Austin, TX isn’t the coldest city in the union, but we still have to use our heating systems every winter and that usually translates to higher monthly bills. An investment in your heating system could help reduce those bills, as well as increasing the lifespan of your heater and helping it run more smoothly. If you’re looking for something a little extra to help with your heating bills this winter, consider an upgrade such as an indoor air quality product or something similar. It’s easier than installing a new heater (and if yours is working fine, why would you want to?) and can make a big difference in your bottom line. Here are a few options for you to consider this winter.
Few people consider humidifiers for their homes out here, since our long summers often create the exact opposite problem. But cool temperatures pull moisture out of the air, which makes your home much more uncomfortable and forces your heater to work harder. (Dry air feels cooler than moist air.) Installing a humidifier will improve your household comfort levels, as well as giving your heating system a little leg up on handling its duties more effectively.
A thermostat is an easy upgrade to make and most professional services can do so very quickly. Nominally speaking, your thermostat might not need replacing – they’re designed to last for decades or more – but advances in the field mean that you may have missed some very exciting options if yours is more than five or ten years old. That includes smart programming that tailors the temperature to match your needs and remote control via an app on your phone, allowing you to control your system from anywhere in the world.
For more information on heating upgrades for your home, call the pros at Intelligent Air Services!
Winter has arrived, and that means you’ll be using your heating system on a daily basis. Admittedly Austin, TX enjoys plenty of mild temperatures, but we still get plenty of cold days, and regular use of your heating system is a fact of life. But people, as always, want their house to be warmed up as quickly as possible and sometimes, that causes them to make mistakes. Those mistakes can end up costing you. For instance, many people have a tendency to set their thermostat higher than they actually need the heat to be, in an effort to get their furnaces up and running as fast as possible. This is a huge mistake: you should never set your thermostat higher than it needs to be.
At the heart of the fallacy lies the notion that your heater will blow air “hotter” if you set the thermostat higher. In almost every case, this is a mistake. Heaters have two settings: on and off. When they’re on, the system generates hot air at the same basic temperature, without variation. The thermostat simply keeps the system running until it’s heated the entire home. In other words, the heater turns on and will run until the temperature is what you want it to be.
Setting the thermostat higher than you want won’t help the system heat up more quickly. Instead, it forces the heater to work harder getting the temperature up higher than you need it. That increases strain on the system and results in higher bills, as well as raising the chances that your heater will suffer a breakdown at some point in the future.
Intelligent Air Services can handle heating repairs and installation throughout the Austin, TX area, so call us today!
Austin, TX is an ideal place for a heat pump, which combines the effects of a heater and an air conditioner into one single unit. Heat pumps work well in areas with mild winters like ours, but which still need a reliable heating source for the occasional cold day in the winter months. They can save you a lot of heating costs and regular maintenance should last a long time. But like any other system, it suffers problems from time to time, and when it does, you should contact a trained professional to have it addressed. Here’s a list of common problems with heat pumps this season that you should look into.
Low Refrigerant
Low refrigerant levels stem from leaks in the heat pump somewhere, which throws off the delicate balance required for the system to do its job. The air won’t be as hot or cool when you need it and the added strain of overcoming the imbalance could lead to further problems with other parts of the system. Refrigerant is dangerous, so always call a professional when you suspect a leak.
Can’t Switch
Some homeowners may notice an inability to switch from cooling to the heating mode in their heat pumps. This can stem from a number of different factors, including problems with the thermostat or a faulty reversing valve. But whatever the cause, your heat pump won’t function as a heater until it gets repaired.
Low Air Flow
Low air flow can stem from a problem with the fan motor, a blockage in the vents or an electrical issue somewhere in the system. It’s particularly troublesome not only because it keeps your home from getting as warm as it should, but because the hot air trapped in the system can overheat other components.
Call Intelligent Air Services for top-notch heat pump repair!
Thanksgiving is here, and Christmas will be here before you know it. Here in Austin, TX, homeowners are preparing food and getting ready to welcome friends and relatives over for the holidays. The last thing you need to worry about is a heating system experiencing problems or even one that isn’t as efficient as you might like. If you haven’t scheduled a maintenance session for your heater this year, now is the ideal time to do it, before your relatives descend and the madness of the holidays makes scheduling such a session difficult in the extreme. A maintenance session is the best thing to get your heater ready for the holidays: improving its efficiency and letting you spot any problems before they force a shutdown. That helps you save money in the long run on more effective energy use and smaller repair bills when they come up.
More specifically, here’s a brief list of what such a session entails.
