Time to Lower Your AC Bills This Month

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Weather Stripping Challenge To Lower Your AC Bills

What Is Weather Stripping?

Stripping is used to seal off spaces between windows, doors, and it’s for cracks as well. The stripping can be made soft or sturdy, and it’s able to keep out drafts that are allowing your home to lose the warm or cool air that you put into it by turning on your HVAC unit.

Stripping can be a low-cost alternative to putting in a new window or extra insulation into the home, but stripping is only valuable and useful if there is no major damage to the space that the stripping is being put onto.

Woodlands, TX weather-stripping-1If a window or door has major damage to it that has caused a large space, then adding stripping is not going to help, especially if the door or window needs to be replaced, or the wall holding up the door or window needs to be fixed.

Stripping is simply to seal up small spaces that are letting in drafts, and stripping can be inserted into the sides of a window, the sides of a door, at the bottom of a door, and in other places. Here are some great benefits that you’ll get if you choose to add stripping to your home:

Keep the Home Warm or Cool

  • Keep out drafts
  • Save on heating/cooling costs
  • Each room can maintain its own temperature
  • Low-cost way of improving home
  • Home will stay cool or warm longer when HVAC unit is on
  • Keep bugs from coming through cracks in door/window
  • Get rid of spaces underneath doors as well

How Can Using Weather Strips Save On Heating/Cooling Costs?

When you turn on the HVAC unit you have in your home to heat the home or even to cool it, then the air should stay in the room to keep it cool or warm. The only time the unit will turn off is once it reaches a temperature that you’ve set for the room, but sometimes, this can be affected by spaces or cracks that are found around the windows or doors, which allows air to escape. If a room is trying to heat up when the HVAC unit is on but the air is constantly escaping, then the temperature of the room will be slower to rise, which keeps your HVAC unit on longer than it needs to be.

Allowing your HVAC unit to run for such long periods of time when it’s not necessary means that you’re paying more money on heating and cooling costs when you don’t need to. Using stripping to close up the spaces that are letting air escape is a great way to help with your heating and cooling costs, and it’s a lot cheaper than deciding to get new windows or doors for the home, especially of the home is a lot older and has many spaces where drafts come through.

Once stripping is added to the right places and caulk is used to seal up other spaces, then you’ll be surprised at how much more money you’ll save on heating and cooling costs, which some people have seen 30% or more savings over time.

Where Can The Stripping Be Purchased?

Purchasing stripping is easy enough, but there are so many kinds that you’ll have to know exactly what type you need and where it can be purchased. It’s a good idea to contact an HVAC specialist for some help, especially since they’ll know exactly what type of stripping would be best for your home and can advise you, especially if you’re on a budget.

Those who want to spend very little can still get stripping, but those who are willing to go all out and spend whatever is necessary to add weather stripping to their home may go for the more costly stripping, such as metal, thresholds, interlocking metal channels, fin seal, a door shoe, reinforced silicone, rubber and more. With all the types of stripping that can be chosen, it’s a matter of looks, cost, and fit if you choose to buy one type over another.

Many will choose rubber stripping for the sides of their window because it’s a great way to keep out drafts, and it’s unlikely to move whenever the window is open. Typical stripping that is used in homes are made of foam, and they can range from thick thin and can be used wherever they are needed. Again, it’s always wise to get advice when you want stripping put into your home, especially since there are a lot to choose from.

How Long Does The Stripping Last?

Woodlands, TX weather-stripping-2If the right stripping is chosen, it can last for years, but those who choose stripping that can easily move around or doesn’t fit in a place properly may end up replacing the stripping within a matter of months as opposed to years.

It’s important to get good advice when you choose to add stripping to your home because if it’s done incorrectly, then it only ends up costing you more money later on, instead of saving you money, which is the entire point of installing weather stripping.

Those who have doors with a lot of space underneath can use a door sweep, which is a great way to keep any types of drafts out of the home, whether it’s the front door, back door, or even a bedroom door. Putting sweeps at the bottom of the door can drastically improve heating and cooling costs, especially for rooms that would easily cool down or heat up once the HVAC unit is turned off.

Advice From Your HVAC Specialist

You should have an HVAC specialist come out to your home every year to check on your unit and to do maintenance, and that’s the best time to ask questions about whether stripping, especially if you want to know the exact type to buy, how much to spend, and the best place to put the stripping.

