Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning Blog: Posts Tagged ‘Houston’

Does the Size of Your Heater Matter?

Monday, February 14th, 2022

You know what everyone says–everything’s bigger in Texas! However, this doesn’t necessarily mean, that if you’re in the market for a new heater, you should rush out and buy the biggest one in your budget.

Although it seems logical that a bigger furnace would be more powerful, and therefore betting, the size of your furnace relative to your unique heating needs can actually be a detriment to the performance of your heating system, negatively impacting its overall performance.

A furnace installation is no small job, which is why it’s particularly important that you work with a professional before you make any final decisions. A trained and experienced heating professional will assess the size of your home so they can determine exactly which furnace will be the right choice for you. Trust us, you don’t want to have an oversized or undersized furnace in your home–read on as we explain why.

Tags: Heating, Houston
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Caring for Your Gas Furnace

Monday, January 17th, 2022

technician-inspecting-the-jets-of-a-furnace

Winter is progressing right along. Although it doesn’t usually get as cold as it does for our family and friends up north, if you didn’t schedule maintenance for your gas furnace yet, this is still an important service!

It’s never too late to care for your gas furnace. In fact, it’s essential to not only the operation but also the efficiency of your gas furnace that you have professional maintenance done each year. Consistency matters more than timing here–so even though it may be more convenient to schedule a maintenance appointment quickly in the fall, this service will be beneficial no matter what!

Read on to learn why we tout heating maintenance so much.

Tags: Gas Furnace, Houston
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“Help! Why Is My Heater Making These Strange Noises?”

Monday, December 20th, 2021

While we hope this will never happen to you, your heater could break down with little to no warning at all. It can go from seemingly functioning just fine all day long to coming to a halt or it could just not cycle on when you need it.

Of course, this is rare. It’s even rarer if you’re staying on top of your heating maintenance appointments. Maintenance helps your heater work as efficiently and effectively as possible, for as long as possible.

Even with routine maintenance though, it’s still a good idea to be aware of the signs of a heater in disrepair, and one of those signs is strange or unusual noises coming from the system. So, you’re right to be alarmed and to be searching for a solution online. Of course, the solution is always going to be to call a professional. But in the meantime, we can let you know what certain sounds might mean for your furnace or heat pump system.

Tags: Heating, Houston
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Problems You Might Face with an Aging Central AC

Monday, November 8th, 2021

While other parts of the country get ready to turn on their heaters for the season (some probably already have), we’re still using our air conditioners for a bit.

Your central air conditioner gets a lot of use throughout the years. Hopefully, you keep up on your maintenance appointments! Annual maintenance allows our professionals to comprehensively inspect, clean, and adjust components that need it. We’ll also check for small repair needs during this service before they have a chance to grow into big repair needs.

Even with maintenance though, every central air conditioner has its limits. 10-15 years of useful service life is the average limit for a central air conditioner that’s well-maintained. After this point, or even nearing this age, it’s going to experience problems. Here are some of the most common we get called for:

Tags: Central AC Repair, Houston
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What Kind of Shape Is Your Ductwork In?

Monday, October 11th, 2021

It is easy for homeowners to underestimate the importance of air ducts in their HVAC system. It’s also easy to take it for granted that this ductwork will stay in great shape no matter what happens, since most of the time they’re out of sight, out of mind.

However, ductwork does sustain damage at times, sometimes from corrosion and sometimes from old age. It could even be that your air ducts were poorly installed to begin with, which will have a big impact on how well your HVAC system actually performs. This can result in a drop in comfort, and an increase in the contamination that’s allowed into your home. If you’re unsure about your HVAC setup, it may be worth exploring the importance of proper AC installation to ensure system efficiency.

If ductwork has gaps, leaks, or loose connections, it must be managed with a professional duct repair service from trained and experienced professionals. Otherwise, your home can suffer from expensive efficiency issues and other problems, such as the following:

Tags: Duct Repair, Houston
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The AC Compressor Debate: Repair or Replace?

Monday, August 16th, 2021

So… you have either been told, or you suspect, that your air conditioner’s compressor is failing, and it could or already has caused your air conditioner to have a breakdown. The next question is, should you pay to have your AC fixed, or should you replace the system?

Before we provide an answer, we need to explain the role of your compressor to your air conditioner.

You may have seen us say that your thermostat is the brain of your air conditioner. Well, the compressor is the heart. It’s what allows the refrigerant process, so that your air conditioner actually does the job it was designed to do. When the compressor fails, the whole AC system fails with it. Sure, the fans may still run, but you won’t feel any chilled air coming through the vents.

“Okay, So Should I Repair My System or Replace It?”

The short answer to this is “it depends.” Replacing your entire air conditioner is usually the best, most financially sound decision, but not in all cases. Read on to learn more!

Repairing Your Air Conditioner (By Replacing the Compressor)

When a compressor breaks down, the only way to “fix” your air conditioner is to replace that particular component. And this may seem like your best option. After all, it’s more affordable than buying a whole new air conditioner, right? In some cases, yes, it’s the best option.

