Ross, Author at Ross Heating And Air Conditioning, Inc.

Straightforward Financing for the HVAC Services You Need

March 18, 2020 by Ross

Whether you knew this day was coming or it took you by surprise, most homeowners face the replacement of their HVAC system at some point or another. But you don’t have to worry — even if you didn’t see this coming, Ross offers financing options on top of our reliable service so that you can get the HVAC system you want, when you need it.

At Ross, we’re your neighbors. We’ve lived in Nevada a long time, and we want our customers to be happy, safe and comfortable. Though we wish we could make your equipment last forever, at some point every system fails. When that day comes, we want you to feel confident that you can get the work done that you need so you can be comfortable and happy in your home.

Comfort Can Be Affordable

Most of us don’t have savings set aside for the day our HVAC unit decides to wheeze it’s final breath. When that day falls in the middle of a hot Nevada summer, it can feel a little like the universe is against you. But with Ross, you don’t have to worry. We offer straightforward monthly payment options so that staying comfortable can be affordable.

Don’t Settle, Get the HVAC Work You Really Want

Even when you do have money set aside, HVAC isn’t necessarily what you want to spend it on. Our financing allows you to spread out your investment. It also makes it easier for you to get the system you really want, whether that’s something with higher energy efficiency or smart home features like temperature and air quality monitoring.

Our financing options allow you to have the HVAC work done that you want, not just the work that you need.

No matter what your needs are, we can help you meet them with the least amount of stress. Questions? Get in touch, or ask one of our technicians to tell you more when you’re getting your spring maintenance done.

Why Now Is the Perfect Time to Install Your New Air Conditioner

March 10, 2020 by Ross

It’s March already, and that means summer is right around the corner. Now is the perfect time to install your new air conditioner. Why? Summer and winter are the busiest times for HVAC companies like us. Service and maintenance appointments can be harder to get during these peak seasons — and more expensive! — because technicians are in high demand.

By the time the heat waves start to hit, you’ll want your AC to be working at full capacity. Don’t try to drag a dying AC into one of Nevada’s hot summers. It’s not going to be able to keep up. And not only will it be harder to get fast, affordable service mid-season, you’ll also be completely miserable if you get stuck waiting for a repair or replacement.

Sometimes folks like to take care of big AC installations during fall or winter, but those aren’t the ideal time, either. You don’t want a brand new unit sitting idle during the harsh, wet winter months. Then it’s just aging — and requiring maintenance — for no reason. That makes spring the perfect time to install your new air conditioner. It’ll be freshly tuned up and ready to keep you cool during the hottest months.

Signs Your AC Needs to Be Replaced

Planning a new AC installation ahead of time will save you time, money, and a lot of stress and discomfort. Not sure if your AC needs to be replaced yet? Here are some telltale signs:

1. It’s really old. If it’s over 10 years old, it’s time to consider replacing it. If it’s 15-20 years old, you need to face the music: your AC is on borrowed time.

2. It’s having a hard time cooling your home. If your AC isn’t keeping your home comfortable, then it’s not really serving its purpose anymore. It’s time to let it go, and make way for an air conditioner that does its job.

3. It’s breaking down. If your AC has needed a string of repairs, or it’s had a major breakdown, it’s probably more cost-effective to replace it.

4. It has other remarkable symptoms. If your AC is really loud, has a funny smell, or is leaking, then at the very least it needs some maintenance. One of our technicians can take a look to see if the problem is easily fixable or serious enough to warrant a new unit.

Contact Ross for a New AC Installation

Whether you’re ready to make a change, or need more information on the differences a new AC will make to your home and energy bill, call Ross. Now is the perfect time to have AC We understand that a new AC is a big decision — we’ll help you make the choice that’s right for you.

Hard Water? Protect Your Plumbing and Appliances With a No-Salt Conditioner

March 3, 2020 by Ross

A no-salt conditioner is an alternative to traditional water softeners. It protects your plumbing, appliances and fixtures from expensive hard water damage — without using salt or chemicals. If you have hard water, skip the chemical and salt softeners and install a no-salt conditioner. Our experienced technicians at Ross can help you.

What Is Hard Water?

Water is called hard when it has a high amount of minerals in it. The major culprits of hard water are calcium and magnesium. If you have hard water, you’re in good company. According to the Water Quality Association, nearly all of Nevada has hard water.

So how do you know if you have hard water? The easiest way to find out is to use test strips. Stores like Home Depot, Lowe’s, Walmart and Amazon all sell affordable test strip kits you can use.

Why Is Hard Water Bad?

Hard water isn’t bad for your health, but it is bad for your home. Here are some common household side effects of hard water:

Mineral deposits — or scale buildup — inside water pipes, restricting water flow more and more over time.
Buildup inside water-consuming appliances, shortening their life.
Film and mineral buildup on ceramic tile and bathroom/kitchen fixtures.
Difficulty rinsing off soap.
Spots on glasses and dishes even after they are cleaned.
More wear and tear on clothes during washing.

Obviously, no one wants to deal with the hassle of hard water. The most expensive damage that hard water causes is:

Clogs in your plumbing from mineral deposit buildup.
Wearing down water heaters, washing machines and dishwashers, causing them to break down as much as 3-4 years earlier.
Higher energy bills due to inefficient heating. Heating water accounts for nearly 20% of your household energy bill each month, and hard water can reduce a water heater’s efficiency by up to 48%. That spells bad news for your energy bill.

