Are You Cool As a Cucumber?

Hope you are doing well as the first day of summer approaches.

We at A&D Mechanical are here to keep your home temps just where you want them—cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

But, you’re not always at home. And it’s HOT! Really hot!

We have some cool tricks for beating the summer heat when you are out and about.

Light & Loose

Wear lightweight, light-colored, loose-fitting clothing. Long sleeves and pants are a great idea if you are outside for a long period. But remember loose-fitting sleeves and pants (think desert!). Also, opt for 100% cotton or linen as opposed to polyesters, nylons, or spandex.

Your #1 Fan

Carrying an old fashion fan around for those stifling moments is how our ancestors survived the heat! It’s not a bad idea to have one handy.

If you’re feeling techy, go for one of those small battery-powered fans attached to a water bottle that sprays a light mist. Those really feel great!

Make a Splash

Be sure to carry a water bottle with you everywhere during the summer months. Dehydration is the leading cause of overheating in the summertime.

Take it easy and sit down and grab a cold drink. Cooling your insides helps you feel relief from the blazing sun and keeps you hydrated. Avoid caffeinated drinks because sodas, ice coffees, and energy drinks dehydrate you.

Splash water on your forehead, behind your ears, on your wrists, neck, anywhere to help you physically cool off.

Put it on Ice

Freeze a bottle of water the night before and as it melts you’ll have cold water to drink. Plus, you’ll have a cold bottle to hold against your skin to help cool you off.

Keep a cold pack handy. You can make your own. NaturalLivingIdeas.com gave us the idea to mix one part rubbing alcohol with three parts water. Pour in a resealable zipper bag. Store in the freezer and it’s ready when you are. Just use it wrapped in a towel against your skin when needed. The pack will stay flexible even frozen. It will shape to your skin even when at sub-zero temps.

Keep it Light

Small, light meals are easier to digest in the heat compared to heavy protein type meals. When your body doesn’t have to work so hard to digest, it’ll help you stay a bit cooler.

We know you are busy and have a lot to get done but be sensible about your time outdoors. Our Missouri heat and humidity can make for some dangerous situations if you aren’t taking care of your body.

Remember, if your home A/C isn’t running as it should, be sure to give us a call, we can fix that!

But when out and about, use these tips we’ve shared, take it easy and keep cool as a cucumber!

What’s a trick you use to beat the summer heat? We’d love to hear from you. Feel free to connect with us via email or Facebook.

Helping you keep your cool!

Memorial Day is May 28th!

With all the wonderful things to celebrate in May, like Nurses Day, Mother’s Day, and graduations, Memorial Day is a super special one to us.

Wikipedia says “Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May, (this year it is May 28th). It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season.”

For us, Memorial Day is not only a way to honor those who died in military service, but also to remember those family and friends who passed before us. It takes us literally to our forefathers. It helps us connect to our roots, not only with surnames but a little history about when they lived and where they lived. It seems fewer people mark the holiday in this way.

Memorial Day was first observed in 1868, when a Union general announced that fallen Civil War soldiers’ graves should be decorated on May 30th. It did not become a federal holiday until 1971.

Did you know there are special flag observances for the day? It is to be flown at half-mast, as in mourning, until noon, then raising it fully for the remainder of the day.

Memorial Day weekend is also the unofficial kickoff to summer. Many people see it as the first time for float trips, swimming, camping trips, or vacations.

However you choose to celebrate, we hope there’s a time you’ll remember those that fought for this country.

Veterans, we thank you and honor your service to this country! When calling for services, be sure to ask us about our Veteran discounts.

So how will you be celebrating Memorial Day? We would like to hear your plans and ideas, feel free to connect with us via email or Facebook.

Other Notable Dates in May
May 9: National Receptionist’s Day
May 11: Military Spouse Appreciation Day
May 13: Mother’s Day
May 20: National Rescue Dog Day
May 24: Brother’s Day

Our rescue babies, Foxie & Lexie.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for Your Peace of Mind

Earth Day is only 12 days away!

In the 70’s, there was a big push to recycle and it was the first time we heard the “Reduce, Reuse, Recycle” slogan

Back then, people took goods by the droves to recycle. Yet not so much was done to reduce or reuse. New inventions made us desire new things, so we would purchase new items and recycle some of the old.

