5 Best HVAC Tips For Pet Owners

People often think an air conditioner’s only job is to maintain a comfortable temperature for you in your home. While that may be true, a very close second is cleaning the air in your home. Normal contaminants include things like dust and smoke, but for pet owners, the existence of pet dander makes cleaning your air even more important. Pet hair can end up in your HVAC filter, and impact the entire system. In this post, we’ll take a look at ways you can keep you, your pets, and your HVACrunning strong!

REPLACING FILTERS

This is a common theme in our HVAC posts, but it’s especially true for pet owners. Replace your filters regularly! Pet hair, combined with other dander, skin cells, etc, will make filters clog more often than if you didn’t have pets. This is an easy and inexpensive process that will keep your HVAC running efficiently. You may even choose to purchase a reusable filter that can be easily cleaned with a garden hose. A professional from The Bosworth Company can help you decide what filter is best for you!

CLEANING

It’s always nice when your home is neat and orderly. Keeping your home clean by frequently mopping, dusting, and vacuuming will help remove excess dander and prevent it from getting into your filter. Even a small hand-held vacuum just to pick up pet hair can go a long way.

BATH TIME

The cleaner your pet is, the less hair and dander will appear around your home. Frequent baths and even brushing can help do the trick. Many pet hair brushes are specially made to collect excess hair. Then you just throw it away instead of letting it loose around the house. You can do this at home, or take your pet to a professional groomer.

TEMPERATURE ADJUSTMENT

Even if you prefer the temperature at 72 year-round, your pets will be safe and comfortable in a wider range of temps. If you’re not at home, adjust the thermostat so your unit isn’t working full-blast all day long. As long as the temperature is between 65 and 80, your pets will be safe, and your HVAC (and wallet) will be better off, too.

OUTDOOR A/C

Many HVAC systems include an outdoor A/C unit. It’s important that the area surrounding the unit remains clear of any debris that could prevent the fan from running. It’s perfectly safe for pets to be around these units, but scratching or clawing could damage them. If the pets are in the yard, it’s a good idea to make sure the A/C unit is not accessible.

WORTH THE CALL

Hopefully, these tips will help keep you and your pets happy and healthy. Our experts at The Bosworth Company can help you make sure you’re getting the most out of your A/C. Set up an appointment today by calling 432-570-5233 or scheduling one online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

Advantages of Ductless Air Conditioning

Traditional central air and heat pumps use air ducts to keep warm or cool air flowing throughout your home. This helps keep your entire home at a comfortable temperature. But if you’re only using a few rooms, there are other options that could save you money. In this post, we’ll discuss some of the advantages of a ductless air conditioning system.

HOME ZONING

As mentioned above, central air will heat or cool your entire house – even the areas you don’t use. With a ductless system, you can break your home into zones. Each room has a separate unit that can be turned off and on as needed.

EASY INSTALLATION

A Bosworth HVAC expert can easily install a ductless system in a room of your choice. The units can be easily attached to a wall. They can generally be installed in a place that preserves floor and wall space and is not noticeable.

INCREASED EFFICIENCY

When hot or cool air makes its way from your HVAC unit into your living spaces, some of it is lost. If there are tears in the ductwork or poor sealing at the edges, air will leak out into the attic. This creates excess air and excess power, which costs you money!

CLEAN AIR

A ductless system can help make your air cleaner. Ductwork can become dusty, which can then be circulated into your home. Ductless systems contain special filters that can remove dust from the air as it’s circulated, with no ducts for excess dust to accumulate in.

You may not realize that ductless systems can have their own thermostats for each room. That enables people in each room to set it at their desired temperature. Ductless systems are also noticeably quieter than their central air counterparts.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company is proud to provide ductless air conditioning units made by Mitsubishi Electric. To discuss this and other heating and cooling options, call us today at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

Can Your HVAC Cause Headaches?

We often think of headaches as something brought on by stress or allergies, but there are other physical and environmental factors to consider. Take a brain freeze for example. Drinking an ice-cold drink or slushie can turn uncomfortable in a hurry if you drink it too fast. The same can be said for air conditioning. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the reasons that air conditioning can cause headaches, and how you can prevent them.

DEHYDRATION

Dehydration, or lack of proper fluids, is a common cause of headaches. It’s also precisely what an A/C unit is designed to do. Besides cooling the air, it also takes out the humidity, leaving it more dry. Especially in West Texas, it can be a good idea to run a humidifier in conjunction with the A/C to help keep just a bit of moisture in the air. Also, don’t forget to drink lots of water during the hot summer months.

