How To Identify Asbestos Insulation

October 8, 2024

Identifying asbestos insulation in your home is critical to maintaining a safe living environment. Asbestos, a naturally occurring mineral once known for its fire-resistant properties, has been linked to serious health risks such as lung cancer and mesothelioma. Many homes built before the 1980s contain asbestos insulation, so homeowners must understand how to recognize it. At Totally Cool Heating & Air in Austin, TX, we help homeowners get high-quality, safe insulation for their homes. Here, we’ll cover the main features of asbestos insulation, common places to find it, and what to do if you think it might be there.

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The Importance of Air Balancing

September 17, 2024

Your HVAC system relies on air movement to heat and cool your home. However, it’s not just a matter of moving air into and out of the system but ensuring that there’s proper balance for the air movement throughout your home. Air balancing is a process by which an HVAC technician adjusts how air flows to and from your HVAC system. Technicians consider both how much air flows into the system through return vents and how much flows out through supply vents. Part of how your system works to distribute conditioned air is

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Preparing For Your Furnace Installation

August 13, 2024

Furnaces have a lifetime of around 15 years, though they can last longer if a homeowner has been diligent about annual maintenance. However, you will eventually have to have it replaced. Before the installation day arrives, there are a few things you can do to prepare. In general, your HVAC team will be able to complete the installation process in a day. Choosing a Furnace replacemnt Choosing the right furnace replacement is crucial for ensuring comfort and an efficient home. One of the big decisions you’ll face is whether to opt for a high-efficiency model.

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Indicators of a Trustworthy Attic Insulation Technician

July 22, 2024

Properly installed attic insulation can have many positive benefits for your home. In addition to reducing your heating and cooling costs, it can improve your home’s air quality, reduce noise pollution, and protect the structure from the outside elements. When it comes to ensuring that you have the best attic insulation possible, hiring a great technician is as important as using the best materials. The right technician knows what to do and what not to do, even in unexpected situations or when working with challenging structures. Here are some key factors to consider when determining if you’re

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Why Duct Cleaning Is Important

June 11, 2024

Professional air duct cleaning is an essential service for your Austin home. Your air ducts transport the hot and cold air from your heating and cooling system. Dirty and blocked ducts reduce the efficiency and reliability of your system, leaving you with a less comfortable house. Duct cleaning is not optional. If you own a home, you will need regular air duct cleaning. What Is Professional Duct Cleaning? Technicians use compressed air and a high-suction vacuum to clean dust, debris, and other contaminants from your air ducts. The vacuum is attached at the ends of your

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What Qualifications Should My HVAC Contractor Have?

May 15, 2024

Searching for a qualified HVAC contractor can pose a challenge, especially if your goal is to balance cost with finding quality equipment and installation. Here are some considerations when assessing an HVAC technician’s qualifications. NATE Certification NATE certification, short for North American Technician Excellence, is awarded by a nonprofit organization. This certification entails rigorous experience- and knowledge-based testing and periodic follow-up training and testing. When you contract a NATE-certified technician, you can trust that you’re working with a skilled and knowledgeable professional. They have successfully passed a series of tests with scores of 70% or higher,

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BTUs Explained

April 3, 2024

When looking for a new AC unit, you’re going to come across the term “BTU.” Understanding what BTUs are and how they work to cool your home is important when choosing the best unit for your needs. BTU is an abbreviation for British Thermal Unit, a measurement that explains how much heat can be removed from your home within an hour. The BTU rating on AC units is particularly important for homeowners because if you get a model that doesn’t match up with your square footage and cooling needs, it won’t excel at cooling your air. At Totally Cool Heating & Air, we are

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Why Is My Furnace Leaking Water?

March 13, 2024

Have you noticed water dripping out of your furnace or pooling up around it? A furnace that leaks water is a common issue that only happens for a few different reasons. However, the specific problems that can cause this to happen differ depending on your furnace type. In this article, we’ll show you how to tell what type of furnace you have and also explain issues that can cause furnaces to leak. Determining What Type of Furnace You Have The first step to figuring out why your furnace is leaking water is to determine if

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Can Poor Indoor Air Quality Affect My Health?

February 20, 2024

When you consider air pollution, your outdoor environment may immediately spring to mind. People often don’t realize that indoor pollutants can also pose a significant threat to well-being and quality of life. We spend much of our time indoors, particularly those who live in colder climates. Smoke, chemicals, mold, pet dander, dust, and even outdoor contaminants circulate inside the walls of your home and workplace, exposing you and other indoor dwellers to a variety of health risks. Here’s what you need to know about the health risks of poor indoor air quality and how to manage them.

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What Is Included in an AC Service Visit?

January 10, 2024

You may be thinking about getting your air conditioner serviced but do not know what it entails. Servicing your cooling system is essential to keeping it working properly. Here is what is included in an AC service visit. What Happens During an AC Service Visit? During an AC service visit, a technician first performs an inspection of your air conditioner to determine if it is working properly. A maintenance specialist checks all mechanical and electrical components for safety and efficiency. A technician checks the condenser and evaporator coils to make sure

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