Five Tips for Choosing the Best AC System for Your Home

June 19, 2019

Although choosing a new AC system is exciting, it’s an important decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. After all, we rely on our ACs to keep us cool, comfortable, and protected from the intense summer heat. At GVEC Home, we recommend considering the following five factors to help with choosing an AC that’s right for your home. 1. Energy Efficiency: Making the Most of Every Cooling Cycle Energy-efficient cooling systems consume less electricity without sacrificing performance or cooling capacity. This translates directly into savings on your energy bill. When shopping for your next unit, remember: The higher the SEER rating, the more energy efficient the system. 2. Size Matters: Finding that Just-Right Fit Your AC should be the right fit for your home. Square footage, insulation, and the size and number of windows are all important factors when determining the size of the system you need. If a cooling system is too large or small, it could operate inefficiently and raise your energy bills. 3. Price Tag: Getting the Most for Your HVAC Dollars Cost, of course, is one of the biggest factors in determining which HVAC system to choose for your home. Many cooling companies offer financing options that...

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Three Common Signs You May Need to Replace Your AC

June 1, 2019

Symptoms of an Ailing AC During the height of summer here in South Central Texas, there are days when your AC runs almost nonstop to keep up. This makes it a critical appliance for your family’s health and wellbeing. AC systems last, on average, between 10 and 15 years. After that, you’ll probably need to start thinking about a replacement. Here are a few common signs that it might time to replace your AC. 1. Rising Energy Bills It’s normal for your electric bill to rise as you begin using the AC more often during spring and summer; however, the increase shouldn’t be much higher than the annual costs in prior seasons. AC systems can become gradually less efficient as they age. This could be due to the age of individual parts, or it could result from undetected mechanical issues. Whatever the reason, this loss of efficiency causes your AC to use more energy in cooling your home than it did when it was new. There will come a point when you’ll need to decide between continuing to invest in an old system or purchasing a new, more efficient model. A new unit will instantly save money on energy bills...

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Six Reasons to Sign Up for Rush Hour Rewards

May 29, 2019

GVEC and Rush Hour Rewards: Peak Time Payback As GVEC’s latest peak time rewards program, Rush Hour Rewards is designed to reduce the overall load on the Cooperative’s electric grid when usage tends to be at its highest. You’re eligible for this program if you have a Nest® thermostat connected to your HVAC system. If you don’t have a Nest installed, but would like to participate, GVEC sells two Nest models, both of which are compatible with Rush Hour Rewards. Plus, when you purchase a Nest through GVEC and sign up for this program, you’ll get special savings on both the thermostat and on installation! Undecided about Rush Hour Rewards? Wondering if Rush Hour Rewards is worth it? If you’re still on the fence about participating or whether it’s worth investing in a new Nest, here are six benefits Rush Hour Rewards provides. 1. Rush Hour Rewards Saves You on Utility Costs One of Rush Hour Reward’s most appealing incentives is the chance to save on your electricity bills. Who doesn’t like saving money? Program participants receive a one-time $85 bill credit just by signing up for Rush Hour Rewards and another $30 bill credit each year they’re enrolled between...

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Why Your AC Unit Should Be Sized Exactly for Your Home

May 2, 2019

Proper HVAC Sizing is a Must No matter the season or time of year, it’s important to have a correctly sized HVAC system. Because these systems work overtime in the Texas heat, summer is an especially critical time for proper sizing. An improperly sized AC/heating system can lead to a number of problems. The Perils of Improper HVAC Sizing One of the problems that can be caused by an improperly sized HVAC system is higher-than-normal humidity levels in the home. Other potential problems include higher-than-average electricity bills and increased system wear-and-tear. Improper HVAC Sizing and High Humidity Oversized AC/heating systems tend to run shorter heating/cooling cycles. Reduced run cycles leave the system with insufficient time to remove excess water vapor from the air, leading to humidity issues. Higher-than-normal humidity in the home can make it feel hotter inside than the temperature indicated on the thermostat. More significantly, high inside humidity can cause mold growth on walls, ceilings, and floors, creating an unhealthy environment. And once your home develops mold, it can be difficult and costly to correct. A correctly sized AC/heating system allows water vapor to be adequately removed, maintaining a dry and cool environment in the home. Improper HVAC...

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How to Fix an AC That Won’t Turn Off

April 20, 2019

Usually, having an AC that runs is a good thing. However, when it never turns off, you can end up with a freezing cold home and excessive utility bills. If your AC unit will not stop running, then follow these tips to address the issue. Look at Your Thermostat The very first thing you should do is take a look at the thermostat. The problem might be as simple as a button that was accidentally pressed. To see if this is the issue, put your thermostat at a temperature above the current room temperature. Wait a moment to see if the system switches off. Check Your Fan Limit Switch This is another thing to consider before you assume your AC unit is broken. Most AC units will have a fan limit switch by the blower that is meant to let you run the fan without having to mess with the thermostat. Switch the fan limit to “auto” so it is not manually overriding the thermostat and continuing to blow all the time. Clean Your Condenser Sometimes, the problem is that your condenser is too dirty to disperse heat. Therefore, the AC runs without accomplishing anything. Cleaning the coils can be...

