Here in Round Rock, TX, spring and summer bring with them germs and pollen that can wreak havoc on sensitive family members. You can keep your home as clean as possible, and yet contaminants will still get in every time you open a door or a window. A healthy family is everyone’s concern, but it can be particularly daunting if you have an elderly family member, a new baby, or anyone with sensitive systems such as those suffering from asthma.
The solution may be a UV air purifier installed in your ducts, which can keep your home free of germs by working in conjunction with your air conditioning system to scrub the air clean while it runs. As a result, your home will be a much healthier place to be and you don’t need to worry about what kind of contaminants you may be tracking in. Here’s a brief analysis of how it all works.
We can’t see ultraviolet light, but we can feel it when we go to the beach. It’s what causes us to tan (or burn when we haven’t put on enough sunblock). In lower amounts, it’s what makes our white clothes glow in the dark at rock concerts: UV lights do that. The same principle applied to keeping your home clean. For while UV light at that level is quite harmless to humans and pets, it spells doom for germs and biological contaminants. They’ll either be killed outright or rendered incapable of replicating. Either way, the problem is solved.
Because your air conditioner circulates the air in your whole house, the apex of your ducts is the perfect place to cover the maximum amount of air in the minimum amount of time and space. The system forces the air to pass under the UV lights, leaving germs nowhere to escape.
Call Intelligent Air Services to install a UV air purifier in your Round Rock home!
Georgetown, TX has already seen its share of hot spells this year, and the summer is getting ready to pound us flat in a few short weeks. If your air conditioner is experiencing trouble, now is the time to get it repaired before the summer heat begins in earnest. You should never attempt to repair an air conditioner yourself. It requires formal training, and the presence of chemicals like refrigerant constitutes a hazard unless you know how to handle them properly. Nevertheless, you can still spot the telltale signs that something is wrong with your system. Here are some common signals that your air conditioner needs repair:
- Strange Noises. “Strange” is defined as any noise that you don’t normally associate with your air conditioner’s functions. That can include hums, groans, clangs, whistles, and buzzes. Never attempt to run an air conditioner if you detect those noises coming from it.
- Higher Bills. Many times, there’s nothing stopping the system from functioning, but a given problem is forcing it to work much harder to cool your home. That will show itself in unexpected spikes in your monthly rates, especially if you haven’t used the system more often than normal.
- Lack of Cool Air. The system may be running just fine, but if the air coming out of it isn’t cool, it won’t be anything but a very expensive ceiling fan.
- Low Air Flow. If the fan motor is damaged or the filter is clogged, it’s going to lower the flow of air through the system. Like a lack of cool air, this will cause the air conditioner to work harder than it should, which will result in higher strain and higher bills.
- Frost on the Coils. Frost on the system’s coils is the sign of a serious problem. Never attempt to scrape off the ice—it may further damage the air conditioner—but shut it off and call a repair service.
Intelligent Air Services performs air conditioning repair throughout the area!
Posted in Air Conditioning
High temperatures seem to arrive earlier every year here in Manor, TX, and this year doesn’t look to be an exception. That means you’re going to need your air conditioner to perform every day and do so without costing you an arm and a leg in monthly bills. You can do yourself a favor by being mindful of a number of myths about air conditioners and refusing to follow them. You’ll be surprised how much your system may improve.
- Myth 1: Running the AC all Day Saves Money. Air conditioners cost more to turn on and off than they do to run, and a hothouse takes longer to cool down than a cool one. But those savings are offset by the cost of running your system for 8–10 hours every day when there’s no one home. Instead, use your programmable thermostat to turn the air on 15–20 minutes before you arrive home.
- Myth 2: Air Comes Out at the Temperature You Set. The thermostat setting determines when the air conditioner will stop running, not how cool the air is. (The air comes out of the system at the same temperature regardless of the setting.) Don’t turn the temperature down to get the air cool faster. Set it at the temperature you want and let it run.
- Myth 3: An Energy Efficient Air Conditioner Will Automatically Save You Money. If you have a new system that is more efficient than the old one, it will only save you if you run it at about the same amount of time (and at the same time during the day) that you ran the old one. Running it more often will increase the energy usage and your bills may go up.
- Myth 4: Repairs Cost Less Than Replacement. It’s true that you usually won’t pay as much upfront to repair an older system than replace it with a new one. But that doesn’t factor in the older system’s lack of efficiency (and the unnecessarily high monthly bills that create) or the frequency of repairs. You could save more in the long run by simply replacing a failing unit.
