However, when fluorocarbons in R-22 were discovered to deteriorate the earth’s ozone layer, an international mandate created a timetable to remove the refrigerant from use. Originally planned as a gradual process culminating in a complete R-22 refrigerant phase out by 2020, the timetable has recently been accelerated in proposals by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to reduce 2012 supplies by more than 40 percent over that of 2011. As with any scarce commodity, uncertainty in the supply chain has caused R-22 prices to spike, and also created shortages and caused stockpiling.

How does the R-22 refrigerant phase out affect you? Well, if your air conditioner is at least 10 years old, it likely utilizes R-22. So here are a few realities confronting homeowners who are facing another summer with aging R-22 cooling equipment:

• You can expect to pay more than three times last year’s prices for an R-22 recharge. Even just topping off your system to nurse it through another summer may produce a startling repair bill. If component replacement necessitates a full recharge, cost of R-22 alone could exceed total parts and labor.
• While no one can predict supplies during the R-22 refrigerant phase out, shortages could result in complete unavailability in some regions, especially if a spell of heat waves impacts a wide area. In this scenario, an air conditioner in need of R-22 will be converted into an expensive fan that circulates hot air in your residence.
• You should consider upgrading to a system that utilizes R-410A refrigerant, which is an environmentally friendly replacement for R-22. All HVAC equipment manufactured since 2010 uses R-410A. This state-of-the-art equipment is more efficient, and offers lower operating costs and higher comfort levels than most R-22 cooling systems. Additionally, R-410A units generally offer longer warranties with more comprehensive coverage.

For more information on how the R-22 refrigerant phase out could affect you, contact the experts at Metal Masters Inc. We’ve helped Southern Oregon and Northern California residential and commercial customers since 1968, and can help you with all of your heating and cooling needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about R-22 refrigerant and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

The benefits of surge protection

A power surge is a fluctuation in the electrical current that flows through your power lines. This can often occur before or after a power outage, although sometimes they simply happen out of nowhere, for no good reason at all.

That’s why it is wise to make the small, but potentially very cost-effective, investment in surge protection. It may just help you prevent a very big repair or replacement bill. A surge protector works by constantly regulating the flow of electricity that reaches and runs your appliances, thereby blocking any jolts in the voltage. Believe it or not, lightning is the least likely cause of a surge, as large appliances themselves are the most common cause, due to the  extreme amount of energy that they can require when they power on.

One of the biggest benefits of surge protection is that it will likely increase the life of the important appliances in your home, by providing round-the-clock protection from power mishaps. Yet, keep in mind that they are not fool-proof. The potential power from an electrical storm is significantly stronger than a surge protector. Therefore, you should unplug any electronic equipment that you can, such as computers or stereo systems, during severe weather or when not in use.

If you live in Northern California or Southern Oregon, and you would like to receive expert advice regarding your HVAC system or for more information on the benefits of surge protection, contact the professionals at Metal Masters Inc. We’re always available to provide professional advice, service and installation for all of your HVAC needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about surge protection and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Regularly checking and changing your home’s air filters definitely is important, as filters traps and remove some of these microorganisms before they float out of your ducts and into your home. However, another approach to clean your air is to use specially designed ultraviolet (UV) lights, which kill these organisms before they reach your indoor air.

Benefits of UV lights

The UV lights in a purifier system help you in two ways, The first is the health benefits, since you and your loved ones will not have to face the risk that these airborne pathogens pose. Secondly, they offer efficiency, since even a slight growth of mold on your system’s cooling coils can significantly affect your HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) system’s operation.

How UV lights work

Your HVAC contractor can install UV lights onto your HVAC system, and they work by applying a large dose of UV radiation to the air as it passes though your system. UV radiation in sufficient doses destroys the DNA of various microorganisms, including many that you might find in your ducts. The UV radiation itself will be harmless to you, since the unit contains it.

