Pleasanton’s Service Champions Heating and Air Conditioning believes its name sets it apart from other heating and air conditioning companies, because it reflects its business attitude. “All our team members are trained to do whatever it takes to best serve clients at any given moment,” says owner Kevin Comerford. Whether it’s on the phone or in a client’s home, Service Champions’ technicians strive for exemplary service. “Our team goes above and beyond working on heating units, water heaters and ducts. It’s not uncommon for our team members to sweep a sidewalk or help move furniture–whatever helps our clients and makes their lives a bit easier.”

High-quality work is the core around which Service Champions’ reputation for customer satisfaction is built, but workmanship is only the beginning. Mr. Comerford and his team recognize that more goes into providing a great consumer experience than just good technical work. Service Champions shows up on time and presents a professional appearance, he says, and when it comes to the final bill, it’ll be accurate and contain no surprises. All work is backed by a series of guarantees that say if a job isn’t done right or a part fails, Service Champions will be back to fix it without additional charge.

Service Champions’ dedication to service extends beyond its clients into the wider community. The Comerford family has been providing HVAC services to the Bay Area for more than three decades, and those deep roots have fostered a desire to give back to the area. Service Champions participates in the annual San Francisco Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, raising $30,000 for the charity in 2009 and aiming for $50,000 in 2010. Also, in the first half of 2010, the company donated $5 from every air conditioner tune-up to the fight against breast cancer. In addition, Service Champions donates time and equipment to youth and family activities in which its team members are involved, like the Sea Scouts in Martinez and local Little League teams.

“The proof of our success is in the letters we receive from satisfied clients,” says Mr. Comerford. “They tell us how professional, courteous and kind our technicians are. That’s the exceptional difference our company has to offer. We’re not there to just service an air conditioner; we’re there to give people a positive experience.”

Look for an HVAC contractor that has positive referrals, a longstanding community presence, and a professional demeanor.

According to Kevin Comerford, owner of Service Champions Heating and Air Conditioning in Pleasanton, the first step in finding an HVAC contractor is to get referrals. These can be from people you know who have had good experiences, or from ratings agencies like Diamond Certified or the Better Business Bureau. Either way, he says, it’s important to talk with clients, both past and current, to find out firsthand about their experience with the contractor. After that, check that the technicians undergo continual training and are up-to-date on the latest technologies. Verify their certifications.

Mr. Comerford also advises you assess the professional demeanor of the contractor and all the employees with whom you have contact. Do they present a professional manner and appearance? Do they answer the phone when you call? Do they promptly respond to questions? Do they do background checks on the employees who’ll be entering your home? A company that cares about maintaining a consistent and professional image is one that’s going to care about doing the job right, says Mr. Comerford.

Below is a glossary to help navigate your way through the world of Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning.

A – Coil 
This heat exchanger depends on two coils, placed diagonally and then connected in the middle. The result is a coil that looks like the letter “A”.

AC
This electric current rapidly changes its direction of flow. See also DC (Direct Current).

AC or DC
These abbreviations stand for Alternating Current and Direct Current, and represent forms of electrical circuiting.

ACCA
Air Conditioning Contractors of America.

Acoustical
A derivative of the word “acoustic.” When a system is acoustical, it makes or conducts sound well.

AFUE 
This yearly measurement is an efficiency test of the conversion of fuel to energy by a furnace. A high rating on an AFUE test indicates a good furnace. Service Champions technicians can do AFUE tests.

AGA
Abbreviation for American Gas Association, Inc.

Air Cleaner
Also known as an air filter, this equipment removes dust, debris, and other particles floating in the air. When air moves through the air cleaner, these particles are caught.

Air Conditioner
This system is usually placed outside the home, and controls the humidity, ventilation, and temperature of the air inside.

Air flow Volume
This is a measurement of an air conditioner’s output.Airflow volume is calculated by measuring the cubic feet per minute that the air conditioner circulates.

Air handler
This piece of the air conditioning system regulates and directs air throughout the ductwork, spreading heated or cooled air through the home.

