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May 26, 2023

6 Reasons to Consider an AC Replacement

AC Replacement Tips You Need to Consider

When you turned the air conditioner on this spring for the first time, was there a little apprehension? Did you wonder, “Is this the year that we must replace our AC?” If you are pondering an AC Replacement, here are some concerns that might help make a good choice—both negative and positive reasons.

Harsh Realities

Old Age. Unless you dig old cars, you frequently make decisions concerning how long to keep a car, since age and wear take their toll on common mechanical systems. The same is true concerning your AC unit; over time, components experience wear and tear and need to be repaired. Fifteen years is a milestone for air conditioners: if your system lasts longer—bonus. After fifteen years, it is in your best interest to plan a replacement.

Diminishing Returns

Perhaps you have had a few scares; your system stopped working, but a technician was able to bring the system back. Frequent expensive repairs lead to failure and at some point, pumping money into a failing system does not make economic sense.

Catastrophic Failure

Oh, yes, it can and does happen. It often happens during extreme temperatures; the added stress causes a failing system to collapse. Restoring an old system will eventually become too expensive when compared to replacing the system.

Pleasant Results

Cool Air. If your air conditioner quits on a hot summer day, installing a new system is a great relief. Yahoo!! Nothing will cause you to appreciate air conditioning like the lack of air conditioning. Air conditioning keeps your family both comfortable and healthy.

New Technology

While your old air conditioner has been working hard, researchers and engineers have been developing new, more efficient components and refrigerant gases. Not only will an efficient system save energy and money, but it will also improve our environment.

Peace of Mind

A new air conditioning system promises to provide relief, comfort, and safety for years to come. If something unexpected happens, warrantees generally take the brunt of any repair costs. Properly maintaining a new system will prolong its useful life, letting you breathe easily for years to come.

Let us help with your AC Replacement!

Schedule your free AC Replacement consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

May 16, 2023May 17, 2023

Emergency AC Repair

Emergency AC Repair for Houston Homeowners

When something changes and interrupts normal activity, it manifests itself as an emergency in our schedule, and the loss of air conditioning during a hot summer night seems to qualify as an emergency. However, others will quickly reveal that not every interruption in your AC service should be considered an emergency. Here is a list of potential problems and the severity level of an emergency.

Health Concerns Related to Emergency AC Repair

If you or a family member have moderate to severe health concerns and the extreme temperatures make one vulnerable, the loss of air conditioning is considered an emergency. Technicians will recognize the emergency and arrive as soon as possible. As you review the following examples, this concern trumps all others in determining an emergency.

However, if this is your situation, you are more likely to be monitoring air conditioning performance and scheduling regular maintenance to ensure emergencies are less likely. You are more likely to have a working relationship with the HVAC professional servicing your system, who will recognize the potential distress.

Trust Your Senses

First, your sense of smell can indicate an emergency.

If you smell smoke or something “burning,” consider it an emergency. Explore the source and if you determine your air conditioner is the source, turn the system off and call your HVAC professional immediately. Monitor the situation to ensure nothing is burning. If something is burning, treat it as a fire emergency.
If you experience a sudden sound followed by a strange odor, turn off the system and open a window or door. Anticipate a loss in cooling, but the emergency is over. If the odor you smell is musty or mildewy, call your professional, but this is not an emergency.
If you hear a buzz or excessive clicking, turn off the system. If the buzzing stops, call a technician, but it is not an emergency since you found the source of the buzzing. Without proper training, do not explore the source—wait for a technician.

Emergency AC Repair: Storm Damage

During an extreme storm, it is not unusual to lose power and subsequently, to lose air conditioning. The problem may be simple or complex, but chances are that you are not alone. Restoring power may be delayed and gradual, so be patient. There may be many people requesting the same—restoration of power.

When the power is restored, your air conditioner may or may not be restored. These problems may be simple or complex, but unless there are health concerns, this does not rise to the level of an emergency. It will require patience and understanding. No one likes to wait, but anticipates that repairs will take time. Without proper training, do not explore the problem—wait for a technician.

It’s Not Working

If your air conditioner stops working properly, one or more of the following indicators may be present.

