wilsonmechanical

Spring has arrived early this year in Texas and with it the pollen related allergy season. Recent drought conditions combined with high amounts of winter rain promise a longer more severe pollen season than usual, (NOAA). The experts at MayoClinic.com recommend several tried and true techniques to alleviate springtime allergies including an annual Air Conditioning check up! This not only helps improve indoor air quality, but also extends the life of your system, saves you up to 30% on your energy consumption, and provides peace of mind by providing a cleaner, more comfortable environment for you and your family.

Here are a few things you can do as a homeowner to save you money and keep your family cool:

Keep the area around you’re a/c unit clean – Free-flowing air is needed by your air conditioner in order to function properly, therefore any surrounding debris should be removed, and shrubs and other plant growth should be trimmed back.

Change or clean the filters – Dirty filters cut down on performance and cause serious problems if neglected. For best performance, it is recommended that you change filters once a month.

Clean the drain – A plugged drain can lead to expensive water damage inside your home. You can check the condensation drain is flowing while the unit is running. No water should be visible outside.

Safety is of utmost importance when completing home projects involving your air conditioner or any other electrical system. If you don’t know how or are unsure how to clear the drain or clean around the coils, we recommend that you call a professional to get your air conditioner ready for summer. A professional will be able to prevent many small problems from becoming large, expensive problems later by including many additional components in the spring a/c tune-up and safety check.

A professional A/C Spring Tune-Up should include at least the following components:

Outdoor Units

• Inspect unit for proper refrigerant level and adjust if necessary
• Clean dirt, leaves, and debris from inside cabinet
• Inspect base pan for restricted drain openings and removing obstructions
• Inspect coil and cabinet-clean as needed
• Inspect control box, associated controls/accessories, wiring and connections
• Inspect compressor and associated tubing for damage
• Check breaker for proper size

Indoor Units

• Inspect blower assembly
• On older models, lubricate motor and inspect and replace fan belt if needed
• Inspect evaporator coil, drain pan and condensate drain lines.
• Inspect control box, associated controls, wiring and connections
• Inspect conditioned airflow system (ductwork)-check for leaks

While Your System is Operating

• Monitor system starting characteristics and capabilities
• Listen for abnormal noise
• Search for source of unusual odors
• Monitor air conditioning and heat pump systems for correct refrigerant charge
• Measure outdoor dry bulb temperature
• Measure indoor dry and wet bulb temperature
• Monitor system for correct line and load volts/amps
• Monitor system operation per manufacturer’s specifications
• Provide system operation and recommendation report

Now is the perfect time to call and make sure you’re a/c system is running efficiently and reliably. We recommend you get your spring a/c tune-up and safety check early before Houston’s long, hot summer arrives. Call Dave at Wilson Mechanical and you’ll get a 22-point inspection and tune-up, cleaning, and safety-check for only $69.00 per system (a $99.00 value).

With over 23 years experience, environmentally friendly service, and top quality products, owner Dave Wilson ensures your air conditioning system will be operating at its peak performance so you can relax in your safe, comfortable home.

You can contact me at 832-466-9980 or

email dave@wilsonmechanical.net.

Dave Wilson

TACLB39926E

Have you had your home heating system inspection yet? According to HEALTHY LIVING’s fall 2011 issue (one of America’s leading HEALTH MAGAZINES), one of the top 5 simple steps for fall wellness includes getting your HEATING SYSTEMS CLEANED! This not only helps in keeping your system free of allergy-provoking dust and mold but also extends the life of your system, saves you up to 30% on your energy consumption, and keeps you and your family safe from furnace fires and deadly levels of carbon monoxide.

Dangerously high levels of carbon monoxide can seep into your home through a crack in your heat exchanger, sometimes called a fire box. When a crack in the heat exchanger occurs, the deadly carbon monoxide is distributed throughout the home via the duct system. Because carbon monoxide is tasteless, odorless, and colorless, many tragic deaths from carbon monoxide poisoning occur every year. Levels as low as 35 parts per million can make you sick.