ARI
Air Conditioning & Refrigeration Institute.

ASHRAE
American Society of Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Engineer

BTU British thermal unit.
The standard of measurement used to gauge the amount of heat required to raise the temperature of one pound of water by one degree (Fahrenheit). BTUh Equal to about 1.06 kilojoules, this measurement is taken in heating and cooling when assessing the power output of an air conditioner or furnace. BTU measurement can also be taken by the hour, and are known as BTUh.

Burner
This piece of a furnace conducts heat using electric or gas fuel.

Burner (sealed combustion)
A piece of a furnace that conducts heat using the air outside of the system.

Burner Orifice
The piece of the burner that inputs gas. The gas is then mixed with air and used as fuel.

Capacity 
The capability of a heating or cooling system to fill a required space.

Celsius
The metric scale of temperature. When measured on water, the freezing point is 0?C, and the boiling point is 100?C. Conversion from Celsius to Fahrenheit is as follows.
Multiply by 9, then divide by 5, then add 32

CFM – (Cubic Feet per Minute)
The airflow rate in an air conditioning system.

Charge
The process of adding refrigerant to an air conditioning system. Refrigerant is stored in a sealed system and aids in the overall cooling factor. Refrigerant moves from the indoor evaporator to the outdoor condenser and then back to the indoor evaporator.

Compressor
The piece of equipment pumps refrigerant through a sealed system.

Condensate
The process of a chemical that changes from its vapor form to its liquid form.

Condenser coil (or outdoor coil)
Also known as an outdoor coil. This piece of the air conditioner removes heat from refrigerant in vapor form. When the heat is removed, the refrigerant becomes liquid and moves back to the inside of the machine.

Condenser Fan
This piece of equipment cools the condenser by blowing air on it.

Contactor
This piece of equipment cycles electrical current. A contactor switches on and off, connecting and breaking an electrical current.

Crankcase Heater
A piece of equipment that maintains the vapor form of refrigerant in the crankcase part of the system. By heating the crankcase oil to a higher temperature than the coldest part of the system, refrigerant remains in its vapor form.

Damper
A plate that opens and closes to regulate airflow through the ductwork system.

DC – (Direct Current)
This electric current travels in a direct route. See also AC (Alternating Current).

Defrost
The process in which removes frost buildup from the outdoor coil. This usually takes place when the weather is cold and the air conditioner is not in use.

Degreeday
Measurement of required for an amount of space. It is equal to the outside temperature minus 65?F.

Dehumidifier
This piece of equipment extracts humidity from the air. It cools air to the point where water turns from vapor to liquid form and then removes the liquid.

Diffuser
Placed over ductwork, this part separates air with vanes going in differing directions.

DOE 
Department of Energy

Downflow Furnace 
This type of furnace processes air from top to bottom.

Drain Pan
This part catches any condensate left in the machine. Not all machines need a drain pan.

Dry Bulb Temperature
A measurement of heat intensity independently of humidity. A dry bulb thermometer takes this measurement.

Dry Bulb Thermometer
A device that measures air temperature independently of humidity.

Ductwork
This system of pipes transports heat from the central air conditioning or heating system to the rest of the building.

DX
This refers to the expansion of refrigerant. This process conducts heat.

EER
This is a measurement of the cooling capacity of an air conditioner. BTUh: electrical watt input.

EPA
This Federal Agency encourages the use of eco – friendly, non –pollutant, and energy efficient equipment in every sector, including heating and air conditioning.

Evaporator Coil (or Indoor Coil)
Also known as the indoor coil, this piece of equipment removes heat and humidity from the air inside the building.

Expansion Valve
This part measures the pressure and temperature of refrigerant.

Fahrenheit
This temperature scale is used mostly in the United States. When measured in water, the freezing point is 32?F and the boiling point is 212?F. Conversion to the Celsius temperature scale, use the equation below:
Deduct 32, then multiply by 5, then divide by 9

Fan 
This piece of equipment uses motion to create an air current.