The unit may not work at all. First, check the circuit breaker and make sure the air conditioner is receiving power. Second, check the thermostat to ensure it is in the cool setting and call for a temperature below room temperature. If both check out, call a technician.
If the blower motor is running, but the air is warm, first, check for a clogged air filter. The filter can reduce airflow and cause this problem. Second, investigate both the inside and outside AC unit, looking for frost or ice buildup. Do not remove the ice, but when you make a call, it is good information to share with the technician.
Without proper training, homeowners are not prepared to repair electrical or mechanical issues with air conditioner systems.

HVAC technicians approach their service as professionals; they attempt to work efficiently and quickly to restore air conditioning services to every home. Emergency AC Repair Technicians experience and therefore understand the discomfort of losing air conditioning service during a hot, summer day. We respond to emergencies first and work through the remaining calls as quickly as possible.

Need Emergency AC Repair, call us today!

Schedule your free Emergency AC Repair consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

April 25, 2023

10 Tips to Improve Indoor Air Quality

Indoor Air Quality Tips for Homeowners

With warmer weather on the way, we have opportunities to spend more time in the great outdoors; we take walks and hikes, go to the beach or the mountains, and attend great outdoor events. Being outdoors is a very good escape when we can. We spend 90% of our time indoors and, while we feel quite comfortable, research tells us that the air quality in our workspaces and homes is 2 to 5 times more polluted than the outdoors.¹

Common Pollutants

Each space is unique, so it is impossible to name the specific pollutants for your home, but we can begin with some common culprits and develop a plan to improve air quality.

Products of combustion. Carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide, along with other airborne particulates are found in our homes in larger quantities than we imagine. For some homes, tobacco smoke contributes to pollution. Some homes use natural gas for heat, cooking, and heating water. We so enjoy cooking outdoors and we bring a portion of the smoke indoors. All our homes are in close contact with the exhaust from planes, trains, and automobiles.
Volatile organic compounds are chemicals that “off gas” from manufactured materials; we often associate the smell with “new.” These chemicals are given off by flooring, paints, and furniture; the process will last for several years.
Organic Sources. Another source of airborne particles comes from the organisms that live all around us. Pollen from grass, trees, and wildflowers enters our homes on clothes and shoes. The air is full of other organic materials: mold and mildew spores, bacteria, and viruses are blowing in the wind. We make our own contributions—dust is primarily composed of skin cells we no longer need. Our pets can’t be left out; their “dust contribution is called dander.

What’s to Be Done?

The key to improving indoor air quality is dilution. That means reducing the number of particles that come into a home and giving plenty of means for them to escape.

Don’t “warm up” the car in the garage. Allow some time for the exhaust to leave the garage before opening the door into the house.
Be sure to maintain and use the exhaust systems for appliances that use natural gas or propane. This applies to furnaces, water heaters, and gas stoves.
Keep the windows and doors closed while cooking outdoors or using a firepit.
Your HVAC system is an advanced ventilation system, designed to remove particles with every heating or cooling cycle. To keep it functioning properly, the filter needs to be changed frequently—at least every three months.
Examine your ductwork and clean the ducts as needed; approximately every 3 to 5 years is recommended.
Use fans as needed. That includes bathroom fans during showers and the stovetop fan while cooking. This removes excess moisture, preventing the growth of mold and mildew.
Dilute the indoor pollutants by opening a window approximately once per week for about 15 or 20 minutes. This allows the volume of the entire house to exchange with outside air. During the summer, the optimal time for ventilation is before 10 am or after 9 pm.²
Work with the plants around you. Understand the predominate season for pollen in your immediate area. Remember that rain can increase mold spores. Take shoes off at the door to avoid tracking pollen throughout the home. Indoor plants remove some of the chemical particles but can contribute to organic particles; use houseplants wisely.
Groom pets appropriately to reduce the amount of dander.
Clean regularly. That goes without saying, but when you remove the accumulation of dust, you remove it forever.

Let us help with your Indoor Air Quality Questions!

Schedule your free Indoor Air Quality consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

¹ https://www.epa.gov/report-environment/indoor-air-quality#:~:text=The%20potential%20impact%20of%20indoor,higher%20than%20typical%20outdoor%20concentrations

² https://www.energuide.be/en/questions-answers/how-to-air-your-house-properly/1712/

April 21, 2023

5 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Fight Seasonal Allergies

5 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Fight Seasonal Allergies

The pollination season for different plants triggers allergic reactions in various people and approximately 50 million Americans suffer from seasonal allergies. In the springtime, that yellow-green coating of oak pollen is a real problem; other contributors include cottonwood, elm, ash, and pecan. During the summertime, it is hay fever season; grass pollen is prolific and travels freely through the air. Ragweed and other wildflowers trouble Texas during the fall; we welcome any rain we get to wash the pollen from the air. Even in winter, cedar pollen causes allergies that mimic cold symptoms; it is called cedar fever.

