Is Your Thermostat In The Best Location?

Thermostat location is always a difficult choice. You cannot have it to close to an opening like a door to the outside because every time you open and close the door the thermostat will be activated when actually not necessary.

Usually a location somewhat close to a cold air return is good. That is because on a properly designed system the sample at the return air will be a combination of all outlets but remember we do not live in a perfect world.

If you really have to control the temperature very closely I suggest you spend the extra money to have temp sensors installed in all areas then let the computer in the thermostat make a judgment call as to when and how to activate the system for proper comfort.

Several companies make that style thermostat system.  One company, Ventstar has a great system for this purpose and it is designed to work with there remote control thermostats. Another company called the Comfort Call system allows you to call on a regular phone or cell phone to adjust the temperature by remote control. I find it very useful and a great accessory for the times when I am going back home from a trip or vacation.  You can call the house from a remote location and start the cooling process so when you arrive home it is just perfect.

A single thermostat should not be expected to control your temp within 2 degrees in all the rooms on the same or multi-level floors.

If you expect that of a single thermostat, I think you are asking a bit much from your system. Now if you spent the extra bucks and have a remote computer controlled system done on your house by an HVAC engineer you should be able to get very close to your wishes.

Sorry to say that costs a bit extra and the fancy kitchen cabinets or some other item you wanted burned up any extra money that was left. This is the normal situation in any house whether track or custom it makes no difference more money is spent on items you can see and not the HVAC system that is not eye-candy.  But a proper HVAC system will save you money and keep you comfortable.

Need help with your AC system?  Call Aaron’s Mechanical Services at 623-388-4436 to see how we can help.

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Arizona Places: Monument Valley

Monument Valley provides perhaps the most enduring and definitive images of the American West. The isolated red mesas and buttes surrounded by empty, sandy desert have been filmed and photographed countless times over the years for movies, adverts and holiday brochures. Because of this, the area may seem quite familiar. The valley is not a valley in the conventional sense, but rather a wide flat, sometimes desolate landscape, interrupted by the crumbling formations rising hundreds of feet into the air, the last remnants of the sandstone layers that once covered the entire region.

The area lies entirely within the Navajo Indian Reservation on the Utah/Arizona border; the state line passes through the most famous landmarks, which are concentrated around the border near the small settlement of Goulding which was established in 1923 as a trading post, and provides basic visitor services. A paved side road heads past the village to the northwest beneath Oljeto Mesa and has views of other less-visited parts of the valley, then another route (the unpaved Piute Farms Road) continues all the way to the shores of the San Juan branch of Lake Powell.

There is only one main road through Monument Valley, US 163, which links Kayenta, AZ with US 191 in Utah. The stretch approaching the Arizona / Utah border from the north gives the most famous image of the valley, and possibly of the whole Southwest. A long straight empty road leads across flat desert towards the 1,000 foot high stark red cliffs on the horizon, curving away just in front. The highway cuts through the mesas at Monument Pass, near which several dirt tracks leave both east and west and criss-cross the red sandy landscape, offering a more close up appreciation of the rock formations, although these roads lead to Navajo residences so some discretion is necessary when visiting. This is also a good area for hiking, though there are no official trails.

Although much can be appreciated from the main road, a lot more of the landscape is hidden from view behind long straight cliffs (the Mitchell and Wetherill Mesas), east of the road on the Arizona side.  This is contained within the Monument Valley Navajo Tribal Park (entrance $5 per person in 2008, free for children under 7), reached along a short side road directly opposite the turn-off to Goulding. From the visitor center at Lookout Point there are good views across three of the valley's most photographed peaks - East and West Mitten Buttes, and Merrick Butte. The park has only one hiking path, the 3.2 mile Wildcat Trail which starts just south of the visitor center and loops around West Mitten Butte.

The view from Lookout Point is spectacular enough, but most of the Navajo Tribal Park can only be seen from the Valley Drive, a 17 mile dirt road which starts at the visitor center and heads southeast amongst the towering cliffs and mesas, one of the most famous being Totem Pole, an oft-photographed spire of rock 450 feet high but only a few meters wide. The road is dusty, steep in a couple of places and rather uneven, but does not need 4WD - unless after recent heavy rain, the journey is suitable for the majority of family cars, and small to medium sized RVs, though the surface is perhaps not improved too much in order to increase business for the many Navajo guides and 4WD jeep rental outfits, which wait expectantly by the visitor center - typical prices are around $65 for a 2 hour trip (though cheaper tours are available from Gouldings Lodge). As well as eroded rocks, this area also has ancient cave and cliff dwellings, natural arches and petroglyphs, all generally away from the Valley Drive at more isolated locations and viewable only as part of guided tours.

The Valley Drive passes 11 numbered stops at the most scenic places, and a typical journey around the loop takes at least 2 hours. Tourists are not allowed to hike away from the road closer towards any of the formations, but even so the trip is very enjoyable.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Air Conditioning repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get cooled off!

