We at Aardvark A/C & Heating do a lot of weather watching. In the last couple of years, we have seen a trend toward shifting seasons. Our winters are starting late (November/December) and our summers (May through September) are much hotter. The last few summers we have broken records highs in September with stretches of 100 degree weather lasting days, even a week or more.

These weather changes have affected our ability to perform the best maintenance possible at expected maintenance times. In the distant past, by April we are in strong 70-80 degree weather and have had our rainy March. Currently (beginning of April) we are in drought conditions, in desperate need of our rain with lows in the 50s and highs barely in the 70s. This past fall season lasted two to three weeks between the blistering heat of October and the beginning of our AC/DC December (Do you remember our warm days and then those ice storms?).

Given the trends of the past few years, we have delayed our normal maintenance schedule to maximize our ability to give you the best performance tuning possible. While it is impossible with any accuracy to tune an air conditioning system in cold weather (under 75 degrees) or in the rain, we need good warm weather (80+) to get your system really working for a good performance tuning. Because of this, our Comfort Club customer maintenance (contract pre-paid maintenance) will start in May for the summer season and last through October before starting the winter season. Maintenance is pre-scheduled but you are always encouraged (weather permitting) to call in and schedule or reschedule your maintenance to better fit your availability.

Contract maintenance is performed year around, ideally occurring every 6 months. Regular annual maintenance pinpoints problems before they occur. It does not need to be performed before the season start just like your dental cleanings do not need to be timed to occur right before or after Halloween. Maintenance needs to be performed regularly to prevent future problems.

While the financial housing crises is rolling to a stop, we are seeing many signs of recovery – including rising gasoline prices. Oil is back to over $100 a barrel with the last we saw at $115. Gasoline in the Houston area is already at $3.29 making spots with $3.09 gasoline a welcome relief. At the national level, prices are up 50 cents per gallon from a year ago, which translates into an extra $300 in annual gasoline costs if driving 15,000 miles in a vehicle that gets 25 mpg. Many are predicting $4 for a gallon gas this summer as the cost of oil increases. After oil increases, then its gasoline, and finally electricity, plastics, and metal. This is a pattern we are very familiar with.

Being an oil town, this is great for the Houston economy. However, this summer we would like to enjoy our warm weather and job security – not pay all of our hard earned income into our electric bills. Given that more and more of our Texas electricity is produced using natural gas, electric prices will climb. If you haven’t already invested in a high efficiency air conditioning system, now is a great time while the few rebates remaining are still here. Federal rebates have already been cut down from $1,500 to $500.

Currently, Texas rebates (upto $1,075) are still left but going quickly and we have select number of manufacturer rebates still hanging around (up to $800). That is almost $1,500 in very limited time savings. Install today and start saving before those summer bills come in. Take advantage of your upcoming tax rebate with our 6 months no interest, no payment program. Call Aardvark A/C & Heating at 281-955-1163 for more information or schedule a proposal online today.

While spring feels like it is just around the corner; unfortunately, it is not as close as you might think. Remember just a few weeks ago the city was shut down due to back to back ice storms. Storms that had 80 degree weather in between. Currently, with lows in the 40s and highs in the 70s winter is still hanging on for a little while longer.

This spring-like weather is great! Enjoy it! But Aardvark A/C contract maintenance customers please remember, we need a minimum of 75 degree weather for summer performance tuning – preferably in the 80s. On these beautiful spring-like days we can’t keep the air conditioners running and working hard long enough to tune them. Before you know it, its back down to 68-70 in your home and we can’t get your system to turn back on – it’s just too cool.

So open your windows and enjoy the weather. Before your know it Summer and her high electric bills will be here.

Texas is being hit by a strong winter storm with lots of fun freezing weather. Make sure to protect your home and keep these handy simple fixes near by.

Protect:
- Cover all tropical/warm weather plants with a sheet.
- Relocate potted plants to a sheltered area such as a garage.
- Wrap all exposed water and gas pipes.
- Leave faucets dripping during hard freeze warnings to prevent frozen pipes and water supply problems.
- Keep all pets indoors.
- Unplug sensitive electronics not in regular use.
- Keep attached garage doors closed to protect freezing temperatures from affecting indoor water supply pipes.

Simple Fixes:
With extended freezing temperatures, we frequently see gas pressure issues. Extended cold weather of 35 degrees or colder can cause a drop in gas pressure, creating air bubbles in gas supply lines. These pressure changes can effect your gas stove, hot water heater, and furnace. You gas furnace is designed to protect you against gas leaks within your home. Because of this, if your pilot light does ignite within a time limit – your furnace will shut down gas service at the furnace. We call this safety protection lockout. When there is gas pressure irregularities, air bubbles form and collect behind your gas furnace regulator. When the furnace tries to turn on the ignitor wont light because air is not flammable sending the furnace in a false lockout. Resetting the furnace allows it to pass the air bubbles until it finally finds natural gas and ignites. Since this safety device works on a timer, it limits the amount of air bubbles it can pass before locking out again. Your furnace make need to be reset as many as 5 times before it passes all the collected air bubbles.

