Waking Up Your Air-Conditioning From Winter Hibernation

Most of North America is nearing that lull in the seasons when they can achieve a relief from heating the house and instead enjoy the crisp cool air of Spring coming through the windows to whisk away the remnants of Winter. Many people view this as the best time of year, especially after being mostly domesticated and battling cold, snow, and ice for the past 4-5 months. Be aware though, the Spring can fly by fast and before you know it the humming of the air-conditioner will be a welcome reprieve from the hot and humid temperatures.

The Spring season raises a good question – is it more about digging out from a brutal Winter or preparing for a pleasant Summer? For the answer you really need to look no further than your home’s air-conditioner. The outside unit likely endured a brutal pounding from constant exposure to cold temperatures over the Winter so it needs to be both maintained from the past and prepped for the future to enjoy efficient operation in the months to come.

Cleaning the Outdoor Central A/C Unit

Whether you have a central air or a split-duct system the outside unit needs to be cleaned before jumping in to the main Summer cooling season. The compressor and condenser sit in this outside unit and will freeze up and have restricted air flow if not cleared of debris and buildup. First turn off the power to the A/C then remove the outer case to allow access into the heart of the unit. Use a vacuum to suck up the debris from the fins and then spray them off with water from the garden hose.

Clean the Indoor Unit

The outside part of the air-conditioner essentially creates the cold air while the inside unit delivers it. It’s equally important to clean the inside unit so that dirt and debris which settled in the Winter aren’t distributed throughout the house every time the A/C runs. The filter should be changed at the beginning of the cooling season (as well as frequently throughout the Summer) and the blower housing should be vacuumed of any dirt and debris.

Do Some Test Runs 

Kids and rodents as well as the environment and just old age could leave the air-conditioner at a very unpredictable status over the offseason. You should check any electrical connections as well as duct registers, circuit breakers, and more before starting up the A/C. Even if it powers on without a hitch, run the air-conditioner a few times before it is really needed so that you can inspect if any airflow is lost through damaged ducts, if condensation is forming in the drip pan (as it should), and just if the unit is operating at it should in general.

Get a Professional Annual Inspection 

It’s easy to spot debris when cleaning but harder for a DIYer to know if the internal components of the air-conditioner are in good working order. It’s recommended to get an annual inspection before the hot Summer months first of all for peace of mind in knowing that the system will function but also for tasks such as:

• Cleaning the 3 C’s – compressor, condenser, and coils.
• Checking refrigerant levels – recommended by only a certified tech.
• Inspection of all wiring – testing and evaluation of both hidden and exposed connections.
• Checking the cycle on and cycle off processes – for safety and running efficiency.
• Calibrating the thermostat – to avoid unnecessary cycling and accurate temperature readings.
• Lubricate moving parts – fans and blowers build up with debris.
• Clean drains and tubes – avoid backup and potential mold growth in the utility room.

In some cases an annual inspection of your HVAC system by a certified technician is required in order to keep in good standing with the manufacturer’s warranty. In this instance an inspection becomes a great investment.

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Is It Time for an Insulation Upgrade?

For many homeowners the topic of insulation is an out of site, out of mind discussion. If a room is cold we generally just turn up the heat, put plastic over the windows, or throw on an extra sweater. Poor insulation almost never catches a bad rap because it is hidden behind a wall and most people don’t know what, if any, kind of thermal resistance is in their walls.

The truth is millions of dollars have been spent installing Energy Star windows, upgrading a furnace, or powering a space heater when in fact those projects are useless because of underlying insulation issues. When you left the door open as a kid you heard, “are you trying to heat the whole neighborhood” when in essence poor insulation is in itself an open door.

The real tricky question comes in knowing whether or not your current insulation is adequate. It’s one thing to rip into wallpaper and drywall to come to this conclusion but it creates a whole new problem in itself. Instead, follow these tips on determining what you have for insulation and then what your options moving forward are:

Where Should Insulation Be? 

It’s important to remember that insulation is not only for keeping cold air outside during the Winter, it’s also crucial for blocking out hot air in the Summer. The obvious spots for insulation are in every exterior wall from floor to ceiling. One of the areas where many homes have inadequate insulation however is in an attic. Temps can approach 150° in an uninsulated attic as heat from the roof is absorbed into the home, making air-conditioners work harder and driving up energy bills.

Is My Insulation Adequate?

Many homeowners are faced with the conundrum of having insulation but not knowing whether it is sufficient or not. Energy Star has laid out a map of eight different insulation zones and the recommended R-Value of the attics, walls, and floor (R-value is the amount of thermal resistance). The best places to start searching are the attic, which should have 12” of insulation and putting batting between floor joists in a crawl space or unfinished basement.

