system, now is a great time to contact a technician and get it repaired. This is one of the few times of the year that your air conditioner isn’t going to see much use, which might not be the case in as short as a few weeks.

Comparatively few repair issues start with the unexpected shutdown of the system. Indeed, such issues are easier to resolve than others because at least the shutdown alerts you to the fact that there’s a problem. Many other issues are quite subtle, however, and if you don’t know what to look for, you might be letting a problem grow worse and worse until the damage is extensive.

Is Your System Acting Strangely?

Most problems with your air conditioning system will begin advertising well before the damage is severe. And because we run our air conditioners so often in this part of the world, you’ll likely notice if your system doesn’t respond the way it normally does. Any abnormality, no matter how trivial, is grounds for shutting the system off and calling for a repair technician.

If you’re concerned about problems, but are uncertain, turn your system on and let it run for 15-20 minutes, looking for signs of trouble. Such signs can include, but are not limited to, the following:

For air conditioning repairs and service in Whittier, CA call on the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

3 Signs You Need an HVAC Service

Mon, 15 Jan 2018 16:00:00 GMT

All of that means we don’t always pay as much attention to our heating systems the way we do our air conditioners (which see far more use than our heating systems as a matter of course). And when trouble arises, it can be difficult to notice until a breakdown occurs.

It doesn’t have to be that way. In most cases, HVAC systems show signs of trouble before a breakdown occurs. If you can spot them, you can shut the system down and call in a repair service before it becomes an emergency. That saves you time and money, as well as getting the HVAC system up and running again before you need it on the next chilly night.

While you should never attempt to diagnose a heating problem yourself – that takes proper training and licensing, since heaters involve potentially dangerous components like gas and ignition switches – you can learn to spot the signs that something is wrong. Several common symptoms occur across multiple different problems, and you don’t need to know what the problem is to take notice and call in a professional.

Generally speaking, anything that you fail to recognize as part of your system’s normal functions should be cause for concern. More specifically, here are three common signs of trouble that you should look for. If you spot them, turn off your HVAC system before calling for repairs.

1. Strange Noises

An odd noise is the easiest and most obvious symptom to spot in most cases. Your ears have likely been trained to recognize the sounds of your heater when it runs normally. Any change in those noises should be viewed with concern: hums, moans, rattles, clanks and the like. In most cases, they will be centered in the HVAC system itself, though they can echo through the ducts sometimes (and may actually be centered in the ducts themselves, as in the case of a breach). In almost every instance, they will start and stop in time with the starting and the stopping of the system.

2. Low Air Flow

Low air flow can be spotted by feeling the flow of air from your vents and noting when it lowers. A simple means of doing that is to tie a length of ribbon to your vents, then observing if it doesn’t flutter as fiercely as it normally does. Low air flow is caused either by a blockage in the ducts or a problem with the fan apparatus. It’s a problem because it forces your heater to work harder, as well as leaving hot air trapped in the system.

3. Low Heat Levels

Dirty burners, breaches in the ducts, and similar issues can result in air that doesn’t feel as warm as it should. As with low airflow, it adds stress and strain to your HVAC system: resulting in higher bills and an increased risk of repair.

For heating repair services in the City of Industry, CA , call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

Furnace Repair Shouldn’t Fill in for Furnace Replacement

Mon, 01 Jan 2018 16:00:00 GMT

At the end of the day, only you the homeowner can make that call. Every furnace is unique and you likely have a better sense of when it’s on its last legs than any service technician. But there are some clear goalposts that can help you make an informed decision, and by following them, you can make sure you spend your money the right way when it comes to a defective furnace.

Start with the Warranty

Serious talk about replacing your furnace shouldn’t normally arise until after the warranty has expired. The warranty covers the cost of all of the original parts for the furnace if they should fail. That, in turn, cuts down on any attendant repair costs, since you’re only paying for the cost of labor and maybe a few ancillary components like bolts and screws. As long as the warranty is still in effect, repairs should be the go-to option over replacing the whole system.

Even after the warranty has expired, repairs may still be the best option. That too, depends on cost, and as long as the repairs aren’t worth more than the system is worth, then they should still be your choice. Only when costs get too high and the warranty has expired should you replace your system.

When Are Costs Too High?

Assuming the warranty has expired and your system is having trouble, you need to ask yourself whether the costs involved are worth sinking into an older system, or whether that money might be better spent investing in a new system. The specifics usually boil down to one of two issues.

For heating repair and replacement services throughout Pasadena, CA , call on Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Now Is the Time for Air Conditioning Replacement

Mon, 18 Dec 2017 16:00:00 GMT

The good news is that the weather is finally beginning to cool off, and if your AC needs replacing, now is the optimum time to do so. It gives you months of comparatively cool weather to plan for an AC replacement session, allowing you to set a schedule that matches your busy life. But how can you determine if your air conditioner is ready for replacement? Here are a few tips to help you out.

Has the Warranty Expired?

