Austin Air Companie Blog : Archive for the ‘HVAC service provider’ Category

Find My Air Conditioner Freon Leak Katy Texas

Friday, March 31st, 2023

Hello and welcome to the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog with video content. I hope everyone is well and more importantly comfortable. This particular “Freon leak” topic is one for the ages as there are so many myths and fairy tales associated with it that I find it almost nearly impossible to cover and dispel all myths and fairy tales. So if you’re told something from a different service provider that I don’t cover here please do my a favor and leave a comment on my YouTube Channel in the video comment section to the particular video you are watching.

Please note: The subjects covered here are primarily for the Katy, Texas area. Katy, Texas is one that depends heavily on air conditioning. I wouldn’t live here without air conditioning. Those that don’t live here may wait until summer hits and it’s hot everywhere not realizing that Katy, Texas has likely been at those elevated temps for months. Keep that in mind if you’re viewing this from somewhere more mild.

Climate and the challenges thereof mixed in with different opinions as to what comfort means to them. We’ve had a population explosion here in Katy, Texas as many people are moving here from all over. If you’re acclimated to a mild climate and move here you may be having comfort issues. This is nothing new to me. I moved here from Wisconsin over 22 years ago. While it can get hot in those northern states it’s typically short 3 months. In Katy, Texas the span of time air conditioning needed is more in the realm of 10 months.

Myth #1. People like to guess what is wrong with their air conditioner. I think it probably needs some Freon, they say. (refrigerant) I speak this way to inform you that Freon is a brand. There are many types of Freon and the term Freon is a brand name. It doesn’t specify what kind or type your air conditioner needs. The wrong type and you’ll have a costly mess on your hands up to and including the demise of your air conditioning system. Does this mean the AC needs Freon (specific refrigerant) or something else is wrong? Guessing is not or ever has been a good idea. To be honest it may need more than just refrigerant. While the need for refrigerant is a common problem, it is not the only problem. This is why you pay a professional to have your AC system inspected.

Live in or near Katy, Texas call Ray Austin now to schedule your AC repair

832-475-6895

It’s different when you’ve had AC service performed and the Freon leak(s) were not found, but refrigerant was added to the system and the AC system started working again for a time. Realize if the Freon leak(s) are not fixed, the Freon (whatever type it is) will leak back out again. An air conditioner is a refrigerant system that is completely sealed. As long as the Freon (refrigerant) doesn’t leak out your AC system will run indefinitely without ever a need for Freon (any type or kind).

An air conditioning system regardless of brand, regardless of type of Freon (refrigerant) can develop refrigerant leak(s) at nearly any time. Just because your air conditioner is newer doesn’t necessarily mean much. I am an air conditioning repair man with 29 years in HVAC as of 2023. I have been repairing air conditioners for longer than some of you have been alive. They all break, they all leak. Anything other than this mentality is a gimmick trying to convince you of something that is a myth. To be clear: “Your unit is leaking because of the name on the side of the unit” — is a myth. My brand is better than your brand is a sales mechanism to sell you a different brand. In a hot climate like Katy, Texas you have to choose something. But basing decisions solely on a brand name is not a good idea. Service after the sale is always an after thought.

The AC Freon (refrigerant) leak search video embedded below is one that the customer had more than one company come to her home and add Freon (refrigerant) multiple times over the course of several months. So in this situation I don’t have any service history other than what the home owner is telling me. Which is entirely different than someone who is just guessing as to what might be wrong / or if an unskilled person looked at it and is guessing. Sometimes I never know what I am going to run into.

I perform a Freon (refrigerant) leak search on a Goodman HVAC system that was leaking R410a refrigerant.

Air conditioning operation or “cooling” provided isn’t magic. An air conditioner doesn’t produce cooling. Heat is energy and that heat is merely transferred outside the structure by the work of the AC compressor that pumps refrigerant in a continuous “sealed” loop. This refrigerant is a type that is designed by the manufacturer of your AC unit that was determined thru engineering and designed specifically for your AC unit. There are 100’s if not thousands of different refrigerants. Right now for the air conditioning market this list may be comprised of a half dozen different refrigerants with R22 and R410a as the most popular.

R22 or Freon is the older of the two. This R22 refrigerant is very costly and most of the time this cost is better put into a new unit as opposed to trying to repair it. In 2023 this is more complicated because R410a is on the chopping block next. By January 1, 2025 there is likely to be an R410a new equipment ban.

Live in or near Katy, Texas call Ray Austin now to schedule your AC repair

832-475-6895

Two refrigerants to take the reigns for the high temp application (air conditioning is a high temp application if you didn’t know.) Will be R32 and R454b for the USA air conditioning application. Both of these aforementioned refrigerants have issues, neither are permanent fixes and if the USA is to hit the targets set by the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol these both will be phased out again in 2035/ 2036 time period. Brand names of air conditioners will mean even less. Refrigerant costs are often reasons for replacing an air conditioner. I started this “New Freon Ban” topic in 2021 if you want the whole truth watch this 5 segmented play list video embedded below. If you don’t watch all 5 segments of the embedded video below you are not getting the entire picture. Approximately 2.5 hours in length in 2023 start to finish with the 2023 update at the end of the play list video embedded below.

New R410a refrigerant ban to turn into Freon Wars among the HVAC manufacturers of the USA. The fun begins in 2025.

Myth #2: A more flashy name brand air conditioner will fix everything. The problem I have is the brand name of my air conditioner. Certainly there can be lemons out there. A high use climate like Katy, Texas will create problems more so than you can imagine brand of your air conditioner has little to do with it (most of the time). If you call me I am not going to play the brand bashing game. I’ve fixed / repaired all air conditioning brands. If it breaks again? AC repairs are what I do all summer long. If I fixed it once I can fix it again or replace it with something newer.

Myth #3: Is your AC system suffering a symptom of being low on Freon (refrigerant) when in fact the Freon (refrigerant) charge is right? How do you know it’s right or wrong? What are you paying for?

There are many things that can happen to an air conditioning system over the course of it’s life that may make you think it’s a Freon (refrigerant) issue when it’s not.

Myth #4: I can’t understand why I should pay a professional before he inspects my HVAC system. (Service Fee) I cover this in the first embedded video above a little. I see the gimmick TV commercials. You know they pose the question that if you use them they will “earn” your business by doing a free service for you. But what they don’t tell you is that their so called “professional techs” —“Trained Techs” is that they are paid on commission. They are going to sell you something so they get paid. If that’s what you want be my guest.

To elaborate the “free call for their professional advice is more or less a high pressure sales call.” If the tech doesn’t sell something, they make no money. Do you honestly think a “pro tech” trained or not is going to keep working with a good attitude for no money? Why and how commissioned based sales often fall apart… is because it’s only about selling so they get paid. This job isn’t easy, the argument over money or how things are done, get done…. it’s hard to put this into words when it’s mild outside. When the heat comes, we separate the men from the boys and their toys in this climate of Katy, Texas. If you spend any time on watching my repair videos — well fact from fiction to me is pretty clear. But belief of something in this HVAC business isn’t entirely easy, even when I provide 4K butter your eyeballs video to show you.

I know these “big HVAC company” tricks — “gimmicks” that sound oh so good on the surface but in reality are nothing more than high pressure sales techniques to get their foot in your door. I know because I used to be a commissioned sales tech over 15 years ago before I got my Texas HVAC contractors license and started my own HVAC company. TACLB28416E.

This situation is completely different if your HVAC system is 20 years old or older. So you have to be realistic. Not saying a 20 year old system can’t be repaired, but not saying it’s a good idea to do that for reasons I will explain in person “after” I view the condition of your HVAC system in question. It may make sense to repair a 20 year old HVAC system, it may not. This is best decided in person with a real HVAC pro in which you’re paying for advice so they don’t just come to sell you something you may not need.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope you got something out of this information I provided you with. Did I miss something? Do you have a question? The best place to leave questions are on my You Tube Channel comments section of the particular video you watched.

As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog with video content:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas | Fulshear, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 29 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of 2023. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

I write my own AC blogs, create my own AC repair content via video filmed by me, I then edit that content so as to not bore you too much. Everything you see I do it myself. Hundreds and hundreds of your neighbors already know. You don’t need a spy balloon to see what is going on at your neighbor’s house. Subscribe, like and share my videos from my you tube channel ring the bell for notifications and you will be notified when your neighbors ac problem becomes my highlight reel.

I am not, nor have I ever been at the mercy of investors or any outside influence. I am skilled to serve those that call me – I offer solutions that will work – I am skilled to fix problems as they arise afterward. Important to note: I am a capitalist. Austin Air Companie is a for profit business. You will always need a skilled HVAC contractor, probably more so now (2023 and beyond) than at any other time before.

