Peck Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc Receives 2023 Best of Lincoln Award

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peck Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. Receives 2023 Best of Lincoln Award

Lincoln Award Program Honors the Achievement

LINCOLN November 3, 2023 — Peck Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc. has been selected for the 2023 Best of Lincoln Award in the HVAC Contractor category by the Lincoln Award Program. Peck 2023 Best of LincolnEach year, the Lincoln Award Program identifies companies they believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small businesses through service to their customers and their community. These exceptional companies help make the Lincoln area a great place to live, work, and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2023 Lincoln Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered internally by the Lincoln Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About the Lincoln Award Program

The Lincoln Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Lincoln area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Lincoln Award Program was established to recognize the best local businesses in their communities. Working exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, and other business advertising and marketing groups. Their mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

The Lincoln Award Program

Peck Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc Receives 2022 Best of Rocklin Award

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Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Peck Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc Receives 2022 Best of Rocklin Award

Rocklin Award Program Honors the Achievement

ROCKLIN June 22, 2022 — Peck Heating and Air Conditioning, Inc has been selected for the 2022 Best of Rocklin Award in the Air Conditioning Repair Service category by the Rocklin Award Program. 2022 Best of Rocklin AwardEach year, the Rocklin Award Program identifies companies that we believe have achieved exceptional marketing success in their local community and business category. These are local companies that enhance the positive image of small businesses through service to their customers and our community. These exceptional companies help make the Rocklin area a great place to live, work, and play.

Various sources of information were gathered and analyzed to choose the winners in each category. The 2022 Rocklin Award Program focuses on quality, not quantity. Winners are determined based on the information gathered internally by the Rocklin Award Program and data provided by third parties.

About Rocklin Award Program

The Rocklin Award Program is an annual awards program honoring the achievements and accomplishments of local businesses throughout the Rocklin area. Recognition is given to those companies that have shown the ability to use their best practices and implemented programs to generate competitive advantages and long-term value.

The Rocklin Award Program was established to recognize the best local businesses in our community. Our organization works exclusively with local business owners, trade groups, professional associations, and other business advertising and marketing groups. Our mission is to recognize the small business community’s contributions to the U.S. economy.

SOURCE: Rocklin Award Program

CONTACT:
Rocklin Award Program
Email: PublicRelations@confirmationselection.com
URL: http://www.confirmationselection.com

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Stop Viruses, Bacteria, and Airborne Pathogens from Ruining Your Home

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Houses all over the country have low standards of air quality, leading to a spike in airborne illnesses due to harmful pathogens, VOC gases, and stale air. These nuisances can stay trapped in your house for months on end, spreading illness and dragging down air quality standards.

Most people feel like there’s nothing they can do about it when, in fact, there’s a perfectly simple solution to it.

QuietCool Whole House Fans are incredibly energy-efficient fans with whisper-quiet technology that can resolve these problems in a jiffy. Once you switch them on, they’ll pull in a large amount of fresh air from any opened windows, circulating them throughout your house and into the attic, finally being released out through the air vents of the attic. It’s a powerful thermal mass cooling process that replaces the entire air in your house completely in less than 4 minutes.

It’s a known fact that keeping your doors and windows shut all the time with just the A/C on is a way to spread illnesses throughout the entire family. QuietCool Whole House fans have been specifically designed to pull in cool, clean air only from the outside. This is way more hygienic than reconditioning the same air multiple times.

A lot of people have no idea of how polluted their homes are. Everything may seem fine right now, but stale air is a silent killer. It’s astounding how so many people do nothing about the quality of the air they breathe in. QuietCool Whole House Fans eliminate the polluted air accumulated in your house, thus raising your air quality standards.

This issue assumes more significance in light of the fact that the coronavirus pandemic has forced Americans to spend over 90% of their day inside their homes. People with pre-existing health conditions and older adults are vulnerable to airborne diseases, pathogens, and pollution, which is a major cause for concern if you’re spending all your time indoors.

Most cooling systems available right now do not have the tech to improve the air quality of the circulated air.

