HVAC

7 Signs Your HVAC System Needs Air Duct Cleaning in Houston TX

In the U.S., we spend about 90% of our lives indoors. That means the average person spends about 21.6 hours inside every day.

If you don't have easy access to the outdoors, you could spend all your time indoors.

The trouble is, indoor air can carry up to 5 times as much pollution as the fresh air from outside. Indoor pollutants can include things like pet dander, cigarette smoke, mold, lead, and asbestos.

Luckily, cleaning your air ducts can make a big difference. Read on to learn the signs you need air duct cleaning in Houston, TX so you can breathe a sigh of relief.

1. You See Dust Coming From Your Air Vents

If you turn on your heat or air conditioning and you see a puff of dust or smoke come out of the vent, that's a sure sign your air ducts are dirty. When things are working properly, you shouldn't see or smell anything coming from the vent.

If you'd like to check your system, switch your heat or AC off. Wait a few minutes and turn it back on. Do you see any dust particles or smell something smokey coming from your vents?

If you see dust, you should schedule a professional cleaning soon. If you see or smell smoke, try not to use your system before a technician can come look at it. You could have a clogged air duct or a mechanical issue with your HVAC unit.

2. Your Energy Bills Are Going Up

It's normal for your energy costs to fluctuate from month to month. But, if there haven't been any major weather changes and your bill has gotten much more expensive, it could be an issue with your HVAC system.

First, check your utility bill for any new fees or service charges. Then, ask yourself if you've used a lot more energy in the past month. For example, a new hot tub could boost your monthly energy bill by as much as $50.

Once you've ruled those things out, you could have an issue with your air ducts. If your ducts are clogged with dust, your system will have to work harder to heat or cool your home. If you've noticed a change in airflow in a particular room, you could even have a blockage in your ductwork.

3. Your House Is Always Dusty

Dust is inevitable in an indoor environment. Every few weeks or once a month, you might need to pull out your microfiber cloth or feather duster to keep your home looking fresh.

But, if it seems like you're constantly battling dust bunnies when your cleaning schedule hasn't changed, your duct work could be the culprit.

Hot and cold air travels from your furnace or air conditioner, through the ductwork, and out of the vents in your home. The more dust that builds up inside the ducts, the more dust that will come out of your vents. It will settle on hard surfaces and make your house dustier.

4. You've Just Renovated Your House

Renovation projects are exciting, but they're also bad for indoor air quality. Whether you're renovating the kitchen, taking down a wall, or getting a new tile floor, expect some dust.

The trouble really starts when that dust from construction makes its way into your air ducts. You'll keep breathing in those cement or paint particles until you get your ducts cleaned.

Luckily, you and your construction crew can prevent some of this dust in the first place. Depending on the renovation, you can put covers over your vents. You can also rent an air scrubber and ask the crew to install plastic sheeting around the renovation area of your home.

5. Your Vent Grilles Look Dusty

Your vent grilles control the direction of airflow in your home. They also cover up the large vent holes in your floor or ceiling. You can also use your vent grilles to spot problems with your air ducts.

If you notice a lot of dust on your vent grilles, there's a good chance it's coming from inside the duct. Walk around your house to check your other vents. Do they look just as dusty?

If you're noticing dusty vent grilles throughout your home, you could have a widespread issue with your ducts. Contact an HVAC service company for maintenance as soon as you can.

6. Your Family Is Having More Health Problems

Indoor air quality issues can lead to allergy systems, asthma flare ups, itchy skin, and respiratory infections. If it seems like you or your family members have new or worsening allergy symptoms this year, think about your air ducts.

Between allergies, cold, and flu season, you might notice more coughing and runny noses than usual. But, if you're noticing ongoing symptoms, you might want to look at your air ducts.

If dirty air ducts were to blame, your symptoms might improve in just a few weeks.

7. You Notice a Musty Smell Throughout Your Home

If you're noticing a widespread musty odor throughout your home, it could be coming from your air ducts. If your AC system can't keep humidity in check, it can lead to mold growth.

Mold and mildew growth can also cause respiratory issues, just like dust can. Plus, if you don't address it soon, it can keep growing and spread throughout your ductwork.

To check for mold yourself, remove the grille cover and get a flashlight. If you see signs of mold, reach out to a technician who specializes in indoor air quality and mold removal.

