BNI Canyon Creek Referral Source

Bicyclists are often the target of public bias shared by insurance companies, says Plano personal injury lawyer Richard Armstrong. Anti-Bicycle Bias.  Whether the facts support it or not, cyclists are often blamed for accidents that are not their fault. What many Texans don't realize is that Texas law accords cyclists the same rights and responsibilities as automobiles. But the fact that they have the same rights and responsibilities merely increases the burden cyclists bear to educate the public and insurance adjusters about the facts in a given accident, and how the law applies to those facts. Additionally, it is not enough to merely observe the rules of the road. In an age of increasing traffic congestion, especially in major me  [more info...]

Allen Health Insurance Agent Peter Young notes a Dallas Morning News: companies in Florida will no longer issue "child only" policies on children without at least one parent. Apparently that came as a shock to the Obama administration but it shouldn't surprise Texans: health insurers in Texas are doing the same thing. I have been receiving a constant stream of letters from companies I work with, announcing that they will no longer issue "child only" policies. That's a pity: "child only" policies were useful when parents can't afford to cover their children under the group plan offered at work, when a divorced parent is required to pay for health insurance, or when there is no money to pay for parents' coverage but the parents w  [more info...]

Effects of health reform are beginning to be felt says Allen Health Insurance Agent Peter Young. Not all of them bad, not all of them good. Making insurance companies continue coverage on children to age 26 was no big deal: Texas law already required companies to continue children's coverage to age 25 regardless of whether or not they were in school. The new health pool for people who can't get health insurance is going to be a big help to some people. Many folks (about 25% of people who apply for coverage as an individual are turned down) cannot get affordable health insurance. The new pool will take them in at half the cost of the present state pool - provided they have been uninsured for more than 6 months. Subsidizing it is an  [more info...]

Traumatic brain injury, says Plano personal injury lawyer Richard Armstrong, is usually an acute event similar to other injuries, but that is where the similarity ends. Common causes of TBI include violence, transportation accidents, construction, and sports. In the United States, about 28% of TBI is attributable to slip and fall accidents, while motor vehicle accidents account for approximately 20%. Being struck by an object causes about 19%, personal violence for 11%, and bicycle accidents not involving motor vehicles for 3%. Bicycles and motorcycles are two major causes of TBI, with the latter increasing in frequency in developing countries. Estimates range between 1.6 and 3.8 million traumatic brain injuries each year that are a  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers some thoughts on warranties for your new AC system. Warranties: Bang for your Buck? Everyone always cringes when the dreaded question is asked: are you interested in an extended warranty? Sometimes a warranty seems like a curse. You spend the extra money and nothing ever happens where you end up needing to use it. But then, you don't get one and something does happen and you end up really regretting not spending the cash on the warranty. Air conditioning and heating systems are a huge investment and unfortunately, I can't tell you whether or not an extended warranty is right for you. However, I can give you some information to hopefully make your dec  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, discusses importance of regular tune ups. Tuning In to Tune Ups You hear a lot about tune-ups. Mostly, it's about the tune-ups on your car, and there is even the annual tune-up on yourself at the doctor's office. What are typically forgotten about are the tune-ups on your air conditioning and heating systems. Air conditioning and heating tune-ups can commonly be forgotten, or seen as a waste of money. If it's cooling fine, then why bother? An unknown but impressive fact is that in 1 year, your air conditioning and heating system runs enough hours to equal a car that travels 60,000 miles. That would take a serious toll on your car to use it that much yet n  [more info...]

Plano Personal Injury Attorney Richard Armstrong believes it is one of the worst things a person injured by another's negligence can do. A personal injury lawsuit can disrupt the life of even the most stable individual, says Plano lawyer Richard Armstrong. This unsettling aspect of such a unique event in a person's life can cause an individual to make a poor decision. Insurance companies are notorious for attempting to deflect liability and minimize the value of personal injury claims. Not only is the claimant faced with expensive medical bills, but he or she may have to take time off from work, sometimes for weeks or months." Although it may seem tempting to handle your own claim," says Armstrong, I have yet to see it pay off for thecli  [more info...]

Richardson AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, spreads information about allergens. How Some Foods Improve Allergy Symptoms You've heard about food allergies, of course. Wheat, egg, milk and peanuts are among the substances that can send quite a few folks into reactions that are quite hard to swallow. But did you also know that some foods can actually help with allergies of the airborne type? When airborne particles are causing a runny nose, sneezing, watery eyes and more, try taking a bite out of your breathing trouble with strategic dietary selections. For example: Omega-3 fatty acids have "anti-inflammatory" properties. Look for these in cold-water fish (wild salmon, mackerel, trout, herrin  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, gives thoughts on humidity in your home. Humidity - too little and your lungs feel like you're in a desert, too much and it can feel like you're walking under water. Why the big deal about a little water? Well, too much humidity isn't just uncomfortable, it's unhealthy. Mold and mildew thrive and can cause serious air quality issues in your home. The key for your comfort (and your home's well-being) is finding the right balance. Sometimes that means using a dehumidifier to keep the moisture outside from taking over inside. So what kind of dehumidifier is right for you? A lot depends on the area with the moisture problem... LARGE SPACES If you've got   [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers tips for routine maintenance. Routine air conditioning tune-ups are among the best home investments you can make. That's because tune-ups improve your systems efficiency and increase its lifespan, saving you operating dollars, postponing replacement dollars and keeping you comfortable at the same time. Not only that, you can avoid problems with mold build-up that can harm your breathing space. It's the same principle as routine dental cleaning and annual medical appointments. Nothing's wrong, and you want to keep it that way. But some folks let the "ounce of prevention" opportunity pass right on by, thanks to a misguided impression that it's just too m  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers a Spring 2010 message: I hope this message finds you well and ready for the first signs of spring. We're enjoying a breath of fresh air ourselves after a very busy season of keeping our customers comfortable. There's nothing more important to us than the work we do for you. Put this in the category of news you'd expect. The Better Business Bureau recently issued a list of the top scams and rip-offs from last year. It was full of schemes involving work-at-home offers, job-hunting, debt assistance, very "pricey" sweepstakes winnings, and government grants. Sadly, many of these schemes have in their heart the worst possible motives - taking advantage of peo  [more info...]

Plano AC Company offer Solar Air Conditioning and Heating System. Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX This is a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In this article I will cover the Lennox SunSource Air conditioning and heating system. Earlier this year Lennox announced they were introducing a complete series of air conditioners and heat pumps that were solar ready. In addition you could install solar panels at the same time as you installed your new a/c & heat system, or you could add the solar panels later. In my opinion...this is a brilliant idea because some consumers may want the option of solar at a later date but don't wan  [more info...]

Back in the 90's the government had this great idea (a rare occurrence, but it has happened): they would pay insurance companies to administer Medicare. This would allow insurance companies to display their talents at cost control and provide better benefits for Medicare beneficiaries! The insurance companies' plans were called Medicare Plus, and they were a tremendous hit. Except that the insurance companies (fiendish knaves!) made money on the deal!!! Well of course we couldn't have that, so the government cut back on the amount they paid the insurance companies - to the point where Medicare Plus plans became a losing proposition. Insurance company shareholders, not mention insurance regulators and rating agencies, don't like insura  [more info...]

Allen TX AC Repair Service offers the Top 5 Ways To Save Money While Cooling Your Home This Summer: Spring is here and the impending heat is definitely on everyone's mind. Whether you're wondering if your unit can make it another summer or you're just wondering how to pay the bills, there are things you can do to prepare ahead of time. Total Heat and Air gives the Top Five Hints for staying Comfortable this summer and saving money: 1. Tune-ups- These aren't just for cars. By spending about $75-$100 dollars on a professional tune-up you might be saving yourself a lot of money. The money you save on this service will save you money by extending the life of your unit and allowing it to run more efficiently. 2. Clean Air Fi  [more info...]

Allen Air Conditioning and Heating owner Steve Lauten has talks about how he markets his family owned business. Seeing how someone runs there business can give you insight into whether you want to hire that company to work for you. In this article we review a speech that owner, Steve Lauten gave to a professional group of peers. How do you market your business? There are many different kinds of marketing. While watching the Super Bowl you may have noticed commercials from various vendors such as mortgage companies. This is called interruption marketing. The theory behind it is to interrupt the thought you are having such as the football game and make you think about mortgages. Seems unlikely but it is a widely used technique.   [more info...]

Plano Airconditioning and Heating Company talks about summer heat. In 2007 Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano spoke to his colleagues at an industry meeting and this is what he shared. Whether you own your own HVAC repair company or you are interested in how to choose a company to maintain your current system here are a few tips from a speech that owner, Steve Lauten gave for an industry organization. Digital Refrigeration Gauges- Take a look at whether the AC repair company has digital or analog refrigeration gauges. Analog are basically obsolete for many reasons. Digital gauges are more accurate and zero out every time you turn them on, enabling you to get a better reading. Digital has the ability to   [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, Texas, speaks about how important it is to train employees. "The way you treat your employees is the way they treat your Customers! " It will be important to keep this in mind when it's 100 plus degrees outside and tempers and stress are on the rise. It may be difficult when you have a million job orders to keep your customers and employees happy, but here are some tips. Make sure to keep a call log on jobs that have call back or problems. It will be best to review the log and see what the problem areas are. Is there a need for more training with this employee? Call backs can cost your company money but you can avoid them. Typ  [more info...]

McKinney Air Conditioning Company owner Stevel Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat, explains what is available for financing new HVAC units. Replacing your HVAC unit can be a costly decision and it's one you don't want to make hindered by financial constraints. Total Heat and Air offers some tips for making that decision. We encourage customers to not just replace part of your system. We have mentioned on the site many times how a unit is only as good as it's installation and duct work. Matched systems are going to be the most efficient. You'll need to switch out the indoor coil and furnace and the outdoor AC or heat pump. Don't wait for the busiest part of the year, get a consultation now and start some financial planning. List  [more info...]

Frisco AC and Heating Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., has advice for slowing down the fast pace of summer. Summer can be a difficult adjustment for Air Conditioning repair companies. Naturally, the phone is silent most of the winter and then it starts to ring off the hook. This can be a dangerous balance for business as too much business can be more harmful then not enough. One of the main problems for AC repair companies can be staffing during the summer. It is proven in any industry that once the employees hours start to rise above sixty then productivity starts to decline. Furthermore, once the weekly hours get high, the temperatures rise and stress rises, injuries start to happen. The old ma  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., has advice for slowing down the fast pace of summer. Summer can be a difficult adjustment for Air Conditioning repair companies. Naturally, the phone is silent most of the winter and then it starts to ring off the hook. This can be a dangerous balance for business as too much business can be more harmful then not enough. One of the main problems for AC repair companies can be staffing during the summer. It is proven in any industry that once the employees hours start to rise above sixty then productivity starts to decline. Furthermore, once the weekly hours get high, the temperatures rise and stress rises, injuries start to happen. The old management theor  [more info...]

