Whatever you do, don’t panic! Consumers buy homes all the time that end up having radon problems. If the story ended there, it would be all over the news and we’d have a catastrophe on our hands. The reality is that there are many solutions to this kind of problem in your home, and with proper testing and mitigation, you can be as radon-free as any other home in your neighborhood. Have you stopped panicking yet?
In this post, we’ll be going over some of the basics of radon. We’ll be discussing what it is, where it comes from, what we do to test for it, and most importantly, what to do if you find yourself with a bad radon problem. Dealing with radon gas isn’t as bad as you might think, but it’s not a walk in the park either. So, stay vigilant and take a few notes if you have to, and remember to call the professionals for radon mitigation in Portland, OR.
Let’s get right to it.
An incorrectly sized air conditioner could mean big trouble for you and your wallet in the near future. Like an incorrectly sized engine in the wrong car, you could find yourself with a failed air conditioner on the hottest day of the year and no idea how it happened. Homeowners like to think that all air conditioner problems are in the same category, that eventually you can get them fixed and your AC system will be like new.
Do you live on the fourth floor of a building? No? Then you might want to pay attention. Radon is the number-one cause of lung cancer among non-smokers, according to the EPA, which is reason enough to be up to date on your radon testing. But how your home is built and how the radon mitigation is installed is what really dictates how susceptible you and your family are to the harmful effects of radon. Whether you just moved, your living patterns have changed, or you haven’t had a radon test in recent memory, it is always good to be vigilant and schedule a test as soon as possible.
You would never hire your best friend to fix your teeth for you (unless, of course, they were an educated and licensed dentist!). And you would never hire a dentist to come and fix your car (unless, of course, that dentist also happened to be a professionally trained mechanic!). See, what we are trying to say is that when it comes to your HVAC system, you don’t want anyone but a certified and licensed professional to perform your installation, repair, and maintenance services.
Just because the word thermal is right in the middle of the word “geothermal” doesn’t mean that all these systems do is heat. That’s right–in addition to keeping your home warm and toasty in the winter, a geothermal system is able to keep your home cool and comfortable in the summer. Like all heat pumps, geothermal systems come equipped with a reversing valve, which allows for home heating and cooling. But how is a geothermal system different?
If you are in the market for a new air conditioning system this year, why not consider a heat pump? These systems are extremely efficient, effective, and can provide year-round comfort with just the flip of a switch (oops, spoilers!) In fact, we can’t see many reasons why homeowners wouldn’t want this type of system in their homes!
Of course, the last thing you need during a hot summer day is a broken air conditioner. A broken-down air conditioner can spell all sorts of trouble for your comfort and your budget, so it’s probably in your best interest to have your AC repaired as soon as possible if you’ve got a problem on your hands. But, how can you tell if there even is a problem?
Summer is well on its way, which is certainly exciting! Before you know it, you’ll be going to barbecues, eating plenty of ice cream, and turning on your air conditioner for some cooling relief. But what happens if when you turn on your AC, you notice that it isn’t producing enough cool air?
With the start of a new cooling season, that means increased use of your air conditioner. Likewise, that means another year of service for your AC. We don’t mean to be pessimistic, but another year means another chance for repair problems to develop.