Ballard Plumbing, Heating & Air Conditioning

How to Seal Air Leaks in Your Home

1/12/2021

At Ballard, we understand the importance of keeping your home warm, and that can include sealing your home. In San Bernardino, Highland and Redlands communities, the weather isn’t always moderate and kind. Even the smallest air leak can greatly disrupt your energy bill and comfort level. Sealing leaks not only aids in maintaining the temperature in your home, but it also reduces heating and cooling costs, too! Step into this new year with renewed comfort and savings by learning how to seal your home.

Locate air leaks
The first step in sealing your home is finding the leaks. Did you know that the hard-to-reach areas are usually the ones with the most leaks? These areas include attics, basements and crawl spaces. Spending a little extra time inspecting these sometimes uncomfortable spaces can save you money on energy bills while improving your air quality. By knowing where your home’s leaks are, you’ll be able to seal and repair them properly.

Windows and doors
Windows are major air-leaking bandits. Older windows become warped over time due to moisture and stop sealing properly. Door and window bottoms are the biggest culprits. If you feel a draft when holding your hand in front of any part of the window or door frame, you need to start sealing. Use weatherstripping or caulk to fix these problem areas. If possible, renew your home with new, properly-sealing windows.

Unexpected spaces
Ductwork, vents, plumbing entrances, and wire pull-through holes are usually overlooked. Apply caulking, foil tape, or foam spray to any crack or hole you find.

Exterior
Inspect the exterior of your home. Check for gaps and cracks in the joints between the siding and the roofline. Thoroughly inspect the chimney’s foundation for sinking and along its height for cracks and deteriorating brick or stone. Ask your Ballard experts for recommendations on safe materials to fix any leaks you find.

Attics
Any jointed area has the possibility of leaking air. As one place we spend little to no time in, unfinished attic spaces are often forgotten but can be a big contributor of leaks. Use foam spray and caulking to seal along attic edges. Apply foam spray specifically to studs, joints, and large cracks to stop airflow.

Sealing your home is a simple task that will keep your loved ones cozy and comfy all year long with the bonus of big cost savings as you may find that thermostat doesn’t need set so high. At Ballard, our top priority is ensuring your indoor comfort this year. Give us a call at (909) 882-1748 for more information!

Low Interest Rates Make Now the Time to Replace Your HVAC System

1/6/2021

Begin this year renewed and refreshed with a new HVAC system. A new heating and cooling system ensures a year filled with energy efficiency, comfort, and health. Modern equipment is engineered to be dependable no matter the weather. At Ballard, we understand that many Inland Empire families do not have cash available to make a major investment, especially if the expenditure is unexpected. Learn how to get the most out of your financing by securing low interest rates.

Benefits of equipment financing
Major home-improvement projects can put quite the strain on your cash flow, especially as most homeowners don’t budget for an HVAC replacement. Financing helps bridge the gap between available cash and equipment costs, making the purchase less stressful. Perhaps one of the most important benefits of replacing your HVAC system is that it basically pays for itself. The increase in energy savings impacts your overall energy costs greatly. Look forward to an easy application process, low monthly payments, multiple payment options and more when you finance your new HVAC equipment.

Obtaining financing
Most homeowners are able to qualify for some amount of financing for new HVAC equipment. In order to secure optimal interest rates and multiple offers, it’s important to gather important documentation, such as:
●Credit reports: Credit scores play a major role in a lender’s decision to offer financing. The interest rates and amount of financing you receive are directly tied to your credit score.
● Reference letter: Those with minimal or poor credit can establish a pattern of reliability with a letter of reference. References from solid sources such as employers and utility companies can aid in demonstrating responsibility.
● Pay stubs: Proof of income is of utmost importance when obtaining financing. Organize your last three months’ worth of pay stubs for verification. If self-employed, show proof through tax returns or deposit receipts.

Replace or repair?
No matter how well your HVAC system is maintained, a replacement will be required at some point. Look for these signs to warn you that your existing system may need to be replaced:

Your system is passing the 10-year mark
Repairing it is costing more than half the cost of a new system
Your energy bills keep increasing every month
Comfort is not maintained in your home
You notice odd smells and sounds
Air quality has slipped

Do any of those send red flags? Then it may be time to update! Save big on a new CARRIER® air conditioning and heating system today!

