Surge protectors commonly protect valuable electronics like computers and home entertainment systems, but have you thought about your central A/C? Today’s air conditioners incorporate vulnerable microprocessors and circuit boards, all of which can be damaged by a transient voltage surge originating from external causes or from sources within your house. The most expensive single A/C component, the system compressor, also incorporates circuitry that could be damaged and necessitate costly replacement or perhaps even an entirely new system.

Power surges have many causes. Lightning striking as far as a half-mile away can send a surge through utility wires that damages household circuits. Common disruptions on the utility grid such as brownouts and blackouts typically include voltage irregularities that can also zap sensitive A/C components. Power surges in indoor wiring can occur due to indoor sources, as well, such as defective appliances or short circuits.

Here are two ways surge protectors installed by a qualified professional electrician can shield your A/C from expensive damage and/or early replacement due to voltage surges:

At The Main Electrical Panel

A central air conditioner is hard-wired directly into a dedicated circuit. Therefore, the primary level of surge protection must be installed at the main electrical panel. A whole-house surge protector will defend all household circuit from voltage irregularities that occur on the utility power line where it enters the house. As an alternative to whole-house protection, a surge protector can be installed at the main panel only on the dedicated circuit that serves the A/C unit.

At The A/C Unit

Surge protection installed at the main electrical panel may not protect against voltage spikes triggered by indoor sources. For maximum defense, a second dedicated surge protector can be installed at the power disconnect switch that controls power to the outdoor A/C condenser unit.

For more information about a surge protector to defend your air conditioner against damaging voltage spikes, contact the professionals at Roth Home & Cooling.

While Portland might not have the most challenging climate, you can still run up high heating and cooling bills if you don’t plan ahead. With a few simple steps, though, you can help your HVAC system perform more effectively and efficiently.

Invest in an Energy Audit

Your furnace and air conditioner will have a hard time keeping you comfortable if all the warmth or cooling they provide is quickly lost through your walls and ceilings. Areas with insufficient insulation and air leaks around the windows, doors, utility line penetrations, and other areas waste energy, forcing your system to work harder and use more energy to maintain the temperatures you want.

During an energy audit, your technician will bring in equipment to zero in on points of energy loss so you’ll know where to invest in improvements. For example, using an infrared camera, your technician may discover you’re losing energy through the roof. You’ll then know to air seal the attic and add more insulation.

Keep up on Maintenance

During just one season, your furnace or air condition sustain minor wear and tear issues that have a major effect on their efficiency. Loose wires and corroded contacts increase electrical resistance, dust on the indoor evaporator coil makes it harder for the coil to cool passing air, and incorrect motor voltage and amp draw can cause excessive energy use.

As part of an annual maintenance inspection, your technician will find and correct problems like these to keep your HVAC system at maximum efficiency and prevent sudden breakdowns.

Upgrade Your System

If your furnace or air conditioner is more than 10 years old, it’s nearing the end of its life expectancy. With each passing year, HVAC equipment drops in efficiency and newly manufactured models are more efficient that older models were even when they were new. Upgrading to new, Energy Star-qualified models could cut your heating and cooling bills by up to 20 percent, assuming the system is correctly sized and installed.

To learn more, contact Roth Home & Cooling, providing trusted HVAC services for Portland area homeowners.

A career in the HVAC industry gives you an opportunity to work in a multi-trade business where electricians, plumbers, sheet metal workers and heating and cooling technicians work together in commercial and residential settings. Professionals in this field need a background in wiring, plumbing, or knowledge of HVAC systems. Below are some reasons why you should work in a multi-trade business:

Licensing is attainable. Oregon accepts apprenticeship experience as well as classroom hours to obtain a license within the trades. Within a few years, you’ll be on your way toward a prosperous career with opportunities without the school loans or high tuition costs associated with a college degree.
Work is steady. Many of the trades experience cyclical work, but regardless of your trade, there’s always a demand for HVAC services. When construction is booming, so does the HVAC industry.Because HVAC systems need professional servicing and repairs, there are fewer slowdowns working in a multi-trade business due to seasonal demands or those related to the ups and downs of construction.
Wages are good many multi trade companies offer 401k programs, and health insurance, along with other benefits and above average salary.
Job security. The BLS estimates that the HVAC industry will continue to grow through the foreseeable future because of new construction and system replacements. All buildings and homes have HVAC systems and their lifetimes range from 10 to 20 years.The HVAC field is one a leader in advancing and implementing technologies that cut energy consumption. Homeowners and building managers often replace these systems early to take advantage of energy efficiency and comfort improvements.
Room for advancement. As you learn this multi-trade business, you might want to explore the specialties within it or explore advanced training in your particular field.

