Category: Land & Property

Staying in This Valentine's Day? Make Sure the Temperature Works Well!

Optimizing Heating for a Romantic Night in

Who doesn't like the warm heat that generates from central heating equipment? This warmth is especially appreciated during the cold months, where many romantic night-ins occur, like Valentine's Day.

To enjoy a romantic night, homeowners should double-check that their central heating service is working efficiently. If not, this can cause an increase in energy bills as the system struggles to work hard to frequently push warm water inside to raise the temperature.

Check for Drafts in Windows and Doors

The first thing that homeowners should check for is drafts. Most of the time, drafts are small but can cause headaches! Thankfully, this issue is easily fixable, and most times, homeowners won't need to contact their local heating company.

Energy-efficient heating is not possible either if there are drafts in the windows or doors. Why is that? Drafts are caused by small tears, cracks, or holes. This allows air to release, making it hard for the inside of a home to stay at the set temperature.

Drafts are easy to miss because they are small! It is best to call an HVAC contractor to focus on finding the problem. With years of experience and many tools, they can find the exact cause of a homeowner's heating problems.

Look into Installing Energy Star Certified Windowswindows

If homeowners are looking into optimizing home heating, they can look at the energy star-certified windows options. These windows are easy to use and install, but it is best to call an HVAC contractor as the windows are fragile.

Unlike normal windows, energy star-certified windows work by purposefully creating a thick seal, not allowing any drafts to form. There are many different types for all kinds of homes and clients!

For example, it is best to find a window with shade in states and locations where it is primarily hot. This way, the thickness can keep the cool air in, and the shading property repels the sun's harsh rays.

contractorMake Sure Equipment Is Worked on By a Reputable Heating Contractor

Before hiring just anyone, homeowners should research heating and HVAC contractors. Although there are many great contractors, not everyone specializes in the services that homeowners are looking for.

The best way to do this is by doing research. Thankfully, many contracting companies have google reviews with photos. Reviewers and past customers can post photos, praise, and complaints of the job completed.

Not only are good reviews necessary, but small things like certifications, licenses, and insurance. Always pick a company with full insurance so all belongings are taken care of. Homeowners need to protect themselves when allowing a heating contractor to look over their equipment and home.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

This company has been operating for over 30 years in their community, providing HVAC services. Not only do they provide excellent services, but they do so with a smile and pride! Call them today for reputable HVAC services in the Conroe, TX area.

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The AC Isn't Haunted, It Just Needs Repairs

That Banging and Clanging from the Air Conditioner Isn’t a Restless Spirit

It’s that time of year when decorations turn orange and large varieties of gourds begin to turn up on every corner. From spicy pumpkins to ghostly wind and rain, tis’ the season of the spooks. Even the homes people cherish may offer up unwanted startling sounds that cause people to question the existence of spirits in the physical realm. 

The central air conditioning system may be the source of many of these disturbing sounds. In all likelihood, it is merely a reminder that the unit needs attention.

Loud Percussive Soundshvac

That bang, bang, banging is not a poltergeist but is parts that have rattled loose from the inside of the home’s air conditioning unit. The rattling could be caused by debris such as sticks and leaves that have fallen into the unit. One may easily remove this, but whether the problem is debris or loose parts in the unit itself, AC maintenance will be necessary. Here are a few of the services a technician may need to perform to rid the unit of the noise:

  • Cleaning: The filter needs to be cleaned and replaced and the debris removed to ensure nothing is getting caught in the fan or other moving parts. 
  • Replacing parts: If the banging is coming from something internal, parts may need to be tightened or replaced due to wear and tear. 
  • AC Replacement: If there are loose parts within the compressor housing, then there may not be a way to fix it without replacing the entire unit.

Screeching and Grinding Noisescompressor

What if a homeowner doesn’t hear banging but instead hears a high-pitched whine or a growling grinding? This may result from a few different maintenance issues, and there are several parts that an HVAC professional would investigate and repair throughout a visit. 
  • Belts: The belts that power the blower or the fan may be wearing down and need replacement.
  • Fans: There may be damage or obstruction to the fan itself. 
  • Loose Parts: Some connections or belts may have come loose and need to be tightened or rebalanced.
  • Compressor: If the pressure within the unit’s compressor is too high, this can cause a screaming sound. This is a very dangerous problem and needs to be dealt with immediately.

Hisses and Whistles from the Coolant Tubes

There are no witches in the ducts, but the home may need air conditioner replacement. Hissing from an air conditioning unit is typically the result of a leak in the refrigerant tubes. These tubes contain the gas that removes heat from the home and cools when sent through the compressor, and the fan blows air over these cold tubes, sending cooler air into the home. 

