Diagnose Your AC Unit – Phoenix AZ

May 23rd, 2013

Here are instructions on how to troubleshoot your air conditioning system. To diagnose your air conditioner or HVAC system in an ordered, methodical and proven way to get the answers you need, you have to take some time, get educated, and this will save you a lot of money. Commission based A/C techs love nothing more than an ignorant consumer. They can sell you anything from a surge protector to float switch, even up to a new unit for a simple run capacitor or burnt wire. Experienced AC companies will take the time to explain things and provide the best service possible with honesty and integrity.

First question in the diagnosis:

1) Is air blowing from the registers? Yes or no

If yes, then go through this check list:

A) Is the condenser fan motor and compressor also operating?
B) If all motors are operating and you are getting warm to ambient air than probably a refrigerant issue.
C) That can come in the form of low refrigerant, slow leaks, big leaks,
leaking reversing valve if the heat pump is clogged.
D) If air is warm at registers check condenser fan motor and compressor.
E) Does the condenser fan blade turn freely with a long-handled screwdriver? or is it binding up?
– binding up usually means it is seized up
– test the run cap first before replacing the condenser fan motor
F) Compressor may or may not start back up if run cap on fan motor is popped
– it has an internal overload protection that must reset at appx 115 degrees to operate again.

2) Is there air at the registers?
A) It may be cool but very low airflow
– dirty evap coil
– leak in ductwork
– very dirty filter
– if this is the case the compressor and outdoor fan motor will probably trip on overload

Referring back to question #1 above, if the answer is No then review this check list:

A) when you operate the thermostat does any other modes work (fan to on or heat)?
B) Is there ice on the big copper pipe (suction line) when the outdoor unit (compressor, condenser fan motor) comes on?
C) If yes than shut off the system.
D) If No and all other modes are shut down, this maybe an issue with:
– control problem
– change batteries in t-stat
– float switch backed up
– 5amp fuse in air handler (there is a reason it popped – gotta find out why)
– transformer blew (it happens)
– bad wiring
– main breaker for whole unit

This is just a short list to help get you going and to provide steps in the proper way to diagnose your air conditioner. If you feel you need an expert please don’t hesitate to call one of our experienced techs at Cool Touch to come out and give you a hand. Choosing the right AC company to help you with a complex problem is very important so feel free to browse our customer reviews section.

Cool Touch 623-584-3762

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Cool Touch Receives A+ Rating from Phoenix BBB

May 20th, 2013

As we all know, with the summer heat upon us, many people will be contacting Air Conditioning companies for various reasons. Most people, when contacting an HVAC Contractor, aren’t completely sure which ones they should call. Trust plays a big part in a customers hesitation as most people want to know they are calling a reputable AC company, one who has the experience, good reviews, and the passion to sincerely help others. You will be happy to know that Cool Touch is one of 5 Phoenix AC Companies who have received great reviews and an A+ rating from the Phoenix BBB.

Please read this awesome article regarding Cool Touch and their trustworthy services by clicking here!

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Sometimes You Have to Go Above and Beyond for People

May 18th, 2013

This was a compliment somebody gave our company after we installed a portable AC unit in the home this person rents during the recent 100 degree heat. Cool Touch always strives to give the best service, even to those who may not even be a customer of ours.

” Warm, friendly Customer Service. Affordable service call rates. Knowledgeable, friendly technicians. Rapid service. Outstanding attention to customer satisfaction. I had my 9yr old AC unit go out. Lost the fan motor, compressor and fan relay. I rent the home. Landlord had two other companies perform inspection. All three inspections yielded the same results: AC unit replacement recommended. It’s unknown if my landlord will use Cool Touch’s service for the AC replacement; Cool Touch realistically does not expect to receive the job. Even so, Cool Touch delivered a portable AC unit, at no cost, to help out in the meantime.

With temperatures hovering around 100 degrees, it goes without saying that Cool Touch exhibits a level of customer service and satisfaction very rarely seen in businesses today. Eight years of being accredited and no complaints. No complaints on an internet review website. Everything positive said about this company has proven to be true. My experiences with the staff and technicians has been extremely positive. They will receive positive word of mouth referrals for their service.

