• Put your sprinklers on a scheduled timer, and only water your lawn in the early morning or evening. Of course, this only applies if you’re allowed to water at all. This helps keep the water from evaporating off into the air during the hot parts of the day. Make sure your sprinklers are positioned to water your lawn, and you aren’t wasting water by watering the street or sidewalk. Replace any damaged or broken sprinkler heads promptly. (Abide by any water restrictions in place in your municipality or water district. Check this website for restrictions in your area.)
• Install faucet aerators on taps and low flow shower heads. This helps to reduce the overall flow rate in your home. There are several types of aerators on the market that can help you retain water pressure while reducing the amount of water used. Aerators are simple to install, and may even allow you to use a more energy-efficient tankless water heater. Don’t run taps continuously while brushing your teeth or peeling vegetables, as this lets a lot of water go down the drain unused.
• Check your toilet for leaks to stop wasted water. Put a few drops of food coloring in the tank of your toilet, and wait to see if it shows up in the bowl. It it shows up within 15 minutes and you haven’t flushed, the toilet has a leak. It can usually be fixed by replacing the rubber flapper assembly. You can also consider putting in a low-flush toilet, or getting a float booster or tank spacer. Don’t flush food waste or cigarette butts down the toilet as every flush represents several liters of wasted water.

For more water conservation tips, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. We’ve been providing superior services and solutions to Central Texas for more than 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about water conservation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The single most important A/C maintenance issue that should be completed once per month during the cooling season is regular replacement of your A/C’s air filter. This is especially true in households with dusty conditions and/or fur-bearing pets, as well as during times of heavy A/C usage.

Slightly more complicated A/C maintenance issues that can be completed by some do-it-yourself minded homeowners include:

• Cleaning the air conditioner’s coils when they are visually dirty and keeping the outdoor condenser unit free of any debris within a two-foot radius to maintain adequate air flow.
• Using a “fin comb” to straighten any bent aluminum fins on your evaporator and condenser coils to increase air flow.
• Keeping your indoor unit’s drain channels open with the help of a stiff brush or wire to allow the continued efficient removal of moisture from the air in your home, and to avoid clogs in the condensate drain.

If you have completed the above tasks and find your A/C is still not operating at peak efficiency, contact a trusted professional. Regular A/C maintenance items requiring assistance include:

• Checking and refilling A/C refrigerant
• Verifying the accuracy of your thermostat
• Inspection of all electrical connections
• Searching for any duct leaks in central A/C systems

If you live in the Waco area and would like more information on how to properly maintain your A/C, the professionals at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. can help bring you up to speed. We have been helping area homeowners meet their home comfort needs for over 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C maintenance and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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WaterSense toilets don’t suffer from the flushing performance issues associated with many earlier low-flow toilets. The label means that they have met rigorous independent, third-party testing standard and operate on the same level of performance as higher-flow toilets.  The initial purchase price is a bit higher for these high-performance, highly efficient toilets, but they can potentially reduce water use from your toilet by anywhere from 20-60 percent, giving you proven monthly savings.

Available Styles of Water-Conserving Toilets:

• Gravity Flush Toilets are the most common kind of tank toilets.  A flapper valve opens and lets the water drop from the tank to the bowl to flush the toilet when the handle is pushed.
• Pressure-Assisted Gravity Flush Toilets are a hybrid of gravity flush toilets and valve toilets. They use a plastic bladder of pressurized air to propel the water in the tank into the bowl at high velocity when the handle is pushed. They are usually much noisier than a standard gravity flush toilet.
• Dual Flush Toilets use a lower setting to flush liquid waste and a higher setting to flush solid waste. They usually have two buttons on top of the tank, with the larger button being used for the full-flush capacity. Because their mechanism for flushing is more complex, they tend to more expensive than comparable single-flush high-efficiency toilets.

For more information on improving water conservation and saving money on your water bill with a new toilet, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. We’re locally owned and operated.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about water conservation and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Root Maintenance Tips

• Slow flowing drains can indicate a possible root problem, and gurgling noises from the toilet bowl are a warning sign that root maintenance may be required.
• Find out where the sewer lines are running and do not plant trees or shrubs within 10 feet of the lines.
• Contact herbicides can be used to kill tree roots and some may even prevent them from re-growing.
• Where accessible, inspect the pipes for any structural damage to prevent major and costly sewer repairs.
• Professional plumbers can inspect the sewer line by running a camera probe through them.
• Augers can be used to remove roots from a sewer line; professional plumbers should be used to perform this task.
• Another option is the use of Hydrojetters, power washers with mechanical sweepers that are fed into the sewer line to remove tree roots from the sewer line. Professional plumbers should be used to perform this task.
• If the sewer line has been severely damaged, the only solution will be to dig it up and to replace the damaged pipe. This is a costly and difficult job.

