Is It More Economical to Use a Space Heater or a Furnace?

March 17, 2022

Summers in Austin, TX, are hot, and winters can be frigid. For most Austin homeowners, more than 50% of their energy expenditure is cooling or heating their home. It only makes sense to want to heat your home in the most energy-efficient way possible. Many people have been told that it is less expensive to heat their home with a space heater instead of a furnace. The following factors can influence how much money you will save by using a space heater over a furnace. The Pros and Cons of Space Heaters Your

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The Right Times to Install a New Air Conditioner

February 15, 2022

The best time to install a new air conditioner is when you can plan to get the best value out of the purchase and installation cost. Generally, the best time to install a new air conditioning unit is springtime. However, the season is not the only factor to consider. The condition of your current unit and your energy needs also play a role. Avoid the Summer Rush Summer months are when you need to get the most power out of your AC unit. With hotter temperatures, this is a time when many people find

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A Clean Heat Pump or Furnace Reduces Energy Bills

January 12, 2022

Nobody wants to pay high utility bills. Unfortunately, it is impossible to stop these from arriving. However, there are ways to make your utility bills lower, and one of them is keeping your heat pump or furnace clean. The following are a few steps to keep these units working at maximum efficiency. Clean Your Heat Pump If you put your hand over your mouth and nose and then try to breathe in and out, you will be able to do it. However, it will require more effort than if you were breathing normally.

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Diagnosing Your Furnace When It’s Blowing Cold Air

December 16, 2021

When something is designed only for a single task, you expect it to do that task properly. Since your furnace is designed only to heat your Austin home, it can be especially frustrating when it’s blowing cold air instead of warm air. If you’re getting fed up with a furnace that’s not doing its job, you’ll be thankful for these tips from Totally Cool Heating & Air to help you figure out what’s wrong. Check Your Thermostat If your furnace is blowing cold air, don’t overlook your thermostat as a possible culprit. First, check to make sure that you

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How Should I Heat My Home This Winter?

November 17, 2021

Before you know it, Austin will be in the throes of winter. While a local winter might not be as harsh as a northern winter, there’s always a chance that frigid, snowy weather could visit this area. That’s why it’s important to understand your heating options so that you can choose the best one for your home. By planning ahead, you’ll be warm and cozy inside your home even if there’s a freak snowstorm outside. Here are a few heating options that come highly recommended by Totally Cool Heating & Air. Air-Source Heat Pump Thanks to the mild Texas winters,

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Guide to Thermostatic Expansion Valve

October 20, 2021

Sometimes your HVAC contractor will tell you that the reason your heat pump or air conditioner is misbehaving is that your thermostatic expansion valve is broken. Therefore, you should know what this is, how it works, how to tell when there is a problem and the possible solutions to those issues. Here is all you need to know about the thermostatic expansion valve. What Is a Thermostatic Expansion Valve? A thermostatic expansions valve (usually abbreviated as TEV or TXV) is a device that helps your system function efficiently in controlling the temperature of the room. It

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Here’s How to Re-light Your Furnace

September 22, 2021

When the heat goes out, it’s never a good situation. During the winter here in Austin, it can get pretty cold, especially when the sun goes down. You’ll want your heat back on as soon as possible so that you can stay warm and comfortable. In some cases, not having heat is an indication that there’s a major problem occurring. In other cases, the solution may be as simple as re-lighting your pilot light. Below, we’ll give you instructions on how to safely relight the furnace and restore your heat. Safety First

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Wrapping Up Your AC System for the Winter

August 3, 2021

You’re probably familiar with the fact that you have to perform maintenance on your air conditioning system at the start of the summertime season. However, the work doesn’t stop there. You’ll need to perform necessary maintenance on your air conditioning system at the end of the summer season to ensure that it’s wrapped up and protected during the cold winter months. Listen to and Smell Your System Before you turn your air conditioning system off for the winter season, you need to take some time to listen to it run. When parts are starting to go

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Tips to Make the Best Use of Your AC

July 30, 2021

From the looks of it, it seems like it will be another hot summer with just the tiniest bit of precipitation. For many, that means using their air conditioners non-stop to keep cool and comfortable inside of their homes. Unfortunately, this can easily make your monthly utility bills in Austin skyrocket, a scenario you don’t want to have to deal with. Luckily, there are some steps you can take to not only make the best use of your air conditioning system but also to ensure you still have some cash afterward. Depending on the steps, some

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How Does Central Air Conditioning Work?

June 16, 2021

Most people think of an air conditioner system as a device that automatically generates cool air for cooling their homes. The air conditioning system mode of operation is the same as that of a refrigerator. A properly working AC unit will help you attain the desired room temperature in your home at any given time. Generally, air conditioners have two parts connected to help you cool your home. It has an outdoor component and an indoor unit. The outdoor component contains the air conditioner’s condenser coils while the indoor unit has the compressor coils.

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