DFW Real Estate BLOG

Allen Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses infrared and a homeowner's comfort dilemma. This past week we were called out to a residence about a comfort issue. Our client has lived in this current residence for 3 years. For 3 years they have had issues with one room in the home, the living room. In the summer months it is too hot and currently it is too cold. The home owner describes the comfort problems and continues to explain the heating and air conditioning. The client has called five different HVAC companies to solve the living room problem. They moved the thermostat, balanced the ducts, and added additional duct work. Every service company they have called has a different solution tha  [more info...]

Dallas Solar Panel Systems installed by Ambassador Energy of North Texas generate savings now and saving in the future. When is the right time to GO SOLAR? [caption id="attachment_42" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A Ground Mount PV System in Lancaster"][/caption] NOW is the Right Time! I make a honest living helping people go solar, so of course I say its now. But, in the eyes of the consumer I think its now too. Currently the rebates and incentives available for certain people are incredible. We know that the rebates from the electric companies are going to decrease, it's written into their program. We've already seen the commercial rebate decrease, and the residential will soon follow. Some would argue that the  [more info...]

Dallas Solar Panel Installer Mike Williams, founding partner in Ambassador Energy of North Texas, talks about new technologies and designs currently available. [caption id="attachment_38" align="aligncenter" width="300" caption="A Roof Mount System in Dallas"][/caption] When you think of solar panels, what comes to mind? Well if you're like most people, you probably think of those bulky, ugly rectangles from the 80's mounted on the roof of a house. As the industry continues to grow exponentially, there are a lot of new designs and products that have hit the market or will be available in the near future. There are typically three different ways to mount the "traditional" solar panel. Yes, one of the ways is on the  [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...]

Dallas Solar Energy Installation Service - Solar Energy Physics Part 2 This article is a continuation of Part 1: Dallas Solar Energy Company: Solar Energy Physics Part 1 This Article is continued with Part 3: Dallas Solar Energy Systems - Solar Energy Physics Part 3. An electron has a negative charge. The silicon atom that loses the electron, which had a neutral charge with the electron, now has a positive charge without it. Holes: When an electron is removed from the matrix, it creates a hole in the outer layer of the lattice where the electron was. A nearby electron with a negative charge soon fills the hole(that has a positive charge). As photons penetrate the silicon and knock electrons loose, transferring their energy,   [more info...]

Dallas Solar Energy Company, Ambassador Energy of N. Texas, Founder Michael Williams, answers questions about how solar energy systems works. This is Part 1 of a 3 Part Series on the physics of Solar Energy Systems. How do Solar Panels Work? It isn't very often, but sometimes people ask me, " How exactly does that panel produce electricity?" I usually give them the short answer, for time constraints and for the sake of not confusing people, but today I'm going to dive in and attempt to the full version. Silicon crystals: A silicon atom has a positively charged nucleus that is surrounded by negatively charged electrons. The important factor in silicon is that it has 4 outer electrons. These outer electrons are available for bond  [more info...]

Dallas Solar Energy Systems - Solar Energy Physics Part 3 This Article is a continuation of Part 2: Dallas Solar Energy Systems - Solar Energy Physics Part 3. Which is a continuation of Part 1: Dallas Solar Energy Company: Solar Energy Physics Part 1 Creating an electric current: The internal field of the diode creates a flow of electric charges only when sunlight photons strike the silicon. As the photons hit electrons in silicon bonds, they create hole-electron pairs that are free to separate and wander. Electrons wandering near the p/n junction are pushed in one direction by the internal electric field, while the holes wander in the opposite direction. This process results in a steady flow of electric charges - an electric  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on Kill on Contact Pesticides. A common myth concerning pesticides is that the stronger they are the quicker the kill and the better the control. This is mostly false. Contact killers are what most people think of when they think of insecticides. As soon as the insect is exposed to the chemical they expect the insect to stop dead in their tracks. The usage of this type of pesticide is very ineffective for various reasons. Pesticides that kill on contact are very problematic because you are prone to attack symptoms of the problem rather than the root cause of your infestation. If you kill ants within the home they die right there on the   [more info...]

