TNS Mechanical Services, LLC.

Even though most homeowners and business owners know very little about air conditioning systems, when it breaks down, they want to be treated fairly. And rightly so! It is our desire, not only to get the job done for you, but to do so in a manner which reflects our principles of personal integrity and honesty, quality work, and reliability. We ARE the people you can trust.

It has been our understanding that almost every person in need of air conditioning service, air conditioning repair, or a new air conditioner installation are interested in 3 things:

• How much will it cost me? (AC repair, AC service, or a new air conditioning system)

• Do you service or install my “preferred” air conditioner brand?

• Can I trust you as an AC Contractor?

In this article I will explain a little about us (TNS Mechanical Services) as an air conditioning contractor, and along the way I hope to answer those three important topics that are probably on your mind.

Of those three questions, the most important is “Can I Trust You?” If the answer to that question is “no”, then the other two are irrelevant. So let’s start with question number 3.

TNS Mechanical, LLC, Providers of Quality Air Conditioning and Heating Repair, Service, and Installation in Arlington, Texas

TNS Mechanical, LLC is locally owned by Todd and Sheri Ylen (pronounced Why-Lynn). Although Todd has been repairing and installing air conditioners for over 25 years, he and Sheri decided to start their own business a little over eight years ago. Until 2011, they thrived on just “word of mouth” advertising. The team has grown. And, many many satisfied customers continue to stay cool and recommend TNS Mechanical to their friends.

Todd has gotten a reputation for fixing problems that other repairmen just scratch their heads over. In fact folks from other AC companies sometimes call Todd when they are stuck.

Well, late in 2010 Todd and Sheri decided to take the business to the next level, but did not want to incur the huge advertising costs charged by print media, radio and TV. If they did that, they would have to pass those costs on to their customers, and that just didn’t seem right. So, they turned to the internet. This website is the result of that decision. They knew that a smart consumer is not swayed by expensive flashy ads. Oh the ads are very persuasive, but the cost that gets passed on has nothing to do with the value the customer gets. It’s just a hidden cost that their neighbors (customers) end up paying for.

We a are family oriented company. We are value oriented. When we go on a job, the best interest of our customer is priority #1. Listen to what our customers have to say:

TNS Mechanical handles all my business and personal HVAC needs. They are honest, dependable, and punctual. I wouldn’t trust my business to anyone else.

Gary Barks – President
WALLCO RETAINING WALLS, INC
4900 SE Loop 820; Suite 100
Forest Hill, Texas 76140

We have been very pleased with the prompt and professional service that TNS Mechanical has provided on several occasions. They have been easy to contact by phone or by email, and the work has been completed in a timely and professional manner. The staff has always been polite, friendly, courteous, and respectful. We have recommended TNS Mechanical to our friends and highly recommend them to others.

Scott G. (Homeowner)

TNS always operates in a professional and timely manner. Todd and his group are top notch.

Kevin C
(Executive Director of A Major Youth Development Organization)

We have made a commitment to help our customers get the best value for their heating and air conditioning “buck.” And, that means immediate savings by great pricing, and long term savings through reduced energy requirements and maintenance costs. We learned a long time ago that if you install a quality product and you do the job right, your customers will be happy and they will recommend you to their friends. We would be glad to serve you and your family. We know you will be satisfied with our work.

How much will you charge to fix my AC or replace my air conditioning system?

This question can be very easy or very hard to answer.

If your AC is “acting up” and you need someone to come out and evaluate the problem, the cost for that is a fixed “flat rate.” In some cases there will be no additional charges if the problem is simple and you don’t need any parts. The flat rate includes one hour of labor.

If you need a new air conditioning system, many other factors come into play and that is a much more difficult question to handle. Before we can give you an accurate quote we will need to inspect your home to determine how many square feet need to be cooled, the present condition of you “cooling plant” including duct-work etc. Together we will decide on the best, most cost effective air conditioner unit for you (brand and model). And of course, we will check for any manufacturer’s and/or governmental rebates that may be available. At that point we can give you an honest quote.

What sets us apart from the competition is that we have no hidden charges. You pay just the labor and parts.

Some of our competition, in the heating and air conditioning business, advertise a “low AC service inspection charge.”

You should ask yourself: “How do they do that?”

If you think it through for a moment, you will figure out that things are not quite what they seem.

The costs of overhead alone (technician wages, gas, office lease, storage building lease for inventory, maintenance on repair trucks, etc.) to send a truck to your home is more than that low service fee.

Are these other HVAC companies extremely generous or charitable? How can they stay in business, with prices like those?

It should be clear that the loss on the inspection call must be made back somewhere else.

Well, that may be “business as usual” at most companies these days, but at TNS Mechanical we do not play those games!

Flip Wilson used to say, “What you see is what you get,” and that is one of our mottoes too. We are open about our charges. We charge $69 for the air conditioning or heating service call which includes the first hour of labor. That way our overhead is covered and you know exactly what the service call will cost.

Because of this, our technicians aren’t compelled to find a problem to cover the “lost” revenue from a low ball service call charge. You won’t hear the words “bad compressor” or “bad coil” from us, unless it really is bad.

