Not providing routine maintenance and waiting for signs of a problem to call your HVAC technician may result in damage to your homes HVAC system. Scheduling annual heating and air conditioning service for your heat pump allows your technician to find and repair problems before they damage the system. Scheduling routine heating and air conditioning service can save you money in repair costs that add up over the life of the system.

Bi-Annual Maintenance

Normally, air conditioning service should be provided in the spring before the season begins to ensure it is in a reliable condition for the heavy use of summer. On the other hand, it is recommended the heating system is serviced during the fall before winter’s use begins. However, heat pumps, provide both heating and air conditioning, placing twice as much wear on the single system. This is why it is recommended that heat pumps are serviced twice as often, during spring and during fall. If you’ve missed scheduling a routine heating or air conditioning service this year, call for maintenance as soon as possible.

The Benefits of a Heat Pump 

A heat pump system offers both an air conditioner, and heating when needed. The heat pump is available in many forms, offering a system right for almost any home. Heat pumps offer a higher energy efficiency than ever before, and among the types offered include the geothermal heat pump, the gold standard of any HVAC system.

When to Replace Your Heat Pump

A standard heat pump will typically experience a lifespan averaging about 10 to15 years, whereas the geothermal averages 20 years for the heat pump and 50 years for field loop. Routine maintenance of any HVAC equipment will assist to ensure the longest possible lifespan and optimal performance and efficiency. 

However, any mechanical equipment is subject to wear and tear over time, and will eventually require replacement. Some of the indications that your heat pump should be replaced include: 

Poor Efficiency

As HVAC equipment ages and wears out,  efficiency is lost, causing the system to run longer in order to compensate for its inability to operate at peak performance. The consequence is an increase in the utility bill and a decrease in comfort. If your monthly energy bill is rising for no apparent reason, contact Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning. While other issues can cause poor efficiency that may be repairable, you may need a new heat pump. Our NATE certified technicians can provide either the air conditioning service, repair or installation you need.

Increasing Frequency of Repairs

Eventually, wear and tear will result in widespread malfunctions as worn parts fail. A dramatic increase in repair needs will occur, and if your heat pump has requiring repair twice a year or more frequently, it may be time for replacement. This fact alone, and combined with inefficiency, your money for repair would serve you better when invested in the installation of a new, energy efficient system. 

The Aging System

Heat pumps last an average of 15 to 20 years under ideal circumstances.  If your heat pump is older than 10 years and requiring a growing number of repairs, talk to our NATE certified professionals about replacing it.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning offers a full range of heat pump services throughout Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas. If you require heat pump installation, heat pump repair, heating and air conditioning service, or heat pump replacement, call today to schedule an appointment. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning is a member of the BBB with an A+ rating, and offers 24 hour emergency services for your convenience.

As you test your furnace this fall, and once you begin using it, it’s wise to be on the lookout for any signs that your system is developing a problem. Unusual furnace noise is often an indication of a problem. The following will assist you in identifying some of the furnace noises you should listen for, and what they may mean. As you test fire the furnace this fall, contact Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning for the repair, installation or the annual fall maintenance of your heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX. 

Booming. Grumbling or Clicking

If your furnace makes a grumbling or loud booming noise when it turns on, the foremost concern is a problem with the burner assembly. The burner assembly is the component that burns natural gas in order to generate heat. Over time, carbon from the burning of natural gas will build up on the burner assembly. If the assembly isn’t  routinely cleaned, it will clog with the deposits delaying its ignition of the gas. When this occurs,  gas builds up once the system turns on, and it is the ignition of excessive gas causing the booming  or grumbling sound. 

Contact your HVAC technician for annual service and maintenance of your home’s heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX. Booming or grumbling may also  indicate holes in the burner chamber if your system has been well-maintained. Call for service as this is a potentially hazardous condition. Clicking can also indicate issues in the burner and/or other related components.

Grinding or Screeching

The air handler is the part of a furnace that turns the fan, which is responsible for circulating air throughout the home during operation. The air handler, or fan motor is equipped with oiled bearings which facilitates its smooth operation. Over time, the bearings will wear out, causing friction and generating a loud grinding or screeching sound. If you hear this sound, call for furnace repair immediately. The bearings must be replaced before the motor burns itself out. Though not common fire is a potential hazard. Routine maintenance of your heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX will reduce wear and tear and ensure the bearings are lubricated. 

