Planning on Buying a new Air Conditioner?

If you think that your old air conditioner is already way past salvage with a few repairs, it might be time to buy a new one. With spring well on its way, the urgency to have a dependable cooling system is only all the more heightened. However, there are a few things you should take into consideration before buying a unit?

Which one?

Manufacturers like Trane have multiple types of ACs available for your purchase, and each one could be a boon or bane for your home, depending on how well you choose based on your needs, that is. For instance, if you want to cool your entire house without expending too much in energy cost, you might want to opt for a central unit, but if you only plan on cooling certain rooms at a time, get a window unit.

Getting Your AC Ready for Spring

It’s been a long winter, and after a season or two of hibernation, it’s time for your air conditioner to take to the stage once again. However, considering it’s been a long time since its last use, don’t expect your AC to just work fine the moment you turn it on. Instead, you should look into simple preparation tips to make sure that your AC will work efficiently when the cooling season starts.

Change Filters

Even if your AC hasn’t been used in a long time, don’t assume that the air filters are still in perfect condition. Open up your unit, check the filter and replace or clean it up as necessary. Consult your cooling system’s manufacturer (it might be Trane, for instance) to know the right steps to take.

Check for Debris

Whether you have a window unit or a central air conditioner, you should always clear it of debris before you even consider using it again. Clean out the ductwork, reaching as far as you can with a reliable vacuum cleaner. The condenser fan is another frequent hangout spot of dirt and debris, so you should check there, too.

Schedule Repairs

It’s also important that you check your AC for any damage it might have incurred in the time it wasn’t in use. If you find any flaws or defects, make sure to call a reliable HVAC contractor to patch up your unit and return it to a good working condition.

Why You Should Consider Tankless Water Heater Installation

Why you should switch from a conventional water heater that uses a tank to hold and heat water, to a tankless water heater, is really a no brainer. Why in the world would you want to try and keep forty gallons of water hot all day when you might not even be there to use it?

You are then paying for electricity or gas, if you have a gas water heater, unnecessarily. A tankless water heater provides water on demand. Which is another reason to have one. You will never run out of hot water and have to wait till it gets hot again, as those with large families have to do.

Another reason is that the tankless variety takes up a lot less space than one with a tank. Being 2 to 3 times smaller, they can be, and are usually just mounted on the wall.

Additionally, since there is no holding tank, there is very little surface for the accumulation of sediments. This means much lower maintenance and cleaner water.

However, the greatest benefit is that since a tankless heater does not need to be on all the time, you save a lot on your energy bill.

Firing up a Trane XC95M to Battle the Arctic Cold

With polar vortexes sweeping the nation with artic temperatures of late, having a reliable and efficient heater has become more of an issue. A gas-powered furnace has a number of advantages over electric furnaces. In the case of Trane’s line of gas-powered furnaces, the XC95M stands out above the rest. If you’re on the market for a new furnace, you have every right to ask, “Why should I buy this?”

The company has rated the XC95M to have an annual fuel utilization efficiency grade of 97.3%, which is made possible with the presence of a main and secondary heat exchanger made of aluminized steel. The feature, along with an insulated heavy steel cabinet, helps the unit better retain heat for circulation.

Improved communication and control functions have been added to the XC95M’s system. For instance, the company’s ComfortLink II system enables proper synching between the furnace, the air conditioner, and the thermostat, for optimum temperature control options. Another new feature is a Telephone Access Mode that allows for remote control using a phone app.

The XC95M is the most expensive in Trane’s gas furnace catalog at around $3,000, with installation costs to be determined by your contractor. On the bright side, the gas furnaces heavy-duty durability will help ensure an earlier return on investment.

New Furnace from Trane in Houston? Some Maintenance and Safety Facts

Houston has many dependable manufacturers that can deliver safe and high-quality gas or electric home heating systems to your doorsteps. In addition, a lot of reliable contractors like Village Plumbing and Home Services can efficiently install such systems for you.

Why Use an Efficient Trane Heater This Winter

Houston typically experiences a mild winter season, something that is hardly a bother to long-time residents. However, the first few days of December 2013 were a contrast to this usual winter scenario, taking locals by surprise. The Houston Chronicle reports that on December 7, Houston was colder than Deadhorse, Alaska (which is located in the Arctic Circle).

Some locals will naturally take refuge from the cold temperatures and seek warmth and comfort right in their own homes, making efficient heating systems in great demand. However, heating systems are not all the same, and homeowners have to determine which heating equipment is more ideal for their homes. For instance, homeowners who favor low-maintenance heating systems can opt for Trane gas furnaces instead of Trane oil furnaces.

Oil furnaces, while efficient in producing the desired heat in homes, tend to have more dirt and soot build-up, requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance or frequent filter changes. If homeowners prefer a heating system that comes with a more economical price tag, Trane oil furnaces can be a better fit for them than Trane gas furnaces. Whatever the homeowners prefer, they should turn to reliable HVAC contractors for advice when it comes to the installation of the system that is best for their home.

Telltale Signs of Furnace Thermostat Failure

Houston locals may not experience harsh winter conditions unlike those who live in the East Coast and Midwest states, but residents of Space City still need to get their coats and scarves ready for when the cold season finally arrives. In addition, they need to make sure that their home heating systems are in good condition to provide adequate warmth on those nights when temperatures can drop to 45 degrees Fahrenheit or even lower.

Like every other household equipment, furnaces are not impervious to system failure. A faulty furnace thermostat, for instance, can cause your heater to cycle on or off too frequently or else provide insufficient heat when you need it most. If your home feels too hot or too cold, the likely culprit is a faulty thermostat. You might want to call in a heating repair expert to have the heat anticipator adjusted.

If such a solution doesn’t work, it may be time to have the thermostat replaced with a new one. You might want to look for products by trusted brands like Trane. Likewise, be sure to find a reliable heating and air conditioning installation expert with a proven track record of technical expertise and service quality.