Category: Tips and Advice

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AC Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades Tips and Advice

The Best Temperature for Sleeping

A good night’s sleep is priceless. It helps you reset and can completely brighten your outlook. As the Irish proverb goes, “A good laugh and a long sleep are the two best cures for anything.” But how can we get that deep, restorative sleep that we all need? The key may be to find the best temperature for sleeping.

Today, we’re going to walk through the importance of having a relaxing bedroom environment to improve sleep– particularly, how to find the perfect sleeping temperature. Once you know how to curate a bedroom that’s cozy, it will hopefully improve your bedtime routine to get you that satisfying sleep you deserve.

The Best Temperature for Sleeping

Before we dive into details, we need to understand the role our thermal environment plays in our sleep quality. Sleeping in a room that’s too hot or too cold can cause you to have a hard time falling asleep, or even put stress on your body’s circulatory system. If you’re tossing to and fro, it might be because your thermostat isn’t set appropriately. 

In one study, it was found that temperature is one of the largest factors in determining the quality of sleep. Exposure to heat or cold increased wakefulness and showed a decrease of rapid eye movement sleep (REM) and slow-wave sleep. 

In another article by Sleep Foundation, it states that the best temperature for sleeping is between 60 to 67° F. 

When Your Room is Too Hot

If you tend to “sleep cold” and want to turn up the heat before bed, it may set your sleep cycle up for failure. Sleeping in a room that’s too hot or humid actually increases your chances of waking up. It also makes it harder for you to fall back asleep. A hot room increases body temperature. This process basically undoes the entire sleep initiation process. 

In order to avoid restlessness, it’s best to keep your room cooler than 70° F. If you’re still feeling chilly before bed, try warming yourself up with an added layer or by taking a hot bath one to two hours before bedtime. It’s also recorded that people who take a hot shower or bath before bed tend to fall asleep faster. 

When Your Room is Too Cold

If you tend to “sleep hot,” you might be inclined to cool your room down before bed. A cold bedroom won’t impact your sleep in the same way that a hot bedroom does. Actually, it’s recorded that sleeping in a cooler environment can help you fall asleep faster, lower the risk of metabolic diseases, and increase your REM sleep. 

However, sleeping too cold can affect your body’s systems and cause shallow breathing. It can also restrict the body’s cardiovascular system. If you’re sleeping at 60° F, your room is too cold. 

How to Create an Ideal Sleep Environment

To get a good night’s sleep, the best temperature for sleeping is somewhere around 65° F. This will ensure you’re cool enough to fall asleep and stay asleep, but warm enough that your body doesn’t have to work too hard. Bonus tip: keep a fan in your bedroom to quickly cool down the temperature. 

A few additional tips to help calm down before bed include: 

  • Keep a consistent sleep schedule every day. Aim for at least 7 hours of sleep per night
  • Consider the seasons and find appropriate pajamas and bedding 
  • Avoid caffeine or sugar before bed, it can increase your body’s temperature and keep you awake
  • Limit your blue light exposure and turn off electronic devices 30 minutes before bedtime

Ellis AC: Your HVAC Company

In order to get that dreamy night’s sleep, it means that your home needs to be properly ventilated. If you’re experiencing any difficulty getting your home to that ideal temperature, don’t hesitate to reach out to a professional at Ellis AC. 

Our team’s been supporting families in Central Texas since 1975. It’s our mission to serve you and your home with the best solutions to your specific air conditioning, heating, and refrigeration needs. From our front offices to our technicians, the entire Ellis Air Conditioning and Heating team is dedicated to providing our customers with first-class service and the highest quality services and products. Get in touch with us today, we’d love to hear from you! Call (972) 895-7498, or submit a request to our team here.

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HVAC Tips and Advice

How Often Should You Replace Your Irving Home’s Residential Air Filters?

Residential air filters may be a small part of your home’s HVAC system, but they play a critical role in its overall performance. They filter out debris like dust and pollen that improves your home’s air quality. Air filters also do a great job of making your Irving residence more comfortable, but if you neglect your air filters, it’ll take a toll on your HVAC unit’s heating and cooling efficiency. Eventually, it’ll collect so much pollen, pet dander, mold spores, lint, and more so the air won’t be able to pass through the mine mesh fibers. When it does, the air will circulate those contaminants and can lead to allergy-like illnesses. 