Rattling and Squealing

Some older furnaces are equipped with a blower motor belt, which when worn can throw the blower motor off balance and create a rattling sound. A loose fan or worn motor may also cause a rattling sound. In addition, the belt may slip, producing a high pitched squeal. Other potential causes of squealing include a worn fan and/or fan motor.

Whistling

Air leaks in the ducts or ventilation system can create a high pitched whistling noise.

If you have any questions about  any furnace noise coming from your furnace, or if you’d like service or installation for heating and air conditioning in Katy, TX  in your home, contact Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning. Our NATE certified technicians possess the expertise to service and repair all major brands. We serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.

As the heating season draws near, the importance of inspection and maintenance on your gas furnace can’t be stressed enough. You will benefit with a clean system, optimal energy efficiency and most importantly, annual maintenance ensure the safe operation of the furnace. A gas furnace operates through the process of combustion heating. The byproducts of combustion  includes carbon monoxide, a toxic gas that can be fatal in high concentrations. The heating system that generates carbon monoxide through combustion is designed to exhaust it safely. However, the pipe can be damaged, or debris collects in the pipe, leading to carbon monoxide spilling into your home, rather than being properly exhausted outdoors. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning NATE certified technicians can provide the reliable heating and air conditioning services you require.

Carbon monoxide is an invisible, tasteless and odorless gas generated through the combustion of any fossil fuel, including gas and wood.  In the bloodstream, it binds to the oxygen receptors in the red blood cells, depriving your body of life giving oxygen and causing slow suffocation. Without detectors, it’s virtually impossible to detect early, aside from the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. For this reason, it’s essential to have carbon monoxide detectors installed throughout your home in the event  of a leak. The detectors monitor for carbon monoxide molecules, and alarm when they detect rising levels. As with smoke detectors, early warning allows the occupants the time to escape unharmed.

Without carbon monoxide detectors, the chances of your family succumbing to the lethal gas are greatly increased. Sleeping persons who are exposed seldom wake up, succumbing without being aware they are slowly being asphyxiated. This is why carbon monoxide detectors are essential in sleeping areas as well as on each level of the home. Any home containing fuel burning space heaters, gas water heaters, fireplace chimneys, a gas furnace or those who run a car in a closed garage should have carbon monoxide detectors. Always open the garage door before starting a car. Carbon monoxide detectors should be tested every month, along with the smoke detector.

Schedule Heating Maintenance

The heating season will soon arrive. You will want to schedule heating maintenance before the furnace is needed, and providing maintenance now has the added benefit of beating the last minute rush for service.  

You don’t wait until a problem occurs to your car before changing the oil, and the heating and air conditioning system is also a mechanical piece of equipment requiring maintenance.  Routine maintenance is preventative maintenance. The system is cleaned, oiled, inspected, and tested. Problems just beginning to develop can be caught early by your HVAC technician and repair provided before additional damage occurs. A well-maintained furnace or heating and air conditioning system is more reliable, operates with the highest possible efficiency, performs better and lasts longer. Ultimately, maintenance and timely repairs save you money by preventing premature failure, and the need for a replacement furnace or heating and air conditioning system.

Carbon Monoxide Detector Placement Poisoning

The proper placement of a carbon monoxide (CO) detector is important. If you are installing only one carbon monoxide detector, locate it near the sleeping area, where it can wake sleeping occupants. Additional detectors on every level, in or within 10 feet of every bedroom and in the basement are strongly recommended.

Tips for Installation

• Don’t install carbon monoxide detectors directly above or beside fuel-burning appliances. Small amounts of carbon monoxide may be released during the start-up of appliances.
• A detector shouldn’t be placed within fifteen feet of heating or cooking appliances or in humid areas such as bathrooms.
• Replace carbon monoxide detectors every five to ten years.
• Battery-only carbon monoxide detectors may require new batteries frequently, and it’s a necessity to test the product each month. Plug-in detectors with a battery backup require less battery changes, and operate on electricity unless a power outage occurs. A good rule of thumb is to purchase two changes of rechargeable batteries, and exchange the batteries each month.
• Carbon monoxide detectors are available for wiring into a security system and monitor for carbon monoxide. The central station is alerted  to rising concentrations of carbon monoxide gas and alerts the proper authorities to ensure your safety.

