Air Repair A/C & Heating

Homeowner’s Operating Responsibilities and Limited Warranty Information Manual

Your Comfort is one of the most important parts of your life and most people take the comfort system in their homes for granted. When we are not living life in our comfort zone, our lives are not as enjoyable and our health can suffer.

When evaluating your cooling and heating system, compare it to your automobile or other valuable mechanical devices that require regular maintenance and check-ups.  Most would not consider operating their car without ever changing the oil or checking the tires for air pressure. 

Your cooling and heating system is an expensive part of your home and regular service can save you thousands of dollars over the lifetime of your system.  Ongoing regular service can prevent more expensive problems from occurring and save you the inconvenience of being without heating or cooling at a most inappropriate time.  Regular service can also increase the lifetime of your system.  Most systems are designed to last 10 years or more.  However, a neglected system can fail much sooner.

A neglected gas furnace can emit carbon monoxide which is dangerous.  Hundreds die every year from this deadly gas.  Safety controls can malfunction causing the possibility of starting a fire. Respiratory illness, viral infections, allergies and fatigue can be traced to neglected air conditioning and heating systems. 

Air Repair A/c and Heating is pleased to offer you the opportunity to join one of our membership clubs with a small monthly fee that will guarantee service when you need it.  Put the comfort and health of your loved ones in the care of a company that has the personnel to give you the quality of service you deserve and keep your equipment operating the way it was designed.  Many technicians that are not properly trained, can decrease the lifetime of your equipment and increase the cost of its operation.

Please examine our Club Membership’s benefits. Regardless of the one you choose, you’ll discover that your membership will pay for itself year after only one year.

Texas A&M University- Test results showed that the Seasonal Energy Efficiency Ratio of a unit decreased from 9.6 to 8 with a 10% refrigerant undercharge.
Texas Power and Light Company- A cooling system undercharge of 32% could go unnoticed by a homeowner and result inn a 52% loss of efficiency.

In most cases, the cost of regular service will be paid in the savings received from lower utility bill

HOMEOWNER’S OPERATING RESPONSIBILITIES AND LIMITED WARRANTY INFORMATION MANUAL

We thank you for choosing Air Repair A/C and Heating as the contractor to install your Cooling and Heating system. We have installed a technologically advanced environmental comfort system designed to give you a comfortable living environment for years to come.

The system installed should have no difficulties in meeting or exceeding your comfort needs. Please read this manual to understand how your new system operates. It is best to review this manual before calling our office for service since many problems can be solved with the knowledge contained within. There are some things not covered in your warranty, and you could possibly save the cost of a service call.

All new systems carry a minimum of two year limited parts and labor warranty and five year parts per manufacturer; however, there are certain items that are the homeowner’s responsibilities which are listed in this manual.

If you have questions regarding your new equipment or have any problems, please call our office.

If an extended warranty did not come with your new system, you may purchase an extended warranty. This warranty is offered for a limited amount of time.  A list with warranty options and prices is included in this manual. We recommend investing in an extended warranty to prevent having an unexpected repair bill. Due to the government’s regulation on the handling of refrigerants, some repairs may be expensive. We have installed a quality system, but with mechanical equipment there is always the possibility of failure. Extended warranties may be purchased before the expiration of the two year warranty.

Your cooling and heating system is like your automobile; it requires maintenance. Equipment without maintenance can cause expensive utility bills and equipment failure. Lower utility bills will more than offset the cost of a maintenance agreement. Please call our office or visit our web site at www.airrepairac.com about investing in our Safety & Efficiency Club Memberships.

Design Of Comfort System

*Note* There can be a 2-3 degree temperature swing due to the sun moving from one side of the house to the other during cooling season or from the effects of a cold front during the heating season.

Your system was designed for a 20 degree temperature difference between the inside of your home and the outdoor ambient temperature. This means that if it is 95 degrees outside, then your system will at least cool down to 75 degrees.

The average air conditioner runs 2400 hours a year in our climate. It is designed to remove humidity as well as maintain a comfortable temperature in your home. It is not unusual for a properly designed system to run all day in hot weather. A properly sized A/C unit will remove more humidity than an over-sized unit cycling off and on too frequently. A unit that is too large will result in higher utility bills if the compressor cycles on and off too frequently. Higher humidity also requires a lower temperature for comfort.