The good news is having access to clean air doesn’t require expensive energy bills or toxic chemicals. Fresh air is available right outside the door – it’s just a matter of getting it in your home. The EPA recently stated that indoor pollution levels were 200% – 500% higher compared to the outdoor air quality levels of even major metropolitan cities such as Bakersfield or Los Angeles.

The CDC recommends people practice these five safety measures to protect themselves from viruses and infections:

  1. Open windows to increase ventilation
  2. Disinfect important surfaces like handrails, tables, and doorknobs regularly.
  3. If you touch your face constantly, create reminders and habits to eliminate this bad habit.
  4. Cover your sneezes and coughs
  5. Sanitize your hands upon entering your house

It’s not just the CDC that recommends better ventilation practices to protect against diseases and enjoy improved air quality standards at home.

The Lung Association states that effective ventilation practices can keep pollutants, viruses, and bacteria from taking over your house. Research has proven that improved ventilation and airflow practices can prevent diseases from spreading indoors. Stagnant air is a breeding ground for germs and diseases. Just like your lungs, your house also needs to breathe regularly to remove dirty air. Stagnant indoor air may also cause high levels of dust, gases, odors, moisture, and other pesky air pollutants. Infusions of fresh air from the outdoors can dilute indoor pollutants and make your home safer.

Harvard recently declared that proper ventilation could prevent bacteria and viruses from spreading indoors. The recirculation of air in homes, offices, and other buildings, puts the entire population in the building at greater risk during an outbreak. Even basic ventilation can go a long way in cutting influenza transmission – it’s the equivalent of having 50% – 60% of the building’s occupants vaccinated.

QuietCool Whole House fans have been designed to complement a building’s ventilation and must be turned on frequently to improve the air quality of the building. Utilizing clean air from the outside will also reduce your A/C related bills and prevent airborne pathogens from spreading all over the place. It’s a win-win.

Instead of living with polluted, pathogen-ridden air and subpar cooling, get yourself a QuietCool Whole House Fan that offers massive savings and a healthier home.

Check out peckheatingandair.com to find out more about the benefits of our products and how to get one installed in your home.

Keep Your Home Cool This Summer

Keep Your Home Cool This Summer Without a Big Utility Bill

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Everyone is thrilled – summertime is here! It’s an undeniable fact that we’ve all been anticipating the season. The sun is happy about this too, as this is its opportunity to shine (literally). The issue here is, as much as we love being able to go to the beach, or the sweet freedom to barbecue, we need to stay cool without running up the utility bill! With that being said, have you thought about how to keep your home cool this summer?

While air conditioning is one of the first things that come to mind, the next thing that pops up is the expense that comes with running it during the summer months.

Here are some easy and inexpensive ways to keep your home cool this summer:

  1. GET THERMAL CURTAINS – Thermal curtains (also known as blackout curtains) can help prevent heat transfer, block sunlight and even dampen noise coming in to your home. With a foam-backed, opaque fabric, they black out sunlight and prevent it from entering through your windows when the curtains are closed. They also prevent air from entering or leaving your home, which can help a lot when it comes to keeping your home cool this summer. You might be wondering if it would cost thousands of dollars to install thermal curtains in your home. The good news is they can be very reasonable, especially if you only install them in the rooms with the most exposure to sunlight.
  2. UNPLUG UNNECESSARY APPLIANCES/DEVICES – As irrelevant as this may sound to you, every electronic appliance or device you plug into a wall socket consumes a small amount of energy even when they are not in use. On top of that, they actually emit a small amount of heat, which we all know is not needed during the summer months. Turning off appliances and devices won’t do the trick, so you will need to unplug them if you really want to reduce the amount of energy used in your home.
  3. MAKE USE OF NATURAL LIGHT AND HIGH EFFICIENCY LIGHTING – Do you know that a traditional 100 watt light bulb can increase the temperature in a small room by 11 degrees? This is a perfect reason why you should use energy efficient light bulbs, like LEDs, or take advantage of natural light as much as you possibly can. Some people might shy away from switching to LED light bulbs due to the upfront cost, but once you do the math you will realize that you can’t afford not to make the switch. For example, if you replaced 20 standard light bulbs with LED light bulbs, you could save over $3,000 throughout a 20 year period (not accounting for utility rates rising over this period).
  4. COOK MEALS OUTSIDE – On a normal warm day, your kitchen will heat up enough to make you sweat when the oven is turned on. Now, imagine what turning an oven on in an already scorching house would do? Instead of increasing the temperature inside of your home, try to pre-plan meals, so that you don’t have to use the oven during the day. Instead, cook on the grill, use a microwave, or prepare a meal that doesn’t require cooking. If you absolutely must use the oven in your home, before noon or after the heat of the day is the right time if you really want to keep your home cool.
  5. SET YOUR CEILING FAN TO COUNTER CLOCKWISE DIRECTION – Here’s a fact: there is a right way to use your ceiling fan depending on the season. On most ceiling fans, there is a small switch that changes the direction of air flow. During the winter, your ceiling fan should run on the lowest speed and rotate in a clockwise direction. This pulls cool air up toward the ceiling, which in turn displaces the warm air that rises and collects near the ceiling. However, during summer months, it should rotate in a counter clockwise direction to push the cooler air down towards the ground.
  6. DON’T NEGLECT YOUR HVAC SYSTEM – We can’t get rid of air conditioning during the summer, as it is one of the best ways to keep our homes cool, even when we consider the cost to run it. To keep your HVAC system running at its best this summer, you need it serviced by a licensed professional as soon as possible.

Do you need HVAC service in the Greater Sacramento area? Peck Heating & Air Conditioning has been serving the Greater Sacramento area since 1977 and we would be happy to help! Call us at (916) 409-0768 or click here to schedule an appointment now.

Peck Services

Heating & Cooling Efficiently

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As much as half of the energy used in your home goes to heating and cooling. So making smart decisions about your home’s heating, ventilating, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills — and your comfort. Take these steps to increase the efficiency of your heating and cooling system.

Change your air filter regularly
Check your filter every month, especially during heavy use months (winter and summer). If the filter looks dirty after a month, change it. At a minimum, change the filter every 3 months. A dirty filter will slow down air flow and make the system work harder to keep you warm or cool — wasting energy. A clean filter will also prevent dust and dirt from building up in the system — leading to expensive maintenance and/or early system failure.

Tune up your HVAC equipment yearly
Just as a tune-up for your car can improve your gas mileage, a yearly tune-up of your heating and cooling system can improve efficiency and comfort. Learn more:

Install a programmable thermostat
A programmable thermostat is ideal for people who are away from home during set periods of time throughout the week. Through proper use of pre-programmed settings, a programmable thermostat can save you about $180 every year in energy costs.

Seal your heating and cooling ducts
Ducts that move air to-and-from a forced air furnace, central air conditioner, or heat pump are often big energy wasters. Sealing and insulating ducts can improve the efficiency of your heating and cooling system by as much as 20 percent — and sometimes much more.

Focus first on sealing ducts that run through the attic, crawlspace, unheated basement, or garage. Use duct sealant (mastic) or metal-backed (foil) tape to seal the seams and connections of ducts. After sealing the ducts in those spaces, wrap them in insulation to keep them from getting hot in the summer or cold in the winter. Next, look to seal any other ducts that you can access in the heated or cooled part of the house.

Consider installing ENERGY STAR qualified heating and cooling equipment
If your HVAC equipment is more than 10 years old or not keeping your house comfortable, have it evaluated by a professional HVAC contractor. If it is not performing efficiently or needs upgrading, consider replacing it with a unit that has earned the ENERGY STAR. Depending on where you live, replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with ENERGY STAR qualified equipment can cut your annual energy bill by more than $115. But before you invest in a new HVAC system, make sure that you have addressed the big air leaks in your house and the duct system. Sometimes, these are the real sources of problems rather than your HVAC equipment.

Ask about Proper Installation of your new equipment
Replacing your old heating and cooling equipment with new, energy-efficient models is a great start. But to make sure that you get the best performance, the new equipment must be properly installed. In fact, improper installation can reduce system efficiency by up to 30 percent – costing you more on your utility bills and possibly shortening the equipment’s life.

