Carbon Monoxide and Home Heating Appliances 1 of 3

Most homeowners don't realize the affect of carbon monoxide.  It is so important to have CO detectors in several locations throughout your home to keep you and your family safe.  I will be posting 3 blogs in regards to this important topic.  Please be sure to read all 3!

"What is carbon monoxide (CO) and how is it produced in the home?

CO is a colorless, odorless, toxic gas.  It is produced by the incomplete combustion of solid, liquid and gaseous fuels.  Appliances fueled with gas,  oil, kerosene, or wood may produce CO.  If such appliances are not installed, maintained and used properly, CO may accumulate to dangerous levels.

What are the systems of CO poisoning and why are these symptoms particularly dangerous?
Breathing CO causes symptoms such as headaches, dizziness, and weakness in healthy people.  CO also causes sleepiness, nausea, vomiting, confusion and disorientation.  At very high levels, it causes loss of consciousness and death.

This is particularly dangerous because CO effects are not recognized.  CO is odorless and some of the systems of CO poisoning are similar to the flu or other common illnesses.


Are some people more affected by exposure to CO than others?
CO exposures especially affect unborn babies, infants, and people with anemia or a history of hear disease.  Breathing low levels of the chemical can cause fatigue and increase chest pain in people with chronic hear disease.

Quick notes:

# of People treated each year = 5,000
Last stats on deaths (1989) = 220 from gas fired appliances, 30 from charcoal grills, 45 from liquid-fueled heaters. "

© 2013 Inspections by Jesse

 

With all of this said, it is very important to have CO detectors in your home if you have any type of these appliances.  It is also very important to have these appliances (such as your gas furnaces) checked and tested by a licensed professional every year.

 

Please be sure to read our next two posts in regards to CO!

Northwest Comfort Systems

Northwest Comfort Systems Receives 2012 Best of Auburn Award

Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northwest Comfort Systems Receives 2012 Best of Auburn Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement
NEW YORK, NY, April 23, 2012 -- For the third consecutive year, Northwest Comfort Systems has been selected for the 2012 Best of Auburn Award in the Air Conditioning & Heating Service category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).
The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.
Nationwide, only 1 in 120 (less than 1%) 2012 Award recipients qualified as Three-Time Award Winners. Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2012 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.
The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.
SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

Power outages

Did you know?? During long power outages (more than 24 hours), if you have a heat pump, you need to switch your thermostat to emergency heat and leave it there for 12 hours after the electricity comes back on. This delay prevents compressor damage by allowing time for the crank case heater on the compressor to boil off any liquid refrigerant before the compressor is started. Take time to review your owner's manuals for specifics about your heat pump and your thermostat!

The new communicating, wireless, 2wire, 3wire and zoning systems do not allow the customers to shut off or put their thermostats and sensors into emergency heat during a power outage.  The display on most of these models go blank during a power outage making the switch impossible until the power comes back on and it is too late!  So, if you have one of these, you need to turn the breaker to the outdoor unit off.  When power comes back on, you can switch the thermostat to emergency heat then reapply the power to the heat pump.  After the recommended time by the manufacture has elapsed then you can turn your thermostat back to the auto mode.

Moisurize for your home?

What is your home saying to you?   Parched air?  Warm, dry air acts like a giant sponge, soaking up moisture from everything it touches.  No doubt about it, air that's too dry can take a toll on your family. 

Your home can suffer too.  Parched, thirsty air literally sucks the moisture out of your home's woodwork and furnishings, leaving them cracked or dried out.

Replenish the moisture

Fortunately, replenishing the moisture in your home's air is easy.  Whole home humidifiers add needed moisture - safely, efficiently and automatically. A humidifier helps protect your home's wood furnishings and contents too.
Popular, easy
Honeywell offers a range of humidifier models to meet your home's particular needs.  Plus, humidifiers are easy to maintain.  Just replace the humidifier pad once a year.  No tools are needed.

Repair or Replace?

If you’re like most of us, you probably don’t think about your HVAC system until there is a problem with it, and at that point, it can be almost impossible to ignore. So what do you do?

Perhaps you’ve already called a repairman and been told your unit is in need of service. Now you’re looking at the estimate to fix it and wondering, should I repair my unit or replace it?

It’s not always an easy decision to make. We’ve compiled some important considerations here to help you through the process.

