The largest city in all of Placer County is Roseville, CA, with over 140,000 residents. It’s consistently ranked as one of the best places to live. So it just makes sense that Roseville would call Fox Family Heating & Air for the best heating and cooling services. Fox Family is the HVAC Roseville expert.
Homes in this railroad city date way back early 1900s. But if you look around the outlying areas, you’ll see some of the most modern upscale communities built by the biggest names in the industry. Whether Roseville, CA, needs service on their old heater or to replace their existing HVAC system, Roseville calls Fox Family Heating & Air.
Roseville HVAC Maintenance
Let us come out to clean and maintain your HVAC system twice a year. A cleaner heating and air system runs more efficiently after a furnace or AC tune-up, reducing your utility bills
Roseville HVAC Repair
Your HVAC system turns on and off about 3,500 times every season. Naturally HVAC parts will fail and wear down over time. Let us come out and get you back up and running!
Roseville HVAC Replacement
If it’s time to replace your HVAC system, we can help. We offer a variety of brands for you to choose from, including Trane, American Standard, Carrier, Bryant, Lennox, and Ruud.
Roseville Whole House Fans
The whole house fan has long been trusted to quickly and effectively create the cooling effect that can help residents experience comfort in their private spaces. The Sacramento valley climate is ideally suited.
The only thing better than coming home to a stable and comfortable indoor climate is knowing you won’t have to worry about it for a long time. With Bosch, that’s what you get – superior quality engineering, whisper-quiet performance, and a great warranty. Bosch Inverter Ducted Split systems and Bosch Inverter Packaged Heat Pumps both use electricity only, bypassing the use of fossil fuels. In a time where Sacramento County and Roseville rebates are plentiful, if you’ve considered taking advantage of them, Bosch systems are the way to go. That’s why Fox Family Heating & Air installs these Bosch Inverter Systems. Let me tell you a little more about 2023 Bosch heat pump package unit.
Heat Pumps 101
A heat pump HVAC system is an energy-efficient, cost-effective way to both cool and heat your home. It cycles refrigerant through a compressor, condenser, expansion device and evaporator coils to transfer warm air from inside the home out during the cooling season or draw warmer outside air into the house when it’s cold. 2023 Bosch Heat Pump Package Unit use less electricity than conventional heating systems because they operate by utilizing variable speed technology.
Just like their split system counterparts, Bosch Inverter Heat Pump Packaged units are located outside of the home. They are either mounted to the roof of the home or they sit on the side of the house on the ground. The major benefit of this kind of system is its compact size, as it reduces the need for separate indoor and outdoor units thereby freeing up more living space.
Modulating Compressor and Multi-Speed Blower
Bosch Inverter Packaged Units provide a modulating compressor that evenly ramps up and down instead of abruptly like previous versions of packaged units that have one speed – on and off. Bosch systems come in a 2-to-3-ton version, the 3T, and a 4-to-5-ton version, the 5T. The 3T has a four-stage blower that pushes the air through your duct system. The 5T has a two-stage blower. Both models are approved for use on mobile homes too since they can withstand the higher static pressure that’s common with them.
Self-Adjusting Mode
Conventional heat pumps are susceptible to temperature fluctuations due to their cycle on/off feature. These unexpected changes in temperature can make rooms uncomfortable, especially during extreme outdoor temperatures. Fortunately, Bosch inverter-driven pumps have a resolution to this issue. With its self-adjusting feature, these appliances can maintain consistent temperatures even when the outdoors reach 125°F. This provides customers with a reliable and comfortable room climate – no matter how hot it gets outside!
Energy Efficiency Exceeds All Other Packaged Units
Bosch’s inverter modulated systems use only the precise amount of air needed to achieve your desired temperature, leaving you with a comfortable and stable climate, all while offering maximum energy efficiency. Proving to be one of the most cost-effective models in the industry, Bosch Inverter Ducted Packaged Systems come with SEER ratings of up to 19 and high HSPF ratings, allowing you to save big on your next energy bill. Although they may come at an initial higher cost than traditional unit models, these units create a much more efficient environment, paying off your investment in no time.
