What’s a NATE Certification and Why It’s Important

April 19, 2024

If you’ve ever wondered about the people who keep your home cozy and comfortable, you might have come across the term “NATE certification.” But what exactly does it mean? Well, NATE stands for North American Technician Excellence, and it’s essentially a badge of honor for HVAC technicians. Think of it as a gold standard in our industry. Why It Matters Now, you might be thinking, “Okay, that’s nice, but why should I care?” Fair question! Here’s the deal: when you invite someone into your home to work on your heating or cooling system, you want peace of mind, right? That’s...

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What’s the Most Common Furnace Problem?

November 13, 2023

From cracked heat exchangers and collapsed ventilation systems to pest infestations and damaged ignitions, a lot can go wrong with the furnace in your Lake Charles, LA home. Fortunately, well-maintained furnaces are far less likely to develop problems than neglected heaters. The most common furnace issue is a dirty air filter. How Dirty Air Filters Affect Furnace Performance Furnaces pull cool indoor air in by drawing it through their filters. When these components are heavy with dust, hair, carpet fibers, and other debris, airflow throughout the HVAC system declines. This forces furnaces to work harder and can lead to problems...

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How Much Electricity Does a Ductless Mini-Split Use?

July 14, 2023

The transition to energy-efficient heating and cooling systems is a rising trend, with ductless mini-split systems sitting at the forefront. Many homeowners are switching to these systems due to their effectiveness in maintaining an ideal indoor climate. But the question that often lingers is, “How much electricity does a ductless mini-split use?” Energy Efficiency of Ductless Mini-Splits Ductless mini-split systems are known for their high energy efficiency. Traditional HVAC systems lose a significant amount of energy due to heat loss in the ductwork, which can be as high as 30%. Ductless mini-splits, on the other hand, deliver the cooled or...

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How Do I Find the Right Size Mini-Split for My Home?

December 20, 2022

e process for each room you want to cool. Environmental Factors to Consider When working with your HVAC technician to size your mini-split unit, you must consider external factors and environmental conditions. These include increased humidity, additional heat sources, and ceiling height. If your home has a ceiling height of 8 feet or more, you will want to increase the number of BTUs by 20%. An older home that is poorly insulated requires more power to cool, and you should expect to increase the BTUs by 30%. A house in an area with seasonal temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or...

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5 Signs You Have Damaged Ductwork

January 10, 2022

Most of your home’s ductwork is hidden, so it’s easy to overlook problems with it. However, there are signs that it’s become damaged. If you see these signs, you should call an HVAC company to perform a thorough examination. 1. High Energy Bills If your energy bills are suddenly much higher than normal, it may be because your ductwork is damaged. Instead of conditioned air getting blown into your home, it’s escaping into unconditioned areas like your crawl space or attic. An HVAC technician can determine whether the problem is your ductwork or your HVAC equipment. ACR Air Conditioning &...

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Who Invented Air Conditioning?

April 12, 2021

As the weather heats up in Lake Charles, you’ll likely be reaching for your thermostat to turn on your air conditioner. While most people don’t give their air conditioner a second thought, it’s important to acknowledge that the modern air conditioner didn’t just happen by accident. Through the efforts of a few brilliant people, homes and businesses everywhere can now stay comfortable all summer long. For further insights into the history of air conditioning, check out this report from ACR Air Conditioning & Heating. Nothing But Ice In the past, the only way to cool a room was to use...

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How Often Should You Get HVAC Maintenance?

February 5, 2021

HVAC systems keep a home comfortable during winters and summers, or any time heating or cooling the house seems wise. A well-maintained HVAC unit could run more efficiently, and routine maintenance might catch problems before they turn too costly. How often should a homeowner request care, though? The Suggested Maintenance Interval Some suggest that checking the system once per year, usually after the colder winter months, appears advisable. Others suggest doing so twice a year since the summer requires running the cooling unit, which might also strain the system. Going too long without any maintenance inspections might prove regrettable. Parts...

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What Affects Indoor Air Quality

January 5, 2021

If you’ve noticed more coughing, sneezing, irritated eyes, nose or throat irritation, or even more dust in your home, you could have an indoor air quality problem. Many factors can affect the quality of your Lake Charles, LA, home’s air. Here are four factors that impact your home’s indoor air quality. 1. Building Envelope If your home is tightly sealed, this is good for your wallet but bad for indoor air quality. A tight building envelope keeps all the volatile organic compounds and other pollutants inside the structure. It also stops fresh air from seeping into your home. 2. Ventilation...

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Is It Better To Repair or Replace My HVAC System?

December 3, 2020

HVAC systems are a major investment. Homeowners often wonder whether it makes more sense to repair or replace them. There are multiple factors that determine which is the better way to go. Let’s explore a few of them. Safety The safety of your HVAC system is the primary factor in deciding whether to repair or replace it. If your current system is a safety hazard, there is no choice but to replace it. This is especially true if making it safe would be costly and just a temporary solution. For instance, a cracked heat exchanger in your furnace can cause...

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How to Read HVAC Gauges

July 16, 2020

HVAC gauges allow technicians to take pressure readings and assess HVAC repair and maintenance needs. This type of gauge set reads vacuum pressure and gas pressure. It can also be used to add refrigerant and discharge or reclaim refrigerant from the system. ACR Air Conditioning & Heating has qualified technicians available to conduct your HVAC maintenance tasks. Our team can service customers in and around Lake Charles. Choosing Between a Digital or Analog Gauge Technicians can choose gauges with a digital or an analog reading. The blue gauge is for low-pressure readings, and the red is for high-pressure readings. With...

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