Get Your HVAC System Ready for Summer This Spring

Scheduling a spring maintenance appointment with your Houston area Katy air conditioning service professionals can ensure that your HVAC system is ready to go when warmer temperatures arrive. Spring is an ideal time to perform home maintenance tasks in preparation for summer fun ahead. Additionally, by scheduling your appointment off-peak for repair and replacement seasons, you can often receive faster service for your system. Here are four of the most important tasks to include in your spring AC system maintenance routine.

Trim Grass and Brush

Trimming away tall grass, weeds and brush from around your outside condenser unit can reduce the risk of overheating and failure for this equipment. Rinsing off the condenser with a garden hose can remove dust and debris that may have built up on the unit over the winter months. A little attention now can pay off in improved performance when the mercury starts to rise this summer.

Replace the Air Filter

Regular replacement of your air filter is essential to protect your indoor air quality and to prevent unexpected breakdowns this summer. Over time, air filters break down and release fibers into your HVAC system. By replacing these components as part of your maintenance routine, you can enjoy cleaner, healthier indoor air while reducing the risk of damage to your heating and cooling equipment. Your local Sugar Land air conditioning service professionals can often provide expert guidance on the right air filter for your cooling system.

Clean Your Registers

The vents and registers that deliver conditioned air to your home can accumulate a thick layer of dust in a relatively short time. Dusting and vacuuming these air vents can reduce the amount of dust and particulate matter in your home. If you notice an excessive buildup of dust, however, it may be time to schedule a comprehensive duct cleaning service to ensure the healthiest indoor air for your family. Dust and debris in your ductwork can also add to the workload of your HVAC system, causing it to break down more quickly. By keeping registers clear of debris and blockages caused by dust, furnishings and closed vents, you can help your air conditioner to work more efficiently and to provide optimal comfort this summer.

Inspect Your Thermostat

Your home thermostat represents the brains and control center for your entire HVAC system. Ensuring that this device is performing properly is critical to your indoor comfort this summer. If your home is still equipped with a manual thermostat, it may be time to consider an upgrade to a modern programmable model. Some of the key features of these advanced electronic devices include the following:

The ability to program temperature levels to correspond with your family’s needs an activities throughout the day and night
Control over temperature levels through a centralized interface or online from anywhere with a secure Internet connection
Lower overall costs for cooling your home

By programming your new thermostat to allow higher temperatures during daytime hours when no one is at home and to cool down your house when you are due back from work or school, you can potentially save a significant amount on your cooling bill this summer.

While these maintenance tasks can help you get a good head start on your preparations for summer, they cannot substitute for a professional check-up from the experts at All Cool A/C & Heating. As a leading Sugar Land and Katy air conditioning repair provider, we offer comprehensive maintenance, repair and replacement services to keep your family cool and comfortable during hot Texas summers. By scheduling your check-up and tune-up today, you can avoid the early summer rush and ensure that your system is up and running as soon as the temperatures start to rise. Give us a call at 281-238-9292 to schedule your spring maintenance visit today. We look forward to helping you stay comfortable this summer.

December 4, 2015February 17, 2020

Simple Ways to Diagnose Common HVAC Problems Before Calling for Repairs

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Texas residents depend on their central cooling and heating system to keep their homes at a comfortable temperature all year around. Unfortunately, there are many things that can go wrong with this system, and you may be left feeling unbearably hot or cold when the system fails to do its job right.

You may be able to diagnose some common HVAC problems on your own so that you will know if it is necessary to call for repair service. However, if you are unable to figure out what the problem is or need help to fix it, then you can count on a qualified Sugar Land HVAC repair company to get your system back up and running properly.

Troubleshooting: Common HVAC Problems Leaking Refrigerant

Used only by the air conditioning section of your HVAC unit, you will experience a reduction or a complete loss of cold air when your A/C suffers a refrigerant leak. Continuing to operate the system without the proper levels of refrigerant may cause the condenser to break down from simply trying to provide your home with cold air. This is not a problem that you can fix on your own, so it is time to call for Sugar Land air conditioning service when this occurs. HVAC technicians have the proper equipment to locate the leak, seal it and add refrigerant back up to the proper levels.

Dirty Filter

Something as simple as a dirty filter may keep both cool and warm air from circulating properly throughout your home. This is something that you can take care of yourself simply by checking on the condition of your filter once a month. Replace it as needed, and be sure to do a monthly cleaning if you use a permanent filter.

