Air Conditioning Facts & Myths: Experts Weigh In

June 17, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

During our seemingly endless summers, San Antonio homeowners enjoy the full benefits of cooler air, thanks to their air conditioning system. Despite our appreciation for our AC, many of us have little understanding of the inner workings of these complicated systems. As a result, there are several myths that continue to persist to this day that result in wasted energy and money.

Find out what these misconceptions are and just how to keep your energy bill low while keeping your home as cool as can be in when the mercury climbs sky-high.

Myth: Leaving Ceiling Fans On Will Keep An Empty Room Cool

Ceiling fans move air around in a room, but they don’t cool it. The cooling effect we feel is due to the air being moved across our skin. Our body temperature often drops as a result.

We also experience a similar feeling when we’re sweating and a fan is turned on. … Read Full Post »

What To Know About The Striped Bark Scorpion

June 14, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • Corpus Christi

Scorpions may be small, but their stings pack quite a wallop! While the pesky critters can be found in states like Florida and Arizona, there is one species that we are most likely to see here in Texas: the striped bark scorpion.

Let’s learn more about one of the most common types of scorpions in texas and answer some common questions: where do scorpions live? Why do they sting? What should you do if you get stung? How can you avoid falling into their clutches?

What You’ll Learn:

Types of Scorpions
Striped Bark Scorpion Appearance
Striped Bark Scorpion Habitat and Habits
How Bad Is A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting?
How to Treat A Striped Bark Scorpion Sting
How to Avoid The Striped Bark Scorpion

Types of Scorpions

Scientists estimate that there are approximately 1,500 different species of scorpions around the world. You will find some of the most poisonous scorpions in the world in Mexico. The most dangerous scorpion in … Read Full Post »

Data-Driven Mosquito Remediation

Scientists are biting back against mosquitoes in Texas

Are mosquitoes getting you down? Not only are they an itchy menace, but mosquitoes can also carry diseases.

Because of the threat to human health, scientists are searching for new ways to reduce mosquito populations. Researchers from around the country, including some at Texas A&M in Bryan-College Station, want to find alternatives to pesticides, which kill beneficial insects and pose health risks to both animals and humans. Even worse, pesticides present only a temporary solution since mosquitoes can develop resistance to their effects.

These entomologists and epidemiologies study both the mosquitoes themselves and mosquito-borne diseases such as West Nile and Zika, in a quest to discover better ways we can protect ourselves from mosquitoes.

Mosquito diseases

While the threat of the West Nile virus has worried doctors for a while, now Texas also needs to worry about the Zika virus. So far at least 27 cases have … Read Full Post »

Are There Pet-Safe Bug Bombs or Pest Control?

May 23, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • Bryan-College Station

We look forward to the warmer times of the year since that often means time spent by the pool, backyard barbeques and longer days. Unfortunately, it is also the time when many outdoor invaders find their ways into homes. From ants on our counters to mosquitoes in the yard, insects are often a big problem in the warm spring and summer months.

It’s easy to pick up a can of bug spray and zap the pesky critters, but what do you do when you have pets around? What if you have a new puppy or suddenly start seeing roaches or rodents? Instead of reaching for the poisons or bug bombs, there are some great pet-friendly alternatives that will help keep you and your family (including the four-legged members) pest-free this summer.

What is Pet-Friendly Pest Control?

Pesticides are especially hazardous to pets for a variety of reasons. Animals are more likely to be on … Read Full Post »

Summer Air Conditioning: How To Get Your AC Unit Ready

May 23, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

As summer approaches and the days get warmer, you’ll want to know that you can turn on your air conditioner for a little relief.

Before sweltering temperatures are here to stay, make sure you perform some basic summer air conditioning maintenance tasks to make your HVAC perform its best during the peak season.

Replace Dirty Air Filters

The warm weather in Texas forces residents to use about three times as much energy on air conditioning when compared to the average U.S. household.

Replacing your air conditioner’s filter is one of the easiest things you can do to help save on your energy bill. Excessive dust in the house can cause a dirty filter, making it difficult for the system to blow air. The harder your air conditioner has to work, the more money you spend on electricity.

