AC Archives - North Point Air Conditioning & Heating

7 Ways to Stay Cool While Waiting for Your AC Repairs

Posted on June 13, 2023 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

When your AC suddenly stops working or becomes problematic, the first step should be contacting a reliable and professional HVAC company like North Point Air Conditioning & Heating. However, some repairs can take longer than others, so you should be prepared to wait just in case your repair requires extensive work. There are numerous things you can do to keep yourself and your home cool and comfortable as you wait.

1. Keep Your Windows Open

When your AC decides to give up on you, you could use as much air flowing in and out of your home as possible. Opening windows allows a cooler breeze to enter your house as the hotter air escapes outside. However, you may have to consider how cooler the outdoor temperatures are compared to your indoor temperature. Sometimes opening the windows may worsen the situation by allowing even more heat into the rooms. Also, consider the direction of the cool breeze. Keep the windows on the opposite side of your home open to ensure the cool air moves through the entire space.

2. Stay Hydrated

Cool drinks can be exceptionally refreshing on a hot day. Drinking more water than usual is wise to replace all the water lost through sweat. If you do not like plain water, adding fruit or cucumber slices could help you drink more. It is common for people to rush for sugary or cold energy drinks when it gets too hot. However, the sugar in these drinks can increase your metabolism, making your body heat up. Water is the best choice when you want to stay cool and hydrated.

3. Wear Light and Breathable Clothes

The heat can significantly slow you down and make you feel heat sick. Switching to lighter clothes should help you feel better and greatly impact how you go about your day. Think of how you would dress while at the beach. Common fabrics you might want to include are light cotton, linen, silk, chiffon, and rayon. These fabrics are made of very breathable fiber, which allows your body to expel more heat.

4. Adjust Your Fan

Fans are perfect additions to homes located in very high-temperate regions. Their movement promotes air circulation throughout the room, pushing away heat while introducing cooler air. You can promote their functionality by ensuring the fan rotates faster and counterclockwise to force cooler air downwards. If you have a portable fan, change its position to where there is more heat.

5. Go for a Swim

A hot day presents a perfect excuse to go for a long swim. The best part about swimming is getting the best of both worlds. You can lay in the sun for a while, get the much-needed vitamin D, and get in the water to cool off. Alternatively, you could take a cold shower or constantly spray your body with cold water.

6. Avoid Cooking Indoors

Much of the heat around the home is generated from the kitchen. If you love to cook, it is wise to ensure your kitchen is well-ventilated to ensure all the heat escapes out of the house. When your AC stops working, avoid cooking or stick to no-cook meals like salads and beverages. Alternatively, you can slow-cook your meals until the problem is fixed.

Cooking outside is another practical way to enjoy a meal without making the home unbearable. Outdoor kitchens and grills often create great conversation areas, especially if you have people over. Keep the conversations going while ensuring everyone stays cool.

7. Keep the Lights Off

Regular incandescent and fluorescent light bulbs can generate up to 500 degrees Fahrenheit of heat, depending on their wattage. All that heat can make the room feel warm and uncomfortable, especially on a hot day. Keeping the lights off will keep the room cooler and save you a lot of energy costs. If the lights must stay on, switching to lower-heat LED or CFL lights is advisable.

At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we’ve proudly served the Spring, TX area since 1978. You can count on us for your AC and heating repairs, installations, and maintenance jobs. We also handle indoor air quality and insulation projects. Our business is built on a foundation of integrity, trust, and customer satisfaction, and we’ll always strive to exceed your expectations with the quality of our work. Contact North Point Air Conditioning & Heating today to learn more.

5 Ways Winter Can Affect Your Indoor Air Quality

Posted on January 20, 2023 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Plummeting temperatures have a surprising effect on indoor air. Temperature changes in Spring, Texas alter the way in which outdoor air moves. As warm air rises, cold air and the ozone and smog that it carries surrounds your home. Unfortunately, many of these contaminants eventually find their way in. There are also several changes in resident behaviors and activities that contribute to higher concentrations of indoor pollutants. Read on to discover five ways in which winter can affect your indoor air quality (IAQ).

1. Increased Carbon Monoxide

Just as trapped cold air brings airborne pollutants closer to your home, how you use your vehicle likely does much the same. During winter, many locals turn their cars on and let them idle until they’re “warmed up.” Whether you do this in your driveway or in an open garage, the carbon monoxide (CO) that your vehicle releases is downright toxic. If you have an older, gas-powered auto that must be warmed up in the morning, move your vehicle away from the house and warm it up at the curb.

