Summers in Texas can be brutally hot, increasing homeowners’ energy costs. Fortunately, there are some steps you can take to reduce your energy consumption and lower your utility bills. 1. Check for Air Leaks Whether it’s caulking around windows, weather-stripping doors, or using a foam sealant to insulate around your foundation, you can reduce the amount of air leaking into and out of your home. These efforts will help keep heat out and cool air inside, reducing how hard your cooling system needs to work to keep you comfortable and reduce utility costs. 2. Install a Programmable Thermostat Installing a programmable thermostat is a practical way to reduce your energy consumption. You can program it to automatically adjust the temperature higher when you and your family are outside of your home. Having a professional upgrade your thermostat will reduce how much your cooling system runs, saving you money on energy bills. 3. Ensure Regular Maintenance of Your AC Unit Air conditioners can become inefficient for various reasons, including clogged filters, dirty coils, and low refrigerant levels. Experts advise that you should have your air conditioner tuned up before each summer. Having an HVAC professional service your cooling system will help...
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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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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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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...
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Your HVAC system requires care and maintenance to continue operating well each season. During the month of September, it’s the perfect time to improve the efficiency and operation of the system to avoid potential issues. There are a few important maintenance steps to take in September to keep it running. 1. Lubricate the Moving Parts You’ll need to lubricate the parts of the HVAC system to reduce friction and ensure that it operates smoothly. Lubrication will prevent excess wear from occurring, which can increase the lifespan of the appliance and allow it to operate more efficiently. 2. Clean or Replace the Air Filter The air filter is responsible for trapping all dirt or dust that collects over time while the appliance is in use. Many people forget to replace it, which can affect the airflow and also increase your energy usage. The parts will also work harder than necessary as the HVAC system attempts to cool the home, which can affect its longevity. 3. Check the Thermostat Settings Programmable thermostats need to have their settings adjusted and updated during the fall season after a season of keeping the home cool. You can hire a company like Trade-mark Air Conditioning to...
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