The first and most important question to ask yourself is the state of the warranty. Most air conditioning systems have a warranty that lasts for about 8-12 years, which covers the cost of replacing any of the original parts that came with the system. That means in most cases that you’ll only have to pay for the cost of labor and maybe a few incidental parts such as bolts and screws. As long as the warranty remains in effect, it’s almost always a good idea to repair your system instead of replacing it.

Even when the warranty has expired, it can often be more effective to schedule repairs instead of installing a new AC. This is one of the reasons why it pays to schedule regular maintenance sessions throughout the air conditioner’s life: to cut down on wear and tear and make sure that repair calls later in the system’s life are reasonable. Only when you combine an expired warranty with high costs should replacement become an option.

How High are The Costs?

Once the warranty has expired, you need to keep a closer eye on the costs involved in repairing – or even just running – your AC. That usually boils down to some variation of the following three factors:

For quality air conditioning replacement services in Whittier, CA , call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

When Do You Need a New Furnace?

Mon, 04 Dec 2017 16:00:00 GMT

But how can you know when you need a new furnace? When is it appropriate to get rid of an old unit, and when can repairs and a little TLC get it safely through another winter? In the end, only you can make that decision, but the issue comes down to one of cost. If it’s more cost effective to keep an older unit running through the winter, then you should do so. If, on the other hand, your current system costs more than you feel it’s worth to continue running, then it’s probably time for a new one. There are two basic factors contributing to that decision. In most cases, both of them should be in play to consider replacing the system.

The Warranty

The state of the warranty is the first big factor you should consider. As long as it is still in effect, you should likely continue with your existing furnace instead of replacing it with a new one. The warranty covers all of the original parts of your furnace, which means that if one of them break down, the costs of repairing it will be significantly reduced. You need only pay for the cost of labor, and perhaps a few minor components like bolts or screws.

When the warranty has expired, it’s time to take a close look at the costs involved in keeping your old heater. If it’s still functioning effectively and repairs aren’t that expensive, you should continue with it. Only when the warranty has expired and costs are getting too high should you seriously consider replacement.

High Costs

In many cases, the costs get too high when a repair is involved . This can mean a single repair that runs higher than you feel the system is worth, or it can mean a number of smaller repairs that take place in a short amount of time. Generally speaking, if your system needs more than two repairs in a single twelve-month period, it’s time to think about replacing it.

In addition, you also need to factor monthly costs into your equation. Good maintenance can help keep an older system running smoothly, but age always takes its toll and that means it’s going to cost more and more in order to keep your system running every month. Eventually, costs may get so high that you should replace your system for a more effective one: giving your monthly budget a break in the process.

For quality furnace replacement in Pasadena, CA , call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling.

We Provide HVAC Contractor Services

Mon, 06 Nov 2017 16:00:00 GMT

Reliable HVAC service starts with a reliable HVAC system, and there’s no more important time in the system’s life than when it first gets installed. That requires specific HVAC contractor services, which can be more complex than other types of HVAC service. The benefits of hiring the right team are tremendous, however.

Contractors Need to Be Prepared

Contracting work begins early on, with the planning stages of the building. It means more than just agreeing to take the job. Every building is unique, and as such the heating and cooling needs are unique as well. Restaurants, for example, likely need cold storage, which office buildings with many stories will need greater cooling power for upper stories, since hot air rises. even worse, tenants might change over the course of the building’s life and the HVAC system may need to be adjustable in size and power output in order to meet those needs.

All of that can be discussed and disseminated in the planning stage of the operation. That way, the building’s needs can be discussed — in the long term as well as the short — and the correct system for the space can be decided on well before work begins. It also ensures that your HVAC contractors are in sync with the other members of your team, and that different components in the new building — such as the plumbing or electrical system — can be installed without different teams inadvertently working at cross-purposes.

Unexpected Problems are No Problem

That’s one big part of an HVAC contractor’s job . The other one comes in the midst of the construction itself. It starts by ensuring that the system is put in the right way: using quality components such as high-e3nd bolts and double-checking every step to make sure there’s nothing work. That will help the system work the way it should the first day the building is occupied, as well as cutting down on wear and tear and ensuring that everything works as intended.

But it goes beyond that. Few construction projects ever reach completion without encountering unexpected problems. Bad weather, missed shipments, all manner of surprising developments: the only thing you can count on is having to deal with something you couldn’t have seen coming.

When that happens, it’s all the more important that your HVAC contractor be on site and ready to go. They can help you factor in the impact that any delays or trouble on the system, as well as finding immediate solutions to the problem and implementing them quickly. Such attention to detail means that the project reaches completion on schedule and that you can get around any issues you and your team may encounter.

For quality HVAC contractors in the Long Beach, CA area , call on the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Commercial AC Repair Services Are Available

Mon, 23 Oct 2017 15:00:00 GMT

The good news is that commercial AC services are available and we can handle any issues your commercial space may need. It’s important to utilize a service with experience handling specific commercial AC systems. Why? Simply put, because commercial air conditioners are much different than residential systems.

