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[longairinc-blog]

Handling the Top 4 Most Common Household Emergencies

Homeowners know that there are many ups and downs that come with home ownership. However, it pays to be prepared, especially when emergencies arise. Not only are the following four emergencies inconvenient, they can be costly. Fortunately, there are steps you can take to prevent a small mishap from becoming an emergent situation. 

#1 Locked Out of the House

We’ve all been there. It’s extremely easy to lock the door while your keys are still on the counter. But instead of trying to jimmy the lock and cause potential damage that could cost you, try these tips instead.

Look for a spare key. Where are the other people that have a key to your home? Though it may seem inconvenient, calling a friend is smarter and cheaper than trying to break your locks or breaking in through a window. If you find yourself without a spare key, be sure to hide one away in case you ever get locked out again. 

Call a professional. Don’t damage your door, windows or locks. Call a local locksmith and wait for them to help get back inside. Their services are sure to be cheaper than replacing the locks, windows or your door. 

#2 Power Outage

During a power outage, it is important to be careful to protect your safety and your pocketbook. Before you head to the breaker box, be sure that you unplug all electronics. This will help you avoid costly replacements in the event of a power surge. Also keep your refrigerator closed to trap cold air and reduce the chance of spoiled food. 

#3 Overflowing Toilet

An overflowing toilet is an awkward emergency, but also one that happens to many of us. When your toilet water begins to spill over the edge of the porcelain bowl, you need to take both quick and immediate action. Avoid costly water damage and repairs by trying these steps below.

Control the water flow. Don’t worry about mopping up the water right away. Stop the flow of water by opening the back of the toilet, pressing the flapper valve, and lifting the float to cut off water supply. Then wait until the water levels return to normal before grabbing towels. 

Take matters into your own hands. If you have a plunger handy, take action. Be sure there is enough water still in the bowl to cover the plunger, and keep plunging until the problem is resolved. 

#4 Broken HVAC

In the high temperature summers or the chilly winter, it is important to have an operational HVAC system. Be sure you schedule regular maintenance so you can stay comfortable in the extreme temperatures of East Texas. If your system does break down, be sure to head the following tips to keep you safe and comfortable. 

Get out of the house. Extreme cold or heat isn’t just a matter of comfort. It can be detrimental to your health. If your system breaks down, don’t panic. Simply take the family to a movie or the local pool, or hang out at a friend’s house. 

Get on a regular schedule. Don’t wait until the absolute last minute to maintain your HVAC system. Replace your air filters regularly, and don’t ignore strange noises coming from your unit. While maintenance may cost a little in the short-term, it can prevent expensive problems down the road. 

Get help from a professional. Whether you need to fix your system or upgrade it to a new, energy saving unit from Trane, don’t try to do it yourself. The HVAC experts at Long Air Conditioning can help from maintenance to unit replacement and so much more. Call 936-756-5645 or visit longac.com. 

[longairinc-blog]

How to Heat and Cool an Addition to Your Home

Are you considering adding on to your home, but struggling with how you’ll heat and cool this new space? Building an addition to your home is a great way to increase your current home’s square footage, value and usability, but more than just drywall and flooring goes into making sure your new space is functional and comfortable. A ductless heating and cooling system is the most budget-friendly way to heat and cool an addition, and can even help you save on energy costs. 

How Does Ductless Heating and Cooling Work? 

Ductless HVAC systems easily ensure a comfortable environment in separate indoor spaces where it is too impractical or expensive to install additional ductwork. This type of HVAC system is comprised of two components—an outdoor and indoor unit. 

Outdoor ductless system units are very similar to traditional HVAC units. They vary slightly based on whether they are connected to multiple indoor units or just one. Indoor units are available in a myriad of styles, including wall units, concealed designs, console units and more. Based on your aesthetic and practical preferences, you can choose which unit is best for you. 

Why Go Ductless?

There are three reasons to go ductless. 

#1 You’ll Save Energy and Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

Ductwork for central air systems can lose energy, particularly if they run through unconditioned spaces like a basement or attic in order to reach the new addition. Ductless systems ensure all of the air filters right into your space, reducing energy costs and helping the environment. 

#2 You’re in Control 

Almost all ductless systems use wired or wireless controllers, allowing you to easily manipulate your system. Trane even has a more personalized experience, with their ductless system’s “I Feel” function. The feature allows the controller to read the temperature from your exact location, adjusting the heating and cooling as needed for maximum comfort. That means no more suffering from hot or cold spots!

