Why you might want UV lights in your HVAC system

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HVAC UV Light Systems

If you decide to have a UV light installed, you will have two types of HVAC UV light installations to choose from; air sterilization and coil sterilization. 

Air sterilization

Coil sterilization

Installing an HVAC UV-C Light

A household’s HVAC system is important, however if filled with microorganisms that cause viruses and bacteria, it can be harmful. It’s essential to have an effective way to filter out the negative and unhealthy components so that your HVAC system works optimally and provides top-notch air quality to your home or office.

By hiring an expert HVAC technician, you can have a UV light installed in your HVAC system to rid your air of the molds, viruses, and bacteria that can cause you harm. 

What is R22 Refrigerant?

R22, also known as Freon, is a substance used as a refrigerant in a variety of appliances that creates a cooling effect when it evaporates. Freon is used in HVAC systems, refrigerators, and even vehicles as a coolant. When air is circulated through your home or vehicle’s air conditioning system or your refrigerator, a coolant is what actually creates the cool sensation of the air.

Why is R22 being banned?

Because R22 is a chlorofluorocarbon, or CFC, it can have an impact on the atmosphere’s sensitive ozone layer which protects the earth, and people, from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet radiation. Research suggests the excessive use of chlorofluorocarbons over the last few decades has contributed to a depletion of ozone, which can contribute to global warming. If the ozone layer were to cease to exist, it would be difficult for plants, animals, and people to survive the sun’s intense heat and radiation.

READ MORE: How Can I Protect My Home From Intruders?

How does Freon hurt the ozone layer?

If Freon is not properly handled by a licensed HVAC contractor, it can be released into the atmosphere, where it can eventually make its way to the ozone layer. To prevent this from happening, HVAC contractors are required to harvest Freon using federal guidelines and standards. If an HVAC contractor releases Freon into the air without disposing of it according to standard procedures and laws, both he and you could be held accountable. Both HVAC contractors and homeowners can face hefty fines as well as the loss of an HVAC license if proper procedures are not followed.

Is R22 refrigerant still available? When does R22 become illegal?

While Freon is still available for use following proper guidelines and procedures, efforts are being made to phase out the refrigerant in favor of more environmentally-friendly substances. The Environmental Protection Agency has designated January 1, 2020 as the first day in which R22, or Freon, will become illegal. After this date, Freon will no longer be available, and safer alternatives will be required.

READ MORE: Is Smart Home Technology Worth It?

What is the replacement for R22 refrigerant?

R-410A, also known as Puron, is already available for use as a safer alternative to R22 refrigerant. For more than 20 years, Puron has been available for use in air conditioning systems and other household appliances, but until recently, Freon was the most widely used type of refrigerant. Unlike Freon, Puron does not release harmful chemicals that can deplete the earth’s ozone layer. Efforts are already being made by homeowners and the HVAC industry to move to Puron as a safer yet just as effective alternative.

What do I do when it’s time to replace my Freon or R22 refrigerant?

When it’s time to purchase a new air conditioning unit, keep in mind that after January 1, 2020, Freon will become illegal. If your air conditioner, refrigerator, other other appliance is in need of refrigerant before this date, it’s still a good idea to request Puron as an alternative. If your unit does not use Puron, you’ll need to invest in a new air conditioning unit.

READ MORE: 3 Ways to Make Your Home More Energy Efficient

What do I do when it’s time to replace my air conditioning unit?

Freon and Puron are not interchangeable within an HVAC system, so choosing a unit that utilizes Puron before January 2020 is ideal, since purchasing a Freon system now means you’ll still have to invest in a Puron system later. While many HVAC models that use Freon are currently ceasing production or already have been phased out, some are still available, so choose wisely if you don’t want to incur additional costs soon. A licensed HVAC contractor can help you find a Puron system that works for you.

Do Puron HVAC units cost more than Freon HVAC units?

