Articles Written By: cdoelle

March Home Maintenance Checklist

  • devon-inventories-exeterReview the contents of your medicine cabinets and throw away dated prescriptions and
    over-the-counter medicines. Be sure all medicines are out of the reach of children or
    contained in a cabinet equipped with childproof locks.
  • Celebrate spring by cleaning the garage. Hold a yard sale, or organize a community
    yard sale with neighbors. Dispose of paint thinners, household cleaners and pesticides
    properly. Contact your city’s department of public works to find out the next scheduled
    collection of hazardous materials.
  • Clean the refrigerator, inside and out, with mild detergent. Remove all trays and
    shelves, wash, and allow to dry thoroughly before replacing them. Remove old ice from
    ice-making tray.
  • After heavy rains, inspect your basement walls for signs of moisture. If you detect
    wetness, run a portable dehumidifier. If condition persists, consult a waterproofing
    contractor. Check to make sure your sump pump works properly by pouring water into
    the pump silo to raise the float and activate the motor.
  • Test the pressure and temperature relief valve on your water heater by opening it and
    allowing some water to flow out. If little or no water flows out or it doesn’t shut off,
    replace it. Bad valves can cause explosions.
  • Spring is a good time to build a doghouse. Make sure to provide adequate roof
    ventilation to allow hot air to escape. And don’t use pressure-treated wood in any area
    where your dog might chew it.
  • Daylight Savings Time begins. Honor the occasion by replacing batteries in smoke and
    carbon monoxide detectors.

Houston March Weather Facts

It is March again so don’t forget to wear a pinch proof color St.Patrick’s Day!

Temperatures in March average 74 degrees for the high and 55 degrees for the low.images

Houston’s record high for March is 96 degrees set in 1946 and the record low is degrees 22 set in 1943.

The average humidity for Houston in March is about 62%.

You can expect an average of 3.36 inches of rain this month.

Fun Fact: March is named after Mars, the Roman god of war because the Roman battle season began in spring.

Careful Driving in Spring Time Weather

Spring time brings beautiful flowers, warmer weather and sunshine, on its good days. On the bad days Spring time can be cold, raining, and sometimes even hailing and no matter what the weather is like most likely you will need to be driving somewhere. Here are some tips to get you from point A to point B safely this season.

spring time drivingDriving cautiously after or during a rainstorm.
Rain accounted for 46% of all weather-related accidents from 2002-2012. Rain causes the roads to become slippery and that will reduce your car’s handling and cause it to take longer stop. Try and keep a good distance between your car and the car in front of you.

Watch for wildlife
Animals are very active during the spring time. Many types of animals, especially deer around dawn and dusk.

Look out for bikers
Be sure to keep in mind that when the weather is nice bikers tend to come out more. So watch for them while you are driving for sure!

Saving Energy with your A/C this Season

This the arrival of Spring and Summer right around the corner it is a good idea to make sure your A/C is going to be working good and efficiently for this season and next, so your home will be comfortable and you will be saving energy when the weather gets really warm!

c700x420Do I need an upgrade?
If your A/C is 10 years old or older it would be a good idea to replace it. Newer units use much less energy and will cool your home just as well. Upfront costs will be higher, but your savings will be seen and felt for years to come. Also be sure to find a new A/C unit that has an Energy Star label and if possible go for the higher Energy Star Most Efficient label.

Setting your thermostat
To cut costs without sacrificing comfort simply change your thermostat to 78 degrees when at home and change it to 85 when you are away.

Get a tune up
No matter how well you take care of your A/C there will be parts that wear down or get dirty over the year, getting a tune up once or twice a year will keep your A/C good and healthy. The best times to get tune ups is during the spring and fall seasons in preparation for the harsher weather in winter and warmer weather in summer.

Air filer care
The A/C does a good job keeping the dust from continuously circulating throughout your home. After awhile though the filter that catches the dust will get full and make your A/C work harder. Filters need replacing every 1 to 3 months based on how dusty it has become. Check your filter monthly and replace it when it looks dirty.

Fans to the rescue
During mild spring weather used fans to cool your home. Fans require much less energy than the A/C. This means you can turn the thermostat to a higher temperature without sacrificing comfort. If you are using ceiling fans make sure they are set on the reverse setting (counter-clockwise) during the summer.

 

Houston February Weather Facts

February means chocolate boxes, pretty flowers and stuffed animals have returned to Houston Texas in preparation for Valentines Day!

Temperatures average is a nice 67 degrees for the high and 48 degrees for the low.february_banner_r1_c3

Houston’s record high for the month of February is 87 degrees set in 1986 and the record low is degrees 14 set in 1951.

The average humidity for Houston in February is about 65%.

On average February is Houston’s driest month with less than 3 inches of rainfall.

Fun Fact: February is National Boost-Your-Self-Esteem Month!