Carbon Monoxide: The Silent Killer

Did you know that the revised building code for the state of Oklahoma is requiring a CO detector for every home that uses a fossil fuel appliance? This means homes with natural gas fireplaces, dryers, HVAC systems, oven ranges, etc. If you are planning on having your home remodeled and the contractor pulls a permit, a CO detector will be required at the time of inspection.CO detectors monitor the amount of carbon monoxide in your home and alert you when dangerous levels are present. While it is not an immediate requirement for older homes to have a CO detector, we highly recommend having one installed. 

Carbon monoxide will cause death or serious brain damage to more than 500 victims this year—don’t let a family member be one of them! What exactly is it? Carbon monoxide (CO) is a byproduct from burning various fuels and can come from a variety of common, everyday home appliances… and it’s poisonous to breathe in. Have you ever heard that you should never start your car or lawn mower with the garage door closed? That’s why. It’s a tasteless, odorless, and colorless gas, making it a difficult opponent. Make sure your family doesn’t fall victim to this silent killer by knowing the facts. Homes are most at risk during fall, when people are starting up their furnace, boiler, or other seasonal combustion appliances for the first time in months.

Normally the toxic gases from fuel combustion are expelled from the home, but processes called the “stack effect” and “backdraft” trap them inside. The stack effect is when faulty appliances create a negative air pressure inside the home by ventilating too much air out of the home. The building will then “backdraft” to compensate for the air pressure imbalance by sucking air—including toxic gases—back inside.

This is usually caused by loose vent pipes, cracked metal, or corrosion.

Your home could also have internal equipment damage, malfunctioning components, or hidden blockage or damage in the vent or chimney. But how do you know?

CO is indiscernible by our senses, carbon monoxide can really sneak up on you—and your home’s CO detector! Because air can stratify, low-level leaks are difficult to identify, you should have at least one CO alarm on each floor of your home, and make sure it has a battery backup if it is hard-wired or plug-in.

What to do if your alarm goes off:

Turn off combustion appliances, open all doors and windows, leave the home, and seek medical attention for a blood check.

CO exposure is so dangerous because it interferes with the way your body absorbs oxygen, and can result in death or serious brain damage.

Symptoms of CO exposure include dizziness, nausea, headache, and shortness of breath—unfortunately, those are also symptoms for dozens of other illnesses, so it’s best to stay on the safe side and just get your home checked!

Call Elite for an annual inspection.  (…right about now would be a good time!) We can clean and tune-up the central heating system and check for chimney air leaks, cracked heat exchangers, and improperly installed or loose vent pipes. Make sure your family knows the warning signs and what to do to prevent a CO nightmare.  918.610.7300

© Service Roundtable

How can you reduce your family's impact on the environment?

Annual Heating and Air Conditioning 

Maintenance
 Many people wait until something is wrong before they feel that they can justify the cost of service and repairs. Problem is, by neglecting to have your furnace and air conditioner serviced regularly, you will pay more in the long run; more in energy bills, more in preventative repairs, and face replacements sooner from reduced equipment life. And, you will most likely experience equipment failure in the middle of the summer or winter, times of heavy use when you need your systems the most.

Regular maintenance will catch small issues before they become large issues and prevent total system failure. Also, when your equipment is serviced annually and running at an optimal level you will have much lower utility bills. This is good for the environment and your pocketbook.

Upgrade old, inefficient appliances

Dishwashers, clothes washers, ovens, refrigerators, water heaters, air conditioners, furnaces, boilers, and other major appliances can all run up energy costs quickly if they are not energy efficient or not running at peak performance. It is important to have your major appliances inspected regularly. If you are considering a renovation or upgrade, explore your options. 

Fix refrigerant leaks

Refrigerant is expensive. The longer you put off fixing the leak, the more that’s evaporating (not to mention the harm to the environment). Not only that, if moisture enters  and reacts with the refrigerant, vital components like the compressor can be damaged and you may end up replacing your entire unit. Even if a total replacement is not required, the efficiency of your unit can be greatly compromised.

Seal air infiltration of your home

If your home is not sealed to today’s standards you could be spending 30% or more on your energy bill than necessary. Infiltration refers to airflow through gaps or cracks around windows, or in walls or flooring. Using caulk or other means to fill in the holes you can access will help to seal the building envelop so that less energy will be needed to maintain the temperature in your home. Having a home energy audit conducted will also give you more information about the most cost effective changes you can make to reduce costs.

Seal ducts located outside of the building envelope.

If you have ducts that run through your garage, attic, basement, or crawlspaces they may be susceptible to extreme temperature deviations from the portion of the home where the temperature is regulated. Sealing and insulating these ducts will result in a reduction of energy consumption.

Ceiling fans

A ceiling fan can increase evaporation of perspiration from an individual and create the sensation of a cooler environment. Ceiling fans also cost much less to operate than your comfort system. This allows you to set the thermostat higher and still enjoy a comfortable environment. Be sure to turn the fan off when you leave the room.

