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Fix My AC, Inc. has the expertise to deal with any of your Heating and Cooling needs
in the residential field. We can service, repair, install or replace your Heating and/or Air-Conditioning
system.
Just give us a call at: 866-YES-FIXIT
(or 866-937-3494)
When we come to your home, we analyze your Heating and/or Air-Conditioning system and
make a recommendation that addresses your personal situation best:
Don't hesitate anymore and contact us to schedule an appointment.
Call us at: 866-YES-FIXIT
(or 866-937-3494)
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You deserve to get a service that it is going to provide you all of the following:
- Immediate assistance
- Professional opinion
- Reliable diagnostic
- Recommendation that you can trust
- Repair, whenever possible and upon your approval
We feel so secure with our diagnostic that our techinicians will make a point in answering all your questions.
They will also show you that replacing the part solves the problem.
Note that rare are the cases when a system has more than one failure. It can and it has happened.
But in such cases, it is often one failure leading to the other failure.
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OUR MOTTO:
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WE REPAIR HVAC SYSTEMS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
WE DO NOT TRY TO SELL NEW SYSTEMS
FOR THE SAKE OF REPLACING OLDER SYSTEMS.
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We understand the demands associated with the buying or selling a home. We can:
- Check the HVAC system
- Provide an inspection report
- Complete the repair/replacement of units before the final walk-through
- Bring the heating and cooling system to code
We will adjust our schedule to meet your needs and work the details with you so that you have
complete satisfaction by the time the escrow closes.
WHY DO YOU NEED OUR HVAC INSPECTION REPORT
WHEN BUYING A HOUSE?
Many home inspectors recommend that the buyer hires a specialist to get deeper insights
into the actual situation of the house for each particular trade and have many disclaimers
regarding the descriptions presented in the report.
You are certainly aware that the heating and air conditioning system is one of the most expensive
mechanical items belonging to a household. No-one wishes to have to deal with any expenses
due to such systems failing after escrows has been closed. Hence it is important to have
an expert on board at the time of the home inspection.
Unfortunately, home inspectors, however good they may be on other parts of the home, are rarely
experts in Heating and Air Conditioning. As a consequence their reports about the HVAC
are often limited to very superficial observations. In the course of our profession we have met
many new buyers who sadly faced serious issues with their heating and air conditioning
systems despite a home inspection.
DO NOT BECOME ONE OF THEM. Take action now and call us. 866-YES-FIXIT
(or 866-937-3494)
WE PROVIDE PEACE OF MIND
& CHECK THE QUALITY OF YOUR INVESTMENT:
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WHY SHOULD YOU USE OUR SERVICES WHEN SELLING A HOUSE?
Buyers often request sellers to make some repairs or to bring the Heating and Air Conditioning
system to code, based on the home inspector’s report.
In cases where a repair has been attempted but has not completely solve the problem that it was
supposed to address, then the buyers may be in the position to have the sellers re-do those
repairs even after having moved into the home and after closing of the escrow.
Such situations happen when the repair technician was either unprofessional or tried to cut
corners. Unfortunately we do witness these unhappy circumstances quite regularly.
You may think that you are protected because you have provided a Home Warranty
policy to the buyers as part of the deal. However Home Warranties will classify some problems
as pre-existing conditions and will consequently refuse to cover the costs of fixing a Heating
and Air Conditioning system. The new home owner can then request the seller to bring the system
to proper functioning.
In both cases, the sellers may have some difficulties financing this unexpected expense out of
their pockets while it may have been more affordable if dealt as part of the escrow "closing"
costs.
In many cases we get contacted after closing of the escrow, by either the buyer or the seller,
to fix these pre-existing conditions. Whenever possible we make the repair. In some cases,
we had to replace the unit itself as it could not be satisfactorily fixed.
You can always count on us to help you to the best of our abilities. However the sooner
you call us, the easier it is to find, together, realistic yet affordable solutions.