Super Quiet Operation
If you’re looking for a unit that will keep your home as quiet and peaceful as possible, the Bosch Inverter Ducted Packaged Unit is definitely worth considering. It harnesses silent blade technology and sound isolating mounts to drastically reduce outdoor operation noise – in some cases up to 59 dBA, which is significantly quieter than the typical standard units out there.
Boosted Compressor Speed When It’s Needed
Bosch Inverter systems represent a significant step forward in home heating and cooling solutions. By employing a boosted compressor speed, they are able to quickly reach the exact temperature set by the homeowner. In comparison, traditional systems take far longer to reach the same level of precision. This makes inverter systems significantly more efficient as they require less energy input to achieve maximum output. As such, these cutting-edge devices offer not only rapid heating and cooling, but also smoother performance and reduced energy costs over time.
Eliminates Damaging Energy Spikes
Long-term wear and tear on a system can greatly reduce its life cycle and cost big money in repairs in the end. The frequent on and related to traditional units creates an unexpected surge in energy usage that not only wastes energy but can significantly shorten the lifespan of your system over time. The Bosch inverter unit starts up operations smoothly, eliminating the large surges or spikes that contribute to extra energy use, while protecting your system from damage caused by continuous wear and tear. Investing in a Bosch inverter unit ensures you’re taking measures to make your system last longer and save energy in the long run.
Can I Use My Smart Thermostat with Bosch Systems?
Yes, you can use any third-party thermostat like the popular Nest, Honeywell, and Ecobee brands. Many variable speed systems require the use of their proprietary communicating thermostat to operate it, limiting your selection. The control board inside the Bosch unit recognizes what any third-party thermostat is telling it to do. Then, the 2023 Bosch Heat Pumps Packaged Unit does its thing, seamlessly integrating your thermostat with your newly found comfort.
How are the Warranties?
In California, with the Bosch residential warranty, homeowners have 10 full years of peace-of-mind knowing they have complete replacement parts protection. This comprehensive warranty covers all components that were manufactured as part of the heat pump system, and any other parts or components purchased from Bosch and installed by Fox Family Heating & Air are covered for a full year after installation. Plus, you’ll get the unique Labor Warranty that comes with all Fox Family-installed systems. So, you can rest assured that your heating system is in good hands with the trusted components and expertise of Bosch.
Conclusion
Bosch Inverter Drive Technology has revolutionized the residential industry and provides a superior level of efficiency that was previously unheard of in packaged units. The technology uses sensors to monitor how much energy your home is using, which allows for unparalleled intelligent control of climate systems. This ensures that heat or air conditioning is only used when absolutely necessary, resulting in maximum savings on operational costs. Now, this groundbreaking technology is available in a compact, self-contained, airtight packaged unit for convenient installation. With Bosch Inverter Drive Technology, homes can benefit from powerful climate control options with improved efficiency at an affordable price point.
Contact us today and one of our outstanding technicians will come out to your home and discuss these 2023 Bosch Heat Pump Package Unit systems with you. Then, you can compare the package unit of older technology with what is available now.
Are You in The Sacramento Area Looking for A New A/C, Furnace, or Heat Pump? Residential Air Conditioners and Heaters Sacramento County 2022-2023
If you ask someone who isn’t from Sacramento County what they think of when you mention it, you may hear things like “It’s the State Capitol” or “That’s where gold was discovered, right?” or, more notably, maybe “the American River Bike Trail.” Contrary to the slightly disappointing answers you might get (minus the American River Bike Trail, of course), Sacramento County is full of rich history, fun things to do, and weather that can be pretty predictable. With exceptionally hot summers being commonplace, though, Sacramento County can be the perfect place to get your old air conditioner and heater replaced if you’re not too keen on paddling through Folsom Lake. Let’s take a look at Sacramento new AC, furnace or heat pump information for 2022-2023.
Quick Fox Family Heating & Air Fun Fact: Another reason folks call us out is to have an air conditioning tune-up or furnace tune-up performed. Some of you have all-electric heat pumps – and of course, we can perform a heat pump tune-up. These tune-ups are preventive maintenance visits that take about 45 to 90 minutes to test and clean your HVAC system. But you’re here to find out how much it costs to put in a new air conditioner and heater in Sacramento. That is what we are going to talk about today for you. We’re going to discuss several things regarding buying a new heating and air conditioning system in Sacramento County, which includes seven cities – five of which we work in.