To reset your modern furnace:
- Set Thermostat to HEAT OFF, Fan OFF
- Wait 10 minutes
- Set Thermostat to HEAT ON, Fan AUTO
Repeat until air bubbles have passed. Typically no more than 5 times.

With continuous freezing weather, we also frequently experience fluctuations with the power grid due to down lines. Small surges that don’t effect the lights can still trip your breaker. You have two breakers, one for the indoor (attic) equipment and one for the outside equipment. Turn both off, then on to ensure proper reset and supply. Frequent tripping of your breaker is an indication of equipment damage. Do not continue resetting breaker. Running damaged equipment can cause more damage.

The cold weather has huddling inside seeking warmth. It also provides the perfect opportunity to spread cold germs and viruses. Currently strep throat, the flu, and a nasty stomach virus are spreading around town – especially within families with daycare or school age children. Protect your family with a whole home air purification system.

We offer many options:
- Contact UV
- Dual UV
- Active Purification

These systems stop germs and viruses in their tracks, whether through catching them as they flow through the air stream or attacking them on countertops, door knobs, and other surfaces. Options starting at $600.

Call Aardvark A/C & Heating for more information at 281-955-1163.

The season of the golden egg of amazingly awesome energy rebates has passed. However, there are some options for those looking to make a last minute upgrade with bonus checks and tax refunds.

Texas Winter Rebates
On December 20th, 2010 Texas brought back the Powerful Smart rebate program with a few changes. Claim up to $1,075 for upgrading your current system with a qualifying energy star product. This mail-in rebate program is great for individuals looking to improve without getting the best of the best with easier entry level qualifications than the Federal Energy Tax Credit Program. This program will last until the money runs out. As of January 18th 8 million dollars was still available for rebates.
For details and rebate forms, go to: http://www.texaspowerfulsmart.org/rebate/faqs.php

Federal Energy Tax Credit Rebates
Due to a last minute legislative vote before Christmas, the 25C tax extension for residential high efficiency property has been extended for one year. This legislation included several significant changes in the 2011 tax credits compared to the 2009-2010 tax credits. The maximum tax credit that can be claimed for 2011 has been reduced from $1500 to $500. In addition, the 2011 tax credits have placed maximum amounts that can be claimed for the various components of the HVAC system, such as a $150 maximum tax credit for a 95% gas furnace and $300 for an air conditioner or heat pump. These component maximum amounts are additive to a $500 maximum lifetime tax credit.

Most of the HVAC qualifying efficiency levels have remained the same. The only exceptions are boilers and oil furnaces, where the qualifying efficiency has been increased from 90 AFUE to 95 AFUE. As with the previous tax credits, we encourage you to consult with a certified tax advisor to ensure they qualify for the tax credit. The new tax credit extension is in effect for all qualifying systems and products installed in the 2011 calendar year. For more information go to: http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?c=tax_credits.tx_index

Ready to upgrade your system and take advantage of these rebates while they last? Call Aardvark A/C & Heating at 281-955-1163 for a no-cost no-obligation appointment with one of our energy advisors.

Every year we work very hard to serve you our customers. Much of our business occurs with an urgent need. We do not allow our employees to take their vacation time through the majority of the year to meet the urgent demands of our customers. The elderly need their heat, the young need their cooling. In Houston, air conditioning and heating is often not a convenience.

In November every year, we scale down our operation to allow these employees their much needed time off. As part of this scale down, our business office will be closed from Monday November 15 through Friday November 19th, 2010. Our Emergency Department will be fully operating and serving established customers at this time and able to meet all repair and replacement emergencies that occur.

If you have an emergency please contact us at 281-955-1163.

The weather has cooled down giving us a blissful break from our hot Houston summers. Though we don’t get snow here in Houston, furnace maintenance is important…

Fall Maintenance Facts
- Your blower is in your furnace and is responsible for getting cold air to each room in the summer.
- An improperly functioning furnace is a carbon monoxide risk.
- Carbon monoxide is the silent killer.
- Failure to tune your furnace can cause it to burn too much gas without giving you the benefit of extra heat.
- Gas costs have been increasing along with gasoline and electricity.
- Your furnace is always important on during the coldest months of December, January, and February.
- Active maintenance to your ENTIRE system (that means furnace too) reduces utility cost and increases system life.

Whether you just want to look it over to make sure its safe or act and perform critical maintenance, we have some savings for you, but only for a limited time. Check your mail box for up to $25 off fall maintenance and schedule today!

Did you know we have an awesome financing program? Often times it helps to float your money a little. Use our no interest program for 3, 6, or 12 months to upgrade your effeciency now and use that upcoming bonus or tax rebate to help pay for it.

Need a longer term solution? Our fixed rate 9.9% program is the choice for you.

Pre-approval is easy and fast with our Wells Fargo secure online application. Apply today at www.aardvarkcares.com/financing

Every once and awhile we have a super secret sale. These are those “Are you crazy?!” sales. Why do we do this? Mainly because its one of those awesome things that everyone should have because its so great. Second because sometimes a crazy sale helps families on tight budgets who can really benefit from these products. These sales do not happen frequently – they are CRAZY big savings.

Do you want in on the action? Join our Secret Saver’s list. Don’t worry about tons of unwanted emails. These only come around 2-4 times a year.