If you’re worried a Puron system will be more expensive to operate, or if you’re dreaded upgrading your HVAC system, here’s the good news. While HVAC units that use Puron have price points very similar to Freon units, those that run on Puron will cost less to operate in the long run, since they’re more energy efficient, and because it is cheaper to refill your unit with Puron than with Freon. Because Puron is more efficient, you’ll see the same results with less refills required, all while protecting the environment.

READ MORE: 5 Ways to Save Money on Utility Bills

Where do I buy a Puron air conditioning unit?

When it’s time to replace your air conditioning system, give Greenway a call. Our licensed HVAC operators can help you find the right HVAC system for you. We offer competitive pricing on a variety of models, including Trane and other quality systems. We also offer affordable pricing plans through Wells Fargo.

• AC FAQ’s
• 5 Signs it’s Time to Replace Your Heating System
• HVAC Replacements

 

5 Ways to Winterize Your Home This Year

Protect Your Pipes

The first area to look at when you winterize your home is your plumbing system. When water freezes in your plumbing system, it can cause blockages that prevent water from flowing freely throughout the areas in and around your home. This can lead to a buildup of water pressure that can cause pipes to burst or break and become severely damaged. In order to prevent busted pipes, add extra insulation to exposed pipes and let your faucets slowly drip to prevent standing water from freezing.

READ MORE: How Do I Keep My Pipes From Freezing?

Clean Gutters

Cleaning your gutters before winter weather sets in is important for many reasons, but it may not be obvious that clogged gutters can actually cause foundation problems. When rainwater collects in gutters, it is transported to specific areas of your yard that prevent pooling. When water collects, it can not only damage your yard and cause added stress from muddy paws and footprints – it can also seep into the foundation of your home and cause structural damage. Cleaning your gutters is important year-round, but it’s a good idea to clean them in October or November before freezing temperatures set in to prevent slipping and falling on ice.

READ MORE: Energy Efficient Holiday Decor

Drain Water Hoses

It’s easy to forget to ensure your water hoses are not filled with water during the winter months when you rarely utilize them. Don’t forget this important step if you want to do everything you can to protect your home from winter weather. Drain water hoses to ensure water does not freeze and expand and cause blockages which can lead to busted pipes.

Add Insulation

Add insulation to your exposed pipes, outdoor water spouts and valves, and in your attic to prevent high utility costs and to provide a buffer from the freezing temperatures which can wreak havoc on your comfort level and your plumbing system. You can purchase insulation for your pipes water spouts at home improvement stores or hardware stores.

Check for Damage and Leaks

Checking for damage and leaks should be on your rotation of home chores throughout the year, but it’s especially important to check for damage, holes, and leaks that can allow cold air to waft in, which can lead to rising utility costs and heating expenses, frozen pipes, HVAC system damage, and more. Do a thorough inspection of your roof, attic, crawl spaces, basement, and exterior walls at least once per month and more frequently during winter months if possible. If you notice cold drafts, seal any cracks and crevices and repair any damage as soon as possible. If you suspect damage to your plumbing system, call a plumber as soon as possible.

  Need plumbing help before you winterize your home? Contact Greenway Home Services today!

 

 

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What Burglars Look for in a House

In order to protect your home from intruders, it’s important to first know and understand what burglars look for when choosing homes to target. While some of their methods may be obvious, others you might find surprising. Here are a few things to consider when burglar-proofing your home.

Opportunity

First and foremost, many thieves seek opportunity. The highest reward for the least amount of work is what every intruder is aiming for. This means any opportunity you provide can, and eventually will, be taken advantage of. Some of the ways homeowners provide opportunities for burglars include:

• Leaving Garage Doors Open
• Leaving Doors Unlocked or Open
• Leaving Windows Unlocked or Open
• Leaving Curtains or Blinds Open
• Not Installing Curtains or Blinds
• Neglecting to Install an Alarm System
• Leaving Cars, Bicycles, and Other Belongings Unattended

Privacy

Another thing burglars will look for in potential targets is privacy. If your home is at the end of an alcove, or if your doors and windows are shaded by large bushes or other landscaping that provide adequate hiding spots and areas to work without being seen, intruders will take advantage of the opportunity.