To read more about this and see support documents, please visit https://www.energystar.gov

Content Credit: Energy Star

Fall HVAC Checklist

Fall HVAC Maintenance Checklist

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With average costs anywhere between $150 and $425, having your HVAC system professionally cleaned may not be in the budget. While you cannot solve every issue with preventative maintenance, here are seven do-it-yourself tips you need to know to keep your system healthy.

  • Check and replace your air filters often.

    The most important thing you can do at home is inspect your air filter. Dirty air filters make your HVAC system less efficient and cause undue strain on its working parts.

  • Set a reminder each month to check your air filter and replace it if it is dirty or clogged. While the general rule is to change your filter every 30 to 90 days, they may need to be replaced more often if you have pets or open your windows often.
  • Another thing to consider is purchasing a new high-efficiency pleated air filter. The folds in these filters trap more small particles than traditional filters, keeping your system clean and your family healthy.

  • Keep your AC and heating systems free of debris.

    If you have an outdoor unit, it is important to keep the system free of debris. Check your unit every week or so  for leaves, pollen, dirt, sticks or other debris. Clear the debris from the top and sides of the system using gloves and, if necessary, a hose. This allows for maximum airflow to the fan and increases your unit’s efficiency and lifespan.

    In order to ensure the cleanest system possible, try to remove anything that blocks air flow to the system, leaving about two feet of space around the unit.

  • Clean your registers

    Try to keep your registers and ducts clean of dust and debris. Be sure to wipe down your registers as often as possible to keep dust and debris out of your system.

  • Give your humidifier a vacation.

    In order to give your system a rest in the summer, turn off your furnace humidifier’s water supply. When the cooler months approach, replace the water panel (also know as humidifier pad), set the relative humidity between 35 and 45 percent, and turn the water supply to the furnace humidifier back on.

  • Listen for unusual noises.

    One more passive things you can do is to keep an ear open for odd noises when your system is running. Often times, noises in your system are created by register blockages, debris in the vents, or loose bolts on the furnace or registers. If you hear any odd noises, try to locate the source. If you can’t find the source, check out this list of common HVAC system noises, what they mean and how to fix them. If this does not solve the problem, go to tip seven.

  • Use fans to give your system a break.

    Another passive way to keep your system healthy is to use fans when possible to give your system a break.

    On hot summer days, use ceiling fans and portable fans to circulate air through the house and help your HVAC system bring the temperature in your home down quicker. On cooler days, instead of programming your thermostat, open your windows and turn on your fans to circulate the cool air into the house and keep temperatures comfortable.

    Giving your system a break when you can will lengthen the life of equipment and save you money on your energy bills.

  • Know when to call a professional.

    Many HVAC manufacturers require annual preventative maintenance in order to maintain the unit’s warranty. Check your warranty to determine if/when maintenance is required by an HVAC professional.

    If your system does require preventative maintenance, it is best to schedule your check-up for the cooling system in the spring and your heating system in the fall, before HVAC professionals get busy. HVAC professionals will check your system for problems, adjust loose bolts and wires, and address any other issues you may have.

What You Can Do Yourself

From the extra task of raking leaves to sealing cracks and applying weather stripping to keep the cold out, there are many tasks on your to-do list. One more to add to your list this time of year is HVAC maintenance! Below are crucial steps that you should take to properly care for your heating system this season. This will not only keep your system in good shape, but it will help save you money in the long run!

DIY Outdoor System Care

  • Clear vegetation and debris away from your exterior heat pump unit. This will ensure adequate airflow and help to prevent damage to the unit.
  • Shut down your air conditioner for the winter. Inspect it for damage, and protect it with a cover if you choose. Turn off the outdoor switch to prevent your air conditioner from being turned on accidentally.