Look to intelligent Air Services to help keep your air conditioner in pink. Click here to learn more about our air conditioning services in Manor
Posted in Air Conditioning
It doesn’t take long for the summer heat to arrive here in beautiful Austin. While we love the heat and the sunshine, there comes a time when you need to cool down. After all, that’s what a whole-house air conditioning unit is for. But with all the dust, debris, and use over the years, your AC sure does take a beating. What is the difference between repair and replacement? When is your AC ready to retire? Let’s take a look at 3 reasons to get a new air conditioner right now.
- Your air conditioner is ancient. If your AC is well over a dozen or even 15 years old, then you may want to consider a new model. When you’re shopping around for a new AC, check out a make and model with a high SEER, or Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. The higher the number, the more efficient it is. If your cooling system is ancient, then you’ll be happily surprised at your new system’s efficiency.
- Your air conditioner fails constantly. There comes a time when enough is enough. If you’re constantly shelling out your hard-earned dollar for AC repairs, then you may want to consider replacing your AC. Frequent problems are not only a nuisance: they’re also a sign that your system is failing. Let one of our technicians have a look and we’ll help you make a smart financial decision.
- Your air conditioner is expensive to operate. High energy costs often come with the constant use of an older system. If you’re sick and tired of paying a premium price for cooling, then investigate your cooling options. There are some great systems out there that are particularly well-suited to our climate, including central air conditioners, heat pumps, and ductless mini splits
When you’re ready to start thinking about a new air conditioner for your home, your first call should go to Intelligent Air Services. Contact our team today!
Posted in Air Conditioning
Businesses in Round Rock, TX need to consider their HVAC options very carefully. Commercial HVAC units have to support a larger space than most residential homes and must remain eminently reliable in order to keep your employees and customers comfortable. Many businesses opt for modular rooftop units, placed at the top of their building. It may seem counter-intuitive—an HVAC system exposed to the punishing elements?—but the units are built to last and they provide a number of tangible benefits for your business.
Space is a premium in any commercial setting, and the more effectively you can use your square footage, the more money you’ll save. Rooftop units take up no space inside the building, nor on the grounds. That means more space for offices, work stations, storage, or even parking. Furthermore, because of the nature of modular units, the roof gives you room to expand the system as large as you need it, regardless of the specific needs of your business.
Speaking of which, a modular system lets you add and subtract heating and cooling power based on the specific needs of the tenant. So if a new business with different needs moves into your building, or the current one grows and shifts in its needs, you can meet them simply by adding another unit or two to the system. If the business needs shrink, excess units can be left off or even removed if so required.
The roof allows technicians to do their job very easily without disrupting the business below. Most commercial rooftops are readily accessible, and heavy equipment like new modules can be placed there via a crane without having to go through the building’s interior. That makes repairs easier and unobtrusive, letting the technician finish their work quicker.
Call Intelligent Air Services for commercial HVAC services in Round Rock.
Lakeway, TX residents don’t think about home insulation. Our winters are fairly mild as winters go, and while we get our share of chilly nights, that doesn’t necessarily require the level of insulation you’d need in, say, Maine. But what most people don’t understand is that insulation could be just as important in the summer as it is in the winter. And as mild as our winters are, summers can be absolutely unbearable. Additional insulation in your home can cut down on your cooling bills and help your air conditioner function more effectively. Here’s how.
Slowing the Release of Heat
Whether it’s fiberglass, cellulose, or even something as crude as newspapers stuffed into your crawlspace, insulation is used to slow the movement of heat out of your home. The material slows the passage of conductive heat, which is the kind of heat that moves through solid objects. A well-insulated home will slow the rush of heat through the walls and out of the attic, easing the strain on the heating system and lowering your bills accordingly.
Wait, That Works for Air Conditioners Too?
What most people fail to understand is that that process isn’t one way. Just as insulation can keep warm air in your home, so too can it keep hot air outside your home from getting in. As a result, a well-insulated home provides the same benefits to an air conditioner as it does to a heater, helping it keep your house cool and lowering the stress and strain on your system. When applied over time, it can extend the life of your air conditioner as well as improving its efficiency, and considering the length and sometimes brutal heat of our Texas summers, that can mean a great deal.
If you’re looking for ways to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency, call Intelligent Air Services to discuss insulation options
We take summer seriously here in Austin, TX, and that means our air conditioners need to be running at peak shape all of the time. But beyond simply making sure that your system can run, you want it to run as efficiently as possible. If you can cut down on those high monthly bills, it lets you run the air conditioner with greater confidence and ensures that your home stays cool no matter what the circumstances are. You can improve your air conditioner’s efficiency with little tricks you’re likely familiar with, such as setting the temperature to 78 instead of 75. Beyond that, there are some additional, more formal steps that can cut down on waste and help keep those monthly cooling bills in check a little more easily.
