How the stove and oven in your home give off high carbon monoxide levels

How the stove and oven in your home give off high carbon monoxide levels

Although you may not know it, the gas stove and oven in your home can be sources of carbon monoxide. The trouble is that this is something that can go on for a long time without you ever noticing. Scientific research has established that kitchens are some of the places in the home with the highest carbon monoxide levels. As an odorless and colorless gas, CO is hard to detect.

How does that happen?

Not all types of gases burn in the same way. However, all of them have the potential to produce carbon monoxide so long as it is burning in low oxygen. A kitchen stove and oven can produce CO albeit in mild concentrations. The normal level of carbon monoxide produced in a kitchen should be no more than 30 PPM. But in a normal kitchen, there is extended cooking which leads to the buildup of CO levels. That is in contravention of the fact that kitchen stoves and ovens are designed for irregular, not extended use.

In poorly ventilated kitchens, the carbon monoxide levels tend to rise very fast to the extent of exceeding the acceptable CO levels. Also to blame is blockage of air to the gas burner which leads to inefficient burning. Look at the color of the flame and you will know you have a problem. If the flame is red or orange, it indicates poor gas combustion.

If you use gas for cooking, make sure you regularly check your regulator. If you skip the inspections, then the chances are high of having increased levels of CO in your home. That’s beside risking a fire explosion in your kitchen. If you are not careful, the continued emission of CO in your home can lead to serious respiratory complications or even fatalities.

Mitigation measures

It is best to always contact a www.DanielsHVACPhiladelphia.com or HVAC technician to carry out a number of combustion tests in your home. That way, you will be able to know the level of CO produced in your home. If the levels are too high, then you will have time to fix the problem.

If your stove and oven came with operating instructions, follow these always. Check if air vents are blocked and maintain a high level of cleanliness on your stove. As a rule, never cover the vent holes at the bottom of the oven with foil.

The weather will be extremely cold sometimes. Whatever you do, don’t use your stove or oven to heat your home. Ovens are not meant to work with their doors open. If anything using the oven to heat your home without making provision for ventilation will only lead to increased CO levels. Don’t be surprised if the occupants of the house complained of breathing complications.

Service your stove or oven when you notice the following:

  • Red or orange flames.
  • Improper lighting on the burner.
  • Production of soot.
  • Increased CO concentrations.

To be sure that your home is CO-free ensure your oven is working efficiently. Providing proper ventilation in the home is also key.

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Improve Air Quality and Safety through a Good Ventilation System

Improve Air Quality and Safety through a Good Ventilation System

chimney liner installationYou have put in a lot of effort to make your home energy-efficient and well insulated. Although that might be good for your heating and cooling bills, it isn’t necessarily good for the indoor air quality in your home. You need a ventilation system to create some kind of exchange of the indoor and outdoor air.

Your home’s ventilation system circulates air in and out of your home apart from ensuring that the air keeps moving all over your home. Improving the air quality in your home requires a good ventilation system. If you already have a ventilation system in place, you can do the following to improve it:

Adding chimney liner to the old chimney system

It is the recommendation of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) that you inspect your chimney yearly. That’s especially if you burn solid fuels such as coal, wood, and pellets. The same goes if you use your chimney to vent oil or gas-fired water heaters and furnaces. Over time, the byproducts from the combustion make the inner surface of the flue to deteriorate over time. you may have back draft of carbon monoxide gases.

There are a number of reasons why you might want to reline your chimney. Top among this is the fact that it wasn’t built with a flue liner and, therefore, lacks a smooth and seamless surface that also acts as insulation. You might also want to reline your chimney because the flue is defective. Of course, with time, flue liners tend to deteriorate due to cracks in tiles and erosion of masonry joints between bricks and stones by combustion gases. That might lead to poor air quality inside your home.

Relining can be done in the following ways:

  • Reconstructing clay tile flues using new clay tile liners.
  • Reinforcing the chimney and creating new flues using poured cement liners.
  • Relining the existing flues and running new ones with metal flue liners.

