Filed under: Energy Saving Tips
The electric appliances in your Fort Collins home take responsibility for using most of the power in your home. In fact, it is estimated by the EPA (Environment Protection Agency) that household appliances, especially those used in the kitchen, account for about 50 per cent of the average household’s utilities. Also, appliances that have been used for ten years or more consume a higher amount of energy in comparison with newer ones.
Lower energy consumption with Energy Star
The classification system of Energy Star, which was established by the United States Department of Energy and the EPA identifies electronic appliances that reduce energy consumption, decrease your energy bills and enhance the quality of air inside your home. Appliances manufactured by Energy Star are often more expensive in comparison with other conventional models, but they come with advanced features that allow you to save a good amount of money on electricity as well as water bills. Some models even have the potential to save you almost fifty per cent of the energy used daily in your home.
EnergyGuide Label
Once you have completed an Energy Star dishwasher install, you must look for the EnergyGuide label, which displays the features, capacity and size of the unit. The label also forecasts the average annual operation costs and energy usage of the model. Dishwashers from Energy Star use fifty per cent less water, forty per cent energy, and help you save a good amount of money owing to superior quality.
Filed under: Plumber Tip, Plumbing Repair
Detection of leaks
Leaks in pipes and faucets no matter how small can cause unmanageable flooding. Leak detection can prevent such damage so make sure to check your crawl spaces, unheated basement, exterior walls and garages, particularly for areas without insulation.
Drainage and Insulation
All outdoor pipes and faucets must be drained and insulated prior to the arrival of winter. When water accumulates in these pipes, they can expand, freeze and burst or crack, so securing them can help in avoiding plumbing repair.
Problem areas must be weatherproofed
Vent fans, windows and doors must be checked for loose seals. Make sure that every seal is tight so that no water enters your Fort Collins home from outside. Cracked windows must also be given good attention as they can cause freezing temperatures indoors.
Exposed pipes must be insulated
The growth of mold takes places when pipes are not insulated properly. Insulation is inexpensive and easy. Electrical heating tape must be used to insulate pipes that are located close to electrical sources. Heat tapes are great tools to achieve enough heat to prevent the pipes from freezing.
Indoor pipes must be kept warm
Most plumbing problems during the winter result from issues with outdoor pipes. However, a good number of homeowners tend to forget about their indoor plumbing. The cold weather can freeze indoor pipes as well, so make sure that the thermostat in your home circulates air warm enough to keep pipes from freezing.
Contact an emergency plumbing service
A quality plumbing service that provides 24/7 services must be contacted immediately when you detect a leak in your pipes. They can get the issue resolved very quickly, preventing further damage.
Filed under: Tankless Water Heater
Now that the winter is here, it may be time that you think of getting a new water heater. Fort Collins becomes quite chilly, and frequent use of your water heater could cause it to start functioning inefficiently. Instead of allowing for such inconveniences to take place, you could get a tankless water heater installed to help you cut down on costs as well as your carbon footprint.
Though you spend a greater amount to make the purchase initially, tankless systems are convenient because you do not have to wait for the water to heat before you use it. This also prevents you from heating excess water that you will not be using.
Long lifespan
Another benefit of tankless water heating systems is that they last up to 20 years, which is double the lifespan of a regular water heater. You may feel that the initial cost is rather high. However, if you count the depreciation and the operation costs, you will find that a tankless heater is far more cost-effective.
Saving on space
One reason why all homes require a new heater is to save on space. Regular water heaters that have a tank capacity of about 50 gallons tend to be nearly 25” wide, and 60” tall. This takes up quite a bit of space in the bathroom or kitchen. If you get a tankless water heater installed, you will only require about 20” wide and 28” tall.
Filed under: Boiler, Fort Collins Plumber
Are the temperatures outside freezing and your old boiler not good enough to keep you warm? Are the early mornings unbearable inside your house in Fort Collins? If yes, then it is time you upgraded your boiler. Upgrading your boiler will not only provide you with tax benefits but also make sure that you can save as much as 30 to 40% on your energy bills as boiler installations are getting more eco-friendly and highly energy efficient.
