What Are The Effects Of The Covid Pandemic On Sleep

The novel coronavirus has already put a global toll, whether it be mentally, physically or financially, but how does covid affects your sleep and what do sleep specialists say about this? Well, keep on reading to find out more.

COVID-19 And Sleep

COVID-19 has been a whirlwind of an event for all people. Lives have changed, people have shifted to new habits and modes of working. People who used to go into offices to work are suddenly advised to work from home, we cannot go outside without taking necessary precautions.

Wearing a face mask and having a sanitizer on hand has become a daily habit for us. People are taking care of their hygiene a lot too. People are advised to maintain a good distance from other people, so that they don’t contract the virus. So, it’s basically a major shift of habits and human interactions.

Although these things are in effect and people are scared about this virus, thankfully a vaccine is being created on the sidelines by the medical professionals and it will soon be globally available for everyone. With that being said, this new shift in routine in a lot of people’s lives to staying at home all day has really affected the sleeping routines.

People are staying up late at night, since there is nothing much to do, so they don’t get tired easily.

Because of sleeping late, people are also waking up late.

If a person has symptoms of covid, then they might find it difficult to breathe when they are laying down, this can also cause much disruption and anxiety while sleeping.

Because of no separation between work and personal life, people are finding it hard to distinguish between working time and personal time. This can also trick the brain and your body to become tired or groggy anywhere and without a specific time.

How To Sleep Better In A Pandemic?

Here are some ways by which you can get on track and improve your sleep routine even in a stressful situation such as a pandemic.

Make Exercise A Priority

As mentioned before, because of inactivity in our lives, the sleeping schedule is getting disrupted. To make sure that you sleep well at night, you need to tire your body out. This can be done by at-home workouts. Since gyms are not accessible at the moment, you can make the most out of the variety of at-home workouts available. Make it a priority to exercise daily so that you can tire out your body, this will help you to sleep better at night.

Set A Schedule

You need to set a schedule for yourself even in a pandemic. Make sure that you are following a tight schedule as if you are working in an office in real life. This will take a matter of days to get your body used to a routine and you will fall asleep better too. Having a said routine when you wake up and sleep every day, when you work and get off work will help you to stay on track with your life.

Work-Life Boundaries

If you are new to working from home, then you need to research more on how to set boundaries for your work life and personal life. The easiest way to do this is to separate the places where you work and sleep.

Your bedroom should only be a place of sleeping and resting, and you shouldn’t incorporate or penetrate work into your bedroom. It’s better to have a separate office space or a small room where you have a desk and your laptop where you can work and treat that place like an office cubicle.

While you’re at it, make sure that you are limiting the time you spend on your phone, since the blue light from the phone can stimulate your brain and force it to stay awake. Work and personal life boundaries are important to set to maintain a good routine.

COVID-19 has made people’s lives a lot harder with global lockdown, people losing their jobs and stress and depression. Follow these tips to improve your sleep. Go to a sleep disorder clinic if your sleep issues are severe and impacting your life.

Signs That You Should See An Allergy Doctor

Not all types of allergies are severe. Some are just mild and may not require the attention of an allergist. But at the same time, some allergy conditions may be severe. This is when you will need the help of an allergist doctor.

However, the real question is, when should you see an allergy doctor? As in, how would a person know that it is time to get an appointment. Indeed, this is quite confusing for many people who suffer from allergies.

Symptoms of Allergies

In this article, we will sort this out for you. Briefly, you will know about the severe symptoms of allergies. And in case you are feeling any of these, know that it is time to see an allergy doctor.

These symptoms include:

Sneezing

If you are constantly sneezing without any obvious reason, chances are that you are suffering from an allergic reaction. Such allergy symptoms are quite prominent, especially in the case of pollen allergies.

So, if it is the pollen season and you are suffering from constant sneezing, then it is time to see an allergy doctor. Though, if the sneezing is mild, then it may not be a sign of worry. However, if the sneezing is much worse and is becoming troublesome for you, then reach out to a doctor.

A doctor will most likely prescribe some allergy medications to you that will help control the symptoms until they pass.

Anaphylaxis

Anaphylaxis refers to a set of severe allergy symptoms that include swelling in the mouth and throat, difficulty breathing, confusion, blue lips and skin, loss of consciousness, light-headedness, and confusion.

