Austin Air Companie Blog : Archive for the ‘Smart HVAC system’ Category

Air Conditioning Repair Service Katy Texas 2024

Tuesday, March 12th, 2024

Hi and welcome to the #1 Katy Texas Air Conditioning Blog. In 2024 HVAC for your home is beginning to change in ways that you (as a home owner) may not be aware of. It’s not uncommon for air conditioners to work for several years without much fuss. So if you haven’t had your air conditioner serviced since before the pandemic hit you are probably unaware of the challenges HVAC contractors have faced over the past few years. Equipment availability, part availability etc. To put it mildly it’s been quite the challenge since about 2020.

So as we get away from all those challenges we enter a new era of trouble that is a new refrigerant phase out that began last year with a 10% cut to production of a refrigerant we have been using since early 2000’s. There is an additional cut of 30% this year. The refrigerant in question is R410a Puron, most people still call this Freon today. Freon R22 is the older variety that we’ve used for AC’s since the 1950’s. While R22 Freon has been banned since 2020, I still see this equipment today. I can still buy R22 Freon but it’s very expensive.

Common Air Conditioning Refrigerants R22 Freon & R410a Puron Facing Bans & Phase Downs in 2024

SPECIAL NOTE: If you are a new customer trying to reach me in 2024 it may be best for you to text me your NAME + ADDRESS. While you can call me, it may be a challenge to get thru as I am screening my calls and the app I am using has had problems. Faster service is to text me NAME + ADDRESS failure to follow these directions will probably put your message in my spam folder. This change is due to ROBO callers calling me too much! You can also fill out the contact form on this website. Once your info is updated to my contacts list you can then call me direct.

This 2024 AC service change is due to spam / robot callers. I continue to evaluate this day to day.

Air Conditioning Service & Repair 2024

Austin Air Companie in Katy, Texas is different than other service companies. I get to talk about these differences because it is me (Ray Austin) writing this blog and it is also me who runs the AC service calls. So I get this unique perspective of sharing what I often find at homes in the area I am called to with Air Conditioning Problems. You know like blowing warm air, the AC isn’t cool enough, the AC is noisy or making a weird noise, the AC won’t come on etc. I don’t win every job. No company does that to be honest and HVAC (air conditioning mostly for Katy, Texas area) is changing in profound ways + costs keep going up. Cheap or cheaper will probably cost you more in the long run because things are changing. The longer you wait (2024) the less choices you will have. Don’t put off getting AC systems serviced in 2024.

Things are complicated this year (2024) because R410a is being phased down and the new equipment with the new, new refrigerants aren’t quite here yet. I expect these to come later this year sometime maybe by 3rd quarter of 2024. If you aren’t using someone you trust. HVAC is often times more about waste than anything else. If you spend less money for the sake of trying to save it, that may be a waste of money. What makes this hard is that this isn’t always the case. It will vary due to a wide variety of factors like how old your AC is, what is actually wrong with it, how long you plan to live at your house and so on.

No one, me included is going to live in Katy, Texas without air conditioning. So you have to pick something. The way I operate my HVAC service and repair company is to give you choices and explain the pros and cons of those choices. I can tell you before I even come to your house in 2024 this is challenging. There is no perfect brand of HVAC equipment even since before. They all break. Certainly some are more likely to break than others. It’s not my business model to sell you something for the sake of selling it.

I can tell you other HVAC companies in the area are more about just selling you. They have to because they’ve got the expensive TV ads, or the expensive ads that follow you around on the internet, the constant calling you, the high pressure sales in your home and so on. I know all the tricks, none of this is new to me. I have been doing this job for over 30 years now, 16 years running my own HVAC company. I am not going to stalk you to try to sell you something. It’s your decision. I can’t make it for you all I can do is to educate you on why we are where we are in HVAC land the choices for your home comfort.

Katy, Texas is a hot climate. This isn’t due to climate change, it’s always been hot here. We use our AC’s for the better of 10 months every year. I have helped 100’s and 100’s of your neighbors every year for the past 16 years since I started my own HVAC company. However, you know what people will say on the internet when you say such and such is a hot climate. They will tell you when summer finally gets to the USA as a whole that it’s just as hot here as it is everywhere else, even though we’ve been at those temperatures for months already. This is another reason it’s a fool’s errand to run to the internet for pointers. Differences of opinion for climates with different concerns. Katy, Texas spends more money on AC related expenses than the majority of what you will find on the internet. I also know what I put here isn’t going to change much. I’ve been doing this 30 years, I know what I know from seeing the same worn out myths being applied over and over and over. 30 years ago they called this wisdom, today? Ok boomer whatever you say. (You know let’s provide an excuse for our insanity, what else is it?)

What I Often See First Hand On AC Service Calls

It’s not uncommon to see sloppy AC service practices. These sloppy AC services that you called to your home inadvertently lead to refrigerant losses or electrical problems. Then you call me and I am expected to guess what happened at your home.

If you use me for service I track what I find at your house. Your service records. Things like what was done at your home by me. I know what I did, it will be me coming back if you call me. If your AC on your first visit doesn’t require refrigerant then there is no refrigerant leak. Realize that refrigerant leaks can occur at any time. Your AC equipment does not use up refrigerant, if the AC is low on refrigerant charge it’s because that it was never charged properly to begin with OR the unit has a leak some where.

It costs money to investigate. I can guess, but even with as much experience I have guessing isn’t fool proof. An example of how people waste money to put it bluntly. If the AC isn’t low on refrigerant, there’s no reason to investigate a refrigerant leak? How do you know your AC is low on refrigerant (FREON)? By having it checked. I can’t tell you how many times I get called over the years where someone says I think my AC is low and needs some Freon. Sometimes they are right, often times they are wrong. Electrical problems and AC are sometimes more common typically in the range of 90%.

So can you imagine you have an older AC with an electrical problem the high pressure sales people come tell you your AC is dead ( it could be to be honest ) or it could be a sales guy that needs a sale to stay in the good graces of his company that says “we’ll give you an opinion for free”. Most of them all use this tactic to get in your door. They’ll make it sound so good.

That being said, if your AC is 15 years old or older it may be in your best interest to replace it. In 2024 it’s tricky because anything you buy this summer will likely be R410a which is the last year for this type of AC equipment. It’s obsolete the minute you buy it. This doesn’t mean you won’t be able to get R410a later if you need it, only that it will cost more. Manufacturers exclude refrigerants from any warranty. Remember I keep it real here. I’m not here to hoodwink you. (trick you)

Will it really matter to wait for R32 or R454b AC equipment to arrive? I really can’t answer that 100% right now because we don’t know what those costs will be yet. These new refrigerants will likely only have a 12 year life until they are phased out in 2036. They have to be phased out because the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol has step down requirements for the USA to get below 350 GWP by 2036. Neither of these refrigerants will reach these lower GWP requirements.