Flexible installation – A split system – not to be confused with a mini-split system – can be installed in a few places. But typically, you will have an indoor unit paired up with an indoor unit. The outdoor unit is the condenser or heat pump. You may have seen it over on the side of the house. On the rarest occasions, you’ll find neighborhoods where the condenser is on the roof. The indoor unit is the furnace or air handler and can be located in the closet, garage, attic, or under the house in the basement or sub-floor. These two units are connected with a copper or aluminum lineset that carries the refrigerant. A low voltage wire also communicates when to turn on and off to and from those two units. Sometimes people will have a unit in the closet and want it moved up to the attic or other spot in the house. Sometimes a person wants the unit in the backyard moved around to the side of the house. And with the flexibility of a split system, you can move them around.
Central air – Central air conditioning units are attached to a ducting system that evenly spreads the air around the house. You’ll see those supply vents on the ceiling, sidewalls, or floor of the rooms in your house. That’s where the air comes out. And when you have one in each room, it distributes the air evenly throughout the home.
One or two main controls – Split systems have only one or two central thermostats to turn the system on and off. That alleviates having to go into each room to condition those rooms individually.
One drawback – When you have a furnace or air handler in the attic, servicing the unit requires going in and out of the attic access using a ladder. Not only does this require a nimble repairman, but it tends to dirty and bang up the access trim over time. You always want to keep up on your annual maintenance, so someone going up in the attic twice a year to do it increases the potential of this happening.
One surprise – The mini-split technology mentioned below is usually room-by-room conditioning. It’s very customizable. But if you really like your central airflow around the house, there are now “ducted” mini-split air handlers. If you remove your old gas furnace (or heat pump) and decide to move to an all-electric heat pump, the super-efficient variable speed ducted mini-split is a great choice. It simply reconnects to your existing duct system, and voila! You now have a variable speed system – at a way better price (about the same as a two-stage system.) Mitsubishi makes them up to 5 tons so that they can fit any residential house.
Generally, your typical split central air conditioning system will start at around $15,000 and be as high as $25,000. And that’s not including the ductwork! Ductwork alone can cost $5000 to $10,000 to install or replace. But do you have to replace your ducts every time you replace your HVAC system? No. Watch this video I made to explain better why you don’t need to replace your ducts every time you replace your HVAC system. If you have an existing HVAC system and would like to have one or both parts of it moved, of course, that will add some money to the job too. It could be up to $5000 with everything entailed in the project.
While you can DIY the replacement of your HVAC system, the EPA requires certification to handle the refrigerant that goes into the lineset between the indoor and outdoor unit. They actually fine people for handling refrigerant with that EPA 608 certification. But once you have it, it’s a lifetime certification.
PACKAGE UNITS
Characteristics:
Space friendly – Package units are the least expensive of the systems. If you are converting a house with a wall furnace and window air conditioner to a house with central air conditioning, a package unit may not only be your choice; it may be your only choice for getting central air. Package units are one combined unit that takes care of the heating and cooling portions – all in one “packaged” unit. They are always found on rooftops or the ground. Either way, they sit outside. When package units are placed on the ground, they usually sit against the house on the side or back side of the house. In Sacramento County, you’ll find 90% of package units on the rooftop. How does that 400 lb unit get on the roof? A crane lifts it up there! An adjustable sheet metal curb is flashed into the comp-shingled roof, and the unit sits on top of that.
Central air – Package units attach to a ducting system that spreads the air around the house evenly – pretty much the same as split systems. You’ll see those supply vents on the ceiling, sidewalls, or floor of the rooms in your house. That’s where the air comes out. And when you have one in each room, it distributes the air evenly throughout the home.
One control unit – Very rarely will you see a package unit system with two thermostats. Homes with package units are used mostly on single-story houses with just one zone controlling the air for the whole house. If you’d like more information on what a zoned house is, you can follow this link.
