Rosenberg Plumbing & Air Blog - San Antonio, TX

Keeping Up With the Latest HVAC Trends

July 3, 2015

There are new trends that are sweeping the nation when it comes to HVAC. Many people are curious about these trends as they want to ensure that they are spending the least amount of money possible. Thus, some of these trends are critically important to the success of one keeping their energy bill low. New Standards Are Now In Place As of January 1st of this year, new standards have gone into place regarding HVAC units. These are tougher standards that are intended to make them as energy efficient as possible. The new standards have forced the companies that make these products to attempt to improve their products. However, one can still have the old standard equipment installed until July of next year. Most companies have already unrolled their brand new line of products though, so one might as well use the new products if possible. Smart Homes Technology has provided us with new, higher standards of living. Technologies are now being used to build smarter homes as well. Products on the market today make it possible for a homeowner to control the temperature and other factors about their home no matter where they are. There is no longer any...

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Optimize Your Cooling System with a Tune Up!

June 29, 2015

With summer in full swing, many people are now beginning to utilize their HVAC system more frequently. Like any other major appliance in your home, it is best to keep them maintained in order to be sure that they are working at their maximum efficiency, which will also help to save you money in the long run. Having a licensed and insured HVAC company come out to your home to perform a tune-up on your HVAC system will help to ensure that your equipment is working at its optimal performance level as well as help you to avoid costly, unnecessary, or untimely breakdowns by finding potential problems before they cause you trouble. What the Benefits are from Getting a Tune-Up: Many companies offer a membership program where they will come out a specified number of times a year in order to perform a tune-up on your HVAC equipment. Many of these companies also offer benefits if you are a part of their preventative maintenance program. As a preventative maintenance customer, you may receive some benefits such as a discounted rate on repairs or installations, same day service for emergencies, as well as priority scheduling during regular and overtime business hours....

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Set Your Thermostat to ‘Save’!

June 22, 2015

Set your thermostat throughout the year at the right temperature can have far-reaching benefits. First, you enjoy a comfortable home with significant savings in your energy costs all year long. Secondly, you are preserving natural resources and lessening your carbon footprint every single day. It only takes a change of a few degrees to make a difference, the key is knowing the ideal thermostat settings for every season. Winter Setting for Your Thermostat Turn that thermostat setting to the heat function, then place the temperature set at or around 67 or 68 degrees. During the day on especially cold days, you can put on a layer of clothing like a sweater or long sleeve t-shirt to keep warm. It is far cheaper to put on another shirt than it is to run the furnace for hours to heat the entire home just a few more degrees. During the evening, have the setting drop a couple more degrees. You will already be comfortable under the sheets and comforter and not even notice the difference. Spring Setting for Your Thermostat When the warm breezes of spring approaches, do not turn off your thermostat just yet. Leave the settings in the heat position...

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The History Behind Air Conditioning

June 12, 2015

Early Stages of Heating and Cooling Romans were the first civilization to think about controlling the temperature of a space. With their complex aqueduct systems they were able to circulate cool water throughout the walls of different buildings. They were even known to transport large amounts of ice and snow using donkeys to keep villas cool in the summer. Luxuries such as these were lost during the Dark Ages, where basic survival became a necessity over comfort, and didn’t return until centuries later during the 1800’s. Heating and Cooling Innovations In the 1800’s American engineers began to focus their energy on solving the heating a cooling problem that had plagued man since the beginning. Hand power rotary fans had been invented centuries prior and did a decent job at keeping a room cool, but not enough to stop the ambitions of engineers. In 1881, a President James Garfield was kept cool by having air blown at him through cotton sheets doused in ice water. This method was able to produce cold air, but it was not cost effective. The real innovations began when electricity was harnessed. Alternative current motors, created by Nikola Tesla, were able to make fans, which previously...

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How Dirty is Your Duct?

June 10, 2015

Clean air is essential. Recently, indoor air quality has become an important concern for homeowners. Many people live with the assumption that it’s normal for their HVAC ducts to harbor dust, pollen and debris. However, this is not true. The Environmental Protection Agency recommends duct cleaning under certain circumstances. Here are the five most frequent signs that it’s time to have your ducts cleaned. 1. Airborne Debris The most common indication for duct cleaning is dust and debris that’s blocking airflow or is released from your HVAC vents. Forced air systems pull dust in on the return side and force it out of vents on the supply side. A thorough duct cleaning can remove debris from both parts of the system. 2. Strange Odors If you notice unusual, musty or offensive odors when you enter your home or when your air conditioner turns on, it’s time to have your ducts cleaned. Foul odors can be caused by a variety of contaminants as well as underlying moisture problems. 3. Visible Mold Growth Mold is one of the most serious air quality problems. In addition to damaging your home, it can cause a variety of health problems. That’s why it’s important to...