What you also need

Although UV lights can be very effective in eliminating many of the things growing in your ducts, they won’t eradicate everything. You will still want to have a quality HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filter installed to help you capture and remove particles like dust and other debris from the air. By working in concert, these two methods can keep your home’s air clean and safe.

Installing UV lights one of the best investments you can make for your family’s long-term comfort and well-being. If you have any questions about this system, please contact Metal Masters Inc. Serving Southern Oregon and Northern California since 1968, our experienced team of courteous professionals will be happy to help you with all of your heating and cooling needs.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about UV lights and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Compatibility and programming options

Programmable thermostats are designed for the many different heating and cooling systems. You need to determine what type of system you have, as well as what advanced features, like variable-speed motor, or zoning system, you have, and then choose a compatible thermostat.

Next, to maximize savings and comfort, it’s important to match programming features with your weekly activities. The more varied your day-to-day schedule, the more flexibility that you need from your smart thermostat. The most flexible thermostats feature 7+day programming, meaning you can program a different schedule for each day of the week. Other programming options include the 5+2 day model (one program for five days of the week, and another for the other two days), and the 5+1+1 model (one program for five days, and another for each of the other two days).

Features for every lifestyle

Some advanced features are available only to brand-specific heating and cooling systems, but most are available for all systems. These features are the more popular and universal, and include:

• Large display panels for high visibility and easy programming. Some touch-screen models are available, too.
• Battery backups for power outages.
• A Hold feature to temporarily change your home’s temperature.
• A display panel lockout.
• Filter change, low battery, and malfunction alerts.
• Compatibility with advanced heating/cooling features.
• Advanced recovery (thermostat learns the most cost-efficient method to reach your programmed temperature).

If you’re installing a new heating and cooling system, or if you can interlink your system, you may integrate a smart thermostat for the following:

• Voice programming or programming via a cell-phone application.
• Centralized control for whole-house humidifier, dehumidifier, and ventilation systems.
• Send you online alerts.

Whether simple temperature programming suffices, or if you need more high-tech smart features, contact Metal Masters Inc., and we’ll help you choose the right smart thermostat for your situation. We have provided top-quality service and installation to all of our residential and commercial customers in the Southern Oregon and Northern California areas since 1968.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about smart thermostats and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

Reducing mold is not difficult, and there are several easy methods you can use to reduce the amount of mold in your home, such as:

• Look for leaks: Leaks in your home’s walls, attic and basement can lead to the growth of mold in your home. Find these leaks, and then seal them to prevent moisture from entering your home.
• Insulate: Condensation can cause mold growth in many areas of the home. Adding additional insulation to areas where water commonly condenses, such as in the bathroom and attic, is one easy way to reduce the spread of mold in your home.
• Clean out ducts: Have a professional clean out the mold inside your ductwork, if necessary. This will prevent mold spores from getting into the air you breathe.
• Add additional ventilation to the crawlspaces in your house. If mold is a severe issue, cover the dirt under the house with plastic sheeting to trap moisture and dew under the plastic. This will prevent it from seeping into the floors of your house.
• Install dehumidifiers: A dehumidifier is the ideal companion for a naturally moist room, such as a bathroom. A dehumidifier will remove excess moisture from the air, preventing mold growth.
• Use exhaust fans and ceiling fans: Use exhaust fans and ceiling fans in rooms with less moisture. Running these fans will dry out any moisture, reducing mold in your home.
• Clean up mold: Clean up existing mold in your house if you see it. If there is mold all over the house, hire a professional to get rid of the mold. If the mold is just in a small area, use bleach or vinegar to kill the mold spores.

