Articles tagged with: Missouri City AC Repair

Keeping an Eye on Your Outside Unit

There is plenty you can do to keep your a/c unit clean and working properly longer including keeping an eye on the parts of your unit that are outside of your home. air conditioning, a/cThe compressor/condenser unit is usually located outside in your back or side yard area. In most cases it should be about 2 feet away from your home’s foundation. A great way to keep this part of your a/c unit healthy is to keep it free from obstructions.

Many people do not realize how easy it is for these units to be compromised by weeds, grass and debris. Make sure that you check it out at least every two weeks to see if there are any obstructions to do away with. For the best performance try to keep a 2 foot radius of clear space around the compressor, and also trim back trees or bushes that overhang.

Another thing to pay attention to is the duct system that is in your attic and crawl space, this is where a lot of heat can build up throughout the day. Try to get a good look at the areas you can at least 2 times each year to see if there is any tearing in the insulation or seals. Ensuring that these ducts are insulated well will keep the air traveling through them much cooler. Also, looking for any leaks in these ducts can help you save money and not waste cool air in spaces where it is not needed.

The videos keep coming

We are pleased to unveil yet another video – this one features some great testimonials from our clients.

A big thank you to the participants in the video shoot.  It was a lot of fun and we think it turned out great!

Why an AC/Furnace Maintenance Plan is a GOOD IDEA

There are some surprises in life that we all love.

  •   “Bank Error in Your Favor – $200”
  •   Meeting your future spouse at the grocery store
  •   Finding a $20 bill in your “skinny jeans” after you’ve lost the weight to fit into them again

On the OTHER hand, surprise bills, not so much.

That’s why it is a good idea to get your AC/Furnace checked at least twice per year.

And, while everyone knows this is needed; you get busy, so it’s easy to forget to call about your check-up.   That’s why it is a good idea to have a maintenance plan.  You invest in an annual agreement and, when the time comes, your AC/Heating Company calls YOU to set up you appointment (which you paid for already..so no surprise).    PLUS, if you do regular maintenance, it cuts down on surprise repair bills (THAT’S good).

Of course, if you’ve used the tips in our previous BLOG about How To Choose a Great AC/Heating Contractor, you will feel great about know your unit is in capable hands!

At the Cool Dude AC, we not only provide top-tier service for all of your Air Conditioning and Heating needs in Houston, Sugar Land, Stafford, and Missouri City; we also offer the best guarantee you will find anywhere for parts AND labor. We are a family-owned, local company that treats our customers like family; while being big enough to service our customers in a timely manner. Clay Sheffield started The Cool Dude to provide people with the type of service and care HE would appreciate.

For The Cool Dude, the ONLY acceptable customer satisfaction score is a 100! Call The Cool Dude Air Conditioning repair at (713) 773-2910.

 

5 Cool Dude Tips to Save You Money on Energy Costs

When it is 99 degrees outside, many of you have your AC running almost constantly.  How can you stay cool, and save money at the same time?

1.  Change Your Filters – Often

Your AC unit needs to “breathe.”  If your filters are dirty, the AC works harder (and uses more energy, costing you more $$) to work.  Especially during the summer, check your filters every 2 weeks, and replace them if they are covered with dust (will happen, no matter how much you clean 🙂 ).

2.  Set Your AC to the highest possible comfortable temperature and use fans

For every degree that your house has to be cooled, it increases your energy usage by an average of about 6%.  So, if you are at 74degrees instead of 78, a $250 AC bill could easily become $310.

3.  Use a Programmable Thermostat

If you MUST have a cooler house, then get a programmable thermostat to regulate the temperature.  Not only are digital thermostats more accurate, but you can set the AC to a higher level for the times you may not be home.   Why spend extra money cooling an empty house?

4.  Get Higher Efficiency Equipment

You know that greater efficiency equals greater savings.  And the right equipment will work hard to save you money on your heating  and cooling bills by using less fuel in the first place. Are your current  heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC)  components saving you the money they could be? Here are a few things to think  about:

If your unit is more than 10 years old, consider replacing it with a more  energy-efficient model.   The higher the rating, the more efficient the product  and lower your energy usage can be. Make sure your components meet the following  minimums:

– Furnaces: Annual Fuel Utilization Efficiency (AFUE)  ratings of 80 or higher
– Heat pumps: Heating Seasonal Performance Factor (HSPF)  ratings of 7 or higher
– Air conditioners: Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio (SEER)  ratings of 13 or higher

 5. Make sure that your equipment is the Right Size

Sorry, but buying a “Bigger” AC will not necessarily make your house more comfortable at a lower cost because it is more “powerful.”  Homes that are heated and cooled by units that are too big, too small or just  plain mismatched, miss out on quality performance and efficiency.

Ask your AC Installation Company to come out to your house and perform a load calculation for  your home. This will help define products with the right capacity  for your home, and help you find the best system to meet your comfort needs.  The best answer is to use a matched system: which refers to components that are  designed to work together to provide greater efficiency, reliability and  comfort. Matched systems can be “split” (separate units placed inside and  outside the home) or “packaged” (one single unit, which houses all components in  a single cabinet, placed outside the home).*

Using these tips will not only increase the comfort of your home; they will really help your bank account!

 

At the Cool Dude AC, we not only provide top-tier service for all of your Air Conditioning and Heating needs in Houston, Sugar Land, Stafford, and Missouri City; we also offer the best guarantee you will find anywhere for parts AND labor. We are a family-owned, local company that treats our customers like family; while being big enough to service our customers in a timely manner. Clay Sheffield started The Cool Dude to provide people with the type of service and care HE would appreciate.

For The Cool Dude, the ONLY acceptable customer satisfaction score is a 100! Call The Cool Dude Air Conditioning repair at (713) 773-2910.