Wonder if your electric water heater needs repair? Check out this handy YouTube video on how to troubleshoot your electric water heater. Remember, first establish the fact that power is connected to the heater. And then disconnect the power.
This handy heater repair trick requires a Philips & slot screwdriver, as well as a digital or analog multimeter.
The truth is that the jury is still out on duct cleaning. As the EPA points out, “Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts.”
Why? Most of the dust in the air will stick to the duct surface and not necessarily get into the living space. That said, however, breathing problems can be caused by any number of pollutants. “Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts,” the EPA states on its website.
When Duct Cleaning is Needed
However, the EPA does recommend duct cleaning if there is substantial mold growth on your ducts or within your heating system. They also recommend cleaning if your ducts are infested with vermin, such as bugs or rodents.
Tragically, a recent spike in fire deaths in Ohio serves as a grim reminder to make sure heaters are repaired and in working order, smoke detectors are charged and functional, and that all families have a fire and emergency evacuation plan in place.
Even before the winter cold kicked in, as many as 10 Ohioans perished in five fires during the final week of October. The spike in fatalities prompted State Marshal Larry Flowers to issue a plea for residents to take extra precautions against fires ahead of the winter season.
“This tragic loss of life is made more difficult knowing that most fires and fire deaths can be prevented. This number also alarms me because winter heating season is just beginning – we typically see an increase in fires and fire deaths during the winter, and I’m concerned that this could be the start of a trend,” Flowers wrote.
Multiple Fatalities to Blame
The death count was exceptionally high during the last week of October because of multiple fatality fires on Oct. 23 – one in Steubenville that killed two children and an adult and another in Lawrence County killed four, according to the Chillicothe Gazette.
Flowers recommended checking all smoke alarms and to keep furnaces and heaters in working order and good repair.
Home ownership is a beautiful thing. Your home is yours to do as you please. But that also means there’s no landlord to call when repairs need to be made. And when it comes to heater repair, the expensive repairs usually happen when winter weather hits its coldest spells, usually right after the holidays when money is tight.
Join the Club
Hey, we’ve all been there. In fact, a 2013 study from the National Center for Healthy Housing found that 35 million metropolitan homes in the US, nearly 40 percent, had one or more safety hazards. Water leaks were most common (leading to mold problems), followed by mice. Nearly 5 percent of homes had roofing problems and foundation problems, a big cause of radon gas poisoning.
What’s the best way to deal with emergency plumbing and heater repairs on a tight budget? Fortunately, US News and World Report has some great advice. They recommend you apply for a loan. You might even be eligible for a grant. They also suggest you can refinance your home.
A faulty heater in need of repair is to blame for the deaths of 14 dogs at a doggy daycare and boarding facility in Saskatoon, Canada.
Playful Paws Pet Centre, a kennel and pet care facility, posted on its Facebook page news of a terrible tragedy for any family, according to the Huffington Post. A mechanical failure of a rooftop heating unit caused heat to be continuously pushed into the upstairs kennel rooms. The heat reached a point that caused the dogs to die.
The Facility’s Heartfelt Apology
“We are incredibly saddened by this travesty of life and cannot express enough our sympathy to the families of these dogs,” read the post.
It’s a tragedy that could easily happen to any family. It serves as an apt reminder for heater inspection as we approach winter.
Your Prescription for a Healthy Indoor Environment
