Heating in El Cajon CA: Do I Need a Backup Furnace for My Heat Pump?

February 25th, 2013

Heating your home should not put a major dent in your budget. That is why so many homeowners are taking advantage of the exceptional efficiency with which heat pumps operate. Whether you are looking to reduce your environmental impact or simply want to reduce the impact that heating your home has on your energy costs, call Cal-West Air Conditioning. A heat pump installation in El Cajon, CA may be just what you need to boost energy efficiency in your home. To get through the chilliest nights of the year you may want to consider a backup furnace for your heat pump.

Unlike traditional home heating systems, heat pumps do not consume a fuel in order to heat your home. They instead absorb preexisting heat from the environment surrounding them and transfer this heat into or out of your home to keep it comfortable. When temperatures dip too low, though, some homeowners may find that their heat pump struggles to maintain comfortable heat levels in their home. With the installation of a backup furnace you can eliminate this risk. Contact our team of El Cajon heating experts today for more information about backing up your heat pump.

With a backup furnace you can heat your home as efficiently as possible by using your heat pump. In the event that your heat pump experiences trouble overcoming cold temperatures, though, you can switch over to the reliable, consistent heating power of a furnace. Furnaces, while they do consume fuel, have gotten more and more efficient over the years. With a professional furnace installation you can get an extremely efficiently and reliable performance from your backup heating system without need to rely on it throughout the whole heating season.

We understand that all homeowners want to heat their homes as efficiently as they can. However, we want to help ensure that no comfort is sacrificed in doing so. Not all homes will benefit from a backup furnace for a heat pump. If your heat pump system struggles on the coldest nights of the year, though, it may be the right choice for your home. Contact Cal-West Air Conditioning today for more information about a backup furnace in El Cajon, CA.

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El Cajon CA Heating Tip: Comparing Different Heating Systems

February 18th, 2013

Cal-West Air Conditioning offers heating services in El Cajon, CA and throughout surrounding San Diego area. We offer comprehensive heating installation service to include helping you compare and select the right heating system for your needs. We install furnaces, heat pumps, and zone control systems designed to save energy and money on heating bills year after year. In this post, we’ve compared the different types of systems that we can install for you. This should help you get started if you are in the market for a new heating system.

Furnaces

A new high-efficiency gas or electric furnace is a great choice if you want a cost-effective heating solution. We can go over the efficiency ratings and help you decide whether or not this is the right choice for you. Choosing between a gas or electric furnace will depend on the fuel costs in your area and access to gas lines. If your home already has gas appliances, this might be a good option for you. Call us today if you like to learn more about getting a proper furnace installation.

Heat Pumps

Heat pumps can both heat and cool your home, and that’s why many homeowners in our area go with a heat pump for heating in the winter. When you have both systems in one, it makes it easier to maintain and repair. The heat pumps on the market today are highly efficient and have many attractive features.

Zone Control

Zone control systems can be installed in new homes, or we can retrofit an existing forced air system. These allow you to heat only certain areas or “zones” in the home rather than heating the entire home at once. We can also recommend which thermostats to install in each of the areas or rooms.

Call the El Cajon heating specialists at Cal-West any time if you have questions or would like to know more about the heating systems that we install. Contact Cal-West Air Conditioning today!

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El Cajon CA Heating Tip: Ways to Ensure That Your Heater is Efficient

February 11th, 2013

We all want to stay comfortable in our homes but we want to do it as efficiently as possible. With energy prices constantly on the rise, having an efficient heater is a priority for most homeowners. At Cal-West Air Conditioning, we provide complete heating services in El Cajon, CA. While Southern California is known for its hot weather, we know that there are a few months when you need a good heating system. We wanted to help our customers get efficient heating in El Cajon. That’s why we put together a quick list of some of the things that you can do to make sure your furnace, boiler or heat pump is working as efficiently as possible.

Efficient Heating in El Cajon

Here are a few good suggestions on how to get efficient heating in El Cajon, CA.

  • Heating maintenance– Getting your heating system regularly maintained by a professional El Cajon, CA heating contractor is probably the best way to improve the efficiency of your heating system. During regular maintenance visits your technician will thoroughly inspect and clean your heater. This will allow them to find any small problems that could be hurting the performance of your heater. By repairing those, your heating system should experience and improvement in efficiency.
  • Zone controls systems – Another great way to increase the efficiency of your heating system is with zone control systems. When you flip the switch for your furnace or heat pump it starts to heat up your entire home. But you could potentially reduce your energy consumption by only heating up the rooms that you’re using. Zone control systems allow you to target your heating on specific rooms or zones in your home.
  • Duct cleaning – With forced air systems like furnaces and heat pumps, all of the heated air has to travel through your ducts. If your ducts are old, dirty and clogged it could be restricting the flow of air through them. Also, if your ducts have leaks in them then much of that heated air could be seeping outside. Getting your ducts repaired and sealed in El Cajon is a great way to potentially improve the efficiency of your heating system.

