wc-mechanical

Understanding HVAC Maintenance

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:34:52 GMT

By Pat Martinez, Owner of West Coast Mechanical

You’ve probably heard that HVAC maintenance is important, but you may not know why it’s important or what exactly it consists of. To provide further insight, here’s some basic information on HVAC maintenance.

Why is HVAC maintenance important?

It improves system performance, which lowers utility bills.
It extends the system’s operating lifespan.
It improves indoor air quality.
It decreases the chances of the system breaking down during periods of heavy usage.

What does HVAC maintenance consist of?

Independent Maintenance

This is maintenance the homeowner performs on their own, which mainly consists of changing the system’s air filter on a regular basis. Frequency of air filter changes will depend on your usage. If you only have heating, changing your filter twice a year should suffice; if you have air conditioning as well, you should change your filter every three months.

Professional Maintenance

This is maintenance that only a professional technician can perform, which primarily consists of checking the heating and air conditioning components each year, in season. When performing a maintenance service, a technician will do several things, including:

Check and tighten electrical connections
Test the unit to make sure the heat exchanger’s flame is burning properly/has the right color
Check the Delta T (the temperature difference between the return air and the supply air)
Make sure the blower is clean
Check for any airflow issues or dirty components

By keeping up with both independent and professional maintenance, you can keep your HVAC system performing efficiently and avoid costly breakdowns.

Pat Martinez is owner of West Coast Mechanical . He can be reached at (408) 708-0500 or by email.

We Are Service Oriented!

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:28:43 GMT

By James Florence

After years working on the outskirts of the HVAC industry, Pat Martinez decided to venture further in, not realizing just how far those first few steps would eventually take him. “I used to work as a warehouse manager for a supplier of HVAC air filters,” he recounts. “At a certain point, I was feeling tired of managing people and wanted to do something a little more hands-on. I saw these HVAC technicians coming into the warehouse every day and I figured, ‘Why not try that?’ I ended up getting into the union and becoming an apprentice. The funny thing is, soon after I started, my boss basically put me in charge and had me running jobs, so I fell right back into managing people. I guess it just came naturally to me, and he must have seen that.”

After 14 years working for the same company, Pat came to a crossroads that would alter his career’s trajectory. “The company owner was moving toward the construction side of things, whereas my interest was more service-oriented. I had a decision to make: I could stay on and keep moving in that direction or go off on my own. In the end, I chose the latter. I started my own HVAC service company in 2016 and haven’t looked back.”

Today, as owner of West Coast Mechanical , Pat says his favorite part of his job is making customers comfortable. “Most people come to us when their heaters or air conditioners aren’t working and they’re uncomfortable in their homes. Naturally, when we get their systems working again, they’re really happy, so we get a lot of joy from that.”

A resident of San Jose (where he lives with his wife, Georgina), Pat spends his time outside of work on a variety of active pastimes. “I enjoy outdoor activities like camping and boating,” he details. “Vacations are always nice when we can get them in. I like traveling to new places, seeing new things and having new experiences.” Pat also likes spending time with his three adult children. “Georgina and I have two sons, both of whom are in the HVAC trade, and one daughter. Even though they’re all out of the house at this point, we still get together for Sunday dinners a couple of times a month.”

In his life and career, Pat espouses a simple philosophy. “You have to work hard if you want to play hard,” he says. “In order to enjoy the finer things in life, you need to work hard for them. Nothing comes easy, but if you put in the hours, things will pay off in the long run.”

When asked the first thing he’d do if he were to retire tomorrow, Pat says he’d see the world. “I’d like to travel abroad—that’s something I haven’t done a lot of. There’s a lot a world out there full of beautiful things to see, so if I had the time and money, I’d definitely go see them.”

Ask Me Anything!

Q: What was your first job?

A: I was a paperboy when I was 11 years old. My first job as an adult was at a welding shop.

Q: What’s your favorite sports team?

A: The San Francisco 49ers.

Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?

A: Probably Italy.

Q: What’s your favorite holiday?

A: It’s a tie between Thanksgiving and Christmas because I enjoy the family get-togethers.

Q: What do you like on your pizza?

A: Just about everything.

Considerations for Choosing a New HVAC System

Fri, 24 Jul 2020 08:28:41 GMT

By Pat Martinez, Owner of West Coast Mechanical

Energy efficiency is an important factor for choosing a new HVAC system, but just because a system is marketed as “high-efficiency” doesn’t mean it’s the best choice for your situation. Here are some additional factors to consider when choosing a new system:

Size

Even a highly efficient HVAC system can waste energy and money if it’s too big or too small for your home or business. That’s because oversized systems cost more at the outset and throughout their lifespans if they’re pumping out more hot or cold air than your building needs. Likewise, an undersized system will have to work extremely hard, which strains its capabilities and uses additional energy.

Power Requirements

The type of power you plan to run your system on (natural gas, electricity, etc.) will factor into its long-term operating costs and may affect installation costs as well.

Climate Conditions

In the Bay Area, high-efficiency units aren’t always worth the extra cost due to the mildness of the climate. Climate conditions can vary depending on your home or building’s specific location, but it’s an important thing to be aware of.

Additional Factors

Other factors to consider when making your choice are the layout of your home or building, your current HVAC system setup, ongoing maintenance requirements and your specific preferences. Discuss these and the aforementioned factors with a licensed HVAC contractor to get recommendations on what type of system will work best for your home or business.

wc-mechanical

Understanding HVAC Maintenance

By Pat Martinez, Owner of ﻿ West Coast Mechanical ﻿

We Are Service Oriented!

By James Florence

Considerations for Choosing a New HVAC System

By Pat Martinez, Owner of ﻿ West Coast Mechanical ﻿

By Pat Martinez, Owner of West Coast Mechanical

By Pat Martinez, Owner of West Coast Mechanical