• Set the HRV to low most of the time. Low-speed operation is appropriate for most days in tightly sealed homes with average levels of indoor pollution.
• Use “intermittent exchange mode” when needed. This setting automatically turns the system on and off at specific intervals, thus consuming less electricity. You can use these heat recovery ventilator operational tips if pollution levels are low, if your home isn’t sealed too tightly, or if you’re away from home and want to save energy.
• Trigger high-speed operation when appropriate. Certain conditions call for a higher rate of pollution removal, such as while painting, using household chemicals, smoking or during a party. Consider leaving your heat recovery ventilator on high for the first year after your home is built to remove additional pollutants emitted by building materials during that time. This will help you breathe easier despite higher levels of pollution being generated within the walls of your home.
• Set the heat recovery ventilator to circulation mode when desired. This setting is useful if you want the air to circulate around your home without introducing outdoor air to the interior. Circulation prevents air from becoming stagnant, and the HRV continues to clean the air as it passes through the ventilator.
• Keep tabs on the maintenance light. If this light turns on, that means it’s time to change the air filter. The light may stay on, even after changing the filter, if the system requires additional servicing from an HVAC professional.

These heat recovery ventilator operational tips will help you make the most of your new HRV, but if you have further questions, feel free to contact the experts at Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290. We are proud to serve residents of South Bay, peninsula and Santa Cruz.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Customer Service image via Shutterstock

To determine your property’s eligibility for solar modules, follow these five steps:

1. Schedule an evaluation. A solar evaluation is a free, no-hassle visit from an experienced technician who inspects your property and determines whether solar is a good option for you.
2. Inspect the roof. There are two main qualities a technician looks for as they inspect your roof: size and orientation of your roof. Each solar module takes up 15 square feet. Obviously, the more modules you have, the more solar energy the system can generate. A southern exposure is best, though modules can be installed on stands that angle them more toward the sun if you only have eastern or western roof exposures. The roof should also be relatively free of shade from surrounding trees and structures.
3. Investigate building restrictions. If you are part of a homeowner’s association, or HOA, you may need to submit your plans for approval before you install your solar energy system.
4. Check that electrical wiring and utilities meet required specifications. Your contractor will make sure everything is in order and that your system will be in compliance with local electrical code requirements before the installation is completed.
5. Look into reward programs. You could have the ability to earn money for the electricity your solar energy system generates, making your investment even more worthwhile.

By utilizing these five tips, you will quickly determine your home’s potential for benefiting from a solar energy system installation.

Visit our website at Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290. We have proudly served the Santa Cruz area for the past 50 years.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Besides the comfort factor, there are other benefits to having an air conditioner tune-up.

1. Safety: An air conditioner tune-up will test and make sure the system is in good condition with no faulty connections and that the controls are operating correctly. Your family’s safety depends on the unit starting, operating and shutting off properly, whether you are at home or away.
2. Cost: Utility bills are often lower when an air conditioner has great fuel capacity, lower fuel consumption and reduced waste. Expensive breakdowns can also be avoided by an air conditioner tune-up.
3. Efficiency: An air conditioner tune-up will keep the unit running at its peak performance while improving and keeping the inside temperature of the home at a comfortable level.
4. Life: The life of your air conditioner is extended with an annual tune-up. Minor problems can be identified and repaired before permanent damage takes place. A properly maintained air system can have three to five years added to its life.
5. Warranty: Many manufacturers require that their system be properly maintained on a specified timetable supplied by the company, otherwise the warranty will be void. An air conditioner tune-up by an HVAC professional will allow you to meet those requirements and prevent costly repairs in the future.

Homeowners can also help in the maintenance of the HVAC system by keeping the vents clean and changing the filters on a regular basis.

Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical has been serving the peninsula, South Bay and Santa Cruz area since 1962. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290. We are here to answer your questions.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

1. Insulate your water heater tank with blanket or jacket insulation. Use insulation with an R-value of at least 24 (the higher the number, the better thermal resistance), and you’ll cut standby heat loss by up to 45 percent. For electric systems, cover the whole tank leaving a cutout only for the thermostat panel and pipes. For gas systems, be cautious not to obstruct the flue on top or the bottom combustion area.
2. Insulate the outlet pipe from the tank for at least three feet. This will actually increase the hot-water temperature 2 to 4 degrees, reduce standby heat loss and provide hot water faster. Choose a good quality insulation wrap from your local home improvement or hardware store.
3. Lower the thermostat to 120 degrees. Many manufacturer settings are well over 130 degrees. For every 2 degrees that the temperature is lowered, you’ll save about 1 percent energy costs, according to the federal Energy Savers program.
4. Flush sediment buildup out of the storage tank twice per year. Sediment buildup inside the storage tank reduces the heating function and shortens the lifespan of the tank. Turn off the power or gas, as well as the inlet water pipe. Attach a hose to the bottom valve. Extend the hose to a safe place for draining. Turn on the valve and flush the tank.
5. Install a timer to turn off the water heater during sleeping and working hours. Without a timer, your water heater tank is on all the time, constantly heating and re-heating water. Save energy with a simple timer.

