Winter Comfort: Discover Humidifiers' Health Benefits

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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!

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 Conditioning

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?

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 Home

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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How Does POTUS Beat the D.C. Heat?

Fun Facts About Cooling the Executive Mansion

Today's White House is a modern marvel that stands as a representation of Western democracy. However, it had humble beginnings. Built in a new government district sectioned off from portions of Maryland and Virginia, the White House lacked all of the amenities that make modern construction comfortable. The nation's first presidents used privies on the White House lawn and worked by lamps after the sun went down.

The nation's capital is located in what used to be swampland along the Potomac River. The area is known for its high humidity and uncomfortably warm summer temperatures. This President's Day, homeowners should take a moment to appreciate the nation's early presidents by learning about the heating and cooling upgrades that have been done to the White House.

Take It Outside!

Options for cooling down in the heat of the D.C. summers were scarce. Most presidents opted to work with windows open to let what little air was available. But some of the presidents found that opening windows wasn't quite enough. President Taft was so tired of dealing with summer heat that he had a special porch built on the White House roof. The screened-in porch gave him a cool retreat where he slept on hot, humid summer nights.

President Wilson took another similar approach. He was so tired of the summer heat that he moved his office outside. At the time, a large canvas tent was still on the lawn. The tent was leftover from President Roosevelt's administration. President Wilson had lighting installed and phone lines run to it to carry on business outside in the breeze.

Running Up the Cooling Bills with President Nixon

After a major renovation in the 1950s, the entire White House had HVAC technology installed. Up until that time, only portions had been upgraded. When the green movement started in the 1970s, President Johnson would walk around the White House, turning off lights in unoccupied rooms. He made up for his energy savings by keeping his quarters so cold that he had to sleep under an electric blanket.

Possibly in response to the growing environmentalist movement, President Nixon kept the thermostat set low. The Nixon White House was renowned for being a chilly place. Contrary to his desire to keep things cool, he had fireplaces that he kept burning even in the summer because he liked them.

History of Heating

The original White House was heated like any other dwelling at the time, mainly with coal stoves or wood fireplaces. The first rudimentary heating systems were furnaces installed in the early 1800s that had plaster ducts. Only two White House sections were lucky enough to get the heat.

As technology got better, the White House was upgraded. During the renovation under the Truman administration, he upgraded the White House to modern heat and cooling standards.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating has over 30 years helping Conroe, TX homeowners keep their HVAC systems running. They have competitive upfront pricing so their customers know they're getting the best for their money. Their trained technicians take the time to educate their customers on their options. Call now for HVAC services!

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Reach New Goals for HVAC Equipment by Starting New Habits This Year

Common HVAC Ownership Mistakes

When it comes to owning a home, there are plenty of things that can keep the homeowners busy. It seems there is a never-ending list of projects and chores to keep up to keep the house looking and performing its best. When it comes to the utilities in a house, homeowners should try and keep everything running at peak performance.

For HVACs, the best option is for homeowners to get a professional HVAC maintenance company to help lighten the load of their responsibilities. Here is a list of steps that homeowners can take to ensure their HVACs stay running their best all year long.

Get the Right Filter

Keeping a clean filter in the HVAC is essential to a family's health and the care of an HVAC unit. Changing the filter keeps the air in a home clean, and it keeps nasty grime from building up on the inside of the AC unit. But, many people don't know that not every filter is ideal for every AC unit.

As filtration technology gets better, older units may not respond best to modern high-efficiency filters. Filters, by their nature, cause an AC unit to have to work harder to distribute air. The same principle is why dirty filters are undesirable in an AC. High-efficiency filters can block the flow of air to the point that AC performance is affected. To avoid this, it may be best to seek advice from a professional to help find the right filtration level for a family and the AC unit.

Schedule Professional Tune-ups and Maintenance

Chalkboard displaying "MAINTENANCE" with wrenches and a tape measure, symbolizing HVAC maintenance and repair services.

