Find quick answers to common questions about Champion’s air care, heating, cooling, and plumbing services.
When your air conditioner stops working or shows signs of trouble, it’s important to know what to expect. Here are some of the most common questions Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing gets about AC repair and installation in Austin.
If your air conditioner is over 10 years old, breaks down frequently, or can’t maintain consistent cooling, replacement may be the smarter long-term investment. Our experts assess your system’s performance and efficiency to help determine whether a cost-effective repair or an energy-efficient upgrade is the best choice for your home.
Several issues can cause warm airflow, including low refrigerant, dirty coils, clogged filters, or a failing compressor. Sometimes, the thermostat or electrical connections are to blame. A trained HVAC technician can pinpoint the exact cause, perform a full inspection, and restore your system to peak cooling performance quickly and safely.
You should schedule AC maintenance once a year, ideally in the spring before Austin’s hottest weather. Regular tune-ups allow technicians to clean coils, inspect refrigerant levels, and identify small issues early. Preventative maintenance helps extend the life of your system, maintain energy efficiency, and avoid unexpected breakdowns during peak cooling season.
Yes, routine AC maintenance can make a noticeable difference in your monthly energy costs. Cleaning filters, calibrating thermostats, and checking system components reduce strain on your air conditioner, allowing it to operate more efficiently. That means lower energy bills, fewer repairs, and more consistent comfort throughout Austin’s long, hot summers.
Most air conditioner installations take about one full day to complete. However, the timeline can vary based on your home’s size, existing ductwork, and system type. At Champion, we work efficiently and cleanly, ensuring your new system is installed correctly and ready to keep your home comfortable the same day.
When cold weather hits Austin, your heater becomes essential for comfort and safety. Here are answers to common questions about heating repairs, installs & tune-ups from Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing.
We recommend scheduling furnace maintenance once a year, ideally in the fall before cold weather arrives. Professional servicing includes cleaning components, testing safety controls, and ensuring your system runs efficiently. Regular tune-ups reduce the risk of mid-season breakdowns and can extend your furnace’s lifespan by several years.
If you notice strange noises, burning smells, uneven heating, or higher energy bills, your heater may need repair. These issues often signal worn parts, dirty filters, or malfunctioning electrical components. Ignoring these warning signs can lead to bigger problems later, so it’s best to schedule service as soon as possible.
Most furnaces last 15 to 20 years with regular maintenance. However, age, usage, and installation quality can impact their lifespan. If your unit struggles to heat your home or requires frequent repairs, it may be nearing replacement. Upgrading to a new energy-efficient system can improve comfort and lower heating costs.
Older furnaces are typically less efficient and more prone to breakdowns. New systems offer higher efficiency ratings, better indoor air quality, and quieter operation. A replacement can significantly lower your monthly energy costs and provide reliable warmth throughout the season, making it a smart investment for long-term comfort and savings.
You can replace air filters and keep vents clean, but more complex maintenance like inspecting heat exchangers or calibrating controls should be done by a licensed technician. Professional servicing ensures your furnace operates safely and efficiently, preventing gas leaks or carbon monoxide exposure while maximizing your system’s performance during Austin’s winter months.
Plumbing problems can strike without warning, but knowing what to look for can help prevent costly damage. Here are common plumbing FAQs answered by the experts at Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing.
Recurring clogs can result from grease buildup, hair, or soap scum accumulating inside your pipes. Tree roots and scale from hard water can also cause blockages deeper in the system. Professional drain cleaning removes these obstructions completely, restoring smooth water flow and preventing future clogs that could lead to backups.
Chemical drain cleaners can corrode pipes, damage seals, and weaken plumbing over time. While they may provide a temporary fix, they often worsen the problem. It’s safer to rely on professional plumbers who use specialized equipment to clear clogs without harming your pipes or exposing your home to harsh chemicals.
Scheduling a plumbing inspection once a year helps catch small issues before they turn into major repairs. Regular inspections check for leaks, corrosion, pressure problems, and clogs throughout your home’s plumbing system. Preventative maintenance not only protects your property but also extends the lifespan of pipes, fixtures, and appliances.
If you find a leak, first shut off your main water valve to stop the flow of water. Avoid using nearby fixtures and call a licensed plumber right away. Our team uses advanced detection tools to locate leaks quickly, prevent further damage, and complete the necessary repairs efficiently and safely.
Signs of hidden leaks include unexplained water bill increases, damp flooring, or the sound of running water when everything’s off. You might also notice mold, mildew, or musty odors. Professional leak detection helps identify hidden leaks behind walls, under slabs, or inside plumbing systems before they cause expensive water damage.
If you’re considering installing a whole-home air purifier, you’ll want to know everything you can before making your decision. Check out some of these commonly asked questions Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing has put together about our Dust Free Purifier and about purifiers in general.
The short answer is: maybe. The Dust Free Purifier is an environmentally friendly and safe device that effectively makes filtering your air much easier. However, the process of ionizing particles can create an ozone byproduct. Luckily, experts have proven that a system that creates 50pbb or less of ozone is completely safe for your home and has no effects on your health. In fact, only a small percent of ionizing air purifiers create ozone.
