HVAC Archives - North Point Air Conditioning & Heating

How a Professional Installer Ensures Mini-Split Success

Posted on May 15, 2023 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Ductless Mini-Split Installation in Spring, TX

A mini-split air conditioner is a solid alternative to standard AC systems. While a standard system has one air handler that moves cool air through your ducts, a mini-split system has multiple air handlers and one condenser. The condenser moves air from the coils to the air handlers, which then move it through your home. You don’t need to spend a lot of time worrying about how to install it yourself. Check out how a professional installer ensures success when they install one of these systems.

Choosing the Right Spot

When you opt for a standard AC, you just need to decide where to place the exterior unit. A mini-split system requires you to pick the right spot for the AC unit as well as the air handlers. One of the ways in which a professional can help is by choosing the correct location. You have many options as to where to install all of the components like your basement and bedroom. Using one in an addition, bathroom, or kitchen is easy, too. A professional can also help when you want to use one on an exterior wall.

Number of Air Handlers

One of the hardest parts of choosing a mini-split system is deciding how many air handlers you need. You need to consider both the region where you live as well as your house’s square footage to determine this figure. A professional will measure the width and height of each room and look at how many windows you have, along with the types of windows installed. They’ll use these figures with other details to tell you how many air handlers you need. This ensures that every room feels as comfortable as the next during the dog days of summer in Spring, TX.

Secure Mounting

Improper mounting of the unit and the air handlers can result in a variety of injuries. All it takes is one screw to come loose for the unit to fall off of your home and strike a friend or loved one. Working with a professional allows you to get the secure mounting you need to prevent accidents. The installer will use brackets to secure all parts to your walls. They’ll leave a minimum of 20 inches of free space around the unit and keep some space between it and the wall.

Manufacturer Standards

No matter what type of mini-split system you buy, you’ll find that each manufacturer has specific standards that they require others to follow when they install the systems. The installation manual that comes with it may have some confusing language that you can’t understand. With professional installation, you don’t need to worry about following those directions. The installer will use their experience and the manual to follow standards such as how much clearance the unit needs and how high they can mount it. This also ensures that you don’t void your warranty.

Proper Condensation Pipe and Drain Installation

The condensation pipe is one of the top components of a mini-split system. Many systems use a gravity condensation pipe. It uses the natural force of gravity to move water through the pipe. A professional installer will know both how and where to install this pipe. Choosing the wrong spot can result in your system not keeping your home cool or actually causing the temperature to rise. You may also need a condensation drain or trap that collects any excess moisture that comes from the pipe. Your installer will know whether you need a permit for any of these parts, too.

Necessary Upgrades

Not all houses can support a mini-split system as-is. If you worry that you might need one or more upgrades, call a professional for help. One of the more common upgrades you may need is new wiring. This wiring powers the system and ensures that it gets the right voltage. Some of the newer systems may also require an upgraded electrical panel. You don’t want to install a new system and find that it trips your circuit breaker the first time it runs. A professional will help you to obtain all of the permits you need when your home requires an upgrade.

Work With the Pros

Don’t assume that you can install a mini-split system on your own just because you read through the included manual. DIY installation can cause damage to your home, break parts of the system, and even void your warranty. Call North Point Air Conditioning & Heating to find out how our professionals can handle the mini-split installation you need. In addition, we offer heating and cooling repair and maintenance, along with smart thermostats and indoor air quality services.

Mini-Split Systems: Advantages and Disadvantages

Posted on April 19, 2023 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Ductless Mini-Split System in Spring, TX

In Spring, TX, you have lots of options when it comes to heating and cooling your home. One that’s become increasingly popular in recent years is the ductless mini-split system. Should you choose a mini split instead of a more traditional HVAC unit? There are some advantages and disadvantages to weigh before deciding if this option is right for you.

Better Control Over Individual Room Temperature

Older houses, particularly those without adequate insulation, often have hot or cold spots throughout. Correcting this problem often means running your entire home’s heating or air conditioning more often. Not only is this expensive, but it doesn’t entirely solve the issue.

Ductless units allow you to create various heating and cooling zones throughout. Within the various zones, you can easily adjust the temperature to your own liking. Consequently, this might be the perfect solution for that family member who is always either too hot or too cold.

