The Chapman Post

email problems

2011-09-28T08:53:00.000-05:00

We are having some nagging email issues this week. for the meantime, please use chapmanair@gmail.com as a contact email until we sort it out. We are running around chasing down the issue, but its been very illusive. We believe we should have it fixed by today, but for any correspondence, use chapmanair@gmail.com or call us at 214-340-4999. Thank you for your patience during this time.

Link Building for Air Conditioning Companies

2011-05-18T13:34:00.000-05:00

SUMMARY:
Link building is an important aspect of search engine optimization. Search engines view a link as a vote of confidence in a website or webpage. The more links from related sources the greater the webpage's importance.

Link building is an important aspect of search engine optimization. Search engines view a link as a vote of confidence in a website or webpage. The more links from related sources the greater the web page's importance.

When requesting links, use an email template that can be easily customized for specific requests. To locate prospective link partners, search Google or Yahoo for related keywords or phrases.

When looking for partners, use this no-nonsense guide to request links from related websites.

Related
The content on the webpage you would like to link to should be related to the content of your page. However, competitors are unlikely to be willing link partners, regardless of the quality of your website. Look for websites that are related but not competing. As an example, if you are an Air Conditioning Contractor then you could could link to related businesses like, roofers, builders, sheet metal suppliers or home remodellers. Adding a link to a wholesale reseller of handmade ostrich skin boots would definitely not be advised.

Current
The content on the website you are requesting the link from should be up to date like the air conditioning coupons here. A new link on a page with a lot of outdated or inaccurate content will not typically benefit your website (or reputation).

Valuable The content on the website you are requesting the link from should also contain valuable and unique content. This goes both ways; if you want people to link to your website, you must also provide useful content. This is very hard to do in the Air Conditioning and Heating industry - as most of the technology takes a while to change or get upgraded.

Seek Quality
Only request links from quality websites. If a website is cluttered with advertisements and is not a quality website, it is unlikely that the search engines will not value the link much. Make every effort to seek out quality websites.

When sending an email request be sure to include the following:

Personalize
Personalize the email request, be sure to mention the domain of interest and perhaps a specific web page for the link exchange. Personalizing the email will help the reader discern that your email is legitimate. This would also show the prospective link that you have been to their website, you are a human, and not an automated bot request from a link farm.

Compliment
Describe what you like about the website (be specific). Tell the webmaster that you feel their website has value, and that is why you would like a link to them and why they would like a link to you.

Explain
Explain why a link to your website would be relevant and beneficial to a specific website visitors. In your email request, detail how customers would benefit from the information on your website.

Be Specific
Provide specific anchor text and the exact web page URL and web page description on your website that you would like the webmaster to link to. Reciprocate and Thank If appropriate provide details about any links back that you have provided to the website. Also, be sure to thank the webmaster for considering the request.

Building links is an important aspect to increase the popularity of a website.

Air Conditioning Service Coupons

RESOURCES:
Sharon Housley manages marketing for FeedForAll http://www.feedforall.com software for creating, editing, publishing RSS feeds and podcasts. In addition Sharon manages marketing for RecordForAll http://www.recordforall.com audio recording and editing software.
Content edited by Chapman Air & Heat

KEYWORDS:
link building, website ranking, air conditioning, air conditioning contractor, chapman air

Super Efficient Furnaces for Premium Heating

2011-01-04T13:40:00.001-06:00

To have beautiful sleep every night of your winter, you need to have one best quality furnaces that’s available. There are so many brands of furnaces you can find in the market, but the one that has been in this business for a very long time is Trane. This very long time in existence shows you how good the quality of their furnaces is. The furnaces are good in quality because they are professionally and accurately made. This detail makes these furnaces durable for years of wear and tear.

Every Trane furnace is packed with high-quality components, made from only the finest materials. This combination guarantees worry free and comfortable sleep for everyone who enjoys the Trane experience. The trends and the styles of furnaces are also regularly updated to reflect current technology as well as keeping them affordable for the customers.