These are all severe symptoms and if you or anybody around seems to be suffering from them, then you must visit a doctor’s clinic right away.

If ignored, anaphylaxis could send one to the emergency room and in worst cases, it may even cause death. So, we suggest you not to ignore this.

Asthma

If you suffer from asthma and allergies both, then your asthma attacks may become worse during an allergen breakout. This is especially common in the spring season, when the air around you is filled with microscopic pollens.

Since pollens are the most common allergen, they could trigger asthma attacks or make existing asthma conditions much worse.

Though, asthma itself can either be mild or life-threatening, depending on your individual case. So, be careful about it.

When to get a doctor’s appointment?

So, now you may wonder when it is time to get an appointment from the allergy specialist? Well, if you feel like you are getting sick, and feeling congestion, then it may be the time to see a doctor.

Moreover, we also suggest you take proper care of yourself. Until you can see a doctor, it is incredibly important to not to let your symptoms get worse. However, if you are still dealing with much worse symptoms, then we suggest you reach out to doctors right away!

When you visit the allergy doctor, he will carry out some basic allergy testing procedures and figure out what may be causing your symptoms.

Conclusion

Typically, the best time to see a doctor is on the first onset of symptoms. However, many people would prefer to wait until the condition becomes troublesome. Though, we suggest you go to a doctor as soon as possible.

A good allergist doctor Manassas will take your complete history and then determine whether you have an underlying allergy condition. If yes, then the doctor will also prescribe treatments and medications that may vary depending on your condition and case. This is the only way to get long-term relief from allergies.

 

 

7 Common Tree Diseases

Just like humans trees are also living things. Trees need food, shelter and care as well. They also get sick and get diseases for which you should get arborist services. Yes, even trees get diseases. Listed below are the common tree diseases.

Powdery Mildew

A very common disease recognized by rough white patches or layers on the upper surface of the leaves like a talcum powder appearance. This usually happens in warm dry conditions and to trees which are under shade. The onset of disease begins in winters and blooms in the spring season. The leaves began to deform and fall out. It can be treated with chemicals.

Witches Broom

The appearance of this disease is like a broom which spreads out in a weird manner. They grow on the lateral buds on different branches and the sight of infection is at weak points such as those where injury has taken place or where pruning has been done. Once a broom starts then it can spread all over the tree so the solution is to cut that branch off and also spray fungicides.

Cankers

A very common disease which can be prevented with precautionary measures and care. The cause of the disease can be environmental stress, injury, extreme cold or hot weather, human errors and even mowing the area around it. It is characterized by a small sore or a huge dead area on the bark of the tree. The tissue becomes large and rough and often is formed in a group. If cankers are formed in young trees then it may kill or completely deform the tree but it cannot kill an old tree but may cause lifelong issues and deformities.

Anthracnose

This disease is also known as Leaf Blight. In this disease the leaves turn brown, crimped and appear as they have been scorched. It is basically a fungal disease that affects mainly the leaves but the stem of the tree can also be affected. Leaves get brown spots and dead tissues. This mostly happens in the hot and humid weather and is spread by rain and the wind. It can be prevented by taking care of the tree and spraying fungicides.

Black Knot

This is also known as a Gall or Bitter Rot. These are small black ball type growths in the branches and the twigs. These are visible as small swellings or obscene growths. This usually takes place in the spring weather in humid and wet conditions by a fungus which tends to multiply and is seen in 8 to 12 months after the infection. The twigs and branches should be removed or cut down to stop the spread of these knots. If the tree is under severe infection and stress then parts of the bark should be removed.

Greasy Spot

This disease is characterized by brownish yellow sores or blisters on the lower surface of the leaves. These are mostly found on the citrus fruit trees. The blisters gradually develop into greasy spots and round protrusions. The leaves fall drastically as a result of this disease and even the fruit rind is affected. To avoid the spread of the disease and re-infection the fallen leaves should be removed.

Iron Deficiency

Trees also need nutrients to become healthy and grow well. If the soil in the area is deficient in nutrients then trees can become iron deficient. The telltale signs are yellowing of the leaves. You will be able to see a distinct outline of the skeleton of the leaf which will be green while the leaf will be turning yellow. Young trees do not grow well if they are deficient in iron and the leaves turn completely yellow, are smaller in size and also have stunted growth. It is due to alkaline soil and nutrient deficiency. Placing iron tablets in soil can cure the disease.