The Function of Residential Air Filters

We’ve already established that air filters play an important role in the heating and cooling of your home. Now, we’re going to explain why that is and exactly what they do. Air filters use a fabric material to filter the air that passes through them. They trap all kinds of contaminants that would reduce your home’s air quality if left to float around freely. Some debris that your air filter should catch include:

How Often Should You Replace A Residential Air Filter?

Generally, you should replace your air filter every 90 days. Of course, different scenarios call for different HVAC maintenance schedules. If it’s a vacation home that you rarely visit or you live alone, you might be able to get away with replacing your filter every 6-12 months. However, if you have a big family with lots of pets, you’ll probably need an air filter replacement every couple of months. Some signs that it’s time to change your air filter include:

  • Warm air blowing out of your air conditioner
  • A hot HVAC unit
  • More expensive energy bills
  • An uptick in allergy symptoms
  • Dust in the air vents

What Happens If You Don’t Have An Air Filter

Your air conditioner won’t stop working just because you take out your air filter, but if you don’t replace it, you’ll run into some other HVAC issues further down the road. Unfortunately, these issues tend to be pretty expensive. The main problem you’ll encounter is excess condensation in the Freon tubing since the condensation drain can’t drain moisture without an air filter.

This causes water damage, and can ruin your  HVAC system. Aside from the water damage, your home will feel stuffy and once dust starts to settle, it’ll clog up the whole system. The loose contaminants can also cause your family to experience health problems. 

What Type of Air Filter is Most Efficient?

A lot of people choose whichever air filter is cheapest at the hardware store because they don’t think it’ll make any difference. However, different residential air filters have different efficiency ratings. To find the best air filter for your Irving home, make sure you’re checking the MERV rating.

The scale ranges from 1-20 and the higher the number, the better the rating. However, just because an air filter has a 20 MERV rating doesn’t mean it’s the best filter for your HVAC system. Sometimes, air filters with higher MERV ratings can actually impede airflow. So make sure you do your research or ask the Ellis AC technicians about the pros and cons of different air filters and their MERV ratings. We’ll be able to determine if you need a fiberglass, electrostatic, pleated, high-efficiency pleated, or HEPA air filter. 

Ellis AC– Irving HVAC Maintenance Services

It’s important to maintain an air filter replacement schedule to maximize your home’s breathability and to keep your family healthy. If you notice any of the aforementioned warning signs, or it’s coming up on 90 days since your last air filter replacement– call Ellis AC Irving. We’ll send out an HVAC technician that can pop in a new air filter with ease so you don’t have to worry about the inconvenience of buying and replacing it yourself.

Contact us today for a quote and feel free to ask us any questions you have about residential HVAC maintenance. If you have any concerns, we can schedule a consultation and your Ellis AC technician can assess your system and provide recommendations that will improve its performance.

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AC Heating HVAC Tips and Advice

The Great Thermostat Debate: Should Your Home be Warm or Cold?

The thermostat is a common source of contention in many households. Any time you move in with a new roommate or partner, you need to establish a set point for the temperature. This can become a heated debate if you are on opposite sides of the spectrum. Regardless of your personal opinion, there are facts to support your preference. Here are some facts that may help you win the heating and cooling debate with your housemate. Although, if you prefer it cold, you certainly have an edge. 

Ideal Room Temperature

There are different factors that go into determining your home’s optimal temperature. The average home rests between 68 and 76 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. Factors that determine the ideal temperature for you include season, insulation, region, and personal preference among other things. The average set temperature is 68 degrees in the summer and 70 in the winter. 

The ideal temperature changes during the nighttime. Experts say that for a healthy adult the thermostat should stay around 65 degrees Fahrenheit. However, they do offer the range of 60 to 67 degrees for optimal sleep. If your bedroom gets too hot, it can interrupt your REM cycle. When this happens, you may be groggy, your immune system may suffer, and you may experience memory and learning problems. 

