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Why is my furnace making loud noises?

Routine AC Maintenance

Bangs, Clicks, and Screeches: Why Skipping AC Maintenance Leads to Winter Nightmares

Often, a household is a busy place with lots of noise and activity. Our minds do not process all the stimuli that our eyes, ears, noses, and mouths take in during a single day. Even when everything settles and quiets down, there is plenty to hear. These are the background noises of life, different in each home, yet unique enough to make us familiar with our surroundings. 

A portion of that ambient sound is the familiar sounds of heating cycles during the winter. Some furnaces are whisper-quiet, and you barely notice the sound. Others are louder or more evident. Sometimes, a furnace will begin making noises that register as unusual and not a part of what is normally heard. Should you be concerned about loud, unusual noises from the furnace? Here is a short list of uncommon furnace noises and their significance and why you need AC maintenance.

The Link Between Noisy Heaters and AC Maintenance

Loud Pops or Bangs

The normal heating cycle involves a rather precise series of events with a singular result.

  • The thermostat registers that the indoor temperature has fallen below the comfort setting of the family.
  • It sends an electronic message to the furnace, calling for heat
  • The signal opens the gas valve, releasing gas from the burner assembly, AND
  • The signal also triggers the electronic ignition system to ignite the gas coming from the burner assembly.
  • Another sensor detects gas and shuts the valve if the gas does not ignite, preventing an explosion.
  • However, if the ignition system delays for an extra second before igniting the gas, the ignition causes a little mini explosion.

That doesn’t sound so bad; however, the delayed ignition releases enough energy that it can damage the ignition system, the burner assembly, and/or the heat exchanger. Any of these damages can cause the furnace to quit functioning. Damage to the heat exchanger can release carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide into the home.

Solution: turn the furnace off and call All Cool AC and Heating for immediate repair. This is a very serious problem.

Persistent Clicking

Gas furnaces are complex electromechanical devices, and various components will emit occasional clicks. The thermostat relay may click audibly at the start and finish of a heating cycle. Various relays and switches click inside and around the air handler cabinet. The electronic ignition will click a few times, creating a spark to ignite the gas. (If you have a gas range, you might be familiar with this clicking in the kitchen.) If this clicking persists after the gas is ignited and/or after the heating cycle has ended, this is a serious issue.

  • This malfunction of a component will cause it to wear quickly and fail.
  • Without an electronic ignition, the furnace will malfunction, resulting in chilly temperatures indoors as well as outdoors.

Solution: turn the furnace off and call All Cool AC and Heating for immediate repair or time to schedule an AC maintenance appointment.

Screeching or Grinding Noises

There are very few moving parts in a furnace. If you hear a loud, annoying grinding or screeching noise, it is most likely a problem with the blower motor assembly.

  • The blower motor powers a rather large fan cage, which draws air from the house, through the furnace, and back into the house.
  • The motor has bearings. The fan cage is turned by a belt or chain. Friction and wear can cause any or all these parts to fail, resulting in these loud, annoying noises.
  • This may result in the loss of heat, although that is not a universal result. It may get noisy and continue to move air throughout the home.

Solution: turn the furnace off and call All Cool AC and Heating for an AC maintenance appointment.

Secure Your Home with Routine AC Maintenance

Don’t wait for a noisy breakdown to realize your HVAC system needs professional attention. By scheduling regular AC maintenance, you can catch small mechanical issues and ignition delays before they turn into dangerous winter emergencies. Our expert team at All Cool AC & Heating is ready to inspect your blower motor, sensors, and relays to ensure your home stays quiet and safe all year long. Contact us today to book your preventative AC maintenance tune-up and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with a perfectly functioning system.

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How often does my heater need a furnace maintenance performed by a technician?

furnace maintenance

The Homeowner’s Guide to Annual Furnace Maintenance in South Texas

Well, this was another strong winter season. Normal winter temperatures, but with extreme cold that was deep and dramatic. Most Texas families were very thankful to have furnaces to keep their families warm and safe when temperatures dropped rapidly. Heating and air conditioning have become an indispensable part of life in South Texas; it is hard to imagine a home without these features.

