Heating and Air Conditioning

Thermostat Location

Correct thermostat location is a consideration that few homeowners ever think about or suspect they may have a reason to do so. Sadly, many HVAC contractors are asleep at the wheel or never attended that class at all.

The thermostat placement is an important part of a properly installed heating and air conditioning system. When located improperly, the thermostat will run too often, not often enough or doesn’t run at all.

The most common mistakes made in thermostat placement are as follows.

• The thermostat is not located in or near the center of the home. For a system that uses a single thermostat, the location with an average temperature of the home is desired; this is generally in the center of the home. When the location deviates from the center uneven heating and cooling will occur.
• The thermostat is located near drafts. When a thermostat is placed near windows or glass patio doors or any similar location the thermostat will obtain inaccurate readings. The same applies if the thermostat is located in the path of air blowing from registers. The lower temperatures surrounding windows and glass doors will cause the thermostat to run too often. In the winter it is in a colder location, and in the summer it is likely located in a warmer location, especially when the sun heats the area up. Air from vents can ‘trick’ the thermostat into thinking it is warmer or colder than it really is when heated or cooled air strikes it.
• If sunlight directly strikes the thermostat it will cause it to cut off prematurely in the winter and to cut on prematurely in the summer.
• An additional situation that would cause the thermostat to trigger improper operation would be to locate it on an un-insulated exterior wall which would cause it to run more than may be required in the winter due to the reduced temperature of the wall.

Thermostats, like anything else will wear out and become increasingly inaccurate over time triggering on operation or cut off at inappropriate times. It is also possible to have the wrong thermostat for your heating and air conditioning system resulting in poor performance and uneven temperatures. Ask your HVAC technician to ensure that you have the correct thermostat, in the correct location for your system.

Troubleshooting a Thermostat

Turn the manual control for fan on. If it begins to run power is being provided to the thermostat. Ensure that the desired heating or cooling is in the on position. If the thermostat has been turned to off for heating and cooling neither will run. Check your electrical service box for breakers in the off position. If any, switch them back to the on position.

If the thermostat is wireless, try changing the batteries and ensure it has the correct batteries, AA Lithium.

If the fan still will not come on contact your heating and air conditioning technician.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning services, repairs and installs thermostats. If you suspect you have a faulty thermostat, or other heating and air conditioning problem give our prompt technicians a call for prompt, efficient service.

AC Repair Katy

Spring Checkup |Air Conditioning Service

Heating and air technicians in the Katy, Texas area are often asked how often a system needs to be serviced. Generally, twice a year is sufficient. Air conditioning should be serviced in the spring before it is needed, and the furnace should be serviced in the fall before cold weather arrives.

If your system has to work extremely hard in overly hot or extreme cold your HVAC system may need more frequent service. Your HVAC technician can best decide if bi-annual service is adequate. You may also refer to the system manufacturers recommended schedule of maintenance. During times of heavy usage checking and changing the filters more frequently will ensure the best performance and longest service life of the system.

Changing the filter is the single most important action that a homeowner can provide besides regular maintenance. A dirty and clogged filter makes your system work harder increasing energy use, and can potentially damage the system. What type filter you have will determine how often you need to change it. All filters should be inspected every month with changing or cleaning as specified by the manufacturer. Even the cheapest filter will keep damaging dirt and debris out of your system. The low cost, blue fiberglass filters at about $1 each must be changed monthly but don’t expect them to clean your air as a HEPA filter will.

Providing routine maintenance will save you money in the long run, by reducing system break downs. Emergency service calls will end up costing you more than a scheduled maintenance check. In addition, a well maintained heating and air system will save you on energy costs.

During routine service your system will be inspected, tuned up, maintenance will be performed and any potential problems can be addressed before they become a larger problem. Dirty coils are a good example of neglect. Not only will it cause your system to have to work harder it can also potentially damage the system. Dirty coils will cause your system to use more energy, and reduces the amount of air flow coming out of the registers diminishing performance and comfort.