Effects of a Warm House on Your Health

Keeping your house warm can have some positive effects on your health. 

Energy Booster

A warm house can be an energy booster. It can signal summer and the end of hibernation, which may make you want to get up and run around or maybe just clean the house up. 

Memory Enhancer

A warmer climate helps with circulation. This means increased blood flow to your head and heart. When your blood circulates with ease it helps keep you alert and makes your memory sharper. 

Blood Pressure

Your body needs to stay within a specific temperature range. If you get too cold your lungs and heart will overcompensate to warm you up. This can lead to high blood pressure and resulting conditions like heart disease. 

Benefits of a Cold House

Keeping your house cool, especially during the night, offers a lot of advantages. 

Burns Calories

Your body uses body fat to keep you warm in cold conditions. If your home is cool, your body will naturally help you keep fat off. 

Prevents Bug Infestations

Many bugs that can be found in houses can’t survive in cold weather. Mosquitoes and cockroaches will die in a cold environment, which is good news for you These insects can carry diseases with them. 

Muscle Recovery

If you’ve ever seen an over-extended athlete sink into an ice bath, then you probably already understand that cold conditions aid in muscle recovery. Some benefits of ice or cold conditions are inflammation reduction and muscle recovery. 

Better Sleep

One of the most important reasons to keep a cool house is for better sleep. People need to be cool during sleep so their  REM cycle can complete without disruption. Our bodies stop regulating temperature while we’re asleep. If you get too warm, you can wake up groggy and cause your memory, immune system, memory, and learning capabilities to deteriorate. 

Ellis AC

Call or visit our website to review our special offers and financing options! Our team of HVAC professionals is ready to assist you with your heating and cooling needs. Each staff member is trained and licensed to evaluate your needs and put together a strategy that meets them. Our speedy industry professionals will investigate your problem and give you an estimate free of charge. This way you have time to do your research and be sure we’re giving you the best cost for the service.

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HVAC Tips and Advice

Effects of Indoor Air Pollutants on Pregnancy

Expecting mothers often make changes to ensure their bodies are healthy. This is to make sure their body is healthy enough to carry a child and that their child will be born healthy. It’s common knowledge that whatever the mom goes through, the baby also experiences. That’s why it’s smart to take precautions to avoid birth defects. Mothers know to reduce fat and sugar intake, and increase physical activity. They stop drinking, smoking, and eating dangerous foods like soft cheese and fish with a lot of mercury. However, one factor that pregnant women may overlook is their home’s air quality. Pollutants in the air can affect women during their pregnancy and can also impact the unborn child’s health. 

Indoor Air Pollutants

Indoor air pollutants can actually be more dangerous than outdoor pollutants. An enclosed space without sufficient ventilation can be more toxic than a highly industrialized city. The EPA actually estimates that indoor air quality can be 2-5 times worse than outside. Pollutants like pet dander, mold, pollen, or other particulate matter brought into the house can create a toxic environment. 

Outdoor air can enter your home through infiltration, natural ventilation, or mechanical ventilation. If you start experiencing respiratory problems it’s an indicator that your ventilation system isn’t filtering air properly. An HVAC company like Ellis AC can get to work purifying the air in your home and getting rid of any harmful toxins. 

Birth Weight

Multiple studies show that infants born in areas with more pollution weigh less than those born in areas with good air. Mothers who are exposed to high levels of pollution during their first trimester are at risk of giving birth to an underweight baby. 

Premature Birth

Mothers who are exposed to excessive pollutants are also at risk for giving birth prematurely. Babies that are born before the 37th week of the gestational period are at an increased risk of neurological disorders and physical disabilities. The infant may experience trouble breathing, heart problems, temperature irregularities, and an underdeveloped digestive system. Premature birth can be fatal, and many babies need to be supervised by a team in the NICU for around-the-clock care. 

Autism

According to a Harvard study, mothers who inhale too much particulate matter during the third trimester are twice as likely to have a child on the Autism spectrum. If mothers reduce their exposure to nitric oxide during pregnancy their child will be less at risk for autism and some cognitive functioning disorders. 