Premium Heating meets Super Efficiency

The Trane XV95 Gas Furnace delivers one of the highest efficiencies in the industry, providing superior performance for the ultimate comfort experience. This is where Premium heating meets super efficiency because the variable-speed fan motor adjusts speed to provide a consistent flow of warm, comfortable air with quiet operation. Add Trane CleanEffects™ to your system for advanced air filtration that removes more dust, pollen and other irritants from conditioned air for a cleaner, healthier, more comfortable home. Every Trane furnace is packed with high-quality components, which helps ensure that time after time, your unit will provide the total comfort your family can rely on. The XV95 includes:

· Variable-speed blower

· Two-stage gas heat provides greater fuel efficiency and better comfort control

· Heavy gauge, two-tone powder-painted cabinet

· Increased dehumidification with Comfort-R (™) mode

· Durable adaptive silicon Nitride hot surface igniter

· Multi-port, In-shot burners

· One-piece aluminized steel primary heat exchanger

· 24-volt Fuse protects Controls

· Insulated cabinet for quiet operation

· Convertible to horizontal left

· AL29-4C Stainless Steel secondary Heat Exchanger

· Cleanable filter with spring-loaded filter rack

· ERV, humidifier and air cleaner compatible

Call Chapman Air & Heat today at 214-340-4999 or visit the Chapman Air Website to find the best Furnace options available for you.

Is it Time to Fire up Your Home Furnace?

2010-10-05T13:08:00.001-05:00

As the weather begins to change and we bid farewell to summer, its time to start thinking about one of the most important pieces of equipment in your home: the furnace. Most homeowners forget about the furnace until it is too late, and, if you had any problems with yours last winter, then now is definitely the time to take action.

Waiting to fire up your furnace until you actually need it could cause problems. It happens every year, the first cold snap hits and the phones at the heating and air conditioning companies light up and many people find themselves going a few days without heat as they compete with every other homeowner with furnace issues for an appointment. Don’t be left out in the cold, act now.

Heating systems are usually reliable and require very little repair if they are given regular maintenance. But without this regular maintenance a furnace could lose efficiency or cease to function all together.

To give your furnace and heating system a test run, set the thermostat at least five degrees warmer than the current temperature in the room. In a minute or two your heater should come on and you should be able to feel the heat blowing into the room. If the system does not come on you can check a few things before calling in a pro.

The first place to look is the thermostat. It may sound simple, but check to see that it is turned on. All modern thermostats have an on off switch, but they may not be clearly labeled with an “on” position. The “on” position is usually labeled “heat” or “cool.” Obviously you want to make sure the switch is in the “heat” position. If you have a programmable thermostat, refer to your user manual on how to bypass the current setting. If the heater still does not come on you’ll want to check to see if your thermostat has a replaceable battery and check it. There is nothing worse than paying one hundred and fifty bucks or more for a service technician come out to the house just to change a battery.

If your heater still does not fire up, look for an on/off switch at the furnace itself. It looks just like a light switch and is often attached to the unit itself, or very nearby. Make sure the switch is on. If your switch is on and the furnace has still yet to run, check the breakers in your electric panel. The breaker could have tripped and the solution to the problem could be as easy as flipping the switch. If all switches are on, and you are certain you have paid all your gas / electric bills then its time to call in the experts. You could have a small problem, or a catastrophic one, but from this point on, you need someone who knows the workings of the system, as well as electrical knowledge to troubleshoot and fix the problem. Call Chapman Air & Heat at 214-340-4999 and a technician will be able to come out and tell you exactly what needs to be done. We also offer maintenance programs, to save you all these hassles by coming out at regular intervals and make sure your system is in the best shape possible.

Buying Air Conditioning for Dummies - Part 2

2010-06-25T15:13:00.001-05:00

Recap from the last article - Here are the six components of your Air Conditioning System.

(1) Outdoor air cooled condenser or heat pump.
(2) Indoor evaporator coil, this device works in conjunction with the outdoor unit.
(3) Freon piping system connecting the outdoor condenser to the indoor evaporator.
(4) Indoor air handler (electric heat) or furnace (gas heat). They are the heating module and contain the blower providing the airflow for both heating and cooling.
(5) Air distribution system which consists of the ductwork, grilles and register.
(6) Air filtering or clean air component, i.e. whole house air purification system.

And So we Continue...

I should mention at this time, your HVAC system is most likely the largest energy consuming appliance in your home and competes with the automobile in producing pollutants that may have an adverse impact on our environment. The pollution is not seeping directly form your system but from the power plant producing the electricity for your AC unit. Finally, I would like for you to realize this acquisition for your home will be with you for a decade or more, so proceed with caution as all air conditioning units, furnaces or the installing contractors are NOT created equal and the decision you are about to make will be long lasting.

