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.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Friday, January 20, 2012
Winter Heating Bills Go Sky-high This Year
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.
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.
Tuesday, January 17, 2012
Winter Heating Bills Go Sky-high This Year
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.
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.
Monday, August 29, 2011
Summer Energy Prices Cause Spike in Elf Population
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.
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.
Friday, August 26, 2011
Cool Down
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!
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!
Wednesday, August 3, 2011
Summer is Finally Here
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.
(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.
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Cool Off with Lower Energy Costs
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 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.
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