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Looking For A Better Night’s Rest? Adjust Your Thermostat.

. Posted by in • San Antonio
recommended thermostat settings

It seems that being tired these days is a common challenge for many people. With smartphones and other smart devices, working around the clock is the new norm – and it has become even harder to disconnect from our technological leashes.

While work stressors and a constantly connected environment may be interrupting our sleep schedules, there are multiple other factors to consider – like light, mattress quality, and diet. Surprisingly, something you may not have considered is that temperature can make or break a good night’s sleep.

But before you dial down your thermostat to nearly freezing, let’s learn a bit more about how your thermostat affects your body, and how, as a new homeowner, you can maintain an energy efficient home.

The Mirroring Effect

The temperature of your room or sleeping area has a significant effect on your quality of sleep. Despite your comfort levels during an evening at home, scientists suggest setting … Read Full Post »

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AC Leaking Water? Why This Happens And What To Do

. Posted by in • San Antonio
AC Leaking

In San Antonio, air conditioners are a necessity. With harsh summers bringing scorching temperatures to the region, a problem in your air conditioner could lead to a day of repair while your family waits patiently near a fan.

One common problem that causes homeowners anxiety is a leaking AC unit. While a leaky cooling system is usually an easy-to-repair problem, you could be faced with a more serious issue down the line that causes your AC to break, including flooding that could cause some serious damage your home.

By knowing air conditioner parts and functions, it can be easier to properly identify the source of a leaking AC. Learn more below about why your AC is leaking water and what you can do to fix the problem.

A Leaking AC Is No Time To Test Your DIY Skills

Even if you are a formidable handyman, it is best to let an HVAC professional troubleshoot and … Read Full Post »

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Bed Bugs Be Gone! Checklist to Prepare for Treatment Success.

. Posted by in , • San Antonio
how to kill bed bugs

As a new homeowner, the last thing you want to think about is a bed bug infestation. And hopefully, you won’t need to. But in a big city like San Antonio where bed bugs (and pests in general) are prevalent, it’s best to be prepared for any situation.

Bed bugs spread easily and most commonly found in spaces where people sleep or spend the majority of their time, like homes, hospitals, schools, and hotels. Their small size allows them to go unnoticed; it’s the red, itchy bites they leave behind that reveal their camouflage. But despite their tiny size, bed bugs can cause a big headache—and an even bigger problem if left untreated.

Here at ABC San Antonio, we take great strides to ensure your home is bed bug-free after just one of our Heat Remediation treatments. And while our experts can take on any challenge, you’ll have to do your part … Read Full Post »

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Maintaining an AC Unit in a Coastal Climate

. Posted by in • Corpus Christi
beach living is hard on your HVAC unit

Living in Corpus Christi means you have easy access to the Gulf Coast. With the ocean so close by, you can enjoy the day on a boat, walk along the beach, surf, or go fishing. However, living near the beach means the salt air can cause damage to your home including your air conditioning unit.

What’s the problem?

Living near the ocean causes a few problems unique to the region.

Salt air corrodes machinery, in part by attracting moisture. This moisture, in turn, contributes to the early deterioration of the coils and other components within the HVAC system. Studies show that aluminum and steel corrode significantly faster in the salty air, significantly shortening the lifespan of most outdoor metals.

In air conditioning units, condenser coils are typically made of copper tubes with aluminum fins that disperse heat quickly. Because of the salt air, these fins degrade quickly in coastal climates. The closer you are … Read Full Post »

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Check The HVAC Unit Before You Buy The Home

. Posted by in • San Antonio
buying a new home in Texas

Are you buying a new home? When you’re shopping around for a new house, be sure to consider a home’s HVAC system.

Because heating and air conditioning make up half of your energy costs, and faulty equipment can lead to expensive repairs, it’s a great idea to spend a little time checking the unit before making an offer on your dream home.

HVAC New Home Checklist:

Below we offer a basic checklist for potential home buyers. By reviewing these items, you can get a better sense for whether or not the previous owner properly maintained the unit.

Thermostat

  • Does it turn on and off, and if it’s digital, can you adjust the settings?
  • Turn the unit on and test the temperature against the thermostat settings.

