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Cheap but Effective Ways To Stay Cool During the Summer

Three Easy Tips To Beat the Heat

It’s no secret that summer temperatures can get almost unbearable. And as those temperatures heat up, homeowners run to the thermostat to crank up the AC. However, in doing so, they crank up their utility payments too. Additionally, running the air conditioner harder has the unintended effect of increasing the likelihood of a breakdown. Summer breakdowns can leave homeowners uncomfortable as well as costing tons of money for emergency repairs. Surely there must be a way to stay cool without breaking the bank. 

In this article, air conditioning specialists want to help people stay cool during the summer without needlessly spending money and using energy. Instead of running the wheels off of the air conditioner, there are a few things that homeowners can do to stay cool. 

Lower the Temperature of Your Shower

showerOne of the easiest things to do to stay cool during the summer is to simply lower the temperature of the water in the shower. Long ago, this was standard practice to reduce costs during the summer, but at some point, many people stopped doing this. Showering in cold water has numerous benefits for both saving money and improving health, including:
  • Alleviates dry or itchy skin
  • Improves the health of skin and hair by not stripping them of their natural oils
  • Increases circulation and helps wake people up
  • Saves money on water heating bills
  • Reduces soreness

Cooler showers invigorate the body while costing a lot less, making this a staple during the summer can have huge long-term benefits. 

Change the Sheets

bed One of the things that people love to do, regardless of the season, is to slip into a comfortable bed at the end of a long day. In the winter, that means fluffy comforters that help people stay warm. In the summer, this type of bedding is totally inappropriate. 

Studies show that the optimal sleep temperatures are in the high 60s and low 70s. Using the air conditioner to maintain these temperatures can be expensive in the hot summer. To save money, look at more appropriate bedding. 

Certain types of bedding like synthetic sheets or linen bedding can help a body stay cool while in bed. Having seasonal bedding changes can help save money by keeping sleepers more comfortable regardless of the season while also taking less of a toll on the central heating and cooling system. 

Keep Clean Air Filters Handy

An efficient air conditioner is one that operates cheaply and keeps the home safe and comfortable. The first step to keeping an air conditioner efficient is to make sure that it always has clean filters in place. Dirty filters interrupt the airflow of an air conditioner and prevent the free exchange of air. They can also allow dust to build up inside of the unit leading to more numerous repairs. Changing air filters at least every three months can help keep the unit running efficiently. This allows the home to stay cooler while costing less money and preventing trouble down the road. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions keeps Austin homes cool and energy-efficient. With a primary goal of increasing energy efficiency, they can help homeowners be more green and save money. Whether that includes AC repairs or a new AC installation, their excellent technicians can handle any job with ease.

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Back to School for Homeowners with Remodeling 101

Basics of Professional Home Remodeling

Purchasing a home is the biggest investment most people will make. Protecting that investment is important to preserving the value that homeowners have in the home. Remodeling a home can help increase a home’s value and make it more comfortable and stylish to live in. While DIYers love to tackle simple home renovations, professional home renovations can be less stressful and get completed in better time than DIY projects. 

In this article, professional renovators share their experiences with local homeowners, focusing on remodeling projects that increase the value of a home can help homeowners maximize the value of their investment over the years. 

Ideas for Home Remodeling

Small home remodels may focus on just updating a single room in the house. Larger scale remodels that add more value can focus on things like:

  • Updating flooring
  • Replacing windows with more energy-efficient models
  • Adding new rooms onto a house
  • Repainting
  • Adding a deck or replacing a fence

By updating aspects of the whole home, the value is better preserved, and it gives a more cohesive feel to the home as a whole. Such additions to a home can greatly increase its value when the homeowner is planning on selling. If the homeowner plans to stay, they still have the value and the pride of having a beautifully updated home. 

Kitchen Updates During Remodeling

kitchen

A home remodel wouldn’t be complete without some updates to the kitchen. When updating a kitchen, it’s important to pay attention to style and functionality. Some great ways to update a kitchen are: 

  • Upgrading countertops and backsplash
  • Installing new appliances, especially stoves and fridges
  • Changing out light fixtures and adding lighting to make cooking easier
  • Removing a wall to open the space up
  • Painting cabinets or replacing them with open-concept shelving
  • Replacing kitchen sinks and adding new fixtures and pot-fillers

Remodeling for Better Bathrooms

bathroomBathrooms are a great place to add value to a home. Whether the homeowner has a small budget that needs to pack a big punch or a bigger budget that allows for bigger ticket items, renovated bathrooms always add value to a home. Here are a few ideas to get started with:
  • Accessibility: With an aging population, one of the biggest concerns will be making homes safe for people with limited mobility. Updating a bathroom to make it more accessible can keep aging family members safe while increasing the home’s value. 
  • Updating Fixtures:Fixtures are a small budget item that can totally transform a bathroom. Updating sinks, faucets, and shower hardware can make an old space feel new again. 
  • Install New Lighting:Light fixtures are one of the first things to become outdated in a bathroom. New fixtures are cheap and can allow homeowners to focus on energy efficiency. 
  • Change the Layout:Gutting a bathroom allows for the opportunity to rearrange the bathroom to a more user-friendly layout. Moving toilets and bathtubs can increase the usable space or will enable the homeowner to install a stylish walk-in shower. 

