Heating & Cooling Articles

If you want to keep your Kingsville, Texas, home as comfortable as possible, you need a quality HVAC system. Although there are several different options you can choose, a packaged HVAC system may be your best. Here are a few of the different types of packaged HVAC systems you can install in your home or business and their main benefits:

Electric Air Conditioner and Gas Heat

One of the most common types of packaged HVAC systems is known as a gas pack unit. It includes basically everything you would need to heat and cool your home or business. A gas pack unit comes equipped with a gas furnace, air conditioner and evaporator coil.

Installing a gas pack unit is a good choice for those looking for a combination of power and efficiency. Thanks to the gas furnace, you’ll have big heating power, and the air conditioner and evaporator coil can effectively cool your home. Gas package units are typically found in colder climates, which means they may not be the best option for Texas homeowners.

Heat Pump Package

A heat pump package unit is another type of HVAC package system. It’s a good choice in climates where extremely cold temperatures are uncommon. These units come with both an air handler and a heat pump and operate on electricity. Efficiency is the main benefit of a heat pump package unit. Because these units are essentially air conditioners with built-in heat, you’ll have no issue cooling or heating your home.

Air Conditioner Package Unit

In warm climates, an air conditioner package unit is one of the best packaged HVAC units you can install in your home or business. A packaged air conditioner is designed solely with cooling in mind. It includes all the components you would need to keep your home cool throughout the warmest months of the year.

If you choose a packaged air conditioner unit, you’ll also have the option of adding heating strips, which would allow you to heat your home if necessary. While heating strips can provide some heat, they wouldn’t be enough in cold climates. Therefore, you’ll usually only see these packaged units in climates where very low temperatures are uncommon.

Hybrid Units

In some situations, a hybrid unit, which is also commonly called a dual fuel package unit, can be a good option. You can use hybrid units almost anywhere. But they’re especially effective in locations where temperatures several degrees below freezing are common.

Dual fuel packaged units include both a gas furnace and a heat pump, which means they use two different energy types to heat and cool a home or office. When the outside temperature is mild, the heat pump will work to cool and heat the building. When the temperature drops to a certain level, the gas furnace will activate so that you have the heating power you need. Because hybrid units use both electricity and gas, they’re highly efficient. As a result, they’re a strong option for anyone who wants to lower their energy bills.

Benefits of All Packaged Systems

Whichever type of packaged system you decide is right for your home, you can receive a wide variety of benefits. Packaged systems are a lot easier to maintain because the heating and cooling unit will be in the same location. Service technicians will be able to complete repair and maintenance jobs quickly and effectively because they won’t have to go back and forth between individual units.

A packaged system can also save you a great deal of money. Packaged units don’t have to work as hard as traditional systems, which means they are much more efficient. As a result, they help you lower monthly energy bills.

If you’re interested in installing a packaged HVAC system in your home or business? Call Bodine-Scott today at 888-481-8511. We can help you decide which type of packaged HVAC system is right for you and install it correctly.

Image provided by Bigstock

Refrigerant is an important component of your HVAC system. The refrigerant is responsible for cooling the air in your home. Without it, your air conditioner can’t change the temperature of the air. Refrigerant also may be responsible for heating your air if you have a heat pump. Due to legislation, the type of refrigerant used in HVAC systems is changing. This change can affect a number of things, including the cost of upkeep and performance. Here’s everything you need to know about the changeover so you can keep your Corpus Christi, Texas, home comfortable:

Why the Phase-Out?

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency began the process of phasing out R22 due to extensive research showing that this type of refrigerant has drastic effects on the ozone layer and the ecosystem in general. R22 leakages are highly caustic and can damage the planet, specifically in causing ozone depletion. In 2010, it became illegal to manufacture new units that use R22. On Jan. 1, 2020, R22 will become completely illegal. It will no longer be manufactured in the United States or imported.

This doesn’t mean it’s illegal to have an R22 unit, though. R22 will still be sold, but due to the phase-out, there will be a rapidly dwindling supply. This means higher prices and the possibility of your HVAC service technician not being able to find any.

What’s the New Refrigerant?

The replacement for R22 is R410A. This new type of refrigerant is what modern HVAC systems are designed to use. If you purchased a system after 2010, chances are it uses R410A.

R410A differs from R22 in a number of ways. R22, a hydrochlorofluorocarbon, is one of the last ozone-depleting substances still commonly used. R410A is not a hydrochlorofluorocarbon. R410A is much better at absorbing and releasing heat. As a result, it’s much more efficient.

Why Make the Change?

Here are a few of the biggest reasons the changeover is such a good idea:

• Reduced ozone damage: R22 causes ozone depletion when it leaks. As a result, it’s a danger to the continued health of our planet.
• Reduced cost: With the phase-out of R22, it’ll be difficult to find, driving up costs and making repairs extremely costly. If your service technician can’t get hold of R22, they won’t be able to make the necessary repairs, leading to dramatically reduced efficiency.
• Improved efficiency: R410A is able to absorb and release heat better than R22, making it more energy efficient. Plus, because it’s more fluid in temperature changing abilities, it does a better job heating or cooling your house quickly.
• Improved performance: R22 has a harder time letting go of heat, which means it’s more likely to cause a compressor burnout than the more flexible R410A.

Even if R22 wasn’t being phased out, the improvements shown by R410A are enough on their own to warrant the changeover. However, looking at all these factors combined, it’s easy to see why making the jump to a new unit is such a good idea.

Can I Retrofit My Old System?