I also own a rental property so I have a unique understanding of this part of the real estate market. Due to the nature of rental real estate the challenges coming soon (2025) could shake things up in a profound way. Your tenants won’t keep paying higher rents without proper air conditioning in a hot climate.

Thank you for considering my HVAC services.

Austin Air Companie

832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website @

www.austinairco.com 

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

RUUD Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas

Tuesday, March 21st, 2023

Hello and welcome to the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog with video content. Hope everyone is well, happy and more importantly –comfortable.

Comfort and what it means to you is the purpose of this blog. Everyone is unique in how they view comfort and the choices they make in regards to their HVAC comfort decisions affecting their house life and those that reside there.

Timing can sometimes have a dramatic impact on the choices you make. It’s not uncommon for me to get air conditioning trouble calls at the drop of the hat. Most of the time this happens when it’s hot.

So this AC blog post I have another unique air conditioning story to tell you about. This particular ‘cool’ story involves the Ruud brand of HVAC equipment. I embedded the video clip below. Another example to show the brand name game is truly just a game in a hot climate. They all break and as this story demonstrates they are not always easy fixes and not always really old equipment. HVAC equipment can break at any time, regardless of age or brand.  

I repair a Ruud Air Conditioner in a more non traditional way due to the problem this air conditioner had.

This story from the video clip above should highlight the fact that any air conditioner, brand, or model can break. There is no magical ac brand here that is exempt from breaking in a hot climate. I work on and repair all brands of them in a hot climate. As illustrated in the video above repair means more than just replacing a part sometimes. Because it puts the current home owner in a position in which they want to be in later down the road.

What do I mean by the term “hot climate” mentioned above? When summer hits every where people will say: It’s no hotter in Katy, Texas than anywhere else right now. That would be true, you know without actually thinking about it. But if you actually live here you would understand that what I mean by that is the time we spend at those higher heat levels. Time, what is it worth? If you’re younger, time isn’t worth quite as much if you’re my age or older. When you get to be my age and older you begin to realize the time you have left isn’t imaginary. Remember what we just went thru in 2020? When I was young they called this wisdom. Today what do they call this?

In Katy, Texas our climate for AC ‘use’ is typically 10 months of the year. 2022 was exceptionally a hot year. How so you might ask? The number of days at or above 100F. Time again? I explain it to you like this not to belittle you or anyone… but to make sure not a single one of you reading this will leave this post without understanding what it is that I mean in what I say. They call this “context”. We live in a world of enthusiasts in which the only reason they exist is to tell you what you want to hear so they in turn get clicks and notoriety. If that’s what you want, you’re in the wrong place. I hope this explanation is clear to you.

The latest tech in the enthusiast realm is to get AI or artificial intelligence to write and or produce content. It’s interesting as I’ve played around with it some, but to this date as of 2023 it’s merely just interesting. The biggest downfall is primarily in the land of “context”. AI has trouble in the contextual realm. Why is context important? It also has trouble with remembering what it just said to you… unless you remind it what it just said. So to be clear you’re going to have to understand what context truly means in this new age we find ourselves in.

Another problem is that AI will produce a lot of dander and make what it says sound so convincingly true, that if you don’t know the subject at hand and “just run with” what ever AI produces for you and take it as fact? I shouldn’t have to spell out how dangerous that is – should I?

My point in this AI spiel I’ve found myself in is that this is me Ray Austin writing this. I filmed the video you see embedded in this thread, I edited the video for content, I came up with the idea of how to portray it to you and tell you this particular story (it’s real, nothing artificial about it). I also provided you the context so there is a far less likelihood that you misconstrue what I am talking about here. I know from my 29 years in the HVAC industry and 15 years of running my own HVAC company as of 2023 that as a homeowner your views of comfort are probably not to the level I am talking about here. This isn’t to put you down it is to help you understand my point of view and hopefully show and prove to you why I have the view I do. On a national average an HVAC system lasts around 15 years and within that time frame changes have taken place. Changes that you probably aren’t aware of. Even 2023 has changes you may not be aware of… I brush every so slightly on this topic in the embedded video above if you pay close attention.

In addition to that the video above also has a “special” segment toward the end of that video to demonstrate how things are changing in the residential air conditioning realm. This is merely but a small facet of “change” effecting the HVAC residential market. More changes beyond that are coming very soon. This particular blog post isn’t about telling you or showing you everything. It is to drive your interest to explore these things if you so desire. I have other blog posts dedicate to such things as this.

Freon Wars has a become a long running series now on my You Tube Channel. I plan to update this series annually as information about this subject comes out. I have this subject all nice and neatly laid out on my main website here. Currently there are 5 video segments there each about 30 minutes long. I cover this “Freon Wars” topic in depth. You will never be able to say I haven’t warned you. If you do I will refer you to these videos.

You can subscribe to my You Tube channel here so you don’t miss these important updates.

At the end of the day… if you live in or near the Katy, Texas area you will have to choose something to cool your home. I wouldn’t live in this area without air conditioning. Due to the nature of this climate and how much we use and depend on air conditioning to live here – for those reasons alone you will always need a good HVAC repair man. Probably more so now than any other time before. The new refrigerants come in 2025. R410a is likely to be hard freeze on new equipment January 1, 2025 unless something happens to push this date back.

The new refrigerants aren’t perfect. They too will be phased out again maybe as soon as 2035/ 2036 to hit the targets set by the Kigali amendment to the Montreal Protocol.

The “possible” advantage to replacing an air conditioner this year and next (2023-2024) is that you may be able to skip an entire generation of equipment. Remember AC’s from a national perspective last on average about 15 years.

My perspective is to not choose a brand name just because it’s a brand you recognize. All brands make a number of different models. You as a consumer need to know that brands at the lower cost spectrum are all primarily the same. There are very little differences among brands in that realm. Efficiency doesn’t always mean saving money. Make sure you understand this. Pick HVAC equipment for what it does and the comfort factors that are important to you. Realize in the higher realms of equipment including the Inverter Realm of equipment that not all brands are created equal. You must “clearly” understand those differences to truly get what you think you may be getting but are not. I like to call this looking under the “hood”. Look past the name on the box. What does it truly do AND how does it do it? These are all important things if you are looking for a quality AC system in 2023 and beyond.

If you’re looking for just an entry level machine brand names mean very little. What is more important is the installation. Comfort cooling isn’t magic. It is based on science. Just because it turns on an off doesn’t mean it’s working.

If you spend any amount of time on my website(s) watching video content from these sources you will see many instances in which repairing without replacing equipment is performed. This isn’t always possible due to a myriad number of factors as the Ruud AC video embedded above highlights. So if you call me and a AC repair is possible I will provide that option. Due to the nature of what is coming is primarily why this customer in the Ruud AC video chose what he chose along with the time constraints to getting his AC system back up and functional.

Thank you for visiting with me today. As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the Author of Katy, Texas #1 Air Conditioning Blog with Video Content:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas | Fulshear, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 29 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of 2023. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

I write my own AC blogs, create my own AC content via video filmed by me, I then edit that content so as to not bore you too much. Everything you see I do it myself. Hundreds and hundreds of your neighbors already know. You don’t need a spy balloon to see what is going on at your neighbor’s house. Subscribe to my you tube channel and you will be notified when your neighbors ac problem becomes my highlight reel.

I am not, nor have I ever been at the mercy of investors or any outside influence. I am skilled to serve those that call me – I offer solutions that will work – I am skilled to fix problems as they arise afterward. Important to note: I am a capitalist. Austin Air Companie is a for profit business. You will always need a skilled HVAC contractor, probably more so now (2023 and beyond) than at any other time before.

I also own a rental property so I have a unique understanding of this part of the real estate market. Due to the nature of rental real estate the challenges coming soon (2025) could shake things up in a profound way. Your tenants won’t keep paying higher rents without proper air conditioning in a hot climate.

Thank you for considering my HVAC services.

Austin Air Companie

A Ray Austin HVAC Service Company

832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website @

www.austinairco.com 

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

Goodman Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas

Tuesday, March 14th, 2023

Hello and welcome to the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog with video content!

So I have another unique cool story for you today. Everyone loves a cool story right? First we need to lay down some context because what you read here on my blog / watch in video related content are subjects related to a hot climate. The common argument against that is that when summer finally hits everywhere those areas will say it’s just as hot there as it is where I live in? Katy, Texas in case you weren’t reading what I was telling you.

Don’t skim over the facts. That would be misinformation. So a hot climate means what exactly? It means we run our air conditioners in and around Katy, Texas upwards of 10 months of the year. That time frame (amount of time) is typically more than 3 times as long as most areas of the US. The more you run a mechanical appliance, the more likely it will break.

These things are rarely spelled out for you because they will hire people to write a blog post that have no official training other than to just print a bunch of nonsense. It’s either that or they just skim over the fact that your cooling season in Kansas or similar climate is only 3 months long. Climate plays a big role in the comfort department. I live in Katy, Texas – you reading this – I don’t know where you live (this is the internet). Keep in mind I only provide service in and near Katy, Texas. That’s who this content is written for specifically. The content here is based on facts, experience and know how. Hopefully you find value in that – without value what would be the point?

