A heating and air conditioning system is among the biggest and most important investments you'll make in your Texas home. This is why it's so important to make sure it comes with a quality warranty, and that you take care not to void an HVAC warranty. Following are some common mistakes people make that end [...]
Do you live in a home with multiple levels or one that has variations in cooling and heating from room to room? If so, you're like a lot of people who can benefit from a zoned climate-control system. Zoning systems divide a home into two or more separate "zones," each with a separate thermostat and [...]
Finding easy ways to cut your energy bills could be as simple as door and window sealing and evaluating the condition of your home's ductwork. Air leaks in any of these three lower your comfort and increase the time it takes to heat and cool your home. The materials for stopping air infiltration are simple [...]
You might think we'd get a break from allergies in the winter time, but anyone who's lived in Texas for a while knows that's not so. If you're outdoors for any length of time from December through March, you're likely to encounter allergy triggers. Symptoms are similar to hay fever, including congestion, runny nose, sneezing [...]
Montgomery County winters don't usually deliver much in the way of ice and snow, but in the rare case it comes, you want to be ready. Cooler weather makes autumn an ideal time to tackle fall home maintenance, indoors and out, and to make sure your HVAC system is running right before the first cold [...]
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 [...]
You probably would be surprised to find out all the negative impacts a dirty HVAC air filter can have on your home's comfort, energy efficiency and air quality. While simple to replace, the air filter performs a vital function in your forced-air central air conditioning or heating system. Learn why a dirty or clogged air [...]
Among the reasons to have a programmable thermostat in your home, saving energy is the top one, followed closely by convenience. Used properly, a programmable thermostat can cut into your monthly cooling and heating costs by as much as 20 percent. The added convenience of not having to worry about adjusting the thermostat all the [...]
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 [...]
Most experts recommend scheduling HVAC maintenance twice a year, once for your cooling system and once for your heating system. HVAC technician working on a residential heat pumpSource: istockphoto These two HVAC maintenance visits include the same processes to some extent, though they also will vary according to what sort of equipment is being [...]
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. […]
Saving money on energy doesn’t have to entail major renovations. Some small-scale efforts can yield significant energy savings, and collectively, add up to big savings. Here are some small home energy upgrades to consider for your Woodlands or Conroe 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 [...]