Hire a Pro to Handle Your Air Duct Cleaning in Houston, TX

Dirty air ducts can make your house harder to clean, raise your energy bills, and even cause health problems. Since we spend so much time indoors, it's critical to think about the air we're breathing. If you've noticed any of the above warning signs, it might be time for air duct cleaning.

But, air duct cleaning is more than dusting the inside of your air vents. It requires special air duct cleaning tools and expert knowledge of HVAC systems. That's why it's best to leave it to the pros.

If you're looking for air duct cleaning in Houston, TX we can help. At P&M Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer indoor air quality solutions to make your home safer and cleaner. Contact us today to schedule a repair or get a quote.

by Emily

Do You Need a Permit to Replace Your HVAC in Houston TX?

It's hard to underestimate the importance of good HVAC in Houston, TX. When it gets hot, you need something working to keep your home at a manageable temperature.

That said, HVAC systems work only has hard as the weather is hot. So, living in a hot climate means that your system is working hard most of the year, and you're going to see some wear and tear over the years.

It might be tempting to try and replace your HVAC system yourself and save some money. We're going to talk a little bit about how to move forward with getting a new HVAC installed in this article.

Replacing Your HVAC in Houston, TX

We hate to break it to you but installing an HVAC system without a permit is illegal in Houston. This may seem like kind of a hindrance to your home improvement, but it's the case for a couple of good reasons.

The first reason is that shoddy HVAC installation can lead to a number of health issues for you and your family. The air that you breathe is tantamount to your health. Issues like mold and other pollutants can really harm you.

Additionally, the people that live in your home after you will have the peace of mind that the air they're breathing isn't toxic. Further, this law makes it so that anyone you hire to do HVAC work for you will be certain to have the permit to do so.

That means you aren't paying for bad or dangerous work. It would be easy to miss the quality of a contractor's work when it comes to HVAC systems, too. So long as your home is kept cool, how would you know the difference?

This is why Houston also requires that a city inspector takes a look at your work after it's done.

City Inspection

So, the process is twofold. You or your contractor have to have a permit to do the work, and that work needs to be inspected when it's done.

The nice thing is that these inspections are relatively short, and you can simply schedule them to line up with the completion of your work. In fact, the city inspection takes around 30 minutes.

The part that might be a nuisance to you is applying for and paying for the permit. You have to contact the city of Houston in advance of any work that you do and make sure that you're approved before you start.

The fee of the permit will depend on the nature of the work and the price that you charge the customer. If you're working on your own, those fees might be different depending on your particular project.

In light of the hoops that you have to jump through, it might be simpler to skip the work on your own and hire an HVAC professional.

Need Some HVAC Help?

Working on your HVAC in Houston, TX might require a little more paperwork than you're interested in doing. Instead, hiring a professional to do the work can take your mind off of permits and inspections.

We’re to help you through all of that red tape and get you set up with a system that’s safe for you and your loved ones. Contact us for more insight into what's possible for your new HVAC system.

by Emily

No More HCFC-22: What to Know About the R-22 Refrigerant Phase Out

Did you know that since the 1970s, a huge ozone hole above Antarctica has been opening every spring? What's more, some areas of this hole showed a depletion of the ozone levels by as much as 65%!

Researchers also found that the hole grew to a size as big as North America. That’s about 25 million square kilometers!

The main culprits, according to scientists, are chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), particularly hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). These include the R-22 refrigerant used by most air conditioners back then.

Because of this, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has ordered the R-22 phase-out. As of January 01, 2020, it's illegal to produce or import most HCFCs, including the R-22 Freon.

The question is, what does this ban have to do with you as a regular HVAC user? What is Freon anyway?

We'll answer all these questions (and more), so go ahead and read until the end!

What Is R-22 Refrigerant?

R-22 is the most common form of the HCFC-22 chemical, a type of Class II ozone-depleting substance. You likely know R-22 through the brand name "Freon".

As a refrigerant, HCFC-22 is the chemical that heats or cools the air that HVAC systems produce. When this fluid passes through the parts of the HVAC unit, it changes into either liquid or gas.

These transformations then make the refrigerant hot or cold. These changes make the chemical quick to absorb or radiate heat from the passing air. This is how your HVAC system cools or heats your home.

