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Professional Tips for Improving Indoor Air Quality

Improve Indoor Air Quality for National Wellness Month

This August is National Wellness Month! Homeowners can improve their health and wellness by improving their home’s indoor air quality. Indoor air quality can have major health effects on the respiratory system. Regular HVAC maintenance and air purifiers are two ways homeowners can have cleaner air at home.

Air quality is measured by the number of air pollutants present, humidity, and other factors impacting human health. People with asthma, children, and the elderly are especially susceptible to poor indoor air quality effects. In this blog post, our HVAC experts discuss how poor air quality affects health and what homeowners can do about it.

Poor Air Quality Can Have Long-Term Health Effects

Too much or too little humidity in the air can make it difficult to breathe. Air conditioning tends to dry out the air by removing some moisture in the cooling process. During the summer, indoor air conditioning can irritate respiratory systems by drying out the air. Adding a humidifier can help to prevent the negative side effects of air conditioning.

Some of the health effects of indoor air quality can have long-term consequences for homeowners. Poor air quality can aggravate asthma symptoms and cause allergy attacks which could be life-threatening. Long-term exposure to air pollutants can damage the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs.

Examples of air pollutants include pollen, dust, dander, mold, and pet hair. The smaller the airborne particle is, the more damaging it is for human health. Small particles of contaminants are easily inhaled into the lungs, wreaking havoc on the body’s systems. Airborne contaminants can also include germs, bacteria, and viruses.

Chronic exposure to mold, asbestos and other airborne pollutants can result in heart disease, cancer, and respiratory illnesses. Improving indoor air quality at home can help homeowners to live longer, healthier lives.

Remove Indoor Air Pollutants with Air Filters

Almost all HVAC units use air filters to remove airborne pollutants from the air before it gets sucked into the air intake. Ventilation is an important part of having good indoor air quality. As the air ventilates through the system, the air filter catches particles of dust and hair to prevent them from recirculating.

It is recommended that homeowners change air filters every one to three months. Some air filters are better than others at filtering out minuscule particles of pollutants. Homeowners may consider investing in high-quality air filters to prevent allergies. Changing the air filter more often can also improve air quality.

Doing HVAC maintenance can help to promote good indoor air quality by preventing dust and other debris from being circulated in the air via the HVAC system. During maintenance appointments, a professional HVAC technician can assess the home’s indoor air quality and make recommendations for the homeowner.

Air Purifiers and Air Sanitizers

Homeowners can use portable air cleaners to improve their air quality beyond what the regular HVAC system is capable of with air filters. Air purifiers are portable filtration systems that remove particles of contaminants from the air that regular air filters may miss. The best air purifiers remove the tiniest airborne particles, including dust and pollen.

Air sanitizers are different from air purifiers in that they do not filter out particles of contaminants, but rather they use UV light to kill germs and bacteria in the air. During cold and flu season, air sanitizers are a powerful tool for stopping the spread of illness via the air. Air sanitizers can even kill viruses.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

The experienced HVAC technicians at Easco Air Conditioning and Heating are proud to provide prompt and professional service at every appointment. Since 1982, they have delivered a high standard of service for all of their customers. Homeowners can rely on the Easco Air Conditioning and Heating team for fair and up-front pricing on all HVAC services. Call Easco Air Conditioning and Heating today to schedule an appointment for HVAC maintenance in Conroe, TX!

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Making Their Own Luck: Pros Share Tips for AC Repair

March Tips for AC Maintenance

Spring is just around the corner, and the air conditioning will soon be humming away to keep homes comfortable as the temperatures increase. Just as any appliance may need a bit of attention after sitting idle, a home’s air conditioning unit may need a bit of tweaking before it is fully ready to keep a house cool. Here are a few suggestions for keeping the air conditioner in working order, preventing the dreaded emergency AC repair phone call.

Keep the Air Filter Clean

One of the first things that should be done when a homeowner is getting ready to turn on their cooling unit is to clean or replace the air filters. Air filters are an essential part of a central heating and cooling system. They capture pollutants such as pollen, dust, pet hair, and the like. This capture prevents the spread of such irritants and the subsequent breathing difficulties from such a spread.

As the air filter traps these particles, it is more difficult for the air to flow through the filter and the AC unit has to work harder. This can lead to the need for AC repair. Air filter replacement or cleaning every 3 months is highly recommended for keeping the AC unit at its most efficient.

Troubleshoot the Thermostat

If the air conditioning unit has been properly maintained but still isn’t cooling the way it should, the problem may be with the thermostat or thermostats. If the thermostat is not measuring the temperature properly or not communicating with the AC unit, then the house will grow uncomfortable very quickly.

Here are a few of the reasons the temperature on the thermostat and the temperature in the home may not be matched up and how to fix them:

Dusty Thermostat: If the thermostat has not been cleaned, then the likelihood that it has dust accumulation is very high. A gentle dusting with a cloth or canned air is a good way to clean the thermostat.
Loose Wiring: Make sure the connections within the thermostat are tight.
Broken Temperature Sensors: A thermostat cannot do its job without a working thermometer. The whole unit may need to be replaced.
Auto Mode/Locked Mode: Some thermostats have a setting that does not allow the temperature to be adjusted. Check the owner’s manual for setting instructions.

Regular Air Conditioning Maintenance

The best way to prevent emergency air conditioner repair is to call the professionals before the unit stops working. Air conditioner maintenance is key to keeping a hard-working AC unit up and running. Maintenance should be done every six months and includes the following tasks which ultimately keep the machine in its best possible condition:

Filter changing
Tightening electrical connections
Cleaning the coils
Checking coolant levels
Replacing coolant
Replacing damaged parts
Cleaning the duct system and checking for damage

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

With nearly 40 years of experience in Huntsville, TX, Easco Air Conditioning and Heating offers unmatched service and expertise in the field. Same-day appointments are available. Call today and ask about the membership maintenance plan.

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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 Windows

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.

Make 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 Sounds

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 Noises

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 Temperature

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.

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!