Tag: Houston Hvac Ac Repair

Consult Our Houston HVAC Experts On How To Seal Leaks In Your Home

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Sealing Air Leaks Around Your Home – HVAC Repair In Houston

Leaks are a clear indicator that the pipes in your home are faulty or worn out. Most homeowners are well aware of the losses a leaky sink can cost them in terms of expensive repairs and high water bills. Air leaks are also equally destructive but unfortunately, many homeowners do not treat them with the same seriousness and urgency. When air leaks are left unresolved for a long period of time, they can result in a sharp increase in power bills as well as reduced weather insulation in your home. You can take charge of your energy consumption by identifying and repairing any and all air leaks in your home. The tips below should help you achieve this.

What Are Air Leaks?

Closely identical to pipe leaks, air leaks are specific areas where your home’s warmed or cooled air escapes to the outside world. When this happens, energy is lost in the process of regulating the air that escapes and also from your system working harder to keep your home’s indoor temperature ideal. Your energy bills inevitably go up. Air leaks are common in thin walls facing the outdoors or along ductwork and piping in the inside walls of your home. When looking for air leaks, it is important to carefully scrutinize the following areas:

  • Garage doors and walls
  • Fireplace walls and chimneys
  • Attic walls
  • Piping and duct shafts
  • Recessed lighting
  • Outdoor-facing walls in the common areas
  • Exterior doors and windows
  • Walls situated between attached units or extensions

Your local HVAC technician can help you to assess these and many other areas for possible air leaks in your home.

How Can I Stop Air Leaks From Affecting My Power Bills?

Older homes and homes built on a tight schedule may not be properly constructed or equipped with the quality materials needed to mitigate air leaks. As years go by, the weather and caulking stripping on your home’s weakest points can gradually wither and decompose causing exposure of air vents to outdoor elements. Luckily, there is a solution to this problem known as resealing. Resealing your home is a fast, reliable and affordable way of fixing air leaks. A professional HVAC technician can help you to repair any existing leaks as well reapply a lasting weather and caulking stripping to your home.

If you want to be fully certain that your home is able to maintain the temperature you choose, there are numerous upgrades you can make to ensure the air inside your home stays in and the air outside remains out. Replacing your exterior-facing doors and windows with more energy-efficient options can enable your HVAC system to work less and therefore run longer. You should also ensure that you have pliable sealing thresholds along all door bottoms.

In homes with fireplace flues, kitchen fans or dryer vents, installing coverings for all these fixtures is important to prevent air from escaping to the outdoors.

Save Money on Your Power Bills By Seeking Help From AC Man of Houston

Energy and power bills are probably one of the biggest cost a homeowner has to incur on a monthly basis. You shouldn’t allow air leaks to force your energy bills to get out of hand. Take action today to ensure that your home is properly outfitted, caulked and sealed with energy-efficient doors and windows.

Residents of Houston can get help with air leaks by calling AC Man of Houston. We specialize in top-notch energy-efficiency services. We are more than willing to help you out so don’t shy away from contacting us or calling today!

Types Of HVAC Systems

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HVAC Basics

HVAC, which stands for Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning, is a type of technology that can deliver both hot and cold air to a home. The entire purpose of these systems is to make indoor environments safe and comfortable. It can be helpful to learn more about this kind of residential or commercial technology. There are four varieties of Houston HVAC systems. AC Man of Houston pinpoints the 4 varieties of Houston HVAC systems to help you better understand the different types that exist. Every system type is available in different sizes and with different specifications, which means you should be able to find something that meets the needs of your home or business.

1. Heating and AC Split Systems

It’s very common to see split heating and AC systems. These models require system components to be placed inside and outside of a building. The majority of split Houston HVAC systems have the following qualities:

  • An AC system that can cool the refrigerant.
  • Furnaces that are paired with a fan or an evaporator coil that is used to convert the refrigerant before circulating air.
  • A thermostat or control panel that allows you to manage your system.
  • Ducts that spread air throughout a building.
  • Accessories that improve indoor air quality, such as humidifiers, purifiers, UV lamps, and air cleaners.

2. Hybrid Heat Split Systems

A hybrid heat system is a more advanced version of a traditional split system. These systems are more energy efficient than classic split systems. Typically, these systems have a heat pump that allows for an electrically fueled system that is above a standard gas furnace. A cost-effective, high-quality hybrid heat split system will offer:

  • A heat pump that can cool or heat the refrigerant.
  • A furnace
  • An evaporator coil that can convert the refrigerant and circulate air.
  • Ducts that can distribute air throughout a building.

An interface that allows you to control and adjust your system, as well as optional accessories that are designed to improve air quality.