How to Treat Hard Water

Traditionally, hard water has been treated with a salt-based water softener. These softeners require ongoing maintenance, from heavy salt bags each month and water waste from their regeneration cycle. However, there’s an easier, more eco-friendly way.

A no-salt conditioner uses electronic scale control technology to:

Reduce the hard water mineral deposits building up throughout your home.
Remove existing mineral deposits from your piping and water-based appliances.

With a no-salt conditioner, your water will have a more natural feel, and water-consuming appliances will perform like they were meant to — without adding any salt or chemicals to your water.

At Ross, we know how important it is to take good care of your water heater — any appliance is expensive to replace. We’ll always do what we can to help you maximize your investment and minimize your costs.

Questions about your water? Contact us today to learn more about no-salt conditioners and see if one is right for your home.

What Size Furnace Should You Have in Your Home?

February 28, 2020 by Ross

Most people don’t realize that furnace size is a lot like shoe size — get the wrong one, and you’ll be uncomfortable the entire time you’re using it. Having your furnace sized correctly will make a huge difference in how comfortable your home is, not to mention your energy bill and the lifespan of your equipment.

Determining Furnace Size

How do you know what size furnace you should get? Well, that depends on a lot of factors, including your home’s location, age, design, insulation and even roofing. Unfortunately, most companies don’t know how to calculate all of these factors correctly — they just guess. Other companies charge a boatload to perform a personalized calculation (what’s called a “load calculation”).

Don’t let someone guess, and don’t overpay — call Ross to get an expert opinion. We’ve been working in HVAC for over 20 years, and we’ll make sure the furnace you get is the furnace you need, without unnecessary overhead or maintenance fees.

Want an inside look? Here are some of the key factors we consider when determining the right size furnace for your home:

1. Square Footage

The square footage of your home is the first step in determining the size of furnace that you’ll need. We want to have an accurate starting number, so it’s important to calculate this carefully, especially if you have any circular or angular rooms. We’ll also need to consider whether your air ducts go into every room — or floor — or if there are any areas that they miss.

2. Climate

The climate you live in determines how hard your furnace will need to work in order to heat your home in your specific geographic area. Unfortunately, Reno-Tahoe is smack dab in the middle of where a few different climate regions come together. That means your exact location will determine what heating factor (measured in BTUs, or British thermal units) we’ll need to multiply by your square footage.

3. Insulation

Once we’ve determined your climate, it’s time to evaluate your home’s insulation. There are a lot of variables that will impact the right size furnace for your home, including:

How new it is
How well-insulated it is
The number of floors
The shape of the layout
The number of “comfort zones” you want
How high the ceilings are
How shaded or exposed your home is to sunlight and the elements
The number of windows it has
What type of windows it has (including how old they are and how well they insulate)
Where the windows are located
What color your roof is
The condition your ductwork is in
What your ideal temperature is
How many people live there

We take all of these factors into account, and then we modify the climate heating factor that we calculated above so that we’re even more precise.

4. Furnace Efficiency

The exact model of furnace we’re looking at installing will also affect our decision, because furnaces all have different levels of efficiency. Furnaces range from 78% – 100% in their efficiency ratings, which has a significant impact on how many BTUs you can lose in spite of a furnace’s size. Furnaces also decrease in efficiency somewhat as they’re used and as they age.

Ultimately, there’s a lot of detail and nuance involved in calculating the appropriate furnace size for your home. Don’t leave your comfort — and investment — up to chance. Call Ross, and we’ll make sure you don’t overspend and get exactly what you need.

Join the Ross Service Club — It’s Free!

February 12, 2020 by Ross

Is there any reason why you shouldn’t be saving some extra cash on your furnace and AC maintenance? No, we didn’t think so, either. That’s why you should join the Ross Service Club!

Ross Service Club Members save 25% on their spring and fall maintenance costs. They also get 15% off any subsequent services and repairs.

Why Ross?

Why should you rely on Ross? Not only do we seriously know what we’re doing — with over 20 years of experience, owner Damian Ross is the person everybody calls when nobody else can figure out the issue. And for all you folks out there with oil furnaces, he’s also one of the only journeyman-level oil furnace techs in the Reno-Sparks area.

But not only are we super knowledgeable, we’re also a local, family-owned and operated business. That means we treat every customer like a lifelong customer — because a lot of times, they are! We invest in our customers because they’re our friends and neighbors. We’re a permanent part of this community, and we want to do our part to take care of it. We take pride in providing affordable, trustworthy service to all of our customers.

How It Works

The Ross Service Club enrolls you in twice-a-year maintenance (which you should be doing anyway!), so you can have your heating system and air conditioning prepped in time for each season. Not only do you save 25% on these spring and fall maintenance visits, you get peace of mind and a smoother, cleaner experience out of your equipment.

Benefits

25% off spring and fall HVAC system maintenance.
Extended 12-month warranty on all repairs.
Guaranteed prices on repairs before any work begins, no matter how long the repair takes.
Discounted diagnostic fee for all service calls.
15% discount on labor and parts for any repairs.

How to Join

Ready to start saving money, preventing problems and getting better performance — and more comfort — out of your system? To join the Ross Service Club, call us at (775) 425-2525 or drop us a line today!