Thank you: Brandon, Susan, Charlene and Robert for outstanding service and caring.

S S “

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Save on Air Condition Repairs in Phoenix,AZ

May 16th, 2013

We all know that you can pay your auto mechanic a little now for routine service, or pay them a lot later for a major repair. The same idea holds true for your air conditioner or heat pump. If you don’t service your air conditioner  regularly, you’ll find yourself uncomfortable and broke.


An air conditioner is a very tough piece of equipment. It is engineered to withstand all sorts of abuse and keep on running. This is great in most cases, but it can lead to complacency about maintenance. Like a car, air conditioners need regular tune-ups to run properly.

Without regular maintenance an air conditioner looses about 5% of it’s original efficiency for each year of operation. This means that the 12 SEER unit that you bought just a few years ago may be functioning like a 9 SEER unit ! The good news is that you can recover most of that lost efficiency through regular maintenance. Studies show that with regular tune-ups a unit will maintain up to 95% of it’s original efficiency. This means that the cost of an annual tune-up is recovered very quickly in savings on your monthly electric bill and reduced repair costs. A properly serviced air conditioner will also do a better job of dehumidifying your home.

Many local air conditioning companies offer special prices at this time of the year. Some even offer annual service programs that insure that you will be reminded of the need to service the unit at the beginning of the cooling and heating seasons.

The service check should include cleaning the condensing unit coils, checking the amp draw of the compressor, oiling the fan motors, checking that belts are well adjusted, and checking the system operating pressures and temperatures against the manufacturers specifications. One of the most important items to check is the coolant level in the air conditioner. A system that is only 10% low on coolant will cost about 20% more to operate! If your unit is low on coolant, and more must be added, there are new laws governing its use. Freon is a chlorofluorocarbon (CFC) that will damage the Earths protective ozone layer if released into the atmosphere. The laws governing CFC’s now do not allow your air conditioner contractor to add Freon to a leaky system. They are first required to find and fix the leak in the system.

There are some things in addition to yearly tune-ups that you can do to help ensure a high level of comfort and proper system operation. First, buy good filters and change them regularly. Next, keep bushes and other materials away from the outside unit of your air conditioner. Another good idea is to avoid closing supply air outlets in your house. In almost all cases, closing supply outlets is harmful to the operation of the overall system.

All equipment should receive routine maintenance. Complicated equipment like today’s air conditioners benefit in many ways from annual service. They recover much of their lost efficiency, they are less likely to suffer a major break down, they have a longer life span, they increase your comfort, and they operate for less money.
For questions or to have your air conditioning unit serviced contact Cool Touch. One of our professional techs will come out and thoroughly check your system to make sure it’s running properly. You don’t want to experience a break down now that the Phoenix summer heat is here!

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A Reminder Why Your AC Unit is Crucial Here in Phoenix

May 2nd, 2013

All of us who live in Phoenix know how hot it gets in the middle of the summer. This is why we are putting out this post to remind everybody how important it is to make sure your AC unit is running properly before the real Phoenix summer heat get’s here.

The article linked below is from CBS news and was posted almost four years ago! Eleven homeless people lost their lives, as did a few senior citizens. Had these people been in proper air conditioning it’s quite possible they may have survived.

Once the heat arrives, having cool air passing through your home is important. It not only keeps you cool but can also save your life. It prevents your body from over heating and losing the vital fluids your body needs to survive. Please make sure your air conditioner has been checked before our Phoenix summer kicks off! Call us today to have one of our professionals check out your system.

Click here to read CBS News article

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Your AC Unit’s Condenser Coil

April 25th, 2013

What is a condenser coil? It’s basically one of many types of heat exchangers, and the primary purpose of a heat exchanger is to effectively transfer heat between two mediums. Your AC unit has a condenser coil within it, which has a snake like shape to it. In a heating, ventilation, and air conditioning system, water, steam, or a chemical refrigerant is used. The liquid is cooled by the chiller, then circulated through the system. The condensing coil is where the liquid mixture changes from liquid to gas. This compressed, cooled gas is then pushed through the ventilation system.

In the vapor-compression and refrigeration cycle, the condenser coil is the evaporator. This process is repeated to continually supply the building with cooled air. It is important to note that most condenser units are self-maintaining. However, over time, the unit may break down, causing a reduction in efficiency that may require the complete replacement in time.