2. Everything Is Sealed up Tight in Winter

The cost of keeping your home warm in winter is likely a constant concern. In an effort to save cash, most homeowners are diligent about keeping their windows and doors sealed. Many people also add insulation and weatherstripping to their homes, and they use caulking and other materials to seal up noticeable air leaks. Although these measures improve the efficiency of homes, creating a tight home envelope or a tightly sealed living environment doesn’t always bode well for IAQ.

Having a tight home envelope in winter often means that all of the contaminants in your home will stay right where they are. This is especially problematic if exhaust from vehicles, secondhand smoke, and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from off-gassing building materials and cleaning products are present in especially high concentrations. In summer and spring, opening windows and doors allows fresh, clean air to flow through the building. In winter, it’s often necessary to have a special plan for improving ventilation and clearing contaminants out.

3. Candles, Fireplaces, and Cooking

Winter is when most people are wont to prepare hot, hearty meals for their loved ones. Although cooking at home can provide impressive health benefits, it’s not necessarily better for your indoor air quality. If you have a gas stove, not all of the exhaust from this unit is being routed outside. Moreover, raising the temperatures of fats and oils can cause them to release airborne contaminants that are too small to be picked up by your HVAC air filter. This is also true of the airborne contaminants that are released by scented candles and real wood fires in fireplaces.

4. Cleaning and Disinfecting Agents

Unfortunately, winter is also the time when people have the highest likelihood of catching communicable illnesses such as the flu and the common cold. Using disinfecting sprays, cleaning solutions, and room freshening sprays in an airtight environment can wreak havoc on your respiratory health. This is all the more true when special measures for ventilating the living space or purifying the indoor air don’t exist.

5. Increases in Humidity Set the Stage for Mold Growth

People tend to spend more of their time indoors during the cold season. In winter, you may notice condensation forming on your windows and walls, especially if you have a large, bustling household. Homes that have lots of residents can be overly humid due to lots of long, steamy showers and baths, regular cooking projects, and other moisture-producing activities. Even though your HVAC system can play a hand in regulating indoor humidity, it’s probably not sufficient on its own for offsetting the moisture that building residents are constantly creating.

Having excess moisture in your home will make indoor air feel muggy and heavy. However, in addition to diminishing resident comfort, excess humidity can also set the stage for mold development. With plenty of warm, wet surfaces to adhere to, mold, mildew, bacteria, and other pathogens can flourish.

Fortunately, winter doesn’t have to leave you and other building residents sniffling, sneezing, coughing, or dealing with itchy, watery eyes. With the right integrated HVAC accessories for your home, you can enjoy clean, fresh-smelling indoor air year-round.

We offer an impressive range of advanced indoor air quality solutions. Whether you need an air scrubber, air purifier, or whole-house dehumidifier for protecting the IAQ in your Spring, Texas home, we’ve got you covered. We also offer comprehensive heating and cooling services, insulation, mini-splits, and smart thermostats. To schedule an appointment, give North Point Air Conditioning & Heating a call today!

Effects of Ceiling Height on an Air Conditioner’s Efficiency

Posted on September 20, 2022 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Homeowners want to make their home as energy efficient as possible. And one way to do that is to understand how different aspects of their home affect their air conditioner’s efficiency. Ceiling height is one of those factors. The standard ceiling height in many American homes is eight feet. But ceilings can range anywhere from six to twelve feet. That difference can have an impact on your air conditioner’s efficiency.

How Ceiling Height Affects Air Conditioners

Higher ceilings require more energy to cool. That’s because there’s more air volume to cool in a room with a higher ceiling. So, if you have a room with a high ceiling, your air conditioner will have to work harder to keep the room cool.

Conversely, lower ceilings make it easier for air conditioners to cool a space. That’s because there’s less space for the air conditioner to cool. If you have a room with a low ceiling, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard to keep it cool.

Strategies to Improve Air Conditioner Efficiency

You can do a few things to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency, regardless of ceiling height.

Get the Right Air Conditioner Size

The primary role of an air conditioner is to cool your home. However, getting the wrong-size air conditioner can lead to inefficiency and higher energy bills. That’s because an air conditioner that’s too small won’t be able to cool your home properly. An air conditioner that’s too big will use more energy than necessary to cool your home.

So, how do you know what size air conditioner you need? The best way is to consult with a professional who can look at your home and make a recommendation. If you haven’t contacted a professional, follow a few guidelines. For rooms with a ceiling height of fewer than eight feet, you’ll need an air conditioner with at least 20 BTUs (British Thermal Units) per square foot. If the rooms have eight- to ten-foot ceilings, you’ll need an air conditioner with at least 30 BTUs per square foot. For rooms with ceilings over 10 feet, you’ll need an air conditioner with at least 40 BTUs per square foot.