However, furnace systems are complex mechanical systems, and like every other mechanical system, they need regular maintenance. Maintenance for automobiles is based on miles driven, but how often should a furnace receive preventative maintenance? Furnace maintenance should be based on climate and extreme temperatures, but generally, your HVAC system needs at least annual furnace maintenance. It is best to schedule furnace maintenance during slow times in the Fall, before heating emergencies tend to happen.

Maximize Your System’s Life: How Furnace Maintenance Adds 5 Years to Your HVAC

The benefits of regular furnace maintenance are quite remarkable.

  1. Furnace maintenance ensures high efficiency. Two aspects of heating and cooling use tend to reduce efficiency: friction and dirt. All Cool AC and Heat furnace technicians know the common mechanical and electrical wear points and where dust and debris tend to collect and prevent the movement of heat. Maintenance uncovers these small problems and fixes them before they become big problems.
  2. Improved efficiency reduces the amount of energy necessary to heat and clean indoor air, thus reducing energy consumption. Reducing energy consumption directly by reducing the energy bill.
  3. Improved efficiency reduces the cost of repairs over the long run. The most expensive repairs are emergency repairs. Scheduling regular maintenance avoids the stress of breakdowns and the inconvenience of difficult repairs. Of course, these difficult repairs generally happen during periods of extreme temperature, making them inconvenient and uncomfortable.
  4. Caring for a central heat system ensures that this important building system lasts as long as possible. The average lifespan for furnaces and air conditioners is about 15 to 20 years. Research shows that regular maintenance can add an additional 5 years to the useful lifespan.

Maintaining heating and cooling equipment should be a partnership between a homeowner and a contractor, like All Cool. Homeowner’s maintenance tasks generally do not require specialized equipment or training and include:

  • Changing the air filter quarterly
  • Inspecting and cleaning the space around the interior air handler and the exterior condenser unit.
  • Keep supply and return vents uncovered for good airflow
  • Change the thermostat batteries annually

Safety First: The Critical Role of Furnace Maintenance in Preventing Hazards

HVAC Technicians will be responsible for maintenance tasks that require specialized tools and equipment, and include:

  • Inspecting and testing the ignition system and burner assembly, cleaning soot or rust away. The ignition system has very delicate sensors and must be handled properly. Corrosion or a crack in the burner can have disastrous consequences.
  • Heat Exchanger inspection and carbon dioxide testing are essential. This component is where exhaust gas containing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide come in close proximity to inside air supply. Rust and corrosion can allow the two to mix, again, with disastrous consequences.
  • Heat pump systems use the same refrigerant gas as air conditioners. The gas pressure will be tested to detect a leak in the system.
  • The variable-speed function of the blower motor will be checked and lubricated as necessary, and the motor assembly will be inspected for wear.
  • Electrical wiring and connections will be inspected for signs of loose connections. Critical sensors, switches, and control mechanisms will be tested. Emphasis will be given to key stress points.
  • The thermostat calibration will be checked, and the batteries will be changed.
  • Heating cycle startup and function will be tested: temperature change should be evident within a given period of time.
  • And, if any of the tasks homeowners can do are left undone, the All Cool technician will complete these tasks as well.

Schedule Your Inspection Today for Total Peace of Mind

Don’t wait for the next South Texas cold snap to find out if your heating system is up to the task. Protecting your home’s safety and maximizing your equipment’s lifespan starts with a proactive, professional tune-up. Call All Cool AC and Heating now to schedule your furnace maintenance and ensure your family stays warm, efficient, and safe all season long.

Call All Cool AC & Heating today at 281-238-9292 to schedule your furnace maintenance appointment and get your system back on track.

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How much does furnace repair cost?

