Older homes are beautiful. Their distinct character & class which goes hand in hand with a hundred-year-old property is truly unsurpassable by the majority of their contemporary counterparts. Unfortunately, among the characteristics most older homes have is energy inefficiency.

Owning an older home may be a real joy, however it may not necessarily be packed with the fashionable conveniences all of us enjoy. Quite often, older homes are lacking in a few of the most simple aspects of efficient use of energy. Simply because of many factors:

• Older single pane windows
• Little or no insulation
• Poor heating & air conditioning

Chiefly among those is heating & air conditioning; especially at the second floor.

Having air-flow at the second floor is vital in the event the summer or winter temperature becomes extreme. Even though it’s not really uncommon for older homes to acquire heating & air conditioning by means of central air, as well as a furnace, often it is not really effective. This is due to the construction of your home. A 100+ year old home will simply have duct work that supplies heating & air conditioning effectively to the main floor for the reason that construction of your home doesn’t encourage duct work upstairs.

Which means the 2nd floors of many homes receive little or no air-flow.

During the past, there have been few methods available for the homeowner with this kind of residence. Those options are frequently a window AC or perhaps a free-standing unit placed in a bedroom. These are also poor options for those folks who may want to possess a system that’s more permanent & reliable. But, modern ductless systems will be the perfect choice for homes that can’t utilize duct work contained in the walls.

Receiving a ductless system installed on the 2nd floor is a smart decision for one very important reason: It can provide relief from the cold & hot temperatures just like central air or the furnace. But, together with the ductless system, it may be installed in a loft, attached to the wall or ceiling. Which means there will be no tearing down plaster or other costly renovations.

There are plenty of ductless systems available on the market for a one-room use or multiple rooms. Multi-room ductless systems can heat or cool 1-3 zones according to the method of system which you purchase.

Dallas AC Contractor Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-535-8066.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

For a satisfying temperature environment, an air cooling device is required. Broadly, this means any sort of HVAC & disinfection mechanism that conditions the air. HVAC means heating, ventilating & air cooling, all-in-one. Air conditioners circulate what is healthier air within the room.

One needs to hold the quality air cooling systems on certain parameters. Air conditioning units have been judged on various factors because of 2 top varying determinants:

• BTU
• EER

1. BTU is the acronym for British Thermal Unit. Differences range from 5,000 to 18,000 units are available for window air conditioners. The air conditioning capacity is directly proportional to the BTU, the greater the BTU, higher would be the capacity & the other way around. To understand the size of air conditioner you’ll need is settled by multiplying the whole square feet of your room just by 35. This undoubtedly results in a clear indication of the conditioning capacity.
2. EER is the Energy-efficient Ratio. It’s another parameter to see the level of power to be used by the air conditioning units. Unlike the BTU, the EER is inversely related to the facility consumption level of an air conditioner. When the air conditioner is efficient concerning the energy consumed, your electric bills will be lower.

Other than the BTU & EER factors, other factors are used to evaluate a suitable air conditioning system.

Some AC units produce loud sounds, although the majority of others work silently. So, this is another quotient making the decision for their effective value. Another important determinant is CFC. CFC represents the Chlorofluorocarbons. It was used in early air conditioners, but now, several substitutes (like HFC-134a, etc.) have already been utilized.. When AC units today come with a tag ‘No-CFC’, it shows their are an environmentally-friendly machine.

Addison Air Conditioning Company, Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-535-8066.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

Procom fireplaces have enjoyed increased popularity as homeowners seek stylish & classy alternatives to wood burning stoves. These fireplaces may be included in nearly any home, adding a great sense of design & as an excellent heating source without using a chimney.

These electric or propane fireplaces can be utilized anywhere where there’s sufficient space. They immediately add sophistication for any room. Featured in many styles, these fireplaces can fit nearly any decor or budget.

When choosing a fireplace you need to consider:

• Size
• BTU
• Overall style

Before picking a style, consider the dimensions of the fireplace. This will have a dramatic affect on how it works with your room & overall design. Buying a fireplace that’s too large or, conversely, too small can turn out to be a disappointment & will transform an excellent idea into a poor decision.

Think about the amount of open wall space or room space in which you are considering putting the fireplace. Measure it carefully! Keep in mind its:

• Length
• Width

This will ensure it’s the appropriate size for your home.

After you gather the dimensions of the fireplace you require, you’ll want to think about the BTU’s of the device. The greater the BTU’s, the higher level of heating power your unit is emanating. This is especially important for homeowners that purchase a Procom fireplace as a way to heat their house.

When it comes to the dimensions, make sure you’re not purchasing a fireplace which is too big or too small, not meeting the minimum quantity requirements of BTU for your intended purpose of the unit. In general, you have the ability to determine the BTU needed according to the sq footage of your room.

After you have the dimensions & BTU determined, you are able to concentrate on the type of unit. This is the enjoyable part. You will find great Procom fireplaces in a number of styles & colors that will help you fit the units into nearly any decor.

