Month: December 2019

What Does A Professional Houston AC Maintenance Involve?

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An Overview Of An AC Maintenance Services In Houston

Professional air conditioning maintenance is performed by qualified technicians. Each technician is going to have their own list of things that they do, but there are some elements to the service that most licensed HVAC technicians will include by default.

Professional AC Servicing & Maintenance

If you call a licensed HVAC technician out to service your HVAC system, they should clean, test and inspect it thoroughly, including:

  • Examining the thermostat: Calibrate the thermostat, and also make sure that it is correctly installed, and located away from any heat sources such as light bulbs or household appliances that give off heat.
  • Check and tighten electrical connections: Technicians should inspect any electrical connections to ensure that they are operating properly. This will not only improve the lifespan of the HVAC system, but it reduces any safety risks also.
  • Lubricate moving parts: Poor lubrication can be a source of damage to your HVAC system and causes parts to wear out more quickly. Lubrication will prolong the life of the system.
  • Clean the condensate drain line: The condensate drain line is used to drain liquid condensate from the air conditioner. If this line is allowed to become clogged it can lead to water leaks, wetness, and moisture issues. Mold and bacteria can also build up in the drain line. Your technician will check the drain line and the drain pan, and clean them both. If there are cracks and damage then they will address this.
  • Check the controls: The system controls should start, operate and shut off the system correctly. If the system is not operating properly then this could be wasting energy, and greatly increasing the running costs of the device.
  • Clean or replace the air filters: Some HVAC units have air filters that can be cleaned. Others use disposable air filters. It is important that the air filters are kept clear and un-clogged, to ensure that the filter is operating at its best capacity at all times.

AC Man Houston’s HVAC Tune-Up, Maintenance & Safety Inspections

Our team of trained HVAC technicians will visit properties in Houston to perform a 60 to 90-minute precision tune-up, maintenance, and cleaning, which includes the following 20 part service:

  • Measure amperage and voltage of the blower monitor
  • Test, calibrate and level the thermostat
  • Clean or replace the air filter
  • Inspect and lubricate bearings
  • Inspect the indoor coil
  • Flush, inspect and anti-algae treat the condensate drain
  • Inspect the condenser coil
  • Test and top off refrigerant as required
  • Inspect safety devices
  • Inspect the electrical disconnect box
  • Inspect electrical wiring and tighten connections as required
  • Test and inspect contacts
  • Check for exposed electrical wiring
  • Inspect and test all capacitors
  • Inspect the fan
  • Clean the condenser coil
  • Inspect service valves
  • Measure the temperature differential between supply and return
  • Inspect ductwork
  • Measure amperage and voltage of the compressor, monitor performance, and check wires

Give us a call or contact AC Man of Houston today with any inquiries!

Understanding The Parts Of Houston HVAC System

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8 Important Parts Of HVAC System In Houston

HVAC, which is the acronym for heating, ventilation, and air-conditioning describes a system that cools and heats your home. Over the months of winter, you will rely on the furnace in the HVAC system, and in summer the AC side of the system is used to keep your home comfortable and cool.

While some of the homes are cooled and heated with the window or mini-splits air-conditioners, heat pumps, radiant floor heating, or boilers, today we are here to tell you about the 8 parts that make up a home HVAC system, which contains the traditional split-system air-conditioner and furnace combination.

1. Thermostat

This is the most important part of an HVAC system, and the thermostat really deserves to be mentioned first. This thermostat has a connection that is direct to the cooling and heating components, which allows this device to control when the furnace or AC turns on.

Today, there are a variety of thermostats available, which includes the programmable models. These models automatically alter the temperature according to the schedule you have set. You also have the choice to have multiple thermostats installed for the purpose of zoning.

2. The Blower Motor & Furnace

The blower motor and furnace are 2 main parts in an HVAC system. The furnace is usually large and will require a dedicated area in a closet, attic, or basement.

The fuel source which is either electricity, oil, or natural gas will heat the incoming air. The blower motor will distribute the air that is now heated through the ductwork, which then flows out of the supply registers. Cool air is then pulled back in through the return registers, where the process starts again. This blower motor will often perform the task of an air-distribution source when it comes to the air-conditioner.

3. Heat Exchanger

All furnaces feature heat exchangers, that activate as soon as the thermostat requires heat. If your furnace is running on oil or gas, the burners are what accomplish heating. If your fuel source is electricity, then the electric coils will provide heat into the air.

When the air in the heat-exchanger starts warming up, the heat will transfer to the walls made of metal. The blower performs the task of sucking air inside the furnace, and then the air is circulated over the heat exchanger’s exterior walls. The air is heated up rapidly before it is circulated back into a room through supply registers.

The heat exchanger needs to stay sealed, especially when the furnace is using oil or natural gas, which will fill up the heat-exchanger with fumes that are combustible, which will include CO (carbon monoxide) which is poisonous. Under standard conditions, the vent will send fumes that have cooled down outside the furnace which is then harmlessly dispersed into the surrounding air. However, if there are cracks present in your heat exchanger, then the fumes could escape into your home, which could put the inhabitants in your home at risk. This is why it is important to have your HVAC system serviced regularly to avoid these issues.

4. Evaporator Coil

The evaporator coil makes up the inside part of the split-system air conditioners. It is typically housed inside an enclosure made out of metal on the top or side of your furnace. Refrigerant will flow through this coil, which looks similar to the radiator in a car. It performs the role of absorbing the heat that comes from indoor air that passes over it. Once the heat is removed, the cooled air can then circulate and flow back into your home.

