10 Summer Myths Rebuked

At SoBellas we are very much in tune with the seasons. We strive to provide our customers with the best service to keep them cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

In order to ensure that there heating and cooling units are working to optimal levels we make sure to maintain them with our customer care club.  

One of the things that we have noticed is that each season has its myths. We have decided to search the web for the 20 biggest myths about summer.    

1. Your ceiling fan will keep your home cool -This is a big myth. In fact ceiling fans do not actually cool the air. There job is to make the wind go faster. 
2. Lighting comes from the skies - This is partially true. In fact lightning come from the ground and sky. 
3. This heat is going to give me a heat stroke - It is possible but if you are healthy the chances of this happening are low.
4. If you get in your swimming pool after a meal you will get sick- We researched this and there is no definite proof of illness but beware of cramps. 
5. The cold will not get you sick - Cold air alone will not get you sick however it can lower your immune system.
6. Not all drinks will hydrate you- When we get hot some of us go for a sugary drink however this will dehydrate you.
7. A cloudy day means you can ditch the sun screen- This is a myth with dangerous consequences. Sun rays are still dangerous.              
8. I went swimming so I do not need to shower- Pools are known for having a lot of chlorine but they are still full of bacteria. 
9. Working out at the hottest temperatures does not burn more fat - In fact you may be cutting your workouts short as you will tire quicker. 
10. If you cut yourself on the beach the salt water will heal you faster- So false! the water contains bacteria which will make it worse.                 

The Most Dangerous Consequences of Not Getting Maintenance done on Your Air Conditioner

There are many consequences to not getting your A/C system properly maintained. One of the biggest hazards comes from pollutants that could hurt your health in jeopardy. Just a little bit of air conditioning maintenance can go a long way. 

If you already deal with any of the below health issues then a dirty A/C can make it worse. 

• Asthma
• Allergies
• Common Cold

The problems get worse if bacteria begins to develop in your non maintained A/C system. This can lead to more serious diseases such as flu type diseases, sore throat and a number of other illnesses. Another thing that someone should consider is that if you live in a area where animals have a tendency to get into your air system. It has not been unheard of for even snakes to get into a system. The danger with animals such as rodents getting in your system is that they leave feces which can be very bad for the air that you breath. 

One of the greatest benefits of properly maintaining your A/C system is that you also do not have to worry about it going out in a heat wave. I mean sure SoBellas Home Services prides itself on same day service however it is better to be safe than sorry. If it is a scorching hot day you want to ensure that you have your A/C working throughout the duration of it. 

Despite the major concerns to your health that non maintenance can cause it is also important to remember that your finances can impacted also. You will save money on costly repairs that could have been avoided by having seasonal maintenance on your system. Here at SoBellas we offer the customer care club which has been known to save our customers up to 24% on their utility bills.

Contact us today for an inspection of your A/C system.

                    

What to look for in a HVAC & Appliance Repair Company

What to look for in a HVAC & Appliance Repair Company  

Customer service is our #1 priority at SoBellas 

When you live in Texas and in New Mexico you know just how hot the temperatures can get. It is in our States that the word Summer can take on a whole new meaning. This is why when you need your air conditioning repaired you look at two of the most important factors:

• Speed of Service
• Customer Service

At SoBellas Home Services we strive to not only complete the work fast but also to ensure that we fix the problem so that you no longer have to worry about it. There are many different companies out there and you are bound to find a less expensive company if you look hard enough but as the old saying says you get what you pay for. Our suggestion to anyone looking for an HVAC or appliance repair company is not just get caught up in the price but to also do your homework on the company itself. You should ask yourself the following questions:

• What are other people saying about them?
• How long have they been in business?
• What type of services do they offer?

Those 3 questions are crucial to a companies success.    

What are people Saying about SoBellas? 