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions has been helping Austin homeowners renovate their homes for over 40 years. They offer a wide array of renovation services at competitive prices. Homeowners get their value from the experienced technicians at A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions.

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Tips for the Best Backyard BBQs

Quick Tips for Awesome Backyard Parties

As the summer gets into full swing, people start thinking about all of the activities they want to do over the summer. No doubt hosting a backyard BBQ is on the list. A Texas BBQ is the perfect place to kick back, relax, and hang out with good friends and good food.

This summer, take some advice from a local business that has experience helping people host the perfect party. It may not be obvious but local carpenters and handymen have experience cleaning up from backyard party mishaps and also helping homeowners design the perfect outdoor spaces. Read on to get their professional advice.

Safety First

Barbecue grill in a backyardThere are a lot of hazards that summer fun can present but one of the biggest is the dangers that a grill can present to a house. Every summer there is damage done to homes from grills that range from harmless to serious. A simple mistake is setting up the grill too close to the house and damaging vinyl siding with the heat. A problem like this can usually be fixed with cheap repairs. However, there are more serious occasions where grills can catch houses on fire. When in doubt, always set the grill up farther away from the house than seems necessary so summer meals aren’t ruined by mishaps.

Keep the Grill Clean

The grill or smoker is always the centerpiece for good old-fashioned Austin cookouts and it should always be treated with the respect that it deserves. After each use, make sure the grill is kept clean. The best way to do this is to scrape food debris off of the grills while they are still hot. Be careful of using the metal bristle grill brushes, as the bristles can break off and poke inside your food or your mouth. The next time the grill or smoker is fired up, get the grills hot again to burn off anything that was leftover then coat them with a fine coat of olive oil to keep them seasoned. This will prevent rust from forming on the grills that cause food to stick and it will ensure that those good grill lines are present in every steak or sausage.

Properly storing a grill or a smoker is a good idea as well. Grills and smokers make the perfect habitat for wasp and bee nests. Too many BBQs have been ruined by infested grills that come alive as soon as heat and smoke start to fill the grill. Covering the grill or periodically checking on it to make sure it hasn’t become a residence for local wildlife can prevent this disaster.

Get the Backyard Ready for Friends

Friends having a backyard partyThe best summer parties always take place in spaces that are planned for just that purpose. When thinking about summer BBQs, it may take years to get things just right. Backyards can be outfitted with an infinite combination of decks, patios, and fencing that can make a home perfect for hosting backyard parties.

Whether a new fence, outdoor lighting, or an outdoor kitchen are desired, the perfect space can be designed so that summer get-togethers are always fun. Local contractors can help design the perfect outdoor space and install decks and fences so the look is just right and the space is functional.

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Solutions is an award-winning handyman service in Austin. Skilled crews install everything from decks and fences to holiday lighting. Being a family-owned business, they always give a personal touch and attention to each of their projects. Call them for help in Austin with any projects around the house!

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Choosing the Right Fencing to Set Your Yard Apart

Give the Backyard a Makeover with New Fencing

Summertime in Austin means warmer temperatures and summer cookouts. Anytime someone breaks out the BBQ they are certainly going to invite friends and family over for a party. Inviting people into the home is a chance to show off all of the beautiful design and hard work that has gone into making a house a home. A new fence is an excellent addition to outdoor spaces that can beautify the landscaping, patios, and entertainment areas.

Local fence professionals are here to offer advice on installing a fence that will be the talk of the town.

Choosing the Right Material

Installing new fences means diving down the rabbit hole of hundreds of options. Looking at the material is one way to make a choice on materials that fits a particular style. Here is a quick guide on materials:

  • Wood: Cedar is a classic natural material that resists insects and rot. Pine must be treated before outdoor use but offers the same appeal for less cost. Both options can be stained and painted and come in a variety of styles at a low and easy-to-install price.
  • Metal: Choices of metal are steel or aluminum and types range from simple chain link fencing to options that mimic the classic or updated look of wrought iron. Metal fencing is attractive, low-maintenance, and extremely durable.
  • Vinyl: Plastic-based fencing material used for charming picket fences or attractive rail fencing. Vinyl fences are maintenance-free and require no paint.
  • Composite: Made from wood fibers and resin, composite fencing materials are long-lasting and require no maintenance. Materials can be chosen in specific colors to meet designs and won’t fade or warp.

