| DD Mechanical Services Newsletter |
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| Updates and More |
Feb 2012 |
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What's In a Name
What's in a name? Watch the television and you will see adds running for Carrier, American Standard (Noland Ryan endorsing), Trane (Hard to Stop a Trane!), Lennox (Rely on Dave) and on and on. But have you ever wondered who really owns these companies and brand names? Not all is as it seems to be.
After a little research we found who owns who and thought this might be interesting.
Ingersoll-Rand Corporation (an Irish or Bermuda based company depending on were you look) owns American Standard / Trane. American Standard was once GE who bought the Trane label in the 80's. Both Brands come off the same assemble line. Some equipment is still manufactured in the U S. Ingersoll-Rand has started moving manufacturing to Indonesia in the last few years.
Goodman Global Corp. (U S or British based) owns Goodman, Amana, Whirlpool, GMC and Janitrol brands. Goodman actually started off as a flexible duct manufacture. Ventured into the HVAC manufacturing and brought out the Janitrol label originally. At first they put out one of the best Air Conditioners made. Each was hand made and considered the Rolls Royce of HVAC. Then they went public. Marketing to the Multifamily Housing Business (apartments) they built less expensive unit. Wanting to be regaining the residential market, Goodman Global bought the licensing right to the Amana and Whirlpool labels.
Lennox International Corp office in the Dallas/ Fort Worth area owns Lennox, Armstrong, Aire-flow and Ducane. Named after the inventor Dave Lennox Has operation all over the U S. Seems always to try out new designs and ideas. Recently the Solar powered HVAC systems. Sometimes successful sometimes not.
Paloma Corp (Japanese Based) a hot water heater company owns Rheem, Ruud and Weatherking. Originally owned by the Rheem brothers the manufactures water heater. In 1940 went into the HVAC manufacturing. Plants in Ft. Smith Ark and other places.
Nortek Corporation out of St Louis Missouri owns Nordyne who intern has the labels Maytag, Frigidaire and Westinghouse. Manufacturing plant in O'Fallon Missouri. These are some of the best most efficient HVAC system on the market with the patented IQ Drive systems. Interestingly enough Nordyne a wholly owned company of Nortek also owns the labels Intertherm, Philco, Tappan, Gibson. Originally Nordyne marketed to the manufactured housing market (Mobil Homes) with the Intertherm brand. Decided to branch out into the residential market with the other labels listed. Wanting to have a Premier brand they developed the IQ drive systems. Now touted as the highest rated SEER units on the market today.
United Technologies Inc (ITC) owns Carrier, Bryant and Payne. Carrier, also International Comfort Products (IPC) owns the licensing to the Arco Air, Comfortmaker, Day and Night, Heil, Tempstar and Keepright brands. One of the first manufactures to start using the new refrigerant R-410A or Puron under the Carrier name. Moved their manufacturing facilities to Mexico.
Johnson Controls (developer of the first electric thermostat) owns York International owns York, Luxaire, Moncrief, Coleman, Frasier-Johnson, Homeaire and Air Pro. Manufacturing plant in the US and Mexico
So what do you gain from this information? Knowledge! When a manufacture or contractor comes in and touts they has the best unit made, and they might, look further than the label. Brand X may be the same as brand Y and Z. While X may drive the higher price, you could still get the same quality from brand Y and Z at a lesser price. A point to check out is repair histories. That takes a little more effort but can really be an eye opener. While brand M can be rated as the best made since sliced bread, it may have a horrible repair history. This will take looking at several websites and if able getting reports from third party independent agencies. Also see if the manufacture requires any training on their product before they will allow a contractor to install equipment. Believe me some do and some don't. And don't forget to look at warranties. Manufactures warranty equipment based on their research of how long it will last. If it has a 10 year warranty, on average it should last 10 years. Do read the fine print though. There are restrictions.
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Dear David,
Well we are still in Winter. Or are we? Some days its Spring. Some I'm just not sure. This is going to be a very interesting year and we think you need to know what is happening now and in the forseeable future. Hold on folks this is going to be a wild ride!
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WHAT DO YOU MEAN IT COST MORE!
Well this year started off with a real surprise. The cost of R-22 (Freon), depending on where you buy it, increased in price by 200-300%. Some supply houses are even limiting the amount that can be purchased. Depending on who you talk too, you get several reasons why this happened. We all know that R-22 is going to be phased out. That was not the issue this time. And according to supply and demand the price should increase. But in all honesty, not this much.
What we have been told is that the EPA regulates the amount of R-22 produced and imported in each given year. Last year, due to the extreme long hot summer, producers and importers shipped more than the quota allotted. This was based on demand. Lot's of people were going the inexpensive route and either getting repairs on old equipment that should have been replaced. Or buying a large quantity of Dry Shipped units. Units that do not have any refrigerant loaded in them. In retrospect I can't blame people for doing whatever it takes to get by. The economy is down and all prices are increasing.
The EPA started looking at this trend as early as September of last year. They did not like what they were seeing. So to hold to a Treaty about the O-Zone (The Montreal Protocol), a federal mandate came down to cut production and imports to make up for the over use the previous year. And Walla! We now have a price increase. And to top it off, last year one of the producers of the new refrigerant (R-410A) decided it was not cost effective to make that product anymore. So the price of the new refrigerant went up earlier last year. But it only increased in price at about 35%.
Now how is this going to effect, you the consumer. The price of air conditioning repairs is going to increase dramatically. At this time, it will cost as much to install a low end R-410A system as it would be to install a dry unit you have to load R-22. Repairing an R-22 piece of equipment may become cost prohibitive. On top of this, prices due to prices of transportation, raw materials etc... going up will have to pay more for your comfort.
So what is the consumer to do? First please don't get mad at the messenger. Which are usually the Air Conditioning technician and contractor. They have no more control over this than you do. Start being proactive. Start finding out information now that you will need later. Find out how old your equipment is. If you haven't already start getting the system checked out. Look for any problems that may happen. Yes, there are those stories out there of the person who has had their air conditioner for 30+ years. Never had anything done to it and it still works. That is not the norm and is very rare. And they will be very surprised when they have to replace their system. How many times have you had to put out money for repairs? Have you had Freon loaded in your system when a tech comes out? Did you ever get it check for leak? Answer these question you will be prepared.
What ever you do it will cost more money than you expected. But if you look back at the automobile industry or basically any manufactured product, all have gone up in price. When was the last time you paid cash for a car, a house etc...? In the next article I will go over how you can get a better deal and still afford to have a comfortable home.
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How Can I Ever Afford a New Air Conditioner Again?
With all that is going on in the HVAC market you ask yourself how can I afford this? The better question is how can I not afford this? Yes, air conditioning repair and replacement is not what used to be. But then again what is? HVAC systems need to be looked at as not something that will just cool and heat the home. But something that will make your home comfortable in the hot Summer and warm and cozy in the harsh Winter. And yes we do get some cold weather here. It wasn't that long ago we had snow three times in one year.
But with comfort come cost. Instead of thinking of the HVAC as an expensive purchase, think of it as an investment. You will not collect interest on the money you spent on the system. But it can actually help you to reduce your living cost. In some cases you could see the net valve go up. Here is how. First look at getting the best you can afford.
Then ask yourself how long I am going to live here. Next find out how long it will be before you get a return on investment. Then look at warranty.
Let's look at each step.
- The best you can afford. How are you going to afford the new system? Can you pay cash? Use a credit card? Finance it? Not a lot of people will be able to have the money put away for this type of purchase. But if you have cash for it, that is the best way. Financing versus credit cards. All depends on the length and type of payments you want. Many finance companies are now offering several different plans. From low interest to $0 down 0% APR. I have even seen some plans go for as much a 60 months. Whereas credit cards have low interest and let you pay it out over time. Here's were the next step comes in.
- How long am I going to live here? On average high end system 16-24 SEER pay back from utility saving in about 6 -7 years. That is based that your utility bill (combination of Gas and Electric) saves you. 40% on this cost. This is cost vs. savings with the savings going towards the utility cost. If you have a $400 light bill/ month that is reduced to $240/month and your payment is $150 with interest and you living in the home for more than 5 years you would see the payback. It may even be earlier. If you are only going to be in the home 1-5 years and the utility bill is $200/ month. You might want to check out a less expensive lower efficiency unit.