Checking Wall Insulation 

The reason attics and basements are recommended to upgrade insulation first is because they are easy to access. Attics can have insulation blown into them and basement joists are usually exposed. Walls however are covered up by drywall or plaster and what lies behind them is mostly a mystery. Upgrading wall insulation is expensive because it involves demolition of the finished walls (or drilling multiple holes) and rehanging sheets after improving the thermal resistance – that being said in an old house that is a sieve for heat and A/C loss it could be a worthwhile investment.

Insulation Upgrade Options

If you’ve determined that your existing insulation is doing nothing but draining money on utility bills and making your home uncomfortable, the next step is to determine what type of upgrade you want to have performed. Popular insulation types include:

• Fiberglass batts – come in 16” or 24” wide rolls that fit nicely into the space between wall studs. Requires open access to that area however (removed drywall, unfinished rooms).

• Polystyrene foam board – can be installed from the exterior to provide high insulation value compared to the thickness, especially when combined with improved interior insulation.

• Loose fill cellulose – blown in material which can be sent into an enclosed wall needing more insulation and attic floors as well.

• Polyurethane spray  – can be sprayed into enclosed areas or exposed attic floors but works when pressure-sprayed into an exposed wall.

Please contact us to schedule an inspection of your existing insulation setup as well as for more information on which insulating options work best regarding your home’s layout.

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How Much Should Homeowners Know About Their Own Plumbing?

There are some definite things a DIYer could do around their house if they ‘had to’ and other projects that are a fun way to spend a weekend learning something new. Things that come to mind in these regards include painting a room, changing doors from Spring to Winter, power-washing the siding, and other tasks that don’t require calling ‘the guy’. Two areas which most DIYers opt to bring in the professionals are anything having to do with either 1) electrical work or 2) plumbing.

A majority of time when the power goes out it doesn’t really necessitate an emergency. Granted not having a furnace power on for an extended period of time could get worrisome but usually utility crews are on the case and there’s not a lot a homeowner could do to fix the power anyway. Plumbing problems are a different animal however. A toilet not flushing or a sink not draining becomes a serious issue where a plumber needs to be called sooner rather than later. Then there’s pipes that burst which could essentially damage the entire home if not handled immediately.

This begs the question of how much a homeowner should know about their own plumbing system. Even the fastest contractors with 24/7 emergency service take a few minutes to get on-site which in the case of an overflowing toilet or a wall that is leaking could mean thousands of dollars in damage. The average homeowner isn’t expected to know how to reroute pipes throughout their home, but knowledge of these basics can only help.

Water Shut Off

Rule number one when it comes to unwanted water suddenly appearing in your home is “Stop the Flow”. Before you can even assess the situation and brainstorm repairs it’s important to minimize the damage by turning off the water valve. The easiest solution is to simply turn off the main valve that enters the home (basement, utility room, etc.) from the outside and is usually located near an exterior wall. If a fixture such as a sink knob or a toilet handle sticks then individual valves can be used so that the rest of the house maintains water access.

Location of Water Meter

One of the biggest utility drains on a house is hidden lost water usually from undetectable leaks. These not only  cost basically money for nothing, but the constant presence of moisture is eventually going to either rot the surface it is in contact with or lead to the formation of mold. Find the water meter (near a garden, footpath, on the exterior of the home or under the sink) and turn off all fixtures inside the house. Check the numbers and then recheck a while later and since the fixtures are off there should be no change. If there is, a leak is present…somewhere.

Winter Care

The cold weather is bad enough, nobody wants to deal with an indoor ice rink from broken pipes on top of that. As the temperatures start to dip make sure to disconnect all the outside hoses and put insulation on any pipes that are exposed or located in cold patches (window in a basement utility room).

Routine Maintenance and Proper Operation

If water is taking a lot longer than normal to drain it’s best to attack the blockage early instead of letting it build up into a more serious issue. Salt (or baking soda and vinegar) and boiling hot water are a great concoction for breaking up clogs as is a hardware store $15 drain snake. An even better approach is preventing the blockage in the first place by using the garbage disposal responsibly (or not at all) and installing hair stoppers on bathroom drains.

These basics should help most homeowners either avoid or know how to tackle an emergency situation promptly. For most plumbing issues it’s best to hire a contractor but these tips and a little familiarity with your home’s plumbing will limit the damage until we can get there.

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Should You Switch From Electric to Gas Furnace?

To most commercial and residential property owners around Humble, the common ideal is that electric heating is a more economically sound choice than gas. It would seem that electricity would be cheaper to run than gas with a much reduced strain on the environment to boot. As it turns out though, many of these property owners are finding out that gas heating from an efficient furnace actually provides savings over electricity. Therefore the switch from an electric furnace to a gas one is gaining steam.

