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What are the top HVAC Hurricane Prep steps I need to do to be ready for hurricane season?

HVAC Hurricane Prep

HVAC Hurricane Prep: How to Protect Your System from Texas Storms

It is hurricane and severe weather season in South Texas. Things are better now than they used to be, since the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration does a good job at predicting hurricanes days in advance, giving residents plenty of time to prepare. Good preparedness plans are also available from a number of area agencies. But what are the necessary HVAC Hurricane Prep steps homeowners should take to protect their system if a storm approaches?

Storm-Proofing Your Comfort: The Art of HVAC Hurricane Prep

You will need to care for your air conditioner during hurricane season. When a hurricane approaches the area, you only have two things to worry about concerning your air conditioner: whether it will make landfall near you or not. If it doesn’t make landfall near you, you’ve got nothing to worry about. If it makes landfall near you, you’ve got three things to worry about: high winds, heavy rainfall, and lightning strikes.

High Winds

If you have a hurricane with high winds, you have two things to worry about

Will the outdoor condenser be damaged by falling or flying objects? As a precaution, make sure to cut limbs or trees near the condenser (or the house, for that matter) that might crush the condenser. It is made primarily of aluminum, so it will not survive a falling limb, much less a tree. Investigate custom covers for your condenser unit to protect it from flying debris. Or consider fabricating a cover from plywood and securing it around the condenser. Make sure not to run the air conditioner with a cover on, since this will cause catastrophic damage to the compressor motor.

Will the outdoor condenser blow away during the storm? Home improvement stores will have strap kits to ensure the condenser does not blow away. The strap is connected securely to the concrete pad, connecting the condenser to the ground.

The condenser unit is very vulnerable during a storm with high winds, so do your best to protect it from flying away and from other flying objects.

Heavy Rain

If you have a hurricane with heavy rain, you have two things to worry about.

Are you in a low-lying area?

Is your home subject to localized flooding?

If either of these situations describes your home, you are aware of the problems presented by torrential rainfall. The most common HVAC Hurricane Prep solution for your air conditioner is to elevate the condenser unit. Now, the air handler cabinet will also be vulnerable if your home is flooded, but that entails far more preparedness measures to protect your entire home. Elevating the condenser can protect it from anticipated flooding events. Condensers can be raised on earthen platforms or attached to the wall of a home. Local building codes can help you determine the best solution for your setting.

Lightning Strikes

If you have a hurricane with significant lightning strikes, you have two HVAC Hurricane Prep issues to worry about.

Lightning strikes can harm home wiring systems and appliances. Lightning does not have to hit your home to cause damage: it can hit the power grid and travel through the electrical service to your home. The entire system and the home electrical service panel have safeguards to prevent major damage, but with electricity, damage happens very quickly. Possible solutions include a whole-house surge protector or tripping the master breaker as the storm arrives.

Lightning strikes and high winds can cause a power outage that lasts minutes, hours, or weeks. A possible solution is a whole-house backup generator to ensure the home wiring system is protected and keep the air conditioner running while the power grid is down for repairs.

Don’t Wait for the Clouds to Gather to Start HVAC Hurricane Prep—Secure Your Comfort Today

When hurricane season arrives in South Texas, the safety of your home and family is your top priority, but your cooling system shouldn’t be an afterthought. Leaving your outdoor unit exposed to high winds, torrential rain, and electrical surges can lead to catastrophic damage and expensive replacements. Proactive HVAC Hurricane Prep is the most effective way to ensure your air conditioner survives the storm and continues to provide comfort when you need it most. From securing condenser straps and clearing hazardous debris to installing critical surge protection, every preventative step you take now saves you from the sweltering heat of a post-storm power restoration.

At AllCool AC, we specialize in fortifying your system against the unique challenges of our coastal climate. Our experienced technicians can evaluate your unit’s elevation, secure loose components, and perform a comprehensive safety check to give you total peace of mind. Don’t leave your investment to chance or wait until a tropical system is on your doorstep. Take action today and contact All Cool AC & Heating at 281-238-9292  to schedule your professional HVAC Hurricane Prep maintenance appointment. Let us help you weather the storm with confidence and keep your home’s climate control running strong.

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Can My AC Maintenance Help With My Spring Allergies?

AC Maintenance

Breathe Easier This Spring: How Regular AC Maintenance Stops Seasonal Allergies

With the arrival of Spring, we can count on warm weather, increasing humidity, and periods with high pollen in the air. For some, pollen is an annoyance—a yellow coating on vehicles and decks. For others, pollen brings itchy eyes, runny noses, congestion, sneezing, and breathing difficulties.

  • Spring allergy contributors include trees, grass, and, during wet weather, mold
  • Fall allergens are ragweed, leaf, and soil mold
  • Most allergens are present year-round, but grow readily when indoor moisture content is high, including mold and mildew spores, and dust mites

Pollen Preparation: Whole House

There are several things that an allergy sufferer can do to lessen the number of allergens within a home.

