Category

Preventative Maintenance

Our Blogs

HVAC maintenance

The Importance of Seasonal HVAC Checkups in Woodville, TX

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

Fall’s coming up, and with it a long list of tasks every homeowner needs to tackle. Cleaning gutters, draining water heaters, and replacing fire alarm batteries. Unfortunately, you might be missing one big item on your list: HVAC maintenance.

In Woodville, TX, many residents switch on their heating for the first time, only to discover it’s struggling – or not working. They call for help from their local HVAC company, only to discover there’s a long backlog of people in a similar situation. They wouldn’t be in this situation if they’d just handled this all sooner. 

You need HVAC checkups on a yearly basis. Join us as we discuss the value of HVAC maintenance in the fall.

HVAC Maintenance Prevents Costly Repairs

Like any machine, your HVAC system requires regular maintenance as components begin to wear down and eventually break. Big breakdowns always show warning signs before they happen.

Take, for example, if your heat pump starts to fail. It may only require a simple fix to get it back up and running. Delay that fix, though, and you might be in for a bigger, more intensive repair costing up to $1,000

So, mark your calendar for an HVAC company to drop by. Have them take a look at your heating system from root to stem. Fixing minor issues now will likely prevent larger ones later. 

It Lowers Utility Bills

Prevention is only one of the many benefits that come with HVAC checkups. Every system requires a regular tune-up. An efficient HVAC system is one that has all its nuts and bolts tight.

Take, for example, vent air filters. Their fibers gather up the dirt and gunk that tries to come in from outside. They lock these contaminants down between multiple layers, keeping them out of your lungs.

Fail to replace a filter on a timely schedule, and said contaminants start to seep into your home. Replace your filters regularly.  It’s a good rule of thumb to do so approximately once every 3 to 6 months

Air quality isn’t the only issue. Clogged filters reduce airflow, forcing the system to work harder. The fans need to run faster, and the compressor gets hotter. 

A harder-working system naturally drives up your utility bill, even if you set the same temperature as usual. Swapping filters and making other tune-ups keeps your utility bill in check. 

It Improves Air Quality

We mentioned how an old filter can ruin your overall air quality. That’s only the tip of the iceberg in terms of clean, easy-to-breathe air. 

Another factor is the vents and ducts. These, like filters, gather up dust, pet dander, mold spores, and viruses. Once beyond the filter, they pose a genuine threat to your air quality. 

Cool-weather is the time you’re most likely to get sick. Your immunity response drops by half in tandem with the temperature. That flu bug that you might have shrugged off in the summertime could now keep you in bed come winter.

Think about how much more time you spend inside once winter rolls around. Fail to swap filters, and a year’s worth of outside dust will be sharing those cozy, cold evenings with you!

Schedule your HVAC maintenance now and improve your air quality. Enjoy a clean, easy-breathing winter by dealing with HVAC issues in the fall.

It Allows for Needed Upgrades

Replacing your HVAC system will cost an arm and a leg. Air conditioners and furnaces are not cheap. Instead, you can get worthwhile gains by making small upgrades here or there to your system.

For example, the thermostat. It’s a small device, often overlooked despite how much power it wields over your system. It’s not always obvious when you could benefit from a new one. 

Replacing the thermostat could easily result in massive performance and efficiency gains. You might want a smart thermostat to save energy, especially once you see those winter bills.

The thermostat is only the beginning. Dozens of small changes, tweaks, and replacements can make your old HVAC system punch above its weight. 

Sadly, there’s no way to avail of these upgrades without HVAC maintenance. Schedule your checkup appointments before everyone else gets the same idea.

It Extends the Lifespan of Your System

HVAC systems are very much like cars. They can run smoothly for decades if you treat them right, but they’re not immortal. They’ll need complete replacement eventually.

Basic maintenance on a regular schedule delays those big, costly replacements that inevitably come one day. It keeps the system, as a whole, in better shape in the meantime.

Letting things fall apart and accrue damage creates a ripple effect. Dirty coils, as one example, get hotter during operation, cooking nearby components to above-average temperatures. This causes small, unseen degradation over the course of years that is hard to quantify.

You wouldn’t dare leave your car without an oil change at least once per 3,000 miles. So why would you leave your HVAC system without its needed “oil change” each fall? Remedy that problem today with HVAC maintenance.

It Gives You Peace of Mind

All of these reasons are great, but the best of the bunch is peace of mind. Procrastination leads to weeks and months of anxiety. An uncompleted task lingers in the back of your head, keeping you from living life to the fullest.