New Refrigerants Require New Equipment, Want A Cheaper Refrigerant Will Require New AC Equipment Again.

AIR CONDITIONING REFRIGERANTS: PROS, CONS & LIMITED LIFESPAN

Refrigerants can not be mixed and matched. If you want to change refrigerants it will require you to buy again all new AC equipment. Remember I am keeping it real here. I am telling you like it is, that is how you know it’s the truth. I can tell you I don’t like it any more than I think you will.

R32 is probably the better choice moving forward. This won’t be the popular choice among manufacturers in the USA. If you choose wrong and have refrigerant issues the cost will be higher for the refrigerant. So for this reason a brand name isn’t going to do much for you. I can’t tell you how many times I quote an AC brand and people want to run to the internet to see what the internet has to say about a particular brand. They all break remember?

Do you honestly think I am going to install a brand that is going to give me nothing but problems? I’ve been doing this for over 30 years? The AC equipment has gone thru how many changes in the past 30 years and you think the internet is going to tell you what is good and what is not?

I know you want to be told with corn pop words “hey this is the best thing since sliced bread, it cuts your AC electric bills, it’s cheaper than anything else, it never breaks, heck you don’t even have to maintain it… and the list of gimmicks goes on and on.

Snap out of it: You get what you pay for and in some cases (due to installation and service practices only, not the brand name) is why things go wrong.

If I had my way I would sell an Inverter AC Unit to every customer because I know what that machine does when installed properly. But this particular AC is a premium HVAC solution. It will cut your electric bill in half*. (*If your home has one AC unit). The price to admission for this solution won’t fit everyone’s budget, although I feel it’s the better choice currently. To find out what it is schedule an AC appointment with me.

Call the AC Guy, He’s the Guy that knows what to do as well as what not to do. Service Records are kept by 1 guy. You see the same guy everytime.

All manufacturers make Inverter AC’s. But they are not created equal. Remember this is more than what a brand name is. Every manufacturer makes more than one model of AC. There are cost differences from one model to another.

You’re paying me to know these things. It will only benefit you if you choose me as your HVAC service provider.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I know you have many choices. I can’t be all things to all people as I am a small 1 man AC company. I have installed complete HVAC systems by myself. I know this isn’t the norm. My mom told me growing up as a kid: “Too many cooks in the kitchen spoils the broth.” I just merely applied this to the HVAC service business.

As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this Katy Texas Air Conditioning Blog:

My name is Ray Austin, I am a Texas licensed HVAC contractor serving the Katy, Texas area and some surrounding areas. I am universally certified to handle ANY refrigerant. I obtained an AOS degree in HVAC/R Mechanic just over 30 years ago.

I am a capitalist and I make no apologies for it. Austin Air Companie is a for profit HVAC service company. I am not a trainer or teacher I exist to do this job for you, not teach you or others how to do it. I work under the premise if I fixed it once, I can fix it again. Any AC system can break at any time. Austin Air Companie specializes in comfort solutions for the home. From AC repairs to AC upgrades that include Inverter AC units (1% steps up / down in comfort) no costly proprietary signals to operate the HVAC system.

Proven company track record of 16 years in 2024. No outside influence of investors, Austin Air Companie is solely owned AND operated by Ray Austin. I work for you, just as it should be.

Other companies pay for SEO tracking and all kinds of gimmicks to sell you. They will chase you, I won’t. You decide who you want for your comfort solution.

Austin Air Companie

832~475-6895

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Service | Repairs | Zoning

The Home of Better

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Trane Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023

Hello and welcome to the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog with video content.

As I often do on this residential air conditioning video blog I like to take real stories that occur naturally in my line of air conditioning service and HVAC repair. I choose to not only write my own AC stories I also choose to tell my HVAC stories with video content. The air conditioning repair video I create has more than one purpose. The main purpose is to show you I am who I say I am, I can do what I say I can do. I am well aware of enthusiasts that are in this for clicks and notoriety. Be very careful exactly who it is you are garnering your information from, your house financial well being is at stake here.

I’ve used the so called professional websites who often times generate a bunch of nonsense that for someone like me ( A Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor TACLB28416E ) all of this is an ever growing challenge to compensate for.

Now that AI is on the scene or even a so called professional text writer has trouble with “context”. Because maybe they are a professional writer or artificial intelligence to mimic one but that doesn’t make them a professional in terms of HVAC equipment and defining what they mean with context. What do I mean by that?

Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor Serving the Katy, Texas area AC repair services TACLB28416E

Most people outside of the HVAC realm typically choose an HVAC system based off  the name of the brand. This story is unique because the name of this brand I am talking about today is a well recognized and often considered a premier air conditioning brand in some cases it is called “the best” depending on who you are listening to.

Often times in this situation customers looking for HVAC solutions do not realize there is much more to this than meets the eye as over the years things have changed in HVAC and more changes are on the way. Let’s only look at the box and the name that is on the side of it. Let’s not choose something based on what it does and how it does it. I realize budget constrains can be an issue for some of you. This is partly why my air conditioning website exists to help you make better choices. Running from one HVAC contractor to another based on some perceived “deal” is often regretted in 3 years or less. I tell it like it is here, I am not out to sell you a gimmick. I have repaired more Trane equipment than I have replaced with new equipment. This particular story I tell in the video just so happens to be a time in which replacing part of the system was the better choice for this customer.

If the name on the air conditioning box is one that we recognize and the perception is it’s a good or better brand everything will work out in the end? So this particular story is to put some doubt in your mind as to how good or how bad just choosing a name brand can be. Keep in mind this story has played out countless times with varying different circumstances not to mention entirely different AC brands and I don’t always get the job because the gimmick of Trane  equipment in general is a very powerful distraction to the bigger picture that is taking shape in the HVAC market as I type this Katy, Texas air conditioning repair video blog post.

The Trane AC repair video embedded below tells various parts of this better than what I can explain via text. But there are a number of things that the video doesn’t cover or just brushes (touches) the surface of. The HVAC system in your home is complicated for a wide variety of reasons. No two homes are exactly alike. No two people are exactly alike. The comfort goals of the home the people in the home and the budget of such. If this air conditioning subject were “easy” this post or the included embedded video would be a fraction of the length they are.

