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Get Ready for 15 SEER

Throughout 2022 you should expect to hear the term 15 SEER or 14 SEER more and more. What is it all about? SEER is short for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The calculation involves measuring the cooling output of an air conditioner and dividing that by the watt-hours of energy it uses over a cooling season.

Fifteen SEER simply means that cooling produced by an air conditioner or heat pump must be 15 times the watt-hours required to produce that cooling. The conversation about 15 SEER is heating up because the new regulation states that by January 1, 2023, any new air conditioning system sold in the southeast or southwest must have a minimum energy efficiency ratio of 15 SEER per watt-hour. Air conditioning systems sold in northern states must have a minimum of 14 SEER.

The minimum SEER until now has been 13. Most modern air conditioners have a SEER in the 13 to 21 range. Older systems, many of which are the systems which will wear out and need to be replaced soon, are rated at around 8 or 9. Upgrading from 8 SEER to 15 SEER will result in a major reduction in future electricity usage.

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) sets energy efficiency regulations based on recommendations from the Appliance Standards and Rulemaking Federal Advisory Committee (ASRAC). This new standard follows standards set in 2011 and 2006. In less than 20 years, the SEER standards will have been raised by more than 50%.

Automotive MPG standards are a good analogy for SEER standards. If your vehicle has a higher MPG rating, you are able to drive longer distances for every gallon of fuel you purchase. With the SEER qualifying standard, you are able to enjoy more cooling units for every watt-hour of electrical energy that you purchase. Also like MPG, the SEER number represents the best case over an entire cooling season. Homeowners consume fewer watt-hours when the outside temperature is 60 degrees than when it is 100 degrees. Vehicles get higher MPG with city driving than with highway driving.

There is regional variation on the SEER efficiency level. Southeastern and southwestern states require 15 SEER; all other states require 14 SEER. Heat pump efficiency is 15 SEER in all states. The southeastern and southwestern states and territories include Alabama, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oklahoma, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Virginia, and the District of Columbia.
These new 15 SEER standards were first published in 2015, giving equipment manufacturers time to design and set up manufacturing processes for the implementation of 15 SEER. What this means for the homeowner in need of purchasing a replacement air conditioning system is that equipment prices will increase, but the new systems will be more energy-efficient, resulting in lower utility costs over the life of the new system.

Estimates are that over the life of equipment that meets the 15 SEER standard, homeowners will realize $38 billion in electricity cost savings.

If your system is in need of replacement, call the professional technicians at Semper Fi. We can help you understand your options and set you up with a replacement system that reduces the amount of electricity you pay for in the summer.

Having Furnace Issues?

Furnace Repair and Maintenance

With proper furnace maintenance and occasional tune-ups, furnaces usually have a long and dependable life. And while things can go wrong, most can be fixed.

By the time a furnace needs to be replaced, high-efficiency improvements have been made in newer systems, and reduced utility costs will at least partially offset the cost of a new furnace. There are several signs that a furnace needs repair.

Pilot Light Issues

The pilot light should burn with a blue flame. If the flame is yellow or orange, there may be a carbon monoxide problem. Turn off your furnace and call a service technician. Carbon monoxide in your home can cause serious health issues, so don’t delay in getting the problem repaired. If the pilot light flame is burning blue but flickering, that could be a different problem. Most likely, the gas supply line is partially clogged and needs to be cleaned.

Heat Exchanger Problems

The heat exchanger is the part of a furnace that separates the air that a furnace circulates throughout a home from the hazardous gases in the air that have been heated in the combustion assembly. The air you breathe moves through tubes that pass through the combustion chamber. The harmful gases get exhausted from the chimney or vent, and the clean, heated air circulates around the home.

The most common problem with the heat exchanger is that after repeated expanding and contracting from heating and cooling, metal fatigue causes cracks or holes in the tubes. That allows the dangerous gases to mix with the warm air that circulates in the home. A service technician can check your furnace for a cracked heat exchanger.

Thermostat Problems

If the thermostat display is blank, check the batteries. If replacing batteries does not solve the problem, check the breaker box. If the breaker is not thrown, it may be time for a thermostat replacement. If the furnace is running continuously and not shutting off, try setting it to auto and then try it at different temperature settings. If it still runs continuously, the thermostat may need to be replaced.

