The Hidden Costs of Neglecting HVAC Maintenance

Your HVAC system is one of the hardest-working appliances in your home, but it’s also one of the easiest to ignore—until something goes wrong. Skipping regular maintenance might seem harmless, but over time, small issues can turn into expensive repairs. When your filters are packed with dust, your coils are covered in grime, and parts start wearing out, your system doesn’t just struggle—it slowly loses its efficiency. Next thing you know, your AC quits on the hottest day of the year, or your heat gives out just when you need it most. That’s why at in San Antonio, TX, we stress the importance of routine HVAC care to keep your system running smoothly and efficiently. Small Issues Lead to Big Repairs Your HVAC system is a workhorse, running almost daily to keep your home comfortable. But like any machine, wear and tear add up over time. A dirty air filter might not seem like a big deal, but when air can’t flow properly, your system has to work harder. That extra strain can lead to overheating or even cause components to burn out faster than they should. A worn-out belt might seem minor, but if left unchecked, it could trigger...

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The Importance of Testing for Carbon Monoxide Leaks During the Winter

Although you’ve almost certainly heard how dangerous carbon monoxide can be, you might not know that there is an increased risk of carbon monoxide poisoning during the winter. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is produced when carbon-containing fuels such as gasoline, natural gas, wood, or charcoal burn incompletely due to a lack of oxygen. It’s often emitted by things like combustion engines and incinerators, but it can also be produced by a faulty HVAC system. It is fatal in large doses, and since it’s both colorless and odorless, it is often known as the “silent killer.” Having carbon monoxide detectors in your home will help protect you and your family from carbon monoxide poisoning, but you should also have your home regularly tested for carbon monoxide leaks by an AC and furnace service professional. Here are a couple of reasons why this should be done during the winter or before the winter. Relying More on Your Furnace and Other Appliances It gets cold during the winter even in San Antonio, and it stands to reason that you’re more likely to rely on your furnace to keep warm in your home. This is all well and good if...

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How to Reduce Heating Costs During San Antonio’s Mild Winters

Winters in San Antonio, TX, can often be mild when compared with other snowier parts of the country. For those cold snaps where temperatures drop, residents of Alamo City rely on heating systems that keep their homes comfortable. However, rising energy costs can make it challenging to maintain that warmth without overspending. Fortunately, with a few strategic moves, you can reduce your heating bills while keeping your home cozy. Let’s explore 8 practical tips to help you save money this winter without sacrificing comfort. 1. Automatically Adjust Your Temperature If you don’t already have one, consider investing in a programmable or smart thermostat. These modern devices eliminate the need for manual adjustments, consistently maintaining your desired temperature and allowing for easy scheduling. The Department of Energy estimates that most households can save over 10% on heating costs annually by programming their thermostats. It recommends lowering your temperature by 7-10 degrees for at least eight hours a day. Ideal times to turn down your thermostat include overnight while your family sleeps and during the day when everyone is at work or school. If your system is zoned, take full advantage of this feature. Zoned HVAC systems let you set independent temperatures...

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Furnace Pressure Switches Explained: Learn the Basics

The furnace pressure switch ensures your heating system runs safely and effectively. Without it, harmful gases like carbon monoxide could linger instead of being expelled properly. If you’ve ever wondered what keeps your furnace in check or what might be causing it to shut down unexpectedly, the pressure switch is often at the heart of it. What Is a Furnace Pressure Switch? A furnace pressure switch is a small but critical component in modern heating systems. Its principal function is to serve as a safety device. The pressure switch, located near the draft inducer motor, checks the airflow through the system to ensure the furnace’s opening system is working properly. If the pressure switch detects inadequate airflow or an obstruction, it shuts off the system to avoid dangerous operation. This mechanism is fundamental because your furnace relies on proper venting to remove harmful gases like carbon monoxide. Without a functioning pressure switch, these gases could linger in your home, creating a serious safety hazard. The pressure switch is also important for the safety of your family and the life of your heating system because it keeps the furnace’s parts from getting damaged by poor airflow. How Does a Furnace Pressure...

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Why You Need a Professional for Heat Pump Installation

Upgrading your home’s heating system to a heat pump is a great choice for energy efficiency and environmental reasons. Heat pumps provide heating and cooling, making them a great choice for year-round comfort. When choosing a new heat pump system, hiring a professional HVAC technician is imperative to ensure your new system is installed safely, reliably, and efficiently. What Is a Heat Pump? Heat pumps provide both heating and cooling using natural resources to curb energy consumption. During the winter months, your heat pump pulls cold air out of your home, replacing it with heat drawn from the ground and created during the system’s operation. In the summer, the heat pump pulls hot air out of the house and replaces it with cold air drawn from the ground, which is created using refrigerant. Heat pump systems consist of an outdoor unit that connects to the indoor fan unit. Specialized Knowledge and Skills Our trained technicians know all about heat pumps, how they work, and how to install them best. This knowledge ensures that your new pump fits your home comfort needs and is precisely placed, securely connected, and safe for home heating and cooling. Without this advanced knowledge, you could...

