How Does My Heat Pump Work, and What are the Benefits?

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How Does My Heat Pump Work, and What are the Benefits?

Feb 26, 2020

Family Having Fun

If you have a heat pump in your Hallsville, Texas, home, you know that it keeps your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Heat pumps are efficient and an excellent alternative to traditional furnaces and air conditioners. Let’s look at the basics of how a heat pump works and several benefits you’ll receive from having one in your home.

Heat Pump Basics

Heat pumps are ideal for milder climates, as they transfer warm outdoor air into your home or expel hot indoor air outside. During the colder months, the outdoor air contains enough heat energy for the heat pump to extract heat from outdoors and transfer it inside. During the warm months, the heat pump has its reversing valve switched and draws hot air from inside your house and expels it outside, making your home feel cooler.

How Heat Pumps Work as an Air Conditioner

Once the reversing valve of the system gets switched to cooling mode, the cold refrigerant, whose primary function is to absorb heat, circulates through the evaporator coil inside the interior unit of the heat pump system. From there, the now hot refrigerant ends up in the condenser coil of the outside part of the heat pump system. Fans then blow over the hot refrigerant and expel the heat to the outside. The heat is constantly extracting hot air from inside and exhausting it to the outside in a loop as long as the air conditioner is running.

How Heat Pumps Work As a Heater

During the winter, the reversing valve position gets changed to heating mode. The heat pump system extracts heat energy from the outside air into the condenser coil, which now acts as the evaporator coil. Fans blow this warm air over the refrigerant, which absorbs the heat from the condenser coil and carries the warm air into your home. Again, this is a continuous loop while the heating mode is running.

What Kind of Heat Pumps Are Available?

  • Air-source heat pumps: These are the most common types of heat pumps. They transfer warm air from the inside of the house to the outside and transfer warm outside air inside.
  • Geothermal heat pumps: Geothermal heat pumps transfer heat from your house to the ground and vice versa. Ground temperatures stay at a fairly consistent temperature year-round, so there’s plenty of heat energy for the heat pump to extract.
  • Water-source heat pumps: Similar to air-source heat pumps, water-source heat pumps extract and dissipate heat through a series of pipes laid at the bottom of a body of water. This type of system needs a body of water nearby with a fairly consistent temperature.

What Are Some Benefits of Having a Heat Pump?

  • They’re energy-efficient. Because they don’t generate warm or cool air but simply transfer it, the system uses far less energy than a traditional HVAC system.
  • They last a long time. With proper maintenance, a heat pump can last for 20-25 years, while furnaces and air conditioners may only last 15-20 years.
  • You’ll save money on energy bills. Because the heat pump isn’t generating hot or cool air, it uses less electricity, saving you money on energy bills.
  • You only have one system to maintain. Instead of maintaining a heater and an air conditioner, our service technicians only have to maintain one outdoor unit and one indoor unit.
  • They help reduce your carbon footprint. Because you’re using less electricity to heat or cool your home, and you’re not burning fuel, heat pumps reduce the negative impact on the environment, improving your carbon footprint.

As you can see, heat pumps are very beneficial for your home. To have a new heat pump installed or your existing heat pump maintained, give JD’s A/C a call today to schedule an appointment. We look forward to speaking with you at (903) 336-6401.

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The Importance of Proper HVAC Sizing

Air Conditioning AC Outside

6 of the Best Technologies for Improving Your IAQ

Jan 26, 2019

Air Conditioning AC Outside

Adding a new HVAC system to your house in Longview, Texas, is a big step toward making a more comfortable home. While you have many options to choose from, remember that there’s one feature that you must correctly consider for your HVAC system to be effective. HVAC systems come in different sizes, and you need an appropriately sized unit for your house. Here’s a look at the importance of proper HVAC sizing.

HVAC System That’s Too Small

HVAC systems should be sized according to the space that they will serve. If you choose an HVAC system that’s too small, it won’t keep up with the power you’re asking it to pull to reach the set temperature. As a result, it won’t be able to properly maintain a comfortable home environment. Your electricity bills will skyrocket, too, as your system will have to work harder to cool your home.

