Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating Archives - Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Signs to Watch for Indicating You Need a New Thermostat

3 Signs You May Need Thermostat Replacement

While an AC system can malfunction for a variety of reasons, one possible issue many property owners overlook is a malfunctioning thermostat. If a thermostat is not working correctly, it can prevent the air conditioner from turning on when needed, fail to alert it to turn off once the house reaches a set temperature, cause higher utility bills, and even cause short cycling.

To avoid these issues from causing more problems for the air conditioning system, HVAC contractors recommend that homeowners schedule thermostat services when they notice symptoms of a broken thermostat. The technician can then determine whether the thermostat can be repaired or needs replacement.

Higher Than Ususal Energy Bills

When property owners notice high energy bills that are more costly than usual, it could be due to a malfunctioning thermostat. If the thermostat is not correctly signaling to the AC system when it needs to run and when it needs to shut off, it can result in the air conditioner running for much longer than needed. This can result in wasted energy – and higher utility bills.

Failing thermostats can also cause family members to prematurely adjust the thermostat settings if they notice the house getting too warm. If the thermostat is slow in prompting the AC unit to turn on, a family member might start tweaking it, which can cause the unit to use more energy.

Temperature Readings on the Thermostat Are Wrong

Another symptom of a malfunctioning thermostat homeowners might notice is if the temperature reading on the thermostat does not match the actual temperature in the room and is incorrect. If the house feels warm, but the thermostat shows the house at a lower temperature, it can indicate the thermostat is malfunctioning.

Homeowners can figure out if the temperature on the thermostat is correct by using a digital thermometer and comparing the temperatures they both show. If they are different, there is likely an issue with the thermostat, such as a faulty temperature sensor.

Short Cycling AC

One noticeable symptom that can indicate a thermostat needs to be replaced is if a home’s air conditioner is short-cycling. If the system turns on and off quickly without completing its usual cooling cycle length or without fully cooling the house, it can indicate the thermostat is not working correctly.

Short cycling can occur if there is an issue with the sensor, causing the device to fail to correctly communicate with the unit to prompt it when to run. It can also be due to a wiring issue or a dirty thermostat. Because short cycling can also occur if there are other issues with an air conditioner or the thermostat, it’s crucial to have it inspected by a professional.

About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a family-owned company serving Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas for more than 30 years. They offer straightforward pricing, free estimates, and a maintenance membership program. Call them today for thermostat services in Corpus Christi, TX.

This National Wellness Month, Improve Your Indoor Air Quality!

Why Indoor Air Quality Is Important

A home’s indoor air quality is extremely important. If particles or contaminants float throughout the air, it can result in numerous health issues for household members. It can cause respiratory problems and worsen existing allergy or asthma symptoms.

Indoor air quality – the quality of the air family members breathe – can be negatively impacted by high humidity levels, poor ventilation, mold, and chemicals. Since August is National Wellness Month, this post will discuss indoor air quality and provide tips on how households can enhance their family’s health by improving their indoor air quality.

Health Effects of Poor Indoor Air Quality

Poor indoor air quality can affect the health of those in the home, especially impacting family members with pre-existing conditions, including allergies and asthma. Particles, dust, or pollen in the air can impact indoor air quality and cause health symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and can even cause asthma attacks.

Family members who suffer from allergies may notice increased sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, itching or rashes, and other symptoms. Even family members without respiratory issues can notice health problems. They might see increased nasal congestion, sore throats, hoarseness, headaches, and dizziness. If members of a household are suffering from issues like these, it’s essential that they schedule services to have their indoor air quality tested and improved.

Filter Replacement and Maintenance Helps Indoor Air Quality

Homeowners can take steps to prevent poor indoor air quality in their homes. Two important actions they can take to help maintain good indoor air quality are regularly replacing air filters and scheduling routine HVAC maintenance.