Consider using a professional plumber to regularly inspect and clean the sewer lines on your property. Major sewer repair is costly, and regular maintenance will save money. Do not plant trees close to the sewer lines and consider the removal of existing trees that have been planted close to the sewer lines.

For more expert advice and assistance with root maintenance and other HVAC-related issues, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. We have been serving satisfied homeowners in Central Texas for almost 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about sewers and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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How to Choose the Right Carbon Monoxide Detector

Your best defense is a device with a high level of accuracy that alerts you only when there’s a real threat of CO poisoning. Units with electrochemical sensors are less sensitive to variations in temperature and humidity, and less likely to react to household chemicals, so they’re more accurate. Always look for an Underwriters Laboratories (UL) label so you’re assured that the detector has met stringent independent testing standards. Two types of CO detectors to consider are:

• Plug-in models with battery backup. These detectors plug in to any electrical outlet. If a short-term power interruption occurs, though, the unit’s 9V battery keeps it running without interruption.
• Battery-operated models. If a storm knocks out electrical service for an extended period, a battery-operated CO detector can keep you safe. This is especially important if you have a gas generator running that’s increasing your risk of CO exposure. Most come with a back-lit display, so they’re easy to read even in low light.

Other key features to look for in a CO detector include:

• A digital screen that displays the current level of carbon monoxide and updates it every 15 seconds.
• An end-of-life warning that tells you when it’s time to replace the unit.
• A peak-level memory that records and retains the highest level of carbon monoxide present. This information can be invaluable if you or your family members require medical treatment.
• An audible warning in addition to the standard alarm sound.

If you need expert advice about choosing the right type of CO detectors, contact us today at Lochridge-Priest. We’ve been helping Waco and Central Texas area residents stay comfortable since 1963.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about CO detectors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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Inspecting the Ductwork in Your Home

• If debris or pieces of cobweb blow out of the registers when your heating or cooling system is on, the ducts may be clogged and will need to be inspected.
• Unscrew the vent register and use a flashlight to look into the duct. You can also use a camera equipped with a flash to take pictures of the vent.
• If you notice debris or dust build-up, the ducts likely require a professional cleaning.
• When mice droppings or evidence of bug infestation is visible, call an exterminator to resolve the problem.
• Evidence of mold growth on the inside of the ducts is a good indication that the ducts require a professional cleaning.
• Inspect the ductwork for leaks. Leaky ducts may lead to the contamination of the inside air and cause serious health problems. Leaks in the duct system also allow conditioned air to escape into areas, such as the attic and crawlspace, where it won’t do you any good. Your HVAC system will have to work harder to compensate for that lost air.

Keeping the ducts in your home in top shape not only will help to improve the efficiency of your HVAC system; it also will help keep your family healthy. Regular preventive maintenance on the ductwork system, performed by a professional HVAC contractor, will help to prevent dirty, leaking or damaged ducts from having a negative impact on the air quality inside your home.

For more information on leaky or dirty ductwork or other information on HVAC systems, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. We’ve been proudly serving Central Texas for close to 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about ductwork inspections and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• New A/Cs Are More Energy Efficient. The new generation of home cooling systems use much less energy to operate than their predecessors. Even if your old A/C appears to be working fine, you could be paying much more for your cooling than necessary. Air conditioners that are more than 10-15 years old are nearing the end of their useful service life and are more prone to dwindling efficiency, degraded performance and repair issues. If your older A/C is breaking down frequently, freezing up, blowing more dust than usual, making loud noises or just not cooling as well as it used to, it’s time for a new A/C.
• Do You Really Have To Replace All Your Equipment? In most cases, yes. Trying to match a new outdoor condensing unit with your old indoor evaporator/air handler unit and/or ductwork will cut down on the energy savings you get with your new A/C, and can also lead to comfort, maintenance and repair issues. It may not work at all without an expensive retrofit so both components can work with the same refrigerant.
• How Do You Know the New A/C Will Be The Right Size? If the system you buy is too large, it will short cycle and waste energy, provide unbalanced cooling, wear down parts, and not provide adequate humidification. If the system is too small, it can’t keep your home comfortable on the hottest days. The best way to avoid this is to have a professional technician perform a detailed cooling load calculation for your home.
• What Type of System Should You Buy? Your first choice will be whether to replace your old A/C with a similar type of system, such as a central split-system A/C (the most common option), a package system or a ductless mini-split. With whatever system you choose, remember that the higher the cooling efficiency rating (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio), the cheaper the system will be to operate. Your trusted HVAC contractor can advise you on how quickly your new system will pay for itself due to lower operating costs.

