Summer is on its way, which means you will soon be ready to turn on the air conditioner in your home for cooler, more comfortable temperatures.  But running the AC all summer long can be costly.  Using more energy increases your monthly bills.  Save more each month by ensuring that no air goes to waste due to leaks inside your home.  Make sure your home is properly sealed and ready for the summer so the cold air stays in and the warm air stays out.

Search for Leaks

Before you can seal the leaks, you must first find the leaks.  Check under windows and doors for possible cracks or openings that air can get through.  One test you can perform to check for leaks is to hold a piece of toilet paper doors, windows, ceiling fans, or anywhere else you might suspect that air is getting through.  Turn the HVAC system off so that the air is still inside the home.  Then hold the piece of toilet paper up to the area where there might be a leak.  If it begins to move as you hold it in place, then there is air getting through and you have found a leak that needs to be sealed.  Utility connections, air ducts, plumbing fixtures, or even hatches could also be places where leaks may occur.  Do a thorough inspection of your home to properly seal up leaks and keep the cool air inside this summer.

Seal Leaks

Once you have found the leaks, you want to seal them up.  For doors and windows, use weatherproof caulking to seal cracks or gaps.  Replace the door sweep under the door if there are openings where air can get through.  Leaks in air ducts should be sealed with mastic sealant and not tape.  If you see cracks or holes outside your home as you do a perimeter check, you can fill these in with foam spray.

Ensure Proper Ventilation for Improved Air Quality

While sealing up your home is great for energy efficiency, you have to be careful that it doesn’t reduce the ventilation in your home which can lead to the poor air quality inside.  Without ventilation in the home, pollutants such as dander, mold, or pollen can build up inside and create an unhealthy environment that decreases the air quality inside the home.  In some instances, it can be two to five times worse than what is in the air outside.  Don’t gain energy efficiency but sacrifice air quality.  Consult the HVAC experts to ensure that your home is properly equipped with a ventilation system that will improve the inside air you breathe.

For more information about how to make your home more energy-efficient or how to improve the indoor air quality, don’t hesitate to contact the professional HVAC technicians at Comfort Experts.  We are happy to work with you on any HVAC installation or repair or simply answer any questions you may have.

Remodeling Your Home? Consider These HVAC Options for Heating and Cooling

Are you looking to update your home?  Do you need to create more space for you and your family?  An addition to a home can be a great way to add space to the house you love.  But there are many things to consider when building an addition such as flooring choices, painting, or even how best to utilize the space.  One thing that may not cross your mind is how to heat and cool the new addition throughout the year.  Consider these three main options for achieving comfortable temperatures in addition to your house.

Install an Independent System

Some homeowners choose to treat their addition as separate from the rest of the house when thinking about HVAC options.  In this case, they install a completely separate system outside of their current HVAC system to heat and cool the added space.  This independent system could include a heat pump or a mini-split.  This allows you to control the temperature in each separate space of your home, although it is best for additions that aren’t in use all of the time.  However, this could be costly as you are essentially installing a new unit which could raise your energy costs each month.

Upgrade to a New System

Another option when remodeling your home is to take this opportunity to upgrade to a brand new system throughout the whole house.  Newer AC models can be much more energy-efficient to save you energy and money on your monthly bills.  When adding an addition to the home, you are adding square footage that can also add to the load calculation.  This means that your current system may no longer be able to do the job adequately because it is too small for the new space.  In this case, upgrading your HVAC system to a bigger unit may be the best choice.  AC professionals can use existing ductwork to add on to the addition and replace the existing unit with a new unit with minimal interference.

Extend Your Current System to Include the Addition

The last option is to keep your current HVAC system and simply extend the ductwork to include the new addition.  This can be the easiest option, but exercise caution as you want to ensure you aren’t overloading the existing system.  Again, take into consideration the load calculation to make sure the existing system can handle the added space.  If it is indeed powerful enough to extend into the addition, HVAC experts can rebalance the airflow into the home to include the addition as well so every part of your home gets the necessary airflow.

If you are unsure as to which option is best for you, professional HVAC technicians at Comfort Experts can perform a load calculation to help determine if you can keep your existing system or if you need to upgrade to a newer, larger AC unit.  Don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions you may have, because being comfortable in your home all year round is of utmost importance for you and your family.

With spring in full swing, many are beginning to think about their summer vacation plans.  As you prepare and plan for your trip, it is also important that you think about how to prepare your home for while you are away as well, specifically, your AC unit.  There are several factors that should be considered when you think about whether or not to turn your AC off while on vacation and away from the home.