We are convinced that this is the best way and the most honest way to treat our customers. Most likely we’ll lose a few sales because of this “non-marketing” approach, but we refuse to employ these questionable sales tactics.

Some companies will use Tax Credits on their websites as part of their advertising – even after these tax credits have expired! That’s plain wrong!

Feel free to phone us any time to check on tax credit availability. It is always our goal to provide the most product for the best price, including getting you tax credits, when available.

We enjoy close relationships with manufacturers of all brands of furnaces and air conditioners that are used locally. So, we can get you a great price!

We know you’ll be happy with our quality of workmanship, our products, and our customer support. If you want the honest answers to your questions about air conditioning and heating in Arlington, TX, just call (817) 465-1112. We’ll be glad to assist you.

Do You Service or Install My Preferred Air Conditioning or Heating Brand?

While on the subject of “brands” – you might be interested to know, there used to be a huge difference in the quality of the equipment of the different major brands of heating units and air conditioners

These days there are a few differences, for sure, but they are only minor ones. Each brand has its own proprietary parts. That’s a “given,” But the functions of those parts are the basically the same.

Standardization and quality has become the norm in these products, and a really good technician can easily work on just about any make and model. To the question “Do you service or install my preferred air conditioning or heating brand?” we reply with an emphatic YES we can!

So, the most important things a person should consider when deciding which HVAC contractor to hire is the technical ability, work ethic, and attention to detail of the company’s technicians. These things are what we base our business upon. It is what we require of our technicians.

The parts from one air conditioner may not fit on another brand, however the function of that part and its quality is about the same.

If you prefer a certain brand, we can install it for you!

If you need repair or service, we can definitely get that job done too, both quickly and to high standards of quality!

We regularly install these brands: Lennox, Trane, Carrier, Comfortmaker, Honeywell, American Standard, Day and Night, Payne, GE, Westinghouse, Teledyne, Reznor, Modine…..

We Take Our Business Seriously. It Saves Lives!

By looking at statistics we know that the likely-hood that you or your loved ones experience a heat related death in your family are very small.

This part of the article is not intended to frighten you. We include it so that you know that we look at air conditioning and heating a little differently than you do. We see a larger cross section of the population than most people do. And, most of the people we deal with are uncomfortable. In some cases there are health related issues involved that make our job a more urgent task than you might expect. From our view, if we can save one life, our speedy response and our characteristic attention to detail will have served its purpose

Temperature, humidity, and allergen control of our homes in this hot Texas climate is non-optional. Our summers are hellishly hot.

TNS Mechanical Services: Air Conditioning in our Arlington, Texas homes is a necessity.

This is a graph provided by the Texas Department of State Health
Services. It depicts Texas deaths related to heat from the period 1994 to 2004.

If you call, and your air conditioning or heating unit is not working properly, our aim is to get your family safe and comfortable as soon as we possibly can. We are your neighbor here in Arlington, and we are ready, 24 / 7 for emergency service calls.

TNS Mechanical Services, LLC encourages thoughtful stewardship of our environment!

One of the biggest environmental offenders is “coolant leaks”. They wreak havoc with our environment.

We have heard in news media, many stories about coolants leaking from air conditioners, and other refrigeration systems. They tell us all the negative effects this condition has on the environment. The technicians at TNS Mechanical Services are experts in locating these types of leaks in your AC system. It is good practice to have this checked periodically, perhaps annually.

We strongly encourage the practice of having an energy audit of your home.

These energy audits indicate the exact locations where air is leaking into and out of your home or business facility.

You can save a lot of money each year on your heating and cooling bills by plugging these leaks. You will be using less energy and you should see the results on your next heating or cooling bill.

Reducing electricity consumption, puts a lighter load on the electrical “grid” as well. Any actions we take that helps prevent those all to familiar “rolling brown outs” and blackouts is a worthwhile endeavor.

TNS Mechanical Services is an “early adopter” of Solar Air Conditioning Technology!

We are proud of the strides Lennox has made in the area of solar technology with respect to the heating and air conditioning industry! We have a special relationship with them that makes us a “solar installer” for their proprietary SunSource®Home Energy System. We are very excited about this technology and would be more than happy to discuss the role of “solar technology” in your future.

This “cutting edge” technology utilizes sunlight to cool off your house. It’s incredible! On cloudy days your power comes from the electrical power “grid.” In Arlington, Texas we have direct sunlight almost every day.

If you too want to get in on this “cutting edge” technology we will gladly install one of these SunSource®Home Energy Systems at your home or business. Phone us to find out more details. (817) 465-1112

TNS Mechanical Services thanks you for taking the time to read about our company and we look forward to doing business with you.

Tagged with: AC brands • AC prices • air conditioning repair • arlington air conditioning and heating • arlington texas • central air • energy audit • furnace • heat pump • HVAC • solar air conditioning

Filed under: Air Conditioning Arlington Tx

Ecology. The branch of biology dealing with the relations and interactions between organisms and their environment, including other organisms. ECO for short.