TOO COLD

Being too cold can cause headaches as well. This is common in businesses, restaurants, churches, and even homes during the summer. Being too cold causes the blood vessels in your brain to contract, which can lead to a headache. Turn the temperature up a few degrees – it’ll save you money and prevent a headache.

NOISE

An annoying, ongoing loud noise can be the source of a headache. A/C units that have not been properly maintained can be very noisy. Give us a call, and we’ll take a look at your unit. A simple tune-up may be able to reduce the volume.

ALLERGIES

Allergic reactions can also cause headaches. If your HVAC unit is pushing out more than cold air, that can be a problem. Dust, pollen, or other allergens can get into your lungs and cause discomfort. Harsh cleaning chemicals can do the same thing without proper ventilation. A thorough cleaning should do the trick.

WORTH THE CALL

If you feel you’ve addressed these issues and the headaches just won’t go away, it’s probably time to call a doctor. But if your A/C definitely seems to be the issue, let us help! The Bosworth Company’s certified HVAC professionals can diagnose the problem and help you get it fixed. Make an appointment today by calling 432-570-5233 or scheduling one online. The Bosworth Company. Worth The Call. ALWAYS.

Air Purification: RGF HALO-LED

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We’re all spending more time at home these days, and we’re all looking for ways to have cleaner air for the inside of our homes. There are many resources out there for clean air filters. In this post, we’re going to discuss the RGF HALO-LED. The HALO-LED is a state-of-the-art air purification device, specifically in how it uses LED light in the purification process.

EFFICIENT

The HALO-LED is installed inside your ducts. It includes LED lights that automatically turn off or on when air is moving through your ducts. This saves energy and costs, as the light does not have to be on constantly to work correctly.

SUPERCHARGED

The light adds ionized hydro-peroxide molecules to the air as it is being pumped through the air ducts and before you breathe it in. When these molecules come in contact with contaminants, it quickly destroys them, leaving your air clear of things like dust, hair, pet dander, and other unwanted additives. The system also adds positive and negative ions to charge the air making those contaminants stick together and easier to filter out.

REACHING THE WHOLE HOUSE

Because of the location in the duct, and it catches all air flowing through your HVAC system. This allows it to clear all the air in your home! Every cubic inch of your home, from right underneath the vent, to the farthest closest in the backroom, will be impacted by this process. The HALO-LED cleans contaminants both in the air and on surfaces. 

WORTH THE CALL

At The Bosworth Company, meeting your HVAC needs is part of what we do. Give us a call today and ask about whole-home protection courtesy of the RGF HALO-LED. The Bosworth Company is an authorized dealer and knows how to make this product work best for you! Make an appointment today at 432-570-5233 or schedule one online. Worth The Click. ALWAYS.

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Air Purification: Good for Your Health

These days, keeping the air in your home clean is more important than ever. There are a variety of methods, each with their own advantages. At The Bosworth Company, we are proud to be a Premier Dealer of Lennox products, including Air Purification Systems. Their state-of-the-art technology provides the cleanest possible indoor air. In this post, we discuss some of the health benefits of a Lennox air purification system, and how it can help you breathe easier.

BREATHE EASY

An air purification system can lead to long term health. A Lennox system scientifically rids the air of contaminants that can cause respiratory, allergy, or other health problems. The air in your home can contain pollutants, carcinogens, toxins, and other contaminants that can be especially dangerous if you are continuously exposed to them.

Lennox has the technology to tackle all of these issues, by removing pollen, allergens, mold, dust, bacteria, and dirt. In fact, Lennox Air Purifiers are proven to clear more than 95% of these pollutants. Not only does it remove harmful contaminants, but the Lennox system can also eliminate bothersome odors and vapors.

HOW IT WORKS

The Lennox PureAir S model cleans the air in your entire home. That’s because it’s installed right into your air ducts to capture particles and clean air before it gets to your home. You can even sync it to your thermostat so you know the exact quality of your air, and when you need to replace the filter. We’ll go into greater detail in another post.