Length of Time Away

If the primary goal is to save money while away on vacation, then turning your AC off while you are gone, for any length of time, can help you achieve the desired results.  But, the better option for efficiency may be to turn your AC up instead of off while on vacation.  If you will only be gone for a short vacation, ranging from one to three days, it is recommended that you simply set the AC to a higher temperature for the duration of your time away.  Leaving it to run as normal to cool a house with no one in it is wasting energy, while it can strain your AC to have to work hard to cool a house that has had no AC running for a few days.

Setting the AC thermostat to operate about 7 to 10 degrees more than your usual temperature will still allow it to run yet save on energy costs.  Closing the curtains while you are gone can also be helpful as it will block the sun and help to keep rooms cooler.  If, however, you are planning a vacation that is a week-long or more, you can save the most in energy costs by turning off the AC altogether.  If you have a programmable thermostat, it is recommended that you set it to turn on a day or two before you are scheduled to return home so it can begin to cool the home for your arrival.  When considering whether or not to turn off your AC while away, please be mindful of any animals that will be staying in the home while you are gone so they can be comfortable as well.

Weather

Weather can also factor into your decision to leave your AC on or turn it off.  If the weather will be mild while you are away, it is probably safe to leave the AC off for several days.  But if you are vacationing in the middle of hot summer temperatures, it’s best to let the AC run at a higher temperature while you are gone.  Leaving it on during scorching hot days will keep the unit from having to overcompensate to try to cool the home when you do decide to turn it back on again.

Efficiency

If your home is designed for efficiencies, such as having an insulated attic, new and efficient windows, or low air infiltration, then you can probably turn off the AC without worry as the home will be able to stay cooler for longer.  If you have an older home that does not have these features, your home could head up quickly if you choose to turn the AC off. Consider the age and efficiency of the home as you decide to keep the AC on or off.

If you encounter problems at any time during the summer or after returning from a vacation, Comfort Experts ac repair technicians are here to help.  Give us a call today.

Turning on your AC on a hot summer day means a cool, comfortable temperature inside that you can enjoy. But why does a chemical smell sometimes come from the AC unit after turning it on?  There are four main problems that could be the cause of a chemical smell after turning on the AC.  An experienced AC repair technician can take a look at your unit to help determine what exactly is causing this unwanted smell.

A Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is absolutely necessary for your AC unit to run properly and cool down the home. Refrigerant is what removes the hot air from the house and blows cold air through the vents.  Refrigerant travels through copper coils, and over time, these copper coils can wear down, causing cracks.  Refrigerant traveling through these copper coils will then leak out through the cracks.  If you smell a sweet, chloroform type smell when you turn on the AC, it is more than likely from the leaky refrigerant.  Other signs of a refrigerant leak include higher than normal energy bills, warm air coming through the vents, ice on your AC lines, or a hissing or bubbling sound coming from outside the AC unit.

New Ductwork

If you have recently had new ductwork installed, the glue from this new ductwork could be the source of the chemical smell in your home.  While this is not a serious problem that requires AC repair, it can be annoying.  There’s not much that can be done to get rid of this smell except wait for the smell to go away over time.

Containers of Chemicals Near the Indoor Air Handler

An AC unit consists of both an outside and an inside unit.  The inside unit is called the air handler and is usually located in the basement of a home.  Where the air handler is located is also commonly used as a storage space.  Sometimes, chemicals stored near the air handler can cause the fumes from chemical containers to blow throughout the home.  Make sure all stored chemicals are sealed tightly or stored in a separate area to avoid a chemical smell in the home.

Air Filters

An electrostatic air filter produces ozone which smells a lot like chlorine.  This could be the source of the chemical odor and could cause trouble breathing.  Lower the setting on your filter to reduce the chemical smell and ozone being released.  An experienced AC repair technician can also help you correct this problem if you are unsure of what to do.

Anytime you are concerned that your AC unit isn’t working as it should, it is important that you call the professionals to ensure everything is working properly and you can have an easy, comfortable summer in your cool, air-conditioned home.  Call Comfort Experts for chemical smells in your home and for all your AC repair needs.

Top Reasons Your AC Unit May Not Be Cooling Your Home

Let’s face it, we rely on our air conditioners to keep up feeling cool and content all summer long in Fort Worth.  And there’s nothing wrong with that.  But like every other appliance in the house, we run the risk of the air conditioner no longer working as it should.