R-22 was the most common type of refrigerant used in HVAC equipment up until January 01, 2010. At this point, the EPA banned its production, import, and use except for existing equipment.

Meaning, if you have an HVAC system manufactured before January 01, 2010, then it likely uses R-22.

Determining What Type of Refrigerant Your HVAC System Uses

If you're unsure of your HVAC unit's manufacturing date, check the label on the compressor. This is the part usually installed outside of the home. The label will clearly tell you if it uses R-22 (HCFC-22) or R-410A (the refrigerant used in newer units).

What’s in Store for Homeowners With R-22 Air Conditioners

The January 2010 ban still allowed the production and use of HCFC-22 for existing units. This exception lasted up until December 31, 2019. This is how owners of HVAC systems that made use of R-22 were still able to get their units recharged.

However, as of January 01, 2020, the EPA has completely banned the production and use of HCFC-22. HVAC systems that still use R-22 would have to rely on "recycled" or "stockpiled" R-22 supply.

If you still have an R-22 AC unit, then you can expect higher refrigerant “recharge” costs. After all, the EPA ban means that the R-22 will become even scarcer than it already is. This scarcity will then drive up the cost of HVAC refrigerant "recharges".

In most cases, air conditioners need a refrigerant charge due to leaks. One solid sign that you have a leaking refrigerant is if your AC unit freezes up. An HVAC technician needs to seal this leak and then top up the refrigerant to make your AC work again.

However, now that the R-22 ban is in place, expect this HVAC repair job to be more expensive.

What You Can Do Now

Having an R-22 HVAC unit doesn’t automatically mean you need a new system right away. Again, the law still allows the use of such equipment. If you can't replace your current HVAC system at the moment, then make sure you at least do the following.

Regular HVAC Maintenance

You can prevent refrigerant leaks in the first place through proper HVAC maintenance. Many leaks occur due to corrosion, which can result from dirt and debris accumulation. Cleaning evaporator and condenser coils regularly can help keep corrosion at bay.

Prompt Repairs for Potential Refrigerant Leaks

Not enough cool air, frozen coils, and weird sounds are symptoms of refrigerant leaks. If you notice these signs of HVAC trouble, have a licensed HVAC technician inspect your unit ASAP. It's possible that there's only a tiny leak that the technician can still seal and repair.

Prompt repairs can prevent more of the pricey R-22 refrigerant from leaking out. This can then help extend the life of your R-22 air conditioning unit.

The Best Way to Address the R-22 Phase-Out

Granted, air conditioners can last between 15 to 20 years. This is also one of the reasons that the HCFC-22 ban still allows for the use of "recycled" R-22.

While you can still use your R-22 AC despite the ban, it doesn't mean that you should. Especially not if your current air conditioner is more than a decade old. Aside from likely being an R-22 user, such old units are more prone to breakdowns.

Over time, the repairs for these HVAC problems will add up to a considerable amount. The repair costs could be so high that it makes more sense to just get a new HVAC unit.

Besides, older HVAC models aren't as energy-efficient as the more modern units. By replacing your R-22 HVAC unit with an energy-efficient model, you can save 20% to 40% on cooling costs. These huge savings should be enough to make you consider getting a new HVAC system.

Time for a Change

As you can see, the R-22 refrigerant ban brings with it a host of changes that could affect your life as an HVAC owner. Despite its financial implications, however, this ban is actually great for the environment. That's why as early as now, you should consider swapping your old R-22-powered HVAC unit.

Ready to invest in an eco-friendlier, more energy-efficient HVAC system? Then let our team here at P & M Air Conditioning and Heating help! Connect with us now so we can discuss your new heating and cooling options.

by Emily

5 Common Reasons the Heater Stopped Working (And What to Do Next)

Heating Not Working? Here are 5 Potential Causes:

Each year between 2012 and 2016, local fire departments in the U.S. responded to an average of 52,050 fires that involved heating equipment. To this day, heating equipment is still one of the leading causes of household fires, accounting for hundreds of civilian deaths every year.

While modern commercial and residential heating systems are often highly sophisticated and reliable, they are bound to develop problems at some point. When these issues persist, they can threaten not only the comfort of your loved ones but their safety as well.

But what if your heater stopped working altogether in the middle of the winter, leaving your family in the cold? It’s one of the most frustrating experiences you can go through.