Different Needs

First and foremost, commercial air conditioners needed to cool a larger space than residential systems in most cases. But that’s just the start of the differences. For example, hot air tends to rise, which means that the upper stories of a given office building are much warmer than the lower stories. Since most residences aren’t higher than three stories at the most, the cooling specifics become much more complex.

On top of that, many commercial properties house multiple tenants, each of whom may require very different cooling needs. And many businesses need air conditioners to provide more than just comfortable conditions. Key components like computers need to stay cool regardless of the conditions outside, and if you’re storing product on site, it needs to stay cool as well.

What You Need in a Commercial HVAC Company

A good commercial service company starts with a company that understands the specifics of your system. That allows the technician to identify the problem quickly and conduct repairs the right way. But it goes beyond that.

The friendly professionals at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling offer quality commercial AC repair service throughout the Pasadena, CA area . Contact us today to make an appointment.

Frost on Your Coils Needs an AC Repair Call

Mon, 09 Oct 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Why Is It a Problem?

The evaporator coils are the centerpiece of the air conditioning system: the part that actually cools the air. Liquid refrigerant enters the coils under a great deal of pressure. There, it expands into a gas — which it achieves by pulling heat from the air around the coils. The cool air can then be blown into the home with a fan.

But when ice or frost forms on the coils, it forms a barrier between the refrigerant and the air it’s trying to cool. As a result, the air conditioner has to work harder to do its job, which raises both the cost of running the system and the strain on other components. Even worse, it usually leads to more ice forming on the coils, which only makes the issue worse. Eventually, it will cause a breakdown, though its efficiency will often drop precipitously until then.

What Causes It?

Frost on the air conditioning coils can be caused by a number of factors, including but not limited to the following:

Why Not Just Scrape It Off?

Scraping the ice off may sound like a good idea, but in fact, it might be the worst thing you can do to address the problem. In the first place, it won’t actually solve the problem. The ice will just reform soon thereafter. Furthermore, there’s a very good chance that you could damage the coils in the process. Cleaning a dirty filter or sealing a refrigerant leak is a moderately inexpensive process, but replacing the coil adds a tremendous amount of cost and effort to the job. If you spot frost on the coils, turn the system off and call in a repair service immediately.

For AC repair services in Glendale, CA , call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Should You Repair or Replace an Older HVAC System?

Mon, 25 Sep 2017 15:00:00 GMT

That makes this an excellent time to give your heating and air conditioning system a thorough going-over, and deciding whether or not to replace it. If it’s running fine, the answer is probably “no.” But if there’s a problem requiring repairs, you’ll need to make a hard choice: do you pay for the repair job or replace the system entirely? Only you can answer that question, since it depends on the specifics of your HVAC system. There are a few guidelines which you can follow to help make that decision.

Is the Warranty Still in Effect?

Every heater and air conditioner comes with a warranty, lasting a set number of years, which covers the cost of replacement for any of the original parts that come with the system. As long as the warranty is still in effect, any service call should likely involve repairs instead of replacement, since you’ll only have to pay the cost of labor and perhaps a few incidental components such as bolts or fittings.

Even if the warranty has expired, repairs still might be preferable , especially if the repair is comparatively mild or the replacement part doesn’t cost very much. Only when the warranty has expired and the cost of the system is more than the system is worth should you consider replacing the system instead of repairing it.

How Expensive Will the Repairs Be?

When we talk about the cost of repairs, we’re usually referring to a single repair job. If it’s more expensive than you feel the HVAC system is worth, you might want to invest that money in a new system instead of putting it in an old one that may only last another year or two.

But the same principle applies to smaller repairs that begin to add up. If you’ve scheduled more than two repairs in the last twelve months – and again, the warranty has expired – you may want to replace the system before you sink more money into it, even if the repair job at hand doesn’t cost a whole lot.

Indeed, you might not even require repairs to decide that the system is costing too much to continue operating. As HVAC systems grow older, they lose efficiency, and while you can curtail that to a certain extent by scheduling regular maintenance, sooner or later age will take its toll. That means that monthly costs will creep up until your budget cries uncle. Replacing the system will cut down on those costs and give your wallet a break every month.

For the best AC repair and replacement service in Long Beach, CA , call the pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

How to Tell if You Need Air Conditioning Repair

Mon, 11 Sep 2017 15:00:00 GMT

With weeks to go until the weather cools and any problem simply getting worse the more you run the air conditioner, you need to get any problem treated by a professional technician immediately.

Let the Professionals Diagnose, but Watch for Signs

And we do mean professional. Do-it-yourselfers should never attempt to diagnose or repair an air conditioner themselves. They contain potentially dangerous components like refrigerant which require proper training and licensing to handle correctly, to say nothing of the delicate components inside the air conditioner itself, which can’t be fixed without a thorough understanding of how it all works.