There are also many more diseases which your trees might get. Trees need proper care and attention and different species may get different diseases. You will need to get your trees checked by an expert arborist. And if the tree is diagnosed dead or is about to fall, get the service of tree removal companies Maryland to cut it from your property to avoid harm to anybody.

Commercial Ice Cream Freezer Is Not Freezing

If you own an ice cream shop, the last thing you would want to have is a malfunctioning ice cream freezer. The temperature inside the freezer needs to be perfect. If the ice cream is too soft, it means that the temperature is not sufficient and you might even need ice cream freezer repair. Whereas, if the ice cream is rock hard, it means that the temperature needs to be adjusted. Whatever the situation might be, a commercial ice cream freezer should be operating at its optimum. Let us discuss the possible causes and their fixes.

Start From The Basics

Before you go deep down into the technicalities, it is suggested that you start from the basics. Sometimes, the problem could be as simple as the door not being closed properly. A blast of air can prevent the door from closing properly and therefore, the temperature drops. If you observe that the freezer is not producing cold air, then first check if it is receiving power. Inspect the circuit breaker as well. It might be that it is tripped. If any of the above is the problem, then you are lucky to have an easy fix.

Check The Door Gaskets

Believe it or not but many problems related to commercial ice cream freezer not freezing relate to the door gaskets. If the freezer is off-level, the door will not seal properly. For instance, if the door is slightly leaning forward, the door will remain ajar. One might think that the door is closed but actually it isn’t. Therefore, make sure that the freezer is placed on a leveled surface.

Another reason for the door not sealing properly is because it might be dirty. Since door gaskets have a rubber seal installed around them, the accumulation of dirt and debris can prevent the door from sealing properly. Maintain and make sure that the freezer is kept clean.

Check The Coils

Freezers have a set of coils installed in the back that provide freezing power. Furthermore, the refrigerant also circulates inside them and evaporates once it enters the coils. Evaporation is a crucial process that draws heat out of the freezer compartment. However, this will hinder the process if the coils are frosted. Inspect the freezer coils by pulling the appliance. You will have a clear view of frosting.

If frosting is found, you will need to defrost your freezer. If the freezer is a manual-defrost model, then you will have to do it yourself. Otherwise, if it is an auto-defrost model, then it should automatically defrost itself. However, if it isn’t, there is something wrong with the defrost controls.

Equipment Malfunction

Apart from the evaporator coils, the condenser is another important component of a freezer. The reason being that it is responsible for driving the refrigerant through the coil system. Therefore, it should turn on and off for the freezer to get cold. The component that informs the condenser to turn on is called a thermistor. Check the thermistor by turning the temperature all the way off to all the way on. Listen to a clicking noise if any. If you do not hear a clicking sound, then the thermistor is not working. You will need a professional to come fix it.

Maintaining Your Freezer

Commercial ice cream freezers are not cheap. These are heavy-duty machines that work round the clock to serve the customers. Therefore, you cannot afford it to break down in the middle of a busy day. Not only will it affect the sales but force your customers to shift as well. With that being said, a commercial freezer like many other restaurant appliances needs regular maintenance. It should be kept clean and maintained in addition to being regularly inspected for leaks or malfunctioning.

Final Word

Commercial freezers are tough machines but with time can develop problems. If you own a new freezer then the problem might be an easy one to fix. However, older models could pose technical issues. In both cases, perform regular inspections and make sure that you keep it maintained at your end and get the help of commercial freezer repairs Northern VA experts whenever necessary.

The top auto glass tinting benefits

Note that all car window tints are not the same. There are a number of things that you should consider before choosing car window tints. And in this article, we discuss the most important of these things. So, before heading to any auto glass tinting store, we suggest you read this article full.

There is no doubt that cars look sharper due to auto window tinting. But the value of car window tints are far more than just the looks of the car. For instance, auto window tinting provides the car a shield from other elements.

With that, car window tinting can block more than 99% of the sun’s rays. They also reduce the heat in the interior which makes it easy for you to get into your car during a hot summer day.

