Having proper hot water in your Lubbock, Texas home is critical to maintaining the comfort of both you and your guests. While you want a water heater that is reliable, you also want to make sure to choose one that provides better energy efficiency for your home. If you are planning on installing a new water heater, consider investing in a tankless model.

How Does a Tankless Heater Work?

Unlike a traditional water heater, a tankless heater does not use a holding tank where the water is heated before it is delivered to your faucets and appliances. With a tankless model, the water will come directly from your water source and through the heating element in your tankless system. The water is immediately heated and delivered when you need it.

Benefits of a Tankless Water Heater

There are many benefits that come with investing in a water heater. While some of the benefits are immediate, other benefits will be noticed over time. Benefits you can expect with a tankless water heater include:

• Space savings – As the name suggests, a tankless water heater does not have the large tank as part of the unit. This makes the unit significantly smaller, allowing it to fit in a storage closet or on a wall as long as it is close to your water pipes.
• Saving on utility bills – With a traditional model, a heating source will need to constantly heat new water being delivered in the tank so that it can be sent out to fixtures and appliances. With a tankless model, the unit only heats the water when it is used, reducing the overall energy consumption, and saving you a significant amount on your energy bills.
• Quicker hot water delivery – Your tankless water heater will heat the water as you use it and when you have used a significant amount of hot water, you won’t need to wait for the whole tank to heat up to get more.

Find out the benefits of installing a tankless water heater for yourself by us at contacting BTAC at 806-589-1014 today to check out available models and schedule your installation.

Image provided by Bigstock

Heating season is upon us in the Lubbock, Texas, area. Though you may resist turning your system on for the first heating round of the season, it will be inevitable by the time winter sets in. One of the undesirable side effects of finally turning to your furnace is that burning smell that occurs the first time or two that you heat your home. If you’re not familiar with the odor, it can even be alarming. Here’s a little background info on what that burning smell from your furnace is, what you should do, and how you can avoid it.

What’s That Smell?

The burning smell that you notice when you turn your heater on for the first time each winter is the smell of dust burning off the vents, registers, and heat exchangers. This accumulated layer of dust heats up quickly when the furnace fires up and creates a distinctive odor as it burns off. Fortunately this smell should only be noticeable for a few minutes the first time or two that you run your system this season.

What Should I Do?

The burning smell from your furnace is rarely a cause for concern, but you should contact an HVAC technician if:

• You smell burning plastic or rubber
• The smell has an electrical odor, like burning wires
• You smell smoke
• The odor persists for more than a few minutes

If you’ve had the same furnace in your home for several years, you’re probably familiar with the system’s ordinary burning smell. Anything that seems unusual is a cause for concern. Our experienced professionals can help diagnose your furnace issues quickly to ensure a safe, breathable environment.

How Can I Prevent It?

If you want to avoid that burning smell this year, schedule your maintenance visit before you turn your furnace on for the first time. Part of your tune-up is a thorough system cleaning. This can help you avoid any burning odor.

With one of our maintenance agreements, you can make regular tune-ups an easy part of your home care routine. Contact BTAC at 806-589-1014 to learn more.

Image provided by Shutterstock

The holidays typically means more cooking than usual and more family and friends visiting your Lubbock, TX home for parties, dinners or small get-togethers. Whatever your situation, keep in mind that increased use of your plumbing system could pose problems, so here are a few reminders.

Check for Clogged Sinks

It’s not uncommon for people to have huge get-togethers during the holidays. Whether you’re having two people over or 20, you need to make sure your sinks are functioning well. A slow or clogged sink can quickly turn into a huge mess, especially if it’s the kitchen sink. You’re going to be doing lots of dishes, so make sure the sinks and drains are good to go. A professional plumber can unclog any drain that is slow or clogged.

Fix the Garbage Disposal

One of the simplest ways to get rid of food and leftovers is to put it down a garbage disposal. This keeps the trash from overflowing and inhibits odors as the food goes bad sitting in the wastebasket. Is your garbage disposal broken? If so, make sure to contact a professional plumber to fix it before your next big get-together. You’ll greatly appreciate having a working garbage disposal once it comes time to clean up the kitchen.