So what do we do when we notice warm air coming out of the vents? If you are like most, you are not experienced with AC repairs and thus need to call on the expertise of professionals in order to have your AC unit fixed.

Comfort Experts AC repair technicians are professionals you can rely on to get the job done quickly and efficiently so you can get back to enjoying your summer. Before calling in the experts, here are some simple tips you can check to see why your AC unit is blowing warm air

Change the Air Filter

A dirty air filter will affect how well your AC unit runs during the summer.  The dirt from a dirty air filter will block the return airflow so that air doesn’t circulate properly throughout the house.  When this happens, it could cause your unit to freeze up.  In addition to the air filter, also check the outside unit to see if ice is forming on the unit.  If so, your AC unit may be functioning fine but all the cold air is being trapped inside the vents instead of coming through into the house.

It is important that you change your air filters on a regular basis, especially when your AC unit is in demand during the heat of summer.  Experts recommend changing the air filter at least once a month while using your AC all summer long.

Check the Thermostat Setting

Of course, this seems like an obvious solution, but double-check your thermostat to be sure it is set on the correct setting.  For example, make sure that the fan is set to “auto” and not “on”.  If your thermostat is set to “on”, it could be the cause of the warm air blowing out of the vents because the fan will continue to blow even when the air is not being cooled.  Keep the thermostat to “auto” so only cooled air blows out of the vents.

Look for a Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is important to cool the air the blows into the home as it absorbs heat from the air before it comes inside.  If your AC unit is low on refrigerant, it won’t work as it should.  Refrigerant isn’t used up as you run your AC unit, it is recycled instead.  So if you are low on refrigerant, it can only mean one thing: a leak.  If you notice refrigerator leaking from your AC unit call the AC repair experts at Comfort Experts to repair the leak and restore function to your AC.

When warm air is blowing out of your air vents, there could be a problem.  If you aren’t comfortable inspecting your AC unit on your own, turn to the AC repair pros at Comfort Experts to fix the air conditioning unit for a cool, relaxing summer.

AC units are designed to withstand storms and weather as they are located outside the house.  In most cases, they are even able to withstand strong storms, including sleet and hail.  But sometimes, severe storms can cause damage.  For example, after a particularly torrential downpour, water may accumulate and pool around the AC unit. For those in hurricane areas, flooding may occur after a strong hurricane.  Standing water around the AC unit is cause for concern as it can significantly damage the moving parts or electrical components of the unit.

In most cases, water usually has to reach about a foot deep to affect the outside AC unit, but if you have experienced any flooding at all, it is recommended that you contact a professional AC repair company to come out and inspect your AC unit as soon as possible just to be safe.  In the meantime, here are some tips to follow if you have experienced flooding in your area and want to avoid further damage or potentially dangerous situations.

Cut Power to the AC Unit

First and foremost, to protect yourself and your AC unit, it is recommended that you turn off all power to the AC unit during times of heavy flooding.  Deactivate all the electrical controls of your unit.  If you are not comfortable turning off the electrical power to your AC unit on your own, then be sure to contact AC repair technicians to come out and do it for you.  Technicians are quick and efficient so that you don’t have to worry about something else happening to you or your home.

Remove Standing Water or Let Unit Dry Out

If possible, the best thing you can do for your AC unit is to get rid of the standing water around the unit after all power has been shut off.  Clear the debris away from the unit and give it time to fully dry out.  If you feel your AC unit is dry, it is still best to not turn on any electrical power until you have contacted expert AC technicians to come out and take a look.  Again, they can turn the AC unit on properly to avoid unwanted harm to both you and the unit.

Leave the AC Unit Off Until Inspected by a Professional

After severe water damage to an AC unit, it is not safe to turn it on again unless it has been thoroughly inspected by a professional AC technician with knowledge and experience to examine the unit, make repairs, and turn it on correctly.  Anytime you are dealing with electrical equipment, you want to be safe.  That is why it is best left up to the experts to turn your AC unit back on after a damaging storm.  AC repair technicians will fully inspect your equipment to make sure it is operating efficiently and effectively once again.

If you have suffered a storm and have flooding around your AC unit or suspect it may have been damaged in the storm, contact the professionals at Comfort Experts to repair your unit and get it up and running once again.