Motion detector light switches

Are you tired of kids leaving the lights on and wasting money? Install motion activated light switches to automatically turn off lights and conserve energy. They are especially useful in rooms that have ceiling fans, as ceiling fans are only effective if there is someone present in the room to benefit from the air movement.

CFLs

Most people don’t pay a lot of attention to what kind of light bulbs they have in their home, as long they provide adequate lighting. What many don’t realize is that they are wasting money using conventional incandescent light bulbs. The light bulb with the spiral top is called a CLF or Compact Fluorescent Light bulb. The average life of a CFL is approximately 6-10 times that of an incandescent light bulb. Although CFLs are more expensive than compact fluorescent bulbs, they use less energy, providing a yearly savings of $40-60 or more.

Outlet insulators

It may be hard to believe, but if your outlet covers are not properly insulated, air could be entering your home around them. Use outlet insulators to help seal the space behind the outlet and lower your energy bills.

Low flow showerheads

Consumers worry that switching to a low flow showerhead will decrease their comfort in the shower.  In reality, most people using a low flow shower head can’t tell the difference between it and a regular showerhead.

Don’t do everything at once. Pick a few projects to tackle each year. By making just a few of these changes, you could be saving a great deal of money on utility payments. We can help you to prioritize. Elite Service Company is always ready to help with all of your heating and cooling needs.  Call Elite to see how we can help you improve your environmental footprint!  918.610.7300
© Service Roundtable

Some plants can help you reduce your allergy symptoms!

More than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies.  Allergies are the sixth leading cause of chronic diseases in the United States.  They are a widespread problem. 

     

Unfortunately, your home can contribute to allergy problems.  Today’s tight construction traps allergens and other airborne particles in the home.  The EPA says that airborne pollutants may be 25 to 100 times worse indoors than outside.  And we spend 90% of our time indoors!

    

If any of your homeowners suffer from allergies, we recommend two solutions.  First, and simplest, buy a few air cleaning houseplants.  Some of the best are:

·        Areca Palms

·        Bamboo Palm

·        Boston Fern

·        Corn Plant

·        Dwarf Date Palm

·        English Ivy

·        Ficus

·        Lady Palm

·        Peace Lily

     

Second, consider offering an electronic air cleaner for their home.  Electronic air cleaners are mounted in your duct system and quietly work to clean the air, trapping particulates as small as 0.3 microns.  This is smaller than tobacco smoke particulates, cat allergens, dust, pollen, and mold spores.

.

Only TRANE CleanEffects™ removes up to 99.98% of the tiniest allergens.

• Pollen
• Mold Spores
• Smoke
• Dust
• Pet Dander
• Bacteria

 Give us a call and we'll do our best to give you relief from your allergies!  918.610.7300

           

Curb your allergy symptoms this spring!

Last week, we mentioned a few ways you can improve the quality of your indoor air.  This week, we will go over those steps in depth.

Source Control

The starting point for a home indoor air quality strategy is source control.  It makes sense, if you can control a pollutant before it becomes airborne — you’re ahead of the game.  Source control strategies include the use of low emission paints, varnishes, carpeting, no smoking, no inside pets, maintaining optimum humidity levels, with regular cleaning, and servicing of combustion appliances, such as furnaces.  Unfortunately, you cannot always control pollutant sources.
 

Use your air conditioner to control humidity for the spring and summer months and a duct mounted humidifier in the winter.  Get your air conditioner serviced every spring and your furnace serviced every fall.  The most economical approach to maintenance is a Preventive Maintenance Agreement.

Ventilation

Fresh air ventilation is a close second in air standards according to the EPA, the air inside your 
home is far worse than outside air.  Even during allergy season?  Possibly.

Fortunately, there is a solution that improves fresh ventilation without compromising comfort or energy costs.  It’s called an Energy Recovery Ventilator (ERV).  It exchanges stale, polluted indoor air with fresh air and cleans the incoming air.  The ERV captures roughly 85% of the heating or cooling energy from the indoor air.  Not only can it improve air quality, it can actually reduce utilities in certain circumstances.

Air Cleaning

The third way to fight indoor air pollution is air cleaning.  Do not buy the cheap tabletop and gadget air cleaners you hear advertised.  They are a waste of money.  According to an American Lung Association® report, “The reviewed data provide little reason to endorse the use of inexpensive tabletop, appliance-type air cleaners, regardless of the technology they employ. In general, high-efficiency particle collection requires larger filters or electronic air cleaners.”

We recommend a whole-house approach with a duct mounted UV light and either a HEPA filtration system or an electronic air cleaner.  What’s appropriate for your home depends on your budget, comfort system, and family.

At Elite Service Company, we may not be medical doctors, but we are air doctors.  We know air.  We know filtration.  We know ventilation.  And we know service.  We can assemble an indoor air package that fits your family and budget. 

The food your family eats is regulated and inspected.  The water your family drinks is tested and treated.  Yet, when it comes to the air your family breathes, it’s all up to you. 

When you can’t breathe, nothing else matters! 


Call Elite today to book any services listed above!  918.610.7300

Allergy season strikes again!