Limit Switch

The limit switch senses the temperature of the furnace and turns the furnace off and on during the normal heating cycle. It is usually very dependable, but occasionally it fails and will prevent the furnace and blower to turn off or on. The limit switch also has a high temperature limit that will shut off the heating burners and leave the blower working so that the heat exchanger does not overheat. Replacing the limit switch is a relatively inexpensive operation.

Cacophony of Rackets

Different noises indicate different types of problems with your furnace, and most of them need attention. A squealing noise is likely to be caused by a fan belt problem. There is an electric motor in a furnace that uses a fan belt to turn a fan that blows warm air through ductwork and into your home. If the belt is worn and damaged, it may slip and make a squealing noise. Turn off your furnace and have the belt replaced. A scraping sound is probably the result of worn bearings somewhere in the power assembly. Turn off your furnace and get the problem fixed to avoid additional damage.

Do you hear bangs and clangs in your ductwork when your furnace starts up and the warm air starts blowing? That is the result of cold ductwork expanding from the heat, not an operational problem that will cause damage. You may want to make sure the ducts and joints are adequately attached and secured.

Little or No Warm Air

If the amount of warm air is reduced, check to see if the air filter is dirty or clogged. Change the filter often. If clean air cannot get in the cold air vents and through the filter, warm air will not come out. If the full heating flame is burning and no warm air is moving through the ducts, there is a circulation fan problem. The cause is most likely a worn-out or broken fan belt. The motor and fan itself have other moving parts that can fail.

Some furnace problems are more urgent than others. Some problems are dangerous to the health of homeowners, and others need attention to avoid additional harm. All furnace problems need attention to keep your home comfortable and safe.

Call the professional service technicians at Semper Fi if you have furnace problems!

Click here or call (480) 616-3636

Financing Your New Heating & Air Conditioning System

Home heating and air conditioning systems work hard; they work around the clock for most of the year in most locations. Over several years, systems become too expensive to repair; the best option may be to replace an aging system. Air conditioners tend to wear out before furnaces. Good ongoing maintenance can add years of life to both heating and air conditioning systems, but eventually, both need to be replaced.

Obstacles to Maintaining HVAC Systems

A major obstacle to the purchase and installation of a replacement system is the cost. New systems aren’t cheap, but there is also a cost to not replacing a system that is approaching its life expectancy. Repairs mount up over the years. Compressors in air conditioners and heating units in furnaces are like engines and transmissions in vehicles. They can be repaired and replaced at a high cost, but after getting them repaired you still have an older vehicle with a high operating cost at risk of breakdowns.

Fortunately, most heating and cooling companies offer discounts, rebates, and monthly payment financing plans. About half of utility costs in most homes goes toward the operation of the heating and cooling system. With a new energy-efficient system, you can usually save money on utilities every month to partially offset the monthly finance payments.

If the repair costs are starting to add up for your heating and air conditioning system, it is time to talk to Semper Fi about your options for repair, replacement, and financing a new AC or heating unit. Semper Fi can guide you through the options to help you choose the best brand and the best price with the most advantageous financing plan.

When to Replace Your Current HVAC Units

Home comfort is another big reason you may want to consider the replacement of your existing system. If there are rooms in your home that aren’t properly heated and cooled, installation of a properly-sized new system can address this.

Be wary of any company that gives you a price quote without visiting and calculating the size requirements.

Don’t assume that the size of your existing system is the proper size for a new system. You may be experiencing inconsistent home temperatures because your current system is too small, or you may be paying too much for utilities because your system is larger than needed.

Financing is never a one-size-fits-all experience. Look for a finance company with an affiliation with your heating and air conditioning company. Some of the features you should look for include:

    1. Simple application process
    1. Affordable monthly payments
    1. The ability to pay and manage your account online
    1. No penalty for paying early

If time allows, schedule your replacement when your provider is offering a promotional discount. Always check for the availability of rebates and other discount programs. Semper Fi can help you compare the cost of a new system with the energy savings that you can expect to receive over the life of your replacement system. In many cases, a major portion of the initial cost will be recovered by energy savings over the life of the new system.

Seven Steps to Finding the Best Heating & Air Conditioning Company

Your HVAC system is one of the most expensive and important mechanical systems in your home. With proper care and preventive maintenance, your system will continue to operate at the performance level for which it was designed. If not properly maintained, your utility costs will increase, frequent breakdowns will occur, and all or part of the system will need to be replaced sooner than you expect. You can change the filter and adjust the thermostat, but professional help is needed to keep your system operating efficiently and not requiring early replacement. Finding an HVAC company that is reliable, totally professional, and there when you need it the most is not an easy task. Following are some tips to help you pick the right company for your home.

