Articles Written By: cdoelle

Happy MLK Day!

Date: January 16, 2023 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

Today is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States honoring the civil rights leader and Baptist minister who played a key role in the American civil rights movement.

Dr. King is best known for his role in the advancement of civil rights using nonviolent civil disobedience based on his Christian beliefs. His activism and leadership helped to bring about important legislation such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Dr. King’s message of equality and justice for all resonates today as much as it did during the height of the civil rights movement. His words and actions continue to inspire people around the world to stand up for what is right and to work towards a more just and fair society.

As we reflect on the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let us remember his message of love and understanding and strive to create a world where everyone is treated with respect and dignity.

Fun Facts about January

Date: January 10, 2023 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply
  1. January is named after the Roman god Janus, who is depicted with two faces looking in opposite directions. This symbolizes looking back on the past and looking forward to the future.
  2. January is the first month of the year in the Julian and Gregorian calendars.
  3. The birthstones for January are garnet and rose quartz.
  4. The zodiac signs for January are Capricorn (December 22 – January 19) and Aquarius (January 20 – February 18).
  5. The birth flower for January is the carnation.
  6. January is National Soup Month in the United States.
  7. The first Monday of January is known as “Blue Monday,” which is claimed to be the most depressing day of the year.
  8. The highest recorded temperature in January was 134 degrees Fahrenheit (56.7 degrees Celsius) in Furnace Creek Ranch, California on July 10, 1913.
  9. The lowest recorded temperature in January was -80 degrees Fahrenheit (-62.2 degrees Celsius) in Prospect Creek Camp, Alaska on January 23, 1971.
  10. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a federal holiday in the United States, is celebrated on the third Monday of January.

January Helpful To-Do List

Date: January 3, 2023 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply
Air Conditioning and Heating Maintenance AC

Welcome to the new year! As you’re settling into your resolutions and getting back into the swing of things, don’t forget to add AC/heating maintenance to your list of tasks. Here are a few things you can do in January to keep your system running smoothly:

  1. Schedule a tune-up with a professional service technician. It’s a good idea to have a professional check your AC/heating unit at least once a year to make sure it’s running at its best. A tune-up can help identify any potential problems before they become major issues, and it can also help improve the efficiency of your system.
  2. Check your thermostat and make sure it is set to the correct temperature. It’s easy to forget to adjust the thermostat after adjusting it for the holidays, so take a moment to check it and make sure it’s set to your desired temperature.
  3. Inspect your AC/heating unit’s ducts and seals for any leaks or damages. Leaky ducts can lead to wasted energy and higher energy bills, so it’s important to check for any issues and fix them as soon as possible.
  4. Check the air flow in your home and adjust the vents as needed. Make sure that the air is flowing freely and reaching all areas of your home. If you notice any rooms that are too hot or too cold, adjust the vents accordingly.
  5. Clean and calibrate your thermostat to ensure accurate temperature readings. Dust and dirt can accumulate on the thermostat over time, which can cause it to give inaccurate readings. Clean it off and make sure it’s calibrated properly to ensure that it’s working properly.

By taking care of these tasks in January, you can help ensure that your AC/heating system is running efficiently and effectively, which can save you money on energy bills and prolong the life of your unit. Don’t forget to also check the rest of your home’s maintenance schedule to make sure you’re keeping up with all of the necessary tasks. Happy New Year!

How to Know If You Have a Faulty Air Conditioner

Date: December 5, 2017 Author: cdoelle Comments: 1 Reply

If you’ve ever had an air conditioning system break, you know how horrible and uncomfortable it can be. Taking a shower is useless and sleeping comfortably is almost impossible.

You want to head off this trouble before it happens. Each home varies depending on the actual insulation values, duct work conditions, location of the home with respect to sun exposure, individual user operations, current system design, age, and efficiency of the equipment. Taking all of that into consideration, here are some ways you can determine if your air conditioner may be on its way out.