For all your heating services, including heating repairs in El Cajon, call the heating experts at Cal-West Air Conditioning. Contact Cal-West Air Conditioning today!

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Carlsbad Heating Tip: Signs That it’s Time for a Heating System Tune-Up

February 4th, 2013

You do not need to be a professional heating technician to better understand your heater and its needs. All you need to do is acknowledge the warning signs that your heater gives you. These signs will let you know when there is a problem with your heater or when a heating tune-up is necessary. Of course, before you can use this information you need to know what signs to keep an eye out for. Here are some examples of indicators from Cal–West Air Conditioning Inc. that will inform you of a need for heating repair in Carlsbad.

One thing to keep an eye out for is an increase in the cost of heating your home. If your home heating habits have not changed then there should not be too much fluctuation in the cost of operating your heater. This is a sign of inefficiency that can most likely be resolved with a professional heating system tune-up. Do not pay too much money for too little heating performance. Schedule a tune-up if your heating costs are rising.

Another sign that it is time for a heating system tune-up is a decrease in effectiveness. When it is very cold out your heater may need to work a little harder than usual. However, it should not fail to keep your home warm during average use. If it seems like you home is a little chillier than usual or your heater takes a long time to bring temperatures up a heating system tune-up may be just what you need.

Even seemingly minor issues such as strange sounds or odors coming from your heater may indicate a problem. The longer any heater is forced to operate in compromised condition, the more likely serious damage to your system is. Call for a professional tune-up if your heater is making any unusual sounds or is producing strange odors.

When you need heating repair, call the Carlsbad heating experts at Cal-West can help. Our heating technicians are extensively trained and fully certified to handle all your heating services. Let us help you heat your home with the confidence and reliability that you deserve. Contact Cal-West today!

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Carlsbad Heating FAQ: Do I Need a Thermostat Upgrade?

January 28th, 2013

Are you considering installing a new thermostat for the heating system in your home? Call the Carlsbad heating professionals at Cal-West to help you out with making the right decisions. While programmable thermostats are an excellent way to save energy for some heating systems, they are not designed to be used with every type of system.

Digital thermostats are far more accurate than older models that use mercury, and with a wireless programmable thermostat, you get even better results. Wireless models can be installed anywhere in your home, and if you have issues with “ghost readings” from thermostats installed in areas that are not ideal, then you can get more energy savings with a wireless model.

We can also help you choose the best model for your specific heating or cooling system. Determining whether or not you could benefit from a new thermostat will include several factors that we can help you out with. The type of heating system you have, as well as your energy saving goals will need to be considered. We can also go over the many different features that come with a new thermostat. Humidity control and vacation settings are to name a few.

Don’t hesitate to call us if you have further questions about thermostats. We can handle all your Carlsbad thermostat upgrade needs!

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San Diego Heating Tips: Keeping Warm Affordably This Winter

January 21st, 2013

Even though San Diego isn’t known for its cold winters, we all are looking to reduce our energy consumption anywhere we can. If you’ve live in San Diego, then you know that there are a few months where it can get actually cold. When you need to keep your home warm you want to be able to do it without breaking the bank. At Cal-West, we thought it would be helpful if we put together some suggestions that would help our customers in the San Diego area stay warm affordably.

Passive Solar Heat

When you notice your dog or cat laying in a beam of sunlight on your floor, you’re watching them enjoy passive solar heat. You can also take advantage of it on sunny days in the winter by opening the curtains in your home. This will allow the natural heat from the sun’s rays to add heat to your home.

Regular Heating Maintenance

Perhaps one of the best ways to make sure that your heating system is working well is to get it regularly maintained. Not only can this potentially reduce the need for costly repairs, it may also be able to improve the efficiency of your heating system. Over time and with regular use, your heater will eventually begin to develop small issues that can cause it to have to work harder. When your San Diego heating technician visits your home, they’ll be able to replace any worn out parts, lubricate moving parts and clean out the system.

Insulation

Another great way to make sure that your heating system is working well is to check your insulation. In particular, the insulation in your attic is your last defense against heat loss. As heat enters your home through your heating system, it will rise to your ceiling. If the insulation in the floor of your attic is old, thin, rotted or infested with insects, it might allowing that heat to just float on out.

