Author: Olive Air Heating & Cooling

combatting low humidity with a humidifier

How To Combat Low Humidity In Arizona

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on July 26, 2023. Posted in Indoor Air Quality. Leave a Comment

Living in Arizona comes with its fair share of challenges, and one of them is dealing with low humidity levels. Low humidity can lead to discomfort, health issues, and damage to your home.

In this blog post, we will explore the importance of proper humidity levels, the negative impacts of low humidity, and effective solutions to combat low humidity. Discover how Olive Air’s expertise in humidifying systems and AC repair in Gilbert, AZ can help you achieve optimal humidity levels for a more comfortable living environment.

Recommended Humidity Levels For Homes

The ideal humidity range for most homes is typically between 30% and 60%. However, it’s important to consider factors such as personal preferences and specific circumstances. Olive Air’s team of experts can assess your home’s unique requirements and provide tailored recommendations for achieving optimal humidity levels.

The Importance Of Proper Humidity Levels

Proper humidity levels are crucial for your overall well-being and comfort. Here’s why maintaining optimal humidity is essential:

Comfortable Living Space: Adequate humidity levels help prevent dry skin, irritated eyes, and respiratory discomfort. You can enjoy a cozy and pleasant indoor environment.
Health and Well-being: Balanced humidity reduces the risk of respiratory infections, alleviates symptoms of allergies and asthma, and promotes better sleep quality. It also helps prevent dryness in the nasal passages, reducing the likelihood of nosebleeds.
Preservation of Belongings: Maintaining the right humidity levels is vital for preserving your valuable possessions. It prevents wooden furniture, musical instruments, artwork, and other delicate items from drying out, cracking, or warping.
Enhanced energy efficiency: Optimal humidity levels allow you to feel comfortable at slightly lower temperatures, reducing the strain on your air conditioning system and lowering energy consumption.
Extended HVAC system lifespan: Maintaining proper humidity levels can help prevent excessive wear and tear on your HVAC system, prolonging its lifespan and reducing the need for frequent repairs.
Improved productivity: Adequate humidity levels in workplaces or home offices can enhance focus, concentration, and productivity.

Negative Impacts Of Low Humidity

Low humidity can have various adverse effects on your health and your home. Some common negative impacts include:

Dry Skin and Respiratory Issues: Insufficient moisture in the air can lead to dry, itchy skin, chapped lips, and aggravated respiratory conditions like allergies, asthma, and sinus problems.
Discomfort and Higher Energy Bills: Low humidity makes the air feel colder than it actually is, leading to discomfort and potentially increasing your energy bills as you may be tempted to raise the temperature unnecessarily.
Damage to Property: Low humidity can cause wooden floors, furniture, and musical instruments to shrink, crack, or become brittle. Wallpaper may peel, paint can chip, and electronic devices may malfunction due to static electricity buildup.

Common Signs Of Low Humidity

If you are unsure of humidity levels in your home, consider the following signs of low humidity in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas.

Static electricity: Experience frequent static shocks when touching objects or other people.
Cracking or shrinking of wooden furniture: Notice cracks or splits in wooden furniture, doors, or floors.
Increased dust accumulation: Low humidity causes dust particles to remain airborne for longer periods, leading to more visible dust accumulation.
Discomfort while breathing: Feel dryness or irritation in the nose, throat, or lungs.
Chapped lips and dry skin: Experience dry and cracked lips or excessively dry skin.

Effective Solutions For Combating Low Humidity

To improve humidity levels in your home and combat the challenges of low humidity, consider the following indoor air quality solutions Olive Air can offer:

Humidifiers

Installing a whole-house humidifier in Gilbert, AZ is an effective way to add moisture to the air throughout your entire home. Olive Air offers a range of high-quality humidifiers tailored to your specific needs.

AC Repair and Maintenance

Ensure your air conditioning system is functioning optimally to combat low humidity in Gilbert. Air conditioners work to control humidity in your home, and low levels can increase the unit’s workload and increase strain. Olive Air provides professional AC repair in Gilbert, AZ, as well as thorough maintenance services. A well-maintained AC system helps regulate humidity levels and ensures a comfortable indoor environment.

Expert Consultation

Contact Olive Air’s knowledgeable team for a comprehensive assessment of your home’s humidity levels and personalized recommendations. Our expert technicians can guide you on the most suitable humidifying systems in Gilbert, AZ and offer professional AC repair services if needed.

Tips For Increasing Humidity At Home

While the best way to increase home humidity is installing a humidifier in Gilbert, AZ, homeowners can implement other practices to increase comfort and moisture:

Use indoor plants: Plants release moisture through a process called transpiration, which can help increase humidity naturally. Choose houseplants that thrive in low humidity conditions, such as Boston ferns, peace lilies, or snake plants.
Dry clothes indoors: Hang your wet laundry indoors to allow the moisture to evaporate into the air.
Open bathroom doors: After taking a shower, leaving the bathroom door open can help distribute the steam and increase humidity in adjacent rooms.
Place water basins: Set up water basins near heat sources or vents. The heat will cause the water to evaporate, adding moisture to the air.
Limit the use of exhaust fans: Minimize the use of exhaust fans in the kitchen and bathroom, as they can remove moisture from the air.

