D'Spain Sales and Service Blog

Why Is Short Cycling a Problem?

June 6th, 2016

You may have heard the term “short cycling” applied to your heater or air conditioner before. It’s a fairly common problem, though the causes can be quite varied. It’s what happens when your system turns on and runs for a short period of time, then turns off again very suddenly, only to turn on again a few minutes later. It sounds like a very minor problem. Unfortunately, it’s anything but, and the moment you detect it, you need to turn off your air conditioning and call in a trained professional.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Helotes
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Now is the Time for Whole-House Surge Protection

May 30th, 2016

We live in Boerne, TX, which means that lightning storms and electrical surges are a way of life. Most of us are accustomed to applying a little protection in our homes to keep our expensive electronics safe, particularly entertainment systems, which can cost quite a bit, and computers, which are absolutely essential to functioning in the modern world. But strip plugs are, at best, a stop-gap solution to a long-term problem, and if you’re not careful can soon clutter up your entire home. The solution may be whole-house surge protection, which not only gets rid of the clutter, but can provide a long-term answer to the dangers of electrical surges.

Tags: Boerne, Electrical
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How to Keep Your Generator Maintained

May 23rd, 2016

With spring comes rough weather in Kerrville, TX, and that means your household need to be prepared. That includes a generator, sufficient to power the essential appliances in your home and perhaps enough to power the entire home depending upon your needs. Generators also work well for rural homes that may not be on a civic grid, and which need reliable self-sufficiency to keep their household running. But owing to the nature of generator use—either constantly or only when emergencies arise—you need to make sure there are never any surprises waiting for you.

Tags: Generators, Kerrville
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How to Maximize Your Air Conditioner’s Efficiency This Spring

May 16th, 2016

Spring is here in Fredericksburg, TX and that means the chilly temperatures of winter have given way to warm days and increased use of your air conditioner. You may be feeling the pinch with higher bills this spring, as your system is called upon more and more often. That’s only going to get worse as spring turns to summer and your air conditioner will likely see daily use for months before there’s any let up. In those circumstances, you want your system to function as efficiently as possible, so as not to waste any energy But you still need your home to be kept cool on even the hottest days, and you shouldn’t have to give up on comfort just to save a few bucks in monthly air conditioning expenses. There are ways to do that, however, that it pays to look into.

Tags: Air Conditioning, fredericksburg
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Signs You Need a New Generator

May 9th, 2016

Thunderstorms and other issues are common here in Boerne, TX, and while our civic electrical systems are reliable, no one can tell when Mother Nature is going to have the final word. And that assumes that you as a homeowner are on a civic grid. Many of our customers are located in rural areas where the electrical grid doesn’t reach. A reliable generator is your best weapon in these circumstances, and if properly maintained and you stock up on fuel, it can safely see you through any loss of power. Generators wear out, however, and sooner or later even the most reliable one needs to be replaced. You don’t want to discover this fact when the power goes out and your reliable warhorse suddenly leaves you flat. Instead, learn to look for signs that you need a new generator by evaluating its recent performance, along with several other factors that we’ll detail below.

Tags: Boerne, Generators
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Size Your New Generator Carefully

May 9th, 2016

Earlier this week, we discussed the importance of spotting when your old generator needs to be replaced, which is of vital concern to residents of Helotes, TX who either rely on generators for their electrical power or who have one on hand in the event the power in their homes goes out. Today, we’ll talk about one of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a new generator: power output. Generally speaking, the more powerful the generator the better, but your budget may not always allow for that and their may be other factors to consider as well. When making a purchase as important as a generator, it’s vital that you size it properly.

Tags: Generators, Helotes
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Is Your Air Conditioner Telling You It Needs Replacing?

May 2nd, 2016

It can often come as a shock when your air conditioning system finally gives up the ghost, leading you to replace it with a new one. But few defunct systems simply fall apart without warning, and most of them will let you know well in advance that the time has come to replace them with a new one. Now is the time to look for such warning signs, before summer hits Bandera, TX, and a new system can be ready to go by the time the first heat wave arrives. Here’s a few quick tips to let you know when to put your old system out to pasture for good.

Tags: Air Conditioning, Bandera
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Look into the Benefits of Rainwater Collection

April 25th, 2016

Kerrville, TX residents pride themselves on self-sufficiency, and in rural parts of the area may depend on wells and other sources for their household water supply. This is in keeping with the hard-won independence of the area, but it does put some burdens on the homeowner to keep their systems running. You also need to have an ace in the hole in the event of a drought or if your well water becomes contaminated. Rainwater collection is an excellent way to do that: capturing, storing and purifying rainwater for proper use in your home. Here’s a quick breakdown of how the system works.

Tags: Kerrville, rain water collection system
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Get Your Air Conditioner Maintained Today!

April 18th, 2016

Here in Helotes, TX, summer is on the way and longtime residents know exactly that that means: high temperatures, high humidity and a need to keep your air conditioner running on a daily basis. Now is the right time to schedule a proper servicing session for your system, when temperatures are still mild and you won’t have use of your air conditioner every day. It will make a huge difference when summer arrives.

Tags: Air Conditioning Maintenance, Helotes
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What are the Benefits of GFCI Installation?

April 11th, 2016

We tend to take our electrical outlets for granted, since they’ve become such an indispensable part of our homes. Plug in the appliance, turn it on and off when you need it, no problem, right? But outlets can be more than just convenient places to run electrical doodads. They can be a stalwart defense against electrical surges and other dangers to your home. Thunderstorms and lightning strikes are not uncommon here in Bandera, TX and without proper protection, every electrical device in your house could be at risk.

Tags: Bandera, Electrical
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