Autumn is full of some of the most important celebrations of the year. Halloween and Thanksgiving, to name just two on the list. Would you rather kick back during these festivities or stress out about putting off what needs doing?

A lot of HVAC systems have some sort of breakdown during the colder seasons. Many an HVAC company gets a flood of repair requests as a result. When they’re bogged down, which means you have to wait even longer in the cold.

Schedule HVAC Maintenance Today

HVAC maintenance needs to be at the top of your fall to-do checklist. With the help of your trusty local technician, you can prevent costly repairs and get your system running efficiently. At the very least, you’ll get the peace of mind of knowing everything is in order. 

Best Air Conditioning and Heating is your friend, whether you’re in Woodville or the surrounding area. Check our list of service cities and schedule your HVAC maintenance today. 

furnace maintenance

A Complete Guide to Furnace Maintenance in Corrigan, TX

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

A home’s furnace is going to last somewhere between 15 and 20 years in most cases. But you might not be able to get that much life out of the furnace in your home if you don’t take furnace maintenance seriously enough.

While living in Corrigan, TX, you might be under the impression that you’ll only need to worry about doing air conditioner maintenance to avoid AC problems. This kind of maintenance can help you eliminate the need for AC repair services.

But it can get cold in Corrigan, TX at certain times of the year. So in addition to doing AC maintenance, you’ll also need to get into the habit of doing furnace maintenance from time to time.

Today, we’re going to talk to you about everything you need to know about furnace maintenance in Corrigan, TX. Find out more about it below.

What Is Furnace Maintenace?

Your home’s furnace is a very complex piece of equipment filled with all kinds of different parts. In order to keep your furnace up and running, you will need to work to maintain these parts so that they don’t break down on you.

Furnace maintenance is a process that involves providing the proper maintenance to a furnace to ensure that it’s ready to produce the warm air that your home needs. You will want to make maintaining a furnace a top priority to avoid unnecessary issues with your home’s heating system.

What Are the Steps Included in Furnace Maintenance?

There are a bunch of different things that will need to be done during furnace maintenance. If you skip any of the necessary steps, it could lead to furnace problems down the line.

Here are some of the steps that you’ll need to work your way through while doing furnace maintenance in Corrigan, TX:

  • Replacing a furnace filter
  • Removing dust and other debris from inside a furnace
  • Making sure the pilot light in the furnace is on
  • Cleaning the vents for a furnace
  • Listening out for any strange sounds from a furnace

Generally speaking, it shouldn’t take too long for furnace maintenance to be performed. But that doesn’t mean you should rush through the process. You’ll want to take your time to ensure that every aspect of a furnace is working as intended.

When Should Furnace Maintenance Take Place?

There is some debate over whether Corrigan, TX homeowners should do furnace maintenance at the beginning or end of the winter season. You’re free to do it at either time, but it’s usually a better idea to do it right before you know you’re about to start using your furnace.

If you maintain your furnace at the start of the winter, your furnace will be ready to roll when you need it. You shouldn’t have to worry about it not starting up when the temperature begins to drop.

How Often Should You Do Furnace Maintenance?

Unfortunately, there are some homeowners who will only get around to doing furnace maintenance in Corrigan, TX once every few years. They’re doing a huge disservice to their furnaces by taking this approach to maintaining them.

You should attempt to do furnace maintenance at least once each year. You should also try to tackle AC maintenance once each year, too, so that your home’s heating and cooling system is always in tip-top shape.

Should You Do Furnace Maintenance on Your Own?

There are some furnace maintenance steps that you might want to take on your own. For example, it’s easy enough to replace your furnace filter, which is why you should do this yourself. You should also replace your furnace filter yourself every three months or so to keep the air in your home clean.

Outside of doing that, though, you should turn to the professionals for help when it comes to doing furnace maintenance in Corrigan. Rather than opening up your furnace and poking around it, you should bring an HVAC pro in to handle the job.

An HVAC company will be able to pinpoint any problems that might be going on with your furnace. They’ll also be able to give you a better indication of which potential issues you might want to look out for in the coming months and years.

Who Should You Hire to Help You With Furnace Maintenance?

While it’s a great idea to hire an HVAC company to assist you with furnace maintenance, you don’t want to bring just any company on board. You should search for an experienced HVAC company that has a wonderful reputation within your community.