An HVAC is an expensive piece of equipment to operate. Performing routine HVAC maintenance can help lower repair bills and cooling bills. Many local HVAC maintenance contractors have special programs that assist homeowners in caring for their HVAC equipment.

These programs include:

Topping off refrigerant levels
Checking motors
Filter changes
Cleaning fans
Lubrication

By opting for professional HVAC maintenance service, homeowners can expect less downtime from their unit. Many homeowners find that units last longer and that money is saved in the long run due to higher efficiency and fewer necessary repairs.

Only Use Professional Service

Neglecting repairs is never the right approach to take when it comes to AC repairs. If a problem is suspected in an air conditioner, it certainly won't improve over time. As the problem gets worse, it could cause other complications. Repairing the problem at once will prevent it from getting worse and ultimately save money.

HVAC technician in blue overalls holding a toolbox, signaling a phone call with an air conditioning unit in the background, emphasizing professional HVAC maintenance and repair services.

Air conditioner repair is not considered a DIY project. Whenever problems arise, seeking the help of a professional is the best course of action. Licensed professionals work on AC problems every day to make repairs quicker and more effectively than a non-professional. Additionally, they will know how to look for other problems so the homeowner will have more confidence after the repairs.

About Easco Air Conditioning and Heating

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating has been caring for Conroe, TX homeowners since 1983. Their qualified and licensed professionals are ready to handle any AC problems that may arise around the home. Upfront pricing means their customers never have to deal with surprise costs that may pop up during a project. Call now for HVAC service!

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What Is Geothermal Heating & Cooling?

Exploring Geothermal Heating and Cooling

A term that isn’t common to the public ear is geothermal heating and cooling. It sounds out of this world but it is actually the opposite. Many people use this method for their homes and businesses and it has become a much more common practice. Geothermal heating and cooling is a method of temperature regulation that uses the earth to heat and cool houses and buildings.

The methods of geothermal heating and cooling are common and could become much more wide-spread for temperature regulation in years to come. This article will discuss how it works and whether it’s a good option for your home, if you are looking to replace your air conditioning system.

What Is Geothermal Heating and Cooling?

As mentioned above, a geothermal system may seem out of this world, but it is actually quite the opposite. It features an efficient way to heat and cool houses and buildings using the temperature from just underneath the Earth's surface. During the wintertime, the ground underneath the houses is much warmer than the outside air.

This warmth is captured through temperature conducting pipelines and tubing that flows hundreds of feet down and transfers heat to people's homes from the earth. This is not only for the cold wintery months but also for the hot summer months as well. The Earth's crust tends to rest at a cooler temperature compared to the outside air. The cool core is used to cool down houses during the blistery hot months.

The Geothermal Benefits

There are several benefits for geothermal heating and cooling. One of the most recognizable benefits is the environmental benefit. The system doesn’t burn any fossil fuels to maintain energy systems but instead uses heat energy from the natural earth and sun interaction.

Geothermal heating and cooling systems are considered a renewable resource because it takes the natural heat of the earth's surface around 50 to 60 degrees, and uses this to the heat pump's advantage.

Another benefit is that it is a reliable and efficient renewable energy source that is available all year round. Some geothermal heating and cooling systems can be even more than 45 percent efficient than regular heating and cooling systems throughout the year.

The thermal system adapts to the time of year and can help prevent the house and floors from being too hot in the summertime and too cold in the wintertime. All of this regulation is done in one system that is efficient and uses the earth's natural resources.

An Added Bonus: Geothermal Systems Are Creating Jobs

With the world slowly starting to shift from fossil fuel energy to reusable energy, there is an entirely new economy that has opened up. Switching to geothermal systems allows for more jobs in this innovative sector and more experts to arise.

Overall, this will help the economy and have an important impact on the future of energy systems. Even major companies are starting to seek out geothermal systems in order to fuel their businesses nationwide.

Trust a Local HVAC Pro!

Easco Air Conditioning and Heating located in Conroe, TX provides a wide variety of quick and affordable HVAC repair and maintenance services. With a team of trusted professionals and over 30 years of expertise, they can help maintain your HVAC system for years to come.