Failed Capacitor- A Common Problem in the Summer Heat!

Capacitor failures are very common in the summertime. Depending on the design of your air conditioner you could have one or multiple capacitors. Capacitors are devices used in HVAC equipment to assist compressors and motors with starting and running effectively. Your air conditioning system has an 'outside fan motor run capacitor' which helps start and run the outside fan that blows air through the outside coils. It also has an 'indoor blower motor run capacitor' which does exactly what you would think, runs the indoor blower motor.

A bad capacitor can go unnoticed for a long time as they usually decline in strength over time or either go out completely. There are a few symptoms of a bad capacitor that will be present. These include: the motor affiliated with it stops running completely, the air conditioner will not blow cool air, a loud and unusual humming sound will be present, and if the indoor fan stops then there will be no air blowing through the vents at all. A failing capacitor can also make the other components of the A/C system work harder which will use more electricity and eat up the money in your bank account!

At Precision Heating and Air we offer licensed and qualified technicians who will come and keep your house cool and comfortable during the hot summer months! We also offer after hours emergency services with no additional costs. So if you find your A/C has died at 6PM on a Sunday night, do not hesitate to contact us as our mission is to keep your family cool and happy!

Willis Carrier: Father of Cool- A bit of Carrier History!

When you walk into a home or building you probably don't even notice the cool air that greets you. But this hasn't always been the case. The first modern air conditioning system was developed by a young electrical engineer named Willis Carrier in 1902. The Sackett-Wilhelms Lithographing and Publishing Company was desperately trying to find a solution to their humidity problem. Their stock of paper that was kept at the plant would sometimes absorb moisture during the summer from the humid air. This complicated the process of applying the layered inking techniques available at that time.

Willis Carrier worked hard on many designs and eventually settled on what became the best invention next to sliced bread! Carrier found that if he blew the air inside the building against chilled pipes it would cool and settle into the factory. This process reduced the humidity in the plant since cool air cannot carry as much moisture as warm air. The plant owners were thrilled as this stabilized the moisture content in their paper stock and resulted in saving money!

Carrier's A/C creation also helped other industries who were struggling to control the humidity levels and temperature such as film, tobacco, and processed meats. Soon after Carrier's discovery, air conditioners started appearing in venues such as theaters and department stores which made for happy customers!

What's up with the Weather!?

The weather in Austin cannot seem to make up its mind. Just last Wednesday, it was bright and sunny with temperatures well over 75 degrees. The days that followed have been bitter cold with a biting breeze. The flip-flop between bundling up for the shivering cold one day, then grabbing the football and shorts for the next day is enough to drive any Austenite crazy!

Not to despair! Is it a bird? Is it a plane? NO! It's Super Summer on its way to save the day! Our metaphorical hero is just around the corner with hot, humid, and sunny days! It will soon be time to crank up the AC's, cool out in the shade, and avoid a sunburn like the plague. Any time you're not out and about in Austin enjoying the beautiful summer days, enjoy a blissfully cold home with a Precision installed Air Conditioning System.

If you come home after a memorable day at the lake with family and friends and you make the dreadful discovery that your Ac will not turn on and your house is as hot as it is outside, don't stress! Precision Heating and Air is but a phone call away with 24/7 emergency service with no afterhours fee!

The Phase-out of R-22

Is your system over 5 years old? Is it getting harder to find affordable Freon for your unit? This is due to the R-22 phase out that started in the United States in 2010.

Hydro chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC) is the makeup of Freon. It includes hydrogen, chlorine, fluorine, and carbon. This type of Freon is the refrigerant that has been used for about 40 years by HVAC manufacturers. Commonly referred to as R-22 refrigerant, this concoction of chemicals is slowly depleting the ozone layer because of the chlorine in the chemical makeup; one atom of chlorine is capable of destroying 100,000 ozone molecules. After 30 years of studying the effects of R-22, the EPA joined up with many countries that started slowly removing this refrigerant from the market. This R-22 phase-out is part of the Montreal Protocol; aninternational environmental agreement that hopes to eliminate this type of Freon.

