Air Solutions Heating & Cooling Inc.

Carbon Monoxide: A Hidden, Silent Killer

2012-02-10T13:39:00.000-08:00

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 a 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 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.
* 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 the garage.

Have you had a tune-up and safety inspection on your heating system? Schedule yours today by clicking here.

Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

2012-01-26T09:19:00.000-08:00

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

The seasonal occurence 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 or 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 information 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 or a whole house air purification system also prevents spread of infection.

To learn more about preventing colds this season give us a call at 918-299-3433 or visit our website at http://www.callairsolutions.com/

5 Things You Can Do to Get Ready for Winter

2012-01-04T07:00:00.000-08:00

By the time really cold wind starts to blow, it is to late to worry about whether or not your home is ready for the cold winter ahead. What's done is done, and what's not done - well, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in home repairs. Luckily there's no time like the present to make sure you're prepared before your hindsight kicks in....
1.    Have your heating system cleaned and tuned. A pre-season tune-up is a good investment - it reduces chances of breakdowns in the middle of winter, improves safety, and pays for itself through more energy efficient operation.

2.    Test your system for hazardous carbon monoxide, which can be produced by dirty or malfunctioning furnace or water heater. We can also install a low level carbon monoxide alarm.

3.    Have your duct system tested for air leaks. According to recent research by the US department of Energy, the typical duct system loses 25 to 40 percent of the energy you put out by the central furnace, heater or air conditioner.

4.     Get your home's air checked to find our if the air you breathe is unhealthy. Your indoor air can be much more polluted than what is outside, and with all the time spent indoors during the winter, you'll want to ensure your family's health, safety and comfort.

5.    Consider replacing your old furnace or heat pump. Just like a car, heating equipment doesn't last forever. If your system is more than 12 years old, and you are planning to stay in your home more than a few years, it is wise to consider replacing it before it fails permanently. A new system is safer, more dependable, and can pay for itself through energy savings as it is up to twice as energy efficient.

See what else you can do to prepare for winter here.

Avoid THIS Heating Nightmare!

2011-10-10T14:15:00.000-07:00

One of the worst feelings I know is flipping on your home heating system on that first REALLY cold day of the season.......waiting for a comforting gust of warm air and then....

NOTHING! Zippo! Nada! No warm air at ALL! Aaagh. You've entered the "Freeze, Shiver and Cuss" Zone.

Don't let this happen to YOU!

Avoid this horror show with a simple (and amazingly inexpensive) pre-season Fall Readiness Inspection and Tune-up for your furnace from Air Solutions Heating & Cooling Inc.

And right now this service is an even greater value because we've slashed the price to $85 - a full $15 off the regular price (but only until November 15, 2011).

And as a special added bonus we will hand you a coupon for a $30 mail in Oklahoma Natural Gas Rebate. That's right only $55 after rebates for the best Fall Tune Up around.

Here's just SOME of what's included in this 28 point service.

* Inspect, clean and adjust blower motors, belts and thermostats
* Test airflow and provide a carbon monoxide check
* Lubricate motors and clean out all burners and drains
* Make sure the entire system is working properly and is tuned to manufacturer specifications

When our Fall Readiness Service is complete, you'll know with confidence your heating system is operating at peak performance and is primed and ready to heat.

Please call now to book your Fall Readiness service to make sure we can fit you in before this special offer expires. We'll get your furnace running like a well-oiled machine it's supposed to be. And when you flip on the heater.....warm air will be just seconds away!

Call now at 918-347-6056 for your service at this once-a-season Special low price.

How to Keep More Cool Cash (in a Hot Summer)

2011-07-25T12:50:00.000-07:00

Since your cooling system is already in high gear, take a look at how to save money this summer and keep your cool. You'll like these eneergy saving tips....

· Set your thermostat at 78°F or higher. Each degree setting below 78°F will increase your energy consumption by approximately 8%.

· Use bath and kitchen fans sparingly when the air conditioner is operating. They can pull out an entire home’s cooling in one hour.

· Inspect and clean both the indoor and outdoor coils. The indoor coil is like a magnet because it is constantly wetted during the cooling season. Dirt buildup on the indoor coil is the single most common cause of poor efficiency. The outdoor coil must also be checked for dirt buildup and cleaned if necessary.

· Check the refrigerant level. The circulating fluid in your air conditioner is what keeps you cool. But like most things under pressure, it tries to escape! If there’s too little or too much refrigerant, your system will not work properly. Call us to check it out for you.

