Natural Remedies for Fall Allergy Sufferers

This time of year makes for beautiful weather, but also for a huge rise in allergy suffering. Some over-the-counter medicines may work fine, but can have bad side effects. Some cause nasal bleeding, others have rebound effects (where the patient must keep using the product to stay clear).

Natural remedies have been coming on strong in recent years for several reasons. Theyre deemed as good as or more effective than prescriptions; they cost less, and many Americans are needlessly becoming resistant to chemicals.

Here are some natural ways to help reduce your Fall allergy effects:

• Quercitin: This natural antihistamine is a component in fruits and vegetables. You can find it at health stores. Most people take 300mg twice a day from early Fall until the first frost.
• Stinging Nettle: This oddly named plant extract is also a natural antihistamine used with great results. The dosage would be slightly higher than Quercitin.
• Vitamin C: Can be taken in higher doses (1000mg) during allergy season, but reduced significantly or eliminated during the off-season.
• Saline nasal spray: Using 1/2 teaspoon of salt dissolved per 1/2 cup of water just before bedtime as a nasal wash can significantly reduce your morning stuffiness.
• HEPA filtration is the most efficient form of heating and air conditioning filtration that still allows good airflow. (Call us to get one in your size). You can also get them for your vacuum cleaner.
• Avoid overuse of moth cakes, scented candles. These can release a high degree of chemicals known to trigger allergies.
• Radon is still highly dangerous. Many people thought the scam of Radon negated the need for detection. Radon fears have plummeted, however, Radon is carcinogenic (causes cancer) and quite prevalent. You may have it checked by a home professional very easily. Web help: www.epa.org.
• Weird Science: Emptying the dishwasher can trigger allergies. It can release chemicals through volatilization. If you find yourself sensitive to this, run your stove fan while emptying (or make your spouse do it!)
• Duct Sealing or Cleaning is about the most natural thing you can do! Simply having clean air in your home can rid you of the source of your aggravation. Call us or fill out the form below to help you or to get more information on this service. (You may not need any medication)!

Contact us for an Indoor Air Quality Review. Well review your entire air delivery system. Plus, well also electronically test for Carbon Monoxide (CO) to spot this odorless, colorless killer. (This test alone is worth calling us now.)

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If It's Such a Great Idea, Why Isn't Everyone Doing It?

The Washington Post recently reported on Pew climate research that showed the breakdown on where we use energy in our home:

• Heating/Cooling 42%
• Water Heating 14%
• Lighting 11%
• Electronics and Computers 10%
• Refrigeration 7%
• Cooking 5%
• Other 8%
• Statistical Adjustment 3%

Notice whos at the head of the list? No question about it, your heating and cooling system sucks up the biggest portion of your energy dollars. Thats why we always recommend one very important way to help you conserve these dollar dollars: regular service and maintenance.

Regular maintenance also helps you stay comfortable in your home and extends the life of equipment that accounts for such a sizeable investment.

Maintaining your equipment can usually prevent breakdowns. The reason a lot of companies keep this a secret is that the average repair is about triple the cost of a tune-up and to replace a system is up to 50 times the cost. A regularly maintained system is actually inexpensive insurance , especially when you factor in the energy savings.

Weve got a video that explains a lot more. Please take a look.

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We Can't Wait to Meet You

In this type of business, we have the great honor of being invited into someones home to solve a problem. Sometimes these problems are high priority for the customer as Im sure you know if youve ever been without air conditioning on a very hot day or without heat on a very cold night. These problems are also pretty inconvenient for those same reasons.

Also, the fear of the unknown can be a little unnerving too. If youre asking for help and arent sure who to turn to, you may be wondering if you just called someone whos going to take advantage of you while youve got this comfort problem.

So starting with that last point first, Im looking forward to getting to know you better because that means Ill have had a chance to let you know that our company is reliable, thorough and professional. Im looking forward to providing the service you need when you need it because then youll see that your inconvenient problem is handled in a timely manner. And Im also looking forward to showing you that our customers are our highest priority.

So please call us when you need us. This video explains what you can expect when you do.

