Roznovak's Services Blog

What to Look for in a Residential Heating Service Company

November 28th, 2014

It’s that time of year where the need for heating service becomes a distinct possibility. Unfortunately, as we switch on our heating systems and run them for longer portions of the day, the chances that you’ll need heating repair increase as well. Parts begin to wear down, you may notice an increase in your utilities, and you might not get the heating performance you once did. When it comes time to contact a heating technician, you want to make sure you find a company who knows all about heating, so they can get in and out as quickly as possible and so that you get the most thorough service possible. Here’s what we recommend you look for in a residential heating service.

A Wide Range of Heating Services

You should choose a company that offers the widest range of services possible so that you can ensure you have found a quality company for future services as well. Make sure your technician is trained on your particular type of heating system by searching through the website or inquiring when you call about what types of systems they service. Find a company you can return to for maintenance, repairs, and even upgrades like zone control or a new thermostat.

Offers a Residential Maintenance Program

You should also consider finding a company that offers a residential maintenance program. If you enroll in a maintenance program, you’ll get two maintenance visits a year, usually at a low package rate. Many homeowners neglect to schedule maintenance every year, even though it’s vital for proper operation of their heating and cooling system. With a heating maintenance program, you’re guaranteed two visits a year for cleaning, adjustment and inspection, which could help reduce repair needs, lower your bills, and keep your unit running longer.

Duct Cleaning and Sealing

If your heating doesn’t seem to be as powerful as it once was or if you notice hot or cold spots in areas of the house, it could be due to a problem in the ducts. If this is the case, some heating companies will simply refer you to a duct sealing company. Instead, look for a company that performs both duct and heating services, so you can get all your repairs from one contractor.

Here at Roznovak, we think you’ll find that our residential heating service in Hutto, TX exceeds your expectations. Give us a call now!

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Will Thanksgiving Turkey Really Make You Sleepy?

November 26th, 2014

We’ve all heard it before: you feel so sleepy after a Thanksgiving meal because of the main event: the turkey. For years, people have credited extraordinary levels of tryptophan in turkey as the reason we all feel the need to nap after the annual feast. But contrary to this popular mythology, tryptophan is probably not he largest responsible party for your post-meal exhaustion.

Tryptophan is an essential amino acid, which means it’s something that our bodies need but do not produce naturally. Your body uses tryptophan to help make vitamin B3 and serotonin, which is a neurotransmitter that sends chemicals to the brain to aid in sleep. But in order to get this essential amino acid, we have to eat foods that contain it.

Turkey has somewhat high levels of tryptophan, but so do many other foods, including eggs, peanuts, chocolate, nuts, bananas, and most other meats and dairy products. In fact, ounce-for-ounce cheddar cheese contains a greater amount of tryptophan than turkey. In order for tryptophan to make you feel sleepy, you would have to consume it in excessive amounts, and serotonin is usually only produced by tryptophan on an empty stomach.

The truth is, overeating is largely responsible for the “food coma” many people describe post-Thanksgiving. It takes a lot of energy for your body to process a large meal, and the average Thanksgiving plate contains about twice as many calories as is recommended for daily consumption. If anything, high levels of fat in the turkey cause sleepiness, as they require a lot of energy for your body to digest. Lots of carbohydrates, alcohol, and probably a bit of stress may also be some of the reasons it feels so satisfying to lay down on the couch after the meal and finally get a little bit of shut-eye.

If you feel the need to indulge in a heaping dose of tryptophan this year, go ahead! Turkey also contains healthy proteins and may even provide a boost for your immune system. Here at Roznovak, we hope your Thanksgiving is full of joy and contentment this year. Happy feasting!

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Why Is Thermostat Installation an Important Part of Heating Service?

November 14th, 2014

Your thermostat controls when your system operates and the temperature of your home. As such, having the right thermostat for your home can be a great tool for achieving the control you want over your home’s heating. There are a few choices when it comes to installing a new thermostat, and with any upgrade to your heating system, it’s best to have installation performed by a professional. Roznovak specialists have been offering comprehensive heating service in Georgetown since 1979, including thermostat installation, so call us today!

Why Install a New Thermostat?

