Carrier Heating & Cooling

If someone in your Three Rivers, Texas, home suffers from asthma, it’s vital to reduce triggers. And that starts with taking a close look at your HVAC system. Nearly 440,000 people are hospitalized each year due to asthma-related issues. The annual economic burden that asthma-related visits put on the economy is a mind-boggling $56 billion. Here’s a look at three ways an HVAC system can improve asthma symptoms:

Your HVAC System’s Filter Cleans the Air

Having a filter with a MERV rating of at least 11 is an excellent way to remove airborne pathogens and reduce asthma triggers. More importantly, this type of filter has the ability to clean air in the entire home rather than a localized area. It helps you improve indoor air quality.

But You Need to Change the Filter Regularly

In addition to switching to a filter with a MERV rating of at least 11, remember to replace it every month. Even the best of filters become a haven for contamination. So the more often you change yours, the better.

You’ll also want to steer clear of permanent filters that you wash every so often. Washable filters often get put back into the system while they’re damp. As a result, they worsen asthma symptoms and shorten the lifespan of your HVAC system.

Your HVAC System Helps Balance Humidity

Many of today’s modern HVAC systems are capable of regulating humidity in the home. As long as the system has an evaporator coil, it’ll work to eliminate condensation and moisture in the air. As a result, it’ll reduce asthma triggers. You should have the evaporator coil inspected annually to ensure it’s operating with the utmost effectiveness.

Do you want to learn more about the various ways an HVAC system can improve asthma symptoms? Contact Bodine-Scott today at 888-481-8511 for additional information from an HVAC expert.

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An increasing number of homeowners in Corpus Christi, Texas, are starting to use solar energy. DIY solar kits are becoming vastly available on the market. Even though having a DIY attitude has probably saved you quite a bit of money over the years, when it comes to installing a solar energy system, you’ll want to leave it in the hands of a professional. Here’s a look at the top three things you need to know about DIY solar:

You May Pay More for Parts

About 80 percent of the total cost of installing a solar energy system is spent on parts. Since professional companies usually get steep deals on these components, you may find you save money by having a professional order and install your system.

You also need to consider whether you’re receiving quality part when ordering a DIY solar system. On the other hand, with a professional company, you can rest easy knowing your system will be installed with high-quality parts.

You Can’t Take Advantage of Most Rebates

The government is very generous in providing rebates to homeowners who switch to solar energy. However, you’ll need the signature of a professional electrician or plumber to acquire most rebates. When you opt for a DIY system, whether it be a solar water heater or a complete solar energy system, you bypass the ability to garner this signature. As a result, you might forfeit any rebates.

You Lack Access to Customer Service

When a professional installs your solar energy system, you gain access to round-the-clock customer service, which will be of value if something goes wrong with it. However, with a DIY solar system, there’s no one to call. Even worse, many DIY systems require professional installation in order to validate the warranty. This means that even if you save a bit of money on the parts, you’ll still need to hire a professional to install them.

Would you like to learn more about solar energy systems? Contact Bodine-Scott Air Conditioning at 888-481-8511 for professional advice. We’re help you select and install the right solar system for your home in no time.

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Contaminated air inside your Kingsville, Texas, home can pose health risks. Pollutants such as pollen and pesticides can enter whenever you open a window or someone steps inside. Other common indoor pollutants include pet dander, dust, cigarette smoke, and chemical fumes. Therefore, it’s important to remain proactive to protect your family. Here are ways you can reduce these contaminants and improve indoor air quality in your home:

Control Sources of Indoor Air Pollutants

First, you need to eliminate the sources of air pollutants. Here’s how:

• Check your HVAC system’s ductwork for any leaks or cracks.
• Examine your home’s windows and doors to ensure they are well sealed.
• Keep your home free of smoke.
• Check your HVAC’s drain pan regularly to avoid the buildup of moisture.

Clean Your Home for Efficient HVAC Operation

Next, take action to improve your home’s indoor air quality by:

• Changing your air filters regularly. This is not only good for the air quality in your home, but it also keeps your HVAC system running efficiently.
• Sealing your home with weatherstripping, caulking and blown-in wall insulation to reduce the amount of outdoor air seeping indoors.
• Dusting and vacuuming regularly to reduce dust, dander and dirt buildup.
• Regularly cleaning your home’s gutters to avoid dirt buildup, which can cause excess moisture or standing water.

