The Benefits of a Smart Thermostat
Are you considering updating your HVAC system with a smart thermostat but are unsure if it is worth it to you? These upgrades can help you to have more control over your space and save your money. Trane shared more information about the benefits of a smart thermostat in your space listed below. 3 Ways Smart Thermostats Help You Save Money They Learn Your Behaviors – This is what makes smart thermostats so smart. You initially program your ideal temperatures and settings. Then over time, your thermostat will observe your behavior and learn when you come and go, as well as what temperatures you prefer at certain times of the day. Your system can automatically adjust your settings to make sure your home is the perfect temp when you get home. Some thermostats even make adjustments based on humidity levels. They Monitor Your Usage – Two-way communicating smart thermostats are always monitoring your usage, collecting data and sharing it with you 24/7. Their remote interfaces show how much energy you’re using and can even estimate your costs. From there you can make manual adjustments to your program or let your thermostat handle it. The magic lies in the data. The more you know, the easier it is to tweak your temps and see how it affects your energy bill. Smart thermostats give you the information you need to make smart decisions to improve your energy-efficiency and savings. They Work Hard While You’re Away – Most systems will switch to an eco setting when you’re not at home, so you’ll automatically be saving energy. The thermostat does this with sensors that know when someone is at home or when everyone has left and there’s no movement in the house. They may also use geo-tracking to know when your phone is out […]
3 Critical Reasons You Must Change Your Air Filters Regularly
Something as simple as changing your dirty air filters out at regular intervals can go a long way to saving money and improving energy efficiency in your home. Listed below are 3 Critical Reasons You Must Change Your Air Filters Regularly. Maintaining Indoor Air Quality: When filters become dirty or contaminated they can lead to reduced air quality in your home. This can trigger allergies and asthma in those who are breathing in the air circulating in your home or business. By changing your air filter you are able to promote clean air and protect those who enter your space from breathing in particles and debris. Increased HVAC Lifespan: It is no secret that air conditioning systems are major investments into our comfort and safety. By swapping your air filter out at regular intervals you are able to extend the lifespan of your HVAC unit. This will help provide you with top performance from your AC while also giving you more years of function. Reduce Your Utility Bill: Unclean and outdated air filters will trap dirt and debris inside of your unit which will affect the performance of your air conditioner. Your unit will be forced to work harder to get you subpar results. Remember to replace your air filters on a regular basis to improve your home’s air quality, extend the life of your unit, and save on energy costs in your home or business. What’s the best HVAC filter? Air filters are measured by Minimum Efficiency Reporting Values (MERV). A MERV rating speaks to the filters ability to capture large particles. The higher the MERV rating, the better the filter is at capturing specific pollutants from the air. However, a higher MERV rating may not be best for your system. The MERV scale rates filters from 1 to […]
Fall HVAC Tips to Save You Money
Fall weather has finally arrived in Texas! This year make sure you are doing everything you can to stack up on energy savings without sacrificing your comfort. Our team is offering fall HVAC tune-ups and is still running a special on new air conditioners at 0% APR. Call us today to learn more about improving the air quality in your home so you are in control of your climate all season long. Read below for fall HVAC tips to save you money this season. 1. Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance Setting up a maintenance schedule for your HVAC system not only helps it run optimally during hot and cold weather, but it’ll likely prolong your system’s life span. Ideally, you should hire a local HVAC company to inspect your system twice per year: once before it gets cold and once before it gets warm for a pre-season HVAC service call. 2. Replace Your Filter Monthly Changing your air filter is one of the easiest fall HVAC efficiency tips that’ll keep your HVAC system running smoothly for the season. The reason is simple: When the filter is dirty, the system has to work harder to push air through, putting more stress on the system. When more stress is placed on your system, your energy bill goes up. In fact, you can save 5% to 15% on energy bills by changing your filter regularly, according to the U.S. Department of Energy. Your family’s health will thank you, too, especially if there are allergy or respiratory illness sufferers in the household. 3. Install a Programmable Thermostat Investing in a programmable thermostat is a wise choice for the winter. Setting the heat low when your family is out of the home and when you’re sleeping can save you money on your energy bills. Many new […]
How Do I Prepare My AC For Hurricane Season?