Fairview Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses Sealing attic air leaks. Try starting with the attic door or attic pull down stairs. If you have a pull-down stairs these should be sealed with weather-strip around the opening and at the moldings. Put a piece of rigid foam board insulation on the back of the door. Treat the attic door like a door to the exterior. Pre-made insulated attic stair covers are available from local home improvement centers. [caption id="attachment_143" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Attic door leakage"][/caption] If your heating and cooling ducts are in the attic, seal them. Leaky and poorly insulated ducts severely compromise the performanc  [more info...]

Mckinney Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses Air Infiltration Properly insulating your home can save you hundreds of dollars a year off of your home heating and cooling bills. But, before you worry about insulation, you need to deal with air infiltration. Air infiltration is about drafts - air leaking into or out of your home. Your home will never be energy efficient if it has air infiltration. Think of your home as if it were a pool. If your pool was leaking water, would worry about heating the water you have to constantly add or would you worry about stopping the leaks. So just like your home, you have to stop the leaks first. [caption id="attachment_135" align="alignright" width="  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Trees. I am often asked questions about trees. Although I am not an Arborist I have learned a few things about trees over the several years I have been in the Pest Control and Lawn Care business. One of the most common misconceptions I hear about trees is when a tree dies and Termites or Carpenter Ants are found in the dead tree people will assume the the Termites or Carpenter Ants killd the tree. This is almost never the case. These insects only attack wood that is already dead. Termites do not feed on green or living wood material and Carpenter Ants only nest in the dead parts of trees. The fact is that when Termites or Carpenter Ants are attacking a tree   [more info...]

Allen Infrared Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses moisture in building materials. The majority of insulation issues we see are in new construction. I would say about 75% of the issues is not from the lack of insulation but from installation issues. Customers call us to scan their home due to numerous reasons. Most of the time it is due to their lack of comfort. They have rooms or sections of their homes that are too hot or too cold. The homeowners want to know, do they have insulation installed? Is there heater or air conditioner working properly? Most of the time it is a combination of the two; the ducts are leaking in the heating and air conditioner distribution system and problems  [more info...]

Frisco Infrared Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses problems with Skylights. Skylights are not only a source of light or natural ventilation and views. They may also be an unwanted source of heat losses or solar gains, infiltration and moisture. We are going to talk about four common problems with skylights. They are leakage, Heat Loss problems, Solar Heating and Damaging UV Rays, and Infiltration. Leakage Water leaks are a common problem with skylights. To avoid leaks, you should follow the manufacturers installation instructions, mount the skylight above the roof surface, install a curb and flashing, thoroughly seal joints. It is also important to apply a layer of sheet waterproofi  [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...]

Mckinney Infrared Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses moisture in building materials. What are some potential moisture sources in a building? Roofing, flashings, sky lights, vents, doors windows fixtures horizontal trim, moisture from concrete foundation, poor grading, planters, plumbing and drain leaks, AC secondary drain pan, condensation, duct air leaks, loose insulation, inadequate attic venting, seepage from around or under shower, tubs, sinks, washer connections, window sills, negative grading in front of doors, clogged gutters, and sprinkler systems. These are just a few the list could go for ever. In the building industry, the greatest enemy is water/moisture. Moisture/water caus  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Starting the New Year Right. January and February is the time people begin thinking about their service providers for lawn care and pest control. Remember the best way to keep your lawn green and weed free is timely and consistent applications of fertilizer and herbicides. It is generally cheaper for the home owner to hire a licensed applicator to take care of the fertilizer and herbicide. By the time the home owner purchases the required products and equipment he has spent more than the service provider would charge. In addition, most home owners do not make the required applications at the right time and end up frustrated with weeds and thin turf. The sam  [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...]

