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April 14, 2017 by Aireforce1

Prepare Your Pocatello Plumbing For Spring Checklist

It’s April and spring cleaning time! While you’re preparing for the spring and summer weather, don’t forget about your plumbing. The weather in Pocatello, ID, can be brutal during the winter months and the snow and freezing cold temperatures can do a lot of damage to pipes & hoses. For your convenience, we have put together a spring plumbing checklist for you. No need to worry about surprise costly repairs to your plumbing system this summer. With this checklist, anything that needs attention will be found and you’ll be ready beforehand.

Let’s start outside:

Sprinkler System – The sprinkler system is an obvious plumbing system that is going to need attention. Look for leaks and cracks. The cold weather is hard on outdoor pipes and you want to make sure yours are going to be reliable for the upcoming seasons.

Garden Hoses – Garden hoses split easily when they freeze. Check all hoses for damage and loose connections. It might seem like a waste of money to have to buy new hoses over small cracks or splits, but it will save money on your water bill in the long run. Also, remove any insulation that was placed over faucet covers or anywhere else for protection. Inspect those pieces of equipment as well.

Gutters & Drains – Don’t overlook your gutters and drains. Clogged drains can cause a lot of damage if left untouched. Crowded gutters can, too. Take one extra step with your spring cleaning and make sure both are cleaned out and working well.

Next, we’ll peek inside the house.

The best thing to do when inspecting a home for plumbing issues is to call a professional. The professionals at Barlows Air Force One are always happy to look around and alert you of anything that could be a potential problem. If you’re not ready to call a professional, follow this list:

Dishwasher and Washing Machine – How are both running? Have you noticed any leaks? Are they both draining correctly? Dishwashers often get clogged holes in the drain and the sprayer arm so be sure to attend to those. Washing machines might need to be balanced and have the hoses inspected for any damage.

Water Heater – Water heaters should be drained and flushed annually so springtime is a perfect time to do that. If you don’t know how to do it, consult a professional so they can help you. Don’t forget to check the temperature while you’re at it!

Leaks – Look for leaks everywhere! Make this a routine thing, not just a part of spring cleaning. Basements and attics should be checked. Research a little about water damaged ceilings, walls, and floors. This could help you find any leaky pipes that need to be repaired and save you from a much bigger and expensive problem in the future.

If you aren’t certain about something that looks like it could be a potential problem, call a professional. Barlows Aire Force One in Pocatello, ID, has a lot of helpful information and educated people that can resolve problems quickly.

March 20, 2017 by Aireforce1

Annual A/C Inspections

Saving yourself time and money with A/C costs starts with routine inspections and maintenance of your A/C unit by a licensed HVAC professional. Scheduling an annual inspection and maintenance check can drastically reduce your cooling costs every month and keep your A/C unit healthy for a longer period of time. It’s always a good idea to have your unit cleaned, inspected, and serviced annually. What better time than spring? Include in your spring cleaning schedule a check-up on your unit.

Every time your unit is turned on, it gathers dust and other particles that can adversely affect the efficiency of your air conditioning system. It can be easy to overlook minor issues with an air conditioning unit if you don’t know what you are looking for. A professional HVAC expert, like the ones at Barlow Air Force One Heating, are highly trained and licensed to know what to look and listen for so that your unit stays safe through the duration of the season.

Annual A/C inspections include assessment of your unit’s motor, coils, temperatures/pressures, connections, coolant levels, and more.

Do-It-Yourself Annually to Help Your Annual Maintenance Costs

Throughout the year, there are a number of things you can do to help with your annual inspection. This should not replace professional services, but it can definitely help ensure a longer life-span of your unit.

Preventative Maintenance: Perform a Visual Inspection

Warning signs! Leaks, dirty or frozen coils, strange odors, poor air flow….all of these are signs that a professional’s help is needed. Having small problems inspected and checked throughout the year can really save on things that can turn into major and costly problems later on.

Changing air filters regularly will help your A/C system’s performance. Dirty filters are clogged and can make it hard for air to move through the system. This makes your system work extra hard to do what it is made to do. When your system works harder, wear happens and your unit ends up with more problems.

