Getting Ready For Winter

With the temperature this morning dipping into the sixties it is just around the corner that your furnace or heat pump will need to be working to keep your home comfortable.  If your heating system needs to be checked and brought up to snuff before the winter season has you shivering, call Aaron’s Mechanical Service at 623-388-4436.


A Fall Reminder From:
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Holiday Decoration Safety Tips

Hospital emergency rooms treat about 12,500 people for injuries, such as falls, cuts and shocks, related to holiday lights, decorations and Christmas trees, according to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.

In addition, warns CPSC, candles start about 11,600 each year, resulting in 150 deaths, 1,200 injuries and $173 million in property loss. Christmas trees are involved in about 300 fires annually, resulting in 10 deaths, 30 injuries and an average of more than $10 million in property loss and damage.

Sometimes people are having such a nice time during the holidays that they forget to extinguish candles.  Always put out lit candles before leaving a room or going to bed. Always keep burning candles within sight. Also, make sure your holiday lights bear the mark of a recognized testing lab to show they meet safety standards.

When purchasing an artificial tree, look for the label "Fire Resistant." Although this label does not mean the tree won't catch fire, it does indicate the tree will resist burning and should extinguish quickly.

When purchasing a live tree, check for freshness. A fresh tree is green, needles are hard to pull from branches and do not break when bent between your fingers. The trunk butt of a fresh tree is sticky with resin, and when tapped on the ground, the tree should not lose many needles.

When setting up a tree at home, place it away from fireplaces, radiators and space heaters. Because heated rooms dry live trees out rapidly, be sure to keep the stand filled with water. Place the tree out of the way of traffic and do not block doorways or escape routes.

Check each set of lights, new or old, for broken or cracked sockets, frayed or bare wires, or loose connections, and throw out damaged sets. Always replace burned-out bulbs promptly with the same wattage bulbs.

Use no more than three standard-size sets of lights per single extension cord. Make sure the extension cord is rated for the intended use.

Never use electric lights on a metallic tree. The tree can become charged with electricity from faulty lights, and a person touching a branch could be electrocuted.

Before using lights outdoors, check labels to be sure they have been certified for outdoor use.

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

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Cool Arizona Places: Casa Grande Ruins

For More Than 650 Years the Casa Grande Has Stood as a Meeting Place and Landmark

Explore the mystery and complexity of an extended network of communities that rivals today's cities. An Ancient Sonoran Desert People's farming community and "Great House" are preserved at Casa Grande Ruins. Whether the Casa Grande was a gathering place for the Desert People or simply a waypoint marker in an extensive system of canals and trading partners is but part of the mystique of the Ruins.

The Casa Grande was abandoned around 1450 C.E. Since the ancient Sonoran Desert people who built it left no written language behind, written historic accounts of the Casa Grande begin with the journal entries of Padre Eusebio Francisco Kino when he visited the ruins in 1694. In his description of the large ancient structure before him, he wrote the words "casa grande" (or "great house") which are still used today. More became known about the ruins with the later visits of Lt. Col. Juan Bautista de Anza's expedition in 1775 and Brig. Gen. Stephen Watts Kearny's military detachment in 1846. Subsequent articles written about the Casa Grande increased public interest.

During the 1860's through the 1880's more people began to visit the ruins with the arrival of a railroad line twenty miles to the west and a connecting stagecoach route that ran right by the Casa Grande. The resulting damage from souvenir hunting, graffiti and outright vandalism raised serious concerns about the preservation of the Casa Grande.

Anthropologist and historian Adolph Bandelier visited the Casa Grande ruins in 1883-1884 and reported on its condition and probable significance. The Hemenway Southwestern Archaeological Expedition of 1887-1888, sponsored by Massachusetts philanthropist Mary Hemenway and led by anthropologist Frank H. Cushing, produced further information on the deterioration of the Casa Grande. As a result, several influential Bostonians urged Massachusetts Senator George F. Hoar to present a petition before the U. S. Senate in 1889 requesting that the government take steps to repair and protect the ruins. Repair work began the following year, and in 1892, President Benjamin Harrison set aside one square mile of Arizona Territory surrounding the Casa Grande Ruins as the first prehistoric and cultural reserve established in the United States.

Directions: Transportation is by private vehicle. The park is in Coolidge, Arizona, about an hour-long drive from either Phoenix or Tucson. From Interstate 10 take the Coolidge exits and follow the signs to the park entrance.

