Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Wed, Jun 23, 2010
You’ve probably heart the horrific story of a desperate Connecticut man who attempted to amputate his arm to free it from a broken furnace. The West Hartford man’s arm became trapped while he was attempting to replace the boiler fins in his furnace. After two days, Jonathan Metz began to smell rotting flesh. In an act of desperation, Metz tried to cut off his arm to free himself. Still trapped, Metz was rescued by firemen a day later. Firemen had to dissemble the furnace to free Metz. Doctors credited Metz’ attempted self-amputation with saving his life by preventing gangrenous infection in his arm from spreading through his body. Metz is expected to survive.
Why Raymond Plumbing Shared This Story
We do not share this story to shock or upset our Lorain County readers, but to point out the real dangers that can occur when homeowners attempt to repair complex home equipment. We tend to take equipment that is part of our everyday lives for granted. When our usual interaction with a piece of equipment is limited to turning a switch or pushing a button, it’s easy to forget that we’re actually dealing with a complex machine that may contain potentially dangerous operating parts, hazardous chemicals, open flames, perilous temperatures, high voltage electricity or explosive pressures.
Installation and Repairs Can Be Risky Without A Professional
We don’t think of the home comfort equipment in our Lorain County basements as a potentially hazardous safety risk; and when it is properly installed and maintained by an experienced Lorain County plumbing, heating and air conditioning professional, it is not. But these complex systems can present a very real danger when inexperienced homeowners attempt installation or repair. Professional plumbers and HVAC technicians undergo years of specialized training and apprenticeship to learn to install and repair home comfort systems correctly and safely.
Call Raymond Plumbing for Professional Assistance
If you have a plumbing, heating or air conditioning problem in your Lorain County home or business, don’t place yourself or your family at risk. Call the experts at Raymond Plumbing, Heating and Air Conditioning.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jun 11, 2010
Most Lorain County residents understand the importance of scheduling seasonal performance checks of their Lorain County furnace and air conditioner. Regular performance checks keep home heating and cooling appliances operating smoothly and at peak efficiency all through the year. But the ducts through which that equipment pushes the air that heats and cools your home are taken for granted. You might run your duster or vacuum head over the vent grates when they look dirty, but most Lorain County homeowners tend to ignore heating and cooling ducts.
What Lorain County homeowners don’t realize is that dust buildup in their duct work can negatively impact both their health and their wallets. When dust accumulates in heating and cooling ducts, it traps allergens which are then blown through the home every time the furnace fan turns on. Dust, mold, pollen and other allergens are distributed through your home along with cold or warm air. Not only does dust build up impact indoor air quality, but it also impairs the performance of your furnace and air conditioner and can eventually shorten equipment life.
Seasonal cleaning of the air vent system in your Lorain County home will improve indoor air quality and ensure that your furnace and air conditioner run at peak efficiency all season long. Cleaning ducts can be a little time consuming – about 15 minutes per unit – but is not difficult.
- Turn off your furnace or air conditioner while cleaning.
- Using the crevice tool, vacuum floor, baseboard and ceiling vents. If your vacuum tool won’t reach upper vents, use a duster with an extension pole.
- Remove vent covers with a screwdriver and wash with dish soap. Use a sponge-type paint brush to get between slats.
- Using crevice tool or cobweb duster, clean inside ducts as far as you can reach.
- Replace vent covers when dry.
Maintaining your air duct system in good repair with annual spring and fall performance checks helps to ensure that your air conditioner and furnace will work efficiently all season long.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, May 03, 2010
Inquire About Heating and Cooling Costs When Buying a New Home
When buying a home in Lorain County, most people focus on the sale price and cost of monthly mortgage payments. First-time home buyers, particularly those who have been renting and are used to utility costs being rolled into their rent payments, may be unaware that the cost of heating and cooling the home they purchase can make or break their budget. Experienced homeowners have learned the importance heating and cooling costs play in the ultimate cost of owning and maintaining a home.
