This past year the Texas State Legislature has been busy. Licensing here in Texas has always been at the contractor level, which means that the state requires business owner to display a minimal level of industry knowledge and awareness of ethical business operation within the context of local law. What that means to you is that the state does not regulate the risk level or technical knowledge of the people hired to perform air conditioning work in your home.

Risk level too? Yes, it has always been to the employers discretion to decide to require background and drug tests for their employees. It is also to their discretion whether to hire individuals who have criminal histories.

But change has come. A few years ago Texas legislators increased the liability carried by a company that employs individuals with certain violent criminal histories and/or a record of felonies. Thanks to consistent lobbying from great contractors like Aardvark A/C and ACCA, the legislature agreed with us that the past bill needed teeth. We still need technician licensing but we now have technician registration!

What does that mean for me? Well with registration, the state is adding teeth to the criminal history requirement. They will require each technician to be known and will run background checks on these individuals in order to prevent potentially dangerous individuals from entering your home. Previously the state allowed the contractor to not perform criminal background checks and instead absorb the liability associated with employing invididuals with unsafe criminal histories. We welcome this increased regulation as we have always been a strong supporter of technician background checks, drug testing, and technical requirements.

Visions of hot chocolate and slippers are starting to appear in my mind as we experience an early shift toward winter. For the last week or so we have been enjoying chilly 60 degree mornings reminding us that winter is not far. This is something we at Aardvark A/C & Heating have been preparing for since July. With fall training complete, we are all ready full swing into fall preventative maintenance. Many of you might have just realize that maintenance season has begun because you recently received an Entex offer for $15 off your fall preventative maintenance. As you plan your preventative maintenance remember the following:

- You have THREE option when planning your maintenance: Inspect, Tune, or Relax with a Comprehensive Maintenance Contract.

1. Inspections assess your system and discover future issues. This does not include maintenance, performance adjustment, tuning, or lubrication. Further action is required to prevent future avoidable repairs. A comprehensive saftey and operation inspection will not lower energy costs, extend system life, or reduce break downs.

2. A Clean, Check, and Tune (CCT) includes a comprehensive safety and operational inspection AND tuning, performance adjustment, lubrication, adjustment, and commonly needed cleaning. This will lower energy costs, extend system life, and reduce break downs. Further action is still required to resolve problem issues identified and prevent resulting future repairs. This is the active maintenace Entex recommends and rewards with their $15 off coupon. Our CCT program meets Entex’s requirements for furnace maintenance.

Have you ever wondered how the companies on the Entex insert got there? Well each year we complete Entex conducted training to show that we understand their requirements. Upon completition we are invited to participate in their program. All invited participants are listed on their promotional inserts. The program require certain levels of cleaning, tuning, and adjustment to be done for every participating customer. This is why inspections do not qualify for the $15 discount.

3. The easiest way to complete your fall (and spring) maintenance is to sit back and relax with our Comfort Club preventative maintenance program. Comfort Club Members receive two comprehensive preventative maintenance appointments a year which include all cleaning, performance tuning, adjusting, and lubrication your system needs at one flat rate all inclusive price.

Now that you are ready to make the best decision for your home and family, Schedule Now before it gets too cold.

Sorry for not posting more. Its been kinda crazy as power has been restored in Houston. Our hearts go out to those still without power.

With most of Houston now up and rebuilding, we have been busy working hard to make sure everyone has air conditioning (and heating too!). We have had many people who have been wonderful and flexible in their scheduling as we have worked to get everyone up and running. Thank you so much for your flexibility!

Here is the update:
- We are up and servicing our full service area
- We are running emergency service

Like much of you we did receive Hurricane related damage. The fallen trees have been cut up, insurance claims submited, and debris still waiting for pick up. Ahh the life post-Ike. Overall we feel blessed as we, unlike others, were not totally devestated. In an effort to support Texas helping Texans we are extending our earlier offer….

In an effort to help those devestated by Hurricane Ike, we are offering $10 off all preventative heater maintenace now through December 31, 2008, with a printed receipt of your 2008 donation to the Red Cross. Donate today to support the Houston Red Cross in their Hurricane Ike relief efforts.

