Tips For Troubleshooting Your AC System

May 22, 2023

An air conditioner can be a lifesaver when the mercury is soaring. You and your family can stay comfortable and happy even on the hottest days. However, just like most systems in your home, your air conditioning system may develop a problem from time to time that needs to be remedied. Dirty AC Filter If you notice that your air conditioning system doesn’t seem to be adequately producing cold air, you could have a dirty AC filter. Remove the filter from its housing and hold it up to a light source. If you can no longer see through the filter, it’s time to replace it. Whenever too much debris gets stuck inside the filter, air will have a harder time moving through it. Wrong Setting A common problem many homeowners run into at the beginning of the summer season is that their air conditioning system simply won’t blow cold air. Fortunately, this is often a simple thermostat error, and it can be an easy fix. Take a look at your thermostat and make sure that you switched it from heat mode to cool mode. When your thermostat is set on heat mode, it cannot turn on your air conditioning system...

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The Top 4 Indoor Air Pollutants That Threaten Your Health

April 19, 2023

One of the best things about southern New Mexico is the excellent air quality one can enjoy once one steps outdoors. Unfortunately, indoor air isn’t always so fresh, depending on where you live or work. There are at least four major indoor air pollutants that are worth monitoring for your health. 1. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is the most dangerous indoor air pollutant known to man and can be deadly at high concentrations. Most indoor carbon monoxide is produced by gas stoves and oil furnaces that aren’t operating at peak efficiency. Even low levels of carbon monoxide can cause headaches, nausea, and an irregular heart rate in humans. 2. Volatile Organic Compounds Volatile organic compounds are harmful gases emitted by a wide array of liquids and engineered building materials. Paints, varnishes, waxes, carpeting, and laminate flooring are familiar sources of these potentially hazardous substances. Left unchecked, VOCs can cause headaches, nausea, eye irritation, breathing problems, and even liver damage. 3. Asbestos Once a common building material, asbestos continues to contaminate indoor air in homes and businesses all over New Mexico. If they become airborne, asbestos fibers can cause mesothelioma and several other lung diseases. Older homes that have recently undergone...

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What You Should Expect With a Comprehensive AC Inspection

March 16, 2023

The last thing you want is your AC system to quit on a sweltering summer day in Las Cruces, NM. A fantastic way to prevent that is by having an annual AC inspection, preferably in the spring. It will ensure the system is free of damage and ready to keep you and your family cool on the hottest days. You may wonder what the inspection will consist of. Our HVAC technicians will check your system for cleanliness, efficiency, and safety. Then, if necessary, we will recommend upgrades and repairs. Safety Is Our Top Priority An annual AC inspection includes ensuring your air conditioning system is clean and free of dirt and debris that could create a hazard. In addition, we will check for carbon monoxide leaks, test all limit and safety controls, and inspect safety devices. We will examine fail-safe and surge protectors as well. Efficient Cooling We will inspect various air conditioning unit parts to give you the most efficient cooling including coolant levels, drip pans, condenser coil, fan blade, and check the blower motor. In addition, we will assess all coils and lines and clean the evaporator coil if necessary. Reviewing Electrical Components Our team’s yearly air conditioner...

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Is It Possible to Replace a Regular Thermostat With a Smart Thermostat?

February 2, 2023

Smart thermostats are becoming increasingly popular as they provide many benefits compared to standard thermostats or even non-smart programmable units. If you’ve been considering a smart thermostat, you may be wondering if you can simply replace your old regular unit with a new smart unit. The answer is yes, you can absolutely replace any standard thermostat with a smart thermostat. However, despite many manufacturers claiming that this is something you can do on your own, we would never recommend it for reasons we’ll now look at. Why You Should Always Hire an HVAC Technician to Install a Smart Thermostat All thermostats are wired into the building’s electrical system and draw low-voltage power from the HVAC system. This means that trying to install or work on any type of thermostat on your own always carries with it the risk of electrocution. If not wired correctly, a smart thermostat can also draw too much current, which means you could easily fry your new unit before you ever get to use it. Another issue is that smart thermostats tend to draw quite a bit more low-voltage current than standard thermostats. If your HVAC system also has an air scrubber, whole-house humidifier or dehumidifier,...

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Downsides of a Heat Pump

January 14, 2023

A heat pump is a type of HVAC system used to heat and cool buildings. While heat pumps have many benefits, such as being energy efficient and environmentally friendly, there are also some downsides to consider. Heat Pump Disadvantages One major downside of heat pumps is that they are not as effective in extremely cold temperatures. This is because the heat pump relies on the transfer of heat from the outside air or ground to the inside of a building. In very cold temperatures, there is less heat available to get transferred, making it more difficult for the heat pump to warm the building. This results in higher energy bills. Another downside of heat pumps is that they can be more expensive to install compared to traditional HVAC systems such as a furnace. The cost of installation can vary depending on the size of the building and the type of heat pump system getting installed. Heat pumps also require regular maintenance to ensure they are running at optimal efficiency. This can include cleaning the coils, replacing filters, and checking for refrigerant leaks. Failure to maintain a heat pump can lead to decreased efficiency and increased energy costs. Another downside of...