Symptoms

  • Your digital thermostat’s display is blank or has lost power
  • You hear unusual noises coming from your equipment
  • Water is leaking from your indoor unit (Attic units can leak and cause water stains on the ceiling)

Are you still having trouble? There are some other things you can do to quickly determine if your air conditioning unit isn’t working properly.

Check the Temperature

Does it feel hot in your house? Make sure your thermostat is set to Air Conditioning Mode. If it’s two or more degrees warmer in your home than your thermostat setting, the air conditioner should be working. If it’s not, you may have a problem. Sometimes air conditioners can have trouble keeping up if it’s hotter than 93 degrees outside, but most of the time it should be able to maintain your home within a couple of degrees of your setting.

Feel the Air

If you still think something may be wrong with your system, check the air coming out of the supply vents. If the outdoor unit is running and the thermostat is in Air Conditioning Mode, you should feel cold air. If there is considerably less air than normal coming out of the vents, or if the air is warm, there may be an issue. If the outdoor unit is running and there is no air coming out of the vents, this is also a problem.

If this happens, your evaporator coils may be iced over. Be sure to cut off the unit so that it can thaw before a technician arrives.

Change Your Filters

Before you decide to call a technician, check your air filters. Dirty air filters can cause all sorts of problems. Replacing a dirty air filter may fix the issue. Change your filters regularly and keep your system well maintained to extend its life.

Home Energy Efficiency Tips for For All Seasons!

Date: November 7, 2017 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

Here are a couple of home energy efficiency tips for your home not just for winter or summer but for all year-round! This should help you save a lot from your utility bills. These tips will not also help you save money but you are actually saving energy and doing your part for the environment!

Home Energy Efficiency Tips for Winter

  • Set your thermostat to 68°F during the day and 60°F at night. This should allow you to save at least 3% on your heating costs during winter.
  • Install a window kit to the inside of your windows so that no cold air will come in and no warm air will go out.
  • Change the filters of your heating system at a regular basis. A well-maintained heating system can save money and increase the comfort level in your home.
  • Make sure your furnace is airtight because you may be losing more heat than you are generating.
  • Check all the ductwork in your home for any air leakage if you want to save up to 10% on your heating costs. If you found any leakage be sure to use a silver metal duct tape to seal it – or better yet, call a professional to do it.

Home Energy Efficiency Tips for Summer

  • Check the air filter of your AC unit on a regular basis. A clean air filter will improve the unit’s efficiency and save both energy and money.
  • Your thermostat should be set to a comfortable level (~76°F.)  76°F should be comfortable enough for you and your family as it is the most energy-efficient indoor temperature.
  • Get a professional to look at your AC unit just to make sure that it works properly and there are no issues with it.
  • Don’t forget to ensure your windows and the doors are closed every time you turn on your AC.
  • Make sure that your TV, lamps or other appliances are not close to your AC thermostat as it may cause for your air conditioner to cool the room more than is needed.
  • Be sure that there are no object or furniture blocking the ducts and fans of your cooling system so the cool air can circulate freely and properly.

Home Energy Efficiency Tips All Year-Round

  • Did you know that a water heater has the third highest energy expense in most homes? If you have a water heater at home be sure to set its water temperature to 130°F instead of 140°F to save a couple of dollars each month.
  • Use a microwave to cook meals instead of an oven to save energy. This not only saves energy from the use of the oven itself but in cooling the house after baking.
  • Wash your clothes in cold water and you will save at least $50 per year.
  • Another way to save energy in the laundry room is to put a dry towel in the dryer with each load of wet clothes. The towel will absorb dampness and reduce drying time, saving energy and money.
  • Replace incandescent light bulbs with more efficient compact fluorescent and/or LED bulbs. Besides saving energy, you will also save money in the long run, since the life spans of these bulbs is substantially longer.
  • If you have a crawl space, inspect it regularly to ensure that the insulation inside is dry. When insulation gets wet, it isn’t as effective. Be sure to find the source of the moisture and replace any damaged insulation.
  • Vacuum the coils on your refrigerator at least every three months. The dirt buildup makes the refrigerator work harder to keep the contents cool and therefore uses more energy.