Austin Air Companie Blog : Archive for the ‘Energy Efficient AC System’ Category

Trane Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas

Sunday, April 23rd, 2023

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

As I often do on this residential air conditioning video blog I like to take real stories that occur naturally in my line of air conditioning service and HVAC repair. I choose to not only write my own AC stories I also choose to tell my HVAC stories with video content. The air conditioning repair video I create has more than one purpose. The main purpose is to show you I am who I say I am, I can do what I say I can do. I am well aware of enthusiasts that are in this for clicks and notoriety. Be very careful exactly who it is you are garnering your information from, your house financial well being is at stake here.

I’ve used the so called professional websites who often times generate a bunch of nonsense that for someone like me ( A Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor TACLB28416E ) all of this is an ever growing challenge to compensate for.

Now that AI is on the scene or even a so called professional text writer has trouble with “context”. Because maybe they are a professional writer or artificial intelligence to mimic one but that doesn’t make them a professional in terms of HVAC equipment and defining what they mean with context. What do I mean by that?

Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor Serving the Katy, Texas area AC repair services TACLB28416E

Most people outside of the HVAC realm typically choose an HVAC system based off  the name of the brand. This story is unique because the name of this brand I am talking about today is a well recognized and often considered a premier air conditioning brand in some cases it is called “the best” depending on who you are listening to.

Often times in this situation customers looking for HVAC solutions do not realize there is much more to this than meets the eye as over the years things have changed in HVAC and more changes are on the way. Let’s only look at the box and the name that is on the side of it. Let’s not choose something based on what it does and how it does it. I realize budget constrains can be an issue for some of you. This is partly why my air conditioning website exists to help you make better choices. Running from one HVAC contractor to another based on some perceived “deal” is often regretted in 3 years or less. I tell it like it is here, I am not out to sell you a gimmick. I have repaired more Trane equipment than I have replaced with new equipment. This particular story I tell in the video just so happens to be a time in which replacing part of the system was the better choice for this customer.

If the name on the air conditioning box is one that we recognize and the perception is it’s a good or better brand everything will work out in the end? So this particular story is to put some doubt in your mind as to how good or how bad just choosing a name brand can be. Keep in mind this story has played out countless times with varying different circumstances not to mention entirely different AC brands and I don’t always get the job because the gimmick of Trane  equipment in general is a very powerful distraction to the bigger picture that is taking shape in the HVAC market as I type this Katy, Texas air conditioning repair video blog post.

The Trane AC repair video embedded below tells various parts of this better than what I can explain via text. But there are a number of things that the video doesn’t cover or just brushes (touches) the surface of. The HVAC system in your home is complicated for a wide variety of reasons. No two homes are exactly alike. No two people are exactly alike. The comfort goals of the home the people in the home and the budget of such. If this air conditioning subject were “easy” this post or the included embedded video would be a fraction of the length they are.

The Trane AC repair video (embedded below) is nearly 30 minutes long. It’s best to watch the whole video with no distractions. The whole purpose of my Katy, Texas air conditioning repair website is to show you I know how to do it. It is to show you I have the experience and know how to fix your HVAC system (regardless of the brand) and put you in a better position than you find yourself in. There are critical changes to HVAC residential market coming in 2025. These changes are only going to make things more complicated than they are now. ( I don’t make training videos. I am here to do the air conditioning work for you, not teach you or someone else to do it.)

I know you’re reading my Katy, Texas air conditioning blog right now for a reason? People don’t come here without reasons? Yeah it’s me Ray Austin telling you this. HVAC is what I do. I know my business and “if” I come to your house I am going to know your business too. Your HVAC equipment will tell me a story and it will become part of my story if you so choose to trust me with your comfort solution. To be clear my definition of a HVAC solution is not a gimmick. My definition of an AC solution is one that fixes the problem you have now without creating new problems. The AC solution isn’t determined by the name on the side of a box 9 times out of 10. It is to put you in the best possible position with what is coming in HVAC and what you have right now. My solution for you will take into consideration how long you plan to keep your current residence and what your goals may be concerning that situation. I can only do this in person. I am not here to play guessing games with your comfort.