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Why You Should Start Improving Your Indoor Air Quality

December 20, 2022

Your family will likely spend most of their time inside the home this winter. Poor indoor air quality can impact your overall comfort and health. Maintaining healthy air quality is essential to your HVAC system, ductwork and family’s wellness. Keep reading to learn more about why your home’s air quality is so important. Alleviates Allergies Poor air quality is often characterized by excessive airborne particulates like dust, dirt and pollen. Constantly breathing in these contaminants can irritate your eyes, nose and throat. You’ll have a hard time breathing comfortably and falling asleep every night. Improving your indoor air quality ensures that loved ones with asthma or pet allergies are comfortable and protected. Lowers Energy Costs Your air filters work to pull pollutants out of the air before they can damage your HVAC system. The more airborne debris in your home, the faster your filters will fill up. More dirt and grime will find their way into your furnace, making it harder for the system to run efficiently. Removing airborne debris keeps your furnace safe and stops particulates from negatively affecting airflow in your ductwork. Protects Against Mold and Pests One significant cause of poor air quality is humidity issues. Once...

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4 Steps to Figure Out How Much Propane Your Furnace Uses Daily

November 19, 2022

Just like when you are shopping for a dependable vehicle, you will want to know ahead of time just how fuel efficient your new furnace will be. If your preferred model uses propane as its fuel source, this will be quite easy to figure out. What you are actually looking for is referred to as the furnace’s “burn rate,” or the value that estimates how long a particular furnace can run on a full tank of propane. This is how you do it: 1. Determine the Furnace’s Rating The rating of a propane furnace is measured in British thermal units, or BTUs, and it should be printed in your owner’s manual or along the side of your unit. The BTU rating is typically compared to the horsepower rating of a vehicle since it really gives us as professionals an idea of just how much strength and stamina your furnace has. It speaks of the total load that the unit is capable of handling when all other propane devices in the household are running at full power. 2. Convert the Rating You then convert the BTU rating of the furnace into gallons and pounds to get the burn rate. After all,...

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Do Heat Pumps Need Freon to Operate?

October 19, 2022

Many people in Las Cruces, New Mexico, use heat pumps during the winter to keep their houses warm. It’s easy to understand how a furnace that burns gas generates heat. However, many have questions about how heat pumps actually heat the home and whether they use Freon. How Do Heat Pumps Work? A heat pump heats your home by transferring heat from outside to inside. Heat pumps can do this even when the temperatures outside of your home are below freezing because there is always some heat in the air that can be absorbed. To transfer heat, a heat pump uses a chemical compound called refrigerant. Freon is a brand name for a type of refrigerant that DuPont produces. Refrigerants like Freon can be dangerous to people and the environment if not handled properly. For this reason, if your heat pump needs repair or maintenance, don’t do it yourself. Let the professionals at do it for you. Refrigerant’s Role in the Operation of Your Heat Pump Refrigerant only requires a small amount of energy to go from a liquid to gas and back to a liquid again. In times past, air conditioning and heat pump systems used flammable or toxic...

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How Ceiling Height Can Influence Your HVAC System

September 14, 2022

Ceiling height is an important factor to consider when designing your HVAC system. The height of your ceilings can affect the efficiency of your heating and cooling along with the size and type of equipment you need. Unit Size Tall ceilings can make a room feel more open and airy, but they also require more energy to heat and cool. That’s because the air in a taller space has further to travel, so it takes longer to reach the desired temperature. If you have high ceilings, you’ll need a larger HVAC unit to maintain comfortable temperatures. On the other hand, short ceilings can make a room feel cozier. And since there’s less space for the heat or cool air to travel, your HVAC system won’t have to work as hard – meaning it will be more efficient and use less energy. Airflow Good airflow is essential for an efficient HVAC system, and ceiling height can impact the way air moves through a room. In general, the taller the ceiling, the more air movement you’ll need to maintain comfortable temperatures. If your ceilings are on the shorter side, you may be able to get away with a less powerful fan. But...

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How Frequently to Service Your Air Conditioning Unit

August 16, 2022

Air conditioning is a vital part of many households. After all, during the hottest months of the year, you likely want to be able to relax in a cool and comfortable house. In order to keep your air conditioner functioning properly, though, you need to have the unit serviced on a regular basis. Therefore, you may be wondering how regularly you should schedule service. The Short Answer In summary, how frequently to have your unit serviced is going to depend upon multiple factors. However, you should typically have your air conditioner serviced at least once a year. Consider when you usually turn the air conditioner on for the first time each year. Scheduling an appointment for service about a month or so before that time is a smart idea. Do keep in mind that many people will be trying to schedule service appointments before the hot season, so book your consultation well in advance. Age of Your Unit The age of your air conditioning unit can also affect how frequently you should schedule service. An older unit may be prone to more problems than a newer system. If you have an older air conditioning system, consider scheduling a second service...

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