From our family to yours.... Happy Thanksgiving. Gratitude changes everything!

Importance of Checking your Furnace (A 15-Point Inspection guide)

Winter is Officially here and checking your furnace is very important, not only to make sure that any parts or repairs can be made before you need to use the furnace, but to be positive that everything is in working order and you and your family are not at risk of Carbon Monoxide poisoning – a large worry for many people using furnaces. Though most routine checks are pretty standard, there are seven very important parts that should be double checked to make sure everything is functioning properly. Use this checklist to stay on top of your furnace maintenance.

1. 1.  Condition of the Flue Stack: The pipe is similar to an exhaust on your car. If you breathe in this poisonous gas, it can cause serious health issues including vomiting, headaches and even death, depending on the levels of Carbon Monoxide gas.
2. 
   

1. 2.  Furnace Filter: There’s a lot to be learned from the furnace filter. If it’s dirty, it could mean that the system may not have been serviced for some time. In that case, the condition of the blower should be checked, as well as the condition of the AC coil. If the filter is clean, it could mean that someone has just changed it or that the system has been kept in good working order.

1. 
   
2. 3.  Heat Ex changer

This is the area where the fire burns in the furnace. If there is a hole or crack of some kind, it could be a serious hazard. A defect of that type could cause a fire or even Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

1. 4.  Gas Leaks

 Even the smallest of gas leaks can be hazardous by causing fires or explosions. Gas leaks should be checked for during every service call, since with the constant opening and closing of the gas valve during the winter, gas leaks can be quite common.

1. 5.  Amp Draws and Voltage Drops

 It’s possible to have premature failure of electrical parts, which are expensive and sometimes hard to find and replace. Also, if the supplied power to the electrical components isn't correct, you could have premature failure as well as poor efficiency. Checking before the cold winter months hit means that there won’t be any down time with your furnace during the months you need it most.

1. 6.  Safety Devices and Safety Switches

Why we check it:  Any time a safety device or switch fails, you will lose heat. By design, when the gas valve misfires or the motors inside the furnace are not working properly, the safety switches turn off the furnace and keep it off so that it protects you from fire and from damaging the appliance through malfunction.

1. 7.  Combustion Air

As probably the most overlooked issue in the furnace industry, it’s very important that this is checked during a maintenance visit. Without extra air for the fuel, air may not be venting out of the flues correctly.  For example, if your furnace or water heater is located in the laundry room and you turn your dryer on, you will create a negative pressure in the room. And if a vent fan in the room is on, you will create a negative pressure in the room. Without air from the outside for the fuel burning appliance, the appliance may not vent correctly and fuel gases will vent into your home instead, causing Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

If you feel uncomfortable checking these items yourself, Coastal Refrigeration  Heating & Air performs a 15 point furnace checkup, which includes the above items, to make sure your furnace is up and running for the winter season. 

Technology helps you stay cool for less...effortlessly!

 

Here is a cool Idea from the folks at ThinkEco…

If you already have a window A/C unit, the ThinkEco smartAC Wi-Fi Kit can bring some of the Aros’s smart capabilities to your existing air conditioner. It’s a plug-in module that resides between your air conditioner and your wall outlet, and it connects to your home Wi-Fi network to give you remote access to your cooling system via a mobile app.

The ThinkEco module lets you adjust your air conditioner while you’re away to save energy, and it also gives you a real-time reading of your room temperature thanks to an on-board sensor. While it doesn’t “learn” your habits like the Aros system, it does let you set A/C schedules from an iOS or Android device. (It also comes with its own basic in-home remote.) Like ThinkEco’s other products, the kit is built to save money on energy bills. To that end, the app will also give you a running tally of your energy consumption.

At full price, the ThinkEco smartAC kit is already half the price of an all-in-one smart unit like the Aros—it costs $140, but it currently has a special launch price of $120. Ask your Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air Technician about wifi control, and remote controlled AC options for your systems.

 

Can you believe it's September?

Importance of Checking your Furnace (A 15-Point Inspection guide)

Fall is officially here and preparing for cooler temperatures is very important. Whether you are installing a new cooling system, a new furnace or both, safety is always important. Checking your systems relieves a large worry for many people using cooling systems and furnaces. Though most routine checks are pretty standard, there are seven very important parts that should be double checked to make sure everything is functioning properly. Use this checklist to stay on top of your Cooling system and furnace maintenance.

1. 1. Condition of the Flue Stack: The pipe is similar to an exhaust on your car. If you breathe in this poisonous gas, it can cause serious health issues including vomiting, headaches and even death, depending on the levels of Carbon Monoxide gas.


2. 
   

