It’s Green, Green They Say……Or Is It?

“If present trends continue, the world will be about four degrees colder for the global mean temperature in 1990, but 11 degrees colder by the year 2000,” claimed ecology professor Kenneth E.F. Watt at the University of California in 1970.
We, as average hard working Americans, are constantly bombarded by all the “experts” telling us that our duty is to be “Green” to save the planet above all else. We are to use one square of toilet paper when we have a bowel movement. We are to drive vehicles that someone in Washington determines are right for us. We are to use light bulbs that may create more damage to the environment and our health than the old ones. We are told to build homes with zero energy use even though the lack of infiltration and air exchange is unhealthy. We are told to be happy to pay fees and taxes that go to give rebates on expensive appliances that are far more complex and may never meet the energy saving they tout. We are asked to give our utilities extra payments each month so they can build inefficient solar and wind electric generating farms. Where is the common sense about any of this?
No, we are not believers in wasting resources or being foolish about how we spend our dollars. We are to be stewards of this earth the Lord has given us. But we are believers in the free market and the free choices each of us should have. If you decide you want to buy a gas guzzler it should be your right. If you want to use incandescent light bulbs it should be your right. If you want to use 4 or 6 or 10 sheets of toilet paper to wipe your bottom, it should be your right. If you want an inefficient AC unit, it should be your right to make that decision. If you want to leave a door open or a window with the furnace running, it should be your right. We are all tired of those who think they are so much smarter than each of us, telling us they know what we should be doing.
Here is a solution to the maybe climate change or the maybe energy crisis. Let’s us some common sense in America and keep some “green” in our wallets. We can evolve our products and services over time rather than radical changes which are expensive and often add nothing to saving the planet. We can drill for oil and natural gas anywhere and do it safely. We can have nuclear plants that are safe and clean. We can drive automobiles with gas engines that put out very little pollution. We can have faucets made of brass with small amounts of lead without injuring out kids. If we can send men to the moon, we can figure out how to do these things safely and without pollution. We can let the market place determine what we buy not bureaucrats. We are smart enough to know what each will cost upfront and during the life cycle. If some of us don’t, then we should start looking at our school systems and what we are teaching our children. We should have the choice!
Although we have limits on the products we can provide you as a homeowner, we will give you choices of the available products that will best meet your needs today and into the foreseeable future. Call today and let’s find the best solution to your needs!

  Get an ebook with 99+ energy saving tips here.

Check out our website for more information and money saving coupons or contact us today if you have questions.

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Wyandotte, or Lincoln Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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Advertisement

Are you ready for a cold shower?

This summer we have had several days of 90+ temperatures. A cold shower might feel great and very refreshing, particularly after an active day of sports or outdoor work. Even a short walk from the car with a bag of groceries to the house can cause our bodies to heat-up and the thought of a cold shower sounds wonderful! But what if it’s not 90+ degrees outside and you haven’t been outside working or playing? The idea of a cold shower usually is not on your list of things to do!

Here are 4 signs you may be in for an unexpected cold shower tomorrow morning!

1. After using hot water for a shower, bath or for the laundry, your water heater makes crackling sounds as it’s heating up the water. This is a symptom of mineral build up in the tank. The build-up causes the water to boil near the burner and create the noise. When this occurs, you are using more energy to heat the water and causing extra stress on the hot water tank. The life of the tank is severely shortened. The tank will quickly develop a leak and you are taking cold showers!
2. When you are near the tank you see a small puddle of water directly under the tank of near the tank. This is an indication that the tank has already developed an internal leak in most cases. When this happens there is no repair available and the tank must be replaced or you’ll be taking cold showers! The other problem is you could have a major leak and cause damage in the area of the water heater!
3. When you look at your gas hot water tank, you see discoloration near the burner access door
   

   Area of possible discoloration.

   area. This is an indication that the burner is not functioning properly. There are a number of reasons for this but it usually means parts of the tank or flue baffle have deteriorated and have disrupted the flames on the burner. This can be a dangerous situation as carbon monoxide may be present because of improper combustion. It also means it’s time to replace the tank, or you’ll be taking cold showers!