If you’re interested in making sure that your home is as energy efficient as possible, contact Cal-West today. We provide complete heating repair and heating maintenance in San Diego.

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El Cajon Heating FAQ: Why Do the Coils on Your Heat Pump Freeze?

January 14th, 2013

The El Cajon heating experts at Cal-West Air Conditioning Inc. often get calls from customers who think that something is wrong with their heat pump in the winter. Your heat pump has a defrost setting, so if it is cold out, and you see steam rising from the outdoor compressor coils, this is caused from the melting of any frost or ice on the coils.

One reason your heat pump may have ice on the coils is that the heat pump defrost cycle is not working properly. Your heat pump should run the defrost cycle when temperatures drop below freezing. If not, it could mean that a sensor is not working. If you see any ice on the coils, wait to see if the defrost cycle will kick in. If not, contact Cal-West for a heat pump repair. Ice on the coils can cause improper airflow and other damages. If there’s steam rising from the outdoor unit, then it is working as normal by melting the ice.

Each defrost cycle should not last more than fifteen minutes, so if it is running longer than this, there could be another problem. If you notice that the cycles run more than two hours apart, then this could also mean you need a repair. Be sure to call as soon as you notice an issue. Airflow problems can also damage the compressor and motor. Adverse weather can affect how your heat pump performs or causes abnormal defrost cycles. New heat pump models have a demand-defrost control to help save energy by minimizing the defrost cycles, so look for this feature if you are interested in upgrading your heat pump.

Feel free to call the El Cajon heat pump experts at Cal-West if you have questions about the heat pump in your home.

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San Diego Heating Tip: If My Heater Works, Why Do I Need a Yearly Tune Up?

January 7th, 2013

Most people have heard the old saying “if it isn’t broken than don’t fix it.” Unfortunately, many people apply this type of logic to the care of their home heating system in San Diego. Before long they wind up fixing their heater, though, because without regular, professional maintenance it will wind up breaking down. Having routine maintenance services and tune ups performed annually on your home heating system is the most important thing you can do to keep that system operating properly. The San Diego heating experts at Cal-West Air Conditioning have some information about the benefits of preventive maintenance for you to consider.

What a lot of people fail to realize is the fact that just because a heating system is operating does not mean that it is doing so efficiently. Your heater may turn on and may even keep your home warm. However, it may be costing you substantially more money to do so than it should. Do not wind up paying more money for a subpar performance for your heater. Schedule regular maintenance service today. Contact Cal-West Air Conditioning today!

If you fail to have your heater tuned up each year you are also putting it at a much higher risk for damages or breakdowns requiring costly repair services. Your heater is a machine, and like any other machine parts wear out, work loose and many other things may happen that can put its condition at risk. Year tune ups are the best way to prevent problems before they have a chance to develop.

Of course, if problems do develop with your heater a yearly tune up visit is the perfect time to catch those problems early on. The sooner damages can be dealt with the less complex – and expensive – the necessary adjustments or repairs are likely to be. Save money in energy and repair costs by tuning up your heater annually.

At Cal-West we like to keep our clients comfortable as affordably as possible. Having the heater in your San Diego home serviced annually is a lot less costly than the frequent repairs and services that will be necessary without proper maintenance. Call today to schedule service.

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Happy New Year’s Eve!

December 31st, 2012

Everyone at Cal-West Air Conditioning wants to wish you a very happy New Year! We hope you have a fun (and safe!) time saying goodbye to 2012 and welcoming in the New Year!

If you are a person who makes resolutions, why not try to make your home more environmentally-friendly next year? Upgrading your heating and air conditioning system can reduce the amount of energy you need to keep your home comfortable. You can also save energy by adding insulation and sealing any air leaks. A greener home is not only better for the environment, but it also saves you money by reducing your utility bills. Contact Cal-West Air Conditioning to learn more about the benefits of upgrading your HVAC system.

Have a Happy New Year!

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Happy Holidays from your San Diego Heating and Cooling Specialists!

December 21st, 2012

Everyone at Cal-West Air Conditioning wishes you a very happy holiday! We would like to take a moment to thank all our wonderful customers who make it possible for our business to thrive. We look forward to working with you in the New Year. Have a wonderful celebration, and enjoy this time with friends and family!

As a quick reminder, if you haven’t yet scheduled your heating maintenance yet, you could be losing money this winter. Annual maintenance will not only cut down on repair costs, but it also ensures that your home’s heating system is running as efficiently as possible, which lowers utility bills. A comfortable, efficient home is a gift that everyone can appreciate.

Happy Holidays from Cal-West Air Conditioning!

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