Central air conditioning makes our homes more comfortable by making the home cooler and by reducing humidity in the home. For a family member who has respiratory or heart related problems air conditioning is a necessity and can be a matter of life and death. Breakdowns place these family members at risk, and routine service can help to reduce the number of breakdowns that may occur. When you have difficulty breathing, an ac blowing warm air is one of the worst things than can occur.

As cold as this winter has been it is rather surprising to realize that the first day of Spring isn’t too far away. Don’t wait until you need ac repair in Katyair conditioning service now with the service experts at Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning.

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AC Repair Katy

Gas Pressure Check

It’s easy for homeowner’s to miss early signs that the heating system needs repair or maintenance. Regular maintenance not only maintains peak efficiency of your heating unit, it adds significantly to the service life of your homes heating source.

A gas pressure check is a maintenance procedure that not only can extend the gas heating unit’s life; it also can save your life and that of your family. Along with routine maintenance, an annual gas pressure check will extend the home heating unit’s service life to as much as 15 years, whereas a poorly maintained system may last 10 years, or less. Maintenance can identify problems early on, preventing the development of worse problems and more expensive repairs.

Gas leaks do more than run up the bill; they can be life threatening to you and your family! The breathing in of raw gas or of the by-product of gas exhaust, carbon monoxide, is potentially fatal. A poorly maintained system with gas leaks can easily explode, placing your family, and potentially neighbors in grave danger. Checking gas pressure and restoring it to the recommended levels if needed, will not only ensure efficient operation, but will also detect any gas leaks that may be present.

If you haven’t had your heating systems gas pressure checked for a year or more give us a call, we will be happy to provide a gas pressure check.

Install a Humidifier

Low humidity causes morning sore throat, chapped lips, static electricity and dry skin. Hardwood floors, wood cabinets and moldings can split and crack due to dry air. Proper humidity in the home can prevent these problems from occurring while making the home environment more comfortable at a lower temperature.

When heating cuts off, it also cuts off a whole house humidifier. A whole house humidifier will work more efficiently when used with a variable speed blower motor which will run longer at a much lower speed, saving money while providing needed humidity for heating.If you would like further information on humidifying your homes winter air give Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning a call, we will be happy to assist you.

Cypress’s certified professionals provide 24 hour emergency service for your convenience. We understand heating and cooling emergencies seldom occur at a convenient time, and we provide you with prompt and efficient service, 24/7. Your comfort is important to us.

Now Is the Time to Buy

If you need a new HVAC system now is the time to buy. This time of the year is not as busy as the summer when air conditioning fails and keeps our technicians busy. Why risk having to wait when you can receive the heating and air conditioning installation that you need now? Financing is available with a variety of flexible options to suit your budget.

If your heating and air conditioning system is experiencing frequent breakdowns, it is probably time to replace it. New systems are significantly more energy efficient than systems that are 10 years old. Installing a new system can save you on energy costs and provides an offset in the cost of a new system. Give Cypress’s heating and cooling specialists a call and let’s get your new system installed and ready before the thermometer begins to rise.

Trust the experts who care about your comfort, call Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning today for a new installation or for heating and ac repair in Katy and the surrounding regions.

Air Conditioning Repair Plano, TX

Cypress & Carrier-Partners in Comfort and Reliability

Not all heating and air conditioning products are created the same, although there are a lot of good products out there. Just as important as product efficiency and reliability is installation. You can have the best product in the world but improper installation affects comfort, efficiency and reliability negatively.

That is why, when you complete your research for the best unit that is within your budget, you shouldn’t stop there. You need to spend just as much time-if not more-researching HVAC contractors who can potentially provide installation.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning has been a member of the Better Business Bureau since 1984, which is 30 years that we have not only lived up to our commitment of customer satisfaction but have maintained a BBB membership as evidence of it.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning really means it when we say your comfort is important to us. Another way you can gauge our genuine high standard of business ethics is in the product we sell. We only sell one, that being Carrier.