WORTH THE CALL

The Bosworth Company doesn’t take being a Lennox Premier Dealer lightly. We have to live up to that standard for every Lennox Air Purification System we sell. If you’re ready to learn more about breathing cleaner air in your home, schedule an appointment online or call us at 432-570-5233 today. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Spring Maintenance

Spring is here, and along with the warmer weather comes big changes for your home. Specifically your HVAC. Switching from using your heat to using your air conditioning requires some preparation and is a great time for some routine maintenance. In this post, we’ll share some practical spring maintenance ideas for your home.

HVAC MAINTENANCE

Changing filter: This is an easy thing you can do yourself! Swapping out or cleaning the filters on your HVAC will help to make sure that clean air is able to be recycled throughout your home. It’ll also keep your unit from working too hard, which will save you money!

Exterior A/C unit: In the winter months, leaves or other plants can fall into or grow around your exterior air conditioning compressor. Sweeping or picking up this debris will help your unit run at peak efficiency.

Window screens: Spring and fall are great times to consider leaving windows open to save on energy costs. To prepare for this, make sure to clean your screens and make any necessary repairs.

Windows and Doors: Speaking of windows, keep the cool air inside by making sure seals around windows and doors are secure!

Refrigerator: When you clean your kitchen, don’t forget to get under the fridge! Dusty coils make your refrigerator work harder to keep your food cold. A quick dust is an easy fix!

PLUMBING

Hot water heater: Draining your water heater can help clean out the sentiment that’s built up over the past year. Find the spigot at the bottom of the tank to drain it. This could add years to the life of your hot water heater.

Washer fill hose: Look for cracks or leaks in the hose that brings water into your washer. As with anything, excess water can cause major problems!

Driveway cracks: Cracks in your driveway or asphalt are common with age. However, if it’s sudden, getting worse, or appears to be sinking, that could be a sign of pipe problems. A water line leak under your driveway should be checked out.

WORTH THE CALL. ALWAYS. 

The Bosworth Company has the experts to help your system get ready for spring! In fact, we offer a Spring Clean & Check specifically geared to keeping your HVAC in tip-top shape. Schedule a spring maintenance appointment online or give us a call at 432-570-5233. It’s Worth the Call. Always.

Getting Dust Under Control

Does it ever feel like you’re doing the same thing over and over, but you just can’t make it right? That can be especially frustrating when it comes to household chores. Think about dusting. After wiping down frames, furniture, and even that spot at the back of the bookcase – the dust is back…again! Dust, unfortunately for us allergy sufferers, is inevitable, but there are ways to prevent the rapid accumulation of it. In this post, we’ll examine some of the causes, and some solutions.

AIR FILTERS

Air filters are one of those things that everyone knows you should change, but very few do. Some people even say they’ve NEVER replaced a filter! What you may not realize is that this can increase the dust in your home. If it’s so bad that your A/C evaporator coils get dusty, that will send dusty air throughout your home.

IMPORTANT: If your filters seem clean, but your furniture is dusty, that could mean you’re not using the proper type of filter. You might need air filters with a higher MERV rating. They’ll need to be changed out frequently, but you’ll notice the difference as they collect dust when it comes through the vent.

It’s also important to change your filters when they clog up with dust. Not doing so can be bad for your HVAC unit…and your electric bill!

VACUUMING

Vacuuming cleans your carpet but you’re kicking up dust as you go, spreading it around your house. We’re not telling you to not vacuum; just consider that it will make your home a little more dusty every time you do. Many newer vacuum models have great features to help reduce the spread of dust. If the vacuum has a HEPA filter, you’re on the right track. HEPA stands for “High-Efficiency Particulate Rate” and means the dust will stay in the vacuum instead of getting out!

Of course, hardwood or tile floors will retain less dust than carpet – especially that shag-style at your grandma’s house.

AIR DUCT LEAKS

Your problem could also be something hidden in your attic. Tears or leaks in your duct system could allow dust from the attic to seep into your airflow, and land in your living space. Rooms that are warmer or cooler than others could be an indicator of air duct leaks.

HOW WE CAN HELP WITH DUST

The Bosworth Company has experts that can help! We can run a pressure test on your ducts to determine where the air is escaping or dust is getting in. If you are ready to make an appointment, give us a call at 432-570-5233or schedule an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always!

What is “Going Ductless”?

What does it mean to “Go Ductless?”

One great thing about most things in modern life is that you almost always have options. The same is true with HVAC solutions. Central heating and air certainly has some advantages, but there’s also an upside to ductless, or mini-split, HVAC systems which are growing in popularity. In this post, we’ll investigate whether they could be a good fit for your home or office.

