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Looking to install a new heater in your Sherman Oaks home? Your two most popular choices are a heat pump and a furnace. Each one has advantages and disadvantages when compared to the other.

The What’s What

Here are some things to consider to help you in your decision-making process. And remember, you can always call one of our heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals at Tassio Temp Control for more clarity on this whole subject.

What About a Heat Pump?

The short version of how a heat pump works is that it transfers heat from inside to outside and then outside to inside. It works on the same philosophy as an air conditioner—it doesn’t create heat, it simply moves it around.

A heat pump is also an air conditioner, so essentially you get a two-for-one system. Here are its pros and cons.

Heat Pump Pros

• Runs cleaner. A heat pump runs off electricity, so it’s a cleaner source of energy than gas or oil. It can create one-and-a-half to three times more energy than it uses.

• Can be safer. Because a heat pump runs on electricity, there’s no risk of carbon monoxide poisoning or gas explosions.

• Can provide both heating and cooling. In other words, it is convenient and could be more cost-effective in the right home. Moreover, there are no added components or elements. Just be sure to keep the heat pump well maintained, because the US Department of Energy (DOE) notes how this can result in a 10 to 25 percent difference in energy consumption as compared to a neglected one.

Heat Pump Cons

• Is more expensive to run. Since a heat pump operates entirely on electricity, it can possibly cost you more to run—electricity is generally higher in price than gas or oil. Of course, all of this depends on the price of electricity and the efficiency of your heat pump.

• Can sometimes only be used for heat in warmer climates. Some heat pump models only heat well in temperatures over 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit (making it an ideal choice for the southeastern coastal part of the United States or California). Otherwise, your Sherman Oaks home will need a supplementary heater, usually a furnace. This is known as a dual-fuel system.

• Has a shorter lifespan. A heat pump has an average projected life span of 12 to 15 years, while a furnace has an average 15 to 20 year life span. A heat pump suffers more wear and tear as well, since it runs year-round, as opposed to a furnace that typically runs only a few months a year.

What About a Furnace?

The short version of how a furnace works is that it uses fossil fuel to create its own heat, and then its fan blows the heat to different areas of your home via ductwork. Here are its pros and cons.

Furnace Pros

• Has a longer lifespan. Running only a few months of the year, a furnace’s life span is greater than a heat pump’s. Most furnaces nowadays can last 15 to 20 years.

• Requires less maintenance. Since a furnace is utilized only part of the year, the wear and tear is less, resulting in fewer repairs with proper annual maintenance by a professional—like one of our Tassio Temp Control HVAC experts.

• Can be used in homes everywhere. A furnace can be installed in any climate, regardless of the temperatures, including your California home.

Furnace Cons

• Can’t cool air. Since a furnace can only heat air, unlike a heat pump, you would need to make an additional investment in an air conditioner.

• Not as safe. Any time gas or oil is involved, there is an inherent safety risk of fire or an explosion, no matter how minimal the risk. And with gas, a carbon monoxide leak is possible.

• Not as environmentally friendly to run. Gas and oil don’t burn as efficiently as electricity. Their burning produces toxic gases released into the environment.

What It All Comes Down To

As far as which is a better choice, you should take into account several important factors–– such as your Sherman Oaks area’s climate, the energy rates for electricity and gas, how environmentally friendly the energy source would be––and go from there. If you have more concerns regarding furnaces or heat pumps, don’t hesitate to contact our highly trained and knowledgeable Tassio Temp Control team.

We Are Your Furnace and Heat Pump Experts

Tassio Temp Control is a team of fully licensed professionals. For any questions or to schedule service, call us at [hls_phone_number] or request service online today. We service Sherman Oaks, CA, and the surrounding areas, offering furnace and heat pump expertise, along with installation and replacement, repairs, maintenance, and more.

You deserve the most comfort at the best price in your California home or business. You want reliable heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) at reasonable prices. You want fresh, clean air so you and your loved ones can enjoy a healthy home.