Website: http://www.nps.gov/cagr/index.htm 

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating Air Conditioning repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get comfortable! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Dolphin Smart Electricity Saver Scam

The "Dolphin Smart Electricity Saver" also known as "Electricity Saving Box" and also known as the "Flexi Power Saver or Flexi Powersaver" claims to reduce your electricity bill by 30% though correcting the power factor in your home. It further claims that an improved power factor will extend the life of electrical devices, help electrical motors run more efficiently, save light bulbs and eliminate static interference.

There is truth in the fact that our homes have devices which consume electricity at reduced power factors. As an example we know that "CFL light bulbs" have a Power factor of between 55% and 70%, while incandescent light bulbs have a power factor of 100%. All electric motors, including fridges, air conditioners, fans and computers generate reactive power which will affect their power factor.

Just to be clear - this unit is a complete waste of money in our opinion - a similar version is being investigated in England as a scam and a safety hazard. It seems we in the US are more tolerant of the internet as the ridiculous industry that this is part of.

This article - Trading standards warning over bogus energy saving plugs - says it all!

The Trading Standards Institute (TSI) is dealing with more than 200 complaints about people who have claimed to be a victim's energy supplier, or working in partnership with them, and are offering a plug-in device costing $150 which they say can save users 40% on energy bills. But trading standards has had a number of the devices tested and found that they not only failed to satisfy electrical safety standards because the pins are too short and the internal connections faulty, but they do not deliver any tangible energy savings.

Power factor and power factor correction are indeed subjects that we should be aware of, but it is "near fraud" when excessively marketed to home owners as a way to save money on their electricity bill. If you are being approached to buy any one of these - "Dolphin Smart Electricity Saver" - "Electricity Saving Box" - "Flexi Power Saver" - we suggest you run!

This report is based on an article from; http://open4energy.com/

Looking for a fast, fair and honest company to work with for your Heating or 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

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

History of the Rumford Fireplace

If you have a cabin here in Arizona you will need some heating help this winter.  The best and most efficient is the Rumford Fireplace.

The History

The Rumford fireplace is a tall, shallow fireplace designed by Sir Benjamin Thompson, Count Rumford, an Anglo-American physicist who was known for his investigations of heat.

Rumford applied his knowledge of heat to the improvement of fireplaces. He made them smaller and shallower with widely angled covings so they would radiate better. And he streamlined the throat, or in his words "rounded off the breast" so as to "remove those local hindrances which forcibly prevent the smoke from following its natural tendency to go up the chimney..."

Rumford wrote two papers detailing his improvements on fireplaces in 1796 and 1798. He was well known and widely read in his lifetime and almost immediately in the 1790s his "Rumford fireplace" became state-of-the-art worldwide.

Today, with the extensive restoration of old and historic houses and the renewed popularity of early American and classical architecture in new construction, Rumford fireplaces are enjoying a comeback. Rumford fireplaces are generally appreciated for their tall classic elegance and their heating efficiency.

The Rumford fireplace created a sensation in London when he introduced the idea of restricting the chimney opening to increase the updraft. He and his workers changed fireplaces by inserting bricks into the hearth to make the side walls angled and added a choke to the chimney to increase the speed of air going up the flue. It effectively produced a streamlined air flow, reducing turbulence so the smoke would go up into the chimney rather than lingering and often choking the residents. Many fashionable London houses were modified to his instructions, and became smoke-free as well as more efficient. Thompson became a celebrity when news of his success became widespread. In an age when fires were the principal source of heat, this simple alteration in the design of fireplaces was copied everywhere .

It may be hard to believe that a fireplace design more than 200 years old is still a leader today, but this is one of the most efficient designs ever.

Looking for a great place to get help with your heating needs this winter? Give Aaron’s Mechanical Service a call at 623-388-4436.

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Getting Ready For Winter

With the temperature this morning dipping into the sixties it is just around the corner that your furnace or heat pump will need to be working to keep your home comfortable.  If your heating system needs to be checked and brought up to snuff before the winter season has you shivering, call Aaron’s Mechanical Service at 623-388-4436.


A Fall Reminder From:
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Cool Arizona Places: Glendale Glitters

This weekend, November 23rd and 24th Glendale kicks off their annual Holiday Spectacular Glendale Glitters and downtown Glendale is transformed into a Holiday wonderland with more than 1.5 million lights.

