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How To Stay Cool If Your AC Goes Out

Written by rivaldigital on June 16, 2022. Posted in Tips. Leave a Comment

It’s hot outside, and even hotter inside your home! If your AC goes out, don’t panic. There are a few things you can do to stay cool until an HVAC repair technician can come fix the problem. We will share some tips with you in this blog post on how to keep yourself and your family comfortable until the issue is resolved. Stay cool!

What Causes Air Conditioners To Break Down?

One of the most common reasons for an AC unit to break down is a dirty filter. If the filter is clogged, it can’t work properly and will cause the AC to overheat. Be sure to check the filter regularly and clean or replace it if needed.

Another common reason for an AC unit to break down is a power outage. If the power goes out, the AC unit will shut off. Be sure to check the breaker box and reset any tripped circuits. You may also need to contact your power company to resolve the issue.

If your AC unit is still not working, you can try some DIY troubleshooting techniques. Check the thermostat to make sure it is set to “cool” and the temperature is set below the current room temperature. Make sure all doors and windows are closed so that cool air isn’t escaping. Also, check for any debris or foliage blocking the AC unit. If you can’t resolve the issue, be sure to contact an HVAC repair technician as soon as possible.

Ways To Stay Cool Until Your AC Can Be Repaired

In the meantime, there are a few things you can do to stay cool while you wait for the AC unit to be fixed. Drink lots of cold water and avoid alcoholic beverages, which can actually cause you to feel hotter. Dress in loose, light-colored clothing made of natural fibers like cotton or linen. Close blinds or curtains to keep out sunlight, and use fans to circulate air. If you have access to a pool or sprinkler, take advantage of it!

We hope these tips help you stay cool until your AC unit can be repaired. Remember, if the problem persists, be sure to contact an HVAC technician as soon as possible. Stay safe and cool!

The Importance of Getting Your Heating System Tuned Up

Written by rivaldigital on October 1, 2021. Posted in Maintenance. Leave a Comment

As we begin to enter the cooler months in fall and winter, homeowners across Virginia Beach will begin shifting from AC to heat in their house. Often times, when your heater or furnace goes a period of time without operation, it may encounter some issues when you turn it on. So it’s important to have a professional HVAC company come out and do a proper tune-up on your system before the cold weather arrives.

Benefits of Getting Your Furnace Tuned-Up

Aside from having a warm cozy home during the cold winter days, there are several benefits of routine maintenance to your residential heating system.

Improved efficiency
Increased lifespan of system
Lowered utility costs
Less repair costs
Improved indoor air quality

Don’t wait until you attempt to turn the heat on for the first time to get your system tuned-up!

Contact Galactic Air Today!

If you are interested in getting your heating system tuned-up and ready for the fall and winter months, contact Galactic Air today! Our team is standing by ready to help you out. You can schedule your service by calling (757) 575-5334 or you can request service online.

4 Ways To Save On Air Conditioning Costs In Summer

Written by rivaldigital on May 5, 2021. Posted in Energy Efficiency. 1 Comment

Beat The Heat This Summer With Galactic Air!

As we enter the month of May, we can anticipate much warmer days in the near future. In Virginia Beach, it’s common for us to have an average temperature of 90+ degrees during the summer, so having a well working air conditioning system is a must. However, if you aren’t mindful of these tips, you could run the risk of running up your energy bill all summer.

Below, you will find 4 easy ways to save on your air conditioning costs this year.

1. Change Your Filter Regularly

Did you know that by replacing your air filter, you can save anywhere from 10% to 15% on your energy consumption costs? When air filters are not changed at the appropriate time, they can become clogged with dust, dirt, and other particles that cause the airflow to be blocked from flowing throughout the house.

When the airflow is blocked, it caused the system to work harder than it needs to! Changing your filter regularly will allow the air to flow with ease. When your HVAC system works properly, it will help you reduce power bill costs, and provide greater comfort for your home.

2. Utilize Ceiling Fans

No only to ceiling fans help you stay cool in your home, but they can help you save on your bills! By moving the air in the room, you will feel more comfortable, which can help prevent the need to constantly be cranking the thermostat down.

3. Use Programmable Thermostat

Smart thermostats, or programmable thermostats are a great investment to make in your home energy-efficiency and overall comfort. By programming the thermostat to work when you need it to, it allows the system to only work hard when needed, and not constantly throughout the day when no-one is home.

Smart thermostats have gotten so advanced, that you can even control them from your phone or tablet, and some even learn your usage behaviors – meaning that it will learn when you utilize the air conditioning and set a schedule for you. Don’t worry though! If something changes, you can always adjust the schedule. Some studies have even suggested that you could save up to 10% on your energy costs by switching to a programmable thermostat.

4. Get An Annual Tune-Up Service

Just like how you take your car to the dealership or auto shop for routine tune-ups and maintenance, you should also get your AC system tuned-up! Annual AC tune-ups are essential to keep your system clean and operating at it’s best.

Contact The Pros At Galactic Air!

If you are looking for ways to save on your energy bills this summer and maximize your home’s energy efficiency – call Galactic Air! We specialize in ac repair, replacement, installation, and maintenance. We can help you beat the heat this summer and stay cool.

Why Does Proper Installation Matter?

Written by rivaldigital on March 26, 2021. Posted in Installation. Leave a Comment

Best Equipment Installation in the Known Universe!

