Smart Sensors: Your Home’s Silent Guardians

Detecting Problems Before They Escalate

In the fast-paced world of technology, our homes are becoming smarter by the day. From voice-activated assistants to automated lighting, we’re witnessing a revolution in how we interact with our living spaces. One crucial aspect of this transformation is the rise of smart sensors—unassuming devices that play a vital role in safeguarding our homes.

The Role of Smart Sensors

Enter SmartAC.com, a pioneer in smart home solutions. Their smart sensors are like vigilant sentinels, tirelessly monitoring our HVAC and plumbing systems. But what exactly do these sensors do, and why should you consider them for your home?

1. Early Detection and Prevention: Smart sensors are masters of anticipation. They use real-time data to predict potential breakdowns before they happen. Imagine your air conditioner silently notifying you of a minor issue—a clogged filter or a refrigerant leak—before it escalates into a major problem. By catching these issues early, you can prevent costly repairs and ensure uninterrupted comfort.

2. Alerting the Experts: When a sensor detects an anomaly, it doesn’t just sit there—it springs into action. Whether it’s a malfunctioning water heater or a leaky pipe, the sensor sends an alert to your trusted technicians. This proactive approach means that problems get addressed swiftly, minimizing inconvenience and saving you time and money.

3. Insurance Savings: Did you know that some insurance companies offer discounts for homes equipped with smart sensors? By investing in leak and freeze detection technology, you’re not only protecting your property but also potentially lowering your insurance premiums. It’s a win-win situation.

Small Changes, Big Impact

We often underestimate the power of small adjustments. Installing smart sensors is one such change that can lead to substantial savings. Here’s how:

1. Financial Benefits: According to SmartAC.com, homeowners can save anywhere from $50 to $100 or more annually by using their smart sensors.

   
   
   These savings add up over time, making a significant difference in your household budget.

2. Environmental Responsibility: Beyond the financial gains, smart sensors contribute to a greener planet. By preventing wastage and optimizing energy usage, you’re doing your part for the environment. It’s a small step toward sustainability that pays off in the long run.

Empowerment Through Technology

So, how can you harness the power of smart sensors? Start by exploring the range of options available. From leak detectors to freeze sensors, there’s a solution for every corner of your home. Once installed, these unobtrusive devices work silently, ensuring your peace of mind.

Next time you glance at your utility bills, remember that smart choices lead to smart savings. Invest in your home’s well-being, embrace the convenience of smart technology, and watch those bills shrink. Your home deserves nothing less than the best—let smart sensors be your silent guardians.

Air Conditioning Repair El Paso discusses what to ask before you hire a contractor.

 4 Tips on How to Prepare Your Air Conditioner For Summer - Air Conditioning Repair

Summer is only a few months away which means the time to prep your air conditioner is approaching at lightning speed in El Paso. Waiting for that first hot day to start up your unit is never a good idea, unless you want to call your local heating and cooling repair company.  Instead you should give your appliance a thorough inspection a few weeks before temperatures begin to reach uncomfortable highs. Listed below are tips on how to get your A/C ready to combat those long, hot summer days and nights.

1. Before you hit the cool switch on your thermostat, head outside to check the condition of your A/C unit. First and foremost, you want to remove any objects that could potentially block the appliance's air intake. If you find debris leftover from the winter months littering your unit's surroundings, be sure to clear it away. Don't forget to also remove any objects you may have stacked on-top of the appliance. If you start up your air conditioner while air circulation is restricted you run the risk of damaging the unit.

2. Change the filter in the weeks leading up to summer. If you start the air conditioner with a dirty filter from last summer, its efficiency level will drop. Ideally, you should replace the filter every three months, however, if you have pets in your home you should switch out the filter more often.

3. Cleaning the outside units compressor is also highly recommended. You should start this process by turning off the power at the main breaker. Once that safety measure is taken care of, remove the top of your A/C unit. Using a gardening hose, set at a low pressure stream, gently wash off the dirt and grime that is covering the compressor.

4. While doing a few DIY maintenance procedures can better prepare your central A/C for the summer months, you should still consider scheduling an annual tune-up. A tune-up performed by a professional air conditioning repair company can alert you to existing issues and save you from major malfunctions occurring during the summer months.

If you're getting your central A/C unit ready for the approaching summer and you feel it's in need of a tune-up or hvac troubleshooting, please contact us at SoBellas Home Services, your local ac repair provider in El Paso and we'll be happy to help you.