What is synonymous with holiday fun on Thanksgiving weekend in the Valley of the Sun? Glendale Glitters! The stunning display of lights will illuminate 16 blocks of Historic Downtown Glendale, making it the largest free holiday light display in Arizona.

Free admission and free shuttles make Glendale Glitters one of the best-loved festivals for Arizona families year after year. In fact, the event was named azcentral.com’s Critics’ Choice for the Best Kid Event in the State in 2012.  

Visitors of all ages will delight in holiday entertainment, delectable food, hand-crafted holiday gifts, a children’s winter wonderland and petting zoo, horse-drawn carriage rides, shopping and, of course, visits with Jolly Ol’ St. Nick. The always-entertaining stage show counts down to the lighting ceremony on Friday evening, Nov. 23 beginning at 5:30 p.m.

Arizona Cardinal Patrick Peterson will be the city’s special guest for the opening night of Glendale Glitters on Friday, Nov. 23. The NFL Pro-Bowler will join Glendale Mayor Elaine Scruggs and city council members on stage during the Countdown to Glendale Glitters Show beginning at 5:30 p.m. The 30-minute show will culminate with Peterson and the elected officials turning on the 1.5 million lights!

Patrick Peterson was the Arizona Cardinals’ first-round selection (5th overall) in the 2011 NFL Draft, earning Pro Bowl honors and was named first-team All-Pro as a kick returner while also starting all 16 games at cornerback.

The holiday magic continues with the following events in downtown Glendale. 

• Nov. 30-Dec. 1: Glendale’s Spirit of Giving Weekend
• Dec. 7-8: Glendale’s Winter Wonderland Weekend
• Dec. 14-15: Glendale’s Jingle Bell Rockin’ Nights

The horse & carriage rides will run nightly from 6-9 p.m. (weather permitting) from Nov. 23 – Jan 5.

The glittering magic of Glendale’s holiday display remains lit nightly through Jan. 12, from 5-10 p.m. each evening. Historic Downtown Glendale is located at 58th and Glendale Avenue. For more information, call the Special Event Hotline at 623-930-2299.

Website: http://www.glendaleaz.com/events/glendaleglitters.cfm

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating Air Conditioning repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get comfortable! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Only In Arizona; Air Conditioning On Thanksgiving

With Thursday’s temperature expected to be near the mid eighties and with a house full of company will you need your AC to stay comfortable?  Don’t forget with the stove going full out and the oven pumping out even more heat with the turkey, cakes, pies many holiday treats you may just want to do an air conditioning test on Wednesday and see if your system is ready for one last day of cooling this season.

Very few cities in the US would ever think of needing their AC unit to be needed to cool off the house on Thanksgiving but it is a possibility here in the Valley of the Sun.

With the outside temp being at or near 85 degrees Fahrenheit, the body heat from a house-full of guests and all that holiday cooking you may just need to cool-off with a little help from your AC.

Some households are expecting a full house with friends, neighbors and out of town family coming for their Thanksgiving feast.

Are you and your house ready?  We will be as much as fifty to sixty degrees warmer in the Phoenix area than many parts of the country. 

If you want to check your AC system you can set your thermostat to Cool and below the temperature on the screen and your AC should come on and beginning to cool off the house.  If that doesn’t happen you may want to have Aaron’s Mechanical Service do a service call and see what the problem may be.

Let us keep you ready for this years holiday party.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating and Air Conditioning repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Service a call and let us help you get comfortable! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Winter Fire Safety Use Candles Wisely

The United States Fire Administration (USFA) and the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) are working together to remind everyone that home fires are more prevalent in winter than in any other season. This is due in part to an increase in cooking and heating fires. Holiday decorations and winter storms that can interrupt electrical service and cause people to turn to alternative heating sources also contribute to the increased risk of fire in winter.

Winter fires can be prevented! The following fire safety tips can help you maintain a fire-safe home this winter season.

Candle Safety Tips

Put candles in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders.

Avoid using lighted candles.

Consider using battery-operated flameless candles, which can look, smell and fell like real candles

If you do use candles, ensure they are in sturdy metal, glass or ceramic holders and placed where they cannot be easily knocked down.

Keep candles at least 12 inches from anything that can burn.

Keep candles out of the reach of children and pets.