Tripped Breaker

If you notice a sudden shut off of your HVAC unit, then you might want to check your breaker box. It is fine to flip the breaker back on to see if it was just a one-time thing. However, if the breaker repeatedly trips, then you should definitely call for service. This can be a sign of a serious problem in your HVAC system that requires professional diagnosis.

Defective Thermostat

It is natural to think that something is seriously wrong with your HVAC unit when your home cannot sustain the temperature that you want, but this can sometimes be caused by a thermostat that has stopped working properly. If you are sure that is the problem, then you can replace your thermostat easily enough. However, if you are not sure, then it is best to request a service call.

Electrical Issues

If you notice that your system is constantly turning itself off and back on, then you should suspect a problem with its electrical components. It is important that a professional perform a careful inspection of all of the electrical contacts and connections. Failure to address this issue may result in the failure of your fan controls and compressor.

Drainage Issues

Your air conditioner depends on a clean, clear condensate drain to divert excess condensation away from your home. If this drain becomes clogged, then you can expect water leaks inside of your home that may cause extensive water damage to your floors and walls. You may be able to clear a clog if it is located at your outside drain, but bad clogs in the middle of the drain may require a service call.

Excellent Sugar Land HVAC Repair

Here at All Cool A/C and Heating, we have trained technicians available to take care of these and any other Sugar Land air conditioning repairs or heating repairs that may need to be addressed. You can contact us at 281-238-9292 to schedule an appointment, and 24-hour emergency service is available.

November 24, 2015February 17, 2020

Getting Your Furnace & Home Ready For The Winter

The dog days of summer have gone away and left the greater Houston area with much cooler temperatures. Although Katy, Sugar Land and the surrounding areas have seen fewer than 15 snowfalls since the late 1930s, it still gets cold enough in the winter to run the heating unit. Even though Houston and its suburbs average roughly 18 days each year with temperatures at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, no one wants to get stuck with a broken heater. If you don’t want to be caught in the cold, it’s time to get serious about Katy heating repair before the coming winter freezes you out of house and home.

5 Tips to Prepare Your Home for the Winter

Get your heating system inspected and serviced.
Your heating unit has been idle for months. Before running it this winter, have a Katy or Sugar Land heating repair professional check the entire system. A professional can identify problem areas that could lead to malfunctions during cold nights. In addition, a repair professional can inspect the ductwork and remove debris or fix any cracks where hot air could escape.
Adjust the ceiling fans.
During the winter, your ceiling fans should rotate in a clockwise direction to circulate warm air throughout your home. As the hot air rises, the fan blows it back down and keeps each room at a more comfortable temperature. In the summer, adjust the fans to spin in the opposite direction and to promote cooler airflow.
Check for adequate insulation.
Much of your home’s heat loss occurs through the attic. If you want to cut utility costs and keep your home warmer, make sure that you have good insulation in your attic has. If you see signs of moisture, heat or pest damage, have new insulation installed before turning on your HVAC system.
Inspect the chimney.
If you have a fireplace, inspect your chimney for air leaks. Wood and gas fireplaces have metal dampers that warp and corrode over time, creating gaps around the edges. As winter approaches, cooler air forces its way through the gaps and creates a draft in your home. You should also have a professional inspect the chimney for debris, leaks and nests before lighting a fire.
Cover the water heater.
Cooler outdoor and indoor temperatures affect your hot water heater and pipes. Wrap your hot water heater with an insulated blanket to keep the water much hotter in the winter. You can also wrap the pipes with specialized pipe insulation to help the water stay hot as it flows from the heater to the kitchen or bathroom.
Seal all cracks and crevices.
Your heating unit has to work much harder when you have hot air leaks in your home. Do an interior and exterior check for gaps, cracks and crevices around windows, doors, electrical outlets and other wall access points. Use a silicone or foam sealant to plug the holes and keep the warm air inside your home.
Use lighter colored drapes.
Doing something as simple as replacing your dark curtains with lightly colored fabrics makes a difference in heating in your home. Lighter fabrics allow more sunlight to pass through and provide natural warmth. Change your curtains in each room to let the sunshine in and to keep the cold air out.

Keeping Your Home Warm in the Winter

Having the Katy and Sugar Land HVAC repair professionals at All Cool A/C & Heating inspect your heating system is one way to get a jump on the cold season. By inspecting your attic insulation, sealing all leaks and doing general maintenance around the house, you can enjoy much warmer temperatures as winter invades the Houston metropolitan area. Call us at 281-238-9292 and we will get your ready for winter.

