Month: September 2020

We’ve finally made it to Fall! Here in West Texas, that means just a few more weeks of running your air conditioning. That said, the Fall is a great time to take advantage of a Clean and Check for your HVAC unit. City Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning can make sure you’re ready to make the switch from the A/C to the heater when the time comes! In this post, we’ll take a look at that all-important HVAC maintenance:

HOW OFTEN?

As a rule, you should get your HVAC checked out by a professional at least once a year. You may feel like it’s running fine, but there could be small issues you don’t see. Not catching them early could lead to bigger problems. We actually recommend twice a year. A once-over in the fall and spring when you’re in between the harsher seasons where you’ll be running your system more often. Of course, if you notice a problem in the summer or winter, let us know!

WHY CHECK?

Here are just a few of the reasons it’s important that your HVAC system get regular maintenance.

• Air conditioners: Dirt, dust, and other debris can accumulate at your outside A/C. Clearing the area around your external unit to keep it running efficiently.
• Make it last: Getting your HVAC maintained regularly will increase its overall lifespan. 
• Preventive maintenance: A routine maintenance check could catch something that would have turned into a bigger problem. Damage can be hard to spot if you’re not looking for it regularly.
• Electric bill: Regular maintenance will not only keep you comfortable, but it will also keep your electric bills low by ensuring that your unit is running efficiently.
• Condenser: This is a critical component of your HVAC, and failure to run properly could cause big problems.
• Drainpipe: Along with the condenser, if your drainpipe is blocked, this can cause significant water damage to your home. A simple check can detect and fix the problem.
• Air quality: A clean HVAC will have a significant, positive impact on the air quality in your home.
• Avoid expenses: Routine maintenance can help avoid expensive repairs in the future.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

Give City Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning a call today to make an appointment for your Fall Clean and Check. Call us at 432-366-2401. Give us a call, and we’ll come running!

Your HVAC unit is going to make some noise when it’s running. We’ve covered that in other posts, and the noises are usually caused by the HVAC unit itself. In this post, we’re going to talk about noises you hear when the air is running through your vents. For example, when flipping from A/C to your heater, the ductwork will expand and contract causing popping noises. This is normal during the transition to cooler weather. However, other things like loud or ongoing popping and miscellaneous sounds coming from your air ducts can be a problem.

COMMON AIR DUCT NOISE FACTORS

• Shape: Ducts can be round, square, or rectangular. Round ducts are usually the quietest, while rectangular ducts can be the loudest. Depending on your preferences for silence, this can potentially be a big difference in the noise level around the house! A couple of easy options to help keep it quieter include wrapping the ducts with insulation or using duct liners.
• Gauge Rating: If you have metal ducts, a lower gauge rating means the metal is thicker and stronger. This makes them less likely to pop for the reasons mentioned above. More popping means you probably have a higher gauge rating.
• Size: The power of your HVAC unit, as well as your ducts, should match the needs and size of your home. Larger ducts are needed to heat and cool a larger space, and vice versa. The wrong size can lead to more frequent expanding and contracting of the ducts, and thus louder and more prolonged popping.

MORE NOISE ADVICE

• If you are hearing strange noises that aren’t similar to the popping described above, it’s likely a good idea to have your system checked out by a professional. 
• Remember that closing vents around the house can create more stress on your unit, making it work harder to compete with air that’s not getting through the system like it’s designed.
• If ducts are bent or sagging, this could impact the airflow and cause unnecessary noise.
• When all else fails, always check the air filters! They should be replaced regularly.

WE’LL COME RUNNING

City Plumbing does more than just plumbing. Call us today at 432-366-2401 to find out how we can help you with all your HVAC issues! Also, ask us about our Fall HVAC Clean & Check! Give us a call, and we’ll come running!