Carrier Heating & Cooling

As a Three Rivers, Texas, homeowner, you may not always think about your home’s insulation. You may even wonder whether insulation is necessary for a warm climate such as Texas. No matter where you live, home insulation is essential. Therefore, knowing your insulation’s R-value is important. Find out how to determine your R-value and why it matters for your home insulation.

What is an R-Value?

R-value refers to a material’s thermal resistance or how well the material prevents heat from passing through it. The higher the R-value, the greater the degree of thermal resistance compared to materials with a lower R-value.

Many homes have insulation in their attic, ceilings, ductwork and walls. All types of insulation carry specific R-values. You can increase your home’s thermal resistance and reduce energy waste by adding layers of insulation. As a result, you can also lower your energy bills.

What’s the Best R-Value for Your Home’s Insulation?

Every area of your home has an R-value necessary to create ideal insulation. Your home insulation’s R-value depends on the area of the country where you live. Since Three Rivers is in a warmer region of the United States, homeowners in the area would need attic insulation with an R-value minimum of R-38 and floor insulation with an R-value of R-13.

Does Your Insulation’s R-Value Affect Your HVAC System?

Finally, when you think about your HVAC system’s operating efficiency, don’t ignore the importance of the insulation in your home’s ductwork. The U.S. Department of Energy notes that in a typical home, a system loses approximately 20-30 percent of conditioned air that moves through ductwork because of poorly connected ducts or holes and leaks in ductwork.

Installing insulation with a high R-value can prevent the loss of conditioned air and improve your HVAC system’s operating efficiency. As a result, you’ll save money on your heating and cooling bills.

The R-value of your home’s insulation impacts your HVAC system’s effectiveness. To learn more ways you can improve your heating and air conditioning system’s functionality, call Bodine-Scott today at 888-481-8511.

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Volatile organic compounds are common toxins found in homes. Released by some household products, VOCs can lead to a range of concerning health effects. Here are some ways to reduce VOCs in your Corpus Christi, Texas, home to protect your family’s health:

Store Items in a Safe Place

Many people don’t realize that VOCs can actually leak from containers, especially those that aren’t fully sealed. Items that contain VOCs range from household cleaners and permanent markers to paint thinners and bleach. If possible, keep these items in a well-ventilated area away from your main living areas. If you have a detached shed or garage, that’s a great place to keep them as this will keep the fumes out of your home. For items that need to stay in your home, be sure that they’re sealed up and try not to leave them open for any period of time.

Don’t Purchase in Bulk

Since items containing VOCs can release them into the air even through the container, it’s better to buy them one at a time instead of buying in bulk. This can help reduce the amount inside your home while also making it easier to track how many items you have that can release VOCs. While it may be more economical to buy in bulk, it’s better to reduce the number of items you have inside your home that have major VOC chemical components, like paint thinner and gasoline. As a result, you’ll reduce the amount of VOCs lingering in your home.

Ventilate Your Home

When you’re using items that contain VOCs, ventilation is very important. Ventilating removes the contaminated air and replaces it with fresh, clean air. This can reduce the chances that you’ll experience the side effects associated with VOC exposure. These can include headaches, dizziness, dry sinuses and eye irritation. If you don’t have ventilation in the room you’re using the VOC-releasing product in, opening windows can make a significant improvement. Otherwise, consider installing an energy recovery ventilator in your home.

Bodine-Scott can help ensure good indoor air quality inside your home. Give our professionals a call at 888-481-8511 to set up a consultation today!

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Indoor air quality is a growing concern among homeowners throughout Corpus Christi, Texas. You may not realize you have poor indoor air quality. Some the most common warning signs include symptoms like congestion, sore throat and eye irritation. Follow a few simple tips to improve the quality of the air you breathe in your home.

Schedule Duct Cleaning

Your HVAC system uses a series of metal ducts to move air to each of the rooms in your home. That air often contains a number of contaminants, including pollen, pet hair, dander, dust and other debris. Over time, the particles may collect in the ducts. As a result, those contaminants can recirculate when your system runs.

Poor indoor air quality is often the result of this problem, which can make you feel like you’re coming down with a cold. Regular duct cleaning by an HVAC professional can improve the quality of your air and allow the system to operate more efficiently.

Use an Air Purifier

Air purifiers can also make a big difference in your home. Tabletop air purifiers can remove contaminants from a single room. Whole-home purifiers work with your HVAC system to clean the air. When you’re comparing options, look at the filtration rate of the purifier you’re considering. Some contain tighter filters that can remove smaller particles for cleaner, healthier air.

Add More Filtering Plants

Certain indoor plants can purify your air naturally while adding some greenery to your living space. Some of the top options include:

• Bamboo palms
• English ivy
• Gerbera daisies
• Pot mums
• Peace lilies
• Chinese evergreens

By adding one of these plants to a single room, you can reduce the number of contaminants in the air. As a result, you’ll enjoy a healthier atmosphere.