  • Check online reviews. Don’t just review the star rating; read some reviews to see what customers think of the company and the quality of the services provided. There may be a few less-than-five-star reviews; consider the entire group of reviews to get a feel for the values and quality of the company. Talk to your neighbors and friends to get a sense of the best companies.
  • Did they respond promptly and professionally to your service inquiry? Do they offer 24-hour emergency service? Do they have adequate staff to respond to your needs? The service technicians should be experienced, well trained, and certified.
  • Are they willing to come to your house and truly examine your system before providing a price quote for the needed repairs? Is the price quoted the price billed with no add-ons? Be wary of companies that give over-the-phone pricing without pre-inspection.
  • Do they offer alternatives to fix your system? Do they help you understand which alternative is the best option for you? A good service technician should be able to explain the problem without confusing you with technical jargon.
  • What guarantees or warranties do they offer? Do they offer a service agreement? How much does it cost and what does it cover?
  • Ask about the brands of replacement systems they sell. Ask about why they sell the brands they offer. Do they sell the least-expensive brands, the most-expensive brands, or the brands that offer the best quality for the money?
  • Do your own investigation. Do you commonly see their trucks in your neighborhood or on the highways? Drive by or visit their shop. Does it look clean and professional? Do they belong to trade associations? Visit their website. Does the website look clean and professional?

Most importantly, make sure the company truly cares about your business. True professionals care about your home because they care about you and your future business. They also want your good reviews and friend referrals. Most of all, true professionals care about you because they are proud of the quality of the work they provide. Pick a company that can assure you that you matter to them.

Call Semper Fi if you are looking for a heating and air conditioning company.

Beyond the Filters – Home Air Purification Options

Conditional air filters do a great job with most particulate pollution. Unfortunately, in the extreme heat of Arizona, high-efficiency filters can starve an HVAC system of the airflow it needs to provide maximum indoor home comfort. For home comfort optimization during peak heat during Arizona summers, Semper Fi recommends a non-pleated, fiberglass filter. For customers with indoor air quality concerns, there are additional options for the homeowner in need of hospital-quality air purification without the use of high-efficiency, pleated filters that can restrict airflow.

Bipolar Ionization

Bipolar Ionization splits molecules in the air, including water vapor, into positively and negatively charged ions. The opposite charges attract each other to form a compound. The positive and negative ions surround air particles, and the added mass causes the air particles to be captured by an air filter and removed from the air. The positive and negative ions also surround and pull hydrogen away from pathogens like viruses, bacteria, and mold spores. With the hydrogen pulled away from the protein coat, the virus cannot infect. With bacterium or mold, when the essential hydrogen is removed, the cell is ripped open and the pathogen dies, preventing infection.

Electrostatic Air Filters

Electrostatic Air Filters are most often used to remove dust, dander, mold, or pollen from an indoor space. Along with regular cleaning and adequate ventilation, an electric air cleaner installed into your HVAC system can help make your home more allergen-free. Electrostatic filters are magnets for dust. Like the positive and negative sides of a magnet that attract each other, the particles passing through a filter are given an electrical charge before they pass plates in the filter where they are attracted to the opposite charge. Under ideal conditions, the pollen and other allergens floating in your home air get stuck to the plates and are removed from the air circulating in your home.

However, everyday conditions are not ideal. The electrostatic filters need to be cleaned regularly. More importantly, continuous use of electrostatic filtration will raise the level of ozone in a home and cause other problems for anyone who suffers from allergies.

There is another solution. Allergy filters that come with an electrostatic charge will attract and hold dust, dander, mold, and pollen. These filters are flat rather than the more common pleated filters. They are also less expensive than high MERV-rated HEPA filters. The drawback is that eventually they will reach their load capacity and need to be changed. Unlike pleated filters, they can be washed and reused.

Ultraviolet Light Air Purification

Ultraviolet Light Air Purification is a viable alternative for scrubbing viruses and other pathogens from home air. UV light is the shortest wavelength light; you know it as the part of sunlight that causes sunburn. With home air purification, you are not directly exposed to the UV light; it is installed in your ventilation duct system, downstream of a high-quality air filter.