By 2015, the United States hopes to have 90% phaseout of the freon by limiting consumption and production. By 2020, the US is expecting 99.5% phaseout, and by 2030, the US is expecting a 100% phaseout of the product. What does this mean for the owners of older AC systems? To put it simply; skyrocketing prices for refrigerant. In a quick Google search, we can see prices well above $100 for just one pound of refrigerant! With regular maintenance of your system, you might be able to make your R-22 last, but if there is a leak, it may cost a couple hundred dollars to replace the refrigerant alone. Not to mention, by 2030 the United States
is projecting that the processing, using or distributing of R-22 refrigerant will be against the law.

The new refrigerant is called R-410A and is composed of difluoromethane or pentafluoroethane (fluorine and methane). R-410A only contains fluorine and, therefore, does not contribute to ozone depletion. The new systems that use the R-410A have stronger and thicker shells when compared to the older units. This means that they are quieter and have fewer refrigerant leaks than systems that use R-22. The R-410A units are also more efficient, less likely to overheat and burn out because the condensers run cooler, and since the new units use a new synthetic lubricant instead of the traditional mineral oil, there is less wear and tear. This replacement freon for R-22, unfortunately, is not interchangeable; R-410A is a higher pressure fluid than R-22. R-410A has been
carefully monitored and although the EPA does not require certification in handling the refrigerant, we at Precision Heating and Air pride ourselves in being EPA certified in handling the new refrigerant.

If you would like more information on the Montreal Protocol and R-22 phaseout, take a look here or R22 Phase Out

If you have a system that is older than 5 years, chances are, it uses R-22 refrigerant. If you want to avoid the hassle of finding the old refrigerant and pamper yourself to a new A/C system, give Precision Heating and Air a call. We provide free estimates for installing a new system in your home.

Go Green! Save Money and the Environment with your A/C Unit!

When going green, don't forget about how your air conditioner can have a bit effect on the environment and your bank account. On average, American spend roughly $22 billion on air conditioning every year. Updating or replacing a poorly working A/C unit can save you big bucks with the many Tax Credits and Utility Company Rebates available. These substantial savings are available to those who choose new, energy efficient models. An efficient unit can save on your bill each month, and combined with the new incentives the unit will start to pay for itself!

There are many advantages of a new unit; Old units use R22 coolant which causes chlorine gas emissions which can damage the ozone. The newer units are now using R4120A, which is chlorine-free, thus reducing ozone damage. This will protect us from solar UV radiation and promotes clean air to breathe.

An older unit, say 10 years old, can cost more to keep maintained. It can seem like there is constantlya new part that needs replacing and service calls can add up which leaves your family not only stuck in the heat but with a pile of bills!

On our website at www.precisionheatac.com, you can see all of the rebate and tax credits to take advantage of this year. These include: duct sealing program, energy-efficient furnace incentive program, cash backattic insulation program, and high energy air conditioner rebates.

When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Frozen Coils

It may sound very strange to hear that evaporator coils can freeze when the temperature is over 95 degrees outside; but this is one of the most common problems that happen during the hot summer months. There are a number of reasons why the coils may freeze. One usual problem is when restricted air passes over the coils and causes the temperature to drop below 32 degrees. The humidity on the coils freezes and causes the air conditioner unit to work insufficiently
or not at all. Another common cause of frozen coils is when the refrigerant, or Freon, is low. One way to determine if you have frozen coils is to examine the filter. If the filter is dirty, then that is what may be causing the restricted air flow. If the filter is wet, that means that the water is melting off of the coils and missing the drain pan.

