Tag: season?!

Now is the Perfect Time to Remodel the Kitchen Before the Holiday Season!

Modern kitchen island with seating, white cabinetry, and granite countertop for energy-efficient home solutions.

Create Your Dream Kitchen With These Tips!

Autumn may have just begun, but the holidays will be here in no time. And for those whose homes become a hub for family and friends during the holiday season, the kitchen is about to become a very busy place between the holiday feasts, the cookie-baking, the pie-making, and the influx of hungry guests.

But if homeowners aren’t happy with the state of their current kitchen, there’s still time to make those changes and upgrades they’ve always wanted! So homeowners can keep reading for the latest trends, pro tips, and a little inspiration to help them transform that humdrum, old kitchen into the kitchen of their dreams!

Put in New Floors and Custom Cabinetry

Person installing wood-look vinyl flooring, highlighting home remodeling and kitchen upgrade trends.Two things that can radically transform the look and feel of any kitchen are the floor and the cabinets. Hardwood flooring is a warm, traditional aesthetic for kitchens. For something a little more durable and easier to keep clean, wood-look vinyl or glazed ceramic tile are popular options. Darker colored tiles or a sleek marble finish can lend a more contemporary look, while earthy terracotta tiles or stone make for a more rustic farmhouse style.

When it comes to cabinets, homeowners have plenty of choices, ranging from the basic to the bold. If mass-produced cabinets aren’t their thing, they can opt for custom cabinetry that fits the style and functionality they want. For a simpler, more budget-friendly approach, having the existing cabinets refinished or repainted can make the whole kitchen feel brand new. When it comes to installing flooring or building cabinets from scratch, homeowners will likely want to hire a qualified professional, as these can be massive and intensive undertakings.

Upgrade the Countertops and Add an Improved Backsplash

Four workers installing a large countertop in a modern kitchen, featuring wooden cabinetry and a window, highlighting the importance of countertop upgrades in kitchen renovations.No kitchen renovation would be complete without new countertops - and there are plenty of styles to choose from. Granite, quartz, and marble are all elegant and stylish options that never fail to catch the eye. Smooth ceramic, acrylic, or composite countertops are durable and easy to clean, great options for kitchens that see a lot of serious cooking. Stainless steel and concrete also hold up extremely well but have a more industrial look, while a brass worktop is a warmer (and bolder) choice. Or, for a more rustic, traditional aesthetic, it’s hard to go wrong with wood or tile countertops.

Once homeowners have found the perfect kitchen countertops, it’s time to pick the perfect backsplash to go with them. On top of just being an easy-to-clean surface that can safely catch splashes and splatters, the backsplash can add visual appeal and charm to any kitchen.

Simple glazed subway tile is the dominant trend in backsplashes these days. Still, different tile patterns, more exotic materials (marble, stone, clay, etc.), or contrasting colors can make for an eye-catching statement. Smooth, solid backsplashes such as quartz or stainless steel are also highly functional and stylish choices. Etched mirrors give the appearance of more space, while wallpaper (behind a layer of hardened glass or protective lacquer) adds an eclectic spin.

Update the Kitchen Layout (Open Concept Kitchens are Currently In!)

Many homeowners may want to change the whole layout and flow of their kitchen instead of just upgrading individual components. This could mean adding an island, putting in windows, or shifting the position of cabinets and appliances. It’s all about finding what works best for the homeowners - or, perhaps more importantly, whoever’s doing the cooking!

Open-concept kitchens have become extremely popular in recent years for several reasons. Since they’re not closed off by a fourth wall, there’s more space for additional cooks and helpers, so cooking can be a more collaborative and inclusive process - without everyone stepping on one another’s toes. Similarly, with the kitchen and dining/family room in the same large space, family and friends can socialize and make food simultaneously, so no one misses out on the fun. It’s perfect for the holidays. Open-concept kitchens also tend to feel brighter and more spacious.

When it comes to a major kitchen remodel, such as altering the layout, it’s always best to enlist the help of a qualified remodeling contractor. They can help homeowners decide what to do based on their specific needs, desires, and budgetary requirements, as well as make sure that any renovations are done safely and according to code.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated business serving the community of Austin, TX, and the surrounding areas for over 45 years. Their commitment to honesty, professionalism, top-notch workmanship, and unbeatable customer service has earned them awards from Nextdoor and Angie’s List, as well as an A+ BBB rating. They offer upfront pricing, financing, and membership perks, so call them today for kitchen remodeling services in Austin, TX!