That said, you don’t need to be an expert to spot the signs that something is wrong. Air conditioners rarely break down without giving some kind of warning sign first, and if you can notice those signs, you’ll be able to act on it before it results in a breakdown. The sooner you act, the better, since the damage usually gets worse the longer you wait to act on it.

Types of Signs to Look for

Signs will vary according to your type of air conditioner and the exact nature of the problem. The good news is that many common symptoms recur no matter what the problem is, and anyone can spot them simply by paying attention. As a general rule, anything that doesn’t correspond to the normal behavior of your air conditioner should be cause for concern. More specifically, look for the following issues:

If you need air conditioning repair in your Glendale, CA home , turn it off immediately and call in the professionals at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

AC Repair Calls Can Come Day or Night

Mon, 28 Aug 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Moreover, such breakdowns don’t always occur during normal office hours. When they happen in the middle of the night or over the weekend, you may need an emergency repair call to take care of it. That means finding an air conditioning repair service that makes emergency calls to move quickly regardless of the time of day. But it also means knowing when a given call is an emergency and when you can wait it out until a regularly scheduled appointment can be made.

Ultimately, only the homeowner can decide when an emergency call is warranted. However, there are some key questions you can ask to help make that decision: saving you money if you don’t need emergency service or emphasizing the immediate nature of the problem if you do.

Can You Go Without AC Until Regular Hours?

Evenings are usually quite cool, and if your air conditioner breaks down in the middle of the night, you may be able to keep comfortable simply by opening the windows of the home and running your fan. That might not be possible on the warmest nights, however, and it could be further compounded by your immediate needs (such as the need to get a good night’s sleep in comfort before a big day at work or the like).

That may get even worse if the breakdown takes place on a weekend, with days to go until regular business hours. In those cases, an emergency call may be necessary just to avoid having to suffer for that long.

Are There Sensitive Members of Your Family?

Family sensitivity to high heat can make a big difference in whether you need an emergency service or not. Infants and the elderly, for instance, are more vulnerable to excessive heat, which could create a health risk if they go without air conditioning for extended periods of time. Again, this can be compounded by the nature of your home as well. A home which stays naturally cool or can be cooled by opening the windows may not present an active health hazard the way a more confined home might. If it doesn’t, then you may want to consider an emergency repair session.

Is The Damage Localized?

You should never attempt to diagnose or repair a faulty air conditioner yourself – it requires proper licensing and training to do so safely. Nor should you attempt to run an air conditioner exhibiting signs of damage: you’ll likely only make the damage worse and increase the cost of repairs. But in some cases, the damage may be localized, particularly in the case of ductless air conditioners which uses multiple smaller units instead of one big one. If this is the case, you can probably turn off power to the affected section can wait for regular hours.

For emergency AC repair in Pasadena, CA , call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

How to Tell If You Should Replace an Older Air Conditioner

Mon, 14 Aug 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Frankly, there is no single answer. Every system is unique and only the homeowner can make the final determination as to when replacement makes a better option than repair. There are, however, a few telltale signs that you can apply to help make your decision. The more you understand them, but easier it is to make the right call. The issue boils down to two basic factors:

1: The Warranty

Every air conditioner comes with a warranty covering the cost of its original parts for a set period of time (usually 8-12 years, but the exact length may vary). As long as the warranty is still in effect and the component in question is an original part, you’re probably better off repairing the problem instead of replacing the whole system. Even if the warranty has expired, you should still engage in repairs if the cost isn’t too high. Which brings us to the second factor involve in this decision:

2: The Cost

Repair costs need to be evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and if the warranty has expired, repairs are apt to be more expensive than they might be before it expired. If a single repair costs more than you think the system is worth, you’re likely better off spending that money on a replacement system instead.

But it needn’t be just a single repair call either. Generally speaking, if you’ve had to call for repairs more than twice in a single twelve-month period, it’s usually a sign that the air conditioner is on its last legs and needs to be replaced. Similarly, the monthly cost of running the air conditioner enters into the equation as well. Older air conditioners are less efficient than newer ones and therefore cost more to run from month to month. That can add up to quite a bit in August, and here in Southern California, high temperatures can last well into October sometimes. If your monthly budget is screaming for mercy and you’ve been considering a replacement for an inefficient unit, installing a new system now will let you take advantage of improved efficiency and cut down on your home’s operating costs for the rest of the summer.

For quality air conditioning replacement and repair services in Whittier, CA , call the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Look into Zone Control Systems

Mon, 31 Jul 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Any steps you can take to cut down on the costs involved without skimping on the cool temperatures you need should be pursued. For most of us, that means little steps like setting the thermostat a little higher than we normally would and dressing in lightweight clothes around the home.

But if you’re interested in a more formal approach to the issue, your friendly technician can help. More specifically, we recommend zone control systems for larger homes that use centralized air. They entail a start-up costs, but over time, the benefits they provide can more than make up the difference for that initial investment. Here’s a quick breakdown on how it works.