The great news is that there are ways to minimize the chances of your heater not kicking on. And if the unexpected does happen, there’s always something you can do to address the problem. In this article, we look at five of the top reasons a heater can stop working, as well as how you can address the situation.

Read on to learn more.

1. Poor Maintenance Could Be the Reason Your Heater Stopped Working

Perhaps the top reason homeowners call HVAC technicians during the winter is lack of furnace maintenance. If your furnace won’t turn on, it’s almost always because you’ve not had it tuned for a long time. Often, the issue is that the heating system is simply dirty.

If your furnace has a dirty blower, the blower could cause equipment failure. The system’s heat exchanger cannot work unless there’s sufficient air moving across it to stop it from overheating. In short, a dirty blower can cause the heat exchanger to fail.

Dirty air filters could also be the reason your heater stopped working. Such filters restrict the airflow and could even worsen existing issues with wrong duct sizing. That’s why it’s paramount to replace filters every three months or so.

Lack of regular tuning could also result in a dirty flame sensor. That makes it hardly possible to light burners. A sensor covered in a layer of gunk cuts off the moment it turns on because it can’t sense the flame.

Sometimes, it’s the burners themselves that are dirty after a lengthy period of neglect. Such burners do not work well, if at all.

To avoid all these issues, you need to call a seasoned HVAC technician to tune your furnace on a yearly basis. In the long run, regular furnace maintenance is a worthy investment since it protects you from the inconvenience of a broken furnace. And even when the furnace does fail prematurely, you won’t need to worry about replacing costly parts.

2. Issues with the Thermostat

Another common complaint among homeowners is the thermostat not turning on heat. Usually, the root cause of the problem is that the thermostat is malfunctioning or improperly set.

The function of your HVAC’s thermostat is to regulate the amount of heat that’s generated by your furnace as well as when that heat is generated.  Most thermostats in the market today are quite reliable and will typically give you years of hassle-free service. However, every thermostat will eventually develop problems and require repair or replacement.

Once you discover that your current thermostat has a problem, consider replacing it with a programmable option. A programmable thermostat lets you choose different temperatures for various times of the day, night, and week. These thermostats are thus much more energy efficient compared to their non-programmable options.

Sometimes, the problem is that you wrongly programmed the thermostat. It could also be that you inadvertently reprogrammed it at a certain point. Check whether you've set the thermostat correctly before calling your local HVAC technician.

3. The Blower Capacitor Is Dead

If you’ve never seen the blower capacitor of your HVAC, it’s the part of your furnace that has the appearance of a big battery. The capacitor starts the furnace once the setting on your thermostat instructs it to start.

Every capacitor has a tolerance level. In case the tolerance level is lower than a specific level, the blower may not achieve the appropriate RPM.

Sometimes, the capacitor is dying or dead and won't start the blower. The simple solution is to replace it.

4. The Refrigerant Levels Are Too Low

If you heat your home using a heat pump, the refrigerant level of the pump can get too low. As a result, the heat strips keep coming on too often, leading to hefty utility bills.

When the refrigerant levels remain too low for a long time, the compressor could overheat and breakdown. That’s why you need to increase the refrigerant charge once you notice that the heat strips are coming on too frequently. It costs much less to recharge your refrigerant or fix leaks than it does to replace the compressor.

5. Faulty Ductwork Installation or Design

In some cases, the reason your heater isn’t working is not that the heater has a problem. The problem is with the ductwork.

Ensuring that the ductwork is properly designed and installed is a huge undertaking. Many installers, unfortunately, opt to cut corners when sizing ducts or installing them. You might get lucky and end up with ductwork that has been more or less appropriately sized and installed.

But when HVAC installers do a really poor job, you’re always going to have issues with airflow throughout your home. The heating system will most likely short cycle frequently. With time, it will overheat and break down completely

So how do you address this situation?

Your best option is to have a competent HVAC technician repair the parts of the furnace that have already failed. Next, the technician needs to redesign the ductwork, so the problem doesn't recur.

Call P&M Air Conditioning and Heating for Heater Repair Service in Houston, TX

Heating systems can have a variety of problems, but a furnace that won’t work is arguably the worst. A furnace without power means that your family won’t have heat, which can result in discomfort and illness during the cold season. Once you know the reason your heater stopped working, it becomes easier to know how to address the problem.