Filter
This part removes particles of dust and other debris from the air. (See MERV Rating).

Flue 
This part of the equipment vents out exhaust gases.

Furnace 
This heating system uses fuel to produce heat for a building.

Fuse 
This part protects against overcurrent. When too much electricity is running, the fuse melts and breaks the current.

GAMA
Gas Appliance Manufacturers Association.

Gas Furnace Heat Exchanger
This part of the system moves heat from inside the furnace into the air outside the furnace. The duct system transfers this air to rooms in the building.

Heat Exchanger
The part of the system allows heat to be transferred from the hot parts of the machine to the cold parts of the machine.

Heat Gain
This is a total amount of heat an area receives from all heat conducting machines including furnaces, appliances, lighting, respiration and solar energy.

Heat Loss
This is a measurement of the rate heat escapes from the inside of a building to the outside of the building.

Heat Pump
This compressor cycles hot or cold air to the building.

Heat Transfer
The process where heat moves from one area to another.

Heating Coil
This part of the system conducts heat.

Hertz 
The measurement of electrical energy per second. Standard frequency is 6- Hertz.

HSPF – (Heating Seasonal Performance Factor)
The measurement of heat efficiency over the period of a heating season.

Humidifier
The sensor that measures and regulates humidity.

Humidistat 
The sensor that measures and regulates humidity.

Humidity 
The measurement of moisture volume in the air.

Humidity, Absolute
The ratio of humidity between saturated and non – saturated air. It is taken by measuring the grams of water vapor in 1 cubic meter of air.

Humidity, Relative
The ratio of current humidity to the humidity if the air were 100% saturated.

HVAC – (Heating, Ventilating and Air Conditioning)

Ignition
Beginning of the combustion process, ignition requires a gaseous mixture to take flame form.

Kilowatt (kW)
The electrical measurement of 1,000 watts.

Latent Heat
The type of heat that controlled the state of a substance rather than the temperature.

Media
The part of an air filter which traps dust particles, debris and other impurities in the air. This can be made of fiberglass, polyester, dog hair, blue/green, and charcoal, among other materials.

MERV rating (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value)
Numbered from 1 to 16, this measurement gives the efficiency value of an air filter.

NEC- (National Energy Council / National Electric Code)

NEMA – (National Electrical Manufacturing Association)

OEM – (Original Equipment manufacturer)

Package Unit
This smaller heating or cooling unit is used for residential purposes and is usually located on the roof or in the attic of a house. It can be moved without disconnecting any refrigerant lines.

PSI – (Pounds per square inch)

PSIA – (Pounds per square inch, absolute)
Pounds per square inch, absolute.

PSIG – (Pounds per square inch gauge)

PVC – (Polyvinyl chloride)
This plastic is used more frequently in buildings.

Reciprocating Compressor 
This piece of equipment work directly with the crankshaft to highly pressurize gases.

Refrigerant
The chemical used to cool air. It expands to vapor form, gathering hot air, and then contracts to liquid form to cool the air.

Refrigerant Charge
The required amount of refrigerant in a system.

SEER
The measurement of seasonal or annual heating or cooling efficiency. This rating is used nation – wide and is a good indicator of operating cost.

Self Contained System
(See Package Unit)

Sensible Heat
The type of heat the affects the temperature of a substance.

Sensor
The piece of equipment that measures and regulates changes. Air conditioning and heating sensors measure the air temperature and humidity among other things.

Setpoint 
Part of the thermostat, this is the indicator of the desired indoor temperature.

Spine Fin™ Coil
The aluminum outdoor coil made of tiny spines. This creates a greater surface area, which improves heat exchange efficiency. This technology is patented.

Split System 
The combination of an outdoor unit and an indoor unit. This is the most common type of system.

Thermostat
This system monitors and regulates a heating or cooling system.

Ton
The measurement of the cooling capacity of a heating or cooling system. A ton of energy can melt a ton of ice in a 24-hour period.

