sign in sign up
<<
Home , Laundry room

Family & Heating

519 West 2nd Street Family Times Gaylord, MI 49735 Serving Your Family for Over 20 Years FALL 2019

I would like to Inspect Your Furnace Before Winter Arrives introduce you to Scott Taylor, Fall is the perfect time to service the help to guarantee a furnace is in working an important furnace to ensure it is ready to withstand the order when the first cold days arrive. member of the demands of winter. Filter and air intakes Family Plumbing Furnace maintenance should be done on Change the filter on your heating and & Heating team. a regular basis.The best time to do so is in Scott Taylor cooling system. Check the air intakes late summer or early fall, when you still have Service Scott has 22 around the for obstructions. Do not Technician years experience enough time to address any problems before place directly in front of intakes or it gets too cold outside. in the industry, venting. Many systems also have some sort including 1-1/2 years at Family HVAC systems malfunctions are typically of external vent or exhaust pipe. Check as a Service Technician. He is caused by one of a handful of common that the area is free of leaves, debris and problems. Inspecting certain components can animal nests. a graduate of the Universal Continued on Page 2 Technical Institute in Chicago. Scott enjoys solving your heating, air conditioning and plumbing Renovation Ideas Top Three Innovations To Improve Laundry Room, cont. problems and getting everything back to normal. An organized and efficient laundry room setup catchalls for cleaning supplies used in various other Home Efficiency Continued from Page 1 He is originally from South can make washing and drying clothes easier.The around the house. Our are a great measuring stick of how far we've progressed in the past 20 years, Consider laundry room flooring benefits of dedicated laundry rooms abound. Incorporate a sink in the design especially when it comes to their efficiency in terms of saving us energy and money. Here It’s important to select flooring materials that Carolina, but has lived in the Depending on the needs and preferences of will not be damaged by contact with moisture Gaylord area for the last 25 years. Some older laundry room setups have a slop sink to are the top three innovative technologies that can improve the efficiency of our homes: or spills.Vinyl, tile and some composite each homeowner, laundry room designs can be drain discharged water from the . products often make good laundry room He enjoys reading, writing and customized for convenience. Home Automation However, newer homes may have plumbing materials. Resilient flooring that mimics the photography in his spare time. Adding the convenience and control of our indoor climate, , electronic media and look of hardwood may add a classy touch, and Employ vertical space installed directly through the floor or . It is still home security is increasingly affordable and accessible through home PCs, smart phone give the appearance of wood without having Scott has been married for 22 Floor space may be at a premium in a laundry a worthwhile idea to have a sink in the laundry to worry about damage.To alleviate fatigue room, especially for those who want to devote room for rinsing out , hand washing items and tablet applications.With home monitoring systems, you can track energy and water while spending long moments in the laundry years and has three children in as much space as possible to bulk-size washer and having a go-to sink for messier cleanup. usage in real time, spot key sources of energy loss and make immediate adjustments. room, invest in a memory foam mat that can their 20's. be placed underfoot. and dryer units.Therefore, utilizing space is Utilize a tension rod Scott and the entire Family Insulation Keep lighting in mind key. Use shelving, wire racks, hooks, and other A rod installed between two cabinets or across Insulation advancements have brought us spray foam insulation options that won't settle, Lighting can be important in the laundry Plumbing & Heating team look organizational tools to store items on the wall. a narrow width of space in the laundry room is room. Rely on task lighting, under- sag or leave any gaps. Spray foam acts as an air barrier and can deliver up to 50 percent forward to helping you with all of Shelves can be tucked into just about any space, a handy spot to hang shirts or pants to prevent strip lighting and overhead lights as needed and there are different options that can fit into energy savings over older insulation options, while making our homes healthier, quieter for efficiency. your plumbing and heating needs. wrinkling. Repurposing a ladder and suspending it corners or shallow areas.These are a great option and more comfortable. Laundry room design can maximize the space from the also creates a spot to hang clothes. Kevin Westcott, Owner for keeping detergent or other laundry essentials available and make it more convenient to Continued on Page 4 Appliances and HVAC launder and sort clothes. Family Plumbing & Heating nearby. Appliances and heating/cooling systems are constantly undergoing improvements. New Clean designs reduce clutter energy-efficient refrigerators use less than half the energy of models that are 12 years old Simple, clean designs can be an asset in a laundry and use 75 percent less energy than those produced in the late 1970s (Source: National room. If budget and space permits, cabinetry built Resources Defense Council). into the design will help keep items out of sight in If you have a conventional natural-draft furnace made before 1992, it might only operate the laundry room. Cabinets hung directly above the appliances can store detergent, and fabric between 55 to 78 percent efficiency. Upgrading to a new induced-draft condensing furnace softener. Use cabinets elsewhere in the room as can increase efficiency to above 90 percent as a result of more efficient heat exchangers 989.732.8099 and electronic ignition (Source: Mother Earth News).