You may be wondering how that proves anything about us, and what it has to do with why you can trust us for all of your heating and cooling needs.

It’s quite simple really, there are a lot of heating and air conditioning products on the market, and we could sell any of them. After all, a lot of other heating and cooling contractors sell multiple brands, providing potential customers with a host of choices, correct?

Yes, and we could offer other products as well. Our high standards of honesty and integrity compels us to provide the best service, as well as the best product, and enables us to stand behind our products with confidence. Yes, there are some other good brands out there besides the Carriers that we sell. Our certified technicians work on any of those products. The training of our techs goes beyond the normal high standards of the HVAC industry requirements. We keep on top of the industry innovations, diagnostics as well the latest information available for service and repair of other brands as well as our own.

But in our opinion, and our 30 plus years of experience these other products may be good but they aren’t as good as Carrier, and that is why Carrier is our only brand of product. We provide our customers with the best of everything and that begins with an energy efficient, reliable, warranted Carrier product. As your comfort specialists, we want to offer reliable comfort.Let’s take a look at some of the innovative fine Carrier products we install.

Hybrid Heat^® Dual Fuel System

When you are selecting a new system for installation one of the decisions right at the top of the list will be energy source. You may want the energy efficiency of an electric heat pump, but your area may experience colder temperatures than a heat pump is created to handle. With older technology, a heat pump switched to strip heat to provide heating for the home when temperatures fell below the systems minimum tolerance. Strip heat is like an electric furnace with its coils, and the energy saving technology of the heat pump is lost when this occurs.

That’s fine for regions experiencing the occasional cold snap, but the winters of last few years have been becoming colder and more severe for most of the nation. This situation is clearly calling for a step up in efficiency and the industry has answered the call with innovative dual fuel technology.

You no longer have to choose between the clean electric efficiency of a heat pump and the warm reliability of gas. Now you can have both with the Hybrid Heat® Dual Fuel System.

Carrier has combined an Carrier Infinity® heat pump with a gas furnace using an Infinity control. This system utilizes innovative smart technology of allowing the system to gauge the outside air temperature and choose the energy source that is most cost-efficient as well as best suited for the exterior conditions maintaining your home’s comfort.

When the outside temperatures are within the operation parameters of your Infinity heat pump system, the heat pump operates for home comfort and maximum energy efficiency.

When the temperatures go to falling below the heat pumps efficiency and ability range, the Infinity system automatically switches over to the gas furnace to keep your home warm and cozy. You never have to worry about it; the system does all the monitoring and provides the warm heat that is needed and the most efficient means of doing so.

When the hot summer arrives your heat pump will provide dehumidifying cold air to keep you, and your home comfortably cool.

Greenspeed^™ Technology

Greenspeed^™ is another smart technology system that has achieved recognition as the world’s most efficient furnace and heat pump system. Greenspeed^™ achieved an unprecedented 29% increase in energy efficiency in the 3 ton sized ducted heat pump achieving a 13 HSPF rating.

Using Greenspeed^™ technology Carrier created the world’s highest efficiency gas furnace-the Infinity 98. Carrier’s engineers consistently improve their products, and seek new technologies to make the world a better place.

Innovations in the field of HVAC are an ongoing process for many HVAC brands and manufacturers, but Carrier isn’t simply satisfied with furthering the field, Carrier insists upon increased reliability. These are all reasons why the certified HVAC specialists at Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning are so enthusiastic about our Carrier products. We could choose to install any system, but with our commitment to our customers comfort, we insist upon the very best, and in our opinion that is Carrier.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning cares about your comfort. Our dedicated and certified HVAC technicians provide service and repair on all brands of HVAC systems and products. We provide new installations with superior Carrier products, and service our products backed with our satisfaction guarantee. The next time you need HVAC service, repair or installation give us a call, we will be happy to provide you with the prompt, courteous and professional service we insist upon time after time. For heating and air conditioning repair in Plano, TX, Katy, TX and the surrounding regions give us a call.