It is very important to replace the condenser coil with the corresponding unit to avoid any damage to the air conditioning unit. Keep in mind it is best to hire a professional HVAC contractor to replace the coil on your unit. This is often required to maintain the warranty and to avoid any damage to the very expensive unit. The first sign that there may be a problem with the condenser coil is when the temperature of the cooled air is warmer than the thermostat setting.

Check the amount of refrigerant available in the system to make sure there is enough coolant. If the coolant level is OK, but the air is not cool enough, then think about replacing the condenser coil. In many areas, there are restrictions on the disposal of old condenser coils. Take the time to review the local guidelines to ensure the old unit is taken to the proper disposal center.

If you feel that it’s time to check your AC unit or the parts within it, or if home’s air is feeling warmer than what the thermostat reading states, please give us a call as we can send one of our trained professionals out to assess the potential problem. Contact us with any questions or to schedule a maintenance check.

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Your Home’s Air Ventilation and Air Quality

April 19th, 2013

Proper ventilation throughout your home is important. By ensuring that pollutants in your house do not accumulate to levels that cause health and comfort problems for your family can cut back on trips to the doctors office . One of the best ways to lower the concentration of indoor air pollutants is to increase the amount of outdoor air coming into the home through the use of mechanical ventilation.

There are numerous types of mechanical ventilation equipment available that can introduce enough fresh air to mitigate most IAQ problems. These products include everything from exhaust fans that intermittently remove air from a single room, such as bathrooms and kitchens, to central air-handling systems that continuously remove air from the home and then replace it with filtered and conditioned outdoor air.

The majority of homes in Phoenix,AZ do not have adequate ventilation. Most have unducted ventilation or inadequate ducted ventilation. This is a prime opportunity for professional contractors to help their customers clean up their air quality within their home.

The reason why most homes do not have adequate ventilation in Phoenix is because, in the past, building codes did not require ventilation fans if the bathroom had a window. Even if the local code required the installation of a bath fan, the fan only had to be a 50-cfm model which, in most cases, is not large enough to remove the moisture out of the bathroom. Most contractors are aware that ventilation is a key component in the overall IAQ equation, however, the issue is not always discussed with homeowners until a secondary condition arises due to improper ventilation.

For an HVAC contractor, talking about ventilation with your customers provides a huge opportunity for contractors as they can make sure that their customers are fully aware of the negative impacts of poor IAQ. By offering suggestions to the customer, such as the types of quality fans available that move more air, automatic operation such as humidity sensing, quieter fan operation units, and the types of units that produce greater energy-efficient operation in lowering electric bills, your customers will appreciate your efforts and the contractor will experience less call backs.

You can’t put a price on health and your customer will greatly appreciate this.

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Tips for Buying a New AC Unit in Phoenix

April 9th, 2013

One of the most expensive purchases you will ever make for your house is an air conditioning unit. Once your AC unit is up and running, it could be a very long time before you replace it and since you’ll be living with it for years to come, you want to choose wisely.

If done correctly, a new air conditioner will result in more comfort year-round. Everything from lower energy bills to better air quality, particularly because of recent improvements in cooling equipment technology and installation procedures.

Here are basic tips to remember during the AC unit buying process:

1. Pick a trusted contractor. Unless you have worked in the HVAC field, you cannot expect to completely understand all the details in air-conditioning; no homeowner can. This creates a situation where you might be taken advantage of, and you need to proceed carefully.

Do pick a contractor based on recommendations from friends or neighbors or a reputable referral network. Check on how long the contractor has been in business. Someone who has been around at least five years has a commitment to the job and can typically be counted on to return if you have problems.

2. Take the contractor’s advice. Researching online or asking others who have purchased air-conditioners is always good. But be cautious about insisting on a specific brand or size of air-conditioner, especially when recommended by someone living in another state.

Once you choose an installer you trust, ask for suggestions. The contractor may know about options that suit your home better than what you had in mind. A good contractor also knows which manufacturers give the best warranty.

3. Buy an AC that fits your home. Make sure your contractor does research about your house, the climate you live in, and the condition and placement of your air ducts. That way, he or she can determine how much air-conditioning you need and whether you need to repair or realign ducts to improve your cooling efficiency.