Asthma

Mothers with uncontrolled asthma may experience high blood pressure which can lead to preeclampsia. They are also more likely to deliver their baby early. Exposure to air pollution during gestation can also increase the likelihood of the child developing asthma later in life. Research suggests that children are more at risk of developing asthma before the age of 5 if their mothers were pregnant in an area with a lot of traffic. 

Fertility

Air pollutants can cause infertility or a spontaneous miscarriage. It’s important to take precautions because it’s difficult to know what you’re breathing in. 

Ellis AC

It’s important to maintain good air quality in your home at all times, but especially during pregnancy. If you’re experiencing respiratory problems or you’re getting sick more often than usual give Ellis AC a call or fill out a form to schedule a consultation. Our experts will inspect your home for ventilation problems and fix them. We are dedicated to maintaining your HVAC system and keeping you and your family safe.

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Uncategorized Heating HVAC Tips and Advice

Everything You Need to Know About Emergency Heat

Texans are currently experiencing an unprecedented winter storm. People are increasingly wary of car accidents, power outages, and problems with heating their homes. Many homeowners in the south depend upon heat pumps to heat and cool their homes. This is because it’s an incredibly effective method in mild climates. However, with snow and ice building up it may be time to switch your heat pump to emergency mode. 

How Do Heat Pumps Work?

A heat pump is HVAC equipment installed outside of your home. The pump redistributes hot air to heat and cools your home. When it’s cold outside the unit pulls heat out of the air and into your home. When it’s too hot inside the pump pulls hot air out of your home and transfers it outside. However, this heating method doesn’t work in freezing temperatures. 

What is Emergency Heat?

When the temperature drops below freezing and your heat pump isn’t working, you can set your thermostat to emergency heat. This can also be automatically triggered at 35 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature gets too low, your pump won’t function properly because there isn’t any heat for the pump to transfer. The system will depend on a furnace or heat strips to heat your home. 

When you switch to emergency heat, your pump will stop trying to extract heat from the outside and will only utilize the secondary heating method. 

When to Use Emergency Heat

You should only use emergency heat, as the name suggests, in emergency situations. You should turn on the emergency heat if your heat pump stops functioning and your home isn’t warming up. This happens quite often when temperatures hit the freezing point. 

If your heating system doesn’t automatically switch to emergency heat, you should do it manually. This will help prevent damage to your primary unit and heat your residence faster.  

Cost of Using Emergency Heat

Switching to emergency heat can be expensive if you have an electric heating system. For this reason, you shouldn’t use emergency heat unless it’s absolutely necessary. You don’t necessarily need to turn the emergency heat on just because it’s cold. However, it is necessary if your pump stops working altogether.

Running your emergency heat increases your energy usage and drives up your energy bill. If your system is all-electric you can stand to lose quite a bit of money heating your home this way for extended periods of time. However, if your backup heating system runs on gas or oil, you may get a bit of a price break. 

Protect Your Heat Pump

You should check your heat pump for snow and ice buildup during the winter months. Do your best to keep it clear. If you notice too much debris, call an HVAC repairman to get the unit fixed. If you take care of it quickly, you could save a lot of money on future repairs or a replacement. 

Call Ellis AC

Our HVAC professionals know how important it is to maintain your heating system. It’s more important than ever with all 254 Texas counties under winter storm warnings. If you notice an excessive build-up on your heat pump or your home isn’t warming up enough, call us immediately. We’re here to help keep you safe and warm during the winter months. 

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Tips and Advice

Winter Power Outage Survival Guide

Power outages can be a scary experience. It can be made worse when you also have to combat freezing temperatures. However, you don’t have to just sit in your cold, dark house and hope the power comes on before you freeze. With sufficient planning you and your loved ones can come out of the ordeal warm and unharmed. 

Emergency Kit

Every household should have an emergency kit. This guarantees you will have the essentials any time you encounter an emergency situation or severe weather event. Make sure it’s easily accessible and fully stocked at all times. Here are some things that should be in every emergency kit. 