  • Monitor the pollen count. Local weather channels (and websites) monitor local pollen counts. If you know your allergen(s), being aware of outdoor conditions can help prepare for the impact on indoor spaces.
  • Remove shoes upon entering the home. People walk across a pollen-covered driveway and collect pollen along the way. Taking shoes off at the door prevents the spread of pollen throughout the house.
  • Practice good housekeeping. Dusting, mopping, and vacuuming contaminants off home surfaces removes them permanently.
  • Keep doors and windows closed. Use the air conditioner to remain healthy and comfortable.

Pollen Preparation: Home Systems

The air conditioner is part of a larger building system. The system is responsible for keeping the air at a comfortable temperature, but it also cleans the air, removes humidity, and moves the air around to keep it fresh. The normal operation of the air conditioner will serve a home’s occupants well, but there are equipment and supplies that enhance the removal of household allergens.

  • Air Filters. The heating and cooling system has an air filter, located near the base of the air handler cabinet. Air conditioner engineers have rated filters as to the efficiency of removing airborne particles. Consult your air conditioner manual to determine the proper filter rating for your air conditioner. The more efficient the filter is, the more particles are removed. If a family member suffers from allergies, purchase the most efficient filter suitable for your system.
  • Clean the Ductwork. Ducts allow air to flow throughout the home, but dust tends to collect inside both the supply and return ducts.
  • Remove Humidity. Mold, mildew, and dust mites require moisture to bloom and multiply. Cooling cycles remove moisture from the air and let it drain away. The air conditioner should go through a 15-to-20-minute cycle 2 or 3 times per hour to keep the relative humidity between 30 and 50%, which is ideal. If the air conditioner does not remove sufficient humidity, consider purchasing a dehumidifier to remove more moisture.
  • Consider Adding Ultraviolet Light. Ultraviolet light disrupts cell walls. (We commonly experience this when we are sunburned.) Putting concentrated ultraviolet light inside the ductwork will neutralize (kill) pollen, mold, mildew, mites, bacteria, and virus cells, removing their allergen qualities. The inert organisms are more readily collected by the air filter.
  • Consider A Whole-house Air Purifier. If allergies and asthma are severe in a family member, research the proper size air purifier for your home. An air purifier can remove particles as small as .3 microns and gaseous contaminants, such as smoke or fumes.

Make sure to keep your air conditioner well-maintained. Preventative AC maintenance includes keeping key components clean and working properly. AC maintenance ensures that the entire system functions properly and keeps your home clean and allergen-free.

Fight Pollen with Proactive AC Maintenance from All Cool AC & Heating

Protecting your family from seasonal allergies starts with a system that is primed to filter out irritants and control excess humidity. Scheduling regular AC maintenance is the most effective way to ensure your unit is actually cleaning the air rather than just circulating dust and pollen. Our expert technicians will inspect your filters, clean your coils, and verify that your system is running at peak efficiency to keep your home a safe haven. Don’t wait for the sneezing to start—call All Cool AC & Heating today at 281-238-9292 to book your professional AC maintenance and breathe easier all season long. Taking this proactive step now will significantly improve your indoor air quality and provide lasting comfort for everyone in your household.

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How AC Maintenance and Quick Fixes Save You Cash

Schedule Your AC Maintenance

The Budget-Friendly Guide to AC Maintenance and Home Cooling

The seasons change so quickly. A few weeks ago, we were complaining about the cold, and now we are preparing for the long cooling season of Spring and Summer. Here are six easy things to do to prepare and save money on your cooling season energy bills.

  1. Make Sure Your AC is Serviced. You’ve heard the phrase, “a well-oiled machine.” Routine AC maintenance ensures that the complex system and hardworking components are cleaned, tested, and ready for everything the heat and humidity are about to throw your way. The condenser unit will be cleaned, the refrigerant will be gauged, the electronics tested, and the thermostat evaluated to make certain the whole system works properly.
  2. Keep the Cool Inside and the Heat Outside. To separate the outside temperature from the inside temperature, builders installed a thermal barrier in every portion of the building’s envelope. These thermal barriers are given a rating, called R-Value. It is a measure of the resistance of heat transfer through a substance, in this case, walls, attics, windows, and doors. Improving insulation in a finished wall is difficult, except during renovation or remodeling. However, attics can often be observed. The insulation in attics should be ten to twelve inches deep, with an R-Value of 30 to 38. Increasing insulation in the attic will reduce the amount of heat that escapes through the ceiling.
  3. Window Care. In comparison to walls and ceilings, windows offer very little resistance to heat transfer. Single-pane windows have an R-Value of 1 or less, while well-insulated windows may have an R-Value of 2-5. Anything done to reduce heat transfer through windows will have an immediate effect on the comfort of the home and the efficiency of the air conditioning system. Consider good drapes or blinds to block sunlight (a source of solar gain), and close them strategically, from 10 am to 7 pm (longer during extreme heat).
  4. Use Appliances Well. Recognize which appliances create a great deal of heat (dishwashers, stoves/ovens, washing machines and dryers, and water heaters) and use them during off-peak hours. Electricity costs more during the heat of the day, so energy savings can be realized by waiting for evening or early morning hours. Reducing the thermostat of the water heater is possible. The heat produced by these appliances is best reserved for evening hours, rather than contributing to the daytime heat. Of course, these changes must be intentionally added to the family’s schedule.
  5. Reverse the Ceiling Fan Direction. Use ceiling fans during the summertime. Moving the air does not change the temperature of the air, but moving air does feel cooler on the skin, so use this to your advantage. Direction also makes a difference. A counterclockwise rotation pulls cool air up to the ceiling and pushes it out to the far reaches of the room, and a clockwise rotation pushes warm air from the ceiling down to the entire room. A black button at the base of the fan will change direction. This small change makes a difference in the comfort of the home, not the temperature.
  6. Program the Thermostat. Most modern thermostats are either programmable or have Smart technology. This means that temperature changes can be scheduled regularly and automatically. A good practice is to raise the temperature (reduce energy costs) overnight, while everyone is asleep, and during the day, while family members are out of the house (schedules vary with each family). A temperature change of 10 degrees for 8 hours can reduce the cost of air conditioning by ten percent.

