Has your home’s air conditioner been struggling to do its job? AC units falter and fail for a variety of reasons, most of which require professional intervention. If you’re located anywhere in the vicinity of Ingram, our team at Trade-Mark Air Conditioning can assist you. Let’s consider a few of the most common cooling problems our customers encounter. Thermostat Troubles If your AC isn’t cooling properly, the thermostat is the first thing to check. It’s at the root of many air conditioning problems. First, ensure that its settings are correct. It should be turned to “Cool” and set a few degrees below the home’s current temperature. Improper Installation When an air conditioning unit is new but it isn’t working as expected, installation practices may be to blame. Consider asking us to inspect the system to determine what the problem may be. We can also rework units that are poorly installed, which will bring long-term savings. A Dirty Condenser In most homes, condensers are placed outside for the best performance. However, this exposure allows them to accumulate debris that could affect the unit’s functionality. Clear away any grass, weeds, and other debris, and then clean the condenser with soap and water....
View Article
Even if it’s not the solstice, any summer day when your air conditioner stops working seems like the longest of the year. When it comes to AC units, there are a number of problems that are mentioned over and over again by homeowners. Those are problems you’d rather avoid, so become more familiar with the issues that could affect your AC unit once the summer heats up. Dirty Filter A filter is designed to allow the free flow of air through your air conditioner by preventing dust and debris from entering. Over time, it collects layers of dirt and dust that can reduce its efficiency. A dirty filter is one of the most common problems and one of the easiest to fix. Simply replace the filter every three months. Do it more often during periods of extreme use. Low Refrigerant Level The refrigerant is a fluid that maintains the refrigeration cycle of an AC unit. Low refrigerant is a common occurrence that causes the temperature and pressure levels to be too low for normal functioning. Running Without Cooling It’s common for people to hear the AC running but not feel it. In some homes, it takes 10 minutes or longer...
View Article
An air conditioner can eventually experience issues over time due to various reasons. Knowing how to reset your air conditioning unit is important in taking care of problems. Resetting your AC unit can sometimes help you prevent a small issue from turning into a much bigger problem. Keeping a few simple things in mind during this process will allow you to easily reset your air conditioning system. Here are a few tips to remember to help you reset your AC. 1. Turn Off Air Conditioner You will need to locate the shut-off button to turn off your air conditioner. Reading the owner’s manual is a good idea if you can’t find the shut-off switch on your own. Turning off the thermostat is also important before you attempt to reset your air conditioner. 2. Find Circuit Breaker Once you turn off the air conditioner, the next step is to locate the circuit breaker. Most circuit breakers are located in crawl spaces, basements, or a closet. You will need to find the breaker for your AC as it’s a good idea to label this for future use. Once it’s turned off, it’s important to wait around a minute before you turn it...
View Article
Air conditioning is essential to your well-being and comfort in Ingram, TX. The last thing you want to deal with in the middle of the sizzling hot summer season is a broken air conditioner. A common issue is a frozen up AC unit. Here are three possible causes of why air conditioners freeze up and some tips on what you can do to prevent this from happening. 1. Dirty Air Filter Air filters trap dust and debris in your home’s air. When the filters get clogged, they hinder airflow across the evaporator coil. The refrigerant in the evaporator coil isn’t able to absorb heat from your house’s air, so it keeps getting colder. Moisture from the warm air condenses and freezes onto the coil, resulting in ice buildup. Be sure to check and replace the air filter every month. 2. Debris Buildup on Evaporator Coil Dust and debris can build up on the evaporator coil even if you do change the filter once a month. Filters only trap large particles, and layers of small particles will accumulate on the coil over time. The best way to prevent a dirty evaporator coil is to schedule an annual AC maintenance visit each...
View Article
The summers are hot in Ingram, and you depend on your cooling system to keep you comfortable. When you lower the setting on your thermostat, you quickly feel the cool air blowing through your home. It has not always been so easy. Your air conditioning unit is the result of a series of inventions and years of progress. Mist and Evaporation People have long understood the cooling feel of water evaporation. Even on a warm, sunny day, sitting outside after a swim can make you shiver. Some of the first attempts at modern air conditioning were founded on this principle. In the 1850s, an inventor named John Gorrie developed a machine to provide a cooler atmosphere in hospital rooms. His first attempt required transporting ice from northern states to Florida. It was a messy and expensive endeavor. However, in 1851, he invented a machine that used compressed air to make ice and mist. His cold air machine was powered by horse or wind. Unfortunately, Gorrie lost his financial backing, and his machine was never fully developed. The First Electric Air Conditioner Gorrie was limited by the power sources of his time. By the early 1900s, more American cities had access...