In the last 20 years, there has been a shift to not only recycle but to reuse. The term “upcycling” was born and is now quite popular. People are reusing items for something other than its intended purpose. It’s a wonderful thing to see the creativity of people turning things like a discarded antique washing machine and upcycling it into a fully functional and beautiful kitchen sink.

The EPA states, ” Making a new product requires a lot of materials and energy – raw materials must be extracted from the earth, and the product must be fabricated then transported to wherever it will be sold. As a result, reduction and reuse are the most effective ways you can save natural resources, protect the environment and save money.”

To celebrate Earth Day, we thought we would share some simple ideas that might help you to reduce, reuse, or recycle.

Reusable Over Disposable: Your grandparents probably never owned more than one razor in their lifetime…they just replaced the blades.
Borrow or Rent: Don’t buy items that you don’t often use, such as party furniture, specialized tools, etc., instead of renting may be a better option.
Recycle: Many local companies will take your unwanted goods, household items, electronics, and chemicals. Some will even come pick them up for you.
Buy Used: Garage sales and Craigslist still remain popular!
Refurbish or Repair: This is especially good for vehicles or appliances.

Repairing or refurbishing your larger home appliances will usually save you thousands and help our environment. Our goal is to give you peace of mind with our service and extend the life of your household systems.

Our innovative Peace of Mind program is NOT an insurance policy or warranty plan. It is a service membership exclusively offered by A&D Mechanical Services. We become your personal maintenance team giving you the peace of mind that your systems are in tip-top shape!

For a low monthly membership, repairs and maintenance on covered units will be made. Parts needed for repair are included in the plan. If there is a total failure of your covered equipment, we will replace the unit. NO OTHER PLAN DOES THAT!

We feel this is a great way to help our environment and to save you money. We are often able to fix your furnace and give it years more life before it needs to be replaced. This helps keep it from the landfill and sustain our environment for future generations.

So this year, how will you celebrate Earth Day? Feel free to drop us a note telling us the little ways you reduce, reuse, or recycle!

Don’t hesitate to call our office to learn more about our Peace of Mind program.

We appreciate you and want you to have peace of mind!

Quick Links to Local Recycling Options

Computer Recycling Center

Lone Pine Recycling Center

Franklin Ave. Recycling Center

ReStore

YOTO

How Spring Cleaning Can Save You $$$!

Will spring roar in like a lion and out like a lamb this year? We can only hope that we don’t end up with the spring floods we had last year. We hope you are enjoying the budding trees and sprouting blooms.

Now is the perfect time to schedule your A/C Spring Check Up.

Why? Because the fluctuating and moderate temperatures in March allow us to make sure your system is running before the heat of the summer kicks in. Checkups help extend the life of your system, keeping everything in tip-top shape, which in the long-run saves you thousands.

It’s a good idea to do them twice a year, both in the fall and in the spring. That way you’re not without heat in the winter or A/C in the summer and your systems are running efficiently!

Running at top efficiency is also going to keep your heating and cooling bills lower. Like changing the oil in your car, if you neglect to do the task, soon your engine oil is sludgy and your engine won’t run efficiently.

With regular checkups, in the long run, you will have fewer repairs! There will be fewer times you will have emergencies. Think about it, if there was a simple belt issue that could have been caught during a checkup there would be fewer panicked worries about how to cover the cost of replacing the entire system.

Let’s talk safety. Checkups are important to catch possible safety concerns. A crack in the heat exchanger can release carbon monoxide, silently poisoning your air. Even a short circuit can lead to a fire if it goes unchecked.

Here is a brief breakdown of some of the things we do when we perform a check of your system.

Check the thermostat: Our tech makes sure the thermostat is calibrated correctly to ensure comfort in every season.
Tighten electrical connections: Loose connections are dangerous and can cause improper operation that shortens the equipment’s lifespan.
Lubricate all moving parts: Lack of lubrication causes high amounts of friction in the system. This can cause it to overheat and break down.
Inspect the condensate drain: Over time sludge or algae can form in the drain pipe and create a blockage. During times of high usage, the drain pan may overflow and cause water damage to the equipment or your home.
Check system controls: The start cycle, operation, and shut-off sequence should occur in a particular fashion. Our technician will check the controls to make sure everything is operating safely and properly.
Clean and adjust the blower: Issues with the blower can decrease equipment efficiency by up to 15 percent.
Clean the evaporator and condenser coils (cooling specific): Soiled coils slowly decrease efficiency and make the equipment run longer.
Check refrigerant charge (cooling specific): If the air conditioner was charged too high at installation, you could be paying much more than necessary to cool your home.
Check fuel line connections (heating specific): Poor gas or oil connections are a fire hazard. They can also cause health problems if fumes are able to escape into your home. Tightening the connections ensures safe operation.
Inspect the gas pressure, burner combustion and heat exchanger (heating specific): Incorrect pressure, a dirty burner or a cracked heat exchanger can result in improper burner operation.