A Home With an Energy Efficient Furnace and Air Conditioner Can Save You Money
In buying a home, it is important to assess the present condition and any potential problems with the home’s heating and cooling systems. A furnace or air conditioner that has been poorly maintained or that is nearing the end of its functional life can cost thousands of dollars to replace, adding an unexpected and significant burden to your household budget. On the other hand, a home with a energy efficient furnace and air conditioner can save you hundreds in monthly utility bills.
Ask to review the home seller’s furnace and air conditioner maintenance and repair records. Look for annual furnace and air conditioner inspections, a sign of proactive maintenance. Read the inspection reports to make certain necessary repairs were made as problems were discovered. Ask an experienced Lorain County heating and cooling professional to inspect the home’s comfort systems before you buy. His inspection should reveal any obvious problems you may want to address with the seller. He should also be able to give you some idea of the age of the system and potential problems you should watch for in the future.
Request Monthly Utility Records to Estimate the Monthly Costs to Heat and Air Condition the Home
Home buyers should also ask sellers for monthly utility records so they can get an idea of the probable monthly cost to heat and air condition the home. While personal comfort practices vary, the current owner’s monthly utility bills will provide a reasonable estimate of coming costs.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Feb 19, 2010
The recent article “Sensitive Precautions on Residential Project” in the Air Conditioning, Heating & Refrigeration News 2010 edition of Refrigeration Zone highlights an important approach to building chemical free homes. In particular the difficulty of finding home building products and contractors that can face the challenges.
Contractors are constantly facing new demands regarding energy-efficiency. This particular home needed to be “chemical free” because one of the homeowners has acute chemical sensitivity. This meant that special precautions needed to be taken concerning the HVAC equipment chosen and how it was installed. What I found interesting is that something as simple as finding chemical-free wallboard becomes difficult when there is not a suitable replacement.
The approach of the general contractor to involve multiple layers of experts had to be a task within itself. This had to add layers to the building process that had to be checked and rechecked. Then to make sure every subcontractor followed the guidelines was an accomplishment in itself.
But answer this: Do these people ever go outside their home? How do you accommodate this type of guest in your home or business?
Read full article here.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jan 29, 2010
While some Northern Ohio furnaces run on heating oil, most U.S. homes are heated by natural gas-burning furnaces.
How Gas Furnaces Work
Here’s how gas furnaces work. Hot gases created by the burning gas pass through curved metal tubing called a heat exchanger, then exit your home through a vent pipe. At the same time, the air circulating through your home is directed over the heat exchanger where it absorbs the heat from the hot metal. This warmed air is then circulated through your home by the furnace fan.
Why does gas smell like rotting eggs? The natural gas used to run your furnace is an odorless, colorless, highly-flammable gas. Because natural gas can be highly dangerous, particularly in enclosed spaces like your home, a minute amount (less than 1%) of ethyl mercaptan is added to serve as a warning should a gas leak develop. This stinky additive creates the distinctive sulfuric smell associated with natural gas.
Natural Gas can be Dangerous to your Health
Why is gas dangerous? Natural gas is an asphyxiant that can cause suffocation and death. As natural gas leaks into the air, it displaces the air’s oxygen content. When the oxygen level drops below 19.5%, suffocation gradually occurs. Asphyxiation progresses through several stages. At first breathing and pulse rates increase. Headache, nausea and drowsiness develop. Vision problems may be experienced with dizziness and confusion. As the level of gas increases, muscle coordination fails. Muscles feel weak and develop tremors. As oxygen levels fall below 8%, unconsciousness (narcosis) occurs. Extremities become numb and turn bluish (cyanosis) from lack of oxygen in the blood. The central nervous system is permanently damaged and death follows. If oxygen levels continue to decrease below 6.5% to 3.8%, the gas ignites.