Frisco AC and Heating Repair service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., tells us about the founding of the company. The summer heat will be upon us before you know it, is your Air Conditioning system ready? There is no better time to think about installing an energy efficient AC unit in your home. Energy tax credits can be utilized to bring down the cost of the unit and you can save money in the long run by getting a more energy efficient unit. Furthermore, calling now rather than when it's 100 degrees outside will probably help you get an AC Technician out faster. You can count on the folks at Total Heat and Air for sales estimates, repairs, evaluations and energy efficiency evaluations. Total Heat and Air has   [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, talks about balance in your Heating and Air Conditioning Units. You may have noticed that certain areas or rooms of your house are cooler than others. Naturally, this can be caused by the amount of sun that comes into that room but there are a variety of other factors that may be influencing the comfort levels of various rooms in your home. One of the culprits to your cooling or heating being off balance can actually be electronics. Check all your rooms to see if they have an abundance of electrical products plugged in. Computers, cell phones and printers can generate a lot of extra heat. You may try some power strips in some rooms, the kind  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat, offers answers to questions about air cleaners and rating systems. Most of us are aware of outdoor pollutants. What many are not aware is the possibility of poor air quality in your home. If you think about modern homes they are built for energy efficiency; keeping in cold air in the summer, heat in the winter. This design can have a downside as well, trapping in outdoor pollution and allergy irritants. There are some things you can do to protect yourself and your family from indoor pollutants. Naturally a clean home will help but it's not enough. Replacing and or cleaning your filters often, dusting your furniture and baseboards will help. But keep in mind your home  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service company owner Steve Lauten, president of TOTAL AIR & HEATING CO., offers a wide array of services. Most people only think of their AC repair company when the Air Conditioning is down in your house. There are many services a professional AC company can provide outside of an emergency breakdown. In fact we encourage you to take a look at some of services before the breakdown happens. Naturally the folks at Total Air and Heating are able to work with all brands of Air Conditioning and Heating units. Try to schedule tune ups prior to any AC outages. But in the event your AC or Heating unit does completely breakdown we are available to replace your system. We will consult with you regarding the best type of uni  [more info...]

Plano personal injury attorney Richard Armstrong states that a personal injury claim often stands or falls on whether evidence is available in a timely manner. "You would be amazed at how many folks kick themselves later in their lawyer's office because they didn't take and save a photo when they had the chance, or obtain a witness' contact information," said Armstrong. "Personal injury claims, like any other claim, depend substantially on what your lawyer is given to work with. A lawyer with only average ability can often obtain a good result when the evidence is preserved, while a superb lawyer may have much difficulty getting the same result if evidence is lacking." Mr. Armstrong stresses that the type of evidence will vary. "For exa  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat gives great ideas for getting the most out of your Heating and Air Conditioning system at the lowest cost of use. We have previously discussed ways to maintain your AC unit and when to repair. Today lets discuss what happens when you get to the final realization that your system must be replaced. The old adage "you get what you pay for is usually always true". Of course it is great to get various bids on your contract but always use caution on the lowest bids. There are always exceptions to the rule, but really scrutinize the lowest bid. Why is it the lowest? Can the company actually make money on that bid? We like to remind people of the "Cardboard Box Rule". An AC unit comes in a ca  [more info...]

Plano attorney Richard Armstrong takes issue with those who hold that arbitration is a silver bullet to solve the problem of the delays and costs of litigation. "I have seen too many cases where a contract contained an arbitration clause that was too broad of a brush," says Armstrong, "leaving little or no room for judicial remedies where it would have been especially appropriate. One of the starkest examples is the use of an arbitration clause to cover all remedies, including those which an arbitrator is not empowered by law to give, such as injunctive relief." Armstrong notes that, by entering into such an agreement, a business person may effectively "paint themselves into a corner" by removing all access to the courts in a case where  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Air Conditioning system. There is a lot of buzz talk right now about Congress approving tax credits for energy efficient home modifications. While they are trying to sort things out, there are a few things you can do on your own to make your home more efficient. First, if you'd like to change out some of your appliances for more energy efficient models ask your sales person which models have energy ratings high enough for a rebate. The sales people are well versed in this area right now and eager to help. Also, do keep an eye on what Congress is doing. You may be able to receive substantial tax credits on things such as radiant barr  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Air Conditioning system. Spring is upon us and along with your spring cleaning you need to prepare for summer. Start with your Air Conditioning unit. A little extra maintenance now may help avoid shocking bills in the heat of the summer. If you wait till summer, you may have already lost yourself some money and or find yourself on a wait list to get an Air Conditioning Technician out to your home. Your first step should be to call a Professional Air Conditioning Repair company for an AC tune up. This shouldn't cost you over a hundred dollars for the check-up. The technician will clean the coils on your outdoor unit; this will  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service (serving Plano since 1957) Total Air & Heat Co., helps improve indoor air quality one home at a time. Let's face it; most of us enjoy sitting outside and doing a little outdoor gardening. But when it comes to summer in Texas we spend a lot of time indoors, especially when temperature are hitting triple digits. Even in the winter there are times when it is cold enough to hide indoors for awhile. This is exactly why you need to be aware of the quality of air in your home. In the summer months as much 90% of your families time can be spent indoors. Recent EPA studies have concluded that air pollutants inside can actually be higher than those found outside. Careful attention should be made for children and e  [more info...]

Dallas AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat explains how you can get a Home Efficiency test to assess how much money you are wasting on energy cost. With the promises of home energy tax credits, saving money on energy has become a hot topic. If you're not sure where to start on your home energy products, consider starting with a HomeEnalasys. A Home Enalasys is modern testing of your homes energy efficiency; specifically it measures the heating and cooling unit's efficiency. Essentially what a technician will do is place sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home. Anywhere there is an air register they will place the sensors; attics, outside units, inside and crawlspaces. Temperature, airflow and humidity wi  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten President of Total Air & Heat Co., offers advice to help you improve your indoor air quality - Part A Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? --- Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX The Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning systems on your health. [caption id="attachment_417" align="alignright" width="182" caption="Your HVAC System can affect your health."][/caption] This is a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In a prior article I discussed some of the filter systems, dehumidifiers, and other products available to address IAQ issues. In this article I will summarize what I feel is the bes  [more info...]

Among the many supposed evils perpetrated by the health insurance industry on the unsuspecting public is the treatment of pre-existing conditions. There are occasions where an existing health condition might be an issue but like most things political, the difficulties are exaggerated. If you need health insurance but you have had some issues in the past - even if you have been previously declined for health insurance- shop around for a specialist health insurance agent who is prepared to do some digging on your behalf. Almost all companies make some sort of underwriting guidelines available to their agents. Besides a height and weight table, these usually include a list of conditions that the health insurance company deems to be "decl  [more info...]

Plano lawyer Richard Armstrong, with over 20 years in injury cases, declared this week that swift legal action in the Toyota gas pedal cases is critical. "One class action has already been filed in California, and another in Ohio" stated Armstrong. Others are yet to come. If an individual has been seriously injured, or---God forbid---killed through negligent manufacture or delayed recall, he had better file suit quickly before Toyota is brought to its knees by group claims and government pressure." "We have seen this happen in other types of cases," continued Armstrong, "ranging from Bendectin in the pharmaceuticals field to the class action tobacco suits of the late nineties. The company may either not survive, or be so crippled by   [more info...]

Plano Trane Air Conditioning and Heating dealer Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat Co., explains how to choose an Air Conditioning and Heating system. This is a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In this article I will cover some important aspects of how to purchase a new air conditioning or heating system. [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Check your Condenser Annually"][/caption] I would like to begin by asking you these questions: Have you ever bought a new air conditioning or heating system? Was it to replace an existing system or on a new home? These questions are extremely important, and your ans  [more info...]

"The divorce process," says Plano lawyer Armstrong, "begins when the party seeking relief files a document entitled Original Petition for Divorce." More properly termed a pleading, this document may be anywhere from several pages to thirty or more pages in length, depending on the facts of your particular case and the extent of the relief you are seeking. Unless you choose to represent yourself, you are generally not required to sign the petition. Therefore, it is essential to let your lawyer know if you'd like to review it before filing and delivery to your spouse. Armstrong the Law Firm, as a matter of course allows the client to review the pleading for accuracy before filing. Note that the petition is required by law to contain ce  [more info...]

Frisco Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 5 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. Read: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 and Part 4 of this series. Allergens: I consider allergens to be just about anything organic that cause the human respiratory system to be irritated. The methods of controlling and preventing allergens are basically the same as Particu  [more info...]

Plano Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 4 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. Read: Part 1 and Part 2 and Part 3 of this series. Particulates: Particulates are generated during new construction, remodels and even normal daily activities. Somehow all of this dust and particles need to be removed from the structure; otherwise you will be breathing it f  [more info...]

Dallas Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 3 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. Read: Part 1 and Part 2 of this series. VOC's: finding and eliminating the source of the VOC's is what we try to do as our first choice. However eliminating all sources of VOC's is not possible in most cases. A good example would be when you clean your home. In most cas  [more info...]

Richardson Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., asks... Could Your Home Be Making You Sick? Written by Steve Lauten-Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX Impact of Heating and Air Conditioning system and your health. This is Part 2 in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. In my last article I discussed some of the more common methods to remedy a sick home. I discussed the best way to begin was by placing an IAQ monitor in area of the structure that is frequently used such as the den, family room, master bedroom, or reception area, or a common office area. Once we get the report back we have a better idea as what type of iss  [more info...]

The Federal Government has extended the COBRA subsidy program. This program provided for a federal subsidy of 65% of COBRA health insurance premiums for those Americans "involuntarily terminated" (government-ese for "laid off") between September 1st, 2008 and December 31st, 2009. Individuals who qualified could get up to nine months of subsidized premiums. Under the extension, eligibility for the 65% subsidy will be extended to Americans laid off on or before February 28th, 2010 instead of December 31st, 2009, and the subsidy will now extend for 15 months instead of nine. (If anyone paid the full COBRA premium for November or December because their nine months subsidy ran out, they out will be get a credit against future premiums for th  [more info...]

Allen Heating Repair Company owner Steve Lauten asks... "Could Your Home Be Making You Sick?" This article discussing the impact of Heating and Air Conditioning systems on your health is written by Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat Co. Plano, TX [caption id="attachment_383" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Click on Photo Image to Enlarge"][/caption] This is a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your health and comfort in your home or office. I would like to begin by discussing the interaction of a heating and air conditioning system and the home or building that is conditioning. Many times the a/c and heat system is blamed for all kinds of issues within a conditioned space. Most of   [more info...]