Trustworthy Furnace Repair

How Much Does Furnace Repair Cost? A 2026 Price Guide

Finding a trusted furnace contractor partner can be problematic, since there are so many questions and too few answers available without an accompanying sales pitch. Plenty of technicians can complete maintenance and make repairs, but finding a trustworthy person that is affordable can be rather tricky. This makes confident decisions very difficult. On the other hand, a contractor can’t prescribe a cost for labor and parts for a furnace sight-unseen. One measure that can meet the needs for answers for homeowners without tying a technician to an unrealistic expectation is to provide a range of costs for maintenance and repairs.

Furnace Maintenance

Let’s start with the most fundamental task: furnace maintenance. Maintenance plans can begin with a one-time inspection and develop into an annual maintenance plan.

  • A basic furnace inspection should cost between $100 and $200
  • A comprehensive maintenance plan should cost between $150 and $300

Please remember that we are including a range for a reason. Each HVAC system is different, requires different maintenance requirements, and exact estimates are only available during the maintenance appointment.

Furnace Repair Labor Cost

The cost of labor can vary greatly, and for good reasons. Some projects are simple, and some projects are very complicated. Some furnaces are free-standing, and others are in very confined spaces. Expect that labor for electric furnaces costs differently than servicing natural gas-powered furnaces.

  • Labor for projects can range between $100 and $200
  • Labor costs for repairs on electric furnaces range between $100 and $300
  • Labor costs for repairs to natural gas furnaces range between $150 and $500
  • Labor costs for emergency calls—late at night, weekends, or in extreme temperatures—can vary since there are many determining factors.

Again, you will receive a comprehensive quote during your furnace repair appointment with your All Cool Furnace repair technician.

Furnace Repair Costs

The costs for repairs include the cost of labor and the cost of components and supplies. The cost of components varies greatly depending on brand, age of the system, and the availability of parts. The labor cost of repairs varies according to the time needed to make the repair. Therefore, we can give some generalizations about projects and give a range, based on our experience with such projects.

  • Thermostat repair costs range between $100 and $300, while replacement of a thermostat may cost upwards of $600, depending on the features of the thermostat.
  • Blower motor repairs range between $200 and $300, while replacement costs range between $500 and $900.
  • Some components are both expensive to replace and difficult to access; as you might imagine, replacement costs are higher for these projects. For example, replacing a heat exchanger for a natural gas furnace can exceed $1500.

This is a starting point: the exact cost of furnace repair labor and parts will be discussed during your furnace repair appointment. 

When Furnace Repair is Not an Option: Furnace Replacement

The cost of replacing a furnace is very complex; it generally requires replacement of the air conditioning system as well. Some of the factors that determine replacement costs include:

  • The characteristics of the home: square footage, insulation quality, number of doors and windows, orientation of the home, etc. Our furnace installation technicians will offer a J-Load Calculation as a free estimate. The J-Load will determine the size of the furnace and air conditioner.
  • The type of system is also a factor in cost. Electric furnaces are less expensive and require less labor than natural gas systems.
  • Both furnaces and air conditioners have efficiency ratings. High-efficiency systems cost more than standard efficiency systems.

Be sure to request a J-Load Calculation from your All Cool Furnace repair technician. The more information you can gather, the more confident you will be in your decision if you need to replace your entire HVAC system.

Trustworthy Furnace Repair: Why All Cool Prioritizes Transparent Pricing

Don’t let a malfunctioning heater leave you in the cold when professional help is just a phone call away. Whether you are dealing with a minor component failure or need a comprehensive system diagnostic, our team provides transparent pricing and dependable furnace repair tailored to your budget. Contact All Cool AC & Heating today to speak with an expert technician and receive an honest quote on your furnace repair needs. Take the guesswork out of your home comfort by calling us at 281-238-9292 to schedule your service.

Call All Cool AC & Heating today at 281-238-9292 to schedule an appointment with our expert furnace repair technicians and ensure your furnace repair is handled quickly and professionally.   

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What happens when I do not get my furnace maintained regularly?

Annual Furnace Maintenance

Don’t Skip Your Tune-Up: Why Annual Furnace Maintenance Is Non-Negotiable

How long has it been since your furnace was inspected and cleaned? Do you leave yourself a prompt to remind you to schedule preventative maintenance, or do you just ignore the recommendations from industry professionals? What can you expect from preventative maintenance? What can you expect from ignoring preventative maintenance? 