Allen Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses Insulation and Thermal Imaging. Wall and ceiling insulation is an integral part of the energy system of your home. Insulation works with the other building components to maintain comfort while controlling the costs of heating and cooling. You can lower cooling costs and improve comfort by increasing ceiling insulation. With enough ceiling insulation, you can reduce the workload on your cooling and heating system, reduce your energy bills and keep your home more comfortable year round. If you live in an older home, you'll normally benefit from adding ceiling insulation. Modifying wall insulation is expensive to add in an existing home and   [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about German Roaches. Adult German cockroaches are light brown except for the shield behind the head marked with two dark stripes, which run lengthwise on the body. Young roaches are wingless and nearly black with a single light stripe running down the middle of the back, and the adults are about 5/8 inch long. Egg capsules are light tan and usually yield about 36 baby cockroaches! German cockroaches, Blattella germanica (L.), are the most common roaches found in houses and restaurants. Most cockroaches have a flattened, oval shape, spiny legs, and long, filamentous antennae. Immature stages are smaller, have undeveloped wings and resemble the adults  [more info...]

Frisco Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections discusses duct leakage and Thermal Imaging. The duct system used in heating and cooling your home, is a collection of tubes that distributes the heated or cooled air to the various rooms in the home. This system can make a huge difference in both the cost and the comfort of the home. The duct system can also have an important effect on the health of the occupants through the distribution of indoor air pollution. Changes and repairs to a duct system should always be performed by a qualified licensed HVAC contractor. A duct system is a branching network of round or rectangle tubes. They are generally constructed of sheet metal, fiberglass board, or a fle  [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...]

Mckinney Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? PT 8 Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to continue our discussion of the physics of Infrared. Specifically, we are going to talk more about Thermal Mass. Thermal mass is the property of an object th  [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...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Carpenter Ants. Carpenter ants are a common sight around Texas homes throughout the year. Although their natural nesting sites are in trees, carpenter ants can also invade and live indoors. Texas carpenter ant species are not usually destructive to homes, however they can become a nuisance. Carpenter ants are often first noticed in late winter and early spring. This is the time when carpenter ants and other ants emerge to mate and attempt to start new colonies. These reproductive forms are identified by their two pairs of wings and relatively large size. The presence of winged ants indoors generally means that a nest is located in the structure. IDENTIFICA  [more info...]

Fairview Home Inspector owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? Part 7 Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to continue our discussion of the physics of Infrared. Specifically, we are going to talk more about Reflectance. [caption id="attachment_61" align="alignr  [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 Video about your services. [youtube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FjPsnV4KfuI] Thanks for watching.  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams offers some advice about Spring Insects in North Texas. Texas pests may be cooling down as winter settles in, but that doesn't mean that the bugs are not still there. Pest do disappear for a little while, and with most things "Out of sight, Out of mind." But you may just want to rethink that thought. Bugs don't just disappear into thin air during the winter and then magically reappear in the spring. Insects settle in for the winter and then lay and wait for that perfect moment to attack again next spring. But its best to "Be Prepared" my scoutmaster taught me years ago. Why wait for the ants and the spring crickets to attack? Wouldn't you rather eliminate those bugs now? If you ar  [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...]

Plano Inspection Company owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? Part 6 Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to continue our discussion of the physics of Infrared. Specifically, we are going to talk more about Transmittance. [caption id="attachment_50" align="ali  [more info...]

Frisco Roofer JD Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing Company, describes the Christmas Light Installation Services that his company offers. People often ask us what it would cost to install Christmas Lights on their house. Most of the questions come from people whose houses we have never seen. To give you a picture of why that question regarding Christmas Light installation is impossible to answer let me shed some light on how extensive the installations can be. [caption id="attachment_116" align="alignright" width="263" caption="Christmas Light Installation Services"][/caption] A simple installation would normally involve lights hung along the eaves or attached to the gutters. These Christmas Lights would be hung in a str  [more info...]