Call 623-388-4436

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Six Things You Didn’t Know About…Running Your Fridge

How often do any of us really think about our refrigerator? Once a marvel of the modern age, the one appliance above all that revolutionized the way we buy and store food, today it’s pretty much taken for granted, humming ever more quietly than even its forebears did, a hulking yet forgotten presence in the corner of the kitchen.

Buried beneath chidren's drawings, report cards and miscellaneous snapshots magnetized to its door, it works … and works, and works. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. Today’s refrigerators even work better than ever: those sold today under the federal government’s Energy Star program are upwards of 75 percent more efficient than the old models bought a generation ago.

Still, knowing how to run your fridge right means saving money — both in terms of saving on electricity, and in terms of keeping your food fresh.

Your refridgerator uses the most electricity in your home (after the AC unit), almost 14 percent on average. The colder you run your fridge, the more energy it uses. So if you want to save on your electric bills (but don’t want your leftovers to spoil), you should keep your fridge between 34°F and 38°F.

Some fridges have a digital display that shows their internal temperature. If yours doesn’t, you can pick up a perfectly good fridge thermometer for $10 or less. Check it regularly, especially when the seasons change. The setting that keeps your fridge cold enough in winter may not work as the mercury climbs outside, so adjust the thermostat accordingly.

A full freezer runs most efficiently (don’t block the cooling vent). As for your fridge, it runs best when it’s somewhere between 70 and 80 percent full. Going on vacation? Fill empty containers with water and stick them in your fridge.
What else can you do to keep your fridge from sucking up more juice? Keep the coils clean! Yes, it’s true: dirty coils make the fridge work harder. The good news is that it’s only a once or twice-a-year job … unless you have pets that shed, then it’s every three months.

Here’s a neat trick: take a dollar bill and close your fridge door on it. If you can pull the bill out, your door isn’t closing tight enough (and you’re wasting energy). Try cleaning the gasket with soapy water.

You may think you’re saving money by keeping an old fridge around in the basement or garage and stocking it with groceries you picked up on sale, but older refrigerators are often half as efficient as newer models (or worse). The U.S. Department of Energy estimates that second refrigerators cost owners $420 to $750 over the lifetime of the fridge.

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Memorial Day

Freedom Is Not Free

I watched the flag pass by one day.
It fluttered in the breeze.
A young Marine saluted it,
And then he stood at ease.
I looked at him in uniform
So young, so tall, so proud,
He'd stand out in a crowd.
I thought how many men like him
had fallen through the years.
How many had died on foreign soil?
How many mothers' tears?
How many pilots' planes shot down?
How many died at sea?
How many foxholes were soldiers' graves?
No, freedom is not free.

I heard the sound of Taps one night,
when everything was still
I listened to the bugler play
And felt a sudden chill.
I wondered just how many times
That Taps had meant "Amen"
When a flag had draped a coffin
Of brother or a friend.
I thought of all the children,
Of mothers and the wives,
Of fathers, sons and husbands
with interrupted lives.

I thought about a graveyard
At the bottom of the sea
Of unmarked graves in Arlington...
No, freedom is not free.

Author Unknown

We  honor those who serve and those that gave their all.
Have a Safe Memorial Day

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10% Off Service Call with Repairs

Our Service Commitment: Many companies try to make these claims - We live by them!
On-time Technicians
Quality Work
Available 24 / 7
Warranty: 1yr Parts & Labor

With 30 years experience in the installation, service and repair of HVAC and residential air conditioning units we can offer you the best in sales and service. We have been bringing Air Conditioning Sales, Service and Repair to the Metro Phoenix Arizona area since 1994!

We have Four friendly highly trained Service Techs ready to help you.

We are Fast and Fair

We are an Accredited BBB business.

Need Help? 602-446-5630
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Our ROC number is #274388

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Don't Cool Empty Rooms

Another money saving tip from Aaron’s Mechanical Services and their web site coolingaz.com.

Do you have a spare room (like a bedroom) that sets empty most of the time. You would not leave a light on in that room when it wasn’t occupied.  By the same reasoning don’t run a ceiling fan in that room and you could even close the vent that brings conditioned air into that room. 

If that room is in the interior of your house’s footprint it will save money by not having it air conditioned as a full time space.

If that room is on an exterior corner you may want to leave the vent at 50% open and make sure the doorway is closed at all times.  While the room maybe hotter than the rest of the house it won’t pass that heat load to the rest of your home.

Another related tip is to keep your walk-in closet’s doors closed at all times as well.  You want to make sure that if you have what amounts to a water heater closet that door needs to be kept closed.  If that door has a filter pocket make sure that it is serviced properly and checked at least monthly.