Let Olive Air Help Control Humidity In Phoenix!

Assuring optimal humidity levels in your home is critical for comfort, health, and preservation of belongings—particularly with Arizona’s dry climate. Combatting low humidity levels becomes even more essential to creating an enjoyable living experience in Gilbert, AZ, and nearby areas.

Olive Air’s humidifying systems and AC repair services make them your reliable partner in optimizing humidity levels in your indoor environment. Our selection of high-quality humidifiers combined with professional AC maintenance ensures a comfortable indoor experience for you and your family. While consulting, our knowledgeable team gives personalized recommendations tailored specifically to you.

Don’t let low humidity compromise your well-being and comfort. Take the necessary steps to combat low humidity and experience the difference it can make in your daily life. Let Olive Air help you reach optimal humidity levels and create a more enjoyable living space by controlling humidity in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas!

AC Mistakes To Avoid

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on June 23, 2023. Posted in Air Conditioning. Leave a Comment

Common Air Conditioning Mistakes

When the summers bring the heat, we’ll bring our services to ensure your air conditioner can handle it! In anticipation of summer each year, we fill the pool, break out the grill, or book travel plans for a little getaway. However, because Gilbert, AZ is known for its scorching 105-degree summer highs, servicing your AC unit should be on that list.

While not all care includes professional services, your cooling unit will eventually need expert assistance for scheduled maintenance, repairs, and replacements. Below, we’ll explain the do’s and don’ts of keeping your AC system in top shape and how Olive Air can assist you.

Don’t: Lower Your Thermostat For Faster Relief

When the temperature reaches the triple digits, you feel lethargic, unable to carry on with daily activities. The only way to receive immediate relief and return to your life is by cranking the thermostat way down for faster cooling, right? Actually, your unit runs at full capacity at all times when on, meaning it can’t work harder. Instead, it will run longer if you set the thermostat lower.

For instance, imagine having two units, each in a room with the same square footage, one set to 75 degrees on a 100-degree day and the other at 70. They’ll both cool to 75 degrees in the same amount of time, but the former will shut off afterward while the latter keeps cooling. Therefore, set your thermostat to your target temperature and wait for your unit to do its job.

Also, because the human body adapts to temperature changes in under two weeks, raise your thermostat a few degrees. This method causes your air conditioner to run for less time, contributing to less wear. More importantly, according to the Department of Energy, each degree you lower your thermostat reduces your energy bills by one percent, saving you money.

Don’t: Install An Inadequately Sized System

Another way to reduce bills is by adequately sizing your unit. During AC installation in Gilbert, AZ, an Olive Air technician will determine the AC unit cooling efficiencies with British thermal units that explain how much heat each given system removes within one hour. The larger the system, the higher its BTU rating and cooling capacity, but don’t install a larger unit just because it removes more heat at once.

If your home is 150 square feet, your BTU rating shouldn’t surpass 5,000. If larger, it’ll contribute to short cycling since your home will cool faster, meaning your unit will shut off not long after powering on. While this may sound good, the system will turn on and off frequently, creating uncomfortable hot and cold spots. The system will also require premature and costly repairs and replacements as the constant starting and stopping causes deterioration.

Similarly, if you have a 300-square-foot home, it requires a BTU of 7,000. But a smaller unit will run longer to reach your thermostat setting, causing it to overheat and fail. Therefore, let a qualified technician measure your indoor space in cubic feet and match you correctly to an adequately sized unit.

Don’t: Ignore Air Filters

Your air filters trap and lock floating dust and dander as air travels through your air conditioner vents. That means these filters keep contaminants out of your breathing air that would otherwise contribute to respiratory illnesses like asthma and allergy attacks. However, as these particles continue to build on the filter, they break off and re enter your air or lead to an AC breakdown in Gilbert, AZ. Ignoring air filters can lead to various AC problems, such as:

Frozen evaporator coils
Your unit working harder, increasing pressure on the system
Higher energy bills
More repairs
Frequent replacements

Don’t: Forget To Schedule AC Maintenance

Unfortunately, you can’t take care of all air conditioning maintenance tasks yourself, especially since it requires the appropriate tools to dismantle your system and clean all internal parts. It also takes a trained eye to catch minor issues before they evolve into costly repairs. Give an Olive Air technician a call for AC maintenance in Gilbert, AZ to examine all components in the spring and fall before and after heavy use in the summer. Some other steps on a maintenance checklist include:

Lubricating moving parts like the fan belt and motor
Emptying stagnant water from the drain pan before it grows fungi
Unclogging the drain line before a backflow causes the indoor unit to leak
Replacing the filters and cleaning the ducts and vents
Checking refrigerant levels and refilling it if necessary

Don’t: Ignore AC Repair or Replacement Signs

The only thing worse than overlooking professional maintenance is ignoring signs you need an AC repair in Gilbert, AZ or surrounding areas. For instance, while you should expect a slight humming noise as the motor runs in the outdoor compartment, louder buzzing, banging, or grinding sounds indicate parts are loose, knocking into one another, or decaying.

