How Do I Check My Home for Air Leaks?

Home air leaks are a major cause of reduced home energy efficiency, higher utility bills, and increased wear and tear on your HVAC system. In the San Antonio area, air leaks can be especially devastating because all of that hot, dry daytime air can seep into your home. This means more expensive bills and less comfortable for you and your family. Despite the many problems they cause, air leaks often go undetected for decades. Your home may have air leaks that you don’t even know about. Luckily, is here to share a few simple ways you can find air leaks in your home. 1. Candle Method Did you know that some leaks can be detected with just a candle? With this test, you’re looking for telltale signs of leaks, such as the flame flickering or blowing out or smoke getting blown into the room. Before you begin, be sure to turn off your home’s heating and cooling system to ensure accurate results. To do the test, simply light a candle and (carefully) pass it near the seams of windows and external doors. 2. Depressurization Method You can use this test to find leaks smaller than what a candle could detect....

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Benefits of Product Warranties

Purchasing a heating and cooling system should give you peace of mind. A reliable operating unit will keep your interior comfortable and relatively safe. However, even the best systems from the top manufacturers can run into mechanical problems. Sometimes, the unit comes with an unexpected defect. When troubles arise, the benefits of product warranties become apparent. Here are some warranty benefits you shouldn’t overlook. Units Become Less Costly The cost of repairs adds to the expense of owning the unit. With a product warranty, coverage extends to the costs of specified repairs. Now, not every repair falls under a warranty’s coverage. If you damage the system due to negligence, you have to pay for repairs. A faulty part, however, will likely fall under the coverage umbrella. Be sure you know the duration of the warranty. Two years of parts and 10 years of labor are frequent deals. Regardless of the warranty, be sure you buy the right system for your home. At , we offer a wide range of heating and cooling systems known for their efficiency and reliability. Repair Requests Are Efficient Manufacturers only work with specific repair pros to handle warranty service requests. Certified warranty technicians are often...

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Should I Turn My AC Off When I Go on Vacation?

Whether to turn off or leave on an air conditioner while on vacation is a common question. Which choice is the smartest in terms of saving energy? Look at Several Factors Like many things in life, there’s no simple answer. It depends on several factors, including exterior temperature and humidity. The Climate What you should do certainly depends on your climate. Here at in San Antonio, we understand that it gets extremely hot, and we’re always here to help people with their AC units. If you’re going to be away for a hot stretch with temperatures near the century mark, you should probably leave your AC on while you’re away. If the weather is mild, go ahead and turn it off. The reasoning behind this is that, in some cases, your system would have to work too hard to cool down your house upon your return. It would have to run around the clock for possibly several days to get things back to normal. This constant running isn’t ideal for your components, even if they’re well maintained. If you keep the AC on, your house will stay at a pleasant temperature and nothing will get overloaded. Humidity is very important...

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The Biggest 5 Causes of Air Conditioning Airflow Problems

Air conditioning airflow issues can eventually lead to your compressor failing. That’s why it’s so important to have these problems examined by a reliable AC repair technician as soon as you notice warm and cool spots in various rooms. If your house is not getting cool enough or you experience air pressure issues, there are additional signs that you have an airflow problem with your AC unit. 1. Blower Fans Not Working Blower fans move the air through your ducts and keep the airflow consistent. If they are blocked by any objects or bogged down with dirt or dust, they can move much slower than they are designed to, which means the air will not move as quickly. 2. Condenser Unit Not Clear The condenser unit should always be free from debris and dirt. Try to remember to visually inspect it often so that it is not covered by leaves, branches or other objects in your yard. 3. Air Filters Not Replaced Always replace your air filters as often as the maker of your AC unit recommends. This is an inexpensive and relatively easy way to make sure that the air is always flowing through your home. 4. Ducts Not...

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Is AC the Same as HVAC?

Whenever you are looking for a contractor to help you with your heating or cooling system, there are a few terms you should understand. There is a common misconception about two of these terms: HVAC and AC. Are these terms referring to different kinds of companies or specializations, or are they interchangeable terms? Interchangeable Acronyms The terms are used interchangeably, but they both stand for different things. AC stands for air conditioning, while HVAC stands for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. Since air conditioning just means regulating the temperature of the air, whether it be heating or cooling, the terms can be used to mean the same thing. AC Contractor Services Whether a company advertises as an HVAC contractor or an AC contractor, it will generally offer the same services. The most common include AC system installation, maintenance, and repair, as well as heating and indoor air quality. Heating Whether you are installing a new heating system or you just need repairs on an old one, an HVAC contractor may be necessary. In addition, regular maintenance of your system can help to keep it working more efficiently and make it last longer. Ventilation Proper ventilation is necessary to keep your...