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How To Come Out On Top This Allergy Season

A distressed woman with a tissue in a bright background, highlighting emotional vulnerability related to home improvement.

3 Ways To Keep Allergies at Bay This Spring

Spring is a wonderful time for most homeowners. The rains help accelerate the growth of flowers, lawns, and garden vegetables, the warm weather means more time relaxing and grilling outside, and the longer days are perfect for evening walks. But for anyone who suffers from seasonal allergies, springtime is no walk in the park.

Most people try to find relief by shutting themselves inside and waiting out the storm of pollen and blowing dust. But in doing so, they’re actually exposing themselves to higher concentrations of airborne pollutants and allergens that have gotten trapped and are recirculating throughout the home. But there is hope for those homeowners hounded by allergies. Read on to discover three ways to improve indoor air quality and turn the tables on spring allergies.

Don’t Let Dust Collect On Surfaces

Improving indoor air quality starts with keeping the house clean. The more dust and debris is allowed to accumulate indoors, the more will get kicked up at the merest movement or puff of air. Regularly dusting every hard surface with a dust-absorbent cloth will make an enormous difference. This includes bookshelves, countertops, picture frames, ceiling fans-- everything. Sweeping, mopping and vacuuming will take care of the rest - but it’s a good idea to vacuum not only carpets and rugs but also upholstery, as plenty of dust can gather on furniture. Doing these chores every one to two weeks will drastically reduce the particulate matter in the home, improving allergy symptoms related to dust.

Mask up!

Two young men wearing blue face masks, posing together in a cozy indoor setting with a brick wall and soft furnishings, highlighting the importance of mask-wearing for health and allergy protection.Over the last year, wearing facemasks in public spaces has become common practice. While this came about in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, wearing masks can also help protect allergy sufferers from environmental allergens like pollen, dust, and dander. 

According to the New York Times, there are some airborne allergens that are as much as 800 times larger than the Coronavirus. Larger particles like that are unable to penetrate the fibers of the cloth and medical masks alike! For this reason, some allergists have been suggesting that people who deal with seasonal allergies wear masks outside since long before it was the norm. While mask mandates may be easing up in cities all across the country, allergy sufferers may want to keep them around for a little longer! 

Change the Air Filters Regularly

Air conditioning filters in various stages of use, highlighting the importance of regular HVAC filter replacement for improved indoor air quality.One of the best things homeowners can do for the air quality in their home is to replace their HVAC filters on time. How often they’re changed will depend on the type of filter, the number of people and pets in the home, and how much dirt and debris get tracked in. Every three months should do it for the average home, but some homes may require more frequent replacements. Even those with high-quality HEPA filters need to stick to a schedule. A clogged and dirty filter will constrict airflow, put undue strain on the unit, and be ineffective in capturing pollutants.

Similarly, permanent-use electrostatic filters need to be unplugged and cleaned regularly. This can be an intensive process, and doing it incorrectly can damage the filter, so it’s imperative to follow the manufacturer’s instructions to the letter. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Services

The family-owned and operated A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has served Austin, TX, with pride for over 40 years. Their friendly, licensed technicians arrive on time, ready to handle any job, and always provide honest, flat-rate pricing before any work begins. A-Plus has an A+ BBB rating and is an industry leader in environmental responsibility. Give them a call today for more information about their indoor air quality services in Austin.

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Ways to Breathe a Little Easier This Holiday Season

A UV Air Sanitizer Can Help Keep Your Family Safe During The Holidays

The importance of having purified air in the home is more apparent this year than any previous year for many homeowners. People tend to stay inside during the winter anyway, and for those with respiratory issues or a weakened immune system, purified air is of the utmost importance. This is why UV air sanitizers are becoming an early go-to gift that’s good for the whole family. After all, who wouldn’t prefer to breathe better air at home?

Reasons to Invest in a UV Air Sanitizer This Holiday Season

Most people don’t realize that the air quality in the average home is actually worse than the air quality outside in regards to pollutant concentrations. The EPA estimates that indoor air has a concentration of pollutants 2 to 5 times higher than outdoors. And the fact is that most people spend the majority of their time in their home - particularly during a pandemic.

