We all understand how hot the summer can be in Houston. It can get really, really hot and this is the time most of us turn down the thermostat and send our air conditioning systems into an overwork mode to keep us fresh and our homes comfortable. This may seem like a great idea until the time your AC unit freezes up. Keep in mind that a frozen air conditioner can ruin a hot summer day very fast. But what can make your AC unit freeze up? Here are some of the common causes of this problem. Low Refrigerant Levels Your system might be low on refrigerant if it has frozen up. This means that you either have a refrigerant leak somewhere, or your refrigerant charge is turned off. When your unit is low on refrigerant, the pressure drops in the system and the temperature also drops along with it. This will lead to a scenario whereby the evaporator coil gets too cold and freezes up. If you notice that your system is low on refrigerant, be sure to have an expert diagnose it for any leaks before you refill your container with the refrigerant. Dirty Air Filters If your...
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Maintaining your AC system is one of the most important things you can do to save yourself a great deal of money and aggravation over the years. A well-maintained system offers many benefits you may not even recognize until you find yourself dealing with a poorly maintained unit. These are just a few of the reasons it is so important to have yearly AC tune-ups. Prevent Unnecessary Breakdowns There are few things more frustrating than having your air conditioner flatline in the middle of a Houston heatwave. It can be brutal out there when the temperatures climb. It’s even worse when you’re trapped inside your home with no operating air conditioner to cool things off. Your yearly tune-up can not only help to prevent ordinary breakdowns that occur from lack of maintenance but can also warn you of potential problems on the horizon so you can take care of them before the heat of summer sets in. Extend the Life of Your Air Conditioner It’s true, air conditioners are a sizable investment in the comfort of your home and the people who live there. Extending the life of your air conditioner by even one more Texas summer is a substantial...
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According to the EPA, indoor air quality is a much greater concern than the average household realizes. It can be up to 100 times more harmful than outdoor air quality if you don’t take steps to protect the air inside your home. P & M Air Conditioning and Heating wants you to know the five benefits you can enjoy by improving indoor air quality in your home, such as these: 1. Better Health for You and Your Family Perhaps the biggest benefit of improving indoor air quality for the average household involves the health of the people living there. Improving indoor air quality can have a remarkable effect on health by reducing coughing, sneezing, eye irritations, headaches, and other respiratory concerns. 2. Fewer Allergies and Asthma Attacks While this could qualify as health, it deserved a category of its own. Indoor air quality specifically involves allergens known to cause allergies in many and trigger asthma attacks in those prone to suffer them. Common allergens associated with poor indoor air quality include: Pollen Mold Mildew Pet Dander Dust Mites Smoke The problem is that once they find their way into your home, they have a nasty habit of lingering unless you...
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Seasonal energy efficiency ratio (SEER) rates an air conditioner’s efficiency. The Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute defined it in 2008. A machine’s SEER rating is its cooling output in a typical cooling-season divided by its total energy input in the same timeframe. It is directly proportional to the energy efficiency of equipment. In America, it is calculated by dividing the British thermal unit (BTU) with the energy consumption in watt-hours. This is important in ensuring your equipment runs efficiently and effectively. How Does SEER relate with EER and COP? A cooling machine’s energy efficiency ratio (EER) is calculated by dividing the output cooling power (BTU) with its input electrical power (Wh) at a particular operation point. To calculate the EER, you should use 95F external temperature, the internal 80F temperature and the 50% relative humidity. EER is associated with the coefficient of performance (COP).It’s common in thermodynamics whereby an air conditioners COP is a unit less than the EER. Also, EER uses several units as it is calculated by multiplying the BTU/h conversion factor by the COP. Maximum SEER Rating Some modern ductless air conditioners have SEER ratings 0f 33.also, other residential AC units have maximum SEER ratings of...
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Have you noticed that some rooms in your home have a different temperature than the rest of your home? Then you should consider installing a ductless HVAC system. The primary reason why you may be experiencing this problem is your AC unit isn’t providing a consistent level of comfort. The ductless systems are efficient and offer consistent comfort in every room. The ductless system usually consists of a wall-mounted indoor unit attached to an outdoor compressor via a small 3-inch hole for power and refrigerant lines. Now let’s get into the top benefits of going duct-free. Quiet Operation Typically, a ductless air system consists of both the indoor and the outdoor components. Therefore, contractors usually install the noisy elements of the system such as the motor and the compressor outside. In fact, you won’t believe how quiet these ductless systems are while in operation. The ductless system will operate at approximately 26 decibels which is quieter than even the average whispers in a library. Increased Comfort When you are installing the ductless system, you determine where you want to place it and how many units you prefer for your home. You can put it in any part of your home...
