Each year Flag Day is celebrated on June 14th. It honors the creation of the flag of the United States of America which happened on this day in 1777. This is also the date the United States celebrates the birthday of the U.S. Army.

Minerals and sediment can buildup over time and settle at the bottom of your water heater tank causing your unit to work harder to heat up the water and making it less efficient. This can also cause your tank to fail more quickly. If you choose not to perform this annual flush you are leaving those sediments in your tank which can eventually make their way out into your home’s plumbing system and over the years sediment can clog your pipes and cause you to lose water pressure or lead to a burst pipe. It is recommended by most hot water heater manufacturer’s to perform an annual flush to remove this  build up to keep the tank free and clear.

In honor of the fallen heroes of our country we are offering a special to all our clients. We’d like to thank those who have served and are currently serving our country. May your valor never be taken for granted and may you be honored each day for commitment to our freedom.

Some great advice from our HVAC Manager, Patrick Porzio, on when it’s safe to do your own electric work, and when to call a licensed electrician.

“Hard” water is simply water that is high in minerals such as calcium, magnesium carbonate and manganese and is typically not hazardous.  It can,  however, create deposits in your plumbing, water heater and other appliances that use water and create problems for you.  It can also make washing dishes, clothing, skin and hair more challenging.

Below are some indicators that your home has “hard” water:

• Soap and shampoo don’t lather well
• Soap scum forms in your sinks and/or tubs
• Dishes dry with spots on them
• Your bathtub has a ring
• Your laundry is dingy/yellowish in color
• Your coffee maker has scale deposits+
• Buildup (usually white in color) forms on your showerhead
• Pipes clog due to the build-up of minerals

If you think you have “hard” water, you may want to consider a water softener for your home.  There are both salt-based and salt-free water softeners available so you’ll want to do your research to determine which water softener makes the most sense for you.

Unintentional or intentional, there are certain things you may or may not do that will likely result in the void of the warranty on your HVAC system. Be sure to avoid making the following mistakes:

1. Not hiring a certified licensed contractor to install the unit or make repairs (make sure the contractor provides you with the paperwork that provides proof of the installation service)
2. Not registering the HVAC system and the warranty with the manufacturer in the required amount of time
3. Not using approved replacement parts
4. Failing to schedule annual professional maintenance
5. Failing to provide proof of maintenance services (for example, not keeping service receipts and related paperwork)

As spring approaches and the weather warms up, you may decide to head outside to do some yard work.  If so, keep the following tips in mind:

• Be careful not to lean ladders or any metal objects against the meter
• Never tie anything to a meter or its piping such as a dog leash.  Doing so can cause a hazardous condition
• Be cautious when you mow your lawn or operate any equipment near the meter

Remember that the arrival of spring brings new plant growth and hardy plants back to life. It is important to keep the area surrounding your natural gas meter free of overgrown plants or any other obstructions.  You want your meter readers and technicians to have easy access to it, especially in the event of an emergency.