Texas AC Specialist

How to Buy the Best Type of HVAC Filter for Your Home

There are a few different types of HVAC filters on the market, and they can affect the performance of your air conditioning and heating system as well as your indoor air quality. It's important to know what is available so you can make the right choice when it comes to protecting your indoor air and enjoying energy efficiency at home.

Types of Filters
There are three main types of HVAC filters available today. Some filters are reusable, and can be a part of an integrated air purification system that works with your air conditioner and furnace. These filters can typically be washed several times before disposal, or may be rated to last a lifetime.

More commonly, homeowners are familiar with disposable filters. The most prevalent of these is a fiberglass floss filter, typically blue or white in color. These filters are not highly effective, while they do promote increased airflow to your HVAC system. A better choice, pleated filters are designed to offer increased surface area for greater particle capture. Many of these filters are also electrostatic, actively attracting particles. High-efficiency filters can provide a good capture rate without compromising airflow and decreasing the efficiency of your HVAC system.

MERV and MPR Ratings
The Minimum Efficiency Reporting Value and Microparticle Performance Rating are two ways to judge the efficacy of air filter. MERV is used as an industry standard, while MPR is exclusive to 3M filters. Higher MERV ratings denote better performance in small-particle capture, which is especially important as many irritants and pollutants like mold spores are very small in size and bypass low-efficiency filters. The MPR ratings are similar, though it specifically concerns particles on a scale of 0.3 and 1 microns in size.

Texas Air Conditioning Specialist can help you find the perfect air filter for your air conditioning and heating system. Visit us online to see how we can help improve your indoor air quality, or call us at (512) 236-5789 for additional information.

Every Home Deserves a Trane

With a long and proud history of more than a century, Trane is a well-known brand specializing in heating and air conditioning systems. These systems have been trusted for use in high-profile locations like the St. Louis Arch and the Statue of Liberty.

No matter what type of home you live in, whether it is your first house or a multistory estate, there is a Trane system for you. The standards that every Trane is built upon have been upheld with every system created for every home and facility since Trane began providing quality HVAC equipment.

Texas Air Conditioning Specialist proudly provides the best Trane systems for our clients. We also service these excellent systems, so visit us online or call us at (512) 236-5789 and schedule a consultation with us, because everyone deserves a Trane.

Easy Home Weatherization Tips to Help Boost HVAC Efficiency

You can make your air conditioning and heating system use less energy and help your home become more comfortable through weatherization. Weatherization encompasses several things, from the quality of your building envelope’s seal to the amount of insulation you have installed and where. However, there are several easy ways to give your home's weatherization little boost which can increase your energy efficiency and your comfort.

• Knock out drafts. Drafts are one of the main reasons we feel uncomfortable at home. Drafts can come in under doors and through the sides of windows that aren't properly sealed. A rolled-up towel or blanket can serve in a pinch to block the draft from underneath the door, while you can often find products specifically designed for this purpose in stores.

• Use drapes or curtains. Curtains can block some of the sun's heat during the day, or help block the chill in the winter. Heavier drapes are ideal, especially those that are designed to offer increased thermal performance. Window blinds can help, but aren't necessarily as effective. During the hottest part of the afternoon or the coolest part of the night, close your blinds and drapes to help conserve energy and stay comfy at home.

• Install weatherstripping. Check the weatherstripping around your doors and windows. You may even want to add caulking to the frames of your windows, which helps provide an airtight seal and can illuminate hot and cold spots.

• Use wintertime plastic. Specially-designed plastic can be installed over the inside of your windows to help create additional insulation. This type of plastic is easy to install and can save you from both uncomfortable cold zones near your windows and a high energy bills.

• Check your ductwork. Your ductwork needs to be weatherized as well, and it's important to have it inspected by a qualified A/C repair specialist. Leaky ducts can waste as much as 30 percent of the energy your HVAC system expends, which costs you on your bills.

To learn more about weatherizing your home for all seasons and enjoying maximum energy efficiency, contact Texas Air Conditioning Specialist at (512) 236-5789. We offer programmable thermostats and highly-efficient air conditioning and heating systems that can help you enjoy your-round comfort for less.

Learn More About HVAC Maintenance And Performance Ratings

These links can help you learn more about the differences between the efficiency ratings used to measure furnaces, air conditioners, and heat pumps as well as help you understand what's involved in a professional HVAC equipment inspection. For more detail information on these topics, you can contact Texas Air Conditioning Specialist at (512) 236-5789.

• Read more about AFUE, the efficiency rating for furnaces, on this page from ACEEE.org.
   
• Explore the basics of heat pump systems on this page from EnergySavers.gov, and understand what makes them so efficient in comparison to traditional HVAC units.
   
• Read this brochure from EnergyStar.gov to get some important information on maintaining your HVAC equipment for maximum efficiency.
   
• This file from FPL.com can help you understand what to look for in terms of efficiency with buying a new air conditioner.
   
• Check out this page from ThisOldHouse.com for information on what's involved in annual furnace maintenance.

Looking For More Home Cooling Tips? Click These Links For More Great Information!

With record temperatures heating up every corner of the country, it’s more important than ever that you keep your home cool and comfortable. At Texas Air Conditioning Specialist, we understand that and work hard to guarantee that all of our Austin customers are fully satisfied with their cooling service. Here are some tips we recommend on how to keep your home cool this year:

• To get all of the information you need on programmable thermostats, turn to the pros at Energy Star, a U.S. Government sponsored organization.
   
• The U.S. Department of Energy wants you to know more about the advantages of a mini-split pump.
   
• Don’t allow all of your heating and cooling to escape because of poor insulation. Well Home discusses the importance of attic insulation to your home.
   
• Have you ever wondered how your air conditioner works? Let the Weather Channel explain it to you.
   
• It’s easy to get confused about the different energy efficiency ratings. Learn about an important one, SEER, with help from the Environmental and Energy Study Institute.

If you want to learn even more about keeping your home cool, the experts at Texas Air Conditioning Specialist would love to show you how. Call us today at (512) 236-5789 to schedule an appointment or to discuss our various services.