Try going ductless.

A ductless system, or mini split, adds comfort to your home without the hassle of having to extend your ductwork. For new construction, additions, retrofits, and remodeling projects, a ductless system is your perfect heating and cooling solution.

At Tassio Temp Control, we offer whole-house solutions that help you get the most out of your HVAC investment while adding value to your North Hills home. We believe you should have complete control when it comes to your indoor comfort, safety, and health.

Why Go Ductless?

Air ducts play a vital role in conventional heating and cooling systems—those ducts deliver the goods! But over time, tears and leaks develop in your ductwork that compromise efficiency. The US Department of Energy (DOE) estimates leaky ducts can add hundreds of dollars per year to your heating and cooling costs.

Most experts agree leaky ducts allow up to 25 percent or more of your energy to escape. A ductless system eliminates this type of energy loss.

How a Ductless Mini Split Works

There are two main parts to a mini split: an outdoor condenser and one or more indoor mounted units (additionally there is the conduit connecting the outdoor and indoor components). A few small holes and tubing are required to connect the outside refrigerant lines to the indoor units.

Our professionals at Tassio Temp Control can select the right mini split system to fit your needs and budget, and install it with minimal disruption to your home or office.

Zone Control Systems and Mini Splits

You might already know about zone control systems in which you can set different temperatures in different areas of your home. Zone control systems work especially well in large homes with multiple floors and intricate layouts.

With a ductless mini split system, you enjoy the benefits of a zone control system without the ductwork since each interior unit has its own programmable thermostat.

Advantages With a Ductless System

A ductless system uses a washable filter instead of a disposable filter, which is used in traditional system. Best practice involves cleaning the filter frequently—at least once a month, and more so if you have pets or smokers in your home. Annual maintenance tune-ups and inspections will help extend the life of your system and ensure it runs at full capacity when you need it most.

Here are some other advantages you will enjoy by going ductless:

• Better air quality—Poorly maintained ductwork contributes to indoor air pollution, circulating dust and debris that infiltrates the air ducts through leaks and tears. Eliminating ductwork reduces the chances of exposing your indoor air quality (IAQ) to airborne contaminants.
• More efficient—A quality central air conditioner has a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating between 14 and 16. A top-performing ductless system will typically have a SEER rating above 20.
• Less noise—Central air conditioners and window units tend to make noise—not so with a ductless mini split. They’re quiet, efficient, and reliable.

Go Ductless Today!

Ductless mini split systems use less energy to provide all your heating and cooling needs in North Hills, CA. These innovative systems are environmentally friendly and simple to operate. At Tassio Temp Control, we take great pride in informing our customers about quality products and services that add comfort, safety, and health to your home or business. Call [hls_phone_number] or request service online today to learn more about ductless mini splits and similar products.

A furnace is a major investment for any Canoga Park homeowner. Although it’s not something that will need to be done frequently, most people will face the decision of needing to purchase a new heating system sometime during home ownership.

Our team at Tassio Temp Control wants you to understand how your furnace works and what signs you can watch for to indicate it’s time for a replacement heating system.

Time Has Passed

Perhaps one of the biggest factors in deciding it’s time to replace your furnace is its age. The average life span of a furnace is 15 to 20 years, but this can vary greatly depending on how well you have maintained your system. However, if your furnace is more than a decade old, it may be time to start planning for a furnace replacement.

Repairs Increase in Number, Cost, and Frequency

Another sign that it may be time to swap out your furnace for a new model is its repair record. As your furnace ages, you’ll find yourself calling in your California heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals more frequently. In addition, you’ll probably see the costs of service calls start increasing as well.

If your repair costs begin to reach half the cost of a new furnace within a year or so, it may be worth it to invest in a new heating system.