Frisco TX AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., talks about things you can do to reduce your energy costs. There does not seem to be much good news coming from the energy news these days. While prices are well below the peaks of last summer the recent trend has been back up and that bodes ill for your summer energy bills. Since heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly half of you home's energy consumption even minor cost increases can strain already tight budgets. I thought this might be a good time to provide a quick list of things you can do to keep your summer cooling costs at a minimum: Do your own energy assessment: Visit the Energy Star Home Advisor website at www.energystar.gov/ho  [more info...]

This month, Plano trade secrets lawyers at Armstrong the Law Firm focus on the unique characteristics of trade secret litigation in Texas. Businesses invest much sweat equity and capital developing confidential information which could, if it fell into the hands of a competitor, inflict substantial damage on them. Therefore, they must develop and implement safeguards which will protect against such a circumstance. This type of confidential information is called a "trade secret." Protecting an enterprise's trade secrets can spawn protracted, expensive litigation when parties contend that trade secrets have been misused. In Texas, the formation and misuse of trade secrets is governed by the common law, which is a body of case law devel  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, president of TOTAL AIR & HEATING CO., offers a full range of heating and air conditioning services. Total Air and Heating Co. offers everything from a simple service call to a complete system installation, right down to the thermostat. Service and Repair ~ We service and repair all brands and types of air conditioning and heating equipment. Preventive Maintenance ~ We offer a variety of seasonal preventative maintenance services to fit your needs. Equipment Replacement ~ We offer standard, high, and super efficiency a/c-heat equipment for residential homes. We can help you choose the system that is right you and your family. Complete Trane Comfort System installation ~  [more info...]

Plano Heating Contractor owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat, offers answers to questions about air cleaners and filtration systems. Q: I thought pollution was outside. Why should I be worried about my air indoors? A: The average North Texan spends 90% of their time each day indoors. Additionally, modern efficient, airtight homes are efficient at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritating particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality has become more and more important to our general health and well-being. Q: What does Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) mean? A: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is recognized by the Fed  [more info...]

Plano Heating Contractor Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Airconditioning system. Preventative Maintenance: Don't be tricked by the under $30.00 tune up. Most contractors that offer this type of tune up are hoping to find parts to replace. In some cases the technicians are paid a flat rate fee based on the repair cost. Think about it for a minute, how can a contractor send a technician to your home for $30.00 and cover his costs? The $30.00 has to cover the technician's hourly cost, travel time, vehicle costs and overhead. Be sure to read what the under $30.00 tune up includes. In virtually all cases it does not include any cleaning, only visual inspection! A good tune up will c  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning Repair Company, Total Air and Heat, offers a Home Efficiency Test that tells you how much money you are wasting due to inefficient systems. A HomeEnalasys is a high-tech check-up for your home that tests and analyzes the heating and air conditioning system in your home. Experienced, certified technicians connect special sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home, in attic or crawlspace areas and on condensing unit outside the home. These special sensors test and measure the temperature, humidity and airflow. Data is then sent back to the technician's laptop computer. This technology allows our technicians to evaluate real time data that is collected from multiple sources and dynamically analyze   [more info...]

Total Air and Heat Co., located in Plano Texas, provides services in Allen as an HVAC Contractor, AC Repair, Heating and Allen TX Air Conditioning Services Company. Over the last year we have published a series of articles that we wish to summarize in this BLOG Articles. Please select from this short list to review information about Total Air and Heat Co. Client Testimonials Plano AC Repair Service Plano Air Conditioning Company Allen TX AC Repair Service Dallas Air Conditioning and Heating Company Dallas Heating System Contractor Richardson AC Repair Service Allen TX Air Conditioning Services Company, Total Air and Heat, is owned by Steve Lauten, the second generation owner. Founded in 1957 by Steve's dad, Fred Laute  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat helps you know when it is better to repair versus replace that old air conditioning system. In our prior article we set the groundwork for what SEER system you most likely have in your home and what is available to replace it. Let's discuss the point in time when it makes sense to replace your system instead of repairing it. [caption id="attachment_349" align="alignright" width="225" caption="Check your System Annually"][/caption] Listed below are several scenarios to consider before making a decision: Systems under 5 years of age: In most cases fix the unit. Virtually all manufacturers provide a 5 to 10-year parts warranty on the compressor. Some manufacturers also provide a 5 or   [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat answers the question of whether it is better to repair or replace that old air conditioning system. This question is asked by many of our Customer's during the hot summer months. The answers are not always cut and dried; but if you follow the guidelines below it will help you make a better decision. Let's begin by discussing the age of your system. There has been vast improvement over the last 5 years in efficiency and reliability by all manufacturers. If your system was installed as part of your new home prior to 1992 the SEER of your unit when it was new was likely around an 8 SEER. [caption id="attachment_341" align="alignright" width="300" caption="SEER Rating Equal Cost Saving  [more info...]

Allen Tx AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President ot Total Air and Heat Co in Plano presents this Video about services offered. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4mifKmAPprE] Allen Tx AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten is President of Total Air & Heat Co. located in Plano, TX. Steve can be reached at 972-535-8066 or by email at sales@totalair.com. Total Air & Heat Co. has been serving the North Dallas/Collin County area since 1957 and has been voted the "Best Heat and Air Contractor in Collin County" 14 times by the readers of Star Community Newspapers.  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Service Total Air and Heat can perform a Home Efficiency Test that will show you how much money you are wasting on energy costs. A HomeEnalasys is a high-tech check-up for your home that measures and analyzes your home's heating and air conditioning system. Certified service technicians attach sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home, in attic or crawlspace areas and on condensing unit outside the home. The sensors measure temperature, humidity and airflow. Data is then fed back to the technician's laptop computer. This technology enables our technicians to collect real time data from multiple sources and dynamically analyze both the airflow and refrigeration sides of the HVAC system performance.   [more info...]

Dallas HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat Co., continues his discussion of the Energy Saving Tax Credits... By purchasing a qualifying system you can reduce your energy costs by between 40-60%. Read that again. See, in my business a few percent savings can put hundreds of dollars in your pocket each year, so this figure is staggering. But what is really important is your indoor comfort. Engineers at TRANE have developed a comfort system that will, silently and automatically, adjust energy consumption and capacity output to meet your requirements. Think about that... This technology and the tax credit put you in control of your utility bills... not Mid-East turmoil, greed or weird weather. It is up t  [more info...]

Richardson Heating Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., reminds you that you can get a tax credit this year. [caption id="attachment_311" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Furnace Schematic Diagram"][/caption] If you and I think alike... you may feel that when the US Government tries to help average folks like us - normal hard-working people on "Main Street USA" - that "help" has a way of ending up in somebody else's pockets. Maybe I have seen it too many times. However - Would you like to have a $1500 lower tax bill for 2009? That was before Congress passed a law that truly helps normal homeowners. This one affects all of us. Last year this incredible bonus was a $500 Tax Incentive Reb  [more info...]

Dallas Air Conditioning and Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., offers some simple ideas to increase home security. [caption id="attachment_305" align="alignright" width="250" caption="Preventing Burglaries"][/caption] According to reports by the FBI and to studies done by State Farm Insurance, a home is burglarized every 15 seconds. Even worse, many of the burglaries take place in broad daylight because this is when a home is most likely to be vacant. So, while you are at work and your children are at school, your home could be the target for a crime. Fortunately, break-ins are one of the most preventable crimes. Here are a few precautionary measures to keep you home safe: Use Automatic Ti  [more info...]

Richardson Heating Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers tips for saving energy during winter months. [caption id="attachment_300" align="alignright" width="254" caption="Energy Savings during Winter"][/caption] With cooler weather on the way, now is the time for homeowners to plan for home improvement projects before the chill of winter sets in. And, since heating and cooling account for 44% of the average home's total energy use (according to the U.S. Department of Energy, or the "DOE"), it makes sense to find energy efficient solutions. One Way? Replacing old and leaky windows with energy efficient models can bring a significant return on investment when you consider today's high energy p  [more info...]

Plano Photographer, Denise Cervantes, discusses Photographic Restoration. Some photographs have not aged well. The photographs, stored in the attic and/or garage, or just time have created damage. This may include, fading, tears, and missing pieces of the photographs. [caption id="attachment_23" align="alignnone" width="300" caption="Before and After Restoration"][/caption] FamilyTime Photography offers Photographic Restoration for those damaged, priceless photographs. Plano Photographer, Denise Cervantes with FamilyTime Photography, has offered photographic services in Plano since 2004. She specializes in Special and Corporate Events, Family Portraits, and Photographic Restoration. For a personal consultation, please contact he  [more info...]

Plano Personal injury lawyers know that the most serious and catastrophic accidents often occur while people are involved in transportation-related activities. Although some transportation accidents may subject the wrongdoer to criminal sanctions, injuries suffered in such an accident usually are compensable also through a personal injury civil lawsuit. Most civil suits arising from transportation accidents are based in negligence. This blog provides a brief overview of the laws and issues regarding automobile accidents (equally applicable to commercial trucking accidents.) In later blogs, I will deal with aviation accidents, boating accidents, and of other modes of transportation. Tort litigation involving transportation-related act  [more info...]

Dallas Heating and Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, talks about balance in your HVAC System. Are some rooms in your home more comfortable than others? All rooms are not alike. Some are warmer when you'd rather they be cool, some are cooler when you'd rather they be warm. How is this happening? A number of variables could be having an impact. For example, direct exposure to sunlight heats up a room - good in winter, not so good in summer. [caption id="attachment_285" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Heat and Air Duct System"][/caption] Electronics could play a role here, if high-speed computers and accessories are plugged in, powered up and producing heat. The hei  [more info...]

Dallas Heating System Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, offers thoughts for the winter season. That shift you notice in the weather is not your imagination. It is your Calendar. Yes, change is in the air. Of course, as I watch everything going on out there, I can't help but think it's not just the season that's changing - but the whole world! [caption id="attachment_289" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Winterizing your Home Saves Money."][/caption] We sure are living in interesting times. Whether you're Twittering or texting, friending folks on Facebook, or getting LinkedIn to MySpace, we've got lots of ways to talk about what's on our minds. So what's our two cents worth on some of the  [more info...]

Health Reform Alert From Allen Health Insurance Agent Peter Young The Senate Finance Committee essentially wrapped up its work on a health care reform bill last week, though additional changes are still possible as the bill is put to a vote of the full Committee later this week. A number of changes made to the bill at the 11th hour last week already are generating concerns about the direction of the legislation. For example, one amendment approved by the Committee would result in a significant weakening of the individual coverage requirement by delaying and reducing penalties attached to the requirement. The maximum penalty for a family of four would start at $200 in 2014 and rise to $750 in 2017*. Also, an estimated 2 million people   [more info...]