Avoid Frozen Pipes

Even if the holiday get-together is at someone else’s house, you still need to make sure your pipes are in good order while you’re away if temperatures will be below freezing. From holiday parties to traveling halfway across the country to visit family for Christmas, there’s much to do and so little time. If you’re going on a vacation and you’re concerned about pipes in exterior walls freezing, take steps to have the pipes insulated. This ensures if the temperature gets too cold outside, the pipes won’t freeze.

BTAC specializes in a variety of quality plumbing services. We are here to make sure your plumbing is ready for the holidays. Our extensive plumbing knowledge allows you to enjoy the holidays instead of worrying about your plumbing. Contact us today by visiting our website or give us a call at (806) 589-1014.

Image provided by Shutterstock

Have you found the water bill of your Brownfield, Texas, home has unexpectedly risen? It’s possible you may have plumbing issues that need to be fixed right away. There are many common plumbing problems that could cause your water bill to rise or that could result in water leaks. Whatever the cause, the issue should be addressed as soon as possible to avoid costly water damage and emergency repairs to your appliances.

Old or Leaking Water Heater

If you see signs of water damage around your water heater or see puddles of water, call a plumber as soon as possible. But remember, there could be issues with your water heater that may require a replacement instead of a simple repair. When you’re making the repair/replace decision, first consider the age of the water heater. If it’s more than 10 years old, it may be time to replace it. Another common reason for replacing the water heater is finding rusty water coming out of it, which means the inside of the tank is rusting and may begin to leak soon. Have one of our technicians come out to inspect your water heater; after all, you don’t want it broken once the temperatures drop or when you have guests visiting.

Leaky Outside Faucets

Another common plumbing issue you may experience is leaky outside faucets. As faucets age, rust can take a toll on the threads, causing the faucet to leak. Check all your outside faucets and pipes, and upgrade plumbing parts that show signs of corrosion. In addition, consider covering them during the winter to protect against colder temperatures.

Appliances That Leak

You may not realize it, but there could be leaks with any of your appliances that use water, such as your dishwasher, garbage disposal, washing machine, and the ice maker on your refrigerator. If you notice water around any of these appliances, call us immediately so we can replace any faulty parts and stop the leaks.

Plumbing issues can be costly in terms of both high water bills and damaged appliances. If you need emergency repairs to stop a leak, call Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning today at 806-589-1014.

Image provided by Bigstock

Many allergens are present all year and can cause a range of symptoms, including sinus trouble, eye irritation, rashes, headaches, and sore throats. You may have also noticed that your symptoms tend to increase when you’re able to open the windows in your Lubbock, Texas, home during the cooler weather. Here are the top three culprits for your allergy symptoms and strategies for taming your indoor allergies all year long.

Pollen

Even if you stay inside almost all the time, you still can suffer from pollen allergies. People and pets can bring pollen indoors, and even house plants produce pollen.

To prevent pollen’s adverse effects, ask guests and family members to remove their shoes and coats before they enter your home, and wipe down your pets with a damp cloth. Another way to cut down on symptoms is to vacuum and dust regularly and be sure to wear a dust mask while doing so. You can also use an indoor air purifier to remove pollen and other pollutants. Avoid indoor plants that produce significant pollen, like juniper, ficus, and chrysanthemum.

Pet Dander

Pet dander is the tiny dead pieces of skin that cats, rodents, dogs, and birds shed with their fur or feathers. You should have your pet groomed regularly to remove excess dander. Don’t let pets sit on your furniture, and wash their beds often. You should also change your HVAC system’s air filter once per month to keep your indoor air quality high.

Pests

You might also be allergic to the droppings from cockroaches, dust mites, and other pests. In cold weather, these small insects are attracted to your home for warmth, moisture, and food. They can even get into your ductwork and spread their allergens around your house. You can prevent this by having your ducts cleaned by a professional every few years.

Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning has more than 45 years of heating, cooling, and indoor air quality experience. We can help you avoid allergy symptoms and keep you and your family breathing easy. Call us anytime at 806-589-1014 for prompt, expert service.

Image provided by Shutterstock

Are you on the prowl for new ways to save money in your Lubbock, Texas, home? The latest green plumbing technologies are both efficient and economical.

Tankless and On-Demand Water Heaters

The latest and greatest water heaters provide hot water on demand. There’s no need for a storage tank, and that saves space. You don’t have to worry about leaks, and these units live for about 20 years. That’s twice as long as traditional tanked units that last for around 10 years.

Water travels through a pipe during which it’s heated by a gas burner or an electric heating element. Small tankless water heaters can be used to generate additional hot water for laundry, washing dishes or for showering and bathing. Larger units can provide hot water for the whole house.

On-demand units eliminate energy losses associated with keeping a full tank of water hot. Instead, hot water is only generated as needed. Tankless units also eliminate energy losses that accrue while running the water and waiting for it to heat up. Savings can stretch to 15 percent annually.

Low Flow Toilets

Low flow toilet technology can save you money as well. Compared to traditional toilets, low flow fixtures have a smaller tank. That allows greater efficiency of water use. Traditional flush toilets use about 3.4 gallons of water per flush. Low flow toilets only use about 1.6 gallons per flush. No plumbing revisions are required, so installation is quick and easy. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, high-efficiency toilets can save you up to $2,200 during the lifetime of the fixture.

Residential and commercial plumbing upgrades conserve water while saving you money. To schedule an installation of either of these money-saving plumbing items, call us at (806) 589-1014. We serve all of Lubbock, Texas, including the South Plains.

Annual tuneups are essential if you want to get the most out of your HVAC installation. You should schedule a visit in fall for your heating system and another one in spring for your air conditioner. These regular visits will help you get optimum comfort and efficiency in your Lubbock, Texas, home.

Lower Your Utility Bills

Regular tuneups for your furnace and air conditioner are key for efficient operation. During your maintenance visit, our technicians will carefully calibrate your system, check thermostat function, lubricate moving parts, and tighten electrical connections. These small tweaks can provide big energy savings. Don’t leave your system to struggle with components that haven’t been cleaned or adjusted in years. Schedule a tuneup now for optimum energy efficiency.

Increase the Life of Your System

An HVAC system that’s well-maintained will enjoy a longer lifespan than one that’s been neglected. With annual maintenance visits for both your air conditioner and your furnace, you can get as many years as possible from your installation. You’ll also suffer from fewer repair needs, so even the individual components of your system will last longer.

Improve Your Home Comfort

If your HVAC system isn’t providing the comfort you need, a maintenance visit is an easy way to start troubleshooting the problem. In many cases, you’ll find that the standard cleaning and calibration that comes with a tuneup is all you need to get things back in order.

During your tuneup, our technicians will also inspect the unit for other signs of potential problems. We can let you know ahead of time if a part looks like it will need to be replaced soon. Our technicians can also offer valuable insights into whether your system is properly sized for your home, so you’ll know what to look for when it’s time for a replacement.

If you haven’t seen one of our technicians in the last year, it’s time to schedule a visit. Call Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning at 806-589-1014 to schedule your maintenance now.

Image provided by Shutterstock

Water heaters in Lubbock, Texas, last for about 10 years, sometimes longer. They also show clear signs of impending demise before they call it a day. Listed below are some common symptoms of a unit that’s nearing replacement. We’ve also included a few reasons to consider a tankless water heater installation:

Is Your Hot Water Turning Cold?

You might have hot water when you start your shower, but then it disappears. You have lukewarm water, or water that’s downright cold. This is usually caused by sediment in the tank that impedes the connection between the water and the heating element.

Is Water Puddling Around the Base of the Unit?