The Trane AC repair video (embedded below) is nearly 30 minutes long. It’s best to watch the whole video with no distractions. The whole purpose of my Katy, Texas air conditioning repair website is to show you I know how to do it. It is to show you I have the experience and know how to fix your HVAC system (regardless of the brand) and put you in a better position than you find yourself in. There are critical changes to HVAC residential market coming in 2025. These changes are only going to make things more complicated than they are now. ( I don’t make training videos. I am here to do the air conditioning work for you, not teach you or someone else to do it.)

I know you’re reading my Katy, Texas air conditioning blog right now for a reason? People don’t come here without reasons? Yeah it’s me Ray Austin telling you this. HVAC is what I do. I know my business and “if” I come to your house I am going to know your business too. Your HVAC equipment will tell me a story and it will become part of my story if you so choose to trust me with your comfort solution. To be clear my definition of a HVAC solution is not a gimmick. My definition of an AC solution is one that fixes the problem you have now without creating new problems. The AC solution isn’t determined by the name on the side of a box 9 times out of 10. It is to put you in the best possible position with what is coming in HVAC and what you have right now. My solution for you will take into consideration how long you plan to keep your current residence and what your goals may be concerning that situation. I can only do this in person. I am not here to play guessing games with your comfort.

A Trane Air Conditioning Repair Video in Katy, Texas. Come along and see why gimmicks and air conditioning don’t go well together.

HVAC is a very competitive market. Various companies will use various tactics to convince you they are better than some other HVAC company doing the same or similar things for your home cooling needs. Often times they use “free” enticements to lure you into their trap. This isn’t to suggest that replacing your entire HVAC isn’t needed. This is typically determined by age. If you’re not paying for this determination, the odds are you’re likely to be duped. In some situations it could be about the condition of the equipment. To an amateur how would you really know?

It’s not uncommon for home owners to pay me to go back to an AC unit that was repaired by another company. Or take over where that company may have left off due to the lack of real AC repair service. This kind of HVAC service isn’t free. Whether you have a manufacturer warranty or not, there is no warranty of any kind on an AC system that was improperly installed. Improperly installed by another HVAC company in most cases means? It means the AC turns on and off but it doesn’t work. What does work mean? Cool. The climate of Katy, Texas is hot, humid and uncomfortable climate without AC. We separate the men from the boys in the HVAC industry every year when the heat switch flips. The hotter it is outside will determine really fast how good or not so good your air conditioner will perform. Your AC doesn’t cool by magic. Your AC doesn’t cool because of the name on the side of the box. Anyone can install a new air conditioner. Making it work right, is where we separate the men from the boys in the Katy, Texas HVAC market.

Just because your AC turns on and off doesn’t mean it’s working. This machine doesn’t work by magic. Often times people try to self diagnose what might be wrong (even if their AC unit has been serviced in a while).

When the heat wave comes the comfort complaints follow to the tune of things like:

“My AC isn’t cooling that good. I think it might need some Freon”.


If it’s really hot outside it may be something like this:

“My AC is running but it’s blowing hot air…. I think it needs some Freon”.

Maybe someone gets a high electric bill and thinks something like this:

“There must be something wrong with my AC, my electric bill is too high… I think it probably needs some Freon.”

Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas.

This sort of thing is common as the day is long. You notice a familiar thing mentioned above? Almost always people like to assume all it needs is some Freon (refrigerant). You might be surprised to know that nearly 90% of all air conditioning problems are electrically related. The video embedded above demonstrates this to a Tee. While Freon (refrigerant) leaks are a common problem, it’s not the only problem.

This is why the freebie call is dangerous. What do I mean by freebie? Context is important here because it tells you specifically what is meant and give you little room to “make something up” in your head. It’s not intended to belittle you… it’s intended for clarity so you understand what is meant by what is said.

Let me explain a freebie call to you: There are big HVAC companies that exist for the sole purpose of getting a salesman in your door. That salesman is paid (not by collecting a service fee) but by putting you into a high pressure sales situation. If it’s hot like 95F or hotter and you’re losing sleep, having to take off from work to wait for them to show up… all for the sake of a “free no obligation” opinion that is going to pay that salesman what is good for him and often times not so good for you. The free no obligation opinion is going to cost you time and probably a lot more than that if they sucker you. If you’re younger time is of little concern, you’re more concerned of the cost of something you likely have little to no experience with and you’re scared is my guess. HVAC equipment replacement is typically a once in 15 year event from a national average standpoint. I know this, you reading this probably do not.

The climate of Katy, Texas is mostly warmer. Furnaces here can last a long time, because HVAC equipment failures is often related to how much you use it. We use air conditioning here much more than we do heating. So this is why air conditioning problems here are often always a concern. You better be hiring AC service people you trust. If a tech is paid on commission, his livelihood is directly tied to what stuff the tech can sell you. Often times it’s things like accessories to your HVAC system that you don’t really need. Many of those accessories will require maintenance on a regular basis, if that maintenance isn’t performed the accessory won’t continue to work and as such the money you spent on it is wasted in as little as 1 year.

HVAC problems happen when they are least expected to happen. So these HVAC companies offering the “free no obligation” opinion is primarily there to sell you. This job that I show in the Trane AC repair video above doesn’t touch on the whole story because it’s difficult to put some of this stuff into a video. Plus I don’t want to negate the value of the text part of this air conditioning repair story to tell you other things and explain things the embedded Trane AC repair video above doesn’t delve into. Statistics tell me that I lose a good chunk of viewers after about 3-4 minutes. So if I make a nearly 30 minute video to explain a complex subject like HVAC most are scurrying to the next opinion. (Make sure you don’t fall into this statistic, it may cost you in ways you may live to regret.)

Humans want a silver bullet (fancy way of saying gimmick for little to no money) solution to their HVAC system problems. How is it that you think the big HVAC companies got big by offering “free no obligation” opinions? They make it sound really good getting you to call them – it’s a ploy that made them big for obvious reasons. They’ll even provide financing and possibly offer no payments and no interest for a full year? They’ll pay your interest the first year too? Folks, this is a gimmick. The price you pay the interest is paid in advance. You think a big HVAC company got big because they’re paying interest payments to the bank? Like I said people want to believe on perception rather than reality.