After a day at the beach, you will likely experience radiation burns resulting in redness of your skin. The redness is a direct result of damage to your skin from UV radiation. In moderate quantities, it is relatively harmless. Extreme exposure can cause skin cancer. Unlike our skin, bacteria are sensitive to even small amounts of UV exposure. They are harmless after effective exposure to germicidal ultraviolet light.

For a whole home installation, the UV lights will be installed inside ductwork and will not be directly exposed to you. The bulbs in UV lights generally need to be changed once a year but vary by manufacturer.

Semper Fi Heating & Cooling can help you choose from these and other home air purification systems to find the system that is right for your family.

Does My Air Conditioner Need Freon? What is Freon?

Let’s Start with Definitions

Just to be a stickler for language and definitions, let’s offer two definitions directly from Wikipedia:

      1. Freon is a registered trademark of The Chemours Company, which uses it for a number of halocarbon products. They are stable, nonflammable, low-toxicity gases or liquids which have generally been used as refrigerants and as aerosol propellants. These include the chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) that cause ozone depletion. Freon is a brand name for the refrigerants R-12, R-13B1, R-22, R401A, R502, and R-503

 

    1. manufactured by The Chemours Company.
    1. The term “freon” is also a generic descriptor of a fluorocarbon refrigerant.

To put it another way, Freon is a brand name and a registered trademark of a refrigerant widely used in air conditioning systems. CFCs are a component of that refrigerant that has been banned as a cause of ozone depletion. The word freon lives on as a generic word for any refrigerant used in air conditioners.

Specifically, the CFC R-22 is banned from manufacturing or importing into the United States. But there are many air conditioning systems still operating with Freon R-22. Freon R-22 has become in increasingly short supply and as a result the price has increased significantly. Typically Freon R-22 is 300-400% more expensive than the current standard Freon 410A. Newer systems have not been using Freon R-22 for a decade.

Should Older Systems that Use R-22 Be Replaced?

If your system uses R-22, then it is older and possibly nearing the end of efficient operational life. It may still have some useful years, and if it continues to perform well there is not an immediate rush to replace it. You should, however, get regular maintenance and keep your older system operating until it becomes time for a replacement.

In the normal course of operation, an air conditioning system can lose a small amount of Freon every year. During your semi-annual maintenance visit, it is not uncommon for your HVAC technician to recommend a “top-up” of the refrigerant levels on your system. The challenge occurs if there is a significant refrigerant leak in a Freon R-22 system. In this instance, even if the leak in the system can be repaired, it will most likely be cost-prohibitive to recharge (i.e. refill) the system with Freon R-22 and thus a system replacement is most commonly the best course of action at that time. Remember, in this instance it is not that Freon R-22 is not available, but that it is so expensive that investing several thousand dollars in additional Freon R-22 does not make financial sense for homeowners.

The service technicians at Semper Fi can help you understand your options with regard to freon availability. We are here to help you get as much life out of your older system as practically possible and offer competitive, cost-effective system replacement options as needed.

What Does Freon Do in Your Air Conditioning System?

Freon passes through your AC refrigerant lines. The air conditioner compressor compresses freon gas which makes it hot. It then travels through coils that cool and convert it from gas to a liquid state. Next, it travels to evaporators that convert it back to gas that can cool the air in your home.

After years of circulating, the amount of freon in your system will decline. Tiny pinhole leaks will allow freon to escape and make the pressure in the system decline. When people refer to an AC system needing to be recharged or refilled, they are referring to the levels of freon. If your system is running longer than it did in the past, or if it seems that your system is not keeping you as cool as you expect, it could be that the freon needs to be recharged.
Call Semper Fi to make an appointment for a technician to check your system’s freon levels and add whatever is needed to get your system back to working like new at full efficiency.

Honor Veterans on Veterans Day

Semper Fi Heating & Cooling is a veteran-owned company that extends 20% discounts to veterans and their families. As a company, Semper Fi Heating & Cooling considers Veterans Day to be a sacred time to proudly honor those who have served.

World War I did not officially end until the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, but seven months earlier on the 11th day of the 11th month at the 11th hour, an armistice was signed to end the fighting between the Allied Nations and Germany in what was then called “the war to end all wars.”

In November 1919, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day when he said, “To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations.”

In 1954 a law was passed to amend the law that created Armistice Date by changing the name to Veterans Day so that November 11 became a day to honor American veterans of all wars. Veterans Day is an official government holiday; government offices along with many schools are closed. In many places in the U.S., the day is marked by parades and church services, the flag is hung at half mast, and a period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11:00 AM.