HVAC systems are purchased from and installed by heating and air conditioning contractors and the contractor is required by law to have a State License. The State requires the contractor to maintain liability insurance and display their Name and License number on all trucks/vehicles in use of service or installing HVAC systems.

You will be buying your new HVAC system from a local installing contractor who will recommend an air conditioner and furnace unit brand such as Carrier, Trane, Lennox or a number of generic brands. You might ask why some contractors recommend one brand over the other, well that’s simple, it is called dealerships. Just like the automobile industry the Ford dealer must meet Fords strict qualifications and most likely doesn’t sell Toyota who has its own specialized dealers and is a direct competitor. So most established HVAC contractors are a dealer of a premium brand, meaning they meet the requirements and training of the equipment manufacturer so, obviously that is the brand they will recommend. Some of these contractors will offer a premium brand with a generic offer for a lower price and promote it as being as good as the premium; the old bait and switch. The largest groupings of service contractors are the one or two men operations. There is more small operators than large companies and they will recommend the generic brands because they don’t meet the major brands rigid qualifications. So, think on this for a while, and we will venture into the most important part next time.

For any queries or questions please contact Chapman Air Conditioning or call us at 214-340-4999

Trane Rooftop Unit Hoist, with helicopter.

2010-06-16T11:14:00.000-05:00

So yesterday morning - Early morning, we drove out to Grapevine Mills Mall, because Chapman Air was lifting Rooftop Units onto the roof of the Mall. We get there, there is this HUGE, bright red Helicopter, just sitting there waiting for us - EXCITING. So I jump out, get my camera ready and start snapping away. its not often that I am let out of the office onto the job sites, so I had to make the most of it.

Sirkosky S-58-t and she was a beut. 5 State Helicopters In provided the bird and pilots, and of course Trane provided the rooftop units, All being coordinated by Chapman Air & Heat, albeit fretfully - by Carla.

So I took a couple of still shots whilst the crews got everything settled and organized. Air Conditioning is no joke and they had to get all their equipment ready, positioned, though I don't envy them because the boss was along to watch this one, and he is a stickler for procedure and getting things done right - the first time. So after about 30 minutes everything was ready, and the HeliWhopper was fired up. You would not believe the wash that those rotters made. One technician's helmet was blown clean off, and he had to scurry to get it back - because safety first, and you do not want to be underneath a helicopter with no helmet on.

Within a matter of minutes, the pilot had the bird in the air, hoisting the Trane Rooftop units and depositing them on the roof, with an efficiency and speed that I could only admire. It is always a pleasure to work with people who know what they are doing, and these jocks knew their stuff. So 4 Roof top units - hoisted with great ease, and now I can die a happy man.

Chapman Air & Heat, they sure know their stuff.

by
Job Ruzvidzo

Buying Air Conditioning for Dummies

2010-06-11T16:04:00.000-05:00

**Warning; this is a boring document. However, if you can drudge thorough it, you will develop a better understanding of your home air conditioning & heating system. The purpose is to give you the knowledge (power) to select an Air Conditioning Contractor and equipment that will fit your family’s indoor comfort, budget and your home energy consumption.

Let’s start with a little background about this unappreciated appliance called central air conditioning. Yes, I said unappreciated because most likely your furnace is in some dark closet, damp basement or dirty attic and the A/C unit is outside hidden behind shrub or bush. The only part of the system you are familiar with is the thermostat. The human need to control indoor comfort began way back during the Roman Empire but for us it was with Willis Carrier’s revolutionary new invention in the year of 1914; a system that would control temperature, humidity, air circulation, ventilation and cleanse the air. Now in the 21 Century this appliance provides indoor comfort for millions of American families.

First, you should know what you are buying is a central heating, ventilating and air conditioning (HVAC, AC, air conditioning, heat pump, electric heating, furnace,) system that consist of six components:
(1) Outdoor air cooled condenser or heat pump.
(2) Indoor evaporator coil, this device works in conjunction with the outdoor unit.
(3) Freon piping system connecting the outdoor condenser to the indoor evaporator.
(4) Indoor air handler (electric heat) or furnace (gas heat). They are the heating module and contain the blower providing the airflow for both heating and cooling.
(5) Air distribution system which consists of the ductwork, grilles and register.
(6) Air filtering or clean air component, i.e. whole house air purification system.