October 6, 2015February 17, 2020

Choosing the Best Air Filter for Your HVAC System

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Most people are aware that it is important to change the filter in their HVAC system regularly. If you are using a dirty filter, your system must work harder because the airflow is restricted by the collected dust. That could overheat the system, which can lead to the failure of key parts like the compressor, heat exchanger or fan motor. Katy air conditioning service experts confirm that selecting the best filter for your system is just as important as changing it according to the manufacturer’s recommendations.

Choosing the Best Filter

Choosing the optimal filter is important but not difficult. It depends on the Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value (MERV). If the MERV is too low for your system, the filter will not remove the majority of the pollutants in your air. If the MERV is too high, it will restrict the airflow.

Air filters for typical residential use are made from either spun fiberglass or pleated cotton-polyester. The fiberglass filters have a MERV rating of 2. Pleated filters have a MERV rating of 7 or 8. Filters with at least 18 pleats are best for a home.

The inexpensive blue fiberglass filters only capture the largest particles. They remove about 10 percent of contaminants. They are meant to protect your HVAC system but they will not clean the air substantially. If you use the cheapest type you can find, you will need to replace it so often that it makes more sense to buy a better filter that will last for a few months. You should change a 1-inch fiberglass filter once a month. A pleated filter can last three months or more. If your system uses a 3- to 5-inch filter, it could last as long as 12 months.

If you have pets or an allergy to dust, mold or pollen, you need a pleated filter. Because they have a greater surface area, pleated filters can trap smaller particles. They remove up to 45 percent of pollutants from your home. A Katy HVAC repair or Sugar Land air conditioning service such as All Out A/C & Heating can recommend the best filter for your system.

High-efficiency air filters with MERV ratings of 10 to 16 clean the air as they remove the pollutants. However, they should be used with caution. They are designed for special filter panels or air purifiers that are located beside the air handler, furnace or blower. As the air in your home is re-circulated through the filter, it becomes cleaner with every pass. High-efficiency air filters can remove up to 85 percent of indoor air pollutants. Your wallet will breathe a sigh of relief because your HVAC system will perform better if you use a high-efficiency air filter.

The very best filters are High Efficiency Particulate Air (HEPA) filters with a MERV rating of 17 to 20. They are frequently used in hospitals. Unfortunately, HEPA filters cannot be used as a standard furnace filter because a typical HVAC system is not strong enough to push the air through a HEPA filter. They are meant to be used in a standalone air purifier or a whole-house filtration system.

When you install a new filter, write the date on the frame. If it is very dirty after two months, you need to change it every month. If it is still clean after one month, you can probably wait six to eight weeks. If you are unsure, call All Cool A/C & Heating at 281-238-9292. We can answer all your questions, maintain your current system or install a new one. We are also available around the clock for emergency repairs.

September 15, 2015February 17, 2020

When Is It Time to Replace My HVAC System?

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Several factors come into play when it comes to determining if you should contact a Katy air conditioning service company to repair or replace your HVAC system. Obviously, the simplest way to tell is if you are sweltering during a Houston summer – or spring or fall – because it will not turn on. However, there are a number of less straightforward issues that you should look out for too.

Your Summer Electric Bills Keep Increasing

Unless Houston has been experiencing much hotter than usual summers lately, this may indicate that your cooling equipment is not as efficient at cooling your house as it used to be and that you should contact a Sugar Land air conditioning service professional. In fact, what you notice first is that your electric bill increases or surpasses by 50 percent even when using an efficient system.

Uneven Cooling of Your House

If some of your rooms tend to be cooler and more comfortable than others even though they are all directly connected with the cooling system, this likely indicates that you are having issues with your ducts or that the insulation in those rooms is not up to the standards that it should be.

There Is Too Much Dust

The rooms in your home being covered with more dust than used to be the case is likely the cause of leaky ducts as holes in the duct system can pull air from places that it should have no access to and then spread dust found there throughout the house. Of course, leaky ducts will also decrease the efficiency of your system and increase your cooling costs.

There is Too Much Noise

If your HVAC system is noisier than it used to be, this could be the result of something as simple as a loose screw or something more significant like a damaged blower motor or fan blades.