Keep in mind that these are just general guidelines. The best way to determine the right-size air conditioner for your home is to consult with a professional. Our experts at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating have a wealth of experience helping homeowners in Spring, Texas select the right air conditioner for their homes.

Installing Ceiling Fans

Another way to improve your air conditioner’s efficiency is to install ceiling fans. Ceiling fans can help circulate the air in your home and make it feel cooler, which can take some of the strain off your air conditioner. As a result, your air conditioner won’t have to work as hard and use as much energy to cool your home.

Choose the Right Air Conditioning Type

There are several different types of air conditioners on the market, and each has its advantages and disadvantages. So, choosing the right type of air conditioner for ceiling type is important.

For example, a ductless mini-split air conditioner might be a good option if you have a higher ceiling. That’s because ductless mini splits don’t require as much energy to cool a space as other air conditioners. Ductless mini-split air conditioners comprise an outdoor compressor unit and one or more indoor air handling units. They’re a good option for rooms with nine-foot or higher ceilings.

Another option to consider is a window air conditioner. Window air conditioners are a good choice for rooms with lower ceilings. That’s because they don’t require as much energy to cool a space as other air conditioners. Window air conditioners are also relatively cheap and easy to install, which makes them a good option if you are on a budget.

Finally, central air conditioners might be a great option if you have a higher ceiling and the necessary ductwork. Central air conditioning is generally the most expensive type of air conditioner, but it can be the most efficient option if you have a higher ceiling.

Get Professional Help!

At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we have a team of experienced professionals who can help you select the right type of air conditioner for your home in Spring, Texas. We offer various services, including heating and cooling repairs, installation and maintenance services. We also provide indoor air quality services. Call us today to schedule a consultation.

Choosing the Best Time to Install or Replace Your HVAC System

Posted on July 15, 2022 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Regular maintenance is the best way to protect your HVAC system and ensure that it continues working for years to come. Nonetheless, no matter how diligent you are about having your system professionally maintained, there will always come a time when you’ll need to replace your furnace or air conditioner. If you’re considering replacing any of your HVAC equipment or looking to install a new HVAC system, you may be wondering when the best time is to do it.

The answer to this is actually when you’re not currently using your heating or cooling system. This means that the best time to replace an air conditioner is generally during the early spring, and the best time to replace a furnace or heating system is during the early fall. By having the installation performed prior to using the heating or cooling system, you can ensure that your new unit is ready to go when summer or winter starts.

Avoiding the Peak Season Rush

The middle of summer isn’t necessarily a bad item to have a new furnace installed. The only issue is that you will likely find it hard to get a contractor to replace your heating system in the middle of the summer, as most will be swamped with AC repairs and will typically give a higher priority to cooling issues. The middle of summer and middle of winter is when HVAC companies are at their very busiest, which is why it generally makes sense to schedule your new equipment installation outside of these peak seasons.

Another reason why it is best to schedule your new HVAC installation outside of the peak season is that many companies will offer discounts during these off-season times. Some manufacturers also offer sales for ACs and furnaces outside of the prime cooling and heating seasons, which can help save you even more.

Replace Your Old System Before It Fails

The last thing you want to do is to wait for your old furnace, air conditioner or other HVAC unit to fail before you have it replaced. If your AC suddenly gives out in the middle of summer or your furnace dies in the middle of the winter, you could be looking at going for a few days or even weeks without heating or cooling before you can get the new unit installed. Alternatively, it may end up costing you quite a bit more as many contractors charge extra for emergency replacements.

Opting to replace your old unit before it completely gives out also means you won’t be rushed into making a decision. If you wait, you may be forced to choose whatever model and whichever contractor you can find. By being proactive, you will give yourself much more time to carefully consider your decision and compare different options to ensure you’re getting a good deal on the best unit for your home.

Average Lifespan for Different HVAC Equipment

An air conditioner will typically have a maximum lifespan of around 15 years, whereas a furnace should last for around 15 to 20 years. The primary factors in determining just how long an HVAC unit will last are how well maintained it is and the local climate. In hotter climates like Texas, your AC may not last for 15 years since the unit will run for longer periods each year and have to work harder due to the high heat and humidity. On the other hand, a furnace may last longer than average since it won’t get nearly as much use as it would in a colder, northern climate.