- Cleaning: The technician will clean the dust off of any components that need it, as well as unclogging burners that might be stopped up with gunk.
- Lubricating: The technician will lubricate any moving parts to reduce friction and improve efficiency.
- Replacing: If the filter is clogged and dirty, the technician will replace it, as well as replacing any worn bolts, screws, and seals.
- Tightening: Speaking of bolts and screws, the technician will tighten any loose components to prevent them from rattling or shifting in their housings.
- Ignition and Gas Lines: The technician will check the ignition system for any serious problems, as well as carefully examining the gas lines for any leaks
- Running the System: Finally, the technician will run the system for 15–20 minutes, checking for any potential problems and ensuring that everything works the way it’s supposed to.
Call Intelligent Air Services today to schedule a heating maintenance session.
Posted in Heating
A breach in your ducts can be caused by any number of things, from seals between two pieces becoming loose to damage caused by animals or other external issues. It may not sound like much, but in point of fact it can end up costing you a great deal. The good news is that there’s a service in the Austin, TX area that can seal a breach in your ducts for you. The bad news is that comparatively few homeowners understand just how much a duct breach can damage their heating and air conditioning system and why they should never wait to get their ducts sealed by a trained professional.
The air in your duct system is invariably conditioned by either your heater in the winter or your air conditioner in the summer. It stays the desired temperature because your ducts are a closed system and outside air doesn’t commingle with it as it moves into the various corners of your house. That changes with a breach in the ducts. Either the conditioned air is pulled out or the unconditioned air is pulled in. In a snap, the hard work done by your heater or air conditioner is negated, forcing the system to work much harder to achieve the desired temperatures. Your monthly bills will go up and the added strain increases the chances of a breakdown taking place.
Detecting a problem with your ducts can be difficult. One sign may be air coming out of one vent that is warmer or cooler than the air coming out of the other vents. Whistling or humming sounds may be a sign as well, and you should look at your monthly energy bills for signs of any unexpected spikes.
The moment you detect signs of a breached duct, shut off the system and call Intelligent Air Services to fix it!
Posted in Indoor Air Quality
When winter comes to the Austin area, dry air usually comes with it. The moisture in the air coalesces as the temperature falls, a tendency that gets compounded by homes that are buttoned up tight to keep in the heat. Whenever the air gets too dry, significant problems follow in their wake, and those problems can be compounded by the necessity of keeping your home warm and energy-efficient during the winter months. A whole-house humidifier, installed by a professional service and spreading moisture into the air of your home, can easily solve a number of those problems. Here are 3 benefits offered by humidifiers that you should consider.
Low humidity levels will dry out your sinuses, which leaves your body more vulnerable to colds and other illnesses. The risk is compounded in the winter when we seal our homes to keep the heat in and viruses can circulate through the system. Nosebleeds are also fairly common, and though it’s not quite as dire a concern, dry air also tends to make snoring worse and cut down on quality sleep. A humidifier can resolve all of those issues and lead to a healthier household.
Humidity makes the air feel warmer and in the summertime that can be a big problem. Not in the winter, however. Installing a whole-house humidifier helps ease the strain on your heating system, lowering monthly bills and reducing the risk of a repair call in the future.
Static electricity is no fun and in some cases can even damage your electronic appliances, while dry air can damage wooden furniture and kill household plants. A humidifier reduces all of that wear and tear while ensuring that your house remains a comfortable place to be.
Intelligent Air Services Inc. installs and repairs humidifiers in Georgetown, Cedar Park, and all throughout the Austin metro area, so call us today!
Now is the perfect time of year to schedule a service call for your heater. The fall has arrived here in Austin, TX, and while our winters are short, there are still plenty of chilly nights where you’ll be grateful for a reliable heater. A maintenance visit by a trained professional at least once a year can improve your heater’s efficiency a great deal, as well as identifying potential repair issues when they’re still small and able to be addressed easily. What, specifically does a heating service call entail? Here’s a brief breakdown:
- The technician turns off the system and checks for any leaks in the gas line and similar safety issues. Carbon monoxide, in particular, is a serious threat and the technician will make sure your system isn’t leaking any.
- The technician examines the ignition system or pilot light to ensure that it is functioning.
- The technician checks the limit control switch for any problems, and schedules repairs if any are detected.
- The technician examines the heat exchanger for any damage, particularly breaches or leaks.
- The technician checks for loose fittings on the venting and blower, as well as examining the length of the flue venting for leaks.
- The technician examines the blower motor, fan assembly, and wiring assembly for damage of any sort, as well as frayed wires or fittings.