Now, here is what to do when you face frozen evaporator coils;

turn off the air conditioner and call a technician! Though it may seem horrible to turn off the ac in the middle of a heat wave, it can ultimately save the coils in the system. It may take a while for the coils to unfreeze, so the earlier you turn off the system, the faster the problem can be taken care of. You can always leave the fan on so that you are not suffering until the unit is up and running again, not to mention, turning the fan on and turning off the compressor will make the coils defrost much faster. Be prepared for some water to thaw off of the coils, so, have some towels ready so that the water does not cause damage.

If you think that your evaporator coils are frozen, give precision heating and air a call. We can have a technician out to examine the unit. However, with regular maintenance, frozen coils will most likely not affect you this scorching summer.
Prevention is always better than curing a problem. Precision heating and air offers fantastic deals when it comes to preventative maintenance of your system.  With the preventative maintenance plan, we will perform one cool check and one heat check per year, give you a pound of refrigerant for free, and you will get a 10% discount for the price of repairs; which includes parts and labor.

Air Conditioner on the fritz?

A few guidelines to purchasing your new unit:

When choosing your new air conditioner there are several factors you should consider before
your purchase. Your new unit ideally should be appropriate to your home size, energy efficient,
and also be affordable.

Size:

It is important to find a system that will adequately cool your home without burning out
the unit. Purchasing a unit that is too small will save you money upfront but will prove costly
in the long run. A small unit trying to cool a large area will cause the system to work harder
which will wear down the components more quickly. It will also raise your electric bill since
it will use excessive amounts of energy by running for a longer period than necessary.

Efficiency:

With the price of energy soaring, now is a good time to replace old units that are
costing you extra each month. Replacing your old unit with a more efficient one can cut your
energy bill by 30-45%. This will also help reduce the impact your household has on the
environment. Air conditioning units have a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio) that helps
you understand how efficient the system is. The higher the number, the better and more efficient
the unit is. The efficiency rating you choose will have a major effect on your air conditioning
price and bill, both initially and in the long run.

Price:

There is hardly ever a flat rate for an A/C installation, so having a technician come
out to take a look at your needs is recommended. A new unit can run anywhere from $3500-$7000
depending on a variety of factors. These include the size of your home, number of occupants,
work that needs to be done (example: duct-work), and the efficiency of the model you choose.

At Precision Heating & Air our trained technicians will provide you will custom quotes to install
several different units and help you choose one based on your cooling needs. We offer service
you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work.
Stay cool Austin!

Tips to lower your air conditioning bill

Replace filters-

Replacing your filters when needed is the easiest and most effective maintenance task.
It is recommended to replace them every 3 to 6 months but if you have pets or live in a dusty area you
may want to replace them every month or every other month. A tip is to use your monthly electric bill
as a reminder to change out the filter if needed.

Service checks-

To keep your air conditioner running properly and detect repairs early on, you should
have your units inspected and cleaned annually. Getting your A/C serviced before you need to use it
will avoid the rush for a service call during the first hot day of the year. Regular cleanings will
prevent dust buildup which can shorten your air conditioning's lifespan.

Install a programmable thermostat-

Having a programmable thermostat will allow you to vary the temperature
if you will be gone for more than a few hours. Do not turn your A/C off entirely though, as it will
use more energy to cool down the house again when you come back home.

Keep your home well sealed-

Make sure your home is sealed up tight. Infiltration of hot and dusty attic
air can zap your A/C bill and the sealing will pay for itself. Another area to watch out for are your
windows. Plastic film, foam, and caulking can be purchased inexpensively at a hardware store to help
seal problem areas (around older windows where drafts are most likely.)

Make sure ductwork is insulated-

Be sure and check that your ductwork is well insulated and not leaking.
Ducts leaks can cost you on your cooling and heating bills. Another tip is to not cover your duckwork
with attic insulation. Covering your ductwork with attic insulation will cause the ducts to sweat and
can cause damage.

When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair,
you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours
work. Stay cool Austin!

Ways to Schedule a Service Call

With the way technology is evolving, there are one hundred different ways to complete any task. At Precision Heating & Air, we like to give our customers various ways to schedule appointments, so that we may accommodate even the busiest person. When you need air conditioning or heating repair, an annual tune-up, or a quote to replace that old, inefficient system you can now call us, email us or even text us.