- Warranty. Many manufactures are offering a 10 year warranty if registered. Other wise it is a 5 year warranty. Now DD Mechanical Services is one of the few contractors that can and does offer not only a 10 year parts warranty on equipment it sells but a 10 year labor warranty. No we do not carry the warranty ourselves. This is usually done by agreement with a manufacture or a third party.
It used to be simple on the purchase HVAC equipment. But then again it used to be simple to buy a car. As technology, new codes, new advances etc... nothing
is easy anymore. I used to say look for rebates. Many Manufactures used that to promote their equipment. From what we see this cost them too much and for the most part they have gone to the wayside. Even government has not done a lot to help with cost in this matter. The rules that we have shown above seem to be the best and most steady way of getting a handle on the ever increasing cost.
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I hope this newletter was informative and useful to you. Please pass this on to your friends,family and anyone you think can benefit from this information. Again thank for being one of our great customers.
Want or need more information, Go to the Quick Links section of this newsletter
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Sincerely,
David Kunetka 
DD Mechanical Services
TACLB016720E
281-579-8951
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Save Up to
50%
Off
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Preseason sale going on right now ! You can now own the most energy efficient Air Conditioning and Heating system on the market today for about the same price as a lower energy efficient system . Don't miss this once in a lifetime sale.
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| Offer Expires:March 31st or when the stock runs out! |
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| Featured Article |
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New Rules from the DOE
Recently, the department of energy has finalized rules concerning rating on the air conditioners and heaters/furnaces in your homes. Not all of the industry was in agreement with these new rules. Basically the DOE has divided the country into 3 regions. North, Southeast and Southwest. The North is comprised of states the equal to or above 5000 population weighed heating degrees days (HDD). The Southeast is less than 5000 (HDD). The Southwest comprises of the states of Arizonia,Califorina,Nevada and New Mexico. If you live in the North Region the minimun standards are now Air conditioners 13 SEER, Gas Furnaces 90%AFUE. Southeast Air Conditioners 14SEER and Gas Furnaces 80% AFUE. Southwest Air Conditioners 14SEER/12.2EER and 14 SEER/11.7 EER and gas Furnaces 80%AFUE. The states of Hawaii and commonwealth of Puerto Rico is to use the same standard as the Southeast and Alaska same standards as the North.
HARDI , ACCA and several other trade organizations were disappointed in the new standards the DOE has now initiated. This was based on how the small businesses were not included in the process that will affect them and thousands of consumers. About 2/3rds of the supply chain was left excluded from the process. ACCA was very disappointed in the "fast tract approach" the DOE took on placing these standards. Basically, the industry was ignored. One of the basic questions left unanswered is how the DOE plans to enforce these standards. The industry is looking forward to working together on this issue. They are trying to see the best way to minimize the hardships that will be placed on the industry and consumers.
Due to these new rules we can see pricing increasing in that manufactures now have 3 different standards to adhere too. As they say the cost will be passed down to the consumer. These standards will go into effect May 2013. Folks, as we have said before. Yes, Air conditioning is not cheap. Yes we are in a recession. No body has money to waste. If your A.C. is out of warranty or more than 10 years old, plan on purchasing a new one this year. You will not be wasting you money. Believe me you will save due to cost increases in the near future.
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| DD Mechanical Services Christmas Newsletter |
Dear David,
Well Christmas is around the corner. Thanksgiving is done. Hope you had a good one. And the New Year arrives very soon. As you can tell we have not been putting out this newsletter as frequently as in the previous years. This is not due to a lack of information but so much information coming down the pipe. It is hard to compile everything we believe is important just in one month without making this newsletter into a full fledge newspaper. We hope you don't mind and we will continue to give you important information.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
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Are Filters and Air Cleaners Really That Necessary?
One of the issues that DD Mechanical Services is accustom to and deals with, especially this time of year is Indoor Air Quality. Why is it important for you to have these type items on your equipment? What kind of results can you expect? Isn't the cheap old fiberglass filter good enough?
One of the issues that we now have in the new "tighter homes" is that the home does not "breathe". In other words, there is very little air exchange from inside to outside. You would think this would be good for climate control. Which it is. But there is a trade off. The tighter the home the more indoor air pollution there is. Indoor Air Pollution? Since the house is so tight I'm not getting any bad air from the outside so what is this problem?
The problem come in the form of chemicals that are in the creation and cleaning of the home. The wood is treated, paint in itself is a chemical that has toxins, glues and carpet (formaldehyde) dyes and fibers themselves have chemicals. Someone sick with an airborne virus or has a bacterial infection? Not to mention the cleaning supplies you use to "keep" you home clean. All of this is Indoor Air Pollution. You do not get these normally when you are outside. Now we have always had chemicals in our home. So why the concern now? The way home are built now. Back in the 40's and 50's even up to the early 60's homes were much draftier. So air exchange was adequate so chemicals were not being a concern. When the Federal Government started regulating energy usage, the building industry had to comply too new conservation methods. So the start of indoor pollution. Still do not believe it's that bad? Can you ingest anything you clean with or anything your hose is built with and live? Have you noticed the increase of asthma and flu type conditions?
So what is there out there it combat this issue. There are lots of devices to help keep the indoor air clean. I will list a few.
- UV lights. A great idea that is most often misapplied. Ultraviolet light (UV) will kill bacteria, mold and mildew. Works great on keeping these off your evaporator coil. The problem comes in two parts. One it only works on surfaces irradiated by the light. Second, if the air velocity is too great, it can't kill all the bacteria, mold and mildew in the air stream. The bad stuff is just moving to fast.The light usually last a couple of years before it need replacement..
- Electronic air cleaners. This consist of a prefilter, a media filter and electrostatic grid. Some come with a UV light. Much better than just a UV light. The prefilter get all the large particles. The media filter gets the small particles and grid help kill the bacteria, mold and mildew. Downside is they usually are not sized correctly. Like the UV light if the velocity is to great it will not work. This usually works for about 3 years if not serviced on a regular basis.
- Photohydronazation Ionizer. Consist of a UV light and a reactive core. The UV light strikes the core causing a reaction putting off ions, hydrogen peroxide, super-peroxides etc... One of the best systems available today.Kills mold, mildew,bacteria,virsus,odors etc... Downside cost a little more than other systems. UV light usually last about 3 years.
- Media Filter. Consist of a pleated type filter. Is a higher density filter that removes particulates from the air. Has a good MERV rating and help traps dust. Downside must be sized properly and will last depending on the manufacture 3 months to 1 year. Depending on type can be hard to get to. Some are. installed on the furnace itself.
- Electrostatic filters. Will trap a lot more dust and dirt than a Media filter. Again must be properly sized. Are washable Downsize they cost alot. After about 2 years get so clogged up they restrict air flow even after washing then out.
These range in price from a few dollars up to thousands of dollars. Any one will help. Usually a combination of theses gives the best results. Air Conditioning and Heating a home now is no longer just temperature control. Now it is controlling the environment in your home.
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Variable Speed Furnace Sale
Distributor is overstocked and needs to move these furnaces. Has reduced pricing below cost so he does not have to pay tax on these. You will not see another deal llike this
Up to 50% off till they run out.
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I want to thank all of our subscribers and customers for all their support this year. It's been a real roll-a-coaster of a ride. Let's hope and pray for a good year to come.
Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah and Happy New Year
David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
TACLB 016720E
281-579-8951
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| Save 25% |
Specials Just for You
Energy Evaluation and Load Calculation. See if you need a new Air Conditioner and/or Heater or just need the one you have fixed and adjusted. This coupon must be printed and presented in person to the service technician on arrival. Is transferable. Don't need it? Offer it to your friends and family.
RGF REME and Guardian Air Pro. The premier air purifier on the market today. Using PHI technology that eliminates bacteria,virsus,mold mildew odors etc...
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| Offer Expires: 1/31/2012 |
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DD Mechanical Services Newsletter
FALL NEWSLETTER |
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How Can I Afford This
One of the big questions this year is justifying the cost of a new Air Conditioning and Heating system. There are a lot of variables that need to be looked at to make this choice. With the economy down like it has been this year it is a difficult decision to make. Here are some things that need to be considered.
