Sometimes, when your HVAC system breaks down, your first thought is getting hands-on to figure out the problem. That’s understandable because it can save you money if it works. But most times it doesn’t and isn’t worth the risks. The fact is most DIY HVAC repairs can pose a significant danger to you and your Anthem, NV, home.

Exposure to Harmful Chemicals

HVAC repairs might involve the use of chemicals, some of which can be harmful to your body. For instance, the refrigerant in HVAC systems is highly poisonous. Without the expertise, you might not handle or dispose of it correctly, putting yourself and the environment in harm’s way.

Financial Loss

Ironically, DIY HVAC repairs often end up being more expensive than what you would have paid a professional. For instance, one wrong move could lead to irreversible damage, necessitating an expensive replacement.

Besides, in the process of the DIY repair, you could end up hurt. That could lead to some unexpected medical care expenses.

Time Waste

DIY projects could be your favorite pastime activity. However, that doesn’t mean you want to spend all day on the same job, which might be the case with DIY HVAC repairs. The reason for this is because you might lack the technical know-how to diagnose the problem quickly.

Losing the Warranty

Ideally, HVAC systems come with warranties on components and labor. However, should your attempt at DIY repair lead to damages, you lose your service warranty. That means you’ll have to pay the full price for future professional repairs.

Safety Codes and Regulations

There are regulations that govern HVAC work — usually related to safety reasons. Unless you have professional experience, you won’t know when something could be a code violation.

Knowing the dangers of DIY HVAC repairs, it would be best to seek professional repair services the next time your system runs into problems. If you’re in search of service specialists you can trust, Johnny On The Spot is here for you. Don’t hesitate to give us a call today.

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There are increasing concerns about indoor air quality recently. As such, homeowners are using equipment such as whole-home air purifiers to improve it. Air purifiers have germicidal properties that help destroy viruses and bacteria and reduce allergy triggers such as pollen, dust and pet dander. Here are three ways you could benefit from installing a whole-home air purifier in your Summerlin, NV, home:

Reduce Harmful Chemicals

If you reside in areas with heavy vehicle traffic, outdoor pollutants like carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide will find their way into your home. Exposing your family members to these harmful gases will increase their chances of developing health complications.

Household cleaning agents such as bleach contain toxic volatile organic compounds such as chlorine, ammonia and phthalates. Although exposure to these chemicals in small quantities doesn’t cause major harm, routine exposure can have long-term negative effects on the body.

The great news is that it’s possible to control the circulation of these harmful chemicals by installing an air purifier. The activated carbon component removes these toxic chemicals. As a result, it prevents the occurrence of these ailments. The carbon is highly porous. It t allows carbon filtering, which traps these chemicals, allowing the recycling of fresh air in the home.

Relieve Respiratory Illnesses

Indoor pollutants such as pollen, dust mites and pet dander affect the air quality, triggering asthma and other allergies. These particles will stick to your clothes, flow in through the open windows and doors, and land on furniture and carpets. Increased moisture in the home is a breeding ground for dust mites, a common indoor allergen.

Although vacuuming the furniture and floors will remove a percentage of these particles, some contaminants will remain suspended in the air, which increases the chances of asthma attacks and allergic reactions. Therefore, you should consider investing in an air purifier to capture indoor pollutants. This improves your indoor air quality and prevents asthma and other allergy triggers among your family members.

Eliminate Odors

Different products such as aerosol sprays, paints and air fresheners contain volatile organic compounds such as benzene and formaldehyde that break down at room temperatures, thus releasing strong and irritating odors. These odors trigger symptoms such as breathlessness and nausea. An air purifier can eliminate these odors and help your home smell fresher.

If you reside in Summerlin, NV, contact our service technicians at Johnny on the Spot to install, maintain and repair whole-home air purifiers. We look forward to serving you.

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Your air conditioner plays an integral role in regulating indoor temperatures, especially during summertime in Las Vegas, NV, when temperatures can reach a sweltering 100 degrees. But for your AC system to function properly, it must receive the correct temperature readings from the thermostat controlling it. If your air conditioner has been acting suspiciously as of late, you may need a new smart thermostat.

Inaccurate Thermostat Reading

Your air conditioner cools your home based on the temperature reading the thermostat provides. If the reading is incorrect, your AC system ends up working too much or too little. Use a portable indoor thermometer to get the correct temperature and compare it with the reading that your thermostat sends back.

