Pocatello

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.

October 11, 2016 by Aireforce1

Utility Bills: Saving Money this Winter

October is here and for many of us in Pocatello that means colder temperatures, snow covered yards, frosty windows, and riskier driving conditions. The colder temperatures of winter also have an effect on our utility bills. Paying attention to certain aspects of our home systems, like our household plumbing, can help us save money during these chilly months. More specifically, you can find a good amount of savings when you pay attention to your water heater. The expert plumbers at Barlows Aire Force One have compiled a list of tips and tricks on how you can cut back on your utility bill this winter by paying more attention to your hot water consumption.

Savings You Can Find in Your Household Plumbing

According to energy.gov, our hot water heaters typically count for the second largest expenditure of the average American’s utility or energy bill, following closely behind heat and air conditioning. Keep your utility or energy bill under control this winter by following these suggestions:

Lower Temperatures

This tip applies to all year long. The Federal Department of Energy recommends that we keep our thermostats on our water heaters set to 120 degrees Fahrenheit. Lower temperatures not only keep your utility bills under control, they can prevent scalding. When your water is heated to 140 degrees Fahrenheit it can cause scalding in just five seconds. Fact: Did you know that scalds are the number one burn injury in children under four years of age?

Take Shorter Showers

When the temperatures outside our homes drop to below freezing, it can be tempting to spend more time soaking up the extra hot water from our showers. The water coming out of the faucet can travel through your household plumbing at an average of two gallons a minute. Spending more time in the shower equals more money spent on heating that extra water. Keep your shower short and bundle up in warm clothing and soft blankets for comfort instead. If you want to take comfort in hot water drink hot chocolate or hot tea to warm you up.

Insulate Your Water Heater

Consider insulating the tank of your water heater to help it preserve its warmth. Insulating the tank will help prevent the water from cooling down. When your water heater starts to cool down it is forced to do twice the work, spending twice the money. Keeping your water heater insulated can be particularly important if it is located in the basement or another area of your home that doesn’t get a lot of heat. Make sure that you follow manufacturer instructions when insulating your hot water heater. You don’t want to accidentally cover up the burner or the thermostat.

Get a Replacement

If your hot water heater is acting up or having issues running, you might want to invest in a new hot water heater. It can be more cost-effective to purchase a new one than spend twice, or three times that amount over the winter months because of insufficient heating. You can even invest in a hot water heater that is energy sufficient, costing you less to run over time due to the increased efficiency.

If your hot water heater is acting up contact the plumbers at Barlows Aire Force One in Pocatello. Our Pocatello plumbers can help you save time and money by inspecting your hot water heater. We can also help you with any plumbing issues such as broken pipes, overflowing toilet, and heating system issues this winter.