Contact Metal Masters Inc. to learn more about reducing mold in your home. We provide Northern California and Southern Oregon residential and commercial customers with expert mold and HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) services every day, and can help you, too.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about reducing mold and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Mold image via Shutterstock

Here are five tips that are proven ways to lower your cooling load:

1. Clean the filter for your air handler. Nothing lowers your cooling efficiency faster than a dirty air filter. Dust and debris in the filter slow the passage of air through the air handler, making all the components work harder and longer. When dirt collects on the evaporator coil, it doesn’t cool as quickly, which can lead to frozen coils. When this happens, the compressor continues to run and if it gets too hot, it can break, causing a repair or replacement.
2. Inspect the outdoor unit. Remove any vegetation from the sides of the unit, and be sure that all four sides are clear and nothing covers the top. The compressor blows away the heat from your home, and when nothing obstructs it, it won’t have to run as long, which will reduce cooling costs.
3. Check your ducts for leaks, even if your home is relatively new. If you have any rooms that are too hot or cold, you might have problems with your ducts. Sometimes the ductwork is hard to access. If you have trouble reaching portions of your ductwork, contact an HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) contractor who has the tools and training to look for leaks and repair them. If you need to repair any leaks, use mastic instead of duct tape, which dries out and allows leaks to reform.
4. Consider using shade screens on your east-, south- and west-facing windows to block the heat from the sun.
5. Install a programmable thermostat if you’re gone for several hours a day, routinely, throughout the week. While you can adjust your thermostat manually, a programmable unit makes it simpler to reduce cooling costs because it’s completely automated. These thermostats have flexible settings that you can program based on when you’re at home and away.

Metal Masters, Inc. has provided HVAC services for Northern California and Southern Oregon since 1968. We can help you reduce cooling costs through duct inspection and system maintenance. Contact us to learn more.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about cooling costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!     

Before you enter into a maintenance agreement, you should ask potential contractors what their maintenance plans include. Traditionally, a maintenance check-up should include:

• Lubrication of moving parts: Gears in an HVAC unit that aren’t well-oiled cause friction, which can reduce the efficiency of the unit and cause it to breakdown.
• Tightening of all electrical connections: A loose wire can make your unit stop working correctly, or can come unattached completely. During a regular maintenance visit, your contractor should ensure that your HVAC unit’s wires are secure and the connections are safe.
• Inspection of your HVAC unit’s controls: This step helps make sure the controls work safely and properly.
• Measurements of the voltages and electric currents on motors.
• Inspection of the condensate drain in the furnace or heat pump and in the central air conditioner. According to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, a clogged drain can increase the humidity levels in your home and potentially cause water damage.
• Inspection of all gas or oil connections, the heat exchanger, burner combustion and gas pressure: Faulty connections can pose fire and health hazards.
• Cleaning of the air-conditioning unit’s blower and its components: The better the airflow from your air conditioning, the more comfortable you’ll feel.
• Cleaning of the condenser’s air-conditioning coils and evaporator. A dirty coil and evaporator makes your air conditioning less efficient, and can reduce its lifespan.
• Inspection of the air conditioning’s refrigerant level.

For more information about preventative maintenance agreements, or to speak with one of our HVAC experts about signing up for a Metal Masters, Inc. residential or commercial maintenance program, contact us today toll-free at 1-800-866-9437. We’ve been serving residential and commercial customers in the Southern Oregon and Northern California areas since 1968.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about maintenance agreements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

The U.S. government has a ZIP-code insulation calculator, so you can determine the proper level of insulation for your home. Keep in mind that you’ll likely need different types of insulation for different areas in your home. For Southern Oregon homeowners, the U.S. government recommends insulation with an R-value of 49 for attics, and R-38 for attics with cathedral ceilings. An insulation’s R-value is a measure of its resistance to heat. In attics, fiberglass batt or loose-fill insulation works best. Additionally, it’s recommended that you use R-15 for your home’s walls and R-25 for floors over an unheated space.

For regions of Northern California, the insulation requirement for the attic or cathedral ceilings drops to R-38, while wall and floor requirements are the same as for Southern Oregon.