The gas furnace can be a source of lethal carbon monoxide gas in the home. Cause typically include age and corrosion of the heating and air conditioning system. Corrosion causes holes and cracks to occur in the gas burner, resulting in the release of dangerous carbon monoxide, and also the potential for explosion. Annual maintenance of the heating and air conditioning system will identify problems and enable your HVAC technician to provide timely furnace repair or replacement.

Remember, in addition to having functional carbon monoxide detectors in your home, annual maintenance is an essential part of ensuring the performance and safety of your gas furnace or system. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning NATE certified technicians will provide a comprehensive inspection of the furnace, or other gas burning heating and air conditioning systems with annual maintenance. Furthermore, you can rely on the work performed during furnace repair by our professionals. Our experienced and certified technicians offer professional expertise for all of your heating and air conditioning needs. Call today to schedule your heating and air conditioning needs, furnace service, installation, repair or furnace maintenance. We serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating. 

You rely on your heating and air conditioning system to keep you comfortableyear-round. When you require HVACservices, such as installation, maintenance or repair, you count on your HVAC technician to provide reliableservice. Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning hire technicians who are NorthAmerican Technician Excellence (NATE) certified. A NATE certified technician is trained to a higher standard, anddemonstrate a higher proficiency and knowledge in the HVAC industry. They offerthe expertise you expect and can trust. Once you consider the benefits of usinga NATE certified technician, you won’t want to hire anyone else.

A NATE-certified technician not only hasreceived a higher level of education and training, but has also passed a numberof rigorous tests. Once a NATE technician is certified, he/she is periodically requiredto undergo testing in order to maintain NATE certification. A NATE-certifiedtechnician delivers the skills and knowledge of servicing your HVAC system according to the highestindustry standards.

The Benefitsof Using a NATE Certified Technician

Using a heating and air conditioning contractorwho hires NATE certified technicians ensureyou receive the best service available. The benefitsinclude:

1.   Maintenance andtimely repair provides a longer system life. A NATE certified technician hasthe expertise to ensure proper inspection and testing with complete accuracyand the advanced knowledge to recognize the minute signs that may indicate adeveloping issue. NATE certifiedtechnicians help prolong the life of your system.

2.   Properinstallation and annual maintenance and inspection ensure optimal energyefficiency.

3.    A properly maintained system also maintainsyour comfort even during extreme weather when demand is high. It also reduces indoorhumidity during the cooling season, which increases your comfort.

4.    A clean, well-maintained system withroutine filter changes provides cleaner, healthier indoor air. This isespecially important for family members with allergies, asthma, and otherrespiratory conditions.

5.   HVACequipment can malfunction, creating unsafe conditions with gas or carbonmonoxide leaks, or electrical shorts that can potentially result in a fire.When your heating and air conditioning systemis thoroughly inspected by a NATEcertified technician, you can rely on safe, efficient performance, a well-maintainedcondition, and a longer lifespan.

6.    Typically, the frequency of callbacks andrepairs are less when you use a NATE certified technician, saving you money andtime. You also avoid the inconvenience of problems related to improper installation,maintenance or repair.

7.    Fast, efficient service.

8.    Can answer your questions and offer tips foryour HVAC system.

Knowing yourheating and air conditioning equipmentis properly and professionally installed, maintained and repaired provides youwith peace of mind. That is exactly what you receive when you leave your HVAC services in the expert hands of a NATE certified technician. Theprofessionals of Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning are ready to take your residentialor commercial HVAC call. We serveKaty, Plano and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+rating. Your satisfaction is guaranteed.

One of the most common service calls inthe HVAC industry is due to the complaint of the AC blowing warm air. There are a variety of issues that can causethis condition, and the reasons can vary from simple fixes the homeowner canprovide to those requiring the expertise of an HVAC technician to provide repair. However, before you call CypressHeating and Air Conditioning to schedule an air conditioning repair, check the following common causes of the AC blowing warm air:

Check theThermostat First

It is notunusual for people to turn on the fan of the AC system and open a window tobring in fresh air, or to remove the odor of burnt toast. It only requiresturning the thermostat from cool to off, and the fan from auto to on or manual.It’s also not unusual to forget to reset the thermostat for the AC to be ableto run. Later in the day it becomes noticeable that the AC is blowing warm air. Even if you didn’t change the settings, ifit is possible someone else did check them to ensure they are properly set to cool and the fan toautomatic.