Your heating and cooling system consists of mechanical, electrical, and chemical components rolled together into one major building system. The closest thing to compare it to in our experience is an internal combustion vehicle, which is composed of electrical and chemical parts. We know what happens to a vehicle if maintenance is ignored; we can expect a short life with lots of problems. The same thing happens to a residential heating and cooling system when maintenance is ignored.

Mechanical Components Need Furnace Maintenance

  • The largest mechanical component in a heating system is the blower motor. The motor turns a massive fan that, 1) pulls all air from the home, through the ducts, into an air handler chamber, and 2) pushes the air back into the home. This happens quickly and often—a couple of heating (or cooling) cycles per hour. These fans are usually driven by a belt or chain; either is subject to wear and damage. That means that the blower motor is called into use more than 20,000 times annually under normal circumstances. It is hard to argue against maintaining such a hard-working motor.
  • Two smaller motors are also working just as hard in the outdoor condenser unit. One motor turns the condenser fan, and the other is a compressor motor, compressing the refrigerant gas to make the air conditioner and/or heat pump function. The consequences of these motors failing can be air conditioner failure and replacement. Ignoring maintenance can be expensive.

Electrical Components Need Furnace Maintenance

The electrical system that controls the heating and cooling system is quite complex and particularly vulnerable to the buildup of dirt from many sources.

  • Sensors detect heat in almost every phase of heating and cooling. The thermostat detects indoor temperature, yes, but other sensors detect temperature variations in the air handler chamber and other sections to ensure efficiency and safety.
  • The air filter is designed to clean the air in a home, but it also protects interior sections of the heating and cooling system from dust, dander, pollen, and other airborne contaminants. Letting this filter clog or fail will make the entire system work harder than necessary, putting stress on the electronics in particular and the whole system in general.
  • Normal use creates wear on all electrical parts. We are quite familiar with how use affects light bulbs. Even when a bulb does not get bumped or damaged, it still fails. Electrical components wear under normal conditions. A worn part creates stress on surrounding electronics. Maintenance detects these minute stress points, with recommendations for the replacement of minor parts while the problem is still minor. Delaying or ignoring these stresses can lead to larger stresses and more expensive replacements.

Chemical Components Need Furnace Maintenance

  • Both air conditioners and heat pump systems use manufactured gas that readily transports heat. Collectively, these gases are called refrigerants. A loss of refrigerant pressure will reduce heat pump efficiency and eventually lead to heat pump system failure.
  • Natural gas or propane furnaces ignite and burn gas in a system that must be carefully maintained to function properly and keep the occupants safe. Water vapor from the combustion will create rust. If rust creates an opening in the burner assembly, heat exchanger, or exhaust pipe, it can leak harmful exhaust gas into the home with disastrous consequences.

Maintaining each of these systems is extremely important for continued efficient furnace function.

Is Your Furnace Winter Ready? Schedule Your Preventive Furnace Maintenance Now

Don’t wait until a critical component fails—safeguard your home and health by investing in thorough furnace maintenance. Regular inspections are non-negotiable for detecting the small electrical, mechanical, or chemical stresses that lead to costly breakdowns and safety hazards. Protect your family and extend the life of your unit by contacting us today to schedule your essential preventative furnace maintenance appointment.

Call All Cool AC & Heating now to book your furnace maintenance appointment and prepare for a worry-free winter!

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Furnace Maintenance: Detailed Explanation of the Process

Furnace Maintenance

How Furnace Maintenance Protects Your Home and Health

This is the time of year to complete a routine checkup for a residential furnace; this is a responsible maintenance step for homeowners. Check-ups ensure that the furnace is prepared to function properly and efficiently all winter long. Maintenance often uncovers a weakening part that might create a breakdown. Maintenance is much preferred to experiencing a breakdown at the most inopportune time during a deep cold snap.