A Trane Air Conditioning Repair Video in Katy, Texas. Come along and see why gimmicks and air conditioning don’t go well together.

HVAC is a very competitive market. Various companies will use various tactics to convince you they are better than some other HVAC company doing the same or similar things for your home cooling needs. Often times they use “free” enticements to lure you into their trap. This isn’t to suggest that replacing your entire HVAC isn’t needed. This is typically determined by age. If you’re not paying for this determination, the odds are you’re likely to be duped. In some situations it could be about the condition of the equipment. To an amateur how would you really know?

It’s not uncommon for home owners to pay me to go back to an AC unit that was repaired by another company. Or take over where that company may have left off due to the lack of real AC repair service. This kind of HVAC service isn’t free. Whether you have a manufacturer warranty or not, there is no warranty of any kind on an AC system that was improperly installed. Improperly installed by another HVAC company in most cases means? It means the AC turns on and off but it doesn’t work. What does work mean? Cool. The climate of Katy, Texas is hot, humid and uncomfortable climate without AC. We separate the men from the boys in the HVAC industry every year when the heat switch flips. The hotter it is outside will determine really fast how good or not so good your air conditioner will perform. Your AC doesn’t cool by magic. Your AC doesn’t cool because of the name on the side of the box. Anyone can install a new air conditioner. Making it work right, is where we separate the men from the boys in the Katy, Texas HVAC market.

Just because your AC turns on and off doesn’t mean it’s working. This machine doesn’t work by magic. Often times people try to self diagnose what might be wrong (even if their AC unit has been serviced in a while).

When the heat wave comes the comfort complaints follow to the tune of things like:

“My AC isn’t cooling that good. I think it might need some Freon”.


If it’s really hot outside it may be something like this:

“My AC is running but it’s blowing hot air…. I think it needs some Freon”.

Maybe someone gets a high electric bill and thinks something like this:

“There must be something wrong with my AC, my electric bill is too high… I think it probably needs some Freon.”

Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas.

This sort of thing is common as the day is long. You notice a familiar thing mentioned above? Almost always people like to assume all it needs is some Freon (refrigerant). You might be surprised to know that nearly 90% of all air conditioning problems are electrically related. The video embedded above demonstrates this to a Tee. While Freon (refrigerant) leaks are a common problem, it’s not the only problem.

This is why the freebie call is dangerous. What do I mean by freebie? Context is important here because it tells you specifically what is meant and give you little room to “make something up” in your head. It’s not intended to belittle you… it’s intended for clarity so you understand what is meant by what is said.

Let me explain a freebie call to you: There are big HVAC companies that exist for the sole purpose of getting a salesman in your door. That salesman is paid (not by collecting a service fee) but by putting you into a high pressure sales situation. If it’s hot like 95F or hotter and you’re losing sleep, having to take off from work to wait for them to show up… all for the sake of a “free no obligation” opinion that is going to pay that salesman what is good for him and often times not so good for you. The free no obligation opinion is going to cost you time and probably a lot more than that if they sucker you. If you’re younger time is of little concern, you’re more concerned of the cost of something you likely have little to no experience with and you’re scared is my guess. HVAC equipment replacement is typically a once in 15 year event from a national average standpoint. I know this, you reading this probably do not.

The climate of Katy, Texas is mostly warmer. Furnaces here can last a long time, because HVAC equipment failures is often related to how much you use it. We use air conditioning here much more than we do heating. So this is why air conditioning problems here are often always a concern. You better be hiring AC service people you trust. If a tech is paid on commission, his livelihood is directly tied to what stuff the tech can sell you. Often times it’s things like accessories to your HVAC system that you don’t really need. Many of those accessories will require maintenance on a regular basis, if that maintenance isn’t performed the accessory won’t continue to work and as such the money you spent on it is wasted in as little as 1 year.