One drawback – Package units mounted on the rooftop are a bit noisier than split systems and mini splits for one reason – vibration. For some people who are used to it, it’s just white noise in the background while they sleep. But if it’s new to you, it could drive you crazy. The compressor kicks on and off every time it turns on and shuts down. Compressors are a heavy 80 to 100 lb. motor that sits on the bottom of the unit, which is connected to the curb it sits on, which is flashed into your rooftop, which is laying on top of the roof joist, connected to the walls of the house. This dull vibrational noise is one drawback of the space-saving package unit.
One surprise – The efficiency of package units used to be very limited. But Bosch now sells a variable speed heat pump package unit that reaches 20 SEER. Granted, its blower speed is more of a three-speed motor. The system’s true nature is still considered variable speed due to its ability to ramp up and down the compressor at micro increments. It’s also much quieter on vibration since it tends to run at lower speeds most of the time. Doubly awesome!
Generally, your package unit installation will start at around $14,000. The higher, more efficient ones, around 20 SEER, are about $22,000. And that’s not including the ductwork! As I said before, installing or replacing ductwork can cost $5000 to $10,000. If your current setup is a wall furnace and window AC, you can ditch those and modernize your home to central air conditioning via a “package unit cut in” to your rooftop.
What makes this system cheaper to install than a split system? You have extra components to add when modernizing your wall furnace setup to a split system. I have a good video explaining this as well. For instance, when you have a furnace inside, whether in the closet or garage, you need a particular setup, including upper and lower combustion air vents. A special return air vent and furnace stand must also be constructed. These extra little things need to be brought up to code to cut in a split system versus a package unit on the roof.
Once you place a package unit on the roof, you aren’t going to be moving it. I mean, you can. But some expert roofing will need to be done to cover the 4’ x 2’ hole that is cut into it.
While you can DIY the replacement of your HVAC system, the big issue is getting the unit up and down from the rooftop. Crane companies typically only want to work with contractors who are insured.
MINI-SPLITS
Characteristics:
Customizable – Mini-splits, also known as variable speed ductless splits, are the most customizable of these three types of HVAC systems sold in Sacramento County. You can use a one-to-one or two-to-one setup (etc) if you just want to add supplemental heating or cooling to one or several rooms. One-to-one means one indoor head blowing the air into that room and one outdoor unit like the traditional splits system discussed above. You can also heat and cool the entire house if you want.
The quietest – Mini splits are by far the quietest units of the three compared here today. Talk about whisper quiet – you almost have to be right at the unit to tell that it’s even running. Its variable speed technology tends to run at lower speeds most of the day, which causes less noise, less rattling, less vibration, and less starting and stopping noise.
Space saving – Mini splits are super-efficient on space. You can choose from various indoor heads that blow the air into the room. You can choose the rectangular wall-mounted units that are so common with mini splits. But you can also choose between a couple of versions of ceiling-mounted units and even a floor-mounted unit that sits up against the wall.
One drawback – The upfront costs. Building out a system for your whole house gets pretty expensive. The reason is that the outdoor unit’s capacity needs to be higher the more heads are on the house. So while a one-to-one system might be around $6,000 installed, a small house with five conditioned rooms can be upwards of $30,000. But if it’s worth the system’s upfront cost, you can expect to see some great electric bills in the future for many years as these units are so reliable.
One surprise – Individual control of the rooms. One of the reasons you see lower electric bills with ductless mini splits is the ability to control each room’s temperature individually. You can do that if you want to keep an unused bedroom or two at 78 degrees, while the rest of the house is set at 72 degrees. Each room can be at a different temperature if you like.
DISCLAIMER: While some HVAC manufacturers sell indirectly (online stores) to homeowners, Fox Family HVAC systems are not available to purchase for DIY projects. For a turn-key installation, a complete Fox Family Heating and Air HVAC system could cost anywhere from $15,000 to $25,000. And while you can DIY heating and cooling systems, we strongly recommend going through an experienced installer to avoid potential mistakes or having to throw way more money at your efforts later than you would have if you went through a professional. A licensed contractor with a conscious will pull your Sacramento County building permit for you and take care of the Title 24 documentation done through a HERS rater. It’s also regular practice for Sacramento HVAC companies to only work on the mini-split systems they install. There are so many DIY’ers of HVAC systems that the quality of installation is dicey at best. Companies usually don’t even want to touch these units to avoid any liability of it breaking down further due to best practices not being followed with the electrical and refrigerant piping systems.
