by Joe Main | May 8, 2017 | Uncategorized
Insulation is it or is it not a good thing investment?Is your insulation adequate? That depends on a complex of things.Luckily,there’s a simple way to answer that question.Contact your utility company about an energy audit.It can recommend an auditor and may pay part of the cost.He will come to your home ,preform some tests and make a recommendations on energy savings,including insulation if needed.Different types of insulation are, R value is the resistance to heat flow a way of indicating insulation’s power to stop heat from moving though it.Closed cell foam insulation seals air leaks and delivers twice the R value per inch of other common choices.This is a sprayed on insulation.Roll batts insulation is a roll of fiberglass batts that is installed.Blow in insulation is installed by a machine that chops loose fill insulation an blows it into attics ( fiberglass or cellulose) It,s dusty work ,but faster an easier than rolling out batts.So what insulation is suited for your home.
by Joe Main | Aug 31, 2016 | Uncategorized
Because even relatively minor excavation like landscaping or fencing can cause damage to a pipeline, it’s protective casing and/or buried utility lines, always contact your state one call center before engaging in any excavation, construction, farming or digging.Most states require 2 days notice to allow utility operators to mark their pipelines and utilities at proposed digging site. CALL 811 before you dig
by Joe Main | May 19, 2016 | Uncategorized
A fire extinguisher can make the difference between a miner fire or total destruction.Experts recommend that you have one on each level of your home.Don’t get blogged down in the details of the fire extinguisher classifications system. Most extinguishers sold at home centers are labeled A, B, C an that’s exactly what you need .When you go to use one stand a few feet back an spray.Move the extinguisher’stream in a sweeping motions an aim at the base of the fire.Most extinguishers have a very short discharge time.They don’t last forever if you have an old extinguisher,look for the expiration date on the label. Also make sure the pressure gauge reads full.
by Joe Main | Apr 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
Carbon monoxide,or co,is a colorless ,odorless gas that first makes you sick,then puts you to sleep and then kills you.Byproduct of combustion.It is produced by anything that burns fuel.Unless your home runs on entirely on electricity.CO is produced by anything that runs on fuel:gas water heaters,oil furnaces,wood stoves,gasoline engines,kerosene heaters,it emits CO.Most things that burn fuel vent exhaust gases outside. But exhaust systems can fail,so co detectors are the best way to stay safe.Install one on each level of your home. Install them in hallways near bedrooms but 15 feet away from fuel burning appliances. CO is the same weight as air.The early symptoms of CO poisoning resemble those of the flu.If the CO detector alarm sounds and anyone fells dizziness,headaches,fatigue,or vomiting,get everyone out of the house and call 911.If one fells ill.Open doors an windows ventilate the house.Turn off all potential sources of CO.Have your home inspected by a pro.CO detectors only have a five to seven year life .If you have small children, consider buying a talking CO.
by Joe Main | Mar 11, 2016 | Uncategorized
It’s that time of year to check an clean your AC. Staying cool can be expensive. Even in moderate climates,it costs a few hundred dollars per year. So reducing cooling bill is worth some effort.The effort in cutting cooling costs also saves in your heating costs. Shade trees, trellises,vines block direct sunlight through your windows and roof, which can be about half of the heat that gets in your home. placing trees an trellises on the east an west side of your home can save you up to 30 percent of the household’s energy.Dirty air filters are number 1 cause of air conditioning breakdowns.Window units also have filters that you clean monthly.Ceiling fans save by keeping you comfortable at higher thermostat settings. Each degree higher than 78 degree will save you 5 to 10 percent on your AC cost. Cleaning your fins on your unit will save the AC .If those fins are plugged with dirt an debris ,airflow through them is reduced. That means lowers efficiency and expensive energy wasted.Straighten crushed fins, keep fins clean an you will get more for your money,all it takes is a little bit of maintenance.
by Joe Main | Feb 16, 2016 | Uncategorized
Don’t call for repair until you check the button, It happens a lot.Electricians have those service calls require only the push of a button or the flip of a switch to restore power.That costs the homeowner a minimum service charge ( typically $50 to $100 )plus embarrassment.Here’s how to make sure that it doesn’t happen to you.The bathroom outlets and the exterior outlets are powered through a GFCI and all it takes is to push a button an you can be back in business.When the lights go out or a switch doesn’t work check the main electrical panel for tripped breaker All disposers have an over load feature that automatically shuts off the power. Simply push the reset button under the disposal.So call an electrician an they should walk it through with you.
by Joe Main | Jan 14, 2016 | Uncategorized
Avoid a few common mistakes to drastically reduce your risk. 1 Cooking fires,never leave the kitchen while something is on the stove,keep combustibles at least 3 ft away from the cook top.This includes curtains and wall hangings.If a fire starts,slip a lid over the flames. Don’t touch the pan,many grease fires become full scale house fires when a pan is carried through the house. 2 Wood stoves and space heaters, keep space heaters at least 5 ft away from drapes,bedding and other flammables.Plug space heaters directly into outlets,not into extension cords. Don,t use space heaters sleeping.Empty wood stove ashes in to metal container. Have chimney inspected every year.3 Replace extension cords that are undersized or frayed, never run extension cords under rugs, Check all the light bulbs in your home to make sure the bulb wattages don’t exceed the fixture’s recommended maximum. Use common sense to prevent home fires.
by Joe Main | Dec 8, 2015 | Uncategorized
Your home is probably the safest place to be in an electrical storm.But lightning can still get to you though the conductive paths in your home, your wiring ,your plumbing and water.Talking on a corded phone ,taking a shower or bath,working on your desktop computer , working with power tools during an electrical storm is not much safer than standing outside.Stay away from all water and appliances until the storm passes.
by Joe Main | Nov 18, 2015 | Uncategorized
Your home electrical system is a minor miracle.It has one of the most dangerous forces in the universe and distributes it safely throughout your home,making every minute of your day more convenient. Electricity runs through underground or overhead power lines to an electrical meter, which measures your power use and tells the power company how much to charge you. From there it goes to your main panel,incoming wires are connected to dozens of smaller wires that snake throughout your house.General purpose and dedicated circuits,each of which serves a single high-demand purpose.The main panel is the gray or tan box located in the garage , basement or utility room.Behind the door you will see a main breaker,which will turn your hole house off, an smaller breakers which are your circuit throughout your home, breakers are the most important safety feature of your home’s electrical system.
by Joe Main | Oct 30, 2015 | Uncategorized
What, carbon monoxide or co, it’s a colorless, odorless gas that makes you sick ,then puts you to sleep and then kills you. Its a normal byproduct of combustion, so it’s produced by anything that burns fuel.Unless your home runs on entirely on electricity,it’s in your home Here how to protect your family.CO is produced by anything that runs on fuel:gas water heaters,heaters,oil furnaces,wood stoves,gasoline engines,kerosene heaters…if it burns it emits co.The early symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning resembles those of the flu.If anyone is experiencing headaches,dizziness,fatigue or vomiting, get everybody out of the house and call 911.Open your doors and windows to thoroughly ventilate the home Turn off all potential sources of co.Have a pro inspect all your fuel sources,appliances and chimneys to make sure they’re operating an vented correctly. So install or replace your co detectors asap.Locate them in halls near bedrooms but at least 15 ft. away from fuel burning appliances. CO is roughly the same weight as air, so it neither rises to the ceiling nor sink to the floor.CO detectors only have a five to seven year life so read the date on the back of the detector be safe. If you have small children, consider buying a talking co detector
