At Thermacon Service Company, we work with you to keep your HVAC system working at optimum efficiency. A system that is well-maintained should last for years. One of the best ways to reduce breakdowns and minimize the need for air conditioning repair is to make sure that you tune up your system before using it the first time as the seasons change.
We serve the southeast Texas and western Louisiana area, the Golden Triangle that extends from Beaumont, Texas, east to Port Arthur and north to Orange, Louisiana. Our more than 30 years in the business attest to our commitment to our customers and to the expertise and dependability of our staff.
What Is a Maintenance Check-Up?
Heating and cooling account for almost half of residential energy use in the United States. A well-maintained system uses less energy and lasts longer. Most major manufacturers recommend that air conditioners and furnaces have annual tune-ups for both safety and operating efficiency. Our technicians are certified by North American Technician Excellence (NATE) in core competencies and specialties and are able to provide air conditioning service on all makes and models of air conditioners and furnaces.
Seasonal air conditioning check-ups include:
- Inspect all electrical connections and wiring. Loose connections or frayed wiring can cause shorts; bad wiring is also a fire hazard. The voltage should be checked to make sure adequate current is available to motors and the system.
- Check, clean or replace air filters as needed. Dirty air filters are the number one cause of breakdowns and air conditioning repair. Filters clogged with dirt, dust and other airborne particulates reduce air circulation, keep a unit from working efficiently, use more electricity and cost more to run. Particulates are re-circulated through the system, affecting the air that you breathe. A clean filter can reduce energy use by between 5 and 15 percent.
- Check all belts and bearings. Loose or frayed belts may not only make noise, but put extra load on the system.
- Lubricate all moving parts. Lubrication reduces friction and increases efficiency. It also reduces wear on motors and other moving parts.
- Clean evaporator and condenser coils. Dirty coils make a unit run more and reduce energy efficiency.
- Inspect and clean compressor housing. Leaves, dirt and other debris can reduce air flow, making the system run longer.
- Inspect and clean fans and blowers. Dirty blower elements affect air flow, which can reduce efficiency by 15 percent.
- Clean grilles and tighten connections to ducts on central systems. Loose joins in duct work cause loss of conditioned air, which increases load.
- Ensure that the system cycles on and off properly. The technician will put the unit through a full cycle to make sure that the unit turns on, runs and shuts down properly.
- Clean, level and calibrate the thermostat. A dirty thermostat affects calibration, giving false temperature readings. Each degree that a thermostat is lowered increases energy usage by 8 percent. Inaccurate readings of even a few degrees can increase fuel bills.
- Check and adjust refrigerants. Improper levels of refrigerant make a system run inefficiently, add extra wear and reduce the life of the equipment.
Other Tips to Increase HVAC Efficiency and Reduce Load
As simple as it may seem, planting vegetation around a building helps to lower ground temperatures as much as 9 degrees during daytime highs in summer months. Trees that shade roofs and windows reduce the demand for air conditioning and improve air quality. Studies by the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory suggest that shade trees planted on western exposures can reduce energy use for cooling by between 7 and 47 percent. Lower energy requirements reduce the load on HVAC equipment and save both fuel and money.
If there is no space for trees, consider a vine trellis on a western wall to reduce surface temperature and interior heat gain. Planting shrubs around air conditioner compressors creates shade and reduces load.
Roofing with reflective materials reduces solar gain, which also reduces demand for air conditioning. Cool roofs stay between 50 to 60 degrees F cooler than conventional roofs, reducing heat gain. The federal government offers tax credits for qualifying cool roofs.
New Installation and Energy Star Products
If your air conditioner is more than 10 years old or experiences frequent breakdowns, it may be time to replace it. New heating and cooling products must meet federal energy standards. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Energy Star program evaluates products for energy efficiency. Those that meet or exceed federal standards and provide high energy savings over the life of the equipment bear the Energy Star label. Energy Star products range from small electronics to building materials.
Proper sizing of central air conditioning units is important. Units that are too small run longer, causing excessive wear and often requiring more frequent air conditioning repair. Units that are too large cool too quickly and shut down before adequate moisture is removed from the interior. Areas with high humidity like Beaumont and the Golden Triangle need adequate moisture removal to maintain a comfortable indoor environment.
Air Conditioning Services Offered by Thermacon Service Company
Our services include:
- 24-hour emergency service
- Residential, commercial, industrial and marine air conditioning service
- Attractive financing
- Carrier factory authorized dealer
- 100 percent customer satisfaction guarantee
- Scheduled routine repairs on Saturday from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.
- NATE certified technicians
- Licensed, bonded and insured
- Annual service agreements
