Author: Brody Pennell

[Infographic] What the R22 Phaseout means for LA Homeowners

Written by Brody Pennell on November 20, 2019. Posted in Air Conditioning, Home Improvement, HVAC Maintenance, HVAC Repair.

Is your air conditioner more than eight years old? If so, your AC may use Freon® as a coolant, which is part of a federally regulated R22 phaseout. Translation: your air conditioner repairs will soon get more expensive.

Your air conditioner contains a refrigerant fluid. Depending on the make and model of your system, the coolant inside your system could be R-22. R-22 is a coolant known by other names, such as R22 or Freon®. The EPA identified this refrigerant as a cause for ozone layer depletion, so the government is phasing out the use of it in different equipment. As of January 2020, refrigerant suppliers can no longer produce or sell Freon®. That means the only R-22 available will be recovered, recycled, or reclaimed supplies.

Check out our infographic to learn more about what you can do to prepare for the upcoming R22 phaseout:

How to Get Your Home Ready for the Holidays

Written by Brody Pennell on November 18, 2019. Posted in Helpful Hints, Home Comfort, Home Improvement.

Fall is in full swing and that means the holiday season is underway. With modern families spread from coast to coast, it’s more important than ever to create a warm and hospitable environment for traveling guests. That’s why we’ve made this checklist to help you get your home ready for the holidays!

Holidays should be spent having fun and making memories with the people closest to you. However, if you find yourself underprepared to entertain holiday guests, it can quickly turn the holidays from special to stressful.

Whether it’s just for day-of festivities or you’re housing aunts, uncles, siblings, cousins, and surprise plus ones. Run through this pre-holiday visitor checklist to get your home ready for the holidays!

1. Prep Your Plumbing System

Anyone who’s ever hosted Thanksgiving dinner at their house knows the toll that it can place on the home’s plumbing system. From the mountain of dishes left in the kitchen sink to the increased use of the home’s bathrooms. Calling out a plumber to inspect and, if needed, fortify your pipes can save you from any disastrous holiday plumbing problems.

2. CO Monitor Check

There’s a good likelihood that holiday cooking is going to lead to increased use of your stovetop. If you have a gas range, this enhances the probability of an accidental CO leak from one of your stove’s burners. With even more loved ones under your roof, checking your carbon monoxide monitor is an especially wise task to address before your guests arrive.

3. Have Essentials Available for Guests

You don’t have to fold your tissues into origami swans for your closest friends and family. But, you will want to make guests aware of where to find certain essentials. Help your guests feel at home by placing things like extra towels, pillows, blankets, Tylenol, allergy medications, hand lotion and band-aids in your guests’ quarters.

4. Examine Your Exterior

As homes are filled to the brim with friends and relatives, it’s not uncommon for a holiday party to spill over into the yard. While you don’t have guests to accommodate, it can be easy to adopt an out of sight, out of mind mentality for your outdoor maintenance.

Keep your friends and family safe while they play yard games, football or enjoy a fall fire by clearing up your yard and securing railings and steps.

5. Light the Way for Guests

Traveling can be unpredictable, so guests can arrive at all hours of the day – or night! This makes something as simple as changing a light bulb a vital task to help guests acclimate to your home.

From pavers and porch lights to hall and attic lights. Wherever guests are staying should be well lit to help them comfortably navigate your home during their stay.

6. Heater Tuneup

We know Southern California falls are fairly temperate. Still, it’s important to call in an HVAC technician to ensure your heat system is ready for the winter ahead. If your furnace has any issues, you’ll want to find out before your house is set to entertain ALL of your relatives. A heater tuneup should be a mandatory task to get your home ready for the holdays!

7. Pad Up Insulation

Insulation is one of the smartest investments homeowners can make to improve home comfort AND energy efficiency (source). Once you’ve shored up your heat system with seasonal maintenance, the next best step is to more efficiently retain the heat your system produces. Avoiding heat (and therefore energy) leaks will prevent cold spots. Plus, it will keep your utility bills down as you heat up your home.