Roth Home & Cooling provides trusted HVAC services for the greater Portland area and is a multi-trade business. If you’d like to learn more about joining our team, please contact us today.

When you pet-proof your house, the plumbing is easy to overlook because most of it is hidden away where you’d think it would be safe. Pets and plumbing don’t always get along, though, so responsible pet owners plan ahead.

Do

Use drain strainers – These catch pet hair that ends up in the sink or shower before it enters the drain. Pet hair may be shorter than human hair, but it can still cause clogs. Even if you don’t bathe your dog or cat in a particular sink or shower, use a strainer there to catch hair that still finds its way in. Drain strainers also catch other clog-causing debris, so they’re a good idea all around.

Protect your pipes – As many surprised pet owners have discovered, some dogs, particularly as puppies, find plumbing pipes tempting to chew on. If you have exposed pipes under your sinks, keep the sink cabinets locked or protected with child safety latches. If that’s not possible and you’ve caught your dog gnawing on the pipes, apply a bitter-tasting chewing deterrent. Installing a cage around your pipes is another option if nothing else helps. Give your dog plenty of appropriate chew toys to keep his mouth busy.

Don’t

Flush kitty litter – This is a trap many pet owners fall into. Even the litters that claim to be flushable shouldn’t go down the toilet, and this is doubly true with clumping litters. Litter settles in the toilet’s P-trap where it swells up, traps debris, and will eventually cause a clog. It’s also not good for septic tanks. Even worse, cat feces can harbor the parasite toxoplasma gondii, which can survive wastewater treatment and end up in the water supply. Place used litter in a plastic bag and put it in the trash.

Let pets drink from the toilet – It’s usually not the germs in toilet water than can make your dog or cat sick, but the cleaning chemicals. For smaller pets, falling in is another risk. Keep your toilet lids closed and provide plenty of fresh water in bowls.

To learn more, contact Roth Home & Cooling, providing trusted HVAC services for Portland area homeowners.

Wi-Fi detectors offer high-tech protection against a low-tech threat: water leaks and frozen pipes. A large portion of your household plumbing is typically routed through inconspicuous areas that don’t get much attention. If a leak occurs in a water supply line, major water damage can occur before the incident is noticed.

A cracked 1/2-inch supply line can release up to 50 gallons per minute, a flood which quickly migrates far and wide inside the house. Extreme damage to structure and valuable possessions continues until someone sees the problem and shuts off the main water shutoff valve. If you happen to be out of the house for the day — or worse, out of town for several days — when a pipe leaks or freezes and ruptures, the results could be catastrophic.

Water damage from plumbing leaks and frozen pipes is the second most common cause of homeowner’s insurance claims. Connected to your existing home router or wireless network, here’s how Wi-Fi detectors protect your house and possessions from severe water damage:

Leak Detection

Installed in areas where unseen water leaks are most likely to occur — basement, crawl space, laundry room, etc — a Wi-Fi detector senses the presence of leaked water. The wireless alert can trigger an audible alarm. The device can also send you a text or email wherever you may be to warn you of the hazard occurring at home. Some of the more sophisticated systems can even shut off the main household water valve if a leak is detected.

Freeze Protection

Ice forming inside a water supply line causes extreme pressure that can rupture the pipe. Exposed water lines in unheated zones of the house such as the crawl space are particularly vulnerable. A Wi-Fi freeze protection system features battery-powered wraparound sensors that can be installed on exposed supply lines in critical areas. When the pipe temperature drops below freezing, an alert is transmitted wirelessly and can sound an alarm as well as send you a text or email to inform you of the danger.

For more about protection against water damage provided by Wi-Fi detectors, contact Roth Home & Cooling. Serving the West Linn area for over 40 years.

