HVAC Safety Highlights CO Poisoning Prevention

Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless, and tasteless gas. Inhaling carbon monoxide is a health hazard as the gas is toxic to humans. Prolonged exposure to the gas can result in irreversible damage to both the nervous and circulatory systems.

Year in and year out, overworked and neglected furnaces inevitably emit carbon monoxide once their components such as gas lines, exhaust stacks, and vents show signs of problems. This possibility becomes even more likely during the winter months when pipes can freeze and snow can block vents

Whether you are a renter or homeowner, it is your responsibility to check on your furnace to see if it is in working condition. All the more furnace inspection matters in areas where consistently cold weather necessitate the regular use of heating systems. Call an HVAC technician to regularly perform an inspection and any necessary tune-ups on your home furnace. Otherwise, if you are renting, demand that your landlord implement a strict building maintenance program.

You can bolster these precautions by installing smoke and carbon monoxide detectors in your home, as well. Of course, you should also make sure that these devices are made by top-quality manufacturers and will not fail you in an emergency.

Maintain, Retain: HVAC Maintenance and Performance

While cars have relatively long service life spans, they nonetheless require regular maintenance in order to keep working properly. The same thing could be said of heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) systems, which similarly run on motors with delicate parts. Something as simple as dirt can severely affect HVAC performance, especially if the grime manages to build up considerably over time.

Skimping on maintenance can have disastrous effects on an HVAC system. The system could suffer from poor energy efficiency simply due to clogged air flow and compromised components. Worn parts could also lower HVAC performance, and could potentially cause even more damage to the entire assembly. There's also the risk of health hazards due to gas leaks, which no homeowner can afford to disregard.

All things considered, it becomes imperative to be consistent with the upkeep of your HVAC system to keep it in good condition. Regular cleaning and replacement of filters can help prevent problems arising from dust buildup, and likewise maintain HVAC efficiency. For more serious performance issues, don’t hesitate to call on an HVAC repair professional for thorough inspection and repair services. This way, your home can stay comfortably cool or warm depending throughout the year.

The Importance of Furnace Repair

It is highly recommended to have furnaces checked yearly. Though it can be expensive, having furnaces serviced or repaired can make the system work safely and efficiently. Best of all, early damage detection can help extend the system's life and avoid more costly damages in the future.

Safety being the primary reason to have your furnace serviced or repaired is not something new. Remember, oil and gas furnaces produce deadly carbon monoxide (CO) as they burn fossil fuel. CO is also flammable so there is a risk for fire damage. If your furnace is maintained or checked for faults, however, CO can be detected and remedied to avoid poisoning and other damaging effects.

Furnaces also trigger high fuel bills. But when they're professionally serviced, they can work efficiently using less fuel. This means that the cost for running the system will not be too overwhelming. Moreover, if a furnace is properly tuned, repair bills can be reduced. Repairing it on time can also help in preventing worse damage that can be very expensive.

Having furnaces serviced or repaired is important for you and your household. Not only will it prolong the system's life, it will also reduce the chances of a breakdown especially during the winter season. Best of all, a well-maintained furnace will help you save money on fuel bills and ensure heating system safety in your home.

Bundle Up! Tips to Stay Warm During the Winter Season

Winter is coming. It's now that time of year to don comfy sweaters and thick socks, and warm up your homes to shelter you from the cold. Here are a few tips on bundling up for warmth during the cold months:

1.     Keep your home warm. Having a good HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air-Conditioning) system that is durable and energy-saving allows you to easily adjust and regulate room temperatures inside your home to your liking.

2.      Layers, layers, layers. Big, thick sweaters are nice, but you can also warm up better by wearing thin items of clothing in multiple layers to trap body heat. The more your skin is exposed, the colder you'll feel, so wearing a scarf and earmuffs can also add to the warmth.

3.    Grab a hot drink, like coffee or tea. Decaffeinated drinks are better at keeping you warm, however, because caffeine makes the body lose heat despite the fact that the skin feels warmer. A nice, full meal, preferably with a bowl of soup, can also warm you right up.

4.      Exercise. Exercising can get the blood flowing, which then leads to the warming up of the skin. Even just simple physical activities like jogging in place can do wonders in keeping the cold away.

5.   Snuggle up. Seal and insulate doors and windows to keep drafts from entering the house, then snuggle up in bed underneath a pile of warm blankets and share body heat with family members and loved ones.

HVAC in Salt Lake City: Surviving Record-Breaking Summers

"The National Weather Service pronounced the summer of 2013 in Salt Lake City to be the hottest on record. With average temperatures hitting just below 81 degrees, the residents of Salt Lake City were at the mercy of scorching summer days that saw temperatures rise above 95 degrees. For a total of 16 days, temperatures soared to 100 degrees, which is more than the usual five 100-degree days Northern Utah experiences annually. While the report, which appeared on CacheValleyDaily.com, may provide amusement to some folks, those who actually felt the intense summer heat in Salt Lake City may find it hard to grin. For meteorologist Eric Schoening of The National Weather Service, the high pressure over the western portion of the United States is to blame for the phenomenon. If conditions persist, functional HVAC in Salt Lake City homes and commercial buildings will become a necessity. "

http://www.harrisaireserv.com/2013/09/hvac-in-salt-lake-city-surviving-record-breaking-summers/

Choosing an HVAC Contractor in Salt Lake City

In places like Salt Lake City, Utah, where winter can get freezing cold and summers sweltering hot, a well-maintained HVAC system is no doubt an important fixture in every home. Access to the services of a reliable HVAC contractor is thus essential to ensure the right system is installed in your home, and that proper maintenance is conducted.

To find the right HVAC contractor, it is advisable to consider several options in your area. You then need to screen out those without the proper licenses, insurance, and workers' compensation. Fly-by-night or scam operators can rip you off and take away your money for nothing, so it is important to check whether a potential contractor has an office and has legitimate contact information other than a cell phone number.

The length of time a contractor has been in service can also be a good gauge of its reliability. If you can get references from past and present customers, that will help assure that a potential contractor is doing legitimate service and has been performing well. Cost is, of course, another important consideration.

However, the lowest cost does not always mean the best value. You need to check the kind and extent of service you are getting for the amount the contractor charges. Likewise, you might want to choose an HVAC contractor that offers sufficient service warranty coverage.

Tips on Cleaning Your HVAC Ducts

Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning or HVAC system is one of the most important equipment in your home as it keeps you warm in winter and cool during the summer. To serve its purpose when you need it most, you have to keep it clean and free of contaminants at all times. Here are some important tips on cleaning your HVAC ductwork.

Clean all your AC and heater's vents with your vacuum cleaner. Carefully remove the screws that hold the vent covers in place. All screws (two or four, depending on the make) should be visible enough for you to completely remove the cover. If you are removing a cover from the ceiling, stay out of the way of falling dust.

Dust out your vents by placing the vaccum's long, flexible hose attachment into each vent and suck out any dust and debris. Make the cleaning as efficient as you can by extending the hose's reach as far as you can. Make sure to empty your vacuum bag of dirt every time it fills up as you go through all the vents in your house.

Wash the vent cover with hot water and an efficient kitchen cleaning detergent. Use a clean rag to go over the entire surface of the cover to make sure that you clean all of its nooks and crannies. After drying, carefully set each cover back in place.