8. Consider Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Ensuring your home is comfortable for your family and guests may require some attention to your indoor air quality. With the weather getting colder outside, there may be an increase in time spent inside. This, along with a higher number of visitors, can cause a spike in air pollutants. Guests traveling from other regions may also be more sensitive to local allergens.

One way to address the air quality of your home is an air purifier. Air purifiers can be integrated within your central air system or a stand-alone as an individual unit. Running an air purifier throughout colder months can help counteract the buildup of indoor air pollution.

You can check off a number of items on this list with a quick call to the LA HVAC experts at Brody Pennell. Schedule your furnace maintenance appointment today! Ask your technicians about other ways to improve your home comfort ahead of the herd of holiday guests your home is set to support this year.

Why a Heater Tuneup is Essential in LA

Written by Brody Pennell on October 24, 2019. Posted in Heating, HVAC Maintenance.

As a homeowner in LA, you know that getting a tuneup for your heater is important. But… do you actually schedule heater maintenance?

Why A heater tuneup is Important, even in LA

A lot of homeowners ignore – or conveniently forget – to get maintenance scheduled. A lot of people say, “my furnace is running fine, why do I need a tuneup?”. This goes on for several years until suddenly, they are calling us for an emergency heater repair in the middle of the night.

To be clear, we’re happy to take your calls 24/7. But these last-minute repairs are not only inconvenient, the repair costs can add up!

There are several reasons why you should make sure to get a heater tuneup in LA:

1. For the Safety of Your Family

It’s important to remember that a furnace is a machine. It produces heat by burning natural gas. Over time there will be normal wear and tear on the metal parts inside the machine. Gone unchecked, a furnace poses real dangers, like gas leaks and carbon monoxide leaks.

Natural gas is flammable – that’s why it’s used in furnaces! But in a furnace, it’s kept enclosed inside the metal tubing and chambers. If it escapes into your home, any spark could cause a fire.

Since furnaces burn fuel, they produce carbon monoxide (CO). Carbon monoxide is poisonous to humans and animals, causing nausea, headaches, and asphyxiation.

Getting maintenance for your Los Angeles heater will help identify any potential safety risks. Plus, you’ll get peace of mind that your furnace is working properly.

2. To Ensure Warmth

There’s a group of people out there that wait to turn on the furnace until they just can’t stand the cold any longer. Finally, on a cold morning, they bundle up, shuffle over to their thermostat, and switch the heat to ‘on’. And they experience that brief moment of dread, thinking, ‘Is it going to turn on? I’m cold!!’

When you finally DO decide to turn on your heat, have confidence that you’ll get the warmth you desire! All LA residents should schedule a heater tuneup before the heating season begins. That way, you can be certain you’ll be cozy on that first cold day.

Plus, if your furnace requires repair, wouldn’t you rather have the work done when you’re not freezing?

Similarly, a furnace inspection can reveal how close you are to needing to replace it. If the time has come to install a new heater, it’s best to do it ahead of the cold. That way, you get full benefit from your new system all winter long.

All of this is to say, make sure you take care of your furnace maintenance before the cold truly arrives.

3. Protect the Environment and Pay Less

In California, nearly 27% of our energy consumption is attributed to space heating. One way we can reduce our impact on the planet is by improving the efficiency of high-consuming devices we use, like furnaces.

A furnace that has received a tuneup will use less energy and be more efficient. That’s because your furnace will receive a bit of a deep clean. We’ll check the system for any leaks or blockages that would contribute to higher energy use.

Combine your furnace inspection with a programmable thermostat and you’ll start to see big savings. Don’t have one? Check out our current promotion! Until November 15, 2019, qualifying LA customers can get a free Nest thermostat and free AC tuneup when you schedule a heater tuneup!

When you use less energy, you’re doing right by the environment. Bonus: your energy bills will get smaller, too.

LA Homeowners: Schedule Your Heater Tuneup!