Allow an HVAC specialist from Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating in the Woodlands, TX area by calling (281) 872-6263 to service your home.

 

5 Signs That Your Home’s Thermostat is Malfunctioning

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5 Ways to Tell if Your Home’s Thermostat is Working

Confused by heating and cooling issues? Check your thermostat.

Many people experience problems with the heating and cooling system in their home from time to time. This is especially common during the time when the seasons are changing and the furnace or the air conditioner may be turning and working for the first time in a long time. People often associate issues with their heating and cooling system with their furnace not working.

This is obviously a good choice if your Woodlands city home is under heated. The air conditioner is also thought of as the culprit when your home is having problems cooling itself. There is one common cause of problems with a home’s HVAC system that can be ignored, the thermostat.

Woodlands, TX thermostat-repair-2The thermostat is often overlooked by those that are having HVAC problems. Whether you have a simple thermostat, or a more modern programmable thermostat, it can cause problems if it is not working correctly.

The thermostat controls every aspect of your heating and cooling system and tells it what to do. It gathers information about the climate of your home and tells the furnace and the air conditioner what to do to regulate it. If your thermostat is having problems there a few things you can look for to see what’s wrong. Most problems can be fixed easily, but some may require a services certified thermostat repair professional.

Here are 5 of the most common things to look for when your thermostat is not working correctly.

The thermostat is dirty.

Keeping your thermostat clean is one of the best ways to keep it functioning properly. If dirt gets inside your programmable thermostat box it could cause residue to build up on the wires or other pieces of thermostat and make them function improperly.

This could lead to bad temperature read outs and the thermostat not getting proper readings if the temperature reader on the thermostat is blocked and can’t get a proper reading. Make sure that you clean your thermostat out from time to time to prevent rust and residue build up.

The best way to combat problems with your thermostat is to prevent them from ever happening in the first place.

Location of the Thermostat

People who install their own thermostats sometimes fail to realize how important the location of the thermostat is to the operations of the HVAC system.

If a thermostat is located in an area of the house that is colder than the average temperature around the house it might get a reading that it is too cold and cause the furnace to be overworked. This will cause the house to be much too hot in most areas of the Woodlands home. It can also have a huge negative effect on your monthly utility bills.

If the temperature is located in an area with direct sunlight it may read that the home is much hotter than it is. This will cause it to tell the air conditioner to run constantly and overcool the house. This too will cause the utility bills to be out of control. If your thermostat is located in area where it can’t properly do its job you should have it moved.

It might be wise to have a trained thermostat repair professional do it for you to ensure that the wiring is done correctly. If you do it yourself you could void the warranty on the thermostat.

Anticipator Needs Adjusting

You may have opened up your thermostat and noticed the small metal tab sticking out of the temperature gauge. This is called the anticipator. Some thermostat issues can be fixed by slightly adjusting the anticipator.

If the initial adjustment doesn’t work you may need to check the user’s manual on your furnace to make sure the thermostat is using the correct number of amperes when communicating with the furnace. Any further problems with the anticipator should be looked at by a professional.

Your furnace is always on.

If your furnace is on perpetually it could be a sign that there is actually a problem with your thermostat and not the furnace itself. Your thermostat could have a short that is causing it to tell the furnace that it is much colder than it is.

It could also be located in a drafty or cold area that could cause this symptom. There is a laundry list of different situations with your thermostat that can cause your furnace to stay on constantly. It could also cause your furnace to turn on and off intermittently when you don’t want it to.

Woodlands, TX thermostat-repairThe thermostat’s screen isn’t working.

If your thermostat’s screen won’t turn on or is constantly turning on and off there is obviously a problem with your thermostat. This could be caused by a programming mistake or an electronic malfunction.

Most problems that result in your thermostat’s electronics not working could be covered by your thermostat’s factory warranty. If you open the box and try to fix it yourself you could void the warranty to be sure to contact a thermostat pro in order to get it fixed and keep it covered.

These are 5 different ways you can prevent your thermostat from breaking or tell if there is something wrong with it currently. Your thermostat could be dirty or placed in a bad location. It could also just be having some kind of electronic malfunction that is causing it to not work correctly.

