Los Angeles Heating & Air Conditioning

Home Performance’ contracting is all about making existing homes more comfortable, safer and healthier to live in while at the same time, making them more durable and energy efficient. We use building science to examine the whole home and how different systems within it are interacting with one another. These systems include the building envelope (shell), heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) equipment and the occupants. Home performance contracting projects start with a comprehensive Energy Assessment of the house to identify problems and trace them to the root cause. Then the contractor prescribes and prioritizes improvements—from must-do to nice-to-have. Once all the work is done, a second Energy Assessment is completed and compared to the initial assessment to learn what was accomplished and ensure that everything is performing as planned.

“Insulation,” says Bob Vila, host of the nationally syndicated TV program that bears his name, “is the most efficient energy-saving expenditure.” Vila says homeowners should check attics to determine the amount of insulation already installed. “Most homes built before 1980 have inadequate insulation,” he said, noting that if insulation between the joists of the attic floor comes only to the top of the joist, it probably makes sense to install more insulation.

The U.S. Department of Energy recommends home insulation R-values based on where you live.

Be sure your new home complies with current building code requirements for insulation. These building codes establish minimum levels of insulation for ceilings, walls, floors, and basements for new residential construction. The BPI certified representative should provide you with a recommendation for your home upon completion of the initial assessment.

Homeowners with windows over 25 years old should consider replacing them, both to gain the best energy efficiencies and to protect the “envelope” of the house. A home is an ideal candidate for a window replacement if its windows are sealed or painted shut, experiences ice buildup or a frosty glaze during the winter, gets fogged with condensation or has drafts that come through the windows. It is also recommended to upgrade your windows if the existing windows are single pane or leaking air.

Heating and Air Conditioning equipment should be serviced minimum twice a year. The best scenario is to have the system checked in autumn and again in the spring. You can save much more by investing in our comprehensive Energy Saving Program (ESP) which includes 2 precision tune-up visits a year, priority service, extended warranties, cash discounts (10% discount on repairs and 5% discount on new systems and accessories) and most importantly peace of mind. It is a good practice to inspect your filter every 1-2 months and when found dirty, replace it.