D'Spain Sales and Service Blog : Archive for September, 2014

When Is the Best Time for New Air Conditioning Installation?

Wednesday, September 24th, 2014

Your air conditioner is nearing the end of its life and you know it will soon need replacement. But if you think it may still be able to run for a little while longer, you may worry about spending money unnecessarily on a new unit. This is an understandable concern, and many homeowners are not quite sure when is the right time to say goodbye to their older air conditioner. In this guide, we’ll tell you some of the signs to look for when deciding whether to replace your system, and why these signs mean that now may be the perfect time for air conditioning installation.

Old Age: Unfortunately, any AC will fail at some point, and the best predictor is sometimes the age of the unit. Check with your manufacturer for the most accurate estimate of how long your unit is meant to last. In general, units over ten years old are far more likely to fail.
Frequent Repairs: If it seems like you’ve called a technician for repairs again and again, there is a chance that the components of your system are simply too worn to function as they should. This means you may end up replacing part after part, which will be more expensive than replacing your entire unit now.
High Energy Bills: A final indicator that it’s time for your unit to go is high bills. When your energy bills spike unexpectedly, it could mean wear and tear on your system is causing it to fail, particularly if you have an older unit.

If any of these signs lead you to believe it’s time for replacement, don’t wait to call a technician. Older air conditioners are inefficient and at a much higher risk of repairs and breakdowns. Besides, broken down units are often more costly to replace, and you don’t want to risk a sudden failure when you need it most.

The best way to determine whether or not your unit needs replacement is by talking to a specialist, like the friendly technicians at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. When you have questions about air conditioning in Helotes, TX don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and talk to one of our experts today!

Tags: Air Conditioning, Helotes
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Upgrading Your Electrical System

Monday, September 15th, 2014

Unless you’re an electrician, electrical engineer or budding electronics enthusiast, you probably don’t spend too much of your time thinking about what courses through the various wiring and outlets in your home. But it’s important that you don’t take your electrical system for granted. At the very least, it’s important to make any necessary adjustments and upgrades to the system over time so that it remains compliant with the latest codes and that it remains safe to use for your entire family. Faulty or otherwise shoddy electrics should always be fixed immediately. But even if you don’t have an urgent problem, there are some good reasons to consider upgrading your electrical system.

Whether you want to add functionality, extend electricity to an addition on your home or property or improve the safety of your home, we offer a number of different electrical service upgrades. Let’s have a look:

Whole house surge protection. Sure, power strips have their place, but they simply cannot compare to whole house surge protection devices that integrate directly with your circuit breaker panel. These devices are excellent because they not only provider a much greater level of protection against the threat that internal and external surges present to your home, but they also provide coverage for your entire electrical system and everything that’s plugged in, including your HVAC system and other major appliances.
Smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. When was the last time you had your smoke and carbon monoxide detectors tested? It’s important to make sure that they will be there for you when you need them most. It may be time to upgrade these safety devices and to ensure that they are hard-wired with battery back-ups.
Generator installation. Whether you opt for a portable or a whole house generator, it’s important to know what you can and cannot use it for. A portable model is good in a pinch, but it lacks the power, comprehensive coverage, and convenience of a whole-house generator. The latter can even run your HVAC system as well as various appliances.

These are just a few ways to upgrade your existing electrical system. Contact a professional on our team to learn more about our professional electrical services in Boerne, TX.

Tags: Boerne, Electrical
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How to Improve Your Well Water

Monday, September 8th, 2014

Well water is an ancient method of supplying your domicile with potable water for cooking, drinking and bathing. But it’s also a responsibility and at times, may even be a hassle. It’s important that you start off with a decent well, but there are various ways to improve your well water even after the hole is dug. You need to make sure that your well pump and water treatment systems work well. Here are some ways to improve your well water.