McKinney Roofer JD Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing Company, talks about how to install Christmas lights. People often ask us what it would cost to install Christmas Lights on their house. Most of these questions come from people whose house we have never seen. To give you a picture of why that question regarding Christmas Light installation is impossible to answer let me shed some light on how extensive the installation can be. A simple installation would normally involve lights hung along the eaves or attached to the gutters. These Christmas Lights would be hung in a straight line. Some homes or businesses prefer this while others prefer to have the lights hung in a swag fashion where the lights "droop" every few feet.  [more info...]

McKinney Roofing Company owner, JD Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing Company, Exposes Value of Metal Roof Over Asphalt Roof [caption id="attachment_109" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Metal Roof"][/caption] Have you noticed over the past couple of years the number of metal roofs that have cropped up in areas previously dominated by asphalt roofs? Metal has always been embraced by those who have been exposed to it; however, the reason it has not enjoyed the mass popularity that asphalt material has is due to price. With the cost of petroleum on the rise the resulting continual increased costs in asphalt products is inevitable. The gap between the metal and asphalt materials has narrowed considerably. With this i  [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...]

Melissa Inspection Company owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? Part 5 Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to continue our discussion of the physics of Infrared. Specifically, we are going to talk about Transmittance, Emittance, and Reflectivity. We must firs  [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...]

Richardson Inspection Company owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? Part 4 Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to talk about one part of the physics of infrared. Delta -T. Delta-T is temperature differential. Infrared light is commonly used by inspectors to m  [more info...]

Allen Inspection Company owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? Part 3 Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to discuss the physics of Heat: The physics of heat consist of: Conduction, Convection, and Radiation (CCR). [caption id="attachment_48" align="aligncenter  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams 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 numbers. When fall comes and their habi  [more info...]

Denton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams, President of Service 1st Pest and Lawn 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. Service 1st Pest and Lawn 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. Laun  [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...]

Frisco Inspection Company owner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? Part 2 [caption id="attachment_39" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Missing Insulation"][/caption] Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to talk about Frequency and Color. How do we see? W  [more info...]

Mckinney Inspection Companyowner Jeff Cardile, president of Lookout Capital Inspections answers the question, What is Infrared? [caption id="attachment_12" align="alignright" width="240" caption="AC Venting Cold Air inside the Floor"][/caption] Infrared is also known as Thermal Imaging or Thermography. Infrared is the combination of the physics of light, physics of heat, and the physics of infrared. The physics of light consists of the Electromagnetic Spectrum, the Frequency, and Color. The physics of heat consist of (CCR) Conduction, Convection, and Radiation. The physics of Infrared consists of Delta-T, Emissivity, Reflectivity, Transparency, and Thermal Mass. Today, we are going to talk about the Electromagnetic Spectrum. O  [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...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Skunks". This time of year we always get a few calls concerning skunks around the house. This usually occurs when skunks are looking for a place to over winter. The chances that Skunks will set up house near you are increased if there is a food source, especially trash dumpsters. Most of the time they will dig and nest uner porches or in crawl spaces. Skunks are relatively easy to live trap. Removeing them is the hard part. Canned pet food or sardines work well as bait. Once you have them in the trap, get a dark colored bed sheet and slowly approach the trap holding the sheet up so the skunk cannot see you. throw the sheet   [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...]