Maintain Proper Ventilation for Clean Indoor Air

Finally, remember that proper ventilation improves airflow and creates a clean and comfortable environment. Take these steps to accomplish that:

• Allow ample space around the air registers in your home, keeping furniture and rugs a good distance away to maximize airflow.
• Use natural cleaning products and avoid using chemical-laden paints, air fresheners and detergents to prevent volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from building up in your home.
• Install an exterior-venting range hood in your kitchen and exhaust fans in your bath and laundry rooms to prevent moisture buildup.

Rather than wait until a major problem arises, call Bodine-Scott at 888-481-8511 to schedule an assessment of your home’s indoor air quality. As a result, you’ll take the first step to better health. We offer effective solutions for creating optimal air quality inside your home.

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Do you want to beat the heat and save money on your energy bills in Kingsville, Texas? If so, consider upgrading to a programmable or smart thermostat. Today’s programmable and smart thermostats are easier to operate than ever before. Here are three benefits of this upgrade:

Enhance Comfort Control and Energy Savings

Programmable thermostats are more accurate than manual thermostats, making them more reliable for delivering the comfort you expect. By utilizing the pre-programming feature, you can customize the temperature settings according to your family’s schedule. This helps maximize your energy saving potential without sacrificing comfort when you’re at home. The programmable feature can save your household up to $100 annually in energy costs!

Additionally, most programmable models come with back-lit keypads as well as voice, phone and touch-screen programming. That makes setting your smart thermostat a breeze.

Control More Than the Temperature in Your Home

Smart thermostats offer tech-savvy features that allow you to control more than just the temperature at home. A Wi-Fi connection allows you to adjust the temperature, humidity level, ventilation, airflow and indoor air quality in several zones of your home directly from an app on your phone. This is convenient if you’re at the office or on the go.

Smart thermostats will remind you when it’s time to replace the filter. A system diagnostic feature will inform you how efficiently your HVAC system is running. User-friendly controls make this smart thermostat everything a busy family could ask for!

Become Environmentally Friendly

Today’s programmable and smart thermostats are mercury-free and use less energy — both of which are big wins when it comes to protecting the environment. Using less energy means cleaner air and leaving behind a smaller carbon footprint.

Bodine-Scott’s goal is to help our customers maintain optimal comfort and air quality in their homes all year long. Call 888-481-8511 to discuss other ways to conserve energy this summer!

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Many new homes in Corpus Christi, Texas, are tightly sealed to increase energy efficiency. Unfortunately, because of this, they also have poor ventilation. The air inside your home is likely more polluted than the air outside. An energy recovery ventilator removes stale air without wasting energy. You can also use an exhaust fan or open a window or door, too. Read on to learn the benefits of good ventilation.

Improve Indoor Air Quality

An exhaust fan in your bathroom or kitchen will help eliminate smells from cooking and other daily activities. You can also remove excess moisture that can make your home uncomfortable and encourage pests and biological growth.

Most ventilation systems include filters that filter incoming air to make it fresh and safe. Good ventilation also removes volatile organic compounds like formaldehyde, benzene, acetone, toluene and xylene. These VOCs evaporate at room temperature, and they’re common in air fresheners, cleaning products and paints. They can cause headaches, fatigue, sinus problems, dizziness and other health problems.

Enhance Overall Comfort

Removing excess moisture will keep your home from feeling hot and uncomfortable. That’s why running exhaust fans while showering or cooking is so important. You’ll reduce the risk of microbial growth, and you’ll safeguard your family’s health and comfort.

Increase Energy Efficiency

Energy recovery ventilators work like heat pumps. While they remove stale air, they transfer heat out of your home in summer and into your it in winter. That way, you can get fresh air without wasting energy or raising your utility bills. A ventilation system can also lower your home’s humidity, reducing your reliance on your air conditioner and extending its lifespan.

Bodine-Scott is a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer with more than 55 years of heating and cooling experience. We can help you install and maintain a variety of ventilation systems and other HVAC equipment. Call us anytime at 888-481-8511 for excellent service from our outstanding service technicians.