That’s the topic of this article. How does your Air Conditioner stack up? Are you adding to the CO2 in the environment. Read this article to get a new perspective on the damage old AC equipment can cause. A new system can not only save you money but help keep the environment healthier too.

Eco Friendly Air Conditioning

By Stephen Haworth

Did you know that an air conditioning unit can omit 1.34lbs of carbon dioxide for every kilowatt hour used? By replacing older air conditioning units you could save several hundreds of pounds of carbon dioxide being released into the atmosphere each summer season. This will not only save the environment but also save you some green as well. You can save as much as $65 using a newer air conditioning unit verses an older air conditioning unit.

When you are looking for a new air conditioning unit you will need to first look for the proper size unit for your living space. The amount of space an air conditioning unit cools is measured in BTU’s. BTU’s stands for British Thermal Units. When you are looking for an air conditioning unit you will first need to decide the number of BTU’s that the air conditioner will need to cool your living space. You can calculate the required BTU’s by multiplying the square footage of the space by 10. You will then need to add 4,000 to that number. By choosing the proper size air conditioner for the space it will allow you to conserve energy. If you choose an air conditioner too large for the area or too small for the area then you will be causing unneeded drain on your electricity.

When looking for a new air conditioner unit you will also want to shop for one with an energy star approval on it. Energy Star approval is a label given to a product by the Environmental Protection Agency. This insures that the product is 10 percent more efficient than what is required by the minimum federal standards.

You will also want to look for a unit that can dehumidify the air as well if you live in a humid climate. By using an air conditioner that dehumidifies the air you will be able to make the environment more comfortable by reducing the humidity. This will allow you to keep the air conditioner at a lower setting and still feel comfortable.

You can also be eco friendly when using your new air conditioner as well. Use your air conditioner wisely to reduce electric bills as well as reducing the CO2 emissions caused by the use of electricity. By setting your air conditioner to a lower setting making it comparable to the temperatures outdoors rather than what you want it to feel like. This will make going outdoors during the summer months more enjoyable as well. Use the fan only option on the air conditioner at night to reduce the amount of electricity you use.

Many air conditioners also come with a recirculation option. This allows the air that has already been cooled to be recirculated around your home. You should have your air conditioning unit properly installed and sealed around the area to ensure you do not have cool air leaking outside. Finally be sure to clean and check the filters on your air conditioning unit regularly. Many air conditioners only need to be cleaned every 3 months but depending on the area you live in you may need to clean it as often as every month. This will help keep your air conditioning running more efficiently as well as keep you and your family more healthy.

Keeping you home cool during the summer can be a life safer but can also be dangerous on the environment. By keeping energy cost low and using the most efficient units possible you can not only save money on energy cost but also save the environment while keeping cool. Be sure to recycle your old air conditioning units. There are even some governments that will give rebates for old air conditioning units that are turned in.This program can save you as much as $75 per unit you replace.

Paul is a regular contributor to Air Conditioner Reviews an informational website for Air Conditioning ratings and reviews on several brand-names and different types including portable , central and Haier Air Conditioners

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Stephen_Haworth
http://EzineArticles.com/?Eco-Friendly-Air-Conditioning&id=1199431

Tagged with: air conditioners • air conditioning • eco friendly air conditioners

Filed under: AC - Going Green

Solar Air Conditioning (SAC) – Guilt-Free Comfort for Summers

You may not be aware that Solar A/C is rapidly becoming a reality in many parts of the country. TNS Mechanical, LLC is one of the few HVAC companies in the DFW Metroplex that offers this special long term cost savings system. Call (817) 465-1112 today to see if this technology is a fit for your and your budger. The startup costs are more than a standard AC Unit but the payback over many years can be quite good, plus you will have the satisfaction of saving prescious natural resources.

In the meantime, this article by Subhash Chandra Mathur, Thermal Power Generation Expert at Lloyd Registers and  Quality Assurance UK might get you in the mood to make the leap to Solar AC.

By Subhash Chandra Mathurand Sumit Mathur

Early summers usually bring a pleasant relief from the bone chilling winters, but come April & May, the summer heat starts taking its toll, both physically as well as mentally. And when it’s a tropical climate, as in most parts of India, the hot days can be all together stressful. The energy levels of individuals go down and so does their productivity.

This is when the modern day Air conditioning comes as a God Gift. A very large no. of Offices, laboratories, hotels, public buildings are nowadays fitted with air conditioning systems. Centralized Air Conditioning Systems ensure cooling in every nook and corner of the working space.

While this all sound hunky dory, its not. Extensive air conditioning is synonymous to heavy power consumption (and wastage) leading to not just heavy electricity bills but also the dreaded frequent power outages. The next step is – of course – DG sets, to bring the desired comfort indoors, while puffing out clouds of black smoke with terribly high levels of sound pollution for the outside world and the environment to endure.

In the midst of saving ourselves from the fury of the nature, we are inadvertently attacking the nature more and more, which keeps returning even more furiously every now and then. One of the biggest points of concern thus is the impending danger due to the rising world temperatures (Global warming!!). So what shall we do to survive and survive with comfort?

