How to Save Money on Your Air Conditioning Bill

How to Save Money on Your Air Conditioning Bill

As the weather heats up, follow these suggestions to lower your energy bills.

Air conditioning systems are a necessity in Central Texas, especially during the summer.  The primary function of the air-conditioning system is to cool the environment while also supplying fresh air. With the comfort they provide, air conditioning units also increase electricity bills. Currently, it is estimated that home owners with air-conditioning unit spend about $375 per month. That means that about 45% of your utility bill comes from the air conditioning units in your home.

However, there are still ways to save money on your air conditioning bill.

Use of timers to limit operating times

Install programmable thermostats that monitor your desired room temperature. When you leave the house, switch off your unit or increase the temperature set point by 1 degree. This will result in a reduction in energy consumption by about 10%. Alternatively, you can set the air-conditioning unit to start operating when the temperature rises above 76 degrees F and so forth.

Install the equipment in utilized rooms

Restrict your air conditioning unit to rooms you are currently using. Air conditioning systems are essential in your living room, kitchen area, bedrooms, and playrooms. Forget the unoccupied rooms as that will only increase your air conditioning bills. Consider powering off your air conditioning systems during the day, when your home is unoccupied.   Instead use the window and ceiling fans to aerate your home.

Proper insulation

Even with the air conditioning in the house, enjoying a cool breeze can sometimes be impossible. This can happen when the piping, ductwork and other areas in your home are not properly insulated. Proper insulation will help cut down cost for your air conditioning bill.   A certified air conditioning technician can evaluate your current insulation and recommend improvements.

These tips can help you lower your energy bills, in the summer or winter.  At Comfort Control, we install and maintain air conditioning systems to support your unique needs.  Contact us today for an expert consultation.

The Benefits of Using a Certified Technician

The Benefits of Using a Certified Technician

A certified technician is tested and certified as having skills in the installation, repair, and maintenance of heating and cooling equipment. The training for certification requires work experience which meets strict industry standards. 

Certification means the technician has not only acquired expertise in this area, but will also maintain these skills through classes, seminars, and training sessions.  This requires a commitment to their craft and added determination to maintain the latest knowledge of industry standards in order to maintain their certification.

More importantly, certification shows the technician knows the right tasks to perform on your HVAC system to diagnose and solve your problem. A certified technician will ensure the unit will perform at its intended efficiency level, and will require fewer repairs as time passes.  A certified technician will do this in a cost efficient and effective manner.  At Comfort Control, we install and maintain systems

Air Conditioning Replacement Tips

Air Conditioning Replacement Tips

One of the key factors to consider in deciding when to replace your HVAC unit is the age of the unit.  Air conditioning units usually have a useful life of 10 years while the heating unit usually lasts for 15 years.

But there are other indications you should consider a new HVAC system.  If you have had repeated repairs within a short period of time, it may be more cost-effective to replace the unit.  If you are not as comfortable while your unit is operating because there are uneven temperatures in rooms, you may wish to replace the unit.  If you notice humidity problems or excessive dust, this may be due to leaky ductwork, which suggests it is time to replace your unit.  Increasing energy bills indicate your system is not operating efficiently, and could be replaced with a newer model, which would provide features allowing you to manage your energy usage. If you are concerned about your unit’s effect on the environment, new models use energy more efficiently.

If you believe your HVAC system is currently defective, please call for a free analysis and estimate.  At Comfort Control, we install and maintain systems to support your unique needs. Contact us today for an expert consultation.

Why is my Air Conditioner Blowing Hot Air?

As the hot Central Texas summer quickly approaches, many homeowners are turning on their air conditioners for the first time this season, only to find that they’re blowing warm air.  There are many reasons why an air conditioner might blow warm, or even hot, air.  Here’s a look at two of the most common causes.

Lack of Coolant

One of the easiest fixes is a lack of coolant.  Air conditioners use freon to cool air, but freon occasionally leaks out of a unit over time.  If your unit’s performance slowly declined last summer, it may have lost freon.  If it continued to lose freon over the winter, there might not be any cool air coming from your unit now.

Recharging the freon in a system is a relatively easy and inexpensive repair.  All a technician needs to do is refill the freon in the system and check for any leaks that might have led to the loss.

A Frozen Evaporator Coil

If you’re unit stopped performing soddenly while it was operating, it might have frozen up.  Yes, an air conditioner can freeze, and, when it does, it blows warm air.    As ironic as this may sound, a frozen evaporator coil is one of the most common issues with air conditioners that are blowing hot air.  For, a unit’s motor can still run without a functioning evaporator coil, and it will blow air just fine.  The air that it blows will be hot, though.  It doesn’t take long to thaw a frozen evaporator coil, especially in the Texas sun.  Just turning your system off and letting it sit idle for a couple of hours in the afternoon should melt the ice that’s built up inside the unit.  Although the immediate problem can be fixed by letting your unit thaw, you should still have it inspected by a professional.  A frozen evaporator coil shows that water’s building up inside the unit, and your system is being overworked.  A trained technician will be able to check your entire system for the underlying cause that led to the frozen coil.  If your air conditioner is blowing warm air, we can help you identify the cause.  Often, just a small fix will get a system up and running properly again.  One of our technicians can identify the precise issues and quickly remedy it for you, before the real heat of summer sets in.  At Comfort Control, we install and maintain systems to support your unique needs. Contact us today for an expert consultation.