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Explaining the Differences Between HVAC and AC

April 9, 2019

HVAC stands for heating, ventilation, and air conditioning. AC is a general term used to refer to any air conditioner, including the air conditioner in an HVAC system. Do you know what kind of AC equipment is installed in your home? What Does an HVAC System Look Like? Many companies such as in Gonzales refer to complete HVAC systems as packaged products. You’ll also hear these products referred to as central heating and cooling units. A single, or central, the thermostat is used to manage the operation of both a heater and an AC compressor. In addition, all air, whether hot or cold, is pushed through a duct system that runs throughout the home. The air exits through a series of vents placed in each room. Each vent can be adjusted to direct air up, down, or out into the environment. Do You Have a Standalone AC Unit? Most people are familiar with window units that contain a cooler, blower, and compressor in one product. Ductless cooling units, which are different than window units, are installed to cool single rooms without a ventilation system. Unlike the large AC compressors you see outside many homes, each ductless product requires a separate...

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3 Reasons to Get Professional Heating Help

March 19, 2019

When there’s a problem with your heating system, you don’t want to risk your family’s safety by trying to fix the issue by yourself. A professional heating service company can help keep your system working efficiently throughout the year. Here are a few reasons you need to contact a dependable heating company for all your heating needs. 1. Help You Save Money Yes, it does cost money for a professional service to come into your home for an inspection. However, in the long run, you will be saving money with your heating system. If you choose to ignore problems, you may be setting yourself up for more serious issues with your unit. Small problems can turn into major issues that end up costing you more money. That’s why you need to contact a professional company if you are experiencing any type of issue. 2. Keep Your Home Warm and Comfortable You don’t want to spend a cold winter without a properly working system. If your heating system is damaged, you run the risk of shivering all season long. A professional heating company can help you with other issues besides repair services. Heat can be lost through improperly sealed windows and...

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Choose the Best Heating Company for Your Home

March 1, 2019

When you need to find a heating company, the options may seem plentiful. However, you want to find a company that will fix your problem in a timely and professional matter. If you don’t find the right company, you could be throwing money away on unnecessary repairs. The best company will help you save money and time on your next heating system repair bill. Here are a few options for choosing the right company for your home. Always Research Research is very important when finding the best company. You can find online review sites all over the internet. You want to choose a company with an A or better rating from the Better Business Bureau. Friends and family are great resources to get recommendations for a heating company. If you need a reputable company, make sure to contact today. Choose a Certified Company The best heating companies will have a team of trained and experienced technicians. You want to find technicians with EPA, NATE or Diamond certifications. At the very least, make sure the company employs bonded, licensed and insured technicians. The company should have a professional license as well. This shows you that they are certified to work in...

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Can You Recycle Your Furnace Filters?

January 5, 2019

Living in Guadalupe County requires you to have a working furnace all the time. It will be difficult to spend time in your house if you cannot heat it. This situation is likely to be more important during winter. However, there are times when you have to replace your furnace filters but you do not have enough money to buy new ones. Why not try recycling the filters instead? When You Should Change the Air Filters If you talk to any professional, they will tell you that you should replace furnace filters after every three months. They presume that after that duration, the filters will have sucked up a lot of dust and other particles and therefore, they are likely to clog. When clogging occurs, there is the danger that the furnace will not work optimally. It may develop other faults because of the clogged filters. The question still remains whether you should recycle the filters. Recycle or Replace Furnace Air Filters? Typically, the choice of whether you should replace or recycle depends on the kinds of furnace filters that you use. You will notice that when you go to buy these items, you will find a variety. The disposable...

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Warning Signs You Need Furnace Repair

December 19, 2018

If you’ve put off your routine maintenance or missed an annual inspection, furnace problems can be dangerous if not fatal. Serving south central Texas, our goals at GVEC Air & Heating are to identify the potential hazards and keep your family and home safe. It’s not easy to spot furnace issues, but if you notice changes in its performance, it may be a warning sign. Two common problems that even a novice can detect are higher energy bills and noise. If your monthly bills are running higher now than it did in past seasons, your furnace may have internal malfunctions or need some maintenance. Dirty ducts can block the airflow and cause unusual sounds like banging or knocking. In either case, you need a professional for this job. Hazardous Warnings Odors from the furnace are severe warning signs. Dusty smells mean dust or other particles have gotten into the furnace’s combustion chamber. If the furnace is relatively new, it may be easy to repair. If you smell rotten eggs, shut off the furnace immediately and call a qualified technician. You have a gas leak. Overheating Most furnaces have automatic default settings that turn it off to prevent overheating. The industry...

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