Prepare Your Furnace for the Summer

Summer in Houston provides more than enough heat for residents. So, the furnace will sit quietly until the few winter months come again. Many people are not sure what to do with their furnace over the many months of summer. Should I turn it off? Do I continue to maintain its quality? Is there anything I need to do before the summer?

These questions you may have are important when it comes to your furnace. There are a few actions you can take to ensure the quality of your furnace during the summer season. Follow the tips below to make sure your furnace is in tip-top shape next winter.

Steps Toward a Hibernating Furnace

Homeowners’ furnaces will enter hibernation for the long summer months, so a handful of steps need to be taken in order for the furnace to run smoothly next winter.

1. Turn off the pilot light

2010 marked the year most gas furnaces switched to electronic ignitions. However, furnaces can last up to 20 years. That said, you will want to turn your pilot light off for the hot summer. Leaving a pilot light on can impact your gas bill during the summer months. Furthermore, your air conditioning may need to work harder to keep the entire home cool.

If your furnace is a newer model, then it most likely won’t have a pilot light.

2. Clean the Furnace and Check the Air Filter

Before your furnace goes into hibernation, be sure to clean it thoroughly. Once the furnace sits over the summer, it will naturally collect dust and dirt. Clean as much of that dust and dirt out as possible before it lies dormant. If you leave the filth in your furnace, then it could impact its efficiency and quality.

A portion of the furnace you really need to check is the air filter. If you have not checked your air filter over the winter months, then you should replace it before the summer. Replacing it will save you time and money later when you want to use your furnace again.

3. Shut Off the Furnace

If you have a gas furnace, then you will need to shut off the gas supply. Electric furnaces can simply be turned off at the thermostat. The gas line should be located near your furnace. The furnace should be cut from its gas supply in order to prevent the build-up of unnecessary gas. Additionally, it can prevent leakage of the gas, which would affect the gas bill.

Get your furnace inspected before the winter so you can start running the heat without issues.

4. Have Houston Admiral Inspect It

Before the summer is in full swing, have a Houston Admiral technician inspect the unit. Our technicians can examine the furnace to see if any issues are present. This helps homeowners prepare their furnace before winter.

Schedule an Inspection Today

If you want to be prepared for next winter, get in touch with the Houston Admiral team today. Homeowners can reach the team by calling (281) 876-9400. For details on additional services, visit our residential heating and cooling services page. Secure the quality and life of your furnace with these steps.

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Is Your Furnace Blowing Cool Air?

If you have just turned on your furnace for the first time this winter, you may experience some issues. A common problem Houston Admiral is contacted for is furnaces blowing cold air. There are a handful of reasons this issue may arise. Fortunately, homeowners can use the following troubleshooting techniques before calling us.

In the case that your furnace does not improve from the tips provided, give Houston Amiral a call today. Each of the technicians is professional and experienced in heating and cooling systems. They will inform you of the issue and suggest the best solution possible.

The Fan Setting

Homeowners experiencing hot and cold air out of their furnace may want to check their thermostats fan setting. If your thermostat says the fan is on then, it will continue to run regardless of the furnace blowing hot or cold air. Instead of the on position, turn the thermostat setting to auto, so it adjusts accordingly.

Check the Air Filter

If none of these troubleshooting techniques work, one of our technicians can assist.

The air filter is an essential part of the furnace. If it is clogged, then the air filter stops airflow from exiting. The heat exchanger will then overheat, which subsequently leads the furnace to shut down its burners. So, turn off the furnace via the thermostat and check the air filter. Change it if it is dirty, or you can call Houston Admiral to help.

Is the Pilot Light Out?

Since 2010, gas furnaces have removed the standard pilot light feature. However, if you are still running an older model, the pilot light may be out. Turn off the furnace from the thermostat and then find the pilot light assembly. Inside, you should see a reset switch with three options: pilot, off, and on. Turn it to the off position for about five minutes. The gas leading to the pilot will shut off.

Then, turn the switch to the pilot position. Gas will begin flowing back toward the pilot light. Place a lighter near the pilot opening, and you should get a blue flame on the pilot. Then, turn the switch to the on position. Finally, turn the furnace back on at the thermostat.

Call the Professionals

If your furnace is still blowing hot air after these troubleshooting tips, then give Houston Admiral a call at (281) 876-9400. We would be happy to inspect the furnace and find out the problem. Be sure to visit our residential heating and cooling services page to find out more about what we can do for your furnace.