Make sure to check on your thermostat if you are having problems with the HVAC system in your home.

Most of these problems cannot be fixed using DIY methods. This is why it may be wise to contact an HVAC specialist in your area to get it fixed.

For quality services in your Woodlands, TX home, call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 872-6263. They will make sure your thermostat is working correctly to keep your HVAC system working in top form all through the cold winter months or the hot summer months.

Keeping Your Woodlands Home Allergy Free this Spring

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Prepare Your Home For Spring Allergens

With spring approaching, flowers are beginning to bloom, and homeowners are trying to eliminate clutter and dust from their homes. To prepare your home and get it ready to fight allergens, you need to understand indoor air quality.

The problem is that many Woodlands homeowners never make the choice to do something about indoor air quality, which can result in horrible allergy problems.

Woodlands, TX Home-AllergiesFor many people, spring is an enjoyable time of year, but when a massive influx of allergens hitch a ride with spring, a lot of homeowners find it difficult to breathe. During spring, mold, pet dander, pollen and dust can dramatically reduce the quality of the air inside of your home.

Fortunately, spring is also a great time to do something about this issue. If you want to know how to prepare your home for spring allergens, you’ll find that it’s nowhere near as difficult as you might think.

Say No to Dust

Dust particles cause many problems for allergy sufferers. According to studies, roughly 60 percent of all dust inside of a home comes from outside. The good news is that there are several ways to make sure dust stays outside while fresh air finds its way into your home.

Some quick tips include adding an entry mat to the inside of your home and adding a doormat to the outside. It’s also a good idea to take off your shoes before you enter your home.

You’ll be amazed at how effective these simple tips can be. Rugs should also be vacuumed at least once per week. Whenever you clean fabrics inside your home, you should make sure you’re using tools that are made to capture dust.

It’s a good idea to avoid using tools that do nothing more than stir around the dust inside of your home. All vacuums that use a HEPA filter are great tools, and they’ll help you fight back against allergens.

Upgrade Indoor Ventilation

There is no way around the fact that some homes need upgraded indoor ventilation. If you’re trying to rid your home of dust and undesirable airborne particulates, preventive measures, such as adding rugs, will only get you so far.

It’s very common for allergens to breach your home through an attic or basement. A great way to prepare your home and get it ready to fight back against spring allergens is sealing your air ducts. If your home’s air ducts aren’t properly sealed, allergens will find it much easier to enter your home.

The good news is that we know how to seal your air ducts, and we can do it for you. By sealing your air ducts, we can prevent allergens from entering your home, and at the same time, we can dramatically improve the efficiency of your home’s indoor ventilation.

Another simple way to upgrade your indoor ventilation is to make sure your HVAC machine’s filter is changed every 30 days. During spring, the filter is constantly assaulted by allergens, and it doesn’t take long for the filter to get completely clogged.

When the filter is clogged, your Woodlands home’s indoor ventilation ability drops significantly, and your HVAC system will have a lot of trouble keeping allergens out. We can make sure your filter is changed every 30 days and perform any other essential maintenance.

A clean filter helps to prevent allergens from entering your home, but it also helps your air conditioning unit run smoother. Something that many homeowners don’t think of is cleaning off the bathroom vents.

A lot of people forget that there are air vents inside the bathroom. Others don’t know they’re there because the vents are covered with furniture. It’s never a bad idea to let us clean your vents, so you don’t have to do it.

Purify Your Air

Another great way to prepare your home for spring allergens is air purification. According to studies, the average homeowner spends about 90 percent of their lifetime indoors. After considering this fact, it probably seems like a good idea to make sure you’re breathing clean air during this time.

There are several ways that we can make sure you’re breathing clean air, and the installation of an air purification system is a great solution. There are several different air purification systems that can be applied to your existing heating and cooling unit.

Woodlands, TX Home-Allergy-TipsA great example is a biocide chamber, which is effective at killing airborne bacteria. We can also equip your HVAC system with a UV light purifier. This particular machine uses ultraviolet light to purify the air that it brings into your home, and you’ll be surprised to find out how affordable it is.

Get New Air Ducts

Many homes are equipped with outdated air ducts. There are even many newer Woodlands homes that have old ducts. By allowing us to replace your old ductwork with a new, greener system, you can take a major step in preparing your home for spring allergens.