Other Considerations
When Getting an HVAC system In Sacramento County – Do You Need a Permit for a new heating and air conditioning system in Sacramento County?
Yes. You must pull a permit in Sacramento County whenever you have a major project that alters the house’s electrical, plumbing, or structure. Incorporated cities like Rancho Cordova, Citrus Heights, Elk Grove, and the city of Sacramento have their own building departments, so you would go through them for your project. Fox Family completes this process for you when you want to replace your AC system.
What do you do with the old HVAC unit?
We have a contract with a salvage company that comes out to the job on the day of the installation and hauls it away. They capture the old refrigerant inside the system, which the Environmental Protection Agency requires. They also break down the system to recycle all the metal and copper in the system and repurpose it for future use on a new component, structure, etc.
If you are in the market for a new A/C, Furnace, or Heat Pump in The Sacramento Area, I hope this helps with your venture. Most people simply replace the system they have now with a new version of the same. Others want to take the opportunity to try something different. The good thing about Sacramento County HVAC system installations is they let you make these changes. Some cities don’t. For instance, Sacramento city won’t let you cut in a new package unit on a rooftop unless it’s entirely not visible from the street – which can be hard to do with a package unit since they are around 40” tall.
We hope this quick overview was helpful in your HVAC system search. At Fox Family Heating & Air, our passion lies in servicing and installing gas furnaces, air conditioners, heat pumps, and mini splits across Sacramento County. Want to get a quick estimate on what that HVAC system you’re envisioning might cost? Please fill out our contact form, and we promise to get right back to you today or on the next business day.
SMUD’s rebate structure is one of the most generous ones around, especially compared to those available from PG&E. But those rewards for going green won’t be around forever.
SMUD’s Rebate Program Manager, Michael Corbett, in coordination with Efficiency First California, has developed a fantastic way to take care of emergency appliance replacements individually while still qualifying for the rebates. The replacements include water heaters, HVAC systems, ductwork, insulation, and making your home “electric ready.” In the past, the $13,000 total in rebates required replacement of all these items at once. You’re now able to take care of these one at a time.
Rebates Won’t Be Around Forever
As the timeline shortens for mandatory building code changes in new homes, utility companies won’t have to provide these great rebates. The heat pump water heater rebate reduction is an example of that. SMUD encourages participating contractors like Fox Family Heating and Air to let folks know these rebates won’t be around forever. They should take advantage of them before funds run out.
Everyone involved in SMUD’s new rebate structure has seen success. In fact, in just two years, the volume of heat pump water heater installations through SMUD’s program has increased by 1,000%. It’s been so successful, the funds to support these incentives are running out!
SMUD Rebate Reductions
Starting April 1, 2020, the rebate for changing your gas water heater to a heat pump all-electric water heater drops by $500. The $3,000 rebate will now be $2,500. The $1,000 rebate for upgrading your electric water heater to a heat pump style water heater will now be $500.
Applications must be submitted and approved by March 31st, 2020 to receive the previous $3,000 or $1,000 SMUD rebate. The utility company processes rebates on a first-come, first-served basis. Your project must meet the efficiency standards of the program as well as other terms and conditions. These include using a participating SMUD contractor and pulling a permit with the city or county.
Folks who purchased their new AC system at the beginning of the year should be singing their praises. The industry continues to see rising costs of materials combined with a shortage of workers.
A colleague of mine said, “When something like COVID interrupts any part of the supply chain system, including how those parts get shipped from there to here. We’re experiencing a weird dynamic right now with worldwide stress, but also with a high demand for our products and services. Also, considering the low numbers of employees working in these factories, the only thing to expect is chaos. The scenario is creating an almost panic for our industry to perform.”
Halfway through the summer of 2021, things haven’t gotten any better. We continue to be frustrated. Selling equipment is tough enough, but to get the okay from a customer and potentially not have their equipment is challenging. It’s the toughest thing I’ve had to deal with since becoming a contractor in 2015.
What happens is, when we order our equipment online in the past, we could see the inventory levels of our distributor. We would look up a particular furnace that matches up with a condenser and evaporator coil and see that they had 20 of those furnaces. Now when we win a job, we have to submit the order and wait for the distributor to get back to us and let us know if they have the equipment to fill that order. If they don’t, we have to call the customer back and let them know.