View Article
When it comes to heating systems for your Ingram home, there are many options, and the experts at Trade-Mark Air Conditioning can help! Geothermal heating is an alternative to traditional electric and natural gas furnaces that are more environmentally-friendly and energy-efficient. What Is Geothermal Heating? Geothermal heating is a technology that uses the natural heat of the Earth to provide warm air in your home during the winter. The ground on your property maintains a consistent temperature, even during the winter, so this is a reliable heat source. How a Geothermal Heating System Works Geothermal heating systems include a unit that is mounted outside your home and a series of tubes that are installed at a specific depth underground. The system does not require any changes to the foundation of your home. Instead, we place the tubes close to your home in your yard. A liquid runs through the tubes and is heated by the surrounding soil. The liquid is then used to warm air to heat your home. Energy Efficiency of a Geothermal Heating System Geothermal heating does require a higher upfront investment compared to most natural gas and electric furnaces, but you see a return on the investment...
View Article
Poor indoor air quality in your Ingram, TX, home doesn’t require a costly or chemical-based solution. There are many ways to naturally improve the quality of your house’s air. Use these three tips from our experienced technicians at Trade-Mark Air Conditioning and start breathing easier. 1. Control the Sources of Air Pollution The most effective way to naturally improve the quality of your home’s air is to control what comes into your residence. Choose used items that have already off-gassed their volatile organic compounds and paints, adhesives, and solvents that are free of volatile organic compounds. Store pesticides, paints, and other items in a detached garage or shed. 2. Increase Ventilation It’s also important to increase ventilation in your house. Use exhaust fans when cooking and cleaning. Consider a whole-house fan. These fans remove the hot, stale, and particle-filled air in your home’s attic or upper level. They use an intake vent to bring in fresh outdoor air. This air gets filtered before it enters your living space. 3. Use a Better Air Filter or an Air Purifier Find out what minimum efficiency reported value (MERV) rating your HVAC filter has. If it’s less than 12, replace it with a...
View Article
Although the subject of plants improving indoor air quality is somewhat controversial, many people still seek out plants to help purify the air in their homes. Most of our time is spent in the home, so it is important to ensure that our indoor air quality is the best it can be. Here are a few ways homeowners and renters can improve their indoor air quality with plants: English Ivy Houseplant The English Ivy houseplant is an aesthetically pleasing plant that can bring lots of positive energy to a home. The elegance and simplicity in the English Ivy make it a great decorative item as well. Having this plant in your home can help keep harmful chemicals to a minimum. Along with that, it can grow in various shapes and will survive for many years with proper care and attention. Chinese Evergreen Otherwise known as the aglaonema modestum, this plant is great for those that fancy low-maintenance plants and easy care. The Chinese Evergreen can thrive and grow even in low light. While it can be handy for air purification, it has been known to be toxic to pets. Dragon Tree This plant is full of life even in less-than-perfect...
View Article
The combustion process in your Ingram, TX, home’s furnace creates heat, but it also generates toxic byproducts. One of those waste products is carbon monoxide gas. This gas is a poison, and it can affect your health and safety. Carbon Monoxide Is a Sneaky Poison Carbon monoxide gas has no color, odor, or taste. A properly functioning gas-powered appliance ventilates the waste gases to the outdoors. A malfunctioning furnace could cause the poisonous carbon monoxide to mix with the air in your home. The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning mimic many common illnesses, such as the flu. Without a carbon monoxide detector, you might not realize you’re being poisoned. Immediate Health Impacts of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning The short-term health impacts of carbon monoxide poisoning include nausea, fatigue, body aches, and dizziness. If the level of carbon monoxide in your home increases, you could become confused, develop blurry vision, or experience vomiting. If you’re exposed to a high level of carbon monoxide, you could lose consciousness. Death can occur within minutes of a high level of exposure. Long-Term Complications of Carbon Monoxide Exposure Chronic exposure to a low level of carbon monoxide can have lasting health impacts. You may develop nerve...
View Article
Heat pump systems are made up of many parts and can generate a range of concerning noises to the layman’s ear. From whooshing and clicking to numerous types of bangs and dings, these systems can become quite the symphony of sounds. Follow along as we cover the basics of heat pump noises you may have experienced. Outdoor Unit Noises When your heat pump first comes on, it may make some light clicking noises around the outside unit. These are normal startup sounds unless they become increasingly louder or more frequent. Noises coming from the outside unit that could be described as loud pops, hissing, squealing, or buzzing can be signs of motor, compressor, or solenoid issues and should be professionally investigated right away. Duct Noises Another component of your heat pump system that may generate noises is the duct system. Creaking or popping noises that seem to emanate from inside or around the system’s ductwork can mean the ductwork isn’t properly supported. Whistling noises here can mean there’s an obstruction in the ductwork, or there are leaks that can be putting additional strain on the heat pump. Any such duct noises warrant some concern and should be professionally investigated further....
View Article