The guys in the yellow booties are here for all your air conditioner repair needs, along with expert swamp cooler conversions.  Look to the pros if you have any questions about converting to refrigerated air conditioning with SoBellas of El Paso, Texas.  Call us with questions like, how much does refrigerated air cost or anything about El Paso refrigerated air conversion.

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SoBellas Air Conditioning & Heating Repair El Paso Texas

SoBellas Home Services

125 Graphite Dr. Ste. D

El Paso, TX  79932

915-585-2811

Air conditioning

A window unit, commonly called a window air conditioner, is great for cooling a single room or a group of rooms that do not have partition walls.

A window air conditioner consists of a blower, fan, compressor, evaporator coil, condenser coil, thermostat and filter.
A common schematic is illustrated below.


Internal maintenance to the sealed refrigeration circuit (coils, compressor and motor) should be left to a trained technician. There are minor steps that you can take to keep your window air conditioner running strong.

During the winter months, window units should be removed and stored indoors in a clean, dry area. If you are storing your window air conditioner in the basement, be sure to elevate it to make sure it doesn’t get exposed to water. Always keep your unit in the upright position to prevent oil and refrigerant migration.

Warning: Before any work is done on your appliance, it should be unplugged and discharged. Failing to do so could result in severe, and potentially lethal, electrical shock.

Maintaining Basic Components
(THESE PROCEDURES SHOULD ONLY BE ATTEMPTED BY A TRAINED TECHNICIAN)

The filter, power cord, coils, switch, thermostat, drain ports and fan are important to service on a routine basis to avoid serious problems. Typical guidelines for maintaining these parts are as follows (BE SURE TO REFER TO YOUR OWNER’S GUIDE FOR SPECIFICS ON YOUR UNIT):

Filter

Before every cooling season and once a month during the cooling season, the filter should be removed, cleaned and replaced. If you live in a particularly arid climate, this may need to be done more frequently. Most window air conditioners have a washable filter that looks like a sponge.

Clean filters with a mild detergent and water, rinsing well. Let the filter dry completely before replacing. If your window air conditioner comes with a fiberglass furnace style filter, do not wash it; replace it with a new filter of the same type.

Power Cord

If your air conditioner stops working and you suspect that it is not getting power, there could be a problem with the power cord. Power cords may become worn and fail to supply electricity to the air conditioner. To check the cord, remove the control panel. Unscrew the cord terminals and then attach a test wire across the bare lead wires.

Hook the clips of a volt-ohm-millimeter (VOM) set to the RX1 scale to the prongs on the cord’s plug. If the meter reads zero, the cord is functioning. If the meter reads higher than zero, replace the cord.

Evaporator and Condenser Coils

Clean the evaporator and condenser coils the same time you clean the filter; before the start of the cooling season and once a month during the season. If your area is particularly dusty, this may need to be done more frequently. The coils can be cleaned with a vacuum cleaner hose. If the fins on the coils become bent, use a fin comb from your local hardware store to straighten them.

Switch

The selector switch, behind the control panel, turns the window air conditioner on and off. If the air conditioner does not run on any setting, and you have already made sure that the power cord is working, you may have a faulty switch. To check, remove the control panel and see if there is burnt insulation or black marks on the terminals. If so, replace your switch with one of the same type.

Thermostat

The thermostat is also located behind the control panel. If you believe you have a problem with your thermostat, here is how to test and replace it:

1) Remove the grille and control panel. There will be a temperature sensing bulb extending from the thermostat to the face of the evaporator coil
2) Carefully remove the thermostat, noting the position of the sensing bulb. It must be replaced in the exact spot.
3) Check the thermostat with the VOM setting on the RX1 scale. Clip the probes to the thermostat terminals and turn the temperature control to the coldest setting. Your meter should read zero if the thermostat is working properly. If the reading is greater than zero, replace the thermostat with a new one of the same type.

Drain Ports

The evaporator coil condenses water vapor from the air and funnels it through a drain port. At this point, the water is blown against the condenser coil, where it is dissipated.

Drain ports can become dirty and get clogged with debris. This results in water leakage, usually through the bottom of the front grille. To prevent clogging, clean the drain with a piece of wire. Do this at the beginning of every cooling season and when your unit starts to leak.

Fan

If your fan is not working or if it is particularly noisy, it is usually caused by loose or dirty fan blades. Follow these steps to repair the fan:

1) Locate the fan inside the cabinet.
2) Use a soft cloth and/or vacuum to clean out any debris.
3) Check tightness of all blades. Vibration can loosen fan fasteners. Use a screwdriver or Allen wrench to tighten screws that connect the fan hub to the motor shaft.
4) If your fan has oil ports, apply a few drops of 20-weight non-detergent motor oil.
5) If you suspect a faulty motor, test with the VOM on the RX1 scale. Connect VOM probes to disconnected terminal wires.