The best kind of HVAC technician is the one who does his or her job competently and professionally, setting your system up to run effectively and efficiently. These technicians, alas, get taken for granted, since the HVAC techs you’re likely to notice and remember are the ones who do a poor job. In June, take a moment to give credit where credit’s due — thank your favorite heating and cooling service person June 22 on HVAC Tech day.

Here are some reasons to show appreciation on HVAC Tech Day:

First, quality HVAC techs make sure your heating and cooling systems are performing as intended, providing reliable comfort in your home every day of the year. When the technician shows up for the recommended annual tune-up of your HVAC equipment, they’ll clean, adjust, test and inspect the entire system, and look out for any small problems that can develop into large problems.

Second, during regularly scheduled professional maintenance visits, the technician will look for ways to optimize system efficiency. The idea here is to adjust the equipment — whether a furnace, heat pump or air conditioner — so it consumes as little energy as possible while effectively heating or cooling your home.

Thirdly, you should thank your heating and cooling technician on HVAC Tech Day for keeping you and your family safe. Furnaces, A/Cs and heat pumps, if not properly installed, maintained or serviced, can pose safety hazards, whether through a gas or carbon monoxide leak in a combustion furnace, a leaky refrigerant line in an A/C or heat pump, or a problem with the electrical system.

A trusted, quality HVAC technician not only will ensure your heating and cooling equipment are running effectively, efficiently and safely, they’ll make suggestions on how to improve HVAC energy efficiency and performance, whether through home weatherization, installing programmable thermostat, or recommending an energy-efficient upgrade. Good HVAC techs also can suggest complementary systems for air cleaning, humidity control and ventilation.

Show your appreciation for reliable, competent, professional service on HVAC Tech Day. Contact us at Roth Home & Cooling, serving the Greater Portland area.

If the condensing unit for your central cooling system sits on the ground, doing yard work near it could reduce its efficiency. The condenser contains the fins and condensing coil that dissipate the heat that the refrigerant pulls out of your home. Any dirt and damage to these coils slows its ability to cool the refrigerant, which drives up cooling costs.

Lawn mowing. Cutting the grass around the outdoor condenser without a bag to catch the clippings can deposit small bits of grass on the fins and coils. Unless they’re removed, they’ll slow the cooling process.
String trimming weeds. The best way to avoid flying leaves and clippings around the condenser is to hand-pull the weeds or spray the weeds with herbicides while they’re still small.
Leaf blowing. If the leaf blower is strong enough, it could send sticks and twigs flying into the condenser’s coils. It’s a good idea to point the blower away from the condenser, or rake the immediate area instead of blowing it. Some central air conditioners drain the condensation they create outdoors using a drainpipe. It’s not uncommon when doing yard work for landscaping debris to blow into the end of the pipe that can block the water flowing from it.
Irrigation. Watering the yard doesn’t directly harm the condenser, but any over spray can if it hits the condenser. Besides the mineral deposits that can form on the fins and coil, continued exposure to water or moisture might cause rust on the condenser.

Solutions

One of the best ways to prevent clippings from sticking to the condenser is to xeriscape around the condensing unit. This type of landscape uses drought-tolerant plants that don’t shed many leaves and use a rock or crushed gravel ground cover.
Throwing a tarp over the condenser when you’re working around it will prevent some of the debris from lodging inside the fins and coils or bending them.

These tips will help you prevent damage to your condenser when doing yard work. To learn more about increasing cooling efficiency, contact Roth Home & Cooling, providing HVAC services for Portland-area homeowners.

A noisy air conditioner can be both irritating and worrisome. While many things can cause your AC to make noise, pinpointing the exact cause will help you determine if the sound is harmless or a sign of a larger problem.

If your AC is making loud banging, hissing, or high-pitched squealing sounds, contact a trusted HVAC company as soon as possible for repairs. These noises often mean you have a serious problem that needs immediate attention.

Below, we’ve compiled some of the most common noises you’ll hear coming from your air conditioner and what they mean.

AC Makes Rattling Noise

A rattling sound coming from your AC can indicate a few different things. There may be a loose screw or one of the fan blades may be bent or misaligned. Alternatively, there may be loose debris inside your outdoor AC unit.