Why does proper installation matter?
Proper installation of your new home air conditioner/heater will ensure trouble free operation, will provide you with the comfort you expect and will save you the most money. Your HVAC system is the biggest energy hog of your house so getting the right capacity and efficiency is critical to saving you money while keeping you comfortable.

Properly sized HVAC system installation will ensure that the unit is providing you the necessary heating and cooling for your house. If the system is too large it will cycle on and off too much therefore, not providing the proper humidity control. This will lead to a swampy feeling in the house and an increase in your electric bill. Galactic Air Inc. makes sure you get the right equipment by doing a proper inspection prior to the installation.

Air conditioning systems that are not properly charged with refrigerant can cause all sorts of problems. Too little refrigerant can cause the system to freeze-up, reduce the capacity and efficiency of the system and even damage the compressor. Galactic Air Inc. charges the system by weight, super heat or subcooling as mandated by the manufacturer to ensure that the system is charged correctly. We have the tools to do the job right.

Air flow is a major part of a heating and air conditioning system. If the airflow is not managed correctly by undersized return ducts the system can overwork the blower motor causing premature failure. Also, failure to seal the ductwork can lead to conditioned air leaking into the attic or crawl space decreasing efficiency. Galactic Air Inc. seals all duct joints with screws, tape and/or mastic. All of our ductwork is properly insulated and we only use industry standard UL listed materials.

In essence, our installations are going to save you money while keeping you comfortable. Our installation specialists are trained to install equipment “like they would in their own home.” That is the basis for the way we do business. We put your comfort first and make sure our quality and service meet your needs! Out of this world service!

High efficiency equipment installation

There are some special considerations to make when installing a high efficiency HVAC or ductwork system. Equipment and ductwork size are extremely important when working with high efficiency systems. Galactic Air Inc. installation specialists are trained to make these considerations when designing the system. Larger return duct size is just one of the many things we do to make sure the system is going to last and provide comfort for the long term. Goodman equipment has some great technology when it comes to high efficiency air conditioning systems and we continually train with Goodman on the new technology.

Water Heaters and Tankless Water Heaters

Galactic Air Inc. also installs water heaters. If your water heater is older than 12 years you might consider changing it out for a new one. There are many options when it comes to water heaters that were not available in the past. If you have natural gas you can install a tankless water heater. Imagine endless hot water! The new tankless water heaters come with a circulating pump to circulate hot water through your pipes at certain times per day so even the farthest shower or sink has instant hot water. No more waiting for the hot water to reach the shower. Tankless water heaters are also more efficient because they do not heat a tank of water keeping it hot until you use it. When you turn on the hot water the tankless water heater jumps into action heating the water as it passes through it.

If you don’t have natural gas you can still get a high efficiency hot water heater in the form of a heat pump water heater. The heat pump uses a small compressor and refrigerant in addition to heating elements to heat the water using less electricity than just standard heating elements.

Galactic Air Inc. installation specialists are trained to install all types of water heaters. Direct vent water heaters, tankless water heaters, heat pump water heaters and hydronic heat water heaters are just some of the water heaters Galactic Air Inc. can install.

The Importance Of Routine HVAC Maintenance

Written by rivaldigital on March 26, 2021. Posted in Energy Efficiency, Maintenance. Leave a Comment

Proper maintenance saves you money and keeps you comfortable!

Our maintenance agreement is once a year. We will inspect your equipment from top to bottom. We test and inspect electrical components, check the equipment operation, and clean the coils when needed. Clean equipment equals more efficiency. Galactic Air Inc. does more to keep your system running properly than most other companies! Also, you get a 10% discount on all repairs as long as you are a maintenance member!

Maintaining HVAC equipment is essential to ensure peak performance at all times. Manufacturers advise that your HVAC system is efficiently maintained or serviced by professional techs at least once yearly. Occasionally, equipment warranties may be declined or voided if you fail to maintain or service the equipment. Having your HVAC system examined routinely also reduces the number of breakdowns experienced.

Underlying Issues
The HVAC system works more during scorching or freezing temperatures. For this reason, if there are any hidden problems with your system, it might not pop-up until the system is working its hardest for a long period. By maintaining your HVAC system on a regular basis, problems or underlying issues can be discovered and resolved instantly. This will avert any additional problems.
It is vital that you have your HVAC system serviced regularly to make sure that it is working properly. It is best to service the system before extensive use mounts pressure on it throughout the season.

Below are reasons why it is important to maintain your HVAC system regularly:

HVAC Maintenance Saves You Money
Changing the air filter is among the essential parts of preserving or maintaining HVAC systems. If your HVAC system can not take in or release air freely (breathe) it can stop working, freeze and leak water, or lead to a complete system breakdown.
HVAC coil cleaning and changing your system’s air filter is advisable by the supplier and will also help to keep your HVAC system working at peak performance and extend the life of the equipment.

Keeps you Comfortable Longer by Extending Service Life
Proper maintenance of your system on a regular basis will extend system service life. When your system gets professional yearly maintenance, it will cut down wear and tear and possible problems before they cause breakdowns.

Enhances the Efficiency
System maintenance ensures your system is working at its best, enhancing its performance. When your air conditioner, furnace, or heat pump is consuming less energy, you’ll see a savings in your utility bills.

Reduces Repair Needs
Another benefit of regular yearly maintenance is less time without heating or air conditioning. We check electrical components for wear and tear and can see when they are working harder than they should and need to be replaced before they break down. This we do during the maintenance so there is no need for a diagnostic fee. Saving you money and keeping you comfortable.

Author: rivaldigital