In order to keep your home and family safe, we recommend you get your annual heating system inspection early before any problems arise. Call Dave at Wilson Mechanical and you’ll get a 19-point furnace tune-up, cleaning, and safety-check, including a carbon monoxide test for only $59.00 for one system or $109.00 for two systems! If you have more than two systems, than the cost is only $50.00 extra per system. That’s at least a $30.00 savings over normal rates!

The list below includes some of the components we inspect during a service check of your furnace:

• Safety test for carbon monoxide (CO)
• Check for hazardous debris in the chimney and flue
• Check heat exchanger for cracks and holes
• Check operation of thermostat and safety controls
• Check gas pilot safety system and clean as required
• Check blower motor and clean fan as needed
• Check blower operation
• Check condition, tension and alignment of fan belt, and adjust as needed
• Check gas piping to furnace for leaks
• Check safety limits and flame roll out switches
• Clean burners and set for proper combustion and ignition
• Check inducer motor
• Check pressure switches
• Check for air leaks

In addition to having a furnace inspection to keep your heating system in tip-top shape, there are many things you can do as a home owner. Some of these include:

Testing your CO detector – Test your CO detector to make sure it works. Replace the battery at this time as well. Don’t have a CO detector? Get one or I can get you one for you! And don’t forget about the smoke detector!

Keeping your furnace clear – Make sure there are no clothes, lint, or furniture blocking airflow to your furnace. Also make sure there is nothing flammable stored near the furnace that could explode given the chance.

Changing your air filter – Clogged filters can significantly restrict airflow to your furnace and seriously hurt its performance. For best performance, it is recommended that you change filters once a month.

Now is the perfect time to call and make sure your heating system is safe and reliable. The seasons are changing and you won’t need your heater for another month or so. Why not take this slight down time for your climate control equipment to make sure your family is safe and cozy all winter. With over 23 years experience, environmentally friendly service, and top quality products, owner Dave Wilson ensures your furnace will be operating at its peak performance so you can relax in your safe, comfortable home.

You can contact me at 832-466-9980 or
e-mail dave@wilsonmechanical.net

Dave Wilson
TACLB39926E

Is energy inefficiency robbing your monthly budget?

Would you sit at home and freely toss dollar bills out of your windows, eagerly slide loose change into your air conditioning vents, or happily slip excess coins between your walls?

Why of course not! Yet, energy inefficiencies throughout the home such as leaky air drafts, inadequate insulation, and outdated or inefficient equipment may be robbing your monthly budget causing you to over-pay your utility bill, time and time again.

Energy inefficiency is a sneaky pocketbook bandit that you can stop. What’s needed is a home A/C and Heat Maintenance program or tune up. This allows a thorough assessment of necessary as well as unwitting consumption of energy usage. Finding and correcting efficiency problems not only reduces waste but also allows you to enjoy higher comfort levels along with a lower utility bill.

You can conduct a very simple audit yourself or, for a more thorough assessment, call in a professional with access to technical equipment to better detect sources of energy loss in your A/C and Heat system and properly repair mechanical systems.

Common – and costly – inefficiencies include:

• Refrigerant. An undercharged A/C system can lead to poor cooling, higher humidity, higher electric bills, less comfort, potential compressor failure.
• Component failure. Checking your system for components that are worn, dirty or burnt can lead to higher energy use and can cause system malfunction or damage to your home.
• Outdated heating & cooling equipment. HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) is the biggest energy expense in most of our homes. Replacing heat pumps and air conditioners more than 10 years old with a new Energy Star-rated comfort system can save up to 40% on heating/ cooling costs.
• Finding and repairing air leaks can save you big dollars. Attics are hot!  So if your system has air leaks it can ruin your efficiency by pulling hot air into the system (which kills the efficiency) or blow cold air into attic. Neither is what you want to happen!!!

Wilson Mechanical specializes in indoor comfort solutions including residential and commercial heating/air conditioning systems. Various comprehensive maintenance programs are available to suit your needs. Contact us at 832-466-9980.

Dave

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