AC Comfort Blog: Archive for January, 2021

What to Do With Your Heater When It’s Not Running

Monday, January 25th, 2021

old-air-conditionerHome heating in Sugar Land, TX is different from many other parts of the country. After all, we’re now in late January and the temperatures are often in the low 70s. Since we recommend a winter setting on the thermostat of 68°F, that means your heater won’t be running much. It might turn on a few times in the evening, but when you put in a set-back temperature at night of around 60°F, that will also prevent the heater from coming on. 

You might be content to just let the heater sit there, only occasionally turning on and sometimes remaining off for days at a time. Soon you’ll start having the AC run on the regular. But … is there anything you should be doing about the heater during these winter down-times? You won’t shut it off entirely like you do for summer, but are there any maintenance steps to take? Sort of like how your car still needs care even if it sits unused in the garage for weeks at a time?

Well, yes, there are a few things to do about your heater during the lulls.

Continue Reading

How Does an Electric Furnace Fare Against a Heat Pump?

Monday, January 11th, 2021

HVAC-iconsIf you live in an all-electric home, there are several choices available to you when it comes to heating during the winter. The two main ones are the electric furnace and the heat pump. Because we don’t experience fierce winters here in Katy, your heating system will run for only a short season—but that doesn’t mean that just any heater will do. 

In fact, choosing between a heat pump and an electric furnace is a big decision, because it will also affect how you cool the house. A heat pump is a two-in-one system that works as both an air conditioner and a heater, so if you choose a heat pump installation, you’re also making the decision on how you’re cooling the house. If you choose an electric furnace, you’re also deciding to either keep your current AC or install a separate AC unit.

Continue Reading