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Every Home Can Benefit From a Humidifier

February 18, 2019

Is low humidity a problem in your home? It is an issue for many homeowners, and there are a number of great reasons for every home to have a whole-house humidifier or room-based humidifiers installed. Lower Energy Costs in Houston has many clients throughout the region who want to lower their energy costs. We often recommend humidifiers as a tool that many people overlook. Relative humidity makes a difference in how you perceive temperature. With a proper humidity level, you can lower the thermostat at least several degrees and perhaps even more. That can make a significant difference over a season. Greater Comfort Your home will feel warmer at lower temperatures. A humidifier makes it easier to get to the desired temperature. The temperature throughout the home will feel more evenly distributed. In addition, humidification makes it easier to breathe and helps avoid dry skin and other winter-related inconveniences. Better Health It is not just about comfort; it is also about your health. A humidifier can make a big difference for people who suffer from allergies, asthma or other breathing issues. Doctors often recommend humidifiers for this very reason. Additionally, germs don’t flourish as well in the moist air, which...

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HVAC Systems and How They Work

February 9, 2019

One of the most commonly misunderstood household terms is “HVAC.” While most people are aware of the connection between an HVAC system and their home’s heating and air conditioning, few understand exactly what comprises the system or how the system operates. Simply stated, the HVAC system serves the function of regulating the heating, cooling and humidity levels of a single room or an entire building. The letters in the convenient acronym represent the words “heating,” “ventilation,” and “air conditioning.” Types of Heating and Cooling Systems There are several types of HVAC systems. The most common is the split system. The name is derived from the fact that part of the equipment, the air handler or furnace, is located indoors and part of it, the air conditioner or heat pump, is outside. This is what a homeowner normally thinks of as central heat and air. A slight variation of this is the hybrid split system. This type is becoming increasingly common. Hybrid split systems feature an electric hybrid heating system, which can ultimately lower heating costs. A packaged system consists of contained heating and air unit that is located within the house. This type of unit is preferable for use in...

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Can Air Filters be Recycled?

January 26, 2019

Air filters are an essential part of the air blower that works with a heat pump, air conditioner or furnace. When our technicians at install or perform maintenance on heating and cooling systems, we always check the air filter. When considering which type of air filter to use, whether or not the product is recyclable may be important to you. We offer these tips to help you decide. Single-Use Air Filters Single-use air filters are commonly used in today’s heating and cooling systems. Single-use is about 30 to 60 days of continuous operation for these air filters. They consist of a large cardboard frame and an insert. The insert is made up of a folded panel. The panel contains fiberglass or polyester fibers. Cardboard is recyclable. Some communities have specialized facilities for recycling polyester fibers. Fiberglass cannot be recycled. In order to recycle any parts of a single-use air filter, you would have to dismantle it. Dismantling it would expose you to the allergens and dirt, so it’s best to throw these filters away. Reusable Air Filters Reusable air filters can be washed and reused. If a single-use air filter is like a paper napkin, a reusable air filter is...

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Choosing the Right HVAC Contractor for You and Your Home

January 16, 2019

has been serving Houston and the surrounding areas since 1969. We are a full-service HVAC company that handles everything from new installations to maintenance and minor repairs. We even offer a Gold Club that helps our clients save significantly over the long term. Excellence in customer service is everything to us. Not every company takes the same approach, however. There are certain steps that you should take to ensure that you’re treated well and that you get excellent value for your money. Seek an Established Contractor When hiring an HVAC contractor or any contractor, it’s in your best interest to choose companies that are well-established in their communities. You get can get burned by a fly-by-night outfit. On the other hand, you can have confidence that a company serving Houston for five decades is going to stand by its work and be there for you even after you’ve paid. How Well-Regarded Is the Contractor? How well respected is the contractor with your neighbors and even online? Look to associations as well. We’re proud to be an accredited business with the Better Business Bureau and to have maintained an A+ rating. also has an excellent track record on Angie’s List and...

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Is Low Humidity a Problem in Your Home?

January 6, 2019

If your family members don’t want to get near you during the wintertime because they are worried about getting a shock from static electricity, it’s just one of many signs that the humidity in your home is too low. Low humidity can cause minor health problems like chapped lips and dry skin and larger ones such as nosebleeds and coughing. It can also warp wood floorboards, create cracks in wood molding or furniture and more. In short, especially with the dry winter air in Rosenberg and surrounding areas, low humidity can be a definite aggravation. Why the Humidity Is Lower in Winter Warm air holds more moisture than cold, and that’s the basic reason why air is dryer in the winter than in the summer. The winter air that is coming in from outside the home is dry and cold, and even the warm air that the furnace creates is dry. The little moisture that exists is quickly absorbed, leaving you with an uncomfortable home, and you’re stuck with the same air because you can’t open up a door or window to recirculate air the way you can in the summer. Whole-House Humidifiers If low humidity is an issue in...

