Although most Americans take them for granted, air conditioners are modern-day miracle machines. It’s common for homeowners not to clean them very often. The following signs will tell you that your air conditioning system needs to be cleaned. Your Home Always Seems to Be Dusty Things break down over time. Despite how much you hate dust, it’s a normal part of life. The majority of dust comes from carpet and furniture fibers, dirt tracked in from outside, dead skin cells, pollen, food particles, and pet dander. No matter how well you clean, all homes will inevitably accumulate dust. If you clean often but still find dust, your air conditioning may be responsible for harboring and circulating the tiny particles that make up dust. Cleaning your AC unit and its ductwork could substantially reduce the prevalence of dust in your home. You’ve Found Mold or Mildew Indoors As mentioned above, decomposition is a necessary step in the circle of life. Mold and mildew are types of fungi that frequently plague homes. They reproduce by releasing spores, tiny particles that easily float through the air. If you’ve found either of these indoors, your air conditioning system probably sucked up mold spores. Mold...
View Article
Most people never even think about the air quality inside their homes until they begin to notice respiratory problems. While your home’s AC might not have a huge impact on your immune system, it is going to affect your lungs and your respiratory health as a whole. That is why it is so important for all homeowners to make sure that their HVAC systems aren’t bringing unwanted pollutants, contaminants, and toxins into their homes. Indoor Air Quality (IAQ) and Your Health The quality of air inside a home can have an impact on an individual’s immediate and long-term health. Depending on what types of contaminants are in the home, it could also affect their overall comfort. For many people, allergens are going to be the biggest issue that is impacting their air quality. When exposed to allergens, you might notice any number of side effects, ranging from itchy eyes to a runny nose. More severe contaminants and toxins can make their way inside a home as well, and that often leads to long-term problems. While those types of issues are relatively rare, you should still keep an eye out for any signs that you might have dangerous pollutants in your...
View Article
Using geothermal energy to heat and cool your home can be a great way to save money and reduce your carbon footprint. Read on to understand how geothermal works and what the benefits are. What Is Geothermal Heating and Cooling? Geothermal systems, also known as ground-source heat pumps, use loops of fluid buried underground to exchange heat with the surrounding earth. Temperatures underground stay fairly even throughout the year, so a geothermal system can cool your home in the summer and heat it in the winter. Trade-Mark Air Conditioning of Ingram, TX, installs and repairs geothermal energy systems. We’ve been in business for more than 35 years. What are the Benefits? Geothermal energy uses very little electricity to operate. It’s mainly the blower unit that consumes any electricity at all. Once you have one of these systems installed, you will see a dramatic decrease in your energy bills. Unlike other heating systems, they don’t use electricity or gas to heat or cool your home. Since they cause almost no carbon emissions, geothermal systems substantially reduce your carbon footprint. Geothermal systems also have a long lifespan. While the aboveground unit has a lifespan of about 15 years, the pipes underground can...
View Article
Your AC unit is one of the most prized possessions of your home. Nevertheless, you can take it one step further by installing an air filter. Let us take a close look at why your air conditioner needs an air filter. Healthier Air To start things off, an air filter simply leads to healthier air. Nobody enjoys breathing in air that is full of unknown, harmful particles, and there is nothing like inhaling a full breath of oxygen. An air filter will purify the air and clean it right before your eyes. If you have underlying health conditions, this clear air will keep you in the best shape of your life. Improve Efficiency Next, air filters improve the overall efficiency of the unit. When mold and mildew particles are forced to pass through the system, it reduces efficiency. Your air conditioner will be working harder only to pump out contaminated air. If you want to save on your energy bill and make your system run smoother, install a filter for the greater good. You will easily be able to kill two birds with one stone. Custom Filters Finally, custom air filters are often more effective than the default air filter....
View Article
Summer is fast approaching, and keeping your home comfortable is a top priority. Investing in a dehumidifier is a great way to stay cool and reduce the humidity levels in your home. You can choose from a variety of different brands, and an HVAC company can help you find the best humidifier for your home at an affordable price. Here are a few of the main advantages of using dehumidifiers during the summer months. 1. Eliminate Musty Odors One of the top benefits of using a dehumidifier is that it helps to reduce musty odors in your home. Reducing these unpleasant smells creates a much more relaxing environment for you and your family. A dehumidifier can also reduce mold problems, which is often the source of a musty odor. 2. Increase Energy Efficiency Investing in a dehumidifier is also a great way to improve the energy efficiency of your home. Dry air feels cooler, which helps to give your AC unit a break during the hot summer months in Texas. Over time, these savings can really add up and save you a significant amount of money. 3. Improve Your Health Too much moisture in the air can cause a variety...