Plano Heating Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, offers some simple tips to help improve the comfort of your home or office. [caption id="attachment_275" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Floor Grill"][/caption] This is the 2nd part of a series of articles that I am writing which covers issues that impact your comfort level in your home or office. In addition, I will address ways to reduce your cooling and heating bills, and extend the life of your HVAC system. In this article I will be discussing grill placement, and properly locating supply and return grills which is an absolute must in order to be comfortable. Unfortunately, grill location is typically dictated by what is cheapest to inst  [more info...]

Plano Attorney Richard Armstrong Discusses Civil Litigation Fear The courthouse can be a confusing and intimidating place for a person bringing or defending a civil damages suit, says Plano attorney Richard Armstrong. That is precisely why so many people avoid the courthouse, even when the evidence is on their side and their cause is just, suggests Armstrong. Fortunately, competent law firms using a variety of fee arrangements can remove the mystery and fear associated with the courtroom, as well as level the playing field. Just because a law firm is large doesn't necessarily mean it will win. According to Armstrong, much depends on the experience and commitment level of the attorneys representing the litigant. Some smaller firms bea  [more info...]

The Senate Finance Committee essentially wrapped up its work on a health care reform bill last week, though additional changes are still possible as the bill is put to a vote of the full Committee later this week. A number of changes made to the bill at the 11th hour last week already are generating concerns about the direction of the legislation. For example, one amendment approved by the Committee would result in a significant weakening of the individual coverage requirement by delaying and reducing penalties attached to the requirement. The maximum penalty for a family of four would start at $200 in 2014 and rise to $750 in 2017*. Also, an estimated 2 million people who would face financial difficulties would be exempt from buying ev  [more info...]

Plano Wrongful Death Lawyer Richard Armstrong comments: a great many damages sustained by wrongful death victims are intangible. "Many of the things we take for granted in a loved one are difficult or impossible to quantify when they are gone," says Armstrong. "Such things as loss of a mother's gentleness, a father's wisdom, a gifted child's future, or a wife or husband's affection can never be replaced. However, in addition to tangible damages such as past and future loss of income and earning capacity, Texas law recognizes a right to recover for the loss of spousal and parental "consortium." See Reagan v. Vaughn, 804 S.W.2d 463, 466 (Tex. 1990). When a surviving spouse sues for loss of consortium of the deceased spouse, care   [more info...]

Richardson Heating and Air Conditioning Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., has ways to improve your indoor air quality. REDUCE INDOOR AIR POLLUTION & HEALTH RISKS Many of us live in homes with unhealthy indoor air quality and we do not know it. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) ranks indoor air pollution as among the top five environmental health risks, with studies indicating that indoor levels of many pollutants can be up to more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. Even the cleanest homes can allow indoor pollutants to flourish. Your HVAC system can collect a variety of insidious contaminants, including bacteria, mold spores, fungi, pollen, pet dander, toxic particles and dust, and re  [more info...]

Richardson AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., offers tips from Energy Efficiency Experts [caption id="attachment_230" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Home AC Duct Schematic"][/caption] Is your air conditioning system prepared to handle the blistering summer heat? Now is the perfect time to install that new, energy-efficient air conditioning system you have been thinking about, or get your existing system in shape before the heat wave strikes. Fortunately, you can count on family-owned and operated Total Air and Heat for sales assistance, installation, maintenance and repair services of the highest quality, from trained and experienced professionals. SERVING THE METROPLEX FOR 50 YEARS  [more info...]

Garland AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. Describes Things That Impact Your Comfort [caption id="attachment_227" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Truss Mounted HVAC Ducts"][/caption] Part 1-Duct Design This is the 1st in a series of articles I am writing that covers issues that impacts your comfort level in your home or office. In addition I will address ways to reduce your cooling and heating bills, and extend the life of your HVAC system. I would like to begin by discussing duct design, it seems to be one of those dark secrets that many air conditioning and heating contractors don't want to talk about. Yet a correctly installed and designed duct system yields the biggest benefits  [more info...]

PLANO BUSINESS LITIGATION ATTORNEY RICHARD ARMSTRONG believes the Texas high court properly found no partnership in Deere v. Ingram. On July 3, 2009, over five years after we tried the lawsuit to a Dallas jury, the Supreme Court of Texas affirmed the decision of Dallas County trial court in Ingram v. Deere, ___ S.W.3d___ (Tex. 2009). In that case, the jury stung our client, a licensed behavioral psychologist, with five million dollars in damages which the Plaintiff psychiatrist had argued was his proper share of past and present "partnership" earnings. Essential to his position, of course, was that the jury find a partnership existed in the first place. The jury so found, and thus ensued a battle through the app  [more info...]

Richardson TX Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., offers some tips to help you get ready for Winter. What you need to know about your heating system: Many homeowners do not realize the importance of checking their heating system on a yearly basis. Like many things in your home, the heating system is typically ignored until it breaks. Lack of maintenance is costing you money from higher utility bills, shortening equipment life, and can be a serious safety issue. Natural gas prices are projected to increase by 30% this year. Electric rates will likely rise as Natural Gas prices increase. Most Utility companies use Natural Gas to generate electricity. If your heating and air conditioning system   [more info...]

Richardson TX AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., tells how to save money cooling or heating your home or office. Steve Lauten routinely publishes articles with advice on how to reduce your energy costs, both during the hot summer months and during the cooler winter months. This articles was published in a newsletter that Steve sends to his clients and has been re-published here for your reading pleasure. [caption id="attachment_218" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Dirty Air Ducts can affect system efficiency."][/caption] We have already had a small sample of 100 degree weather this year and the last time it hit 100 degrees in April was 1925. Were you ready for these temperatures, and  [more info...]

Plano Texas Dentist Denton Wiginton encourages his patients to establish routine dental hygiene appointments. Routine Dential Hygiene is important because gum (periodontal) infections have been linked to greater risks of a variety of systemic diseases, including heart and pancreatic problems. Questions? Dr. Wiginton can be contacted at drdentonwiginton@verizon.net or through his website at: drwiginton.com. Dental Problems not covered in this blog may be found in additional blogs from a long time ADA member and Plano Texas Dentist Denton Wiginton, DDS. He has maintained an active dental practice in Plano, TX for over 25 years. Dr. Wiginton can be contacted by phone at 972-491-2244 or by email at drdentonwiginton@verizon.net or th  [more info...]

Allen TX AC Repair Service offers the Top 5 Things You Can Do To Save Money Cooling Your Home This Summer: Get a professional tune-up performed on your a/c unit. Approximate cost is $75-$100 and includes cleaning the coil on your outdoor unit. If done properly the cost spent will be recovered in reduced operating costs and it will extend the life of your unit. Clean Air Filters-The most overlooked item and critical to keep you're a/c unit properly operating. If you use 1" standard filters, change them every 30 days in the summer, if you use 1" pleated change every 60 days, 4"-5" inch pleated filters should be changed every 6-12 months. Proper Attic Ventilation-Many homes attics are way too hot! Be sure your attic has enough air   [more info...]

Frisco AC and Heating Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., has advice for slowing down when you are going too fast. Steve Lauten routinely makes presentations to his peers at the annual Air Conditioning Contractors Association Meetings for the North Texas Chapter. Here is a talk that he gave in the Summer of 2006. This is presented to give you insight into how one of the most successful HVAC Contractors in Texas runs his business. It is our hope that knowing how a reputable, high quality, HVAC Contractor runs his business will help you understand why you should select such a company to help when you need AC or Heating repair services. I'm Going Fast! Here we are about ½ ways thru August and it's   [more info...]

Plano, TX Dentist Denton Wiginton DDS has solutions for Dental Problems. Not all Dental Problems are Emergencies.....but most patients want solutions sooner than later. Dr Wiginton's advice is based on 25 + years of dealing with patient concerns. Some common Dental Problems are: • Fever Blisters Fever blisters generally are lip blisters (cold sores) that repeatedly occur in the same area of the lip. There are numerous over the counter treatments as basic as Campho-Phenique; look in the dental sections of most pharmacies. An excellent prescription topical ointment is Denavir (Penciclovir) which may limit the duration (3 to 10 days) if applied when the lesion is first felt. Always use a sterile Q- tip to apply any medicine to   [more info...]

Plano wrongful death lawyer Richard L. Armstrong believes one of the worst things a wrongful death victim's family can do is to put off visiting an attorney. "Even if you end up not pursuing your claim," states Armstrong, "you owe it to yourself to keep your options open as long as possible." In Texas, the statute of limitations, or time limit within which a wrongful death lawsuit must be filed, is two years from the date the claim accrued. A few notable exceptions exist, however, to this general rule. The most common one is the rule "tolling", i.e., extending, the statute of limitations applicable to minors claimants. Because a minor is considered to be under a legal disability and therefore incompetent, the statute of limitations on  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten reports: We Beat the Heat, Heated The Country, and Blitzed Habitat For Humanity. What's Next? Every year Steve Lauten devotes much of his personal energy to helping those members of his profession that are struggling to learn more about how to build a better business. Having higher quality standards, better trained employees, and presenting a better image to the public helps all of the members of the Air Conditioning Contractors Association. Higher quality providers do a better job for customers and everyone benefits. Here is a note that Steve circulated to local members encouraging voluntary participation in the local industry association that promotes these goals. Let me begin by saying   [more info...]

Plano Heating Repair Companyowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., picked up some words of wisdom about how to improve customer service. The following is a report that Steve Lauten gave to local HVAC Contractors following his visit to an industry associate trade show in 2006. The following gives some insight into how Steve runs his business and is presented so that you the reader may better understand how Steve focuses on quality of service in every aspect of his business. As promised I am reporting on some of the sessions I attended at the ACCA National Convention in San Jose. Over the years I have attended many HVAC conventions and always came away with enough ideas to make it worth my time. I left this conventio  [more info...]

Plano Business Litigation Attorney Richard Armstrong poses the question, "Is arbitration always the best dispute-solving mechanism for business?" One of the common advantages touted for arbitration over litigation is that it reduces the cost of resolving a dispute. The absence of a jury and the finality of the decision, which has no right of appeal should, at least in theory, streamline the case. Other commonly mentioned advantages include speed, confidentiality (no court reporters or news media), procedural informality, and less likelihood of outrageous results. But to the business person considering inserting arbitration clause in his or her contracts, Armstrong points out that the cost is often the chief consideration. Therefore, it is   [more info...]