Room by Room

Your duct system branches out from the central heating and air conditioning system into the various sections of your home. Zone controls set up a series of shutters at key points in the ducts, dividing your home into section. Each shutter can be opened and closed independently of the others, allowing you to adjust the temperature in different sections individually instead of the whole house all at once (which is the case with most centralized systems).

How Does That Help?

Zone control systems provide two main benefits, both of which are extensions of the same basic concept.

On a basic level, the ability to tailor different temperatures to different rooms makes it easier to keep everyone in the home comfortable. Say, for example, that you’re cooking dinner over a hot stove, while another family member is watching TV in the living room. You’d like to turn up the air to compensate for the heat of the stove, but that would leave the other family member freezing. Zone controls let both of you set the temperature you want without either of you having to skimp, thus avoiding family squabbles over the thermostat

If you extend that premise, however, the real advantage to zone control becomes apparent. You can simply turn off the air in parts of the home you aren’t using – such as bedrooms, for instance, which rarely see use in the heat of the day – while keeping it running in parts of the home you are – such as the kitchen or the living room – you can cut down on your monthly cooling bills considerably. It also reduces wear and tear on the system, which lowers the risk of a breakdown, and when applied over time, it can even extend the life of your system well beyond the expiration of the warranty.

Here in Whittier, CA, zone control systems can be installed, maintained and repaired by the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. If you think such a system makes a good fit for your home, give us a call today to set up an appointment!

How to Save Money on AC Costs This Summer

Mon, 17 Jul 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Naturally, that entails higher energy bills during the summer months, since you’re running your air conditioner far more often than you did in the winter or spring. However, that can sometimes hide the fact that you’re paying more than you should. There are ways to cut down on the costs of running an air conditioner this summer without skimping on the cool, comfortable air your home needs to be happy and healthy.

Basic Steps

You can do a number of things to help cut down on the cost of air conditioning without making any major changes to your existing system. Indeed, you might be taking some of these steps already to keep those bills from eating you alive. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

Upgrades

If you want to take further steps to cut down on your air conditioning bills this summer, a trained technician might be able to help. A number of additions and upgrades can be made to your existing air conditioner to improve its performance, especially during the summer. Some options include:

For quality air conditioning repairs and upgrades in Whittier, CA, call the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

Maintenance for Your AC Saves You Money

Mon, 03 Jul 2017 15:00:00 GMT

More repair calls on your air conditioner are intended to address a specific problem that’s preventing your system from functioning. Or they might be replacement sessions designed to remove an air conditioner that no longer works and install a new system in its place. Maintenance sessions are neither of those things. Instead, they act in a manner similar to a tune-up for your automobile. The technician gives your system a thorough once-over, looking for signs of any issues that could morph into serious problems in the next few weeks or months. In addition, they deal with any little problems that don’t merit a repair call on their own, but could be damaging to the system: things like moving parts that lack lubricant, nuts or bolts

That can provide three specific benefits to your system, though the exact results will vary from air conditioner to air conditioner.

1. Monthly Savings

By fixing all those little issues, a maintenance session helps eliminate inefficiency from the air conditioner. You thus won’t have to pay as much for equivalent use, provided you run your air conditioner about the same amount of time that you did before the maintenance session. This is one of the reasons why we recommend maintenance sessions in the spring or as early as possible in the summer. It can save you a great deal of money, especially if you do so before the high temperatures start.

2. Early Repairs Are Better

In almost every case, getting a handle on a potential repair issue is best done sooner rather than later. In the first place, it prevents mad scrambles in the face of unexpected breakdowns: especially in the middle of summer when temperatures hit 100 degrees. Spotting the issue early means getting on top of it at a time that matches your lifestyle, without having to rearrange anything else in your life.

Furthermore, early repairs are almost always less expensive than those that take place after a breakdown. The damage hasn’t had as much time to spread, and often involves fewer components, which gives your wallet a big break.

3. It Helps The Air Conditioner Last

Individual maintenance sessions do a great deal for your system. But when applied regularly over time, they can help extend the lifespan of your air conditioner. They reduce the impact of wear and tear, which in turn reduces the chances of future breakdowns as well as granting your air conditioner a longevity that can add months or even years to its life. That means getting the most value out of a significant investment in your household comfort.

If you haven’t scheduled a maintenance session in your Whittier, CA home yet this year, then give the friendly professionals at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling a call today!

UV Air Purifiers Make for a Healthier Home

Mon, 19 Jun 2017 15:00:00 GMT

You can treat the issue with filters, which come standard issue for most air conditioners, and which should be periodically replaced with new versions from the hardware store. But they can’t eliminate germs and biological contaminants in a way that makes for a truly healthy home. A UV air purifier installed in your system makes a great alternative model, and can make your family much less prone to illnesses this summer. How? Read on for the answers.