Allergic reactions to organic particles in the environment, irritate the

Eyes, causing watery, itchy sensations
Noses, causing runny noses and mucus that irritates the skin
Upper respiratory system, with sneezing, coughing, and swollen sinuses (congestion)
Skin, with hives or rashes

Your HVAC system is designed to remove allergens from the air in your home, but there are some steps you can take to enhance the removal of the airborne particles responsible for seasonal allergies. Here are five HVAC Maintenance steps to address airborne allergens with your heating/cooling system.

Use Quality Air Filters. Your HVAC system has an air filter located as the return air enters your HVAC cabinet. Make sure to use the right size and look for a filter with an appropriate minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV) rating. For most systems, a MERV rating between 11 and 13 is sufficient. They remove between 90 and 95% of particles, including pollen, mold, and mildew spores.

The key to keeping airborne allergens at bay is changing the filter regularly. In most cases, that means changing the filters every three months. However, if family members in your home have extreme allergies, you may need to change the filter more often.

Clean the Pollen from Your Ductwork. Air circulates throughout your home in a series of sheet metal ducts. Any pollen that gets beyond the air filter can wind up in your ducts and if it has been a few years since they were cleaned, the accumulation of dust and pollen particles has built up inside. This pollen can be picked up to recirculate with any heating or cooling cycle. If seasonal allergies are a problem, make sure to clean your ductwork every three to five years.
Keep the Fan On. Your thermostat has two fan settings—Auto and On. The Auto setting turns the fan on in conjunction with the heating or cooling cycle. The On setting turns the fan on continuously. The comparison of energy use between Auto and On is negligible and there are several benefits to using the On function.

When the pollen count is high indoors, continuously moving the air through the air filter reduces the amount of pollen still in the air. This option also works to keep the air temperature even during extreme temperature periods.

Remove Humidity. Your air conditioner is designed to remove moisture from the air—as much as a few gallons of water per day. This is key to avoiding other sources of allergens—mold and mildew growth. Other sources of moisture in your home include bathrooms, laundry rooms, and kitchen. Care must be taken to reduce the amount of water allowed to stand about. These spaces usually have exhaust fans to remove excess moisture from the air; push the moisture outdoors for a few minutes after every summer shower or bath.
Know When to Call HVAC Maintenance Professions. Ensuring that your HVAC system keeps functioning efficiently takes professional attention. Make sure to schedule an annual inspection and maintenance visit. While the technician is there, inquire about ultraviolet lights that can be installed inside the ductwork. UV light will destroy cell walls’ organic allergens, including pollen, mold, viruses, and dust mites. The inert remains can be collected by the air filter and removed from your home.

Let us help with your HVAC Maintenance!

Schedule your free HVAC Maintenance consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

March 28, 2023

Breathing Better with Indoor Air Quality Tips for Spring

Spring Indoor Air Quality Tips

Ahhh . . . the welcomed change of season from winter to spring. Warmer spring temperatures mean a lot of outdoor activities and the beginning of the air conditioning season. It also brings the spring pollen season, as trees, flowers, and grass put on their glorious show. While we might love the display, people with asthma and allergies must be very careful.

Allergies can bring headaches, itchy eyes, running nose, coughing, and sneezing. As you might know, pollen follows you indoors, so it seems that the only relief comes at the end of pollen season. If you need to reduce the number of airborne irritants in your home, here are a few tips to help clean your indoor air.

Air pollution, whether indoors or outdoors, comes from many different sources. Dust, pollen, mold spores, secondhand smoke, and a host of other sources contribute to the problem. Eliminating the sources will be key to reducing the number of particles in the air.

Some particles are more hazardous than others; much of the hazard results from personal allergic reactions. We already mentioned pollen, but pet hair/dander, mold spores, and dust mites also are considered harmful allergens to humans. Neutralizing the harmful aspects of these allergens is the next important step to reducing the danger they pose.

Other particles, such as volatile organic compounds and cleanser fumes can pose a long-term health concern. After reducing the sources of allergens and their harmful aspects, removing the particles is the final solution.

