Getting the Most from Your Air Conditioning

Air Conditioner

As the weather heats up outside, your air conditioner will get a real work out keeping your home cool to ensure your family's comfort. As the season approaches, it is important to learn how to save energy by using a programmable thermostat to control the temperature. However, it is also important to make sure you are as comfortable as you desire at the same time. These tips will help you stay comfortable and reduce your energy bills.

Programming the Thermostat

One of the most difficult aspects of a programmable thermostat for your air conditioner is how to set it. Think about the times when you will be home and what the temperature outside will be doing. The first step is to determine the right temperature to meet your needs, which is typically about 78 degrees. Once you have that temperature in mind, use that temperature when you are home and awake. Next, set the hours you are typically sleeping and increase the temperature by a couple of degrees. You won't notice while you sleep, but your cooling bill will! Finally, set the hours when you will be out of the home and set that temperature five to 10 degrees warmer than your desired temperature. Make sure it will return to your desired temperature about half an hour before you return home.

Use Other Appliances

You can save money and keep your home more comfortable by using other appliances in conjunction with your air conditioning unit. For instance, keeping the fan on within your air conditioner, as well as running additional fans in your home, can spread around the cool air and help you stay comfortable without adding on to your energy bills. A dehumidifier to remove moisture from the air can also help make your home comfortable and reduce the strain on your unit as well.

Perform Regular Maintenance

Your air conditioner requires regular maintenance to keep it running at its peak performance. This includes changing your air filter on a regular basis, no less than once every few months. Many manufacturers recommend once a month for filter replacements. It is also important to hire a professional to inspect your unit for any potential problems, including those that aren't yet noticeable to you. If the technician locates any problems, he will be able to fix them before they become a major problem.

Saving energy is an important topic in today's world, but you want to keep your home comfortable in the summer months as well. Installing and properly using a programmable thermostat will ensure your home remains at a suitable temperature without increasing your energy bills. Regular maintenance and the use of other appliances can also work toward these results.

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc

3591 Rocking J Rd

Round Rock, TX 78665

(512) 255-0506

http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com

The History of Air Conditioning

The warmer months are coming, which means it’s time to fire up the air conditioner. Do you know how this amazingly cool device came to be? Read on to discover the history of air conditioning.

Air Conditioning History

The first crude "air conditioners" were employed by the ancient Egyptians. Reeds soaked in trickling water and hung in the window cooled off the room but also made it more humid, which worked in Egypt's arid climate. But going as far back as 1758, Ben Franklin worked with a chemistry professor at Cambridge University to look into evaporation as a means of cooling.

Then, in 1820, British scientist Michael Faraday compressed and liquefied ammonia, allowing the ammonia to evaporate and using it as a chilling agent. And in 1842, a Florida doctor, John Gorrie, made the first ice using compressors for his patients, since he thought humidity caused disease. But Gorrie saw beyond the ice’s initial application -- he wanted to use the technology to cool buildings, especially in Florida's hot weather. He suspended his man-made ice in a basin above a small room. A pipe above the basin, tied into the chimney, forced hot air out and cool air in. Modern refrigeration is based on Gorrie's principles, and he is considered the inventor of air conditioning.

Electromechanical cooling came about by the hand of Willis Carrier of Buffalo, New York, in 1902. His invention moved cold air through coils cooled with cold water. The air came out chilled, which also allowed for controlling humidity. This process is called evaporative cooling.

A few years later, in 1945, Robert Sherman of Lynn, Massachusetts, invented the first portable air conditioner unit for the window. His unit heated and cooled and humidified and dehumidified the air while filtering it. Sherman’s patent was stolen by a large company, and he never was recognized for his invention in his lifetime.

Air Conditioner Comfort

It's important to note that the first air conditioners used toxic and flammable gases, such as ammonia, methyl chloride, or propane, in their application. The nontoxic, nonflammable chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) gas Freon was invented in 1928. The most common refrigerant gas used in the US for home and building comfort cooling was R-22, and R-12 was used in automobile air conditioners. Since these are greenhouse gases that have environmental implications, CFCs like R-22 and R-12 are slowly being phased out in favor of more environmentally friendly refrigerants. The emphasis now is also on improving indoor air quality and removing pollutants and allergens through the filtration air conditioning provides.