Calling in to Precision Heating & Air will definitely get you the fastest response to any of you air conditioning or heating needs.  You will reach a member of our wonderful office staff who will happily help you set up a service call, walk you through how to fix very minor problems, and get you all of the answers to your questions.

Too busy to call in right away, but want it to be known that you need to make an appointment? Email us! When you send a website submission, we receive it in an email that we can respond easily to. This opens the opportunity to correspond through email or phone, and allows you to specify when we should contact you. Not on lunch until noon, and that’s the only time you can talk? Let us know and we will give you a call on your lunch break to schedule that appointment. In meetings all day, but can correspond through email? Let us know, and we will email you all the information you need and get an appointment scheduled.

When you use our text-to-service, your text comes through as an email letting us know that you need service and to call you back. In some cases, we can even text you back to get everything squared away. This is a very useful service for our hearing impaired customers.

With all of the convenience we offer, why wouldn't you book with us? We offer the best possible customer service possible, with flexibility to your schedule. Want service you can trust? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Are you suffering from mold and mildew in your home?

Have a strange smell floating through your home? It sounds like you need to contact the experts at Precision Heating & Air Conditioning. Our licensed technicians are qualified to install a UV lamp in your duct system or near your coil depending on the issues that you are trying to resolve.

To kill germs and mold, the ultraviolet light passes through organic matter such as bacteria, mold, and viruses penetrating their thin-walls and changing their genetic materials and killing them. The use of UV lights in a residence is cumulative. The UV light does not immediately kill all of the germs that pass under it. The germs are circulated through the system and the UV light kills germs as they pass under the light repeatedly.

The other use of a UV lamp is to prevent or resolve “dirty sock syndrome” When the UV lamp is placed on the cold air side of evaporator coil, it can kill the normal mold, algae, slime, and gel formations that can act as breeding areas for bacteria. This bacteria is thought to be the cause of dirty sock syndrome. Prevention is the easiest and most cost effective way to handle dirty sock syndrome. Once the bacteria has developed on the coil, it can be cleaned off but there is no guarantee that it will not come back.

Clearly the UV lamp is not the most effective way to deal with mold, mildew, and air purification but it is effective in keeping the evaporator coil clean and bacteria free. If you’re looking for the best way to purify the air in your home and combat allergies, invest in a REME Guardian Air. Are you ready to take that next step into better air quality? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

As March begins, spring starts to creep in, and then Air Conditioning Season Is Here!

Trees and flowers are beginning to bud and bloom, it’s a little soggier out as rain passes over, and that temperature is going to start creeping up the further into March we get. As that temperature creeps up, so does our desire to turn on that air conditioning. Is your system ready for the hot, hot heat of the Texas summer season?

The experts at Precision Heating & Air Conditioning recommend you have your heating system and your cooling system maintenance at least once a year to give it the longest possible life you can, and keep everything in good working order. With spring right around the corner, it’s time to have a check done on the cooling system to assure that it will run efficiently throughout the summer. Our licensed technicians will come to your home and check the refrigerant charge, clean the condenser coil, flush the drain line, and make sure that all of the components are well lubricated and operating properly.

When you go with our Preventative Maintenance Plan you receive one heat check, one cool check, one pound of refrigerant if your system needs it, and 10% off of any repairs for a full year for only $129! You save over $50 when you select the maintenance plan rather than having the checks done separately. Looking for more savings? Check us out on Angie’s List Angie’s List members receive special pricing and deals on tune-up and service calls that are not available to the general public.

Ready to set up that spring check? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Hey, Austin! Spring is coming and with it, allergies.

All of the trees and flowers will be pollenating and blooming, bringing on those itchy eyes and congestion. With the short, mild winter we will have an early spring rolling in which means a longer, more severe allergy season. This time of year many people deal with allergies from mold and pollen. The pollen from trees, flowers, and mold can easily get sucked into your HVAC system, giving you zero refuge from those assaulting allergens.