Unfortunately, older systems can’t handle R410A. This new style of refrigerant requires significantly more pressure to do its job. The compressors on R22 systems simply can’t keep up. If you were to try to put in the new refrigerant, you could cause a catastrophic failure inside your system and completely junk it.

In addition, there aren’t any new parts or compressors that you can add to your old system to make the changeover to R410A. The only way to start using R410A is to purchase a unit designed to use this style of refrigerant. Luckily, you can get some tax credits for making the changeover. Check with whoever prepares your taxes to see if you qualify for the tax credit.

Ready to make the change? Bodine-Scott can help. Give us a call today at 888-481-8511 to set up an appointment with our experienced service technicians.

Image provided by Bigstock

A new furnace installation is a big investment. Because of this, many homeowners in Three Rivers, Texas, look for ways to extend the life of their heating systems. Preventative maintenance is key to making it last longer. Keep reading to learn tips and tricks for making your furnace last longer than its standard life cycle.

How Long Should a Furnace Last?

The average furnace has a lifespan of 15 to 20 years. Systems lasting this long have had regular preventive maintenance performed on them. Most furnace parts won’t last the full life cycle, so repairs and parts replacements are common. In most instances, they’re cheaper than replacing the entire unit. An exception to this is when the heat exchanger goes bad, as this is the most expensive part of a furnace.

Schedule a Furnace Tune-up

Tune-ups and preventive maintenance are crucial to the lifespan of your heating system. Our HVAC specialists will inspect the heating unit for damaged parts and clean the system. We can also inspect and clean your ductwork as needed. Cleaning the system improves heating efficiency and extends the life of the furnace. It also improves air quality in your home by reducing the amount of dust and dirt in the air.

Contact us any time you notice the furnace isn’t operating as you think it should. Letting the system run with worn or damaged parts can significantly impede its ability to run efficiently and reduce its lifespan.

Install a Programmable Thermostat

Another simple way to extend the life of your furnace is to install a programmable thermostat. This type of thermostat allows you to create a schedule for the heating system. During the times of the day or night when you’re not home, program the thermostat to a more moderate temperature depending on the season. As a result, you’ll save money on heating expenses and reduce wear and tear on the heating system. Consider a Wi-Fi thermostat that allows you to adjust the temperature when you’re away from home via your smartphone.

Change the Furnace Filter

Extending the life of your furnace starts with changing the filter regularly. Instead of waiting a full 90 days before changing the filter, inspect it every 45 days to see if it’s dirty. This is important for making the furnace last longer. In homes with indoor pets, changing the filter once every 30 days is highly recommended. Vacuuming air registers once a week to remove pet hair can also extend the life of the heating system.

Use the Right Furnace Filter

In addition to changing the filter regularly, it’s important to use the right one. If you’re using a filter not designed for your heating system, your furnace may endure unnecessary wear and tear. For example, most systems aren’t compatible with HEPA filters. Our experienced service technicians can perform a simple assessment of your heating system and recommend the right filter for it.

Fix Air Leaks Around Your Home

Another important way to make your heating system lasts longer than its life cycle is to fix air leaks. That’s because air leaks allow warm air to escape from the ductwork. As a result, the furnace works harder to keep your home at the desired temperature. This puts extra wear and tear on the system, which can lead to more frequent breakdowns and higher energy bills.

Bodine-Scott specializes in a variety of heating system installation, repair, and maintenance services. We have years of experience in helping people extend the life of their HVAC units. Call us today at 888-481-8511 to learn more about how we can help you make your furnace last longer.

Image provided by Shutterstock

With the holiday season here, many Americans will leave their homes to spend time with loved ones and friends. There’s one thing every Texan leaving home for any length of time has in common: We all want to return to a safe, clean home with fully functioning HVAC, plumbing and electrical systems. Consider these helpful tips when preparing your Corpus Christi, Texas, home for a short or an extended vacation:

Read More

Geothermal heating and cooling units are the most cost-effective systems on the market. Professionals install 50,000 geothermal units in the United States every year, and that number is rising fast. Residents in Corpus Christi, Texas, see the impacts of severe weather and what those extremes have on their power bill. If you’re considering a geothermal heat pump, read on to learn more about these highly efficient systems.

Read More

Home technology has improved a lot over the last few years. It’s improved not only the usability but also the functionality of many appliances. It can be a little dizzying to look at all the options available, so we’ve created this guide to what we consider to be the best plumbing upgrades available for your home in Corpus Christi, Texas. Read on to learn more about today’s most popular plumbing technology upgrades.

Read More

Corpus Christi, Texas, can experience a lot of humidity, especially in the summer. While residents are used to experiencing this outside, having a humid home is unpleasant and uncomfortable. Here are six tips for keeping the moisture out of your home and improving your indoor air quality without sacrificing your energy efficiency:

Read More

According to the most recent insurance industry research, 14,000 people in the United States experience an emergency caused by water damage each day. About 37 percent of those homeowners have suffered losses from water damage, including many in Corpus Christi, Texas. Here are seven ways your home can experience water damage:

Read More

Turning off lights and maintaining your HVAC system are great starts to improving energy efficiency. But there’s more you can do. Unfortunately, other sources of energy loss aren’t as apparent as a light left on in your Corpus Christi, Texas, home. To stop wasting energy and start saving money, conduct a home energy audit. Doing so will help you find where you can improve your efficiency.

Read More

Remember your life before having a smartphone? Remember flip phones and Blackberries? Actual keypads? Can you imagine going back to that era of disconnectivity and buttons? Smart technology and Wi-Fi connectivity have certainly made our lives more convenient and accessible. It’s helped us save many headaches and time, while arguably causing us to become a bit too connected to our devices.

Read More