  • Flashlight 
  • A portable radio
  • Extra batteries
  • Car charger
  • Candles and matches
  • Non-perishable food
  • Warm clothing and blankets
  • Hand warmers
  • First aid kit

Refrigerated food

Typically, people affected by power outages are advised to avoid opening their refrigerator to help preserve their food. This is in an effort to stop food from spoiling, which can be expensive to replace and leave you hungry while you wait out the storm. However, in the winter you should seal food so animals and debris won’t contaminate it. Then, you should place it outside so it will stay cold. 

Cooking

A power outage can make cooking difficult. If you have gas appliances, you can light them with a match. However, if your appliances are electric you may need to look for other options. You can use a grill or fire pit. Otherwise, you can just eat food that doesn’t need to be cooked. 

Layer Clothing

You should wear a lot of layers. Then, you can continue to add or subtract clothing depending on your needs. You should also cover your extremities. Keep a hat and gloves nearby. 

Burn Wood

If you have a wood stove or fireplace consider burning wood to keep warm. If you have a gas fireplace you should purchase a battery backup.

Backup Generator

Portable backup generators can require a lot of maintenance, but they can provide energy and help keep you warm in an emergency. If you decide to use one, be cautious about where you place it. If you put it indoors the carbon monoxide levels will rise and can lead to death. It’s best to place it away from your home. 

Backup generators can be quite costly. In addition to the initial cost of buying the generator, it will need fuel at least twice a day, oil checks, and you need to protect it from snow. Pay close attention to the operation manual so you know how to maintain it. 

Vehicles

At times, you may get too cold. Layering clothing and blankets helps you keep warm, but it doesn’t do much if you’re already freezing. If you have a car, you have the option to turn it on and warm up for a bit. Make sure you keep it fueled up so it’ll turn on in freezing weather. A time may also come, when you need to leave your home and stay with someone who still has electricity. 

You can also use a car charger to charge your phone while you’re warming up. This will be really important to keep up with the news, connect with your loved ones, and call emergency services if needed.

Water

If you get water through the city, it will continue to run. However, if you have a well, the pump won’t work without electricity. If you think you might lose power there are a couple of precautions you can take.

Fill up your bathtub with water for washing clothes and flushing toilets. You should also keep a gallon of drinking water for each person in your home for every day you expect to be without power. 

If you still have water, let your faucets drip and keep cupboard doors open. This will help prevent your pipes from freezing. 

Call Ellis AC

Ellis AC is happy to provide these tips to help our customers stay safe during inclement weather. If your heating system still isn’t working to your satisfaction, when your power comes back on contact us. Our team of friendly professionals will provide you with quick and quality repairs. We know what it takes to help you save money on your heating bill and keep your home warm during the winter months. Contact us right away to schedule a consultation or to fix emergency repairs!

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Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades Tips and Advice

Get Smart: Benefits of Modern Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats do have the potential to save the homeowner money, but they can also cost more. The secret to success is the way in which you use them. It’s imperative that you educate yourself so that you are able to effectively save energy (and money) by correctly using a programmable thermostat.

According to Energy Star, about 45% of a home’s energy is utilized for heating and cooling (that averages about $2,100-$2,500 annually). Unfortunately, a large portion of that goes to heating or cooling unoccupied spaces. You also don’t need to heat or cool your home as much when you are sleeping. For every 1 degree Fahrenheit you turn your thermostat down, you will use 1% less energy. That means if you reduce your heating by 10 degrees at night, you will use 10% less energy. 

It’s Smart For A Reason

Ten years ago, programmable thermostats were the latest trend, but with advances in technology, smart thermostats will be a better choice for your home. For example, a smart thermostat learns your temperature habits over time and adjusts accordingly, while a programmable thermostat only allows you to schedule temperature changes for specific days and times. For hot and cold natured people alike, a smart thermostat will begin to automatically change your temperature over time as it learns your daily habits and preferences, which will keep extra cash in your pocket. Unfortunately, your existing programmable thermostat doesn’t have the same capabilities and prevents you from making temperature adjustments while you’re away from home.