Similarly, you shouldn’t ignore mustiness, car exhaust odors, or gas smells. Other imperfections, like leaks, higher energy bills, and hot and cold spots, can also become evident.

While an AC repair in Gilbert, AZ should handle these concerns, your technician may suggest a replacement instead if your unit has reached the end of its 10 to 15-year lifespan and is no longer energy efficient.

Reliable AC Services In Gilbert, AZ!

Avoid these mistakes to increase your comfort and reduce expensive repair and replacement costs! At Olive Air & Heating, our licensed and certified team puts your comfort first, servicing all unit types, from ductless mini-splits to central cooling units, so you can better enjoy your summer. Whether you need maintenance, a replacement, or an AC repair in Gilbert, AZ, and surrounding areas, call 480-490-2950 for five-star assistance today!

Things To Do This Summer In Phoenix

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on May 17, 2023. Posted in Local. Leave a Comment

Phoenix, AZ, offers a variety of summer activities, including indoor, outdoor, and dining experiences. Whether you and your significant other want something to do or your out-of-school kids need something to keep them occupied, the beautiful city of Phoenix can help ride out a hot summer day. Stay in town or go on a road trip to nearby cities — summer is the perfect time to explore!

Indoor Experiences in Phoenix

Escape the heat and humidity of Phoenix summers with these fun indoor activities! When not handling HVAC repairs in Phoenix, AZ, you can find our team at the following places.

Heard Museum

Stand in the presence of over 40,000 art pieces and artifacts collected from Native American tribes, including the Navajo and Zuni tribes, at Heard Museum. While some pieces consist of more recent creations, others existed before written history. See jewelry, ceramics, and other beautiful artifacts and art pieces collected from local tribes.

Arizona Science Center

At 140,000 square feet, the Arizona Science Center consists of various galleries featuring four levels of hands-on exhibits. Children and adults of all ages will enjoy the planetarium, where the galaxies light up above your head. The Center runs a summer camp called CAMP INNOVATION and also allows parents to rent out the center for birthday parties.

Musical Instrument Museum

While the Musical Instrument Museum houses instruments played by famous musicians, including Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, and Glen Campbell, visitors can enjoy many other experiences. For example, in the Experience and Encore Galleries, guests can try their hand at playing various instruments, while the Mechanical Music Gallery features instruments that can play themselves.

Outdoor Experiences in Phoenix

Do you want to enjoy the warm weather of Phoenix summers while still enjoying all the city has to offer? When our technicians have days off from AC repair in Phoenix, you can find the Olive Air team spending time outdoors at some of these locations!

Phoenix Zoo

From Asian elephants to Komodo dragons, the Phoenix Zoo offers visitors the chance to view over 3,000 types of animals. Open since 1962, this summer staple has provided Phoenix families with decades of fun. Whether you visit one of the close animal encounters or stop by for a drink at one of the many cafes, you and your family will enjoy a day out at the Phoenix Zoo.

Oasis Water Park

While located at the Arizona Grand Resort, families can get day passes to visit the seven-acre Oasis Water Park. Packed with a towering water slide, wave pool, and gentle lazy river, there’s something for everyone to enjoy at the Oasis Water Park. Grab a bite to eat at the Oasis Grill, rent out a cabana, and enjoy a day of fun in the sun.

Desert Botanical Garden

Taking up 55 acres of the Arizona desert, the Desert Botanical Garden offers various walking trails surrounded by lush plant life and sandy dunes. From cacti to wildflowers, you’ll enjoy the sights and scenery of Phoenix’s deserts. The greenery also attracts beautiful butterflies and other wildlife, allowing you a sneak peek into the life of a desert oasis.

Dining & Drinking Experiences In Phoenix

Running around to all of these different experiences can work up quite the appetite, so take a trip to one of these local restaurants and experiences in Phoenix, AZ!

UnderTow

Inspired by nautical nuances and Tiki tastes, Undertow offers a moody yet intriguing atmosphere and a place where visitors can enjoy specialized craft cocktails and rare rums. While they don’t serve food, visitors aged 21 and up will love checking out this unique drinking experience.

The Mystery Mansion Dinner Theater

Food consists of only part of the fun at the Mystery Mansion Dinner Theater. Choose from one of three experiences where you and your family get to interact with actors and actresses playing out a murder mystery. At the end, one of the guests can win a prize for their excellent detective skills.