Higher Utility Costs

If your recent monthly utility bills are spiking, it could be due to your old thermostat. A faulty thermostat will result in longer running cycles for your air conditioner, which means more energy used over time. It may even cause your AC system to switch on randomly while you’re away.

Inconsistent Temperatures

A faulty thermostat will have difficulty maintaining your preset range and may unexpectedly change temperatures on its own. Test this out by lowering your settings and seeing if your AC system adjusts to meet that new temperature range.

AC System Not Shutting Off

In some cases, a faulty thermostat prevents your AC system from shutting off, and it runs for a longer cycle than needed. That said, you might also want to check other parts of the system before pinning the problem on the thermostat. Have a certified service specialist perform a maintenance check to assess your air filters, vents and condensate lines.

If you notice any of these signs but aren’t sure about the need to replace your thermostat, we’re here to help. Contact Johnny On The Spot to have us install your new smart thermostat. We also provide a full lineup of HVAC products and services.

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When using your air conditioner during the summer, you may notice it emanates nasty smells. It may be the typical dusty smell or some other more pungent odor. Here are three offensive AC odors that may linger in your Summerlin, NV, home and what they mean.

Dirty-Sock Smell

Your air conditioning system won’t produce this nasty odor normally. If your AC system releases a stinky sock smell, it simply means the coils need a thorough cleaning. The dirty sock odor results from bacterial growth and dirt particles accumulating in the AC system’s evaporator coils.

It’s not an odor you want to keep for long, so shut off your air conditioner and call a service specialist. AC repair and maintenance specialists know the easy way to clean evaporator coils and sanitize your AC condenser.

Garbage-Like Odor

In fear of the hot summer weather, small animals make your AC system their home. The sad reality is that not every animal that enters your air conditioner will leave alive. Some die in the process and are probably the reason behind the garbage-like odor coming from your air conditioning system.

Removing these animals may seem like an easy job until you try it. Avoid the trouble and contact a professional.

Burning Smell

In some instances, your air conditioning system may generate a burning odor. The burning smell occurs when something is actually burning inside the air conditioner. Leaving it to run longer could end up causing more damage.

Once you discover that burning smell, switch off your AC system and call a service specialist. They will inspect the motor, wires and every other part for problems and troubleshoot the issue before it gets worse.

For all your air conditioner repairs and maintenance services, contact us at at Johnny On The Spot. Our certified service specialists have years of experience servicing different models and brands of AC systems.

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When it comes to indoor air quality, it’s hard to know what will really make a difference. There are a wide variety of cleaners, filters and purifiers in an assortment of different sizes. Here are five benefits of choosing whole-home air cleaners to improve your indoor air quality in North Las Vegas, NV:

Fewer Allergens

Indoor air cleaners provide a much finer filter than your standard HVAC system’s filters. These cleaners remove much smaller particles, which are often various types of allergens. From pollen to pet dander, these cleaners help reduce the triggers for many airborne allergies.

Improves Sleep

When you suffer from an allergy, you may experience nasal congestion, a runny nose, itchy eyes and coughing or sneezing. All of this inhibits quality and restful sleep mainly due to shallower breathing. By removing the allergens and reducing your allergic triggers, you create an environment more conducive to good sleep.

Less Dust Buildup

Doing more cleaning than necessary is nearly universally agreed to be an undesired chore. When you improve your air quality by reducing the number of microscopic particles circulating, you reduce the sources of dust. Less source materials means less dust, which means your home stays cleaner longer.

Fewer HVAC Repairs

As air circulates through your HVAC system, it deposits those microscopic contaminants throughout your system. Once these collect over time, they impede the proper function of your system, leading to additional operation strain. This strain causes your system components to fail, requiring preventable AC repairs.

Everyone Benefits

One of the strongest reasons to use whole-house air cleaners instead of independent room models is that everyone benefits. With standalone models, they only affect the individual room, and many times only immediately around the device.

Whole-home air cleaners have a much higher circulation rate because they plug directly into your HVAC system. Due to the dynamics of the airflow around your home, a higher proportion of air gets cleaned and recirculated. This benefits everyone in the house, regardless of whether they’re in the room with the cleaner.

Don’t let poor air quality ruin your home experience. Call Johnny On The Spot to schedule an indoor air quality consultation with one of our experienced service specialists today.