Offer a Variety of Placement Options

With conventional heating and cooling systems, you have little choice as to the placement of vents, equipment, and air handlers. That’s not the case with mini splits as they can be installed on a wall or directly from the ceiling. In addition, the exact wall or ceiling location is typically negotiable as well. So, if you want greater control over the location of certain components, a ductless system will definitely provide you with more flexibility.

No Ductwork Is Required

You probably never give much thought to your home’s ductwork. However, the fact is that ductwork does have a lifespan of between 15 and 20 years. Furthermore, ducts can become broken, rusted, or experience other damage, and a leaking conduit could greatly reduce energy efficiency and result in much higher heating and cooling bills.

The fact that mini-split units do not require ductwork means you will never have to worry about duct repair. It also makes them ideal for a number of applications because they can be placed in areas with no existing ductwork. A few places that could benefit from a mini-split system include:

Room additions
Basements
Attics
Garages and outbuildings

More than One Unit Is Sometimes Necessary

As mentioned, ductless mini splits create various heating and cooling zones within a primary structure. Unfortunately, each unit can only provide benefits in a given area. This means that for whole-house heating and cooling, you will need to have several units. Naturally, the cost of installation increases with each new unit.

The number of appliances needed will depend on the size and layout of your home as well as other factors. Deciding how many mini-split systems to use is sometimes challenging, which is why you should call North Point Air Conditioning & Heating for an in-home estimate.

Requires Regular Maintenance

Mini splits are sometimes thought of as being similar to a window air conditioner that can be placed and then just forgotten about. Even so, that is assuredly not the case. Mini-split systems are a heating and cooling system just like traditional HVAC system. This means that they will also require the same type of maintenance and tune-ups as your regular furnace.

Change air filters at least every two months and then contact us whenever it is time for seasonal maintenance. What happens if you already have a conventional system but desire a mini split to cover an add-on? In that case, we can usually perform maintenance on your new apparatus at the same time we are servicing your existing unit.

Homebuyers Have Differing Opinions on Mini Splits

When selling your home, keep in mind that buyers may have varying opinions on mini splits. Some will see them for the technological marvel they are, while others may feel uncertain about them. So, prepare to answer a lot of questions if you are thinking of placing your house on the market anytime soon. Of course, if you are staying put, this is probably not something you’ll need to be concerned with anyway.

Are Mini-Split Systems a Good Choice for You?

Could your home benefit from a ductless HVAC unit? If you still have questions about mini-split systems, contact North Point Air Conditioning & Heating. As a leading HVAC contractor, we provide ductless mini-split systems as well as commercial heating and cooling services to those in Spring, TX and the surrounding areas. Please contact us to learn more about mini splits, smart thermostats, or our indoor air quality services.

5 Ways to Prep Your HVAC System for Spring and Summer

Posted on March 16, 2023 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

If you’re preparing for spring cleaning and maintenance, consider prioritizing HVAC unit maintenance. Spring HVAC maintenance can help get your equipment clean, lubricated, and ready to go after the cold winter weather subsides. It’ll also prevent unnecessary breakdowns, which you want to avoid during the hot summer months.

Prioritizing your HVAC unit during spring cleaning also helps your system perform better and operate more efficiently, which can help you reduce your energy expenditure and associated costs. Below are some useful tips that you can implement to ensure your HVAC is ready for the spring and summer seasons.

1. Change the Filters

A clogged filter is among the main causes of HVAC unit breakdowns. It puts extra strain on your HVAC, causing it to fail faster. You must change the filters regularly to get the most out of your heating and cooling equipment while maintaining efficiency. According to HVAC experts, you should regularly check your filters and clean or replace them every 30 to 90 days, depending on the type or model you use. The beginning of springtime is the ideal time to change your HVAC filters so that your system can work more efficiently during the warmer months.

2. Inspect Your Ductwork

Blocked or leaky ductwork can force your HVAC system to overwork, decreasing its life span and efficiency. Your air filters play a significant role in trapping dust and other allergens. However, they don’t block 100% of the particles. Some of the allergens still go through the filter and continue into your ductwork. When your ducts accumulate these contaminants, the HVAC must work harder to push air out and inside your home, which can increase your energy bills.

