Garland, TX (PRWEB) July 02, 2014

Arctic Comfort Air Conditioning has recently seen an increase in the price of R22 Refrigerant. Also known as Freon, this is the unseen chemical that cools homes.

In January 1989, The Montreal Protocol Treaty went into effect with the goal of protecting the ozone layer by regulating and phasing out harmful ozone depleting substances. Consequently, this was the beginning of the EPA regulations and phase out of ozone depleting refrigerants here in the United States.

In 2010, manufacturers could no longer produce or import air conditioning units pre-charged with R22 refrigerant, and production of the refrigerant was reduced by 75 percent. In 2015, R22 production will be reduced by 90 percent, in 2020, a 99.5 percent reduction, and a total of 100 percent phase out by 2030.

That was what was originally intended. Currently, the EPA is looking at three phase-out options. The first option, the preferred option by the EPA, is to end production and importation no later than January 1, 2020, an option close to the original intent and date. The second option ends production and importation in 2018. The third option is the estimation method, based on service needs and adjusts for recovery and reuse, which would lead to uncertainty in supply. Then there are those in the industry and Congress that would like a 100 percent phase out in 2015. Thats just next year!

The EPA will hopefully reach a decision by the end of summer or fall, and whatever the EPA decides will be the final decision with no further future changes. A once and for all decision would stabilize the supply for the remainder of the phase out and allow the industry to prepare for the final phase out date. But the price for a pound of R22 refrigerant will still be dictated by a heavy demand for an increasingly limited supply.

Air conditioning and heating companies recover, reclaim, and recycle the R22 refrigerant from the existing R22 units being replaced, which then can be used to service units beyond the final phase out, but one can imagine how expensive it will be to service obsolete equipment as time goes by.

Manufacturers did find a loophole in the law: manufacture dry charge units and let the technicians charge the systems with R22 refrigerant in the field. This helps many homeowners that are not ready or unable to change out their entire air conditioning system, but increases demand for an already limited supply of refrigerant. How long the manufacturers will continue to produce dry charge units or when and if the EPA will close the loophole is unknown.

Air conditioning equipment that uses the new refrigerant R410A are more environmentally friendly, but are not compatible with older indoor and outdoor units that use R22 refrigerant. Therefore, replacing the entire air conditioning system may be necessary for compatibility reasons.

Once an air conditioning system is properly charged, refrigerant should not have to be added. If refrigerant has to be added, there is a leak. The system can be re-charged, which will be very expensive at $300-$900 and up, or the system can be leak-checked to locate the leak and possibly have the leak repaired, but this option can be expensive as well, and not all leaks can be repaired due to their location.

See original here:
Arctic Comfort Air Conditioning and Heating Sees Increase in Price of Freon

San Diego, CA (PRWEB) July 02, 2014

Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. is one of the largest family-owned and operated service and repair companies in San Diego. Plumbers working for Bill Howe have been proud to be a part of the Local Plumbing-Heating-Cooling-Contractors of San Diego (PHCC-SD) since 1985. They have continued to successfully grow the company by adding divisions in restoration and flood services, heating and air conditioning repair, and dedicate their time and resources to focus on education and training for their 100 + employees.

Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. has been a proud member of the PHCC-SD for over 25 years. Bill and Tina have each served as the chapter President, most recently Tina stepped into the role for the 2013-14 year where she increased membership and successfully saw the opening of the HVAC training program. For the past decade, Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. has been proud to send their employees through the PHCC-SD apprenticeship program. The company pays for all tuition, materials and offers support, on the job training and all resources for them to become Journeyman plumbers.

On Saturday, June 28, the San Diego PHCC celebrated the 122th annual Installation of the Officers, as well as the 2014 Graduation Ceremony. A total of eleven students graduated from the program for 2014, including five San Diego plumbers from Bill Howe: Louis Zimmerman, S. Bruce, Ryan Cook, Tyler Cervantes and Matt Saille. Each graduate successfully completed the four-year program with outstanding grades while working full time as field technicians.