Bi-Annual Tuning

Aside from your DIY maintenance, there is one more step that can keep your system operating at top capacity. Bi-annual tune ups are your system’s best friend. Just like a car needs tune-ups, liquid top-off’s, and oil lubrication, so does your A/C unit. Have a licensed HVAC professional tune up your system twice a year and save thousands of dollars by not having to replace your entire system very often.

Hiring an HVAC Professional

HVAC professionals are licensed to perform annual inspections and routine maintenance of your A/C unit. Shop around for a good HVAC company like Barlows Aire Force One. Ask for recommendations and pay attention to the reputation of a company. Always double check to make sure the contractor that you hire has his/her license and use your gut instinct. If your unit has been working fine, blowing cool air, and isn’t making strange noises, but your contractor suggests many and/or expensive repairs, get a second opinion.

In reality, air conditioners can have a life-span of approximately 15 years. If you keep yours maintained and cleaned properly and consistently, yours should last a long time.

February 9, 2017 by Aireforce1

Dangers of Furnace Repair

Furnaces can be very dangerous and you should know when to call a professional like Barlows Aire Force One in Pocatello to do a professional furnace repair. A bad furnace could lead to carbon monoxide which is an odorless, tasteless, and colorless toxic gas that can be fatal. There are certain signs that your furnace may be producing this bad gas such as:

The furnace’s flame is yellow hue instead of blue hue.
Absence of upward draft in chimney.,
Extra moisture found on windows, walls, or other cold surfaces.
Rusting on flue pipes or other pipe connections.
Streaks of soot around furnace.

If your furnace shows any of these signs, leave your house immediately and call your utility company to turn off your gas. You should then have your furnace looked at to see if there needs to be any major furnace repairs.

Test Carbon Monoxide and Smoke Detector

You should consider having both carbon monoxide detectors and smoke detectors throughout the house especially if you have a multiple story home. You should also maintain them regularly, so they are working properly to keep you and your family safe. You can test the alarms using the button on the front at least once a month. Change the batteries at least every six months and replace the alarm at least every ten years.

How to Tell If Your Furnace Is Safe?

Modern heaters are now safer than they ever have been before, which include safety switches and more precautions to prevent leakage with carbon monoxide or the chance of the furnace overheating. When you are getting a brand-new furnace or you need one to be repaired, do not call a local handyman or someone who thinks they know what they are doing. Only allow a trained professional do the work on your furnace. Trained technicians are the only ones who can spot a problem right off the bat and help prevent a safety issue. When you are looking at your furnace, you won’t be able to spot a threat to you right away.

When to Call Barlow’s Aire Force One

You may also need a new furnace if yours is more than fifteen years old. If your heating bill has increased, it may also indicate that the internal life of parts may be wearing out. If this happens, it means that your furnace may quit on you for good. If your furnace makes strange noises when it comes on might mean something needs to be replaced, or you may even need a completely whole new furnace. Your furnace should not be making banging, popping, or rattling sounds. It also shouldn’t be blowing cold air or turn off and on all the time. If you have to keep adjusting the thermostat because your rooms are too cold or hot indicates that your furnace can’t distribute the heat amongst all the rooms of your house anymore. These are all good signs that you may need a professional furnace repair company in Pocatello to come examine your furnace.

January 12, 2017 by Aireforce1

Electricians Advice: Preventing Electrical Fires

Most fires that start in the home are from small accidental causes, most of them can be placed in the “I should have known better” category. Most home fires can be prevented with simple steps, this year, why don’t we put a stop to bad electrical habits. The electricians at Barlows Aire Force One know a few electrical fire prevention tips that can help you out in 2017.

Cord “Wrapping”

Extension cords that are coiled up can create a fire hazard, even those fancy cord reels are at risk, because flowing current generates heat, and when that heat cannot properly dispense because of the coiling, fires may occur. Wrapping or coiling is not just bad for extension cords, any cord can suffer damage as the metal components are bent causing the components to become weaker.

Yanking the Cord

Most of us have been there and done that. Yanking the cord out of the wall when we are done vacuuming or tugging on the extension cord from a few feet away to avoid the long walk to the outlet…Pulling the plug out of the wall by the cord may cause a spark and that spark could cause a house fire. Even if pulling the plug out of the wall by the cord doesn’t cause a spark it will reduce the lifespan fo the appliance and the outlet.