Indoor Air Quality: Removing Particles at the Source

There are several reasons to seal around doors and windows; keeping particles out of indoor spaces is yet another reason.
Every time you enter the home, you carry particles in. A good practice is to remove shoes and outerwear (jackets and sweaters) immediately after entering to prevent spreading pollen and spores.
Mold grows well in dark and moist spaces. Keeping relative humidity lower than 50% will hinder a mold infestation. That means using your shower exhaust fans for several minutes after a shower and using your air conditioner during summer humidity.

Indoor Air Quality: Reducing the Hazards

The particles that present the greatest allergic reactions are organic in origin; they are still alive and the proteins they contain cause the allergies. Under the right circumstances, some of these organic particles will grow and produce more particles. Installing ultraviolet lights inside your ductwork will damage/burst the cell walls; the inert byproducts will collect on the air filter and can no longer grow.
If you keep pets and have allergies to hair and dander, it is important to groom your pet to reduce the volume of hair.

Indoor Air Quality: Rid Your Home of the Particles

Your HVAC system has an air filter, designed to remove airborne particles from your home forever. Change the filter regularly—at least every three months.
Dust, vacuum, and mop regularly; change bedding and remove unnecessary dust collectors. Good old-fashioned house cleaning removes the particles that have fallen onto surfaces.
Some dust will get around the air filter and get deposited in your duct network. Make sure to clean your ductwork every 3 to 5 years.

Indoor Air Quality: Removing Inorganic Particles

The two biggest sources of chemical particles from nonliving sources are volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and household cleaners.

VOCs are released by most manufactured products: the odor is the “new car” or “new carpet” smell. Materials, paints, and adhesives release large molecules and some of them are hazardous to our health. These products will release very small amounts of VOCs for the life of the product, but the first 30 days are the worst. Make sure to ventilate the spaces with possible VOCs like new furniture, paint, or flooring installations.
Some cleansers also release hazardous chemicals, and the odor is often quite obnoxious. Oven cleaners or products with bleach or ammonia are contaminating the indoor air. Reach for more environmentally friendly cleaning solutions to improve the air quality in your home.

Let us help with your Indoor Air Quality questions!

Schedule your free Indoor Air Quality consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

March 28, 2023March 28, 2023

Spring HVAC Maintenance

HVAC Maintenance For this Spring

If April showers bring May flowers, what do May flowers bring? They herald the welcomed warmth of summertime. Don’t you just love the summer? So much to do and enjoy outside! Summer heat, the beach, grilling outdoors, and summer vacations are right around the corner. It’s all good if we have a respite from the intense heat, and air conditioning provides just the relief we need.

During extreme heat, the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors maybe 30⁰ and that is quite a difference. Springtime is a great time to schedule an inspection and HVAC Maintenance for your air conditioner to keep it running strong all summer long. A tune-up cleans dust and grime from crucial components and ensures both the electrical and mechanical parts are functioning properly. This results in:

All the parts function as designed to keep your family comfortable, even during heat waves.
Identifies parts that might be under stress, allowing repair or replacement before the part fails.
A system that functions properly costs less to operate, so it saves on the utility bill
When a system is well-maintained, it tends to last longer, pushing an air conditioner replacement into the future.

If your air conditioner does struggle, no worries. But call as soon as possible since repair calls may triple or more during intense heat. Some sudden changes that indicate that your air conditioning system requires HVAC Maintenance include:

