GB Heating and Cooling Inc

HVAC

We understand how important it is to have your heating and cooling systems up and running when you need them the most. We proudly offer HVAC services to San Francisco and the Peninsula areas for heating and air conditioning installation, repair, replacement and maintenance. Let us help you with your annual maintenance or install a new HVAC system.

When thinking about energy efficiency, one of the most important decisions to be made regarding a new home is the type of heating and cooling system to install. Equally critical to consider is the selection of the heating and cooling contractor. The operating efficiency of a system depends as much on proper installation as it does on the performance rating of the equipment. Improper design and improper installation of the HVAC system have negative impacts on personal comfort and on energy bills. Improper design and installation of a HVAC system can dramatically degrade the quality of air in a home. Poorly designed and poorly installed ducts can create dangerous conditions that may reduce comfort, degrade indoor air quality, or even threaten the health of the homeowners.

Key steps to create an efficient HVAC system include:

Sizing the system for the specific heating and cooling load of the home.
Proper selection and proper installation of controls.
Correctly charging the unit with the proper amount of refrigerant.
Sizing and designing the layout of the ductwork or piping for maximizing energy efficiency.
Insulating and sealing all ductwork.

Two types of heating systems are most common: forced-air or radiant, with forced-air being used in the majority of the homes. The heat source is either a furnace, which burns a gas, or an electric heat pump. Furnaces are generally installed with central air conditioners. Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling. Some heating systems have an integrated water heating system.

Forced-air heating ventilation and air conditioning

Most new homes have forced-air heating and cooling systems. These systems use a central furnace plus an air conditioner, or a heat pump. Forced-air systems utilize a series of ducts to distribute the conditioned heated or cooled air throughout the home. A blower, located in a unit called an air handler, forces the conditioned air through the ducts. In many residential systems, the blower is integral with the furnace enclosure.

Zoned HVAC systems

Larger homes often use two or more separate heating and air conditioning units for different floors or areas. Multiple systems can maintain greater comfort throughout the house while saving energy by allowing different zones of the house to be at different temperatures. The greatest savings come when a unit serving an unoccupied zone can be turned off.

HVAC SERVICES WE PROVIDE:

AC installation: ductless air conditioning systems, heat pumps, and single and multi-split systems.
Applications: new/older construction homes, apartments, schools, nursing homes, hotels, office buildings, computer rooms, places of worship (just about any place).
Custom HVAC installation: commercial and residential.
Air conditioner and heat pump repair: troubleshooting diagnoses of all ductless and ducted ACs, and heat pumps.
Improve heating and cooling efficiency: poorly preformed ACs and heat pumps.
Repair: leaks, wiring controls, thermostats, fan coils.
Replace: indoor and outdoor units, compressors, drain pumps, ductless and central ACs.
Maintenance: routinely keep your system in a good working condition.

Heating

Gas Furnaces

Gas furnaces are one of the most popular, effective, and cost efficient ways to heat your home. If you have access to natural gas or propane gas, you can have a highly efficient and reasonable priced gas furnace installed at your house at an affordable cost.

Boilers

A boiler is an enclosed vessel in which water is heated to produce steam. The steam or hot water is then circulated through a piping system for heating.

Gas Fireplaces

Gas fireplaces could reduce your heating bill. They provide a cleaner, more efficient heat. They burn natural gas instead of wood. Gas fireplace is the way to go if ease of use, low maintenance, and safety are your top priorities. To schedule gas fireplace installation, conversion, or repair, contact GB Heating & Cooling Inc. today.

Heat Pumps

A heat pump is an all-in-one heating and air conditioning system that works year-round to keep you comfortable. By transferring heat rather than creating it, heat pumps deliver hot water 3-4 times more efficiently than conventional water heaters.

Ductless mini split system

Air Conditioners

Air conditioning system keeps your home or business cool in the hot summer months. Window air conditioners, portable air conditioners, swamp coolers, bladeless fans, window fans, tower fans and more. We install and service most AC brands and models.

Fan Coils

Fan Coils are the best way to ensure that the air in your home will be refreshingly cool, clean, and comfortable. Fan coil units are divided into two types: two-pipe fan coil units or four-pipe fan coil units. We service the full spectrum of horizontal and vertical systems, modular hi-rise, and belt-driven fan coils, as well as innovative designs created specifically for hotel rooms, hospital rooms, dormitories, apartments, and condominiums.

Indoor Air Quality

Air Purifiers

Quality air purifiers are designed to eliminate particles in the air. If you suffer from allergies or you react badly to pollutants, you need an air purifier.