Your HVAC System Needs Frequent Repairs

If the number of times that you need to either call a professional or fix simpler issues yourself has increased in recent times, this may also indicate that your cooling system is just not that efficient anymore and that it may make more sense to replace it instead of continuing to get it fixed.

You Have Had Your Air Conditioning System for at Least 10 Years

Since HVAC systems tend to last about 12 years on average, once yours has passed the 10-year mark, it may be time to seriously consider getting it replaced. Even if it does not have any major issues now, it is likely that some will surface in the near future.

It Will Not Turn On

Now, if it actually will not turn on at all, first check that the issue is not simply related to a blown fuse or tripped circuit. Also make sure that your thermostat is set to a “cool” setting. Oftentimes, a fix for what appears to be a completely broken HVAC system is a simple one. However, this obviously could also indicate a much more serious issue such as the compressor being burnt out or the entire system needing to be replaced.

Your Home Energy Yardstick Score is Low

Using the Energy Star Home Energy Yardstick and discovering that your score is lower than five means you should get a more efficient system or your current one is damaged and you should contact Sugar Land air conditioning repair experts. This handy Energy Star tool also tells you other ways you can increase your score and decrease your bills.

When you do decide to replace your air conditioning system, consider getting one installed that has an Energy Star label as these units are highly efficient and can cut your cooling costs by about 20 percent. Of course, these electric bill savings also indicate that you are using a cooling system that is not putting out as many greenhouse gas emissions and is helping protect the environment.

Make sure that when you do get your air conditioning system looked at or replaced, contact the professionals at All Cool A/C & Heating. We are a locally owned company that has been serving homeowners in Katy, Sugar Land and nearby communities since 1989.

June 25, 2015May 7, 2021

How To Find A Reputable Sugar Land or Katy AC Repair Company

Eventually, everyone needs to call an AC repair company. If you are new to the area or were not happy with the service that you received before, you need to start looking for a new company. The first thing that most people do is search online or in the local phone book. Unfortunately, a tiny ad or an online listing does not tell you everything that you need to know. To find a quality Sugar Land or Katy AC repair company, follow these steps.

Ask your friends, relatives and co-workers if they know of a good local Sugar Land or Katy air conditioning service. Recommendations are the best endorsement that any business can have. Your friends might also warn you about a company that you do not want to hire.
Find out how long the company has been in business. If you hire a contractor who has been working in your area for several decades, there is a better chance that the company is reliable, performs work correctly and treats each customer courteously.
Verify the contractor’s license number through the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. You should never hire a contractor who is not licensed, bonded and insured. You can also check to see whether a contractor has had any previous violations.
Look for industry certifications and affiliations. Most established companies have partnerships with major HVAC brands, such as Ruud and Trane. Companies that are affiliated with select brands are also qualified to service equipment from other manufacturers. You can locate reputable air conditioning contractorsby visiting websites for North American Technician Excellence (NATE) or Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). NATE is a non-profit organization that offers certifications to highly trained HVAC technicians. These experts have demonstrated their knowledge in multiple areas and are re-certified every two years. Plus, studies have shown that NATE-certified technicians have 13 percent fewer callbacks.
Ask if the company offers 24-hour emergency service. Companies that offer 24-hour service are more likely to go out of their way to make sure that their customers are comfortable. If your air conditioner breaks down on the hottest day of summer or during the worst winter weather, you know that your contractor will fix the problem as soon as possible.
Make sure that you know what you are getting. Never accept an estimate before the contractor has assessed the problem. Most reputable companies offer free in-home estimates for a Katy or Sugar Land air conditioning repair or new installation. You should also request a written proposal that details the cost of parts and labor, what will be done and when the work will be completed. It is always a good idea to get estimates from several different companies, but make sure that you do not get lured in by low-ball offers. Before you commit to anything, be certain that the work is covered by some type of warranty.
If you need a new heat pump, furnace or air conditioner, it is imperative for the contractor to perform new load calculations using ACCA’s Manual J. Improperly sized units can fail prematurely and will not keep your home comfortable. Contractors should never select a replacement based on the size of your current unit.
To ensure that you hire the right contractor, select the company that offers the best service starting with your first interaction. Good service is a sign of a professional business that cares about its customers and the Houston Better Business Bureau websiteis a valuable tool to get this information.

For tune-ups and emergency repairs that fit your busy schedule, call All Cool AC & Heating today at 281-238-9292. We are licensed and insured, and we have been serving customers in Katy, Sugar Land and the greater Houston area since 1989.