Here are a few reasons why an upgraded thermostat can help you and your heating system:

  • Better energy efficiency – with a programmable thermostat, you can program your heating according to your schedule and accommodate for times when your home is occupied or unoccupied. This allows you to gain great control over when and how much you heat, which can help you reduce your energy usage.
  • Better comfort – the precision and accuracy of digital thermostats allows you to set an exact temperature setting versus aiming for one, as can be the case with slide or dial thermostats. This can help improve your comfort level.
  • Less wear on your system – with a programmable thermostat, you will most likely use less heating, which means your system will operate less. Less operation means less wear on your system.
  • Convenience – it can be challenging to remember to turn down your heating when you leave for work during the week or when you go to bed. With a programmable thermostat, this isn’t an issue as you can set the program to handle all the temperature changes you want.

What Are My Choices?

  • Digital
  • Programmable
  • Smart
  • Wireless

Upgrading your thermostat can help you increase your energy efficiency and comfort while also helping your heating system. If you are ready for a new thermostat, call Roznovak and schedule an appointment for residential heating service in Georgetown today.

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Steps to Take for a New Heating Installation

November 7th, 2014

A new heating system can help increase your energy efficiency, improve comfort and provide you with a reliable performance. But to make sure you install a system that fits you and your home, it’s important to take a few critical steps. Since 1979, Roznovak has provided residential heating services in Austin, TX, and our expert technicians have installed all kinds of heating systems. If you are ready for a new heating system, call us today!

Step 1: Type of System

There are so many options available to homeowners when it comes to choosing a new heating system that it can be overwhelming. One of the best ways to manage this is to understand what types of systems are available and the basics of how they work. Roznovak carries the following types of systems:

  • Furnaces – gas and electric
  • Heat pumps
  • Geothermal systems
  • Ductless systems

Each of these systems can effectively heat your home, but each heats differently. Furnaces are one of the most common and traditional types of heating systems, commonly using gas, oil, propane or electricity to heat your home. Heat pumps don’t generate heat at all; instead, they transfer heat from one area to another. Geothermal systems harness that natural, steady temperature of the Earth below the frost line to heat your home, and ductless systems use heat pump technology to heat and cool your home without the use of air ducts.

Step 2: Sizing

Too often, we hear that all you need to know to buy a properly-sized heater is the square footage of your home; this is not true. To accurately calculate the heat load for your home, you need to factor in your home’s orientation, daytime heat gain, the type and number of windows and doors you have, insulation levels, floor plan, number of occupants and number of rooms. It is a complex calculation, and one that a trained technician can help you with.

Step 3: Fuel Type

The most commonly-used fuel types for heating systems are natural gas, oil and electricity, but you can also use propane, solid fuels and solar energy. Some households do not have access to all fuel types, so this is something to be aware of when selecting a new heating system.

Taking these steps before choosing and installing a heating system helps ensure that you select a system that will provide you and your family with many years of warmth and comfort. If you need help deciding what system best fits with your home, take advantage of our Roznovak residential heating services and schedule an appointment with one of our specialists today.

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What Are the Benefits of a Geothermal System?

October 31st, 2014

Choosing a new air conditioning or heating system can be a difficult process considering all of the options available in today’s world. But if you need a new heating and cooling system, it’s tough to beat the efficiency of a geothermal system. Geothermal heat pumps depend on the stable temperature beneath the earth’s surface to circulate heat. Learn more about these systems in this guide.

Roznovak is your professional source for heating and air conditioning installation or any residential AC service here in Los Angeles.

How It Works

A heat pump is a type of system that moves heat from one area to another. In an air-source heat pump, refrigerant pumps through an indoor and outdoor component to move heat from the inside to the outdoors in the summer and from the outside to the inside in the winter. A geothermal system works a bit differently. Water or a water-refrigerant blend pumps through a set of coils buried underneath the ground. In the heating season, heat is absorbed from the earth and moved into your home. In the summer, heat is absorbed from the air in your home and safely deposited outdoors.

Some Benefits of Geothermal Air Conditioning and Heating

  • Environmentally Friendly: Many people praise geothermal heating and cooling for its low environmental impact. Geothermal heat pumps do not release pollutants into the air and use far less power than standard AC and heating systems.
  • Energy Efficient: Geothermal systems are incredibly efficient, saving a lot of money from month to month. In fact, as time goes on, the energy savings combined with the possibility of government incentives can offset the initial cost of installation.
  • Fewer Repair Needs: Generally, geothermal systems require fewer repairs than some other types of heating and cooling systems because they contain few moving parts and because the outdoor components are buried underground, and not exposed to the outside elements.

Geothermal systems are also relatively quiet, have long lifespans, and you may receive local or federal incentives for installing the system. Geothermal systems are great for anyone looking to save money from month to month and retain quality heating and cooling. For more information about geothermal cooling and heating or for any residential AC service in Georgetown, TX, call the friendly professionals at Roznovak.