Sweet Republic Ice Cream

After a day of AC repair in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas, our team enjoys a treat from Sweet Republic Ice Cream! Sweet Republic Artisan Ice Cream offers an incredible variety of ice creams and sorbets for the discerning sweet tooth. Bring the whole family for a taste of classic ice cream flavors like chocolate, butter pecan, and vanilla bean, or get adventurous with honey lavender or dill pickle. Whichever ice cream you choose, you’re sure to get a taste of the good life during the hottest months of the year.

Activities Close To Phoenix

Phoenix has many incredible adventures, but so do the surrounding areas. Check out these three activities close to Phoenix.

West Wind Glendale Drive-In | Glendale

Offering admission lower than traditional theaters but all the fun of seeing a movie, the West Wind Glendale Drive-In movie theater offers families a unique summertime experience. Watch brand-new movies while enjoying the summer nights in Glendale, complete with playgrounds, arcades, and a concession stand serving high-quality treats like popcorn and hot dogs.

Lowell Observatory | Flagstaff

Established in 1894 by Percival Lowell, the Lowell Observatory first served as Percival’s personal study to find life on Mars. While he never proved his theories, the Observatory stands as Flagstaff’s personal connection to the planet Pluto, discovered by Percival and Clyde Tombaugh in 1930. Whether you rent the private Dyer telescope or take a day trip to visit the Observatory itself, this historical space provides hours of summer fun.

Mavrix | Scottsdale

Voted the best entertainment venue in Phoenix, Mavrix truly has something for everyone to do. Whether you want to bowl, play arcade games, watch TV, or enjoy delicious food and drinks, the entire family can play the day away at Mavrix. If you want an indoor activity that provides full-time fun, visit Mavrix in Scottsdale.

Stay Cool After A Day Out With Reliable AC Repair In Phoenix

The only thing better than spending the day running around town consists of enjoying a cool, comfortable house to come home to. If you return home to find the rooms hot and humid, you might have a problem with your air conditioner. At Olive Air & Heating, we make it a priority to provide homeowners with all types of professional AC repair in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas. If you need air conditioning repairs, call our licensed and insured technicians for assistance at (480) 490-2950.

Can Your Air Conditioner Handle The AZ Heat?

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on April 26, 2023. Posted in Air Conditioning. Leave a Comment

While most locals are used to the heat, summer in Arizona can be uncomfortable when outdoor temperatures are high. As we approach the hottest months in AZ, it is important your air conditioner is properly prepared. Ensuring your AC unit is in good condition can help avoid a variety of repairs and an AC breakdown in the middle of a heat wave. In this article, we discuss ways to prepare your AC for summer in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas.

Why Should I Prepare My Air Conditioner For Summer?

Whether you embrace the high temperatures or hide in the cool indoors, it is important to get your AC unit ready for the workload summer brings. Air conditioners are a necessary home appliance for Gilbert homeowners to ensure each resident remains cool and comfortable. However, air conditioners can malfunction like any other appliance and lead to a sticky situation.

Without preparing your AC for summer, you may experience various air conditioning repairs and a possible AC breakdown due to underlying malfunctions and obstructions. If a component or obstruction is harming the efficiency of your air conditioner, it causes it to work harder to achieve the thermostat setting. Air conditioners that work harder than necessary use more energy to function, which results in high utility bills. Some air conditioners eventually give out after overworking themselves, which leaves you in a costly and uncomfortable situation. Performing air conditioning maintenance before hot summer months can avoid AC repairs and breakdowns in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas!

5 Ways To Prepare Your AC For Summer In Arizona

While we love to see our customers, we hope it is not due to an uncomfortable home situation! Our top priority is keeping you comfortable and healthy each season, which is why we offer reliable AC repairs and maintenance in Gold Canyon, AZ and surrounding areas. Homeowners can perform numerous home tasks to help their air conditioner remain efficient and effective all summer long. If your air conditioner is overworked, it can quickly escalate into an AC breakdown or costly repair. Below we have listed five tips to avoiding air conditioning problems in Fountain Hills, AZ and surrounding locations!

Schedule AC Maintenance With An Olive Air Technician
Clean Outdoor Unit
Replace Air Filters
Install A Smart Thermostat
Seal Air Leaks

Schedule AC Maintenance With An Olive Air Technician

Air conditioning maintenance with a professional is the best way to avoid AC repairs and breakdowns. A certified Olive Air technician will thoroughly inspect your air conditioner for current and arising malfunctions and repair components as needed. Air conditioning malfunctions and repairs can sometimes be hard to identify before it is too late, which is why air conditioning maintenance is so beneficial to homeowners! The experts at Olive Air can identify underlying problems before they result in a costly situation. Below are a few of the many tasks a technician will perform to improve AC efficiency this summer.