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical provides service and installation for homeowners in South Bay, peninsula and the Santa Cruz areas. Visit our website for detailed information on water heater energy savings, and on many other HVAC topics, or give us a call at 408-294-6290.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Heat pumps

Refrigerant issues, air circulation and duct design were referenced by Energy Savers because those are the three major elements for efficient heat pump operation:

• Refrigerant: The compressor pumps refrigerant through the system between indoor and outdoor heat exchangers. The refrigerant flow direction determines whether it’s in heating or cooling mode, and that is dictated by the reversing valve. The refrigerant absorbs heat and releases heat inside the heat exchangers. When the heat exchangers are dirty or if the refrigerant is not charged within manufacturer specifications, the heat absorption and release isn’t efficient, resulting in higher utility costs.
• Air circulation: Two blowers pull air across the heat exchangers, inducing heat absorption and release. The fans must be calibrated for correct air circulation, and the heat exchangers should be wiped clean periodically. The indoor fan blows the conditioned air through the ductwork, thereby heating or cooling your home. The outdoor fan expels air outside the home. The housing for the outside unit must be clear of blockages and obstructions, such as weeds, tall grass, leaves and debris. Once a month, vacuum the air-supply registers inside your home, and check and change the air filter.
• Duct design: Efficient duct design is half the battle for efficient heating and cooling. Inspect your ductwork, or have a heating and cooling professional do it. Leaks, loose connections and rips should be sealed with mastic and fiberglass mesh. Insulate ducts in unconditioned areas with R-8 rated insulation.

The experts at Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical know all about heat pumps. We provide service and installation for homeowners in South Bay, peninsula and the Santa Cruz areas. Visit our website for detailed information on heat pump systems and on many other HVAC topics, or give us a call at 408-294-6290.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

1. Placement: Install ductwork in areas of your home that are already heated or cooled. Ductwork in unconditioned areas such as garages, unfinished rooms or exterior walls can lose a great deal of energy, which can result in uneven heating and cooling and system inefficiency.
2. Size and style: Ducts should not be too big or too small for your home comfort needs. Too-small ducts will not be able to carry enough heated or cooled air to keep your indoor spaces comfortable, while ducts that are too big will waste energy and drive up your utility bills. Use a common and efficient ductwork design such as radial, which places HVAC unit in the center with supply and return ducts radiating outward,  or trunk and branch, where large ducts extend outward from the HVAC unit and smaller supply and return ducts attached to the larger ducts.
3. Type: Use a hard-ducted system with actual ductwork segments throughout the network. Don’t rely on building cavities such as crawl spaces to carry conditioned air; this can result in considerable air and energy loss and poor levels of home comfort.
4. Location: Make sure supply duct registers are placed away from exhaust vents or fans in bathrooms, kitchens and elsewhere. If heated or cooled air is captured by exhaust systems and blown outside as soon as it exits the supply ducts, you will lose energy and money as conditioned air flows away unused.
5. Seal and insulate: Make sure the ductwork is sealed at all connections with mastic or metal tape to prevent leaks. The entire network should be insulated to prevent energy loss through the ducts themselves. Mechanical fastening of segments will increase duct efficiency.

The experts at Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical can help with planning ductwork design in your home. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290. We’ve been serving the South Bay, peninsula and Santa Cruz areas for more than 40 years.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Whole-house humidification or portable?

Home humidifiers are either portable humidifiers or whole-house humidification systems. Portable humidifiers (PHs) humidify a small area in your home, leaving the rest of the air in your home dry. Whole-house humidifiers (WHHs) add moisture to the air as it’s circulated through your ductwork, delivering perfectly humidified air to your entire home. Other differences between PHs and WHHs include:

• WHHs provide enough moisture to surfaces in your home to prevent the accumulation of too many stationary electrical charges, which cause those electric shocks. PHs may alleviate static shocks in a small area, perhaps, but they simply are not effective in constantly controlling this common problem.
• WHHs are easy maintenance. They’re attached to your furnace and plumbed directly to your home’s water supply. All you do is adjust it to your desired humidity setting, clean or replace the filter twice per year, and relax in comfort with no annoying shocks. PHs must be maintained daily, including settings and water refilling.
• WHHs help alleviate many respiratory issues, such as asthma and allergies, that dry air can exacerbate. PHs do not have this capability.
• With a WHH, you can turn down the thermostat a few degrees and save money on energy costs, because properly humidified air feels warmer than dry air. It would require a PH in every room in your home to deliver this kind of coverage. That’s a lot of water refilling and cleaning.

