Discover the Top 5 Smart Wi-Fi Thermostats for Your Home

February 16, 2023

A smart Wi-Fi thermostat allows you to remotely control your home’s heating and cooling system. These thermostats have a sophisticated appearance that looks great with any home decor, and they offer convenience and efficiency. You could even end up saving money on your monthly energy bill once you have one installed. You can use any internet-connected device, such as your phone or tablet, to control the settings, and they include a variety of features that make each brand and model unique. Read on to learn about the top five smart Wi-Fi thermostats. 1. The iComfort S30 Ultra Smart Thermostat The iComfort S30 Ultra Smart Thermostat uses Scheduled IQ Technology to easily adapt to any changes in your schedule or the weather so that your home is always comfortable. The Smart Away Mode uses your smartphone’s location services to know when you’re leaving the house and automatically switches the temperature to a more energy-efficient setting. It then automatically adjusts that temperature according to your pre-selected settings so that you never come home to a house that is too cold or too hot. The One Touch Away Mode on this thermostat lets you override your regular settings in order to save even...

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Do Houston, Texas Home Owners Need A Furnace?

January 20, 2023

When most people think about Texas, they think about warm summers and mild winters. For many, the idea of needing any type of indoor heating during the winter seems counterintuitive. The fact that Texas has mild winters does not mean it never gets cold. Residents of Houston experience their fair share of cold days. So like everyone else, they need a heating solution to stay comfortable. Houston, Texas, residents may need a different level of HVAC heating than their neighbors to the north. However, there are definite reasons why Texas homeowners should consider having a furnace installed in their homes. The Furnace Is the Workhorse of Home Heating Most furnaces are designed to offer a large amount of heat through frigid winters. You can get them as electric, gas, or oil models. By far, natural gas furnaces are the most popular. People choose furnaces over other heating options like heat pumps or space heaters because they are a reliable way to heat your home, whether it is 40° outside or the temperature has dropped significantly below that. The challenge that Houston homeowners have with using a furnace to heat their home is that when it is 50° outside, you just...

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Do I Need a Cover For My HVAC System In The Winter?

December 20, 2022

Should You Cover Your HVAC Equipment This Winter? Air conditioner and heat pump condensers are always outside. They never get a break from the weather, and they’re constantly subject to the natural elements. Whether exposed to direct sunlight and massive amounts of solar heat or battered by heavy wind and rain, the condenser remains a critical part of your home’s heating and cooling plan. Thus, as winter rolls in, you might be tempted to cover it. Following is everything you need to know about protecting your outdoor HVAC equipment in Houston, Texas. Air Conditioner and Heat Pump Condensers Are Built to Last Lower temperatures and increasing precipitation make winter a special challenge for everything stored outdoors. However, air conditioner and heat pump condensers are designed with the challenges of winter weather in mind. Moreover, when HVAC companies choose heating and cooling equipment for Houston properties, they look for models that are guaranteed to hold up well within the local environment. As such, when temperatures plummet and strong winds blow, your AC or heat pump condenser should be just fine. If you’re worried about the need to cover your condenser during winter, take the time to read through your owner’s manual....

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8 Steps to Preparing Your HVAC System for Long Vacation Trips

November 18, 2022

Are you planning on taking a vacation this year? If so, you’ll need to take some steps to prepare your HVAC system for the extended period that you will not use it. Many homeowners don’t realize that their HVAC system needs to be adequately prepared for lengthy absences, so they come home to a sweltering house or an icy cold one. If you’re planning on being away from home for a long time, follow these eight simple steps to help prepare your HVAC system for long-term absence. 1. Check Your Air Filter and Change It If Necessary Most homeowners don’t think much about their air filters unless there’s a problem with their HVAC system. However, regularly checking and changing your air filter is integral to running your system smoothly. A dirty air filter can restrict airflow and cause your system to work harder, leading to higher energy bills and premature wear and tear. In addition, a dirty filter can allow dust and other allergens to circulate through your home, potentially jeopardizing your family’s health. By contrast, a fresh air filter will help your system to run more efficiently and keep your home free of harmful particles. For these reasons, checking...

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Taking on Unpredictable Texas Weather With Smart HVAC Practices

September 12, 2022

As the seasons begin to change in Houston, the one thing you can be sure of over the next several months is constantly changing weather. To ensure your home stays comfortable at all times in any weather condition, it’s vital to make sure your HVAC system is always ready to go. Rather than reacting to changing weather conditions and risking a system failure, it’s best to care for your system every day and ensure that all of its settings are up to date. Instead of guessing what you should do to make all this happen, the pros at offer these suggestions for smooth system operation during changing weather conditions. Optimize Your Thermostat If you want to save energy and protect your HVAC system throughout the year, it’s important to optimize your thermostat. Since you might need the air conditioner during the day and the furnace at night, try using a thermostat that can automatically engage either system so you aren’t left feeling too hot or too cold. Programmable and smart thermostats tend to be the best choices for homeowners looking to get the most out of their HVAC systems. That’s because these thermostats let you select specific temperatures for different...