Car window tinting guidance

In this article, we put together a number of things that you should know about car window tinting. With that, we also discuss how they provide protection to your truck or car.

What should you know?

Well, car window tints come in a wide variety of types. For instance, in the market, you will come across films with a metallic finishing, infrared finishing, ceramic finishing, OEM tinting, and a lot more.

Your choice will depend on many factors. This may also include your budget and the aesthetics that you prefer. So, make sure that you have done enough research on its before buying car window tints.

Shield from UV rays

Did you know, your vehicle absorbs harmful UV rays from the sun readily? In case you have a black car, then this might especially be true in your car. With that, the interior of the car is also often a very good absorber of heat.

This is why, you may have noticed that when you get inside your car on a hot sunny day, it is literally an oven inside.

So, since tinted glass reflects much of the sunlight away, the interior of your car does not heat up. With that, it also provides you protection from the UV rays. These rays are known to cause cancer and other skin ailments. So, having car window tints is definitely in your favor for the long run.

It protects your skin

Apart from providing protection to the upholstery and the dashboard, car window tints also protect your skin. So, in case you are driving around the town or taking a trip to the beach, this is going to be in your favor.

With that, if you are taking a lengthy road trip, it might also help in that case also.

Increases privacy

One of the major benefits of car window tints is that it increases the privacy inside your car. Now, you will not have people glaring inside and annoying you. This is a relief for many people who like to stay private and do not want to have awkward waves at the people that they remotely know.

Due to more security and more privacy, offenders may not be able to see any valuables in your car. Hence, chances of someone breaking inside your car would be much lesser.

Conclusion

Without a doubt, car window tints happen to be a popular choice for car owners who want to enjoy a range of benefits. In case this sounds like you, we suggest you explore this option for yourself.

In this regard, reach out to reliable auto window tinting Springfield shops near you and choose the best option. Do not discuss your needs and preferences with the professionals in order to receive the best advice from them.

 

7 Things To Do Before Turning On Your Furnace For The First Time In Winter

That time of the year when days are shorter and the nights are colder is here. Apart from wearing jackets and sweaters to keep yourself warm, it is also the time to turn on the furnace. Since the furnace was in hibernation mode, you need to consider several important things recommended by furnace services before you turn it on. These considerations are there to avoid any mishaps and prolong the life of your furnace. Therefore, let’s discuss them in detail.

Schedule Annual Maintenance

One of the most common mistakes people tend to make is ignoring annual maintenance. People assume that since the furnace is not being used, annual maintenance is not required and that is exactly where the problem starts. Even if you have not used the furnace for the entire year, annual maintenance is a must. Before turning on the furnace make sure that you get it professionally inspected. This will reduce the chances of the furnace being damaged if something were to be stuck in there.

Check The Vents And Heater

Before using the furnace make sure that the vents and heating equipment are not covered or blocked. It is often the case when people cover their outer units and forget to remove it when it is time to use the air-conditioner or the furnace. In addition to that, people tend to obstruct and block the heating system as well that reduces the efficiency of the furnace and encourages high electricity bills. Therefore, perform an inspection and make sure anything that might be obstructing the furnace is removed.

Check For Window Cracks

If you have cracks in your window or windows, the house will not retain heat. As a result, you will have to keep the furnace turned on for long hours without being aware of cracks existing in the windows. Ultimately, you will end up with high electricity bills that could have been avoided otherwise. Therefore, thoroughly check for cracks or leaks in the windows and doors before you turn on the furnace.

Check The Ductwork

Although ductwork is designed to last long but sometimes cracks and damage could occur causing the heat to escape before it ever reaches you. Even if it is a small crack or damage, you get it immediately fixed. While you are it, perform a complete inspection of the ductwork and make sure that it is clean and secure.

Check For Unusual Noises

Once having turned on the furnace you notice that it is making unusual noises or your furnace is struggling to run normally, you should know that there is something wrong with the furnace. Check if the furnace is receiving power or if anything is blocking it. Moreover, check if it is blowing hot air. If you are able to sort out the issue, then you can safely continue using the furnace. However, it is the case otherwise, you will need a professional to come check it out.