4. Another clue that you should look to replace your hot water tank before you’re taking cold showers is the age of the tank. Many tanks will have a sticker on them clearly showing the manufacture date of the tank. The manufacture’s serial number can also help to determine the age of the tank. With that information and the brand you may be able to check the age on the internet. Most tanks installed have a 5 year warranty against leaks but will last a few years beyond the warranty. If the tank is 8-10 years old, you can expect to be without hot water and taking a cold shower some morning in the near future!

 

To avoid that unexpected cold shower, call today for an evaluation of your tank and information about the options for new high efficient hot water tanks!

  Get an ebook with 99+ energy saving tips here.

Check out our website for more information and money saving coupons or contact us today if you have questions.

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Wyandotte, or Lincoln Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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Only The Good Ones!

Whether this is your home…………………………………..or this one is your home,

you expect a Service Technician to respect your property!

You’re not expecting debris left behind or your home damaged!

One of the biggest fears a homeowner has when needing a Service Technician for their plumbing, air conditioning, heating, electrical or pool heater service is how that Technician going to treat my home! We all know of a friend or family member who had a Service Technician in their home and they damaged the home or left a big mess when they left. Fear not any longer!

Each of our Technicians is vetted prior to hiring. We carefully check their driving records, their previous employment, a thorough background check and several interviews before they can become part of our team. We then have them travel with a Senior Technician so they understand the way we respect a customer’s property, how we expect the job to be done right the first time, and how we treat each customer with the courtesy and respect they deserve! To insure that this continues we have on-going customer service training and roll playing regularly! Each customer concern is taken seriously. If a Technician does not treat a customer with respect, or respect the customer’s home or can seem to satisfy our customers, we first discuss it with them and if the behavior continues, they become someone else’s employee!

If you ever have an issue with one of our Technicians, please contact our Customer Care Department and express your concern. We want you to be a fully satisfied lifetime customer!

  Get an ebook with 99+ energy saving tips here.

Check out our website for more information and money saving coupons or contact us today if you have questions.

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Wyandotte, or Lincoln Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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5 Quick tips for Spring Cleaning your AC System..

A series of tasks that homeowners feel encouraged to do during this time of year we call spring cleaning. Inside the home this can include dusting under the beds, washing windows, cleaning carpets, dusting the baseboard moldings among other things. We are just tired of winter and ready to have everything bright and sparkling clean for the Spring and Summer season.
Outside Spring Cleaning tasks can include raking leaves that may have hung around, picking up paper and trash that showed up after the snow melted, removing covers off of shrubs and flower beds, and washing the windows on the outside. Here are several things you can do to assure your plumbing pool heater and air conditioning systems are ready for the warmer weather.

• You can remove the air conditioning cover off the outside unit and check the unit for any damage that may have happened during the winter months. Be sure the disconnect is energized. You can clean and weeds or debris that may have accumulated around the unit.
• Look at the coil also and see if it may be partially plugged with cottonwood, or other debris. You may be able to clean the coil with a hose and sprayer. Be careful not to damage the fins on the coil. Also check for wasp, hornet or bee’s hives. Carefully use a proper insecticide and remove the hive.
• A coat of auto polish and wax will keep your unit looking nice all season. It’s a good time to do it while the temperatures are cool.
• Next, replace the furnace filter if it has not been replaced in the last month. Air conditioning requires more airflow than the heating cycle so a clean filter is even more important during the cooling season.
• Finally, if your air conditioning system has not been serviced in the last two years, it’s time to call for a system checkup to assure economically and steady operation when you need it. We have specials so call today!
  Bonus Tips:
• Now that the weather has warmed up, turn on the valves for the outside faucets. Carefully check for leaks that may have occurred do to freezing both inside and outside. Quickly turn the vales off if there is a split from freezing to avoid any water damage.
• If you have a pool with a heater, you can remove the cover from your pool heater. Check the unit for any visible signs of damage that may have occurred during the winter months. Also be sure the disconnect is energized. The unit cabinet can be cleaned with a car polish and then waxed to protect the finish. Remove and debris, grass or shrubbery that may restrict airflow or access to the unit before it begins to grow even more obstructive. Kill any wasps or bees in the unit and remove the hives.

