/index.php en support@rocketmediastudios.com Copyright 2010 2010-09-02T18:32:28+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/energy_saving_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/energy_saving_tips/#When:18:32:28Z Heating and cooling your home uses more energy and drains more energy dollars than any other system in your home. As much as half of the energy used in your home goes for heating and cooling systems. 2010-09-02T18:32:28+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/water_heater_maintenance_flush_fill/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/water_heater_maintenance_flush_fill/#When:16:43:48Z Maintenance on your water heater is required.  According to all major water heater manufacturers, the storage tank in your water heater needs to be drained and flushed free of sediment every 12 months. Plumbing 2010-08-25T16:43:48+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/increase_your_air_conditioners_efficiency_and_decrease_your_usage/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/increase_your_air_conditioners_efficiency_and_decrease_your_usage/#When:17:51:43Z We’ve had a hot summer - air conditioners running around the clock!  With the current state of the economy most of us are trying to cut costs in any way we can. 2010-08-17T17:51:43+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/important_information_all_homeowners_should_know/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/important_information_all_homeowners_should_know/#When:17:13:53Z We all try to take care of our homes as best we can, but most of us are not experts in home repair and maintenance.  Busy lives and schedules make it all too easy to neglect certain areas of our homes. 2010-08-13T17:13:53+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/homeowner_plumbing_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/homeowner_plumbing_tips/#When:16:04:22Z Homeownership means not only understanding the different systems in your home but also knowing what regular maintenance is necessary to ensure safe, efficient operation of these systems. 2010-08-04T16:04:22+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/energy_efficient_guide_to_heating_cooling/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/energy_efficient_guide_to_heating_cooling/#When:16:31:43Z 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, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system can have a big effect on your utility bills – and on your comfort! 2010-07-21T16:31:43+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/maximize_your_home_comfort/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/maximize_your_home_comfort/#When:20:22:58Z Did you know that by adjusting your thermostat a few degrees when you are away from home or in bed at night can save you money in your monthly utility bills? 2010-07-15T20:22:58+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/the_cost_of_a_leak/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/the_cost_of_a_leak/#When:17:40:15Z The average family of four uses 600 gallons of water a day, 18,000 gallons of water per month, and approximately 216,000 gallons a year [1&2]. 2010-07-09T17:40:15+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/7_home_repairs_you_dont_want_to_ignore/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/7_home_repairs_you_dont_want_to_ignore/#When:15:50:25Z Home ownership is a big investment for most of us.  Because it’s expensive many of us put off repairs.  Some repairs, however, should not be ignored or delayed because they can lead to even more costly repairs in the future. 2010-07-02T15:50:25+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/heating_cooling_homeowner_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/heating_cooling_homeowner_tips/#When:21:40:01Z Being an educated homeowner is one of the best ways to maintain value in your home and to keep your home running smoothly and efficiently, especially with regards to your heating and cooling system. 2010-06-25T21:40:01+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/common_air_conditioner_problems/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/common_air_conditioner_problems/#When:16:29:38Z Central air conditioning systems are built pretty rugged to withstand tough conditions, however, there are several reasons why they might fail.  If your system fails, first begin by checking any fuses or circuit breakers. 2010-06-16T16:29:38+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/summer_plumbing_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/summer_plumbing_tips/#When:15:32:56Z Warm, summer days bring out many homebuyers in search of their dream home. Often new homebuyers find out too late that the home of their dreams is actually the stuff of nightmares, riddled with water leakages and/or poor plumbing systems. 2010-06-09T15:32:56+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/shop_smart_-_find_rebates_and_other_incentives/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/shop_smart_-_find_rebates_and_other_incentives/#When:16:34:58Z Buying energy efficient appliances these days is just plain smart!  You’re not only saving the environment by using fewer natural resources, but you’re also saving money in your pocket through lower utility bills.  2010-06-03T16:34:58+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/humidity_a_major_factor_in_indoor_home_comfort/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/humidity_a_major_factor_in_indoor_home_comfort/#When:15:21:31Z Your heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) system not only heats and cools your home but it can also keep the humidity at comfortable levels in summer and winter 2010-05-25T15:21:31+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/why_do_i_need_to_change_my_air_filter_and_how_do_i_do_it/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/why_do_i_need_to_change_my_air_filter_and_how_do_i_do_it/#When:14:50:54Z Regularly changing the air filter in your air conditioning unit is essential to not only for the continued efficiency of your system but also affects indoor air quality and the longevity of your system.  Many homeowners think that this because this is a “furnace” filter they do not have to worry about it during the summer months.  Not true!  It is important to make sure you have a clean filter in your system all year round. General 2010-05-19T14:50:54+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/signs_that_you_should_call_a_professional_plumber/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/signs_that_you_should_call_a_professional_plumber/#When:20:16:23Z Our homes are compromised of a series of complex systems.  