This particular job of repairing a Goodman air conditioner (video embedded below) was initially what I did in May of 2022. I was contacted by this customer I call him Bob. You’ll see in the video that this Goodman AC condenser was in rough shape as a portion of the condenser coils had been eaten away. By June 2023 we were hitting 100F degrees nearly every day. It’s no real surprise to me this customer reached out again to see what I could do to help cool things down for him.

Goodman AC repair video Katy, Texas

For air conditioning to work well (in any climate, not just a hot one) there is a heat transfer taking place. Your air conditioner does not produce cool. It transfers heat. If that heat transfer is interrupted in any significant way, the hotter it becomes outside the less heat the air conditioner is able to transfer when you need that heat transfer the most. (hot gets hotter)

Which means inside your home the air your HVAC system blows out through your vent will not feel very cool. (Realize cool here is a play on words, because in air conditioning land there is no such thing as cool, just less heat. But the word cool is easier to understand. To illustrate further – how cool is cool? Your view might be different from mine and maybe even some people in your own household. Remember I’ve been doing HVAC for 29 years as of 2023. Comfort means different things to different people.)

Air conditioning is based on science. It’s not uncommon for an air conditioner to run but not cool properly. This is often taken for granted when trying to choose one brand over another. All HVAC brands break and the Goodman brand is no exception to that rule. The illusion manufacturers like to provide is that their brand (the name of their unit) is some how exempt from breaking. It’s an illusion for you to buy their product. Or in other words, you’re getting SOLD!

Often times sellers of other brands will bash other brands as inferior to sell you the brand they are selling. Realize they most often do this to sell you another brand. What makes it better than the one you have now? It’s new? It does something more than what your old one did? There are more reasons to replace an air conditioner than just because it’s broken. Efficiency of the system sometimes come in the equation here especially if the system is breaking down month in and month out. In a hot climate with 9 months or more of use a more efficient unit will reduce operation expense. Those expenses add up over time.

The best AC replace options come to those who plan to keep their current home. There are ways to recoup the cost thru high efficiency, especially if you are someone who likes it 75F or cooler in your house. Realize high efficiency units cost more up front but because of our long cooling season here in Katy, Texas in time those high efficiency AC’s will pay you back via reduced utility bills. Realize the more you pay for equipment the more this will affect your pay back. Not all AC systems are created equal in this segment of high efficiency. How high is high? There too you need to fully realize what exactly it is you are buying in this realm.

If you are selling your home soon there is little to achieve here as you are doing the job for someone else. It may help you sell the house, but that is about it in most cases. Obviously a broken air conditioner in Texas isn’t going to get you a full ask price either if you are selling your house.

What I show in the video above is that brand perception and how long one brand lasts isn’t inclusive of other brands or even the brand I show — I tell it like I see it and where the evidence leads. If you stick around and watch other video content I have coming soon it won’t be hard for you to see how long some more prominent brands lasted. It’s mostly an illusion to suggest one brand will outlast another brand. There is no real truth to it in my opinion. I fix air conditioners all summer long. All brands break. The brands like to confuse you as much as possible and this is due to only get worse. A trusted HVAC contractor, if you not using one now you may soon wish you had. 

If you’ve read this far I think you may find some of this HVAC content interesting as there are several unique stories coming soon. There are many stories already on my you tube channel. You can subscribe to my you tube channel here so you don’t miss my next video.

Also there are many changes coming to HVAC in 2025 as we will be entering a new refrigerant phase out and the R410a equipment ban is likely to be in full swing unless something delays it. If you haven’t heard about this R410a Refrigerant Phase Down I have laid out this full story with video right here. Each segment (5 currently) is about 30 minutes long, go there with some time on your hands to get the full scoop. click here.

Thanks for visiting with me today. As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the Author of Katy, Texas #1 Air Conditioning Blog with Video Content:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas | Fulshear, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 29 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of 2023. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

I write my own AC blogs, create my own AC content via video filmed by me, I then edit that content so as to not bore you too much. Everything you see I do it myself. Hundreds and hundreds of your neighbors already know. You don’t need a spy balloon to see what is going on at your neighbor’s house. Subscribe to my you tube channel and you will be notified when your neighbors ac problem becomes my highlight reel.

I am not, nor have I ever been at the mercy of investors or any outside influence. I am skilled to serve those that call me – I offer solutions that will work – I am skilled to fix problems as they arise afterward. Important to note: I am a capitalist. Austin Air Companie is a for profit business. You will always need a skilled HVAC contractor, probably more so now (2023 and beyond) than at any other time before.

I also own a rental property so I have a unique understanding of this part of the real estate market. Due to the nature of rental real estate the challenges coming soon (2025) could shake things up in a profound way. Your tenants won’t keep paying higher rents without proper air conditioning in a hot climate.

Thank you for considering my HVAC services.

Austin Air Companie

For AC Service in or near Katy Texas: 832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website @

www.austinairco.com 

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas

Monday, February 27th, 2023

Hello and welcome to the #1 Katy, Texas air conditioning blog. AC repair for the Katy area can come at a moments notice and nearly any month of the year. It’s why I often provide this context for content I put out. It’s important the information you are using to make comfort decisions for you home is accurate for the climate in which you live.

HVAC is the acronym that describes the system that makes up your heating and cooling for your home. In my climate of Katy, Texas we still have heating systems but they don’t get as much use as our air conditioners. Those in more mild climates may not turn on their AC until as late as June. The argument for those climates is waiting until they have a problem in June or July and saying things like: Well your climate is no different it’s hot everywhere right now. The difference is a hotter climate spends more time at higher temps than a mild climate will. Throw in a healthy dose of humidity and you’ve got a recipe for being uncomfortable. Being comfortable is the purpose of this Austin Air Companie website & Air Conditioning Blog serving the Katy, Texas area. No two homes are alike, no two people are alike when it comes to comfort concerns. I am here to provide you a solution once I understand what your concerns are. My definition of a solution is different than most… I define a solution that will solve the problem you have now without creating new problems. This context is what separates me from most other service providers.

The differences in how much more we run our AC’s for Katy, Texas climate also relates to wear and tear. The more you use something the more likely it is to break. Certainly there will be those that may tell you it’s because of the brand of your system. This is merely a con game to convince you that a “name” is going to cure all your troubles so they can sell you a new box with a different name on it. If you spend a few hours watching my video content on my you tube channel or combing thru various blog posts on my HVAC website(s), I think there’s enough info here to tell you that a brand name system — whatever brand it is – is no guarantee that it will or won’t break. I say this primarily to those who come to this climate that aren’t accustomed to spending money on air conditioning concerns. This is additional context to show you where I am coming from and going to. You spend money on AC via a myriad of methods… maintenance & repair costs and eventually replacement costs. Skimping on any one of these winds up costing you more on utilities. So you pay regardless.

I am an AC repair man first. AC repairs in Katy, Texas for just over 29 years now. I’ve been doing air conditioning repairs for longer than some of you have been alive. This isn’t about bragging. This is about printing the truth in a world in which very little is based on truth. It’s usually some gimmick of promising this or that – coming to your house for free to do professional work. Why would a professional do work for free? I’ve seen the ads on TV and I am assuming that you’ve seen them too with this comment. The con or myth if you will is doing things for free to get their foot in the door. Their attitude will do a 180 if not a 360 degree turn once they are inside your house. I’ve been there done that.

Look I know anyone can say whatever they want on the internet so I take the time to write my own blog posts on subjects like this because it’s important to give you some realistic assumptions. I’ve taken the time to produce a video myself. No heavy production costs I filmed it with my cell phone & edited it sitting in front of a green screen in my office that I run out of my home to show you (embedded below). I provide you context with in that video as to what I can do for you may be similar or significantly different depending on the condition of your AC equipment. I have helped hundreds and hundreds of your neighbors, I know I can do something similar for you too.

Tired of being uncomfortable in or near Katy, Texas?

Call Ray Austin right now @ 832~475~6895 and schedule your AC service.

If you decide to watch the video below pay attention why air conditioning is more than just a box or a series of boxes. Just because it turns on  oand off doesn’t mean it is working. There are parts of the video below that show this. This AC system you have is based on science, not magic or brand of the month club.

AC repair video:

AC Repair Katy, Texas A cool story in which I had to travel back in time to be able to tell it.

So why would I talk about differences of climate in a blog post about Katy, Texas?

This is primarily because a lot of people have been moving to Texas over the past couple of years. Many are uneducated when it comes to the air conditioning concerns of a hot climate. The climate of Katy, Texas is unique in that it’s not only hot but it’s also very humid. The more humid a climate, the more problems it presents to feel comfortable, especially when you move here from a more mild climate. Many areas of the USA have essentially a 2 to 3 month cooling or air conditioning need.

