The world has changed these last few months.  You have my company’s commitment that we will follow CDC recommendations to keep our employees and your family safe through this crisis.

I know that you’re concerned about keeping your family safe and comfortable in the summer.

My family has been taking care of our customer’s indoor air quality, heating, and air equipment, and now plumbing since 1962!

Help Us Help You!

The air in our homes can be up to 70x dirtier than the air outside.  With our families more confined than ever, it just makes sense to improve the quality of the air in our home and keep your family as healthy as possible.

We’ve put together a special purchase on some of the best new equipment available. And with our special financing program, it’s incredibly affordable to add a layer of protection to your indoor air quality

Clean Air Defense System

When it comes to indoor air quality, there are 3 levels of defense to clean and disinfect the air in your home.

• Level 1 is filtration.  We have options for an air cleaner that will collect 97% of particles from 200 to .3 microns.
• Level 2 is UVC Germicidal Light– Fewer cold and flu/virus episodes, asthma and allergy relief and whole home disinfection
• Level 3 adds the ability to control gas phase contaminants and deodorizes your home as well.

In addition, we offer duct cleaning and whole house disinfection of your duct system to kill bacteria, dust mites, mold, mildew, and viruses that are lurking.

Please give us a call at 817-587-8859 and we’ll be happy to schedule a free evaluation and estimate to go over your indoor air quality solutions!

Air Conditioning, heating, and plumbing are considered essential services so if you need us please don’t hesitate to give us a call!

We understand that these are scary times. We promise not to send a tech who has a fever to your home, to practice good housekeeping by washing our hands and wearing gloves and masks as needed and following CDC and government guidelines.  We will work with you to keep contact to a minimum.

Unbeknownst to you, you may be doing something to void your HVAC warranty.  When that time comes when you are depending on your warranty to help afford costly repairs, it can be a big inconvenience to find out that your warranty is void.  Be sure you know what steps to take in order to keep your warranty intact.  Be careful to avoid these four common mistakes when it comes to your HVAC warranty.

Register Your Warranty

After purchasing a warranty, the very first step is to register the warranty.  Manufacturers often want you to register your warranty to have your name and info in their system and to provide proof of purchase.  In order for a warranty to be valid, it must be registered within a certain number of days after purchase.  Be sure to do this first thing before you forget so that your warranty won’t be voided.

Ensure Correct Installation

Proper installation of an HVAC system is imperative to not only the system working efficiently, but also to keep your warranty effective.  Poor installation can lead to a multitude of problems, one of which is a voided warranty.  Be sure you choose an expert HVAC company that backs their work so that you can rest easy that your HVAC system was installed correctly.  Then, should anything unexpected happen, your warranty will be able to help pay for the repairs.

Use Approved Replacement Parts

Most purchased warranties only cover the major parts, not the smaller parts such as the air filter or fan belts.  These parts fall on the homeowner to replace regularly or if something should break.  But manufacturers are particular about what parts should be used when replacing existing parts of an HVAC system.  Check your warranty and know what parts are acceptable to use so that you don’t accidentally void your warranty.  Even if another part is cheaper than the recommended part, it could cost you exponentially in the long run.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

Every year, before you begin running the furnace for winter and again before you turn on the AC for summer, you should schedule an annual maintenance check to make sure everything is running smoothly and to correct any problems.  Annual maintenance reduced the risk of wear and tear as well as having to invest in more expensive repairs down the road.  An experienced technician checks over every part of the HVAC system and makes any necessary repairs before use. If you don’t do this, it can be seen as neglect and can void the warranty.  Additionally, be sure to keep any maintenance paperwork to show proof of maintenance s this could lead to your warranty being voided as well.

For repairs or annual maintenance, you can count on our professional technicians at Comfort Experts.  Do your part to ensure your warranty is good, and we will do our part to make sure your HVAC system is in great shape all year long.

Comfort Experts take pride in their military employees.  Their support of our military extends to their very own ac repair technicians.  Comfort Experts/Hobson AC President Brett Hobson’s respect for our country’s military is evident in the way he supports his own active military employees.  Such open support of those in the military has earned him a high honor as he recently received the Patriot Award.

A Prestigious Award

The Patriot Award is awarded through the ESGR, Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve program.  The ESGR, established in 1972 by the Department of Defense, was founded to bring awareness to the cooperation and support of civilian employers that recognize the importance of their Reserve Component service member employees.  This award specifically honors those employers to prevent conflict from arising in the workplace because of an employee’s military commitment and duty to their country.  The Patriot Award is given to those employers that support citizen warriors by allowing for flexible schedules, time off both before and after deployment, granting absences as needed, and caring for families of employees serving in the military.  It truly is an honor to be presented with this award.