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Most HVAC systems last for about 15 years, and they can cost thousands of dollars to replace in Kingsville, Texas. Their efficiency decreases with age as well, raising your home’s utility bills. Fortunately, you can extend the life of your air conditioner by following these three tips:

Schedule Regular AC Maintenance

A professional should inspect AC system inspected at least once per year to avoid high utility bills and poor indoor air quality. These seemingly minor issues will worsen without repairs. They can even force you to replace your system.

To prevent contaminants from causing damage, change your HVAC system’s air filter at least every three months. Keep debris like leaves and grass clippings away from your outdoor unit. These are two HVAC maintenance tasks every homeowner can perform on their own.

Upgrade to a Programmable Thermostat

A programmable thermostat can automatically adjust the temperature in your home depending on whether you’re at home, asleep or away. As a result, it can help you lower your utility bills. Using your HVAC system less also increases its lifespan.

Many programmable thermostats can connect to your computer or smartphone, letting you make changes from anywhere and receive detailed updates about your air conditioner.

Improve Your Home’s Insulation

Insulation keeps cool air inside your home and helps you prevent problems from outdoor contaminants. Like a programmable thermostat, proper insulation enables you to save energy and avoid breakdowns.

Add weather stripping around doors and windows, and place caulk around power outlets. Have a professional check your attic or basement for leaks, gaps, or biological growth in your insulation. The faster you repair those issues, the better for your AC system’s life.

Bodine-Scott has more than 55 years of air conditioning experience. We’re a Carrier Factory Authorized Dealer, and we can help you keep your system in peak condition or choose a new one. Call us anytime at 888-481-8511 for expert, friendly service.

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Even the most careful homeowner in Corpus Christi, Texas, can forget chores in areas of the home that are out of sight. However, completing these chores can lead to improved efficiency. As a result, it can lower energy bills and improve overall home comfort. Read on to learn more about the top three chores that you may be forgetting that can help improve energy efficiency.

Check Weather Stripping

Caulking and weather stripping around your windows can weaken and crack over time. As a result, it can provide an entryway for outdoor air to get into your home and change the temperature. This can make your HVAC unit work harder and increase the amount of allergens in your home. If you notice cracks or crumbling, re-caulk the weak areas or replace the weather stripping to reinforce the barrier.

Clean Refrigerator Coils

Condenser coils are located on the back of your refrigerator. They’re vital for the proper operation of your fridge.

The coils can get coated in grime and dust. Since they’re difficult to access, they’re often left uncleaned. The more build-up on these coils, the harder your fridge has to work to maintain a cold temperature, leading to higher energy bills.

To clean the coils, turn off and unplug your fridge. Then, vacuum away any dust, using a cloth or brush to get into the fine areas. This cleaning is super quick, so you don’t have to worry about spoilage of any food in your fridge.

Change the Air Filters

Your HVAC system is equipped with filters that work to remove allergens, pollutants and debris from the air, providing your home with cleaner, higher quality air. These filters can become clogged with debris, which reduces their effectiveness and forces the system to work harder to push air through. Replace these filters every 30 to 90 days to notice an improvement in energy efficiency.

If you’re concerned about the energy efficiency of your home, the experts at Bodine-Scottcan help. Give us a call at 888-481-8511 today to set up a consultation.

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Having guests over is fun and exciting. Ensuring your home is prepped and ready for their arrival can help make any visit go more smoothly. Kitchens are common gathering places. Getting your kitchen in Corpus Christi, Texas, ready for guests is a great idea, especially if you’re having a dinner party. Here are three things you can do to prep your kitchen for guests:

Clean Your Garbage Disposal

Garbage disposals can easily collect residue and begin to smell. Before you have guests over, consider cleaning your garbage disposal to prevent any unpleasant odors when your guests use the sink.

Begin by carefully removing any buildup inside the main catch-all. Then, run a few citrus peels through to neutralize any leftover scent. Afterward, thoroughly wipe your sink clean, including the faucet.

Wipe Your Fridge Clean

Keeping a clean refrigerator is an important touch when you’re expecting guests. Take some time to wipe all surfaces and any drawers with a lightweight all-purpose cleaner. Vinegar can help to break down most foods or liquids without damaging the finish.