I am here to help you make better comfort choices. There are many changes coming to the HVAC equipment market in the next few years. A popular refrigerant we use now is going to be phased down and out in the next few years with a new equipment ban that will likely take effect in 2025. I have a section dedicated to explaining this topic in it’s entirety as well as a recent update in 2023. Click here for info on these changes.

HVAC for a hot climate isn’t about gimmicks if you choose that path it is my professional opinion it won’t last. You will always need a good HVAC contractor if you live in a climate like Katy, Texas. If I fixed your AC once I can fix it again.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope I’ve cleared up some misconceptions and possibly a few myths. As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the Author of this Katy, Texas Air Conditioning Blog:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas | Fulshear, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 29 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of 2023 (TACLB28416E). I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

I also own and operate a home rental business. This is to list my qualifications. If you want someone with less skill or free advice I am not it (most of the time). If I run a free call it’s because of your service history – my decision, not yours. Time is worth more than money. There are exceptions to every rule. If I have no service history from your address it’s most likely to cost a fee to come out. That service fee can be credited toward any work you decide to have me do for you.

Ray Austin is a business man & Austin Air Companie is run as a for profit business. If you are looking for gimmicks this isn’t going to be a good fit for me or for you. I am a one man show and the work you see in all my videos, the videos themselves are all my own work. My opinion is all you will ever get, usually this comes in the form of options in which you can pick from once I inform you of your potential choices.

My view is an old proverb saying that goes like this:

Too many cooks in the kitchen spoil the broth. OR Too many knuckle heads attempting a career path they shouldn’t  have can cause more trouble than they’re worth. I was once a hard working tech for a major AC company so this isn’t to suggest there aren’t good HVAC techs out there.

About Austin Air Companie: Celebrating 15 years in 2023. (By this time I’ve proven my methods work.) Is it always perfect? No. Not even the gimmick providers do that. Mechanical equipment regardless of brand breaks for a wide variety of reasons. If I fixed it once I can fix it again. (repeatable business) If it’s not repeatable you’re out of business. — the number you have reached has been disconnected or no longer in service. (I illustrate it for you so you can vision it.)

Thank you for at least considering me as your comfort provider.

AC Cools But Doesn’t Cool Well All The Time

Saturday, July 23rd, 2022

Hi welcome to the #1 Katy Texas Air Conditioning Blog. This topic can be quite confusing at times because your air conditioner works by science not by magic.

The terms I use here are going to be terms that anyone should be able to understand. I remove as much technical jargon as I can to convey this subject so more people can understand it. (It’s not about writing it so I understand it.)

Air Conditioning Removes Heat

So the reason behind this post is that when record breaking temps come to town most air conditioners are going to struggle. It is completely normal for your thermostat temperature to go up in the afternoon under a heavy heat load.

With that said, this AC activity can point to trouble as well. Many people when they see this they think the thermostat is bad, their AC unit isn’t big enough, I might need some Freon and a laundry list of other potential guesses.

Air Conditioning doesn’t produce cool. It removes heat and the absence of heat is a cooling effect. That is what I mean by science. There are limits just as much as anything else. Trying running 50 miles with no breaks, to understand the point. Try driving your car with no gas or no electric if an EV. Everything has limits. But when it comes to air conditioners people repeatedly think they can put that thermostat dial anywhere and get it to get there.

Freon from above means refrigerant. This substance is more or less a solvent that was specifically designed for your air conditioner to remove heat from the structure. It is important that your system has the right type of refrigerant as well as the proper level. Too much or too little and your AC system will not remove heat properly and in triple digit heat (outdoor ambient temperature) will be costly to operate not to mention may not provide the cooling effect you are looking for.

Air Conditioners Don’t Use Up Freon

An Air Conditioner is a completely sealed system. The Freon in your AC will last indefinitely, unless the system has a refrigerant leak. Improper maintenance or service procedures can introduce leaks as well as age of the system can create refrigerant leaks over time. The older the equipment is, the more likely that the equipment is to blame.

However, just because your AC unit isn’t that old doesn’t necessarily mean it is free of refrigerant leaks. Air Conditioners are machines, and machines break – old and new alike.

In or near Katy, Texas? Call The Old AC Pro: Ray Austin 832-475-6895

Freon Leak Sealers / Additives To Stop Freon Leaks

I’ve used a couple of these over the past few years, but I have found they simply do not work. My definition of working is that they fix the refrigerant leaks. If they don’t do that, what is the point?

My opinion is that adding a Freon leak sealer to a system is attempting to take a short cut rather than to fix something the right way because the right way costs more money.

But if the refrigerant leak is not fixed, it will cost you more money anyway because the costly refrigerant will continue to leak out. The other less thought of problem with leak sealers is that you are placing something into your AC refrigerant system that does not belong there. This could lead to other problems later.

Watch the embedded video below how to properly fix Freon Leaks and stay tuned to just how well a leak sealer worked in a test I performed.

Live in or Near Katy, Texas? Your own personal AC repair Easy Button:

Call Ray Austin 832-475-6895

Substances Not Condensing In An AC System

A refrigeration system is critical to be a clean environment free from things that contaminate the system. The AC system is a sealed system remember? So if contamination is introduced the system isn’t going to work properly.

This problem is more so magnified in a record breaking heat wave. Your AC system’s operation is dependant on having the proper refrigerant, the proper amount with every thing fluidly moving about. If too much refrigerant is placed in your AC system it won’t work just as much as if it has too little of refrigerant or the wrong type. Freon is merely a brand name. I know what type your AC system needs, but I don’t know the service history if you call me for the first time. If a refrigerant circuit in your AC is blocked up it’s not going to work properly in triple digit heat.

Air is a common ingredient that will not condense in a refrigeration system. This only gets inside your refrigeration system by someone not doing something they should have done. Putting a leak sealer in the system could do essentially the same thing. The common reason people do this is that the system is older and will at times say I have nothing to lose.

Then replace the system a few years later, reuse the line set that possibly has some of this contamination left behind. It can be quite difficult to replace line sets on some homes and that difficulty can add a good sum of money to do so.

Did you know that the refrigerant in your AC system goes thru phase changes in side your AC’s refrigeration circuits? This is necessary because the pump otherwise known as the compressor is a vapor pump. Trying to compress anything other than refrigerant vapor will damage the compressor. If that happens? YIKES, not good.

But your AC’s refrigerant system also contains refrigerant in liquid form. Without that it simply will not work. It’s not magic, remember?

Your Air Conditioner Is Doing All It Can

This could be true, just as much as it could be false. Just because you dial in 70F on your thermostat doesn’t mean your house will get that cool in triple digit heat (100F and up – we’ve been hitting 102 and hotter recently in the Katy, Texas area.)

Design temperature plays a role. In our climate in Katy, Texas design for this area is 75F inside with 95F outside. These are design parameters. Does this mean you will never get lower than 75F inside? No. The heat of the day or the hottest part of the day is typically 3pm-7pm or 3pm-8pm during unusually hot record breaking periods.

These events as well as the condition of your AC system, your home’s thermal envelope conditions, duct work, system design and how you operate the system can all have an effect (good or bad) as to how hot or cool your house is.

A Not So Cool Story

Part of the reason for this blog post. I recently ran an AC service call in which the home in question was a rental house. The tenant recently moved in and not accustomed to the Katy, Texas climate just yet… or so this is what was relayed to me. I only know what you tell me, the rest is nothing more than a series of guesses.

I have never been to this house before. So I have no service history to go off of. I am walking blind so to speak. The system had recently been repaired, part of the AC system was replaced by another HVAC company. (Single story home, one HVAC system)

I get there (to the rental house) and the thermostat is reading 72F with nearly 100F outside. So on face value you could say this air conditioner is doing all it can. Essentially that would be true. But that unfortunately doesn’t go far enough.

Because taking AC service readings into consideration points to a bigger problem that only gets bigger the further I dig. It didn’t take long because this job wasn’t mine I was only there to “check out the work” that was done by another company.

Why was that necessary?

Because the other company had been out there a couple of times already saying the AC system is doing all it can do. The home owner decided to do the right thing and investigate further at additional cost. Not doing so could eventually turn into a revolving door of tenants moving in and out. That is costly in the home rental business. I know because I also own a rental house. Experience is worth what these days?

The ramifications of what I found? Split temperature / Differential Temperature / Temperature Drop / Delta T. What ever you wish to call it… was 12F. This should be 15-20F degrees. Preferably the closer to 20 the better for our climate here in Katy, Texas. Because as our design parameters describe you should have closer to a 20 degree temperature drop across the coil. Although any thing above 15F would be considered a passing grade.

