Author Archives: Total Comfort Cooling & Heating

We all want an efficient HVAC system to keep us comfortable in our homes. Previously, we went over some of the benefits associated with a geothermal heating & cooling system. If that didn’t answer all of your questions, we can help. Here, we’ve presented the answers to some FAQs for your convenience.

Do they affect the environment?

They reduce pollution in the environment. The only energy they use comes from the small amount of electricity they require to operate. Compare this to gas furnaces, which use combustion for energy, and you can see why geothermal proves the eco-friendly option.

How extensive maintenance do they need?

They require very little maintenance; the buried closed-loop lasts generations on its own when properly installed. Only the pump, fan and compressor need regular inspections.

Can I put a closed loop in a pond?

Depending on the size and depth of the pond, you could put your closed loop under it. Generally they will need to have at least a 6 foot depth.

 

Hopefully this proved informative. If you have more questions about geothermal heating and cooling systems, give Total Comfort Cooling & Heating a call for more information. You can reach one of our friendly team members at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or at (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

Believe it or not, the amount of moisture present in the air can have all kinds of effects on human beings. People with allergies especially suffer from both too much and too little. For the latter, an air humidifier can help drastically. If you haven’t heard about the benefits of owning one, we go over them right here.

Stop Nose Bleeding:

Nothing annoys us more than a dry, cracked nose that keeps bleeding while we try to get work done. Don’t let it stop you from going about your day; take control of the moisture in the air.

Dampen Snoring:

Dry nasal passages increase the volume of snorers. You might find that, by adding moisture, you can bear the nightly snoring of your significant other.

Help Your Skin:

Not only does dry and cracked skin feel uncomfortable, but it also doesn’t look as good. If you want strong, supple skin, it needs a certain amount of moisture.

Clear Sinuses:

Without good lubrication, your sinuses cannot drain properly. Coupled with allergies, this can absolutely ruin your day.

If you’d like to take advantage of humidifier installation services, Total Comfort Cooling & Heating can help. To find out more about us, please give us a call at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or at (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

The fact that we can now power our electronics and other devices by harnessing the inherent power of the sun should seem amazing. The exponential progression of technology continues to amaze. To help you understand why these improvements hold such importance, we’ve listed some of the benefits of residential solar heating.

Energy Savings:

Recent research (from 2009) has indicated that the average American household uses about 2,000$ worth of energy every year. Instead of buying it, why not just take it from the sun. You will save a huge amount on energy bills.

Tax Credit:

Many state governments, as well as the federal government, offer incentives via tax credits for people who employ the use of solar energy in their homes.

Increased Home Value:

Did you know that installing solar heating can actually increase the value of your home? If you decide to sell it, it may prove a nice hook for a prospective buyer.

If you’d like to take advantage of these benefits, and more, Total Comfort Cooling & Heating offers solar heating installation. To find out more about this or any of our other services, please don’t hesitate to give us a call at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or at (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

When it comes to our homes, many times things exist that we never think about but really should. One great example of this involves cleaning the air ducts. Many things can build up in them that might prove detrimental to your health. If you care about air quality, you’ll want to take care of this. If you wonder why and when your air ducts should get cleaned, we’ve put together a quick overview:

Mold:

If you suspect that you have mold growth within your air ducts, it needs to get taken care of. Mold can create all kinds of negative health effects in those that breath it in. Don’t let it happen to you.

Vermin:

Insects and rodents can make their homes inside your air ducts. When this happens, nature takes its course and you end up with feces everywhere. Obviously, you want to stop this before it starts.

Ducts:

One tell-tale sign you need your ducts clean comes when you actually see if coming out of your vents when the air conditioner turns on. Once this happens, you have already waited too long.

If you notice any of these three things, don’t wait to take advantage of Total Comfort Cooling & Heating’s air duct cleaning services. To find out more, speak with one of our qualified professionals at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or at (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

While it remains most people’s favorite season, Summer comes with a host of annoyances. While Georgia does have a humid climate, your air conditioner tends to suck that humidity right out of your house. Nobody wants a dry, scratchy throat. You may need a humidifier to combat it. To help you understand a bit about them, we’ve put together some FAQs.

How do they work?

Different processes get used to achieving the same goal: putting moisture into your air using a fine mist. Evaporative humidifiers do this by fanning the air in and out through a water source. Warm mist humidifiers just heat water until the mist floats out into your house.

How humid should I get the air in my house?

Ideally, you will want your house in the range of 30% and 50% humidity. If it gets above 50%, it can become a perfect environment for mold and bacteria to start growing.

Should I use cool or heated humidifiers?

Choose which type you want based on your preference. The only difference between the two comes from the temperature of the mist produced. Heated humidifiers will increase your room temperature by a few degrees, while cool ones will decrease it.

Hopefully, now you understand one of your house’s appliances a little better. If you should require humidifier installation services in Macon, GA, Total Comfort Cooling & Heating can help. To find out more, you can reach our representatives at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location. We look forward to hearing from you!

What a world we live in; we can now use the sun to power everything from our appliances to our vehicles. It sounds amazing, but many of us don’t really know anything about it beyond that it exists. To remedy this, we’ve put together a few frequently asked questions on the subject:

What does SEER mean?

SEER stands for seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It represents the energy efficiency of your A/C unit. This energy efficiency basically equates to lower energy costs.

Does it not work when the sun doesn’t shine?

Any power your system can’t get from the sun, it obtains through normal measures. Still, even on a completely overcast day, you will save on energy.

