What’s the Best Temperature for Sleeping?

October 13, 2021

Getting a good night’s rest every night is critical to your health and well-being. Sleep medicine physicians recommend setting up your bedroom with optimal sleep hygiene. One of the main parts of sleep hygiene is the temperature of your bedroom. Use these tips to find your ideal sleeping temperature so that you can get the quantity and quality of sleep your body needs. Start Lower Than You Think During the day, you’re more active. Your body’s metabolism is faster than it is at night. The metabolism and your movement make you feel warm and alert. Conversely, your body’s metabolism slows in the evening. Your internal temperature drops by about a degree, which helps trigger sleepiness. You’ll sleep better at a lower air temperature. Set your thermostat between 64 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Make Small Adjustments After trying a temperature between 64 and 67-degrees Fahrenheit for a few nights, make small adjustments to find the best temperature. If you’re still too warm at 67 degrees, set the thermostat just one degree lower. If you have a sleep partner who prefers a different temperature, you may have to negotiate or make adjustments with blankets. Consider Ventilation If you lower the...

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4 Simple Steps to Reignite Your Furnace DIY Style

September 17, 2021

Sometimes the pilot light on gas furnaces will go out. When that happens, you will need to restart it yourself. Here is how to do so safely in 4 easy steps. Step 1. Find the Instructions All furnaces have the instructions for the pilot light somewhere near the controls. Bring a flashlight, and be sure to read the whole thing several times before trying to turn on the furnace. If your instructions have faded, the manufacturer may have them online. You can then place a copy in a safe area to consult. Step 2. Turn Off the Gas Inside most furnaces, you will find a switch or dial. This switch is typically labeled with ‘on,’ ‘off,’ and ‘pilot.’ You will want this set to off. This is to give the gas time to dissipate before you try to light it again. You need to wait at least 5 minutes. Take this time to find the reset button. This will let you light the pilot light. Step 3. Relight After 5 minutes, turn the pilot light switch to the ‘pilot’ setting. Then, hold down the reset button while you bring a lit match to the area. This should relight it. Keep...

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How to Know Which AC System Is Best for You

August 2, 2021

Just as there are many types of living environments, there are many different kinds of AC systems designed to meet specific requirements. Here are some of the most common AC systems and a short discussion to help you determine which type would be the wisest choice for your home. Central AC Unit A central AC system operates from a big compressor outside your home, pumping air through ducts and out through vents into every room. Since it’s reliable and works exceptionally well, this type of AC is quite popular. However, a central AC unit isn’t necessarily right for everyone. If you own an older home, for example, refitting your property to have the necessary components installed can be a waste of time and money. In newer homes, installation is a much smoother process. Window AC Sometimes, the classic window AC is simply the way to go. It’s the perfect option when your budget is low, and you don’t have the means to make changes to your living space. If your home is relatively small, a window AC is often all you need to get the job done. Best of all, installation is a breeze. Ductless AC System One of the...

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Different Thermostat Settings and What They Mean

July 26, 2021

How your HVAC system works essentially depends on your thermostat settings. The thermostat usually tells your system whether to warm or cool your house. In addition, your thermostat will deactivate the system to attain the desired temperature levels. Understanding the right settings for a certain season will help you save on energy bills while making it so you can enjoy a refreshing homestay. Here are some of the thermostat modes and what they mean. Auto Setting When you set your thermostat to operate on auto mode, you can adjust the working of the compressor and fans. Once your home attains the desired temperature, the system will automatically stop. However, the fans adjust to run for a while to maintain the set temperature levels then stop. This helps you save some money since running the fans will consume less energy. On Mode Your air conditioning system is set to operate continuously to achieve the desired temperature levels in this setting. However, your fans will continue running as the compressor turns off. The fans will help you keep the conditioned air in circulation. This mode consumes considerable energy, though, as the fans run continuously 24/7. Eco Mode Modern HVAC systems have this...

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How To Keep My Home Cool Without Air Conditioning?

June 21, 2021

If your house doesn’t have an air conditioner, there are steps you can take to cool it down in the summer. Some things you can do are free, while others will require you to spend some money. Use Ceiling Fans A ceiling fan will make the room it’s in feel about 4 degrees cooler. Make sure you set it to rotate counter-clockwise, as that will push the air straight down. Close Blinds and Curtains Sunlight shining through windows can dramatically increase the temperature in your home. Close blinds and curtains during the day to prevent this from happening. Turn on Kitchen and Bathroom Fans The fans in your kitchen and bathroom can pull hot air out of your house and expel it outside. If your kitchen doesn’t have a fan, you can install one if you’re handy with tools. Vent Your Attic Attics can get unbearably hot in the summer. You should have a roof-mounted fan to pull air out of your attic. This will help reduce the temperature in your entire house, not just in your attic. Use Box Fans in Windows You can use box fans in windows to cool your home. Point the fans toward the outside...

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How Many Watts Does an Air Conditioner Use?