McKinney Roofer JD Dunphy President of Tornado Alley Roofing Clarifies Benefit of Radiant Barrier - Spray-on Vs. Foil [caption id="attachment_92" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Foil type Radiant Barrier"][/caption] A lot of people call us asking questions about Radiant Barrier. The two most common questions are: "Does it really make a difference in electric bills?" and "Which type is best to use?" The answer to the first question is categorically yes. All of the research that exists out there clearly indicates that Radiant Barrier will save you money, whether you're in a warm or cold climate, or somewhere in between. The answer to the second question warrants considerably more detail. Essentially, there are two types   [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "When to use baits to treat ants and when to use pesticides". Ants are one of the most common and difficult to treat pests in the Dallas/Fort Worth area. There are several different species of ants and ants can nest in different areas ranging from in the ground to in attics and everthing in between. Several people have asked if they should use bait to treat ants or simply spray insecticides in the areas where ants are seen. The main thing to remember is that effective ant control requires colony elimination. Simply killing dozens of worker ants will not eliminate the problem. When thinking about ant control you have to think about t  [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...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Rover Ants". Rover ants have become a huge problem for home owners and Professional Exterminators in the Dallas Fortworth Metroplex. We do not know much about this species. Colonies nest in soil and leaf litter, often under covering objects such as stones. I have also suspected them nesting under the foundation and/or porches and sidewalks. These ants feed on a variety of sweet and greasy food sources and they reproduce at an extremely high rate. They first started showing up in this area about 6 years ago and you can find them foraging on or near just about every house in the metroplex. Home owners complain when they find these a  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Fall Pre Emergence Herbicide for Your Lawn". If you are not overseeding your lawn, which I recommended you don't, It is about time to apply Fall Pre Emergence Herbicide. Fall Pre Emergence Herbicide is applied at this time of year to help control Winter Annual Weeds. In North Texas that means Henbit, Annual Blue Grass, Dandelions, and Rescue Grass. Most professional lawn care companies will use a liquid pre emergence herbicide which works best because you get more complete coverage over the area to be treated. If you plan to do it yourself, granular products are recommended because they do not require special spray equipment and the  [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...]

McKinney Roofing Company owner J.D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, explains the high cost of roofing materials. Is it true: What goes up must come down? The answer is "yes" if Newton's Theory applies. Unfortunately, for roofing contractors and property owners Newton's law does not apply. We are often asked by property owners why it is that the price roofing materials continues to rise even though petroleum prices have declined. It's common knowledge that roofing shingles are petroleum based. Traditionally, when oil prices rose there was a corresponding price increase in shingles. Conversly, when oil prices declined so did the cost of shingles. Such has not been the case this past year. Throughout the better part o  [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...]

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 Roofing Contractor J. D. Dunphy with Tornado Alley Roofing Company says Roof Repair is a cost effective option when considering repair vs replacement. Roof replacement is a costly endeavor. What a roof needs first and foremost is a complete Diagnostic Evaluation. Typically, when a homeowner calls a roofing contractor to report a leak or some missing shingles a roofing contractor will attend at the property, fix the problem and leave. Very often, there is more to it than meets the eye. The most common problem we get calls on is missing shingles. This is caused by high winds. When shingles are missing from the roof it is visually obvious from the ground. However, a wind storm generally does not single out a small group of sh  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Controlling Rats and Mice". Get ready for the fall invasion of Rats and Mice. This time of year Rats and Mice begin looking for places to overwinter. Your garage or attic make a perfect spot. Inside there is food, water and shelter. The best way to fight this battle is limiting rodent access to food, water and shelter around your home. Remove Food Sources: Remove food sources around your house. Some of the things that attract rodents to your property are Bird feeders, pet food dishes and trash cans. Rats and Mice love bird food. As a matter of fact most rodent bait is made with bird seed. If you or your neighbors have bird  [more info...]

McKinney Roofing Contractor J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, discusses the pros and cons of Spray-on vs Foil Radiant Barriers. We receive numerous inquiries about Radiant Barrier. The two most common questions are: "Does it really make a difference in electric bills?" and "Which type is best to use?" The answer to the first question is categorically yes. All of the research that exists out there clearly indicates that Radiant Barrier will save you money, whether you're in a warm or cold climate, or somewhere in between. The answer to the second question warrants considerably more detail. Essentially, there are two types of Radiant Barrier: spray-on and foil. The former is not acknowledged by many researchers  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Fall Fire Ants". Fire Ants are very active in North Texas during the Fall Season. The reason is they have been growing their colonies all Summer long unnoticed. They are un noticed because when it is dry they go deeper under ground where there is moisture present. When it gets cooler in the fall they not only move there colonies above ground creating mounds but are also very active establishing new colonies. Treating fire ant mounds in the fall is very important. If left untreated, they might move under your house when the weather gets cold looking for a place to over winter. Many times they begin showing up in bathrooms and other   [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...]