5. Condensing Unit

When you consider all the parts in a home HVAC system that hold the responsibility of cooling, this component is usually the first one you will think of. This is a type of metal unit which is installed outside of your home that expels the heat that is absorbed from the indoor air outside. This process also gets the refrigerant ready for the next round where it once again flows over the evaporator coils. It absorbs the heat again and cools the home even further.

6. Refrigerant Lines

An air conditioner is unable to operate without refrigerant. Refrigerant lines in an HVAC system are made up of aluminum or copper and these lines run from the condensing unit (outside) to the evaporator coil (inside).

7. Ductwork

Forced-air cooling and heating will also rely on the presence of ductwork in order to evenly distribute the conditioned air into your home. It is also easier to have ductwork installed during the phases of construction, although retrofits are also sometimes a possibility. When possible, the ducts should not run through crawl spaces, your garage or attic. In the cases, where this cannot be avoided, the ducts need to be insulated and sealed to stop the ducts from being exposed to drastic temperature changes between living spaces and these areas.

8. Supply & Return Registers

These are covers that are installed over the openings of the ductwork. They are usually rectangular and situated in the walls, floors, or ceiling, which will depend on the overall layout of the ductwork. The registers usually feature louvers that you are able to close and open in order to control the airflow. You should aim to keep a minimum of 80% of these supply registers in an open position to stop the system from becoming unbalanced. It is also important to ensure curtains and furniture are not blocking the supply and return registers throughout the home.

We hope this information has helped you to understand more about the 8 basic parts that make up your home HVAC system.

We are the top service provider for AC services in Houston, air-conditioning repairs in Katy TX, and the rest of the Greater Houston areas. We are aware that there are many options available when choosing a Cooling & Heating contractor in your area for your business or home. Yet this is where AC Man excels, as we are highly focused on customer satisfaction.

AC Man specializes in repairing all the major brands when it comes to HVAC units. Our technicians are all professional, friendly, and courteous. These knowledgeable technicians are here to offer you with top-rated service options. We will also provide you with an honest and upfront quote for the costs involved for your repairs before any work commences. In the middle of summer, you need an air-conditioning system that is efficient and is functioning well. Avoid having to endure the heat because your AC system has become faulty.

For the best AC repair services around, call or contact AC Man of Houston and our experts are waiting to assist you with any AC replacement, repair, and maintenance service. We are experienced in serving all types of makes and models of AC systems. You can rely on our services for all your AC needs (except window units).

The Traits Of A Capable Houston HVAC Technician

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10 Qualities To Look For In A Professional HVAC Technician In Houston

worker repairing air conditionerWhen you decide to contact an HVAC technician, it involves a lot more than just choosing a well-known company or brand in order to get this job done. It is also important that you have chosen a company that has technicians onboard who will show respect to your home and to you, while they go about completing their tasks. Below is a list of the 10 qualities that all HVAC technicians should possess.

1. Punctuality

Regardless of which HVAC company you have chosen, they should provide you with an estimate on the time you can expect them to arrive, which should typically be in a 1 to 2-hour window. The technician should arrive at your home within this time-frame. In most cases, you will be able to learn more about the reputation of the company when they arrive on time and complete the task at hand as quickly as they can.

2. Appearance

When the technician arrives their appearance should be presentable. They should also be wearing a uniform that identifies the business that they work for. You should also be able to see the technician’s nametag.

3. Preparedness

There is not much worse than having to wait for an HVAC technician, and when they do arrive they do not have the necessary tools or equipment required to complete the job. For example, if your unit needs parts, it is standard procedure that these would have been ordered before they arrive on the job.

4. Boot Covers

Due to the fact that the technician may be walking in and out of your home while conducting maintenance or repairs on your HVAC unit, they should be wearing protective boot covers in order to protect your floors and your carpets. If they are not wearing boot covers, they should at least be wearing vinyl runners.

5. Friendly Demeanor

The HVAC technician needs to be friendly and you should feel comfortable asking the tech about any concerns that you may have. They should also answer you when you ask them a question, and when possible make eye contact with you. The best technicians will not only answer all your questions but also give you knowledgeable advice on the best solution for your home.

6. A Clean Vehicle

While this point is not vital, the vehicle of the technician should also be clean and presentable which indicates that they take pride in and respect their line of work. After all, in most cases, the vehicle will bear the name of the business, which makes it important that they arrive in a presentable and clean vehicle.

7. Cleanup

Once the technician has completed the task, they should also ensure that your home is left in a similar condition to what it looked like before they started working on your HVAC system. This includes throwing away any garbage, packing away their tools, and making sure they have not left anything behind.

8. Knowledgeable

The technician that arrives for your HVAC service needs to be knowledgeable. This will become apparent in their abilities to explain the issues with the system or to let you know what repairs are required in an easy-to-understand manner.

9. Experience

While it is not much wrong with letting a person who has just recently qualified in this industry to conduct repairs or maintenance on your HVAC unit, they should be accompanied by another professional that has many years of experience within this industry.

10. Ability To Perform

The last quality that is important includes that the technician should have the skills to arrive at your home, establish the issue, and to provide you with an estimate associated with how long the job should take to complete.

The HVAC technicians undergo the necessary training in order to install, maintain, and repair AC units. However, their abilities to treat customers with respect and a demeanor that is friendly, along with displaying pride in the way they present themselves, is not something that can be taught while they undergo training.

Check out our blog for more related content. For more information on Houston HVAC services, contact AC Man Of Houston today by giving us a call. Contact us today for any questions or concerns.