The Value of What’s in the Driveway

One of the most common methods burglars use to create potential targets is by determining the value of what’s inside the home based on what’s in the driveway. For example, a home with bicycles and toys that are frequently left in the yard or driveway can signal to a burglar that your home has valuable electronics, gaming systems, TVs, and other devices inside. A clean and well-maintained home with modest yet inviting decor, on the other hand, can welcome family and friends without signifying to intruders whether or not your home contains plenty of valuables inside.

Making it Obvious You Aren’t Home

If you go on vacation, even for just a couple of days, it may not always be obvious to your neighbors, but it can be obvious to burglars. A few of the ways burglars are able to determine whether or not a homeowner is at home or away include:

Ringing the Doorbell

Intruders will often ring doorbells to see if anyone answers the door. If your home is not protected by an alarm system, or if no notice of an alarm system is given, it will be obvious to an intruder that your home is potentially unoccupied.

Newspapers in the Driveway

If you are away from your home for more than a day, newspapers can pile up in the driveway. This is one of the surest ways that a homeowner is out of town. Intruders may also check to see if an accumulation of mail has collected in the mailbox to determine how long the owners have been away from the home.

Garbage Cans

Intruders know that most people take their garbage can back to its designated location once the garbage collection services have emptied it out, but if you are out of town, your garbage can may sit on the street for far longer than those of neighbors, a sure sign that a homeowner is not at home.

What Deters Burglars

Remember that burglars are seeking the easiest targets for the least amount of effort. Taking a little time to create burglar deterrents can help protect your home and your family.  

Alarm Systems and/or Alarm System Signage

Whether your home has an alarm installed or not, an intruder is far less likely to attempt to break in if your doors and windows include stickers and decals signifying your home is protected by an alarm. While this is not always the case, since intruders know it can take time for police to respond to alarms, there are ways to ensure burglars are deterred. This includes choosing a reliable alarm company whose services are guaranteed even during a power outage or storm, such as ADT or SimpliSafe.

Installing Landscaping and Architectural Lighting

Landscaping and architectural lighting can not only add value to your home, but it can also deter burglars. If lighting is installed above or below doors and windows, this provides fewer chances for thieves to hide and to enter a home unnoticed. Consider investing in lighting timers that can be set to turn on and off even while you’re away from the home during the day or on vacation to give the appearance of movement inside.

Trim Trees, Bushes and Hedges

Keeping your landscaping maintained is another way to increase the value and curb appeal of your home while also removing opportunities for burglars. Without overgrown landscaping to provide adequate hiding places, burglars are less likely to find a door or window to enter, and they’re far more likely to move on to another target.

Thorny Landscaping

Nothing deters burglars looking for an easy entry like thorny rose bushes and other potentially uncomfortable landscaping. Install thorny greenery in front of windows to prevent intruders from being able to enter your home easily.

Dogs and/or Beware of Dog Signage

In addition to making great pets, dogs also make great burglar deterrents. Even if your home doesn’t have a German Shepherd on guard, a “Beware of Dog” sign can be enough to deter burglars seeking easy access into easy targets.

Where Do Burglars Look for Valuables?

If you’ve seen the faux books and electrical outlets intended to disguise secret hiding places, chances are experience burglars have too. The reality is that most burglars are smart enough to know where you’re hiding your most valuable items, like jewelry, cash, gaming systems, and weapons.

Everywhere

The reality is that if an intruder is able to make his way into your home, he will most likely search each and every room of your house looking for the easiest targets. This includes:

• Televisions
• Computers
• Electronics
• Weapons
• Jewelry
• Car Keys

Jewelry Boxes

This might seem like the most obvious place a burglar will look for valuables, and that’s because it is. If your jewelry box rests on a chest of drawers or in a visible location, a burglar will most surely manage to steal whatever is in inside.