Air Conditioning Katy, TX

Smart Meter

Tips to Outsmart the Smart Meter

If your electrical utility supplier provides a smart meter on your home chances are it is tracking your electricity usage. This most likely means that you are being charged time-of-use-rates.With your hourly consumption data available, your electrical supplier may be charging you for electricity based upon when you use it. This will actually cost you more in energy unless you change your homes energy use pattern.

As utility company’s time-of-use schedules will vary, you will need to learn what the schedule used is for your electrical provider. You will want to find out when the on peak, mid peak and off peak time categories are. You will also need to learn if summer and winter schedules vary. Your goal, in order to save money, will be to schedule the high use activities during the off peak or mid peak times when rates are lower.

You certainly don’t want to have to get up at 2 am to do the laundry or turn the dishwasher on, but there will be some activities that you can move to save energy dollars.

Let’s say your peak summer hours are 1 pm to 9 pm and you typically go to bed at 9:30 pm. You could delay your shower until 9:01 pm, saving on electrical costs by waiting until the peak time was over. You can start a load of clothes to wash before going to bed, and place them in the dryer the following morning before peak rates begin.

Most time-of-use-rates schedules allow the weekend to be included in off peak rates. Do most of your laundry then. Wash your bed sheets, comforter and those thick towels that take so long to dry on the weekend when rates are lower.

Wash & rinse clothes in cold water to save even more money, and use the correct spin cycle to remove all of the water that is possible for faster drying.

Avoid the wrinkle free feature on the dryer as it continues to use electricity when you forget to remove laundry from the dryer. A delay cycle can enable the dryer to run in off peak hours.

You may be over drying clothes. If your husband’s cotton work shirts have to be dried on medium heat to prevent shrinkage, try less time and adjust until you know the amount of time it really requires. Add a clean, dry, fluffy towel to wet towels and loads of jeans. They will dry faster according to some sources. I forgot to turn the dryer to high after drying a load of cotton on medium, and learned a load of jeans would dry (with the fluffy towel inserted) in 30 minutes on medium rather than 45 minutes on high.

The dishwasher can be loaded after meals, and turned on during off peak time (if you are awake), especially if it has a delay cycle.

If you provide your own “street lights”, place them on a timer so they cut on at a later time. For example, a on at dusk light will cut on before full darkness is established, usually during peak times. If it is not fully dark for two hours after it cuts on, use a timer to set it when darkness actually falls, in this way it is using less of the peak time electricity. Choose LED lights for the most energy savings, they cost more, but have a long service life and may very well pay for themselves long before the end of their useful life.

Install LED motion sensor security lights for entrances to your home. Be sure to aim the sensor so that it engages when people approach your home, not after they have already climbed the dark steps. As you leave your home, if the sensor isn’t too high, you can wave an arm to activate the light enabling you to see as you leave the home. How long the light remains on is adjustable on many motion sensor lights.

If you use a robotic vacuum in your home and it is programmable time it to run during off peak hours, you will wake up to clean floors and a reduced power bill.

Turn off electronics when not in use to prevent their using “stand by power”. I confess I don’t do this with my television. I am not going to reprogram my complicated TV every time I unplug it. As my TV is one of the high energy use ones, I program my DVR to record shows, and watch them on weekends or during off peak use. I do have my computer, modem, wireless router and printer on a surge protector that I turn off when not in use.

Buy the largest toaster oven you can afford and use it when you can, rather than a large electric stove. Crockpots provide tender and tasty pot roasts, and are available that cut themselves off when the food is done. Even if you have to cut it on before you leave, it uses less power than a large electric oven.

Many of these tips are small savings, but they add up. Low watt compact fluorescents throughout the house reduced my electric bill by $20. A new hot water heater saved $40. Added to all of the other little tricks I was able to reduce my monthly electric bill by $100.

I haven’t even bought my new HVAC system yet, once it is in place I may actually be able to afford my power bill. With a SEER of 10 on my 15 year old system it is going to be an extreme improvement on my electric bill.

