Your HVAC system represents a substantial investment, so you should do everything you can to make it last as long as it can. HVAC systems are designed to run for many years -- some might last for as long as two decades, and are only replaced because the homeowner is looking for greater HVAC efficiency [...]
Do you prefer to get your annual HVAC maintenance in summer or winter? Actually, it's important to schedule maintenance twice a year—in the spring, before cooling season starts, and in the fall, before heating season starts. That's the best way to ensure that your equipment runs right all year long. Here's why. Spring Maintenance It [...]
As we like to say about the weather in Texas, if you don't like it, stick around five minutes and it'll change. From warm, soggy summers to the occasional blue norther in winter, our region has it all. That means being prepared for extremes in either season. Fortunately, there are some ways to beat the [...]
If you think your home's central A/C is just a cooling system, you're missing a second essential function of an A/C, dehumidification. Both heat, energy and moisture are pulled from household air in order to provide comfortable home cooling, and all that moisture has to go someplace. The bad news is that removal of that moisture [...]
For your home's central air conditioner to achieve peak efficiency and performance, clean condenser coils are essential. Though, over time, a condenser coil will become coated with dust, grime and even mold. This erodes A/C efficiency and effectiveness, and it can threaten your health. External air-cooled condenser used in water cooler or refrigeratorSource: istockphoto Condenser [...]
One of the more common A/C repair issues occurs when the indoor unit, or a split-system air conditioner, freezes up. When this happens, an A/C unit won't be able to properly cool the home, and may not work at all. An ac unit in the summerSource: istockphotos If this is something that repeats itself, it [...]
While most central air conditioning systems can be counted on to last around 10-12 years in our area, some last longer and some conk out earlier. Or in many cases, people move into homes where no records exist showing the age of the A/C that's chugging away in the utility room and beside the house. [...]
An air conditioner that's leaking water can cause a substantial amount of damage in a home before the problem is discovered. It can damage floors, walls and carpets, as well as fixtures, furniture and home belongings. An air conditioning unit leaking waterSource: istockphoto The good news is that in most cases, proper maintenance and [...]
A lot of heat can transfer between the outside and inside of windows, through gaps and cracks, or through thin widow panes. This is mainly a problem in the winter, when uncomfortable cold drafts make their way inside. However, it also can be an issue in the summer, when heat transfers inside, making your A/C [...]
If you can't remember the last time your home cooling system had a preventive maintenance check, you probably need to schedule one now. A central air conditioner tune-up will catch small problems before they become big problems, ensure optimum energy efficiency, and make sure your system is distributing cool air evenly throughout your home. [...]
An air conditioner that isn’t fully functional during hot summer weather can be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Before calling your trusted HVAC technician for service, there are several air conditioner troubleshooting steps homeowners can take. […]
During hot summer weather, most homeowners rely on air conditioners for indoor comfort. What many people don’t know is how the system’s evaporator and condenser coils work together to cool their home. […]
An A/C replacement may be one of the most complicated purchases you make as a homeowner. By their nature, cooling systems are complex and expensive. Selecting the best unit for your home involves a series of trade-offs about initial cost, or first cost, as well as its lifetime costs. A well-cared-for air conditioner in our [...]
Buying a new air conditioner or heat pump brings the promise of energy efficient cooling and comfort. While the brand and energy efficiency of the new system do make a difference, many homeowners don’t realize that the A/C installation quality makes an impact on its short and long-term performance. Cooling systems are highly engineered and if [...]
Clean A/C coils matter because your HVAC system carries a heavy cooling load. To keep the home comfortable, a typical residential air conditioner with a capacity of three tons must extract about 35,000 BTUs of heat energy from inside the house every hour, then disperse that heat into outside air. The evaporator coil located in [...]
Staying cool can be a challenge during the long, hot Texas summers. Air conditioner efficiency is essential for staying cool without spending a fortune on energy bills. While there are a number of ways to increase the cooling power of your air conditioner, nothing is more effective than annual professional A/C maintenance for maintaining A/C efficiency. […]
When A/C problems crop up unexpectedly, you may need to decide whether air conditioner repairs are the solution, or if it’s time to replace the equipment. If you have the following issues and your A/C is more than 10 years old, replacement may be the wisest choice: […]
Chances are the new air conditioning system for your home will be more energy efficient than the one you’re replacing, but to get the most from it, pay attention to the air conditioner installation process. How it’s installed does make a difference in its overall efficiency. A quality installation will help you achieve the energy savings [...]
Regular A/C maintenance is vital for an efficient and long-lasting system, so it’s not something to leave entirely up to your HVAC technician. Between professional maintenance calls, there are a few jobs you can take care of yourself. […]
Air conditioning problems can be a real annoyance on a hot Southeast Texas summer day, but many are easy to solve yourself. For those that require professional care, a little troubleshooting helps you better explain the problem to your technician. […]