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Ductless mini-splits can cool and heat your home or business. Although durable and reliable, they can experience issues, especially if you neglect them. Here are tips for troubleshooting your ductless mini-split in Summerlin, NV:

Clear the Buildup in the Drain Line

Buildup in the drain line can force your HVAC system to shut down from water damage. Our service specialists recommend you pour vinegar in the line a few times a year to keep it clear. Vinegar helps flush the line by breaking through the buildup.

If your ductless system is leaking or isn’t draining properly, it’s time to call our HVAC service specialists. Common leaks come from the indoor air handler. A more serious issue is a damaged or kinked drain line that causes buildup and water damage.

Clean or Change the Dirty Filter

Your air conditioner brings in dirt and dust every time it turns on, and this dirt will build up inside the filter. Our service specialists will clean your entire HVAC unit including areas only reached by opening the system. The air filter cleans the indoor air and helps your HVAC system perform better.

You should follow the manufacturer’s instructions and change your filters every two or three months. If you have allergies, pets or children, change the filter monthly. Our experts can give you a timetable to change the filter, which will keep your system running longer.

Investigate Unpleasant Odors

If you notice a foul odor coming from your HVAC system, it means there’s a buildup of debris and dirt in the unit. Smelling the odor means there’s significant contaminant growth within the grime. The odor means that every time your system runs, it’s contaminating the indoor air.

When condensate water mixes with dirt, it creates more contaminants, which prevents the system from draining. Flushing the condensate drain line and cleaning the pan can help clear the issue. Most ductless mini-split systems have a washable air filter, and you can use soap and water to clean them.

The two sections that run a ductless mini-split system are the indoor handler and outdoor unit. The outdoor unit has many parts that need to stay clean and lubricated to keep your system running longer. If you need any HVAC services in Summerlin, NV, call Johnny On The Spot to schedule an appointment.

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Everyone knows how hot summers are in Las Vegas, NV. When the temperature outside starts climbing, you trust your home’s air conditioning system to keep you and your family cool. There are several reasons spring is the ideal time to invest in air conditioner maintenance before the scorching summer temperatures arrive.

Prevent Costly Problems

Your air conditioner will work harder in the summer than it does during any other season. Having a springtime tune-up performed on your air conditioner will ensure that your system is ready to combat the high temperatures. Our service specialists know how to identify parts that are starting to show wear. They can help resolve the problem before it turns into something more expensive.

Improve AC Efficiency

Since your air conditioner has to run more during the summer to keep your home cool, you probably assume that your utility bills will increase. While that may be true to a certain degree, spring air conditioner tune-ups can help ensure that your system is running efficiently. An efficiently running AC system helps ensure that your utility bills don’t go up too much, even when combating summer’s rising temperatures.

Extend Your System’s Lifespan

No one looks forward to the prospect of having a new central air conditioning system installed. There will be a day when you have to install a new cooling system. But having annual spring tune-ups helps to extend your existing system’s lifespan. A properly maintained air conditioning system can last for anywhere between 15 and 20 years.

Investing in a spring tune-up for your air conditioner is an investment in the long-term efficiency and comfort of your home. Call Johnny On The Spot today to schedule your spring AC maintenance. Also, be sure to inquire about all of our other HVAC services. We look forward to hearing from you.

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Homeowners living in Henderson, NV, may not know that their ducts can become magnets for strange items. If you haven’t scheduled a professional duct cleaning for a long time, your indoor air could be circulating around some disturbing things without your knowledge. The following is a brief description of some of the strangest things you may find in your ductwork.

Food Wrappers

The construction workers responsible for building your home ate lunch and drank beverages at the job site. Inspectors may not have checked the air ducts before you took over ownership of your home. Food wrappers left behind by workers will obstruct the flow of air through your HVAC system if they enter your ductwork.

Dead Animals

It’s not uncommon for insects and small animals to hide in your vents to avoid detection. The best-case scenario is that you become conscious of the critters in your ductwork and have them removed. Many times, the end of life will come for animals living in your ductwork without you ever knowing they took up residence there.

Toys

Children possess endless amounts of creativity. At times, they demonstrate this creativity by discovering strange things to do with their toys. If you have children living with you, don’t become too surprised if your next duct cleaning ends with you finding a lost toy or two.

Particle Pollutants

Operating your HVAC system for years without duct cleaning will result in accumulated dust, dirt and debris in the ductwork. This will eventually lead to a thick layer of particle pollutants, which can inhibit airflow and contribute to poor IAQ.