Phew, done with the first part. Next we will be showing you how your HVAC system is most likely the largest energy consuming appliance in your home, and how you NEED to take a bit more time into making the right purchase.

For more insights, visit our website, www.chapmanair.com and see all the services we offer in your neighborhood.

2010-04-06T08:45:00.001-05:00

Can Energy Savings Help your Marriage?

reposted from http://energytipoftheday.com/

My wife and I have been trying to cut back on the budget lately. A summer full of household projects, a vacation, and general “if you want it, buy it” attitude has left us a bit leaner in the bank account. It’s not too bad, we didn’t go into debt, just depleted some of our savings.

As we reviewed our spending, it suddenly occurred to me . . . we haven’t had to worry about spiking energy bills in the summer and winter in over two years. Prior to moving into our new home, we would have to account for a couple of HUGE electric bills in the summer and a couple of HUGE natural gas bills during the winter. With our new, energy efficient, all-electric home, that just doesn’t happen anymore.
I logged into my account at my electric utility and reviewed the last 12 months bills. My average bill was $154, with the highest being $216 and the lowest $103.

Many of my friends routinely will see a $300-$400 electric bill during the summer and a $200+ bill during the winter.

Translation?

Because our bills are much lower and more predictable, the impact to our budget isn’t noticeable. Sure, we could use levelized billing so that our bills didn’t spike, but it’s nice to know that our lower bills will result in fewer emergency budget “discussions” throughout the month. This, of course, makes for a happier marriage in my household.

So, what can you do if you don’t already have an energy efficient home? Call Chapman Air & Heat on 214-340-4999 and speak to one of our energy experts about the New, Greener and more efficient Trane XL20i

Giving the Running of the Bulls a Deeper Purpose

2010-02-23T14:42:00.001-06:00

It is billed as the second biggest party in the world, just after Carnival in Rio. Estimates say that 1.5 to 2 million people descend on this slice of northern Spain for 8 days of relaxation and revelry. The event was actually founded in 1591 to honor the beheaded bishop, San Fermîn. This is why everyone is asked to wear the red bandana, remembering his unfortunate end. The festival itself is heavy with religious significance, and includes processions, special religious services, and a deep cultural reverence for the patron saint of Pamplona. With that said, the Running of the Bulls has a well-earned reputation for non-stop revelry followed by mortal danger each morning as the bulls are run through the streets of ancient Pamplona.

I first ran with the bulls in 2004, not having any clue that there was a religious festival going on, nor did I know that the bulls run on eight consecutive days, not just the most famous day of July 7th. Having returned to Pamplona to produce a documentary, study Spanish, and start a business, I now see the big picture and am amazed at what the Running of the Bulls has become. Of course, anytime you gather 2 million in a town of about 700,000, lots of interesting things tend to happen. That's why we strive to get above the crowd and rent a balcony to watch the running of the bulls from a safe distance.

It was such a fantastic experience that I decided to start a business offering bull runners and spectators housing, balconies, afternoon tapas and wine, and other amenities to help them enjoy the fiesta in style. After a while, though, we felt that the party needed a purpose.. Relaxation is just fine, but we wanted to create a mechanism to do good while we had fun. That's why we created Run With a Purpose (tm). This program links vendors of balconies, apartments, and hotels in Pamplona with economic development projects in Latin America.

We have decided to award all proceeds from the Pamplona balcony rental business to projects of PersonalPhilanthropy.org. PersonalPhilanthropy.org is a non-profit corporation and oversees all aspects of the programs, so you can rest assured that the money is well-used. If you'd like to do good while having fun, consider taking the trip of a lifetime and join us at the Running of the Bulls 2010 in Pamplona this July 6th through 14th.

Thanks go to Chapman Air & Heat for their support of our projects!

Pamplona balconies and apartments for the Running of the Bulls

CHAPMAN AIR CONDITIONING RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS TOP TEN AWARD FROM TRANE.

2010-02-17T09:28:00.003-06:00

News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:    Bryan Davenport
        Trane Residential Systems
        District Sales Manager


CHAPMAN AIR CONDITIONING RECEIVES THE PRESTIGIOUS TOP TEN AWARD FROM TRANE.