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Heat Pump vs. Furnace

December 20, 2018

Here at Custom Comfort Air, we’re happy to provide Houston and surrounding cities, not only with high-quality climate control systems and service but also with expert advice for homeowners trying to choose heating and cooling options. One question that item comes up is, “Should I put in a furnace or a heat pump?” Let’s take a look at the consideration that goes into making that particular choice. One-Way vs. Two-Way The first thing you must consider is the fact that a furnace is a one-way system, meaning that it can only warm your home; it can’t cool it. A heat pump, which uses outside air and an electric heating element to regulate temperature, can provide both cooling and warming. On the other hand, if your home is already equipped with air conditioning units, you might need only a one-way addition rather than a two-way, all-in-one solution. Climate Furnaces are better at coping with temperatures below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Heat pumps are weak below this cutoff, but their ability to cool you down make them an attractive choice for our part of Texas, where sub-40 temperatures are rare and heat is the big enemy. Costs A traditional gas-powered furnace will typically...

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Benefits of Financing a Heating System

December 10, 2018

Keeping your home safe and warm is extremely important. One of the best ways to do this today is by investing in a quality heating system for your property. Unfortunately, many people may find that it can be very expensive to pay for a new heating system upfront. Another great option to consider would be to finance the heating system. There are several benefits that come with financing a heating system. Minimizes Upfront Cost One of the main benefits of financing a heating system is that it will minimize your upfront cost. Paying for the installation of a brand new heating system can be expensive and many people may not have the money available to do so. In these situations, a better option would be to finance the heating system. This will greatly reduce your necessary upfront expense in exchange for an affordable monthly payment. Allow You to Get Better System Another advantage of financing your heating system is that it will allow you to get a better system. If you need to pay for your system up front and money is tight, you may be more likely to choose a more affordable model. Unfortunately, the more affordable option may...

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How Do I Improve My Air Quality?

October 12, 2018

Whether you suffer from seasonal airborne allergies or you find the air in your home is stale or less than pleasant, you need to do what you can to improve the air quality of the house. There are a number of ways you can do this, most of which cost very little to implement. By making just a few changes you’ll see a substantial difference in the quality of your home’s air. The Importance of Air Quality Testing The first step to improving your air quality is to have an air quality test performed. Air quality testing uses sensitive equipment to measure the concentration of different airborne particles inside the home. Testing is essential as you obviously need to know what problems you’re dealing with in order to determine how to best solve them. The air inside your home is potentially filled with all sorts of allergens, pollutants, and contaminants, all of which could potentially impact your health. Mold, dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and other allergens can create issues for anyone who suffers from respiratory issues like asthma, COPD, and allergies. Bacteria and viruses are some of the other potential issues you may need to worry about. Worse still,...

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3 Benefits of Routine AC Maintenance

September 20, 2018

Do you want your AC to break down on a sweltering day? We think not. This is one reason why routine maintenance is recommended. However, there are a few less obvious advantages to sticking to a maintenance schedule and taking time to address dirty filters and more. 1. Reduce the Potential for Air Conditioner Failure As mentioned above, not taking care of the various components of an air conditioner can put unnecessary stress on the system, making it work harder to keep you cool. Optimal functioning is ensured when all components are kept in good condition. If you have a car, you would get the oil and filter changed as suggested by the manufacturer to keep it in good working order. The same approach goes for your AC. Cleaning or replacing the air filter and checking on the condition of other easily observable components are recommended in order to help make sure your AC continues to perform as designed. 2. Get More Life from Your Air Conditioner When components are not maintained as intended, the entire system often has to work harder. This can lead to premature replacement of the complete unit or system. According to the U.S. Department of...

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Will Air Conditioning Remove Humidity?

September 12, 2018

We get asked this question a lot at Custom Comfort Air: Will air conditioning remove humidity? The short answer to that question is, “Yes.” An even better answer is, “Yes, it should, as long as your system is working correctly and sized appropriately for your home.” If there’s one thing that folks in the Rosenberg, TX area always complain about, it’s the humidity! Let’s take a closer look at this topic, so you’ll see what we mean. How Air Conditioning Zaps Humidity All air conditioning systems — from a full-blown central air HVAC system to a window unit — are designed to lower humidity. An air conditioner will have an evaporator coil that condenses water vapor (humidity) from the air inside your home. Smaller units will have a pan underneath to collect condensation, while larger systems will have a method for draining the water away from your home or office. The evaporator coil takes care of the moisture and the refrigerant in the air conditioner transfers the heat out. The result is that while your air conditioning blows cool air into the home, it’s also sucking heat and moisture out of your home. Why Removing Humidity is Important Removing humidity...

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