Ultraviolet Light: A So Cal Tradition

If you’ve ever been to the beach and felt your skin tan or burn, you’ve felt the effects of UV light. It lies beyond our ability to see, but So Cal sunlight carries it in copious amounts. UV lightbulbs carry much lower amount of it, and are used at rock concerts and amusement parks to create wild effects. If you’ve ever been on Space Mountain at Disneyland and marveled at how your white clothes glow in the dark, you’re watching UV light in action. (It’s interacting with the chemicals found in most brands of laundry detergent.)

At that level, it’s quite harmless to humans and other multicellular organisms like dogs, cats, and even goldfish. For tiny one-celled organisms like germs and bacteria, however, it’s a much different story. Exposure to UV light will either kill them instantly or render them incapable of reproducing. It’s not hard to see how that ability can help keep your home clean and healthy.

At the Apex of Your Ducts

Certainly, one can’t simply cover the house in UV lights to get rid of germs. But your central air conditioner makes effective use of UV lights much easier. When you run your AC, the air cycles through the system, passing through the apex of your ducts before being distributed through your home. A UV air purifier shins UV light in a sheet across the width of the ducts, forcing the air through it. In the process, it sterilizes all the germs and bacteria in the air: gradually scrubbing the air clean in the process. It’s an effective system in large part because it works every time you turn on your AC: ensuring that new germs brought in from outside get treated the same way existing germs are. Over time, you’ll see big differences in your family’s health, as well as a fresher cleaner feeling in your home overall.

If you think a UV air purifier would be a good fit for your Whittier, CA home, now is the time to schedule an installation. Call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today to make an appointment!

Power Levels Are Important with a New AC

Mon, 05 Jun 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Once you’ve made the decision to replace your older air conditioner , the first thing you must determine is the new system’s power levels. This can be a trickier equation than you may think, but it’s vital to have a properly sized unit. If you don’t, it can end up costing you in a number of different ways.

“I Want the Most Powerful One, Right?”

Most people assume that they should purchase the most powerful system they can afford. After all, don’t you want the air conditioner to cool the home as quickly as possible? In point of fact, you won’t. While the air conditioner needs a certain power level – an underpowered unit simply won’t cool the home – an overpowered unit will cause no end of troubles. Air conditioners use much more energy starting up and shutting down than they do just running. Ideally, you want yours to run at least 15 minutes at a time to make the most effective use of the energy consumed.

If it’s overpowered, the system will engage in short-cycling: cooling the home rapidly and turning off, only to turn on again a short time later as our blazing summer heat warms the home up again. As you can imagine, the process of short cycling is very hard on your system. Not only will it cost you a great deal in wasted energy, but the added strain on the system means that you run a much higher risk of a breakdown earlier than you should. If not addressed, the issue could severely shorten the overall life of your new air conditioner.

The Goldilocks Rule

The best air conditioner for your home follows what we like to call the Goldilocks Rule: neither too small nor too large but just right. That involves a careful examination of your home and some technical calculations made in order to arrive at a final number. It starts with square footage – and your existing air conditioner’s six can provide a good baseline as well – but that’s not the only factor entailed. For example, homes with a lot of insulation in the walls will retain cool air more readily, and thus require a less powerful air conditioner than one without. Similarly, a home with wide picture windows – especially facing the west, where the sun can shine in during the hottest portion of the day – will require a larger system to off-set the added heat.

For high-quality air conditioning sizing and replacement services in the Whittier, CA area and throughout Southern California, call the friendly pros at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today! Formally, our company name is Greenleaf Heating & Cooling, but we’re also known as Greenleaf AC !

The Benefits of Ductless AC Systems

Mon, 22 May 2017 15:00:00 GMT

For those homes, the options can include ductless HVAC systems , which we highly recommend as a means of comprehensive heating and air without having to depend on a system of ducts. How do they work and what kind of benefits do they provide? We’ve provided a brief outline below.

How Does The System Work?

As you may have suspected, ductless systems don’t rely on ducts to carry the conditioned air through the home. Instead, they set up multiple smaller air conditioning units at key points throughout your home. Each unit needs to cool just one section of the home, and each one can have its temperature adjusted individually: separate from the rest of the home.

Why Is That Preferable to Centralized Air?

In some circumstances, centralized air is preferable to a ductless system, especially for smaller homes or those that already have an existing series of ducts. Ductless systems tend to cost more to install, since multiple units need to be put into place. For the right home, however, there are more than enough benefits to offset the added cost and then some:

For quality ductless air conditioning installation, repair and maintenance throughout Whittier, CA, call Greenleaf AC today!

3 Great Upgrades for Your Air Conditioner

Mon, 08 May 2017 15:00:00 GMT

1. Zone Control Systems

Zone control systems divide your ducts into individual sections, and allow you to warm or cool each section individually, separate from the others. That provides a nice luxury in that different family members can set the temperature in their specific parts of the house to suit individual tastes. But by extending that principle, you’ll see the real benefit of the system” the ability to turn off the cool air in unused portions of the house while still running it in occupied sections. That cuts down on monthly bills considerably, and reduces wear and tear on the air conditioner to help it last longer than it might otherwise.

