Stuck At Home This Summer? How to Survive a Heat Wave With a Broken AC
The last thing anyone wants to happen on a sweltering summer day is for their air conditioner to stop working.
Although the average lifespan of a central air conditioning unit is anywhere from 15 to 20 years, you may find yourself faced with a non-functioning air conditioner for any number of reasons. Or your unit may begin throwing off an unpleasant smell that makes running it impossible.
Until you can get your broken AC repaired or replaced, try these tips to help you stay cool inside your home.
Run Fans
Provided a power outage isn't the cause of your air conditioner problem, the next best thing you can do to feel cooler is to run fans in your home. Although they don't actually blow cool air or remove humidity, they'll at least keep air circulating which can provide some relief.
Try to leverage some cross ventilation by running fans on opposite ends of a room, or open windows on opposite ends of your home if it's breezy outside.
It's also a good idea to invest in a few battery-operated fans so you can keep the air flowing when there's no electricity. And don't underestimate the cooling power of small desktop and handheld fans that have built-in water misters. That moisture evaporating from your skin delivers a wonderful cooling effect.
Take a Cool Shower or Bath
One of the quickest ways to bring the heat down fast is to take a cool shower or bath. You can also try soaking your feet in cool water. When your feet are cool, the effect tends to make the rest of your body feel cooler as well.
Avoid Adding Extra Heat to Your Home
Many appliances through enough heat to make a home feel even more miserable on a hot day. This includes your oven, stove, vacuum cleaner, and dryer. Avoid running them, or reserve them for the nighttime hours when the temperature has cooled down a bit.
You may also want to prevent the sun's rays from entering windows and making your home hotter by blocking them out with shades or dark, heavy curtains.
Try This Ancient Egyptian Trick
Supposedly the ancient Egyptians discovered the secret to staying cool while sleeping. They soaked their blankets in water, then wrung them out until they were just damp and slept underneath one.
You can achieve the same results by soaking a cotton sheet in cold water and wringing it out at bedtime. Just be sure to squeeze out enough water so the sheet is not wet.
If you don't like the idea of sleeping underneath a damp sheet, you can place dry sheets in the freezer for a couple of hours before turning in. You'll achieve the same effect, although it may not last as long as dampening the sheet.
Stay Hydrated
Lastly, don't let yourself get dehydrated on a hot day. Drink plenty of cool water and cool water-based beverages (such as lemonade.) Although a cold beer can be refreshing, remember that alcohol can also dehydrate the body so be sure to follow it up with plain water.
Don't Lose Your Cool with a Broken AC
A broken AC on a hot day is no fun, but you can survive it by trying the above tips.
And don't forget that Thermacon Service Company specializes in 24-hour air conditioning repair and installation so you never have to suffer for long without an AC. Request AC service by filling out our online form.
4 Effective Tips for Improved Air Quality in Your Home
Indoor air: it can be two to five times more polluted than the air outside.
Why wouldn't you want to improve air quality in home?
But it can be tricky to test the air quality in your home and know how to purify unwelcome pollutants.
We've got your back, however. Here are the nine most effective tips for improved air quality in your home.
1. Be Aware
We are inside about 90% of our time so it is vital to check air quality in home frequently. Polluted indoor air can affect your heath in many ways like:
- Dryness
- Eye, nose, and throat irritation
- Headaches
- Shortness of breath
Many of these effects may occur after prolonged periods of time in poor air quality. You may be more susceptible to severe indoor air contaminants if you have underlying conditions such as respiratory issues or heart disease.
Many of the harmful indoor air pollutants are hard to detect. Luckily there are several helpful tricks of how to purify air in home!
2. Ventilate
One of the best methods for improved air quality is ventilation. Some indoor pollution sources include:
- Cleaning supplies
- Paint
- Fire places
- Cooking appliances
It is important to make sure your home is getting airflow. This helps keep the air moving and remove stagnant air. The easiest solution is to open your windows and allow natural airflow into your home.
Make sure you assess your environment. If you live in a city center or may be exposed to outdoor pollution, consider adding a trickle ventilator to your home. They work great in kitchens and bedrooms and can be easily fitted on a window or door frame.
3. Find the Source
Another great way to fight poor indoor air quality is to go right to the source of the issue. If you can reduce indoor pollution you can reduce the potential side effects. A few great steps to take include:
- Washing linens in hot water
- Cleaning rugs and carpets frequently
- Eliminating mold
All of those sources love to latch onto the pesky pollutants you don't want in your home. Use EPA approved household cleaners to get ahead of the game and combat the contamination.