Soften your water. Many homes in our area are affected by hard water, which occurs as a result of high levels of calcium and magnesium in addition other trace minerals. The effects vary depending upon the mineral content of your hard water, but it can wreak havoc on your plumbing pipes in the long term. It can also affect the taste of your water as well as the way your water interacts with your skin and hair while bathing. A water softener may be just what you need to avoid such issues from taking place in your home.
Purify your water. When you get your water from a well, it’s your responsibility to ensure that it’s potable. The underground aquifer from which your well draws can be affected by a number of different environmental factors, including the mineral content in the area as well as any environmental damage nearby. There are a number of different water treatment options that can purge potentially harmful contaminants and pollutants from your well water. Water testing is the first step to knowing exactly what’s in your water supply.
Boost water pressure. One of the most common well water issues is deficient pressure. This is not just an inconvenience when taking a shower, but it can also potentially lead to backflow, which occurs when your wastewater and water supply cross-contaminate. There are plenty of ways to boost pressure, including water storage tanks and pressure tanks. You may also want to consider a booster pump.
Draw water efficiently. If you want to make sure that your well water system operates efficiently, then you may want to draw on renewable energy source such as the wind or sun. If your windmill needs some repair or you want to exchange your well pump for a solar model, then you can rely on our water well services.

Reach out to our professionals at any time to ensure that your water well services in Boerne, TX are taken care of properly. Call us today.

Tags: Boerne, Water Well
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The Whole-House Difference: Choosing the Right Generator

Monday, September 1st, 2014

Are you tired of going without the basics every time you lose power? Do you worry about adequate ventilation when operating your portable generator? Do you want backup power that you don’t have to lift a finger for? If you’re in the market for a generator, then you may want to consider making the jump to whole house models. There are a number of different systems that run on various fuels and they provide an unparalleled amount of power throughout the various parts of your living space. But all of this depends upon the quality of the generator installation, which is where professionals like us come in.

So, how do you know what type of generator is right for you home. You can begin by asking yourself a few questions.

How much power do you require? This is probably the greatest difference between portable generators and those at are permanently installed on your property. Whole house generators offer plenty of power for various parts of your electrical system, including major appliances and your HVAC system.
Do you look forward to filling up a portable generator every few hours, despite inclement weather while also making sure that it’s properly ventilated to avoid exposure to carbon monoxide? Portable generators certainly have their use, but if you want a system that involves a lot less effort and preparation, then a whole house system might be exactly what you need. Whether you opt for a diesel or a natural gas generator, it is vented properly outside its weatherproof casing to ensure that any exhaust fumes are dealt with properly.
What’s your stance on ease-of-use? For the ultimate in convenience, you may want to opt for an automatic standby generator, which contains a detector that allows it to turn on automatically as soon as it detects a drop in current from your utility line. That means you don’t have to be home to know that your home is fully secure.

Whatever type of generator you may need, we have a solution. We stock a diverse range of portable and whole house generators, and our electricians can make sure that you get the right one for you. Give us a call today to schedule your next generator service in Boerne,TX.

Tags: Boerne, Generators
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The History of Labor Day

Monday, September 1st, 2014

The official end of summer and the beginning of fall lands on September 23rd, which marks the Autumnal Equinox, when the plane of the Earth’s equator passes the center of the sun and the length of day and night are roughly equal. However, for most people in the U.S., the summer really concludes with Labor Day, the first Monday in September. Labor Day and Memorial Day (the last Monday of May) together serve as the bookends of the summer.

The Labor Day Holiday is a time that people in this country associate with a last summer blast: another reason for an outdoor picnic, a chance for a three-day vacation, family trips to amusement parks, and of course, taking advantage of numerous sales that retailers always offer. (Labor Day is often the second largest shopping day of the year after Black Friday in November.) It’s also the point when school traditionally goes back in session, although some schools start a week earlier and some a week later.

Labor Day’s origins lie in the 1880s. In 1882 Matthew Maguire, a machinist in New York City who was secretary of the Central Labor Union (CLU) at the time, and Peter J McGuire of the American Federation of Labor (AFL), first proposed a celebration of the hard working men and women of the United States. However, five years would pass before the first state made it an official holiday, Oregon. Other states quickly followed this example, although not all selected a date in September.

By 1894, thirty states had started Labor Day celebrations. President Grover Cleveland signed the law that made Labor Day a federal holiday only a week after Congress voted unanimously to approve the legislation. The date chosen for the holiday was the same one that Maguire and McGuire had originally proposed.

The U.S.A. is not the only country that celebrate Labor Day on the first Monday of September. Canada observes the holiday as well, although they spell it “Labour” Day. In fact, Canada celebrated the occasion earlier than the U.S., and was an early inspiration in this country for the development of the holiday.

All of us here at D’Spain Sales & Service, Inc. hope you and your family—whether at work or at play—enjoy a relaxing and memorable Labor Day weekend and have a fantastic start to the fall.

Tags: Holiday
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