Dirty ducts can also become perfect breeding grounds for rodents, pests, and dust mites. They can even impact indoor air quality. Ensuring your HVAC unit’s ductwork is in top shape at the beginning of spring allows the unit to cool your living space more effectively during the hot summer months and produce cleaner indoor air.

3. Seal Air Leaks

As the weather warms up, it’s important to seal any air leaks throughout your home. Openings around your windows and doors can make it more difficult to maintain a steady temperature in your home in the warm summer months. When your air conditioner is circulating conditioned air, even the smallest openings allow large amounts of that cooled air to seep outside. As a result, your AC will need to run for longer durations and expend more energy to cool your house efficiently.

If there are any leaks in your home, they’ll negatively affect your comfort during the warmer months. In addition, the extra stress on your AC unit will increase the probability of serious HVAC problems in the long run. Use caulking and weather stripping to seal any openings around your windows and doors tightly to ensure your home is tightly sealed for efficient HVAC use.

4. Clean the HVAC Outdoor Unit

Your outdoor unit, or condenser, can become dirty over time, which impedes airflow and minimizes efficiency. Keeping the outdoor unit clean is among the most cost-effective ways to have reliable HVAC performance.

Consider hiring a licensed technician to inspect and clean the condenser to prevent coil-related HVAC problems in the warm months. Also, if there are bushes near the outdoor unit, clear them to prevent them from covering or blocking your system.

5. Inspect and Adjust Your Thermostat

Your thermostat regulates your home’s indoor temperatures and can impact your energy bills. So, it’s important to ensure that the thermostat is working well and set to the correct temperatures for the warm months. In this case, you’ll need to adjust your thermostat’s settings to reflect the warmer weather.

Apart from adjusting the thermostat settings, you can benefit from upgrading your thermostat if you still have a manual one. Many programmable thermostats have many settings and self-correcting functionalities that can help you lower your energy costs. Besides, they give you more control over your indoor environment’s temperature.

Schedule Your HVAC Unit Tune-Up

Spring is the best time for preparing your HVAC equipment for warmer weather. Incorporating the abovementioned into your home’s spring cleaning list can help boost indoor comfort and reduce energy costs. Additionally, it’ll help prevent emergency HVAC repairs, and it can extend the life of your air conditioning unit. Our HVAC specialists at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating can examine your unit and perform maintenance tasks to keep the HVAC in top shape and your home comfortable all year-round.

We also offer smart thermostats, mini splits, air quality, insulation, and commercial HVAC services to the residents of Spring, TX, and the surrounding areas. Contact our representatives now to schedule your HVAC maintenance appointment.

HVAC Filters Getting Dirty Too Fast? Here’s Why and What to Do

Posted on February 14, 2023 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Do you have filthy filters that need to be changed more often than you think necessary? There may be a problem with your HVAC system. Fortunately, the experts at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating in Spring, TX, are here to help. We offer professional maintenance and repair services to keep your heating and cooling system running efficiently.

How HVAC Filters Work

The primary function of HVAC filters is to prevent debris from getting into the internal components of your heating and cooling equipment. However, they do play a role in the indoor air quality of your home. Any particles that make it through an air filter may travel through your HVAC unit and continue on via ducts that lead to the vents in each room of your home. In an effort to improve indoor air quality, manufacturers produce several styles of filters, such as fiberglass, pleated, and electrostatic types.

Airborne Particles

Airborne particles can enter your home through openings around windows and doors. If you have a particularly drafty house, there may be a high level of pollutants traveling through your HVAC system and clogging your filters. The experts at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating can perform an evaluation to locate areas where the air is entering your home.

Unseasonably Warm or Cold Temperatures

Did you know that the weather affects the efficiency of your heating and cooling system? If it is unseasonably warm or cold outside, your HVAC equipment works harder to keep your home comfortable. The equipment runs more often, and this increases the volume of air going through your filters. During these peak use times, it is normal for filters to need changing more often and usually does not indicate a HVAC issue.