When you’re outside, about the only thing you can do is take anti-histamines and those don’t always work. But what about from the comfort of your home? Why not install a REME air purifier by Guardian Air?

The most important thing to get across about the Guardian Air is its proactive ability to kill germs and reduce odors in, even without them traveling through your ventilation system.  Every time your fan blows air it carries the purifying power of natures “Friendly Oxidizers” out into the conditioned space where the oxidizers begin to attack the bacteria, virus, and mold spores at the source and reduce odors in your home.

In addition to reducing cooking odors, smoke odors, and pet odors, the REME air purifier also attach germs. Testing the guardian air has shown a 99% reduction of H1N1 virus on Stainless steel surfaces, 98% reduction of MRSA, a 99% reduction of Norwalk Virus, a 97% reduction of Mold Spores, even a 99+% reduction of SARS and Avian Flu.

Why wouldn’t you want that in your home? The largest restaurant chains, hotels, theme parks and even hospitals rely on REME air purifier to keep their air clean. Why shouldn’t you? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair , you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Do you feel stuffy and congested in your own home?

Can’t seem to alleviate those itchy, watery eyes? You may want to take a step back and examine the indoor air quality of your home. According to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the air inside the average home is up to five times more polluted than the air outside. Results from in-home air tests across North America support this government finding. Nearly every home (96%) had at least one indoor air quality problem. With polluted air floating through your home there are a myriad of problems that may arise such as allergies and illness. There are many ways to prevent these issues and cut back on the pet danger, mold, mildew, dust and other allergens floating through the air, making your home a much more pleasant place to live.

The most effective way to clear the air of pet dander, pollen, mold, mildew, and other allergens is to invest in the REME Air Purifier by Guardian Air. The Guardian Air has the proactive ability to kill germs and reduce odors in, even without them traveling through your ventilation system.  Every time your fan blows air it carries the purifying power of natures “Friendly Oxidizers” out into the conditioned space where the oxidizers begin to attack the bacteria, virus, and mold spores at the source and reduce odors in your home. Testing the guardian air has shown a 99% reduction of H1N1 virus on Stainless steel surfaces, 98% reduction of MRSA, a 99% reduction of Norwalk Virus, a 97% reduction of Mold Spores, even a 99+% reduction of SARS and Avian Flu.

Allergens are not the only threat to the quality of the air in your home. As the season change, the air in your home may become dry causing dry, itchy skin, static electricity, and can even cause you to be quite stuffy. Installing a fan powered humidifier will add moisture to your ducts while working in tandem with your air conditioning system, making your home more comfortable and helping to ease the congestion caused by the change in seasons and outdoor temperatures.

One of the things that we at Precision Heating & Air Conditioning do not recommend, is having your ducts cleaned. It is natural for there to be some dust in your ducts, and when you try to have them cleaned it can damage the duct work, and even cause dust to come out of your vents when your system is running. If you suspect there is mold in your system, invest in a REME Guardian Air, or a UV light to kill and prevent further mold problems. If you’re ready to take that next step towards better indoor air quality, give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Should You Repair or Replace Your Air Conditioning/Heating System?

Most people will tell you that it costs less to just repair a faulty part in an HVAC system, than spend the money to replace the whole thing. The first time you make that repair, it might be true. It might even be true the second time. But what about the third and fourth repair? What if you are making repairs to an air conditioner that is 12 years old? Or repairs to a furnace that is 30 years old? Is it really worth that much frustration and money? Where is the line drawn between the time to repair you HVAC system, or replace it?

Determining the Life Span of Your System

The federal government recommends that air conditioners more than 10 years old, and furnaces over 20 years old need to be replaced. The primary reason for this, according to the EPA and Department of Energy, is the qualified air conditioners and heat pumps offer significant long-term energy savings. Replacing air conditioning units 10 years or older can save at least 20 percent on air conditioning energy use. The older the unit, the less efficient it’s going to be and the more money it’s going to cost you.