Dallas, TX – February 3, 2010 -- Trane Residential Solutions, a division of Ingersoll Rand. (NYSE:IR), announced that Chapman A/C of Dallas, Texas has been awarded the prestigious Top Ten Award by the North Texas Trane Sales Office. The Top Ten Award is based on Trane purchase volume in the Replacement, New Construction and Light Commercial arenas. The Top Ten winners are the companies that have attended all the technical and business training and have implemented sound business growth strategies that are focused on Retail Selling.
Chapman Air & Heat was founded in 1981 by Marvin Chapman due to a desire to provide quality service to the Dallas Metroplex. Customers are Chapman's top priority, offering a number of very important services to keep them comfortable all year round. Chapman is proud to be a Trane Comfort Specialist Dealer, a member of the Better Business Bureau, Air Conditioning Contractors of America and a member of your community.

For more information about Trane’s products and services log on to www.trane.com

For more information about Chapman log on to www.chapmanair.com

Chapman Air Revolutionizing A/C service in Plano

2010-02-04T13:04:00.001-06:00

Since 1981 Chapman Air & Heat has been on the Forefront of Air Conditioning & Heating service, repair and installations in Plano. With New technologies, and new training methods, Chapman has remained unparalleled in Service, professionalism and customer satisfaction.

in reference to:

"Chapman Air & Heat‎ - more info »1345 Jupiter Rd, Plano, TX‎ - (972) 618-7991‎4 reviews - Write a review - 1 coupon"We would like to thank Chapman Air & Heat for pushing through our installation. They really helped us and provided awesome customer service. ...""
- air conditioning plano - Google Maps (view on Google Sidewiki)

CertoPro Painters...5 STAR SERVICE

2009-11-06T14:29:00.000-06:00

When was the last time you truly had 5 Star Service, and shouldn't you always receive 5 Star Service? We think you should and that is why we highly recommend Jerry and Deb Baker with CertaPro Painters of Plano. The Bakers understand what it takes to be the best, and they offer quality service and value at prices you can afford.

As Deb stated, "We offer free estimates for any interior or exterior residential, and small commercial jobs servicing the Plano zip codes. Our detailed estimates cover all aspects of the project so there are no surprises or hidden charges for our customers (much like Chapman!). Jerry brings his laptop to every estimate. The program and estimating process is pretty scientific, so the estimates are always consistent and fair. Proposals are delivered on the spot!

The CertaPro reputation is based on Certainty – your certainty of a job well done. We take pride in all our painting projects, and ensure you get a professional experience and a quality paint job. We strive for 5 out of 5 on our customer service ratings, and we do what it takes to earn it! A big part of our value proposition includes working with our customers to determine their 'living' needs. Our painters are respectful of the property and also the family routine, so if there is a better time to paint other than 8 - 5, we will do our best to accommodate. We're not the cheapest outfit out there, but we’re not the highest-priced either. We differentiate on quality, value, and service. We get great prices at Sherwin Williams because CertaPro is their biggest buyer nationwide!"

Something that is very impressive is the fact Jerry and Deb work around hectic schedules. As homeowners, they know what’s important when it comes to quality contracting. What a bonus!

For all your painting projects, call Jerry and Deb Baker/CertaPro Painters of Plano at 972.841.0245 or email jbaker@certapro.com

WHEN QUALITY IS A MUST...CALL THE BEST...FORGET THE REST

2009-11-03T15:26:00.000-06:00

Having known Brent Taylor for almost 15 years, I can tell you first hand of what an excellent job he does cleaning carpets and floors. He has worked magic on our carpets when we just knew they were beyond cleaning. Brent had the carpet looking better than new.

Trust is vital when having people work in your home and we trust Brent and most importantly, our little Westie, Norman trusts him. He is honest, hard-working, dedicated and very affordable for the quality of work he does. His customer's satisfaction is top priority.

So, when quality is a must, call QUALITY A MUST FLOOR RESTORATION. Brent can be reached at 469.766.8150 or email btaylor194@verizon.net

SPARKLING POOLS

2009-09-30T09:38:00.000-05:00

SPARKLING POOLS...KEEP YOURS THE ENVY OF YOUR NEIGHBORS!

Chapman Air and Heat is often asked by our customers if we know a good plumber, electrician, carpet cleaner, pool cleaner, pet sitter and the list goes on. When we get the opportunity to refer someone, you can rest assuredly we will only recommend the best.

The folks at Mirror Image Pool & Spa have been keeping pools pristine for many years. Having known the Owners for years, Chapman can attest to their honest reputation and quality of work. The excellent service they provide fits well within any budget.