There might be a few of you who stumble across my ac repair blog post and come to the infamous conclusion that this post is a sham, scam or whatever because I actually replace the Trane AC in the video embedded above rather than really repair it in the sense that I replace the compressor rather than the whole AC condenser. The context I provide here is lost based on what people “think” should be done versus what is in their best interest.

It costs more money to replace the condenser than replacing the compressor? The price of everything is up since 2020. The cost of refrigerant is up over 400% since that time. Things are changing in HVAC in 2025, but 2025 is not here yet. The video touches on the “why” I replaced the condenser as opposed to just replacing the compressor. But you have to pay attention very closely… listen.

So what did I leave out of the Trane Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas video?

I was actually the second HVAC company called to this house. I was referred to this home owner by a family member that resides in a different house. The first HVAC company was telling this home owner that the HVAC capacity was too small for this house. This is typically code for “Rip it all out and replace everything”. For an HVAC system that is not even 10 years old? I don’t know for sure but this was probably a “we’ll send you a free technician for no obligation” type HVAC company. I can only guess here I don’t know for sure.

If something else happens for this customer I’ll up date it in a coming video. If I fixed it once, I can fix it again. It will break again at some point in the future.

You may be thinking this from the video: If R410a refrigerant is being banned why would you recommend replacing a not so old condenser for a new R410a refrigerant condenser? R410a is going to be banned. How does this help this home owner?

Replacing a compressor in old unit is only going to give the home owner a 1 year warranty on the new compressor. If the condenser springs a Freon leak there’s no warranty on that. The fan motor fails, no warranty on that, starting components? Nope. This home owner recently purchased this home, they aren’t going anywhere. Longer term solution helps this home owner escape for a longer period as to what is coming in HVAC in 2025. Statistics. Remember I’ve been doing HVAC for nearly 30 years.

The R410a refrigerant ban is going to effect new equipment first. No new R410a equipment after December 31, 2024. The refrigerant itself will still be available but at higher cost. We currently do not know what the new refrigerants will cost. (R32 & R454b will be the new refrigerants in USA). Refrigerant leaks will have to be repaired regardless of the refrigerant. Either that or your wallet is drained every time your AC stops producing the cool.

Most USA HVAC manufacturers are choosing R454b. This will likely cost more, not less because part of it is a patented chemical and it is harder to produce. I cover this new R410a refrigerant ban situation and more in a 5 part You Tube series that I’ve coined as “Freon Wars” (refrigerant wars). This is currently a 2.5 hour video journey. It leaves nothing out. Nothing is uncovered. You will never be able to say Ray Austin didn’t inform you / warn you. NEVER. Click here.

R22 Freon (the old refrigerant) was banned too, but I can still buy it for repairs. It’s so expensive now that it’s often better to replace the equipment rather than pay for a refrigerant that is extremely expensive. There are knock offs that work like R22 Freon? Yes, but not as efficient. So your expensive light bill? Remember I have nearly 30 years in HVAC in 2023.

There isn’t any situation that I can’t defend my stance against (my opinion). I am a HVAC mechanic at the end of the day –spend some time on my website you’ll see I work on all brands. The common thing the brands all have is that they all break. It’s not my job to soothe your feelings with gimmicks. I tell you like it is for the simple reason I think you’re old enough to handle it.

There are ways to cut costs… these aren’t gimmicks though. You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul… you know like the “well give you a free opinion with no obligation” designed to get a high pressure sales person in your door.

You might be surprised how often it is that I am called 2nd, 3rd, sometimes 4th or 5th. Because all these other companies essentially do the same thing. They hire a bunch of techs / salesmen pay them on commission and if those techs don’t sell they don’t make any money. These HVAC companies want sales people. They don’t want repair people. It’s only getting worse due to what is about to happen… very soon there will be a “last call” for R410a equipment. The government isn’t going to allow dry shipped condensers like what occurred with R22 Freon equipment.

Big HVAC companies have to do this sales charade otherwise their so called techs would ride the clock. Can you imagine how fast a big HVAC company would go out of business if the techs they employed were paid an hourly wage with no reward for selling something? Who wouldn’t take the easy way out and just ride the clock? HVAC is big business and it’s about to get bigger. 2025. Tick Tock.

I can’t force you to think logically. I know these big HVAC company tricks because I was once a tech that was paid on commission. Big secret… now I work for you. It’s not free. My opinion is worth something. It’s not up for debate… I know you can handle it, you’re old enough to own a home you’re old enough for the truth.

The bigger point in all of this is: picking air conditioning based on a name that is only perceived as better? Is not truly better. It’s a myth. If the Trane AC repair video embedded above proves anything it should at least prove that in 4k butter your eyeball’s video content. I made this video to dispel the myth, it’s up to you to believe it.

Did I somehow miss something or said something that is not clear to you? Or do you have an air conditioning question or comment? That is what my you tube channel is for. Post your comment or question in the video comments section of the video you watched. Please act your age, profanity will not be tolerated on my you tube channel. I run a family HVAC business here, I service more than 1 generation of families in the Katy, Texas area. If you’ve had a lot of trouble with HVAC at your house I get it that you’re probably not too happy about it, but losing your “cool” isn’t going to help either.

A spin on what a big company often says on TV:

My mother said that if anything is worth being done it’s worth being done right. She also said that too many cooks in the kitchen will spoil the broth. Under those same guidelines imagine how many air conditioning problems might develop with your AC by having too many techs fumble with it.  

There is only 1 Ray Austin, Air Conditioning repairs Katy, Texas

Maybe you’re unaware? There is only one Ray Austin. There’s two sides to every coin, unless you’re a magician.

Thank you for visiting me today. As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog with video content:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas | Fulshear, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 29 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of 2023. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

I write my own AC blogs, create my own AC repair content via video filmed by me, I then edit that content so as to not bore you too much. Everything you see I do it myself. Hundreds and hundreds of your neighbors already know. You don’t need a spy balloon to see what is going on at your neighbor’s house. Subscribe to my you tube channel and you will be notified when your neighbors ac problem becomes my air conditioning trouble highlight reel.

I am not, nor have I ever been at the mercy of investors or any outside influence. I am skilled to serve those that call me – I offer solutions that will work – I am skilled to fix problems as they arise afterward. Important to note: I am a capitalist. Austin Air Companie is a for profit business. You will always need a skilled HVAC contractor, probably more so now (2023 and beyond) than at any other time before.

I also own a rental property so I have a unique understanding of this part of the real estate market. Due to the nature of rental real estate the challenges coming soon (2025) could shake things up in a profound way. Your tenants won’t keep paying higher rents without proper air conditioning in a hot climate.