Let’s not forget we have an immense source of energy in the very Sun that we’re shielding ourselves from. One answer is Generation of power using sun’s energy. It’s free and for now we can safely assume, unlimited. Yes, solar energy can light up our homes and cook our food. But can it also cool our houses? The answer again is yes. Solar air conditioning, a revolutionary and upcoming technology, provides the answer.

Solar air conditioningrefers to any air conditioning (cooling) system that uses solar power. A liquid or a gaseous substance either accumulates on the surface of a solid, porous substance (adsorption) or is taken up by a liquid or a solid substance (absorption for providing the necessary cooling). In some processes supply air is directly conditioned, i.e. treated in terms of temperature and humidity

This thermally driven cooling and air-conditioning process is at the heart of every solar cooling system. The main principle of Sorption Assisted Air Conditioning is shown in the graphic here. The solar energy is used to dehumidify the sorbent.

This is a 9 stage process. In Stage 1 to 2, Sorptive dehumidification of outside air takes place with simultaneous rise in temperature through the freed adsorption heat. Then the air is cooled in the heat reclamation rotor in the countercurrent to the exhaust air (stage 2 to 3). Air is further cooled (Stage 3 to 4) through evaporation-humidification; Thus the air inflow to the building has a lower temperature and less water vapor than the outside air. In Stage 4 to 5 Heating of the air takes place, and if necessary addition of water vapor. Then during Stage to 6 building’s exhaust air temperature is lowered through evaporative cooling in the humidifier. This exhaust air is heated (Stage 6 to 7) in the countercurrent to the air inflow in the heat reclamation rotor. The exhaust air is further heated (Stage 7 to 8) through external heat sources (i.e. solar thermal system). Finally in Stage 8 to 9 Sorption Rotor is Regenerated through the desorption of the bound water.

Open and Closed cycle Air Conditioning Systems:

Open-cycle systems are more beneficial in buildings with high humidity loads and high air exchange rates. The installation of ducts for the supply air and the return air, as well as a heat recovery unit is required. In this, the outside air is dehumidified through sorption and is then brought to the desired temperature by heat recovery as well as direct and indirect evaporative cooling. Usually dehumidifying is achieved in a rotor containing the desiccant material silica gel or lithium chloride, but increasingly liquid desiccants (desiccant material: lithium chloride) are being tried. In these systems the solar heat is required for the regeneration of the absorption/adsorption unit.

Closed-cycle desiccant evaporative cooling systems are based on the processes of Adsorption (based on solid desiccants like silica gel or Zeolites with water as refrigerant) or Absorption (where desiccants are liquid ex. material pairs of lithium bromide as desiccant and water as refrigerant, or water as desiccant and ammonia as refrigerant, where sub Zero temperatures may be required).

For cooling and acclimatizing of buildings, only solar-thermally driven processes are used.

In actual practice, solar collectors are used to convert solar radiation to heat that is then fed into a thermally driven cooling process or into a direct air-conditioning process. Particularly in special applications, for example for cooling medicines in remote areas that are not connected to the grid, a photovoltaic generator transforms solar radiation to solar power that then drives a refrigeration process – usually in the form of a compression chiller.

There have been considerable developments in the field of solar-assisted heating and cooling and world over this technology is being rapidly tried and adopted.

Recently Solar thermal World Magazine reported that India’s latest and probably largest solar thermal based air-conditioning system went operational at Muni Seva Ashram (MSA) in Goraj, situated in the Vadodara district of Gujarat state in western India. A total of 100 parabolic dishes (Scheffler type) by the Indian company Gadhia Solar Energy Systems (GSES) – each 12.5 m2 in size – now supply the already existing 100-ton air-conditioning system of the 160-bed hospital at Muni Seva Ashram. [i]

Performance of Solar Air Conditioning

While designing a SAC system and for judging its performance the key points to observe are the Load Profile, Outside temperatures & humidity.

The decision whether solar cooling is sensible at all is influenced strongly by the load profile. Solar irradiation and cooling demand must be correlated, since the use of fossil fuels for the operation of the chiller is disadvantageous from a primary energy point of view and should be avoided.

In order to achieve the highest possible degree of utilization, applications that also require heat for heating water or for the heating system outside the cooling season must be explored. Thus residential buildings and small office buildings are most suitable. If cooling is required throughout the year (process cold, server rooms) the solar cooling system can be used merely as a fuel-saver for conventional air-conditioning. In such a case free cooling directly through the heat rejection unit might be an option in the cooler seasons.

Heat rejection rate greatly affects the performance and efficiency of the chiller. In most systems the waste heat is released into the environment by dry coolers or wet cooling towers. The former are suitable for moderate climate zones that only occasionally have high outside temperatures (>30�C). Wet cooling towers have the advantage that cooling water temperatures below ambient temperature can be obtained. However, it only works if the relative high humidity allows for evaporative cooling. In regions with a shortage of water it is also unsuitable. In addition, some countries have imposed strict hygiene regulations on wet cooling towers which make the operation of small systems economically unviable.