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Ways to Lower Furnace Usage

Houston residents usually don’t have to run the furnace all the much. However, there are weeks where you will have to run the furnace to keep the apartment or house warmer. If you want to keep the furnace off for as long as possible, then there are ways to reduce its usage.

The following tips will help you reduce the usage of your furnace and save some money. For some, it may be difficult to run the furnace at all because the price is so high. So, there are ways of keeping that furnace off during the winter months.

Clothing and Activity

The head and feet are the areas of the body that lose the most heat. So, wear more clothing during the winter months in order to keep the furnace off. Be sure to wear socks throughout the house and a sweatshirt with a hoodie. That way, your body stays warm, and your extremities do the same.

In addition to wearing clothing, get warm through activities or actions of some kind. You could cook or shower, which naturally generates heat. If you take a hot shower, leave the bathroom door open so the steam can carry throughout your home.

A smart or programmable thermostat may also help reduce the use of your furnace.

Lower or Upgrade Your Thermostat

If you want to keep that furnace usage down, then lower that thermostat. The lower the temperature is for the furnace to kick on, the better. Of course, this is an option for those who are unable to keep it off completely.

Instead of lowering it, you could also upgrade to a programmable thermostat. With the upgrade, you can adjust the temperature for a certain amount of time. You can also program it to stay off while you sleep or are out of the house.

Call for Maintenance or Repair

If you are unable to leave the furnace off, then it is best to get it checked out. A check-up from Houston Admiral will help determine if it is running efficiently. An inefficient furnace will raise energy bills, which is the opposite of what you are trying to do.

So, give Houston Admiral a call at (281) 876-9400. A technician can inform you of the status of your furnace and suggest a solution if there is anything wrong. Our residential heating and cooling services web page can also inform you of what else our technicians can help with.

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The Importance of Insulation

A simple yet crucial building block of a home is insulation. This material plays a significant role in keeping you comfortable throughout the year. Without it, energy usage will rise, noise pollution increases, and the temperature will fall. Houston Admiral offers attic insulation services for homeowners in the Greater Houston area.

Insulation does not last forever and should be replaced after about 15 years. After that point, your insulation will start to degrade and peel from walls and ceilings. Furthermore, it will raise your energy bill and could potentially promote mold growth. Get it replaced as soon as possible. It will limit health risks and costs.

Insulation Benefits

The National Insulation Association (NIA) outlines numerous benefits of insulation. Each benefit improves the life of the homeowners and those around them. Below, you can find a sample of the many benefits offered by insulation.

• Reduce energy costs
• Fire protection
• Reduces noise pollution
• Reduces Emissions

Arguably insulations most significant benefit, the reduction of energy costs helps homeowners all over the United States. If you are always running the air conditioning or heating, then you may have an issue with your insulation. Many times, people look at the unit regulating the temperature. However, the unit must work with the insulation in order for the air to stay in the home. A lack of insulation will cause air to escape and raise energy costs.

Fire Protection

If insulation is used with other proper materials, then it can reduce fire damage. Firestop systems should work in conjunction with insulation in order to maximize safety and protection. Air ducts and electrical cables should also work with these systems in order to offer the greatest benefit.

Reduces Noise Pollution

A home or business without insulation may cause a lot of noise for neighbors. Insulation plays a large role in absorbing sound. Furthermore, noise from outside is also absorbed, so productivity is improved. Without insulation, noise levels can reach high levels, which reduces comfort and productivity.

Reduces Emissions

Since insulation reduces energy bills, fewer emissions are given off. Less energy consumption means there are fewer greenhouse gases that are beneficial for the environment and people’s health. Insulation is commonly not referred to as an important contender in preventing pollution, but it does play an important role.

Insulate Your Home Properly

If you are in need of insulation for your home or business, then get in touch with Houston Admiral today. Our team of technicians will work professionally, efficiently, and friendly. Get in touch with us today by calling (281) 876-9400. You can see what else we can do by visiting our residential heating and cooling service page online.

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The Difference Between a Furnace and Heat Pump

A heat pump and furnace may sound like very similar devices, and that is because they are. These units aim to achieve the same goal but in different ways. Many homeowners may not know the differences between the two machines. Moreover, these devices have their own pros and cons.