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Winter Heating Bills Go Sky-high This Year

While some of the situation is out of our hands the price of crude oil, for instance there are many things we can do to keep a rein on our winter heating bills.

Your heating system is the one element that should get the closest look before the cold, costly winter sets in. Now is a great time to have a service tech give your system a thorough evaluation to make sure its running properly.

Additionally, the federal governments ENERGY STAR program makes several recommendations about how you can heat your home smartly this winter, including:

• Replace the air filter in your furnace regularly. Dirty filters reduce air flow, which makes getting the warm air to the registers a lot tougher.
• Install a programmable thermostat. Why heat the home while youre away? Setting back the temperature in your household when youre asleep or at work is another opportunity for energy savings as much as $100 each year on energy costs.
• Seal up your home. Sealing holes, cracks and openings and then adding insulation is one of the most cost-effective means of improving comfort and reducing energy use. Cracks in windows and doors can be plugged through weather-stripping and caulking.

This article on our Facebook Page explains more and offers a great deal that we're offering through January 20, 2012! Take a look!

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5 Things You Can Do to Get Ready for 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. Whats done is done, and whats not done well, it could cost you hundreds of dollars in home repair.  Luckily theres no time like the present to make sure youre 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 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. According to recent research by the U.S. Department of Energy, the typical duct system loses 25 to 40 percent of the energy put out by the central furnace, heater or air conditioner. 
4. Get your homes air checked to find out 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, youll want to ensure your familys health, safety and comfort. 
5. Consider replacing your old furnace or heat pump. Just like a car, heating equipment doesnt 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.

Click here for a special discount on an Energy Squeezer Tune-Up! (Good through February 15, 2012)

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Dont Let Bad Air Crash Your Winter Season

The cooler the weather gets, the more time families will spend snuggled into their homes and battening down the hatches against winter. The extra time spent together can be enjoyable, but theres nothing fun about what all the family togetherness is doing to your homes air.

See, youre probably aware of the dangers of pollution, smog, and allergens outside your home but you may not know that your indoor air has the potential to be even more dangerous. The issue has become so pressing that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has begun to address it with special studies.

The Results

EPA studies of human exposure to air pollutants indicate that indoor air levels of many pollutants may be two to five times, and occasionally, more than 100 times higher than outdoor levels. In recent years, comparative risk studies performed by EPA and its Science Advisory Board have consistently ranked indoor air pollution among the top five environmental risks to public health.

Tip-offs

Irritated eyes, nose, and throat are some of the first indicators of poor indoor air quality. Since these symptoms can also accompany colds, the flu, or viruses, its important to pay attention to when and where the symptoms begin. Dont be afraid to play detective. Dust or dirt around heating or air vents, on ceilings or stained walls should alert you that there is a problem.

Read more about your home's indoor air quality to make sure you breathe easy this winter.

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Know the Signs of a Home Improvement Scam

I know how it is. Sometimes homeowners are concerned about calling a contractor to their home for a problem. They know they want a tune-up or repair, but theyre expecting the contractor to try to talk them into getting more than they need. Its such a common concern that I want to reassure you that we do things differently here.

Our tech will come out for a thorough evaluation of the problem youve been experiencing. Well present a solution that we recommend. Well fully explain the reasoning behind this recommendation, and well put the estimate and guarantees in writing so that you wont have any surprises. Not only that, you always have the choice to say no or not now. Theres no pressure at all. And, should you have any additional concerns, we stand behind our work.

We used advanced technology to make sure you get the best evaluation and repair. And we keep your comfort and safety foremost in our mind. So call us whenever you need us.

In the meantime, if you want to get a better sense about people working in your home, take a look at this video that could help you know what to watch for when approached by a home improvement contractor.