Thank you for considering my HVAC services.

The home of “better” Air Conditioning Service. Welcome, Home.

Austin Air Companie

A Ray Austin HVAC Service Company

832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website @

www.austinairco.com 

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

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High Electric Bills In Katy Texas

Monday, August 24th, 2020

This time of the year for the Katy, Texas area it is not uncommon for electric bills to start inducing a bit of shock and awe into people. This blog post is for the Katy, Texas area primarily because we run and depend on our AC systems upwards of 10 months of the year most years. If you keep your dial set at 75F degrees that is around 2300 hours. That’s alot of run time. If you like it cooler than 75F in your home, your AC system is running much more than normal. If the AC operational cost is 65% of your homes utility cost and you are running the AC really hard? Well there’s good reason why your electric bills are high, but sometimes this is more complicated than you think.

UPDATE: June 10, 2021. New embedded video below updating my own personal experience & better describing what this new air conditioning technology is, how it works and why you’ll likely want one.

Complications of high light bills is that no two people pay the same electric rate any more. So part of your problem *may be* that you are paying a higher rate than you should. But fear not… I break this down like no one. Because I made some upgrades at my own home in late 2019. I saved some old light bills to show you comparisons of how my old 14 SEER single speed AC performed versus the new 18 SEER Inverter AC.

To find out if this new technology may be right for you? You must schedule an in house visit. There is a cost for this service. It is to determine if this is right for you or not. This can only be done in person & you must be the owner of the home in question. This is not for renters.  To get on my schedule call Ray Austin at 832-475-6895.

Whoa, Inverter AC? What’s that? It’s a recent new comer to this market. As with everything especially Air Conditioners there are pros and cons to this. However, I think the pros outweigh the cons and because this new machine has the ability to cut your light bill in half. That alone makes it worth the risk. (It pays for itself.)  Is it for everyone? Probably not. If you like it cool with less humidity in your home there isn’t anything that I know of that can beat it. Obviously the more AC systems you have at your home, the more it will cost. It involves equipment replacement to various degrees. But it is a smarter overall solution as there are no proprietary controls to worry about as well as a few other perks.

Even if your AC is less than 10 years old, this *might* still cut your electric bill in half. It’s not just a run of the mill new air conditioner. It’s an air conditioner that ramps up and down depending on the heat load on the home. Your current AC is probably either on or off. This air conditioner has many different speeds. This is how it saves you money off your electric bill. Then all you have to do is find a good electric rate and you’re set.

How much could you save every month? If your AC is really old like 15 years or more… you’ll wonder why you didn’t look into this sooner.

Air Conditioning Contractor Cuts His Electric Bill In Half With New Inverter Air Conditioner

Here’s some proof to back up what I am saying.  The reason I am comparing to 2018 is that I paid a higher rate in 2019, I am trying to be as fair as possible here. This isn’t a gimmick. (nor is it solar panels, the biggest caveat with solar is no room to put them + higher up front cost). These bills are for my home in Katy, Texas a single story home 1910 square foot, with 1 HVAC system configured as 4 Ton Inverter AC system. (over 50 speeds the compressor runs in.)

 

AC efficiency comparison

May 2020: The savings are ramping up!

High electric bills comparison

June 2020: The savings holding steady at 50% reduction. It’s been HOT!

June 2020 Electric bill comparison

July 2020: Man you thought it was hot in June? Really hot this month, the savings take a turn higher! Wow! Over $100 in savings, that’s awesome!

July 2020 Electric Bill Savings Ramp up

Comfort means different things to different people. Some will disregard what it costs to operate the machine, they are more worried about the upfront cost not realizing that buying a better machine will eventually pay for itself via a reduction in the cost to run it. Obviously if you don’t run the machine you have now because you like it hot in your home, then the machine you have now is good for you.

If you like it cool like 75F or lower, this new machine may be the one you’ve been looking for. Thank you for visiting with me today! As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this Katy, Texas Air Conditioning blog:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 26 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of August 2020. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs. I also own and operate a Rental Real Estate business. I know real estate! It’s unlikely to find another company truly like me. When I say ‘Service’: I actually mean it.

Austin Air Companie

832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

A Ray Austin HVAC Service Company

The home of better AC service.

Welcome home!

For more Air Conditioning Information:

Katy, Tx AC blog, service and repair videos,

tips and everything air conditioning and heating

for your home you can always visit me on my main website @

https://www.austinairco.com

 

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

 

 

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Posted in 2 speed air conditioner, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Pro, Air Conditioning Repair, Better home comfort, Energy Efficiency, Energy Efficient AC System, High Electric Bills, Home Improvement, HVAC Contractor, noisy air conditioner, reducing home humidity, Smart HVAC system | Comments Off on High Electric Bills In Katy Texas

My Bedroom Does Not Get Cool Enough

Sunday, October 2nd, 2016

This problem is more common than you think and this problem magnifies itself thru various times of the year. Shoulder seasons can typically be the more challenging times of the year to get comfortable in a bedroom at night.

AC shoulder seasons in Katy, Texas, a suburb of Houston can extend for several months before summer as well as several months after. This problem is directly related to the design of the air conditioning system. The air conditioner can not control temperature in a room that it was not designed to control. (The thermostat that controls the system is in a different room.)

The opposite of this ‘My bedroom does not get warm enough’ can be addressed at the same time. System control integrated with design defeats temperature problems when addressed properly.

Air Conditioning Design

If you have the above problem in which your bedroom rarely stays comfortable and it’s been determined it’s no fault of the air conditioner, then you likely have what is called a HVAC Design Problem. It is the invisible flaw until AC system performance is put thru heavy loads or heavy loads in one room with no system control.

Design of your HVAC system determines how well it will perform in various areas of the home given certain attributes (loads) and the temperature you are attempting to achieve. HVAC Design for the most part is an invisible attribute and more often than not rarely thought of until long after the problem is discovered. Most people, when replacing their AC system think of replacing a box with another box when the AC system breaks. Everyone is different when it comes to what they deem as comfortable or uncomfortable which is another attribute with which to contend with. The HVAC retrofit (service) market is inherently slanted toward ‘just replacing a box’ and because of this design of the AC system is rarely addressed.

Proper design for AC in regards to control of the system can get quite complicated as well as ratchet up installation costs. Much of this can be decided when it comes to how long you plan to stay in the home and how much you have budgeted to make your home a home by making it comfortable not only to sleep but also entertain guests. To grasp this a little easier is that control is temperature control in more than one area of the home. While this sounds simple, it is more complex for your HVAC system to do this properly because the area in which you are trying to cool or heat maybe much smaller of an area of the home such as a bedroom.

