Residential Services

The four main components to your air conditioner are:

• Condenser: The condenser is the outside metal unit and where the gas from the compressor is condensed into a liquid. The gas entering the condenser is very hot. The temperature is then lowered, so the gas can convert back to a liquid.
• Compressor: The compressor is inside the condenser. It circulates the pressurized refrigerant, to concentrate the heat, and changes the low pressure gas to high pressure.
• Evaporator: The evaporator is the part of the system inside the home. In simple language, it absorbs the heat from your home.
• Expansion Valve: The expansion valve controls the amount of refrigerant in your system.

• An Air Conditioner Doesn't Create Cool Air: What happens in the AC process is actually the removal of heat from the air. Your AC uses a chemical called refrigerant to remove heat and transfer it outside. The warm air runs through the lines and coils in your unit and goes from liquid to gas and back again. During this process, the refrigerant removes the heat and transfers it elsewhere so that when the air comes out the other side, it is cool.
• Your AC Will Remove Humidity: Lower humidity helps the overall comfort level in your home by making you feel cooler, even if the temperature is the same.
• Your Air Filter Needs To Be Checked And Replaced Every Three To Six Months: (depending on the manufacturer's recommendations) A dirty air filter restricts your air flow, which reduces efficiency, costing you money, and over time can put stress on your unit and could cause a costly repair.
• Maintenance, Maintenance, Maintenance: Your air conditioner needs regular checkups to keep it running in tip-top shape. Having regular annual preventative maintenance will bring your system a longer life and fewer breakdowns overall.
• SEER: The Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER) measures air conditioning and heat pump cooling efficiency, which is calculated by the cooling output for a typical cooling season divided by the total electric energy input during the same time frame. A higher SEER rating means greater energy efficiency.

Saving money and leaving a smaller global footprint are both smart goals for any homeowner. One way to achieve both of these goals simultaneously is with energy-efficient electrical upgrades. Upgrading by replacing existing electrical appliances or installing new energy-efficient electrics are both valuable decisions. Stumped as to where to even begin? Try looking at installing energy-efficient lighting, upgrading to or purchasing energy-efficient electrical appliances, utilizing an electricity usage monitor, changing traditional bulbs to more energy-efficient choices, and upgrading your standard power strips to advanced power strips.

As mentioned above, there are a few electrical projects that can safely be tackled by a homeowner. That said, it's always a safer course to consult with a professional electrician to perform any electrical service or repair. Electricity is nothing to leave to chance. Common electrical services and repairs that homeowners explore run the full gamut of generators all the way down to loose wall switches. Don't hesitate to contact a professional for any of your electrical needs.

Whether you own an historic home in need of all new wiring or you've been thinking about upgrading to accommodate the energy-efficient appliances and high-tech electronics you're going to be splurging on, there are some things to keep in mind when rewiring your entire home:

• Hire a licensed professional electrician.
• Make an electrical inventory of what devices you'll be using and their locations.
• Plan on some holes in walls, ceilings, and floors, where the wiring's located.
• Pull permits, and check with the Wenatchee, WA, planning department.
• Think about moving out during the rewire.
• Move your valuables and furniture to storage.

When an emergency arises, you need a quick response, especially when it comes to electricity. Do not attempt to address the emergency yourself, call us. Whether it's on a weekend or in the middle of the night, you need to be able to count on reaching a professional. Our expert electricians can be reached 24/7 and are prepared to help you in any electrical situation. They're ready for most electrical emergencies, ranging from sparking fuseboxes, outlets, and breaker panels to refrigerators/freezers defrosting, and they carry a wide variety of parts with them. But better than solving an emergency is preventing one in the first place. Electrical inspections can detect problems as they're beginning and can ward off potential disasters. Get your home's electrical inspected.

Don't get left in the cold! Is your furnace acting up, blowing cold air, or making too much noise? Our experienced team of professionals is here to keep your home warm and cozy. We repair all makes and models, and we will never try to sell you a service that you don't need. Our technicians are honest and hard working, and we're always transparent and fair about the work we do.

Sometimes a repair is not sufficient to fix your furnace. Sometimes a new furnace is the most cost-effective and energy-efficient way to go. We will always be honest with you about a possible furnace replacement. We value our time and your money--we don't want to perform repairs or service on an appliance that is in need of replacement.

AFUE, or Annualized Fuel Utilization Efficiency, is a measure of furnace-heating efficiency. The higher the AFUE, the more efficient the furnace.

We can calculate the correct size furnace for your home. The number of BTUs, or British Thermal Units, needed to heat your home is dependent on a number of variables. Contrary to what you might think, a bigger furnace may not necessarily mean more heating power for your home. Call us at Alpine Aire, and we can set up an appointment to calculate the furnace size you might need.

In the winter, a heat pump works like a heater, extracting heat energy from outside and transferring it inside. In the summer, the process reverses, and it will remove heat from your home and transfer it outside like an air conditioner. Heat pumps do this so well that many people in warmer climates exclusively rely on a heat pump for year-round comfort. For those living in colder climates, they use electric-powered heat pumps in conjunction with their gas or oil furnace resulting in lower heating costs.