WE HELP YOU NOT BE CAUGHT UNPREPARED
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SAD STORIES:
The stories you are about to read are all stories which happened to real people.
Do not let this happen to you.
- In one case, the home inspector stated that the air Conditioning was working fine.
However when we came to repair the air conditioning since no cold air was being blown
into the house, we discovered that the home was AC-ready but did not have a condenser
(outside unit) and therefore did not have Air Conditioning at all.
- In another case, the inspector looked at an air filter located at the bottom of an
upflow furnace from the top and reported that the air filter was cleaned. We took the air
filter out after he had left and found out that the hidden side was, in fact, very dirty.
Please read our maintenance chapter to understand the implication of a
dirty filter. In short, a small cause resulting in a big effect.
- On one instance, the buyers asked the sellers to fix the ducts. The sellers tried to comply
and had somebody out. However a few months later when the new buyers called us for help,
we found out that this home had asbestos ducts (which should in no instance be touched until
entirely removed by a certified asbestos removal company). So no repair could be
made and the whole ducting had to be replaced. Quite a costly endeavor.
- We know of a case where the air conditioning was not working properly but the home
inspector did not even notice it.
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MAINTENANCE AND WARRANTY:
The general public understands that a car needs maintenance and we accept
that a car warranty may be voided if the car does not receive proper maintenance.
Air Conditioning is a mechanical system, and like a car, it requires proper maintenance
at regular intervals. In fact, most A/C manufacturers include a clause in their warranty
contract which stipulates that in absence of proof of maintenance the warranty is voided.
MAINTENANCE AND ENERGY SAVINGS:
Let us once more use the analogy with a car: replacing a car air filter may allow your
car to run more efficiently and to use fewer gallons per mile.
In the case of an Air Conditioner, replacing the air filter often enough is critical.
Keeping your system clean will facilitate its functioning and save you up to 20% on
your electric bill.
A dirty filter does not only cost you more in energy consumption, it also causes other failures
(please see below).
MAINTENANCE AND AIR FLOW:
Air Conditioning can be summarized by two processes:
- It depends on Air flow or air circulation
- Its all purpose is to replace heat for cold
The condenser:
The condenser (outside unit) needs to be able to cool down its compressor.
This is partially accomplished by letting the outside air circulating around the compressor.
As a result, the better the air flows, the easier it is to cool the compressor down,
hence the easier it is for the compressor to work and the more electricity the user may save.
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TIP 1:
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KEEP YOUR CONDENSER COIL CLEAN
YOU WILL SAVE ENERGY.
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The cooling coil:
The cooling coil (inside unit), as its name indicates, produces cold. This cold is transferred
to the air which circulates through the cooling coil. If anything (like the cooling coil being
dirty or the air filter being blocked with dirt) prevents the air from freely flowing through
the cooling coil then the air will not go back to the inhabitable space fast enough. They are
many consequences to that:
=> As a result of reduced air flow through the house, one will not feel the air conditioning.
=> As a result of the accumulation of excessive cold in the cooling coil, the condensation
water naturally produced by this system starts to freeze.
=>As a result of frozen water, the cooling coil pipes get squeezed and
may even break which results in a Freon leak.
=> As a result of the Freon leak, no cold is being produced anymore.
=> As a result of ice and reduced level of Freon, the compressor may burn out.
=> As a result of no filter or dirty filter, part or the whole A/C must be replaced.
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TIP 2:
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KEEP YOUR COOLING COIL CLEAN
YOU WILL SAVE ENERGY
& ENJOY THE A/C BETTER.
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The filter:
In short a dirty filter results in:
- Bad air flow
- Clogged cooling coil
- Overworked and overheated blower motor (due to increased resistance of air flow)
- Increase risk of refrigerant leak
- Increase risk of compressor failure
- Shortened life of the blower motor
- Increase risk of a major repair or even A/C system replacement
We recommend using the pleated air filter and to replace it four times a year. If you have pets
at home who shed a lot of hair, you may have to replace your air filter even more often.