Not many homeowners tend to make use of their attics.  They are dark and damp, freezing in the winter, and super hot in the summer. They are usually not insulated well, they aren’t heated or cooled, and they tend to have a lot of humidity and moisture no matter the weather outside. Even with the most effective and updated HVAC system in your home, your attic is likely to be a big energy waster, especially if it’s not properly insulated. Without effective and proper insulation, your attic can leak cool air in the summer and warm air in the winter, increasing your power bill and minimizing your in-home comfort.

Here at Comfort Experts, we are not an insulation company, but we know how important it is to have your home properly insulated so that your HVAC unit can work the way it was intended while keeping your energy bills low. If you’re experiencing higher than normal energy bills or suspect issues with your attic insulation, we’d recommend that you look into getting that taken care of. Our AC repair technicians are amazing at what they do, but sometimes your issue may not be with your HVAC unit.

Attic insulation, along with ventilation, is key to your home’s energy efficiency.  The insulation keeps your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.  That insulation also keeps the air from escaping out the attic.  If it somehow is escaping, it’s causing your system to work overtime to make up for that loss of temperature.  Having the proper attic insulation will reduce the wear and tear of your HVAC system and add years to its lifespan while also lowering your energy cost.

The Three Main Types of Insulation

There are a few types of attic insulation.  The least expensive is the roll-on or blanket insulation which comes in rolls of fiberglass batts that are designed to fit in between the framing of your home.  It is very flexible and easy to install.  This method keeps air trapped inside the house.

Blown insulation or loose-fill requires the use of a machine that shoots streams of cellulose over the framing. This insulation works well because it fills small crevices or hard-to-reach places.  This method is moisture resistant and can block mold and odors from forming inside your house.

Sprayed insulation, which has the highest rating, is usually the most expensive. This is the most energy-efficient option, however, and it usually lasts the longest.  This spray molds to the rafters block water vapors and almost completely stops air from going in and coming out.

Comfort Experts Has AC Repair Techs to Diagnose Your Problem

If you’re not certain what issue you’re having but know there is a problem, give us a call. We’ll come out and check out your HVAC unit and give you a diagnosis. If there isn’t an issue with your unit, we’ll tell you that too, and you can look into getting your attic insulation checked.

The HVAC industry is growing constantly and has ever-evolving technology, making it in constant need of hardworking men and women.  It is a very rewarding career path as you’re constantly helping your local community and, on top of that, it is a well-paying career.  As an HVAC company in North Texas, we get contacted frequently about what it takes to become an HVAC technician, and we wanted to let our friends and neighbors know a little about the career field and offer some information on the duties, requirements, and salary of HVAC technicians.

What Does It Mean To Be A HVAC Technician?

In general, the duties of an HVAC technician are to perform maintenance and service repairs on heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems. Installing new units or replacing parts for existing units according to specs and established safety guidelines are a big part of the job too.  In most states, a technician is required to complete an apprenticeship and/or formal training in an area of specialty, as well as hold a high school diploma or its equivalent.  Many companies typically require 1-3 years of related experience, specified training, or a college degree.

An HVAC technician never runs out of work, as heating and air conditioning is a 365-day-a-year need, so job security is rarely an issue, even when there’s a downturn in the economy.  On average, you could expect to earn anywhere from $40k – $52k a year and a highly experienced technician can earn as much as $55 – $70k a year.  The ranges in salary are dependent on several factors including education, additional skills, extra certifications you’ve obtained, the area you live in, and the number of years’ experience you have.

How to Start a Career in HVAC

In the State of Texas, you can obtain a Class A or a Class B license in the field of heating, air conditioning, and refrigeration.  The Class A HVAC license allows you to work on any size unit, unlike Class B, which allows you to work on cooling systems that are 25 tons or under and a heating system of 1.5 million BTUs/hour and under.  Of course, like any license or certificate, classes must be taken and exams must be passed. There are several other requirements and prerequisites, like being at least 18 years of age and having a high school diploma or its equivalent.  For more information, you can contact the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulations.

Comfort Experts, Inc. is a 100% family-owned business.  We have a great team and love expanding by adding to our great family when needed.

If you want to utilize our services and have your HVAC unit serviced, checked, repaired, or replaced, get in contact with us at Comfort Experts, Inc.  We have been serving North Texas for over 50 years, and we are still just as passionate about HVAC as we were when we started. We look forward to serving you and your family for all your heating and AC repair needs.

When purchasing a new heating and air conditioning system, the one thing most people don’t think about is the thermostat.  The thermostat is an incredibly important component to your new system. It regulates the temperature in your house and can come in many different shapes and sizes, plain and simple, and smart and wireless.  With many options available today, it’s important to do some research and find a reputable company that can sell and install one for you.