Utility Usage Rises

Keep an eye on your regular utility bills. If the unit cost of energy doesn’t rise but your monthly bills do, that may be another sign it’s time to replace your furnace. Older equipment tends to work less efficiently over time, which means it will require more energy to produce the same amount of heat.

One advantage of switching to a new furnace is that new models are always more energy efficient than older ones. As a result, you’ll automatically start recouping some of your investment in lower monthly utility bills.

For example, Money Magazine cites one possible example. If your annual heating costs are $2,000 and you increase your annual fuel utilization efficiency (AFUE) rating by 15 percent in a new furnace, you will save $300 each year. Naturally these numbers depend on your fuel and energy sources.

Excessive Humidity, Dust, or Dirt

Although many factors can play a role in indoor air quality, your furnace can definitely make a difference. If routine maintenance like changing your air filters and regular tune-ups do not solve humidity, dust, or other air quality issues, it may be a sign you need to replace your furnace.

Strange Noises or Odors

Be sure to be attentive to the daily behavior of your furnace. Often, buzzing, vibrations, clanking, or other noises may warrant a service call. If your professional technician finds your furnace has excessive wear or structural damage, it’s a wise decision to invest in a new furnace.

Change in Comfort Level

When you run your furnace, if your home doesn’t feel as comfortable as it has in the past, you may want to explore the causes. Older furnaces that are working inefficiently can cause different rooms in your home to vary greatly in temperature, leading to uncomfortable cold and hot spots. When you upgrade your furnace and its components to newer models, you may be able to boost the comfort level of you and your family.

Physical Appearance

Finally, you can take a quick inventory of your furnace’s physical appearance. If you see signs of rusting, cracks, or other structural weaknesses, it may be a smart idea to evaluate your new furnace options.

Contact Tassio Temp Control for All Your Furnace Needs

If you’d like a professional assessment of your current operation costs and the typical return on investment (ROI) of a new furnace, give our team at Tassio Temp Control in Canoga Park, CA, a call. Our trained technicians can help you evaluate your system and share information about new models available to help you make an informed decision. Call us at [hls_phone_number] or request service online.

Some like it hot!

Others, not so much.

If you have a large home with multiple stories or a large household with family members who prefer different temperatures, consider installing a zone control system.

A zone control system—or zoning—only provides the necessary cooling or heating that each zone in your California home needs at the time. It not only adds to the comfort level of your home but can also lower your energy bills.

At Tassio Temperature, we always look for ways to improve the comfort, health, and safety of homes and businesses in Los Angeles and surrounding areas. Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system is a significant purchase—a big part of our job is to help ensure you get the maximum value from this investment.

How Do Zone Control Systems Work?

To create a zone control system, our experts will place dampers in the ductwork that distributes hot or cold air throughout your Los Angeles home. Each zone you create  is equipped with a thermostat that connects to a central control panel. When you adjust the thermostats in each zone, the control panel opens or closes dampers to distribute hot or cold air where needed.

Working with our team, you create the size and location of each zone throughout your home or business. You can turn one room into a zone, or an entire floor. The zones should be areas that either have different temperature requirements or have specific areas that have had trouble maintaining temperature compared to the rest of a zone.

Whatever you decide, you can count on Tassio Temperature to help you achieve the most comfort in your home that comes with a zone control system.

Zoning Options

Installing a zone control is a money saver since it lessens the load on your HVAC system. Your furnace or air conditioner no longer has to struggle to heat or cool every room in your home. Here are some ideal zoning situations:

• Homes with rooms that are hardly used
• Home with concrete slab foundations, large windows, or high ceilings
• Finished rooms in the attic or basement
• Homes with multiple floors or intricate floor plans

Reducing the stress on your HVAC equipment extends the service life of your entire system. It also lowers your monthly utility bills. According to the US Department Department of Energy (DOE), heating and cooling your home accounts for upwards of 40 percent of your energy costs.

How do I know if I need a zone system?