Different types of new boilers
A vast majority of the new boiler installation options available in Fort Collins are of condensing type. These boilers are more energy efficient as they reuse the wasted energy that is often lost when using an old boiler. Condensing boiler installations are available in two forms: Combination boiler and Heat-only boiler.
The combination boiler is a gas combination boiler, which is capable of running the hot water unit as well as the central heating system in a single unit compared to the older and more primitive types of boilers. As a result they also take up less room compared to their older counterparts. However, these boiler installations cause a small time lag when obtaining the hot water.
Suited for large homes
The older boilers are generally heat only boilers, which power only the radiators and as a result are most suited for large homes. Getting such a boiler installed would also require a separate system to provide boiling water, which can be slightly problematic for a smaller home. These also have a reduced time lag, but occupy more space.
Filed under: Heating, Plumber Tip
Carpet your floors
During the winters, marble floors of your Fort Collins home can be very uncomfortable because they tend to trap the cold. Cut out rugs to cover exposed areas of the floor. As an additional precaution, you could slip on a snug pair of booties. Even the tiles in the bathrooms get rather cold in the winters. Install rubber mats so that your feet do not contact the cold floor directly.
Reverse the blades of your fan
This technique is rather unconventional. However, the logic works on the principles of how our atmosphere constantly shifts based on temperature. Since heat rises, reversing the blades will help by bringing down warm air towards the ground. If this option is not viable, you could try other things like baking and wearing clothes that come straight from the dryer. Heater repair is extremely important to avoid such issues during the winters. There are a number of places in Fort Collins where you can get this done.
Cover up drafts
If you have not gotten your heater repaired, you should take extra precautions to cover up drafts and open gaps from which cold breeze can slip in. While you are in the process of sealing the various inlets, you could warm up during the nights by putting a hot water bottle under your mattress before sleeping. Consider getting some exercise in the mornings. When you have your blood pumping, your body has additional energy to heat itself.
Filed under: Drain Repairs, Unclog drain
It is a good practice to clean your boiler pipes regularly and what better time than at the beginning of the year. If you have not cleaned your pipes for a long time or if your flow rate is effected seriously or even if you observe any other kind of anomalies taking place, this might be the time for a chemical cleaning and pipe cleaning services in Fort Collins can help you achieve this. Deposits inside the boiler pipes can also reduce the energy efficiency of the boiler-making pipe cleaning the most important aspect of boiler maintenance
Chemical cleansing
Chemical cleaning is one of the most important boiler maintenance tasks. This will help remove all types of deposits from the boiler tubes and also improve the heating rate. It will also reduce any chances of tube failure and make the boiler more stable. However, chemical cleaning is not something that can be done easily. This is a dangerous task that requires professional help. Get in touch with professional Fort Collins pipe cleaning services to help you with the chemical cleaning of your boiler tubes for best result.
When to clean?
The time for a chemical cleaning is often determined on the basis of the number of years between two chemical cleanings. This will give the professionals at the pipe cleaning services some idea to determine if there could be a deposit formed inside the pipes. However, there is not guaranteed way of knowing whether or not the interiors of the pipe are covered with deposits. This can vary on several factors such as the water chemistry, the frequency of use and so on.
Filed under: Pipe Cleaning, Plumber Tip, Water Jetting
It’s Time to Get Your Pipes Cleaned
As a responsible homeowner in Fort Collins, it is important to ensure that your home’s drain system is clean and functional. Ensure that you hire a professional plumber to clean out the pipes regularly. If you fail to check your drainpipes for clogging, you could risk facing a plumbing emergency that is not only inconvenient, but also expensive. If the water in your drainage system has no proper outlet, it will travel back into your home’s plumbing system and cause clogging.
Signs that your pipes are clogged
It is best to understand the signs of clogging and search for them before you risk any further damage to your plumbing system. Some of the most common signs that your drainpipes are clogged include the blockage of multiple fixtures around your home. These fixtures can include everything from your kitchen and bathroom faucets, showerheads, bathtubs and toilets. If you notice strange noises or reactions from these fixtures when you attempt to use, you should check your pipes for clogging. These attempts include flushing your toilet, water jetting, running the sink, or using your washing machine or dishwasher.
