Americans are increasingly aware of the effects that their actions have on the environment and are looking to make upgrades to their home that will boost its eco-friendliness. Since air conditioners account for almost half of all home energy use during the hot summer months, choosing the right AC unit can significant lessen your home's impact on the environment--and, as a pleasant side effect, can dramatically lower your monthly energy bill at the same time. Moreover, an eco-friendly AC unit will cool your home just as well as any other unit, … [Read more...]

With summer and hot weather right around the corner, having an air conditioning system that is functioning efficiently and providing your home with all of the cool air that it needs is critical. Taking the time to check and see if your air conditioning system is displaying signs that it may be in need of service, before the hottest months hit, is the best way to ensure that you don't get stuck with an underperforming or completely broken air conditioner come July. With that in mind, here are six key symptoms that may indicate that your air … [Read more...]

If you live in a hot and humid climate like the great state of Texas, you may not always look forward to the summer weather, and those often sky high summer electric bills.  Summertime electric bills can get obnoxiously high as the temperature rises outside because your AC units has to work longer and harder to keep you cool inside. Fortunately, there are some effective ways to cut down on your air conditioning costs while still keeping your house cool this summer. Make these tips part of your daily routine and reduce the chances of having to … [Read more...]

Many homeowners dread cold weather and the high heating bills that can accompany the winter months as their furnaces are forced to work overtime. Luckily, lowering your heating bill can be as simple as taking a look around your home and performing some easy do-it-yourself repairs to help relieve the work your furnace needs to do. Here are five quick, inexpensive fixes can add up to big savings on your home heating bill. Replace old weatherstripping If the weatherstripping around your windows and doors is worn out, you may find that your house … [Read more...]

The cold weather fronts of the new year are approaching quickly, so it's time to make sure that your heating and cooling system is prepared to keep your home comfortable for you and your family. At Service First Air Conditioning and Heating, we help our customers keep their furnaces running properly over the holidays and throughout the winter. Below are some of the best tips we have for keeping your heating and cooling system functional at this chilly time of year. Replace Your Air Filter The air filter in your HVAC system needs to be … [Read more...]

If just spending a little time, and maybe getting your hands a little dirty, were the key to saving money, would it be worth it to you?  You can make your air conditioner last longer and work better by taking a few regular steps of maintenance.  You may have to spend a little money on filters for your appliance, but your home should be more comfortable with these maintenance steps, and it will save you larger sums of money down the road. Easy things to maintain on an air conditioner include the filters, coils, and fins.  Evaluating and … [Read more...]

Cities across Texas have seen above-average temps over recent weeks due to a heat dome sitting over the state, leading many to crank up their air conditions. Many people in Texas, especially in Austin and San Antonio, are facing much higher electric bills because of this,  explains Nicole Rosales of KVUE in Austin. Fortunately, there is something that can be done about these increased costs. Consider a Newer, More Energy-Efficient Air Conditioner. The Energy Star program was created to reduce carbon footprints and increase the energy … [Read more...]

Saving money on utility bills is a matter of learning to efficiently use your appliances, including your HVAC system. By cultivating habits of conservation such as setting your thermostat to a milder temperature, particularly when your home is empty, you're likely to be impressed by how much you could lower your energy consumption. Wise use of a programmable thermostat can be one of your most powerful tools to keep you comfortable while you are home, and save you money when you're not. For larger homes, closing vents to rooms that are … [Read more...]

If you think that improving air quality is limited to the outdoors, you could be overlooking an important source of contamination. Did you know that the quality of the indoor air where you spend a great deal of time, such as your home, could be poor enough to affect your health? In fact, according to research by reliable sources like the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the levels of pollution indoors could be as much as 100 times greater than the pollution outside. Following are some helpful hints in keeping your indoor air as clean as … [Read more...]

If you're not staying warm in winter or cool in summer, you may be wondering if it is time to repair or replace your heating or air conditioning unit. There are many good reasons for either repairing or replacing your furnace or air conditioning if you're having trouble.  Here is what ENERGY STAR and the government have to say about replacing your HVAC or whether you need to have it repaired. Is Your HVAC System Too Old? One of the things to keep in mind is that after a certain amount of time, you're throwing away money on inefficient … [Read more...]