Benefits of Geothermal Energy

As most of the general public knows, consumers are more and more worried about the cost of energy.  From the cost of fuel to the rising of using energy to heat and cool your home, alterative ways are being explored to cut the cost of energy.

One of the alternative energies scientists are looking at is geothermal energy.  David Munisteri has written several articles on the advantages of geothermal energy usuage.  His article, "Residental Geothermal Heating and Cooling", discusses some of the benefits of geothermal energy.  I invite you to view his article, and if you have any questions regarding geothermal energy, feel free to call Glenmont and inquire, or you can look at our website for more geothermal energy information.

301-468-2665 or http://www.glenmonthvac.com/

5 Things You Can Do to Get Ready for Winter (If It Ever Shows Up)

By the time the cold winds start to blow (or if they ever start this year), it is too late to worry about whether or not your home is ready for the cold winter ahead.  Whats's done is done, and what's not done - well, it could cost you hundreds of dollar in home repair.  Luckily, there's no time like the present to make sure your 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 home's air checked to find out if the sir 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, you'll want to ensure your family's health, safety and comfort.
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 tiself through energy savings as it is up to twice as energy efficient.

A home energy audit can also help improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home, so you're more comfortable during the cold (or not so cold) months of winter, and keep that comfort through the predictable hot months of summer.  Click here for more information on Home Energy Audits!

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 aren't necessarily related.

This seasonal occurrence may be due to spending more time indoors.  And when indoor groups spend alot 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, hunidity 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.
• Don't touch your mose 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 information 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 against the spread of infection.

Use these tips to help keep your family healthy this winter season, and if you need us, Glenmont is there, day or night.

Don't Invite an Invisible Killer to Your Home

You can't 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, 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 of necessary for the complete combustion of any fuel.
• Making sure ventilation air openings aren't blocked.

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