Check your clean-out line
If your home has a separate main line for a clean out, you could easily check for clogging with water jetting. Remove the cap of the main line to check for debris or call a professional to inspect it for you. After you have verified whether you or not you are facing a sewer drain clog, you must have it cleaned or replaced immediately.
Filed under: Fort Collins Heating, Heating
Carpet your floors
During the winters, marble floors of your Fort Collins home can be very uncomfortable because they tend to trap the cold. Cut out rugs to cover exposed areas of the floor. As an additional precaution, you could slip on a snug pair of booties. Even the tiles in the bathrooms get rather cold in the winters. Install rubber mats so that your feet do not contact the cold floor directly.
Reverse the blades of your fan
This technique is rather unconventional. However, the logic works on the principles of how our atmosphere constantly shifts based on temperature.
Since heat rises, reversing the blades will help by bringing down warm air towards the ground. If this option is not viable, you could try other things like baking and wearing clothes that come straight from the dryer. Heater repair is extremely important to avoid such issues during the winters. There are a number of places in Fort Collins where you can get this done.
Cover up drafts
If you have not gotten your heater repaired, you should take extra precautions to cover up drafts and open gaps from which cold breeze can slip in. While you are in the process of sealing the various inlets, you could warm up during the nights by putting a hot water bottle under your mattress before sleeping. Consider getting some exercise in the mornings. When you have your blood pumping, your body has additional energy to heat itself.
Filed under: Fort Collins Plumber, Tankless Water Heater
The deciding factor for installing a tankless water heater is whether or not you will get an endless flow of hot water. Retailers in Fort Collins also refer to this device an as on-demand water heater. These machines are small and can be mounted on a wall. They heat water in an instant for the homeowner to bathe, do the dishes and the laundry.
Benefits of Using Tankless Water Heaters
There are a number of benefits to using a tankless water heater.
- This machine is convenient and easy to use. It is a perfect buy for families as there will be no more compromises on use of hot water or making a schedule for bathing. It also saves a lot of space and can be installed indoors and outdoors as well.
- These heaters are ecologically friendly and so, expenses are considerably reduced. Many tankless units are accompanied by a federal tax reduction of $300.
- They have a greater operational lifespan compared to tank heaters. A standard tankless unit lasts 10 years more than its tank counterpart.
- Tankless water heaters are more efficient and have no standby heat loss.
- They need just enough power to heat the quantity of water required at any given time.
- Electricity bills can be reduced by as much as 20%.
Buy the Tankless Water Heater Best Suited To Your Needs
Keep in mind that the initial cost of a tankless water heater is more than a traditional hot water tank, but the considerable energy savings and fewer repair calls will make up this cost and save money in the long run.
Filed under: Air Filtration, Air Quality
Pollution from Radon
A highly radioactive gas called radon constitutes one of the top sources of indoor air pollution. Whether it comes from well water, the ground beneath the home, or the materials used for building the house; radon can be very harmful for health. In addition to being tasteless and colorless, it is also odorless and is immensely difficult to identify. Arrange for an air duct cleaning session at your Fort Collins home and make sure you get radon testing done as well.
Biological sources
The biological source of indoor air pollution covers a broad variety of living things in and around your home. Although it is impossible to completely rid your home of these sources, you can still get air duct cleaning services to get rid of most of the biological pollution sources. One of the best steps you can take to prevent the growth of biological sources of indoor air pollution is to minimize moisture in the rooms. This can help you prevent mold and mildew, which are among the most common sources of indoor air pollution.
Environmental tobacco smoke
Whether it’s a cigarette, cigar, or pipe; smoking any form of tobacco results in chemicals that are left behind in the air. These leftover chemical residues can be inhaled, resulting in lung ailments and respiratory problems. To prevent this from happening, avoid smoking inside the house. If there exists tobacco smoke left behind in the air inside your home, you can make use of air purifiers or even call for air cleaning services.
Posted on March 10th, 2014 by admin
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