Archive for the ‘Home Maintenance/Comfort’ Category

Daily Light Savings Reminder

Friday, March 9th, 2012

Don’t forget to “Spring Ahead” this Sunday March, 11th. At 2am we will all set our clocks ahead one hour. Daylight Savings is also a great time to d0 some routine checks around your home.

  • Replace batteries in your smoke alarms and other battery powered devices, and check them for proper functionality.
  • Check your medicine cabinet for outdated prescriptions.
  • Clean out your refrigerator and freezer.

As the winter ends and spring weather starts we also advise a thorough inspection of your Air Conditioning system. When is comes to maintaining a well functioning AC system, there is nothing more important than making sure that you keep to a regular maintenance schedule for your air conditioning system. This will include both simple tasks that you can perform yourself and a more in-depth annual cleaning and inspection that will be carried out by an air conditioning professional.

Keeping up with this kind of maintenance is helpful in many ways. It keeps your air conditioning system functioning at the highest possible efficiency level, and it also reduces the chances that you’ll need emergency repairs in the future. And since both of these benefits save you money in the long run, it’s well worth the small investment to have someone come out to take a look at your system once a year.

These professional maintenance visits typically include a thorough inspection to check for leaks, wear and defects throughout the system. In addition, a full coil cleaning is generally included. On your own, however, you can also do things like clean out the vents once a month and make sure you change the filters on a regular basis.

Posted in Air Conditioning, Air Conditioning Repair, Holiday, Home Maintenance/Comfort, Maintenance Plan/Comfort Club | Comments Off

What to Look For When a Home is 10 Years Old: A Tip From Newcastle

Friday, September 16th, 2011

A ten year old home in Newcastle is likely to be in great condition, presuming the previous owner(s) treated it well. But, there are some things you should watch out for that can arise in newer constructions, even if they were treated well.

Poor Craftsmanship

While it is possible for a 100 year old home to have poorly crafted parts, it’s highly unlikely if the house is still intact and is being sold this long after it was built. Newer homes, however, wouldn’t show signs of cheap materials or shoddy work until a bit later in their life. That’s why it is important to pay for a thorough inspection of the property as soon as possible – definitely before it is purchased and possibly again afterwards to check for possible improvements.

Specific things you should check for include roofing, your heating and cooling systems, the insulation and the drywall used. Especially in freshly renovated or built houses it’s impossible to be sure a home was built with the highest standards of modern craftsmanship.

Proper Maintenance

For a home that is only 10 years old, there is a good chance you can get the original records for the heating and cooling system, any appliances in the home and all maintenance performed on them since their installation. If not, don’t fret – a good technician will be able to easily check the status of a piece during an inspection.

Overall, if your new home is only 10 years old, you are likely in a very good place. The home will be in good condition, the parts will be new, and your heating and cooling system should be efficient. Original parts installed during construction may need to be replaced, but otherwise, if everything else checks out, you can count on having a comfortable, wonderful place to live for some years to come.

Tags: , , , , ,
Posted in Home Maintenance/Comfort | Comments Off

Do I Need Surge Protection for My HVAC? A Question From Enniskillen

Friday, August 19th, 2011

You probably know that to keep your Enniskillen home HVAC system in good working order you need to keep up with regular maintenance. This includes things like changing air filters, cleaning out air ducts and clearing debris from both inside and outside the system. Surge protection for your system may not be something you think of immediately, but like those maintenance tasks, it’s an important part of keeping your equipment functioning properly over time.

How Surge Protection Works

Surge protection essentially shuts off your system in the event that power levels in the system rise suddenly and unacceptably. When a sudden increase in electricity occurs, any electronic device is at risk. But, unlike your stereo, your HVAC system costs thousands of dollars – no one wants to lose something so valuable to a surge that could have been prevented. That’s why a surge protector is so vital for your system.

The surge protector monitors the levels of electricity coming into your HVAC system. In the event that a surge occurs for any reason (faulty wiring, a lightning strike, etc.), the surge protector will immediately cut off power to the HVAC unit and shut all of the equipment down.

A Sizeable Investment

Your HVAC system was not an impulse buy. This is a collection of equipment that you probably spent a good deal of money on and that you rely on to keep your family comfortable throughout the year. When you look at it that way, it’s easy to see why it’s worth doing anything you can to protect your investment. Installing a surge protector is a relatively minor expense compared to the money and inconvenience it could save you by preventing serious damage to your HVAC equipment.

Proper Restart

Once a surge protector shuts off your HVAC system, you’ll need to restart it properly. The best thing to do is talk to the contractor who installs your system. They can walk you through the restart process step by step to ensure you know exactly what to do. After going through all that trouble installing a surge protector, the last thing you want is to make a mistake when turning it back on.

If you don’t already have a surge protector in place, call an HVAC professional today and learn what your system needs to be fully protected. It’s a small expense and a quick installation, so there’s no reason to put it off any longer.

Tags: , , , ,
Posted in Home Maintenance/Comfort | Comments Off

What Makes A Home Healthy?

Wednesday, May 11th, 2011

The world we live in is full of toxins, pathogens and other potential health hazards. It’s unfortunate, but it is a fact of life. You may think of your home as a sanctuary from the outside world, but hazards exist can find their way in there. By taking some simple precautions, however, you can maintain a healthy home environment for yourself and your family.

Breathe Easier

Air quality is an important factor in good health, and just because you close the door behind you when you come home does not mean potentially contaminated air can’t creep into the house. Here are some tips to help you breathe easier:

  • Inspect your home’s ventilation system every spring to ensure it is good repair. Change the filter annually and keep the vents clean.
  • Install carbon monoxide detectors around your home, especially near appliances and fireplaces.
  • Have your home tested for radon, especially if your home has a finished basement.
  • Do not smoke and do not allow others to smoke inside.

Hydrate Safely

Depending on where you live, your water supply may be at risk for a number of different contaminants. Being aware of the risks that exist in your local area is important, as is taking steps to keep the water you drink clean and healthy. Some examples include:

  • Test well water for bacteria and nitrates. E. coli for example can live in well water and cause infection, so have your well treated at the first sign.
  • If you have lead pipes in your home, have them replaced. Lead is a neurotoxin that can build up and poison you over time.
  • Use a purification system to cleanse your water of chlorine, heavy metals, nitrates, and other potential contaminants that may have run into the local water table.

Keep It Clean

Finally, the most basic way to ensure you have a healthy home is to practice good hygiene and cleaning habits:

  • Disinfect bathroom and kitchen surfaces to prevent bacterial growth.
  • Vacuum regularly to prevent dust and allergen buildup.
  • Wash dishes and utensils after use, especially after contact with raw food.
  • Wash linens weekly in hot water to kill microbes and prevent the spread of disease.
  • As always, the most important of all: wash your hands, and encourage children to do the same.

Simple, careful practices like these will make a positive impact on your health and that of your family.

Tags:
Posted in Home Maintenance/Comfort | Comments Off