McKinney Roof Repair Co. owner J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, says that proper roof ventilation will lower your energy costs. At Tornado Alley Roofing, we are often asked by homeowners, if the temperature in their attic is hotter than others that we've inspected. The answer, in the majority of cases, is that their attic is not particularly hotter than most. The unfortunate thing however, is that nearly all of them are far hotter than they should be in order for their roof structure to provide the cooling affect necessary to ensure the savings a homeowner would realize with proper ventilation. Proper ventilation involves intake through soffit vents and output through roof vents. When the inflow is sufficient it creat  [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...]

Frisco Roofing Contractor J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing outlines the importance of filing a Hail Damage Report with your insurance company. Over the past year and a half there have been several hailstorms in the Metroplex. Areas affected include McKinney, Frisco, Plano, Allen, Lewisville, Keller and Southlake. It's difficult to imagine, as a roofing contractor, that many homeowners in these areas have not yet filed a hail damage claim with their insurance company. Over the years I've come to realize that there are four primary reasons that homeowners have not done so: They don't believe they have any damage since their roof didn't leak and it looks okay from the ground. They believe their insurance premiums  [more info...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Do It Yourself Lawn Overseeding" Many homeowners in the North Texas area overseed their Bermuda Grass Lawns with Winter Rye grass. This gives the lawn a lush green look through the winter that is eye catching. The recommendation is often made by the home owner's lawn service company. Of course having actively growing grass through the winter keeps them busy and helps boost their revenues through the slow winter months. I usually do not recommend overseeding for two reasons: First, the Rye grass takes nutrients out of the soil that would normally be stored up for use by the Bermuda grass in the spring and summer. Second, the Rye gras  [more info...]

Plano Roofing Company owner J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, warns that Granule Loss on Shingles can dramatically reduce a roof's effective life. Granules are those thousands of tiny stones that cover the entire surface of a roof shingle. They may be of a solid color or multi-colored. The purpose of these granules is to protect the body of the shingle from harsh weather, the suns UV rays, and heat from the sun and consequently. Granular loss results from a variety of causes such as aging, heat from the sun and consequently from the attic, severe wind, hail and foot traffic (It is normal for foot traffic, during a new installation, to cause granular loss). Underlying these contributing factors is poor ventilation. If   [more info...]

Frisco Roofing Contractor J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, talks about roof damage caused by missing shingles Missing shingles are warning signs of other more extensive damage that may be hiding beneath your roof. The subsequent damage will become more extensive if the problem goes undetected or worse still remains un-restored. Wind driven rain finds an easy pathway through these missing shingles into your attic and ultimately into your homes interior. Many homeowners harbor a false notion that just because they don't see a water stain on their ceiling there must not be any leaks in the roof. For a leak to show up in your home, water must first soak through your shingles, underlayment, and plywood; it will then satu  [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...]

Frisco Roofing Company owner J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, has a Roof Algae stain removal solution that is quick and cost effective. Since the late 1800's, asphalt shingles have been used on roofs consistently. Initially they were made from felt that contained cotton or wool fibers. Cellulose fibers manufactured from recycled paper or wood began to be manufactured in the 1940's. Since the late 70's the basic material has been an inorganic fiberglass mat. Today they constitute over 80% of the current market. First the mat is coated with asphalt and then layered with a protective UV resistant coating with colored ceramic granules. Limestone is also used as filler between the individual mats and provides resistan  [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...]

Allen Roofing Company owner J. D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing asks: "Why replace your roof when Tornado Alley Roofing can restore it?" Homeowners frequently call us feeling that it is time to have their roof replaced. They feel this way either because they have had leaks, the roof is old and appears in bad condition or a contractor has told them they have no choice. Upon visiting these homeowners we find out that the roof can be restored for far less money than it would take to replace it. Commonly, leaks occur around protrusions, vents, ridges and valleys. The protrusions, for the most part, are the pipes that stick up through the roof to provide ventilation from bathrooms, vent hoods as well as heaters and hot water t  [more info...]