A tragic scenario and one that can be avoided with an annual Heating Performance Check by a licensed home heating professional. It is not to late to have a heating performance check. Schedule today!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Jan 25, 2010
Reduce Your Heating Bills up to 70% by Installing a Geothermal Heat Pump
Geothermal heat pumps tap into the power of nature to heat and cool your Lorain County home efficiently. Geothermal heat pumps provide comfortable even temperatures throughout your home in both winter and summer, With the Federal Stimulus Tax Credit providing up to a 30% income tax credit on the cost of installing geothermal heat pumps, this is an excellent time to have your Lorain County heating and cooling professional install a heat pump in your home. In Lorain County, energy-efficient geothermal heat pumps can cut your heating bills by 50% to 70% and air conditioning bills by 40%. If you add a hot water assist to your heat pump system, you can recycle hot water created during system operation and enjoy virtually free hot water all summer long.
Their superior efficiency and reliability has made geothermal heat pumps the heat pump system of choice in Lorain County and throughout the country. Geothermal heat pumps tap into the ability of ground water to absorb and retain heat at a constant temperature. At a depth of 30 feet, ground water maintains a constant temperature that varies by less than a single degree throughout the year. Geothermal heat pumps reticulate water via a sealed, non-polluting water system that is never exposed to the atmosphere.
Rather than creating heat like furnaces, heat pumps transfer heat between the ground water and your home. In the winter they pull heat absorbed and stored in ground water into your home. In the summer they pump heat collecting inside your home out into ground water. The fairly constant and more temperate temperature of ground water throughout the year allows geothermal heat pumps to work efficiently all year round.
Find out how you can qualify for the federal stimulus tax credit!
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jan 22, 2010
Improve the Performance of your Furnace with a Heating Performance Check
Auto repair experts say the single most important thing you can do to improve the performance and reliability of your car is to get the oil checked regularly. It’s a simple, inexpensive maintenance chore that can add years of life to your vehicle and save you thousands of dollars in repair bills down the line. That’s the same reason home heating professionals recommend you schedule an annual Heating Performance Check with a licensed Lorain County heating professional.
Save Money on Your Heating Bill with a Heating Perfomance Check
An annual furnace inspection can pinpoint potential problems before they become tragic disasters. Not only does an annual Heating Performance Check ensure that your home furnace is working at peak efficiency, but an experienced heating professional will also check for gas or carbon monoxide leaks to ensure the safety of your family. Tragically, deadly carbon monoxide fumes from improperly working furnaces kill families in their sleep every year. The best way to protect your family against this odorless silent killer is to have your furnace inspected by a licensed heating professional every year.
A properly running furnace burns less fuel, saving you money on your heating bill. And with Lorain County temperatures regularly dropping into the double and single digits during the winter, an annual Heating Performance Check will protect your family from a chilly middle-of-the-night breakdown. Annual furnace inspections catch small problems while they’re easy and inexpensive to fix.
It's Not too Late to have a Heating Performance Check
In Lorain County, the best time of year to schedule your annual Heating Performance Check is in late summer before you fire up your furnace in the fall. However, it’s never too late in the season to make sure your furnace is operating safely. It’s also important to schedule your annual Heating Performance Check with a licensed Lorain County heating professional with the knowledge and experience to recognize potential problems and fix them before they cause disaster.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Mon, Jan 11, 2010
Installation of an Energy-Efficient Furnace can Drastically Reduce Home Heating Bills
It’s mighty cold out there and frigid arctic air will be sticking around for a while. In heavy heating areas like Lorain County, installation of an energy-efficient furnace can drastically reduce home heating bills. To reduce energy use, last year the government introduced the Federal Stimulus Tax Credit to encourage the purchase of energy-efficient home heating and air conditioning equipment.
Under the stimulus plan, Lorain County residents can receive up to a $1500 credit on their 2009 and/or 2010 income taxes with installation of a qualified energy-efficient gas furnace or air conditioner. Through 2016, federal income tax credits will also be available on alternative energy geothermal heat pumps . (Click here to download a summary of energy-efficiency Federal Stimulus Tax Credit.) Additional information is available on the EPA website.