High-quality ductwork is essential for keeping your home filled with clean, fresh air. A number of modern ductwork systems have built-in anti-microbial polyethylene, which helps to prevent the growth of mildew and mold.

Check Your HVAC System

Many homeowners don’t realize that an HVAC system is the first line of defense against irritating allergens. You can think of it like the front door of your home, but it’s specifically for allergens.

If you want to have a fighting chance against spring allergens, you need to make sure you’re taking proper care of your HVAC unit. If you haven’t had your HVAC system serviced in many months, it’s time to call us and let us do something about it.

A wide range of problems can occur over the span of a few months. The machine’s filter could be completely clogged, or the ductwork could be filled with allergenic dust particles. By letting the professionals take care of your main weapon against allergies, your home will be more prepared for spring than most.

Stay allergy free this Spring in your Woodlands, TX area by calling Affordable American Air today at (281) 704-3696.

Chilly Room? Perhaps we can Explain Your Heating Woes

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3 Reasons Why Your Heater is Blowing Cold Air

Warm temperature settings often provide greater levels of comfort in your The Woodlands home. To get the most value out of a home heating system, a user should obtain an annual heater inspection. A variety of service-related issues could cause a heating unit to blow cold air.

The Woodlands, TX Heating ServicesForced Air Through Your Ductwork

With the proper operational efficiency, an air-handling unit can deliver heat or cold air to desirable areas. After turning on a furnace, heated air should be forced through air ducts within a home or an office building. Cold air could be a signal that a defect might exist for a furnace that is set to deliver heat.

A local heating and air conditioning company can inspect the airflow quality for a residential furnace.

Clogged filters could create an environment that causes a furnace to deliver a minimal amount of forced air throughout a residential property. A build up of debris or other particles can block the amount of heat that would ordinarily be delivered to appropriate areas within a home.

Removal of a dirty filter could restore the manufacturer’s recommended amount of forced air for a residential furnace. A clogged filter could also prevent a burner from properly firing. If a new furnace filter does not restore additional heat, a homeowner is encouraged to set up an inspection with a local HVAC company.

While a nonworking fan might fail to deliver any air from a furnace, a defective fan or a damaged blower unit could result in intermittent levels of cold air versus a consistent supply of warm air.

Routine maintenance and seasonal inspections could enable an air-handling system to work for longer time frames.

Faulty Ductwork Can Contribute to Cold Air From a Furnace

Heated air should travel from a furnace to specific rooms. Ductwork is used to guide heat from a furnace to a variety of registers within a room. Some smaller rooms might have a single register that supplies heat from the furnace.

Ductwork is primarily made with sheet metal, fasteners and screws. Punctures within a home’s ductwork could allow heat to escape behind walls, ceilings, floorboards or other areas. Heat that gets directed toward unwanted areas frequently results in cooler air for the desired rooms.

Instead of using duct tape, insulation, aluminum foil or other items to seal escaping air, a homeowner can contact a licensed HVAC company to perform a ductwork inspection.

A variety of modifications or repairs might be required to reduce air loss from a heating system.

Adding certain brackets or replacement parts might improve an air-handling unit’s performance. Additionally, excessive dust or other items could cause a heater to distribute cool air. If paper, rodents or debris become trapped with the ductwork of a residential property, a homeowner could experience a lower degree of air quality.

Dealing With a System Failure

A faulty power switch or bad wires could cause a residential furnace to experience a system failure. Without a properly working firing source, a furnace could continuously blow cold air.

While some online videos provide excellent tips for maintaining a furnace, homeowners should rely on the expertise of a licensed HVAC contractor for troubleshooting all electrical components. Contact with certain wires or electrical parts can cause serious bodily harm. When dealing with mechanical parts, wiring, fuel and electricity, a knowledgeable professional can safely assess some of the more common reasons for a system failure.

An insufficient amount of fuel will prevent a furnace from starting. An empty fuel tank would stop a furnace from firing. However, clogged fuel lines could cause a variety of problems. If fuel fails to reach burners within the furnace, a homeowner might notice a lot of cold air from floor-mounted registers and from ceiling registers.The Woodlands, TX Heater Repair Service

A precise mixture of fuel is needed for every furnace to properly operate. The amount of fuel that is required to start a furnace may vary among the unit size and the manufacturer. A licensed HVAC contractor should be hired to inspect the electronic ignition for a furnace that is continuously blowing cold air.