· Reduce the cooling load. For example, effectively shade south and west windows. When possible, delay heat-generating activities, such as dishwashing, until the evening on hot days.

· Keep the house closed tight during the day. If practical, ventilate at night either naturally or with fans.

Out with the old, in with the cool

If you have an older central air conditioner (8 years or older), it may cost more in energy and repairs than replacing it with a completely new system!

When buying new, choose a model with a high efficiency rating, such as a system that has an Energy Star^® label with SEER ratings of 14 or greater. Other features to look for include:

§ Quiet operation. New ones are much quieter.

§ “Fan-only” switch, so you can use the unit for nighttime ventilation to substantially reduce air-conditioning costs.

§ Filter “check light” to remind you to check the filter. Great feature!

§ Automatic-delay fan switch to turn off the fan a few minutes after the compressor turns off.

If you’ll follow a few of these tips or let us evaluate your system, we can show you how to keep even more dollars from going into thin air. This is our job… to keep you comfortable and save some money! Give us a call at 918-582-4792 if we can help you or your friends. Schedule your appointment to review your energy options here.

Cool Down........Summer is hot.

2011-06-07T11:14:00.000-07:00

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 ßclick here 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!

"Breaking News: Energy Costs Going Up!"

2011-05-12T11:39:00.000-07:00

Oh, what a shocker. Why don’t the news outlets just replay the same story from LAST time this happened? I mean, come on. Enough already.

This doesn’t bother me so much when supplies are genuinely interrupted, say a hurricane or even war unrest.

But sometimes the price rise is just a little “too convenient.” Like with changing of the seasons (“Heating oil going up this winter!”) or exactly when more people are travelling for vacations (“Gas prices surge this summer!”)

Do you agree?

I say we fight back. Honestly, there are TONS of ways you can hack your home energy bill down to size and QUIT overpaying. Here’s a report with some steps you can take that’ll keep your money where it belongs… in your pocket.

Hey, there’s a headline for you: Breaking News: People Like Saving Money! Remember, you heard it here first! Check out the report, “How to Take the Edge off Rising Energy Costs.” Enjoy.

My First Car

2011-04-01T07:04:00.000-07:00

My first car. What a clunker. After realizing the lessons it taught me, I think it should be a LAW that your first car be very used, fail to start a few times, and overheat on occasion. Teaches character. (That’s my defense anyway.)

It did teach me to ‘take care of my stuff’. The feeling of breaking down, coupled with the embarrassment of course, is a feeling you DO NOT want to revisit. I can honestly say that I’d never heard or cared a whit about “preventive maintenance” until that experience.

Now, I do it and preach it. (That’s what my family calls it.) I’ll spare you the fire and brimstone version (!) but I do have a couple points that can help you…

To me, the more expensive it is to replace, the more important it is to maintain. People always think of their home, or cars here, and that’s good. But I have a “dividing line” on these items.

If it has an ‘operating cost’, like a car, it’s even more of a priority to maintain it. But if it doesn’t, like say a roof (which is REAL expensive) then all you do is fix it quickly if it leaks. I mean, what else can you do?

You expect me to get to this part, but your home’s air conditioner has HUGE operating costs. The big one is your energy bill. If your system is operating inefficiently, you’re throwing money away. And the number one cause of “system death” is dirt. That’s a big price to pay.

So, maintaining your air conditioning and heating system is of tremendous importance. Here’s a report that’ll show you EXACTLY how to do that very easily. ß Links to report, “A Quick and Simple Home Investment”

Can Spring Cleaning Reduce Allergies?

2011-03-28T09:17:00.000-07:00

“There’s a Frog in My Throat…”

Now, if ever there was a phrase that should gross you out if taken literally, this is it. A frog? IN YOUR THROAT? I don’t even like them on my sidewalk.

Hard to imagine how the phrase got to be so popular, but we all know what it means. When your throat is itchy from too much “spring” in the air, it makes you sound croaky.

We’re in that season now. I’ve talked to a few “froggy” sounding people and it’s no secret why. There’s a lot of pollen outside (and inside!) triggering allergies galore. This is why you’re starting to see the allergy medicines advertised too.

But instead of expensive medication, there are NATURAL ways to reduce allergies. Just finished up a spring cleaning report ßLinks to the report, “Can Spring Cleaning Reduce Allergies?” I think you’ll like. And it doesn’t involve frogs!