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Three Tips to Breathe Easier During the Spring

Spring is an excellent time of year because the weather warms up, and people no longer suffer from cold temperatures. However, with the spring thaw, thousands of plants take the opportunity to spew pollen into the air to pollinate. This sends about one in four people back inside to escape the trigger that activates their seasonal allergies.

Unfortunately for those who take refuge inside, homes with low-quality indoor air can worsen things. Indoor air is always more polluted than outdoor air, so with the higher level of pollen outdoors and the high level of dust inside, there is no place to hide. Luckily, while allergy sufferers can’t change nature, they can get their home to work for them. Here are three tips to help people breathe easier in the spring.

Replace the Air Filters

Even though indoor air is more polluted than outdoor air, there are measures to clean it up if people in the home need it. The air filter is the first measure that often gets forgotten about in the haze that is an allergy-sufferer’s spring.

Air filters remove dust and allergens from a home's air every time the heater or air conditioner cycles on. Day after day, the air filter slowly fills up with allergens until it is no longer protecting the home. Changing the air filters allows the system to clean up the air more effectively, even to the point that those who suffer from allergies can breathe easily again.

Use Air Filtration Systems

In extreme cases, air filters may not be enough to amend the air in a home. In this case, there are a couple of options for air filtration systems that can do the trick. First, small portable air filters can do an excellent job cleaning up the air in a room, like a bedroom. This allows people some reprieve as they sleep, lessening the total allergen load and reducing symptoms.

For better filtration, whole-home air filtration systems can clean up the air in the entire home effortlessly. These devices work in concert with heaters and air conditioners to quickly clean the air for the whole house, not just a few rooms.

Remember Spring Air Conditioning Maintenance

The final trick to cleaning the air and reducing allergy symptoms in the spring is to take advantage of spring air conditioner maintenance. Spring AC maintenance is a professional service most local heating and air conditioning contractors offer. When performed before startup in the spring, this service can help the air conditioner run more smoothly during the summer and also clean up the air in the home. With steps like coil cleaning and blower inspection, technicians can remove layers of grime that have built up over time and continuously contribute to poor indoor air quality.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating helps clean up the spring air with air conditioner maintenance and air filtration system installation. They are available for fast emergency service, and they offer upfront pricing. Call today for indoor air quality services in Huntsville, TX.

Reasons to Start the New Year with a New Thermostat

A new year is here, and while that means excitement and high expectations for most people, it can also mean that a home is one more year out of date. This is especially true for homes that haven’t upgraded their HVAC system with a smart thermostat. Smart thermostats have been around for a while now, but there are still some people who are reluctant to make the switch, mostly because they don’t understand smart thermostats and how great of a tool they can be.

This year, kick things off with a smart thermostat installation. Installing a new smart thermostat in 2024 is a great way to support resolutions like being more financially responsible or eco-friendly. Here is a quick guide to help those unfamiliar with smart thermostats understand the technology so they can make an informed decision.

What Are Smart Thermostats?

Thermostats are the control center of the heating and air conditioning system. They tell the system when to cycle on to keep the home comfortable. With a traditional thermostat, the temperature is manually set, and the thermostat will keep the space at that temperature until the setting is changed. This is somewhat convenient, but it is also wasteful.

A smart thermostat uses different features to determine how to keep the home comfortable more efficiently. Automatically adjusting the temperature setting overnight or while people are not home can greatly reduce the workload on HVAC equipment. Some of the features they use to set an automatic schedule are:

• Integrated smart home features that detect movement in the home
• Geofencing information relayed from smartphones
• Algorithms that determine energy savings
• Apps that allow for remote control and programming

Programmable thermostats were a great way to save energy on the market, but smart thermostats outshine them in every way. If homes are still running on manual or programmable thermostats, now is the best time to make the effortless switch to smart thermostats.

Benefits of Installing Smart Thermostats

Smart thermostats have gained popularity because they offer several benefits that enhance the ease and comfort of those in the home. Some of the reasons that people are making the switch are:

• Energy Savings: By reducing runtime on HVAC equipment, smart thermostats save energy.
• Improved Comfort: Instead of trying to reduce runtime manually by manipulating the setpoint, smart thermostats handle this automatically so that no one has to come home to an uncomfortable space.
• Effortless Use: Smart thermostats do all of the work for the owner. They learn automatically and require no oversight.

When Is Thermostat Installation a Good Idea?