Pressing the restart button could help restore a furnace that fails to operate. If the unit continues to malfunction, a local heating expert may be contacted to diagnose the problem.

Some Other HVAC Considerations

A well maintained heating system can deliver years of comfort for a residential property. Getting regular inspections could prolong the usage of a new heater or an older unit. If problems persist such as a failure to start or a unit that is blowing cold air, The Woodlands HVAC professionals can inspect and service residential furnaces. Having a safe assessment is important for homeowners who depend on electrical or oil heat for cold winter days.

Call Affordable American Air at 281-872-6263 for all your HVAC needs in The Woodlands, TX area!

 

Find Out Why Your A/C is Freezing

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Why Does My A/C Unit Freeze?

Sultry summer nights with ice caked on the air conditioner is a sorry sight for the household budget. While the air conditioner might still be working, it is well on its way to being broken if immediate attention is not given.

Woodlands, TX ac_maintenanceHow did it get to such a sad state and what course of action can both fix the situation and prevent it from occurring again?

Extra Effort

Blockage is an enemy of air flow and one of the main reasons for ice being caked on the air conditioner unit. Properly maintained systems have a much better chance of keeping their integrity with heat exchange. It is imperative that the intended target for the created cool air is in the house.

With duct work or intake registers being blocked, the air has nowhere to go. An end result is that the coils can not vent the chill and ice up even on the hottest of days.

Inadequate Refrigerant Levels

A closed system has developed a leak. Refrigerant is lost as it escapes into the atmosphere. The end result is the icing of the coils. Trained professionals can detect the cause and determine whether repair or replacement is the best course of action.

Drainage Problems

Moisture laden atmospheres help spur water accumulation on the coils. When the heat is exchanged off in the air conditioning process, a certain level of condensation is produced.

Properly designed and maintained systems guide the water away from the coils. Blockages or inadequate fan speed allow the mist to amass on the coils. End result is icing that will increase once it starts.

Vigilance is your best friend when it comes to the health of the air conditioner. Longer than normal cycle times are a clear indication of a situation outside the norm. Larger than last year electrical bills also hint that something is amiss.

Finally, visual confirmation of ice is a sign that the situation has gotten out of hand. Turn off the air conditioner unit immediately to prevent further damage to the unit and your budget. Now is the time to enlist the services of an experienced professional HVAC company.

Pick up the phone and reach out to the quality services in your Woodlands, TX home, call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at (281) 872-6263 for peace of mind and immediate attention to your air conditioning concerns.

Flu? Put a Stop to it Before it Begins!

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Five Ways To Combat The Spread Of The Flu In Your Home

With flu season activity happening from October through March of each year, and an average of 5 percent to 20 percent of the population actually getting the flu, let’s cover five major areas of protection strategies Magnolia homeowners can easily carry out to protect themselves and their families from the flu, colds and other virus-like disease.

Moreover, reputable, certified HVAC contractors also offer excellent sources of information in the many ways to combat and avoid the flu this winter.

Magnolia, TX | Sanitation StrategiesRecognize The Symptoms

Being that the flu is caused by the droplets that people with the flu spread when sneezing, coughing or talking, more typically, people contact the droplets by as simple an act as touching a door handle carrying a flu bug.

Capable of traveling as far as six feet by a cough or sneeze, an infection often begins one day before the actual symptoms develop–and within seven days after first becoming ill.

Some characteristic symptoms experienced are a fever, cough, a sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, muscle aches and fatigue. Consequently, a regular washing of one’s hands becomes the first line of defense against the flu.

Schedule Regular Maintenance

A well-running and maintained HVAC system is vitally important to help ensure clean flowing air into your home. Likewise, the chances of having carbon monoxide poisoning, that has symptoms so similar to that of a full-ongoing flu attack, are eliminated by having regular cleanings of your UVAC system. A good cleaning may even avoid a critical situation that could endanger your life–if it indeed is carbon monoxide poisoning.