HVAC System That’s Too Large

Many homes often have HVAC systems that are too big for their needs. That’s because homeowners think that “bigger must be better.” However, systems that are too big cycle off before they completely cool your home. As a result, you’ll experience inconsistent temperatures, high energy bills, and increased repairs due to wear and tear.

Because these systems turn themselves on and off so frequently, oversized AC units don’t run for a long enough period to dehumidify your air. As a result, they also leave your family feeling sticky and uncomfortable on hot days.

Calculate Your Space’s Needs

To know what HVAC system is the right size, a service technician will calculate the needs of your space using a Manual J calculation. The service technician will begin by measuring the overall square footage of your space. Then, the service technician will calculate the BTU (amount of energy used to cool a space) by multiplying your square footage by 25. This will give them a base BTU score that your new HVAC system should reach.

The output of an HVAC unit is measured in tons of air processed and moved. You need a system that can move the right tonnage of air per hour for your space. However, not every space has the same requirements. It depends on the climate in which you reside.

For example, two 1,600-square-foot homes in different climates can need different ton ratings. The house in the hotter climate requires a higher rating since there’s more heat to remove from the air. Therefore, that house needs a stronger system.

A basic unit can move 400 tons and hotter climates can add up to 25 percent of needed cooling power. So, calculate your system needs based off of a 400-ton system, then adjust it by 25 percent to see what the range of systems and costs will be limited to.

The Benefits of a Correctly Sized System

All homes need the correct size of HVAC system to work their best. Getting the right size unit for your home’s needs means less short-cycling, which means less strain on your system to work. It also means improved humidity control, ensuring that your house will remain comfortable, even on the hottest days.

Maintaining Your New System

Once you get your new system that’s correctly sized for your home, make sure you’re taking care of it to keep it working at its best. Schedule regular preventive maintenance to catch any issues early before they become serious. This way, you’re maximizing the system’s efficiency for years to come.

One thing is clear: Every home needs an HVAC system to maintain comfort. Picking the right system can be complicated, but it’s much easier with the help of trained professionals who can measure your space accurately. If you aren’t sure about what size of an HVAC system you need for your home, consult one of our specialists. Call JD’s A/C at (903) 336-6041 to learn more about our residential HVAC services.

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A Guide to Ductless Mini-Split HVAC Systems

Couple Couch Ductless AC

A Guide to Ductless Mini-Split HVAC Systems

May 25, 2019

Couple Couch Ductless AC

Ductless mini-split systems have been around for a while, but they’ve changed significantly since their invention. Modern ductless mini-split systems are sleeker and more effective than their predecessors. They’re quickly becoming a popular alternative climate control choice. If you’re thinking about installing a ductless mini-split system in your Longview, Texas, home, we’ve created this guide to help you decide if one is right for you.

What They Are

Ductless mini-split systems are alternatives to traditional central air conditioning systems. While not intended to completely replace a central system, they work well as supplemental devices and can provide excellent climate control in your home.

Each system consists of two main components: one interior and one exterior. The only construction required to install these systems is a small hole in an exterior wall of your home. Therefore, they’re a great choice for homeowners who don’t want extensive remodeling to install a new system.

The interior portion of the ductless mini-split system often mounts high on the wall in order to best distribute air in the selected room. Former systems were much clunkier and could be loud. But modern ductless mini-splits are extremely quiet and much more subtle.

How They Work

Ductless mini-split systems work similarly to traditional central HVAC systems. They use refrigerant to capture the heat in your home and move it to the outside portion of the system where it’s cooled and returned to your interior to supply fresh air.

As previously stated, all this system needs is a small three-inch hole drilled in the wall through which the drain, refrigerant and electrical lines pass. They’re a fantastic alternative to window-mounted units and bulky systems that take up a lot of space.