4.Bigger is not always better with air conditioning. The industry used to recommend installing one ton of refrigeration for every 400 square feet of floor space in your home. But times have changed! Be wary of contractors who recommend increasing tons because of warmer areas in your house. That cannot be solved by increasing the capacity of your air-conditioner. An oversize AC stops and starts more often; that costs more kilowatt hours and could lead to mechanical breakdowns. Oversize air conditioners do not run long enough to dehumidify the air. A smaller unit will run longer and perform more efficiently.

5. Change your entire HVAC system. If you replace just the outside AC unit with a condenser and compressor without replacing the furnace and air handler, you might not be happy with your comfort level or energy bills.

Keep these tips in mind before making a decision on your new air conditioning system. If you need further assistance or have a question please feel from to contact us.

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Reducing Influenza Bacteria in Your Air

April 3rd, 2013

This season’s strain of the flu was very potent and widespread. Many people experienced progressive flu like symptoms or the actual full blown virus over many months this year. For contractors, fighting the flu and other airborne illnesses offers a humanitarian service to society, as well as a potential boost to their bottom line.

The flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that can cause mild to severe illness and, in some cases, death. According to the Centers for Disease Control, infants and young children, the elderly, and those with certain health conditions are at a higher risk for serious flu complications. The flu is spread through respiratory secretions, like coughing and sneezing. In the air, it can survive basically until it’s dried out. Once it lands on surfaces, it has a maximum lifespan of about eight hours.

Preventing the flu bacteria from spreading through your home can be a tricky task! Of course making sure you wipe all surfaces clean with Clorox wipes certainly can help eliminate surface exposure. The other trick is to reduce airborne flu bacteria throughout your home. HEPA filters are frequently used to trap bacteria and viruses to keep them from spreading between rooms. Standards set forth by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) mandate that, in order to be classified as a true HEPA filter, the filter must trap a minimum of 99.97 percent of airborne particulates that are 0.3 micrometer in diameter. HEPA filters have a practical application in some homes, especially where higher-risk individuals, like infants and the elderly, reside.

Another thing people can use in their home to help fight against airborne viruses and bacteria are electrified air cleaners, which ionize particles as they pass through an electric field. Electric air cleaners are often less pressure resistant than other filters, which can save a lot of fan energy while still maintaining a minimum efficiency reporting value (MERV). Certain electric air cleaners only need to be cleaned once a year only! That’s what we call ” simple maintenance”!

IAQ solutions should be offered by every quality a/c and heating company ( ductwork ). Cleaning your ducts will improve air quality! Even if they do not specifically trap or kill viruses and bacteria in the air, it can still improve your overall health. Cleaner and fresher air provides significant advantages to individuals as they effectively attempt to stave off infections such as the flu or common cold. Inspecting your ductwork to make sure it’s properly sealed and cleaned and also making sure there’s proper filtration so it doesn’t get dirty or compromised down the road will definitely ensure your home’s air quality is much cleaner.

Take action now and cut down on your homes airborne bacteria. You owe it to yourself and your family to have the cleanest air possible flowing throughout your home. Call Cool Touch today and one of our experts will assist you!

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Our Pledge to You

March 29th, 2013

Dear Friend,

My name is Chris Funk, President of Cool Touch A/C, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical located here in the Valley and I am writing to you because I have a problem and it could become your sweet opportunity.

Even though the early months of winter in the valley are off to a cool start, we know our local weather will be back to the familiar pattern of sunny days and comfortable nights. After all it is the valley of the sun.

Generally with these temperate weather patterns we sell fewer total home comfort systems and perform less maintenance work, and this of course is bad for our business. From mid-January until the second week of April business is usually slower, meaning we may lose money during these months and have to work through July before we are able to turn a profit for the year.

SO I ASKED MYSELF “Why Do We Lose So Much Money During This Time Of Year?”