It is essential to be aware of the fact that boundary conditions other than the nominal conditions, can negatively affect the performance of the cooling machine. If the system is not designed for the nominal operation point, the relevant operating data must be requested from the manufacturer. Then, for example, a dry reverse cycle chiller can also be used in warm climates if the solar thermal system is adapted accordingly.

Utilization of efficient EC motors in the SAC set up helps to reduce the energy consumption. To further reduce electricity consumption, these should be controlled according to operating conditions and cooling demand. Depending on the respective local conditions waste heat can also be rejected of in other ways, e.g. through boreholes, swimming pools or ground water. Ideally the heat can be used in other places.

The Advantages of Solar Air Conditioning

In comparison to conventional, electrically driven compression cooling technology, solar cooling has a no. of advantages. These systems are most useful when the sun shines the strongest – in summers. The machines generally utilize environmentally friendly refrigerants, leading to lower green house gas emissions. In most cases water is utilized which, compared to refrigerants used in compression cooling machines, has no greenhouse potential. Significant power savings can result from the fact that these systems merely require auxiliary energy for the operation of pumps, heat rejection, etc. if the systems are designed correctly. In addition to cooling, the solar collector system can also provide thermal energy for domestic hot water preparation and heating support which leads to a further reduction of emissions. SACs are also ideal for hotels, supermarkets, schools, factories, and large office premises etc. Furthermore, noise emissions are significantly lower since the machines work without compressors.

Solar based AC systems thus can offer a reasonable alternative to the conventional ACs. In addition to drastically reducing or even eliminating current air conditioning bill, in many regions, one can receive a huge cash rebate as well as a tax credit by powering his air conditioner with solar air conditioning systems. As of now, the capital investments are high but the system can justify its worth in the long run. It is just a matter of time when this technology would be mass produced, bringing down costs to affordable levels for the common man. And then, the days that pose the maximum cooling requirements shall be the very same days when maximum energy could be extracted from sun while pocketing all the resulting benefits. The choice would really be ours!

s: Subhash Chandra Mathur is Thermal Power Generation Expert at Lloyd Registers and Quality Assurance UK. and energy sector Expert at United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). He is currently Managing Director at Samarpit International Group (SIG). SIG works in the field of clean and green energy.

Sumit Mathur is a young Energy Sector Enthusiast and a prolific writer. The authors can be reached on office@samarpitinternational.com. For more articles on clean and green energy, please visit [http://www.samarpitinternational.com/]

References:

[i] http://www.solarthermalworld.org/node/1028

[ii] [http://www.geothermalmagazine.eu]

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Subhash_Chandra_Mathur
http://EzineArticles.com/?Solar-Air-Conditioning-(SAC)—Guilt-Free-Comfort-for-Summers&id=6286247

Tagged with: air conditioning • solar air conditioning • solar cooling • solar energy

Filed under: Solar Air Conditioning

I know it is hot as blue blazes out there!

This time of year I am always looking for new ways to stay cool and and save money at the same time.

Let’s face it. Sometimes it is worth the extra money just to stay cool. Many times these products and techniques may cost a little right now, but will save you more money in the long run.
The state of Texas has provided a single page PDF file that gives a lion’s share of “Stay Cool” tips and also givs a link to a nifty little CFL calculator. What is CFL, your ask? Well, I’ll tell you.

CFLs are compact fluorescent bulbs. Even if you haven’t used them before, I’m sure you have seen them in the stores. They look like a cross between an accordian and a snake. No, really, they look a little strange but CFLs use 75 percent less electricity and produce 90% less heat.

So you see, if you use CFL bulbs you will stay cooler and save money. Shazam!!!

This is just one of almost 20 tips. This is well worth a read. Here is the link:  http://www.texasishot.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/11/quicktips.pdf

Tagged with: CFL • energy saving tips • quick tips

Filed under: Staying Cool

10 Tips to Beat the Heat

…while staying cool this summer and reducing your electric bill to boot.

Here are 10 tips that, if followed, can dramatically affect your comfort and your pocketbook for the better.

These techniques will help lower your energy bill. They will also help extend the life of your air conditioning unit and keep you cool even in the hottest of summers.

1)  Keep your A/C fan running, and raise the thermostat target temperature. The breeze will provide a cooling effect and the higher temp setting will keep the compressor from coming on as much. Also consider putting box fans in rooms that you use the most. The extra air flow will keep you cooler.

2) Keep that furnace filer clean. Change it monthly in the hot summer months when the A/C is running often and when you are probably having the fan run continuously. Blocked air flow can shorten the life of the air conditioning system and make it run more than it needs to, which will run your electricity bill sky high!

3) Block the heating rays of the sun. Use reflective foil or tinting on windows that face east and west. Some pull-down shades can block most of the sunlight too. Since the sun rises in the east and sets in the west, this simple technique will lower the load on your air conditioner and keep it cooler in your house at the same time. Alternately, you can use heavy drapes on those windows. When the sun is in the east, keep those drapes closed. And, of course, close the west drapes when the sun is in the west.

