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A Beginner-Friendly Guide To HVAC Systems

What Does HVAC Stand For?

HVAC stands for “Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning.” This encompasses many machines and systems, from home furnaces and AC units to large industrial ventilation systems. Most people are somewhat familiar with central air conditioners or heaters, as these are a key component in most American homes.

But that familiarity usually doesn’t extend beyond the thermostat controls, which is perfectly natural. After all, HVAC systems are typically meant to be out of sight and out of mind. But every homeowner would do well to learn about the basics of HVAC systems, so they’re better equipped to maintain their system properly and recognize when there’s a problem. So keep reading for an easy crash course in HVAC!

What Do HVAC Systems Do?

As the name suggests, HVAC systems heat, cool, and ventilate indoor spaces. But they also perform vital functions such as air filtration and humidity control to maintain an acceptable level of indoor air quality.

There are many different HVAC systems, but the most common modality is the central air system. This involves one large central unit handling the entire home's needs (larger buildings require several of these units). In some central air systems, the heating and cooling are handled by two separate units (a furnace and an air conditioner, respectively) that share the same ductwork. In others, both the heating and cooling are handled by the same unit.

What Are the Main Parts of an HVAC System?

HVAC systems involve many individual parts that work together to heat or cool a home or business. Some of the main components of a typical HVAC system include the evaporator coil, condenser coil, compressor, heat exchanger, blower fan, air ducts, and air filter.

The evaporator coil is the medium by which heat is extracted from the indoor air in an air conditioner. The condenser coil is the medium by which that heat is then transferred to the outdoor air. Both are filled with a chemical refrigerant that essentially carries the heat energy from one coil to the other as the compressor pumps between them. In a furnace, the heat exchanger is the medium by which heat (produced via electric heating elements or natural gas combustion) is transferred to the indoor air.

The blower fan pulls indoor air through a “return” vent and blows it over the evaporator coil (in an AC) or heat exchanger (in a furnace). From there, the blower fan sends the cooled or heated air through the ductwork and into the home. The air filter is typically located in the return vent, where it captures particulates from the indoor air as it gets pulled in by the blower fan.

What Does HVAC Maintenance Entail?

With all that dust, dirt, and other debris getting caught in the air filter, it can get pretty filthy quickly. And when it gets too dirty, some of that debris can get into the unit and collect on electrical and mechanical components, where it can cause problems. But a dirt-laden air filter will also hinder airflow, putting undue strain on the blower fan motor and degrading the unit’s performance in general.

For these reasons, changing the air filters on time is the first part of HVAC maintenance and something everyone can easily handle. How often to change the filter depends on the type of filter, whether there are any pets in the building, and allergy concerns, but every three months is the general recommendation for most homes.

It’s also imperative to have the system regularly serviced by a professional HVAC technician. They can inspect the system, test the electrical components for irregularities, and perform a laundry list of other vital maintenance tasks such as lubricating fan bearings, recharging refrigerant lines, and cleaning the coils. The ideal maintenance schedule is once every spring for the AC and once every autumn for the furnace.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated company with over 45 years of experience serving Spring, TX, Austin, and the surrounding areas. They provide fast, friendly service, flat-rate pricing, and financing. Call them today for heating and cooling services in Spring, TX.

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Why Should You Schedule Air Conditioner Maintenance Now?

Why It Pays To Schedule AC Service Before the Heat of Summer

As spring gives way to summer, most homeowners have already started using their air conditioners to stave off the heat. But as the Texas heat (not to mention humidity) intensifies heading into the summer months, so will the AC unit’s workload. If the unit hasn’t been serviced in a while, that workload may prove too much for the system to handle, resulting in poor performance or a breakdown.

Scheduling preventative air conditioning maintenance is the best way to avoid these problems. Homeowners who wait too long to call for maintenance often find themselves forced to call for AC repair instead. But that’s not the only reason to jump on spring maintenance. Read on to learn three reasons why now is the best time for an air conditioning tune-up!

More Scheduling Availability

As summer rolls in and the days grow hotter and muggier, demand for air conditioning services will grow. With the influx of calls for AC tune-ups, repairs, replacements, and other services, AC technicians will have their hands and schedules full. For this reason, trying to get a convenient AC service appointment during the summer can be like trying to get a brunch reservation on Mother’s Day!