Many think of the personal effect of Hurricanes, but I would also like to point out that many business are hurt too. When business hurt so do their employees. We have many good friends in the Galveston to Clear Lake Area that operate local air conditioning and heating businesses. They were hit hard, many left without offices, trucks, or simple things like phones. These good people often support 10 or more employees. Employees who cannot just go back to work, who are struggling to keep food on the table, and pay the bills as their employers try to rebuild.

As members of the Air Conditioning Contractors of America (ACCA) on the national, state, and local levels, we are doing what we can to help our friends and their employees. As an organization the ACCA is actively and directly helping not only contractors but their employees directly. To help ACCA and their efforts, go to their website for more information on how to help. All donations go directly to employees and contractors. 0% of your donation goes to administrative costs.

Much of the Cy Fair area has received electricity. There are still large areas without where many trees are present. Jones between FM 1960 and Highway 290 has power, as does much of 290 between West Road and Spring Cypress.

The following stores are known to be operating with refridgerated goods:
Kroger @ West/Jones
Kroger @ Cypress North Houston
Kroger @ Louetta/Grant
Kroger @ Spring Cypress
Kroger @ Eldridge/W Little York
Kroger @ Cypresswood
All Cy Fair Area Kroger stores not listed are running on generator power and are open.

HEB @ Louetta
HEB @ Barker Cypress
All Cy Fair Area HEB stores are open.

With most of the road ways regaining power, we are seeing in ability to get gasoline and a reduction in lines. The grocery store gas stations are regularly stocked and well regulated (No cutters or sneaky behavior). Emergency response personal, doctors, and other essential people have their own pump at most Kroger stores.

Many businesses, such as resturants, who have power are up and running. Primarily along Hwy 6/FM 1960 and Hwy 290 corridors. The nearest pod station is at Hwy 249 and 2920 in Tomball. The curfew is expected to end on Monday.

Thanks to Hurricane Ike we had three offices hit by water damage. In the process this is what I learned…

- Check roof for leaks (especially if you have known roof damage like the tree that hit us).
- Check for water that blows in under windows and doors
- Walk along the perimeter walls to test for wet carpet (easiest done barefoot if no debris).

If any water is found inside, pull up carpet edge to check pad for water. Lift pad to see if cement or subfloor is wet or darker. Pull up base boards to check if water wicked up into sheetrock or floated under walls into other rooms.

Insurance will often reimburse you for the time and effort you put into doing the clean up yourself. Keep a record of what you did, how many people worked on it and how long you worked on it.

Keeping lungs clear.
Make sure to rip up all damages carpet and sheetrock immeadiately to prevent organic growth. Insurance will reimburse you just make sure to take lots of pictures beforehand.

Tips to reduce respitory irritation:
- Remove ALL wet items. Do not dry and reuse.
- Use a face mask when ripping up all damaged property.
- Make sure individuals with known respitory issues are relocated while demolition is occuring.
- Wait 1-2 hours before allowing those individals to return so that dust and particles have time to settle.
- Leave doors and windows open to expediate the drying process.
- If you have power, turn your fan on to circulate (Fan ON, AC OFF). Leaving your AC on will pull extra humidity out of the home (AC ON).

Remember to stay safe in rebuilding after a water event as even simple events such as walking on your home’s wet carpet can release potentially harmful particles into the air. Concerned about you home’s indoor air quality? Call a specialist today: 281-955-1163

Hurricane Ike not only took away our electricity, it also created horrible harmful electric spikes and surges….. and still is as they work to restore power to the greater Houston area. These can cause you additional inconvienance as you are once again without air conditioning and/or heating.

Things you can do to protect you home:

If your power is currently off:
- Keep you power turned off at the breaker box to prevent fires and start up surges. Sometimes when power is restored small electrical fires start.

If your power is on:
- Make sure that your electronics are plugged into surge protection.
- Make sure your entire air conditioning system is covered by a Surge Safe System.
- Make sure computers are on battery back up to prevent sudden restarting and damage.

If you have a Surge Safe system make sure to check for surge related damage. It may have protected your air conditioning system at its own risk. Call us at 281-955-1163 for information of how to determine if the system is currently damaged leaving you at risk.

It is days like today that I am proud to be an Aardvark.
Okay, I am always proud to be an Aardvark, but today even more so.