So just that test alone I expected the AC system to be low on refrigerant. But that is not what I found. Because I don’t have any past service history I am led to guess what may or may not have happened here. (Contaminated System / Improper methods / Some other issue not yet known)

This is also to suggest you can’t just go with what you think the problem might be. As adding refrigerant to this system would only make things worse. Removing refrigerant won’t help either. The difference from proper to improper. Living with it? I suppose you could live on the edge but additional failures on your dime? Remember Katy, Texas is a hot climate. We separate the men from the boys in this climate on a fairly consistent basis when hitting triple digit temps. Not to brag, but I know what works, I also know what won’t work. So because I am not the installing HVAC contractor I can only guess what they did do as well as what they didn’t do but should have.

Guessing is not only dangerous but also costly. This customer ( home owner of this rental) has used me for work before. This wasn’t a free call – my opinions are worth paying for I am not nor have I ever been a gimmick provider. Service history is what determines what costs may be for me having to go behind someone else.

There is no warranty for improperly installed equipment. Currently the home owner had decided to get this company to go back and fix this system. The excuse this other company has been using isn’t going to fly now. The tenant is by now relieved that they’re no longer considered ‘nuts’ or making stuff up.

The AC Is Doing All It Can

When you’ve been doing HVAC Repair & Service for as long as I have you get the opportunity to see it all. I don’t just work on rentals, but this story is yet another rental. These stories provide unique insight to this AC blog post topic.

I think the reason for these kinds of stories is that tenants will push HVAC systems quite hard. This particular system has two floors with one system and thermostat on the top floor.

So this story goes to places the other call could only dream of. I have service history of this address so I know the complaint is likely bogus before I even get there. But I still have to “check it” because if you don’t you’re guessing and guessing doesn’t work in HVAC. I have a reputation of telling it like it is. Not going to stop now even if I think you can’t handle it. At some point you’ll have to put on big boy or big girl pants just like I do every morning.

I get there I have a conversation with the tenant and they claim to have to blast the AC at night so the room on the lower level doesn’t get too hot. Also that in the after noon the temps rise on the thermostat on the second floor. Which is normal by the way in triple digit heat.

Upon checking the unit while I was discussing things with the tenant on first floor the AC cycled off. I began this check with room temp on top floor at 69F at the thermostat.

In order to check this AC system I dropped the temperature to 65F to force it to run so I could perform the check. The Delta T / Temp Drop across the coil was 22F. This particular AC was installed by me. I have been servicing this property for a number of years.

Notice the difference in Temp drop from the first one? 10F better.

Operating Pressures? Outstanding. (These fluctuate so it’s pointless posting this information.)

Because of the nature of a tenant occupant I even recorded the temperature in the master bedroom suite on the lower floor. 65F — yet design is 75F. So you can see how these things can vary from one home to the next. No two homes are alike.

Everyone’s view of what comfort is can and will be different from other viewpoints. But design is the limit. This particular property has a control on the top floor with one HVAC system so it will always be warmer on the top floor. (Heat rises)

And the thermostat on the top floor does not now how hot or cool it is on the lower level. These design flaws can be fixed. But that costs money.

The HVAC Comfort Business

HVAC is a big box of comfort. Service is part of that, just as much as design and all these other factors. The HVAC product & design you choose has limitations. It doesn’t work by magic and your definition of work should mean more than “The unit turns on, The unit turns off”

Because there is more to it than just turning on or off. It must be doing so properly and efficiently. What is properly to someone who doesn’t know?

I thank you for visiting with me today. I hope this subject may help you garner more understanding in relation to how you view comfort the choices you make for those that provide it for you.

As always I hope your day is comfortable.

About the Author of this Katy, Texas Air Conditioning Blog:

My name is Ray Austin owner/operator of Austin Air Companie a small HVAC service company that services the Katy, Texas area and some surrounding areas. I write my own blogs, I make my own videos, No investors, no intimidation to tell you like it is. My HVAC career is 28 years long, 14 of which running and operating my own HVAC service company.

If you call me, you will get me. There is no technician roulette wheel to spin here at Austin Air Companie.

If you are calling me I will inform you of all choices after inspecting your HVAC system(s) in person and even repairing your air conditioner if that option makes sense. I am skilled in working for you, not just recommending something that is only beneficial to me. It’s about providing you an air conditioning service that you can rely on. I will do my best to explain the risks of doing what you decide to do. That is what a skilled HVAC contractor can do for you.

Let me know what your concerns are. Comfort means different things to different people. We are all unique that way. A solution I like, might not be right for you and vice versa. System Design is a wide varying topic but is very important as to the comfort level that system will perform.

Serving Katy, Texas and some surrounding areas. Call Ray at Austin Air Companie Today! 832-475-6895.

The Home of Better AC Service. Welcome Home.

 

 

New Air Conditioning Sales Truth

Monday, August 20th, 2018

Truth is a funny thing when it comes to sales. Sales of anything including air conditioning and heating equipment for that matter. We’ve all been duped by TV commercials that sell some new product with claims that more often then not turn out to be outright lies. They promise your money back, they promise if it’s ever broken they will give you a new one. A promise is made only to be broken. Tell me if I am wrong OK?

If you’re young and in your 20’s maybe early 30’s you may not know what I am about to share with you. Realize if you are in your 20’s I am twice your age. I know the sales game like the back of my hand. So take my hand and take a walk with me, as I share some of my own wisdom with you.

Our AC Product Is Better Than Sliced Bread

It’s not hard to make one product ‘look’ better than another if you make other similar products look worse. Often times it’s the ‘love’ of what one product claims. In most cases in the AC world of things it’s flashy words to put one’s HVAC product on a pedestal as being better than other competing HVAC products.

Lies masquerading as truth

For the most part a newly installed HVAC system can work flawlessly for quite some time because the longevity of a ‘completely’ new HVAC system can run for typically several years or more with little to no fuss other than changing air filters periodically. The funny part is brand doesn’t matter at all for the above to occur. Are you laughing yet?

Here’s a recent video I produced to describe this situation in clearer detail. Video embedded below from my youtube channel.

 

You see as a HVAC business owner and operator, my job is ultimately being able to fix your system when it breaks. All brands break. I’m well aware of all the flashy gimmicks that many times make you think other wise. They’re there to captivate you and in many cases deceive you to think some elusive better non breakable HVAC system exists, when your current HVAC system isn’t performing as it should.

With that said, there is nothing wrong with certain HVAC brands that proclaim to be better. However, there are those that proclaim to be better than they really are and they come at a premium cost wise. So when they do break you will pay more for parts. Remember most HVAC brands require manufacturer specific parts these days. Nearly all HVAC brands do this to some degree. If I have to drive further to obtain those parts and the manufacturing plants are further away from those distributors you could be in for a wait to get that system fixed. You see this is the ‘nitty gritty’ back ground thinking that I do for you. Time. What is ‘time’ worth to you in a 100 degree heat wave and a broken AC?

More and more HVAC manufacturer’s are using parts that are equipment specific so they can charge whatever they want for the part you need to repair your HVAC system. The cost of what ever the manufacturer charges me (or any other company) is passed down to you. Don’t kid yourself.

Reasons I Sell The HVAC Equipment I Sell

For 10 years I have been running my HVAC business. I have installed 8 different brands of equipment. Mostly to see if there is ‘really’ some brand out there that is truly better than other brands.

Realize I have been running HVAC service for 23 years total as of 2018. As I said above the last 10 years have been running my own HVAC company. I am a one man company. Today it is August 20, 2018. Feel like temps hit over 100 degrees yesterday. I am bored, waiting for the phone to ring.

If the HVAC brands I sold in the past, literally 100’s and 100’s of AC equipment pieces each with 10 year parts warranty. (I never sell anything with less than 10 year part warranty, unless customer requests it.)

If you truly think AC brand matters as much as some think, why or how is it that I have the time it takes to write this lengthy blog post in the middle of high heat summer? Why am I not working fixing the equipment I installed over the past 10 years because it was inferior? Truth is funny that way. Ok, how about now? Are you laughing now?

Manufacturing Lies

What is the reason this Copeland compressor is in this factory?

It’s none other than salesmanship. It’s like the TV ad trying to sell you (fool you) into buying the latest kitchen gadget or whatever it is they are selling this week. Remember the Proverb? A fool and his money are soon parted. I don’t play those kinds of games. The truth is a double edged sword. If you don’t like the truth, your only option is to deny it. How much fun is that going to be?

Advertising monikers that are ridiculous once things displayed in the embedded video below are realized.  The moniker I am referring to in this preface is Carrier’s slogan of ‘Turn To The Experts’. So now watch the video embedded below to fully realize who the expert is here. (A manufacturer that uses plastic for things that should be made of steel, is not an expert in my opinion.)


The real reason I sell what I sell is access to parts when the AC system does break. Remember they all break. The better you take care of it the less likely that is. Another reason is ease in which it is to obtain those parts. Time, what is it worth to you? I am older now, so time is pretty expensive to me.

