HVAC Blog | News, Tips and Updates

What’s the Deal with a Cracked Heat Exchanger?

February 1st, 2021

When folks throughout the country hear mention of Houston, they think of our sweltering summers. But as you’re well aware if you’ve lived here for even just a year, our winters pack quite the punch and, as a result, you use your heater on a very regular basis during this time of the year.

Did you have your heating system tuned-up by a professional before winter started this year? The good news is, if you didn’t, it’s not too late! The only time it’s ever too late for maintenance is if your heater completely broke down, to the point that no repairs will help anymore. Skipping maintenance even just one fall/winter season could leave you with emergency repair needs.

One particular repair need that could be dangerous, especially if you have a gas-powered heater, is a damaged heat exchanger. This is not to say that gas-powered systems are inherently dangerous! But they can become so if they’re not properly cared for. Read on to learn why heat exchangers matter so much when caring for your gas-powered heating system.

How to Breathe Healthier Air

January 18th, 2021

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Throughout the past year, homeowners have understandably become much more aware of and concerned about the health and safety of their families. With the continuing pandemic, it makes sense that you want to do everything in your power to ensure that the environment in your home doesn’t pose any more of a threat than it should when it comes to germ and virus transmission.

While no product is 100% effective at preventing the transmission of viruses such as COVID-19, there are steps you can take to significantly reduce the risk in your own home. Addressing your indoor air quality needs is something that will benefit you and the rest of your household. One way to do so is with the ActivePure® technology of the Air Scrubber by Aerus®.

Read on to learn more about this system and how it will help protect your environment and your family.

How to Choose the Best HVAC Contractor

January 4th, 2021

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When you live in a climate like ours, it goes without saying that you need quality HVAC systems in place. You need those systems to operate flawlessly each and every day, season after season, and you need them to protect you from the elements our weather brings.

For the most reliable HVAC systems, it’s essential that you invest in professional HVAC services from a contractor you can trust. This isn’t an investment you want to rush into–doing so could leave you with a furnace or air conditioner that’s not properly sized for your home, improperly installed, or just not the best choice for your particular living space.

Whether we’re handling your installation, maintenance, or HVAC repairs, you can rely on our team—but how can you be sure? Do you know how to choose the best HVAC contractor? We’ve provided some guidelines below on how to do just that.

Are You Using Your Furnace Efficiently Enough?

December 21st, 2020

It may not be as cold here as it gets in other parts of the country, but our winters are definitely nothing to scoff at. Once those nighttime temperatures hit around 40°F, you’re going to be thankful that you have a fully effective and efficient heating system in place.

What’s that? Your heater doesn’t work that efficiently? If you find yourself paying more than you think you should each winter for your heating needs, then something may be preventing your heater from working as well as it could.

Maintenance is key to preventing problems and keeping efficiency high, but there are other steps you can take to boost efficiency too. Read on to learn what they are!

Furnace Out of Service? How to Stay Warm ‘Til You Get It Fixed

December 7th, 2020

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A broken down furnace is a problem that no homeowner or family wants to face, right? Unfortunately, it happens! It’s a lot less likely to happen if you keep on top of your annual maintenance appointments. Furnace maintenance tune-ups enable our professionals to thoroughly inspect your system inside and out, comprehensively clean it, and make adjustments as needed. Don’t let overlooked components harm your home—schedule regular maintenance to stay ahead of unexpected breakdowns.

These steps help your furnace operate as effectively and efficiently as possible, for as long as possible. Additionally, it prevents small repair needs from turning into major breakdowns. We’re going to make the assumption though, that if you came across this blog post that your furnace is out of service, and you need some tips to stay warm! Wondering if going ductless is right for you? This could be a good time to explore ductless systems as an alternative solution. Give our team a call, and while you wait for our techs to show up to conduct reliable repairs, follow these clever and fun tips to stay warm:

Don’t Let This Component Harm Your Home!

November 23rd, 2020

What component are we talking about? Well, one that is essential to your furnace or gas-powered heater: the heat exchanger.