Check The Carbon Monoxide Detector Reading

Your furnace should have a carbon monoxide detector. If you do not have already, purchase and get it installed. If the carbon monoxide detector displays a reading above 30, you should turn off the furnace immediately and call a technician for help. Carbon monoxide is a very dangerous gas that can be seriously harmful to you and your family members. Therefore, turn on and test your carbon monoxide detector to make sure that it raises an alarm when something is serious.

Check The Smell

Once you turn on the furnace, it is common that you will smell dust burning. The reason being that over time dust will settle on the furnace and will burn once you turn it on. However, that will be for a few hours. If the burning smell continues for long, you need to turn off the furnace because something is fishy. Try cleaning the ducts and changing the filters. If the problem does not go away, call a technician.

Final Word

As this blog reaches its conclusion, we are sure to have shared everything you need to know about turning on the oil or gas furnace for the first time in winter. Following the steps outlined above will prevent your furnace from getting damaged and keep it running for years to come. You can also hire a furnace repair service Long Island for professional repair and maintenance.

Top reasons to get keratin treatment

Why would you want to get unknown treatments to get rid of your frizzy and untamed hair? Especially when you have a wonderful solution at hand. This solution is known as keratin treatment and for that, we suggest you take help from the best keratin treatment salon only.

The best thing about keratin treatment is that it is not just proven to be safe for hair and sin, but it is also very effective. However, you still might be curious about what the different ingredients in keratin treatment are.

If you want to get amazing results and straight/sleek hair, then keratin treatment is the best choice for you. It is quite convenient, and not too expensive either.

Main reason to get keratin treatment

So without wasting any time, let us get into it and see the main reasons why you should get keratin treatment.

Keratin repairs hair damage

One of the most notable qualities of keratin is that it repairs the damage done to your hair. This damage could be due to the chemicals that you have been using in hair coloring. Often at times, chemical treatments such as ammonia processing also causes significant damage to the hair.

And keratin treatment can repair all this damage, tame your hair, reduce split ends, and reduce the fizziness in your hair at the same time. This is the main reason why a big number of people prefer to get keratin treatment.

It has many advantages

Even if your hair is critically damaged, keratin treatment can do wonders for you. Eventually, it adds smoothness and a glow in your hair that you cannot find in other treatments.

In case you have frizzy or wavy hair and you want to get them straight, then keratin treatment is your best option.

Different types of treatments

Within the keratin treatments category, you can further find a range of different treatments. Though in general, you can find two types of straightening treatments in salons. These include the express blow-out and the natural keratin treatment.

If we compare both of these treatments, then the express blow-out gives a higher durability. Moreover, it may also take more time in the salon as compared to the natural keratin treatment. And so naturally, its price is also going to be slightly higher.

However, overall, both of these treatments are amazing and hence, you should consider getting one of these if you want to get thicker hair.

Easy to maintain

Perhaps the best thing about keratin treatment is that it is quite easy to maintain. In other words, you will not have to worry about your hair returning to their original texture. Unless you do not mistreat your hair with chemicals again, the results will remain from 6 to 8 months.

However, you will definitely have to take some small precautions. For instance, it is not advised to wash your hair within 24 hours of the treatment.

Typically, a hair stylist will suggest you wait for at least 48 hours before washing your hair after the treatment. This gives the keratin time to seep deep into your hair strand, strengthening them from within.

Conclusion

After reading all the reasons mentioned above, chances are that you are already considering getting keratin treatment at a hair salon. If yes, then start looking today.

There are very few hair salons that truly know this art. And hence, you must check enough reviews before choosing salon for Brazilian Keratin Straightening Rockville or simple keratin straightening. Both of these techniques are similar, and a hair stylist will be able to guide you the best about which one is better for you.

How To Select The Right Thickness For Your Kitchen Countertop

To decide about the thickness of your granite countertop, you should consider the usage of the area and the style you want to give that area as well as installation. If you plan to have a natural stone kitchen countertop you have the choices of it being marble, quartzite, sandstone and granite.

We are listing below some tips that will help you in deciding the thickness of your kitchen countertop if it’s any natural stone.

Standard Thickness

The basic natural stone countertop comes in 2cm and 3cm thickness. If you want your countertop to look thicker than this then by building up the edges, a thicker look can be achieved.