It was a very proud moment to be part of the success of all of our PHCC graduates this year, said Tina Howe, Vice President of Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc. We are especially happy to recognize the hard work and dedication of our own employees. We believe that proper training and education are so important to continuing to deliver the best services to our valued customers.

For more information about the Bill Howe Family of Companies services in San Diego: air conditioning, heating, restoration, flood remediation or plumbing, visit http://www.billhowe.com, or to speak with Bill or Tina Howe regarding this announcement, contact Bill Howe Marketing Director, Julie Riddle at Julie(at)billhowe(dot)com.

About Bill Howe Family of Companies Bill Howe Family of Companies is comprised of Bill Howe Plumbing, Inc.; Bill Howe Heating & Air Conditioning, Inc.; Bill Howe Restoration & Flood Services, Inc. The family-owned and operated company began in 1980 with the plumbing division and has grown into San Diego Countys largest low-cost one-stop-shop for service, repairs and installation, offering both residential and commercial services. 9085 Aero Drive, Suite B, San Diego CA 92123. Call 1-800-BILL-HOWE because We Know Howe!

###

See original here:
PHCC-SD Graduates Five San Diego Plumbers From Bill Howe

Orange County, CA (PRWEB) June 26, 2014

Greenstar Home Services, a leader in environmentally conscious plumbing, HVAC maintenance, and whole home water filtration in Orange County and Las Vegas, recently began an initiative to show homeowners how to save money by utilizing green products and systems. This advice is part of a Green It Up! initiative to help homeowners realize the eco-friendly potential in their homes heating, cooling, and plumbing systems.

Greenstar provides many green options to improve a homes current air conditioning, plumbing, and water filtration systems including installing low flow showerheads and toilets, which can help a home conserve water. Using eco-friendly refrigerant in an air conditioning unit helps keep a home green, also. Our goal is to make sure homes are running efficiently.

For more tips on how to keep a home as green as possible, visit Greenstar Home Services at http://www.GreenstarHomeServices.com.

About Greenstar Home Services:

Greenstar Home Services leads the industry in providing environmentally conscious residential plumbing service, HVAC maintenance and repair, and whole home central water filtration within the areas of Orange County, California and Las Vegas, Nevada. We pride ourselves on the quality of our customer service achieved through our expansive knowledge of home maintenance.

View original post here:
Greenstar Home Services Announces Go Green, Save Green Initiative to Las Vegas and Southern California Homeowners

Best Air Conditioning Service Valley Village 800) 215-8151 Climate Control
http://www.climatecontrolla.com/air-conditioning-heating-and-hvac-services/ (800) 215-8151 Best Air Conditioning Service Valley Village A/C and Heating Maintenance in LA When you live in...

By: Michael E. Mueller

More:
Best Air Conditioning Service Valley Village 800) 215-8151 Climate Control - Video

Springfield, MO (PRWEB) June 25, 2014

Many air conditioner owners neglect to take proper care of their A/C units until its too late, when the unit breaks down in the middle of a boiling summer day. This is why maintaining an air conditioner is paramount to its long and productive lifeone must ensure regular tune-ups to avoid mechanical issues. Thats why the top A/C company in Springfield, MO, One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning, is offering an air conditioner tune-up coupon for a limited time.

Air conditioners require regular maintenance in order to work well and save energy and utility costsif an air conditioner is not in tip-top shape, it must work harder than usual to produce the same results, using up more energy and making an owners energy bill skyrocket. A few ways to avoid this include cleaning air filters, cleaning and lubricating the mechanical components, sealing and insulating ducts, and managing any other issues. One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning can perform these tasks quickly, effectively, and inexpensively.

Clients can easily save $69 on an air conditioner clean and tune-upthey can simply go to the home page of One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning's website, click on the correct coupon, print the coupon, and bring it in to the store location. Limitations include only one coupon per household, the coupon must be presented at the time of service, and it may not be used with any other coupon.

About One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Springfield: One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Springfield is dedicated to fast, professional, high quality HVAC services. Technicians are available 24 hours a day and 7 days per week for heating and cooling installation and repairs. Emergency service calls available.

