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

Don’t Let This Component Harm Your Home!

Monday, November 23rd, 2020
gas-burners-of-a-furnace

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.

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4 Signs of Heater Trouble

Monday, October 26th, 2020
animated-checklist

­­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.

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Is It Ever Too Late for AC Maintenance?

Monday, October 12th, 2020
two-techs-working-on-outdoor-ac-unit

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.

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

Monday, September 28th, 2020
technician-hands-working-on-hvac-system

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.

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Beware These 4 Signs Of AC Trouble

Monday, August 17th, 2020
old-rusty-outdoor-unit-of-ac

If there is any service for your home you need to schedule sooner rather than later, it’s air conditioning repair. And this is the time of year we get the most calls for this service! After all, your air conditioner has been through a lot of work and has more to go still.

The longer you wait to schedule air conditioner repairs, the higher chance there is of experiencing a complete system breakdown. We would really like to help you avoid this by helping you take care of your air conditioner and getting repairs done at the first sign of trouble. For example, strange noises from your AC are a key indicator that something isn’t right and needs professional attention. Of course, this means you need to know how to recognize those signs of trouble, right? Read on as we uncover four of the top signs that you need AC repair.

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How to Choose the Best AC Installer

Monday, August 3rd, 2020
technician-standing-by-service-van

Summer is chugging right along and we aren’t even to our hottest temperatures yet. So if you’ve come across this blog post, chances are it’s because you’ve found yourself in the unfortunate situation of having a broken down air conditioner, and you need a new one.

As such, we know how tempting it is to rush into a purchase, and either install an air conditioner on your own or hire any ol’ amateur you know, just because they’re a neighbor or a trusted friend of a friend. If they have an HVAC license, great! But otherwise, you’re probably going to be better off looking for a legitimate HVAC contractor in your area who knows how to properly match AC systems to specific home types. This will guarantee proper performance and efficiency.

So, how do you find a good contractor? Read on!

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“Should My AC Be Making That Noise?”

Monday, July 20th, 2020
woman-covering-ears-with-shocked-expression-on-her-face

Here’s the thing–if you are asking yourself this question, the answer is probably no.

Now, there is no such thing as a silent air conditioner. You will likely always hear the compressor cycling on and off if you’re near the outdoor unit. When your indoors, you’ll hear the air coming through your vents, and you might even detect your ductwork flexing as temperatures fluctuate.

But if you hear anything unfamiliar, you’re right to be concerned! It warrants at least a call to an HVAC professional to determine what’s going on and how to remedy it. Read on as we uncover some of the common noises we get called about, and why they’re bad news.

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What You’re Missing without a Home Energy Audit

Monday, July 6th, 2020
woman-enjoying-relaxing-in-house

Many homeowners in our area don’t really understand what a home energy audit is, let alone the benefits it provides. If you’re one of them, then you’ve come across the right blog post!

Simply put, an energy audit is a series of tests that our technicians perform to determine if and where your home energy opportunities lie. You may be losing energy from any number of sources throughout your living space—damaged HVAC ductwork, improper HVAC installation to begin with that creates poor system operation, drafty windows and doors, and inadequate insulation in your home.

Once an energy audit is performed, with a technician’s help you can start improving your efficiency and save considerable money in utility bills in the meantime. But you might still be wondering if it will really benefit you that much. Read on as we uncover a few of the things you might miss out on without this important service!

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AC Installation: Yes, Size Matters

Monday, June 22nd, 2020
outside-air-conditioning-unit-with-tools-on-top

Summer is officially upon us, so, if you haven’t already, now is the time to make sure that your air conditioner is fully equipped to handle the heat. Of course, for some homeowners, this may mean having to invest in a new air conditioner altogether. If this is the case, you’ll want to make sure your new cooling system is the right fit for your home.

We understand that your first instinct might be to buy the biggest, most powerful air conditioner on the market, particularly if you’ve spent previous summers sweating bullets. But we are here to guide you in the right direction and let you know that bigger isn’t always better. When it comes to selecting the right system, what size central AC you need is essential to ensuring both comfort and efficiency.

Read on as we uncover what goes on with not only undersized/underpowered air conditioners, but oversized/overpowered cooling system as well. And give us a call when you’re ready to install!

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When Is the Last Time You Changed Your AC Air Filter?

Monday, June 8th, 2020
very-dirty-air-filter

Spring is practically over—soon enough you’ll be restocking on sunscreen, and getting ready to enjoy the outdoors in the summer heat. But before you do any of that, it’s important to make sure your home comfort system is ready for the warmer temps. More specifically, your air conditioner should be maintained.

A common misconception when it comes to AC maintenance is that this is the only time your air conditioner’s air filter should be changed. This air filter actually plays an essential role in the system’s overall performance, so it’s very important that you change it on a routine basis—typically every 1-3 months. Read on to learn why this is so important.

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