Visit their website http://www.mirrorimagepools.com/ or call Amanda at 214.718.8123.

Profit or Non-Profit

2009-09-15T10:52:00.000-05:00

Is Business for Profit Immoral??
Some folks from the left believe that capitalism and for profit businesses are immoral in nature. With the President encouraging public service, many of our college professors are voting for the leftist candidates and many of our youth are seeking not for profit jobs. At first glance, working for the government or non profits seems like a noble cause but could there be a more cynical political agenda at work here? Are community organizations the missionaries for the new Church of Government?

Executive Pay at Non-Profits in Question (UPI.com) Sept. 1, 09
A nonprofit organization (NPO) is an organization that does not distribute its’ surplus funds to owners or shareholders, but instead uses them to help pursue its’ meaningful goals. The amount of money a lot of these NPO executives are paid is in conflict with what most of us believe an NPO should stand for. For example: Sol Pelavin, Chief Executive Officer of AIR was paid $1.1 million and Stephen Moseley, President of AED, said his salary was $879,530. Both of these NPOs received taxpayer’s money from USAID… which is the United States Federal Government organization responsible for most non-military foreign aid with a budget of $39.5 billion dollars.

I would like to suggest that neither businesses nor profits are immoral. It is people and people without accountability which are more likely to become corrupt. With the non-profits becoming the fastest growing lobbyist in Washington receiving your donations through taxation, would you have chosen these charitable organizations? Is it moral that these non-profits and public service jobs be 8-20 times greater than the median annual household income of $50,233?

What’s your take on all this?

All Work and No Play Makes...Charlie!

2009-09-03T12:42:00.009-05:00

My dad will celebrate his 80th birthday next month. I would say he is not your typical senior citizen. He has always been an a/c technician by trade. He started way back when most folks didn’t even have central a/c and heat in their homes. Some have called him a master at his trade. He is, in general a very handy guy who can do a little bit of everything. He’s one of those guys whose children will proclaim “my dad can fix anything.”

He was never into sports or hobbies. No golf, no fishing, no NASCAR, nothing like that. His leisure activities consisted of work, work, and more work. He was always working on something. If you wanted to have a conversation with him you would speak to his back or sometimes his backside; as he usually had his head stuck inside some piece of equipment, like a furnace or something. Mind you, I am not complaining. As I was raising my son as a single mom I could always count on him for any and all household emergencies; plumbing backups, and broken windows, whatever. Whenever anything went awry, I called Dad.

One spring, I got the idea to relocate my water heater to make more space in my kitchen. I had only to mention the idea to Dad and the next thing you know, he shows up with his tools, ready to go. Of course, I was thrilled, but I had no idea what I was asking him to do. I knew that the crawl space was somewhat confining; but as I watched my dad disappear below floor level I stuck my head in the opening and watched as he inched his way toward the other side of the house I realized this was not going to be a walk in the park for him. I watched as his work light got smaller and smaller and when I could no longer see him, I began to panic. I thought “what if he gets stuck down there, what if a gas line explodes, what if a snake bites him.” So I called out to him “Dad, are you ok?” no answer, “Dad, are you ok?” louder this time, no answer, “DAD!!” Even though his reply “yeah” sounded very muffled and far away, his tone implied “why are you yelling?” Still, being the worrier that I am, I felt it necessary to walk around knocking on the floor to locate exactly where he was under the floor “just in case.”

When he finally emerged hours later declaring that the hard part was done, I was relieved. I told myself I would never ask my dad to put himself in such peril again! I told him as much and he just kind of chuckled and said there was no danger, but he admitted it did make his back kind of sore and he might be a little too old to work like that anymore.

He didn’t mean it. That was about ten years ago and he’s still working. He loves it; it’s how he’s made. Charlie, that’s what I call him at work, still reports to Chapman Air & Heat every morning, where he worked as a commercial service technician until last year. Nowadays, he takes care of maintenance around our shop, picks up parts and equipment. When asked if he is ever going to retire, he says he believes if stops working, he stops living. Look for him around the shop on any given day and you may find yourself addressing his backside as he stands on a ladder with his head stuck in the ceiling working on ductwork or re-wiring something. As I said, he’s not your typical senior citizen.