Ductless mini-split systems also use an inverter-driven compressor. It works by speeding up or slowing down the system’s processes. As a result, it helps you save energy by never completely shutting off during normal functioning.

Pros of Ductless Mini-Split Systems

There are a number of pros associated with ductless mini-split systems. Thanks to their lack of ductwork, they save significantly more energy than central systems. In addition, their filtration system can remove most, if not all, unwanted contaminants from your home’s air.

Since they don’t connect to the main system and require no ductwork, ductless mini-split systems can reduce the strain on the central system without requiring the expensive and difficult process of installing ductwork. You can install them in any room of the house, so long as there’s access to the exterior.

This makes them an ideal choice for several situations. New home additions may add on square footage your central unit isn’t large enough to handle. Instead of extending ductwork and buying a new central system, a ductless mini-split can pick up the slack.

Historic homes that have either limited central air or none at all are another great candidate for a ductless mini-split. This is especially true with historic homes built in such a way that ductwork installation is impossible.

Finally, you can install ductless mini-split systems to zone your home. If you have a family member who prefers or requires a different temperature than the rest, a ductless mini-split system can function as their own personal climate control technology. It’ll work independently from the rest of the home to keep them comfortable without changing the overall temperature of your home.

Are you interested in adding a ductless mini-split to your home? Don’t settle on anything but the best. Call JD’s A/C at (903) 336-6041 to set up an appointment today. Our team of experienced service technicians will make sure your system operates at peak efficiency and saves you money.

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4 Common HVAC Installation Mistakes That Can Cost You

Man Installing HVAC System

4 Common HVAC Installation Mistakes That Can Cost You

Mar 28, 2019

Man Installing HVAC System

Installing a new HVAC system in your Longview, Texas, home can mean the start of better energy efficiency and lower bills. It’s important to have a trusted company complete your HVAC installation to make sure that everything goes off without a hitch. Poor or improper installation can lead to a host of problems in the long run. Check out the four common HVAC installation mistakes listed below that could spell disaster for your home.

Choosing the Wrong Size Furnace

A good installation company should be able to recommend the proper size and capacity of system that’ll fit your home. They will take into account the square footage of your home, the number of rooms, and any issues that may make it less efficient. After assessing all of this, they should provide you with options that’ll best work in your home.

Unfortunately, not all companies perform the needed assessment before presenting you with options. This can lead to problems down the road. They may also try to recommend their biggest or most expensive product. Or they may simply tell you to replace it with one the current size. While installing the same size may seem like a good idea, there’s a chance that it wasn’t a good fit for your home to begin with.

If your system is too large, it can lead to problems with your comfort and higher utility bills. Systems that are too small will constantly cycle. As a result, they’ll expend a lot of energy and never get your home to the right temperature.

Poor Design of the Air Distribution

Your HVAC system’s job is to heat or cool your home to your desired temperature. Yet, to get the air where it needs to go to be effective, it’ll need to go through a serious of ducts. This is where the air distribution design will come into play.

First off, the size of the ductwork will need to be able to match the output of the capacity of the unit. Also, it’ll need to be properly installed to make surethere are no cracks or leaks where you can lose air. In some cases, contractors will simply use the existing ductwork. This can be a problem and lead to wasted energy if you’re using a higher capacity system than before.

You also need to make sure the ductwork assures proper travel of air to all areas in your home. You don’t want to end up with rooms that are overly hot or cold when compared to the rest of the house.

Faulty Installation of the Ductwork

Some contractors may use cheap or poorly constructed materials when installing ductwork. If the ductwork is incorrectly installed, or if it;s installed with poor quality materials, it can lead cracks and gaps on the system. They also may use tape to seal pieces together instead of using a more durable type of sealant. When this occurs, it’ll only be a short time before you start experiencing leaks. Leaking ductwork will cause your system to work less efficiently and lead to higher monthly utility bills.