A Clogged Air Filter

Let’s face it, many of us are so busywith jobs, caring for aging parents and children with after school activities,it’s easy to forget to change the airfilter occasionally. Mark it on a calendar, in your daily planner, orschedule a reminder on a cell phone. Select a specific day each month for thefilter change, and you won’t have to wonder if it’s time.

Routine air filter changes are essentialin maintaining a clean system and ducts, the unit’s performance and energyefficiency, and the lifespan of the system. An extremely dirty air filter will restrict the airflowmoving through the system. Without the proper airflow, the system canexperience premature wear, and can potentially cause overheating with damage ora fire. A dirty coil is unable to cool properly and grows worse over time, and canbe the cause of the AC blowing warm air.  Check it every couple of weeks, even if itisn’t time to change it, especially during times of high pollen or increaseddust, such as from remodeling.

A Circuit Breaker

The air conditioner or HVAC system has its own dedicatedcircuit breaker in the home’s electrical service panel. This breaker controlsthe supply of electricity to the unit, and when an overload occurs the breakerwill trip to the off position, cutting off the supply of electricity to the AC.An overload can be due to lightning, a power surge, or a short in the wiresupplying the air conditioner, or even in the unit itself. Although it isn’tcommon, breakers themselves can go bad. If the breaker has tripped, push itback to on. If this doesn’t solve the problem, or when the breaker trips again,contact a Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning HVAC technician for a diagnosis and repair of the issue.

Other common issues behind the AC blowing warm air require a skilledtechnician for repair, these include:

Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant leaks are a common cause ofthe AC blowing warm air, and requirethe expertise of an HVAC technician to repair. In a split system, refrigerant lines are located in the air return wherethe filter is located. If the lines are covered in frost or ice, rather thansweating as is normal, the unit is likely low on coolant due to a refrigerant leak.

The Failed Compressor

As the heartof the air conditioning system, andwhen the compressor fails, the options are to replace it or to install a newsystem. Most homeowner’s opt to replace the air conditioner, especially when the system is 10 years old orolder.

Electrical Problems

There are numerous electrical componentsthat are potential causes of the ACblowing warm air. Your technician has the equipment to test the componentsand determine which is bad. Contact Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning NATE certified technicians for AC repair in Katy.

Dirty Coils

As previously discussed, dirty coils area potential cause of the AC blowing warmair. Dirty coils prevent the AC from being able to do its job and providecold air. Scheduling routine annual maintenance will ensure the system isinspected, tested and when coils are identified as in need of cleaning, the HVAC technician will provide aprofessional cleaning.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning providesthe professional residential and commercial heating and air conditioning services you require. Contact our NATE certified technicians for reliableair conditioning repair when your AC is blowing warm air. NATEcertification means our technicians are certified to a higher standard, andoffer the highest professional expertise available. You can count on a Cypresstechnician to provide services that meet or exceed the industry standards. Weserve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas, and are a member of the BBB withan A+ rating.    

There islittle maintenance the homeowner can provide on the air conditioner. That’sbecause the majority requires the expertise of a certified HVAC technician. Changing the airfilter on a routine basis and providing a cleaning of the air return grillare necessary tasks you can provide. Outdoors, ensure the condenser unit isclean by keeping the area surrounding it neat and clear of debris or plantgrowth. For all other maintenance, schedule service with your technician.Routine service is also important; it increases the unit’s efficiency,performance, extends its service life and potentially reduces the frequency of AC repair in Katy.

In our busylives, it is easy to forget to change the filter, and not doing so can resultin the need for AC repair in Katy, oreven the need for complete replacement of a burned out system. Each person hastheir own method, marking it on a calendar they often check, setting aside aspecific day for tasks such as changing the air filter, testing smoke andcarbon monoxide detectors and etc.

Filter Care

Filter caredepends on the type of filter the system requires, and will involve eitherchanging the filter on a specified routine basis, or cleaning it on a routinebasis.