4. Change Your AC Filter
The age old question: how to test the air quality in your home? The answer lies in your AC filter. Air conditioners contain special filters that help stop impurities from entering your home.
Your AC filter works around the clock to cycle through air. The filter eventually gets built up residue that make it less efficient and can even wear down your AC system. To maintain your filter, clean it with five simple steps:
- Remove filter from AC
- Vacuum filter
- Soak in water
- Spray with equal parts vinegar and water
- Air dry filter
Each filter is different so be sure to look at the specific directions of your unit and consult a professional.
Improved Air Quality
With so many different pollutants threatening your home, maintaining quality air can be overwhelming. For the best improved air quality, you must being vigilant and take action.
The most important thing to remember is a great indoor air quality is attainable. Take each measure one at a time. You can do it!
Want to see more posts like this one? Check out the rest of our blog to learn more!
Update on COVID-19
Thank you for choosing Thermacon Service Company for your home system needs. We have implemented several new protocols to ensure our customers and employees are protected.
What to expect if we are visiting your home
- As always, if technicians have a known illness, they will not visit a customer’s home
- For your health and safety, technicians have been advised to not shake hands or to touch your home thermostat
- We are not requesting for your signatures on our paperless invoice.
- Our technicians will wear gloves as much as possible and may need to clean or sanitize surfaces they touch during their visit
- If you or someone in your household is showing signs of illness, including fever or flu-like symptoms, we ask that you reschedule any upcoming technician visits to your home.
- If your appointment needs to be rescheduled, please call our office.
How Does Preventive Maintenance Extend the Life of Your HVAC System?
The HVAC system in your Kountze, Texas, home is made up of many parts, including the air conditioning unit, furnace, air ducts, and thermostat. Frequent repairs can be costly, so keeping your current system in excellent shape will not only save you money but also help your system last longer. Keep reading to learn how at-home and professional preventive maintenance can extend the life of your HVAC system by keeping it working smoothly and efficiently year-round.
Maintain Good Airflow
An essential part of at-home and professional HVAC maintenance is cleaning. Because your HVAC system is designed to cycle your indoor air several times a day, dust and debris collect in your air filter and system parts over time. Dirty coils, compressors, blower fans, filters, and grilles can greatly reduce airflow, which causes your system to work less efficiently as it tries to maintain your preferred indoor temperature. Overworked systems break down and must be replaced sooner than efficient ones, so regularly cleaning filters and parts will extend the life of your system.
While you can and should replace your air filter every 30-60 days, leave cleaning all other system parts to a professional.
Solve Issues Quickly
Another part of preventive HVAC maintenance is spotting, repairing, and preventing system issues. Because professional technicians will be checking all parts of your system during an inspection and tune-up, from the electrical components to the moving parts, they can usually spot issues before they become costly problems. A thorough preventive maintenance visit will help you avoid system breakdowns, costly repairs, and replacing your system sooner. Therefore, you can keep your system working smoothly and for longer by routinely scheduling professional preventive maintenance.
A little preventive work goes a long way in HVAC maintenance. You can help your system work efficiently by regularly changing your air filter, but don't stop there. Our professional HVAC service team can do much more. Call Thermacon Service Company, Inc. today to schedule a preventive maintenance visit.
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Duct Cleaning and Its Benefits
Ductwork plays a crucial role in keeping your Orange, Texas, home comfortable 24/7/365, but homeowners rarely think about it. Duct cleaning every five to 10 years, however, pays dividends. Read on to discover the multiple benefits.
Benefits of Duct Cleaning
There are three key reasons why you should periodically clean your air ducts:
- Cleaner house. The same dust and dirt that gets on floors and furniture finds its way into your ductwork, too. Each time your HVAC system kicks on, dust and dirt get blown back into your living environment and affect your indoor air quality.
- Improved indoor air quality. Through normal living, humans and pets generate dust, chemicals, dander, and other pollutants. Your HVAC system sucks up these contaminants and, on average, recirculates them throughout your home between five and seven times a day. Each time you breathe, you breathe in airborne pollutants. Cleaning your ductwork eliminates the contaminants that can seriously affect the health of those who have allergies, immune disorders, or respiratory conditions.
- Greater efficiency. Clean ductwork improves airflow, which, in turn, improves the efficiency of your HVAC system by reducing its workload and wear and tear. Enhanced efficiency means fewer repair costs and more energy savings.
