Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Company

Carbon Monoxide: A Hidden, Silent Killer

2012-02-17T07:47:00.001-06:00

Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the greatest dangers that can affect the quality of the air in your home as well as put your family’s life at risk. The seriousness of carbon monoxide poisoning has partly to do with the difficulty of its detection: CO is an odorless, colorless gas. According to the EPA, because you can’t see it, taste it or feel its toxic fumes, CO can kill you before you are aware that it’s in your home.

Additionally, the symptoms of CO poisoning are much like those of many other illnesses – headaches, dizziness, disorientation, nausea and fatigue. So you might mistake it for a bout of the flu and make the very wrong assumption that staying home will be good for you.

How CO poisoning affects you and your family members will depend on various factors, including age, overall health and the concentration and length of exposure. Low concentrations of CO could produce fatigue in healthy people but chest pain in people with heart disease. Higher concentrations could produce impaired vision and coordination; headaches; dizziness; confusion; nausea. CO is fatal at very high concentrations.

What Causes CO Poisoning?

Exposure to carbon monoxide could come from variety of sources, including: unvented kerosene and gas space heaters; leaking chimneys and furnaces; back-drafting from furnaces, gas water heaters, wood stoves, and fireplaces; gas stoves; generators and other gasoline powered equipment; automobile exhaust from attached garages; and tobacco smoke. In particular, worn or poorly maintained combustion devices – like boilers and furnaces – can be significant sources, or if the flue is improperly sized, blocked, disconnected, or leaking.

What Should You Do?

First, install carbon monoxide detectors on each level of your home, especially near bedrooms and one near the main gathering area. And also follow this guidance from the EPA:

• Keep gas appliances properly adjusted.
• Consider purchasing a vented space heater when replacing an unvented one.
• Use proper fuel in kerosene space heaters.
• Install and use an exhaust fan vented to outdoors over gas stoves.
• Open flues when fireplaces are in use.
• Have a trained professional inspect, clean, and tune-up central heating system (furnaces, flues, and chimneys) annually. Repair any leaks promptly.
• Do not idle the car inside garage.

Have you had a tune-up and safety inspection on your heating system? Schedule one at this number: (361) 592-6433

Give Your Home a Little TLC This Winter

2012-02-09T15:33:00.000-06:00

In the lead up to winter weather, it’s a good idea to take stock of your home’s condition and tend to routine seasonal maintenance. After all, the steps you take now can help you and your family stays comfy and cozy when the weather turns bitter.

Winter home maintenance typically involves several areas of attention, including:

• Gutters and Downspouts – Keeping gutters and downspouts clear of debris and fallen leaves should be a routine task, especially as winter approaches. Spraying water down the downspouts will help loosen and wash away debris. You may also want to consider gutter screens for your gutters.

• Roof – Speaking of the roof, check for loose, damaged or missing shingles or tiles, or problems with flashing – any of which could lead to leaks. If found, make sure they’re repaired. Also, check the underside of the roof for any spots or odors that may be signs of a leak.

• Windows and Doors – Check weather-stripping on doors, and check caulk on windows. Or consider both if you’ve done neither. Caulking helps seal gaps, keep heat in and keep moisture away.

• Seal Leaks – While windows and doors are obvious sources of cracks, any cracks in the exterior of your house can let heat out. Check all exterior areas and fill and seal any cracks that are located with a caulking compound.

• Home Heating – Schedule a cleaning and inspection of your heating system. Ask about duct cleaning, too, if it’s been awhile since you’ve had that service done. Also, inspect your fireplace and chimney.

• Insulation – If you aren’t sure if your home is properly insulated, or if you’re concerned that your insulation may be damaged, give us a call and we can inspect it for you. Proper insulation can result in significant energy savings. Give us a call for a free inspection!

• Other Areas – Once you’ve given your home a complete once-over, don’t stop there. Check the driveway and sidewalk for cracks, and check the curb and gutter near your driveway to make sure they are clear of debris.

Let us know if we can help by inspecting your heating system and other areas of your home that may need winterizing for you and your family to stay warm and cozy this winter. Call (361) 668–1933.

Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

2012-02-02T15:46:00.001-06:00

I used to think so. (Hey, the name fits!) But even though fall and winter are the “prime time” for colds, researchers say that sniffles and air temperature aren’t necessarily related.

The seasonal occurrence may be due to spending more time indoors. And when indoor groups spend a lot of time together – such as in classrooms – the odds increase that germs will be spread.

Relative humidity may also be a factor. In colder months, humidity is low, and that gives cold-causing viruses a better chance for survival. Also, in cold weather, nasal passages’ lining become drier and more vulnerable to viral infection.

To prevent colds:

 Wash your hands. Hand washing is the simplest and most effective way to avoid colds, especially after making hand contact with others.