President Brett Hobson Goes Above and Beyond

President Hobson was nominated for the Patriot Award by employee Michael Schultz.  Michael Schultz is an employee of Comfort Experts and is also active in the National Guard.  When asked why he nominated Brett Hobson, Schultz spoke of Hobson’s loyal support of his military service.  He said, “I nominated him because he doesn’t question when I have to leave for military duty. I had a physical fitness test last week, it wasn’t on the schedule, and he just said, ‘See you when you get back,’”.

Schultz also went on to say how meaningful it was to have an employer who supported his military service.  He spoke of coming from previous companies who demanded to see paperwork to work at Comfort Experts where Mr. Hobson was so quick to offer to understand and what a wonderful feeling that was to see an employer go above and beyond in their support of military personnel.

A Company that Supports Our Military

Hobson AC/Comfort Experts employs over 50 active military and veterans.  They take pride in hiring military men and women who give everything to honor our country.  Brett Hobson himself said that this company strives to create a culture that supports the military, including members of the Guard.  He went on to state that veterans are some of the most hardworking employees he has at his company so it’s not only the right thing to do but also great for his business.

Veterans are extensively trained during their time in the military and come into the workforce with many of the skills needed to be successful at their jobs already.  President Hobson stated, “We can teach them out to fix an air conditioner, but we can’t teach them how to be a nice person.”

When you support Comfort Experts, you know you are supporting a professional, experienced company that not only goes above and beyond to provide the very best in AC services, but also goes above and beyond to support our military.  Work with the best of the best when you call Comfort Experts for all your HVAC needs today.

Few people consider how our National Guard and Reserve Service members balance the challenges of maintaining their civilian jobs when they are deployed for active duty. In order to promote cooperation and understanding between employers and service members, the Department of Defense established ESGR in 1972.

Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve is a program designed to assist in resolving the conflict between Reserve Component Service members and their civilian employers.

ESGR has created a culture that enables all employers to support and value our service members. For the past four years, employers across the country have met at the Pentagon to publicly sign a statement of support for America’s Citizen Warriors. At Comfort Experts, we consider it an honor and a privilege to support America’s Citizen Warriors.

We value their service to our country and honor their need to be ensured a successful transition from active duty to civilian employment. We recognize the disruption and stress that can occur in the life of an employee called to active duty. We are committed to easing this burden via support and understanding. The freedom that our National Guard and Reserve servicemembers protect is the same freedom that our family-owned business is able to exercise when supporting our employees.

Patriotism and a broad love of America are the frameworks for our beliefs at Comfort Experts. That’s why we were very excited to have our owner Brett Hobson visit the Pentagon to publicly affirm our company’s support of America’s Citizen Warrior. Brett was a bit nervous, albeit excited to be at the Pentagon. Brett said the ceremony and making this bold statement of support to go above and beyond for our employees was one of his great pleasures in life.

Comfort Expert’s support of Armed Service members isn’t just limited to the Guard and Reserves. We actively seek to hire former service members, which shows in our existing staff that’s currently 80% veterans. Veterans are often our best-performing employees. For that reason, our door is always open to hiring candidates with military backgrounds. At Comfort Experts, we are proud and grateful to be First Responders in Veteran Employment.

As we are approaching some of the hottest summer months of the year, it is important to take the necessary steps to keep your family cool all throughout even the hottest part of the summer.  Being hot inside your home can cause anyone discomfort and lead to irritability.  But there are some things you can do to ensure you stay cool and comfortable each and every day.

Open Registers and Room Doors

The more registers and doors that are open throughout the house, the better the airflow.  Closing too many vents or registers is similar to a clogged bathroom drain.  Just like water can’t get through a clog, air can’t get to the rest of the house through a closed vent or door.  Not only can this affect airflow, but it can also cause your AC unit to work harder to cool the home, leading to increased wear and tear on the unit or even higher energy bills from forcing the HVAC system to work overtime.  Even opening registers a little bit is still better than keeping them closed as air is allowed to move and circulate all throughout the rooms.

Keep the Fan On

Much like keeping the vents open, keeping the fan on keeps the air active and moving throughout the house so you can optimize the airflow.  This will keep the temperature cooler and allow your AC unit to not work as hard to cool the home.  Unless you are gone for an extended period of time, it is a good idea to keep the fan on for circulation.

Change the Air Filter Regularly

It can be easy to forget about the air filter, especially throughout the winter months.  But it is important for your airflow that you change the air filter regularly.  It is recommended that you change the air filter about every three months.  In the summertime when you use your air conditioner more, it may be beneficial to change your air filter even more often.  Changing air filters will improve the efficiency of the air conditioner, improve air quality, and increase airflow.

