What to Know About Ducted vs. Ductless Mini-Splits

February 20, 2023

Ducted and ductless mini-split air conditioning systems are climate control options in residential and commercial buildings. They offer efficient and reliable temperature regulation, but key differences make one more suitable than the other in certain circumstances. Ducted air conditioners are ideal for large-scale, centralized systems throughout the building. Air is collected from the space and cooled before being distributed to individual rooms through ducts. Ductless systems are suitable for smaller areas such as single rooms or apartments. These mini-split units consist of an outdoor compressor and one or more indoor air handlers connected by conduit

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How R401A and R22 Are Different and Why It’s Important

September 12, 2022

Like many homeowners in Sacramento, CA, you’ve probably heard of the forthcoming change in residential AC refrigerants. In 2010, the Environmental Protection Agency began phasing out the use of R22. The first step in this phase-out was to outlaw the production of new air conditioners that rely on this refrigerant. As of January 2020, R22 can no longer be legally produced within the United States, and the importation of this refrigerant has been outlawed as well. If you haven’t started doing so already, now is the time to learn more about R401A and its effectiveness as a replacement for R22.

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Is It Safe to Use a Pressure Washer on My Air Conditioning Unit?

August 18, 2022

Every spring and fall, Sacramento residents should clean their air conditioner’s coils. This includes removing fallen debris, cleaning dust, and removing pollen buildup. The unit could be damaged if your AC coils do not have the proper airflow. However, you may wonder if power washing your AC unit is safe. Why You Should Never Power Wash Your AC Unit Let’s admit it, using a power washer can be fun. However, when it comes to cleaning your AC unit, it can also be hazardous. Power washers or pressure washers create thousands of PSI of water pressure.

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Is It Easy to Replace a Central Air Conditioning Unit’s Capacitor?

August 14, 2022

In the Central and Northern Sacramento Valley, we rely upon our air conditioning systems to get us through about April until October without any hiccups. You might have watched some videos and read some articles online to try to figure out the problem you are experiencing with your air conditioning system. The videos may refer to a failed capacitor and show you how to replace it. They will usually say that you can try replacing the capacitor as a first step in trying to solve your cooling issue. Please read the entire article before you attempt this repair.

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Which AC Unit Will Be More Efficient? Choosing Between a Mini-Split and a Central AC Unit

August 6, 2022

Choosing between a mini-split unit and a central AC unit can be confusing for many people. Mini-splits are designed to work without ducts, and they can offer flexibility that central air units do not have. However, the primary question most people have when they start looking for new AC units is about efficiency. To find out what will be most efficient for your building, you’ll need to look at a few things. One important aspect of the overall energy efficiency equation per building is the actual energy rating on the individual unit you are looking at.

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The Best Time to Have a New HVAC System Installed

July 15, 2022

When the heating and air conditioning system in your Sacramento, CA home reaches its lifespan or has a major component failure, it’s time to plan for a new one. You may also want to replace your HVAC unit under other circumstances. Let’s take a look at the best time to have a new HVAC unit installed so that you can optimize your comfort and save money. Major HVAC Unit Component Failure Most of the time, heating and air conditioning systems operate effectively without any issues. However, skipping an annual tune-up, operating the system with a dirty

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9 Common Issues Associated With Air Conditioner Compressors

July 15, 2022

A compressor is the heart of your air conditioning unit and an expensive component in the cooling cycle. Your AC unit’s compressor keeps your living space comfortable and cool during the hot summer by transforming power into energy. The role of this device is to circulate refrigerant through your air conditioning unit. Compressors can last between 10 and 15 years with proper care and maintenance. However, failure to service your air conditioner can lead to increased wear and tear. Debris, dust particles, or refrigerant leaks significantly impact the performance of your cooling unit’s compressor. You have

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Easy Ways to Make Your AC Unit More Energy Efficient

July 7, 2022

On average, the American home spends about $2,200 a year on energy bills, with about 42% of that going to heating and cooling. If your AC unit is outdated, inefficient, or improperly sized for your home, those costs can be even higher. With the current high cost of living, it has become increasingly important to make sure that your AC unit is as energy-efficient as possible to help save you money. But, before you can start implementing energy-saving strategies, you need to know some signs of an inefficient AC unit. Rising Energy Bills

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Is Closing Vents Upstairs Cost-Effective?

May 18, 2022

The ever-rising energy cost keeps pushing residents of Sacramento, CA, to conduct energy audits and find avenues to reduce wastage. Heating and cooling systems contribute the largest part to energy bills. Some rooms, such as the guest room, are hardly in use every day, and it doesn’t make sense to warm or cool those rooms. Conventional wisdom dictates that shutting vents in unused spaces will only redirect the air to the used living spaces and improve energy efficiency and save cost. But how true is the statement? In this post, Gallagher's Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning will demystify the statement and

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What Are Portable Air Conditioners and How Do They Work?

May 3, 2022

Summers in Los Molinos, California, can be sweltering. Your home or office may be equipped with central air, or you may rely on a portable air conditioner to keep your home cool. In this guide, we will discuss how portable air conditioning units work and the steps you can take to make them work more efficiently and longer. How Do Portable Air Conditioners Work? Portable air conditioners work by pulling hot air from an area and transferring it outside of the home. The AC unit has a motor that cools the air circulated through the room.

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