HVAC problems happen when they are least expected to happen. So these HVAC companies offering the “free no obligation” opinion is primarily there to sell you. This job that I show in the Trane AC repair video above doesn’t touch on the whole story because it’s difficult to put some of this stuff into a video. Plus I don’t want to negate the value of the text part of this air conditioning repair story to tell you other things and explain things the embedded Trane AC repair video above doesn’t delve into. Statistics tell me that I lose a good chunk of viewers after about 3-4 minutes. So if I make a nearly 30 minute video to explain a complex subject like HVAC most are scurrying to the next opinion. (Make sure you don’t fall into this statistic, it may cost you in ways you may live to regret.)

Humans want a silver bullet (fancy way of saying gimmick for little to no money) solution to their HVAC system problems. How is it that you think the big HVAC companies got big by offering “free no obligation” opinions? They make it sound really good getting you to call them – it’s a ploy that made them big for obvious reasons. They’ll even provide financing and possibly offer no payments and no interest for a full year? They’ll pay your interest the first year too? Folks, this is a gimmick. The price you pay the interest is paid in advance. You think a big HVAC company got big because they’re paying interest payments to the bank? Like I said people want to believe on perception rather than reality.

There might be a few of you who stumble across my ac repair blog post and come to the infamous conclusion that this post is a sham, scam or whatever because I actually replace the Trane AC in the video embedded above rather than really repair it in the sense that I replace the compressor rather than the whole AC condenser. The context I provide here is lost based on what people “think” should be done versus what is in their best interest.

It costs more money to replace the condenser than replacing the compressor? The price of everything is up since 2020. The cost of refrigerant is up over 400% since that time. Things are changing in HVAC in 2025, but 2025 is not here yet. The video touches on the “why” I replaced the condenser as opposed to just replacing the compressor. But you have to pay attention very closely… listen.

So what did I leave out of the Trane Air Conditioning Repair Katy Texas video?

I was actually the second HVAC company called to this house. I was referred to this home owner by a family member that resides in a different house. The first HVAC company was telling this home owner that the HVAC capacity was too small for this house. This is typically code for “Rip it all out and replace everything”. For an HVAC system that is not even 10 years old? I don’t know for sure but this was probably a “we’ll send you a free technician for no obligation” type HVAC company. I can only guess here I don’t know for sure.

If something else happens for this customer I’ll up date it in a coming video. If I fixed it once, I can fix it again. It will break again at some point in the future.

You may be thinking this from the video: If R410a refrigerant is being banned why would you recommend replacing a not so old condenser for a new R410a refrigerant condenser? R410a is going to be banned. How does this help this home owner?

Replacing a compressor in old unit is only going to give the home owner a 1 year warranty on the new compressor. If the condenser springs a Freon leak there’s no warranty on that. The fan motor fails, no warranty on that, starting components? Nope. This home owner recently purchased this home, they aren’t going anywhere. Longer term solution helps this home owner escape for a longer period as to what is coming in HVAC in 2025. Statistics. Remember I’ve been doing HVAC for nearly 30 years.

The R410a refrigerant ban is going to effect new equipment first. No new R410a equipment after December 31, 2024. The refrigerant itself will still be available but at higher cost. We currently do not know what the new refrigerants will cost. (R32 & R454b will be the new refrigerants in USA). Refrigerant leaks will have to be repaired regardless of the refrigerant. Either that or your wallet is drained every time your AC stops producing the cool.

Most USA HVAC manufacturers are choosing R454b. This will likely cost more, not less because part of it is a patented chemical and it is harder to produce. I cover this new R410a refrigerant ban situation and more in a 5 part You Tube series that I’ve coined as “Freon Wars” (refrigerant wars). This is currently a 2.5 hour video journey. It leaves nothing out. Nothing is uncovered. You will never be able to say Ray Austin didn’t inform you / warn you. NEVER. Click here.

R22 Freon (the old refrigerant) was banned too, but I can still buy it for repairs. It’s so expensive now that it’s often better to replace the equipment rather than pay for a refrigerant that is extremely expensive. There are knock offs that work like R22 Freon? Yes, but not as efficient. So your expensive light bill? Remember I have nearly 30 years in HVAC in 2023.

