Safety Articles
You may not consider your air conditioner something that could just “walk off” and vanish into the darkness, but the reality is that air conditioner theft is on the rise because of the valuable copper A/C units contain. For that reason, it’s important to take some simple steps to protect your A/C from theft as…
Continue ReadingIf you’ve ever traveled through your Fort Collins neighborhood after a heavy snow, you may have seen some houses with pristine roof edges and others decorated with glorious icicles in various lengths along the eaves. If your home was one of those festooned by icicles, you may be in trouble: where icicles form, ice dams can also occur…
Continue ReadingCarbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that is also known as CO. It can cause illness and death. Where It Is Found Carbon monoxide is produced in your home from stoves, gas ranges and gas heating systems. The CO builds up in semi-enclosed and enclosed spaces. People in these enclosed spaces can be poisoned…
Continue ReadingCarbon monoxide is a highly toxic gas that may be released into your home from a damaged or poorly ventilated heating system. Unlike natural gas, carbon monoxide has no odor, making it impossible for human beings to detect it by smell. Exposure to carbon monoxide can cause fatigue, dizziness, nausea and other flu-like symptoms that go…
Continue ReadingYou can’t smell, see or taste it, but if carbon monoxide enters your home, it can be fatal. Dozens of products maintain indoor air quality by filtering, ventilating, humidifying or purifying the air. However, they can’t eliminate carbon monoxide, so you must take these steps to prevent your exposure. 1. Schedule Professional Installations and Inspections Only a qualified HVAC technician…
Continue ReadingMost of us do not think twice about plugging our expensive electronics into a surge protector. After all why not? You have a lot invested in your home computer, stereo, or LCD television. You would hate to see those items damaged by a sudden surge in voltage in your home wiring. What about another expensive…
Continue ReadingNo one likes hearing “you may need a furnace replacement.” Sometimes the truth is hard to hear because furnace replacement can be expensive and time consuming. However, it is a necessary part of homeownership. Before putting up the cash to replace, consider the following pointers. These tips will help you determine if replacement is the…
Continue ReadingIcicles are one of the most iconic signs of winter in Fort Collins. A house with an array of icicles hanging from the roof has a certain type of charm to it. Unfortunately, icicles are a sign of a dangerous problem; ice dams. These dangerous winter obstacles can seriously damage your home. What Are Ice…
Continue ReadingWinter vacations promise a great deal of fun. They may even give you an escape from the Fort Collins cold, even if you’re staying warm thanks to your ductless mini-split. Winter vacation plans do mean a little bit of planning, however, so you’ll know your home is safe while you’re away. Consider these tips for securing…
Continue ReadingGoing away on a summer vacation can be an exhilarating, fun experience. To make sure you don’t have any problems while you’re gone, it’s a good idea to make a secure-home checklist before you leave. Here are some suggestions of what you should include in that checklist: Leave the A/C on — Allowing the A/C…
Continue ReadingIf you’re someone who’s handy, doing your own home repairs can save you a lot of money. Some jobs, though, are best left to the pros. Furnace installation is one of them. Qualified HVAC-system technicians have the training and equipment necessary to ensure that your furnace installation is done safely and efficiently. Having the pros do the…
Continue ReadingWhen your trusted HVAC technician does preventive maintenance on your furnace, making sure it’s safe is paramount in his mind. Usually, your technician can quickly remedy any problem. But sometime he might discover a serious problem that jeopardizes your safety, and he might be required to take your furnace out of commission. This is called…
Continue ReadingKeeping your home safe requires year-round attention to potential hazards. Pay particular attention to the following areas of home safety. Fire dangers Handle flammable materials carefully, and make sure cans of solvents, paints, fuels and other materials are well sealed and kept away from flames and sparks. Avoid stockpiling items such as newspapers, old rags, cardboard…
Continue ReadingA water pipe that freezes and then bursts can cause significant damage to your plumbing system, which is expensive to repair. And then there’s the inconvenience of going without water while the pipe is being repaired. It’s better to keep your pipes from freezing. Here are some preventive measures to consider taking. The conditions that…
Continue ReadingIt’s almost never a good sign if your furnace is emitting a strange smell. If you find yourself in that situation, it’s helpful to identify the smell and know how to proceed to avoid a system failure, or worse, a fire hazard. Here is a guide to handling strange smells coming from your furnace. It’s…
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