Humidifiers

Humidifiers are invaluable tools for helping you maintain a healthy humidity level in moisture-deprived homes, offices, or other areas. Humidifiers add moisture to your room using either warm or cool mist technologies.

Filters

Air conditioning filters keep dust out of the home and provide clean, cool air. Although relatively cheap, your air conditioning filter can be the biggest factor in determining the efficiency of your air conditioning unit, your unit's longevity and your health as well.

Heat Recovery Ventilator (HRV)

Opening a window can make your air feel less stuffy, but this isn't practical during the hotter and colder months of the year, plus it invites pollen and other allergens into your home. Heat-recovery ventilator (HRV) helps keep your air fresh without creating a potentially uncomfortable situation.

Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV)

If your home is air-tight and energy-efficient, it may need more fresh air. An energy-recovery ventilator is one way get it without sacrificing efficiency.

Water Heaters

Tankless Water Heaters

Tankless water heaters provide hot water only as it is needed, eliminating the need for a storage tank and the standby losses associated with constantly maintaining a tank full of hot water.

Hot Water Tanks

Most homes have a tank-type water heater. If you find a large, cylindrical tank standing on end with pipes attached to it, you have a tank-type system. We can help you find the best and most efficient solution for your home if you have an older generation hot water tank or are experiencing hot water loss.

Controls

Thermostats

Thermostat is a connected device that lets you remotely control the temperature. The thermostat's job is to read the temperature of the air that surrounds it, then use that info to tell your system when to cycle on and off. Thermostat's location can make a huge impact on your home's comfort and energy costs. We can help you to find the best place for a thermostat in your home.

Remote controls

Remote control air conditioners offer the convenience to control your air conditioner from all over your home.

Common Air Conditioner Problems

Your filter is dirty.

A clogged filter restricts airflow through the unit decreasing its efficiency and reducing the ability to effectively cool the air. If you haven’t cleaned the filter in your room air conditioner recently, do it now. Filters on central AC units should be changed at least once a month, especially if your system is running constantly or you have pets.

Refrigerant leaks.

If your air conditioner is low on refrigerant, either it was undercharged at installation or it leaks. If it leaks, simply adding refrigerant is not a solution. A trained technician should fix any leak, test the repair, and then charge the system with the correct amount of refrigerant. Remember that the performance and efficiency of your air conditioner is greatest when the refrigerant charge exactly matches the manufacturer's specification, and is neither undercharged nor overcharged. Refrigerant leaks can also be harmful to the environment.

Registers are dirty or blocked.

If you have a forced air heating and cooling system, regularly vacuum the registers to remove any dust buildup. Make sure that furniture and other objects are not blocking the airflow through your registers.

Drainage problems.

When it's humid outside, check the condensate drain to make sure it isn't clogged and is draining properly. Room air conditioners may not drain properly if not mounted level.

Sensor Problems.

Room air conditioners feature a thermostat sensor, located behind the control panel, which measures the temperature of air coming into the evaporative coil. If the sensor is knocked out of position, the air conditioner could cycle constantly or behave erratically. The sensor should be near the coil but not touching it; adjust its position by carefully bending the wire that holds it in place.

Thermostat is on the wrong setting.

If you have a programmable thermostat, make sure you programmed it so your home is at a comfortable temperature when you’re there and a bit higher when you’re not. And keep in mind that for every degree you raise the temperature, you’ll save 3 percent on your air conditioning costs.
Window units, of course, don’t offer the whole-house control of a central system. If you’re depending on one window unit to cool a large space you’ll have to experiment with the thermostat setting as the temperature will vary depending on where you are in the room.

It’s too sunny inside.

If your room AC unit is in a sunny window, it’ll have to work harder to cool your space. Likewise, if the thermostat for your central system is in a sunny spot, it will register the wrong temperature. Your best bet is to keep your shades and curtains drawn all day during the heat of the summer.

Plants are crowding the compressor.

The outdoor compressor for central air needs adequate airflow to work correctly, so make sure there’s at least 2 to 3 feet of space between the unit and any plants or structures. There should also be 5 feet of clearance between the top of the unit and any trees above.

Inadequate Maintenance.

If you allow filters and air conditioning coils to become dirty, the air conditioner will not work properly, and the compressor or fans are likely to fail prematurely.

Electric Control Failure.

The compressor and fan controls can wear out, especially when the air conditioner turns on and off frequently, as is common when a system is oversized. Because corrosion of wire and terminals is also a problem in many systems, electrical connections and contacts should be checked during a professional service call.