Why Switch to Natural Gas

Something to be considered is that when switching over to natural gas (or installing in a new house) you can also convert the water heater, dryer, and other appliances which is where you receive your cost savings. Gas is about 3-4 times cheaper than electricity (4p/kWh to 15p/kWh) and the savings could possible reach up to $1,500 per year when switching the meters from electric to gas. The reason for the savings is because gas is more efficient – approximately 90% reaches you compared to about 30% of the energy used to create electricity.

For some homeowners the cost alone is reason enough to convert from gas to electric heat but it is by far not the only benefit. For those who cook often at home, a gas stove offers more dialed in control over temperatures and pots and pans get heated more evenly which results in a better tasting meal. Many homeowners also feel that gas water heaters deliver a more constant supply of warm water than their electric counterparts. Gas appliances can also be used when the power is out – something electric units cannot boast.

Can Your Home Accommodate Natural Gas?

Before pondering over the question of whether to switch to gas from electric, you need to make sure the option is a capability. For instance, a main gas line needs to be in the vicinity and there needs to be an unobstructed path from pipe to home. Most developments are natural gas capable but cabins or farmland may not be.

Should You Convert?

Once you know you can make the conversion, the next question to ask is should you? The ultimate decision comes down to a customer by customer basis and your current situation. Are your electric bills manageable because of low usage/a small household? Will the conversion require switching out of appliances that are less than five years old? Will your potential savings ever recoup the initial costs for trenching, gas line installation, new appliances, etc? Do you currently have an electric forced air furnace or are do you have radiators and electric baseboards?

Many of these costs can be recouped monthly with lower utility bills but also depend on how much longer you plan to occupy the property. That being said, gas over electric heating is a selling point which drives up market value and may lure potential buyers so the reclaim may be sooner than expected. Some energy saving rebates are also available for conversion from electric to gas.

We understand there are many things to consider in the debate of gas or electric furnace and appliances in your home. Feel free to contact us for more specific information about your exact situation.

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Lighting Tips for a Bright Kitchen

Lighting is important in every area of your home for functionality, style, and to improve the overall health of each room. Not only should lighting be there, it should also come in a variety of forms from natural to aesthetic to ambient, task, and accent. This combination of lighting in each room helps improve the looks of the room but also serves definitive purpose.

According to 9 out of 10 real estate agents the kitchen is the most important room in the house (master bedroom being the other) and it could be time to reevaluate the lighting in this area that is used for meal prep, eating, and entertaining. Depending on the home’s layout the kitchen may also be the first part of the home that is entered so versatile lighting is very important.

A quality electrician can rewire your kitchen to include all the important lighting basics. The room must be bright enough for cooking (task lighting), should be relaxing and comfortable when eating (aesthetic lighting) and should be safe as an entry way into the house (accent lighting). Here are some tips on how we help you achieve these kitchen lighting goals.
Layering 

Layering is important in a kitchen because the room serves so many purposes. A constant bright light is useful for cooking but annoying when trying to enjoy cocktails with guests. Accent lighting sets the mood but strains the eyes when trying to read recipes, and so on. Layering puts lights at different levels in the kitchen and we install switches to help these zones operate independently.

Natural Light 

Natural light comes from a kitchen window or with reflective countertops, appliances, floors, etc. Natural lighting is very important to help eliminate the need for light usage during the day.

Ambient Light 

Ambient is also known as general lighting and is used to maintain a constant level of brightness over an entire room. Installing these types of lights helps you avoid ‘dark zones’ and even though multiple fixtures may account for the light, they are typically controlled from one central switch. Ambient lighting is a must-have in kitchens whether it comes via can lights, sconces, hanging bulbs, etc.

Task 

Many of our clients are enamored with task lighting which brighten up certain ‘work zones’ in the kitchen. This is most frequently found on food prep areas or over the kitchen sink but can also be fitted over counters or tables where homework or reading the newspaper is done. The controls for task lighting focus on centralized locations to both save on energy drain and to make work more comfortable.

Accent 

Accent or aesthetic lighting is interesting because it can be wired in your kitchen to either draw attention or just serve as a subtle background. We can install accent lighting under countertops or around backsplashes to provide a soft light that both sets the mood but also creates a safe walkway at night. Then again, accent lighting can also be outfitted to draw attention to a particular painting, sculpture, kitchen piece, etc. that serves as the room’s focal point.

The best way to plan a lighting strategy for your kitchen is to see what you have and determine what you want / need. We accomplish this with on-site visits and develop a plan that is the most non-invasive as possible. Contact us today to take the first steps in improving the lighting in the most important room in your home.

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Don’t Have Hot Water? Some Things to Try Before Contacting a Plumber

Simply put, your home needs hot water. Going without hot water does much more than create an inconvenience, it can alter your work career (being late, looking disheveled), damage your clothes, and cause health risks when preparing your food. You’ve likely gone a few hours without hot water before but much longer than  that slowly becomes an emergency situation.