With hurricane season underway, now is a good time to ask yourself “How Do I Prepare My AC For Hurricane Season?” Air conditioners are no small purchase and we rely on them to keep our spaces comfortable and safe from outdoor heat and humidity. Read below to learn how you can protect your air conditioner and home this hurricane season. 5 Simple Steps to Protect Your Home From a Hurricane In addition to protecting your air conditioner, there are a few simple steps you can take to help protect your home. Please note, these suggestions do not mean you or your home will be “safe” during a severe storm. Please follow weather advisories and evacuate the area when recommended by local officials Brace your garage door. If heavy winds break down your garage door and get into your garage, it’s easier for the whole roof to be ripped off. Securely fasten windows and doors. Protect your home from broken glass and flying debris by ensuring all doors and windows are locked. Many homes in hurricane-prone areas have window, porch and door protection systems for added security. Trim surrounding trees. Keep an eye out for dead limbs or overhanging trees on your property and remove them before they can cause damage in a heavy storm. Other loose objects around your yard like patio furniture and grills should also be secured. Unplug appliances or invest in a surge protector. In a severe storm, electrical surges are a very real possibility and can do a lot of damage to your expensive kitchen appliances and home entertainment systems. Protect your home from flood damage. If possible, move your car to higher ground and move valuables off the floor. Most importantly, make sure you have the proper flood insurance and an updated home inventory to […]
Money Saving Air Conditioner Installation
Your old air conditioner may be costing you more money to run than you expect. New energy efficient models require less energy to provide you with more control over your climate. If you are a home owner consider getting a money saving air conditioner installation with Autumn Mechanical while we are offering 0% APR on HVAC Unit Installation & Replacement. 10 HVAC Maintenance And Tune Up Tips Every Homeowner Should Know 1. Schedule Professional HVAC Preventative Maintenance Consider scheduling two seasonal HVAC tuneups each year, one in the spring for the air conditioning and one in the fall for the heating. During these maintenance checkups, HVAC installation companies and technicians will thoroughly service, inspect and troubleshoot the system to keep it working efficiently and prevent breakdowns. The HVAC tech will: Check the thermostat calibration and settings Tighten electrical connections as needed Lubricate all moving parts Inspect the condensate drain and clean as needed Check the system controls Clean and adjust the blower components Clean the evaporator and condenser coils Check the refrigerant charge Check fuel line connections Inspect the gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger 2. Change the Filters Filters remove dust, hair and other particles from the air so that these pollutants are not spread throughout the home. You can improve the air quality inside of your home and use less energy by changing the HVAC filter every 30 days. Clean filters let more air pass through, allowing the system to heat and cool more efficiently. For most systems, filters with a MERV rating between seven and 13 offer an excellent balance between filtration ability and maximum airflow. 3. Perform Visual Inspection of the HVAC System Inspect the system monthly when changing the filter to uncover potential problems. Check out the thermostat, inside the unit, outside unit, registers […]
How To Keep Your AC Running For As Long As Possible
Air conditioners are more than expensive purchases, they are major investments into the comfort and protection of your home or business. Whether you have a brand new unit or one that is starting to make its way up in age the following tips will teach you how to keep your AC running for as long as possible. 12 Best Things You Can Do for Your AC Change the AC Air Filter One of the easiest and most effective ways to keep your AC system operating at peak efficiency is to change the air filter at least seasonally, and even monthly during periods of high use. A dirty air filter slows down airflow and makes the unit’s motor work harder than necessary to cool down the incoming air. Install AC Units in Shade If you want your air conditioner to keep you nice and cool, you need to return the favor. Protect the condenser, the outdoor portion of your central air-conditioning system, from the worst of the sun’s glare. A little shade may help it more efficiently disperse the heat collected from the air inside your home. Program AC unit If the forecast calls for a scorcher, don’t wait until the indoor heat is unbearable to switch on the AC. Instead, program it ahead of time, or switch it on manually before temperatures get too high. Doing this will save on utility costs and reduce the unit’s workload. Clean AC unit A condenser that’s smothered by shrubs or grass, clogged with fallen leaves, or blocked by patio furniture cannot effectively dispel heat, forcing the unit to work harder than it should and increasing your electric bill. Sweep away debris each week, and cut back plants so they don’t come within two feet of the condenser. Install a Smart Thermostat If you […]
Save Money With A New AC