Calibrate thermostat
Confirm electrical connections
Clean inside & outside of AC unit
Lubricate moving parts
Change air filters
Clean condensate drain
Inspect each AC component

Depending on the type of air conditioner your home uses can determine other maintenance tasks performed. Luckily, Olive Air technicians are well-trained on each type and brand of air conditioner and can provide quality AC maintenance and repairs in Chandler, AZ and surrounding areas!

Clean Outdoor Unit

Due to being located outside, your outdoor condensing unit is exposed to all weather conditions. This means the air conditioning unit can collect debris from wind and other weather, which can harm efficiency and effectiveness. Especially after sitting during the winter, dust, tree branches, grass clippings, leaves, and other debris can build up on and within your air conditioning system. Debris lodged in the condensing unit can obstruct airflow, increase energy usage, harm air quality, and cause a variety of other problems for your AC unit! We recommend leaving the cleaning of the inside of your air conditioner to the professionals, but homeowners should remove accessible debris regularly.

Replace Air Filters

Air conditioning units are complex systems made up of many different components. Each component works together to provide your home with cool, quality air. If one component is obstructed or malfunctioning, the whole system can suffer. Air filters are an important component of the air conditioning system, because the filter catches harmful pollutants and keeps the air you breathe clean. However, pollutants can build up after a few months and clog the air filter. If the air filters around your home are dirty, your air conditioner struggles to push air through the filter pores. This causes the system to work harder to distribute air throughout your home, which increases workload and utility bills. We recommend regularly changing your air filter every 3 months to increase energy efficiency, air quality, airflow, and home comfort!

Install A Smart Thermostat

Air conditioners work behind the scenes all summer long to keep your home cool and comfortable. While the system is made for large cooling workloads, it is beneficial to give the system a break whenever possible. Homeowners should keep their thermostat setting on their desired temperature when they are home and awake to enjoy the cool comfort and adjust the thermostat when sleeping or leaving the house. It can be difficult to remember adjusting the thermostat when you are rushing out the door or going to bed, which is why a smart thermostat is beneficial! Smart thermostats automatically adjust the thermostat when you are away or at night. According to the U.S. Department Of Energy, turning the thermostat back 7-10 degrees for 8 hours a day can save up to 10% on energy bills. Lowering the thermostat whenever possible gives your air conditioner a much needed break and can help avoid an overworked AC unit this summer! Visit our website or give us a call to learn more or install a smart thermostat in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas.

Seal Air Leaks

Your air conditioner works hard to meet your cooling needs, which can be sacrificed if air is escaping through cracks or leaks throughout your home. Air escaping causes the AC system to produce more cool air to make up for lost air, which increases the workload and energy usage. A simple and cost effective way to seal air leaks is by caulking and weather stripping your home. The EPA estimates sealing and insulating your home can save up to 15% on heating and cooling costs. Consider sealing your air leaks before the hottest months of the year are here in Arizona to help avoid an AC breakdown or repairs!

We encourage homeowners to do one or all of these home maintenance tasks to maintain your comfort this summer. If you are in need of AC maintenance or repairs in Apache Junction, AZ or surrounding areas, give the experts at Olive Air a call!

7 Ways Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on March 24, 2023. Posted in Indoor Air Quality. Leave a Comment

The abundance of sunshine and comfortable winter temperatures allow plants in Arizona to grow year-round, which can be a blessing and a curse due to the constant pollen. While the blooming trees and flowers make the springtime in Phoenix beautiful, the pollen produced can heighten allergy symptoms. Many homeowners shorten time spent outside in the peak of allergy season, but did you know indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air? The air quality inside your home could be worsening your seasonal allergies, and Olive Air is here to help! In this blog, we discuss ways to improve your indoor air quality in Phoenix, Arizona and surrounding areas.

Why Is Good Indoor Air Quality Important In Arizona?

We spend a large portion of our time in our homes, whether you are sleeping, working, cooking, or lounging. It is important to ensure the air you breathe while inside your home is clean and beneficial to your health. If your home has poor indoor air quality, you may experience allergy symptoms and other health conditions. Common indoor air pollutants in your Arizona home include mold, mildew, pet dander, dust, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), and smoke. Additionally, the amount of humidity in your home can contribute to poor air quality and negative health symptoms due to the excess or lack of moisture. Below are ways poor air quality can affect your health in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas.

Sore Throat
Congestion
Dry/Cracked Skin
Increased Susceptibility To Illnesses
Headaches
Dizziness

While poor air quality can cause many health symptoms, it can also lead to respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer according to the Environmental Protection Agency. If you or someone currently struggles with respiratory diseases, it is extremely important to maintain positive air quality to keep them healthy and comfortable.