Regardless of what you own, Houston Admiral is capable of repairing, installing, and maintaining your unit. Our team of technicians is friendly, professional, efficient. If you are a new homeowner, then you may not be sure if you have a furnace or heat pump. No worries, Houston Admiral can identify the system used to heat your home.

Furnace

A furnace uses fuel such as electricity or natural gas to heat a home. The heat is created within the system itself and is blown through the ductwork of the house. There are some major differences in the type of furnace you have, but they all do the same thing. Furnaces are the most popular way of heating a home in the United States.

A heat pump sits outside of your home to draw air into the home.

 

Heat Pump

Heat pumps do not rely on fuel to create heat. Instead, the pump draws air from outside to heat the home. It doesn’t develop any heat of its own, and so the process of heating a house is slower. Heat pumps can also work in conjunction with an air conditioning unit to fill the house with cold air. Heat pumps are more popular in places with mild winters.

The Pros and Cons of Both

One major advantage furnaces have over heat pumps is they have less moving parts. The moving parts a device has, the more likely it can break down. Furthermore, the furnace will have a longer life span than a heat pump. However, a furnace will also require you to have an air conditioning unit, unlike the heat pump.

That said, heat pumps are more energy-efficient. Heat pumps are also less expensive to install. Furnaces are known to be loud machines, while heat pumps are much quieter. Heat pumps act as furnaces and air conditioning so that homeowners can save money. Heat pumps are only for those who do not mind cooler air. The air will be warmer from what is outside, but not as hot as air from a furnace.

Heat Pump or Furnace?

It is entirely up to the homeowner if they want a furnace or heat pump. There are advantages and negatives for both types of devices. If you have questions about either device, get in touch with Houston Admiral by calling (281) 876-9400. Be sure to visit the residential heating and cooling services page to find more about what we can do?

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5 Myths about Furnaces Debunked

Homeowners are always looking to save money or improve the quality of their homes.  There are a number of tips and tricks people pass on to their friends, family, and neighbors. Unfortunately, sometimes these tips and tricks are merely myths. Houston Admiral wants to help homeowners clear the smoke and inform clients of what is true and what is a myth.

In addition to debunking these myths, we will recommend the best options when it comes to achieving the goal the myth tries to do itself. That way, homeowners can truly start saving money and improve the quality of their homes.

Myth: Closing the air vents will reduce the heating bill

Keep your vents open for proper heating in the entire house.

Closing the vents and registers in your home will not reduce the heating bill. In fact, closing the vents will raise the heating bill. If hot air is unable to reach parts of the house, the furnace will work harder to fill those areas with heat. Be sure to keep your vents and registers open so the heat can distribute evenly. If you are too hot, then turn down the thermostat.

Myth: The higher the thermostat is, the faster your furnace heats the home

No one likes to be cold. So, it is common for people to turn the thermostat up so they can get warmer faster. It doesn’t matter how high or low your thermostat is. It will produce heat at the same rate. So, save some money by waiting for the furnace to do its job.

Myth: Efficiency is important when it comes to buying a furnace

An efficient furnace is great to have because homeowners will save money over time. However, efficiency means nothing if the home is not efficient. Homes need to be appropriately insulated in order to hold in all that hot air. If there is insufficient insulation throughout the house, then the furnace will cost homeowners more money than they were expecting.

Insulation plays a large role in a furnace’s efficiency.

Myth: Continue to run your furnace as long as possible before it dies

Every type of furnace has its own estimated life span. As long as homeowners maintain their units, they should stay up and running until they have reached their 20 or so years. Many homeowners find it to be more cost-effective to run their furnace into the ground or until it dies. Unfortunately, this thought process will end up costing the homeowner more money. Replace your furnace once it reaches the end of its life span. You will save money on repairs and efficiency.

Myth: The larger the furnace, the better

If you have a small home, then a large furnace will only hurt. The larger unit will take more fuel to run and will overheat the home. Ensure you select the right size of furnace for your home. You want to keep your heating bill lower with a properly-sized furnace.

Your Furnace Needs

If you need a furnace repaired, maintained or installed, get in touch with Houston Admiral today. You can call us at (281) 876-9400. You can also find more information about our business on the residential heating and cooling services page.