Outdated air conditioners can cost you big time. Not only do you have to pay for more frequent repairs and part replacements, they also are not energy efficient like newer models, which will lead to higher energy bills. Save money with a new AC when you contact the HVAC contractors at Autumn Mechanical. We are currently running a special air conditioning financing deal in Houston and surrounding areas whenever you purchase a new unit for 0% APR on all qualifying residential replacement systems. This is a deal that will not last, so take advantage of our special financing when you buy today. Warning Signs That It’s Time to Replace Your HVAC HVAC Warning Sign #1: The system is requiring more frequent repairs. A system approaching the upper end of the age range isn’t necessarily a problem, but more frequent or expensive repairs can indicate that your HVAC is failing, has damage, or is leaking. This can be particularly problematic for older air conditioning units and heat pumps that use Freon©, which the government is phasing out to protect the environment. Rather than doing a retrofit with the new R410A refrigerant, it might be time to invest in a new system. There’s also a handy rule of thumb known as the “$5,000 rule” to help you decide if it’s better to repair or replace your HVAC system: Multiply the age of your equipment by the estimated cost to repair it. If the number is over $5,000, a new system probably makes more financial sense. For example, a 10-year-old system needing a $600 repair would come out to $6,000 — indicating it’s likely better to replace. HVAC Warning Sign #2: Your utility bills are going up Even normal wear and tear can diminish the efficiency of your HVAC components over time. As […]
Air Conditioning Financing Deals in Houston
Are you dissatisfied with your current air conditioning system? Is it outdated and unable to efficiently cool your home? It may be time to consider a new heating and cooling system in your residential space. Many homeowners will put off the task of purchasing a new HVAC system simply because air conditioners are major purchases. It is important to realize, a new air conditioner is more than a large purchase, it is an investment into your future. At Autumn Mechanical we are offering air conditioning financing deals in Houston and surrounding areas whenever you purchase a new unit. This means 0% APR on all qualifying residential replacement systems. This is a deal that will not last, so take advantage of our special financing when you buy today and get monthly payments you can afford. What to Consider When Deciding Whether to Replace or Repair Your AC Unit A quality and efficient new air conditioner is a big investment. So, unless your existing unit is not performing well and you can’t remedy this without significant expense, it often makes more sense to have it repaired. Some factors to consider when deciding whether to repair or replace your existing air conditioning unit include: The AC Unit’s Age A typical air conditioning unit has a life expectancy of 10 to 15 years. If it’s well-maintained, your unit can continue performing well for even longer. As a guide: If your unit is over 10 years old, the warranty has expired, you’re experiencing more frequent problems, or the quotes you’ve received for repairs are high, purchasing a new unit may be the better choice. If your AC is less than 10 years old, is well-maintained, and has not experienced a major failure, then it might be better to have the unit repaired. The Cost of […]
Trusted Air Conditioning Company in Houston
Are you looking for a trusted HVAC company that provides HVAC services in the Houston area? Autumn Mechanical has more than three decades of experiencing offering commercials and home services to help customers get the best out of their cooling systems. Whether you need you AC repaired or are interested in installing a new AC system in your space, we have got you covered. We understand that in a city as hot and humid as Houston, having a functioning AC unit is not a luxury but a necessity to protect you, your loved ones, and your property from the extreme outdoor conditions. Our Houston HVAC technicians are all background checked and insured for your protection when they come out to your home or business on service calls. We offer the best customer service in the industry and the most reliable heating and cooling services available. When you are looking to improve your indoor air quality, look no further than Autumn Mechanical in Houston. 7 Tips for Maintaining Your AC Unit 1) Change your filter. The simplest and most effective way to keep your AC running smoothly is changing your filter once a month. By regularly changing your filter, you reduce a lot of the burden on your system. A dirty or clogged filter makes your air conditioner work much harder than does a clean filter. Changing your filters regularly is easy on your budget and easy on your system as well. It will lower your utility bill and extend the life of your AC. 2) Keep your coils clean. The AC coils and fins on the outside of your unit need to be kept clean and clear of obstructions. Leaves and other debris sometimes accumulate around your unit. If obstructions are present, your unit must work harder to function than […]
How Often Should My AC Be Cleaned?
When it comes to your air conditioning system, you will want to do everything you can to keep it in great shape for as long as possible. One of the most effective ways to protect your air conditioner is with routine annual check-ups. During this routine maintenance your cool system will be thoroughly inspected and cleaned by HVAC professionals. They will clean yourAC unit and inspect it to ensure the system is running and working efficiently. Trane share’s some more insight into the importance of cleaning your coils below: Take care of your air conditioner coils for best cooling performance Your AC coils are a big part of making sure your home stays cool on hot days. In a traditional split-system HVAC device, you’ll have an indoor and outdoor unit each containing one coil. Within the indoor unit of the system you have the evaporator coil, responsible for absorbing heat and humidity from your home. Within the outdoor unit of the system you have the condenser coil, responsible for releasing that heat and humidity outside, so it doesn’t get stuck in the air conditioner or your home. The two coils form one continuous loop and, without them, heat and humidity would never escape your home, which could make it uncomfortably warm when you want it to be cool. Because the coils are such an important part of the air conditioner, keeping AC coils clean is crucial. While AC coil maintenance is dangerous and should only be handled by a licensed HVAC technician, there are a few safe tips and tricks you can perform yourself to make sure your coils stay in tip-top shape. Why keep AC coils clean? It’s important to schedule regular maintenance on your air conditioner, which includes AC coil maintenance, to ensure your unit is running […]