4) Postpone energy producing tasks until the cooler part of the day.

• Eat out, or use microwavable foods as opposed to cooking a full meal. This will keep it much cooler in the house and your air conditioner unit will thank you.

• Use your bathroom fan to vent the humid air out of the house during and after a shower or bath. Warm humid air makes your A/C unit work harder than warm dry air.

•  If your clothes dryer is in the garage you can just ignore this tip. Try to dry your washed clothing outside – if your neighborhood association allows it – or use an indoor clothes rack designed specifically for this purpose. You can find these at Walmart, Target, Bed Bath and Beyond, etc. These clothes racks are usually stood in the bath tub so that clothing can drip into the tub. You can keep the doors closed to the bathroom and the addition of a box fan speeds drying. Remember that this will also cause the air to be humid in the room. If you really want to conserve, block the A/C vent to the bathroom and open the window so that the humidity will blow outside.

• Invest in a laptop instead of the conventional desktop. If you have desktop computers, be sure to keep them turned off when not in use. You would be surprised how much electricity they use and how much heat they give off.

• Turn off the lights inside the house when it is not necessary for them to be on. It doesn’t take many 100 watt light bulbs burning to really heat things up. Your AC system has to compensate for the extra heat, which costs you money and causes more unnecessary wear on your system. It is also a good idea to gradually replace your indoor lighting with the new energy efficient cool-running fluorescent bulbs. They cost a little more but they last a lot longer. As your old bulbs burn out, replace them with the newer type.

• We don’t do much ironing these days, but if you still use this energy inefficient device, do it after hours when the house is cooler and not during the hot part of the day.

5) Blow the heat out of you attic. If you don’t have an attic fan or turbines, get them ASAP. It is not necessary to have both. This can drastically affect your light bill and keep it so much cooler in your home. Along the same lines, the amount of insulation you have in your attic is very important too! That insulation is the only thing that is keeping that hellish attic heat away from your rooms.

6)  Reflect the sun back away from your home. If you have to replace your roof due to hail damage or just normal wear and tear, consider picking a light color tile or shingle. Reflecting the suns rays back instead of absorbing it into the structure of the house is always a good idea.

7)  Coddle you compressor. You don’t always get to choose where the contractor places the outdoor unit of your air conditioner. But, you can take steps, after the fact, to improve your situation. Keep the outdoor unit clean. That is, be sure to clean off the filter if present and the fins on the evaporator. Keep cut grass from collecting on the unit. Don’t allow shrubs and bushes to grow around the outdoor unit either. These restrict air flow and could cause your unit to work too hard and thus shorten it’s lifespan. If you can shade the unit without restricting the air flow that would be ideal.

8)  Program yourself cool. If you haven’t got one already, have a programmable thermostat installed. Read the instructions and program it to fit your lifestyle. These modern marvels can really save you money if programmed properly. It can save you anywhere from $100.00 to $300.00 annually, depending on the square footage of your home and how much time you spend at home.

9)  Have an energy audit done. It is good to do this before you spend a lot of money on repairs on the house and the heating and cooling system. Do the repairs even if you don’t have an energy audit done. It is best to plug all visible air leaks, add insulation, change to energy star appliances, etc. to reduce monthly bills, make your heating and cooling plant last longer, and keep your family more comfortable. But, to maximize the effect, get an audit done before you start work. It will pinpoint just exactly where your attention should be directed. It can save you money in the long run, not just in energy savings, but, it will prevent you from throwing wads of cash at a problem that doesn’t exist. It is your blueprint to a precise solution of you problem.

10) Have your Air Conditioning and Heating system check annually to keep it in top shape. This will extend the life of the system, keep your heating and cooling bills lower, and help prevent catastrophic surprizes that have a bad habit of popping up when we least need to be bothered by them.

Just making a small handful of changes like these can lower your light bill, reduce the load on your Air Conditioning unit, and help you stay cooler at the same time.

Tagged with: AC Tuneup • attic fans • energy audits • Energy Tips • thermostat • turbines

Filed under: AC Tips

With summer temperature readings in the 100′s, the energy efficiency of your cooling system becomes very important. An inefficient air conditioning unit can really cause your energy bill to be inappropriately high. By increasing the efficiency of your air conditioning system, you could save up to 20% a year in energy costs. Some of these energy saving tips may not apply to your air conditioning situation, but, I’m sure that at least one does and that can still give you a lower electric bill each month.

Here are five energy saving tips for a lower electric bill :

1. Upgrade To Central Heat And Air Conditioning
2. Get A Central Air Conditioner Tune-up
3. Upgrade To An EnergyStar Air Conditioner
4. Clean Your Furnace Air Filter
5. Use A Digital Programmable Thermostat

Energy Saving Tips: Upgrade to Central Air Conditioning and Heating

If you are currently using room air conditioners, also called window air conditioning units, replacing them with central air conditioning and heating will be much more efficient and your home comfort level will be higher as well.

Energy Saving Tips: Get A Heating and Air Conditioning Tune-Up

Air conditioning systems are composed of a combination of parts: compressor, condenser, fan, blower motor, thermostat, coolant, high pressure lines, low pressure lines, air ducts, etc. To keep energy costs low, it is essential that each of these components work efficiently together.