When faced with the choice of repair or replace, one should compare the current and future operating costs to what installing a new system will cost. If you have had your system maintenance regularly, have not had to make frequent repairs on the system, and have not seen a major influx on your energy bill then it may not be time to replace. It may be more cost effective to make the minor repairs on a well taken care of system. If your system has had components fail a couple of times in the last year or two, it may be time to look at replacement. If the system is wearing out parts faster than you can replace them, it’s not going to eventually stop doing that.

How Efficient is Your System?

The efficiency of your air conditioning and heating system is important to the environment and should be important to you. Even if your system is only 8 or 9 years old, it could be using twice the energy of a newer, more efficient system. By federal law, the minimum SEER rating for an air conditioner is 13 SEER, as opposed to 10 SEER back in 2006. Your system may not be ten years old yet, but it could still be using energy like one and driving your energy bill through the roof. In the long run, replacing that old 10 SEER unit with a 21 SEER unit can save you up to 56% on your energy bill.

Consider the Structure of Your Home

A poorly insulated home may be part of the reason your system can’t keep your home warm or cool enough. By fixing the basic flaws of your home, you may be able to go with a small, less expensive system, or even keep your system going a few more years. Better insulation will mean that you have to run your system less, and it won’t have to work as hard.

Still not sure if you should repair or replace your older unit? Simply use the checklist below to get a better idea.

• How much are you spending annually on repairs to your heating and cooling system?
• How old is your system?
• Have you seen a significant change in your energy bill in the last couple of years?
• How often is your system turning on to meet your heating and cooling needs?

Feeling like you have a good handle on what you need, but would like a second opinion? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Ever Heard Of The "Dirty Sock Syndrome"?

Is a musty, moldy smell invading your home as your turn on your air conditioner? It sounds like you might have the dreaded “Dirty Sock Syndrome”.  Before you decide that this may be the issue, you need to identify what DSS actually is and you need to eliminate other odor possibilities.

What Is Dirty Sock Syndrome?

Dirty Sock Syndrome generally occurs in the early fall and late winter when you are switching back and forth between the heating and cooling settings of your central air conditioning or heat pump system. It is believed that DDS is caused by a bacterial growth on the evaporator coil, which is then released into the home when you turn on the air conditioner. While the bacteria is not considered harmful, it really does smell just like its described: dirty gym socks.

Identifying Dirty Sock Syndrome

When trying to identify Dirty Sock Syndrome, you have to figure out what it isn't before you figure out what it is. It can be any number of things, but foul odors can come from other common problems such as:

• Leaks in duct work
• Drain lines that may be incorrectly connected or lacking traps
• Drain pans with standing water
• Dead animals or other debris in or near duct work or the home

Once you have ruled out all of the other variables that could be causing that odor, then you can move on to fixing the problem.

Curing Dirty Sock Syndrome

It may be possible to clean your evaporator coil, or have it treated for the bacteria; both of these options can be expensive though and if it doesn't work in the end you are out the money for the treatments and you have to replace your evaporator coil. Precision Heating & Air recommends nipping the issue in the bud and just replacing your evaporator coil because replacement is the only guaranteed way to rid your home of the smell.

The smell of dirty socks taking the spring out of your step? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Warm Days, Cold Nights

The last couple of days have been chilly, but the days are about to get a little warmer. The next couple weeks are going to be in the mid-70’s, but in the evenings it’s going to get chilly with temperatures down in the 40’s. During the day, save a little money on that energy bill and open the windows to your home. This will let warm air circulate through the home, keeping it a comfy temperature without using any electricity. At night, feel free to turn on that heat and get nice and toasty. Having issues with that heater after having it off over the nice, warm days?

