The Tailgate

HVAC & Electrical,
Explained Straight

No upsell scripts, no scare tactics. Just a licensed New Braunfels tech telling you what's actually wrong, what it costs, and when you can fix it yourself. The answer is in the first two sentences of every article - we promise.

Moorhead technician diagnosing an outdoor AC condenser unit at a New Braunfels home.
AC Repair · Troubleshooting

AC Running But Not Cooling? Here's What's Actually Wrong.

If your AC is running but not cooling, the cause is usually simple: a clogged air filter, a thermostat set to the wrong mode, or an outdoor unit choked with grass an…

June 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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Moorhead technician standing at an outdoor AC condenser unit at a New Braunfels home.
AC Repair · Repair vs. Replace

What Is the $5,000 AC Rule? The Honest Math on Repair vs. Replace

The $5,000 AC rule is a fast way to decide whether to repair or replace your air conditioner: multiply the unit's age in years by the repair cost, and if the answer …

June 21, 2026 · 10 min read
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Moorhead technician diagnosing an outdoor AC condenser unit at a New Braunfels home.
AC Repair · Pricing

How Much Does AC Repair Cost in New Braunfels, TX?

Most AC repairs in New Braunfels run $150 to $650, with the trickier jobs going higher. Every visit starts with a flat $79 diagnostic fee, quoted in writing before a…

June 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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A clean, comfortable living room representing healthy indoor air quality.
Indoor Air Quality

Is My AC Making Me Sick? What a Dirty Air Conditioner Does to You

Your air conditioner will not make you sick on its own - but a dirty, neglected one can. When mold, bacteria, dust, and allergens build up on the coils, drain pan, a…

June 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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A furnace and air handler installed by Moorhead Service Company in a New Braunfels home.
Heating · Troubleshooting

Why Is My Heater Blowing Cold Air? Furnace and Heat Pump Causes

A heater blowing cold air is most often the thermostat fan set to 'On' instead of 'Auto,' which runs the blower between heating cycles and pushes room-temperature ai…

June 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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A licensed electrician tracing a circuit on an open residential electrical panel.
Electrical · Safety

Why Does My Circuit Breaker Keep Tripping?

A circuit breaker that keeps tripping is usually doing exactly what it was built to do - cutting power before a wire overheats. The three most common causes are an o…

June 21, 2026 · 10 min read
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A residential air handler serviced by Moorhead Service Company in New Braunfels.
AC Maintenance

Is an AC Tune-Up Worth It? An Honest Answer From a New Braunfels Tech

Yes - an annual AC tune-up is worth it, because a maintained system runs more efficiently, breaks down far less, and lasts years longer than a neglected one. In Texa…

June 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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A whole-home standby generator installed outside a home.
Electrical · Generators

Is a Whole-House Generator Worth It in Texas?

A whole-house standby generator is worth it if you lose power often or for long stretches, run a well or sump pump, depend on medical equipment, or work from home - …

June 21, 2026 · 10 min read
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A comfortable, cooled living room representing summer air conditioning use.
AC · Energy Savings

Why Is My Electric Bill So High in Summer?

Your summer electric bill spikes because your air conditioner is doing most of the work - in a Texas summer the AC alone is more than half the bill. It runs higher t…

June 21, 2026 · 9 min read
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A licensed electrician inspecting an open residential electrical panel.
Electrical · Safety

Is Your Federal Pacific or Zinsco Panel Dangerous? How to Tell.

If your New Braunfels or Seguin home was built between the 1950s and the 1980s, there's a real chance it has a Federal Pacific (Stab-Lok) or Zinsco electrical panel …

June 29, 2026 · 11 min read
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AC Repair · Troubleshooting

Why Is My AC Freezing Up? (Yes, Even in 100° Heat)

An AC freezes up because the evaporator coil drops below 32°F and the moisture in the air ices over it - almost always from restricted airflow (a dirty filter is the…

June 29, 2026 · 9 min read
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A Moorhead technician diagnosing the electrical components of an outdoor AC unit near New Braunfels, Texas.
AC Repair · Troubleshooting

The Most Common AC Part to Fail? It's the Capacitor.

The single most common AC part to fail is the run capacitor - a soup-can-sized component that gives your compressor and fan motor the jolt they need to start and kee…

July 3, 2026 · 8 min read
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A Moorhead technician servicing an outdoor AC condenser unit near New Braunfels, Texas.
AC Replacement · Buyer's Guide

How Long Does an AC Last in Texas?

A well-maintained central AC in Texas lasts about 15 to 20 years. Skip the yearly maintenance and the heat down here cuts that closer to 10 to 12, because our coolin…

July 7, 2026 · 9 min read
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