Allen Air Conditioning and Heating owner Steve Lauten has grown his business into one of the most respected in the Industry. Steve's thoughts on marketing provide insight into how he runs his business. This can help you decide if Steve is the kind of business owner you want to trust with your commercial and residential service needs. This article is the text of a talk that Steve gave to an Industry gathering of his peers. What Kind of Marketing Does Your Company Use? As I reflect upon the Winter Olympics and the Super Bowl, I have to ask myself "Did the massive amount of money spent on a 30 second commercial pay for itself?" Can you remember the commercials from the Super Bowl? There were a few that I can remember the commerc  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning and Heating Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Plano based Total Air and Heat, shares with his peers how to NOT go out of business quickly. Some Like It Hot, but not on a Tin Roof As I sit here writing this message the forecast is one that I really like, mid to high 90's for the next 5 days. Most people outside our industry think we are crazy! Just for the record we are not crazy, just extremists. The perfect outdoor conditions are 10 degrees or 110 degrees without a cloud in the sky and nice dry pavement. You know we are not the only ones that like a real hot summer, swimming pool contractors, outdoor water themes parks, the "Ice Cream" man, Just Add Water swim suit store, sun tan lotion makers, boat dea  [more info...]

Frisco Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management in Dallas, offers a variety of 'Green' Pest Control Options. Here is a list of "Natural" products that may be used by PPM under a "Green Program" • Pyrethrins (pyrethrum) • Eugenol (clove oil) • D-limonene, Linalool • Microbial agents - microbes • Pheromones - primarily used in traps and insect monitors • ExciteR - spray or ULV fog • Pro-Citra DL - d-limonene - general insect control • Fenoxycarb - Logic, Award • Hydroprene - Gentrol • Methoprene - Precor, Altosid • Boric acid and borates • Silica gel • Diatomaceous Earth • Insect and rodent baits in tamper-resistant stations or containers, or when used only in crack and crevice treatmen  [more info...]

Dallas Pest Control Service owner, Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management in Dallas, offers a variety of 'Green' Pest Management options. IT IS NOT ABOUT PESTICIDES. It is about the overall approach to pest management in a manner that reduces the impact on the environment. Not all Natural pesticides necessarily fit into Green pest management. It is the manner in which the product is applied that is of importance, and products such as enclosed insect bait stations may be labeled as "green" even though the active ingredient is synthetic. "Green Pest Management" awaits a specific definition, and pest control industry leaders may work to achieve this. From the opinions of many pest management professionals there are clear simi  [more info...]

Plano Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers multi-family pest control services and commercial termite extermination. Prime Pest Management is committed to providing a no-hassle, no-worry solution to all your pest management needs. Pest problems are attributed to, but not limited to the following: Lost tenants due to continual pest issues. Structural and surface building damage due to pests. Lost productivity for on site personnel dealing with pest issues. The perception that you are not consumer driven. It has been said that a customer that has a bad experience at a property will tell ten others, who then tell others, and so forth. It is easy to see that continual pest pro  [more info...]

Plano attorney Richard Armstrong has seen many employee lawsuits that could have been avoided by the use of some simple preventative measures. Says Armstrong, "A popular topic at employment law seminars is how to defend a client who has been sued. What often isn't covered is how to discourage employee lawsuits in the first place." Few things make a business owner's blood run cold faster than the thought of a former or existing employee filing a complaint with a government agency or bringing a lawsuit. Weathering such investigations or defending such actions are time-consuming, costly, and detrimental to morale. The employer's objective should be to so construct and administer his business that an opposing lawyer or government agency   [more info...]

Plano Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, gives some advice on how to get rid of those pesky small flies in your kitchen area. You must remove the food source and eliminate breeding areas to achieve control of fruit flies, fungus nats and phorid flies. These small flies have a life-cycle of 10 days; sanitation is the only effective resolution. Prime Pest can perform a chemical treatment and/or place traps, but this will only kill adults and briefly knock down the population. The breeding cycle must be broken with good sanitation. Address these frequent problems: Clean floor drains well. This is the main harborage area for fruit flies and phorid flies. Launder the dishrags, or at least w  [more info...]

Dallas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers some advice about crickets in North Texas. Normally crickets live outdoors where their diet consists primarily of wild grasses, small weeds, and leaf litter, dead insects and organic materials. When these natural food sources dry up-usually in the late summer or fall-the crickets may begin migrating in large numbers, randomly invading homes and other buildings in their paths. Summer rains after a period of drought may also trigger migrations. When the environmental conditions are just right (a prolonged wet spring season which promotes the growth of an abundance of weeds and grasses) the cricket population can build up into astronomical num  [more info...]

McKinney Heating and Air Conditioning owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company, recommends that his peers should offer First Class Service. Note: This article is the text of a speed that Steve Lauten gave to the ACCA (Air Conditioning Contractors Association) in July 2006. This article gives you some personal insight into how Steve runs his business with an intense focus on First Class Service. *********************************************************** As I sit here writing this article, I'm wishing I was back on my flight to Hawaii that I took in May. It was the first family vacation in six years with both kids and needless to say, Janice, my wife was in heaven the entire time! It was also my wife's firs  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning and Heating owner Steve Lauten discusses the Next Generation of consumers and how businesses need to prepare for a new type of customer. Note: Steve Lauten routinely speaks to his peers at conferences and conventions for the Air Conditioning industry. This is a talk that he gave to the ACCA-NTX Convention in January 2006. It gives you some insight into how Steve runs his business. **************************************************** How many of you are old enough to remember the original Star Trek Television Series? I am sure I am not the only reader of this newsletter that had to make the tough decision of watching Star Trek or The Wild, Wild, West when they ran in the 1960's. I am sure you are asking yo  [more info...]

Dallas Termite Control Service Prime Pest Management offers Termite Pre Treatment Services that are ideal for Commercial and Industrial construction. Prime Pest Management uses experienced, industry specific trained professionals, who are employed year round; not just on a seasonal basis. We'll show up on time every time! We have large capacity trucks; which means we can get in and get the job done in a timely fashion to keep your project moving. Our service professionals are background checked and industry specific trained. We provide warranties on all work performed. We have the flexibility to perform the service when you need it done! Prime Pest Pre-Construction Treatment Services: Soil Treatment Ground soil treatme  [more info...]

Dallas Termite Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, describes the Prime Pest Advantage and how you benefit. Have you ever walked into a place of business, and noticed something different? A place where the employees actually seemed to enjoy what they're doing; where great customer service was the norm, and not the exception; a place where you actually felt like you got more than your money's worth. At Prime Pest Management we love what we do and understand that we work for a great company. We believe this will show through in the service we provide for our clients. RELIABLE - We do it right the first time. PUNCTUAL - We give you a definite arrival time. NEAT & CLEAN - Uniformed professional th  [more info...]

Plano Wrongful Death Lawyer Richard Armstrong knows that the last thing grieving survivors of wrongful death need is confusion. What Is Wrongful Death Recovery? Wrongful death is a statutory means of recovery for the benefit of those who survive the death of a loved one. It is not a creature of common law (case law), but rather of the Texas legislature, who created it to allow a surviving spouse, children, or parents of the deceased to recover for tort liability. Negligence by the defendant often furnishes the basis for liability, but wrongful death may also be based on products liability, "strict" liability, or misconduct by the defendant. Chapter 71 of the Civil Practice and Remedies Code, codifying law now almost 150 years old, pro  [more info...]

Consumer looking for dental insurance should bear these things in mind: Firstly look for a stand alone dental plan, don't buy the optional benefit offered with your health insurance. When you change your health insurance (and you should shop every 3-4 years) you will lose any add on benefits that you had on your old policy. That means you will also have to buy new dental insurance too - and that in turn means that you will have a new waiting period before you're fully covered. Waiting periods on dental insurance are substantial: typically a policy will have a six month waiting period before it covers fillings and twelve months before it covers root canals or crowns. So if you buy dental insurance in January and break a tooth on gra  [more info...]

Richardson Air Conditioning Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company, has tips growing your business. Steve Lauten is a current member and a former Director (on the Board) of the Air Conditioning Contractors Association (ACA). The ACA is devoted to helping professionals in the air conditioning business learn from each other about how to provide a higher quality set of services and products in a manner that allows them to offer competitive prices to the consumer. It is important to note that many people selling and installing home air and heat system do not stay in business because they do not know how to price their services and manage their businesses well enough to make a fair profit that allows them t  [more info...]

Plano Dentist Denton Wiginton, DDS stresses that Dental Emergencies should not be ignored. Dr. Wiginton's office always reserves time for emergency patients to be treated the day they call with a problem. Some frequently seen Dental Emergencies are: Items Caught Between Teeth The American Dental Association (ADA) recommends trying to first gently remove the item (i.e.: food piece like chicken fragment) with dental floss. Never use a sharp instrument to remove any object that is stuck between your teeth. If you cannot dislodge the item using dental floss, make an appointment with a dentist to get it removed. Cracked Tooth This situation is generally accompanied with pain from a specific tooth or actual loss of a part of   [more info...]

"I have used Total Air & Heat for over 20 years, beginning in 1989. Total Air & Heat Company has been doing business in Plano,TX since the 1950's as a family owned enity.Steve Lauten is the second generation family leader of his company. If you need someone's opinion or recommendation for your heating or cooling situation ,you can rely on Steve's honesty and integrity.Total Air & Heat has been taking good care of both my home and my dental office extremely well ! " Plano Dentist, Dr. Denton J Wiginton, DDS  [more info...]

Dallas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management in Dallas, alerts you to Mole Control facts and information. Did you know...? A 5 ounce mole will consume 45-50 lbs of worms and insects each year. Moles can dig surface tunnels at approximately 18 feet/hour. Moles travel through existing tunnels at about 80 feet/minute. Moles contain twice as much blood and twice as much hemoglobin as other mammals of similar size. This allows moles to breathe more easily in underground environments with low oxygen. Preferred food source: Insects & Earthworms Over-watering your lawn can bring soil invertebrates and moles closer to the ground surface, making tunnels more visible. Reducing the amount or fr  [more info...]

Dallas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers Termite Extermination services to both residential and commercial clients. We live in a part of the country where termites are a major problem. Even homes that have been treated in the past can have new termite colonies arrive that manage to find weaknesses in the barriers that have been established. If you are not working with a pest control company to maintain an active termite barrier the possibility that you have a vulnerability increases with time. Prime Pest Management provides the highest quality, state of the art, chemicals and technologies to address the ongoing challenges of dealing with these pests. With our experienced staff of pro  [more info...]

Las Colinas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Managment, uses green technology to control pests whenever it is possible. Our environment is worth protecting and you can rest assured that Prime Pest Management has the knowledge and experience to deliver a service that is friendly to the environment while being unfriendly to pests. Green pest management is a method of inspecting, monitoring, and excluding pests from a residence or business with the least amount of chemical application possible and with the least amount of environmental impact. Green pest management begins with a thorough building inspection and recommendations to the client on methods that can reduce and exclude pest harborage. We   [more info...]