The secret is to discover the fireplace that speaks to both you & your individual style. You want a unit that matches your personality & your needs. You will have many years of enjoyment from your fireplace so ensure it’s the right one.

Addison Heating Service, Total Air & Heat, has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-535-8066.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

Having trouble picking something to give your loved ones this holiday season?

How about the gift of clean air? The indoor environment in most homes leaves a lot of room for improvement. Cases of childhood and adult onset Asthma are increasing, and overall air quality both indoors and outdoors is decreasing. This creates what I call the “perfect allergy storm” scenario. In addition…something most people are not aware of: the best air filter in your home is your lungs!

The good news is Total Air & Heat Co. can help! We have many choices available to help with air filtration. We offer the complete line of air cleaners from Honeywell, Trane, and Lennox to meet your budget.

The Trane Clean Effects filter system can filter out the flu virus, and airborne particles at an efficiency of 99.98% including pollen spores down to particle sizes of .2 microns.

Having trouble keeping up with your filter maintenance? We have media air cleaners that typically require 1 filter change per year, and the cost of the replacement media filter cartridge is no more than what you will spend on the typical media filter you buy at Home Depot or Lowes and change every 3 months. Honeywell also offers many air cleaner choices for those interested in improving indoor air quality but has a tight budget.

We also have filter systems that address airborne VOCS, known as volatile organic compounds, carbon filtration systems to help reduce airborne odors, and filtration systems designed to help environmentally sensitive patients. Lennox makes a great air cleaner called PureAir that does a great job of filtering air, and removing microorganisms.

Don’t have allergies, not sensitive to dust? Proper air filtration is still extremely important in keeping your air conditioning and heating system running efficiently and extending the life of the system. If you use the typical fiberglass throw away filter it only catches particles at an efficiency rate of about 10%. That means about 90% of airborne particles moves through the blower, cooling coil, and duct system. Ever wonder why your air conditioner drain line get clogged up, or why your cooling coil is dirty, why your blower motor is covered in dust? The answer is very simple…whatever your air filter does not catch ends up in your HVAC system! The results can be very damaging to your property if a drain line clogs up and overflows into your attic or hallway. The life of a properly maintained HVAC system is typically 10-15 years. Improper filtration can reduce the lifespan by 50% or more.

In addition reduced efficiency can increase your utility bill by hundreds of dollars per year! The end result is you are paying for fixing these problems via your electric bill!

In addition to proper filter maintenance, your duct system can also be a reason you have allergies or dust in your home. Most duct systems installed prior to 2005 were only sealed with duct tape. My motto is use duct tape for just about anything but sealing ducts? The reason why is very simple: the glue that holds the tape to the duct looses it’s grip after a few years. The good news is we have solutions to fix this problem. A good indicator that your duct system needs help is: dirty lines on your carpet near baseboards and outside walls. Dust streaks on your ceiling or walls near cooling/heating vents, or high dust levels in your home. Do you have to dust multiple times per week to keep your furniture clean? That’s your sign that we need to have a look at your duct system!

In closing I hope your holiday season is filled with great memories, and if we can be of help in making it more enjoyable, please give Plano furnace repair service Total Air & Heat a call.

About the author: Steve Lauten is President of Total Air & Heat Co. located in Plano, TX. Steve can be reached at 972-881-0020 or by email at sales@totalair.com Total Air & Heat Co. has been serving the North Dallas/Collin County area since 1957 and has been voted the “Best Heat and Air Contractor in Collin County” 15 times by the Readers of Star community Newspapers.

Total Air & Heat takes pride in its exceptional value Trane system installation service.  Having been in business for over 50 years, we know how to install a system in such a way as to maximize unit performance and efficiency.

All of our installers are trained up to such a degree that they could really be considered system technicians.  This means that you can have absolute peace of mind that once our installer leaves your home your system will be best prepared for the task at hand–keeping you and your family comfortable.

We also offer financing options should you choose to purchase your system through us.  This is part of our effort to ensure you are able to choose the system you need without worrying about the immediate costs.

For more information on our commercial or residential services, complete our online contact form, and we will get back with you as soon as we can.  Feel free to review our client testimonials.

Garland HVAC Contractor Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

If you need to install a new air conditioning or heating system but are having difficulties figuring out how you are going to pay for it, then we would like to make you aware of our financing options available to you.  Replacing an old system is a big decision, and we don’t want it to be influenced purely by cost.

Also, hopefully you have learned by browsing this website how important it is to have a fully matched system and not just replace one or two parts if you are really wanting to maximize system efficiency.  What this means is that you need to replace indoor coils and the furnace as well as the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump.  Again, the efficiency ratings you keep learning about are within the context of a matched system.  So when you are looking to make a move on your HVAC system, know that our financing options are here to assist you.

Finally, keep in mind that Trane dealers may offer other special financing options at certain points during the year.  When you call for an estimate be sure to inquire about all available payment options.