You too can do a few things on your own to increase efficiency and extend the life of your unit.

Change the air filter every month. Some units have an indicator light that tells you when the filter is beginning to become clogged and blocking airflow.
Remove debris from around the outdoor unit.
Hose down the outdoor unit when dirt begins to accumulate on it.
Trim back foliage to at least 18 inches from the outdoor unit.
Keep supply and return registers unblocked by drapes, rugs or furniture.

These simple steps can help you save money, not to mention saving wear and tear on your system. We would love the opportunity to extend the life of your A/C unit by doing your Spring Check Up! Give us a call today.

How to keep your Valentine cozy in this crazy MO weather

How do you keep your Valentine cozy when in this crazy Missouri weather it’s HOT one minute…COLD the next? Your sweetheart isn’t the only one who needs tender loving care during this season, so does your HVAC system!

Your HVAC system may think you’re crazy running the heat all night, then the next morning, turning on the A/C.

Missouri is no stranger to fluctuating temperatures. Just a couple of weeks ago we went from -6 degrees to 70 in the matter of a couple of days. Then the crazy Missouri weather topped it off with tornadoes in January!

These highs and lows can make your head spin!

While it’s not “bad” on your system to run the heat and A/C in the same day, there are a couple of key things to remember to keep it running for the long haul.

First, ease into the new temp. Maybe adjust your preferred temperature gradually…the goal is to not overtax the system. Making too big of a jump in temp can lead to technical issues and be a big strain on your HVAC system.

Second, wait five minutes between switching from heat to air (or vice versa). Switching too quickly can fry your circuit board or blow a fuse.

Lastly, because Missouri will always have crazy weather, we can’t stress enough the importance of routine maintenance. Avoiding checkups to your HVAC system can greatly shorten the life of your system and even lead to serious dangers. Dust, dirt, and debris inside the unit can lead to house fires if left to build up. Worn out wiring and lack of insulation around wiring can also be dangerous.

Routine checkups can greatly increase the lifespan of your system while providing you with the security you need to know you and your loved ones are safe.

Whether you’ve lived in Missouri all your life, ten years, or just ten days, you will have noticed it can be coat weather in the morning and shorts weather in the afternoon. That’s not likely to change, so investing a little in routine maintenance will really give you peace of mind.

Which reminds us, we offer the Peace of Mind Service Plan.

The Peace of Mind plan is NOT an insurance policy or a warranty plan. It is a service membership exclusively offered by A&D Mechanical Services. Consider us your personal maintenance team!

For just a low monthly membership, repairs and maintenance on covered units will be made. Parts needed for repair are included in the plan and if there is a total failure of your covered equipment, we will replace the unit. NO OTHER PLAN DOES THAT!

We appreciate you as our customer and are wishing you a warm Valentine’s Day and hope you don’t have to flip from heat to A/C several times in one day!

Happy New Year!

Do you take stock of your calendar, business, and personal life at the turn of the new year? A new year often means a thorough look at the goals you want to accomplish in the next 12 months, or even further down the road. We are excited about the coming of the new year and all the plans that are in store.

As we were finishing out 2017, everyone here at A&D began discussing how we could serve our customers better in the coming year. From upgrading our dispatching system to connecting more with our customers, everyone had great ideas.

One subject that came up was reviews. Did you know that leaving a review is today’s “word of mouth” referral? Most consumers make their final decision on what vendor to use or what product to buy based on the reviews they read. Most people think that leaving a review helps the business they are commenting about, but in reality, it helps everyone make well-informed decisions.

Do you leave a review after you’ve hired a company for a project? Did you leave one for the restaurant you went to last night? Leaving a review may not even cross your mind.