Arlington Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers a humane way to remove nuisance wildlife such as black birds. Nuisance Bird Management There are many non lethal, humane methods of excluding and repelling nuisance pest birds so your work environment stays safe and aesthetically appealing. Prime Pest Management partners with some of the nation's finest product suppliers and employees service professionals who are industry specific trained to ensure the right installation of the right solution. We offer a full line of solutions for all types of nuisance birds, including pigeons, grackles, starlings and sparrows. A properly installed netting service will typically provide the best o  [more info...]

Arlington Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers a full range of residential pest elimination across North Texas. Our residential pest control services are designed to deliver a targeted, pest specific approach that gets results, and ensures the safety of the residents and pets. Over 90% of pests will enter from the exterior of your residence, and our residential pest control services are designed to stop the pests before they enter your home. Should our service professional find deficiencies in your home's exterior, they will work with you to provide a more formidable barrier against pests, which, along with our targeted treatments will provide you with long lasting peace of mind, a  [more info...]

Las Colinas Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, discusses Bee Removal and Relocation Services Many companies eliminate bee colonies but do not remove the bee hives. If a hive is left on site you can expect other colonies to locate the hive and take up residence. Prime Pest Management is your one stop shop for colony elimination and bee hive removal. We will give you up front pricing and perform the service using experienced professionals who will remove the hive with minimal impact to the building structure and environment. Our bee service is warranted for a full year. If the bees return to the same area within the year, Prime Pest will return to resolve the issue. About Us: Prime Pest   [more info...]

Plano Dentist, Dr. Denton Wiginton, provides services at his Plano Dental Office located near the S. E. corner of Coit and Legacy. The first thing that you will notice when you visit Dr. Wiginton will be that his office is packed with the latest technology. Now, I am a bit of a techno-geek and I love it when my Dentist has more advanced imaging technology than anything that I have dreamed of. What is doubly interesting is that when you first meet Dr. Wiginton you will notice that he is a very quiet, non-assuming, almost a shy person, but, the truth is that he is so extremely confident of his abilities that he has absolutely no need to be gregarious or outgoing about his own skills. His ego is completely in check and I think that is an aw  [more info...]

Irving Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management discusses Wildlife Trapping options. Prime Pest Management offers trapping for all types of wildlife, including raccoons, opossums, skunks, and squirrels to name a few. We also provide service for snake deterrent and control. Wildlife in the wrong environment can create health hazards, as well as environmental and structural damage. We provide humane wildlife trapping for you and your family's protection. The most important part of wildlife trapping does not involve trapping at all. The most important part is exclusion work. If a varmint invades your attic there has to be an entry point somewhere. If the entry point or points are not sealed, then yo  [more info...]

Irving Pest Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management has experience in dealing with exterminating Bed Bug problems. Some Bed Bug Facts: These insects are very difficult to eradicate and we have developed a special checklist for our customers to complete during the extermination process. When this checklist is followed we have discovered that not only are our treatments faster and more effective, but they also end up costing our customers less time and money. Bed bug infestations are characteristically marked by dark spotting and staining, which is the dried excrement of the bugs. Also present will be eggs, eggshells, molted skins, of maturing nymphs, and the bugs themselves. Another likely sign of   [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten routinely gives industry speaches about business management. Here he talks about "Rate of Learning" The only advantage any organization has is... "It's Rate of Learning" As a business owner I am always looking for a magic bullet that will give me an advantage over my competitors. I want one that is only mine and nobody else can have it. Does this sound familiar? If you look at virtually any successful American Corporation, or for that matter any in the World, nobody has a magic bullet forever. Whether it's a miracle drug, or a super widget, eventually the patents run out, or somebody takes the original idea and makes a better one. IBM made the first personal computer, now they don't m  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Companyowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, TX reflects on the state of our country as he looks back on 2006. A Year to Celebrate! As I sit here writing my message this month I am reflecting on what changes occurred in our Nation, our State, and our Chapter. The recent elections should send a strong message to everybody that the "status quo" just got its butt kicked. Don't get me wrong, I am not saying I liked the strong message sent, in particular the changes in Dallas County with the majority of the judges losing re-election is cause for concern. My main point being is I really don't see what politics has to do with being a judge at the County level? The focal point should be is the  [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten talks candidly about increasing sales and about how profits benefit the customer. Originally offered as a presentation in August 2006 to his peers at an industry seminar the topic of the talk was: How Much Money Are You Leaving On The Table Per Sale? The purpose of th presentation was to help his peers consider how they can best serve the consumer by both offering options that help the consumer and lead to a more profitable business. Profits are what keep the business viable and allow them to serve the consumer. How Much Money Are You Leaving On The Table Per Sale? This Applies to both Commercial and Residential Sales! I talked a lot this year about understanding your costs when pricing   [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano Texas speaks to his industry peers about quality control. This is an article that Steve Lautan presented to an Industry Association. The article title is: I Can See Clearly Now The Pain Is Gone I don't know about you, but it seems to me in my quest to stay on top of the quality improvement process I take 2 steps forward and 1 step backwards most of the time. Sometimes I do the opposite! Regardless of how many steps I take to enhance quality, it seems like there is always pain associated with change. The pain is not always mine, it normally belongs to those who believe "we have always done it that way" why change now? I will be honest in  [more info...]

The Plano Dental Office of Dr. Denton Wiginton offers Emergency Dental Appointments every day because you never know when an emergency might arise. Dental emergency problems should not be ignored! Continued dental neglect may result in greater amounts of time and money spent! Contact a dentist ASAP. Some common examples of Dental Emergencies are: Bitten Lip or Tongue A bitten lip, cheek, or tongue area should first be cleaned gently with a dampened cloth; then followed by applying a cold compress (i.e.: ice bag). The ice bag application to the area may help reduce swelling. Apply the compress at five minute intervals. If bleeding does not stop, go to a hospital emergency room. The American Dental Association (ADA) recomme  [more info...]

Frisco Airconditioning and Heating Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat, talks about success. Total Air and Heat has been in business ofer 50 years. Do You Own Your Company or Does It Own You? This question has always been one that I have asked myself and to be honest the answers have changed over the years depending on what stage my company was at. Let me begin by saying that the problems I am discussing are for the most part due to a lack of business knowledge. I started in this business as a technician and most HVAC companies get their beginnings the same way. There is a key difference in my case, I was blessed to have a father who worked for an Aerospace manufacturer during the day and ran his HVAC busine  [more info...]

Plano Airconditioning and Heating Company talks about summer heat. In 2007 Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano gave the following address to an industry convention. The Summer that Never Showed Up! So here we are about to celebrate Labor Day and I am asking will it ever get really hot this summer? To be honest..... I doubt we are going to see many more days above 100. So what do we do now? Get ready for winter? My answer is you have to look for all of the opportunity on each call you run. Whether it's a service or sales call, you must go slow enough to completely assess the needs of that customer. It might be a Commercial customer that has 20 year old package rooftops and a duct system more snarled that DFW   [more info...]

This week an interesting report landed in my inbox, entitled "What's Really Driving The Cost of Health Care Premiums?" I was intrigued: an article on a not dissimilar subject ("Who Is To Blame") appeared in the March 2008 issue of Consumer Reports magazine and I thought it might be worthwhile to see how the two compared. The summary of the WellPoint report declared: "Despite the common belief that costs increase due to excess insurer profits, the aging of America and the high cost of medical malpractice, these factors have little if any impact on health care premiums. The key drivers of health care premium increases are advances in medical technology and subsequent increases in utilization, excess price inflation for medical servic  [more info...]

Plano Dentist Denton Wiginton says that a Dental Emergency can be a serious problem and should not be ignored! Permanent damage and more expense later may be avoided by seeing a dentist ASAP. Some frequent Dental Emergencies are: Knocked Out Tooth The ADA (American Dental Association) recommends that once the tooth is retrieved, it should be held by the crown (the part of the tooth that is usually exposed in the mouth) and rinsed in water if it is dirty. Do not scrub it or remove any attached tissue fragments. If possible, gently insert and hold the tooth in it's socket. If that is not possible, put the tooth in a cup of milk and take it with you to a dentist ASAP. If it is after normal office hours, go to the closest hos  [more info...]

McKinney AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company in Plano offers tips to lower your energy costs and raise system efficiency. Maintenance Agreements Do you really want to pay more for less? That would not make sense. Become a member in our Maintenance Agreement Program and you will PAY LESS for MORE!. Membership entitles you to priority service response in case of emergency during busy peak seasons, discounts on repairs, PLUS you will reap the benefits of a more efficient system and lower energy costs. It just makes sense. Programmable Thermostats - Just Set It then Forget It! With a programmable thermostat you program your ideal temperature for comfort and savings. Then, let it adjus  [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Company in Plano has been a foul and fair weather friend to home owners since 1957. "Well Friends, here we are again. The temperatures are getting warmer and Spring has come and gone. If you are like me you enjoy the start of the new season. A change of seasons and scenery does us all some good. Spring gave us a chance to catch our breath before the start of the summer heat and Spring gives us a chance to catch up on chores that we let slide during the colder, grayer, winter months. As a professional in the business of making your indoor climate comfortable our busiest seasons are, naturally, the winter and summer months when the climate offers the extremes of  [more info...]

Highland Park Termite Control Service owner Dennis English, President of Prime Pest Management, offers some facts about termites. It is estimated that there are 10 - 13 colonies of termites per every acre of land in the Dallas / Fort Worth and entire North Texas area. There may be two or three colonies under your building at any given time. We'll give you the peace of mind that comes with knowing your building is protected by Prime Pest Management's Termite Control Services. TERMITE FACTS: Termites work 24 hours per day. Termites have been around for 250 millions years. Termites do more damage each year than all the storms and fires combined. Prime Pest Management can help with all your termite pest control servi  [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano, warns of rapid expansion of inexperienced vendors in N. Texas. The old adage of what goes up must come down applies to many different phenomena in life. It certainly applies to commodity prices, but it also applies to the movement of people in our society. The recent rapid decline in the new home construction industry across the U.S. has created two disturbing recent trends in North Texas. As we all know the North Texas economy, while certainly not humming along like it was a couple of years ago, it is still relatively strong when considered against the back drop of the recession impacting the United States. As a result we are seeing many people rel  [more info...]

Plano AC Repair Serviceowner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat in Plano, warns of indoor air summer pollutants that can cause health problems. There are two times of year when the weather drives us indoors... the dead of winter when it is too cold, and the dog days of summer when it gets too hot. During those times we tend to spend more time indoors where we can benefit from the comforts afforded us by our heating and cooling systems. Unfortunately, each of these seasonal swings presents some air quality challenges that should be considered. Indoor air quality has become so serious that the EPA has begun to address the issue with special studies to assess the extent of the danger. EPA studies of indoor air pollutants have   [more info...]