If you have further questions on A/C replacement, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc., your Central Texas HVAC professionals.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about A/C replacements and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Complete maintenance. There are many benefits of regular maintenance that you should be aware of. It will help your HVAC system run smoother, last longer and experience fewer problems. A warranty plan is unlikely to cover maintenance costs, so you will have to hire someone or try to do it on your own. Many maintenance tasks are difficult, and it’s easy to miss an important job or do it poorly if you have no experience. A maintenance plan should give you quality, worry-free maintenance.
• Higher priority. While regular maintenance from a professional will prevent many problems, there’s still a chance of an unexpected problem. While you may have a hard time with a warranty plan getting your repairs or replacement done, your maintenance plan provider should give you priority attention. Some providers will give you a cheaper price and same-day service.
• Saves you money. Most homeowners see a fixed cost for a warranty or maintenance plan, but a maintenance plan often will save you much more in the long run. Having your system run smoother will keep your energy bills low and may extend the life of your HVAC system by years. It also will help prevent major breakdowns, and even a single avoided breakdown that calls for emergency service can make the plan worth it. While a warranty may provide a financial buffer when something goes wrong, a cheap plan won’t fully cover all replacements, and you often will have to jump through hoops to get what you deserve.

If you’re looking for more information about an HVAC warranty or maintenance plan in Central Texas, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about warranties and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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The first thing you should be asking a potential contractor is for the business’s licensing and qualifications. An unlicensed contractor should be a red flag. Inquire if they belong to any state or national HVAC associations such as the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA). Most importantly, ask for proof of insurance coverage.

Another qualification that you should seriously consider is whether the technicians performing the work at your home are NATE (North American Technician Excellence) certified. A NATE certified technician has undergone exceptional training and testing to obtain this coveted credential. Make sure your contractor provides you with references that you can check.

For any significant HVAC repair or installation, be skeptical if the contractor tries to offer an estimate over the phone. Any big job will require a home inspection so the technician(s) can assess your unique home-comfort situation and make recommendations based on the facts.

Familiarize yourself with SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating) and HSPF (Heating Season Performance Factor) ratings for cooling systems, and AFUE (annual fuel utilization efficiency) ratings so you can discuss the energy efficiency of a prospective cooling or heating system with your contractor. Make sure the contractor intends to use Energy Star qualified equipment in the installation. Ask the contractor for an annual operating cost estimate for the system you are considering.

Ask what warranties accompany the product and workmanship, as different warranties may apply. You should be aware of what’s included and what’s exempt from coverage. If you are offered a maintenance service agreement, ask what the service includes and whether you have a choice of plans.

You should obtain at least three written estimates of the work being performed and what equipment is included. It should state when the work begins and when it will be completed. An estimate should help you in determining the value of the work and material you are receiving.

If you would like to know more about what questions to ask an HVAC contractor, contact us at Lochridge-Priest, Inc. We have been proudly serving central Texas for nearly 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about HVAC contractors and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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• Make sure the outside unit of your split-system heat pump is sitting level. If not, carefully raise it with gravel or two-by-fours until it sits level again.
• Check the heat pump’s air filter and make sure it’s clean and unobstructed.
• Check the outside updraft fan by removing the grille, and clean it until it’s free of any debris.
• Check the settings on the thermostat to make sure they haven’t been changed, and that it’s set for a lower temperature than the current temperature of the room.
• Check the “Fan-Only” setting, to make sure the air handler is blowing.
• If you run the fan for an hour or two, and the heat pump starts working again afterwards, the unit may not be defrosting properly.
• If none of the tips above have worked, double check your ductwork and your home’s windows and doors for air leaks that may allow the cold air to escape or warm air to get in.
• If the compressor is suddenly stopping or losing power, the problem may be with the compressor or your home’s power.  Check your fuse box to make sure none of the breakers are tripped. Call out a professional if this problem persists.
• If the compressor has been without power for more than an hour, allow it to remain off for at least four to six hours, as the lubricant in the system may have become too cold to flow properly.

If none of the above tips fixes your heat pump cooling problem, call in a professional to recommend repairs or next steps.

For more information on heat pump cooling in Central Texas, please contact us at Lochridge-Priest Inc. We’ve been providing quality air conditioning solutions for almost 50 years.

Our goal is to help educate our customers in Waco, Texas and surrounding areas about energy and home comfort issues (specific to HVAC systems). For more information about heat pumps and other HVAC topics, download our free Home Comfort Resource guide.

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