Tag: system

Getting a New Heating System in 2025

Start the New Year Right With a New Heater 

Many people wait to get a heater replacement when their existing heater fails and leaves the household cold when they need heating the most. However, homeowners who pay attention to the warning signs can predict when a heater is failing so they can call professionals for heater installation before being stuck in a cold home. Here is a quick guide to help homeowners with heating replacement, including signs it’s needed, types of heating systems to consider, and the importance of maintaining the new heater.  

Signs Heater Replacement Is Needed

cold at home Predicting when a heater is likely to fail takes a little knowledge. Some of the signs that a heater won’t make it through another winter and needs replacing include: 

  • The current system is over 15 years old.
  • Numerous expensive repairs have been necessary in the last few years.
  • High energy bills have gotten worse.
  • Loud operation or new, unusual noises.
  • Poor indoor air quality and heating performance.

When noticing these signs, homeowners shouldn’t delay calling a technician to inspect their heaters to determine if a new one is needed. 

Choosing the Right Heater 

The nice thing about working with heating professionals is that the homeowner isn’t left alone to try and figure out what type of heating system they need. Heating professionals can help discuss options for heating and determine the proper sizing of equipment to maximize comfort and efficiency in the home. 

Increasingly, homeowners are switching to ductless mini-split heat pumps during heater replacement projects. These units provide energy-efficient heating and cooling without the need for ductwork. The indoor units provide zoned heating and cooling, allowing for energy savings by avoiding energy losses and the ducts and by only needing to heat and cool spaces that are occupied. 

So, while a traditional forced air furnace has a lower upfront cost, heat pumps allow homeowners to reduce their monthly heating and cooling costs. Furnaces also generally have a longer lifespan than heat pumps, so what system to install depends on what benefits homeowners prioritize.  

Heating Maintenance 

save money Heating maintenance is necessary for all heaters, whether they have been in service for 15 years or are newly installed. However, heating maintenance is crucial for newly installed heaters to keep them working at their best, and it can help keep the machinery under warranty. Heating maintenance is important for helping homeowners avoid unnecessary repairs and issues. Well-maintained heaters are less likely to fail and need repairs because they are inspected and lubricated to ensure they aren’t slowly succumbing to wear and tear. 

Along with repair prevention, heating maintenance helps lower utility costs by improving efficiency and extending the heater’s lifespan, avoiding early replacement. Regardless of the unit's age, heating maintenance is a great way to keep bills low and avoid surprising problems in the middle of the winter. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated business serving the Austin area. They offer flat-rate prices and financing and are fully licensed. Call them for heater installation and replacement services in Austin, TX. 

Don't Let your System Get Iced Up by These 3 Preventable AC Problems

Smiling technician from A-Plus Air Conditioning holding a power tool, ready to assist with common AC issues.

3 Common but Avoidable AC Problems

Summer soon will be drawing to a close and taking the hot temperatures with it. However, this time of year, summer usually has a way of surprising everyone with some brutally hot days before it finally gives way to fall. In these last days of summer, protecting the air conditioner is crucial. Usually, this is the time of the year where air conditioners work their hardest and homeowners want them to finish the cooling season strong. Taking advice from professional AC maintenance crews can help homeowners squeeze every bit of performance out of their air conditioner in the final stretch before the fall chill arrives. 

The following is a quick list of problems to look out for to keep air conditioners running all the way up until the end of the season. 

Lack of Airflow

With temperatures and humidity at their worst, the end of the summer can be truly uncomfortable if the air conditioner isn’t working well. One of the most irritating problems that can happen at the end of the summer is a lack of airflow that prevents the home from cooling or dehumidifying. The result is a humid and sticky home. 

Lack of airflow can be caused by problems such as:

  • Poor maintenance like dirty filters or clogged coils
  • Broken ductwork that allows cooled air to escape or hot air to enter the plenum 
  • Frozen AC coils that are the result of low refrigerant pressure  or problematic motors 

Regular maintenance is the best remedy and prevention for a lack of airflow. During regular visits, HVAC technicians can monitor all of the causes of low airflow so that it never becomes a problem. 

Leaks in Coils and Refrigerant Lines

refrigerant

One of the things that makes an air conditioner cool the air in the home is a chemical called “refrigerant.” Refrigerants are chemicals that capture and release heat to move it outside of the home. The process by which they accomplish this involves their condensation and evaporation. 