There isn’t any situation that I can’t defend my stance against (my opinion). I am a HVAC mechanic at the end of the day –spend some time on my website you’ll see I work on all brands. The common thing the brands all have is that they all break. It’s not my job to soothe your feelings with gimmicks. I tell you like it is for the simple reason I think you’re old enough to handle it.

There are ways to cut costs… these aren’t gimmicks though. You can’t rob Peter to pay Paul… you know like the “well give you a free opinion with no obligation” designed to get a high pressure sales person in your door.

You might be surprised how often it is that I am called 2nd, 3rd, sometimes 4th or 5th. Because all these other companies essentially do the same thing. They hire a bunch of techs / salesmen pay them on commission and if those techs don’t sell they don’t make any money. These HVAC companies want sales people. They don’t want repair people. It’s only getting worse due to what is about to happen… very soon there will be a “last call” for R410a equipment. The government isn’t going to allow dry shipped condensers like what occurred with R22 Freon equipment.

Big HVAC companies have to do this sales charade otherwise their so called techs would ride the clock. Can you imagine how fast a big HVAC company would go out of business if the techs they employed were paid an hourly wage with no reward for selling something? Who wouldn’t take the easy way out and just ride the clock? HVAC is big business and it’s about to get bigger. 2025. Tick Tock.

I can’t force you to think logically. I know these big HVAC company tricks because I was once a tech that was paid on commission. Big secret… now I work for you. It’s not free. My opinion is worth something. It’s not up for debate… I know you can handle it, you’re old enough to own a home you’re old enough for the truth.

The bigger point in all of this is: picking air conditioning based on a name that is only perceived as better? Is not truly better. It’s a myth. If the Trane AC repair video embedded above proves anything it should at least prove that in 4k butter your eyeball’s video content. I made this video to dispel the myth, it’s up to you to believe it.

Did I somehow miss something or said something that is not clear to you? Or do you have an air conditioning question or comment? That is what my you tube channel is for. Post your comment or question in the video comments section of the video you watched. Please act your age, profanity will not be tolerated on my you tube channel. I run a family HVAC business here, I service more than 1 generation of families in the Katy, Texas area. If you’ve had a lot of trouble with HVAC at your house I get it that you’re probably not too happy about it, but losing your “cool” isn’t going to help either.

A spin on what a big company often says on TV:

My mother said that if anything is worth being done it’s worth being done right. She also said that too many cooks in the kitchen will spoil the broth. Under those same guidelines imagine how many air conditioning problems might develop with your AC by having too many techs fumble with it.  

There is only 1 Ray Austin, Air Conditioning repairs Katy, Texas

Maybe you’re unaware? There is only one Ray Austin. There’s two sides to every coin, unless you’re a magician.

Thank you for visiting me today. 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 to my you tube channel and you will be notified when your neighbors ac problem becomes my air conditioning trouble 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.

The home of “better” Air Conditioning Service. Welcome, Home.

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.

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.

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.

Air Conditioning & Heating Repair 2022 | HVAC Equipment Selection

Tuesday, March 22nd, 2022

Before I get started with this subject realize that HVAC subjects of this nature are geared toward the climate I live in. I am a small HVAC service and repair company serving the Katy, Texas area and some surrounding areas.

I often choose these kinds of subjects based upon what I am currently witnessing in home AC repair solutions and those who may call some other company and are often times told they need to replace their whole HVAC system (heating and cooling) as opposed to just repairing it.

There are many reasons why it may make sense to replace your entire HVAC system just as much as it might be more beneficial to merely repair it. The reasons for doing it one way (repair system versus replace) may make more sense simply due to what is happening in the current HVAC market regarding new efficiency regulations that are about to take shape. However, in some situations it may not be worth repairing your system. I can only offer you ways forward from looking at your system in person. Much of this is a judgment call based on 28 years of doing HVAC for a living.