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Signs You Need a New Furnace

The Greater Houston area does not get all that cold, but there are times a furnace is necessary. Fortunately, there are several signs homeowners can look for before calling the experts. That said, it may still be challenging to identify if a replacement is needed. If you are genuinely unsure if your furnace has kicked the bucket, then get in touch with Houston Admiral.

Our team is comprised of friendly and professional technicians. You can schedule a time for a technician to meet you at your home and they will examine your furnace. In some cases, it may just need a good cleaning, while others require a complete replacement. However, before calling us, use the following hints to help determine the fate of your furnace.

Watch for These Signs

Firstly, check the age of your furnace. Most homeowners begin living in a home that already had an operating furnace. So, you may not be aware of the age of the unit. Check that first. Gas furnaces last between 10 and 20 years. On the other hand, electric furnaces last between 20 and 30 years. If your furnace is above either of these expected lifespans then it may be time for a replacement.

If you are having to repair your furnace, then it may be cheaper to replace the entire unit.

Secondly, the efficiency of the unit is a great sign to observe. Has your gas or electric bill gone up in the past month or two? Your furnace may be working overtime to heat the house. Subsequently, you may experience unevenly heated rooms. These are both signs of your furnace coming to an end.

Another way to tell if your furnace is dying is to examine the unit itself. Is it making a buzzing noise? Does it rattle or hum unevenly? Gas furnaces are loud and may naturally cause these sounds, so it may be difficult to spot these issues. Nonetheless, homeowners may also examine the body of the unit. Check for cracks or rust on the unit. These damages could shave years off the furnace’s life.

Finally, if you are having to constantly repair your furnace, then it may be more cost-efficient to replace the unit completely. If you are constantly calling Houston Admiral to repair the unit, then a technician would recommend replacing the unit. We can help you install the unit, whether it be gas or electric.

Let Houston Admiral Replace Your Furnace

Houston Admiral will replace your furnace professionally and efficiently. We understand how intrusive a furnace installation can be. So, we will do it ask quickly and professionally as possible. Give our team a call today at (281) 876-940o. You should also visit our residential heating and cooling services page for additional information on what else we can do for you.

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Electric Versus Gas Furnace

Houston Admiral proudly serves the Greater Houston area. The winter months are still here, which means we may still have some cold fronts. That said, it is important to have the right furnace for the job. If you need your furnace repaired, cleaned, or installed, then our team can help. We install electric and gas furnaces. We will also help you maintain your furnace throughout the year.

If you need to replace your current furnace, then you may want to consider switching over to a different kind. Electric and gas furnaces have their own pros and cons. However, the features of one may persuade you to make the switch. You will also need to be mindful of the energy source you have readily available. If your house does not have a gas line, then an electric furnace would be the best option.

The Pros and Cons

Gas furnaces disturb the house more when the being installed and while running.

Electric furnaces are an excellent option for those who are unable to have access to natural gas. Natural gas lines cannot be laid everywhere, so electric furnaces are the next best option. The initial cost of electric furnaces are cheaper and typically run at lower costs for maintaining. Furthermore, the electric furnace is more affordable to install. It is also easier to install which many people enjoy.

Additionally, an electric furnace lasts longer than the gas alternative. In fact, electric furnaces generally last between 20 to 30 years. On the other hand, gas furnaces last only about 10 to 20. Lastly, the electric alternative runs quieter than the gas option, and it is safer.

Now, the downside to an electric furnace is it will run the electric bill up. The cost to run an electric furnace is higher than that of natural gas. Furthermore, electricity does not heat a house as evenly as gas can. Natural gas gives off a stronger heat and fills a house more evenly.

One major downside to natural gas furnaces is the low level of carbon monoxide it gives off. That said, homeowners will need to have a carbon monoxide detector in their home at all times. Moreover, the unit must be looked after frequently in order to keep the home safe.

Decisions, Decisions

In general, it varies greatly on where you live when it comes to a furnace type. For most of the U.S. population, a gas furnace is the best option. It runs more efficiently and the cost to run it is significantly less than electric. However, electric furnaces are better options for areas in which the climate is dry with hot or mixed temperatures.

So, if you have decided which type of furnace you need, then get in touch with Houston Admiral today. Our team will work with you to install the unit. Our team is professional and friendly. You can reach the team by calling (281) 876-9400. Be sure to visit our residential heating and cooling services page as well for additional details.

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