PN-SPAD0903152632 Preparing Your Soil For Winter Coping With Condensation How Humidity Can Make

After the hard work ADD COMPOST & Other Moisture Issues Homes More Comfortable of tending to your Highly decomposed compost amends your soil with valuable Finding the right moisture balance in a home can be Central heating and cooling systems have revolutionized nutrients.The organisms and insects in the compost will also vegetable garden all challenging. Too little moisture and a home can be the way we make our homes comfortable. But many improve the microstructure of your soil. summer, you might plagued by static electricity and interior spaces that can people find that heating and cooling systems may produce ADD LEAVES feel dry and uncomfortable. But too much moisture in dry air.When membranes in the nose and throat dry out, just feel like letting Run over your leaves a few times with the lawn mower to chop a home may make it susceptible to mold, mildew and they cannot capture dirt, viruses and bacteria. Dry air can the garden go. But insect infestations. Maintaining humidity in the optimal cause itchy, flaky skin as well as irritation in the nose. them up,and then spread in a thin layer across the garden. You can indoor range helps to keep the home safe, reduce energy if you’re willing to also use some wood chips or sawdust. The material will compost Dry air also can affect the structure of a home. Dry air will consumption and keep a home’s occupants healthy.Try spend a day putting pull moisture from wherever it can be sourced, including over winter and improve your soil. these remedies for excessive moisture. wood structures.This may cause walls and jambs to the garden to bed TILL OR PLOW, IF POSSIBLE Ventilation can be the first step to reducing indoor shift and to creak. Even wood furniture can bend properly, your next If the season hasn’t been too rainy and if you have a chance before humidity.Target the areas that create the most moisture, and crack if indoor conditions are especially dry. the ground freezes, till under the organic materials you’ve added such as and .Turn on venting fans to year’s crop will get more nutrients and a better chance at growing DIY remedies — Put bowls filled with water in front of delicious vegetables. to your soil. This will let you start working the garden sooner in the remove moist air from the during showers and or on heating registers or radiant heating units.The water spring. baths. Exhaust hoods can control humidity from cooking in will evaporate slowly into the home. Or boil a large pot of CLEAN UP the . When possible, open on dry days to water to distribute moisture.When showering, leave the SOW A GROUND COVER help air out damp spaces. Use fans to circulate the air and Pull up all unproductive plants; burn or send to the landfill any If you don’t mind tilling in the spring, sow a good ground cover door to the bathroom open to distribute steam. For those prevent moist air from pooling in certain locations. who use the tub, allow the water to cool off and evaporate infested or diseased ones.You can either leave the dead plants on that will sprout before the first hard frost. It will add nutrients to Direct gutter water further away from the house if possible, before pulling the drain. the soil to be tilled under or place them in your compost heap. the soil and prevent winter and spring erosion on slopes. and keep gutters and downspouts free of obstructions. Humidifiers — Portable humidifiers can be moved from Routine inspections of heating and cooling systems can room to room. Central humidifiers are hard-wired and identify anything that may cause moisture problems. plugged into the home’s HVAC system. Water vapor is Get Your Home Ready for Fall and Winter Furnace, cont. introduced into the air that will be forced through vents Insulate cold water pipes and look into insulated throughout the house.These systems work on the whole These simple home maintenance projects can help lower your energy bills, prevent more Continued from Page 1 tanks that will help eliminate condensation issues. Seal out house at once, making them quite efficient. costly repairs and/or increase the lifespan of your home. Fuel moisture in or crawlspaces. Many experts advise keeping indoor home humidity Some systems have an emergency Heating & Ventilation — Examine your and system to ensure that no Repair plumbing leaks at their source. between 40 and 50 percent. Investing in a hygrometer soot or creosote has collected. Any cracks or voids could potentially cause a fire. Before shut-off switch that will halt fuel delivery to the unit. It's easy A dehumidifier unit can help remove excess moisture from to measure relative humidity will help homeowners you turn the furnace or boiler on, replace the air filter and hire a professional to inspect keep humidity at a level that produces a pleasant and the unit more thoroughly. for these switches to be flipped the air and can be particularly helpful in basements where accidentally if a furnace is located moisture can collect. comfortable environment. Seal Windows and —Inspect the weather-stripping around your home’s windows in a high-traffic area. Make sure the and doors for leaks, rot or decay. Repair or replace structural framing, and caulk inside switch is in the "on" position. and out, if necessary. Vacuum the vent screens around the Insulate well — One of the easiest and most effective defenses against heat loss is house to reduce the amount of dust Reliable, Responsive Service proper insulation. Insulation will help improve energy efficiency as soon as it’s in place blown around. Also, if the furnace exhausts into a flue, be sure that the From Professionals You Trust. and provide savings over the lifetime of your home. $ exhaust route is clear so that carbon Care — Save your property from potential damage by trimming overgrown monoxide does not back up into the • 24-hour Service home. 25 OFF • Free Energy Survey trees and shrubs to prevent ice-laden branches from thrashing against electrical wires and your home’s exterior. Drain/shut off any exterior faucets and sprinkler systems to prevent • Great Financing Thermostat • Home Comfort Systems Backed By freezing. Ensure rain or snow drains away from the house to avoid problems. Check the thermostat against Your next 10-year Warranties a separate thermometer to • Free Duct Cleaning On New Premium Systems and Gutters — Inspect your roof for shingles that are warped, damaged or even ensure that it is reading the right • Same Day Service For Our Customers missing to prevent a future leak. Use roofing cement and a caulking gun to seal joints temperature in the house. Raise the plumbing repair where water could penetrate, such as around the chimney, skylights or vent pipes. Make setting a few degrees to test if the Kevin Westcott sure that your gutters and downspouts are securely fastened. Downspouts should extend Coupon cannot be used in combination heat kicks on. at least five feet away from the home to prevent flooding. with any other discounts. 989-732-8099 If anything seems out of place or When it comes to preventative maintenance, a little time and effort can save thousands in malfunctions, Call Family Plumbing Familyplumbingandheating.com energy costs and repair bills over the lifetime of your home. & Heating to make repairs.