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How Effective Are HVAC Air Scrubbers?

August 18, 2022

Contrary to popular belief, standard HVAC air filters aren’t really designed to protect human health. Instead, air filters are primarily intended to prevent dirt, pollen, dust, and other airborne particulates from coating internal HVAC components and affecting overall system functioning. Although investing in an HVAC air filter with a high maximum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating can improve the indoor air quality (IAQ) in your Houston, Texas home, it isn’t guaranteed to create the cleanest and safest indoor air possible. Having an HVAC air scrubber installed is a far more effective way to limit the presence of harmful pathogens, chemical contaminants, and unpleasant odors. Read on to find out why. What Is an HVAC Air Scrubber? An HVAC air scrubber is an optional addition to HVAC ducting that can seamlessly support a standard or upgraded HVAC air filter. Unlike even some of the most advanced HVAC air filters, air scrubbers are capable of removing ultra-fine particulates. These are airborne contaminants that normally pass through HVAC filters and get circulated throughout general living spaces. Although air scrubbers are often considered a second and more effective form of air filtration, they’re actually designed to do far more than simply sift contaminants out....

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What Are SEER Ratings and What Do They Mean for Your AC?

July 18, 2022

The summers in Sugar Land can be absolutely brutal due to the high temperatures and extreme humidity, and this can make it a nightmare if you don’t have working air conditioning in your home. When shopping for a new air conditioner, your primary goal is surely to find a unit that can effectively keep your home cool. That being said, you probably also want to know how much you can expect to pay in energy costs, and this will be determined by both the size and energy efficiency of the unit. The energy efficiency of central air conditioners, ductless mini-split ACs and heat pumps is measured using the SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating scale, and here is a handy guide to help you understand exactly what these SEER numbers mean and how they are calculated. What Is SEER? SEER is a rating scale that is designed to estimate approximately how much energy a central air conditioner or other cooling unit will use on average over the course of the entire summer. Measuring the energy efficiency of furnaces and heating equipment is simple as the unit will always function at exactly the same efficiency level as long as it is...

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Understanding the Differences Between MERV and HEPA Filters

June 13, 2022

Your HVAC system’s air filter plays an extremely important role in the life and health of the system. Specifically, the filter works to trap airborne particles to prevent them from getting inside the system and potentially damaging its various components. There are also more highly rated filters that can help to improve indoor air quality by filtering out many airborne allergens, germs, and pollutants. With this in mind, here is everything you need to know about the differences between MERV and HEPA filters to ensure you can easily choose the best filter for your home’s HVAC system. The MERV Rating System Explained Most HVAC air filters are rated in terms of efficiency using the MERV (Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value) scale. This system measures how efficiently the filter can trap particles ranging in size from 10 down to 0.3 microns. Each filter is tested to determine the percentage of particles of varying sizes that it can trap and then assigned a rating based on the results. At the lowest end of the scale are MERV 1 to MERV 4 filters, which can only trap around 20% of the largest particles between 3 and 10 microns. On the highest end of the...

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How to Protect Your HVAC System From Texas Storms

May 19, 2022

The average Texas Storm can take a toll on your home. These storms can lead to high winds, heavy rains, and hail in some instances. When these events occur, they disrupt the routine life we’re all accustomed to and can cause significant damage to HVAC systems. Therefore, you need to take appropriate precautions to prevent damage not only to your home but to your HVAC system. To help you make it through the storm season safely and with the least amount of damage to your HVAC system, we have gathered some information that will serve as a helpful guide. While every storm is different, the following tips will help you better handle the worst weather that Texas storms can throw at you year-round. Keep Your HVAC System Covered One of the best ways to protect your HVAC system is to look out for the units that are exposed to extreme weather. Everything from rain and snow to wind can cause considerable damage to the outdoor units of your system, and covering them is your first line of defense. By covering the unit, you will prevent debris like hail, dirt, twigs, and leaves from getting in the vents or air ducts...

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What Happens When Professionals Visit to Repair Your HVAC System?

April 15, 2022

A home’s HVAC unit plays a significant role in ensuring the temperature remains comfortable throughout the year. This creates a conducive living environment for the family members regardless of the season. However, it can be quite frustrating when the system malfunctions, especially when needed. For instance, when the AC unit breaks down during summer or the furnace malfunctions during winter. Fortunately, HVAC technicians can diagnose and fix any issue your HVAC may have, regardless of its magnitude. Typically, the cost and time duration of the repair depends on its degree of faultiness. As a homeowner, you are likely eager to know what happens during an HVAC repair. Here are some of the activities that take place. Diagnosis of the Problem Diagnosis of the issue is usually the first step to successfully initiating a repair process. Luckily, seeking help from a reputable company can help you to accurately detect your HVAC issues based on their worker’s experience and availability of appropriate equipment. As soon as you note any issue with your HVAC problem, including foul odors or unusual sounds, contact a technician immediately. When a technician arrives at your residence, they first enquire about noticeable symptoms. This gives them a clue...

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