An HVAC contractor can test and calibrate your central air conditioning system and all its components to achieve the lowest possible running cost for your unique system. This will most always lower your electric bill. For best results it should be done once per year.

Energy Saving Tips: Replace Older Heating and Cooling Equipment With Modern EnergyStar Units

What is the age of your air conditioning system? Sometimes with older air conditioners or heat pumps, it’s best to just replace the old technology equipment with a new unit that has a high EnergyStar rating.

Energy Saving Tips: Keep Your Air Filter Clean

Simply keeping a clean air filter in your furnace will also reduce your air conditioning costs. Do this by replacing the filter once per month.

Energy Saving Tips: Install a Digital Programmable Thermostat

One way of efficiently controlling the whole system is to install a digital programmable thermostat. When properly programmed, this device automatically regulates the air conditioner to compensate for peak and valley demands on the system.This will save you money on your electric bills as well.

In Conclusion…

There are many ways you can help your air conditioning system work more efficiently to reduce seasonal cooling costs. Each of these options will pay for themselves in time with lower cooling costs. We hope these five energy saving tips can help give you a lower electric bill.

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Tagged with: A/C Tune-Up • air conditioner • energy efficiency • energy saving tips • lower electric bill

Filed under: Air Conditioning Arlington Tx

The Commercial Ice Machine | Problems, Solutions And Repair

This article is meant to help you get to the bottom of your commercial ice machine problems. I’ll start with a few facts about ice machines and ice makers, and then we will get down to business. Ice machine problems fall into one or more of several categories. The most drastic problem, i.e. “won’t make ice” is probably the easiest to fix, but there are other problems or complaints that we hear that we will address here, such as, ice maker water leaks, makes ice too slowly, ice machine too noisy, electric bill too high, and of course the “stinky ice” syndrome. A few of these problems you can fix yourself but many require the assistance of a trained HVAC technician.

First, A Few Commercial Ice Maker Facts

Did you know that fully 10% of all the electricity used in commercial refrigeration is used by ice maker machines? It’s true. What does that tell you about getting an energy efficient model? And, did you know that these devices work round the clock, 24 / 7, and that is hard on any piece of machinery. The lifespan of commercial ice machine is about 10 years.

Also, it is important to know that 60% for all ice machine repair calls are for water related problems. By water related I mean, poor ice taste or smell, plugged water filter, or even slime in the ice maker!

There are basically two main types of commercial ice makers: Air Cooled and Water Cooled.

The air cooled ice machines are cheaper but they are noisier and they will heat up the room they are locate in because the fan in the refrigeration unit blows across the coils and sends the hot air right out into the room.

Water cooled ice makers are much quieter and don’t heat up the room, but they will cost you more on your electric bill. They are also much easier to install.

Now that we have learned a little about the commercial ice machine, what kinds of problems might we encounter during the normal lifespan of the unit?

Won’t Make Ice

An obvious problem is if the ice machine just won’t put out ice. This can be caused by several issues. Fortunately most are easy to fix. Your friendly TNS Mechanical Services man can usually spot the problem quickly and get it fixed pronto. Here are some of the possible problems you could encounter.

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Tagged with: commercial ice maker • Hoshizaki • ice machine • Ice-O-Matic • Manitowoc • Scotsman

Filed under: Commercial Ice Machine

Lennox, an air conditioning industry leader, is on the cutting edge of solar technology as it relates to solar air conditioning. This is a relatively new area of HVAC. It is new to the public, but it has taken many years to perfect.

In the past the cost was very prohibitive. Make no mistake, Solar air conditioning will still cost you more in the short term, but is very cost effective in the long run. Also, the owner of a solar air conditioning system has a wonderful feeling of independence as his/her dependance on the power companies and their rising prices is greatly minimized.

Disclaimer: The video you are about to watch does not depict any production solar air conditioning unit. It is not a Lennox unit and is in no way related to Lennox. For a discussion of actual Lennox systems and installation particulars, call the number at the end of this article.

As you watch the video, you will see a 13,500 BTU air conditioning unit that is being powered entirely by an array of solar collectors. The array consists of 6 panels providing 180 watts each. This makes a total of 1080 watts for the whole array.

Remember, this is just a demo to prove that the technology is feasible. Obviously you can’t cool a whole house with just a single 15,500 BTU unit.

This “demo system” does not even have backup batteries. The addition of batteries to the system will prevent dropouts and also allow AC usage on cloudy days. In practical systems available today, excess power from the collectors is fed back into the power grid and power is sourced from the grid on those cloudy days. Here in Arlington, Texas, we don’t get many cloudy days, so solar technology is very practical for us.

Full solar air conditioning systems are available from TNS Mechanical Services in Arlington, Tx. TNS is an authorized dealer and installer of the Lennox SunSource®Home Energy System. This is a remarkable system that anyone concerned about environmental issues and energy independence issues should seriously consider.