Furnace manufacturers have lowered prices on range-rated furnaces or brought new qualifying models in the mix spurring sales over furnaces with higher efficiency ratings. Lorain County residents who took advantage of the stimulus plan in 2009 quite likely could have afforded to make the switch without stimulus money. But we wonder about Lorain County residents living on fixed incomes due to retirement, unemployment or disability. Lorain County has been hard hit by the recession and collapse of the auto industry. Many of the folks struggling with decreased incomes are most in need of money-saving energy-efficient home heating and cooling systems. Shouldn’t there be a way these folks can take advantage of the energy-efficiency stimulus plan? Contact your Congress member and let him/her know how you feel.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Fri, Jan 08, 2010
It was recently reported that there have been significant finds of natural gas in shale deposits. Due to advances in drilling technology it’s now easier to remove these natural gas deposits, and it’s speculated that they could provide gas supply for the next 90 years.
While this discovery definitely effects the current energy debate throughout the nation – there’s another, equally important question about our energy use.
Will the U.S. Conserve Natural Gas or are we Energy Gluttons?
Americans are 5% of the global population, but consume 25% of the resources. Gas prices are the lowest they have been in seven years. Why upgrade to high efficiency heating equipment when you are saving 40% over last year without the investment in new equipment? In fact, crank up the thermostat! You can keep your house warmer and still pay less then you did last year – this is the U.S. mindset.
The U.S. population will not conserve energy when energy is cheap.
The 90-year supply will dwindle down as more industry; electric generation and homeowners consume gas like the quarter-pounder value-meals they line up for at lunch. When the costs start to rise because of dwindling supply they will call a foul and ask the government for help in curbing their energy consuming bellies.
The power companies aren’t waiting for Washington to “jump on the gas bandwagon” as it were. Moreover, with the impending energy legislation, calculating cost has changed dramatically, “coal may still be cheaper, but natural gas emits half as much carbon” – so what? We need to curb the national energy appetites before we switch to a ‘low-carb’ plan.
What’s the best way for you to lower your energy usage today?
For more information on natural gas prices and energy conservation click here.
Posted by Raymond Plumbing Heating and Air Conditioning on Thu, Jan 07, 2010
Healthy Indoor Air Requires Proper Ventilation
Energy efficiency is a good thing. It saves money while protecting the environment. But there are times when energy efficiency can go a little too far. There have been cases of new energy-efficient homes that were sealed so tightly against outdoor air that they became germ factories or “sick” homes. Homeowners traded off low fuel bills for high doctor bills. What researchers discovered is that healthy homes require a certain amount of air exchange – fresh air replacing used, stale air – to maintain the health of their occupants. When a home is too tightly sealed against air exchange, air is circulated over and over, constantly reused, spreading germs, mold and other unhealthful qualities. Healthy indoor air requires proper ventilation.
To solve the problem, the heating and cooling industry has developed energy efficient ventilators that bring fresh air into your home without any loss of energy. Performance Heat Recovery Ventilators introduce necessary outdoor air into your home during the long heating season. These energy-efficient ventilators replace stale, germ-laden, recirculated indoor air with fresh, clean outdoor air. Bringing fresh air into your winter home also replaces some of the humidity forced air heat removes from your home. Higher humidity is easier on stressed winter sinuses, making breathing easier and actually protecting delicate sinuses from infection. Proper winter ventilation boosts indoor air quality and creates a healthier indoor environment for your family.
During the summer cooling season, Performance Energy Recovery Ventilators perform the same service. When you operate your air conditioner, these high efficiency energy recovery ventilators guarantee that the air you breathe is healthy while you are indoors escaping from summer’s heat. Ventilators that work with your air conditioner not only provide a healthy exchange of air that reduces indoor air pollutants, they reduce humidity as well. In summer, reducing humidity increases indoor comfort for your family.
Making a ventilator part of your home comfort system is like being able to open a window in every room even on the hottest or coldest days ... without the drafts, the humidity or the high energy costs. Its literally a breath of fresh air. For proper sizing and operation, Performance Ventilators should be installed by a heating and cooling professional. If you live in Northeast Ohio, contact Raymond Plumbing.