But in the spring, homeowners are more likely to have their pick of time slots before the rush begins. They can choose a short service window on a day that best suits them rather than being at the mercy of their AC service provider’s busy schedule.

Keep the AC Working All Summer Long

Avoiding a scheduling nightmare is great, but avoiding the nightmare of being without air conditioning on a hot and humid day is even better. And since a lack of maintenance is the number one cause of AC breakdowns, routine service is a must for those who don’t want an interruption in their air conditioning.

A typical AC maintenance visit includes a thorough inspection of the unit and tests of the electrical systems, fan motors, refrigerant levels, and other components. This can give technicians a clear picture of the unit’s performance and alert them to any potential issues. Homeowners can avoid a surprise summer breakdown by fixing these problems early and addressing other common causes of wear and tear.

Extend the AC Unit’s Lifespan

Yearly maintenance doesn’t just keep the unit going strong for the summer but can also keep the unit going strong in the long term. The average life expectancy for newer air conditioners is about 15-20 years. The frequency and quality of maintenance are important in deciding whether a given unit will make it to the higher end of that range or even higher.

Having the air conditioner serviced regularly will help mitigate normal wear and tear, improve efficiency and performance, and nip potential problems in the bud. Air conditioning repair can be costly, particularly for major issues like a burnt-out motor, so it’s best to try and prevent it for as long as possible. There’s no better preventive measure than spring maintenance!

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 since 1977. Their commitment to safety, service, and quality has earned them an A+ rating with the BBB, numerous awards and 5-star reviews, and Nextdoor’s “Neighborhood Favorite” title. They provide flat-rate pricing, financing, and fast, friendly service. Call them today for air conditioning services in Austin, TX.

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Give the Gift of an At-Home Spa This Mother's Day

3 Tips for the Perfect Mother’s Day Bathroom Remodel!

Moms everywhere deserve to relax, and they shouldn’t have to leave the house to do it. One of the best gifts to give mom this Mother’s Day is a place to relax at home. This is quickly done with a few simple bathroom upgrades. There are plenty of options for turning the plain old bathroom into a luxurious spa for mom, from showerheads and bathroom fauna to bathtubs and sinks.

Choose a Fun Showerhead

A simple shower upgrade is a great place to start. Showerheads now come in many styles, and they won’t break the bank. A rainfall showerhead is a great option to help create a bathroom oasis. Or a showerhead with built-in LED lights could be the ticket for a fun surprise. Lights turning the water into different colors can add to the relaxing spa feel.

But the options don’t stop there. A showerhead with a built-in speaker can also make the perfect gift for moms who love music, audiobooks, or podcasts. Using Bluetooth technology, these are easy to connect to and simple to operate. And for those who like both, some showerheads come with LED lights and a built-in speaker!

Choose a New Bathtub Mom Will Love

Upgrading the bathtub is best for those who want to surprise mom with an at-home spa. There are so many styles to choose from, many of which come with some fantastic options. For those who want to stick with a classic bathtub look, elegant freestanding or claw-foot tubs feature resilient construction and stylish designs. There are plenty of bathtubs designed for a comfortable and immersive experience for tall moms.

But for those who want to go a little more modern, some options include jets, speakers, LED lights, and even acoustic designs for ultimate relaxation. Choosing from one or more of these features is easy, given the number of options on the market. So if helping mom relax with soothing sound waves, colorful lights, and warm water sounds like heaven, installing a new bathtub could be the way to go.

Upgrade the Aesthetic

While bathtub and shower upgrades are the most significant ways to help mom relax in the bathroom, they aren’t the only options for excellent Mother’s Day gifts. A sink upgrade can also help transform the look of a bathroom. And there’s no shortage of options here either. From under-mount sinks made of marble to vessel sinks that sit atop the cabinet like a bowl, there’s sure to be a sink mom will like. Most sink styles are also available in many shapes to fit the existing aesthetic in the bathroom.

Adding a new faucet with the new sink can complete the look and add to a spa-like feel. Whether it’s a touchless bathroom faucet or a wall-mounted waterfall faucet, the transformation can take place quickly with the help of a qualified plumber. Even those who aren’t sure what they can do with their current setup can get some bathroom design ideas and estimates by calling a local plumber!

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated business that has served Austin, TX, for over 45 years! They provide a wide range of home-service solutions, including home repairs and remodels. They offer flat-rate pricing and financing, and their excellence has earned them stellar ratings on Google, Angie’s List, and BBB. Call them today for bathroom remodeling services in Austin, TX.