The more control you have of your HVAC system along with proper design and installation, the better your system will provide you the comfort you are searching for. If your air conditioner suffers from a design flaw, there is but one option to fix it and that is to redesign it. Home builders build. Rarely do you find HVAC design a top priority in the home builder real estate market. This is what separates the retrofit AC pros from the builders. A professional HVAC company is built around ‘quality’ AC system installations and not ‘quantity.’ Service for life and not a badge of how many HVAC systems that were installed. Different mindset, requires different thinking.

New Air Conditioning System Installation

The Installation and design of an HVAC system determine the performance, longevity and overall satisfaction of the AC system. Customer service after the sale is the final part. When I install a HVAC system, I install it with the intent of coming back and servicing that AC equipment when that need arises. In fact, I do the same thing if the home owner decides to only replace one piece of their HVAC system.

You see this isn’t only about what I want, it’s about what you want. However, there are limitations to everything. The consumer of today has more knowledge available to them than ever before, that is the other part of this blog is to inform you that you have more choices in regard to home comfort than you may be aware of. I am an HVAC Solution provider. I can give you options (choices) and recommendations based on your budget as well as what kind of comfort you are looking for to cool and heat your home. Communication is key for you to get the kind of comfort you are looking for your home.

I work 362 days a year. I know what you’re thinking… ‘that’s impossible’. I originally thought that myself. But because I install AC systems myself I have the ability to correct many installation problems upfront during the installation where as an installer may just view this as another ‘job’… if it doesn’t work the company will send someone else to fix it. (Hopefully) Air conditioning replacement is typically a once in 15 year thought when done right. Those reasons are what makes me able to work 362 days a year. It is extremely rare that I must go back to an installation, due to a problem and in many cases if I do they are typically only minor problems depending on how much of the HVAC system was replaced.

If you choose me (Austin Air Companie) I work for you, this isn’t just a job to me, this is my profession and my career. I don’t run a gimmick of the month service which is how I am able to give you the best service available. My AC service is worth what you pay for it. Technician roulette wheels with varying opinions among techs only goes so far. I say this from my own personal experience… yours may be different.

Air Conditioning done right is a 15 year appliance (national average). Certainly I can get busy, there are a good many of AC companies posing as professionals that are not. I have found that it’s easier to take a hands on approach rather than pass it off to someone that likely doesn’t have the experience and skills that I possess let alone the attitude to do the job as it should be done.

Air Conditioning Temperature Controls

The way air conditioning is designed for many homes is to put the control (thermostat) in main living areas. Temperature swings from one room to the next can be upwards of 5 to 10 degrees or more. Some of this depends on location of the room(s), how many people or other loads that are in the room. [Loads are considered heat loads as your air conditioner operates by removing heat.]

The cheapest way to resolve this problem is to live with what you have. So if you are here thinking there is some magical method to solve this problem I am here to tell you straight, there is not. The cheaper you try to fix this the more likely it is you will create additional problems up to an including the destruction of your HVAC system. I am here to do the job right, if you want snake oil you will have to look elsewhere.

Temperature controls also known as thermostats, are what is used to cycle your air conditioner on and off. These are merely elaborate switches that turn the HVAC system on or off. Most air conditioning systems are either on or off single speed air conditioners. If you live in a humid climate like Katy, Texas and your goal is comfort then you will probably be best advised to consider a 2 speed air conditioning and heating system with dehumidification functions.

HVAC Zoning: An Air Conditioning Dream

Putting cooling or heating where it is needed within your home. Comfort. You know that fuzzy feeling you feel on a brisk autumn day. Imagine that everyday all year long in the favorite room of your home.

Remember what I said earlier: ‘different mindset, requires different thinking’. Due to energy costs your budget may not include cooling the whole home as cool as you would like it in the bedroom, unless the home’s foot print is very small then you probably wouldn’t need zoning. HVAC Zoning for sure isn’t for everyone it is a choice and design enhancement to obtain more comfort and make your HVAC system performance the best it can be.

The thought behind zoning is to put ‘conditioned air’ where you are at in the structure. (In this example: your home.) The idea is that you can only be in one room at a time. Thirty three percent of your life will be spent in the bedroom. (eight hours divided by 24.) The lack of a good night’s sleep can effect your entire day.

By making your bedroom more comfortable via zoning can make other rooms perform better in heat waves by closing the zone to the bedroom when not in use. The capacity of the system under this scenario would then be provided to supplying comfort to other occupied areas of the home. Because people are creatures of habit and often go to bed the same time every night the thermostat for those zone(s) can be programmed easily to control temperature without much thought or fuss.

Another way to think about zoning is your home’s plumbing and electrical systems. You have more than one faucet in your home right? More than one light switch? These are other examples of zoning that reside in your home already, to help you understand what zoning is. Just realize that zoning an HVAC system ‘properly’ is a bit more complicated than electrical and plumbing systems.

Proper HVAC Installation

I emphasize the word ‘properly’ because there are many zone systems as well as basic AC systems that do not work the way they should. Design means everything and in some cases a zone system may not work for what you want to do. This is the definition of a true professional in which you are sold a solution to your problem and not just selling something to be selling something. If you catch my drift.

I hope this blog post eliminates some confusion with this very common problem as well as highlights your ability to go about correcting this problem to your satisfaction. Remember this is an advanced problem, there is nothing ‘basic’ about it. If you don’t go into it with the attitude of doing it right, it very well could be very costly with little to no help solving the actual problem.

Problem solving by definition should be to solve the problem ‘without’ creating additional problems. Otherwise you’re likely buying ‘snake oil’ to one degree or another.

About the author of this air conditioning blog:
My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with over 20 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

Austin Air Companie
832.475.6895
“Your home comfort from A to Z”
Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information on AC & Heating
for your home visit me at my main website @

www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

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Posted in 2 speed air conditioner, AC Equipment Installation, AC problems, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Pro, Air Conditioning Repair, Air Conditioning Specialist, Better home comfort, Energy Efficiency, Home Improvement, HVAC Contractor, HVAC service provider, HVAC Zoning, No AC Salesmen, No Technicians, Professional AC Repair, Smart HVAC system, Uncategorized, Working HVAC Contractor | Comments Off on My Bedroom Does Not Get Cool Enough

A Better Air Conditioning & Heating System

Saturday, September 3rd, 2016

Typically when you think of discussions about what makes one AC system better than another, the subject often gets turned into discussions about particular brands or manufacturer’s of said air conditioning equipment. This discussion winds up being anything productive as it is rarely about what is important to you and the comfort you will obtain for your home. Getting on the this brand is better than this brand band wagon is not going to help you any in my opinion. So then what is the best air conditioning system when it comes to addressing real issues in regards to your comfort not to mention indoor air quality? I like to call this: ‘The Devil Is In The Details’!