Warm Air When You Expect Cold Air. This is one of the most common problems. If the air is moving out of the vents but it is warm or not very cold, it indicates a problem with the refrigerant gas. The most common causes are gas leaking from the closed system or a compressor failure since the compressor is key to creating the cooling effect.
No or Low Air Movement. A powerful fan both pushes and pulls air, creating constant circulation during the cooling cycle. If no air is moving, it might indicate a problem with the blower motor that turns the fan. A switch or sensor may have failed, or it can indicate a compressor failure. If air is coming through the vents, but the volume of air is low, it might be a simple fix—a clogged air filter.
Inconsistent Cooling. If suddenly not all spaces are receiving adequate cooling, or if cooling is different between cooling cycles, it may indicate a problem with the thermostat. A simple fix is fresh batteries in the thermostat; a more profound fix may require replacement.
Water Leaking from the AC Cabinet. The air conditioner in the average home removes 3 to 4 gallons of water each day. The water usually falls to a floor drain or drains outdoors. If the drain line gets clogged, the water leaks into your home and can cause costly repairs. If a liquid other than water is leaking from the cabinet, this is a serious health risk and requires immediate attention.
Sudden Unusual Sounds. It is not unusual to hear some minor sounds during a cooling cycle that results from the contraction and expansion of the sheet metal vents. However, if you hear something new, different, or loud, such as screeching or grinding, moving mechanical parts are coming together in abnormal ways. This usually happens right before the failure of those critical mechanical components; make a call as soon as possible.
Sudden Unusual Smells. If an electrical part has failed, leading to a short circuit, the intense heat often melts wire insulation; it often occurs during a component failure. If the sudden smell is musty and unpleasant, it may indicate a problem with the ductwork. Moisture inside of the ducts or a leak in the duct may have led to the growth of mold or mildew. These cause multiple health problems, so they must be addressed immediately.

Let us help with your Spring HVAC Maintenance questions!

Schedule your free Spring HVAC Maintenance consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

February 28, 2023

Indoor Air Quality: Pet Friendly HVAC System

Is Your HVAC System Pet Friendly and Provides Good Indoor Air Quality?

We Americans love our pets! Did you know there are approximately 140 million homes and approximately 148 million dogs and cats in the U.S.? For the most part, we take good care of our pets. However, our pets can put stress on the heating and cooling systems. Here are some things you can do to make pets and HVAC systems more compatible and provide good Indoor Air Quality.

Every day, family members lose hair and skin, the source of most of the dust in the home. Some pets shed less than others, but dogs and cats also contribute to the hair and dander in your home. These additional airborne particles move around, collect on surfaces, and get caught in the ventilation system in your home. This additional air pollution can irritate sinuses, trigger asthma or allergies, and cause respiratory problems.

The ventilation portion of your HVAC system, like human lungs, is designed to remove airborne particles and provide improved Indoor Air Quality. The number of airborne particles will need to be removed to reduce the threat of respiratory illnesses. The place to start is the air filter.

Air Filters

With every heating or cooling cycle, the filter is trapping dust and dander, preventing them from recirculating with the next cycle. When too many particles get trapped, the filter clogs and restricts airflow; the result is stress, as was mentioned earlier. Under normal circumstances, the recommendation is to change the filter every three months, but with shedding pets, you might need to change them more often—perhaps every 6 to 8 weeks.

The type of lifter can make a difference. Pleated filters have more surface area than regular flat filters. Filters are given a minimum efficiency reporting value or MERV rating. The rating measures the percentage of particles the filter can remove—higher numbers = more particles removed. A MERV rating between 8 and 11 will remove most hair and dander. Filters with electrostatic properties will also attract hair with ease.

Enhanced Household Cleaning

Does cleaning your house help your HVAC system? Certainly. All that dust, hair, and dander becomes airborne and then gravity takes over. Dust falls everywhere—on floors, furniture, and everything else. Carefully dusting, mopping, and vacuuming will remove a large amount of hair and dander before it gets to the air filter. Reducing clutter removes objects dust can cling to. Make sure to clean the supply vents on the floor and the cold air returns on the walls.

Clean Your Ductwork

Hair and dander that gets past your air filter collect inside of the supply and return ducts that network throughout the house. Since the amount of dust increases with pets, the amount that collects inside the ducts is also larger. Under normal conditions duct cleaning is recommended every 3 to 5 years; with pets, you should schedule a duct cleaning more often—say every three years.

Schedule HVAC Service

To ensure your entire system stays clean, it is important to complete preventative maintenance inspections regularly; an annual visit is recommended. Hair and dander that gets beyond the air filter can also enter the electrical control and the evaporator chamber. Dust decreases the energy efficiency of your system, so it is important to clean it away.

Speaking of schedules, remember your pet when you program your thermostat. A programmable or Smart thermostat is often used to save money by altering the temperature setting. While this might save some money, it will also put stress on pets.

Let us help with your Indoor Air Quality questions!

Schedule your free Indoor Air Quality consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

February 17, 2023February 17, 2023

HVAC Repair: Avoiding Hot and Cold Spots in Your Home

If your home has a room or space that is abnormally cold in the winter, it is becoming very evident at this time of the year. Since you are a responsible homeowner, you have probably checked all the obvious issues that can be fixed with a do-it-yourself project, such as changing air filters and uncovering supply vents. However, if the problem persists, consider having an HVAC technician check the air balance in your home.