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Home Improvements That Keep Owners From Selling

Spring into the New Season with New Home Projects

Before pushing the “For Sale” sign into the lawn, exhaust every option to fall back in love with the home. This guide will walk homeowners through exciting ideas that may prevent moving and begin reigniting the passion for a home that made their hearts skip a beat at the initial walk-through.

There is no need to keep pushing the dream of new living in a new house to the wayside because, with these simple tips, the old house may feel like a new house.

Everything Feels Better After A Fresh Coat of Paint

Trends come and go throughout the years, so take that dated room and turn it into something lovable again. Get the paintbrushes ready or bring in the professionals and change the whole mood of a room with color or contrast. Use color to bring out the wood in the furniture, go bold, or go muted, whichever best suits the new house feel.

The fresh coats of paint are sure to change the perspective of a room, and perhaps the change will inspire some more home improvements. So instead of ditching the house, toss a paintbrush into a paint can and give the house a facelift!

The Outside is Just as Important as the Inside

Even though the interior may be improved, the home projects don’t have to end yet. After all, where will guests sit on a beautiful summer evening if the porch is still rotted and chipping? Whether the issue is adding woodwork or repairing the existing woodwork, don’t go it alone and let someone else handle the stress!

How the home feels on the outside begins the story of how the house will feel on the inside. A revamped exterior can change how homeowners feel about their house before even stepping back inside.

A Little Extra Something…

Now that both the outside and inside have been addressed, the house could use a few new pieces of furniture. Furniture can begin to wear down and look dated, just like walls or carpets can. Home improvements don’t just have to include costly purchases like a new kitchen sink because a few minor additions to a room can have an old space looking new again.

So before throwing in the towel and putting up the real estate listing, let the handymen at A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions tackle the mess of home repairs and remodels. With a few quick upgrades, homeowners can have themselves a new home without the price of one!

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated business providing its neighbors in Austin with AC and home repair services for over 45 years. They offer flat-rate pricing, financing, and fast, friendly service. They can quickly and efficiently tackle jobs from heating and cooling to furniture assembly and complete home remodeling. Call them today for handyman services in Austin, TX.

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Don't Let Seasonal Allergies Ruin the Day

Spring Cleaning to Aid Allergies

As the weather warms up, many people begin to experience seasonal allergies. People affected by allergies may be looking for ways to improve their indoor air quality and reduce their symptoms this spring. Spring cleaning is a great way to remove pollen, dust, and other allergens. Those with allergies can also benefit from opening windows and replacing their AC unit’s air filter.

The Myth of Closed Windows

Sufferers from allergies might argue that opening a window in the middle of allergy season is not a good idea. But closed windows can actually worsen allergies because the air that moves through the air conditioner can become stale and aggravate the sinuses.

Opening the windows now and then allows the air in the home to circulate with the air outside the house, bringing more rich oxygen and other substances our bodies benefit from. In addition, opening the windows in the home on days with a low pollen count and a slight breeze allows the sinuses to take a break from the harsh air conditioner.

Replacing the Air Filter

The consensus for replacing the air filter is around every three months, but changing the air filter in the AC unit more often benefits those suffering from seasonal allergies. This allows the air filter to work efficiently and doesn’t allow enough time to become full of dust and debris.

One type of air filter is the fiberglass filter, which has fiberglass strands overlapping with a metal grate enclosed on the inside. Another typical filter is the pleated air filter which uses polyester or pleater fabric to stop dust and a small number of airborne particles. The HEPA air filters are most beneficial for those with allergies or those trying to improve their home’s air quality. This filter has been shown to remove up to 99.97% of particles found in the air.

Dust is Everywhere, Literally

For those who try to keep the home clean, dust is one of the most irritating substances. Running a microfiber towel over every piece of furniture is highly satisfying and helpful for the home's overall air quality. Soon, especially during allergy season, the surfaces are littered with fallen particles that seem to come out of nowhere.

As daunting and hopeless as the task of dusting seems, it plays a significant role in the fight to keep pollen and other nasal irritants at bay. Homeowners that regularly dusted their home experienced less eye itching, nasal congestion, and throat itchiness than homeowners who hadn’t.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is a family-owned and operated company that has served the community of Austin for over 45 years. They provide flat-rate pricing, financing, and fast, friendly service. Call them today for air cleaning and filtration services in Austin, TX.