Furnace Maintenance might seem like a slight, even unnecessary, task. To fully appreciate the work provided by trained professionals, it might be useful to know what happens and why the maintenance tasks are important. So, what is involved in furnace maintenance?

There are three types of furnaces used in our region:

  1. Natural gas-powered furnaces
  2. Electric furnaces
  3. Heat pumps

All three types of furnaces use some of the same components. Maintenance will inspect, clean, and test these components to enhance performance and efficiency. These parts include:

  • Electrical controls. Furnaces employ a complex network of sensors, switches, and control devices that detect temperature, turn various components on and off, and set limits for safe functioning. The current that flows through these control mechanisms ranges from 220 volts to 14 volts; needless to say, it is extremely important to know the difference between electrical currents.
  • The main ON/OFF switch is called the thermostat, that small control device attached to the wall. Thermostats are usually battery-powered, and the checkup will include changing the batteries.
  • A network of ducts transports the heated, conditioned air throughout the home and brings it back to the furnace for redistribution. A heater maintenance visit will include a general inspection of the visible ductwork to uncover glaring problems.

Gas-Powered Furnace Maintenance

These furnaces create heat by the combustion of natural gas. Natural gas is both flammable and explosive. Combustion produces both carbon dioxide and carbon monoxide. Both gases are lethal when introduced to the indoor air. For these reasons, it is vitally important to check the system for safety as well as efficiency.

  • The ignition system receives an electronic signal, calling for a heating/burning cycle. Old systems used a pilot light. New systems use an electronic ignition system to light the flame. Dirt and soot can interfere with proper ignition, so it needs to be carefully cleaned.
  • A burner assembly burns the natural gas in a chamber to collect the heat. Another product of the combustion of natural gas is water vapor. When water vapor contacts cast iron, rust will develop. The burner assembly needs to be inspected and cleaned for both safety and efficiency.
  • The combustion chamber is a heat exchange chamber that transfers the heat to an outer chamber. Rust is corrosive and can create openings in the heat exchanger and exhaust pipe, allowing exhaust to enter the home with disastrous consequences.

Preventive furnace maintenance of natural gas-powered furnaces is very important.

Electric Furnace Maintenance

These furnaces use electrical resistance to create heat. Current passes through a strong heating element and the element gets red hot—about 1,1000 Fahrenheit. Air is passed over the heating elements and blown into the home. Furnace maintenance includes inspection of the elements and controls.

Heat Pump Maintenance

Heat pump furnaces do not create heat; they simply move heat from outdoors. It is the air conditioner in reverse. Instead of moving heat inside the house to the outside, it moves heat from outside the house inside. This will only work efficiently until the outside air drops below 350, when it becomes harder to collect heat from outdoor air. Heat pumps use a heating element system as a backup. Maintenance for a heat pump includes:

  • Testing the refrigerant gas that makes heat transfer possible.
  • Cleaning and inspecting the outdoor condenser coil
  • Cleaning and inspecting the indoor evaporator coil

Boost Performance and Longevity with Regular Furnace Maintenance From All Cool AC & Heating

Don’t risk a breakdown in the freezing cold—ensure your home’s safety and comfort by scheduling your essential furnace maintenance today. The experts at All Cool AC and Heating are ready to inspect your system, enhance its efficiency, and prevent those costly winter surprises. Call All Cool AC & Heating now to book your appointment and prepare for a worry-free winter!

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What to Do About an AC Refrigerant Leaks

AC Refrigerant Leaks

Don’t Ignore an AC Refrigerant Leak: Your System Depends on It

As summer winds down and the cooler weather approaches, the trusty air conditioner continues to perform the tasks of cooling, cleaning, moving, and dehumidifying indoor air. However, if an air conditioner’s performance is declining, it should cause a homeowner to take notice and call for an AC maintenance technician to inspect the system. 

Air conditioning systems do not use fuel; they use a manufactured gas, designed to readily transfer heat, deemed a refrigerant or coolant gas. An air conditioner requires a static amount of refrigerant gas to cool the space properly. When the gas pressure decreases, the system tries to continue the cooling process without the proper refrigerant gas. When the air conditioner tries so very hard with inadequate pressure, it will cause crucial components to overheat and fail. This damage is usually very expensive, leading to the replacement of the entire air conditioner system.