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Dull grey represents the thick layer of dirt of a cooling coil which had not been maintained for years.
The layer was so thick that air was practically blocked from circulating
Shiny silver represents the cooling coil in areas we had already cleaned it. In these areas, the air can circulate freely
Clogged air filter. No or little air can go through.
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In summary a dirty filter (whose replacement costs less than $10) may cause you
- to lose all warranty on your A/C system,
- may cost you much more to run your A/C and
- finally may cause you to spend thousands of dollars on the replacement of your Air Conditioning system.
So do not wait to have a Refrigerant leak. Have your system maintained as it should be and take
care of frequently replacing or cleaning the air filter.
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TIP 3:
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DO NOT NEGLECT YOUR HVAC MAINTENANCE
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Definition:
Hydronic systems are based on water circulation.
Hydronic Heating systems have a source of hot water which circulates upon demand to a coil or radiator
and heats the air around the radiator or coil. Forced air pushed on the coil is then distrbuted
throughout the home and warms it.
Our Service to you:
Hydronic systems constitute a minority of heating systems in South California and therefore
are less well known than other types. This can make the finding of knowledgeable technicians
in this field rather difficult.
Fix My AC, Inc. has the expertise to work with Hydronic systems.
If you have a hydronic system and need repair, CALL US.
866-YES-FIXIT
(or 866-937-3494)
You won't need to call anybody else!
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Remodelation of a home, replacement of any major parts, addition of a new element are all submitted to
state and local regulations. Installation of a new HVAC system or replacement of an exisitng HVAC system
requires the approval of the local authority (city or county depending whether the locality has been
incorpated or not). This requirement translates into:
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Requirement 1:
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City Permit
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Once a city permit has been pulled, a city inspector is invited to come and inspect the job site.
Most of the times, one visit of the city inspector results in the final approval of the job.
Besides abiding by the local authority regulations, one has to respect title-24 regulations.
Except when the installation of a new HVAC system or its change out falls under the exemption rule,
this latter requirement means that a qualified third neutral party will have to inspect the HVAC
new installation or change out.
Since October 2005, systems below 14 SEER must be inspected either for TXV presence only or for TXV and
duct sealing.
Inspections ensuring that Title 24 is followed properly must be conducted by HERS inspectors. HERS inspectors
are people who received the proper training and qualified as HERS raters.
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Requirement 2:
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TXV or TXV & HERS inspections
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In this section, we want to highlight some easy Do's and Don't's which will help you extend the lifespan of-
and maintain the good functioning of - your HVAC system.
- Replace the air filter every three months (use pleated air filters)
- Keep your condenser (Outdoor A/C unit) dry (except when it rains)
- Keep your condenser (Outdoor A/C unit) free from plants and other objects
- Have your HVAC system undergo Preventive Maintenance once a year
- For hydronic heating system, drain a quarter of your water tank every three months
- Keep the return grille free to ensure proper air flow
- Keep all air outlet registers open
- Let unlicensed technician handle your HVAC system
(C-20 is the HVAC licence;
None of the other licenses qualify its holder to handle HVAC systems. A plumber for example
is actually not qualified in dealing with your HVAC system)
Cover your condenser (Outdoor A/C unit) in the winter to protect it from the rain
Cover your condenser (Outdoor A/C unit) at all times
Surround your condenser tightly with plants or solid wooden fences
Irrigate your condenser; it will not grow!
Place furniture in front of the return grille
Use washable filters
Have your ducts cleaned. In most cases it causes more damages than help.
However, if you believe that your Air ducts are dirty and may even be the cause of
increased allergic reactions in your home, we recommend you to have it all
re-duct and maybe add either a UV light in the cooling coil, the Carrier air purifier or both.
If you have any questions, about the above mentioned "DO's and DON'T's",
CALL US at: 866-YES-FIXIT
(or 866-937-3494)
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