McKinney Roofing Company owner J.D. Dunphy, President of Tornado Alley Roofing, has recently begun to offer a new type of roofing tile to North Texas residents. There's an alternative to the old style clay and concrete roof tiles; it's called the Villa Tile made of corrosion resistant, aluminum-zinc alloy coated steel with an acrylic bonded stone chip finish that produces a very attractive finish. It displays a beautiful architectural appearance similar to Italian tile but with a higher level of performance due to the steel construction. Because of it's unique design of the tile, offered by Tornado Alley Roofing, heated air flowing into the attic is substantially reduced. This of course translates into less energy consumption. The mat  [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...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Do It Yourself Cicada Killer Wasp" control. Home owner's often become alarmed this time of year with the emergence of the Cicada Killer Wasp. Their appearance is ominous, but they rarely sting. The females can sting but rarely sting people unless it is an accident. The males are more aggressive in protecting the nest but do not have stingers. They will fly towards people trying to scare them away from the nest but usually shy away at the last minute. If left untreated they can become numerous in one area even though they are a solitary wasp not a social wasp. I have seen dozens nesting in one flower bed at times. When  [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...]

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...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers advice on "Do It Yourself Termite Control" Do it yourself termite control is a risky business. There are products on the market at your local Home Improvement store that are designed for do it yourself termite control. In Texas we mostly deal with Subterranean Termites. The products available are mainly synthetic pyrethroids, Imadicloprid and termite bait stations. There are very few professional pest control operators that use synthetic pyrethroids. These products are widely used for general use pesticides but do not provide the efficacy required for long term termite control. Imadicloprid, sold under the product name PREMISE, was the first ge  [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...]

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...]

Carrollton Pest Control Service owner Blake Williams of Service 1st Pest and Lawn offers tips to control the weeds that come with summer and invade your yard. Now that summer is here, the tough summer grassy weeds will start to grow. Here are some tips on controlling them. Weed Control In the summer time we move our focus from winter and spring annual broadleaf weeds to summer grassy weeds. In Texas that means Crabgrass and Dallis grass. These two summer grassy weeds are very difficult to manage. Use Google to identify which one you are dealing with. It is a good Idea to make an additional pre emergent application on the lawn between May 1st and May 15th. This may prevent some Dallis grass and Crabgrass seeds from germina  [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...]

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...]

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...]

McKinney Air Conditioning Company owner Stevel Lauten, President of Total Air & Heat, offers system 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 t  [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...]

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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...]

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 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...]

Dallas Home Inspector TexInspec, owned by Mike Crow, warns that you should winterize your home if you plan to leave for a great lenght of time. Here are some hints to prevent plumbing emergencies: Most homes are okay in the winter as long as they are occupied, but if you are planning to take a trip in the winter such as during the Christmas Holidays, you might want to take precautions to prevent your plumbing system from freezing. The simplest way is to leave the furnace on low and open the cabinet doors under sinks. However, if there is a power outage or your furnace fails, your pipes could still freeze. A better way to winterize your home is to drain the system by having a professional do it. Dallas Home Inspector TexIn  [more info...]

Frisco Home Inspector TexInspec, owned by Mike Crow, warns that you should check your electrical panel before you have an emergency. Two Important Electrical Panel Tips: You should know where it is located in case you need to shut off all electricity in an emergency, or if a breaker trips and you need to reset it. Do not obstruct access to your main electrical panel by building shelves or storing items in front of it. Frisco Home Inspector TexInspec Is The Place For The 200% Satisfaction Guaranteed. TexInspec is dedicated to providing you "peace of mind" by helping you to understand the condition of your home. TexInspec offers Dallas home inspection services to not only Dallas but to over 100 surrounding communities. W  [more info...]

Fort Worth Home Inspector TexInspec, owned by Mike Crow, warns that you make sure that your childs windows open easily from inside. If you have small children in your home, make sure one window in each child's bedroom is easily opened. Children have a tendency to try and open windows instead of breaking them to escape fire. Fort Worth Home Inspector TexInspec Is The Place For The 200% Satisfaction Guaranteed. TexInspec is dedicated to providing you "peace of mind" by helping you to understand the condition of your home. TexInspec offers Dallas home inspection services to not only Dallas but to over 100 surrounding communities. We understand the stress that is involved in Buying, Selling, and Moving...That is why when you  [more info...]