Replacing your HVAC system is no small task. By knowing how to get the most out of your financing, you’ll be able to renew your home’s comfort level effortlessly. At Ballard, we’re here to help you every step of the way! Call us at (909) 882-1748 for a free estimate on new installations!

Can an Air Conditioner Heat My Home, Too?

12/8/2020

In a temperate climate like the San Bernardino Valley, you might wonder if there are alternative options to heat your home. When truly cold days are few and far between, is it your best option to invest in a furnace? With the help of the expert technicians at Ballard Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning, you can discover whether your home may be a good candidate for a heat pump!

How does a heat pump work?
A heat pump works with your home’s central HVAC system to “pump” warm air to wherever it is needed in order to heat or cool your home. On cold winter days, it will extract heat from the air or the ground to keep your family comfortable inside, and during the rest of the year, it will pump the warm air outside to cool down your home.

Is a heat pump efficient?
Rather than generating heat, a heat pump moves the heated air, so it is much more energy efficient than a traditional furnace or other heating equipment. Without the generation of heat, your home will produce fewer CO2 emissions, which improves air pollution. Keeping an energy-efficient home helps to save the environment and also saves you money on utility bills.

How can a heat pump save money?
Although there may be a higher upfront cost, you’ll find that most heat pumps have lower running costs and less maintenance needs overall. A heat pump offers less HVAC machinery to maintain in comparison to a furnace, resulting in less frequent breakdowns and fewer repair bills. Heat pumps are also extremely reliable and can last up to 50 years, compared with the typical 15- to 20-year lifespan of a furnace.

Are there other benefits?
Another benefit to a heat pump is its quiet operation, since it does not require the generation of heat. Along these same lines, you may also find a heat pump to be safer than other heating alternatives as there are no combustible materials required for it to run. Heat pumps also work quickly because they move hot air instead of creating it, so you’ll see fast results when you change the thermostat.

If you live in the San Bernardino Valley and would like to learn more about whether a heat pump could work for your home, contact the experts at Ballard to schedule a consultation at (909) 882-1748. We love to work with our customers to find the best heating and cooling systems to keep you and your family comfortable all year long.

What Are the Benefits of a Furnace Tune-Up?

12/1/2020

The winter holiday season is here, and even in San Bernardino, you’ve probably been turning up the heat on cold nights or cloudy days. As you use your furnace more regularly, you’ll want to keep it running at top efficiency with a tune-up from the experts at Ballard Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning. Give your family the gift of comfort with a winter furnace tune-up today!

Save money on utility bills
When you schedule a furnace tune-up with a Ballard technician, one of the biggest benefits is the savings you’ll see on your utility bills. A tune-up will keep your unit clean and reduce build-up that could keep it from running as efficiently as possible. And when your furnace has to work harder to heat your home, you’ll see that extra energy usage coming right out of your wallet.

Save the environment with high efficiency
Another major advantage to regular furnace maintenance is the impact you can have on the environment. If your furnace is running as efficiently as it should, it will use less energy resources and, in turn, reduce the number of harmful emissions from power plants. Can you believe that something as simple as a furnace tune-up can actually improve the pollution in the air we breathe each day?

Extend the life of your machinery
Regular maintenance on your home’s HVAC system will keep it running longer and prevent you from purchasing a new unit before it is necessary. If you are spending more time at home this holiday season, you’ll be using your HVAC system more than ever. As a family-owned business in our third generation of service, know that you can trust Ballard to keep your system operating smoothly and efficiently for as long as possible.

Prevent emergency repairs
The last thing anyone wants is an emergency furnace breakdown on a cold winter night or a busted air conditioner on the hottest day of the year. When you schedule regular tune-ups with the experts at Ballard, your equipment will be much less likely to experience a problem. But you can also rest easy knowing that if disaster does strike, an emergency technician from Ballard will be ready to repair your home’s equipment no matter the make or model.

If you want to schedule your seasonal furnace tune-up, contact Ballard today at (909) 882-1748. We are prepared to keep your family safe and comfortable at home all holiday season long.

How to Seal Air Leaks in Your Home

Low Interest Rates Make Now the Time to Replace Your HVAC System

Can an Air Conditioner Heat My Home, Too?

What Are the Benefits of a Furnace Tune-Up?

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