A Guide to Buying & Installing a New Home HVAC or AC in Houston

Forget to Change Your Air Filter? Try an Electronic Filter Monitor

October 2, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Air filters are vital parts of your home air conditioning system. They serve to trap dirt, dust and other allergens as air circulates through your system.

Like most technology components, air filters need to be replaced with time; otherwise, the buildup of dirt and allergens can actually slow your system’s efficiency.

If you’re like most, you probably forget about your air filter until it’s so dirty that your system suffers. As an answer to this common issue, the electronic filter monitor was born.

What’s an electronic filter monitor?

An electronic filter monitor tracks the status of your air filter continuously. It keeps track of how well your air filter is working at any given time and lets you know the minute your air filter stops filtering as optimally as it should.

Depending on the specific model you choose, your electronic air filter may have the capability to send email or text alerts letting you know your filter should be changed. Real-time status reports may also be available to help you take control of your air quality.

How does an electronic filter monitor help?

With the use of an electronic filter monitor, you can keep a close watch on your system, allowing you to address potential filter problems before they even arise. This saves you from losing your cold air in the middle of summer or unintentionally breathing in harsh allergens.

A clogged air filter prevents your system from running optimally, forcing your system to work harder and causing your energy bills to go up. Being able to monitor your air filter status will help you stay on top of the efficiency of your system.

Richmond’s Air provides professional HVAC services and products to all of Houston and the surrounding areas. Contact us today to learn more about how you can maintain your home’s air in comfort.

HVAC Ductwork: Tips to Consider When Remodeling

January 23, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

If you’re getting ready to remodel or renovate your home, one thing you may not have considered is your air conditioning ductwork. Even if you have a fairly new and efficient HVAC system, changing your layout or adding to your square footage can greatly affect the efficiency of your system.

A remodel is a great opportunity to evaluate your current HVAC system and ductwork to make sure your system is big enough, that your ductwork is laid out well and that nothing needs to be repaired.

Reconfiguring Ductwork

Depending on when your home was built and your AC was installed, your ductwork may not be configured in the most efficient way. While planning your remodel, have an HVAC technician look into rerouting your ductwork. A little tweaking can greatly increase efficiency, maintain good airflow and keep your energy costs down.

Inspecting Ductwork for Leaks

If you have an older HVAC system, you’ll want to make sure your ductwork doesn’t have any leaks or holes. According to Energy Star, up to 30% of your air can be lost through worn areas or poorly connected ducts.

Even if you don’t decide to rework your ducting, simply sealing up leaks and holes and checking for loose connections can make a significant difference in the efficiency of your system.

Keeping Dust Out During Remodel

Dirt and dust can be damaging to your HVAC system, so it’s important to seal off your vents and registers during the remodel. This will prevent dust from being sucked up into your system and help you avoid major repairs later.

If possible, it’s also a good idea to keep your system completely off while any particularly “dusty work” is being done.

Remodeling and assessing your HVAC system can be tricky, so we recommend talking to a professional HVAC technician before making any major decisions. Contact Richmond’s Air today to schedule a consultation.

Does Your Home Need a Dehumidifier?

July 10, 2015 by James Richmond

An air conditioner is an absolute necessity in the hot and humid Texas summer. Turn on the weather channel these days (or just walk outside) and you’ll see that temperatures are soaring. When the heat waves hit, your home is like a cool cave that protects you from the clammy conditions.

When the heat and humidity gets really bad though, sometimes even the A/C isn’t strong enough to do the job on its own. During such times, a dehumidifier may come in handy.

Acceptable Indoor Humidity Levels

Humidity is vaporized water that is in the air. A range of 40 to 60 percent humidity is what makes the average person most comfortable. When the range reaches over 60 percent, not only can one become uncomfortable, but the water vapor can do significant damage to your home. A little humidity is acceptable, but too much can be detrimental.

It is relatively easy to spot several indications of excess moisture in your home. These symptoms of humidity damage can be removed and prevented through the use of a whole house dehumidifier.

Mold – Black mold is very dangerous and hazardous to your health. Excess moisture creates the ideal conditions for black mold to grow. Trapped moisture is very common in storage areas such as garages and basements.

Condensation – When there is too much moisture in a room, condensation can form on windows or any interior type of glass. It may resemble a vapor or fog as well.

Musty smells – These types of odors typically occur in basements and storage areas. This is usually a sign that there is mold present. A dehumidifier can help temporarily remedy the situation, but getting to the root of the problem is important.

Feeling sick – Mold can cause serious health issues from lethargy to extreme illness. A dehumidifier is necessary if this is discovered to prevent further mold growth. You will also need to find someone who can eradicate the existing spores.