Applying Ultra-Violet(UV) Technology

In certain areas where the air is drier and mold growth is not severe, the use of a UV light system in your UVAC system effectively lessens the count of mold spores in the air flow of air indoors. Once implemented, the indoor air quality becomes more pure and free of airborne bacteria that enable the flu and other respiratory diseases.

Using High-Efficiency Filters

Whenever an apartment or a home’s filter fails to be changed regularly, remaining dirty or clogged, the air that travels through it becomes a great conduit for allergens. Consequently, it’s recommended to change filters on a monthly basis as a minimum to ensure they remain clean and unobstructed from allergens.

Install An Air Purifier

The flu feels right at home as it travels from family member to family member. Installing an all-home purification system and taking all the above mentioned steps as well, virtually ensure that your Magnolia home will be flu-free this season.

To help protect your Magnolia, TX home from the onslaught of a flu outbreak, please call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating at 281-704-3696.

Stay in the Loop with the New HVAC Technologies

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The Latest HVAC Technologies

Anyone who is wanting to save money on the energy costs in their Magnolia home should consider using the new technology that is available in the industry. Over the long term, this is a great way to save on the electrical usage in a home.

Magnolia, TX Heating-and-Cooling-System-TechnologiesAlthough there is an initial investment period, over the long term investments in this area will pay off financially.

There are many people who want to take advantage of the new trends in HVAC tech but are unsure of how to do so. Here are some of the best ways that people can start to use their HVAC options to save money.

Custom Temperature

People have been able to control the temperature setting in their home for many years. However, this is something that usually uses a lot of electricity. Heating up your home in the winter months usually means using a lot of electricity. If you are someone who wants to invest more money into your home to lower energy costs, this is a great way to do so.

The technology in the HVAC units today works to lower the overall rate at which your Magnolia home uses energy. This small improvement can be a great way to make your home an easier place to live.

Energy Efficiency

Customers today want to use less electricity than ever before. If you are someone who is interested in lowering your energy usage, taking the time and money to change your HVAC is a great way to do so.

There are a lot of features with new HVAC units that can go a long way in helping in this area. Changing the overall energy efficiency system in an area can go a long way in helping you with this.

More Powerful Units

The energy these units use today is less than in years past. However, they are also more powerful. If a fast temperature change is required, it will take much less time than in years past.

There are a lot of people who love this features in their new HVAC units. Over a long period of time, this can make a huge difference in your home.

If you are interested in getting a new HVAC unit for your Magnolia, TX home, give Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating a call today at (281) 704-3696 to get the process started. 

Are You Saving Enough Energy?

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Energy Saving Strategies For Your HVAC System

Your High Energy Bills Can Be Changed

If you’ve been experiencing high energy bills that are driving you crazy, then you may have your HVAC system the blame. It’s well known that an HVAC system can be a significant portion of your energy bill, and it’s not unusual for up to 50% of the energy bill to be from the use of the HVAC system alone.

Even though you have to use your system as necessary, it doesn’t have to cost you so much money.

Magnolia, TX Energy Efficiency There may be a few problems with your HVAC system or the use of it that’s costing you more money on your energy bill.

Do some checks to see if your HVAC system is running as efficiently as possible, and this can end up saving you more money on your energy bill.

Save Money When Using Your HVAC Unit

One thing you’ll really want to look out for in an HVAC unit is the air filter. The air filter in the HVAC unit will help to keep the air in your Magnolia home clean, but did you know that it also helps to allow the clean air to flow freely through the system?

If you have an air filter that is packed filled with dust and debris, then you can’t expect that your HVAC system will work as normal because the air is being restricted. Always keep a clean air filter in your system, and change the filter as necessary.

Sealing any ducts in your Magnolia home can be a great way to save on energy costs when using your HVAC system. You can have a professional come and seal any openings, cracks, or spaces that are in your ducts, and this can greatly save on energy costs.

If you don’t already have a programmable thermostat, consider getting one, especially one that works through Wi-Fi. A thermostat that’s programmable can allow you to keep your HVAC unit off when it’s not being used, even if you’re not currently in the home.

Get Help For Your HVAC Unit

The majority of people who have HVAC units couldn’t possibly work on them on their own, so getting a maintenance or repair person is a must. Get someone who is knowledgeable about fixing HVAC units, even if you’re only having a yearly maintenance on the unit.