2. Dehumidifiers

Humidity can be a frustrating problem in the summertime, and while your air conditioner can help with the issue, it’s simply not set up to do so effectively. The problem comes when there’s too much ambient moisture in the air to let the sweat evaporate off of your skin. Since that’s our bodies’ natural way of keeping cool, it will elevate your internal temperature and make things feel hotter than they actually are. The best way to lower the humidity is to lower the temperature, which air conditioners can do. But the results increase the strain on them and they can only crudely perform the function at best. A whole-house dehumidifier provides precise control over humidity levels in your home while easing the strain on your air conditioner to boot.

3. Thermostats

Thermostats have the benefit of lasting a long time, and if you’ve had yours for more than a decade congratulations on getting such efficient use out of it. The one drawback to such longevity, unfortunately, is that it bypasses some exciting developments in the technology. With thermostats, that means newer “smart” models that can analyze both your cooling patterns and changing conditions in the immediate vicinity of your home, and making little adjustments to improve the system’s efficiency. The results can save you a surprising amount of money on your monthly bills, as well as reducing the stress on your air conditioner (and the risk of a breakdown). If you’ve had your thermostat for more than 10 years – even if it’s working fine – see about getting it replaced with a newer and more innovative model.

If these sound like good options for your Whittier, CA home, call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to discuss installation!

What Is Ductless Air Conditioning?

Mon, 24 Apr 2017 15:00:00 GMT

It works quite well, but some homes aren’t suited for it. If yours was built before the advent of air conditioning, for instance, it might not support the ducts required for centralized systems. There might be some architectural design that can’t support the ducts either, and some homes that possess centralized air might not be making effective use of it: leading to uneven heating and issues like cold spots.

Ductless systems provide an excellent solution to homes facing this dilemma. If you need a new system and centralized air just isn’t an option, look into a ductless system as an alternative. You may be surprised at the results.

How Do They Work?

Centralized systems work by generating the air in a single space. Ductless systems, on the other hand, adopt a decentralized format: installing multiple units throughout your home to cool different sections. Accordingly, you can raise or lower the temperature in each section individually. Dustless systems tend to cost more to install than centralized systems, since you need to place them in multiple locations, which is why they’re not as common as they might be. But the benefits they provide are considerable.

What Kind of Benefits?

The first and most obvious benefit to a ductless system comes in the title: there are not ducts for you to worry about. That gives your home comprehensive air conditioning without having to rely on rickety window boxes or ducts that your crawlspace simply can’t support.

Beyond that, however, ductless systems provide two distinct, and intertwined, benefits. Firstly, you can set different temperatures in different parts of the home: allowing family members to be comfortable even if they have wildly different ideas of what “comfortable” means. So you can work in the kitchen over a hot stove, for example, while another family member watches TV in the living room without either you boiling or the other family member freezing.

More importantly, ductless systems allow you to shut off the air in parts of the home you aren’t using – such as bedrooms or upper stories during the day, when they are not occupied – while still running the air in the living room or other parts of the home that are being used. It allows you to enjoy cool, comfortable temperatures during even the hottest days while cutting down on your overall air conditioning use considerably and saving tons of money in the process. This works especially well for larger homes, or for households whose children have grown and left the nest. It also works well for hospices, boarding homes, or any household with a large number of occupants.

For quality ductless air conditioning service in Whittier, CA, call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling today!

How Do Humidity Levels Affect Your Home?

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 15:00:00 GMT

High humidity leaves our homes feeling muggy and gross, while low humidity results in painful dry skin and similar problems. The good news is that you can use whole-house humidifiers and dehumidifiers to maintain agreeable humidity levels no matter what. Understanding how humidity levels affect you home is key to understanding how these products can benefit you.

How Humidity Works

We measure humidity in terms of relative humidity, gauged as a straight percentage. The higher the percentage, the most ambient moisture can be found in the air. 0% humidity means that there’s no moisture in the air at all (something that almost never happens save for a few isolated spots on the planet), while 100% humidity equals rain.

Our bodies are most comfortable when the relative humidity levels sit somewhere between 30% and 50%. If the humidity levels drop before that, it can leech moisture out of your skin and sinuses. That creates the dry itchy feeling on cold days, while drying out your sinuses leaves you more vulnerable to grams and illnesses. That comes in addition to unwanted features such as static electricity, which results in painful shocks when you touch the wall or metal objects.

An entirely different set of problems arise when the humidity levels rise above 50%. At those levels, there’s too much ambient moisture in the air to allow the sweat to evaporate off of your skin, which is our body’s primary means of keeping cool. That makes the air feel hotter than it actually is: forcing your air conditioner to work harder to keep the area comfortable. High humidity also fosters the growth of mold and bacteria, and can lead to a stale, stagnant atmosphere in your home as well.

