Lost in Translation

How about a quick language test? Ever hear of the terms SEER and EER? Well, if it’s near dinnertime, you might think that SEER sounds like something you do to a steak, and EER sounds like corn just off the stalk. So maybe I’m just hungry, but I’m not talking dinner – I’m talking comfort.

And therein lies the problem. If you don’t share a common language, it’s hard to understand what someone is trying to tell you.

This concept is true in all sorts of ways – whether it’s English vs. French, or text message acronyms vs. correct spelling in complete sentences, or industry terms vs. what words people actually understand.

All industries seem to have an “insider language,” where words and technical terms are thrown around as if they should make sense to everybody. Sometimes they do, sometimes they don’t.

We see that often as our customers are trying to choose the most energy-efficient solutions for their home, but sometimes they feel like things are lost in translation. If that could be you, you might appreciate this brief report on, “The Language of Energy Efficiency.”  Take a look.  

How to Avoid 90% of All System Failures

Dirt.  Five year olds love it, plants can’t live without it, and you’re breathing it in every day.  Not just breathing it in – you’re paying to inhale the largest cause of your home’s dust and allergy problems.

You’re probably thinking that’s an exaggeration.  But the simple truth is that you are paying to run your heating and cooling system, more and more as the weather heats up.  And since dirt is the number one cause of system failure – 90% of all failures, in fact – chances are good that dirt is keeping your system from running at peak efficiency.

Before you invest in a family set of gas masks or prepare for a nomadic existence in the Sahara (hey, at least then you won’t be paying for the dirt), you might want to give your heating and cooling professional a call.

Your system works hard. It’s constantly circulating and cooling the air that keeps your family comfortable. Like anything else that works, it gets dirty and has to be cleaned. Scheduling the maintenance for your home’s heating and cooling system is as important as changing the oil in your car – if you don’t do it, eventually you’ll have a breakdown.

There are a few questions to ask yourself before having your system cleaned:

• How long has it been since your HVAC system was cleaned? Systems should have regular tune-ups, which most companies can schedule for you with a Maintenance Agreement.
• Are there pets in the home?
• Do any family members experience burning in the eyes, nose, or throat while in the home?
• Does your climate have high humidity?
• Do any family members show symptoms of mild to severe allergies?

System failures caused by dirt, as well as expensive repairs, can be avoided with a little preventative maintenance.  Most people don’t realize how much money they can save by making sure their system runs efficiently.

Learning the precautions are part of Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Company's effort to educate the public on how to save time, energy, and money.  We want to show homeowners certain neglected maintenance items that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs or system replacements.

You can get your ventilation system inspected, plus receive other energy saving tips by calling us at (361) 668–1933 or visiting http://fourseasonsac.com/.