How to Operate Your Air-Conditioner During Intense Heat

As the warm weather approaches it’s important to decipher the differences between “warm” and “blazing hot.” Obviously the reason we have an air-conditioner installed in the first place is to stay cool as the temps rise. In a kind of ironic turn however, when the mercury starts rising to the mid 90° level it’s time to run your air-conditioner as responsibly as possible.

Cool Down Your Outdoor Unit 

When heat waves are present your outdoor unit is busting it’s compressor trying to keep up with the demand. Like an overheated marathon runner, it doesn’t hurt to spray down your outdoor unit with the hose every so often just to give it some cool relief.

Keep Your Air-Conditioner In the Shade

One way to permanently keep your A/C at least somewhat cooler is to provide it with shade. This can come in the form of an awning overtop or some well placed bushes and trees but you’d be surprised the difference that’s made when the sun isn’t constantly beating down on the hard-working exterior unit. Just remember to leave enough room for the A/C to breathe.

Take a Load Off Your Thermostat When Not at Home 

Granted you want to come home to a chilly area at night but leaving your A/C running on high all day long is a very unnecessary drain on the system that will result in extremely high utility bills. Not only that, you’re drawing resources from the power company to your vacant property whereas others in the community may be running a daycare or sleeping during the day because of their night job.

Utilize Alternative and Secondary Cooling Methods 

Give your A/C some backup in the form of a ceiling fan that can assist in circulating air. Even putting a fan out on your deck may help you enjoy the warm outdoors thus negating the need for the A/C to run on high indoors.

Don’t Use Stoves or Microwaves

It probably goes without saying but you shouldn’t make a warm area warmer by running the oven/stovetop/microwave or other heat generating appliances. Nobody really wants a hot meal when it’s hot outside so a heat wave presents a great opportunity for eating out and soaking up somebody else’s A/C – it may even be cheaper than running your own at peak hours.

Use Fans and Open Windows at Night

The nightfall should provide you a little break from the high temps so use it as an opportunity to give your A/C a pause as well. Open up your windows at night and use a fan for some of the best sleeping conditions.

Make Sure the Unit Has Proper Maintenance

Your air-conditioner is going to be busting it’s hump all Summer long so make sure it’s prepped and ready to go with proper maintenance. With new filters and a clean compressor your unit will be ready to take on the triple digits – and it can help you avoid costly repairs and downtime in the middle of a heat wave.

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6 Types of Additional Services That a Full Service Plumber Provides

When you have a clog in your piping system or need a new toilet fixture installed the obvious move is to call your trusty local plumber. It’s hard to imagine this type of work keeping a mulit-employee plumbing company busy throughout the year though isn’t it? This is because fixing drains and toilets are only a portion of a plumber’s job. Here are some jobs that full-service plumbing companies offer for you to take advantage of in the future.

Sewer / Water Line Replacement

It’s easy to think that when water goes down your drain it’s out of your life forever. While that is partially true, that water also has to go somewhere. If you have issues with your sewer or water line, you’ll find that the ‘somewhere’ is usually back into your house or bubbling out of your ground. Sewer and water line repairs and replacement are needed when pipes going from your house to the main line break from old age or because of a  conspicuously placed tree root.

Tests to Detect Odors

Funky odors in your house can be a nuisance, but they can also pose a safety risk as well. We can pinpoint the source of the odors either via electronic means or with the use of a smoke test. In a smoke test we inject smoke into your plumbing system to find the exact location where water and gases exit your pipes or where unwanted rainwater enters. These tests can increase your utility efficiency in addition to providing a sound peace of mind.

Dishwasher, Washer & Dryer Installations

Sure plumbers specialize in toilet, bathtub/shower, and sink fixture installations. We’re also the ones to call for other appliance installations in your home including the dishwasher and washing machine / dryer combos. These units require a safe connection to your home’s water line which only a plumber can provide.