Veterans Day is focused on honoring and showing pride in veterans who still live among us. Memorial Day is a day to honor those who gave their lives while serving in the military. Arlington National Cemetery holds memorial services on both Veterans Day and Memorial Day. According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, as of 2020 there are 325,574 living American veterans who served in World War II. There are about 500,000 Korean War vets, 610,000 Vietnam War vets, and 2.5 million post-9/11 vets who served in Kuwait, Iraq and Afghanistan. Eighty-three percent of vets are male, and 17% are female.

Life is not easy for many veterans. Eighty percent of them spent time in overseas combat zones. Sixty percent are under the age of 34. Twenty-two veterans commit suicide daily. Thirty percent have disabilities as a result of their service. As many as 20% of veterans have been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder. Twenty-two percent are diagnosed with depressive disorder. Only one-third of vets that need mental health care have sought treatment. The vast majority of veterans joined the military to serve our country and nearly all of them are proud of their service.

Our veterans need your support and understanding. Many of them feel that the rest of America does not understand or doesn’t even think about the trauma they have experienced. Be thoughtful and be kind to vets; they will appreciate our support.

Air Purification with UV-C Light

Air Purification with UV-C Light

Airborne pollutants like viruses, bacteria and mold are found in most homes. Modern construction standards and insulation do a great job sealing entire homes to improve heating and cooling efficiency. The downside of a well-sealed home is that moisture is prevented from escaping, which allows for the growth of harmful germs that cause a variety of illnesses.

Portable air purification devices help, but if you’re serious about removing harmful pollutants from your home, you need a whole home system that delivers purified air through your central heating and air conditioning system. You need to destroy bacteria and viruses on surfaces and in the air, making your whole home a safe haven for the health of you and your family.

HEPA air filters are great and it is highly recommended that you use them. They play an important role in removing larger dust and mold particles. However, air filters alone will not remove the smaller and more dangerous pollutants. There are other whole home technologies, but UV-C light, properly located in your central air distribution system, has clearly emerged as the best option for whole home air purification systems. Among UV-C systems, REME HALO is the leader for whole home air purification.

What Does REME HALO Do?

REME HALO uses patented REME Cell technology with UV-C light to create low-level, airborne hydrogen peroxide throughout an air-conditioned space. Not only does it kill bacteria and viruses, it reduces allergens, mold, microbials, smoke, odors and volatile organic compounds (VOCs). REME HALO utilizes patented and third-party tested and validated technology to eliminate 99.9% of COVID-19 in a simulated home environment.

The benefits of the REME HALO whole home air purification system go beyond the important work of killing bacteria and viruses. The tight construction prevents outside air from circulating in your home. Inside air can be up to five times more polluted than outside air. Whole home air purification from Semper Fi is a breath of fresh air in your entire home.

How Does REME HALO Work?

REME HALO is installed in the supply plenum of your home HVAC system. It uses reflective electromagnetic energy to produce hydrogen peroxide plasma that passes through your air handler and circulates through your whole house. Hydrogen peroxide is naturally occurring in the atmosphere. It is part of the natural process of purifying the clean outdoor air that we breathe. The hydrogen peroxide produced by REME HALO continues to eliminate pollutants in your home even when the blower on your HVAC system is not blowing.

REME HALO is not a filtration system that works to capture the pollutants that are circulating in your home air. It kills and eliminates the pollutants before they circulate. Also, it works with your filtration system by causing particle pollutants to solidify and stick together, making them larger and easier for your filter to catch. Don’t forget to change your filter often.

REME HALO can be installed quickly by the professionals at Semper Fi. It comes with a five-year warranty. It is recommended that the cell be replaced every two years. Call the professional HVAC technicians at Semper Fi today to learn more about how whole home air purification can reduce the pollutants in the air circulating in your home. It’s the new normal; air purification will help keep your family healthy and safe.

Emergency Heating & Air Conditioning Repair Service

Emergency Heating & Air Conditioning Repair in the Phoenix East Valley

 

When the weather is at extremes, heating and cooling systems are working their hardest. When they are working their hardest, that’s when they tend to break down. They’ve also been known to break down on the day guests are due to arrive, the day you are leaving for vacation, and any other day you have too much going on. The correlation between an HVAC breakdown and you not having time to deal with one more crisis has not been independently verified. That’s why it’s called an emergency.