Convenience of Adjusting From Anywhere

WiFi compatibility is one of the most convenient and sought after features in a smart thermostat. In-home temperature control is at your fingertips from nearly anywhere in the world with the simple download and installation of a corresponding app on your phone. Did you forget to bump up the temperature of the air conditioner before leaving for vacation? A smart thermostat has you covered from any location with an Internet connection.

Reduces Energy Costs

As new technology develops in the heating and cooling industry, older thermostats are less accurate and simply cannot compete with their modern counterparts. Unlike older programmable thermostats, smart thermostats have the ability to automatically adjust the temperature based on the surrounding temperature, which results in substantial savings on your in-home energy bills. Lastly, it tracks your past energy usage and provides reports for any time period you select. The reports enable you to identify where you can cut costs on future energy bills. Smart thermostats are a great addition to any home, and they can make your life much easier.

HVAC Maintenance and Repairs With Ellis AC

If you need HVAC maintenance, repairs, or replacements, Ellis AC can help. Our team of licensed HVAC technicians will quickly diagnose and repair any issues with your system, and we’ll tell you everything you need to know about keeping your system healthy. Call or visit our website today for more information or a free quote on our top-notch HVAC repairs and maintenance. We look forward to serving you!

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Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades Tips and Advice

Signs That It’s Almost Time to Replace Your HVAC System

How do you know if it’s time?

If your existing heating or cooling system is over ten years old, it’s an indication that you need to get a new one. Check out these five warning signs that it’s time for HVAC replacement.

Repair Costs Are Higher Than The Price of a New System

Older HVAC systems require more extensive repairs—and it’s a sad fact that most homeowners have to deal with. If you need your HVAC system repaired for the cost that’s almost half or higher than a new system, forget about it! It’s best to replace your system completely to save more money in your pocket.

Soaring Energy Bills

If you haven’t had any major changes in your local energy cost, then your current bills should be relatively similar to the previous months. But if your bills have ballooned with no concrete explanation, it could be a sign of worn-out parts and inefficient HVAC equipment. Damaged and older systems have to work longer and harder to meet your comfort requirements, and replacement is a smart solution.

It feels hot indoors

Your old cooling system is struggling to keep a consistent and comfortable temperature indoors. When you’re feeling less comfortable indoors, it generally means that your HVAC system isn’t powerful enough to supply the required temperature.

Your heat pump or air conditioner is more than 10 years old

Consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR label. Installed correctly, these high-efficiency units can save up to 20 percent on heating and cooling costs.

Your home has humidity problems

Poor equipment operation, inadequate equipment, and leaky ductwork can cause the air to be too dry in the winter or too humid in the summer.

Your heating or cooling system is noisy

You could have an undersized duct system, a problem with the indoor coil of your cooling equipment, or other components that may be failing causing undue stress on other equipment components.

Unpleasant odors

Strange or unpleasant smells coming from your HVAC unit or your vents? Odors can be caused by a variety of problems, such as mold and mildew growth due to excess moisture inside the unit or refrigerant leaks.

Tripped circuit breaker

If your HVAC system trips the circuit breaker once, it may not be any cause for alarm. But if it happens repeatedly, you may have a system that is showing signs of wear. A small repair may be able to help, but it likely won’t last long and your whole system will soon need to be replaced.

Ellis AC

Whether you’re running the furnace in winter, or cranking up the air conditioning unit in summer, there is always a chance that your indoor air quality, energy bills, and even your health could be affected by your old HVAC unit To find out more about our services, or to get started on your own system, don’t hesitate to contact us right away!

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AC Heating HVAC Tips and Advice

Facts and Myths About Space Heaters

When you live in a place where cold winters are a natural part of life, you need a way to warm up your living space. Two of the most well-known heating options include central heaters and space heaters.

In theory, a space heater may sound like a more practical option, especially for homeowners. But is it really? Read on to learn more about these two types of heaters and when it is more practical to use one type over the other.

Space Heaters

Comparing central heating units to space heaters, these types of heating devices are smaller and more portable. Space heaters normally lack heat transfer ducts but they can run on the same energy sources as central heaters.