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How to Control Static Electricity in a Home

Static electricity is a buildup of an electrical charge on an object such as a doorknob. When you touch that knob, an imbalance is created. The electrons jump from the object to your hand and deliver the unpleasant sensation we commonly refer to as static shock. On an occasional basis, this static is a nuisance, but frequent instances can affect the quality of your home life. Controlling Humidity Levels When the air in your home is dry, the buildup of static in a fixed location has nowhere to go. Air is dryer during winter, which is why static is more common during the colder months. The best solution to this is a humidifier. While a portable humidifier is viable, recommends whole-home humidifiers. These units distribute moisture throughout the home rather than just to specific zones. They also help improve indoor air quality and make your heating system run more efficiently. Careful Use of Houseplants offers many heating and cooling services throughout San Antonio and beyond. But not all solutions for static electricity have to be technology-based. Houseplants are mother nature’s humidifier. However, be careful not to overuse them or over-water them, which can lead to mold. Anti-Static Treatments Friction can...

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The Top Benefits of Product Warranties

A warranty can guarantee that a manufacturer will repair its product if it malfunctions within a stipulated time period. The duration depends on the product. Common warranties offered to buyers include coverage of 12 months, two years, and even the lifetime of the product. Even with the quality tests that manufacturers make on their products, there is still a chance that a mishap may happen. This is when a warranty comes in handy. At of San Antonio, we believe that warranties for HVAC systems have numerous benefits. Build Customer Trust in the Product Warranties give customers a sense of quality assurance that a product will work within a given timeframe. For instance, a system with a two-year warranty shows that the manufacturer is confident enough in their product to guarantee it for that length of time. This generates consumer trust. However, a product without a warranty doesn’t have that guarantee, so if a repair is needed, the consumer will be entirely responsible for the cost. Minimal Repair Costs Since HVAC warranties require that the manufacturer covers some, if not all, the cost of the repairs, there won’t be any need for you to spend hundreds of dollars when a repair...

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5 Questions to Choose the Right HVAC Contractor

You know you need to get your HVAC serviced, but how do you choose the right person for the job? Whether you’re scheduling an annual tune-up or in need of a repair, finding the right professional can be a challenge. If you don’t know how to pick the best company from the bunch, consider these five questions. Asking each one of these questions as you research your options will make it easier to figure out a company’s qualifications, services, and expertise. 1. Are They Licensed? The last thing you want is to hire an HVAC company that doesn’t have a license to operate. There are many small businesses that may do good work, but they do not have the official documentation required by the state. You can look up HVAC contractor license requirements in your state online, then compare the qualifications to potential professionals on their site or through a phone call. Additional certifications can help you be confident that the technicians working on your HVAC are qualified and up to date on industry knowledge. At , we employ skilled professionals who have both NATE and NCI certification. 2. Are They Insured? HVAC insurance protects both your home and the...

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Importance of Indoor Air Quality

When it starts to get cold outside, it’s time to keep the windows and doors of your home closed. At in San Antonio, TX, we understand that poor ventilation can cause air quality issues in your building. That’s why we’re ready to provide solutions. Having a clean furnace is important, so we offer comprehensive installation, repair, and maintenance services to ensure the air that comes out of your ducts is clean. We can also clean out your duct system and remove dirt and debris. As part of our commitment to our customers, we can offer advice on different options for air filters and purifiers. Steps Individuals Can Take There are many different ways that you could improve the air quality in your building during the cold winter months. Our professional services could reduce the particulates that you breathe so that you can have peace of mind. Our high level of experience allows us to personalize all of the services we offer. One of our professional technicians could: Install humidifiers or dehumidifiers Add additional air filters Seal leaks Install UV lights Adding living plants to your building could also help clean the air that you’re breathing. If you’ve discovered mold in...

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The Basics of Identifying Air Leaks in Your Home

The best way to beef up your home’s energy efficiency is to conduct a thorough check for air leaks. While it’s virtually impossible to cut off all sources of airflow between the outdoors and your home, you should try to seal off as many air leaks as possible. Here are three ways to identify air leaks in your home. 1. Look to Exterior Doors Without Weatherstrips or Tight Fits Your exterior doors will always allow air to come in from the outdoors. However, one good way to reduce the amount of air leakage around doors is to install weatherstrips and get better-fitting doors. 2. Hold a Lighter to Windows Windows are one of the most common sources of air leaks in homes around the San Antonio, Texas, area. A surefire way to identify air leaks in your home’s windows is to hold a lighter, match, or another flame to the seals around the edges of your windows. To get accurate readings, make sure all fans are off, as well as your home’s HVAC system. Next, simply hold the flame to the places where the window frames meet the walls. Carry the flame all the way around the frame for each...

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