How Can You Keep Your Family Safe This Winter?

It stands to reason. Over-the-counter medications that you select on your own don’t tend to do the job nearly as well as prescriptions you get from your doctor that are based on his or her diagnosis.

By the same token, off-the-shelf carbon monoxide (CO) detection isn't nearly as effective as the professional diagnosis you get from a home comfort expert. And just as the wrong medicine at the wrong time can yield really wrong results… so can inferior and inadequate CO detection. Hospital emergency rooms see about 50,000 visits a year just due to CO poisoning. So there’s no question this is a problem. But what’s the solution?

The “retail” grade detectors aren't always able to give “early warning” signs – but typically kick in with alarm bells when the air situation reaches distress level.

That’s why your home needs the attention of a professional grade CO detector that can warn you immediately when CO poisoning starts to seep into your home’s air.

A model that many home comfort specialists are recommending is the CO-Experts Low Level CO “Health” Monitor. These monitors give warnings at various levels as the detection of carbon monoxide increases in severity.

Homeowners have the option to silence the warnings if the levels are not deemed serious enough for action, but you’d also become sensitive to the potential for problems.

Models like these are fully self-monitored. They know when their sensor accuracy is off or life span is capping, and they’ll let you know too. They also provide data recall, even so much as a timeline of CO exposure, when the incidents peaked, the time that elapsed since the last occurrence and the duration of exposure.

Basically, a professional grade CO monitor gives you a professional way to help keep your family breathing safely. We’ll be glad to tell you more. Just give us a call. Schedule an appointment or learn more about Climate Magic here.

5 Things To Think About This Winter

By the time the cold winds start to blow, it is too 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 repair. 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 as it reduces the 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 a 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.Many think that windows and doors are the major causes of a home’s air leaks. But according to recent research by the U.S. Department of Energy, gaps and cracks in the typical home’s duct system are much more significant. The typical duct system loses 25 to 40 percent of the energy put out by the central furnace, heat or air conditioner.
4. Get your home’s air checked to find out if the air you breathe is unhealthy. Your indoor air can be up to 12 times 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. For free tips on keeping your air clean and your home healthy, visit our website.
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.

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What are YOU breathing?

Indoor air quality is a hot topic these days whether it’s discussing musty old basements or dusty vents, but the thing you should really be concerned about breathing in is carbon monoxide. Not only does this gas make you sick, it is also potentially deadly.

The symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning are so similar to so many other illnesses that doctors have difficulty diagnosing it. Many people simply feel they are coming down with the flu when all the while their own home is poisoning them.

Feeling concerned yet? Well, the good news is there are things you can do to protect yourself and your loved ones. It is imperative to have your home’s heating system serviced every year by a professional technician and ensure that it is properly vented. It is also a good idea to install carbon monoxide detectors throughout your home for added protection.

Read “The Hazards of Winter” to make sure your home is safe this winter.