Place items your guests might use, like beverages and snacks, toward the front so they can find them easily. Get rid of anything that’s been in your fridge for too long. Clearing your fridge of clutter is a great way to improve your home’s energy efficiency, too!

Create Easy Access

Kitchens are home to many useful household items that your guests may want to use. Putting these items in easy-to-find places can make it easier for your guests to help themselves and feel at home while also reducing the need for them to rummage through your drawers. Consider making these items easily accessible for your house guests:

• Corkscrews
• Bottle openers
• Hand towels
• Plastic bags
• Extra paper towels
• Garbage bags

Having a clean, comfortable home for your family and guests involves more than just cleaning up. Don’t forget about regular maintenance for your HVAC and plumbing systems. The last thing you want to experience during a dinner party is an AC breakdown or a major leak that floods your home. The experts at Bodine-Scott are here to help. Give us a call at 888-481-8511 to set up an appointment today.

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A solar water heater can offer a cost-efficient way to use solar energy to provide hot water to your home. Solar water heating systems rely on solar collectors and storage tanks for their operation. Discover four different types of solar water heaters that you may want to consider for your home in Rockport, Texas.

Active Solar Water Heating Systems

The "active" in active solar water heating systems refers to the work of pumps aiding the circulation of water through them.

Direct Circulation Systems

In areas such as Texas, where the climate is relatively mild, direct solar water heating systems are attractive options. Pumps in these systems circulate water through solar collectors and into the home. As a result, you’ll save energy and money.

Indirect Circulation Systems

These types of systems are common in climates that experience freezing winter weather. Indirect systems use pumps to circulate a heat-transfer liquid through the collectors and a heat-exchanging unit. The exchanger heats the water before it enters the home.

Passive Solar Water Heating Systems

Passive solar water heating systems don’t rely on mechanical pumps to move water through them.

Integral Collector-Storage Passive Systems

Integral collector-storage passive systems function by transferring cold water through solar collectors. The collectors preheat the water; the water then enters a conventional water heater for storage. Integral collector-storage systems work best in climates such as Texas that don’t typically witness freezing temperatures Therefore, you should consider this type for your home.

Thermosiphon Systems

These systems work on the principle of warm water rising and cool water sinking. As the sun’s rays come into contact with the solar collectors, water inside the collector tubes heats and expands slightly. The warm water becomes lighter than the cold water in a storage tank installed above the solar collectors.

Gravity pulls the colder water from the tank and into a collecting area. The cold water moves the heated water through the collecting area and into the top of the storage tank where the water gets heated.

If you’re considering a solar water heater for your home, contact the professionals at Bodine-Scott. We’re here to help you decide the correct solar water heater for your home. Call us today at 888-481-8511 to learn more about solar water heaters.

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For any HVAC system to operate efficiently, it needs the correct capacity for your home in Kingsville, Texas. Find out why having your HVAC system sized by a professional can promote better comfort, energy savings and fewer breakdowns.

You’ll Experience Fewer System Breakdowns

Keeping a house comfortably cool or warm is a Herculean task for an HVAC system that’s too small. In this case, your system will likely cycle on and off frequently to maintain a consistent temperature inside your home. This frequent cycling can take its toll on the components of your HVAC system. Over time, that can result in system breakdowns. Having a correctly sized HVAC system will prevent premature wear and tear.

You’ll Improve Your Home’s Comfort

Operating a unit that’s too big is no wiser than running an HVAC system that’s too small. Consider this scenario: Moisture vapor condenses on a cold air conditioning coil in a similar way that moisture vapor condenses on a cold glass of water. When this condensation occurs, it removes humidity from the air, making the air feel cooler.

If your HVAC system is too large for your home, it’ll run so infrequently that it won’t be able to remove much moisture vapor from the air. This type of operation can negatively impact your home’s indoor air quality by creating high humidity levels.

You’ll Reap the Benefits of Energy Savings

When your HVAC system is the correct size for your house, you won’t constantly reach for the thermostat to keep the inside of your home comfortable. But comfort isn’t the only benefit you’ll appreciate. You’ll also enjoy energy savings on your home utility bills each month.

When coupled with regular maintenance checks, a properly sized HVAC system will serve your household well today and into the future. To find out if your heating and cooling system is sized appropriately for your home, contact Bodine-Scott at 888-481-8511.

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