[New Post] How Do Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostats Work In Scottsdale? published on scottsdaleair

We’ve all heard about Wi-Fi programmable thermostats in Scottsdale, but has anyone actually wondered how they work? They seem to be the rage of custom homebuilders and HVAC companies, but quite often, simplicity and factual information, not marketing buzz is the best selling point.

Facts About Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostats Before Investing

Question #1 – What Are The Key Features Of A Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat?

When it comes to the key features, the truth is that Wi-Fi programmable thermostats have tons of bells and whistles. However, many of these options are very good for helping you streamline the way your home HVAC system works. Some of the best features of any Wi-Fi programmable thermostat include:

• You can control them from virtually anywhere. If you have access to a smart phone, tablet or even computer, you can access an online and secure control panel that will connect to your programmable thermostat. This allows you to monitor your home or office temperature and make changes quickly from remote locations to adjust the temperature in order to save money. This is a huge benefit for winter visitors and those that have homes in Arizona but travel frequently.


• They offer flexible programming. Another nice feature of Wi-Fi thermostats is their programming flexibility. You can control different settings by the hour, day, minute, week, month or any other time period you can consider. You can also control different settings for different rooms.


• Auto Alert Feature: When you have your Wi-Fi programmable thermostat connected to your smart phone, you can set it up to send you updates and other reminders. Some of the best updates include letting you know when routine maintenance needs to be scheduled. And again, for those that travel frequently or live elsewhere, this gives you the luxury of scheduling maintenance checks while you’re not even home.

Question #2 – What Type Of Cooling Or Heating Systems Are Compatible With Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostats?

One of the best features of new technology is the flexibility they offer to work with multiple HVAC systems. Most Wi-Fi thermostats work with:

• Central Air Conditioning


• Central Heating


• Heat Pumps


• Furnaces


• And more

There are also mobile units that many people living in Scottsdale install inside their RV’s and traveling trailers.  As you can see, there are several types of HVAC systems that can be controlled with Wi-Fi programmable thermostats in Scottsdale.

Question #3 – What Can A Wi-Fi Programmable Thermostat Do That My Current System Can’t?

Besides the features we’ve posted above, there are a few other items that a programmable Wi-Fi Thermostat can accomplish that other basic units simply can’t, including the following:

• Wi-Fi Thermostats are extremely accurate: One of the best advantages of technology is that everything across the board tends to improve. This is the case with Wi-Fi thermostats, as they are known to monitor all phases of your home comfort system extremely accurately. This allows a homeowner to improve their overall home comfort levels to peak efficiency.


• Most Wi-Fi Thermostats display outdoor conditions: Many Wi-Fi thermostats can communicate with sensors outside to display an accurate reading of the outdoor heat and humidity. This is a nice additional perk if you’ve ever wondered if it was warm or cold outside and didn’t want to poke your head outside the door.

The bottom line is that Wi-Fi programmable thermostats offer homeowners and commercial building owners several benefits and upgrades simply not available with older systems. The best thing to consider is your specific application and whether or not this type of technology is beneficial for you.

Contact Scottsdale Air Heating & Cooling  at 480.359.7141 and we will answer your questions about the specific thermostats we sell, install and  service.

Read the full story at: http://www.scottsdaleair.com/how-do-wi-fi-programmable-thermostats-work-in-scottsdale/

[New Post] Tips To Save Money On Paradise Valley Air Conditioning Service published on scottsdaleair

Hot Summer Tips To Save Money On Your Paradise Valley AC Service

We all love to save money – especially when it comes to keeping our Paradise Valley air conditioning running strong. Perhaps the concept of saving money on AC maintenance is not as cool as saving on a new pair of shoes, or on that new car you’d like to buy. However, the reality is, there are several things you can do on your own that will help save tons of money and energy each month prior to your routine AC service.

Tip #1 – Change Out Your Indoor Air Filters Every Month In Summer

The best way to reduce buildup of dust, debris, dirt and other harmful stuff that often leads to air conditioning system failure is to replace your indoor filters every month. In Paradise Valley and other communities in the Phoenix Valley, we experience high winds nearly all year long. However, in summer, these winds are often combined with monsoon rains and humidity.