Most homes can benefit from a zone control system. If your home has any areas that are uncomfortable compared to the rest of the home or you have different temperature requirements throughout your home, this system may help.

Larger homes with multiple systems also see huge benefits from a zone control system because there is no reason to heat or cool the home to a comfort level when some areas are not being used. Only maintaining a comfort level in occupied rooms can generate huge energy savings.

Many programable thermostats also have WiFi features so you can monitor and adjust the heating or cooling in the home; only the necessary energy is being used when no one is at home, or when people are only using certain rooms at certain times of the day.

These are significant utility savings that can occur while also increasing your home comfort!  You will save money and make everyone in your home happy!

What If I Close Off Vents?

Our customers will occasionally ask if they can achieve the same result simply by adjusting the slats on the air vent covers. The answer is no.

Closing or partially opening a vent restricts the amount of air that exits the ductwork—but does not cause an air conditioner or furnace to produce less cold or hot air. By comparison, the zone control system not only redistributes airflow by operating dampers but also controls your HVAC equipment, signaling it when to run and when to stop. This eliminates unnecessary energy expenses.

Using air vents as a substitute for zone control may also contribute to air leakage and low airflow, among other problems. Those adjustable slats over air vents are designed to direct the flow of air into a room, not block it entirely.

Call Your Zone Control Experts Today!

Schedule an appointment today to learn if a zoning system can benefit your Los Angeles, CA, business or home. At Tassio Temperature, we take great pride in building longterm relationships with our customers. We want to earn the chance to be your trusted source for all your heating and cooling needs. Call [hls_phone_number] or request service online today to learn more about zone control systems and other services.

Think of your heating and cooling (HVAC) system components as the instruments in a quiet symphony.

When all the pieces are in good condition and work in harmony, the only sounds you will hear will be the quiet hum of a motor and whisper of air as it exits registers in your California home.

An HVAC system operating at peak efficiency is music to the ears.

An HVAC system in need of professional attention produces noise.

Unusual sounds may indicate the need for a tune-up, cleaning, or repair. The experts at Tassio Temperature Control can decipher the noise and get your system back on track. They have the knowledge and experience it takes to keep your HVAC equipment running at peak efficiency and delivering the comfort you expect in your Canoga Park home.

According to ENERGY STAR®, annual energy bills top $2,200 in the average household. Half of that cost goes to heating and cooling systems. Maintaining HVAC equipment is essential to keeping costs down and more money in your pocket.

You can troubleshoot your furnace, air conditioner, heat pump, and ductwork by paying attention to sensory cues. If the equipment emits strange odors or working parts look worn and dirty, it may be time to call for professional help. Listening to your HVAC system is one of the easiest ways to be proactive.

What is your HVAC system trying to tell you? Here is a guide to some typical sounds:

• Screaming—If your air conditioner sounds like the victim in a horror film, it may have a refrigerant leak or too much pressure in its compressor. Turn the system off and call one of our professionals.
• Squealing or screeching—These sounds are like the high-pitched noise from worn brakes or metal on metal. They may indicate a worn belt or motor bearing. Sometimes the motor simply needs lubrication. Replacing the belt and lubricating the motor are not for do-it-yourselfers. For fast, quality, and expert service, call the professionals at Tassio Temperature Control.
• Rattling—If you notice rattling near an air register, it could mean the grille is loose. A rattling sound from within an air duct usually signals the presence of debris. Did you inadvertently drop a nail through the register or did someone in the family force a tiny toy through the grille? It may be time for a thorough duct cleaning. Debris inside the outdoor unit of the air conditioning system also can cause rattling. Other possibilities include a loose fan and loose parts in the blower or motor. These also can cause rattling sounds from the outdoor unit of your air conditioning system. The fan could be loose and there might be a problem with the blower or the motor.
• Banging or clanking—A loose part that rattles can eventually break or disconnect, causing a banging sound. Your furnace blower also could be unbalanced, or your compressor might be loose.
• Scraping—A metal scraping sound likely means a component is broken and possibly moving around in the unit. It might also indicate damaged or obstructed fan blades.
• Loud humming or clicking—Humming, clicking, even buzzing usually indicate electrical problems, such as loose wiring, a defective capacitor, or failing thermostat.
• Hissing—If you hear hissing from your air conditioning unit, it could be a refrigerant leak or a problem with the compressor motor. If the sound is inside the walls of your home or from the furnace, it likely is a leaky duct. Either way, you will need to call a professional for repairs.