Be Aware of Humidity Levels

Check the humidity levels in your home, especially during the summer when humidity levels are much higher.  If you have a humidifier, set it to the appropriate level to ensure an appropriate balance of humidity so you can remain comfortable all throughout the heat.  High humidity and condensation are not only uncomfortable but can also lead to health problems or damage inside the home.  So be sure to check humidity levels to improve your comfort level.

If your air conditioning unit isn’t functioning optimally or you are unsure how to change the air filter, Comfort Expert HVAC technicians can help.  A yearly tune-up is always recommended to be sure your AC unit is ready for the summer heat.  Please give us a call today for any questions or concerns you may have and our trusted AC repair technicians will be sure to do what it takes to keep you and your family cool and comfortable.

Summer is on its way, which means you will soon be ready to turn on the air conditioner in your home for cooler, more comfortable temperatures.  But running the AC all summer long can be costly.  Using more energy increases your monthly bills.  Save more each month by ensuring that no air goes to waste due to leaks inside your home.  Make sure your home is properly sealed and ready for the summer so the cold air stays in and the warm air stays out.

Search for Leaks

Before you can seal the leaks, you must first find the leaks.  Check under windows and doors for possible cracks or openings that air can get through.  One test you can perform to check for leaks is to hold a piece of toilet paper doors, windows, ceiling fans, or anywhere else you might suspect that air is getting through.  Turn the HVAC system off so that the air is still inside the home.  Then hold the piece of toilet paper up to the area where there might be a leak.  If it begins to move as you hold it in place, then there is air getting through and you have found a leak that needs to be sealed.  Utility connections, air ducts, plumbing fixtures, or even hatches could also be places where leaks may occur.  Do a thorough inspection of your home to properly seal up leaks and keep the cool air inside this summer.

Seal Leaks

Once you have found the leaks, you want to seal them up.  For doors and windows, use weatherproof caulking to seal cracks or gaps.  Replace the door sweep under the door if there are openings where air can get through.  Leaks in air ducts should be sealed with mastic sealant and not tape.  If you see cracks or holes outside your home as you do a perimeter check, you can fill these in with foam spray.

Ensure Proper Ventilation for Improved Air Quality

While sealing up your home is great for energy efficiency, you have to be careful that it doesn’t reduce the ventilation in your home which can lead to the poor air quality inside.  Without ventilation in the home, pollutants such as dander, mold, or pollen can build up inside and create an unhealthy environment that decreases the air quality inside the home.  In some instances, it can be two to five times worse than what is in the air outside.  Don’t gain energy efficiency but sacrifice air quality.  Consult the HVAC experts to ensure that your home is properly equipped with a ventilation system that will improve the inside air you breathe.

For more information about how to make your home more energy-efficient or how to improve the indoor air quality, don’t hesitate to contact the professional HVAC technicians at Comfort Experts.  We are happy to work with you on any HVAC installation or repair or simply answer any questions you may have.

Remodeling Your Home? Consider These HVAC Options for Heating and Cooling

Are you looking to update your home?  Do you need to create more space for you and your family?  An addition to a home can be a great way to add space to the house you love.  But there are many things to consider when building an addition such as flooring choices, painting, or even how best to utilize the space.  One thing that may not cross your mind is how to heat and cool the new addition throughout the year.  Consider these three main options for achieving comfortable temperatures in addition to your house.

Install an Independent System

Some homeowners choose to treat their addition as separate from the rest of the house when thinking about HVAC options.  In this case, they install a completely separate system outside of their current HVAC system to heat and cool the added space.  This independent system could include a heat pump or a mini-split.  This allows you to control the temperature in each separate space of your home, although it is best for additions that aren’t in use all of the time.  However, this could be costly as you are essentially installing a new unit which could raise your energy costs each month.

Upgrade to a New System

Another option when remodeling your home is to take this opportunity to upgrade to a brand new system throughout the whole house.  Newer AC models can be much more energy-efficient to save you energy and money on your monthly bills.  When adding an addition to the home, you are adding square footage that can also add to the load calculation.  This means that your current system may no longer be able to do the job adequately because it is too small for the new space.  In this case, upgrading your HVAC system to a bigger unit may be the best choice.  AC professionals can use existing ductwork to add on to the addition and replace the existing unit with a new unit with minimal interference.

Extend Your Current System to Include the Addition

The last option is to keep your current HVAC system and simply extend the ductwork to include the new addition.  This can be the easiest option, but exercise caution as you want to ensure you aren’t overloading the existing system.  Again, take into consideration the load calculation to make sure the existing system can handle the added space.  If it is indeed powerful enough to extend into the addition, HVAC experts can rebalance the airflow into the home to include the addition as well so every part of your home gets the necessary airflow.