Backflow Preventers Repairs and Installations

Most people don’t think about backflow preventers until it’s too late – which in this case means you’re drinking and bathing in contaminated water. Backflow preventer testing isn’t just recommended, in most jurisdiction it’s demanded by local and state authorities. Backflow systems are important so that waste water doesn’t siphon back into your ‘good water’ supply.

Installation of Flood Protection Systems

Another consideration that usually isn’t taken until after the fact is flood protection systems. These types of implementations go beyond sump pumps however. Systems that offer an intricate use of sensors and switches utilize shut off valves in areas such as sinks, refrigerators, water heaters, washing machines, and toilets to detect an unusual amount of water and to trigger steps to prevent a large amount of damage from that water.

System Inspections

What we really want to reiterate is that you don’t need to call us only on an emergency basis. Annual system inspections for example can help avoid those 24/7 calls where water is curdling out of your walls and you’ve got weird gases emanating from your back yard.

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A Homeowner’s (Very) Basic Guide To Handling Electrical Emergencies

For the most part the rules of the electrical system in your home are very simple to follow. Don’t stick a fork in power outlets, don’t play with a plugged-in toaster in the bathtub, and don’t jiggle frayed wires to try and regain a connection. Sometimes it’s not about what not to do with your electrical system however, it’s what to do – especially in the event of an emergency. If you understand these basics, you can help avoid risk and serious damage until the electrician can get on site to do a repair.

Be Comfortable With Your Breaker

Many times your home’s breaker will flip in a fluke. You might be running a space heater and the microwave while also doing some vacuuming or the current may just have an unusual boost, tripping the circuit. You should be comfortable flipping every breaker in your circuit box including the main power. You should also listen to your circuit board however. If a breaker continues to flip it’s a sign of a problem that should be professionally inspected.

Know How to Use Your Fire Extinguisher

We’ve seen wall fire extinguishers used as a Winter jacket hanger and others buried under tools in a tote box on a back porch. Let alone knowing how to use the thing, many homeowners would have a hard enough time trying to find the extinguisher in case of an emergency. Your fire extinguisher should be within easy access and you should understand the PASS method of operation:

• P- Pull the pin
• A- Aim at the base of the fire
• S – Squeeze the handle
• S – Sweep side to side until the flames have extinguished

Know that Water is Dangerous to an Electrical Fire

The reason you need to know how to use your fire extinguisher is because it is your only hope (save for a fire retardant blanket) of corralling the flames in time. Water is a conductor (the reason you have GFCI outlets in bathrooms and kitchens) so throwing it on an electrical fire will likely cause the flames to spread.

Flickering Lights are Not Normal

We’ve all seen them in horror movies – lights that flicker identifying the presence of evil spirits. The truth is, instead of the Ghostbusters, the first call the teenagers should have made was to an electrician. Flickering lights can be caused by loose wires, worn-out fixtures, or a faulty switch in addition to the undead. The flickering is your warning sign that some major fire risks are prevalent in hidden areas (ceilings, behind walls).

Use Common Sense

Sure electrical issues can arise out of the blue, but a lot of times they have been failing for some time. Light plates that are hot, electrical cords that are held together by tape, wobbly ceiling fans, and appliances that consistently buzz you are all signs of issues (and ones that usually don’t fix themselves).

We’re glad to offer 24/7 electrical service, but we’re even happier to see you avoid emergency issues altogether.

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Don’t Be a Victim

Let Elite Comfort Home & Commercial help you restore your home or business.

One thing to remember when contracting out services to restore the A/C, heat, plumbing, or electrical to your home or business is that not every company has your best interest in mind. It would be nice to think that the ‘friendly neighborhood repair technician’ image from the past is largely still prevalent today, but if you don’t do your homework you may find yourself in an unsavory situation. 

As a property owner, you’re probably thinking that scam repair companies are just hyperbole because after all, ‘work is work.’ Don’t let yourself learn the hard way that these fly by night operations truly do exist and for the common goal of, instead of fixing your drains they just drain you of your money.

