Winter Home Safety: Safeguarding Against Power Surges

Dealing with Dangerous Gas Leaks

There is no such thing as a safe gas leak. The situation must be handled immediately if there is any suspicion of a gas leak. Unfortunately, many people don’t know how to spot a gas leak or, even worse, how to respond when a gas leak is present. Understanding the dangers and signs of gas leaks is vital to knowing how to respond when a leak is found. Here is a quick guide from local experts to keep the family and home safe from gas leaks.

Dangers of Gas Leaks

Natural gas and propane are the two utilities most commonly associated with gas leaks in homes and businesses. Both of these are fossil fuels that are prized for their convenience and usefulness. Despite the convenience of gas and propane, they can present some dangers for people and homes.

Since gas and propane are combustible and explosive, the main dangers associated with leaks are fires and explosions. However, if small gas leaks are present and there is no ignition source, they can cause a variety of health problems for people and pets, even leading to death by asphyxiation. While natural gas is lighter than air and will float to the ceiling and away from people, propane is heavier than air and will first pool at the ground level.

Signs of Gas Leaks

Natural gas and propane are common utilities that make home cooking and heating cheap and easy. With all that gas piping running through the home, it is a miracle that more gas leaks don’t happen. However, the security and reliability of gas plumbing is no excuse for complacency.

When natural gas or propane leaks, the situation is serious. Some of the signs that are evident when this happens are:

A strong smell of sulfur or rotten eggs
Lightheadedness
Chest pain
Hissing sounds
Dying indoor plants
Dead spots on the lawn
Lethargy in pets

Typically, the biggest sign of gas leaks is the odorant added to the gas to make it more easily noticeable. The human nose can perceive the sulfurous compound at concentrations lower than the critical gas concentrations in the air. However, in the wake of a global pandemic that left many people unable to smell, knowing the other signs of gas leaks is vital to the safety of homes that rely on gas and propane.

Responding During a Gas Leak

Once these signs have been noticed, homeowners must respond appropriately to keep people and property safe. First, they should exit the structure, extinguishing any flames as they go. Don’t turn electronics like lights or devices on or off, as this could cause a spark. Proceed outside and leave the door open to help ventilate. Immediately call the gas company or local firefighters to turn the gas off.

These professionals will then safely ventilate the home. Local plumbers must be called for repairs if the leak is inside the home. Look for experts that respond to emergencies, specifically gas-related emergencies. Once the home is ventilated and the repairs have been made, the home will be safe again.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning specializes in HVAC, electrical, and plumbing services. They are BBC-accredited with teams that are always ready to respond to emergencies. With over 30 years of experience, they can reliably install or repair gas or propane lines. Call today for gas line service in Sun Prairie, WI.

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Why Humidity Might Be Your Summer Problem

Summertime is all about outdoor fun and relaxation, but high humidity can make indoor environments uncomfortable and even hazardous to your health. Installing a smart dehumidifier can help maintain a comfortable and healthy home environment. Here’s everything homeowners need to know about the benefits of dehumidifiers and how to recognize when one is needed.

Humidity is defined as the amount of moisture in the air. High moisture levels can make homes feel warm and sticky, affecting the overall indoor vibe. Moreover, excessive moisture can lead to the growth of mold and mildew, which can damage the property and may cause respiratory problems. It can also affect your cooling system, making it work harder and less efficiently.

What Does a Whole Home Humidifier Do?

A whole-home dehumidifier is ideally integrated with your HVAC system for easier control of humidity levels in your home. It draws in humid air to remove the excess moisture and circulate the drier air into your living space. This process improves comfort and protects your home and health from the bad effects of high humidity.

Professional dehumidifier installation ensures the system is properly integrated with your existing HVAC setup. Regular maintenance by HVAC professionals can keep your dehumidifier operating efficiently. This checkup includes periodic inspections, filter changes, and unit cleaning.