We’ve shared just a few reasons why it’s important to get a heater tuneup in LA. There are many more reasons to schedule heater maintenance, like the longevity of your furnace and maintaining your warranty.

The fact of the matter is that every home in Los Angeles should have annual furnace maintenance. We make it easy to get your furnace inspected. Fill out this form to schedule your appointment!

One last thing. If remembering to schedule your maintenance is part of the hurdle, consider joining the Brody Pennell Maintenance Club. In addition to helping you get your inspections scheduled, you’ll receive discounts on parts and repairs. It’s a great deal; that’s why hundreds of your LA neighbors are already signed up!

Heat Pump: What is it?

Written by Brody Pennell on September 19, 2019. Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, HVAC Installation.

If you’re looking at buying a new HVAC system, you may have come across a product called a heat pump. So, what is a heat pump? A heat pump is a system that can provide both cooling and heating. An air conditioner can only provide cooling, and a furnace can only heat. However, a heat pump can do both!

Should I use a heat pump?

A heat pump is a piece of equipment that replaces both the heating and cooling system in your home. So, there are several scenarios in which you might consider a heat pump:

Replacing an air conditioner – if your air conditioner has bit the bullet, you might consider replacing it with a heat pump rather than another air conditioner. This is especially true if your furnace is getting old, or, you don’t have any heat in your home at all.
Replace or add heating – For homeowners that want to replace an existing heating system or add heating where it doesn’t already exist, a heat pump is a cost-effective option to get serious bang for your buck.
Remodel or new construction – a heat pump is the best available option for a remodel or new construction home. With fewer pieces of equipment, it’s a space-saver.

How does a heat pump work?

Despite the name, air-source heat pump systems work very similarly to air conditioners.

When a home needs cooling, a heat pump operates the same way an air conditioner does. However, an air conditioner only runs refrigerant in one direction. Think about it like a one-way street- traffic always moves in the same direction.

When there’s a requirement for heating in a home with traditional A/C, the air conditioner will shut down and a furnace would take over. But with a heat pump, a special component called a reversing valve changes the direction of refrigerant flow. This would be like all the traffic on the same one-way street getting swapped to move in the opposite direction. So, many of the same components are used to warm the refrigerant inside the system as are used to cool the refrigerant.

To be clear, refrigerant flow through the heat pump system can only go in one direction at any given time. So, most heat pumps can only offer cooling or heating independently, not cooling and heating at the same time.

What are the benefits of a heat pump?

Heat pumps offer several benefits to homeowners. Some of them include:

Reduced maintenance – since there are fewer pieces of equipment in your HVAC system, there will be less maintenance. That means fewer systems in your home to worry about maintaining.
Higher efficiency – Heat pumps are among the most efficient products in the market today. If you’re interested in saving energy or reducing monthly utility bills, heat pumps make a great choice.
Cost-effective – In the long run it’s cheaper to purchase one heat pump rather than an air conditioner and furnace separately. Ultimately all mechanical equipment will need to be replaced, so a heat pump is a smart financial choice.
Heating – Not all homes in LA have heating due to our moderate climate. Upgrading from an air conditioner to heat pump is a great way to improve the comfort of your home for a fraction of the price of an independent heating system.
Electricity-based – Electricty powers heat pumps, making them an attractive option for homeowners with low electricity rates. An electrically-powered heat pump also makes sense for homeowners that are producing solar power on-site.

Call Brody Pennell for a Quote

Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning offers heat pump installation, repair, and maintenance services for homeowners in the Los Angeles area and beyond. Our team of heat pump experts can recommend the best heat pump system for your home. Also, we can help you save by taking advantage of promotions on heat pumps. Call us today: (310) 810-2721.

HVAC and Sick Days. Is there a link?

Written by Brody Pennell on August 28, 2019. Posted in Indoor Air Quality.

With Fall nearly upon us, it’s about time for scarves, soups, and… sick days. Everyone has experienced a bug going around the office. Did you know that an uptick in sick days could be related to your HVAC system?

