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Blogs Archives - Page 3 of 4 - ACS Absolute Comfort Heating & Cooling

Sep 30
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Hanging on to Your Old A/C Another Season? Get More Out of It

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old A/CHouston is known for its summertime heat and humidity, and air conditioning is essential for health, comfort and safety in our extreme climate. If your system is on the verge of needing replacement, you may be able to squeeze another season or two out of it. While older air conditioners are much less efficient than the newer systems on the market today, there are a number of things you can do to keep your old A/C humming as efficiently and problem-free as possible toward the end of its operating life.

Schedule Maintenance

Annual preventive maintenance can maintain the efficiency of even a old system, through tune-up tasks that reduce energy consumption, improve comfort, and prevent common problems during periods of heavy use.

Perform DIY Tasks

Throughout the summer, there are two monthly tasks you should perform to keep your old A/C in good shape.

  • Inspect the air filter. A dirty filter restricts the flow of air, causing damage and reducing efficiency. When the filter is dirty, replace it with a clean one.
  • Hose down the outdoor unit to remove dust and debris that can interfere with heat exchange and reduce your comfort and system efficiency.

Seal Air Leaks and Ducts

Air sealing your home’s envelope and repairing loose duct joints will lower the cooling load of your air conditioner to help it do its job more efficiently, and it will reduce wear on the system.

Use Fans to Stay Cool

Ceiling fans and portable fans make you feel cooler, allowing you to turn up the thermostat without losing comfort, and further lowers the cooling load on your system.

Combat Heat Gain

Help your air conditioner keep you cool by closing window shades during the day to keep the sun from warming your rooms. Use heat-generating appliances during the cooler part of the day, and make sure your attic is adequately insulated to help keep your home cool.

For more expert tips on how you can keep your old A/C operating efficiently for another season, please feel free to contact us in the Houston area at ACS Absolute Comfort.

Image Provided by Shutterstock.com

Sep 24
0

Time for Fall HVAC Maintenance: Don’t Delay

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Fall HVAC MaintenanceSummer is drawing to a close in the Houston area, and that means it’s time to start thinking about scheduling your fall HVAC maintenance. An annual tune-up will increase the efficiency of your furnace or heat pump to save you money on energy costs, and it will help ensure a problem-free heating season.

Fall HVAC maintenance should be performed by a qualified technician from a reputable contractor who has the skill and expertise to spot problems and make repairs. This is to ensure quality, guaranteed work.

What’s Included in Professional Maintenance?

Over time, normal wear on your heating system results in a loss of efficiency, increasing your energy costs and reducing your comfort level. The following tasks likely will be included in the annual tune-up, and will go a long way toward saving you money and keeping you cozy this heating season.

  • Tighten electrical connections and belts.
  • Inspect the terminals and wiring for damage and corrosion.
  • Check the accuracy of the thermostat.
  • Measure airflow for optimum heating.
  • Measure voltage on the motor and other electrical components.
  • Lubricate the moving parts to reduce friction and help prevent premature failure.
  • Clean and flush the condensate drain to prevent water damage, mold and increased humidity.
  • Test the controls of the system to ensure it starts, cycles and shuts off properly.

If you have a gas furnace, these tasks also should be included in the tune-up:

  • Inspect the fuel lines and connections.
  • Measure the flue gases.
  • Check for dangerous carbon monoxide leaks.
  • Clean and inspect the burner assembly and heat exchanger.

What You Should Do

After your tune-up, you can help keep your heating system operating efficiently for the duration of the winter by inspecting the air filter and replacing it when it’s dirty. A dirty air filter will restrict airflow, which reduces efficiency and can cause serious damage to your system. A clean filter will help keep your home’s air clean and protect your system against dust buildup on essential components.

To schedule your fall HVAC maintenance with one of our skilled technicians, please contact us in the Sugar Land or Katy areas at ACS Absolute Comfort.

Image Provided by Shutterstock.com

Aug 28
0

Ceiling Fans: A Must in Summertime if You Want to Save

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ceiling fanSummers in the Houston area are sometimes scorching hot. That means turning on the air conditioner more often to keep your home feeling comfortable. But that also means an increase in energy expenses. One effective way to curb some of these cooling costs is by using ceiling fans. Discover how ceiling fans can help you beat the heat, while using your air conditioner less.

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Aug 25
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How to Use Your Programmable Thermostat Strategically for Savings

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programmable thermostatThermostats are one of the more important components of a heating and cooling system, allowing you to command your system to reach the temperatures you desire. While all thermostats are useful, not all of them are created equal. Some make it more likely energy waste will occur, while others are designed with energy savings in mind. Programmable thermostats are known for their ability to lower energy consumption while keeping your home feeling comfortable. Discover how a programmable thermostat can help lower monthly utility costs, and get tips on how to use it to maximize its potential.

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Aug 22
0

How Can the Right Home Lighting Help Lower Your Energy Bills?

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home lightingLike most people today, you likely seek out different ways to lower energy use in your Sugar Land area home. While doing things like upgrading to high-efficiency appliances is certainly smart, there are smaller changes you can make that will help save more energy. Using home lighting that lowers energy bills is one of the first changes you should make, and it’s a simple and fairly low-cost change. Learn more about the different types of home lighting, so you can determine which one will be most effective in your home.

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Jul 22
0

Ensure the HVAC Air Filter in Your Sugar Land Home Is Clean to Avoid These Effects

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Ensure the HVAC Air Filter in Your Sugar Land Home Is CleanThe HVAC air filter plays a major role in keeping your energy bills low, ensuring better indoor air quality (IAQ) and lengthening the life of your cooling and heating systems. When the filter is covered with dust, the airflow slows through the air handler. It may create any of these problems throughout your system:

  • Dust inside the air handler. When filter is covered with dust, the air handler pulls it inside and it can cover internal components. Should the blower motor get covered with dust, it will run hotter, which shortens its life. The airborne particulates also can cover the evaporator coil through which the refrigerant flows.