Heat pumps work with a series of coils drawing energy from air, water, or the ground. In this way, they are very environmentally friendly and are the most energy-efficient way to heat and cool your home. Heat pumps also work extremely efficiently, because they simply transfer heat, rather than burn fuel to create it. This makes them a greener alternative to traditional gas or oil furnaces. Though you may think you're unfamiliar with them, they traditionally heat swimming pools and hot tubs, so you most likely have come in contact with them and not even known it.

Installation costs of heat pumps are higher than with a traditional furnace or air conditioner, but the savings over time in annual energy costs make up for the difference in five to ten years. Performing proper operation and maintenance of your heat pump will also save you money, as you'll use less energy, thus resulting in less cost. Be sure to ask your HVAC professional for the proper thermostat setting and the indoor pump's fan operation. Not following the recommended guidelines can inhibit the maximized running of the pump and can degrade the unit itself. Regular maintenance can prevent degradation as well. Consistent filter changing or cleaning is necessary for a well-running heat pump. Seasonal cleaning of coils and fans go a long way in preventing poor energy efficiency that can end up costing you more money. The energy difference between a well-maintained system and a neglected one can be anywhere from 10 to 25 percent.

To determine the appropriate type of heat pump for you, which can be contingent upon the geography and climate around your Wenatchee, WA or surrounding-area home or office space, or to discuss any of these topics, call us today at 509-436-1178 or request service online for an evaluation.

We highly recommend an annual service tune-up and cleaning for your furnace. Typically the optimum time of year to perform the maintenance is the fall, before you fire up your furnace for the cold weather. The purpose of the service tune-up is to keep your system running at top efficiency throughout the season, so you have heat whenever you need it. Our experienced technician will clean and check all the connections, controls, sensors, drains, motors, ducts, valves, and blowers, as well as your ignition assembly, thermostat(s), and smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Following your tune-up, our technician will instruct you on anything you could do yourself as maintenance between our service visits. One absolute action you can take is to change your furnace filter with the correct replacement every three months, or as needed. This goes a long way in extending the life of your furnace, as well as keeping your furnace repairs to a minimum and your indoor air quality high.

When you invest in a boiler system, you want to ensure it warms your home on a continued basis as efficiently as the day it was installed. You also want to do all you can to support the longevity of your system. Proper regular maintenance accomplishes both of these. A boiler is complex and requires a professional hand on an annual basis to clean and check it. During your maintenance service, our professional technicians will clean and check your boiler's burners, combustion chamber, heat exchanger, controls, vents, tank, pipes, belts, anode rods, connections, drains, linings, and all connected components, as well as your thermostat(s) and smoke and carbon-monoxide detectors. Following your tune-up, our technician will instruct you on anything you could do yourself as maintenance between our service visits. One absolute action you can take is to change your boiler filter with the correct replacement every three months, or as needed. This goes a long way in extending the life of your furnace, as well as keeping your furnace repairs to a minimum and your indoor air quality high.

For air conditioners, an annual service tune-up and cleaning is recommended, usually performed in the spring. Our professional technician will check and clean the connections, coils, blower components, lines, refrigerant, drain, fuses, and thermostat(s), as well as lubricate all working parts. Maintenance you can do yourself between service visits is to remove any yard debris or vegetation from the top and sides of your outdoor air conditioner unit, as well as to keep it covered with an air conditioner cover or tarp in the winter.

For heat pumps, an annual service tune-up and cleaning is recommended, usually performed in the fall, same as furnaces and boilers. Our professional technician will check and clean ducts, filters, blower, indoor coil, ducts, refrigerant, electric terminals, connections, motors, and belts, as well as lubricate all working parts. Be sure to change or clean the filter every three months or as needed. You can also clean the outdoor coils whenever they seem dirty, and keep yard debris and vegetation away from the unit.

For air-filtration systems, regular maintenance is something your can perform on your own. Maintenance on an air-filtration system usually just means changing or cleaning the filter every three to nine months. But you should check with the manufacturer's specific recommendations. Changing or cleaning your filter on a regular basis will ensure the best filtration for your home as well as extend the life of the system. If you need any assistance or would like to install an air-filtration system, feel free to talk with one of our professionals at Alpine Aire.

For gas fireplaces, an annual inspection and service is recommended, usually performed in the fall. Dust, dirt, and insects can clog and infect your orifices and burner ports, affecting your unit's ability to burn. Also, parts wear out allowing dangerous carbon monoxide to leak into your home. Having your fireplace inspected and cleaned on an annual basis will ensure years of beautiful and warm fires when you want them.

During the inspection and service, our professional technician will check and clean the inside combustion chamber, pilot, burners, logs, safety switches, glass doors or lens, wiring, and gas valve. On a monthly basis, you could inspect and service your fireplace by cleaning the glass doors and checking their bolts for door stability, check the glass-door or exterior gasket for cracks or missing pieces, and check the outside vent for debris/dirt and for tears or damage to the vent kit.

At Alpine Aire, we're here to to assist you in maintaining your home's systems or to answer any of your questions about maintenance. Keeping your equipment in good working order allows you peace of mind to know they'll be there when you need them. It also makes good financial sense to keep equipment serviced to help extend their life spans. Here in Wenatchee, WA, call us at 509-436-1178 to make an appointment now.