I live less than a mile from my main parts distributor. That main distributor gets the parts from the factory that is located less than 20 miles away. The warranties I get from this manufacture for higher end equipment are second to none.

My work ethic is second to none. My prices are reasonable for what I do. Quality comes from legendary response times and the knowledge to know how to correct a mistake ‘before’ becoming a critical problem. I answer my own phone. I joke around a lot within my advertising, mainly because I get bored so frequently and comedy is something that some people can relate to.

The jokes end when your comfort is on the line. I take my job seriously, when I am on the job. There is a time and place for everything.

The HVAC Equipment Is Your Choice

I am merely an ‘experienced’ guide to help you make not only a wise choice, but also become your HVAC servicer. AC Equipment sales are here one minute gone the next. If a HVAC servicer can’t repair equipment, then where does that leave you?

I repair all brands. How could I have installed 8 different brands over the years and only know how to work on a few of them? The only reason I say these things is to help you (the reader) to better understand how this works and the risks involved. There is risk driving down the road. Right?

I merely present you options or choices if you will as to what you want (what features are important to you). Whether it’s repairing or replacing your system it’s your choice to do so.

If the choice you make doesn’t work as you think I am here to fix it again or replace it. I am skilled in both. I am a licensed HVAC contractor.

The HVAC Equipment Brand You Sell Has Bad Reviews

I have some news for you, it wasn’t me who installed it. Therein lies the difference. It’s very common for competing HVAC companies to show you bad recent reviews of equipment brands they do not sell. If you check third party review sites of the equipment brand they are ‘trying’ to sell to you then you will see the brand they are selling you is just as inferior as anything else. Back in the day, I believe this was called ‘The Shell’ game.

Remember, you’re not buying a toaster. It takes skill to install a new HVAC system. It takes even more skill to be able to fix one. All HVAC brands on third party review sites rank the same at about 1 to 1.5 stars.

Proper installation and skill are the main ingredients to a great HVAC Equipment Installation.

HVAC equipment manufacturer’s have all changed in the past 10 years (bought out by other companies). Nothing is the same as it once was. Snap out of it. There is only one ‘real’ reason you use a professional. That is ‘TRUST’.

Thank you for visiting with me today. As always, I hope your day is comfortable.


About the author of this blog:
My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 23 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems (TACLB28416E). I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

About Austin Air Companie:

Happy Birthday

Austin Air Companie Celebrates 10 Years

Celebrating 10 years in 2018.

Austin Air Companie
832-475-6895
“Your home comfort from A to Z”
Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website at:

      www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

Air Conditioner Does Not Turn On

Thursday, May 24th, 2018

If your air conditioner doesn’t turn on it’s typically a frightening thing, because often times the thought is that the AC has died. Death of anything is never a pleasant thought.

Just because your AC does not come on, doesn’t necessarily mean that you will have to buy a new one. Sometimes that is the case, but many times this situation is due to various electrical communications that determine whether the air conditioner will turn on or not. If there is a break in the electrical communication your AC needs to operate, often times it will simply shut off because it’s either a control problem or power problem in which power is interrupted for some reason.

Is my AC a goner

Heat Kills Air Conditioners

Air Conditioning Electrical Systems

Air Conditioning requires electricity to run or operate. So the reason the AC is not operating (turning on) has to be inspected to determine the cause. Because there are varying voltages from 24 volts to 115 volts up to 240 volts and multiple circuits for your HVAC system to operate it’s much more complicated than most people realize.

Differing Electrical Voltages Do Not Mix

HVAC Electrical Systems Require Maintenance

We all take electricity for granted, until the day in which the power goes out. We all know the electrical grid that supplies our homes require maintenance such as the replacement of transformers and tree trimming. These services are provided to us by the power company that maintains the electrical grid that provides electrical power to our homes. We pay for these kinds of services indirectly when we pay our electric bills. A portion of your electric bill pays for the maintenance service of the electrical grid.

However, these exterior electrical maintenance services do not extend to inside your home. When your electrical grid in your home breaks down and various things in your home quit working properly it’s either the device itself or the outlet or power connection to the device in question. We’ve all gone to turn on a light switch and the light bulb blows and burns out the minute the switch is turned on. Your HVAC system is similar to this kind of wear and tear, just on a larger scale.

Electrical Power For Your HVAC System

Your HVAC system is unique in that the AC system nearly always has multiple circuits and as many as 3 different voltages at most residential homes. Commercial HVAC equipment can be considerably different so realize for the purpose of this Katy, Texas Air Conditioning Blog Topic I am mostly referring to the residential HVAC market. Due to the complexity of these multiple and varying voltages required for your HVAC system to operate properly it is in your best interest to seek a LICENSED HVAC Professional to correct and repair electrical problems with your HVAC system.

Safety First

Each Electrical Circuit Is Important

Electricity & Personal Safety

You can’t mix voltages. For your safety it is in your interest to seek a ‘Licensed’ HVAC professional to work on and service your HVAC system. Without proper repairs, you are risking your own safety, damage to your HVAC system up to and including major system damage. In addition to those risks you also risk the possibility of creating an unsafe condition that could cause a fire. Your home is the single largest investment that you will make in your lifetime. You do not want the experience of a house fire on your life resume.

I speak from experience: It’s not uncommon for me to go to various calls through out the year in which a home owner has attempted to repair their HVAC system and more often than not they have only made the situation worse. Please do not risk your own safety. Hire a Licensed HVAC pro, it’s the best way to go. (TACLB28416E)

Resetting Your Air Conditioning Breaker

It’s not uncommon that a situation may occur in which your AC breaker trips due to a electrical storm that blows though the area in which you live. I provide you with a video below that provides basic (safe) instructions on how to perform this task to reset your AC breaker. If your system is elaborate or different than the norm it is my recommendation that you hire a licensed HVAC professional to perform this task for you and give the AC system a thorough check.


You can subscribe to my You Tube Channel here.

If your AC breaker continually trips the breaker or does not reset, your system is telling you there is a bigger problem that should be investigated thoroughly. Seek the wisdom of a Licensed HVAC Contractor in these situations.

Thank you for visiting me today. I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this blog:
My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 23 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems (TACLB28416E). I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

About Austin Air Companie: Celebrating 10 years in 2018.

Happy Birthday

Austin Air Companie Celebrates 10 Years

Austin Air Companie
832~475~6895
“Your home comfort from A to Z”
Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website at:

www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

Air Conditioner Runs And Runs Does Not Shut Off

Thursday, May 17th, 2018

This is a very common air conditioning ‘symptom’ but the solution for this symptom isn’t always the same for every air conditioner that suffers from this kind of symptom or deficiency if you will. To understand this better you have to realize the function of what an air conditioner does.

There Is No Such Thing As Cold

Whoa, hold the phone! No such thing as cold, you’re kidding right? No. There is only heat and the absence of heat is cold, but the proper term would be less heat. There is heat to some degree in air down to -459.67 degrees Fahrenheit. This is defined as Absolute Zero. The point in which there is no heat or if you prefer: the lowest temperature that is theoretically possible, at which the motion of particles that constitutes heat would be minimal.

Less heat - not cold

absolute zero definition

 

My AC Just Runs And Runs

How this relates to your air conditioner is that if there is too much heat your AC system will run and run and run, because the thermostat is what cycles your air conditioner off. You may get some cooling from your AC system, but the air coming from the vents may not seem that cool during the heat of the day. This could be due to mechanical means as much as dirt clogging things up or thermal breaks in your hot attic that are contributing to causing your air conditioner to struggle to removing the heat from your home.

In some cases your AC system may be at fault, while other times it may be something else. In our climate of Katy, Texas (a west Houston suburb) our residential HVAC system design parameters for air conditioning is 95 degree outdoor and 75 degree indoor. People move to this climate every year and are often accustomed to lower indoor temps, this can also influence a lot of these kinds of problems because just setting the dial to a number doesn’t necessarily mean your system will be able to achieve ‘the number’ under all HVAC load conditions. This is really best explained within the home after the AC system has been inspected for potential trouble spots.

AC Air Blockage Causes Problems

AC Not Cooling Enough (AC Low Cool)

You see, your AC system operates by removing heat (commonly referred to as a load or heating load) from inside your home and expelling this heat outside your home. If your AC is running normal, you should feel warm air coming from the top of the outdoor condenser unit that sits outside your home. That warm air is from your home. If your AC condenser is really hot, this is typically not a good condition and should be checked.

An AC system is only as good as its greatest weakness. I can only check to see what the weakness of your AC system might be in person. Typically if an AC is not cooling properly it is generally a capacity type issue of some kind. These issues vary and is yet only another reason why the HVAC system must be inspected in person.