The choice method you eventually go for depends on the specific reason for which you have a chimney. Also, consider whether you have a water heater or furnace.

Venting combustible gases from water heater and furnaces

There are a number of people who have the heater or water boilers= fired by gas, propane, kerosene, and oil. If you are one of them, then you have combustible gases being produced in your home. These might appear either as smoke or as invisible gases that should be vented out through a vent pipe or chimney. However, when they escape into your home, they may cause some health as well as other concerns.

Combustible gases should be kept away from the water heater and furnace. This is because these gases, no matter how small their quantity is, can cause serious or tragic results. Heat generated from your appliances can ignite the combustible gases and cause a fire. Also, combustible gases may contain a number of toxins such as carbon monoxide.

That’s why you should ensure that your ventilation system is working properly. How else will you be sure you are living in a safe home?

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Most old rusty HVAC System have Hi Carbon Monoxide Level

Most old rusty HVAC System have Hi Carbon Monoxide level

old chimney systemThere is a colorless, tasteless, and odorless gas that is produced in your home when fuels such as wood, coal, charcoal, natural gas, gasoline, and kerosene fail to burn completely. It is known as carbon monoxide (CO). Lack of oxygen or a disruption in the burning process is the major reason why this poisonous gas is produced.

Any home appliances that use fuel are the major sources of carbon monoxide. One big culprit is the heating system in your home. Don’t trust it completely, even if it is still new. A malfunctioning air conditioning system can be the cause of poor air quality in your home. You might end up with carbon monoxide poisoning for you or your family members.

Symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning

Many people are easy to brush off the symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning. Mild exposure leads to headaches, nausea, and fatigue. People who have undergone medium exposure to carbon monoxide complain of drowsiness, confusion, disorientation, and increased heart rate. When the exposure is extreme, it will result in convulsions, unconsciousness, cardio-respiratory failure, coma, and possibly death.

How does the HVAC system cause carbon monoxide poisoning?

The University of Rochester Medical Center suggests that the heaters in your home can release carbon monoxide into your home. In fact, many of the carbon monoxide leaks in the home arise from heating and ventilation systems problems.

Hi Carbon monoxide level from your heating system arise when the combustion of fuels is incomplete. This is common in aged or corroded HVAC systems which have holes in their burners resulting in incomplete combustion. The result it the production of carbon monoxide. Thus as warm air flows throughout your home, it brings with it the deadly gas. That’s why you need to talk to your HVAC service company to help you nip the problem in the bud.

HVAC carbon monoxide safety tips

It has already been established that your HVAC system is a major culprit when it comes to carbon monoxide leaks. Here are some HVAC safety tips:

Regular furnace maintenance buy Daniels HVAC company

Before the onset of the cold season, ensure your HVAC system is checked by a professional. Things to check include the furnace, vents, chimneys, fireplaces, and other fuel burning equipment. Address any problems detected before they result in a carbon monoxide leak.

Inspecting heat exchangers

Ensure that visits by the furnace maintenance crew include inspection of the heat exchanger. That’s because many causes of carbon monoxide leaks come from failed or leaking heat exchangers in your oil or gas furnace. Of course, the heat exchanger is the exhaust system of your HVAC setup. That’s why you need to ensure the carbon monoxide produced from your HVAC system is exhausted from your heating system. Seal off any cracks or holes in the heat exchangers. Maybe just replace the old one for a brand new one.

Cleaning vents and flues

When the vents, chimneys or flues in your home are blocked, they can lead to the buildup of carbon monoxide in your home. The reason you have ventilation is so that poisonous gases can move out of your home. That’s why you need to remove any debris and dust that might have accumulated over the years.

The takeaway from this is that you must ensure your HVAC system is properly maintained.