If you are unsure as to which option is best for you, professional HVAC technicians at Comfort Experts can perform a load calculation to help determine if you can keep your existing system or if you need to upgrade to a newer, larger AC unit.  Don’t hesitate to give us a call with any questions you may have, because being comfortable in your home all year round is of utmost importance for you and your family.

With spring in full swing, many are beginning to think about their summer vacation plans.  As you prepare and plan for your trip, it is also important that you think about how to prepare your home for while you are away as well, specifically, your AC unit.  There are several factors that should be considered when you think about whether or not to turn your AC off while on vacation and away from the home.

Length of Time Away

If the primary goal is to save money while away on vacation, then turning your AC off while you are gone, for any length of time, can help you achieve the desired results.  But, the better option for efficiency may be to turn your AC up instead of off while on vacation.  If you will only be gone for a short vacation, ranging from one to three days, it is recommended that you simply set the AC to a higher temperature for the duration of your time away.  Leaving it to run as normal to cool a house with no one in it is wasting energy, while it can strain your AC to have to work hard to cool a house that has had no AC running for a few days.

Setting the AC thermostat to operate about 7 to 10 degrees more than your usual temperature will still allow it to run yet save on energy costs.  Closing the curtains while you are gone can also be helpful as it will block the sun and help to keep rooms cooler.  If, however, you are planning a vacation that is a week-long or more, you can save the most in energy costs by turning off the AC altogether.  If you have a programmable thermostat, it is recommended that you set it to turn on a day or two before you are scheduled to return home so it can begin to cool the home for your arrival.  When considering whether or not to turn off your AC while away, please be mindful of any animals that will be staying in the home while you are gone so they can be comfortable as well.

Weather

Weather can also factor into your decision to leave your AC on or turn it off.  If the weather will be mild while you are away, it is probably safe to leave the AC off for several days.  But if you are vacationing in the middle of hot summer temperatures, it’s best to let the AC run at a higher temperature while you are gone.  Leaving it on during scorching hot days will keep the unit from having to overcompensate to try to cool the home when you do decide to turn it back on again.

Efficiency

If your home is designed for efficiencies, such as having an insulated attic, new and efficient windows, or low air infiltration, then you can probably turn off the AC without worry as the home will be able to stay cooler for longer.  If you have an older home that does not have these features, your home could head up quickly if you choose to turn the AC off. Consider the age and efficiency of the home as you decide to keep the AC on or off.

If you encounter problems at any time during the summer or after returning from a vacation, Comfort Experts ac repair technicians are here to help.  Give us a call today.

Turning on your AC on a hot summer day means a cool, comfortable temperature inside that you can enjoy. But why does a chemical smell sometimes come from the AC unit after turning it on?  There are four main problems that could be the cause of a chemical smell after turning on the AC.  An experienced AC repair technician can take a look at your unit to help determine what exactly is causing this unwanted smell.

A Refrigerant Leak

Refrigerant is absolutely necessary for your AC unit to run properly and cool down the home. Refrigerant is what removes the hot air from the house and blows cold air through the vents.  Refrigerant travels through copper coils, and over time, these copper coils can wear down, causing cracks.  Refrigerant traveling through these copper coils will then leak out through the cracks.  If you smell a sweet, chloroform type smell when you turn on the AC, it is more than likely from the leaky refrigerant.  Other signs of a refrigerant leak include higher than normal energy bills, warm air coming through the vents, ice on your AC lines, or a hissing or bubbling sound coming from outside the AC unit.

New Ductwork

If you have recently had new ductwork installed, the glue from this new ductwork could be the source of the chemical smell in your home.  While this is not a serious problem that requires AC repair, it can be annoying.  There’s not much that can be done to get rid of this smell except wait for the smell to go away over time.

Containers of Chemicals Near the Indoor Air Handler

An AC unit consists of both an outside and an inside unit.  The inside unit is called the air handler and is usually located in the basement of a home.  Where the air handler is located is also commonly used as a storage space.  Sometimes, chemicals stored near the air handler can cause the fumes from chemical containers to blow throughout the home.  Make sure all stored chemicals are sealed tightly or stored in a separate area to avoid a chemical smell in the home.

Air Filters

An electrostatic air filter produces ozone which smells a lot like chlorine.  This could be the source of the chemical odor and could cause trouble breathing.  Lower the setting on your filter to reduce the chemical smell and ozone being released.  An experienced AC repair technician can also help you correct this problem if you are unsure of what to do.

Anytime you are concerned that your AC unit isn’t working as it should, it is important that you call the professionals to ensure everything is working properly and you can have an easy, comfortable summer in your cool, air-conditioned home.  Call Comfort Experts for chemical smells in your home and for all your AC repair needs.