It’s true. When there is a properly-maintained indoor air quality system installed, the number of allergens and bacteria in the air you breathe are being significantly reduced.

If you own or operate a commercial building, then you know how important it is that the people in your building stay healthy. If workers are sick, then productivty drops. So, it’s critical to provide a healthy and safe work environment.

Most Americans spend up to 90 percent of their time indoors. Many of those hours are spent at the workplace. So when the indoor environment is clean, you can save on health insurance costs and reduce absenteeism.

Some common indoor air quality problems that are common in offices include:

Not enough ventilation
Uncomfortable temperatures
Humidity that’s too high or too low
Not controlling emissions (like smelly microwaved lunches or toner from the copy machine)
Improper cleaning and disinfecting of surfaces

The best way to reduce sick days for the people in your building is to improve your indoor air quality (IAQ). One way to do that is to control humidity. Another way is to install an IAQ device within your heating and cooling system.

IAQ Devices IN HVAC SYSTEMS REDUCE SICK DAYS

Even though commercial buildings require specific amounts of outdoor air, that doesn’t mean the air is fresh. Pollen, ragweed, and other particulates from the outside can make it into the building through doors and windows. Also, a majority of the air in commercial buildings is recirculated. So any bacteria, viruses, or other particles stay in the building’s air for extended periods.

Every heating and cooling system should have a standard air filter. But, some particulates are too small for the filter to catch. Even if bacteria or pollen makes its way to the filter media, those cold-causing particles can still make it through the filter. Then, they’ll get sent in the ductwork right back into the building.

Two solutions that can put an end to the germs circulating in your building.

Electronic air cleaners are basically an air purifier for your entire space. It’s installed inside your ductwork, so it cleans 100% of the air in your building.
Ultraviolet sterilizers eliminate bacteria upon contact. The coil-based model kills up to 99.9% of surface mold on your central AC components.

Air Quality Solutions from Brody Pennell

As the winter nears and allergies become an issue in your building, be sure to call Brody Pennell for your air quality needs. We have the experience and technology the best solutions for your business. For 70 years Brody Pennell has served Los Angeles businesses. Our technicians are the best in the business. Let us assist you with your IAQ needs today!

How to Stay Cool in LA this Summer

Written by Brody Pennell on July 29, 2019. Posted in Local Events.

Through most of the year, we get beautiful weather in southern California. But occasionally during the summer in LA, we’ll get a hot and sticky day that has you searching for excuses to stay indoors. So, we put together this guide of indoor activities to help you stay cool in LA this summer.

1 – Vanderpump Dogs

If you’re not able to own a dog of your own, you can get your fill of puppy kisses at Vanderpump Dogs. Owned by Real Housewife Lisa Vanderpump, this indoor activity is actually a 501(c)3 rescue organization. The 6,000 square foot facility is designed with a home-like environment to give both the pets and the visitors a more inviting feel to the space. Take a break from the heat and cozy up with some adoptable dogs for a relaxing afternoon indoors.

2 – Dreamscape

Truly escape from the a hot summer day in LA with an adventure from Dreamscape. This immersive experience located at the Westfield Century City mall takes visitors to far away places and fantastical scenes. Your mind will be fooled by the mix of virtual reality and interactive physical features, like a platform that vibrates and shakes along with your experience. Choose from a daring adventure through an ancient tomb, or plunge into the ocean to reunite a family of whales. Or – take a trip to an alien zoo! The choice is yours.

3 – Las Fotos Project

Check out the incredible photography work by teenage girls at the Las Fotos youth photo exhibit. Celebrating their 10th year of programming, the Las Fotos project inspires young women with access to professional cameras, quality instruction, and workshops throughout the year. Then, photographers are featured in regular exhibits in Lincoln Heights. The gallery is free and open on Wednesdays and Fridays.

