Why Upgrading Your Insulation Is Not a DIY Job

September 20, 2020

If you are trying to cut your cooling and heating costs in Austin, TX, home insulation adjustments are a great way to minimize your utility bill. However, many homeowners are afraid that the rate of hiring an expert insulation contractor may outweigh their possible savings, so they are turning to DIY insulation to save money. Will removing and updating your home insulation save you cash or be a headache at the end of the day? Let us look at the dangers and possible complications of DIY improvement projects like modernizing insulation. Dangers of Removing

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AC Repairs You Might Not Know You Need

August 8, 2020

It can be frustrating to find that your system has suddenly stopped working. You can avoid such eventualities by maintaining your AC regularly. Regular preventative maintenance helps to prevent high utility bills and expensive replacements. Here are some repairs you might not know you need. Decreased Cooling Capacity One problem that you may ignore is when the AC progressively loses its capacity to cool the interior. Often it indicates clogging in the filter, which restricts airflow within the system. As a result, your air conditioner will require more energy to cool your home.

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Should I Have My Thermostat Set To “Auto” or “On”?

July 12, 2020

Thermostats have lots of useful settings for all sorts of scenarios. Two of the most common are “On” and “Auto.” The Auto setting automatically turns on and off the fan while the “On” setting keeps the blower on at all times. Each has its own merits that can provide your home with the most comfortable climate. Here’s a look at whether you should have your thermostat set to Auto or On. Cost Efficiency Cost efficiency is a major variable in this equation. The Auto setting is much less expensive to run than On. In Auto mode,

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Are Humidifiers Good For Your Health

June 5, 2020

When you’re suffering from coughs, a runny nose, congestion, and other respiratory issues, any relief is a welcome sight. While over-the-counter medicines can offer temporary relief, you may not want to put medicine in your body every time you get a sniffle. That’s why many people turn to humidifiers for relief when the weather in Austin causes people to feel less than their best. Even though humidifiers are a popular form of treatment, you may wonder if they actually work. To help you maintain your health, at Totally Cool AC, we offer this guide to humidifiers.

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How To Cut AC Power Consumption Without Replacing

May 10, 2020

In the average home, most of the energy bills each month go toward powering the air conditioner. This is especially true during the summer. Therefore, your AC usage is one of the first things to look at when you want to save money. A lot of guides to cutting back on energy usage recommend all sorts of fancy, new, energy-efficient equipment. This is not a feasible option for all homeowners, however. Fortunately, there are many other ways you can save without having to buy a brand-new HVAC system. Rethink Your Landscaping Use your outdoor landscaping to

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Does my AC Require Service Every Year?

April 15, 2020

By now, you have probably been advised to ensure that your air conditioning system gets annual tune-up services to keep it in top shape. However, if you are completely convinced that your AC unit is operating at its peak level, you may wonder if annual AC tune-ups are even necessary. At Totally Cool AC, we highly recommend that residents in Austin, TX, and its surrounding areas turn to us for routine AC maintenance services. This is because we have accumulated lots of experience in the cooling industry and understand the importance of taking preventative measures. Do not ignore the necessity

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Careers in the HVAC Industry

March 4, 2020

Careers in the HVAC industry can provide you with long-term job security and the ability to work with your hands and help people every day. The field is open to anyone of any age or level of all ability — as long as you’re willing to get training and certification. It’s also good if you have good organizational and communication skills and an aptitude for mechanical work. Beginning in the HVAC Industry Those in the HVAC industry generally attend a technical college or community college. Classes and certification can often be completed in eight weeks or

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Can Salt Lamps Improve Air Quality?

March 4, 2020

You’ve probably seen a Himalayan salt lamp before. These lights come in a variety of shapes and sizes, with the most common form being a single lightbulb inside of a large oblong piece of salt rock. Salt lamps are rumored to release negative ions, which are supposed to have positive health effects and to cleanse the air around them. How much truth is there in claims like these? Salt Lamps Do Produce Negative Ions If you’re fortunate enough to live near a beach, you may be aware of how relaxing and rejuvenating the ocean air is.

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Ventilation Is a Necessary Consideration for Your Home

March 4, 2020

Today’s modern homes are built with energy-efficient qualities that owners expect. Many older homes are retrofitted with energy-saving features as well, and the results are impressive when it comes to quantifying efficient use of heating and cooling systems. However, all this efficiency in air retention comes at a cost: the loss of air movement around the home. The energy-losing and drafty houses we used to inhabit were actually often more healthy for us than our current air-tight and energy-saving homes. Why You Need Good Ventilation in Your Home Homes without good air circulation and ventilation are

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5 Causes of AC Airflow Problems

December 26, 2019

Totally Cool has been providing a broad range of air conditioning services to the Austin area for more than 30 years. During summer, our service calls often deal with air conditioning systems that are operating but creating indoor environments that are unevenly cool. Here is a list of the top five causes of AC airflow problems. Dirty Air Filters and Return Vents Your system has at least one air filter and perhaps more that are designed to prevent particulates from entering the system. As a rule of thumb, such filters should be replaced at least every

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