Houston Air Conditioning FAQS

Would geothermal air conditioning and heating be a viable alternative for Houston, TX?

Houston Air Conditioning, Heat Pump and Furnace Repair

The answer to this question would depend upon how much energy you actually want to save. By using a ground source Houston geothermal heat pump you can actually save 60% off of your utility bill, automatically. Call 713-936-2594 for more information.

What is zone heating and zone cooling?

Zone heating and cooling are used in some homes in order to reduce the heating and cooling costs. This works by reducing the heating and cooling to unused part of your home. It will greatly reduce your energy bills. Your Houston air conditioning repair contractor will add a damper and extra thermostats to send the heating and cooling to the rooms it is needed.

What does an Energy Star rating mean on Houston HVAC equipment?

If your air conditioner (HVAC system) has an Energy Star rating, it will have a higher SEER than the standard model. This means that it will be 14% more efficient. In turn, it is possible that it could save you up to 50% off of your air conditioning bill as long as you are also using a high efficiency energy system. As such, you can actually save a lot of money with Energy Star rated HVAC equipment.

What does the SEER rating on a Houston air conditioner mean?

SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio. This is a number between 8 and 23 that describes how efficiently the air conditioning system works. As such, the higher the SEER, the more efficient it will be and the lower your energy bill will be. A SEER number is calculate by dividing the amount of cooling that is supplied by the air conditioner (BTU’s per hour) by the power (watts) that is used by the cooling equipment under a pre-specified set of seasonal conditions.

What does the HSPF rating on a Houston residential or commercial heat pump mean?

The HSPF rating stands for Heating Seasonal Performance Factor. This rating is the measurement of heating efficiency. With a high HSPF rating you will have more energy savings. The scale ranges from 7.5 to 9.0.

What does the AFUE rating on a Houston furnace mean?

You will see this rating on a lot of furnace models that were made in or before 1990. It stands for “Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency.” The minimum rating that a furnace can be sold with in the United States today is 80%. However, this rating can go as high as 96.6%. Depending upon your average usage, a furnace with a higher AFUE rating can actually reduce your gas bill quite a bit.

Is it really necessary to have a preseason check-up on my air conditioning system?

By having a preseason check-up performed by a local HVAC contractor, you will be able to rest assured that your system is in optimal working order. This will also help you be able to avoid any unexpected, expensive repairs.

What HVAC equipment is needed in order to improve indoor air quality?

In order to improve your home’s air quality, you will need to keep your HVAC system well maintained. Monitoring and changing air filters can greatly improve your air quality. Many Houston residents are adding a humidifier to keep humidity levels up in the winter. A HEPA filtration and UV air purifier will have you breathing “mountain fresh” air all the time. A dehumidifier will lower the humidity in the spring and summer, saving on air conditioning bills.

What is a Houston heat pump?

A heat pump is a device that moves heat from the source location to another location via mechanical work. You can think of this as a heat engine that works in reverse. They look and operate similar to an air conditioner. This works by using a refrigerant that optimizes heat exchangers to reverse the direction of the heat flow. Usually the heat is drawn from the air or from the ground.

How do Houston, Texas residents qualify for the federal energy savings tax credits and the rebates that utility companies give whenever I purchase a new heating and cooling system?

In order to qualify for the tax credit, you will have to purchase and install heating and cooling equipment. This tax credit is able to cover $1,500 worth of improvements.

What is the most inexpensive thing that I can do in order to reduce my heating and cooling bills?

You should install an electronic programmable thermostat. This can be a DIY project or call your Houston air conditioning repair contractor to install one. This is a digital device that will replace your automatic thermostat. It is more accurate, efficient and flexible than an analog thermostat.