Its summertime in Houston and that means one thing: you have to find a way to stay comfortably cool in this hot weather. While figuring out the best ways to cool off can be easy, doing so affordably can be much trickier. Here are just a few ways that can help you stay cool this summer, including how to find affordable AC replacement in Houston.

1.  Get a Programmable Thermostat

Using a programmable thermostat can near-instantly lower your monthly heating and cooling costs by simply letting the temperature rise when you are away and fall when you are using the space. Many people use programmable thermostats in their homes, but you can find them for commercial spaces as well.

If you want to take this one step further and make cooling even more convenient, consider a thermostat with remote access. This can include units that are accessible by a simple remote or even ones you can access with your smartphone. By using a programmable thermostat, especially one that you can access remotely, you can start seeing immediate savings on your cooling bills, often more than ten percent!

2.  Keep Your AC Units Properly Maintained

Proper maintenance of your air conditioning unit is easily the best way to save on cooling and avoid AC replacement. Many people think that AC units are one-in-done and that they cannot be fixed, or if they can that the costs will be similar to a new unit. This isn’t the case. Many AC units can be easily fixed or properly maintained for a fraction of the cost of total AC replacement in Houston, especially when it comes to larger units or those designed for commercial spaces.

The trick to maintaining your AC units, no matter their size, is proper use and finding a quality company who can offer quality AC maintenance at affordable rates. Once you have a great relationship with an AC repair company, they can help you find the best ways to keep the units maintained and save you even more money. Don’t think that AC replacement in Houston is your only option. Have a qualified professional inspect your unit before you replace it.

There is nothing better than an AC system that works properly on a hot day. Getting that relief from the heat can make it easier to sleep at night and maintain productivity during the day. Did you know that your AC system might need more than just maintenance to keep it working at its best? You might need AC duct replacement in Houston, too.

Why is it important to replace your ducts?

The simple fact of the matter is that, if your ducts aren’t in good repair, your AC won’t be as effective as it could be, and that can cost you extra money. AC duct replacement can save you in a number of ways:

1.  Increased energy efficiency—which translates into fewer expensive energy bills. Preventing air from escaping through leaks and cracks in your system is a bit like running the AC with the window open. With new, shiny ducts, you won’t have to work your AC nearly as hard to cool your home, and that means it will use a lot less energy.

2.  No more air fresheners, infusers, or allergy meds. Replacing your air ducts means your AC won’t be blowing dust, allergens, mildew, and even mold throughout your house. The improved air quality not only saves your health but also prevents you from spending extra money on the products you otherwise have to purchase to help cover up the problem.

3.  More consistent temperatures. When air leaks out of cracked ducts, or when it has to struggle through the wrong sized ducts, you are going to notice a difference in temperature as a result. AC duct replacement in Houston means the airconditioned air effectively reaches the right rooms, ensuring a more consistent temperature overall. This saves you from having to fiddle with the thermostat based on which room you happen to be in, and that can save you money, too.

4.  Increase the lifespan of your HVAC system. When the airconditioned air can move efficiently through new, clean ducts, your HVAC system doesn’t have to work as hard, and that can prolong both the lifespan and efficiency of the unit, saving you from the expense of early repairs or replacements.

No one wants to imagine that something might go wrong with their heating and cooling system! That would be a nightmare in any climate or season. However, if you have an HVAC system, it is best to be prepared and have a plan for HVAC repair in Houston, if you ever should need it. Here are some tips to help you choose the Best HVAC Repair Service.

Have your contractors in place BEFORE you need them?

When it needs repair, it needs it fast. Your HVAC system was a big investment, so having good local contractors that you know you will be able to rely on in an emergency will save money. Check out some of the places for HVAC repair in advance to see if they are properly certified, knowledgeable, and experienced, and responsive to emergencies.

What certifications should you be looking for?

When talking with the people on your short list for local HVAC repair companies, be sure to ask about their certifications. The very least they should have is the NATE accreditation. If the company you hire has technicians, who have the “The North American Technicians Excellence” Accreditation you can be sure that this company has technicians who have the training and have passed difficult examinations to work on HVAC systems. This certification is nation-wide, and all HVAC Repair in Houston businesses should have it.

Keeping your HVAC system up and running for the summer months is important in your home, especially in Texas, where the temperatures get consistently high. An AC breaking down in the middle of a heatwave can cause a lot of issues for you in your home, and for some people, it can be deadly. A well-maintained HVAC system is a healthy one, keeping temperatures in healthy ranges and giving your home proper air quality filtration and ventilation. Companies that perform HVAC Repair in Houston can keep your HVAC system maintained, or repair and replace it when needed, but there are some things you can do to maintain your systems. Commercial HVAC companies do the same for businesses, keeping factories running and stores comfortable for customers.