Keep in mind that fans or ceiling fans don’t actually lower the room temperature and only make humans feel cooler.  It enhances the evaporation of sweat from our skin, which is the action that makes you feel cooler.  Never leave the fans running in an un-occupied room.  That just wastes electricity and money.  So when you leave the room it is lights out and fans off to save money.

Need any type of service on your  home’s cooling and heating system? Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call at 623-388-4436.

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Arizona Places: Flagstaff

Flagstaff is a city located in northern Arizona. The city is named after a Ponderosa Pine flagpole made by a scouting party from Boston (known as the "Second Boston Party") to celebrate the United States Centennial on July 4, 1876.

Flagstaff lies near the southwestern edge of the Colorado Plateau, along the western side of the largest contiguous Ponderosa Pine forest in the continental United States. Flagstaff is located adjacent to Mount Elden, just south of the San Francisco Peaks, the highest mountain range in the state of Arizona. Humphrey’s Peak, the highest point in Arizona at 12,633 feet, is located about 10 miles north of Flagstaff in Kachina Peaks Wilderness.

Flagstaff's early economy was based on the lumber, railroad, and ranching industries. Today, the city remains an important distribution hub for companies such as Nestlé Purina PetCare and Walgreens, and is home to Lowell Observatory, The U.S. Naval Observatory, the United States Geological Survey Flagstaff Station and Northern Arizona University. Flagstaff has a strong tourism sector, due to its proximity to Grand Canyon National Park, Oak Creek Canyon, the Arizona Snowbowl, Meteor Crater and historic Route 66. The city is also a center for medical device manufacturing, home to W. L. Gore and Associates.

In 1855, Lieutenant Edward Fitzgerald Beale surveyed a road from the Rio Grande in New Mexico to Fort Tejon in California, and camped near the current location of Flagstaff. The lieutenant had his men cut the limbs from a straight Ponderosa Pine tree in order to fly the United States flag.

The first permanent settlement was in 1876, when Thomas F. McMillan built a cabin at the base of Mars Hill on the west side of town. During the 1880s, Flagstaff began to grow, opening its first post office and attracting the railroad industry. The early economy was based on timber, sheep, and cattle. By 1886, Flagstaff was the largest city on the railroad line between Albuquerque and the west coast of the United States. A 1900 diary entry by journalist Sharlot Hall described the houses in the city at the time as a "third rate mining camp", with unkempt air and high prices of available goods.

In 1894, Massachusetts astronomer Percival Lowell hired A. E. Douglass to scout an ideal site for a new observatory. Douglass, impressed by Flagstaff's elevation, named it as an ideal location for the now famous Lowell Observatory, saying: "other things being equal, the higher we can get the better".  Two years later, the specially-designed 24-inch Clark telescope that Lowell had ordered was installed. In 1930, Pluto was discovered using one of the observatory's telescopes. In 1955 the U.S. Naval Observatory joined the growing astronomical presence, and established the United States Naval Observatory Flagstaff Station, where Pluto's satellite, Charon (moon) was discovered in 1978.

During the Apollo program in the 1960s, the Clark Telescope was used to map the moon for the lunar expeditions, enabling the mission planners to choose a safe landing site for the lunar modules.  In homage to the city's importance in the field of astronomy, asteroid 2118 Flagstaff is named for the city, and 6582 Flagsymphony for the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra.

The Northern Arizona Normal School was established in 1899, renamed Northern Arizona University in 1966.  Flagstaff's cultural history received a significant boost on April 11, 1899, when the Flagstaff Symphony made its concert debut at Babbitt's Opera House. The orchestra continues today as the Flagstaff Symphony Orchestra, with its primary venue at the Ardrey Auditorium on the campus of Northern Arizona University.

The city grew rapidly, primarily attributable to its location along the east-west transcontinental railroad line in the United States. In the 1880s, the railroads purchased land in the west from the federal government, which was then sold to individuals to help finance the railroad projects.  By the 1890s, Flagstaff found itself located along one of the busiest railroad corridors in the U.S., with 80-100 trains traveling through the city every day, destined for Chicago, Los Angeles, and elsewhere.

In the hot summer months Flagstaff is a great place to visit and cool off.  If you need to cool off your house with AC repairs please give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call at 623-388-4436.

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Triple Pane Windows Save You Money

Ever walk down the frozen food isle at your local supermarket, you know the one where they keep the frozen turkeys. Is there a door? NO, but those turkeys are as hard as bowling balls. Ever wonder how they stay so frozen in an open case? It is because there really is a door, however it is invisible.

There is an induction fan in the top of the open freezer which circulates the cold frigid air in a circular motion which draws the warm supermarket air towards the circulated cold air, just as a shower head draws the shower curtain towards the running water from a shower head, we've all seen this before. So as the cold air circulates in the open freezer in one direction the warm supermarket air bounces off it in the opposite direction because "the hot air is drawn to the cold air, cold cannot be drawn to hot." Simply physics.

