Posts By: Grant Meagher

7 Causes Of Temperature Imbalances In The Home

We’ve recently had the opportunity to collaborate with Keen Home, a new company that is working hard at providing new technology to the connected home and the HVAC system. Because I was asked to “read over their” article to proofread for technical accuracy, they have been so kind as to mention Thomson Air Conditioning in their post. They did a great job at quickly and simply breaking down some HVAC misconceptions. I highly recommend that each of you read their post.

“7 Causes of Temperature Imbalance In The Home”

I’m very excited to be working with Keen Home on any level at this point, based on what I’ve seen so far from their organization, and am excited to see how their partnership with Nest thermostats develops in the future. Please take some time to read their article and see what can be done to help balance the temperature in your home.

As always, if you would like to have us out to your home for free to consult with you on these or any other needs you may have, please contact us.

Ductless Heat Pump Installation In Church Sanctuary

When it comes to Air Conditioning systems, some are very straightforward, yet others require a great amount of precision and attention to detail… Such is the case with Los Altos Grace Bretheren Church.

We needed to use systems that would complement the integrity of this beautiful church building. They needed to be quiet, they needed to look good… and yet they still need to cool this MASSIVE amount of space.

Traditional ducted systems were expensive, noisy, and yet still very inefficient. Yet with Daikin’s lineup of ductless products, we were able to design a system that would meet not only the budgetary requirements of this church but would be relatively silent, and equally powerful and continue saving them energy for the entire life of the product.

We mounted three systems above the stage; two up front to cool the front half of the seating area, and one painted black behind the cross to cool the people on stage. This gave us an incredible TEN tons of cooling power for the front of the house. In the back of the space, we hung two, three-ton wall-mounted units, giving this area a combined total of sixteen tons of cooling power.

With these variable speeds, silent, and zone-controlled systems, this sanctuary is ready and will be more comfortable than ever before.

How Much Does a Furnace Replacement Cost?

Our furnace installation and replacement cost in Southern California averages $2,200. However, each installation is different. This results in slightly different furnace replacement costs. One discount we offer is for easily accessible furnace installation locations. Common furnace locations are in the garage, in the attic, in a utility room or possibly just a closet in your hallway. Because of this, we must come to your home to measure and inspect the entire existing infrastructure of your heating system.

Thomson Air Conditioning is here to help. We offer just about every furnace replacement option you can imagine. If your need for a heater replacement just caught you by surprise, we have financing options available to soften the financial burden. Apply for financing here.

Also, make sure you know what type of heating system is right for you and your home.

Differences in furnace replacement costs

FAUs (Forced Air Units) handle the air for both Heating and Air conditioning. Because of this many are hooked up to an AC system. Different installation practices are needed to preserve the integrity of these other connected systems. Also, furnaces and heaters (FAUs) are hooked up to your utilities through both gas and electrical connections. These connections need to be inspected. In most cases, we have a small amount of money allocated to making new connections to these utilities. In extreme cases, we need to change some worn-out pieces and parts. This is done in order to make sure your newly installed heating system is safe and reliable.

Lastly, the exhaust system of your Furnace needs to be up to code. If it is found that your exhaust is made of Asbestos Transite, you will see an average quote of $450 to remove this transit pipe and install a new double wall venting through the roof with a new cap, collar, and flashing. There are other items that need to be inspected, and we will give you a full report of these systems while we are in your home.

What’s Involved: the Scope of Work

Changing a Furnace is no easy task. Below is a sample scope of work, so you can see what’s normally included.

FURNACE CHANGE-OUT:

1. Remove, Haul Away, and Recycle existing furnace.
2. Install NEW Furnace in existing location.
3. Mount NEW Thermostat in existing or Thomson Air Conditioning approved location. (if existing location is inaccessible)
4. Run low voltage control wires between new furnace and new thermostat. (if needed)
5. Install a Filter Base under the new furnace for convenient and easy filter changes.
6. Provide two filters, one in the new filter base and one extra.
7. Wire Electrical pig tail for furnace to existing high voltage electrical outlet.
8. Connect flexible gas line to existing natural gas supply line with a ball valve for easy shutoff.
9. Install a Sediment Trap with a Drip-Leg / Clean-Out on the natural gas supply line prior to furnace.
10. Run the Exhaust Vent Piping from the furnace securely connect it to the existing exhaust vent pipe
11. Secure, Seal, and Insulate all sheet metal and equipment connection points at the furnace
12. Test all equipment to ensure proper operation. (Heat and Fan)

Warranty on Furnace Replacement

Most furnaces on the market come with a 10-year parts warranty. However, if you chose to have us install a Daikin furnace, it comes with a 12-year parts warranty. This means, with documented maintenance, (filter changes) if a part in your new heater fails, expect the manufacturer to give you the part for free. You will unfortunately need to pay your service professional the labor to install the part. For this reason, Thomson Air Conditioning provides a 5-year labor warranty on all central furnaces that we install. We stand by our product and our installation and want you to have complete peace of mind when it comes to your newly installed furnace.