For improved energy efficiency and a longer service life provide routine service to your heating and air conditioning system. For professional service, repair and installation by our certified and experienced HVAC technicians give Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning a call. We will be more than happy to assist you with prompt and dependable heating and air conditioning services in the Katy, TX and surrounding regions.

AC Repair Katy

The Annual Furnace Tune-Up

Furnaces become dirty reducing energy efficiency and potentially reducing the units service life. Routine service should be provided for your furnace, at least once per year. You change the oil, antifreeze and have your car greased routinely. Your HVAC system is no different it also requires routine maintenance. Neglect in some cases, may prove hazardous to your family’s health or even deadly. A neglected gas furnace can potentially leak deadly carbon monoxide gases into your home. An annual tune-up includes an inspection that can prevent needless risks to your family.

The Filter

Change the filter every month unless otherwise specified by the manufacturer. Use the type filter recommended, don’t assume a filter with better filtration will work because it will fit. An improper filter may place strain upon the HVAC system and cause damage. Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for a filter.

The Blower

It is a common occurrence for blowers with cage housing to have debris get caught up in it. An annual furnace tune-up will properly clean the blower. A proper clean not only allows the blower to work more efficiently but also safely. Dirt and debris are removed for greater efficiency but also to prevent excess heat buildup in the motor area. An amp-draw test may be performed on the blower motor and compared to the specification if required. Wiring will be inspected for wear, damage or corrosion.

The Motor

The care provided to the motor will depend upon the motor specifics. Those motors which can be lubricated should receive oil about once per year with a special type of oil created just for this type of motor. Requiring only a few drops it will help the motor to last for many years. Dirt and debris will be removed to prevent overheating.

Ventilation

The ventilation system is checked for blockage and/or leakage. This includes the outside termination (exhaust) and the connections at and internal to the furnace.

Combustion Gases and/or Coils

In a gas furnace, combustion gases must be analyzed to ensure that they meet the unit’s specifications.

Heat Exchanger and Burners

In a gas furnace the heat exchanger and burners are inspected for rust and corrosion. Extensive wear can result in potentially deadly carbon monoxide being released into the home. Burners are also inspected for proper ignition, burner flame and flame sensor.

In an electric furnace the heating coils are inspected for wear, damage and corrosion.

Drainage

If your furnace is part of a cooling system the drainage is inspected for blockage and/or leakage, including the hoses internal to the furnace. The condensate drain and trap are cleaned and water replaced in the trap.

Static air pressure tests, gas pressure testing and temperature rise checks are performed as required.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning’s certified heating specialists will be happy to provide a tune-up and inspection to your furnace. Routine maintenance will provide the best operation for the greatest efficiency possible for your furnace, and will ensure the safe operation of your furnace.

Don’t take unnecessary risks with your family’s health, our dedicated HVAC specialists will be happy to provide your heating and ac repair in Katy, Plano and surrounding regions.

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Heating and Air Conditioning

Tips for Improving Energy Efficiency

Sealing the Envelope

While an energy efficient heating and air conditioning system is a necessity for lowering energy costs, proper insulation and sealing of your home will help you to get the most out of your energy dollars. These improvements produce the best results and are among the most reasonably priced.

Insulation is your most successful resource against energy loss. In the winter, it keeps heat in, and in the summer it keeps helps to keep heat out of your home. The term “envelope” is used to describe a home’s outer walls, ceilings, floors, doors and windows. In some cases, outside vent pipes will allow cold or heat to enter the home. By sealing these sources of cold/heat intrusion on the homes envelope, you can reduce your energy costs and noise, as well as increase your comfort.

To determine if your homes envelope requires sealing you need to begin with a home energy inspection. First, inspect the attic. Examine your current attic insulation. Look for dirty areas, frosty areas in the winter or wet spots in the summer. Any of these is an indication that air is passing through the insulation. Pull the insulation back in these areas, you will most likely find there are gaps that need to be filled beneath these areas. Check the point where the roof and wall join. Look for gaps allowing air to enter. Inspect pipes, chimneys or any other structures exiting the attic walls or roof for gaps.