Its amazing how far we have come on staying comfortable during the hot summer months. Make sure your air conditioner, no matter how old continues to run at peak performance. Call us for ac repair or service today! 

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc

3591 Rocking J Rd

Round Rock, TX 78665

(512) 255-0506

http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com

Top 4 Refrigerator Brands

Refrigerator Repair

Refrigerators are an important part of the kitchen. They are a modern innovation that makes it possible for people to store food for a longer time and keep it fresh. Because they are an essential part of our daily lives, it is very important to buy just the right one. Here is a comparison of the pros and cons of some of the most popular models.

Samsung

Samung is one of the top rated refrigerator brands. It is constantly rated highly by both consumers and expert reviewers alike. The Samsung RFG 237AA French door refrigerator is just one example of why this brand is so popular. It is very reliable and offers many unique features. Like many other Samsung models, the RFG 237AA is energy star rated. Another example of why Samsung is so highly rated is the Samsung RSG309AARS. This model is a side by side model that has a wide range of state of the art features, including an LCD screen computer that runs a number of apps. The biggest disadvantage with Samsung, is that even though their models are highly rated they often come with a high price tag.

Kennmore

Kennmore is another brand that is consistently rated well by consumers and reviewers. One of their best-selling models is the Elite 4100. It too is a side by side model that features a touch screen that owners can use to view photos, write notes, and control the fridge's temperature. It has a similar price tag as other models like it. Kennmore offers other less pricey models, many of which come in side by side models, as well as French door style fridges. These models do not have as many of the bells and whistles- such as the touch screen- as thier high end models, but are still functional and reliable.

Frigidaire

This another popular, top-rated brand. Many of the models this brand makes are also featured on a number of top ten lists. One of the biggest reasons for the popularity of this brand is that it is generally much more affordable that some of the other highly rated brands. For example, the Frigidaire FPUS2698LF is a top rated side by side model comparable to many other top of the line models, but at about half the price. Unfortunately, one of the disadvantages of this model is that it does not have some of the features of other, similar models, but it still has a state of the art cooling system and plenty of space in both the freezer and refrigerator compartments.

Choosing a reliable model from a reputable brand is an important part of making sure that your will have a refrigerator that will be well worth the hefty investment and will last a long time. It is not the only step. Following the scheduled maintenance in the manual, will insure that your refrigerator investment will last for years to come.

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc
3591 Rocking J Rd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-0506
http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/

Electric or Gas: What is a better stove for you?

Oven Repair

Are you shopping for a new stove this season? The number of choices can be staggering and confusing. However, before you settle on an individual model, you'll want to address the question of whether you want a gas or an electric stove. There are advantages to each type of stove. The kind of stove that's best for you really depends on how you cook, your budget and your home.

Cooking with an electric stove

Choosing an electric stove has some distinct advantages. For one thing, buying an electric stove is virtually always less expensive than buying a gas model. In addition, if your kitchen is not equipped for a gas appliance, you'll save the expense of having a gas line run to accommodate your new stove. Electric stoves also frequently have more options, such as convention ovens and grills. An electric-powered oven is generally considered better for baking, as it cooks with dry heat and offers a more even heat distribution.

An electric stove isn't the right choice for every cook. If you live in an area with frequent power outages, an electric stove will leave you unable to cook while your neighbor with the gas range is cooking by candlelight. What's more: serious chefs complain that an electric stove has a slower response time than a gas stove. However, if the extent of your cooking arsenal is making boxed macaroni and cheese and ramen noodles, this probably isn't an issue.

Cooking with gas

Most professional chefs prefer to cook with a gas stove. Many explain that being able to adjust the flame at will gives them more control over the cooking process. For example, the cooking on a gas stove stops the instant the flame is extinguished. With an electric stove, it takes a while for the burner to cool down. Gas also offers a more even distribution of heat on the stove top.