Changing an air filter seems like an easy task – so easy that many homeowners put it aside and forget to do it. These HVAC filters should be replaced around every three months so they can continue to capture dust and allergens. However, if a household has pets or family members who suffer from allergy or asthma symptoms, they may need to be changed more often. If a filter goes too long before getting changed, it can get dirty and clogged with dirt, debris, and other particles, preventing it from successfully removing contaminants from the home’s air.

Scheduling regular air conditioner and heater maintenance is another way for homeowners to prevent poor indoor air quality. During these services, technicians can check the system for leaks that can cause contaminants to enter the home’s air. Experts can also clean the HVAC unit’s components to remove excess dust or dirt to prevent it from circulating through the air.

Installing Air Cleaners and Filtration Systems

When technicians test a household’s indoor air quality and determine there is an issue, they might recommend installing an air cleaner or filtration system to clean the air better and improve indoor air quality in the home. Air purifiers and UV air sanitizers are common air cleaners and filtration systems that can be installed into HVAC systems to improve the air quality of an entire home or building.

While these systems both work to improve a home’s indoor air quality, they have fundamental differences. Air purifiers specialize in removing dust and allergens from the air using filters, while UV sanitizers remove bacteria and pathogens to eliminate germs and illnesses in a space.

About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a local, family-owned company serving Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas since 1983. They offer no surprise pricing, free estimates, and a maintenance membership program. Call them today for indoor air quality services in Corpus Christi, TX.

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Refrigerant: What Homeowners Need to Know

Common Questions About Refrigerant

Refrigerant is a crucial component of air conditioning systems. Without it, homes cannot cool to the desired temperature. But what is this vital substance, and what is its role in an AC unit? Refrigerant is a substance in an air conditioner’s coils. It absorbs the heat to help provide cool air and comfort for the home. The AC unit cannot effectively keep a house comfortable without this substance or coolant.

Because refrigerant is essential to an air conditioner, homeowners need to understand the basics about this substance, including what type to use in their AC system, what causes refrigerant leaks, and when to call an HVAC technician for refrigerant leak repair.

Which Refrigerant Does the AC Use?

Air conditioners require a specific type of refrigerant. Homeowners need to know which type their unit uses because refrigerant is not interchangeable, and using the wrong kind can cause damage to the system. Property owners should be able to find the type of refrigerant their air conditioner uses on a label on the outdoor AC unit.

If it’s not visible on the outside of the unit, homeowners can also look in their user’s manual. HVAC technicians can also help homeowners verify the type of refrigerant needed during an annual maintenance inspection. A property with an AC unit built before 2010 likely uses R-22 (freon). This type of refrigerant has been banned in newer models, as it is dangerous to the environment.

What Causes Refrigerant Leaks?

Refrigerant leaks are common air conditioner issues. Various reasons, including age, corrosion, damage, and a lack of maintenance, can cause it. As AC units age, they experience wear and tear from usage, and the presence of chemicals like acids can lead to corrosion and rust – which can cause small holes in the tubing and lead to refrigerant leaks.

If air conditioners are not installed properly, it can also lead to problems. It can cause damage to the unit, which can result in refrigerant leaks. A lack of maintenance can also lead to leaks. During inspections, professionals can check the AC unit and coils for issues. This allows the experts to spot and repair problems before they worsen and cause leaks.

When Is It Time to Call a Professional for Refrigerant Leak Repair?

Homeowners need to know how to spot the signs of a refrigerant leak to know when to schedule professional repairs. Then the technician can use refrigerant leak detectors to locate the issue before starting repairs. One of the first problems a homeowner typically notices that can signal a refrigerant leak is a warmer-than-usual house. Homeowners might wonder why their home is not cooling to the setting on the thermostat even though their AC unit is running. If there is a leak, the air conditioner does not have enough refrigerant to cool the house properly.

Other signs that can indicate a refrigerant leak are if the AC runs continuously without shutting off, there are hissing or gurgling sounds coming from the outdoor AC unit, or there is a formation of ice or frozen AC coils. Once these signs are noticed, homeowners should call a professional to inspect the unit for a refrigerant leak and repair it so the household can return to being cool and comfortable.