Better Comfort AND Added Efficiency (No Joke)

AFUE (Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency) is the rating for gas fired furnaces. Think of it as gas mileage. It’s a basic fuel economy rating that says what percentage of consumed fuel is directly converted to heat. And the remaining percentage is waste. For example: A furnace with a rating of 80% AFUE perfectly converts 8 out of every 10 gallons of fuel into heat. By logical conclusion, the higher the AFUE rating, the more fuel efficient the furnace. There is no perfectly 100% efficient furnace out there on the market, However there are furnaces with ratings above 95-96% which is pretty great. Take a quick look at this EnergySavvy.com article on the added comfort and cost savings benefits of upgrading your home’s heating furnace.

The only downside to these extremely efficient furnaces is moisture. Moisture is the byproduct of complete combustion. Most homes don’t already have a way for condensed moisture to leave the home, so this becomes an issue needing a remedy. Also, the flue venting in most homes is not water tight, and therefore must be changed at the time of furnace installation. This can increase the cost of your installation, since the surrounding infrastructure of your home may need to be upgraded to accommodate a condensing, water producing, high efficiency furnace.

At Thomson Air Conditioning, in standard upgrade situations, the cost for this additional work is $750. This includes the $450 vent change out that we mentioned above, as well as a new condensation removal system. This system consists of a mechanical pump, a possible drain pan under the furnace, (if your heater is in the attic) and a condensate line that terminates in an approved location.

Conclusion

In conclusion, look no further than Thomson Air Conditioning for your furnace replacement needs in the Southern California area. Call us at (562) 201-3014 and we will get you scheduled with a FREE no pressure, no-hassle consultation. We will provide you with an estimate on-site, and get you on your way to enjoying energy-efficient warmth.

Question: Why Does My AC System Blow Fuses Or Air Your Conditioner Trips The Breaker?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TXO4EKwtnJw

If your AC system blows fuses or air your conditioner trips the breaker, there are a few things you can try at home. As always, Thomson Air Conditioning is here to help. There are many reasons for this problem to exist. below is a short list of things to check, change or do before you call a professional. If for any reason, you feel uncomfortable with any of these items, please call us and we will assist you with the process.

Your Condensing Coil Could Be Dirty

If your fuse is blowing or your breaker is tripping, you could just have a bunch of dirt clogging the condensing coil. This part of your system exists to cool off the refrigerant as it travels through the system. If the condensing coil gets clogged, the refrigerant will overheat and it will shut off on high head pressure. Some coils are easier to clean than others. If you feel your condensing coil needs professional cleaning, click here to set up an appointment, and we will handle it.

Power Fluctuations May Have Tripped Your Breaker

Common during periods of high usage and “brownouts” this repair is easy. Simply reset your breaker. This is very uncommon. However, in some cases, when voltage drops, amperage must go up to keep your system running. Try resetting your breaker at your electrical panel and see if this does the trick.

Direct Short To Ground

A direct short to ground happens during an equipment failure. A break in one of your wires is another reason. Grounded wires are a problem. In this case, call the professionals. You can identify this at home by resetting your breaker at the panel. If it trips quickly after resetting, don’t simply repeat this process. Breakers exist for your home’s protection. Do not attempt to override this safety feature.

Overcharged With Refrigerant Or Capacitor Failure

In this event, the unit will try to start up. You will hear a buzzing or humming sound coming from the motors. This sound will only last a few seconds before quitting. Often, at this point, your breaker will trip. This indicates your system is trying to start, but can’t for some reason. It could be high head pressure. It could be a bad capacitor, or it could just be old and dying. At any rate, this must be diagnosed by a professional. 

Old Fuses

If the fuses in your service disconnect are old, it is possible for them to fail on their own. A blown fuse most commonly points to a more serious problem, but could in fact just need to be replaced. Simply turn off the power to the disconnect appliance from the breaker panel and change the fuses. Most fuses for air conditioners can be found at your local hardware store.

Arcing Wires Or Loose Wire Connections

When a wiring connection is loose, it will arc. When this occurs, the wires can heat up and trip the breaker or fuses. Fuses and breakers exist for this very reason, check all wiring connections on the connected circuit and make sure none of the terminals, lugs, or wire nuts are loose. This could prevent an electrical fire. If you suspect you have a problem with your wiring, please get it checked out by a professional. Electricians are extremely capable of helping you with this repair.

Electricity is nothing to play with! ALWAYS use a licensed electrician or AC contractor as appropriate.

If your AC system blows fuses or air your conditioner trips the breaker, Call Us at (562) 201-3014 and we will help.