The next part of your inspection will be in the basement or crawlspace. Check for gaps where the exterior walls meet the foundation, as well as around pipes, ducts or any other structure exiting the exterior walls. Then check the floor joists, the wood or concrete supports that support the floor above for gaps where they adjoin the floor.

With the gaps noted to the attic and basement/crawlspace areas it is time to begin sealing the envelope.

First, take care of the gaps located under the attic insulation. If the insulation looks as if it has seen its better days replace it. The Department of Energy and Guidelines have changed its recommendations several times since in just the past 2 years alone

Insulation that meets or exceeds today’s standards will save you even more money. If the insulation is in good condition, filling those holes will depend upon the type of insulation in the attic and personal choice. Some people prefer to use expanding latex spray foam insulationas this insures the hole is filled with no gaps. Others prefer to replace missing insulation. If you only have insulation between the ceiling joists add insulation to cover the ceiling joists. Keep in mind, you can’t compress insulation or it loses insulating capacity.

Determine what type of attic pipes need sealing. Furnace flues or pipe for fireplaces get very hot and to prevent causing a fire require special materials. To fill a gap around a flue use aluminum flashing, and special high temperature caulk. To reduce the risk your flue or chimney pipe will burn the insulation, leave at least a couple of inches between your flue and any fiberglass insulation. Place a barrier between fiberglass insulation and the flue using the flashing. If in doubt, your contractor can quickly place the proper safety precautions around heat sources in your attic.

Seal any gaps surrounding ductwork or vent pipes (not heat conducting vent pipes) with spray foam insulation where they exit the roof. If the attic door isn’t already insulated do so and check to ensure that the weather-stripping around it is intact and not cracked.

With your attic sealed next inspect the basement/crawlspace. Seal small gaps and holes with caulking. Fill larger holes with expanding latex foam. Seal gaps around ducts and pipes exiting your exterior basement walls. Windows and doors should be sealed and weather-stripped. Seal the gaps where the columns meet the floor joists and any gaps where the exterior wall meets the floor above. If the basement is unfinished with wall studs visible this is the time to insulate between wall studs on exterior walls.

In the remainder of the house check your ventilation systems. Many homes have open vent pipes that go through the roof, including the range hood. Your best choices are those that utilize built in flaps to seal them from moisture, insects and intrusive air when not in use. Pipe and/or flaps can be purchased without having to change the vent hood necessarily.

Check light switches and electrical plugs, if cold air is entering foam sleeves are available to install behind the cover plates keeping air out.

Provide regular checks on the dryer exterior exhaust vent. Keeping the dryer, the exhaust pipe and louvered vent on the exterior wall free of lint not only prevents fires and improves the dryers efficiency, but also keeps hot or cold air from entering your home.

Finally, upgrading to energy efficient windows and weather-stripping your doors adds to the final product of a sealed envelope for maximum energy efficiency. Otherwise, check caulking and seals and replace as needed. If you are able to remove window casing, fill gaps with spray foam or insulation to prevent drafts.

If you are unable to install new windows try the films that you can apply yourself. While they won’t insulate your windows or patio doors they will reflect the hot, damaging rays of the summer suns heat and UV, while allowing the suns heat to enter in the winter. Storm windows are option to increase the efficiency of windows, if you have them, use them. Heavy drapes can reduce drafts from windows as can applying plastic film in the winter.

On exterior walls if any vinyl siding is loose repair it to prevent drafts that may occur.

With your envelope sealed, you can enjoy your improved home while saving money on energy costs.Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning serves the Katy and Plano, TX regions. Our quality workmanship sets us apart, no other heating and air conditioning company has more experience or dedication to your comfort.

Air Conditioning Service

Why a Variable Speed Fan Motor is Better

A variable speed fan motor was designed to eliminate the discomforts caused by heating and air conditioning systems cycling on and off. It increases comfort and saves energy.

