Fall 2011

Preventing the Perils of Carbon Monoxide

Carbon monoxide (CO) is pretty scary stuff. It is invisible, colorless and odorless. It is undetectable by humans. Even worse, it is extremely harmful, causing severe illness and death. Perhaps worst of all, it is produced by some things we do every day, like heating our homes and mowing the lawn. In order to avoid the health risks associated with this deadly gas, the best solution is to equip your home with a carbon monoxide detector.

How CO Gets In Your Home

Carbon monoxide is not rare, and in very low concentrations it is not harmful, so there is often some negligible amount present in the air. It’s when the air becomes too densely concentrated with CO that your family’s health is at risk.

Some possible sources of increased CO levels in your home may include:

• A dirty or clogged chimney
• An improperly sealed gas or oil furnace
• Improper ventilation when using tools or machinery, such as in the garage
• Lack of air exchange between the home and outside

Any of these can contribute to unsafe levels of carbon monoxide, potentially paving the way for you or your family to become ill.

The Dangers of CO

As mentioned above, carbon monoxide is potentially deadly. One estimate by the United States Consumer Product Safety Division reports that over 150 Americans die each year due to carbon monoxide poisoning, which does not include poisoning caused by automobiles.

The effects of CO poisoning may not be immediately obvious, as they can build up and progress over time, and the symptoms may look like something less serious. In short, carbon monoxide is an unfortunate but very real risk for homeowners.

Carbon Monoxide Detectors

The good news is that there is a very simple and affordable solution to potential CO poisoning. Installing a carbon monoxide detector in your home keeps your family safe. The alarm will alert you if concentration of the gas has risen to an unsafe level, giving you time to evacuate and fix the leak before it causes any health problems. A model that works well is the NSI 3000 Low Level CO detector; it detects the small amounts of CO which can be unsafe for the people most at risk, children and the elderly.  

With proper maintenance of your CO detector, it really can be that easy to keep your family safe and healthy.

 

 

Two Easy Ways to Get More Years Out of Your Hot Water Heater

A hot water heater can break down for a number of reasons, but with proper maintenance, you’ll cut out almost all potential problems before they can occur.

One of the first things to take into account when you’re worried about how long your water heater will last is the hardness of your water. The term hardness refers to how much of certain minerals, particularly calcium and magnesium, is dissolved in your water. A moderate amount of these minerals is fine, but when the concentrations become excessive, the water can actually damage many parts of your plumbing system, and that includes your water heater.

The damage from hard water comes from a buildup of minerals inside your tank and the pipes that flow into and out of your water heater. This buildup will eventually make it impossible for your water heater to function properly and will probably shorten the life of your equipment. If you discover you have hard water in your home, the best thing to do is install a water softening system to get those minerals out before they cause you bigger problems.

Cleaning and Part Maintenance

Even if you don’t have hard water, you should still protect your water heater from sediment buildup. All that really means is draining your tank and getting inside to clear out anything that’s accumulated in the bottom. The frequency of these cleanings really depends on how much builds up in your tank and how quickly it happens, but a good rule of thumb is to clean it twice a year.

You can reduce the stress on your water heater and even your entire plumbing system by having a Pressure Regulating Valve installed in your home. This helps a lot if water comes into your home at high pressure. Regulating that water pressure will reduce the stress on your water heater and help it work well for longer.

Of course, no matter what steps you take on your own, it’s always a good idea to have a professional come in once a year to inspect your water heater and perform thorough maintenance on your system.

During one of these checkups, a certified technician will inspect your entire water heating system to make sure it is functioning properly and free of debris. They will also clean out any sediment or residue that built up and replace any parts that aren’t functioning properly or that are showing signs of wear.

While you may think that your water heater is working fine, it won’t be able to function as efficiently without regular maintenance. Taking a few easy steps now will have a significant impact on the lifespan of your water heater.

• About Us
  • Core Values
  • Environmental Responsibility
  • Meet Our Certified Technicians
  • Maintenance
  • Financing
  • Our Newsletter
  • Testimonials
  • Video Testimonials
  • Promotions
  • Contact Us
  • Schedule a Service Call
  • Take Our Satisfaction Survey
  • Careers
• Blog
• Affiliations
• Site Map
• FAQs
  • Heating FAQs
  • Air Conditioning FAQs
  • Geothermal FAQs
  • Solar FAQs
  • Indoor Air Quality FAQs
• Accessibility Statement