Call (817) 465-1112 today for a free Solar Air Conditioning feasibility inspection of your home or business. The TNS experts will explain the system and give you a quote.

Tagged with: going green • Green AC • solar AC • solar air conditioner

Filed under: AC - Going Green • Air Conditioning Arlington Tx • Solar Air Conditioning

Most people take for granted the central air conditioning system in their home or business. That is, until it breaks down.

Of course most people know a few of the components associated with central air conditioning, the box in the yard, the filter that need to be changed. They know it is connected to the furnace and duct-work in some way but mostly it is just a mysterious conglomeration of components that are unseen and not much thought is given to it.

There are, however, many components involved with this system – mechanical components, electrical components, fluids and of course the physics behind it all.

HVAC (Heating Ventilation Air Conditioning) is related to the field of mechanical engineering. The HVAC Technicians, as they are called, have specialized training in these three areas. Although, the principles of refrigeration are fairly easy to understand, it should be noted that there are many hazards (both personal and environmental) that can occur if not done properly. Air Conditioner service, repair and installation should be left to a state licensed professional in the HVAC field.

The home or business owner should change the air filter monthly and schedule regular preventive maintenance.

But, what are the components of a central air conditioning system? We should think of a properly working system as an efficient group of elements working in unison to provide the desired air temperature and air cleanliness in you home or business.

These components include, but are not limited to, cooling coils(also called an evaporator), a compressor, condenser and associated support hardware (such as thermostats, blower motor, duct-works, etc.).

These terms, and many others, are defined elsewhere on this website, but, here is a brief description of these few components of a central air conditioning system.

One key point to remember is that air conditioners transfer heat between the air outside the system to a fluid inside the system.

The compressor and the condenser, in a home system, are located outside the house in a box that has a fan. The evaporator is on the inside of the house and is usually connected to (inside of) the central heating unit. Likewise the air ducts, blower motor,thermostats, etc.are also inside the house.

The evaporator is on what is called the cold side of the air conditioner. As the refrigeration liquid passes into the evaporator it turns (evaporates) into a gas. As it turns into a gas, it extracts heat from the surrounding air via metal fins (like the radiator in your car). The fins present a greater surface area to help transfer the thermal energy.

The blower motor pushes air through the fins of the evaporator and through the air ducts of the home to aid of this process of transferring heat.

The compressor (outside the house) takes the cool, low pressure gas that has come from the evaporator inside the house and squeezes it, i.e., pressurizes it, then sends this hot high pressure gas to the condenser unit which transfers the heat to the outside air with the aid of the fan.The condenser has fins, much like the evaporator. The function of these two components are similar but opposite – one cooling the surrounding air indoor air and the other casting off the heat out of doors.

Most everyone is familiar with the thermostat and its operation. The thermostat is the “traffic cop” of the whole system. It is the “user interface” that lets you specify the indoor temperature. It also gives you a reading of the current indoor air temp. In the past these were touchy devices but the newer digital models are very stable and consistent in their control of the cooling system.

DANGER: Attempting to repair your own system could result in harm to you and the environment. HIGH Pressure and hot liquids can be very hazardous if a leak is caused. Always consult a HVAC professional for anything more involved than changing the air filter, adjusting the thermostat, or vacuuming grass clippings off the outside condenser unit.

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Tagged with: air conditioning arlington tx • central air conditioner • coil • compressor • condenser • duct • ductwork • evaporator • thermostat

Filed under: Air Conditioners • Air Conditioning Arlington Tx • Central Air Conditioning • Furnaces

Air Conditioner Systems

TNS Mechanical Services welcomes this guest article by Mr. Varalakshmi. It provides a brief explanation of the types of air conditioner systems available such as evaporative coolers, window units, and central air conditioners. For a more detailed explanation, or perhaps to make an appointment to discuss the replacement or repair of your air conditioning system, phone TNS Mechanical at (817) 465-1112 or just send an email through the TNS Mechanical Services contact page.

Types and Functions of Modern Air Conditioner Systems

By Varalakshmi

About the Author:

The author is associated with IPFonline

http://www.ipfonline.com is India’s No. 1 Industrial Product Finder. The portal is a veritable storehouse of information on industrial products/services.

Articles Source: Air Conditioner

This short article about the various types of air conditioner systems provides just a very brief “taste” of what is available and the differences between them. For more information call TNS Mechanical at (817)465-1112.

Tagged with: central air conditioners • evaporative cooler • HVAC • portable air conditioners • refrigeration • split air conditioners

Filed under: Air Conditioners • Air Conditioning Arlington Tx • HVAC Arlington Texas

Stopping Air Leaks in Your Home

Areas that leak air into and out of your home cost you lots of money. Check the areas listed below.

Dropped ceiling Recessed light Attic entrance Sill plates

Water and furnace flues All ducts Door frames Chimney flashing

Window frames Electrical outlets and switches Plumbing and utility access

***Images from the Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy

Tagged with: air leaks • energy audit • going green • save money

Filed under: AC - Going Green • Air Conditioning Arlington Tx • Energy Audits • HVAC Arlington Texas • Tax Credit Availability