DIY Indoor System Care

  • Make sure any combustible products are stored away from your heating system.
  • Inspect your air filter and replace it if needed. A clean air filter will work to reduce indoor contaminants throughout the winter season, as well as facilitate proper airflow into your home.
  • Make sure your registers are clear of obstruction. Move heavy furniture and other items which may be blocking registers, preventing heating from reaching your living spaces and potentially straining your system.
  • Change the water panel of your home’s humidifier. Doing so will help your humidifier function at its best throughout winter to alleviate dry air problems and ensure your home maintains proper humidity levels.
  • Replace the batteries in your carbon monoxide detector. This should be done annually to protect your family from undetected carbon monoxide exposure.

What You Should Leave to the professionals

There are some tasks best left to the professionals. Heating systems are composed of sensitive equipment which requires maintenance to improve performance and efficiency. This fall, make it a priority to schedule professional fall HVAC maintenance. A trusted HVAC contractor will provide essential cleaning, care, and inspection to ensure your heating system can handle the important job of keeping your home comfortable through the cold months.

Content Credit: Will Housh at HVAC.com

Make Summer Safe for Kids

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Summer is a great time for kids to enjoy different indoor and outdoor activities. Whether they are young children or teens, learn ways to keep your kids safe and healthy while they enjoy the summer fun.

Master water safety

Water-related activities are popular for getting physical activity and have many health benefits. Here are some tips to stay safe while having fun.

  • Learn how to prevent recreational water illnesses and help protect yourself and your kids.
  • Help kids get H2O Smartz about water safety.

Drownings are the leading cause of injury death for young children ages 1 to 4, and three children die every day as a result of drowning.

  • Always supervise children when in or around water. A responsible adult should constantly watch young children.
  • Teach kids to swim. Formal swimming lessons can protect young children from drowning.
  • Learn cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). Your CPR skills could save someone’s life.
  • Install a four-sided fence around home pools.

Recreational boating can be a wonderful way to spend time with family and friends. Make boating safety a priority.

  • Wear a properly fitted life jacket every time you and your loved ones are on the water.

Beat the heat and sun

Heat-related illness happens when the body’s temperature control system is overloaded. Infants and children up to 4 years of age are at greatest risk. Even young and healthy people can get sick from the heat if they participate in strenuous physical activities during hot weather. For heat-related illness, the best defense is prevention.

  • Never leave infants, children, or pets in a parked car, even if the windows are cracked open.
  • Dress infants and children in loose, lightweight, light-colored clothing.
  • Schedule outdoor activities carefully, for morning and evening hours.
  • Stay cool with cool showers or baths.
  • Seek medical care immediate if your child has symptoms of heat-related illness.

Just a few serious sunburns can increase you and your child’s risk of skin cancer later in life. Their skin needs protection from the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UV) rays whenever they’re outdoors.

  • Cover up. Clothing that covers your and your child’s skin helps protect against UV rays.
  • Use sunscreen with at least SPF (sun protection factor) 15 and UVA (ultraviolet A) and UVB (ultraviolet B) protection every time you and your child go outside.

Keep mosquitos and ticks from bugging you this summer

Protect yourself and your family by preventing bites and diseases, like Zika, West Nile virus and Lyme disease, which can be transmitted by insects.

  • Use an effective insect repellent while playing outdoors.
  • Make your backyard a tick-safe zone.
  • Check yourself and your children for ticks. Ticks are easy to remove.

Prevent Injuries

Each year in the United States, emergency departments treat more than 200,000 children ages 14 and younger for playground-related injuries. Falls at home and on the playground are a common cause of injury.

  • Check to make sure that the surfaces under playground equipment are safe, soft, and well-maintained.
  • Supervise young children at all times around fall hazards, such as stairs and playground equipment.
  • Use stair gates, which can help keep a busy, active child from taking a dangerous tumble.

A concussion is a type of traumatic brain injury caused by a bump, blow, or jolt to the head that can change the way your brain normally works. Concussions can occur in any sport or recreation activity.

  • Learn concussion signs and symptoms and what to do if a concussion occurs.
  • Make sure kids and teens wear the right protective equipment for their sport or recreation activity.

Parents can take many actions to protect their children’s health and safety at home.

  • Stay smart around the house by following tips on fire prevention, microwave use, and living with pets.\
  • Learn healthy home tips for each room in the house.