I am happy to announce that we are up and running. We even have a back up generator thanks to a kind neighbor. Many of us were hit hard, with some living in the mandatory evacuation zone. Regardless we sent out the call for volunteers (We would not make anyone come to work under these situations). Many responded and we have assembled a skelaton crew to get those in the Cy-Fair ISD area up and running.

Being that we are in post-Ike status and still rebuilding there are a few changes to our normal service:
- We are only servicing non-working homes, in order to get the emergencies taken care of first.
- We are only serving the Cy-Fair ISD area because its close and we are experiencing gasoline shortages and long lines in our area.
- We are not offering 24 hour care as we work within the Harris County Curfew and the needs of our emoplees to be with their families and take care of their own homes.

We expect to be operating like normal by Monday September 22nd as most of Houston should have power and the roads are clearer.

Despite our wishes Hurricane Ike came and is now gone leaving much of Houston without electricity.

If you don’t have power: Good news, the new projected times are that 75% of Houston will have power by Tuesday Sept 23rd. Much better than the 3-4 week wait predicted earlier.

If you have power but no A/C or Heat: Good news, Aardvark A/C & Heating is open serving only the Cy Fair ISD area. For service call 281-955-1163

Cy Fair ISD is starting school on Monday Sept 22nd.

Thankfully no one we know has been hurt, though a few are still unaccounted for. There has been much damage to homes and offices.

Looking for family or friends?:
National Emergency Family Registry and Locator System
Red Cross Safe and Well List
Next of Kin National Registry

I will continue to update as I receive more information. If you have questions about subdivisions, electric, or damage in the cy fair area - email me at helpline@aardvarkcares.com or leave a comment. We see a lot as we travel around.

Stay safe!
Denae

With the hurricanes bringing more hot humid weather, I am excited about our upcoming heater season. After a long hot Houston summer I can’t wait for cool air and a toasty mug of hot chocolate. I know that its hard to think winter is close by with 94 degree weather about. However, over night it always seems to sneak up on us. The good people at TDLR (Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation) are aware how close winter is and have released the following Homeowner Bulletin….

Autumn Is The Season To Service The Furnace - Consumers are Reminded to Use Only Licensed Contractors for Furnace Service

AUSTIN - Now that the cooler temperatures of autumn have finally arrived in Texas and the blue northers of winter are looming just around the corner, many people will be looking ahead and calling a contractor to service their furnace to make sure it is operating properly.

The Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) would like to remind consumers that they should hire only a licensed air conditioning and heating contractor to work on their systems. Only licensed contractors are properly trained and have demonstrated that they have the skills and experience to service heating and air conditioning equipment. Licensed contractors also are required to carry insurance.

“If you hire an unlicensed individual to service your heating or air conditioning unit you risk more than just poor performance from that unit,” said William Kuntz, TDLR’s executive director. “Improperly serviced or poorly wired equipment can be dangerous, causing fires or emitting hazardous levels of carbon monoxide.”

Consumers also run a financial risk if they hire unlicensed, unqualified individuals. People who perform the work of a contractor but don’t have a contractor’s license rarely have insurance to cover the cost of the repairs should their work prove to be deficient. They also may not be willing to return to fix problems that their unlicensed workmanship has caused.

“This is a consumer safety issue,” Kuntz said. “To earn a state license, a contractor has demonstrated that he or she is experienced and has passed a state-administered test of their knowledge. Are you willing to risk your home and the health of your family to someone who is unwilling or unable to prove that they know what they are doing?”

TDLR offers these tips to help identify licensed contractors.

-State-issued license numbers, which begin with TACL, must be on all print advertisements, company vehicles, business cards, work proposals, and invoices. If no license number is evident, the contractor is most likely not licensed to work in the state.
Consumers also can check the status of a license at the TDLR website (www.license.state.tx.us) or through TDLR’s customer service lines at 1-800-803-9202 or 1-512-436-6599.
-Consumers also can research a licensed contractor’s enforcement history complaint history on the TDLR website or by calling customer service.
-Consumers who are unhappy with the quality of the work performed or who believe a contractor is not licensed may report complaints against contractors on TDLR’s website or by calling TDLR’s enforcement division at 1-512-463-2906.
—-

As winter approaches, remember -protect yourself, your family, and your home by only working with licensed air conditioning and heating contractors who are responsibly registering and training their technicians.