Poor Design of the Drainage Systems

Another problem with the design of your system that can lead to problems in the future is a poorly designed drainage system. When you upgrade to a new, more energy-efficient furnace, it can produce a significant amount of wastewater. This water should be safely drained away from your system so that it doesn’t cause damage to it or the surrounding areas.

When the design of this system is faulty, it can lead to water damage in your home as well. It also can lead to backups that can freeze and cause your system to fail in cold weather conditions.

Your new HVAC system is an investment that you should take seriously. Don’t run into problems from a poorly installed system. Contact the HVAC specialists at JD’s A/C by calling (903) 336-6041 today to schedule your HVAC installation with a trusted professional.

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6 of the Best Technologies for Improving Your IAQ

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6 of the Best Technologies for Improving Your IAQ

Jan 26, 2019

Dust Mite Close Up

Having good indoor air quality in your Liberty City, Texas, home is important for the health and comfort of your family. Modern technology has given us several fantastic indoor air quality (IAQ) devices, ranging from single-room options to whole-home solutions. We’ve created this guide to introduce you to the available IAQ improvement options and help you pick the one that’s right for you!

Air Purifiers

Firstly, you need to clean your home’s air to improve IAQ. Air purifiers are one of the most common devices associated with improved IAQ. They come in a variety of sizes, from whole-home to small-space units. There’s also a range of purifier styles. They may use ions, UV lights or multistage filtration to purify the air. These air purifiers focus on eliminating pollutants from the air. They can also help manage unpleasant smells. Therefore, they’re a popular choice for pet owners.

UV Lights

UV lights are increasing in popularity as a way to improve IAQ, and they may be a good fit for your home. Service technicians often install them inside ductwork or near coils. They work by using targeted lighting to kill germs and bacteria. Although they’ve become more effective with improving IAQ, some users still report mixed results with their usage. This solution has traditionally been one of the pricier IAQ improvement options.

Dehumidifiers

Having balanced humidity in your home is vital for a high IAQ. Too much humidity can create the perfect environment for allergy-triggering dust mites or biological growth. On the other hand, too little humidity can lead to irritated sinuses, dry skin and itchy throats.

Dehumidifiers work by removing moisture from the air and collecting it for easy disposal. Many systems remove a set percentage of moisture, ensuring there’s enough left in the air for a comfortable balance. Because Liberty City can get humid during the summers and winters are often just as damp, a dehumidifier is a smart choice for balancing moisture levels in your home.

Air Quality Monitors

Air quality monitors let homeowners keep a close eye on the status of the air in their home. Many modern monitors even connect smartphone apps, allowing instant and spontaneous checks. Air quality monitors are ideal for homeowners with sensitive lungs or family members with chronic conditions triggered by poor air quality. Some monitors give only a general idea of what the IAQ is like, while other systems can identify individual particulates and give homeowners an in-depth look at what’s occurring with their home’s air. As a result, you can pinpoint and resolve poor IAQ issues more quickly.

Filtration Systems

Looking for a whole-home solution? Filtration systems that work with your HVAC system can make a huge difference in your home’s IAQ.

While many air quality systems work on air that’s already been introduced to your living spaces, filtration systems do their job before the HVAC system disperses the air. For example, the REME Generator Advanced Oxidation System can reduce the presence of microorganisms in your home by more than 99 percent and circulate cleaner air in your home. It works by using a particle-bonding technology to improve the filtration of pollutants like dust and pollen. As a result, it’ll improve your home’s indoor air quality and help you breathe easier in your living spaces.

Ventilators

Finally, ventilators are commonplace home climate control additions that can help reduce the presence of undesirable contaminants while improving the freshness of your home’s air. Many homes already have ventilators in place, but new home ventilators — particularly ones designed for the kitchen — show a remarkable improvement over older models. Some can even kick on automatically to remove extra-humid or contaminated air. These ventilators are great alternatives to opening a window or using an outdated system that wastes vital energy.

If you’re concerned about your home’s IAQ, JD’s A/C can help! Our air quality experts can assess your home and find the system that works best for you. Give us a call at (903) 336-6041 for a consultation today!