- How long am I going to be in this home? You really have to be truthful with yourself in this regard. There is a big difference in which way to go if you are going to be in the home only a short time. You want to make sure you get a good return on investments (ROI). The longer you are in the home the better the payback.
- How high is my light bill? Air Conditioning and Heating System in this area usually use between 50% and 75% of your power. If you have a very high light bill and can reduce it a lot. You can see a difference in the money spent on utility bills. For instance your bill is $500.00 you reduce it down 50%. That is $250.00 in savings or $3000.00 a year. This could see you getting a payback on your Air Conditioning and Heating equipment in a short time.
- I have the money but I am afraid that I will not get the best deal. Sure seems that way sometimes. You have to get a contractor that you can trust. One you feel comfortable with. A good contactor wants to get you the best deal he can because it is good for his business. The contractor you pick will be like a car mechanic or hair stylist that you have been using for years. They have a good reputation. They are backed by the manufactures. They have references.
- You just don't have the money. And I mean you really don't have the money. This can be due to an illness in the family, layoff from a job or some other catastrophic event. Yes in times like we are having people have to put the necessities of life first. Is a new air conditioning unit a necessity? To some yes to others no. If your answer is yes. What are the alternatives? Financing is one option. Even in this down economy some plans are available. See if you can get it repaired. Yes I do not always think this is the best option. But for some it can be the only option. There are a few programs available for the really hard hit that can provide you with a temporary cooling unit. The best way is to be honest with you're A contractor. A good one will always try their best to help
These are just a few thoughts. You really need to discuss this with your contractor. The good contractor will do everything in there power to make sure you are comfortable.
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Dear David,
It has been a long hot Summer for all of us. 100 degree days are over for now. Looking forward to some cooler temperatures.
Record shows when we have an extreme Summer like we have had. We will have an extreme Winter. As they say hope for the best prepare for the worst.
Sorry for not putting out a newsletter every month this Summer. Seems we were very busy and had little time to do much of anything other than run service calls. Hopefully we will be back on track again bringing you information and news from the HVAC front.
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Why Have A Heater Check Up?
We all think that we do not use our heaters that much here in S.E.Texas. So why do a heater check up anyway. Actually S.E Texas does get some cold weather. Just not as much as Fargo, North Dakota. Our normal "Heating Hours" are between 1500-2000 hours. In other words our winter temperatures usually start at the end of October and end around the last part of February. Because of the high humidity the 40-50 degrees here feels colder than say in Colorado were the humidity tends to be much less. We see about 18 days of freezing weather on average a year. We have about 3 weeks of winter weather where the temperature will drop in the 30s's or below. Records show that the winter weather time is getting longer for us though. Last year we had Snow and an Ice storm in February.
So you just thought you did not us your heater. In all reality you use it more than you think. So the reason to get that heater checked is not only so you will not be cold but, safety. On a gas furnace you basically have a controlled explosion and fire. On an electric heater you have a big toaster oven. Either with can be potentially dangerous. How many times have we seen a lot of homes go up in flames due to a faulty heater? Or how many times do we hear of somebody getting sick or dying from Carbon Monoxide poisoning?
If for nothing else this is why you need a heater check up. Manufactures have also beginning to get more stringent on warranty issues. Most now have included in the warranty the term" seasonal check ups" must be done to keep the warranty in force. Notice I did not say yearly? And now most if not all are using this to not warranty equipment. I 'all go into that in a different article.
Bottom line is treat you A.C. and Heating equipment like you would your car. Both are mechanical devices with moving parts. Both left with out a seasonal or, as in the case of a car, 6000 mile check up can be a safety issue that can cause you and your loved ones a lot of heartache and money.
If you have not heard from us concerning getting a check up please feel free to give us a call at 281-579-8951 or e-mail us at ddm@sbcglobal.net.
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Trying to Not Get Sick This Year
No we are not medical doctors or pharmacist that can give you a shot or medicine to get rid of that terrible cold. What we can do is help you keep a clean environment in your home. Allergy season is on us and flu season is just around the corner. Guess where the most polluted air is? No not outside. Not in the mall. It is in your home. Homes are built much tighter due to energy regulations these days. This causes air in your home to become stagnant. That is to say there is very little air exchange from inside air to outside air. Not only do bacteria, dust, allergens and virus get trapped in your indoor air but all the invisible chemicals that are in the paint on your wall, the dye in your carpet, chemical you clean with etc... known as VOC's (volatile organic compounds).
I was reading that Asthma has really increased over the last 10 years or so. As has other respiratory ailments like allergies. It seems we used to not get these aliments as bad. Is it due to better diagnosis from doctor? Or from living in a polluted environment? I believe it is a little of both. Again where the most polluted environment? The home you live in. We cannot cure your allergies, asthmas or colds but we can give you cleaner air in your home which will at least give you some relief. We have products to remove or reduce dust and allergens. We have proven and tested products to eliminate mold, mildew, bacteria, virus, VOC's and even odors.
As an RGF dealer we have the Guardian Air Pro and REME Air purifiers that we can install in your home. They are also on sale this month. These devices can eliminate mold, mildew, bacteria, virus, VOC's and even odors. The REME even helps control dust.
We are also Enviromax Filter Dealers. These filters have a high MERV rating (12) and are some of the best filters that we have come across. They are great in dust, particulate, and allergen control. Best of all under normal usage you change them out once a year. They cost on an average less than the filters you are changing out every month or so. These are on sale also for this month.
We have just shown only 2 of the products that we can use to help make your home air cleaner and comfortable. There are more. Call us at 281-579-8951 or e-mail us at ddms@sbcglobal.net for more information and pricing.
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We hope this newsletter has been informative. We have all kinds of specials going on this month. Please check out our website. Please tell everyone you know about our company and our specials.
Sincerely,
David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
TACLB016720E
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Save
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Right now till October 31st 2011 we are selling and installing the Enviromax 1 year filters for only $65.00 each. This is a Premier A.C.4" media filter with a high MERV rating.Call today for details and an appointment. |
| Offer Expires:10/31/2011 |
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.We Can't Advertise the Price
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Right now we are selling the Guardian Air Pro and Guardian REM air purifiers at such a low price we can't let our competitors see the price. Want to eliminate Mold, Mildew, Bacteria,Virus,VOC's and Odors and even control Dust and Allergens? Give us a call and let us share this with you. You will not believe till you do. |
| Offer Expires:10/31/2011 |
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DD Mechanical Services Newsletter
Summertime News Letter
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Help My Air Conditioner Won't Come On!
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You come home after a long day at work and your A.C is not working. What do you do? Here is a few things you might want to check before you call the A.C. man
- Did you check the breakers? With peak usage the electric providers could be switching power grids. Some times this will throw a breaker. If the breaker is tripped try to reset it. Your A.C. will not work with out electricity. If it keeps tripping Call!
- Do you have a digital thermostat? Does it have a display? Did you check the batteries?
- Was anybody in the attic? The power switch to the blower looks like a light switch. It could have been turned off accidently.
- How long has it been since you replaced your A.C. filters? If they are very very dirty they will restrict air flow. This could cause high pressures on your condensor. If it is equipted with a pressure switch it will cut the condensor off.
If this does not fix the problem you need to call us so we can get out and make sure you don't loose your cool.
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Free Service Call
REALLY!!!
or
If It Sounds To Good To Be True Iy Usually Is
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We have been noticing a new trend aimed at consumers from some service companies that we believe to be not ethical. Sounds good but is not what it appears to be.You can see them on the TV and other Media sources. FREE SERVICE CALLS ! We have found out from an inside source how this really works.
The Technician under this guise comes out to your house is on a straight commission. He only gets paid when he sells you something whether you need it or not. He does not get paid anything for trying to finding out what might be wrong or not with your system. In a way feel sorry for the tech. If he does not sell you something he has just wasted his time and expertise and he does not get any money for the job. The poor bloke still has to feed a family or himself. So now he has to make up things and repairs to achieve that end.
What usually happen in this scenario is the price for the "repair" is usually going to be a lot higher than if you would have paid for the service and repair together. After all how many other customer told the fellow thanks but no thanks ,we'll fix it, or we'll get someone else to fix it.