Investing in a UV air sanitizer can help protect the lungs of those most susceptible to airborne pollutants, like the very young and the elderly. It can also make a home’s HVAC system more efficient, which is a nice bonus.

UV-C light tubes emitting purple glow, illustrating technology used in UV air sanitizers for improving indoor air quality and reducing airborne pollutants in HVAC systems.

How Exactly Do UV Air Sanitizers Work?

UV air sanitizers use a type of ultraviolet light called UV-C light to change the molecular structure of viruses, mold, bacteria, and other airborne pollutants. These systems are generally used in conjunction with an existing HVAC system, although portable options are available.

For best results, these UV bulbs are placed directly in the line of airflow, like in the home’s vents. As the air passes through the UV-C light, harmful microbiological organisms are “sanitized.” The powerful light actually changes the DNA of the airborne microorganisms so they can’t produce and essentially become harmless to humans. This technology has been used for years in hospitals, labs, and other highly-controlled environments to kill harmful organisms on surfaces, in the air, and in water.

What’s the Difference Between UV Air Sanitizers and Air Purifiers

Air purifier with airflow arrows, illustrating air filtration technology for improving indoor air quality and reducing airborne pollutants.

UV air sanitizers and air purifiers are different in a number of ways. Air purifiers typically use a filter (or several) to remove harmful particles from the air, operating in much the same way as a regular HVAC filter does. The difference is that air purifiers usually have filters that trap smaller particles than a typical HVAC filter. The filters on an air purifier don’t actually kill the airborne particles as a UV sanitizer does. Instead, they are trapped in a filter, which then has to be replaced.

Both systems can help to improve the air quality in a home. However, UV air sanitizers are generally more effective when incorporated into a home’s HVAC system. UV air sanitizers also don’t require filter changes, which means they require less maintenance in general. They rely on the home’s HVAC filter to catch the harmless particles after the UV-C light does its job to kill harmful airborne viruses, mold, and bacteria.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has been operating in Austin, TX, since 1977. They are a family-owned company with over 40 years of experience in pleasing central Texas customers. Their techs are fast, friendly, and always on time. They pride themselves on excellent workmanship and superb customer service. Call A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions today for more information about the benefits of UV Air Sanitizer installation in Austin, TX.

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Make Electrical Safety on the Top of Your Wish List This Holiday Season

Close-up of a hand writing "DESIRE" on paper with a red pen on a wooden table, related to home services by A-Plus.

Protect Your Home From Electrical Fires During the Holidays

Getting decorations from storage for the holiday season is enough to get most homeowners in the holiday spirit. It’s easy to get carried away when people start seeing beautiful displays pop up in celebration of the season. However, this time of year is when home fires and electrical problems reach their peak. The reason for this is due to the fact that so many people are placing unusually high demands on the electrical infrastructure of their homes.

To make sure that homes stay safe for the holidays, it is important that homeowners are diligent about putting up their decorations. By following a few simple guidelines homeowners can still deck their halls without putting them at risk for damage.

Inspect Decorations Before Putting Them Out

Colorful Christmas lawn decorations featuring a lit teddy bear in a red outfit, Santa Claus, and a decorated tree, surrounded by vibrant holiday lights and snow, emphasizing festive outdoor displays while highlighting the importance of inspecting decorations for safety.

It’s easy to underestimate the wear and tear that holiday decorations get. But the truth is that holiday decorations are usually put outside for over a month where they are subjected to extreme temperatures, sunlight, and exposure that can degrade them faster than most people expect. Couple that with the fact that most of the time decorations are improperly stored and it's easy to see how much damage those decorations can sustain in the short time they're in use.

As homeowners pull their decorations out of storage they should take extra care to inspect them for damage before installing. Decorations with frayed, damaged, or expensed wires should be discarded. Items with missing ground prongs should not be used. Items showing excessive wear should be replaced. By doing this, the decorator can reduce the risk of damage from decorations.