1. The first thing to consider is the 50% rule: When the cost of repairs approaches 50% of the value of your heating or cooling system, it’s generally time to replace the system.
2. The second thing to consider is the Age of Your System:
• The average life expectancy of an air conditioner or heat pump is 10-12 years.
3. The third thing to consider is Energy Efficiency.
• Equipment that is approaching the end of its life expectancy will typically be much less energy efficient than today’s equipment, for example 8 - 10 SEER on the cooling side, and 68% AFUE for a furnace. Compare that to modern products that rate as high as 18 SEER and 95% AFUE. Be sure to consider the savings on your monthly energy bills when considering a new unit.
• Energy costs (gas, oil, electricity) have risen significantly in the last decade, and will likely continue to do so. Consider the energy consumption of your unit and your potential savings over its lifetime.
4. The fourth thing to consider is Financial Incentives.
• There are often financial incentives for upgrading to a new system, which can be an important factor in your decision.
• Under the Middle Class Tax Relief Act of 2010, the U.S. Internal Revenue Service (IRS) is implementing consumer tax credits for homeowners who make qualified improvements of higher-efficiency HVAC equipment totheir primary residences.
• Search on your own at www.dsireusa.org.
5. If there have been upgrades made to your home that improve its insulation and energy efficiency (new windows, door, insulation, roofing, sealing, etc.), then your current unit may actually be over-sized for your needs.
   

   The fitfth thing to consider is Home Improvements.
• smaller unit would cost less and use less energy to run.
• Conversely, if there have been additions or significant remodeling to your home, your current unit may be too small (ask your HVAC technician for details about properly sizing a unit for your home).
6. 
   

   The sixth thing to consider is Environmental Impact.
• Modern equipment uses less energy and will reduce your carbon footprint. Research shows that water heating, air conditioning and heating account for more than 50% of domestic energy use.
• Newly manufactured air conditioning units have changed to R410a refrigerant, a much more environmentally friendly product than it’s predecessor, R22.
• For other environmental considerations that may help you make a decision, visit the energy star website: www.energystar.gov or in Canada, the Natural Resources Canada website
7. 
   

   The last thing to consider is Comfort.
• Are you happy with your current system? Your HVAC system can be responsible for things like air quality, noise, temperature swings, and hot or cold spots throughout the house.
  
• Over the last decade, modern systems have incorporated major advances in home comfort technology.

***Keeping on following us weekly to learn more about Heating and Air Conditioning from Northwest Comfort Systems.  888-998-HEAT (4328)   www.nwcomfortsystems.com

Press Release - Northwest Comfort Systems Receives 2010 Best of Auburn Award

Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Northwest Comfort Systems Receives 2010 Best of Auburn Award

U.S. Commerce Association’s Award Plaque Honors the Achievement

NEW YORK, NY, November 25, 2010 -- Northwest Comfort Systems has been selected for the 2010 Best of Auburn Award in the Air Conditioning & Heating Service category by the U.S. Commerce Association (USCA).

The USCA "Best of Local Business" Award Program recognizes outstanding local businesses throughout the country. Each year, the USCA identifies companies that they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small business through service to their customers and community.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2010 USCA Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered both internally by the USCA and data provided by third parties.

About U.S. Commerce Association (USCA)

U.S. Commerce Association (USCA) is a New York City based organization funded by local businesses operating in towns, large and small, across America. The purpose of USCA is to promote local business through public relations, marketing and advertising.

The USCA was established to recognize the best of local businesses in their community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, chambers of commerce and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to be an advocate for small and medium size businesses and business entrepreneurs across America.

SOURCE: U.S. Commerce Association

CONTACT:
U.S. Commerce Association
Email: PublicRelations@uscaaward.com
URL: http://www.uscaaward.com

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Warm up to winter. Get the chill out of your bill!

Get comfortable in more ways than one with our new, super-quiet Coleman modulating gas furnaces.  Having earned the industry's highest efficiency ratings, you can count on lower utility bills, while also ensuring environmentally friendly performance.  Plus, your comfort will be dramatically increased as these furnaces significantly reduce uncomfortable temperature fluctuations.  Call today and let us outfit your home with a system that's right for you. 

2009/2010 Homeowner Tax Credit for Installing Coleman® Certified Air Conditioner, Heat Pump, and Furnace Models

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the "American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)" into law. This bill combines spending and tax incentives designed to get the American Economy moving forward by investing in infrastructure and increasing the energy of residential/commercial buildings in America.

Specifically for the heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) business, this legislation makes a number of important changes to the existing tax incentives for homeowners who make qualified purchases on high-efficiency HVAC products and equipment in their primary residences. Overall the tax credits available have been increased up to 30% for the installed cost of these improvements, or a total of $1,500 for residential HVAC products installed from January 1, 2009 through December 31, 2010.

For your convenience, we're providing a tax credit certificate that features the entire qualifying Coleman product under this new act as well as a FAQ that provides further details and clarification on this new opportunity.

Download Certificate (2707 KB PDF)

Download FAQ (95 KB PDF)