Your HVAC system is more likely to work as you desire when your ductwork is free from obstructions. Call Johnny On The Spot when your HVAC system needs professional duct cleaning. We’ll make sure you’re maximizing heating and cooling efficiency all year.

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Are you looking for ways to improve the air quality for your Summerlin, NV, home? If so, consider an air scrubber. Air scrubbers are a great solution to keeping you and your loved ones safe and healthy. Below are some ways an air scrubber can help you improve the quality of the air you breathe.

What are Air Scrubbers?

An air scrubber is a filtration system that removes air pollutants such as chemicals, particles and gases. While it’s mostly associated with large industrial renovation jobs, it can equally apply in homes. Air contaminants such as dirt and pet dander will always find a way into your home and often get trapped in your furniture and carpets despite your cleaning efforts.

The contaminants are responsible for the low indoor air quality that leads to health complications like allergies and asthma. The air scrubbers work by drawing in the air and filtering all hazardous materials.

Benefits of Air Scrubbers

An air scrubber with ActivePure® technology can help reduce certain illnesses. The illnesses may include:

• Allergies.
• Coughs.
• Sinuses.
• Eye, throat and nose irritations.
• Headaches.
• Nausea.
• Dizziness.
• Fatigue.

Air scrubbers can also reduce dander and dust in your living space. They also reduce other contaminants, which include:

• Tobacco smoke.
• Food odor.
• Pet odor.
• Volatile organic compounds.

Cleaning Your Indoor Air Supply

While air filters work by capturing large particles, air scrubbers with ActivePure® technology work by attracting positive ions. The majority of contaminant particles are positively charged, so the scrubbers use negative charges to attract them. They not only filter the air but also deodorize, purify and clean it.

Extend the Lifespan of Your HVAC System

Apart from cleaning your indoor air and enhancing your comfort, air scrubbers also help extend the lifespan of your HVAC system. Instead of dirtying and damaging your unit, the indoor air pollutants get broken and eliminated. By doing so, your HVAC system experiences fewer repairs and increases its efficiency, which leads to a longer service life.

For more information about system maintenance, contact the team at Johnny On The Spot. We offer a free service call with repair and professional service specialists.

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Furnaces aren’t entirely silent when operating. But they may produce unusual loud noises as an indication of problems. There are all kinds of reasons your furnace in Las Vegas, NV, could make loud noises. Here are four of them:

Damaged or Loose Blower Belt

Furnace belts may be loose and produce loud squealing sounds. Another cause of a squealing sound in your furnace is a dry shaft bearing. To solve such issues, a professional will lubricate all the moving parts to keep your heating system performing optimally.

In case of a loose belt, you need to adjust or replace it. While you may perform adjustments to the fan belt by yourself, never attempt to replace it on your own. Contact a service specialist for inspections of the fan belt.

Blower Motor Issue

When turning on your heating system, you may hear loud rattling and screeching noise. The noise could mean either the bearings of the blower or the blower motor itself has a problem. Your blower often needs routine specific kinds of lubrication to prevent such noises.

If you let the noise continue without professional inspections, it could lead to severe damage and expensive repairs or replacements. Contact an HVAC company for proper inspections, oiling and repairs.

Faulty Heat Exchanger

Loud, continuous rattling sounds from your furnace could mean a loose screw or panel. In case of a loose screw, you can turn off your heater at the power source and use a screwdriver to tighten the screw. However, if the noise isn’t from the loose screw, it’s likely an indication of a severe problem from a faulty heat exchanger.

The main reason for a faulty heat exchanger is the lack of enough airflow. Dirty filters, coils or blowers can restrict airflow, causing heat buildup within the heat exchanger. The heat then causes splinters and cracks to the heat exchanger, producing a loud rattling sound.

The cracks could lead to leakages of carbon monoxide, which lowers your indoor air quality. If the sound isn’t from loose screws, immediately contact a service specialist to prevent further damage and possible air poisoning.

Dirty Burners

If you hear a loud bang or boom sound when you turn on the furnace, this means its burner has dirt that needs cleaning. Dirty burners may delay ignition, causing a buildup of gas and a possible explosion. Another reason for a booms sound is an unbalanced ratio of air to fuel.

If you hear any unfamiliar sounds coming from your furnace, contact Johnny On The Spot for inspections and maintenance. Never ignore any of the above sounds, and remember to schedule annual furnace maintenance.

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