At DDS Mechanical Service we do charge a diagnostic fee. When we tell you what the repair is and cost, and you say fix it we do not double dip on the charges. We just charge you for the repaIr.
We also do not charge for a Second Opinion. We believe that if you already had someone out and they did a correct diagnosis,you should not be double charged for that diagnosis. Maybe they were right maybe not. You should only have to pay once.
We do not like this practice of Free Srevice as it tends to over charge customers. The old adage is very true"you don't get something for nothing". Or as P.T. Barnum so put it "There's a sucker born every minute." Depending on how you want to look at it.
We will not treat our customers like this so please beware. This is not only being observed in the A.C and Heating Business but in Plumbing,Electrical, Pest control etc...
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Dear David,
Well folks we are getting the newsletter off a little late
this time. We have been busy making sure you and all our other customers remain comfortable through this record breaking Summer. So we will be sending this as both July and August Newsletters. Take a look at the sections below. Some good information for you. If you think it may be of interest to someone else please forward it on.
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The Scoop on Dry Units
"Hey I heard there are some cheap air conditioners out that can use Freon!" This is what we are hearing a lot. So we want all of our customers to know what the real scoop is on this. Some manufactures found a loophole in the refrigerant law. They found out they can still manufacture "Dry Units". These are condensors (outside unit) that have no refrigerant in them. Originally, these were to be for warranty replacement only. They can do this based on that the condensor(outside unit) installed alone is at this time considered a repair as long as it has no R-22 Freon in it. As long as you do not install an evaporator coil or air handler (blower coil) with this you are still not violating the law. Yes, it is against the law to install an R-22 System, but not the separate parts. A lot of contractors and some manufactures have been abusing this loophole.
Is it cheaper to do this? Not really if you break down the cost. Remember the unit has no refrigerant. R-22 Freon is not cheap! So Freon has to be loaded in to the system. You can only get a 13 SEER (which is the lowest rating) unit and cannot upgrade or get any benefits from local utilities, manufactures rebates or government tax credits. Also, I have yet to see one that does not require that a vacuum be pulled down by a certain Micron instead of Inches or Mercury. This is different and more precise method required by manufactures and I have seen very few contractors do this. The unit itself cost is about the same as a new refrigerant (R-410A) 14 SEER condensor. The difference is you do not have to install a new coil.
Here's the rub. The warranty and quality of these units. You cannot get more than a 5 year compressor warranty on these. Some 5 year parts most 1 year parts. Should the evaporator coil or the air handler (blower coil) fail after installing in outside unit, You will be replacing everything, and upgrading to the new refrigerant. Remember, you cannot install a Freon based system. Replacing the coil is still legal but may not be in your best interest. The EPA is keeping a tap on how many of these dry units go out by auditing the manufactures and distributors. This will cost you a lot more money in that the dry unit (outside condensor) did not fail therefore is not under warranty. Do you really want to through away thousands of dollars with a band aid fix?
Many manufactures are looking on what to do about this dilemma. Most feel like this is not in keeping with the spirit of the law. A few manufactures seem to only look at their bottom line and really in my opinion do not care about the law or consumer. Carrier Corp has taken the lead in this problem. They have petitioned the EPA to close this loophole and stop anyone from manufacturing Freon R-22 based equipment. Other manufactures are now following suit. How soon you may ask will this happen? At any time but defiantly before the end of this year the EPA will act on this.
So what are you the consumer to do? If you have a rental investments property, if you have a home that is for sale with a contract on it, if you have an R-22 Freon based system less than 5 years old and is under warranty or you don't mind throwing money in to a black hole. You can possibly justify buying a "Dry Unit". Otherwise we at DD Mechanical Services does not think this is in your best interest. Yes, new R-410A (new refrigerant) may seem more expensive. The initial investment may be more because you have to install more equipment. We know the economy is tight right now and you may not want to have to spend any money. If you have to spend money on you air conditioning system we want you to do it wisely. By installing a new R-410A system you are compliant with the law. You will have a matched system that will work better. You will have better efficiency. You will have a better warranty. If you need help with the money part of this DD Mechanical Services has some outstanding financing options for you. If you have any questions regarding this article please call or e-mail us. As a favor to us we want as many people to know about this as possible.
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How Can I Afford This Air Conditioner?
You have seen prices on Air Conditioning systems continue to rise price. Pricing has doubled and sometimes even tripled. In a down economy you would think prices might be reduced. Not so. There are multiple reasons why this has happened. One of the major reasons for increases is a shortage of raw materials. Copper, tin, steel are all becoming more and more expensive as other countries have an economic boom. Countries like China and India have had an explosive growth in this area. New power plants and building in these areas are now competing for the raw materials that at one time seemed exclusive to the United States.
Enough of the economics lesson for now. You just want to be comfortable in your home. So if you have a 10-15 year old system that needs replacing, how can you afford the cost? You have to look at this in a completely different way. The days of Air Conditioning systems lasting 20-30 years have long
past. Just like any other appliance or vehicle you can only have it for so long before it starts costing more money to keep.
Here are some ways to look at this dilemma.
- What warranty do you have on this equipment? Repairs can cost a lot of money.
- Do you have a lot of repairs? After a time you can see where cost of repairs outweighs replacement cost.
- It's working now and I'll just wait till it breaks down. Usually will happen at the worst time i.e. a holiday etc...
- I don't have that kind of money right now. I just got a new car etc...
Check out the warranty on your system. Was it 5 years or 10 years or 1 year? You need to know and find out. Great you have a warranty. Does it cover labor cost? If not get ready to pay some money. If it is completely out of warranty you may find it is better to replace the equipment rather that fix the part. Do not wait till it completely breaks down. Air conditioners are mechanical devices with moving parts. Just like your car. A check up can get you ahead of the game. Like an oil change for your car.
Seems the time they break down is at the most inconvenient time. Like at 3:00AM on the Friday before a holiday. How many people have come back to a hot house after vacation? If your system is more that 10 years old start thinking about getting g new one. And saving up for that change out.
Buy the highest SEER you can afford. SEER stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and is a measurement of the efficiency of your cooling system over the course of a season. The higher the SEER rating, the higher the efficiency. Systems purchased to prior to 2006 were mostly in the 8 to 10 SEER range. In 2006, the minimum efficiency was raised to 13 SEER. Today, air conditioners such as the Frigidaire IQ Drive® system can be as high as 24.5 SEER. A 13-SEER system is 30% more efficient than a 10-SEER system, and a 24.5 SEER system is 145% more efficient than a 10-SEER system.
Choose R-410A refrigerant. Most older systems used a refrigerant called R-22. In 2010, the new refrigerant standard became R-410A. R-410A is more environmentally friendly than past refrigerants because it does not deplete the ozone. Choosing an R-410A system means you may also have to replace your line set and your indoor coil, but you will be getting the maximum efficiency out of your new system.
Identify the type of system you currently have. If you have an outdoor section and an indoor section, you have a "split system." The split system is the most common type of system. The outdoor is called the condensor. This consists of a compressor and fan motor. On gas systems, the indoor section will consist of a furnace (blower section) and an evaporator coil. On electric systems, the indoor section is typically an electric furnace or air handler. This product has the blower and coil inside a single cabinet.
Replace the entire system, not just the air conditioner. An air conditioner typically has two components -- the outdoor section and the indoor section as described above. It may be tempting to replace only the outdoor section. But in order for your system to achieve the efficiency you're paying for, you need to have a matched system that includes a new indoor coil. Additionally, old indoor components can adversely impact the performance of your air conditioner, and your new system warranty could be canceled if it was not installed with the proper indoor coil or air handler.
Think about comfort. Many of the higher-end air conditioners include extra features that will dramatically improve your home's comfort. Two-stage systems can run at a high and low stage, so they are quieter and provide a better mix of air throughout the home (no hot and cold spots). Also look for noise reduction features such as compressor sound blankets and swept-wing fan blades. Imagine not having to turn up the television when the air conditioner kicks on.
How to afford this equipment is another question. A lot of people go into sticker shock on the price. But there is a remedy for all problems. If you have the cash go a head and spend the money. In the long run it will be well worth it. Don't have that much cash available? Use a low interest credit card if you have one. Try your bank or Credit Union for a loan. Last but not least. Try to finance the system through the contractor. We at DD Mechanical Services have several options. From low APR of 4.99% to $0 down 0% interest for 60 months.