Note: This article is to describe what is better from a whole HVAC system approach with functions and benefits of this kind of HVAC equipment. These HVAC systems are not piece meal type systems. The whole HVAC system replacement approach has additional benefits other than what is discussed here. Never underestimate the importance of a great HVAC installation as well as a HVAC company known for repairing such systems, regardless of whether you are replacing one piece or the whole HVAC system all at once. There is no substitute for great service.

Humidity Control & Dehumidification

In a humid location like Katy, Texas it’s amazing that more HVAC systems in this area aren’t geared for controlling humidity better than what they do. The problem is that single speed air conditioning systems ‘over cool’ the air and cycle off too quickly in cooler weather to combat this problem properly. The AC system is controlled by temperature and nothing else and due to single speed operation of the system most of the time the unit cycles too soon to really control humidity in the home much at all.

Better humidity control will make you feel much more comfortable at higher temperatures than you would without it. What makes this problem so difficult to address is that humidity is independent from temperature. In a humid climate like Katy, Texas it can be humid even when temperatures dip below typical cooling temperatures. If it’s 75 degrees outside and 80% or higher humidity that is not very comfortable. With a 75 degree outside temperature your indoor single speed AC system isn’t going to run long enough to make you feel as comfortable as you could be in high humidity. The humidity levels in your home can easily be greater than 65% RH (relative humidity).

Did you know that RH readings of 60% or more inside your home can cause mold growth under the right conditions? Mold growth can contribute to an assortment of indoor air quality (IAQ) concerns. Humidity is something that is very important to your health as well as your comfort. You can test this yourself by buying a humidity meter for your home. Realize this reading will fluctuate just as much as temperature does during the various seasons of the year.

Whole Home Dehumidification Systems

This type of dehumidification system is a separate system that works with your current HVAC system. It has a separate control and it’s only job is to dehumidify the air in your home. This ultimately would be the best way to control humidity in your home. The problem with this option is cost. Part of this cost is the system itself, maintenance of that system and operational costs. It is estimated that running this type of system in a humid climate can add an additional 30% to your monthly electric bill. If you have two HVAC systems in your home that can get pretty costly of a consideration.

The real advantage to a whole home dehumidification system is that you could add it to your existing HVAC system without replacing any of that equipment. Over time operational costs and maintenance costs may become prohibitive for many home owners to consider this option.

HVAC Systems With Dehumidification Control

Humidity control with these systems is probably not the proper term to use. As I said earlier in this blog post, humidity in the home is a complex problem to solve because humidity is independent from temperature. So in many respects humidity control via your HVAC system is derived via an assortment of varying degrees of options or choices.

Some single speed AC systems can offer a degree of dehumidification control depending upon the furnace that the AC system is matched with. However, in my opinion it is very little difference than what you would have via just a single speed air conditioner and basic thermostat control. Part of the issue with this is ‘over cooling’ already mentioned. Because a single speed air conditioner delivers full capacity every time it turns on. During cooler and humid periods humidity control with this system would prove futile in most situations.

Multi Speed HVAC Systems

You see your air conditioner is really a dehumidification device. It is dehumidifying the air every time it runs. However, it is mostly controlled by temperature alone. Over capacity will cause the unit to cycle more and not run long enough to dehumidify the air. By installing a multi stage HVAC system or multi speed HVAC system you get better humidity control just by the way these particular HVAC systems run most of the time as opposed to a single speed AC system.

There are 2 speed air conditioners, 2 stage air conditioners, 5 speed air conditioners as well as variable speed air conditioners. The 2 speed and 2 stage AC variety more or less operate in first speed or first stage before enabling second speed or second stage. While running in speed 1 or stage 1 the system is running at a reduced cooling capacity which causes the system to run longer. This reduced cooling capacity could vary from 50% to 60 or 70% of the overall capacity of the HVAC system. Because the AC runs in this first stage most of the time it will run longer and dehumidify the air better than that of a single speed AC. The more speeds or stages the AC has the better it will control variations of the load of the home, the longer the system will run which in turn reduces and controls humidity better.

Dehumidification of these multi stage HVAC systems is included in normal operation of the unit when it cycles as well as a band of control via the thermostat controller of the system in question.

Indoor Air Quality & Air Filtration

Another benefit with these dehumidification enabled HVAC systems is that you get the best comfort for your home as well as better indoor air quality. You could add better filtration to one of these systems and attack the indoor air quality on both fronts… moisture content of the air as well as dust particle filtration. This is the best and proper way to address indoor air quality concerns.

If you suffer from allergies, asthma or other air quality problems I have the solution for you. Not all indoor air quality solutions are created equal. Over the years many IAQ systems have come to market that produce ozone. It has since been determined that ozone in any amount is not good for you and over time can actually make your symptoms worse.

Many times within the HVAC industry, solutions are often given by treating a symptom rather than addressing the real problem. I often refer to these as gimmicks bent on selling you something without really do much for you or putting the interest of selling you something just for the sake of selling you something ahead of what your true goals are. You would probably get more mileage out of chasing your own tail.

I go to the extent I go, to show you the right way to accomplish what you want to accomplish. Stay in the loop and subscribe to my You Tube Channel here. The solutions I offer are solutions that work. Why would you want anything other than that?

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope I helped you understand things more clearly in regards to finding comfort options for your home. As always, I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this air conditioning blog:
My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with over 20 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

Austin Air Companie
832.475.6895
“Your home comfort from A to Z”
Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information on AC & Heating
for your home visit me at my main website @

www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Posted in AC Equipment Installation, AC Repair, Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Pro, Air Conditioning Specialist, Better home comfort, Home Improvement, HVAC Contractor, HVAC service provider, Professional AC Repair, reducing home humidity, Smart HVAC system | Comments Off on A Better Air Conditioning & Heating System

2 Speed Air Conditioners

Sunday, April 24th, 2016

You likely found this air conditioning blog because you have questions or you may be facing a decision regarding replacing your home HVAC system. It’s not uncommon to get technical terms thrown at you during a HVAC maintenance visit with little to no clear understanding. I am a licensed HVAC contractor serving Katy Texas | Cypress Texas | Richmond Texas and some surrounding areas. I have over 20 years experience in HVAC systems for your home. This information was written by the finger tips of a licensed air conditioning contractor from a AC pro’s perspective.