When you choose Precision Heating & Air, you are given the Precision Promise:

• Peace of mind with fair & dependable service 24/7/365
• All repairs are diagnosed and performed by NATE-Certified technicians
• Parts and labor are guaranteed for up to one year
• We are fully licensed, insured and bonded
• Our technicians are trained to service all brands of air conditioning and heating equipment
• We install and replace air conditioning, compressors, coils, furnaces & heat pumps
• We provide duct repair and replacements
• We are family owned and operated
• We offer 24/7/365 service and installation with NO after-hours charge!

At Precision Heating & Air, we are committed to our customer’s and providing them with the highest level of service and satisfaction. Need to have your heater or air conditioner repaired? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Coming Soon to your home the all NEW 2nd Generation NEST Thermostat!

Looking to save a little money on your energy bill? Precision Heating & Air Conditioning has a great way to help you do just that! In the next few weeks, Precision Heating & Air Conditioning will begin selling and installing the Nest Learning Thermostat. The Nest Learning Thermostat is an affordable thermostat that learns about you, your schedule, and the temperature you like to keep you home at all throughout the seasons. Contact Precision Heating & Air today, to get a FREE quote on the all NEW NEST LEARNING THERMOSTAT!

Every time you change the temperature, the Nest learns something new recording the time and temperature it was set to. After only a couple days of owning the Nest Thermostat, it will have a schedule set to keep your home as warm or as cool you like at any given time of the day.

Your Nest Thermostat will also help you conserve energy, and let you know when you’re doing it!

Changing the temperature just 1 degree can save you up to 5% in energy! When you change the temperature on your Nest Learning Thermostat, the Nest Leaf will appear letting you know that you are saving energy. After a few days Auto Away mode will kick in when the Nest detects there is nobody home. This will cause the thermostat to go to the coolest or warmest temperature you want your home to be. This will help in conserving energy, and lowering your energy bill.

The coolest thing about the Nest Thermostat is the level of control you have!

With the Nest Mobile App you can control your Nest Thermostat from anywhere. If the temperature suddenly drops outside and you want a nice, warm house when you get home simply access the app and turn up the heat. Don’t feel like getting out of bed to cool the house down, simply do it from your smart phone or tablet! With the mobile app you can control up to ten thermostats in two homes, adjust your scheduled, take the thermostat in and out of Away mode, and check your energy use.  It’s that easy.

Are you ready to take control of your energy bill? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call!

We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Having an energy efficient air conditioner makes cents!

With summer quickly approaching in Texas, now is the time to replace that old inefficient air conditioning system! Between the amount that you will save on your energy bill and the tax credits and rebates that will go towards your new system, why wouldn't you replace your old unit before it gets too hot.

More often than not, people will be more inclined to repair rather than replace their system. Why? Because at that immediate time it’s a smaller monetary commitment. Why would you want to spend $4,000 - $9,000 on a brand new system when you can make a repair for as little as $800? But what happens when you have to replace another worn out part? In one year, you can get wrapped up in a couple thousand dollars in repairs with an older system whose parts are wearing out. So now you’re tired of paying for that old, worn out unit but how do you justify spending a few thousand dollars on a new, more energy efficient unit? Simple!

Saving On Energy Costs

If you’re system is over ten years old, the EPA recommends you replace your system with something a little more energy efficient. In the long run, replacing that old 10 SEER unit with a 21 SEER unit can save you up to 56% on your energy bill.

Reduce Your Carbon Footprint

When you upgrade to a 16 SEER or higher air conditioning unit, you are reducing the pollution and greenhouse gasses emitted into the atmosphere. A new air conditioning unit will also run on Puron instead of Freon. Puron was developed to not hard the ozone layer and is approved by the EPA. As of 2010, air conditioning manufacturers were no longer allowed to produce systems that run off of Freon. It is the intention of the EPA and the Department of Energy to have the use of Freon completely phased out by the year 2020.

Receive Rebates and Federal Tax Credits

Another thing that can save you a lot of money is rebates. There are a few different city rebates, energy rebates, and for the year 2012 and 2013 there is a federal tax rebate that can save you up to $500. If you qualify for the City of Austin rebate, depending on the SEER rating of the air conditioning unit you have installed you can save up to $550. There are also a few different rebates you can receive from Texas Gas, as well as from the Pedernales Electric Co-op.

