Heat pumps are the most eco-friendly and energy-efficient way to heat your home. For most climates, it’s lighter on your energy bill to heat with a pump as opposed to a furnace or boiler. But in extreme cold, a heat pump may struggle to keep up.

Many heat pumps are rated to a minimum temperature of 18 degrees. Luckily, the winters in the Central Valley are mild enough that a heat pump can operate effectively. So most residents in California can be assured that a heat pump will keep them warm and cozy all winter long!

Both local and state governments and manufacturers are making a push toward cleaner energy. This means there are incentives to upgrade your heating system to a heat pump.

The exact rebates that you qualify for depend on your address and other factors regarding your home and its heating. But our HVAC experts at Cencal will make sure to inform you of ANY rebate programs available for Californians.

Yes! Contrary to the name, heat pumps can cool air, too. Rather than actually heating or cooling air, heat pumps use compressed refrigerant to redistribute heat either inside or outside your home.

All heat pumps can also act as air conditioners. When heating, a heat pump takes outside warmth and disperses it in your home. When cooling, heat is transferred from your home to the outdoors. That’s what air conditioning does!

So when you upgrade to a heat pump, you’re installing an all-inclusive heating and cooling system for your home.

Unlike traditional heating methods like a furnace or boiler, heat pumps use electricity to keep your home warm. Instead of heating air, heat pumps take heat from outside your home and transfer it to your living space.

Heat pumps consist of 2 units. An outdoor condenser unit and an indoor fan coil unit that disperses this air around your home. Coolant is circulated between these 2 units as the heat is transferred into your home.

Heat pumps do not operate using natural gas or by burning any other fossil fuel. The pump is powered by electricity. Heat pumps can be installed for central air or as a mini-split system.

The decision to replace or repair cooling equipment should always be made with the advice of our experts at Cencal Mechanical. We can evaluate the age and health of your system and give you a realistic forecast for future repairs.

Every home’s cooling is unique. But generally, an air conditioner 10 years or older should be considered for an upgrade. As HVAC systems age and the repair frequency increases, there comes a time when a new cooling system will save you money in the long run.

High-efficiency air conditioners are considered energy efficient compared to older or more basic AC units. A SEER rating of at least 13 is necessary to qualify an air conditioner as high-efficiency.

Our cooling pros at Cencal Mechanical can help you find a high-efficiency cooling system that fits your living space and budget. We’ll always optimize your HVAC systems for better performance as part of any AC installation.

No two installations are exactly the same. Several factors impact an air conditioning install timeline. These include:

• The type of air conditioning we are installing: ductless mini-split or central AC.
• The quality of existing ductwork in your home and whether or not we are adding ductwork (for central AC systems).
• The size and space we are working with to install your central air conditioning. Cramped spaces can increase installation time.
• The size and model of your AC unit.
• Ease of access to the installation areas.

Cencal diagnostic experts do their absolute best to give you an accurate quote on expected installation timelines. That said, many new AC installs can be completed within one day. But we’ll always communicate expectations before your purchase.

Your new air conditioner will always benefit from proper care and routine maintenance. You can expect new equipment to operate normally for at least 10 years and over 15 years for well-maintained units.

Our AC installations are completed with the utmost attention to detail and designed to maximize each model’s lifespan. Dealing with AC repairs swiftly, as your unit reaches the decade mark, is another way to help your cooling system last longer.

Just as you would get an oil change and tune-up for your car before a big road trip, it’s best to get an AC Tune-Up before the heat waves start. When a technician inspects your air conditioning system, they ensure everything is working properly and ready for summer.

A service professional can suggest any repairs or upgrades to avoid AC emergencies when the heat is sweltering. So think about scheduling your AC Tune-Up in the spring or early summer.

Refrigerant is the fluid inside your AC condenser unit that cools air passing through the system. When this fluid is too low, it can lead to an air conditioner that isn’t cooling! Look for these signs to spot low refrigerant:

• Hissing or bubbling sounds from your AC unit.
• Ice is forming on refrigerant lines.
• Air is blowing, but it’s not cold.

Air conditioner tune-ups give our HVAC techs a chance to top up refrigerant levels. You don’t want to be caught without working AC on the hottest days! So help your cooling system with an annual tune-up.