 Don’t touch your nose and eyes. Sneeze or cough into a facial tissue and throw it away. Be aware that others with colds put you at risk. Avoid close, prolonged exposure.

 Check into a humidifier. These keep the moisture in your home at the ideal level for your comfort and can reduce your chances of getting a cold. (Plus, they can keep your furniture from swelling or cracking and doors from sticking!) Call us and we will give you more info on these health and comfort marvels! They really work.

 Cold germs can live up to 3 hours on objects and skin. Cleaning surfaces with a virus-killing disinfectant also helps prevent spread of infection.

Winter Heating Bills Go Sky-high This Year

2012-01-20T10:08:00.000-06:00

While some of the situation is out of our hands – the price of crude oil, for instance – there are many things we can do to keep a rein on our winter heating bills.

Your heating system is the one element that should get the closest look before the cold, costly winter sets in. Now is a great time to have a service tech give your system a thorough evaluation to make sure it’s running properly.

Additionally, the federal government’s ENERGY STAR program makes several recommendations about how you can heat your home smartly this winter, including:

 Replace the air filter in your furnace regularly. Dirty filters reduce air flow, which makes getting the warm air to the registers a lot tougher.

 Install a programmable thermostat. Why heat the home while you’re away? Setting back the temperature in your household when you’re asleep or at work is another opportunity for energy savings – as much as $100 each year on energy costs.

 Seal up your home. Sealing holes, cracks and openings and then adding insulation is one of the most cost-effective means of improving comfort and reducing energy use. Cracks in windows and doors can be plugged through weather-stripping and caulking.

Winter Heating Bills Go Sky-high This Year

2012-01-17T10:33:00.001-06:00

Summer Energy Prices Cause Spike in Elf Population

2011-08-29T16:08:00.000-05:00

There’s nothing like enjoying your cool, comfortable home in the middle of a sweltering summer. Since 50% -70% of your energy expenditures can come from your heating and cooling system, there’s also nothing quite like the utility bill you’ll receive for that comfort if your system isn’t performing efficiently.

Before you rent a reindeer and purchase a summer home at the North Pole, you might want to check with your heating and cooling professional.

“There are a lot of reasons systems don’t perform at topnotch,” says Jim Altman of Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Co. “Most of the time the problem can be fixed by something as simple as regular maintenance. Pre-season tune-ups prevent not only mid-season breakdowns that leave you and your family sweating – they also keep energy dollars in your pocket.”

But how much can you really save? Okay, all bets off – we peeked…

• Do you regularly adjust the thermostat seeking comfort?
• When you stand near an outside wall, do you feel drafts at your feet… or higher?
• Have you ever noticed condensation on your windows?

If you answered “yes” to any of the above questions, having an energy survey conducted by a qualified heating and cooling professional can save you up to 40% on your energy bills this season.

Jim Altman told us, “Leaks in air ducts, dirt in the system – these things make your system work harder and less efficiently. A simple inspection can determine where and just how much energy you can save.”

These precautions are part of Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Co effort to show homeowners certain energy-saving techniques that can lead to hundreds of wasted dollars each season.

You can get your energy survey and more energy-saving tips by calling Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Co at (361) 668-1933 or visiting fourseasonsac.com.

Cool Down

2011-08-26T16:09:00.000-05:00

Summer is hot.

I know, you’re shocked. Every winter I dream of the warm days of Summer, and once they get here, I spend the Summer thinking of ways to cool down. I think it has something to do with the whole “the grass is greener” theory.

At any rate, it’s getting more and more expensive to stay cool. Airfares are more expensive, vacations are more expensive, utilities are more expensive…

Well, you get the picture.

That’s why it’s nice to be able to save a little every now and then – especially when it helps keep you cool at the same time!

This report has several free and low-cost ways that you can do both this Summer – there’s nothing like a win-win!
So, check it out, and then spend the rest of the Summer thinking about more important things. Just remember…
Keep it cool!

Summer is Finally Here

2011-08-03T16:08:00.002-05:00

I don’t know about you, but Summer is one of my favorite times of the year. The kids are home, there’s more time with the family, and I can finally look forward to firing up the grill.

(What are your favorite Summer pastimes? Share in the “comments” section.)

Of course, the start of Summer also means I’ll be firing up the air conditioner.

Most people think getting their system ready to go is as simple as flipping the thermostat to “cool.” But in reality, there are practical things you can do to make your system run more smoothly this season.

This video shows you some of the easiest things you can do to get the most out of your air conditioner this season. The best part is that most of them are absolutely free – something to be excited about these days!

And let us know if there’s anything else we can do to help – enjoy your Summer.