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Top 8 Advantages of Hiring a NATE-Certified HVAC Technician

NATE stands for North American Technical Excellence. It’s a nonprofit trade organization that sets standards for the HVAC industry. That includes technicians who specialize in residential and commercial heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration. The organization also educates, trains, coaches, and certifies technicians. Statistics show that technicians with NATE certification remain in the industry longer and are more likely to be successful in their careers. 1. Certification of an HVAC Company Achieving and maintaining NATE certification is neither simple nor inexpensive. Despite that, most HVAC contractors prefer NATE-certified technicians. Many contractors are even willing to help new hires achieve certification as a part of their onboarding. The investment is well worth it. It gives customers peace of mind. NATE certification results in lower turnover and technician-related losses. It can facilitate achieving and maintaining other certifications. Certification can also make it easier to get more robust coverage and insurance premium discounts. 2. Many Manufacturers Require NATE Certification Manufacturers don’t have direct control over who installs and services their systems. They do often exert some control by incentivizing you to choose certain technicians. One way they do this is through tiered warranties. If you purchase a Trane system, for instance, you won’t...

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What You Can Expect During Professional Duct Cleaning

The National Air Duct Cleaners Association (NADCA) recommends regular duct cleaning. The typical home requires the service every several years, but it varies. Factors include how big the residence is and how many people and pets live there. Many HVAC experts recommend an annual inspection through which you can decide if you need the service at that time. Let’s explore what you should expect during that inspection and, potentially, the duct cleaning. Preparing Your Home On the day of the service, check all the vents in your home. If you have any heavy furniture blocking access to those vents, you should move that furniture before the duct cleaners arrive. Turn the System Off The HVAC system must be off for a technician to inspect and clean it. If it’s currently on, we’ll need to turn it off and wait for it to finish the cycle before proceeding. This is why we often recommend scheduling an inspection in early spring or fall alongside an HVAC tune-up. You won’t be running your HVAC system at that point, so it isn’t an issue. Camera Inspection HVAC technicians used a device called a borescope for duct inspections. These devices have either a hand-held or...

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5 Signs Your AC Evaporator Needs Cleaning

Your air conditioning system is a complex series of components that work together to successfully cool your home. One of the most important components within your AC is the evaporator. An evaporator consists of coils that work to turn the hot air from the outdoors into the cold air that blows into your home. While we could get into the technical process of how this process works, unless you’re a fellow HVAC enthusiast, you’re probably not interested. You likely only care about whether or not your system’s evaporator is functioning properly, not its intricacies. If your AC is malfunctioning, here’s how you can tell that it’s probably an issue with the evaporator specifically. 1. Your AC Isn’t Blowing Cold Air If the air blowing from your AC system feels more lukewarm than it does cold, it’s probably an issue with the evaporator. Specifically, it likely means that your AC is covered with dust or debris. The coils within your evaporator need to be able to convert hot air into cold. When the coils become obstructed, they can’t complete the process efficiently. While it might be tempting to attempt to clean them yourself, these coils can be sensitive, so this task...

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Why Dehumidifiers Are Necessary for Your Texas Home

The humidity levels in Texas are challenging, especially during the summers. Moisture management is vital not only for comfort but also to keep your home and the people living in it healthy. Whole-house dehumidifiers are important appliances used to control problems caused by increased humidity levels. This appliance prevents mold development, allergens, and moisture that may harm wooden furnishings and your home. Prevent Mold Growth A whole-home dehumidifier is a great way to maintain a healthy home environment in Texas. The humidity in this state offers an environment for mold and mildew to grow. Having a dehumidifier helps lower moisture content so that mold and mildew are not as prevalent in the walls, roof, and other areas of your home. A dehumidifier helps you maintain optimal humidity levels, which ensures that there is very little risk of mold growing in your home. Reduce Allergens High humidity levels encourage allergies because of increased mold spores and dust mites. A dehumidifier helps mitigate these allergens by maintaining the recommended level of humidity for your home. A whole-home dehumidifier works to reduce dust mites as well as mold spores by reducing moisture content in the air. This can help provide peace of mind...

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How to Choose the Right Compressor for Your Air Conditioning Unit

Whether your current air compressor has been damaged or is just getting old, it may be time to replace it. Like most of the components in your AC system, there are a handful of options you can select from, which include everything from a rotary compressor to a reciprocating one. Let’s look at how to choose the best compressor for your system. What Is an Air Conditioner Compressor? Your air conditioner runs on a simple but effective process that allows heat to be sent away from your home while cool air is brought in. When refrigerant is moved out of the evaporator coil, it becomes a low-pressure gas. However, it needs to be at a higher pressure to release the heat and keep your home cool. The compressor in your system ensures the refrigerant molecules are packed together, increasing the pressure and temperature of the solution. This pump transfers the heat through the air conditioner and into the condenser. Types of Air Conditioner Compressors There are four types of compressors you can select for your cooling system. Each of these has unique characteristics. Rotary Compressor Rotary models can compress refrigerant without making a lot of noise. If you want your...

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