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The Benefits of a Good HVAC System Installation

The Benefits of a Good HVAC System Installation

daniels stand beside new hvac installationIf you are looking for greater home comfort and improved energy efficiency, you should think of getting a new HVAC system. However, you won’t get all the benefits if your HVAC system installation isn’t done in the right way. A poorly installed HVAC system will not provide your home with the heating and cooling you want. To make it worse, it will only lead to soaring energy bills. You, therefore, need to work with a professional you are sure will give you a good HVAC system installation.

The following are some of the benefits you will enjoy:

     Installation process made easy

When you want to replace your old HVAC system with a new one, you should work with a professional. They will not just give you a good HVAC system installation but one that’s made to look simple and easy. In fact, you should sit back and relax while your new system is being installed. You will not just save you time but also enable you to avoid the stress associated with attempting to remove old equipment and installing new appliances. Once the work is done, you can rest easy knowing that the professional has fully tested your new equipment for performance and safety. There is, therefore, no reason why you shouldn’t hire a professional to do for you a good HVAC system installation.

     Better performance and system longevity

A new HVAC system is expensive for most people. If you are looking to get the most from your purchase, you must ensure you work with an experienced technician. A good HVAC system installation is key to the immediate and long-term performance of both the cooling and heating components. Imagine having an HVAC system that provides you with the comfort and energy savings you expect from the get-go. That’s what you get by working with a professional. A good installation also assures you that your HVAC system will last for a long time to come. A properly installed heating system is protected from lots of strain when you start using it. That way, you can be sure your HVAC system will last for the full expected lifetime and give you the maximum expected returns.

     Guarantee of service

When you install a new HVAC system, you get a guarantee from the manufacturer. A good HVAC system installation also comes with a service guarantee from the professional you engage in the work. You, therefore, don’t have to worry when you get a problem with your new heating and cooling system. After all the workmanship of the installation is something you are already assured of. If a problem arises along the way or you are not happy with the way your system is working, the technician is at your beck and call. You can be sure of the health and comfort of your family as well as the installation.

Talk to a professional today for a good HVAC system installation. With the many benefits you will get, you will never regret it.

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Have Your Furnace Checked Out Before Running It This Winter

Have Your Furnace Checked Out Before Running It This Winter

WOMEN WITH A BROKEN BOILERThe winter is here and it seems the weather couldn’t be colder. After all, you have just been through a warm summer when you didn’t have to worry about turning up the heat in your home.

Before you turn on your heating system, you need to have it checked out by a professional. You want to make sure that everything is working in peak condition for as long as possible. Routine maintenance is meant to help your furnace or boiler run more efficiently, safely, and devoid of avoidable troubles that come later on.

Make sure the technician goes through the following:

  1   Cleaning air filters and equipment

It is important to have the filters and other components of your HVAC system cleaned out. This is because dust and grime can build up on the heater causing diminished performance and making the entire system inefficient. When this debris and grime is removed, it helps make the flow of air more efficient and smooth. That means your fan doesn’t have to work as hard to distribute heated air in your home.

  2   Checking the pressure

It is important to have the pressure in your air conditioner checked since this can reveal any hidden leaks that you need to address. After all, you don’t want to end up with a leaking system when you need it so much.

  3   Replacing air filters

It is recommended by HVAC professionals that you change your filters every one to three months. That depends on factors such as allergies and pets. Once you have new air filters in place, you can be sure your system will remain in top shape for a long time to come.

  4   Plugging the leaks

If there is any heated air that leaks out instead of making it to the intended room, that is wasted energy. The technician should ensure they check out for areas where hot air might be leaking out before it gets to the vents proper. They should properly seal off all the doors and windows to keep cold air out of the house.

  5   Swabbing the ducts

You might have spent a number of years before having the ducts in your HVAC system cleaned out. Ensure the technician gives the ducts a look and thorough cleaning where necessary. You will be able to get rid of unwanted particles and allergens and thus improve the air quality in your home.

  6   Testing the thermostat

You don’t want to wait until the winter before you discover that your thermostat isn’t working well. Turn the heat to heat mode so that you are sure the system starts up properly.