Damaged Ducts

Heated and cooled air is moved through your home in a series of metal tunnels. The tunnels have junctions that are held together with hardware and sometimes sealed with tape. Over time, the connections or the sealing tape may come loose, and dirt and debris may enter the ductwork system through the openings in areas like the attic. These particles get recirculated through your system, and your HVAC filters end up getting clogged and need to be changed. It is recommended that you have your ductwork professionally cleaned every two years. This will not only increase the quality of the air in your home but also reduce the frequency of air filters needing to be changed out.

High-Quality Filters

High-quality filters cost more, but they may be necessary if a family member has respiratory issues. They filter more of the particulates out of the air in your home and may reduce symptoms associated with allergies or asthma. Because they catch a larger volume of debris and smaller particles than lower-quality filters, they may need to be changed more often than low-quality filters. This is normal and probably does not indicate a problem with your HVAC system.

Types of Filters for HVAC Systems

HEPA filters are the most effective style and trap more than 99% of airborne particulates, including viruses, pet dander, and mold spores. They are commonly used in hospitals. For homeowners who have family members with respiratory issues, this may be a good option. Fiberglass filters are typically the style of choice for budget-conscious homeowners. The downside is that these filters do not trap small particulates. Some pleated filters can be reused, which makes them another preferred choice for frugal homeowners. Electrostatic filters may be best for reducing allergies.

Schedule a Maintenance Appointment

If you are changing your filters more often than what is recommended by the manufacturer, schedule an HVAC appointment with one of our technicians. We will perform a whole-house evaluation to determine the source of the problem.

Contact the Professionals

At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, we have decades of experience installing, repairing, and maintaining heating and cooling systems in Spring, TX, and the surrounding areas. We also provide indoor air quality, insulation, and smart thermostat services.

If your filters are getting dirty too fast, it may be time to schedule an appointment with a technician from North Point Air Conditioning & Heating in Spring, TX. We will work with you to determine the cause of the issue and can offer recommendations for what type of air filter to use with your HVAC equipment.

Heat Pumps or Gas Furnaces: Which Are Better for Winter Heating?

Posted on December 19, 2022 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Homeowners all over the Spring, TX, area know that it gets cold enough here in the winter to make heating necessary. However, they don’t always agree on the best way to heat their homes. Some swear by their tried-and-true gas furnaces, while others insist that heat pumps are a better option. The truth is, however, that both options have strengths and weaknesses. Here are the pros and cons of both heating options so you can come to your own conclusion.

Furnace Advantages and Disadvantages

Modern gas furnaces are among the most efficient home heating systems available. At a minimum, a gas furnace sold today must have an AFUE rating of 80, meaning that it converts 80% of the fuel it uses into heat for your home. However, it’s possible to find furnaces that are 98.5% efficient, too.

On top of their efficiency, gas furnaces are a mature technology that’s relatively easy to maintain. They’re also quite reliable, and it’s reasonable to expect between 15 and 20 years of reliable heating from a new gas furnace.

Gas furnaces aren’t perfect, though. Since they burn natural gas or propane to heat your home, there’s always the possibility of a gas leak. Also, a malfunction in a gas furnace could lead to a buildup of carbon monoxide in your home. If you don’t catch it in time, it could be fatal to everyone inside your home. Fortunately, though, such problems are very uncommon, and most gas furnaces operate safely throughout their lifetimes.

Heat Pump Advantages and Disadvantages

Although gas furnaces are quite efficient, they’re nothing compared to heat pumps. An air-source heat pump can be as much as 300% efficient. That means it will produce 3 units of heat for every unit of electricity it consumes. The secret to that efficiency is that heat pumps don’t use fuel or electricity to produce heat, except when it’s extremely cold outside.

Heat pumps capture available heat energy from the outdoor air and carry it indoors to heat your home. The electricity a heat pump uses merely powers that process. As a result, heat pumps have very low operating costs compared to gas furnaces.
Another advantage of a heat pump is that it can cool your home in the summer. That means having a single HVAC system to use in all seasons. That can lower your household HVAC maintenance costs and help you recoup more of your initial costs over time.

One of the main disadvantages of heat pumps is their initial installation costs, which can be higher than that of a gas furnace. Also, if your home doesn’t have enough insulation, a heat pump might struggle to keep your home at a comfortable temperature. This is because heat pumps don’t generate air that’s quite as hot as a furnace might. That makes them less adept at overcoming cold drafts and other heat losses in your home. They work best when you set them at a single temperature and leave it there for the duration of the heating season.

