Blog
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High Efficiency Hot Water Heaters
- January 13, 2014
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
No CommentsAccording to the experts, the cost of heating water is nearly 15% of your utility bill. It makes sense, then, to find the most energy and cost efficient method to accomplish that task. With the development of high efficiency hot water heaters, we have, in fact, “re-invented the wheel” where heating water is concerned. Depending upon your choice of system, a high efficiency hot water heater will use from 10 to 60% less energy than standard models. A bit of virtual comparison shopping will help you decide which style is right for you.
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The Why and What of Regular HVAC and Plumbing Preventative Maintenance
- November 25, 2013
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
Everyone is familiar with the old adage “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” This is especially true when it comes to the maintenance of expensive household systems like heating, cooling, and plumbing. It is easy to take these basic conveniences for granted, until a breakdown occurs and you are left without heat or air conditioning when you need them most. Worse yet is a plumbing failure. Problems that require the dreaded call to the plumber always seem to happen after hours, on a holiday, or with a house full of guests. HVAC and plumbing system failures are not only inconvenient, they can be costly.
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Winterizing Your Plumbing
- October 23, 2013
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
Winter! The very word induces a shiver in even the hardiest individuals. Preparing your home, particularly your plumbing, for the approaching winter season is extremely important. Anyone who has ever experienced frozen pipes knows that the situation is a real inconvenience. Worse yet, frozen plumbing can lead to water line breaks which can result in costly water damage to your home. While plumbing winterization should be a priority, how you winterize your plumbing depends on where you live.
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Operation Finally Home – Casa Mechanical serves as Austin’s Plumber and HVAC Provider
- September 17, 2013
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
Casa Mechanical is a proud to be Austin’s plumber and HVAC specialist for Operation FINALLY HOME. Founded in 2005 as a non-partisan/non-profit organization, Operation FINALLY HOME addresses the most pressing need of wounded and disabled American veterans and the widows of the fallen – a home to call their own. Severely wounded and disabled service members return home to face many hardships, including physical and emotional disabilities, long term rehabilitation and the inability to find or maintain a job. The financial burden inherent in dealing with such difficulties, when coupled with the lack of adequate income, often results in financial ruin and, sadly, the loss of the family home. Operation FINALLY HOME works with corporate sponsors, builder associations, builders, developers, individual contributors, and volunteers to help America’s heroes and their families transition to life on the home front in a custom designed, well built, mortgage free home.
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Improving Indoor Air Quality
- March 18, 2013
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
Controlling your indoor air quality is essential to your health. This can be exceptionally difficult during those colder winter months. According to the EPA, there are 3 main strategies for improving indoor air quality.
- Source Control
- Improved Ventilation
- Air Cleaners
Each of these areas can have a profound impact on the overall quality of your home’s air.
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HVAC Unit Semi-Annual Maintenance Program
- February 27, 2013
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
Spring is just around the corner. Now’s the time to consider having your HVAC maintenance check up performed. Properly maintaining your home’s HVAC unit will improve its operating efficiency, lower your monthly energy costs and keep your home comfortable during those hot summer days in Austin. We’ve outlined some basic care items that should be addressed in the spring.
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Austin HVAC Maintenance – How’s and Why’s
- September 7, 2012
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
Maintaining your HVAC unit is essential to insuring that it will be ready to use when you need it. Just like a car needs routing oil changes and servicing, so do heating and cooling systems. Providing there is not an immediate need, most units should be serviced twice per year if they provide both heating and cooling. If they provide only heating or cooling, then once per year prior to the operating season should suffice. During a routine maintenance appointment, your HVAC professional will inspect your system’s operating system, moving parts, safety controls and the thermostat to insure that they are in complete working order. In addition, they will lubricate the moving parts per the manufacturer’s specifications, clean and change the filter and insure the proper voltage and amperage for your system. This is essential for the optimal operation of your system.
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Warning Signs of HVAC System Failure for Austin Homeowners
- August 3, 2012
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
HVAC units are often the most highly used and most overlooked appliance in our homes. As a result, it can be extremely frustrating when these units fail. Homeowners should take a proactive approach to managing their heating and cooling systems in order to prevent these catastrophic failures from occurring. The following article outlines some of the warning signs that occur when an HVAC system needs replaced.
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Plumbing Experts increase home efficiency for Austin Homeowners.
- July 6, 2012
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
With the “Go Green” initiatives, many Austin homeowners are becoming more aware of their energy consumption and ways to save energy in their homes. Often times, people consider their major appliances when they are looking for energy savings. With the advent of Energy Star appliances and government incentive programs, homeowners can take advantage of initial savings in terms of rebates and long term savings through energy efficient appliances. When considering appliance many people overlook their hot water heater. An efficient hot water heater, however, can provide energy savings of 20-50% in the average home. Tankless hot water heaters are leading the way in energy savings.
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Austin residents can enjoy the benefits of high-efficiency HVAC units
- June 14, 2012
- Posted by: AoDesign
- Category:
With the summer heat fast approaching in Austin, it may be a good time to consider installing a high efficiency HVAC unit. In addition to a cooler home, the government and many power companies are offering incentives for adding a unit to your home. Before purchasing a new HVAC unit, however, it is important to understand the basics of the system and how efficiency is measured.