Unplug Unattended Decorations

Most decorations come with warnings that they should not be left unattended. This is true and should not be ignored. Lighting and decorations can easily overheat and cause a fire that could be dangerous if not caught early. The best way to keep decorations safe is to put them on an automatic timer so homeowners are not stuck with making rounds at night turning decorations off and unplugging light strands.

Hire a Handyman To Install Decorations

Handyman wearing a utility belt filled with tools, emphasizing home improvement and decoration services for the holiday season.

For those who aren’t inclined to decorate over the holidays or for people who are unsure about how to decorate safely, handyman services are available to help homeowners dress up their property for the season. There are truly countless options when it comes to decorating a home for the holidays. So many options can make it difficult to decide on what to have installed. A holiday lighting technician can help homeowners decide on a cohesive decorating plan and they can inspect decorations to make sure they’re safe prior to installation

Hanging decorations, especially on roof lines can be a daunting task that some homeowners are just not comfortable doing.  Most often, ladders are used to hang decor in high spots... Many homeowners aren’t comfortable on ladders or don’t own them. A handyman can accomplish the decorating job quicker because they already have the tools and products stocked on their work trucks.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning and Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning and Home Solutions is a locally-owned air conditioning and handyman service in Austin, and they have been in the community for over 40 years. With special consideration for the environment, they actively help home and business owners find energy-efficient and environmentally-friendly heating, cooling, and lighting options during the holiday season and throughout the year.

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A Broken Heater Over the Holiday Season?! Bah Humbug!

Person in dark clothing holding a red ping pong ball on a white backdrop, contemplating HVAC home improvement strategies.

Don’t Be Left Out in the Cold for the Holidays!

The holidays can be stressful enough by themselves. However, no one wants to have to deal with extra emergency problems during this season. With the increase in traffic in most people’s homes, a broken heater can be both inconvenient and embarrassing if it goes out during a holiday gathering. Unfortunately, this also happens to be the season that heater problems are most likely to occur. With the onset of the holidays, colder temperatures return, and homeowners find themselves attempting to fire up their furnaces for the first time in a year.

Since the stakes are so high, it is important that homeowners know what to look out for and how to respond in the event that their heater breaks down during this season.

Signs You May Have a Broken Heater

Knowing what to look out for can empower homeowners to make wise decisions during the holidays. Keep an eye out for these problems that could indicate serious problems:

Technician repairing a heating system, focusing on ignition components, relevant to home heating maintenance during the holiday season.

  • No Heat: A lack of heat with the furnace blower running indicates a problem with the ignition system. A technician will need to check out the pilot light or electronic ignition system for proper function.
  • Unusual Noises: Loud noises usually indicate a mechanical problem somewhere in the blower system of the heater. Bearings and belts, and motors are usually the culprits.
  • Insufficient Heat: Not enough heat could mean a problem with the ductwork or a serious problem with the burners. Either way, it is important that it is checked out immediately.
  • Uncharacteristically High Bills: High bills can be an indicator that the heater has lost efficiency. HVAC technicians can usually restore efficiency with a repair or replacement

Check the Thermostat Before Calling

Emergency repairs can be expensive, so it's important that homeowners know how to avoid heating repair calls during the holiday season. One of the most common issues that HVAC technicians see is thermostat problems that aren’t necessarily a cause for emergency calls.

Before calling a technician, verify there is power at the thermostat. Many thermostats run on battery power and periodically the batteries must be changed. Low batteries in the thermostat can prevent the entire system from operating. New batteries will restore the system for a couple of dollars instead of a repair bill.

Another common problem this time of year is simply that people don’t check to see that their thermostat is in the proper setting. During a change in seasons, thermostats must be set to heat and the temperature set at an appropriate setting. Try this before making a call for repairs and it could save on an expensive trip charge from a professional.

What You Can Do Before the Technician Arrives to Help

HVAC technician holding a manifold gauge set with colored hoses and gloves, preparing for maintenance or repair work on heating and cooling systems.

The most important thing a homeowner can do to help is to gather information about the furnace problems. Be sure to take notes on what is going wrong and clearly communicate the problems. By collecting good information, homeowners can help expedite the repair process so both they and the technicians can get back to their holiday celebrations.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has been an Austin community business since 1977. Offering heating, cooling, and handyman solutions, they are the dependable option for Austin heater repair service. Contact them today and ensure the home is safe and warm this winter season.

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