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Empathy for Enthalpy

We are all looking for ways to save money. Challenging our energy consumption thinking can really pay off.

Enthalpy, or the energy measured in thermodynamics, may seem a strange visitor to a discussion of your home’s energy consumption. But a brief breakdown of heating and cooling gains and losses will leave you well equipped to be a more energy-savvy consumer, and have a cleaner home, too.

Energy Consumption

It’s challenging to think of reducing energy consumption in the middle of summer’s heatwave. But there are small, individual choices we can make with great impact on our personal energy demand and the environment.

Problem: Rising population, rising cost of living, rising energy costs and consumption…Affects the environment.

“In the next 20 years…global energy consumption is expected to rise 40%”, according to The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, Medicine.

According to the Academy of Natural Sciences of Drexel University (anspblog.org), how we use energy affects our environment. Toxic fumes and harmful byproducts are the unseen evils of energy production and consumption. As is stated in their article, “Reduce Your Household Energy Use”: “When we consume less power, we reduce the amount of toxic fumes released by power plants, conserve the earth’s natural resources, and help protect ecosystems from destruction… Cutting back on energy consumption reduces the amount of electricity that power plants have to make.”

Solution: Changes in how we think and use energy.

As individuals, we can be more aware of how we use the energy we consume by making optimal use of appliances:

Keep refrigerator at 36-38 degrees Fahrenheit, limiting frequency and duration of door opening.

When using oven and stovetop, make larger meals to afford leftovers for another day, requiring less energy to reheat.

Unplug technology including TV’s, chargers, small appliances when not in use.

Wash a full load of laundry in cold water, whenever possible.

Air dry laundry as much as possible, reducing the need for the dryer, the 5th most energy-consuming appliance.

Heaters, the most energy-consuming appliance, are responsible for over 30% of home energy use. Addressing poor insulation and gaps contributing to energy loss are the main ways to reclaim, lowering heating costs.

Cooling appliances account for about 10% of home energy consumption, also being affected by poor insulation and gaps, leading to loss of cooled air.

The state of your windows accounts for nearly 30% of potential heating and cooling losses. Dirty panes, debris, cracks and gaps, and broken weather stripping all contribute to higher energy consumption, as your heating and cooling must work harder to maintain a temperate environment.

Overall, a cleaner home, inside and out, increases the quality of air you breathe inside and outside your home. It also has a direct bearing on the efficiency of your home’s heating and cooling systems. Clean homes using clean, energy efficient appliances will work easier, saving you money as well as reducing energy consumption.

Professional House Washing protects your home from deterioration from elements, buildup of grime, bacteria, and fungus, which can work their way beneath your home’s exterior, ‘infecting’ and deteriorating the efficiency of your home’s energy.

Professional Window Cleaning likewise promotes better use of your home’s energy consumption. Clean windows allow more natural heat and light to enter your home, reducing incessant reliance on appliances and electric lighting.

There are many other appliances, electronics, and habits that affect your home’s energy consumption. While most of these depend on YOUR use and habits as a homeowner, why not depend on US to make the most of your heating and cooling energy expenditure, by scheduling a Professional House Wash and Window Cleaning Service.

With all of the “smart” technology available, let’s be smarter consumers, making better use of our energy consumption.

Concrete Cleaning in Progress by Grime Fighters in Lehigh Valley, PA

Pools, Decks, and Patios: Haven or Hazard?

Learn why the health and safety of your pool and pool apron is a serious matter.

Everyone looks forward to soaking in the summer sun and taking that first dip in the pool. The joy and serenity of the crisp, clean water eclipses our troubles, even if for just a moment. But unfortunately, that moment can quickly become tragic, which is why it is important to refresh safety protocols for the health of your family.

According to stopdrowningnow.com, “10 people die every day” from drowning, “3,400 people drown each year,” and is known as the “#1 leading cause of death in children ages 1-4.” Such tragic loss of life emphasizes why one can never take for granted the state of their pool and surround. It is recommended that in addition to adult supervision, swimming lessons, established safety protocols, and learning CPR are imperative for pool owners.

While there are various dangers associated with pools, everything from faulty ladders to dodgy electrics, poolwatermedic.com lists slip and fall hazards from slippery algae growth on pool surrounds as one of the top injurious offenders, even though it is completely preventable. They recommend that annual flat surface cleaning is essential for pool aprons, patios, decks, and any flat surface surrounding your pool. A closely related danger is water quality of your pool. Bacteria and chemicals can linger in your water if not properly maintained, leading to infections and skin issues.

