Why Does My Air Conditioner Smell?

May 24, 2021

A smelly air conditioner can make the entire house smell bad. The odor can also indicate poor air quality, depending on the cause. Your AC should not smell, so you need to get to the bottom of the problem if it does. Here are some reasons why your air conditioner smells and what you can do about it. Causes of Bad Air Conditioner Smells There are a few different smells that may come from your air conditioner. The scent can help you diagnose the problem and determine what to do. Burning

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How Do UV Light Indoor Air Quality Products Work?

April 14, 2021

Ultraviolet (UV) light has been used for decades for disinfection and purification purposes. The technology used in most UV air purification systems is ultraviolet germicidal irradiation (UGVI), which uses short-wavelength UV light called UV-C to inactivate harmful microorganisms such as bacteria, viruses, and more. The use of UV light for disinfection and purification purposes started in commercial and municipal purposes, however over the last two decades, UV light air purification products have been extremely popular and safe for use in homes and offices. Is There a Need to Clean Indoor Air? It is a common

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How Does A Ductless Mini-Split System Work?

March 17, 2021

Ductless mini-split systems are the fastest-growing trend in home cooling and heating. That has a lot to do with recent innovations that have made the technologies involved more efficient, effective, and affordable while also requiring a smaller footprint. Is a ductless mini-split right for you? Let’s answer that question by exploring how a mini-split system works and what you can expect. Split Systems Centralized heating and cooling systems are still the most prevalent kind used in American homes. Such setups are known as split systems because they have two parts. One part is located outside the

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What Size Furnace Do I Need?

February 18, 2021

A good furnace can make all the difference when the winter in Austin turns ugly. It’s important to understand that the process of selecting a good furnace involves far more than simply selecting the best brand and calling Totally Cool Heating & Air to install the furnace for you. Properly sizing the furnace to your home will ensure that you optimize heating capabilities and energy costs. Here are a few ways to ensure you get a “Goldilocks” furnace that’s “just right.” Consider Your Location When it comes to heating a home, not all locations are created equal. Across the country,

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Why is my heating system making noise?

January 20, 2021

As temperatures start to drop, you typically rely on your heating system to keep you warm during the winter. The condition of your heater can determine how comfortable you and your family will be in your own home. If your furnace is not operating as it should, it is a good idea to get it fixed quickly. In certain scenarios, you may notice that your equipment is producing strange noises. While some furnace sounds are normal, others can hint at serious issues that could be affecting the performance of your unit. It makes sense to let an experienced and certified

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What Is Duct Sealing and Do I Need It?

December 17, 2020

If your home has a forced-air heating or cooling system, your ducts distribute conditioned air throughout your house. In the average home, around 20% to 30% of the air that circulates throughout ducts is lost due to poorly connected ducts or leaks and holes within the ductwork. If your ducts aren’t functioning properly, the result could be a spike in energy bills. You might find it difficult to keep your home comfortable, too. Common signs of poorly functioning ducts include: High year-round energy bills Indoor areas that are difficult to

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Safety Checks and Why They’re Important

November 20, 2020

Your Austin home’s HVAC system is a complicated system made up of multiple mechanical components. Although these components usually operate flawlessly, the complexity of these components means that problems can occur. In some cases, these problems can lead to safety hazards that could put you and your family at risk. To help avoid these problems and the associated risks, it’s important to have a technician from Totally Cool AC perform regular safety checks as part of your ongoing HVAC maintenance. Significant Power One of the potential safety risks associated with an HVAC system is due

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Five Easy Ways to Fix Hot Spots in Your Austin, TX Home

October 20, 2020

Many homeowners in Austin, TX, are spending unnecessary money on their heating and cooling bills. Home energy loss, which is a common problem, happens when conditioned air is allowed to escape through gaps and cracks in your home. This may be from insufficient insulation or poorly maintained ductwork. Regardless of the cause, the result will be hot and cold spots in certain rooms. Having hot spots means that your heater is probably working much harder than necessary to get the job done. The following are five things that you can do to get rid of these warmer-than-average pockets of air.

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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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