Collin County personal injury attorney Richard Armstrong blames "tort reform" for lack of success of legitimate injury claims. Said Armstrong, "The tort reform movement, well financed by liability insurance companies, has torpedoed many a legitimate injury claim, forcing seriously injured claimants to accept absurdly low settlement offers, rather than to through a protracted, stress-producing jury trial." "The sad part is that it was so unnecessary," said Armstrong. " Jury verdicts were already trending down on their own, and so-called 'frivolous suits' were extremely rare." According to Armstrong, It makes no sense for a lawyer working on a contingent fee to take a groundless case,and work himself to the bone, only to wind up with a goo  [more info...]

I approached a succesful young woman whose business was really taking off and suggested that she consider disability insurance. "Oh," she said, "I already have that." She had bought a policy offered through work at her first job after school, so I suggested (as I do) that she allow me to review her policy to see if it was suitable given how her circumstances had changed. Time passed and after several reminders, she finally managed to dig the policy out for me to take a look at. There was a problem. It was not a disability insurance policy. It was a long term care insurance policy. The difference is: a disability policy pays cash to pay your bills (mortgage, groceries, car payments, etc) if you can't work; a long term care pol  [more info...]

North Dallas Health Insurance Agent Peter Young warns that while the internet is an excellent place to research for information on health insurance, there are important things to bear in mind. Firstly be aware that the rates shown are the best rates the insurers have. Some have preferred rates for the healthiest people, while others get offered a higher "Standard" rate. (One major carrier has a preferred rate and two standard rates!) There isn't much shoppers can do about this - when I set up our website, we tried to get insurers to show both rates but were told it wasn't possible. We got around that (sort of) by adding a second page, Products, to our site, listing each carrier in line but it's clumsy - an applicant has to enter her   [more info...]

Frisco AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co. in Plano, Texas, often speaks to industry groups about the importance of training. "The way you treat your employees is the way they treat your Customers! Keep that in mind when it's 105 degrees outside, and you ask your techs to run another service call, or your installers to do another job. All I am saying is to make sure your employees know you appreciate what they do for your company and its customers. Tell them Thank You! Keep a call log for Call Backs-record every call back by employee. Review the call back and see if it shows an opportunity for training? The purpose of the log is find opportunities to support your employees. Speaking of call  [more info...]

(Plano AC Repair Service Owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat Co presented the following to the ACCA-NTX Board of Directors at the 2007 Annual Meeting.) As things wrap up for the ACCA-NTX fiscal year I wanted to reflect on a few things. The most important words I have to say to each of you reading this article: You need to make sure you thank the 2007 Board of Directors for the efforts they made on your behalf. I can assure you that each Board member went above and beyond to volunteer their time to address a vast array of opportunities and challenges presented to them. This year in particular has required a lot of thoughtful consideration to insure all size contractors and their needs were considered when the new Technician Regist  [more info...]

McKinney TX AC Repair Service owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., talks about things you can do to reduce your energy costs. There does not seem to be much good news coming from the energy news these days. While prices are well below the peaks of last summer the recent trend has been back up and that bodes ill for your summer energy bills. Since heating and cooling your home accounts for nearly half of you home's energy consumption even minor cost increases can strain already tight budgets. I thought this might be a good time to provide a quick list of things you can do to keep your summer cooling costs at a minimum: Do your own energy assessment: Visit the Energy Star Home Advisor website at www.energystar.gov/  [more info...]

Plano Home Based Online Business Entrepreneur John Blessing has started a new business where he helps teach others how to use the Internet to supplement their income. While I was in Jacksonville Florida this past weekend I read an article in the local paper that talked about the decline in American's income. The Commerce Department estimated that incomes dropped .3% for the month reflecting wage cuts and lay-offs as employers cut costs. Analyst's estimate that the pain in the labor market will persist well into next year The Dallas Morning News published an article that reflected the same information with more chilling details. They outline that these setbacks are more troubling for many Americans because they have lost so much wea  [more info...]

Frisco HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., warns of homes that are too air tight. Proper ventilation is essential to good quality indoor air. We are all too familiar with the pressure to conserve energy, lower our costs, and protect the environment. But often our efforts have the exact opposite effect of what we intend. This is particularly true with the trend of making new homes air tight. The recent wave of air-tight construction has accomplished its goal. We now can effectively keep outside air outside and the air we have heated or cooled inside of the home where it belongs. But wait, as with any good prescription there are side effects that must be considered. Air that had previously been coming a  [more info...]

Allen HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., warns consumers to beware of potential scams from unlicensed technicians. Let the buyer beware is sage advice but even the most astute shopper can fall victim to a bad purchase, or worse, become the target of a feloneous scam. Typical schemes appeal the the natural desire to save money and start with a statement similar to... "A sweet deal like this does not come around often". When you hear a technician offering you a deal that is too good to be true be sure to keep a close guard on your wallet. While not every good deal is a scam and not every interesting proposal is an invitation to disaster you need to keep a sense of proportion and you should always get   [more info...]

Plano HVAC Contractor Steve Lauten, President of Total Air and Heat Co., helps reduce health problems by cleaning the air inside of your home. Did you know that every day 11 people in America die from Asthma? Did you know that since 1980 Asthma related deaths have risen by 50% overall and by nearly 80% in children under 19? Given the above it is hard to think of a more pressing topic than the quality of the air in your home. For each of the last 17 years the EPA has ranked indoor air pollution among the top 5 environmental risks to public health. Even though it is well know that indoor air quality is a major concern statistics continue to show that little progress has been made toward cleaning up the air inside of our homes. Even i  [more info...]

In our last blog post on April 6th, Plano Attorney Richard Armstrong opined about non-compete covenants and misappropriation of trade secrets generally. Little did he know, however, that less than two weeks from that blog, the Texas Supreme Court would hand down yet another in a line of decisions strengthening the hand of employers with covenants not to compete. Sure enough, on April 17th, 2009 the Court issued its opinion in MANN FRANKFORT STEIN & LIPP ADVISORS, INC., et.al. v. Fielding. Why is this case important, you ask? Because the case has very practical implications for employers within the State of Texas. Essentially, the Court held that an employer doesn't have to expressly promise to provide confidential information to its empl  [more info...]

McKinney Air Conditioning Company owner Stevel Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat, offers financing options for client installing new or replacement systems. You have options! If you are replacing your home heating and cooling system this can be a major decision; one you don't want to make based strictly on cost. You've already learned through this web site that you shouldn't replace just one part of your system. To get the most efficiency and reliability get a complete matched system. That means replace the indoor coil and furnace and the outdoor air conditioner or heat pump. Those efficiency ratings you read about are for matched systems. And since breakdowns usually occur at inconvenient times ask us about the financing that is   [more info...]

Frisco HVAC Air Conditioning Repair Service Company recommends that you have two maintenance visits for your air conditioning and heating system each year. Didyou know? That your heating and cooling system requires regular maintenance for reliable, energy efficient operation. The manufacturer of your equipment, and the utility company highly recommend this service be performed twice a year once for heating and once for cooling. If maintenance is neglected, then you spend more on utility cost, you spend more on major repairs, and your equipment may break down when you need it the most. When maintenance is neglected it will void your warranty. Worst of all, neglected maintenance may put your family's safety at risk. At TOTAL AIR   [more info...]

Allen TX Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat, warns about dirty air in the home and how it can affect your health. Findings from leading experts on clean air and you... You've probably seen a lot of air cleaning technologies currently being advertised on TV. And what many products claim can be difficult to believe. In fact, a leading consumer magazine recently challenged the effectiveness of many of these air cleaning products. That's why when we say TRANE CleanEffects™ is the world's most effective whole-house air filtration system, we back it up with research from some of the industry's leading experts, including professors Dr. John McCarthy (read bio) and Dr. John Spengler (read bio) from t  [more info...]

Allen AC Repair Company owner Steve Lauten, president of TOTAL AIR & HEATING CO., offer sa full range of heating and air conditioning services. Total Air and Heating Co. offers everything from a simple service call to a complete system installation, right down to the thermostat. Service and Repair ~ We service and repair all brands and types of air conditioning and heating equipment. Preventive Maintenance ~ We offer a variety of seasonal preventative maintenance services to fit your needs. Equipment Replacement ~ We offer standard, high, and super efficiency a/c-heat equipment for residential homes. We can help you choose the system that is right you and your family. Complete Trane Comfort System installation ~ We specializ  [more info...]

Frisco Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat, offers answers to questions about air cleaners and filtration systems. Q: I thought pollution was outside. Why should I be worried about my air indoors? A: We spend 90% of our time every day indoors. Plus, today's efficient, airtight homes are excellent at conserving energy, but that also makes them better at trapping potentially irritating particles inside the home. With the rising number of people who suffer from allergies and asthma, indoor air quality has become more and more important to our general health and well-being. Q: What does Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) mean? A: Clean Air Delivery Rate (CADR) is recognized by the Federal Trade Commission (  [more info...]

Fairview Tx Air Conditioning Company owner Steve Lauten of Total Air and Heat gives answers to some frequently asked questions about furnaces and heating systems. Q: How often does my furnace need a check-up? A: All manufacturers recommend annual maintenance by a trained service technician. On a gas furnace, this helps ensure safe and efficient operation. If you have an oil furnace, yearly tune-ups are a must due to the dirty fuel and a more sensitive burn cycle. A modern oil furnace that is not maintained can drop efficiency from 80% to 50-60% in just two years. Clogged fuel filters can lead to fuel pump failure. A dirty burner can cause soot buildup in the heat exchanger and chimney, requiring an expensive chimney cleaning. An annua  [more info...]

Allen Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat owner Steve Lauten answers some of the questions that are frequently asked by home owners about AC Repair and Maintenance. Q: Why is my indoor A/C coil/pipes/compressor covered with ice? A: A frozen indoor coil indicates that the refrigerant level is low, or the air filter is clogged. In either case, the coil will get colder & colder until the condensation on the coil turns to ice. This condition can be very harmful to the air conditioner, and is a common cause of bad compressors. In the event of a freeze-up, turn the system off. Check the air filter. If the filter is not clogged, the air conditioner probably needs service. Q: Does my air conditioner use freon? Is freon "illegal?  [more info...]

When McKinney Air Conditioning Company,Total Air & Heat, finishes installing a new system or provides a service, we survey our customers to find out how we did. This feedback is used to encourage its employees and also to look for opportunities for improvement. Here's what some of our clients have had to say... I have used Total Air & Heat for quite a number of years and I have never been disappointed. They have always worked with me to find a convenient time for the service, as I work full time. It is a pleasure doing business with them. R. B. Sharker, Plano Texas We were impressed with all Total Air's people! Elaine Dennison, Dallas Texas Thank you for helping me out so quickly ... I really appreciate that since I had out-o  [more info...]