What should a new Air Conditioning System Cost?

What should a new Air Conditioning System cost?

The answer depends on a number of factors.  At Comfort Control, our certified and professional technicians will come to your home to perform a free assessment, which will calculate the actual square footage to be cooled.  Based on this information, we determine the number of units, or tons, needed to cool your home or business efficiently.  “Ton” refers to the amount of heat the unit can remove from a home in one hour.  For example, a 1-1/2 ton HVAC unit will remove 18,000 BTUs of heat in one hour.

The installation costs will also reflect whether it is necessary to replace wiring, the number of units needed, repair work to the pad on which the unit sits, the number of thermostats needed, and whether any ductwork must be replaced.  Some of these costs may add significantly to the final costs. Another factor which could increase the initial cost more than average is whether you wish to purchase a unit with an improved seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER).  A unit with a SEER rating greater than the average of 13 SEER will lower your energy costs and cooling times. You can also purchase a unit with a lower decibel rating to reduce the noise of your air conditioner.  Many cities have regulations specifying the decibels required; a permit and an inspection may also be required for the installation of a new system but not for a repair.  This can also increase the cost quoted to you so make sure your technician is familiar with the building code in your area.

At Comfort Control all of technicians are certified to handle refrigerant as required by law.  Contact us today at (512)308-6949. 

Three Natural Ways to Lower Humidity

As the weather heats up, follow these simple suggestions to create a refuge from the humid climate of Austin.

Increase Ventilation

Ventilation plays a crucial role in the effective management of humidity levels. Excess water in the air increases humidity, so you will want to focus especially on areas of your home that are prone to moisture. Use fans and open windows in areas of your home where excess water enters the environment through activities such as steaming food in the kitchen, showering in the bathroom, or running your washing machine in the laundry room.

Manage Moisture

Combine multiple strategies to keep water from building up in the air. Taking shorter, cooler showers produces far less humidifying steam than taking long, hot showers. You can also manage your indoor climate through choice of cooking methods. Slow cookers are less humidifying than stovetop or oven cooking, and, of course, grilling outside produces no indoor humidity at all. Cover exposed soil in houseplant pots. This measure will make watering plants more effective by preventing evaporation, and when you water less frequently, you prevent humidity.

Make a Simple Dehumidifier

Make your own dehumidifier using rock salt. Directions can be found at http://www.ehow.com/how_5317871_make-own-dehumidifier.html .

The tips suggested above give you greater control over your indoor environment, and in conjunction with a quality air conditioning system, these methods are instantly enhanced. At Comfort Control, we install and maintain systems to support your unique needs. Contact us today for an expert consultation.

Simplify Air Conditioning Repair In Austin, Texas With Proper Landscaping

When the inevitable time comes that you need air conditioning repair in Austin, Texas, you can make the job easy or hard for the technician based on the way you landscape around the condenser in your yard. The easier time your Comfort Control service technician has accessing your unit, the more quickly he can complete the repair.

Maintaining The Area Around YourCondenser

Depending on how much attention you put into landscaping your yard, you might try to conceal the air-conditioning unit or ignore it, which often means that it becomes surrounded by weeds that can impede its efficiency. The vents can suck in dust, grass, and plant debris and can even cause your unit to stop. To prevent problems, the very least you should do is remove any vegetation that goes near your air conditioner and also clean inside the housing with a soft brush. Your AC technician can do this part, but a bit of self-care is a fairly easy way to prevent other problems.

Decorative Solution For Hiding Your Unit

For a more attractive yard, you can also install a fence, wall, or landscape barrier around the condenser:

·       A fence, with the gate to allow for easy air conditioning repair, can not only hide the unit, but also provide a sound barrier to cut operating noise and a degree of shade to help the unit run at a lower temperature. Your fence can be made of any material and can even create a storage area for storing gardening supplies, hoses, and tools. Just make sure to make the area big enough that it does not create additional blockage for the unit or prevent the service technician from getting near it.

·       Garden fencing, just simple trellising around the area, can keep your unit clean while offering a more decorative appearance. For ease of access, just have the coverage on two sides, or a gate. To make the area even more decorative, you can even hang a plant or two from the fencing or put some pots on the outside.

·       A decorative hedge of plants or shrubs is also a great way to beautify the area. Plant the vegetation far enough away from the unit to prevent problems as it begins to grow and make sure there is a break in the hedge to allow the technician to get near enough your unit to repair it.

Schedule Air Conditioning Repair In Austin Texas

Keeping up with the maintenance on your HVAC unit will make sure that your unit is always ready to keep your home the right temperature in our climate, whether it is hot or cold. For air-conditioning repair in Austin, Texas, call Comfort Control today at (512) 308-6949.