Choosing Between Furnaces and Heat Pumps

In truth, both furnaces and heat pumps are excellent ways to heat your home. So, there’s nothing wrong with choosing either solution, depending on your personal preferences. If your home already has a gas furnace and it needs replacing, it’s often cheaper and simpler to buy a new furnace.

However, if you want a heating solution that offers maximum efficiency, you can’t beat a heat pump. Plus, since we typically don’t have very cold winters here in Spring, TX, heat pumps work especially well here. You’ll just need to have a professional installer make certain that your home’s insulation will support the use of a heat pump. If not, you’ll need to resolve the issue first.

Trust the Home Heating Specialists

The best news about all of this is the fact that no matter which option you choose, North Point Air Conditioning & Heating can help you install it. We’ve served the Spring, TX, area since 1978, and offer complete heating, cooling, and insulation services throughout the area. So, whether you opt for a new furnace or a heat pump, or if you’d like to keep the heating system you have operating at peak efficiency, North Point Air Conditioning & Heating is the place to turn.

For all of your furnace and heat pump installation and service needs, contact North Point Air Conditioning & Heating today!

Why Is My Heat Pump Entering Defrost Mode?

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

If you’re a homeowner that recently purchased a heat pump system to heat and cool your home, congratulations! You’re the proud owner of a cutting-edge HVAC system that offers unbeatable efficiency and an environmentally friendly operation. As we head into the winter heating system, however, you’re bound to have some questions about some of the things your heat pump does when the weather turns cold.

One of those things is its regular defrost mode cycles. It’s a feature that’s unique to heat pumps and one that homeowners often don’t quite understand. To remedy that, here’s an explanation of your heat pump’s defrost mode and why your heat pump activates it from time to time.

What Is the Defrost Mode?

Heat pumps achieve their high efficiency due to the fact that they don’t create or destroy heat. Instead, they move existing heat from one place to another. In the summer, a heat pump removes heat from your home and vents it into the outdoors. In the winter, it extracts heat from the outdoor air and uses it to warm up your indoor spaces.

This is possible because even on cold days, a heat pump can use the temperature differential of its super-cold refrigerant and the outside air to produce heat. The trouble is, it does this by pumping the refrigerant through the coils in its outdoor unit and blowing air across them. When the temperature outside gets cold enough, the coils can develop frost and impede airflow. That’s where defrost mode comes into play.

Defrost mode temporarily reverses the operation of a heat pump to melt any accumulated frost on the outdoor coils. It will only do this when the outdoor temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. It’s a normal part of a heat pump’s operation in the winter and isn’t anything to worry about.

How Does the Defrost Mode Operate?

The defrost mode on your heat pump prevents frost buildup from interfering with the unit’s operation. When airflow through the outdoor coils gets blocked, the heat pump won’t be capable of extracting heat from the outside air. To prevent that from happening to heat pumps, they have a frost sensor that monitors the temperature of the outdoor coils. If they drop below freezing, the unit activates the defrost mode to warm the coils. Most heat pumps aim for an outside coil temperature of around 57 degrees Fahrenheit before returning to normal operation.

Some heat pumps have a defrost mode that works on a timer instead. They’ll activate the defrost mode at intervals of 20, 60, or 90 minutes to prevent frost buildup on the outdoor coils. Those cycles will continue to run as long as the coil temperature keeps returning to below 32 degrees Fahrenheit.

How Long Are Defrost Mode Cycles?

When your heat pump enters defrost mode, you can expect the cycle to last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes. In general, the colder it is outside, the longer the defrost cycles will last. That’s to allow enough time for the coils to warm and melt any frost buildup.

Some other factors can affect the length of your heat pump’s defrost cycles. For example, you can expect the defrost cycles to last a bit longer when it’s especially humid outside. That’s because the added humidity will increase the frost buildup, which will trigger a defrost cycle and make it harder for the heat pump to melt the accumulated frost. The same is true when you’re demanding more heat from your heat pump on a cold day. Doing that will lower the temperature of the outside coils much faster and trigger more frequent defrost cycles.

How Can I Tell if My Heat Pump Has a Problem?