 

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Ways You Can Update Your Current Air Conditioning System

October 24th, 2014

Your air conditioning system does a sufficient job at providing cool air to your home when you need it. But if you’re not getting quite the performance you deserve from your home comfort system, there may be a few changes you can make that will keep you more comfortable, save some money, and even improve the quality of your air.

You know to call a professional whenever you need residential AC repairs. However, the following services are some other ways you can update your air conditioner for a more relaxing home. These require the help of a professional technician, but can help prevent repairs and save you time and money later on.

  • Thermostat Upgrade: Thermostats have an important job: detect the indoor temperature and send a signal to the air conditioner when the temperature is higher than you have set the thermostat. It may seem that all thermostats work the same way, but a new thermostat can help you save energy and ward off repairs. A programmable wireless thermostat can be placed anywhere and has a digital display and advanced settings so that you can vary the temperature throughout the day. A smart thermostat can operate with an internet connection from a computer or smartphone. Controlling the temperature throughout the day keeps costs down and stops your system from becoming overworked and requiring repairs.
  • Zone Control Installation: Zone control systems allow you to adjust the temperature differently in individual areas or zones of the home. Separate thermostats mean family members are more comfortable wherever they are in the home, and it can help you save energy. You can shut off the air in areas of the home that go unused throughout the day, while keeping it on in the main living spaces.
  • Air Filtration System: An air filtration system can keep the air indoors feeling less stale, and can help keep allergies and asthma from acting up by filtering out certain harmful particles, bacteria, and mold spores. Try a new UV air purifier, dehumidifier, or electronic air filters.
  • Professional Maintenance: Finally, you can update your air conditioner by making the call to a professional technician for annual air conditioning maintenance. A technician will inspect the parts of your system, clean some components, and make minor adjustments to keep your unit running in the best shape possible.

Call the experts at Roznovak for thee updates or whenever you need professional residential AC repairs in Round Rock, TX.

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Common AC Repairs

October 17th, 2014

We are at the tail-end of another cooling season, and it’s not unusual for you to see some problems arise with your air conditioner. After several months of operating around-the-clock, your system is bound to have some wear and tear, and you may need to schedule residential AC repair service. There are some repairs our Roznovak technicians see at this time of year more than others, but for any repair you may need, call the experts at Roznovak.

Here is a List of Common Air Conditioning System Repairs

Compressor Problems

The compressor in your air conditioning system operates under a lot of pressure in order to do its job. Operating full time, it isn’t unusual for certain problems to develop. Common issues are electrical problems, particularly with wiring and capacitors, and problems with the motor; oil leaks can also develop. Your compressor is a complex component, and any repairs involving it should be handled only by a trained professional.

Refrigerant Leaks

Your air conditioner needs to run with an exact amount of refrigerant, as specified by the manufacturer. When leaks develop, they lower the level of refrigerant in the system, and as such, create an imbalance in the heat release/cooling process. Refrigerant leaks can develop in a number of places, and are challenging to detect unless you have training. If you suspect you have a refrigerant leak, call for professional assistance.

Fan Issues

The fans in your system help with air flow. Typical fan problems are problems with the motor, electrical issues such as frayed wiring and problems with loose or bent fan blades. Because of the variety of issues that can develop with the fans, it’s important to hire a trained technician to inspect and determine the exact problem rather than handling things yourself.

Your air conditioner works hard during the summer months, and while it may be tempting to just turn it off at the end of this cooling season, it’s always better to attend to any existing problems as soon as possible. Call Roznovak today and schedule your residential AC repairs in Round Rock, TX.

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What Is an Energy Recovery Ventilator?

October 10th, 2014

Energy efficiency is important for you and your home. But sometimes a home can be so airtight that ventilation is compromised. While throwing open a window helps with ventilation, this isn’t a great option when you are heating or cooling your home. However, there is an upgrade you can add to your HVAC system that can provide healthy ventilation while also saving energy: an energy recovery ventilator. An ERV brings fresh air into your home without compromising the heating or cooling, and helps save energy while it does this. ERVs are great devices, which is why we offer them as part of our heating service in Hutto, TX. It’s important to hire only trained professionals when installing an ERV, and the expert technicians at Roznovak are ready to help.

How Does an ERV Work?

The genius of an ERV lay with its core: the heat exchanger. This exchanger exhausts the stale air from your indoors while using the energy from the stale air to pre-treat the incoming fresh air. During the winter months, your stale, heated indoor air is sent to the outside, but the energy from this air warms the incoming cool, fresh air before it enters your home. In the summer, the stale, cool air from your home exits to the outside, but the energy from it is saved to cool and dehumidify the incoming warm air.

