Staying home during a hurricane?

Date: August 7, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

hurricane seasonYou’ve prepared, and now the hurricane is closing in. You’ve decided to ride out the storm at home. Here’s some ideas to help you stay safe.

  • Prepare and mark clean containers for water storage. There should be a minimum of 1 gallon per person per day for 7 days.
  • Check your disaster-supplies kit again. Do you know where the manual can opener is?
  • Recharge to full capacity all electronics and then unplug them.
  • Offer your home to family, friends, and neighbors who may live in a vulnerable area or house.
  • Stay inside away from windows.
  • Stay tuned to radio and TV. Wait for the “all-clear” announcement. Remember, after the calm “eye” passes over, there is more storm to come.
  • Keep small pets in carriers. They will be more comfortable and are ready to transport quickly if necessary.
  • Turn your refrigerator and freezer temperature controls to their lowest settings.
  • Put bicycle helmets on the children.
  • Close all interior doors to limit flying debris

 

 

What to do as a hurricane approaches

Date: August 1, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

boarding windowsIt’s the middle of hurricane season. You’ve already done your pre-hurricane preparation. Among other things, you know your evacuation routes, and you have a 5- to 7-day supply of food and water for each person in your family. Now a hurricane watch has been declared. What should you do?

  • Listen for weather updates.
  • Get your car ready with gas, oil and other maintenance issues.
  • Make sure your evacuation supplies are easily accessible and up-to-date with medication needs, etc
  • Board up your home’s windows.
  • Secure the flying missiles in your yard like lawn furniture, bicycles, and grills.
  • If you have a swimming pool, make sure it’s full and super-cholorinated. Cover the pump and filtration systems.

 

Flaming Mountains and One Big Thermometer

Date: July 14, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

We stumbled across this image and had to share! Chinese tourists walk past a huge thermometer near the Flaming Mountain in TurpanOf course Houston gets hot and we gripe and complain (until it gets cold and then we gripe and complain) but can you imagine living at Flaming Mountains, China?

Even the name makes you break out in a sweat!  In 2008 the highest temp there was a record-breaking 152.2 degrees Fahrenheit.  Journey to the West is a Chinese novel published in the 16th century which claims that this area was created when the Monkey King created a big disturbance in Heaven and knocked over a kiln.  This picture shows the large thermometer erected to monitor the temperature.

Houston May and June 2014 Weather Facts

Date: July 7, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

May 2014

houston springAverage high temperature: 83
Average low temperature: 65
Highest High: 88 (3 days)
Lowest Low: 50
Precipitation: 10.37 inches

In May 2014, there were 5 days with higher than average high temperatures There were 20 days with below average low temps. Precipitation was 5.62 inches above normal (YAY!). The record low for Houston in May was 44 degrees set in 1978; the record high was set in 1998 with 100 degrees.

June 2014

Average high temperature: 90
Average low temperature: 75
Highest High: 93
Lowest Low: 69
Precipitation: 2.98 inches

June 2014 had 12 days with above average high temperatures. There were 7 days with below average low temps. Precipitation was 4.12 inches below normal. The record low for Houston in June was 56 degrees set in 1984. The record high for June was 105 degrees in 2013.

Air Conditioner Refrigerants and the Clean Air Act

Date: June 30, 2014 Author: cdoelle Comments: Leave a reply

US EPAA 1987 international environmental agreement called the Montreal Protocol established requirements that began the worldwide phaseout of ozone-depleting CFCs (chlorofluorocarbons). It was modified in 1992 to establish a phaseout schedule for HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons). While HCFCs are less damaging to the ozone layer than CFCs, they still contain chlorine that destroys the ozone. The United States EPA implements the amended Montreal Protocol via the Clean Air Act.

By January 1, 2015, the USA is required to reduce its HCFC consumption by 90% below its baseline. By January 1, 2020, the USA will need to reduce its HCFC consumption by 95% below baseline.

While chemical manufacturers will not be allowed to produce new R-22; recovered, recycled and reclaimed refrigerant will be allowed past 2020 to service existing systems. This should allow enough R-22 to supply existing air conditioning systems.

HCFC-22, which is also known as R-22, has been the main refrigerant used for residential heat pump and air-conditioning systems for more than four decades. Leakage of a greenhouse gas such as R-22 contributes to ozone depletion. As the current R-22 manufacturing is phased out, manufacturers of residential air conditioning systems are now offering equipment that uses ozone-friendly refrigerants. With these significant changes in refrigerant and new systems, the testing and training of technicians becomes a high priority. The consumer should make sure he uses a company that uses EPA-certified technicians.