Of course the best way to restore hot water immediately is with a call to your trusted local plumber, Elite Comfort. While we always respond quickly, we also look out for your best interest and offer you these simple tips to try before giving us a call:

1. Check the Pilot Light

Over half the time (and likely 75% or more) the issue of no hot water has to do with your pilot light being out. The pilot light fires up the burners which heat the water before it is delivered through your plumbing. Obviously if that light is out, the water won’t get warm so check this through the front of the tank. If it’s out, follow the instructions on the control panel to relight.

2. Flip the Circuit Breaker

You’ll definitely notice when the power is out in the whole house but a tripped breaker to the utility room might fly under the radar. If you aren’t receiving hot water in your fixtures a quick troubleshooting of the breaker box will determine if a flipped circuit is the problem.

3. Set the Thermostat

In some instances your water heater could be running perfectly except for the fact that the thermostat has accidentally been turned down. This could happen if it is bumped in a utility room or if it was set lower for the warmer months. Make sure that the thermostat is set somewhere between 120° and 140°. If so and the water is still not hot we may have to install a replacement for the malfunctioned thermostat.

4. Check for Tank Leaks

Water and metal aren’t the best friends in the world so leaks in a water heater are very common. Check the fittings on the top of the tank where water enters and leaves and also inspect the side of the tank for noticeable drips from the pressure relief valves. Sometimes the leaks can be fixed by tightening the fixtures with a pipe wrench but other times they are a sign that a replacement tank is needed or there are internal issues. It never hurts to call us for an inspection just to provide sound peace of mind.

5. Test the Elements

If the water heater produces no hot water at all it could be an issue with the upper heating element whereas if there is some warmth the lower element could have gone bad. These can be tested by turning off the power to the water heater, removing the panels and insulation covering the elements, and testing the units with a multimeter. Depending on the wattage of the element it should register between 11 and 16 ohms whereas no reading means a replacement is needed.

6. Wait

Sometimes the easiest fix is simply to wait. As the hot water reserves are used up, the unit needs time to heat up a new supply so if you are doing excessive laundry, dishwashing, and taking multiple showers the resources may just be low.

If none of these quick fixes work, the best bet is to give us a call. Unfortunately water heaters do have a definitive life span (8-15 years) and sometimes they just simply die out.

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http://elitecomforthomeandcommercial.com/2016/01/dont-have-hot-water/

Elite Comfort Announces Name Change, New Repair Services

Humble, Texas, (December 28, 2015) — After years in the industry, Elite Comfort AC & Heating has changed its name to Elite Comfort Home and Commercial Services and increased the repair services it offers, to cover a wider range of residential and business needs in the Houston area.

Elite Comfort Home and Commercial Services now offers plumbing, electrical, and insulation solutions in addition to its air conditioning and heating expertise. Find out more at http://elitecomforthomeandcommercial.com/.

“We approach and address all issues concerning comfort, cold spots, hot spots, and indoor air qualities. We strive not to put a Band-Aid on a situation, but to solve the issue at hand,” President Charles Elliott said. “And we do all of this by not missing the most important part: listening to the customer and their issues upfront.”

Elliott and Vice President Chris Avirett remain in their positions while overseeing the air conditioning and heating division of the company. Joining the company are John Lawrence and Amanda Lawrence to head the electrical division, and Jarod Volking to oversee the insulation division.

Elite Comfort is known in Humble, Kingwood, and throughout the Houston area for its speed, reliability, and the knowledge its specialists have to solve even the most difficult problems. Clients rave about the company’s work:

• “Elite is the most responsive, professional, and experienced contracting company we’ve ever worked with.”
• “Their rates were incredibly reasonable and I never felt like I was being taken advantage of.”
• “I would strongly recommend this company to anyone who would like to have honest work done for a decent price.”

Elite Comfort offers not only high-quality products and services, but also parts and labor warranties for both its residential and commercial installations.

“With our personalized service and 100 percent satisfaction guarantees, we aim to provide the best home and business solutions in the Houston area,” Elliott said. “We have long been the go-to company for heating and cooling services. Our new plumbing, electrical, and insulation services are just as dependable.”

About Elite Comfort Home and Commercial Services 

Based in Humble, Texas, Elite Comfort Home and Commercial Services offers air conditioning, heating, plumbing, electrical, and insulation solutions throughout the Houston metropolitan area. Founded in 2011 as Elite Comfort AC & Heating, the company specializes in providing fast, friendly, and above all, reliable solutions at reasonable prices. The company is a member of the Better Business Bureau and the ACCA—Air Conditioning Contractors of America. It also can be found on Angie’s List and supports Susan G. Komen. For more information, visit http://elitecomforthomeandcommercial.com/.

The post Elite Comfort Announces Name Change, New Repair Services appeared first on Elite Comfort Home & Commercial Services.

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