AC Refrigerant Leaks? Here’s Why You Need a Pro

What causes a loss of refrigerant pressure? A weakness in the network of tubes that house and transport gas will occasionally result in a minute pinhole, but just enough for the gas to leak away. Since the gas is always under pressure, even a very small hole will release all of the refrigerant gas. Leaks often develop in the weakest portion of the system:

  • Joints between portions of tubing
  • The two major coils, where tubes are bent at 900 angles repeatedly

AC Refrigerant Leaks can also occur whenever the system’s tubing is damaged by contact or movement.

AC Refrigerant Leaks can be very difficult to locate and correct.

  • The leaks are usually very tiny holes, leaking minute amounts of gas. Gas will continue to leak even when the air conditioner is not running, since the gas remains under pressure at all times.
  • When the gas has completely leaked away, it is nearly impossible to locate the source of the leak. Often, additional refrigerant will need to be added to find the leak, knowing the gas will be leaking away.
  • The entire system will need to be checked, both indoor and outdoor components. Some of these components are difficult to reach.

Once the leak has been found and sealed, the whole system will be vacuumed completely to remove the air, various gases, and any other substance that made its way into the tube network. The vacuum will remain in place for a given time as a final pressure check; if a leak remains, the vacuum will be broken, allowing air into the system. The whole process will need to be repeated until all of the leaks have been sealed.

Refrigerants are not environmentally friendly, so it is important to find leaks and fix them quickly. Since they pose a threat to the ozone, the US Environmental Protection Agency is continuously seeking better, more friendly refrigerant gases. Over the last few decades, the EPA has changed the acceptable formulas for residential air conditioning systems.

  • Certain gases have been discontinued and have not been manufactured for several years. The gas for these systems is very scarce, may not be available, and the available gas for these systems is extremely expensive.
  • Certain gases have been discontinued and are no longer being manufactured, but a supply remains available. Refrigerant for these systems may be available, and the gas will be expensive.
  • All refrigerant gases are expensive and should not be allowed to escape into the environment if possible.

If your air conditioner is performing poorly, do not delay. Call us for service to test the refrigerant level. It could save your system from failure, save you money in repairs, and help preserve the environment.

Why an All Cool AC & Heating Professional is a Must for an AC Refrigerant Leak

Addressing an AC refrigerant leak quickly is crucial to prevent expensive damage to your system and protect the environment. Because these leaks are difficult to locate and fix, a professional All Cool AC & Heating technician is required to properly seal the leak and recharge the refrigerant. Don’t delay—call for service to save your system from failure and avoid costly repairs.

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Furnace Maintenance Checklist for this Winter

Furnace Maintenance

Furnace Maintenance Tips to Avoid Heater Problems

HVAC professionals always recommend furnace and air conditioner maintenance programs and, since we say it so often, it might sound like background noise to your life. Each day, a massive amount of information clamors for the attention of American homeowners. However, technicians perform a variety of furnace maintenance tasks that are vital to keeping your furnace running strong all year long and for years to come. Furnace Maintenance tasks may include:

Changing the Air Filter

This simple chore is essential since the furnace requires the movement of air: the entire volume of air should move through your furnace about every 2 minutes of a heating cycle. A clogged filter can leave you feeling a little chilly on cold days. It also creates stress on your entire heating system.

Check the Ductwork

Only a portion of the network of ducts will be visible after construction is completed. However, observation of the visible portion can tell us:

  • How clean or dirty the ducts are. This is mostly an air quality issue.
  • Potential leaks in the portion that is visible. Repairing any leak that can be observed will improve efficiency and comfort.

Clean the Blower Fan

The amount of dust that collects on moving parts is crazy—how often does the ceiling fan need to be cleaned? The blower motor is a cylindrical fan that is responsible for moving air during heating and cooling cycles. Dust reduces the efficiency of the fan and reduces the amount of air movement.