Canning and Family Mealtime...A Dying Art

2009-09-02T15:43:00.000-05:00

I grew up watching my Mom and other female family members can. We had a big garden in our back yard, full of fresh vegetables and fruits. I loved picking the vegetables and helping my Mom prepare the veggies for canning and watching her can tomatoes, okra, green beans, pickles, corn, potatoes, turnip greens, beets, squash and most of all, sand plum jelly. In some areas, they are referred to as wild plums. Regardless, there is no better jelly and this was the only jelly served in our house and...is still the only jelly made and served to my family. My children grew up eating it and my grandchildren are eating it. Makes the very best peanut butter and jelly sandwiches!

When canning, Mom was in rare form. Every tool needed was sterilized, in place and ready to go. She reminded me of an artist carefully painting on canvas. She loved growing, canning and preparing the food. She grew up on a farm with a big garden, chickens, cattle and pigs and all their food was home grown. She helped her Mom can, her grandmother canned and canning was part of their everyday life and they loved it!

Today, I know very few baby boomers, besides myself, who can and lots of us grew up with canning in the family. Recently a vistor at my house noticed all the canned jelly, jellin' and curiously asked what that was. He was from the Northeast and said he had never seen homemade jelly or tasted it. He was curious as to how I made it. I gave him a jar and he asked me the best way to eat it! The only jelly he was familiar with was Welch's Grape. That is NOT jelly!

In the day, canning was truly a family affair. The flavorful results kept family members together at mealtime. The family actully looked forward to mealtime and every bite was savored. Perhaps family mealtime today can be considered a dying "art" as well. In today's hurry up and get me fed society, we are really missing the mark on how enjoyable sitting down with the family for dinner can be. When's the last time you heard, "what's for supper"?

Give canning a try...you don't have to have a bountiful garden, just go you your local Farmer's Market, buy the fresh veggies and fruits and let the canning begin!

Beloved Family Dog Dies While Being Groomed

2009-09-02T13:50:00.000-05:00

Daisy, my little 6 year old "niece dog" died tragically at the hands of the groomer last month. She walked in a happy healthy little Bichon and within a few hours was dead. The groomer called my S-I-L and told her to meet her at the vet's but no explanation as to why. When SIL arrived, Daisy was dead and the groomer was not answering any questions. The vet said Daisy was overheated by the dryer.

All questions asked as to what happened have gone unanswered but will soon be answered when the groomer has to go to court. Since Daisy can't "bark" for herself, she will have her day in court. Our beloved pets are not property, they are precious family members. My SIL and family are heartbroken. For those who have lost a beloved pet, you know the sadness experienced. It is horrible...in this case, how long did Daisy suffer before she died.

The groomer never called my SIL stating she was sorry, absolutely nothing. Groomers need to be held accountable. If it was a true accident, she should have said that the minute Daisy fell ill. Her cold silence has said plenty.

Please check out your groomer even if you have been using the same one for years. Do they have a medical emergency plan? Are cameras installed so you can see how your pet is being handled? Have you ever had reason to think your dog was mistreated by the way he/she acted when you picked them up OR how do they acted when you drop them off? Some of the best advise I was given when reading up on tragic stories like this and there were numerous stories around the country about deaths such as Daisy's, is to check to see if your vet offers grooming and if so, take your special friend there.

Think of Daisy next time you take your dog to the groomer. If they are not willing to show you around, explain exactly how your dog is groomed, dryed, etc. LEAVE!

When does a hobby become work?

2009-09-01T16:33:00.000-05:00

When does a hobby become work? When does a game become a sport? When do parents lose the ability to enjoy watching their children at play and become obsessed with winning? If players play, and coaches coach, what are parents responsible for? I say it is the encouragement of all! I have coached peewee football on and off for years now and I tell you that it’s getting worse. Because a child is talented in a sport at the age of 10 does that make him a star or merely athletically talented? Parents today have convinced their young children that excelling at a sport makes them uniquely talented, above discipline, and above the rules. Time and again, I hear that as long as little Johnny shows up on game a day, that is all that matters. As a coach and parent I say, “NO!” I started playing football 25 years ago and the first thing I heard from a coach was “Exhaustion breeds discipline. Get used to being tired”.