A leak in these tubes can be harmful to the people who live in the home because of the escaping gas and can also cause the inconvenience of a frozen air conditioning unit on an extremely hot day. 

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating 

For more than 35 years, Easco Air Conditioning and Heating have kept families comfortable in their own homes. They feature upfront pricing at highly competitive rates and fully stocked trucks to complement their well-trained professional staff. Call them today for HVAC services in the Conroe, TX area.

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Ways To Beat the Heat This Summer

Three Easy Ways To Stay Cool in the Summer Heat

It’s the heart of summer, and people everywhere are looking for ways to keep the summer heat at bay. And few places in the country know more about summer heat (not to mention humidity) than Southeast Texas. Cranking up the air conditioner will certainly get the job done - but it will also make for a heftier utility bill at the end of each month. As an alternative, many homeowners are getting a little more creative about beating the heat this year. Read on to discover three simple ways to keep cool in the summer months without spending a fortune on cooling.

Shower With Lower Water Temperatureshower

The first way to cool off on a hot summer day (or night) is to take cold showers. Most people will understandably be hesitant to do this one at first - it’s not exactly the most comfortable thing in the world! But most people also find that it gets easier after the first few times. And on a hot day, it can be downright blissful.

But the benefits of taking cold showers extend beyond cooling off. They can also positively affect health in several ways - increasing circulation, metabolism, and alertness, stimulating the nervous system, promoting a more powerful immune response, and reducing stress, to name a few. As a bonus, cold showers also mean lower water heating costs!

Use Cooling Bed Sheets

The next way to keep cool is to swap out the bedspread for more breathable materials. Staying cool in the daytime is one thing, but it’s arguably more important at night. Studies have shown that being too warm can interfere with the body’s natural sleep patterns and lead to poor sleep quality. And anyone who’s ever woken up covered in sweat knows that overheating in the night is no fun at all.

Of course, it will help keep the thermostat set to a low temperature (around 67 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal), but this can significantly inflate the utility bill. Using lighter, more breathable sheets and blankets can help regulate body temperatures, prevent overheating, and promote healthier sleep. Some great cooling materials include cotton, bamboo, Percale, Tencel, and linen.

hvac filter

Change the AC Air Filter Regularly

The third way to beat the summer heat is to replace the AC intake filter regularly. Air conditioners rely on a steady, cyclical airflow to pull warm air in, cool it, and distribute it throughout the house. A dirty or dust-clogged air filter will constrict airflow and make it harder for the AC unit to do its job effectively.
Not only will this make it harder for the home to get cool and stay cool, but it will also put undue strain and wear on the unit over time. Keeping the filter clean will improve unit efficiency and help extend its lifespan. For most homes, replacing the air filter every 3 months will be adequate, but for those with pets or in particularly dusty areas, more frequent replacements may be necessary. Not only is this one of the best things homeowners can do for their HVAC systems, but it’s also one of the most effortless ways to stay cool all summer long.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating have proudly served the Conroe, TX community since 1982. Their courteous expert technicians arrive on time in fully stocked trucks and strive to leave every home better than they found it. Easco offers up-front pricing, financing, and a rewarding maintenance plan. Call now for AC services!

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Celebrate Air Conditioning With These Patriotic Fun Facts

Check Out These Weird (But True) AC Facts

There’s nothing like coming home during a hot summer day to bask in the cooling air flowing out of the AC system. It helps dry the sweat, restore energy, and stay comfortable. AC is essential in Texas in the summer. Without it, certain demographics would be at increased risk of heat-related injury. So, there’s much to give thanks for when it comes to air conditioning. So, to commemorate National AC day, here are some fun facts about air conditioning!

ac

July 17th: National AC Day

It seems that there’s a day for everything these days. But, if there’s one invention that has revolutionized the way people live, it’s that of the air conditioner. Life would be very different without air conditioners. Whether in the home, the car, or at work, air conditioners work tirelessly to keep people comfortable and cool. They help maintain a regular temperature, keep the air clean, and control the moisture in the air. So, this National AC Day, there’s a couple of ways to celebrate. 

One way to commemorate National AC Day is to get out of the house for a little while during the day. Work up a sweat (safely, of course) and then head back into the nice, cool house. Take a few minutes to relish in the comfort and convenience of the AC unit. But the best thing homeowners can do for AC Day is schedule routine maintenance! Caring for the AC unit helps it function well so the home can stay comfortable. 

Where Was AC Invented?

There’s no better month in which to celebrate National AC Day than July. Not only is it one of the hottest months of the year (for those in the northern hemisphere, anyway), but it’s the same month when America’s Independence Day happens. This is fitting because AC was invented right here in the USA. 