View Article
Some people run their AC system while leaving their windows open to let in fresh air. This is a bad idea for a number of reasons. You Wear Down Your AC Unit Leaving your windows open results in your AC system needing to run continuously, dramatically shortening its lifespan. AC systems are installed with a load in mind related to the size of your home. When you leave windows open, you increase the load. Your AC system has to work much harder to maintain the temperature you set on the thermostat as cool air escapes out the open windows. Trade-Mark Air Conditioning installs air conditioning systems for Ingram, TX, homeowners and the surrounding areas. Our technicians make sure your air conditioning system is the right size for your home. Dust Enters Your Home When you leave a window open while running your AC system, dust comes into your home and then enters the return register. The dust clogs up your system’s air filter and can end up covering the evaporator coil. You’ll need to change air filters more often as otherwise, your system will have to work much harder to cool your home. A dust-covered evaporator coil results in a...
View Article
While other heating and cooling options are more efficient than ever, the most energy-efficient heating is offered through geothermal heat pumps. These systems transfer heat between your home and the ground outside. They don’t burn fossil fuels like natural gas or electricity. This article will help you decide if a geothermal heat pump is the right system for you. How Geothermal Heat Pumps Work The ground has a lot of heat in it that it collects from the sun. The heat stays at a fairly constant temperature throughout the year. There is refrigerant in heat pumps that condenses the heat in the ground and supplies it to your home. In hot months, the opposite happens as the system sends cool air into your home. There are closed-loop and open-loop systems. The most efficient system is the open-loop system as it has efficiency ratings over 45 EER. Closed-loop systems can exceed 35 EER. Trade-Mark of Ingram, KY, installs and services geothermal heat pumps. Our customers have significantly reduced their energy bills after a geothermal heat pump was installed on their property. Pros and Cons of Geothermal Heat Pumps Besides reducing energy bills and reliance on fossil fuels, a geothermal heat pump’s...
View Article
Mold can be a big problem for homeowners. Not only is it unsightly, but it can also create health and safety issues if it grows out of control. At Trade-Mark Air Conditioning, we have been striving for more than 35 years to keep our Ingram customers’ homes comfortable. That commitment includes our work with heating and cooling systems as well as indoor air quality. If you are concerned about mold growth in your house, there are things you can do as a homeowner. There are also several professional solutions that our technicians can help you with. Check for Leaks For mold to grow, it needs moisture. Any place where there is a constant water supply, you can find mold. In the right conditions, a leaky water pipe in your basement can turn into a mold emergency. Regularly check your ceilings and walls for water spots and your pipes and fixtures for signs of leaks. If you discover a problem, call a professional to handle it right away. Ventilate Mold grows best in your home’s humid places, like your bathroom. Make certain that all of your family members use ventilating fans when they shower. You’ll want them to run for an...
View Article
Many homes are heated and cooled through a central heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system (HVAC). Making sure your house is warm and comfortable is important during the holidays when the weather is cold and your friends and family members are visiting. Here are five smart HVAC tips for the holiday season. Hire a Pro to Inspect Your HVAC Ductwork A professional HVAC specialist can inspect your ductwork for leaks. If any are found, the expert can do a quick repair. He or she may also clean the system, thereby making sure heat will be able to flow unobstructed throughout your house. Remove Clutter from Around Your Furnace Some people use the area around their heating system as storage space. Once you start using your heating system again, you should clear the area around it. Otherwise, you may have a fire hazard on your hands — especially if there are any combustible items nearby. Replace Your Weather-Stripping If you feel a cold draft near any of your windows, it means that there are air leaks. You can eliminate these air leaks by caulking and replacing weather-stripping. This will prevent cold air from leaking in. A professional HVAC expert can also...
View Article
When you turn on the heater in your home, you should be able to expect warm air from the vents to flow through your house. If your system is blowing cold air instead, it could mean one of the following problems. Thermostat Issue The first thing you should check is the thermostat. The setting may have been inadvertently changed. This is a common scenario in homes with touch-screen thermostats. Someone merely bumping one could accidentally adjust the setting to a lower temperature or turn the fan on instead of the heat. Otherwise, the thermostat might actually be faulty. Clogged Filter A clogged or dirty filter will also have a significant impact on the temperature of the air coming through your heating system. Air must move through the system to bring heat into your rooms. A clogged filtration system can severely interfere with this process. Simply swapping out the clogged filter for a clean one might solve your problem. Dirty Flame Sensor The primary role of the flame sensor is to determine whether the burner is producing warmth to heat the air as it moves through the ducts. A dirty flame sensor will not register whether the burner is heating. In...
View Article