In this embedded video below I show several jobs I’ve performed over the past year or so. I also touch base on some other important info such as Freon Leak Sealers as well as gimmick providers that like to advertise on TV. You have to pay attention to get it.

DOE Energy Efficiency Requirements

 

DOE is an acronym for Department of Energy. Over the course of the past couple of decades changes have been made to require manufacturers to hit various efficiency thresholds. These requirements are getting ready to change again, the time in which they will is not just yet. They are coming. The picture currently isn’t quite clear. I expect this new equipment to start showing up later this year or early next year in my market. (Other markets may experience this sooner than mine, notably the California market.)

So if you replace a HVAC system now (this year 2022 in Texas) you will get the old efficiency requirement. R410a, the refrigerant used in all new AC & heat pump systems currently (2022) is in the midst of a phase out that is coming in California in 2023 and else where shortly thereafter (2024-2025).

New DOE efficiency requirement changes are due around the same time frame. The new refrigerant replacing R410a and the equipment supporting it are not yet available. It is expected to start showing up in my market (Katy, Texas area) sometime later this year and or early next year. There will likely be complications to these changes.

My opinion is that this probably won’t pay you to be an “early adopter” of the new technology that is due with in the next 2-3 years. (Early 2022 when this blog post was created.)

Eventually you won’t have a choice, or the choices you do have will have certain risks attached to them as in the cost of the refrigerant that is used to operate the AC system or Heat pump.

 

The Implementation of SEER2 for AC Efficiency

 

Currently Manufacturers use SEER. Which is an acronym of seasonal energy efficiency ratio. It is a ratio of efficiency that give you a round about way of knowing given certain climate conditions how much that selection of equipment will cost you to operate it. The higher the number the more efficient or “cheaper” it is to operate it by running it. The more you run it, the more you will save because it’s efficient.

This is similar to mpg in a car. If a car gets 30 miles to every gallon of gas, it is more efficient than a car that only gets 10 miles to every gallon of gas. The difference in a car that doesn’t make sense when applied to HVAC is that the car that gets only 10 miles the gallon is that it has higher performance, than that of a car that gets 30 miles to the gallon.

SEER2 is a new equation that does away with the old SEER equation. Because of this change, it is estimated by one equipment manufacturer that upwards of 70% of the equipment they make now (2022) will not meet the new SEER2 requirements. The benefit is that the Equipment made using the new SEER2 equation will be more efficient than the older SEER equation that it is replacing.

So for someone looking for a completely new HVAC system, now (2022) is not the best time to do so. If your HVAC system is older like 20 years or more this is going to bring you to a complex decision. If you live in or close by the Katy, Texas area I have helped hundreds and hundreds of your neighbors over the course of the last 14 years since I started my HVAC company in the latter part of 2008. There is a cost to come out, but that initial cost can be credited to any work you want me to do for you. You can call me at 832-475-6895.

 

The reason why older systems bring a harder decision that that a good number of them use R22 Freon. Usually these AC systems are leaking refrigerant, the only real way forward for most of these kinds of AC systems will most likely be replacement. Your choices will be few right now. If you can repair it, that repair will be costly and then you still have an old system that may not last. This comment is mostly to do with a hot climate in which I serve. If you lived in a more mild climate, I might have a different opinion. Just so you understand the context for what I am talking about.

In Katy, Texas we use our AC’s for upwards of 9 to 10 months of the year most years. That’s a lot of wear and tear. So you the reader understand why climate concerns play and important role as to the information you use to make a decision.

 

Freon Refrigerant Leaks, Home Ownership & HVAC

 

I recently visited a home in which the Evaporator coil was leaking Freon. R410a to be exact, but people still refer to this refrigerant as Freon.

The system in question was roughly 8 years old. The home owner had gotten a quote from another company and that company was pressuring him to replace everything. New furnace, new E-coil and new AC condenser. While it’s always an option to replace everything to fix a problem with your existing system, the more you replace the more it costs. If what you are replacing it with will be obsolete in a short amount of time, that’s not a *real* solution in my book. Certainly in some cases if your current system is older then a completely new HVAC system may be what you need.