As the kitchen is the focal point of any home, it’s always a good idea to make it exciting and unique. When using granite as your countertop, 3cm thickness is usually enough as far as durability is concerned. And for quartzite, being more durable, 2cm thickness can do the job.

Budget

The countertop cost depends on its size. The more material it takes to make a countertop, the more it will cost. It is a myth that the 2cm countertops are less expensive. Although the material cost is less, the 2cm countertops usually cost the same with all the handling and installation cost. 2cm slabs require more attention and care to avoid any damage. Marble tops are even more prone to damage as it is a softer stone. 2cm thick countertops are supported by a 3/8” plywood deck to increase its strength and resistance.

Area Consideration

What is more prevalent in your area? The answer to this question will not only help you decide about what you choose for your kitchen countertop but also it can affect the resale value of your home. If you decide to have a natural stone countertop, the resale value of your home will increase. The thickness also varies from area to area. In Canada, the west coast usually has 2cm countertops while in the other areas 3cm countertops are preferred.

Styling

Choosing a quartzite countertop can offer you a lot. It can take so many styles and colours. It can look like granite or marble while giving a concrete feel. But these possibilities don’t mean that any manner will work in any home and with whatever thickness. Some kitchens, for a subtle look, can look their best with a thinner sleeker countertop.

Counter to this situation. Some kitchens can look more beautiful with a waterfall side and a built edge.

In our opinion, 3cm thick granite countertops are best for the kitchen because of their stain resistance and strength. Granite slabs can have substantial, seamless edges. This gives them a higher value, and they are best suited in a high-utility environment like a kitchen. There is another benefit of using a 3cm thick countertop in the kitchen, and it can hold out against overhang clearances up to 12” with either decorative or hidden supports. This is great for an eat-in kitchen with bar stools along with the cabinets.

Edge Style

The edge of a kitchen countertop is, usually, a straight edge with slightly rounded or eased corners to avoid the sharp line. But there are other options available depending on the thickness of your countertop. Here are so many style possibilities like bullnose, Dupont. Ogee, half-bullnose etc. Some of these styles look better with a thinner edge while some look great on a thicker border. 2cm countertops can offer decorative styles like Dupont and ogee. These styles will give your kitchen a more formal look. On the other hand, a 3cm countertop can provide a beautiful bullnose which can make your kitchen counter more appealing to look at. So, many of the ornate, stacked edges require a thick countertop to create glamour and drama, while simpler options can use any thickness.

Choosing the thickness of your kitchen countertop seems like a simple decision to make, but it could be one of the most critical decisions. The right thickness decides the pricing, resistance to chipping and breakage and also installation method. Therefore, make sure you do not overlook the importance of this. Consult with granite companies Potomac to learn more about countertop designs and thickness.

The pros and cons of heat pumps

Heat pumps are becoming incredibly popular as heating devices. Today, a big number of people rely on such equipment to heat their house during the fall season. And now that the fall season is almost here, you may want to install a heat pump or get heat pump repair in case your existing unit is not working.

However, a big number of people who are reading this article may not know what heat pumps are to begin with. So, before we move on to the advantages and disadvantages of heat pumps, let us look at the basics briefly.

What are Heat pumps?

Heat pumps are systems that involve the use of pump to transfer heat from one point to another. These units often use a gas or liquid refrigerant that extracts heat from the outside environment and pumps it indoors.

In this process, less amount of heat electricity is used. In comparison, when electricity is used in heat conversion, then a big amount of energy can go wasted resulting higher bills.

At the same time, this cycle gets reversed during the summer. Then, the heat pump simply absorbs heat from the indoors and throws it outside, hence working as an air conditioner.

However, the use of heat pumps simply depends on your location. Certain areas that are very cold do not offer the perfect conditions for heat pumps to work with high efficiency.

Though, from the perspective of reducing our carbon footprint, heat pumps do a great job as compared with gas furnaces. Although, gas furnaces can be extremely efficient – rated up to 98% at times.

Pros of Heat pumps

Now, let us look at some of the advantages of heat pumps. These include:

Lower costs to run

Heat pumps simply costs lesser when it comes to operation and maintenance. Furthermore, the greater the energy efficiency of your system is, the better it will run in the long-term.