Ignoring Watts

Plugging a 100-watt light bulb into a 35-watt max bulb socket can easily result in an electrical fire. Why? The wires in a light bulb become brittle when exposed to an excess amount of heat as a result of having a wattage that exceeds specifications. Light bulbs in enclosed fixtures are at a higher risk for fire because the heat is unable to dissipate as well. If a bulb overheats it can damage the fixture and melt the socket inside of it, causing a fire.

Covering Cords

Avoid placing electrical cords under carpets or rugs or fastening them with nails or staples. While loose electrical cords can also be a safety hazard (who hasn’t tripped over one at some point and time in their life?), keeping them out of the way can sometimes do more harm than good. When you hide your cords under rugs or carpeting they can become damaged from the weight of individuals walking on them and the heat that the flowing current generates will not be able to dissipate as effectively, causing a fire. Stapling or nailing your cords down can result in the exposure of live wires, which can lead to an electrical shock as well as an electrical fire.

DIY Electrical Work

Trying to attempt any electrical work without the proper experience or tools can result in major catastrophes. It is safer and, in most cases, is more cost effective to have a licensed electrician install, repair, and dismantle any electrical wiring in your home. Any electrician worth their salt, like the pros at Barlows Aire Force One, will complete all electrical work according to electrical safety codes, ensuring safety and a job well done.

December 14, 2016 by Aireforce1

Improve the Energy Efficiency of Your Home

It’s common sense that most people wouldn’t choose to throw money away, but it might surprise you how much money you could be losing due to the inefficiency of your home. So how do you know if you’re throwing away money, due to the inefficiency of your home? Here are a few tips to help get your home and wallet functioning efficiently.

Energy Efficiency Audit

If you have an older home or a newly built energy efficient home, hiring a professional to examine your home can be an effective investment. These auditors have the knowledge and tools to find problem areas in your home that could be costing you money, and offer solutions to help make your home run more efficiently and affordably.

Windows & Doors

Having leaky windows or door frames causes the hot air in your home to escape and make for a cold drafty house. If you have old single pane windows, replacing to a more energy efficient window may help your home run more efficiently. If you’re not ready for a total home window replacement, installing storm windows could be another solution. Storm windows are installed over the existing house windows and are better wind and weather resistant offering protection and insulation to normalize the temperature of your home. Additionally, you can limit the amount of air escaping from your home by sealing leaks and cracks with caulk and weather stripping.

Properly Insulated Walls and Attic

If you have an older home, chances are, it’s poorly insulated. Keep comfortable all year round by adding insulation to your home. Having effective insulation in your home slows the flow of heat entering or leaving your house, each season, consequently impacting how much energy is required to heat or cool your home. If your attic is unfinished or your walls have empty cavities, consult a professional, with the information found in your energy efficiency audit, for solutions on where to add additional insulation.

Upgrade your HVAC Unit

If your heat pump or AC unit is over 10 years old or your furnace or boiler is more than 15 years old, and in need of frequent repair, it may be time to consider upgrading to a more energy-efficient system. Energystar.gov reports that, “an Energy Star high-efficiency unit can save you up to 20% on heating and cooling costs.” Saving on energy costs shouldn’t be the sole factor in upgrading your system. If your unit has leaks, needs duct repair or insulation, look to see the best options for saving you time, hassle and money. A technician can give you the best options to extend the life of your current unit or advise you on an energy efficient system.

Tax Incentives

The Federal Government offers tax incentives for repairs and upgrades made to your home. By going to www.energy.com, you can see the options for rebates that you can apply to your taxes. For instance, the state of Idaho will cover 100% of the cost of materials and labor for energy efficiency improvements made to your house. Depending on the year your house was built, adding additional insulation, upgrading and/or weather stripping and caulking your house windows can be covered. Furthermore, you can qualify for an incentive by upgrading your current heating and air conditioning system to an energy efficient unit. If you plan to make any repairs or upgrades to your home, discuss your options with a professional and research for tax incentives that you may qualify for so you can take advantage of the money saving opportunities.