When a Home Needs a Dehumidifier

There are several signs that your home might benefit from a dehumidifier installation:

Condensation on Windows: Persistent condensation on windows is a clear sign of high humidity levels in your home. When the moist air comes into contact with cooler surfaces like window glass, it condenses into water droplets. This consistent presence of moisture can lead to further issues, including damage to window frames and sills, promoting mold growth and mildew.
Musty Odors: A musty smell often indicates the presence of mold or mildew, which thrive in damp environments. Musty odors are often a sign of mold or mildew, which produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that can affect indoor air quality.
Visible Mold Growth: Mold on walls, ceilings, or other surfaces directly results from excessive moisture. It not only damages property but also poses serious health risks, especially to individuals with respiratory issues or weakened immune systems.
Increased Allergy Symptoms: High humidity can exacerbate allergies due to the growth of mold and dust mites.

What a Dehumidifier Can Do for the Home

Investing in a whole-house dehumidifier offers numerous benefits, particularly during the humid summer. Some of its advantages include:

Enhanced Comfort: Lower humidity levels can make indoor environments feel cooler and more comfortable, which creates a relaxing vibe in your home.
Health Benefits: Reducing humidity can decrease the presence of allergens such as mold and dust mites, improve indoor air quality, and lower health-related risks.
Protection of Property: Controlling humidity helps preserve wood, furniture, and other belongings, keeping your home in tip-top shape.
Energy Efficiency: Dehumidifiers can help save energy by reducing the workload of the air conditioning system and lowering utility fees.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning, located in Sun Prairie, WI, has been serving the community since 1984. As a full-service contractor, they offer comprehensive HVAC, plumbing, and electrical services. Known for being the best in the business, Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning is a trusted name in the area. Contact them today for expert dehumidifier installation services in Sun Prairie, WI.

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Why Get a Whole House Surge Protector?

Most people think of their home as an investment, and this is absolutely true. Unfortunately, many of those same people fail to take steps to protect their investments. Because not only is the home an investment but all the expensive items inside it. From the washer and dryer to the flat-screen television to the computers, most homes have at least tens of thousands of dollars worth of electronics in them. While these items aren’t technically part of the house, they comprise the household. And no one wants to replace expensive electronic devices if they can avoid it.

That’s where whole house surge protectors come in. These devices can prevent catastrophic electrical surges from damaging expensive equipment. But how do they work, and how do homeowners best protect their assets? Read on to find out.

Dangerous Power Surges

Most people think of a power surge as a lightning strike that hits the home and fries any electronics it comes into contact with. This is not the most common cause of a power surge. Generally, when lighting causes a power surge, it does so by hitting power lines. The lighting does not have to strike the home directly to cause a power surge. But when these surges do happen, homes without a whole-house surge protector are vulnerable. The surge can damage electronic equipment inside the home, causing thousands of dollars in damages.

Other power surges can happen when there’s a power outage and the electricity is restored to the grid. Sometimes, power surges are so small that homeowners don’t even notice that they’ve happened. While these small surges may not cause directly visible damage to electronic devices, multiple small surges can damage electronics over time. A whole-house surge protector guards against these kinds of external power surges.

How a Whole House Surge Protector Helps

Whole-house surge protectors are installed where power enters the home from the grid, between the meter and the breaker box. In this position, they can protect against external power surges by diverting any extra power to the ground, thereby neutralizing it and protecting the home’s electrical system. Most of these are rated for 40,000 amps, considerably more than the 30,000 amps in the average lighting strike.

Most people already have some form of surge protection in their homes. Often, these are surge protector power strips designed to protect against minor power surges, meaning they’re not equipped to deal with the larger surges that whole-home surge protectors are designed for. However, most electricians recommend using both types of surge protectors for layered protection in the home.

When To Replace an Old Surge Protector

Whole house surge protectors‌ only last three to five years. If a protector is used often, meaning it has protected the house from power surges, it may need to be replaced sooner. Thankfully, most home surge protectors have a simple indicator light that tells whether the device needs replacing. However, even if the light is on, the device should be replaced every two or three years for ultimate protection. Consulting a professional electrician for whole home surge protector installation and replacement is always a good idea.

About Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning

The friendly professionals at Cardinal Heating & Air Conditioning have served Sun Prairie, WI, for 40 years! Their technicians undergo rigorous background checks and always leave the home clean. They also provide fast turnaround times with the latest technology. Contact them today for whole house surge protector installation in Sun Prairie, WI!