If you’re struggling to improve the quality of the air you breathe within your home, let Bodine-Scott help. Contact us at 888-481-8511 to find out more about our solutions that can help you improve your indoor air quality.

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Does your home in Beeville, Texas, need a new heating system? If so, it’s important to consider the different systems available. Today, there are more options than ever before. For many homeowners and their needs, a heat pump has proven itself to be the best heating system option. Keep reading for five things you need to know about heat pumps.

Go Ductless With a Heat Pump

Ductless heat pump systems are especially ideal for new home construction. But you can still go ductless even if your existing home already has ductwork. Ductless heat pump systems tend to be more efficient than other conventional heating systems. You can also upgrade them with built-in air purification systems and programmable thermostats. Therefore, you can optimize them for supreme efficiency.

Enjoy Greater Heating Efficiency

Heat pumps provide greater efficiency compared with heating systems that produce heat through combustion. Over the life of a heat pump, you can save thousands of dollars on heating expenses. You’ll also avoid the health and safety issues combustion-based systems can cause.

Heat Pumps Have a Long Lifespan

The average heat pump will last 15 years, with some lasting up to 50 years. Your unit will last a long time if you schedule routine preventive maintenance. By doing so, you’ll also lower energy costs even more and reduce the risk of breakdowns.

Heat Pumps Can Also Cool

In addition to providing heat, a heat pump can also cool your home. Whether you have an air-to-air, water source, or geothermal heat pump, it can also work as an air conditioner. During the warmer months, all you’ll have to do is switch the unit to cooling mode.

Don’t Forget the Financial Incentives

You may qualify for installation cost assistance when you switch to a heat pump. Such assistance is available through the Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive and the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive. A heat pump installation specialist can help determine if you qualify.

Bodine-Scott specializes in a variety of heating and cooling services. Contact us today at 888-481-8511 to learn more about the advantages of using a heat pump.

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Is your old furnace going bad? Or maybe you’re building a new home and you need to install a new heating system. Whatever your reason for shopping for a new furnace, it’s important to research your options. For many homeowners, the choice comes down to a gas or an oil heater. Keep reading to learn about the pros and cons of each and how to pick the best one for your Three Rivers, Texas, home.

Oil Heater

An oil heater tends to be more powerful than a gas heater, providing more heat per BTU. Its ability to provide more heat, however, results in a higher price tag when it comes to heating expenses. Price fluctuations for oil mean you’ll never know what price you’ll have to pay.

You don’t need a direct connection to an oil line to use an oil heater. But you’ll need a storage tank on your property. You’ll also want to remember that oil furnaces generally require more maintenance than gas heaters.

Gas Heater

Gas heaters often come with a higher upfront installation cost than oil heaters. However, gas heat is more affordable and has more stable pricing. Therefore, choosing a gas heater can save you over the long term. Gas heaters also require less maintenance than oil heaters, but you’ll need a direct connection to a gas line to get started. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, gas heat may not be unavailable.

Choosing Between Gas and Oil Heat

No matter the furnace type you choose, it’s important to schedule preventive maintenance. Doing so will help improve heating efficiency and prevent costly breakdowns. An HVAC contractor can assess your home and needs to determine whether a gas or oil furnace is the best option.

Bodine-Scott specializes in a variety of furnace repair, installation, and maintenance services. Call us at 888-481-8511 today to learn more about gas and oil heaters.

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Are you building a new home in Three Rivers, Texas, and looking at heating options? Or maybe you need to replace existing furnace. In either case, you need to know about today’s modern furnaces and which option will best meet your needs and keep your family warm this winter. Keep reading to learn about three types of furnaces you can choose from to heat your home.

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You already know the heating system in your Beeville, Texas, home needs annual maintenance. Ideally, a professional will service your heating system at least twice a year to ensure it maximizes efficiency. During these regular maintenance sessions, a professional HVAC contractor can also assess whether you need to clean your furnace.

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Preparing your Alice, Texas, home for any season is important. But winter brings some potential hazards that aren’t present during other times of the year. To keep your home and family safe during the coldest months, follow these three home safety precautions:

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Can you think of a worse time for your HVAC system to stop working than during the holiday season? Three Rivers, Texas, has relatively mild winters compared to other parts of the country. But you never know when a cold snap will hit. Whether your plans include throwing festive parties, hosting out-of-town relatives, or relaxing at home, a functioning HVAC system is vital. Follow these four steps to avoid an HVAC breakdown this holiday season:

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Even in warm Corpus Christi, Texas, many days in winter will feel chilly. You can stay comfortable by maintaining your heater before you have to start using it regularly. That way, you can find any problems and have them fixed before they start wasting energy or impacting your comfort. You should change your air filter regularly, maintain your outdoor unit, and have your HVAC system checked by an expert.

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