For residents in the South Bay, peninsula and Santa Cruz areas, find out more information by contacting Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

• Choose the right ceiling fan for your room. It’s crucial to keep in mind that ceiling fans are all about moving air. While a larger fan moves more air than a smaller fan, tailoring your purchase to your room’s size will provide you with the most energy savings.
• Know the room size before purchasing your ceiling fan. For rooms up to 225 square feet, choose a fan between 36 and 44 inches in diameter.
• For larger rooms, use ceiling fans that are 52 inches or more.
• With rooms longer than 18 feet, consider multiple fans.
• Large fans are typically effective at cooling up to 10 feet, while small and medium fans suffice in the 4- to 6-foot range.
• Larger blades allow your fan to cool at lower velocity, which is something to consider in a home office, where papers may be disturbed at higher velocities.
• Don’t skimp. Cheaper units run louder and require more maintenance.
• Properly install your ceiling fan. Ceiling fans should only be installed in rooms with ceilings that are 8 feet or higher with blades 7-9 feet from the floor. Make sure blades are 10-12 inches below ceiling, and never install your fan where blades are closer than 8 inches from the ceiling or 19 inches from the wall.
• Use your ceiling fan correctly. Keeping in mind how a ceiling fan works will help you save money.
• Fans create a wind chill effect that can be used with air conditioning or natural ventilation.
• If used with your air conditioning, ceiling fans allow you to set the thermostat up to four degrees higher, which results in energy savings.
• Fans cool people in rooms, not rooms themselves. Be sure to turn off fans when leaving the room.

For more information on how to choose a ceiling fan, or for any of your heating, cooling and electrical needs, contact Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical today. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

For business and legal reasons, many HVAC contractors will not install equipment that wasn’t purchased through them. When you purchase a furnace or air conditioner online, you may save a little on the price but wind up stuck with nobody to install it for you. It’s not a good idea to install a furnace or air conditioner on your own, nor is it recommended that you hire a handyman or other unlicensed amateur to do it for you.

Under the terms of most HVAC equipment warranties, professional installation is required for validation. Not only do you run the risk of damaging your equipment or having it run incorrectly if you install it on your own, but you also create the possibility of invalidating your warranty. That can come back to bite you in a big way if you experience problems, and you’re more likely to experience problems without professional installation.

Buying new HVAC equipment from local contractors ensures that you will be able to get expert service when you need it, from the people who initially installed your equipment. Your purchase will be protected by the manufacturer’s warranty, and you will enjoy the superior efficiency and reliable operation that result from professional installation.

We at Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical have been serving the South Bay peninsula and Santa Cruz area since 1962. Over the years, we’ve built a solid track record for customer satisfaction, and our expert technicians can perform a quick and professional installation that provides security and peace of mind.

Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

There are a few steps you can take to optimize air flow in your duct returns to keep balance and optimize your family’s privacy and comfort.

• Air flow can be affected by a ductwork design that is either too big or too small for your home, causing an imbalance in the flow of air. Sheet metal is used to fabricate the ductwork because its smooth surface causes less resistance to the air flow.
• Balance can be maintained by keeping your system airtight. Leaks can push reconditioned air outdoors and unconditioned air indoors, causing your system to work harder to maintain a comfortable climate in your home. Supply registers and return grilles placed correctly on interior walls, inside your home will further help to maintain a balanced system.
• Privacy and comfort can be enhanced by a properly designed and installed multiple-room return system.  This is the ideal system because it ensures air flow is returned from rooms even with the doors closed.  Pressure imbalances are reduced and the system is quiet, maximizing privacy and comfort.

Duct return design and installation is critical to making sure your system performs at the highest possible level.

For more information, contact the experts at Valley Heating, Cooling and Electrical today for heating and air conditioning service in South Bay, peninsula and Santa Cruz. Visit our website for in-depth information on most HVAC topics, or just give us a call at 408-294-6290.

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

Valley Heating, Cooling & Electrical services the South Bay Peninsula and Santa Cruz areas in California.  Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!