Even though defrost cycles aren’t anything unusual for a heat pump operating in the winter, there are some situations where defrost cycles indicate a problem. To understand when your heat pump needs servicing, you need to know what to look for. There are some situations where defrost cycles are a symptom of a problem. These include:

Defrost cycling at temperatures above 32 degrees Fahrenheit
Inappropriately long defrost cycles
Ice buildup on the outdoor unit after defrost cycling
Lack of warm air indoors after defrost cycling

If you notice your heat pump exhibiting any of the above symptoms, you should call the experts here at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating right away.

Trust the Heat Pump Specialists

Heat pumps make an excellent addition to any home here in Spring, TX. So, if you’re considering upgrading your home’s HVAC system anytime soon, you should consider purchasing one. When that time comes, there’s nowhere better to turn than North Point Air Conditioning & Heating. We provide a complete range of heating and cooling services, as well as sales and service of the latest in heat pump technology.

So, don’t wait another moment. Contact North Point Air Conditioning & Heating today to discuss a heat pump for your home in Spring.

4 Benefits of Installing New Ductwork

Posted on August 17, 2022 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Ductwork is a network of air ducts, usually installed behind your house’s walls. And it’s responsible for carrying conditioned or heated air from the HVAC to different parts of your home. It’s an essential part of the air circulation process around your house, keeping your living space at the desired temperature and comfortable at all times. Like other systems in your residential property, ductwork ages over time. Due to wear and tear, there might be broken connections and leaks throughout your duct system, resulting in energy loss.

According to the United States Department of Energy, around 30% of cooling or heating energy can get lost through leaky or inefficient ductwork. In addition, your duct system can accumulate debris, dirt, pollen, dust, pet dander, and other allergens with time. If you don’t clean them, these air pollutants can lead to poor air quality, affecting your family’s health and wellbeing. The lifespan of ductwork is roughly 10 to 15 years. This service life correlates with the lifespan of furnaces, HVAC units, and air conditioners. Ideally, at some point, many homeowners replace their whole HVAC system, including ductwork. Replacing your duct network before it collapses or develops holes and broken connections can save you a lot of money and problems in the long run. Here are some common benefits you will enjoy from installing a new duct system.

1. Improved Air Quality

Old ductwork is prone to mold growth, especially if you have a humidity problem. Holes and broken connections in your duct system can also allow dust particles and other air pollutants to enter and circulate inside your house. Your old ductwork may even harbor pests and other intruders. All these contaminants can result in high concentrations of allergens indoors. As a result, there will be poor air quality which can pose health risks to your family. Pests, mold, and accumulation of allergens can also produce unpleasant odors, forcing you to use air fresheners or similar products to clear the smell. Fortunately, installing a new duct system will eliminate the risk of allergens and low air quality circulating into your house, allowing you to enjoy cleaner air.

2. It Boosts Your HVAC Unit’s Efficiency

According to statistics, HVAC systems are the biggest energy consumers in many American homes. The better your HVAC unit functions, the less energy it’ll consume. If you boost your unit’s efficiency, its energy consumption will reduce, leading to lower energy bills. An aging duct system may have holes and cracks that leak large volumes of air, resulting in increased energy costs, particularly if the conduits go through unoccupied places. Changing the air ducts will ensure no conditioned or heated air is lost through drafts and cracks. Your HVAC won’t overwork to maintain your ideal indoor temperatures when there is no air loss. As a result, it’ll consume less energy, saving you a lot of money on utility bills.

3. Enhanced Airflow and Better Temperature Control

The main function of your HVAC equipment is to ensure uniform airflow in your living space at the ideal temperature. However, this function will be significantly affected if your duct system has drafts, cracks, and openings. You will not only experience inconsistent temperatures but restricted airflow as well. As a result, you may need to adjust your thermostat to attain the desired temperature regularly. That’s because your HVAC will have problems cooling or heating your space accordingly. To avoid such problems, you need to replace your ductwork. With new ductwork, you’ll enjoy enhanced airflow, better temperature control, and improved efficiency

4. Prolonged HVAC Lifespan

Your duct system can significantly impact the overall efficiency of your HVAC equipment. The less air your ducts lose, the less burden your unit will endure. If your HVAC unit doesn’t strain to keep your living space comfortable, it’ll experience less wear and tear. As a result, your HVAC will need lesser repairs, extending its service life. Therefore, installing a new duct system will prevent premature breakdowns and save you from replacing the entire HVAC system before its lifecycle.