Heat pumps typically have the shortest lifespan of any HVAC equipment. A heat pump can provide both heating and cooling, which means it will run for many more hours over the course of a year than either a standalone heating or air conditioning system. For this reason, most heat pumps will need to be replaced after anywhere from 8 to 12 years.

Ductless mini-split units will generally not need to be replaced nearly as often as other types of HVAC equipment. In most cases, a mini-split will last for anywhere from 20 to 30 years, possibly even longer.

Professional HVAC Installation and Replacement Services

If you need your furnace, air conditioner or any other type of HVAC equipment replaced, you can trust the experts at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating in Spring, TX, to get the job done right. We are a Lennox Premier Dealer, and we carry a wide selection of residential and commercial heating and cooling equipment suitable for buildings of any size.

When you choose North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, you can rest assured that our technicians will take the time to ensure you end up with the right size of unit to meet your needs efficiently and effectively. We can also handle all of your maintenance and repair needs to make sure your new unit continues to function effectively for years to come. We can also install insulation and provide indoor air quality solutions. Visit our website for more information or give us a call today!

How to Soundproof Your AC

Posted on June 14, 2022 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

With summer here, your air conditioner is probably seeing a lot of use. Sadly, some ACs are noisier than others, whether it’s due to the internal components of your AC unit itself or issues with your home’s ductwork. Luckily, there are a few ways to soundproof your home’s air conditioning system, from sound-absorbing materials to sound barriers and more. Read on to learn about some ways you can reduce the noise coming from your air conditioner.

Fix or Replace Your Air Conditioner

Probably the easiest way to reduce the amount of noise your air conditioner makes is to have it professionally serviced. While most newer ACs are relatively quiet compared to older ones, strange or annoying sounds can be caused by issues with your unit’s components. Hire a professional to inspect your HVAC and fix any issues that are present to make sure they’re not the source of the sounds. If you’re finding yourself calling the repairman more and more often, it might be time to get an entirely new air conditioner, which won’t just reduce the amount of noise in your home, but also probably help you save a bit on your energy bills.

Use Sound-Absorbent Materials

Sound-absorbent materials, like high-density carpet and acoustic ceiling tiles, are intended to dampen sound so it doesn’t resonate as much throughout an area without them. These won’t soundproof your air conditioner itself, but they’ll help prevent the noise from entering your home, leading to quieter surroundings.

Installing sound soffits around your home is another great way to reduce noise from your HVAC system. Sound soffits are a layer of wood that helps absorb and dampen any unwanted noise before it becomes a problem. They’re easy to install, and you can get them in various colors, so if you’re looking for ways to soundproof HVAC air vents, this is one option.

Invest in Sound Barriers

Sound barriers can provide an added layer of protection against noise in your home, especially ones placed between the outside and HVAC vents. Sound barriers are usually made from insulation materials such as drywall, acoustic drywall, and soundproofing insulation.

Create Sound Baffles

Creating sound baffles in your home is a simple and inexpensive way to reduce noise from your HVAC system. Sound baffles are typically used to eliminate rattling noises by creating obstacles between the HVAC system and its room. These baffles prevent noise that comes through the ventilation system from traveling into the room. The best way to install a sound barrier is to contact a professional to do it for you.

Look For Soundproofing Blankets

It may sound strange, but you can actually buy blankets made specifically for soundproofing your air conditioner. They’re intended to be placed inside of your AC unit itself and will help dampen sounds to keep them within the unit; blankets like this can also reduce the amount of vibration the air conditioner creates as it runs, lessening the sound it makes. As an added bonus, they often help with insulation, so you might see better energy efficiency, too. Make sure you use a blanket that’s intended for this purpose, though, as putting any spare blanket into your air conditioner can cause problems.

Insulate Your Ducts and Consider Liners

Air leaks surrounding the HVAC vents can create a disruptive noise within your home. Insulate all of the air vents in your home to reduce noise. The type of insulation used will depend on each air vent’s size, thickness, and location. In addition, you need to ensure that the insulation materials are approved for use with your HVAC system.

Duct liners are a cost-effective way to protect your ducts and reduce noise with your HVAC system. Duct liners cover your present ducts to keep them free from outside debris and moisture. This will improve the efficiency of the system, and it will also protect the sensitive inner workings of the HVAC system from harm.

Get Your Ductwork Inspected

Along with insulating your ductwork, it’s a good idea to have it inspected. Air escaping from leaks in your ductwork can contribute to noise, for one. Ductwork that’s loose, too, may rattle or vibrate more than it should; simply making sure it’s fastened properly can go a long way in soundproofing your air conditioning system.