Of the different types of space heaters, models that rely on combustion are the least eco-friendly and most dangerous to use. Combustion heaters have the highest risk of causing fires in homes. Plus, the combustion process also releases hazardous types of gases into the air which adds to the danger of using these types of space heaters.

Homeowners are advised to have fire detectors installed in areas where the space heaters will be placed and used. Look for space heaters that can turn off when the unit accidentally fails. You should also avoid plugging in a space heater into an extension cord. Space heaters normally use around 1500 watts. By using an extension cord, you are placing a huge load on a single socket.

When it comes to efficiency rates, electric space heaters that produce radiant heat are the most efficient types. These types radiate heat along their line of sight. They are good options for warming up small spaces such as a dinner table.

There are also convection heaters. These types of space heaters function by warming up the air in the room. Both convection and radiant heaters fall under the same price range.

Central Heat vs Space Heaters

Some people buy or use space heaters thinking that these would help bring down their energy costs. They are indeed useful devices, but they are not a practical option in every situation.

There are several factors to consider when it comes to choosing between space heaters and a central heating system. One involves the size of the space being heated up.

If you only need to heat one or two rooms in your home, a space heater may be a more practical choice. Space heaters do use less energy as compared to using central heat. As such, having a space heater in every room in the home and turning them all on at the same will only cost you more, not less.

When you bought your heater is also a factor. Newer models are designed to be more energy-efficient than older ones. If you find that your central heating system is no longer producing the same warmth as it used to, have it checked for possible issues or consider having it replaced.

Quality Heating Services With Ellis AC

Ellis AC offers HVAC maintenance, repairs, and replacements with top-notch service at prices you can afford. Your satisfaction is always our top priority, so call or visit our website for a free quote on our stellar HVAC services today!

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AC Heating HVAC HVAC Upgrades Tips and Advice

All About Air Purification Systems

Clean air and a great HVAC system are extremely important, and both should work hand in hand! Your HVAC already has an air filter, but how clean does it really make your air? Is a normal HVAC air filter effective in removing everything from the air that enters your home? If so, why should you have a separate air purification system for your HVAC?

Until recently, indoor air quality wasn’t a big concern for most people. Yet this benign neglect could put our health at risk. According to the federal Environmental Protection Agency, the air inside can be at minimum 2 to 5 times more polluted than outside.

It’s not only smog that threatens the safety of indoor air, it’s also mold, bacteria, and viruses. Now, with the pandemic raging around the world, it’s even more important for business owners and homeowners to do everything they can to ensure healthy indoor air within their spaces.

That’s a good reason to consider new technology that can improve indoor air quality, including an HVAC air purifier and air filtration system.

Why not just use a filter?

The pre-installed HVAC Air filter has one major disadvantage: It was designed to prevent collection of dust on the HVAC’s internal moving components and filter all incoming air to a certain degree. Beyond this, this mesh air filter cannot improve the quality or hygiene of air within your house.

While removal of dust from the home environment is ideal to prevent dust allergies and diseases such as hay fever that arise from these allergies, it is vital that your HVAC air purification system also have a filter to clean other microscopic contaminants which may lead to other diseases.

Why use an HVAC purification system? 

Here’s a list of what will be missing from your home when you install a good HVAC air purification system:

Dust mites – While a normal air filter can take care of dust mites, air purification systems do the job more thoroughly!

Bacteria and Viruses – air purification systems are designed to trap all microscopic organisms such as bacteria and viruses thus leading to cleaner, pure air.

Smoke – If you’re a smoker or you have a family member who smokes in your home, it can be detrimental to your health to inhale this smoke. An HVAC air purification system neutralizes all types of smoke – from cigarette smoke to fireplace smoke!

Odors – An air purification system helps to get rid of all odors from trash cans, stoves or even rotting fruit on your kitchen counter!

Pet Dander – Having a pet that sheds hair lowers IAQ, which is why you need an air purification system to remove pet dander from your living space.

Call Ellis AC and purify your air

An HVAC professional like those at Ellis AC can help you determine when your filters need replacing, based on your equipment and your air quality challenges. Ellis AC experts can also help you select an HVAC air purifier that is right for your home or business.