Outside compressor unit

  • There should be no shrubs, vines, or other plants within two feet of the HVAC unit.
  • Check that the unit is level, as a tilt will hurt … Read Full Post »

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HVAC Innovation: Transforming the world one air conditioner at a time.

. Posted by in • Austin
air conditioners in china

We take Air Conditioning For Granted. (Sometimes)

When it comes to purchasing your first home, there are many factors to consider. There’s adjusting your finances, finding the perfect location, selecting the right number of bedrooms for your home. Most first-time homebuyers know these are obvious questions which need to be answered. But what about home features that are often taken for granted?

Living in the United States, many couples shopping for a new home often overlook the comfort of central air conditioning. Especially in cities with scalding summers like Austin, efficient air conditioners are not seen as a luxury, but rather a requirement when purchasing a new home. And though something as common as air conditioning efficiency might not seem like an important factor to consider, it should be.

New technology advances have the ability to provide air conditioning to more individuals around the world. And they can also reduce the costs of … Read Full Post »

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Types Of Air Filters For HVAC: How To Find The Right One

. Posted by in • San Antonio
types of air filters for hvac

The process of cooling and heating your home represents almost 50% of your energy costs, which is just one reason why it is vital that you take good care of your HVAC system.

Knowing how to change a central air conditioner filter can make it easier to keep up with basic maintenance. Wondering how often to change an air filter in a house? To ensure your air conditioning system will last for many years to come, it is recommended you change the filter out every 30 to 90 days, depending on your filter type. Performing this regular task will help your system run more efficiently, prevent costly repairs and keep your HVAC running longer.

There are many types of air filters for HVAC system out on the market with various pros and cons. Which is the most suitable for your home? Let’s review each type of filter and how to best care for … Read Full Post »

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What To Do When Your Air Conditioner Freezes Up

. Posted by in • Austin

On a hot 95+ degree day, no one wants to deal with melted ice cream. That’s why we have air conditioning!

Hot weather here in Austin means trips to Barton Springs, bike rides, and cookouts on the patio with tall iced beverages. It’s all fun in the sun until your air conditioning goes out.

Below we’ll take a look at some of the most common AC problems and offer some tips for basic air conditioner troubleshooting.

How air conditioners work

Air conditioning systems cool air using an evaporator coil within your inside AC unit. Inside the coil is a refrigerant such as Freon that cools down the coil. The AC unit draws in warm air and blows it over the coil, where the refrigerant absorbs the heat and the newly chilled air is sent back into your home. The hot refrigerant is cycled outside your home to the compressor unit where it transfers the … Read Full Post »

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Who Invented the Air Conditioner?

. Posted by in • Austin

It’s getting hot in Central Texas.

We’ve been lucky this year in Austin. Due to all the rain, temperatures are still slightly below sweltering!

Now that the warmer temperatures have arrived, everyone is thankful for the modern marvel of air conditioning. It is now possible to be burning up one moment and freezing the next as you move between the outdoors and heavily air conditioned spaces.

Air conditioning is such a part of modern life that we take it for granted.

Until it breaks down and wreaks havoc.

Here’s a little history lesson that will give you an understanding of the myriad ways people attempted to cool down before air conditioners arrived on the market.

Given that the modern air conditioner was not invented until the early 20th century, humans have been experimenting with ways to cool down for centuries.

  • The ancient Egyptians hung reeds in their windows and wet them with a stream of water. Air … Read Full Post »

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Air Conditioning Facts & Myths: Experts Weigh In

. Posted by in • San Antonio
air-conditioning-facts

During our seemingly endless summers, San Antonio homeowners enjoy the full benefits of cooler air, thanks to their air conditioning system. Despite our appreciation for our AC, many of us have little understanding of the inner workings of these complicated systems. As a result, there are several myths that continue to persist to this day that result in wasted energy and money.

Find out what these misconceptions are and just how to keep your energy bill low while keeping your home as cool as can be in when the mercury climbs sky-high.

Myth: Leaving Ceiling Fans On Will Keep An Empty Room Cool

Ceiling fans move air around in a room, but they don’t cool it. The cooling effect we feel is due to the air being moved across our skin. Our body temperature often drops as a result.

We also experience a similar feeling when we’re sweating and a fan is turned on. … Read Full Post »

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