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Do you know which type of thermostat to buy? A thermostat is a device which controls the temperature of cooling and heating devices. We sell quality thermostats in Houston, TX. Here is a highlight on the various types of thermostats you can purchase. Manual Mechanical Thermostats It is a traditional thermostat variety. Once a homeowner sets it at a particular temperature, it remains constant until they manually switch it off. Also, it remains turned off until one manually turns it on. Moreover, you should manually switch it from cooling to heating or heating to cooling mode. However, many people no longer use them as they have mercury. Manual Digital Thermostats They typically use a solid-state temperature monitoring tool, a thermistor, which senses a room’s temperature. It energizes the equipment through a circuit board or user settings. One can efficiently use them if they are knowledgeable in HVAC electrical control. When you intend it replace the thermostat, it recommended that you hire a certified HVAC technician. It avoids creating electrical problems such as faulty wiring. Programmable Digital Thermostats They offer essential and multiple functions for a variety of HVAC equipment. Some thermostats may be challenging to operate while others are quickly...
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With cold weather comes the need for a heating solution. Homeowners will want either a heat pump or a furnace to meet this need. Hotter weather brings different challenges. Before choosing one over the other it’s important to understand the differences between the two. Heat Pump Vs. Furnace A heat pump is essentially the reverse of an air conditioning unit. Heat pumps bring warmer air from the outside to heat a home. They have one advantage over a furnace: cooling mode. If heat pumps have this feature they may double as an air condition unit in the summer. A furnace, on the other hand, heats a home mostly using oil or naturals gas. Heat pumps use electricity. There are electric furnaces available. However, they consume a high amount of energy and may not be cost-efficient based upon the overall usage. Weather and Usage Freezing winters, hot summers, mild climates — these are the types of weather which should be taken into consideration. Freezing winter and hot summer will require the most energy usage. Mild climates will require the least energy usage. A heat pump is generally considered a better choice for a mild climate. A furnace is generally considered a...
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You have plenty of choices when it comes to heating and cooling your home, each with its own pros and cons. One thing you’ll have to consider when you’re purchasing a new air conditioning system is whether to get a standard AC or opt for a heat pump. Here are some of the benefits of choosing a heat pump over an AC in Houston. Versatility The biggest reason to choose a heat pump over an AC is its versatility. A whole-house air conditioning system will be great during the hot summers, but it’s not going to do you much good on cold winter nights. While ACs use a refrigerant to create the cold air that’s pumped into your home, heat pumps work by pulling heat from outside to heat your home. This also means that heat pumps can be used to pull the heat out of your home and keep it cool. With a heat pump, you only need one system to handle everything. Efficiency Because heat pumps work on a set of basic principals and primarily use air, they’re efficient. If you have an older system or your furnace runs on oil, switching to a heat pump can reduce...
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Did you know that consumer products such as cleaning detergents contribute an average of 20% pollution of indoor air quality? Various researchers have shown that these products released either volatile or semi-volatile organic substances responsible for air pollution. There is a high need to opt for natural cleaning products to maintain air quality in the home. P&M Indoor Air Quality services provide state of the art cleaning services. If you are looking for non-toxic cleaning supplies or information today is your lucky day. Baking Soda Baking soda is the best natural deodorizer with a mild abrasive action. You can use this for cleaning instead of the harsh commercial ones that reduce your home air quality. Baking soda is also easy to use. To remove food deposits in the sink, all you need to do is sprinkling it on a sponge and then scouring. If the grime is too tough, you can create a paste of the soda then applying it on the sink and let it stand for about 25 minutes. White Vinegar White vinegar is appreciated by many for its ability to soften clothes and reduces detergent residues. However, you need to be careful if your skin is sensitive....
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Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that comes from car exhaust, appliances, and the furnace. When the gas is not properly ventilated, the indoor air quality is significantly impacted. Because it can not be seen or smelled, it easily poisons people as they go about their daily routines, and can and can be fatal for those who inhale it while sleeping. But there are ways that you can protect your home and practice carbon monoxide safety. Install a Carbon Monoxide Detector The first thing you can do to protect your home from carbon monoxide is to install a carbon monoxide detector. A carbon monoxide detector acts similar to a smoke detector in that it will sound an alarm when carbon monoxide is detected. Remember, you can not see or smell the gas, so do not ignore the alarm. Open windows and doors to let fresh air inside, get everyone outside, and call 9-1-1. Do not go back inside until the authorities have cleared your home, and it is safe. Know the Symptoms of Carbon Monoxide Poisoning Unfortunately, the symptoms of carbon monoxide are similar to that of the flu and thus are confusing. Symptoms include headaches, nausea, dizziness, vomiting,...
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