When we get humidity, the dirt and debris collects in our indoor filters and tends to turn to hard mush which blocks the air flow considerably. The best way to eliminate this condition is to replace the indoor air filters every month to permit your AC system in Paradise Valley to breathe easy. When your Paradise Valley Air Conditioning System breathes easier, its more energy efficient and saves you money on monthly energy bills.

Tip #2 – Check Your Thermostat For Settings Weekly

Another common item that tends to become damaged and needs to be repaired during a routine AC service visit is the thermostat. Believe it or not, the thermostat is a highly sophisticated and calibrated device. And when it’s bumped or rubbed the wrong way it can, and often does, fall out of calibration. If the thermostat is not working right, it can lead to an AC system that doesn’t work very efficiently.

A great solution to this problem is to check your thermostat every week. Here are three easy things you can do:

• Check the settings on the thermostat. If somebody inside the house has ‘adjusted’ the temperature settings themselves, make sure it was done correctly and that the programming is not impacted. Quite often people who don’t know how to use the thermostat start pressing buttons until they get what they want. The results however could cost you money during routine service.


• Check to see if the thermostat has moved. As we stated above, sometimes people will accidentally bump the thermostat. If this happens, make sure to check it to verify that the temperature settings are correct. If you notice that your AC is not cooling as good as it should, call a service technician quickly so they can repair the thermostat issue before it turns into a big problem.

Tip #3 – Check The Outdoor AC System For Debris

An air-conditioning system works similar to a vacuum cleaner: air flows in and out of the unit freely – or at least that’s the way it’s supposed to work. One major cause of AC system overheating is when it’s blocked by debris outside like tumbleweeds, tree branches, leaves and excess dirt. A great way to solve this potential problem is to simply check your outdoor AC system every time you walk outside. If you notice any debris blocking the sides or top of your AC system, simply remove the obstruction and you should be good to go. If you notice water leaking from your outdoor system, you might want to call the service company to inspect this potential problem.

If you follow these three tips for keeping your Paradise Valley air conditioning system running smooth, you’ll quickly see savings in your monthly energy bills and the AC tune up company will thank you for making their job much easier.

Check out our monthly deals; call us at 480.359.7141 or add your email to the form at the top right of this page!

Read the full story at: http://www.scottsdaleair.com/tips-to-save-money-on-paradise-valley-air-conditioning-service/

[New Post] Tips To Protect Your HVAC Systems From Floods In Scottsdale published on scottsdaleair

Tips To Increase HVAC Flood Protection In Scottsdale

When the summer monsoon season comes, it often hits Scottsdale homeowners hard. And without question, one of the leading questions that many homeowners ask is what type of HVAC flood protection strategies can they take to be certain their outdoor AC unit does not become damaged when high waters arrive.

HVAC Systems And Expensive Flood Damage

Tip #1 – Consider Installing A Higher Concrete Base For Your HVAC Unit In Scottsdale

Typically, every HVAC system installed in Scottsdale is built outside; either on the side of a home or in the back yard. And with every new HVAC system, one thing needs to be done before installation: a concrete base or footer needs to be built. This is critical because it provides a stable support for the very heavy HVAC system. A great solution to reduce potential flood damage to the HVAC unit is to build a higher concrete base – perhaps a foot or two higher than normal. Standing water that flows no higher than 12” in most cases does most flood damage in Scottsdale.

There are a few things to consider before simply grabbing some Quick-Crete from the local hardware store:

• First, make sure that you check with local code enforcement or covenants inside your community to ensure that you can do this.


• Contact a professional HVAC company to help with the removal of the HVAC system while a professional contractor pours the new concrete slab.


• Have the same HVAC Company reinstall the HVAC system on the new concrete footer once it’s cured.

Tip #2 – Relocate Your HVAC System To Higher Ground

Many homes in Scottsdale have their HVAC system installed on the ground level for a few reasons:

• First, it’s easier for HVAC professionals to access, maintain and repair.