Not Convinced Yet? Triple Pane Vinyl Replacement Windows creates a double barrier of dead dry air between the three panes of glass which for optimum performance needs to be one inch wide.(this area is filled with an inert gas, more on this later) Any less then a one inch glazing space, you are not getting the best results out of your windows. The outer most space is your first protection and your first reduction of heat. The second inner space is the warmest since it is not trying to reduce such a great difference in temperature, ...common sense tells you that.

While we're giving advise, here's another bit of common sense. Many homeowners turn off air conditioning when they're going to be gone from their home all day, sometimes this is OK. However on very hot days (92 and above) this practice should be avoided. On hot days when you leave the house all day turn the AC setting down a bit, but never turn your AC off.

WHY? Because it takes so much more energy (BTU's) to cool hotter air and costs much more money (BTU's) to cool hot air then is does to maintain cool air. So when you go out on those really hot days and you like your home cool, turn the setting up a bit (75 - 78), then when you get home turn it down 72 or too 68 if you like hanging meat on the walls. This practice will save homeowners a lot money.

When you add triple pane windows and watch your energy bills drop while you and your family enjoy a comfortable inside environment while adding years of longevity to your homes Air Conditioning System. Now how much have you saved?

Want more good advice, call Aaron’s Mechanical Services when you need AC service at 623-388-4436

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Your House and Summer Heat Gain Part Two

Ceilings

Attic ventilation and insulation affect the amount of heat that is transferred from your attic through your ceiling and into your living space.

Make sure your attic is properly ventilated. Without proper ventilation, attic temperatures can reach 140-160 degrees. These high temperatures not only cause increased air conditioning costs, but also can reduce the life of your roofing material.

To have natural ventilation, your attic must have a balance of intake vents and exhaust vents. Intake vents should be positioned lower than exhaust vents to achieve maximum benefit. Power-operated attic fans are generally not a good idea since they typically use more energy than they save.

Insulation

Insulation provides a line of defense between attic temperatures and the comfort of your living space. The effectiveness of an insulation material is measured in R-values and typically, the higher the R-value, the more effective the material is at reducing the amount of heat transfer.
Maintain minimum insulation levels of R-19 for exterior walls (total wall system) and R-30 in your ceiling.

Walls and Doors

A light-colored exterior paint will help reflect the sun, absorbing less heat and keeping your home more comfortable.

Internal Heat Sources

Internal heat is the heat given off by appliance motors, cooking, laundry and even our bodies themselves.

Avoid activities that can add excessive heat to your home during the hottest part of the day. These can include operating your oven, running your clothes washer and dryer, and running your dishwasher.

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Repair or Replace – Know When It Is That Time

When your Air Conditioner breaks down, you need it fixed. Sometimes it is better to replace it rather than repairing it.  Knowing when to do which is a financial balancing act between pouring money into what you have, or investing in a new, and better, more efficient, unit.

Our thoughts at Aaron’s Mechanical Services is to protect your Air Conditioner and Heating investment. Only when repair makes no sense do we recommend replacement.

Repairs on a unit may be the least expensive immediate option, but may cost the customer more in the long run.

Installing a new, energy efficient system can pay for itself over time. However, at times simple repairs can sufficiently prolong the life of an air conditioner so an immediate replacement of the unit is not the most sensible option. Environmental laws can determine the course of action a technician must take when faced with malfunctioning equipment. If the evaporator coil has numerous leaks or is severely corroded, there is no question, it’s time to replace the unit.

Efficiency Ratings
In general, the more efficient the unit, the larger initial cost. However, the more efficient, more expensive unit will actually save you money over time as it requires less fuel to cool your home.

If you are concerned about efficiency, watch for the Energy Star Label. Cooling efficiency for air conditioners is indicated by a SEER (Seasonal Energy Efficiency Rating). The SEER rating tells you how efficiently a unit uses electricity: the higher the number, the greater the efficiency.

The typical SEER rating of units manufactured prior to 1992 is about 6.0. In 1992, the government established a minimum cooling efficiency standard for units installed in new homes at 10.0 SEER. High efficiency units have a rating of at least 12.0 SEER.

Correct Size
To achieve comfortable cooling and dehumidification, the system must be correctly sized. The size of central air conditioning is measured in tons.  Typically, you need one ton of cooling for each 500 square feet of living space:

Proper Installation
Nothing affects your comfort more than how well your HVAC system is engineered and installed. Installation is the single most important factor. Sizing, balance, returns, and a host of other variables are taken into account when a new system is installed. No two houses are the same, nor are their climate control demands. That’s why choosing an experienced installation contractor is critical.

Feel free to ask about our most recent installations. That way you can be certain that when you choose us, you get absolute comfort and the best possible service.  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call at 623-388-4436.

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Ceiling Fans Can Reduce Cooling Costs

Homeowners can save energy while improving their home's comfort level by adopting energy-efficient building practices. Substantial savings are possible whether building a new home, renovating an existing one, or simply updating some features to improve your home's efficiency. At the same time, homeowners can use green power for their home to reduce further their consumption of energy from fossil fuels and lower their carbon footprint. Energy efficiency and green power are two ways to go green in your home.