Heating, cooling, and ventilation all require adequate and equal airflow to reach every space. The system as designed and installed should provide “enough” air, but problems can develop that disrupt the proper movement of air. Air balancing measures the equilibrium and finds solutions should a pressure deficit be detected. A technician will bring the proper tools, training, and expertise to evaluate the airflow and recommend viable solutions. Here are the highlights of the air balancing process.

Reverse Engineering HVAC Repair

The technician will use the model and serial numbers to gather the specifications for your current HVAC system. Both heating and cooling capacities can be determined. Some blower motors have variable speeds and the rating for each blower setting will become useful information. The design capacities can be compared to the measured results to ensure your HVAC system is functioning efficiently.

When your system was designed and installed, a technician ran a load calculation to determine the proper size of your system. Recalculating your home’s heating and cooling need is also useful information. If you have made changes, remodeled, or enlarged your living space, even slight space modifications can change the load requirements. Rechecking the load calculation will uncover such problems and make recommendations to compensate.

HVAC Repair: Performance Evaluations

The second stage of the air-balancing task includes measuring airflow from each supply register and cold air return. Access is required to all your home’s spaces. The technician will bring equipment that will measure:

The air volume as it moves through the vent
Both the airspeed and temperature at the register
The air humidity from the supply air

The desired result is an equal measurement of these air qualities in each room. If you are experiencing comfort problems, the location of the problem vent(s) can be determined by these measurements. The measurements will also give clues to the technician to pinpoint the issue or further the investigation.

HVAC Repair Frequent Findings

The goal of the air balance study is to find problem supply registers that create an airflow imbalance.

If they exist, air balancing will uncover design flaws in your ductwork. Ducts might have been sized too small, have runs that are too long, or have unusually sharp turns. While completely redesigning your HVAC ductwork might not be possible, correcting the most pressing problems might be a possible solution.
Frequently, ductwork along the way has been damaged. Slight vibrations can create gaps or loosen sheet metal joints. The blower motor puts the duct under pressure; like water in a leaky pipe, air will find a way to escape. Finding and repairing even a small leak can significantly impact the airflow in your problem area.
When the blower motor has cycled off, the gap(s) allow air and pests to infiltrate the ductwork and enter your home. Finding these gaps have several benefits.
While not a frequent issue, on occasion a duct blockage will found.

The desired result of an air balance investigation is to discover problems with airflow that creates hot or cold spots. An equal amount of conditioned air is necessary for each room to maintain comfort. Discovering problems and designing solutions will reduce or remove the imbalance creating the hot and cold spots.

Let us help with your HVAC Repair questions!

Schedule your free HVAC Repair consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

January 30, 2023

Heater Maintenance Tune Up

Benefits of an Annual Heater Maintenance Tune Up

The time to use our heaters is upon us. We’ve had some extreme temperature drops and we are expecting more to follow. The key to keeping your furnace running consistently is an annual tune-up of the electrical and mechanical components. Here’s a quick look at the Heater Maintenance Tune Up tasks we complete during a tune-up and how this benefits your home and family.

What You Can Expect During a Heater Maintenance Tune Up

Your technicians will arrive on time and ask you a few questions. In order to make a thorough inspection and tune-up, they will need access to various parts of the property indoors and outdoors. Prepare for someone to be present for a couple of hours, although the tasks may not take quite that long.

Outdoor Tasks

The technicians will inspect the condenser unit. You may associate the condenser with air conditioning functions, but the same system can be accessed for heat when the weather is moderate. The condenser will be cleaned as needed and the refrigerant gas level checked.
Because this unit uses a lot of power, the electrical components will be tested and cleaned.
If your furnace uses natural gas or propane, the technician will check the supply lines as they enter the house.

Mechanical Room Tasks

The electrical controls, switches, sensors, and capacitors will be cleaned and tested. The furnace is a finely tuned system that requires precise controls; wear and tear can weaken these switches and put stress on the entire system.
The blower motor will be cleaned and lubed, and the blower fins will be cleaned as needed.
The air filter will be replaced by a new, high-quality filter.
For natural gas furnaces, the heat exchanger, supply line, and valve will be checked for leaks, soot, and any corrosion will be cleaned away from the burner units.