Check Electronics Thoroughly

  • A series of sensors measure your indoor environment and send messages to the furnace system. The most noticeable sensor is in the thermostat; it measures air temperature and sends a signal calling for a heating cycle as needed. The thermostat needs to be tested and calibrated as needed. Other sensors are located throughout the system, sensing flame or the presence of smoke or carbon monoxide. These essential sensors need to be cleaned and tested regularly.
  • Beyond the sensors, a complex network of electrical switches and controllers manage the energy needed to keep occupants warm and comfortable. When one of these components weakens, it creates a cascade of stress on other system components. Simple voltage tests can detect stress or weakness, ensuring a small problem does not develop into a large problem.
  • Another set of safety controllers prevents damage or injury should a problem create an overload or short-circuit.

Gas System Furnace Maintenance

  • It is extremely important to regularly inspect your gas supply line and connections to prevent damage, injury, and death.
  • The gas pressure needs to be checked at the manifold to ensure adequate flow to the burner.
  • The most delicate part of a gas-powered system is the ignition/pilot light assembly. A pilot light should burn blue, with a hint of yellow at the base. This indicates complete combustion.
  • A flame sensor can accumulate soot and dust, interfering with burner ignition.
  • Rust and soot can develop on the pilot light and burner assembly and need to be cleaned away for good performance.
  • The heat exchanger and flue pipe need to be cleaned and inspected for damage regularly. Rust can weaken the walls of these structures, allowing carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide to leak into the home.

General Observations

Furnace Maintenance inspections will also test furnace function by measuring temperature changes during a heating cycle; these measurements will be taken from various spaces to ensure proper the system is heating efficiently.

Leave Furnace Maintenance and Repair to the Experts!

Schedule your furnace maintenance consultation by calling All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified furnace maintenance and heater repair technicians put their experience to work for you.

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3 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Improve Efficiency

3 HVAC Maintenance Tips to Improve Efficiency

3 HVAC Maintenance Tips for Homeowners

Air conditioning is such a comfort during the long, hot summertime. All winter long, we look forward to summer fun in the sun. However, since the heat and humidity are so relentless, we seek relief whenever we go inside. Air conditioning has become so essential to our summer. It would be nice to find ways to enhance the air conditioning experience. Here are a few suggestions to enhance your HVAC Maintenance experience.

1 Keep the Heat Outside and the Cool Inside

This seems like a no-brainer, but to do it well it takes intentional actions.

  • The quality of insulation will become very evident during times of extreme temperatures—both hot and cold temperatures. Getting into the attic to add insulation during triple-digit or single-digit temperatures is not a wise decision. However, preparing for extreme temps while the temps are mild is a wise decision.
  • Windows transfer a tremendous amount of energy in the form of heat into the home. Sunlight is not the problem; it is the accompanying infrared energy that creates the heat. Floor and furniture surfaces are heated and retain the heat. Additionally, heat passes through glass readily, heating the inside air. Keep blinds and drapes closed during the midday period, opening them in the mornings and evenings to enjoy the natural light.

2 Keep the Thermostat Steady

It is tempting to use the thermostat inside like the fan switch on our car’s air conditioner, turning it up when you enter and down when the temperature drops. That might work in the small confines of a car, but it doesn’t work for a home air conditioner.

  • When the thermostat is set at 740 and the temperature rises to 750, the thermostat instructs the air conditioner to begin cooling the air. The cooling cycle may last for 5 to 10 minutes if it is functioning normally. Dropping the thermostat to 640 will also instruct the air conditioner to begin cooling the air. It will also take 5 to 10 minutes or so—not a minute less. Dropping the thermostat setting does not cool the space faster, but it does put tremendous stress on the air conditioner.
  • A better approach is to schedule the temperature setting, including any changes you might desire, and let the air conditioner do its job. If your family has a steady summertime schedule—leaving and returning at regular intervals—temperature changes can be programmed to coincide with the schedule. Program temperatures change and do not alter the schedule.