One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning Springfield is locally owned, but backed by the strength of a nationwide brand which ensures state-of-the-art training and technology. All services performed are backed by the "Fixed Right or It's FREE!" guarantee.

Contact: Frank Elston springfieldsontimeservice.com

One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning Springfield 3378 South Scenic Avenue Springfield, MO 65807 (417) 886-3456

Go here to read the rest:
Air Conditioning Tune-Up Discount Available for a Limited Time from One Hour Heating and Air Conditioning in ...

Best HVAC Service Valley Village 800) 215-8151 Climate Control
http://www.climatecontrolla.com/air-conditioning-heating-and-hvac-services/ (800) 215-8151 Best HVAC Service Valley Village Cooling and Heating Services in S...

By: Michael E. Mueller

Read the original here:
Best HVAC Service Valley Village 800) 215-8151 Climate Control - Video

Published: Wednesday, 6/25/2014

BY MARK REITER BLADE STAFF WRITER

With a deal in the works for one business to go into the Erie Street Market and a national grocery considering opening a store there, Toledo City Council is being asked to spend up to $150,000 to fix the buildings leaky roof and repair the geo-thermal heating and cooling system.

A proposal to take money out of the budget for capital improvement projects to make roof repairs and replace pumps and equipment in the heating and cooling system was discussed Tuesday at councils agenda-review meeting.

Bill Burkett, commissioner of economic development, told council members that consultants who have inspected the city-owned building estimate the roof repairs could cost as much as $70,000 and work to replace pumps used in the geo-thermal system will be at least $32,000.

Two of the four pumps that move ground water into the system must be replaced, he said.

Also, eight of the 10 handling units that circulate heated and cooled air throughout the building, including the Libbey Glass Factory Outlet store, must be replaced, and the cost for that work will be about $60,00, Mr. Burkett said.

After contractors inspect the roof and mechanical system, the city would issue a request for proposals for the work and advertise for bids.

Legislation that would allow Mayor D. Michael Collins to enter into a lease agreement with a produce grower to operate a controlled-environment greenhouse in two of three empty bays at the Erie Street Market also was forwarded to the agenda for the July 1 council meeting.

Jim Bloom, who owns Sustainable Local Foods and operates a greenhouse on Hill Avenue, uses LED lighting to induce photosynthesis to grow lettuce and vegetables year round without natural sunlight. The plants are grown in white trays that receive a constant stream of water and nutrients.

Read more:
City may fix Erie Street Market

Toronto, Canada (PRWEB) June 23, 2014

City Air Conditioning and Heating (http://www.CityHeatAir.com), Toronto and Mississaugas premier provider of HVAC maintenance, installation and repair services, is announcing its top reasons to schedule routine air conditioning maintenance or repairs before the hot Toronto summer rolls in.

Household hydro bills in the Greater Toronto Area are soaring, says Sunny Dwarika, owner and operator of City Air Conditioning and Heating. According to the provincial government, electricity bills are forecast to increase 33% over the next three years, 42% within five years, and a staggering 54% over the next decade.

Dwarika explains that most people usually only consider how much it costs to heat their homes during the cold winter months, but the fact of the matter is that as much as 60% of annual electricity costs go toward both heating and cooling a home. Being proactive and scheduling regular maintenance and repairs can have a big impact on hydro bills.

While the Greater Toronto Area is supposed to experience normal summer weather in 2014, its important to remember that we continue to get hit with a large number of unbearable extreme weather alerts, he adds. In 2013, Torontos Medical Officer of Health issued seven heat alerts and six heat extreme alerts, while in 2012, they issued 12 heat alerts and nine heat extreme alerts. With the hot Toronto summer weather just around the corner, now is the perfect time to schedule routine maintenance or repairs on air conditioners. (Source: Heat Alerts and Extreme Heat Alerts, City of Toronto web site; http://app.toronto.ca/tpha/heatStats.html, last accessed June 16, 2014.)