If you feel comfortable taking on the task, open the air handler cabinet, vacuum out any loose debris from around the fan, and clean the blades. If the fan blades seem loose, tighten the hub using an Allen wrench or screwdriver. Then, examine the blades and if any appear bent, apply gentle pressure to straighten them out. Finally, tighten up the loose screws with a screwdriver. If these simple fixes don’t solve the problem, call in an HVAC expert for help.

AC Making Grinding Noise

A grinding noise coming from your AC is often a sign that the motor needs lubrication. If your unit has oil ports, you can lubricate it by adding a couple of drops of SAE 10 oil to each one. To prevent these noises from returning, make a habit of oiling the motor at the start of each cooling season.

Unfortunately, a grinding noise can also signal that your AC compressor is worn out. If this is the case, you may need to replace your compressor or your AC unit entirely.

Air Conditioner Makes Humming Noise

A humming noise usually indicates there’s a problem with your AC’s contactor relay switch. This switch is the communication point between your thermostat and your outdoor unit. When this switch breaks down, your AC will stop being able to function properly. Because the relay switch is connected to the unit’s electrical system, you’ll need to get this checked out by a licensed HVAC technician.

AC Unit Making a Buzzing Noise

Your outdoor unit can start to get noisy when debris accumulates on the coil. To clean out the coil, gently hose it down with a garden hose. If it’s still making noise, check to see if the aluminum fins look bent.

If they do, straightening them may help reduce the noise. To straighten the fins, you’ll need to use a fin comb, which can be bought at your local hardware store.

Air Conditioner Sounds Like a Helicopter

If your air conditioner is making a whirring noise that sounds like a helicopter, you may have a problem with your AC’s blower fan motor. The ball bearings may have come loose or the fan may be coming apart in some way. Unless you have HVAC experience, it’s best to have this problem addressed by a professional.

AC Making a Clicking Noise

It’s typical to hear a clicking noise coming from your air conditioner when you first turn it on or shut it off. But if you’re hearing a clicking noise constantly during operation, something else may be wrong. In most cases, a clicking noise signals that something is wrong with your AC’s electrical system. Electrical issues should always be handled by a trained HVAC specialist.

AC Making a Hissing Noise

If you hear hissing, whistling, or shrieking coming from your AC, turn your AC system off immediately and call a professional HVAC technician for help. These noises can indicate that there is pressure building within your unit, which can become quite dangerous if left unaddressed.

Schedule Tigard AC Repair Service

For an expert diagnosis of what’s causing your noisy air conditioner, contact the team at Roth Home.

We handle everything from air filter changes to refrigerant leaks, worn-out compressors, broken blower motors, and more! We’re the trusted choice for AC repair in Tigard, OR, and we’ve been helping homeowners stay cool and comfortable for over 45 years!

Call us today at (503) 673-6394 to schedule service.

Power outages in Portland are not unknown, despite our rather benign weather. The fact is, the power can and does go off here, for a variety of reasons. That’s when it’s good to know your power needs are covered with a backup generator.

Generators are no longer rare in residential areas, as the weather gets wackier and homeowners are more and more reluctant to experience the inconvenience of not being able to cook, going without lights or worrying about food spoiling in the refrigerator.

Here are 10 reasons the power might go off in your Portland home.

Lightning strike. Power thunderstorms are rare here, but can happen. When lightning hits transformers, it can knock out the power.
Flooding. Flood waters from torrential rain and melting snow can damage electrical equipment at ground level or below, knocking out power till flooding resides and repair crews can fix it.
Wind. High winds can blow down power lines, resulting in temporary loss of electricity.
Falling trees. Trees may hit power lines after being toppled by high winds or improper cutting.
Home construction. If you’re building a house or performing major renovations, the electricity may be off for extended periods.
Animals. Believe it or not, but sometimes animals can cause blackouts, from birds shorting out power lines to underground burrowing animals chewing through buried cables.
Power company outage. We don’t always know the reason, but sometimes the power just goes out while the utility company works on the lines. Outages can be short or long term, and might be caused by a short circuit or overloading of electricity mains.
Power surge in the home. Sometimes the homeowner’s electrical system shorts out, particularly if it’s old or repairs have not been done correctly.
Gas line problems. Gas lines may leak and have to be shut off till repairs are made.
Earthquake. Portland is in an earthquake zone. This can be a major cause of long-term power outages.