The health and safety of your pool and surrounding flat surface have direct bearing on the health and safety of the people enjoying them. As summer heat and storms progress, your pool and patio will take a battering with debris and humidity-fostered biological danger (moss, mold, mildew, algae), creating more work for your pool filter. If you choose to try DIY to clean your flat surfaces, it is important to know and have the right tools, techniques, and solutions to properly handle the needs of your deck, patio, pavers, whatever your pool surround. This can be an expense of time, money, and learning curve, procuring all that is needed to safely clean the variety of issues on your flat surfaces.

A professional flat surface cleaning by a trained team of technicians with the tools and knowledge of how to treat various surfaces as well as the surfactants used to restore luster, while avoiding dirt and solutions leaking into your pool, will save you time and money. But how do you know which Flat Cleaning Service is right for you?

BASIC vs. DELUXE

A BASIC flat surface cleaning is performed using only water, and is ideal for those who schedule regular, annual maintenance. This service is also recommended for customers who may be sensitive to the idea of solutions used in the DELUXE service.

A DELUXE flat surface cleaning is ideal for customers who have stains or who have not been able to have a regular, annual maintenance cleaning. This service includes an ECO-wash, green-friendly, additional surfactant used for mold, mildew, moss, and algae growth, to destroy and remove anything biological growing in pores of the concrete which create a slippery surface and creates a more habitable environment for organisms to transfer and grow on your house. Lack of maintenance can also lead to breakdown, cracks, and degradation of the surface around the pool, also providing trip, fall, and splinter hazards.

Why choose Grime Fighters?

In a matter of hours, Grime Fighters can provide you with peace of mind, properly caring for your home, so you can get on with safely enjoying it. Get your FREE QUOTE NOW!

BACTERIA, BAD BRISTLES, and BURNING BRIQUETTES

OR 10 UNTOLD GRILLING DANGERS and a 5 STAR RECIPE

Near-sapphire skies drenched with sunlight, tempered by soft breezes convey that unmistakable smoky-sweet aroma heralding the ‘Official-Unofficial’ start of summer: Grilling Season.

You’ve regarded your springtime maintenance of House Washing and Window Cleaning. Now its time to focus on what really matters: family, friends, and enjoying life’s simple pleasures.

Grilling has all the low-key vibes that we love about Spring and Summer… the laid back itinerary coupled with the relaxed menu. Sun-filled afternoons set into twinkle-lit evenings. And whether your party dines pool-side, porch, or patio, one thing is commonly forgotten in cookout preparation. Grilling Safety.

Firstly, whatever type of grill you have, it is important to know how to safely operate your grill. Grill fires account for 10,600 fires annually, according to NFPA. These are almost entirely preventable. But there are other hazards associated with grilling season that may be overlooked or ignored. Here’s a helpful list of prevention and safety reminders, ensuring the only thing to dampen your dinner will be the weather.

10 GRILLING SAFETY TIPS:

  1. Grill Operation: Each grill is unique and has specific operation requirements. Know the hazards of lighting/igniting and keeping the heat/fire steady.
  2. Propane: Beware of propane leaks. Always follow your grill’s instruction manual on properly igniting and maintaining. A buildup of gas can lead to explosion.
  3. Distance: Keep your grill away from your home, garage, trees, shrubs, and anything flammable.
  4. Damage to your home: Leaving a grill unattended can quickly lead to a hazardous situation, especially if proper distance is not observed.
  5. People: A relaxed atmosphere may loosen the normal attentiveness to caution and safety. Hot grills, Hot tools, and Hot coals can all lead to injury of those unaware of their surroundings.
  6. Drinking: In short, drinking while grilling can lead to accidents. Unwind Responsibly.
  7. Inhaling Smoke: Grill smoke vapors include Carbon Monoxide and PAH (Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons), AKA, stuff you don’t want in your lungs, which can lead to a host of serious health issues with repeated exposure.
  8. Sanitation: Cleanliness of your grill and grill tools ensures you won’t be ingesting harmful substances like bacteria, or last week’s blackened chicken.
  9. Bad Bristles: Grill tools that are weak or shed bristles are in need of replacement. Bristle breakage can cause injuries to hands or worse, be ingested through your food. A real hazard is posed by metal bristles, which, if swallowed, mean a trip to the ER!
  10. Bacteria: Bacteria lives up to 165 degrees Fahrenheit, so be sure to keep uncooked foods refrigerated until ready to cook. Refrigerate cooked leftovers immediately. If you’ve ever had food poisoning, this one’s a no-brainer.

Our house opens Grilling Season with a celebratory Surf & Turf staycation day, shared with dearest friends. While it’s a no-holds-barred food fest, we also appreciate the beauty in simplicity. Here’s a 5 STAR rated recipe on ‘How to Grill the Best Steak’, with tips from Steven Raichlen, Master of Barbecue.

May your grilling be great!… and safe!