Call a Professional

Always consult a professional when choosing the best way to soundproof your air conditioner — you don’t want to stumble onto a “solution” that leads to bigger AC issues down the road. Be sure all materials have been approved for use with your HVAC system. Have a backup plan if your chosen solution doesn’t work. At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we have technicians who can help you with your needs. We service both cooling and heating services, as well as insulation and indoor air quality in Spring. Our experienced technicians will assess the noise levels in your home and devise a solution to reduce the amount of noise coming from your HVAC system. Contact us today to see what we can do to protect your health and investment.

Can a Smart Thermostat Save You Money?

Posted on April 15, 2022 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

You may want to consider purchasing a smart thermostat. Smart technology can not only improve the aesthetics of your home, but it can also save you money and energy. According to the EPA, a programmable thermostat can save you $180 a year. It is even simpler if you use a smart thermostat, which automatically does all the work for you.

Here’s how much money you will save in the long run. You can save 1% to 3% on your energy cost if you raise or lower your thermostat by 1 or 2 degrees. If you reduce the temperature by 10 to 15 degrees for the eight hours, you spend at work, you can save approximately ten percent more.

Of course, a standard programmable thermostat can be used to make manual adjustments. The difficulty is that most individuals forget to do it. According to recent research, nearly half of households having programmable thermostats do not utilize them. This is where the smart thermostat comes in. It will never forget your habits and will do everything to save you money.

Ways Smart Thermostats Help You Save Money

Smart thermostats can do a lot of things to help reduce your energy costs. Read on to learn more.

They Learn Your Behaviors

This is why smart thermostats are so intelligent. You begin by establishing your preferred temperature and humidity levels. After some time, the thermostat will be able to figure out when you are at home and what temperature you prefer at various times of the day by monitoring your phone’s geolocation. When you return home, your system will automatically modify your temperature settings to ensure that your house is at the ideal temperature. Humidity is a factor that can be taken into account by some thermostats.

They Monitor Your Usage

Smart thermostats with two-way communication monitor your usage, collect data and then send it back to you at any time. Their remote interfaces show you how much energy you consume and can even estimate your costs. Manual changes can be made at this point or left to the thermostat. The magic is in the numbers. As you gain more knowledge, you will be able to experiment with your thermostat settings and discover how it affects your utility costs. To save money and energy, smart thermostats provide you with all the information you need. It does this by constantly tracking the number of people in your house, what time they are home, etc., which provides a much more accurate idea of how many degrees to heat or cool your home.

They Work Hard While You Are Away

Most systems will automatically convert to an eco mode when you are not home, saving you money and energy. The thermostat uses sensors to determine when the house is empty or when someone is at home. To tell your system to switch into an eco mode when you are away from home, they may employ geo-tracking technology. To prevent situations like frozen water pipes, you can turn off your system while out of town, and your smart technology will only turn it back on if temperatures reach dangerously high or low levels.

They Will Make Sure Nothing Is Left On

Another way to save money and energy is to put your thermostat on a schedule. A smart system can help you set up a schedule for heating and cooling, which will help you reduce your power bill and ease your home’s environmental impact. If you forget to turn off your air conditioner or heater, it can even take care of that by monitoring whether anyone is in the house. Automation and connectivity are some of the most important features of smart home technology. To utilize them fully, they need to be integrated at every level of all functionality in the home, including heating and cooling systems.

How Can You Save Even More?

Smart thermostat users might save money in various ways. The amount of money you can save depends on various variables, including the climate and the cost of your electricity. If you are looking for the best savings opportunities, here are a few examples to consider:

Zoned HVAC systems allow homeowners to regulate the temperature of individual rooms better and allocate their energy budgets better.
When saving money, a smart thermostat is more effective in areas with high-energy costs or extreme weather.
When no one uses the vacation home, you can save even more money by using a smart thermostat to adjust the HVAC system’s efficiency.

Reliable AC repairs

In order to get the most out of your smart thermostat and learn more about our AC services, call us today! Spring-based North Point Air Conditioning & Heating provides a wide range of services to Montgomery County residents and businesses. There is no job too big or too small for us, from routine maintenance to full-scale renovations such as HVAC repairs or even new construction. We are here to help if it is a matter of your comfort.

Maintenance for Your AC for the End of Summer

Posted on August 3, 2021 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

It seems like you just got to really enjoy the summer and the warm weather, and now fall is rapidly approaching again. As you wrap up the season, you’re certainly working on preparing your home for the coming winter. Here are some critical maintenance tips to ensure your system is ready to wind down the season.