By allowing an HVAC company like this to work on your home’s furnace, you’ll know that it’s going to be in good hands. You’ll also be able to forge a great relationship with this company so that you know who to call on when you need furnace and AC repair services.

What Will Happen If You Don’t Take Care of Furnace Maintenance?

If you don’t take the time to maintain your home’s furnace, you will often have to spend more money making repairs to it over the life of your furnace. You also might find that you’ll need to replace your furnace ahead of schedule due to a lack of maintenance.

For these reasons, you shouldn’t ever put off doing furnace maintenance in Corrigan, TX. By maintaining your furnace, you’ll be able to keep it around for a much longer time. You’ll also sleep better at night knowing your furnace isn’t going to suddenly give out on you.

Contact Us for All Your Furnace Maintenance Needs in Corrigan, TX

Is it time for you to perform furnace maintenance in your home? If so, we would love to lend a hand to you.

We specialize in providing furnace maintenance in Corrigan, TX as well as many of the surrounding areas, including Livingston, Point Blank, Cold Spring, Woodville, and Onalaska. We can come to your home soon to take a look at your furnace and get it ready for the colder winter months.

Contact us now to schedule an appointment.

high electric bill

The Most Common Causes of a High Electric Bill: How You Can Save Money

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

There is no such thing as a free lunch. There is no such thing as free electricity, either. 31% of American households encounter difficulty with paying their energy bills.

Even if you can pay your bills, you are going to have a high electric bill sooner rather than later. Don’t panic. You can perform your own energy audit to see what is driving your bills up.

What are the most common causes of a high energy bill? Why do appliances use energy when you are not using them? How can you improve your AC system so you aren’t using energy?

Answer these questions and you can cut your energy bill down to a manageable size. Here is your quick guide.

Vampire Appliances

Vampire appliances are devices that use power while they are plugged in. You may think the appliances are off or idle. Yet they continue to suck in electricity, contributing to your high energy usage.

Vampire appliances include DVRs, televisions, and desktop computers. When you switch these devices off, they transition to standby mode. During this mode, they continue to use power until you unplug them.

High-Energy Appliances

Dishwashers and washing machines do turn off when you switch them off. But while they are running, they use a lot of power.

Someone may make the problem worse by running their machines when they don’t need to. They could handwash their dishes, but they instead run their dishwasher.

Device Charging

Cell phones, tablet computers, and portable game systems all require constant charging. They use power while they are off, and they do not have long battery lives. This means that you have to leave your devices plugged in for many hours and run your electric bill up.

Heating and Cooling Systems

41.7% of home energy use goes toward space and water heating and cooling. Some of this energy use is necessary. An area like Point Blank, TX can be rather hot in the summer!

But a lot of people leave their AC units on while they are out of the house. This can send an electric bill high while providing no benefit to consumers.

It can also create AC problems that require extensive repairs. You should be conscious of the signs that you need repairs and you should contact a Cold Spring, TX technician as soon as possible.

Poor Insulation

Even if you have a good heating and cooling system, you may not have good insulation. Thin walls that do not contain thermal materials may allow hot air to escape. You have to spend more money and electricity on heating your home because so much heat is leaving your home.

The Main Causes for a High Electric Bill

A high electric bill comes from a few different places. Vampire appliances suck in power while you are not using them. Unplug these devices.

High-energy appliances use up a lot of power while they are running. Most of your devices need to stay plugged in to have a charge. Be conservative about using these appliances.

Your AC system may remain in operation while you are away. You should shut it off and install insulation.

Get help to keep your energy expenses down. Best Air Conditioning & Heating, LLC. serves the Livingston, TX area. Contact us today.

hvac problems

5 Common Summer HVAC Problems (and What to Do About Them)

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

The highest temperature ever recorded in Texas was in Ward County, Texas, near Odessa. Temperatures hit an all-time high of 120 degrees Fahrenheit. 

While most temperatures never get close to being that high, if your HVAC breaks or malfunctions in the summertime, it can certainly feel much hotter than that, especially in places like Livingston, Coldspring, and Moscow, Texas.

HVAC problems are a serious issue, but some can be prevented with proper care and maintenance. 

Here are 5 of the most common HVAC problems that happen in the summer, plus tips on what to do about them. 

1. Clogged Filter

Clogged filters are among the most common HVAC problems, especially in the summertime when your A/C is working overtime to keep you cool. Check your air filter if you think this might be your issue. 