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Should I Go Ductless?

Woman Pointing to Air Conditioning

Should I Go Ductless?

Nov 26, 2018 

Woman Pointing to Air Conditioning

Managing indoor comfort in your Longview, Texas, home can be a challenge. With unpredictable temperatures and weather spikes, you may feel like you’re constantly adjusting the thermostat. One way to boost home comfort while improving energy efficiency is to install a ductless HVAC system. Take a closer look at this option to figure out if it’s a good fit at your home.

How Ductless HVAC Systems Work

A ductless HVAC system, as its name suggests, doesn’t rely on ducts to move heated or cooled air. Instead, this type of system uses multiple mini-split units placed in various zones around the house. Mini-splits have two main components: the indoor air-handling unit and the outdoor unit that contains the condenser and compressor.

For many homeowners, ductless units supplement central heating and air conditioning systems. You can add several mini-split units to provide more targeted heating and cooling, which reduces the pressure on your central HVAC system while maintaining a more comfortable atmosphere. When you want to cool or heat certain rooms, simply adjust the temperature on that room’s unit rather than heating or cooling the entire home.

Advantages of Ductless HVAC Systems

Ductless HVAC systems come with a number of benefits, one of which is flexibility. It’s easy to adjust one unit in the room you’re currently using without having to worry about the AC running all day to cool the entire home. In two-story homes, a ductless unit on the upper level can provide much-needed cooling when it’s hotter upstairs. Many models can connect up to four indoor units via a single outdoor unit.

Improved efficiency is another benefit of ductless HVAC systems. Because the air isn’t moving through ducts, you don’t have to worry about air loss through gaps and leaks. Air loss can account for a significant portion of energy usage in your HVAC system, especially when ducts are installed in an area of the home that isn’t air conditioned, like the attic or crawlspace. Ducts can also harbor contaminants, decreasing the indoor air quality.

When you rely on a ductless system more often, you can reduce the amount of pressure put on your central HVAC system. As a result, you’ll extend its lifespan.

Disadvantages of Ductless HVAC Systems

One of the drawbacks of installing a ductless system in your home is the expense. The cost varies, depending on the size and needs of your home. The average cost of a ductless HVAC installation is around $1,500 per 12,000 BTU of cooling capacity per hour.

Some customers don’t like the look of the indoor units, which are often mounted on the ceiling or the wall. A central unit, on the other hand, relies on ducts, which are hidden behind the walls or between the floors. That way, you won’t see the components as much in your home.

Installation Process

If you decide to move forward with a ductless system, it’s important to contact an HVAC team with experience in this area. Not all HVAC companies offer ductless options, nor are all service technicians experienced enough to handle the installation process.

At JD’s A/C, installing ductless systems is one of our specialties, so we’re happy to install a system at your home. We start by calculating the load and determining the needs of your home. These calculations will involve analyzing the layout of the house, the number of rooms and the overall size.

Improperly sized HVAC units can cause problems. A unit that’s too small can’t keep up with the needs of the space. An oversized unit tends to run on a shorter cycle, which can waste energy and cost you more each month. When we install your ductless system, we’ll make sure to choose the proper size and provide you with units that will deliver the benefits you want.

Do you want to learn more about ductless HVAC and the benefits these heating and cooling systems can offer? Contact JD’s A/C at (903) 336-6041 for expert advice and friendly service.

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6 Reasons You Need to Replace Your HVAC Filter

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6 Reasons You Need to Replace Your HVAC Filter

Oct 26, 2018

Family Thumbs Up

You can face any number of allergens and pollutants in the Longview, Texas, area. Although it’s easy to overlook, your HVAC filter is a crucial part of your climate control system. Replacing your HVAC filter regularly will help keep airborne hazards out of your home while delivering a wealth of valuable benefits. Here are six reasons you need to replace your HVAC filter every 30 to 90 days:

Improve Your Indoor Air Quality

Texas homeowners face several indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns, including dust, dander, and pollen. If you have high levels of these irritants in the air, you can suffer from a wide range of symptoms associated with poor IAQ including headaches, congestion, nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. Issues like coughing and sneezing are often mistaken for a persistent cold when the issue may really lie with your air filter.