Proper Air Conditioning Maintenance Service

There are a myriad of reasons an air conditioner displays these kinds of symptoms. Dirty filters, Improper filtration (restriction), thermal envelope breaks, lack of ‘proper’ maintenance, lack of ‘proper’ repairs, mechanical problems , dirty coils, improperly sized (duct work, equipment), improperly designed (using zoning improperly, duct system problems etc.), improper refrigerant charge (either low charge or too much) and the list goes on and on.

Thermal Envelope Break

If your HVAC system is exhibiting symptoms of what is being described in this Katy, Texas Air Conditioning Blog:

Then your AC system should be checked and diagnosed by a HVAC ‘licensed’ pro in person. Usually this can be accomplished by an AC systems check or as part of an annual maintenance visit. My company doesn’t use technicians. I am a Texas licensed HVAC contractor TACLB28416E with 23 years experience as of 2018. I will personally come to your home to diagnose your system.

By signing up on an annual maintenance contract you get on a program to have regular maintenance performed on your HVAC system by a licensed Air Conditioning and Heating Professional, I will keep track of it and call you when it’s time to check your system(s). This service is only available to homeowner’s who sign up on an annual twice a year maintenance contract. (Residential)

The kinds of problems mentioned within this Katy, Texas Air Conditioning article can effect any AC system of any age or brand. This is why an annual HVAC maintenance plan is recommended by all HVAC manufacturers. Problems like these don’t always mean the system ‘has’ to be replaced to fix these kinds of problems. But this is rarely a one size fits all kind of problem. Sometimes the system can be repaired and in some cases it may require partial replacement and there are other cases in which it is better to replace the whole system because the condition of the equipment is such that it’s not worth the risk to repair only to have it break down again / or there is some AC system design problem that can’t be repaired any other way.

I often give multiple options to repair and or replace. On rare occasions it can be my opinion that only replacement is the best option. Realize this is 23 years of experience talking. My goal is always to fix the problem the best way possible and move on, sometime those options are extremely limited. It serves no purpose to repair your AC system only to have a slew of additional problems. I lean on my 23 years of experience in dealing with these kinds of issues. It’s completely up to you if you wish to trust that judgment or not.

R22 Freon Production Ban

If you haven’t heard of this R22 refrigerant ban by now you’re in for a treat. Well, not really. This little fact only complicates and confuses an otherwise already challenging Air Conditioning repair market. In some cases, AC systems that use R22 Freon as the refrigerant of the system in question may make repair options much more costly now and even more so in the future.

Currently it is best to have these kinds of discussions in person with me, as not all situations are created equal, and time can and does change various things like costs and in some cases new emerging technology. I can come up with a plan to deal with this effectively to transition your home away from relying on R22 Freon (refrigerant) to cool your home. However, there isn’t some magical process that doesn’t include replacing equipment, so you have to be ‘realistic’. The R22 production ban takes effect Dec. 31, 2019.

While I expect to be able to still buy R22 refrigerant after this date the cost will most likely be much higher than it is today (2018). Because of the climate in which I do business. (Hot & Humid, up to 10 months of the year) I do not endorse or use alternative refrigerants that reduce capacity / increase utility costs / higher likelihood of compressor damage and so on for the High Temperature application for which R22 and R410a refrigerants were designed for. If your system was designed for R22, that is the type of refrigerant I use. I do not reuse old refrigerant, I reclaim it and return it to refrigerant reclaim center. All refrigerant placed in your AC system is the proper type of virgin quality refrigerant that your AC system needs.

Reused refrigerant could be contaminated by acids. These acids form naturally in an AC system that runs ‘hot’. If I pull refrigerant from someone else’s system that is contaminated place it in my reclaim tank, that tank is now contaminated. Refrigerant that is acidic will eat the windings of your poor old compressor. The repair (if any) will be short lived. In some cases the damage may already have been done to some extent before I even arrive on the scene.

Do you live in or near Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas? If you do you can call me personally at 832~475~6895 (My name is Ray Austin) and schedule your AC system check up and maybe set your systems up on a better preventive maintenance cycle and cover your systems on my twice a year maintenance contracts. That way I will remind you when it’s time to get your HVAC system(s) checked. I will help you stay on top of these AC maintenance issues that pop up from time to time to limit these kinds of problems from appearing in the first place.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this blog:
My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 23 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems (TACLB28416E). I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs.

About Austin Air Companie: Celebrating 10 years in 2018.

Happy Birthday

Austin Air Companie Celebrates 10 Years

Austin Air Companie

832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me on my main website at:

www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

Copper Coils Versus Aluminum Coils

Sunday, April 15th, 2018

The residential HVAC industry has been going thru many changes over the past decade or so in terms of the metal materials they use to make certain pieces of HVAC equipment.

To give you some understanding first, there are two different separate type of coils that your HVAC system uses for your air conditioner or heat pump to work properly. The outdoor coil is the condenser coil, the indoor coil is the evaporator coil. This subject is primarily dealing with the indoor evaporator coil.

HVAC Refrigerant Leaks In All Aluminum Evaporator Coil

Come with me on a repair call in which I repair a Freon (refrigerant) Leak in an all aluminum evaporator coil. (Watch video embedded below) I also discuss the copper versus aluminum debate in the video.

This Katy, Texas AC blog subject for today is regarding the indoor coil or evaporator coil section of your residential HVAC system. Because usually, this part of the system starts to leak refrigerant more frequently than the outdoor or condenser coil. (Realize the AC refrigerant leak you may have could be in the outdoor coil just as much as it could be in the indoor coil: proper diagnosis must be performed, a guess is not a diagnosis. Just because an evaporator coil refrigerant leak is more common, doesn’t mean that this is where your refrigerant leak is.

As of 2018 nearly all, if not all manufactures of HVAC equipment make all aluminum evaporator coils. Copper tube and aluminum fin evaporator coils are at the beginning of the end as manufacturers continue to cut costs from their AC manufacturing processes.

Aluminum Coils Are Better Than Copper Coils

All Aluminum Evaporator coils are often called a new way of doing things. Truth be known, this isn’t the first time the HVAC industry used all aluminum evaporator coils. (indoor evaporator coil, don’t get this confused by the spiny fin aluminum condenser coil of Trane / American Standard brands, which was invented by GE in the early 1980’s.) With that said, about 30-40 years ago Carrier made their air handlers with all aluminum evaporator coils. The difference now is that the technology is much better this time around, but not infallible.

The problem with the technology back then was the connection point to the copper line set. They used a compression type connection to connect the line set to the evaporator coil. After some time this connection would leak. With no real way to repair this leak, the solution was to replace the coil with a copper tube and aluminum fin coil. You see when I say ‘copper coil’ I mean copper tube and aluminum fin. Manufactures to my knowledge have never made an all copper evaporator coil for residential air conditioning systems. That would be very costly, not to mention very heavy.

All Aluminum Evaporator Coils Are Probably Here To Stay

The drive away from copper tube evaporator coils is in my opinion due mostly to cost of the metal and because it’s been determined that formicary corrosion is leading to increased failures of this type of evaporator coil this increases the home owners cost as well as the manufacturer of the coil, because as the coils have become larger due to equipment efficiency requirements, the walls of the copper tube to these evaporator coils have become ‘paper’ thin or very close to it, which gives little to no protection against formicary corrosion.

To find out more about what formicary corrosion is and what it looks like watch the video embedded above. There are examples of formicary corrosion within the video. This type of corrosion effects all brands of copper tube and aluminum fin evaporator coils. The formicary corrosion attacks the copper part of the coil which causes it to leak refrigerant.

High efficiency air conditioning has driven up material cost in recent years because requirements to increase efficiency have made coil sizes increase as well. More material = higher cost. It’s only common sense that by using cheaper materials a manufacturer (all manufacturers) can cut these material costs.

So because aluminum is not effected by formicary corrosion, aluminum is the better coil material? Aluminum is a very reliable material. However, this does not mean an all aluminum coil will not fail ‘at some point’ due to refrigerant leaks.

Remember we’ve been here before with all aluminum coils (30-40 years ago). While the technology now is considerably different and in my opinion much better than before, aluminum coils can fail (spring refrigerant leaks) just as much as a copper tube aluminum fin can. Watch the video embedded above if you think an all aluminum coil can’t leak refrigerant.

I have installed many, many all aluminum coils over the course of my illustrious HVAC career (23 total years as of 2018). It is my opinion that all aluminum coils are a good replacement option in light of the formicary corrosion problem that is well noted and documented by the HVAC industry as a whole.

However, all aluminum coils used as evaporator coils in your AC system are not without their own set of problems or short comings. While all aluminum evaporator coils are currently better than the copper tube and aluminum fin coils they are replacing and quite reliable this doesn’t mean they will not fail at some point. If a salesman is trying to sell you on a shiny all aluminum coil, realize nearly all manufacturers make an all aluminum evaporator coil. This feature is nothing special as of 2018.