I was at another home recently on an AC system that I personally replaced about 8 years ago. Different brand than the customer that I mentioned prior. Ironically the same failure. This is partly another reason I bring up this point is that brands don’t matter as much as you think they do. (Some people already realize this game for what it is, if you don’t yet — you will by the time you reach my age.)  I am considered a straight shooter, tell it like it is kind of guy.

If you’re looking to higher efficiency, saving money on running your AC you have to go to a more major brand of HVAC. Generic brands, often called the value brands only make entry level efficient systems. Which essentially means the lowest efficiency they can make allowable by law. (DOE & EPA more or less determine what HVAC manufacturers can and can’t do.)

So that previous customer of mine has an older furnace. Because 8 years ago we didn’t replace that furnace. But upon inspecting it, still operational at this point and no real reason to replace it now as the DOE changes coming up it is better to wait. Our heating season in Katy, Texas is very short. So gas furnaces here get more of a work out in AC mode than they do in heating mode.

 

Different Climates, Different Concerns (location)

 

If you found this blog and live in a different climate, your concerns will likely be very different than the concerns in my climate in Katy, Texas. Comfort means different things to different people, no two of us are exactly alike. The other point in this part of the blog post about home ownership is how long do you plan to live in the home? If that estimation is short, any efficiency improvements may not fully pay for themselves.

The higher efficient systems cost more. Typically the difference in cost from a regular AC will be made up in a short amount of time. But the full cost of the improvement is likely to be in the 12 to 15 year range. Having a more efficient system will probably help you sell the house, but in current real estate markets homes are snapped up regardless because of scarcity, not what kind of HVAC system the house has.

If you need a new AC system anyway and you don’t plan to move or sell your home a choice to boost efficiency can recoup the difference from the run of the mill replacement AC to the more efficient AC. Air conditioners have come a long way. If the difference from one option is a few thousand dollars, that difference can be recouped rather quickly via the reduction of up to 50% in your electric usage. Then in only a few short years, you got the better AC system for essentially the cost of the entry level AC. (Note: not all AC’s can make this leap, this isn’t a gimmick.)

I’ve been repairing and fixing air conditioners longer than some of you have been alive. Like cool stories with good endings? Here’s some more for ya… I know the internet is a tricky place. Anyone can say anything. I’m not just anyone. I am Ray Austin. 😉


About the author of this air conditioning blog post:

My name is Ray Austin. Thank you for visiting with me today. I write all my own blogs, tell all my own stories in terms of various HVAC repairs made for others. Over the past few years the challenges have been extraordinary, from getting parts to finding equipment. I come well versed in these things even in these extraordinary times we find ourselves in.

Due to the nature of these pending efficiency standard changes the brand name won’t make any real difference. Once refrigerant changes / efficiency standards are changed the HVAC market will head that way. Certain HVAC equipment will become obsolete more or less over night. That situation will only effect you if & when your HVAC system breaks. This could be as short as a few short years for Katy, Texas area.

Regardless of HVAC brand, they all break. Look who you’re talking to? While there may be some opinions that the R410a refrigerant phase out will look something like R22 Freon phase out, I remain skeptical primarily because it is much harder to produce R410a AND Europe is mostly using R32 right now. (There is little reason to keep producing it.)

 

If your HVAC system can be repaired now, you may skip the costly replacement that may be short lived. The climate of Katy, Texas forces you to make a decision. Going without AC in this market? In my opinion that is not an option.

You will always need a good HVAC contractor in the Katy, Texas area. Ray Austin is a 28 year veteran of the HVAC business. I have 14 years of experience running and operating my own HVAC company. I have an AOS degree in HVAC, Universally certified in handling any refrigerant, Texas HVAC licensed TACLB28416E and insured.

Got an AC problem at your home in or near Katy Texas? Call Ray at 832-475-6895

Avoid the salesman mantra, call an HVAC contractor – call Ray Today!