Providing fresh air flow into a house is a low-cost and potentially energy-efficient way to cool a home and maintain good indoor air quality. In good weather, natural ventilation (when air moves through windows or doors) can suffice for cooling. On some days, the air temperature at night is pleasantly cool and letting this air into the house during the night can significantly cool down a house after a warm day. However, there will be times when it is too hot or humid, or pollen levels are very high, and this will not be effective -- or may even be undesirable -- and air conditioning may be necessary. In addition, it is important to make sure windows are closed when they need to be, such as in storms and blowing rain, and if air conditioning is finally used, that the house is closed up tightly for maximum efficiency. It makes no sense to air condition (or heat) a house with a window open! Given this, fresh air cooling takes some attention and diligence to do it right. Natural fresh air ventilation can also be supplemented by a number of low-energy mechanical ventilation devices that can help. These include:

Ceiling fans are a useful alternative to help keep you cool while reducing or eliminating the need to use air conditioning. Typically a ceiling fan consumes much less electricity than does a central air conditioner. A ceiling fan doesn't cool or de-humidify a room - it only cools you through a wind-chill effect against your skin. Ceiling fans are also inexpensive to purchase. Make sure, however, to turn your fan off when you leave the room. If you are not there to feel the cooling air movement on your skin, continuing to operate the fan only wastes energy.

When combined with lowering your AC setting using ceiling fans leads to lower utility costs while still keeping you comfortable.

Need AC repair or replacement?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get your AC running again!

Call 623-388-4436

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Arizona Places: Thunderbird Conservation Park

Thunderbird Conservation Park is a 1,185-acre park in the Hedgpeth Hills locates in Glendale, AZ. It is a conservation park dedicated to preserving the desert environment. The hills were named for Robert Hedgpeth, an early homesteader in the area. The park took its name from the World War II pilot training facility located four miles south of the park. The city of Glendale acquired the park in 1951 through a lease with the federal government. Ownership came in 1956 with the assistance of the Glendale Women’s Club and Glendale Rotary Club. Maricopa County operated the park from 1963 to 1984 and many of the park improvements were made during this time. In 1984 the park was returned to the city. Park activities include picnicking, hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, jogging and bird watching. About 15 miles of multi-use trails have been constructed, thanks to the efforts of many volunteer groups.

Four wildlife viewing blinds are located at Thunderbird Conservation Park along the north side of the sedimentation basin. Three of the viewing blinds are accessible from the trails off Pinnacle Peak Road and the fourth is handicap accessible and located off 59th Avenue.  These blinds provided areas for viewing the park's 50+ different species of birds and wildlife attracted to the man-made water feature. They feature a decorative block wall with "windows" for viewing, benches and a path to access them. Check them out and be sure to bring binoculars to get an even closer look and a camera to capture those precious animals.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Air Conditioning repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get cooled off!

Call 623-388-4436
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Roof Safety and Your A/C Unit

You know Murphy’s Law?  If it can go wrong it will go wrong and at the worse possible time.  Air Conditioning units are probably the finest examples of Murphy’s Law.

They tend to brake down when you need them the most.  The hottest days, when you are expecting company, when you have a big important party planned.  I looked a my dash mounted temperature readout and it told me this May 14th at just after 3pm it was 111° Fahrenheit outside.  Yes, I think that reading is under the car near the pavement.  But a good day for Murphy to raise his ugly head.

Today your air conditioner just might stop working.  Some brave souls may think that they need to go up on their roof and check things out.  That is not the smart thing to do.  Being on your roof on a hot sunny day can be the first step to the emergency room.

Actually the first wrong step can be your choice of ladders to get on the roof.  How good is your ladder?  How safe is the footing area where you will place your ladder.  Do you have a safety harness to wear while on the roof?

How are you with checking to see if the 220 volt power is making it to the A/C Unit.  Do you have the right meter? Or, do you have the right training in the first place.

I know money is tight.  Does your well meaning neighbor sue you when he falls off your roof while helping out?  Even if you both make it down safely how about the roof tiles you damaged while making your way to the Air Conditioner.  In a damaged or dislodged state they can let in rain that will lead to mold and even structural beams rotting.

When your AC stops call in the pros, Aaron’s Mechanical Services.  We are fast and fair.  Give us a try, call 623-388-4436.

Look for the second half of the Heat Gain Story next Monday – May 20th 2012.

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Your House and Summer Heat Gain Part One

We have featured APS several times so we thought we would share some advice direct from SRP’s  (Salt River Project) web site.

The Direct Link Is:  ttp://www.srpnet.com/energy/ess/heatgain.aspx

Components of your house, such as windows, walls, doors, and ceilings work to insulate your interior living space. The energy efficiency of these components impacts your cooling and heating costs.