4 – Dynasty Typewriter

Book a babysitter and head down to Dynasty Typewriter for some belly laughs (although there is no minimum age requirement, they have a policy of not censoring their comics). With unique shows like the Pixar Roast on August 6th, you forget about the dog days of LA summers for a few hours. The nearly-200 person theater offers a cozy and intimate show for all who visit. Although there is no alcohol at the theater, that also means no drink minimums. Popcorn and snacks are available for purchase, or if you’re really hungry, the next door La Fonda is a cult favorite.

5 – Griffith Observatory

Another affordable activity for LA residents looking to beat the summer heat is the Griffith Observatory. The observatory is free and is open Tuesday through Sunday through the summer. Visitors can explore exhibits and look through telescopes. Plus, the Griffith Observatory is one of the best views of the Hollywood sign and the Los Angeles skyline. Check the weather for clear skies before you head out for the best views of the stars.

Can I cover my HVAC unit?

Written by Brody Pennell on July 3, 2019. Posted in Air Conditioning, Home Improvement.

Our customers in Los Angeles, California sometimes ask this question: Can I cover up an HVAC outdoor unit?

Reasons you might want to cover your HVAC Unit

If this is something you’ve never even considered, then the question may puzzle you. Perhaps you’ve never set foot to look at your outdoor system. However, there are many reasons that someone might want to cover their HVAC unit.

Property values depend heavily on a buyer’s first impression of the home. Savvy homeowners take great care to improve curb appeal, which can help drive up the cost of a home that is for sale.
Aesthetics are essential to our customers in LA. Your home should look and feel like the sanctuary it is. If the AC unit is in a prominent place on the property, like next to a pool, it can feel like an eyesore.
Proper care and maintenance of an air conditioning system is vital to their longevity. If there are trees or other landscaping that often cause debris to fall on or even inside an HVAC unit, you may be tempted to cover it up.

Ideally, it is best to keep your air conditioner unobstructed. But, we understand there are valid concerns and desires to wanting to conceal your condenser.

So, CAN I HIDE MY AIR CONDITIONER?

If you are seeking to hide your unit from view, then the answer is yes! You can hide your HVAC unit. However, that doesn’t mean you can build a box around your system. Air conditioning units require something called free airflow.

Talk Science to Me

The air around your HVAC system is the means for refrigerant to get cold. AC systems draw air across the condensing coils, using the temperature of the air to cool the fluid in the coil, and then shoots the hot exhaust air away.

If you block the airflow to the unit, the fan must work much harder to draw the appropriate amount of air across the coils. That could lead to higher energy bills and an increased likelihood that your unit will require repair sooner.

Separately, if you encase the unit, it could cause the air to shortcircuit. The warm exhaust air needs to be sent far away from the system so that it draws only cooler air across the coils. If warm air cannot escape to the environment, your system could have problems performing well, and after a small amount of time operating like this, the system is not able to cool at all.

In short, studies have shown that when shrubs, walls, or other objects are placed too close to a condensing unit it reduces system efficiency. If you can, leaving your AC condenser completely unobstructed is best.

Thinking of covering your HVAC unit for maintenance reasons?

If you want to cover your HVAC unit to keep the elements at bay, we have specific advice for you. You don’t need to do this! Air conditioning systems are built to endure harsh weather conditions, moisture, and even some debris.

Covering your AC unit with a tarp or other cover can cause other problems! For example, rodents seek shelter in covered areas like this during the colder months. Also, you might forget to remove the cover when you first turn on your AC, and that can cause big operational problems.

As long as you have your air conditioner serviced once a year, your system receives regularly cleaning. During our preventative maintenance visits, we rinse your unit and clean out any debris. So, make sure you take care of these visits before it starts to get hot here in southern California!