The answer to this question is now. Smart thermostats, while they cost a little more upfront, can save the installation cost in a year. If there are signs that the current thermostat is failing and will need to be upgraded anyway, then the choice becomes easy. Schedule smart thermostat installation if:

• Hot and cold spots exist in the home
• Temperature setpoints aren’t accurate
• HVAC is running long cycles
• There is no power to the thermostat
• The system isn’t running at all

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating helps owners reduce energy usage with smart thermostat installation. Take advantage of a more comfortable home now with their expert service. Call today for HVAC service in The Woodlands, TX.

Signs That Now Is the Best Time for Furnace Replacement

A reliable furnace becomes paramount as winter settles in, ensuring the home remains a warm and welcoming haven during the chilly months. However, just like any essential household appliance, furnaces have a finite lifespan, and their efficiency can diminish over time. In this article, local heating professionals delve into the signs that indicate it might be time to consider replacing the furnace this winter, exploring factors such as age, frequent repairs, increased energy bills, and the overall comfort of living spaces.

Old Age and Frequent Repairs

Furnaces, like any mechanical system, are not designed to last indefinitely. With repeated heating and cooling cycles over dozens of winters, the system will finally start to falter. The typical lifespan of a furnace ranges from 15 to 20 years. As a furnace approaches or surpasses this age range, it often becomes less efficient. This leads to increased energy consumption and decreased performance. The wear and tear on its components that result from this loss of efficiency and performance over the years can result in a noticeable decline in overall functionality.

Another critical factor to consider is the frequency of repairs. While regular maintenance is expected, a furnace requiring constant attention and repairs might signal that it's reaching the end of its operational life. At some point, the financial investment in repairing an aging furnace may outweigh the benefits, making it smarter to put money into a new unit that promises reliability and improved efficiency.

Creeping Energy Bills

A sudden surge in heating bills is a common and concerning sign that the furnace may be struggling. This cost increase can often be attributed to a loss of efficiency within the system or a need for repairs. Tracking energy bills over the years is the best way to spot an aging furnace. If they steadily rise over the years, heater replacement may be the best way to get bills back under control.

An older furnace, operating below its peak efficiency, has to work harder to maintain a comfortable temperature. Upgrading to a newer model with advanced energy-saving features brings down utility bills and aligns with modern environmental standards. When owners upgrade their heaters, they should consider it an investment in comfort and reducing the home's carbon footprint.

The Home Is Uncomfortable

A well-functioning furnace should provide consistent and comfortable heating throughout the home. If owners find certain areas consistently colder than others or struggle with persistent humidity problems, it could indicate that the furnace is no longer up to the task of keeping the home comfortable.

Uneven heating compromises a home's comfort and can lead to practical issues such as frozen pipes that might risk damage to the home. If the furnace struggles to meet the heating demands, exploring newer, more efficient options becomes crucial to maintaining a cozy and well-regulated indoor environment.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating can help for upfront pricing on heater replacement projects. Their experts design heating systems for every home using every energy source. Call today for heater replacement or repairs in Huntsville, TX.

How To Prepare the Heating System for the Cold Fall and Winter

Fall is here, and aside from the falling leaves, shorter days, and pumpkin spice goodies, it brings cooler days and chilly nights. So naturally, it’s time for homeowners to turn off the air conditioner and fire up the heater or furnace. But after being used all of last winter and then sitting inactive all summer, the heating system may have some issues that need addressing before the cold weather arrives.

Too often, homeowners go into the colder months with a heater that hasn’t been properly maintained only to encounter problems like poor heating performance, high energy bills, or even a sudden heater breakdown. This article will share a few tips to help prepare the heater for the workload it will face through the fall and winter months ahead!

Schedule Professional Heater Maintenance

Perhaps the most powerful way to get the heater ready for fall is to have it serviced by a qualified HVAC professional. This involves a variety of tasks that homeowners can’t (or shouldn’t attempt to) tackle on their own – such as lubricating moving parts, inspecting bearings and fan belts for damage (and replacing them if need be), checking the amperage of the blower motor, checking electrical connections, cleaning gas burners and other internal components, and testing thermocouples and other safety devices for proper function.

HVAC technicians have the training and tools to recognize and resolve any issues that can cause bigger problems down the road, so homeowners don’t have to worry about their heater breaking down in the middle of a frigid winter night. Routine heater maintenance also helps keep the system functioning at peak efficiency. It mitigates the effects of normal wear & tear, so annual tune-ups can save money on energy bills and premature heater repair or replacement!

Change the Air Filters On Time

Homeowners may be unable to tackle the more in-depth items on a professional heating maintenance checklist, but they can do their part simply by replacing the HVAC air filters before they get too dirty. The air filters capture airborne pollutants like hair, dust, and dander as the heating system pulls air through the main return vent to be heated and recirculated throughout the home.