How Does a Thermostat Work?

A thermostat measures the home’s ambient temperature and uses this information to activate your air conditioner or furnace, depending on the setting.  Some of the first thermostats used a float that was placed inside of a mercury thermometer and would rise and fall depending on the temperature, which would then cause the heat or air conditioning to turn on or off.

There really isn’t much difference in those thermostats compared to today, at least in the basic concept.  The principals are the same but the technology has improved quite a bit.  They still have some that run mechanically, but the modern ones all run electronically.  The “smart” thermostats are able to program themselves, and some can even heat your floors and cabinets, predict your temperature preferences, or switch between heating and cooling on their own.

Different Types of Thermostats

The basic thermostat is still pretty commonly in use.  Besides you switching it “on”, “off”, or to “auto,” the change in temperature is what essentially makes it turn on or off, much like a traditional light switch.  These standard or basic thermostats are trying to be phased out because of the mercury contained inside.

One favorite type is the programmable thermostat.  This thermostat will regulate on its own; once you set the digital program, the thermostat will regulate the temperature without you needing to do anything manually, making it very energy efficient.

There are also ones considered “learning thermostats.”  These can be programmed, but don’t actually require you to program them because the more you use them, the more they learn your habits and adjust to your preferences.  These types of thermostats are usually connected with WiFi and can often be monitored on your smartphone.  One unique feature of these new thermostats is what is called Geofencing.  This uses your location by your smartphone’s location to determine whether your unit should turn on or off.  You can set a range around your house and if you leave that range or come inside of it, then the unit will do a programmed function.  For example, when you leave for work and get outside of a 5-mile range of your house, then it can turn the heat off, and then it can turn it back on when you come back inside that range on your way home from work.

Where to Learn More

Today there are many options when installing a new heating and air conditioning system, including the ever-evolving thermostat.  For help in choosing the best product to meet your needs or any other heating and air conditioning questions, call the experts at Comfort Experts, Inc.  We have been proudly serving our neighbors in North Texas for over 50 years, and we’d love to serve you too!

Real estate investing is a large and lucrative industry, but you have to really do your homework and be careful who put your trust in. Chances are, you’re not an expert in every single facet of home flipping, so you need reliable advisers to help you make wise choices during your flip. One big area of concern is the condition of the central air and heating unit.  A unit is expensive and if you make the wrong decision about it, it can cost you thousands upfront and it can determine if you make a profit or a loss on a house.

When you’re selling a house, the HVAC system can make or break the deal. When you’re inspecting the HVAC unit and making a decision about repairing, replacing or leaving it there, the first thing you should do is look at the inside and outside units and check a number of things on each. Then, you should hire a professional, licensed company to inspect the entire unit.

The Exterior Unit

The exterior unit is probably where the inspector will begin.  They will check to see if the unit is clean, without any long grass, plants, or vines growing around it or with any other obstructions that will impact the operation and efficiency of the unit.  The exterior unit uses intake airflow to warm and cool the house, so anything in the way will disrupt the efficiency of the unit.

The coils are also an important part of the exterior as they can become dirty from debris, dust, dirt, and grass.  Sometimes nests from birds or insects can affect the performance if they are inside or around the unit. Luckily, these are minor issues that can easily be removed, but you should always have the technician take care of this issue.  Add some bonus points if the unit is on a concrete slab.  A concrete slab typically stays more leveled and elevates the compressor which keeps it a couple of inches above the grass, giving it better airflow and making it more efficient.

The Interior Unit

Usually when the exterior unit is cleaned and appears in good shape, then the system inside is turned on.  If you previously noticed that system wasn’t cooling well and now it is, then you know it just needed a good cleaning outside.  The air filter is another area you can easily check and fix if there are issues, though this is hardly a reason that will affect your decision to purchase a house or completely replace the AC unit. Even the thermostat is a quick fix if it’s less than ideal, but any major wiring issues or out-of-date equipment should be discussed with an AC professional.

The Investment

There’s a lot of risk in flipping houses.  Making sure you have an HVAC unit that is in good shape is crucial to making or breaking the deal, both for you and for a potential buyer.  When it comes to inspecting an HVAC unit, you must always hire an expert to do the inspection. For thorough and professional inspections or if you have any heating and air questions, call the HVAC professionals at Comfort Experts, Inc.