In the summer, controlling the amount of heat that enters your home will help you reduce the cost of air conditioning, while at the same time, helping to increase your comfort level.

Windows

Windows account for almost half of your home's heat gain in the summer.

 •Shade all "sun-struck" windows in your home with devices such as outside shading screens, awnings, trees and shrubs, window tints and films, and indoor blinds, shutters and draperies. Shaded windows can save up to 25% of the cost of air conditioning, when compared to un-shaded windows.

•The effectiveness of a window-shading product is measured by its shading coefficient. The lower the shading coefficient, the more effective the material is at blocking the sun.

•In the summer, close draperies and blinds during the day to help keep out the heat.

Weatherization

•Inspect weather stripping around exterior doors and windows to ensure cracks are sealed and air isn't leaking into your home.

•Caulk around window frames and all exterior wall penetrations such as pipes, electrical boxes, and vents.

•Install foam or rubber receptacle gaskets on all switches and outlets.

•Keep windows and doors shut tightly to retain cooled air.

•Check pet doors to make sure they are snug and replace the rubber gaskets as they become worn.

•Check the fireplace damper to make sure it's closed and that no daylight can be seen around the edges.

We will have Part Two of Summer Heat Gain in tomorrow’s blog.  If you need air conditioning service please give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call at 623-388-4436.  Thanks!

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A/C Repair from Aaron's Mechanical Services

A/C Broken
?

We Can Fix That! And Fast!

Just Call
602-446-5630
for Our Daily Specials!

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Your Emergency Power Outage Kit

Many people take their electric power for granted.  You walk over to the wall and flip a switch and you have light and power.  Yes, that is the way it normally works.  But every so often and for a period of time from seconds to many hours something stops your power company from bringing their service to you.

We normally think of a storm but it can be an accident or mechanical failure that stops your power.

Having an emergency power outage kit will make getting through this event much easier.  So what should be in your kit?  This list is for power outages of two hours or less.

Light 
Candles and matches
 Flashlight and spare batteries
 Camping light and fuel

Communication
 Portable radio and spare batteries

Food 
Snacks and canned goods
 Leave refrigerators and freezers closed

Water
 A case of recently purchased bottled water

Keep in mind that the local region, season and weather conditions may require items of protection from the elements.

Need emergency help with your air conditioning let us know at 623-388-4436.

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Arizona Places: Agua Fria National Monument

Looking for a close weekend trip to enjoy while the weather is still nicely spring-like in Arizona?  May we at Aaron’s Mechanical Services suggest the Agua Fria National Monument.

Agua Fria National Monument is located about 40 miles north of Phoenix and contains two mesas – Perry Mesa and Black Mesa.  It is 71,000 acres of semi-desert area, which includes some rich riparian habitat along the Agua Fria River.

 This monument contains some of the most significant prehistoric sites in the southwest – at least 450 prehistoric sites inside the monument.  Its ancient ruins offer insights into the lives of those who long ago inhabited this part of the desert southwest. Between A.D. 1250 and 1450, the area's pueblo communities were populated by up to several thousand people. At least 450 prehistoric sites are known to exist within the monument area and there are likely many more. There are at least four major settlements within the area, including Pueblo La Plata, Pueblo Patio, the Baby Canyon Ruin group, and the Lousy Canyon group. These consist of clusters of stone-masonry pueblos, some containing at least one hundred rooms. In addition, there are many intact petroglyphs, as well as remnants of prehistoric agricultural features. The monument also contains historic sites representing early Anglo-American history through the nineteenth century, including remnants of Basque sheep camps, historic mining features, and military activities.

In the last few decades, the area has received increased recognition as an outstanding archaeological resource. The majority of public land in the area was acquired around 1990 from the State of Arizona and in two private exchanges. The area contains most of a National Register of Historic Places District. Originally designated in 1975, the District was expanded in 1996 to encompass approximately 50,000 acres managed by the BLM (Bureau of Land Management) and the Tonto National Forest. It is one of the largest prehistoric districts listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Looking for a safe place to work with for your Air Conditioning repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get cooled off! Call 623-388-4436

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com

Save Money With Simple Steps

Lights Out  Turn off lights in any room when lights are no longer needed. Lighting accounts for 5 percent to 10 percent of total energy use, the potential for waste is enormous. Make the most of natural daylight, using incandescent bulbs sparingly (they are the cheapest but least efficient light source), using task rather than general lighting, using fluorescent lighting when possible and turning off unnecessary lights. Be proactive; turn off incandescent lights whenever they are not needed, and turn off fluorescent lights if they will not be needed for 10 minutes or longer (turning a light back on does not use more electricity than leaving it on, but fluorescent fixture life is decreased if switching is too frequent). If bi-level switching or dimmers are available, use the lowest setting that meets your need.