You see I’m what is called a “working HVAC contractor”. Working means I do the work. From writing my own blogs, to you guessed it – repairing and replacing home HVAC systems. I’m describing this to you, because there are professional writers on the internet that only write. Many act as professionals, but are not. If you need visual representation of who I am you can visit my You Tube Channel and subscribe. I also include a playlist of clips embedded below for your convenience.

Two Speed AC Versus 2 Stage Air Conditioners

A 2 stage AC is often called a 2 speed AC, these aren’t one in the same. You see a 2 speed AC is an AC that has a 2 speed compressor and a two “stage” AC is really an air conditioner that has 2 physical compressors. Even I make the slip up from time to time, it’s easy to do.

Typically a 2 stage AC, the one with 2 compressors will run at 50% capacity during stage 1 as the 1 stage compressor is half the size (capacity) of the stage 2 compressor. The benefit is better humidity control from that of a single speed on or off regular air conditioner. These varieties typically cost more initially and can cost more to repair because there are more moving parts as well as controls. They are also normally louder during operation than a two speed air conditioner and in some cases even a single speed air conditioner (single speed meaning either on or off).

The best of both worlds collide when it comes to “some” 2 speed air conditioners. You get a more efficient system for less cost than a 2 stage option, less moving parts and much quieter as well. You see a 2 speed air conditioner with a 2 speed compressor will run at a slower speed when in speed 1. Typically the cooling provided is around 40-60% of the cooling capacity of the AC system. What this does for you is the HVAC system runs in this 1st speed upwards of 90% of the time. Because of this, the system runs longer and reduces humidity levels in your home making you and your family more comfortable for less cost than a traditional “on or off” single speed air conditioning system. Because it’s running in first stage more often the cost to operate it is much less than a system that is either on or off only.

So with that said you’re probably thinking “Ok, then what is the catch?”
The catch as it were is that you have to replace your entire HVAC system. These types of systems were designed as complete systems, not cookie cutter or piece meal and in many cases what is considered “retro fit” repairs.

So you fully understand this, piece meal means just replacing one part of your AC system, in most cases the part of your system that is not working right. The equipment of an HVAC system typically consists of a gas furnace, an evaporator coil and the out door air conditioning condenser as well as a thermostat to control it.

In order for a 2 speed or 2 stage AC to operate properly you must have the proper controller for it. Otherwise it will not operate properly and in some cases could damage the system. The 2 speed HVAC systems I sell and install are what is called a Communicating HVAC System.

Communicating HVAC System

This isn’t your dad’s air conditioner. The HVAC industry is evolving into more energy efficient, more comfort, quieter and smarter HVAC systems. Communicating means that the pieces of your HVAC system talk with one another. The thermostat “talks” with the furnace and the out door AC condenser and by doing this gives you a HVAC comfort system for your home that you could only dream about just a few years ago. Yes, it’s no joke thermostats actually do talk. Are you listening? If only you knew what they were telling me about you. Sorry, I couldn’t resist.

A communicating HVAC system that can pay for itself over time and potentially last your lifetime and more importantly provide you the best comfort you are likely looking for right now.

Introducing the 5 Speed Air Conditioner

Maybe you are eyeing potentially what may be the next generation of extreme comfort, the 5 speed air conditioning system. Like the communicating system mentioned above this is a communicating based HVAC system. The air conditioner of this system can deliver a range of capacity from 25% of capacity up to 100% rated capacity of the system.

This is the beginner model for an inverter based ducted HVAC system. The next step up from this is a completely variable speed compressor. The 5 speed air conditioners on the market today typically use algorithmic programming to decide which speed to run in, there are varying ways of how these systems operate. The benefits of this system is even quieter operation when in these lower speed settings. Based on manufacturer printed decibel ratings of this equipment you probably would not even hear it running up to about speed 3 or 4.

Solutions For A Noisy Air Conditioner

Tired of getting woke up at night with that noisy single speed air conditioning system?

One of these communicating HVAC systems mentioned above might be exactly what you’ve been looking for to get a more comfortable and restful nights sleep. Then get that monthly electric bill and have a hard time to stop smiling. You know smiling is contagious don’t you?

SEER Rating Of AC Equipment Doesn’t Decide

Don’t get confused over a high SEER rating of equipment. Single speed air conditioning systems could be quoted as high as 17 SEER or higher in some cases, this doesn’t mean this type of system is 2 speed. If it doesn’t say 2 speed compressor, then it’s not a 2 speed air conditioner. In fact some AC models will claim 2 speed fan motor operation only. Realize a fan motor is not the compressor. I often say the devil is in the details of any HVAC system configuration for good reason.

Some unscrupulous salesmen and even some technicians sometimes say a 2 speed air conditioner will never keep up because it always runs in 1st stage. Sure, it will run in 1st stage a lot. This is a benefit because it will reduce humidity in the home much better than a single speed system. Realize a communicating system has the benefit of “knowing” what the out door temperature is, it knows which speed to run in to give you the best comfort, the right amount of comfort you and your family needs.

Reducing Humidity In Your Home

Did you know that your air conditioner is actually a dehumidifier? During normal operation when your AC starts up air is blown across your indoor evaporator coil. The humidity in the air condenses on the coil runs down into a condensate pan and down the drain. The problem is that a single speed air conditioner is either on or off and the only reason it turns on or off is due to temperature and not humidity.

Imagine it is 75 degrees in your home and the humidity is 70%. If you are a frog or a lizard this would probably be pretty comfortable. Now imagine if the temperature was 75 degrees in your home and the humidity is 50% or less. This is the difference that is very hard to explain in text alone, fortunately the out door weather does this for me annually. You wake up on a fall day, 75 degrees and the air is light and crisp. You know this feeling, now imagine it every day inside your home.

Remember a great HVAC system starts with proper installation. Choose a licensed HVAC pro, it’s the only way to go!

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this blog:
My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with over 20 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

For service before and after the sale, count on:
Austin Air Companie
832.475.6895
“Your home comfort from A to Z”
Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Staging | Zoning
For more information:
videos, tips and everything air conditioning and heating
for your home you can always visit me on my main website @
www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

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