Variable speed fan motors, will use about one eighth the electricity operating at half-speed than it will use when running at full speed. A variable speed fan motor operates at variable speeds to provide the greatest efficiency while maintaining comfort by allowing the HVAC system to fully perform its job. With a fixed speed fan the HVAC cannot operate at the optimum. Let’s look at the differences in function for a better understanding of operation and benefits.

First, let’s not confuse a variable speed fan motor with say a three speed motor. A three speed motor will have 3 preset speeds for the fan to operate. Containing a circuit board, a three speed motor will operate at the fan speed the circuit board dictates based on the boards ‘analysis’ of the home environment. You receive three set speeds, regardless of whether they are too fast or two slow.

In comparison, a variable speed fan motor can operate at 0 rpm all the way up to full speed. It operates at the rpm its circuitry analysis of your home dictates, be that at 0 rpm, or 5 rpm, or 7 rpm etc… You receive exactly what your home requires and not a single rpm more or less.

HVAC systems have the job of removing heat and moisture from the air. When air conditioning is running, a fixed speed fan runs on its fastest speed all of the time. This results in more heat and less moisture being removed from the air. Fixed speed fans simply can’t be turned down; if you could adjust their speed more moisture would be removed from the air and less heat. A variable speed accomplishes this with the fan running at a slow speed when the air compressor first kicks on allowing the humidity to be extracted from the air. While humidity is being removed, the air conditioning coil cools the air moving over it, causing the blowers speed to increase and sending the cooled and dry air into your home. When a balance is established between humidity and heat loads the fan motor runs at less than high speed. Whereas the typical always-running-on-high-speed fan motor runs at a single high speed, allowing the air to retain humidity and reducing comfort.

With a variable speed fan motor installed, when the AC first kicks on, the fan motor is going to run slow in order to extract the moisture from the air. When humidity is reduced to an appropriate level the air coming from the vent registers will be cooler and the force of air coming out of the registers will be increased. At this point humidity in the air will have been reduced to about 50%.

Humidity makes it harder for air to be cooled, and causes HVAC systems to run more often with fast blowing motors that are incapable of removing humidity properly. Humidity also makes the air temperature feel hotter than it actually is and promotes the growth of mold and mildew as well. A variable speed fan solves most of this problem by limiting the air flow until the moisture is removed from the air. With a variable speed fan this moisture is sent down the drain line where it is will not end up in your duct system to grow mold.

As for potential energy savings, a variable speed fan motor at half speed will have to run 8 hours to equal the same amount of electricity used at full motor speed in 1 hour. The variable speed fan roughly uses slightly less than half of the electricity of a full-speed fan simply because it is able to reduce fan speed and provide just the right amount of circulating air that your home requires.

The variable speed fan motor provides ‘smart fans’, and are able to provide the optimum conditions your home requires for maximum comfort and the most efficient operation of the HVAC system.

If you are interested in installing a variable speed fan in your HVAC system give the certified HVAC specialists at Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning a call. We will be happy to assist you in any of your heating and air conditioning service, repair, or installation needs.

Air Conditioning Installation

Zoned Heating and Cooling Systems

If your home experiences differences in temperature, or you would like to reduce energy bills by adjusting the temperature for unoccupied areas a Zoned Heating and Air Conditioning System could be an option for you.

Standard heating and air conditioning systems heat or cool the entire house at the same time. Zoned heating and cooling systems allow you to set different temperatures for different areas or “zones” of your home. Each zone has its own thermostat enabling you to select a custom temperature for that area.

Zoned systems allow you to have heat or air conditioning run in one area of the house without it having to run in another. If you only go upstairs at bedtime you can set the upstairs zone at 78 degrees for example, while setting the downstairs to 70 degrees. Programmable thermostats are compatible with most Zoned Systems providing even greater savings. An additional way to boost energy use is install or order a new HVAC system with a variable speed blower. Variable speed blowers use less electricity than standard blower motors, assist with improved humidity control, and provide quieter operation.