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How to Avoid a Sinus Infection This Spring

May 29, 2015

Anyone who has ever had their furnace die in the middle of winter — or their AC unit stop working in the midst of a summer heatwave — knows the value of a well-functioning HVAC system. It’s vital to maintain these systems to make sure they keep on working for a long time to come. One critical component of this is HVAC air filters. Air filters need to be checked and changed out on a regular basis, but how often they should be changed depends on your unique circumstances. Do you have pets? Pets in the home, especially those that shed, can put an increased strain on your HVAC system and filter. Fur and dander can be pulled into the air conditioner or furnace and build up into a layer that decreases the efficiency of your HVAC system. This can get worse during weather extremes when your air conditioner or furnace is working overtime. If you have pets that shed, you should check your filter about once a month and have it changed out if needed. Do you have allergies? A fresh air filter can go a long way toward increasing the air quality in the home, and this is...

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Summer is Here! Stay Cool in the Face of High Energy Costs

May 22, 2015

Getting ready for the summer heat is something that every home owner must consider. There are a number of ways that this may be done. To ensure the best possible results the home owner can consider trying to do some of the things on their own, or they may choose to have their local HVAC company come and do an inspection for them. How Professionals Can Help The local HVAC professionals have the knowledge and the experience to check all aspects of the home energy efficiency as well as operating systems. These individuals can offer valuable advice on how to make the home the most comfortable temperature it can be for every season. One such way that these individuals can aid in getting the home ready for the summer heat is to inspect all air conditioning systems. A thorough check can be done that will offer the changing of filters, as well as checking the mechanics of the overall system. What May Enhance Cooling Efficiency Blinds and curtains can play an integral part in the coolness of your home during the summer heat. Using blinds to keep the sunlight from entering the home can aid in keeping the spaces cooler...

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7 Signs of an Inefficient HVAC Unit

May 15, 2015

7 Deadly Signs of an inefficient HVAC Unit Your HVAC system works hard to maintain a regular temperature inside your home. There are signs of an inefficient HVAC unit that could be costing you more money on repair bills. Maintaining your HVAC system will help it run more efficiently and prevent some repairs. Read about the clues that let you know your HVAC unit is not up to par. You will also learn when to call a professional for help. Refrigerant Too Low This is a common problem that presents itself during the spring and winter months. You have the air conditioner turned on but it simply is not cooling your home. Refrigerant problems require immediate professional help from your local HVAC contractor. You may have a leak that is preventing the refrigerant from cooling your home. Your HVAC contractor will repair the leak, and then charge the system with the right amount of coolant. Thermostat Sensor Problems The thermostat works hard to keep your home at a constant temperature. However, it does not last forever. If your HVAC system is not keeping the right temperature in your home, then the problem could be the thermostat. A trained professional can...

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5 Ways to Prevent Indoor Air Pollution

May 8, 2015

Preventing Indoor Air Pollution Although indoor air pollution is invisible, its effects are definitely able to be seen. Low indoor air quality causes difficulty with breathing, clogged air vents and a rise in allergies, among other things. Here are five ways that you can prevent indoor air pollution. Check the insulation on all doors and windows. A great deal of indoor air pollution comes from outside. Your doors and windows may shift during extreme changes in weather. Check their insulation to make sure that you are protected from outdoor elements. Have your HVAC system cleaned regularly. It is par for the course to accumulate dust and grime in your HVAC system over time; the entire point of the system is to catch it to keep it from entering your home. However, you must have the system cleaned routinely in order to prevent overload. Ventilate your home. Air pollution can also come from indoors as well. If you use hair spray or cook a great deal, you are letting loose pollutants in your air that need to be let out of the home. Make sure that the flue damper is open before you use the fireplace for an extended period of time. Wash...

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Go Green and Keep Your Green Where It Belongs… Your Wallet!

April 24, 2015

Rising energy costs are almost as predictable as the fact that the seasons will change. Throughout the hot summer months and the cold winter months, your home’s HVAC unit must work a bit extra to keep you comfortable inside your home. Listed below are a couple different tips and tricks to lowering your home’s energy consumption. Keep Your System Maintained And Your Home Properly Sealed Routine maintenance of your home’s HVAC unit helps ensure that it is always running at peak performance. When filters get clogged or the system is not maintained in general, it must work much harder to keep you comfortable. A well maintained HVAC unit will run at peak performance and help ensure that it is not using more energy than necessary to keep your home cool or warm. Drafts that happen within your home from windows or doors that are not properly sealed work against the HVAC unit in your home. Drafts allow outside air into the home, whether it is cool air in the winter, or warm air during the summer. Keeping your home properly sealed is just as important during the summer months as it is during the winter months. Turn Your Thermostat Down...

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