Call Us Today

Now that you are fluent in HVAC sounds, listen for noise that might indicate a potential problem. Be proactive and call Tassio Temperature Control in Canoga Park, CA, for an inspection and tune-up. Call [hls_phone_number] or request service online.

In the heat of the summer, it’s easy to assume that bigger is better when it comes to air conditioning (AC) systems. Obviously, if you have an air conditioner that’s too small in your Canoga Park home, you will not be able to keep your temperatures consistently low even if the unit is running constantly.

However, if your air conditioner is too large for your home, it will quickly cool down the space and shut off. Once the temperature rises, it will kick back on again. This constant on and off cycling, referred to as short cycling, uses a great deal of energy and wears down your air conditioning system more quickly.

Air conditioner loads must be calculated carefully, so you can match the unit to your cooling needs. Our professionals at Tassio Temperature Control would be happy to help you select the best-sized air conditioner for your particular California home. In the meantime, here is a peak into how our trained experts calculate air conditioning needs.

Definition of Terms

In order to understand how to size an air conditioning unit, you have to know a little bit about how capacity is measured. Air conditioning systems are measured by tons, which specifies how much a particular unit can cool. For example, a one ton air conditioner can generate 12,000 BTUs.

A BTU is a British Thermal Unit, and one BTU is the energy needed to cool one pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit every hour.

Air Conditioner Sizes

The smallest air conditioner is 1.5 tons or 18,000 BTUs and they can increase in size up to 5 tons or 60,000 BTUs by increments of one-half ton or 6,000 BTUs.

For a rough calculation to select an air conditioner for your home, you can take your total square footage, multiply it by 25, divide it by 12,000, and subtract .5.

Of course, our Tassio Temperature Control heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) professionals use the complex Manual J load calculation to properly size HVAC systems. This rough calculation cited here will only provide a ballpark figure that should never be used to purchase a system on its own. There are other important elements that factor in to the calculations.

Other Important Factors

Before ordering that new air conditioner based on the simple math equation, you need to realize there are many other factors that should be considered before making a final decision:

• Ceiling height. Not all homes have standard ceiling heights. If you have a vaulted ceiling, loft area, or open floor plan, you may need to calculate the volume of your home, not only the square footage. High ceilings will require a larger air conditioner.
• House style. Two homes that have the same square footage may require different-sized air conditioning systems. A single-story sprawling ranch home requires more cooling power than a three-story townhouse.
• Local climate. If your home is located in a hot, humid location, you will need a different-sized air conditioner than if you live in a milder, dry climate. Temperature and humidity play a significant role in how much cooling and dehumidifying you will need your air conditioner to do.
• Size, type, and number of windows. Windows tend to leak energy out of your home more easily than solid walls. You must take into consideration the size and number of windows as well as how well they are sealed and their energy ratings.
• Insulation. In a similar way, a better insulated home requires less cooling energy than a poorly insulated one. If you are building or doing a major remodel, it may be a good decision to increase insulation before selecting your new air conditioning system.
• Other factors. Even considerations like the existing ductwork, type of window coverings, and number of residents and how often they are home can affect the load requirements of your air conditioner.

We Will Help With Your Air Conditioning

Call our professional team at Tassio Temperature Control in Canoga Park, CA, to help you make the right choice in selecting your air conditioning system. Call [hls_phone_number] or request service online today.