Houston Archives - Richmonds Air Houston

Good News in Texas: Uplifting Stories During the COVID-19 Crisis

June 8, 2020 by Richmond’s Air

So much of the news we’re hearing about lately is scary and can be overwhelming. With that in mind, the team at Richmond’s Air wanted to share some uplifting, hopeful and encouraging stories that have come out of the area recently.

These stories just go to show that when times get tough, Texans come together!

Whataburger delivers food to H-E-B employees

Like many grocery stores across the country, H-E-B employees have been working long hours to ensure that store shelves are restocked. This often means that they have little time to think about feeding themselves. To show their support, Whataburger employees stepped up to make and deliver meals to H-E-B employees.

Gulf Coast Distillers switch production to hand sanitizer

In recent weeks, hand sanitizer has become a hard-to-find commodity. To help combat shortages, Gulf Coast Distillers obtained a federal permit to add the production of both hand sanitizer and isopropyl alcohol to its normal production of beer, bourbon, vodka, whiskey and coffee. Their new products are being sold at Aldi, Dollar General and H-E-B, which already carry their coffee line. Along with selling the product in stores, Gulf Coast Distillers will also donate sanitizer and alcohol to government agencies and non-profit groups.

J.J. Watt and Kealia Ohai donate $350,000 to food bank

Houston Texan defensive end J.J. Watt and his wife, Kealia Ohai, a soccer star, donated $350,000 to the Houston Food Bank. This donation will provide as many as 1 million meals to those in need in the Houston area. In addition to Watt and Ohai’s donation, Houston Astros’ Alex Bregman made a donation of 1,000 quarantine food kits to the food bank.

Houston animal shelter provides foster parents curbside pickup

For those interested in fostering a dog during quarantine, the Harris County Animal Shelter will deliver your chosen pup to your car to comply with the city’s social distancing order. The HCAS is providing this service to those in Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Harris, Galveston, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller counties.

Houston Zoo uses Facebook Live to entertain kids

Despite stay-at-home orders, animals at the Houston Zoo still need to be cared for by zoo staff. While caring for the animals, zoo staff are using the opportunity to entertain and educate kids that are home from school. Each week day at 11 a.m. your kids will be able to tune into Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to learn science from the Houston Zoo.

Keepers will provide updates on how the animals are doing and facts about the animals. The Houston Zoo also has a number of webcams you and your kids can enjoy throughout the day.

$9,400 tip left at Houston restaurant

Before Texas restaurants had to close their dining rooms, the popular Houston restaurant, Irma’s Southwest, received a generous gift from a regular customer—a tip of $9,400! This tip, to be shared among the entire staff, was to be an anonymous gift. The husband wrote a note to the owner on the receipt and instructed that they “hold tip to pay your guys over the next few weeks.” A portion ($1,900) of the tip was left in cash on the table, and the remaining $7,500 was on a credit card.

Houston Food Bank receives donation from rodeo vendor

The RCS Carnival Group, a Houston Rodeo vendor, provided the Houston Food Bank with a large donation of food after the rodeo was canceled. The donation included bread, produce, dairy and some meat and is expected to be able to feed thousands of families. The RCS Carnival Group typically has 5 food booths during the Houston Rodeo.

Houston Methodist Hospital gives first plasma transfusion to treat COVID-19

In the battle against COVID-19, Houston Methodist Hospital is pioneering a new treatment for the virus. They have become the first academic medical center to receive FDA approval to transfuse plasma donated from those that have recovered from COVID-19 to help treat those currently fighting the virus. This treatment (which is still experimental) was fast-tracked by the FDA in the hopes to slow the death rate of those infected. The concept of the treatment is that plasma from recovered patients will have antibodies from the immune system that will kick in and help the body kill the virus.

While we are not currently scheduling AC unit maintenance or checkups, the team at Richmond’s Air is still working hard to schedule and conduct AC unit repairs and replacements. We will continue to serve the greater Houston community and we will all get through this crisis together!

Richmond’s Air Helps Harvey Victims By Offering Reduced Pricing on Professional Flood Inspections

September 19, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

In the aftermath of Hurricane Harvey, Houston and all of Southeast Texas is just beginning the long and daunting recovery process. So many thousands of people are facing destroyed homes as well as the daunting cleanup process that must follow such destruction.

With such widespread flooding and damage, so many private homes are also facing flooded or damaged HVAC systems. While HVAC may not be your first priority, Richmond’s Air would like to help deter some of the stress by focusing on what we know best: heating, ventilation and air conditioning.

Our commitment to helping our friends, family and neighbors impacted by Harvey is why we’ve chosen to offer a special deal for those affected to begin their HVAC repair/replacement and home repairs.

Right now, Hurricane Harvey victims can receive professional flood inspections for $65 through Richmond’s Air. Additionally, those without insurance can also receive 20% off this inspection service.