A review is a great way for the consumer to learn about a business, but also a business can learn and improve. It’s very easy for you to leave reviews. Here’s one we received a couple of weeks ago on Facebook:

December 23 at 10:31am ·

“After being without heat for about a week I called A&D Mechanical. Daniel diagnosed the problem quickly and gave me a very reasonable quote. He had my furnace running within the hour and worked with me on the payment. It brought me to tears. They will be my go to people for anything in the future. It’s great to finally know an honest company.”

This is a very nice review and informative. It tells a story. You are reminded that we are available 24/7 if you ever have a heating or plumbing issue. We work quickly and efficiently, letting you know up front of the price. We even have a Peace of Mind program for those that don’t need the surprise cost of replacing heating and air units.

Here’s another:

December 14 at 3:06pm ·

“This company has the most friendly employees. They were very helpful with our plumbing situation. They are also very educated with why these situations happen and how to prevent it. Very happy with their help!”

We are thankful for the feedback and love it when we are able to leave our customers happy. We are humbled when we learn how our customers recommend us to their friends and family. We understand that when you call us, it’s very a very stressful time. After all, something in your home is broken making life inconvenient.

One of our 2018 goals is to be more diligent about leaving honest and objective reviews for others. We know that it helps everyone in our community.

Remember, as you are researching the right service or product you want to buy, there’s always going to be someone that may be disgruntled. If you take the time to research and take into account all reviews, you will find just the company that’s the right fit for you.

It would be an honor if you’d hop over to Facebook and leave us a review. If you aren’t a Facebook user, simply click here to leave a Google review. Your time and comments are most appreciated.

We hope you have the best year yet, in business, health, and with family.

From our family to yours, we wish you a wonderful 2018.

P.S. Don’t forget. We’re here to serve you and help keep your home comfortable and efficient. We truly appreciate you. You can reach us at 417-866-8257.

9 Ways to Keep Your House Toasty this Winter

With the first day of winter fast approaching, we’d like to share a few money-saving tips to help you keep things hot this winter season.

Adjust Door Thresholds

If you are seeing light under your door, you are losing heat. There are often a few screws in the threshold you can adjust to close the gap.

Check Weather Stripping

If you don’t have weather stripping or it’s worn, consider installing. Weather stripping can help save 7-12% of your heat loss!

Mind the Gap

There can be a significant loss of heat through gaps around electrical boxes. Seal with an acrylic latex caulk. The caulk around pipes, cables, and gas lines can deteriorate over time. Inspect yours and replace if necessary with an expanding foam. This will also protect your house from mice entering looking for a warm and cozy home.

Space Heaters

Sometimes a space heater (while turning down your thermostat and leaving it alone) can save 3% on every degree you go below 70. This includes the cost of running the space heater.

Cover Those Windows

Use a plastic sheeting to cover your windows. This can save up to 14% on your heating bill! Locking your windows can help seal them, too. Also, close your curtains at night and open in the day for passive solar heating.

Air Seal Your Chimney

Drafts can come into your house from your chimney. Amazon sells a “chimney balloon” to slow or stop the flow of air out the chimney. Just make sure it’s not in there when your fireplace is in use!

Check Your Insulation

Have you checked the insulation in your attic lately? Heat rises. You will want to make sure there’s no easy escape route for it.

Keep Your Registers Clear

Don’t have furniture or holiday decorations over your heat registers which will block the heat coming out.

Use Your Fireplace

If you’ve had your chimney inspected and cleaned, consider setting your thermostat to a lower temperature and using your fireplace. You can save quite a bit, providing you have access to firewood!

Christmas is less than two weeks away! We hope you have wonderful friend and family gatherings and will be cozy throughout the winter. Remember, if something does happen to put a chill in your inside air, peace of mind is just a phone call away!

We’re here to serve you and help keep your home comfortable and efficient. We truly appreciate you. You can reach us at 417-866-8257.

We would love to hear from you! Drop us an email and tell us about your holiday plans!

From our family to yours, we wish you a very

Merry Christmas
and
Happy New Year!

Thankful for YOU!

Here we are, a little more than one week from Thanksgiving. It’s the time of year to reflect and celebrate.

We’ve been thinking about all the things we are thankful for, the things that keep us going and let us know we are extremely blessed. We wanted to share our gratitude for the amazing things in our life.