Benefits of an ERV

There are several benefits to installing an ERV:

  • Less wear on your system – ERVs help reduce the workload on your air conditioner by pre-treating the incoming air. This means your system can do less work to achieve your set temperature. Less work means less running, which reduces the wear and tear on your system.
  • Improved indoor air quality –an ERV provides constant fresh air to your home. This helps keep clean air circulating throughout your home, maintains humidity levels and improves the overall indoor air quality.
  • Increases energy efficiency – the pre-treating of the indoor air helps to increase the energy efficiency of your system.

If you’ve been looking for a way to have better ventilation in your home while increasing energy efficiency, an ERV may be just what you need. Call Roznovak today and schedule an appointment to discuss how this residential heating service in Hutto, TX may be able to help you.

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3 Benefits of Scheduling Heating Maintenance

October 3rd, 2014

Leaving the heating system alone until it starts manifesting problems is a very common attitude among homeowners. It can also cost you thousands of dollars a year. Preventative maintenance is always cheaper than repairing or replacing a broken part. Cost isn’t the only factor to consider, either.

Read on to discover 3 benefits of scheduling heating maintenance.

Reliability

Not all problems with your heating system will give you warning before causing the entire unit to break down. If you wait for some sort of sign before calling your HVAC technician, you may get blindsided with a broken system and an expensive repair bill. This could be especially bad in winter, when going without heat for even one day is a very uncomfortable thought.

Scheduling regular heating maintenance gives you the advantage of addressing minor issues before they become big, expensive problems. You can also have the peace of mind that comes with knowing that your heating system has a clean bill of health.

Savings

As mentioned above, an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Little problems that can be easily fixed at first can grow into very expensive problems in short order. This is especially true of parts that the rest of the system relies on. Broken motor? The whole system is useless. Malfunctioning thermostat? Even if the rest of the system is perfectly fine, it won’t work. On top of all that, many manufacturer warranties require that you conduct regular maintenance in order for them to remain valid. If you neglect your heating maintenance and something goes wrong, you may end up paying entirely out of pocket.

Efficiency

There are some occasions where your heating system will display symptoms of a problem before breaking down entirely. That doesn’t mean that you can just ignore those symptoms, however. Even if the problem does not intensify, which is unlikely, you will experience a drop in efficiency from the unit. This can cause your utility bill to go up, as the unit has to work harder to do its job. Proper maintenance saves you from those high utility bills because of a malfunctioning unit.

If you haven’t had your heating unit checked this year, call Roznovak. We’re experts in heating maintenance in Taylor, TX.

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Common End-of-Season Ductless Repairs

September 26th, 2014

Ductless mini split systems possess a number of advantages when compared to more traditional heating and cooling systems. Systems that use ducts waste 30% of their energy due to duct leaks. Ductless systems avoid that loss completely. Ductless systems also provide the versatility of setting different desired temperatures for different rooms. Unfortunately, they are just as prone to problems and breakdowns as any other system.

Here are some end-of-season ductless repairs that you are likely to see.

Condensate Leaks

The condensate line, along with the refrigerant and power lines, is housed in a conduit that connects the indoor and outdoor units through the wall of the house. The connection point between the wall of the house and the conduit tends to be the most vulnerable to leaks. It also happens to be the most dangerous. A condensate leak inside the wall can rot out a large area if left unchecked, and may even cause the ductless unit to fall off the wall. If you notice any liquid pooling or dripping around the unit, call a professional right away.

Motor Breakdowns

One of the unique considerations involved with multiple ductless systems is that each one must be serviced separately. A central system will have far fewer parts to worry about. Multiple ductless units mean multiples of each part that need to be maintained. Fan motors are one of the most common parts that can run into problems. If the motor doesn’t work for whatever reason, the fan becomes useless and your unit fails. If you need to have this issue fixed, be sure to ask your service professional to check any other ductless systems you may have in the house. The last thing you want is for a different unit to break right after you got the first one fixed.

Refrigerant Losing Charge

When an air conditioning unit is first installed, it is “charged” with a specific level of refrigerant. While the unit is working properly, that same refrigerant is cycled throughout the system without need for replacement. A leak in the refrigerant line, however, can drain the refrigerant to dangerously low levels. This can cause the air conditioning unit to stop circulating cool air through the space.

If you are experiencing problems with your ductless air conditioning, call Roznovak. We conduct air conditioning repairs throughout the entire Austin, TX area.

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