Don’t wait until winter before you schedule your HVAC system for a routine check by a Daniels hvac technician. If you don’t, you may end up having to wait for long before the technicians take a look at your system. During winter, you might not be able to fix an appointment. Do it early enough and you will prevent unfortunate breakdowns in the middle of the cold months.

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Is it time to replace your heating system?

Is it time to replace your heating system?

PICTURE OF OLD FURNACEIt is that time of the year again when you will need to be turning on your furnace around the clock. While it is important to check out for any issues that call for repairs, you might have to replace your old heater to guarantee heat for your home throughout the winter.

So how can you tell it’s time to replace your old heater? There is a checklist you can go through to determine if it is time to get rid of your old heater. It includes the following:

  1   Furnace age older than 15 years

If you have a furnace that’s older than fifteen years and which has been having maintenance issues lately, you need to have it replaced. It doesn’t matter if it is still working. The operational thing here is that it is not as efficient as it was when it was new, even with maintenance.

Just like vehicles, older furnaces tend to require more maintenance. In fact, many break down the most during their last two years of life. With a furnace with an age of between 15 to 20 years, you will pay 15 percent more in maintenance than a new one. So why not replace it.

  2   Increasing energy bills and repairs expenses

For an older furnace to provide the same levels of energy as it did when it was new, it has to work much harder. The result is higher bills and frequent repairs. Don’t worry if there is only a slight increase in these costs. Take note if there is a spike in your energy bill and you are having to contact your repairman more often. Get a new furnace. It could be expensive in the short-term but which will help you save money in the long run.

  3   Different temperatures in different rooms of your home

Did you know that having an old furnace can result in some of your rooms being warmer or colder than others? In fact, when an old furnace is combined with an outdated duct system, it is not possible to distribute heat evenly throughout your house. The best solution is to simply install a new HVAC system.

  4   Soot around the registers in your home

When you have an old furnace, expect it to start spewing rust, dirt, and dust particles. These can turn out to be an irritant as well as a health hazard. Soot and rust around the furnace or registers is a sign that you have too much C02 being produced. Don’t wait till your family members start experiencing itchy throats, dry eyes, and headaches. Just replace your old furnace.

  5   A noisy furnace

Your furnace will make some noise when you turn it on and off. When the noise becomes louder, you may need to replace the entire unit. That’s especially when you hear rattling, popping, humming, screeching or squealing sounds. While most of these can be addressed through repairs and maintenance, replace your heater if they persist or increase in loudness.

If you are having one or more of the issues discussed above, it’s time to replace your heater.

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Steps to take to reduce your heating bill this winter

Steps to take to reduce your heating bill this winter

heating repair philadelphiaThere is no reason why you should wait till you get that astronomical heating bill for you to take action. If anything, it will be too late to take action. By taking deliberate measures now, you should be able to reign in that heating bill. Here are critical steps you may want to take:

  Check the heating ducts and insulations

You don’t have to be an expert to crawl down the basement and up the attic to inspect your air ducts. Dust tends to manifest itself as black smudges around the duct joints and in your insulation. This can only mean that a lot of air is leaking through the spaces leading to wastage of energy. Why should you allow hot air to go out where you don’t want it? Get some metal-backed tape from a hardware store and repair the duct leaks.

Is your insulation enough and is it located in the right places? If you have any air ducts in cold places, consider insulating them. Any water pipes running in the attic or under the house should be covered with piping insulation. Cover your water heater with an insulating blanket, which you can find in any hardware shop.

  Sealing off your home

There are many openings in your home through which heat may escape. These include windows and doors. If there are any leaks around your door openings, ensure you install door sweeps. Seal all the gaps around your windows to ensure you save money on your energy costs. Your walls have electric outlets where you need to apply seals in the form of gaskets. To cap it all, ensure you install storm windows in place of your normal window screens.

  Cleaning the vents

To prevent more heat from escaping from your home, you need to clean your vents and registers. The aim is to increase the airflow and in turn make your heating system more efficient. Watch out for the air intake to your furnace. Replacing the air filter will help you to ensure there is nothing blocking your furnace. Cleaning the blades of your ceiling fans should also make it more efficient to deliver hot air into your home.