If the meter reads between 3 and 30 ohms, your motor is functioning properly. If your meter reads zero or it is extremely high, replace the motor.

To remove the fan motor, remove the fan blades, power wires and mounting bolts. Install a new motor by reversing this procedure. If the condenser coil prevents motor removal, do not attempt to remove the motor. Call a professional.

If any other problems occur with the motor, compressor or coils, a professional service person should be called.

www.sobellas.com

915-585-25811

GE Recalls Air Conditioners

NEWS from CPSC

U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission

Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207

________________________________________

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

June 14, 2011

Release #11-247               Firm's Recall Hotline: (866) 918-8771

CPSC Recall Hotline: (800) 638-2772

CPSC Media Contact: (301) 504-7908

General Electric, Sharp Recalls GE Air Conditioning and Heating Units Due to Fire Hazard

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, in cooperation with the firm named below, today announced a voluntary recall of the following consumer product. Consumers should stop using recalled products immediately unless otherwise instructed. It is illegal to resell or attempt to resell a recalled consumer product.

Name of Product: GE Zoneline Air Conditioners and Heaters

Units: About 90,600

Distributor: GE Appliances and Lighting, of Louisville, Ky.

Manufacturer: Sharp Corp., of Osaka, Japan

Hazard: An electrical component in the heating system can fail, posing a fire hazard to consumers.

Incidents/Injuries: General Electric and Sharp have received four reports of incidents involving smoke and/or fire with the air conditioning and heating units. In two of the reported incidents, fire extended beyond the air conditioning and heating unit, resulting in property damage. No injuries have been reported.

Description: This recall involves GE Packaged Terminal Air Conditioners (PTAC) and packaged terminal heat pumps manufactured between January 2010 and March 2011, and are most often used in apartment buildings and commercial space. The GE logo is affixed to the control panel door. Serial and model are printed on the rating plate. Consumers will need to remove the front panel to locate the model and serial information. The following models and serials are included in this recall:

Brand    Model Number (Begins with)     Serial Number (Begins with)

GE          AZ41, AZ61          AT, DT, FT, GT, HT, LT, MT, RT, ST, TT, VT and ZT, AV, DV and FV

Sold by: General Electric authorized representatives and HVAC distributors nationwide from March 2010 through March 2011 for between $1,000 and $1,200.

Manufactured in: China

Remedy: Consumers should immediately stop using the air conditioning and heating units in the heat mode and contact General Electric to schedule a free repair.

Consumer Contact: For additional information, contact General Electric toll-free at (866) 918-8771 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET Monday through Friday, or visit the firm's website at www.geappliances.com/products/recall

---

The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is still interested in receiving incident or injury reports that are either directly related to this product recall or involve a different hazard with the same product. Please tell us about your experience with the product on www.saferproducts.gov

CPSC is charged with protecting the public from unreasonable risks of injury or death associated with the use of the thousands of consumer products under the agency’s jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries, and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $900 billion annually. CPSC is committed to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical hazard. CPSC’s work to ensure the safety of consumer products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals - contributed to a decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.

Under federal law, it is illegal to attempt to sell or resell this or any other recalled product.

To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, go online to: www.saferproducts.gov, call CPSC’s Hotline at (800) 638-2772 or teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 for the hearing impaired. Consumers can obtain this news release and product safety information at www.cpsc.gov. To join a free e-mail subscription list, please go to https://www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.aspx.

Still hot outside.

Its that time of the year again. Its when all the moms can be seen with a little more of a smile on her face and an extra skip in her step. That right its the most wonderful time of the year. Schools back!!! Almost.. Kids are gone.. You can almost breath again.. You will soon find some more time for yourself during the day anyway.
With the extra time, you should start thinking about what will you do when the summer heat moves on and old man winter pushes down on us.
Do you have a swamp cooler or a central air unit? Is it on the roof, or on the ground? Do you want to be responsible for properly turning off you air conditioner and safely turning on your heater? Do you have the time? Do you have the nerve to climb up on your roof?
There are many ways to just turn appliances on and off. Our technicians are trained to do it the correct way. We are also carbon monoxide certified allowing us to properly check for gas leaks and deadly carbon monoxide at your furnace.
Its not time yet, still 100 plus outside. But its never too early to grab a spot on our schedule to insure you get service when you want it. We will fill up fast.
see us on facebook www.sobellas.com 915-585-2811