You can always call us for advice. These are tough times and these are sometimes hard decisions to make. We can help.
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We hope you go some helpful information from this newsletter. We are always wanting to hear from you. Give us your thoughts on this newsletter. Let us know nwhat you would like to see.
Sincerely,
David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
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Save $25
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Use this for coupon for any service or repair on your Air Conditioner or Heater through the Month of August. cannot be combined with any other offer.
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June Newsletter
When Your Hot Your Hot!
 
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Dear David,
Just as predicted it's getting hot hot hot. Summer is upon us. Time for vacations,outdoor cooking and trying to stay cool. Hopefully we can give you some insite on the staying cool part. Or at least help in some way. Read on! |
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 Preventative Maintaince You Can Do!You need to keep that A.C running through this hot Summer. Last month we told you a few things you can do to help it along. This is just a few more suggestions that can maybe get you through with out having to spend your hard earned money.
- Keep that drain line clean! You have 2 drains for your A.C unit inside (Evaporator Coil). One drain is your primary, the other is an emergency over flow. Too many time we have seen unnecessary damage to ceilings and floors. This could have been easily prevented. Take a cup of bleach and pour it into the primary drain access. Usually,this is a PVC pipe(vent) sticking up near the coil. If you do not have one ask us about installing one . It's inexpensive The pour a cup of bleach into the secondary drain followed buy about 16 oz on water. One big glass or 2 small ones. This helps keep slime and dirt from building up in your drain lines.
- Keep the return filters clean by changing them out. You will see some from your local stores that say they only need to be changed every 3 month or so.That may be true in some parts of the counrty.That does not always apply here. It all depends on the individual home. If you fail to change them out regularly it will cause your A.C to run harder and will effect the cooling.
One of the items you may want to ask about the next time a tech is out to do a check up on your system is to install a float switch, if you do not have one. We do not recommend that you install it yourself. Let the professional do this. This one little device can save you thousands of dollars in Sheetrock damage should your emergency drain pan be stopped up and overflow.
Believe me we know how hard it is sometimes to remember to change out that A.C. filter. But this is important to do. We may be able to help. We have a 1 year filter that cost less than the filters you have to change out every month. Ask us about this or give us a call.
Last but not least is ask about a Surge Protector.With these hot days there will be brownouts, blackouts and electrical interuptions. This little device can save you thousands of dollars on equipment repairs and countless hours with no Air Conditioning.
These little thing that you can do can make the difference in how long you equipment works and last. With the economy like it is we all need to be careful with our dollars.
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Air Conditioning Money Blues
You know it only had a little time left. But you have all kinds of expenses that you need to take care of. Like getting the kids off to summer camp,going on vacation, etc... Then it happens. The A.C. does not work. Why is it that this machine that we use to keep our homes cool and comfortable cost so much?
Let's take a look at the past. In the 1950's the homes were constructed much differently and with little thought of whether they were energy efficient. Most homes had very little air conditioning. Usually, one or two window units to keep a bedroom or two cool. Some people had central units. But these contraptions were huge commercial grade. That's big, bulky, and really did not cool that well anyway. In the 1960's and 70's central air conditioning was more the norm. Just about everyone had central A.C. Energy, materials etc... was still cheap so cost wasn't a real factor. All any one did was just want to be cool. Units seemed to last or could be fix to run with just about anything. Then comes the 1980's and the fuel embargoes and the rising cost of energy. We found out that pollution was on the rise, the Ozone layer was threatened, etc... Enter a new government agency. The Environmental Protection Agency. This agency was given the power to regulate private industry to stop wasting energy, stop pollution, stop destroying the Ozone layer,etc... Whether you agree or not with the science,the EPA was here to stay. Now on to today and beyond.
The EPA regulates many industries including the HVAC industry. They set mandates that have to be met. Just like cars that used to get 6-8 mpg were mandated to get 20 mpg or better by a certain date. So were the HVAC units efficiency to get better. The refrigerant that was being used was considered bad for the Ozone. So it had to be phased out. Mandates for 13 SEER as a minimum on A.C. Soon to come regional rules on SEER ratings What the government did not factor in was the cost increase to the public and the industry. With new technology comes a higher prices. Industry trying to keep up with these mandates had to continue to revamp, remold and retool. The old guy down the street that was a jack-of-all-trades /A.C guy had to either retrain for the new technology or find another line of work. Not to mention that other countries that are growing, like China, Japan, India and others. They need and want want the raw materials that go into air conditioning manufacturing. The old law of supply and demand come into effect. All of this has cause a dramatic increase in the cost of comfort.
So for this high price what is the payback for you? You now can buy a A.C. system that will make your home more comfortable. Not just cooler. One that cleans the air you breath from all the microbes and pollutants in
the home. Because of new technology they really keep the cost of energy down. It will also be more friendly to the environment. Yes, the up front cost may be more than you thought. You get a better payback over time though. Just like any investment, it will pay you back in saving money on your electric bill and home comfort. To make this more affordable the government has and is offering tax credits. Some in the HVAC industry are offering rebates. Some contractors now offer financing.
If you need more information on this subject please give us a call. Our knowledgeable staff is always willing to help.
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 The Owner Has Gone Crazy Sale!
This is just crazy! We will match rebates on qualified High Efficiency Air Conditioning and Heating Systems. Till June 30th 2011. Example: $1200 rebate from the manufacture and get an equal rebate from DD Mechanical Services for a total of $2400.*
*equipment must qualify and must be installed no later than 6/30/2011
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We hope this newsletter if informative to you. We try to keep you informed as best we can. If you wish to see information other than what we have presented please let us know. Your input is valuable to us. Have a great Summer
Sincerely,
David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
TACLB016720E
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| How We Do a Install |
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| DD Mechanical Services |
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Have you ever wondered what goes on during an install of equipment Take a look at this video
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DD Mechanical Services
Newsletter
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Dear David,
With Summer just around the corner we though we might give you some valuable tips. This year we want to make sure all or our customers are taken care of.
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Replacement Versus Repair
When the old A.C breaks down what are you to do. You really are relying on that service man to get the thing up and running so you get some relief from the heat. The service man comes in to give you the bad news. Then you have to think. Is it better to repair or replace? After all you really do not have any idea how this thing works and you just have to go with the diagnosis of the service tech. You need to ask questions and consider your options at this point.
- How old is the system? Like an old car you do not want to keep poring money into something not worth much. When the cost or cumulative repairs exceed the worth then it is better to replace. Generally a system 10 years old has reached its maximum limit and would be better replaced. A rule of thumb is once it has exceeded its warranty, it's time to replace.
- How long are you going to be in your home? This will also depend on the age of the unit. Now be honest with yourself on this. If you are selling the house try for a repair first. If you are going to be in the home for less than 5 years and you know this for sure. Again see if it can be repaired. If this is you home for the long haul. Look to replace depending on age.
- Do I have to replace everything or just one piece? This depends on #1 and #2. Right now the manufacture has a loophole in the law. The rule is you cannot install an R-22 Freon system (old refrigerant) system. But you can replace a component of that system. For instance; if the compressor goes bad you can replace the compressor or even the condenser unit with a non Freon bearing dry unit. This has a very limited warranty. The problem comes in if another component goes bad, like the evaporator coil. You are required even though you may have a new "dry unit" to change to the new refrigerant. This means replacing all the components regardless of age.
- Get a second opinion. And I do not mean from Uncle Billy who used to work in the A.C. business 10 years ago or the guy who does some handy man work for you. Get a licensed contractor. To many time I have seen another service technician try to sell a cheap system to someone or diagnosis a problem that was expensive. When the only thing wrong was a broken wire or a bad fuse.
- How much is your utility bill? With new technology in the business, comes efficiency. Yes there are systems that can actually reduce your utility bill up to 75%. You may think your bill is pretty good or even low. But you can save even more. In times like we are in right now should make you realize that "every penny counts".
These are general guidelines to follow. If you have a good company that you have been doing work with for years these is still good ideas to keep in you mind.
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Rules In Selecting a Contractor
As a customer of DD Mechanical Services we thank you for selecting our company for serving your A.C. equipment. But, what if you need a plumber or need a painter? How do you find out which one is right for you?