But if the air filter is clogged with dirt and dust, it will be less effective at capturing other pollutants and make it harder for the blower fan to pull air through the filter. This can result in poor heating performance, reduced energy efficiency, and increased stress on the blower motor and other components.

Replacing the air filters on time is critical for maintaining good indoor air quality, reducing unnecessary energy consumption, and preventing damage to the system. But how often should the air filters be replaced? For most homes, the air filters should be replaced every 3 months. If anyone in the home has asthma, allergies, or other respiratory sensitivities, if there are several indoor pets in the house, or if the house tends to accumulate a lot of dust, then homeowners may want to change the filters every 1 to 2 months instead.

Track Energy Usage – And Look for Ways To Reduce It

Staying on top of professional heating maintenance and air filter replacement will go a long way in preparing the heating system for the colder months, but homeowners can go the extra mile by keeping an eye on their energy usage. Since the HVAC system tends to be the single biggest source of energy consumption in the home, unexpected spikes in energy usage often point to a problem with the air conditioner or heater.

As the weather gets colder, homeowners can pay close attention to their energy bills and usage statistics. They can then try different ways to improve efficiency and see how their energy usage changes. One great way to help improve heating efficiency is to add weatherstripping to doors and windows. This can greatly reduce the loss of warm air due to leakage, allowing the heater to work less hard to keep the home at the correct temperature.

Homeowners should also consider installing a smart thermostat, particularly if their energy bills seem unusually high. Smart thermostats have various features specifically designed to improve energy efficiency, such as remote thermostat control via smartphone, occupancy sensors (to avoid heating an empty home), and weather alerts. Some smart thermostats even track usage patterns and suggest (or automatically make) adjustments to improve efficiency – so homeowners can reduce their heating costs and stay cozy throughout the fall and winter!

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating has been one of The Woodlands's most trusted and highly-rated HVAC companies since 1982. Their trustworthy, licensed technicians always arrive on time in fully-stocked trucks and do the job right the first time. Easco offers fast turnarounds, competitive up-front pricing, 24/7 emergency service, and a money-saving maintenance plan, so there’s no one better to call for heater maintenance in The Woodlands, TX!

Understanding Humidity

The summer is here, and everyone is constantly talking about the heat. While the ambient temperature has much to do with safety and comfort, it isn’t the whole story. The real number people should spend more time talking about is the heat index.

The heat index measures how the human body perceives and reacts to heat. At its root, it is a combination of the ambient temperature and the moisture in the air known as humidity. Humidity is important because it affects how the human body cools itself through sweating. When the air is already holding a lot of water vapor, the body can’t effectively cool itself through evaporation of sweat. This can lead to discomfort and danger, much more serious than a high temperature.

In the home, high humidity can cause homeowners to feel warm and stifled. Removing the humidity can lower cooling bills and give the home a more comfortable feel. To accomplish this, dehumidifiers can be used.

What do Dehumidifiers Do?

Dehumidifiers remove excess humidity from the air. They use the same process that causes condensation on a cold drink in the summer. As warm air flows through a dehumidifier, it hits a chilled coil that causes water vapor to immediately form. The newly formed liquid water flows down into a pan and drains away. Dry air then returns to the room.

Whole-house dehumidifiers are the best choice for hassle-free dehumidification. Whole-home dehumidifiers are installed as a part of existing central cooling systems, and they operate automatically, often from the same thermostat that controls the indoor temperature. If whole-home units are not desired, smaller portable units can dry out several rooms. However, once the reservoir is full, these will have to be emptied by hand.

Signs That a Home Could Benefit From a Dehumidifier

Most homes would benefit from a dehumidifier, but some homes are in dire need of one. When humidity can go unchecked in a home, it can cause many problems. Some of the signs that a home has chronically high humidity are:

• Foul and musty odors
• Signs of mold growth in damp places like bathrooms
• Black smudges around windows
• Condensation on windows
• Humidity levels that are above 60%
• High utility bills
• Cold, clammy air or warm, muggy air in the home

Benefits of Dehumidification

The truth is most homes could benefit from installing a dehumidifier. Most homes in the US are located in climates with higher humidity than is comfortable for people to spend time in. Lowering the humidity in the home can allow more homes to lower their reliance on air conditioning while also keeping the home more comfortable. Some of the reasons to install a whole-home dehumidifier are:

• Lower air conditioner usage
• Lower utility bills
• Improved indoor air quality
• Discouraged mold growth
• Healthier indoor environment

With a dehumidifier, homeowners can truly beat the heat. Finding local professionals to help can make the summer more enjoyable.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating has over 30 years of experience improving indoor comfort. With 24/7 live answered calls, they are ready to solve air conditioning problems at any time. Call today for fast dehumidifier service in The Woodlands, TX.