These systems all require special care and maintenance.  One system in particular, the plumbing system, requires particular care if there is a problem.  While you may be able to complete some minor fixes yourself, most repairs require a professional plumber. General 2010-05-13T20:16:23+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/get_the_most_out_of_your_air_conditioning_system_this_summer/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/get_the_most_out_of_your_air_conditioning_system_this_summer/#When:22:51:36Z During the hot days of summer your air conditioning system works extra hard to keep up with your comfort demands.  There are several ways that you can help take some of the stress off your system and help it work more efficiency.  Less energy means lower utility bills, too! General 2010-05-07T22:51:36+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/spring_plumbing_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/spring_plumbing_tips/#When:17:49:42Z Each new season brings its own set of home care tasks.  When it comes to plumbing projects you are best to leave these tasks to the professionals.  If you don’t know what you’re doing, messing with a plumbing system can result in not only serious damage and expensive repair bills, but potential health hazards. General 2010-04-30T17:49:42+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/the_true_value_of_hvac_care/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/the_true_value_of_hvac_care/#When:18:11:37Z Dirt and dust are the leading causes for air conditioning system failure according to the EPA. General 2010-04-22T18:11:37+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/landscaping_tips_help_provide_energy_savings/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/landscaping_tips_help_provide_energy_savings/#When:16:27:27Z Proper landscaping is a natural and beautiful way to keep your home more comfortable and reduce energy bills. A shaded air conditioning unit is one way in particular that you can reduce your energy bills. General 2010-04-14T16:27:27+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/is_the_air_in_your_home_healthy/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/is_the_air_in_your_home_healthy/#When:18:14:14Z Americans are becoming increasingly aware of the problems with indoor air quality and are looking for solutions.  According to the American Lung Association, we spend on average 70% of our time indoors and the quality of the air indoors can be up to FIVE TIMES worse than the air outside! 2010-04-12T18:14:14+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/low_water_pressure_causes/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/low_water_pressure_causes/#When:21:38:09Z Low water pressure can occur for a number of reasons.  The most common is when you have multiple plumbing fixtures running at the same time, i.e. outside hose, shower and/or dishwasher, which lowers your water pressure to each fixture.  There are other problems, however, that can cause low water pressure. 2010-03-26T21:38:09+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/what_does_an_air_conditioning_tune-up_actually_do/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/what_does_an_air_conditioning_tune-up_actually_do/#When:21:27:35Z Your air conditioning system has many moving parts and just like your car needs to be serviced on a regular basis to keep it working reliably, safely and efficiently. You don’t want to be stuck on the hottest day this summer waiting for the service technician (during their busiest time) to come fix your air conditioning unit, when a simple tune-up could have prevented the need for this emergency service call. 2010-03-22T21:27:35+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/garbage_disposal_dos_and_donts/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/garbage_disposal_dos_and_donts/#When:18:01:58Z Garbage disposals are great appliances to have.  But if you don’t operate or maintain it properly, it can require expensive repairs and cause drain nightmares. 2010-03-12T18:01:58+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/important_spring_cleaning_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/important_spring_cleaning_tips/#When:17:51:14Z Spring cleaning is a tradition to most of us.  We usually think of cleaning windows, cabinets and carpets.  These are chores that are part of our regular spring cleaning routine, but in order to keep your house in tip-top shape, don’t forget to include an annual check-up for your systems. 2010-03-09T17:51:14+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/heating_cooling_service_checklist/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/heating_cooling_service_checklist/#When:23:41:55Z You can help the technician accurately and quickly diagnose your heating and cooling unit’s problem by having some crucial information handy.  When the service technician arrives at your home you should be prepared to provide certain important facts to him/her.  General 2010-02-24T23:41:55+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/do_you_have_water_damage_in_your_home/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/do_you_have_water_damage_in_your_home/#When:15:57:09Z Water damage accounts for 25% of all home-insurance claims in the U.S. and 37% of homeowners claim to loss of property due to water damage.  That is, more than one out of three homeowners has experienced water damage!  Checking for signs of water damage around your home can help you avoid becoming one of the statistics. General 2010-02-18T15:57:09+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/power_outages_stop_you_in_your_tracks/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/power_outages_stop_you_in_your_tracks/#When:15:09:49Z Power outages or blackouts can happen for a number of reasons; thunderstorms, snow or ice storms, fire, tornados, earthquake, hurricane, high-energy consumption, accidents, overused power grids and human error. Power outages are especially dangerous during times of extreme temperatures and when the health of you or a family member is in jeopardy due to the need for uninterrupted electricity to power a medical device or keep medicine cold. It can also cost you money in damaged electronics and ruined food. The bottom line is that the safety and comfort of your family is at risk during a power outage. 