Professional flood inspections will help you appraise the exact amount of damage done and an idea of how much money it may cost to restore your home.

Our service area extends to Houston and other Southeast Texas communities, including:

Bellaire
Katy
Spring (…including The Woodlands)
Sugar Land
University Place

To schedule your professional flood inspection, contact Richmond’s Air today.

From Richmond’s Air, we wish all those affected by Hurricane Harvey the best during the recovery and repair process that we’re all facing. Stay safe, everyone.

3 Ways to Protect Your HVAC System From Storms

May 29, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

Spring can bring a lot of stormy weather to the Houston area, so it’s a good idea to be prepared. Along with having an emergency kit and making sure your house is sealed up, there are also things you can do to protect your HVAC system.

Storm damage to your HVAC system can cause long-term problems if it isn’t dealt with immediately or prevented altogether. Here are three ways you can protect your HVAC system from storms before they hit:

Put away loose objects – One of the biggest culprits of storm damage is wind. It would take an extremely strong wind to actually blow over your outside unit, but it’s very common for it to get damaged by flying debris (bikes, toys, gardening tools, outdoor furniture, etc.). Make sure you put all of those things in your garage or shed or somewhere they can’t get caught by the wind.
Cover outdoor unit – To prevent anything from getting into and destroying your condenser, it’s a good idea to turn it off and put a tight cover over it during a storm. If heavy rain is in the forecast, it can flood your outdoor system.
Install hail guards – If there’s a potential for large hail, we recommend installing hail guards on your outside unit to prevent major damage.

Once the storm has passed, there are a few things you can check for to make sure your system is good to go. One of the most important things to look for is loose or disconnected electrical wires, which can be very dangerous to you and your HVAC system.

If there’s any concern about the condition of your Houston system, contact an HVAC professional at Richmond’s Air to come look for damage and do any necessary repairs. Our team of licensed, experienced technicians serves the metro-Houston area, so if you live in Houston, Katy, Spring or surrounding areas, give us a call today.

Heavy Rain Fall and How it Affects Your AC System

May 22, 2017 by Richmond’s Air

With spring fully upon us, flowers and allergens are also accompanied by more rainfall. If you have an outdoor air conditioning unit, you may be a bit concerned about the heavy rain damaging your system.

Luckily, most AC owners have no reason to worry.

Rain and Your Heating/Cooling System

Even though air conditioning systems contain electrical parts and is exposed to the elements on a daily basis, systems are designed in a way that allows the system to function properly even in a heavy rainstorm.

Most electrical or damageable components are sealed in order to insure that water will not infiltrate and damage the system. This means that, during normal rainfall, homeowners do not have to worry about damaged AC systems at all.

What About Flooding?

Flooding, however, can do a bit of damage to your AC system. While your system is protected from rain water, it’s not designed to withstand sitting in flood water for hours or even days at a time.

Any rain or flooding that exceeds 15 inches should be considered a concern. Additionally, storms with high winds can also damage your AC with debris.

What You Can Do

Many AC owners wonder if they should cover their air conditioning system if heavy rain is expected; however, this is not required. It should be noted that if you do decide to cover your system, use a cover that’s made from breathable fabric (your manufacturer will sell covers that fit your system). Choosing plastic or a tarp covering can do more damage since condensation can be caught inside causing rust or mildew to thrive.

If you have more questions about protecting your AC unit or would like to schedule maintenance, the professionals at Richmond’s Air can help. Contact us today to see what we can do for you.

A How-To Guide for Hiring the Best HVAC Company

December 12, 2016 by Richmond’s Air

No one enjoys a broken HVAC (heating, ventilation, air conditioning) system, especially while at work or home. Nothing is worse than trying to focus your tasks and chores while freezing cold or dripping in seat.

Unfortunately, breakdowns happen, and you’ll likely need to hire an HVAC company to take care of the repairs. An honest, capable local HVAC repair company can make the process easier.

Here’s our advice on how to go about finding one:

Take Advantage of Social Media

Social media is a valuable tool when doing research for potential HVAC companies. Clients post both positive and negative reviews on sites like Facebook and Twitter, and they can help you decide which company to hire. Once you’ve hired someone, you’ll have the opportunity to leave your own feedback.

Check Industry Organizations

Trustworthy HVAC companies are likely members of an industry organization that offers membership based on the company’s good reputation and qualifications. Some organizations you can check out for HVAC include:

Compile a List and Call

Using the tools above, take note of the best HVAC companies in your area and make a list of what you find. Call each and ask questions concerning your needed services, price estimates and warranties, and an estimate for how long the project will take. Record and compare their answers for a well-rounded look at the industry in your area.

If your home is located in the greater Houston area, start by contacting Richmond’s Air for all of your HVAC repair needs. Our experienced, professional technicians are ready to provide you with the expert and professional maintenance services you deserve.