  Get an ebook with 99+ energy saving tips here.

Check out our website for more information and money saving coupons or contact us today if you have questions.

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Wyandotte, or Lincoln Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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Is Your Home Safe from this Killer?

What is the Threat?

Sadly, each year thousands of people die from Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning. This silent gas causes asphyxiation with prolonged exposure. Because it is so easy to misdiagnose, only lately has CO poisoning become recognized as the second greatest household danger next to fire.

What is Carbon Monoxide?

Carbon Monoxide is a toxic, odor­less, tasteless, and colorless gas. Its threat is present in virtually every household. Mild exposure to CO gas can cause headaches, drowsiness, dizziness, and nausea; while extreme exposure causes brain damage or even death.

How does it enter my home?

Due to damage, poor maintenance, or defects, many appliances such as furnaces, water heaters, gas stoves or fireplaces may silently emit CO. Carbon Monoxide is produced when fuel burns without sufficient oxygen (incomplete combustion). This type of malfunction can happen to any fuel burning appliance at any time.

What can I do?

One way to avert possible danger is to have any fuel burning applian­ces cleaned and inspected each year by a qualified technician. Another helpful practice is to clean your fire­place vents and chimney regularly.

Even with these preventative measures, however; advanced warning of CO poisoning is only possible if you install and maintain a CO detection device. And please, install more than one CO detector, replacing the batteries annually! The most effective devices work much like a fire alarm, signaling by sound if CO levels are dangerous. Home Service Corp. can inspect your furnace, boiler and water heater, install a detector and answer your questions about CO.

 

Get an ebook with 99+ energy saving tips here.

Contact us today if you have questions.

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Wyandotte, or Lincoln Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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Will You be in Hot Water in 2015?

You may be in 2015 since the Department of Energy’s new water heater efficiency rules go into effect on April 16^th, 2015. Most customers in this area have a gas fired hot water heater. A few have an electric hot water heater where natural gas is not available in their home. Both types will be affected. Check out our 99+ energy saving tips here.

A Side Note for Customer’s who had basements flooded

All manufactures strongly recommend you replace any water heater, furnace or boiler that has sustained flood water to any of the controls or moving parts. If the water level do not reach controls but did enter some part of the unit, there may be issues with mold. An immediate inspection by a qualified technician should be done.

New Gas Hot Water Heater Standards for 2015

Let’s first take a look at the new standards for gas hot water heaters since it will have the biggest effect on a home in the Metro Detroit area. These rules also apply to propane fired hot water heaters for those who do not have a natural gas option. The old rule stated that a gas-fired hot water heater between 20 gallons and 100 gallons of storage capacity must have an energy factor of .67. All residential heaters and residential units used in commercial applications have been meeting this standard for a number of years. The new rules breakdown those heaters into two classifications. The first classification is 20 to 55 gallon storage capacity and the other is over 55 to 100 gallon storage capacity. The 20 to 55 category efficiency has increased slightly from .67 to .675. This will have little if any effect on the average home with a 40 or 50 gallon hot water heater. On large homes, homeowners who have a whirlpool tub with a large capacity, or small commercial applications there is a major change in the energy factor. It moves from .67 to .8012. This will require a much more expensive tank with the need for an electrical circuit and a condensate drain. Standard residential tanks of 65 gallons to 100 gallons will no longer be available. Residential heaters used for commercial applications will be far more expensive and there may be issues with venting since a conventional flue pipe system will not work with the new tanks.

New Tankless Gas Water Heater Standards for 2015

You may be thinking I’ll just install one of those tankless water heaters and then I won’t have a problem. Well, there are changes with tankless water heaters also. The rules require all new tankless water heaters to have an energy factor of .82 which was raised from .62. These will also be more expensive for the unit and for installation. Dozens of energy saving tips here.

New Electric Hot Water Heater Standards for 2015

Now let’s check out the electric water heater changes. Once again the old standard for residential tank type water heaters was an energy factor of .97 for any residential electric tank with a storage capacity from 20 gallons to 120 gallons. The new standard breaks down the storage sizes to 20 to 55 gallons and over 55 to 120 gallons. The energy factor for the 20 to 55 gallon tanks actually drops from .97 to .96 energy factor. Really nothing will change for these sizes. But for tanks greater than 55 gallons of storage capacity the energy factor increased to 2.057. This will require a heat pump type of water heater or perhaps a solar powered water heater to meet these requirements. These are far more expensive than a standard tank type of electric water heater. The heat pump heaters may also create a noise issue since they have a compressor and fans in them.