2010-02-11T15:09:49+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/electrical_safety_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/electrical_safety_tips/#When:18:17:51Z According to the U.S. Fire Administration, during a typical year, home electrical problems account for 67,800 fires, 2,305 injuries, 485 deaths, and $868 million in property losses. 2010-02-05T18:17:51+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/duct_cleaning_dirt_dust_and_other_contaminants/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/duct_cleaning_dirt_dust_and_other_contaminants/#When:22:20:07Z The duct system in your home is the vehicle through which your heated and cooled air is distributed throughout your home.  Air passes through your duct system at an average speed of 1000 feet per minute.  Air moving at that speed kicks up harmful contamination and sends it back into your living and breathing space.  So it stands to reasons that if your duct system is dirty that the air you are breathing will be dirty also. 2010-02-01T22:20:07+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/make_your_home_more_energy_efficient/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/make_your_home_more_energy_efficient/#When:23:39:30Z Making your home more energy efficient can save you money while helping conserve natural resources. Most of us are willing to perform energy efficient practices we just don’t always know which ones can actually make the biggest difference. 2010-01-21T23:39:30+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/how_to_prevent_frozen_pipes/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/how_to_prevent_frozen_pipes/#When:18:42:44Z When water freezes it also expands. This expansion puts tremendous pressure on whatever is containing it, including metal or plastic pipes. Expanding water can cause pipes to break, no matter what their strength is. 2010-01-14T18:42:44+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/essential_winter_tips_for_your_home/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/essential_winter_tips_for_your_home/#When:16:21:33Z Along with the cold, unpredictable weather the winter season brings, it can also cause potentially costly damage to homes due to bursting pipes, frozen rain gutters and other weather related disasters. Here are some tips to make you aware of these potential hazards... 2010-01-08T16:21:33+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/csi_comfort_service_investigators/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/csi_comfort_service_investigators/#When:17:06:53Z Do you need a CSI? Is your water bill suddenly a lot higher? Are some rooms in your home just not as comfortable as you would like them to be, too hot or too cold? Are you concerned about the quality of air you are breathing? Is your home too dry this winter? Is your heating system not working? Our qualified “Comfort Service Investigators” can investigate all of these issues. 2009-12-28T17:06:53+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/fix_that_leak/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/fix_that_leak/#When:15:47:32Z Slow drips of water can add up quickly and can cause extensive damage to your home before it is even noticed. The EPA estimates that more than 1 trillion gallons of water leak from homes nationwide every year. That’s over 3,000 gallons for every person in the U.S. every year! 2009-12-16T15:47:32+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/electrical_safety_for_the_holidays/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/electrical_safety_for_the_holidays/#When:17:50:36Z According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, each year more than 12,000 people are treated in the emergency room for holiday-related incidents, including electrical contact involving lights and decorations. At Blind and Sons, we would like everyone to enjoy the holidays safely. We urge everyone to take extreme caution when dealing with electricity. Holidays are the most distracting times of the year and everyone is busy. It’s easy to do your decorating quickly without taking safety into consideration, however, risk increases because people aren’t paying attention to what they are doing. 2009-12-09T17:50:36+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/home_energy_myths_busted/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/home_energy_myths_busted/#When:16:55:25Z Many of us are looking for ways to be more energy efficient around our homes in addition to saving money on utility bills. With this increased concern for energy conservation and cost cutting, a lot of tips are circulating on how to accomplish this. Some of these tips date back to what our grandparents told us to do. These myths are so ingrained in us because we were told by so and so that we don’t even realize they may actually be having the opposite affect … wasting energy and costing money! 2009-12-04T16:55:25+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/bathroom_water_damage_prevention_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/bathroom_water_damage_prevention_tips/#When:17:48:47Z Seventy-five percent of all household water use occurs in the bathroom, making it the most likely place for water damage to occur. Some simple tips along with regular inspection can help prevent major problems from occurring and keep maintenance costs to a minimum. 2009-11-25T17:48:47+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/value_of_maintenance_agreements/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/value_of_maintenance_agreements/#When:19:23:04Z There is nothing better for your heating and/or air conditioning system than preventive maintenance. Preventive maintenance allows your system to work at peak efficiency year in and year out. A system that is maintained annually experiences considerably fewer breakdowns. Preventive maintenance agreements prevent problems from happening in the first place. You’ll enjoy the peace of mind in knowing that your system is saving you money on your utility bills every time it comes on. Usually, the energy savings are enough to pay the cost of the planned annual maintenance service. 