Consider your system’s manufacturer’s warranty. If it’s still good, then replacing the compressor makes sense–because you’ll only need to pay for labor, not the actual compressor. The reason this is important to note is because the compressor is actually the most expensive component of your air conditioner, and replacing the compressor in an aging system that’s about to fail anyway may not make much sense, if you have to pay for the component yourself.

In most cases, a compressor doesn’t fail until the air conditioner is quite old. A well-maintained and properly cared for air conditioner can last approximately 10-15 years, but if your system has already reached this age and the compressor has failed, it might be a good idea to upgrade instead of replacing just the compressor. Putting a new compressor in an old air conditioner means that even though you’ll have this one new component, other parts of your air conditioner will soon start breaking down and you’ll need to replace the system anyway.

A Case for Replacing the Whole Air Conditioner

As we mentioned above, a failed compressor is most likely to happen in an older air conditioner that’s falling apart anyway. Today’s air conditioners are much more efficient, plus they use the more modern and eco-friendly refrigerant.

But upgrading your air conditioner, you’ll save money on monthly costs and help the environment out too! Plus, if you decide to upgrade your air conditioner, you can find out what your various options are. For instance, could a variable speed central air conditioner benefit you? The only way to find out is to talk to a pro today!

For professional service on your central air conditioning in Houston, TX, contact Cool Care Heating and Air Conditioning.

Tags: Central Air Conditioning, Houston
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No, That Ice You See On Your AC Isn’t Normal, and Here’s Why!

Monday, August 2nd, 2021

Your air conditioner is getting quite the workout this summer, right? But what if you’ve discovered that something is not quite right with its performance? You go out to check on the outside unit and discover there’s a layer of ice developing on the unit. You might think this is normal–after all an air conditioner chills the air, so isn’t it natural to see ice? But unfortunately, this belief can do some harm to your system and to your comfort.

Fortunately, you have the team here at Cool Care to help! Please give us a call before grabbing something to scrape off or thaw the ice. Attempting to remove the ice on your own can do more harm than good to the system, plus it doesn’t get to the root of the problem to actually resolve it.

Read on as we explain further, and give us a call when you need professional AC help!

Tags: AC Repair, Houston
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4 Signs Your Air Conditioner Needs Repair

Monday, July 19th, 2021

When summertime hits, homeowners and their families tend to spend a lot more time indoors, and your home comfort levels are going to be even more important than during other seasons. But staying at home will be a lot more difficult if your air conditioner stops working, right? This is why you want to ensure that you’re keeping your cooling system in the best possible shape it can be in.

Whether you’re using a traditional central air conditioner or you have a heat pump system, maintenance and repairs are services you want to make sure you’re on top of in order to keep your home as comfortable as possible, as affordably as possible. And while maintenance does make a huge difference, it won’t stop every potential ac repair need you’ll have. For example, strange sounds coming from your AC could indicate problems that require immediate attention. This is why it’s important that you be aware of the signs that your air conditioner could be in need. Here are 4 indicators!

Tags: Air Conditioning Repair, Houston
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Unique Ductless Needs to be Aware Of

Monday, July 5th, 2021

woman-on-couch-sitting-in-front-of-ductless-air-handler

When it comes to purchasing a new air conditioner for your Houston home, there are so many options to choose from that it can be overwhelming. You of course want to ensure it works well, and that it works efficiently, right? Plus, you want it to last as long as possible. This is why you need to work with a trusted pro right from the start, no matter what cooling system option you go with.

Ductless systems are no exception! Ductless systems operate using a single outdoor unit connected to up to 4 indoor air handlers, typically mounted on the wall above the doors or entryways to each room you want hem installed in.

Whether you already have one of these systems and think you may need repairs, or you’re considering a brand new ductless air conditioner, it’s a good idea to be aware of the unique needs it has. This system should be by a professional. Read on to learn more!

Tags: Ductless Air Conditioning, Houston
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What Size Central AC Should You Have Installed?

Monday, June 21st, 2021

It’s that time of year again–summertime! If you haven’t done so already, now is the time to make sure your air conditioner is ready to handle the heat, through professional maintenance. Of course, your system may be past this point and need to be replaced, if it’s older. In this case, now is the perfect time to buy a new system–but this isn’t a purchase you want to rush into.

Too often, homeowners go out and just buy the biggest, most powerful air conditioner on the market. If you don’t have an experienced professional on your side, there might not be anyone trying to stop you, but unfortunately the average homeowner doesn’t know how to properly size an air conditioner! Yes, size matters for AC installation, and choosing the wrong size can lead to inefficiencies and costly repairs. This might come as a surprise, but an oversized/overpowered air conditioner can be just as detrimental to your comfort and energy efficiency as one that is too small/underpowered. Read on to learn more!

Tags: Central Air Conditioning, Houston
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