Clear Around Your Condensing Unit

The condensing unit transfers heat the refrigerant absorbed from inside to the air outside by drawing air in from around it. It is common for debris to collect around the condensing unit and inhibit airflow into the system.

Clear out any grass or weeds that have grown up, along with any clippings that may have gotten caught. Additionally, trim back any brush, branches, or shrubs to give at least a 12-inch clearance around the unit.

Check for Storm Damage

Storms commonly cause some minor cosmetic damage to the condensing unit housing. However, what you want to look for is more significant damage that indicates possible internal problems.

First, inspect the housing for major dents or cracks. These likely indicate a significant enough impact to cause the damage, which likely has jarred the components inside.

While you’re inspecting your unit, look at the fins on the condensing coil if you can see them without disassembling anything. Flying debris can damage these fins, causing them to bend and causing an airflow restriction.

Change Your Filter

Your system must circulate air inside, regardless of whether you’re using your air conditioner or your heating. If your air filter is too dirty, the system cannot draw enough air through it. Plan to change it if you haven’t changed your filter recently.

The average 1-inch filter needs replacing about every 90 days. If it’s been changed recently, pull it out and inspect it to make sure it can still pass air. Consider vacuuming off the intake side, which is the dirty side, to help extend its useful life.

Test the System’s Temperature

You should check the temperature of the air coming from your vents occasionally. Initially, you can simply feel the temperature with your bare hand or foot. If the air doesn’t feel cold, then you may want to go to a more accurate method of checking.

The air coming from your vents should be between 15 and 20 degrees cooler than the ambient air temperature. It is easy enough to check this with a meat thermometer. Start by allowing the thermometer to acclimate to the air temperature and record it.

Next, carefully insert the probe end into an output vent and give it a minute or two to acclimate. Then record the temperature and confirm it is at least 15 degrees different. A smaller differential likely indicates either low refrigerant or a dirty evaporator coil.

Check Your Air Output

In addition to the temperature, be sure to check the amount of air output. Simply use your bare hand or foot to feel the air coming out. You should feel significant air movement while your system runs.

If the air movement is barely perceptible, you likely have an airflow restriction of some form. Something simple like a dirty air filter could be the cause. It may also be a little more involved, like a dirty circulating fan or evaporator coil.

Whatever the underlying cause, you’ll want to find the problem and resolve it quickly. This will not only affect your AC through the rest of the season but also the efficiency of your heating.

Get Your Maintenance Up-to-Date

Your system requires routine maintenance to continue functioning well. If you skipped the maintenance in the spring, now is a great time to ensure your system continues operating efficiently. You also want to make sure you keep your manufacture’s warranty valid, which often requires maintenance.

Maintenance now will ensure better efficiency for the remainder of the hot weather. Additionally, it will also uncover any minor problems that could lead to major repairs later if left unresolved.

A major problem with HVAC repairs is they are often a surprise, leaving you stressed about the cost. Finding out now gives you some extra time to plan for the repair before depending on your system next summer.

People around Spring have trusted North Point Air Conditioning & Heating to keep their families safe from extreme temperatures since 1977. Our customers depend on our expert technicians for heating and air conditioning installation, maintenance, and repair. Call to schedule your routine air conditioning maintenance with one of the area’s most talented technicians today.

Going on Vacation? Don’t Forget To Set Your AC

Posted on July 27, 2021 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Are you planning to go on a vacation and don’t know what to do with your air conditioner? When you leave your home for a vacation, you will want to ensure that your air conditioner uses as little electrical energy as possible. This will be critical in saving you extra dollars that you would have otherwise had to pay to the electricity company. Here are a few tips to help you plan for your time away.

1. Set the Temperature to 85 Degrees

When leaving for vacation, you don’t want your air conditioner to run on cool mode because you might have to pay extremely high bills when you come back. Typically, when your air conditioning system runs on cool mode, it engages all the components, leading to high power consumption. On the other hand, when your air conditioner runs on heat mode, it does not have to run components such as the compressor or the blower fan.

The cooler the temperatures you get from your AC, the high the bills. With that out of the way, setting your air conditioner at 85 degrees allows your AC to run on heat mode, consuming very little energy. Additionally, this mode drives out the humidity in your house and keeps your environment free from damage.

2. Set the Fan to Auto

Setting the air conditioning fan to auto promotes intelligent running of the fan. However, you should ensure that you do not set the fan to “on.” When you have your fan on auto mode, it operates through a set of sensors that emit on and off signals based on what your house needs to maintain its temperature. Essentially, your fan can run and stop on commands from your thermostat.