Set a good example by using matches, lighters and fire carefully.

Children should never be allowed to play with matches, lighters or candles.

Never use a candle where medical oxygen is being used. The two can combine to create a large, unexpected fire.

Always use a flashlight – not a candle – for emergency lighting.

Never put candles on a Christmas tree.

Extinguish candles after use and before going to bed.

And NEVER leave burning candles unattended!

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating and Cooling repair or replacement needs?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Service a call and let us help you get cooled off! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Getting Ready For Winter

With the temperature this morning dipping into the sixties it is just around the corner that your furnace or heat pump will need to be working to keep your home comfortable.  If your heating system needs to be checked and brought up to snuff before the winter season has you shivering, call Aaron’s Mechanical Service at 623-388-4436.


A Fall Reminder From:
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Wood Burning Residential Fireplaces

The Maricopa County Air Quality Department regulates the use of wood burning in residential fireplaces, wood stoves and outdoor burning devices during periods of high particulate matter (dust) pollution.

Wood burning is regulated when pollution levels rise because the process of burning wood can produce fine particulate matter that can be harmful to your lungs. It can also produce carbon monoxide and other toxins that can harm your health.

The county's air pollution is monitored by several air quality monitors located in and around Maricopa County. When conditions arise, state forecasters issue a high pollution advisory [HPA]. Once that happens, the Air Quality Department Director may issue a No Burn Day restriction prohibiting all fireplace, wood stove and outdoor burning devices. This includes the use of manufactured logs.

You don't need a wood burning fireplace in the desert If you are concerned about fires or carbon monoxide poisoning or you think it will reduce your heat expense in the winter. Fireplaces remove more heat, through the openings, than they replace.

A fireplace requires space; you obviously wouldn't put furniture in front of it of right next to it, so you need a spacious room to enjoy a fireplace.

In the Phoenix area, as the temperatures get cooler, the air pollution gets worse, and the County issues air quality advisories. On those days we are prohibited from using wood-burning fireplaces or stoves.

There are some cool days and nights, even in the desert, and a natural gas fireplace may be right for you. Generally, though, don't assume that it will save you money on your electric bill. Even if it gave off some heat, it would take you years to recoup the cost of the fireplace itself, not including any maintenance. Install a fireplace if you love the way it looks. It's also very popular to build fireplaces and stoves outside. If you entertain in the back yard, this might be something you'd enjoy.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your indoor living comfort and installing or repairing Heating and Air Conditioning systems give Aaron’s Mechanical Service a call and let us help you! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Arizona Places: Oatman

Oatman is a former mining town in the Black Mountains of Mohave County, Arizona, United States. Located at an elevation of 2,710 feet, it began as a tent camp soon after two prospectors struck a $10 million gold find in 1915, though the area had been already settled for a number of years. Oatman's population grew to more than 3,500.

After a few other names, Oatman was named in the posthumous honor of Olive Oatman, a young Illinois girl who was kidnapped by Yavapai Indians and forced to work as a slave. She was later traded to Mohave Indians who adopted her as a daughter and had her face tattooed in the custom of the tribe. She was released in 1855 near the current site of the town.

In 1921, a fire burned down many of Oatman's smaller buildings, but spared the Oatman Hotel. Built in 1902, the Hotel is the oldest two-story adobe structure in Mohave County, a Mohave County historical landmark and is especially famous as the honeymoon stop of Clark Gable and Carole Lombard after their wedding in Kingman on March 18, 1939. Gable fell in love with the area and returned often to play poker with the miners. The Gable/Lombard honeymoon suite is one of the hotel's major attractions. The other is a Ghost called Oatie," actively promoted by the hotel's owners, is a friendly poltergeist whose identity is believed to be that of William Ray Flour, an Irish miner who died behind the hotel, presumably from excessive alcohol consumption. Flour's body wasn't discovered until two days after his death and it was hastily buried in a shallow grave near the hotel.

Oatman has undergone a renaissance of sorts in recent years thanks to burgeoning worldwide interest in Route 66 and the explosive growth of the nearby gaming town of Laughlin, Nevada, which promotes visits to the town. Wild burros freely roam the town and can be hand-fed carrots and "burro chow," both readily available in practically every store in town. The donkeys are descended from pack animals turned loose by early prospectors, and are protected by the US Department of the Interior.

