Tips for Cleaning Your Furnace and Heat Pump

January 13, 2022

Your furnace or heat pump can accumulate dirt and grime on its components in the course of its operation. Regular cleaning is essential for upholding the system’s performance. Here are some tips on how to clean your furnace or heat pump. Take Precautions Before Cleaning For both a furnace and heat pump, you will first need to shut off the power supply. Shut off the unit, and shut down the switch in the breaker box. For an oil or a gas furnace, you will also need to shut off the fuel supply. Test the unit to confirm that it is off. Next, ensure that there is clearance around the unit. Clear dry leaves and twigs away from outdoor components, and be sure that there are no boxes or furniture around any indoor components. If in the course of your cleaning you spot leakages or loose wires from the furnace or heat pump, it is best to stop and call a certified technician. Cleaning a damaged heating system can be dangerous to you and your home. Cleaning Outdoor Components To clean a furnace’s outdoor parts, start by removing the outer metal casing using a flathead screwdriver. Clean the outdoor unit with...

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Ways You Can Determine the Energy Efficiency of Your Heater

December 14, 2021

When it comes to heating and cooling your home, efficiency is the name of the game. Your home heater is very likely one of the most expensive appliances to operate every month. If you have a heater or want to buy a new one, you might want to check out this blog post for answers on how to evaluate the energy efficiency of your heater before making any decisions! Read on, and you’ll be able to determine your efficiency needs, so you can avoid paying more than you have to. Three Crucial Steps The energy efficiency of your heater will depend on a few things. First, it marks how much heat the unit puts out per unit time. In other words, how quickly does it get a room to the desired temperature? Second, it depends on the amount of power absorbed from electricity and natural gas to produce that heat. Third, it depends on any extra features the heater may have that will enhance overall energy efficiency. When determining the energy efficiency of your unit, here is what you should check: Energy Efficiency Rating An Energy Star rating is like a badge of honor for heating and cooling products. An...

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Your Home Heating Emergency Action Guide

November 20, 2021

Whether you’re returning from running errands or from working long hours, nothing beats the feeling of coming home to warmth and comfort. Your home is your haven and the place where important life events happen. While you’re making cherished memories, your home heating system quietly works in the background to keep your family comfortable. When your heating system stops working in the middle of winter, you lose this sense of comfort. Living without a working heating system is also hazardous to your health. When you’re without heat, you need to act quickly. Our team has prepared the following guide to help you during a home heating emergency. Home Heating Basics While suddenly losing your heat can be stressful, panic won’t help the situation. The first thing you need to do is remain calm. Sometimes, there are simple solutions to heating issues. Perhaps your pilot light needs to be relit, or your electronic ignition needs to be restarted. Either of these fixes can restore your system within minutes if you’ve found the cause of the problem. Relight Your Pilot Light If you have an older gas furnace, you have a pilot light. Open the access panel and see if it is...

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Thermostatic Expansion Valve Defined

October 12, 2021

The air conditioning system in your home is very useful in regulating the temperature and airflow for comfortable living. Unknown to many homeowners, such systems have particular components that work together to give desired results. From the surface, it may not be easy to spot all the parts which perform various functions to make our homes comfortable. Even as you install your HVAC system, it is important to ensure that it is designed to contribute to energy efficiency. Understanding the Thermostatic Expansion Valve (TXV) In line with the minimum efficiency regulation, home equipment such as refrigerators must be designed to ensure energy efficiency and improve their performance. One device that forms part of the refrigerator and air conditioning systems is the thermostatic expansion valve (TXV). Its function is to control the flow of the refrigerant into the evaporator. It is crucial for air conditioning systems specialists to understand the design of the TXV and how it works. has qualified professionals ready to install and service Air Conditioning systems, including thermostatic expansion valves. As a precision device, the TXV is designed to boost the performance of the evaporator and prevent the escape of excess refrigerant into the compressor. In an air...

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The Most Common Home Heating Equipment Problems

September 15, 2021

While Houston may not be known for its cold winters, it certainly gets cold enough that a furnace or other heating equipment is essential to keeping you and your family warm. It is a terrible feeling to need the warmth only to have your furnace malfunction or not turn on at all. This can be a particularly common issue in an area where furnaces go unused for long periods and then are suddenly needed. With this in mind, let us consider the most common issues you are likely to experience with your furnace. Wear and Tear Due to Inadequate Maintenance Wear and tear is a catchall term that encompasses many of the subsequent problems listed, but it is an important consideration because it can be reduced with seasonal maintenance. The biggest mistake we see homeowners mistake is not scheduling an inspection and maintenance of their furnace in autumn. Such service is very affordable, and during the process, we will identify and correct the small issues before they become large and expensive problems. Many homeowners opt for a break-fix approach instead, but this strategy generally results in more out-of-pocket expenses. Malfunctioning Thermostat Although not really a furnace problem per se, malfunctioning...

