Air Advice - Hunter's Air & Heat, Inc

Benefits of Attic Insulation

December 13, 2018

Attic insulation can help your home to be more energy efficient. If you have a few areas around the home that are colder than others, or you find your energy bills are on the way up, it may be time to discuss the options for adding new or more insulation to your property. This process does not have to be difficult and our team at Hunter’s Air & Heat, Inc. are here to help you with all of your needs. What are the benefits of more insulation? Reduce Your Utility Bills By far one of the best benefits is that you’ll lower your energy bills. Heating and cooling costs make up as much as 70 percent of the energy used in a home. By blocking in that air with more insulation, it is possible to drop your costs significantly. If you have no insulation or very little of it, this is an essential step. Improve Indoor Air Quality With insulation in place, there is less air that can get into your home. And, that means there are less dirt and debris that gets into it as well. By improving the overall control over air entering and leaving the space, we...

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Should I Turn My Furnace Off When on Vacation?

November 28, 2018

A furnace is a very important appliance that will help to make sure that your home is safe and warm during the cold winter months. If you own a furnace, one important decision you will have to make is whether or not to turn it off when you leave for vacation. Many people consider turning their furnaces off during the winter months because they would like to save money on utilities and out of safety concerns. However, there are a variety of reasons why you should keep your furnace on during the winter. Prevents Frozen Pipes During the cold winter months, one of the worst things that could happen to your home would be if the pipes in your property freeze. To prevent your pipes from freezing, you should make sure that your home is warm at all times. Ideally, this will mean making sure that your home is at least 66 degrees even when you are not at your property. Pet Safety Concerns Have any pets in your home, you also want to make sure that they are comfortable while you are away. If you are going to have any pets in your home at any time, you will...

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How Do Furnaces Work?

November 8, 2018

Older heating systems are mostly furnaces. During the earlier years, people used to fuel their furnaces with coal and wood. In the modern day, residential furnaces are run by electricity, gas or even propane and operate at high-efficiency rates. But how exactly do they work? The Principle of Forced Air Heating All furnaces, despite the fuel they use, operate on the forced air heating mechanism. You see, the furnace heats air, then blower fans circulate the warmed air throughout the duct system and air vents of a house. In most cases, furnaces use the same duct system as the air conditioner, therefore there is no need to look for extra space for your cooling system. Gas Furnace In a gas furnace, a pilot light is used to ignite several burners found in the combustion chamber. The burners produce heat which goes into the heat exchanger, where the air is warmed up to the temperature set on the thermostat. From here, the blower fans take the warmed air and distribute it throughout the air ducts. A furnace fueled by propane uses a similar mechanism. Electric Furnace Instead of using a pilot light like the gas furnace, an electric furnace uses an...

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How Can I Save Money on Energy Bills This Winter?

October 30, 2018

The cooler winter months are right around the corner and everyone is worried that their heating bills are going to spike. This could make it hard for families to remain under budget and could mean the difference between a warm home and food on the table. To avoid this problem, everyone needs to remember a few tips that could help them save money on heating and cooling bills this winter. What are some of the tips that everyone needs to keep in mind? 1. Perform Routine Maintenace Ahead of Time One of the ways that heating bills could be kept lower is to perform the routine maintenance on the HVAC units. This maintenance is important because not only does it prevent the units from breaking but it also ensures that they are running in an efficient manner. Efficiency is important because it means that the unit is producing the same amount of warmth with fewer resources. This means lower utility bills. 2. Upgrade the HVAC Unit Another way that families could save money is to upgrade the HVAC unit. The newer models are able to provide more warmth with less energy. This means more heat with less power. Because the...

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What Does it Mean to be a Factory Authorized Carrier Dealer?

October 2, 2018

Many people may wonder exactly what being a Carrier Authorized Dealer means. Besides being an indication that we can provide one of the most reliable and trustworthy products to help cool and heat homes that are on the market today, it means a lot more to our loyal customers. What a Factory Authorized Carrier Dealer Does When you work with a Carrier dealer, you work with someone who will work with you to find out what you need from your next Carrier unit. Has your home been warm enough in the winter and cool enough in the summer? We ask questions that other dealers won’t know to ask, such as how long you plan to be in your home and what HVAC unit will increase the resale value of your home. These are important considerations to ensure you have the best unit to satisfy your interior climate comfort. Knowledgeable Professionals Factory Authorized Carrier Dealer also means that we have earned something. We have earned the right to tout Carrier products because we have been trained—extensively—on the technical aspects of equipment installation, maintenance, and repair. That is why we are confident that we will help you find the best product for...

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The Wonderful Invention of Air Conditioning!