Armstrong the Law Firm is a Plano, Texas firm that assists people whose businesses are the victims of trade secret theft or breach of a non-compete covenant. "Illegal or unfair competition can take many forms," says Plano Attorney Armstrong. Our firm majors in obtaining damage awards for companies who have been victimized by tortious interference with contract, tortious interference with business relations, predatory business practices, and unfair competition generally. Often, injunctive relief is necessary to stop irreparable damage to a business which is ongoing. Injunctive relief is often referred to as a "cease and desist" order by laymen. It is particularly fitting in cases where some form of trade secret theft is going on by a f  [more info...]

Plano personal injury attorney Richard Armstrong says that a negligent hiring theory of recovery can result in high personal injury awards for plaintiffs. It isn't by accident, says Armstrong, that businesses, non-profits and governmental institutions routinely require criminal background checks these days. It is the first, but only the first. step in reducing claims for negligent hiring, like those handled by the Plano personal injury law firm known as Armstrong the Law Firm. If a business hires someone, for example, who has a strong possibility of coming into regular contact with children, it is just plain foolish not to perform a rigorous background check on the prospective employee, then act on the information obtained. "A case in  [more info...]

Plano Photographer posts tips on Snow Photography. Plano Photographer, Denise Cervantes with FamilyTime Photography, suggest that when taking snow photographs, underexpose your shot. The snow is very reflective and sometimes will confuse the auto settings on your camera.www.familytimephotography.com To recreate the blurred background on the upper left photograph, use the longest focal lens that you have and zoom in on your subject. Plano Photographer, Denise Cervantes with FamilyTime Photography, has offered photographic services in Plano since 2004. I specialize in Special and Corporate Events, Wedding Photography, Family Portraits, and also Photographic Restoration. For a personal consultation, please give me a call at 972.471.  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company (Total Air & Heat) has a variety of tools and services which can drastically lower your heating (and cooling ) costs. There doesn't seem to be a lot of good news coming from the news these days. Even as oil prices finally began to drop, OPEC slashed production to keep profit margins from slipping. And that means the cost to heat homes this winter continues to rise. In fact, the U.S. Energy Information Administration forecasts that the average home oil heating bill will climb by 22% over last year's costs. Since heating and cooling accounts for nearly half of your home's energy consumption, these increases can put a strain on already tight budgets. So what can you do now to keep your home heating bills down   [more info...]

Plano Business Attorney Richard Armstrong addresses the components of a contract to assist the business owner in recognizing one. Read on... At its essence, a contract is a legally binding agreement between parties to do or refrain from doing something. Businesses enter into contracts for many reasons, including purchasing supplies, insuring employers or entering into buy-sell agreements. Accordingly, a businessperson should have a good understanding of contract law to succeed in business. As an initial matter, there are several factors to consider to determine whether a contract has been made. Once a contract has been created, it must be determined if there are any issues that call into question its validity. Lastly, if there has been a  [more info...]

McKinney Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers tips on Partnering with Home Builders for Heating and Air Conditioning needs of new homes. Trends in consumer interests, the housing industry, and HVAC technology create major opportunities for residential HVAC contractors. There's just one problem: Most of us don't recognize them! Everywhere you look, Americans are choosing products that promote healthier, more comfort-oriented lifestyles. You don't need to look very far to find examples: Unbleached linens, a $2 billion annual retail market for home comfort appliances, cars with passenger-compartment air filters, and even mattresses with individual firmness controls. At the same time, the construction industry is building   [more info...]

Plano divorce lawyer Richard L. Armstrong, like many Texas family law attorneys, encounters certain client questions repeatedly in his practice. This is the first in a series of posts that will attempt to address the most common ones. 1. How likely is it I will gain custody of my children? Each case is different, depending heavily on its facts. However, there is a strong preference for Joint Managing Conservatorship ("joint custody") in Texas. Unless one parent was totally uninvolved with the children duringoint custody marriage, that preference will necessarily influence the custody decisions in the case. However, joint custody is not a panacea, and all options should be carefully considered by the parents before making a decision  [more info...]

Plano Heating and Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers a tip on how to get the most out of your Heating and Airconditioning system. Preventative Maintenance: Don't be tricked by the under $30.00 tune up. Most contractors that offer this type of tune up are hoping to find parts to replace. In some cases the technicians are paid a flat rate fee based on the repair cost. Think about it for a minute, how can a contractor send a technician to your home for $30.00 and cover his costs? The $30.00 has to cover the technician's hourly cost, travel time, vehicle costs and overhead. Be sure to read what the under $30.00 tune up includes. In virtually all cases it does not include any cleaning, only visual inspection! A good tu  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat answers the question of whether it is better to repair or replace that old air conditioning system. This question is asked by many of our Customer's during the hot summer months. The answers are not always cut and dried; but if you follow the guidelines below it will help you make a better decision. Let's begin by discussing the age of your system. There has been vast improvement over the last 5 years in efficiency and reliability by all manufacturers. If your system was installed as part of your new home prior to 1992 the SEER of your unit when it was new was likely around an 8 SEER. What is SEER, that stands for Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio and it is similar a comparison of m  [more info...]

Clients often want to know whether a personal injury settlement is community property in a Texas divorce. Plano Divorce Lawyer Richard Armstrong states "It depends.." Generally speaking, any property in the marital estate which was not owned prior to the marriage, inherited or received as a gift is presumed to be community property. Like inherited property, personal injury recoveries, including settlements, can be separate property. We say "can be", because moneys which are earmarked for reimbursement of medical expenses, burial or funeral costs, pain and suffering, mental anguish and the like are all referable to the injured person. Those would be therefore be considered separate property. However, be careful that you don't overlook m  [more info...]

Plano Air Conditioning Company Total Air and Heat offers a Home Efficiency Test that allow you to know how much money you are wasting due to inefficient systems. A HomeEnalasys is a high-tech check-up for your home that measures and analyzes your home's heating and air conditioning system. Certified service technicians attach sensors to supply and return air registers throughout your home, in attic or crawlspace areas and on condensing unit outside the home. The sensors measure temperature, humidity and airflow. Data is then fed back to the technician's laptop computer. This technology enables our technicians to collect real time data from multiple sources and dynamically analyze both the airflow and refrigeration sides of the HVAC syste  [more info...]

Plano Divorce Lawyers and Family Attorneys in Armstrong the Law Firm advocate using mediation as a communication and settlement tool before, during, and after a divorce. Mediation is an Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") procedure which takes the form of a non-binding settlement conference between two individuals with adverse interests and a professional facilitator known as a mediator. "Family mediation" means the mediation of disputes in actions for divorce, annulment, establishment of paternity, child custody or visitation, or child or spousal support. Mediation programs can be extremely helpful to people who are in the midst of a divorce, as well as to those who have long been divorced but who find themselves in a dispute  [more info...]

Marketall Travel is a full service travel agency and is part of YTB travel network. We offer flights, cars, hotels, cruises, vacation packages, tickets to sporting events, concerts and key attractions worldwide. Addiitonal services include, golf packages, honeymoon registry and wedding planning. The Business Opportunity Tremendous Business Opportunity to join the fastet growing travel network in the world and profit in the Travel Industry, largest and fatest growing industry in the world. Interested parties can establish their own travel agency. Ask yourself three questions: If the price is the same would people you know rather book their travel through a friend or family member or from a 3rd party site? Would you rather travel   [more info...]

Plano Litigation Attorney Richard L Armstrong of Armstrong the Law Firm discusses how to inexpensively limit your liability by the use of contract provisions. I would never dream of taking away from my colleagues' insurance business. Insurance is certainly necessary to some extent. And, after all, insurance is what built America...at least the visible part comprised of the sky lines of our large cities. But let me pose a provocative question: "Isn't the best insurance that which deters a claim to begin with?" The cheapest insurance, it seems to me, is one that never has to be used (meaning claims are low). In that spirit, isn't it just possible that a properly drafted contract for products or services can deter a suit-prone would-be clai  [more info...]

Termites, which play a positive role in recycling wood and plant material, become a problem when they consume structural lumber. Every year thousands of U.S. housing units require termite treatment. These pests cause serious damage to wooden structures and posts and can also attack stored food, household furniture, and books. Successful termite management requires special skills, including a working knowledge of building construction and an understanding of termite biology and identification. In most cases, it is advisable to hire a professional pest control company for the inspection and control problem. Wood-boring beetle larvae feed on wood and wood products. Adults of some species bore holes into plaster, plastic, and soft metals. Ma  [more info...]

Plano Chiropractor Scott Villines believes there are six laws to obey for those who desire good health and longevity. Proper Hydration the average adult should strive toward 1/2 gallon of pure water per day two 8oz. glasses of water per day for school aged children limit caffeinated beverages alcohol in moderation fruit juice should be limited in children who have not reached puberty Adequate Rest between 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night is recommended for most adults ideally sleep should be uninterupted sleep on your back or side with proper spinal support studies have shown that less than optimum amounts of sleep can have long term effects on health Moderate Exercise the government now recommends 45 minut  [more info...]

Plano Attorney in Armstrong The Law Firm practices heavily in the area of non-competition agreements, also called "non-compete agreements". A SPECIAL REPORT BY RICHARD L. ARMSTRONG, ESQ. Many of our business clients have from time to time asked us to discuss an item which frequently comes up in their dealings with employees, former employees, and competitors: non-competition agreements. What is a non-competition agreement? As the name implies, an agreement which suppresses competition, usually from former employees or officers of a company. However, it can be an agreement between two ongoing businesses. Following are some of the questions which seem to come up over and over again with regard to these sometimes pesky little covenants.  [more info...]

Plano Personal Injury Attorney Richard L. Armstrong, Esq. explains why a "Stitch in Time Saves Nine" When You're in an Accident A SPECIAL REPORT BY RICHARD L. ARMSTRONG, ESQ. Almost every day I talk to someone who has been in a motor vehicle or other accident and tried to handle their own case without the benefit of counsel. They spend an hour or so in my office and want to know if I can handle their case, and get a big settlement for them. Sadly, about eighty per cent of the time, the client has made such significant errors that the case is not salvageable by anyone. The other twenty percent of the time, I can do the client some good, but on a far smaller scale than I could have done had they come to me in the first place. The "Bo  [more info...]

Allen Health Insurance Agent, Peter Young, says one of the accusations leveled against the insurance industry is companies won't cover "pre-existing" conditions. While this has an element of truth (we lost sight of the fact that health insurance is insurance - you can't buy auto insurance this week to fix damage from last weeks wreck) the furor expanded to drag in all kinds of side issues that pertain to the ability (or inability) to buy health insurance. Like what's really in your medical records, for instance. Time and time again I have clients who are turned down for health insurance because of something that was in their medical records that they were blissfully unaware of. One lady had a rider put on her disability policy bec  [more info...]