DD Mechanical Services has to use different skilled contractors for some work we do on jobs occasionally. We are licensed by the State of Texas in Air Conditioning. and Environmental Services. But there are other trade skills we are not licensed in and it against the law and rules of the state for our company to do. These are trade skills like plumbing, electrical etc... So we as a company sometimes have to select a competent contractor We want to let you know how we do this. These are guidelines we use and may be helpful to you.
- Word of mouth. Ask friends, family, co workers, etc... If someone did them a good job they will tell you about this. Now this is not the end all. Sometimes people close to you can get scammed and not even know it. We will ask around to our business contacts.
- How long have they been in business? The longer a company has been in business generally denotes how they treat there customers. The longer the better. Now this does not mean how much experience is in the company. This will only tell you that they could have several people that have worked for several companies for several years. Our general rule is they have to be in business at least 5 years. Most small business contractors will fail within a 2-5 year term.
- Are they licensed in the trade? We are a licensed A.C. company. We cannot fix the plumbing in you bathroom or wire an electrical light in a ceiling. You need to make sure you have someone licensed in that discipline. There are a few gray areas that do cross lines of the different license. For example; even though we cannot do plumbing, we can install a water heater just like a plumber. The rules are very specific on how this is to be done. Like we are restricted to plumbing with in 3 feet of the water heater.
- Do they have insurance and how much. All licensed contractors are to carry insurance. Some carry more than others. This is for your protection. Ask how much. This can make a difference. If your home is worth $200,000.00 and you have someone doing work only carrying $50,000.00 of insurance this could be a problem. Should damages go beyond that amount you might have a problem collecting any damages. Always ask.
- Are they members of the Better Business Bureau? The BBB rates both members and non member businesses. The difference is the members hold to a higher standard. If you find a business on the BBB list that is a non member but has a high rating, do not count them out.
- Ask for referrals. A successful business will have lots and lots of customers they can use as referrals. But again don't use this as the only way to pick them. A business will give good referrals but will not likely give you any bad ones.
- Do you get along with the contractor? Not that you want to build a life long friendship. You will be working with this company and their technicians. If there is a personality conflict it could affect job performance. Look your already under enough stress don't add more if you can help it.
We have several different companies and contractors that we use on occasion that are very good. If you need a contractor other than A.C and Heating work let us know. We can give you a few names.
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Hope these little tid bits of information helped you out. Check our website for specials. Have a great Summer!
Sincerely,
David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services |
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| Our 15th Don't Sweat It Sale! |
Folks it's getting hot out there. You don't won't to have to go with out Air Conditioning this Summer. Rebates up to $1200 and matching discounts can put you into a new Air Conditioner today. We also have 0% financing available. This cannot be combined with any other offer. Why? Because it is so good!
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| Offer Expires: 6/30/2011 |
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Spring Newsletter
DD Mechanical
Services
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| Dear David, |
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Sorry for the delay on getting this out. We had a lot of new infomation that needed to get out. Yes it's that wonderful time of year known as Springtime. We have seen a lot of changes over the last year and many more to come. Please read and enjoy the newsletter and let us know what you think.
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WARRANTY WHAT YO NEED TO KNOW
One of the things you need to know is about warranties. What is a Warranty? How a Warranty works, who is responsible, what does it actually cover, what are Extended Warranties, what are Exclusions.
What is a Warranty
Whether you purchase a car or appliance most warranties are about the same in scope. They are provided to the customer by manufactures, contractors and warranty companies. They are to help with cost of parts that may wear out or be faulty. Manufactures often give warranties because they have faith that there equipment will last a certain term. Like in the 5 or 10 year warranty. Parts can be very limited to 90 days to 1 year. Manufactures through much research have come up with a formula to say a piece of equipment or part will last X amount of time. A Warranty is not a Guaranty. A Guaranty is a promise that the equipment will perform in a certain manor under certain conditions for a certain length of time and will not fail. A Warranty on the other hand takes in consideration that the part may fail under any condition.
How Warranties' Work
Manufactures parts warranties generally work in this way. When a part fails with in a given period of time the manufacture promises to replace that part or one similar part. Depending on where the item under warranty was purchased will determine the length of time it will take to replace that part. Suppliers often keep parts available to make this happen quickly but not always. If a part is to be received from the manufactures plant it could take several days or even weeks to get the part. Not all costs associated with the part will be covered. I will go into this in Exclusions.
Manufactures often have a labor warranty associated with the equipment but is very limited in scope and time. Most of these warranties are 90 days. This is to reimburse the contractor for time lost. Anything after that may or may not have the labor covered. Another warranty is the extended Labor Warranty. This is purchased by the contractor or homeowner through the manufacture or a warranty company. This assures the contractor that he will be reimbursed for his time should equipment or parts fail. It also helps the home owner in payment to the contractor.
Extended Warranties'
Talking about Extended Warranties. This is a warranty that can be purchased by the contractor or homeowner to help off set the cost of repairs. They can be part of the purchase price or purchased separately. Most manufactures warranty parts but not the labor. Extended warranties and come with many different term and conditions. There are 1 year renewable warranties, 5 year parts and labor, 10 year labor and just about what ever combination you can think of. Also, these type of warranties can cover a much larger group of parts. Like a thermostat, UV light, condensate pumps.
Exclusions
Many people believe that once a new system or part is installed everything is covered should anything happen to that system. This is not necessarily true. I do not know how many time I have told customer upon purchasing equipment or a part "read the Warranty Exclusions". A warranty is a contract between you and the manufacture or the warranty company. Not between you and the contractor. Contractors will offer a warranty for the most part but it is very limited in scope and time. Contractors' warranties are usually from 90 days to a year. This should be on the final invoice or contract you signed. Exclusions include, Acts of God, like fire, flood, windstorm etc... Shipping of parts, caustic environments like Hair and Nail Salons, use of the equipment for purposes other than intended, repairs by unlicensed or non certified service person's or companies. An now the often over looked but probably the most important, Seasonal Maintenance. Anyone of these and more (read your warranty) can and will void any warranty you have.
Conclusion
You are going to or have just spent a lot of hard earned cash on a system to keep you cool and comfortable in summer and warm in winter. Make sure you understand not only how to turn the A.C. off and on. Also how to maintain and make sure when you have a break down, and you most likely will, that you don't have to spend any more money than necessary.
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DD Mechanical Services website
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MAINTAINING YOUR SYSTEM
Yes you have been told that you need to have a service man come out once or twice a year to maintain you're A.C. system. That is true. Did you know that there are things you can do that will help keep your system up and running during the in-between times of your seasonal check up? This is very basic and will help keep the cost down on operations and service should you need it.
- Change you're A.C. filters regularly. This will help keep you evaporator coils and furnace clean and operating a full capacity. Most filters with the exception of a few need replacement every month. Even if it says 3 months. Our A.C systems run a lot in our area. A few companies do put out 1 year filters and they actually do last a year under normal operations. These can be a big cost savings and convenience to you. Filters are not cheap anymore.
- Check for air leaks. See if you can feel any air flow coming from seams on you're A.C. Some duct tape or metal tape bought from hardware store can be a quick fix to this and save you money in air conditioning attics or closets .
- Use a little bleach in the drain lines to clean out gunk. If you do not have an access for this ask you A.C serviceman to put one in. Should not cost a lot and can save you thousand of dollars in damages and frustration.
- Check you emergency drain pan for rust or water. If you see this it's time to call a tech before it's too late.
- Clean the outside coils on you're A.C. You have to make sure the unit if off at the breaker (not the thermostat) to do this. You have a lot of voltage when the breaker is on. This little job can be done with your everyday garden hose and only takes minuets. Just spray it down gently. Please don't use a pressure washer. It can bend or damage the coils.
- For the more daring. If your unit is off at the breaker you can open it up with a few turns of a screw you can open the unit up and clean any debris on the bottom of the unit.
These are a few thing you can do yourself. But you still need to have the system checked thoroughly by a certified technician seasonally. He will be checking issues such as refrigerant levels, voltage and amps etc... to make sure it is operating properly.
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So What's New
A lot of changes have happened in the HVAC industry. We have switched to a new refrigerant. We have higher SEER ratings and more efficient systems going into homes, prices have dramatically jumped due to the foreign demand for materials, new technologies have been developed for Air Quality Control in homes and much more.