  Getting the heating system inspected

Before winter sets in, have your heating system inspected and serviced by a professional. A professional maintenance company will help you ensure that the system remains efficient when needed. If there is any maintenance or repairs needed, the professional will take care of it. That way, you will ensure that your system doesn’t fall apart in winter. If anything, you want to avoid unnecessary repairs and replacements at the most critical times.

  Buy fuel early

To avoid paying a premium, ensure you buy your fuel in summer. By carefully shopping around, you should be able to find a supplier that will help you fill your gas tanks cheaply. In winter, the demand for fuel is so high that prices can be unreasonably high.

Why should you wait till you get your winter heating bill before you act? Do something about it now!

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5 features of a Facility Maintenance Company

5 features of a Facility Maintenance Company

hvac system How is the facility maintenance company you have been engaging for work in your home? Are they the punctual type or the kind that shows up late for work? Can you say they have given you the best services, so far? Finding a facility maintenance company that will give you the best services shouldn’t be much of a hassle. After all, you don’t have to spend lots of time dealing with maintenance issues when you have pending work and personal issues to deal with.

The following are things you should look for when hiring a facility maintenance company:

1  Quick response to your requests

There is nothing you will appreciate like a facility maintenance company that responds urgently to your call for services. You need to be confident that they care about your maintenance issues as much as you do. If their staff is well trained, you will be sure they will treat your work with so much importance that they will show up on time. Besides, they should be able to complete the work with great efficiency. Giving you a follow-up call is one way of relieving you of stressful situations.

2  Meeting your needs

After maintenance work, the company should be able to check for any needs they haven’t met. This may involve talking to customers as well as employees. The maintenance company leaves you with the freedom to deal with your clients and have some personal and family time.

3  Leaving nothing out

To be sure they have carried out the task you asked of them in its entirety, a facility maintenance company should give attention to detail. As soon as the job is complete, they need to carry out tests so they don’t miss anything. Since they are in charge of the job, they should have no problem taking ownership of any problems that may occur.

4  Service beyond normal

When you are working with a great facility maintenance company, they should be able to give you service around the clock. It wouldn’t matter whether it’s night or day; the company will be there for you always. As you know, emergencies can happen at the least expected time. It could be in the morning, midday, evening, or late at night. A facility maintenance company should be at your beck and call, twenty-four-seven. You may be away on holiday but the company isn’t.

5  High understanding of the job

The facility maintenance company you hire should be one whose top management is abreast with the industry in which they operate. The company will better understand your needs if they have worked on such a job before. Part of the required experience involves hiring and managing service suppliers and vendors. Since they know what you want, they are able to empathize with your unique needs and daily challenges. It’s only a facility maintenance company that takes this approach that can give you the best service.

What’s it that you want a facility maintenance company to do for you? Don’t be afraid to give us a call when you have an issue with your HVAC system. If anything, we can provide maintenance services before an emergency occurs.

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5 Reasons Why You Need Regular Furnace Repair and Service

5 Reasons Why You Need Regular Furnace Repair and Service

furnace - heaterThere are many things you should do before the cold season sets in. Yet repairing and servicing your furnace should be top on your priority list. You don’t have to wait until your furnace is totally ruined before you do something about it. With some seasonal maintenance of your furnace, you should have it up and run efficiently throughout the winter. The following are some of the reasons why furnace repair and service is necessary:

  Improved efficiency

You have every reason to do everything you can to have an efficiently working furnace. One of these are the energy costs you will save. However, that can only be possible with regular Furnace repair and service. After all you want to ensure your furnace is cleared of dust, dirt, and other debris. Such simple acts should make your furnace 20 percent more efficient. In addition, you need to inspect, adjust, and lubricate all the important parts of the furnace.