Guidelines: If you want to cover your HVAC unit

Ready to disguise your air conditioning system? Follow these essential guidelines:

Service Area – remember that your system needs servicing by a certified technician at least once a year. Make sure that any barrier you create is simple to enter. Also, there should be at least 2-3 feet of clear area around the system.
Choose appropriate landscaping – bushes are a popular option to hide air conditioning units. Be sure that you choose landscaping that doesn’t create a lot of debris, such as falling leaves, nuts, or fruit. Also, keep in mind that landscaping needs regular trimming to ensure it doesn’t encroach on your AC unit.
Free Airflow – Be sure that the air conditioner has open space to encourage free airflow. If you choose fencing or other structural materials to cover your HVAC unit, be sure that there is plenty of slats or other open areas in the material. The ratio of open area to the material should be at least 50%, ideally higher. Walls or barriers should be placed no closer than 3 feet to the sides of the system.

Have a question about your AC?

Air conditioners are somewhat of a mystery to most homeowners. That’s where Brody Pennell, the experts is HVAC, come in. We’d be happy to answer any inquiries about your heating and cooling system. As the longest-standing Carrier dealer in Los Angeles, we have decades of experience in the industry. Give us a call anytime an HVAC concern comes to mind.

SEER: What is it?

Written by Brody Pennell on June 19, 2019. Posted in Air Conditioning, Energy Efficiency, HVAC Installation.

While you are shopping for a new HVAC system, you have to become a quick learner of HVAC jargon. There are a lot of terms and abbreviations that you may not be familiar with. One of the most frequently asked questions about air conditioners is about SEER. What is SEER? Why is SEER important? Should I buy a system with a higher SEER?

First, let’s define what the abbreviation SEER is:

S.E.E.R. stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it is a standard for measuring how efficient an HVAC unit is.
Brody Pennell Heating & Air Conditioning

SEER is defined by the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute (AHRI). It is a calculation of the total cooling capacity of an air conditioner divided by the total electric energy it is expected to use. When the ratio is higher, less electricity is used to to do the same amount of cooling. Basically, the higher the SEER, the more efficient the system, and the lower the energy bills will be. SEER ratings range from 14 – 40+.

How SEER works

You can think of SEER like miles per gallon on a car. When you are car shopping, miles per gallon is displayed prominently on the information sheet. This helps buyers gauge about how much their gasoline will cost if they drive the vehicle regularly. Similarly, Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio ratings help homeowners estimate the electric utility costs they can expect from the system.

An easy way to tell if a product has a “good” SEER is if it has an ENERGY STAR ® emblem with the product information. For example, the Carrier Infinity GreenSpeed product is not only an ENERGY STAR ® product, it is also labeled as a Most Efficient product for 2019 in the program.

Why SEER matters to your wallet

Since a heat pump or air conditioner will last you 10-15 years, homeowners should definitely take seasonal energy efficiency ratio into consideration. Products with efficiency numbers in the 30s and 40s are more expensive because they have better-performing components and controls systems that allow them to use less energy. Plus, manufacturers often back in extra comfort features and other benefits into these top-tier products.

Systems with lower SEERs will be more affordable in the beginning. But, your monthly energy bills will be pricier than if your purchase equipment with a higher rating. And since financing is an option with HVAC systems, you shouldn’t let the system cost of an air conditioner hold you back from purchasing a more efficient system. Plus, high-efficiency systems often qualify for rebates and other promotions.

The environmental impact of SEER

Did you know that air conditioning makes up the greatest piece of your energy bill? It’s true. A 2015 study by the U.S. Energy Information Administration showed that air conditioning makes up about 17% of all residential energy consumption. That’s more than anything else in your house!

Since energy usage is on the rise, and HVAC making up a huge portion of our consumption, it is critical to find ways to use less energy. Efficient cooling and heating systems can be an immense help to the environment.

In 1992 the U.S. Federal Government established the first minimum seasonal energy efficiency ratio for all units made in the USA. A lot has changed since then!

Products sold in California must be at least 14 SEER. The highest SEER products are ductless mini splits. You can purchase a ductless mini split with a SEER rating as high as 42!

Efficiency for your home

Brody Pennell can help you decipher all of the HVAC jargon. We have been providing superior heating and cooling services to the LA area for more than 70 years. And as a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, we are well-versed in all the different products available to you. Whether you’re looking to go completely green, or just looking to balance the cost and benefit of a higher seasonal energy efficiency ratio, Brody Pennell can help guide you. Call us today for more information!