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Don't Invite an Invisible Killer to Your Home

You cant see it, touch it, smell it or taste it, but it kills hundreds each year. Poisoning by carbon monoxide is a real risk of modern life. A professional inspection of fuel-burning appliances including furnaces, stoves, fireplaces, clothes dryers and space heaters could prove to be a lifesaver. The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) recommends that the yearly, professional inspection include:

• Checking chimneys, flues and vents for leakage and blockage by creosote and debris.
• Checking all vents to furnaces, water heaters, boilers and other fuel-burning appliances to make sure they are not loose or disconnected.
• Inspecting vent pipes on heating systems.
• Inspecting appliances for adequate ventilation. A supply of fresh air is important to help carry pollutants up the chimney, stovepipe or flue, and is necessary for the complete combustion of any fuel.
• Making sure ventilation air openings arent blocked.

You can read more here to see how to protect your family from this dangerous, potentially lethal gas.

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Does Cold Weather Cause Colds?

I used to think so. (Hey, the name fits!) But even though fall and winter are the prime time for colds, researchers say that sniffles and air temperature arent necessarily related.

The seasonal occurrence 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.
• Dont touch your nose and 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 info 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 also helps prevent spread of infection.

To learn more about preventing colds this season, read this report on our Facebook Page, available for a limited time!

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To Replace or Not to Replace

With temperatures in low digits like they are now, our heaters and furnaces begin to seem like one of the best inventions ever. Truly, the development of home comfort systems was more than just a good idea. Theyre actually life-savers during the harshest weather days.

We always tell friends that maintaining your system year after year does two important things: it helps lengthen the life of the system itself, and it helps improve its energy-efficiency. After all, the quality of your system is directly related to the quantity of energy dollars you spend. And, for wintertime especially, system maintenance alerts you to lurking dangers, such as the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning from faulty equipment.

Even so, no matter how well you maintain your equipment, at some point, replacement time comes. If you think thats true for your home, weve got some important things we want you to know.

Weve compiled a free report with good guidance on how and when to make a sound decision about your home comfort system: To Replace or Not to Replace.

In the meantime, stay warm. And call us if you need us!

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Reasons to Watch What You're Breathing

In this type of work, we see a lot of relieved faces. In weather like this, its usually when the heat comes back on after a simple repair. Theres just something about the feel of that warm air on a cold night that lets a homeowner relax and get comfortable again.

But sometimes the relief is about something that has been prevented. That can happen during one of our routine maintenance visits. If we show a homeowner a problem thats been developing that could lead to a carbon monoxide leak, and then we present a simple solution for making that problem go away, were both relieved!

Carbon monoxide is a serious source of indoor air pollution one that requires immediate attention. And though the danger may not be as high with other pollutants that can get in your home, you can still experience discomfort.

If youd like to learn more about what could be hidden in your homes air, weve got a free report that can tell you Reasons to Watch What Youre Breathing. This report is available on our Facebook Page for a limited time, so check it out soon!

Oh, and you can find out about one of our recommended solutions for indoor air pollution in this helpful video.

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Is Your Home Trying to Tell You Something?

Sometimes you can hear little noises that tell you your home has a concern to address. You know, something like the drip, drip, drip of a faucet that says "fix me." Or the sound of wind that's coming through a crack that should be patched.

Spring is a good time to walk through your home just to "look and listen" to the maintenance issues that cropped up over the winter months. That way youll know what needs tending to.

Along those same lines, be sure to add your home comfort system to your maintenance list. Routine maintenance is one of the most practical ways you can preserve the life of your system and preserve your pocketbook at the same time. Maintained systems run more efficiently, which saves you money.

What else should your maintenance tour include? For ideas, take a look at our free report, "Give Your Home a Spring Checkup," available on our Facebook Page for a limited time!

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What's the Deal with All These Allergies?

Breathing is the most natural, normal thing in the world. Yet, for some people, its not as easy as it looks. Allergies kick in, and suddenly a pretty spring day becomes a nuisance for all the pollen its producing.

Unfortunately, staying indoors doesnt always provide relief. And thats because of all the germs that got trapped inside in winter, the dirt and pet dander the furry ones bring in, the cooking smoke that billows up at dinner time, not to mention the household products that come out during your rash of spring cleaning.

Its enough to make you sneeze and snort your way through the day. Still, theres a way we can help. No, were not physicians, but we do know a thing or two about indoor air and wed be glad to share that info with you. Take a look.

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