Contact the Experts Today!

For the smooth functioning of your cooling and heating equipment, you must keep the entire HVAC system updated, including your duct system. Installing a new duct system will minimize noise, enhance air quality, conserve energy and extend your HVAC lifespan. If you are considering installing new ducts, contact our HVAC experts at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating today. These professionals will evaluate your cooling and heating needs before installing new ductwork to ensure your HVAC runs smoothly and efficiently. We also offer smart thermostats, mini-splits, air quality, and insulation services throughout Spring, TX, and its surroundings. Call us today to learn more about the advantages of installing new air ducts or book your service appointment!

Will Closing the Upstairs Vents Save You Money?

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

The HVAC system plays an essential role in maintaining favorable temperatures in your home through the seasons. However, the convenience and comfort of this equipment comes with additional expenses. It contributes to a significant amount of your energy bills. With such demands, residents of Montgomery, TX attempt to look for ways to reduce costs.

While there are various ways to reduce the energy consumption of your HVAC system, closing the upstairs vents is not one of them. North Point Air Conditioning & Heating gives the following reasons why closing upstairs vents is not a wise money-saving technique.

Encourages Rapid Mold Growth

Mold is a type of fungi that thrives in stale and moist spaces. You are likely to find mold on the dark corners of the wall, furniture fabrics, and on the surface of the ceiling. Having mold in your house can cause you severe health complications. It is also hard to clean up the mold, especially if it attaches itself to the walls, furniture, and fabric. As a result, it wrecks the appearance of your home.

Locking the air vents in your upstairs rooms reduces or stops air from circulating. With time, humidity in those spaces increases due to a decrease in temperature. These conditions cause the room to be stuffy, making it easy for mold to grow and rapidly multiply. Consequently, you will spend a lot of money for cleaning, restoring your home’s aesthetics and mold removal. Although you may be lucky to control mold within the home, you need an HVAC technician from North Point Air Conditioning & Heating to dispel mold from the HVAC unit.

Destroys Ductwork

As time goes by, your ducts will corrode due to constant moisture and frequent temperature differences. The wear and tear process can cause holes, thus allowing air leaks from the surrounding areas. Closing the vents upstairs interferes with air circulation. With time, there is a buildup of pressure within the ducts that results in a loose connection. Further, the intense pressure causes cracks or enlarges the existing holes, further ruining your ducts. It is essential to note that ductwork damages can significantly increase energy usage.

Disrupts Your Homes Comfort

Adjusting the temperature in your home ensures that your space is comfortable. The components of your HVAC system need to work in synchrony to achieve the desired temperature in every room. When the air vents close for a long time, it affects the volume balancing dampers and the blowers. What follows is an imbalance of temperature in the various rooms. Some become hotter or cooler depending on their proximity to these components and the thermostat settings. The discomfort that comes with temperature inconsistencies will force you to find alternative ways of insulation. This process can also become an additional expense.

High Risk of Carbon Monoxide Circulation

The quality of the air you breathe contributes to your overall health. Clean air allows your organs to function correctly, helping you to lead a better life. The air vents are responsible for circulating air in and out of your HVAC unit.

When you close the registers in your upper rooms, it decreases the necessary factors for combustion. The heat exchanger begins to crack, and it emits carbon monoxide. When the polluted air seeps into your home, it causes headaches, fatigue, and difficulty breathing. In severe cases, it may lead to loss of life. Closing your upstairs registers is not worth the increased health risks.

Increases Energy Bills

Your HVAC system has an optimum level of operation. Allowing it to operate within its limits ensures that it remains efficient. However, shutting the air vents increases the internal pressure. The system works to expel the excess air and maintain average balance. During this process, more energy is used which increases your bills and strain on the unit. In worst cases, the pressure destroys your system, forcing you to repair or purchase a new one.

Conclusion

Shutting your air vents may seem economical if you have a storied house. However, it is a temporary solution to your energy bill concerns. The heating, ventilation, and air conditioning unit is more effective when its vents are open. If you want to save some money, consider installing a zoning system.