Weekends in Oatman can see anything from classic car rallies to mock "Wild West" shootouts right down the middle of old 66. Independence Day celebrations include a contest where participants attempt to cook an egg on the sidewalk with the aid of solar devices known as the Oatman Egg Fry http://oatmangoldroad.org/events.htm Along with the rest of Arizona's US 66 towns, Oatman is fiercely proud of its Route 66 heritage and replicas of 66's black-on-white US highway shield are posted all over the town. Route 66 souvenirs abound and many tourists have pasted autographed one-dollar bills on the walls and ceiling of the Oatman Hotel's bar and restaurant.

From Laughlin, Needles or Bullhead City, Arizona, Oatman is a short drive on State Route 95 to its intersection with Boundary Cone Road in Fort Mohave. About 10 miles east of SR 95, Boundary Cone Road meets with old 66, now named the "Oatman Highway." Oatman is only about four miles  from there.  http://www.welcometooatman.com/

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating and 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

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Safety and Efficiency Heating Tune-up

Tuning up your furnace or air conditioner will make your system run more efficiently and begin saving you money almost immediately. A heating system tune up will extend the life of your heating and cooling systems while limiting major repairs. 

When your furnace is running improperly it can not only be costly but also produce and release harmful carbon monoxide. This is a deadly gas that can be harmful to you and your family upon exposure. With the use of carbon monoxide detectors and routine tune ups to your system you can save money and maintain a safe living environment for you and your loved ones.

A tune up will restore your system back to optimal condition through a series checks and necessary maintenance. There are certain components of the system that must be assessed to maintain any furnace or air-conditioning system. The checkpoints include but are not limited to: the air filter, thermostat, insulation, the blower wheel, mounts & amps, blower motors, potential leaks, signs of wear, wire connections, the condensation drain and inspecting for debris. 

A complete inspection and proper maintenance will restore the system to its original condition. In order to maintain this condition it is important to have the system serviced at least twice a year, once for the heating season and once for the summer.

When considering a replacement heating unit; To save the most for your heating dollars make every effort to improve the energy efficiency of your home, then have a heating contractor size your furnace. Energy-efficiency improvements will save money on a new furnace, because you can purchase a smaller unit. A properly sized furnace will operate most efficiently, and you'll want to choose a dependable unit and compare the warranties of each furnace you’re considering.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your indoor living comfort and installing or repairing HVAC systems give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Does An Emergency Generator Make Good Sense?

The next time an accident, storm or natural disaster event knocks out your power, again, you may find yourself thinking about a standby generator. Unlike a portable backup generator, which you store in the garage or shed and roll out during an emergency, a standby generator is permanently installed on a gravel bed or concrete pad next to your house or business. If the power goes out, an electronic switch automatically signals the unit to turn on, keeping essential systems and appliances running even if you’re miles away.

Such systems, which start at about $5,000 and go as high as $40,000, recoup about half of their cost  at resale. Always-on protection doesn’t come cheap. Here’s how to decide if it’s right for you.

As with any insurance policy, when you buy a backup generator there’s no telling when, or even if, you’ll need it. Whether it’s worth the investment depends on your personal situation, your tolerance for interruptions, and your budget.

If you live in an area with frequent, prolonged outages, rely on electrically powered medical equipment, or work at home and need to stay connected, a backup generator can protect you from a disruption you may not be able to afford.

If you live where severe weather strikes, a generator safeguards family members, especially children and the elderly, against the risks of sweltering heat or freezing cold. If you own a vacation home, particularly in areas where temperatures regularly dip below freezing, it can protect your property when you’re not around.

The next step is deciding what you want your generator to power. At minimum, you can run an “emergency panel” of necessities, say, a central air conditioning unit, the refrigerator, and a handful of lights and outlets. Usually a 17-kilowatt unit is the standard size for an emergency panel, because it has enough power for a central AC unit. If you live in northern Arizona with no AC and gas heat, your emergency panel could be as small as 7kW, enough to power some lights, the fridge, and your gas furnace.

Once you’re set up, you won’t have to worry about being stuck in the dark or freezing cold again. What’s more, a standby generator can add to your home’s value, which should make you feel doubly warm all over.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating or 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

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Getting Ready For Winter

With the temperature this morning dipping into the sixties it is just around the corner that your furnace or heat pump will need to be working to keep your home comfortable.  If your heating system needs to be checked and brought up to snuff before the winter season has you shivering, call Aaron’s Mechanical Service at 623-388-4436.