Zoned heating and air conditioning systems operate from a single HVAC unit. The unit distributes air to the separate zones within a home through the use of valves that are often called dampers. Each damper regulates airflow to a specific zone. Zoned systems rely upon multiple thermostats, one to each zone. Thermostats act like any other, you set it to the desired temperature and the system cuts on as dictated by the thermostat for that zone. The dampers open for the zone allowing it to reach the desired temperature.

Zoned systems allow individual comfort. If one family members freezes when the ac runs, and another burns up if it doesn’t, individual thermostats will allow them to set their individual thermostat for a comfortable temperature within their own zone.

If you have rooms that are seldom used the thermostat for these areas can be set so they are not heated or cooled. The U.S. Department of Energy estimates homeowners can save 30% on energy costs by installing zone heating.

Cypress Heating and Cooling’s HVAC specialists will be happy to assess your home for a Zoned system as well as provide information on optional systems ensuring you receive the information you need to make an informed choice that is right for you. Our certified HVAC technicians will be happy to provide the heating and air conditioning installation you need, ensuring you receive a properly sized system and professional installation.

The professionals at Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning care about your comfort, and are available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for emergency heating and air conditioning repair in Katy and surrounding areas.

AC Blowing Warm Air

Troubleshooting Heating and Air Conditioning

CoolingAir conditioning makes our lives so much more comfortable and it is difficult to imagine our lives without it. It cools our homes and offices, reduces humidity and helps to clean the air if the proper air filter is used. Humidity not only makes it feel hotter, it makes it harder for those with respiratory and cardiac problems to breathe. Air conditioning is a life saver, literally, for many who suffer from health problems such as asthma, allergies and many other respiratory problems and heart conditions. When it breaks down most of us never even consider that repair is an option, but consider it a necessity. Before calling for air conditioning repair in Katy or the surrounding areas, there are a few things you should try:

• First, make sure your thermostat is set to the COOL position and that the set temperature is lower than the inside temperature display. For example, if the thermostat says your inside temperature is 70 degrees F; your air conditioner will not cut on if you have the thermostat set at 71 degrees or above.
• Next, check your air registers and make sure they are all open. Never block registers or the air return. Keep the area around them clear to allow proper air flow.
• Check to ensure that your system is receiving power. Open your electrical panel; all circuit breakers should be in the ON position.
• On the outside portion of your central air conditioning unit there will be a disconnect switch. It is usually located near the unit in a grey box mounted nearby on the house. Check it to ensure it is in the on position. Also ensure air flow is not blocked with plant growth or other objects. While you are outside at the central unit listen for the fan running.
• Check filter, a dirty filter can cause high pressure on the compressor reducing its efficiency and cooling by reducing air flow, and can lead to compressor failure over time.

Heating In cold climates heating is an essential for life as well as our comfort. When it fails it usually means our home becomes uncomfortable very quickly. Use the following checklist to check your furnace before calling an HVAC technician:

• First, check to make sure your thermostat is set to HEAT and that the room temperature is lower than the temperature it is set on. For example, if your thermostat is set to 65 and your indoor temperature is 70, the heat will not cut on until the indoor temperature reaches 64 unless you adjust the temperature.
• Check registers and make sure they are open. Never block registers with clutter, furniture or drapes. Always keep the area around the air return clear.
• Turn the furnace fan to the ON position. If it runs there is power is going to the furnace. If it doesn’t run it may not be.
• Open your electrical panel; ensure that all circuit breakers are in the ON position. If these tips fail to restore heat call our certified technicians for service to your furnace.

Keep in mind regular maintenance spring and fall and changing your filters are the most effective action you can take in preventing breakdowns.

Service agreements are available to keep your heating and cooling system at peak performance and maximum energy efficiency and helps to prevent breakdowns.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning cares about your comfort and provides prompt and professional heating and air conditioning service each and every time. When your AC is blowing warm air or your furnace isn’t heating at all, call Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning professionals, available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and 365 days a year to keep you comfortable.