Bruce Mech Blog

So, you’ve finally decided to build your new home in Humble, TX.

Congratulations! You’ve made a wise investment choice.

One thing that makes a new construction home a sound investment is that you can design it as energy-efficient as possible. And the more energy-efficient it is, the less energy it uses, and the lower your utility bills. Lowering energy consumption also helps you become more eco-friendly, as it reduces your reliance on fossil fuels.

Fortunately, designing homes for efficiency is now easier, thanks to modern HVAC solutions. This is an excellent place to start, considering HVAC use accounts for over half of a household’s energy consumption yearly.

To that end, we created this guide discussing energy-efficient HVAC products and services for your new Humble, TX, home. Read on to discover what they are and how they can help you save money during winter.

HVAC Solutions Tailored to New Construction Homes

According to the latest available data, in West South Central, which includes Texas, 100% of new single-family homes started in 2022 had central AC installed. So, people who buy these existing, albeit “new,” homes often get central AC and heating with their purchase.

A central HVAC system uses ducts to distribute conditioned air throughout a home. They’re popular since they’re quiet, convenient, and more efficient than room ACs or portable heaters.

However, central HVAC systems aren’t perfect; for example, incorrectly sized systems use more energy than needed. Improper duct installation can also lead to hot and cold spots that waste energy. There’s also the issue of air duct leakage, which can waste up to 40% of heating and cooling energy.

This is where the perks of tailored HVAC solutions come into play.

Proper HVAC Sizing

Proper HVAC installation starts with evaluating your new construction home’s size and layout.

A highly experienced HVAC technician will perform an on-site assessment during this step. This allows the professional to determine the appropriate capacity of your new HVAC system. They’ll discuss this with you and help you avoid buying an oversized or undersized system.

What’s Wrong With an Oversized HVAC?

An oversized HVAC system can heat (or cool) your home quickly. While this may seem like a perk, it’s not because a home that warms up too fast can cause discomfort.

An HVAC system that’s too big can also waste money through short cycling. This is when a unit turns on and off more often than it should. Every time it does this, it consumes more energy.

Short cycling also promotes faster equipment wear and tear. This can make your system more prone to early breakdowns that may warrant emergency heating repairs.

What About an Undersized System?

An undersized HVAC system will take too long to heat (or cool) your home. This can force you to turn the thermostat several notches up (or down) to make your home feel more comfortable. Unfortunately, every time you do this, your system has to work harder and use more energy.

Your System, Your Choice

Do you want to ditch air ducts but feel worried that you won’t be able to make your home comfortable enough without them?

Don’t worry. Modern HVAC solutions still have you covered with a ductless mini-split HVAC system. This can be more efficient than a central system since it doesn’t need ducts, which are prone to energy wastage.

Another money-saving benefit of mini-split systems is their zoning feature. Each zone has a dedicated thermostat, which you can turn on, off, or adjust whenever needed. You can heat (or cool) only the zones where people are in and turn off those that are for unused rooms.

Selection of HVAC Systems With Higher Efficiency Ratings

Consider investing in an Energy Star HVAC system to enjoy even more winter (and summer!) savings.

Energy Star-qualified heat pumps can save up to 20% on heating and cooling bills. An Energy Star furnace is also about 15% more efficient than a typical furnace.

Availability of Smart Features

HVAC solutions for new construction homes include equipment with intelligent control features. For example, they can detect changes in indoor humidity and outdoor and indoor temperatures. They can then automatically adjust their settings to create your desired indoor environment.

Intelligent HVAC systems also help you save money with remote control features. For example, using a mobile app, you can turn the heating on or off or adjust it while you’re outside. This results in your system using less energy, and you get to enjoy lower heating bills.

HVAC Maintenance Plans

When you buy a new HVAC system for your new home, you’ll have the option to purchase a service plan for it, too. This includes a multi-point inspection and preventative tune-up performed by a licensed technician. Some plans provide a once-yearly service (e.g., in spring), while others have two (one in the spring, another in the fall).

Now, you may wonder why you must maintain your brand-new HVAC system. For one, this is a manufacturer’s requirement for warranty compliance. So, failure to comply with this can lead to your HVAC warranty becoming invalid.

Most importantly, maintenance helps keep your HVAC system in good condition by:

• Changing or cleaning the air filters
• Calibrating the thermostat
• Cleaning critical components like the blower, motor, heat exchanger, pilot light, and burners
• Checking gas pipe condition and ensuring there are no leaks

The last one is essential for your safety, as gas leaks can harm your health.

At the very least, maintenance can help you save money by lowering the risk of premature breakdowns and costly HVAC repair services.

For HVAC New Construction Solutions in Spring, TX Contact Bruce Mechanical

A new construction home allows you to design for efficiency, so take advantage of this by investing in efficient HVAC solutions. This can help cut your energy bills without compromising comfort.

Bruce Mech Air Conditioning and Heating can help make your new home comfier and more energy-efficient. We’ve been serving customers from Humble to Houston, TX, since 2012. You can rely on our competitively priced products and 24/7 emergency services.

So, call us today! We’ll happily share our expertise so you can invest in the right HVAC system.