A Fall Reminder From:
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

When to Replace Your Furnace

Replacing the old furnace in your central heating system with a new, more efficient model can offset volatile energy prices. Money aside, today's furnaces pollute less and boost comfort by producing heat more steadily than older furnaces. Natural Gas is the most common heating fuel used in the Phoenix Metro area. 

How do most people go about buying a furnace? First, they call contractors and ask for estimates. Remember size matters, a lot. The furnace's specifications should fit your needs. A furnace that's too small won't keep your house comfortable during very cold weather.

Partly to avoid that possibility, the furnaces in most homes are larger than necessary. Initial cost is only one of the drawbacks of that strategy. A furnace that's too large will cycle on and off more frequently. That puts more wear on its components, wastes energy, and might cause the temperature to vary uncomfortably. Also, a larger replacement furnace might require larger ducts. Without the right size ducts, airflow can be noisy.  Once the furnace is installed, maintain it regularly according to the manufacturer's recommendations.

Furnaces have become more energy-efficient over the years. A gas furnace made in the early 1970s typically has an AFUE of about 65 percent. The lowest efficiency allowed by law for new gas furnaces is 78 percent, and some new models achieve 97 percent--near-total efficiency.

How quickly you recover the investment depends on more than just AFUE. The electricity to run furnaces with different AFUEs can vary significantly. The climate where you live, how well your home is insulated, and your local gas and electricity rates also affect payback times.

You can make your home more energy-efficient in several ways. Turn down the thermostat in winter; just two degrees cooler will save you money and reduce emissions by about 6 percent. You might not even feel the difference, especially at night or when you're out of the house (a programmable thermostat can help here). Draw the curtains at night to block the chill from a cold window. Keep the windows covered on sunny days during the summer, and uncover them on sunny days during the winter to benefit from some free solar heating. Reduce heat loss from ducts by sealing leaks and, where feasible, insulating ducts.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your HVAC Heating Needs or furnace replacement requirements?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Service a call and let us help you get cooled off! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Arizona Places: The Phoenix Zoo

Voted One of the Nations Top 5 Zoos for Children.  With the temperatures forecast to be in the sixties this coming weekend you could not ask for a better day to visit the Phoenix Zoo.

Have you learned what a giraffe wants for breakfast? Have you watched a warthog wake up in the morning? Have you fed a giant tortoise breakfast? The Phoenix Zoo has  Early Childhood Animal Breakfasts. You can enjoy a light morning meal of "people food" along with child-focused and parent-directed activities which include a variety of movement, discovery, reasoning, crafts, songs, guided and free play opportunities. Children and parents are encouraged to explore the activities at their own pace and instructors help facilitate an engaging and fun experience for all. We'll finish the fun with an amazing animal encounter.

This November the Phoenix Zoo is celebrating their 50th year, November 17th and 18th from 9:00am to 2:00pm. There are many wonderful stories that make up the history of the Phoenix Zoo. Since their humble beginnings, the Phoenix Zoo has grown into a world-class, accredited facility.

Join them as they celebrate the Zoo’s rich past, current successes and what they are doing to preserve the future for wildlife.

Check out weird but interesting veterinary gadgets from yesterday and today. Kids: can create zoo tools of the future. 

Get a look at old exhibit designs and how they’re designed today. Kids: can design and build an animal exhibit of the future.

Have your picture taken with one of the remaining six foot tall bunny that lined the entrance of the Children’s Zoo back in the ‘60s.

Get involved with Keeper talks, activities, displays and fun for everyone!

Location: 455 North Galvin Parkway • Phoenix, Arizona 85008 • Phone: 602.273.1341
Hours:  Nov 1 to Jan 6 • 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. (daily)
Website: http://www.phoenixzoo.org/

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating and 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

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Do Heat Pumps Save You Money?

The cost to install and run different kinds of heat pumps varies quite a bit. Geothermal  heat pumps are more expensive to install than air-source heat pumps, as much as three times as much, because ground-source pumps require you to dig down to a heat source and involve more complex heat transfer systems. That can get a little pricey depending on the terrain on your property. Expect to pay as much as $5,000 to $7,500 for a ground-source heat pump system. Air-source heat pumps can be found for much cheaper, averaging around $1,500 to $4,000, because the units tend to be simpler, and installation is easier.