Looking for a good Houston contractor? Check out Aardvark A/C & Heating - I think they are great (but I am a little biased). Not in our area? Give us a call at 281-955-1163 for a contractor referral. We would be happy to help.

In the age of ever increasing electric rates and global warming, more people are finding it important to seek out green and energy saving solutions. I know my family recently received a notice of increase - starting October my electric is going to cost 5 cents more per kilowatt! Coupled with the constantly rising cost of gasoline, like any frugal family - we have been searching for ways to decrease that ever increasing electic bill.

Knowing that your air conditioning and heating usage acounts for 75-80% of your electric bill, here are a few things we have done in order to increase our energy pennies.

1. Start using that programmable thermostat.
Like any good AC girl, my home has a programmable thermostat. However it never seemed to feel comfortable at the set temperature so… we took to setting it on manual and adjusting as needed. My electric bill did not thank me. In an effort to be comfortable AND save those dollars, my husband and I tracked the temperatures we were manually setting the stat at for a week. Afterwards we adjusted the program to reflect what we were doing manually. Now our program keeps us comfortable and I don’t have to worry about forgetting to lower the thermostate before we head off to work. Remember a good rule of thumb is to keep your thermostat set at about 78 degrees when you are not at home. Those without indoor pets can adjust it higher for additional savings.

2. Maintain, Maintain, Maintain.
No a good inspection won’t lower your energy outlays, however a good cleaning will. Regular maintenance (the tuning, adjustment, and cleaning) of your system not only elimates those preventable repairs, it also cuts valuable dollars off that monthly bill. Being busy year around keeping this place running smoothly, I often forget to maintain my own equipment. Last year that cost me two very inconvienant break downs (Oops!). This year I learned and enrolled in our ComfortClub program. After my first maintenance appointment we saw an immeadiate $35 decrease in my first spring electric bill! Of course savings vary from home to home, however its proven that annual maintenance saves a total of around 5,000 Kwh annually. At my new rate that is $74.46 a month back in my pocket!

3. Upgrade.
Now of course this is the most expensive option, but it also is the option that pays off the most. In order to upgrade to a high efficiency system, you must replace your exsisting system. The payout? Depending on usage and to what level you upgrade, you can regain upto 75% of your electric bill back.

Now this is not recommended for every one. If you meet any of the following, you can see some serious savings.
- Your electric bill is higher than $400
- Your system is 5-20 years old (well even older too if its still running)
- You like to keep the thermostat set to below 75 degrees to cool your home

Of course if energy savings is important, but you want a system that provides more than a box of cold air - an advanced system may be just what you are looking for. You will still see energy savings (though rarely in the 50-75% range) and drastic improvement in household comfort.

For any family you must consider how much energy savings you are looking for, how much you are willing to spend, the realistic ability to acheive it, and the value you place on household comfort.

My husband and I had this discussion and came to the following conclusions:
- Our system is only 3 years old
- With this summer’s bills at $125-150 (We are comfortable at 76 and do get those money saving tune ups), We wanted at least 50% summer savings ($50-75 per month)
- Being a Comfort Consultant, I know that its going to be very difficult to get 50% savings with a three year old system set at 76.
- We rated our household comfort very high, willing to spend up to about $5000 for a more comfortable home. Our bedroom is 1-2 degrees warmer than the rest of the home and when the Houston humidity hits it stays, plus we like to entertain so our open concept kitchen/dining/living rooms get really hot when I cook up a storm

Reality: Being a young system we don’t see a lot of repairs needed now that we are on a regular maintenance schedule and realistically we are looking at closer to a 35-45% max savings of our already low electric bills, it seemed wise for us to wait to upgrade.

So no we are not getting a new high efficiency system … yet. But we did want to work on that comfort issue. We did do some system design modifications and came in well under our $5000 budget. It’s now much more comfortable. We aren’t cranking the thermostat down as much a night since the bedroom is cooler, and we have much better control over the living area temperature. Coupled with the Comfort Club and using that programmable thermostat we always had, I would estimate we have acheived an annual energy savings of aprox $1,000 after the cost of the maintenance program plus an additional decrease of $200-400 off our annual A/C & heating repair bills.

In the end, we found there are many things you can do of all price ranges to save those energy pennies.