SoBellas has been in the business of providing appliance repair for 30+ years. Our customers are very vocal about the service that they receive from us and all one has to do is head over to one of our many social media pages to find out what people are saying. SoBellas is also a company that is there when you need us. We pride ourselves on same day service and of course on the fact that we can not only service your HVAC but also all of your home appliances. Don't wait any longer without an A/C or a broken appliance. Call us today!!

How to Maximize the Efficiency of your A/C System 

Routine A/C Maintenance can keep your system running at optimal standards. 

The A/C system in your home is largely responsible for the comfort that you feel during the scorching hot summer. Many consider your A/C to be the cornerstone of your home and you sure would feel it should it ever stop working. This entry is intended to give you helpful information that will help you get the most out of your system. We have listed some of the key steps to maintain the freshness in your home. If you have any additional tips that we may have left out feel free to add them in our comment section. 

Keep an Eye on your Air Filters   

This is one of the easiest maintenance tips that one can follow. What makes replacing your air filters especially important is that not doing so can be hazardous to your health. The air you breath in your home is just as impactful to your health as the air that you breath outside. In order to follow proper A/C maintenance you may want to change them every month or so. You can order air filters at an affordable rate from our parts store.     

Close your Doors and Windows

If you have your A/C at full blast and you still feel the heat don't panic. You may want to check your windows as sometimes having them open can counteract the work that your A/C is performing. The heat in your home may be the only thing that is holding your system back.

Invest in some Quality Blinds    

Your window coverings can be a big factor in regards to the temperature in your home. According to energy.gov blinds are effective when it comes to reducing summer heat. Another tip that you may want to consider is that closing your drapes or blinds in windows that receive the most sun light in your home will keep your home cooler. This is a small step that you can take which can create a lot of comfort towards your home.

Turn your Fans On       

Just because you have a top of the line A/C system does not mean that you need to throw away your fans. Household fans can increase the temperature in your home and will also further circulate the air. Besides if your A/C should ever go out it comes in handy to have some quality fans as back up. 

Invest in a Maintenance Plan 

This is the most effective step that you can take in order to ensure that your A/C is running at optimal levels. At SoBellas we offer our customers the customer care club. This service plan has been known to reduce our customers utility bills by up to 25%. We also recommend for our customers to have an annual check up to get their units ready for the spring season. There is no better preventative maintenance routine than a full inspection, cleaning and tune up.    

 

How to Handle Dryer Repair to Maximize Spending Efficiency

Depending on the make and model of your dryer and when it was made, you should expect it to last around a decade.

While it generally makes sense to keep your dryer running as long as possible, there are situations in which this is not the most sound financial decision, and this is why learning about dryer repair is so essential.

Gaining this knowledge will help you make better choices when it comes to maintaining your dryer.

Understand the Average Lifespan

Although it really depends on the make and model of your dryer, along with when it was made, you can expect an average dryer to last around a decade. It is possible for it to be shorter or longer, but this is a good guideline to follow for your dryer when you do not know its exact specifications.

Common Dryer Repairs

As long as you keep up with regular DIY maintenance and professional servicing, you are most likely to experience repairs that involve the coils, belts, or thermostats. In this case, when repairs like this come up, you do not have to be concerned about the longevity of the dryer as they are common.

It is when you experience problems that are not so common when there may be underlying issues that could affect the your dryer's lifespan, so a thorough inspection by a professional in this is often the right call.

When to Replace

In order to make the best financial decision, you should get prepared by finding out how much a dryer would cost you if you had to replace the one you currently have as knowing the price is essential.

If the cost of a repair is somewhat close to the cost of replacing your current dryer, and your dryer is getting close to being ten years old, replacing it is an easy decision to make. It is very circumstantial as to whether you should replace or repair a dryer, but the more knowledge you possess, the easier it will be to make a decision that ensures you are spending money efficiently.

Feel free to contact us to learn more about dryer repair.

Enjoy Longer-Lasting Clothes with Dryer Vent Cleaning

Cleaning your dryer vent regularly will help keep your dryer from overheating, which can damage fabric.