Gas-powered furnaces are the most popular types of heating systems used throughout the country, and for good reason. Natural gas is a very cost-efficient fuel source when compared to its electric counterpart. Since most homes also have ductwork running through them for central air conditioning, furnaces are also more popular than boilers.

That said, if you’re one of the many furnace users, there are some things you should know! First off, today’s furnaces are built to the highest safety standards. They’ll operate even more safely if you stay on top of your annual maintenance sessions. But it’s important to keep in mind that even the most efficient and well-cared-for gas heater has the potential for danger, such as gas leaks or combustion problems, particularly as they age. If your furnace is acting up or completely out of service, here are ways to stay warm until it’s fixed. The biggest and most important repair need we see in older furnaces is the aforementioned cracked heat exchanger.

What Steps do Technicians Go through for Heating Maintenance?

November 9th, 2020

When you live in Houston, you probably get tired of hearing people say, “Wow it’s so hot there!” While it’s true, most people outside our great state don’t realize that our winters pack quite the punch. As a result, we need heating systems that can keep up, right?

If you want your heater to keep you and your family comfortable this fall and winter, then it is absolutely essential that you schedule regular heating maintenance with our professionals. Professional heating maintenance is a lot more involved than many people realize, and is definitely not a DIY project.

There are some basic maintenance steps you can take on your own. Like your air filter—you should be changing it every 1-3 months during periods when you use your heater. You can also make sure the area surrounding your heater is clear of debris or clutter. This is true whether you have a furnace, heat pump, or even a boiler. While these are important steps for homeowners to take, it barely scratches the surface of professional heating maintenance.

4 Signs of Heater Trouble

October 26th, 2020

The weather here in Texas can often be a bit unpredictable. We are certainly known for our sweltering summers! But that doesn’t mean our winters don’t pack quite the punch, or that we don’t have cold spells at seemingly randomly times of the year. Because of this, it’s important that you have a fully functional and efficiently operating heating system in place.

Of course, the best way to ensure this is the case is through routine heating system maintenance. Maintenance allows our technicians to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust the system. This helps with your heater safety, power, and efficiency and helps your heater last as long as possible. It also prevents up to 85% of the repair needs your system may ever have in its lifespan! If you’re curious about the detailed steps involved, learn more about what technicians do during heating maintenance.

Still though, there is always a chance that a heating repair need will sneak up on you here or there. But how can you tell when it’s time to call a pro for a fix? Read on as we uncover 4 signs that your heater is in trouble.

Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

October 12th, 2020

Sure, we just talked about heating maintenance in our last post… but let’s face it, we use our air conditioners a lot, and skipping maintenance this year can mean an ineffective system next spring. So if last spring you decided to skip out on maintenance, now is the time to schedule it.

The only time it is ever “too late” to schedule an HVAC maintenance appointment is if your HVAC system is completely broken down beyond repair and you have to actually replace the system instead. If you’re experiencing signs of trouble such as loud noises or insufficient cooling, beware of these signs your AC needs repair to prevent further damage. Sure, we recommend spring maintenance for your own convenience. But consistency matters here much more than what time of the year you have a tune up done.

So if you haven’t had a tune up in 2020, schedule one now, and discover the following benefits.

It’s That Time: Get a Heating Tune-Up Scheduled!

September 28th, 2020

It’s September. We still have plenty of warm weather left and it’s not like we get blizzard conditions like other parts of the country. Still though, when winter does roll around again and you need heat in your home, you’ll be thankful for a fully efficient and effectively operating heating system. The only way to ensure this is actually the case is by getting heating maintenance on your schedule now.

The reason we recommend heating maintenance in the fall is because it’s before you need your system the most–before it goes through all the work it takes to keep your living space comfortable. Of course, consistency is what matters most here. The more consistent you are with routine heating maintenance, the less chance there is of having an unexpected emergency repair need. For a deeper dive into what professional maintenance entails, explore what steps technicians go through during heating maintenance. Read on to learn some of the benefits of heating maintenance.