Typically, a running fan will ensure that air circulation is excellent in your house. Like with the high temperatures, your fan is also critical in eliminating the humidity in the air. When the air is heated, the fan rotates, and the moist air is dehumidified, redistributed, and balanced. This way, your house is protected from the effects of humidity, such as damaged electrical appliances, growth of mildew, growth of mold, and structural damage.

3. Let Your Thermostat Do the Heavy Lifting

It is not always that particular air conditioner settings work for your home. For this specific reason, you can invest in a programmable thermostat. Usually, a programmable thermostat is a simple device that allows you to have a preset configuration that can be run when you are away on vacation or travel. With this device, your air conditioner runs per the particular environment in your home.

The programmable thermostat can switch your air conditioning into various modes according to temperature requirements. For instance, when on vacation, you can set the programmable thermostat to run at relatively higher temperatures when the outdoor environment is also warm. In addition, you can raise or lower the temperatures remotely using remote control interfaces such as smartphones or computers.

4. Lower Temperatures for Pets

Leaving your thermostat running at 85 degrees is excellent if you don’t have any pets left behind. However, if you do, talk to a veterinarian about the best temperature.

Why Do I Need to Keep the Air Conditioner Running?

It may be tempting to switch off the air conditioner when you are going on a vacation. Who needs air conditioning anyway? Though this might seem like a good course of action to take, it is not always the best. Instead of unplugging your air conditioner, consider unplugging other appliances, such as the television, computers, gaming systems, and extra heating equipment that is not run by your air conditioner.

Without proper air conditioning, your house can suffer from the excessive heat of summer or humidity. For instance, high levels of moisture and heat can destroy your dry walls due to moisture accumulation. Additionally, if your house has more than 55% humidity levels, your home will attract more dust, mold, mites, and other invasive insects. With your air conditioner running during your vacation, the humidity problem is eliminated.

The last thing you want is to get home from a vacation and find peeling paint, mold, and damaged drywall. You can keep your house environment controlled and protected from any harmful conditions with an air conditioner. At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we offer AC installation, furnace replacement AC repair, heating maintenance, and more. We can handle any service for your heating, cooling, and air circulation equipment. For more information on setting your AC in Spring, contact North Point Air Conditioning & Heating experts today.

Contact North Point Air Conditioning & Heating today

How To Keep My Home Cool Without Air Conditioning?

Posted on June 28, 2021 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

During the summer season, most homes require cooling in Texas. However, without an air conditioning system in place, this might be a challenge.

While an AC system will allow you and your family to enjoy your home’s comfort, it usually consumes considerable energy during summer. As a result, you will incur increased energy bills. There are AC alternatives that are greener and cheaper, although they only help you cool a limited area. The following are some ways to help you to cool your home without installing air conditioning.

Install Ventilator Fans

You install a ventilator fan near the ceiling of your house. They are primarily used to control the moisture in bathrooms and are designed to vent air from inside to outside. However, they are also ideal for main rooms as they help supply cold air to a hotter area.

Additionally, ventilator fans are not costly, yet they will serve in cooling your home. However, it is essential to understand that ventilator fans usually work best if your home has some existing cooler areas.

Install Ceiling Fans

Another effective way of keeping your house cool during summer is by using a ceiling fan. They help to reduce your energy bills. They are also affordable. However, it is crucial to ensure that they are pointing in the right direction: counter-clockwise.

Change the Light Bulbs

Light bulbs are another cause of unnecessary heat in your home during summer. If your home has incandescent bulbs, ensure you switch to LED or CFL bulbs. This simple switch makes a huge difference in ensuring your home is cool. The other added bonus of using energy-efficient bulbs is the fact that your utility bill will decrease.

Close and Insulate the Doors

If you usually spend most of your time in one room, ensure you close the doors to all other rooms, including the bathroom and the bedrooms. Closing the parts of your home you’re not using helps to keep the cool air in one area. This also helps the space you are in to cool faster. If your doors have gaps, maybe at the bottom, use insulation. Consider weather strips since they are affordable, and you can install them on your own.

Let the Cool Night Air In

If you live in an area where temperatures go down at night, always ensure you open your windows before bed. Opening the windows will enable the temperature inside your home to be the same as that outside, and this will save you cash by keeping your home cool. Just ensure you close the windows before the temperature starts to rise.

Install Attic Fans

Attic fans are a traditional home-cooling technique, and they’re ideal for large houses. If you have a larger home, the attic fan may help keep your home more comfortable during the summer season.