Financing is available for residential equipment only. With approved credit. Call for qualifying units and details. Offer ends without notification. Not good with any other offer.

Frisco Heating Service Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

The comfort your heating and air conditioning system provides you is largely dependent upon the quality of the service you receive from your local AC company.  At Total Air & Heat, we give all of our customers a checklist that they can use with any contractor to see just what they have to say.  Listed below are some of the factors to consider:

1. What calculation are they running, and is it accurate?
2. Are they confirming the system is the appropriate size for the home (with the current energy efficient movement, many homes need less use of an AC system due to more insulation, better ventilation, etc.)?
3. How was the duct system originally installed?  Does it leak?
4. Is the company talking about pulling a permit?  All installations where you are replacing a system require a permit be pulled.  It’s inexpensive, but it should give you peace of mind about the system installation.

Many companies out there are spending a lot on advertising but aren’t telling you the brand of system they are installing.  Total Air gives you a pull sheet detailing all of the materials going into the job.

Total Air & Heat guarantees that all of our system installations will be within the top 10%.  This is important, because 50% of all unit installations out there have been reported to have at least three energy wasting problems.

McKinney AC and Heating Company Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

Probably the biggest factor that sets Total Air & Heat apart from the competition is its employees.  A large number of the staff working here have been with the company for at least 10 years.  We interview around 20 to 25 people per new hire in order to ensure we employ someone who shares the same traits that we are looking for.  It is extremely important to us that our technicians are self-sufficient and are not constantly tied to the office asking questions.

All of our technicians are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified, and all go through multiple varieties of continuing education so that they stay up to date with all of the latest technology.  The same thing applies to our installers who could really also be technicians if they chose to go that route.  All of our installers are craftsmen skilled with sheet metal since we refuse to subcontract out our installations.

At Total Air & Heat, we want to make sure you experience the highest quality HVAC repair and installation service.  Please contact us if there is anything we can do.

Allen Air Conditioning Repair Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

Hiring the best air conditioning company requires knowing the right attributes to look for.  Above all, you need to know that you are hiring a company founded upon both integrity and quality of service.

Many contractors like to talk the talk, but you need to be sure they can live up to the lofty expectations they attempt to create.  This is one reason that we always recommend using the Better Business Bureau (BBB).  The BBB allows you to review a company’s rating so you can see at a glance how reputable it is.  You also have the option to review prior customer’s complaints and see if the AC contractor made any effort to rectify the situation.  A poor BBB rating should alert you to steer clear of this particular company.

Beyond the BBB, we strongly advise you to seek out client testimonials.  If in doubt, politely ask the contractor to provide you with success stories that can be proven by a client’s own personal feedback.  If they are hesitant to share any client testimonials with you, then gently tell them that you will take your business to someone who will.

Finally, never be pressured to the point where you have to make an immediate decision in regards to using a company’s services.  Be sure to take the necessary time to shop around and get bids so that you have no doubt that you are receiving the lowest possible price on a particular service or part.

While there are a lot of great HVAC companies within the Dallas metroplex, we hope that you consider allowing Total Air & Heat an opportunity to be your AC repair service.  We can be contacted at 972-881-0020.

Dallas AC and Heating Repair Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.

For Collin County, TX AC repair, please visit Total Air.
For Hood County, TX AC repair, please visit Glenn-Aire Company.
For Fort Collins, CO AC repair, please visit Poudre Valley Air.

Trane’s XL20i air conditioning system is the product you want to purchase if you are on the market for the absolute best in home cooling.  The XL20i is one of the industry’s most efficient air conditioning systems available.  Why should you care about system efficiency?  Great efficiency means more money that can stay in your pocket since less energy will be consumed during operation.  In short, you and your family can enjoy total home comfort at a reduced cost when compared to other AC alternatives on the market.

The XL20i can also be paired with a variable speed indoor unit from Trane.  Doing so will create an enhancement to the airflow called Comfort-R which allows for much greater humidity control in cooling.  This works by having the fan operate at a slower speed during start up. Further, Comfort-R creates warmer air during heating start up. These two managed cycles work to decrease variances in temperature making for the absolute best in home comfort.

Finally, the XL20i’s SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) rating of up to 20.00 is right near the top of the pack when it comes to an energy efficiency rating of any air conditioning system available today. The XL20i features two compressors: one built for more moderate weather and another larger compressor made for excessively hot days. It is almost as if having two units!

If you would like to receive additional information regarding Trane’s AC and heating systems or schedule an installation, please call us at 972-881-0020.  We will be glad to assist you!

McKinney Trane Dealer Total Air & Heat has provided quality, dependable, and high efficient heating and air conditioning systems since the founder, Fred Lauten, started the business in 1957. His son, Steve, carries on the family tradition and has installed thousands of systems in homes and businesses in the North Texas area. If you have any questions please call us at 972-881-0020.