Young workers have high job injury rates. Hazards in the workplace, inexperience, and lack of safety training may increase injury risks for young workers.

  • Know their rights, employer and teen worker responsibilities, and what teens under 18 can’t do.

To read more, visit https://www.cdc.gov/family/kids/summer

Content Credit: CDC Office of Women’s Health

Christmas Tips

The Helpful Guide to a Simple Christmas

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WRITTEN by JOSHUA BECKER

“When we recall Christmas past, we usually find that the simplest things – not the great occasions – give off the greatest glow of happiness.” – Bob Hope

I am often asked for thoughts and advice on celebrating Christmas. And when I am, there are a number of helpful resources I send out in reply.

Personally, I have written my Christmas thoughts elsewhere: I respect gift-giving as a love language and do not want to rob my family members of that simple joy. But I prefer quality over quantity, needs over wants, experiences over products, and provide gift wish-lists whenever possible. For the kids, we reevaluate toy boxes and closet space a few months after the holidays to determine if there are items (new or old) to remove. The philosophy is simple, straight-forward, and easy to manage.

But I am not the first to write about enjoying a simpler Christmas. In fact, as I mentioned earlier, there are countless posts/articles/guides on experiencing a simple, stress-free Christmas. And in an effort to create a valuable resource for myself and others, here is a comprehensive list of the best links in one handy, thorough, shareable guide.

The Helpful Link Guide to a Simpler Christmas

Rethinking Christmas.

The Case Against Buying Christmas Presents | Zen Habits – I love Christmas, but the shopping has got to go. Here’s why.

1 Simple Strategy to Save $2,000 this Holiday and Make Everyone Love You Forever | Far Beyond the Stars – You’ve been bombarded by advertising since the day you were born telling you that the only way Christmas would be a success was if you spent somewhere around $1,000 on gifts for people.

The $100 Christmas | Mother Jones – We felt cheated by the Christmases we were having — so rushed, so busy, so full of mercantile fantasy and catalog hype that we couldn’t relax and enjoy the season.

35 Gifts Your Children Will Never Forget | Becoming Minimalist – I have countless holiday memories. Most of them center around faith, family, and traditions. But very few childhood memories actually include the gifts I received.

Gift-Giving Guides.

One Less Gift – A Holiday Gift Exemption Certificate | Miss Minimalist – Tired of holiday consumerism? Give a “One Less Gift” Certificate to someone special.

A Non-Consumer Christmas: Simple Gifts for Kids and Grown-Ups | Get Rich Slowly – Not sure what to buy for your loved ones this year? Consider buying nothing at all.

18 Non-Toy Gifts for Children | Nourishing Minimalism – A great way to combat too many toys, is to shift all the gifts to non-toy items.

Simple, Practical Guides.

7 Tips to Overcome Holiday Gift Clutter | Becoming Minimalist – How can we create space to both humbly accept gifts and remain clutterfree? What specific steps can we take to successfully overcome holiday gift clutter?

The Top of Your Holiday To-Do List: Breathe. | The Art of Simple – Your holiday preparation assignment today? Breathe. Relax your shoulders. And do the following.

Three Steps to a Simplified Holiday | Be More With Less – For far too long, Western culture has convinced us that the best types of holiday celebrations involve more – more decorations, more presents, more time commitments, more stuff.

Beyond the Tension: Having Christmas with Joy | Small Notebook – After sampling both sides, I choose to do those things that reflect joy in my activities and attitude.

Holiday Printable Guides.

Christmas Budget Worksheet | Life Your Way

Christmas Gift List | Life Your Way

Emotional Needs.

How to Survive (and Thrive) During the Holidays When You Feel Alone | Zen Habits – There may be some of you who are going through these holidays without family, without anyone perhaps, and I know that can be extremely rough. This post is for you.

This Christmas, Give Peace | Becoming Minimalist – Family relationships can cause conflict, turmoil, and stress at any time, but the tensions are often heightened during the holidays – that is what makes the Christmas season so difficult for many.

