Signs You May Have a Dying Air Conditioner Compressor

May 9th, 2022

compressor-in-ac-unitThe compressor is the heart of your central air conditioning system. Almost literally, since it does a similar job to the heart in a body: it pumps a vital substance through a circulatory system that allows for an exchange. In the case of the compressor, it exchanges heat, moving heat from inside a home to outside it to cool down the interior.

Not only does the compressor perform an essential function for your air conditioner, it also consumes the most power to run. Most of the electricity you use to power the AC goes to the compressor’s motor. When the compressor fails, you’ll face two problems: an air conditioner that can’t cool; and a repair that may be too expensive to justify, leading to having to replace the entire system.

This is why watching for signs of a dying AC compressor is helpful: you may avoid an early replacement and be able to have an air conditioning repair in Katy, TX that will keep your cooling system working for several more years.

Continue Reading

Understanding Heat Pump Efficiency Ratings If You Want to Replace Your AC With One

April 25th, 2022

Spring is the prime season to get a new AC installation in Katy, TX if your current AC looks to be coming to the end of the line. You don’t want to get caught with a failing air conditioner when the first major heat waves of summer arrive, so if you think you need a replacement, call our technicians as soon as you can and schedule an appointment. We’ll help determine if your AC is ready to go, and if it is, we’ll get a new one installed for you far in advance of the summer.

But maybe this is the year you decide you want to replace both your AC and heater and put in a heat pump. A heat pump is similar to an air conditioner, but it does the job of both heating and cooling. We often recommend heat pumps to our customers, and we’ll gladly assist you with making the choice. 

One important difference between ACs and heat pumps is their efficiency ratings. You’ll notice that they have three efficiency ratings, whereas air conditioners have two. We’ll talk about what these heat pump efficiency ratings mean.

Continue Reading

How You Can Avoid AC Repairs During the Summer

April 11th, 2022

ac-unit-repair-with-technicianWe were thinking of titling this post “This One Weird Trick Can Help You Avoid the Majority of AC Repairs!” But that was a bit too “click-baity,” and what we’re going to tell you here isn’t a “trick” or even remotely “weird.” It’s an important basic service that many homeowners overlook or forget about, and that’s why numerous AC malfunctions occur that shouldn’t.

This not-weird non-trick is called annual air conditioning maintenance. Any worthwhile HVAC contractor will tell you that professional AC maintenance is required each year. The US Department of Energy agrees. This yearly service has so many benefits for air conditioners, and one of them is the prevention of repairs.

Continue Reading

When Should I Schedule a New AC Installation?

March 28th, 2022

old-air-conditionerAir conditioning system replacement doesn’t run on an exact schedule. The standard central air conditioner can last around 10 to 15 years. But depending on how much they work and how often they’re serviced, they can run for shorter or longer. So to answer the question in the title, we need to first look at why you might be asking this question. We can then give you an idea of whether you’re due for an AC replacement. The best way to get answers is to call our professionals to help you with your air conditioning in Houston, TX

Continue Reading

With Our Climate, Now Is a Great Time for AC Maintenance

March 14th, 2022

air-conditioning-manometer-pressure-refrigerantAir conditioners are used around the year in Katy, and we need to take special care of them because of all the wear they accumulate. This makes regular maintenance for air conditioning systems in homes more essential than ever—we can’t stress enough the importance of scheduling a maintenance tune-up and inspection each year with our technicians.

And when should you schedule your air conditioning maintenance in Katy, TX? It’s March, it’s almost the first day of spring, and our weather heats up fast once the warmer season starts. So the best time for maintenance is … let’s see … right now!

Continue Reading

Why You Should Still Take Care of Heating Repairs at the End of Winter

February 28th, 2022

dog-under-the-blanketWe’ve gone through some colder spells recently along with rain, but with the calendar turning over to March, we can see the end of the winter ahead. Winter is not usually rough for us here in Katy (with some major exceptions), and you’ll probably be ready to switch to a “summer weather” mentality by the end of March.

However, that doesn’t mean you should entirely forget about your home’s heating system even as you begin to use it less. If you notice problems with your heating system, we urge you to call for professional heating repair in Katy, TX as soon as you can. Please don’t delay with those repairs because the winter’s almost over and you don’t think you’ll need to worry about the heater. Here are the benefits of acting soon when it comes to getting your heater fixed, no matter the month:

Continue Reading

The Safeguards That Help Keep Your Furnace Running Safely

February 14th, 2022

inside-gas-furnaceGas furnaces are the heating systems most commonly found in homes. They’re powerful and energy efficient—and they’re also relatively safe to run. Homeowners are sometimes nervous about using natural gas because any gas appliance can potentially create hazards from combustion and the exhaust of toxic gases like carbon monoxide. A gas furnace can become hazardous if its routine maintenance is neglected or if it doesn’t receive prompt repairs as necessary. But if you take good care of your home’s gas furnace, you shouldn’t need to worry about it becoming dangerous.

The reason we can say this is because modern gas furnaces have special safety features designed into them. To help you understand how your own furnace keeps you and your family safe, we’re going to look at some of these safety components.

If you ever have concerns about the safe operation of your furnace, call us for furnace repair in Katy, TX. We’ll make sure you can enjoy your furnace in peace.

Continue Reading

Do Gas Furnaces Still Use Pilot Lights?

January 17th, 2022

gas-energy-flamesThe natural gas furnace has a long history of use. The first patent on the gas furnace was in 1919, and by the 1940s, gas furnaces started to become popular as central heating options, replacing coal-burning furnaces because of their power, improved safety, and convenience—no more need to take delivery of coal and shovel it into the furnace, the natural gas comes right to the home.

Furnace technology has continued to improve over decades since, and this is where we come to the question in the title: Are pilot lights still a thing? We’ll look into this question more below.

Continue Reading

Why Your Furnace’s Burners Won’t Stay Lit

January 3rd, 2022

natural-gas-furnaceWhen you need your home’s gas furnace working, the last thing you want to happen is to have it keep shutting down on you. Unfortunately, this is one of the more common furnace issues you may run into: burners that won’t stay lit. There may be a simple explanation for it, but in many cases you’ll need to call us for professional furnace repair in Houston, TX. Please do not attempt to make any repairs to a gas furnace on your own, as it’s potentially hazardous.

So why aren’t the furnace burners staying lit? Let’s examine some of the possibilities:

Continue Reading

Tips for Keeping Your Furnace Running Safely All Season

December 20th, 2021

furance-checked-by-technicianYou may not run your gas furnace as often during winter as people in colder climates, but you’ll still have the same need for a safely running furnace. The modern gas furnace has numerous features to help it run at high levels of safety, and we want to reassure any homeowner that the gas furnace in their home isn’t some disaster waiting to happen. 

But you do need to pay attention to a few steps to ensure the best and safest performance from your furnace for the season … and that’s what this post is all about.

Continue Reading