How To Improve Indoor Air Quality In Gilbert, AZ

Depending on the harmful pollutants in your air, some can flare up allergy symptoms, cause discomfort, and damage personal belongings. There are a variety of simple maintenance tasks homeowners can do to improve their home’s air quality and keep each resident healthy. Below we have listed seven ways to improve indoor air quality.

Schedule AC Maintenance
Maintain Clean Air Filters
Install Beneficial Home Devices
Invest In Quality Air Filters
Groom Pets Outdoors
Increase Ventilation
Dust Regularly

Schedule AC Maintenance

Air conditioning maintenance is aimed to ensure your AC system is prepared for the workload the spring and summer seasons bring. A trained Olive Air technician will perform various beneficial tasks to prevent future AC repair in Phoenix, which includes thoroughly cleaning the air conditioner. AC units typically sit outdoors and can build up debris and dirt. Even if your air conditioner is located inside, it has been sitting since last season and likely has dust collected inside. A Gilbert technician will clean each component and remove dirt before it can be picked up in the cooling process. Dirty air conditioners can produce unclean air and negatively impact your home’s air quality. Give us a call to schedule AC maintenance in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas.

Maintain Clean Air Filters

Maintaining clean air filters is one of the most beneficial ways to keep good air quality inside your home. Air filters catch pollutants before they are distributed throughout your home. However, air filters can become clogged with each allergen and need to be cleaned to continue working effectively. If your air filters are dirty, the filter struggles to catch pollutants and allows some to slip by and affect air quality. Be sure to change your air filters at least every 90 days to maintain good indoor air quality.

Air Filter Tip: If you struggle with keeping up with the last time you changed your air filter and when to change it next, we can help! When you are changing your air filter, write the date three months from now on the edge of the filter. This helps keep track of what date you need to change your filter by!

Install Beneficial Home Devices

There are a variety of home devices that help improve indoor air quality, such as humidifiers and air purifiers. Your home relies on humidity to maintain comfort and good health. Humidity levels should always remain between 30-50% to maintain positive indoor air quality. Some homes in Arizona struggle with humidity due to the dry climate, and humidifiers can help add moisture back into the air. Air purifiers are made to remove harmful contaminants in the air and circulate clean air back into your home. Air purifying systems can greatly benefit indoor air quality if you have harmful pollutants floating through your home.

Invest In Quality Air Filters

While it is important to maintain a clean air filter, it is equally important to utilize quality filters throughout your home. When choosing an air filter, homeowners should know two things: the type of filter and the MERV rating.

The most common types of air filters are fiberglass and pleated. While these are both beneficial options, the filters have air quality differences. Fiberglass filters are often the cheaper option, because the filter struggles to catch small particles. Pleated air filters are more expensive, because of the filter’s ability to catch small particles. The filters differ due to the minimum efficiency reporting values. (MERV)

MERV measures a filter’s effectiveness to catch particles and ranges on a scale of 1-20. Fiberglass filters typically range between 1-4 MERV, while pleated filters range from 5-13 MERV. We recommend homes use air filters between 8-13 MERV to maintain positive air quality and an efficient HVAC system. The higher the MERV, the more particles a filter can catch and the cleaner your air will be.

Groom Pets Outdoors

Pet dander is a common indoor air pollutant in homes and could be the cause of your allergy symptoms. Pet hair can clog air filters, contribute to dust, and carry pet skin cells and saliva. To cut down on pet dander throughout your home, we recommend regularly grooming your animals outside of your home. Homeowners can personally groom their animals in the yard or send them to a professional. Be sure to give your furry friends lots of treats for being the best during their grooming session and keeping you healthy inside your home!

Increase Ventilation

The reason indoor air is often more polluted than outdoor air is because of the lack of ventilation homes can have. Harmful pollutants can build up and negatively impact allergy symptoms. There are many ways to improve ventilation inside your home, such as:

Opening a window
Utilize ceiling fans
Turn on exhaust fans when cooking

Dust Regularly

One of the easiest and cost effective ways to improve indoor air quality is to maintain a clean home. Furniture around your home such as couches, throw pillows, and rugs can collect dust and build up other harmful pollutants. Additionally, dusting with a rag and natural cleaning product can help avoid dust build up and keep you breathing easy. Cleaning and fluffing around your home, especially unused areas, can help keep allergy symptoms to a minimum.

Let us help keep you healthy and comfortable this allergy season in Phoenix! We are here to help keep your air filters clean and your air conditioner running smoothly. Give us a call to schedule AC maintenance in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas this spring!

Should I Repair Or Replace My Heat Pump?

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on February 24, 2023. Posted in Heating. Leave a Comment

Heat pump systems are beneficial to homes in Phoenix, because of the many benefits the unit can offer. Heat pumps can provide heating and cooling for your home and maintain comfort using the same system year-round. However, this process means heat pumps work constantly each season to ensure your home comfort remains. While the system is designed for a large workload, it will break down at some point in the future. In this article, we discuss factors to consider when deciding whether to replace or repair your heat pump in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas.