You can improve your IAQ quickly and efficiently by changing your AC filter. This allows you to dispose of the irritants trapped within. A new filter will more efficiently capture any new hazards in the air to help you breathe easily.

Minimize Asthma and Allergies

If you suffer from asthma and allergies, IAQ is particularly important. Your HVAC filter is your first line of defense against the irritants that may cause your symptoms to flare up. While some families can get away with a filter change every two or three months, you should increase the frequency to once a month or more if allergies and asthma attacks are a problem in your home.

Boost HVAC Performance

The filter in your HVAC system sits at the point where it first pulls air in. By capturing dust and dirt here, the filter prevents these hazards from making it further into your HVAC system. If these airborne particles make it into your unit, they can clog the coils, block your blower, and accumulate in the ducts. A system caked in dust and debris simply can’t perform at peak efficiency.

Regular maintenance visits are important for cleaning off these interior components and keeping them in prime condition. However, regular filter changes between tune-ups will minimize the accumulation of dust and help keep your system clean for as long as possible.

Enjoy a Cleaner Home

Do you notice small particles floating in the air in your home? Is there always a layer of dust to wipe off of flat surfaces when you’re cleaning?

A new air filter can help you battle both of these problems. If you’re keeping up with regular filter changes but still find the house dusty, consider upgrading your filter. A Comfort EZ Flex Cabinet Air Filter can capture particles as small as one micron in size. If you move up to an Infinity Air Purifier GAPA, you’ll capture 95 percent of particles as small as 0.3 microns in size.

Lower Your Energy Expenses

It takes more energy for your HVAC system to pull air through a clogged filter than through a clean one. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, replacing your air filter can lower your energy consumption anywhere from 5 to 15 percent. This is a quick way to cut cooling costs.

Get Fresh-Smelling Air

A dirty air filter simply can’t provide you with the clean, fresh air that you deserve. If you haven’t changed your filter recently, it may even have an unpleasant odor of its own. A musty or sour smell can be the result of a clogged air filter or unwanted growth in this area.

Swapping your old filter out for a fresh clean one can have a major impact on the way your home smells. Instead of masking odors with scented candles or home sprays, get to the root of the cause and replace your HVAC filter.

Complement your filter changes with regular maintenance for the best performance and perks. If you haven’t seen an HVAC service technician within the last 12 months, it’s time to schedule a visit. Call JD’s A/C at (903) 759-7483 to make an appointment now.

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3 Most Common Causes of HVAC Energy Waste

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3 Most Common Causes of HVAC Energy Waste

Sep 25, 2018

Hand Air Filter Sky

Good housekeeping goes beyond simply dusting surfaces and mopping your floors. For your home in Gilmer, Texas, to feel comfortable, all of its components need to be in good working order. Your home’s HVAC system is a critical part of maintaining comfortable temperatures throughout in your house. To maintain your ideal level of comfort, you also need to ensure that your home’s HVAC system isn’t wasting energy. Discover how dirty air filters, clogged ducts and poor airflow can result in HVAC energy waste.

Dirty Air Filters

Dirty air filters in your home’s HVAC system aren’t something to take lightly. Filthy coils, caused by low-quality and dirty air filters, will impede the proper operation of your system. When your system can’t perform the way it should, it’ll face expensive breakdowns and a shortened lifespan. Additionally, you’ll also deal with higher energy bills as the HVAC system continually cycles on and off in order to maintain comfortable temperatures inside your home.

Regularly replacing or cleaning the air filters inside your HVAC system allows it to operate at peak efficiency. The change of seasons offers an ideal time to remind yourself to replace the air filters. Remember to replace your HVAC system’s air filter at least every 90 days.