Ionizing particles is a simple and clever system that makes cleaning your air easier for your existing air filters. The device in your air system releases negatively charged ions that attach themselves to positively charged particles in your air — like dust, pollen and other contaminants. When the two charges fuse together, they make a denser particle that can’t float. The particle then drops to the ground or surface it is near and can be vacuumed or cleaned up later.
The Dust Free Purifier is a completely safe way to increase the health of your air. Homeowners who have trouble with allergies within your home will likely see a reduction in symptoms. Particles like dust, mold, pollen, smoke and bacteria will not be allowed to float in your air. Your respiratory health can improve, and some people even report better sleep, decreased blood pressure and better well-being.
Unfortunately, viruses are rather resilient and a negative charge won’t kill them. However, one of the benefits of an air purifier is increased resistance to infection. If you do catch a virus, your body could be better prepared to fight it off because of your healthier indoor air quality.
If you are breathing your air all day, then your air purifier should be on all day. There are no perceived downsides to running your purifier all day. It’s better to have the cleanest air possible for 24 hours every day!
An air purifier is used to clean your air by deactivating pollutants that float in the air. It releases nothing except ions to trap those particles it needs to filter. A humidifier does not clean the air. It releases moisture into your air by boiling it until it steams.
While both can help with allergy symptoms in the home, they address different causes. Air filters trap and remove airborne contaminants to prevent allergic reactions or irritation from these particles invading your body. Humidifiers address the irritation of skin, nose or eyes from allergies or dry air. By adding moisture to the air, you may have a reduced reaction to the dryness of the air in your home.
Are you looking for the best solution to your air quality concerns? Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is proud to offer the Air Scrubber Plus as a solution for cleaner air in your home. There are several benefits provided by installing this purification system, and our team is here to answer any questions you have!
If you’re on the hunt for effective air quality solutions, you’ll likely come across these terms. Purifiers and scrubbers are NOT the same things, but they are similar. Purifiers are designed around a filter that traps and removes particles from the air as it filters through the HVAC system.
Air scrubbers use UV light and a catalytic process to not only target and kill bacteria and viruses as they run through the system, but also to release the same protection into your home. This means that countertops and doorknobs can see a reduction in bacteria or viruses as well, keeping your family more protected.
While it’s impossible to guarantee 100% air health, air scrubbers can get pretty close to total elimination. They can kill up to 90% of airborne microorganisms and 99% of surface microorganisms. This level of protection can go a long way to reducing allergy symptoms, respiratory flare-ups and the spread of viruses or bacteria.
During the process of scrubbing the air for pollutants, the air scrubber will also handle any particles carrying smells throughout your home. This includes things like pet smells, paint fumes, smoke, mold and even cooking odors!
While some air scrubs do use a small amount of ozone during their scrubbing process, the levels are always well below the EPA exposure limits and have been determined safe for your home.
If you’re worried that an air scrubber will cause your utility bill to skyrocket, stop panicking! Air scrubbers use less than 20 watts of power, in other words one-third of the power a light bulb uses!
Are you ready to install the ultimate protection against airborne dangers? Or maybe you have more questions that need to be answered? Either way, our team at Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is more than happy to help. Our expert HVAC contractors are dedicated to providing the cleanest air for your home, plus some peace of mind! Contact us today for more air quality information!
The team at Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing understands that any addition to your home is a big decision. We want all of our customers to understand and know all of the options available to make your homes more comfortable and efficient. We’ve compiled a list of some of the common questions and concerns our customers ask when deciding if a radiant barrier is right for their home.
While you may think that the reflected heat from the radiant barrier will heat up your roof, it has been proven that homes with radiant barriers have seen no change in their roof temperatures. The heat simply conducts outside and dissipates. It is important to note that your roof can be warm especially in the summer months, but it will not be hotter due to the radiant barrier.
Radiant barriers are not a replacement for your existing insulation. In fact, they are designed to help your insulation perform more efficiently and keep the cool air inside your home. By reflecting extra heat away, radiant barriers even contribute to a decrease in your energy bills!
While many things we stick up in our attics tend to deteriorate over time, radiant barriers show no sign of corrosion over time. Testing has proven that radiant barriers show no signs of breakdown for at least ten years. You’ll be able to count on maximum performance for many years to come.
Insulation is an essential component of regulating your air temperature, but radiant barriers can be added to your existing insulation to make it even more efficient. You may not need a radiant barrier, but it has several advantages for your home. Lower energy bills, more comfortable living spaces and reduced AC stress are just a few of the things you’ll experience when you add a radiant barrier to your home.
Radiant barriers aren’t just for the summer months! Their aluminum material acts like a thin insulation layer over your home. That means that whatever temperature your home is, the barrier keeps it inside. If you are using your heater to warm your home, then the barrier keeps that warmth in. Think of your home like a baked potato: the foil around the outside of the potato keeps all the warmth inside.
Are you ready to install the ultimate protection against airborne dangers? Or maybe you have more questions that need to be answered? Either way, our team at Champion Cooling, Heating & Plumbing is more than happy to help. Our expert HVAC contractors are dedicated to providing the cleanest air for your home plus some peace of mind! Contact us today for more air quality information!