On a few occasions this year, we have had to offer the customer an entirely different brand than Trane, which has always been our equipment of choice. This has worked out for those customers, and we appreciate them being flexible enough to understand.
Every HVAC contractor in the United States is dealing with this equipment situation. Manufacturers say they can’t get equipment out fast enough for the rising demand for new equipment. This has created the highest rate of price increase we’ve seen in a very long time. Each year, we typically see a 4% to 6% increase in the cost of equipment.
This year we’ve already seen a 21% increase in that same equipment. This has resulted in your basic $10,000 HVAC system increasing by $2,000 in just one year. Higher-end equipment has grown exponentially.
With a few to several more months of rapid inflation in the world’s economy, we continue to brace for whatever price increases we may see. These price increases ultimately get passed along to our customers.
So, like we said this time last year, as we’re getting close to the end of the hottest time of the year, local suppliers should have an easier time restocking their shelves as demand goes down. Winter months are relatively mild around the Sacramento Valley, so that we won’t get that high intensity of equipment change-outs experienced in other areas of the world with longer, colder winters.
Let’s keep our fingers crossed America get’s back to normal soon. People need heating and air conditioning. It’s not a luxury for some people. With continued demand and lower inventory of equipment and the parts that make that equipment up, inflation continues, stressing this contractor out.
Stay safe and follow CDC guidelines so we can get through this sooner than later. Thanks so much for stopping by, and we’ll see you next time.
As an expert in the HVAC field, people ask me which is better: heat pumps vs gas furnace?
This is a question for the ages. Predominantly, here in the Sacramento Valley, most people have gas furnaces. This means they have a gas line plumbed from their meter on the side of the house that goes all the way up to the furnace in the attic, or closet or, or garage. A smaller percentage of people in the Sacramento valley have all-electric heat pumps. This just means electricity fuels all their heating needs.
So which is better? Let’s Explore Heat Pumps vs Gas Furnace
Well, if you put the two together and feel the heat coming out of the registers on an all-electric heat pump, and then feel the heat coming out of the registers of a gas-fueled furnace, you’ll feel the gas furnace has warmer air coming out of it. This alone is the major reason people choose gas furnaces over electric heat pumps.
Let’s assume the air in your house is 65 degrees. The air coming into the system is 65 degrees. A gas furnace will heat that air by about 30 to 60 degrees. I find that temperature difference to be more in the area of 45 to 55 degrees most of the time. This means you will have anywhere from 95 to 125-degree air coming out of your registers. In the winter, gas furnaces feel very nice for this reason. Your house will warm up quickly with warm air like that coming out.
An all-electric heat pump will typically take your 65-degree air and warm it up about 20 degrees. This will warm up your house, but it will take longer. A heat pump uses your outdoor condenser too, which is way more expensive to operate than a gas-fueled furnace. You know how expensive it is to run your AC in the summer right? Well, it will be equally as expensive, if not more, to run your heat pump in the winter. You see, the heat pump alone can only heat your house until it’s about 45 degrees outdoor temperature. When it gets colder than that, there is almost no heat in the outdoor air to convert into heat for your house, so the dreaded “heat strips” will turn on. The heat strips will dramatically increase your 20-degree difference to 35 to 60 degrees but will take just as much electricity to run as it does the outdoor unit. This means you will be using summer weather electricity to run the outdoor unit and equally as much electricity to operate those heat strips. You will warm up, it’s just doubly expensive to operate the heat pump and your heat strips in the winter.
Here in Sacramento County gas furnace are much less expensive to operate.
If you don’t have natural gas or propane run to your house, then you have no choice, you’ll have to get a heat pump. But, if you do have gas to your house, I think it’s much wiser to switch to a gas-fueled furnace. You’ll get warmer air out of it, which feels great in the cold December and January months.
Feel free to call me anytime to discuss our questions on getting a heat pump or gas furnace for your next furnace replacement. Our phone number is 916-877-1577 or you can email us.
Heat pumps and air conditioners are very similar. I want to share my experience with heat pumps and how they operate to give you cooling in the summer and heating in the winter.