Computers, Photocopiers And Printers  Turn off computers, monitors, printers and photocopiers when you leave your home or office for the evening. During the day, turn off your computer monitor when you leave your desk for more than a few minutes. This recommendation applies to all computers and monitors, but is especially important if you use an older CRT monitor or the new, large LCD monitors. If you must leave your computer on for access, use the power management built in to your operating system to automatically reduce energy use.

Windows: Control Panel > Performance and Maintenance > Power Options;
Mac: System Preferences > Energy Saver 

Thermostats  There are many different heating and cooling systems, which makes it difficult to give general rules about thermostat use. While you will almost always save energy by turning your home thermostat up when you're away.

Appliances  Turn off coffee pots and similar appliances when they are not in use. A typical coffee pot costs 4 cents per use and another 4 cents per hour to keep the coffee warm. Radios and TVs should be turned off when you are out.

Windows  During summer, close drapes or blinds to prevent direct sunlight from entering the room. Try not to use windows for temperature control.

These simple steps can save you hundreds on your electric bill during the year.  Have an AC question or problem? Please call Aaron’s Mechanical Services at 623-388-4436 for your money saving answer.

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com

Being Paid To Recycle Your Refrigerator

Are you thinking about replacing your existing refrigerator?  If your current refrigerator is more than five years old a new unit will use less electricity.  The older your unit is the more electricity you will save with a new unit.

So whether you are replacing a refrigerator because it is on its last legs, because you want to upgrade it for more storage or you just want a different surface or color now might be the best time. 

After you get the best price from the local home store or appliance retailer you will have one more option.  When this is being written APS will provide a $30 credit to you and they will take away your old refrigerator.

The APS program is laid out in full detail on; http://www.aps.com/main/green/choice/choice_107.html?source=prgj

Turning in that old refrigerator or freezer in your garage can save you up to $100 a year on your energy bill. Plus, APS will haul it away for free, recycle it and send you a $30 rebate.

The APS refrigerator recycling procedure utilizes a state-of-the-art patented process that recycles 95 percent of the contents used to manufacture a refrigerator.

It is a simple way for you to save some money, use less energy and keep these appliances out of landfills which helps the environment.

You can even donate your rebate to a good cause.  Donate your rebate to The Salvation Army's Project SHARE - Service to Help Arizonans with Relief on Energy.

So rather than pay to have your old refrigerator hauled away you can earn a $30 credit from APS.  The APS web page can get you started on saving $30.00.  If you need help with any other heating or cooling needs please give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call at 623-388-4436.

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com

Aaron's Mechanical Services: Tune-up Special

Aaron's Mechanical Services:
Tune-up Special -- $59.95

 1. Clean and calibrate the thermostat
 2. Test and examine all controls on unit
 3. Lubricate all moving parts on the unit
 4. Tighten or adjust all belts and pulleys
 5. Cycle the complete system (ac & heating as well as fan operation)
 6. Examine and tighten all electrical connections
 7. Test and record indoor air temperatures
 8. Test and record indoor temperature split in cooling mode
 9. Test and record refrigerant pressures (high and low side)
10. Tighten all refrigerant caps
11. Test and record superheat and sub cooling for peak performance
12. Remove any trash or debris from unit
13. Test all safety controls
14. Examine and tighten all electrical connections at disconnect
To learn more about our specials, please call (602) 446-5630 -or- (623) 388-4436

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com

Use BBB Listed Contractors

The BBB (Better Business Bureau) is a trusted Source for Information

Impartial Business Reviews provide vital pre-purchase or pre-contribution information

3 out of 4 consumers said that BBB accreditation has an impact on their purchase decisions

Scam warnings provided regularly to help avoid becoming a victim

The BBB Reputation

Pioneers in voluntary business regulation: Established in 1912

Well-known for upholding ethics in business

Services are offered at no charge to consumers

Customer Service Quality

Available: 24/7 accessibility to BBB via website and automated phone system

The BBB Responds Quickly: More complex requests get response within 48 hours

Polite: Pride ourselves on the courtesy that we extend to all consumers

Aaron’s Mechanical Services is accredited by the Arizona BBB and you can follow that on http://www.ethicalaz.com/aaronsmechanicalservice

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com

Places in Arizona - Challenger Space Center

With the U.S. space shuttles being ferried to museums across the country, I thought now would be a good time to have a look at some of the exhibits that Challenger Space Center in Peoria, Arizona http://www.azchallenger.org/ has to offer.