Finding Happiness in the Midst of Grief | Zen Habits – Pay attention to the people in your life because relationships are the only true wealth.

Content Credit: Joshua Becker at https://www.becomingminimalist.com/simple-christmas-links/

Your Home’s Fall Checklist

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Fall is the perfect time to take care of the little things that can make a big difference for you and your home. Most of the tasks listed
below are well with-in the average person’s ability. But even if you choose to have a professional handle them, it’s worth the expense. You’ll save money — and maybe even your life.

Here’s the checklist at a glance. See the following pages for more detailed guidance.

  • Get your mind in the gutters. Inspect and clean gutters and downspouts.
  • Button up your overcoat. Seal gaps and cracks around windows and doors with weather-stripping and caulk.
  • Get on top of roof problems. Inspect your roof for damaged or curled shingles, corroded flashing, or leaky vents.
  • Walks the walks (and drives). Take steps to repair damaged sidewalks, driveways, and steps.
  • Chill out. Drain and winterize outdoor faucets and irrigation systems.
  • Freshen your filter. Clean or replace dirty furnace filters.
  • Give your furnace a physical. Have a professional inspect your heating system.
  • Gather round the hearth. Check fireplaces for soot or creosote build-up. Better yet, schedule a visit from a reputable chimney sweep.
  • Keep the humidifier humming. Clean the plates or pads to ensure efficient operation.
  • Head-off gas problems. If you have a gas-fired room heater, have it inspected by a pro. Also, perform any routine maintenance recommended by the maker.
  • Keep the wood fires burning brightly. Wood stoves are making a comeback. To avoid a deadly situation, be sure to inspect yours before firing it up.
  • Keep your family safe at home. A home safety check should be an annual ritual in every household. Test smoke and CO monitors, inspect (or install) fire extinguishers, review fire escape plans, and rid your home of old newspapers and other fire hazards.

Read more at http://www.bhg.com/home-improvement/maintenance/weatherizing/your-homes-fall-checklist/

Content Credit: Better Homes and Gardens

Stay Cool This Summer

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First and foremost, when the temperatures start to rise, you MUST get your A/C serviced to make sure it is running at peak efficiency! This is also a great preventative measure to help prevent major repairs!

Summer months often cause the highest energy costs throughout the year with the high demand for running your air conditioning system. It’s a no brainer that keeping your home at a comfortable temperature can be very expensive, especially in the middle of the summer in California. Here are a few tips on how to stay cool this summer without running up your power bill. 

stay-cool-this-summer

Keep Your Blinds Closed – Believe it or not, windows actually account for a lot of the heat you experience during the summer months. Keeping your blinds or curtains closed will help keep it much cooler.

Install Window Film – On top of keeping your blinds and curtains closed, installing heat control window film will make a huge difference when it comes to your house heating up during the summer. It can be costly, but the savings you will see year after year will easily make up for the initial investment.

Run Your Ceiling Fans – Running portable fans and ceiling fans can often be underrated throughout the summer months. It is actually a very effective way to stay comfortable in your home during the summer time.

Open Windows at Specific Hours – You can strategically open your windows during the summer by only opening them during specific cooler hours. For example, opening your windows in the evening when it is comfortable outside and then closing them very early in the morning will help seal some of that cool fresh air inside.

Pay Attention to Internal Heat – Many appliances can heat up your home very easily. For example, using your oven rather than a toaster oven or microwave can cause unnecessary heat, especially when it is already very warm inside. Believe it or not, keeping appliances you are not using plugged in can also cause heat to radiate from the outlets in to your home.

Replace Your Air Filters – Replacing your air filter or filters every month will keep the air flowing nicely throughout your house. This is very important when it comes to how hard your air conditioning system works to keep your house cooled.

Regular A/C Service – And of course, have your air conditioning system serviced every year to make sure it is running at peak efficiency.

In conclusion, we often forget how simple it is to save money on cooling costs during the summer, but with these simple tips you can hopefully remember to stay cool this summer!

For air conditioning service or repair, please call us here at Peck Heating & Air Conditioning. You can reach us at (916) 409-0768