3. Duct-Free Split HVAC Systems

In some properties, a standard Houston HVAC system that uses ducts isn’t a good fit. Thankfully, a duct-free split system is also an option. It’s also possible to use these systems alongside an existing duct HVAC system. A duct-free split system should provide:

  • Heat pumps and an air conditioner that allows the refrigerant to be cooled and heated.
  • A compact fan coil.
  • Tubing and wires that connect the fan coil to the outdoor unit.
  • A control panel or thermostat.
  • Optional accessories that will clean and purify the air before it is spread throughout a building.

4. Packaged Houston HVAC Systems

Smaller homes and offices might not have room for the many components of a split system. A packaged Houston HVAC system can work very well in a space like this. These units are specifically designed to distribute hot and cool air throughout confined spaces. You can expect a packaged HVAC system to contain:

  • A unit that combines an air conditioner and heat pump with an evaporator and fan coil.
  • A thermostat or control panel that provides full control over the system.
  • Option accessories to enhance air quality, such as ventilators, air cleaners, UV lamps, or purifiers.

Now that you’re familiar with the four types of Houston HVAC systems, it will be easier for you to find the right system for your home. Ultimately, the goal of any Houston HVAC system is to keep a home comfortable by distributing clean air throughout a building. This lesson has prepared you to choose the ideal system for your own home. Use this information so that you can find a system that meets all of your needs.

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 at (713) 460-2653. Contact us today for any questions or concerns.

What Is A Furnace?

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How Do Gas Furnaces Work?

If your home has central heating, you’re fully aware of how useful it can be when temperatures drop. Relying on space heaters in the winter can be very difficult. It is a good idea to familiarize yourself with your residential or commercial furnace and understand the basic functionalities of one. What is a furnace and how do gas furnaces work? A gas furnace is exactly what it sounds like; a furnace that’s powered through natural gas. A furnace works to heat a home during the winter. These furnaces usually work quickly, and they tend to be extremely powerful. Gas furnaces also provide cost-effective heating. How do these furnaces operate? While you’re probably not that interested in the technical details, you probably do want to know how your gas furnace operates. When you adjust the settings on your thermostat, a signal is sent to your furnace. The control board on your furnace will receive the signal and check to see if the furnace’s safeties are operating properly. It’s extremely important to monitor safeties during the heating process. AC Man Of Houston listed the top 3 important points that will break down the question we are commonly asked, “how do furnaces work.”

1. Getting Heat From A Natural Gas Furnace

Once the signal has been received and the safeties have been checked, natural gas will ignite in your furnace. The hot air generated by your furnace will be spread throughout your home through your ductwork. If at some point, one of the furnace’s safeties is triggered, the natural gas will be shut off and the furnace will shut down. This will ensure that you and your household will be safe even if something is wrong with your furnace. Your furnace will also set down once your thermostat has reached your desired temperature. If your home drops below the desired temperature, the signal will be sent back to the furnace, and the process will begin again. It’s an advanced process that’s absolutely fascinating. Obviously, not every system operates in the same way. Gas furnaces are very popular, and there are many different models on the market. While your furnace and your thermostat can change this process, this is still how most gas furnaces operate. If you suspect that there is an issue with your gas furnace, the best thing that you can do is shut down the system. Consider getting help from the best furnace repair experts at AC Man Of Houston if you are experiencing any issues, or visit a site that offers free furnace repair estimates so that you can make sure that you are getting the best price!

2. Fueling Your Residential Furnace

Home furnaces are a permanent appliance that delivers heat to space via some sort of intermediary movement. Steam, hot water, and air can all power this major appliance. Generally speaking, a heating appliance that operates via hot water or steam is described as a “residential hot water boiler” or a “residential steam boiler.” Natural gas is the most common fuel source for furnaces in North America, especially modern furnaces. Other popular fuel sources include fuel oil and liquefied petroleum gas. Furnaces fueled by wood or coal are a lot rarer. In certain areas, where electricity costs are a lot lower, homes may use electrical resistance heating. A modern furnace can reach an efficiency level of 98% if it is a high-efficiency model. These furnaces are able to operate without chimneys. The standard gas furnace usually reaches an efficiency level of about 80%. In homes without a chimney, PVC pipes are used to ventilate waste gas and heat mechanically. This can be vented through either the roof or the side of a house. The fuel efficiency of a gas furnace is measured by AFUE or Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency. If you are having furnace problems, make sure to contact a furnace professional today.