An Astronaut’s Life:
Articles Flown In Space
Featured are 23 items on loan from the National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C., 19 of which have flown in space on Gemini 8, Skylab 2, and several STS missions. The artifacts tell the story of how astronauts live in space. Included are a washcloth from the first Space Shuttle, STS-1 Columbia, clothing and bio-belt worn on Skylab 2 by astronaut Paul Weitz, space food from STS-27 Atlantis, and an actual heat shield fragment from Gemini 8 which carried astronauts Neil Armstrong and David Scott into orbit on March 16, 1966. The 23 items include additional artifacts that while earth-bound, helped astronauts and NASA prepare for space exploration. Visitors will see a model of the complete, two-astronaut Gemini spacecraft as it appeared in orbit, a Mercury capsule hatch, a procedures trainer form-fitting couch, and a TV camera similar to the one used to transmit images of astronauts Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin on Apollo 11 and record their activities (the original camera is still on the moon). The exhibition is made possible by a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation. The new gallery is made possible through the generous contributions of corporate partners CORE Construction and Knight Transportation, and a City of Peoria grant.

Astronaut Bill Gregory Loans Items Flown In Space
Former NASA Space Shuttle Astronaut William Gregory has placed on loan some of his personal items which flew with him on STS-67 Endeavour March 2-18, 1995. Among the articles are a shirt worn by Gregory in space, part of a detonated nut which held a rocket booster in place on the launch pad, a disposable interface used to grow protein crystals in microgravity, back-up checklists and some of his personal hygiene items that he used during the research mission. Also on display are Gregory’s NASA jet flight suit, helmet, oxygen mask and boots he wore as a T-38 test pilot.

My Solar System by PlayMotion!
Have you hugged a planet today? Challenger Space Center's newest interactive exhibit is made possible by a grant from the Tohono O’odham Nation. Visitors can catch and hold a virtual planet as bubbles appear with relevant science facts.

Columbia Shuttle Memorial Display
On February 1, 2003, the world lost seven brave heroes; NASA lost seven family members and friends. When the space shuttle mission STS-107 ended in tragedy over the skies of the southwestern United States, the anguish of the loss was felt around the world, including here in Arizona. The people of Arizona came to the Challenger Space Center to remember the crew in their own ways. They left many items and tributes to the crew. In tribute to those who were lost, the Challenger Space Center has a small memorial display consisting of several items that were left at the Center in the days after the accident, as well as photos and several other items in memory of the crew.

Robert McCall's "Tour of the Universe" Mural
As visitors cross the elevated gantry bridge into the Center, the first sight they see is a six-story mural wrapping around the walls of our rotunda. This mural, painted by world-famous space artist, Robert McCall, encircles the entire interior rotunda of the main floor. Utilizing 27,000 square feet of canvas, this phenomenal piece of artistry took six months to complete. It is believed to be the largest mural in Arizona.

Atlantis Space Shuttle Model
This 10 foot high model of the Atlantis Space Shuttle was donated to the Challenger Space Center by Honeywell. Before finding a permanent home at the center, this model traveled around the country to different industry trade shows and educational events associated with Honeywell.

Journey Through the Space Program
The second floor of the Challenger Space Center has been re-organized to give visitors a chance to take a walk back through manned space flight. Starting with the current day space station and space shuttle, and stretching back past Skylab, Apollo, Mercury and Gemini, these displays offer a chance to see how much NASA has accomplished over the last several decades. Among these displays are included mission patches from every mission flown, and several other pictures and donated materials related to each of these programs.

Let Aaron’s Mechanical Services help you with your summer AC needs.

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436
info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com

Always Use ROC Licensed Contractors

Arizona Licensed Contractors are tested and licensed under the Arizona Registrar of Contractors

Arizona Licensed Contractors are bonded

Arizona Licensed Contractors have liability insurance

Arizona Licensed Contractors carry Workman's Compensation insurance

Arizona Licensed Contractors are responsible for paying federal, state, and local taxes on materials and labor

Arizona Licensed Contractors are legally bound to stand behind their workmanship for one year and structural integrity for two years

Why should you consider these reasons?

A very simple answer! When you're investing your dollars in a home, home improvement or commercial venture, these reasons assure you of quality workmanship and a warranty that the services provided will meet the various local, state and federal building codes. You have recourse if they do not!

Unlicensed contractors may not meet the standards required for performance or compliance to the various building codes that may be applicable. Poor workmanship and non-compliance can cost you dollars! Are you willing to risk your money? Using an unlicensed contractor may be equated to spinning the roulette wheel!

The Recovery Fund

Dealing with licensed contractors allows the homeowner access to the Registrar of Contractors Recovery Fund.

The Recovery Fund is financed by licensed contractors and is administered by the Arizona Registrar of Contractors. It was established to cover losses suffered by homeowners that have incurred damages caused by the failure of a Licensed Contractor to adequately build or improve a residential structure or appurtenance on their property.

When a contractor refuses or is unable to comply with an order of the Registrar of Contractors to remedy a violation, the homeowner may file a claim against the Recovery Fund and can recover as much as $30,000. The maximum payout for any one contractor's license is $200,000.

The recovery fund benefit is not available to homeowners using unlicensed contractors!  Aaron’s Mechanical Services ROC # is 274388.

Brought to you by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Services
623-388-4436info@coolingaz.com
http://coolingaz.com