- The technician will clean the air filter, or replace it with a new one if it’s replaceable. (The customer will need to provide the filter.)
- The technician will examine the thermostat and ensure that it is gauging the temperature accurately and that its controls are functioning as they should.
- The technician closes up the system and restores power, then runs it for 15–20 minutes to make sure it’s running the way it should.
If your system needs a service call, then give the experts at Intelligent Air Services a call today!
Posted in Heating
If you’re in the market for a new heating system, you may be wondering about your options. Two in particular sound like they achieve the exact same thing: ductless heating and zone control systems. Both of them allow you to shut off the heat in individual rooms while leaving it elsewhere in the house, as well as tailoring the heat to different temperatures in different rooms. So what’s the difference between them? That’s an important question to answer, especially as temperatures continue to drop here in Austin, TX. The most basic answer is that they each use different methods to achieve the same overall results.
Ductless heating systems are designed for homes that can’t support the branching system of ducts that accompanies most centralized HVAC systems. It might be that your home is older and lacks the crawlspace to support ducts. It might simply be that the configuration of your home isn’t suited to a ducted system. Either way, ductless heating is the solution. It establishes a series of individual heating units throughout your home, each one charged with warming a specific room or space. Each unit has its own thermostat and controls, so you can adjust the temperature in each room individually or turn it off if you’re not using the space.
Ductless heating systems are useful for homes that can’t support a centralized heater. Zone control systems, on the other hand, perform the same job for homes with an existing centralized heater. Instead of separate heating units, the technician installs a series of dampers in the ducts themselves, divided by room or section just like a ductless system, and each with its own thermostat and controls. The effects are the same—individual control and the ability to shut off the heat in some rooms while leaving them on it others—but the system, in this case, is simply built for an existing centralized heating system.
For installation and repair of both types of systems, give Intelligent Air Services a call today!
A good repair service knows that you can’t limit breakdowns to the working day, which is why we offer 24-hour emergency service to homeowners throughout the greater Austin TX, area. But many homeowners would prefer to hold on until morning (or Monday) to get their system repaired. In some cases, that’s the smart call, since you might very easily be able to simply shut your system off and wait it out. But in other cases, calling in an emergency service may be the only prudent thing to do. Here are 3 specific reasons to call for emergency repairs for your HVAC system.
1. It’s a Question of Health
If you have family members prone to poor health, then losing your air conditioner during a heatwave, or your heater during a cold front can be disastrous. In particular, infants and the elderly can be vulnerable to temperature extremes, as can people with lowered immune systems. If there’s a question about your family’s health, then you should always call in an emergency repair service.
2. Comfort Levels Matter
While it might not be a matter of life and death, your household comfort levels can have a detrimental impact on your job and other important things. For instance, if a breakdown in the middle of the night means you can’t sleep comfortably, it might be beneficial to get the problem fixed immediately, instead of showing up at work the next day tired and out of sorts.
3. The Wait Is Too Long
If you have a breakdown and can hang in there for a few hours until regular business hours, then you should probably sit tight. If it’s going to be a few days, however—such as a breakdown that takes place on a weekend—then an emergency call may be in order.
Intelligent Air Services offers 24-hour emergency AC service, so call on us today!
Fall has arrived here in Austin TX, and winter won’t be far behind. Now is the time to take a long hard look at your home’s energy efficiency. You can make upgrades and improvements to your home this season that can improve its overall efficiency a great deal. Over time, the saved costs in monthly heating and cooling bills can readily offset the cost of the upgrade in question. What kind of upgrades are we talking about? Here’s a brief list to give you some ideas.
Most people think of insulation as strictly a winter affair, and since our winters are fairly mild here in Austin, a number of households have comparatively little insulation. But in addition to keeping warm air out in the winter, it also keeps cool air in the summer, and the more insulation you have, the better your home can retain the cool air that your AC system worked so hard to deliver. If you don’t have much insulation in your walls or attic, consider having more installed.
Innovative zone control systems are installed in your heating and air conditioning systems. They’re basically a series of valves and dampers attached to individual thermostats and controls. They allow you to adjust the temperature in each room of your house separately and turn off the heat or air in parts of the home you aren’t using: helping you save big money by reducing the strain on your heating and air conditioning system.
When the ducts in your home become damaged or breached, it can result in a loss of energy efficiency to your system. Unconditioned air with either get pulled into your system, or conditioned air will get sucked out. Duct repair and sealing services will take care of such issues, and ensure that you’re not losing money to hidden breaches.
Call Intelligent Air Services to help make your home more energy-efficient.