Don’t Wait for the Heatwave to Schedule Your AC Maintenance

Ensure your home stays a cool sanctuary all summer long by scheduling your professional AC maintenance today. The All Cool AC & Heating expert technicians will clean, test, and tune your system to prevent costly breakdowns and maximize your energy savings. Call us now to book your AC maintenance appointment and enjoy total peace of mind before the temperature rises!

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AC Filters: How to Decide Which is Best for My Home

AC Maintenance in Richmond for Texas Homes

The Ultimate Guide to Filters: Essential AC Maintenance in Richmond for Your Home

The South Texas climate makes us all appreciate air conditioning. While people survived here before AC, survival was tougher, and life was much different. Windows allowed ventilation, but they also opened the home to mosquitoes and other hazardous pests. Screens on windows limited the number of pests that got in, but it was still hot, humid, and muggy. People were always looking for ways to stay cool and dry in the summer heat.

When AC came along, people could close the windows and doors and keep the cool, dry air inside and the hot, humid air outside. However, air conditioning did not solve all the problems alone. Engineers quickly fit AC will air filters. Here is why:

  • Air must move or it becomes stale and unhealthy.
  • The closed windows and doors trap contaminants inside, contaminants like dust, pollen, mold spores, etc. Some contaminants enter the home each time a window or door is opened. Some contaminants are created by occupants (both humans and animals). Some contaminants will grow inside in the right environment.
  • The overall concentration of contaminants will grow without filtering them out of the air.

How Choosing the Right Filter Simplifies Your AC Maintenance in Richmond

Not all filters are the same.

  • Some filters are made of paper or cloth fibers. Some are made of synthetic fiber materials.
  • Some filters are made to be replaced, and some are made to be cleaned frequently.
  • Some filters carry an electrostatic charge and act like a magnet for the tiny particles in the air.

Filters are classified further by the size of the gaps between the fibers. Filters are rated by the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV), based on the percentage of particles of a certain size captured by the filter.

  • If the gaps are too large, the percentage of particles that pass through is greater and is inefficient at cleaning the air.
  • If the gaps are too small, the airflow is restricted and creates stress on the air conditioner.

Which size, rating, and type filter is right for your system?

  • The filter size is determined by the opening in the air handler cabinet. It is usually found at the base of the cabinet, at the juncture where the return air vent enters the cabinet. The size of the filter is stamped on the side: replace the filter with a filter of the same size.
  • Look for a MERV rating on the package of the new filter. Residential heating and air conditioning systems can use filters with a MERV rating of 8-13: the higher the number, the better the efficiency rating. Filters rated above this can restrict airflow in normal systems. MERV 17 to 20 ratings are called High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters and are used in health care and laboratory settings. Systems that use HEPA filters have especially strong blower motors to overcome the small gaps in the filter.
  • The type of filter is usually determined by the equipment already installed. An electrostatic filter will have specialty equipment to power the filter.

Why Filter Checks are Vital for AC Maintenance in Richmond

How often do air filters need to be changed (or cleaned)?

Even normally efficient air filters are very effective at removing airborne particles. Therefore, air filters need to be cleaned or replaced quarterly. The collection of dust and dander will cover the surface, get thicker by the day, and prevent adequate airflow from passing the filter. This means:

  • Cooling efficiency will be severely reduced
  • The air conditioning components are forced to work much harder, which can cause damage.

If you have any questions about the right filter for your air conditioning, call All Cool today.

Stay Cool and Clean with All Cool AC and Heating: High-Efficiency AC Maintenance in Richmond for Texas Homes

Don’t let a clogged filter compromise your home’s comfort or lead to expensive repairs during the peak of the Texas heat. Regular filter changes are just the first step in a comprehensive plan for AC Maintenance in Richmond, ensuring your entire system runs at peak efficiency. Contact the experts at All Cool AC & Heating today to schedule your professional AC Maintenance appointment and keep your air clean and cool all year long.

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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.