How Long Do Heat Pumps Last?

Repairing may seem like the easiest and cheapest option, but it is not always the best solution for your home. Heat pumps can last anywhere between 10-15 years depending on the maintenance given. Ways to increase your heat pump’s lifespan include:

Regular Heat Pump Maintenance With Olive Air
Change Air Filters Every 3 Months
Ensuring Unit Is Clean & Clear
Sealing & Insulating Your Home

Factors To Consider

Deciding between repairing and replacing your heat pump is a big decision for your home. When your heat pump breaks down, many want the fastest and cheapest option. However, a breakdown is a good time to evaluate the efficiency of your heat pump and decide what is best for your home. Both repairing and replacing have benefits and drawbacks, and can keep your home a comfortable environment. Below are five factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your heat pump in Gilbert, AZ and surrounding areas.

Age
Cost Of Repair
Frequent Repairs
Utility Bills
Home Comfort

Age

As we mentioned, heat pumps typically last anywhere between 10-15 years. Much like any appliance, heat pumps decrease in efficiency as the system ages. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling, which can wear down parts each season. If your heat pump is nearing the 15 year mark, it could be best to replace it if your system has broken down. Aging heat pumps are less reliable and have a higher risk of breaking down at an inconvenient time. Additionally, new heat pumps can improve efficiency and save on monthly costs.

When To Repair: Your heat pump has broken down, but still works efficiently and is under 10 years old.

When To Replace: You are experiencing a heat pump breakdown, and your system is nearing 15 years old. Additionally, replace if your aging heat pump has become less energy efficient.

Cost Of Repair

When your heat pump breaks down, we encourage you to pay attention to the cost of repair. We understand the logic behind choosing the cost of repair rather than the cost of replacement, but it may not be the most cost effective solution in the long run. We recommend homeowners use the “$5,000 rule.” The “$5,000 rule” multiplies the age of your heat pump by the cost of the repair. If the total is less than $5,000, repair could be the best option. If the total exceeds $5,000, replacement could be the smartest option.

When To Repair: You need to repair your heat pump and the cost is less than $5,000 when using the “$5,000 rule.”

When To Replace: Replacement is the best option when the cost of repair exceeds $5,000 using the “$5,000 rule.”

At Olive Air, one of our core values is honesty. Our technicians will always help make an honest decision to best benefit you and your home. Let us help decide if it is time to repair or replace!

Frequent Repairs

Repairing a heat pump that has frequent repairs is similar to putting a bandage on a much larger problem. When faced with the decision of repairing or replacing, we encourage homeowners to consider past repairs. Ask yourself:

How often have I had to repair my heat pump?
Were they expensive repairs?
Will this repair last?

While repair may be the most cost effective option upfront, continuing to repair could be more costly in the long run. Frequent repairs often indicate an internal problem that will lead to replacement eventually.

When To Repair: We recommend repairing your heat pump if the repair is minor and cost effective.

When To Replace: We recommend replacing if you experience frequent repairs and discomfort in your home.

Utility Bills

If you are experiencing a heat pump breakdown, consider your recent utility bills. Heat pumps needing to be replaced often use more energy to operate and raise utility bills. Choosing to repair when your heat pump may be heightening energy costs can be a more expensive option in the long run. Your home comfort doesn’t have to be expensive, and replacing can ensure your unit remains efficient!

When To Repair: Homeowners should repair their heat pump if utility bills are normal and an Olive Air technician recommends repair.

When To Replace: We recommend replacing if your energy bills have spiked recently due to your heat pump’s operation.

Home Comfort

Have you been experiencing uneven temperatures around your home? Some spots may be warmer than others, which can indicate your heat pump isn’t effectively heating your home! If you are experiencing a breakdown, consider your home comfort. An aging furnace may struggle to meet the thermostat settings and sacrifice your comfort.

When To Repair: Repair your heat pump if it effectively and affordably heats and cools your home.

When To Replace: Replace your heat pump if you experience a decrease in home comfort due to an internal unit issue.

There are many situations where repairing your heat pump is the best and easiest decision for your home. However, repairing may not be the most cost effective solution in the future. We encourage you to consider these factors when deciding whether to repair or replace your heat pump. Our trained technicians can help make the decision and process a breeze! Give us a call for heat pump repair or replacement services in Phoenix, AZ and surrounding areas.

What Is The Difference Between A Furnace & A Heat Pump?

Written by Olive Air Heating & Cooling on January 27, 2023. Posted in Heating. Leave a Comment

When temperatures drop in Phoenix, your home needs a reliable heating system to ensure your comfort. Whether you are looking to replace or install a new heating system, we suggest considering a furnace or heat pump. Both units can keep your home at a comfortable temperature, while providing several benefits. In this blog, we discuss everything you need to know about furnaces and heat pump systems in Gilbert, Arizona and surrounding areas.