3. Heat Distribution Throughout Your Home

Furnaces use intermediary distribution to transfer heat to a building’s living space. Typically, furnaces are referred to as boilers if that heat is distributed through steam or hot water. A major perk offered by boilers is that they can deliver hot water for showers and washing dishes. This means that a separate water heater isn’t necessary. Of course, this advantage can also be a downside. If a boiler is malfunctioning, both heat and hot water will be unavailable. It’s standard for modern “warm air” furnaces to circulate air throughout a home using a fan. Fans can also pull cold air back towards a furnace so that it can be reheated. This process is referred to as “forced air heat.” Since a fan is able to overcome any resistance provided by a home’s ductwork, the ducts can be arranged in a number of ways. In America, it’s normal to have separate ducts that collect cooler air. The cool air usually enters the furnace through some sort of air filter. It moves through the blower before entering the furnace’s heat exchanger. After this, the now warm air is distributed throughout the space. One of the biggest perks of a system like this is that it makes it easy to install a central AC system. The only thing that needs to be added is a cooling coil at the furnace’s outlet. Both warm and cool air can be circulated via the ductwork. The ducts can be insulated or uninsulated, and they can be made from sheet metal or a plastic material. If the ducts in a home have not been sealed with either mastic or foil duct tape, it’s likely that air will leak into unconditioned spaces in the building.

For all of your furnace problems, be sure to reach out to AC Man Of Houston as indoor air quality. If you are still wondering “how do furnaces work” or “what is a furnace” then make sure to check out our blog for more related content. If you would like to speak with a professional furnace repair specialist call us today at (713) 460-2653.

Houston Air Conditioning Repair: What Is The Life Expectancy Of My HVAC System?

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Air Conditioning Repair Expert: The Life Expectancy Of Houston HVAC Systems

How long will it last? As an HVAC Houston expert, this is one question we get asked by almost all our clients every time we install a new HVAC system for them. The answer it depends. On what? Well, on how you maintain your system. Manufacturers make their systems slightly different from other and one system could last much longer than the other. For instance, if a Houston HVAC uses low-quality compressors in its systems, then the overall life expectancy of its systems will significantly drop since it is often more expensive to replace compressors than it is to replace the entire system. Below is a chart outlining the average life expectancy of a Houston HVAC system based on national averages, old estimates and how much maintenance it requires. Please remember that these are simply estimates and not guarantees. Therefore, the brand you go for could possess lower or higher life expectancy. If you are in need of assistance from a professional Houston HVAC repair company, you are in the right place.

Maintenance Tips For Your Houston HVAC System:

• Change the system’s filter regularly (preferably every 1-3 months)
• Get seasonal servicing and tune-ups
• Remove any debris within the unit
• Check and replace refrigerant insulation if need be

Zero Maintenance

(0 items)

 Light Maintenance

(1-2 Items)

 Medium Maintenance

(2-3 Items)

 Heavy Maintenance

(4 items)
Between 15 to 18 yrs Between 18 to 20 yrs Between 20 to 25 yrs 25 plus yrs

Houston HVAC System Exclusions

The chart above is for an average central heating/AC system; if you still use wood stoves, oil burners or any other form of heating, then your numbers will be significantly different. Oil-based furnaces tend to last a couple of years at most and require tons of maintenance for them to run optimally. As more traditional systems, they can last a couple of years and aren’t too expensive, making them a popular option for some. Geothermal systems also aren’t included in the chart but generally last about 30 years and more. When well-maintained, these systems can last much longer than you! Boilers, on the other hand, tend to follow the chart, except that they last a bit long 1 to 3 years longer than the average HVAC system. Some additional accessories and features not included include:

  • Dehumidifiers 8 to 10 years
  • Humidifiers 8 to 10 years
  • Duct/Ventilation Work 8 to 10 years
  • Insulation 100 years
  • Thermostats 35 to 40 years

Each one of these has their own life expectancy depending on the specific brand.

Average Life Expectancy Of A Houston HVAC System

Most HVAC Houston companies and organizations agree that homeowners can get anywhere between 15 and 25 years of service from the system. Some will say 15, some 20, and others 25. However, the truth is that your system will last as long as you’d want it to. As long as you are maintaining your system and have it serviced and tuned up often, your system should last you a very long time. Most homeowners in Houston decide to have theirs replaced by a professional HVAC Houston service provider for a newer, more efficient models after about 10 to 15 years. In the long run, having your system replaced every 15 to 20 years (which is the average life expectancy for most systems) is generally more economical considering the savings made from lowered energy bills and maintenance fees. You don’t want to be calling out HVAC repair experts time and time again, as any savings you stood to have made will disappear pretty quickly. So don’t be afraid to replace and upgrade.

A faulty HVAC on a hot day is not a pleasant situation to be in. With hvac dispatch software from ServiceMax, technicians can get to the service place with all the required parts faster.

Contact A Houston HVAC Expert

If you believe it is time to get a replacement or maintenance services for your HVAC system then do not wait anymore. Contact the #1 company for all of your Houston HVAC needs. We are here to help you and bring the cool air back into your home. Call us right now.