Tired of fixing that old, noisy, out of date air conditioner? Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay cool, Austin!

Too much airflow making your house feel more like a wind tunnel?

Running through the walls and ceiling of your home is the duct system that controls the where the air flows to from your central heating and cooling system. If your ducts have been improperly sized, or a room has too many air vents, you may experience heavy air flow in one room and not nearly enough in another. Have a room that gets too hot or too cold? That may be the room with the vent that is closest to the air handler.

How Do I Fix This Problem?

Before you learn how to fix it, you should know how not to fix it. The answer to too much air flow in your home is not simply closing the vents to that room. When you close vent to the room that has too much air flow, the air flows down that channel to where the closed vent it and just sits there. This drops the efficiency of your heating and air conditioning system and raises your energy bill. The air has nowhere to go and will not be directed so it just sits in the duct, slowly becoming room temperature.

What you can do is have a damper installed at the mouth of that particular duct run. A damper is a plate or valve that controls air flow and temperature simply by stopping air flow in the particular area of duct work. Rather than stopping the air once it gets the vents, the damper is placed at the mouth of the duct run, where it can be closed and redirect the air further on down the main duct system.

There are two different types of dampers: manual and automatic. Manual dampers are operated by handle on the outside of the duct that allows you to open or close it when you need to. This would most commonly be used for ducts that lead to guest rooms that aren't constantly in use. No sense in heating or cooling a room that isn't being used, right?

The automatic dampers  are generally included in more sophisticated heating and air conditioning systems such as the Carrier® Infinity® heating and cooling system and the Carrier® Infinity® Touch thermostat .The automatic damper runs on electric or pneumatic motors which are in turn controlled by the thermostat. These dampers are used for zone or room-by-room control so that you can control the temperature of any given zone or room in your home.

Is your office a little too cool, while your bedroom is sweltering hot? Maybe it’s time to give yourself some control over the temperature in your home! Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay toasty, Austin!

Want to make a minor upgrade to your home to reduce your energy bill?

Why not try upgrading your thermostat? You have two options to upgrade to: non-programmable, and programmable.  Non-programmable thermostats have to be manually adjusted and set before or after you leave the home. If you forget about it, it may run at a higher or lower temperature than needed when you aren't home or sleeping, and that can cost you a lot of money in energy.

Why Choose A Programmable Thermostat?

When you upgrade to a digital, programmable thermostat you can save around $180 a year in energy costs. Depending on the model of programmable thermostat you install, they come with a variety of settings including separate days of the week and times to set temperature changes. Some also come with zone control settings if you air conditioner unit and home are equipped to use it. By having access to this wide variety of settings, you can save energy by running your heater at a cooler temperature at night, but having it set to warm your home up to the perfect temperature before you get out of bed in the morning.

Other Benefits:

In this day and age, many people are concerned about their thermostat clashing with the décor in their home. Older thermostats can be large, clunky boxes that stick out of your wall and don’t blend well with the paint on the walls. Newer digital, programmable thermostats are much thinner and some come with multiple face plates so that you can match the thermostat to the paint in the room, or with the theme of the décor. So not only will you be saving money, but you will also have an aesthetically pleasing thermostat keeping your home the perfect temperature.

Ready to make that upgrade?

Give Precision Heating & Air Conditioning a call! We offer free quotes for system replacements, and our Comfort Consultants will be sure to give you a quote that fits your budget. When you use Precision Heating & Air Conditioning for your air conditioning and heating service and repair, you choose service you can trust 24 hours a day, seven days a week with no additional costs for after-hours work. Stay toasty, Austin!

Weather for Austin, TX
01-22-2013 CST 1:30PM

69°F | °C

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Scattered Clouds

Wind: N at 7 mph

Humidity: 47%

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