Rely on Humidifiers and Dehumidifiers

You may be familiar with portable humidifiers and dehumidifiers, which can alter the humidity in a small section of your home. There are also whole-house models of both systems available, allowing you to control the humidity in your home no matter what the weather is like.

A whole-house humidifier is essentially a pad or a wick attached to a reservoir. A fan blows over the top of the pad to send moisture into your home, elevating the humidity levels until they are comfortable

Dehumidifiers, on the other hand, work in a manner similar to air conditioners, since lowering the temperature is an excellent way of removing humidity from the air. But since they’re built specifically to deal with moisture, you can tailor the humidity levels to match your specific tastes.

In both cases, they can lower the strain on your HVAC system, as well as improving the comfort levels throughout your entire home.

If either a humidifier or a dehumidifier sounds like a good fit for your Whittier, CA home, call on Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for installation and repair services.

How to Choose a New Air Conditioner

Mon, 27 Mar 2017 15:00:00 GMT

Start with Power Levels

Before any other aspect of your new air conditioner is determined, you need to determine the appropriate power levels for your home. You likely know that an underpowered air conditioner will cause no end of problems: running constantly, wasting energy and never getting the space as cool as you need it to. However, overpowered air conditioners can cause similar problems: something that often seems counterintuitive at first glance. “Don’t you WANT a more powerful system? Won’t it cool the house faster?” It will, but unfortunately, that’s not a good thing. Air conditioners use far more energy when they start up and shut down than they do simply running. If the system is too powerful, it will cool the home too quickly and shut down, only to start up again a few minutes later. The process is known as short-cycling and it can greatly increase both the cost of running the system and the wear and tear on individual components. Your technician can inspect your house for factors like square footage and insulation, then calculate a power load for your new air conditioner that fits it perfectly.

“Don’t you WANT a more powerful system? Won’t it cool the house faster?” It will, but unfortunately, that’s not a good thing. Air conditioners use far more energy when they start up and shut down than they do simply running. If the system is too powerful, it will cool the home too quickly and shut down, only to start up again a few minutes later. The process is known as short-cycling and it can greatly increase both the cost of running the system and the wear and tear on individual components. Your technician can inspect your house for factors like square footage and insulation, then calculate a power load for your new air conditioner that fits it perfectly.

Efficiency Matters

Once you know the required power load, you need to consider the efficiency of the system. (Efficiency needs to come second, not first, since a more efficient unit won’t help you if it’s underpowered or overpowered.) Air conditioners measure efficiency with a SEER rating, which stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the rating, the better use the system makes of the energy consumed. Look for systems with the highest SEER rating in your price range, not only to keep your monthly bills as low as possible, but to help ensure that your system lasts longer without suffering a breakdown.

Got Room for Upgrades?

In addition to the system itself, you may want to look into upgrades: bells and whistles that come on top of the system itself, and which can help improve efficiency or provided added benefits. They can include such things as a new “smart” thermostat, which can analyze your cooling patterns and make little adjustments to correct it; or zone control systems which divide your ducts into sections and let you heat or cool separate parts of your home independently. Your technician will have a list of options for you and can make recommendations based on your budget and on the individual needs of your house.

If you’re looking for a new air conditioner for your Whittier, CA home this spring, trust the professionals at Greenleaf Heating & Cooling to get the job done!

Check Your Air Conditioner for Signs of Trouble

Mon, 13 Mar 2017 15:00:00 GMT

If your air conditioner shows signs of trouble, now is the right time to deal with it: when the weather is still relatively cool and you can set up a repair session without triple digit temperatures turning your home into an oven. A formal diagnosis of any problem requires a trained technician, and layman should never attempt repairs on their own under any circumstances. (Proper licensing is required and the presence of dangerous components such as refrigerant means that formal training is an absolute necessity.) Having said that, most homeowners can spot the basic signs that something is wrong, and call in a repair service to get the issue looked at.

Generally speaking, anything out of the ordinary should be a cause for a concern. Most of us become accustomed to our air conditioner’s normal function, which makes it very easy to spot signs of trouble when they appear. More specifically, keep an eye out for these common signs, which recur over a wide variety of issues.

When you spot these symptoms, don’t attempt anything further. Instead, turn it off – even if it’s a warm day – and call in a repair service. Doing otherwise runs the risk of more damage and possibly turning a minor repair job into a major one.

Once the air conditioner is turned off, contact Greenleaf Heating & Cooling. We provide air conditioning repair services throughout the Whittier, CA area !

Welcome to Our New Website

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:00:00 GMT

www.imarketsolutions.com

Check Out Our Blog for the Latest in HVAC Technology

Fri, 03 Feb 2017 13:00:00 GMT

Be sure to bookmark the Greenleaf Heating & Cooling blog for updates on the latest advances in HVAC technology.

We’ll feature money saving promotions here as well.

Call Greenleaf Heating & Cooling for all your air conditioning, heating, indoor air quality, and commercial HVAC needs.