One of the first problems with controversial home renovation companies is that they work in volume. You’ll notice a lower bid but also the work is sloppily slapped together to move on to the next job as quickly as possible. They’ll undercut bids up front but then try and include as many add-on fixes as possible to squeeze some more cash out of you. They may or may not be licensed, bonded, and insured. Also, their promptness to return to the house for any fixes to their work is anybody’s guess.

So, how do you avoid becoming a victim when the repairs are obviously needed? There are a few reasons how Elite Comfort Home & Commercial proves worrying about craftsmanship, quality, and costs doesn’t have to be inevitable when hiring home services:

Qualified, Local Company

We are a local residential and commercial restoration company that has been working in the Houston area since 2011. Our license numbers are predominantly displayed on the top of our website proving our qualifications and expertise.

A Strong Reputation

Our online reviews prove our dedication to prompt, proper repairs with courteous customer service. We are 5 Star rated on Yelp and have an A+ grade from the Better Business Bureau.

We Have the Customer’s Best Interest in Mind

Part of the reason we have repeatedly earned these high marks is because we operate in a transparent manner. There are no hidden fees with our services and every issue outside of what’s included on the work order is presented in a clear and concise manner. We can make our recommendations, but the customer always has the final say in the work done.

NEVER Charge for Estimates

Part of being a responsible property owner is obtaining multiple bids from service companies so that you can compare costs, scope of work, etc. We never charge for our estimates and try to provide you as honest an assessment of the project as possible.

Don’t be a victim the next time your home or business needs electrical, HVAC, or plumbing work. Give us a call at 832-309-3771 to eliminate your risks.

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Operating Your Electrical System Safely this Summer

It’s not like you went the Winter without electricity, in fact you probably had a very heavy reliance on your power operating lights during the shorter days and making sure your furnace was operating. That being said, your air-conditioner is the biggest drain on your electrical system and it’s almost time to fire up the unit. Nesting rodents, corrosive cold weather, and other signs of Winter may have harmed your electrical system over the past few months so follow these tips on getting the components ready for the Spring and Summer season and using them safely.

Create Storage for Your Electrical Cords

The warm weather is the time for swimming, washing cars, and cutting the lawn, all of which can be detrimental to outdoor electrical cords. Get in the practice of unplugging your cords when not in use and storing them securely in down time.

Be Careful With Digging

Whether you’re planting a garden, digging footings for a deck, or boring out a whole for a basketball hoop know where your underground power utilities are running.

Inspect Electrical Wiring

Wire housing on your electrical components are like filet mignon to rodents who chew off the rubber and use it for their nests. If they haven’t already gotten zapped, make sure you don’t by performing a careful inspection of your A/C wiring and power tools which have been on the bench for the Winter. Better yet, schedule a professional inspection and testing to make sure your system is up to par.

Trim Your Foliage

Trees can sprout up in the Spring, creating a meeting point with power lines that have also drooped during the Winter. Keep your trees trimmed before they reach that point. Also, make sure shrubs and bushes aren’t blocking the air flow of your outdoor air-conditioner compressor housing.

Have Your Swimming Pool Inspected

The Winter is very unpredictable and so is its effects on your dormant components such as a swimming pool. All sorts of issues can arise from exposure to the frigid elements no matter how winterized your pool may have been. Schedule an electrical inspection just to be 100% certain that pool lights are in good working orders and components such as pumps are properly grounded.

Finally just use caution when doing work outside whether it’s using a ladder to clean out gutters (power lines) or using an electrical trimmer to maintain weeds (risk of shock). Call us if you’re not comfortable inspecting your electrical system or have questions about specific issues. Together we can make this another fun-filled Summer like we’ve all become accustomed to.

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Air Conditioner Maintenance May Seem Unnecessary But Look at the Repair Costs

We constantly stress the importance of having your annual HVAC inspection before the Summer season kicks into full gear. Not only is it often required by a manufacturer in order to fulfill the responsibilities of your warranty, it’s by far the easiest way to detect predicaments before they turn into catastrophes. Even still, many homeowners feel that our annual visits are simply a waste of money. Here are some repairs however (and their costs) that can result if you don’t give us a call:

• Refrigerant leak repair – refrigerant leaks can only be handled by professionals trained to deal with the toxic substance. When leaks are caught early they can be repaired and tested which not only saves you money in utility bills, but also repair costs which can reach $1,600.