GOING DUCTLESS

Traditional ductwork (commonly called “central” air) is great for heating every room in your house evenly. But in some families, heating a spare bedroom may be an unnecessary cost. Add that to the heating or cooling lost in old or worn ductwork, and you could be losing up to 25% of the energy you pay for!

In an age where financial and environmental efficiency rules, going ductless could be a solution for you. Unlike traditional window units, new ductless A/C units require only a small hole for mounting. Not only is this easier, it also helps isolate the rooms that require heating and cooling.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

Here in Texas, where it gets cold, but not too cold, going ductless works well because it can easily and efficiently produce the amount of heat necessary to keep a room at a comfortable temperature. In some colder climates, the mini-split systems may have trouble keeping sub-freezing temps warm all winter long.

One advantage to central air is that the entire units are generally stored in the attic, and run through ducts and vents, therefore, they are completely out of your space. That’s a reason old space heaters became less popular. Our sleek designs for mini-split units were crafted with that in mind. We know that aesthetic and minimal invasiveness is important to ensure a sophisticated look.

If you’d like to explore going ductless, call The Bosworth Company at 432-570-5233or schedule an appointment online. Worth the call. Always.

Boosting HVAC Efficiency

In our last few posts, we’ve explored some of the common issues that arise when restarting your heater for the first time in the winter. We looked at how to prepare your furnace for use, as well as how to combat that burning smell that seems to happen every year when you fire it up for the first time. In this post, we’ll discuss another important factor in maintaining a comfortable home: making sure your HVAC is operating with maximum efficiency.

CHECK YOUR FLOW

If your HVAC unit was working at maximum efficiency, every corner of your home would be at a comfortable temperature. You wouldn’t be warm next to the vent and cool in the extra bedroom. If you feel the heat isn’t distributing evenly, you could have an airflow problem.

THE PROBLEM

As we’ve discussed in our other blogs regarding heaters, having clean and undamaged air ducts should solve most of your heating issues. If the rooms that are farther away from your furnace aren’t getting enough heat, blockages (or leaks) could be the problem.

TAKE A LOOK

Go to a back bedroom, and remove the register from your vent. You’ll be able to see inside – and it may not be pretty. If you have a vacuum with a hose attachment, reach in as far as you can to clean out as much dust as possible. When you’re done, wipe it down with a wet cloth, again, reaching as far inside as you can. You can also wipe down the louvers on the register and make sure they are fully open for maximum airflow. 

WORTH THE CALL

All of our services at The Bosworth Company focus on keeping you comfortable in your home or business. If your heater isn’t heating your entire home, we can help. Give us a call today at 432-570-5233 or make an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.

What’s That Smell?

It happens every year as sure as Santa coming down the chimney. The temperatures drop and the heater kicks on, and you notice something in the air. It’s not the smell of pine needles from the tree, or cookies in the oven. No, this smell is from your furnace, and it isn’t good! In this post, we’ll explore what could cause this bad smell, and how to prevent it.

FOLLOW YOUR NOSE

As mentioned, the bad smell from the furnace is one of the first things you’ll notice when cold weather shows up. In all likelihood, what you’re smelling is burning dust. That’s right. Throughout the warmer months, dust accumulates in your heating unit. When you start blasting it with heat, the dust burns off, and it starts to stink.

SOLUTIONS

The simplest solution, as with any musty smell, is simply to open a door or window to allow air to flow out of your house, and be replaced with fresh air. But if it’s really cold, this may not be practical. If the smell persists, there are a couple of things you can do.

Change the filters: It’s important to remember that not all filters are disposable. Some should be cleaned and put back in place, while others should be replaced.

Clean your system: Depending on how much dust (or whatever else might be hiding in your air ducts) has accumulated, it may require a cleaning of your entire system.

EMERGENCIES

The majority of the time, you will only be dealing with a bad smell. However, it’s possible that debris inside your vents could result in a fire. Where there’s smoke, there’s fire, so if you see flames, or even just smoke, don’t wait! Turn your system off immediately, and extinguish the fire. If there is any doubt that the fire is out, call 9-1-1 and leave the home immediately.

WORTH THE CALL

In most cases, a bad smell means you need some routine maintenance, not the fire department. The Bosworth Company has the experience and know-how to make sure your HVAC system is running safely and efficiently. Call us at 432-570-5233 or schedule an appointment online. The Bosworth Company. Worth the Call. Always.