If it’s dirty, it is preventing proper airflow from circulating within your HVAC system. This often leads to the coils freezing and causing your A/C to stop working. A simple change of air filter early on can prevent a frozen coil. 

2. Clogged Drain Line

If it’s not a clogged filter, another reason you are having HVAC problems in the summer could be a clogged drain line. If the drain line gets clogged with dust or dirt from the air in your home, it can turn into mildew over time. 

This clogs the drain line and prevents your HVAC from working efficiently. Use a wet vacuum to clear this clogged drain line. 

3. Malfunctioning Thermostat

Your HVAC problems could be coming from your thermostat. Your HVAC system might keep running and running because it hasn’t been given the signal that it has reached the desired temperature by your thermostat.

This overuse can cause wear and tear and a broken HVAC over time. Call an HVAC professional if you think this is the case. 

4. Low Refrigerant Levels 

Refrigerant is a fluid in your HVA that helps to maintain proper temperatures within your home. Failure to maintain consistent temperatures could mean that you might have a refrigerant leak.

To fix this issue, you should call an HVAC professional. Not only is refrigerant a chemical regulated by the EPA, but the HVAC pro can fix the source of the leak so that you don’t keep leaking over time. 

5. Circuit Breaker is Tripping

Your HVAC problems might not have to do with your HVAC at all. The culprit might be your circuit breaker keeps tripping, which prevents the A/C from running effectively. 

Need More Solutions for Your Common HVAC Problems?

HVAC problems can be a nuisance at best and become a major health concern at worst. It is critical that you fix air conditioning problems as soon as possible, especially if you live north of Houston in the summertime. 

If you need an HVAC repair, be sure to call a reputable and trusted HVAC company like Best Air Conditioning & Heating in Texas. Family-owned and operated since 1983, we provide high-quality HVAC service appointments in case of your HVAC problems. 

If your A/C is on the fritz, reach out and call us today to request an appointment or estimate

hvac service

4 Things to Look For When Hiring an HVAC Service Provider

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

The HVAC system plays one of the most important roles in helping a home feel as comfortable as possible. Without it, your home would likely always be too hot or too cold. The just-right temperature would be fleeting at best. 

That’s why it’s so important to pay attention to signs that it needs an HVAC service call. 

But you don’t want to trust that job to just anyone, follow this guide to make sure you hire the right company for the job so you can feel confident and satisfied that your HVAC system will work whenever you need it! 

1. Focus on Efficiency

When you need HVAC maintenance or HVAC repair, the last thing you want is for your system to work less efficiently than it did before. 

If not tuned properly, these systems can end up costing you a high price each month to use. Look for a company that has a focus on efficiency and getting your system to function smoothly to reduce your monthly costs. The updates they make will likely have a greater positive effect than those from other companies. 

2. Works Quickly 

Not only do you want your HVAC system to work efficiently, but you also want the HVAC company to as well. When your system isn’t working right, you don’t want to wait weeks to get it back. 

Make sure the company you decide to work for has strict timelines that they follow and openings for emergencies so you can count on them when you really need them. 

3. License and Insurance

Before deciding to work with any company, you should make sure they have the proper license and insurance

These are the best way to ensure that you’re working with a legitimate company that has all of its bases covered. It also shows that they are legal and following the industry guidelines. 

More often than not, a company with these qualifications can be trusted to get the job done right. 

4. High-Quality Reputation

The easiest way to find a good HVAC company to work with is to search HVAC service near me and then spend some time reading their online reviews. 

Previous customers will have the best in-depth knowledge and accurate descriptions of what working with the company is like. They can give you honest feedback for what worked and what didn’t This will help you have realistic expectations and more satisfaction overall.

Finding the Best HVAC Service Provider

Once you’ve found the best HVAC service provider in your area, you’ll be set for life. You can set up regular maintenance and also have an already developed relationship for when things go wrong unexpectedly. All of your HVAC needs will be taken care of without stress or worry. 

Choosing the best service providers can be one of the most difficult tasks as a homeowner but not if you follow our guide. Companies that meet these standards will give you the results you’re looking for. 

If you’re in need of the best HVAC service in Livingston, Texas, contact us today to set up an appointment!

furnace parts

3 Important Furnace Parts and How They Work in Your HVAC System

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

Are you having trouble with your heating system? If so, problems are likely to be stemming from one of the three main parts.

If you know what they are, it makes it easier to isolate the problem.