High Electric Bills In Katy Texas

Monday, August 24th, 2020

This time of the year for the Katy, Texas area it is not uncommon for electric bills to start inducing a bit of shock and awe into people. This blog post is for the Katy, Texas area primarily because we run and depend on our AC systems upwards of 10 months of the year most years. If you keep your dial set at 75F degrees that is around 2300 hours. That’s alot of run time. If you like it cooler than 75F in your home, your AC system is running much more than normal. If the AC operational cost is 65% of your homes utility cost and you are running the AC really hard? Well there’s good reason why your electric bills are high, but sometimes this is more complicated than you think.

UPDATE: June 10, 2021. New embedded video below updating my own personal experience & better describing what this new air conditioning technology is, how it works and why you’ll likely want one.

Complications of high light bills is that no two people pay the same electric rate any more. So part of your problem *may be* that you are paying a higher rate than you should. But fear not… I break this down like no one. Because I made some upgrades at my own home in late 2019. I saved some old light bills to show you comparisons of how my old 14 SEER single speed AC performed versus the new 18 SEER Inverter AC.

To find out if this new technology may be right for you? You must schedule an in house visit. There is a cost for this service. It is to determine if this is right for you or not. This can only be done in person & you must be the owner of the home in question. This is not for renters.  To get on my schedule call Ray Austin at 832-475-6895.

Whoa, Inverter AC? What’s that? It’s a recent new comer to this market. As with everything especially Air Conditioners there are pros and cons to this. However, I think the pros outweigh the cons and because this new machine has the ability to cut your light bill in half. That alone makes it worth the risk. (It pays for itself.)  Is it for everyone? Probably not. If you like it cool with less humidity in your home there isn’t anything that I know of that can beat it. Obviously the more AC systems you have at your home, the more it will cost. It involves equipment replacement to various degrees. But it is a smarter overall solution as there are no proprietary controls to worry about as well as a few other perks.

Even if your AC is less than 10 years old, this *might* still cut your electric bill in half. It’s not just a run of the mill new air conditioner. It’s an air conditioner that ramps up and down depending on the heat load on the home. Your current AC is probably either on or off. This air conditioner has many different speeds. This is how it saves you money off your electric bill. Then all you have to do is find a good electric rate and you’re set.

How much could you save every month? If your AC is really old like 15 years or more… you’ll wonder why you didn’t look into this sooner.

Air Conditioning Contractor Cuts His Electric Bill In Half With New Inverter Air Conditioner

Here’s some proof to back up what I am saying.  The reason I am comparing to 2018 is that I paid a higher rate in 2019, I am trying to be as fair as possible here. This isn’t a gimmick. (nor is it solar panels, the biggest caveat with solar is no room to put them + higher up front cost). These bills are for my home in Katy, Texas a single story home 1910 square foot, with 1 HVAC system configured as 4 Ton Inverter AC system. (over 50 speeds the compressor runs in.)

 

AC efficiency comparison

May 2020: The savings are ramping up!

High electric bills comparison

June 2020: The savings holding steady at 50% reduction. It’s been HOT!

June 2020 Electric bill comparison

July 2020: Man you thought it was hot in June? Really hot this month, the savings take a turn higher! Wow! Over $100 in savings, that’s awesome!

July 2020 Electric Bill Savings Ramp up

Comfort means different things to different people. Some will disregard what it costs to operate the machine, they are more worried about the upfront cost not realizing that buying a better machine will eventually pay for itself via a reduction in the cost to run it. Obviously if you don’t run the machine you have now because you like it hot in your home, then the machine you have now is good for you.

If you like it cool like 75F or lower, this new machine may be the one you’ve been looking for. Thank you for visiting with me today! 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 and some surrounding areas. I am a Texas Licensed HVAC Contractor with 26 years experience in Air Conditioning and Heating Systems as of August 2020. 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 Rental Real Estate business. I know real estate! It’s unlikely to find another company truly like me. When I say ‘Service’: I actually mean it.

Austin Air Companie

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