Lesser maintenance

Perhaps the best thing about heat pumps is that they cost lesser from maintenance perspective in the long run. So, chances are that you will not have to spend a lot of on your heat pump.

Though, occasional maintenance and repairs are inevitable, and you cannot avoid that. After all, it is a mechanical device and can be prone to faults due to multiple reasons.

As far as simple inspection goes, you can occasionally do it on your own. However, for bigger issues, you will most likely need the help of a professional serviceman or a heat pump contractor.

Safety

Yet another benefit of a heat pump is that they are very safe in comparison to other systems that rely on combustion. With that, they have reduced carbon emissions since no combustion is taking place.

And some heat pumps can be extremely efficient, hence reducing your overall energy costs. Take the example of water source heat pumps for example. These heat pumps can have an efficiency of around 600 percent.

Longer life span

Heat pumps tend to have a longer life span in comparison to other heating devices and equipment. For instance, a heat pump can last up to 50 years. Though, average time span in which the heat pump will work best is around 14 to 15 years.

They work both ways

The best thing about a heat pump is that it can work both ways. For instance, it can provide cooling during the warm season and provide warmth during the fall season.

The only downside would be that you will occasionally have to take help from heat pump repair services Falls Church before every new season (as heat pumps tend to run down often).

7 Steps For Fixing Your AC Refrigerant Leak

A refrigerant leak is one problem that can develop in your condenser pipes inside your air conditioner that can render the whole appliance useless. This makes it something that needs to be addressed on a priority basis for which you have to find an AC repair service. Here are all the steps involved to solve the refrigerant leak of your air conditioner.

Confirm that you have a refrigerant leak problem in the AC

The most obvious sign of a leak is that your air conditioner will fail to cool the room, even after a long time with all the settings cranked up to the max. This, however, does not automatically confirm that you have a leak, as there are other reasons as well for the air conditioner not working, such as compressor problems, so you will rule those out first before proceeding.

Disconnect power & let the unit rest before approaching it

When determining a leak, you need to let the air conditioning unit stabilize so that you can reliably detect the leak in the system. The way to do this is to make sure that any power going into the unit is cut and that the system is allowed to rest so that it can go back to its original state, before you take it apart for an inspection.

Determine the root cause of the problem before a gas refill

This is important. Just refilling the gas one more time, while the leakage is still present means wasting both time and effort, not to mention some expensive refrigerant gas, which can by the way, also pose serious health hazards if it’s allowed into the atmosphere. Common sense dictates that you must fix the leak first before refilling the gas in the air conditioner.

Check the entire piping of the air conditioner for the cause

Once you believe that the air conditioner has rested enough to stabilize, you are now ready to disassemble in and pinpoint the exact spot of the AC leakage, as well as what caused it in the first place, so that such a situation can be avoided to the best of your abilities in the future.

Remove any dust accumulated onto the condenser drain

When you disassemble the top cover of your air conditioner, chances are you will see that the piping is caked in dust. You must vacuum this out so that the work area where you will be observing for the leak is free of any hindrances.

Use a halogen bulb to zero in on the leak in the AC unit

Obviously, a leak like this will be impossible to detect from the naked eye. That is why you need some special apparatus to determine the location of the puncture. Now since you are not a professional with the right tools, you will need to do some improvisation, and that is to use a halogen bulb instead to light up the pipe from the inside and see where there is a leak or a hole.

See if the leak is repairable or a replacement is needed

Once you have determined exactly where the refrigerant leakage emanated, you are ready to patch it up if possible. If not, you might have to get a replacement. Afterwards, just fill up the unit with gas again and you are good to go.

Every minute that passes by with a refrigerant leak in your condenser coils can be deadly for the appliance, and so in order for you to be able to fix the problem in time, you first need to diagnose it. Unfortunately, the signs of such an HVAC issue are not immediately apparent, and it is not until a considerable amount of the gas has leaked that you will notice that your air conditioner is not functioning as intended.

In order to remedy this scenario, you need frequent AC or HVAC inspection and servicing by trained and certified air conditioning companies Fairfax only. This will not only enable you to find and fix any issues in time, it will also play a significant role in allowing you to perverse the overall lifespan of your AC, and ensure that it keeps working as expected for a long time to come.