These three areas create and distribute the heat, working in synchronization. If one does not function, the others will cease to work as well.

Below, we’ll go over the three most essential furnace parts.

Thermostat

The thermostat is one of the most important components of a furnace system. Without it, you would not be able to control the temperatures in your home. The whole furnace will not start until it gets a signal from the thermostat to turn on.

Once this signal is sent, a gas valve will open and ignite the burner. The gas valve and thermostat will work in tandem, deciding how much gas to release into the combustion chamber to keep the correct temperature.

Heat Exchanger

Once the thermostat and gas valve have caused the combustion, the heat exchanger starts to warm. The warmth it produces will begin to circulate through a series of looped tubes. This will transfer the heat to the air.

If the heat exchanger does not work, you will not get any warmth as the combustion can not make the transfer. If your heat exchanger is cracked or leaking, this heat will also escape. This can be one of the most dangerous parts of a gas furnace.

The heat exchanger needs to be well maintained. Not only because it provides warmth but because gases can build up if circulation is not being performed correctly. Gasses should be venting safely out of the property as this occurs and not pooling in the exchange itself.

Blower Motor

Once you have warm air, you need something to direct it through the rest of the house.

The blower motor does this, and it pushes the hot air through the ductwork in your property. This warm air will come through the vents, and once your property reaches the desired temperature, the thermostat will shut off the system.

Other Important Parts

Problems with your furnace will most likely come from one of these major parts. However, you should check a few other areas if the problem does not seem to come from one of them.

The control board is an electric furnace component that checks on signals inside and outside the system. It is the part that turns things on and off when the thermostat wants heat. Without it, the furnace would not know what to do.

The flame detector is an important safety feature. If the igniter does not work, it shuts off the gas flow preventing leakage. If it is faulty, the system may think a flame is not detected when it actually is.

Furnace Parts Safety

If problems occur with your furnace parts, you must call a professional.

Furnaces not only use heat, but they also use flammable gas. You need to ensure your home is kept safe at all times with regular service.

Best Air & Heat should be your first stop when looking for HVAC maintenance, repairs, and furnace replacement parts. We serve the Cold Spring and Livingston areas and are the number one in our business.

Click here to learn more about our services and contact us today.

preventative HVAC maintenance

The Importance of Preventative HVAC Maintenance in Livingston, Texas

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

Whether it’s your home or a place of business, there are many small, unseen details that can make a world of difference. Your HVAC system works in the background, giving you a constant feeling of comfort when you need it most.

To keep this unsung hero running, preventative HVAC maintenance is key. From HVAC maintenance plans to budgeting for repairs and upkeep, what you do in between new systems is what keeps a system running.

What is HVAC preventative maintenance? What benefits does preventative HVAC maintenance do for you? You could use an expert and we are here to help. Let’s dive in!

Your Guide to Preventative HVAC Maintenance

There are a number of ways to go about preventative HVAC maintenance. Getting a helpful guide from your service provider is a great start and even small items like routine checkups and small part replacement can go a long way.

What are the benefits of all this HVAC preventative maintenance? The process can be time-consuming and costly, but there are a number of bonuses for you and your system.

1. Saving Money

In the long run, preventative maintenance can save you a lot of money. While small checkups and tuneups can cost money, they can never add up to the cost of a massive repair or full system replacement.

Upkeeping those small items can keep your machine from reaching a point of too much damage and strain.

2. Bettering Your Air Quality

A working HVAC system will not only help to cool or heat your building as you need it, but it also helps to filter the air within your home. When an HVAC system has gotten dirty or broken down, it can clog with dust and debris that transfer into the air you breathe.

Upkeeping your HVAC system brings you better air quality by keeping the dust and grime away.

3. Keeping You Safe

In the hot summer months in Texas, the heat can be unbearable. With no HVAC system to help cool you off, it can be easy to overheat. Even the mild winters can drop to dangerous temperatures in the dead of night.

Maintaining your system means you never have to face the extremes of the world around you!

4. Helping the Environment

Sometimes an HVAC system can still do what it needs to do but in an inefficient way. Without regular tuneups and checks, your HVAC system may be working far harder than it needs to.

This leads to not only higher energy bills, but draining more power can mean the burning of more fossil fuels from the local power plant. A more efficient HVAC system makes for less wasted fuel and a cleaner environment.

5. Getting Less Hassle and Frustration

The final big benefit of preventative maintenance is saving you, and your service provider, all the frustration and headaches of major repairs and replacements.

