What to Look For In an AC Contractor

There are lots of companies specializing in air conditioning repair in Houston, Texas. But how do you choose the best one? You need to have a set of criteria when looking for the right AC contractor to do any job. Whether you need to install a new air conditioning system, or you just need someone to look at a non-cooling AC system.

Referrals

What will help boost your trust in a prospective contractor more than anything is if a friend or a family member has already acquired their services and was actually satisfied. Ask your family or friends so you can narrow down the list of contractor’s best fit for the job.

Licenses and Certifications

The next thing you need to ask is - does the contractor have a license and the proper certifications to run an air conditioning repair business?" If you are not aware of the specific certificates, you may search for information on the internet or call a government representative from your local area.

Insurance

In the event that a contractor gets hurt, you should not be held liable for it. There are specific types of insurance that protect you from this. A good AC repair company will have liability insurance. In addition, insurance to protect property that could be damaged during the repair service should also be considered.

Dealing With an Inadequately Cooling AC

When your air conditioner breaks down or is not performing well during times of extreme heat, waiting for an AC repair shop to come to the rescue may leave you without it for several days. In a year, Houston, TX experiences about 99 days of severe heat - temperatures of 90 degrees Fahrenheit or more. Heat like this can cause heat stroke and even death. Older folks are particularly at risk.

Before you call an AC repair technician, there are several things that you can check and fix yourself. You may be able to get your air conditioning back in operation and save on the repair bill by looking at a few common problems with AC units.

The first thing you should check is the filter to see if it is covered with dust or other debris. This is one of the main causes of underperforming air conditioners. A dirty air filter will not only slow down the unit, but also degrades the respiratory health of the people using the system. In this case, you can simply clean the filter or replace it.

Next, look at the condenser coils and check if they are dirty and dust them off. The condenser is located at the back of the unit. Many other things can cause an AC to cool inadequately. If you can’t see quickly what is causing your AC to underperform – then go ahead and call a qualified technician specializing in AC repair. You don’t want to have a family member or yourself having a heat stroke!

Eco-friendly Air Conditioning System

The mighty sun cooling your house? That sounds very illogical and impossible. Well, that was before. With today’s technology, the sun may be able to give you the cold and fresh air you need in your homes, especially in places like Houston, Texas.

One of the newest technology’s that has been invented by the Universidad Carlos III of Madrid is a solar powered air conditioning system. The solar air conditioning system harnesses the power of the sun and residual heat as an energy source to drive the cooling system.

Industries nowadays have been developing machines that are friendly to the planet such as this solar powered air conditioning system. Due to alarming climate changes around the world, governments and non-governmental organizations have intensified campaigns for environmental awareness. Utilization of a sustainable source of energy is becoming the new trend in the market.

Using this type of air conditioning system in your home will not only lessen your carbon footprint, but also lessen your pollution contribution while at the same time saving you a lot of money. The energy from the sun is still free, so far, so a big chunk of the electric bill can be redirected to your savings.

Why You Should Consider Tankless Water Heater Installation

Why you should switch from a conventional water heater that uses a tank to hold and heat water, to a tankless water heater, is really a no brainer. Why in the world would you want to try and keep forty gallons of water hot all day when you might not even be there to use it?

You are then paying for electricity or gas, if you have a gas water heater, unnecessarily. A tankless water heater provides water on demand. Which is another reason to have one. You will never run out of hot water and have to wait till it gets hot again, as those with large families have to do.

Another reason is that the tankless variety takes up a lot less space than one with a tank. Being 2 to 3 times smaller, they can be, and are usually just mounted on the wall.

Additionally, since there is no holding tank, there is very little surface for the accumulation of sediments. This means much lower maintenance and cleaner water.

However, the greatest benefit is that since a tankless heater does not need to be on all the time, you save a lot on your energy bill.

How to Solve Water Heater Problems

If your hot water heater is having problems, there are things that you can do yourself before calling a plumber for water heater repair or thinking about replacement. Here are some things that one can do when the water heater starts having problems.

Water Heater is Leaking

Often water heaters will leak at the pressure relief valve if the water temperature is set to high. Simply lower the temperature a bit and see if that solves the problem. You should also check all the plumbing connections to and around the water heater. If you find water coming from the bottom that is rust colored, then the tank is probably leaking and you will need a new one, as water heater tanks can't be repaired.

Rust-colored water

Rust-colored water means that the anode rod has stopped functioning properly. The anode rod prevents rust from gathering inside the water tank. Fortunately, the anode rod is easy to replace, and replacement rods are available at the nearest supply store.

Smelly water

If the water coming out of the faucet exudes an undesirable smell, it only means that there is a bacteria buildup in the tank. In order to combat this problem, the water must be flushed out of the tank and be filled with 2 pints of 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (assuming that the tank can handle 40 gallons of water). Let the solution sit for two hours before refilling the tank with water.

Tips on Maintaining Your Appliances

Food preparation, storage, and cleaning are some of the household tasks that were improved by different household appliances. Washers, dryers, ovens, stoves, refrigerators, freezers, garbage disposals, trash compactors, microwave ovens and more have made it so that families can live the lifestyles that they are leading today.

These devices are also susceptible to wear and tear. A lack of proper care can speed up the deterioration and cost you more in replacing them. There are things that you can do in order to keep appliances working for a little while longer and get the most out of your investment.

Refrigerator

It is important that the condenser coil behind the refrigerator remains dust-free, as a dusty coil will cause the refrigerator to work harder, which in turn reduces its life span. Dust or vacuum off the coils to help it last longer. It is also advisable to keep refrigerators away from sources of heat.

Dishwasher

Dishwasher water must be kept at a high temperature so that it can effectively clean the dishes, so it is important to raise the temperature of the water heater thermostat if it is not hot enough. If the dishwasher has a removable filter, it is also advisable to keep it clean and free of food particles and other material.

Microwave Oven

Wipe the microwave interior and door seals regularly with a damp cloth. Clean the grease filters from the vent hood on a monthly basis. Never use metal cooking pans with your microwave oven.

Why Insulate Your Houston Home?

Houston, Texas did not experience the extreme cold of the polar vortex when it hit the east coast in January. However, the area still had colder than normal temperatures that brought a rare snow to Houston and threats of a dangerous ice storm.

Since Houston is not used to such cold weather, many homes have not been built to retain heat as effectively as homes in more northern climates. If a home is as little as 5 to 10 years old, it may be one of the most under insulated homes in the country This means that heat is lost and the HVAC units and the hot water systems have to work harder, costing homeowners more in energy bills.

The solution to this problem is the installation of additional insulation in order to keep the heat inside the homes. Insulating different parts of the home can bring the benefits of heat retention, however, one of the most important parts of the home to insulate, would have to be the roof.

Since heat rises, the roof is the part of the house where insulation for Houston homes will be the most effective. A properly insulated attic can save as much as 20% or more a year in energy cost.

As Houston experienced one of the most bizarre winters in history, the importance of insulation has never been more important. Other parts of a home can benefit from insulation such as ductwork, hose bibs, and water risers.

Companies such as Village Plumbing & Home Services in Houston offer total insulation packages that will help homeowners stay warm and save money.