To complete a do-it-yourself energy audit, check for leaks in the following areas:

• Around door and window frames, electrical and gas service entrances, Internet and telephone-line entrances, or where cable comes into your home.
• Between two walls, where ceiling and walls meet or interior door frames.
• Around electrical outlets, recessed fixtures and switch boxes, pull-down stairs and attic hatches. It’s important to ensure that you have adequate insulation in these areas, as well.
• Behind shower stalls and bathtubs, and around heating and air-conditioning ducts.

If you find leaks, use insulation, weatherstripping, waterproofed caulking and canned foam to seal and insulate these areas.

Additionally, you should consider having a professional energy assessment done for your home by a professional HVAC (heating, ventilation and air conditioning) expert. This can help you determine where any energy leaks may exist. This type of assessment typically involves conducting a blower-door test, in which your contractor will use a reverse fan to remove all the air from the home, reducing your home’s air pressure. Then, because the outdoor air will have a higher pressure, it will seep in through any leaks, which your contractor may mark with a smoke pencil.

For more expert advice about an in-home energy audit or information related to home heating and cooling comfort, contact Metal Masters Inc. We’ve proudly served residential and commercial customers since 1968, and are committed to ensuring your comfort.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about energy costs and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

The key to trapping indoor pollutants and enjoying cleaner air lies in your HVAC system. While this system can harbor and spread allergens, it can also trap them and leave your air cleaner than ever. The difference lies in how you take care of your HVAC system.

• Air Filters: The most important aspect of your HVAC system in regards to indoor air quality is the filter. When shopping for an air filter, look for one with a MERV rating of 5 to 13. These are considered medium efficiency filters, which are ideal so they don’t impede airflow but trap airborne pollutants better than flat panel filters. Plan on changing the filter every month or two so it remains clean enough to trap particles effortlessly.
• System Maintenance: Have your HVAC system inspected by a local trustworthy contractor every spring and fall. If you have central heat and air, and you suspect mold is growing in the ductwork, you may want to have them cleaned. Otherwise, mold spores will continue to blast into your living space, irritating your allergies and triggering asthma attacks.
• Duct Sealing: When a technician inspects your HVAC system, ask them to check the quality of the ductwork running through unconditioned spaces such as the garage, crawlspace, and attic. These areas are accessible to a technician who can look for gaps and cracks in the duct joints. If any are found, they should be sealed to keep pollutants in these areas from entering your indoor air.

For more expert advice about taking care of your HVAC system and other issues related to home comfort, please feel free to contact Metal Masters Air Conditioning. We’ve been serving northern California and southern Oregon since 1968.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about HVAC systems and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!

• Clean or replace the filter: The air filter becomes dirty over time when the cooling system is running so it’s important to inspect the filter and clean or replace it often. A dirty filter will block the airflow and make the system work harder to draw air into the unit. A clogged filter will no longer collect pollen and dirt, and the pollutants will enter your system, causing dirt to recirculate through your home.

• Check the insulation: The refrigerant pipe is insulated to keep the refrigerant cool while flowing through the line. Since it’s located outdoors, the insulation on the pipe may become cracked, worn or damaged from the weather and no longer insulate the line.

• Clean the area around the condenser: Debris, such as dirt, leaves, branches and spider webs, accumulate around the condenser. The coils become dirty, making it harder to release heat. The coil fins bend and clog from excess dirt.

As a homeowner, you can perform some maintenance steps but it’s important to schedule preventive maintenance. A certified technician will evaluate your system and correct any concerns before they become bigger issues. A technician has the knowledge and equipment to clean or repair every part of your air conditioner and keep your equipment operating efficiently. A trained technician will inspect the following:

• Motor and belts

• Electrical connections

• Evaporator coil

• Condensate pan and drain

• Refrigerant

• Duct leaks

For more information on air conditioner planned maintenance agreements, contact the professional staff at Metal Masters, Inc. Our highly qualified team has served the needs of southern Oregon and northern California for over 40 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems).  For more information about air conditioners and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

Metal Masters services Southern Oregon and Northern California. Visit our website to see our special offers and get started today!