Indoor Tasks

The thermostat will be inspected tested and calibrated as needed. New batteries will be installed.
Supply vents and return air will be inspected to ensure they are not covered.

The Benefits of an Annual Heater Maintenance Tune Up

Your system functions more efficiently when the furnace components are cleaned and worn parts are replaced. An efficient system uses less energy, reducing your monthly utility bills.
Tune ups result in fewer major repairs. When technicians address minor issues, such as a worn electrical component, they prevent potential stress on other parts of the system and oftentimes the need for major repairs.
Annual tune-ups add years to the life of your system. The key is avoiding the catastrophic failure of major components, like the compressor unit. No system lasts forever, but you can delay replacement with regular tune-ups.
When your furnace functions well, it responds better to sudden or extreme temperature changes. Your technician can even demonstrate the scheduling function of your programmable thermostat.
Airborne particles –dust, pollen, and mold spores— can threaten your family’s health, even if the air quality seems fine. Cleaning the system and changing the air filter regularly ensures good air quality in your home and helps keep your family healthy.

Have questions about Heater Maintenance Tune Up? We can help!

Schedule your free Heater Maintenance Tune Up consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.

January 25, 2023

4 Furnace Maintenance for Homeowners

Furnace Maintenance Tips You Need to Know

When your HVAC system was installed, it was customed-fit to meet the heating and cooling needs of the space in your home with well-designed components. However, like every well-designed mechanical system, it needs periodic maintenance; some maintenance tasks can be completed by homeowners, and some will need to be completed by HVAC professionals. Here are a few helpful Furnace Maintenance tasks any homeowner can complete to keep their system functioning efficiently.

Furnace Maintenance: Replace Your Filter Regularly

You are very familiar with the heating and cooling function of your system, but it also provides a vital purpose in cleaning the indoor air. An air filter removes a significant amount of dust and dander, made more important during the winter when windows and doors remain closed. When too much dust accumulates on the filter, this creates problems for the system.

A clogged filter reduces the amount of air that can pass through the filter and, as you know, your heating system depends upon great air movement. So, to keep your air clean and your home warm, change your air filter regularly. You can find the air filter in the furnace cabinet, located where enters the cabinet from the rest of the house. The filter size is printed on all four sides of the filter. Purchase the correct-sized filter, slide the old filter out and slide the new filter into the slot. For most homes, the filter should be changed once every three months; if your filters are very dirty each time, consider changing the filter every two months.

Furnace Maintenance: Use Your Thermostat Intentionally

Old-style thermostats were merely switched on the wall to call for heat or AC as needed. Newer thermostats are programmable, and some come with Smart capabilities, so there is a little bit of a learning curve for using them properly. New thermostats use batteries and batteries will need to be changed—a good rule is to remove them annually. Occasionally, the thermostat setting does not match your indoor experience. If this happens, a professional may need to recalibrate the thermostat; this can be completed during an annual preventative maintenance visit.

Both programmable and Smart thermostats can be used to customize a schedule of temperature changes to improve comfort and save money. Research has shown that reducing your thermostat setting by 7⁰ or more for at least 8 hours can save approximately 10% on your heating bill. Finding an 8-hour window is not as hard as it sounds: lower the temp at night while the family is sleeping or away during the day. Since it is programmable, you can schedule a warm-up 30 minutes before the alarm clock sounds to ensure a comfortable morning.

Furnace Maintenance: Keep The Ductwork Clear

Ducts supply warm air throughout the house and return cool air back to the furnace to be warmed again. Openings in the ductwork are scattered around the house strategically, including supply vents and cold air returns. It is not usual for furniture, accessory, or drapes to completely cover these openings and restrict the free flow of air. Do a regular inspection of the vents and returns to ensure they are all open. For best results, have your ductwork cleaned regularly—schedule duct cleaning every 3 to 5 years or as needed.

Furnace Maintenance: Schedule Professional Maintenance Annually

Even when you complete these simple maintenance tasks, your HVAC system should be inspected, cleaned, and fine-tuned annually. A technician will check the electrical and mechanical components to keep your system running efficiently, making needed repairs as they arise. Catching small problems early can avoid large problems, giving longer service life for the entire system.

Have questions about Furnace Maintenance? We can help!

Schedule your free Furnace Maintenance consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email.