• Circuit board replacement – a circuit board will start to display issues even before it eventually becomes fried altogether. By detecting weak solder joints and other failing components early you can save up to $600 in replacement costs (and avoid spark and fire dangers).

• Thermostat replacement – a malfunctioning thermostat may not be immediately detectable. You may go months of paying exorbitantly high utility prices because your thermostat is operating lower than its settings. A replacement will save a chunk of money monthly (especially when replaced with a programmable model) and avoid costs of up to $250 when the whole system fails.

• Compressor replacement – part of our AC maintenance involves the ever-important cleaning of the compressor from the dust and debris that has built up over the Winter. This gunk restricts air flow which lowers the efficiency, but also drives the compressor to work harder; ultimately failing. Having the compressor maintained can save you up to $1,800 in replacement unit costs.

• Evaporator coil – not only do exterior A/C components need a Spring cleaning, so do interior parts such as the evaporator coil. Cleaning the evaporator coil helps to avoid the acid buildup which causes tiny pinhole leaks within the system. The cost of replacing these units can reach $1,200 or more.

• Fan motor replacement – as expected your A/C fan is a moving part. When dirt and grime are lodged into the bearings, that moving part becomes stationary – only it doesn’t know this and thus burns out trying to follow its system commands. There’s a $300 replacement cost tha could have been avoided with professional maintenance.

• Condensate pump replacement – part of the healthy operation of your A/C system is adequate disposal of condensation into the drains in the floor. When the pump becomes plugged this water backs up and disperses all over your utility room floor. Not only will you need up to $250 to replace the pump, but also a good mold remediation service to clean the mildew that has formed in the cool, damp area.

As you see, annual HVAC inspection is not a ruse to jostle extra money from our customers, it’s a steadfast plan to save you costs on unnecessarily high utility bills and replacing components that could have been avoided. The sound peace of mind from knowing your A/C is running at peak levels is something our clients consider priceless.

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Spring is in the Air, Is Your Plumbing System Ready?

For the most part we worry about our plumbing system more during the Winter than we do the Summer. Nothing quite says ‘welcome home‘ like walking indoors out of the cold to see water seeping out of your walls from frozen or burst pipes. All that considered, your plumbing may be more in demand during the warm months when outdoor hoses are in use and washing machines struggle to keep up with dirty clothes from the outside. Here are some tips on making sure your pipes are ready to stand up to the heat.

Have a Leak Check Performed

Small drips can seem nothing more than a nuisance during the Summer when we’re dumping gallons of water on our cars, plants, and bodies. That being said why not pay as low of utility bills as possible, even during the warm months. Plus, capturing small leaks early is the best way to prevent them from becoming large holes later in the year. Also, leaks lead to damage to walls and floors and will inhibit the growth of mold, especially in the humid Summer months.

Clean Your Gutters

While not a part of your plumbing system, per sé, your home’s gutters are an important aspect to controlling water flow. When the gutters become clogged with leaves and debris they can no longer drain as designed to. Since the water has to go somewhere, it overflows the gutters and seeps down the side of the house. This water then absorbs into the foundation instead of being displaced out into the yard or into the street. Water then starts soaking through cracks into the foundation and into the basement, opening up a whole new can of issues.

Inspect Spigots and Hoses

Make sure your spigots and hoses run water when they are turned on. If not, it could be a sign of a broken loop somewhere in the system caused by the shifting from freezing and thawing the ground.

Check Drains

Finally make sure water drains where it is supposed to. This includes gutter downspouts, utility rooms, garages, and more – areas which weren’t doused with water as much in the Winter and could have accumulated blockage. Dirt, damage, and bird or rodent nests may have to be assessed in order to restore function. If not, the water will build up and then back up leading to a cesspool that attracts bacteria and insects during the warm weather.

Give us a call for an all-in-one plumbing inspection and to make sure your home is fully prepared to have some fun in the sun.

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