It’s simple really – NOT ENOUGH BUSINESS. By now most homeowners have already had their annual service performed on their home comfort system, while others are hoping that their old system will last through one more cycle before quitting. So here we sit, with more employees and overhead than work, trying to keep everyone employed so we are not short-handed come summer. We thought to try something to increase business NOW and keep our highly trained team busy until air conditioning season comes around again in June. This has seemed to work well over the last few years, as I now have hundreds of new customers who are very comfortable and enjoying the energy savings that these new systems have provided!

MY GOAL: NO PROFIT – NO LOSS

My goal is to break even during this slow season. It’s like our version of the after Christmas sale. No profit, but no loss.

If we do that, we’ll be ahead of where we’ve been in prior years come summer. Most people know that the best time to purchase a new car is right before the new models come out, and that ‘After Christmas Sales’ are better than ‘Before Christmas Sales’. Thinking along those same lines, it is easy to understand why the best time to buy a total comfort system from Cool Touch is RIGHT NOW – during one of our slowest times of the year. Coincidentally, the beginning of the year is when many of the equipment manufacturers pass along their price increases, compounding the slow sales problem. 2013 is no exception, as we have already been notified of pending price increases again this year. Fortunately, we have managed to hold off that price increase and even secure a special one-time offer on a High Efficiency Total Comfort System… this is a limited quantity for a short time, as long as they last or until April 30th, 2013.

This year I have convinced my manufacturers to partner with us in this promotion (because if we’re slow, so are they) and give us a deal for the price we pay for their equipment through April 30th by making a purchase commitment to guarantee them the volume and offset the price reduction. So it is a good deal for them, it is a good decision for us to pass that savings through to you, and it is why I say my problem is your opportunity. The 16 SEER is a great system for our valley and qualifies for the utility rebate. So here’s my offer.

HERE’S MY PERSONAL OFFER

Sweet 16. Buy a new total comfort system (16 SEER 2 stage Air Conditioner with Variable Speed Furnace or 16 SEER 2 stage Heat Pump with Variable Speed Air handler) from us before April 30th, 2013 and we’ll give you an installed price that is absolutely ironclad guaranteed the best value at the lowest cost you can get in the VALLEY in that time period. I will guarantee this in writing. Here is what you get from Cool Touch on this offer:

A 16 SEER 2 stage Total Comfort System with a variable speed furnace – or Variable Speed Air Handler. This system carries a lifetime unit replacement guarantee.** Qualifies for up to $ 270 Utility rebate as well.

At a 32% discount from our normal price. Normally $9,947 – Cool Touch will discount 16% to $8,355 Amana will discount 16% to $7,018 PLUS A $750 COOL Cash Rebate and $270 from our utility so $5,998 installed after rebates. (14 SEER package unit is $4,490 after rebates.)
(3.0 ton/80,000 BTU) (Same Discounts and Rebates apply to all Tonnages)

ON TOP OF ALL THAT – Cool Touch Ironclad Peace of Mind Guarantees
*Best Value at the Lowest Cost in Writing Guarantee
*2 Year Hotel Guarantee*
*Both the A/C and Furnace come with a
LIFETIME UNIT REPLACEMENT guarantee should a compressor or heat exchanger fail you get a brand new unit -
(On Split Systems)(99 Year Compressor Warranty on Package Equipment)

AND……..a 15 year parts and labor warranty for service and repairs. THAT’s RIGHT 15, that’s 15 full years, in writing. No one in the VALLEY does this- NO ONE! (10 Year Parts and 15 Year Labor Warranty on Package Equipment)

You will receive a 3 Year Maintenance Agreement as part of this offer

Cool Touch will go one step further and give you an Upgraded High Tech Thermostat- Honeywell Vision Pro 8000 Touch Stat.

Why Is This A Great Value?

Well it is simple. This is one HECK OF A SYSTEM at a price that is my cost.
You win.

I win because we lack business this time of year and need to keep my men busy. We cover some basic costs of business and avoid losing money.

You MUST ACT NOW! This offer is limited to the first 40 systems because that’s all I can install by April 30th, 2013, so CALL Cool Touch at (623) 584-3762 and schedule an appointment for one of our Comfort Specialists to come to your home and provide you a free, no obligations, in home comfort survey. We can give you a free evaluation of your comfort system then make the very best recommendation for your lifestyle.
Call today 623-584-3762 …. And ask about our “Sweet 16” special.

Chris Funk President & Owner

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