If your furnace has been giving you problems, our seasoned technicians can help. Contact us today for a free quote.

by Emily

How Often Should You Schedule Heating System Maintenance?

Most of us tend to take our daily comforts for granted, including a warm and cozy house in the cold winter months when the last place you want to be is outdoors.

Modern furnaces make it possible to hunker down for the winter and stay comfortable all season long. But if you've ever had your furnace break down, you understand how much you take it for granted and how quickly your home can become cold.

Maintaining your furnace year-round ensures that you won't have an unexpected breakdown when you need heat the most.

But how often should you get Houston heating maintenance done on your furnace? And what should you look for in a reputable technician?

Read on to find out:

How Often Should You Seek Heating System Maintenance in Texas?

Even in areas that are warmer than others, we all depend on our heaters to work when we need them to on those cold days. But how often should have your heater checked out to keep it running all year long?

Most furnace manufacturers agree than maintenance should be conducted on a yearly basis. In fact, your furnace warranty probably mentions that damage done to your furnace as a lack of regular maintenance will not be covered. This is reason enough to keep up on your annual inspection.

And though chances are good that your technician won't find anything wrong with your furnace, it's still better to aim for prevention than paying for expensive damage.

What Does an Heating System Maintenance Include?

There's no industry standard when it comes to Houston heating maintenance, but the best technicians have a checklist that they adhere to. A technician you can trust will do a number of things including:

• Check the venting system for any blockage that could lead to combustion or carbon monoxide. This is a very important step in the inspection because a blockage could lead to carbon monoxide poisoning of the house.

• Check all the safety switches to make sure they're functioning properly so that your furnace won't overheat and start a fire.

• Check all the burners to make sure they ignite.

• Look at the drainage system to see if it needs to be cleaned.

• Make sure all the wires are connected and free from corrosion.

• Check the gas pressures, flame sensor, ignitor, and burners.

• Check the filter for cleanliness or to determine if it needs replacing.

• Inspection of the heat exchanger.

What you want is a thorough, responsible technician to perform your Houston heating maintenance. If a technician comes and checks your furnace and calls it good in a matter of minutes, they probably weren't looking at your system as well as they should be.

There are plenty of technicians that charge a very cheap rate to check your heating system but keep in mind that you really do get what you pay for, and in most instances where the rate is low, they aren't going through a checklist like the one above.

What are the Benefits of Furnace Maintenance?

As we've already mentioned, a furnace that isn't serviced regularly can stop working without warning. But it can also be a health hazard. By having your furnace checked out every year, your technician can prevent potentially serious problems.

Carbon monoxide leaks, for example, are nearly impossible for the untrained person to detect since the gas is both odorless and colorless. Carbon monoxide leads to dizziness, headaches, nausea, and possibly death. Thousands of people head to emergency rooms every year due to carbon monoxide poisoning.

When you keep up-to-date on inspections, you significantly reduce the chances of carbon monoxide poisoning and keep your family protected.

Another benefit of bothering with an inspection is savings. Though you might be tempted to avoid the initial cost of inspection, it's a small expense compared to what you could end up paying in repairs. The difference can be hundreds of dollars in savings by opting for preventative costs versus big future repairs.

Inspections also save energy in the long run. Your technician can do most of the work for you, but as a homeowner, you can take charge by changing your air filters every three months to avoid clogged air filters and restricted airflow.

Be sure to ask your HVAC professional about the benefits of a programmable thermostat if you don't already have one. Having one in place can save you a chunk of change on your energy bills.

Newer Heating Systems Still Require Maintenance

Don't make the mistake of assuming you don't need to bother with maintenance because your system is somewhat new.

Your manufacturer will likely require you to keep up regular maintenance and keep a record of such before you can make any warranty claims. So it's not only important to keep those maintenance efforts going for the longevity of your system, but for the sake of your warranty as well.

Contact P&M Air Conditioning and Heating in Houston, TX to Schedule Your Maintenance Appointment

Now that you understand the importance of regular Houston heating maintenance efforts, give us a call today to schedule your next inspection.

We'll come to check out your furnace system to make sure everything is running smoothly and we'll answer all your questions along the way.

And don't wait until the cold weather is already upon you! Take advantage of our professional services right away so you can rest easy knowing your home is ready for winter and the air you're breathing is safe and sanitary for months to come.

by Emily