Dallas Home Inspector TexInspec, owned by Mike Crow, warns that you should check your fireplace before lighting a fire. Fireplaces can add cozy warmth to a home and can be safe if the proper precautions are taken. Before lighting your fireplace, always make sure the damper is open and there is no cover on top of your chimney. Covers are sometimes left by a previous owner. If you have a gas starter, use a low flame setting at the start, to help prevent damage to the firebox. Dallas Home Inspector TexInspec Is The Place For The 200% Satisfaction Guaranteed. TexInspec is dedicated to providing you "peace of mind" by helping you to understand the condition of your home. TexInspec offers Dallas home inspection services to not  [more info...]

Fort Worth Home Inspection Company TexInspec, owned by Mike Crow, wants you to know that you should beware of storing grocery bags in your home. Bugs can be a big problem. Do not save brown paper bags and do not store items in cardboard boxes. They are a home for roaches and may contain egg capsules especially if they are from grocery stores. Place dry pet food into plastic containers with lids to help eliminate an attractive food supply for ants, roaches and other pests. Fort Worth Home Inspection Company TexInspec Is The Place For The 200% Satisfaction Guaranteed. TexInspec is dedicated to providing you "peace of mind" by helping you to understand the condition of your home. TexInspec offers Dallas home inspection servic  [more info...]

Dallas Home Inspection Company TexInspec, owned by Mike Crow, discusses foundations and how to care for your homes long term stability. Many times we see homes that have poor drainage because the lot the house is built on is flat. After talking to the owners we find that originally there were swales or sloping channels to help water drain away from the foundation. When the owners bought the house, they thought the yard would look better flat, or it would be easier to mow the grass, so they leveled it. If your yard has swales or sloping channels, we encourage you not to do away with them unless you are sure they are not part of a drainage system. Warning: If you do level the yard, you may void any builder's warranty a new home ha  [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...]

Dallas movers Mike Lohner and Chris Moucka with Dallas moving company DFW Moving and Stroage offer specific tips for packing. This is Part C of a series on Packing the Hard Stuff. Glass Table Tops, Marble Slabs, Large Mirrors, Paintings,Statues & Large Vases All are easily damaged. Glass might shatter, and marble slabs can crack at veins. Paper never should be permitted to touch the surface of an oil painting. It's best to consult with your moving company about custom-made cartons and crates for items of this kind. Books Pack them either flat or with the spine touching the bottom of the carton. Do not pack with spine facing up, as glue can break away from the binder. Pack books of the same general size together. Expensivel  [more info...]

Flower Mound Real Estate Agent Sandy Luedke says getting your home ready for the winter is one of the easiest things you can do to save energy costs. The items outlined below can save you lots of time and money later. You will need to check your furnace to make sure the thermostat is in proper working order. You'll also need to change the filter before you need to use it and then every month throughout the winter. Make sure the caulking around all the windows and the doors of your home are in good repair. Check for peeling and cracks in the caulking. Replace the caulking, if necessary. If you have a fireplace, before starting a fire this winter, make sure to have your fireplace cleaned. A fire could start if a bird has built a ne  [more info...]

This is the first in a series of Articles by Dallas Movers Mike Lohner and Chris Moucka, owners of DFW Moving and Storage, about how to prepare for a Stress Free Move. Dallas Movers Moving Checklist - Part A: Six to Eight Weeks Before Moving Day Working With the Mover: Call your United agent. Set a date for the agent to visually survey your home and prepare an estimate. If your company is paying for your move, refer to their moving policy to determine the services the mover will be authorized to perform. Do you want to do any of the packing -- or will you have it done by our experienced packers? Your agent will be happy to discuss packing services with you. Show the agent everything that is going to be moved. Any item  [more info...]