September 17, 2018

You only have to walk into an air-conditioned room after being outside in the heat to appreciate the invention of the air conditioner. Air conditioning makes life so much more comfortable. In fact, it makes it safer, as those living in extremely hot conditions can attest to. Being able to cool down a hot space reliably has changed the world. Ancient Cooling Method People have known how to cool things down using water and fans for a long time—they were doing it back in Ancient Egypt, for instance. That kind of labor-intensive cooling was only reserved for those that could afford it, though, which meant the wealthy and the powerful were the only ones who got cool in summer. Carrier Solves the Problem The 19th century saw a number of inventors take a stab at the secret of creating an air conditioner, but none were really successful. It wasn’t until the heating employee named Willis Carrier took on the job that true progress was made. Carrier was tasked with creating a cooling system for a printing plant that would help to remove moisture from the air so that the pages would not wrinkle. It was 1902 when Carrier first created...

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Careers in the HVAC Industry

September 2, 2018

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) reported that the number of jobs for HVAC installers and mechanics will likely grow by 15 percent between 2016 and 2026. The BLS predicted that the number of jobs for the average profession will increase by seven percent between 2016 and 2026. If these predictions are correct, 50,000 new positions will need to be filled in the HVAC industry by 2026. Here is some information about the most common careers in the HVAC industry. AC Technician AC technicians are responsible for the maintenance of a consistent and accurate temperature in controlled climates. Typically, these HVAC professionals find themselves working for homeowners and business owners. While AC technicians typically work regular hours, they also often need to be on call just in case business owners and homeowners are in need of emergency repair services. HVAC Engineer HVAC engineers coordinate and plan the installation of HVAC systems. They also perform evaluations to test the performance of installed HVAC systems. Based on the evaluations, HVAC engineers may seek to boost the efficiency of these HVAC systems by making recommendations. HVAC engineers are also often responsible for designing climate control systems. HVAC Installer HVAC installation involves setting up...

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Tips to Extend the Life Expectancy of Your Air Conditioner

August 27, 2018

When you buy an air conditioner you expect it to last. According to the Department of Energy (DOE), the average life expectancy of a central air conditioning unit is 15 to 20 years but as with any appliance how long an air conditioner lasts depends on how much you use it and how well you take care of it. The good news is, thank today’s cooling technology, air conditioners get better and better every year but even the best can not be expected to last forever. But whether your AC is brand new or 15 years old, the following tips can keep help it extend its life expectancy. Don’t Run Your Air Conditioner Continuously Like our bodies, an air conditioner asked to work day and night is going to break down sooner rather than later. Here in the Boling area, we rely on AC to give us relief from the oppressive heat and high humidity that define our long summers, but there are times you can shut the AC off. If you will be leaving the house for an extended period of time, or while you’re at work, dial the thermostat up at least five degrees. This will keep the...

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Are AC Maintenance Contracts Worth It?

August 7, 2018

Contrary to what many homeowners might think, AC maintenance contracts are worth the trouble. An AC contract is an agreement between a homeowner and a contractor. The contractor makes a promise to conduct certain maintenance services on the AC unit for a specified period of time. A homeowner pays for the contract instead of regular maintenance visits. Various companies offer different contracts. A homeowner must compare the terms and details of different contracts before finally deciding on one. A good contract should offer emergency service. The contract should have good ratings and the technicians must be professional and experienced. If you have unique needs, ask for a customized contract that meets your needs. Addressing issues at the beginning prevents surprises in the future. Importance of AC Maintenance Contracts Qualified Technicians If you get a maintenance contract, your AC gets maintenance services from technicians who are experienced in the job. If you hire technicians that are incompetent or unqualified, they may not offer you the best value for your money. Better Chances of Keeping Your AC Maintained If you are a busy person, many activities may be competing for your time and attention. You may forget about your regular AC maintenance....

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What is a SEER Rating?

July 13, 2018

Our customers in the greater Wharton and Boling, TX areas are asking us about SEER ratings, what they mean, and if they are worthwhile. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is a ratio of the cooling that your air conditioner provides compared with the megawatts used to maintain that certain average temperature. Ratings can be as low as 12 or 13 for standard units and rise up to 21 to 25 at the higher and more efficient end. Old style central AC units typically range in the 8 to 9 ratio range, so any modern unit or SEER rated unit is going to be much more efficient. SEER Rating A highly SEER rated unit is just one piece of increasing your AC efficiency and keeping cooling costs to a minimum during our hot Texas summers. Follow these tips to help keep your AC running smoothly and at the most cost-effective level: Keep temperature at a level number throughout the day and night. Altering your temp levels causes your AC unit to have to work harder. For example, if you maintain a temp of 68 degrees both day and night it may actually prove more cost-effective than constantly raising...

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