We recommend a serving session to get your air conditioner maintained at least once a year before the summer starts, and ideally twice a year to really keep things humming. By cleaning filters, recharging refrigerant, and doing all the other tiny little steps designed to reduce wear and tear, these sessions help your system perform at its best, and can often shave a few dollars off of your cooling bills.
High humidity makes the air in your home feel warmer than it is, forming your air conditioner to work harder than it has to do the same job. Furthermore, air conditioners will reduce some of the humidity in the air by default, but they’re not set up for such duties, and the added strain can leech the system of effectiveness. A dedicated dehumidifier placed in your home can ease that strain, cutting down on high energy bills, and helping your household feel more comfortable.
Call Intelligent Air Services, Inc. for more help with improving air conditioning efficiency in your home!
This is the season for air conditioning replacement, and if your system limped through last summer, now is the time to get a new one installed. Summers here in Manor, TX are long and hot. Getting a new system set up now will give you the time to make the selection at leisure instead of having to scramble in front of a stifling wall of incoming heat. A good technician can help you make a selection for a new unit, but you should pay careful attention to the SEER rating, and ensure that your new system has a rating higher than the old. What is a SEER rating and why does it matter? Simply put, it’s a means of measuring the air conditioner’s efficiency.
SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio, and it makes for a handy ruler to gauge a system’s efficiency no matter what the make, model or power output is. It measures the system’s cooling output in British Thermal Units (BTUs), then divides that number against the watt-hours of energy required to create it. For new units, that typically results in a number between 13 and 18, though window units and older units may have a SEER rating that is much lower. The higher the rating, the more cooling power your system can produce for less.
The SEER rating usually need to come second to the overall power output, since your unit needs to be able to cool your entire house comfortably. Don’t let a high SEER rating compel you to get a system that isn’t powerful enough. Beyond that, look for the EnergyStar sticker, which the U.S. Department of energy uses to denote particularly efficient air conditioners.
Contact the professionals at Intelligent Air Services to help select a good air conditioning unit for you!
Homeowners in towns like Georgetown, TX rarely worry too much about insulation because our winters are so mild. But insulation does so much more than keep you warm in the winter. Summers benefit just as much from added insulation in your home, and if you’re looking for ways to cut down on your monthly cooling bills this summer, then adding more is an ideal way to do it. A good service can discuss your options with you, but you should know exactly how insulation helps your home before you pull the trigger.
Why Insulation?
Heat naturally wants to move to cooler areas: the energy travels through air, skin and materials to reach spaces where the temperature isn’t as high. Insulation is made of materials such as fiberglass that slow that proves down. As a result, the heat stays where it is more readily. The advantages during the winter are obvious, and most people correctly assume that more insulation in their home helps keep the heat in. (This is especially true for the attic since heat tends to rise and will escape through your roof if you let it).
In the Summer Too?
What most people don’t understand is that heat transference is not a one-way process, and just as heat energy inside your home naturally wants to escape, so too does heat energy outside of your home want to find a way in. Luckily, insulation isn’t a one-way equation either. An insulated wall does just as well keeping hot air out as in, which means hot air in the summer stays outside and keeps your home cool. A qualified technician can look at the amount of insulation in your walls and attic and determine where you could benefit from having more added.
Contact Intelligent Air Services for help with insulation in your home!
Spring has arrived, and while winter isn’t exactly brutal here in Dripping Springs, TX, chances are you haven’t been using your air conditioner this winter much. That’s going to change very soon. While it can take care of the high temperatures, however, it’s tougher for your air conditioner to deal with high humidity levels. It’s not built for that work and excessively muggy air can cause a number of problems. That’s why you need a whole-house dehumidifier to put a stop to high humidity this summer and restore comfort levels to where they should be.
Why Is High Humidity So Troublesome?
You don’t have to be an expert to understand that high humidity levels can be very uncomfortable. The reasons why are simple. Our body’s natural way of keeping cool is to sweat, or more strictly, for the sweat to evaporate off of our skin in the air, which cools us down. When humidity levels get too high, there’s too much moisture in the air for the sweat to evaporate. So it just sits on our skin, making us feel clammy and gross, and failing to lower our body temperature. As a result, air conditioners have to work harder to make us feel cool, with higher monthly rates and an increased risk of a breakdown. This comes on top of the mold and bacteria growth that high humidity fosters.
Dehumidifiers Help Your AC too
Dehumidifiers work by lowering the temperature of the air, which causes the moisture to coalesce into droplets of liquid. Air conditioners do the same thing, but they don’t have the capacity for it and the results tax their systems to the limit. Dehumidifiers not only help restore comfort levels in your home but ease the burden on air conditioners, helping them do their job more easily.
Contact Intelligent Air Services to install and maintain a quality dehumidifier.