What does this mean to you the customer. By switching to a new refrigerant, just like when cars were switched over many years ago, pricing has increased dramatically. No longer can you just switch out pieces of equipment. You have to change the entire system so everything matches. This also has an effect of warranties and operation. This has opted a lot of people to just fix old, outdated and efficient system. Up front this may seem cheaper. In the long run it can cost you a lot of money. Like replacing the motor in a car that has 250,000 miles. Mechanical equipment of all kinds are governed by the Law of Physic's know as Entropy. This means all things are in a state of deterioration. Like stated above in the warranty section expect your A.C to last as long as the warranty. Anytime after that is extra.
The Federal Government has decided to break the country into 3 sections on how many SEER or AFUE an A.C. and Heating system will be required to have in that given area. The S.E. Texas area is included in Area 2 which includes the entire southern quarter of the country. This means that the requirement for A.C systems here will be a minimum of 14 SEER and Furnaces 80% AFUE. Area 1 which is basically the northern half of the country requires 13SEER A.C and 90%AFUE furnaces. Area 3 which is the SW United States will be requiring 14 SEER A.C. and 90%AFUE furnaces. This is as todays date and can be subject to change. In about 2 years if approved by congress this will become the new standard.
Last but not least. The manufactures have found a loop hole in the new laws and regulations governing A.C. equipment replacement. Manufactures are now producing what is know as a dry unit. That is an A.C. that has no refrigerant in it. They are in very limited number, the lowest SEER rating and have a very limited warranty. Special rules govern these piece of equipment. They cannot be installed as a system or sold as such. That is you cannot install the A.C. condenser and the coil at the same time. This si a violation of Federal law and does have severe fines.
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If you have not had your Spring Check Up call us now and set up a time. Our schedule get very busy in the summer months and we do not want you to go with out.
Hope this newletter was informative. Do you want to see something on this newsletter we did not cover? Pleae call or e-mail us with your ideas.
Sincerely,
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David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
TACLB016720E
281-579-8951
E-mail:ddmscool@repairman.com
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As Low As $100 a Month for a new A.C. System
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Need that new A.C. system but can't afford it? We have financing programs that no on else is offing that can make this purchase easy for you. $0 down,0% APR,60 months or intrest as low as 4.99%. Call now to see if you qualify.
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Spring Newsletter
Look for Spring Flowers
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Dear David,
DD Mechanical Services would like to thank you for allowing us to service you're A.C and Heating equipment.. It's time to think about having that Air Conditioning system checked. Money is tight for everyone right now and we understand. We have 3 new programs for the Spring Check up. One that will be right for you. In the articles below we have given some good information and insights on what is going on in our business. We also have given you some good tip on saving money. Read on enjoy. Please let us know what you think.
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Why You Need the Spring Check Up.
Air conditioning systems are mechanical systems just like your car. It has moving parts like fan motors, compressors etc... Just as you need to get your car's oil change, brakes replaced and serviced, so is your Air Conditioning system. With newer technologies and advancements in energy efficiency these machines have become more complicated. The technician that comes out needs to be trained to do this ever important service.
Many people are under the conception that all you have to do is add Freon. You can no longer just put Freon in a system to help it get by. First of all it is not correcting to problem. If the problem is not corrected it could run into much larger problems and expenses. Just adding Freon ,which is now obsolete, is also not legal. Should the problem be a Freon leak it needs to be fixed if possible.
When we do a Spring Check up we are making sure the system is operating correctly. With moving parts there will be wear and tear. A good technician will be able to tell it there are any problems.
Because of the economy DD Mechanical Services has come up with three different programs for a Spring Check Ups. One of these you need and can decide how much you want to spend.
This is what is normally checked on a regular Spring Check.
- Check drain lines and drain pans and clean them out
- Replace filters if necessary
- Tighten electrical connections
- Measure temperature
- Clean Condensor
- Check Thermostat
- Check fan blades
- Check capacitors
- Check relays
- Measure refrigerant level
- Measure amp draw
- Check ductwork
- Check for refrigerant leaks
We have three different programs. This is a description.
- The Enhanced Spring Check Up. Not only do we do a regular check up but we also evaluate how much power your system is drawing, want to save some money on the light bill? What your actual capacity is of your system. You may have a 4 ton system that is only operating at 3 tons. Maybe this is why you can't get comfortable in the HOT Summer! We can find out and tell you the fix for this. Evaluate the air flow. Have some rooms with too much or too little air flow? Can make for a difficult Summer or Winter. Again we can give you the information you need about this. This is a program sponsored by Centerpoint Energy.
- Regular Check Up. All the items detail in the bullet points above like; Check drain lines and drain pans and clean them out, replace filters if necessary etc...Not as detailed as the Enhanced but a good check. If you have a Service Agreement with us this is the one you get.
- Economy Check. We will check your refrigerant level and visually check the system for any visible problems. This is what a lot of other company do and charge you an arm and a leg. We don't!
Give us a call if we have not called you yet. This is the time to get on the schedule.
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A
Air Filters and Air Quality
One of the thing you can do for yourself is to make sure your Air Filters are changed regularly. Generally once a month is the rule. There are others that will last longer. We have one that will even last a year under normal circumstances. This will keep particulates out of the air. Making you air cleaner. There are problems that are inherent with air filters though. One is the incorrect size for your Air Conditioning system. Undersized caused the air to move to fast for the dirt to be caught by the filter. If you have a dirty blower motor or evaporator coil this may be the problem. If it is not moving fast enough the dirt is not getting to the filter and the airflow may cava tat causing you system not to cool properly. A properly trained technician can pinpoint these problems.
All homes have dust and dirt in them. Even though homes are being built tighter this is still a problem. This can be caused by leaky windows, sheet rock, and the type of insulation used and just opening and closing your doors. Now filter get the dirt and dust out but will not remove bacteria, viruses, mold and mildew from your home. For this you would need an air purifier.
So remember to change out the air filters or if you want call us for an inexpensive solution for this. We also have air purification systems
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Special Financing Available
We have joined with GE Financial to be able to offer a program that is one of the best. $0 down, 0% APR, and 60 months to pay. New Air Conditioner and Heating systems only. With Air Conditioning system becoming more and more expensive. You can now afford to get not a good system but a great on for low monthly payments. Call us today and see how this works
$0 down
0% APR
60 months
Other low interest programs available
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End your promotion with a kick -- consider a postscript to reinforce one of the key product or service benefits.
Sincerely,
David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
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Save 10%
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On any service call and repair. Give this coupon when the Technician arrives. Cannot be compined with any other offer. Check our coupon page for more offers at www.ddmscool.com
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Offer Expires: 3/31/2011
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Welcome to DD Mechanical Services
Dear David,
We constantly keep our friends and customers updated and informed through this newletter. Please read and send your comments to us. And thanks for being a customer and friend.
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Information on Warranties
Have you had a warranty claim on your Heating and Air Conditioning equipment? Manufacture's are now denying claims or adding cost into them. The reason is that a lot of parts that have come in that were supposedly bad that either turned out not bad or failed due to improper installation, lack of maintenance etc.... With the cost of raw materials, transportation etc... going up, manufactures across the board have started to or have adopted new procedures for warranty claims. Case and point. Copeland, a leading manufacture of A.C. compressors, has been finding out that a majority of compressors that have been returned to them have not been faulty. Copeland not able to absorb the cost of these returns has been invoicing the A.C manufactures that, up to now has been absorbing the cost. They have just been marking the cost of the equipment up to cover that. They can no longer do that. Most manufactures warranties are Limited warranties. That is to say they only cover the equipment and the parts therein. Not labor, not wiring, not refrigerant etc... A lot of manufactures offer a 10 year parts warranty on registration of the equipment. If you do not register, the equipment comes under the "out of the box" warranty. Usually this is 1 to 5 years. Who registers you? That is the home owner's responsibility. If DD Mechanical Service can register your warranty we will try. But some manufactures are requiring it come from the home owner only. This is a way the manufacture can prevent fraud and reduce cost.