You should not compare utility bills with neighbors and expect them to be the same due to different lifestyles. Some like to keep the home cooler, do more cooking or have children going in and out more frequently. Some attics are ventilated better than others. Also, uncovered windows add tremendously to heat in homes.

Filters

We recommend Whole House Filtration Systems unless you have an electronic air cleaner or equivalent. Electrostatic air filters if not over-sized at least 150%, can reduce air flow which may increase the cost of utility bills, decrease capacity of system and harm compressor with liquid slugging in some cases. We do not recommend electrostatic air filters. Filters should be changed monthly. Clean filters will keep the evaporator cleaner, reduce condensate blockage, and keep the air inside your home cleaner.  Dirty filters will produce a dirty evaporator which will result in loss of cooling and may cause algae to form in evaporator which will result in a stopped up condensate drains.

Air Balance

The duct work in your home was designed for the in home temperature to have no more than a 3 degree variation between rooms. Most homes, due to design and installation, will not require an air balance. After you review the following procedures if you feel that a problem exists that requires air balance, call our office and schedule.

Some homes are difficult to balance and may not have a variation during both heating and cooling due to the design of home. It is best to balance for the cooling season because you have approximately 1000 heating hours of operation and 2400 cooling hours of operation in the greater Houston area. If the home has been balanced for heating, it may require re-balancing in the cooling season. All windows must have drapes or insulated shades (unless they will not be covered) to properly air balance a home.

A. It is not unusual for homeowners to think their home is not properly balanced when the following occurs: 

1. Home has lots of glass and the sun changes directions allowing radiant heat in the room.  
2. Cold front comes in and strong winds increase infiltration in home.  
3. Humidity decreases in winter and your body feels cold when room temperature is normal.  
4. Door closed and room becoming pressurized.  
5. Two-story home with one system will have a heat rise problem. This can be satisfied with continuous fan operation.  
6. Homes with high ceiling and large open area may require continuous fan operation.

B.  Rooms with doors kept closed and that do not have a return duct installed require doors kept open or undercut enough to prevent room pressurization. Supply air may not be adequate if room is pressurized and will prevent room from being properly heated or cooled.

C.  Please check the temperature in room and see if it is within 3 degrees of thermostat before requesting air balance.

D.  Inspectors checking for proper temperature difference in room air supply need to check air 
   in box, not at outlet of grill. The air has been mixed with room air after it leaves the register.             

Infrared thermometers will not correctly read air temperature. You need to be sure you read
the air temperature, not the register.

Thermostats

Set the thermostat to a reasonable comfort level rather than to an exact degree number. You cannot have maximum energy savings and maximum comfort at the same time. Thermostats are designed with a 3 to 5 degree variation. Do not expect to raise the temperature setting in the morning and return home in the evening and expect the system to cool down immediately in hot weather.

Programmable Thermostats

Programmable thermostats help in saving energy, but they have a number of limitations. In the summer season, the temperature should not be set to rise more than 8 degrees above normal cooling temperature and should not be set above 85 degrees.

 Drain Lines

Drain lines require periodic maintenance.  The drain is properly installed if it works the first 90 days of cooling season. Any failure is caused by neglect to change filters or natural algae. We recommend that Clorox, coil cleaner or algaecide tablets installed in the drain twice a year to kill algae which forms in the drain line.

Soot and Dirt Around Registers and Ceiling

Registers can have a mildew looking effect that is actually only dirt coming through the filters. Filters need to be changed monthly and should be pleated for best performance. Electrostatic filters unless over-sized a minimum of 150 percent, will result in poor air flow and possible damage to equipment. Candle burning and fi replaces in tightly constructed homes sometimes cause an accumulation of “black soot” in homes. This is caused by the incomplete combustion of a yellow flame. If soot is noticed in your home, discontinue candle burning and be sure damper is open in fi replace. Open a window 1 to 2 inches when using fireplace so the natural draft will carry soot and gasses out of your home.
Breakers, Disconnect, Switches (See Page 5)

The condensing unit has a set of electrical breakers that can trip during low voltage, or power surges, or switching unit off and on too quickly. There are two breakers to the condensing unit since it is 230 volts. Switch both off and on to reset. Electric air handlers have two breakers that can trip. The low voltage that controls the condensing unit comes from the air handler and a tripped breaker can cause the failure of the air handler and/or condenser. Gas Furnaces have one breaker in the electrical box and a light switch which is in an area near the attic access or close to the furnace in the attic. Accidentally turning off the switch is a common cause of the equipment not working. The low voltage control circuit that controls the entire HVAC system is located in the furnace. Failure to check for these problems can result in a service charge since these are not warranted items.
 