Generally, this system works by pushing the hot air out of your house while supplying cool air. In addition, the system requires you to close everything in the morning and open all windows at night.

Avoid Using the Oven

An oven is one of the appliances that greatly heats your house. Also, burners emit a lot of heat, so consider outdoor grilling instead. If you must use an oven, do it after the temperatures go down, and open your windows.

Install Air Fans

Air fans are easy to use. You only need to plug them into a power source to get instant cooling. They are available in different sizes and at an affordable cost.

Air fans are portable, so you can move them from one room to the other with ease. Additionally, these types of fans consume less energy, which will save you money. However, air fans usually only help you cool a small area.

Generally, most people start thinking about cooling systems when their home’s indoor climate becomes uncomfortable. Having a proper strategy for cooling your house will help you relax and be comfortable in your home. At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we offer cooling and heating repair and installation as well as commercial and insulation services. If your AC or furnace is malfunctioning or you need any type of HVAC service in Montgomery, do not hesitate to contact us. We’d be more than happy to help you with all your HVAC needs so you can be comfortable in your home no matter what the season.

What Size Air Conditioner Do I Need for My Home?

Posted on May 24, 2021 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

AC size is important whether you are replacing your air conditioner, installing one in a new construction project, or just investigating. How are systems measured, why is size so important, and how do you choose the right one for your home? North Point Air Conditioning & Heating in Spring has put together this information to help you have confidence when choosing the best size for your home’s AC unit.

Is Size Really That Important?

Air conditioner size is incredibly important for your system to run properly without wasting money or energy. When your AC is too small for your space, it runs much longer than it should, driving up your utility bill and causing unnecessary wear and tear on your unit.

When your AC is too big, it will not run long enough to dehumidify the space. It will also run these shorter cycles more often trying to keep your space at the right temperature. This not only drives up your utility cost but also puts unnecessary strain on your system, leading to premature failures.

How Is AC Size Measured?

Air conditioning sizes are not measured in inches or feet but in British thermal units, or BTUs. One BTU is the amount of energy it takes to warm 1 pound of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.

You will see the size of an air conditioner rated in thousands of BTUs. This indicates how much the system can cool the air per hour. It makes sense to think that more BTUs would be better to achieve more cooling more quickly, but this isn’t always correct.

Larger-capacity systems have a minimum amount of energy they use, even if the unit does not run as long. As already discussed, it will not achieve the same level of comfort due to not dehumidifying as well. This means you end up paying more to run the system but not being as comfortable as you should be when it is running.

Calculate Your Space

The first thing you need to do to determine what size air conditioner you need is to calculate your space. You may want to use the following to double-check even if you already have the square footage.

Go through your home and first note all the levels that are serviced by your HVAC system. Be sure to look at your attic, garage, and basement to see if there is ductwork with vents. If so, include those spaces as well.

Next, go room by room and measure the length and width of the room, then multiply these numbers. This gives you the square footage of each room, which you then add together. Do not forget the closets and hallways as you add these together to get the full sense of your space.

Figure BTUs

Next, you take the space your system cools and convert that to the BTUs needed to service it properly. There is no perfect formula that fits everyone’s situation, but there is a general rule of thumb you can use.

Take your square feet measurement and multiply it by 20, for 20 BTUs per square foot serviced. So, if your home is 1,800 square feet, your starting point will be 36,000 BTUs for your system.

As mentioned, this is just a starting point so you can start planning. There are many variables you should consider to get to the final size you will need.

Understanding the Variables

There are a number of variables you should consider before deciding on your final AC size. First, think about how many people typically occupy your home. This includes both the people living there and extra people who are commonly in your space.

The 20 BTUs per square foot accommodates two people. For every additional person you add to your home, you should add 600 additional BTUs. Be sure to consider if you frequently have large gatherings while trying to cool your home as well.

Next, consider the environment around your home and the effect it has on your AC. If your home is shaded most of the day, you can reduce your BTU capacity by about 10%. On the other hand, you will need to add 10% if it receives direct sunlight most of the day.

Getting Your New System

Before getting your system, you will want to consult with a couple of HVAC companies to check their recommendations. Ultimately, you should choose the company with whom you felt the most trust. Not only will this company be responsible for installing your system but also servicing any warranty claims.

People around Spring have turned to North Point Air Conditioning & Heating for new air conditioners since 1978. Our expert technicians also offer AC maintenance and repair, as well as heating installation, maintenance, and repair. Call to schedule your new air conditioner consultation today.