Despite its southern latitude, the weather in Texas can get fairly cold. That’s particularly obvious this winter, thanks to a Super El Niño.

In times like these, a homeowner’s best friend is their furnace. Like most friends, though, furnaces aren’t infallible. They can stop cooperating at the most inopportune time, leaving you scrambling to find extra blankets.

Fortunately, there are a few ways to tell if you’ll need an emergency furnace repair before it breaks down. Here are 11 warning signs your furnace will need some help to carry you through the winter!

11 Signs Your Furnace Needs Repair

1. Orange or Yellow Pilot Light

Every furnace has a pilot light. This is a small flame that serves as an ignition source for furnaces, water heaters, and similar appliances. When the furnace is operating properly, the pilot light should be mostly blue.

If the light is orange or yellow, this means the gas isn’t burning hot enough. This usually indicates a combustion issue or a carbon monoxide leak. The latter can be very dangerous, and you should deal with it right away.

2. Strange Furnace Smells

When you first install a furnace, strange smells are a common occurrence. If the furnace isn’t new, though, any odor is a reason for concern. A musky smell, for instance, usually means you should change the air filter.

One particularly worrisome odor is the rotten egg smell. This is caused by a chemical gas companies often add to natural gas, which is otherwise odorless. It serves as a warning that there is a gas leak you have to address.

3. Uneven Heating

Uneven heat output from a furnace can be tricky to spot. After all, different areas in your home will have different temperatures. Still, big temperature differences in a similar environment don’t happen on their own.

As one of the most common furnace issues, uneven heating can occur for many reasons. These include dust obstruction, clogged filters, and so on. An HVAC technician should be able to pinpoint the exact cause.

4. Constant Fan Noise

Is your furnace fan running continuously and refusing to shut off? If so, the first thing you should do is rule out human error. You can do that by confirming that your thermostat is set to “auto” rather than “on.”

If this doesn’t solve the issue, there’s likely some miscommunication between the furnace and thermostat. This could be due to a mechanical failure or an electrical issue with the furnace or thermostat.

5. The Unit Won’t Turn On

The older your furnace is, the harder it is to get it to turn on. At some point, most furnaces will require multiple attempts to start. In this situation, it’s usually a good idea to hire a professional to take a look at it.

Chances are, these issues will be simple to fix. For example, all you may need to do is replace your secondary heat exchangers. That said, if the furnace is over 15 years old, it may be better to get a new one.

6. Sparks and Flames

Like with most appliances, sparks coming from a furnace aren’t good news. Common culprits include a dirty igniter and a malfunctioning flame sensor. These issues usually lead to the ignitor failing to activate the burners.

If your furnace is sparking, shut it off immediately. Then, contact emergency HVAC services to get to the root of the problem. If you keep the furnace operational, those sparks will quickly become flames.

7. Unusual Furnace Noises

Furnace noises come in many forms. A few of them, like a quiet whirring sound, indicate a furnace is working as intended. Others, such as tapping from a loose fan belt, can wait until the next maintenance visit.

Noises you should pay attention to include screeching, rattling, and banging. These noises tend to suggest serious issues, like a damaged blower motor. If you’re unsure of the source, it’s best to inspect the unit ASAP.

8. CO Alarms

All modern furnaces come with a carbon monoxide detector. If this detector sounds an alarm, there’s a high chance of a carbon monoxide leak. As mentioned above, this is a clear sign you need emergency HVAC services.

Of course, not every CO alarm alert will mean you’re dealing with a gas leak. Benign issues like flue obstruction can trigger alarms as well. Still, even the possibility of a gas leak is too significant to ignore.

9. Water Leaks

If you notice water spillage next to your furnace, you likely have a leak. This usually happens due to condensation. For instance, broken condensate lines or a clogged condensation drain can both create puddles.

Other times, the issues behind the leaks will be more complex. These include a clog in the internal drain system and a malfunctioning humidifier. Until you figure out the cause, consider turning the furnace off.

10. Too Much Dust

Are you vacuuming your home more often than you think you should need to? If so, there’s a good chance your furnace is the culprit. As furnaces get older, their air filtration systems won’t work as efficiently as they used to.

One solution to this issue is to have a more robust furnace maintenance plan. Changing the filters more often will help the furnace do its job better. Again, though, if the furnace is on its last legs, you may need to replace it.

11. High Energy Bills

It doesn’t take a genius to know that your energy bills will be higher in the winter. Still, sudden upward trends can indicate all sorts of energy use issues, many of which you can fix. One of them is an inefficient furnace.

A poorly-maintained furnace will have to work harder to heat your home. If you want it to perform adequately, service it once a year. These inspections are a good opportunity to get in front of most of the issues outlined above.

Contact Bruce Mechanical for Emergency Furnace Repair in Spring, TX

It’s not unreasonable to say that a healthy furnace is vital to keeping your home safe. If you notice any of these warning signs, your best bet is to hire a professional HVAC technician to inspect the unit right away.

Looking for an experienced HVAC technician in Spring, TX? At Bruce Mech Air Conditioning and Heating, we offer 24/7 emergency furnace repair services! Contact us here and we’ll get right back to you!