The cost required to run and repair a heat pump varies with the type of system. It's less expensive to run a ground-source heat pump because the ground and water have a relatively constant temperature that allows the heat pump to operate efficiently. Ground-source systems also have the advantage of not being exposed to the outdoor weather , which prevents a lot of wear and tear. On the downside, they can be costly to repair if you need to access an underground portion of the system. Air-source systems are easy to access and service, but they may need more regular maintenance because they're exposed to the elements. Also, air-source heat pumps may use more supplemental energy to run, especially in colder climates, and this will cost you more on your utility bill.

Heat pumps may save you anywhere between 30 and 40 percent or more on your utility bill, but neglect will reduce a heat pump's efficiency over time. It's important to factor in the climate where you'll be using the heat pump to make sure you select a system that can run efficiently in your area. In the end, heat pumps can save you a lot of money on utilities if you're a good candidate and you install the right kind of pump for your area.

As with any unit it needs to be at least checked if not serviced at least once a year.  This should be done just before the heating season.

Looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating and 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

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Getting Ready For Low Temps

It seems strange to be thinking about heating on a day that will reach 92 degrees Fahrenheit, but this coming weekend temperatures will drop into the low forties during the night.

Such is the weather in Arizona during our fall and winter season.  Warm or very comfortable day time temps followed by nighttime lows that can drop below freezing.  To stay comfortable and being able to get up and take a shower in the morning means having an efficient heating system that is ready to take the chill off your home.

While our cost of heating is relatively low in this desert area there is no reason to let an out of specs heating system to spend more of your hard earned money than is necessary.  It doesn’t matter if you are using a heat pump or natural gas powered furnace they will need service from time to time to run at their best.

How long has it been since your system was serviced?  All manufactures recommend a check-up once a year and proper service by a professional technician as needed.  A safety check can be a real lifesaver.  If you have any questions about your heating system now is the time to set your thoughts at rest.

Preventive maintenance is always more cost effective than emergency repairs.  Don’t spend a night freezing when a simple phone call now could have prevented that from happening.  We are here to answer your questions about your heating system.

Are you looking for a fast and fair company to work with for your Heating and Air Conditioning repairs, troubleshooting or preventive maintenance?  Give Aaron’s Mechanical Services a call and let us help you get comfortable! Call 623-388-4436

Presented by;
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Getting Ready For Winter

With the temperature this morning dipping into the sixties it is just around the corner that your furnace or heat pump will need to be working to keep your home comfortable.  If your heating system needs to be checked and brought up to snuff before the winter season has you shivering, call Aaron’s Mechanical Service at 623-388-4436.


A Fall Reminder From:
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com

Getting Ready For The Heating Season

With the temperature this morning dipping into the fifties it is just around the corner that your furnace or heat pump will need to be working to keep your home comfortable.  If your heating system needs to be checked and brought up to snuff before the winter season has you shivering, call Aaron’s Mechanical Service at 623-388-4436.

Keeping the Cold Out
Consumers can take easy, inexpensive steps to reduce household energy consumption and minimize energy loss. Reducing air leaks could cut as much as 10 percent from an average household’s monthly energy bill. For example, consumers can:

Seal leaks around doors, windows, and other openings such as pipes or ducts, with
caulk or weather-stripping. According to the DOE, the most common places where air escapes in homes are:

         • floors, walls, ceilings (31 percent)
         • ducts (15 percent)
         • fireplaces (14 percent)
         • plumbing penetrations (13 percent)
         • doors (11 percent)
         • windows (10 percent)
         • fans and vents ( 4 percent)
         • electric outlets ( 2 percent)

Use Energy Wisely
Set thermostats between 65 and 70 degrees during the winter, and at 58 degrees when away from the house for more than a few hours. While sleeping, add an extra blanket for warmth. Bear in mind that warmer temperatures are recommended for homes with ill or elderly persons or infants. 
Turn down thermostats automatically without sacrificing comfort by installing a programmable thermostat.

BIG SAVINGS: Cut annual heating bills by as much as 10 percent per year by turning your thermostat back 10 percent to 15 percent for eight hours per day.

A Fall Reminder From:
Aaron’s Mechanical Service
623-388-4436
info@aaronsmechanicalservice.com
http://aaronsmechanicalservice.com