It is essential to understand your HVAC system and get it to work correctly. Seeking expert advice allows you to operate your unit better. If you have a hard time with your HVAC unit, you can get professional help from North Point Air Conditioning & Heating. Our highly trained personnel offer AC repairs, installation, and maintenance services in Montgomery and its surrounding areas. Call us today for bookings and expert advice!

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.

Tips to Optimize Your Room Temperature for Sleep

Posted on October 19, 2021 | by North Point Air Conditioning & Heating | Leave a Comment

Optimal Sleeping Temperature in Spring, TX

Trying to fall asleep when your bedroom is at the wrong temperature is a frustrating experience. If it is too cold, you may find yourself trying to curl up and take advantage of your body heat. Eventually, you have to pull yourself out of bed to find extra covers. A room that is too warm will leave you tossing and turning as you try to kick off your blankets and find the cool side of the pillow.

At North Point Air Conditioning & Heating, our goal is to help you stay comfortable in every season. Our experience with heating and cooling systems will give you the consistent temperature you need for a good night’s rest. Most people spend about a third of their lives in bed, and we can help make those nighttime hours restful and refreshing.

The Need for Restful Sleep

Everyone on the planet must sleep to stay healthy. Your sleeping hours are more than just a way to recharge your batteries. Your body also uses this time to clean and reset itself. While you sleep, your brain cleanses itself of waste products, allowing you to start your day with mental clarity.

When you do not get enough sleep, it has negative effects on your health and well-being. The irritability and cloudiness that come from a sleepless night get worse over time. Sleep deficits can create feelings of anxiety, worry, and depression. They increase stress levels and all the dangerous side effects of chronic stress, too.

These effects are part of the reason that researchers are urging everyone to take sleep seriously. You want to find ways to prepare both your mind and body for a sustained period of rest. The temperature of your bedroom is an important factor in that preparation.

The Natural Sleep Cycle and Room Temperature

The process of falling asleep has always been a mystery. It is hard to explain what happens when you slip into this unconscious state. However, there have recently been more studies looking at what happens as you fall asleep. This research points to the best conditions for making the transition.

The sleep cycle has several stages. The process starts while you are awake. Like other animals, your body responds to natural light. As evening approaches, the sunlight dims. This change is a signal for your body to produce melatonin and other sleep-inducing hormones. During this time, your body temperature drops as much as two degrees below the normal 98.6. Your blood pressure also decreases as your metabolism slows down. You start to get that heavy feeling that tells you it is almost time for bed.

Once you are comfortable, your body goes through three pre-REM phases before entering the deep REM sleep stage. On a perfect night, you will go through this cycle several times without interruption. However, an uncomfortable room temperature can disrupt things during the pre-REM stages, resulting in shortened or missed sleep cycles.

Determining the Right Temperature

Finding your optimal sleep temperature can avoid a broken sleep pattern. If you are not sure where to begin, you might try setting the thermostat for 65 degrees. This setting is where most people find comfort. Because each body is different, you may need to experiment from there.

Other factors can affect your ideal temperature. If you prefer to sleep snugly under several covers, a cooler setting will feel more comfortable. On the other hand, if you sleep without the restriction of clothing, you may want a room temperature on the higher side.

With a well-maintained home climate system, you can rely on a consistent temperature throughout the night. Some people track their sleep using a journal at their bedside. New health devices and mobile apps will also monitor your activity while you sleep. With some trial and error, you can figure out the temperature that gives you an uninterrupted night.

Developing a Sleep Routine

A programmable thermostat can get your room to the ideal temperature before you go to bed. It is also beneficial to develop a personal sleep routine that prepares your body for rest. Because the sleep cycle is sensitive to light, it can be helpful to turn off screens about an hour before bed. Activities that slow you down like meditation, reading, or listening to calm music will also help you get ready.

Your Partner for Home Comfort

The Spring, Texas, area experiences both hot summers and cool winters. You need a partner that will keep your home comfort systems running smoothly. The team at North Point Air Conditioning & Heating is happy to help with the expert repair, maintenance, and installation of your heating and cooling systems. We can also improve your home climate with indoor air quality services. Contact us today to learn more.