Heat pumps are a popular option for home comfort here in Katy because they are ideally suited to our climate: hot weather during most of the year with a short, cool winter. A heat pump works as both an air conditioner and heater, able to switch between the two modes with only an adjustment on the thermostat. During hot weather, a heat pump is as powerful as an air conditioner of the same cooling tonnage. During colder weather, a heat pump delivers heat at lower cost than using an electric furnace.
But how does a heat pump do both jobs? Does it switch between different operations when it goes from one mode to the other?
The runaway air conditioner is a common cooling problem homeowners may run into during the summer. Everyone knows why it’s bad news when an air conditioning system won’t turn on at all. But an air conditioner that just won’t power down and keeps its compressor running on and on is just as bad a problem. In most cases, the AC will need to have professional repairs to fix what’s wrong. 
The central air conditioning system in your house is one of its most essential appliances. The heat during our Texas summers is intense, and hot days can arrive throughout the rest of the year as well. When you need repairs for your AC, are planning to schedule maintenance, or want to have a new air conditioner installed, you’ll look for an 
The humidity levels in Katy during the summer can turn oppressive and sometimes downright miserable. We’ve all experienced those horribly muggy days when 90°F—already some pretty serious heat—feels like 100°F plus too much sweat.
We are big believers in routine maintenance inspections and tune-ups for air conditioning systems. Any HVAC company should promote regular maintenance services because every technician with training knows how advantageous they are. But here in Katy, TX, we’re especially aware of how much a hard-working air conditioner needs maintenance. An AC in our hot weather takes on a heavy work load each year.
When HVAC experts talk about the worst type of problems an air conditioning system can run into, they use the phrase “no cool”—an air conditioning system that isn’t cooling a house. The whole AC may have shut down and no air at all is coming from the vents. Or air is coming from the vents but it’s not cool.
We ease in and out of warm weather during the winters in Katy, so there’s never a major time when air conditioners get a big break. But we’re approaching the time when all our homes will be getting steady use from their cooling systems.
In some parts of the country, air conditioners go on long vacations during the winter. There are distinct seasons for air conditioning, and AC owners usually prepare their cooling systems for the summer weather with a professional spring tune-up. Or at least they should; any quality HVAC contractor recommends it and offers a regular maintenance program to make it easier for customers.