Archive for the ‘Air Conditioning’ Category

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Sometimes You Have to Go Above and Beyond for People

Saturday, 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

Thursday, 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

Thursday, 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

Thursday, 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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Tips for Buying a New AC Unit in Phoenix

Tuesday, 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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Our Pledge to You

Friday, 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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Tips to Save Money While Heating & Cooling Your Home

Monday, February 25th, 2013

As we all know, Phoenix AZ summers are brutal. Surprisingly, the winters here also get very cold during the evenings. Heck…Scottsdale just saw snow last week and I think that’s the third time I’ve ever seen it snow in the valley out of the many years we have been here. When we have to heat up the house to stay warm or cool down the house to keep cool, when it’s on a daily basis, energy costs can significantly increase.

Here are some tips to save money on energy costs:

1) Have an AC / Heating Professional check out your system to make sure it’s clean and functioning the way it’s suppose to and by doing so, your system will use less energy to run.

2) Consistent Maintenance to make sure your system is not clogged. When your system is clogged it has to run harder to do it’s job. Also changing your home’s air filters at least every three months is a great idea. You want your heat or cool air flowing throughout the house evenly. Air filters help collect various debris in your homes air and when they go unchecked for several months, they get back up and can’t do their job as well which could cause an increase in allergies or asthma.

3) Purchase an Easy, Programmable Thermostat to manage your homes heating and cooling. By being able to program your homes heating or cooling when your home and when your away saves money right there. When your away from your house you don’t have to have the house as hot or cold as when your home.

4) Participate in utility rebate programs. When you upgrade your home to energy efficient appliances, purchase a programmable thermostat, and add shade screens to your windows, many of the local utility providers offer incentive programs that provide rebates for these upgrades.

If you would like to find out how you could start saving money on your energy costs, contact Cool Touch and we’ll be happy to assist you.

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Time to Service Your Air Conditioning Unit in Phoenix

Monday, February 4th, 2013

Time to Service Your Air Conditioning Unit

Living in Phoenix AZ is such an amazing privilege. We are surrounded by mountains, lush desert landscape, and enjoy beautiful temperatures for seven months out of the year. The others five months however can be pretty brutal.

If you’ve lived in Phoenix you know how hot it gets toward the middle of May and continues on through the middle of October. Temperatures can get as hot as 112 degrees on any given summer day and with all the building in the valley, the heat index continues to climb each year. That’s why it’s very important to have your air conditioning unit serviced once a year to make sure it is in perfect working condition.

With having to run our AC units pretty much all day throughout our hot Phoenix summers, it’s crucial to make sure that your system is ready to start another hot season in perfect condition. You may not know it, but lasts year’s summer may have taken a little tole on your air conditioner.

Here are a couple areas that our professional team will check out to make sure your AC unit is ready for operation when those hot temps hit:

1) We look at the moving parts to make sure they are lubricated properly to help avoid friction and reduce the amount of energy that is required for it to function.
2) Our team will make sure all controls are operating properly and will tighten all of the connections.
3) The setting of your thermostat will be evaluated to ensure they are set to temperatures you prefer when you are home and set to the correct energy saving temps when you are gone.
4) It’s also important to check the condensation drain to make sure it’s not clogged.

These are just a few important areas that are a part of our air conditioning maintenance check list. When a member of our team comes to inspect your AC unit, they will go over the complete list with you. You don’t want to have your cooling system break down on you in the middle of the summer. Call Cool Touch today and a member of our team will get your home scheduled for an air conditioner maintenance check so you can have a piece of mind once the heat hits Phoenix.

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Scottsdale AC Tip: What is a Packaged HVAC Unit?

Monday, October 29th, 2012

Packaged heating and air conditioning units are very popular in parts of the United States where it is often warmer. One of the reasons for this is because packaged air systems save space and they are very energy efficient. In this blog post, we’re going to describe the different types of packaged air systems and how they work.

Packaged HVAC

Virtually any kind of heating and air conditioning system can come as a “packaged” system. As the name implies, a packaged air system has all of the parts needed for heating and cooling in one, compact package. For a packaged AC unit, the air filter, coils, compressor and air handler are all in one unit. In the case of a packaged heat pump, all of the component for both heating and cooling would be conveniently tied up in one unit.

Electrical Strip Heat

For some packaged air conditioning systems, they can also heat your home using electrical strip heat. With this system, an electrical strip unit comprised of several coils of wire is placed inside the air handler. In heating mode, the strip produces heat using electrical resistance. The strip heats the air as it is blown across it and warms your home.

Space Benefits

As you might guess, having all of the heating and air conditioning components in one unit would save a lot of space. Packaged units are commonly placed on a flat surface outside or on horizontal roofs. Not only does this save room indoors, but it also keeps the noise level down inside.

Energy Efficiency

Packaged air conditioning and heating systems offer a high SEER and AFUE rating. For some models, a 13 SEER and 80% AFUE rating are achieved.

Maintenance Benefits

With all of your heating and air conditioning systems in one place, it makes maintenance very easy. When you have your packaged HVAC system maintained on a regular basis, your technician only has to go to one place to do all of the work. Regular maintenance can potentially extend the life of your unit and allow it to operate more efficiently.

If you have any questions about packaged air systems or if your interested in having one installed at your home in Scottsdale, then call Cool Touch today. Our trained technicians can talk with you about your home to make sure that a packaged HVAC system is right for you.

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How to Improve Indoor Air Quality Using Your Central AC

Monday, October 1st, 2012

The air quality in your Phoenix home is impacted by many things, and there are many ways to try and improve it. One such way is by servicing and making some modifications to your central AC. Because your air conditioning system is at the center of air circulating through the living spaces of your home, it’s in the ideal place to target and remove all types of contaminants before they reach the rooms of your home.

Keep Up with Maintenance

One of the best ways to make sure your air conditioning system is not contributing to poor indoor air quality in your home is to have it serviced regularly by a professional Phoenix AC technician. This type of service will ensure that all filters are cleaned and replaced and that no debris has accumulated in various areas of your system from which it can reenter your indoor air circulation.

Upgrade Air Filters

In addition to preventing your central AC from worsening your indoor air quality, you can actually use it to remove more contaminants by upgrading the air filter from the stock version that came with the system to a higher rated product. This simple exchange and allow your air conditioning system to remove many more of the contaminants that pass through it every day, and that means those contaminants won’t be finding their way into your indoor air.

For more tips on how to improve the air quality in your Phoenix home, give Cool Touch Air Conditioning, Heating, Plumbing & Electrical a call today!

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