Most manufactures are going back to the letter of the warranty contract. Read the warranty that you received with that equipment. If you don not have that information, look on line. Or call the A.C Company that installed the equipment. Lack of maintenance is one of the major points. I have not seen a contract without this language. Now manufactures are requesting proof that the equipment has been maintained. This is not the same as a repair. Most warranties will state this to be done on an annual basis. This is starting to be a real issue with the manufactures denying claims. Most are requiring paperwork for at least 2 years. The best way to deal with this is to get a service agreement with us. This covers a lot of extra items.
Some manufactures are now charging the contractors/distributors for warranty parts. Reimbursing them once the part is found faulty do to the manufacture. In the same vane that automobile manufacture requires you to maintain records of oil changes, fluid levels etc... for the lifetime of the warranty of your car, now so are the A.C and Heating manufactures. Improper installation is another cause for denial. The equipment has to be sized correctly. The parts have to match. No more mix matching with uncertified parts if you want to have a manufactures warranty.
So what do you need to do to maintain the warranty? Read the warranty papers. Under stand what a Limited warranty is. Get a service agreement with a certified A.C company. Look into getting an extended warranty that covers labor and extra parts. Many manufacture and third party warranty companies for a nominal cost can get one of these for you. When you go in to an electronics store, and check out, don't they offer an extended warranty on that new 54" flat panel TV you just bought? Just like A.C and Heating equipment, you spend a lot of your hard earned money on that purchase. Should it break you really do not want to have to put out a lot of money to get it fixed.
DD Mechanical Services is factory trained on most if not all equipment. We also offer services agreements and extended warranties. If you are interested in warranties and service agreements please give us a call.
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Rebates and Tax Credits
With the changes in congress a lot has changed in the tax codes. Any new programs that would be designed as a tax credit based incentives for the consumer will not be happening through congress. The federal budget needs to be reduced and this is one of the places that it will be. Also, thanks to the lack of timely action on the Bush era tax cuts many people who file itemized deductions will not be able to file before the end of February. One of the stipulations to get these tax cuts was that congress had to agree on some tax credits. This makes some tax credits available to you... They have been pushed back to pre-2008 levels.
- Here are the rules as of today. The improvements or work has to be done only at the residents' primary home. No Commercial or rental properties
- $500 lifetime limit on the tax credit
- $200 for windows
- $300 for A.C. ,heat pumps(gas or electric),water heaters, biomass stoves
- $150 natural gas, propane, or oil furnaces
- $50 advanced main circulating fans
These have certain rating to get these credits. Here are the ratings.
- Heat pump 15 SEER or higher EER 12.5 or higher HSPF 8.5 or higher
- Central A.C 16 SEER or higher, 13 EER or higher
- Water Heaters 90% thermal efficiency
- Natural gas, propane or oil furnaces 95% AFUE or higher
- Main circulating fan no more than 2% annual electricity usage of the furnace
Where you could "double dip" on the old tax credit for 2009/2010 of $1500 you can not do that the way this credit is structured. This tax credit is based all previous years and is a one time credit. So those who took advantage of the 2009/2010 tax credit will not be able to take the new one.
As far as this company knows the Texas State Appliance rebate program is still on going. The State comptroller's office said it would continue until all the money that was set aside was depleted. The only information that we have heard is a lot of people are filling the forms out incorrectly and having them sent back. You can get more information on this at http://www.texaspowerfulsmart.org .
DD Mechanical Services is offering its own rebate by matching what you can get through the Federal Tax Credit. If you buy a new qualified system through us we will match that credit. Example; a new 16 SEER 13EER condensor, coil and furnace or air handler unit tax credit $500. We match that $500 for a total of $1000. Now that is a good deal. This will be available till that end of December 2011.
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New Air Conditioning System New Technology
As I have said many a time. The shade tree A.C mechanic is no longer a viable option to service your equipment. Technology has advanced to this point. Heating and A.C. equipment less than 10 years old you needs a factory trained technician to work equipment. I can even see the day when, like the automobile service industry, you will have to have a technician certified on that certain piece of equipment. You do not take your Honda to a Chevy service center etc... Actually this has already occurred in a lot of the industry on the high efficiency equipment. American Standard/Trane, Carrier, Lennox, Frigidaire etc... will not even let the contractor buy this equipment if they do not have factory training.
Because of the higher efficiency system and indoor air quality guidelines A.C. companies are looking for certified and registered installers and technician. A lot of older technicians are "getting out of the business" because of the cost of the schooling they have to pay for. That and A.C repair and service is just not as easy as it once was. The Texas Department of License and Regulation has made it mandatory for a contractor to maintain a license they must have a minimum of 8 hours of continuous education. DDMS does a lot more training than that on a yearly basis. Like in the computer business manufactures are constantly looking for more and better ways to build A.C. equipment. The equipment sold today will not be the same as the equipment sold next year. It is even getting difficult to find parts for older equipment.
As the A.C equipment gets more complicated the cost will increase. In the return you can see a greater reduction in the usage of energy. You will also see a difference in the Indoor Air Quality. It is feasible to have a 75% reduction on energy cost with a comfortable home now. The high SEER rating of 24 and the use of condensating 95%AFUE furnaces make this possible. Along with High MERV rated filters and whole house air cleaners you will be able to feel the difference. Ask anyone who has had one of these system installed. The upfront cost may be more than you expected but so is the saving.
more" link to additional information that you may have hosted on your website.
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David Kunetka
DD Mechanical Services
TACLB016720E
281-579-8951
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Free
Service
Call*
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*When you call us out on your system that is not working. DD Mechanical Services will wave the service fee so all you'll be paying for is the repair.If it turns out you need equipment, this amount will be deducted from the cost of the install. DD Mechanical Services must do the install. This cannot be combinded with any other offer. This must be presented to the service technician upon arrival.
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Offer Expires: Feb.28th,2011
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Whats Happening in the HVAC Business
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New Rules on the Refrigerants
The new rules are in effect as far as the new refridgerant that has to be used. One change has occured. This is just in. The manufactures cannot make or sell R-22(Freon) based equipment. If a supply house or contractor has that type equipment in stock it can be sold until the stock is gone. As with any commoidity supply and demand is in effect. We have noticed that Freon based equipment has increased in price. So it may not be the best solution. Also realtors are now getting into the act. A home with "old "Freon will sell at a reduced price versus new (R-410A) equipment. Home warranties have put in there two bits. They will cover the old "freon" based equipment as long as it can be repaired or if the customer has opted to pay for an additional(rider) to the policy. If you do not have this and it cannot be repaired you will end up paying for new equipment. Like we have told before think of this as not a warranty but as insurance. That way you can get a better idea of how they work. Some manufactures have said that if their equipment is under a manufactures warranty and the refridgerant circuit fails, ie. compressor. They will replace they equipment that the part failed in. Depending on the manufacture some will cover the
piece of equipment only some will pay a small amount for labor. As far as the rest of the refridgerant circuit ,that cost is on the customer. If you have a question on this issue I suggest that you e-mai or call us at 281-579-8951.
Load Calculations
This is now required by many towns and cities in the State of Texas. So you can expect to have an extra cost when buying a new system. It is a good investment though. This will insure that the size of equipment that you but will be the correct size. We have been doing this at DD Mechanical Services for a few years now. And we have seen customer satifaction increase. Not only do we tell you what size the equipment needs to be but also if the ducts in your home are the correct size. We can even tell you what the cost to operate the system will be. We also do this as a 3rd party certification for builder,contractor and other businesses.
IAQ (Indoor Air Quality)
One of the avenues that DD Mechanical Services has been
doing for years is making sure that your home has clean air. It's not like it used to be. Homes are built much tighter now .With all the items in your home such as paint,carpet, wood flooring ,all give pollutants. We have new virus' that are in the news all the time.They have no where to go and need to be taken out the house or eleminated. Most homes built within the last 10 years have more pollution on the inside than there is outside. We have been working with several manufactures one solving this problem. From air cleaners to UV lights to even 1 Year A.C. media filters. This will call for more knowledge within the HVAC business. DD Mechanical Services has been on the forefront of this technology for several years. Give us a call at 281-579-8951 or e-mail us so we can tell you what's new.
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If you have one of our service agreements, You get your system checked twice a year, discounts on any repairs and services,discounts on any new equipment,emergency
service ,savings on your utilities and much much more. If you do not have one call us about this valuble service.
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