Our faith, church, family, and friends fill every nook and cranny of our lives with strength, support, love, and kindness.
Our customers, which often become our friends through this business we have. We enjoy serving in this community, helping where we can, and making friends with our customers through our diligence to maintenance, our fair pricing, and expertise.
Each other! We met when we were only 15 years old, then married three years later. Recently, we celebrated our 41^st wedding anniversary! We are thankful for our strong bond of love, which helps in our daily dealings with each other at work. Being together, working together, and working in love and kindness is what we do every day!
We are thankful for those men and women who put their life on the line daily to protect us; the police, firefighters, first responders, EMTs, etc. There does not seem to be much gratitude for these types of jobs. Honestly, they sure deserve it.
Finally, we are so thankful to live in the USA which has freedoms that other countries can only dream about. We don’t forget the men and women that have fought to protect this freedom, some giving the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

We are thankful to know YOU, our kind friends, neighbors, and customers. We thank you for the opportunity to connect with you this way each month. If you know someone that might like to join in our monthly eNewsletter, we would be honored if you’d forward this to them and encourage them to click here to be added to our list.

We would love to hear from you! Drop us an email and tell us about your blessings!

Happy Thanksgiving.

Top Secret Plumbing Tricks

We all occasionally have plumbing issues, whether it’s a constantly running toilet, a suddenly overflowing toilet, or a backed up shower drain. These things happen, no matter how old or new your house’s plumbing is. It just comes with daily use. So, here’s a few tricks and tips to help fix little issues before they turn into big issues!

Okay, maybe they aren’t “Top Secret” plumbing tricks, but these are certainly some good tips to remember if you run into plumbing troubles!

Creaking pipes? Silence pipes by wrapping them in adhesive-backed felt.
Build-up in kitchen sink trap? Remove the build-up by emptying the trap (u-shaped pipe under your sink). Turn off your water and place a bucket under the trap. Loosen the nuts with a pipe wrench and remove the trap. Clean out with a bottle brush removing your build-up matter, then re-attach.
Drain clogged? Pour 1/2 cup salt, 1/2 cup baking soda, followed by a pot of boiling hot water. Repeat if needed. If drain still clogged, call us.
Toy in the toilet? Do not use a plunger. That could push it further into the pipe. Use a wet/dry vacuum, following the directions for wet use.

Keeping your sewer lines clean and debris free is a year-round job. Frequently check that trees are not sprouting up where your sewer lines run. Tree roots can choke a sewer line, causing major damage. This goes for bushes and other plants, too. It’s not a good idea to landscape on top of your sewer lines.

Remind family members that flushing wipes and other hygiene items are a no-no. These can clog waste lines in a hurry, often causing you to call a plumber.

Bleach is a powerful, toxic substance that should be used carefully and properly. Pouring it down a drain in an attempt to clean them is not a proper use of bleach. Bleach can react with other substances in your pipes, potentially releasing fumes, and further plug up your drains.

A little time spent now can save a lot of time and money later. Investing in routine maintenance is going to prolong the life of anything you are maintaining. Remember that we do Fall Check Up on your home heating systems. If you haven’t scheduled yours yet, give us a call. You don’t want to be left in the cold when the weather changes.

Know what time it is?

September is a lovely time in the Ozarks! The days are warm, but the nights get cool. The leaves start to turn gold, amber, fiery red, and pumpkin orange. People gather for bonfires, football games, fall canoe trips, and hiking. The days get shorter and that nip in the air reminds us that winter is around the corner.

Yes, it’s that time of year again. September is the perfect time to schedule your fall systems cleaning check with us to inspect your heating elements and make sure they are ready for this year’s winter.

There is quite a bit to check with your heating and plumbing before winter comes along, such as:

Moving parts and belts, including electrical connections
The blower and vents for leaks
The pilot light and burner
Wiring for any damage
Hoses and drainage systems
Gas pressure
The heat exchanger for any corrosion
Carbon monoxide testing
Filters that haven’t been replaced recently

We all recognize that investing in routine maintenance for your vehicle increases the life of that vehicle, it’s the same with your heating/cooling unit. The lack of routine maintenance can lead to safety issues. Make sure your heating unit is in tip-top shape now, while the temps are mild! Once you give us a call to schedule your Fall Check Up, we will make sure everything is ready for the winter months!

A&D recently celebrated its seventh birthday and could not have done that without our customers – we appreciate you! We’re here to serve you and you keep your home comfy. Remember, you can reach us at 417-866-8257.