Suggestions for Consumers

If your hot water heater is more than 8 years old, you should look into replacing it before the new standard takes effect April 16^th, 2015. Don’t wait too long because the supply of today’s standard tanks may be scarce as we approach the deadline for the changeover. You can also expect the price of those tanks without significant changes to go up to help manufacturers spread the cost of design, engineering, testing, and production of the higher efficient tanks. Get an ebook with 99+ energy saving tips here.

Contact us today if you have questions.

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, Wyandotte, or Lincoln Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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Urgent Setback Thermostat Recall

 

Important Recall for a popular thermostat

Below is the information to determine if your setback thermostat is included in this recall. If you have questions, please contact us.

 

 

 

We are always concerned about our customer’s safety. We are ready to answer your questions so feel free to call us.

 

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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10 Ways to Keep Your Cool!

The recent issue of Money Magazine had a list of 10 ways to cut your cooling costs. Although it is not a complete list it contained some very good information. We have added additional thoughts that the article did not consider but will add to your comfort.

1. Clean The Condenser Make sure shrubs, plants and ground cover are at least a foot away from the unit outside. Wash down the unit with a hose but be sure not to force debris between the coil fins.
2. Replace Filters Replace the filter in your furnace at least twice a year. If you have pets or a lot of activity in your home it may be necessary to replace it much more often
3. Plant a Tree If you plant a larger tree on the West or South side of your home, the shade can reduce cooling costs.
4. Tighten Ductwork If your basement is considerably cooler that the rest of your house, it could be the ductwork in the basement is leaking the cool air into the basement and not allowing it to flow into the main areas of the home.
5. Install Ceiling Fans Air movement helps us to feel cooler. Installation of ceiling fans can help circulate air in your home and provide more comfort. Just be sure to turn off fans in rooms you are not using and save energy.
6. Use the Shades Closing window treatments on the South and West side of your home on sunny days can reduce solar heat gain. It can also reduce fading of carpeting and furnishings.
7. Keep the Air Flowing Leave doors between rooms open to allow air flow. Also be sure vents are open and not covered with furniture or other stuff.
8. Open Windows On cool nights or cool days it may make sense to open windows in your home. There are some risks here for home security and allow airborne allergens into your home.
9. Upgrade If your unit is 10 years old or more replacing it with a new high efficiency unit can save you bucks this year.
10. Get a Checkup Having a semi-annual checkup of your system by a qualified Technician can assure your unit is operating at the maximum efficiency for your unit.

 

If you need service on your system or are thinking about a replacement, call us today!

It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced air conditioning Technicians solve your cooling problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, or Oak Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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Hug Your Plumber Day continued……

If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber or a peddler in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.” — Albert Einstein, The Reporter, 18 November 1954 April 25^th, 2014 is “Hug Your Plumber Day”. Hopefully you have read part 1 of this article. If you haven’t, please read it. As science advanced and scientists, doctors and other health officials recognized that polluted water and human waste was a major cause of many of the epidemic diseases of the dark ages, they pushed for solutions to protect people. With the growth of cities, the outhouse had to go since there was not enough space to have them and have the tight living conditions of cities. The Romans brought the idea of piping water to their cities and towns in huge quantities through gravity from mountain streams where the water was cleaner and safer. Within the cities at the end of the eighteen century and the beginning of the nineteenth century piped water systems were again used. But this time they pumped water from lakes and rivers and had little dependence on gravity. Plumbers installed this piping and the piping within homes to provide clean water to homes and businesses. It was a learning time and advances in devices and installations that further protected the water supply each of us use today. These advances came through trial and error and many were the direct result of the ingenuity of your plumber. These include air gaps between a faucet outlet and the rim of a sink, valve design inside a toilet that prevents the waste water being sucked up into the drinking water system, faucets that reduce the possibility of scalding from extremely hot water, relief valves on water heaters to prevent explosions along with dozens of others. All skillfully installed and calibrated by your plumber. On the drain side of the system, your plumber has installed the piping to carry away waste water and human waste. He has sized the piping to be sure the waste is safely and efficiently carried away. He installs vents so the system will work properly. He installs the piping which connects to the plants that process the waste and safely returns the water back into our ecology. Your plumber installs traps and systems so smells from the waste are not found in today’s homes and businesses. Rarely do we even notice how effective these systems operate. Countries with modern plumbing systems are free from those diseases born of polluted water or human waste. Today’s plumber has spent at least three years as an apprentice and often has an associate’s degree from a local college. Your plumber is a highly trained, highly educated craftsman. Remember to give him or her a hug (or at least a handshake) next time you see your plumber. It’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced plumbers solve your plumbing problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, or Oak Park. Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com. Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980. Related Posts 21 Things to ask a contractor! Myth or Fact? 11 Summer Dollar Savers