Refrigerants are held under high pressures in the coils and tubing in an air conditioner. If the coils or tubing springs a leak, refrigerant can leak out and lead to a loss of performance in the unit. Performing regular maintenance and inspection on an air conditioner can help ensure that leaks are prevented. During routine maintenance, AC professionals will clean and inspect coils to make sure they won’t leak. If leaks are discovered, they can be repaired quickly so that performance is restored to the unit. 

No Power to the Unit

hvac unit One of the easiest problems to notice is an AC that isn’t getting power. Whether it's the sweltering heat inside the home or the lack of power at the digital thermostat, a unit with no power is an easy problem to see. 

Some of the likely problems that can cause an AC to lose power are:

  • Battery-powered thermostats that need new batteries
  • Breakers that have tripped due to electrical problems within the unit
  • Cutoff switches that won’t allow the unit to run due to flooding caused by clogged drain lines

When air conditioners don’t have power, professional help should be sought. Most of the time, the lack of power is an indication of larger problems that will require repairs. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions 

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has served Austin, TX for over 40 years. With fast service and quick turnarounds, they are committed to keeping the folks of Austin cool. Call them today for professional AC service in Austin.

Resolving To Do Better for the HVAC System This Year!

Eraser and paper showing shavings and partially erased word "Mistake" in Austin, Texas home service context.

Common Mistakes Homeowners Don’t Know About

Maintaining a home is a big job. Not only are there endless details to remember, but they can have serious financial consequences. When dealing with a home’s HVAC system, it is critical that homeowners use the best practices they can and hire a professional to help them manage the mind-boggling number of details and save them money by preserving their equipment and making sure it is operating efficiently. Here are a few practices that most homeowners don’t know about or simply forget to use. 

Using the Wrong Air Filter

The single most important step to maintaining an air conditioning system is keeping clean filters in place. Clean AC filters keep dust and debris from building up inside the moving parts of a heater or air conditioner and protect the indoor air in a home from dust, allergens, and pathogens. Remembering to change the filters is important, but since it is only required every couple of months, it can be easy to forget about. Using professional filter services can ensure that homeowners don’t forget this simple step and comes with added benefits like inspections. 

Installing the correct type of air filter in an air conditioner is just as important as keeping a clean filter. Some units can’t handle air filters that are high-efficiency because they restrict the airflow across the filter. 

Some signs that the filter in an HVAC unit is inappropriately sized can include:

  • Longer AC cycles 
  • Increased dust in the indoor air as a result of poor airflow
  • Rising energy costs
  • Temperature fluctuations caused by dirty coils 

Professional HVAC technicians can help select an appropriately sized filter for the health of the home’s occupants and the longevity of a unit. 

Not Scheduling Regular Maintenance and Inspections

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Getting the most out of an air conditioner is important- that’s why it’s essential to keep them operating efficiently for as long as possible to make them last longer and consume less energy. Regular maintenance and inspection of an air conditioner can ensure both of these goals are met. By using professional maintenance service, homeowners can ensure that their bills stay low and repair costs are minimal. 

While professional services cost money in the form of membership fees, homeowners notice that they save that money due to reduced repairs from breakdowns and lower heating and cooling bills. Professional service will also pay dividends over the life of the unit when it lasts years longer due to professional care. 

Not Using Professional HVAC Help

Of all of the things that people decide are DIY tasks, air conditioner maintenance should not be one of them. Maintaining a heater and air conditioning system involves working with gas, electricity, and chemicals whose usage is closely regulated. Professional HVAC technicians are educated and trained to be able to carry out their work. 

This training entitles them to special licensure that allows them to perform work on HVAC equipment legally. While amateurs can attempt some simple tasks like changing filters or even cleaning outdoor coils, most work should be left to the professionals who can complete the task better in a shorter amount of time with less risk of something going wrong. 

hvac technician

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has been helping Austin homeowners take care of their heating and air conditioning units for over 40 years. They have an award-winning membership program designed to keep costs low for their members. Their commitment to environmental excellence means they can help homeowners increase their energy-efficiency and lower their bills at the same time. Trust them with any home AC maintenance in Austin this year!