Customer Responsibilities

THE MOST COMMON CALLS FOR AIR CONDITIONING AND HEATING SYSTEMS NOT WORKING IN A NEW INSTALLATION IS THAT POWER HAS BEEN CUT OFF FOR THE FOLLOWING REASONS.  CALLING FOR SERVICE WITHOUT CHECKING THESE ITEMS COULD RESULT IN A SERVICE CHARGE. DISRUPTION OF POWER IS NOT A WARRANTY CALL.

Gas furnaces usually have a light switch in attic or hallway near attic access. Switch is usually turned off by mistake. Control circuit is in furnace and nothing will work if switch is off.

Electric furnaces may have a breaker box or disconnect at furnace or it could be in the main breaker box. Control circuit is in air handler and nothing will work if breaker is tripped.

Air Conditioning units have a disconnect at unit unless breaker box is on same side of house and in sight of air conditioner. Disconnect may be pull-out or breaker tripped.

Breaker Box
Check to make sure breaker has not been tripped. Breakers may be off even if they look like they are in the “on” position. Turn breakers “off” position and back to the “on” position to make sure they are on. If breakers trip after being reset, call for service.

Reasons For Breakers Tripping
Low voltage from power company, power surge from power company, lightning, and turning the thermostat “off” and back “on” too quickly.

Thermostat:

Cooling: Make sure thermostat is in “cool” position and is set 2 degrees cooler than existing room temperature

Heating: Make sure that thermostat is in “heat” position and is set 2 degrees warmer than existing room temperature.

How to operate your Heating and Air Conditioning System

1. Turn thermostat to “Heat or Cool” unless you have a thermostat with automatic switchover.

2. Set at temperature that will satisfy your comfort level.

3. For continuous fan operation, set fan switch to “on” position. Set to “auto” for
 fan to cycle on and off with cooling or heating.

4. If you are wanting equipment to come on, set 2 degrees below actual home
 temperature for cooling and 2 degrees above for heating.

5. If equipment does not operate, make certain breakers are on.  And the power   
switch located close to the furnace is on. If the failure with gas heating, make sure the plumbers gas cock is turned on.

6. Leave thermostat at your comfort level and do not manually lower or raise it to save money. This type of operation generally increases utility cost unless left off for a period of 8 hours or more.

7. Do not turn thermostat on and off in rapid succession. It could seriously damage compressor. Wait 3 minutes before restarting.

8. Do not expect system to give adequate performance without running 15 to 20 hours each day in hot weather.

9. Check condensate drain at least twice a year and install Clorox, coil cleaner or algaecide tablets into the drain line to prevent algae build up and line blockage.

10. Clean or replace air filters monthly. A clogged or dirty air filter will increase operating cost, reduce comfort, and shorten compressor life. Not doing filter maintenance may result in evaporator having to be cleaned sooner.

11. Air Conditioners should be checked yearly to ensure maximum operating efficiency and to extend lifetime. Dirty coils and inadequate refrigerant levels can increase operating cost and shorten equipment lifetime. Lubrication of motors is required, unless motor has sealed bearings.

12. Gas furnaces should be checked yearly to ensure proper combustion, venting of furnace, and working order of safety devices. A carbon monoxide test should be made at this time, and heat exchanger examined for any developed imperfections. Lubrication of motors is required, unless motor has sealed bearings.

13. Plan and follow a routine preventive maintenance schedule. We offer a maintenance program where the savings in your utility bills will more than pay for the agreement.
 
Warranty Service

Warranty begins on closing date or start up date, whichever occurs first. Each piece of equipment and thermostat have decals which list service and emergency phone numbers.

Hours of operation for warranty service:  Monday through Friday 8:00 AM till 6:00 PM

Emergency Service: 1-409-925-3979
All calls not classified as emergency will be billed with a $50.00 call out fee.

An emergency exists if there is no heat or cooling anywhere in the home and outdoor temperatures warranty the need of such. A single zone HVAC system failure is not considered an emergency unless there is a health threat to someone in the home. Air balancing is not considered an emergency. Otherwise such problems should be handled during regular business hours.
Service After Warranty

Air Repair A/C and Heating is committed to customer satisfaction, and we would appreciate the opportunity to serve you after your warranty expires.