Clean The Evaporator Coils

Your air conditioner uses evaporator coils to remove heat and moisture from the air. If the … Read Full Post »

Where Do Roaches Hide? Playing Cockroach Hide and Seek

April 15, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Pest Control • Austin

Roaches are excellent at hiding. When it comes to fight or flight, this family of insects has evolved to excel at dodging attempts by humans to somehow squish or squash them. That’s why cockroaches have managed to remain one of humanity’s biggest pest problems for centuries. In fact, the cockroach family has thrived here on Earth for over 300 million years!

During the day, you rarely spot one of these creepy crawly creatures, but at night, you can often find them in your bathroom or running across your kitchen floor. This Houdini-like ability to disappear often elicits the same question: where do roaches hide?

Roaches: Nature’s Best Escape Artists

Almost 70 species of cockroaches are found in the United States, and most of those rarely make their way inside our homes. Unfortunately, once you see one roach, chances are that there could be tens or hundreds that you haven’t seen. The most common … Read Full Post »

Outdoor AC Unit In Rain: How To Protect Your Air Conditioner

April 14, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

With periodic hail, flooding and other types of inclement weather, Texas homeowners can find it a challenge to keep their living spaces comfortable. Many of us rely on our HVAC systems to keep us cozy indoors as spring wind and rain bring colder temperatures and keep us cool during a summer thunderstorm.

But while your family might be safe inside, your HVAC unit may not be.

Hail wreaks havoc on vehicles, windows and roofs. Your outdoor HVAC unit is also at risk of damage as well. What should you do with your outdoor AC unit in rain? Here are five tips to keep your HVAC working through the harshest of storms.

Cover Your HVAC

Two of the biggest enemies for HVAC units are hail and debris. If a hailstorm or heavy winds are in the forecast, place a thick canvas cover on your HVAC system. This will provide protection during the storm and allow … Read Full Post »

Hot Weather Tips: How To Keep Cool Without Your AC Running

March 8, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

When temperatures climb, many homeowners start to get their air conditioners in working order to prepare for the heat. Fighting back against the warm embrace of sunlight trickling through the window blinds with a refreshing blast of air is a feeling many cannot go without, especially in the middle of a notoriously sweltering Texas summer.

The modern comfort of an AC might be a welcome treat for many, but how do people without air conditioning get through those blazingly hot days?

While opening windows at night to cool down is arguably the most common way to beat the heat, there are many more interesting ways for people to keep their cool as the mercury goes up. While some of you may be asking how to make an air conditioner colder, we understand that summer air conditioning can be costly. Check out our hot weather tips below to cut down on your home energy … Read Full Post »

The Very Best Mosquito Repellents

February 26, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Mosquito Control, Pest Control • Corpus Christi

Warm weather is just around the corner, and that means mosquito season is not far behind. These pests can be a real nuisance! Worse yet, in some cases, mosquito bites can even make you sick. Below, we’ll look at some of the diseases carried by mosquitoes and then we’ll offer our picks for the very best mosquito repellents.

Why should you be concerned about mosquitoes?

Mosquitoes aren’t just a nuisance. They can carry diseases that can affect you and your family. In the Corpus Christi area, the biggest concern for mosquitoes is the West Nile virus, with July 2015 marking the first confirmed cases in the area. Lately, the media has also been reporting on the Zika virus, which has spread to Brazil and may be causing microcephaly, a birth defect that affects the development of an infant’s brain. The good news is that while there have been a dozen cases of … Read Full Post »

Is Your Air Conditioner Running Constantly?

February 9, 2016. Posted by Les Stobart in Air Conditioning & Heating • San Antonio

If your air conditioner is working hard all the time, chances are that you are wasting money, that you will need regular repairs and that your AC’s lifespan will be shorter than it should be.

Contrary to popular belief, shutting down your air conditioner or heater during the day is not the best way to save energy. In this post, we’ll discuss how to balance energy efficiency, the desire for comfort and costs to help you decide how often you’ll want your AC to be running during the day.

Should I Turn My Air Conditioner Off During The Day?

When you leave your air conditioner off during the day, you would imagine that the entire system doesn’t have to do any work, which would save you money in the long run. The problem with this conclusion is that your air conditioner actually works harder to bring your indoor temperature to a desired level … Read Full Post »