What's Involved with Cleaning Duct Work?
At Thermacon Service Company, we follow the cleaning guidelines established by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association. We start the process by inspecting your ductwork through several access points. In addition to visual inspection, we use imaging equipment such as cameras and mirrors that allow us to identify holes or cracks as well as debris buildup. Using special brushes, we dislodge the buildup. A high-powered vacuum collects the debris as it's knocked loose. The last step is applying a sanitizer to destroy bacteria and a sealant to plug cracks or leaks.
Would your Orange, Texas, home benefit from clean air ducts? To learn more, check out the duct cleaning services we offer at Thermacon Service Company or call (866) 797-1535.
4 Warning Signs That You Need to Replace Your Heating System
Your heating system is vital to your home's comfort and the safety of your family during the cold winter. Unfortunately, issues with your heating can result in emergency repairs at inconvenient times. The best way to prevent emergency heating services for your Beaumont, Texas, home is with preventive maintenance and repairs. Here are warning signs that you need to replace your heating system.
Strange Noises
A properly functioning HVAC system should run almost silently. If you hear loud or strange noises from your HVAC system, you may be dealing with faulty components, environmental buildup, or other issues that are preventing your system from working properly. If this occurs, it's important to contact a professional HVAC technician.
High Energy Bills
Older systems are not only less efficient than modern systems, but they're also more prone to breakdowns. When your system is not running efficiently, it has to work much harder to heat the air and keep your home comfortable, which costs a lot more to run. If you notice your energy bills increasing, you may need to upgrade your heating system.
Frequent Heating System Repairs
A heating system breakdown doesn't happen without reason. Generally, a failing HVAC system will require several repairs to fix or replace different components. If you've noticed that your system has required frequent repairs or replacements within a few years, it could be a sign that your HVAC system is on its way out.
If you notice these warning signs that you need to replace your HVAC system, call Thermacon Service Company, Inc. at 866-797-1535 to schedule an assessment of your heating system and stay ahead of potential high-season bills.
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How You Can Lower Your Commercial HVAC Costs
Are you facing high utility bills on your commercial HVAC system? Business owners can spend a good chunk of their electricity bills on heating and cooling a space, which cuts into profits. To prevent such an over-reach from your HVAC system and keep your utility bills low, you need to figure out how to maximize the energy efficiency of your commercial property in Silsbee, Texas. Let's consider some of the ways you can do that.
Schedule Regular HVAC Maintenance
The simplest way of keeping your commercial HVAC costs low is to make sure that the system doesn't break down. You can lessen the likelihood by scheduling regular HVAC maintenance and identifying and resolving performance issues before they magnify into costly repairs. Annual tuneups in the spring and fall should keep your HVAC system functioning smoothly.
Install New HVAC Equipment
If your HVAC system is more than 10 to 15 years old, it is time to replace it. As old HVAC units tend to use more energy, they will cause your electricity bill to increase. Upgrade to the latest, energy-efficient HVAC model, and you will see an immediate difference. Just make sure that your new unit has a SEER rating of at least 16 or more and an ENERGY STAR logo.
Use a Smart Thermostat
A smart thermostat gives you precise control over the room temperatures in the different sections of your commercial premises. You can decide the amount of heating and cooling each section requires and, thus, cut down on energy waste. Also, stopping unnecessary HVAC operations reduces the stress on the unit and prevents equipment failure.
Revamp the Building Insulation
While building insulation is mandatory, many buildings only have the minimum required amount, and that may not be sufficient for preventing air leakage. Your HVAC system will then require more energy to compensate. Improving your insulation and resealing your ductwork will make a real difference in keeping the energy costs down.
For more information on maximizing your energy efficiency and lowering your commercial HVAC costs, email the Thermacon Service Company, Inc., or call us at 866-797-1535.
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4 Reasons Why HVAC Preventive Maintenance Matters
Regular preventive maintenance helps keeps the HVAC system in your Sour Lake, Texas, home operating properly throughout the year. Preventive maintenance boosts operating efficiency, extends your system's lifespan, improves indoor air quality, and reduces the likelihood of breakdowns.
Boosts Operating Efficiency
Regular preventive maintenance boosts your HVAC system's operating efficiency. Your HVAC unit works hard year-round and requires regular maintenance to operate efficiently. Have your unit serviced annually and perform simple maintenance tasks like changing the air filter to improve efficiency and lower your utility bills. If you tend to forget about these tasks, consider installing a smart thermostat that'll send you regular maintenance reminders.