If you have a heating or air conditioning emergency, the technicians at Semper Fi are available seven days per week. If it is an emergency to you, it is an emergency to us.

Clearly, some situations call for emergency service. If your safety is at risk, that is an emergency. If your air conditioner quits on a scorching hot day, that is an emergency. Other situations are not that clear-cut. When the temperature is mild, a broken air conditioner or nonfunctional furnace is more of an inconvenience than an emergency. But that same inconvenience can be an emergency if you have young children, older residents, or health-compromising conditions.

Why Do Heating & Air Conditioning Systems Break Down?

No one actually wants to call for emergency service. It is always better for systems to work as they should and be there when needed. There are steps that can be taken to prevent breakdowns.

Preventive maintenance is number one on the list of steps to take to prevent system breakdowns requiring emergency services. For the most part, we don’t think of HVAC systems as needing regular maintenance. Alternately, it is understood that vehicles need proper service to keep them running. We don’t drive our vehicles until they break down on the side of the road. But some homeowners who are careful to follow maintenance schedules for their cars and trucks will go for years without getting their HVAC system serviced. Proper HVAC service involves more than just changing the filter every few months. Contact Semper Fi to arrange for your HVAC system to get a tune-up. Better yet, sign up for a preventive maintenance plan to get regular service. On each tune-up or maintenance visit, your Semper Fi technician will evaluate your entire system and identify components your technician recommends be replaced preventively or that cold fail in the next 12 months. Semper Fi offers an additional 10% discount for preventive repairs performed on a maintenance visit.

Your HVAC service technician at Semper Fi is a trained and certified professional. Do-it-yourself HVAC maintenance is generally not a good idea. Specialized tools and skills are required. It is always better to call a pro for HVAC. Improper or incomplete service can actually harm your systems and cause breakdowns requiring emergency service at the most inopportune times.

If your heating and cooling system is more than 10 years old, it is more likely to break down than a newer and more efficient system. You may be paying for preventive maintenance and regular tune-ups but still need frequent repairs and emergency service. You may be at the point where you need to consider replacing your system with a new high-efficiency system and say goodbye to expensive repairs and hello to trouble-free operations. But don’t ignore preventive maintenance on a new system. Talk to the pros at Semper Fi for help in selecting the right HVAC system for you.

HVAC Repair for Mesa AZ

One thing is certain about your Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) system; at some time in the first 10 years of its life it will need repairs. Early on the repairs are likely to be minor issues, but around 10-15 years and beyond the needed repairs may become more serious and more expensive. HVAC systems are expensive; you can’t buy a new system every time a control switch fails or an electrical contact comes loose. There are no brands of HVAC systems that do not need repairs from time to time.

The professional technicians at Semper Fi have the training and experience to identify problems early and repair them before they become bigger problems. Semper Fi offers a preventative maintenance program for only $10 per month that is highly recommended to keep your HVAC system at peak performance. Without ongoing preventative maintenance, your system may need to be replaced sooner.

There are some common HVAC repair issues that you can check before calling a service technician.

  • If your system won’t turn on, check your thermostat. Is it set lower than the room temperature? If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure it is not on vacation mode. Check the power. Is a breaker flipped off? Check your air filter. If your filter is seriously dirty, it may be preventing proper air flow.
  • Is your system iced up? Turn it off. With the system powered down, wait 24 hours for the coils to thaw, then turn it all back on again. If it ices up again, call Semper Fi for service.
  • If no cold air is coming out of the registers, check the air filter to make sure it is not clogged. If you can see your ducts, check to make sure they are properly connected.
  • One of the best things you can do for your heating and cooling system is to get routine tune-ups. Don’t wait until you have serious system problems before calling for repair. Proper tune-ups from the technicians at Semper Fi will keep your system running trouble-free, and it will continue to operate efficiently for years before needing to be replaced.

Despite all efforts to prevent equipment failure, there will come a day when you need to call for HVAC repairs. You may hear a screeching noise from the outdoor compressor unit that tells you repairs are needed. You may see ice forming on the compressor unit. The circulation fan may be running and blowing air, but it is not cold air in the summer or warm air in the winter.

When an easy fix doesn’t work, then it is time to call an HVAC repair service technician at Semper Fi. If your system has received regular tune-ups and preventative maintenance, issues will likely be identified early before they become major HVAC repair problems. We provide 24-hour emergency service and you should call if you have no heat on a cold night or no cooling on a hot day.