About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a local, family-owned company that has been serving Corpus Christi and the surrounding communities for over 40 years. They provide straightforward pricing, free estimates, and prompt service. Call them today for AC refrigerant leak repair services in Corpus Christi, TX.

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Save Money on Summer Cooling Bills With These Tips

Spend Less While Staying Cool This Summer

To stay cool during a Texas summer, homeowners must keep their air conditioners running. However, generating this cool air can cause energy bills to rise. This can leave homeowners torn between trying to stay comfortable and keeping their utility bills affordable.

Fortunately, AC contractors have solutions for how homeowners can accomplish both. This blog will share ways for homeowners to reduce their cooling costs without sacrificing home comfort, including installing programmable thermostats, adding weatherstripping around drafty areas, and better utilizing their ceiling fans.

Install a Programmable or Smart Thermostat

One tip AC technicians recommend for homeowners trying to reduce cooling costs is to install Wi-Fi-enabled thermostats like smart thermostats or programmable ones to replace their old, non-programmable thermostats. These devices give residents more control over their indoor climate than older models and can come with many energy-saving features.

One of the biggest advantages these digital thermostats provide is allowing residents to set different temperature settings for different times of the day – depending on when residents are home and when they are away. This means households aren’t throwing money away, keeping the house at an ideal temperature when the family is on vacation, at work, or otherwise away from home. Because these thermostats can be controlled from a mobile phone app, residents can fix the temperature setting before returning home for a comfortable temperature when they return. Smart thermostats also let residents save on their energy bills with additional features like geofencing and learning temperature preferences to make automatic adjustments to save energy and money when away.

Install Weatherstripping

Homeowners’ cooling bills can rise if drafts come into the home around doors and windows. The cool air produced by the air conditioner can escape through these gaps, forcing the air conditioner to overwork to keep the house cool and raising energy costs. Hot air from outside can also seep in through these spaces, adding more heat to the inside of the house.

Technicians recommend adding weatherstripping around doors and windows to prevent these drafts. This easy-to-install solution comes in many different materials and helps keep the cool, air-conditioned air inside the house and the hot air outside, saving energy and money.

Use the Ceiling Fans More

Another way to help save on cooling costs is to raise the temperature on the thermostat. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, raising or lowering the thermostat by 7 to 10 degrees Fahrenheit for just 8 hours a day, depending on the season and temperature outside, can save homeowners 10 percent on their heating and cooling. But how can homeowners do this without sacrificing any comfort?

Running the air conditioner requires a lot of energy – much more than operating ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can help people stay cool and comfortable when the AC is set to save money. The ceiling fan direction should be set counterclockwise in the summer to help people feel cooler. This can allow residents to turn their air conditioners down and let the ceiling fans provide additional comfort to conserve energy and save on cooling costs.

About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a local, family-owned company serving Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas. They provide straightforward pricing, free estimates, and a membership plan. Call them today for thermostat installation in Corpus Christi, TX.

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Why Should You Schedule AC Maintenance Now?

Schedule AC Maintenance Before the Heat of Summer!

It’s essential to get routine maintenance done on the air conditioning to keep it running smoothly. However, many people wait until the heat of summer arrives to have it done. Ideally, homeowners should have their AC unit inspected and maintained by professionals during the spring before the heat and humidity of summer arrive, and the AC will be working its hardest to keep the home cool.

Booking maintenance appointments during the spring allows homeowners to ensure their air conditioner is working correctly and efficiently before needing to depend on it during the summer and provides additional benefits, including more availability, savings on energy bills, and a longer lifespan for the AC.

More Availability for Scheduling

It’s not surprising that summer is AC contractors’ peak season. As the heat arrives, more and more people will put high demand on their air conditioning systems. This means more issues will present themselves, and many people will call for repair appointments and AC replacements.

Many people also may wait to schedule AC maintenance services in the summer. More people seeking appointments can result in a longer wait to book an AC tune-up or give homeowners less flexibility with available days or times. But homeowners can avoid these issues by getting ahead of the summer rush and scheduling their service appointment in the spring.