• Second, it’s easier for excess water to drain from a lower position.


• Third, it’s a traditional location and most homebuilders simply do what everybody else does.

Again, making sure you follow local code and community guidelines, first consider moving your HVAC unit to higher ground. Perhaps moving the unit to a second floor balcony or attic space that can completely protect the system from flood damage. This might be a bit extreme, but when you calculate the cost of replacing a HVAC system due to flood damage, it might be worth some discussion.

Tip #3 – Build A Flood Protection Wall

If you’re in the situation where you can’t move your HVAC system, or if it’s simply logistically impossible to build a higher concrete slab, another solution to improve HVAC flood protection in Scottsdale is to build a protection wall. Many contractors in Scottsdale specialize in designing and constructing an enclosed wall structure that will surround your HVAC system. In this case, they’ll make sure to follow local code enforcement and the 100-year flood levels to certify they do the job correct.

Any of these three tips are good ways to ensure you have maximum HVAC flood protection in Scottsdale. It is also a good idea to consider these options if you’re in the market for a new HVAC system as moving an existing system can be rather pricy.

We can always help with the purchase of a new HVAC system, call us at 480.359.7141

Read the full story at: http://www.scottsdaleair.com/tips-to-protect-your-hvac-systems-from-floods-in-scottsdale/

[New Post] 3 Questions To Ask About Your HVAC Unit After Vacation published on scottsdaleair

Did you know that many AC and heating system repair calls often come from Carefree home owners after they return from an extended vacation and ‘flip the switch’ to turn the system back on? The question that many homeowners often ask is; why does a Carefree HVAC system wait till we get back home from vacation to break down?

Ensure Your Carefree HVAC System Is Ready To Run

First – Why Does The HVAC System In Carefree Decide To Break Down After It’s Turned On After Vacation?

As we stated above, your HVAC system doesn’t know the difference between a vacation and anything else you do. But, it does know the difference between running consistently or sitting idle, collecting dust and debris then instantly expected to perform at peak efficiency. This is a major cause of most AC and heating system failures when people return from an extended vacation – especially for winter visitors that leave Arizona for extended periods of time.

An AC or heating system needs to be run in order to last. This might seem odd, but believe it or not, when you ensure your system stays operational around the clock, it’s less likely to break down than if you turn it off completely. This is why many Carefree HVAC experts recommend turning your temperature settings higher than normal in summer or lower than normal in winter if you leave for vacation. This will allow your HVAC system to circulate air from time to time and keep the moving parts lubricated.

Second – How Can We Save Money On Utilities If The HVAC System In Carefree Is Left On During Vacation?

One of the best tools that a homeowner can have, especially somebody that leaves Carefree frequently on business or extended travel, is a programmable thermostat. Most of these new systems include WIFI technology allowing a homeowner to adjust the temperature of their AC and heating systems through their mobile device. You can also have the thermostat send you a text message if the unit is left on so you can adjust the temperature settings accordingly. As we stated above, it’s never a good idea to turn your AC or heating unit completely off. Instead, upgrade to a programmable thermostat that will allow you to monitor your home temperature settings and adjust for maximum energy efficiency.

Third – What Should I Do When I Return to Carefree From Vacation?

The lesson learned by many homeowners in Carefree is often that if your HVAC system is left off for a long time, it can – and often does – have issues. A simple solution to this problem is as stated above – don’t turn it off. However, if you’re going to shut down your HVAC system, make sure you contact a dependable heating and air conditioning repair company to inspect the system before you turn it on. A simple ‘check-up’ can save you a ton of money on costly repairs.

The best advice we can offer when it comes to keeping your Carefree HVAC system running strong is to leave it on but adjust the temperature to a setting that will save energy while you’re enjoying vacation or an extended trip.

Ready to have answers to all of your post vacation HVAC questions, call us today at 480.359.7141!

Read the full story at: http://www.scottsdaleair.com/3-questions-to-ask-about-your-hvac-unit-after-vacation/