Willis Carrier submitted plans for the modern AC system in 1902. He was working as an engineer in New York, and the AC plan was his solution to a problem that a Brooklyn publishing company was struggling with. The summer humidity was affecting the company’s ability to put out its products. So, Willis devised a way to cool their building while simultaneously pulling moisture from the air. It was a resounding success!

No “Summer Blockbusters” Without Air Conditioningtheater

Pretty much everyone has heard the term “Summer Blockbuster” at some point. It conjures images of big-budget movies with household-name actors. These days it means lots of visual effects and, often, superheroes. But, believe it or not, the air conditioning had more to do with the term than movies did. 

Back in the 1930s, air conditioning wasn’t in every household like it is now. But certain businesses saw the potential in installing an AC in their buildings. Movie theaters were one of these businesses. So, people would line up around the block during the sweltering summer days, waiting to get into the movie theater. The move? It was an afterthought. They wanted to get out of the heat and into that wonderful AC!

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

The friendly folks at Easco Air Conditioning and Heating have been serving Conroe, TX since 1982. They offer honest recommendations from reliable technicians. They also provide 24/7 emergency service and plenty of financing options! Contact them today for experienced AC repair and maintenance service. 

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Stop Winter Freezing in Its Tracks: Keep the Home Safe During Extreme Weather

Preventing Home Heating Emergencies in Winter Weather

Texas winters are usually on the mild side. But, mother nature knows how to throw curveballs everywhere, including the Lonestar state. When winter weather strikes, homeowners need to be prepared. Being ready for a winter storm doesn’t just mean stocking up on toilet paper and dry food. The home itself needs to be prepped for cold weather, too. Setting the home up to withstand extreme weather will help keep the home and its occupants safe during surprise storms. 

How To Winterize a Home

Weatherizing a home takes a little elbow grease, but the reward is a functioning, safe home even in the worst of storms. How does someone get started winterizing the home? 

winterization

First and foremost, homeowners should make sure that the heating system is working. The last thing anyone needs is to wake up to a winter storm and a busted heater. Turning on the heater in the early fall and making sure it runs for a few days is the first step to keeping a home warm in extreme weather. One should check the thermostat, too. Without a working thermostat, the heater won’t know when to kick on. 

Once the heater is checked, homeowners should install new filters and clean the ductwork. A clean HVAC system runs better, uses less energy, and is less likely to fail without warning. Filters should be replaced every three months or so to keep the heater running smoothly. 

Finally, homeowners should keep the outside out. This means disconnecting water hoses, turning off outdoor water lines, and even insulating windows to keep cold air out of the home. Sealing windows with fresh caulk, covering up exposed wall-air conditioners with waterproof sheets, and even installing a draft stopper on the exterior doors will keep cold winter air out of the home and help prevent freezing pipes and temperature-related damages to the home.

How To Properly Insulate a Homeinsulation

Without good insulation, a home’s heater and the air conditioner are practically useless. Insulation keeps a home comfortable and helps keep the home running correctly. Think of insulation as a type of shield that prevents the icy air of winter from invading the home’s walls. When insulation becomes spotty or deteriorates, it needs to be replaced to keep protecting the home. 

Insulation comes in several forms, some of which require professional installation. Homeowners can take some action on their own by using rolled insulation from a hardware store in the attic or even by insulating exposed pipes in the basement with plumbing foam insulation.

How To Heat the Home in an Emergency

When the power goes out, the last thing anyone wants to worry about is staying warm. Too often, though, the heater and electricity that powers it are taken for granted, and homeowners don’t have a backup plan. 

When emergency heating situations strike, the first thing to do is find a single room to keep warm. From there, homeowners can use a variety of heat sources and tools to keep their families warm.

  • Keep a stock of portable heating solutions: Power failures can happen at any time. Portable heating solutions are ready to go at any moment. Canned heat, candles, and even air-activated hand warmers are excellent portable and quick heat producers for emergencies. 
  • Invest in a permanent heating backup: Portable heating solutions are good in a pinch, but investing in a larger and more permanent solution will provide more comfort and reliable heat for emergencies. These solutions usually require professional installation and include wood-burning stoves and radiant propane heaters. These options may cost more, but in the long run, they’ll protect a home better from the cold during a power failure. 
  • Use home items to stay warmer: Emergency heat sources can keep the bitter cold away, but they don’t always make everyone completely comfortable. Homeowners should consider adding reflective sleeping bags that use body heat to keep them warm, use a small portable tent to sleep in and conserve body heat, or keep a stock of warm winter clothing at the ready in emergencies. 

No one should get caught unprepared; homeowners should get started on winterizing the home with these tips today!

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating are proud to provide their Conroe, TX community with superb HVAC services. From maintenance to HVAC remodeling, the expert team at Easco Air Conditioning and Heating has the skills to handle it. Give Easco Air Conditioning and Heating a call today for heating services!

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