2009-11-19T19:23:04+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/money_energy_and_time_saving_websites/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/money_energy_and_time_saving_websites/#When:17:16:30Z In tough economic times, people are looking to save money. We’ve all experienced the downturn of the economy and are looking for ways to cut back on expenses. In my own recent attempts I came across some very helpful websites. Some of these sites I use in my own industry for saving energy, fuel, and money and some are helpful in everyday life with great money saving tips … 2009-11-12T17:16:30+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/easy_water_heater_maintenance/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/easy_water_heater_maintenance/#When:16:44:45Z We rely on our water heaters everyday. Whether you have a gas or electric water heater they are usually pretty dependable. With a little maintenance you can extend the life of your water heater and save money in the process. 2009-11-05T16:44:45+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/hvac_troubleshooting/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/hvac_troubleshooting/#When:16:11:43Z With fall in swing and cool temperatures arriving now is a good time to understand not only the problems that your heating system might experience but also how you might be able to trouble shoot the problem before calling a technician. 2009-10-22T16:11:43+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/dryer_vent_safety/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/dryer_vent_safety/#When:16:57:12Z Excess lint in your dryer and dryer venting builds up slowly and gradually – you don’t even realize it’s happening. Many homeowners think that by cleaning out the lint filter after each load that you are doing your job of maintaining your dryer. This is not the case! Cleaning out the lint filter is a very important part of dryer maintenance but to insure the safety of your family and home you need to clean out the drying venting as well. 2009-10-16T16:57:12+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/ways_to_save_on_your_energy_bill_this_winter/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/ways_to_save_on_your_energy_bill_this_winter/#When:16:26:53Z Winter, with its blustery, cold weather is just around the corner. Soon we’ll be dragging the sweaters out of our closets and turning the heat on in our houses. No one looks forward to being hit with the large energy bills that result from heating our homes. There are some simple things that we can do to help lower our energy bills this winter. 2009-10-06T16:26:53+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/preventative_drain_maintenance/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/preventative_drain_maintenance/#When:16:23:04Z Clearing a clogged drain can be a major hassle and one of the most common plumbing problems homeowners face. If there's a total blockage of the drain, then the sink, toilet, shower, or tub will be filled with water and the blockage will have to be removed through that. 2009-10-01T16:23:04+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/protect_your_family_from_the_danger_of_co_poisoning/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/protect_your_family_from_the_danger_of_co_poisoning/#When:15:33:19Z The weather is starting to cool, especially in the evenings and most of us won’t think a thing about going to our thermostat and changing our system over to heat. If you have a furnace or boiler, you might have a slight burning odor when you first turn it on but this eventually goes away. 2009-09-24T15:33:19+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/water_conservation_and_heating_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/water_conservation_and_heating_tips/#When:18:28:59Z Water heating is the second highest energy cost in your house next to heating and cooling, not to mention a precious natural resource. Although the cost of water itself may not seem like much, if you have a leak you could be spending more money out of pocket than you realize and wasting gallons of water each day. 2009-09-17T18:28:59+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/instant_hot_water_and_energy_savings/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/instant_hot_water_and_energy_savings/#When:16:54:01Z Next to heating and cooling, heating water is the highest energy user in your home. On average, households will spend $400-600 per year on heating water. New technology enables homes to have instant hot water and decrease water heating costs by up to 50% by installing a Tankless Water Heater. General 2009-09-10T16:54:01+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/conducting_your_own_home_energy_audit/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/conducting_your_own_home_energy_audit/#When:19:12:16Z A do-it-yourself energy audit is something easy you can do yourself. You’ll be saving energy and money by performing a few easy checks. When you perform an energy audit make sure to keep a checklist of areas you have inspected and any problems you have found. This list will help you to prioritize any tasks or upgrades you may be considering. 2009-09-08T19:12:16+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/heating_system_replacement_and_money-saving_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/heating_system_replacement_and_money-saving_tips/#When:17:16:57Z Heating a home is the largest energy expense in most homes, and it accounts for two-thirds of annual energy bills in cold climates. Experts are predicting the cost of heating your home, both with electricity and natural gas, to rise again just as it did this past winter. 2009-08-28T17:16:57+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/water_energy_saving_tips/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/water_energy_saving_tips/#When:17:17:24Z Next to heating and cooling, water heating is typically the largest energy user in the home. As homes have become more and more energy efficient during the last 20 years, the percentage of energy used for water heating has steadily increased. 2009-08-21T17:17:24+00:00 http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/do_i_have_mold_growing_in_my_home/ http://www.blindandsons.com/blog/article/do_i_have_mold_growing_in_my_home/#When:20:55:13Z Outdoors molds play a part in the natural environment by breaking down dead organic matter, such as fallen leaves or dead trees. Inside, however, mold growth should be avoided! Molds reproduce by means of tiny spores, which are invisible to the naked eye as they float through the indoor and outdoor air. Mold may begin growing indoors when mold spores land on surfaces that are wet. Molds only grow when there is moisture present. 2009-08-13T20:55:13+00:00