Since the price of natural gas is lower than the price of electricity, a gas stove is generally less expensive to operate, even though the price of the stove itself is usually more expensive than an electric model. In addition to being more expensive initially, a gas stove brings with it the potential for gas leaks and fires, and the open flames of a gas range can be a hazard in a household with pets and/or small children. Baking is more of a challenge with a gas oven. Since natural gas produces moisture, baking with gas requires using higher temperatures than with an electric oven.

There's no wrong answer when deciding between an electric and a gas stove. The correct answer is choosing the type of stove that best suits your needs and your lifestyle. Regardless of your choice, be sure to read the manual and perform scheduled maintenance to ensure the long life of your stove, and delicious meals for years to come!

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc
3591 Rocking J Rd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-0506
http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/

Laundry Room: Making Laundry Fun

Washer & Dryer Repair

What's your idea of a fun place to do laundry? When you think about it, laundry is something that every household will be doing on a regular basis, for as long as people wear clothes or use linens. Which is pretty much unending -- and so you may as well make laundry enjoyable because it will need to be done anyway.

A nice laundry room set up is going to look different depending on how many are in the household and who is doing the laundry. The amount of room you have available will also be a factor, but even a small closet can be a fun place to do laundry.

That small closet could be painted your favorite wild color and equipped with a stackable washer and dryer. Shelves along the side or a pullout pantry slide can hold supplies on one side and a rollout hanging unit can roll out the other to put clothes on hangars as soon as they come out of the dryer.

A larger room might have a side by side washer and dryer with a counter to fold clothes and a pull-down rack to air dry delicates. It could even be incorporated into a mudroom with a spot to take off dirty boots or cleats and dump the dungarees or sports uniform right there where you'll wash them. The best laundry room is planned for the family using it and the activities they enjoy. What is annoying you about your current laundry set up? That's the thing to think about fixing. For example, are you always losing socks? A bulletin board or short clothesline could display the singletons until their match is found.

For some families, teaching the kids to do their own laundry and making them responsible for it has been the solution to their biggest laundry peeve. Put a low wide shelf in front of a top loading machine so a child can reach the controls. Other families need wheelchair accessibility. This is your place: make it fit your needs and desires, even down to the colors you choose.

The one thing that will guarantee enjoyable laundry duty is this: maintenance. If it ain't working, it ain't fun.

·         Wipe out your washer and dryer regularly. Pay attention to gaskets and seals.

·         Clean out lint traps! Do you know where they are? They can't work if they are clogged up.

·         The dryer has a lint trap you should clean out every time you use it...but it should also be gently scrubbed clean periodically to get rid of softener build up.

·         A common cause of fire is lint in the dryer vent. Make it a regular maintenance item to clean out this hazard.

·         Read the manual! Follow suggested maintenance schedules.

·         When it breaks down (and all appliances will eventually) call a reliable company to repair it.

A clean, well-maintained washer and dryer = clean clothes, strong appliances, and fun laundry for a long, long time.

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc

3591 Rocking J Rd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-0506
http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/

Washing the Dishwasher: A Guide To Cleaner Dishes

Dishwasher Repair

Many families consider a large and powerful dishwasher to be a necessity rather than a luxury. These appliances can take care of an entire dinner party's worth of dishes while you relax with your guests. However, a dishwasher can slowly lose its cleaning power over the years of daily use. This isn't a permanent change, and you can reverse these effects by practicing regular. Include a few simple practices as part of your spring appliance care routine as you check your refrigerator's temperature and clean out the garbage disposal.

Measure The Water's Temperature

While you may be able to wash dishes in lukewarm water if you put a lot of dish soap and elbow grease into the cleaning, hot water is required for effective scouring in the dishwasher. The heat of the water helps dissolve fats and oils. Particles of food also release their hold on the surface when moisture and warmth are combined. Check the heat of the water by setting a cup upright in the center of the top rack and pull it out with an oven mitt in the middle of a cycle. If your kitchen thermometer shows that the temperature is below 120 degrees Fahrenheit, turn up the heat. You may need to turn up your water heater or adjust the temperature dial on the unit. If you can't seem to find the temperature controls on the dishwasher, a professional appliance repair service will locate it and adjust it for you.