Water leaks typically occur when the hot metal tank expands. The expansion creates small cracks, and water seeps out through the openings. Schedule tank replacement as soon as possible and drain the tank to avoid water damage in your home.

Does Your Hot Water Look Discolored?

Water discolorations are caused by corrosion or rust inside of the tank. Hot water tanks with discolored water are ripe for leaks. If the unit is also nearing 10 years of age, your best bet is a new water heater installation.

Is the Unit Making Loud Noises?

As heating tanks age, sediment buildup can cause odd noises. You might hear rumbling, crackling or banging. The unit might sound like it’s making popcorn. The more sediment there is in the tank, the higher the risk for leaks.

Reasons to Consider a Tankless Water Heater Installation

Tankless units are an energy-efficient alternative to traditional metal tanks. These units provide hot water on demand that never runs out. No energy is wasted keeping a full tank of water hot. Tankless units can last up to 20 years. They never develop leaks, and they consume only half as much energy as traditional water tanks.

To learn more about tankless water heating, visit Bruce Thronton Air Conditioning. Call us at (806) 589-1014 to explore your options for a new water heating installation.

Your air conditioner should work for about 10 minutes to cool down your Ropesville, Texas, home and then shut off until the temperature rises again. If your HVAC system is short-cycling or always turning on and off, it will make noise, cause unneeded temperature fluctuations, and waste energy. It could also shorten your system’s life. You can prevent short-cycling by checking your thermostat, ensure the correct sizing of your air conditioner, and maintaining your HVAC system.

Checking Your Thermostat

For accurate readings, your thermostat should be near the center of your home. It could cause short-cycling if it’s near a window or an outer wall where temperatures change faster. You should have your thermostat and the rest of your HVAC system checked regularly by a professional like the technicians at Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning.

Sizing Your Air Conditioner

If your air conditioner has too much cooling capacity for your home, short-cycling is almost guaranteed. Experts use Manual J, also called the Residential Load Calculation, to find the system size you need based on factors like your home’s insulation, local temperatures, the amount of shade, and the number of windows and doors. Upgrading to a more efficient unit is expensive at first, but the investment can provide increased comfort and energy savings.

Maintaining Your HVAC System

Dirty ductwork or a clogged air filter can reduce your air conditioner’s airflow. It can also force your system to shut down before your home reaches the desired temperature to prevent overheating and damage. You should have any problems repaired before they can waste energy or force you to replace expensive equipment.

Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning is an Amana Advantage Specialist with over 45 years of experience. We can help you prevent problems like short-cycling and keep your HVAC system in excellent condition. Call us anytime at 806-589-1014 for outstanding service from our knowledgeable technicians.

Image provided by Shutterstock

If your HVAC system’s air filter is clogged, keeping you and your family comfortable and healthy will be more difficult. Contaminants and reduced airflow could shorten your system’s life, make your Brownfield, Texas, home uncomfortable, and cause costly, inconvenient breakdowns. Common signs of a clogged air filter include a dirty fan, high utility bills, and poor indoor air quality.

A Dirty Fan

Your air filter is meant to catch contaminants before they get inside your system. Watch for excess dust or bad smells around your home which are indications of problems. You should also check your air filter at least every three months. If you can see dust and dirt or you have trouble shining a light through it, you should change your filter to avoid problems.

High Utility Bills

If your utility bills are higher than usual, a dirty or clogged air filter could be forcing your HVAC system to stay on longer. Some of the areas in your home might be too warm or too cold because of clogged or blocked ductwork or vents.

Poor Indoor Air Quality

A dirty air filter will spread contaminants like pollen and pet dander around your home instead of removing them. You and your family could experience asthma or allergy symptoms, headaches, or other health problems that get better when you’re away from home. You may also notice bad smells when you enter your house.

If changing your air filter doesn’t solve these problems, please call the friendly expert technicians at Bruce Thornton Air Conditioning at 806-589-1014. We have more than 45 years of experience, and we can help you improve your indoor air quality and keep your HVAC system in peak condition.

Image provided by Shutterstock