In the never ending quest to lower the electric bill and to find new gadgets, technology has moved to something that we don’t really think a lot about - the thermostat (the temperature sensitive switch that turns your HVAC units on and off). And that’s a good thing.  With electricity for your heating/cooling units making up a big chunk of your electric bill in the summer and/or winter, saving a few hundred dollars a year by adjusting the temperature by just a few degrees in your home when you’re away or at night when the temperature changes during the night is, well, saving a few hundred dollars. There are programmable thermostats that allow you to program in up to five settings based on your schedule and the changing temperature over a 24 hour period. And then there are the “smart” thermostats – which even I have to admit are pretty cool. But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Before you can start looking at features vs. cost, you need to know what type of heating/cooling system you have. Types of HVAC: Stages:refers to the number of heating and cooling sources that are included in your system.  For example if your home has baseboard heat, a hot air system and air conditioning, you have 2 heating stages and 1 cooling stage.  If you have auxiliary heat or backup heat, that counts as a second source.  Stages can range from 1 heat, 1 cool up to 4 heats and 3 cools.  The most common way stages are identified on a thermostat is 2H/1C or 2 Heat/1 Cool. Applications:refers to the type of heating/cooling sources in your system.  Thermostats can control different type of applications, so make sure you understand what type you have in your home.  For example, if you have a heat pump system, make sure the thermostat is designed for heat pumps or it will not work properly. Types of Programmable Thermostats: Number of Settings:settings allow you to schedule a distinct temperature for specific times of the day.  To decide which model is best for you, look at your schedule – are you away from home for the same hours Monday through Friday, but home most of the weekend?  Does the temperature in your geography change drastically at night (I know in Texas right now, we can have 95° days, and nights get down into the 70 - 85° range)? 7 Day:  best if your schedule changes on a daily basis. 5 + 2 Day:  good if you have the same schedule Monday through Friday, and the same schedule for both Saturday and Sunday. 5 + 1 + 1:  used if Monday – Friday you keep the same schedule but have different times in the home on Saturday and Sunday. User Interface:refers to the way you interact with the thermostat, or how you program the data into the thermostat and manually change temperature when necessary.  With programmable thermostat, gone are the days when all you had to master was a little lever that moved a red line up or down the temperature scale.Digital with buttons, orTouch Screenare the most common types of thermostat interface.    When you move into the arena of touch screen thermostats, they tend to get more complicated in terms of operations.  You might have to actually read the instructions on this type of thermostat. Features:The list of features is steadily growing in thermostats.  Indoor and outdoor sensors, humidification control and password protection are some of the more popular ones.  They will also add significantly to the price and the difficulty of installation, so make sure they are features that you are actually going to use!  Below are few more of the common features you can have in your system: Selectable Program Periods:allows you to set temperatures for several different times during the day. Indicator Lights:alert you when you need a new filter or the battery is running low. Battery Operation and Backup:great for areas that have frequent power outages because of storms or high winds.  It eliminates the need to reprogram the thermostat after a loss of electricity. Remote Programming and Controls:radio frequency remote controls allow you to change the unit settings from anywhere in the house.  (If you going to have your entire entertainment system on remote so you never have to leave your chair, why not add the AC/heating?) Vacation Mode:Allows you to temporarily set your heating and cooling for maximum energy savings while you’re away on vacation and revert back to normal settings when you return with the push of a button. Voltage:thermostats come in both low voltage and line voltage models.  Low voltage thermostats are mainly used to control single source systems.  Line voltage thermostats are used with mutilple source units and are easier to use on programmable thermostats. Really smart thermostats:the new cool “gadgets” in the market are thermostats like theNest,which can “learn” your habits over a week and create a program that heats and cools your house in the most efficient way.  It will also detect things like ambient light, humidity and motion, as well as detecting when you are not in the home, to fine tune its program. It can also be programmed through your smartphone or a web browser.  Mutlitple Nests can be placed in the home and communicate through Wifi to coordinate schedules for different areas of your house. The Smart Thermostat from Ecobee,Homewerks Radio Wireless Thermostat with Wi-Fi, andHoneywell Prestige 2.0 Comfort Systemare other options for “smart” thermostats. Installation: If you are comfortable with wiring, many programmable thermostats can be installed without professional help.  Remember: Read all instructions and proceed carefully! Programmable thermostats are a low voltage wiring installation and involve anywhere from 2–10 wires, depending on your type of heating and cooling system. However, you should shut down your electricity during any replacement. The previous attachment points will reconnect your new unit. The location of your thermostat can affect its performance and efficiency. Make sure that your thermostat is on an interior wall and away from any heating or cooling sources (vents, windows, bright lamps, skylights, etc.) so the thermostat doesn’t get “fooled” into thinking the programmed temperature has been reached. If the job requires more than just a replacement, call your certified HVAC professional to ensure proper installation, as well as operation of your heating and cooling system. For example, heat pumps may require a special unit to maximize energy savings year-round.  “Smart” thermostats will almost definitely require installation by a professional.  Talk to your retailer or HVAC contractor before selecting the thermostat. Also, if you're replacing a manual thermostat that has a mercury switch, be careful not to break the tube that holds this toxic substance. Contact your local recycling/hazardous materials center, or the manufacturer of your new thermostat, for advice on proper disposal. Are you using a programmable thermostat, or are you still living “old school” with a manual model? ...read more

We will check your air conditioning or heat pump (cooling mode) in the summer to see what is wrong and let you know what is to be repaired or replaced. In the winter we will do the same with the furnace ( electric heater , gas furnace, heat pump (heating mode).  Electric furnaces (mobile homes) sometimes will have an electrical problem. This is due to water from the evaporator coil leaking down on top of electrical parts it can be from a stopped up drain or the evaporator coil is stopped up. To correct this problem the coil  must be cleaned (taken out and chemically cleaned)then put back in with all necessary materials used to bring it back to operating efficency.If the drain line is stopped up just blow it out. ...read more