Gun Safes and Cabinets

Next to electronics and jewelry, weapons are the most valuable item intruders are looking to get their hands on. If your home has a gun safe or cabinet, ensure it is locked when you are away from the home, and consider investing in one without a breakable glass exterior.

Will Burglars Come Back?

If your home was relatively easy to break into, and no visible changes have been made to the exterior of your home, such as yard signs advertising an alarm company, or more cars in the driveway, they very well may strike again. That’s why it’s best to protect your home from the inside with a reliable alarm system that can detect and deter intruders.

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What is smart home technology?

There are dozens of smart home technology devices on the market today. From keyless entry devices that require numeric passwords rather than keys to thermostats that automatically adjust to maintain a comfortable temperature that keeps utility costs down, there are a variety of ways to implement smart home devices that save you time and money.

Does smart home technology really save money?

While smart home technology is relatively inexpensive to install and operate, you may be wondering if it’s worth it, and if you’ll see the difference in your wallet. Many types of smart home technology have been proven to save money on utility costs, including the Nest Thermostat.

Nest Thermostat

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How does the Nest Thermostat work?

Utility costs can be outrageous, especially in the middle of summer in humid Southern cities like Memphis and Nashville. With the help of temperature sensors placed throughout the home, the Nest Thermostat system is able to read the current temperature, gauge the difference between the current temperature and a comfortable yet cost-effective temperature, and transition to the ideal temperature to save you money on utility costs.

If you live in a pet-free home, you can also set the Nest Thermostat to adjust during hours when no one is home and to return to an optimal temperature before your arrival so that your home can be comfortable while you’re there and energy-saving while you’re away.

Can I use the Nest Thermostat with my phone?

The Nest Thermostat is compatible with iPhones and Android devices that allow you to control the current and ideal temperature remotely so that you can always monitor the temperature at home whether you’re in the home or away.

Nest Protect

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How does Nest Protect work?

Nest Protect can protect your family from deadly carbon monoxide leaks that can go undetected without proper monitoring until it’s too late. Research indicates more than 1,000,000 homes in the United States experience high levels of carbon monoxide each year. Because carbon monoxide is often odorless and colorless, the absence of a carbon monoxide detection system can be the difference between lives saved and lives lost.

What is the difference between Nest Protect and a carbon monoxide detector?

The Nest Protect system detects lethal carbon monoxide gases throughout your home, but unlike traditional carbon monoxide detectors, the Nest Protect conducts its own safety and sound checks to ensure your system is functioning efficiently in the event of an emergency.

Unlike the Nest Protect, traditional carbon monoxide detectors must be tested manually, and sound tests can be loud and inconvenient for residents and neighbors. The Nest Protect relies on its innovative Sound Check technology to quietly test itself without annoying you or the dogs. The Nest Protect system is also sensitive to false alarms, so you don’t have to worry about whether or not to evacuate the home in the event of an emergency.

Nest Cam

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How much does a Nest Cam cost?

In addition to the setup and installation fee, Nest Cams do require a monthly or yearly subscription to Nest Aware, which includes remote live access to your video feed, playback capabilities, the ability to speak through the camera, and more.

If you’re interested in a camera that allows you to monitor your home while you’re away, consider investing in Nest Aware for the ability to know if there’s a false alarm or a real intruder. Nest Cams have even allowed some homeowners to “scare away” intruders thanks to the ability to speak through the camera.

Smart Home Technology Installation: Memphis and Nashville

Attempting to set up smart home technology can make you feel uhh..not so smart. Greenway offers smart home installation services to get your Nest Thermostat, Nest Protect, or Nest Cam set up and ready to operate, so you can sit back and relax while we do the hard part.

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