Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar installs and services all brands of air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, fan coils, filtration, thermostats and fireplace inserts; cleans ducts; and provides electrical services like panel upgrades, wiring, and repair and installation of lighting, fans, and switches for residential and light commercial clients. In 2009, the company expanded its services to include sales and installation of solar photovoltaic systems for homes and offices.
Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar has been family-owned in San Jose and Silicon Valley since 1962 and provides a 100 percent satisfaction guarantee. With an in-house expert technical trainer and testing and certification means, Valley verifies its quality standards. The company has received the American Standard Outstanding Dealer Award and the Lennox Centurion Outstanding Dealer Award, is a Mitsubishi Diamond Contractor, and has been voted “Best Heating and Air Conditioning Company in Silicon Valley” by Mercury News readers.
“We aspire to live up to our company slogan every day: the Home of Old-Fashioned Service. Our company is built on quality and professionalism. We believe customer care is our most important asset. It starts with a client’s initial call to our office—speaking to a real person rather than listening to recorded options—and extends to the field with our highly skilled sales staff, technicians, and installers. We work hard to determine our clients’ needs and optimize their comfort, and we look for the best ways for them to earn incentives and rebates.”
Make sure you choose the right air filters for your HVAC system. Air filters are a vital part of every heating and cooling system, but many homeowners fail to realize the importance of regularly changing them. Since they’re not often a visible part of the system and slowly lose efficiency with no drastic changes, it can be easy to ignore them. However, there are many reasons to choose the right filters for your system and change them regularly.
Not all air filters are built to offer the same cleanliness and efficiency, and not all fit every system. “Standard disposable air filters are only about 5 percent efficient, but they keep the majority of harmful particles out of your system,” explains Cindy Faulkner, co-owner of Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar in San Jose. “Then there are pleated filters, which are 40 percent efficient and filter out allergens. There are also washable electrostatic filters that can be up to 95 percent efficient. Ultimately, the type of air filter you choose should depend on your HVAC equipment requirements and comfort needs.”
Once you install the right filters for your HVAC system, it’s important to change them on a regular basis. Here’s why:
- Dirty filters are the primary cause of HVAC equipment failure. Once they become clogged with dust, dander and debris, they can seriously restrict air flow and make the system’s fans work harder to blow air. This can cause undue strain on the system and burn out the fan motor.
- Clogged filters make HVAC systems work harder to draw in clean air, which wastes energy and increases your monthly bill.
- Dirty filters eventually allow dirt particles to enter ducts and vents, which can increase the amount of dust in your home and aggravate allergies and asthma problems.
People with severe allergies or compromised immune systems may want to go a step further and choose electronic air filters in addition to the air filtration provided by their HVAC units. “Electronic filters can literally change a person’s life,” says Mrs. Faulkner. “They’re actually able to filter out cold viruses, and a few of the HEPA electronic cleaners will kill mold that can develop in air conditioning units.”
Most air filters last for about 90 days, but that depends on the quality of filter you choose, the efficiency and age of your system, how dirty your air is, and whether or not you have children or pets. If you live in a location with a higher pollen count or more dust, you may need to replace your filters more often.
You can replace most filters by yourself—they’re usually located next to your HVAC system’s air handler, which is the large box that houses the fan and motor. Most units have small, hinged covers that allow easy access to the filter. Simply slip out the old filter and replace it with a new one, taking care to not shake or disrupt the dust and debris on the old filter. If your system has multiple or oddly sized filters, consider hiring a professional to help you with the initial replacement. Many HVAC companies also offer annual maintenance plans that include periodic filter changes.
Few companies in the heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC) field earn the prestigious Diamond Certified award, which means they've been independently rated Highest in Quality. Even fewer have also been family-owned and operated for nearly five decades, but that's exactly the case for Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar. "When we purchased the company from its original owner, we knew it was important to uphold its original philosophy," explains Cindy Faulkner, who owns the company with her husband, Jeff. "It was founded on family values, and we're proud to have maintained those standards over the years."
Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar services and installs all brands of air conditioners, heat pumps, furnaces, fan coils, filtration, thermostats, fireplace inserts, blown in attic insulation, and tankless and standard water heaters for residential and commercial clients. The company also handles duct cleaning, dryer vent cleaning, and residential and light commercial electrical services, including panel upgrades; wiring and repair; and installation of lighting, fans and switches. In 2009, the company expanded its services to include sales and installation of solar photovoltaic systems.
Unlike HVAC companies that emphasize project volume over personalized customer interactions, Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar is committed to providing exceptional customer service on every job, regardless of the size. "Our goal is to create long-term customers, so making each client happy is very important to us," says Mrs. Faulkner. "Our field management staff constantly reviews our work and makes sure we follow the right policies. They also conduct weekly training sessions with our employees to ensure their work meets our high standards for quality."
Valley Heating, Cooling, Electrical and Solar's highly trained and experienced technicians utilize their wide range of skills to provide electrical services that other companies can't, including electrical panel upgrades, recessed and security lighting, ceiling fans, dedicated circuits for spas, electrical code corrections, solar site evaluations and solar system installations. "Our installers can handle even the most difficult, high-tech systems," confirms Mrs. Faulkner. "They work hard to determine our clients' needs and optimize their comfort."