HVAC Sizes: How do I know what size HVAC I need?

Written by Brody Pennell on June 11, 2019. Posted in Air Conditioning, HVAC Installation.

When you are thinking about buying a new HVAC system, an important consideration is the sizes of available equipment. Just think: this new cooling and heating system will be serving your home for ten years or longer. It’s important to get this right!

For cooling and heating systems, it’s important to get the right size of equipment.

Bigger is not better – Rounding up might seem like a good idea, but over-sizing HVAC equipment can lead to lots of operational problems. An HVAC system that is sized too large will turn on and off regularly. That’s not only annoying for the people in the space, but the incessant startups will wreak havoc on your energy bills. And, it can lead to a shorter equipment lifespan.
Less is not more – It goes without saying that you don’t want to undersize your equipment. An under-sized HVAC will not be able to keep up with demand. Even if you think you’re not using very much of your HVAC system, consider the days where your home gets the heaviest use. For example, friendly gatherings or bake-offs in the kitchen. You want your system to be able to keep up in those scenarios!

Now you know the importance of investigating sizes of HVAC equipment. So how do you get to a number?

The Trouble with Using the Same HVAC Size

A lot of homeowners think that if they are replacing an HVAC system, they don’t need to worry about sizes. Just use the same size as the existing HVAC. Right?

The truth is that this approach can be problematic.

So before you get too far down the path in ordering a new heating and cooling system, consider if you’re experiencing any of these issues with your current setup:

Does your HVAC seem to be running constantly, or only turning off very briefly?
Conversely, does your HVAC system kick on and off, rarely staying on for more than a few minutes?
Are there areas of your home that aren’t being cooled or heated to your comfort levels?

If you are having any of these troubles with your cooling and heating system, you will be better off looking at different sizes of HVAC equipment. Our highly-trained technicians at Brody Pennell can help you choose the appropriate size system for your home.

Special Considerations for HVAC Sizes when Replacing

Homeowners that are replacing their HVAC should consider improvements that have been made to the home. Changing physical features of the home, adding energy-saving improvements, or remodeling spaces can impact the size of an HVAC system.

When you meet with a licensed contractor at your Los Angeles home, be sure to tell him or her about any changes you’ve made to the home since your current HVAC system was installed. Some of these items include:

New windows
Improved roof insulation
Additions of new spaces
Remodeled areas like kitchens, laundry rooms, bathrooms, or home gyms
Finished out spaces like attics, basements, or garages

Determining the Right Size of HVAC Equipment

So, what size does your air conditioner or furnace actually need to be?

If you’re building a brand new home, adding a new space, or you have done many renovations to your home, a load calculation needs to be performed.

A load calculation takes into account a number of variables. For example, how many windows you have, the orientation of your home in comparison to the sun, and insulation in your walls and roof. A load calculation will also include the heat generated by the people, lights, and electronic devices in your home, just to name a few. An industry standard for load calculation is the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) Manual J method.

When you have a final load value from the calculation, you’ll know what size your HVAC needs to be.

Isn’t there a simple rule of thumb?

If you’re doing research about HVAC sizes, you might find simplified methods for determining the load. For example, a certain number of tons per hundred square feet. Simple online tools will also spit out numbers for you. Homeowners should use caution when using these tools. These tools make sweeping generalizations about your home, and may not be able to produce accurate numbers.

Work with the best… and save money, too

The team at Brody Pennell has been in the heating and air conditioning business for more than 70 years. We understand how to size equipment correctly the first time by doing industry-standard heat load calculations.

Right now we are offering great specials on HVAC systems of all sizes. With the Carrier Cool Cash program, you can get up to $1,650 off a new HVAC system. You can combine this deal with other incentives, like utility rebates and financing. Now is a great time to buy if you are on budget – this is the best deal of the year.