3 Schedule Filter Changes and HVAC Maintenance

Homeowners can enhance their air conditioner system by keeping it clean. Change the air filter regularly to keep indoor air clean and ensure a free flow of air. Scheduling annual preventative maintenance increases the performance of air conditioners and uncovers small problems before they become big problems.

We Specialize in HVAC Maintenance to Reduce Your Utility Bills

Schedule your free HVAC Maintenance consultation by calling AllCool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292 or contact us via email and let our NATE-certified HVAC Maintenance technicians put their experience to work for you.

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4 Furnace Maintenance for Homeowners

Furnace Maintenance

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.

 

 

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Energy Efficient Heating Tips for Winter

Energy Efficient Heating

Energy Efficient Heating Tips for Homeowners

When the utility bill arrives, there is often a quick twinge of panic and a desire to find Energy Efficient Heating methods to result in energy lower costs. Oh, and if we could find some Energy Efficient Heating hacks that cost absolutely nothing, that would be even better! Well, hang on, because we have a few real Energy Efficient Heating tips. You might not be able to use them all, but see how many will help.

Energy Efficient Heating: Solar Energy Hacks. The sun delivers 10,000 times more energy to the earth than the amount of energy that people use. If you stand in front of a window on a cold, sunny day and you will appreciate passive solar gain. Capturing a portion of the sun’s energy inside your home will save you money.

  • Winter sun is low in the sky during the winter and high in the sky in the summer. A low sun pours more sunlight into your home on winter days.
  • The sun allowed inside warms the flooring, the furniture, and the walls. This energy radiates into the air in your home, raising the temperature by as much as 150 on a sunny day.
  • Windows are the key to solar gain. New double-paned windows trap heat in the space between glass panes and that costs nothing. Open the drapes and blinds during the day on South-facing windows between 9 am and 3 pm on sunny days. Close the drapes and blinds after the sun sets to reduce the amount of heat escaping into the cold, dark night.

Energy Efficient Heating: Fan Hacks. To maximize solar gain, move the free solar heat with ceiling fans. The wintertime setting for ceiling fans turns the fan in a clockwise rotation; this pulls air up and pushes the warm air toward the outside of the room, and potentially into other areas of the house. Set the fan at the lowest speed and move this air around. Also, use kitchen and bathroom exhaust fans sparingly. The air being pulled outside is warm, air—the kind of air you are trying to keep indoors.

Energy Efficient Heating: Thermostat Hacks. The thermostat is a switch that turns the heat on or off based on a pre-determined temperature setting. All but the oldest thermostats are programmable; that is, you can program the switch to change the temperature on a timed schedule. How does that help?

  • Be slow to switch the heat (or AC) on at the season change. Develop a little tolerance for a cooler temperature setting. Set the temperature at the lowest comfortable setting for your family.
  • The EPA has demonstrated that if you lower your thermostat setting by 7 to 10 degrees for a minimum of 8 hours, you will save 10% on your heating bill.1  That does not cost a thing and you enter the scheduled changes only one time.
  • There are two ideal times to program a reduction in temperature for 8 hours: overnight, while everyone is sleeping, and during the day, while the whole family is away from home. Try a few different schedules to see which works for your family.

Energy Efficient Heating: Appliance Hacks. Some of your household appliances create significant heat for cleaning and cooking. Wash dishes and clothes later in the day to fully appreciate the heat they generate. Exhaust the hot, moist air produced by showers during the summer, but retain it in the winter as much as possible. Cook and bake to your heart’s content on cold days; exhaust only the most disagreeable cooking odors.

Energy Efficient Heating: Maintenance Hacks. Make sure to follow your manufacturer’s user guides concerning regularly scheduled preventative maintenance visits; annual maintenance is usually the guideline. Be sure to change your air filter regularly, at least every three months. These steps keep your HVAC system functioning efficiently and this saves you money.

Have questions about Energy Efficient Heating? We can help!

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

Energy Efficient Heating

1 https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/programmable-thermostats#:~:text=Thermostat%20Operation&text=You%20can%20easily%20save%20energy,asleep%20or%20away%20from%20home