#3 Keeps Things Flexible

Ductless systems provide pinpointed heating and cooling, operating separately from your central air system; your new master suite or office space can be as warm or as cool as you want it to be. You can even mix and match with many indoor units, creating a multi-zone system to maximized comfort. If you think you’ll continue expanding in the future, you can plan for additional ports so your HVAC set-up is quick and easy down the road. 

These systems are your best bet for customized temperature control in additions. Their energy efficiency provide cost savings that simply cannot be beat. 

Contact Us

If you’re looking for help in heating and cooling your home’s new addition, look no further. Contact one of our certified Trance Comfort Specialists at Long Air today. We have experience in installing cost-effective ductless systems to additions, helping families save money and stay comfortable. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call [phone] or visit longac.com. 

[longairinc-blog]

5 Tricks to Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

The worst heat of the summer is upon us, which means your air conditioner is more important now than any other part of the year. If you’ve procrastinated in getting your unit prepared for summer and now find yourself with a smelly unit or a lukewarm AC, we have five tricks to help you get your air conditioner back on track and ready to take on the blazing Texas heat. 

#1: Ensure Your Thermostat is Calibrated

When summer begins, it is easy to forget to switch your thermostat from “heat” to “cool.” Make sure you’ve set your thermostat correctly for the weather. Furthermore, when attempting to reduce the temperature, the best way to do so without hurting your unit is by decreasing the temperature by 2 to 4 degrees at a time. Additionally, if you have a programmable thermostat, you can save money by setting your home to be cooler when you’re there and warmer when you’re away. 

#2: Be Sure the Circuit Breaker Isn’t Tripped

If you’re having trouble getting your AC to work, you may have accidentally tripped the circuit breaker. However, if this is the case, it’s an easy fix. To reset your unit and stop the circuit from tripping, follow these instructions. Turn your air conditioner off via your thermostat. Go to your circuit box and turn the AC fuse to the ON position. Wait at least 30 minutes to allow your electrical system to reset. After 30 minutes, turn your AC back on to “cool.” If the circuit was the problem, this will have solved it. If your AC still continues to malfunction, contact one of our HVAC dealers for more help. 

#3: Get Rid of The Musty, Mildewy Smell

If you catch a musty or mildewy odor wafting from your air ducts, you probably have bacteria and mold buildup in your unit.  These pesky allergens collect on your evaporator coil or another area of your HVAC unit and can cause bad odors and allergy flare ups. This typically occurs when you first turn your AC on for the first time. If the smell does not go away, contact one of our HVAC dealers for help cleaning your unit. 

#4: Create Climate Zones

If you notice that your home is cool and comfortable downstairs but uncomfortably warm upstairs, this may be a sign that your unit cannot keep up with the rising temperatures. The best solution is to create climate zones. If you’re looking for the DIY way to improve the consistency of your cooling, try shutting a couple of downstairs vents in rooms you use less often. This will direct the air to the open vents upstairs. If your unit is still struggling to cool the upper levels of your home, contact one of our HVAC professionals today. They can install a climate zone system like the ComfortLink Zoning System by Trane, to get your home feeling cool and comfortable on every floor. 

#5: Reduce Your Utility Bills 

If you find yourself wondering how your utility bill is so high during the summer, don’t panic. There are two reasons for this. Either your unit is not energy efficient or the temperature you’ve set is drastically lower than the temperature outside. Setting your unit too cool causes your unit to work much harder to maintain temperature, resulting in skyrocketed utility bills. Setting a more moderate temperature will keep your costs low. Furthermore, if your unit is more than 10 years old and/or has a SEER rating of less than 10, it is not energy efficient. A unit that is not energy efficient can cause higher-than-normal utility bills, because the system is working harder than it should. 

Newer air conditioning units are equipped with energy saving features that can reduce your monthly utility costs. If you think it's time to upgrade to a new unit, contact one of our HVAC specialists today. They can get you set up with a reputable Trane system that will save you energy and money. 

Contact Us

If you’re miserable in the summer heat and need help maintaining or installing your unit, contact one of our HVAC specialists today. At Long Air, we have experience in installing cost-effective high-efficiency heating and cooling units. To learn more, or to schedule an appointment, call [phone] or visit longac.com.