1. 2. Furnace Filter: There’s a lot to be learned from the furnace filter. If it’s dirty, it could mean that the system may not have been serviced for some time. In that case, the condition of the blower should be checked, as well as the condition of the AC coil. If the filter is clean, it could mean that someone has just changed it or that the system has been kept in good working order.

1. 
   


2. 3. Heat Ex changer

This is the area where the fire burns in the furnace. If there is a hole or crack of some kind, it could be a serious hazard. A defect of that type could cause a fire or even Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

1. 4. Gas Leaks

Even the smallest of gas leaks can be hazardous by causing fires or explosions. Gas leaks should be checked for during every service call, since with the constant opening and closing of the gas valve during the winter, gas leaks can be quite common.

1. 5. Amp Draws and Voltage Drops

It’s possible to have premature failure of electrical parts, which are expensive and sometimes hard to find and replace. Also, if the supplied power to the electrical components isn't correct, you could have premature failure as well as poor efficiency. Checking before the cold winter months hit means that there won’t be any down time with your furnace during the months you need it most.

1. 6. Safety Devices and Safety Switches

Why we check it: Any time a safety device or switch fails, you will lose heat. By design, when the gas valve misfires or the motors inside the furnace are not working properly, the safety switches turn off the furnace and keep it off so that it protects you from fire and from damaging the appliance through malfunction.

1. 7. Combustion Air

As probably the most overlooked issue in the furnace industry, it’s very important that this is checked during a maintenance visit. Without extra air for the fuel, air may not be venting out of the flues correctly. For example, if your furnace or water heater is located in the laundry room and you turn your dryer on, you will create a negative pressure in the room. And if a vent fan in the room is on, you will create a negative pressure in the room. Without air from the outside for the fuel burning appliance, the appliance may not vent correctly and fuel gases will vent into your home instead, causing Carbon Monoxide poisoning.

If you feel uncomfortable checking these items yourself, Coastal Refrigeration Heating & Air performs a 15 point furnace checkup, which includes the above items, to make sure your furnace is up and running for the cooler seasons.

What is NATE CERTIFICATION?

Why should you hire a company that is NATE Certified? because NATE actually tests their technitians. You can have the peace of mind and conviction that our technitians are NATE Certified and ready to find the solution.

>> What is NATE CERTIFICATION?

Get to Know NATE

Founded in 1997, North American Technician Excellence (NATE) is the nation’s largest non-profit certification organization for heating, ventilation, air conditioning and refrigeration technicians. Headquartered in Arlington, VA, NATE is the certification organization governed, owned, operated, developed and supported by the entire HVAC/R industry.

NATE Tests. Others Train.

NATE certification tests represent real world working knowledge of HVAC and HVAC/R systems. Developed by a committee of industry experts nationwide, our NATE exams represent HVAC/R topics pertinent to contractors, educators, manufacturers and utilities alike.

All of the NATE tests are rigorous, multiple-choice, knowledge-based tests and validate a technician’s knowledge. NATE candidates may earn Installation and/or Service certification in one or more SPECIALTY areas, including:

• Air Conditioning
• Air Distribution
• Heat Pumps
• Gas Furnaces
• Oil Furnaces
• Hydronics Gas
• Hydronics Oil
• Light Commercial Refrigeration
• Commercial Refrigeration
• Ground Source Heat Pump Loop Installer
• Senior HVAC Efficiency Analyst

Do you need a HVAC Technician?

It's Summertime and you want to make sure your Air Conditioning unit is well maintained.

If you need a local air conditioning service and repair professional, Coastal Refrigeration Heating and Air technicians are thoroughly background checked and receive ongoing training to ensure they deliver the best possible air conditioning repairs available.

If your air conditioning system is broken beyond repair or you want to upgrade due to safety or reliability concerns, our skilled technicians can install a new HVAC system quickly to ensure maximum comfort in your home. We can help you choose from a wide variety of top-quality air conditioning systems with extended warranties that provide up to 10 years of coverage. Please ask us how we can help.

WHY HIRE A LICENSED CONTRACTOR?

• The Contractors State License Board (CSLB) protects consumers by licensing and regulating California’s construction industry. Think about it, if you hire a non-licensed contractor you have no protection as a consumer. The person you hire may not be insured, bonded and may not know what he is doing.
• Anyone in California that is performing construction work, which totals $500 or more in labor and materials must be licensed by the Contractors State License Board.
• Must demonstrate at least 4 years of experience/education in the trade
• Must be bonded
• Unlicensed contractors do not pay taxes, insurance, or follow safety laws

The most important take-away is your piece of mind. We encourage you to work with licensed contractor to protect yourself and help those contractors who are honest and licensed. 

Coastal Refrigeration, 760-683-5683. License #974929