Air Conditioning and Heating

Our home Air Conditioning systems are some of the hardest working machines that we use. Air conditioning units and heating units endure harsh elements year round. They also switch quickly between use and disuse; long periods of disuse contribute to mechanical failures, especially when the machines are not maintained or serviced during this period, and are not eased back into constant use. Because these systems are manufactured to withstand both elements and periods of disuse without complications, many Texas residents are complacent with minimal HVAC maintenance.
As the summer season wears on, many homeowners in El Paso may begin to experience the first signs of trouble with their air conditioners and HVAC systems. Instead of waiting until the end of the season, or the beginning of the next summer season, homeowners who experience any trouble with their cooling system should call a serviceman immediately. A qualified serviceman or HVAC repair technician can troubleshoot a home’s air conditioning system and make small adjustments and repairs as needed. Often, these early repairs can head off major problems that are more costly, and more inconvenient to homeowners.
SoBellas Air Conditioning & Heating is proud to offer honest analyses, affordable quotes, and top quality repair to the homeowners and residents of the El Paso area. The servicemen at SoBellas are highly qualified and trained to diagnose problems quickly and effectively. Their philosophy is that a happy customer will be a returning customer, and they aim to complete service tasks quickly, effectively, and in the most cost efficient manner possible.
Call us if you have questions
915-585-2811
www.sobellas.com

                                                                                                

As weather changes, homes need care

Autumn will grace the nation with its presence Friday, Sept. 23.

Now is the time to start thinking about the winter, and what to do with your swamp cooler, central air conditioners and heaters or furnaces.  Proper maintenance is required if you want your air conditioning equipment to last.  Also don't neglect your kitchen and laundry appliances.

Each season homes go through changes in temperatures, weather conditions and aging. In order to keep all the components of a home running smoothly and to avoid costly repairs later, it’s helpful to conduct seasonal maintenance actions each season.

As the summer continues, this is a perfect time to prepare for fall.

Regardless of location, start these helpful tips now to save money and get a jump on the season.

* Examine the roof, gutters and downspouts for debris — The roof is often forgotten about because it is not at eye level to give a subtle reminder about maintenance. Clear leaves, dirt and pine needles from gutters and examine downspouts for damage or loose pieces — check the flashing around the chimney and any openings in the roof, such as skylights for leaking problems.

* Examine property grounds — Before the grass is covered with snow, or it is too cold to venture outside, check walkways for cracks and loose paver material. Fix walkway and entryway areas before slippery weather can cause a tripping or falling accident.

* Change the home filters — Those who have a central air conditioning system should change the air filter regularly. Those who have a window air conditioning unit should remove it from the window or place a waterproof cover over it to prevent damage. Change filters in stove vents, clothes dryers and room fans if applicable. Clean air filters will keep a family healthier in the fall months.

* Repair leaky faucets — Before the temperatures start to dip low, examine leaky faucets in the kitchen, bathrooms and utility room locations.

* Prepare the fireplace — Some people use the fireplace more than a central heater in the fall and winter months. Discard old ashes and ensure the damper is open to allow air to freely move through the chimney. If the air becomes cold, close back the damper after cleaning.

Check the damper handle and springs to ensure the flue is operating correctly. Hire a professional chimney sweep if needed.

* Drain the hot water heater — Residential areas with extra amounts of hard water sediments could cause build up in the tank. Drain the tank and make sure rust is not developing.

If the hot water heater is extremely old or is rusting, consider a new one that will be more cost effective and energy efficient.

* Check windows and doors for drafts — The majority of conditioned air in the home is lost through the windows and doors. Check the home and open windows to ensure the seal and caulking around the window frame is in good condition. Think of adding heavier drapery around windows that are extra drafty, to help block some air infiltration.

* Clean and store seasonal outdoor furniture — Power wash the outdoor furniture and cushions. Once dry, store cushions in dry area to prevent cracking and fading over the fall and winter months.

* Have garden power tools serviced — Once grass begins to enter the dormant stage, sharpen the blades on the lawnmower, trimmer and other tools and get engine fluids recapped off. When shopping for new garden power tools, buy when the season is almost over for cost cuts.

* Take care of irrigation and lawn needs — Depending on where residential region, the climate for the lawn and its irrigation system may need to be checked. Consider hiring an irrigation service professional to fix broken heads before the cold weather sets in. Fertilize to prevent spring weeds and winter lawn damage.

SoBellas Appliance

1-800-617-6235