Light it Up!

Lamps on a wooden fenceThe exterior of the home is the first thing that people notice when they pull up or drive by. That’s why curb appeal is so important to the value of a home. Fencing can be as practical or as stylish as it needs to be to increase the curb appeal of a house, but what happens at night? The fence disappears in the darkness.

Exterior design has become more important at night. Adding exterior lighting to highlight features of a home or aspects of landscaping can add a dramatic new element to exterior home design. Lighting a new fence can accent the new design element in a landscape and greatly increase visibility and appeal from a distance. No fencing installation should be complete without some form of landscape lighting strategy to show off the new fence.

Professional Design and Installation

Person drilling into a red metal fenceWhen it comes to designing and installing a new fence, most consumers need the perfect balance of guidance from professionals with a certain amount of freedom and creativity to find the fence that fits their design plans. Most customers that want to enhance their outdoor spaces need the freedom to express themselves while professionals find the perfect solutions for them.

With professional fence installation, the process should go smoothly. Professional fence companies offer a diverse set of options that give homeowners everything they could want when selecting a fence. After the fence is selected, they will install it quickly to the homeowner’s exact specifications. When it is all done, the homeowner will have a showpiece to enjoy for many years to come!

About A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Services

A-Plus Air Conditioning & Home Services is the Austin choice for HVAC and handyman services. Their professional and personable staff are attentive to their customer’s needs and work hard to find exactly what the homeowner is looking for. A family-owned business for over 40 years, they always add a personal touch to every customer interaction. Give them a call today for fencing services in Austin.

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The Coolest Gift to Give Dad on Father's Day, Literally

The Gift of AC is Sure to Make Dad Happy This Father’s Day

It can be quite the conundrum trying to figure out a great gift for dad on Father’s Day. The best gifts are something that dads really like and that also provide added benefits. But there aren’t that many gifts that fit the mold. And when one considers that most dads want to save money while protecting their families and enhancing their quality of life, things get even more difficult.

Luckily, there’s one gift that can do all this and more: A new air conditioner! Yes, it’s quite literally the coolest gift to give dad this Father’s Day! So read on to find out the benefits of a new AC for dad (and the whole family).

Keep the Home Healthy with a New AC

AC UnitsIt’s not a widely known fact that indoor air quality is often significantly worse than outdoor air quality. According to the EPA, indoor air quality is often between two and five times worse indoors than it is outdoors. And while changing the filters on time is a great way to help this, it’s not the only option. Or the best one.

In fact, old and struggling AC systems aren’t doing anyone any favors. As they struggle to circulate air throughout the house, more and more pollutants are gathering. For many homes, the AC unit is the only way for pollutants to be filtered out. And with a poorly functioning AC system, the air quality will only get worse. So getting dad a new AC is really a present for the whole family.

Increase Productivity and Sleep Quality

Man in a blue tee shirt sleeping in a bed with white beddingHumans tend to function well at certain temperatures, both when asleep and awake. In fact, when optimal temperatures are maintained in the home, it helps people be more productive. Everyone has felt the sluggishness and tiredness that comes with warm temperatures. And when it’s too cold, the mind has a hard time functioning and focusing. A good AC will allow the best temperatures during the day and night.

Speaking of night, it’s important to get a good night’s rest. The more research that comes out, the more people realize how important sleep really is for general health and wellness. And humans sleep best at cooler temperatures. Scientists say that this temperature is right around 65-degrees. It helps people get into and stay in a deep sleep for longer, which is essential for a good life.

Save $$ With Energy Efficient AC

Lastly, dad will love that new AC systems are more efficient than older ones. New models do more with less electricity, which is something that all dads can get behind. So when looking for a new system, it’s important to make sure it’s an energy-efficient model with a good SEER rating and that it’s the right size for the home.

The best way to do this is by consulting a professional. HVAC techs can help determine what size AC unit a home needs, plus they can handle the installation so dad can sit back, relax, and enjoy Father’s Day!

About A-Plus Air Conditioning and Home Solutions

A-Plus Air Conditioning has been serving Austin, TX, since 1977! They’re a family-owned company that focuses on fast and friendly service. They’re fully licensed and always provide flat-rate pricing. Contact them to learn more about AC installation services in Austin.

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