Air Conditioning Refrigerant Leaks To Remain A Challenge

Refrigerant leaks have always been a challenge to one degree or another in relation to an AC system. The difficulty now is that your AC system must be refrigerant leak free due to the rise in cost of all refrigerants. The method of recharging systems without leaks being repaired is a method of the past. It is no longer cost effective to do these practices any more.

If you watched the embedded video above demonstrating where this particular all aluminum coil failed, my personal opinion is that this coil most likely failed by some sort of corrosion because the coil sits in condensate waste water from air pulled from the home. It is unlikely this leak was cause by any other means.

Because I install all my own equipment, is the reason I can say such things without a shadow of a doubt. Certainly there could be other reasons not yet known. If anything, this example in the video shows the complexity of this subject.

There is no such thing as an air conditioning system that doesn’t fail, for one reason or another. You will always need a good reliable HVAC repair man. Maybe it’s me?

So what can you do? Build up a service history with me. (CHECK MY SERVICE AREAS HERE) I keep track of things of this nature via your service invoice, if a particular coil is failing often I will attempt resolution by offering other solutions. Some manufactures are better at different things and or different configurations of HVAC equipment. Just realize this isn’t a gimmick as I know that all brands of equipment fail at some point, the idea is to limit or reduce the failures as much as possible.

This is another reason why I sell more than one HVAC brand and these decisions are constantly being evaluated. I don’t just blindly keep replacing the same brand coil over and over again as it is my opinion this would result in insanity. Obviously this is ultimately your decision how to proceed, but I will at least attempt to offer another option that may give a better result due to my own personal experience in equipment choices I have sold in the past to other customers.

Currently my failure rates of all aluminum coils (any brand) that I originally installed is less than 2%. Some AC brands I’ve installed the failure rate on the coils is currently 0% (it’s likely not a brand you know). While all aluminum evaporator coil failures do happen it’s not as often as you may think. Some equipment configurations are more susceptible than others.

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this blog:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 23 years ‘hands on’ experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs. I specialize in Residential HVAC systems.
About Austin Air Companie:
Happy Birthday! Turning 10 years old in 2018. Has it really been this long?

Happy Birthday

Austin Air Companie Celebrates 10 Years

Austin Air Companie

832-475-6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can visit me on my main website at

www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.

 

 

AC Freon Refrigerant Leaks & High Pressure AC Sales

Sunday, March 25th, 2018

The terms Freon and Refrigerant more or less mean the same thing when people use them in a sentence when referring to an air conditioner’s coolant gas. However, Freon and refrigerant terms are very broad based terms that only attempt to suggest what is really meant.

You see the word Freon is actually a trademark owned originally by Dupont Corporation and is now owned by Chemours Company and the refrigerant term is another broad based term that more or less means the same thing.

Repairing R22 Freon Leaks

Come along with me on a AC repair job I did to eliminate R22 Freon Leaks. Watch the video below.

You can subscribe to my You Tube Channel here.

Air Conditioning R22 versus R410a Refrigerant

You may be surprised to know that there are literally dozens of refrigerants all uniquely different depending on the application in which the refrigerant was intended to be used. You can’t put gasoline in a diesel engine and expect it to run, just as much as putting the wrong refrigerant in your central air conditioning unit in your home HVAC system. This will not work well and certainly not for very long.

All refrigerants are solvents to one degree or another and some refrigerants are also fuels and so because of flammability concerns they make poor choices for being used as a refrigerant. Propane and Gasoline are good examples of poor refrigerants because of explosion potential.

As refrigerants pertain to the high temp air conditioning market (residential and commercial structures) there are really only 3 refrigerants that represent reasonable long term choices. A few more refrigerants are being considered for the future as of 2018.

The old refrigerant being phased out is R-22. The new refrigerant is R410a. R410a refrigerant is really not all that new. R410a has been around for over 25 years if you can imagine that.

This R410a refrigerant was made by Honeywell in 1991, but was known as Allied Signal back then. The first R410a AC systems for residential use were installed in 1996. Currently many refrigerant companies make R410a refrigerant under licenses provided by Honeywell.

The change over to this new R410a refrigerant has been slow, mostly because equipment must be replaced to be able to use it and because pressures at which this R410a refrigerant operates at is considerably different than the R-22 refrigerant that the HVAC industry has grown accustomed to.

There also can be complications in some structures which can increase the cost to change over in addition to equipment costs. For the longest term and most efficient use, R410a is ultimately best choice for high temperature air conditioning application as of 2018.

R-22 Freon Cost Expected To Keep Rising

Production of R-22, commonly known and referred to as Freon, as it was heavily marketed by Dupont Corporation under that name, can no longer be produced after December 31, 2019 and the amount that can be produced is extremely limited in relation to the demand of it.

When there is strong demand for something with extremely limited supply, prices go up. Supply versus demand.

While warnings of cost increases related to R22 refrigerant have gone out, many are oblivious to what is happening in the residential HVAC market in terms of cost of repair and options on what the home owner can do to repair their AC systems without spending a fortune on repeated R22 recharges.

You have to fix the refrigerant leaks. If you don’t fix the refrigerant leak(s), the refrigerant will just leak back out. At this point R22 Freon is the worst when it comes to cost, but R410a requires leak repairs as well. The old way of recharging systems every year is hard on the wallet and this will likely only get harder for the foreseeable future.

High Pressure AC Sales Tactics

I touch base a little on this subject in the video embedded above in this blog post, for the simple reason the HVAC system in the video wasn’t that old but due to the R22 Freon problem, the best way forward was to replace the AC system and the home owner agreed even though I also offered to replace only the evaporator coil to fix the refrigerant leaks. These kinds of choices are always yours to make when you use my Katy, Texas AC repair services.

High Pressure AC sales come into play when a company uses the refrigerant leak problem (whatever refrigerant it is) to suggest that the whole HVAC system needs to be replaced. Like the AC and the furnace in the case of the video embedded above.

If the goal of the home owner is to go with the most energy efficient AC system they can buy, then in most cases the furnace would have to be replaced to obtain those high efficiency requirements, I say this so you understand that depending on the choices you make there may not be any other way forward if high efficiency air conditioning is your goal. This in turn raises the cost and if you’re planning to sell the home soon, it’s unlikely you will recoup the added cost of the high efficient HVAC system. Typically high efficiency HVAC systems are best suited to home owners who plan to live in their home for at least 15-20 years or longer. In some cases these high efficient HVAC systems are considered ‘lifetime HVAC systems’.

If the goal of the home owner is just to fix the AC, then depending on how long the home owner plans to own the home and where the problem with the AC system is can give you many more options when you are using a HVAC company (like mine) that is professionally skilled in those kinds of HVAC repairs.

My goal is to fix or repair your AC system and in many instances there is more than one way to accomplish this goal, obviously if one of these choices may waste your money I would think you would want to be informed of that before you select that option. Each choice I offer you is a matter of preference based on how long you plan to own the home among other considerations. If you call me to come to your home to fix your AC problems I will give you options best suited to fix your air conditioning system, given your current situation or comfort goals you are trying to achieve in your home. There is rarely a home comfort solution that fits everyone. It is my opinion that the decision is yours to make once all the facts are laid out to you.

A new HVAC system can break down just as much as an old one can. Regardless of brand. Professional installation of the HVAC equipment is by far the most important part of the decision which is why I personally install all HVAC equipment I sell, this will drastically cut your risk of breakdown more than anything else.

While it’s typically more common for an older system to break down, there are a number of HVAC systems (any brand) I see in the summer that are only a few years old and broken. Over 99% of these are HVAC systems I did not install. My trouble rate on AC equipment I’ve installed is less than 2%. That means less than 2 pieces out of 100 in any one given year. HVAC industry as whole typically accepts 25% failure rate as being ‘normal’. My experience is telling me many people are being duped.

With that said, no matter if you replace one part of your HVAC system or the whole thing, in my climate of Katy, Texas you will always need a good knowledgeable HVAC repair man. Maybe it’s me?

Thank you for visiting with me today. I hope your day is comfortable.

About the author of this blog:

My name is Ray Austin. I am the owner and operator of Austin Air Companie, a Ray Austin HVAC Service Company serving Katy, Texas | Cypress, Texas | Richmond, Texas and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 23 years ‘hands on’ experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of 2018. I hold an AOS degree in HVAC/R Mechanic, EPA universally certified to handle any refrigerant and NATE certified in HVAC installations and repairs. I specialize in Residential HVAC systems.

About Austin Air Companie:

Happy Birthday! Turning 10 years old in 2018. Has it really been this long?

Austin Air Companie

832.475.6895

“Your home comfort from A to Z”

Air Conditioning | Controls | Heating | Zoning

For more information you can always visit me at my main website at:

www.austinairco.com

Better Service. Done Right. On Time. Guaranteed.