Extends Your System's Lifespan
A clean, well-maintained HVAC unit operates under less stress and experiences less wear-and-tear than one that's neglected. By creating optimal working conditions for your HVAC unit, preventive maintenance will help it last longer than it would if you failed to care for it.
Improves Indoor Air Quality
Regular preventive maintenance improves your indoor air quality. Indoor air pollution comes from outdoor pollutants, like pollen and smoke, as well as indoor pollutants, like pet dander and dust mites. Over time, these pollutants can become trapped in your HVAC system if it's improperly maintained. During a preventive maintenance visit, an HVAC technician will clean and service your unit, helping it maintain the ability to circulate clean air. Changing your air filter regularly is also vital to maintaining healthy indoor air quality.
Reduces the Likelihood of Breakdowns
Regular preventive maintenance reduces the frequency and severity of breakdowns. When a technician services your unit, the tech will perform a thorough inspection, looking for any components that need replacing or servicing. This increases the likelihood of discovering problems while they're still small, which not only saves you money on repair work, but can also increase the lifespan of the unit.
Ready to have your HVAC unit professionally serviced? Give our HVAC experts at Thermacon Service Company, Inc. a call today at 866-797-1535.
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3 Tips for Buying a Programmable Thermostat
A programmable thermostat is a great option to take control of the energy use in your Port Arthur, Texas, home. You waste so much energy when heating or cooling a home with no one inside it, translating to high utility bills that can put a strain on your monthly budget. Unfortunately, no two thermostats are the same, so you need to make sure that you choose the right one to fit your needs. Below are some tips to help you find the best thermostat for your home.
Make Sure It Will Work With Your System
You will need to find a programmable thermostat that can work with your specific system as well as the wiring in your home. While a technician can make some adjustments if wiring is an issue, a thermostat will not work if it isn't compatible with the system. Some thermostats are designed for an AC/furnace combo and a heat pump. You will also have to choose one that is for a single- or two-stage system.
Choose One With Programming to Fit Your Lifestyle
Programmable thermostats will come in one of four different scheduling models with each designed to program a certain number of days and nights. Scheduling to choose from include:
- 7-day: These models will allow you to set a different program temperature for each day of the week.
- 5-1-1: This will allow for a Monday through Friday schedule and individual schedules on Saturday and Sunday.
- 5+2: These models will have two different temperature schedules, which includes weekdays and weekends.
- 1 Week: These are one of the most simple scheduling models which will set one daily schedule for every day of the week.
Consider a Master Thermostat for Zoned Systems
If your house has zoning, you may want to invest in a master thermostat that can control the other thermostats in each zone. This way, you will not need to set up multiple thermostats.
Follow the tips above when buying your programmable thermostat. Need help choosing? Contact us at 866-797-1535. One of our Thermacon Service Company, Inc. specialists will help find the best model for your home.
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Effects of Humidity on Your HVAC's Performance
Summertime humidity is a fact of life in Rose City, Texas, but that doesn't mean you should feel hot and sticky when you're at home. On the contrary, your HVAC system is designed to keep both the temperature and moisture levels of your home in check.
HVAC Systems and Humidity
Everyone knows that HVAC systems raise and lower the actual temperature of a building. However, many people don't realize they also act as dehumidifiers that remove moisture from the air inside your home. When your HVAC unit is working properly, it removes just the right amount of moisture from the air, resulting in a cool, comfortable living environment.
Cooling Capacity
The cooling capacity of your HVAC system has a huge impact on its ability to maintain optimal humidity levels. A system that's too small will struggle to adequately dehumidify your home. A system that's too big will also struggle to dehumidify your home—its cycles will be too short to effectively pull the right amount of moisture out. This is an important reason why it's vital to size your HVAC unit correctly when purchasing a new system.
Humidity's Impact on Comfort Levels
A certain amount of moisture is necessary for comfort. When humidity levels are too high, your home will feel warmer than it really is. When they're too low, your skin may start to feel dry and itchy. Typically, people are most comfortable when relative humidity levels are around 40%.
Warning Signs of High Humidity
If the air in your home smells musty and feels moist when you breathe, your moisture levels are too high. The fix may be as simple as turning on your air conditioner, but if you can't get your home's moisture under control yourself, it's wise to call an HVAC professional for help.
The service techs at Thermacon Service Company, Inc. can help you keep your home's humidity levels in check. Give us a call at (866) 797-1535 to set up an appointment.
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