Tiny efforts keep the big problems in check, which means less expensive visits and work on your hands! While we here at Big Air and Heat are always happy to help, save yourself the trouble, and get your HVAC system the service it deserves.

The Best HVAC Maintenance Around

With a better understanding of the importance of preventative HVAC maintenance, you need a plan to keep up with the small things and keep your HVAC system in top shape.

If you are in the Livingston, Texas area, you have quality HVAC professionals right in your neighborhood. We here at Best Air and Heat have what you need! Contact us today for more information!

air conditioning filter

How To Change Your Air Conditioning Filter In 5 Easy Steps

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

Did you know that air conditioning is an American invention? Way back in 1902, one year before human flight was invented by the Wright Brothers, Willis Carrier was another enterprising inventor. He worked in New York at a publishing company and wanted to find a way to help his ink dry faster.

It wasn’t until a little later that we found out what a great way the air conditioner was to improve our comfort as well!

Replacing your air conditioning filter is an important part of holding on to its ability to provide a comfortable home temperature. Read on to learn how to replace your home’s air filter in just five steps.

1. Find the Right Air Filter Replacement

Whether you have a portable air conditioning unit or a central air conditioning unit, you’ll need to find the right model and size filter for it. Look up the air filter’s model in your air conditioner’s manual.

If you don’t have your manual anymore (most of us don’t), then you can search around on your unit for its name and model. A quick google search for “air filter for _______ air conditioner” should show you exactly what you need to buy.

Don’t mess with your old air conditioner until you have the new air filter for it.

2. Remove Your Old Filter

Your heating and air conditioning unit should have just one convenient way to open up. Open up the panel and look for the piece inside that resembles your new air filter.

Gently pull out the old filter and throw it away.

3. Find the Correct Orientation for Your New Filter

Your air filter won’t work if it’s not facing the right way and snugly fit into the unit. Make sure you orient it the same way that the old air filter was oriented before you removed it.

4. Gently Insert the New Filter

Once you’ve got your air filter oriented correctly, smoothly slide it into place. You shouldn’t have to force it, so apply gentle pressure and don’t force it.

Once the air filter is in place, give a quick spot check to your small air conditioning unit’s seal. The air filter should wrap snugly around, without being too tight.

5. Close Your Air Conditioner and Enjoy!

Once everything is installed, close up your air conditioner and enjoy the results. Not only will your home stay cooler, but your air conditioning unit cost will go down. A fresh air filter increases efficiency and lowers your energy costs (as well as the cost to the environment!).

The same benefits come from keeping your unit repaired and well maintained in other ways, too. For more complicated jobs, you may need quality professionals to help you.

Your Air Conditioning Filter Keeps Your HVAC System Working At Its Peak

We hope you learned something helpful about how to change and maintain your home’s air conditioning filter in this brief article.

To learn more about how to find the best air conditioning and heating service in your area, get in touch with us!

summer maintenance

5 Tips For Summer HVAC Maintenance

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

Did you know that close to 200 people die each year in July alone from heat exposure?

While summer often signals an opportunity to take a break and have fun, it also ushers in scorching heat for much of the United States. Much of the country is expecting above-average temperatures for summer.

As the heat arrives, there is summer maintenance you should attend to on your HVAC system. If you fail to check on your HVAC and give it preventative care, you may find yourself with a unit that is underperforming and a home that feels like an oven.

This article will give five tips for summer maintenance on your HVAC so that you can keep enjoying a cool home in the middle of a heatwave outside.

1. Condenser Coils

Over time, condenser coils can get dirty. They get caked with dirt and debris. Turn the power off that leads to your condenser, then spray it off with a garden hose. This should remove most of the dirt and debris that might be clogging the condenser.

A dirt condenser coil will have problems with transferring warm air from the inside of your home to the outside world. When condenser coils are dirty, it leads to your HVAC being less effective at keeping your home cool.

2. Filter

Depending upon your living situation, you should be replacing air filters for your HVAC system every 3 weeks to a few months.

Do you have multiple pets? Or live in an area that’s dusty or has lots of air pollutants? If so, you’ll likely want to change the filter every 3 weeks. Your filter can quickly become clogged with pet hair and dust, which creates a strain on the HVAC system.

Buy a new filter and change it to keep your HVAC running at optimal levels. The filter will help to trap airborne pollutants and will keep them from reappearing in your home.