Furnaces vs. Heat Pumps

We don’t expect you to be the heating unit experts, that is what we are here for! If you are looking to replace your heating system with a furnace or heat pump, it is important to understand the operational process of both systems and how they differ. The main difference between heat pumps and furnaces is how each unit produces heat for your home. Below we will explain how furnaces and heat pumps operate.

How Do Furnaces Work?

Furnaces are complex systems with many components. The main components of a furnace unit include the burner, heat exchanger, blower, pilot light, and thermostat. Much like a puzzle, you must have all the pieces for the final product. Each component is required to effectively and efficiently heat your home. Pilot lights are always lit and should remain blue. This flame ignites the burner and begins the heating process. Depending on the fuel source, the furnace burns the fuel source inside the burner and generates heat. Heat is then passed onto the heat exchanger, where cold air is heated. The blower pushes the warm air in the heat exchanger into the ducts to be distributed throughout your home. This process is repeated until the thermostat setting is met.

There are four main types of furnaces: natural gas, electric, oil, and propane. All have similar operational processes, but use different fuel sources.

Natural Gas Furnace: Gas furnaces are the most common type of furnace, because of the affordability and fast heating.

Electric Furnace: Electric furnaces can provide quality home heating without producing harmful greenhouse gasses. However, electric furnaces can raise heating bills for some homes.

Oil Furnace: Oil furnaces are beneficial, because the unit can produce more heat while consuming less energy. Oil furnaces are less common due to the cost of oil.

Propane Furnace: Propane furnaces burn clean and non toxic, but produce fewer British Thermal Units (BTUs) per gallon when compared to oil heating.

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

While furnaces generate heat, heat pumps simply transfer heat from one location to another. The main components of a heat pump include refrigerant, compressor, reversing valve, expansion valve, indoor air handler, and an outdoor unit. If one of these components is obstructed, the whole heating system can suffer. The compressor circulates refrigerant for it to absorb and release heat between the indoor and outdoor units. The expansion valve controls the amount of refrigerant released. Depending on the type of heat pump, the unit draws heat energy from the outside source and transfers it into the system. From there, refrigerant absorbs the heat from the air. The heat is sent into the air ducts and distributed throughout your home. This cycle continues until the thermostat setting is met.

Contrary to its misleading name, heat pumps can provide both heating and cooling. The term “heat” in the name refers to the process of transferring heat, which is done in both summer and winter months. In the summer the operational process is simply flipped using the reversing valve. Heat pumps draw heat energy from inside your home and transfer it to the outdoor source.

There are three types of heat pumps: air source, water source, and ground source. All types have similar operational processes and components, but vary in slight ways such as the heat energy source.

Air Source Heat Pump: Air source heat pumps draw heat energy from the air and relocate it outside or inside depending on the season. Air source heat pumps are the most common type, because of the easy installation process.

Water Source: Water source heat pumps draw heat from a nearby lake or pond. Heat is moved through an interconnected water loop and either rejected or absorbed depending on the season.

Ground Source: Ground source heat pumps absorb heat from the ground and can be highly efficient for both summer and winter. Ground temperatures in the winter are warmer than the air and vice versa in the summer, which enhances efficiency when transferring heat.

Benefits Of Furnaces

Furnace systems can provide many advantages to your home. Below we have listed 4 benefits of installing a furnace in Phoenix.

Fast Heating. Furnaces can quickly heat your home and restore comfort quickly after adjusting the thermostat.
Affordable. When compared to other heating systems, furnaces can be an affordable up front purchase and have low maintenance costs.
Reliable. If properly maintained, furnaces are a reliable option to smoothly get you through the winter season.
Long Lifespan. A new furnace is an investment, but the unit will have a long lifespan between 15-20 years if proper care is given.

Benefits Of Heat Pumps

Similar to furnaces, heat pump systems can present many different advantages. Below are 4 of the many benefits to heat pumps in Gilbert, Arizona and surrounding areas.

Environmentally Friendly. Heat pumps do not burn fossil fuels to produce heat or release harmful gasses into the environment. Installing a heat pump can benefit the environment and lower your carbon footprint.
Energy Efficient. Due to the process of transferring heat rather than generating it, heat pumps use less energy to heat your home.
Provides Both Heating And Cooling. Heat pumps can keep your home comfortable year round by providing both heating and cooling. This allows a flexible option for weather fluctuations in Arizona.
Less Maintenance. Heat pumps use the same components for both summer and winter months, which can cut down on maintenance and repairs.

Both heat pumps and furnaces are a great heating option for your home. If you are interested in installing a heat pump or furnace in Phoenix and surrounding areas, give us a call! Our expert technicians specialize in heating unit replacement and installations and can help keep your home comfortable this season.