Hug Your Plumber Day, part 1 :)

If I would be a young man again and had to decide how to make my living, I would not try to become a scientist or scholar or teacher. I would rather choose to be a plumber or a peddler in the hope to find that modest degree of independence still available under present circumstances.”
— Albert Einstein, The Reporter, 18 November 1954

 

April 25th, 2014 is “Hug Your Plumber Day”. Some history to better understand the contribution plumbers make to our lives today.
During the middle Ages, in castles the toilet was called a garderobe and it was simply a vertical shaft with a stone seat at the top. A hole in the bottom let everything just drop into a pit or the moat. Obviously there was smell and diseases from the mess. You had to be careful you weren’t walking underneath it when someone was on the “toilet” and take care not to fall into the moat. In the summer time the smell would have been terrible. Some Monks built stone or wooden lavatories over rivers. At Portchester Castle in the 12th century monks built stone chutes leading to the sea. When the tide went in and out it would flush away the sewage. During this period, wealthy people might use rags to wipe their behinds. Ordinary people often used a plant called common mullein or woolly mullein. In fact, people used to store clothes in the garderobes as the smells kept moths away that might otherwise eat holes in them. This is where the word wardrobe comes from.

The typical peasant family of the aptly-named Dark Ages lived in a one-room, dirt-floor hovel, with a hole in the thatched roof to let out the smoke of the central fire not a castle. The floor was strewn with hay or rushes, easy havens for lice and vermin. Garbage accumulated within. If they were lucky, the family had a chamber pot, though more likely they relieved themselves in the corner of the hovel or in the mire and muck outside. Water was too precious to use for anything except drinking and cooking, so people rarely bathed. Heck, they barely changed clothes from one season to another, wearing the same set every day, perhaps piling on more rags for warmth.

These are the conditions which spawned the infamous Black Plague, killing an estimated one third of the European population. Although poor plumbing was not the only cause, the plague serves as the most striking example of misery caused by poor sanitation in general.

The first of several waves hit England in 1348, caused by flea bites spread by insects that Lived on host black rats. They, in turn, fed on the garbage and excrement of the masses. London became largely deserted. The King and Queen and other rich people fled to the countryside leaving the poor suffering in the cities.
Panic, death and despair followed the abandonment of farms and towns. William of Dene, a monk of Rochester in Kent, England wrote, “Men and women carried their own children on their shoulders to the church and threw them into a common pit. From these pits such an appalling stench was given off that scarcely anyone dared to walk beside the cemeteries, so marked a deficiency of labors and workmen that more than a third of the land in the whole realm was left to.” So bad was the “Black Death,” the Great Fire of London in 1666 can be viewed as a blessing in disguise. Though it killed thousands of people, the holocaust also consumed garbage, muck and black rats, effectively ending the plague.
We’ll continue part 2 in our next post. In the meantime, it’s a good time of year to have our trained experienced plumbers solve your plumbing problems whether you live on Grosse Ilse, in Dearborn, Dearborn Heights, Melvindale, or Oak Park.

Contact us for more information or visit our website at www.HomeServiceCorp.com.

Home Service Corporation serving our Michigan customers Heating & Air Conditioning , Plumbing and Electrical needs since 1980.

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