Clean The Filter

At the very bottom of the interior lies an important filter. This mesh sheet or cup catches food particles that fall off of the dishes and keeps them from clogging up your drains. Families that are careful to scrap off food and rinse the crumbs before loading it into the dishwasher may be able to go three to four months between cleanings. People who let the appliance do all of the scrubbing should empty the filter at least once a month. When the filter becomes clogged, the dishwasher could flood instead of draining. Keeping the filter clean and clear will protect your kitchen cabinets and floor from water damage.

Eliminate Lingering Odors

While the filter will trap most large food chunks, there are plenty of melted or dissolved residues that can gather in the drain and connecting pipes. Running an empty cycle with vinegar rather than dish soap often eliminates mild build up. If you can't dispel the smell with this simple trick, call a professional rather than trying to pour bleach or other harsh chemicals into the drain opening. These products can damage the pipes. A service technician can open up the drain and clean out debris or slime while checking if the drain is developing a clog further down the pipe.

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc
3591 Rocking J Rd
Round Rock, TX 78665
(512) 255-0506
http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/

Don't Burn Dinner: Five Reasons To Call an Oven Repair Pro

Let's face it: When it comes to oven maintenance, most of us are clueless. Oven repair is an even trickier endeavor. Do you know how to fix your oven yourself if you ever find it on the fritz? Probably not. When was the last time you consulted the owner's manual for your oven? Probably never. Do you even know where you put it?

Regardless of whether you have a gas or electric oven, oven maintenance is not only an issue of ensuring tonight's dinner isn't blackened, but a safety issue, as well. Gas ovens are of particular concern, given the potential of gas leaks going unnoticed. But how do you know when it's time to call an expert to perform an oven repair, or even just a tune-up to make sure you’re getting the most out of your appliance?

1) You're planning a party, and you want the food to be perfect.

Throwing the perfect get-together is hard enough without having to worry about whether your hors d'oeuvres will be burned on the outside but frozen solid in the middle. There are a multitude of reasons why your oven isn't getting hot. Do you know anything about electric heating elements? What about oven igniters? Do you know where the temperature sensor is located? If the answer to all of these questions is a resounding "Huh?", then put your mind at ease and call a professional.

2) There's more going on than meets the eye.

Oven maintenance can be tough to master, and sometimes, your oven troubles may not have anything to do with your actual oven. You may have an underlying wiring problem in your home, which could be the culprit behind why your electric oven is taking an eternity to get hot. Or you may have a gas leak, which can be both dangerous and hard on your gas bill. A quick call to the oven maintenance man could determine the root of your baking woes, as well as helping you avert potential disaster.

3) Your oven is ancient.

If you purchased your oven when Nixon was in office, or if the one that came with your apartment is that mustard-yellow color that was popular at the same time as bell-bottoms, no amount of DIYing it will force your oven to regain its youthful vigor. Age could be at the heart of your oven's erratic temperature swings, causing your attempts to recreate your Nana's brisket recipe to range from inconsistent to flat-out inedible.

4) You need a fix ASAP!

Consider this scenario: You invited your boss to a dinner party at your home tomorrow night, but while reheating leftovers for dinner this evening, you've discovered that your oven is dead. You have no clue where the owner's manual is, and you're not the most savvy person when it comes to home appliance repair. In fact, you're not even sure where your screwdriver is located. Feel the panic rising in your stomach? Panic no more. Call the repairman and have it done quickly, and have it done right. No guesswork or endless Googling involved.

5) You don't trust your DIY abilities.

Hey, it's okay. As much as the Internet would like you to believe that you can fix any appliance in your home yourself, that's not always the case, and it's certainly nothing to be ashamed of. There's a reason oven repair professionals exist, and it's so you can spend your time worrying about important things, like why your refrigerator isn't keeping anything cold.

Campbell Appliance Heating And Air Inc

3591 Rocking J Rd

Round Rock, TX 78665

(512) 255-0506

http://www.ac-repair-round-rock.com/