  Better safety

The many things you do in your home should ensure that you keep your home safe. After all, furnaces produce heat by burning fuel. Any cracks in the fuel area can cause leaks which could end up causing accidents that compromise the safety of your home. Some of the things you will have to do include testing safety controls, cleaning or changing air filters, and checking the heat exchange. Proper furnace repair and service is exactly what you need to heat your home without compromising safety.

  Checking utility bills

Regular furnace repair and service is the way to ensure that your furnace runs more efficiently throughout the cold season. Some of the thing done at this time might seem mundane but are important all-the-same. They include:

  • tightening electrical connections,
  • lubricating moving parts,
  • measuring the correct air flow,
  • inspecting and adjusting blower components,
  • inspecting gas pressure, and
  • inspecting the evaporator coil and condenser.

When every part of the furnace is working at full capacity, you will be able to keep your utility bills at manageable levels.

  Extended life of equipment

If you have a furnace, you know how expensive it is. That’s why you need to do everything to repair and service it. Furnace repair and service should be able to help you to expand the lifespan of the unit. It isn’t rocket science. Routine actions such as lubrication of moving parts, testing the ignition area, and inspecting and cleaning drains are all you need to extend your furnaces lifetime. Your furnace will keep running better for many years to come without requiring replacement. That way, you are assured to keep warm throughout the cold months.

  Fewer repairs

Scheduled furnace repair and service will enable the technician to fully examine your furnace to discover small problems. That way, you can nip such issues in the bid before they grow into those requiring major repairs. Ensure that you clean, lubricate, and assess your furnace so it keeps running at peak performance. There will be fewer breakdowns and problems during operation.

Clearly, you don’t have to wait for long before doing furnace repair and service.

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5 Reasons for Using a Licensed Electrical Repair and Service Contractor

 

electrical testing and repair5 Reasons for Using a Licensed Electrical Repair and Service Contractor
Have you ever tried to do electrical service yourself or using an out-of-work electrician? How did the work go? Most likely, you ended up incurring extra costs as a way of getting what you paid for. That’s by paying a licensed contractor to do the work you wanted to be done in the first instance and also correct mistakes that may have been caused. So why shouldn’t you just hire a licensed contractor from the get-go? The following are reasons why you should work with a licensed electrical repair and service contractor:
1-Certification
Before they are licensed, contractors have to undergo rigorous training to prove their capability to provide safe and professional services. With such a contractor, you are sure you are hiring someone who will do your kind of work the way you want it. Having a safe pair of hands doing electrical repair and service in your home gives you peace of mind.
2-Proper training
Most of the time, you should hire a contractor who has the training to do the type of work you have. But how will you know you have the right person when they are not licensed? It’s the license, which acts as proof of the skills, knowledge, and experience a contractor possesses. They know how fast and at what cost your work should be done. If anything, they can advise you on the best electrical repair and service practices as well as the materials required. They can help you trace the root cause of a problem and in the process save you a 3-lot of time and money.
3-Understanding building codes
In an effort to remain licensed, contractors make an effort to be up to date with the prevailing national, state, local codes. The aim of the codes is to ensure safety, function, and proper installation. It is, therefore, to get the requisite inspections arranged and the permits approved when you are using a licensed electrical repair and service contractor. When you have permits, you can be sure the installation is in conformity with prevailing codes. Also, the project you are undertaking is verified to be adding value to your property. If you have any insurance claims, you can be sure they will be paid.
4-Worker’s compensation
Using an unlicensed contractor is very risky. If any of their workers gets injured in your home, you will have to pay the damages. It even gets worse when the insurance company denies your claim because of using an unlicensed contractor. So why not just hire a licensed electrical repair and service contractor who also has a worker’s compensation insurance policy?
5-Warranty
When a contractor is licensed and reputable, they tend to stand by their work and even give a warranty. This is because they are confident the work they did will be able to hold for a specified period. Where any problems occur in the intervening period, they will come and carry out repairs free of charge.
Clearly, you understand reasons for hiring a licensed electrical repair and service contractor.

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