Dwarika notes that there are a number of telltale signs that indicate whether its time to repair or replace an air conditioning unit . For example, if an air conditioner is more than 10 years old and isnt keeping a room or home cool, it might be time to have it evaluated by a professional air conditioning contractor. And if the unit does need to be replaced, he says to look for one that has the Energy Star rating; Energy Stars certified residential and condominium ductless air conditioners use about 15% less energy than conventional ones.

Another sign an air conditioner needs to be looked at by a professional, according to Dwarika, is if the indoor air is too humid in the summer: this can mean the air conditioner isnt working optimally, is inadequate for the space requirement, or even suffers from leaky ductwork. Further, if the air conditioner is noisy, it could be a result of an issue with the indoor coil of the cooling equipment.

Our technicians understand that maintaining your air conditioner is essential to keeping a home comfortable during the hot, humid Toronto summers, Dwarika concludes. Thats why we advise our customers to set up a regular maintenance plan to ensure that their unit lasts and saves them money by avoiding costly repairs and service calls.

Toronto and Mississauga area homeowners and businesses have trusted City Air Conditioning and Heating with all their heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) needs since 1989. Offering reliable 24-hour emergency response, City Air Conditioning and Heating has the expertise to help clients find the solution that fits their needs and budget, whether its for routine service and maintenance or complex repairs and installations. City Air Conditioning and Heating is a member of the Technical Safety and Standards Authority (TSSA) and the Heating, Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Institute of Canada (HRAI). To learn more about City Air Conditioning and Heating, visit the web site at http://www.CityHeatAir.com / http://www.cityairtoronto.com or contact the company at info(at)cityheatair(dot)com or 416-531-5585. You can also follow City Air Conditioning and Heating on Twitter at @cityairtoronto or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/pages/City-Air-Conditioning-Heating/591853854246421.

See more here:
City Air Conditioning and Heating Provides Top Reasons to Schedule Routine Air Conditioning Maintenance or Repairs ...

Microsofts Surface Pro 3 is thinner and lighter than its predecessors, but its also harder than ever to repair.

While performing a teardown of the new Windows tablet , iFixit was unable to remove the screen without cracking it. The Surface Pro 3 has thinner glass than previous models, and as iFixit tried to remove the screen by heating the adhesive underneath, the resultant cooling process was enough to crack the display.

Microsoft went to great lengths to make the Surface Pro 3 super portable, thinning it down from the Pro 2s 0.53 to a mere 0.36 thickbut it seems the thinner glass does not bode well for ruggedness, or repair, iFixit wrote.

The Surface Pro 3 also uses much more adhesive inside compared to the Surface Pro 2, which instead used over 90 Torx screws to hold the innards in place. Even if you can pry the display open, the use of more adhesive makes the components even harder to swap out. According to iFixit, its nearly impossible to remove the Surface Pro 3s battery without severely warping it.

Microsoft tried to address concerns about the Surface Pro 3s non-removable battery in a question-and-answer session on Reddit last month. The battery can be charged five days per week for more than 4.5 years and still maintain more than 80 percent of its capacity, Microsoft said, and can be replaced for free if it fails during the warranty period. Outside the warranty period, Microsoft said it will replace a failed battery for $200.

In other words, dont bother trying to replace the batteryor any other componentson your own, and dont underestimate how much storage youll need in hopes of upgrading later. Like so manyother devices with ultra-thin designs, the Surface Pro 3s sleekness comes at a cost.

For comprehensive coverage of the Android ecosystem, visit Greenbot.com.

Read this article:
Surface Pro 3 teardown shows the perils of sleek design: Thinner glass, harder repairs

Floor Furnace Repair Valley Village ca 800) 215-8151 Climate Control
http://www.climatecontrolla.com/ (800) 215-8151 Floor Furnace Repair Valley Village ca Air Conditioning and Furnace Repair in Sherman Oaks When you live in Southern California, where extreme...

By: Michael E. Mueller

Read this article:
Floor Furnace Repair Valley Village ca 800) 215-8151 Climate Control - Video