As a star athlete in my youth I can tell you that I didn’t know I was a star until years later. This was due to the fact that no one singled me out. I worked as hard and ran as much as anyone else on the team and talking back was not an option! As the years go by parents are worried less about the life lessons that can be taught through sports and more about does my child get to be the star. Less than 1% of children that play sports will go on to become professional. I say to the parents, “Relax and enjoy”. Your children will be done with sports soon enough. Encourage the life lessons, stop the complaining, and let kids be kids. Remember, your children will learn more from the way YOU act then they ever will from a coach. So the next time you start to complain ask yourself, “Is this how I want little Johnny to act?”

Coach Croom

A "Fishy Story" by Tom Hasselschwert

2009-08-24T13:18:00.005-05:00

It is 4:23 AM—the alarm was set for 5:00 AM—I can’t wait for the morning to get here—I turn off the clock alarm, I peak out the window to see how strong the wind is blowing the trees around-----just a hint of a breeze----perfect---this should be a great morning on the water---I rub the sleep out of my eyes and brew a pot of coffee, I’m ready! The boat is already hitched to the truck from the night before—I load up my rods and my thermos of coffee and I leave the house at 4:52, proud that I was able to pull away before the original 5:00 AM wake up time.

The streets are quiet and empty—just he way I like ‘em—I head straight to the boat ramp and slowly back down the ramp. I ease the boat trailer into the water, being extra careful not to make a big splash. That slight breeze a minute ago has faded to barely a whisper and the water in the cove appears to be glass in the pale, fading moonlight. I slowly motor the boat to the dock and tie it off and allow it top idle and warm up as I park the truck and empty trailer.

As I start back toward the dock and my idling boat, my walk seems to slow and I find myself fast walking, almost a run to get in the boat, I settle in and push off the dock. At just idle speed, I head away from the dock and cross back over the ramp, at this time I start to survey where my first cast should be. Then I hear a familiar sound, my bilge pump has turned on and has started pumping out water! In my haste I forgot one important step; the drain plug for the bottom of the boat. I throw the throttle into neutral and grab a flashlight. I find the loose plug and the hole it should be in; reunite the two and we are in business again.

As the moon fades away the sun starts to slowly glow in the distance. This a great time to catch fish; especially bass---bass love eating breakfast and I love serving them.

See bass are the fish that eat other fish. They like to hide out and wait for smaller fish and other swimming prey to venture close enough to make it worth their effort. The larger the bass the less chasing it will be willing to do! In my short years of battling with these elusive creatures, I’ve noticed the largest catches I’ve made have been very close to “cover”. In the bass business, “cover” is anything that the fish can hide in, around, under or near. I look for cover-----------

To be Continued next week....

Tom is our Residential Sales Expert here at Chapman Air & Heat. Besides being an excellent fisherman, he is also a darn good writer. So, we asked Tom to write us a couple of "fishy" stories which we will be publishing over the coming weeks. Little did we know that he was going to go out and start a full fledged series. Ahh well, there again is that over-achieving spirit we have come to expert here a Chapman Air & Heat. If you have your own fishy stories, please let us know, or write a comment on this article.

Family Pet Friendly Company-Pets Need to be Comfortable, too!

2009-08-20T13:42:00.003-05:00

Don't let you beloved pet suffer during the hot Texas days. Chapman provides priority service for our very important family members. Call (214) 340-4999 to find out how we can keep your ENTIRE family comfortable.

Facebook, Twitter and youTube

2009-08-13T13:48:00.003-05:00

Chapman Air and Heat can now be found almost anywhere on the internet. We are now on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube. This is all in an effort to bring you the most up-to-date information about the services we offer. Chapman Air and Heat has been servicing the Dallas and surrounding area since 1981, and we have a reputation of being friendly, couteous and professional.
Try us out, and see if we will not surpass your expectations.

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EPA to Phase out R-22 Refrigerant

2009-08-11T14:01:00.000-05:00

EPA to Phase out R-22 Refrigerant

Are you ready for the phase-out of freon (R-22) for your home’s air conditioner?
If not and you are thinking about replacing your equipment, here is some helpful information:

Most existing air conditioners that are 5 years old or older use R-22, which was commonplace. As of January 2010, equipment manufacturer’s can no longer make air conditioning units that require R-22. There will be a supply of R-22 to use for servicing existing equipment until 2020. The newer environmentally friendly freon, 410A, has been used for several years but now it is government mandated this will be the freon used for residential air conditioning units.

As a consumer, you will be limited on what type of equipment you can use in your home if you are not aware of the guidelines. For important information, please go to the EPA website or visit our website www.chapmanair.com