If you are experiencing any of these issues, it is quite possible that your home needs a dehumidifying system.

Visit The Heat Beat Knowledge Center to read more about identifying concerns and solutions to your home’s humidity levels.

If you’re in the Houston area or nearby, call (713) 732-6426 for expert service on all of your indoor air quality needs. One of our experienced service technicians will help assess if you need of a dehumidifying system or simply a tune-up to your existing A/C unit.

Repair or Replace? Questions To Ask About Fixing Your A/C

April 27, 2015 by James Richmond

An air conditioning system is vital to the comfort of your home. Do you ever wonder how Houston residents survived without machine-cooled air back before A/C systems were invented? Of course, air conditioners can also be a huge investment when something goes wrong.

When you’re facing a costly repair bill, the question may arise: Is it worth spending money to repair my air conditioner or should I just replace it? Below are some questions to ask that will help you figure out the right decision for you.

How old is your unit? An average A/C unit is designed to last approximately 15 to 20 years. If you have an 18-year-old system and the repairs are starting to add up, you may want to consider replacing the system. Most new models have earned the Energy Star label, signifying that the unit is energy efficient and can save you up to 20 percent on your power bill. This may be the better option long-term if you have an old energy-wasting unit that’s costing you money every month.

How much will the repair cost? If your unit is not extremely old and the cost to repair it is less than 30 percent of a new unit, then you may want to consider getting it repaired – as long as the other parts of the A/C are in good working condition.

How much are your monthly bills? If it seems your A/C is constantly running in order to keep you comfortable and your monthly energy bills are skyrocketing, it may be time to consider replacement. Rather than dump money into your old unit, put it towards a newer energy efficient system instead.

Are you moving soon or planning to stay put? This is very important when you are deciding whether to spend your hard-earned money on a new unit or stick with the one you’ve got. If you plan to move soon, you may want to make the one you have last as long as possible. You don’t want to spend all that money and then leave! On the other hand, purchasing a new cooling system might also be a good selling point once your house is on the market.

If you live in the greater Houston area, give us a call at (713) 732-6426 to schedule an appointment with one of our highly-qualified air conditioning technicians. Unlike other A/C repair companies who are just trying to get your money, here at Richmond’s Air customer service is our priority which means you can count on us for an honest expert opinion about whether you should repair or replace your unit.

How to Tell if Your “Dinosaur” Furnace is Going Extinct Soon

February 20, 2015 by James Richmond

The average furnace in homes today has a lifespan of 16 to 20 years. You get the occasional system that may last as long as 25 or so, but these are the exceptions. A good way to tell if your furnace is on the older end of the spectrum is to check and see if it still has a pilot light. If it does, you definitely have a dinosaur!

Old furnaces can be hardy systems and yours may still be functioning great, but just realize that this may be the time to save your pennies and shop around for new heating units. That way you’ll have an idea what you will get when your precious dinosaur bites the dust.

How long since your heating unit was last checked?
Don’t get stuck out in the cold!

At Richmond’s Air, we’ve been doing heating and furnace repairs right since 2002. Our work is 100% guaranteed by a 1-year parts and labor warranty on repairs.

Houston Heating & Repair Service

Here are a few signs to look for that your furnace may be getting very old and may need to be replaced soon:

An extremely dusty and dry house – Have you noticed an excess of dust and dry air in your home? Is anyone experiencing more serious allergy problems? These could be signs that your old furnace is not able to moisturize the air and keep your home comfortable anymore.
Rising gas or electric bills – Many times your bill may rise and you may think that cost of gas or electricity is going up. However, in actuality it may be because the furnace is having to run more often to keep you warm. The older it is, the more effort it can take for the heater to warm your bones!
Multiple repairs – Does it seem like you’ve had so many repairs on your furnace over the past few years? At some point you should stop spending money to keep the dinosaur working and instead save for a new one.
Are you comfortable? – This is what a furnace is about right? If you can’t be comfortable in your own home, then that’s a problem.
Making noises? – Is your furnace making strange noises on a regular basis these days? Maybe some unusual growls and grumbles you’ve never heard before? If that’s the case, it may definitely be showing its age.

Perhaps your furnace is not old, but just having problems. Find out what your furnace may be trying to tell you.

If you are realizing now that your furnace is older than you thought, and are in serious need of a new one, please contact us at Richmond’s Air. One of our trustworthy Houston furnace technicians will be happy to come to your home and analyze the condition of your furnace. We will give an honest and professional opinion of when you may be ready for a new one.