Archive for the ‘Homeowner Tips’ Category
How safe is your home from carbon monoxide poisoning? Carbon monoxide poisoning is something most people don’t give enough attention. Just how dangerous is carbon monoxide to our health?
Carbon monoxide is a colorless odorless toxic gas so it’s hard to detect if one has been affected by it without even noticing that you’re already contaminated by this deadly silent killer. The source of carbon monoxide can come from various sources. Carbon monoxide is produced when any carbon-based fuel is burned. These are fuels such as natural gas, gasoline, propane, kerosene, wood, coal or even charcoal all of which are used almost every day in our daily activities. In cases of low level carbon monoxide poisoning the symptoms are often mistaken for the flu.
What can be done to prevent this from happening in your home? Have your heating system serviced and checked every fall. Install low level carbon monoxide detectors in your home. We offer a very good detector which will alert you when the carbon monoxide level reaches 15 parts per million. This is the level at which long term exposure can produce flu like symptoms and can even be deadly to small children and the elderly.
Call us today at 918-742-6171 and we can set up an appointment to service your heating system and send you information on our carbon monoxide detectors.
Tags: Heating and Air Tulsa, Home Appliances, Homeowner Tips, indoor air pollution, infiltration, Tulsa Heating and Air
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Get Control Of Your Heating Bills
The cost of home heating continues to hit the homeowner harder each year. But sometimes you can end up spending even more than necessary by overlooking home energy wasters that, in many cases, are easy to remedy.
A home energy audit can help by pinpointing these areas and identifying ways to cut energy costs. In fact, you can conduct a simple audit on your own by following a few recommendations from the Department of Energy. (more…)
Tags: energy-efficient system, home energy audit, home energy wasters, plumbing and heating pipes
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Buying a home can be an exciting time. But even when location, price, size and curb appeal are exactly to your liking, other “added extras” could be headed your way in the form of high repair bills or costly surprises.
A thorough evaluation of the home by a qualified home inspector prior to purchase is your best bet for protection and preparation. According to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, home inspectors: (more…)
Tags: Buying a Home
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Wasting Money and Water Consumption Can Be a Pain in the Drain
A glass of water in a restaurant may come for free, but water use in your home comes at a price.
Taking a few small steps to conserve water can help you save big. The Department of Energy offers several recommendations:
Fix Leaks
The sound of dripping is annoying and expensive, with one drip per second typically costing $1 per month. Repair leaks in fixtures and pipes.
Install Low-Flow Fixtures
Quality, low-flow fixtures can be quite inexpensive, while achieving water savings of 25%-60%. (more…)
Tags: Energy Star, energy-efficient, Fix Leaks, Water Consumption, Water Heater
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Statistics: Homeowners are five times more likely to file an insurance claim for home water damage than they are for fire damage during the life of their homeowners’ insurance policy.
Protecting your pipes should begin well before freezing conditions occur. At the first onset of cold Tulsa weather in the Fall, make sure that all garden hoses are removed from the outdoor spigots, the spigots and hoses drained and properly stored, and any outdoor water consuming devices made ready for the Winter. If you have an occasion to use a garden hose during the winter months, remember to disconnect the hose and drain the water from the hose and the spigot to avoid freezing damage. (more…)
Tags: avoid freezing damage, cold Tulsa weather, Protecting Frozen Pipes, Tulsa plumbing and heating contractor
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Tulsa Heating and Air Tips for Summer
Summer is here and it is time to refresh our memory of the simple things we can do to protect ourselves, our pets and our homes in the summer heat.
Protect Yourself
- Be careful when performing strenuous activities on a hot day. Be aware of the symptoms of heat exhaustion and heat stroke. Heat exhaustion sufferers will exhibit cool, moist, pale or flushed skin; heavy sweating; headache; nausea or vomiting; and exhaustion. Their body temperature will be near normal. Those in danger of heat stroke will have hot, red skin, changes in consciousness, rapid weak pulse and rapid shallow breathing. Their body temperature can be very high, as high as 105 degrees.
- Wear lightweight, loose fitting, light colored clothing. The light color reflects heat and light and helps maintain normal body temperature. Protect your face by wearing a wide brimmed hat.
- Drink plenty of water even if you don’t feel thirsty. You must stay hydrated.
- Avoid the intake of alcoholic beverages.
- Eat well balanced, light, regular meals.
- Stay indoors as much as possible. (more…)
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Home Water Damage
Water is the sort of thing you can’t live without that can turn your home unlivable in a matter of moments. It’s the most common source of home damage – whether from big storms or leaking pipes, roofs and appliances.
The preferred way to deal with water damage, obviously, is to prevent it from occurring at all. For example:
- Check household appliances regularly, including water heaters, washing machines, dishwasher, refrigerator and air conditioner. Inspect hoses. Look for leaks and signs of wear.
- Check doors and windows to see if water is able to seep through.
- Check the plumbing, including sinks, showers, bathtubs and toilets. Are pipes leaking? Is water collecting in any place? Are there cracks or holes?
- Inspect your pipes. If they’re behind walls, under floors or above ceilings, look for signs of water stains on walls, floorboards and ceiling panels. For a thorough review schedule a professional plumbing inspection annually.
- Inspect the roof for lost and cracked shingles or other signs of deterioration. Keep gutters and drains clear. (more…)
Tags: Bill Russell Plumbing, Heating and Air Tulsa, Home Appliances, Water Damage
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Keeping Your Home Balanced
All rooms are not alike. Some are warmer when you’d rather they be cool, some are cooler when you’d rather they be warm. How is this happening? A number of variables could be having an impact. For example, direct exposure to sunlight heats up a room – good in winter, not so good in summer.
Electronics could play a role here, if high-speed computers and accessories are plugged in, powered up and producing heat. The height of the ceiling has an impact, as does the type of flooring.
Why, even the number of people in the room can raise its temperature. No, all rooms are not alike, but that doesn’t mean the level of comfort can’t be the same. And that calls for an understanding of the variables, along with an assessment of how well your home comfort system balances the different needs and efficiently delivers the warm or cool air you desire. (more…)
Tags: air balancing, Bill Russell Plumbing, heating and air, home comfort system, Homeowner Tips, Tulsa Heating and Air
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