Cool Off with Lower Energy Costs

2011-07-28T13:54:00.000-05:00

At this time of year, you’ll do almost anything to cool down. The heat can be stifling and oppressive. But did you know that one of the easiest ways to stay cool is also one of the summer’s best ways to cut your energy costs? That’s right. Installing a ceiling fan can save you 25% on cooling costs this summer.

How is it that a fan can save so much energy? The circulation of the air evaporates moisture from the skin and makes you feel cooler. It also allows you to raise the temperature of your thermostat, which saves you 7%-10% for each degree raised.

To determine what size ceiling fan you need to effectively circulate air, measure the room where the ceiling fan will be placed. Typically, fans should be sized as follows:

• Rooms 9x12 – 36 inch fan
• Rooms 12x15 – 48 inch fan
• Rooms larger than 12x15 – 56 inch fan

Flex Your Power’s website, (www.fypower.org), offers these tips on purchasing an indoor ceiling fan:

 When shopping for circulating fans, be sure to test the fan for noise. Listen to the different qualities of each fan's sound. Fans also will be marked with their rated noise level, measured in "sones." Very quiet fans are rated at 1.5 sones. Some are so quiet, they're rated as low as 0.5 to 1 sones. A more expensive fan that operates quietly and smoothly will probably offer more trouble-free service than cheaper units. Check the noise ratings and, if possible, listen to your fan in operation before you buy it.

 Look for the ENERGY STAR®. If the fan comes with a lighting system, be sure the lamps are ENERGY STAR® qualified.

 Use advanced blade designs. Curved blades will move more air per minute than flat blades, and they accomplish this at lower motor speeds.

 Fans work best when blades are seven to nine feet above the floor and 10 to 12 inches below the ceiling. Fans should be installed so their blades are no closer than 8 inches from the ceiling and 18 inches from the walls.

 Larger ceiling fans can move more air than smaller fans. A 36- or 44-inch diameter fan will cool rooms up to 225 square feet, while fans that are 52 inches or more should be used in larger rooms. Multiple fans work best in rooms longer than 18 feet. Small- and medium-sized fans will provide efficient cooling in a 4- to 6-foot diameter area, while larger fans are effective up to 10 feet.

How to Avoid 90% of All System Failures

2011-05-05T12:23:00.000-05:00

Dirt. Five year olds love it, plants can’t live without it, and you’re breathing it in every day. Not just breathing it in – you’re paying to inhale the largest cause of your home’s dust and allergy problems.

You’re probably thinking that’s an exaggeration. But the simple truth is that you are paying to run your heating and cooling system, more and more as the weather heats up. And since dirt is the number one cause of system failure – 90% of all failures, in fact – chances are good that dirt is keeping your system from running at peak efficiency.

Before you invest in a family set of gas masks or prepare for a nomadic existence in the Sahara (hey, at least then you won’t be paying for the dirt), you might want to give your heating and cooling professional a call.

Your system works hard. It’s constantly circulating and cooling the air that keeps your family comfortable. Like anything else that works, it gets dirty and has to be cleaned. Scheduling the maintenance for your home’s heating and cooling system is as important as changing the oil in your car – if you don’t do it, eventually you’ll have a breakdown.

There are a few questions to ask yourself before having your system cleaned:

How long has it been since your HVAC system was cleaned? Systems should have regular tune-ups, which most companies can schedule for you with a Maintenance Agreement.
Are there pets in the home?
Do any family members experience burning in the eyes, nose, or throat while in the home?
Does your climate have high humidity?
Do any family members show symptoms of mild to severe allergies?

System failures caused by dirt, as well as expensive repairs, can be avoided with a little preventative maintenance. Most people don’t realize how much money they can save by making sure their system runs efficiently.

Learning the precautions are part of Four Seasons Air Conditioning & Heating Company's effort to educate the public on how to save time, energy, and money. We want to show homeowners certain neglected maintenance items that can lead to thousands of dollars in repairs or system replacements.

You can get your ventilation system inspected, plus receive other energy saving tips by calling us at (361) 668–1933 or visiting http://fourseasonsac.com/.

Choking on Air - Is Your Home a Health Risk?

2011-04-01T17:04:00.001-05:00

I remember when we first started hearing the word “smog”. It was a cool-sounding word because it combined “smoke and fog”, except it wasn’t cool at all.

I remember images of brown haze looming over some city skyline - it was like an invitation to not breathe. But what were you to do? Go around in a gas mask? So the cities got smarter, the factories got cleaner, cars got cleaner, and we stayed inside a bit more. “A lot safer inside!” we all thought.

How wrong.

I don’t mean to be a downer, but the EPA reports that “indoor air” isn’t all that great. In fact, it’s WORSE than outdoor air if you can believe that. But what are you supposed to do about breathing?

Well, just like purified water came to rid us of nastiness in drinking water, there are clean air solutions. Worth taking a moment to read.