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7 End of Summer Maintenance Tips

August 18, 2021

As the summer winds down, it’s time to give your cooling system some well-deserved TLC. Summers in Sugar Land, TX, are hard on your air conditioner, with scorching temperatures and high humidity levels. Your air conditioner has spent the last few months working hard to overcome these conditions and keep your home cool and comfortable. Before it’s retired for fall, your AC could use some maintenance. The experts at put together a list of end-of-summer maintenance tips for your AC. Follow these steps, and your system will be ready and raring to go for next summer! 1. Check Your Thermostat and Replace the Batteries This may come as a surprise, but your AC maintenance routine will start inside your house. Although it’s often overlooked as part of a home’s cooling system, the thermostat plays an integral part in your AC’s performance. If the thermostat isn’t working properly, it can’t communicate with your AC or heater. When this happens, your system may not be able to reach a comfortable temperature, or it may not turn on at all. Take a look at your thermostat to confirm that the programmed temperature matches the room temperature. While you’re here, swap out the old...

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11 Ways to Reduce Air Conditioner Noise

July 19, 2021

Having an AC that is not functioning optimally during summer is what every Texas resident would like to avoid. Loud noises are a sign that your AC is malfunctioning. A noisy AC may annoy you and also be a source of distraction. Fortunately, regardless of whether the noise is a loud screeching, a low humming, or a periodic banging, you can reduce the noise. Here are 11 ways you can quiet your noisy air conditioner. 1. Tighten Any Loose Screws If your AC suddenly started to produce a loud noise, check to see if there are any loose screws. At times, the screws holding your condenser may loosen up and cause the other parts of the AC or the condenser itself to shake or to rattle. This results in a loud whining noise, which is why maintenance is vital. During maintenance, the experts can point out such things and fix them before they cause any serious damage. 2. Check the Condenser and the Compressor The AC compressor refers to the part that circulates your refrigerant, and the condenser is the part that releases or collects the heat. These two parts are the main culprits of loud noises produced by your...

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How Does Central Air Conditioning Work?

June 21, 2021

In order to choose the right central AC system, we believe that our clients must understand how their ACs work. A central system uses a simple layout to bring cool air into your interior spaces. By localizing the mechanical components of your air conditioner to one place, we can dictate where cool air is sucked in and where best to direct it when cooling an entire building. From one central point, air is cooled and can then be sent throughout your building space via vents and exhausts. It’s all customizable. Through a strategic layout of ducts and vents, we can direct cooled air at the intensity and rate you prefer. Though the central system you install is placed where it’s unseen, a thermostat gives you control of that system remotely. We install those too. To get the best service, we encourage you to start with learning about the anatomy of AC and how it achieves your ideal settings. Following is an overview of the fundamental science that makes central AC possible. The Art of Removing Heat The air conditioning system you have, though eventually pushing out cool air, doesn’t work by making the air cool directly. Air conditioning works by...

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Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

May 24, 2021

Air conditioning units are essential and convenient appliances in our homes. They cool down the air on sweltering days and facilitate fresh air in our living spaces. However, your air conditioner might occasionally blow cold air followed by foul odors that smell like rotten eggs or dirty socks. The best solution is to determine the source of the bad smell and address the issue to prevent it from happening again. Below are several culprits of a smelly AC unit and what you can do to get rid of it. 1. Clogged Drain Lines Air conditioners need proper drainage to operate well and efficiently. If your AC drain line gets clogged, it might fail to drain, leaving water sitting inside the unit. You’ll notice this issue if the cooling system produces a foul smell and becomes less effective. If your unit continues to work through the sitting water and the blockage, it might get damaged. Solving this AC problem is pretty simple. First, turn off the unit and call your AC service to inspect it. The professional will remove the debris blocking the system and drain the sitting water to restore normal operation. Regular AC care and maintenance can prevent your...

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Should I Upgrade My Thermostat?

April 6, 2021

Many homes in Houston, TX, still have old thermostats. If you use a dial-style or analog thermostat, you’re missing out on a lot of convenient and money-saving features that new thermostats have to offer. When it comes to installing a new thermostat, you have two options. The first is a programmable thermostat. These have touchscreens and can save your temperature settings. Smart thermostats also have these features, but they offer even more. Smart thermostats connect to your home’s Wi-Fi and include an app for your phone. This allows you to use your smartphone to communicate with the thermostat when you’re away from home or if you’re at home and on bed rest. Consider these 10 reasons to upgrade your thermostat today. 1. Precision Control of Your Home’s Temperature Analog thermostats don’t offer precise temperature control. When you set one of these thermostats, it’s difficult to tell whether you’ve set the temperature at 70 or 72 degrees. With a programmable or smart thermostat, the digital interface allows you to tap on an up or down arrow to set the exact temperature you want. You can do this at different times of the day and days of the week. All programmable thermostats...

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