May 15, 2021

Determining how many watts an air conditioner uses per hour can be very helpful if you want to estimate what it will cost to operate it. This is also important if you want to have a backup generator. If you intend to employ your generator to run your air conditioner, you’ll need to know how many watts the AC uses. This measurement will vary depending on the efficiency, age and size of the unit. General Watt Usages Different sizes of AC units obviously have different wattages. Here is a general list of watt usage per hour: Central AC: 3500 watts Central AC with fan only: 750 watts Mid-sized portable AC unit: 2900 watts Large portable AC: up to 4100 watts Small window AC: 500 watts Medium window AC: 900 watts Large window AC: 1440 watts Factors That Determine Actual Power Consumption The actual amount of energy used depends on a number of factors. How often your air conditioner cycles on will affect the power usage and how much you pay. In cooler climates, your air conditioner may only turn on for 15 minutes every hour. A hotter climate will demand a greater power consumption. The efficiency of your unit will...

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Ways to Improve Indoor Air Quality

April 5, 2021

The average home has bad indoor air quality, according to the EPA. With people spending so much time in their homes because of the pandemic, they’re more exposed than ever to pollutants. There are thankfully many ways to improve the air quality in your home. Clean Your Floors You should vacuum carpets and mop floors at least once a week. Use a vacuum with a HEPA filter to ensure what is sucked up doesn’t get blown out in the exhaust. Vacuum high traffic areas several times to remove as much as possible. Control Humidity Mold and dust mites thrive in moisture. You should keep humidity between 30-50% in your home to control these air pollutants. Depending on where you live, you need either a humidifier or dehumidifier. Other ways to reduce humidity include not over-watering plants and fixing any leaky plumbing. in Dayton, OH, can help improve your indoor air quality. We install Carrier bypass humidifiers, which use your furnace blower to bring moisture into your home. This can introduce up to 18 gallons of water vapor per day to your home. Carbon Monoxide Carbon monoxide is an odorless, tasteless gas that is produced by burning fossil fuels. It is...

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What is a Variable Air Volume System?

March 18, 2021

The modern construction industry demands extreme comfort and energy efficiency. That is why engineers are continually developing new HVAC units to combat the disadvantages of older models. Variable Air Volume (VAV) systems are a new technology used for heating, ventilating, and air conditioning. How Does a Variable Air Volume System Work? The primary variable air volume system comprises a supply duct, which distributes air that is about 550 degrees Fahrenheit when in cooling mode. Since the air supply in these units is constant, the flow rate varies to attain the desired temperatures. VAV boxes have a few simple parts, including the damper and a coil for heating and cooling. They also have zone controllers with built-in actuators to maintain area temperature by regulating the airflow. The damper never closes because you will need some fresh air to enter the area. If your house in the Dayton area experiences an abrupt heat gain and the temperature rises above the desired threshold, the damper opens up to permit more air into the room. It cools the room and forces out all hot air into the return duct. When it’s too hot, the damper opens completely to let in enough cold air. Since...

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Can Too Much Rain Cause Plumbing Problems?

February 5, 2021

When your area has heavy rain, it can cause many problems. It can do extensive damage to your home’s plumbing system in a few ways, especially if you haven’t taken any precautions. Flooding If you don’t have adequate outdoor drainage, heavy rain can cause flooding. If water doesn’t have a way to drain, it pools in low places. This can easily result in large amounts of water entering your home’s crawlspace or basement. It can also damage your driveway and deck. Shifted Underground Pipes Heavy rain can soften the ground and cause it to shift. Shifting ground can crack underground pipes, especially if they’re old or made of galvanized steel. While modern plumbing systems are durable, heavy rain can still damage them. If your pipes crack, debris like dirt, sticks, and leaves can get into them. Signs this has happened include discoloration and debris in the water coming out of your faucets. You need to turn your water main off and have a plumber perform an emergency repair if this happens. in Dayton, OH, fixes cracked pipes. We have highly experienced plumbers and offer free estimates for plumbing repairs. Sewage Backup Heavy rainfall can negatively impact your sewer line. Debris...

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What Temperature Should The Thermostat Be Set At During Winter?

January 5, 2021

Who doesn’t enjoy a comfortable home interior temperature during the winter? Making a few adjustments to the thermostat allows for setting the perfect temperature. But what is the right temperature for the winter season? Some may say the answer is a matter of preference, but homeowners should also look at their energy costs and expenditures before choosing a temperature setting. A Recommended Temperature Setting Several different sources suggest a temperature of 68 degrees. This temperature figure refers to a recommended temperature when people are home. Personal preferences often factor into a thermostat and temperature setting, though. Someone in your household may want the temperature to be 71 degrees. While a homeowner has the choice to set a higher temperature, this higher temperature setting could mean higher energy expenses. If 65 degrees or lower provides an appealing climate, why not go with that level? Of course, a furnace has to work efficiently to deliver any temperature setting. Dayton residents could turn to Butler for temperature advice, heating maintenance, and repair service. We also install new heating systems. Lower Temperatures When Away From Home Keeping the temperature too high while no one is home wastes energy. Monthly heating bills may skyrocket. Maintaining...

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