Air Repair A/C and Heating continues to strive to be the leader in the H.V.A.C. field. Our radio dispatched fleet is equipped with state of the art testing equipment and carries a large assortment of parts to insure the best response in meeting your service needs.

Our service technicians undergo technical training from the manufacturer as well as our own in house training. Technicians are given a written examination upon hiring and most have graduated from a technical training program prior to employment. Our company sponsors a continuing education on a regular basis to keep abreast of ever changing technology and to provide you with quality service. We believe that ethical business practices are top priority. As a commitment to these practices, our technicians are hourly paid and do not receive any commission on parts. We use customer assurance pricing where we charge a diagnostic fee to determine what repairs are required and give a price to do that work before we actually do the repairs. This guarantees a set price regardless of how long a repair takes or how difficult it is.
 
STANDARD WARRANTIES FOR RESIDENTIAL INSTALLATIONS DOES NOT APPLY TO COMMERCIAL INSTALLATION.  LIMITS AND CONDITIONS ON ALL WARRANTIES

Standard Warranty on Most Systems Are As Follows:

A. Two year labor. Manufacturer does not furnish labor warranty.

B. Parts warranty is five years per manufacturer.  Most gas heat exchangers have a 20 year parts warranty per manufacturer.  Manufacturer can refuse warranty if failed due to maintenance not being performed.

C. For warranties other than standard check with our office.

D. Extended warranties are available and listed in this manual.  Extended warranties must be purchased before existing warranty expires.

E. Air Repair A/C and Heating will not honor any labor warranty performed by others.

F. Your comfort system is like your automobile and requires maintenance.  Manufacturer recommends yearly maintenance.

G. Home owners with health problems or those who want to prevent equipment failure at inconvenient times should look at the options available in our Prestige Club.

H. These warranties are effective on equipment installed after 01-01-2009.  Check with office on equipment installed before 01-01-2009.

I. Home owners interested in equipment operating at maximum efficiency and increased life time should take a look at our club memberships.

RESIDENTIAL EXTENDED WARRANTIES

ALL WARRANTIES HAVE LIMITS AND CONDITIONS

FIVE YEARS FROM INSTALL DATE - PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY
(For multiple units, multiply by quantity of units)

Warranty is 3rd through 5th year and must be purchased before second year warranty expires. Extended Warranty requires maintenance of equipment as suggested by manufacturer. Failure to perform maintenance may result in being charged for any repairs resulting in failure to do maintenance.  Priority Club fulfills maintenance requirements.

A. Residential furnace, evaporator, air handler, condenser, .................2nd/5th  includes thermostat ........................................................................ $280.00
B. Gas furnace/Fan cool with heat strips include ............................... $123.00
C. Condenser ...................................................................................... $161.00
D. Programmable thermostat ..........Price per thermostat .................... $43.00
E. Electronic air cleaner ..................Price per air cleaner .................... $56.00
F. Evaporator coil ................................................................................. $56.00
G. Comfort Zone (Up to 4 dampers) .................................................... $85.00
H. Comfort Zone (Up to 8 dampers) ................................................... $169.00
I. Variable speed furnace or fan coil .................................................. $170.00

TEN YEARS FROM INSTALL DATE - PARTS AND LABOR WARRANTY
(For multiple units multiply by quantity of units)

Must be purchased before second year warranty expires. Extended warranty requires maintenance of equipment as suggested by manufacturer. Failure to perform maintenance may result in being charged for any repairs resulting in failure to perform maintenance.

A. Residential furnace, evaporator, (air handler) condenser  includes t-stat ................................................................................. $826.00
B. Gas furnace or fan coil (includes heat strips) ................................ $294.00
C. Condenser ...................................................................................... $388.00
D. Evaporator  .................................................................................... $161.00
E. Programmable Thermostat ..........Price per thermostat .................... $94.00
F. Electronic air cleaner ....................................................................... $94.00
G. Comfort Zone (Up to 4 dampers included) .................................... $186.00
H. Comfort Zone (Up to 8 dampers included) .................................... $370.00
I. Variable speed furnace or air handler ............................................ $360.00

Air Repair Safety and Efficiency Club was created for people who want to keep their Air Conditioning and Heating system operating at optimum efficiency and prevent as many failures as possible.

