Air conditioners are great to have in Texas since our summers can be pretty brutal. We would all prefer it if our air conditioners could work efficiently. One factor that affects their efficiency is your home’s layout. So, how does ceiling height affect their cooling abilities? More Cubic Feet A high ceiling is usually seen as desirable since it can make a home feel more spacious. However, it does increase the amount of air you’ll have to cool, and it necessitates the need for a larger air conditioner. Typically, people use a basic formula that tells them what size of air conditioner would be ideal for a certain amount of square footage. If you have a high ceiling, you’ll also need to take your ceiling height into account. If you don’t, your air conditioner will have to work harder than it’s been designed to, and it may break down prematurely. Hot Air Rises Those of us with two-story homes know all too well how hot air rises. In a room with high clearance, hot air can get trapped in the ceiling. To keep hot air from accumulating up there, consider using a ceiling fan. The fan will keep the air...
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Ducts form part of your HVAC system and help you enjoy a warming or cooling breeze in every room. When they are not working as they should, you should consider replacing them. At Trade-Mark Air Conditioning, we advise our clients in Ingram, TX to consider duct replacement after several years or when moving into an old house. From our years of working on HVAC systems, our technicians have found the following benefits to replacing old ducts. Improved Air Quality Old ducts usually allow dust particles into the system, thus making the air quality worsen. Even if we seal any tears, some dirt may still remain in the air passage, and the air will not be as clean as it should be. However, when we perform replacements, you get new ducts with no existing dirt, and you can rest assured that you will breathe fresh air free of dust and allergens. Lower Bills Torn ducts usually allow in external air that reduces the impact of your air conditioning or heating. Therefore, the system uses more energy than usual to give you enough heat or cooling in your home. This increased usage automatically leads to higher utility bills. We advocate installing new...
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Your energy bill in summer can be quite a shock. Often, it’s because your air conditioner is working overtime to keep your home cool and comfortable. You might be looking for ways to reduce your energy consumption and save money. 1. Check for Leaks and Gaps Leaks and gaps in the ductwork, around windows and doors, or in the insulation can cause your AC unit to work harder than necessary. They allow cool air to escape, which means your unit has to run longer to maintain the desired temperature. To check for leaks, hold a piece of tissue near suspected areas. If the tissue flutters, you have a leak. Once you’ve located the leaks, seal them with caulk or weatherstripping. 2. Replace or Clean the Filters Dirty filters can restrict airflow, which makes your unit work harder and less efficiently. Check the filters monthly, and clean or replace them as needed. If you have a reusable filter, rinse it with warm water, and let it dry completely before putting it back in place. If you have a disposable filter, replace it with a new one of the same type and size. Never operate your AC unit without a filter in...
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Once you’ve reported that your air conditioning isn’t working, the landlord is given what’s considered to be a reasonable time to fix it. In general, a reasonable time would be within seven days or more. A reasonable time is defined differently in different states. In California, for example, it could go as high as 30 days. For the state of Texas, it’s generally considered seven days. Your landlord has an obligation to restore your AC to an operational level. It’s important to note that the tenant has an obligation as well. When the air conditioning in your apartment begins to show signs of malfunctioning, be sure to let your landlord know immediately. There are steps they can take to repair the unit before it completely breaks down. Regular maintenance helps to identify small problems before they become larger ones. Recommendations for Maintanance Below are three recommendations to help ensure that your AC runs smoothly all summer long throughout Ingram and the surrounding areas. 1. Keep Up With Annual Tune-up Services The annual tune-up includes a thorough inspection to check the temperature fluctuations, refrigerant pressure, blower motor capacitator, and more. Our highly trained HVAC technicians also inspect and clean the condenser...
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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....
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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....
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