Ah, Spring.  The weather is turning.  The grass is growing.  The flowers are blooming…and so are your allergies!

For a quarter of the population, this is not Spring--it’s allergy season.   It’s the season of red and itchy eyes, sneezes and runny noses, wheezing, congestion, shortness of breath, headaches, drowsiness, and all around misery.

People with allergies inhale pollen, dust, dust mites, animal dander, and other nasty stuff that fills the air.  Breathing these impurities can trigger the release of histamine—a neuro-transmitter that is produced when an allergic reaction occurrs.  Histamine causes nasal tissues to swell and mucous to build as your body becomes a battlegroud. 

I’ll just stay indoors…

Unfortunately, shutting yourself inside on a beautiful spring day is not the answer to conquering your allergies.  After all, indoor air pollutants are all around us.  They include pollen, molds, fungal spores, viruses, bacteria, smoke, gas combustion by-products, outgassing from carpets, furniture, plywood, and drywall, cleaning supplies and other personal care items, pet dander, dust mites (their feces and body fragments) cockroach body parts, and more.  Blech! 

Allergy Management

Aside from taking antihistamine medication, what can you do?

The only solution for allergy sufferers is to avoid the allergens that cause the reaction.  I know you’re rolling your eyes, thinking, “Easier said than done, lady!”

The following are a few simple steps to prevent your allergies from ruling your life this spring:

·        Keep your windows closed at night 

·        Run the air conditioner to dehumidify your home 

·        Drive with your car windows rolled up. 

·        Shower when coming in from the outdoors to wash away the pollen and mold that     collects on your skin, clothes, and hair

·        Clear out cobwebs from high ceiling corners.

·        Flip your mattress

·        Vacuum your mattress and boxspring

·        Take down drapes and curtains for cleaning

·        Vacuum all sofa and chair cushions and coverings

·        Move furniture and vacuum underneath

·        Use a paper mask when performing yard work
 

Improving conditions indoors

John L. Kirkwood, President and CEO of the American Lung Association® says, “Keeping the air in your home clean is particularly important for people with asthma or allergies, but the quality of indoor air is something all Americans should be concerned about.”

There are three ways to fight indoor air pollution: 

·        Source Control

·        Ventilation

·        Air Cleaning

Over the next few weeks, we are going to provide you with tips to escape the misery of allergy season, while helping you improve the quality of your indoor air.

Tips on reducing your energy consumption (part 4)

Welcome to the final installment of Elite's energy tips!  We've discussed things you can do to reduce your energy usage at home and services you can schedule to correct energy leaks.  We've reached the end of the road.  What do you do when there are no other changes you can make, and your energy bills are still astronomical?

Upgrade your equipment

The biggest savings come from replacing old equipment.  Heating and air condition equipment is two to three times more efficient than a couple of decades ago, depending on the type of equipment.  This means that your can dramatically reduce the cost of heating and cooling your home, simply by upgrading equipment and making your home more comfortable in the process.
Upgrading your equipment does require an investment, but it is less than you might think.  The energy savings usually offset the monthly payments.  Depending upon the age and condition of your existing equipment, you could easily end up with more money in your pocket at the end of the month by upgrading.
You can either pay the utility, or you can invest in an upgrade.  The utility will keep wanting more and more with nothing tangible to show; on the other hand, upgrading your equipment will improve your home’s comfort and continue saving you money long after the equipment is paid off.

To schedule an estimate with Joel or Lowell, call 918.610.7300!

Tips to reduce energy consumption (part 3)

Here it is!  The long awaited third installment of our energy reduction tips!

Preventive maintenance

Your heating and cooling system needs regular maintenance to operate at peak performance.  Consider the benefits of a preventive maintenance agreement.

·        You’ll save money.  A poorly tuned a/c or heating unit wastes both energy and your money.  In fact, by having a system cleaned and maintained professionally, you can save an average of $32 a month on your summer cooling bills.

·        Preventive maintenance can help prevent future emergencies.  Regular maintenance can detect minor heating and air conditioning problems before they turn into major system failures.  Since replacing a compressor can be costly, a small investment in regular tune-ups can mean big savings in the future.

·        Equipment lasts longer.  Operating your a/c during the summer months is like driving a car about 40,000 miles at 30mph.  Without regular maintenance and cleaning, your systems part and major components can break down under this heavy work load.  A well-maintained system lasts longer.

Humidification

Tight houses help conserve energy in the summer.  During the colder months, however, the savings can be counteracted by low humidity.  As the temperature rises, air can hold more moisture.  Heat your home in the winter and the air draws moisture like a sponge.  This causes the moisture on your skin to evaporate immediately, creating a cooling sensation.    By introducing supplemental moisture to the air, humidity is raised and comfort increases despite a lower winter thermostat setting.  Proper humidity saves energy because people feel comfortable with a lower thermostat setting. 
While tabletop humidifiers abound, the best solution an automatic whole-house duct mounted humidifier.  These products sense the humidity in the home and add moisture directly to the air stream as needed.  You can set it and forget it.