Seasonal Checkups

Every time a new season comes around, and you are switching from using your AC system to your furnace, you should be doing full checkups with your system. You want to be proactive in making sure your system is ready for working hard during their peak usages times (AC in the summer, furnace in the winter). Seasonal checkups often require more knowledge than the average homeowner has in HVAC systems, so it is recommended to hire a company that does HVAC repair in Houston to perform the diagnostics. During these checkups, the technician will inspect the electrical wiring, the condenser, heating ignition, clean pipes, and drains, and check for gas or air leaks.

Regular Maintenance

There are regular maintenance routines that you can perform yourself in home HVAC and commercial systems that don’t require commercial HVAC companies to come in. Checking the air filters in your HVAC system should be done every month to make sure that ventilation and air quality are acceptable, and to prevent particles being built up in the system. Check your HVAC systems owner’s manual for recommended regular maintenance tasks.

Inspecting Ducting and Vents

When your HVAC system is running, if it is not cooling or heating as quickly as it once did, there may be some issue with your ducts or vents. Sometimes over time, leaks can develop in ducting, creating an uneven air-flow and affecting your HVAC systems ability to maintain proper temperatures. Inefficiencies in airflow can cause your system to work harder for longer, wasting energy and compounding other possible issues. A technician specializing in HVAC repair can come in to inspect and repair any ducting leaks.

It’s extremely important to maintain your air conditioning and to get repairs if you need them. There are many factors that contribute to air conditioner break-downs, and many things you’ll need to know before getting a 24 hour AC repair in Katy service provider. Here are some crucial facts you need to know!

How Do I Protect My Air Conditioner?

There are a few things you can do to maintain your air conditioning unit, which is important for its longevity and will help you save money on repairs.

First, be sure to clean out the filters as often as you can. A dirty filter can lead to bad odors, as well as air contamination if left too long. It is much easier to clean your air conditioner’s filters often than to have to deal with possibly replacing the filter and scrubbing out the inside of the air conditioner.

It may also be helpful to clean the outer coils of your air conditioner, as they can be exposed to a lot of grime outside. This can be done with a wash and rinse using foaming cleanser and cold water.

One of the most important things you can do for your air conditioner’s maintenance is to have a professional take a look at it at least annually. Most places that offer 24 hour AC repair in Katy will also offer these inspections, and it's well worth it to ensure your AC unit lasts.

It’s easy to forget about your HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) system until something goes wrong, but the best way to prevent disruptive, stressful, and sometimes costly repairs is to schedule regular maintenance for your HVAC system. It is recommended that you have this service performed annually (most often in the fall for heating systems and the spring for cooling systems so they are tiptop leading in to their peak seasons), but it isn’t enough to have just anyone give your system a lookover; you want trained, certified professional HVAC contractors in Houston.
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How to find the best HVAC contractors in Houston

1)  Look for their qualifications

In the US, HVAC technicians need to have different levels of licensing and certification based on which state they are in. For instance, HVAC contractors in Houston, Texas need to have attended a training or certification program (and to have kept their training up-to-date), and technicians need to have a Class A or B license with the proper endorsements if they are specializing their work (Code R stands for Commercial Refrigeration and Process Cooling and Heating endorsement, Code E stands for Environmental Air Conditioning, and Code C represents Combined Endorsements. When you are looking for the best HVAC contractor, you’ll want to make sure your top choice has certifications like Tacla84579c State certification, EPA universal certification, and NATE certification. This way you’ll know they have the proper training for your heating/cooling system.

2)  Make sure your HVAC contractor is insured

Another thing to check is insurance. You don’t want to find out after the fact that the HVAC contractor you hired in Houston wasn’t insured—and you especially don’t want to discover this after something goes wrong. Whether you are having your commercial or residential heating and cooling system repaired or serviced, it’s okay to make sure you aren’t taking on any unexpected insurance risks in the process.

3)  Contact and availability

Two of the most important features of a good HVAC contractor in Houston are how easy they are to contact and how often they are available. If it’s difficult to get in touch with the contractor in the first place or if they seem to have a hard time keeping you in the communications loop, then you may want to look elsewhere. A good contractor will prioritize customer service. That goes for availability, too. While you can schedule routine maintenance within regular business hours, most often, when something does go wrong, it’s going to happen at an inconvenient time. You want your HVAC contractor to be available when they are needed.

4)  It’s okay to ask for a quote

Price point still should be a determining factor—even when it comes to looking for the best HVAC contractors. A good contractor will be able to offer you an estimate that keeps your budget in mind. Remember that there are close to 20,000 HVAC technicians working in the State of Texas, so you do have options - just make sure you consider the contractor’s qualifications as a priority, too. You won’t save any money by hiring someone who doesn’t have the expertise to repair or service your system efficiently and correctly.

5)  Check for consumer reviews

When in doubt, check for consumer reviews like the ones available here. Nothing confirms the skills of an HVAC contractor in Houston like a strong testimonial from someone who’s seen their work in person.