Clogged Ductwork

The ducts in your home are responsible for transferring heat and cool air to the rooms of your house. Clogged or improperly maintained ductwork can inhibit the free movement of air and cause inadequate heating or cooling inside your home. As a result, you may find yourself adjusting your home’s thermostat to correct temperature issues that occur inside your home. Ultimately, though, the frequent thermostat adjustments only force your HVAC system to use more energy than necessary to maintain comfortable temperatures.

Every two to five years, ask an HVAC professional certified by the National Air Duct Cleaners Association to inspect your home’s ductwork for blockages. People who smoke in their homes and individuals who have pets should have their ducts inspected for problems more often. Regular inspections will also help to identify any issues within the ductwork that could turn into expensive repairs later.

Poor Airflow

If you own an older home and your rooms have grates or grilles in the floors or walls, your house is likely served by a forced-air HVAC system. With this type of system, conditioned air enters the rooms of your home through ductwork and returns to the HVAC system through return vents.

Older homes with these types of forced-air systems can experience problems with poor airflow throughout the house. In rooms without return vents, closing doors to rooms doesn’t give the air a chance to return to the HVAC system. When the air can’t return to the system, the return-supply cycle gets disrupted. As a result, it’ll force the system to work harder. You’ll experience uneven heating or cooling in some areas of the house and drafts in others, not to mention wasted energy and higher utility bills.

To deal with vent issues, you can trim doors by about an inch so they don’t completely seal off a room. Adding a jumper duct, which runs from a room without vents to a return vent, can also help to increase the efficiency of airflow from the room to the HVAC system. Installing additional return vents is another energy-efficient solution you may want to consider.

Properly maintaining your home’s HVAC system is an important step toward making your home and family feels comfortable. It’s also the best way to prevent HVAC energy waste. JD’s A/C can give you the best in service and installation for all models of HVAC equipment. Contact us today by calling (903) 759-7483.

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6 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Pet-Friendly Home

Family Couch Dog Home

6 Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality in Your Pet-Friendly Home

Jul 28, 2018

Family Couch Dog Home

Your pets are part of your family, and you want them to feel comfortable in your home. Unfortunately, allowing your pets to have free range in your home increases hair and pet dander. That can cause problems with the air quality in your Longview, Texas, home. The good news is there are ways you can reduce the amount of pet dander circulating through the air as well as improve your indoor air quality.

Maintain a Regular Grooming Schedule

Maintaining a regular grooming schedule for your pets helps reduce dander in your home. It also helps your pet feel better.

Bath your pets every week or two, and brush them at least once every other day. You can also use special cat dander wipes to remove dander from your cat. When you groom your pet, you’ll remove much of the dander from its coat as well as loose hair that can circulate through your home and worsen your air quality.

Clean Your Home Frequently

When you have pets, routine deep cleaning becomes a necessity. When accidents happen, you’ll want to clean them right away.

Vacuum your home regularly, especially areas where your pet likes to frequent, to remove excess hair and dander that has come off of its coat. You’ll also want to dust and wipe surfaces frequently. Dander can find its way around your house and settle in places with little traffic.

Clean Kennels and Litter Boxes Frequently

If your pet regularly spends time in a kennel or uses a litter box, clean the enclosure once a day if possible. For litter boxes used by multiple cats, it’s best to clean them twice a day. These areas will have high amounts of dander due to the fact that your pet uses them frequently.

Regularly Change Your Air Filters

Your HVAC filters are responsible for trapping dust, dirt and dander before they get into your HVAC system. If you don’t inspect and replace yours on a regular basis, it can become clogged and cause debris to start circulating through your home.

A clogged filter can also reduce the amount of airflow coming out of your vents. Changing your filter once a month will help you keep the trapped dander out of your ducts and allow the air to flow freely throughout your home.

Keep Your Pet’s Bedding Clean

It’s vital to clean your pet’s bedding on a regular basis. The bedding is where your pet is most likely to leave large amounts of hair and dander.