You can get service from Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating, in the city of Magnolia, TX, just by calling (281) 704-3696.

Check Out the History of Your Homes Heating System

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The History and Revolution of Home Heating Systems

One: Fireplace Heating Systems

Magnolia, TX History-of-the-AC-and-Heating-SystemFor hundreds of years, people had to heat their Magnolia homes with fires that were built in fireplaces and fueled with wood logs, dried animal dung or sod.

In some areas, people used pieces of coal in a fireplace. Keeping a supply of fuel available for a home’s fireplace was a laborious process that required time and physical strength.

Fireplaces were built of stone, clay or brick and were an essential part of a Magnolia home. In order to keep a fire lit in the fire pit, someone needed to remain near the fireplace to add fuel throughout the day and night.

Today, when our customers are using a fireplace, it is used to augment other heating systems and often is fueled with natural gas, gel or ethanol instead of wood.

Two: Boiler Heating Systems

Eventually, people realized that the steam from hot water was suitable for keeping a building warm. If a building was made with a venting system, then the steam could enter each room to keep everyone warm. Instead of everyone needing to stay in one room around a hot fireplace, now people could remain in different parts of a building.

Boilers are filled with water, and it is not always necessary to have the liquid boiling in order to create heat. Boilers are made from a variety of metals, and the mechanisms inside the device are calibrated to heat liquid and maintain pressure to supply heat to a building.

In the past, a boiler for heating was frequently a unique device made by one local craftsman, and when a repair was necessary, there was a serious danger from explosions that led to fires.

Three: Modern Heating Systems

Because maintaining a fire in a fireplace was labor intensive and boiler systems are sometimes dangerous, inventors kept trying to find a better way to heat buildings. This led to central heating systems that are fueled with oil, electricity or natural gas and turn on and off with an automatic thermostat.

Buildings using central heating are created with ductwork and venting systems that permit climate-controlled air to escape into each area. A centralized heating system is easier for our customers to maintain by simply changing an air filter once a month.

We recommend a maintenance tune-up once a year to clean and lubricate the device, and occasionally, our customers must contact us for an emergency repair.

Interested in taking a closer look at your Magnolia, TX HVAC system? Call Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating, today at (281) 704-3696 today.

Properly Insulate All Rooms

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How to Keep the Temperature Consistent

In many homes, the temperature from room to room can vary greatly. Wherever a person is in the house, one room might be hot, while the next room may be cold.

Magnolia, TX ventilation servicesWhile many people think this is natural for any Magnolia home, the fact is that’s not the case. By following a few simple tips, virtually any home can find itself with room temperatures that are consistent from room to room.

Properly Insulate All Rooms

One of the primary reasons for some rooms having inconsistent temperatures is a lack of insulation or having the wrong type of insulation.

In many homes, areas such as the attic as well as utility rooms may not be insulated. If this is the case, the result can be areas of a home that have much colder temperatures than do other rooms.

To make sure this doesn’t happen, it’s a good idea to have an HVAC technician evaluate your home’s insulation and make recommendations on how to make improvements.

Check the Heating and Cooling Vents

One of the simplest things people can do if temperatures from room to room are inconsistent is check their heating and cooling vents. In many cases, the vents may either be closed or obstructed, which keeps them from spreading warm or cool air as needed.

Most of the time, simply removing the grates from the vents and using a vacuum cleaner to clean and remove accumulated debris will do the trick. However, in situations where debris has accumulated deep within the vent, an HVAC technician will need to be called to inspect the vent for blockages and use specialized equipment to get it cleaned out.

Be Wary of Your Windows

While big windows in a room add plenty of sunlight and can offer stunning views, they can also be big contributors to inconsistent room temperatures in a home. Despite the many advances in window design and development, the fact remains that cold air often seeps in around glass panes during the winter.

When this happens, the result is a very cold room. To rectify this situation, it’s best to have an HVAC technician inspect the windows for any gaps that may be allowing cold air to enter the Magnolia home.

In addition to this, new windows that have low solar heat gain coefficients can be installed in order to allow for some heat gain to occur in the room during sunny days.

With the help of an expert from Affordable American Air Conditioning & Heating, you can find out how to keep the temperature consistent in your Magnolia, TX home. Just call (281) 704-3696 today!