When you become a Prestige Club member, we will install Air-Star, a computerized sensor system that will call our dispatcher any time it sees a problem or expects a problem to occur.  This helps eliminate failure and maintains top efficiency of your equipment.  There are no diagnostic charges and repairs are free. You will also receive a free precision tune-up and same day service if called in by 8:00 p.m.

Also, as a Prestige Club member, we will issue you a lock box, if you desire, so we can service your equipment without you having to be present.  This saves you valuable time lost from work or other inconveniences.

Safety and Efficiency Prestige Club membership was created for people on the go...people with busy schedules, long working days, people who don’t have the time or who can’t take the time to sit around for hours waiting for the repairman to show up every time something goes wrong with the air conditioning or furnace.  We created the this for people who understand the value of competent, dependable and trustworthy service.  Must join before 2nd year warranty expires.

Safety and Efficiency Prime Club membership offers free diagnostic services, free service on system repairs, free precision tune-up, and guaranteed service in 24 hours. We will issue a lock box, if you desire, so we can service your equipment, at your request, during times you are unable to be home.  Must join before 2nd year warranty expires.

Safety and Efficiency Priority Club membership guarantees service ahead of those who do not have a club membership.  During the busy season, this is a coveted bonus. We will reduce the diagnostic fee to $60.00 and give you a 15% discount on repairs.  We will do one free precision tune-up per year on the air conditioning and heating system.

These must be purchased before expiration of parts and labor warranty.  Call office for more information.

Safety and Efficiency Priority Membership

$13.25 Per Month

Safety and Efficiency Prime Membership
$22.75 Per Month

Safety and Efficiency Prestige Membership

$28.50 Per Month

Air Repair Safety and Efficiency Procedures

I. Prestige membership: Homeowner must join within their 24 month Warranty period.

A. Homeowner joins with-in first twelve months.  
1. Monitor with 4 sensors Installation: No charge. 
2. Monthly payments: Starts immediately.  
3. Collect first month’s fee.

B. Homeowner joins between months twelve and eighteen months.
1. Monitor with 4 sensors Installation: $171.00 each.  
2. Monthly payments: Start immediately.  
3. Collect Installation and first month’s fee.

C. Homeowner joins between months eighteen and twenty-four. 
1. Monitor with 4 sensors Installation: $341.00 each.  
2. Monthly payments: Start immediately.  
3. Collect Installation and first month’s fee.

D. Homeowners out of the twenty-four month Warranty period.  
1. Ineligible for Prestige or Prime Membership.

E. Club memberships other than installation and first month are to be on monthly draws with one exception.  Customer can purchase any club membership and pay three years in advance when purchasing.

II. Prime membership: Homeowner must join within their 24 month Warranty period.

A. Homeowner joins with-in first eighteen months. 
1. Joining Fee ($66.50): No charge.  
2. Monthly payments: Start immediately.  
3. Collect first month’s fee.

B. Homeowner joins between months eighteen and twenty-four.  
1. Joining Fee $66.50 per system.  
2. Monthly payments per system: Starts immediately.  
3. Collect joining fee and first month’s payment per system.

III. Priority membership: Any Homeowner may qualify.

A. Homeowner may join at any time.  
1. Joining Fee: $66.50 per system.  
2. Monthly payments per system: Starts immediately.  
3. Collect joining fee and first month’s payment per system.  
4. Homeowner may purchase Priority membership for $159.00

IV. Air-Star: May be added to any membership plan or level.

A. Club members may have the Air-Scan system installed.  
1. Monitor with 4 sensors Installation: $341.00 each.  
2. Monthly payments: $15.15 per month, per system.  
3. Collect for each monitor and first month’s fee.

B. Sensors: System comes with four monitors.  
1. Monitors Return and Supply air temperatures plus drain pan levels. Suction line temperature  
2. Additional monitor may be used for the following; Maximum of six sensors per monitor  

A. U.V. light monitoring.
     
B. Filter monitoring.  
   
C. Humidity

* Optional Air-Star Fees. *

1. Additional Humidity sensor installation fee: $95.00  
2. Additional Filter monitor installation $33.25
3. Ultra violet light sensor installation $33.25
4. Additional sensor monitoring fee: $1.90 per month.

Effective March 01, 2009