DirtyFilters Cause Damage

The primarypurpose of a filter is to protect the blower fan and evaporator coil from the dustand debris pulled into the air return. Dust and debris can result in excessive wearof system components due to friction, and an overly dirty filter chokes thesystem of the needed air, resulting in ACrepair in Katy. The filter has the added benefit of cleaning the air thatmoves through the air return, and helps to keep the ductwork clean. Theductwork is an often overlooked component of the HVAC system. However, when dirt accumulates in the ductwork, andcondensation occurs, bacteria and mold may grow in the ducts, and be dispersedthroughout the home each time the system operates.

The problemscaused by a dirty filter may also cause the following problems:

·      Dirty filters allow soiling of thesystem, and air flow is reduced, causing the system to work harder, resultingin wear and the need for AC repair inKaty.

·      During the summer, a dirty, cloggedair filter can cause the cooling coil to freeze up, resulting in the AC blowing warm air, and potentialdamage to the system.

·      Forgetting to change the filter formonths on end, will result in the failure of a component, and the need for AC repair in Katy. A dirty filter alsoreduces the lifespan of the heating and airconditioning system.

·      A dirty filter causes dirty air to becirculated in the home, resulting in poor air quality that worsens allergiesand the symptoms of asthma.

·      Poor efficiency is an additional resultof a dirty filter. Improving the energy efficiency of your system is as simpleas routinely changing the air filter,and scheduling annual maintenance by a professional.

Cypress Heating and Air Conditioning NATEcertified technicians offer expertise for your HVAC needs including installation, maintenance, heating and AC repair in Katy. You can rely onour technicians’ expert service. We serve Katy, Plano and the surroundingareas, and are a member of the BBB with an A+ rating.

Common Problemswith an Oversized Air Conditioner

As an air conditioner ages, it isn’t uncommonfor it lose efficiency and experience poor performance. While it may havemaintained your home’s comfort for 10 years, its ability to do so becomes lessand less as components weaken due to age and wear, resulting in the increasedcost of frequent air conditioning repairin Plano, TX. When this occurs, homeowner’s may request a larger airconditioner for replacement. Assuming the existing AC was properly sized tobegin with; replacing it with a larger air conditioner can be a very bad idea.

Oversized unitsresult in problems such as discomfort, excessive energy use, the premature wearand replacement of the new system, and even mold in your home.  You want the highest level of comfortpossible in your home, and you also expect a new system to perform reliably aslong as possible. Over sizing an AC will undermine it all, resulting infrequent air conditioning repair inPlano, TX, and an early replacement.

Oversized Air ConditionersResult in Short Cycling

The thermostat controlswhen the air conditioning cools yourhome. When the AC unit starts cooling your home and shuts off too soon, it isknown as short cycling. Short cycling can cause a number of problems, such asuneven temperatures in your home, high humidity and the associated discomfort,and as the unit never cycles through the entire process of cooling, you can seean elevated energy bill and premature wear and tear on the system resulting infrequent air conditioning repair inPlano, TX.

TemperatureVariations and Humidity

Oversizedair conditioners operate more frequently than a correctly sized one would. Alarger unit will cool your house quickly, and unfortunately, does not give theunit the time required to remove the humidity in the air. As a result themoisture inside the home makes you uncomfortable with sticky moisture, withsome areas feeling cold and damp and others hot and sticky. Humidity makes theenvironment feel hotter than it actually is, and is a primary issue with anoversized air conditioner.

Theincreased humidity is also likely to result in mold, and musty odors in thehome.  In addition, the humidity and moldare not the only problems worsening the symptoms for those who suffer fromallergies and respiratory issues. The increased humidityalso provides an ideal environment for dust mites to thrive.

Reduced Lifespan

The frequent shortruns of an oversized air conditioner will result in an increased amount of air conditioning repair in Plano, TX, anddue to the increased wear and tear the unit will fail, and require replacement.On the average, a typical air conditioner with routine maintenance will last 10to 15 years. Occasionally, some units will last beyond this mark. However, itisn’t uncommon for an oversized air conditioner to last a mere 5 years of itsestimated lifespan before requiring replacement.

CypressHeating and Air Conditioning HVACtechnicians offer a wide range of l residential and commercial heating and air conditioning services.Contact our NATE certified techniciansfor reliable air conditioning repair inPlano, TX. NATE certification means our technicians are certified to ahigher standard, and offer professional expertise that meets or exceed theindustry standards. We serve Katy, Plano and the surrounding areas, and are amember of the BBB with an A+ rating.