3. Refrigerant

Refrigerant is an important aspect of your HVAC system. Refrigerant is what helps transfer hot air from indoors to outdoors, then circulate cool air back into your home.

As you can see, the refrigerant is vital to the operation of your HVAC system. If it runs low or out of refrigerant, it won’t be able to perform its job. Speak with a technician to have them handle refilling your refrigerant if you suspect it is low.

4. Electrical System

HVAC systems can have complex wiring that needs repairs every once in a while. Wires can deteriorate from exposure. At the sites where wires connect to something, they can occasionally overheat and degrade from scorching.

Check over the internals of your HVAC. If you notice any blackened, scorch marks on the wiring, call a technician.

5. Thermostat

The thermostat is an integral part of your HVAC system. If the thermostat isn’t functioning properly, your air conditioner won’t be able to detect when it needs to turn on and cool your home down.

Keep Up With Summer Maintenance and Prosper

As long as you follow a bit of summer maintenance for your HVAC system, you should be able to enjoy a cool home all through summer. Preventative care is essential to finding a problem and fixing it before it spirals into a more costly repair.

If you need your HVAC system checked over or repaired, Best Air Conditioning & Heating LLC is here for your cooling needs. Contact us today to book an appointment.

how to hurricane proof your home

How to Hurricane-Proof Your Home: 5 Key Things to Do

By HVAC Expert | Preventative Maintenance

June 1st is officially the first day of the Atlantic hurricane season and NOAA has already predicted an above-normal season for 2020. This means that it’s time to check your hurricane kit, stock up on supplies, and figure out how to hurricane-proof your home.

If you’re new to the area and haven’t experienced hurricane season before or are new to owning a home and new to storm-proofing, then you’re in the right place. Here are 5 things you should do to protect your home.

1. Protect the Roof

Your roof may be one of the first things to be damaged in a hurricane. Hurricanes can bring winds between 74 and 155+ mph. Hurricane clips are one tool to secure your roof. They are typically made from steel and strengthen where the roof and the home are connected.

Hurricane clips, which you sometimes see called hurricane straps or hurricane ties, make it less likely that the roof will lift off the frame when winds get high. Hurricane-proof homes often will have these clips installed when the roof is replaced.

2. Reinforce the Garage Door

Your garage door is one of the most vulnerable places in your home. Garage doors are often made of lightweight material to save on costs, improve safety, and improve the efficiency of the opening and closing of the door.

However, you should choose impact-resistant garage doors, metal if possible, and get a vertical bracing system to protect your door from hurricane-force winds.

3. Protect Your Windows and Doors

Like the garage door, windows and other doors in your home are also vulnerable. You can install hurricane-resistant doors and impact-resistant windows to keep them from shattering.

Replacing your windows and doors is a significant expense. In the meantime, you can protect your windows and doors with hurricane shutters. If you’re really in a pinch, stock up on plywood and other supplies to board up your windows and doors in the event of a hurricane.

4. Protect Your Air Conditioner

You should shut your air conditioner off during a hurricane to prevent damage from power interruption. The power that is flickering or a strong power surge can damage your compressor. Preventative maintenance can help make sure you keep your air conditioner in good working order as well.

You can also cover your air conditioner to protect it from any flying debris. Check with your manufacturer to make sure anything you cover it with won’t void the warranty. Some manufacturers may have their own covers that you can purchase that won’t impact your warranty.

Your air conditioner can easily survive a hurricane, as long as you take steps to protect it. Otherwise, you might find yourself having to replace your system after the storm has passed. Hurricane straps can also ensure that the outdoor component of your air conditioner stays put.

5. Stock up on Emergency Supplies

Having a well-stocked hurricane kit is imperative once hurricane season begins. You can find plenty of lists out there of what you should include in your emergency kit, and basics include:

  • Water
  • Non-perishable food
  • First-aid kit
  • Flashlights
  • Candles
  • Portable chargers for phones
  • Battery-operated radio to get any weather updates if the power is out
  • Batteries

At the start of each hurricane season, check the contents of your kit and update it with anything that needs to be replaced.

Create Your Plan for How to Hurricane-Proof Your Home

Before hurricane season is in full swing, get your plan together on how to hurricane-proof your home. Update your emergency kit, make sure you have supplies for boarding up your home if necessary and have a plan for securing outdoor areas of your home in the event of a hurricane.

If your air conditioner has been damaged in a hurricane or you need a seasonal tune-up, contact us today.