Ever wonder why it smells fresh after it rains? Back in 1964, two Australian scientists, Isabel Joy Bear and R. G. Thomas, began to study on this scent that is produced by the rain. They coined the term petrichor which is a pair of Greek root words for stone and the blood of the gods to explain the aroma. They determined that the scent is mainly caused by a blend of oils produced by plants during arid periods. When a storm comes after a drought the oils that have accumulated over time in the rocks are mixed and dispersed into the air. These oils mix with compounds in the air and produce the fresh smell of rain scent!

• Review 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.

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.

Driving 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!

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!

Do 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.

November means shorter days and cooler temperatures in Houston Texas.

This month sees somewhat less rain than October with an average rainfall of 2 inches for the month. However there have been records of snowfall in November as well.

Temperatures average 72 degrees for the high and 54 degrees for the low.

As usual humidity does not change much averaging 68% for the month.

November is definitely one of the nicer months to visit Houston with temperatures being pretty comfortable for the entire month.

Houston’s record high for the month  of November is 90 degrees and the record low is 25 degrees.

Fun fact: The highest recorded temperature in Houston in the last 36 years was 109 degrees.