Few things feel as good as walking into a cool air-conditioned home during the hot summer months in Ingram, TX. However, that pleasant feeling can be quickly offset by a large energy bill or, worse yet, a repair bill because the air conditioner was running too long. How Long Should You Run Your Air Conditioner? First, it’s good to distinguish between when your air conditioner is actively running and when it is just on. Your air conditioner can be set to keep your home at 70° all day. However, if the temperature inside your home never breaks 68 degrees Fahrenheit, your air conditioner will spend very little time being active. Conversely, if the thermostat is set to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but your air conditioner cannot lower the temperature below 75 degrees Fahrenheit, it will overstress itself, running endlessly. As a general rule of thumb, your air conditioner should only run actively for between 15 and 20 minutes at a time. If your air conditioner is running for between 15 and 20 minutes, but you do not feel a change in your home’s temperature, this could indicate that the air conditioning unit needs an AC repair or is not the right...
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The wrong size AC can lead to higher energy bills, inadequate cooling and even system damage. Understanding how AC sizing works along with other factors will help you purchase the best AC unit for your home. 1. Consider the Size of Your Home The square footage of a house impacts how well an AC system works. To properly cool a home, you need an air conditioner with enough BTUs (British Thermal Units) to cover the square footage. Generally, the larger the area, the more BTUs you will need. Consult an HVAC professional to help you figure out how many BTUs you need to cool your space. 2. Consider the Climate When considering the climate where you live, it is important to take note of the various environmental factors that affect cooling efficiency. Temperature, humidity, and air circulation all play a role in determining how well an AC unit will perform. In addition to these factors, you should also consider the type of insulation you have along with the size and placement of windows. These elements can impact how efficient your AC will be at cooling your home. 3. Consider the Type of Unit There are different types of AC systems...
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Coils are one of the most essential components of an HVAC system. They provide critical functions, such as cooling and heating, transferring heat energy from one place to another, and controlling air pressure. As such, it is important to keep your coils clean to ensure the best performance from your system. Here are some of the reasons why coil cleaning is so important. Improved Air Quality Dirty coils can restrict air flow, leading to poor indoor air quality and increased dirt and dust particles in the air. All this debris in the air can cause allergies, asthma, and other respiratory illnesses. Clean coils allow for proper air filtration, improving indoor air quality and reducing the risk of respiratory illnesses. Increased Efficiency Dirty coils are less efficient at transferring heat, meaning they require more energy to function properly. This translates into increased energy costs and decreased efficiency of the entire system. Clean coils allow for better heat transfer, improving system efficiency and reducing energy costs. Better Performance Dirty coils can cause a decrease in the performance of the HVAC system, including slower heating and cooling cycles, increased noise levels, and reduced air pressure. Clean coils can help to increase system performance,...
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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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