If left unwashed, this hair and dander will continue to get tracked throughout the home. Make sure everything is thoroughly washed at least once a week. If your pet has turned a piece of furniture into its bed, make sure to vacuum it and use upholstery cleaner.

Consider Regular Duct Cleaning

Over time, the dirt and dander that comes from your pets can become trapped in your air ducts. When this occurs, the dander will continue to cycle through the system, worsening your air quality and wreaking havoc on those who suffer from allergies. If you notice dirt around your vents or your allergies start acting up, contact an HVAC specialist to inspect your ductwork and clean it if needed.

Don’t let dander from your beloved pets cause you and your family to suffer from poor air quality in your home. If you’d like more information on ways to improve your air quality while keeping your pets at home, contact the HVAC specialists at JD’s AC at (903) 759-7483 today. We can perform a duct cleaning or provide another service that will improve indoor air quality. We’re here to ensure you lead a healthier life.

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4 Expensive HVAC Repairs You Can Avoid

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4 Expensive HVAC Repairs You Can Avoid

Nov 16, 2017

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Having the air conditioner break down is one of the most inconvenient, expensive issues that homeowners in Tatum, Texas, will face. You can prevent most expensive AC repairs by investing in regular preventative maintenance. Yearly checkups by a qualified service technician reduce the amount of breakdowns, catching small problems before they become huge repairs.

Refrigerant Leaks

Your air conditioning unit houses refrigerant in its coils. The coils help keep your home cool and comfortable. When refrigerant levels get low, the condenser has to work harder to keep the air at the right temperature. When the condenser works overtime for an extended period of time, it can quit altogether.

It can take quite a bit of time for a professional to diagnose, locate and fix a refrigerant leak, costing you hundreds and even thousands. Then, you’ll pay an additional charge to fill the AC refrigerant. Annual maintenance costs considerably less and takes just a few hours.

Compressor Failure

Your air conditioner’s compressor moves the refrigerant through your system to remove heat and humidity. Compressor failure is usually the result of dirty coils that make the system work extra hard to expel heat.

When the compressor overheats, it can break down. Incorrectly sized suction lines or blocked lines cause undue stress on your system that, if left unrepaired, will cause costly problems.

Compressor replacement is one of the most expensive, time-consuming AC repairs. Expect to spend between $1,300 and $1,800 for a newly installed compressor. You could also pay up to $250 for a compressor repair start kit, depending on the damage. Preventative maintenance plans cost much less.

Condenser Breakdown

Your home’s HVAC unit has two parts: one inside and one outside. The outdoor part is called the condenser, where your unit releases heat outside through condensation.

The condenser includes the compressor, blower fan, condenser coils, and motors and capacitors that power it all. Condenser breakdowns happen because of damage by debris, leaking refrigerant or electrical issues.

Since the condenser has many parts, it can take hours for a service technician to diagnose and repair the problem. The costs can add up quickly.

Preventative Maintenance Is Key

Many expensive air conditioner problems start as a small, inexpensive issue that becomes bigger. When you opt for regular preventative maintenance, you’ll avoid breakdowns caused by dirty coils, debris, loose wiring, low refrigerant or low lubricant levels. Thorough inspections and tune-ups address these issues and more, keeping your system running in tip-top shape.

When you enroll in a preventative maintenance program, your system will get inspected, cleaned, and tuned up before the hot, humid air arrives. You will be less likely to suffer breakdowns in the heat of the summer and have to pay for emergency calls and repair. You won’t have to think about your system working at its best when you need it.

You’ll enjoy lower electric bills since your system will run more efficiently. Like your vehicle, regular tune ups help your AC system run better while using less energy.

Your air conditioner will have a longer life when it’s regularly maintained. Many systems can last up to 20 years when regularly maintained, a much longer life than the average system.

At JD’s A/C, we have more than 30 years of service for home and business owners in the area. From maintenance to installation, our trained professionals will work with you to get you back on track. Call JD’s A/C at (903) 759-7483 to schedule a preventative maintenance check or learn more.

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