Can I get tax credits?

Yes, that could be a possibility. Talk with your tax adviser to learn more.

Can I control it remotely?

You can; wireless remote controls can be purchased that will control your unit up to 30 feet away.

Hopefully this answered any solar heating and cooling questions you may have had. Here at Total Comfort Cooling and Heating LLC, we offer solar A/C installation alongside many other services. For more information, please give us a call at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location, or at (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

There are a host of benefits associated with a geothermal heating and cooling system. If you’re considering getting one to heat and cool your home, here’s some of what you can expect:

Low Cost:

Geothermal systems generally save anywhere from %25-50 over other types of systems. They can also be hooked up to supplement your hot water heater for even more savings. While the initial cost is high, you’ll be saving in the long run with a geothermal system.

Eco-Friendly:

A geothermal heating and cooling system is recognized by the EPA as the most environmentally friendly heating and cooling system available. If you want to go green, geothermal systems are the choice for you.

Long Life:

Unlike most heating and cooling systems, geothermal systems require almost no maintenance other than basic inspections. They can last 20 years if properly installed.

Even Temperatures:

Geothermal systems heat and cool the air in your home evenly throughout it. They even act as dehumidifiers during the Summer months.

These are just a few of the benefits associated with geothermal heating and cooling. Here at Total Comfort Cooling and Heating, we offer geothermal system installation and maintenance, alongside a host of other services. For more information, please give us a call at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

We’ve still got over a month of winter left; that dry air does a number on your lungs. There is a way to counter it, though. You can invest in a humidifier; here are 5 different benefits to owning one:

Improve sinus health:

When the climate is too arid, sinuses start having problems; then tend not to drain. Experts say humidity can improve sinus health. If you’ve got congestion, a humidifier will do you wonders.

Improve healing process:

Keeping your nasal passages lubricated helps accelerate the healing process, be it asthma, allergies, cold, flu, etc. Some humidifiers are actually specially designed to alleviate these problems.

Reduce nose-bleeds:

Dry air is the main factor causing nose-bleeds. Keep your nose lubricated, and they will generally go away.

Stop bad snoring:

A dry throat will really exacerbate the frequency and volume of snores. It can even make the sound more annoying. Lubrication probably won’t make snoring go away, but it may be the difference between a night lying awake and a decent rest.

Improve skin health:

Dry skin is unhealthy skin. Having a humidifier in your room will leave your skin feeling moist and supple. It will also keep your hands and lips from getting cracked when you wake up.

Here at Total Comfort Cooling & Heating LLC, we offer humidifier installation alongside a host of other services. For more information, please give us a call at (478) 781-9107 for our Macon location or at (478) 275-4590 for our Dublin location.

We’re smack dab in the middle of Winter. People often ask the question “How does the winter season affect my solar panels?”. Here’s how solar energy works in the winter season:

How does the winter season affect solar power?

Solar panels actually take in more energy during the winter season. This is because solar panels are more productive in lower temperatures than in higher ones. Even so, overall energy production is less during the winter than the summer due to the difference in the number of hours of sunlight.

We only get about 10 solid hours of sunlight during the height of winter. In the height of summer, this goes up to about 14 solid hours. The extra energy from the cold weather isn’t enough to bridge the gap between those 4 extra hours of sunlight. Even so, all the excess energy during the summer months is stored up in batteries for any shortfall of energy during the winter.

Cloud coverage can block sunlight from reaching the panels, but this is true in summer as well as winter. Snow will also block sunlight if it’s piled on the panels, however panels are installed at a slant so the snow usually falls off quick. The reflected sunlight from the snow everywhere else can actually increase energy absorption.

We’re happy to answer any solar energy related questions you might have. Here at Total Comfort Cooling & Heating, we offer solar AC installation. Give us a call at our Macon location at (478) 781-9107 or at our Dublin location at (478) 275-4590.

Wasted Energy

Your air ducts are an extremely important part of your heating and cooling system. When they are damaged, leaking or improperly insulated they can cost you countless dollars in wasted energy. Proper upkeep of your air ducts can prevent this energy waste.

Check out our quick guide on how to check your air ducts.

1. Inspect the Ducts

The first step to ensure you have efficient air ducts is to inspect the exterior of the ducts. Find all the places your ducts join. Are there any broken seals? Any sections that are no longer connected fully? Also inspect the air ducts visually for any small or large holes. These holes will need to be sealed up or they will be an energy drain on your home.

Next, inspect the interior of the ducts as best as you can. Use a flashlight to do a visual inspection. Look for signs of dirt buildup (which indicates you need a duct cleaning). Also check for any signs of pest invasion. It is not uncommon for animals such as mice to take up residence in air ducts, especially during cooler months.

2. Check the Insulation

After you have inspected the duct system itself, take a look at the insulation. Are your ducts properly insulated? If your attic or basement is lacking insulation, consider installing insulation in both the walls and around your duct system. Insulation will protect you from further energy loss.

3. Ask for Help

If you do find holes or broken seals in your duct system it may be time to call in a professional. Duct repairs can be tricky and further damage can be done if the repair work isn’t properly performed. You can contact a local HVAC tech to aid you. This also will allow for a deeper inspection of the system. Professionals have specialized cameras and equipment that allows them to inspect your air duct system thoroughly.

Remember, through proper maintenance of your HVAC system you can cut down your utility bills drastically. Give us a call today if you need assistance with air duct upkeep at (478)781-9107 . We will be happy to help you learn how to check your air ducts.