One of the most common reasons for getting your dryer vents cleaned is to prevent a house fire, but this should not be the only reason you invest in this form of routine maintenance. It should be standard protocol to maintain your appliances, which includes the dryer vents, but understanding how you can benefit from this in additional ways will help you be more prompt with getting the vent cleaned.

Keeping up with cleaning the vents will provide you with longer-lasting clothes.

Avoid Overheating

A properly cleaned vent does not overheat, which means your clothes do not reach excessively high temperatures that could be problematic for the fabric and lead to immediate or long-term damage.

Fewer Cycles

An important detail to note is that when your clothes are not dried properly, you are likely to run it through another cycle entirely or just extend the current cycle depending on the dampness of the clothing.

When this occurs, your clothes go through the drying process for upwards of twice as long as they normally would with a properly working dryer, and this ultimately reduces their lifespan.

Using a dryer is an effective way to dry clothes, especially in a timely manner, but clothes that go into the dryer are not expected to last several decades without any problems.

Although you may be concerned about how much it costs to get dryer vent cleaning, you will save a lot more money by getting this service as needed because your cloths will not need to be replaced as often.

Also, with a dryer that runs efficiently, you will be spending less on energy costs.

If you want to schedule a dryer vent cleaning, ask questions, or learn more about this particular service, please contact us today as we would love to help.

How to Prevent Home Fires due to Appliances

According to the the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) cooking is the leading cause of home structure fires.

In fact there are many appliances in your home which if not properly maintained can become risks for a home fire. In this blog we will list the highest risk appliances and some steps that you may take which will help keep you and your family safe.

THE STOVE  

The stove is the cornerstone of any kitchen. It allows you to prepare those delicious home cooked meals. But did you know that same appliance that you depend on everyday can also become your worst nightmare? Its true that we cannot eliminate every risk but we can certainly take preventative steps.

• Be careful with excess oil that may get on your stove. 
• Do not let grease spills cause a fire and never leave the room while cooking.
• Make sure you turn of the appliance when it is not in use.
• Keep all flammable objects away from your stove.

Extra Tip: Never use your stove as a home heater as it can cause carbon monoxide! 

THE DISHWASHER

One of the most convenient things in anyone's kitchen is the ability to clean dishes quickly. Sure you could just hand wash them but in today's busy world sometimes there is not enough time. Despite the convenience that this appliance offers it also can become dangerous if not maintained. It is also a good idea to read up on your appliance online. Sometimes companies have issued out a recall due to a mechanical failure which could lead to a fire. 

• Do not under any circumstances leave your dishwasher running while you go off to sleep.
• A important fact to remember is that many dishwasher fires are not due to bad use from the user but are rather the products of a mechanical failure.  

THE WASHER & DRYER

Most of us could not go a day without our washers and dryers. They offer a level of convenience that only a few appliances can. These appliances are truly the peanut butter and jelly of the appliance world. They are also responsible for many home fires. According to the NFPA the leading cause of washer and dryer fires was the failure to clean them. 

• Clean your dryer vents. At SoBellas we have you covered. 
• Maintain your dryers lint tray. 
• Make sure your dryer duct is working at optimal standards.
• Make sure to clean your dryer and washer.    

THE MICROWAVE

 Microwaves are fast and efficient. They are very reliable but even a microwave can become the source of a home fire.  

• Never put metal in a microwave as it will surely cause a fire.
• Make sure to remove any food packaging before placing your food in the microwave. 

Ultimately a fire can happen at any time and there is no 100% way to prevent it. What we can do though is try our best to limit the chances of a fire occurring due to a faulty appliance. The tips above should be a great start towards protecting your beautiful home. We encourage our customers to continuously follow their instruction manuals guidelines. 

We offer our customers the ability to enroll in our customer care club which provides them with the option of having their appliances checked and maintained.