Keep the AC Running Efficiently All Summer

Air conditioner maintenance includes an inspection and cleaning of the system. During the tune-up, contractors will clean essential components of the AC, including the condenser and evaporator coils, and clean or replace air filters. This enables the system to run more efficiently, which can help reduce energy bills and prevent unnecessary wear and tear to the air conditioner.

During the inspection, they will also check the components of the system and make sure they are working correctly. If they malfunction, technicians may replace or repair the affected parts during the inspection to prevent the unit from running inefficiently, avoid high cooling costs, and even prevent a breakdown.

Extend the Lifespan of the AC

Scheduling professional maintenance services on an air conditioner can also prolong its lifespan. Performing maintenance tasks allows the unit to avoid unnecessary wear and tear that could shorten its lifespan. During a tune-up, technicians can also catch any problems before they worsen and make repairs when issues are minor to avoid an early AC replacement.

Annual AC maintenance services allow technicians to make the necessary repairs to keep the air conditioning running correctly. They can also look for defects like rust and corrosion and remove them at their early stages to enable the system to continue functioning as expected. So don’t wait until summer to get the air conditioner maintained and see the benefits that come with it!

About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a local, family-owned company serving Corpus Christi, TX, and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. They provide straightforward pricing, free estimates, and a beneficial membership plan. Call them today for air conditioning maintenance in Corpus Christi, TX.

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Three Easy Ways to Help Keep Your Seasonal Allergies in Check This Spring

Create a Healthier Home This Spring

With spring bringing warmer weather and sunny days ahead, it is no surprise that many people look forward to it. But for those who suffer from allergies, this change in season can sometimes feel like a nightmare, with reactions like sneezing, watery eyes, coughing, congestion, and a runny nose, often interfering with daily life. However, there are some easy ways for people to improve their indoor air quality to help them overcome seasonal allergies and find joy in the spring.

Let Fresh Air in Through the Windows

While it may seem like windows should be kept closed during spring to prevent allergens from entering the house, the opposite can be true. Opening windows during windy days when pollen counts are low help improve air circulation indoors and can drastically reduce the symptoms of allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues.

This is because opening windows allows old, stale air to be let out of the house while allowing fresh air to enter, reducing the build-up of allergens inside the home. Doing this regularly can help alleviate allergy and asthma symptoms that may have been caused by poor indoor air quality.

Change Air Filters Regularly

Air filters are a necessary component of HVAC systems because they trap pollen, dust, and other pollutants in the air to prevent them from making their way into the HVAC system to be treated and distributed throughout the house. HEPA filters, in particular, are extremely effective at removing allergens and other tiny airborne particles from the air.

HVAC professionals typically recommend replacing air filters at least once every three months. Replacing air filters on time or more frequently is essential for maintaining good indoor air quality and preventing allergy, asthma, and respiratory problems. When air filters become clogged, they can no longer effectively capture allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen. This can lead to higher levels of these allergens in the air, which makes it harder for those with allergies and asthma to breathe properly.

Keep Surfaces Dust Free

Another way to maintain good indoor air quality is to ensure the home is clean and dust free. Dust can settle on surfaces, aggravating allergies, asthma, and other respiratory issues. Even if someone has no known allergies, dust can trigger various respiratory symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing.

Regular cleaning and dusting routines reduce the dust in the home and make it easier to breathe. This can be an easy tip to follow since most people regularly clean their houses already. Homeowners should vacuum and dust often, paying special attention to carpets and drapes, and be sure to use a damp cloth when dusting to trap and remove dust and prevent the dust from getting kicked up in the air. For more ways to improve indoor air quality and reduce respiratory symptoms, homeowners can contact HVAC contractors for solutions.

About Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating

Triple A Air Conditioning & Heating is a locally-owned and family-operated company that has been serving Corpus Christi and the surrounding areas for over 30 years. They provide straightforward pricing, free estimates, and a beneficial membership plan. Call them today for air filter replacements and indoor air quality services in Corpus Christi, TX.