Between our long history in LA, and our partnership with the best equipment manufacturers, our team can then provide a range of solutions that will best meet your needs. Give us a call to schedule an appointment today!

Replace AC and furnace at the same time?

Written by Brody Pennell on May 31, 2019. Posted in Air Conditioning, Heating, HVAC Installation.

Sometimes, all the home repairs come at once. Although it can be a headache to deal with multiple repairs – especially in Los Angeles – there are some advantages. For example, you can look at solutions that otherwise wouldn’t have been feasible. So when it comes to HVAC sometimes customers ask, is it a good idea to replace your AC and furnace at the same time?

The answer is: it depends. There are pros and cons to replacing the two major components of your HVAC system. As a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer serving LA for over 70 years, we are well-versed in this predicament!

Advantages to replacing AC and furnace together

Your furnace and your air conditioner work together to heat and cool your home. Did you know: even during the summer, your furnace is working? That’s because your furnace contains the blower fan that helps move air through your home. The evaporator coil for your air conditioner is the indoor portion that makes that air cold. In short, your furnace and your AC work together and not independently.

There are several advantages if you want to replace your AC and furnace at the same time:

Reduced downtime – by doing both installs at once, you can limit how long your heating and cooling system will be inoperable.
Improved system efficiency – since air conditioners rely on the blower in a furnace to move air, the efficiency of the fan matters greatly to the efficiency of your air conditioning system. So, when you replace both your AC and your furnace you’ll realize greater efficiency gains than if you replaced just one.
More options – If you decide to replace all the components in your HVAC system, you can consider other system types. For example, a heat pump system or a ductless system may be a good option for your home. These systems offer cooling and heating from a single device. In this case, you’d be replacing two pieces of equipment with just one.
Save with promotions and rebates – Most deals that are available to homeowners are limited time offers. That includes lucrative HVAC rebates from local utility companies. Rebates don’t always make a comeback, so when they are available to you its a great time to take advantage. Usually, incentives will be offered for air conditioners and furnaces separately. So if you replace your AC and furnace at the same time, you can double dip!

Disadvantages to replacing your AC and furnace simultaneously

Although there are a lot of benefits to replacing these two systems together, there are some drawbacks.

The obvious first challenge relates to the total cost of the investment. There are lots of ways to save on a new HVAC system, but there’s no getting around this one. It will be a pricey endeavor! The silver lining is that when you replace both systems at the same time, you’ll save on the total cost of the installation. Replacing just a furnace is somewhat expensive, but adding a furnace replacement to an AC replacement is just a few thousands dollars.

Another hang-up to replacing your AC and furnace at the same time would be if you plan to sell soon. HVAC replacements are known as invisible improvements. A brand new heating and cooling system just isn’t as sexy as a new kitchen or a resort-style pool. When it comes to selling your home, a new heating and cooling system will be a bonus to buyers – but likely won’t improve your home’s value. So, if you think you’ll be selling in the next few years, it may make sense to only replace one piece of equipment or the other.

When does it make sense to replace my AC and furnace at the same time?

There are a couple of scenarios that would make us recommend replacing both systems simultaneous.

Replacing Your Furnace – Furnaces can last as long as 30 years. So, if you’re already looking at installing a new furnace for your home, you might as well look at your air conditioner at the same time. The newer, more efficient HVAC equipment available often combines the heating and cooling systems.
Retirement – If you’re nearing retirement age, now is the time to take care of these more expensive home repairs. Once you are on a fixed income, it can be more difficult to arrange for big home projects.
Complex Installation – Homes with tight crawl spaces or difficult-to-access outdoor spaces (such as condos in downtown LA) may benefit from replacing all their systems at the same time.

Reliable HVAC Installations in Los Angeles

At the end of the day, only you can decide what is best for your home. If you’re seriously considering replacing both your AC and furnace, we recommend speaking with a professional. A highly-trained representative can help guide you and provide custom recommendations for your home. The award-winning team at Brody Pennell would be honored to serve you! Contact us today to schedule a home visit.