Two-stage (cooling and heating)
An air conditioner designed to operate on high and low settings during different weather. The high setting is used during more extreme weather, and the low setting is used during more moderate weather. This type of air conditioner is in use for a longer period of time, and produces a balanced temperature.

TXV – Thermostatic Expansion Valve
The piece of equipment that meters the flow of liquid refrigerant into the evaporator while also measuring the vapor refrigerant leaving the evaporator

U-Factor
This refers to the resistance of heat flow through building materials.

UL – Underwriters Laboratories.

Upflow Furnace
A furnace that operates air from bottom to top.

Vacuum
A pressure below atmospheric pressure. 30 inches Mercury (periodic symbol “Hg”) is a perfect vacuum.

Variable speed motor(s) 
A type of fan that adjust speed according to the need of operation. This contributes to efficiency and performance of the machine.

Volt
Measurement of electrical force given to the electrons in an electric circuit.

Voltage
The force that pushes electrical current along wires and cables.

Watt
A unit of electrical power. It is equal to the flow of one amp at a potential difference of one volt, and does the same amount of work as 1 joule.

Wet Bulb Thermometer
A sensor that measures gas and vapor in the air using a bulb covered in a water soaked cloth.

Zoning System
This system sections a building into zones that can be controlled independently of each other.

Q: How often should my heating and air conditioning system be serviced?

A: Each unit should be serviced once a year, like regular maintenance on your car or going to a doctor for a checkup. This involves more than simply changing out a filter. Your furnace and air conditioners contain some of the most volatile components in your house, and improper maintenance can lead to serious problems. Our technicians look for safety hazards and make sure the system is operating efficiently, so you’re not wasting money on utility bills.

Q: What’s the Service Champions Club?

A: It’s a maintenance plan for our customers. Club members can get night service, guaranteed appointments within 24 or 48 hours, discounts on repair services and hardware, extended warranties, and no-charge, semiannual service calls. Membership levels start at $11.95 per month.

Q: Does Service Champions maintain a clean workplace?

A: Absolutely. We treat your home as if it were our own. Our technicians will show up at your door with a professional appearance. We use floor protectors and clean up afterward. We’ll leave your home cleaner than it was when we arrived.

Q: What’s Green Safety Ductwork?

A: It’s a duct product we use that’s made from environmentally friendly materials and is 100 percent formaldehyde free. It’s insulated, so it reduces utility bills by as much as 30 percent, and it decreases the potential for mold growth in the ductwork.

Q: Do you use any kind of air cleansers?

A: Yes, we focus on indoor air quality. We can install a variety of products to reduce the bacteria, mold, mildew, and particulates in your ventilation system, making the air quality in your home much better. These include UV lamps, electronic air cleansers, and HEPA filters that are installed on the individual air conditioning units and your furnace to clean the air before it even enters the ducts.

Q: What kind of guarantees do you provide on your work?

A: We provide a number of guarantees. If the work isn’t done to your complete satisfaction, we’ll fix it.Comfort guarantee. If you don’t experience your desired level of comfort on any system we’ve installed and maintained, we’ll make any necessary modifications or repairs for up to five years.’No lemons’ guarantee. If a compressor or heat exchanger on a system we’ve installed fails during the first five or 10 years of ownership, we’ll replace the entire unit, not just the bad component.Installation workmanship guarantee. If the installation work isn’t done to your satisfaction—and that includes not only technical work but whether our technicians are polite, courteous and clean up after themselves—we’ll refund the amount of the purchase price you feel to be fair.24-hour fix-it or hotel guarantee. In the unlikely event a system we’ve installed fails, we’ll fix it within 24 hours or put you up in a hotel.Low-price guarantee. If you find a comparable installation deal for less money, we’ll match it and pay you $50. All we ask is that it’s a published price for a system and service that’s equivalent to what we’re offering.On-time guarantee. If we miss the time for a service call, you don’t pay. And if we miss the time for an installation appointment, you receive a $250 discount.